In The Spirit Of Christmas

Thanks All!

2007-12-16T13:08:00.000-05:00

It was another awesome night at Sonny's with Blackboard Nails and The Chixie Dicks and Maria Hawkins did a wonderful job at The Atomic Rooster.

The Chixie Dicks experience presented a few pleasant surprises as we introduced a few numbers that we hadn't fully worked on but they turned out quite well. The whole set felt good.

Blackboard Nails were their usual awesome selves and had the folks on their feet.

Ted and I took a half hour to visit with Maria at the Rooster and express our thanks for all she had done and continues to do.

Another few hundred dollars was raised (rough estimate) at Sonny's to add to the thousands that is earmarked for food to fill the hampers next week. According to Ted, we're still a couple of grand short but will have to make do if we don't get there. More numbers, though, still trickle in.

Here's hopin' and here's thankin' everyone for their support.

Event pictures and updates soon!

w

REMINDER: Tonight's The Final Night

2007-12-15T13:59:00.000-05:00

The Chixie Dicks and Blackboard Nails are gearing up for another fun night of fundraising at Sonny's Bar and Grill. Great Music and entertainment will be accompanied by 50-50, turkey and Sens Ticket raffles with the proceeds to In The Spirit Of Christmas.

The Dicks open at 8pm.

When the Nails take the stage, Woody will blast down to The Atomic Rooster and take the stage for a few minutes with Maria Hawkins as she performs and raises money for us as well.

Then it's back to Sonny's to close out.

This has been an incredible campaign of effort on many folks' behalf, not the least of which - the staff and customers at Sonny's who pitched in to help with the bake sale, raffles and Santa's visit to a Christmas party for over 130 sheltered children.

Let's close this out in style tonight.

See y'all soon!

FINAL FUNDRAISER: SATURDAY - BLACKBOARD NAILS & CHIXIE DICKS/MARIA HAWKINS

2007-12-13T07:10:00.000-05:00

It's amazing how quickly Christmas is approaching. We're less than two weeks away and it's been a hectic campaign to organize this series of events and coordinate the efforts of others who have generously assisted us, namely Maria Hawkins and BassLine Station.

We have one more weekend of events.

Saturday Night, Blackboard Nails return to Sonny's with the Chixie Dicks and Maria Hawkins performs at the Atomic Rooster, 303 Bank Street.

The Chixie Dicks open up at Sonny's at 8pm. After introducing Blackboard Nails, the Woodman will head over to the Rooster to share a bit of stage time with Maria and then return to host with the Nails.

There'll donations encouraged at both events as well as raffles for prizes.

At Sonny's, a special Sens Ticket raffle will occur - thanks to the generosity of Mark Rushton.
The tickets are for the February 9th game against the Montreal Canadiens.

There will also be Christmas Turkey raffles at both venues, thanks to Brian's Butchery (Cobden and Iris).

We still need two to three thousand dollars more to feel comfortable about furnishing enough substantial hampers for the shelters and families in need.

For all contributions, we remain grateful.

Maria Hawkins Is The BEST!! More proof....

2007-12-10T16:16:00.000-05:00

I finally found the time to put together some images to go with Maria Hawkins' "I Want To Believe In Christmas" to make a video. The images speak to what the campaign is all about: People helping people.

If you can believe in community, you can believe in Christmas. Thank you, Maria.

DON'T MISS MARIA HAWKINS this Saturday Night at the Atomic Rooster, 303 Bank Street as she helps us raise funds again.

The Chixie Dicks will be opening for Blackboard Nails again at Sonny's the same night for the same cause but when the Dicks are done, Woody will definitely scoot over to the Rooster to spend some time with Maria.

A fun time and a great cause at both venues.

Santa, Maria, Jammin' with Jenna

2007-12-09T10:49:00.000-05:00

Over 130 children from 3 area shelters were treated to a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus yesterday during Sonny's annual Christmas Party for under-privileged kids.

Each child received a present, made possible through generous donations, as well as lunch, refreshments and cake.

After Santa had seen every child, the crowd enjoyed the music of Jenna Taggart, 15, as she sang with the assistance of Dog And Pony Sound, who also donated their services again this year.

It was an extra-special moment when Ottawa's Blues Lady, Maria Hawkins, stopped by and shared her time and talents with Jenna and the rest of the kids.

Maria will also be fundraising this weekend for In The Spirit Of Christmas at the Atomic Rooster on Bank Street. More details coming.
With some of the funds raised so far and, with the kindness of strangers, we were able to treat Trinity Duffy, 7, to an evening at the NAC to see The Nutcracker. The story of Trinity and her family is here.

After a hectic but fun afternoon the clean up began to prepare for the evening's Jam Session with some of the Chixie Dicks and members of Circuit and Blackboard Nails.
Jadon Bailey, generously donated his drum kit for the event and Kevin Wright arrived with keyboard in tow.

In all, it was a great day and more money was raised. But there's still a ways to go, friends.

We have a lot of fun with this kind of fundraising but we haven't lost sight of the reason we do this.

The need is real and it seems to growing at an alarming rate. We'll do our best to meet the numbers and, really, it's all we can do.

Details on our final gasp coming soon!

THIS WEEKEND: WISE GUYS AND WOODY'S CHRISTMAS JAM

2007-12-05T06:35:00.000-05:00

Friday night at 9pm, the fundraising fun continues with The Wise Guys at Sonny's Bar And Grill.

This is an excellent classic rock party band with an impressive song list that includes music from The Rolling Stones, Doobie Brothers, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and much more.

Then, Saturday Night, it's Woody's Invitational Christmas Jam with members from the Chixie Dicks and some of the other acts that have performed over the past few weeks to help In The Spirit Of Christmas.

It's going to be pretty loose and improv and definitely a good time.

No Cover - Donations ENCOURAGED for both events.

50/50 and Turkey raffles will also help in the fundraising effort.

Thanks To Maria Hawkins And Moonrunners

2007-12-02T12:16:00.000-05:00

As I stated in my previous post it was a successful night from both Sonny's and Bass Line Station on Saturday.

Thanks to AJ and Lionel at Bass Line for not only providing the venue and supporting the effort, they also carved a healthy cheque for the cause, which was a complete and quite pleasant surprise (although, when one considers the community spirit and awareness generated from there, it shouldn't really come as a shock).

Such a gracious performer, as well, Maria Hawkins not only shared the stage with the Woodman for a most generous period of time, she was a marvel to watch as she worked the room effortlessly with wireless mic in hand, ad-libbing lyrically to the thought of the moment - always rhyming, always with timing. And the band kept the pace and mood at every turn. They were a treat to witness.

I recommend taking advantage of any and every opportunity to see this marvelous "Blues Lady" perform, especially when she's doing it for a cause (which is quite often). She's most worthy of the support.

The Moonrunners were everything I imagined they'd be from viewing earlier videos. Those videos, which had appeared it an earlier post on this blog, were from over a year ago.

As I suspected, they grew in their repertoire, skills and timing and their stage presence held poise well beyond their years. Fifteen year old kids can, more often than not, exhibit any range of impressions from nervousness to pretentiousness. But not these guys. They were confident, comfortable and legitimately had fun playing. It was very impressive, to say the least.

As for where that came from, it would be no small measure of rationale to suggest their music teacher is the one and only Robert Farrell, one of Ottawa's greatest guitarists and long time friend of the Doc and Woody show, who happened to drop by for the first set.

The crowd was quite strong and it was evident that these talented lads have already cultivated a fan base that has begun to transend the requisite friends and family support posse.

And, while the proud families and neighbors were in attendance, it was the reaction from the Sonny's regulars that was most effective. They could be forgiven for being mildly skeptical as they observed four pre-shavers assembling their gear and drinking coke.

But, with the authoritative strike of the opening chords, The Moonrunners had their attention and didn't release their grip through the entire performance.

I'll tell you, it made this little rookie event planner damned proud of his decision to bring these young men in.

Thanks, gents, for makin' US look good, too.

They'll most certainly be back in the new year.

Feeling Grateful

2007-12-02T00:58:00.001-05:00

Dunno where to start. Will decipher the feelings and thoughts by next post.

Suffice it to say that we are in awe of both Maria Hawkins and the wonderful folks at Bass Line Station.

It was a successfull evening there. As it was at Sonny's with Moonrunners. If you missed them, you missed an entertainment bonus in your life. I'm no Nostradamus but I'll state today, these kids are ones to watch.

Pics and Vid material coming soon.

... And onward we move...

Thumbed via Blackberry

TONIGHT: MOONRUNNERS AND MARIA

2007-12-01T12:25:00.000-05:00

MOONRUNNERS tonight at Sonny's Bar and Grill, 1119 Baxter Road. 8pm show! These kids are good. They won't be playing all night so be on time for it. A map to Sonny's can be found down the right column of this blog.

We'll also have a turkey raffle and 50/50 draw.

MARIA HAWKINS at Bass Line Station after 9:30. The "Blues Lady" is gonna tear it up for the cause tonight. Bass Line Station is located at 2557 Baseline Road.
CLICK HERE FOR MAP

Once again, we thank them all for their help.

Maria, I just heard a great song, Maria.......

2007-11-30T13:32:00.001-05:00

Awrite. Awrite. No more WSS refs from me, EVER.

But, Maria Hawkins was on the Doc and Woody Show today with an original Christmas song for this very spirit we share. It was cool because it was bluesy and passionate.

I have a vision of producing it as a YouTube video, incorporating some of the images I've captured during this campaign and previous ones to not only express tribute to those that have helped in the past and continue to make a difference BUT to underscore the need that we all desperately want to erradicate.

Watch this blog next week. The audio file is still at the shop. I'll commence work on it Monday. Should be up mid-week after post-production.

Thanks, Maria. Thanks, Doc. And THANK YOU for logging in and checking us out.

Every bit helps and, with needs like this around us you CAN help - not only at Christmas (but that's for another post)

The work continues.....

Btw - of you'd like to help or donate, info is in the right column and contact coords at the bottom.

Cheers,
W

Thumbed via Blackberry

REMINDER: SATURDAY DOUBLE VENUE-DOUBLE FEATURE

2007-11-30T07:59:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow night, we have two fine musical experiences from great acts who are donating their time and talents for "In The Spirit Of Christmas".

Starting at 8pm at Sonny's, a great young group of high school musicians with a s#*t load of talent - Moonrunners. Check out their vids posted here.

A special thanks to Bass Line Station and Maria Hawkins.

Maria will be performing at 9:30 at Bass Line Station tomorrow night, raising money as well.

We're grateful for her involvement.

50/50's and other raffles will be featured at both venues as well.

Maria will be a guest on the Doc and Woody show on CHEZ 106 this morning at 8:40 to help promote this great effort.

THANK YOU, CIRCUIT!

2007-11-27T06:02:00.000-05:00

It was a great night, last Saturday, as Circuit Rocked the house at Sonny's.

It was a smaller crowd but a spirited one, raising over $300 for the night.

And thank you Circuit for donating your merch proceeds to "In The Spirit Of Christmas".

Looking forward to the jam on December the 8th. Various members of the acts that are performing during this campaign will be getting together.

Below is a video sample; a very cool and unique run of Zep's Whole Lotta Love. Keep in mind that, as with some other vids on this blog, it was shot with an ordinary digital camera - so audio and video quality is somewhat pedestrian. Still, it's worth a view.

UP NEXT: MOONRUNNERS at Sonny's and MARIA HAWKINS at BASS LINE STATION this Saturday. Details soon!

Reminder: Circuit Rocks Sonny's Tomorrow!!

2007-11-23T09:27:00.000-05:00

We're lucky to have a great bunch of guys with a great sound, Circuit, donating their time to help the cause.

Again, as with other events, No Cover tomorrow night at Sonny's but donations are always encouraged and we'll stage another 50/50 raffle.

Check the video below. It's a great sample of Circuit's original material.

Maria Hawkins Gets "In The Spirit"....

2007-11-20T13:30:00.000-05:00

We're very pleased that Maria Hawkins and Bass Line Station are offering their help to "In The Spirit Of Christmas".

Speaking with Maria last week, she's more than pleased to be sharing the evening with us, Saturday, December 1st at Bassline Station as we split the proceeds with her chosen project - the music program at St. Paul's high school through Maria's ACE (Arts in Community Everywhere) program.

She has been bringing musicians in to St. Paul's for over 3 years, to provide workshops for students who are musicians. Over 100 students participate in these valuable workshop presentations every year.

Her assistance to our cause should come as no surprise to anyone who know this Blues Lady. She has been greatly involved in the community for a good many years. The list of just some of her accolades for her efforts can be found here.

As well, it's not the first time Bass Line Station has helped out. Last year we received proceeds from a rollicking cajun night featuring Zydeco Loco and we also had help from their management and staff when it came to deliver the hampers on December 23rd. Friends like that are wonderful to have.

December 1st at Bass Line Station promises to be a great evening. Show time 9:30pm.

$5.00 Cover - Proceeds to two great charities.

Bass Line Station - 2557 Baseline Road at Greenbank - 613-721-7771

Of Dicks, Nails, Gifts and Bake Sales

2007-11-18T12:54:00.001-05:00

It was another good night for "In The Spirit Of Christmas" last night at Sonny's. The evening got underway slowly as there seemed to be a little competition for people's time and money in Ottawa. Still, the evening ended powerfully.The Chixie Dicks opened up the evening with a shortened but rollicking set, with Blackboard Nails closing us out.

These guys are not only an uber-talented group and tight with their music, I can't say enough about their charitable spirit, volunteering their time and talents for, now, the third year in a row.

They are back with the Chixie Dicks on Saturday, December 15th at Sonny's. So, if you missed 'em this time around, circle the next appearance on your calendar. It'll be bigger and better as we sprint toward our goals.

The music was just one portion of this signature weekend to raise money for Christmas hampers for shelters and families in need.

Along with the evening's entertainment, the annual bake sale kicked off during the breakfast run and continued through out the day, closing off around supper time.

The sale continues again, today until about the same time.

Nearly $1200 was raised from Saturday's sales alone.

As well, their was musical entertainment through the day as the sale went forward.

Auction item tickets were sold for hand-crafted items like stained glass snow shoes and 50/50 raffles added to the take.

In all, a good blitz in this campaign but there's still much to raise and not a lot of time.

Next big event:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24th. Ottawa's indy recording artists, Circuit will be volunteering their gift at Sonny's Bar and Grill.

Again, are they not only talented but they're a great bunch of guys who love to have a good time and do something for a good cause.

Check 'em out at: http://www.circuitrocks.com

And on we go..............

Food and toy hampers herald In The Spirit of Christmas

2007-11-17T10:55:00.000-05:00

Ted Long had his share of bleak holidays. Now, he's working so others don't.
Roger Collier, The Ottawa Citizen
Saturday, November 17, 2007

Outside Tony Nicolitsis' tidy Kanata townhouse, the temperature has dipped to the single digits. Inside, it's warmer, but still cool.

"The heat's not on right now," says Mr. Nicolitsis, 31. "We can't really afford it."

He's always cold. It doesn't help that he can't keep any food down and is losing weight daily. When healthy, Mr. Nicolitsis weighs about 175 pounds. He was at 132 last week. And today, his scale tells him, he's down to 127.

In March, Mr. Nicolitsis left his job as a customer service representative at Algonquin College after a donated kidney he received in 2002 failed. His own kidneys failed years ago.

He's on disability leave, taking home 60 per cent of his pay. His partner of 14 years, April Duffy, works in administration at the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute. Their daughter, Trinity, is in Grade 2.

Mr. Nicolitsis is on home dialysis. He suffers from stomach ulcers, takes six medications to control his high blood pressure, and is on another for migraines. He's tired, always.

And there are financial struggles, too. After paying rent and buying groceries, there's not much left. Bills are going unpaid.

"It's been like this for 10 years," says Ms. Duffy. "We never can catch up."

Christmas last year was tough. Mr. Nicolitsis' body was rejecting the donated kidney and he often missed work. But he and Ms. Duffy earned enough to cobble together a decent holiday for their daughter. This year it didn't look good.

Then Ted Long called.

For the past 16 years, Mr. Long, a 65-year-old painter, has run the In The Spirit of Christmas food hamper and toy program. He also hosts a Christmas party each year for about 100 children from local shelters.

Mr. Long heard about Mr. Nicolitsis and his family from a friend. Touched by their story, he called soon after.

Mr. Long knows a thing or two about going without at Christmas. He grew up in Regent Park, a hardscrabble area in downtown Toronto. His father wasn't around much. His mother did her best to provide for her four sons, but it wasn't easy. Sometimes the family's only income was a bi-weekly $40 cheque from a nearby Catholic church.

So it's not surprising that, now that he can, Mr. Long wants to help others avoid bleak holidays.

In 1990, not long after moving to Ottawa, Mr. Long organized a Christmas party -- complete with food, presents and Santa himself -- and ventured into Ottawa's poorer neighbourhoods with other volunteers to see if anybody wanted to come. About 100 did.

Eventually, he began bringing Christmas right to people's doors. His Christmas hampers contain a week's worth of groceries including turkey.

"And presents, too," said Mr. Long. "If we have them."

Last year, Mr. Long and his helpers raised $12,000 and brought more than 300 hampers to families. This year, he figures there will be closer to 500 families in need. He wants to raise between $15,000 and $20,000.

A recent Elvis tribute night at Sonny's Bar & Grill on Baxter Road brought in $450. Mr. Long is hoping to bring in much more this weekend at a two-day bake sale featuring live entertainment. It starts today and runs into the evening at Sonny's, which is across from the Pinecrest Shopping Centre. There will be other fundraisers at the restaurant every weekend until Christmas.

The food hampers will go out on Dec. 23 and 24. The annual children's Christmas party will take place at Sonny's on Dec. 8.

The Nicolitsis family has been receiving some help from friends -- a former boss and a former colleague occasionally swing by with groceries -- but mostly they're on their own.

"It's nice to know somebody cares," said Mr. Nicolitsis.

In Today's Ottawa Citizen....

2007-11-17T10:40:00.000-05:00

Page E4 (City Section) of Today's Ottawa Citizen presents another example of the need for your support. People like Tony Nicolitsis represent the very need we're trying to address.

Mr. Nicolitsis is on home dialysis. He suffers from stomach ulcers, takes six medications to control his high blood pressure, and is on another for migraines. He's tired, always.

And there are financial struggles, too. After paying rent and buying groceries, there's not much left. Bills are going unpaid.

"It's been like this for 10 years," says Ms. Duffy. "We never can catch up."

Christmas last year was tough. Mr. Nicolitsis' body was rejecting the donated kidney and he often missed work. But he and Ms. Duffy earned enough to cobble together a decent holiday for their daughter. This year it didn't look good.

Our thanks to the Citizen for helping raise the awareness.

And, when you get to the part about the Elvis Tribute night, remember our thanks to Randy Collins and Dan Burgess for donating their time and talents for the cause.

One Down, Good To Go

2007-11-17T09:50:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came out last night to have fun with the Chixie Dicks.

Especially, a thanks to Bob Kearns. He won the 50/50 draw and donated his winnings back to the cause. High praise, my friend! Thank you!

Tonight, the Dicks will kick off the event before Blackboard Nails, a band not to miss. They have a great repertoire and a gifted group of multi-talented guys.

Keep an eye on Tim Ladd. He'll magically flip his guitar and play left-handed without missing a single note.

Coming soon... A breaking devolpment involving Ottawa's premier Blues Lady.

Thumbed via Blackberry

The Weekend's Here!!

2007-11-16T10:23:00.001-05:00

Tonight, The Chixie Dicks take the stage at Sonny's at nine.

The bake sale runs all day tomorrow and Sunday. (Mrs Woody's cookies, Kevin's Ribs, Joe's jams among the many delicious donations on the table to help us raise money.)

Tomorrow Night, Chixie Dicks will run earlier and shorter to open for Blackboard Nails.

Reminder: No Cover - Donations ENCOURAGED!!!

Thumbed via Blackberry

NEXT UP @ SONNY'S: CHIXIE DICKS FRIDAY

2007-11-14T15:04:00.000-05:00

Getting musicians together is "kinda like herding cats" a friend once said. I can believe him. But we're pretty certain that we have everyone nailed in the box for Friday at Sonny's.

Saturday could be a challenge. I'm hoping enough of the guys at the core are into it so that we can fashion a scaled back opening set for our
good friends, Blackboard Nails. Regardless, the shows DO go on and BBN are pumped for the weekend.

We're feeling good about our new drummer, Mark and we miss Rick on guitar for a few tunes which we'll leave out. But Steve's on game for the majority of the list.

One thing for sure. It'll be a blast.

More developments in the works. Stay tuned.

Elvis Has Left The Building!!

2007-11-11T14:37:00.000-05:00

Our 2007 "In The Spirit Of Christmas" campaign is officially underway and our thanks go out to Dan Burgess and Randy Collins for providing a great night of entertainment and donating their time and energy to our cause. The collage below only tells part of the story.

Below is a video sample of Dan's entrance and See See Rider

Below is Randy performing Kentucky Rain

We managed to raise a few hundred dollars from a good crowd at Sonny's last night. But there's much more to raise. The events over the next few weeks will amount to only a fraction of what we need to accomplish. Again, though, we're grateful for any and all assistance in our efforts.

Thanks again to Dan Burgess and Randy Collins for not only donating their time but for putting on one hell of an entertaining show.

REMINDER: ELVIS TOMORROW NIGHT!!

2007-11-09T10:02:00.000-05:00

Randy Collins opens the show with Back To Memphis: A tribute to Elvis Presley's early years. Randy's a strong performer with this material and it's a great showcase of Early Elvis. Dan Burgess then takes the stage with the "Vegas" Elvis showcase. Complete with the classic Elvis jumpsuit and other "Elvian" paraphernalia, Dan belts out the classic 70's Elvis sound. The video below shows what he can deliver. The moves are vintage "E"!

This video displays Dan's execution of Presley's signature vocal style.

Randy Collins and Dan Burgess Tomorrow Night!! Sonny's Bar and Grill.
Showtime: 8pm
Check the map in the right column of this blog for location and info.
NO COVER - DONATIONS ENCOURAGED!
PROCEEDS TO HELP US PROVIDE CHRISTMAS HAMPERS AND GIFTS FOR KIDS

BAKE SALE SET FOR NOVEMBER 17TH WEEKEND

2007-11-06T11:30:00.000-05:00

HELP US IN OUR ANNUAL EFFORTS – BAKE 4 THEIR SAKE

Our annual bake sale is happening the weekend of November 17th and 18th. This event will carry on through the weekend to help our less fortunate. We’ve had great success in the past through your generosity and we NEED you again this year.

Bring your goodies to vend and sample other people’s great wares.

Live Entertainment will take place through the weekend – INCLUDING Woody’s great group of guys, know as the CHIXIE DICKS as well as our BEST FRIENDS EVER for In The Spirit Of Christmas – BLACKBOARD NAILS.

Let’s GIT ‘R DUNNN! Check out the walls of Sonny’s Bar and Grill for info updates or log onto the website below.

Sonny’s Bar and Grill: 1119 Baxter Road (near the Ottawa Citizen)

Info: Sonny’s - 613-829-1920

MoonRunners UPDATE - Bio Info

2007-11-04T23:07:00.000-05:00

This info was provided by the band:

Moonrunners

The band consists of 4 members.

Ross Burant, lead vocals/rythym guitar, is fifteen and goes to Canterbury High School.
Ben "Stretch" Segal-Daly, bass guitar, is also fifteen and goes to Nepean High School.
James "the guy who hits stuff" Brint, drums and percussion, is fifteen and goes to Sir Robert Borden High School.
Zac Blahout, lead guitar/backup vocals, is fifteen and attends Nepean High School.

Moonrunners play classic 70's, 80's style rock and love to rock out night after night. They've been a band for just about 2 years and hope to stay together all through high school.

Influences include Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, Queen, the Doobie Brothers, Boston, Supertramp, and Deep Purple. Favourite hang out is Retrotown music, where Zac works. Hobbies are road hockey and jammin'.

.... whatever you do, don't yell "CAR!!" in the middle of their set.

MOONRUNNERS - SAT, DECEMBER 1ST @ SONNY'S!
Check out their videos HERE!

Woody's Smilin': Drummer Found!

2007-11-04T17:33:00.001-05:00

Chixie Dicks Update:

In our Spinal Tap-ish quest to find a drummer of permanent status, I'm pleased that Mark Craig, of Grandpa Punk (check sp) (and, I believe: Randy Peters - check detail please) fame, is now available. (All I know, in short order, is that he has a great Ottawa punk accumen and has evolved and transcended well through the years)

He comes with great experience and I trust Bill Connors' character judgement in blending people on a project.

And we are just that: A PROJECT!

We don't work for pay - just charity. And we try to put more into an act than normal as a result.

Chixie Dicks are still workin' hard to prepare for Friday, November 16th as a solo act at Sonny's. We're also hoping to have a full compliment Saturday the 17th to open for Blackboard Nails. If we have even a modest availability of members, we'll still do a scaled down and shortened opening set for BBN. It'll still be sharp and full of our regular mirth.

That is all for now!

Thumbed via Blackberry

MOONRUNNERS ROCK IN THE SPIRIT - DECEMBER 1ST

2007-11-04T07:36:00.000-05:00

Been tryin' to lock these guys in for the past week or so. Hat-Tip to Randy Collins for the intro. Moonrunners are a young band.. high school battle of the bands winners at that. They pointed me to their youtube videos. Clean and impressive, I say. See for yourself -

If ya like that... you'll Love this:

Looking forward that Dec 1st at Sonny's - These guys are a year older and that much better.
More details.. as always... forthcoming.. Keep checking back for more.

Wise Guys Locked In Friday December 7th

2007-11-03T19:07:00.000-04:00

Just spoke with Lou Di Millo. Wise Guys are gunned for this gig. They were kind of on the fence with an equipment issue. I told him, if that's all that's holding them up, we'll take care of it.

We're lucky to have 'em. They're not only good, but they do so many fundraisers for great community needs.

We're honoured that they want to help us.

I'm getting a stronger feeling every day.

Still much to do. As always, it's an ongoing story.

More developments as they happen.

Thumbed via Blackberry

Elvis Is In The Building: Saturday, November 10th

2007-11-03T12:49:00.001-04:00

Award winning Elvis tribute act, Randy Collins brings us Back To Memphis - the Elvis early years this Saturday night, November 10th to help us kick off our 2007 In The Spirit Of Christmas fundraising campaign.

As a special treat, Randy's friend Dan Burgess will perform the second half of the night with Elvis' later years material.
Get there early for a good seat.

No cover - but we're asking for donations and will pass the bucket around.

Your generosity will be the key to our success in providing a decent christmas for our community's less fortunate citizens.

Other plans are in the works throughout the campaign, including silent auctions, bake sale and 50/50 raffles, so be prepared to take part in some good charity fun.

DAN BURGESS as Elvis Presley

Press Clippings Posted on Right Side of Blog

2007-11-03T09:49:00.000-04:00

To further assist you in understanding what this effort is all about, I've posted press clippings on this blog that explain its origins, its benefits and its challenges. I hope you take the time to check 'em out. You'll recognize the section by the following image:

CIRCUIT PLUGGED IN FOR NOVEMBER 24TH

2007-11-03T08:36:00.000-04:00

In The Spirit Of Christmas is please to welcome Ottawa recording artists Circuit to the fundraising table. These guys are awesome. Really looking forward to seeing them at Sonny's.

Just a couple more loose ends out there that we're chasin' down but it's lookin' good week to week so far.

More to do... gotta go...

CONFIRMED: BLACKBOARD NAILS

2007-11-03T08:27:00.000-04:00

Blackboard Nails are in for the 17th of November and a return engagement is now set for December 15th at Sonny's Bar and Grill. These guys are too good to us and we really appreciate everything.

Click Here for and MP3 sample of BBN.

Update: Circuit, Wise Guys Tentative For Fundraising Bookings

2007-10-26T12:07:00.000-04:00

Progress is good in discussions with Ottawa based recording artists Circuit and one of Ottawa's great party bands The Wise Guys.

Circuit is pencilled in for Saturday, November 24th at Sonny's while Lou Di Millo is discussing available dates with his Guys.

Meanwhile, the ultra-talented Blackboard Nails should be completely firmed up by the end of today for Saturday, November 17th. Under consideration, as well, is having them back on December 15th.

...More to come.......

Thumbed via Blackberry

Big Shoe To Fill

2007-10-25T10:02:00.000-04:00

Chixie Dicks guitarist Rick Cleyn is on the IR after breaking his foot this week. Rick, while being prolific with the axe, was making the shift over to drums during rehearsals and doing a great job of it. However, with the injury, Rick will not be keeping a beat for the next several weeks.
Depending on Rick's recovery time, he may or may not be with us on guitar for the November 16th fundraiser at Sonny's.

The hope is that he'll be well enough to play from a seated position with an elevated boot.

There's no question that the cast will only add to the already "circus" environment that is The Chixie Dicks.

Also on the Dicks' itinerary are the return of the flashing-finger-fasters and a unique display of a man-eating-chicken.

..... developing....

Heel fast, Rick.. er'.. that's HEAL.

A Small Sample Of The Work We Do - Two Tonnes Worth

2007-10-23T18:22:00.000-04:00

I posted a slideshow on the right column as a small indication of the work it takes to process two tonnes of food in one day as we execute the day-long receiving, co-ordinating, packing and packaging for the mid-day deliveries just 2 days before Christmas.

Volunteers are required for the big day. If you can help, please contact us. Info is on the right and at the bottom of this page.

Let us know if you can help wrap gifts, deliver hampers, provide entertainment at a fundraiser, process and pack hampers - whatever we haven't thought of yet. We'd love to hear from you.

Cheers,
Woody

Update... November 17th Weekend

2007-10-21T14:09:00.000-04:00

We're finalizing details with Blackboard Nails and Circuit to be a part of our fundraising entertainment efforts.

We're trying to co-ordinate a night and a venue for Circuit but we're sure BBN will be available for the 17th. We may even work out Circuit for the 16th.

.... developing...

In The Spirit Of Christmas - THE BLOG

2007-10-21T13:05:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our blog. The man you see to the left is Ted Long, responsible for this effort for the past 17 years.

The mission is simple but demanding; provide food and presents for low income and sheltered families at christmas time.

Last year, we serviced over 300 hundred families and we're told that this year the number will be even higher.

We can't do it without the support of our caring friends and neighbors.

As well, what we would do without the help and support of the barbelonians at Sonny's Bar and Grill, is anyone's guess.

Additionally, we appreciate the help from other caring bar owners such as Lionel Aucoin at BassLine Station and Dan and Pam Cowley at Don Cherry's restaurant.

In the days to come, you'll see new postings with more information and a charting of our activities and progress as we attempt to reach our goals. We hope you'll join us in this effort. We have a lot of fun in the process and we all share in the great feeling of knowing we did a good thing afterward. Yes, a pint or few are tipped.

We're based out of Sonny's Bar and Grill, 1119 Baxter Road, next to the Ottawa Citizen.
Call 613-829-1920 and ask for Sylvie.

Stay tuned.

12/16/15 Program provides light at end of tunnel for families in need

2005-12-16T09:10:00.000-05:00

Program provides light at end of tunnel for families in need: Ted Long's project is helping to spare families from missing out on Christmas, Vito Pilieci reports.

The Ottawa Citizen
Friday, December 16, 2005
Page: D3
Section: City
Byline: Vito Pilieci
Source: The Ottawa Citizen

No matter how hard she has tried, for Lynn Featherstone, the spirit of giving is one she can't satisfy by herself this time of the year. The disabled single mother of two has a hard enough time making ends meet for most of the year, but the holiday season is especially tough.

"I am disabled, on a disability pension, and I have two adult children who live with me. Both are disabled as well," Ms. Featherstone said. "Christmas is a very depressing time for us. Money is very tight. A lot of people don't know, they don't realize there are a lot of people who can't afford Christmas dinner."

Her son, Shawn, is 34, while her daughter, Jackie, is 37. Jackie, too, has a daughter. They all live together in a tiny home, just off Iris Street near the Pinecrest Shopping Centre.

To help pay the bills, Shawn works at an area butcher shop sweeping the floors and taking out the garbage for minimum wage. The money he collects, he gives to his mother to help pay the bills.

But it's not enough.

For Ms. Featherstone, Christmases are often no different than any other day. "I can remember so many times (Christmas) was just a normal day," she said. "My son doesn't understand. He thinks, 'everybody is having turkey, where is ours?' How do you explain that to a normal child, never mind a disabled child?"

She said Christmas time was especially hard while her children were growing up and she couldn't give them what other parents provided.

A few years ago, however, a single telephone call from Ted Long changed things.

Mr. Long, who organizes the Spirit of Christmas, provides needy families with food and presents at Christmas.

"He is the light at the end of our tunnel," Ms. Featherstone said. "When there was little hope, all of a sudden there was a lot of hope and a lot of joy."

Last Christmas, Mr. Long called to ask if he could drop off a Christmas basket for her and her family. She agreed and waited.

When he showed up on her doorstep with a turkey, heaps of potatoes, carrots, dried foods and presents for everyone in her house, she could barely contain her emotions. "You can't imagine what was in these boxes," she said. "If it hadn't been for Ted, we would not have had your traditional Christmas dinner."

Mr. Long says he does not seek recognition. What he wants is to spare a few from the experiences he had growing up in a poor area of downtown Toronto. Christmases were almost always forgotten in Mr. Long's house.

His Spirit of Christmas charity has been helping hundreds of less fortunate families to partake in a traditional Christmas for the past 14 years.

Last year, he helped 220 families in Ottawa. This year, he has already identified more than 200 families he hopes to help. "It's not out of reach and I know that it will happen," he said. "I panic the closer I get and it is coming so fast. I know over the next seven days ... the numbers will be going up rapidly."

Mr. Long identifies families that need his help by working with various social services agencies around Ottawa. They refer people they believe are in particular need of help during the holiday season and Mr. Long shows up with his brand of Christmas cheer.

But with less than a week to go before his packages are due to be sent out, Mr. Long is about $2,000 short of what he needs.

He plans to hold a fundraiser tonight to help raise the money.

The event will feature an Elvis impersonator, a 50/50 draw and Woody from Chez 106's The Doc and Woody show as MC.

Mr. Long is confident the event will be enough to help him raise the money he needs to ensure a happy Christmas for hundreds of Ottawa families.

And for people such as Ms. Featherstone, Mr. Long's efforts are truly appreciated. "It takes your breath away to know that there is a man out there who cares about those who are less fortunate. It just means so much."

The Fundraiser

What? The event will feature an Elvis impersonator, a 50/50 draw and Woody from Chez 106's The Doc and Woody show will be the night's MC.

Where? Sonny's Bar and Grill, 1119 Baxter Rd., across from Pinecrest Shopping Centre.

When? Tonight, 8 to 11 p.m.

11/25/07 In The Spirit Of Christmas - United Way Recognition

2005-11-25T09:06:00.000-05:00

11/20/04 From the pain of poverty to the Spirit of Christmas

2004-11-20T08:42:00.000-05:00

IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS - ARTICLE

From the pain of poverty to the Spirit of Christmas: Ted Long grew up dirt-poor in Toronto, depending on hand-outs. Now, he's the one giving people a hand up, Richard Starnes reports.

The Ottawa Citizen
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Page: E1 / FRONT
Section: City
Byline: Richard Starnes
Source: The Ottawa Citizen

Ted Long knows exactly what poverty means. He was born into it and grew up surrounded by it in Regent Park, the 69-acre headquarters of despair for the poverty-stricken in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Life was a struggle and climbing out of it leaves scars. Mr. Long climbed out and never forgot. That's why he has spent the past 13 years trying to give the less fortunate a reason to smile at Christmas.

His Spirit of Christmas food hamper and toy program and his Christmas party for kids are just two of dozens of similar programs offered around Christmas.

Their importance cannot be overstated.

Latest city statistics show 40 per cent of all Ottawa food bank clients are children and the fastest growing group of users is the family.

After 15 years as a front-line social worker in the city, Kathy McCurdy knows all about that.

"I see people absolutely not eating because they are so desperate to keep a roof over their heads," she says. "People who were poor 10 years ago are now beyond that. Their situations are extreme.

"There have been cutbacks and cutbacks and cutbacks in funding. It's not unusual for adults to end up with malnutrition because they are giving whatever food they have to the children.

"And there's no escaping Christmas. Even if you have no television, there is no way you can go to the grocery store and escape the message to buy presents, get decorations. Imagine how bad it is for your self-esteem if you can provide none of this."

For Ms. McCurdy it is unacceptable that many families have nothing else to look forward to. But her work gives her a first-hand view of how much it really means to so many to be part of Mr. Long's events and many others like it across Ottawa.

Poverty coupled with sadness is not a new syndrome. It's just getting worse. Mr. Long sent out his first Christmas dinner invitations in 1990, when there was a smattering of food banks. By 1998, the number of food banks had grown to 64. Today there are 103 in Ottawa and the surrounding area.

Because he has first-hand childhood experience of "non-Christmases," Mr. Long may qualify as the perfect volunteer.

"Regent Park was about as low as you can get," he says. "Rents had to be geared to income and we had no income apart from the $40 for food from the Catholic church every two weeks. We had three small bedrooms in the apartment for four boys and mom. Two bunks in one, two in the other and one for mummy."

Mr. Long's dad, a soldier, was never in the picture.

"I didn't see him until I was two and it seems he came back from war a different person. The war destroyed him and he couldn't accept the responsibilities of a wife and four children.

"He was my father but, after the war, I guess he'd seen too much. What I do remember was not good with the bootlegging and carousing around."

So it was left to his mother, Nancy "the angel," to do her best with four rambunctious boys and no money. She worked for a couple of years as a packer for Sears. But she earned a pittance and the Long family's meagre life would not have been bearable without help.

"I didn't know what welfare was," says Mr. Long, Catholic by religion and proudly Irish by birth. All he did know was that it was usually his job to jump on his bike every second week and ride over to the church for the cash and then to the grocery store for food.

He was proud of his first job, earning 50 cents an hour as a grocery delivery boy at Dempster's grocery store on Toronto's, Kingston Road. He was 10 years old.

"I watched my mom struggle," he says. "The apartment was a small place and we had nowhere to go and, boys being boys, we'd get into fights and things got broken."

Nancy Long had a particular way with her, an inner strength and a powerful faith in her ability to set her boys on the right road, poverty or not.

Mr. Long's brown eyes soften and so does his voice.

"My mother was an angel," he almost whispers. "She taught us how to see the good in people, how to recognize the people that can hurt you for real and the people who are just out to scam you.

"She was knocked down all her life but it never, ever, took her off track. She had opportunities, but she turned them down because of her boys. It's sad we never really knew all this until we were older.

"The last thing she said to me was: 'Don't worry.'"

To those who know him, Ted Long epitomizes "don't worry," except when Christmas comes around and it is time to give the poor at least a little something to celebrate.

That's when his life lessons -- all that suffering that collected in his young brain mixed in with his mother's wisdom -- kick in.

"When I was a young guy, I saw and I never forgot," he says. "Growing up it was normal for us to have no money. Christmas was just time, another day. I wanted to find out if life was like that for everyone because it sure was for everyone I knew.

"I met a lot of people who were worse off than me.

"I was making four dollars an hour by the time I hit 20 but I could never turn those people down. If I had a quarter, I'd give them 20 cents. I didn't give them money, I took them to a restaurant and bought them something to eat so I could talk to them.

"There were lots of brilliant people like the University of Toronto professor I met. He was one of those who had got into that poverty rut and couldn't get out. He had given up. Once they were in the system, those people just gave up."

Mr. Long doesn't speak the language of giving up, although he will admit to being shattered when his marriage collapsed and he was left to bring up his son alone.

He earned his living, first running a small print shop and then working for Brewers Retail. "I worked in almost every store in Toronto and I saw it all from there," he says. "I watched as poverty moved from place to place. It's citywide down there. It's scary."

He also admits he could have wound up in the same poverty hole as those he saw most days. Had he not had his son to shepherd through childhood, he might have joined them.

He moved to Ottawa on a whim. He had come visiting a pal and fell for the place.

"Coming from the heart of Toronto, this was country to me," he says. "The people were so friendly."

He spreads his arm in a sweeping motion that encompasses Sonny's, a bar and grill that sits in a small strip mall on Baxter Road, beside the IKEA mall. " I know more people in this restaurant than I did in 40 years in Toronto."

Today, there are growing signs of poverty on Ottawa's streets, people huddled over hot air vents or in shop doorways. Shelters overflowing. Back then, it was almost invisible. But it was there, hidden but there.

Certainly, Mr. Long was hardly aware of poverty in the nation's capital until he began delivering all over the city for Southam Inc.'s advertising organization Flyer Force.

"I learned this city," he says. "Throughout Lowertown I met families on the (welfare) system who could not get off and it was then that I really realized how hard it is for a family or even a single person to get off that system.

"It's hidden here, the welfare people, hidden. It would amaze you. The shelters are jammed and they are going to get more jammed."

He offers an example.

"I met this girl the other day. She has an eight-year-old daughter and lives in a very moderate townhouse in the Hunt Club area. She can't get a job because she is not well, on medications. After rent and utilities are covered by social services, she has $220 a month to feed and clothe her and her daughter.

"In these circumstances, people get depressed, angry and sometimes violent and, in the end, they get so accustomed to being humiliated at Christmas that they lie about it to the children. They won't even come out. They feel trapped. They feel nobody cares any more."

Ted Long cares. He's been showing it for 13 years. He's not a celebrity -- doesn't want to be. He's not a registered charity -- doesn't want to be.

He's a 62-year-old painter, an honest, everyday blue collar worker with a long memory and a continuing need to give the poorest people a few moments of joy. In his mind, they deserve gifts as much as the next guy.

It's an itch that comes every Christmas and must be scratched. "Every year I say I can't do this anymore," he says. "But I can't stop. I'll probably do this until I die."

As December approaches, many, many hands are legitimately open, looking for donations to help the less fortunate hiding behind the curtains while the comfortable celebrate.

That's when Mr. Long's life lessons kick in. That and his twinkling Irish blarney, which he spreads liberally as he pulls at blue collar heart strings.

"Here at Sonny's we play games for a little cash," he says. "Fifty per cent of the pot goes to the Spirit of Christmas and 50 per cent to the winner, although, if I talk fast enough, I can get that off the winner as well.

"I only take money from people I know have it. If someone is in the bar and spending $20, I tell them: 'Spend $10 and give the rest to me.' " He smiles. "They usually do."

It takes lashings of goodwill as well as money to pull off what Mr. Long has managed for the past 13 years.

It began innocently enough in 1990 when he was approached by the owner of the Good Times Cafe in what used to be Shoppers City West at the corner of Baseline Road and Woodroffe Avenue.

He wanted to know if Mr. Long could find him a family who could do with some help at Christmas. It set the Irishman thinking and, before you knew, a modest idea had exploded.

Shoppers City had an open walkway between Loblaws and Zellers, perfect for a big party. The mall owners agreed, Loblaws offered their bread ovens to cook turkeys, Laidlaw donated a bus, and cash donations and volunteers began to multiply.

When the day arrived, the Laidlaw bus was decked with signs, volunteers climbed aboard and off they trundled into the poor neighborhoods. With the horn beeping and volunteers knocking on doors, seats were soon filled.

"There was food, presents and Santa," says Mr. Long. "At the beginning, we hoped for a few volunteers. Well, we had 150 volunteers and 100 people sat down to dinner."

As it turned out, that was a little more than an hors d'oeuvre. By the third year, Mr. Long had to sweet talk Laidlaw into providing seven buses to bring 1,000 of the less fortunate to the party.

The event was almost as much fun for volunteers as it was for guests. Year after year they came back from as far off as Cornwall and Toronto.

Then Shoppers City West was torn down and Ted Long's party lost its home.

"I tried all through the next year to find a place to have it," he says. "But everyone wanted money. We had nowhere to go."

That's when the tactics changed. If there was nowhere to party, take the party to the people. That's what happened last Christmas.

Santa Long organized the show and on Christmas Day his volunteer elves delivered packages that might last a week -- a 15-pound frozen turkey, 10 pounds of potatoes, 10 of carrots and five of onions along with dried goods and children's presents -- to 222 families across the city.

And there was still enough to party. Not the big family affair, just a blast for 100 kids at Sonny's a few days before Dec. 25. Mr. Long dreamed it up, Sylvie Blais made it happen.

Ms. Blais has volunteered with Mr. Long for years and was a natural choice when he asked if she could organize it. "You've got 15 days," he said. "No problem," she said, drawing a deep breath.

Ms. Blais, who has worked at Sonny's since it opened, had a lot to do. First she persuaded the boss to shut the restaurant for three or four hours last Dec. 11. Then she found 80 deserving children, a host of volunteers, a bus for pickups, Mr. and Mrs. Santa, a slap-up meal, a gift for every child, a karaoke machine and a movie.

"What a blast," she says. "We fed them, we laughed with them, we got them excited, some of them went a little crazy. I hope it gave them all something to remember because it certainly gave me something."

Along with a host of other volunteer events, Mr. Long and Ms. Blais are at it again this Christmas. That means they need turkeys, new toys and cash. A Spirit of Christmas bank account has been set up and donations can be dropped off at Sonny's Bar & Grill, 119 Baxter Road. Mr. Long is taking calls at 828-7306.