BBQ Fundraiser at St. Alban's Friday

I'm working in an office full-time again and I love the job. But the cooking of dinner... meh.

The family has been pitching in to help, but now they're getting busier, as well.
If you feel the same way, then there's a double bonus in store for you this Friday: head over to St. Alban's from 3:30 pm on and grab dinner. The second bonus? You'll help to raise funds for a new multi-media studio at the club.
Here's the scoop:
"Join us Friday, AUGUST 8TH AT 3:30 PM to help St. Alban’s Boys & Girls Club raise the funds to build a multi-media studio. No need to cook dinner, we'll have hotdogs, burgers, corn & watermelon in front of St. Alban’s Boys & Girls Club, 843 Palmerston Ave. -- the fun starts at 3:30 pm.
This multi-media studio will have equipment and software to provide opportunities for youth to develop skill sets in film and music production, recording, audio visual technical work and other important professional paths. The studio will be accessible to all youth in our community.
Help support a worthy cause and a welcome addition to our community. 
See you for dinner on Friday!"
Cheers,
Vanessa
PS I know, I know -- no end time listed. But it's got to go through dinner hour, no?

Power of the Purse Fundraiser for St. Alban's

Located just north of Vermont Square Park and nestled beside the Bill Bolton Arena, St. Alban's Boys and Girls Club is central to our vibrant community -- even more so to Seaton Village.
The club is holding a Power of the Purse fundraiser September 17th to create a multi-media room. Here's the scoop:"The space will serve over 500 youth from the Bathurst/Dupont, Jane/Finch, Weston-Mount Dennis and Lawrence Heights communities, proving space for youth to develop skill sets in film and music production, recording, audio-visual technician work and other important professional paths. We want to help develop the young adults of tomorrow by providing a space with eight fully equipped stations including the necessary equipment and software for their projects.
There is a desire for more options to pursue work and educational opportunities in the arts fields and we recognize as anThere is a desire for more options to pursue work and educational opportunities in the arts fields and we recognize as an organization how important this mentorship is for youth and what an important outlet the arts are. We support our youth in following their passions and making positive decisions in an inclusive environment which is why we are so passionate about building this multi-media centre."
The event on Sept. 17th, which is (shockingly) less than two months away:
"On September 17 2014 at 99 Sudbury in downtown Toronto, St. Alban’s Boys and Girls Club is hosting the Power of the Purse fundraiser, from 6pm to 9pm. A silent auction featuring high-end purses and bags as well as gift baskets with other exciting items will be the feature of the night.  Accompanying the auction will be hors d’oeuvres, music, speeches plus access to a full service bar and a fun-filled evening with friends!
Our BIG auction item so far is a set of 2 roundtrip West Jet Tickets to any place  WestJet flies!"

Tickets are $50.00 and include coat check, a swag bag, hors d’oeuvres and one complimentary glass of wine! Highlights of the night will be a live jazz band, keynote speakers, silent auction and cash bar."
You can purchase your tickets online.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Insomnia Fundraiser Tonight for Japanese Relief Efforts

Local bar/restaurant Insomnia is holding a fundraiser this evening from 9 pm to midnight to benefit relief efforts in ravaged Japan.
The write up that I found is a bit of poetry, so I'll leave you with it:
"come to insomnia on tuesday march 22 for another edition of
KEEP MOVING.

you know what i think?
stay close to me in times of crisis.

bring love, show love, share love.
stop for a moment.
come toast to your friends.
and toast to our blessed lives.
and toast in solidarity to our japanese friends at insomnia. reconnect over some drinks and be reminded of what drives the resilience of the japanese people: their stoic dignity. don't panic, just keep moving.

you know how we do. we bring what we are able. as always, proceeds from bar sales + all of damara's tips will be donated to the relief, via globalgiving
(http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/)

land of the rising sun, you will rise again."
Vanessa

Oct. 28th Bike Union Event

This rolled into my inbox and it seems as though you can have a good time while raising money for a good cause.
And I quote:
"Toronto Cyclists Union Fundraiser Cocktail & Masquerade
Get your mask on and cocktail it up for the bike union - raise your spirits and some $upport!

Start Time: Wednesday, October 28 at 6 pm
End Time: Thursday, October 29 at 12 am
Location: The majestic Steamwhistle Brewery Roundhouse, 255 Bremner Blvd.

The Toronto Cyclists Union has been working hard to...
- grow the culture of cycling in our city
- have the voice of cyclists heard, and
- help motivate the political will needed to get bike lanes onto our streets & bikes better incorporated into the overall transportation mix.
We want to keep doing this good work. We need your support to help keep up this momentum.
Come party with us for the love of cycling and advocacy!
*** TWO-PART SOIREE
Part 1: 6 to 9 pm - Tickets $100 single, $150 couple
eaturing: Special musical guests, Silent Auction, Catering plus Oyster Bar & celebrity shucker, Sneak Peek at a variety of top-of-the-line 2010 bikes, Open Bar, and Prize for Best Mask! Remember folks, it's a Masquerade...
Part 2: 9 pm to 1 am - Tickets $25 single, $40 couple
Featuring: Musical guests & DJ (for dancing), Raffle, Sneak Peek at a variety of top-of-the-line 2010 bikes, Cash Bar, GoldSprints stationary bike races and Prize for Best Mask!
Masks are not mandatory, but certainly add to the pre-Halloween fun ;)
Interested in tickets? email yvonne@bikeunion.to"
Cheers,
Vanessa

Fundraising Evening of Great Music

I can't make it myself, but people I know are both performing in and attending what promises to be an incredible concert Wednesday night at the El Mocambo.
It's a benefit concert for a musician, John Lowrey, who is dealing with a brain tumour and recovering from surgery.
The musicians performing include Dan Hill, John Sheard, Bill King, The Good Brothers, Danny McBride, Neil Chapman, Peter McGraw -- and the list goes on and on.
There's also a Silent Auction. More details are online.
Cheers,
Vanessa