Stephen Lewis was speaking to the heart in Toronto last week. On February 16, Lewis, who is the UN's Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS, delivered the keynote speech at the Heart Beat Ball, a fundraiser for the Women's Cardiovascular Health Initiative [WCHI]. The event was held at the posh Four Seasons Hotel and distinguished Toronto Member of Parliament Dr. Carolyn Bennett served as the honourary chairwoman for the event. Guests wore red in celebration of the heart, and brought attention to the need for better research into women's health.
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter McKay was taken to task in Halifax on February 18 at the gala award ceremony for the East Coast Music Awards [ECMA]. It seemed that McKay forgot where he was and, even worse, where he came from, as he thanked the people of Toronto - no, Ottawa - oh, Halifax - and presented an award at the ceremony and over a live national broadcast. Comedian Mary Walsh followed the appearance and wasted no words as she lashed out against the Nova Scotian, to the thunderous applause of the audience. Winners at this year's ECMAs included Measha Brueggergosman for classical recording of the year, and Jill Barber for female solo recording of the year and recording of the year. The awards marked the end of a five-day industry conference, and also launched a trade mission south of the border to explore new markets for Canadian music.
Published in The Women's Post, March 9 2007
