Capital Clips

Thanks to $1M funding from the Assaly Financial Group the Ottawa Catholic School Board has opened its doors to the Sparrows Children’s Choir Program. The Program will bring 1700 additional singing children into the nest. Maestro and Director Uwe Lieflander has worked with over 10,000 children through the Sparrows program across Ontario and in Quebec. Thanks to generous donations, parents pay a minimal fee for child-centred classical music education provided by professional instructors — each student receives up to ten hours a week. Subsidy programs are available and children from outside the OCSB may participate. Maestro Lieflander recounts sitting across the desk of Thomas G. Assaly, and lamenting the slowness of a bureaucratic city and the challenge of securing funding in order to establish a Sparrows program in Ottawa. Assaly asked the Maestro whether a Plan B was in place should securing funding prove an obstacle. Lieflander replied that if no resources for the Sparrows were available in Ottawa, Plan B would entail focusing on Sparrows in other communities. “Well then, I have a better Plan B for you,” Assaly laughed, “the Sparrows will get the support but they better B good and rival the Vienna Boys Choir”. www.sacredmusicsociety.com

Looking for a simple way to keep your company’s papers and books in order? There’s a new internet-based way to do it, thanks to Ledgerpal, a hot new web company based in Kemptville. President Rob Lunan explains how it works. “For a very low monthly fee, Ledgerpal offers its users a simple way to bill customers and keep records straight no matter where they are – all they need is a web connection via computer, iPad or smart phone (like blackberry or iPhone).” It is as secure as a bank, hosted on bank servers, and because it is on the web, can be shared with anyone you like. This lets your bookkeeper make updates directly from the office. It also lets the owner keep tabs on things while away. Check inventory and generate invoices or estimates on the fly. To find out more or register for a 30 day free trial go to www.ledgerpal.com.

The Super Ex was once again home to Organ Donor Awareness Day on August 23^rd this year. Trillium Gift of Life Network, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, The Canadian Liver Foundation, CNIB and Canadian Blood Service came together with the Super Ex to form their annual Living Green Ribbon to raise awareness on organ and tissue donation—a  cause to which President of the Super Ex, Lyn Presley, holds very near to her heart. Her husband and former Super Ex President David Presley was on his death bed in the fall of 2002 when he suffered from a life threatening kidney failure. If it weren’t for the generous donation of a working kidney, David wouldn’t be with us right now.

Truth of the matter is, only 17% of those eligible for donation have registered their consent to be donors. Each year, thousands of Ontarians are given a second chance to live by receiving the gift of life—but 17% isn’t enough to fulfill the demand. The waiting list is long, and many lives are lost because suitable donors aren’t found in time.

One organ and tissue donor can save up to 8 lives and enhance as many as 75 more. The scope of your decision to donate or not is immense. Even if you have already signed your donor card, it’s important to register your decision online so that your information is readily available when it’s needed. It’s also important to make your wishes known to your family—discuss your decision with them and relieve your loved ones of the burden to decide whether to donate on your behalf.

The green ribbon is an internationally recognized symbol of organ and tissue donation. The giant “Living Green Ribbon” formed at this year’s Super Ex is a tradition that has been followed since 2002, and is an annual photo shoot where people come together and support the important cause.

This year's Ottawa-Carleton Queen of the Furrow is Avaleigh Eastman of Kinburn, Ontario. Currently completing her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Ottawa, she hopes to pursue a career in agriculture. As the seventh generation being raised on her family dairy farm, she has a natural passion to promote agricultural awareness. Avaleigh is genuinely enjoying her role and is privileged to be a part of this tradition. She feels that the program enriches young women's lives through its opportunities. During her year as Queen, she has participated in community events such as Food Aid and finds her involvement rewarding. The challenge of plowing using traditional methods also gives an appreciation of our grandparent's endeavours. "Our plowmen's association is as rich in history as the soil of our beautiful county," she states. The Ottawa-Carleton Plowing Match will be held August 27th and 28th at Smithdale Farm, Stittsville. 

More info: http://www.ottawaplowmen.com/.