RO on the GO! : COMMUNITY EVENTS

The city of Vaughan - population 315,000 - is a vibrant, educated, multicultural community which is growing leaps and bounds. The following events I've featured are just a few examples of how its citizens unite for the benefit of all.

Earth Hour

March 28
While I was keeping the home fires burning during Earth Hour my friend Patrizia Nigro was gathering wood and snapping a million photos of the starry night sky (apparently THERE ARE NO STARS in her home town of Etobicoke... hahahaa!!). Watching the lights go off in Vaughan was an amazing sight. Joining the celebration at Vaughan City Hall were the Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council who, along with local citizens, participated in the lantern walk around the community. In its goal to raise awareness of climate change the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) has encouraged millions of people worldwide to switch off their lights from 8:30pm - 9:30pm every last Saturday in March. Initiated in Sydney, Australia in 2007 it's grown to include more than 7000 cities. I'm extremely concerned about our global environment and the issues we are passing down to our children. If not for you, live as green as you possibly can for them.

Mayor Bevilacqua and Members of Council

My friend Patrizia Nigro tending the fire with volunteers

Volunteers

Community advocate, Deb Schulte

Vaughan Business Achievement Awards

April 9
Vaughan is home to 10,900 businesses and thanks to a thriving local economy the city continues to prosper. Hosted by the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, the 'Business Achievement Awards' recognized the city's entrepreneurs, corporations and professionals for achievements in business excellence. The highlight of the eve was business guru Kevin O'Leary of ABC's 'Shark Tank' who set the stage on fire with his infectious energy! A special thank you Jennifer Ladouceur for inviting me to enjoy the evening alongside council members and staff from the City of Vaughan. Hugs to Luca Viorel of YOUR AD ONLINE for providing the majority of these amazing pics including Valeria Mitsubata - another one of Vaughan's outstanding photographers smile emoticon Congratulations to all the winners!
Philanthropic Business Person of the Year- Rossana Magnotta (Magnotta Winery)
Small Business - Barilla Law
Consumer Business / Retail - Pizza Nova
Construction Services & Product/Builder - Dependable Mechanical Systems
Environmental Leadership - Powerstream
Accessibility - McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Manufacturing - Summer Fresh Salads
Professional Services - Intercity Realty
Hospitality - bypeterandpauls.com
Innovation in Production or Technological Advancement - Tannery Creek Systems
Non-Profit - Hospice Vaughan
Young Entrepreneur - Universal Care

Members of Council and City of Vaughan staff

Vivian Risi and company

Mayor Bevilacqua and guest speaker Kevin O'Leary

VFF Team, Alessandra Piccolo, Mark Pagliaroli, Maria Paletta

Environmental Leadership Award recipient, Powerstream

Hard working ladies in our community!

Universal Event Space

June 3
As the “King of Hospitality” no one throws a better party than Peter Eliopoulos! As founder/president of byPeterandPauls.com, Peter is looking forward to launching his latest endeavour, the Universal Event Space which will be the largest venue in Vaughan. To celebrate its opening this August he hosted a lavish lunch and preview of the state-of-the-art facility. Not only did I have amazing food prepared by the company’s catering division, Table Talk, I also had the opportunity of touring the 85,000 sq. ft. site which is still under construction….and yes…I did it all in stilettos!

Peter Eliopoulos

Me and Peter

CHIN Television/Radio's Lenny Lombardi, Grace Lombardi, Anna Eliopoulos, Peter Elioploulos

Anna and Peter with Vaughan Film Festival founders, Mark Pagliaroli and Antonio Ienco

Alessandra Piccolo (VFF), Ali Bidabadi (CHIN Television), Nadia Cerelli (Plan B Promotions)

Rooftop Universal Event Space

Kalem, super duper bartender at Paramount Event Venue

Old pals, Nadia Cerelli (Plan B Promotions), Ky Joseph (Evanov Radio Group & Z103.5), Elvira Caria (Plan B Promotions)

Mayor's Gala

June 4
I experienced one of the most thrilling moments of my life at Vaughan's recent Mayor's Gala. A-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I raised my hand and bid $250,000 on the live auction...All I can say folks is THANK GOODNESS IT WASN'T MY MONEY!!!! It turned out the auction item, "Dinner with the Mayor", sold for a record-breaking $320,000. Since these funds directly benefit the development of Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, I'd say it was worth every penny..plus I can attest that hanging with the mayor can be a lot of fun lol smile emoticon Today Vaughan City Council is beginning to bear the fruits of its labour with initiatives such as the York-Spadina Subway extension, Highway 427 expansion, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (the city’s future downtown core) and the hospital steadily coming to fruition. Since 2011 this gala, along with the Mayor's Golf Tournament, has raised over $3.3 million benefiting over 100 not-for-profit and community organizations. Besides raising funds for special causes the evening also included a stellar performance by multi-platinum singer, Nikki Yanofsky.

Mayor Bevilacqua with partner, Victoria and more lovely ladies

Mayor Bevilacqua

Mario Racco and Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco

Mayor Bevilacqua, Nikki Yanofsky, Ryleigh of Safehaven

Romina and Ginesia Cortellucci

Nadia Cerelli (Plan Promotions), Minister Steven Del Duca, Tony Monaco

Fredi Magazine's Nadia and Fred Vallozzi

Snapd Publisher, John Amendola and wife Cathy

Pan Am Torch Relay

June 24
Close to 1000 people waited in excitement yesterday as Pan Am Games torch bearer Andi Petrillo made her way to Vaughan City Hall. The 41-day Torch Relay which began May 30 has been travelling throughout the GTA and beyond. Following the celebrations exiting torch bearer, Elora Tanna, led her team to the next pit-stop at Canada's Wonderland where the flame was taken on a Leviathon roller coaster ride....seriously!!

Torch Bearer, Andi Petrillo

Debuty Mayor, Michael DiBiase, Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco, Tony Monaco, Minister Steven Del Duca, Minister Julian Fantino

Tony with Relay Team Members

Dolores Rotondo, City of Vaughan

Massive Selfie! Why not?!

Anna Ventura and Steven Del Duca

Mayor Bevilacqua and Minister Del Duca

Tony and I with Jennifer Ladouceur, City of Vaughan

Minister Julian Fantino

Canada Day

July 1

Thousands and thousands made their way to Mackenzie Glen District Park for the City of Vaughan's annual Canada Day celebrations. Headlining the exciting free event was Juno-winning artist, Lights. Winner of Pop Album of the Year, there was no question she was going to rock the crowd!! Along with entertainment families got to enjoy rides, games and other activities.

Lights