Want to ride a really BIG BIKE? Join the Elgin Lions on April 29 as they raise funds and awareness for heart and Stroke by riding the famous big bike starting at 10:30 am. You can ride or sponsor a rider – contact Ross Hawkins for details at 613-359-5833. Lunch provided!

St. Patrick’s Day came early last night (March 14) with Ottawa’s own JW-JONES BAND www.jw-jones.com playing BLUES ON THE RIDEAU @ THE COVE INN, Westport. JW is famous for his blistering guitar work in Canada and around the world.  JW has played with legends like Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Hubert Sumlin from Howlin’ Wolf’s band, David “Fathead” Newman, Little Charlie Baty and Junior Watson to name a few. All the more special to have this group perform in the cozy setting of The Cove Inn. It was a great night of hot and sweaty blues and the audience loved it.

The Cove’s delicious buffet  featured southern fried chicken and maple glazed salmon plus the usual tasty assortment of salads, veggies and dessert earning 10 out of 10 ratings on most of the Comment Cards.  $520 was raised for the RIDEAU WATERWAY LAND TRUST www.rwlt.org bringing the total raised this year for local Westport charities by the BOTR Series to just under $3K.

To get in on the great music and food come and see the next performances live here at The Cove. Donate to charity while having a fantastic night, what’s better than that? Here are a list of upcoming events with Blues on the Rideau.

April 18 – THE HOGTOWN ALLSTARS  5 members from Canada’s most famous Blues band – Downchild – plus the great Teddy Leonard on guitar. Big time, big band Blues.  They were here last year for the first time and were such a hit we just had to have them back!

Saturday, April 13 is Westport’s Annual Kitchen Party featuring non-stop Live(ly), Toe-Tapping Music. Come to the Westport Legion from 3– 7pm and cook it up in support of MUSICwestport’s  8th Annual Music Festival A presentation of the Westport Arts Council  www.westportartscouncil.ca

The Westport Farmer’s Market will be held this year at the Rideau Vista Public School from 9am-2pm. The Farmer’s Market featured the areas best chefs, bakers, crafters and artisans who will display a variety of goodies in a special Christmas showcase.

In conjunction with the Farmer’s Market the Rideau Vista Public School will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair Fundraiser.

These delicacies make great gift ideas that show your home town spirit. Come and join us !

The date has yet to be announced. For more information call Rebecca Whitman at 613 237 3255 or email info@westportfarmersmarket.ca

Photo by

nirots

November 20 is this years Westport Christmas Fashion Show. Join us as we admire the fashions from local retailers and dine on mouth watering food from The Cove.

This charity event starts at 12pm and runs til 2pm. Charity donations will be accepted for the Westport Food Bank.

Tickets
$5

For more information contact The Cove at 1 888 COVEINN

Photo by

anankkml

The Children’s Wish Foundation has raised $12,738 in donations so far, but we still need your help to reach our goal.

This October Westport retail store, Jake By the Lake, is selling $5.00 pumpkins in support of the Children’s Wish Foundation.

The pumpkins are not only of very high quality, but are a great size for carving as well. Each pumpkin bought will help to grant the wish of an eligible child. With each purchase the buyer is also eligible to win a Life is good fall clothing package valued over $200.

For more information:
Cynthia Pringle, Jake by the Lake: Life is good
12 Bedford Street, Westport, Ontario
(613) 273-8292

Now that the Acoustic Blue Monday are over it’s time for the return of the Blues On The Rideau full band Series. This will be the 9th year for what has become one of the most popular Blues Series in Canada.

Click Here for Blues On the Rideau Page

All the acts are Maple Blues and/or Juno Award winners/nominees. There’s young talent along with seasoned veterans, popular returnees and new bands who’ve never played BOTR before. And this year two acts from western Canada are coming  – piano man David Vest from Victoria in October and a hot young soul/funk/R&B band from Edmonton called Boogie Patrol – in February.    As in the past all BOTR Shows are fundraisers for different Westport charities. To date over $45,000 has been raised and the goal this year is to hit another $5,000.

All BOTR Shows will be singles this year – all on Friday nights – except February 15th (a Saturday) when Boogie Patrol is here and May 9 & 10 (Friday & Saturday) when the David Rotundo Band is back for a 2 night stand. There is a chance that some Saturday dates may be added for some of the other bands as well but that will depend totally on the number of early advance reservations.

For more information about, Blues on the Rideau visit, www.davidvest.ca or www.choosetheblues.ca

Here are a list of the acts starting with October 25, 2013:

October 25
DAVID VEST & THE EAST MEETS VEST BAND
www.davidvest.ca

Now living in Victoria, BC Alabama boogie-woogie piano man David Vest plays the 88’s like Jerry Lee Lewis and has shared the stage with legends like Big Walter, Floyd Dixon, Jimmy T99 Nelson and Katie Webster over his long career. He won the 2012 Maple Blues Award for Keyboardist of the Year. 2 members from Downchild and 1 from Fathead join him.

PROCEEDS TO THE WESTPORT LIBRARY

November 15
THE 24th STREET WAILERS
www.the24thsteetwailers.com

4 young musicians from Toronto who have taken the Canadian and international Blues scene by storm over the past few years. Semi-finalists at the 2012 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Fun, gritty & funky – they bring a breath of fresh air to the Blues. Sax player Jon Wong won the 2012 Maple Blues Award for Horn Player Of The Year.

PROCEEDS TO THE WESTPORT FOOD BANK

February 15
STEVE STRONGMAN BAND

February 15 – STEVE STRONGMAN BAND* www.stevestrongman.com  
Unquestionably one of Canada’s best Blues singer/songwriter/harp players & guitarists. Won a Juno last year for best Blues album plus 3 Maple Blues Awards – for Guitarist , Recording & Songwriter of the Year. Nominated for 2 more MBA’s this year. An electrifying performer as well as a great musician. He always delivers a great show. His 3rd visit to The Cove.
* Replaces Boogie Patrol who were originally booked & unable to make it.
PROCEEDS TO EASTER SEALS EASTERN ONTARIO

March 14
JW-JONES BAND
www.jw-jones.com

Ottawa singer, songwriter and one of the best contemporary Blues guitarists in the world today. 11 Maple Blues Award nominations! – JW has played with artists like Kim Wilson, David “Fathead” Newman, Little Charlie Baty, Hubert Sumlin & Junior Watson performing in 19 countries on 4 continents. Dan Aykroyd calls them “one amazing Blues band”. They are.

PROCEEDS TO RIDEAU WATERWAY LAND TRUST

April 18
THE HOGTOWN ALLSTARS

All stars indeed! 6 veteran players from two of Canada’s most famous Blues bands – Downchild and Fathead. Chuck Jackson vocals & harp, Teddy Leonard guitar, Michael Fonfara keyboards, Pat Carey sax, Gary Kendall bass and Mike Fitzpatrick drums. All of them have won Junos and/or Maple Blues Awards. High grade, big time Blues!

PROCEEDS TO WESTPORT’S RIDEAU VISTA & ST. EDWARD’S ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

May 9 & 10  *2 night stand*
DAVID ROTUNDO BAND
www.davidrotundo.com

David blows harp as if possessed by the ghosts of Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter and George Harmonica Smith. Combined with his great voice, mesmerizing stage performance and tight band this is the most popular act to ever play BOTR @ The Cove and that’s why they’re back again for 2 nights. Get your tickets early for this one.

PROCEEDS TO RIDEAU DISTRICT MUSEUM & WESTPORT IN BLOOM

$60 DINNER & SHOWADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED Book ahead – most shows sell out in advance 1-888-COVE-INN or (613) 273-3636 WELL-PRICED ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE AT THE COVE

Saturday, October 13, 2013

Race Site: Foley Mountain Conservation Area – race terrain includes gravel road and rugged trails.

Registration Time: 1:00 p.m.

5 km Trail Run – 2:00 p.m. start time 1 km kids Run – 3:15 p.m. start time

5 km Registration fee – minimum of $40 pledges, waiver form, and entry form are to be returned in this envelope to Rideau Vista’s main office by September 28th to guarantee race shirt.

Registration fee includes a souvenir t-shirt and swag bag.

1 km kids fee – $2 (this does not include a t-shirt) prizes and medals will be awarded. Registration for this event can be done on the race day.

Additional T-shirt Sales: Additional t-shirts for friends, family and fans are available to purchase. Please complete the purchase form enclosed in this pledge envelope, include your money, and hand in with pledge kit by September 28. T-shirts are $15.

“Fitness found early, means fitness for life!”

Photo by Feelart

CHEF FRANÇOIS is cooking up a meal that you won’t want to miss. The menu is set folks, and there are still some tickets left.

Corn chowder, Prime rib, scalloped potatoes and harvest vegetables. Followed by chocolate mousse and swiss chocolate dipped biscotti.

Chef François is dressing (plates) to impress (his guests). Funds raised are for the local food bank, the local Westport Area Skate Club and Lifewater Canada (building wells for good water supply).

Sing for Joy A Children’s Christian Choir, will be entertaining over the evening. Come prepared for a silent auction of handmade goods, from baking to necklaces and bracelets to moccassins, scarves and so much more.

Tickets are $20 in advance. Let’s build up your generous donations and make an impact. Call Allison at 613-273-6702 or Jamie Lynn at 613-273-3362 for ticket info.