Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Member:  I'm a bit behind on this announcement, but Karen Jensen (Nightcaps) was appointed to this tribunal in April, see: http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/news/nr/2005/doc_31434.html.

2005 CanWest Spirit Award for the Ottawa Region:  Congratulations to Louise Rachlis (x-6:30am Earlybirds) on this well deserved award:

   CanWest will issue a $1000.00 donation to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
   Louise is an amazing, energetic and multi-talented person, who has touched the lives of many in the Ottawa community because she makes the time to share her talents and her passions with those around her. She is active in so many areas; it is difficult to cover them all. But here are a few of the ways she contributes to our community.
   Louise is the founding editor of "Challenge Life with Cancer," the semi-annual publication of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. Since 1996, Louise has been volunteering time to put out this magazine which provides education and support to cancer patients and their families. The magazine won the 1998 Association of Health Care Philanthropy Award. She also is on the board of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin newspaper, as well as writing for the Mainstreeter, a community newspaper for Ottawa East.
   This year Louise combined two of her loves - running and writing - in a short motivational book on running which she produced to raise funds for the Ottawa Hospital. The Citizen agreed it was a great project and published the book, called "20 Steps." Its subtitle, "Twenty Steps to Keep You Going When You Think You Couldn't Possibly- In Running and In Life" says a lot about Louise's philosophy.
   Louise is also a role model for many in Ottawa's running and triathlete communities and a tireless promoter of active living. She took up running after turning 50 and eight years later completed her eleventh marathon in October, 2005. She also decided to conquer her fear of swimming a few years ago, started classes and is now competing in triathlons. She has championed slow runners and late-comers to active living in many articles published in running magazines and The Citizen. She wrote a short book, "A
Matter of Dreams" which profiles how some of Ottawa's top triathletes keep motivated as a 2003 fund-raiser for the "TriRudy.com" triathlete community.
   Louise is also an acrylic and watercolour artist, who sells her work professionally but also generously, donates it to help charitable groups raise funds. The Juvenile Diabetes Association, REACH, the Ottawa-Carleton Immigrant Services Organization, Friends of the Farm, the Women's Business Network and others have benefited from her donations.
   In her work as the Citizen's advertising features editor, Louise has also found ways to reach out, motivate and encourage others. Her interest in running sparked the Citizen's annual National Capital Race Weekend series. Her flair for writing led to an annual Halloween story contest, sponsored by Rogers Pumpkin Patrol. It gets kids from around the region involved in the fun of creative writing.
   The many ways Louise finds to get involved in our community makes it difficult to generalize about her volunteer activities. But it is that gift of sharing her talents and passions in every area of her life with those around her, that I believe makes her such an outstanding example to us all.