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On the scene

Retailers on Toronto's 'Mink Mile' open their doors for a good cause, raising money for AIDS research, while CanLit authors are the main attraction at a sold-out Writers' Trust Gala

Bloor Street Entertains, Toronto

The concept is simple: The purveyors of luxe goods along Toronto's Bloor Street, known as "Mink Mile," swing open their doors so that a handful of philanthropic-minded individuals can dine out for a cause. Known as Bloor Street Entertains, this year that simple idea raised more than $700,000, a sum that was added to the more than $7-million raised for the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research since the event's inception some 20 years ago. On Nov. 30, fashion plate Sylvia Mantella and model Coco Rocha played co-chairs for the event, hosting their dinner at Dolce and Gabbana. I was across the street at Brooks Brothers as a guest of CanFAR's president and CEO Kyle Winters, whose remarks during dinner touched on the great strides the organization is making toward eradicating HIV and AIDS, which affect 75,000 Canadians and a staggering 37 million people worldwide. After the meals, diners convened for an after-party at the Four Seasons Hotel, where the next generation of the cause's supporters mixed with those who have supported it since the start.

CANFAR ceo Kyle Winter and Gallant Law (right) chat with Jeronimo De Miguel.

Bloor Street Entertains co-chair Sylvia Mantella.

Vonna Bitove, Suzanne Rogers, Jenna Bitove, Coco Rocha and Sepideh Moazzani.

Writers' Trust Gala, Toronto

British Columbia-based author Eden Robinson was named the recipient of this year's $50,000 Writers' Trust Fellowship. The announcement was made on Nov. 7 at the swish and sold-out Writers' Trust Gala, co-chaired by retail executive Bonnie Brooks and Lynda Reeves, founder and publisher of House & Home magazine, and hosted by comedian Steve Patterson. The evening raised an impressive $250,000, funds that will benefit the organization's authors' prizes and programs. There were some 400 CanLit supporters in attendance – business types and art-focused big-givers – but the stars of the evening were, of course, the 50 authors on hand for the celebration.

Writer’s Trust Gala host Steve Patterson.

Farzana Doctor and Eden Robinson.

Co-chairs Bonnie Brooks and Lynda Reeves flank Writers’ Trust director Mary Osborne.

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