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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 19, 2007 - 15 Mayor's Awards Celebrating the Arts 2007 ELKA RUTH ENOLA Words are very important to Elka Ruth Enola and she knows how to use them - a characteristic that no doubt contributes to her success as a "mover and shaker". She is Involved in just about every aspect of poetry in Oakville including Coordinator of The Poetry Café, of Pelicans and of Visual Word. Along with being the Branch Manager of the Ontario Poetry Society (TOPS), the Poetry Liaison on the Advisory board of Music and Art Shared Space (M.A.S.S.) she is also the founder and coordinator of Poetry Month in Oakville. Her award as this year's "Mover and Shaker" has offered confirmation that her efforts are valued. "I was absolutely thrilled. It meant a lot to me," said Enola. Not only is winning the award meaningful, but the existence of the award is very important, she said. "What they do is important to the community OAKVILLE COUNCIL ARTS A night of celebrating Elka Ruth Enola, recipient of this year's "Mover and Shaker" award with nominator Justine Giuliani from the Canadian Federation of Poets. and the community recognizes that importance." For more information about poetry in Oakville, contact Elka Ruth Enola at ere@sympatico.ca. THE GREEN BEAN The positive feedback continues to roll in, complimenting the great food, live performances, and the music. Thanks to the support of our guests, we were able to showcase local artists, create community awareness for the growing importance of business and the arts partnerships, garner substantial media coverage of the Arts; and provide the opportunity for the community to put their hands together in celebration of the arts in Oakville, acknowledging those who make it possible. Artur and Maggie Koczur of the Green Bean on Lakeshore Road know the pleasures of having their dreams come true and their creation of an innovative café has grown to help provide similar opportunities for local artists and musicians. "My wife and I always wanted to have a little café. A little meeting place where you can get together with friends away from your daily routine to relax and unwind for awhile," said Koczur. This year's winner of the Small Business of the Year has owned the Green Bean since 2004 and right away had a display of local artists. Along with art display, Koczur has also had musicians playing, events posters displayed in the window and a desire to help anyway he can. "We're very happy and excited that we won. We're just privileged to have a business in down town Oakville and to be rewarded this way. It means a lot to my wife and me," said Koczur. Congratulations to our winners... LEXUS OF OAKVILLE As a tribute to their commitment to the community, award-winning Lexus of Oakville can now add a coveted Mayor's Award to their list of accolades. As a corporation, Lexus believes in pursing excellence for the organization, staff and the community they live and work in and President Frank Apa believes in giving back to the community. "I know that he's very touched and pleased with the Award. Lexus is a very strong supporter of the arts. If he weren't out of the country he would have been up there himself accepting the award," said Thea Kittan. Kittan, who accepted the award on behalf of Lexus, was delighted to have been able to attend the Awards. "I had a really good time," she said. "It was amazing how it was organized; the food, the drink the dinner theatre performances. The Mayors Awards Celebrating the Arts is an event I shall always fondly remember." For more information about Lexus of Oakville, visit them at 2475 Wyecroft Road, www.lexusofoakville.ca or call 905 847-8400. Artur Kozcur receives his award for Best Small Business from Mayor Rob Burton while a relaxed nomination duo of John O'Hara and Yo Mustafa ham it up for the cameras. The Green Bean is located in Towne Square at 210 Lakeshore Road East. Visit www.greenbean.ca or call 905 844-1286 for more information. DAWNE RUDMAN With over 600 volunteer hours donated to the 2007 World of Threads Festival it should have come as no surprise, but for Dawne Rudman, this year's winner of the Above and Beyond Volunteer of the Year Award, it was a truly unexpected and emotional moment. I was totally blown away, I knew I'd been nominated, but I really didn't think I would get it," she said. "I want to thank the OAC for doing the awards. It's lovely encouragement. It means so much, it really does," she said. A quilter for more than 25 years, Rudman brought her considerable skills to the World of Threads Festival for the fifth time, this year as Exhibits Co-ordinator managing the Salon des Refuses, the Sheridan College exhibition, New Directions, New Ideas, Threads of Remembrance, Guilded Threads and assisted with the Common Thread juried show. A resident of Oakville since 1987, Rudman found the evening to be particularly rewarding as she had visiting family from her birthplace of Thea Kittan accepts the framed certificate and award from Mayor Rob Burton on behalf of Lexus of Oakville, this year's Corporate Supporter of the Year. RISTORANTE JULIA There are many words that could be used to describe this year's winner of the Art and CultureEnhancing Business of the Year winner, Julia Hanna, and dynamic is at the top of the list. Hanna, who has been a chef and restaurateur for more than 25 years, is undeniably passionate about food and art. And she shares her passion for all things in her "must have four" of food, wine, art and music, with local artists whose beautiful labours find a place on the walls of Ristorante Julia. She easily makes a connection between the visual appeal of a well presented meal, its textures and enticing aromas and that of the work that graces the walls of her Red Room. "They're the same really. Art is a form of expression and food is an incredible form of expression, of love, of caring," she says. Dawne Rudman, winner of this year's Above and Beyond Volunteer of the Year award poses with Nominator Margaret Ballantyne-Power from the 2007 World of Threads steering committee. South Africa attending the awards ceremony. "This was one of the first outings," she said. "What a way to start!" Julia Hanna, Ristorante Julia winner of Arts and CultureEnhancing Business of the Year Award receives her award from Mayor Burton. Ristorante Julia is located at 312 Lakeshore Road East. Visit www.ristorantejulia.com or call 905 8447401 for more information. Photos by Bernadette Ward & Simon Leung Many thanks to our supporters! PLATINUM SILVER The Oakville Beaver THE SPROTT FOUNDATION Congratulations to the Sprott Foundation, winners of this year's Arts and Culture Philanthropist of the Year Award. The Sprott Foundation was nominated by Canadian Music Competitions Oakville/Mississauga Chapter.