Christmas at the National Club

There's nothing like this time of year at The National Club, whether it's our cozy real fireplaces or the almost dozen decorated trees throughout the Club.

Yesterday was the Year End Members' Luncheon, with spectacular food from Chef James and the kitchen staff, and a "State of the Union" address by Club President Bruce Bowser.

Make sure you come by to enjoy the festive spirit between now and Dec. 24th.

Article about The National Club in "Affluence Avenue"

 

There is a lot going on a The National Club this month, but before we get started with the many holiday festivities and events, we just wanted to point your attention to an excellent write-up of the Club in "Affluence Avenue".

Read the complete article from Affluence Avenue  here.

Halloween Photos - Our 2014 Spooktacular

In case you missed it, here are some photos from our 2014 Halloween bash put on by our indefatigable Cinephile Society. Great food, great costumes and a scary movie. What could be better?

Halloween at the National Club? Scary movies? Costumes? Of course!

Our own Cinephile Society loves Halloween in a big way, and this year we celebrate on Thursday, October 30, with our second annual Halloween spook-tacular at the National Club! The Cinephile Society will present The Conjuring (2013), one of the highest grossing horror films ever!

Halloween costumes are encouraged—we’ll have a camera ready!

After a cash bar reception and a gourmet dinner with wine, our host Thom Ernst will talk about some of the reasons why The Conjuring was so highly acclaimed by critics. After the movie, Thom will facilitate an exchange between the audience and our real-life ghostbuster guests.

Our Guests:

Peter Roe is a paranormal investigator and Assistant Director of The Searcher Group. He will explain the origins of The Searcher Group and how investigations into the paranormal are conducted. We look forward to hearing about some of his experiences.

Amanda K is an intuitive medium who has assisted The Searcher Group with investigations by providing additional insight into the nature of and reasons for the presence of spirit in a particular location.

For reservation information and time details, see the flyer attached. It’ll be a scream!

Karen Gilmour and Ann Echlin
for the National Club Cinephile Society

National Club Receives the "Club of the Year" Award

National Club General manager Bill Morari and Past President Stephen Lautens
were on hand in Banff, Alberta, to receive the CSCM's "Club of the Year" Award.

Last Sunday at the annual meeting of the Canadian Society of Club Managers The National Club was formally presented with the 2013-14 "Club of the Year" Award.

The National Club was recognized in the large club category for its work with the community (particularly our annual Giving Back charity dinner), innovation, governance, and our exciting new rooftop patio addition.

Congratulations to our Board, management, staff and members for making this recognition possible.

Rooftop Patio Canopy Installation

Something new when you come to the Club on Monday. Our rooftop patio now has a full canopy over the east deck. It has been set up to accommodate both rain days and increasingly chilly weather to extend our members' enjoyment of our new signature facility.

Stop by and have a look.

Dinner with John Baird - October 2nd

The Alma Children's Education Foundation and The National Club cordially invite you to dinner with the Hon. John Baird in support of The Alma Children's Education Fund on October 2, 2014.

To purchase a table or ticket, contact Pamela Smith : pamelaf.smith@scotiamcleod.com

When: Thursday, October 2, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Cost: Tables $2500 (10 tickets)
Tickets $275
Where: The National Club, 303 Bay St., Toronto

Tax receipts will be issued for a portion of the ticket/table cost.

Proceeds will go to the Alma Children’s Education Foundation, a micro-philanthropy organization supporting grassroots education projects in Latin America.

www.almafoundation.ca

Annual Fine Wine Dinner - September 24th

The National Club Wine Committee is proud to present a tasting of world renowned Italian wines at this year’s Annual Black Tie Fine Wine Dinner. Members and guests will have the opportunity to taste a excellent selection of regional Italian wines from some of the top acclaimed wine producers in Italy.

The wines for the evening will include the Gaja Brunello di Montalcino, Banfi Poggio all’Oro Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Antinori Solaia, Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc, Silvio Grasso Barolo Ciabot Manzoni, and the Masi Costasera Amarone della Valpolicella. These wines consistently receive high scores and much praise from wine advocate Robert Parker.

National Club Wine Committee member Margaret Swaine will be our guest moderator throughout this special evening. Among her many journalistic positions and achievements, Ms. Swaine is a principal critic and partner with WineAlign—Canada’s largest and most popular online wine site. She has toured the globe many times over as a wine and restaurant critic, travel journalist, and feature writer. She currently pens the weekly food and wine travel column “Forks & the Road” for the National Post newspaper, and “Global Gourmet” column for www.travelindustrytoday.com. Executive Chef James Stewart has created an exquisite Italian-themed menu perfectly suited to complement these magnificent wines.

PLEASE RESERVE EARLY AS SEATING IS VERY LIMITED. This event is always a sell out.

PRICE: $325.00 PER PERSON ● DRESS: BLACK TIE ● RECEPTION: 6:15 PM ● DINNER: 7:00 PM

For reservations, kindly R.S.V.P. at www.thenationalclub.com or to Margaret Creador by telephone at 416-364-3247, or email: frontdesk@thenationalclub.com.

The National Club WIns The CSCM 2014 Club of The Year Award

The National Club is very pleased to announce that it has been given the 2014 "Club of the Year Award" by the Canadian Society of Club Managers, the national professional society for those individuals involved in the club management profession in Canada.

The National Club won in the large club category for the 2013-14 year. Congratulations to our General Manager Bill Morari, staff and the Board of Directors for this singular honour. 

This is the first time The National Club has won this prestigious award. The award presentation will be in October at the CSCM Annual Meeting in Banff.

https://secure.cscm.org/default.asp?id=1513

A Look Around the Rooftop Patio

Summer is almost gone, but the deck of our rooftop patio will no doubt continue to be one of our members' favourite destinations well into the Fall.

If you can't get there in person, have a look at these spectacular panoramic digital tours of the National Club's rooftop patio:

http://www.digitalproperties.ca/20140731/single1.html

http://www.digitalproperties.ca/20140731/single2.html

Or better yet, visit us in person.

 

HRH Prince Andrew at The National Club

On June 5th The National Club was host to HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, at a reception and dinner to honour the Queen's York Rangers and benefit their regimental association. 

 

In addition to other officers and dignitaries, also in attendance was the Honourable David C. Onley O.Ont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. 

 

 

Our GM Rides for Charity

Good afternoon my friends,

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone that sponsored me to ride in the Inaugural Bike Rally from Toronto to Lake Camp Scugog.

Between the Rotary Club of Toronto, friends and family, we raised almost $17,000, with a few more donations expected to trickle in over the next few days.

This is enough money to send 17 at risk kids to camp, where they will get a break from the daily challenges of their neighborhoods and spend 10 days in a safe environment, where they can retreat, recover and learn new skills that they can take back to their homes and communities.

The ride was a very challenging 75Km, mostly uphill and into a headwind, but it was an amazing feeling as we were cheered on by Camp Staff at the finish line. (see photo below)

Surprisingly, I was still able to get out of bed the next day and go golfing.

Once again, we sincerely appreciate everyone’s support for this new initiative and we are already working on next year’s ride.

I’ve already begun training for the next Bike Rally.

Many thanks,
Bill

Bill Morari
COO & General Manager
The National Club

Juno Award Winning Jazz Pianist - June 4th

Wednesday June 4th at The National Club
Recently awarded Jazz Pianist of the Year, David Braid was also named SOCAN Composer of the Year, recognizing his output of over eighty works including compositions for solo piano, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles and symphony orchestras. He has released nine recordings garnering six Juno nominations and two Juno Awards. He is also a Multi-National Jazz Award Winner and received the Canada Council for the Arts “JazzID Award”.

This exclusive event for National Club Members and their guests, offers VIP access and Q&A with the artist. The Main Dining Room will be transformed into a sultry jazz club with full bar access.
Romance your date, impress clients, support Canada’s performing arts, meet a great Canadian Jazz artist up close and personal. Limited seating so call now and reserve!

This is an exclusive offer to National Club members!

Two tier pricing:
Dinner and Concert: $87.50
Concert only: $47.50

For more details, see the flyer below or contact The National Club at 416-364-3247 or by email: frontdesk@thenationalclub.com

Movie Night! June 10 - "Nashville"

Dear friends of the National Club's Cinephile Society,

On June 10, the National Club's main dining room will again be the venue for an outstanding evening of food, film, and discussion with the experts. Thom Ernst has invited his colleague, film critic Richard Crouse, to help us appreciate "Nashville," Robert Altman's 1975 masterpiece.

"Nashville" features a long list of well-known actors with intersecting storylines that Altman uses to comment on the pursuit of success, the status of women, and the tactics of politics. It all plays out against the backdrop of Nashville's country music scene.

The details are in the attached flier. Please note that because we're showing a longer movie, we'll be starting earlier than usual. Invite a friend to join you and book your seats soon to avoid disappointment.

See you at the movies!

Karen Gilmour and Ann Echlin for the National Club Cinephile Society

2014 Giving Back Dinner

The 2014 National Club Giving Back Dinner was a tremendous success, raising over $30,000 from our members and sponsors for The Yonge Street Mission.

The Yonge Street Mission has been looking after the homeless, new arrivals and other vulnerable people in Toronto since 1896.

The evening included music by the exceptional Janey Brown, a gourmet dinner and a live auction. All those in attendance were inspired by the stories from Dr. Rick Tobias, Community Advocate at the Yonge Street Mission, YSM CEO Angie Draskovic, and two people who had their lives profoundly changed by their time at the Yonge Street Mission.