Ottawa Buzz

byline:  Michael Prentice
source:  The Ottawa Citizen
date:  Monday, January 29, 2001

How much would you pay for an evening with high-tech superstar Antoine Paquin? Mr. Paquin has just been auctioned off for $950. That is less than the $1,625 winning bid for a golf game with Ottawa Senators owner Rod Bryden or $1,000 each for the pleasure of the company of Rebel.com's Michael Mansfield and one-time prospective CFL team owner Grant White.

The ongoing Internet-based auction is organized by John Ernst and other members of the business community to help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Among high-profile executives currently on auction are Shirley Westeinde and John Kelly. For information check out www.executivesonauction.com

Ottawa Buzz

byline:  Michael Prentice
source:  The Ottawa Citizen
date:  Monday, August 14, 2000

How much would you pay to play nine holes of golf with a well-known person in aid of charity? That's what organizers of an Executive Golf Auction are about to find out. So far, the highest bidder has offered $1,625 to play with Ottawa Senators chief owner Rod Bryden. In each case, the winning bidder arranges a place, time and date to play with the person on the auction block. The auction, mainly organized by people in high-tech, will benefit those with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The public is not yet familiar with the concept of this new event, in which people bid on the Internet, says organizer John Ernst. Organizers are still signing up participating celebrities, the latest being former governor general Ray Hnatyshyn. Among those on whom bids have already been received, Grant White has attracted the second-highest bid of $1,000. He is the prospective owner of a new professional football team for Ottawa. Now, if only the organizers could get, say, Marlen Cowpland and Alexei Yashin to donate their services. For information on the auction, check www.executivegolfauction.com.