I had so much fun with Sophie Lui on Global TV last Saturday (Feb 20, 2010).
With all the Olympic celeb and parties in town, we got a chance to talk live on the air from Robson Square about all the excitement around town.
I even got a chance to show off a few pictures too of celebrities like Cindy Crawford, Sir Richard Branson, gold medal athletes Shawn Johnson and Kristi Yamaguchi and HSH Prince Albert of Monaco.
Here’s hoping we’ll be able to do it again!!!
Big thanks Sophie, you are a blast!
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The Olympic parties continue with even more famous faces coming out to play.
I was brimming with pride, watching the Olympic torch live on TV as it made its way through the streets of Vancouver when it happened.
Five time Olympian Charmaine Crooks was the perfect host last night at a special Olympic Athletes reunion event in Vancouver’s Chinatown district. It was a royal reception to be sure with names like HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and King Constantine II of Greece who attended along with his wife, Queen Anne Marie of Denmark. Pomp and ceremony aside, the evening also included appearances by former US Olympic gold medal skater Kristi Yamaguchi and teamate Paul Wylie as well as US gold medal Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson. Both Yamaguchi and Johnson are also champion Dancing With The Stars competitors which added an unusual but fun twist to the reunion themed evening.
VANCOUVER, Feb. 8 /CNW/ – John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today announced additional well-known torchbearers who will join other notable individuals and every-day Canadians to carry the Olympic Flame throughout the final days of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.
Vancouver’s Olympic snow woes continue, and now they’ve hit the big time.
The recent tragic events in Haiti will not soon be forgotten. Yet, while we attempt to help those devastated by this earthquake, we sometimes forget that there are children in need all over the third world where flood, famine and abject poverty occur every day. Last night, the good people behind the Angkor Hospital for Children (Friends Without a Border) held their “Taste the World” wine benefit at the Four Seasons Hotel. With Haiti very much on everyone’s mind, the night was a great success and will go a long way to helping little ones suffering in Cambodia.
Stars and cars, sexy tech and some of the finest piano craftsmanship in the world are all stories that help build up this week’s excitement and Olympic countdown fever. First, Olympic sponsor General Motor’s (GM) new electronic Chevy Fuel Cell Equinox vehicles have arrived. Keep your eyes peeled because this emissions-free fleet’s duty is to get A-Listers, like David Hasselhoff, around town in style. Next, hip and hot, the gang at FCV Technologies celebrates at their five year anniversary party. And lastly, old world perfectionism and music are the topics of a special lunch honouring visiting craftsman Paolo Fazioli.
It was a culinary event of Olympic proportions and the big winners were our own Olympic athletes. The Canadian Culinary Championships (CCC) were held late last month and were the culmination of the local regional Gold Medal Plates city competitions held throughout the year across Canada. The fundraisers were all designed to help put Canadian athletes on the podium come February – so no matter how you slice it, everyone came out a winner. Also, this week marks the start of Mangia E Bevi’s special month-long fundraiser entitled “B.A.C.I.O” (Because A Cure Is Obtainable). The West Vancouver restaurant is raising funds all this month with a special menu – a portion of which will be donated to the BC Children’s Hospital and the Lions Gate Hospital Oncology departments. Join them until Jan 31 at 
This past year has been lots of fun, yet sadly it’s over and done. So it’s time to review, all those great things we do; but it’s hard just to focus on one. It’s the last of the holiday cheer. So remember, when midnight draws near; grab a glass, raise a toast, hug your friends, kiss the host; and yell it out . . Happy New Year!
The champagne was flowing this month for more than just the holidays. First up it was the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 23rd annual Crystal Ball. The gala evening, which was held at the Four Seasons Hotel, was a true black tie affair complete with martini reception, gala dinner, auction items and the popular Cartier raffle draw. Next, it was time to pop the corks on the Veuve Cliquot as local business owners Clara and Steve Agopian celebrated the opening of their newely renovated Lugaro Jewellers in Park Royal South.
IT was a fun “foodie” type week last week as competitions, cookbooks and the first sign of Christmas crept into the headlines. First up, local chefs help promote sustainable seafood at the Vancouver Aquarium during the Seafood Chowder Chowdown. Then, it was time for a little Viva Italia at Quattro on 4th as local favourite, Antonio Corsi, teamed up to publish his family’s food secrets in a fabulous new cookbook – just in time for Christmas. And speaking of Christmas, the first cheer of the year goes to the good folks at Rogers Communication in a special holiday reception held at the chic and stylish Lift restaurant and lounge.
You know how they say time flies when you’re having fun? Well, trust me when I say that it’s true. The last decade has flown by at the speed of light and in looking back, I realize just how wonderful, yet fleeting, life can be. In the last seven years that I have had the privilege of writing for The Outlook, I estimate that I have taken 11,653 photos of close to 34,959 faces at more than 3,640 local events. To this day, I never forget a smile (even though I sometimes forget the name – wink). So here’s to you – the people of my community, my neighbours and my new found friends. It is an honour to be here to share in all your special memories. I thank you all for your heart-warming smiles and look forward to ten years more – at least.
Two great Saturday night galas make headlines this week. First up, Wine on the Mountain was quite literally a “feast for the senses” as guests rode to the top of a snow covered Grouse Mountain to enjoy food and wine, live music and auctions in support of Adoptive Families Association of BC. Next, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation celebrated the 10th anniversary of their Rockin’ for Research gala with a spectacular night at the Hyatt featuring live performances by Loverboy, Chilliwack, Bill Henderson and Paul Hyde.
Time is something we all take for granted – but for a sick child, time is the most precious gift of all. The Canucks Place Children’s Hospice – Gift of Time Gala celebrated their fourth annual event last week at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver. Always special, the beautiful ballroom was decorated to the nines and included special table centrepieces hand made by the children under the direction of artist Jolinda Linden, sister-in-law to Canucks superstar Trevor Linden. Business leaders, VIPs and supporters all gave generously to attend the star-studded evening that also included a special performance by surprise celebrity musical guest Chantal Kreviazuk.
We’ve all watched it being built, and now its officially open for business. The Mercedes Benz dealership in North Vancouver is no stranger to the luxury lifestyle – so what better way to celebrate than with a gala re-opening to showcase the new 13,000 square foot showroom expansion and the debut of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan. The new $6 million renovation of glass and glam gives the Marine Drive dealership new life as they head into their 25th year at this location – now that’s style.
Country music, Bhangra drums plus celebrity chefs and wine helped wrap up the last week of Summer 2009. First up, the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) brought big name singers to the city with a festival that included live concerts, fan parties and a fabulous live awards show that was broadcast across Canada. Next up, West Vancouver musician Ash Sood and friends were among the VIPs at a special private dinner to raise funds for the Bhangra International Festival Celebration. And when it comes to celebrating, no one does it better than the Wine of BC people with their annual Chef Meets Grape charity event in support of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program.
Words almost can’t describe it. At first, it was sheer excitement at the site of the colourful Moroccan themed private tent suites. Then, it was pride as opening acts like the Sarah McLachlan Foundation Choir took to the stage and cruise ships sailed past Ambleside beach. Finally, as night falls on a near perfect day, it was magic as Sheryl Crow, Neil Young and Sarah McLachlan, three of the biggest names in music, performed to a sold-out crowd the likes of which we have never seen here in West Vancouver. It was a once in a lifetime VIP experience that I hope we get to do all over again next year, and next, and next. Congrats to everyone involved.
Lamborghinis and lipstick helped round out August as two great events helped us remember all the luxurious little things in life. First up, party promoter Craig Stowe and friends were making heads turn in the street with a preview of their Luxury Supercar weekend.Come on out on Sep 12 and 13 to the Edgewater Casino to see a Palm Springs like show of “suber” cars like Ferrari, Roll Royce, Lamborghini, Porsche, Jaguar and more. Next, Heather Huntingford and her gal pals were celebrating the relocation of her fabulous Kiss and Makeup store in Park Royal village with a summer Patio Party that featured local celebs, makeovers, cocktails and cupcakes.
Ralph, Elena and Deb (R.E.D. Management) are no strangers to talent agency management. In fact, between them they’ve got over 35 years experience here in Vancouver representing some of the best and brightest in the biz on familiar shows like Battlestar Galactica, Intelligence, 24 and more. So when it finally came time to strike out on their own, they made it look easy. Now, with a floating barge for a home here in North Vancouver’s Mosquito Creek Marina, they can celebrate their first anniversary in style. Invited guests and local celebs came out to party aboard the Queen of Diamonds on a sunny Sunday afternoon and toast the trio that helped make the famous.