Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: charmaine crooks

Heart and Stroke Golden Heart Gala Dinner

The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Golden Heart gala dinner was held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver last week. A black tie affair, the night featured live and silent auction items, entertainment and a five-star dinner all served in the hotel’s lavishly decorate ballroom.

– – –

01 – Gala chair and Olympian Charmaine Crooks and husband Anders welcome guests to the reception.

02 – Honourary chairs Jane and Peter Scott.

03 – Stéphane Mouttet, of the Shangri-La Hotel, poses with volunteers Tracy Lee, left, and Hannah Dohl.

04 – Rick and Bonnie Hatswell, of Craftsman Collision, left, attend the event with Gillian Dixon-Boxer and Morris Ergas.

05 – They’re heart champions all the way. Athletes and authors Dr. Douglas Clement and wife Diane know what it takes to live a healthy life.

06 – Mom Joan, left and wife Christina are happy to accompany former Canucks hockey star Tony Tanti to the big event.

– – –

By Catherine Barr – June 6, 2014

Also as seen in the Vancouver Sun Newspaper

– – –

By Catherine Barr

www.CatherineBarr.com | www.WestVancouver.com | www.NorthVancouver.com

– – –

June 16, 2014
Heart of Gold 2014 Pre-Gala Reception

The Heart of Gold Gala, held in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation – BC and Yukon chapter, will hold its 10th Anniversary fundraising event later next month. In preparation for the big night, a private VIP reception for donors, committee members and guests was held yesterday at the super chic downtown home of Janelle and Kyle Washington. The stunning views and sunlit patios were the perfect backdrop for the invite-only reception which included canapes, cocktails and speeches. Sadly, heart and stroke still takes the life of one Canadian every seven minutes and more than 1.6 million individuals are living with the effects of heart disease. More information on how to get involved and/or how to donate can be found at www.heartandstroke.bc.ca

– – –

01 – Kyle and Janelle Washington graciously open up their home to host the VIP reception.

02 – Olympian Charmaine Crooks, left, is this year’s gala chair. Here she is seen with friend Christina Tanti.

03 – Committing to a generous six figure donation, Bob and Diane Conconi, attend the event with administrative assistant Sanja Simic, left.

04 – Natalie and Amar Doman are known for their kindness and philanthropy.

05 – Dr. Douglas Clement chats with CTV news anchor Coleen Christie.

06 – Honourary chairs Jane and Peter Scott with past committee member Willa MacDougall.

– – –

By Catherine Barr – May 7, 2014

Also as seen in the Vancouver Sun Newspaper

– – –

By Catherine Barr

www.CatherineBarr.com | www.WestVancouver.com | www.NorthVancouver.com

– – –

May 7, 2014
Heart and Stroke Gala Reception in West Vancouver

It’s always a golden occasion at The Heart and Stroke Foundation gala. Entitled the “Heart of Gold”, this ninth annual fundraising event is always a reminder that heart disease is still a number one killer and that early detection and a healthy lifestyle are what we all need to practice to survive. A special pre-gala reception was held this month at the palatial West Vancouver waterfront home of Goldcorp’s Ian Telfer. As presenting sponsor, Goldcorp has been instrumental in bringing The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s message to the forefront. Invited guests also enjoyed a talk by Dr. Max Cynadar, brain specialist, on the affects of stroke, the brain and the body. The Heart of Gold gala takes place this weekend.

01 – West Vancouver’s best blonde sisters, Lori Shea, left, and Cindi George look extra glamorous for the pre-gala reception.

02 – As a former Olympian, Charmaine Crooks, seen here with husband Anders Thorsen, knows the importance of a healthy heart and body.

03 – Offering their support to this very worthwhile cause, businessmen Anders Thorsen, left, Amar Doman and Marc Seguin enjoy a conversation on the patio.

04 – Honorary chairs Praveen & Anuja Varshney know firsthand about survive heart disease and stroke. Look for them at this weekend’s gala fundraiser.

05 – Dr. Doug Clement, who is also a former athlete and Olympian, cuddles up to foundation vice-president Aderita Guerreiro.

06 – Auction chair Darien Adley, left, Dr. Max Cynadar and gala chair Nancey Nanji are now getting ready for the big occasion this weekend.

– – –

By Catherine Barr – May 7, 2013

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on May 23, 2013

– – –

May 17, 2013
BC Sports Hall of Fame New Home and Olympic Memories

The BC Sports Hall of Fame has always been an impressive place of history in Vancouver, but now, thanks to a revamped BC Place, the Hall of Fame has a new home and even bigger legacy to share. Last week, during a special VIP reception, invited guests, athletes and friends were part of an extra special dedication night full of famous memories. The who’s who of past inductees were in attendance as everyone shared stories from a proud past.

01 – West Vancouver artist Michael Tickner and wife Alice, left, shares some Olympic stories with ice dance champion Victor Kraatz who, along with skating partner Shae-Lynn Bourne, were the first World Champions in ice dancing representing Canada.

02 – West Vancouver Olympian Charmaine Crooks, left, poses with the Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sports and Cultural Development, and athlete Andrea Neal who will be inducted for the sport of soccer at this year’s Banquet of Champions.

03 – Global BC TV’s Ian Haysom, left, celebrates the occasions with VIP guests Audrey Williams, Beth Haysom and Brett Manlove.

04 – Whistler Mayor Nancy Wilheim, left, chats with former Olympian and ski champion Nancy Greene, who also acted as this evening’s MC.

05 – Celebrating the two-year anniversary of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic games, John Furlong still has good reason to smile. His book, “Patriot Hearts”, remains a best seller.

06 – North Shore residents Stephen Simpson and Susan Dujmovic remember the good times as they stand near the Olympic medallion display which Susan helped unveil during the games as part of the Royal Canadian Mint.

07 – North Vancouver skating sweethearts Barry and Louise Soper were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979. Together they won all three levels of national competition (from 1971 to 1974) and represented Canada as Canadian Ice Dance Champions at four World Figure Skating Championships.

08 – With too many names to mention, this historic photograph of present and past Hall of Famers marks the start of a new era of excellence.

– – –

By Catherine Barr – Feb 10, 2012

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Feb 16, 2012

– – –

– – –

February 13, 2012
Olympic Athletes Reunion Reception Vancouver 2010

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.

01 – Former MuchMusic VJ turned socialite Monika Deol is a stunning and beautiful MC for the royal event.

02 – U.S. Gold medal skater Kristi Yamaguchi and fellow Olympic teammate Paul Wylie are among the VIPs at the athletes’ reception.

03 – She is perfect on the balance beam and the ballroom floor. America’s sweetheart gymnast and Dancing with the Stars champion Shawn Johnson attends the athletes’ reception with her dad Doug.

04 – Olympic silver medalist from 1972, Karen Magnussen, left, and 1976 Olympic gold medal skier Kathy Kreiner are the epitome of what Olympic spirit means at the athletes’ reception.

05 – King Constantine II of Greece and his wife, Queen Anne Marie of Denmark, are a wonderfully friendly and gracious couple meeting all the athletes with a smile.

06 – HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Canadian Olympic silver medalist (and West Vancouver gal) Charmaine Crooks are both five-time Olympians. Charmaine was also the host for the night.

—

By Catherine Barr

Feb 10, 2010

February 11, 2010
Canadian Culinary Championships and Mangia e Bevi Fundraiser

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 www.mangiaebevi.ca.

01 – West Vancouver’s own Olympic committee sweetheart, silver medal track star Charmaine Crooks, attends the CCC wearing a diamond encrusted Inukshuk, the Olympic logo, around her neck.

02 – Westender food critic and CCC judge Andrew Morrison, who also hails from the North Shore, chats with Vancouver Gold Medal Plates representative, Chef Rob Feenie of Cactus Club.

03 – Media personality Terry David Mulligan and CTV news anchor Coleen Christie act as the evening’s MCs for CCC.

04 – The menus will change, but the goal to fight cancer remains. Magia E Bevi owners Antonio Sauro, left, and Rob Parrott are ready to serve.

05 – North Van PR gal Dana Lee Harris and Mania e Bevi’s Doug Grisdale have both donated their time to raise funds for B.A.C.I.O.

06 – Lions Gate Hospital’s Kristy Gill and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Terra Scheer came by the restaurant to see what’s in store for the B.A.C.I.O. event.

07 – Judging from the smiles from the judges, things are postively delicious at the CCC competiton. From left: David Scholefield, Mick Luckhurst and Sid Cross.

By Catherine Barr – December 2009

Published in print by North Shore Outlook newspaper (Black Press) on Jan 7, 2010

January 4, 2010
North Shore Outlook 10 Year Anniversary

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.

01 – Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow and Neil Young played to a sell-out crowd of 9,000 at Ambleside Park in Summer 2009 as the Lee Family, Terry McBride and the Sarah McLachlan Foundation made history with a charity concert that attracted worldwide attention.

02 – The first ever sanctioned amateur boxing match in West Vancouver was held in March 2003 when the A4K (Athletics for Kids) held their first annual black-tie gala at Hollyburn Country Club – an event that is still going strong.

03 – It wasn’t how they planned to celebrate their 40th anniversary, but members of the North Shore Rescue team had to rescue their own in 2004 as a trek up Yukon’s Mount Logan went terribly wrong leaving Erik Bjarnason, Alex Snigurowicz and Don Jardine fending for their lives. From left: team members Barry Mason, Erik Bjarnason, Linda Bily and Don Jardin.

04 – Organizers Kenn Hamlin (left), and David Gouge (right) flank architect and famous ‘supermodeller’ Arthur Erickson at one of the legendary West Vancouver Eppich houses during the AIDS Memorial fundraiser in September 2005. Erickson passed away May 2009.

05 – The 2010 Winter Olympics are almost here, and we have Olympic bid committee member, silver medalist and North Shore gal Charmaine Crooks, left, to thank for it. Pictured here in November 2006 with fellow Olympian and gold medalist Catriona LeMay Doan at the Gold Medal Plates event, she will finally see her life’s work come to fruition next year.

06 – The Kay Meek Centre for the Performing Arts opened its doors, unofficially, in November 2004 with a gala performance of “The Prince of Africa”, performed by the African Children’s Choir, and seen here with sponsor Suzanne Latta. Sadly, Kay Meek herself passed away later that same weekend.

07 – Park Royal Shopping Centre’s new “Village” debuted in September 2004 with a series of grand openings, but none grander than the Home Depot’s “Inspire to Dream” gala night. The $300 per person fundraiser honoured the work of athlete Rick Hansen, seen here with wife Amanda, and featured a private intimate concert with recording artist Jann Arden.

08 – One of Canada’s most renowned Impressionist painters, Daniel Izzard, celebrated his 80th birthday in May 2003. Seen here with a beautiful portrait of granddaughter Carissa Davis, the event was a veritable who’s who of North Shore dignitaries. Izzard died in June 2007.

09 – NBA superstar Steve Nash and various celebrities were seen at the multi-million dollar West Vancouver home of Kyle and Janelle Washington in July 2007 at the “Carats” charity fundraiser and poker game where, for $10,000 per couple, guests got to hobnob with Nash and his famous friends. From left: Producer/composer David Foster (left) Steve Nash and his mom.

10 – There were tears, cheers and beers as the staff of the old Park Royal Hotel bid a bittersweet goodbye to their old digs in September 2004 to make way for a new development. Built in 1957 by West Vancouver’s late Frank Bernard, the memories and stories about her good old days will live on forever.

– –

By Catherine Barr – November 11, 2009

Published in print by the North Shore Outlook on November 19, 2009

November 12, 2009