Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: ctv news

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

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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.

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By Catherine Barr – May 7, 2014

Also as seen in the Vancouver Sun Newspaper

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By Catherine Barr

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

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May 7, 2014
Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2014

Have you been sticking to that New Year’s diet plan? If yes, then this will probably not help. If no, then get ready to indulge in one of the most delicious times of the year. Tourism Vancouver’s Dine Out Vancouver Festival is on now (Jan 17 – Feb 2) and you won’t want to miss it. This city wide event was originally designed to give a boost to a traditionally slow time of year by having various restaurants offer dining incentives and special tasting menus. Now in its 12th year, there are a record breaking 263 restaurants taking part in the event with menus priced at $18, $28 and $38. There are also 16 North Shore restaurants dishing up “yum” including Olive and Anchor, Pier 7, Salmon House on the Hill, Troll’s, Zen, Village Taphouse, Cactus Club and more. Media members got a sneak preview last week as we were escorted around in various themed groups – but all you need to do to join the fun is to be sure to book a reservation in advance. Check out dineoutvancouver.com and enjoy!

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01 – Owned by West Vancouver’s Jack Evrensel, West restaurant played host to the media dine out party preview. From left: Owen Knowlton, Lynn Gervais and chef Quang Dang.

02 – Getting ready with all their delicious press releases, public relations pros Michelle Palikot, left, and Crystal Kwon enjoy some super supper samples.

03 – So great to have CTV News anchor Coleen Christie and photographer Dan Poh join the media dine around event as part of my “Posh Nosh” group. Yum!

04 – Ready, set, eat! Tourism Vancouver’s Lucas Pavan tries to gather his “Meat vs Veg” group together to set out for the night.

05 – Enjoying the pre-dinner cocktail party are Tourism Vancouver’s Walt Judas, left, and media foodie Nathan Fong.

06 – Pork belly, beef shortrib, lobster and more. Everyone left with a smile after sampling Fairmont Pacific Rim and Oru chef Darren Brown’s exquisite menu.

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By Catherine Barr – January, 2013

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Jan 23, 2014

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January 20, 2014
Cavalia’s Odysseo Horses in Vancouver

Set your senses on stun because Cavalia’s Odysseo is a spectacle to behold. Dubbed a Cirque du Soleil with horses, this event is a must see for the holiday season. With scenes that shift from the magical and dreamy to high energy shows of strength, this is animal magnetism at its best. There’s also a finale that you have to see to believe. Last week marked the grand opening night and the tent was filled with the who’s who of the Vancouver scene. Actors, media personalities and dignitaries were treated to the VIP treatment inside the Rendez-Vous lounge complete with full dinner buffet, champagne, wine, dessert and more. It’s a night to remember that you too can partake in via the VIP package experience. And don’t forget to visit the stables after the show for a close-up meeting with Vancouver’s newest and fanciest “neigh”-bours.

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01 – CBC’s Miyoung Lee, left, is seen in the VIP tent with friend Heidi Carton.

02 – CTV movie critic and Travel Guys star Jim Gordon chats with Joti Samra before the start of the show.

03 – It’s a great show for families as Capilano University registrar Karen McCredie and husband/writer Andrew McCredie look forward to a tour of the stables with son Callum and daughter Grace.

04 – Global TV news anchor and North Vancouverite Anne Drewa brings along mom Terrie for a night of VIP treatment.

05 – I never miss a chance to horse around with the stars of the show. Cast members, riders and acrobats take photos with the crowd in the Rendez-Vous lounge.

06 – VIP hostess Julie Shaw makes sure everyone goes home with a souvenir.

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By Catherine Barr – Dec 10, 2013

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Dec 19, 2013

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December 16, 2013
Healthy Chef, Leones United Way and Iranian Norouz

Eating right, giving back and starting anew doesn’t seem like it could be that much fun – but last week, it was! Three great events full of charity and giving helped start Spring off on the right note. First up, it was the BC Chefs’ Association’s Healthy Chef Competition at the Hyatt. Next, it was a Spring fashion show at Leones hosted by United Way’s Women United in Philanthropy. And finally, it was Persian New Year at the Marriot where the Canadian Iranian Foundation held a glamorous celebration.

01 – Faizzal Fatehali, of the United Way, poses with West Vancouver’s Pamela Martin (CTV news anchor and Women United in Philanthropy member) at Leones.

02 – Women United in Philanthropy member Christie King and husband James welcome guests to the Leone fashion show fundraiser.

03 – This West Vancouver trio knows all about fashion. From left: Wear Else president/owner Zahra Mamdani, Leone president and owner Alberto Leone, and guest Carey Smith.

04 – Eating right at the Healthy Chefs Competition are North Vancouver’s Amanda Tanner, left, and BC Produce Marketing Association’s Margie Schurko.

05 – Von Albrecht and Associates Leo Savino, left, and BC Chefs Association director and host Marcus Von Albrecht help put on a wonderful gala evening in support of great healthy food.

06 – BC Lions’ famous footballer Geroy Simon, left, teams up with North Vancouver celeb/comedian and CTV weatherman Marke Driesschen.

07 – Canadian Iranian Foundation committee members Nassreen Filsoof, left, and Massoume Price deserve praise for helping arrange such a glamorous Norouz night.

08 – Posing by the beautiful, traditional Haft Seen table at Norouz are foundation board directors Babak Shahbazi, left, Abbas Esmailie, Ali Hashemi and Bahram Saadatmandi.

09 – Looking beautiful in blue for the new year Norouz gala are Mahshid Seifi, left, and Maryam Hashemi.

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By Catherine Barr – March 17, 18 and 21, 2010

Published in print by the North Shore Outlook newspaper on March 25, 2010

March 23, 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
Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet 2009

It was time for cocktails, cars and catwalks at the 4th Annual Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Charity Fashion Gala. Benefitting BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation and the VGH & UBC Hospital for prostate research, the evening featured fashions by Hugo Boss and Harry Rosen as well as a fabulous martini / wine bar, four-star food by some of Vancouver’s top restaurants and more beautiful accessories than you can imagine. Va Va Vroom! (more…)

May 18, 2009