Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: Mark Ballard

West Vancouver Foundation Reception at Capilano Golf

The West Vancouver Community Foundation held a special reception last week to honour supporters and friends of the charitable organization. The Friends of the Foundation Appreciation reception was held at West Vancouver’s Hollyburn Country Club. Community leaders and invited guests got a chance to mix and mingle and to hear about the new North Shore Search and Rescue fund which will help with items like funding and equipment in the future. There was also some surprise entertainment by the Pals Chorus (Performning Arts Lodge) seniors choir who hand everyone clapping along to everything from Footloose to Lady Gaga. Congrats to all involved.

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01 – Welcoming guests at the front door are West Vancouver Community Foundation’s financial assistant Susan Beck, foundation chair Gerry Humphries and executive director Delaina Bell.

02 – West Vancouver Mayor Michael Smith, left, who is also an honorary director of the foundation, chats with board member and event MC Mark Ballard.

03 – Enjoying some conversation before the speeches are Iain Bell, left, Mark Braithwaite, Coun. Bill Soprovich and Jim Almas.

04 – Representing the YAHU (Young Adults Helping U) Youth Philanthropy Council of the West Vancouver Community Foundation are Celena Wu, left, Michelle Cheung and Crystal Liu.

05 – Representing his family, Curtis Jones, left, son of North Shore Rescue hero Tim Jones, chats with Hugh Kelsey of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue.

06 – Former chair Tom Baillie and Judy Baillie are among the VIPs in attendance.

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By Catherine Barr – February 20, 2014

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Feb 27, 2014

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February 23, 2014
Gordon Smith Art Gallery Gala

The Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art is one of North Vancouver’s newest and most prestigious places. Built last year, the gallery is purported to be the only public gallery “dedicated to young audiences” which exhibits works of art created through the Artist for Kids (AFK) collection. Last week, patrons of the arts gathered at the gallery to celebrate and raise funds at a gala that included a gourmet meal by Hawksworth restaurant, live auction items and entertainment by Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne.

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01 – Taking part in the fabulous food and wine are fabulous food and wine experts Leslie Stowe, left, Darryl Weinbren and Michelle Jankovich.

02 – Showing support for the gallery are former West Vancouver mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones and husband Geoff.

03 – Supporting the arts are VIPs Gordon Harris, left, Pamela Hart and Mark Ballard.

04 – Sitting in the space that bears his name, artist Gordon Smith chats with gala MC and CBC news anchor Gloria Macarenko.

05 – Working to make everything perfect are organizer Gail Johnson, left, chef David Hawksworth and Michele Becker.

06 – Guest Arabella Campbell dines with West Vancouver architect and visionary Russell Hollingsworth.

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By Catherine Barr – Nov 20, 2013

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Nov 28, 2013

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November 25, 2013
North Shore Mayors Golf Tournament at Seymour

Fore! It was time to hit the links as the 6th Annual North Shore Mayors Golf Tournament signalled the unofficial start of summer’s swinging good times. Held at the beautiful Seymour Golf and Country Club in North Vancouver, the conditions were perfect for a great day of fun in the sun. This year the Hollyburn Family Services Society and their “Supporting Seniors to Remained Housed” project was the recipients of the first $50,000 of funds raised. Overall, everyone got a chance to drive for show and putt for dough via the many entertaining challenges which included longest drive, closest to the hole, hole-in-one, and the putting contest. Congratulations also to the many volunteers who helped organize the event. Job well done!

01 – AllWest Insurance CEO Paul Zalesky, left, and son Stefan (right) joins forces with Regency Auto Group GM John Rundle, centre left, and Regency Lexus general sales manager Ken Wong.

02 – Helping out at the putting competition and more are realtor Mark Ballard, left, and North Shore Community Foundation president David Alsop.

03 – Everyone’s always glad to see the pretty ladies in the beverage cart. Meredith Briden, left, and Maureen O’Brien help out all around the course.

04 – Joining North Vancouver City mayor Darrell Mussatto, left, on the course are North Vancouver City councillor and friend Craig Keating along with KPMG execs Brian Szabo and Alastair Nimmons. No word on just how many mulligans they took – wink.

05 – West Vancouver Foundation executive director Delaina Bell, left, and event organizer Heather Baker volunteer their time as they zip around the course making sure all the details are in place.

06 – Hanging out the in Stromer bicycle tent is Sarah Moser who has a fun and alternative way to get around the course today.

07 – North Shore Community Foundations directors Jan Argent, left, and Elizabeth McLaren take up their position on the course waiting to see that first hole in one!

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By Catherine Barr – May 24, 2013

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Jun 6, 2013

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June 2, 2013
West Vancouver Foundation Appreciation Reception

Since 1979, the West Vancouver Foundation has helped shape our community. Through donations and endowment funds, the foundation has supported many worthy causes and has helped bring donors together with other heritage, non-profit organizations and community projects. Scholarships and grants are also part of the giving process and many groups and individuals alike have them to thank for this generosity. Last week, at West Vancouver’s Capilano Golf and Country Club, the foundation held a special appreciation reception. Mayor Michael Smith started the evening off with the surprise announcement that he would be donating his recent council pay raise to the foundation (that amounts to about $9,000 a year). But the surprises didn’t stop there as foundation chair Gerry Humphries announced the installment of the new McLaren Family Trust – a $501,000 fund given by the family in memoriam of their mother. Congrats to all involved.

01 – West Vancouver councillor Mary-Anne Booth, left, chats with the iconic Barbara Brink whose long list of service achievements include Science World, Vancouver General Hospital, United Way and more.

02 – West Vancouver councillor Bill Soprovich, left, joins Mayor Michael Smith who donated his recent pay raise to the foundation this night.

03 – Three cheers for the McLaren family who presented the foundation with a giant cheque this night in the amount of $501,000 in memoriam.

04 – West Vancouver police member Jag Johal and guest Iain Bell are among the VIPs in attendance this night.

05 – Outlook newspaper editor Justin Beddall gets all the news from foundation executive director Delaina Bell on this history night.

06 – West Vancouver Foundation chair Gerry Humphries, left, knows what it means to build a community. He learned all about it from his dad Jim back when he was a member of the foundation.

07 – Welcoming guests to the reception and making all the surprise announcements, chair Gerry Humphries, left, executive director Delaina Bell and board member Mark Ballard put together a night to remember.

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By Catherine Barr – Feb 21, 2013

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Feb 28, 2013

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February 26, 2013
West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Gala Awards

The West Vancouver Chamber’s President’s Dinner was held last week at the newly revamped Gleneagles Clubhouse in West Van. It was the perfect setting as business and civic leaders dressed to impress as the night also included the handing out of the Business Excellence Awards to deserving community nominees. Special mention to the North Shore Credit Union for taking home this year’s “Most Green Business” award.

01 – The Young Entrepreneur award goes to lawyer Nicole Garton-Jones, centre, principal of Heritage Law. Seen here with her fellow legal eagles, Garton-Jones also serves as the Chamber’s first vice-president.

02 – Looking good and feeling good is all in a day’s work for the beautiful mother/daughter team of Connie and Wendy Cochia of Absolute Spa fame who took home the Business of the Year award.

03 – He knows West Vancouver like the back of his hand. Surveyor Bill Chapman, who is also a former Chamber president, takes home the Citizen of the Year award.

04 – Jacqui McTavish, seen here with West Vancouver councillor Michael Evison, later gives a heartfelt and touching tribute to former Chamber president Dina Zeitler who sadly passed away earlier this month.

05 – You could call them West Vancouver’s “Power Rangers” as they maintain the fight for law and order. From left: West Van councilor Bill Soprovich, left, West Vancouver Police’s deputy chief constable Jim Almas, West Vancouver Police chief Peter Lepine and West Vancouver Fire chief Jim Cook.

06 – West Vancouver Chamber director Mark Ballard, left, and president Gary Mussatto chat during the reception as the President’s Dinner and awards begin.

07 – Gallery owner Luis Sopena, left, seen here with former West Van Chamber presidents Haleh Alexander and Jim McCarthy, takes home the Business Person of the year award.

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By Catherine Barr – June 17, 2010

As seen in print in the North Shore Outlook newspaper on June 24, 2010

June 21, 2010
West Vancouver Chamber Christmas 2009

The West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, along with guests and friends, held their annual Christmas gala at the beautiful Capilano Golf and Country Club last week. Live jazz, fabulous silent auction items and a special visit from Santa were all part of the evening, the highlight of which had to be the magnificent fit-for-a-king buffet dinner which featured everything from crab claws to hand carved prime rib and a dessert table to die for. Celebrating the season doesn’t get much better than this.

01 – Parisa Djavaherizadeh gives West Van Chamber board member and gallery owner Luis Sopena a cuddle as they head for the dessert table.

02 – Team Fitness’ Deneen Campioni, left, and Shalon Sherwood enjoy their dinner with realtor Mark Ballard and wife Jan.

03 – Artist XXXX watches diners at their tables and paints the scene live for all to enjoy. Later the painting is auctioned off.

04 – Looking trim and tanned after a well-deserved tropical vacation are Dan Sewell and his wife, of Horseshoe Bay’s famous Sewell’s Marina.

05 – Providing the live jazz entertainment are Capilano University students Winston Mickler, left, Chad Leyte and Kegan Spence.

06 – Butcher Peter Black needs no introduction. His appearances each year at the dinner as Santa Claus are a tradition.

07 – West Vancouver Chamber president Gary Mussatto is surrounded with glittery glam girls, namely Haleh Alexander, left, Allison Mountstevens and wife Misti Mussatto.

By Catherine Barr – December 2, 2009

Published in print by the North Shore Outlook newspaper on Dec 10, 2009

December 6, 2009