The colourful costumes, fun music and outdoor BBQ meant this was no ordinary day on the greens. The West Vancouver Mayor’s Lawn Bowling gala and social, now in its third year, is always a great event. Founded by the West Vancouver Community Foundation, this year the event helped raise money for the organization itself and its many groups and programs. Great work everyone and practice up for next year!
The sun was out and the greens were ready at Seymour Golf and Country Club last weekend as the 7th Annual North Shore Mayors’ Golf Tournament took place. Foursomes started swinging early to enjoy a day on the links with friends and guests all in support of the new Turning Point Recovery Society and their new Women’s Recovery House located in North Vancouver. Every golfer also got an opportunity to try to “Beat the Mayor” on three different specialty challenge holes. Afterwards there was a gourmet meal followed by silent and live auction and then dancing to live music by the Boom Booms.
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01 – PR/organizer Maureen O’Brien, left, with West Vancouver Mayor Michael Smith and former CBC meteorologist Claire Martin who was also the evening’s MC.
02 – Andrew Hoffman, left, director North Shore Community Foundation, and tournament committee member Norm Smith.
03 – North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton holds up the buttons he’s giving away for “Beating the Mayor” on his Par 3 hole.
04 – Park Royal Shopping Centre’s Rick Amantea, left, with North Vancouver City Mayor Darrell Mussatto.
05 – AllWest Insurance’s Paul Zalesky with auto dealer owner Steve Morrey.
06 – Driving for show. Mark Sager, right, and his team are looking good as they hit the back nine.
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By Catherine Barr – May 23, 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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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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They say it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game. Never before has that statement been more true than at last week’s first annual Safiya Cup. Held at West Vancouver’s Pauline Johnson School, this U13 boys round robin tournament was more about fun and fundraising than anything else. It was inspired by the story of a beautiful young girl who tragically passed away late last year due to lymphoma. Ten year-old Safiya Mawani came from a soccer family where she and her brother Zia played for the local team. She won the hearts of everyone she touched. In honour of her memory, coaches, friends and family came together to put on this amazing community event. Some tears but lots of cheers were the order of the day as everyone was reminded yet again that the real battles in life almost always take place off the field. All proceeds raised go to the BC Cancer Foundation.
01 – The West Vancouver Soccer Club U13 boys team The Blues enjoy a great day of sun, fun and friendship in tribute to their teammate Zia’s sister – Safiya Mawani.
02 – It is a day of brave smiles and lovely memories as father Ash, mother Ashifa and brother Zia Mawani attend the first annual Safiya Cup, named in honour of their 10 year-old daughter/sister.
03 – Every event like this needs their volunteers. A big thank you to soccer parents Marilyn Laires, left, Manon Martin, Darren Lemon, Catherine Goulet and Al Charlie for all of their help.
04 – Co-captains Josh Butler and Mackenzie Ward hold the Safiya Cup as they and their combined North Vancouver team members (from The Phantoms and The Banshees) strike a winning pose as tournament winners.
05 – West Vancouver Mayor Michael Smith, left, is happy to help hand out the medals alongside event organizer and soccer coach John Green.
06 – Helping keep the hot dogs coming and the donations flowing, volunteers John Laires, left, Genie Choi, Wade Flemons and Susan Beck work tirelessly behind the scenes as volunteers.
07 – Playing in the Safiya Cup, Kristopher Kirkwood and his dad Keith watch all the action taking place in the final game.
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By Catherine Barr – March 9, 2013
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on March 21, 2013
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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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The West Vancouver Memorial Library Foundation held its signature gala event last week. A Passport to Spain was the theme as guests mixed and mingled among the books enjoying tapas, live entertainment, fabulous food and fashions. One of the main highlights included a live Flamenco performance by dancers from the Karen Pitkethly Flamenco group. Overall, the event raised close to $82,000 which will go to support the many programs and services at the library. Congrats to all involved.
01 – Realtor Patrick O’Donnell and his wife were happy to come out in support of this literary cause.
02 – Event chair Nicole Brown, left, and event producer Sharon Chan-Knight deserve a big round of applause for putting together a wonderful event.
03 – Cheers from Diane Matrick and her dad Larry, both of whom have been long time supporters of the West Vancouver Library.
04 – And the winning bid goes to Jenny Benedict, director of library services, who is clearly a big “fan” of the event.
05 – Guess who’s coming to dinner? Former West Vancouver mayor Ron Wood, left, and committee member Jo-Anne Wood, put in the winning bid for a dinner with friends at current mayor Mike Smith’s house.
06 – Ole! Flashy and fabulous, the members of the Karen Pitkethly Flamenco group wowed everyone with some very authentic moves.
07 – Strike a pose girlfriends. Taking centre stage for the fashion show are media model gals wearing the latest in fashions from Park Royal.
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By Catherine Barr – Nov 2, 2012
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Nov 8, 2012
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