It’s a story of local boy does good – real good in fact when you consider that 10 years ago Chris O’Donohue started out with not much more than a wheelbarrow and a dream. Last week, the gang at The Great Canadian Landscaping Company broke out the bubbly and the beer in a somewhat bittersweet end-of-summer celebration that wasn’t just designed to toast the triumphs of their business longevity, but also to remember a fallen family member. In memory of his late mother-in-law, North Van realtor Shirley Clarke, owner Chris O’Donohue teamed up with the ALS Society of BC to start up an annual donation program in her name. Congrats to all involved.
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01 – Without these “branch” managers, there simply wouldn’t be a team behind Great Canadian Landscaping – three cheers for the gang who loves to dig in and get dirty. From left: staff members Steve, Alex H, Alex M, Allie and Ben.
02 – Leading the crew with a toast or two are Great Canadian Landscapers owner Chris O’Donohue and marketing man Jason Black.
03 – Laura Clarke, daughter to late realtor Shirley Clarke, has already got herself a landscaper in training in nine month-old daughter Emerson.
04 – Lisa Hercus, of the ALS Society of BC, is happy to attend and receive the donations made by both the company and by “Team Clarke” realtor rep Jordan Clarke.
05 – We’ll buy an “Eh” please – Great Canadian’s Colin Rawlinson is in charge of spinning the “Wheel of Fortune” for some fabulous door prizes.
06 – Bartender Chad Cousins, left, keeps the party going with long-time Great Canadian employee Landon Giesbrecht and Neighbourhood Construction’s Jeff Kindrat.
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By Catherine Barr – August 18, 2010
Also published in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Sep 2, 2010
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 
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.
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.
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.
The 19th Annual Harmony Arts Festival is always a favourite among locals, but this year, thanks to some spectacular record breaking temperatures, the crowds have gotten bigger and bigger. Art displays, children’s activities, youth rock, weekend craft fairs, evening outdoor movies and live concerts by the sea are all part of the festival that just wrapped up this past weekend with a spectacular outdoor show by Nearly Neil’s own Bobby Bruce. 
The Leo Awards, BC’s version of the Oscars and Emmys, took place last weekend at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver. Produced by the North Shore’s own Sonny Wong and Walter Daroshin, celebrities from both TV and movies walked the red carpet in style before being honoured by their peers at the gala awards show and dinner. Star spotters, autograph hunters and paparazzi galore made this a real Hollywood in Vancouver moment to remember.
It was time for bow ties and boxing gloves as the 7th annual Athletics for Kids (A4K) Boxing Gala was held last Friday at Hollyburn Country Club. Rock 101 FM’s Bro Jake “The Champ” Edwards had them rolling in the aisles as he helped MC the evening which included a glamorous martini reception, big steak dinner and five rounds of Olympic sanctioned boxing. Helping raise money for kids who can’t afford to play sports is the goal of these go-getters, and they continue to do so in style thanks to the many who came out in support. 
