Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: North Van

  • Great Canadian Landscaping 10 Year Celebration for ALS

    trio.jpgIt’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

  • Canadian Culinary Championships and Mangia e Bevi Fundraiser

    ccc02It 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.

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    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

  • Rotary Wine Fest at Park Royal West Van

    rotary_wineThe 8th Annual North Shore Rotary Wine and Food Festival took place last weekend at Park Royal Shopping Centre. Sipping and sampling was on the menu as was live music and more. Local restaurants, wineres and volunteers all pitched in to help make it happen and proceeds raised will go to the North Shore Youth Safe House. Hanging out at the mall with friends was never quite like this. Cheers.

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    01- West Van Surise Rotary president Bawn Campbell, left, and North Van Rotary president Norm Thompson greet guests as they arrive.

    02 – Helping organize the event are members Janice Bosley, left, and Shirley Robertson.

    03 – Cupcakes store owner Lori Joyce, who just opened her newest store in the village, hands out sweet snacks topped with frosting and love.

    04 – North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton attends the event with friend and voice-over actress Brandi Ferguson.

    05 – North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton and wife Celeste Pelc are among the VIPs coming out in support.

    06 – Liberty Wine Merchants’ Tyler Dawson and Shelley Preston keep the glasses filled with reds and whites.

    07 – Hot stuff – Horseshoe Bay Boathouse chef Gerry Wiesner was a popular guy thanks to his pan full of delicious spicy hot prawns.

    08 – Shitake mushroom pasta fresh from the table of Magia E Bevi chefs Rob Parrott, left, and Doug Grisdale kept them coming back for more.

    09 – Cheers to good friends and good times at the mall. From left: Doug and Jane Knill, Alexandra Buesse and David Smith.

    By Catherine Barr – October 24, 2009

    Published in print by the North Shore Outlook newspaper on October29, 2009

  • Edge on Granville Opening in Vancouver

    Granville Street is cleaning up its act – and a large part of that is due to a few good people from the North Shore. The Edge Social Grille & Lounge (1100 Granville) is attached to the Chateau Granville Hotel and is one of the new shining stars on the see-and-be-seen, scene. Owned by experienced hotelier and West Vancouverite Amir Virani, last week the new crew celebrated with a opening night party that included media and VIP guests. The inside is sexy sleek and, with room for both parties and dining, the atmosphere is classy and cool. Keep your eyes on this up-and-comer and the fabulous folks who help make it all happen.

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