Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: Winter Olympics

  • Jay Leno BMW Cabriolet Gala

    Late Night funny man Jay Leno was the headliner last week at Brian Jessel’s 5th Annual Cabriolet Charity Gala. The $500 VIP ticket event was held at the dealership which was transformed into a glittering lounge complete with live music and fabulous food and beverage provided by some of Vancouver’s finest restaurants. Proceeds from the night go to support the Canucks Autism Network, ArtsUmbrella and the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation. Live and silent auction items galore helped raise funds, but no more so than the grand finale item – four tickets to the Tonight Show and a private tour of Jay’s own personal car collection.

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    01 – Jay Leno has still got it! Seen here with gala co-chair and pr gal Rhoda Rizkalla, the late night talk show host has the audience in stitches with jokes about Obama, US Politics and life in general.

    02 – Travel Guys’ host Darren Parkman, left, joins Monk McQueens / Lift restaurateur Bob Lindsay and North Van’s CTV weatherman Marke Driesschen.

    03 – North Vancouver’s Jill Kileen, left, cuddles up to hubby Mike Killeen and his CTV news anchor co-host Coleen Christie, both of whom would lead the crowd in a rousing round of “Heads-or-Tails” for charity.

    04 – Looking elegant as always, West Vancouver’s Monica and Karim Virani join the VIP reception before the show.

    05 – Sporting a new short chic hairdo, West Vancouver’s Sofia Somani and hubby Amin come out to support this great cause.

    06 – Main man Brian Jessel has good reason to smile. Seen here with diamond twins Courtney and Kim Helman, this beaming “Bimmer” dealer has raised thousands for charity.

    07 – West Vancouver’s stunning Devina Zalesky poses with son Stefan, left, and friend Omar Popat. Allwest Insurance is one of the evening’s major sponsors.

    08 – West Vancouver Olympian Charmain Crooks, seen here with husband Anders, is finally finding some time to relax after helping head up the recent 2010 Winter Olympics.

    —

    By Catherine Barr – May 8, 2010

    Publishing in print in the North Shore Outlook newspaper on May 13, 2010

  • Olympic Parties – The Big Ending

    All the medals have been given out and the athletes have gone home, but the memories will live on forever. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics were clearly one of the best star-studded parties this town will ever see and it was wonderful to have been part of it. O Canada – thank you for making us proud.

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    01 – West Vancouver’s Don DeCotiis and daughter Marianne come out to support the Face of Tomorrow Gala which featured Canadian rapper K’Naan.

    02 – Gala sponsors (and West Vancouverites) Sofia Somani, left, and Alexis Palkowski pose with Face of Tomorrow’s socialite/founder Kasondra Cohen, daughter of famed Army and Navy heiress Jacqui Cohen.

    03 – Robson Square was the place to be to meet athletes like North Vancouver’s gold medal snowboarding gal – Maelle Ricker.

    04 – Beaming in the golden afterglow of her media interviews, Whistler’s Ashleigh McIvor shows off her first place prize.

    05 – Former gold medal Olympic speed skater Catriona LeMay Doan, left, seen here with guest Patty Nees at the Commodore’s Manitoba Social night, got a chance to re-light the flame at the Closing Ceremony after that Opening Ceremony glitch.

    06 – American skier Bode Miller, left, wanted a medal in each colour – and he got all three. Seen here with Olympic party impresario Craig Stowe, he and his entourage enjoy a night off at Canvas Lounge.

    07 – After a disappointing start, the Canadian men’s short-track team came back with a vengeance and were more than happy to smile for the cameras at a special celebratory interview.

    08 – Seen here at the Commodore’s Manitoba Social night, VANOC CEO John Furlong is undoubtedly ready for a long winter’s nap.

    09 – Rock 101 FM’s Bro Jake “The Champ” Edwards, left, welcomes celebs, athletes and VIPs like Roy Nees, to the Commodore’s Manitoba Social night.

    – –

    By Catherine Barr – Feb 28, 2010

    As seen in print in the North Shore Outlook on March 4, 2010

  • Vancouver Winter Olympics Week 1

    The Winter Olympics are supposed to be all about the games, but they’re about all the fun too. As the torch runs through the community, and the international houses open their doors, it’s easy to get caught up in the Olympic spirit. From cocktails in the Monk McQueens Ice Lounge to the opening of Irish House, here’s just a quick look at some of the ways to play around town.

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    01 – Serving up cocktails in glasses made of ice are Monk McQueens Ice Lounge bartenders Jill VanGyn, left, Sarah Lumsden and Matt Rota

    02 – Ice sculptures, like this Inukshuk, decorate the Monk McQueens Ice Lounge as PR man Steve Bickerdike attends to guests.

    03 – North Van Penthouse Nightclub owner Danny Filippone, left, hooks up with Granville Entertainment Group CFO, and West Vancouverite Ron Orr, on the opening night of Irish House, which just happens to sit on the Doolin’s property off Granville.

    04 – West Van realtor Gus Batal, left, server Veronica Martinez and guest Steve Christensen get their Olympic spirit up on the opening night of Irish House

    05 – Lugaro Jewellers’ Sassan Pourfar carries the torch all the way into Park Royal for a special celebration dinner and toast to Omega.

    06 – Opus Hotel owner John Evans, left, and actor Ryan Robbins walk the red carpet at the Opus Podium Party.

    07 – CityTV host Riaz Meghji and girlfriend Kelly Konno give up the glam at the Opus Podium Party.

    08 – Three cheers for the Angel Restoration crew at the opening of Irish House. From left: Brandon McLeod, Sonia McLeod and David McLeod.

    – –
    By Catherine Barr

  • Celebrity Torch Bearers in Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

    VANCOUVER, Feb. 8 /CNW/ – John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today announced additional well-known torchbearers who will join other notable individuals and every-day Canadians to carry the Olympic Flame throughout the final days of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

    The 106-day torch relay – the longest domestic relay in Olympic history – is presented by Coca-Cola and RBC, and supported by the Government of Canada and has been an incredible journey across the country. More information on the relay is available at www.vancouver2010.com/torchrelay.

    Day 104 – 10-Feb-10:
    ——————–
    JULIE PAYETTE, Canadian astronaut
    Torchbearer 112 at 18h07
    Running in North Vancouver

    Day 105 – 11-Feb-10:
    ——————–
    JANN ARDEN, award winning singer/songwriter
    Torchbearer 174 at 15h17
    Running at BC Children’s Hospital

    RICHARD BRODEUR, professional hockey player – Vancouver Canucks Alumni
    Torchbearer 244 at 19h04
    Running in Vancouver

    MICHEAL BUBLE, award-winning singer/songwriter
    Torchbearer 261 at 19h53
    Running in Vancouver

    Day 106 – 12-Feb-10:
    ——————–
    ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, actor, Governor, State of California
    Torchbearer 018 at 07h03
    Running in Stanley Park

    SEB COE, Olympian, Chair London 2012 Organizing Committee
    Torchbearer 019 at 07h08
    Running in Stanley Park

    ROLLY FOX, father of Canadian cancer hero Terry Fox
    Torchbearer 034 at 08h00
    Running near English Bay

    WALTER GRETZKY, father of Canadian hockey star Wayne Gretzky
    Torchbearer 041 at 08h20
    Running in Vancouver

    DMITRY CHERNYSHENKO, President, Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee
    Torchbearer 044 at 08h34
    Running in Vancouver

    GARETH REES, professional rugby player
    Torchbearer 105 at 11h51
    Running in Vancouver

    STAN SMYL, professional hockey player, Vancouver Canucks alumni
    Torchbearer 106 at 11h53
    Running in Vancouver

    BOB LENARDUZZI, professional soccer player, Vancouver Whitecaps alumni
    Torchbearer 117 at 12:23
    Running in Vancouver

    LUIS PASSAGLIA, professional football player, BC Lions alumni
    Torchbearer 118 at 12h26
    Running in Vancouver