She’s one of West Vancouver’s most famous residents, and now, thanks to the donations and support of another prominent West Vancouver family, the Sarah McLachlan School of Music has a stunning new home. Last week, a special formal reception marked the official opening of the new school. Providing full scholarship music programs to less privileged students in Grade 4 – 12, this latest step helps bring to fruition a dream that started some nine years ago. “I want to give as many children as I can the chance to know how it feels to find their voice through music,” said McLachlan before she proudly joined the student choir on stage to sing for the audience of invited friends and guests. Also last week, West Vancouver’s Shannon and Emad Yacoub, of Glowbal Group restaurants (Coast, Italian Kitchen, Sanafir), hosted a sexy soiree opening party at their newest establishment – Black and Blue. This chic steak house now gives the restaurateurs a commanding presence along Alberni and turns the former business-y boulevard into one of Vancouver’s hottest see-and-be-seen streets.
01 – West Vancouver’s Lisa and Dona Wolverton, left, executive director and founder of the Wolverton Foundation respectively, hand over the keys to the new school to founder Sarah McLachlan and executive director Ann de la Hey.
02 – CTV anchor Coleen Christie, left, congratulates Black and Blue / Glowbal Group owner Shannon Bosa-Yacoub.
03 – Global TV personalities Anne Drewa, left, and Wesla Wong (who also happens to live in North Vancouver) are among the VIPs at the Black and Blue restaurant opening.
04 – West Vancouver businessmen Graham Lee, left, and Ron Orr enjoy a comfy seat in the back of Black and Blue restaurant where leather booths and tobacco leaf walls are a feature.
05 – North Vancouver’s Karim Chandani enjoys time with friends at the opening of Black and Blue restaurant.
06 – Soho Business Group’s Moe Somani and wife Salma Mitha make the trip from North Vancouver to see all the sparkle inside of the new Black and Blue restaurant.
07 – Grammy Award winning songwriter/singer Sarah McLachlan takes some time to chat with members of the student choir before performing on stage with them at the school opening party.
08 – Performing a beautiful duet for the crowd at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music opening night party are graduating students Vivian Tang, left, and Melody Zhou.
09 – Sarah McLachlan School of Music student Mariangel Cepeda says that the school has changed her life forever, and for the better.
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By Catherine Barr – Oct 27, 2011
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Nov 3, 2011
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International Women’s Day made headlines this week all around the world as the global community stood up to celebrate the achievements of lovely ladies everywhere. Here in this city, Women United in Philanthropy (benefitting the United Way and Success by Six) managed to raise about $40,000 for their programs by holding an elegant fashion show luncheon event in honour of the occasion at Leones in Vancouver. Also this week, West Vancouver busineswoman and political dynamo Leah Costello had barely finished hanging the art on the walls of her new home as she held an exclusive welcome reception for MP John Weston and visiting Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. Patrons of the arts were also given a treat this month at a special Vancouver Symphony Orchestra night as Maestro Bramwell Tovey presented Telus head honcho Darren Entwistle with a special signed photograph thanking the corp for their more than 60 years of support. And lastly, it was a salute to the seven seas as world-famous yacht designer Ron Holland was recognized at a private reception in False Creek as he opened his first ever North American office here in Vancouver.
Lots of great events help wrap up the month of February. First, it was time for Olympic memories again, this time with the Special Olympic athletes as the Tenth Annual MotionBall was held in Vancouver. Sponsored by the young and bright minds behind Six Degrees, the event included a celebrity auction, live music and entertainment and silent auction items to help raise funds. Next, it was time for the Kronenbourg 1664 Brasserie Mystere dinner where guests were treated to a night of special brews and a gourmet meal by renown chef David Hawksworth. And lastly, it was a clear but chilly night in North Vancouver for the first ever Campfires – A Circle of Community event where families came out to enjoy live music, food, crafts and a big bonfire down at the new Ship Builders’ Square at the foot of Lonsdale.
The 7th Annual Looking Glass Foundation Gala dinner was held last week and it was truly a time to celebrate as supporters and family members of those suffering from Anorexia Nervosa and/or Bulimia reached a major goal. After 10 long years, the doors are finally open at Woodstone Residence, a much-needed facility that caters exclusively to this debilitating disease which continues to affect many young women. “We were able to reach out worldwide to reduce the stigma of eating disorders and let people know that eating disorders are a serious illness, not a choice,” says the foundation. Decorated in elegance and style, the Rocky Mountaineer Station played host to a gourmet dinner, fabulous entertainment and lots of silent auction prizes to help fundraise on this special history making night. Congrats to all involved.
It was a special evening in North Vancouver last weekend as friends, family and VIP members of the community were invited to attend an informal reception to recognize the upcoming 2011 Centennial Anniversary of 6 Engineer Squadron. Taking place at the J.P. Fell Armoury, guests had a chance to tour the 6 Engineer Squadron museum, view the Centennial Coin and ceremonial 1911 Cap Badge and hear a special presentation of the 100 year history. A great night to meet with former and current members, the evening ended with a fantastic performance by the J.P. Fell Pipe Band. The official March Past Parade and Banquet will be held at the J.P. Fell Armoury on May 7, 2011. Stay tuned.
Kermit the Frog said it best – It’s not easy being green. However, thanks to some new sustainable programs (like the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program), Vancouver chefs are responding with enthusiasm. Such was the case at Blue Water Cafe last week. West Vancouver owner Jack Evrensel, along with his talented team, launched a new seafood cookbook focusing on “Spare the Ocean, Spoil the Palate”. The restaurant also played host to the Red Carpet Soiree – a toast to the 100 year celebration of the Red Cross – an organization known for its care of third world, health and sustainable recycling programs.
Curing mental illness has a lot to do with overcoming the stigma that comes with it. Thanks to the good folks at Stand Up for Mental Health (SMH), they’re teaching people that laughter is the best medicine by turning patients into performers and empowering them through stand-up comedy. The self-healing, scene-stealing program is spreading like wildfire across both Canada and the U.S. and, last week, the group celebrated with a pre-show reception at Vancouver’s lavish new Shangra-La Hotel. Afterwards, it was off to the Stanley Theatre stage for the 2009 Class Debut where, as they say at SMH, everyone got a chance to crack-up together. 
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. 