btvancouver

“If they’re legends…they’ve played the YALE”  is the statement at the top of the Website for the Yale Hotel - and in their 130 year history they have had the “who’s who” of the Blues world on their stage!

On Monday, November 21, the Yale is closing it’s doors for 12 months for renovations – you can read the story HERE.

To celebrate the last 130 years, a series of concerts will take place with a big finale taking place on  November 20 from 2pm-6 pm. Performers for the A Finale include Big Band Blues with Dal Richards Orchestra featuring Jim Byrnes  -

with Jim at this years PNE

I will be on hand to sing a few tunes with Dal and the rest of his “Gals”. Needless to say, I am honoured and thrilled to be a part of the celebration of this Vancouver landmark! For more information on all the events surrounding the 130th Birthday of the Yale, you can check out their website.

Breakfast Television will also be on location on Monday November 14 to give you a bit of a preview and share some memories!

Dawn

Here’s your chance to meet Bestselling Wine Author Natalie MacLean in Vancouver or the Okanagan for the Launch of her New Book! Named the World’s Best Drink Writer at the World food Media Awards, the Canadian journalist and sommelier Natalie is just back from a whirlwind trip to uncover the world’s best bargain wines and share them with you.

Join Natalie MacLean for an unforgettable evening of wine, laughter and story-telling to celebrate the launch of her second wine book, Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines. You have 2 options to meet Natalie!

 
Okanagan/Kelowna November 8

B.C.  Wine Museum
Wine tasting with appetizers
Tickets: Mosaic Books 250-763-4418 or the Museum
click HERE for more information
Vancouver November 21

Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel
Tasting of a number of wine and cheese pairings
click HERE for more information

Space is limited for these exclusive BC events. Reserve your tickets now. Your ticket price includes a personally signed copy of Natalie’s new book, Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wine plus a wine tasting.

For more information about the book and an amusing video trailer about it, please visit the  Natalie MacLean Website

Dawn

I had the privilege of being on location this morning at Potluck Cafe and Catering on East Hastings. For the last decade,  the Potluck has been feeding an average of 30,000 meals PER YEAR to residents of the Downtown Eastside. In addition to the lunch programs, the Potluck also co-founded the DTES Kitchen Tables Project which focuses on access to water and quality, nutritious food across the DTES  and also ensures the distribution of “real food” to those living with HIV/ AIDS, Hepatitis C and Diabetes.

I got to see these great people at work – and boy are they busy! John, Blue, Peter and Felix were busy in the kitchen working on a catering gig…and working front of house was Helen, who has gone through the program and says the Potluck Cafe has “saved her life” . She and I were fast friends.They also have a friend in Barney Bentall who is preparing for the Grand Cariboo Opry (both in Victoria and Vancouver)

with Helen and Barney Bentall

The Grand Cariboo Opry, in its 6th year, promises to be a great time, so get your tickets before they sell out - but there are other ways you can help! As a company can hire them for your next luncheon or also sponsor a lunch for residents of the DTES ( Happy Planet is sponsoring one tomorrow).  As an individual, you can dine at the cafe, volunteer or donate to the Potluck Community Programs.

It’s a great program that needs your help!

Dawn

Wanted to pass on the information about an event I am participating in next week – I will have the pleasure of introducing Dr. Suzuki!

Here’s the official press release :

SUZUKI DINNER FOCUSSES ON WATER, CELEBRATES RESTORATION OF FIRST NATIONS FISHERY

On Thursday, November 10th, C Restaurant is throwing a dinner hosted by sustainability titan David Suzuki. The evening is a fundraiser for the DSF and C’s burgeoning not-for-profit, the C Blue Foundation, a grassroots initiative by Harry Kambolis and Chef Robert Clark to raise essential funds to protect lakes, rivers, streams, beaches and oceans.

The DSF and C Restaurant collaboration has netted an exceptional partner, the Lake Babine First Nation reserve fishery. Back when Rome was a mere village, the Lake Babine people operated traditional salmon weirs on their lake and river, harvesting hundreds of thousands of sockeye a year. Tragically, their traditional fishery was extinguished in 1906 by the Canadian government, to make room for an industrial coastal fishery. It devastated an entire way of life. This past summer, the Nation recreated their fishery, in partnership with Skeena Wild Conservation Trust, Raincoast Trading of Vancouver, and RiverWild Seafoods of Terrace. It has become the second largest sustainable sockeye fishery in British Columbia. Chef Lee’s menu will feature the Nation’s sockeye prominently.
“We are honoured to serve the salmon caught with great care and pride by the Lake Babine Nation,” says Kambolis. “The rebirth of their fishery is monumental and their story and achievements are synergistic with the mandate and dreams of our new foundation.”
Also a featured player at the dinner: Summerhill Pyramid Winery,  Ezra Cipes of the Kelowna winery and C sommelier Kim Cyr will compose the wine pairings to complement Chef Lee’s menu. About 80% of the total grapes used in Summerhill’s production are certified organic, and the rest are in a transitional organic status on their way to being certified.
To reserve your seat at this multi-course dinner with wine pairings, please telephone the restaurant at 604-681-1164 or email info1@crestaurant.com with “Suzuki” in the subject line.

Dawn

Once in a while, we all need a good cry. Maybe the men can understand, maybe not – but I KNOW the ladies know what I am talking about.

Sometimes, I’ll watch a certain movie knowing it will offer me that release. For me (don’t laugh) it’s the Anne of Green Gables mini-series starring Megan Follows.

Anne...with an "E"

Songs can do that too and you don’t have to invest hours of your time to get there. My “first” crying song was Luba’s “Everytime I See Your Picture I Cry” after my first serious boyfriend (at the age of 18) told me he was moving away. I rewinded that cassette tape over and over (yes, showing my age – lol)

Here’s my recommendation if you are in the market for a crying song. There are 3 versions to choose from and I have conveniently placed them in order of the severity of the emotional release so choose your dosage carefully!

SONG PRESCRIPTION TO MAKE YOU CRY: “A Case of You”

To “put a lump in your throat” if for no other reason than her sheer songwriting genius,  the Original Joni Mitchell Version. One of this countries greatest poets. No wonder people re-record her songs.

To make your eyes water if you are emotional - tears will fall if you are slightly “down” - the James Blake Version - I heard the other night on Parenthood. Hearing it again reminded me of what a great song this is.

And finally, “Turn out the lights, cause no one needs to see your “Ugly Cry”-the Diana Krall Version from “Live in Paris” . Not only is this haunting, but you can hear the emotion in her voice, and it can’t help but bring it out in you. Possibly one of the most “honest” recordings/ arrangements I have ever heard from her.

So there you have it, listen and repeat as needed until you feel better…feel free to share the “Songs that Make You Cry” by commenting on this page…sometimes, it’s nice to have a play list on hand – just in case.

Dawn

Looking forward to emceeing the 4th Annual Scene- a fundraiser for the Pacific Cinematheque. Guests will embrace the golden age for one night with:

• mai tais at the Waldorf Hotel, a creative compound that has played host to celebrities such as Jack Nicholson.
• a canapés supper catered by Nuba.
• an extensive Silent Auction, which will include Liam Neeson’s working script for The Grey, exclusive artwork, and tickets to many of the city’s finest arts organizations.
• “mystery film cans” that hold a variety of prizes.
• a tiki themed photo booth.

Should be a fun night to be SCENE…hope to see you there tomorrow!

Dawn

The month of November marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and thus, the month of MOVEMBER!

I had the pleasure of kicking off Movember at the Granville Island Brewing CO. - they have a number of ways you can help their team if you go to their website.

with Walter and Vern from GIB

Yes ladies, this means your men may appear more “scruffy” but it’s all for an important cause…the ultimate goal is for the men to GET CHECKED Us women go for exams every year (and no, they aren’t pleasant for us either)….so suck it up gentlemen and go for yours. There are NO symptoms so the only way to catch it is to go to your Doctor. The great news, if you catch it early…the better your chance of beating it!

I will also be on location on November 30 (location TBA) to wrap up the month and would love to have you join us to “Show us you Mo” but we’re also looking for your pictures – email your pics to contests@btvancouver.ca for a chance to win a pair of tickets to a Vancouver Canucks Game.

Get checked. If not for yourself, at least do it for the people who love you

Dawn

FACEBOOK : http://www.facebook.com/dawn.chubai

TWITTER : http://www.twitter.com/dawn_chubai

I recently received this press release about a way you could combine fashion AND philanthropy…

As you may have noticed, we now have a new Co-Host/ News Anchor! Welcome to Jody Vance!

That means a bit of shuffling, but it’s only for the better. We are always tweaking, but I think you will really like this new Breakfast Television format (which includes a new set as well!)

Here’s your team:

Riaz Meghji – Co-Host

Jody Vance  – Co-Host/ News Anchor

Dawn Chubai – Live Eye Host

Greg Harper – Live News Reporter

Thor Diakow – Entertainment

Michel McDermott – Traffic

Russ Lacate – Weather

And don’t worry about Kyle Donaldson, he’s busier than ever anchoring the news from 5:30-6:30am an then moving into the producer chair when Jody starts

Please give us all a chance to settle in…but feel free to offer your feedback. What are we doing right? What could we do to make a better show? What do you want to see?

It matters to us that you watch…thank you!

Dawn

I came across an article in the Georgia Straight that revealed a French App for android devices that “helps” parents determine if their son (no mention of daughters) is Gay by asking questions such as “did you wish for a daughter while you were pregnant”  and “does your son spend alot of time in the bathroom”.

I have so many thoughts about this as I am sure you at home do, my first being “seriously?!?!” I mean, firstly the questions themselves play into the fears that parents have about what they may have “done” to “turn” their kids gay. It continues to play into the misconceptions out there.

I realize this app was probably created to help ease parents into the idea that their child may be gay, perhaps making them feel they could initiate a discussion feeling like they have somehow prepared themselves, but I don’t think this will help. I do think it will only promote bullying, hatred and misunderstanding. I think kids have a hard enough time out there without something like this out there.

What are your thoughts?

Dawn