btvancouver

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

On Thursday, September 29th, please join the Honourable Wally Opal and I as we spend an elegant evening surrounded by Birks luxury and history. From the sparkling gems, lavish hors d’oeuvres, special private entertainment performance by Andrew Allen and incredible array of live & silent auction items, this is one chic and unique evening not to be missed.

There will be food, drink and fashions by the lovely Malene Grotrian - I will also be wearing a Diamond necklace from Birks valued at $6000. Raffle tickets for this gorgeous piece will be for sale at the event!For tickets and information, please click here.

Hope to see you there – should be fun!

Dawn

Now that the weather is cooling down, time to add a scarf to your daily wardrobe! Holt Renfrew now has some gorgeous Michael Kors scarves (in a trendy animal print) for sale (only $50!!), with proceeds benefiting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

I love mine – be sure to get yours. All there details are here.

Have a great day everyone!

Dawn

Getting ready to enjoy 11 full days off, what I believe to be the longest amount of time I have ever taken since I moved to Vancouver in 2004. When I said goodbye to everyone on Wednesday after the show, everyone replied with an enthusiastic “Where are you going?”

Nowhere….just staying here.

“What will you be doing?” Well, that answer is a little more uncertain.

I have to do something right? I mean sleeping in past 4am is a great start, but then what? Lay on the couch like I have many a Saturday, knowing I was back at work on Monday? 

Friday I am going to the Power of Women in Vancouver - an investment for sure, but one I am making in myself – I am hoping for some insight/ validation of what I am capable of, and perhaps more importantly, some insipiration on what the next year (or 10) can bring to my life. 

I have also made arrangements to take the ferry over to Bowen Island to take my fellow Leo friend Georgia Nicols for lunch. Something I have wanted to do for a very long time.

Perfect - 2 days down. Ok…maybe 2 days and then the bit of time it took me to write this blog. Now what? Is figuring out what I am to do everyday going to turn into another full-time job? Sounds like a “first world problem” doesn’t it? Maybe the goal here WILL be to do nothing. Or at least be OK with that. We’ll see…

See you on August 22nd!

Dawn

Almost 12 years ago, I began my television broadcasting career as a weather presenter. I had no TV experience but my General Manager said I had personality – and as long as I had that, they could train me to do the rest.

Not many of us are good at our job right from the start…and I was no exception – take a peek at my AUDITION TAPE – seriously, how did I get the gig?? But I did…and the rest is history.

As you know,  last 3 years on Breakfast Television brought me an additional role as Co-Host, but I was still holding on to that “Weather” side of things doing double duty on the show. It was my comfort, my stability, my regular presence on the show.

Today though, was the last day I would hold onto that dual role (although I will still fill in) . Beginning August 9, 2011, News1130\’s Russ Lacate, who is a Meteorologist, will hold the weather position. This is a great thing for the the show, and we hope for you, the viewer.

This can also be a great thing for me personally and professionally as I will be given the opportunity to focus soley on the role that I was given 3 years ago. My chance to grow into that role (as I did the weather over a decade ago), offering to it, my complete attention. This again is a great thing for the show and we hope you the viewer will get more of what you need out of Breakfast Television. Another plus- now when the weather is wrong, you can bug him! lol…

And so, after over 2500 shows of presenting the weather, I am handing over the reins to Russ with with a warm welcome attached to it and I hope you welcome him to the team with open arms as well!

gotta give the new guy a bit of a hard time!

Thanks to everyone for their support!

Dawn

A couple of weeks ago, Perseus Winery in Penticton sold 2, 3L bottles of wine for $4000 each with proceeds benefiting the BC Hockey Hall of Fame ! Might be out of range for what most of us can afford, but you can purchase a special release of the Collector Series Invictus 2009 from the winery for $39.50 (750ml bottle) with $5 from each bottle going to the  BC Hockey Hall of Fame.

Some other interesting bits to note:

• Inducted in to the BCHHF this year were Joe Sakic, Jack McIlhargey, Rob Shick, Dr. Duncan Wray and the first BCHL team to win a national championship, the 1986 Penticton Knights.
• Larry Lund, one of Perseus’ founders, is a local hockey legend. A former player, Lund also founded the Okanagan Hockey School. With Lund’s dual passion of wine and hockey, it was a logical connection for Perseus to support the BCHHF.

 If you are in the Penticton area, Perseus is located at 134 Lower Bench Road-

Have a great weekend,

Dawn

Hey all – sorry for my delay in posting…just trying to get back into my routine after a bit of time off!

Just wanted to thank everyone for their support with the 26 Week Transformation Project… it was a real success for me, having lost 10lbs of fat and gained 5 lbs of muscle!

Dr. Lyon and I tossing that fat away for good!

But now it’s been a few weeks…and no updates on TV to keep me accountable. So how am I doing at keeping it off?

GREAT!! In fact, I have lost a little more weight and I still feel great – a true testament to the benefits of stabilizing those blood sugars. My new way of eating is truly a habit now!

To everyone out there embarking on their own journey – I wish you the best- you can do it!

Dawn

I can hardly believe I am in the home stretch of the Transformation Project!   My body composition results/ weight loss will be revealed on July 11 when Dr. Michael Lyon comes on the show. As I needed to get rid of fat and increase my lean muscle mass, I also needed to improve my fitness. For the last 2 months, I had a weekly workout with Tommy Europe, but most of my exercise happened at home with a DVD and at the gym solo…just like many of you in the midst of your own transformation.

5 months ago, I was put through the following set of exercises…Things he focused on where form and time.  This is something you can do anytime to track improvement in your own fitness: 7 exercises, 30 Reps each!

1. Skipping
2. Prisoner Squats
3. Crunches
4. Lunges
5. Lat Pull Down (using resistance Band, on a door works!)
6. Plie Squats
7. Push-Ups

6 months ago, my time was  6 min 58 sec…a decent time, but we always have room for improvement right?

With less weight, more muscle and more energy because I am eating properly by regulating my Blood Sugars, at week 25, my new time was 4 minutes – 54 secs!

Tune into CityLine for another Transformation Project Update on Wednesday and Breakfast Television on July 11 for the FINAL RESULTS!!!

Thanks everyone for joining me on this journey!

Dawn

Hard to believe we are 23 weeks into the Transformation Project. Funny thing is, in 3 weeks and a day, I will still be doing everything I have been for the last 5 months – this REALLY has become a lifestyle…so let’s talk about the fitness side of things because although much of my change has been because of nutrition and regulating those blood sugar levels – for me, fitness is a necessary component. So, how to stay motivated?

I have had the good fortune of working with Tommy Europe once a week for the last few months – you can work with him for even cheaper through his newest book – and I am telling you, this is EXACTLY like working with him, it’s how he talks and it’s how he motivates.

Just like working out with him!

I also like to mix it up and so once in a while I “Shake” and “Tuck” with The Bar Method in Yaletown – way harder than you could imagine and NO you do not have to be a dancer or flexible.  A neat way to mix it up. Former Bachelorette and Interior Designer Jillian Harris is also a proclaimed fan according to her Tweets!

Be prepared to SHAKE!

But the one workout that I have been really impressed with is the locally created Ugi Workout. You get a ball that resembles a squishy medicine ball that is weighted at 6, 8 or 12 lbs as well as a DVD, an exercise book with too many versions to mention and a meal plan for under $200. You only need a space as big as a yoga mat and you only need 3o minutes. It’s crazy, but I have been doing the DVD at home and not only have a sweat as much as a Tommy Europe Workout, but my waist is becoming whittled!  Singer Chantal Kreviazuk sung it’s praises during an interview on BT last year.

Good Bang for your Buck (and butt!)

So there you have it…options. No excuses…it’s working for me and I look forward to hearing what works for you. It’s a battle for all of us to fit it in, I know, but I am learning more and more it’s about changing attitudes- more  time is not necessarily better…being consistent is key as is working smarter.

Thanks for your support and know that I am rooting for you as well!

Tune into CityLine Wednesday for the next update!

Dawn