btvancouver

This morning I spent the morning at the Greater Vancouver Foodbank in anticipation of Foodbank Friday here at City TV on December 16th.

We always know the need is great. What you may not realize is that the need is up by 15 percent in addition to  being 10% below normal levels right now – so we have some work to do!

We all know about the non-perishables needed (high protein, beans ect) and most of us know that when you donate money to the food bank, each dollar they get actually translates into $3 spending power. But what exactly do they buy with that money?

They buy perishables like Fruits, Veggies, Bread, and meat, but also things like baby food and diapers. So you see…they need everything and anything you are prepared to give. Another thing to remember is that the donations received this time of year actually nourishes families right through summer.

Please…come by the back lane of CityTV (180 West2nd) this Friday between 5:30 and 9am. Bring your food. Bring your money (cash, credit, interac is also accepted) and bring your smiling faces. We will be smiling right back at you and the smiles you won’t see (but know they are there) will be the ones on the mouths you helped feed.

See you Friday!

Dawn

Just spent the morning at the SPCA with several animals I hated to leave behind! Check out the VIDEO of all the animals we featured today (inlcuding 5 puppies!) and note that this Sunday, they have another 10 coming in.

Cute picture of Cameraman with puppy Luca (also featured on BT this morning)…wonder if Richard is considering adding to his family???

Richard Loves Luca!

Dawn

A great family tradition to get you into the holiday spirit!

CLIFFWALK adds new holiday glow to Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

(North Vancouver, B.C.) – Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is kicking up the spirit and sparkle for the 2011 holiday season.

CLIFFWALK, the latest addition to the park and a hit with guests since it opened in June, brings an exciting holiday thrill during the winter chill.  The narrow 700-foot cliff-side walkway, split into ascending and descending staircases and viewing platforms takes guests past a dancing light display along the colour-washed cliff-face.  In addition to the breathtaking sight of hundreds of thousands of lights twinkling throughout the park, across the Suspension Bridge and throughout Treetops Adventure, Canyon Lights continues its popular traditions – gingerbread cookie decorating, sing-a-long carols with the Christmas band, and glass ornament demonstrations with Malcolm Macfadyen.

Proceeds from admission will be donated to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, with a goal of raising $20,000 for the organization to support Burn Awareness Week in BC elementary schools.

 For more information, see details below, visit their WEBSITE or call 604-985-7474.

Dress for Success is an amazing organization that helps women as they get ready to enter or re-enter the workforce. I have had the honour of assisting in their fundraising initiatives and I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to their next push…for purses! And when you give to Dress for Success, you receive from Lord\’s Shoes! 

Feel free to tell your friends!

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

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…

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