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Hey All…I write a lot (talk about and think a lot about food)…for many of us, there never seems to be a shortage. We have heard about the effects proper nutrition has had on our youth with respect to learning levels and happiness.

In September 2005, approximately 10 Burnaby elementary schools were deemed at or below the poverty level.  The Burnaby Fire Fighters Charitable Society initiated a nutritional snack program at two of Burnaby’s elementary schools and a community centre. These schools were identified as having a high proportion of students from low income families, and nutrition was a major concern. Burnaby Fire Fighters purchase and deliver nutritious snacks for these schools on a regular basis. The teachers have reported great results from this simple program: children are more focused and learning in the classroom has improved.  To date, the Burnaby Firefighters assist 5 schools and are now receiving requests from high schools – where students have moved on to.  They hope to expand this program to other schools that have been identified as having similar challenges so that every child is being taken care of.

Now, here’s a GREAT way you can help!

 Salon M2 will be having their Grand Opening Celebration on Friday November 19.  They are offering FREE HAIR CUTS by DONATION from 8am – 5 pm.

ALL PROCEEDS will go directly to the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society Nutritional Snack Program.  

Until we ALL eat again,

Dawn

Address is:  5901 Broadway in Burnaby  604-294-3344  For more information please call Rosanna at 604-562-3228

Have you picked up you 2011 Hall of Flame Firefighters Calendar yet? It’s definitely worth a look (or 12) not only because it has everything you want in a calendar (you know, 12 months and the days of the week all laid out) but because it raises money for a cause near and dear to all Firefighters, the Burn Fund . Oh yeah…and hot men!

 Great tie in at the Launch party of  Naked Boxer Briefs at Boysco the other night…as Joel Primus President and CEO donated $1000 to the Burn Fund and offered up 500 shares of Naked Boxer Brief  to Boysco as a thank-you for supporting their company. The party was great…and visual – enjoy!

I’m off to get my calendar!

Dawn

A great time had by all at the 2nd Annual Gastown Blues and Chili Festival on September 19th – proceeds from the vent went to support Tunes for Tots and Teens which takes donations of usable instruments and accessories so that our youth can nurture their musical talents.

Judges included Blogger  Melody Fury, Scout Magazine\’s  Andrew Morrison, Chef Dave Robertson from The Dirty Apron and BC Lions Jon Hameister-Reis and Jason Arakgi. Congrats to Rogue Kitchen and Wet Bar for taking home the honours of having the best chili in Gastown with second place going to PourHouse .  Fabulous Blues filled the air and  entertained the crowd!

with the lovely Melody Fury!

Check out the video below for snippets of the event some of the entertainment which included Lonesome Truth, the Stompin Hot Jazz Band and Arsen Shomakhov.

Looking forward to next year!

Dawn

So…we all know I love food, and I could casually call myself a “Foodie” but let’s face it, I am a babe in the woods compared to some of the “Foodies” out there. I am speaking about  the Bloggers, the Chefs, and the Sommolier’s in training who continue to educate and excite all off us when it comes to the Lower Mainlands top restaurants!

So at this time, I dedicate today’s blog to Richard Wolak, or Vanfoodster who recently celebrated his 1 Year Anniversary at  Canvas (and incorporated a cover charge that benefitted the Greater Vancouver Food Bank ).

Thor, Richard and I

Here is a montage of raw footage and well wishes taken at the party!

Until we eat again,

Dawn

Anything can happen when it comes to live television. And this morning was a shining example on Breakfast Television. We did our usual spot with the Vancouver SPCA. And showcased two dogs in need of a loving home. But, there was plenty of lovin’ going on — at the exact moment we decided to go on the air.

Have a look for yourself.
K
PS – OF COURSE, this happened during one of MY segments! Just my luck!

As many of you know, I embarked on a month of wellness with a challenge to do 30 classes of Yoga and Pilates in 35 Days.  Exhale Studio in Yaletown  decided to add a little extra motivation by adding a donation component that would help the BC Cancer Foundation.

I finished my 30th class on Saturday, July 24. My experience was better than I could have hoped for – I thought I would share a few thoughts about the instructors and how they brought out the best in me.

Rachel (owner) – Without this challenge and the charity tie in, I wouldn’t have done it, and I do believe a part of my life has been improved because of the opportunity.

 Rick - He helped me do the best I could do (being about as flexible as a piece of wood) and honour what my body was capable of (OK, what this means is he didn’t laugh at me).  He also is a musician and the other day he played guitar what we were in Savasana (corpse pose). Check him out at his website

Kate – did a class that focused on shoulders that makes me feel really strong lowering down from plank pose (Chaturanga Dandasana). Her attention to form with her Smart Yoga has changed the way I walk. I have never had good posture but her classes make me conscious of it and I am trying.

Alex- Best of both Pilates and Yoga with her fusion class. She just has this energy about her. She does know how to kick it in to high gear and my abs are thankful.

Jolene- LOVE her. She has an air of acceptance of all that surrounds her and it is contageous. My favourite poses that she has taught me are “waterfall” and “tree” and my favourite phrase from her is ” close your eyes- there’s nothing to see”

What did I learn? Being more flexible doesn’t make you a better person, but committing time to yourself and honouring and being grateful for all that you CAN do, does.

Namaste,

Dawn

I met Michael Schratter a few years ago. I attend social and Charity events on behalf of the station and see Michael, (a Social Columnist for 24Hours) hard at work connecting his readers with the whose who of Vancouver, where they were and what they were doing. Even though he is busy most nights of the week – that is only his part time gig. Many of his readers may not know he is School Teacher. What almost all of us didn’t know is that  he suffers from Mental Illness. I found out only a week ago.

The stigma around mental illness is such that you don’t want to share if you suffer from it (or have family who does- as I do). Terms like Bi-Polar and Manic make people uncomfortable and even fearful. Michael wants us rid us of those misconceptions that is literally killing our youth. I mean look at him- he is a successful, social, functioning member of society!

Beginning in August, Michael is going to circumnavigate the Planet on his Bike. 40,000km, 6 Continents and 30 countries. He’s taking a year off work and covering his own expenses so that every penny can go to the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division.

“It’s not just a bike – It’s the gears of change to help stop the stigma”

For more information on Michael and his adventure, to read his blog as he travels, to share your own stories of mental illness and to donate, please click  here.

Safe travels Michael – we all wish you the best,

Dawn

Might seem a little early to be telling you about a BC Lions Game happening in August – but you’ll want to get on this one quickly- a great well to help the Make a Wish Foundation and cheer on our BC Lions!

Wishes can come true with your help!

Dawn

On Wednesday, June 2nd, Delta employees will set up at three of the Lower Mainland’s busiest commuter stations during the morning rush to provide coffee and muffins to commuters in exchange for a donation to a local charity. 

Vancouver’s City Centre Station will go green for one of Vancouver ’s top outdoor wonders by raising money for the Stanley Park Ecology Society. The Metrotown station will be all about building homes for families in need to support Habitat for Humanity while Richmond ’s Brighouse Station focuses on meals for the Richmond Food Bank.

 To further support the green commute, employees at the Vancouver City Centre Station will also provide bananas for downtown cyclists to support BC Bike to Work Week.

The tour will support Delta’s goal of raising $1 million and donating 10,000 volunteer hours to local charities from coast to coast throughout 2010.

 When:              June 2nd from 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

 Where:               Vancouver City Centre Station-southwest corner of Georgia and Granville St . 

Where:            Metrotown Station- Central Blvd at Metrotown Mall on the sidewalk at the base of the station

 Where:       RichmondBrighouse Station-at station entrance on #3 Road across from Richmond Centre Mall.

Way to go Delta Hotels! Thanks for supporting community programs and volunteering your time!

Dawn

To raise money for local Food Bank charities, Tanya & Jeff Harrison of Veridamo Photography are looking for children in the Metro Vancouver area to photograph for the second edition of our fine art coffee table book. The 2009 edition was a fantastic success and we thank everyone who allowed us the opportunity to capture the unique stories of so many children.

To capture that unique story of your own child for this year’s edition is a $100 donation to one of two food bank programs that provide basic and nutritious food to babies and children.

For your donation you will receive a professional portrait session of your child at a location in and around Metro Vancouver. Each child photographed will have a stunning image published in the book, with copies available for purchase at the end of the year.

If you have more than one child, each additional child is only a $25 donation to the same food bank program.

To Participate, check out  Kids of Vancouver

Smile, Say Cheese, and help feed those in need!

Dawn