btvancouver

Had a roaring great time on the Live Eye today - and so this week’s Friday Fave is an event!  Monster Jam taking place on Saturday, February 4 at BC Place Stadium!

I had a chance to ride in Cam McQueen’s Northern Nightmare - What a Rush!

with Cam McQueen!

If you missed the segements, please click HERE to watch!

Fun for the whole family – just be sure to bring your earplugs!

Have a great weekend!

Dawn

Had a great time celebrating Chinese New Year – the Year of the Water Dragon today at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden ! We had Author and Cultural Educator Stephanie Yuen talking about food and some fabulous Lion Dancers!

Be sure to attend the Chinese New Year Parade this Sunday (you will see some of your favourite OMNI personalities ) , but please take the time to go to the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden for more festivities – admission is by donation on January 29th!

Gung Hay Fat Choi!

Dawn

It’s the most wonderful time of the year….

No, not talking about the holiday season…I am talking about Dine Out Vancouver!

Initially created to get people to go to support the restaurants at a time that is slow for business – it has become a great way to also try some great restaurants you have never tried before at 3 great pricing options – a chance to introduce yourself to some new favourites!

At the media dine around, we started off at The Bacchas Bistro at the Wedgewood Hotel for some tapas  – honestly, one of my favourite rooms in the city (we had our post wedding brunch there!)

I also had a chance to try Salmon n’ Bannock - which had the most AMAZING Elk (yes, it’s more than just Salmon) and a really great bannock dessert (who knew!).

I also had the privilege of trying the menu at Hawksworth Restaurant - Every dish was divine…but the buttermilk panettone was really unique.

The Glowbal Group also had their own dine around….so COAST,  Black + Blue and The Italian Kitchen …everything was excellent – but at Black + Blue, we had breakfast for dinner -”“Bacon ‘n’ Eggs” thick cut double smoked bacon, fried duck egg, spicy maple syrup, wild arugula” – super unique!

with Glowbal Group Executive Chef, Josh Wolfe

 Planning to take my dad to L’Abattoire this weekend….so lots of great options – and if you have guests in from out of town – there are some Hotels that you can add to your package as well! 

Either way…there’s never been a better time to Dine Out Vancouver!

Enjoy,

Dawn

I don’t think I’m up for skydiving…you know, that whole jumping out of a plane thing kind of freaks me out – but this MAY be the next best thing! It’s called Fly Zone , and you get to experience the part “after” the jump!

The instructors were awesome  – here’s the VIDEO  if you missed the segments on BT! They are only at the location until mid-February until they have to move to a different location (TBA)  – so give them a call!

Highly recommend this experience!

with the instructors of Fly Zone

Have a great weekend!

Dawn

This year I am thrilled to be performing New Year’s Eve with the Dal Richards Orchestra at the River Rock Casino in Richmond! I will be one of Dal’s Gals (which also includes Diane Lines, Jennifer Hayes and the newest addition, Caroline Markos) as we ring in 2012 – how cool is that?!?

Just one of Dal's Gals! photo by Linsey Hulls

On January 5, 2012, Dal will turn 94 years old! To celebrate this BC Legend, Breakfast Television is devoting the Live Eye that day to host an on-air birthday party at his home during the broadcast (imagine having to get up at 6am on your birthday and have guests over? What a guy!). We will hear stories, see pictures and some of his memorabilia from his 7 decades of performing.

We are also expecting a few special guests to join us, so please tune in to BT on January 5 and celebrate with us!

I also encourage you to post your birthday greetings to Dal here on my blog…I would be happy to print them off for him and present your wishes that morning. I know he will be thrilled and grateful for your support!

Have a wonderful New Years Eve! Please be safe and don’t drive if you are drinking. We all deserve a great start to 2012!

Please be sure to check out my Official Website for upcoming gigs with Dal Richards as well as my own Jazz Stylings.

You may also follow me on TWITTER and FACEBOOK - thanks for keeping in touch!

Dawn

This week’s Friday Fave…Ucluelet!

My Husband, In-Laws and I had been to Tofino a few times, usually at Christmas which falls right into Storm Watching Season. 

This time, we made our way to Ucluelet’s Black Rock Resort which can only be described as AMAZING. The weather was stormy coming in…Christmas brought some sunshine and Boxing day we were back to storms. All in all a PERFECT getaway.

the view from our balcony

I also have to give props to the Float Lounge for my new favourite (bonus Friday Fave!) warm drink: the Ukee Fog! It’s Steamed Milk with Navan Cognac  and then you top it with some chai tea (you make a little pot and keep topping it off). Delish!!!!

Have a great Weekend!

Dawn

Spent a wonderful morning at Solly’s Bagelry as we celebrated the first day of Chanukah (last night was Chanukah eve). Leah was able to show us through her production kitchen, we made Jelly Donuts, Ragolah and Latkes and learned of the significance of each of these foods as well as the significance of lighting the Menorah.

If you get a chance to go to Solly’s – be sure to have a potato and onion Knish or the Borscht – they are my fave!!

Happy Channukah!

Dawn

I had the honour of speaking to the “Women of Substance” Entrepreneurial Group (founded by chanteuse Deborah Ledon)  last night. They asked me to share my journey from childhood to today – how I got to where I am, where I see myself going, and how I balance my life as a TV Host and Singer as well as a “sometime” actress.

At the end of my “story’ I shared the 7 lessons I have learned so far….here they are -  I have added my personal relationship to that lesson in italics – coles notes of the speech if you will:

1)Don’t be Afraid of Hard Work (I have been working since I was 14, often working multiple jobs)

2)Everything Is trainable except personality (it’s what was said to me when I was given my first TV gig – and if you didn’t think there was a STEEP learning curve…check out my AUDITION for that first TV gig!)

3) Don’t be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone (had I not been prepared to move from Edmonton, where I was doing well, achieved success and had my family and friends close – I would not have the great opportunities I have here now in Vancouver)

4) If the situation is not to be changed…change your attitude. You have a choice. (this was my most recent lesson. When the format of the show changed (again) I had to make a choice about how how was going to react to changes not in my control)

5) have at least 1 person who believes in you (for those times you don’t believe in yourself) Someone who is your Biggest fan. (my hubby had the faith that the move to Vancouver would be a great one for me…I was uncertain I would have the same opportunities I had in Edmonton…I have surpassed any expectation)

6) Be that person for someone else…especially another woman. (women have a reputation for “hating other women” and not wanting our fellow females to do better than us…that we feel threatened by each other. Prove them wrong and pay it forward.)

7) be grateful and give back to the community…most of us live a blessed life beyond what much of the world could ever hope for. (I try to do this by the giving of my own personal time to as many charities as I can. To help them raise money. To use my profile to benefit others. )

Feel free to share your lessons by commenting on this post…I would love to hear them, and maybe “learn” a little more!

Dawn

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