Federico’s Supper Club on Commercial is presenting a celebrity comedy roast dinner where local comedians, lead by Patrick Maliha, will celebrate Terry David Mulligan with sharp humour — all in support of the Vancouver Food Bank.

Photo credit: jmv on Flickr

Where Federico’s Supper Club (1728 Commercial Drive)
When March 23, 2012 from 7:00pm
Tickets Available for $115 and include cocktail appies, 4-course dinner, complimentary glass of Prosecco, tax & gratuity, entertainment and dancing after the show. Call (604) 251-3473 to reserve. Partial dinner proceeds and all silent auction proceeds to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.

Terry David Mulligan is a local radio legend (CKLG/CFOX) and former music video program producer with MuchWest, preceded by Good Rockin’ Tonight on CBC. Over the last 40 years he’s been producing and hosting music and pop programs across Canada. Most recently he “smuggled” wine from BC to Alberta and hosts the widely-syndicated Tasting Room Radio.

Vancouver’s comedy champion, Patrick Maliha (who crowns comedy champions himself), will host this special evening. Roasters will include David Pratt, Linda and Bob Robertson (Double Exposure), Glen Schaefer, Erica Sigurdson, Tanyalee Davis, Urban Rush’s Michael Eckford and Fiona Forbes, and Carter Hortie.

Update Tickets are available just for the roast now, for $20. Call Federico’s at (604) 251-3473 to book and arrive around 8:00pm.

L’Arche Greater Vancouver is hosting its 3rd annual Art of Being Together fundraising art exhibit this weekend. The event features artwork by some of Vancouver’s emerging artists along with pieces created by team of people with and without developmental disabilities.

When Saturday March 10, 2012 from 1:00-5:00pm
Where National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre (6688 Southoaks, Burnaby BC)
Ticket A $5 donation is suggested

The Art of Being Together is L’Arche’s signature event that brings together the arts community and people with developmental disabilities in a celebration of community and our need of each other.

Artists were invited to submit an original work of art to L’Arche inspired by community and
togetherness. A panel of judges will award a winning piece at the event and attendees can vote for what they like the best for People’s Choice. Several of the pieces will be for sale along with other silent auction items.

Award presentations will take place at approximately 4:30pm. There will also be refreshments and musical performances throughout the afternoon including a special performance by the Tetsu Taiko Drummers.

L’Arche is an international organization that assists and supports those with developmental disabilities. They have been based in Greater Vancouver for over 30 years and run community homes, day programs, and are involved in an array of community outreach programs. They are a Christian-based society however they assist and support members from a rich diversity of religions, races and cultural backgrounds.

Check out L’Arche’s blog, and the Art of Being Together on Facebook for more information.

Photos by John Bollwitt for Miss604.com

Two years ago I was invited to be the emcee at their inaugural event and we had a great time with community members, bidding on silent auction items, and viewing the beautiful artwork that was on display. Take some time to explore the venue itself (National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre) which can be found at the end of a cherry blossom-covered street.

If you would like to check out this event, here’s how you can enter to win a pair of tickets:

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I will draw a winner at random from all entries on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 10:00am.

Update The winner is Stephanie!

The City of Vancouver launched a pedestrian awareness campaign last month using outdoor advertising to bring attention to key behaviours around intersections. According to the City, these include: pedestrians jaywalking, cyclists running stop signs, and, motorists failing to yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

People are fragile, they are not invincible. Don’t let inconsiderate, risky, and illegal behaviour in the roadway put yourself and others at risk. Always yield to pedestrians at intersections, stop at stop signs, and cross at intersections.

Photo credit: La Ola – From the Miss604 Flickr Pool.

From the Vancouver Police Department’s 2006-2011 collision data 61 pedestrians were killed in collisions: 13 were jaywalking, 21 were struck by drivers not yielding at intersections, and the remaining 27 fatalities resulted from a combination of pedestrian and driver error, confusion and inattention, and poor weather.

I know that as a pedestrian I get frustrated with drivers and cyclists who fail to stop at stop signs. As a driver, I’m ever-vigilant when pedestrians are near the roadway as you never know when someone will hop off the curb.

Everyone on the road should be aware of their surroundings, obey traffic laws, and be sure to make yourself visible on those dark and rainy Vancouver nights. With children out of school, with spring break coming up, be extra cautious on roads near playgrounds and parks.

If every party involved pays close attention to their driving, cycling, and walking habits, the City of Vancouver hopes to see a decrease in injuries and fatalities on our roads. You can read more about the initiative on the City of Vancouver’s website and at PracticeRoadSafety.ca.

Kids and families are preparing for spring break this year by planning trips, activities at home, and adventures around the city. Two local shopping destinations will be hosting all-weather spring skate events that will cost nothing more than a donation to a local cause.

Spring Skate at Park Royal
Where: Park Royal South, behind Osaka and Staples, West Vancouver
When: March 9 to 18, 2012 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm daily (or later for special events)

Details: It’s free to hop on the 4,000 square foot synthetic ice rink and skate rentals are by donation to local charities and non-profit groups. There will be a special event Sunday, March 11th as Scotiabank presents the first annual Hollyburn Hockey Heroes Shootout. Local businesses and individuals are being drafted to participate and support the North Shore Youth Safe House and other Hollyburn youth programs. Tuesday March 13th will be Toddler Tuesday and the rink will be open until 8:00pm on opening day, March 9th.

Skate The Shops at Morgan Crossing
Where: 24th Ave & Croydon Drive, Surrey
When: March 22 to 25, 2012 from 10:00am to 6:00pm daily

Details: In partnership with the Surrey Eagles, donations for skate rentals and sharpening will benefit the Semiahmoo Secondary Dry Grad.

We’re heady into fun run reason in Vancouver and one of the first to lace up for is Harry’s Spring Run Off. Happening Sunday, March 25th, this fundraiser takes participants around Stanley Park to benefit prostate cancer research.

Photo credit: gherringer on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool.

Date Sunday March 25, 2012
Times 8km starts at 10:00am, Children’s Run at 11:00am
Course 8km on the Seawall, meet at the miniature railway, Stanley Park

Runners raise funds that will support the Vancouver Prostate Centre at VGH. “Founded in 1998, the Vancouver Prostate Centre at VGH has become Canada’s leading — and one of the world’s foremost — prostate cancer research and treatment centres. Over 2,500 patients are seen annually by the Vancouver Prostate Centre. The Vancouver Prostate Centre’s surgeons and researchers have developed and delivered optimized care results to men with prostate cancer. While BC has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in Canada, it also has the lowest mortality rate thanks to the pioneering treatments and innovative research that take place here.”

Registration for Harry’s Spring Run Off, presented by Harry Rosen, is still open until March 20, 2012. Follow the run on Facebook for more information. Thanks to Stephane for letting me know about this run.