Charity

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Hot Shopping: Pretty in Pink

This cute hair brush benefits charity and fits into your purse

Head to Sephora this October for one of the limited-edition pink products (including the pop-up hair brush, pictured) that help benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This beauty-product-lover’s paradise donates one dollar to the BCRF for every item sold. —Jennifer Patterson

More information:

Pacific Centre, 701 W. Georgia St. 778-331-3942.

Metropolis at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. 604-678-2360.

Coquitlam Centre, 2929 Barnet Hwy., Coquitlam. 778-284-2350.

www.sephora.com

Hot Shopping: A Fashionable Reason to Shop

Michael Kors scarves

Wondering why so many people have pink ribbons pinned on their lapels right now? Well, October is breast cancer awareness month, so it’s a prime time for fundraising and for showing support. Fashion joins the fight at Holt Renfrew, where purchases of the limited-edition, cashmere-and-wool-blend leopard print scarves by Michael Kors ($50, pictured) benefit the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation—celebrating its 25th anniversary.—Jennifer Patterson

More information:

Holt Renfrew, Pacific Centre, 737 Dunsmuir St. 604-681-3121.

www.holtrenfrew.com

Hot Shopping: Fancy Footwork

Trendy yet classic TOMS shoes, designed by the Olsen twins

The days as Michelle Tanner on Full House are just distant memories for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Now they’re focused on their passion for fashion. Items fly off the shelves from their casual Elizabeth & James line and from their luxe label The Row. Recently they lent their star power to a good cause: designing a line of cashmere and wool shoes for TOMS (pictured), a company that for every pair of shoes purchased donates a pair to a child in need. Head to Holt Renfrew to buy items from all three projects, or purchase your pair of slip-ons at www.toms.com.—Jennifer Patterson

Hot Date: Run for a Cure

Lace up those sneakers for the Terry Fox Run (photo by Timothy Takemoto)

SEPTEMBER 18 The legacy of a Canadian icon lives on this weekend as municipalities across Canada host their annual Terry Fox Run. The fun and inspiring community-based event carries on Fox’s mission to find a cure for cancer. In Muskoka, the village of Windermere welcomes runners, walkers and cyclists to participate in its Terry Fox Run, starting at the Windermere Village Hall, across from the United Church. In conjunction with the event are a barbecue, live music, games and even a silent auction featuring gifts from Muskoka businesses.

Hot Entertainment: Serenity Now

Waterfront Yoga at Canada Place

Even if you don’t know a dosha from a chakra, you’re welcome to practice your poses during Waterfront Yoga at Canada Place (to Sep. 19). Not only can you work on improving your body while gazing at the scenery, but you can work on improving your soul, too: proceeds from the program help feed local children.—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Entertainment: Motown Meltdown

Reid Jamieson

Dance the night away at the Commodore Ballroom and contribute to charity at the same time—all for just $30. Motown Meltdown (Mar. 26) features dozens of local musicians, including Reid Jamieson (pictured), Leora Cashe, Mark James Fortin, The Sojourners and Ali Milner, performing to raise funds for people living with HIV/AIDS. Don’t delay: this heartwarming event sells out every year.—Sheri Radford

15 Things We Love About Vancouver: March

Photo courtesy David Suzuki Foundation

1 Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, who are in town to film Twilight: Breaking Dawn.
2 The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, which is nominated for a 2011 Juno Award. Tune in Mar. 27 to see if the VSO wins.
3 Howard Hughes. The eccentric billionaire arrived at Vancouver’s Westin Bayshore Hotel on Mar. 14, 1972, taking over two floors for himself and his employees—though no hotel staff ever glimpsed the recluse during his long stay.
4 Canine ambassadors such as Beau and Mavis.
5 Fresh seafood.
6 The Granville Island Broom Company.
7 David Suzuki. The local author and environmental activist turns 75 on Mar. 24.
8 Luxurious anti-microbial yoga towels made by local company Baktuli (www.bak tuli.com). Each one sports a playful saying such as “Some like it hot.” At Moule and Fine Finds.
9 Red Robinson. The legendary local disc jockey turns 74 on Mar. 30. Named in his honour, the 1,000-seat theatre at the Boulevard Casino features Gino Vannelli (Mar. 5) and Meat Loaf (Mar. 18 and 19) this month.

"Little Emperor" by Todd Couper courtesy Spirit Wrestler Gallery

10 The Vancouver Canucks hockey team, which is celebrating its 40th season.
11 The sense of community: Mar. 24 is Dining Out for Life, when restaurants across the Lower Mainland donate 25 per cent of each food bill to HIV/AIDS charities.
12 Scuba diving. The water is cold—but it doesn’t warm up much in the summer. Scuba fans prefer winter diving here, when visibility is best.
13 The Vancouver Art Gallery.
14 Jogging on the seawall.
15 Tiny art in Spirit Wrestler Gallery’s Mini Masterworks IV (Mar. 26 to Apr. 16).

Hot Entertainment: Music for a Cause

Musician Jim Byrnes

Tie on a red ribbon for Starry Night, celebrating its 25th anniversary this month. The annual variety show benefits the Shooting Stars Foundation in support of local HIV/AIDS charities; this year’s line-up includes BC pop artist Andrew Allen and local blues musician Jim Byrnes (pictured). Get into the groove at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (Nov. 15).—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Date: Sidewalk Spectacle

Victor Rubilar is renowned for his ball-juggling act

AUGUST 26 TO 29 The circus moves out from under the big top to one of Toronto’s main avenues, as more than 100 international street performers animate the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood for Scotiabank BuskerFest. North America’s largest annual gathering of buskers—from hilarious comedians to daring fire eaters—features a bevy of new acts for 2010, including contortionist Bendy Em, renowned Argentine football juggler Victor Rubilar and Australia’s FlameOz, a dynamic combination of dance, acrobatics and fire manipulation. Front Street East, between Yonge and Jarvis streets, admission by donation; proceeds aid Epilepsy Toronto.

Hot Entertainment: Underwear Affair

Don't be surprised if you see hundreds of people running in their unmentionables in Vancouver on Jul. 10

Don your best undies—listen to your mother and don’t wear ones with holes—and your comfiest sneakers and get ready to help a good cause: the 10K run and 5K walk raise money to research cancers down there (Jul. 10).—Sheri Radford

Hot Shopping: Shopping Sense

A delicate, handcrafted coin purse from Ten Thousand Villages

A hand-embroidered clutch, tote or coin purse from Ten Thousand Villages—the oldest and largest Fair Trade organization in North America—is not your run-of-the-mill bag. Women individually craft every piece in this collection for St. Mary’s, a charitable group in India. Done in the traditional Gujarati style, each one begins as hand-loomed cotton before being delicately decorated and inset with mirrors.—Jennifer Patterson

Hot Art: Charity Casks

A wine barrel re-formed by Erin Parton

MAY 27 Philanthropists are invited to appreciate both the fruits of the vine and fruits of the imagination this month at a unique, two-pronged fundraiser and contemporary art showcase. Art of the Barrel presents the visual efforts of top Ontario College of Art and Design students, who have transformed viticulture vessels into wine-inspired masterpieces. The collected barrels are judged—with the winners awarded scholarships—and then put up for bidding in a public auction. Proceeds help support OCAD and Casey House, a hospice for people living with HIV/AIDS. Toronto Reference Library, 6 p.m., $75; call 416-962-4040, ext. 230 for further details.

December Hot Date: Let There Be Lights

Walking over the Capilano Suspension Bridge is extra special during the holidays

The festive season always makes spirits—and local streets—brighter. These displays of lights also raise money for local charities: Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge (pictured, Dec. 4 to Jan. 2); Lights of Hope (through Mar.); Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden (Dec. 11 to Jan. 3); and Bright Nights in Stanley Park (to Jan. 2).—Sheri Radford