Canon Canada’s Gala Event: Supporting Community Gardens, Showcasing Excellence in Sport and Music.

Maelle Ricker- Canadian 2010 Olympic gold medal snowboarder.

What relationships would there be among community gardens, a world-class Winter Olympic athlete and an international star singer? Well, they are all good and they are all local.  To celebrate the opening of  its Vancouver branch office, yesterday Canon Canada hosted a gala luncheon event which included 2010 Olympic gold medal snowboarder Maelle Ricker and Canadian hit record singer-songwriter, Sarah Mclachlan.

At this event, Canon also presented a $60,000 cheque to Mayor Gregor Robertson for  the City of Vancouver’s Community Urban Agriculture Fund. The

City of Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson accepts $60,000 donation from President and CEO Mr. Kevin Ogawa, Canon Canada. Fund is for more Vancouver community garden projects. May 11, 2010.

purpose of the fund was to seed projects for more community gardens. By the way, it was confirmed by two different people,  that Mayor Robertson  cycled from city hall through downtown traffic  for the event at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel.

Maelle Ricker regaled us with a story on  her determination to compete at the 2010 Winter Olympics after several injuries and some disappointments at previous Olympics in Salt Lake City and then, in Torino. The coveted gold medal is indeed, substantive in weight—a crowning reminder of a long journey for hard work, perseverance and sacrifice.

Sarah Mclachlan, Canadian singer-songwriter graciously autographs for a fan. 2010.

Sarah Mclachlan gave us all a relaxed, gifted hour of several songs which included hit song,“Fallen” as well as three songs to be released mid-June 2010 in her newest album.  At one point, while singing, she muddled a song line  towards the end,  to which she laughed at herself and cursed softly.  This performance hiccup is bound to happen occasionally to any artist when the artist or performer immerses themselves  in the “zone” of their music, painting or  a sport: the tailspin dance of performing might spin abit off kilter for a few seconds.   But she finished shortly, luminous and gracious. She has 3 Grammy awards and 8 Juno awards for her song hits. In 1997-1999, she led her signature music tour festival, Lilith Fair which raised over 7 million dollars  for various charities. Lilith Fair  2010 tour is set to roll out later this year.

It was a warm, great occasion in celebration of excellence in human endeavour and a stimulus for future community sustainability.