by Joy Metcalfe

TOPTABLE ARRIVES IN NEW YORK …

It’s a coup for the Toptable Group! The owners of the West End’s Cin Cin, among many other popular Vancouver eateries, have invaded New York City and landed on Park Avenue. It’s the popular company’s first foray into the Big Apple and they have done it in style! It’s a 220 seat seafood restaurant called Oceans, with executive chef Andy Kitko at the helm creating such dishes as the three-tiered Oceans La Tour, Charred Spanish Octopus, Dover Sole, East Coast Halibut with special emphasis on sushi of all kinds. There’s large welcoming open kitchen, vast seafood display and a wine cellar offering more than 1200 labels of the best vino available.

Oceans will be their flagship restaurant representing the best of the West Coast. Yea Toptable!...

Bill Good, Caren McSherry, and Georgy Good.

Ray Greenwood with Brett Manlove.

Fabian Dawson
and his 98-year old mother.

Selena Daly and Webster Awards’ Janet Mitchell.

Myra Ford, George Garrett and Jordan Armstrong.

AT THE WEBSTER AWARDS …

The annual Jack Webster Awards are always a night of media togetherness as witnessed by the three TV stations and their stars for the first time co-emceeing the celebratory evening, with CBC-TV’s Gloria Macarenko and Mike Killeen; Global TV’s Sophie Lui and Neetu Garcha and CTV’s Mi-Jung Lee and Scott Roberts doing the honours.

Celebrated Vancouver broadcaster Jack Webster was one of a kind -determined, dedicated and dogged. He never gave up. When someone called or wrote to him in desperation, Jack was there along with his ever-present and overworked producer Gladys. I recall spending time with him and his daughter Linda when he was dying in VGH’s University Hospital, and the tales and stories we shared were hilarious, particularly about his passion for the lovely lassies, but also his fascination for actress Shirley MacLaine. It was one of the few times he didn’t ask to borrow my comb. I remember him fondly.

The Jack Webster Foundation was established upon Jack’s retirement in 1986 to foster and celebrate excellence in journalism.

Of all the numerous awards given out that night (and there were many) one of the most significant is always the Bruce Hutchison Lifetime Achievement Award and this year’s deserving winner was The Province’s Fabian Dawson whose career has spanned more than four decades. It was an especially touching and proud time for one diminutive lady in the vast audience, Fabian’s mother, who was celebrating her 98th birthday! She looks fifty!

Also clapping was NW’s former newsman turned author George Garrett, Global TV’s Jordan Armstrong, the Gourmet Warehouses’ Caren McSherry, big Bill Good and his cute wife Georgy who were off to a cruise in Europe; kilted politico Ian Waddell, Vancouver Visitor TV’s Brett Manlove and CKNW’s John (Back on the Beat) Daly with his lovely wife Selena.

The Webster Foundation’s executive director Janet Mitchell was ecstatic with the sold-out crowd...

Dianne Abbott Forsyth.

Cynthia Woodward.

Penny Sprackman, David Goldman and Darlene Spevakow.

Ingrid Abbott and Marlene Cohen.

Carol Meyer with Megan Abbott.

Diane Forsythe Abbott being
serenaded by Terry O’Neill

CRABTREE FUNDRAISER’S LAST HURRAH …

Someone else who was pretty happy this past week was the ever-glamorous, long-time Coal Harbour resident Diane Forsythe Abbott as she was feted for her long-standing commitment to the YWCA’s Crabtree Corners at an exclusive luncheon hosted by David Aisenstat at the legendary Hy’s Encore.

Twenty-five years ago, Diane was driving in the downtown eastside when her car broke down. It was pouring rain and there were no nearby phone booths so she dashed into a small building and asked the first woman she saw if she could use their phone. That’s when she discovered Crabtree Corner, a small space offering comfort and care for those women and children desperately in need. Her sharp eyes detected that they didn’t have much of anything. With her dedication and determination over the past 25 years, she and her team of angels have raised two million dollars and Crabtree Corner is now a five-storey building that houses women and children at risk.

More than 80 of her closest gal pals were there including organizer Cynthia Woodward, Megan Abbott, the ultra chic threesome of Marlene Cohen, Fran Belzberg and Lily Lee, daughter-in-law Ingrid Abbott, former City Councillor Elizabeth Ball, as well as Cindy Charkow, Diana Zoppa, Darlene Spevakow, Penny Sprackman, men about town Cam Watts and David Goldman, Byron Aceman, Donny MacRae and former Coquitlam City Councillor Terry O’Neill of the Hotel O’Neill’s.

It was Terry who broke into a spontaneous version of Almost Like Being In Love and You Make Me Feel So Young, dedicated to the gracious and deserving guest of honour. It was an unexpected musical tribute to a lovely lady...

Our warmest thoughts and prayers go out to Lily Lee’s husband, the amazing and generous Robert Lee, who has been ailing in VGH. Get well soon, Bob, we miss you!

Joy with Clay Fuller.

David Stansfield, Joy and Lenora Hayman.

GALA ON THE BEACH …

The Fuller family’s Beach House reopened with an invitation-only reception for guests to ooh and aah at the results of the year-long renovation to the iconic restaurant. Everything has been updated from furnishings, kitchen, bathrooms and even the staircase.

The setting on the West Van waterfront is unsurpassed as diners gaze through the huge windows upon the long ancient pier, the huge cruise ships, tugs, yachts and sea planes passing in front of the busy dining spot. Nice to see Earl’s veteran wine visionary George Piper journey over from Sechelt to chat with his successor, Earl’s somellier David Stansfield along with the Vancouver Sun’s Anthony Gismondi, Totem Vodka and former car man Henning Brasso , columnist Lenora Hayman and Jim Herbert and North Shore magazine co-owner Craig Turner (sans wife and columnist Catherine Barr). As well, out of town Earl-ers Erin Howard, Jesse Thompson and Jeff Der mingled with several of the Earl’s and Joey’s managers from the West End, along with other members of the Fuller family, including the charming Clay Fuller.

Lots of new items on the menu including Arctic Char, Sablefish, Salmon Poke and the Seafood Tower along with the new West Coast Caesar with Kusshi oyster and Tito Vodka with hand-stuffed bleu cheese olives.

The only sad note of the festive reception was the fact that the Beach House founder, Bus Fuller, who especially adored this dining spot, passed away before he saw his dream completed.

St. Paul’s Hospital’s Karen Brown with photographer Brian Smith.

LIGHTING UP THE LIGHTS OF HOPE …

Thank goodness it wasn’t raining as hundreds of friends, patients, medical personnel and supporters turned up outside at St. Paul’s Hospital for the annual Lights of Hope fund-raiser and celebration.

I was welcomed by two of the friendliest people there, the hospital’s Karen Brown and photographer Brian Smith. St. Paul’s saved our son’s life when he was diagnosed with an orphan disease called Goodpasture’s Syndrome and spent three weeks in St. Paul’s. Three years ago he received a life-saving kidney transplant at the same hospital.

I had my first angioplasty there with the then very young Dr. Webb who has made it work amazingly well for the past 27 years, and my husband William had his triple bypass surgery three years ago with Dr. Ling.

Great to see hard-working Health Minister Adrian Dix enjoying the scene. Thanks to the ladies of the St. Paul’s Foundation for a pleasant event, heralding the official start of the Christmas light-up!

DOWN GINGERBREAD LANE …

And the Christmas season has definitely arrived at the Hyatt Regency. It’s the Hyatt’s 29th annual Gingerbread Lane, with more than 30 of the most unique creations in gingerbread, all on display now through January 4.

The creativity and enthusiasm of the young high schoolers is incredible! Drop into the vast lobby of the Hyatt and be amazed by the artistry and positivity.

SHORT NOTES …

Great combination as Dale Buote of False Creek Design and Chris Colletta, founder of the unique Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, combined for a happy evening of celebration as FCD celebrated its 20th year in business...

Tip of the hat to VFD trumpeters Joe Foster and Dan McClelland for their touching and heart-felt version of Last Post on Remembrance Day … Kudos to Robbie Kane who donated his Cafe Medina for the venue for a recent fundraiser for Kitchen Aide ... All the best wishes in the world to Wendy Lisogar Cocchia and Bianca Fusco Zanatta, two resolute young women who are out there throughout the year doing their utmost to help others by hosting incredibly successful fundraisers. It’s more than dedication, it’s over and above. Blessings on them both.

And to all those generous souls who volunteer endless hours to help others ... May I wish you all the Merriest of Christmases and Happiest of New Years from my family to yours!.

See you in 2020!