by Joy Metcalfe

THE RETURN OF THE GALA GALA DO …

THE DOORMAN’S DINNER … As I said two months ago: Hallelujah, the gala gala do’s are coming back. And the timing couldn’t be better. With COVID cases rising again, the deadly drug overdoses increasing at an alarming rate, and the dreadful state of homelessness in our town with winter coming, the outlook is depressing.

Thank heavens, there are people out there, trying to raise needed funds to help their fellow man - like the CHILD Foundation’s Doorman’s Dinner which raises money for children suffering from intestinal and liver diseases, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s Disease

This year, the Doorman’s do will be held on November 18 at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel and the ticket and door prizes are exceptional …

Gloria Macarenko will host this year’s SPLASH

MAKING A SPLASH … And Arts Umbrella’s Splash gala, which was held in various locations last year due to the COVID situation, will be held in-person at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Saturday, October 23 with the same two co-hosts as last year, Christie Garofalo and Bruce Munro Wright along with CBC’s Gloria Macarenko as the ideal emcee. This “see and be seen” 39th annual event, with great support from local artists and the community in general, raises critical funds to reduce barriers for young people wanting to pursue an arts education …

MUSIC FOR MENTAL HEALTH … The Westin Bayshore was the surprise venue for another benefit, this time hosting a concert by country singer, Dallas Smith and his musical friends. Dallas, who has suffered from mental illness in the past, wanted to add awareness and financial aid to B.C’.s Mental Health Services by staging a musical revue. Tickets started at $699, according to the blurb …

A CAR SHOW FOR CANUCK PLACE …If you are a car buff, the place you should have been was Ambleside Park a couple of weeks ago. This was an amazing afternoon of viewing some truly spectacular automobiles.

This was the first annual Canuck Place Childrens’ Hospice Classic Car Fund Raiser with dozens of rare and priceless autos on display, including a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost, a 2021 Ferrari Roma, a 2021 Aston Martin Vantage convertible, a 1964 Porsche 356 coupe, a 1915 Ford Model T Landaulette, a 1930 Lincoln Model L, a 1935 Duesenberg Model J, (valued at more than $3 million), a 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, a 1957 Mercedes 190 SL, a 1965 Ford Shelby Cobra 427 (original, not a replica!), a 1966 “E-Type” Jaguar (my favourite), and a 2020 Mclaren Senna.

This was an exclusive event for Canuck Place and the entire charitable donation of $2500 per vehicle will go to help this deserving children’s hospice.

Canuck Place was the first free-standing children’s hospice to be opened in North America. That auspicious date was November 30, 1995, and I recall that cold wet rainy evening as I was broadcasting live on CKNW as the invited crowd waited for those heavy oak doors to swing wide. The Griffiths family had always been the big push behind this new and much-needed facility so it was son and heir, Arthur Griffiths and his then-wife Joanne who did the honours, officially opening the doors to the cheers and applause of the organizers, supporters and the young patients soon to have a comfortable and caring residence.

Tip of the hat to generous Devina and Paul Zalesky who helped pull the entire fundraiser together with their helpful friends ...

Chef and Chevalier Jean Francis Quaglia,

THE NEW CHEVALIER IN TOWN …

Our heartiest congratulations go out to Vancouver’s talented Chef and restaurateur, Jean Francis Quaglia, owner of the popular Provence Marinaside in downtown Vancouver.

The restaurant is a pure delight and has thrived despite the ups and downs at this time of the COVID rampage. The big news is that Jean Francis has just been appointed by the government of France as a Chevalier of the Ordre due Merite for his significant contributions in the field of French food and French culinary culture.

As French Consul General Philippe Sutter said at the presentation, “Jean Francis is a culinary giant, an incredible ambassador for French cuisine, and for mentoring young chefs.”

Bravo, Sir Quaglia!

WELCOMING A NEW CHEF …

Speaking of cuisine, the newest dining spot on the North Shore is Hachiro on 16th Street West, and newly-appointed chef, Addy Gowe wowed the crowd of guests invited to sample her wares at a special dinner last week. Chef Addy served an eight-course feast featuring shared plates and dim sum options Including Brussel Sprouts and Broccoli Okonomiyaki, Hachiro’s Dirty Fries, Tuna and Beef Tatakis, Char Sui and housemade sauce, Har Gow (steamed shrimp dumplings), Fried Lotus Root and much, much more.

Each course had a beverage pairing - saki, cocktails, Nerigoma Negroni made with gin, vermouth and Campari, and Lapsang Float.

Special guests attending included beauty influencer, Sonjdia Deluxe, realtors Bernadette Dunnigan and Paige Hurford and the PR team for SMC Communications. The dining spot is named after owner Brooke Naito-Campbell’s grandfather, Hachiro ...

A GIANT OF INDUSTRY AND PHILANTHROPY PASSES …

Some 15 years ago, our province was alive and thriving with our burgeoning and successful forest industry, with the Truck Loggers’ convention the biggest event in town.

It used to be said that if a hotel landed the Truck Logger’s convention event, they had made their money for the year. That’s how important the industry was in this province. Much of that success and provincial wealth came from the management expertise of forestry giant, Peter Bentley.

Peter was born in Vienna and came to Canada with his parents, attending St. George’s and U.B.C. before joining his father and his uncle in the lumber business at Canadian Forest Products. The industrious trio took Canfor into a fully diversified leader in the forest industry with Peter going on to lead the company for more than 30 years.

He served on many major company boards including Shell Canada, Bank of Montreal, JP Morgan Chase, Chair of the BC Sports Hall of Fame winning the WAC Bennett’s Sports Builders Award, honorary law degrees from UBC and UNBC, won SFU’s Distinguished Leadership Award and founded the Vancouver General Hospital Foundation in 1980 which has raised more than a billion dollars for patients in B.C.

He also served on the Board of Governors of the Banff Centre for the Arts. the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Vancouver Recital Society, and the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre.

For his far-reaching philanthropic contributions to the province, he was presented with the Variety Club’s Golden Heart Award. This presentation was a truly gala gala do at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver where, little did he know, a surprise guest awaited.

Being a fan of the theatre over the years, Peter had developed a passion for Broadway star, Carol Channing and attended all of her live performances. His lovely wife, Sheila, and the entire family knew it, so they conspired to contact the lady’s agent and arrange for her to come that night to surprise the guest of honour.

Immediately following dinner, the lights dimmed in the great ballroom, the orchestra struck up the music, and Peter was stunned as the velvet curtains opened to the sound of Carol Channing rasping out, “Well hello, Peter, well Hello Peter …” and the crowd went wild as an astonished Peter rose to his feet to applaud.

Going backstage with columnist Fred Lee to meet and chat with the superstar prior to her performance, was a treat. A consummate artist, she was so happy to be part of this salute to “a lovely gentleman”.

Peter Bentley passed away last month at the age of 91 and is survived by his loving wife, Sheila, his five children, 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Our deepest condolences to the family...

IN CLOSING …

And finally, Cornucopia, Whistler’s celebration of food, returns next month to celebrate its Silver Anniversary. Everyone’s favourite fall festival for the last 25 years runs weekends from November 4 through 28 …

Cheers!...