A BROADCAST LEGEND IS OFF THE AIR

by Joy Metcalfe
A legend has passed away and we are lessened by his death. You may never have heard or seen this gentleman, yet he had a direct influence on your life as he brought the world to you.

Warren Barker was a newsman’s newsman, quiet, sober, dedicated, and considerate.

He was hired in 1952 by the owner of CKNW, Bill Rae, and, after a few years, was named as the station’s news director. He quietly and determinedly went on to helm ‘NW’s news operations for more than 30 years, winning numerous awards, citations, and incredible ratings.

For 32 years, Warren was the leader of an innovative news team dedicated, as reporter Ted Field said,” to aggressive, accurate and balanced news reporting.” He led by example, inspired his people, and earned their respect.

Award-winning reporter, journalist, and producer, Belle Puri, recalled fondly, ”Warren gave me my first job in broadcasting, working Sundays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. I was so green it took me the entire one hour and 55 minutes to get the next newscast ready.

“I still remember his first phone call. “Warren Barker here. I have an assignment for you so please come in”, Belle recalls.

“He wheeled the cart with his Olympia all-caps typewriter on it with some wire copy and asked me to write a story or two. I didn’t even know how to type! But I managed. He let me try my hand at sportscasting, taught me how to be a reporter, and gave me the opportunities of a lifetime.

“When I left NW five years later to further my education, Warren asked why I was quitting. “Just take a leave” he said. “I expect you back when you’re done. Your job will be waiting.”

No one who ever worked for Warren will ever forget his middle-of-the-night calls - “Warren Barker here. Sorry to bother you but there’s a fire at such and such. I’m wondering if you could go and check it out?”

“Simply put, Warren was the best boss ever” said Belle. “We never wanted to let him down, we never wanted to disappoint him.”

George Garrett recalls that Warren was an outstanding news director but also a good friend. George had left CKNW to manage CJAT in Trail in 1977. He was fired after 5 months. His first call was to Warren, who couldn’t believe it and who immediately invited him to return, with the understanding that he was free to look around at other radio or TV stations.

George wasn’t going anywhere else.

He started at the bottom as network operator, then 4 p.m. to midnight on the desk, and finally on the beat. After a few years, the boss took him off the regular assignment list and told him that he could cover anything he wanted.

It was a new idea in broadcasting called investigative reporting, which Garrett honed to perfection.

As George said, ”There will never be another Warren Barker. RIP to my boss, my mentor, and my friend.”

And I loved this fun tribute from another CKNW icon, longtime newsman, John McKitrick.

As John said, ”It was on a busy day in the newsroom, when one staff member (known for his quick temper) suddenly jumped up, cursing that his old manual typewriter was jammed and he hurled the machine at the wall behind him.”

Instead of hitting the studs and falling to the floor, the typewriter defied all odds and went straight through the Gyprock, hanging there about five feet off the ground. Needless to say, when the machine was eventually pried free, it left a huge hole that no one could miss.

“Work returned to normal” John remembers, “and later, when Warren entered the room, he paused in front of the hole, went back to his office, and returned minutes later with a big poster and four thumbtacks. Not a word was said! That poster still covered the hole years later when the station moved to 8th and Mcbride.

“As a rookie, I was in awe of this man who would be my teacher and mentor for many years. Warren never lost his cool with the staff, never berated or cajoled us: he simply lead by example.”

And amen to that.

The newsman’s newsman passed away last month at the age of 92.

I never worked with or for Warren but I do know that, because of his quiet diligence and determined attitude to lead the way in hard news reporting, CKNW lead the ratings race for years on end right across the country.

As a man, I found him very polite and quite sweet, much like an old-fashioned country gentleman who would doff his hat while passing the ladies.

My deepest condolences to his family...

Jim Byrnes headlined this year’s fundraiser for the Odd Squad.

THE RETURN OF THE GALA GALA DO!

Finally, after almost two years, we had a gala gala do last week. It was the praiseworthy Odd Squad Gala Fund Raiser and surprise tribute to that handsome, talented award-winning musician, singer, actor, Jim Byrnes, at the beautifully renovated Hollywood Theatre on Broadway.

And Jim had no idea. He was totally shocked! He thought he was there as a member of the Odd Squad Production Society, to entertain and help raise funds.

It was an amazing show!

In between some of his terrific blues numbers, Jim reminisced about his upbringing in the U.S. and how his single mother raised him; he talked about the horrific accident on the highway and losing his legs. He became very emotional at times but they were tears of happiness, basically throughout the production.

The goal of the gala was to raise money for the necessary operating funds to continue the important work of the Odd Squad in educating our youth and the community about the dangers of drug abuse and gang activity. It was started 23 years ago by a group of retired and serving VPD officers who wanted to make a difference in the lives of young teenagers.

The CBC’s lovely Gloria Marcarenko, who was the evening’s emcee, did her usual outstanding job while host and auctioneer extraordinaire, Howard Blank, who has been in the entertainment field for more than 30 years, kept the bids going. Howard has raised more than $900,000,000 for non-profit organizations across Canada and the U.S.A.

John Daly is the president of the Odd Squad Society, having covered gang wars, drug overdoses, murder, and mayhem through his reporting on radio and TV over the years. He’s now semi-retired from Global TV but has his weekly Back on the Beat show on CKNW.

Great to see solid support from such celeb guests as Sam Feldman, Wally Oppal, Bruce Allen, the Teti brothers John and Ron, Greg Douglas “Dr. Sport” along with many others happily offering their testimonial clips.

As Chief Constable Adam Palmer said, ”We’re tremendously proud of the work that has been done by the Odd Squad, from a handful of dedicated police officers into a diverse team of professionals, volunteers, and subject matter experts. They have enhanced the safety of our community through their dedication to education and prevention. Accordingly, the Odd Squad continues to have the ardent support of the Vancouver Police Department.”

Good guys, all…And Bravo, Jim!!

NEWS ON THE FOOD FRONT …

The luxurious Shangri-la Hotel on West Georgia has another reason to visit. The new Miantiao Restaurant has just opened on the third floor, offering a unique marriage of Italian and Chinese cuisine. Miantiao is derived from the Mandarin word for noodles, a staple of both cultures, and is part of the award-winning B.C.-based Kitchen Table Restaurants …

And this just in … Topping the list of my favourite restaurants, The Teahouse in Stanley Park has just reopened with a new executive chef and new dinner menu. The newly appointed executive chef is industry veteran, Sic Kim, formerly of Giardino, the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, and most recently at Cardero’s.

Can’t wait to try his new and very creative menu offerings …

AND IN CLOSING …

Kudos and good luck to public relations and publicity aces Michelle Lan and pal and partner Tara Armstrong, who have just officially launched their new P.R. business, Armstrong and Lan Communications …

Happy Canada Day, everybody! Celebrate and enjoy this special day! We are so fortunate! …

And Happy 4th of July to our American friends and neighbors! …

Til next time …
Cheers!