by Joy Metcalfe

FINALLY — A GALA GALA DO!

There is one very happy lady in our midst. Mary Parsons, co-founder, president, and CEO of the CHILD Foundation received a special tip of the hat from Canada’s fabulous flyers, the famous Snowbirds, as they wound up their year-long fundraiser “Operation Inspiration”. As they flew over White Rock and dipped their wings to CHILD, they let everyone know that they will be back next year with more daring and exciting aerial gymnastics to benefit that worthy foundation.

But the really big scoop is that Mary and her team are planning an upcoming gala gala do! Something we haven’t seen for a very long time!

It’s their popular Doorman of the Year event, a fun evening of dinner, dancing, and entertainment hosted by CHILD and the Doormen’s Association, which will be held on Thursday, November 18th at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. The scoop is that this year’s Honorary Doorman will be another high flyer, Daniel Sitnam, CEO of HeliJet ...

Ralph and Joan Bower on their dedicated anniversary bench.

A BENCH TO CALL THEIR OWN

You might recall my column about CKNW’s late Warren Barker who helped bring you news of the world. Well, there’s another fellow who brought the news of the world to you in photographs!

Ralph Bower worked for almost 40 years in the photography department of the Vancouver Sun. He’s won several national awards and prides himself on his collection of historic sports pictures. His nickname is Railbird because he’s been a regular at the Hastings Racecourse pressbox dating back to the ’60s when Jack Diamond owned the track. Ralph’s photos of horses, horse owners, and celebrities cover the walls of the press box.

But Ralph also had a deep and abiding love for that special lady in his life, his wife Joan. This past August 4 they quietly celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary and son Doug and his sister Kelly decided to give them a little surprise.

So they invited them out for coffee on Sunday with all the relatives attending. As they trod through the winding Green Necklace in Grand Boulevard Park in North Vancouver, Joan spotted a bright new bench with bouquets of flowers on it. Peering closely, she was thrilled to see the words, on the newly installed plaque, ”Happy 65th wedding anniversary, Joan and Ralph Bower! North Vancouver Sweethearts”.

The champagne corks popped and the sound of “their” song, “I Only Have Eyes For You!” played in the background.

Happy anniversary, you two lovebirds! …

MEDIA WORLD NEWS

Speaking of media personalities, Craig McEwen is leaving Sportsnet 650 Radio as program director to join the Vancouver Canucks in their communications department …

Two icons from the Vancouver sports media scene recently passed away. Kent (Cookie) Gilchrist, columnist and sports editor with the Vancouver Province, and Keith Hunt, former sports director of CKWX Radio …

Walter Cosman has been named VP of sales and marketing with the Vancouver Canadians baseball club, replacing Graham Wall. Walter’s background includes S&M positions with Molson Brewery and Granville Island Brewing...

That new voice in the p.m. on CKNW, taking over from Linda Steele, is former Global reporter and onetime politico, Jas Johal. He’s a little bit rusty but he’ll get there ...

CONDOLENCES TO THE McCAULEY CLAN

Sad to hear that onetime top hotelier in Vancouver, Bob McCauley passed away last month at the age of 88.

Bob was raised in Montreal and attended McGill University before entering the hotel industry where he has had an illustrious career. He began with CP Hotels at the Banff Springs in Alberta before joining Westin where he was director of sales at the Georgia. Those were the golden years for the Georgia Hotel. E.W. Hudson was the general manager, Mike Lambert was executive assistant manager, and Bob was the director of sales. Denis Forristal was also part of that dynamic team.

Years later, Bob became G.M. of the Georgia Hotel, and eventually was appointed vice president of the Western International (Westin) chain, based in Washington D.C.

Bob, with his charm, intelligence, and great sense of humor, had an almost uncanny ability to make friends and allies and spread the good word about Westin. As David McMillan, former hotelier and president of Axis International said,” There are a handful of great Canadian hoteliers whose track record brings fond memories for thousands of employees, competitors, suppliers, and guests. Bob was, without a doubt, one of the best.”

Our deepest condolences to his family. Rest in peace, Bob…

JEWELER’S MUSE PASSES

We’re also sending our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the family of a lovely woman who recently passed away. Carmelina Cusano, wife of Pasquale Cusano of Montecristo Jewelers’ fame, was probably the muse for many of his beautiful creations. Carmelina was also very involved in the jewelry business and with their Nuvo Magazine and Montecristo Magazine. But her favorite role was mothering their four children and building and volunteering in their community. As one of her friends said, “There are some people in life who simply make the world a better place, who inspire and encourage us. That was Carmelina.”

A funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in early August. Blessings on you, beautiful lady, and thoughts and prayers to your devoted family…

Philip Barnes with his happy team about to reopen the glamorous Fairmont Century Plaza in L.A. on September 27.

CLIMBING THE FAIRMONT LADDER

Still with top hoteliers, our boy Phil has been traveling, guiding, and managing a lot over the past few years. Four years ago, Philip Barnes was GM of the newest hotel in our town, the Fairmont Pacific Rim, before being transferred to London’s famed Savoy Hotel as managing director to lead a massive remodeling project.

This past year the popular hotelier, who brings four decades of international hospitality experience, has been appointed Fairmont’s regional vice president for Southern California and general manager of Fairmont’s Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles where they have just completed a massive $2.5 billion dollar renovation.

The Los Angeles Century Plaza was built in 1966 but today, after that impressive rebuild, you’d barely recognize the interior, although, as a landmark building the exterior remains the same.

Their main restaurant, the glamorous Lumiere, is expected to be THE place to wine and dine, see and be seen, especially with the French antiques and decor, elaborate tile work, rich leather walls, and a gorgeous zinc bar, warmly lit by century-old chandeliers.

Guests can also dine in a hidden Parisian courtyard surrounded by the glorious scents of lavender and jasmine plants and romantic Magnolia trees.

It sounds so perfect!

And it’s a wonderful return time for Phil who was there in its heyday when U.S. President Ronald Reagan held his birthday parties there, when Paul McCartney was performing in the ballroom, and when the Grammy’s were attended by the Who’s Who of the celebrity world.

So, with the LA Century Plaza’s gala reopening on September 27, you can expect to be surprised. Bank on it!! Tell you all next time …

NOTES TO TAKE NOTE OF

Speaking of exciting upcoming events in town, it should be quite the do when busy restaurateur, Emad Yacoub, launches his new swanky patio at Glowbal this month ...

Best and happiest news of the week is that dedicated and hardworking and just so nice Howard Soon has been named Wine Maker of the Year - and I couldn’t be happier! Kudos, Howard! ...

JOY AND BILL METCALFE celebrating 70 years of life together.

AND A MILESTONE FOR JOY & BILL

And finally, I’d like to send hugs and kisses to my husband Bill, retired captain with the Vancouver Fire Department, who has always been there for me over the years, loving, understanding, and supportive.

On Wednesday, September 29, with our five children, (eldest daughter Liz passed away from cancer five years ago), six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, we’ll pop the champagne corks to celebrate our 70th wedding anniversary …

Cheers everybody!