by Joy Metcalfe

A LUNCHEON FOR AUTISM …

It was a winner in every possible way! The much anticipated Pacific Autism’s LAUNCH luncheon at the popular Westin Bayshore couldn’t have been better planned, organized and carried out, focusing on the theme of “meaningful inclusion”.

This was the annual fundraiser produced and orchestrated by the hospitality world’s Wendy and Sergio Cocchia and their Pacific Autism Family Network. Wendy is renowned for getting things done on time and on budget and this was a perfect example.

More than 800 dressy guests attended the charitable do, including B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin with her aides in smart red serge, Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer and his top brass, Vancouver Fire Department’s Chief Karen Fry, and Chief Justice Robert Bauman.

Former media personality, blonde Pamela Martin was seen on screen interviewing parents of autistic children,

Also in attendance were Vancouver Deputy Mayor Sarah Kirby-Yung, Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry, Variety’s Barbara Stewart, Arlene McDonald and former VPD Sergeant Linda “Madonna” Stewart and the President and CEO of the Vancouver International Airport, Tamara Vrooman, who has partnered with the Pacific Autism Family Network to create empowering and supportive opportunities in our communities since airports connect the world.

Pacific Autism’s LAUNCH luncheon producer Wendy Cocchia.

Global TV’s anchor Sophie Lui, in slim forest green, was emcee while Fred Lee performed, with a little help from Sophie, as auctioneer with the huge list of prizes and auction items worth thousands of dollars to be won by generous bidders.

Of course the icing on the cake was 24-year - Kodi Lee, the talented young blind and autistic man who was the prize winner in the 2019 America’s Got Talent competition. His mother Tina was there on stage with him, telling his story. It was amazing to watch this young fellow caress the piano and sing with such fervor. It had to give a glimmer of hope to all those parents of autistic children praying for that miracle breakthrough for their child.

The standing ovation for Kodi was loud, long, sustained and certainly well-deserved.

Just as it should be for the dedicated Cocchia family, major “game changers” for all that they do.

And bravo too to the hotel”s head chef Ronaldo Garcia and his team and the staff and management of The Westin Bayshore who pulled it off in record time …

THE DAFFODIL BALL RETURNS

The other good news is that the annual and very worthy Daffodil Ball, a major fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, will once again return to Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on April 15th. This year the ball was held for the first time ever outside of downtown Vancouver, taking place at the Polygon Gallery in North Van.

Someone who had a grand time dancing the night away at that gala was John D’Eathe, well-known jurist and author of the intriguing fact-based novel called Laundering the Dragon.

This past September, John and his charming wife Lane spent a fabulous week in New York and were on their way to United Kingdom with a stop in Montreal to visit Lane’s family, when John suddenly suffered a major heart attack and ended up in the Royal Victoria Hospital. Apparently they have the best cardiac unit, being connected to the McGill Medical School.

Fortunately, doctors operated within three hours, so that was one lucky break. After weeks of recovery, the pair finally made it home to West Van where John was delighted to learn that his Laundering the Dragon is now on the Preferred Authors list in all North Shore libraries.

That will definitely aid in his recovery…

Tireless fundraiser for good causes Bianca Fusco Zanata.

THE FINALE TO A GREAT FUNDRAISING SEASON …

It was one way for that dynamic pixie Bianca Fusco Zanata to wind up her year of successful money raising for various children’s causes, including Variety the Children’s Charity, Kids Help Phone, the YWCA’s Crabtree Corner, Spirit of the Children, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Coast BC.

It was through her Variety Club position and connections that she was able to gather and ship hundreds upon hundreds of children’s books packed gently into a new 24-seat Sunshine Coach for the indigenous kids in the Gitxsan area.

To celebrate, she decided to make more money for the needy kids and host her twenty-second annual Christmas luncheon with generous friends last week at Umberto’s Giardino Restaurant.

Giardino’s has to be one of the prettiest restaurants in town and the ladies flocked to it, also hoping to catch sight of the likable, long-lived sexy owner. Tell you all the goings on next time …

Mervin Peters (rear) with Johnny Longden at Exhibition Park.

HONORING MERVIN PETERS …

Wonderful turnout last month to honor the life and times of the late Mervin Peters, who passed away after a long illness at the age of 91.

Merv started his career as a copy boy at the Vancouver Sun before his meteoric rise through the ranks to become sports editor. He had always been partial to horses and horse racing and eventually became right-hand man to the legendary Jack Diamond, the owner of Exhibition Park.

Mervin was responsible for all the upgrading and expansion of the horse track and brought in night racing, improved lighting, the name change to Hastings Racecourse and a resurgence of horse racing fans.

He was a good boss — knowledgeable, determined, affable, firm but fair.

A widower, he’s survived by his longtime partner, Marlene Hayes, his three children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

It must have been gratifying for the family to see such a good crowd at Mervin’s Celebration of Life at the Hollyburn Country Club, with such familiar faces as “Dr. Sport” Greg Douglas, the ageless Archie McDonald, and former scribe turned PR man Brian Pound, along with other members of the media sporting world.

Nice touch by the Vancouver Sun and Province.newspapers whose bosses paid tribute to their good friend with a live tree planted in his memory.

Rest in peace, Merv…

THE GALA GALA DO BEAT GOES ON …

Almost the end of the year and with the COVID curse abating, there are already so many things planned for 2023, including the above mentioned Daffodill Ball at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on April 15.

The Alchemist’s Gail Nugent and Joanna Sasvari hosted a fun cocktail party at Robbie Kane’s charming and cozy Medina’s Restaurant in downtown Vancouver to announce that their second annual Vancouver Cocktail Week is a go and will return next spring. The announcement of their second annual event holds the promise of another exciting week in March, with every bar and bartender in the Greater Vancouver area readying their skills and imagination for next Spring’s challenge March 5 through 11 ….