JOY'S JOURNAL
/Grace McCarthy.
SOMETIMES THEY GET IT RIGHT!
The Vancouver Parks Board has irritated and annoyed many people over the years with their rigid jurisdiction of the roads and parks in our city’s green spaces, especially with their treatment of the Stanley Park roads and bike lanes last summer and the resulting furor.
But every now and then, they do something right.
Last month they unanimously voted to recognize in a concrete way one of our province’s greatest supporters, a person whose drive, determination and passion has helped make British Columbia the envy of the country. Her name was Grace McCarthy, and her many contributions to the City will be acknowledged with a new plaque and plaza by Bloedel Conservatory.
Grace McCarthy was the first female vice-chair of the Parks Board in 1966 and went on to win successfully in the Little Mountain area in the B.C. election that same year. Her ideas sparked the founding of the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, along with the creation of the Bloedel Conservatory in 1969 as a Canadian Centennial project and, finally, in 1970, convinced the province and the feds to fund the Van Dusen Gardens completion.
She also continued her lobbying of the provincial government to enable women to apply for a mortgage without a male guarantor. And her appointment as the first female deputy premier in Canada opened the way for generations of women in provincial politics.
Grace was also responsible (with an okay from the Guinness family) for the sparkly lights on the Lions Gate Bridge (sometimes referred to by old-timers as “Gracie’s Necklace”), the Stanley Park Christmas Train, the creation of B.C.’s first-ever Film Centre, our fantastic SkyTrain line, the successful World Exposition “Expo ‘86”, and the establishment of the worthy C.H.I.L.D. Foundation for children suffering from Crohn’s Disease, Liver Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
I also recall an evening that has been remembered and treasured for a very long time. It was the triumphant opening of the new Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, made possible by the “Amazing Grace” who, as economic development minister in the SOCRED government, battled the odds and won.
The speeches that evening were spontaneous, heartfelt and long overdue. NW’s Gary Bannerman was the evening’s MC, proud that he had taken up the fight along with Grace to save Pier B.C. , creating our thriving Cruise Ship Centre. Just another feather in Grace’s cap. The year was 1987.
The West End Journal’s editor and publisher Kevin Dale McKeown recalls a conversation he had with Grace at a private dinner party at the late broadcaster Dave Abbott’s home, when he found himself sharing a sofa with her after dinner. They chatted about this and that and Kevin mentioned how grateful he was for her contributions to the city every time he looked up at the magnificent “sails” at the convention centre. “Grace then told me that she still had the scale model for the Trade and Convention Centre in her garage, and that nobody seemed to want it.” I wonder where it is today!
Kevin then went on to ask Grace if she knew what some folks who had been on social assistance when she was minister in charge called the day that welfare cheques were issued. “Well, I know they called it ‘Welfare Wednesday’” she replied. She then went on to tell Kevin that when Premier W.A.C. Bennett appointed her to that portfolio, he instructed her that “We always have to remember and take care of the poor and the disadvantaged, Grace.” And then Kevin reports that he actually brought a tear to her eye when he told her something she'd never heard before: “Yes, it was Welfare Wednesday, but they also used to call it “Our Day of Grace” and some of the elder recipients still do.”
Grace began her blossoming career as a florist so the siting of the Grace McCarthy Plaza alongside of the much-lauded Bloedel Conservatory, high atop Little Mountain, couldn’t be more appropriate. Take a bow, Parks Board members, you’ve got it right this time! ...
Malcolm Hasman and son Max.
CLASSIC CARS RAISE $$$ FOR KIDS …
The second annual Classic and Contemporary Car Invitational welcomed car enthusiasts, collectors and guests to Ambleside Park in West Van last month as their second major fundraiser for Canuck Place, the renowned children’s hospice in Shaughnessy. Founded by businessmen Dave Lede and Kevin England and their families, the money raised that afternoon will go to support CPCH BC and the Yukon’s only pediatric care provider for more than 800 children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
It was a bright sunny day as more than 200 invited guests oohed and aahed over the fabulous 40-plus showcase automobiles on display and enjoyed yummy canapes by Edge Catering, along with beer, wine and cocktails.
Spotted among the jovial crowd were Canuck alumni Cliff Ronning and Geoff Courtnall, Judith and her auto king hubby Gary Morrey, top realtor Malcolm Hasman and son Max, Jill and Mike Killeen (get that man back on TV!), Monica Soprovich, Lori Rowe, photo whiz Gladys Lee, Canuck Place’s Debbie Boone in a soft green pantsuit (so comfortable!) and my two favourite people who have worked so hard on this project, All West’s Devina and Paul Zalesky.
Davina and Paul Zalesky.
While it was a happy afternoon of discovery, it was also a time for Kleenex at the ready as Crystal Jones recounted the story of her family ‘s journey to Canuck Place with their little three-year-old son, Sawyer, who received end-of-life care and who passed away at Canuck Place just a day after the first car fundraiser last September.
At the end of the day, as Dave and Kevin and their close supporters counted the dollars, they were ecstatic to announce that their unique second annual Classic and Contemporary Car Invitational had raised more than $840,000!
Kudos to all involved …
Wendy Cocchia is at it again!
WENDY STRIKES AGAIN! …
Just in case you missed my recent scoop on my Facebook page, that human dynamo, Wendy Cocchia, is at it again! She has organized a huge gala fundraiser for late fall for her worthy Pacific Autism Family Network. The all-important date is November 25 at the Westin Bayshore.
Wendy has devoted an enormous amount of time and energy in raising funds to help children and she’s alerting her fans to get their luncheon tickets early.
You have to be there! ...
20 YEARS FOR THE OPUS HOTEL …
Hard to believe but the charming Opus Hotel in downtown Vancouver is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Founder and businessman John Evans long had a dream of owning a small hotel ever since he began his major North Vancouver project years ago. It was to build a first ever hotel on top of a market place.
The end result was the cozy and thriving Lonsdale Quay Hotel, with its Carrie Cates suite and the multitude of stores offering fresh fruit and veggies, bakeries, fish markets and unique and handmade jewellery, gifts, merchandise, shops and restaurants on the main floor.
The Opus Hotel at 322 Davie Street is in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It’s elegant and sophisticated with a loads of charm, art and color.
John also has an experienced team headed by new general manager Sarah Vallely who, as the daughter of veteran hotelier, Steven Peters, has grown up in hotels and worked in every facet of the industry She is smart, industrious, dedicated, and the youngest female hotel GM in Canada …
EVER-EXPANDING DINING-OUT CHOICES
Over the past three weeks, more than a dozen new restaurants have opened their doors, including Casa Mia, neighbourhood Cucina and Mercato in West Vancouver, Nox near the Bayshore on Georgia, and Riley’s across from the Pan Pacific … all of them top notch.
Nox managing partner Alejandro Diaz and chef Sam Fabbro.
Casa Mia invokes the spirit of an Italian town square, relaxed, welcoming and congenial. Watching chef Alessandro Vianello lovingly create his pasta before us demonstrated his skill and deep love for the Italian classics. Among the crowd of invited guests enjoying the repast were Joanne (Cocktail Week) Sasvari, Shelley Hayashi, Condrea Fung and Florence Leung, editor and founder of Penduium Magazine.
Chef Alessandro also gifted us as we left with bowls of rigatoni and spicy tomato sauce to enjoy at home. Such an unexpected and thoughtful gesture …
The new Nox on Georgia, was totally different, dark and sophisticated with padded booths that could seat numerous guests. Managing partner Alejandro Diaz and chef Sam Fabbro are the two geniuses behind the award-winning el Santo in New West, while Lucia Nahacka is Nox’s GM and wine director.
Nox is named after the ancient Roman goddess of the night, and the inspiration for Nox’s food offerings combine the chef’s Italian heritage with West Coast cuisine. Nice to see author and columnist Kasey Wilson enjoying the dinner and the atmosphere. As I had to depart early, I’ll sample the menu at a later date.
Glowbal’s newest restaurant, Riley’s Fish and Steakhouse, joins Emad Yacoub’s Glowbal Group empire that includes Italian Kitchen, Black+ Blue, Trattoria, Coast, the Fish Shack, The Five Sails, Nosh and their premier restaurant, Glowbal. Riley’s opening launch celebrated Emad’s 20th anniversary in the restaurant business and the opening party was the icing on the cake!
CTV’s morning anchor Jason Pires and PR Michelle Lan at the opening of Riley’s restaurant.
CTV’s handsome morning anchor Jason Pires was along with about 600 eager guests to sample of huge plates of delectable canapes like fresh cod bites, tiny hamburgers, tender Wagyu beef on sticks, oysters, clams and shrimp, charcuterie platters along with champagne, wine and cocktails.
Riley also has some of the most glamorous hostesses around, including restaurant manager Jennifer McLean and assistant general manager, Natasha Vidal.
It was very endearing to see Emad, the gruff culinary tycoon, accepting praise for the new dining spot as he very proudly displayed photos of his adorable 18-month old twins.
Riley’s is within walking distance of three major hotels – The Pan Pacific, Fairmont’s Pacific Rim, and Fairmont’s Waterfront Hotel which, incidentally, celebrates its 21st birthday on July 8! The congenial Michael Kaille was the pretty hotel’s first GM ...
“Laundering The Dragon” reveals just how naive we’ve been.
FROM MY NOTEBOOK …
AN UNEXPECTED DISMISSAL … And on a more jarring note, the local hockey media is very shocked and disappointed over the dismissal of Chris Brunwell, vice president of communications and community partnership for the past nine years, having worked in the Canuck organization for 18 years. He was named full-time director of media relations in September of 1996 and held that position for nine years. The Canucks simply say that they are restructuring their business leadership group. Brumwell has been described by hockey veterans as “one of the most genuine people you’ll ever meet in the sports business.” …
HOW NAIVE ARE WE? … Reading John D’Eathe’s intriguing and far-seeing Laundering the Dragon novel, one cannot help but feel that as Canadians, we really can be naïve and trusting souls. Even the mighty RCMP can be blinded by incompetent and uncaring individuals. The Cullen Reports skims the surface …
A TOUCHING TALE … Also high on my anticipated summer reading list is Pauline Buck’s funny/sad/ touching tale, Winging It: A Story of Love, Loss and 50 Chickens. As author and former president and CEO of Tourism Vancouver Rick Antonson says: “This book will help many to nurture others through grief but also enable their self-esteem through their own bouts of humour and uncertainty, disappointment and resolve.”
Until next month … Cheers!
