by Joy Metcalfe

POINT ROBERTS INTERNATIONAL PARK?

A column that I wrote in December 2020 ended, “They haven’t yet realized that the fight isn’t over! or, as Jimmy Durante would say, “You ain’t heard nothing yet!”.

Brian Calder on the Point Roberts beach.

Brian Calder is a onetime bright light of Vancouver civic politics, NPA supporter, and Sea Festival devotee. Well, he’s at it again, this time with a totally different approach.

Some years ago, Brian took his dual passport and returned to the southern shores of Point Roberts where he owned ten acres of land. He prepared to retire and relax in an entirely new way of life. But even the best laid plans …

He ended up with two dump trucks, two tractors, two pick-up trucks and a contractor’s license, with tons of work to do. He’s now also the president of the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce and the Dollars for Scholars program.

Then COVID hit and everything went downhill quickly.

Point Roberts is a five square mile property owned by the USA and located south of B.C., but not attached to the continental U.S. Some 85 percent of Point Roberts’ economic activity has always been driven by Canadian participation, with most of the properties owned by Canucks.

When COVID struck, the borders were closed and the economy was devastated. Stores, bars and gas stations closed and people departed along with their businesses. There are 1,100 permanent residents and the people who live there must travel 25 miles through B.C. and cross two international borders to get to the US mainland.

Some 90 percent of their economy and infrastructure depends on Canada; the US Customs building is connected to the Greater Vancouver sewage system; all water and electricity comes from B.C., and 60 percent of their firefighters are from Canada.

So, Brian’s latest idea, since both governments have ignored Point Roberts’ plight despite numerous letters and pleas, is why not make Point Roberts an International Park, governed by both Canada and the USA?

For those of my readers who have never been to this quaint little piece of heaven, just 30 miles south of Vancouver and with no ferry line-ups or planes to catch, it’s truly an undiscovered treasure. Good luck, Mr. C…

**Nick Felicella with his winning horse, Spaghetti Mouse.**

MEMORIES OF NICK’S

The passing of the late Nick Felicella, the owner of the iconic Italian restaurant Nick’s Spaghetti House, brings back so many happy memories. Nick’s Spaghetti House was located on Commercial Drive and immediately butted against the York Theatre, home of the Vancouver Little Theatre Association, where the late John Parker ruled as one of the city’s top theatrical directors.

So, Nick’s was a natural hangout for starving actors, stagehands and musicians. Even unemployed columnists like fabled publisher of The West End Journal, Kevin McKeown and his best buddy, the internationally known and totally incorrigible Jack Moore, broke bread regularly at the pasta palace.

In fact, after Jack passed away his Celebration of Life, a real whoop-dee-doo affair, was held there. Though Nick’s didn’t usually open for lunch, Nick made an exception for Jack’s send-off, and it was later said that the cook and staff who made it possible offered their time and talents for free. That’s how popular Jack was!

As well, the city’s top sports reporters congregated to chew the fat after covering the football games at Empire Stadium or the races at Exhibition Park or even the high schools’ annual Sports Day.

It was a place to relax and unwind and Nick loved it.

He and Pauline also loved the ponies. So it was, in a touch of daring, in September 2003, they purchased a yearling in a mixed sale in Langley. They wanted to call their new pride and joy Spaghetti House after their successful eatery but the Jockey Club rejected the application.

It was Pauline who came up with the winning name of Spaghetti Mouse, in honor of the horse’s dam, Desert Mouse.

Spaghetti Mouse did them proud. He had a spectacular career of nine seasons, all at Exhibition Park, earning the Felicella’s almost one million dollars, a record that still stands.

Nick and Pauline, who were married for 65 years, made their final appearance in the winner’s circle on Saturday, October 22, 2022.

When Nick unexpectedly passed away in early February, his funeral mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church was packed with family, friends and sad diners. It was a tribute to a legend, a hero of Vancouver’s Little Italy. Our deepest sympathy to Pauline and family…

A TUNE FROM THE PAST

And another jovial business personality and horseman is Darrell Jones, president of the Pattison Food Group, who has just launched Save On Foods’ new sales promotion.

It’s all wrapped around that very catchy and familiar tune created for Woodward’s department store, “Dollar Forty-Nine Day, Tuesday”. That prize winning commercial was hatched in the creative brain of CKNW’s Tony Antonius eons ago.

Darrell’s so cute when he whistles…

A CKLG PROMO FROM BACK IN THE DAY, FEATURING JIM HAULT.

A FOND FAREWELL

Sad to learn that another familiar broadcaster, Jim Hault, has passed away. If you ever met him, you would not forget him. Tall, dark and handsome, with a rich deep voice, Jim almost seemed to me to be a lonely soul, not much into socializing and mixing it up at parties.

He was born in Calgary in 1938, worked as a cub reporter for a number of radio stations before coming to Vancouver where, from 1967 to 1992, he worked at a variety of stations including CJOR, CFUN, CKLG and CKNW in Vancouver, making close friends including tiny Diana Tchkalian, and continued broadcasting as the voice of the news intros and promos for Global TV.

A quiet person, Jim loved life, family, and flying. Our deepest sympathy to his family…

THE JUDGES’ DECISION IS FINAL!

Quite the line-up of judges for the annual Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards this year, with such notable experts in the art of the grape as Barbara Philips, D.J. Kearney, Sebastian Legoff, Sid Cross, Kurtis Kolt, Terry David Mulligan and Mr. Everywhere, Tim Pawsey, taking part.

The wines will be tested, sampled and judged in April in Penticton, with the awards presented in a glittering affair on June 2, with B.C. Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin presiding.

VSO’S DAVID BUI WILL CONDUCT AT THIS YEAR’S VANCOUVER SYMPHONY GALA.

LOVER’S BALL

Over the years, one of my very favorite gala-gala-dos has been the annual fund-raising event for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. The Lover’s Ball took place every February. It’s now titled The Vancouver Symphony Gala.

Way back when, I remember the ladies immediately calling their dressmakers or haunting the shops for the finest of gowns. This was to be an event to remember. The evening arrived, the Hotel Vancouver awaited in glowing splendor, the sleek limos drove up to the door and, with an orchestral crescendo, the evening began.

I fondly recall gentlemen in their immaculate black tuxedos with glamorous ladies on their arms in their shimmering lacy and satin bejeweled gowns, swirling, dipping and gliding to the magnificent sounds of the VSO’s joyous and hauntingly familiar Straus waltzes.

You were instantly transported to another celestial world. It was a breathtaking scene.

I know there have been many changes over the years, but still the incredible talents that make up our Vancouver Symphony Orchestra have created one of the finest orchestras in the country and something of which we should all be very proud.

Tell you all about their exciting 33rd VSO gala with assistant conductor David Bui leading the orchestra, with two outstanding musicians receiving the Gold Baton Awards (famed pianist Oscar Peterson was one) at the Vancouver Convention Centre West in Joy’s Journal next time…

And don’t forget the second annual Vancouver Cocktail Week begins March 5 and runs through March 11 …

Cheers!