JOY'S JOURNAL
/by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)
AROUND THE WORLD WITH JOHN D’EATHE
He has done it again! John D'Eathe, the wise and witty gentleman author has always framed his books with a social objective.
john d’eathe.
His first book, Tokkie Smith and the Colour of Rugby was launched in 2018, restoring the reputation of rugby great, Tokkie Smith, who founded interracial rugby sevens and lost everything, including his life, for the sport he loved. The book was very well received in Hong Kong and in South Africa where it is the subject of a national television review.
Launched in 2021, John's second book Laundering The Dragon is an historical novel that exposes the extensive and unchallenged money crime in Canada.
In a full page review in 2023, Vancouver Sun’s Douglas Todd opined that "Laundering is a fast moving crime novel filled with colourful characters. It explores the problems that Canadian law enforcement officials appear unable to tackle.''
According to the author, the book has received wide interest and has now attracted movie production interest.
Now, hot off the press, his latest effort has the unique tongue in cheek title of Celebrities Who Have Met Me and subtitled A Child of the Lost Empire.
His latest trip to the typewriter is a whimsical memoir filled with fascinating and often humorous situations with notable names, hilarious circumstances, and surprising encounters, all evolving around the fading of "The Empire".
It was during John's continuing journey around the world that he met those individuals who people his book, like leading actor Orson Welles, top politicians Tommy Douglas and Margaret Thatcher, Prince Philip, Margaret Mead, Paul McCartney, Bill Buckley, Benazir Bhutto and actors Martin Landau and Dudley Moore, and funny man Johnny Carson and so many more. The book is a compendium of facts, fun and anecdotes.
You'll love it!...
Rosanne Pancotta (Prosecco sponsor), Ilaria Baldan , and May Li (Expedia Travel)
A VENETIAN MASQUERADE
Something I loved was the recent Venetian Masquerade, organized by the very active Italian Chamber of Commerce , Canada West, orchestrated beautifully by the Chamber's Ilaria Baldan and hosted by Brian Jessel BMW and held at his spacious BMW showroom.
It was a fun night with guests in bejewelled costumes and fantastic masks. CHEKTV’s Jim Gordon and Leeta Liepins, hosts of “Our City Tonight”, were emcees, introducing the onstage singers and dancers .
Jim Murray (Top Exec at Brian Jessel's BMW) and Ilaria Baldan.
Brian Jessel’s top man and senior executive, Jim Murray welcomed the crowd, that included a surprise guest via sattelite, the Mayor of the City of Venice, Simone Venturini.
Variety Club stalwart and top auctioneer, Howard Blank’s wife took ill just before the auction and he had to leave. So emcees Jim and Leeta stepped into the breach and carried on.
One of the super items was a $15,000 seven-night Mediterranean cruise to Venice, donated by Expedia Travel’s May and James Li, who are happily celebrating their tenth year in the travel business at their business on West 12th. Air Canada’s Chase Myhill offered the transportation and the prize was snapped up immediately.
I also spotted the Italian Consul General Paolo Miraglia Del Giudice with his wife, Andrea Trifunovits, Surrey City Councillor and head of Crimestoppers Linda Annis, Marco Zanatta and his wife Bianca, who produced the first Venice Masquerade in Vancouver 23 years ago, the recently chosen Italian Canadian Man of the Year, Michael Cuccione and his niece, Gloria Cuccione, who spearheaded fundraising for the young Michael Cuccione who passed away at the age of 13. The Micheal Cuccione fund is now approximately $30,000. It is such a worthy endeavor to help children stricken with Hodgkin's disease.
AN AUTUMN GALA-GALA-DO
The Chinatown Foundation’s Autumn Gala was a sea of gorgeous roses, blooms and flowers throughout Fairmont’s Hotel Vancouver’s hallways, setting the stage for a spectacular gala event. And the colour was red - red roses and blooming flowers cascading everywhere, the entire setting so elegant.
Sophie Lui wowed the crowd in a slim white sequined gown as she welcomed the 700 dressy guests.
Topping the list of important VIPs was the Lee family matriarch Lily Lee, who looks incredible, the very generous Michael Audain and his pretty wife Yoshi, the new U.S Consul General Jim Hart, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim (no jeans), popular designer Joy Mauro and her husband; John Teti of the much missed Puccini's on Main and his close pal, handsome Roger Gibson. It was Roger who brought fun nights to Gastown, especially with his Pink Pussy Cat night club.
Both Roger and John are longtime Vancouver supporters of Carol Lee and her revitalized Chinatown Foundation.
I also spotted the Segal family, Karla Marx, Marg Vandenburg, and the Bosa family, among the 700 guests ...
SOLD OUT — AGAIN!
Kudos to that hard working pair, Wendy and Sergio Cocchia of the popular Century Plaza Hotel and founders of the Pacific Autism Family Network who had their annual fundraising "Launch" luncheon at the Bayshore Hotel, sold out completely once again with about 700 guests taking part.It’s always a big winner.
Tell you all about that in my next Joy's Journal on January 1st, 2025! …
SEASON’S BLESSINGS!
In the meantime, I pray that you all have a glorious Christmas and Happy New Year celebrations. And please do take a moment to appreciate the meaning of this holy time.
Christmas is more important than ever. Let the sounds of the ageless Carols and Christmas music move your spirit.
Stay safe, be kind and love your family!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!
Love, Joy
