by Joy Metcalfe
(click imates to enlarge)

JOY TELLS US WHAT SHE REALLY THINKS
And She’s Not All That Happy!

Recently, I saw an ad online for a T-shirt that read “Politics Ruins Everything!” and I’m thinking of ordering it. Because, in the last few years, that statement has become more and more true.

The politicizing of everything, from the straws we use, to the cars we drive, has polluted our interactions with each other as Canadians and has silenced open dialogue and critical thinking.

I used to think how lucky we were to be born here in this incredible vast country.

My late Vancouver-born husband, Bill, was a member of the Vancouver Fire Department and the head of our household of six kids, three dogs, a sprawling older house in a pleasant neighborhood in North Van, one car, and a small summer cottage – all on one salary!

It’s hard to believe!… What happened?

Federal minister of finance Chrystia Freeland celebrates tiny micto apartments as one solution to the housing crisis.

With ever-soaring house prices in B.C. at an all-time high, where will families live these days? In one of those six houses built on a 50-foot lot? In one of those towering towers with no yard or green space? Or in one of those new structures in Victoria, which Chrystia Freeland flew in from Ottawa a couple of weeks ago to do the grand opening of; it’s yet another new tower — this one with micro apartments!? It has 320 square feet of living space for $1,600 per month. (320 square feet!!)

The average rent for a one-bedroom (600 to 800 square feet) apartment in Victoria is $1,500. This is the home of the future, in Freeland’s eyes, for lower to middle income Canadians, whose taxes have risen and dollars shrunk. It reminds me of those bus shelter ads awhile back showing a mother cuddling her baby with the caption “Let Sam be an only child”…

How does this happen?

Well, as the world has known for a very long time, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Politics are thrust upon us by wealthy, un-elected bureaucrats who have no conception of who we are as living, breathing, human beings, and no idea how their lofty aspirations affect the rest of us down here on the ground.

We are not relevant in their airy fairy world of make believe.

Down here, many can’t afford to fill our gas tanks or purchase an electric car. Last year was another record breaking year for food banks, with millions of Canadians turning up to feed themselves and their families.

This is outrageous! And totally unacceptable.

There are so many issues that we face in our city and our country: the ongoing problem of drugs and ‘safe supply,’ controversial measures taken during the pandemic, billions of dollars sent in support of foreign wars, the unbelievable growth of antisemitism in Canada, etc. etc.

There’s almost too many hot button issues to discuss.

And in the meantime, there is no help for our farmers, the outright condemnation of our truckers – especially convoy organizer Tamara Lich, who spent 18 days in jail – and our increasingly expensive food is being imported from the U.S., China, and Mexico, which does nothing to slow down climate change.

Did you know that Canada’s biggest export, by far, is our energy products?

People in power should focus their energy on helping families live decent lives with decent medical care, with a house to raise their families, with good food that they can afford, and fresh air to breathe in their own backyard.

One wonders what Mothers Against Drunk Driving would have to say about alcohol in public parks.

I am not a political person but what started this questioning rant was the fact that alcohol will be allowed in several city parks this summer. When I heard this, I was really upset and angered.

You can’t take your kids to the park without having alcohol in your picnic basket? How many years have the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) been preaching and begging Joe Public not to drink and drive?

There are many ways to get to parks. Take a bus, catch a cab, hitch a ride, just don’t drink and drive.

Trying to learn who proposed this off-the-wall idea was a challenge in itself. I’ve checked and it wasn’t David Eby’s idea, nor Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s idea, and it definitely was not an idea from the Vancouver Police Department, who have their concerns, especially about teens drinking in the park and driving home late on a Saturday night.

Apparently, it was the Vancouver Park Board and the City of North Vancouver.

Why?...

MEANWHILE, AT PARK ROYAL …

The doors are closed and locked, the tables and chairs are gone and the stoves are cold. It’s a big empty space that once held hundreds of hungry folk, anxious to get their teeth into a bigger, better burger.

Well, diners who turned up at the Park Royal White Spot a few weeks ago for their usual Sunday morning breakfast binge were due for a big disappointment. The location’s servers, bartenders, chefs and cooks have been transferred to other properties.

It’s really sad to see the familiar posters and signs, indicating their newest taste treat, all gone, and the patio bare and empty.

The White Spot has been an institution from the time it opened in 1928, becoming the largest chain of restaurants in Canada, known for consistency, reliability and popularity. Their Pirate Packs haven’t just been a good solid meal for the kids, but also raised unbelievable amounts of money for the Variety Club, the Zajac Ranch for Children, and all of B.C.’s underprivileged children and their families.

I have such fond memories of Chicken in the Straw, the Hot Turkey Sandwich, and the roller-skating servers taking your order. Also, the fun contest staged between myself and hockey’s Pat Quinn as to who could cut the packed burger the quickest on opening night of a new location ten years ago. Pat was laughing so hard, he almost fell off the stool. And the dining crowd loved it!

Seventy years ago, Park Royal welcomed the White Spot, opening a classy restaurant with a splashy fountain at the corner of Marine Drive and Taylor Way in West Vancouver. After sixty years, they moved further up the street for another ten years to the spot that has just closed.

The White Spot itself is not gone. There are several on the North Shore. But seventy years is a long, long, wonderful time in the life of a restaurant.

They must have been doing something right…

A FOND FAREWELL …

Canuck’s Goodwill Ambassador and former goaltender Kirk McLean shared some heartwarming stories at a celebration of Brian Hunter’s life.

Shockwaves filtered through Vancouver’s sporting circles with the news of the passing of longtime Molson Breweries rep, Brian Hunter, some weeks ago at the age of 80. Both the memorial service at Heritage Hall on Main Street and at the Celebration of Life at Pioneer’s Pub in Richmond resulted in overflowing crowds.

Hunter was a member of the famous Molson Mod Squad in the 1970s and ‘80s, back in the days when Molson, Labatt and Carling O’Keefe were in fierce competition for sports franchise sponsorships.

Former Molson mates Ronnie Paterson, Sean Lanigan, Don Brandt, Bruce Brill and Reg Beiiveau took turns at the microphone, while former Canuck goaltender, Kirk McLean (now the team’s goodwill ambassador) and Dallas Star’s owner, Tom Gagliardi shared some of their favourite Brian Hunter stories …

TENNIS EVERYONE? …

Tennis legend John McEnroe and former BC Lions’ two-time Grey Cup champion, Angus Reid, literally left a sold out 31st annual JCC Sports Dinner audience in awe with their respective podium appearances at the Hyatt Regency last month.

Interviewed by Global TV morning newsman, Jason Pires, McEnroe didn’t hold anything back as guest speaker. Known for his temper tantrums and baiting umpires in his playing days, McEnroe shared a compassionate side of his life, on and off the court.

Reid, the 2024 recipient of the Jack Diamond Sports Personality of the Year Award, received a thunderous standing ovation after relating his climb-up the competitive ladder of life.

Kudos as well to emcee, Canucks’ voice Al Murdoch, and auctioneer Howard Blank.

Year after year, they make the JCC sports dinner what it is today: the best of it’s kind in B.C….

GALA GALA DOS …

Now, back to the gala gala do’s…

The most exciting and totally different fund raising gala last week was the 34th annual Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) gala entitled “The Power of Music”. It was a marvellous dinner party held, for the first time ever, within the legendary multi-level Orpheum Theatre.

**Dino Renaerts of Bon Vivant Catering.**

Hundreds of happy symphony supporters enjoyed the magical and various live performances in the lobby. Meanwhile — upstairs on the second level — the crowd rushed to sample the tasteful menu offerings by top Chef Dino Renaerts, his wife and partner, Nessa van Bergen and their team from Bon Vivant Catering and Events. On offer were delicious canapes of Chicken Karaage Bites, Smoked Salmon Wrapped Asparagus, and Cheddar Mac’n Cheese Croquettes, along with the main course offerings of Beef Bourguignon, Miso-glazed Sable Fish, West Coast Chilled Seafood, Satay Bar, Basil Pistou, Wild B.C. Sidestripe Shrimp, and so much more.

For dessert, there were luscious Macarons, Tiramisu, Lemon Tarts, Million Dollar Strawberries and the Celebration Cake.

All the while, the entertainment continued with such performers as the Ukiyo String Quartet, The Astral String Quartet, trioconbrio, YoYo Duo, in-the-Pocket Project and the Seymour Street Jazz Ensemble.

Then our glorious Vancouver Symphony Orchestra took the stage, introduced by the evening’s emcees, Coleen Christie, Geena Jackson and Fred Lee, with welcoming remarks by the amazing Angela Elster, president and CEO of the VSO.

The orchestra’s performance was superb, with Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Saint-Saens Samson, Delila, and everyone’s favourite, Strauss’ Blue Danube Waltzes. Spotted several couples waltzing in the aisles!

It was an evening to treasure! Congratulations to everyone involved!

AND MORE TO COME …

I’ll catch up next time with the results of the VSO auction and the successful Vancouver International Wine Festival and their Bacchanalia Gala, Vancouver Cocktail Week and their Green Garden Gala, dining at the Century Plaza’s C|Prime Italian Restaurant and the Cocchia’s latest coup, as well as the church service for CKNW’s belated and oh-so-loved George Garrett.

Stay happy and well…
Joy