by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)

RYAN REYNOLDS’ FAVOURITE RESTAURANT …

Loved this reply when actor and hometown hero Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool, The Proposal, Definitely, Maybe) was asked if he had any favourite B.C. restaurants, since he’s here so often relaxing in his welcoming home town. He replied quite emphatically, “My favourite restaurant in the world is Minerva’s!”

**Minerva general manager Desi Vasiliadis with Nonda Pavlakis, John Pavlakis.** *(@sandrasteierphotography)*

“…in the world!” Wow!! That would be Minerva’s Greek Restaurant on West 41st Ave.

It certainly did cause a ripple of happiness for the Pavlakis family since Dad, Nonda Pavlakis, bought it way back in 1975. Even 49 years ago, Kerrisdale was the perfect spot to introduce the unique flavours of Greece to the local populace. The Pavlakis’ dining spot is named after Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, trade, arts, and strategy.

The last movie Reynolds actually made here in Vancouver was two years ago and was a time travel feature directed by Shawn Levy for Netflix called The Adam Project, shot out at the PNE grounds with co-stars Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner.

Having Reynolds pronounce Minerva’s as his fave dining spot in the entire world adds a little extra glitter to their reputation…

A BUSY DAY IN JOY’S LIFE …

August 15 was one of my busier days — with four events that afternoon, beginning with the opening of the new Chinatown Foundation’s Story Telling Centre.

The new centre was packed with guests enjoying all the usual Chinese delights, orchestrated by generous benefactor Lily Lee and her hard working daughter Carol Lee, the head of the very progressive Chinatown Foundation.

They have brought a unique sense of place to 168 West Pender, a delightful part of old Chinatown. And so many more tourists and residents discovered this particular area during the foundation’s latest promotion, “Light Up Chinatown” on Saturday and Sunday, August 24 and 25 …

That was the same day that the Irish Consul General, Cathy Geagan, had invited guests to her very well attended Irish Pride Party, in the consulate at 1300 – 1095 West Pender. Our ebullient host had so many stories to tell, all enlivened with her Irish lilt.

**Irish consul Cathy Geagan and TWEJ's Joy Metcalfe.**

I didn’t even know that we had an Irish Consulate. Vancouver’s consular corp is still recovering from the COVID devastation and is presently updating their list. I hope that I’m on it, as I used to love consulate celebrations …

Then it was a quick dash up to the Rosewood Hotel Georgia and their spacious ballroom where car tsar Brian Jessel was holding court as he officially launched the summer edition of his Jessel Magazine. It was jammed!

I’m sure there were more than 300 happy partiers there, including Paul and Devina Zalesky, realtor Lori Rowe and hubby Lawrence Goulet, the Travel Guy’s Jim Gordon and Darren Parkman, B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame’s president Bill Allman, while Here for the Beer’s Joe Leary, all duded up in a glitzy blazer, was an impressive emcee. This extravagant celebration definitely attracted the town’s Top 40 crowd.

The tasty treats, the fab desserts, the wine, and the cocktails all added up to quite the gala gala do. Brian — with his wide grin, surrounded by hot babes — was in Seventh Heaven…

Speaking of The Rosewood Georgia Hotel, they have recently opened a new bar called Prophecy, with the entrance off of Howe. It’s got a long curving staircase down below the sidewalk level. But watch that last step. It’s tricky. I prophesize that Prophecy will be a great success. The service and menu is top notch …

A FOND FAREWELL …

Later that week, there was the funeral for CBC Radio’s famed 40-year broadcaster, Rick Cluff, at Christ Church Cathedral. It was a very solemn but beautiful church service.

Rick’s wife, Cecelia, his son James and daughter Mallory, and step children, David and Kalla along with Rick’s sister Patty, listened to the soaring hymns and to the wise and endearing speech by Reverend Alisdair Smith.

His topic that afternoon was grief, and he did it as an imaginary conversation with the always curious Rick, who would have started by asking Rev. Smith, “What can you tell us about grief?

Rev. Smith would answer that we’re not very good at it as a society or as individuals.

Rick would ask, “Why is that?”

Rev Smith would reply, “I think the answer is a complex tapestry because it takes us to places we don’t want to go.” Researcher Karla McLaren describes grief as “the deep river of the soul” noting that “grief transports you to the deepest places when you have no choice but to let go . Therapist Dixie Black said “our souls deep dive into the river of love.”

“In short,” the reverend said, “grief is a place where we must surrender control and the only way to deal with it, is through it. The key is to see grief as real, that we don’t ever really get over it. Just be in grief. It’s okay, it’s how we humans process loss.”

As Rev. Smith opined, “Once you have experienced it, you know that it never really goes away. We love our partners, our kids and grand-kids and when they die, we grieve. We’re not just sad, we are in grief.”

As the late Queen Elizabeth II said, following the death of Prince Philip, “Grief is the price we pay for love.”

Having lost Bill, my husband of 72 years, eighteen months ago, I couldn’t agree more.

The service concluded with Natalie Cole’s rendition of the tender ballad, “Smile” – the perfect ending to a memorable afternoon. Rest in peace, Rick …

**Vancouver Fire Department Captain Ron Hegedus.**

IN THE LINE OF DUTY

It is with profound sadness that the Vancouver Fire Department has reported the news of the Line of Duty death of Captain Ron Hegedus at age 59. Hegedus worked for the Fire and Rescue Services for 24 years as a career firefighter. He passed away peacefully on Aug. 16.

Ron bravely battled occupational cancer, a disease that he contracted in the line of duty and his loss is a stark heartbreaking reminder of the risks firefighters face in our service.

Ron was more than a colleague. He was a friend, mentor and leader to all. His warm presence will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Shelley, his two sons, family and friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, September 5 at St. Andrews Wesley Church at 10 a.m.

Til next time …