JOY'S JOURNAL
/by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)
Umberto, tell us it aiin’t so!
CAN IT BE TRUE?
Scoop! Scoop! Word on the street is that one of my favourite Vancouver restaurants, the popular and award-winning Giardino is up for sale. It breaks my heart because of everything we’ll miss — from the lush paintings and gilt touches to the comfortable seating, to the genial and proficient staff, and, especially to its fabulous and much loved Tuscan menu.
I'm still trying to confirm this with Umberto Menghi, Vancouver's long-time restaurateur. I truly believe that Umberto, commonly known by ladies who care, as “The Italian Stallion”, was the one who introduced pasta to the populace....
30 YEARS OF CARING AND GIVING
Congratulations today to a necessary and deserving charity and to the woman who helped found and spearhead it, Mary McCarthy Parsons.
Mary is the daughter of the late Grace McCarthy, former Vancouver businesswoman and dynamic Tourism Minister in the Social Credit government who, among many other tourism attractions, opened our first and vitally important film office, created our Cruise Ship Centre and lit up the Lions Gate Bridge.
Grace then turned her enormous energy to the cause of sick children suffering from bowel and liver disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease, and founded the worthy CHILD Foundation in 1995. Over the years, the CHILD organization has raised millions of dollars for awareness and research, hosted golf tourneys, dinner galas, and Spring fashion shows, built a research lab (the first of its kind in B.C.) and established two endowed research chairs, one at UBC and another at BC Children's Hospital.
Grace passed away on May 24, 2017 and her daughter, Mary Parsons, took over the enormous job as president and chief executive officer of CHILD.
Big shoes to fill, but she has done very well, despite the death of her much loved husband, Barry. Mary has worked so long and so hard that she became ill herself, but is recovering rapidly.
It's the CHILD Foundation' s 30th anniversary, and there’s a big celebration planned for the occasion. My heartiest congratulations, Mary, and to the entire hard-working team at CHILD.
And a wee prayer up to heaven to the late CKNW's John Plul, the creative genius who was there, helping Grace and Mary at every turn...
THE MEMORIES WILL REMAIN …
That old adage, "you'll never miss it ‘til it's gone" is so true, especially when it comes to the demise of the Hudson Bay stores. That's where we bought our clothes, shoes, parkas, furniture, lawn mowers, washing machines … everything.
My mother would always trust The Bay because they had the most handsome male floorwalkers. Can you imagine that today!
One of the most special dresses I ever bought at the Bay (with mother in tow since I was only 18) was my long white wedding gown, way back in 1951.
In 1952, husband Bill and I bought a brand new baby carriage, which was, in fact, very well built since it lasted through five more babies...
Andrea Trifunovits (left) and fashion reporter Yvonne Mafei.
CASHMERE HEAVEN …
I have discovered a delightful and quite unique boutique in downtown Vancouver. It's called Brunello Cucinelli, a small emporium of exquisite taste, offering the finest cashmere fashions for both women and men, everything from dresses to gala gowns to suits, jackets, shoes to glamorous stoles and colourful ties. The shop is named after its 72-year-old Italian creator and designer, Brunello Cucinelli.
At the age of 25, Brunello began producing and dyeing cashmere garments, choosing the material because of its quality and durability. I mean, no one ever throws away even an old worn out cashmere sweater.
From left: Farrah Sanei, Bianca Zanatta, Linda Mah, and Linda Newby.
This charming boutique had an intimate showing last week with a host of fashionable customers, including: popular makeup artist, Farrah Sanei; Linda Mah, the glamourous wife of Jim Murray, who is a partner of BMW’s Brian Jessel; Bianca Zanatta in her cute blue spring outfit and new hairdo; lovely long-haired family lawyer, Lisa Newby; Andrea Trifunovits, the wife of the Italian Consul General; Federico Sangalli and Elisabetta Franchi of Made in Italy; and Barbara Bianchi, the wife of Vanni Santini, the former Whitecaps coach.
With tasty snacks and cooling sodas and wine, it was a fun afternoon.
If you do drop by to check it out, the very knowledgeable Delia Tan, the store's manager, is there to help.
I was pleased to discover this shop of relaxed elegance and very surprised to learn that it just celebrated its tenth anniversary in the 700 block of Thurlow...
RETIRED RC PRIEST JIM COMEY (LEFT) AND BIRTHDAY BOY MEL ZAJAC.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEL!
What a treat it was to be watching over the lush greens at the posh Capilano Golf Course last week as we gathered to dine and celebrate the birthday of Vancouver's popular humanitarian, Mel Zajac. It was Mel's 97th birthday and the guests were his family, close business associates, and longtime pals, like Rev. Jim Comey, the retired RC priest.
The menu was a starter of Roasted Pear Iceberg Wedge Salad with the main entree a choice between Mushroom Crusted Beef Tenderloin or the Miso Glazed Sablefish. Heading the evening's entertainment was talented singer-pianist Diane Lynes and flautist Larry Beauregard, who added a fun touch to the evening's entertainment.
FLAUTIST LARRY BEAREGARD AND SINGER-PIANIST DIANE LYNES.
Diane was the late Dal Richards favourite singer wherever and whenever Dal and the orchestra played for his thousands of dancing fans. Diane was definitely an added attraction to the birthday party atmosphere.
Mel, the man of the moment, with his numerous awards including The Order of Canada and the Order of B.C., was already looking forward to Saturday's Zajac Ranch fundraiser, Zajac Nights, at the Terminal City Club...
A LIONS GATE GALA GALA DO …
From all accounts, the annual Lions Gate Hospital Gala party was a fun evening held at the Capilano Golf Club, the same spot as Mel Zajac's birthday bash. The good news is that emcee Fiona Forbes and the hard-working organizing committee raised an amazing $1,047,039.
From the photos I was sent, it was a great turnout with most of the enthusiastic dancers trying out all the old favourites, from waltzes to jazz to swing, with the most popular being The Charlston! Da Da! Da Da...
The reason that I didn't attend and cover this affair is that I was in quite a bit of pain after suffering a deep gash in my right leg. It is definitely on the mend. Now if I can just get my too-high blood pressure down.
Stan Yip, with coverage of one his more memorable guests at the bayshore, Howard Hughes.
A MEMORIAL IN BLOOM
If you're walking or running the seawall near the Westin Bayshore Hotel, you can spot a brightly coloured tree that has just begun to bloom. It's a weeping cherry tree with gorgeous pink flowers and this is its first blossoming.
The tree was planted a couple of years ago to honour the late Stan Yip, beloved husband to his wife Jane, a caring father, friend, colleague, and famed concierge who worked at the Westin Bayshore for 46 years.
Stan was so dedicated to his job, but also to his fellow employees, keeping the entire staff engaged and involved in various sports and other activities with the other hotels and organizations...
CLOSING NOTES …
ON THE MEND … Speaking of hotels, do send a card or note to one of Vancouver's most popular and long-lived Vancouver hotel managers, Steve Halliday. Steve's "vacationing" in Burnaby General ...
ANOTHER “LAUNCH” … It's that time again! It's the seventh annual Pacific Autism Family Network luncheon fundraiser called “Launch” and this year, because of its tremendous success in selling out at the Bayshore, organizers have moved the popular fundraiser to the Convention Centre West. The date is Thursday, November 27. Get your tickets now because it always sells out.
Happy June, everybody!...
