SHINE ON: Steered by two-time chair Alice Chung, and vice-chair Judy Leung, and with the support of 380 guests, VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation’s Time to Shine Gala raised a remarkable $2.88 million for the hospital’s Future of Surgery campaign, enhancing surgical care for British Columbians. Chung, along with six matching fund donors, led the way to the record-breaking success to support the foundation’s new $60-million campaign to build 16 new state-of-the-art operating rooms. Todd Talbot, host of Love it or List it Vancouver, and Phoenix TV host Lisa Wu emceed the spectacular East-meets-West four-course dinner and live-auction held at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel and sponsored by Viva Pharmaceuticals. Five one-of-a-kind experiences got the philanthropy party started, but the biggest moment came when attendees opened their heart and emptied their wallets of major gifts ranging from $1,000 to $150,000. In just three short years, the event — organized and supported by the Asian community — has raised nearly $7 million.
GALE’S GOT GAME: Lilian Steenbock and Emilio Zorrilla de la Garza’s Juniper Restaurant has become a popular watering hole in Chinatown. Shaun Layton’s gin-forward concept — a nod to the eatery’s moniker — put this Keefer Street establishment on the culinary map. While Layton has moved on, Max Borrowman carries on the tradition with an evolving list of gin and tonics and smart cocktails. Looking to build a food program to match the winning cocktails, Josh Gale joins the team. The Vancouver-born, self-taught chef arrives with a notable CV, with stints at Fable, Nicli’s Next Door and, most recently, the meat forward, award-winning Wildebeest. And game features prominently on Gale’s first winter menu, from elk tartare, bison short rib and perfectly prepared marrow served with octopus crispy potato, apple and sea asparagus, recently introduced to foodies and local media. Those less game will appreciate Gale’s pillowy soft potato gnocchi accompanied by leeks, almonds, black trumpet mushrooms and black truffle.
REVEALING WOMEN: Parviz Tanavoli, the celebrated Iranian artist and sculptor, who now calls West Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»home, launched his latest book European Women in Persian Houses at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Barred temporarily from leaving his native Iran for a similar book event in London last year because his internationally collected works was deemed controversial, Tanavoli’s latest 246-page hard cover explores the eyebrow-raising period in Persian Society when images of European women dressed in — by Iranian standards — revealing clothing started appearing on the walls of Iranian homes sparking curiosity and titillation. Less veiled, Tanavoli’s daughter Tandar, and a committee of women organized the much-anticipated Yaletown book launch and artist reception in support of the Neekoo Philanthropic Society, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting students and the next generation of exceptional Iranian leaders.
GAME ON: For 11 years under the guidance of tournament director Floyd Hill, the Odlum Brown VanOpen was a summer staple for tennis fans that attracted the sport’s up and coming stars. From Maria Sharapova, Vasek Pospisil and Milos Raonic, these players all got their start at Hollyburn Country Club, the venue host. Following Hill's departure last year, the ATP Challenger event was on a hiatus until a new leader was identified. Enter former player and 37-time Challenger doubles winner Rik de Voest, who will assume the role of tournament director, and tennis enthusiast Carlota Lee, as tournament chair. This year’s dates of Aug. 12 to 20 were announced at a recent reception. Partial proceeds will benefit CLICK, a community-based foundation supporting the lives of inner city kids.
Hear Fred Mondays 8:20am on CBC Radio’s The Early Edition AM690 and 88.1FM; Email: [email protected]; Twitter:
