CAPTAIN COURAGE: Lorne Segal, the philanthropist, community builder and president of Kingswood Capital, will steer his 11th Courage to Come Back Awards. The annual awards program dedicated to celebrate British Columbians who have overcome adversity or illness and who inspire and give to others has raised millions for Coast Mental Health since its first staging in 1999. Wendy St. Marie and Jim Mandelin, two of 102 Courage recipients feted, were on hand for the launch of this year’s campaign, held at the corporate offices of Scotiabank, the awards presenting sponsor. Nominations for six categories — addiction, medical, mental illness, physical rehabilitation, social adversity and youth — will be accepted at couragetocomeback.ca until Feb. 12. The recipients will be feted at a gala dinner on May 5 at the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Convention Centre.
BRIGHT LIGHTS: With support from the community, sponsors, staff and volunteers, the 18th annual Lights of Hope fundraising campaign for St. Paul’s Hospital generated a record-setting $3.15 million, surpassing its $3-million goal to support the hospital’s greatest needs. Featuring over 10 km of lights, 100,000 bulbs, hundreds of sponsored stars, and built entirely by volunteers using donated materials, the Burrard Street spectacle has been a seasonal tradition raising more than $28.7 million, funding life saving equipment and priority programs. This year’s display shined a little brighter for one local couple. After contacting the foundation, Ontario-native Austen Renaud arranged to bring his girlfriend of 10 years Jocelyne Bonneau to the display where one special star posed a very important question under the twinkly lights. She said yes.
DINNER IS ON: Canada’s largest food and drink festival continues to push the menu on ways to enjoy the flavours of our city. Dine Out Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»returns for its 14th running, 17-days of culinary events, food-themed experiences, Dine and Stay packages and special hotel rate. A reported 288 restaurants will tempt foodies with their $20, $30 and $40 three-course prix fix menus. In 2003, the festival launched with just 57 restaurants. As well, this year will see 102 special culinary events to satisfy our palettes; from Master Classes with celebrated barkeep Lauren Mote, to Wines of B.C.’s Grape Debate and the festival’s first Winter Beer Hall. Tourism Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»CEO Ty Speer and festival organizer Lucas Pavan hosted the festival launch and Dine Around preview at the Four Seasons’s YEW Restaurant + Bar. More than 100,000 diners are expected to participate this year.Â
