Actor Rob Lowe has been a Hollywood heartthrob since the early 80s. But even with a successful career, famous friends and lots of money, he’s the first to tell you that ‘living the life’ wasn’t always easy. In town last week for the Turning Point Recovery Society’s 5th annual gala fundraiser, the distractingly handsome lead man was happy to lend his name to the BC organization that provides residential addiction support and recovery throughout the Lower Mainland. Today, after a long battle with alcohol addiction, he’s riding high on the recent success of his newest tv show, Parks and Rec, – and his best-selling book “Stores I Only Tell My Friends” was the basis of his keynote speech at the gala event. And with the worst of his addictions hopefully behind him, he seems more than ready to become a role model both on and off the screen. Also last week, the tourism folks from Calgary were in town for a special reception celebrating the launch of the Calgary Stampede Centennial 100 Years celebration. White hats and hospitality were on the menu as folks from all over were encouraged to kick up their heels and come on out for “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” July 6-15, 2012. Yeehaw!
01 – Trilogy Properties president and CEO John Evans opened his home to host the Calgary Stampede 100 Years event kickoff with VIPs like North Vancouverite and Global National TV news anchor Dawna Friesen.
02 – Calgary top chef Paul Rogalski, left, of Rouge restaurant, joins forces with our own Lee Humphries, of C Restaurant fame to serve up delicious elk canapes and fois gras mulligatawny at the Calgary Stampede 100 Years event.
03 – VIP guests Lori Chalmers and BC Housing VP Craig Crawford attend the Rob Lowe / Turning Point gala pre-reception.
04 – Working to help stop addiction, Turning Point Recovery Society VP Malcolm Summersby and his fiancee Marlene get a chance to chat with Rob Lowe at the pre-reception party.
05 – It was a thrill for yours truly to get a chance to chat with Hollywood actor Rob Lowe. And yes ladies, he is every bit as charming, kind and handsome as you would imagine.
06 – Global TV news anchor Randene Neill, left, brings her smile to the podium as the evening’s MC alongside Turning Point Recovery Society executive director Brenda Plant.
07 – West Vancouver’s Craig Turner, left, and Four Seasons Hotel catering manager Todd Jeannotte, right, get a chance to tell a few hockey jokes with Turning Point gala special guest Rob Lowe before dinner.
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By Catherine Barr – April 19, 2012
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on April 26, 2012
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