North Vancouver’s Whitecap Books, in conjunction with Weissach cars and Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks, welcomed all kinds of local celebs last week at the launch of FoodTV chef and personality Bob Blumer’s newest book, “Glutton for Pleasure”. Autographs and cooking demos kept everyone’s mouth watering and later chef Blumer himself came out to greet fans. Also, it’s congrats to a very dedicated group of North Vancouver friends who, some ten years ago, got together to play Bocce to raise money in memory of a good friend. Today, the Benefits of Bocce group held a special cheque presentation party at North Vancouver’s newest Boston Pizza lounge. To date, the group has raised over $250,000 for various causes. And lastly, it was bow ties and ballgowns as the Arts Umbrella held their second annual Splash Gala fundraiser. North Shore notables were decked out in their finest and, armed with bidding numbers and credit cards, they helped make this year’s gala one of the best on record.
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01 – The BC Lung Association is this year’s lucky recipient of $43,000 thanks to the great folks at the Benefits of Bocce tournament – this was more money than they were given all last year in total fundraising donations.
02 – Helping raise money for this year’s tournament is the father/son team of Graeme, left, and Mike Doak at Benefits of Bocce night.
03 – BC Lung Association’s Destin Haynes, left, CEO Scott McDonald and Kelsey Lenters are thankful and thrilled to see all the money raised by the Benefits of Bocce people.
04 – Call them co-founders if you will, because the Benefits of Bocce tournament would be nothing without the tireless efforts of community volunteers Alan Black, left, and Eric Beddis
05 – FoodTV star chef Bob Blumer, left, cooked up a storm at his recent cookbook launch alongside North Vancouver’s Whitecap Books publisher Jeffrey Bryan.
06 – Bidding for a good cause at Splash Gala, Jamie Pitblado, left cuddles up to West Vancouver’s glamorous Michele Sinclair and patron of the arts/West Van restaurateur David Aisenstat, of Keg Restaurants fame and more.
07 – How appropriate that West Vancouver’s Chuck Brook would buy Dina Goldstein’s “Ariel” mermaid photowork at the Splash live auction for wife Margot Paris (who works at the Vancouver Aquarium).
08 – West Vancouver firefighter-turned-artist Ross Penhall, right, and son Sam are all smiles as they watch his “Defined Field” oil on canvas work go for close to $20,000 during the live auction at Splash.
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By Catherine Barr – Oct 16, 2010
As seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Oct 21, 2010
Words almost can’t describe it. At first, it was sheer excitement at the site of the colourful Moroccan themed private tent suites. Then, it was pride as opening acts like the Sarah McLachlan Foundation Choir took to the stage and cruise ships sailed past Ambleside beach. Finally, as night falls on a near perfect day, it was magic as Sheryl Crow, Neil Young and Sarah McLachlan, three of the biggest names in music, performed to a sold-out crowd the likes of which we have never seen here in West Vancouver. It was a once in a lifetime VIP experience that I hope we get to do all over again next year, and next, and next. Congrats to everyone involved.
