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
IT was a fun “foodie” type week last week as competitions, cookbooks and the first sign of Christmas crept into the headlines. First up, local chefs help promote sustainable seafood at the Vancouver Aquarium during the Seafood Chowder Chowdown. Then, it was time for a little Viva Italia at Quattro on 4th as local favourite, Antonio Corsi, teamed up to publish his family’s food secrets in a fabulous new cookbook – just in time for Christmas. And speaking of Christmas, the first cheer of the year goes to the good folks at Rogers Communication in a special holiday reception held at the chic and stylish Lift restaurant and lounge.