It’s called a “Therapeutic Community” and it works. Inspired and modelled on the San Patrignano community in Italy, the Baldy Hughes centre is a highly-effective, year-long addiction treatment facility located outside Prince George. It was brought to life by former West Vancouver businessman and founding member Kevin England and a team of philanthropic citizens who are part of the BC New Hope Recovery Society. Their mandate, treat addiction while emphasizing a return to positive citizenship. “Being part of something greater than themselves and being held accountable – often for the first time in their lives – is a transformational experience for these men, many who were thought to be beyond hope” says England. Last month, a Gratitude Celebration Gala was held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver featuring Juno-award winning singer Chantal Kreviazuk. With passion and grace, Kreviazuk helped the society raise money for the ongoing support of this facility which is offered free of charge to qualifying men in need of support. For more information please visit www.baldyhughes.ca
01 – Kevin England and his children welcome singer Chatal Kreviazuk to their table prior to her performance. From left: Tiffany England, dad Kevin England, Chatal Kreviazuk, Chantelle England and Lucas England.
02 – Enjoying the show are Elpie Jackson, left, RBC manager Hanif Mamdami and Christine Quigg.
03 – Baldy Hughes gala organizers Maria Zumpano, left, Samantha Sayer and Shelby Lloyd-Smith deserve a big round of applause for all their hard work.
04 – Real Housewives of Vancouver star Mary Zilba and son Cole are among the VIPs in attendance at Baldy Hughes.
05 – West Vancouver lawyer Nicole Garton-Jones shares a table with Park Royal Wear Else clothing store owner Zahra Mamdami.
06 – Making the trip from the North Shore are Dante Godinho, left, lawyer Rory Godinho and Cameron Langlois.
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By Catherine Barr – July 2012
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Aug 1, 2012
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Flappers and fringes, jazz and joviality. It was time to put your best foot forward this month for the 13th Annual Rockin’ for Research, Gatsby Glamour gala night. Benefitting the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), this perennial event was founded by local rock band Loverboy in an effort to find a cure for Type 1 juvenile diabetes. Today, it is one of Vancouver’s premiere charity nights. Also honoured at this year’s gala were media giants Canada Wide, CTV, Global TV, The Georgia Straight and our own Black Press who were recognized for their support of JDRF and their overall philanthropic giving.
You might remember him best from his role in St. Elsewhere or from his comedy roles in Christopher Guest movies like This is Spinal Tap, but actor Ed Begley Jr is also a lean, green, environmental machine who says that his biggest responsibility is helping out Mother Nature. Speaking at the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s 2012 Land Awards last week, the Hollywood star was the toast of the night. Award winners, guests and VIPs enjoyed a gala dinner night which ended with a book signing, a live dance band and great memories. Also last week, at the Westin Bayshore, the Canucks Place Children’s Hospice’s Gift of Time Gala saw lots of North Shore faces mixing and mingling in their black tie best. Decorated to look like a magical wonderland, this premiere gala event always attracts Vancouver’s elite for a very worthwhile cause.
For over 30 years now the Coho Society of the North Shore has been celebrating the return of the Coho salmon to our local rivers and streams. This annual event, which takes place every September, is marked by a community wide celebration at Ambleside Park which includes the Coho Walk / Run and the very popular salmon barbecue. Delicious for all the right reasons, community leaders are only too happy to volunteer their time to come on out and cook up a storm. Display booths, live music, entertainment and more are all part of the day which goes to promote the preservation of the salmonid species while raising awareness about the importance of protecting the delicate riparian areas which are a signature part of our home town. Big thanks to Dee Gandhi for his photo help.
Spring gala events continued all over town this past week as two special events stepped up to raise money for some very worthwhile causes. First up, the Odd Squad Productions Society 2012 Gala Fundraiser was held at the Vancouver Convention Centre with a sold out crowd. Founded in 1997 by seven determined Officers of the Vancouver Police Department, the Odd Squad Productions Society (OSP) first started scaring kids straight with the debut of their award-winning “Through a Blue Lens” production. Since then, their educational videos and peer-to-peer programs have been keeping kids off the streets and out of trouble. Next up, it was time for the North Vancouver City Library “Librations” 2012 gala evening. Guests dressed in black and white formal to take part in a circus themed evening which included performances by the talented Public Dreams performance group. Congrats to everyone involved.
They say all that glitters is not gold, but when it comes to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, that simply isn’t true. Last week, at the stunning West Vancouver waterfront home of Goldcorp CEO Ian Telfer, invited guests raised a glass to one of this year’s most important, and most glittery, upcoming fundraising events. Committee members from the Heart of Gold gala were on hand for a pre-gala toast to emphasize the importance of “Sudden Cardiac Arrest” and remind everyone that every second counts in the event of a heart attack. The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s 8th annual Heart of Gold Gala will be held June 1, 2012 and, good news, it is already sold out. Also last week, West Vancouver Mulgrave student Adam Chandani was out with his student committee fundraising for a good cause. The group held a silent auction evening event at the school which raised money for the World Partnership Walk and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC). One hundred percent of the money raised here goes towards improving the lives of people living in the third world. Congrats to all involved.
Grammy and Academy Award-winning performer Jennifer Hudson delivered a stunning live performance for an audience of invite-only guests last month at the Vancouver Opera’s signature gala fundraiser. Entitled “Overture: Aida” the evening included a elegant and delicious dinner event which took place on the stage of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Four Seasons chef Ned Bell ensured all the details went perfectly as guests also bid on amazing live and silent auction items, like a trip to the Superbowl in New Orleans which went for a record $250,000. Also last week, the Big Sisters of BC and Lower Mainland were the benefactors of a special “Grapejuice” wine auction and tasting evening at the Ferrari Maserati dealership. Founded by MAC Marketing Solutions and McNeill Nakamoto, the event featured wine, fabulous food and a live performance by Chantal Kreviazuk.
The 16th annual Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Ball (formerly Diamond Ball) was held last weekend at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel. Known as one of the highest profile galas of the year, it is a see-and-be-seen event for many North Shore VIPs. This year’s focus was on childhood cancers and, in keeping with that theme, guests were treated to an evening of young entertainers including the Donna Fishwick Piano Ensemble and 13 year-old Cole Armour, who has made guest appearances singing at the Ellen DeGeneres Show and various Canucks games. Overall the evening raised close to $900,000 bring the grand total to an impressive $7,700,000 dollars since it began in 1997.
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!
Various events and fundraisers taking place this week have kept things busy across the North Shore. First up, friends, family and colleagues of North Vancouverites Pat and Sam Sullivan packed Seymour’s Pub on April 4 for the third annual Team Finn Wine Festival. The Sullivan’s three-year-old son Finn passed away in 2008 from a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. Since then, the North Shore community has rallied around the family, helping them raise $1.2 million for the BC Cancer Foundation and BC Children’s Hospital. Next, it was time to reopen a classic as North Vancouver’s Filippone family celebrated the re-opening of the legendary Penthouse lounge and club. And last, but not least, two Mulgrave students hit the books for a very good Canucks cause. Also big thank you to Maria for her contributions this week.
It was a double celebration last week as some of the city’s most generous folks got together to raise money for a great cause. First up, it was the United Way’s Women United in Philanthropy annual spring fashion show and fundraiser at Leone’s boutique in Sinclair Centre. The night was also special however because guests got a chance to toast West Vancouver’s Leone family for celebrating the 25th anniversary of their exclusive fashion business. With names like Versace, Dior, Prada and more, it was even more wonderful to know that in addition to the live and silent auction items, Leone also donated a portion of any items sold this night back to the United Way and their “Success by Six” program. Be sure to check out the live video as well. Congrats to all the ladies involved.
Get out your datebooks and calendars, it’s time to plan your social schedule for the New Year. And while 2011 proved to be extra exciting, with red carpet galas and glamorous restaurant / wine events everywhere, here are a a few suggestions to pencil in for what promises to be a fabulous 2012. See you there!
It’s one of Vancouver’s most elegant black-tie affairs, and this year there was even more reason to celebrate. The 25th annual Crystal Ball gala, in support of BC Children’s Hospital, marked its’ anniversary year with a special plea to help support the development of a new BC Children’s Hospital. The ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel was transformed into a silvery wintery wonderland as guests enjoyed a champagne reception and a four course meal. Live and silent auction items were bid on to raise funds, then guests were invited to visit the specially set-up ultra lounge where dessert and disco-dancing finished off the evening in style. Congrats to everyone involved.
The Hyatt hotel ballroom was transformed into a twinkling festival of lights earlier this month as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) celebrated its’ 12th Annual Rockin’ For Research gala. With the theme “Paris Under the Stars”, it was a night to remember as guests gathered to raise money for this very worthwhile cause. The silent auction cocktail party was a great place to start shopping, but so was the live auction which featured some big ticket items including celebrity chefs and sports stars. Later on it was dancing till dawn to the sweet sounds of Vancouver’s Famous Players band. Congrats to all involved.