MALCOLM PARRY’S TOWN TALK
B.C. sports hall gala and much more
ALL HEART: Malvados footwear firm founder Jen Rainnie chaired the 13th annual Heart of Gold gala that reportedly raised $840,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. B.C.-Yukon board chair and former Flip Flop footwear stores owner Brian Curin was as pleased as when he survived quadruplebypass surgery at Vancouver Hospital at age 38 in 2012. At the gala, Curin introduced neurologist Blair Leavitt, the global leader in Huntington’s disease research whom he has long called Conan because he resembles talk-show host Conan O’Brien. Leavitt accompanied wife and lymphomatumour researcher Laurie Sehn. “They have 85 per cent success,” he said of her specialty. “We started with a horrible, devastating neurological disorder with a zero per cent success rate.” Perhaps not for long, though. Huntington’s has been cured in mice, Dr. Leavitt said. “In three or four years, we should have a treatment.” What a boon, especially for those waiting until middle age to learn of its onset.
MOTHERS’ HELPERS: Held in a Coal Harbour penthouse, the Sparkle soiree reportedly raised $475,000 to help the B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Centre Foundation fund birthing suites. Presented by Beedie Development, it was hosted by Azim Jamal, the CEO of Pacific Reach Properties whose portfolio includes the Rosewood Hotel Georgia acquired in 2017. Jamal’s sister Zahra Salisbury founded the at-home Sparkle in 2015 but, following remarriage and relocation, “needed a new venue.” She co-chaired with developer Dale Bosa and publisher-marketer Ryan Benn. Hospital presidentCEO Genesa Greening thanked attendees with: “Together we can provide British Columbia mothers options for the best delivery experience possible.”
IN THE FAMILY: Anna Wallner fed Sparkle attendees such delectables as scallop BLTs — baked scallops stuffed with bacon, lettuce and tomato. The former TVseries co-host (Shopping Bags, etc.) bought the 27-staff Savoury Chef catering firm in February with a silent partner possibly in the mining and olive oil business. Wallner learned catering from mother Sally Beattie, who served peanut butter and banana roll-up sandwiches at Toronto-law-firm events. “They cost me two cents and I sell them for $1.25,” she told Wallner, whose bestsellers are chocolate-chip cookies.
DREAM OF FIELDS: Athleticarena veterans were applauded when Gina Iandiorio and Dale Saip co-chaired the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame’s Induction Gala. So were inductees from previous decades when entering the Parq Convention Vancouver ballroom. Marvin Storrow QC continued as gala ambassador. The parading athletes were escorted by six youngsters wearing jerseys emblazoned with the slogan “Future Hall of Famer.” Most came from Surrey’s Artistic Edge Dance Academy. Asked what he likes to play, six-year-old Jeremy Beck said: “Hockey, lacrosse and piano,” thus holding a two-inthree chance of realizing his jersey’s promise.
GIVE US AN L: Adding Swan Lake flavour to the Sparkle soiree, swing-riding Chanel Stovern wore corps-de-ballet tutu, tights, pointe shoes and feathered wings. Thousands more will see her perform as a Felions cheerleader at B.C. Lions home games where sparkle on the gridiron might be appreciated.
PRIZE NIGHT: The Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Foundation of B.C.’s 1996 debut Leo Awards gala rated Walter Daroshin and Gary Harvey’s The War Between Us its top movie. Daroshin soon began managing the ceremony, which ran in the Hyatt Regency Hotel recently. Black Kite was named best motion picture, with Daniel Doheny and Ta’kaiya Blaney best male and female performers. On receiving a lifetime-achievement award, entertainment industry lawyer Arthur Evrensel was congratulated by restaurateur brother Jack, who may have employed more screen performers than anyone present. They’d have served table at the sevenoutlet Toptable Group he sold in 2014. One former server, Lucie Guest, received two 2018 Leos nominations and co-emceed a preliminary gala. Regarding her short film Never Better, she said in true Oscars style: “I want to thank all my past boyfriends for giving me the inspiration to write and direct this comedy about heartbreak.”
THE MORE YOU KNOW: Knowledge Network’s 11-year presidentCEO, Rudy Buttignol, sounded buoyant at a reception Rogers Communications and the Rogers Group of Funds staged at North Vancouver’s oceanfront Polygon Gallery. The network “raised $1.7 million in 2007 and $4.5 million this year, all by voluntary donations from 39,000 people,” Buttignol said. Also in North Vancouver, Knowledge’s fallairing Living in Hope documentary series will cover Lions Gate Hospital’s Hope Centre mentalhealth facility.
THEY KNEW JACK: The B.C. Sports Hall of Fame’s 2005 W.A.C Bennett Award recipient, Jack Poole, died in 2009. But he still serves the community as he did upon giving $3 million toward a multipurpose surgical robot. When surgeon-scientist Larry Goldenberg asked for Poole’s attribution wishes, he replied: “Just call it Jack.” Recently with that robot ailing and replacement funding stalled, widow Darlene pondered on what her late husband would do. That’s why the Jack and Darlene Poole Foundation donated $2 million and why Jack Jr. is now at work.
DOWN PARRYSCOPE: Here’s wishing all big palookas Happy Donald Duck Day June 9.