GALAS CELEBRATE PIONEERING PAST, CHILD HEALTH CARE
100-PLUS: In 2014, former Mehfil magazine publisher Rana Vig reworked some articles about South Asian pioneers and notables into a book titled 100 Year Journey. It marked the centenary of steamship Komagata Maru’s 340 Sikh, 24 Muslim and 12 Hindu passengers, all British subjects, being denied entry to Canada. Coincidentally, the book was launched in the Pacific Rim hotel that occupies the site of Vancouver’s old Immigration Building. Subsequent galas there have acknowledged “men and women who didn’t come to this country to be heroes, they simply came to make a better life for themselves and their families.” One guest this year, Jagmeet Singh, was feted for having undertaken the 139-day journey from entering the federal NDP’s leadership to winning it on the first ballot on Oct. 1.
WIDE AWAKE: Folk who don’t usually sleep on the streets will do so Nov. 16 to help youngsters sleep indoors. They’ll benefit Covenant House’s sixth Sleep Out: Executive Edition project that should contribute $750,000 to that youth-care organization’s $13-million annual budget (covenanthousebc.org). Actor-TV host Todd Talbot put 100 grown men on nighttime streets recently. Not to sleep, though, but to test-drive battery-powered vehicles made by Vancouver’s Electra Meccanica firm. Their cash contributions went toward third-time participant Talbot’s $15,000 commitment to Covenant House’s 59-bed Residential Crisis Program.
IN HIS SHU:Z: Forty-five years after ultra-eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes checked out, the Bayshore hotel will open the cutely named HJU:Z Lounge Nov. 16 A launch-party invitation promises “culinary adventure (and) creative cocktails.” That mightn’t excite industrialist-flyer-movie producer Hughes who died in 1976 from complications of malnutrition and, as a teetotaller, never touched BU:Z.
THEY WILL: Former North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton’s bid for the Conservative Party of Canada leadership fizzled with Andrew Scheer’s 13-ballot squeaker-win over Maxime Bernier. Odds improved when he popped the question to fashion designer-manufacturer Grandy Chu. No wedding date yet, but the size-zero Ms. Chu’s gown may be as conservative with material as the sequined “Python” dress she made for the Polygon Gallery opening.
TALKING TURKEY: Semiha Abdullah Inan didn’t sew her dress for her 2008 wedding to Turkish consul general Anil Bora Inan. She could now, though. Having graduated from our town’s Blanche Macdonald Centre, she created a blue satin confection with sheer-silk sleeves for Turkey’s recent Republic Day reception at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club. Her Refugees of Love couture collection “is a tribute to all the people of Syria,” where she was raised. Reception guests enjoyed roast beef and smoked salmon. No turkey, though. Despite that bird’s American origins, Inan said Turks “call it hindi, which is short for Hindustan, meaning India.” Even the French called turkeys coqs d’Inde, now simply dindons. Thanksgiving and Christmas being non-events in Turkey, “We eat hindi at New Year’s Eve,” Inan said, smiling.
SWEETER STILL: With Miss Universe contender Samantha James’ gown styled to simulate her native Malaysia’s nasi lemak breakfast dish, Canada’s Lauren Howe could parade attired as flapjacks with maple syrup.
IN YA GO: The Dominik Heins band played When The Saints Go Marching In as uniformed men paraded to the Pan Pacific hotel ballroom’s stage recently. Open The Door, Richard would have been fitting, too, as the chaps being saluted were local and international hotel doormen. The event has always raised funds for the CHILD Foundation that Grace McCarthy co-founded in 1995 to benefit children with intestinal and liver disorders. This year’s honorary doorman, and fourth so-cited woman, was Nancy Stibbard, whose Capilano Group’s local and Rocky Mountain’s tourism facilities include North Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge.
ONE MORE TIME: Former honorary hotel doorman (and real-life hotel owners) Wendy LisogarCocchia and husband Sergio Cocchia were honoured again recently. That was at the Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland’s annual Luminary Award Soiree where the two were cited for “moving the needle with regard to children, mentorship and philanthropy.” Soiree chairs Julia Hibbard and Carol Robinson moved the needle with regard to fundraising as the event reported a record total of $500,000 and change. KEEP GIVING: Held on the same night as the 100 Year Journey celebration, the Night of Miracles gala reportedly raised $479,765 for an ultrasound program at B.C. Children’s Hospital’s new Teck Acute Care Centre. Lawyer Robin Dhir founded the South Asian community event and saw $4.2 million reportedly raised during his eight years as chair. He was succeeded this year by Vanc Pharmaceuticals’ CEO Bob Rai. Relieved of duties, Dhir made the gala a family occasion. His and wife Rena’s children, Chaytin, Miya and Naiha accompanied grandparents Prem and Narinder Dhir who once donated a two-metre strip of their property so the Vishva Hindu Parishad temple could build next door. DOWN PARRYSCOPE: With electric cars, trucks and buses expected to proliferate, Victoria could address Site C’s social, technical, administrative and economic challenges by putting ICBC in charge.