Joy's Journal
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Joy Metcalfe isn't really everywhere, it just seems that way. Openings, premieres, interviews, news conferences, celebrity sightings...it's fast-paced, energetic, and effusive, like Joy herself.
Joy’s Journal May 15th, 2013.
Scoop! Scoop! Scoop! Yes, that was the sprightly Academy Award-winning French actress, Juliette Binoche, star of such movies as The English Patient and Chocolat, dining with friends last night at the bustling and prize-winning Blue Water Cafe in Yaletown...
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So the B.C. Liberals managed to win the 2013 election, despite their leader`s personal loss. It proves that wealth, fear and loathing can win the day. But kudos to all those citizens who threw their hat in the ring – many for the first time. Making that all-important decision to bare all for the people and the media takes money, time, determination and intestinal fortitude – and a supportive family.
It brings back memories of another vitally important BC election, and the lead-up to the one in 1991. It concerns a person of integrity and high principles.
In the 1960’s, Grace McCarthy was a successful florist, wife and mother and an elected member of the Vancouver Parks Board. It was Premier W.A.C. Bennett, who persuaded her to run for a seat in the provincial legislature, assuring her that any woman winning the election would become a member of his cabinet. She ran and won successfully in 1966. She became a senior cabinet member serving in a variety of portfolios under W.A.C. Bennett from 1975 to 1986 and under Premier Bill Vander Zalm from 1986 to 1988.
When The Zalm was forced to resign in 1991, the Socreds were bitterly divided and they chose his close confidante, Rita Johnston, as their new leader over the Amazing Grace.
Johnston lost the 1991 election and resigned shortly after.
Grace was chosen to replace her and carried on as leader until her resignation in 1994. During that time, she made changes to the National Housing Act whereupon a single, divorced or widowed female could apply for a mortgage without a male guarantor, she orchestrated the Protection of Children Act, fought for and won the creation of the vitally important Vancouver Cruise Ship Centre and lit up the Lions Gate Bridge with a myriad of sparkling lights.
As an intelligent, far-seeing, compassionate, determined and dedicated individual, she decided that her efforts apres politics should be redirected to something close to her heart.
Her granddaughter, Shannon, was suffering terribly from Crohn’s disease and there didn’t seem to be a any cure or relief for young sufferers. So Grace, in her characteristically determined way, launched the C.H.I.L.D. Foundation in 1995, a foundation which raises funds and awareness of children with intestinal and liver disorders.
Through her enormous efforts along with CHILD President and CEO Mary Parsons and the Board of Directors, the Child Foundation now has a joint partnership with the Canadian Institute of Health Research in creating the Canadian Children Inflammatory Bowel Disease Network – a first in Canada!
Photo: Grace McCarthy with daughter Mary Parsons
Last Friday, the CHILD Foundation hosted their 8th annual
fundraising Fashion Fling for CHILD with more than 250 dressy gals attending. Co-chairs were Rocio and Patricia Milino, fashions were from the Marciano Spring Collection, the entertaining Pat Milino sang while the emcee duties were handled by CTV`s Norman Reid. As the second recipient of CHILD`s prestigious Inspiration Award, I was thrilled to be there. Highlight of the afternoon was the awarding of the 8th Inspiration Award to the deserving Theresa Odishaw, the Director and Past President of the Soong Ching Children`s Foundation of Canada who helped to establish the first international kindergarten in Shanghai and is very involved with the Hastings Community School in Vancouver. Her beaming lawyer-husband Ed was on hand for the presentation. Also spotted Carmella Cooper, Mel Cooper`s wife who was in from Victoria, the invaluable and generous Myrna Pawlick of West Jet, Dr. Tim Murphy, B.C. Bearings`Penny Omnes, Variety`s Barbara Stewart, Muriel Richards, Shirley Stocker, Carol Robinson, Margaret Feenie, mother of Iron Chef Rob Feenie, Peggy Lee, Vancouver Island`s Vivian Walker, veteran journalist and CHILD supporter Teresa Evans, Lori Kodnar, Unique Lives`producer Cindy Charkow whose next big name on stage will be Sigourney Weaver (star of the four Alien films, Gorillas in the Mist and Avatar) who`ll be at the Centre for the Performing Arts on Monday, May 27th – and there are still some tickets available...
Photo: Carmella Cooper, Cindy Charkow and Barbara Stewart
Photo: Lori Kodnar and veteran journalist Teresa Evans
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That same night the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation hosted their 13th annual Wine and Culinary Gala at the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier in North Vancouver.Through the support of sponsors, auction donors, hard-working committee members and attendees, the evening raised an outstanding $772,500 net! ...