GOING LONG: Fox Sports analyst and pro football Hall of Famer Howie Long was the keynote at the Jewish Community Centre’s 24th Sports Dinner, fronted by JCC president Michelle Pollock, executive director Eldad Goldfarb and party chairs James Dyson and Mike Averbach. A capacity crowd piled into the Hyatt Regency Ballroom to hear from the sports personality and All American defensive lineman and Super Bowl champion. One of the leading sports events on the social calendar, the yearly affair attracted 850 of Vancouver's top executives and sports enthusiasts to the social gridiron to hear Long. Before the main event, Howard Blank and yours truly orchestrated the live auction at half time — an impressive show that included a luxury Cadillac and priceless trip to L.A. to huddle up with Long and his Fox sports crew. Fetching $48,000 and $40,000 respectively, the impressive bids contributed to a record-setting $1- million night for the JCC. Proceeds from the athletic supporter will go towards the many programs and services at the Oak and 41st facility, an impressive centre that houses a training centre, swimming pool, performing arts centre, gallery, museum and library.
KIDNEY SPOTLIGHT: In 2011, doctors Adeera Levin and John Gill wanted to bring attention to kidney disease and the people it affected, creating the first Shine a Light Kidney Gala. A stand up soiree, the event has grown in size and scale, and for the fifth staging — now the Kidney Gala — was a sit down dinner and auction. In partnership with the Canadian Society of Nephrology, the event attracted 350 guests who filed into the Hotel Vancouver for a magical evening; one filled with stories of triumph, inspiration and hope. Sponsored by AG Hair, the gala-do received a huge boost when the provincial government handed out a cheque for $200,000 to go towards vital kidney research. The major gift sparkplugged a generous crowd who would further added to the coffers, emptying their wallets of another $250,000 from an evening of fundraising games pushing the night’s final tally beyond $450,000 —a record amount for the fledgling fundraiser. More than 500 British Columbians are currently waiting for a kidney transplant.
CURRY DISH SWEEPS: Heritage Asian Eatery Chef and co-owner Felix Zhou won the palates of guests and judges as at the fourth annual Curry Cup. His Yarrow Meadows Duck Curry with Potato Rösti bested seven other competitors at the annual competition presented by the Chefs Table Society of B.C. Yours truly emceed the spicy affair that drew a crowd of 200 attendees to Heritage Hall. Eight acclaimed chefs from across Vancouver’s culinary scene faced-off to determine which curry would reign supreme. Flavours of the competing curries ranged from sweet, to spicy with ingredients that were both traditional and unexpected. Zhou’s Thai-style curry, enhanced by Szechuan peppercorn and a number of Indian spices tipped the scales in his favour. Opened last September, Heritage Asian Eatery is a counter-service hotspot in Vancouver’s financial district. The event raised $2000.00 to support Project Chef, a school program that teaches school kids how to cook and make healthy food choices.
MAZAL TOV CORNELIA: Cornelia Oberlander has been called a national treasure, the dean of Canada’s landscape architects. For 95 years, Oberlander has created innovative approaches to playgrounds for generations of children and spearheaded countless initiatives for environmental sustainability. Often hailed as the grand dame of green design — her footprint can be found on buildings such as the Vancouver Public Library, National Gallery Of Canada and UBC’s Museum of Anthropology — Oberlander was feted at Temple Shalom’s inaugural Dreamers and Builders Gala. A founding member of Temple Shalom, a synagogue and school for children, Oberlander and her late husband Peter, along with a handful of families, dreamed and built the congregation. Many of its members including Temple Shalom Senior Rabbi Dan Moskovitz were in attendance for the celebrations. Chaired by Karen James, Helen Heacock-Rivers and Shirley Barnett, the night of honour also looked to raise $50,000 to support kids programs at the Oak Street synagogue.
Hear Fred Mondays 8:20 a.m. on CBC Radio’s The Early Edition AM690 and 88.1FM.
