Monday, April 22, 2002
Some obvious namedropping - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- I really do miss Joy Metcalfe. No, the doyenne of items and gossip is still around, however she hasn’t got that morning venue to namedrop and insinuate anymore. She held court for over a decade at CKNW, before the bosses there decided to clean house one spring. She was one of those swept away. She landed on her feet with a regular radio gig, twice daily on Jimmy Pattison’s 600 AM, however they too sacked her. Neil Macrae, the bombastic sports broadcaster at CKNW and Rock 101, recently ran into Joy at an event, and saw her scribbling away notes on the event. Macrae, never known to have any tact, promptly said, “What the hell, you writing all that stuff down? You’ve got no where to read those things...” You can still catch the indomitable Joy writing her items up in Vancouver Lifestyles magazine, but I never see it at the 7-11 and I doubt anyone else in this town reads it either. On Sunday, I was at an event that certainly matches anyone of Joy’s endless gala-gala do’s. A namedropping paradise, if you will.
I volunteer once-a-week at the local Louis Brier Home and Hospital. It’s on Oak and 41st, and it’s practically made up of a Jewish populace. I thoroughly enjoy my time there, and it’s been a really good exercise in building people skills and learning of the Jewish culture and old people. Actually, one comes away with good jokes.
The Louis Brier recently undertook a canvassing campaign to build an extension to the existing premises. On Sunday there was a ceremony on the front lawn -- right there on 41st Avenue -- to mark the groundbreaking. As a volunteer I was charged with guiding the “VIP’s” to a tent, where a podium and dais was set. Mere watchers had to stand around a simulated hump of dirt that was dropped on the grass. The dignitaries, after the two national anthems (they sang “O Canada”, and the Israeli national anthem “Hatikvah”) and speeches, would simulate “breaking the ground” for the construction of the new building. I was told to keep people watching the festivities about five feet around the hump of dirt, while notables in the local political and Jewish community gathered on the dais. Outgoing Mayor Philip Owen was there with his wife Britta. (In a door way, he passed me and I curtly nodded, “Your Worship.” He smiled and gave me a, “Hi, how are you?”) I actually stood behind Mrs. Owen, watching the ceremony from behind the parapet. Lee Simpson, wife of former NDP cabinet minister Bernie Simpson, is the outgoing Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Brier Home. She co-hosted the ceremony. Her Bernie, was also spotted in the crowd. He didn’t have his Order of BC pin, however.
One who did was Joseph Segal, Chancellor of Simon Fraser University, and long time philanthropist in the Jewish community. He had his Order of Canada pin AND his Order of BC pin on his lapel. It was astounding really. His wife Rosalie was sporting a lovely cream outfit. Actually when I accompanied Joy Metcalfe to the theatre some six years ago, we were introduced to Mrs. Cohen. Suffice to say, she didn’t remember me now. Also on the platform party was the Hon. Katherine Whittred, Minister of State for Long Term Care. When Cohen spoke, he noted that the new building -- which will corner 41st and Osler -- was built totally with donations (some $7 million dollars) from the community. Cohen said, the community didn’t want to wait up for money from the government. Directing his comments to Whittred, he said “we can’t wait for [you] to fix [your] budget.”
Minister Whittred represented the provincial government, and was joined by Vancouver-Langara MLA Val Anderson; whose riding, the Louis Brier is in. Mayor Owen represented the local government, who was joined by COPE Councillor Dr. Fred Bass, who I spotted near the back of the crowd. NPA Councillor Sandy McCormick, formerly of the school board, and who’s been making quite a name on Council, arrived late, and without direction walked right up to the stage area. She marched up there, with a big smile, trying to get in on the action no doubt. Mrs. Owen, who I was behind, further from the stage, noted Councillor McCormick’s enterprising arrival. Some in the NPA are displeased with the good councillor’s ambitious nature. She’s been getting herself in the media more often than the Mayor, and that’s ruffled some feathers it seems.
The Federal government was not represented. The Hon. Stephen Owen, Q.C., the most junior minister in the Chrétien cabinet was to have been there, but he was said to be recuperating from back surgery. The Hon. Dr. Hedy Fry, another Vancouver MP, and recently dumped from cabinet, was to be his replacement and was supposed to be there. She didn’t show. Mrs. Sylvia Hill, a resident of the Louis Brier, and President of the Resident’s Council, spoke and did so at her usual best.
Also spotted in the throng, was Ray and Grace McCarthy. The doyenne of British Columbian politics and prominent cabinet minister to three Socred premiers (in the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s) was there and she greeted me with a great big smile as she entered the facility for the nosh after the ceremony. Her trademark red hair, has now faded to a light blond. Her hubby Ray, I actually met under interesting circumstances previously.
At another Brier do, I was at the entrance when he bounded up to me asking what he could do to get some muck off his suit. I said there was a bathroom over there, to which he tried getting in. It was occupied and noticing my name on a tag, he said “Joseph, when it’s free, save it for me.” He went back to kiss face with the other ladies, and when it was free I got him to use it. He came out after saying, “Well, I put water on it. A little too much, now it looks like I pissed in my pants.” After the party, when Mrs. McCarthy was to leave, as usual escorted by a throng of well-wishers to her car, Ray McCarthy grabbed my hand and bellowed, “Thanks for everything, Joseph.”
It was a busy day. After the ceremony, everyone went inside, where refreshments were served. I had to pass cookies and eclairs around, whilst making sure punch was served as well. I wasn’t really there to schmooze and booze. After hauling chairs, and lifting tables, I went home. Namedropping is hard.
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