They partied, kids score

Any hockey parent knows the incredible cost of keeping their kids involved in Canada’s game.

From registration fees, equipment, ice time, the food and drink to keep the aspiring players fuelled — and the travel to and from practice and tournaments throughout the season — the hockey-related costs can be astronomical.

Then imagine more than one of your kids expressing an interest to play. Parents can easily spend beyond their means to keep their children in the game. For many families, the biggest challenge can be just getting to try the cherished winter sport in the first place.

The Thunderbirds Minor Hockey Association — one of the largest minor hockey leagues in B.C. with some 1,100 players participating in six divisions — staged its flagship fundraising event at the Hellenic Community Centre.

Hockey moms and dads left their kids at home with babysitters to attend the James Bond 007 Thunderball, the firm’s off-ice hockey hoopla and charity dinner. Fronted by party chair Joyce Gillespie and an army of volunteers, 300 guests filed into the community hall to mingle with other parents and partake in numerous fundraising games in support of league efforts to keep costs down and help financially strapped families get into the great Canadian game.

Yours truly fronted the spirited six-lot live auction of one-of-a-kind hockey experiences. Ice time with Canucks Manny Malhotra, Daniel Sedin and former Canuck Kevin Bieksa thrilled hockey fans but the evening’s top bid was saved for team captain Henrik Sedin, who’s offer to host a one-hour practice session with one of the league’s 72 teams fetched an impressive $14,000.

Sponsored by Cyclone Sports, Autoform, Expedia Cruise Ship Centres and Fairmont Airport Hotel, the hockey shenanigans netted $60,000 for the organization. Notable hockey parents in attendance included CBC’s Natalie Clancy, National PR’s Michael Goehring, Intergulf Development’s Hareesh Sara, Marsh Canada’s Jason Scharfe and Chuck We of Oxford Properties.

Chantal Cotton, president of the Thunderbird Minor Hockey Association, held the group’s off-ice fundraiser at Chris Eliopoulos’s Hellenic Community Centre. The Saturday night community gathering netted $60,000 for the venerable hockey organization.

Thunderball 2017 gala chair Joyce Gillespie, centre, along with committee members Michael Goehring and Angelique Blunk welcomed hockey parents to the Thunderbird Minor Hockey Association’s flagship fundraiser to keep fees affordable and help financially strapped kids get into hockey.

Hockey dads Hareesh Sara of Intergulf Development, Chuck We of Oxford Properties and Jason Scharfe from Marsh Canada dressed in their James Bond best for the hockey hoopla at the Hellenic Community Centre.

Hockey parents Natalie Clancy and Trevor Adams enjoyed a rare night away from the hockey rink and the kids. Some 300 guests made the Thunderball 2017 dinner and dance.

Autoform’s Aaron Van Pykstra escorted his girlfriend Jeanne Hui to the James Bond 007-themed benefit for the Thunderbird Minor Hockey Association.

Queen and Country

Are you still looking to fill the void left by Downton Abbey? My husband Joshua and I are still in search of that elusive series we can watch together like we did so religiously for six seasons on PBS Masterpiece Theatre every Sunday evening.

At the height of its popularity, Julian Fellowes’ award-winning series attracted nearly 10 million viewers per episode.

The public broadcaster looks to fill the void with its newest offering Victoria, the highly anticipated historical drama about the epic life of Queen Victoria. A riveting script and brilliant cast, Victorians are going to love Victoria says Kris Morash, Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s marketing director, who along with general manager Michelle Le Sage, hosted the drama’s premiere screening and gala fundraiser in the provincial capital.

Victoria’s stately manor by the sea was party central for the special screening last Sunday night. A fortunate few snapped up tickets to the exclusive dinner party, presented by KCTS 9 — the PBS station responsible for several lavish Downton Abbey-do’s at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel over the years.

Renewing its partnership with the Seattle public television station, Morash welcomed guests — some dressed in period attire — to the royal romp.

Among those making Victoria’s coming-out party included District of Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen and city councillor Hazel Braithwaite, and British Consul General to Vancouver Nicole Davison.

Attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception and culinary delights by hotel executive chef Kreg Graham before sitting down for the two-hour premiere in the David Foster Foundation Theatre.

The seven-part series — aired in the same time slot Downton enjoyed all those years — stars Jenna Coleman as Queen Victoria. The glossy period piece written by Daisy Goodwin follows Victoria’s royal ascent from Queen of England at age 18 to her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert.

The series has received much critical acclaim reports Diana Barkley, executive director of Pacific Coast Public Television Association. Filled with romance, scandal and political intrigue, the series will surely satisfy many Downton fans, as well breathe new life in Victoria’s storied history.

Already released in the U.K. to favourable reviews, the show has been renewed for a second season to further chronicle Victoria’s tenure as monarch.

Faye Schmidt and Barry Carbol dressed up in period attire for the premiere screening of Victoria, PBS Masterpiece Theatre’s much-anticipated follow-up to Downton Abbey.

Gary and Sybil Kangas are hopeful Victoria will fill the television void left by Downtown Abbey. The couple attended the two-hour premiere screening at the David Foster Foundation Theatre.

British Consul General to Vancouver Nicole Davison and her partner Karen Ferguson made the trip to the provincial capital for KCTS 9’s special celebration and viewing of Victoria.

Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s Kris Morash and Michelle Le Sage hosted the premiere of the Masterpiece series Victoria. Proceeds from the royal romp supported the David Foster Foundation and PBS station KCTS 9.

Raising a glass, Diana Barkley, the executive director of Pacific Coast Public Television Association, is excited for Victoria’s future. The period drama about Queen Victoria’ storied history has already been renewed for a second season.

CLICK HERE to report a typo.

Is there more to this story? We’d like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Email vantips@postmedia.com

Caring for children’s health

For 21 years, supporters of the annual For Children We Care Gala have been incredible partners in caring for an entire generation of children and families.

Led and orchestrated by the Asian community, the event — which has raised $14 million for B.C. Children’s Hospital — continues to be a leading date on the Chinese social calendar. The name of the fundraiser speaks to the inherent purpose, to transform the hopes of families at B.C. Children’s Hospital into dreams of their children’s bright future.

Aaron McArthur knows this all too well, having experienced the care his daughter Addison received at the province’s only pediatric hospital.

Addison was just three weeks old when her heart started to fail. Her only chance of survival was a heart transplant. Placed on a cross-Canada heart transplant list, McArthur and his wife Elaine Yong got the best Mother’s Day present they could ever hope for, a heart for Addison. She would be the first child to receive a heart transplant at B.C. Children’s Hospital.

That was five year’s ago. Last year, 212 children had open-heart surgery at the medical facility.

Fittingly, McArthur co-hosted For Children We Care’s 22nd staging alongside Phoenix TV host Lisa Wu. Held at Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, the lavish party — chaired by Jane Young and Stella Chan, and honourary giving chair Sylvia Chen — 500 philanthropic-minded, business and corporate leaders convened for the memorable evening of fine food and fundraising.

No expenses spared, decorator Colin Upright and Granville Island Florist Suzane Lee beautifully set the stage for a magical night transforming the hotel ballroom into an exquisite party palace.

The $500-a-ticket affair, sponsored by Ben Yeung’s Peterson Development, began with a sparkling champagne reception followed by a sumptuous dinner created by executive chef Nathan Brown.

Following the royal repast, yours truly orchestrated the live auction — always a highlight of the evening. A dozen 100-point wines including a 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild and 1990 Chateaux Margaux commanded $40,000 but still paled compared to the donations that flooded in during the Raise-a-Paddle call for cash.

Generous patrons rallied emptying their wallets of donations ranging from $1,000 to a single donation of $1 million from Lalu Canada. The spirited night of giving — which featured several standing ovations — would contribute to a record-setting $2.55 million — more than five times the amount posted in 2016.

Proceeds from the memorable evening will support the purchase of two much-needed heart-lung machines and three ventilators to help cardiac surgeons save the lives of sick children.

“Tonight, the community has come together to raise funds for urgently needed life-saving equipment to help children have the best opportunity for a healthy future,” said Teri Nicholas, CEO at B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Teri Nicholas, CEO and president of B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation, thanked Sylvia Chen, the special-giving chair, for her more than two decades of support for B.C.’s sick kids.

Gala co-chair Jane Young joined seven-year-old Mikkal Karim-Fidler in helping raise awareness and funds for urgently-needed life-saving equipment to help children have the best opportunity for a healthy future.

Don Lindsay, the chair of B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation, master of ceremonies Lisa Wu and gala co-chair Stella Chan were all smiles following the record-setting haul raised at the 22nd For Children We Care Gala.

Ben Yeung’s Peterson Development sponsored the For Children We Care fundraising dinner attended by Fairchild Media Group’s Joe Chan and longtime supporter Allen Wong.

Aaron McArthur and Elaine Yong’s daughter Addison – just three weeks old – was the first infant to receive a heart transplant at B.C. Children’s Hospital.

UBC donors dine on duck to mark Year of the Rooster

The Liu Institute for Global Issues, the Tsing Tao Centre, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, the C.K. Choi Building, the David Lam Management Research Centre, and the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre — these are just a few examples of the Asian influence on the University of British Columbia.

In celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year, a centuries-old tradition marked in many countries across Asia and around the world, newly minted president and vice-chancellor Santa J. Ono and his wife Wendy Yip welcomed some of the university’s top Asian donors and engaged alumni to the Alumni Centre for a special dinner to usher in the Year of the Rooster.

Joining the couple at the seventh annual luau was Jeff Todd, executive director of alumni UBC and Barbara Miles, vice-president, development and alumni engagement. UBC law grad Anna Fung, who acted as party host and master of ceremonies, rounded out the official party.

The Presidential Gala started literally with a bang. Ten members of UBC’s Kung Fu Club steered attendees into Jack Poole Plaza with a traditional Lion Dance, complete with beating drums and clashing symbols. The racket had some guests wisely turn off their hearing aids.

Out of respect to roosters, attendees enjoyed generous servings of duck, paired with Haywire’s special Lunar New Year wines. During the royal repast, science grad Michelle Kwan played covers of Cold Play, Metallica and Adele on the Guzheng, a 21-stringed traditional Chinese harp.

Many in attendance had hoped Ono, an accomplished cellist, would pick up the instrument. Instead UBC’s 15th president sang the praises of its accomplished alumni. They included Wallace and Madeline Chung (Chung Collection of historical B.C. documents and artifacts), Robert and Lily Lee (Robert H. Lee Graduate School at UBC Sauder School of Business; Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre), and Fei Wong (a big supporter of the UBC Farm).

The celebratory night also remembered two other alumni, prominent members of Vancouver’s Asian community, Joe Wai and Bing Thom, both architects and city shapers who died this year.

Wai, chief architect of Vancouver Chinatown’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens, established UBC’s Asian Canadian and Asian Migration Studies Program, while Thom, an architect renowned internationally as well as within Canada, designed the Chan Centre for Performing Arts on the Point Grey Campus.

Other notable alumni making the scene: Richmond Coun. Alexa Loo, Vancouver Coun. Kerry Jang, Sunrise Soya Foods CEO Peter Joe and Prospero Group president Derek Lee.

Asian historian Dr. Henry Yu and Carol Lee, founder of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, remembered architects Joe Wai and Bing Thom — two community giants lost this past year — whose influence shaped UBC and the city.

Barbara Miles, vice-president, development and alumni engagement, UBC president Santa J. Ono, and Jeff Todd, the executive director of alumni UBC, hosted the annual tradition that thanks alumni and donors for their contributions to UBC.

Peter Joe, the UBC Commerce grad and Sunrise Soya Foods CEO, attended the celebratory dinner hosted by UBC alumna Anna Fung.

Derek Lee, president of Prospero, and his wife, Carlota, joined fellow UBC alumni for a special dinner to celebrate the robust relationship that exists between UBC and the Asian community.

Philanthropists and community builders Robert and Lily Lee were among the university’s top Asian donors and engaged alumni who attended a special dinner to usher in the Year of the Rooster.

LONDON — David Beckham has hit out at claims that he used his children’s charity work as part of a cynical campaign to win a knighthood.

The former England football captain has angrily denied getting involved with UNICEF’s campaigns and projects only in order to build a favourable public image and present himself as a fitting candidate for the senior honour.

The claims came after a series of emails purporting to be from Beckham were published Saturday, in which he appeared to rail at not been selected for a knighthood.

In one he allegedly states: “They r a bunch of ts. I expected nothing less. Who decides on the honors [sic]?? It’s a disgrace to be honest and if I was American I would have got something like this 10 years ago.”

But in a forthright statement, Beckham, who was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003, rejected the claims, maintaining that some of the emails had been doctored and others had been taken out of context.

His PR team said that the cache of emails from Beckham to his publicist Simon Oliveira and others in his team were obtained after Oliveira’s computer server was illegally hacked.

A spokesman for Beckham told The Sunday Telegraph: “This story is based on outdated material taken out of context from hacked and doctored private emails and gives a deliberately inaccurate picture.”

In one particularly embarrassing email, Beckham appears to object to Katherine Jenkins, the singer, who once used her Twitter account to deny having an affair with him, being given an OBE in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to music and for charitable services.

The alleged email to Oliveira says: “Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops, plus admitting to taking coke… Fing joke and if you get asked we should think of a cutting remark.”

But Beckham, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005, is understood to be particularly angry that the emails appear to show him as cynically using his charity work to curry favour with the honours committee.

He is also furious that they depict him as demanding money from the United Nations children’s charity to pay for flights and hotels to visit its projects with children in places such as the Philippines.

In one email he apparently complained about being asked to match the highest bidders at a UNICEF auction in New York, stating: “Chloe asked me an outright which I was p… I don’t want to do it and won’t do it with my own money.” Another appears to show his staff haggling with UNICEF over its choice of accommodation for Beckham during his 2015 trip to Cambodia.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star had been booked by the charity into the five-star Sofitel hotel, but Beckham apparently wanted to stay in the luxurious Amansara resort, with his staff wanting UNICEF to pay part of the bill. One email states: “Would Unicef contribute the same amount that was being paid for the Sofitel and he’ll make up the difference in price for the place he wants to stay.”

However, Beckham is at pains to point out that through his appearances and the work of his foundation, the 7 Fund, he has raised millions of pounds for the charity.

A statement issued by his PR team says: “David Beckham and UNICEF have had a powerful partnership in support of children for over 15 years. The David Beckham 7 Fund has raised millions of pounds and helped millions of vulnerable children around the world.

“David Beckham has given significant time and energy and has made personal financial donations to the 7 Fund and this commitment will continue long term.

“Before establishing the 7 Fund, David had supported UNICEF and a number of other charities over many years, including donating his entire earnings from (Paris Saint-Germain) during his time playing there. David and UNICEF are proud of what they have and will continue to achieve together and are happy to let the facts speak for themselves.”

UNICEF also came to the star’s defence. Although it would not comment on the veracity of the emails because it had not seen the originals, it described Beckham as “generously giving his time, energy and support to help raise awareness and funds for UNICEF’s work for children.”

It said: “David has given significant funds personally. The 7 Fund supports programmes for children, tackling issues such as malnutrition, violence, AIDS and emergencies.”

UNICEF cited Beckham’s visit to Swaziland in June 2016 to raise awareness of the devastating drought affecting Eastern and Southern Africa, and said since the launch of the 7 Fund in February 2015 it had raised millions of pounds for UNICEF programmes and “reached millions of people around the world with crucial messages about our work for very vulnerable children.”

UNICEF said the 7 Fund is helping it to provide improved water and sanitation to children and their families in Burkina Faso and provide vital support and protection to HIV-positive mothers and children in Swaziland.

Beckham’s organization also works with UNICEF in Papua New Guinea, helping to provide life-saving food to young children and funding a range of child protection services to help keep children in Cambodia safe.

Glamour couple David and Victoria Beckham are treating their four children to a ski vacation in Whistler this weekend.

The former soccer star and Spice Girl have been sharing photos from the slopes on their respective Instagram accounts.

The crew seemed to be having a great time on the mountain — until Brooklyn, their 17-year-old son, broke his collarbone after wiping out on his snowboard. The teen posted footage of it on his Instagram account.

Pitch (perfect) for the Purse

For the past 15 years the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs has been educating, mentoring and connecting women entrepreneurs from across B.C. and the country.

Founded by Christina Anthony, the organization has helped more than 4,300 women to date. One of the key challenges many of these women face is access to capital.

FWE has been working to break barriers for women to access money to jump-start their enterprises. Recognizing the need, the firm presented its inaugural Pitch for the Purse program, educating women on the various ways to raise capital including how to pitch to investors.

At their annual Odlum Brown FWE Gala, three finalists — Tara Bosch of Smart Sweets, Dionne Laslo-Baker of DeeBee Organics in Victoria and Andrea Scott of Skoah — competed in the program finals for a chance to win a cash prize of $25,000 to boost their company.

Bosch’s three-minute pitch of healthy, sugar-free candy to celebrity judges Frank Giustra and Jacki Zehner and a crowd of 600 earned the 23-year-old the big payola. With a gummy bear-mould purchased from Amazon, Bosch created the first smart candy aimed to revolutionize the way consumers view traditional confectionary candy.

Among the attendees was special guest Premier Christy Clark. Looking to fill the purses of British Columbians with goodies of her own in the run-up to the May 9 provincial election, the B.C. leader congratulated all the entrepreneurs and business leaders in the room.

Other notables spotted included CAI Private Equity managing partner Tracey McVicar, Deans Knight Capital Management co-founder Wayne Deans, Fort Capital founder and partner Dave Bustos, Goldcorp chairman Ian Telfer and Briscoe Management’s Bev Briscoe.

The night of pitching, mingling and networking ultimately netted more than $500,000 for FWE’s mentoring programs to help female entrepreneurs become successful.

The Forum for Women Entrepreneur gala chairs Lara Dauphinee, left, and Christina Anthony welcomed B.C. Premier Christy Clark to the organization’s 15th anniversary celebrations and fundraising dinner.

Questioning the pitch finalists were celebrity judges Frank Giustra, entrepreneur and founder of Lionsgate, and Jacki Zehner, philanthropist, investor and founding board member of Forum for Women Entrepreneurs.

On maternity leave, Lisa Niemetscheck, Forum for Women Entrepreneur general manager, congratulated her interim replacement Larkin Mackenzie-Ast on a successful night that saw more than $500,000 raised for FWE’s mentoring programs to help women entrepreneurs become successful.

Deans’ Knight Capital Management co-founder Wayne Deans escorted lawyer Josephine Nadel to the fundraising gala and auction. Deans mentored Skoah’s Andrea Scott in the Pitch for the Purse finale.

Stephy Jin and Leone’s Nicole Yang were among the 600 enterprising women and business leaders who attended the Forum for Entrepreneurs’ 15th anniversary celebrations at the Hotel Vancouver.

Changing lives with education

Ching Tien is single-handedly changing the lives of hundreds of young girls from poverty-stricken areas in China.

The dynamo founded the society for Educating Girls in Rural China in 2005 — after moving to Canada — to give girls in the most rural areas of China the opportunity for an education they otherwise could not imagine or afford.

Tien herself was denied an education. Raised during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, the Communist government sent her to work in a fertilizer factory for 20 years. In a system where boys are favoured, it is usually the young girls who are denied access to schooling, made instead to work to support their families or get married, says Tien.

Firm in her belief that education is the key to transcending poverty, Tien created the Vancouver-based charity to help girls from the most poverty stricken areas of China.

Tien has personally interviewed and hand-delivered cheques to 700 girls to allow them the opportunity for an education and a brighter future.

Involved in the lives of all these girls, Tien proudly reports the sponsored girls of EGRC have achieved an impressive 99 per cent high school and university graduation rate. Tien recently hosted her annual fundraiser to support the firm’s ongoing efforts to help more girls.

As usual a capacity crowd of influencers and community leaders including philanthropist Fei Wong, B.C. Assessment’s Judy Rogers and Canfor CEO Don Kayne filed into Sun Sui Wah Restaurant for EGRC’s yearly dim sum luncheon.

Yours truly emceed the noon-hour benefit. Always an uplifting affair, this year’s staging featured three EGRC alumni: Bixia Wang, Yunxia Zhang and Yanxia Liu.

Struggling with her emotions, the latter’s tearful story, a journey from financial adversity to success — Zhang is completing a Master’s in Electrical Engineering at the University of Manitoba — compelled all involved to open their hearts and wallets.

Donations ranging from $50 to $1,000 flooded in, contributing to a record $50,000 raised, ensuring 50 more young women the chance to an education.

Educating Girls in Rural China founder Ching Tien and board chair Don Kayne once again welcomed guests to their annual dim sum luncheon. More than $50,000 was collected ensuring 50 more women the opportunity to receive an education.

Educating Girls in Rural China alumni Yunxia Zhang, Bixia Wang and Yanxia Liu now pay it forward by mentoring and fundraising to give other girls in China the opportunity to have an education.

Carol Sogawa and Judy Rogers were among the major supporters who took in the fundraising lunch. Since its inception, EGRC has helped 700 disadvantaged girls from the remotest most poverty-stricken areas of China access a high school and university education.

With a firm belief education can transcend poverty Vivian Tao and Susanna Su contributed to EGRC’s fundraising efforts at Sun Sui Wah Restaurant.

By @Gopublikk – Kleyra Gonzalez

Last night amidst the cobblestone entrance to Vancouver’s Chinese Cultural Centre, Vancouver Fashion Week’s opening gala was taken over by incredible and creative street styles. The variety of classic, edgy and casual couture brought to the floor last night represented exactly the kind of unique edge Vancouver Fashion Week inspires and represents.

An array of colours made their mark, particularly through the iconic trio of friends who proved imagination is key in representing yourself through fashion. Justin Voitic grabbed attention with his simplistic and edgy long red raincoat overtop white printed jeans and a red neck-tie up blouse. Kerem Dogurga showed a darker side to fashion with a nearly all black outfit and a posh calf length leather zip-up jacket. Jason Pillay captured the chic possibilities of winter fashion. He pulled off casual black ripped jeans, white top, and an oversized pantone puffy winter coat. The three friends rolled into the opening gala event grabbing the crowd’s eyes and making us fawn in jealousy over their gallant fashion statements.

Starting off seven days of fashion and events, we saw some amazing artistic abilities displayed through outfits and we can’t wait to see what fabulous and beautiful styles we are yet to see in the upcoming days.

Monster Jam Triple Threat Series

April 7-9 | Pacific Coliseum 

Tickets: $15 and up | monsterjam.com

According to a professor at Monster Truck University (MJU) – yes, you read that right — driver Cynthia Gauthier was a most likely to succeed student.

“She’s very tough,” said Tom Meents, who teaches at the  Paxton, Ill., school and is a legendary, champion Monster Truck driver himself. “Cynthia is a super-nice, friendly girl and cute, but she’s got the heart of a lion and she is very athletically fit. She is super strong.”

Gauthier, who helms the Monster Mutt Dalmatian truck, will be here with eight other drivers on April 7-9 at the Pacific Coliseum for the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series. A new format to Vancouver fans, the series has drivers go head-to-head in seven different competitions driving three different vehicles: Monster Jam trucks, speedsters and ATVs.

The Maribel, Que., driver’s journey to the high-octane and high-decibel world began with her dad.

“My dad was a fan and he made me a fan of every motorsport,” said Gauthier, who grew up around heavy machinery on the family farm in rural Quebec. “He’s a mechanic, so I grew up in a garage, too, watching him work on cars so I’m not scared of getting my hands dirty.”

Canadian Cynthia Gauthier, one of the few women in the monster truck sport, will be competing in Vancouver this weekend. She will be driving the Monster Mutt Dalmatian in the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series at the Pacific Coliseum.

Gauthier had planned on a career as a certified public accountant but decided bikes — not bottom lines — interested her and she took up motocross racing. She eventually went on to compete in the Pro Women’s Canadian National Series, but after a series of injuries found herself in the monster truck world working as crew member for Joe Sylvester’s Bad Habit team. After a year of that, she decided she would rather be driving the roaring machine than fixing it.

“I just fell in love with the sport and I wanted to be a driver. I’m really competitive,” said Gauthier, 28.

In 2014, Gauthier did some test driving and earned “a seat” for the 2015 Maple Leaf Tour.

“There is no class, you start as a professional,” said Gauthier of her start. “You learn at the shows. You make a mistake, you learn from it and try not to do it again. You try new tricks and that’s how you grow.”

For those not acquainted with the monster truck world, the custom-designed vehicles are about four metres tall and four metres wide. They ride on giant 168-centimetre tires. They are between 1,500-2,000 horsepower. They are fast, but the best part is the airtime:  Monster Jam trucks can fly up to 45-plus metres in length.

Of course, airtime leads to landing time and that can lead to injury. So Gauthier’s approach to protecting herself is a proactive one.

“I work out a lot at the gym. I build muscles so I’m not as sore the next day after a show,” said Gauthier. “We have the same safety as NASCAR. But it’s still an extreme sport, so there is always danger. For me it is less risky than motocross. They say, ‘with the age comes the cage.’ ”

Here’s just how high one of the trucks can get off the ground. The Monster Jam Triple Threat Series at the Pacific Coliseum goes from April 7-9.

Meents says while it takes an athlete to handle these vehicles, there is a lot more that goes into becoming one of the best.

“They have to drive with their heart. They have to love what they are doing and she does. She loves the fans. She loves driving the truck. Her favourite thing is freestyle,” said Meents, who was the first driver to land a front flip and a double backflip in his Max D truck. “It’s fun to train with her and it’s fun to see her perform and it’s fun to see her at a pit party and meet her and interact with her.”

That interaction part is imperative to this fan-fuelled sport, a sport Gauthier is happy to report is appealing to more and more girls.

“Girls keep saying before they came to the show they weren’t that interested in the sport and now that they see there’s a woman they really want to become a driver when they get older,” said Gauthier. “There’s a lot of parents that say we inspire their kids, (and) that means the world to me.”

Rookie Myranda Cozadin from Davenport, Iowa, will be in the Vancouver lineup driving the Scooby-Doo truck.

“We are a big family and try and help each other, so when I see another woman do well and win that means the world to me,” said Gauthier, who adds there are about 15 women competing at any given time on the various Monster Truck tours.

Driver Cynthia Gauthier shows how she measures up to one of the wheels on her Monster Mutt Dalmatian monster truck.

When she isn’t driving or working on her driving, Gauthier is doing cross-fit training and enjoying a little down time with a new but not surprising hobby.

“I like welding. I’ve been learning how to weld over the last couple of years. I bought my first welder a month ago. I’ve been doing little projects. I just love it,” said Gauthier. “I’m not the typical girl who likes to go shopping. I grew up on a farm. I like to get dirty.”

dgee@postmedia.com

twitter.com/dana_gee

• Driving news

CLICK HERE to report a typo.

Is there more to this story? We’d like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Email vantips@postmedia.com.

Veteran TV journalist John Daly was recognized for a stellar career with the Radio Television Digital News Association’s (RTNDA) Canada Lifetime Achievement award at a gala dinner last night.

Daly, whose career spanned over 35 years with BCTV and then Global BC, broke some of the province’s biggest stories, from police executing a search warrant at the home of a B.C. Premier to his reporting on the worst gang violence in B.C.’s history.

Also recognized at the event with a lifetime achievement award was Cecilia Walters.

“Cecilia and John epitomize the very high standard of journalism in British Columbia, their lifetime achievement awards recognizes and celebrates the incredible contribution they have made to the journalistic fabric of our community,” RTDNA President Ian Koenigsfest said in a release.

“While the legacy of their work will always be remembered they also need to be acknowledged for the mentoring they have provided to so many young and aspiring journalists.”

Walters anchored CBC Radio’s local morning newscasts for almost 20 years, and before that, co-anchored CBC’s local news in the 1980s.

If you live near B.C. Place Stadium, we hope you like U2 because you’re going to be hearing a lot of them over the next couple of weeks.

The Irish supergroup has taken over B.C. Place as they rehearse for the upcoming Joshua Tree 30th Anniversary Tour, which kicks off on May 12 in Vancouver.

U2 — singer Bono, guitarist The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. — last played in Vancouver in 2015 when they opened the Innocence + Experience world tour with two shows at Rogers Arena. The band spent a month in Vancouver rehearsing for that show.

They must like it here.

The last couple of nights, folks living downtown have been listening to the band playing songs from their most popular album.

One Twitter user, Bjorn Lodding, who posts as @Pbear1979, streamed four hours of rehearsal on Periscope.

It’s not exactly compelling viewing — the camera is set up across the street from the stadium and the sound is muffled — but it still registered more than 6,000 views.

There have also been U2 sightings.

Bono was spotted at The Diamond cocktail bar in Gastown.

Larry Mullen, meanwhile, was seen taking a stroll along the seawall on Tuesday.

sbrown@postmedia.com

twitter.com/Browniescott

Hong Kong Airlines landed its inaugural flight into North America in Vancouver on Friday with action movie star Jackie Chan on hand to help boost the airline’s profile.

International film star Jackie Chan was in Richmond Friday, June 30, 2017 promoting the inaugural flight of Hong Kong Airlines from Hong Kong to YVR.

The airline, which will stage daily flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong, has enlisted Chan as its brand ambassador, although he didn’t speak to media or fans who greeted him at Vancouver International Airport after his flight landed. But the airline hopes the star of films like Rumble in the Bronx (filmed in Vancouver) will lure his fan base on both sides of the Pacific to use its services.

The action movie star is expected to make several appearances around Vancouver over the next few days, including a musical performance on the Canada Place main stage during Vancouver’s Canada Day celebration, 4:15 p.m., Saturday.

He will be performing a number with the cabin crew of the Hong Kong Airlines and members of the Vancouver Children’s Choir.

Chan’s newest movie, The Foreigner, which also stars Pierce Brosnan, is slated to hit theatres in October.

Vancouver International Airport’s newest “airline partner” Hong Kong Airlines brought Jackie Chan to town on Friday.

International film star Jackie Chan  is the brand ambassador for Hong Kong Airline.

International film star Jackie Chan shakes hands with Craig Richmond, president and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority, on Friday.

Jackie Chan, in town promoting the inaugural flight of Hong Kong Airlines from Hong Kong to Vancouver, will perform at Canada Place on Saturday, 4:15 p.m., as part of Canada Day celebrations.

WENN.COM

Chester Bennington’s housekeeper sobbed in distress after she discovered the singer’s body, audio of a 911 call has revealed.

The Linkin Park singer was 41 when he killed himself in his Los Angeles home last Thursday.

Los Angeles Police Department officers have now released audio of the 911 call, made by a driver who had planned to pick up Chester from his home, to TMZ.com.

In the background of the call, the female housekeeper can be heard crying loudly, apparently while contacting Chester’s wife Talinda, who was away with their children.

“I’m a driver and I just got to the location and his housekeeper came out and said that he killed himself,” the driver told the 911 dispatcher.

• Linkin Park frontman commits suicide, was set to play Vancouver

He added, “I haven’t seen him. I’m sitting in the car. His housekeeper came up to me and said that he… she found him dead.”

Asked by the dispatcher if Chester could still be breathing, the driver responded, “I asked ‘Is he cold, is he warm?’, and she said ‘No, he’s dead, he’s been hanging’, and she’s talking to his wife right now.”

On Saturday, Los Angeles Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter confirmed the musician had committed suicide by hanging. He also revealed that a bottle of alcohol was present at the scene but no note had been found. Results from an autopsy are pending.

The manner of Chester’s death was similar to that of his close friend, Soundgarden rocker Chris Cornell, who passed away in May (17). Chester died on what would have been Chris’s 53rd birthday.

On Monday, Linkin Park, who have cancelled all of their touring commitments, published a touching tribute to their fallen frontman online.

“Dear Chester,” the letter read. “Our hearts are broken. The shockwaves of grief and denial are still sweeping through our family as we come to grips with what has happened. You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realised.”

Their message continued to thank fans and friends for their support in the wake of the tragedy.

WENN.COM

Justin Bieber has denied he cancelled the remaining dates of his world tour due to religious reasons.

The Canadian singer was brought up as a committed Christian by his mother Pattie and still attends Hillsong Church in Los Angeles, even though he has had a number of run-ins with the law in recent years.

Following the shocking announcement Bieber was cancelling 14 tour dates on Monday, a report from Australia Today suggested the pop star made the decision to can the concerts as he wanted to devote himself to religion, with a source suggesting he may even start his own church.

However, when interviewed by a cameraman from TMZ.com, the 23-year-old dismissed the idea, simply saying, “No” when questioned over the report.

Last month, the Sorry singer praised God extensively when performing at a charity concert held in Manchester, England to raise funds for the victims of the terror attack at Ariana Grande’s concert in the city.

“God is good in the midst of the darkness,” he said on stage. “God is good in the midst of the evil. God is in the midst, no matter what is happening in the world, God is in the midst and he loves you and he is here for you.”

After confirming he wouldn’t be playing planned gigs in North America, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines, Bieber apologized to fans.

His manager Scooter Braun later released a statement about the cancellation of the gigs, calling on fans to “respect” the decision.

“Justin will be back and I know he looks forward to performing for you and with you all again. One chapter ends and another begins. Thank you again,” he said.

WENN.COM

Actress Sophie Turner has snubbed her boyfriend Joe Jonas and confessed Justin Bieber is the musician she’d most like to land a role on Game Of Thrones.

After her pal and castmate Maisie Williams scored a dream scene with her favourite singer, Ed Sheeran, in the season seven premiere earlier this month, Turner thinks she should have a say in who is picked for the show’s next headline-grabbing cameo.

The Brit, who plays Sansa Stark on the series, was asked about her dream cameo at Comic-Con in San Diego, California over the weekend, and picked the Baby singer – not her boyfriend.

“I’ve been talking about Bieber coming on the show for a while now,” she told Entertainment Tonight.

Justin certainly has time on his hands – he scrapped the remaining dates on his Purpose World Tour on Monday and later revealed he was just tired after being on the road for two years.

International action star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is in town and he’s mining his Vancouver memories for life lessons.

Johnson, who is slated to begin filming his next flick in Vancouver next week, took to Instagram Wednesday evening to share a memory from his time in the west coast city and the things he’s learned from it.

“Just got to show you guys this view – it is spectacular, of one of my favourite cities in the world: Vancouver, Canada,” he begins in the video, while panning to show the city’s downtown skyline behind him, covered in a haze at sunset.

“Look, I’ve dropped my blood and sweat in this city, wrestled multiple matches in this city, shot big movies in this city but one thing a lot of people don’t know is, I want to share with you guys is – when I was 22 years old, I came to this city for the first time,” Johnson continues.

“I was playing in the Canadian Football League, playing my first pro-football game. I was playing for the Calgary Stampeders, we were playing the B.C. Lions. I was so excited. Two days later, I got cut.”

Johnson said it was a “dream shattered” and that he was sent home with $7 in his pocket. At the time, Johnson’s “big goals” and “dreams” were to play in the NFL eventually, before he realized that it was the “best thing that never happened.”

“Because it got me here. So my point is – look, you’re going to get your ass kicked. We’re going to get the shit kicked out of us. You’ve got to get up, you’ve got to have faith that the one thing that you wanted to happen oftentimes is the best thing that never happened,” he says.

“So have faith and just keep that in mind and keep lugging away.”

Johnson’s film Skyscraper, set to begin filming in Vancouver on Monday, is slated for a July 2018 release. The film, backed by Universal and Legendary, casts Johnson as former FBI hostage rescuer and war veteran Will Ford, who now works in skyscraper security.

“On assignment in China, he finds the tallest, safest building in the world suddenly ablaze, and he’s been framed for it,” according to Variety. “A wanted man on the run, Will must find those responsible, clear his name, and somehow rescue his family who is trapped inside the building.”

The film is written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber and produced by Beau Flynn, Johnson and Thurber. Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia are executive producers.

Johnson is also wrapping production on New Line action film Rampage, and currently shooting the third season of Ballers. He can be seen in Jumanji later this year.

sip@postmedia.com
twitter.com/stephanie_ip

By Radar Online

Angelina Jolie ‘s announcement last fall that she was divorcing Brad Pitt shocked the world, but the actress is finally ready to admit she made a mistake and she wants to call it all off.

Us Weekly reports that Jolie, 42, has come a long way on her journey from bitterness to forgiveness.

“She still has feelings for him and now that the anger has gone down a little, she’s starting to realize that again,” revealed a friend. “She’s not fully over him.”

In June, Jolie, 42, said she had taken a “big jump forward” when she moved her family into an 11,000 square-foot mansion in Los Feliz, not far from the home she once shared with Pitt, 53, and their six children — Maddox , 16, Pax , 13, Zahara , 12, Shiloh, 11 and 9-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne .

“We’re all trying our best to heal our family,” Jolie cryptically revealed in the September issue of Vanity Fair , taking care not to outright bash Pitt while they worked through their issues.

Now, a source told Us, behind the scenes “the divorce is off” and “they haven’t done anything to move it forward in several months and no one thinks they are ever going to.”

RadarOnline.com reported, the couple’s 12-year relationship exploded during tense flight almost a year ago on their private jet. Pitt reportedly got into an altercation with Maddox. The fight quickly escalated and led Jolie to file for divorce from Pitt, 53.

However, Jolie quickly realized she might have made a mistake rushing into the decision, especially after Pitt admitted he had a problem and took control of the situation.

The actor publicly copped to “boozing” to such a degree that he “could drink a Russian under the table with his own vodka.” He then quit alcohol cold turkey.

“He got sober to try and win her back,” explained the source. “He knew he had a problem that he had to take care of. And that’s all she ever wanted.”

Pitt’s steely resolve went a long way toward melting Jolie’s heart.

“Everyone thinks they are going to get back together,” said the source. “It wouldn’t be surprising if they announced that they’re calling it off and trying to work things out.”

Added the source, “She’s still so in love with him.”

Actor Johnny Depp sure knows how to play to the crowd.

Depp, in Vancouver to film his new movie Richard Says Goodbye, said hello to numerous kids at B.C. Children’s Hospital on Monday dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow, the character he plays in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.

He was reportedly there for a number of hours, going from room to room in his pirate paraphernalia and brightening the day for the pint-sized patients.

Johnny Depp dropped in on the B.C. Children’s Hospital on Monday.

“He was never Johnny Depp, he was always Jack Sparrow,” a hospital employee told Global BC.

Johnny Depp dropped in on the B.C. Children’s Hospital on Monday.

Johnny Depp dropped in on the B.C. Children’s Hospital on Monday.

And this isn’t the only time of late that Depp dropped into a local institution and greeted his fans. He was at Vancouver’s Blackbird Public House on July 25, where his latest project was  being filmed, and mingled with several excited Vancouverites.

mraptis@postmedia.com

twitter.com/mike_raptis

Given his small-town Ontario roots, it will come as no surprise that Justin Bieber is a pretty solid hockey player.

The pop superstar surprised a group of Whistler boys Thursday as he showed up for practice with the Whistler Minor Hockey midget A1 team.

Rob Palm, father of Drew, one of the team’s goalies, wrote on Facebook, “The Biebs has pretty good hands and knew exactly where to be. He was super humble and a true gentleman. I gained a lot of respect for him as a result. Thank you JB!!!”

According to Palm, Bieber was in town for one of Whistler’s more noted activities, snowboarding, but had wondered if he could skate with one of the community’s teams. Only the team’s coach, Mike Kelso, and association president, Steve Legge, knew he was going to join the team for practice.

“About five minutes or so before practice coach came in and said we have a new player coming in,” Drew said Sunday over the phone, before his team’s second game of the weekend.

“I thought it was a bantam team kid, a call-up. When he came in, he wasn’t too big. Then I saw him going around giving hand shakes and I realized he had neck tattoos; I thought what guys his age has neck tattoos?”

As Palm was shaking the new player’s hand, Kelso asked the team, “guys, don’t you see who this is?”

“Then one of the guys said ‘oh my god that’s Justin Bieber,” Palm said.

Bieber walked out to put his helmet on; “we were all looking at each other, thinking ‘wow! what?!’ We had no idea he was coming.”

The team then stepped out for what they thought would be a usual practice, but instead it was scrimmage time.

Palm said Kelso told them “you guys have been working hard all year, it’s time to have some fun.”

The teams split up and Bieber started out on the opposite team from Palm.

The world-famous singer actually bagged the first goal on the teenaged goalie.

“He came across and he backhanded it,” he said. With little warmup, the teen said he was a little rusty, and in classic goalie bravado, said in hindsight, he probably should have been able to make the save.

“He surprised most of us. He’s got good hands. Not the greatest skater. It’s pretty impressive for someone who probably doesn’t get to play hockey very much.”

Bieber does play in Los Angeles, where he now lives, from time to time.

Palm said he didn’t get to talk much with Bieber afterwards, but said everyone agreed “he was a super nice guy.”

Once the players realized who they were going to be skating with, there was just one rule: no photos or texts with their phones. The coaches collected all their phones, but Palm said they all understood: this was a chance for a celebrity to have some time to himself, to just be a regular guy.

“I totally understand,” he said. “I guess it was a chance to feel like a kid again.”

Palm and the team won their game 4-0 on Saturday. “He must have some good luck,” Palm said with a laugh.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

twitter.com/risingaction

In the midst of plenty, the need to provide and help others remains high. And without hesitation, thousands annually step up, giving of their time, talent and treasure to help those in need and to build a better tomorrow for all. As we give thanks for their efforts and prepare to usher in a new year of hope and promise, here is another look back at this year’s top celebrations and those that dared to make a difference.

MIRACLE CONCERT AND GALA

This year’s top money-maker saw Victoria’s favourite son, music man David Foster mark his foundation’s 30th anniversary with a star-studded fundraising concert and gala. The award-winning producer and musician tapped 30 of his A-list friends including Oprah, Jay Leno, and Steven Tyler to make an appearance at the biggest gala-do of the year. The Parq Vancouver party earned a whopping $10.2 million to support families with children in need of an organ transplant.

NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS

Barbara Grantham, CEO of the VGH UBC Hospital Foundation thanked Darlene Poole for her lead gift that sparkplugged a $5.95 million night for VGH. Monies went towards the purchase of a new generation of surgical robots for the hospital.

A glittering party that once occupied hotel ballrooms now fills the Vancouver Convention Centre. VGH + UBC Hospital Foundation’s 22nd Night of a Thousand Stars soirée fronted by Nancey Nanji was one for the books. Along with high production value, came high praise from health care visionary Darlene Poole. She sparkplugged the memorable evening with a near $2 million gift. Coupled with the crowd funded $3.95 million, the mega proceeds went toward the purchase of a new surgical robot and world class care at VGH.

CHINATOWN GALA

Rising star Ty Waters headlined Carol Lee’s Chinatown Foundation Gala. The second incarnation of her gala-do would generate $1 million to help revitalize the storied neighbourhood.

After an impressive debut in 2016, Carol Lee followed up with an equally stirring sophomore staging of her Chinatown Gala to support efforts to revitalize the historic area. Gold and glam, the sold-out affair attracted captains of industries and community leaders to the Hotel Vancouver for the now annual dinner and auction. Enlisting powerhouses Carole Taylor and Leslie Diamond to chair the event, the women helped fill the foundation coffers with more than a million dollars to improve the once bustling neighbourhood.

SPLASH

Christie Darbyshire and Bruce Munro Wright guided Art’s Umbrella’s posh art auction and gala. The 35th edition would be the biggest Splash ever, generating $540,000 in net proceeds for the visual and performing arts school for young people.

Lesson learned after staging its largest art party last year inside the weather resistant Hotel Vancouver, Arts Umbrella returned to the iconic downtown property for its 35th running. A wise decision on the part of party leads Christie Darbyshire and Bruce Munro Wright, their art sale of a hundred masterful works by esteemed artists would post a chart topping $540,000 in net proceeds, setting a new standard for the tony gala benefiting Canada’s preeminent visual and performing arts school.

NIGHT OF WONDERS

Jan Grude’s Pacific Blue Cross presented this year’s magical Night of Wonders Gala that generated a record $375,000 for Jennifer Petersen’s Children’s Wish Foundation.

Punching well above its weight, Children’s Wish Foundation’s Night of Wonders Gala, delivered a most remarkable night. The city’s young, bold and the beautiful came together to grant wishes for deserving children living with life threatening illnesses. Led by Jessica Hollander and an influential committee, Mike Wood and Aaron van Pykstra’s Autoform Dealership in East Vancouver was transformed into an exquisite dining room and party venue for a record-setting $375,000 night.

LE CIRQUE DU SOIREE

Ringmasters Joelle Paleologou and Rita Khanna transformed Centennial Arena into an extravagant circus tent for Peace Arch Hospital Foundation’s biggest night.

Kudos to Joelle Paleologou and Rita Khanna, chairs of Peace Arch Hospital Foundation’s high-flying Le Cirque du soirée fundraiser. They along with a 21-person committee executed a flawless evening of magic and merriment under the big top. The party posse transformed cavernous Centennial Arena into an extravagant circus tent, where no expense was sparred to convince hundreds to run away with them to the circus, and part with nearly $500,000 for a new hospice residence.

FOR CHILDREN WE CARE GALA

Jane Young joined seven-year-old Mikkal Karim-Fidler in helping raise awareness and funds for B.C. Children’s Hospital and life-saving equipment.

Decorator Colin Upright and Granville Island Florist’s Suzanne Lee beautifully set the stage for Jane Young’s For Children We Care Gala, one of the prettiest parties of the year. No expense spared, the sparkling room was only matched by the brilliant generosity of patrons who attended the lavish luau at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. The spirited night of giving brought in $2.55 million — more than five times the amount posted in 2016 — for B.C. Children’s Hospital.

REVEAL GALA

Besties Christi Yassin, and Clara Aquilini chaired the sophomoric running of Canuck Autism Network’s REVEAL Gala, held at Roger’s Arena. The million-dollar event gave attendees a glimpse into the complex world of autism.

Transforming Roger’s Arena into a warm, intimate ballroom for 550 guests is no small feat. Up for the challenge, Clara Aquilini, Charmaine Crooks and Christi Yassin did just that for the Canuck Autism Network’s REVEAL Gala. With the help of event producer Martin van Keken, the concrete stadium was transformed into a breathtaking party palace for the Evening in Venice benefit. The bewitching night scored CAN $1 million and revealed the spectrum of challenges, gifts and possibilities autism can bring for families.

MONET’S SECRET GARDEN GALA

Pamela Richardson and Priscilla Lam championed the $1 million Monet Secret Garden Party that launched the Vancouver Art Gallery’s most successful exhibition to date.

Launching the most comprehensive exhibition of Monet’s work in Canada in more than two decades, the Vancouver Art Gallery threw the summer’s biggest and most lavish garden party. Pamela Richardson and Priscilla Lam steered the $1,000-a-ticket affair that saw all 400 seats quickly snapped up to the outdoor party in front of the VAG steps. In return for the most magnificent night, patrons seeded the venerable arts organization a million dollars.

GOLD HEART GALA

Committee member Rosemary Siemens and gala chair Mary Zilba saw a record-breaking $550,000 raised for Variety, the Children’s Charity.

Mary Zilba and her gal pals elevated Variety, the Children’s Charity’s signature soirée. Taking the event to the next stratosphere, this year’s running had all the elements of a winning party — a gorgeous venue, sumptuous wine-paired dinner and a host of generous hearts in the room. A special painting by Athena Bax and five Variety kids sold for $33,000, igniting the night of giving. The show of hearts would bring in a record $550,000 to help B.C. children with special needs.

Granting wishes

For the fifth consecutive year, the B.C. and Yukon chapter of Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada set out to grant the wishes of some extraordinarily brave children facing life-threatening illnesses. More than 350 local leaders and influential members of the Vancouver community came together for the agency’s Night of Wonders Gala, presented by Pacific Blue Cross.

As usual, the party was held in a unique location, a hallmark of the annual event. This year, the London Aviation Centre at the Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal hosted the Wishes Take Flight-themed $500-a-ticket affair, paying homage to the number of travel wishes the organization grants. Piloted by Kevin Mazzone and Tiffany Soper, the young entrepreneurs — both under 40 — and a committee of 30-something difference makers rallied attendees to celebrate the magic and power of a wish and to help more families see their child’s wish come true.

Showcasing the extraordinary lengths to which the chapter’s small but mighty team of eight women will go to fulfill a child’s wish, no detail was spared as the commercial hangar was transformed into an exquisite party palace. Following a spectacular red carpet arrival — many guests were chauffeured or helicoptered in — attendees would enjoy a sparkly reception, first-class entertainment and a royal repast (compliments of Lazy Gourmet and Liquidity Wines) before opening their hearts and wallets.

Fanciful trips and one-of-a-kind experiences would garner the foundation $110,000 in the exclusive live auction. But the biggest outpouring came after an emotional speech by Lynn-Anne Graham, mother of a courageous seven-year-old who has battled cancer twice. Attendees would immediately donate another $210,000. It would contribute to a record-setting $550,000 for Children’s Wish, making it the largest and most successful gala in chapter history.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, sponsors and gala-goers, 55 local children and families will see their wishes granted, with more than 250 wishes still in the pipeline waiting to be fulfilled.

“Our hope was that that this event would be extraordinary, just like the magic of a wish,” said Jennifer Petersen, provincial director of Children’s Wish B.C. & Yukon Chapter. “Without a doubt it surpassed our expectations,” she added.

Committee member Shannon Heth (left) and Children’s Wish Foundation’s Hannah Smith helped raise a record-setting $550,000 to grant wishes to B.C. and Yukon kids living with life threatening illnesses. (Photo: Fred Lee)

Sofina Foods’ Manjot Gill, Umeeda Madhany and Parabhjot Dahliwal sponsored the VIP reception where well-heeled guests helicoptered in for the Children’s Wish Foundation fundraiser. (Photo: Fred Lee)

Soha Lavin of Countdown Events transformed the London Aviation Centre commercial hangar into a dreamy party palace for the fifth Night of Wonders Gala. (Photo: Fred Lee)

Children’s Wish recipients Matthew Boroditsky and Jaimey Hamilton paid it forward, lending their support to Jennifer Petersen, provincial director of Children’s Wish B.C. and Yukon, and her team to grant more wishes to deserving kids. (Photo: Fred Lee)

Former B.C. finance minister Carole Taylor and Jan Grude, past president and CEO of Pacific Blue Cross, were among local leaders and influential members of the Vancouver community who came together to create magic for kids. (Photo: Fred Lee)

Night of Wonders co-host Sophie Lui convinced her partner, hotelier Philip Myers of the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, to donate a luxury stay to the cause. (Photo: Fred Lee)

Years of SUCCESS

The SUCCESS Gala made its debut back in 1978 at the Diamond Chinese Restaurant in Chinatown. Tickets were then $10, said Maggie Ip, one of 14 individuals who helped found the fledgling social service agency dedicated to helping Chinese immigrants integrate into Canada. Ip was the founding chair.

“Five dollars from every ticket went to the society; we raised $1,500,” she recalled. “While we had support from the community, it was a challenge to get elected officials to attend,” she added.

SUCCESS has evolved into a multicultural social service agency supporting people in all stages of their Canadian journey. Tickets today to the fundraising dinner party range from $238-to-$838 for the VIP treatment, and politicians from all levels of government clamour for a seat at the vote-rich gala dinner, auction and concert.

Dignitaries making this year’s merrymaker included B.C. Premier John Horgan and Opposition leader Andrew Wilkinson. Also spotted were National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, Vancouver city councillor Adriane Carr, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Tong Xiaoling, consul general of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver.

Since its inception, the little-fundraising-dinner-that-could has raised more than $11 million. Chairs Walter Soo, Jeffrey Chan and Timothy Hsia would see to it another $650,000 be added — $110,000 over last year’s haul — with the help of elected officials and 800-plus guests who made the event’s 40th staging to support newcomers, seniors, youth and women in the community.

“We are so thankful for the support and contributions from our generous sponsors and donors who make the gala a resounding success year after year,” said Brandon Hui, chair of SUCCESS Foundation, addressing the capacity crowd.

Kelly and Maggie Ip helped found SUCCESS settlement agency in 1973. The society celebrated the organization’s 45th anniversary and its Bridge to Success fundraiser’s 40th anniversary. (Photo: Fred Lee)

Walter Soo, Jeffrey Chan and Timothy Hsia fronted the 40th Bridge to SUCCESS Gala. (Photo: Fred Lee)

SUCCESS CEO Queenie Choo welcomed B.C. Premier John Horgan to the organization’s flagship fundraiser at the Westin Bayshore Hotel. (Photo: Fred Lee)

SUCCESS vice-chair Terry Yung and SUCCESS Foundation vice-chair Chris Chan flanked Vancouver Park Board commissioner Sarah Kirby-Yung, one of many political representatives from all levels of government making the annual Chinese dinner and concert. (Photo: Fred Lee)

Sweet endings

The B.C. Cancer Agency’s emergency dental fund was the beneficiary of the 18th annual Toothfairy Gala, sponsored by Scotiabank. The social-capper to the yearly Pacific Dental Conference, more than 300 industry professionals and insiders gathered for the B.C. Dental Association’s annual dinner, awards ceremony and cake auction held at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Celebrating the profession’s best and brightest, Ellen Colfer, Paul Shaw-Wood, Mark Forgie, Ron Fulton, Samson Ng, Greg Ames, Tony Gill, Wayne Chou, Susan Armstrong and gala emcee Ray Grewal were all feted with honours. Dr. Ron Markey would receive the night’s top award before yours truly stepped onto the convention stage to auction off seven beautifully decorated cakes in support of cancer patients and their oral needs.

Cake creations by celebrated pastry chefs Thomas Haas, Peter Fong and Daisy Lai garnered impressive bids ranging from $5,000 to $7,000, but the top bid went to a masterful, multi-tier showstopper by Butter Baked Goods. The Vanilla Buttercream cake fetched $10,000, contributing to a sweet sum of $100,000 baked up for the dental initiative, putting a big smile on the face of the emergency fund’s creator Dr. Allan Hovan.

Master of ceremonies Dr. Ray Grewal, along with B.C. Dental Association executive director Jocelyn Johnston, presented Dr. Ron Markey with the association’s highest honour for his years of service to the profession and community. (Photo: Fred Lee)

Tooth fairy Eliza Regenyi and B.C. Cancer Agency’s Dr. Allan Hovan were all smiles following a successful cake sale and auction that saw $100,000 generated for an emergency fund to support cancer patients and their oral needs. (Photo: Fred Lee)

CLICK HERE to report a typo.

Is there more to this story? We’d like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Email vantips@postmedia.com

Vancouver actor Seth Rogen said he knew about porn star Stormy Daniels’ alleged Trump affair years ago.

“At the time, when you ask a porn star who they’ve been sleeping with and the answer was Donald Trump, it was like the least surprising thing that she could’ve said,” Rogen said this week during an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ show.

Rogen said he and Daniels knew each other after she was cast in two of his films in smaller roles. In 2007’s Knocked Up, Daniels played a lap dancer and in 2005’s The 40-Year-Old Virgin, she played a porn star.

The B.C.-born actor said it was easier to cast adult film stars in his movies as strippers since they were more comfortable with the roles than most actresses.

“I’ve known Stormy Daniels a long time, and I’ll be honest, she may have mentioned some of this stuff around 10 years ago,” Rogen said in an interview on Ellen.

Rogen hasn’t been in touch with Daniels for years and said he didn’t realize the story would be as massive as it currently is.

“Again it wasn’t — at the time — wasn’t that surprising and then, as (Trump’s) campaign rolled out, it became clear that no one cared about anything he did,” Rogen said.

“So, it didn’t really occur to me even that it would come out or that anyone would care about it, but then when I saw it, I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, Stormy told us all about that.'”

Rogen most recently appeared in buddy James Franco’s The Disaster Artist, which tells the story of how notoriously terrible cult film The Room was made. Rogen is attached to a number of films currently in post-production and will appear as the voice of Pumbaa in the upcoming 2019 remake of Disney’s The Lion King.

sip@postmedia.com
twitter.com/stephanie_ip

CLICK HERE to report a typo.

Is there more to this story? We’d like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Email vantips@postmedia.com