That quirky handsome actor who made the first big Batman movie in 1989 playing the Caped Crusader, Michael Keaton,
was recognized by several diners as he enjoyed a quiet dinner with a friend at the main bar at the award-winning Blue Water Cafe last Friday night. Slim and trim, Michael turns 57 on September 5th...
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Excellent turnout last Wednesday evening for the start of the two-day Player's Challenge Golf Tournament Event on Thursday. This is an annual golfing event that takes place out at Westwood Plateau and raises funds for Canuck Place, the children's hospice.
The evening prior, guests and celebrities mixed and mingled at a laid-back cocktail party held at the Black Fish Marine on Granville Island.
Some of the VIPs that I spotted at the reception were the Anaheim Ducks' big Brian Burke who's such a charmer, (Jennifer stayed home to pack for a week's vacation with their girls at Cape Cod), Washington Capitals' Karl Alzner, Scott Hannah of the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames' Eric Goddard, former NHL-er Brent Gilchrist, Unique Autosports' Will Castro, lanky sports guy John MacKeachie, 2006 Turin snowboarder Alexa Loo and auto magnate Brian Jessel and best girl Amber Webster.
Wild Horse Canyon Wines, represented by Kendra Cunningham and Lindsay Calder, hosted the affair along with Jorum Schramm and his parents Terry and Vivian, with hors d'oeuves by Urban Fare. Glamour gals Caroline Gilchrist, Alexis Palkowski and Devon Brooks added a nice classic touch...
The golf tournament went well and the auction raised approximately $40,000 for Canuck Place. Big ticket items included a trip to Los Angeles to meet Tiger Woods at the Tiger Woods Foundation Block Party and a custom car golf cart.
Ironically, the fellow who helped organize this charity affair, Paul Marr, was nowhere to be seen. Apparently he had to go to Edmonton to have surgery on his knee...
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Speaking of golfing tournaments, the first big name golf course produced in Whistler, the Whistler Golf Course, was designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. It was his first Canadian design and it opened officially on August 22, 1983, 25 years ago.
I remember when Arnie first set foot on the grounds to begin his planning. It was a cold, wet February morning when a group of us media types joined him for the flight from Vancouver to Whistler in the noisy helicopter - my first flight in a whirley-bird.
Arnold was so sweet and accomodating, answered questions, posed for photos - a real nice guy.
To celebrate this Silver Anniversary milestone, on Friday Sept. 5th, 2008 guests will have the option of participating in a 8 am or 2 pm shotgun start. For $79, golfers will be able to play 18 holes of golf, use of a golf cart, complimenary retro golf hat and a barbecue luncheon. There'll be entertainment, contests, the best Arnold Palmer lookalike contest and prizes for the best 1980's attire. Plaid in all colours comes to mind...
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Kudos to Shaun Layton, the head bartender at George Ultra Lounge, who has just become the Canadian winner of the 2nd annual ultimate mixology challenge called Cocktails by Design.
Hundreds of international mixologists submitted custom-crafted cocktail recipes featuring Bombay Sapphire Gin.
Shaun's winning cocktail, London Vine, will be the signature martini cocktail served at the Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass International Competition in London, England, next month as well as being the featured cocktail for the gin company's sponsored events throughout 2008.
Shaun will also be travelling to Vinopolis in London to meet renowned mixologist and Bombay Sapphire ambassador Merlin Griffiths, who breezed through Vancouver last year
and hosted a Bombay gin-inspired dinner at Lumiere...
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Speaking of dining, there's a unique twist on the extensive menu at the beyond restaurant in the Century Plaza.
Century Plaza Hotel and Spa Executive Manager Sergio Cocchia with wife Wendy Cocchia have been working with nutritionalist Jacqueline Ehlert and their Executive Chef Cale Gault to showcase a dining concept that compliments their hugely-successful Absolute Spa at the Century Plaza.
They have created a $38 three-course spa menu that reflects healthy dining without losing gourmet taste.
I indulged last week and felt so good about it!
The Organic Beef Carpaccio appetizer was heavenly while the Roasted Pacific Halibut Filet with sauteed summer leaves with truffled Okanagan apricots and toasted almonds was exquisite - light, appetizing and flavourful. The low-cal Yoghurt Semi Freddo was a light fluffy treat for dessert.
I did cheat a bit, stealing a bite or two of Capt. Bill's yummy Shortribs. Ooo they were good! And both dinners went so well with the new Desert Hills Gamay, a wine not usually found on dinner menus. Witty and knowlegable restaurant GM Bennie Graydon, who recommended it, was an added plus to our evening out...