CRYSTAL CLEAR: At B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 27th Crystal Ball, chaired by Arya Eshghi, more than 400 guests helped raised an impressive $2 million to support the construction of a new children’s hospital. The result pushed the campaign total to just over $200 million, concluding the fundraising efforts that began in 2008. In addition to the $6 million the black-tie affair has generated, more than 80,000 BC and Yukon residents have contributed to the effort. The new hospital will include an emergency department, diagnostics and imaging, pediatric intensive care unit, operating rooms and patient rooms.
AND THE WINNERS ARE: Abby Photography, Savoury City Catering, Flower Factory and Filosophi Events were among the big winners at the 4th annual Professional BC Wedding Awards founded by Justin Eckersall and Tracy Volb. Yours truly emceed the awards ceremony sponsored by Real Weddings Magazine. More than 500 industry types walked the red carpet at a dazzling celebration honouring the best and brightest. Two-dozen trophies were handed out in categories from top venues to photographers and wedding planners. Wedding event planner Erin Bishop was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award.
GLOWBAL DOMINATION: Emad Yacoub, the driving force behind the city’s largest restaurant group, which includes eight restaurants, two lounges and two take-out establishments, was named Restaurateur of the Year at the 25th Pinnacle Awards. Yacoub accepted the prestigious national accolade at a special silver anniversary luncheon at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel. Never to rest on his accomplishments, the restaurant kingpin will open a second location of his popular Trattoria in West Vancouver in 2014.
Hear Fred Mondays 8:20am on CBC Radio’s The Early Edition AM690 and 88.1FM;Email: [email protected]; Twitter: @FredAboutTown
