Christmas cheer and char Avenues of trees lighted with hone for HE 68TH B.C. & Yukon Hoteliers’ Asso iation con- vention went very well, as it usually does. This 300- delegate convention is always fun — hoteliers know, perhaps better than anyone else, how to have a good time. The Waterfront Centre Hotel did a splendid job of keeping these discriminating conventioneers happy and, in addition to the Orient Express ball, highlights in- cluded g hilarious speech by Herb Capozzi, who related anecdotes from his experience in the biz (he owns Kelowna’s Capri Hotel), and a Hawaiian Night, where | chatted with West Van’s Roy and Wendy Lisogar and Wendy’s husband Sergio Cocchia (Rov owns the Century Plaza Hotel and daughter Wendy is the GM). The family had just returned frorn a Hawaiian golfing vacation, so finding something to wear wasn’t a problem and they report that the recession has definitely not hurt the hotel. They’re evidently not hurting ei- ther — Wendy and Sergio are building 2 tovely new home in the voperties. One other event was supposed to be a highlight — a speech by Tourism Minister Darlene Maz- Zari. Marzari, however, showed up 50 minutes late (at a very tightly scheduied conventicn), did not apologize (who does she think she is, Elizabeth Taylor?) and made pretty much the same speech she made last year — lots of promises (as far as I know, she hasn't kept the ones she made last year and a spiel about the direction, vision and the priorities of the ministry. Blah, blah, blah. * kx Another big event at the Water- front Centre was the Sixth Annual Sonoma Wine Festival, which is a fundraiser for the Vancouver Museum. At least 1,000 people showed over the course of the three-day event to sample the wares of 23 Sonoma Valley (California) vint- ners, and everyone left happy — hoteliers, restaurateurs and wine- drinkers were very impressed by the wines, and the vintners were thrilled to see that the LCB con- cession sold out all stoc And there were no mishaps fat the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival, a bottle of expensive wine vanished, and at the Canadian Craft Museum Wine Auction, restaurateur Bud Kanke drop- ped/broke/bought a bottle of rare wine). Not too many people from the North Shore showed. The Park Royal Hotel’s Guy Easter was there, as was North Van’‘s beauteous Carol Hebenton with her husband, fireman Alan, and West Van's Jennifer Petrina. Last time | talked to Jennifer, she was headed for law school, but she is now, happily, a social worker. Good choice — and probably more lucrative. From what | hear, anybody makes more money than mast lawyers these days ak There are lots of Christmas tree- related events going on downtown — ia case you're having trouble getting into the spirit. The Yuletide Lights of Hope takes place at Le Meridien untii Jan. 3. You'll find 15 trees deco- rated very elaborately by interna- tional airlines (American Airlines Louise Aird BRIGHT LIGHTS ver at the Hyatt Regency, $10 wiil buy you a fight on the hotel's 10-foat tree, with proceeds going to buy new equipment for Grace Hospital, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters will benefit from the Cele- bration of Lights at Canada Place. The Celebration of Lights com- bines the Festival of Lights and the Lighting of the Sails and, from Dec. 11 to 26, an view the the Avenue of Wreaths — and vote, for $2, on your favorite of 50 large trees do- nated by focal corporations. Here’s some incentive for you — there are 170 little kids on the Big Brothers/Big Sisters waiting list. NORTH VAN’S Naylor Communications’ editor Jim Hutson (left) and Branch Manager Mike Gray got into the spirit of things at the Hoteliers’ convention’s Hawaiian night. even makes its own cookie deco- rations). It’s up to the public to decide which is the best tree. Each vote costs $2, with proceeds going to the Children’s Hespital HIV Care Unit — and you can win great prizes. FIREMAN ALAN Hebenton, wife Caroi and Mark Zigner were three of at least Vm sure they’d appreciate your support. kek Congratulations are due to North Van’‘s Ron Briggs, who's among the 34 recipients of the 1992 Volunteer Award Certificates Sonoma Wine Festival, which showcased the products of 23 vin an Wednesday, December 2, 1992 - North Shore News - 29 ty ill and needy children photes Loulse Aird DURING THE Hoteliers’ Association convention at the Waterfront Centre Hotel, Sergio Cocchia and wife Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia enjoyed ‘Hawaiian night."’ from national health and welfare minister Benoit Bouchard. Since retiring a few years ago, Briggs has devoted his life to vol- unteering — at the Vancouver Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre, Volunteer Vancouver, Britannia Community Centre and the Shrine Club. He also counsels people who've been newly diannosed with multi- ple sclerosis and adds this wward ~- the highest given for volunteer work — to numerous others. a kk Spotted 2t Dundarave’s Vina Restaurant recently, cne of Canada’s favorite songstresses, Rita McNeil. Yes, she has a healthy appetite (a really healthy appetite), yes, she was wearing shoes and no, she did not stay for the karacke. 1,000 wine aficionados to partake in the three-day rs from California's Sonoma Valley.