ee regret eae EAN STP TIE AEST cyeeeiminn ge SER 2 er aE ACE RRA TORRE eI EEE ENE TPA RE PSD le IN IT WAS too good a party to miss. When your age hovers around the 50 mark and good fortune fi- nally rewards a lifetime of effort, anxiety, patience and dedication, it’s tempting to relax with finan- cial security. But when you are a city’s most accomplished host, and a world’s fair beckons, the challenge becomes irresistible. When the community of Expo first discovered Louis Stervinou, he and his False Creek restaurant Ondine’s were a nuisance. It was the only obstacle in the vast wasteland that was to host a world’s fair. What seemed like a fortune to an entrepreneurial restaurateur, was peanuts to Ex- po. Stervinou went his way and a splendid eatery was instantly demolished. He and his wife Jeannie had earned not only the cash rewards, but also the peace of mind retire- ment brought. Over 30 years ago, this charm- ing California girl was vacationing in Ireland, when she met a dashing young man from France’s Britteay. They were soon married. A hospitality career, punctuated by distinction, was to follow. During years in Hawaii, Louis Stervinou revolutionized food ser- vice at the Hikai Hotel, setting standards the complacent com- petition was forced to match. During the years in Hawaii, the Stervinous developed a friendship with brash and colorful Van- couver businessman Coley Hall. Hall worked on Louis to neve to Vancouver and take over the languishing food business at his Devonshire Hotel. Finally accep- ting a partnership, a legendary Vancouver food story was to begin. In relatively short order, the Dev’s Carriage Room became the finest place to eat on the West Coast. Any day at lunch, you would see the Chief Justice and the who’s who of the law profession at the tables. Louis befriended all of these people, as he did the captains of industry and the luminaries of show business. The table trade led to weddings, christenings and personal celebra- tions of all sorts. Stervinou became somewhat of a social Godfather to hundreds of young people. On one occasion years ago, I was with the late Jack Wasserman vg saecs Toys, Hobbies, Trains 7 AMBLESIDE @ TOYS '"N HOBBIES 1425 Marine Or, West Van. ma) 922-3512 4! 77 Bieyeles of Distinction AT A I's 926-6242 1852 MARINE DR. WEST VAN © open lines « and a group of people. He had done some sort of item about the Dev host just that day. A visitor inquired about ‘*this chap Ster- vinou."' The columnist replied: “Well, what can I say ... he's just the best."" eee Ondine’s was a dream. At the Dev, Coley Hall took the major investment risks and the largest slice of profit. On the banks of False Creek, Stervinou and a silent partner made a huge investment. It was a very special place, overlooking a marina, a prototype of the many establishments that were to follow. Among the treats were Jean- nie’s pecan pies. The demand for them was such that she produced them by the hundreds in her home kitchen. And then came Expo with the large dollars. As Expo evolved along his False Creek, Louis became like a thor- oughbred trapped in a cage. It was just a starting gate, and Peter Main — then president of White Spot Ltd. — turned him loose. As the beaming manager and partner in ‘‘Nat Bailey’s on the Plaza,*’ and director of food and beverage for the B.C. Pavillion, he was a leader ia the Expo ‘‘fam- ily’” — those of us who were there every day, before and after the visitors came and went. Through the period, a solid friendship developed with White Spot proprietor Peter Toigo. Afier Expo, they founded the British Columbia Club in the area that had been the fair’s VIP enter- teinment facility. Squeezed into just five years, the history embraces royalty, in- ternational political leaders, and show business celebrities. ee Whether it is the late nights, li- quor, dreadful eating habits or the constant exposure to the “beautiful people”’ and associated temptation, the matrimonial and family casualties in the hospitality trade approach 100 per cent. At the end of the day — no matter what temporary triumphs punctuate a career — the bottom line is zero; no money, no friends and no family. terested in the issue of on m This advertisement is not inviting presentation, but 1 rather is advising that City Council will be discuss- Bing this subject at its Council Meeting on Monday, July 23, 1990. THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER City Council invite all those people who are in- THE CHESTERFIELD AVENUE OFF-RAMPS NORTH AND SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 1 a 10 attend the Council Meeting to be held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 141 West 14th Street F MONDAY, JULY 23, 1990 AT 7:30 P.Mi. a The topics under discussion will include: Connection of Chesterfield Avenue to the East- : bound off-ramp of Highway 1. Connection of Chesterfield Avenue to the fron- tage road (25th Street) on the North side of Highway 1, West of Lonsdale Avenue. Stervinow had an innate under- standing of this. His strength was Jeannie. And Louis Jr. and Nicole. And their West Vancouver home. And the friends. With that perpetual sustenance, the outside world became easier to confront. The B.C. Club became a family operation, Jeannie was rarely ask- ed to cook pecan pies, but she was the club’s utility fielder, covering the office when no one else was available. Some days she'd stick 1,200 address labels on envelopes. Early in the club's evolution, daughter Nicole — tall, poised and striking in appearance — was uncertain about career directions. She started as a hostess and soon became an important part of ihe full-time management team. She worked closely with the club's youthful manager, Chris Chitcott, and this spring, we attended their wedding. Pete Toigo interrupted his perpetual business travel to at- tend. When he advised of son Louis’ real estate success in San Fran- cisco and the mature competence of Nicole, he effervesced with pride. tek Louis and | golfed early Satur- day morning. And then we did some business. He was in a hurry. He and Jeannie were off to celebrate their first meeting on Bastille Day, over three decades ago. They went to Whistler. He felt lousy on Sunday, convinced that it was a food ailment. When things were no better the next day, he went to the doctor. We had a brief meeting late that afternoon and Louis was in pain. He went home to rest. Hours later he suffered a heart attack and dicd. The word vacuum lingers in my mind. In Vancouver. And within myself. A Place To Go When You're Pregnant And Need Support: GIRTHRIGHT Call 987-7313 © Frve Pregnancy Test 229 Lonsdale 4m Vancouver C2ll Worth Vancouver 687-7223 9 - Sunday, July 22, 1990 - North Shore News Help’s at hand HELP’S AT Hand, a weekly feature by the North Shore I[n- formation and Volunteer Centre, answers questions about and discusses such topics as govern- ment policies and programs, benefits, consumer and legal tights, taxation and public ser- vices. Answers published in this col- umn are intended only as a gener- al guide and should not be applied to specific individual cases without further consultation. tat Question: A regular customer brought her car in to my garage for a misor tune-up. While work- ing on her car I found a problem that needed to be taken care of right away. I called but oaly got her answering machine. No other appointments were available for two weeks, so J went ahead and did the work. She was pretty upset when she saw the invoice but she paid it. Now she wants her money back because the work was unauthoriz- ed. I admit it would have been better if I had been able to get in touch with her, but the work was done and she has to pay for it. She wants to work this out with a mediator or else take me to Small Claims Court. I believe I would win in court so why should Leven consider mediation? Answer: One thine you can never be sure of is how a judge will decide a case. While the pos- sibility exists that a judge might decide in vour favor, there is also the possibility you might have to pay the money back. With mediation, the two of you can negotiate something that works for both of you. For in- Stance, you would have the op- portunity to explain the reason that you chose to work on the car without being able to reach her. She may have reasons for not wanting you to do the work. Once you understand each other’s perspective, ways of resolving the problem become more apparent. In this way you have input and contro! over the outcome rather than having a judge impose a decision. Also, if your business reputa- tion is important to you, you might think about the damage one unhappy customer can do. gat The North Shore Information and Volunteer Centre, a United Way agency, is located at 1060 Roosevelt Cres., North Van- couver, B.C. V7P !M3, telephone 985-7138. DEPT. STORE PRICES ¢ Patio door fabric verticals from $99 ° Delivery as fast as 3 days ¢ Free in home estimate ¢ YALETOWN BLIMD & DRAPERY INC. Visit our Showroom OPEN SAT. & SUN. 9am - 9pm O” oFF ALL CARPET, DRAPERY AND AREA RUG CLEANING SAVE 30% THIS WEEK ONLY! 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