Despite the dreadful snowy, cold, wet weather on Saturday night, diners turned up enmasse to celebrate and to enjoy our inaugural 8 pm to 9 pm Earth Hour at various restaurants and major hotels. The idea of conserving energy for one whole hour was the brainchild of the World Wildlife Fund in Australia last year and the first to get onside in this unique venture was the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney. This year all 37 Four Seasons properties across the world joined in... Just across the way, the iconic green copper roof of The Fairmont's Hotel Vancouver ceased to illuminate the downtown skyline while guests in Griffin's Restaurants and in 900 West dined by hundreds of mini tea lights. We were a couple of diners in 900 West among dozens more who actually watched the gigantic chandeliers in 900 West and throughout the lobby, dim to nothing. The only illumination were the lowered lights in the open kitchen. Didn't want any chopped fingers nestling in the salads. It was also a great adventure for two young boys, Riley (7) and Colby (5) who there with their dad from Victoria and who made great friends with the Sous Chef Bruce Mollert who presented them with their own chefs' hats. It was great fun watching as the entire atmosphere in the room changed as the lights darkened and became so much more romantic and intimate. Even got my husband up dancing in the dark behind the exotic palms. You could also sense that the staff felt good about helping directly with the change as they scurried about delivering more and more candles. Wonderful idea! Can't wait to do it again... Then I dashed down to Fairmont's Waterfront Hotel where they relied on the daylight streaming through the floor to ceiling windows to light up the airy marble lobby, holding off on flickering light switches for as long as Mother Nature allowed. In Heron's, diners were having an intimate gathering including a large group who were celebrating a special 60th birthday party. The birthday cake lit up the room! Adding to the festive feel were the romantic ballads by veteran pianoman, Kelly Crowe. I could have danced all night!...         **** Thursday evening the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation hosted its first gala gala do charity dinner and auction at the renowned Birks jewellry boutique at Hastings and Granville. More than 385 very dressy guests were welcomed by foundation's President and CEO, Adrienne Bakker and Chair of the RCH Foundation Board, Gary Brush, along with dinner co-chairs, CBC-TV's Belle Puri and the legendary broadcaster John Ashbridge to their "Rat Packs and Rascals" event. The honourary dinner chair was the head coach of the B.C. Lions, Wally Buono who escorted his wife, Sande. The Mayor of New Westminster, His Worship Wayne Wright was also in the crowd that also included CBC Regional Director Johnny Michel and wife Helen, Pacific Blue Cross President and CEO Ken Martin and wife Kathy, New West's Police Services Chief Constable Lorne Zapotichny and the Variety Club's Chief Barker, Bob Stewart. Wife Barbara Stewart was attending a Crimestoppers' meeting. Also on hand was that tall shy guy, MLA Ralph Sultan, Anne-Marie and Peter Kains and former CKNW veteran reporter Yvonne Eamor, wife of John Ashbridge. These two lovebirds are almost ready to celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversary. Someone else who is about to celebrate an auspicious milestone was the event's pert caterer Susan Mendolson. This year marks her Lazy Gourmet Catering Services 30th anniversary. Adding to the glamour of the evening was CBC-TV's Gloria Makarenco who emceed in a long, strapless red gown and was adorned with million dollar diamonds. Tony Scott was the amiable auctioneer of those same diamonds, raising the grand total for the evening to $250,000. Lovely gowns, fabulous prizes, beautiful evening...         **** Peter Armstrong's acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer Rail Company is set to launch it's new summer season of adventure so he invited several media on board to sample the new dining adventures awaiting those fortunate enough to ride on the most spectacular train trip in the world. The surprise of the evening was the introduction of the Rocky Mountaineer's new culinary Dream Team led by the veteran Executive Chef of 11 years at the world-famous Cannery Restaurant, Frederic Couton. His compatriots are the award-winning chefs Joseph Lassaga, Jean Pierre Guerin and Raoul Prigent. Also on board was Sumac Ridge's famous veteran wine producer Harry McWatters whose wines are featured on the Rocky Mountaineer menu. Creative culinary experience, elegant setting and great fun...         **** There's a new General Manager at Paul Smolen's heritage Hart House Restaurant. He is Edwyn Kumar, who was formerly GM at CinCin's...That was the young star of the popular television series, Heroes, Hayden Panettiere, dining with her family at Pinky's Steakhouse and Cocktail Lounge in Yaletown last week. She was quite enchanted with the vintage movies that were playing on the house system and with Pinky's desserts... Wednesday evening will be a special night in town as Vancouver will celebrate its first ever Blossom Party at Pair Bistro on West 10th Ave. The Pink Tie Affair, which is completely sold out, will mark the wind-up of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival... Pair Bistro will also be the site of a small fundraiser for two of our town's top wine industry professionals. Last week the North Vancouver family home of D.J. Kearney and David Scholefield was destroyed by fire. Fortunately David, D.J. and her two sons, Sean and Alex, escaped without major injury but sadly the family cat perished and the home and its contents are ruined. So Pair Bistro's Todd Hodgins has stepped in, setting up donations and offering feature menu items including wine selections with full proceeds going to the cause from April 3rd through the 9th...Good to see veteran cameraman Eric Cable last week at the launch of the Hotel Georgia's design team and the introduction of Executive Chef David Hawksworth's culinary brigade and a small sample of his new menu. The affable Eric has been covering breaking news for BCTV/Global television for more than 37 years. By Jove, I think he's got it!...