Page 24 - December 2005 The Game
P. 24

24 The Game, December 2005
Nick Campbell hailed me in the
grandstand a few months ago. He was excited about his new TV series, DaVinci’s City Hall, an extension of the very popular DaVinci’s Inquest.
"The show is about the mayor, the city, slots, the racetrack. It’s got it all. There’s a sub-plot in the series that follows the purchase of Hastings and the fight to get slots approved by Vancouver city council. We’re taping the first three episodes right here at the track," he said. "You should come and watch us tape."
For those of you who haven’t watched DaVInci’s Inquest, and you’re forgiven if you’ve been away on Mars, or the space station, or Toronto, it has run for eight seasons on CBC. It follows the real life tale of ex-RCMP turned Vancouver coroner Larry Campbell who became Mayor of the city a few years back and was instrumental in getting approval for slots at Hastings.
One of the facets of DaVinci's Inquest that made it so appealing is that the location, the downtown core and east-end of Vancouver, is integral part of each episode. The raw side of life in Vancouver, as seen through the eyes of the coroner’s
office and the Vancouver City Police, takes on a persona that adds depth and dimen- sion— an appealing reality most glitzy American shows like CSI never offer. It is taped on location in the back alleys and streets of Vancouver and offers up real insight into the problems of life in the inner city.
This also includes the racetrack and the problems our sport has suffered over the last two decades. An episode a few years back was taped on the backstretch and there was a scene where DaVinci was explaining the problems facing horseracing at the time. It was an accurate commentary and a timely one. That’s the thing about this show, it’s current, the problems and events that occur in Vancouver become part of the plot.
That, in my opinion, is what makes it’s creator and writer Chris Haddock a genius, his gift for writing; for balancing story lines and characters, of course, but especially for his knack of inserting the reality of current events into our conscience through his show. That may be a little high-sounding but its true.
The other thing that makes it work so
well is the quality of the cast. Nicholas Campbell is one of Canada’s best actors and he is surrounded by equally talented actors like Donnelly Rhodes, Ian Tracey, Venus Terzo, and Alex Diakun to name a few.
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Sweet treats get rave reviews
Nick Campbell is a regular at Hastings, a personable actor who always has time for fans, patrons, touts, and racing writers.
On the night I was invited to the set Nick explained what the show was about and where Chris Haddock was taking it. Then he was off to wherever actors go to get ready to work leaving me behind the camera with Haddock and the show’s producer Laszlo Barna. It was interesting to watch the set up for the scene about to be taped; the actors and crew getting ready, and then the scene itself which was to take place during an actual horserace that was to be the background for the action — again with the reality thing.
Now, normally when a horserace starts I turn to watch the live action but this was confusing. Which action, the scene or the
race? Old television habits die hard and I ended up watching the monitors. (A few months later it was a thrill to watch it all replayed on television). Later I stood back in the crowd watching the other scenes that were being acted out. There was a well organized but almost carnival atmosphere about it but it was a treat to watch the process from so close.
DaVinci’s City Hall is a fascinating new show, an inside look at city politics. Larry Campbell was a good mayor who worked hard on behalf of horseracing and is now to be Senator Campbell. In a few years maybe the series will move to Ottawa which would be a great loss to Vancouver but we can look forward to a realistic depiction of the gritty side of Canadian politics.
When it comes to taking the cake, jockey Julia Brimo and her sister, Suzanne Mahabir, never manage to disappoint their fans.
For the past three months, Mahabir, with a helping hand from her sister, Julia, has been receiving rave reviews from Woodbine horsemen for her dessert- making abilities.
"I've always made cakes before, but never really thought of selling them," said Mahabir, who does the baking out of her Milton, Ontario, home. "Julia suggested that I should sell them, so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad I listened."
Of the five or so variety of desserts she makes, there's one in particular Mahabir receives the most requests for.
"That would be the carrot
cake," said Mahabir, who, when she's not wrist-deep in batter, has a global distribution business of wellness and lifestyle products. "I really love doing it. I wasn't sure if it work out, but so far, the response from people has been great."
Having her younger sister, who was named Canada's Top Apprentice in 2003, stirring up interest in her baked goods has also been a boon to her business.
"Julia does a great job for me," said Mahabir, who also makes rum cake, chocolate cake, coffee cake and banana bread. "She'll get all the orders and then bring them in for the jockeys and others at Woodbine."
While Mahabir doesn't plan to delve into the baking business on a full-time basis, knowing her desserts have gone over well with those who buy them, is most certainly the icing on the cake.
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If you are interested in ordering a cake, Suzanne can be reached at 416-807-6891.
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