dkloster@timescolonist.com

Parkside Resort, the headquarters for Sir Elton John and entourage for three days this week, gathered another bit of distinction for its archives. The hotel at Blanshard and Humboldt streets will be one of four properties in Canada awarded the Energy & Environment Award from the Hotel Association of Canada at the Hotel Hall of Fame Awards in Toronto on March 7. Parkside is the first resort in Canada built to LEED Platinum Certification standards. The resort was also given a 5 Green Key rating from the Green Key Global Eco-Rating Program.

Parkside is owned by the Pearson family of Parksville and part of their Aviawest Resort Group. While it is usually the Fairmont Empress or Inn at Laurel Point catching the stars in town, Parkside snared the Sir Elton contract while staff were at the Luxury Travel Expo in Las Vegas in December, where a connection was made with the music legend's booking agency, said a spokesman for Aviawest. John stayed in a two-bedroom penthouse with custom floral arrangements and monogrammed towels. Ryan and Kristy Taylor, who last month opened Tre Fantastico in the Parkside, were kept busy feeding the guests and got an autographed drum skin from Elton's long-time drummer Nigel Olsson for their extra efforts.

HELIJET NAMES SALES DIRECTOR

Troy MacDonald has been appointed director of sales for HeliJet International Inc. He's no stranger to the helicopter fleet operator, having joined the company in 1994, taking the Victoria sales manager position in 2005 and managing sportsfishing clients and contracts in the Haida Gwaii. In his new role, MacDonald is responsible for revenue generation for HeliJet's scheduled and charter services.

DUCK TO HELP FILL KIDS' DREAMS

Steve Duck is the new executive director of Victoria's Help Fill A Dream Foundation, the organization that helps kids with life-threatening illnesses realize travel dreams. Duck has an extensive background in project and event management. He takes the helm as the group celebrates its 25th anniversary and track record of helping more than 1,800 children and their families.

JONES JOINS FLYING OTTER

Terry Jones, former GM at Il Terrazzo, has joined Harbour Air Seaplanes to manage the Flying Otter Grill at 950 Wharf St.

PEARSON COLLEGE HIRES FUNDRAISER

Pearson College has named Sarah Nelems vicepresident of philanthropy and engagement. She will oversee fundraising strategies and raising the profile and revenues of the international school in Metchosin. She has a 15year track record of directly raising more than $100 million for education, research and health care in Canada and the U.S. Nelems was most recently executive director of Kelowna General Hospital Foundation and prior to that was director of development at Columbia University's school of international and public affairs.

BUSINESS KEEPS SENIORS IN HOMES

Adapt Alteration is a new consulting business that provides home audits that help seniors remain in their homes. Gardiner MacDermot provides an assessment of mobility, accessibility, security and air-quality issues, then provides recommendations, assistance with grants and quotes to get the work done. He said the company can also implement alternations recommended by consultants like occupational therapists. MacDermot operated a home design business for 10 years, was project manager for seniors housing projects and ran a commercial construction company. He can be reached at 250-381-9489 or www.adapt-alteration.ca

HOTEL HELP BUSKERS

The Hotel Association of Greater Victoria is providing 200 free room nights for out-of-town performers and paying out $10,000 to sponsor the first Victoria International Buskers Festival this summer. "We lose too many events," said Earl Wilde of the Regent Hotel, past chairman of the association. "We want this event to succeed. The Bay Centre is chipping in with festival office space until the end of August, worth about $15,000, while the city has approved an $8,000 grant and the Downtown Victoria Business Association another $3,500. Stages are being proposed along the Inner Harbour, Centennial Square and on Langley Street for the July 15-Aug. 24 event. The festival is accepting food and other vendor applications at www.victoriabuskers.com