Finalist: Cari Turi “We moved from Vancouver to Abbotsford in 2003 because our workplace is here. We were reluctant at first, given Abbotsford’s reputation of being the “Bible Belt”. Our friends thought we were crazy moving here from the City. When we moved here our son was 18 months old and we were pregnant with our daughter. They are 8 and six now and go to Sandy Hill Elementary School in the French immersion program. I asked them what they like about Abbotsford and here is what they said verbatim: “Abbotsford cares about our air and being healthy” “We have a great hospital and doctors and nurses that are nice” “We have really good teachers and they are really nice” “Abbotsford cares about other countries like Africa and we help them have clean water” “I like to bike at the BMX track - no wait - the trails at Downes Bowl are cool” “I like to bike along the dyke better cause you can go forever” “My hockey team gets to play at the Heat games” “We can ride our bikes to pick berries” “I like the Berry Festival” “Remember at Christmas when we go and see the lights on the big tree light up and Santa and the Mayor are there” “Our friends are here” Abbotsford is a community we can call home. It has a lot to offer and is a great place to raise our family. Our city is Abbotsford!
Interview with Cari Turi Cari is Wonderwoman in action. Her whole family, in fact, could easily go by the name “The Incredibles”.
The News:
Hi Cari. After reading your entry, I think the more appropriate contest would be “Which family is the fittest?”
Cari:
Yes, we are an active family.
The News: Wow, they’re only 8 and 6 years old right?
Cari:
Fitness is just a huge part of our lifestyle, and I think our kids model their parents. When we lived in Vancouver, my husband and I biked at Seymour Park, hiked the Grouse Grind or went climbing at Lynn Valley, whatever we could do. I just finished training for an Olympic-sized triathlon.
The News: Why were you motivated to enter the “My City is Abbotsford’ contest?
The News: Just wondering, Cari, but what’s your best time for the Grouse Grind?
Cari: We’ve been here seven years and it’s truly our home. After asking my kids what they thought about Abbotsford . . . well, I copied their comments verbatim into my entry.
Cari:
45 minutes.
The News: Unbelievable! Cari:
Abbotsford has done a great job of promoting activities, outdoor and indoor.
Abbotsford is a great place to raise a family and a community we can call home. We have the kids in soccer, The News: So, if you win the contest what will dance, baseball, hockey, swimming... you name it. We’ve you do with the prize? also made great friends with families who share our Cari: Go to Mexico! It would be a nice treat. values. The News: Is there anything else that you would The News: So aside from being supermom, what like to share? do you do in your spare time? What amenities are attractive to you? I’m assuming you have a kaleidoscope Cari: Just that we love how multicultural it is down of interests. here. Coming from Vancouver, we are used to seeing people from all walks of life and love it. We take the Cari: Yes. Most tend to take their city for granted. My kids to events and festivals like the Indo-Canadian husband and I are keen on exploring our own backyard celebration of Vaisakhi. and we do so on foot or bike. My son just ran a 10 km run and my daughter ran 5 km. They will be competing The News: Cari, thank you for your time and for in a triathlon in Langley at the end of June. inspiring the rest of the moms out here. Good luck.