Burnaby Now June 29 2023

Celebrate with us at StreetFest!

There's fun for everyone including a family zone, food trucks, entertainment and the Central Park Mainstage featuring LIGHTS, Shawnee Kish and The Boom Booms.

For a full schedule of events, visit: Burnaby.ca/CanadaDay

BurnabyVillageMuseum

11 am-4:30 pm

Histories of Burnaby’s diverse communities featured at this 10-acre open-air site. The free festivities include multicultural family entertainment, displays and demonstrations, children's face-painting and activities, and of course, cupcakes!

For a full schedule of activities, visit BurnabyVillageMuseum.ca

Free admission

11 am-4 pm Live multicultural entertainment

» Coastal Wolf Pack

» Rene Hugo y sus Amigos

» Journey into Rhythm with Robin Layne

» South Asian and Middle Eastern dance performances

» Chinese Fan & Ribbon Dancing with Jessica

» Mohamed Assan

Edmonds Plaza&Park

11 am-2:30 pm

Throughout the Site

Join us for a fun filled day of activities for the kids, games, live entertainment, cake, and more. For a full schedule of activities, visit: Burnaby.ca/CanadaDay

Thank you to our partners:

Plaza Partners

» Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society

2 pm Welcome from Tsleil-Waututh Warriors & Official Remarks Vorce Stage

Canada Day Cupcakes The Real Estate Exhibit

All day The Wall by artistis Yi Chen and Muchen Vorce Stage

Community Partners

» Burnaby Civic Employee s Union, CUPE 23

Thaidancers

HappyCanadaDay!

There’s no better place to ce ebrate Canada Day than r ght here n Burnaby. Every year, fam l es from Burnaby and beyond come to our community to take in the wonderfu ce ebra ions happen ng across our city on Ju y 1 It s an opportunity to connect w th your friends fami y and ne ghbours as we ce ebrate the va ues hat we share as Canad ans and the rich cu tural divers ty that makes our country so un que City staff and volunteers have worked hard to create three unique celebrations for Canada Day this year. Explore our community heritage and learn about the Indigenous history of this land at Burnaby Village Museum, or bring the fami y for some fun n the sun at Edmonds.

Burnaby City Council

C ockwise from bottom left: Counci or Pietro Calendino, Council or James Wang, Counci lor Sav Dha iwal Counc llor A ison Gu, Mayor Mike Hurley, Counci or Danie Tetrault Counc llor Joe Ke th ey, Council or Ma ta Sant ago Counc l or Richard T. Lee

In the even ng, we’re exc ted to be bringing back StreetFest on Central for a second year. Last year’s event was a fantast c success – and th s year promises to be even b gger

No matter how you choose to ce ebra e, stay safe and en oy yourse ves Burnaby

Happy Canada Day rom a l of us on Burnaby C ty Counc !

Ra nshadow

Rene Hugo y sus Amigos

Coastal Wolf Pack

» Burnaby RCMP

» Burnaby Edmonds Lions Club

» Edmonds Seniors Society

Mohamed Assani

Burnaby aims to cut red tape for liquor, pot licensing

LaurenVanderdeen

lvanderdeen@burnabynow com

The City of Burnaby wants to modernize its liquor and cannabis licence applications and simplify the approvals process for those businesses

Burnaby’s liquor licence application processing procedure hasn’t been comprehensively reviewed in 20 years, according to a staff report submitted by planning general manager Ed Kozak

The city wants to update its guidelines to better align with policies set out by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), which is the provincial body responsible for distributing alcohol and non-medical cannabis and operating BC Liquor and BC Cannabis stores.

The review will consider options and criteria for permitting private cannabis stores, which are currently not allowed in Burnaby

The city will begin public consultation this fall with an online survey

Continued on page 3

SPOUSAL DELIVERY: Eric Blaida and Anna Stankevich of Coquitlam emerge victorious in the Wife Carrying Contest at Burnaby’s Scandinavian Midsummer Festival on Sunday, June 25, winning Anna’s weight in beer for their efforts. The popular annual event returned to the city for two days of celebration on the weekend See more photos from the event at www burnabynow com

PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

Realtor, sellers sued over alleged oil tank pollution

Former owner says she paid more than $500K to clean up contamination she claims came from an underground fuel tank

CorneliaNaylor cnaylor@burnabynow com

The former owner of a Burnaby house is suing her real estate agent and the couple who sold her the house over an old underground fuel tank she claims contaminated her property and the property next door

Xiao Li Chen paid more than $500,000 to investigate and clean up petroleum hydrocarbons at 9175 Holmes St. and at the property next door, according to a notice of civil claim filed in B C Supreme Court earlier this month.

Chen claims the source of the hydrocarbons was a fuel oil tank that had been removed from the property in 1990 before she bought it.

Besides having to pay for its investigation and

remediation, Chen says the contamination took a chunk out of the market value of the property, which she bought in October 2022 for $1.37 million and sold in January 2023 for $1.165 million, according to the claim.

She is now suing her real estate agent, Raf-

fi Antepyan, and agency, Re/Max, for breach of contract, negligence and breach of fiduciary duty

Chen says Antepyan and Re/Max “breached the express or implied terms of the Realtor contract” by not acting in her best interest, not advising her to get copies of all records as-

sociated with the tank, not advising her to do an environmental inspection, and not including a provision in the contract that would protect her from possible future costs associated with the old tank

“If the plaintiff had been made aware of the contamination prior to enter-

ing into the property contract, she would not have agreed to purchase the property from the sellers on the terms set out in the property contract,” states the claim

Chen is suing Antepyan and Re/Max for damages, the cost of investigating and cleaning up the con-

tamination, and the loss of market value for the property

Chen is also suing Arthur and Sue Anne Clarke, who owned the property before she bought it and who had had the old tank removed more than 30 years earlier, according to the claim.

Along with damages, Chen is asking the court to declare 9175 Holmes St and the neighbouring property contaminated sites under the Environmental Management Act and to declare the Clarkes responsible persons, who would then be retroactively liable for the cost of dealing with the contamination.

Chen’s allegations have not been proven in court

None of the defendants has yet filed a response to the claim

Changes aimed at ‘reasonably meeting the needs of the community’

Continued from page 1

The survey will include questions on where liquor and cannabis stores should be located, satisfaction on locations of existing liquor stores and establishments and cannabis stores, as well as the desire for additional places to consume liquor such as parks, spas and barbershops.

The review will respond to industry changes, including the increase in breweries, the introduction of government-owned and private retail cannabis stores in the province and

the retail sale of wine in grocery stores.

Kozak also recommended the city update outdated criteria (such as distance from “cyber cafés”) and find ways to reduce processing time.

Kozak told city council at a meeting on June 19 most of the review will be focused on liquor facilities and liquor stores rather than cannabis shops, noting a recent motion directing staff to work on policies to encourage a brewery row in Burnaby

“A lot of the conversation here is about removing

some of the barriers that we currently have in our regulatory structure from allowing for these things to occur organically,” Kozak said Coun Sav Dhaliwal noted the review should exercise caution in increasing the availability of private liquor or cannabis stores.

“The purpose of this isn’t to throw everything wide open The purpose is to make sure that we are reasonably meeting the needs of the community,” Dhaliwal said

He added council hasn’t heard much public de-

mand for increased availability of alcohol or cannabis shops.

“The vendors, the people who want to have a store, they’ve been demanding ”

Kozak agreed the intent isn’t to “liberalize the regulations” around licensing retail stores.

The focus, he said, will be on liquor-primary and liquor licence facilities, which must go through “an enormous process” even to change their hours or add one extra seat

“We’re looking to simplify that,” Kozak said

LEGAL ACTION: This east Burnaby house at 9175 Holmes St is at the centre of a lawsuit over contamination that allegedly came from an underground fuel tank.

PHOTO GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Pilot Program This

Alcohol in Parks

Citynow RCMP seek information after man hurt in shooting

CorneliaNaylor

cnaylor@burnabynow com

A targeted shooting in Burnaby sent a 20-yearold man to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries lastThursday, according to police

Officers were called to Halifax Street andWoodway Place at about 2 p m on June 22 for reports of a shooting with injuries, according to a Burnaby RCMP news release. When they got there, there were no victims, suspects or related vehicles at the scene, the release said. But the victim, a

20-year-old man, sought medical care and was treated in hospital for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, according to police.

“The incident is believed to have occurred inside a parked vehicle,” stated the release

A few hours after the shooting, an SUV believed to be involved in the incident was found on fire in Coquitlam

“Investigators believe the shooting was targeted,” stated the release

Burnaby RCMP’s investigative support team is leading the investigation and working to collect evidence, identify possible suspects and determine a motive.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999 Quote file number 2321196.

SUSPECTS SOUGHT: RCMP are asking for information about a targeted shooting BURNABY NOW FILE PHOTO

On one level, it is easy to dismiss the outcomes of the two B C provincial byelections this past weekend as entirely predictable and even inconsequential because they had no impact on the make-up of the legislature.

And after all, as I noted in this space a few weeks back, the two ridings ofVancouver-Mount Pleasant and Langford-Juan de Fuca are historically very strong BC NDP ridings, so the outcomes in each were never really in doubt

However, a closer examination of the contests reveals the NDP government continues to chug along without much public pushback against its performance, while its political opponents appear to be in a holding pattern just 16 months before the next scheduled election

Perhaps the most surprising result from the two byelections was the out-of-nowhere rise of the BC Conservative Party in the Langford-Juan de Fuca riding Its candidate there, Mike Harris, received almost 20 per cent of the vote, more than double the support for the BC United candidate

This in a riding where the Conservative Party has not even fielded a candidate in an election for more than 20 years

This strong Conservative showing, combined with the tepid BC United support, must worry the party that is trying to rebuild the so-called “free enterprise coalition” that was the BC Liberal Party and before that the Social Credit Party for more than 60 years.

It seems obvious the BC United brand has not resonated with the voters yet,

which is not the least bit surprising Rebranding a major brand whether it is a political party or any major company takes time, and BC United has been a political brand only for a few months The byelections marked the first time that BC United appeared on a ballot, giving voters a choice to vote for it Just 2,266 voters opted to do that between the two ridings, a decline of about 4,500 voters from what its precursor, the BC Liberal Party, received in the 2020 general election.

Voter turnout was quite low (26 per cent in Langford and 17 per cent in Mount Pleasant), so it is important not to overanalyze the results Nevertheless, given that such contests are a good opportunity to give a government the old boot in the backside, the NDP must be pleased so

few people opted to do just that.

It is not just the BC United Party that should be concerned about the outcomes. The BC Green Party could not motivate voters, either, and saw its total vote between the two ridings decline by about 5,400 from the 2020 election

Clearly, there is much work to do for the two opposition parties between now and the next general election

BC United needs its name recognition to drastically improve, and the Greens need to break through a level of support they have been hovering at for years now.

In the meantime, the BC Conservatives may be on the verge of making life even more difficult for them.

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC

Opinionnow

Respectful treatment is non-negotiable

Editor:

One need only scroll through social media or visit news sites to see a disturbing and seemingly increasing trend of people attacking inclusive culture

When this board and district take action towards developing a more inclusive learning environment, the opinions formed with social media show up in our email inboxes. Emails filled with ultimatums and unacceptable language to Burnaby school district staff and to members of this Board Words that would never be uttered in a face-to-face interaction in a civil society

Instead of radicalized reaction, with its roots in bias and under-education and amplified in a social media echo chamber, as a society we need to move towards well-informed conversation, respect and understanding

We want to take a moment to reiterate, as the

Burnaby board of education, what we stand for: we work to create and support a culture of kindness and inclusivity that encourages students to be proud of their authentic selves. We take seriously the responsibility to translate our ideals into action.

We strive to make classrooms and school communities reflective of Indigenous peoples, histories and perspectives We have also been focused on system-wide action and efforts to be actively anti-racist.

We want to end with a strong message about our belief as trustees: treating each other with dignity and respect, regardless of our differences, is non-negotiable. As a board, we will continue to advocate for and celebrate each child, as well as for the values of inclusion and the power of diversity that strengthen our community

Chair Bill Brassington, vice-chair Kristin Schnider and trustees Gary Wong, Jen Mezei, Larry Hayes, Mikelle Sasakamoose and Peter Cech Burnaby board of education

THE BURNABY NOW WELCOMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. We do, however, edit for taste, legality and length Please include a phone number where you can be reached. Send letters to: The Editor, #201A–3430 Brighton Ave., Burnaby, B C , V5A 3H4, email to: editorial@burnabynow com (no attachments please) or fax to: 604-444-3460 Letters to the editor and opinion columns may be reproduced on the Burnaby NOW website, www burnabynow com

Sponsored Content

Inaugural Mayor’s Lawn Bowling Tournament raises over $50,000 for Burnaby Hospital Redevelopment

The Burnaby community came together for a spectacular display of sportsmanship and philanthropy at the highly-anticipated Mayor’s Lawn Bowling Tournament. The sold-out event hosted by Burnaby Hospital Foundation in partnership with the City of Burnaby was attended by Mayor Mike Hurley and council members and raised over $50,000 to support the redevelopment of Burnaby Hospital.

Guests arrived in vibrant team costumes ready to mingle and enjoy a delicious barbecue hosted by Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society.

Competitors revelled in a sunny, funfilled afternoon that featured a friendly and competitive tournament, where new lawn bowling legends were born. Lawn bowling rookies, Dageraad Brewing, came out on top with a nail-biting final game and were crowned as the first champions of the event Valiant efforts by second-place Onni Group and thirdplace DP World rounded out the podium.

Proceeds from the first-ever Mayor's Lawn Bowling Tournament will support the redevelopment of Burnaby Hospital, a project that will rejuvenate the 70-yearold facility. Once complete, the project brings a modern campus of care to Burnaby, one that is designed with innovation and best practices in mind.

“The Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to Mayor Hurley, Council members and the City of Burnaby for their unwavering support to ensure a brighter future in healthcare,” says Kristy James, President & CEO, Burnaby Hospital Foundation “We look forward to an even more exciting tournament next year!”

The Foundation also extends its thanks to all of the Mayor's Lawn Bowling event supporters for their role in the successful inaugural event.

Learn more about the redevelopment at

bhfoundation.ca/bright-future

Dr Tym Frank and Board Members Dr Tim Kostamo, Harry Parmar and Steve McKoen made up The Incredi-bowls, one of the winning teams from the costume contest.

First place winner, Dageraad Brewing, joined by Parkland Corporation, Jessica Bermudez, Mayor Mike Hurley and BHF President & CEO, Kristy James

Scan the QR code to help transform our community hospital into a campus of care today!

Communitynow Last Man Stands forms university cricket league

AbhinayaNatesh anatesh@burnabynow com

I remember the time I stepped off the plane on arrival in Canada my heart pounding with both excitement and fear of navigating a completely alien land

For months afterward, while I tried to immerse myself in multiculturalism, my heart also longed to find a connection to home

That longing meant scouting for food that tasted and smelled like the kind I grew up with, and craving other sights, sounds and tastes of home.Then one summer day, my ears picked up a language that sounded familiar. Before long I found the source of the sounds, stopping in my tracks at the sight of a few brownskinned people playing cricket right outside their homes, just with a small tennis ball and a wooden bat.

This was the kind of sight I’d been looking for

And, for many other newcomers to Canada, espe-

cially from other Commonwealth countries, watching or playing gully (street) cricket provides an instant antidote to acute homesickness

In the Lower Mainland, as cricket becomes more popular in the area with clubs like IndCan building inclusive communities for cricket lovers and amateur leagues with quirky, unconventional rules like Last Man Stands (LMS Canada), delivering sixer leagues there are more opportunities for newcomers to find their connection to home

With the intention of providing an equal playing field for cricket aspirants of all ages and skill levels to play the sport at a professional level, LMS Canada is introducing a new league this cricket season.

The league will cater exclusively to university and college students across Canada, many of whom are new international students, and give them an opportunity to enjoy the sport.

The debut Last Man

Stands Canada University/College cricket league will begin its 2023 season in early July, according to Emrul Hasan, director of strategy with LMS Canada.

Hasan, in a conversation with the NOW, highlighted how the league could be a game-changer for students, especially international students from different cricketing backgrounds.

“It took me seven years

to find a club when I first came to Canada,” said Hasan, who hails from Bangladesh. “I have a student who landed in the morning and played in the evening.

“We are trying to overcome different barriers for these newcomers: language barriers, financial barriers, awareness barriers, [as many students] don’t even know they could come and play in a league, and transportation

barriers ”

For the inaugural season, the organizers said they are reaching out to about 35 universities and colleges all over British Columbia including the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University ofVictoria and the British Columbia Institute of Technology Some of the universities have already expressed their interest and signed up their teams, Hasan said, while other students from some universities are waiting to be funded.

Organizers at LMS

Canada hope universities can foster an inclusive environment for international students by promoting cricket at a university level

“When we [come as international students], we are very alone, to be honest,” Hasan said “At the beginning, there’s a big cultural shock right away I attended a newcomer workshop by Sport for Life about how can we integrate them better one way of doing this is actual-

ly connecting with people from your culture ”

For example, there is one student from Hyderabad, India, he said “A polite and quiet guy, and he started playing with us for a floater team. But eventually he went to this team called Hyderabad Cricket Club, where there are some senior players already in some companies that can guide him through his career This is fantastic to watch ”

When the league received government funding from the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association to help newcomers in Canada play for free, Hasan realized many were international students who could benefit from a larger-scale university league So, along with his partner, Hasan got working in early May to introduce the larger university league, slated to begin in a few weeks

The league will run in addition to the regular 2023 early risers season, which is already in full swing in Burnaby.

PITCHING INCLUSION: Last Man Stands Canada is hosting a debut cricket tournament for university students in British Columbia from July 2023

PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

This community event is proudly sponsored by:

Citynow

Temporary lane closures coming to part of Lougheed

Delays forecast as SkyTrain station upgrade at BrentwoodTown Centre prompts two-way traffic restrictions starting July 4

LaurenVanderdeen lvanderdeen@burnabynow com

As BrentwoodTown Centre SkyTrain station gets an upgrade, it’ll soon mean limiting traffic on a

stretch of Lougheed Highway.

StartingTuesday, July 4, traffic on Lougheed will be reduced to one lane in both directions between

Alpha Avenue andWillingdon Avenue.

TransLink says due to congestion in the area, motorists may experience delays near BrentwoodTown

Centre station There are currently two lanes open in each direction

In October, westbound will return to two lanes,

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but eastbound will remain single-lane until spring

2024

The lanes must be reduced to enable excavation and expansion work of the station, according to TransLink

The include expanding the mezzanine level of the station (by about 560 square metres) over Lougheed Highway and installing two new escalators Existing staircases will be replaced with “new glass-enclosed staircase to provide better protection and comfort for customers as well as a more pleasing aesthetic look.”

Fare gates on the mezzanine level will be doubled from three to six, and there will be lighting upgrades, refurbishments,

more real-time passenger information displays, and an expansion of the CCTV camera and PA system “to cover the footprint of the larger station.”

A new glass artwork will be installed on the mezzanine level.

The station upgrade began on the south station entrance in June 2022

The south entrance is slated to reopen this summer Until then, customers must access the SkyTrain by the north stationhouse, which is closest to Brentwood mall

Pre-pandemic, the station served almost 1.8 million passengers in 2019

For more on the project, visit tinyurl.com/ BrentwoodSkyTrainStation2023

Weekendnow

Don’t miss these weekend events & activities!

THURSDAY, JUNE 29 TO SUNDAY, JULY 2

FABLE WAREHOUSE SALE

Looking for beautiful, modern and sustainable tableware? Check out local Lower Mainland business Fable’s first-ever warehouse sale this weekend near Gilmore SkyTrain station.

The sale will not accept cash The shop’s website says you could save 50 to 70 per cent on brand new items, seconds, samples and more

WHEN: June 29 to July 2 (Thursday and Friday from noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

WHERE: 4141 Lougheed Hwy., Unit 4

COST: Free admission, for more information go to fable.com/pages/ vancouver-warehouse-sale

MOUNTAINTOP GAME JAM

Calling all university students! Hosted by the SFU Computing Science Student Society, join this 24-hour in-person event “where individuals and teams try to make a game that fits a secret theme, revealed when the event starts ”With a team, program the game, design its mechanics and art and write music – building the whole game from scratch

You’ll need some knowledge of programming, design, art and music Food will be provided to participants – and teams with the highest scores could receive a prize.

WHEN: Saturday, July 1 to Sunday, July 2

WHERE: 8888 University Dr., in the applied science building / TASC1 9204

COST: Free for SFU students, $12.51

ROCKBAND KARAOKE

Get your best pals together and live out your rock star fantasy Head to the Rec Room at Brentwood for a fun evening of live music –performed by you on Rockband 4 on a real stage, for a live crowd

If you’re looking for a group to play with, you can sign up to fill in on any instrument. No Fail Mode will be enabled to let everyone enjoy playing and listening through the full track

Participants must use hand sanitizer prior to playing; crews will sanitize instruments between sets, and microphone covers will be changed between singers.

Stay afterwards for the Rec Room’s free DJ night (at 10 p m ): Strictly ’90s and ’00s R&B and hip hop.

WHEN: Saturday, July 1 from 6 to 9:30 p.m., pre-registration at 5:45 p.m.

WHERE: The Rec Room at Brentwood (1920 Willingdon Ave., unit 21-06)

COST: Free admission

for non-SFU students. To register, go to the Eventbrite page (tinyurl.com/ MountaintopGameJamSFU2023)

SPEEDBALL FUN FESTIVAL AT EDMONDS

While you’re traversing Burnaby’s myriad Canada Day events, don’t forget to check out Speedball Fun at Edmonds Park and Plaza. It’s a high-energy racket sport that can be played solo or with friends and is “the only racket sport that requires playing with both hands.”

It’ll be the official launch of Speedball BC on Canada Day, and you can experience first hand this “fast-paced and dy-

namic sport ”

The event features interactive games, first-hand play opportunities, free giveaways for the brave, and speedball demos from world champions.

WHEN: Saturday, July 1 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Edmonds Park and Plaza (7433 Edmonds St.)

COST: Free To learn more, see www speedballbc.com

PAINT NIGHT AT THE REC ROOM

For those aged 19 and above, it’s time to paint up a storm at Paint Nite: Peace-

ful Pine Lake

In this guided, step-by-step demo, you can explore the wonderful world of painting in a safe and non-judgmental space With drinks available to purchase at the venue, it promises to be a relaxing and fun evening of art – and you’ll finish the the night with a beautiful work of art to take home

WHEN: Sunday, July 2 at 6 p.m.

WHERE: The Rec Room at Brentwood (1920 Willingdon Ave, unit 2106)

COST: $45.63, tickets available online at tinyurl.comPaintNiteBurnaby

July2023

Compiled by Lauren Vanderdeen

PHOTO: Vincent Besnault/The Image Bank/Getty Images ROCKSTARS: Sing your heart out at the Rec Room’s Rockband Karaoke session on July 1

Burnaby school district plans to run its own preschool in September Communitynow

CorneliaNaylor cnaylor@burnabynow com

The Burnaby school district is launching its own preschool at an el-

ementary school in the Metrotown area

Come September, the 20-child Just B4 Preschool will operate out of

Chaffey-Burke Elementary School (4404 Sardis St.)

Open to kids born in 2019, the program will be the first preschool run directly by the district

Other preschools at local schools are operated by third parties, according to Sheri Brattston, the school district’s managing director of community education, whose portfolio includes child care.

The district decided to open its own preschool, staffed by district educators, to take advantage of funding offered by the provincial government

“The Just B4 Preschool is a ministry initiative This is part of their bigger plan, their Childcare B C plan,” Bratt-

ston said

Besides giving the district an opportunity to provide another kind of early learning and child-

care program for local children and families, the preschool will also allow district staff already working part time in one of the

district’s StrongStart programs to become full-time employees, according to Brattston

Continued on page 15

Visiting Buntzen Lake this summer?

Before you arrive:

• Make a reservation at bchydro.com/buntzen.

• Acess your dynamic QR code. Screenshots are not accepted. Remember that cell service in the area is limited. If you can’t make it, please cancel your reservation.

For more information, visit bchydro.com/buntzen

EARLY YEARS FUN: A 20-child preschool run directly by the Burnaby school district will open at Chaffey-Burke Elementary School in September

PHOTO LOURDES BALDUQUE/MOMENT/GETTY IMAGES

explore the Heights

Check out Burnaby Heights –a vibrant community full of amazing shops, renowned restaurants and friendly services… truly one of the best kept secrets of local gems!

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BAKERY

Eat lots, feel at home and have fun at Anton’s Pasta! Serving up enormous portions of delicious pasta for over 30 years, Anton s is a Burnaby legend. Enjoy over 70 traditional and original pasta creations. Casual atmosphere, friendly staff and great food that will keep you coming back for more. OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER Anton’s looks forward to seeing you soon!

FUNERAL SERVICE

Celebrating 55 years of providing quality products and exceptional service for generations of families! At United Optical they keep pace in this fast-changing industry while always maintaining a personal touch These local eyewear specialists feature a variety of lens options and brands to suit any need or task Personable, knowledgeable and professional staff always ready to help.

One of the most beloved neighbourhood favourites is The Valley Bakery, which has been serving delectable European baked goods in the Heights for over six decades. Using only the finest of ingredients, Valley Bakery’s selection is beyond compare. Try their delectable cakes, delicious cookies, fresh baked breads and seasonal favourites to name a few Voted Burnaby’s Best Bakery for over 20 years running!

Kearney’s is proud to be Burnaby’s only Canadian family-owned, independent funera service provider They are conveniently located, enabling their knowledgeable and caring staff to serve those in the community who have experienced a loss. From traditional funerals to celebrations of life, burial and cremations and pre-planning Kearney Funeral Services will help you and your family say goodbye to your loved ones with dignity and care. No matter what your need, they will help you at every step.

now

Program may be extended

Continued from page 13

The StrongStart will continue to run in the morning, she said, and the same space will be used in the afternoon for the preschool

The district has already had the space licensed by Fraser Health for use as a preschool, according to Brattston.

“The intention behind the ministry initiative was to utilize existing spaces in school buildings, to make the most out of our space,” she said Brattston’s take on the ministry’s “Just B4” moniker for the new preschool initiative is that kids in the program will be encouraged to “just be four years old ”

“The intention is for four-year-olds, who will be transitioning to kindergarten the following year, to get a year of this rich, nurturing, play-based learning,” Brattston said Chaffey-Burke was chosen for the program because it is a StrongStart site and because a needs assessment showed there was high demand in the area for a preschool.

The district also considered the proximity of other preschools at district sites.

The cost of the program ($350 per month for 10 months) is in line with other local non-profit preschools, according to Brattston

The program will run

Monday to Friday, 1 to 3 p m., from September to June, excluding winter break, spring break, all statutory holidays, professional development days and any school closures due to weather or other unanticipated events

To apply for a spot in the program, parents can visit burnabyschools ca If everything goes well, the program at Chaffey-Burke may not be the last in the district, according to Brattston.

“This is a pilot,” Brattston said. “If funding opportunities continue to present themselves and we have the capacity, then we hope to continue to grow in this area ”

Citynow

Man sues Burnaby insurer over hospital bill

CorneliaNaylor cnaylor@burnabynow com

AVancouver man is suing a Burnaby-based insurance provider over medical expenses he racked up after a scorpion injury in Africa.

Johnny Onyes Nwachukwu was in Lagos, Nigeria on Feb. 6, 2023, when he was injured by a scorpion, according to a notice of civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court earlier this month

The injury required “immediate medical attention and care,” states the claim, and Nwachukwu was hospitalized for nine days

Nwachukwu had a policy with Burnaby-head-

for scorpion injury

quartered BCAA, in which the insurance company had agreed to provide travel emergency medical benefits, according to the claim.

But BCAA has refused to provide the benefits, the claim says, despite Nwachukwu providing “all the requested and required medical information as well as other supporting documentation in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy”

“The defendant BCAA owed the plaintiff a duty of good faith as his insurer,” states the claim “The defendant BCAA failed to treat the plaintiff fairly, and, in doing so, breached its duty of good faith.”

Nwachukwu is now suing for damages and a declaration from the court that he is entitled to the benefits.

The allegations in the notice of civil claim have not been proven in court.

MENACE: The emperor scorpion PHOTO WRANGEL/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Citynow Judge unexpectedly absent from Burnaby murder trial

CorneliaNaylor

cnaylor@burnabynow com

The trial of Ibrahim Ali, the man accused of murder in the death of a 13-year-old found in a Burnaby park six years ago, has been adjourned after the unexpected absence of the presiding judge

Burnaby RCMP Cpl.

Jason Cutler, the officer who arrested Ali in September 2018, was expected to continue his testimony June 16 at the B C Supreme Court trial in Vancouver.

Instead of B C Justice Lance Bernard appearing on the bench, however, Justice Heather Holmes

appeared to say Bernard was “unexpectedly” unable to be there

“This is information that has come to the court only very, very recently, and we’re gathering information,” Holmes told the jury before adjourning the trial until Tuesday at 10 a m

“If adjustments need to be made to that, you’ll be notified, but we’re hopeful that on Tuesday the case will proceed and continue in the ordinary course,” she said

She thanked the jurors for their patience

The trial has since been adjourned again until Tuesday, July 4

girl.

Ali has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of the

ON HOLD: The murder trial of a man accused of slaying a Burnaby teen has been adjourned

PHOTO MIKE WAKEFIELD/NORTH SHORE NEWS

AS WE AGE Celebrating Seniors

Letter: Over 50? Here’s why you need the shingles vaccine

Editor:

While the nerve pain impact from the shingles virus is excruciating, the potentially permanent side effects may be even more dramatic, such as permanent facial paralysis and hearing loss

Please take this seriously anyone aged 50 plus and get vaccinated.

I was negligent in not getting my shingles vaccination.To this day I had all the COVID vaccinations and all the boosters When it came to another vaccination (shingles), well, I had just had enough and thought it could wait

Very wrong decision. I contracted shingles

It was caught very early so it did not spread and was focused in only one small area The expedient strong medication worked its magic for severity but it was not so magical for the unbearable nerve pain

The pain has lessened but medication is still required and probably will be for some time

The first four days were indescribable.This is how long it took for the medication to successfully attack the virus.

I thought I was going to pass out from the pain ev-

ery minute of the day. I couldn’t sleep, had no appetite, and clothes could

not be worn, even the softness of silk One might think walking around na-

ked and losing weight isn’t so bad a side effect but that was just the beginning.

Three days into the experience, hearing in my left ear was blocked, or so I thought. It’s probably a wax buildup. I was in so much pain this was not high on my list to address until a week later. I went to see my family doctor for an ear flush Not needed; he immediately directed me for an ear examination

Warning! Side effects such as partial facial paralysis and hearing loss are not necessarily a topic of

discussion between physician and patient.

Health studies have not yet verified associated cause and effect for such side effects Mr Google can bring up some credible medical data but one has to know the right questions to ask

In my case, the virus attacked the ear nerve, did its damage and my ear cannot be repaired Moral of the experience health prevention.

Do the research, speak to your physician, get the vaccine.

S.D., NorthVancouver

PREVENTION: Reader urges people over the age of 50 to get vaccinated after a life-changing shingles experience

PHOTO BONGKARNTHANYAKIJ/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

AS WE AGE Celebrating Seniors

Grants benefit B.C. seniors

Communities in British Columbia can now apply for funding aimed at helping seniors lead independent, active lives

“As people in B C age, our government has a responsibility to make sure seniors age with dignity and respect, and that includes having communities that are age-friendly,” said B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix. “I encourage local governments and Indigenous community leaders to apply for a grant that will lead to meaningful improvements locally for seniors.”

By 2031, nearly one-quarter of the province’s population will

be age 65 or older.The Age-friendly BC program is aimed at facilitating independent living and community engagement among seniors by providing financial support to local governments and Indigenous communities

In 2022, 25 communities received grants Of the successful communities, 13 were rural and remote, five were new to receiving age-friendly funding and four were Indigenous communities. Age-friendly projects that receive funding range from tailored housing, transportation, wellness, climate and emergency-management strategies and plans

for seniors, to inclusive programs, public communications and outdoor spaces, such as parks and nature trails that ensure accessibility and safety for seniors.

The Age-friendly BC program is a partnership between the provincial government and BCHC, a not-for-profit organization that facilitates the development of healthy communities

For more information about the Age-friendly Communities Program, visit: www bchealthy communities.ca/programs/ age-friendly-communities

Submitted by Province of B.C.

ARE YOU READY TO PUT PAIN IN THE PAST?

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Researchers from UBC are inviting people aged 65-85 to participate in a research study. This study aims to determine if an exercise program can benefit brain functioning. The study lasts for 6 months and participants will receive free, 1-hour exercise sessions at Vancouver General Hospital.

For more information, contact Sarah Heath 604-875-4111 ext. 69313 or cogmob.research@hiphealth.ca

AS WE AGE Celebrating Seniors

Burnaby’s New Vista society marks its 80th anniversary

Burnaby’s NewVista

Health Care and Housing

Society celebrated its 80th anniversary this week, with a ceremony that drew an array of localVIPs

The society, which operates a 236-bed care home and adult day program as well as 540 low-income housing units for seniors and families, was founded in 1943 by ErnestWinch to provide housing for single women with mental

health issues

NewWestminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian noted Winch was also a co-founder of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), which later merged with the Canadian Labour Congress to become the New Democratic Party of Canada in 1961.Winch served as a CCF MLA for 25 years and was elected seven times.

By 1957, the NewVista Society had built 125 apartments in Burnaby in 15 buildings In subsequent years, senior homes were built to meet the needs of the aging population in Burnaby.

“Thank you to the New Vista board of directors, management, staff and countless volunteers for serving our community for eight decades and many more,” said Julian.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Celebrating the New Vista anniversary, from left, Coun. Maita Santiago, New Vista director Jeff Yu, Coun Richard Lee, MP Peter Julian, New Vista board president Guyle Clark, former New Vista president Linda Flegel, Michael Hwang, MLA Raj Chouhan, Couns James Wang, Pietro Calendino and Daniel Tetrault, and New Vista director Baljinder Narang PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

REMEMBRANCES

Obituaries

Obituaries

MATOUSEK, Alois (Alan) Josef

It is wth great sadness we announce the passing of Alois (Alan) Josef Matousek Aos s survived by his loving daughter Katherina, her husband Vince and grandsons and spouses Joseph and Amanda Taylor and Benjamin Taylor and Ayssa HamitonMessenger

Alan was born in 1934 in Bechary, a smal town in the Czech Repubic Aois, Katherna and hs wife of nearly 70 years Helena, mmigrated to Canada in 1968 leaving everything behnd to start a new ife in ther beloved New Westmnster Searching for a better lfe in Canada than communist Czechosovaka, Alan worked hard to make sure his famly had everythng they needed Alan was a trained metalurgst and even worked on the Sputnk space program n the 50’s and 60’s He transferred those skils to both Barte and Gbson’s and then to Singer Vave

In the early 80’s, he fufiled hs Canadian entrepreneural dream by openng the very wel known and loved Heen’s Dei, in Sapperton For almost 20 years, both Aan and Heen treated the customers to great food - especialy the soup!great stores and created lastng frendships that he cherished for the rest of his life

They retired to a quet lfe and were the best grandparents anyone coud ever ask for

He will missed very much

BOHART, Richard Harry and Helen Louise (Gullback)

It s with heavy hearts that the Bohart and Gi bert famil es announce the passing of Dick (February 2022) and Louise (March 2021), longtime res dents of Vancouver and Burnaby

Devoted to each other for 60 years, they leave Dick’s s ster Peggy and Lou se’s sister Karin, three generatons of n eces and nephews, and some very good friends with many endearng memores

A gathering of fami y and friends was he d last summer after an nterment ceremony at Pacfic Her tage Cemetery in Burnaby, BC

Dick and Louise wil be forever in our thoughts and n our hearts

Mike 604-961-1280

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