The Tri-Cities Now April 9 2015 by Coquitlam Now

THURSDAY APRIL 9, 2015

TRI-CITIES

After the Glen Drive blaze, Coquitlam firefighters are focused on prevention

thenownews.com

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PORT MOODY TO LOSE ITS POST OFFICE Mail carriers say seniors, those with mobility issues will be most affected by October closure

PAGE 6 LISA KING/NOW

Mail carrier Mike Ricci is one of a couple dozen workers who are raising concerns about the impending closure of the Port Moody post office. The building, at the corner of Mary and Clarke streets, has served Port Moody for more than 40 years. Mayor Mike Clay, who says he hasn’t been given official confirmation of the closure, says the location will be prime real estate, especially in light of the upcoming redevelopment of the legion. Mail carriers, though, say the closure will hurt residents.

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NEWSNOW

THE TRI-CITIES NOW | THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

‘After the Fire’ program starts Jeremy DEUTSCH

jdeutsch@thenownews.com A week after a devastating fire that left more than 100 people homeless, Coquitlam’s fire chief, about a dozen firefighters and around 40 affected residents gathered in the courtyard at 2915 Glen Dr. The meeting was an opportunity for victims of the Feb. 16 fire to ask questions and thank members of the department for their actions that day. It also gave firefighters a chance to hear the stories of those affected and educate residents. Simultaneously, another group from the fire department was knocking on doors at the remaining apartment complex to answer questions from residents and provide as much information as possible. In the end, fire department personnel knocked on 240 doors. It’s all part of a pilot project spearheaded by Coquitlam fire chief Wade Pierlot called “After the Fire.” Based on similar programs around North America, the plan is to visit with both residents affected by a major fire and their neighbours to answer questions and provide preventive education tips. The department did a similar event after a large fire a week later at a Riverbend Drive housing complex, and at a house fire on Dawes Hill Road earlier in March. “It was highly successful,” Pierlot told the Tri-Cities NOW.

NOW FILE PHOTO

About 150 residents were forced from their homes by a Feb. 16 fire at 2915 Glen Dr. in Coquitlam. Following the blaze, the fire department has focused on education. The idea is to target areas where the fire department doesn’t have a mandate to carry out regular inspections. “The one thing we have is people’s attention,” he said. “When your neighbour’s house or a suite burns down you definitely have their attention.”

Pierlot suggested about 70 per cent of the fires in Coquitlam occur in buildings the department doesn’t inspect or have any control over and, based on similar programs, he believes he can cut those fires down by 60 per cent. “If I can bring down the overall fire total in

this city … that [pilot project] would be well worth it,” he said. In the case of the Glen fire, Pierlot noted most people wanted to know how the fire started and wanted fire department staff to come into their home to do an inspection. Firefighters also received a huge amount of thanks for the work they did on the night of the fire. One of those grateful residents wants to make sure the community knows how much she appreciates firefighters’ efforts. Nina, who did not want her last name used, contacted the Tri-Cities NOW in an effort to get a thank-you out to the department. She lived in the north wing of the building and was evacuated from her suite at the time. In the rush to get out, she left her prized Bengal cat Spidey behind. A day later, firefighters went into the suite and found the cat sitting on Nina’s bed — safe, but terrified. “They were heroes that day. They were definitely heroes,” Nina said, noting her unit suffered major smoke and water damage. “I’m very lucky because [Spidey] could have died.” It’s that kind of response from residents that Pierlot believes brings a lot of perspective to the firefighters. “When we’re having our best day, it’s usually someone’s worst day,” he said. The fire chief said he plans to gather data from the pilot project in coming months so he can bring it to city council before officially launching the program.

Study looks at who’s behind hit-and-runs MANY OF THOSE CAUGHT HAD A CRIMINAL RECORD

Jeremy DEUTSCH jdeutsch@thenownews.com If it seemed there was a jump in the number of hitand-runs crashes in the TriCities and around the Lower Mainland in recent years, new research suggests that would be wrong. According to a recent study by the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), the number of hit-and-run incidents around B.C. actually dropped over a five-year period from 2008 to 2013. When the university took a closer look at hit-and-runs involving a pedestrian or a

person in a vehicle strictly in the Lower Mainland, the numbers fluctuated over the five years, but averaged around 300 per year. Amanda McCormick, an associate professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UFV, explained the university decided to take a closer look at the issue after several serious hit-and-runs occurred in a short span in 2013. The Tri-Cities were not spared the carnage on the roads that year, with several high-profile hit-and-runs occurring in the community. In September 2013, Port Coquitlam teen Annie Leung

was killed in a hit-and-run as near Gatensbury Street. The driver in that case was she crossed Mary Hill Road. Irwin Richard Franz was never officially identified and no charges eventually were ever laid. arrested and Though the pled guilty to UFV study failing to stop showed the at an accident We thought number of hitcausing bodthere would and-runs isn’t ily harm. He be a tendency on the rise, it made a court appearance toward having a did offer some insight into Wednesday criminal charge, who might (April 8) but but we didn’t be behind the has yet to be wheel. sentenced for expect half the McCormick the crime. sample would said researchA couple of be considered a ers decided months later in November, repeat offender. to look at the criminal hisJuan and –Amanda McCormick tory of a smallM a r t a er sample of Rosales, an elderly married couple from people who fled but were Coquitlam, were killed as eventually caught, and found they crossed Austin Avenue half had a criminal record

and nearly half had two or more charges. “We thought that was a big number — it wasn’t really what we had expected to see,” she told the Tri-Cities NOW. “We thought there would be a tendency toward having a criminal charge, but we didn’t expect half the sample would be considered a repeat offender.” On the flip side, the study looked at a sample of crashes where people stayed at the scene and pulled their criminal histories. The study found only 20 per cent had a previous charge and one in 10 were considered repeat offenders. “There’s a huge distinction between people who flee and people who stay,” McCormick said. “It’s common sense, really,

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW | THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

NEWSN0W

PoCo company wins telescope contract Jeremy DEUTSCH

GOT

KNEE PAIN?

jdeutsch@thenownews.com Dozens of employees at Dynamic Structures filed into the company’s office on Kingsway Avenue in PoCo Tuesday to get the details of a major announcement. It was a big day, as less than 24 hours earlier, the steel company that specializes in making amusement park rides and telescopes had just been awarded a massive nine-figure contract to help LISA KING/NOW build the world’s biggest teleDynamic Structures CEO Guy Nelson shared news about scope. “We had some pretty good the telescope contract with his staff on Tuesday. news last night, I’d say,” president and CEO Guy employing about 100 people it would create and its impact on the local economy. Nelson told his employees as over the life of the project. “It was a big investment by “For the last 10 years, we’ve they huddled around eating been chasing this 30-metre the Conservatives in science,” pizza. The good news came telescope, as you know,” Nelson said. According to a press Monday when Prime Minister Nelson told employees and a t t e n d i n g release, the TMT will be S t e p h e n media, add- the world’s most powerful H a r p e r ing he believes ground-based telescope, with announced a the project 81 times more power than commitment will have a the current best telescope. by the federal [The telescope] legacy like The telescope was conceived government was a big the Canadian of and designed by Canadian of $243.5 S p a c e astronomers and industry in a million for investment A g e n c y ’ s partnership between Canada, construction by the the University of California, Canadarm. funding of the Conservatives in “I think it’s the California Institute of Thirty Meter going to be Technology, Japan, China Telescope science. one of those and India. (TMT) inter–Guy Nelson, CEO of things that It will examine the first national partDynamic Structures all Canadians stars to form in the universe, nership, to can relate to. the black hole at the centre of be located in I think it will the Milky Way and the atmosHawaii. pheres and other properties The majority of the be big.” Nelson told the Tri-Cities of planets within the habitCanadian government’s financial support will be NOW he had an inkling a able zones of other stars. Two critical telescope elespent in Canada, including a decision was coming a week precision steel enclosure by before, but noted the fed- ments, the enclosure and the Dynamic Structures, based in eral government wanted to adaptive optics instrument, PoCo. The company expects respect the process, so he will be built in Canada. Dynamic Structures, the construction of the only found out officially on founded in 1926 and based enclosure to be a five-year Monday. The company’s CEO in PoCo since the 1970s, has project, with a cost of $150 believes the government designed and manufactured million. Nelson noted the work will was attracted to the project about half of the world’s be done at the PoCo facility, based on the number of jobs large telescope enclosures.

School district gives early look at budget John KURUCZ jkurucz@thenownews.com The good news is that School District 43 is poised to deliver a “near status quo” budget with no job losses. The bad news is that the district now says it ranks last out of 60 in B.C. in terms of per-student funding. Those were the takeaways from the preliminary 2015-16 operating budget discussion Tuesday at Coquitlam’s Winslow Centre, where trustees and staffers lamented how funding for education has not kept up with inflation and that 40 districts across B.C. are now underfunding so-called “protection measures” mandated by the province. Under the rules, districts that report declining enrolment receive a supplemental redistribution of funds. For the 2015-16 year, that means $2.94 million goes to other districts that would have gone to School District 43.

“We thought last year, [being] ranked 56th out of 60 [school districts], it couldn’t get much worse,” said assistant secretary treasurer Chris Nicolls. “Well this year we’re ranked dead last — 60th out of 60 in terms of school funding.” In terms of jobs, a series of changes were made between occupation types to keep employment numbers at the same level as last year. The biggest shift comes in the area of custodians and non-teaching cafeteria staff, where about 20 jobs will be affected. “We will not be laying them off. Instead we will be looking to reduce those positions via attrition and give everyone an active job offer,” said secretary treasurer Mark Ferrari, adding that cafeteria services will be contracted out to third-party providers. Of the district’s more than $10 million debt owed to the province, about $3.2 million will be paid back this year.

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

COUNCIL MEETINGS

NEWSN0W

Post office in Port Moody is slated to close in October

When: Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Jeremy DEUTSCH

Where: Port Moody City Hall, 100 Newport Drive

jdeutsch@thenownews.com

Port Moody, B.C.

For decades, Canada Post has had a footprint in Port Moody, but this fall that will come to an end. In October, the Crown corporation will close its location at the corner of Mary and Clarke streets, leaving the community without a post office. The soon-to-be-closed building has served as a post office in Port Moody for more than 40 years. While residents can still use retail outlets like 7-Eleven for services, or the post office in PoCo, local letter carriers are speaking out over the closure. “We know it’s going to be a detriment to the area to lose the post office,” said Sande

Times: Regular Council Meeting, 7pm Television coverage airs on Shaw Cable 4 at 9am on Saturday, April 18, 2015. We live stream our Council meetings online at www.portmoody.ca/watchlive. While you’re on our website, sign up for Council e-notiﬁcations. Get an agenda package at City Hall, the Port Moody Public Library or www.portmoody.ca/agendas.

Watermain ﬂushing starts Monday, April 13 in Glenayre and College Park Barnet

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Post received a development variance permit from the city related to expansion and renovation of the facility. The Crown corporation was proposing to add an additional 1,819 square feet (532 square metres) of floor area to the building to accommodate the use of smaller vehicles to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Both he and fellow letter carrier Derik Malpage argue there is no reason to shut the operation down in Port Moody. “My thought is, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” Malpage said, noting Canada Post just invested $10,000 on heaters for outside workers. “There’s nothing wrong with leaving this place open.” In the fall of 2013, Canada

en co

LISA KING/NOW

Mail carriers based out of the Port Moody post office say the closure will hurt local residents.

hi Dr

College Park Way

City staff will try to minimize any inconvenience. For more information, call Operations at 604.469.4574.

Drive

Robertson, a mail carrier in Port Moody. “If they [Canada Post] told people what was going on, there would be a lot of opposition to it.” Though the location isn’t used as a retail office, the postal workers note residents still use the facility for things like picking up large packages that can’t be delivered to a home address. Robertson, who has delivered mail in Port Moody for 20 years, also suggested with the number of thefts from community mailboxes on the rise, residents who become victims will be forced to pick up their mail on a regular basis in Port Coquitlam, a difficult task for seniors or those with mobility issues. It’s a similar sentiment from Mike Ricci, a relief letter carrier in the area for 14 years. “All the customers are in the dark on this. They have no clue that we’re going to be moving,” he told the TriCities NOW.

You may experience temporary discolouration, pressure fluctuations and sediment in the water reaching your home or business. If this occurs, run cold water in the bath tub until it clears up. These conditions should only happen for a short time and do not pose a health hazard.

The City of Port Moody is performing uni-directional watermain cleaning in the areas shown on this map starting Monday, April 13.

Ever wonder how to keep bears out of your waste carts? Join expert Tom Saare, the Chair of the North Shore Black Bear Network, for an informative talk on keeping bears wild and our community safe. Learn how you can prevent bears from making your neighborhood their home. When: Wednesday, April 15 at 7pm Where: Inlet Theatre, 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody Admission: Free!

604.469.4500 www.portmoody.ca

THE TRI-CITIES NOW | THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

NEWSN0W

Homeless shelter hits halfway mark

John KURUCZ

jkurucz@thenownews.com Eight years after a public hearing that saw threats lobbed against councillors, along with widespread anger and frustration, the building at the heart of that outcry stands mere months from completion. Politicians from all levels convened Wednesday to mark the halfway point of construction on the permanent homeless shelter and transition facility at 3030 Gordon Ave. in Coquitlam. Slated to open in December, the four-storey building will include 30 selfcontained transitional studio units, 30 permanent shelter beds and space to accommodate 30 extreme-weather beds during winter. It will be operated by Vancouverbased RainCity Housing and Support Society. Port Moody-WestwoodPort Coquitlam MP James Moore praised the city for seeing the building through, particularly after the anger that arose when the idea was first presented in 2007. “You faced those voices,

Come on down to ride, jump and play in Port Coquitlam’s coolest family attraction! LISA KING/NOW

The Coquitlam shelter is set to open in December. you answered it with truth, you made people reflect on a responsibility to be compassionate and we are ... building needed support for people in our society who face some of the most challenging circumstances that none of us would wish upon our worst enemy,” he said. Appreciation was also centred on the sense of inclusiveness and collaboration needed to make the project happen: to the city for leasing the land, the province and feds for offering funding, and the vast volunteer base in the

Tri-Cities for helping with the cold wet weather mat program since 2007. In particular, Tri-Cities Homelessness & Housing Task Group chair Sandy Burpee and Hope for Freedom Society executive director Rob Thiessen were singled out for their efforts. “When the temperature drops this coming winter, not only will those 90 people feel warm and safe inside, but we can all feel good about the work that has led to this accomplishment,” said RainCity board chair Stacey Morrison.

Tri-Cities Healthy Kids Fair

Thursday, April 23, 2015 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.

Port Coquitlam Recrea�on Centre 2150 Wilson Avenue, Port Coquitlam ...for families with children 0 ‐ 6 years

Inﬂatable Slide - Bouncy Castles Sport Zone - Plasma Cars Toys Kiddies Corner - Toddler Territory Inﬂatable Obstacle Course

Tuesdays and Thursdays April 7th – July 30th (Closed April 23rd and July 9th) 9:30am-1:00pm Children 10 and Under

A Parent Participation Program www.portcoquitlam.ca/children

Local community partners are proud to present the Tri‐Ci�es Healthy Kids Fair. Community organiza�ons will be available to provide parents of tots and preschoolers with informa�on on safety, health, literacy awareness, recrea�on and other community programs.

Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex

Blue Arena Floor

2150 Wilson Avenue

604-927-7970

Admission is FREE. Non‐perishable items are being accepted for the local food bank.

Phone: 604.927.7970 tricitiesecd.ca

OPINION

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Tri-Cities NOW is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership. Our offices are located at 216-3190 St. Johns Street, Port Moody BC V3H 2C7 Phone: 604-492-4492

The value of a good GP

o you have a family doctor? If so, consider yourself lucky. According to a recent story in The Province, about 220,000 B.C. residents don’t. That number is up from an estimated 176,000 in 2005. Those who don’t have a family doctor often rely on walk-in clinics — which means they face long lineups and can’t make appointments. They might also see a different physician each time they go, so don’t get the same continuity of care a family doctor could provide. If you’re young and healthy, walk-in clinics might be a convenient option. There are certainly enough of them, both in the Tri-Cities and the rest of Metro Vancouver. But if you have one or more chronic conditions — which people tend to accumulate as they age — having a single doctor follow up to make sure you’re getting the care you need could mean the difference between living a vibrant and healthy life and sliding into illness. When then-Health Minister Kevin Falcon announced in 2010 that by 2015, every B.C. resident would have a family doctor, he was being a little optimistic. Between a greying population demanding more medical care and a desire by doctors to achieve work-life balance (i.e. not log 50- or 60-hour weeks), B.C. is not graduating enough doctors to keep pace. The University of B.C. has increased the number of graduates its medical school churns out each year to 288, but Doctors of B.C. (formerly the B.C. Medical Association) says we need about 450 new physicians annually just to keep up with demand. Specialists like heart and brain surgeons are often credited with saving people’s lives — and many do spectacular work. But family physicians are the backbone of the medical system, and are often the ones who refer patients to specialists so they get the lifesaving intervention they need. May 19 is World Family Doctor Day. If you have a family doctor, consider showing your appreciation with a card or a small gift. Sometimes, the ones we take for granted are the ones we need the most.

NOWPOLL THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

Do you have a family doctor?

• No, I’ve never had one • I used to, but my doctor retired • Yes, and the ofﬁce is close to home • Yes, but I have to travel far from home • No, but walk-in clinics work for me

Vote at www.thenownews.com LAST WEEK’S QUESTION:

A grocery store in Surrey became the ﬁrst in B.C. to have wine on its shelves. What do you think?

Nothing goes better with steak than wine 4% I want more choice than just B.C. wine . . . . . . . . . . . 30% It promotes drinking — I don’t like it . . . . . . . . . . . . .15% It will hurt the private liquor stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6% It’s about time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45%

Copyright in letters and other materials submitted voluntarily to the Publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. The publisher shall not be liable for minor changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions with respect to any advertisement is limited to publication of the advertisement in a subsequent issue or the refund of monies paid for the advertisement.

Why we should talk taxes

everal events last week served as timely reminders that, sooner or later, there has to be a discussion about tax policy in this country and in the prov-

inces. One fiscal year ended, and another one began. And that meant a slew of various fee hikes kicked into action, from BC Hydro rate increases to BC Ferries fare hikes to a boost to ICBC rates. Throw in the earlier jump in Medical Services Plan premiums and higher Employment Insurance levies, and you can see that being nickel and dimed in increasingly higher levels adds up to real dollars. And I haven’t even mentioned that proposed half-point hike to the sales tax in Metro Vancouver to help pay for transit improvements, or steadily rising tuition fees in colleges and universities. As for the other half of this argument — the service delivery side of government — it’s worth noting social assistance rates haven’t gone up much for years, and the education sector is increasingly looking desperate for more funding to prevent layoffs and other cuts. And last week saw a protest rally against something that has been flying below the radar for a couple of years now: the federal government’s unilateral decision to cut in half the annual increase it provides provinces when it comes to health-care funding. The Conservative government served notice several years ago it would not renew, or extend, the Canada Health Accord, a 10-year agreement that topped up existing health-care transfers from Ottawa to provinces by more than $40 billion. Ottawa has been providing annual increases to provinces of about six per

VIEW FROM THE LEDGE Keith Baldrey

cent. Starting in two years, that will, on average, be cut in half and will essentially match a rise in economic impact. Because health-care budgets are so massive, a cut of this proportion is staggering in size when it is translated to actual dollars. In B.C., for example, the impact is expected to be close to $5 billion over 10 years, or a reduction of about a half billion dollars a year. To put that in perspective, this province’s health-care budget is forecast to increase by roughly $500 million a year for the next few years, so the federal government’s reduction will eventually equal the entire annual increase to the system. If B.C. remains committed to injecting this kind of money into the health-care sector year in and year out, it means the provincial government must find a whole bunch of “new” revenue every year (or cut programs and services). The problem is, revenues are increasingly precious to government and new revenue streams are seized upon with glee — with the exception of straight tax increases. Over the next three years, the B.C. government is projecting to collect an additional $2.8 billion in revenue. Almost half of that is expected to materialize from people earning more money, and spending more (and therefore contributing more in taxes).

The rest will come from steadily rising contributions from Medical Services Plan premiums and other fees (although the government insists none of that is a form of taxation), a modest increase in corporate income taxes and social transfer funds from Ottawa. And more than half of that “new” revenue will go to one area of government services alone: the health-care system. Add all of this up and the situation is this: the government is becoming increasingly cash-starved, the situation will become even worse with the reduction in health funding from Ottawa, and those “nickels and dimes” from various fee hikes will continue to add up every year. In the meantime, there is no indication that much more will be done to help the most vulnerable in society as there’s not much money left over after health and education take their share of any new revenue. The B.C. Liberal government is sticking to its lofty promises that a liquefied natural gas industry will eventually get off the ground and deliver potentially billions of dollars to the provincial treasury. But if those LNG dreams — and that’s all they are right now — don’t materialize, the government is going to have to face up to a fiscal reality that will mean either severely cutting back on services, or raising personal and corporate income taxes. Cutting taxes has been the mantra of governments everywhere for almost two decades now, but it may be time to revisit that attitude. At the very least, we should start talking about it. Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.

LETTERS PROTESTERS ‘IGNORANT’

Saturday’s opening of the trench display at the museum was a very solemn ceremony that was very rudely interrupted by a small group of very ignorant protesters. Somehow they arrived at the very illogical conclusion that the trench was a dedication to the glory of war when the exact opposite was true. Nothing has been so terrible in humankind than the creation of the trenches of the First World War. The stinking, wet, filthy and rat-infested trenches were horrible places where men had to endure months of cold and misery resulting in disgusting conditions such as the well-named trench feet created by the persistent wet feet progressing to gangrene and amputation and often death. The conditions persisted for months and even years, thrusting the men into mental distress and even insanity. Our minds are further challenged as to how the men coped with the constant misery of poor food, dirty and soiled clothing, stench from human waste and the horror of how long they must endure. This is glory? As a retired teacher it has been my pleasure to share many

thoughts with the thousands of eager young minds in my classrooms, but I have never encountered such blatant ignorance as that displayed by these protesters. It makes me wonder what went wrong in their upbringing that they were ignorant of the horrible conditions of trench warfare. We were all impressed with the calmness of the officials and guests, and finally the presence of Port Moody’s finest, in that they were able to carry on with the dedication of this solemn addition to the museum. Well done, Port Moody! Gordon Clay Coquitlam

PRO-D DAYS: A TEACHER’S VIEW In a recent column, Keith Baldrey referred to teachers’ “mysterious professional development days, which seem to have grown like untended weeds over the years.” I feel it is time to correct the many misperceptions about Pro-D days. First of all, they have not “grown like weeds.” For decades, British Columbia’s annual school calendar has allowed for six non-instructional days for teachers to update their educational

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knowledge and skills in order to improve their teaching practice. One of these is a school-wide planning day with administration, and the other five are under the control of teachers. During my long teaching career, my union has been very strict about how these days could or could not be used. If parents have no idea what happens on the Pro-D days in their school, it is likely because they don’t get around to reading school newsletters or visiting the school’s website. Most school administrators are very careful to keep parents informed about the use of Pro-D days. There should be nothing mysterious about it. Very few people realize or acknowledge that these days were added to the school year in 1972, without any additional compensation to teachers. Yes folks, that’s right, teachers agreed to lengthen the school year without a commensurate salary increase. The deal was, we’ll work these Pro-D days for free if you give us control of the content. There has never been a loss of instructional time for students. Teachers need to have some professional autonomy in planning these days because the needs are so different from school to

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school and district to district. A top-down dictatorship of how these days are spent is likely to be heavy on politics and light on accommodating the needs within individual schools. The staff at one school may feel learning about a new math program is paramount, another school may feel that a better understanding of autism is the best use of its time, and a third may want to upgrade technology skills. One size will never fit all when it comes to Pro-D. Mr. Baldrey noted that most Pro-D days occur at the beginning or end of a week. They are also often backed onto other holidays, or occasions such as Halloween. The timing of Pro-D days has settled into these patterns based on feedback and requests from parents, not the convenience of teachers. Teachers appreciate that there are daycare issues for some parents. After all, most teachers are parents too. The benefits of having an informed, inspired, updated teaching staff should far outweigh any inconvenience, in the long run. The misperceptions about Pro-D have “grown like untended weeds” over the years. J. Wiltshire Port Coquitlam

News Tips 604-492-4967 editorial@thenownews.com Sports 604-492-4892 sports@thenownews.com PUBLISHER Shannon Balla EDITOR Leneen Robb SPORTS EDITOR Dan Olson REPORTERS Jeremy Deutsch, John Kurucz PHOTOGRAPHER Lisa King ADVERTISING SALES REPS James Corea, Kerri Gilmour, Sanjay Sharma, Daaniele Sinclaire, Bentley Yamaura AD CONTROL Elayne Aarbo CLASSIFIEDS Dawn James, Darla Burns, John Taylor ACCOUNTING Judy Sharp

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

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Coquitlam Current

NEWSN0W

234 people ticketed for distracted driving 88 PEOPLE IN B.C. DIE FROM IT EACH YEAR

Jeremy DEUTSCH

Disaster Response Routes You have probably seen black and yellow Disaster Response Routes signs along roads and wondered if this is the route you should take if there’s an emergency or disaster requiring evacuation? The short answer is ‘no.’ These routes provide a network for emergency services to travel where they are needed as quickly as possible. During an emergency, public access to these routes may be limited to allow supplies and services to quickly move to the areas with the greatest need. Coquitlam is committed to providing leadership and guidelines to meet emergency management challenges including preparation and planning to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of its citizens, and to provide an effective response and recovery as much as possible. We have a Disaster Response Plan which provides an overview of the City’s emergency management commitments and response methodologies. To ﬁnd out more about what you can do to prepare you and your family for a major emergency, visit coquitlam.ca/ep for tips and resources.

CityofCoquitlam

CITY OF COQUITLAM CITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE

MAY 23

Register Now! The City will promote garage sales held in Coquitlam on May 23, 2015 at no cost to registered participants! Registration from April 1 to May 1 2015. Register online at coquitlam.ca/garagesale or pick up a registration form at Coquitlam City Hall.

Remember If you don’t sell your items, consider donating them. If you receive waste collection from the City, you can use the Large Item Pick-Up Program (four items max. per year) to have large household items removed. Call 604-636-3521 to set up an appointment.

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now most people wear their belts. “Maybe it will take something similar for people to put down their phone when they’re The results aren’t particularly surprising to driving,” he said. According to police, distracted driving has police, nor are they positive. After spending the month of March target- become the second-biggest killer on B.C. ing distracted drivers in Coquitlam and Port roads, behind speed, claiming the lives of 88 people annually. Coquitlam, local Mounties are On Wednesday, police and still finding their message isn’t ICBC held a distracted driving getting through. simulation event at Centennial Last month, Coquitlam Secondary in Coquitlam. RCMP handed out 234 distractWe know that The event allowed stued driving tickets to motorists. some people in dents to try out the distracted In comparison, the local Coquitlam and walking/driving course and force handed out 224 tickets distracted video simulator in relation to use of electronPort Coquitlam game. Community Policing ic devices during last year’s are still not Volunteers were also out conMarch campaign. getting the ducting “Cell Watch” around “We know that some the school. people in Coquitlam and Port message [about Chung also reminded drivers Coquitlam are still not getdistracted to leave the phone alone or risk ting the message,” RCMP Cpl. driving]. getting a fine. Jamie Chung told the Tri-Cities “We’ll be out there doing NOW, adding the results aren’t –Cpl. Jamie Chung more distracted driving camreally a surprise to the trafpaigns in the coming months,” fic department, since the force he said. keeps an ongoing tally of tickets. In a similar month-long campaign last But the seasoned officer is at a loss to explain why people continue to play with fall, Coquitlam RCMP handed out 203 tickets to drivers who used electronic devices. their phones while behind the wheel. Chung noted in the case of seatbelts, it In all of 2014, the local force handed out took education and enforcement, along with 2,002 electronic-device related tickets, and a jump in technology — new cars won’t stop another 2,500 in 2013. twitter.com/jertricitiesnow beeping if you don’t put on a seatbelt — but jdeutsch@thenownews.com

THE TRI-CITIES NOW | THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

NEWSN0W

Controversial chief wins re-election bid

scrutiny last August after it was revealed Giesbrecht made nearly $1 million in salary in 2013-14. He made about $800,000 as a bonus last year after taking over the role of economic development officer for the band. It’s believed the $800,000 was part of an $8-million land deal with the provincial government. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Jeremy DEUTSCH

jdeutsch@thenownews.com The first nation chief at the centre of a salary storm believes his re-election to a new four-year term puts an end to the controversy. Last week, Ron Giesbrecht was re-elected as chief of the Kwikwetlem First Nation, beating out his only opponent, George Chaffee, by a vote of 30 to 16. On Monday, the newly re-elected chief told the TriCities NOW his victory is a sign the band and its members are moving past last year’s controversy. “The majority of them [band members] have said, it’s done, let’s move forward

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Ron Giesbrecht and let’s get our vision put forward,” Giesbrecht said. “The community has spoken. We’ve got to do what they ask at the end of day.” The chief and the tiny first nation came under national

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NEWSN0W

Ron Giesbrecht re-elected to lead Kwikwetlem CONT. FROM PAGE 11

The chief said he now

wants to focus on the future of the band over the next four

years, including creating a new community plan.

“To have the faith and the confidence of the majority of

the community moving forward, it’s a big honour and

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a blessing to have that,” he said, adding he was happy to see incumbent councillors Fred Hulbert and Ed Hall keep their seats. The first nation, which has its band offices located at Colony Farm in Coquitlam, has roughly 80 members. At the time of the controversy, Giesbrecht said he took over the role of economic development officer in September 2013 after the former economic development officer left, in order to keep millions of dollars worth of projects moving. He said the 10-per-cent bonus was built into the position three years ago as an incentive to get contracts. It appears local elected officials have also moved past the controversy, with PoCo Mayor Greg Moore sending out this tweet: “Congrats to Chief Giesbrecht and Cllr Ed Hall and Fred Hulbert on your re-election to lead the @Kwikwetlem First Nation.” However, the issue may not be over, at least in the courts. Kwikwetlem member Ron Jackman has started a campaign to raise funds to sue Giesbrecht for the $800,000. On his fundraising page on Indiegogo, he said he wants to raise $7,000 to cover court and legal fees. “This is important to me because chief or council should not put themselves in the position to receive that amount of money and break their fiduciary commitment,” Jackman’s fundraising page states. “I am hoping to set a new standard of trust for our leaders and future leaders to follow. In my experience with my community, members are afraid to stand up to chief and council in fears of repercussions. I want to set an example to those who don’t have a voice.” As of Wednesday, his campaign had raised zero dollars and had 54 days left.

Liberal chosen

Another local candidate has been nominated by a federal party ahead of a possible election. On Thursday, the Liberal Party was expected to acclaim Ron McKinnon as its candidate for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam. He has served as riding president. “I look forward once again to offering my service to this community under the banner of the Liberal Party of Canada and the leadership of the Hon. Justin Trudeau,” he stated in a press release. McKinnon will face off against incumbent Conservative MP James Moore and NDP candidate Sara Norman.

THE TRI-CITIES NOW | THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

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Post office to close Canada Post spokesperson John Caines confirmed the office will be closing in October, noting the company is always looking at its “network” on an ongoing basis to be more efficient. “The building we were in wasn’t really suitable to stay in,” he said. Caines said Canada Post was looking at options to redevelop or move, but made the decision that there’s room

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does not make sense,” he said. “This is not the direction people want.” Donnelly also cited the growing issue of theft from mailboxes as a concern, especially for seniors. The MP said he hopes to meet with Canada Post representatives to get a business plan and to alert residents of the upcoming changes. Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay said he hasn’t been given official confirmation the office is closing in October, and isn’t sure what it will mean for the community. He suggested the average citizen won’t be too impacted, but the move will make it tougher on letter carriers. The mayor also expects Canada Post to communicate with the city and residents as the closer draws near. As for the building itself, Clay said the location would be good for retail, especially with the legion redevelopment in the works. “I think there’s a lot of opportunity for commercial development on that site and for other opportunities that would support the neighbourhood,” he said. “Whatever happens there, that’s the commercial core of that side of the city.” Canada Post said it expects the property to be sold in “due time.” Meanwhile, Robertson and her fellow posties understand the company has a right to move them, even if they don’t want to go. “It’s kinda sad to see,” she said. “We’ve always been here. It’s like a little-town atmosphere.”

to move employees to PoCo. He also pointed out there will be no reduction in service due to the move and residents will still be able to obtain services at the PoCo office or retail outlets. But New WestminsterCoquitlam NDP MP Fin Donnelly believes the closure will have a big impact on the community, adding the demand for service is both needed and wanted. “To move the services out of the growing community

CONT. FROM PAGE 6

City Hall - 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam

Monday, April 13, 2015 MEETING

TIME

LOCATION

Closed Finance Standing Committee

1:00 p.m.

Council-in-Committee

2:00 p.m. Council Committee Room

Closed Council

Council Committee Room

*Immediately following adjournment of the Council-in-Committee Meeting

Regular Council

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Protect your child’s teeth from traumatic injuries Editor’s note: The following is a guest column by Dr. Gaeun “Ga” Lee, an orthodontist at Lee Orthodontics in Coquitlam In celebration of April, the National Oral Health Month, and in preparation for the summer season of outdoor sports and activities, here are some helpful tips on how to reduce sports-related and playground injuries and protect your child’s teeth. As days get warmer and longer, children spend more time playing outdoors, participating in various sports and other outdoor activities. Traumatic dental injuries occur most commonly from various kinds of falls, followed by sport-related injuries. If your child sustains a traumatic dental injury, he or she will need a dental examination and, depending on the severity of the injury, that exam may need to be followed up by multiple appointments with the dentist to monitor the healing.

may end up losing a tooth or two. If your child loses one or two of his or her front teeth, he or she may try to avoid smiling and may find it difficult to pronounce certain words. Not only do traumatic dental injuries bring much discomfort and pain, they can leave your child with

As a result of dental injuries, teeth may get chipped, dislodged or avulsed (knocked out). Your child may need esthetic restoration, root canal treatment, a splint, or replantation of a knocked-out tooth, depending on the type of injury. In severe cases, despite all efforts, your child

long-term consequences in such an esthetically important area of the mouth. The dental work involved with managing teeth injury can end up being very costly to you as well. Prevention may be the best solution when it comes to traumatic dental injuries CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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4-1471 Prairie Ave., Port Coquitlam (across from Coopers)

604-942-0323

LOCATED IN COQUITLAM CENTER (LOWER LEVEL BESIDE SEARS )

Dr. Matthew S. Ng FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Drs. Matthew Ng, Victor Taddei, Steven Chau and Their Friendly Staff Welcome All Patients to Visit Our Practice

Suite 201-1108 Austin Ave., Coquitlam directly across from Pharmasave

We provide all dental services and accept most insurance plans Hours: Mon & Tues 8am | Wed & Thurs 10am - 7pm | Fri & Sat 8am - 5pm

Email: drmsng@hotmail.com

604.939.2468

Creating Beautiful Smiles • Gentle Touch for Anxious Patients • Great with Kids

Did You Know? (A) Acid Erosion is a major cause of worn teeth. True or False (B) Old Silver fillings can crack teeth. True or False

April is Dental Health Month!

(B)F (A)T

Talk to your Dental Health Carre tion Provider to get more information….

Dr. Myrna Pearce, Dr. Candace Woodman and Dr. Felix Wu Welcome Dr. Janet Gordon

WE’LL GIVE YOU THAT BEAUTIFUL SMILE

Call us today 604.552.9700

Certified Specialist in Orthodontics Evening & Weekend Appointments Available!

ADDRESSING ALL YOUR DENTAL NEEDS

STILL THE SAME WITH A NEW CLINIC NAME

604-464-1511 Located in Coquitlam Centre (lower level beside Sears)

www.coquitlamcentredental.com

2203-2850 Shaughnessy St., Port Coquitlam www.ontrackdental.com

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

COMMUNITY&LIFE

CITY OF P RT COQUITLAM

Kids with buck teeth at higher risk of injury

P Co

custom-made mouth guard made by your dentist. All three mouth guards provide protection with varying comfort levels and cost. so that your children will not have to sustain An effective mouth guard is one that fits well, such a negative experience. There are two easy ways to prevent traumatic dental injuries that is comfortable, sturdy and resilient. It also should not restrict your child’s speech for your child. or breathing. You can consult your dentist Every year, thousands of children get about different types of mouth injured on playgrounds, socguards. cer fields, basketball courts or Dental injuries occur most during other physical activities commonly to the upper front such as skateboarding, rollerteeth, especially if they are blading and biking. If your An effective protruded or “buck toothed.” child participates in contact mouth guard So the children whose front sports such as soccer, hockey, is one that fits teeth are protruded or “buck basketball, volleyball, baseball, toothed” are at a higher risk softball and so on, any blow to well, that is for sustaining tooth injuries. the face can injure your child’s comfortable, Your orthodontist can help teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue. sturdy and protect your child’s teeth and A mouth guard is an importsmile by aligning the protrudant piece of equipment that resilient. ing front teeth with braces can protect your child’s teeth –Dr. Gaeun “Ga” Lee and/or orthodontic appliwhile he or she enjoys parances. You can consult an ticipating in these activities. orthodontist regarding different ways to bring A mouth guard can provide protection even for non-contact sports such as skateboarding, front teeth back and reduce risks of injuring biking and rollerblading, as well as any other the teeth. Protect your child’s teeth and smile activity that poses a risk of dental injuries. with orthodontic treatment and/or a mouth Generally, there are three types of mouth guard so that your child can enjoy any sport guards: the ready-made mouth guard, the or outdoor activity and keep on smiling. Let your child play safe this summer! boil-and-bite type of mouth guard, and the

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Celebrate & Support Local Businesses With Us! JOIN US! Sat May 9, 2015 • 11am - 5pm Discover the wide variety of local businesses that will be showcased at BizAlley on Donald Street, in conjunction with the May Day festivities. Don’t miss out on the interactive, fun displays and free giveaways.

www.portcoquitlam.ca/bizalley

twitter.com/@TheTriCitiesNOW

Public Input Opportunity

CITY OF P RT COQUITLAM

Setback Requirements – 3196 Toronto Street (Fire Hall #2)

We’re Hiring!

Development Variance Permit No. DVP 00025

2580 Shaughnessy Street Port Coquitlam BC

1358

1362

1376

1370

1388

1380

1390

STRATFORD ST

CITY HALL

TORONTO ST

Council cannot receive new or additional information on this application after the public hearing.

(8 month contract position)

3148

Inspection of documents:

If you are committed to the City of Port Coquitlam, have built strong business and community relationships and have a proven sales track record, we want to hear from you!

1430

Location:

The City is committed to increasing advertising revenue through the promotion of existing print, digital and City owned community surfaces (e.g. bus shelters, benches, field and arena boards). Reporting to the Director of Finance, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing, promoting and selling advertising opportunities within the City of Port Coquitlam and the broader region. The successful candidate will also be responsible for nurturing, supporting and administering these new business partnerships.

GIVE YOUR INPUT All members of the public will have a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to present written submissions about the bylaw at the hearing.

Advertising Salesperson

The City of Port Coquitlam has a new and exciting job opportunity for a creative, community minded, individual with a passion for sales and customer service.

PRAIRIE AVE

1442

7 pm on Monday, April 13, 2015 Council Chambers Port Coquitlam City Hall

To amend requirements to allow for the construction of a Fire Hall addition to encroach 4.5 metres into the required side yard setback.

1436

PUBLIC HEARING

3196

3181

3196

3175

3196

3167

3196

3196 Toronto Street

Prior to the public input opportunity, the public is welcome to inspect the proposed development variance permit and any related reports and plans at: Development Services, Port Coquitlam City Hall Annex 8:30 am-4:30 pm (except weekends/stat. holidays) Braden Hutchins, Manager of Corporate Office and Lands 604.927.5421 • corporateoffice@portcoquitlam.ca

Visit the website for details or a larger map. More info: Development Services, 604.927.5442.

www.portcoquitlam.ca/getinvolved

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@portcoquitlam.ca, with the SUBJECT LINE: 15-28E, your first & last name. We thank all those who apply, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. This job posting will close on April 12, 2015.

www.portcoquitlam.ca/jobs

THE TRI-CITIES NOW | THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

COMMUNITY&LIFE LISA KING/NOW

LIFE’S A CARNIVAL: Coquitlam Centre will see kids of all ages this weekend with the appearance of West Coast Amusement in the southwest parking lot. Carnival rides, cotton candy and games will be attracting the crowds. The fun goes on, rain or shine — the weather forecast is calling for showers and 70-plus per cent chance of showers over the weekend.

Chocolates for every occasion! 3746 Canada Way, Burnaby 604-437-8221

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Dance more

Free Workshop Cultivating Relationships The Coquitlam RCMP Victim Services Program, with funding from the Department of Justice Canada, is proud to host a free and informative workshop to commemorate the 10th Annual National victims of Crime Awareness Week.

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Location: Coquitlam City Hall (3000 Guildford Way) Date and time: 6 pm to 9 pm on April 23rd, 2015 . Dr. Jennifer Chan from UBC and Dr. Rebecca Cobb from SFU will be presenting on: • Societal Impact and shift in values re: Equality & Respect • Maintaining balance in relationships – defining abuse and power imbalances • Styles of communication • Factors that hinder effective communication • Practical strategies in cultivating relationships and resolving conflict Space is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. To register for this free workshop, please email: coquitlam_vicservices@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or phone 604-945-1585.

www.dancecoquitlam.ca

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

THE TRI-CITIES NOW | THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

today’sdrive 20 15 BMW

Your journey starts here.

One of a Kind BY DAVID CHAO

Blending coupe-like looks with a raised SUV body, the BMW X6 deﬁes the idea of what an SUV should be. The X6 appeals to people looking for a sporty luxury SUV that is unique and distinct while offering a coupe-like design. The second generation X6 arrives for 2015 with a fresh design, smart technology and improved efﬁciency. Because the X6 is unique enough from other SUVs, it doesn’t really have direct rivals – for now. Customers seeking alternatives can look at the Porsche Cayenne for pure performance, or the Range Rover Sport for luxury and off-road capability. Those willing to wait can go and seek out the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe when it arrives at dealerships later this year; the GLE will be the closest direct competitor to the X6.

Design

While the BMW X6 has a sporty coupe-like body, it still has a bold, SUV-style look and features all-wheel drive. Both aspects are consistent with traditional SUV’s, but in other respects compromises were made to make the X6 stand out among the crowd. Aesthetics and on-road performance took precedence over versatility and capability. Seating and cargo capacity are certainly less than other SUV’s, though not by much. Most people like its bold, category-blurring looks the second generation version actually has a cleaner and more cohesive design, especially around the rear. While the exterior is unconventional, the interior is immediately recognizable as a BMW. Leather and wood is abundant, and the ﬁt and ﬁnish is of high quality. The design is similar to the X5 with whom the X6 shares its basic platform.

Environment

The X6 comes in two ﬂavours – the X6 xDrive35i and the xDrive50i. Many options and several equipment packages are available to increase the exclusivity of the X6.

Inside, the cabin of this X6 is roomier than the outgoing model. The two individual rear seats have been replaced by a three-seat bench and there is also more cargo space - though if you want an SUV to carry a lot of luggage, the X5 is still the better choice.

Performance

The BMW X6 was never meant to be a rugged offroader…while it does have a sophisticated all-wheel drive system; it is set up to perform on the road as a sports vehicle. Continuing the contradictions, the X6 delivers impressive performance despite its hefty size and weight. On highways, it is easy and comfortable, but on twisting back roads it is surprisingly fun to drive. It’s not as sharp as a 6 Series mind you, but it is more dynamic than the X5 and most other SUVs in this price range. The overall performance is impressive. The excellent chassis is backed by the two available engines. The base engine is a 3.0-litre turbocharged inlinesix. Output is rated at 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. To up the excitement level, the optional engine is a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 producing 445 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Despite the mass of the X6, this motor can propel it to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds. Both models come equipped with BMW’s xDrive allwheel drive system. Also, both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. To increase efﬁciency, all models feature a start/stop function. This system shuts off the engine when it is idle, but start ups are not as smooth as other systems equipped on rivals.

The cabin was designed around the driver and both front seats are comfortable and roomy with plenty of adjustability. The X6’s raised chassis provides a nice view out front. Unfortunately, rear visibility is limited by the sloping rooﬂine and it creates large blind spots. The rooﬂine also compromises rear seat headroom. It’s unfortunate, as legroom is quite decent. Infotainment wise, the latest version of BMW’s iDrive system runs on a 10.25-inch screen. The large screen replaces many of the buttons and cleans up the entire dash. It looks elegant sitting prominently in the centre and its high-resolution crisply renders navigation images and entertainment info.

Features

The X6 xDrive35i starts at $68,890, while prices for the xDrive50i start at $83,190. Standard equipment includes heated front seats, heated steering wheel, sunroof, auto dimming exterior mirrors, rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive headlights, navigation, and BMW’s No-Charge Scheduled Maintenance. Additional features, available as options or on higher trims, include lane departure and collision warning, blind spot detection, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, surround view camera, automatic four-zone climate control, head-up display, high-beam assistant, and a rear seat entertainment package. Fuel efﬁciency numbers (L/100km) for the xDrive35i are 13.0 city, 8.9 highway and 11.1 combined. The xDrive50i returns 16.0 city, 10.9 highway for 13.7 combined.

Thumbs Up

The driver and the passengers are treated to a comfortable and luxurious interior. The driver will enjoy an SUV that is genuinely fun to drive with a unique styling.

Thumbs Down

The big drawback is the X6’s limited versatility compared to other SUV’s. Also, the ride is quite ﬁrm for leisurely drives.

The Bottom Line

If you are looking for a unique SUV that offers coupe-like performance, the BMW X6 is the only vehicle for you.

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

THE TRI-CITIES NOW | THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

today’sdrive

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Plans for doomsday? Diesel’s the way to go Dear Car Talk: My husband and I are doomsday preppers. We’re moving to Florida and want to buy a vehicle that will give us the most flexibility in the event of various possible disasters (e.g., EMP, lack of available conventional gasoline, worthless money, etc.). Assuming for a moment that we’re right about future disaster scenarios, do you have any suggestions, other than a bicycle or rickshaw? Natural-gaspowered Honda Civic? Diesel/ biodiesel? Which would give us the most options? Thank you. — Lynne In Florida? I think a pontoon boat would be my vehicle of choice, Lynne. I think natural disasters are far more likely to hit Florida than anarchy and lawlessness — although Florida has been ground zero for both hanging chads and spring break, so you do have a point, Lynne. But if your concerns are surviving electromagnetic pulse attacks and worthless money, then you want to go with diesel. Unlike gasoline

engines, diesel engines don’t require spark, so engine electronics become a nonfactor. Your diesel engine would run after an EMP attack, assuming you can get it started without a battery. So you’ll need to get a stick-shift car, and live on a hill so you can roll-start it. I don’t think there are many hills in Florida, so you’ll have to build one. Or maybe you can buy a house next to a large waterslide? And if money is worthless, you would need to have your own supply of fuel. Again, diesel would be the choice here. You could bury a couple of 500-gallon tanks in your backyard and store your diesel fuel indefinitely. Then, when disaster strikes, you could either hang around your compound

and make forays out to the abandoned 7-Eleven to loot Slurpees, or you could fill up the back of your car with jerrycans of diesel fuel, and start driving — if you think fuel is more valuable than food and water. Where would you go? I have no idea. But you’d have to somehow get around all the dead cars clogging the highways after the EMP attack. That brings me back to the pontoon boat, Lynne. And a map of Cuba. Good luck. *** Got a question about cars? Email the Car Talk website at www.cartalk. com.

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

Spring SUPER

SPECTACULAR

APRIL 18TH, 2015 FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM

COMMUNITY&LIFE

Tri-Cities beer fest attracts 130 people ORGANIZER PLANS TO HOST MORE EVENTS

John KURUCZ jkurucz@thenownews.com

SPIN WIN

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

MANY FOOD DEMO’S AND TASTINGS

Hops, barley, yeast and water served as the catalysts to bring more than 130 people together last week for the inaugural Tri-Cities Cask Festival. Held at Port Moody’s RockyPoint Taphouse last Friday, the event gave craft beer enthusiasts and those new to the home-brewing process a chance to mingle and familiarize themselves with older methods of brewing beer. “There were a lot of familiar faces from the homebrew club and also from regular customers at Moody Ales, but there were an equal number of new faces from a wide demographic,” said Dan Helmer, co-founder of Moody Ales and the organizer of the event.

NOW FILE PHOTO

The inaugural Tri-Cities Cask Festival combined oldworld beer-making techniques with microbrewing. “From talking to some of them it was clear that cask beer, and possibly even craft beer, was a fairly novel concept.” Part of the point behind the gathering was to re-introduce methods of beer creation from the 19th century — brewing and serving beer in casks — but also to put the feelers out to gauge the level of interest for similar events in the future. According to Helmer, it was mission accomplished on

both fronts. “The attendees were appreciative that I went to the trouble of organizing the event and there were a lot of inquiries about a similar event in the summer and/or fall,” he said. “We are definitely going to hold another cask festival, possibly in the summer. However, there are already so many other craft beer events in the summer, it might make more sense — and suspense — to wait until fall.”

2015

Environmental

Achievement Awards

“ENTER TO WIN” LOCAL GIFT BASKET VALUED AT$150.

MINI GOLF CONTEST FREE CAKE AND ICE CREAM AT NOON

NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEER! The Environmental Achievement Awards recognize individuals, groups and educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to promoting, conserving and enhancing Coquitlam’s natural environment.

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CityofCoquitlam

&places

faces Tri-Cities

Showcasing local people and events

THE TRI-CITIES NOW | THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS

CREATING HEALTHY HAPPY

smiles

Fast Eddy: LISA KING/NOW The cross-co untry traveller tackles Co quitlam’s Th ermal Drive as part of a jo urney to rais e funds for various char ities.

LISA KING/NOW

Veterans pay tribute (above): Civil servant Julian Methot, left, is honoured for his work with veterans. He spent 30 years helping them get pensions, hearing aids and more. He’s joined by veterans Russ Hellard and Bob Sutherland. Donation (below): Crossroads Hospice Society receives a $5,300 cheque from the Telus Fibre Optic Community Program.

SUBMITTED PHOTO BY ABDUL MOUSA

Cutting a rug: Port Coquitlam Coun. Mike Forrest dances with a volunteer at the Polish-Canadian Art Fusion Exhibition, held on March 28 in Port Moody.

Helping out: Representatives of Tzu Chi Canada and Douglas College mark a $25,000 donation. LISA KING/NOW

How can you share?

Do you have a photo of a local person or place you’d like to share with the rest of the Tri-Cities? E-mail it as a high-resolution JPG file to editorial@thenownews.com. Include a brief writeup, and the first and last names of everyone in the photo, from left to right. Put “Faces and Places” in the subject line of your e-mail.

Pediatric Dental Group Inc. www.PDGdental.com

READY FOR ENDLESS

Caring for Tri-Cities Kids: Tri-Cities NOW publisher Shannon Balla, left, and editor Leneen Robb, right, join SHARE’s Martin Wyant and ScotiaBank’s Diana Marshall to give SHARE a cheque for $4,825.

possibilities

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

COMMUNITY&LIFE

twitter.com/@TheTriCitiesNOW

Ensuring fresh flowers TACKLING GARDEN QUESTIONS

“My daughter is getting married beginning of July 2015 and we would like as many fresh flowers as possible. Are there ones I could plant now that would work in a July wedding?” Raydeen Fuge, Langley

Contact Steve Paxon at 461-3326 and we’ll take care of all the arrangements.Free body and paint estimates.

Both ICBC and private insurance claims handled

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1978

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BRANCHING OUT

Anne Marrison

Sweet peas are one of the very best flowers to plant now for a July wedding. This is the right time to plant them and their flowering time is more predictable than most other flowers. Their range of colours is immense. Seeds are easy to get everywhere. All the ones I mention are available from West Coast Seeds, which is sold in most garden centres as well as online. The Mammoth series, for instance, flowers when days are ten hours long and this type is the earliest of all. These sweet peas come in a range of colours: crimson,

pale and deep pink, navyblue, lavender and salmon. The Mammoth series blooms have long stems and the vines climb to about six feet (three metres). Then there is the wonderful fragrance. All the sweet peas I’m recommending need supporting because tall vines grow the long stems to work in a bouquet. It’s best to sow some heattolerant sweet peas as well. The Royal Family Blend tolerates heat, so it blooms for longer even in a hot summer. This type has big flowers and long stems as well. It grows four to five feet (1.2 to 1.5 metres) tall. It comes in many colours and in white. The best heat resistance is in the Old Spice Blend. These are enormously fragrant though the flowers are a little smaller. It’s another six-footer ( two metres). The Spencer varieties include names like the allwhite ‘Royal Weddding’, and

the ‘Spencer Ripple Formula’ which has pink and white bicoloured flowers with curved edges. The Ripple type climb six to eight feet (two to 2.3 metres) tall. By focusing on sweet peas, the remaining issue becomes simpler since all you then need is some kind of a background for the bouquet. You may be able to lay your hands on some shrub already in your garden: huckleberry perhaps or salal plus ivy as a trailer. Or perhaps a friend may have suitable greenery. In any case, florists have green branches some on hand always, some of which, like salal, are native here. You might invest in some Asiatic lilies as a fail-safe. Most bloom through June, but this spring has been very warm and if you planted the lilies in March you might have some earlier flowers. The same could happen if CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

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Plan a Garage Sale We’ll promote it! Sign up online by April 15

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COMMUNITY&LIFE

It’s not too late for poppies

CONTD FROM PG 29

you planted gladiolas a tad early too. What we’re gambling with here is the weather which can be very unpredictable. Meanwhile, seed germination and bulb-sprouting can be very weatherdependent which adds to the element of gambling. “I collected poppy seeds from a plant of

Lana Austin, East Vancouver

year. For perennials such as the clumpforming, red, huge-flowered Oriental Poppy which grows into clumps, you’d not get flowers this year. It’s best to plant these soon.

If they were annuals like the red Corn Poppy or the grey-leaved, pink, frilly Papaver peoniflorium, you should plant them in April and you’d get flowers this

Anne Marrison is happy to answer garden questions. Send them to her via amarrison@shaw. ca

my friends, but didn’t plant them last fall. If I planted them soon, could I get flowers this year?”

ASK OUR EXPERTS... EXPERT ADVICE ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU

Inspection tools still available A year of after implementing its WebPermits online inspection booking tool, Coquitlam has discontinued inspection scheduling requests by telephone or voicemail effective Tuesday, April 7. In an ongoing effort to make scheduling inspections

easier and more convenient, Coquitlam’s building division still has the following options available: • WebPermits: an online, web-based inspection booking tool that allows users to: 1 — schedule your inspection(s) online using your computer or mobile

phone; 2 — reschedule inspections; 3 — cancel inspections; and 4 — review inspection results. Schedule your inspection(s) using your computer or mobile phone, at:

www.coquitlam.ca/webpermits. • Touchtone Inspection Booking Service: using a phone keypad, users can schedule, cancel, and reschedule inspection appointments or check inspection results 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 604-927-3426.

Marolyn Hum, Investment Advisor Tri-Cities Area 604.709.5882

Make Good Money (TM) is a trademark of Vancouver City Savings Credit Union.

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S M Y T H & C O M PA N Y BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS Q:My I want to move tonot Ontario Q: “ex” says he does have towith pay my child support because he onlyhas seesrefused our daughter but my ex-husband a month. What Is he right? to children give hisonce permission. can I do? A: Usually, child support and access are two very A:You will need an agreement or a court order so that different areas in family law. The amount of access can you can relocate. an agreement can be reduce child support Sometimes if the other parent has at least 40% of the time over course Also,can a parent negotiated if thethe parent whoof istheleftyear. behind make who repeatedly not exercise the access set outthe in up access with does the child at different times during TARYNNE HOOVER MARGARET SMYTH an agreement or court order may be ordered to cover year, or if parent’s adjustments are made for travel costs visits. Otherwise, you the other expenses for child care for the for missed time. Both parents will to apply to court permission to move. A judge Child must weigh haveneed a legal obligation to for financially support the children. supporta payments based on the payor’s income determined according to number ofare factors including the beneﬁt the and childare will obtain from the move, the Child Support Guidelines. You can get an Order for child support by filing the effect of having less time with the other parent, how other family and an Application in either Supreme Court or Provincial Court. Once your “ex” community relationships would affected, and thehave effect on the child’s has been served with a copy of thebe Application, he will an opportunity to respond. YouIncan alsocases, request youropinion “ex” contribute to special education. some thethat child’s is also taken intoexpenses account. such as will activities, daycare and lessons. In that case, you be A judge consider the advantages to you of moving, butwill yourboth child’s required to provide the Court with your full financial disclosure. The Court best interests will be most important. It is important to determine whether will review the financial disclosure and award child support based on the you may move withnumber your daughter before you make plans which can’t An be Guidelines and the of children for whom the support is payable. experienced Resolution family law lawyer advise you innegotiation relation to your particular cancelled. of this can matter through or application circumstances, or you and your “ex” can mediate to determine to court may take longer than you expect, so you should a reasonable amount for child support with the assistance of a VIEW consult with a lawyer when the possibility of a move arises. MORE family law mediator. CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

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Seeing one flea on your pet often translates into 100’s of flea eggs within your home. HEALTH CONCERNS FOR YOUR PET: 1. Excessive scratching does not necessarily occur when your pet has fleas. However many pets are allergic to the flea saliva and in these cases intense itching occurs and pets often develop hot spots, balding and severe irritation. 2. Female fleas can consume 15 times their Dr. Nenan Karil, bodyweight in blood. Therefore, if left untreated DVM & Assoc. and a flea infestation occurs pets can develop a blood loss condition known as anemia. In young and debilitated pets, the anemia may be severe enough to cause death. TREATMENT: So how do we get rid of these pests? There are two aspects of flea treatment: Your pet and their environment. In fact environmental control is probably more important than treating your pet. If you treat your pet and neglect the environment you will have a continuous flea presence in your household. If your pet remains indoors and you do not have other pets that come in from the outside, environmental treatment is relatively easy. However, if your pet is outdoors regularly it may be impossible to completely rid the environment of fleas, though a flea treatment should still be attempted. Even strictly indoor pets can contract fleas. Humans or other pets may bring them inside or the fleas themselves can migrate indoors. PREVENTION: The best treatment is prevention. There are many successful monthly flea programs sold by your veterinarian that prevent the flea life cycle and infestations from ever occurring in the first place. Please contact your veterinarian for more details about flea treatment and prevention for your pet and the environment.

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DENTIST What is the best age for my child to have orthodontic treatment? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have an orthodontic screening no later than age 7. Some orthodontic problems are best corrected early, and can potentially prevent more problems in the future. Early, or Phase 1, orthodontic treatment usually starts before the eruption of permanent teeth or when very few permanent teeth are present. The goal of early Dr. Myrna Pearce orthodontic treatment is to guide the growth of the upper and/or lower jaw to: achieve an esthetic facial profile, accommodate the eruption of permanent teeth, prevent or minimize future TMJ or jaw joint problems, and prevent orthodontic problems from becoming more serious and more difficult to treat in the future. Early orthodontic treatment also aims to correct harmful habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting and address airway issues that may cause problems such as snoring and mouth breathing. Phase 2 orthodontic treatment involves correcting issues with the position or alignment of the teeth, usually with braces. As many of the orthodontic problems would have already been corrected in early, or Phase 1, treatment, overall orthodontic treatment is often less complex, less timely, and less costly than if the patient were to wait until all his permanent teeth are erupted and be treated with braces alone.

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When was the last time you tried something new? Editor’s note: Today we welcome the first of a brandnew batch of teen columnists from local high schools. Look for their views each Thursday, only in the Tri-Cities NOW.

hy are people afraid to try new things and discover who they want to be? Worry that their friends won’t accept them? Fear

MY GENERATION Teghan Acres

that their artistic skills won’t match up to those of their classmates? Anxiety that if they want to try out a new sport in Grade 9, they won’t be accepted by the kids who have played for years? People are limiting themselves to what they know instead of breaking out of their comfort zones. I see people all around me making decisions based on what they think is expected of them instead of what they really want to do. When course selections roll around every year, I scarcely see my peers picking any course unless they know one of their friends is taking it. The VISIT US

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Looking to find a bargain on children’s clothing, toys, books and sports equipment? Come to the free Kids Only Swap Meet! When: Saturday, April 11, 9am-1pm

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anxiety of what to choose is increased by the nagging questions: “Who will be there?” “Who can I sit beside?” The possibility that you may not have a close friend in a class shouldn’t hold you back from pursuing your interests. I think everyone should do as many new things as possible in their lifetime. If you find something you really love, keep doing it. But also keep looking for new and different things. Pick up an instrument you’ve never played. Travel to new places. Meet new people. Choose a class that none of your friends are picking but that interests you. Try something new — you will discover sides of yourself that you might not have known before. New experiences might not always work out, but at least you tried. Last year, I joined the tennis team without having ever picked up a racquet in my life outside of school gym classes. I had no idea how I would do, so instead of buying new equipment, I borrowed my grandma’s ancient wooden racquet, which, needless to say, did not make me the coolest player on the team. I didn’t win a match all year. Most of the exercise I got was from running after balls that flew past me. Despite that, I had fun. I made new friends from different grades that I would have never approached in the hallway, and I got to spend more time with friends I didn’t see often during the day. I also learned that while

I may go to Wimbledon one day, I will not be playing on the court. No worries. We all only have a limited number of days on this earth, and the only guarantee is that we will not live forever. It is easy to forget the simple fact that every chance that we get to do something different or something that we haven’t done before is a chance we may not get again. Life is full of decisions. We may not always realize the enormity of our choices as we make them. The pull to play things safe and reside in our comfort zones is so strong sometimes, that we unintentionally pass up oncein-a-life-time opportunities because we are scared. We are scared to take chances. We are scared to push the envelope and dive head first into the unknown. We need our desire to experience all the world has to offer to outweigh this fear. I see the phrase “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” frequently online. Every time I read that quote, I try to think of something new I have done recently. I want to constantly be learning more about myself, and I think everyone else should too. Sign up for a different elective. Try a new food. Write an article for the My Generation column in the Tri-Cities NOW. I dare you. Teghan Acres is a Grade 11 student at Dr. Charles Best Secondary in Coquitlam.

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Conquering house clutter with kids

Famed comedienne Phyllis Diller once said, “Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.” Many parents realize that having children means their homes will be filled with a vast assortment of toys, clothing and other items that seemingly spend more time scattered across the family room floor than in children’s bedrooms. Homes where young children lay their heads at night may not be as tidy as the photos lining home decorating magazine spreads. But while lived-in family homes may never be spotless, they do not have to be overrun with clutter, either. It’s possible to find a happy balance with the right strategy and by investing in a few organizational products. Work one room at a time. Cleaning up cluttered homes can seem like a monumental effort when looking at clutter as a whole. But parents can do themselves a favour by choosing a starting point and tackling the project one room at a time. Find the room that needs the most work or a space where clutter causes the biggest headaches. Once you clean such rooms, you may discover extra motivation to move on to the others. Resist the urge to wander. One of the obstacles many people face when attempting to declutter a home is the tendency to remove an item from one room only to add it to the existing clutter in another room. For example, if a child’s toy is in the living room, you may walk that toy up to the bedroom and get

involved in tidying up the bedroom, leaving the mess behind in the living room. When organizing a home, stay in a particular room until that room is clean. Have designated bins or bags for items that need to be carried into another room, but only transfer such containers after a room has been cleaned. Cull twice a year. Children accumulate the greatest number of new toys on birthdays and holidays. Set a schedule to go through existing toys prior to these events and sort out the broken, old or seldom-used items. Donate these toys to preschools, afterschool programs, family support centers, or babysitting centers at your office or gym. Whatever can’t be salvaged should be put into the trash or recycling bins. Invest in storage cubes and bins. Toys that are easily accessible and seen are easier to find and put away. Develop a storage system that works for your family. Labeling bins with words (or pictures for children who can’t yet read) helps children identify where things belong. Find a system that will have longterm functionality and grow with the family. Many stores sell storage bookcases that blend with home décor. Tame the toys. Making too many items available at any given time can become overwhelming to children. Rotate toys rather than always buying new ones so that items will be fresh and interesting. Toys out of the rotation can be stored in a basement or attic. Belongings that are not requested or missed can be given away. Another idea is to create wishlists for birthdays and holidays. This way friends and relatives only buy what kids want,

rather than an array of toys that may just end up taking up space. Get items off of the floor. Any organizational system that can move items vertically is beneficial. Children will become accustomed to hanging things up rather than leaving belongings on the floor. Hooks, hangers and shelving mounted on walls, will free up precious floor space. Choose furniture that serves double duty. Beds with drawers underneath or a toy chest that doubles as a bench can work well in

spaces that need some clutter control. Establish a school memory box. Parents can give each of their children a plastic bin where they can store memorable items from school. Not every assignment or drawing sent home needs to be kept. Reserve the memory box for those special things that have the most meaning. Kids and clutter often go hand in hand. However, there are ways to keep the mess under control. —Metrocreative

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5 signs your home insulation is failing Some insulations can lose performance over time, sustain damage or simply no longer meet updated building codes. It’s an issue that can be costly, because if your home’s insulation isn’t doing its job, you could be wasting money and resources. You don’t have to be a trained professional to know you have a problem. Here are several signs that your insulation is lacking: •Energy bills — High energy bills are the biggest red flag, especially relative to the size, age or condition of the home. If you have a run-away energy bill, your insulation may need to be upgraded. This can be the case, even in a newer home. •Drafts — Do you need to put on a sweater even with the heat on, or does your air conditioner run incessantly without making enough of a difference? That’s a sign of a deficiency in your building envelope. •Inconsistent temperatures — Is it warm in one room, but cold in another? Are your walls or interior closets cold to the touch? It’s possible that while your whole home may not need attention, certain rooms may need to be addressed. •Condition of insulating materials — Consider the age of your insulation. Would it stand up to today’s building codes? Is it in good shape or is it crumbly? If your insulation has degraded or isn’t performing, it’s time for an upgrade. But be careful, as certain types of older insulation, such as Vermiculite insulation, may contain asbestos. If you’re unsure, do not disturb it and hire a professional to conduct testing and/or removal. This should not be a do-it-yourself job. •You detect pests and/or moisture — Insulation — and your building envelope — can be compromised by the presence of pests. Moisture is an even bigger obstacle to optimal thermal performance, as some types of insulation can sag or collapse when damp, leaving voids and causing air to flow in and out of the building envelope. While some solutions may be more complicated, requiring the opening of the existing wall cavities, others can be addressed more easily. The best way to improve thermal performance and increase energy efficiency is to upgrade attic insulation. Laying Comfortbatt insulation over existing material to achieve a minimum depth of 16 inches, or an R-value of R50, is a simple DIY project that can generate immediate results. To fully assess your home and explore remediation solutions, consider hiring a professional home energy auditor to evaluate your home’s energy performance. Even in a new home, the results may be surprising. —Metrocreative

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The benefits to hiring pro landscapers

he flowers are blooming, and the grass has begun to grow anew, making spring a great time for homeowners to once again turn their attention to landscaping. Those who aren’t looking forward to dusting off their lawnmowers and rethreading their string trimmers may want to hire professional landscapers to tend to their lawns and gardens. A recent joint study by the National Gardening Association, Residential Lawn and Landscape Services and the Value of Landscaping out of the U.S. found that homeowners spend roughly $45 billion per year on professional lawn and landscape services, as nearly 30 per cent of all households across the United States use at least one type of lawn or landscape service. The rising use of lawn care services is indicative of homeowners’ appreciation of the convenience and craftsmanship professional services can provide. While the impact professional landscapers can have on a property’s aesthetic appeal is considerable, homeowners also benefit from working with professional landscapers in various other ways. • Time savings: One of the biggest benefits of leaving Homeowners lawn care to the professionals also benefit is the amount of time it will from save for the average homeowner. working with Lawns generally need to be professional mowed once per week durlandscapers in ing the spring and summer seasons and, depending on the various ways size of the property, that can take an hour or more. Add the time it takes to clean up clippings, mulch landscaping beds and edge the property, and homeowners can expect to devote a significant chunk of their weekends to caring for their lawns. Lawn services employ a few workers who make fast work of the job, leaving homeowners time to enjoy their weekends however they see fit. • Reduced risk for injury: Maintaining a landscape is hard work, and those unaccustomed to this type of activity may find themselves winded or at risk of injury. Improper use of lawn equipment also is a safety hazard. Leaving the work to professionals can help homeowners avoid strained backs, lacerations, pulled muscles, sunburns, and any other dangers that can result when tackling landscaping projects. • Financial savings: On the surface, hiring a landscaping service may seem like a costly venture. However, after crunching some numbers, many homeowners realize that doing the work themselves may cost more in the long run than hiring a professional landscaping service. Homeowners who decide to go it alone must purchase expensive equipment, and those lawn tools will require routine maintenance, which costs additional money. Inexperienced homeowners may incur extra fees to “fix” mistakes that occur during the learning process. Each year, new seed, fertilizer, mulch, pesticides, and other supplies also must be purchased. But professional lawn care services typically charge a set fee per month, and that fee covers the maintenance of both your property and the equipment needed to keep that property looking great. • Know-how: Many professional landscapers know how to address lawn care issues that may arise throughout the year. They will know how to deal with dry patches of lawn or poorly draining areas, and they also can make recommendations on plants that will thrive under certain conditions. •One-stop shopping: Certain landscaping services provide many different options for prospective customers. Basic lawn cuts may be one package, but there also may be services for seasonal seeding, weeding, leaf clean-up, and winterizing. •Consistent maintenance: Homeowners who frequently travel or spend much of their summers away from home often find that lawn care companies are a wise investment.

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Established weekly schedules ensure the landscape always will look its best whether homeowners are home or out of town. Spring is a great time for homeowners to decide if hiring professional landscaping services is in their best interests. —Metrocreative

METROCREATIVE

The rising use of lawn care services is indicative of homeowners’ appreciation of the convenience and craftmanship professional services can provide.

THE TRI-CITIES NOW | THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

COMMUNITY&LIFE

Grandparents have a special role to play MODERN PARENTING Kathy Lynn

a time of magic and of learning. No matter how many people tell you how magical it is to become a grandparent and how very different it is from being a parent, it’s one of those “you have to experience it” realities. The biggest difference is the ability to totally focus. For example, let’s say I am about to change a diaper. Well that activity with that child can be my total preoccupation. I do not need to wonder if there are enough diapers, if the sheet on the changing table is clean or whether there is a change of clothes available. When I was the parent all of these considerations came into play but now none of that is my problem. It’s just my grandchild and me in that moment and it’s fantastic. New grandparents are told they need to learn to bite

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faster than babies and toddlers, so have their parents take you through the new reality. Grandparenting is a joyful experience. Make that true for the parents and the grandchildren as well as for yourself.

Kathy Lynn is a professional speaker and author of Vive la Différence, Who’s In Charge Anyway? and But Nobody Told Me I’d Ever Have to Leave Home. If you want to read more, sign up for her informational newsletter at parentingtoday.ca.

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freezer and I am assured that this was extremely helpful. The trick is to make concrete offers: “Would you like to go out for dinner this coming Saturday because we are free and would love to look after the babies?” Be honest with your kids. If they know that you will say no to a request if it just doesn’t fit your schedule, they are more likely to ask. When you are with the grandchildren, make sure you are up to date on their schedules. Last time you were with the kids they needed to be fed, but this time they are ready to feed themselves. Nothing changes

If you are lucky enough to live close to your grandchildren there is the question of childcare. It’s important to be clear with yourself and your children about your wishes on this matter. During the pregnancies I let the kids know that I was not willing or able to handle full-time childcare. And to be honest, that isn’t the role I want to play. Fortunately both families shared that feeling. But we are thrilled to look after the kids when their parents want a date night. When the kids were newborns, we not only showed up to help with the babies, we brought food for the

he day I became a Grandma is one that I will never forget. We got the word from our son-in-law when he phoned and said, “Hi, Grandma.” Our daughter Chelsea had delivered twins, and so a little boy and a little girl entered our lives. We met the children at the hospital. I walked into the room and was still just Mom. My eyes went directly to my daughter. Was she OK? She was glowing. Then I walked over to the bassinette that contained two swaddled bundles. I looked down in awe and my daughter said, “It’s OK, Mom, you can pick her up.” And I did and that is the moment I truly became Grandma. And then, 16 days later, our daughter-in-law delivered a little boy to complete what we were calling the “grandparent hat trick.” The babies are now almost two years old and it has been

their tongue when they see their child parenting in a way different to what they would do. And it’s true because you have raised your children and now it’s their turn. On the other hand, sitting by worrying about what you are seeing is not the most productive way to maintain a healthy family relationship. So, put the judgment and criticism aside and be curious. “I notice you are giving your children the same food as you eat. Tell me about that.” Your children are keen to tell you about the parenting decisions they are making and where they are getting their information, as long as you will listen respectfully and understand they will not raise their children exactly as you did. Times change. Let’s face it, you didn’t raise your kids exactly the way your parents raised you. There is much grandparents can do to help aside from taking care of the baby from time to time. Grandparents are the keepers of the family stories. As your grandchildren grow they will love to hear the stories about their family history, about their parents and about your childhood.

INSTEAD OF JUDGING, BE CURIOUS

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Stringing of the transmission line (conductors) along the new transmission towers for the Interior to Lower Mainland Transmission Project has begun. Helicopters are required for this work. The contractor has obtained the necessary permits and permissions and is in compliance with Transport Canada requirements. Conductor ends will need to be joined with the use of an implosive connector that is a metallic sleeve with a small charge in it for each conductor. Using safe and controlled methods, the sleeves are detonated which compresses (welds) the conductor ends together. This split-second process will create several ﬂashes with smoke and very loud bangs. Trafﬁc control measures will be in place as needed. Work hours will conform to municipal bylaws. The new 247 kilometre, 500 kilovolt transmission line between Merritt and Coquitlam will expand the capacity of the system that brings power to businesses and homes in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

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COMMUNITY

REACH seeks nominations

Committing to our planet’s future means properly recycling our electronics of the past. That’s why the EPRA, an industryled not-for-profit organization, works to keep 100,000 metric tonnes of end-of-life electronics out of landfills each year through convenient and regulated e-recycling programs. Technology advances fast, but we only get one earth.

Learn more about the electronics recycling program at:

recycleMYelectronics.ca/bc

For collection site locations and acceptable products, visit:

return-it.ca/electronics/locations

This program is funded through Environmental Handling Fees that are applicable to new electronic products sold in the province.

The City of Port Coquitlam is inviting nominations for a youth or youth advocate who has contributed to the community over the past year (May 2014 to April 2015) and who has positively supported youth (11 to 18 years). The Tri-City REACH (Recognizing Efforts and Achievements Across Community & Home) Awards recognize the contributions of youth, youth groups, businesses, organizations, and adult mentors in the Tri-Cities who help make our communities youth friendly. Nominations will be accepted until April 12. All valid nominees will receive the much deserved recognition at the Tri-City REACH Awards Ceremony on May 7, 2015 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 pm at Coquitlam City Hall, 3000 Guilford Way. The nomination criteria for each category include: Youth or Youth Groups: • Must be in grades 6-12. • Volunteered consistently throughout the past year (May 2014 to April 2015) to make a difference in the community, and/or to the environment by peer tutoring or counselling, helping community programs/school, raising aware-

ness on an issue, coordinating an event or influencing safety. • Must be a positive role model for their peers. Businesses or Organizations: • Any local non-profit, private or public organization such as a community service organization, store, company, restaurant or government agency that has made a positive contribution to youth. • Contributions can include providing funding, supporting fundraising, creating positive opportunities for youth, offering free to low-cost youth programs or employment opportunities, or influencing safety for young workers. Adult Mentor: • An adult such as a coach, teacher, youth worker/counsellor, mentor, neighbour or friend who volunteers or works for the benefit of youth. • Must be a positive role model who has made a special effort to support youth in the community. Completed nominations can be submitted by April 12 online at www.pocoyouth. com , in person at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre at 1379 Laurier Avenue or by e-mail to eastmanc@portcoquitlam.ca.

“BIGGEST LOOSER WINNER” don taylor

oxygentraining.ca

So, my wife tells me she emailed this guy about a weight loss contest in the newspaper. A few days later, my wife tells me I’ve been selected to compete in this contest. It was called “The Biggest Looser.” Now I’ve never done yoga before, and I’ve never been in infrared heat for an hour, but I was told this was how I was going to lose weight for the contest. I’m competitive by nature so I was excited at the chance to be in a competition, probably more so than regaining some energy, flexibility, or ability to fit into my clothes. I’ll have to admit, it was rough at first, no it’s still rough, but I left each yoga session feeling pretty refreshed. I didn’t find that things got easier, but I found my ability to execute the poses improved. I’m assuming I was also putting on a little muscle because the weight wasn’t coming off as fast as I wanted it to. I got disheartened, I didn’t work as hard as I should have, but the amount of work I put in and the discipline with my diet paid off in the end as I lost 22 lbs., and 4 inches off my waist. This experience not only improved my health, but it has invigorated me to do even better.

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