The Tri-Cities NOW December 24 2013 by Coquitlam Now

TRI-CITIES

TAKING A LOOK BACK As 2013 winds down, we remember the biggest — and strangest — stories of the year

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DECEMBER 24, 2013

TUESDAY

Can you help this bird get to California?

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

InTHE NOW View our stories and photos with Layar Using Layar: Download the Layar app to your smartphone. Look for the Layar symbol. Scan the photo or the page of the story as instructed. Ensure the photo or headline is entirely captured by your device. Check for advertisements that have layar content too. Watch as our pages become interactive.

See more photos of the ‘Santa pig’ and local RCMP officers helping SHARE at Riverview Page 3

UPCOMING FEATURES

LISA KING/NOW

PHOTO OF THE DAY: SHARE CEO Martin Wyant joins Coquitlam RCMP Sgt. Barb Thornborough, Insp. Paulette Freill and the “Santa pig” to load Christmas boxes for people in need at Riverview. Scan with Layar for more photos.

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Are you looking for a fun way to spend New Year’s Eve? Check out our Friday, Dec. 27 edition for details of the biggest local events. And if you’re taking part in the Penguin Plunge at Rocky Point Park on New Year’s Day, you’ll find photos in our Friday, Jan. 3 edition.

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Visit us online at www. thenownews. com to view photo galleries of local people and events. CONTACT US editorial@thenownews.com sports@thenownews.com advertising@thenownews.com distribution@thenownews.com (for delivery concerns)

NEWSNOW THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

Join us for a look back at 2013 WE REVISIT SOME OF THE HIGHS AND LOWS — AND ODDITIES — OF LIFE IN THE TRI-CITIES

JANUARY

— near the PoCo rail yard — that shows small traces of contaminants.

• Forty vehicles are involved in multiple crashes on the Port Mann Bridge, and one person is taken to hospital with minor injuries, after the bridge deck is shrouded in both ice and fog.

• Heritage Mountain Elementary principal Craig Mah comes up with a unique way to discourage speeding near his school. Dressed in a blue tracksuit and reflective vest, he uses Star Trek references through a series of messages on Twitter to highlight the bad driving near his school. “I’m just having fun with it and it’s tongue-in-cheek, but it’s parent behaviour that I’m dealing with,” Mah says.

• Police are called to a report of a teen trying to escape from the undead. When officers arrive, they find the teen passed out on his vehicle. • Businesses across the Tri-Cities breathe a sigh of relief after the NHL lockout comes to an end. Some businesses reported 90-per-cent reductions in sales, though it was hoped the tide would turn once the 113-day work stoppage ended. • It’s a lesson in paying it forward that spans two families, three generations and 14 years. Port Moody resident Larry Coleman finds an anonymous thank-you card recalling an act of kindness his late father had performed in 1999. Coleman tracks down the person who delivered the card, Sarah Bondi, who lives a few blocks away. Bondi wanted to remain anonymous at first, though her 14-year-old daughter Kira later helps the pair re-connect.

2012

• Coquitlam Coun. Lou Sekora introduces a notice of motion to do away with overly large houses — referred to as “monster homes” — in southern Coquitlam and Maillardville. Sekora’s motion is unanimously endorsed, and most councillors suggest they’ve heard similar complaints. City staff are still investigating the matter.

NOW FILE PHOTO

Port Moody couple Laurie and Bob Landy show off a lifesaving award given to Laurie by the BC Ambulance Service for saving Bob’s life by performing CPR after he suffered a heart attack. An ambulance dispatcher led her through the process. Sutherland, Natalie Thomas, Liz Thunstrom, Anna Tremere, Tom Warwick and Kathy Wood.

FEBRUARY • After close to a century, James Park Elementary gets a new lease on life. The school is replaced to the tune of $14 million and comes complete with a Neighbourhood Learning Centre, a StrongStart Centre and a new energy consumption dashboard near the school’s main entrance indicating the building’s efficiency.

• There’s an awful lot you can pack into a suitcase — clothes would be the first items that come to mind. But Port Moody police discover a suitcase is also an acceptable way to pack meat, after they find more than 100 pounds of various packaged frozen meats in front of an apartment on St. Johns Street. No one comes forward to claim the wayward protein.

• Cats appear to be making a comeback in Coquitlam. Statistics point to a rise in adoption rates and the number of people reclaiming their lost cats, as well as a drop in the number of felines being housed at the Coquitlam Animal Shelter. The increase is attributed to a rise in the use of microchip ID markers and a new online adoption system.

REVIEW

• A group of Dr. Charles Best Secondary students rally to close the Paramount Gentlemen’s Club in New Westminster, over sexism and exploitation concerns. Their efforts raise awareness, but the city does not shut down the club. • Coquitlam council officially pulls the plug on Rochester Pool. Built in 1968, the pool suffers from a series of structural defects that are too costly to repair. In fact, a staff report recommends that no new standalone outdoor pools be built over the next 15 years. Instead, the city opts to move in the direction of spray decks and other aquatic infrastructure. • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals are presented to 31 recipients from the Tri-Cities: Leo Bruneau, Sue Haberger, Lelainia Lloyd, Kiyoshi Takahashi, Miranda Anderson, Gordon Clay, Ruth Foster, David Spence, Don Gillespie, Norma Gillespie, Bev Moulds, Ted Wingrove, Al Boire, Mary Brown, Cathy Burpee, John Cafe, John Cashore, Dave Driscoll, Donnie Forester, Gordon Fulton, Elaine Golds, Russ Hellard, Peter Howard, John Menenghello, Robert Siddons, Bob

• It’s a case of loose lips sinking ships for one PoCo crook. Transit Police arrest a man after he is overheard boasting about being wanted on warrants by the Vancouver Police Department. He also mentions he’s headed downtown to steal a car. Not only is the man riding transit without a fare, he indeed has an outstanding warrant for two mischief offences dating back to October 2012. Justin Douglas Charles Butters, 24, is arrested. • It’s just a simple wooden bridge across the Brunette Creek, but its closure becomes a major divide for Coquitlam and New Westminster. The single-lane Bailey bridge that connects United Boulevard in Coquitlam to Braid Street in New Westminster is shut down for weeks over structural defects. While it re-opened later that month, the two municipalities still haven’t come to an agreement on how to fix it. • Freemasons from across the Tri-Cities open their lodge hall doors to the public for the first time in decades. The PoCo meeting is packed to capacity, with members of the group explaining who they are and what they represent, along with a tour of their facility. • Port Moody couple Bob and Laurie Landy celebrate an extra special Valentine’s Day together. Two months earlier, Laurie had per-

formed life-saving CPR after her husband suffered a heart attack in their home. Laurie had never performed CPR before, but was led through the process with the help of an ambulance dispatcher. • A legal medical pot grow-op that raises the ire of a Port Coquitlam neighbourhood is shut down indefinitely by the city. The city’s Public Safety Inspection Team, along with Coquitlam RCMP, executes a search warrant on a house in the 900-block of Governor Court over suspicions the occupants are operating an illegal grow-op. • The Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex hosts a cultural melting pot, thanks to the Coquitlam Express hockey club and the immigrant settlement group SUCCESS. The two groups stage a multicultural celebration centred around the Lunar New Year complete with lion dances, Chinese cultural dances, Korean drumming and Hapkido demonstrations. • Coquitlam’s Glen Pine Pavilion celebrates its fifth anniversary as a hub for city seniors. The pavilion opened on Jan. 8, 2008, and became a hotbed of activities for adults of all ages. Membership numbers have skyrocketed since its opening, jumping from 200 in 2008 to nearly 1,700 members today.

MARCH • Former Olympic wrestler Chris Wilson begins what will be a busy year in his political life. The KidSport Tri-Cities chair wins the Coquitlam-Burke Mountain NDP nomination, before falling to Liberal incumbent Doug Horne in the provincial election. He later goes on to win a seat on Coquitlam council in the October byelection, alongside fellow newcomer Bonita Zarrillo. • For the first time in close to a decade, the Coquitlam River is removed from the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C.’s Top 10 Most Endangered Rivers in B.C. list. Coquitlam staff begin a monitoring program along various stretches of the river and find only one area

• The Tri-Cities NOW gets a first-hand look at an expansive lost and found cache at the Port Moody Police Department. In one section, a stack of laptops is collecting dust, and in another, full 40-pounders of vodka and cans of beer sit unopened from liquor seizures. Then there’s the giant fake skull and mummy recovered by police from a stolen vehicle. • It’s an explosive situation for one unfortunate Porta-Potty in Coquitlam. Police and fire crews are called out to a construction site near Kingston Street and Galloway Avenue on a report of a portable toilet on fire. A passerby, who heard a loud noise and saw smoke coming from the toilet, flags down a Coquitlam Mountie patrolling the area. Fire crews arrive and quickly put out the blaze. • A fundraiser is held to help the plight of Coquitlam’s Tony Del, a long-time musician who suffered a spider bite in 2005 and had his leg amputated below the knee in 2012. The evening includes a list of high-profile local musicians — Jim Byrnes, Jerry Doucette and Dave Martone — coming together to help one of their own. • Port Coquitlam has bragging rights over Vancouver, at least according to one survey. PoCo beats out Vancouver and almost every other municipality in the province on MoneySense magazine’s annual rankings of Canada’s Best Places to Live. The hometown of Terry Fox finishes 33rd overall on the list, 23 places higher than Coquitlam and 19 spots ahead of Vancouver. In total, 200 cities are on the list, though Port Moody is inexplicably left off. • Anmore council decides to decommission the Village Hall and start the planning process to build a new one. Staff and council were forced to vacate the old hall in December 2012 due to a rodent infestation, though the pest problems have been around for years: at one point, staff caught a half dozen squirrels and mice in the ceiling. Mayor Heather Andersen estimates renovation costs could add up to $900,000. • The names of each of the seven Evergreen Line stations are revealed: Lafarge LakeDouglas Station, Lincoln Station, Coquitlam Central Station, Inlet Centre Station, Moody CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

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2013 a shocker on the political scene CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Centre Station, Burquitlam Station and Lougheed Town Centre Station. Construction across the Tri-Cities ramps up significantly through the year, and the 11-kilometre line is expected to be complete by the summer of 2016. • Port Moody police weigh in on a controversial video game that uses Port Moody Secondary as the backdrop for a multiplayer, first-person shooter video game called Counterstrike. “Investigators from the Port Moody Police Department have interviewed the developer of this game and have concluded that he does not pose a danger to the staff or students of Port Moody Secondary,” the statement reads. • Amy Hsieh doesn’t fancy herself a pushover, and the 67-year-old Coquitlam resident lets a pair of would-be crooks know that firsthand. Hsieh catches a crook trying to steal her purse after he poses as someone trying to help with her car. She chases the thief after noticing her purse is missing, though RCMP do not recommend a similar response — instead call 911.

APRIL • Port Moody councillors and community members turn the clock back 100 years for a re-enactment of the city’s inaugural council meeting. Done in conjunction with the city’s 100th birthday, the meeting features period attire and a look through some of the original bylaws and controversies of the day.

2012

tion around wildlife and plant species, as well as the park’s namesake, George Mundy. • The Port Moody police board doesn’t stray too far to find the city’s new top cop, announcing Chris Rattenbury as chief constable for the 100-year-old department. The long-time officer has been with the force for 23 years, after starting his career in 1982 with the Vancouver Police Department. • The husband-and-wife dental team of Kevin Lauwers and Candace Woodman announce a new clinic for homeless and lowincome people out of Northside Foursquare Church in PoCo. The clinic is a partnership with the Hope For Freedom Society, and opens in July. • In just four short years, Rusty Johnson triumphs over tri-tips, bests his briskets and perfects pulled pork. Johnson cooks up a storm on the competitive barbecue circuit, claiming victories at competitions across Canada and the U.S. “It’s not luck — luck is a bad term,” he says. “It’s about good recipes and the right execution of those recipes.”

• After spending much of the last year in search of storage space, the SHARE food bank finally finds a new home for its Christmas toys. The society announces it has reached a deal with the province to lease a space at Riverview Hospital for one year. The deal with Shared Services BC takes effect May 1.

NOW FILE PHOTO

Port Coquitlam NDP MLA Mike Farnworth celebrates a win on election night, but the rest of his party doesn’t fare so well, with many losing their seats to a BC Liberal sweep.

• The provincial election generates upset after upset — both on the B.C. and local scale. The Liberals return to power in a shocking victory, with Linda Reimer claiming Port MoodyCoquitlam. Doug Horne returns to his seat in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, Selina Robinson wins Coquitlam-Maillardville after a lengthy judicial recount and Mike Farnworth wins in Port Coquitlam yet again.

REVIEW

• Electric car owners can not only get their fill of the sun at Rocky Point Park, they can also top up their vehicle for free, as the City of Port Moody unveils four new electric vehicle-charging stations around the community. Besides the Rocky Point location, stations are located at the Port Moody Recreation Complex and Kyle Centre, while a fourth is in the city’s works yard.

• It was a memorable event in so many bad ways. But in the darkness there was also light. The horrific explosions that strike the 117th Boston Marathon affect people across the globe — including Coquitlam’s Courtney Powell. She’s one of approximately 2,000 Canadians registered for the race and finishes approximately an hour before the explosions rock the finish line. She escapes uninjured.

MAY The sights, sounds and species of Mundy Park become interactive, after the City of Coquitlam sets up a series of QR codes around the park. The codes are placed throughout the area as part of a pilot project leading park visitors on an “Interpretive Walk.” Twelve different locations are featured, providing informa-

• School District 43 officials approve the 2013-14 school year operating budget, which includes cutting 142 positions to make up for a $12.1-million deficit. The cuts include 22 teaching positions, five principal and viceprincipal positions and six administrative positions. In all, the cuts are expected to save the district $12.5 million. • Former Coquitlam daycare operator Maria McFerran is sentenced to 18 months in jail following her guilty plea to criminal negligence causing death after a young boy died in her care. McFerran was charged in connection with the death of Arto Howley, a one-year-old infant at her Rattle-N-Roll daycare, on Jan. 17, 2011. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

NEWSN0W

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BOXING Trends take off in DAY the Tri-Cities in 2013 BLOWOUT

NOW FILE PHOTO

James and Katie Coutu added to the food truck craze in the Tri-Cities with the opening of This Little Piggy near Douglas College. Shredded chicken tacos are a specialty.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

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JUNE Politicians across the Tri-Cities find themselves embroiled over a spending controversy related to hotel charges incurred at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference in Vancouver. From Coquitlam, Mayor Richard Stewart and Couns. Craig Hodge, Mae Reid and Terry O’Neill attend, costing the city roughly $10,000. PoCo Coun. Darrell Penner is the lone council member from that municipality to stay in Vancouver, costing the city $780. Mayor Greg Moore spends three nights in Vancouver, totalling $765, with those funds coming from the Metro Vancouver budget. Port Moody Coun. Diana Dilworth stays at the Renaissance Hotel for three nights at a cost of $225 per night.

2012

Korean War. Black completes a 72-kilometre trek on foot that takes him through Coquitlam, Burnaby, North Vancouver and to the top of Mount Seymour to commemorate war veterans. The 48-year-old completes the job in less than 48 hours.

• An alleged prolific crook with a penchant for werewolf costumes gets his chance to howl his case in front of a judge. The Coquitlam RCMP’s prolific target team focuses on an unusually dressed bike rider strolling through Burquitlam wearing a full BMX bike helmet, ski goggles and a furry werewolf costume glove. He’s alleged to have stolen about $30,000 worth of tools from a parked truck. Iouri Strijik, 25, of Coquitlam faces a series of charges and his case is still before the courts. • It may have been meant as a joke, but an inappropriate package sent to the Port Coquitlam Fire & Emergency Services is no laughing matter to the department’s chief. The department receives ananonymouspackagefromthe Vancouver Fire Department containing inappropriate comments about PoCo’s new female recruits, along with a box of feminine hygiene products. According to media reports, two members of the Vancouver department are reprimanded over the incident and submit letters of apology to both departments.

AR I

40-70

• Katie and James Coutu launch Coquitlam’s first mobile food cart under the moniker of This Little Piggy Mobile Catering near Douglas College. The couple offers up menu items like pulled pork sandwiches, shredded chicken tacos and chorizo feta stuffed burgers.

REVIEW

• Port Coquitlam becomes the first municipality in Metro Vancouver, if not B.C., to establish formal guidelines around accessible playgrounds on city property. The new playground rules centre on barrier-free equipment, accessible surfaces, more space to manoeuvre and the extensive use of ramps. The first playground modified to meet the new guidelines is located in Lions Park. • Port Coquitlam city officials find themselves having to explain why fertilizer is dumped on a homeless camp near Our Lady of the Assumption School. Dan Scoones, the city’s manager of bylaw services, says a pair of factors led to the city’s decision: the camp’s close proximity to the school and the fact the resident was asked to move away from the area three or four times in recent weeks. Mayor Greg Moore condemns the move, suggesting “[staff] won’t be doing that anymore.” • Port Moody resident Guy Black spearheads a series of memorial events to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the end of the

• News breaks that Port Coquitlam’s former chief administrative officer left the city with a massive $429,566 bill upon his retirement in April 2012. Tony Chong’s enormous payout was due to hundreds of unused vacation days accumulated during his nearly 30-year tenure with the city. PoCo Mayor Greg Moore notes the city is changing its policies to limit the amount of vacation carryover staff can accumulate. • The City of Coquitlam releases figures showing that in 2012, it paid out roughly $65 million to city workers. Two senior staffers — city manager Peter Steblin and deputy city manager John DuMont — earned more than $200,000 each, while another 103 bureaucrats topped the $100,000 plateau. — compiled by John Kurucz Look for Part 2 of our 2013 Year in Review on Friday, Dec. 27.

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

NEWSN0W

Help this bird hitch a ride to a warmer clime Jeremy DEUTSCH jdeutsch@thenownews.com Can anyone say road trip to California? That’s where an injured but now recuperating whitethroated swift could be heading, with the help of some generous people over the holiday season. As the story goes, the bird was found lying on a sidewalk back on Nov. 4 by a resident in Coquitlam and brought to the Wildlife Rescue Association (WRA) for care. According to the WRA, the feathered friend was suffering from central nervous system trauma and was underweight. But after 10 days of medical treatments and care, the swift was ready to be released back into the wild. Unfortunately for the bird, the Lower Mainland is a little too cold and the association suggested releasing the animal here would be a death sentence. The WRA said whitethroated swifts are not usually found this far north at this time of the year and the bird needs to be released in California where it’s warmer and food sources are more abundant. “After caring for the swift GOT A

NEWS TIP? editorial@thenownews.com 604-444-3451

SUBMITTED PHOTO

This bird needs a ride to Sebastopol, Calif.

for so many weeks, we want to ensure that it has the best chance of a long and healthy future and a road trip to

California to be reunited with its own kind is the best option for its long-term chances of survival,” said Linda Bakker, the WRA’s team leader of wildlife rehabilitation in a statement. So in an effort to get the swift to a proper place, the association has launched a fundraiser called Operation Taylor. The plan is to raise $1,600 to help cover the costs of returning the bird to California, which includes gas for a 3,000-kilometre round trip from Burnaby to

Sebastopol, wildlife export permits, border broker fees, accommodation and food. The WRA noted the swift will be handed over to staff at Native Songbird Care and Conservation in Sebastopol, and once acclimatized, will be released with a local flock. For more information on how to donate, contact the WRA’s administration office at 604-526-2747 or visit www.wildliferescue.ca. According to its website, the Burnaby-based non-profit society has been provid-

ing wildlife rehabilitation and promoting the welfare

of wild animals in the urban environment since 1979.

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

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: 604-444-3451

Keep the spirit alive

hether you’re preparing to wrap presents — or maybe buy them if you’re a real procrastinator — sit down to a family dinner or celebrate Christmas in some other way, it’s a time to be thankful for both material and non-material things, and to think about those who don’t enjoy such blessings. In the Tri-Cities, we’re acutely aware of the fact that many of our fellow residents lack the basics at this time of the year, as SHARE Family & Community Services Society, the Salvation Army and other non-profit groups host fundraisers and solicit donations. But we also see evidence that this is a generous and caring community. Thousands of people donate on a regular basis to charitable groups, and we now have far fewer homeless people on local streets than just a few years ago, thanks to the efforts of the Hope for Freedom Society, the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group and local churches and city councils. After Christmas, when the tree is dropping needles, you’re vowing to renew your gym membership and there are still a few more months of winter weather to get through, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that giving can go beyond a single campaign or time of year. Newly released figures from Statistics Canada show that on average, Canadians donate a bit less than one per cent of their annual income to charity. In fact, the number is just 0.8 per cent. Many don’t have money to give, but are generous with their time instead. Our wish at this time of the year, whether you celebrate Christmas, another religious or cultural event, or just a well-deserved winter break, is that you’ll carry the generous spirit of the holiday season forward into 2014 — and take stock of all the things you have to be thankful for.

SALARIES A SURPRISE Re: “Council votes itself a 30-per-cent raise,” Friday, Dec. 20. B.C. must be one of the richest places on Earth, judging by the salaries of politicians, CEOs of transportation systems, Hydro and others. The TransLink CEO’s 2012 salary was nearly $400,000, plus pensions and benefits. The mayor of London’s yearly salary is £143,911 (around $247,500) and one of his many responsibilities is being in charge of the transit system of Greater London — a system much bigger and more complex than the Metro Vancouver system. In another very well-known European country, the salaries of all the mayors and councillors are set by the national government. The mayors of towns with a population between 200,000 and 800,000 make 66 to 145 Euros a year (about $96,570), and the councillors make half that. The mayors and councillors of these towns and those of their suburbs are, amongst other things, responsible for planning every aspect of the local transit system, from financing to fares, including the choice of vehicles, etc. The actual daily operation of transit is done, in most of these towns, by one of three well-known private transit operators (they operate worldwide), usually contracted for five years. In towns similar to Port Moody, with a population over 20,000 but under 49,999, the mayor’s yearly salary would be 41,055 Euros (about $59,942) and councillors would make 15,054 Euros ($21,979). We are comparing apples to grapefruits here, but it isn’t as if the prices of goods, housing, utilities, gas and highway toll fees, etc. in Western European countries are below ours — far from it. J-L Brussac Coquitlam 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.

Predictions are dangerous

s the year draws to a close, it’s time to take stock of things I’ve put in this column for the last 52 weeks. Things like predictions and forecasts — you know, activities that can make me look like a genius or an utter fool! It can be challenging to go out on a limb fairly regularly in such a public way, and open myself to humiliation and contempt, or deep-seated admiration (this, trust me, rarely occurs). But it makes my e-mail more interesting. In any event, let’s look back at some of my track record: Wrong: the NDP would win the spring provincial election. Might as well get this major gaffe out of the way right at the start. Like pretty well every other columnist, reporter, pundit, etc. (with the notable exception of fellow North Shore News columnist Trevor Lautens) I predicted an NDP cakewalk to victory. I should have stuck to my original take on the election result, made shortly after both parties’ leadership contests. At a business conference, I held up a newspaper photo of a beaming Christy Clark and one of an uncomfortable looking Adrian Dix, and boldly predicted the smiling, confident Clark would wipe the floor with Dix. Then those darn polls started to appear … Right: the Green Party would elect an MLA during the election. Well, at least I got something right about that contest. Andrew Weaver won, as I expected, in Oak Bay-Gordon Head. Driving around that riding a week before election day I noted how I had never seen more campaign signs for a single candidate on people’s lawns. Boulevards are public spaces, but private lawns? Those are earned, dedicated votes. Wrong: the so-called “ethnic memo” scandal would hurt the B.C. Liberals in

VIEW FROM THE LEDGE Keith Baldrey

the election. The scheme that saw tax dollars mixed up with doing blatant partisan work for the B.C. Liberal party mattered not a whit with voters. That suggests voters may hold the cynical view that all political parties are guilty of such things and end up not giving any party an advantage on the issue (this may mean the Senate expense scandal seemingly dogging the Harper government may not be a major factor that determines the outcome of the next federal election). In any event, the B.C. Liberals ended up doing much better than the NDP when it came to winning support of the ethnic community vote in the election. Right: BC Hydro rates would increase significantly. Anyone with basic knowledge of the energy issue could see the inevitability of this. But with an election hovering over the politicians for a lengthy time, none of them (from either major party) wanted to admit that or even talk about such a thing. But the day of reckoning has come, and rates are indeed going up. Wrong: it was going to be impossible for the provincial government to balance its budget, as tabled back in February. I may be a tad premature here, as the final numbers won’t be known for a few months yet. But it appears that halfway through the year, Finance Minister Mike de Jong may indeed be able to balance the books, albeit on the proverbial

razor’s edge. He’s been able to hold the line on spending, and there may be enough of a built-in cushion (called the “forecast allowance”) to offset any significant decline in revenue. Right: the smart-meter protest was a lot of noise about nothing. It turns out that 99 per cent of BC Hydro customers have taken the smart meters, while the rest — a mixture, it seems, of the tinfoil-hat crowd and chem-trail chasers — have opted to pay more than $400 to keep the old analog meters. Bill Vander Zalm is one of their champions, but he failed to find anywhere near the success he had fighting the HST. And now a new year is about to begin and more issues will emerge that I’ll try to navigate, likely with mixed success. For example, what will be the result of the TransLink referendum? Who will win the NDP leadership race (assuming someone actually runs for the job)? Will Premier Christy Clark make any mistakes that seriously erode her popularity? As always, it will be a busy year in B.C. politics. And I look forward to trying to read the tea leaves, hopefully with much success. At least there is no provincial election on the horizon!

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Share your opinion on this column or anything else you read in The Tri-Cities NOW by sending a letter to the editor to editorial@thenownews.com, with “letter to the editor” in the subject line. We edit for taste, legality and length, and both letters to the editor and opinion columns may be reproduced on The Tri-Cities NOW website, www.thenownews.com.

LETTERS PREMIER IS THANKS FOR A ‘OUT OF TOUCH’ KIND GESTURE On Tuesday, Dec. 10, I took a WITH FAMILIES I would like to applaud the TriCities NOW for continuing to raise the awareness of child poverty in our community. I applaud those organizations that step up and really make a positive difference in the lives of many young and underprivileged children within our community. I wish to add that the B.C. provincial government is doing little to help those vulnerable children of low-income families who have a parent with a disability. You see, this government to date has clawed back a whopping $24,000 in child benefits from our five kids since 2004. This government pays lip service to the truth about child poverty in this province and its record speaks volumes about its failures to effectively address this issue. Now our premier thinks it’s a great idea to have families with their children have access to pubs. It’s no wonder our kids are suffering in this province. Christy Clark is simply out of touch with the reality of families in B.C. on so many levels. Gerry Jamieson Coquitlam

student to Coquitlam Centre to take part in the OneSight program, a fabulous program offered to families in need, provided by the Coquitlam Eye Centre and Coquitlam Lenscrafters. First of all, I would like to thank all involved with this program for what they do each and every year in so many communities and wish them all the best over the holidays. However, this e-mail is about thanking a family we met by chance and for the act of kindness they showed. While the student and I were waiting for the glasses prescription to be filled, we wandered around the mall. The student decided that a visit with Santa Claus was in order as part of passing the time. While we were waiting in line, there was a family in front of us: mom, dad and two younger boys. When it was the student’s turn to speak with Santa, I took a picture of the student with a smartphone, as I was going to somehow get a copy to his parents. However, much to our surprise, when we left Santa’s Village, there were photos of the

BOXING WEEK SALE

10§

student ready for us at the counter, paid for by the family in front of us. We looked around, but we couldn’t see them anywhere. The staff at Santa’s Village said that they had left pretty quickly. As we continued to walk around the mall, we kept our eyes out, hoping to spot them, but to no avail. I am sure they did not want to be found, but we certainly want to thank them. Not only was the student extremely grateful, but I was also able to have a conversation with this young student about the idea of “paying it forward.” When the student arrived home, the mother was extremely surprised and happy. She loved the photo. I want to send a heartfelt thank

General 604-444-3451 Sports 604-444-3094 Advertising 604-492-4492 Delivery 604-942-3081 REGIONAL PUBLISHER Brad Alden EDITOR Leneen Robb

you to this family. I don’t know you, but I know you must be some pretty amazing people. I thank you for what you did, especially at this time of year when I know family stressors can be particularly high. Whoever you are, you are a model in the community and something to which to aspire. Your children are lucky. The community in which you live is lucky. Thank you for your gift, thank you for your giving attitude, thank you for espousing the meaning of this holiday season, and thank you for being you. On behalf of this child and family, and from this school community, our greatest thanks. K. Leeden Counsellor School District 43

SPORTS EDITOR Dan Olson REPORTERS Jeremy Deutsch, John Kurucz PHOTOGRAPHER Lisa King ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Catherine Ackerman ADVERTISING SALES REPS James Corea, Kerri Gilmour, Pat Jacques, Sanjay Sharma, Bentley Yamaura SALES SUPPORT Daaniele Sinclaire AD CONTROL Elayne Aarbo

The Tri-Cities NOW welcomes letters to the editor. We do, however, edit for taste, legality and length. Priority is given to letters written by Tri-Cities residents and/or issues concerning the Tri-Cities. Please include a phone number where you can be reached during the day. Send letters to editorial@thenownews.com with “letter to the editor” in the subject line. No attachments, please. Letters to the editor and opinion columns may be reproduced on The Tri-Cities NOW website, www.thenownews.com.

CLASSIFIED SUPERVISOR Dawn James CLASSIFIED REPS Darla Burns, John Taylor ACCOUNTING Judy Sharp

26910

†

B 0.50 CT. T.W. Will Be $299

10 179 0.25 CT. T.W.

17910-$26910§

C 0.25 - 0.50 CT. T.W. Will Be $199-$299

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11610 SET

Exclusively Ours

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Exclusively at The Diamond Store® 2013 LIMITED EDITION HOLIDAY RING

D Lab-created white sapphire. Will Be $129

10 269 0.37 CT. T.W. $

STOREWIDE

89999

26910-$359910

E-F 0.37 - 2.00 CT. T.W. Styles vary by carat weight. Orig. $399-$4999

PLUS

Your Choice $

†

G 0.80 CT. T.W. Will Be $1099

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†

71910

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1.00 CT. T.W.

H Will Be $799

350910

386910 SET

J 1.00 Carat. Certified, Near Colourless. Will Be $3899

K 1.70 CT. T.W. Will Be $4299

80910

†

1.00 CT. T.W.

L Will Be $899

12 MONTHS NO INTEREST. NO PAYMENTS. NO DOWN PAYMENT. O.A.C.** $1500 Minimum Purchase. $34.99 Administration Fee.

Terms and conditions apply. See Jewellery Consultant for details. **12 Months No Interest No Payments (Same As Cash) Offer: OAC with a Peoples credit card account. No Payments are required during the promotional period. Interest will accrue at the Preferred Rate of 28.9% from the date of purchase and if the purchase amount, plus any applicable fees or charges, is not paid in full by the Promotional Due Date, the accrued interest is charged to the account and immediately payable. If during the Promotional Term you do not make a required monthly payment the Promotional offer will terminate and accrued interest will be charged to the account. The remaining balance owed on the promotional purchase will then be charged interest at the Preferred Rate until the account balance is paid in full. Administration Fees Apply. The merchant charges an Administration Fee of $34.99 for the 12 Months No Interest, No Payment (same as cash) promotion that may be charged to your credit card account. If charged to the Account, the Administration Fee will form part of the Purchase amount charged to the Account under this Promotional Offer. See your Cardholder Agreement, or ask your Jewellery Consultant for details.

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A Lab-created white sapphire. Will Be $49

DECEMBER 26-JANUARY 1

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

PRICES SHOWN REFLECT ADDITIONAL SAVINGS, NO ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS MAY BE APPLIED. †Extra 10% off valid on regular, sale and clearance priced items December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014. Offer excludes The Celebration Canadian Diamond™ Collection, Vera Wang Love, designer collections, select watch brands, class rings, Family Jewellery, loose diamonds, specially priced items, Private Collection Events, special orders, gift cards, repairs, warranties and prior purchases. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or coupon. *Discount range applies to select items and includes in-store clearance merchandise. Merchandise selection at each store may vary and all styles may not be available on PeoplesJewellers.ca. Selections may vary by style. Typographic errors subject to correction. Interim markdowns may have been taken. Limited quantities. CT. T.W.=carat total diamond weight. Merchandise enlarged to show detail and may not always be exactly Zale Canada Co. as pictured. All in 14K gold, unless indicated. †Denotes 10K gold. §Denotes sterling silver.

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

SNEAK - A - PEEK

STARTS THURS. DEC. 26th Dec 24 all stores close at 6 pm!

SNEAK - A - PEEK

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regular store opening hours, all stores close at 8 pm

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ENERGIZER MAX DENSE SE PACKS

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AA20/AAA12, AFTER DEC 28TH $9.97 7

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limit 4, after limit $15.99

while quantities last

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CHEER LIQUID ORIGINAL GAIN LIQUID 4.43L CHEER POWDER 4.8KG OR GAIN POWDER 3.8KG

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343431 3700082095

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CHARMIN ULTRA BATHROOM TISSUE SELECTED VARIETIES, 20=60 ROLLS 102874 37000086813

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limit 4, after limit $20.87

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selected varieties and sizes 183506 5610000320

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SCOPE CLASSIC 1L MOUTHWASH

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selected varieties 651535 36000036435

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some exceptions apply

Quantities and/or selection of items may be limited and may not be available in all stores. No rainchecks. No substitutions on clearance items or where quantities are advertised as limited. Advertised pricing and product selection (flavour, colour, patterns, style) may vary by store location. We reserve the right to limit quantities to reasonable family requirements. We are not obligated to sell items based on errors or misprints in typography or photography. Coupons must be presented and redeemed at time of purchase. Applicable taxes, deposits, or environmental surcharges are extra. No sales to retail outlets. Some items may have “plus deposit and environmental charge” where applicable. ®/™ The trademarks, service marks and logos displayed in this flyer are trademarks of Loblaws Inc. and others. All rights reserved. © 2013 Loblaws Inc. * we match prices! Applies only to our major supermarket competitors’ flyer items. Major supermarket competitors are determined solely by us based on a number of factors which can vary by store location. We will match the competitor’s advertised price only during the effective date of the competitor’s flyer advertisement. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES (note that our major supermarket competitors may not). Due to the fact that product is ordered prior to the time of our Ad Match checks, quantities may be limited. We match identical items (defined as same brand, size, and attributes) and in the case of fresh produce, meat, seafood and bakery, we match a comparable item (as determined solely by us). We will not match competitors’ “multi-buys” (eg. 2 for $4), “spend x get x”, “Free”, “clearance”, discounts obtained through loyalty programs, or offers related to our third party operations (post office, gas bars, dry cleaners etc.).We reserve the right to cancel or change the terms of this program at any time.

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

NEWSN0W Comprehensive Dental Care • Invisalign • Root Canals • Orthodontics for Children

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Metro Vancouver purchased eight hectares of land near the Pitt River in Coquitlam.

Metro adds more marsh John KURUCZ

• Crown & Bridge • Inlays & Onlays

eight hectares of marsh and uplands on the Pitt River, and the newly-acquired property will now be added into the Widgeon Marsh Regional Park Reserve. The move represents the second piece of positive news CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

jkurucz@thenownews.com A sprawling piece of parkland in northeast Coquitlam has received yet another boost. Metro Vancouver announced the purchase of

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

NEWSN0W

Purchased marsh land will help curb climate change CONTD FROM PG 11

for the area this year, as for-

mer logger Bob Edward sold 9.6 hectares of his land in the

area to Metro Vancouver last January.

“Our regional parks protect significant natural features,

ecosystems and landscapes in B.C.’s most populated urban

THEY CAN’T COMPETE

BOXING WEEK BLOWOUT! DEC. 26TH THRU JAN. 5 DOORS OPEN AT 6AM DEC. 26th

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SEARS ORIGINAL TICKETED PRICES ON SELECTED

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SEARS ORIGINAL TICKETED PRICES ON ALL IN-STOCK

MAJOR APPLIANCES Some items may be reconditioned or refurbished

SMALL APPLIANCE BLOWOUT!!

SAVE 70% OFF

FURNITURE BLOWOUT!!

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SEARS ORIGINAL TICKETED PRICES ON ALL IN-STOCK

OVER-THE-TOP RANGES, MICROWAVE OVENS, VACUUMS & WINE COOLERS

SOFAS, LOVE SEATS & CHAIRS $329.99 EA.

Some items may be reconditioned or refurbished

FITNESS EQUIPMENT BLOWOUT!

FASHION BLOWOUT!!

SAVE 80% OFF

Donor tips from Douglas

EXAMPLE OF SAVINGS: SELECTED UPHOLSTERED SOFA IF NEW, WAS: $1099.99 NOW:

MEN’S, WOMEN’S & CHILDREN’S SELECTED

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WAS: $29.99 TO $299.99

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Some items may be reconditioned or refurbished

EA.

OFFERS IN EFFECT DEC. 26, 2013 TO JAN. 5, 2014 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, WHILE QUANTITIES LAST. SALE PRICED MERCHANDISE MAY NOT BE EXACTLY AS ILLUSTRATED. View with

9850 AUSTIN RD. BURNABY

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Personal shopping only. Savings offers do not include Parts & Service or Sundry Merchandise, Items with #195XXX & Sears ‘Value’ Programs with prices ending in .97. All merchandise sold “as is” and all sales ﬁnal. No exchanges, returns or adjustments on previously purchased merchandise; savings offers cannot be combined. No dealers; we reserve the right to limit quantities. Prices do not include home delivery. Although we strive for accuracy, unintentional errors may occur. We reserve the right to correct any error. ‘Reg.’, ‘Was’ and ‘Sears selling price’ refer to the Sears Catalogue or Retail store price current at time of merchandise receipt. Offers valid at Sears BURNABY Outlet Store only. © 2013 Sears Canada Inc. †Sears Financial™ MasterCard®, Sears Financial™ Voyage™ MasterCard® or Sears Card offers are on approved credit. Sears® and Voyage™ are a registered Trademarks of Sears, licensed for use in Canada. ®/TM - MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated.

IN AUST

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region,” said PoCo Mayor Greg Moore, who also chairs the Metro Vancouver board. “Our parks also provide recreational opportunities — places where we can experience and learn from nature. These natural environments make our region more liveable and help define who we are.” With the addition of the eight-hectare property, the regional park reserve will expand to 627 hectares — a space larger than Vancouver’s Stanley Park. The land falls within the City of Coquitlam’s municipal boundaries, near to the adjacent Minnekhada Regional Park. The Widgeon Marsh remains closed to the public. A Metro Vancouver release notes that park reserves are only opened to the public after “comprehensive management plans are adopted to guide their management and use.” However, the release does not rule that possibility out, noting that the area may one day be used for “hiking, biking, picnicking and bird watching, as well as for water access.” “The region’s forests, fields, coastlines, wetlands and watercourses are integral pieces of a habitat network for fish and wildlife,” said Vancouver Coun. Heather Deal, chair of Metro Vancouver’s environment and parks committee. “They also provide essential ecological services, such as clean drinking water. They protect the ecological health of our region and make it more resilient to climate change.”

If you want to increase your happiness quotient this Christmas season, the Douglas College Foundation recommends making a donation to your favourite charity. There’s still time to make a donation and receive a charitable tax credit for 2013 that will lower the taxes you have to pay and thus reduce the actual cost of your donation. And, if you choose to gift publicly traded securities, including mutual funds, to a registered charity or foundation, you’ll receive a tax receipt for the fair market value of the security being donated and your capital gains taxes are eliminated. If you want to support students at Douglas College, call Tracy Green at 604-777-6176 or Sarah Lock at 604-7776172. Otherwise, call your favourite charity — they’ll be thrilled to hear from you.

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

COMMUNITY&LIFE

Yesteryear’s traditions

any Christmas customs still practiced today are permeating through to our time from a pagan world which was very different from ours. In their winter dwellings, rescuing greenery from the woodlands was believed to be a healing, protective and magical act. In those far-off times, evergreen branches displayed within warm walls were seen as a safe place for wood spirits to spend cold, dark winters. They were also living

BRANCHING OUT Anne Marrison

symbols of their hope that spring would return. It was also practical. People were linked closer to nature than we are today and they well knew the value of trees for providing fruit and fuel for cooking fires. These folk knew their fates depend-

ed on the welfare of trees. In those ancient days holly, ivy and mistletoe were considered healing and magical plants. Today, these are still shown on Christmas cards but not so often brought into homes in real life. Although all three are extremely toxic they were apparently put to many medicinal uses including skin ailments (ivy) infertility (mistletoe) and energy-building teas (holly). The stimulating tea Yerba Mate is brewed from a tropical holly. Their virtues also included CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

COMMUNITY&LIFE

Recalling nature’s role in winters past

CONTD FROM PG 14 protection against sorcery and evil spirits and with ivy protection of houses.

Not entirely imagination: branches and trunks of ivy plants can grow very thick and when my grandmother’s

house ‘Ivy Cottage’ was demolished the huge, old ivy plant turned out to be holding the walls together.

Then and now, cold weeks around the winter solstice were always a dark, depressing time — and the antidote

was gatherings of family and friends where a fire provided warmth and much-needed light. Today our mood-bright-

BOXING WEEK

SAVINGS ARE HERE

2013 FIT STARTING FROM

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

2014 CR-V

16,075

INCLUDES FREIGHT & PDI

STARTING FROM

Tips on power safety

27,685

Model shown GE8G2DEX

INCLUDES FREIGHT & PDI Model shown RM3H3EES

JUST ANNOUNCED

$1,000 HOLIDAY BONUS *

PLUS

$1,500

CASH PURCHASE INCENTIVE#

Or 0.99% lease or ﬁnanceΩ¥

Hurry! These special savings on the CR-V and Fit will end January 2nd.

BCHonda.com DL# 31286

bchonda.com

ener is Christmas lights. In those past years there was homely fortune-telling aimed at divining what fate had in store for the coming year — and happenings on that day were watched for omens. For instance, snow on Christmas day meant a green Easter. Also in late December, the Romans had a lively time with a raucous winter festival carnival called the Saturnalia where green branches and flowers adorned halls where wine flowed, morals were suspended and masters played at being slaves while slaves became masters. Then as Christianity gained acceptance, pagan ways which had proved uncommonly stubborn in the eyes of the church were gradually given much holier interpretations. December 25th became a joyous celebration of Christ’s birthday complete with rich and glorious stories of cattle kneeling, Magi giving gifts and angels singing in the heavens. The prickles of holly easily morphed into the Crown of thorns and its red berries transmuted into blood that was spilled from the cross. Mistletoe, a parasitic tree sacred to the Druids (and used in fertility rites) was always banned from churches. Ecclesiastical authorities maintained that it grew on the tree which made the Crucifixion cross.

QUALITY DEALER

2011

#$1,500 cashpurchase purchaseincentive incentiveavailable available 2013 Fit/2014 models. cash purchase incentive will be deducted the negotiated cannot bewith combined leaseoffers. or finance *$1,000 bonus is available on every 2013 Fit/2014 CR-V model. Holiday bonus deductedprice fromafter the #$1,500 cash onon all all 2013 Fit/2014 CR-VCR-V models. HondaHonda cash purchase incentive will be deducted from thefrom negotiated price afterprice taxesafter and taxes cannotand be combined specialwith leasespecial or finance *$1,000offers. holiday bonus isholiday available on every 2013 Fit/2014 CR-V model. Holiday bonus will be deducted fromwillthebenegotiated negotiated price time after0.99% taxes.finance ΩLimited 0.99% finance based on new Honda models and a 24 month financeHonda term available only through HondaFinance Canadaexample Financebased Inc. O.A.C. Finance based onGE8G2DEX a new 2013and Fit aDX245MT model GE8G2DEX and aonly 24 month available only Finance Inc. O.A.C.: taxes. ΩLimited offertime based on new 2013offer Honda models and a2013 24 month finance term available only through Canada Finance Inc. O.A.C. on a new 2013 example Fit DX 5MT model month finance term available throughfinance Honda term Canada Finance Inc.through O.A.C.:Honda $16,075Canada at 0.99% per annum equals $16,075 at 0.99%forper24annum for 24 months. andisPDI of $1,495 included. Costofof$16,237.52. borrowing Down is $162.52, forofa $0.00, total obligation of $16,237.52. Down payment $0.00, first bi-weekly payment, environmental fees are andextra. $0 security due atcredit finance Taxes areonly. extra. Financetime on lease approved $312.26 bi-weekly months.equals Freight$312.26 and PDI bi-weekly of $1,495 included. Cost ofFreight borrowing $162.52, for a total obligation payment first bi-weekly payment, environmental feesofand $0 security deposit due at finance inception. Taxes Financedeposit on approved for inception. qualified customers ¥Limited offer credit based for on qualified only.and ¥Limited time lease term offeravailable based ononly new 2013 Honda HondaCanada modelsFinance and a 24 available only Honda Canada Finance Inc. O.A.C. example based a new only 2013through Fit DXHonda 5MT model GE8G2DEX andO.A.C.: a 24 month lease APR termfor available onlyO.A.C. through Honda Canadaincluding Finance freight Inc. O.A.C.: 0.99% lease new 2013customers Honda models a 24 month through Inc.month O.A.C.lease Leaseterm example based on through a new 2013 Fit DX 5MT model GE8G2DEX andLease a 24 month lease termon available Canada Finance Inc. 0.99% lease 24 months Monthly payment, and PDI, is $303.38. APR for 24 months O.A.C. including freight is $303.38. Downpayment $0.00, Total first monthly payment, environmental fees and $0 securityand deposit due at are lease inception. Total lease obligation insurancefeeand registration areregistering extra. Prices and/or payments shown notdue include PPSA lien Downpayment of $0.00, firstMonthly monthly payment, environmental feesand andPDI, $0 security deposit due at lease of inception. lease obligation is $7,584.50. Taxes, license, insurance registration extra. Prices and/or payments shownisdo$7,584.50. not includeTaxes, a PPSAlicense, lien registration of $13.51 and lien agent's fee of $5.25, which aredo both at timea of delivery. 48,000 kilometre charge $0.12/km agent’s for excess is $16,935 on a48,000 new 2013 Fit DX GE8G2DEX 2014 CR-V LX RM3H3DES $1,495/$1,695 freight andisPDI. #/*/**/Ω/¥ Dealer may sellonforaless. trade be required. Prices and/or payments shown do not include representative PPSA lien registration registration fee ofallowance; $13.51 and lien of registering feekilometres.**MSRP of $5.25, which are both due/ $27,685 at time ofbased delivery. kilometre allowance; /charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres.**MSRP $16,935 / $27,685 based new Dealer 2013 Fit DXmay GE8G2DEX / 2014 CR-V LX RM3H3DES $1,495/$1,695 freight and PDI. #/*/**/Ω/¥ Dealer mayand sell lien for registering fees,be which are due at time of delivery. For all offersdolicense, insurance, applicablePPSA taxes lien and registration registration are Offers validagent’s from December 3rd,are 2013 2nd, For 2014allatoffers participating retailers. Offers valid British Columbia residents BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change cancellation without less. Dealeragent's trade may required. Prices and/or payments shown not include representative andextra. lien registering fees, which duethrough at timeJanuary of delivery. license,Honda insurance, applicable taxesonly andfor registration are extra. Offersatvalid from December 3rd, 2013 through January 2nd, or 2014 at participating notice. retailers. Terms andOffers conditions apply.forVisit www.bchonda.com or seeatyour BC Honda retailer for full details. Honda valid only British Columbia residents BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your BC Honda retailer for full details.

Stormy, winter weather increases the chance of local power outages in BC and more than 1,700 outages were caused by bad weather across B.C. in 2012. BC Hydro encourages customers to be prepared by: • Having an emergency kit ready that includes: flashlights, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, warm clothing, blankets, a first-aid kit, ready-to-eat non-perishable foods and bottled water. • Knowing what number to call if power goes out: 1-888POWERON. • Going to the BC Hydro website, which includes storm-related information. • Learning how to keep safe: stay at least 10 metres away from fallen power lines. For more info, visit www. bchydro.com/outages.

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

COMMUNITY&LIFE

Tree chipping offered in PoCo

Once the holiday season is behind us, Port Coquitlam residents will have two main options for disposing of their cut Christmas tree: chop it up and put it in their green cart, or chip it at a local tree chipping event. These two earth-friendly alternatives are being promoted by the City of Port Coquitlam. Put it in your green cart: Trees without tinsel or chemical sprays can be chopped up and placed in City green carts in pieces that are up to three inches in diameter and 40 inches long. Watch a video on how to do it properly at www.portcoquitlam. ca/green. The chopped-up trees and other yard trimmings and food scraps go to a

regional composting facility to be turned into soil amendments for topsoil.

Attend a tree chipping event: Local tree chipping events turn your Christmas tree into usable mulch and chips while raising funds for charity. • Jan. 4 and 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Port Coquitlam Fire #1 Fire Hall, 1725 Broadway St. Trees will be chipped for a $5 (minimum) donation to benefit the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund. Call 604-927-5405 for information or to arrange pick-up service for a minimum $10 donation. Firefighters donate their time for this event and all wood chips created are used in city parks and trails. Recycle your styrofoam and Christmas lights: Styrofoam and old

Christmas lights can also be brought to the event for recycling, for a donation to the Burn Fund. Residents are requested not to drop off styrofoam or lights outside of these days. • Jan. 3 to 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at Art Knapp Plantland & Florist, 1300 Dominion Ave. Get your tree chipped for a $5 (minimum) donation to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research. Call 604942-7518 for info. The chipped trees will be used as gardening and landscaping mulch. Residents are requested not to leave trees outside the gate when the store is closed. For more information or to view videos on tree chipping and disposing of your tree in your green cart, visit www. portcoquitlam.ca/green.

Little Eye Shop The year is almost up. Don’t forget about using your vision insurance! Complete eyeglasses sale *2 pairs single vision *2 pairs bifocal *2 pairs progressive

$ 99.99 $ 199.99 $ 299.99

Thai Garden

R E S TA U R A N T

Traditional Thai Cuisine www.thaigardenthai.com

Lunch Specials

$ 95

AND UP

Mon-Fri. 11:30am- 3pm Sat 12-3pm

Enjoy one Complimentary DInneR entRÉe when a second DInneR entRÉe of equal or greater value is purchased

1 Coupon Visit per

DINE IN ONLY

Not Valid with other promotions. Excluding Holidays • Value up to $12.00

FREE DELIVERY 7 DAYS A WEEK

Open 7 nights a week from 5 pm for Dinner

#6-555 Clarke Rd. Coquitlam 604-931-8263

20% OFF

MoFday-Thursday 5-9pm • DiFD IF OFly

*Please present this coupon for either of the above special offers.

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

Eye exams arranged

Little Eye Shop 2620 Shaughnessy Street Port Coquitlam, BC. 604-474-2620 * restrictions apply

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

Both ICBC and private insurance claims handled

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1978

604-461-3326 2400 Barnet Hwy. Port Moody

We’ll give you that

Beautiful for

smile

Christmas this year

FREE Consultation... Limited time oﬀer. Call for details

$199

ZOOM WHITENING Welcome Our NEW TEAM MEMBERS Dr. Felix Zhaang – extraction and iv sedation Dr. Janet Gorden orthodontist (Dr. Janet Gorden is accepting Evening and Saturday) ADDRESSING ALL YOUR DENTAL NEEDS

Coquitlam Centre Dental Clinic

Complete Care In Comfort Since 1985

Located In Coquitlam Centre (Lower level near Sears)

604-464-1511

www.coquitlamcentredental.com

THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

MEDIA SPONSOR

FRIENDS OF ASTORIA SPONSORS OTHER SPONSORS

The Royale Astoria 2245 Kelly Avenue Port Coquitlam • 604-944-2341

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

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THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM

My New Year’s wish to all is “REMEMBER, JUST DON'T TAKE ANY CRAP!”

Jim Van Rassel www.jimvanrassel.ca

2 PAIRS ARE BETTER THAN ONE PROGRESSIVE BIFOCALS Single Vision Glasses Frames & Plastic Lenses, 2nd Pair can be a different prescription

2 PAIRS

STARTING AT

169

FOR AN APPOINTMENT CALL

Complete NO LINE Frames & Plastic Lenses

STARTING AT

289

2 PAIRS

604-942-9300

FREE SIGHT TESTING*

2550B Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam • Social Assistance graciously accepted. *Some restrictions apply. Sight testing is not an eye health exam. •

www.newtrendoptical.ca

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

THE TRI-CITIES NOW

| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

604.522.4000

1200 Lougheed Hwy Coquitlam, BC

www.coquitlamAVU.ca

(2 blocks east of IKEA)

Doors open @ 9AM!

FREE

APPLIANCE LIQUIDATION! We are getting OUT of the appliance business FOR GOOD.

All in-stock inventory will be drastically marked down to sell fast!

HEADPHONES!

SAVE UP TO

*w/purchase to the ﬁrst 25 customers spending over $99 ($49 VALUE)

OFF MSRP

WAS

288

(AVR1613)

SAVE

449

WAS

5.1 NETWORK 3D RECEIVER

161

5.1 SPEAKER AND A/V RECEIVER PACKAGE

888

SAVE

(RXV375/CINEMA100CTB)

1448

560

A/V SURROUND SOUND RECEIVER

WAS

588

SAVE

(T757)

1199

611

EXTREME TV MARK DOWNS!

IN-STORE SPECIAL PRICING ON

55" LED SMART TV

1999

1099 SAVE $900

(UN55F6400)

SOUNDBAR WITH SUB

WAS

SAVE $161

288

(YAS201)

We’re getting ready to remodel and marking down FLOOR MODELS Savings up to 60% OFF to move fast... includes Home Theater Seating!

30 -50 OFF %

WIRELESS DOCK (DSD300)

iPhone not included

FURNITURE BLOWOUT!

SPECIAL BUY!!

SAVE

251

198

60" PLASMA SMART TV

98!

(NTUNE)

All in-stock OUTDOOR SPEAKERS

Hurry In For Best Selection!

(DCX3200)

3299

2299

SAVE $179 ON-EAR HEADPHONES $

HD RECEIVER

SAVE $1000

(PN60F8500)

Get ready for Spring/Summer 2014 with BIG SAVINGS and more.

WAS

SPECIAL BUY!!

ONLY

98!

Quantities may be limited. Once they’re sold out – they’re gone (no rainchecks).

PRICE PROTECTION extended to January 31st, 2014! We aim for the utmost accuracy in our advertising, but the occasional error can occur. Any error will be corrected as soon as it is recognized and customers purchasing merchandise so affected will be advised immediately of correction. Products may not be exactly as shown. Products subject to limited quantities. Store may substitute for equivalent products.