Municipal politics cs continue to heat up heading into the November elections. ns. This month’s Hot ot Button issue…
Page 3 • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 32 PAGES WITH REW • Agriculture
Beekeeping all the buzz
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Renew y insura n our ca r ce a t B Member CAA. s and n on-Me mber
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A unique display at Saturday and Sunday’s Country Fest should be the bee’s knees.
Beekeeper Loretta Jackson, with just some of the resident honeybees on her east Maple Ridge property. Jackson (inset left) is bringing her honey extractor to Country Fest this weekend at the Albion Fairgrounds.
by Troy Landreville tlandreville@mrtimes.com
Loretta Jackson will be busy with her bees during Country Fest at the Albion Fairgrounds this weekend. The 53-year-old, who operates a small hobby farm on her east Maple Ridge property, has a particular affinity for the little buzzers. Through interactive games, she’ll be passing on her beekeeping knowledge at the July 26-27 event. She’s also bringing along her 50-year-old, hand-cranked extractor. According to the Beekeeping Wiki, a honey extractor extracts the honey from the beeswax or honey comb. It typically works by centrifugal force, spinning the honey out from the honeycomb. “I know it’s going to be a crazy, messy, sticky affair,” she said. “I just love it [the extractor] because it’s like a step back in time.” Of course there will be honey bees, about 100 of them, crawling behind a frame of plexiglass. “That’s how I saw them, initially,” Jackson said. “So [visitors] can watch them move, and the bees will be doing what they do in there.” Jackson hosts a bee clinic Saturdays at Allco Park, and she loves the enthusiasm little ones have for bees. “Kids are coming and gloving up and getting in there,” she said. “You can even see it [the enthusiasm] through our bee club. There used to be 10 or 12 people, now there are 38 to 40 people. It’s huge.” Her hobby took flight seven years ago at Country Fest, where she met Vladimir Cukor, who had
Troy Landreville/TIMES
The TIMES has put together a special series of Country Fest stories in today’s edition…
Inside an observation hive on display at too well, but it didn’t discourthe festival. age Jackson, who continued to “I said, ‘Oh, I’ve always wanted learn about the intricacies of the to have bees,’ and he said ‘you hobby. can, you can do it,’” Jackson After Cukor lost his battle recalled. with cancer, his widow Zdenka She joined a local bee club, became Jackson’s beekeeping through the North Fraser Honey mentor. Producers “She’s been a Association. For beekeeper, she’ll “I know it’s going to the next year, she say, all her life,” be a crazy, messy, attended meetings, Jackson said. along with a small “She’s been a beesticky affair.” group consisting keeper for over 50 Loretta Jackson of mostly older years.” men and younger Spending time women, Jackson with, and learnsaid. ing from, Zdenka helped Jackson The next year, she acquired her manage into what has become 19 own hive of about 5,000 bees. healthy colonies on her property. “And pretty quick, they’ll have From those colonies, Jackson up to 50, 60,000,” Jackson said. extracts honey, and lots of it, That first colony didn’t fare and from that has started a small
home business, Sunny Jax honey. She put a few of the colonies on local cranberry fields and blueberry fields, but not all of them, because she said cranberry fields can be hard on bees. Cranberries produce only pollen and bees need both nectar and pollen. “We are always encouraging farmers to embrace weeds, blackberries and other nectar producing plants,” Jackson said. So is there a lot to learn about beekeeping? Jackson answered with this analogy. “It’s one of those things where, is there a lot to learn about raising kids; you’re never done.” Bees are typically acquired in January, and the key is to ensure the queen is laying eggs, and the colony can be monitored once a
week or once every two weeks to see how things are going. “Once you see the numbers are good, you kind of leave them alone until it’s time to get some honey out,” Jackson said. “At least that’s the way that I do it, but every beekeeper does it different.” The bees need honey to help them make it through the winter, when they cluster together to survive the colder weather. “Think of the penguins in the North Pole,” Jackson said. “They just kind of walk around in a big circle. The outside goes in, the inside goes out and they just keep warm that way. The bees are the same. They just stay in a bunch. They’re feeding the queen and they’re just kind of hanging out.” • More at mrtimes.com, search “bees”
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A2
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Thursday, July 24, 2014
UpFront
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Q.
by John Becker
Alerting charities Lawyer John Becker, a TIMES columnist who recently declared his intent to run for mayor in Pitt Meadows, alerts not-for-profits of a new corporation act. He’s drawing attention to the fact that transition to the new guidelines is mandatory by October, or charities will be dissolved. • More at www.mrtimes.com
Skipper set to return Bursitis in the knee has grounded Pitt Meadows Chris Cooper. He is the founder and leader of the 1,300-kilometre, three month Spirit of the Coast Canoe Journey underway to Alaska right now, and he was forced to return home Monday to seek medical attention. The prognosis Tuesday: he could be better if he relaxes for the next week. His decision: he’ll head back to join the team on July 31. • More at www.mrtimes.com
Agriculture
Teen back at ‘Fun Farm’
At 17, Paige Gordon is a veteran Country Fest volunteer. by Troy Landreville
tlandreville@mrtimes.com
Paige Gordon’s employment future will no doubt involve furry four-legged creatures with paws or hooves. The 17-year-old, who graduated from Maple Ridge Secondary in June, will chart a potential career course when she starts a six-month dog training program through Port Coquitlam’s Good Dog Academy in the fall. And once she turns 19, Gordon is considering learning to work with drug detection dogs through Canadian K9, by acquiring basic security training with the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC). Her more immediate future – as in this weekend – is also animal related, during Country Fest at the Albion Fairgrounds. Gordon, who will enter her fifth year volunteering at Country Fest, is taking on a much more prominent role with the annual two-day event, which this year runs this Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27.
Municipal politics
John Becker
Becker runs for mayor
In 2013, she and another volunteer supervised the “Fun Til you’re Done Farm”, heightening her responsibilities from years past. “I was still receiving the animals and getting all the instructions, I just followed them, but I was also in charge of the other volunteers who were only there part of the time,” Gordon said. “Whereas this year I’m [at Country Fest] both days it’s open, and the day before, receiving animals, feeding animals, taking in all the information on how much [food] the animals get and when.” In a nutshell, she’s responsible for organizing the care of the animals, which include three new additions: quail, pheasants, and a buffalo. Including Gordon, there are four confirmed volunteers, with three more likely to add a helping hand. “So at max, on the Saturday, if everyone shows up, we should have seven volunteers coming and going throughout the day,” Gordon said, “which is the most we’ve had since I started.” Cows, a miniature pony, a donkey and its foal, sheep, goats, pigs, and ducklings will be in the barns. The display is hugely popular with little ones, from the moment Country Fest opens its doors to the time it finishes.
council
A Pitt Meadows lawyer and former three-term councillor, who was defeated in the mayoralty race of 2011, announced his intentions Tuesday to run in November’s civic election. Lawyer John Becker declared his intention to run again for the mayor’s chair in Pitt Meadows, in an attempt to unseat incumbent Deb Walters. In the last municipal election, Walters beat out Becker with 2,025 votes to his 1,202.
• Full story at www.mrtimes.com, search “Becker”
7
$ NO JUDGEMENT ® CLUB EveryBODY Welcome Here
Are you satisfied with the pace and scope of development in Maple Ridge, or are there new directions you’d like to explore?
“While I am pleased with residential development, especially in the downtown core… I am frustrated with the lack of uptake for the re-development of older, under-utilized commercial and industrial properties…”
Ernie Daykin Maple Ridge Mayor
P PER WEE EEK
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Cheryl Ashlie Maple Ridge councillor
“The opinions on pace [of development] are as varied as the folks I speak to… Maple Ridge will continue to grow and develop, and change. That growth needs to be handled with care.”
“What we need is more balanced growth. Where we have continued to struggle is in economic development and on the commercial and industrial side…”
Dr. Bob Masse Maple Ridge councillor
• More at mrtimes.com, search “Paige”
Feel great and live longer. Start your good life today.
YOUR
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This month’s topic: Development
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John Becker has run his own law firm in Pitt Meadows for more than 30 years, focusing his practice on corporate commercial real estate and business succession planning. Send questions to: info@beckerlawyers.ca
JULY 18TH - JULY 28TH
Municipal elections 2014
Paige Gordon is returning for a fifth year in the animal barns at Country Fest, and this weekend, she’ll be taking on a more prominent role than ever before. Troy Landreville/TIMES
All the gifts that TIMES reporter Sylver McLaren brought to her family and friends, as well as the readers of this newspaper, will be celebrated this weekend. McLaren, who lost her valiant Sylver McLaren battle to brain cancer last month, will be remembered during a celebration of life Sunday, July 27, 1 p.m. at the Langley Golf Centre, 216th Street and 44th Avenue, in Langley. Those wishing to pay their respects are welcome to attend. • More at www.mrtimes.com
A3
Michael Morden Maple Ridge councillor
“…it is time to make needed decisions that will help realize our potential, rather than allow status quo to continue. We are clearly falling behind our neighbours on all sides…”
Full answers online at www.mrtimes.com
Next month’s topic: Job growth
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A4
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Century of farming
4H-ers celebrate centennial CRIMINAL DEFENCE
Arrested? Charged?
More than 1,300 kids, leaders, and alumni are going to party farm style at Country Fest.
KNOW & PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS
by Roxanne Hooper rhooper@mrtimes.com
Behind the scenes at this year’s Country Fest, there’s a private celebration happening that will help mark the 100th anniversary of 4H Clubs in B.C. And what a party it’s turning out to be. Organizers of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Agricultural Association were approached last year, asked to host a centennial celebration for all the clubs in the Fraser Valley. Initial expectations were that about 500 people would attend. Last count, fair manager Lorraine Bates said there were 1,300 registered to attend the various anniversary ceremonies happening – primarily behind the scenes – at this year’s Country Fest. “Numbers always spell success, but yikes,” Bates said of the numbers. There are regional 4H
centennial celebrations also planned on Vancouver Island, in northern B.C., and in the Interior. But, Bates said, none seem to be attracting the attention that is befalling the festivities in Maple Ridge. “No one is doing anything comparable,” she said, noting some of the host fairs are organizing potlucks or dances. At the Albion Fairgrounds this weekend, thanks to volunteers and sponsors, Country Fest will be serving up free breakfasts and dinners to all the 4H-ers, 4H alumni, and their families attending. The fun doesn’t end there. They’re also hosting the traditional 4H competitions and but adding in a few special alumni classes. They’re having a scaven-
ger hunt, and doing the mini-Olympics that started in Bates backyard years ago when all the 4Hers from the Valley camped out on her property during the fair. This will include a number of old-fashioned fair games like threelegged races and egg runs – similar to the ones that would have been held a century ago, she said. Other centennial events include a barbecue and 4H dance on Saturday night, an expanded water fight (complete with police officers and firefighters) late Sunday afternoon, and a series of 4H club history exhibits withall the Valley clubs in Planet Ice. “I’m honoured that they chose us to do this,” Bates said, convinced she’ll be laughing hysterically and bawling uncontrollably at throughout the weekend.
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Each year, Cops for Cancer cyclists hit the roads of B.C. to raise funds for pediatric cancer research, and to send kids living with cancer to Camp Goodtimes in Maple Ridge. During Country Fest July 26 and 27 at Albion Fairgrounds, Tour de Coast captain Const. Dayne Campbell is organizing a golf ball drop to raise funds for the cause.
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Ball drop aids little ones Sponsoring a golf ball at Country Fest will help fund pediatric cancer research and also send youngsters with cancer to Camp Goodtimes.
Cancer has raised $26 million for the cause, an average of more than $2.5 million per year. To date, the Tour de Coast riders have raised more than $87,000. Campbell noted that Cops for Cancer basically funds Camp Goodtimes, which provides a summer experience for chilby Troy Landreville dren and teens with cancer, tlandreville@mrtimes.com and their families. As an extension of the Cops A married father of two for Cancer fundraising efforts, girls, Dayne Campbell has a Campbell is organizing a soft spot in his heart for kids, Great Golf Ball Drop event at and in particular, children this year’s Country Fest takand teens who are fighting “I have visited ing place July 26 and 27 at cancer. Camp Goodtimes Albion Fairgrounds. That’s why the 38-year-old He met the organizers of Vancouver Police Department on more than one Country Fest at the 2014 constable and Maple Ridge occasion and it Ridge Meadows Home Show, resident captains the Tour De blows me away and knew he might have a Coast Cops for Cancer ride, a captive audience, with 15,000 900-kilometre cycling journey what a special folks expected to converge on involving law enforcement place this is for the fairgrounds for Country and emergency services perFest. sonnel. kids…” “They allow charities to Proceeds from all four Const. Dayne Campbell come in and set up differCops for Cancer rides (Tour ent things,” Campbell said. de Valley, Coast, Rock, and North) go to the Canadian Cancer Society. “Cops For Cancer is one of the ones they’ve always supported.” From Sept. 17 to 25, Tour de Coast cycOrganizers of the golf ball drop will lists travel through the Lower Mainland, have a huge area to work with near the the Sunshine Coast, then along the Sea to Country Fest stage, where a crane/scissor Sky Highway to Squamish, Whistler, and lift supplied by western one rentals will be Pemberton before returning to Vancouver positioned. to wrap up the fundraiser. A large target zone along with booth, Each participant tries to raise a minkids games, and hopefully a antique police imum of $6,000, with all the money car will be set up in the area. going to pediatric cancer research and Visitors will be able to “sponsor” a golf to send kids living with cancer to Camp ball – with proceeds going to Cops for Goodtimes at Loon Lake in Maple Ridge. Cancer – and if they have children, they “I have visited Camp Goodtimes on will be able to obtain a ball for the kids’ more than one occasion and it blows me prizes, as well. away what a special place this is for kids At the end of the two-day festival, all of that have suffered a lot,” Campbell said the balls will be dropped over the target on his fundraising page. zone from the top of the crane. The ball(s) “It always reaffirms that there is still a that land closest to the multiple flags will lot of good out there.” win the associated prizes. Since its inception in 1994, Cops for
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by Eric Zimmer
ezimmer@mrtimes.com
A 17-year-old female contortionist and a 17-year-old male Michael Jackson tribute performer are just two of the talented youth chosen to strut their stuff at this year’s Ridge Meadows Got Talent por-
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A6 Thursday, July 24, 2014 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Thursday, July 24, 2014
A7
Fraser Valley association
Lawn mower races promise to be loud, fast
by Troy Landreville
tlandreville@mrtimes.com
Outdoor church
Worship services
A traditional part of Country Fest, Sunday morning church services will be held near the main stage of the fair at 10 a.m. at the Albion fairgrounds. Brad Warner, associate pastor of discipleship with Brunett Fellowship noted that a local band, led by Jacey Davison, will be part of the service. Additionally, special guest, Glen Madden from Willow Park Church in Kelowna, will speak. “He’s been recommended as a good speaker,” Warner said of Madden. Warner also advised that attendees bring a lawn chair, water, and hat as well as their Bible.
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Fraser Valley Lawn Mower Racing Association president Owen Grahn (left) and Maple Ridge’s Mike Trautman will be racing at Country Fest Saturday. to the finals. “For fun, we do trophy dashes and grudge match-
es,” Grahn said. This weekend, about 10 racers with 15 mowers
are anticipated to compete on a track that is typically 200’ by 100’ in diameter. “We haven’t seen what we’re racing on in Maple Ridge yet,” Grahn said. There’s still time to register to race at Country Fest, but there are restrictions. Providing the potential racer has met mower safety requirements and has the required safety gear, they can race, Grahn noted. Racers must buy insurance, which is $25 for the year and pay $10 per race event. Races are conducted using American Racing Mower Association
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(ARMA) insurance and racers need to follow ARMA regulations. For those interested in taking in the races, expect to see some potentially mud-caked fun. “Lawn mower racing is loud as fast,” said Grahn, who has been racing for four years. “Sometimes, it’s muddy and if the spectators are lucky, the crashes are kind of awesome.” The races run 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Check out the association online at lawnmowerracingfv.blogspot.com for more information on the races, some pictures and video, and how to join.
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While it’s a stretch to say it will someday rival monster trucks or stock car racing as the blue collar entertainment pastime of choice, there’s a certain charm to lawn mower racing. The Fraser Valley Lawn Mower Racing Association (FVLMRA) is bringing the unique sport to Country Fest this weekend (July 26 and 27) at Albion Fairgrounds. FVLMRA president Owen Grahn said any kind of ride-on lawn tractor can be modified for racing. The only requirements are, it must have a kill switch and no blades.
Grahn, himself, had little knowledge about lawn mower racing until he came across a site on the internet. Being mechanically inclined, he said he knew he could build “something like this.” “I did some research and found the local club, built a mower and joined,” Grahn said. Grahn heads up an association that he estimates has “at least 15 members” and “has been around since the mid- to- late’90s.” In a standard lawn mower racing event, competitors go head-tohead in three classes: 20hp and under, 12hp and under, and modified, and go through time trials to determine their start positions. After that, two heat and two main races per class determines who makes it
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Residential tractors are ripping up the Country Fest track on Saturday.
A8
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Opinion Who we are The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES newspaper is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership. We’re located at 22345 North Avenue, Maple Ridge, B.C. The TIMES has a CCAB audited circulation of 29,950.
Shannon Balla
sballa@mrtimes.com Publisher
Bob Groeneveld
bgroeneveld@mrtimes.com Editor
Roxanne Hooper
rhooper@mrtimes.com Assistant Editor Editorial Maria Rantanen Troy Landreville Eric Zimmer Advertising Ralph De Adder Graeme Ross Anne Gordon Sheryl Jones Distribution Supervisor Wendy Bradley Administration Rebecca Nickerson
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Our View
Country Fest: Fun, fun, fun! There are a lot of years involved in this year’s Country Fest… maybe that is how they pack so much fun into the event. The community’s Country Fest has been an annual project of the 113year-old Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Agricultural Association. The aim of the annual celebration of agricultural pursuits was – and is – to educate the public about the importance of agriculture, economically and socially. There’s stuff there to make everyone happy: music and variety entertainment on the Canadian Heritage and Appaloosa Stages, educational displays and demonstrations, flyball dogs (always an amazing attraction), and lots of gardening and animal husbandry activities and information. It is little wonder that the annual fair has so deeply integrated 4-H into its goals, and made the agricultural youth movement – this year celebrating its own 100th anniversary in B.C. – an important part of the festivities. The 4-H movement mirrors the goals of the local agriculture association, as the youngsters’ motto points out: “Learn to do by doing.” Of course, the country festival reaches out far beyond the agricultural community, not just through a welcome to visitors, but as a venue for sharing information and… well… fun (it’s amazing how often that word comes up when discussing Country Fest). And that means free fun for the whole family this weekend. As the folks at the MR-PM Aggriculture Association have learned to bring us their education in such a wholesome and fun way, it behooves us to learn… and to enjoy! – B.G.
This Week’s Question What are you doing to conserve water this summer? ■ Your View Last week’s question, results… What are you doing to stay cool in the heat?
The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES, a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership, respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at www.mrtimes.com. The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and complainant. If talking with the editor or publisher of this newspaper does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2. For further information, go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.
Locked inside with air conditioner.
44 %
Visiting air conditioned malls, etc.
12 %
Consuming cold drinks.
23 %
Visiting Hot Rocks, spray parks, or pools. 7 % Stay cool? Nonsense! I love the heat!
15 %
Vote online at: www.mrtimes.com
Opinion
Pugs keep us safe from aliens Let’s talk about aliens. Where and cowering in fear of thunderthe heck are they, huh? storms, our biggest direct comThe universe is really, really petition on this planet came big. And we know that there a from large wild canines. African plenty of planets out there – we painted dogs and wolves fill a get better at spotting them every very similar environmental niche day, having found more than to early humans. 1,800 as I write this. Unlike big cats and bears, We’ve got somewhere up to canines run their prey down, 400 billion stars just in our galexhausting them before moving axy. Surely there’s life out there, in for the kill. That was one of lots of life, and surely some tiny the earliest human hunting techby Matthew Claxton fraction of that life must have niques – some hunter-gatherer evolved big brains and decided people in remote parts of the to go exploring in giant anti-matter fueled tin world still use it to this day. cans. Humans and dogs are among the only meatSo why haven’t they contacted us? Why aren’t eating animals that can actually run long distanwe basking in the soothing transmissions of ces – and we have the stamina to wear down three-camera sitcoms from Vega Prime and getalmost anything. ting regular visits from the Iridian Empire? Between a human marathoner and a thoroughI have a theory, and it involves pugs wearing bred horse, the human will always win when bee costumes. you crank up the distance. Hear me out! Wolves also work in packs. They can cooperWhat if we have been visited already? ate, like human hunters. I don’t mean covert snatch-and-grab missions So we ate the same food, and we used the to tractor-beam up some yokels. same tactics, and we moved in sizeable groups. And I certainly don’t believe that beings that Did we wipe out wolves down to the last pup? can devise methods of crossing light years No. We did something much more disturbing. between the stars are going to show up for the We befriended them. purpose of mutilating cattle, or making corn lie We loved them. down in pretty patterns. We made them smaller, and more like puppies. (Anyway, we already know what makes crop We made them love us back. circles. It’s the lizard people from inside the Imagine the horror when the aliens realized Hollow Earth.) what we’d done, as they noticed that the DNA But maybe some aliens would send a probe of a proud Arctic predator and a bow-wearing (not that kind, get your mind out of the gutter) Yorkie in a purse are substantially the same? to say, sample our airwaves, listen in on the “By the stars, Zorg, we can’t land on Earth!” internet and pick up the lingo. They’re probably their chief researcher shouted. “If they ever watching edit wars on Wikipedia right now. gained the upper hand on us for a second, Anyway, I figure they want to know a lot of imagine what they’d do to us! Do you want to be things about us. How we live, how we govern dressed up as a sunflower and paraded around ourselves, how we fight. And most importantly, on a leash? Do you want your great-grandspawn how we treat competing species. to have hip dysplasia and no noses?” In all of our history, going back to the days So give your pug an extra tummy rub today. when we were man-apes banging rocks together He’s saving us from alien invasion.
Painful Truth
editorial@mrtimes.com
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Thursday, July 24, 2014
A9
Albion
Developers are winners again
Dear Editor, Developers donate an amenity reserve fund in exchange for being allowed higher density in the Albion area [Density revisited, June 10, TIMES]. To date, there are eight applications for 188 lots. At $3,100 for each lot, the total
amenity reserve fund will be about $600,000 – peanuts, compared to the extra money developers will make on 40 additional lots resulting from the new density allowance. They must be laughing all the way to the bank. Developers win again! Bernice Rolls, Whonnock
MAPLE RIDGE LOCATION
Education
Teacher greedy for better system
Dear Editor, I am a greedy teacher. I am greedy for time to spend with each of my students, checking in with them, ensuring they have a grasp of concepts we are studying. Time to answer their questions, to ask how things are going, time to help, to encourage, to praise, to listen. I am greedy for resources. I want textbooks for each of my students – textbooks with covers attached, and whose pages aren’t falling out. I want shop equipment that is up to date, a cooking unit for every group in a home ec class, safe and functional PE equipment, technology that works. I am greedy for adequate specialist staffing to meet my students’ needs. I want a full-time teacher librarian, and the school library open all day, every day. I want counsellors available to counsel students in need. I want a school prevention worker who is on site more than one half day/week so
my highest-risk students are supported when they make healthy choices or when they’re scared they won’t. I want my students to be assessed by a school psychologist in the same year they are referred. I want EAs in my Letters classes to help the most vulnerable stuto dents, or even the the typical ones – they have questions, too. I am greedy for options. I want classes to run even if they’re not full to capacity. I want my students who are academically gifted to have the opportunity to be challenged. I want my students who are passionate about developing their skills to have specialized courses where they can hone their talents. I want music programs. I want technology courses and drama classes. I want all my students to have the chance to shine, whatever their strengths may be. I want it all! I am greedy for services.
Editor
Maple Ridge
Rodents a growing problem
Dear Editor, We have a rat problem in Maple Ridge. In the past week we have twice seen a couple of very large rats walking along the top of our fence line, from one yard to the next, in the middle of the afternoon. It would seem to indicate that there are a lot of rats around, and that they are very aggressive, if they are out in the middle of the day. And from the size of them, they are very well fed (probably from bird-feeders). The municipality seems to think it is an individual responsibility. If the rats are as mobile as they appear to be, and at the rate they multiply, unless someone coordinates a neighbourhood or city-wide program, we will very soon find the problem is beyond control. Mike Harper, Maple Ridge
•
What you’re telling us on Facebook
It was an aviation-themed weekend in Pitt Meadows with Airport Day and the North Fraser Airshow, so it seemed fitting that Harbour Air chose that time to announce a new service to and from Victoria. A few readers seemed to embrace the idea… “Love this!.”
– Lorraine Meredith
“Certainly beats getting stuck in traffic and unsure of uncertain ferry service.” – Gary Griggcd
Share your views. Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MapleRidgePittMeadowsTimes
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LETTERS POLICY: 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. Letters are also subject to editing for content and length. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows TIMES is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership.
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K R E A T M P L AC E s ’ C B C Thanks Bruce,
I have a young family, a husband and three kids and my life is very complex. I needed choice, customization and spending a lot of money on glasses was something I couldn’t justify. My Great Glasses experience was awesome. I didn’t need an appointment for my eye test and I got three pairs of glasses for less than I paid for one pair at my regular optical store. I couldn’t believe how great the deal was and how accommodating the staff were to me. I will not buy glasses anywhere but Great Glasses in the future.
Business already pays
Letters on this page have been edited for space. For longer versions, or more letters to the editor visit... www.mrtimes.com – Click on Opinion, or search the writers’ names
sion
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TransLink
Dear Editor, John Beeching should be aware businesses pay TransLink a parking tax on the purchase of parking rights for the exclusive free use for their customers [Business needs to pay TransLink its share, July 7 Letters, www.mrtimes.com]. A mall passes the cost to individual businesses by raising rent, then it’s passed to the consumer. A parking tax of 21 per cent plus 12 per cent GST is levied on all off-street parking in the metro region. Transit users might ask why car owners should subsidize their travel. Is it time for a tax on transit users? They could then assist car owners “getting to the root of many social problems.” Cherryl Katnich, Maple Ridge
r The Right Occa
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I want social workers to be less overwhelmed so they can support the students we share. I want more foster families so my kids in care don’t have to leave the community. I want affordable housing so their parents don’t face eviction when they can’t make ends meet. I want full cupboards, so I know my students are getting more than the meals I give them at school. I want my student who attempted to take her own life twice this year to have access to mental health services right now, not in three to six months, when it may be too late. I want my students who cut themselves to see a counsellor – not in nine to 12 months. I want a system that actually does put families first. I am greedy for my own children, full of questions and ideas and big plans, who do their best to follow the rules, whose raised hands get passed over because their teachers just can’t get to everyone, and their needs are not the greatest in the class – my excited, motivated children, with their deeply rooted love of learning, whose fire will stop burning if we don’t do something soon. I am greedy for a better system. One where everyone’s needs are appreciated, students are supported, and resources and programs are available. I am greedy for something better. Is that such a bad thing? Melanie Harris, Maple Ridge
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A10
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
g n i rk a P $2
A Party Blast From Then to Now Mobile Dairy Classroom Poultry In Motion Mini Barn Fun Til You're Done Farm 4-H Shows Galore e Ferrier, Sheep Shearing g d s, i Lawnmower Races R d e un Beshano Trial Bike shows l a p g ro Sheep Dog w/ Ducks Demos M ir Backyard Farming Fa Kids Entertainment Flyball Dog Show & Poultry Show How Does Your Garden Grow? Home Arts & Garden Competitions First Class ALL DAY Main Stage performances Appaloosa Home Grown Stage Country Corner Vintage Market 100 Years of 4-H in B.C. Activities Horse Show w/ Heritage classes Pitt Meadows Centennial Display & e Kids Entertainers d c o a l Shooting Star Amusements Fo t P ke ors Ridge Meadows Got Talent? r d Ma Ven Church at Country Fest Beer Garden
www.mrpmcountryfest.com
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Believe It!!
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Thursday, July 24, 2014
A11
4-H centennial celebrations
School chef feeds masses
The City of Pitt Meadows has the following exciting part-time employment opportunity:
Trevor Randle and his team of students will feed 1,300 people. by Maria Rantanen mrantanen@mrtimes.com
The number of 4-H members descending on Country Fest this summer will be three times more than expected – luckily, one local teacher has stepped up to help feed the crowd. Country Fest is hosting the Fraser Valley celebration of 4-H’s 100th birthday in B.C., and organizers were expecting about 500 participants. So far, 1,300 have said they are coming. Trevor Randle, a chef at the culinary arts program at Maple Ridge Secondary, volunteered to cook a pancake breakfast and a hamburger dinner for them. But, understandably, he can’t do it on his own, so he has drawn on 4-H volunteers and his culinary students to help. “It takes a massive army and team to pull this off,” he said. The trick to feeding such a large number of people is to be “very, very organ-
Safety and Emergency Management Coordinator
Maria Rantanen/TIMES
Trevor Randle checked out the garden at Maple Ridge Secondary where he teaches. Randle will be cooking a meal for 1,300 4-Hers at Country Fest. ized,” Randle said. “You plan for absolutely everything you can so you can deal with any fires that come up,” he said. For the burger dinner, there will be five large hog-fuelled barbecues with the meal served inside Planet Ice. In his capacity at MRSS, Randle has been involved with the Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, and he is happy to help the 4-H club and anything that promotes agriculture and “all the young people who will be our future farmers.”
Y t a A D th a nd R U 6 Ho T SA ly 2 es Ju Jon rv a M
“Without farmers, we don’t eat,” he added. This year, Randle wasn’t able to organize the Country Fest Black Box cooking competition because communication was hampered by the teachers’ strike. But he’s happy he’s able to feed 4-H members. Volunteering at Country Fest is “my little part to say thank you” to people who are in, and are going into agriculture. “So many people in our society take food for granted because it’s in the grocery store,” Randle said.
• More at www.mrtimes.com
We are looking for a keen individual to coordinate both our Workplace Safety and Emergency Management Programs. You are familiar with both Occupational Health and Safety and the BCERMS model of Emergency Management. You are passionate about what you do and have demonstrated the ability to lead with confidence, professionalism and integrity.This three day a week role will support the City in complying with its regulatory obligations under these two programs and support our team and community to be safe and prepared. We offer a very attractive compensation package with a flexible schedule. If you possess substantial post secondary training and/or a diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and/or Emergency Management plus sound related experience, we would like to hear from you. For more information and a complete job description visit our website at www.pittmeadows.bc.ca
Resumes may be submitted to: Director of Human Resources City of Pitt Meadows 12007 Harris Road Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2B5 Email: resumes@pittmeadows.bc.ca Closing date: 4:30 pm Wednesday,August 6, 2014 We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Candidates will require a satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Driver’s Abstract
12007 Harris Road Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2B5 604.465.5454 www.pittmeadows.bc.ca
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A12
Thursday, July 24, 2014
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Thursday, July 24, 2014
A13
A14
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
In the saddle
Horses bring fair to life There will be plenty of equine action at Country Fest 2014.
Germscheid said. Lawn mower races run at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Germscheid expects a wide range of horse breeds to participate. by Ronda Payne “Draft horses, thoroughbreds, editorial@mrtimes.com quarter horses, warmbloods, some paints, some clydes Those who enjoy horses [Clydesdales], some Friesians, will want to attend Country some Arabs, everything will be Fest either one or both there,” she commented. days this weekend to Horses will be stabled on site ensure they get their fill so visitors can come by and of equine antics. ask questions. This year’s horse-relatAll ages are able to particied events range from drill pate in events with their horses performances to a horse show in the categories of with English, western, jumpjunior, youth, and ing, games (barrel races, flag senior. races, pole bending, etc.), and “Maple Ridge stakes (money) events, noted is the heart of Dawn Germscheid, the Country horse country,” Fest horse show co-ordinator. Germscheid said. As president of the B.C. “Next to Langley it is Draft Under Saddle horse the horse capital.” club, Germscheid has been Drill teams will be featured heavily involved in planAndrea Walker photo on Saturday starting at 4:30 ning the Country Fest Dawn Germscheid p.m. with the Thundering equine events. Impact Draft drill team, fol“We run the show, it lowed by performances by the Langley is open to all breeds,” Germscheid said. Riders Mounted drill team, and the West “This year, we’ve made it a Heritage Coast Thunder drill team. qualifying event through the Horse The horse show is on Sunday with over Council of BC,” she added. fences events starting at 8 a.m. and flat Heritage qualifying events allow parclasses beginning at 10 a.m. ticipants to collect points for the different “Saturday there will also be a 4-H horse classes they participate in. They must show,” Germscheid said. accumulate enough points if they wish to She noted that although there are many take part in the Heritage event at the end events to watch, everyone is welcome to of 2015. walk through the barns and chat. All Country Fest horse events will be in “We’re there to answer questions,” the equestrian area south of Planet Ice. Germscheid said. “The lawn mower races will also •more at www.mrtimes.com be up in our area in the horse ring,”
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Thursday, July 24, 2014
A15
Business happenings
Ridge berries hit the Spot Marv Jones Honda’s sales manager Jason Mathot invites folks to visit the dealership this Saturday for a charity event.
Down to Business by Eric Zimmer
W
e’re gettin’ all countrified with today’s focused edition of the TIMES concentrating on Country Fest. So, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to tell you a little bit about a Maple Ridge farming success story. The fruit of a Maple Ridge farm’s labour are now available to diners at a popular made-in-B.C. franchise restaurant. It’s no secret that both Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows have long been prime blueberry-growing locales, and Silver Valley Farms – a local third-generation family run farm – is supplying White Spot with their fresh, ripe blueberries for the second year in a row. A White Spot supplier of frozen produce like
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strawberries for a number of years, Silver Valley’s Ray Biln said the chance to provide the chain with fresh produce was an opportunity that couldn’t be ignored. “It’s rewarding to work with such a long-standing brand that’s been a part of B.C. culture for so long,” Biln said. Biln also mentioned that we’re just about in the peak of the three-month blueberry season, and this year’s crop is a big one.
Honda helps out
T
his Saturday, July 26, take a test drive at Marv Jones Honda and help out a good cause while you’re at it. For every test drive taken, the Maple Ridge
dealership will donate $10 to Ridge Meadows Hospital. And hey, if it’s your day to buy a car, even better. For each car sold, $50 will be donated to hospital foundation, explained sales manager Jason Mathot. There will also be a barbecue going on, with proceeds from burgers and hot dogs sales also going to the charity. Look for the Lions and Rotary Clubs on site, as well, Mathot said. This is the first time the long-standing dealership has done something like this, Mathot explained. But, the plan is to make the event an annual one. “It’s all about getting more involved in the community,” said Mathot.
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A16
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
New fair happenings
Vintage and handmade goods take over rink A market with everything from re-purposed furniture to purses is part of the offerings at this weekend’s Country Fest. by Ronda Payne
editorial@mrtimes.com
Maple Ridge’s curling rink will be transformed into a home for a new vintage market this weekend as part of Country Fest. It’s an ideal match as far as the market’s organizer, Leah Faulkner is concerned. “This one [market] is called Country Corner Vintage Market,” Faulkner said. “I think it goes kind of hand in hand with the rural feel of living out here.”
Leah Faulkner is co-ordinating the Country Corner Vintage Market in the curling rink at Country Fest this weekend.
She’s no rookie to organizing markets like this. She has been putting on vintage markets for more than two years. “It’s the first one in the curling rink,” she said of the upcoming Country Fest market. With the animals at Country Fest taking over the barn Faulkner would normally set up in, organizers thought the rink would be the ideal location to have a vintage market. Faulkner explained that each of the 35 businesses who will be attending set up an entire shop full of items. “It’s a whole shop for two days. It takes many, many hours to set up and they do it so well,” she said. The upcycled, recycled, restored and repurposed items for sale will be diverse, according to Faulkner.
“We have a very wide variety of vintage and handmade items,” she noted. “We have a variety of furniture vendors, jewelers, people who make the signs and other upcycled items from old items. We have fabric items, kids wear, headbands, and that kind of thing and there is even a vendor who makes purses from old fabrics.” All of the vendors are from around the Lower Mainland, primarily those who run businesses focused on their passion for making use of older items and giving them new life. Country Corner Vintage Market attendance is free as it is part of Country Fest and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
• More at www.mrtimes.com, search “vintage”
bellringer for christmas kettle campaign
cheryl, maple ridge front line worker, the caring place provides members of our community with shelter, support and care.
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countless volunteer hours for sonia’s cradle which provides families in need with diapers, formula clothing and supplies for local families in need.
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Thursday, July 24, 2014
times Travellers • Email a photo of you holding The TIMES to: timestravellers@mrtimes.com
260th Street & Fraser Highway, Langley • 604-856-5063 www.twilightdrivein.net The Lower Mainland’s ONLY drive-in movie theatre: NOW IN DIGITAL!
FRIDAY JULY 25 - THURSDAY JULY 31 Scarlett Johansson in LUCY (14A) 9:15pm
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THE PURGE: ANARCHY (14A) 11:00pm
SWAP MEET SUNDAY - GATES OPEN 7AM SELL YOUR STUFF FOR ONLY $10! 604-856-5165
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Todays News ...and yesterdays too? Looking for something you saw in last week’s paper? Well look no further, it’s just one click away.
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HAS EXPANDED AND WE’RE HAVING A SALE! COKE BUTTONS, FURNITURE, TOYS AND MORE!
NOW SELLING AND BUYING ANTIQUES ESTATE SALE ITEMS, COLLECTIBLES, GOLD, SILVER, PAPER MONEY AND MORE!
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Maple Ridge’s Joan, Lachlan, Kiersten, and Kyle (the picture taker) Duncan recently travelled to Cuba. They had a photo taken with their hometown newspaper, The TIMES, in front of Memories Varadero Resort.
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Thursday, July 24, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Make Your Home Safe for Independent Living Are you a low-income senior or a person with a disability who wants to live safely and independently in the comfort of your home? Do you have difficulty performing day-to-day activities? Does your home need to be adapted to meet your changing needs? If so, you may be eligible for financial assistance under the Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) program. Find out today if you are eligible and if you meet all of the requirements as a low-income homeowner or as a landlord applying on behalf of an eligible tenant. To apply or learn more, visit
www.bchousing.org/HAFI You can also contact BC Housing: Phone: 604-433-2218 Toll-free: 1-800-257-7756
H O U S I N G M AT T E R S
HAFI Funds Home Modifications for Disabled Man When Lorie and Walter bought their home in Port Alberni 13years ago they slowly began renovating the unfinished basement to accommodate Walter’s changing needs as his muscular dystrophy advanced. “The basement was a black hole when we moved in,” recalled Walter. “After 12 years of skimping and saving, we made the downstairs completely wheelchair accessible, except for the bathroom. It was way too small. I could only stand for about a minute and a half without collapsing in the shower stall and I could no longer pull myself out of the tub in the upstairs’ bathroom, even with Lorie’s help.” Through funding from BC Housing’s Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) program, Walter and Lorie were able to work with a contractor to transform the space. A wall was removed to make room for a wheelin shower with benches, grab bars were installed, and the vanity and fixtures were relocated.
“ I just slide into the shower now,” said Walter. “I feel safer and no longer dread trying to wash myself. What was previously a dangerous chore for me is now a welcome treat.” Walter and Lorie hope to spend the rest of their lives in their home. The HAFI program provides financial assistance to help eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities adapt their homes so they can continue to live independently.
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DISCOVERY CHURCH Church Service 10am - 11:45am Sunday Mornings
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Sports On Deck
Athletes succeed
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Recreation
Bike trials bring flair to festival
A unique segment of the cycling world will be showcased at Country Fest, thanks to a Quebec company.
Ridge represents
by Eric Zimmer
Troy Landreville/TIMES
Renegades’ Steven Nease muscled an opponent on Saturday.
Renegades win The gold medalist Ridge Meadows Renegades won five of six games at the Western Challenge Cup in Langley this past weekend. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Burrards drop two The Maple Ridge Burrards lacrosse squad lost two backto-back games this weekend to Coquitlam and Burnaby. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Member wins George Cubiss, of the Maple Ridge Lawn Bowling Club was part of a winning team this weekend. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Reach The TIMES' sports desk: Phone: 604-463-2281 or email: sports@mrtimes.com
Stunt riding
Local talent was on display in Nanaimo this past weekend, as athletes competed at the BC Summer Games and walked away with a variety of top finishes. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Two local canoeists took part in the recent ICF Canoe Sprint Junior and U23 World Championships in Szeged, Hungary. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
ezimmer@mrtimes.com
It was during the late 1990s that Karl Jeannot’s view of what was possible on a bike was forever changed. And those who attend the Maple Ridge Country Fest this weekend will have a chance to see what happened as a result. Jeannot is the founder of Beshano Bike Trials, a Quebecbased company that will perform at the festival. Bike trials is a sport where the objective is to use perfect balance to keep control of the bike while going over obstacles. In a competition environment, touching the ground or the obstacles with any part of the body means points are deducted. Jeannot explained even though he was already into mountain biking throughout the 90s, he discovered bike trials rather unexpectedly. “My friend Evan John Beshara rented a videocassette of this guy doing these different tricks on his bike,” he recalled. “We watched the video and decided it would be fun to try riding like this.” And in 1999, Beshano Bike Trials was born. The name Beshano comes from the combination of Jeannot’s and Beshano’s last name. “It kind of evolved from there,” said Jeannot.
“I just started doing small demos. I never expected to be doing shows – it was just more of a club when we first began,” he remarked. However, people soon began to take notice of the duo and they started putting on shows in Jeannot’s hometown of Contrecœur, Que. Even though he didn’t necessarily have a grand plan for the Beshano name at the time, Jeannot explained the idea was to grow the sport’s popularity and get people into it themselves. In time, the pair began booking festivals and recruiting more riders to perform under Jeannot and the Beshano name. Today, the company operates in four provinces: Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and B.C., with a number of different riders at a variety of shows. Jeannot explained this weekend will feature two B.C. riders and himself. He won’t be riding but instead taking pictures and shooting video, as his role with the company has also evolved. “At the beginning it was more just about doing the show,” he said. “Now I like putting it all together. We have a bunch of people who ride for us, and I have a lot of fun presenting the guys.” He said the reward for putting on the shows is the interest in the sport it creates, as well as the entertainment it provides to the crowd. “The sport is cool,” he said. “It’s definitely still different. Jeannot and Beshano Bike Trials are this weekend at Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest at the Albion Fairgrounds.
Photo courtesy of Beshano Bike Trials
Beshano Bike Trials team rider Mike Bentham demonstrated his balance and variety of two-wheeled skills at a show.
For the dogs
Canine competition returns to Country Fest A dog-and-owner relay race of sorts will return to Country Fest this year. by Eric Zimmer ezimmer@mrtimes.com
On the Fly by Jeff Weltz
A fly fishing instructor and outdoor writer, Jeff has fished the area since the early 1970s. Contact him at fishingnewsman@gmail.com
Cycle of fish spots You don’t have to go far.... This week TIMES columnist and fishing enthusiast Jeff Weltz discusses a variety of urban fisheries. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Send your scores and game reports to sports@mrtimes.com
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It’s not your typical game of fetch. Flyball is a highspeed team sport for dogs and their owners. But it’s still a lot of fun, said one dog owner. Pam Andrade has been participating in the sport of flyball for the past eight years, and got into it as a way of allowing her pooch to let off some steam. “I got into it because I had one of those crazy, hyper-active fast labs that everyone talks about,” she said. Now Andrade is the proud owner of four dogs, all of whom she races with, in a variety of events throughout the Pacific Northwest. And this weekend, Andrade and her club, the Fierce Flyers, will be making a stop at Country Fest at
Jennifer Mae Oliver photo
Dogs of all shapes, sizes, and abilities are able to participate in the growing sport of flyball. the Albion Fairgrounds. Developed in North America but now present all over the world, flyball itself is a relay race where two four-dog teams race against each other in parallel lines. Each dog jumps four hurdles, triggers a spring-loaded box to release the ball, catches the ball and carries it back over the hurdles to the starting line, at which point the next dog is released and so on and so
forth. Speed is important but so is accuracy. If a dog makes an error, it has to re-run the course which adds to the team’s total time. Andrade noted that any size or breed of dog can participate, and tournaments are divided into divisions so that teams compete against others of equal abilities. Dogs can get awards for both winning their division and for accumulating points throughout
their careers. “Most dogs really enjoy it,” she said. So much so, that there are currently more than 375 flyball clubs throughout the US and Canada, which totals more than 7,200 dogs who compete. Even though handlers can run with their dog for a portion of the race, there is still extensive training that has to be done before a dog can be a flyball competitor. Andrade explained that while the learning curve is different for every dog, most people are usually looking at at least six months of training before their dog is competition-ready. “It’s not just the dog learning to get over those four jumps properly, and getting the ball and coming back,” she said. “They also have to learn focus when other dogs are around; there’s a lot going on that the dog needs to block out.” This will be the club’s third year at Country Fest in Maple Ridge, and Andrade is encouraging everyone to come check out the races, calling it a “good spectator sport.”
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Thursday, July 24, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
July 24-26: Bard
• Emerald Pig Theatrical Society presents Much Ado About Nothing from July 24 to 26 at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge. The show starts at 8 p.m. with a pre-show starting at 7 p.m. There will be a matinee on Saturday. Audience members are encouraged to bring a picnic, blankets, lawn chairs, and a donation to the Friends In Need Food Bank.
July 24: Firefighters
• Maple Ridge firefighters will be visiting Tolmie Park in Hammond starting at 6:30 p.m for another installment of Hot Summer Nights. It’s a fun chance for the team to interact with the public and possibly hose down a few individuals. \
July 25: Support group
• Hominum Fraser Valley, an informal discussion and support group to help gay, bisexual, and questioning men, meets at 7:30 p.m. For information and meeting location, call Art 604-462-9813 or Don 604-329-9760.
July 25: Dancing
• Friday Night Dance with Robyn Picard takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. at The ACT, 11944 Haney Pl., Maple Ridge. There will be a beginners drop-in lesson from 7 to 8 p.m. and a practice dance from 8 to 10 p.m. The lesson and dance are $13, and the dance is $10. These dances are intended as practice dances for all levels of dancers and wanna-be dancers,
HELP BUST CRIME…
What’s On
www.mrtimes.com Post events by email to:
editorial@mrtimes.com with guidance and answers to questions to anyone who wishes it. Info: www. ilovetodance.ca or www. theactmapleridge.org.
July 25: Astronomy • Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Vancouver Centre – is hosting another Observing in Selvey Park event on Friday, July 25, starting at 9 p.m. It’s a night of cosmic viewing hosted at the park in Whonnock, 27000 106th Ave. Info: www. meetup.com/astronomy-131/ events/196108222/
July 25 & 26: Sale
• Ridge Meadows Hospice Thrift Store is holding a 50-per-cent-off sale (Some exceptions may apply). The store is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The store is at #312011 224 St., Maple Ridge. Info: 604-463-7711.
July 26: Zucchini races
• Bring your own zucchini car and participate in the
annual Zucchini Races at the Haney Farmers Market, Memorial Peace Park from 10 a.m. to noon. The market runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with corn, seafood, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and other fresh produce. Info: www. haneyfarmersmarket.org.
A touchdown for charity
July 26-27: Country Fest
• Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Agricultural Association hosts the annual fair, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Albion Fairgrounds, 23448 105th Ave. in Maple Ridge. Info: www.mrpmcountryfest.com.
July 28: Performance
• Second Storey Theatre will be performing at the Memorial Peace Park bandstand at 11 a.m. Help create a one-of-kind adventure that is entirely inspired by audience suggestions. This Maple Ridge Library Summer Reading Club performance is suitable for kids ages six and up. For more information, call the Maple Ridge Library at 604-467-7417.
July 28: Music on wharf
• Maple Ridge Historical Society presents its 2014 Music on the Wharf concert series, consisting of five free summer performances. The first one tonight features Familiar Wild at 7:30 p.m. Donations will be collected at each performance. Consider bringing lawn chairs, sunglasses, and a sweater for sundown. • Full listings: www.mrtimes.com
BC Lions fans, take note... On August 8, the Vancouver Courier News Trotters are competing in the Rundown@Sundown media challenge at Hastings Racecourse. They have started a crowdfunding campaign to help them raise money for two vital charities: Vancouver Firefighters Charitable Society and the HAVE Culinary Training Society. Several perks are up for grabs, including discounted tickets to upcoming BC Lions home games. You can enjoy the game knowing that your donation is making a difference.
Go to FundAid. ca and search for News Trotters Off To The Races ......
REGISTRATION CLOSES AUGUST 1ST!
Ridge Meadows RCMP is looking for the following people. If you see any of them, do not attempt to apprehend them. Please contact the RCMP immediately by calling 604-4636251 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. The warrants attached to these individuals were still outstanding as of 10 a.m. Wednesday. Remember: all of the listed people are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
FREDERICK, Colin Wayne
Age: 38 Wanted in connection with File #2014-4151 Wanted for breach of an undertaking or recognizance.
JOHN 14:6 I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
GORING, Derek Edwin
Age: 31 Wanted in connection with File #2012-17305 Wanted for failing to comply with a probation order.
ZAHOREJKO, Leslie
Don’ t miss out on the BEST 5 evenings of the summer!
Age: 36 Wanted in connection with File #2014-5230 Wanted for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
REGISTER ONLINE AT CLARK, Phyllis Louise
Age: 37 Wanted in connection with File #2014-9682 Wanted for theft of a motor vehicle.
RIDGEBAPTIST.CA OR IN PERSON AT THE MRBC OFFICE.
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Thursday, July 24, 2014
today’sdrive 20 14 Ford Fiesta
A23
Your journey starts here.
EcoBoost
It’s comfortable and quiet, but rev up that little engine and there’s a surprising growl BY BRENDAN McALEER
brendanmcaleer@gmail.com
•
Tweet: @brendan_mcaleer
Three legs might be appropriate for a stool, or a camera tripod, or a Martian war machine, but you wouldn’t go out of your way to buy a threelegged horse. Such a thing would be inherently imbalanced, and it’d be hard to get much use out of it - and doubly so if it were really tiny. And yet here’s the Ford Motor company with the audacity to charge you $1,295 for the privilege of hopping around on three cylinders. That’s right – pick up a base 1.6L Fiesta and one of the options is to lop off a cylinder, swap on a turbo, and call it a performance grade in both economy and acceleration. Not so fast Blue Oval, we’re going to have to take a little closer look at the claims for your turbocharged trio. Sure, the Fiesta is a pretty good little car as it is, but does one less leg make it better, or do we need to take a little trip out behind the barn?
Design:
Ford’s smallest vehicle remains a happy looking little thing, with a grille somewhat reminiscent of an Aston Martin. However, I wouldn’t count on anyone being fooled into thinking this scrappy little hatchback was blue-blood royalty. The SE model designation means this particular flavour of Fiesta comes with 15” steel wheels and hubcaps, and its diminutive shape is pure economy car. However, it’s a handsome little car, with clean lines and a well-formed silhouette. The grille, the hood, the headlights and the taillights are all updated for the 2014 model year for all Fiestas. Overall, it’s an improvement.
Environment:
The Fiesta is reasonably snug on the inside too. However, you’d not call it an econobox. The plastics are moulded in a pleasing pattern, and the fabric covering the seats looks like it should be durable. Space in the back is tight, as you’d expect for a subcompact, but the Fiesta is larger than others in its class, and a workable four-seater (add in a fifth passenger and you might as well all sign up to enter clown college). The trunk is a useful 422L, and you can of course fold all the seats down to carry larger items. Up front, the Fiesta has a fairly basic control layout, with buttons and digital readouts that would put you in mind of
an early 2000s flip-phone. It’s not the most stylish execution in the world, and compared to the colourscreens available as an option on higher-trim Fiestas, it’s fairly basic in operation. The single central joystick just feels a bit flimsy, and the screen readout is of a size that you should really only navigate when pulled over. However, the audio works fine once you’ve got it all set up, and there are plenty of power outlets and storage cubbies. As an optional extra, this Fiesta also had heated seats and automatic climate control.
Performance:
Lopping off a cylinder and bolting on a turbo gives the EcoBoost-equipped Fiesta a relatively peppy 123hp and a solid 148lb/ft of torque. Considering all this power is coming from just 1.0L of displacement – the smallest engine Ford makes – that’s actually quite impressive. Moreover, it’s nearly a third more torque than the standard 1.6L engine and most of that’s available at very low rpm. Getting off the very light clutch, the Fiesta’s little three-pot engine grumbles at first, and then immediately surges into boost with a strong pull. It’s only offered with a 5-speed manual transmission, one with gear-spacing set up for maximizing highway fuel economy rather than the slick-shifting close ratio box you get in its sportier cousin, the ST. Still, it’s quite good fun to keep the turbo-three on the boil, and the low-end response makes the Fiesta easily capable of keeping up with traffic, handling onramps, and dispatching hills with ease.
On the highway, the Fiesta’s small car roots start showing – it’s perfectly acceptable in terms of wind-noise and ride quality, but that lightweight feel does impart a slight nervousness to the handling as speeds rise if there’s much in the way of crosswinds. However, as a long-distance commuter, the extra low-end spool of the turbo means you need not downshift for hills, as lower-torque fourcylinders might demand.
Features:
Being set up as a fuel-miser, the Fiesta is only accidentally a hoot to drive; while there are a few options available, it’s mostly targeted at a market segment that’s watching their bottom line, so there’s not much in the way of luxuries. The $500 comfort package gives heated seats up front and automatic climate control, and along with a full power group for the windows and door locks, means that all the essentials are covered. The audio system has USB connectivity and Bluetooth streaming audio as standard, and the headlights are automatic. So, everything you need, and then there’s that fuel economy. Even with mixed-mileage downgraded to 5.5L/100kms, with Ford’s new figures, it represents nearly a litre per 100kms improvement over the 1.6L engine that’s standard. Better gas economy and more available torque? Sounds like a win-win. However, assuming you put 20,000kms a year on your car, that’s only a savings of $300 a year at our current $1.50/L pricing versus shelling out $1,295 for the optional EcoBoost, but environmentally friendly. And the more you drive, the more you save. However, the manual-only option might limit this car to the highway warrior, rather than the urban commuter who wants an automatic to deal with traffic.
All Fiestas are pretty good to drive, and despite not having a sport-tuned suspension or lightweight alloy wheels, the EcoBoost version is actually quite good fun. Down here at the entry level end of the market, most of the vehicles have a certain charm in the challenge it usually is to drive them hard enough to stay out of everyone’s way, but the Fiesta actually feels substantial.
Nimble handling; good low-end torque; very good fuel economy; well put-together interior
Around town, it’s a nimble little thing, and the threecylinder’s fat torque band means you’ll be dispatching stop and go with ease. It’s comfortable and quiet, but rev up that little engine and there’s a surprising growl.
The Checkered Flag:
Green Light: Stop Sign:
Light feel on the highway; manual-only availability; fussy multi-button interface A fun little drive from Ford’s smallest engine.
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Thursday, July 24, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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10,000 DUCKS ARE WAITING TO BE ADOPTED! THE RACE TO RAISE $100,000 FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN MAPLE RIDGE & PITT MEADOWS
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