Richmond News October 27 2022

by Shaina

Wolfe’s comments disappointing

Dear Editor,

Re: “RITE adds one more city councillor to roster,” Online, Oct 15

I was very disappointed to read about some of the comments made on

night

While I did vote for Michael Wolfe, I was unhappy with his comments regarding our mayor, Malcolm Brodie.

I do understand that they have a difficult relationship, but there does need to be respect, and I found his comments to be disrepectful amongst our council members.

I hope Mr Brodie is a much bigger person and did not take Mr Wolfe’s comments to heart As I have stated, I am disappointed in this type of behaviour and look forward to it ending

Joanne Teraguchi RICHMOND

Rest in peace Const. Yang Council term limits needed

Dear Editor, Re: “Voter turnout dips down to 25%,” News, Oct. 20

Congratulations to all the

Some of our re-elected incumbents are making municipal politics a life-long career

Mayor Malcolm Brodie has been in office for 24 years and Coun. Bill McNulty has been in office for 27 years.

Kash Heed, who was elected for the first time to council, has been very vocal that you should not be on council for 24 years.

Such a system leads to iner tia and complacency

He would advocate a policy of two terms maximum as mayor and three terms maximum on council.

is for condos and homeowners.

And when you check Richmond prices, you realize that most are anything but affordable for the average worker

Only two per cent of Richmond’s housing are co-ops and social housing.

And only six per cent are market rentals.

Yet everyone running for council insists they are for af fordable housing.

We shall see in four years’ time. Don’t hold your breath!

Of

16

all seven mayor

councillor

four out of five trustee

ran were re-elected.

An example of council complacency is the urgent issue of affordable housing and rentals.

Ninety-two per cent of what Richmond has been building

It’s time that we limit the length of terms of office for our city politicians and give some new blood a chance to meet the pressing needs.

Eric Hanson RICHMOND

Dear Editor,

As I waited on the sidewalk of Cambie Road for over an hour on Friday afternoon, a gentleman came up to me and asked me why there were so many RCMP cars parked on the road with their lights flashing.

I said to him “the police officer that passed away is com ing home.”

My condolences to Const. Yang’s family, friends and colleagues. May she never be forgotten.

Rest in peace, constable. Thank you for your service.

To the officer who thanked me for my support… thank you for what you do

D. Kirk RICHMOND

Yaosen Yang

Erin MacPherson

Hats off to councillor

Dear Editor,

When examining one ’ s time in elected office, it’s best left to others to assess the contributions As a life long resident of Richmond, Linda McPhail has committed to serve her community and she did so in a variety of ways Linda’s love for and commitment to Richmond has been clear through the many volunteer roles she has excelled at

For three terms, Linda (who did not see re election) served on city council. With her low key style, I know Linda is truly hon oured, thankful and humbled by the con fidence and trust Richmond voters placed in her Whether as a committee member, chair or liaison to a community groups, Linda earned a reputation for fairness, dedication, balance, integrity and commit ment with community groups, unions, staff, MLAs, MPs, councillors and school trustees from across B C who she encountered through her 20 years of elected service.

When a recently elected councillor dis cussed assignments, the advice received, in part, was that everyone wants Linda

McPhail as their liaison but not everyone can have Linda McPhail The lesson: try to work as effectively as Linda Linda’s thoroughness enabled her to ar ticulate clear, cohesive rationales and ren der balanced decisions by linking policies and previous council directions with staff reports and recommendations under con sideration This clarity was often very help ful to others

Voters know when someone is in office for the right reasons and there to serve others to make Richmond safer, more in clusive and a little better as we move for ward together Linda never lost an election Richmond voters recognized her qualities and elected her in six consecutive elections (three school board and three council) and she is respected by people across the politi cal spectrum

Service, dedication, integrity, commitment to others and to Richmond, make Linda McPhail an archetype city councillor and we are grateful for her service to Richmond

Andy Hobbs

RICHMOND CITY COUNCILLOR

The trees were here first

Dear Editor, I feel sick seeing the big trees in Steveston Park coming down for the construction of the new community centre.

The signs on the trees

say the trees are in the way of construction.

Those big trees have been there my whole life and, I’m sorry, but the construction is in the way of the trees.

I do not think enough work has been done to save the giant trees.

Giant trees are habitats and should be left alone.

Allisa Ritchie

RICHMOND

City pays ‘lipservice’ to concerns about replacing giant trees, accord ing to letter writer Allisa Ritchie Photo

letters to Editor@Richmond-News.com

Supermarket customers and staff brawl caught on camera

VLEUNG@RICHMOND NEWS

A video of a brawl between customers and a staff member in what appears to be a Rich mond supermarket has gone viral on social media.

The video, which was first posted Friday on Chinese social media WeChat, shows a FoodyWorld staff member, dressed in a red coat, exchanging punches and kicks with a male and female customer near the meat section of the supermarket.

The female customer and the employee are seen shoving each other, before the employ ee attempts to throw a punch at her The male customer then punches the employee while pushing him backwards.

The woman then proceeds to grab the male employee from

the

behind and holds him back as he tries to struggle out of her grasp. Meanwhile, the other man continues to punch the employee in the face at the same time.

As the fight continues, the woman is seen taking off one of her shoes and begins hitting the employee with it.

It is unclear what started the fight and when it took place.

Richmond News tried to contact the manager of the super market which is close to No. 3 and Bridgeport roads but a staff member told the News that the store would not be commenting.

The News reported in January of this year about a brawl between customers in the parking lot of the same supermarket.

Cops probe school pepper-spraying

leaving the gym ”

The RCMP is investigating a pepper spraying incident outside a Richmond school following a senior boys vol leyball game

The attack happened around 9 p m last Thursday outside McRoberts secondary close to Williams and Garden City roads moments after the school’s senior boys volleyball game against Richmond sec ondary

An eye witness told the Rich mond News that several peo ple were leaving the school’s gym when a car apparently drove by before someone “be gan pepper spraying students

The person said he under stood that some of the stu dents were taken to hospital as a result of the spraying, but police told the News that no one was seriously injured or hospitalized

Richmond RCMP did confirm that it was called out after a 17 year old male was pepper sprayed after “ a verbal alter cation with a male suspect ”

The suspect, added police, then fled in a dark coloured Acura

“Some of the parties involved in this incident are known to each other,” said the RCMP

“We are actively investigat ing this matter and are follow ing up on several leads ”

A female customer lashes out with her shoe at FoodyWorld employ ee See the video at Richmond News com

Alan Campbell ACAMPBELL@RICHMOND NEWS COM

up for our newsletter at richmond-news.com

Emergency responders honour fallen officer

Maria Rantanen MRANTANEN@RICHMOND

The funeral for Const Shaelyn Yang, a Richmond resident and Burnaby RCMP officer who was killed in the line of duty last week, will be held next Wednesday at the Rich mond Olympic Oval

while she was there with a Burnaby bylaw officer. She subsequently died of her injuries

The suspect was sent to hospital with gunshot wounds

Const. Shaelyn Yang

The funeral will be for family, invited guests, designated of ficials and uniformed members who are taking part in the funeral march

Last Friday, as Yang’s body was brought to Richmond, RCMP officers, fire fighters and paramedics lined Cambie Road near No 4 Road to pay tribute to her

The procession had come from Burnaby via Surrey

Yang, 31, was stabbed on Oct 18 at a homeless campsite in Burnaby

On a GoFundMe page to raise money for her family, a former high school classmate, Justine Yiu, said Yang “had a way of making you laugh and stop worrying with her jovial na ture and calming presence ”

Yang was a full time volunteer with Richmond RCMP’s Victim Services before training as a police officer and being posted in Burnaby

While the funeral isn’t open to the public, the RCMP has said they are looking into having alternative view ing options, and they will share those details as soon as possible with files from Burnaby Now

Officers await verdict on assault charges after arrest in Richmond

Vikki Hui VHUI@RICHMOND

Two Mounties will have to wait at least another month to learn their fate after hitting a suspected car thief around 25 times during an arrest

Const Matthew McGuire, of Richmond RCMP, and Const John Tsonos, from the Surrey detachment, are on trial for allegedly using unreasonable force after stopping a vehicle that had fled from Surrey to Richmond in October 2019

The trial for McGuire and Tsonos who face one count of assault each for their part in the arrest ended on Friday morning with submissions from Crown and defence lawyers

The Richmond News previ-

ously reported that a man allegedly driving a stolen vehicle from Surrey was stopped in Richmond and subsequently arrested by Surrey police with the help of a Richmond officer.

The assault had allegedly oc curred as they were taking the suspect into custody

During the near two week long trial at Richmond Provin cial Court, evidence submitted included a video clip of the arrest, testimonies from officers on the scene, including Mc Guire and Tsonos, and expert evidence on the use of force by police

The video shows three offi cers throwing a total of around 25 closed fist punches and knee strikes at the suspect for approximately 35 seconds

This included a knee strike by McGuire to the suspect’s face During that time, officers were heard saying, “Stop f***ing screaming,” amongst other things The third officer was not charged in the current case.

Court heard that, before the first punch was thrown, the sus pect had ignored an officer’s command to get on the ground nine times

Both sides agreed the suspect was known to be involved in drug and auto theft crimes, which meant he could have had a weapon

According to the RCMP, Tso nos was suspended with pay while McGuire was on admin istrative duties.

A date for Judge Jay Solomon to give his verdict was due to be set this week

Sign up for our newsletter at richmond-news.com

Judge sides with mom on home sale

Vikki Hui VHUI@RICHMOND

A Supreme Court judge has ordered a son to sell his share of a Richmond home after his mom alleged elder abuse

Shish Prasad, who lives with her son, Dinesh, and daughter in law, Aruna, in a Steveston home, had filed a civil claim with the help of her daughter, Nancy, saying she no longer wished to live with them

“During my years of living with Dinesh and his wife, Aruna has frequently been abusive and disrespectful to me, to the extent that I no [longer] feel comfortable liv ing in the same property with them,” reads the court docu ment

Shish, 78, lives on the lower

floor and basement while her son, Dinesh Prasad, lives up stairs with his wife Aruna and son Derrick

Shish had “declining health conditions” including “back and arthritis problems,” and she was “ prone to panic at tacks easily ”

According to Shish, Aruna would get “ angry and frus trated” if she invited guests to visit

Aruna had also allegedly opened Shish’s mail and went over her personal items without permission

“I am afraid to confront her directly because l am worried that she would be violent or abusive if I did so, and I also do not want to cause tension in her relationship with my son, ” she added Derrick, who is representing his father (Dinesh), denied

Shish’s claims

“There is no abusive con duct from Aruna towards Shish Shish is never happy and exudes constant nega tive energy, ” Derrick told the court, adding that the current “stable and routine environ ment” helps to address his father’s schizophrenia.

Shish and Nancy (Dinesh’s sister) said they were not aware of Dinesh’s condition

“I wish to live happily and in peace, ” Shish told the court “ and although it is con sidered traditional and a cul tural norm for elderly Indian individuals to live with her adult children, I can no lon ger tolerate living together with Dinesh and Aruna be cause the situation at home is so terrible ”

In his judgment, Justice Gor don Funt acknowledged that

“significant family discord” has “ a pernicious effect” on Shish

Shish is also the primary owner of the house and does not appear to be acting “in bad faith or with malice,” wrote Funt.

Although Funt agreed the existing living arrangement was helpful for Dinesh, he was satisfied Dinesh would be able to move to another place “without significant risk” with support from his family and a clinical psychia trist

Dinesh was ordered to sell his share of the Steveston home subject to court ap proval

Costs were also awarded to Shish and Nancy to cover legal expenses as they were “substantially successful” in their application

City offers $10 trees

Five hundred trees will be available to Richmond residents for only $10 a piece.

This is meant to increase the tree canopy and urban forest by getting residents to plant trees on their own yards.

The trees can be ordered until 5 p.m. Nov 18 with pickup on Saturday, Nov 19 at the city works yard on Lynas Lane.

The nursery-grown quality trees will be in five-gallon pots and will range in size from three to six feet tall.

There will be five species available: vine maple, Nootka cypress, eastern red bud, paper bark maple and Japanese tree lilac.

Richmond residents, who have to show proof of residency at pickup, can buy one tree per residence through the MyRichmond online portal or via richmond.ca/ discover/events/tree-sale.

Maria Rantanen/News

Premium quality

Dentures instill confidence and provide

function while eating, speaking and

facial and

smile and the

of your lips and cheeks.

Our premium quality teeth duplicate natural teeth. The contours of

teeth are designed to match your skeletal type

characteristics to accentuate

Esthetics

Contours

Health

confidence.

so

eat

and

Biocompatibilty

efficiently,

in

Rajbeer (Mona) Kaur, RD Registered Denturist

at richmond-news.com

Rentals approved despite opposition

Maria Rantanen MRANTANEN@RICHMOND NEWS COM

More crime, more parking problems and more traffic that’s what residents of the Azure Road area think will come if a 330 unit rental building is constructed in their neighbourhood

More than a dozen residents from the area spoke against the proposed rental project at a recent public hearing.

Only one person, Evan Dunfee, who ran unsuccessfully for council in the Oct 15 election, urged the mayor and councillors to approve it He pointed out the census shows there are fewer children in Rich mond now than in 2001, saying Richmond “is not working for young families ”

With more than 50 per cent of the units having two bedrooms or more, this will at tract “desperately needed young families to Richmond,” he said

“Someone should get to advocate for them because they’re who we want here,”

The residents also spoke against the high density of the project 330 units to re place 50 townhouses as well as privacy issues

The property was originally zoned for low density town houses

Much of the rest of the neighbourhood is single fam ily homes, many built in the 1960s, but others built more recently with large square footages and are valued between $2 million and $3 million

Several construction sites dot the neighbourhood

like the amount of density coming to the neighbourhood He claimed areas in east Vancouver where there are lots of rentals are “full of crime ”

Richmond “is not working for young families ”

EVAN DUNFEE

Coun Harold Steves was particularly concerned at the suggestion by oppo nents to the project that crime would increase if the rental buildings were built

street parking should be banned all togeth er or there should be residents only parking in the area.

In response to some residents saying they want their neighbourhood to stay quiet and peaceful, Dunfee further questioned why most affordable housing is on busy streets rather than in residential areas

“Where is their peace and quiet?” he asked, adding, “This type of housing be longs everywhere in a world class city.”

In regards to parking and traffic, several local residents noted hospital staff park in the neighbourhood while at work, and that the streets are curvey and dangerous

One resident who lives in the area said he wasn’t opposed to rental, but he didn’t

“I find it really disturb ing to hear that having low end market (rental) housing is going to in crease the crime rate in the area, ” Steves said Arguing in favour of the project, Steves said if this project were delayed as suggested by Coun Chak Au there would be another argument against it next month

As for the parking problems in the area and the suggestion the 330 units would add to them Steves suggested either

In the end, the project was approved with Couns Au, Carol Day and Michael Wolfe voting against it but with a plan to consult with the neighbourhood on the parking and other issues brought up at the meeting

Au suggested referring the project back to city staff to look at the residents’ concerns, something Coun Michael Wolfe support ed. Wolfe also suggested city staff ask the developer to reduce the size of the project, which could possibly save a grove of 10 mature trees Neither of these referrals were supported by the majority of council

ask city for Truth & Reconciliation action

Maria Rantanen MRANTANEN@RICHMOND NEWS COM

Two Richmond elementary school teach ers are asking the City of Richmond to cre ate a Truth and Reconciliation policy

They have started a change org petition, which they plan to present to mayor and council in December

In their petition, Alisa Magnan and Kath erine Myers claim there has been “ very little action toward Truth and Reconciliation by the city of Richmond ”

Magnan and Myers explain that 200 years of colonialism has caused “signifi cant harm to Indigenous Peoples,” and it’s up to all Canadians “to do our part to make it better ”

The two teachers are asking for an an nual event to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and an orange flag to be raised at city hall to “honour the children whose lives were lost ”

This year, Coun Michael Wolfe asked his fellow council members, just days before the National Day for Truth and Reconcili ation, Sept 30, if an orange Every Child Matters flag could be raised at city hall.

He was told by the mayor he needed to give a notice of motion in a previous meet ing in order to introduce the flag motion

Instead, city council voted to have city staff review the flag policy, but no Every Child Matters flag was flown at city hall this year

Magnan and Myers also suggest the Truth and Reconciliation policy include imple menting city specific calls to action Furthermore, they’re asking the city to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, publicly identify historical sites that have Indigenous cultural significance, include Indigenous

history on the city’s History of Richmond webpage and have a land acknowledg ment on the city website and before council meetings

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie has in the past said city council can’t do a land acknowledgment before meetings because the city is in court with several First Nations over land in south Richmond

The Cowichan Nation Alliance has laid claim to roughly 780 acres of publicly owned land along the south arm of the Fraser River in Richmond, near Triangle Beach The trial has been on going since early 2020.

Dunfee added

up for our newsletter at richmond-news.com

Inflation raises school costs

Maria Rantanen MRANTANEN@RICHMOND NEWS COM

The Richmond School District is expecting an extra infusion of $8 mil lion into this year ’ s bud get after school enrolment was higher than expected across the city

Not only were there more elementary and high school students 757 more than expected continuing education students and English lan guage learners (ELL) num bers were higher than pro jected in the spring

While it might be good news there is more fund ing coming into the school district, out going board chair Sandra Nixon pointed out the per student operating grant from the

provincial Ministry of Education, didn’t go up this year, despite high inflation that is making overhead costs rise for the school district

And, as one Richmond parent noted, while stu dents who have English as their second language get provincial grants $1,585 per student for five years provincial funding for students with learning disabilities re mains zero, with school district needing to juggle their budgets to help these students

The parent, who wanted to remain anonymous to protect his son who has a learning disability, point ed out it’s up to the school’s principal to allo cate resources to students with learning disabilities

“They are left to try and figure out how to help kids with learning disabilities with the money they are given, and decide who gets how much support,” the parent explained

Almost $1 million more for ELL funding

There were 606 more ELL students this year than an ticipated, which brought the total number to 6,808

The school district re ceives $1,585 in funding for each ELL student, so the additional students mean the school district will get about $960,000 more in funding

Originally, the school dis trict expected $9 6 million in ELL funding with about $1 6 million going to overhead and $8 million budgeted to support ELL students

S e c r e t a r y t r e a s u r e r Cindy Wang told the Richmond News this is a “typical expense pattern” and is comparable to how other school districts allo cate funds

Operating grants can be used for overhead, such as facilities, technology and administration, while targeted funding, like the classroom enhancement grants, must be wholly used for its intended pur pose

The total grants received from the ministry to sup port the 6,808 ELL stu dents in Richmond will be about $10 6 million, if the final number is approved by the ministry

The projected school dis trict budget for 2022/23 was about $293 million in the spring

Fishing company faces charges

A Richmond fishing com pany has been charged with transporting ammonia by people not trained to do so, not complying with safety regulations as well as possibly dumping it

Arctic Pearl Fishing, Arctic Pearl Ice and Cold Stor age and Kwong Man Sang Company have all been charged in connection with incidents that allegedly oc curred in the fall of 2017

The lawsuit also cites Xian Peng Liu, David Wing Cheong Lui as well as Wei Wu in the charges

The charges range from handling or transporting dangerous goods, that is, anhydrous ammonia used in the shipping industry for refrigeration

as well as not complying with safety requirements

All three companies and all three individuals are also charged with failing to report “actual or anticipat ed release of a dangerous good” which could have potentially endangered public safety.

Arctic Pearl Fishing is on Worster Court just off Ja combs Road They adver tise online as suppliers of turbot, hake, rockfish and sole According to its web site, the company operates the Viking Enterprise

Those facing charges will be in a Vancouver court room on Nov 9 for a pre trial hearing

Maria Rantanen/ Richmond News

of Richmond

Notice of Disposition and Intention to Provide Assistance

Pursuant to Section 26 of the Community Charter, the City of Richmond (the “City”) hereby gives notice that it has entered into a sublicense agreement with Richmond Family Place Society (the “Society”) to use 8660 Ash Street (Debeck House). The City is providing the sublicense to the Society for $1.00 for a term of 5 years (which commenced on April 1, 2022).

Pursuant to Section 24 of the Community Charter, the City also hereby gives notice that it intends to provide assistance to the Society to enable the delivery of a community based family resource program. The assistance is in the form of a fee for the granting of the sublicense of $1.00. The assistance provided is equal to the amount of $51,840 per annum.

Any inquiries concerning the above notice may be addressed to:

Kirsten Close Manager, Community Recreation Services 6911 No. 3 Road Richmond, BC V6Y 2C1 604-247-4461

open-concept home

Open-concept homes have become increasingly popular in recent years. An open-concept home is one in which the rooms flow into one another with limited obstruction from walls or other barriers.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, 84 per cent of new single-family homes have fully or partially open layouts.

While they may seem like a new trend, open-floor plans are anything but. Early American homes featured open, often one- or two-room units built around the central kitchen/hearth. This maximized warmth and functional ity Homes evolved as incomes grew, and soon homes had several smaller rooms with specialized functions.

What’s old has become new again. However, before diving head first into a new home purchase or a big renovation to realize an open-concept dream, consider the pros and cons of this type of setup to determine if it’s really right for you.

Advantages of open-floor plans

Open-floor plans facilitate the flow of natural light throughout a space and can promote air flow, helping to reduce warm or cool pockets of air in otherwise closedoff rooms.

Open homes make socializing easier, even when people are doing different things. While someone is cooking dinner in the kitchen, he or she can still interact with

someone else playing video games in the family room or paying bills in the home office. Entertaining also is easier, as mingling with guests is much more convenient when walls are not getting in the way

A smaller home can feel much larger if it employs an open concept. The square footage is not divided into smaller quarters, which sometimes are rooms (such as formal dining rooms) that are only used a few times per year This eliminates underused spaces and opens up sight lines in the layout.

The value of real estate has risen dramatically since the

onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and prospective buy ers may prefer an open-concept plan because it can help them minimize building costs

Disadvantages of open-floor plans

Open layouts are not for everyone. The same sense of space that occurs when walls are taken down may make rooms feel cavernous and less cozy, particularly in homes with ample square footage. In addition, privacy can be hard to come by when all rooms feed into one another

When the kitchen is not separate from the family room space, that makes it easy for noise to compromise the area’s comfort levels There is no hiding from noise in an open-floor plan, as sounds from voices, television shows and appliances tend to echo and blend together And if the home is a single-storey layout, those noises from the main living areas may also carry to adjacent bedrooms Smoke and smells are another thing to consider When something on the stove spills over, a small range hood will not be practical for clearing smoke from a large space. Though the aroma of freshly cooked food is enticing, it can make it hard for cooks to keep guests out of the kitchen.

Open-concept homes are popular, but homeowners should weigh the pluses and minuses to see if this trend is truly right for them.

Coach, lacrosse team inducted into BC Sports Hall of Fame

Alan Campbell ACAMPBELL@RICHMOND NEWS COM

Richmond has two new sporting idols to admire in the BC Sports Hall of Fame Judo coach and pioneer Jim Kojima and the 1971 Richmond Roadrunners Men’s La crosse team were among the 2023 induct ees to the hall of fame

Born and raised in Steveston, Kojima racked up almost 70 years of service de voting most of his life to the sport of judo in various capacities and roles, including as an athlete, coach, referee, official and administrator

He has served with Judo Canada since 1957 and Judo BC since 1958 and is still active with both to the present day

Kojima was also an international Judo Federation referee at six Olympic Games and 22 world championships from 1974 to 2001

He was an original member of the Ste veston Judo Club, formed in 1953, and helped raise nearly $100,000 to build the Steveston Martial Arts Centre in 1972, the first dojo built in the traditional Japanese architectural style outside of Japan

The 1971 Richmond Roadrunners team, meanwhile, won the Canadian Junior A Minto Cup, the first western Canadian

team to win the cup in nine years

They defeated Peterborough 4 3 in a thrilling seven game series held at New Westminster’s Queens Park Arena, with the deciding seventh game a 13 11 victory in overtime in front of over 5,000 spectators

Earlier that season, Richmond won the BC Junior A lacrosse championship, defeating top ranked Burnaby Cablevision 4 3 in a thrilling seven game series with Game 7 a 14 12 overtime victory

This series featured four games that went to overtime Richmond finished second in the Pacific Junior A Lacrosse League with a 14 10 win loss record, rallying from a five game losing streak to start the season

The team included: Stan Ackerman (pub lic relations), Ed Ashcroft, Barry Atkinson, Chuck Bourne, Gary Bregani, Jim Bregani, Jack Buchanan, Bill Clearie, Randy Crow (president), Roy Crowe, Larry Dean, Dav Durante, Mal Follis (secretary treasurer Ted Gernaey, Bob Holmes, Doug Ma Grant McCauley, Harvey Olsen, Gor Osinchuk, Tom Penway, Larry Phillips (team manager), Ron Phillips (coach and genera manager), Jerry Pinder, Ron Pinder, Mik Safianuk, Pat Safianuk, Butch Skirzyk (a sistant coach), Mike Smith, Fr d S tt (equipment manager), Bob Tas Tasker, Dave Tasker, Bob Taylo Dave Taylor, Gil Tetrault, Lyle Tro Weaver and Sandy Wheelhouse

Athlete, 6, takes Western Canada silv

Richmond Martial Arts and Josiah Kicks Academy’s Logan Minshall (pictured right) competed in the Western Canada Martial Arts Championship at the BCIT Burnaby campus and was scheduled to compete in the Under Six Point Fighting division

However, his opponent forfeited the match and the six year old was allowed to move up a category and compete against athletes ages seven to eight instead

The McKay elementary student took home second place in his category after winning against teammate Samuel Eduardo Mon roy but losing against eight year old Erik Musto Bonilla from another gym Minshall lost his first match 6 2 after Musto Bonilla landed “ a good kick” that floored him right at the start, followed by a punch that knocked him “down good again,” according to Kayce Hopwood, Minshall’s mom

“We thought Logan had bit off more than he could chew in this higher divi sion,” said Hop wood “I was quite worried ”

M i n s h a l l bounced back up in his second match and won against Monroy 3 2 This paved the way for a re match against the eight year old athlete for the gold medal

He led his final match 4 3 against Musto Bonilla until the last five seconds when his opponent tied up the score. They went into a one minute overtime, with Minshall losing 7 4, but taking home silver

“Boy, did he show grit to everyone there,” said Hopwood. “He was quite hurt in that first fight, but he came back and almost took the gold It was a true nailbiter ”

Valerie Leung/Richmond News

A young Richmond athlete and resident took home silver at a recent martial arts competition

Trick or treaters spending more on costumes than ever

Shaina Garces & Valerie Leung R CHMOND NEWS

Halloween is just around the corner and it looks like Canadi ans are spending more on Hal loween costumes this year

A report from HelloSafe says spending on costumes has jumped to $87 60 from last year ’ s average of $68 20 Ca nadians spend almost half their budget on costumes compared to other Halloween expenses such as candies, activities, pumpkins and decorations

Spirit Halloween, an annual pop up store, is stocked up with costumes, decorations, props and animatronics for the sea son

Anime costumes are very popu lar in Richmond, explained Dan iella Dolmans, store manager of Spirit Halloween in Richmond

Stranger Things and Hocus Po cus costumes are also trending this year, Dolmans said, due to

the newest season of Stranger Things and the recent release of Hocus Pocus 2

For kids, Nintendo and Poké mon and other gaming themed costumes are always popular, Dolmans added Spirit Halloween said it is also collecting donations for Spirit of

Children, a program that pro vides activities and devices for kids at BC Children’s Hospital

Canadians are expected to spend $1 64 billion on Hallow een related purchases this year

This, however, is about $780 million less than was spent in 2019, before the pandemic hit,

City warns public over fireworks use

With Halloween around the corner, the City of Richmond is warning anyone caught buying, selling, distributing or setting off fireworks in the city could be slapped with a hefty fine

Richmond Fire Rescue along with the city’s bylaw department and the RCMP will be patrolling the city looking for the illegal use of fireworks, with the city saying a “ zero tolerance approach” is in place

The city sent out a reminder last week that fireworks are illegal in Richmond and can only be set off with a permit Buying fire works, displaying them for sale or distribut ing them can net a $1,000 fine Setting off fireworks without a permit can result in a $400 fine

The city is also warning that, because of the extremely dry conditions, fireworks and firecrackers can easily start fires that can spread “quickly resulting in significant property damage, injury or even death ”

To report fireworks related complaints, call the Richmond RCMP non emergency line at 604 278 1212

The city, however, will be holding a Hal loween event at the Minoru Track on Mon day, Oct 31 and this includes the “City’s largest fireworks display,” according to its website There will also be music, dancing, roving performers and magicians.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery has an all ages Haunted Sea installation The installa tion is open every day from 10 a m to 5 p.m. until Oct. 31.

Maria Rantanen/Richmond News

according to HelloSafe Upcycle to make your own costume

But spending $87 on a cos tume every year is not just tough on the budget, it’s a horror show for the environment, according to one Richmond teacher

Akiko Kato, a home economics teacher at McMath secondary, said inflation has increased the price of everything, especially fabric

She encourages her students to embrace the “upcycling” trend, while learning about the textile industry and its impact on the environment

“Upcycling and recycling ma terial is really popular now, ” said Kato

“You can buy old clothes from thrift stores, which can then be cut and sewn together to create something new ”

Last year, her students came up with some great anime cos tumes, some of which were used not just for Halloween but could be worn to anime conventions, said Kato

Those void of sewing skills needn’t worry, assures Kato Fabric glue can work fine for these kinds of projects

Even cardboard and paper can make a great costume like a Starbucks coffee cup

And it’s not just the wallet and the environment that benefits from DIY ideas, so do our imagi nations, said Kato

“Using recycled materials in stead of buying costumes or fab ric promotes creativity in kids ”

Finally, Kato said make sure you recycle your costumes with in the family

As a mother, Kato has always made Halloween costumes for her kids, but found it a waste if they only wore them once

She quickly learned to swap costumes with other family mem bers as it’s “important to reuse things ”

But most importantly, said Kato, “let the kids get creative They don’t need to feel left out because Halloween can still be fun without spending too much money ”

Giant pumpkin grower takes title in the U.S.

Richmond’s famous giant pumpkin grower has done it again this time raiding the big prizes down south.

Just a week or so after lifting the B.C. title in Langley with a whopping 1,676-pound pumpkin, Dave Chan bagged the Atlantic Giant category at a competition near Portland, Ore.

And this time it was with an even bigger gourd, which weighed in at 1,728.5 pounds at the event in Tualatin last week.

A delighted Chan a retired dentist who grows his giant pumpkins in his east Richmond backyard was beaming from ear to ear with his latest win.

The Richmond News reported recently how Chan grows a number of giant pumpkins on his property every year, in the hopes of them weighing in as biggest in the region.

He smashed his own record last year, as well as the province record with a whopping 1,911 pounds.

—Alan Campbell/News

The city will have its annual fireworks display at Minoru Park Photo Sarah Mason/ DigitalVision/Getty Images

Dave Chan has won two major giant pumpkin competitions in successive weeks

McMath secondary textiles students made anime Halloween costumes using upcycled materials last year

Hira Gaunder & Family

A night of inspiration and brilliance, the event brought together our special community of donors who celebrated and engaged in an inspiring evening of philanthropy.

Thank you for helping ensure Richmond will have the newest equipment and technology to improve and expand imaging services for patients!

2022 LEADERSHIP AWARD

Richmond Hospital Foundation is pleased to present the Goodwyn family with the 2022 Leadership Award.

Exemplifying leadership through their volunteerism and philanthropic contributions, the Goodwyn family has contributed to the Richmond community for many years. We celebrate the generosity of the Goodwyn family.

Thank you for so joyfully giving to support health care in Richmond.

This award is presented annually to a donor in recognition of their visionary leadership and exceptional commitment to Richmond Hospital Foundation.

Richmond resident finds, returns lost drone to Victoria man

Valerie Leung VLEUNG@RICHMOND NEWS

An SD card, to a photographer/videographer, is ev erything it’s work, it’s memories, it’s what you do.

A Richmond resident made it his mission to return a lost drone he found while in Victoria this past summer

Albert Leung, a local videographer and photogra pher, found a broken drone along Mystic Beach in Victoria while he was enjoying the end of a four day work trip

He discovered the DJI Mini 3 Pro “full of sand and seawater” along the shoreline and his first thought was to see if he could find the owner

“I immediately felt like I was in one of Shangerdan ger ’ s diving scavenger videos so I was like I had to return this drone to the owner, ” said Leung in a video posted to YouTube

The Youtuber, who returned home to Richmond the same day, began to look for clues starting with the SD card that was in the drone

The card, he said, contained video footage of a neighbourhood and decided to seek help from the Hik ing of British Columbia Facebook group

Leung told the Richmond News that several members of the social media group helped identified the neigh bourhood in the video and offered to share the post with a Victoria specific group as well

“The owner was actually in the (Victoria) group and a couple of contacts later the owner reached out directly to me, ” he said

“I thought it was going to take at least a week or something for someone to reply, but it happened with in 24 hours ”

The drone belonged to Victoria resident Andre who had just gotten into videography as a hobby, accord

Snow geese are back

The snow geese have arrived all across Richmond, including at Iona Beach, as captured by Richmond News reader Annabelle Wee

Alan Campbell ACAMPBELL@RICHMOND NEWS COM

It’s the annual sign from above of the weather changing here in Richmond and the Lower Mainland

A couple of weeks ago, we were bask ing in record breaking temperatures for Thanksgiving long weekend But this week, we witnessed the arrival of our feathered friends from the north the snow geese

Richmond residents have been posting on social media and contacting the Richmond News as the Siberian migrants make their pilgrimage south

The geese have been spotted landing at Grauer elementary, close to Blundell Road and Railway Avenue, as well as at Garry Point Park and Dover Park

The birds, however, do cause a fair bit of damage to the sports fields they feast and poop on and the City of Richmond has tried a number of programs over the years to persuade the flocks to land on less popu lated areas of the city.

One such program was piloted last year at Hugh Boyd, which involved solar powered lights being installed on and around the fields.

But city spokesperson Clay Adams said “unfortunately, it was not overly successful as many geese had already arrived at the field before the lights were installed.

“Parks staff are going to have another try this year and plan to have the lights in place tomorrow before the geese hit Hugh Boyd. We are optimistic we will see better results this time ”

ing to the video.

Eventually, the two met up and the drone was re turned

When asked what made him so compelled to go on his “drone returning mission,” Leung said it was be cause he had personally lost something in the past that had sentimental value to him

A wallet, lost in Hong Kong a couple of years ago, contained a card that reminded him of his childhood It was something that was “just special” to him and had wished someone would have returned it, but he was not so lucky at the time

“So when I’m in the opposite position now, I don’t know how important something may be to someone but I’ll try my best to return it,” said Leung

He added that an SD card is the most important item to a photographer or a videographer

“It’s more important than any other piece of gear, like the camera or the case It’s not something you can buy back with money because it is like a memory capsule, and if you lose it, you can’t ever get the files back ”

Leung gives his thanks and applause to the online community for stepping up and helping him

“What can I say, humanity is amazing ”

This drone was reunited with its owner in Victoria

The Seniors Centre at Minoru Centre

now open for

, Seniors Facility Pass programs and visits Come by in person to update your membership and to find out details about your

Located at the corner of Gilbert Road and Granville Avenue, this bright and spacious facility offers an inviting, active and friendly environment for those 55 years and older This fully accessible facility is set in beautiful Minoru Park and is near many other City facilities including the Richmond Museum, Richmond Art Gallery and Main Library

Activities currently being offered include registered programs, out trips, special events and support groups Plus, with an annual Seniors Facility Pass you can choose to join in any of the 35+ activity groups that meet regularly. Complimentary honorary memberships are available to those 90+ years of age Spouses of members are welcome and encouraged to join in the fun even if under the age of 55. Come and experience the benefits of recreation!

SENIORS FACILITY PASS

The Seniors Facility Pass is $36 00 per year and supports the Minoru Seniors Society Passes are valid one year from date of purchase View the Minoru Seniors Facility Pass Programs brochure at www.richmond.ca/schedules or pick up a paper copy at Minoru Centre for Active Living

Seniors Facility Pass

East Richmond

$42.00

$2.00

$2.00/Drop in

$2.00

in

$2.00/Drop in

/Drop in

$2.00/Drop in

$2.00/Drop in

$2.00

BUS

in

New Alzheimer’s Research (though not from Italy)

The Comedian, Dennis Miller, recently told a story on the radio Years ago, he was performing in Las Vegas, when he received a dinner invitation from Frank Sinatra Before they met, Mr Miller ran into Don Rickles and asked how Mr Sinatra was doing Mr Rickles said that Sinatra was OK, but that he had Sicilian Alzheimers Miller asked what that was Mr Rickles replied “he only remembers the grudges

Though some very interesting new research in the Alzheimer’s area has been introduced from the United States, if I do find some reports of similar research out of Sicily, I will write about it

The main story

In the meantime, conventional thinking over the past century has been that Alzheimer’s Disease results, at least in part, from a buildup of Amyloid Plaque (AP). AP forms in our brains for a variety of reasons, as we age So far, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Millions of people across North America are afflicted with Alzheimer’s and demographic statistics suggest that it will worsen in the coming years

The research

A study was published, earlier this month, in the (American) Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, from the University of Cincinnati, in collaboration with the Karolinska Institute in Sweden

The researchers started with the hypothesis that Alzheimer’s may be partly a result of a decreasing level of soluble amyloid-beta in the brain, rather than from a buildup, in the brain, of AP

in

The researchers explain that we all have soluble amyloid-beta in our brains A protein it performs important functions in our brains on an ongoing basis These proteins can, over time, from biological, metabolic or infectious stress, harden or transform into AP

Apparently, this transformation of amyloid-beta proteins into AP happens to all of us However, the researchers say, few of us actually develop Alzheimers

Last month, research, from different group, on a medication called Lecanemab, produced significant results in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment What Lecanemab appears to accomplish is to slow the decline in cognitive function The study will be presented at an Alzheimer’s Congress next month, in San Francisco It is a promising medication but it provides, arguably, more of a short term remedy The question might be asked whether this slowing of decline will have the same impact on a person as will increasing the levels of soluble amyloid beta in a person

The researchers from University of Cincinnati and the Karolinska Institute have noted that, in some clinical trials, where the levels of soluble amyloid-beta were reduced patients’ cognitive conditions worsened In fact, their own previous research found that, regardless of the buildup of AP in the brain, persons with high levels of soluble amyloid-beta, remained cognitively normal Persons with lower levels of the protein were shown to be more likely to have cognitive impairment The researchers found that persons who could generate a soluble amyloid-beta level of at least 270 picograms per milliliter in their brains, could remain cognitively normal, regardless the level of AP in their brains

Interestingly, similar research is ongoing in the areas of Parkinsons Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

WithrespecttoParkinson’sDisease,thereisinthehumanbrainanormal soluble protein called alpha-synuclein, that can harden into a “deposit” or “plaque” known as Lewy body The thinking is that Parkinson’s may not necessarily be caused by the buildup of Lewy bodies but instead by the decreasing levels of the soluble alpha-synuclein in the brain

Conclusions

For society, it is profound that these terrible diseases that afflict so many, and cost us so much, might be controllable by an approach involving the increasing of soluble protein levels in the brain, rather than by slowing the buildup of plaques or abnormal proteins It is promising and I hope it gives affected persons, and their families, hope

For all of us, it is critical to try and stay informed, whether via Television news print media or your Doctor In the meantime don’t delay your Estate planning or go to your Pharmacy and stand in line just yet ! This kind of research will take more time

• Thompson Community Centre;

• Panorama Place;

• Oak Tree House;

• Park Towers;

• Kiwanis Towers;

• along Minoru Boulevard and Moffatt Road Call 604 238 8456 to request pick up from one of the locations listed above, or along Minoru Boulevard/ Moffatt Road

It may be that we are getting a little closer to bringing these Diseases under some control (and I think we can conclude that there is likely no geographic element to Alzheimers, whether in Sicily or any other parts of the world!).

our website (www WillPowerLaw com) or call us at (604)233-7001 to discuss your Wills, Estates and Seniors’ questions.

SPRY HAWKINS MICNER LAWYER

Suite 108-2786 West 16th Ave., Vancouver

Email: jack@willpowerlaw.com

SENIORS CENTRE CAFETERIA

Drop in for a delicious, affordable entree or breakfast Panini prepared by the professional culinary team, or stop by for coffee and some freshly baked goods in Minoru Centre’s bright and welcoming cafeteria open weekdays. Homemade soups are featured daily with member discounts available with a Seniors Facility Pass

View weekly menus online: Instagram @MinoruCentre or www.minorucentre.ca/cafeteria

HOURS OF OPERATION

Mon Fri (closed statutory holidays):

8:30am 2:00pm

Lunch Entrees Members $9.00* Non Members $11.00*

Breakfast Panini Members $5.00* Non Members.................................... $6.50*

*plus 5% GST on all items Meals to Go option is still available

CLINICS

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE & GLUCOSE TEST

CLINIC – DROP-IN

Get your blood pressure checked by a nurse on the third Wednesday of every month Learn more about programs and services for seniors in Richmond by visiting community organization booths including a local pharmacy. Registration not required

Wed, Nov 16 10:00am 12:00pm

FREE/1 sess.

FREE LEGAL CLINIC

Access legal help from Seniors First BC with this service for older adults not able to access legal help elsewhere due to low income or other barriers Clinics offered the fourth Thursday of each month

Call Seniors First BC at 604 688 1927 ext.258 to make an appointment for a 30 minute legal consultation

Thu, Nov 24 10:00am 12:00pm

FREE/1 sess

Foyer

Patti Martin 604-273-2828

and room for a

large coat closet.

walk-thru closet and

parking (1

1 open), 1 storage locker Building was re-plumbed n

and the lobby facade was redone 2019.

Patti Martin 604-273-2828

#303-7660 Minoru Boulevard

Fantastic 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit at adultoriented Bentley Wynd, perfect for “right sizing”.

Bring your house-size furniture to this beautifully updated top floor unit with vaulted ceilings. Huge laundry room, spacious eat-in kitchen with pantry cupboard, living room dining room can accommodate a grand piano! Over 1600 sqft of living space! Enclosed balcony/solarium perfect for morning coffee! Complex is surrounded by lovely landscaping and has an outdoor swimming pool conveniently located close to the Minoru Seniors Centre. 2 parking stalls and 1 storage locker included.

Patti Martin 604-273-2828

#434-5700 Andrews Road

Homma

Patti Martin 604-273-2828

Kids

Route Boundaries

Adults

1400217 Dyke Rd, London Rd, Princess Lane, St.... 1410001 4th , 6th, 7th Ave, Broadway St, Chatham St, Richmond St 1410002 11491 7th Ave (Mariners Village)... 1410003 11291 / 11391 7th Ave (Mariners Village)... 1410004 4th Ave, 6th Ave, 7th Ave, Georgia St, Pleasant St.... 1410005 2nd Ave, 3rd Ave, 4th Ave, Garry St, Georgia St, Pleasant St, Richmond St... 1410019 2nd Ave, Garry St, Georgia St, No. 1 Rd, Richmond St, Garry St........... 1410022 2nd Ave, 4th Ave, No. 1 Rd, Pleasant St, Regent St.... 1410024 4th Ave, 6th Ave, 7th Ave, Garry St, Georgia St, Richmond St.... 1410026 11020 11500 No. 1 Rd, Regent St (Townhouse route)..... 1420102 Fortune Ave, Gander Crt, Dr, St. Brides Crt Pl, St. Johns Crt, Pl, St. Vincents Crt Pl, Williams Rd... 1420103 Cornerbrook Cres, Fortune Ave, Freshwater Dr, Williams Rd..... 1420108 Sable Ave, Sceptre Crs, Skagit Dr, Sorrel Dr 1420109 Springfield Crt, Dr, Springthorne Cres...... 1420203 Geal Rd, Groat Ave , Williams Rd.... 1420204 Pendelton Gate, Dr, Waller Crt, Dr, Williams Rd... 1420208 Desmond Ave, Rd, Diamond Rd, Earlmond Ave, Elkmond Rd, Lamond Ave, No 1 Rd, Williams Rd... 1420209 Barmond Ave Desmond Rd, Diamond Rd, Francis Rd, Newmond Rd, Osmond Ave, Raymond Ave.... 1420210 Diamond Rd, Oakmond Rd, Raymond Ave, Rosamond Ave 1420212 No. 1 Rd, Pendlebury Rd, Peterson Dr, Pickering Dr, Waller Dr, Williams Rd.... 1420215 Barmond Ave, Diamond Ave, Francis Rd, Newmond Rd, Oakmond Rd..... 1430104 Hollymount Dr Gate, Railway Ave, Steveston Hwy 1430111 Addison St, Defoe St, Goldensmith Dr, No. 2 Rd, Swift, Williams Rd...... 1430113 Gilbert Rd, Williams Rd.... 1430114 Goldsmith Dr, Steele Crt.......... 1430115 Hollycroft Dr, Gate,

McILVEEN, Esther Edna (Willems)