Richmond News August 3 2023

Photo by Vikki Hui

Cancelled bus funding reallocated around region: TransLink

MARIA RANTANEN mrantanen@richmond-news com

A direct bus from Bridgeport to UBC that was cancelled during the pandemic doesn’t look like it’s ever coming back

The resources used to run the 480 bus have been reallocated to areas in the region that need it more, a TransLink representative told Richmond city council last week

Besides, explained TransLink vice-president for planning Sarah Ross, there is a “most excellent alternative in place” that offers the “highest level of bus service,” that is, the Canada Line and rapid buses in Vancouver to UBC

Ross explained there is “significant pressure across the region” for transit services with 50,000 people coming to the Lower Mainland every year.

Because TransLink doesn’t have money to expand its services, they are instead reallocating services where they are most needed.

“Due to on-going financial challenges, while we’re funded to deliver our current service, we’re not in a position to expand service at all, so we really have to work with what we’ve got,” Ross said

Some of the resources used for the 480 were reallocated to south of the Fraser, whose ridership is 15 per cent higher than it was before the pandemic, she added After hearing this spring about a petition

with almost 800 signatures asking for the reinstatement of the bus, city council asked TransLink to attend a meeting to explain why the route hasn’t come back Ross explained new trains on the Canada Line that arrived during COVID-19 and the introduction of the R4 rapid bus on 41st Avenue in Vancouver to UBC added “enough capacity” to make up for the cancelled route.

“We can now accommodate the former 480 customers on those routes with com-

parable travel times,” she said Ross compared travel times from Richmond to UBC on the 480 to travel times without the 480 in place and claimed they were about the same She said the 480 took 37 to 47 minutes to travel from Bridgeport to UBC, while taking the Canada Line and then transferring to the R4 rapid bus along 41st Avenue to UBC takes 33 to 47 minutes. Furthermore, she added, taking the Canada Line and transferring to the 49 bus to UBC takes 24 to 46

minutes

She did, however, say travel times were estimates, and acknowledged riders usually do prefer a “one-seat ride,” that is, not having to transfer during a trip

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 4,000 daily boardings on the 480 with 70 per cent going to UBC. There were 12 buses on the route with 25 drivers

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie asked Ross, given TransLink’s extensive services across the region, whether it wouldn’t just be a “stroke of a pen” or “rounding error” to restore the 480 bus, at least during peak times

“Those hours would have to come from somewhere we’d have to cut something else,” Ross replied

In the end, city council voted unanimously to write to TransLink’s CEO and the board chair, asking for the reinstatement of the 480 bus

The 480 bus was cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic and hasn’t been restored Atomic Taco, Wikimedia Commons photo

Those hours would have to come from somewhere we’d have to cut something else SARAH ROSS, TRANSLINK

This giant tree had to be taken down after a recent heavy rainfall

Thanks to city for safe tree removal

Dear Editor, Kudos to the City of Richmond crew who removed a giant willow tree in West Richmond this week. A huge portion of the tree suddenly fell over after a recent rainfall, so the city crew turned up with a cherry picker and all essentials to remove the rest, and did so very safely

Certainly a job to be proud of

Careful with dog muzzles

Dear Editor, During the recent high temperatures, I observed a woman walking a muzzled golden retriever on the Steveston boardwalk.

The dog was frantically pawing at the muzzle and I later realized that the muzzle was preventing the dog from panting.

The American Kennel Association cautions that “soft muzzles prevent your dog from panting, which is the only way he has of dispersing heat “Panting is the canine version of sweating so these muzzles should only be used for very short periods of time and never in hot weather.”

New Steveston neighbours welcome

Dear Editor, Re: “Residents express concerns over proposed affordable housing project in Steveston,” Richmond-News. com, July 21

I have followed the controversy about the proposed housing project located at 4831 Steveston Hwy for women and children and wish to add my perspective.

I am a longtime (over 70 years) resident of Steveston I have always been proud of the fact that our area is welcoming to everyone including those across the housing spectrum.

If you consider “Steveston” as being bound by Williams Road to the north and No. 2

In addition, we have an assisted living facility at Austin Harris Residence located at Trites and Moncton, operated by S.U.C.C.E.S.S, in partnership with CMHS, BCHMC and VCH

We also have several group homes and one housing facility for persons with disabilities

I cannot think of another neighbourhood in Richmond that hasthisrichnessofhousing stock.

Soon we hope to have Lions Manor, an extended health facility, return to our neighbourhood after a recent provincial funding announcement

natories to the petition to consider welcoming our new neighbours rather than putting up barriers

Some will remember the protests against the Richmond Modular RainCity Housing project on Alderbridge Way a few years ago, yet I do not recall reading about any complaints or issues since that facility was built

If we are to solve our housing problems, we need to look at innovative and “outside-the-box” thinking

Brenda Battye RICHMOND

Having a variety of housing hesourneighbourensures housing is or those with the means to purchase mily home or, for er, a condominium use

I applaud the recent announcements of not only this project but also the affordable housing project on Railway Avenue and the Rosewood Village housing proposal located on 9 11 acres, which is in need of being utilized to its fullest extent

Kelvin Higo

VCH apologizes for hot room

ALAN CAMPBELL

acampbell@richmond-news com

VancouverCoastalHealth(VCH), on behalf of Richmond Hospital, has apologized to the family of a 91-year-old patient, who had to endure near 30 C temperatures in her room recently.

A VCH spokesperson contacted the family and the Richmond News to clarify its response last week to a story published by the News

Mary Ramage told the News that her elderly mother was baking in the heat of the day in her hospital room, with the AC not working, no access to fans and the windows being “nailed shut”

VCH initially told the News that all rooms in the hospital have “functioning air conditioning,” the “windows can be opened” and patients and families can ask for standing fans.

However, a VCH spokesperson contacted the News on Friday to say that the information provided by them was “incorrect” and that

it has “sincerely” apologized to the patient and her family for “any distress caused by our response”

“VCH has determined windows in two rooms within the unit are not able to open for safety reasons, including one in which this patient was receiving care,” added the spokesperson

“While these rooms are equipped with air conditioning, in some cases it may not be able to cool the rooms adequately for some patients during warmer temperatures

“VCH has taken a number of stepstoaddresstheissueinthese

two rooms including: providing additional fans as needed; installing blackout blinds to reduce the heat from the windows; providing another room if a patient is uncomfortable”

Ramage told the News last week how her mother was admitted to Richmond Hospital after a “terrible fall” and was placed in a westfacing room on the fourth floor of

Probation for smuggler

VIKKI HUI

vhui@richmond-news com

the North Tower on July 19

However, by Friday, July 21, Ramage described the room as “inhumanely hot” and recorded a temperature of 29.4 C inside the room where windows were allegedly “nailed” shut, which she said hospital staff cited as a safety precaution for patients

This was one day after Richmond experienced outdoor temperatures reaching a high of 28.8 C, according to Environment Canada weather data

Ramage said she wanted to bring in her own portable AC but there was no point without having access to an open window. Instead, garbage bags were hung on the windows to block out the sun, but hospital staff told them it was not allowed and had to be taken down Ramage and her husband broughttheirownfanandcooling towels to keep the senior as cool and as comfortable as possible in the heat.

With files from Valerie Leung

A federal government employee and army reservist, who smuggled firearm silencers into Canada, received letters ofsupportfromservingRCMPofficers ahead of his sentencing

During his sentencing hearing at Richmond Provincial Court last week, Peter Pao, 47, described himself as a “hobbyist” who collects weapons

Pao, who previously tried to smuggle an AirSoft grenade launcher via the U S , was given a conditional discharge

He had earlier pleaded guilty to smuggling five firearms suppressors, which can muffle the sound of a firearm once installed, in four separate air cargo shipments from China between August and October 2019 by declaring them as fuel solvent filters, toy car filters and fuel filters.

In a joint submission, Crown and defence asked for a sentence of a conditional discharge with no criminal record

Prosecutor Cheryl Tobias told the court the Crown is satisfied Pao is involved with firearms as a hobby,

rather than criminal intent

Four letters of reference from RCMP officers and a prominent lawyer were provided to the court in support of Pao The letters spoke of Pao as a good citizen and a good husband, as well as someone dedicated to helping the community They also touched on Pao’s lapse of judgment and his regrets about the situation Judge Derek Mah ultimately agreed that Pao should not get a criminal record and he “just got carried away with his firearms hobby”

Mitigating factors included Pao’s relatively early guilty plea, his remorse and regret, the absence of a criminal recordandthefactthathegaveuphis hobby to “turn his life around.”

Pao was placed on 24-month probation and he is required to complete 50 hours of community work He is forbidden from possessing firearms during his probation except during his employment or training at the Canadian Armed Forces.

Pao will also be forfeiting prohibited items in his collection of firearms previously seized by CBSA and RCMP, which cost around $36,000

Man dead after shooting on Minler Road

VIKKI HUI vhui@richmond-news com

A 36-year-old Richmond man has been identified as a victim of last Thursday’s fatal shooting

Initial investigation shows the shooting that shook Richmond on July 27 may have been targeted and associated with the B.C. gang conflict, according to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT)

The victim, Ravinder Samra, was a Richmond resident known to police.

Ravinder Samra, 36, died in a shooting in Richmond city centre on Thursday IHIT photo

Richmond RCMP and BC Emergency Health Services found Samra suffering from gunshot wounds when responding to reports of shots fired on Minler Road near Blundell and Gilbert roads.

Samra died at the scene According to IHIT, a car engulfed in flames found on Blundell near Highway 99 is believed to be connected Policearelookingforwitnesses,dashcam or CCTV footage from the 8000 block of Minler Road from 2 to 6 p m and from the 12000 block of Blundell Road between 5 and 6 p.m. on July 27. Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Fire chief praises public after home goes up in flames

ALAN CAMPBELL acampbell@richmond-news com

“We’re just glad that someone called it in”

Richmond Fire-Rescue chief Jim Wishlove praised the members of the public who reported smoke coming from a home in the early hours of last Thursday at a main intersection

Six fire trucks raced to the scene of the blaze at Cambie and No 5 roads at around 2:30 a m after receiving reports of smoke coming from a home on the south-east corner of the intersection

It took firefighters several hours to control and then extinguish the fire and the entire intersection was closed by Richmond RCMP as a result

Wishlove wanted to thank people for their vigilance, especially in the wee hours of the day.

“Even though we’ve had a bit of rain the last day or two, it’s still so very tinder dry out there and we very much appreciate the public calling in,” said Wishlove last week

“It’s not easy at that time of the morning to be aware of what’s going on It doesn’t matter what time of the day it is, we would much rather people call if they smell smoke, as it’s so dry out there right now.”

There were early reports that the burned-down home was abandoned, but Wishlove said that is still being investigated “Therecertainlywasn’tanyoneinitatthetimeofthefireand there are no reports of any injuries,” he added, noting that a fireinvestigatorwasatthescenetotrytodeterminethecause The building, he said, is now uninhabitable

This home at Cambie and No 5 roads was ravaged by fire in the early hours last Thursday. It’s not clear if the home was occupied at the time Maria Rantanen photo

Hundreds turn out for Richmond’s first Pride Walk

VIKKI HUI & MARIA RANTANEN vhui@richmond-news com

Steveston’s boardwalk was filled with smiles, cheers and bubbles on Saturday morning as community members gathered for the city’s first-ever Pride Walk

“We’re (celebrating) the people because love is love,” said Koa Loong, who came to his first Pride event with his family

Loong hopes the event will send a message to the community that everyone can “choose who to love”

The event, organized by Richmond-Steveston MLA Kelly Greene, saw a turnout of hundreds of community members donning rainbow accessories and waving rainbow flags representing different LGBTQ identities

Along with other politicians, B C Premier David Eby joined the walk

Also in attendance were Helen and Karl Varga and their dog Diesel, who think it’s important to raise awareness on LGBTQ issues to “make sure that everybody is safe”

“We just wanted to come out and support,” said Helen

“We have lots of friends and children of our friends who are part of the LGBTQ community.”

Walk makes people feel included

A Pride Walk in Richmond should make the LGBTQ community feel more welcome and included in society

This is the assessment of Delia Anez who was spreading the word about Saturday’s event

While Canada is fairly liberal especially compared to her native Venezuela as part of the LGBTQ community, at times Anez feels like she’s an outsider in Richmond and wonders whether it would be easier to live in Vancouver

However, she likes the city she’s called home for more than two years, and her hope was the Pride Walk would make her feel a part of the community

With violence against the LGBTQ community on the rise, Anez just wanted the event to be peaceful She understands people have different opinions and supports the right to protest, but recent violent confrontations between people oppos-

ing LGBTQ rights, and trans rights, feels “scary,” she said “Either I help with pushback, or I get scared and freeze,” Anez said.

“There’s a lot of work to do especially now with the far-right growing in the States it worries me, it really worries me,” she added

In fact, as she was helping to organize the event, she was pleased to

see a lot of allies also volunteering to put on the walk

Anez is originally from Venezuela, where LGBTQ people aren’t even mentioned in conversations Lesbians are often referred to as the “single aunt.”

This is why the public Pride Walk in Richmond celebrating the LGBTQ community was so important for

her

“With my background (in South America), it’s a dream come true,” Anez said, adding “I feel more LGBTQ people will feel comfortable living here.”

Anez said she’s not involved politically, but she is grateful for the fact Greene started this event

“I do appreciate she reached out to the community and did something about it that’s very powerful,” Anez said.

In addition to the Pride Walk, the City of Richmond raised a Pride flag atcityhallforthefirsttime Itwillbe flying on the flagpole for this week.

The city is also putting on various Pride events, including story times, workshops, fitness classes and an improv performance

For a full list, go to richmond ca/ culture/social/inclusion/prideweek htm

The SOS Children’s Village Thrift Store in Steveston was also showing its support for the LGBTQ community and the Pride Walk by offering a 30-per-cent discount for people wearing pink or rainbow colours

Richmond’s first-ever Pride Walk was held at Imperial Landing in Steveston on Saturday Vikki Hui photo

Divorce costs man $1.3M

VIKKI HUI vhui@richmond-news.com

A husband will have to shell out more than $1.3 million to his ex-wife’s rich family as part of their bitter divorce proceedings

Xiao Min (Shaun) Wang was involved in his in-laws’ multi-million-dollar purchase of several commercial units at Aberdeen Square in Richmond in 2012

However, the marriage between himself and Ran (Fiona) Li, both Chinese immigrants from 2009, turned sour in 2019 when they accused each other of infidelity

It was then that the divorce proceedings kickedoffandtheargumentsoverwhoowned what in their business and personal dealings began to unravel

Li and Wang got married in China in 2003 They emigrated to Canada in 2009, followed by Li’s parents, Hongsheng Li and Chaoxia Peng, who arrived around five years later

The couple received financial support from Li’s parents after they moved to B C until their separation in 2019.

“Ms Li never worked at all, and there is no clear evidence that Mr Wang generated any significant independent earnings through formal employment or business activities using his own capital,” wrote B C Supreme Court judge Jan Brongers

Judge Brongers added Wang’s commission income as a realtor in transactions unrelated to the Li family was “minimal” and his income from corporations he set up was “limited and vague” Wang did, however, assist Li’s parents with real estate and other investments.

In 2012, Li’s parents bought five office units at Aberdeen Square through Wang’s company West Ask for almost $2 3 million A sixth unit was bought in August 2015 for $338,000 and registered in Li’s name, unlike the other units

One of the units served as Wang’s office

while others were rented out

During the course of their relationship, Li’s parents invested $1.4 million in AXKA Group Inc , a company Wang incorporated in 2014, as well as $2 million in two mutual funds through West Ask West Ask’s main purpose, said Judge Brongers, is to serve as an investment vehicle for the in-laws

TherelationshipbetweenWangandLifamily became strained in 2018 when a “squabble” over parenting led to Wang moving out.

Without permission from Li’s parents, Wang transferred $1 065 million from his in-laws andWestAsktoAXKA,andsoldoneoftheAberdeen Square units owned by West Ask to a thirdpartyfor$280,000 Hekepttheproceeds for his own personal use

Wang claimed he made the sale “as a means to survive” and the Li family forgave him for doing so

Li and her parents decided to take Wang to court in the fall of 2019 for a divorce and to recover the money, respectively, and a trial was held this year

Husband ordered to repay in-laws

In Judge Bronger’s decision, he doubted Wang’s reliability as he was “often evasive and unclear, and occasionally impatient and argumentative” when answering questions

The Li family, on the other hand, were more credible based on their behaviour in court.

Wang was ordered to pay his in-laws $1 million in damages for transferring money to AXKA Group, and to pay West Ask $345,000 for also transferring company money to AXKA Group and selling the Aberdeen Square unit

Finally, Wang was found to have removed his mother-in-law’s Tiffany jewelry from a safety deposit box and refused to return it. He was orderedtoeitherreturnthejewelryorpayher $378,000 in damages

Or

Potholes finally patched up

VALERIE LEUNG vleung@richmond-news com

The City of Richmond has finally filled in potholes that have plagued the daily lives of Hamilton residents for two years

Fourteen potholes, each about two inches deep, on Smith Drive, between GilleyRoadandMcCollCrescent,were finally filled in last week, according to Lori Williams, a long-time Hamilton resident

“The potholes were deep and they got even deeper as time passed,” said Williams, adding many vehicles would “bottom out” while passing through the street

“It was just ridiculous and just so annoying”

She described the road as an obstacle course with cars often weaving back and forth into the on-coming lanes just to avoid the potholes

“You’re just asking for an accident to happen and it’s a major safety issue because it’s directly in front of the school”

To add to the frustration of Hamilton residents, Williams said there were

unanswered questions who was responsible to fix the road the city or the developer who’s building in the area.

“It was just non-stop, back and forth,” she said

City spokesperson Clay Adams confirmed with the Richmond News the road situation in Hamilton was their responsibility as it was related to “older utility installations that had settled”

Rents rise almost 15 per cent in one year

DAISY XIONG dxiong@glaciermedia com

Richmond rent is among the highest in Canada’s mid-sized cities in Canada, according to a newly released report, with rents almost 15 per cent higher than a year ago

Rentals.ca released its June report on the Canadian rental market, and it showed the average rent in Richmond in May was $2,711 per month, a 14 6 per cent increase from the same month last year

units, demand in Richmond appears to remain high, according to a local rental agent

“I think the market is still hot after a quieter period in spring,” said Ian Zhang, a Richmond-based rental agent

A landlord often receives multiple applications for an available unit, according to Zhang, and a one-bedroom apartment is usually rented out within a week while a two bedroom is usually gone within two weeks

City crews were scheduled to fix the roads on Friday morning but dealt with it on Thursday morning Williams said she never expected the city to take this much time to fix a “serious” pothole-related problem “There’s… 14 of them there and on both sides of the road, it’s not like one or two that you can just avoid,” she said

“We just want safer and more accessible roads for our neighbourhood”

This makes Richmond the fourth most expensive city for renters in the province, following Vancouver ($3,137), Burnaby ($2,899) and Coquitlam ($2,774), and the fourth most expensive mid-sized market in Canada

In comparison, the average rent in Canada in May was $2,014. Despite th

“I posted a one-bedroom apartment recently in the evening and received three applications the next day, including one that was selected,” he said.

“People have to accept the higher rent in the market, like how landlords have to accept the higher housing interest rates

“If they look at other markets in Metro Vancouver, the rent is not necessarily much cheaper”

Fourteen potholes were left unfixed for at least two years in Hamilton, until recently Valerie Leung photo

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Merchants aim to put ‘forgotten’ mall back on the map

DAISY XIONG

dxiong@richmond-news

com

At the corner of Cambie and Garden City roads sits a three-storey shopping mall Although it’s down the street from the busy Continental Shopping Centre and a block away from Aberdeen Centre and President Plaza, its quietness is in sharp contrast with these other malls

Parked cars and lights in the shops remind people it is an operational mall, but the peeling paint on the blank ad boards and the empty alleys put some doubts in your head

Pacific Plaza at 8888 Odlin Cres. opened in 1998 with the same name as one of the most popular shopping centres in Hong Kong.

“I heard many people say they’ve been in Richmond for over 20 years, but they had no idea there was such a building at this location,” said Kenneth Ho, the plaza’s strata council secretary and owner of Origin Café

The newly elected strata council, which includes some youngergeneration owners, is working with other business owners to upgrade the 25-year-old mall to give it a new

look and put it back on the map.

Unlike other shopping malls where shops are placed in a central location, Pacific Plaza is U-shaped with a three-storey parking lot in the centre and shops along the sides

Between the car park and shops are two sheltered escalators.

“It’s a mystery why the mall was designedinthiswaybackthen,”said Ho, adding it was one of the largest mallsinRichmondwhenitwasbuilt.

As a result of the scattered design, the majority of businesses are professional services such as accounting and law firms, extracurricular schools or phone repair shops

Each shop is owned by an individual, many from different backgrounds, either focusing on their own business or living abroad and renting out the unit.

This made it challenging to get everyone on-board to improve the mall, said Edwin Tsang, strata council chair

“There are a lot of things that require modifications and we have to look into. A lot of work has just been

put aside in the past decades, and now because the building is getting old, if we don’t fix it, things will get worse,” he said

For many malls, the food court is the main driver of traffic to the shops But, because of the unique design of the mall the food court is in a closed space and people can’t access it unless they find the entrance and go through a door that doesn’t apply to Pacific Plaza

“You don’t see the food court from outside Iguessbackthen,thefood court was mainly for business owners and their employees to use, but now the demand has changed,” said Ho

So despite some great restaurants, foot traffic is lower than at other malls Ho said most customers here are returning customers who initially found the place online or were referred by friends.

“Once they tried our food, they kept coming back But it’s not a place you would walk past and be like, ‘I’m going to check it out,’” he said.

New council brings new vision Thenewstratacouncilhasreached out to other business owners about upgrading the mall They’ve also redesigned its newsletter to keep business owners up-to-date on any developments and hired a professional property management team There are many things on their to-do list, including upgrading the facilities and interior decorations, replacing the furniture in the food court, and adding a map and signs in the mall to make it easier for customers to navigate around The trees outside the mall also need to be trimmed.

“We will also do more events and promotions to attract more people, for example, hanging artwork done by students in the plaza’s art schools, to make the mall not just a service place but also a fun place for people to visit,” said Ho

Development Permit Panel Meeting

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

3:30 p.m. in Council Chambers

Agenda Items:

1. 10140, 10160, 10180 No.1 Road and 4051 Cavendish DriveDP 21-940028 - The Panatch Group - To permit the construction of 35 townhouse units at 10140, 10160, 10180 No.1 Road and 4051 Cavendish Drive on a site zoned “Town Housing (ZT88) - No. 1 Road (Steveston)”.

Please call 604-276-4395 for further information.

Please note: If you are unable to attend the Development Permit Panel meeting in-person, you may provide written comments in advance of the meeting by email to cityclerk@richmond.ca, by standard mail, or participate in the meeting remotely by teleconference. Registration to participate remotely is available starting on the Friday prior to the meeting until 1:00 p.m on the date of the meeting Information on how to register is available on the City website: https://citycouncil.richmond.ca/meetings/phone-participation.htm

Edwin Tsang (right) and Kenneth Ho (left) from Pacific Plaza’s strata council and Vivian Man, assistant mall supervisor, are working with other business owners to update Pacific Plaza Daisy Xiong photo

Can chiropractors help with running injuries?

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Nine-year-old takes to stage at fireworks

VIKKI HUI vhui@richmond-news com

The Richmond News spent 30 minutes with Estella Celeste Banez and we still haven’t gotten to the bottom of all her talents.

Singer, ventriloquist, podcast host, jewelry designer, business owner and activist these are just some of the titles held by the nineyear-old Richmond resident

Estella was on the stage at Saturday’s Celebration of Lights, where she sang English and Filipino songs just before the Philippines made its debut in the fireworks competition “I love to sing And it makes me happy, and it also makes the people happy. I also hope that God’s happy, too,” she said For Estella, her autistic brother is her main inspiration.

“He knows a lot about music and he can play the piano by ear He can play the guitar by ear He can play many more And music is the way that we communicate.”

Estella, who began performing when she was four, was invited to perform at the event by the Philippine consulate.

Although she is no stranger to facing large audiences, Saturday’s performance was Estella’s largest yet with more than 400,000 spectators expected at the event

The number is a “small amount,” said Estella, who briefly mixed up 400,000 with 40,000 Estella’s mother, Kaye Banez, on the other hand, suspects Estella was in denial The third grader still has a ways to go on her math journey, she added.

Unfazed, Estella said she planned to draw on the energy of her fellow Filipinos during her performance

Show me the money

Well-versed in all music genres, Estella also has other hobbies up her sleeve

She has been working on her ventriloquism skills as well as producing a podcast series, Estella Says!, set to make a return in the fall

Estella is also a staunch advocate for the autism community.

Not only did she collect photos of kids affected by the B C government’s decision to cut back autism funding and meet with legislators, she also produced a podcast episode on the issue

But wait, there’s more

“My other hobby is being a businesswoman,” said Estella

She started her first business, Oh My Bling, when she was five years old. For her launch, she held a fundraiser for the Richmond Christmas Fund by organizing a fashion show with her kindergarten classmates to showcase her self-designed jewelry.

Estella recently started her second business, Oh My Bows, selling eye-catching and multifunctional bows.

“My bows aren’t just for hair They’re useful for curtains You can use them for a dog leash or a bunny leash or a cat leash. Or (as a) snack clip,” she explained

“If it’s a hot day and you’re wearing a bow on your head, and it’s so hot that you’re melting in the car, take out your bow and just fan yourself”

And what motivates Estella to juggle her businesses and hobbies?

“I really want to make money,” she said, adding she’s been investing her earnings in either silver or ice cream

Singing is just one of nine-year-old Estella Banez’ many hobbies Photo submitted

You’re going to lose access to local news on Facebook and Google.

Dear readers,

Your access to local, provincial and national news is going to be revoked on Google, Facebook and Instagram. And it’s not because of anything we’ve done.

Recently, Canada passed the Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18, which has led to a standoff between the government, Google and Meta the parent company behind Facebook and Instagram

Both Google and Meta have said they plan to cut ties with the news industry in Canada as a result.

This means Meta will block the posting and sharing of our news articles on Facebook and Instagram. Google will also remove links to our sites and articles in Google News, Discover and search results. They’ll also cancel significant content licensing agreements already in place with our parent company, Glacier Media

Undoubtedly, this will have a huge impact not solely on us but, more importantly, on people like yourself who may use these platforms to discover what’s happening in your community and to get context to events happening in your own backyard.

We’re not planning on going anywhere, but here’s how you can help:

1. Sign up for our free daily newsletter by scanning the QR code (And encourage your family and friends to do the same)

2. Follow us on Twitter

3. Bookmark our website as the homepage on your devices.

4. Consider becoming a member if you aren’t already. Your support will help us continue to cover local stories, by locals.

5. If you own/operate a local business, consider supporting local by placing ads with 100% Canadian-owned media outlets, like us.

With your help, more people will be able to get their local news from a trusted source In today’s age of misinformation, that’s more important than ever.

Thank you. We appreciate you.

Sincerely,

The Richmond News team

Cycling to remember his father

VALERIE LEUNG vleung@richmond-news com

Richmond resident Dennis Soriano

first rode the Tour de Cure in 2012 and every year after that for his mother who had breast cancer. Last year, however, his fundraising efforts and the 200-kilometre bike ride changed focus from one parent to the other.

In 2022, Soriano rode in memory of his father who passed away from an aggressive form of esophageal cancer just a couple months before the Cloverdale-Chilliwack cycling trip

“Last year was tough but I still rode on, in memory of him, because he passed a couple of months prior to the ride ”

This year will be his 11th time taking part in Tour de Cure, and he’s encouraging the public to help raise money, ride along or just cheer along the sidelines

“If anyone has time to get out there, there are certain points in the course of the ride where people gather to support the riders, that’s huge for people that are riding that distance ”

Tour de Cure is B.C.’s biggest cycling fundraiser for cancer research and care where Soriano and about 2,000 cyclists ride 100 kilometres on both Aug 26 and Aug 27

“It’s been over a year now not having dad around and I want to dedicate another year to him and my mom who is a cancer survivor,” said Soriano

He described his father as a selfless individual who was his biggest supporter in fundraising and training for the Tour de Cure

“My dad would always be the guy where you can call him and he would pick me up wherever it was and help me out He would always put others before himself”

Soriano’s annual tradition of cycling for the Tour de Cure began two years after his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“After (my mom’s) time dealing with treatments and surgeries I was always looking for something to give back to the community,” he said Aside from the doctors and researchers, Soriano added, the community, friends and people in general have helped his family and other cancer patients make the recovery period more comfortable.

“My goal is to keep pushing towards fundraising every year so that people don’t have to go through what we went through last year with my dad.”

To support Soriano and his ride, https://tinyurl com/2k7bsth4

Lansdowne Centre is hosting drive-in movies on Wednesday evenings this summer Lansdowne Centre photo

Drive-in movies return to Lansdowne Mall

VALERIE LEUNG

vleung@richmond-news com

Free drive-in movie nights are returning to Richmond’s Lansdowne Centre

Every Wednesday until Aug. 30, Fresh Air Cinema will play a movie in the shopping centre’s northwest parking lot, at No 3 Road and Alderbridge Way

Spots are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Movies will begin after sunset

Movie listing:

Aug 9 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3

Aug. 16 Fast X

Aug 23 Top Gun: Maverick

Aug 30 Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

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Over 2600 sq ft 4 bdrm and games (could be 5th bdrm) in the highly sought after ‘Westwind’ subdivision! Features generous room sizes, newer vinyl window throughout and a large double car garage Back yard is an entertainer’s dream with a huge deck off the kitchen and mature landscaping offering a private sanctuary for family BBQ’s! Super location, just a stone’s throw to the Elementary school and a 15 minute walk along the river into Steveston Village Call now for your private viewing!

Richmond resident Dennis Soriano (left) and his late father after a previous Tour de Cure event.

Dennis Soriano photo

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REMEMBRANCES

Obituaries

MURRAY, Susan Mary (nee Andrusak)

Susan was born on January 10th, 1943 and passed on Juy 26th, 2023 after a short but painful battle wth cancer

Susan was born to parents Fred and Mona Andrusak in Leceister, Great Britan When the war ended, Fred moved hs Welsh bride and young daughter to Canada, orgnaly movng to the Praires n 1948 the family moved to B C settling n Port Coqutlam Unfortunately they lost al ther belongngs that were n transt during the 1948 flood and had to start agan from scratch Fred was a home builder and bult several of the homes on Kely Ave She was high sprited and a gifted athete and had many trophies and rbbons to show for her efforts

From high school Susan went on to UBC in the physical educaton program

There she met her ony husband, Robert Murray There was great love between the two of them, they married and shorty after daughter Kristene was born, 2 years later son Sean came along They divorced in 1971 and it was decided both children woud lve with Robert When they moved from the ower manand n 1973 Susan decided to feed the trave bug that had always been eating at her She traveled the world extensivey for several years sending her children fascinating letters and presents from far flung countries before returning to Canada in the late 1970’s Wth the chldren still away from Vancouver, Susan moved to Montreal where she continued her delayed educaton, eventually earning a Masters degree n linguistics From there she taught at Concordia and McGl Universities Kristene has many happy memores of spendng time wth Susan there Susan traveled agan n late 1987 to teach for a year in Beijng, Chna Upon returning , Susan moved back to the West Coast to be closer to her chidren and the ocean which she so loved She spent many afternoons at the beach swimming in the ocean and taught at Caplano Colege until retring Susan travelled agan in her ater years to Mexco, Costa Rca, India and Greece, the travel bug never left her

In 2000 her grandson Brandon was born and he truy was the ight of her ife She went to every one of hs hockey games and her wals were filed with hs pictures Susan was incredibly nteligent and could debate any subject with anyone She had a wcked sense of humour right up to the end The last few years were not good to Susan’s health and she was unable to go to her happy pace at the beach, she mssed it and her friends there very much

Susan is survived by her chidren, Kristene and Sean, and her beoved grandson Brandon Woo Kristene, Sean and Brandon woud ike to thank the wonderful staff in the paliatve ward at VGH for ther kind and compassonate care of Susan durng her ast two weeks

Rest easy Mom, you’re no longer in pain and free to travel the world and hit up your favourite beach We love you

ALLARD, Gladys

July 10, 1921 - March 1, 2023

Gadys ived a ful and happy life She leaves many good memories for her famiy, daughter Sandra (Tak Inouye) and son, Gary (Joanda )Alard, grandchildren; Caro (Brent Clarke), Frank Inouye, and Michael (Sherry) Alard; great grandchildren, Graham and David Clarke, Alexa and Rchard Inouye, and Avery and Ashyn Allard as well as many frends and neghbours Gladys was born n York, England, ony chid of Alfred and Nelie Connell They immgrated to Toronto n 1928, where she met Frank, her husband of 57 years They moved to Rchmond, BC in 1986 Frank ded in 1998 Always outgong, Gladys moved easly into Maples n 2015, where she rekndled her painting and craftng abiities Covd landed her in Mnoru residence, where the staff nicknamed her the “Queen” as she hed court

A memoral servce wil be hed August 17th, 10 am at St Albans Church 7260 St Albans Road, Rchmond, BC folowed by internment of Frank and Gadys’ ashes and refreshments

HICKS, Iris R.

December, 1926 - July, 2023

Our wonderful mother passed away peacefuly in Richmond on July 17th Predeceased by her husband Percy in 2009 the ove of her life She was a very actve 96 year old who made us proud daly She was so inteligent, witty and ncredibly generous Mom was wel known in Richmond, the city she oved, for her partcipation in numerous clubs and her many hours of vounteering She is fondly remembered for the years she worked at Richmond Twn Theatre, Minoru Arena and Centennal Pool Pagoda - the kids oved her This amazing ady s survved by her children Lesley (Leo), Paul (Marg), Erc (Jacinta), Tony (Joan): grandchidren Denise (Ryan), Km (Alen), Christopher, and Mchael: great grandchldren Nataie, Catlyn, Ryee and Gavn

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