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Mayor charts course; Day, Loo sworn in Plan aims to house 75,000 more residents by 2041 Graeme Wood
Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com
Pro-wrestlers from ECCW (Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling) put on a rip-roaring show Friday night at the Ukrainian Community Centre in aid of a sick Rottweiler named Kona, who’s in the care of the Richmond Animal Protection Society and needs $5,000 worth of surgery to help her live a pain-free life. Go to page 6 to see more photos and catch our online gallery at Richmond-News.com. Photo by Gord Goble/Special to the News
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Carol Day and Alexa Loo were sworn in as city councillors at the inaugural Richmond City Council meeting Monday evening, in which Mayor Malcolm Brodie gave his annual address and made council appointments. Taking an oath of office to uphold transparency and honesty on council, Loo and Day officially became councillors after the Honourable Madame Justice Mary Newbury bestowed the honour upon them. Six incumbent councillors and Brodie replicated the oaths in front of a council chamber filled to capacity. Brodie spoke to the past council’s achievements and how they, along with new council directives, will shape the city’s future. He said an updated Official Community Plan should oversee growth in City Centre until 2041 to accommodate 75,000 more residents. Such growth will be met with added community amenities, such as the recently planned two new fire halls, new Minoru Aquatic Centre and Older Adults Centre and the City Centre Community Centre,
Councillors Alex Loo, left, and Carol Day take the oath. all funded by a record, annual capital budget of $185 million in 2014. With a new RCMP headquarters and retrofitted fire halls, Brodie noted the city “will have a complete set of modern, post-disaster related public safety buildings.” Brodie purports that growth in the city has been met with financial sustainability. “By building our financial reserves and levering alternative revenue sources, the City has funded capital construction …with little impact on property taxes,” he said. Taxes remain average in the region and the city has taken out a low-interest, $50 million loan to partly pay for Minoru pool. The loan will be paid off with casino gaming revenues. “Civic growth fosters both opportunity and challenge,”
said Brodie. To complement growth, Brodie also noted the myriad of community projects underway. The Garden City Legacy Landscape Plan will provide a framework for the 136-acre park and nature reserve, which should take years to develop. He noted the newly opened Railway Greenway is part of a growing cycling network, which, along with increased transit services, should help the city achieve its goal of not adding any more vehicles to its roads. A planned park on the Fraser River’s Middle Arm is part of the city’s publicly accessible waterfront, featuring a dyke network that plans to be ready for “sea level rise as a result of global warming,” said Brodie. ! For council appointments and Brodie’s full speech, go to Richmond-News.com.
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Steveston’s Suzi sees sun rise over Everest Alan Campbell
Staff Reporter acampbell@richmond-news.com
Despite reaching her goal, Mt. Everest’s base camp at 17,500 feet, Suzi Doggett had one more tantalizing target the next morning at 5 a.m. on the world’s tallest mountain. Steveston mom-of-three Doggett and around 10 or so of her fellow climbers — including Richmond Fire-Rescue battalion chief Trevor Johnson — made the short, pre-dawn trek from base camp to Kala Patthar at 18,200 feet to witness the sun rising over Everest. “It was a very difficult leg of the trip, but it was spectacular,” said Doggett, who was making the journey as part of the Summits of Hope (SOH) pledge to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital. “We were there just long enough to take a few pictures and that was it, as we had a long journey back. “It was minus 20 (Celsius) when we left base camp, but we had taken a few layers off on the way there, as the sun started to come up.” Doggett described the entire 12-day trek as “fantastic” and praised the local Nepalese people for being “gracious and
happy to show you their beautiful part of the planet.” There were, of course, a few challenges along the way; but not from the anticipated altitude sickness. “We all struggled at some point,” added Doggett. “When I was in Ecuador last year (also an SOH trip); it was much lower but I felt the effects more that time. “This time, all I got was a bit of a respiratory bug, but you take your chances on these trips.” Last year, Doggett raised $15,000 trekking up active and dormant volcanoes in Ecuador on an SOH trip. And with donations still coming in from the latest adventure, Doggett is already eyeing up the next SOH journey in 2015. “I very much plan to do it again. I’m not sure what they have planned for next year, but I’d be very interested.” Summits of Hope, a Richmond-based non-profit organization, organizes every year, two fundraising treks to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital. Since 1999, SOH has raised more than $3 million for BC Children’s Hospital. All participants pay for their own trips and try to raise funds in the process.
Suzie Doggett reaches Mt. Everest base camp as part of a 12-day trek for charity, complete with the teddy bear she borrowed from BC Children’s Hospital and will return very soon. Right, the entire Summits of Hope team on Everest, included four other Richmondites.
Clay company boss saves school breakfast club
Rodger Upton, centre, was at Mitchell elementary last week to meet with principal Jason Higo and vice-principal Christine Marin. Photo By Vancouver Sun
Last year, when a fire destroyed Bella Bella’s only grocery store, Richmond businessman Rodger Upton organized an airlift of groceries and supplies to the remote First Nations community to tide it over, but this year his concern is a lot closer to home. Mitchell elementary in northeast Richmond — a school where slightly less than half of its 300 families are living at or below the poverty line — is in his backyard. After seeing that the school had again applied for help from The Vancouver Sun’s Adopt-A-School (AAS) campaign to keep its breakfast program operating, Upton — who owns Ironwood Clay Company on Jacombs Road — was at the school last week to meet with principal Jason Higo and vice-principal Christine Marin to offer help.
The combination of Higo and Marin is unique. When Higo attended Lord Byng elementary, his Grade 1 teacher was Marin. “She’s a very special lady and I think it was having her as a teacher which convinced me to go into teaching,” said Higo, who once worked as a commercial fisherman. Mitchell, a school of 430 students on Cambie and No. 5 Road, is in an area where many families struggle economically. The poverty shows at school when children come hungry or without a proper lunch. Marin said the effects of poverty were in plain sight recently when a teacher had to take a child out of class because she couldn’t keep her eyes open. “She was sharing a bedroom with five other people and she hadn’t slept.
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“And she hadn’t eaten either because by the time she got up, there’s five kids ahead of her and she got missed.” Due to a shortage of funds, the school serves breakfast only twice a week. Upton said he will give $5,000 to Adopt-A-School to enable staff to increase the number of breakfast days and to provide extra funds for lunch. Higo and Marin do the shopping for the Breakfast Club and the menu is toasted cheese sandwiches, cereal, milk, fruit and fruit juice, sometimes smoothies if they have enough cash. “We do it as a buffet,” said Marin. “And then we take the leftover food and put it on carts so that children who come late to school and have missed breakfast can come out of class and get something to eat.” — Gerry Bellet/Vancouver Sun
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Grand Reopening
SHARK FIN
MLA pushes for ban
B.C.-wide law is possible argues Andrew Weaver Alan Campbell
7 and 8 students from his riding. “I don’t worry about why something didn’t work, I’m only looking at making it work and finding ways that it can. We do have the power in B.C. to regulate this. For those who still want to participate in buying shark fin products, we can have an exclusion for the spiny dogfish, which are plentiful in B.C. “Provincially, we can regulate what is sold in stores. This is about a ban or restriction on the sale of shark fins in B.C., not the importation of them, which is under federal jurisdiction.” Demand is going down as the public becomes more aware of the extinction issues, said Weaver. “But some things just need a little kick. Although, you can’t even get shark fin soup in Victoria, and we have the oldest Chinese community in Canada.” Weaver said Minister Letnick’s staff is now looking over his material. He hopes to hear back next month.
Staff Reporter acampbell@richmond-news. com
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With shark fin soup still on the menu in many of Richmond’s Chinese restaurants, an MLA has started a new push for a provincial ban on the sale of the controversial product. The drive, however, to restrict the sale of shark fin items, isn’t coming from any of Richmond’s three B.C. politicians, but from the BC Green party MLA Andrew Weaver, who represents Oak Bay-Gordon Head. Weaver raised the issue recently in the Legislature and met last week with the Minister of Agriculture, Norm Letnick, to ask for his support in helping halt a practice which many experts believe is threatening certain species of shark. Weaver is well aware of how sensitive the issue is in Richmond, where shark fin soup is sold in many Chinese restaurants, including Jade Seafood, on Alexandra Road, where, in 2013, MP
Andrew Weaver, MLA Alice Wong ceremoniously ate a bowl of the soup for Chinese-only media. In the past couple of years, Richmond and other cities have considered bans but have not followed through on the proposal. Toronto had its bid thrown out by the courts and New Westminster MP Finn Donnelly had his bid for a federal ban voted down. Still, Weaver is adamant, after seeking fresh legal opinion, that a provincial ban on the sale of shark fin products is workable in B.C. “(Donnelly’s bill) didn’t make it because it was voted down, not because it wasn’t workable,” said Weaver, whose attention was focused on the issue by Grade 6,
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Land values challenged Assessment appeals could cut into city budgets Frank O’Brien
Staff Reporter Vancouver Courier
A recent court decision to uphold the Property Assessment Appeal Board’s (PAAB) ruling on Nav Canada properties on Vancouver Island, does not bode well for Richmond. Nav Canada, an organization that runs civil air traffic control in Canada, won a decision to have its Island property assessment significantly reduced. The organization argued that the property couldn’t be used for anything else. Nav Canada has also appealed to the PAAB to reduce the value of its land at YVR from $9.9 million to $20. If the appeal is successful, Richmond would lose an estimated $80,000 in annual taxes. Mayor Malcolm Brodie called the situation ridiculous. “Just because you have a unique use for a building or some property and it’s zoned accordingly, to say it has no value is just fiction,” Brodie said. But the Nav Canada situation is the tip of the iceberg. In fact, Richmond, Vancouver and other municipalities are facing another tax blast
that could blow a multimillion-dollar hole through city budgets. In September, the B.C. Assessment Authority lost a PAAB ruling to a developer. In that case, the decision went in favor of Amacon, which launched the assessment appeal regarding lots it owns in Vancouver valued at $3 million to $4 million each. The properties currently house small retail outlets and parking lots, but Amacon plans to develop them into high-density residential and retail. In the ruling, PAAB agreed with an argument put forward by an appraisal firm that the land should be taxed based on the existing commercial property, not on future development potential, and that a residential property tax rate, which is 4.5 times less than the commercial rate, be applied on future development. The lower assessment would save Amacon more than $200,000 a year. B.C. Assessment has appealed the decision to B.C. Supreme Court, but if the PAAB ruling stands, it would affect development properties in Richmond and across the Lower Mainland. Estimates say total tax revenue in play is in the tens of millions of dollars.
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THEPULSE WE’VE GOT OUR FINGERS ON IT RUSTLIN’ UP SOME CASH FOR KONA
Wrestling fans helped rustle up around $2,000 for Kona the Rottweiler during a special performance Friday night at the Ukrainian Community Centre. Kona, who is being cared for by the Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS), requires surgical treatment worth about $5,000 to correct a painful, degenerative leg joint condition. Photos by Gord Goble/Special to the News
Submit Your Pictures To editor@richmond-news.com with The Pulse in the subject line. For more photo galleries, visit richmond-news.com
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NEWS Time to light up, Richmond. If you’ve got a great light display like this one at 7800 Sunnymede, tell us about it. We will compile a list to run in the Dec. 17 edition of the Richmond News. Photo by Eve Edmonds/ Richmond News
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Where to see Santa, and cost The annual Steveston Santa Claus Parade will be held on Christmas Eve, starting on Regent Street and ending at Garry Point Park. The parade — organized this year by Richmond Fire Rescue — will take place on Dec. 24, starting at 5 p.m. The route will be shortened and it will avoid major streets with bus routes, according to the City of Richmond. Santa will be zig-zagging his way through Steveston’s side streets for about 45 minutes and can meet children at the end of the route in the park. On Christmas Eve, to get
to the parade, Santa will, of course, be using his magic and special knowledge of the space-time continuum, by darting from Lansdowne Centre at 4:59 p.m. where he will have been greeting children throughout the month. Mandatory photos with him cost $20. Inexplicably, the Big Guy will also be at Richmond Centre, Tuesday through Sunday, with photo packages costing $25. Of course, Saint Nicholas is a big fan of Steveston and will be at the Steveston Interurban Tram this Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon to 3 p.m. for a reading of the
Polar Express. Sunday, Dec. 7, Santa will arrive at Steveston harbour by boat then host visitors at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery from 2-4 p.m. If you cannot meet him at any of these places, you may write to him by sending a letter addressed to the North Pole with the postal code HOH OHO. According to Canada Post, you must send your letter by Dec. 16 so that Santa’s 6,000 postal elves can respond in time, as he is expected to receive about 1.5 million letters. See the parade route online at Richmond-News.com
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Send your story ideas or photo submissions to Richmond News editor Eve Edmonds at editor@richmond-news.com
EDITORIAL OPINION
True patriot love
A
uditor General Michael Ferguson released a report this week that found one in five military veterans suffering from the mental wounds of war are not getting timely access to the care and benefits they need. It’s the latest in a yearslong series of shameful recognitions that the veterans of today are slipping through the cracks. More Canadian soldiers have died from suicide in the last 10 years than were killed in combat in Afghanistan. The New Veterans Charter, put in place by the
government in 2005, remains the subject of a class action lawsuit from wounded vets who receive less compensation than veterans of all previous conflicts received. There’s also the closing of veterans services offices, making it harder for those in need to actually reach the services they are entitled to. As a society, we are no longer deluded about what war means for those who fight it. It’s not the adventure and glory promised by First World War recruitment posters. Somewhere between 10 and 15 per cent of combat
soldiers are likely to suffer PTSD. And yet the Prime Minister and his party display a remarkable audacity in order to bolster their political image. When the CBC reached out to Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino for comment on the Auditor General’s findings, reporters were told he had joined the delegation of Second World War veterans for the 70th anniversary of the Italian campaign in Italy. This is a pattern any Canadian considering joining our military must now consider before they enlist.
Greed fuels our leadership class
Q
uestion: If someone is getting a really nice salary, six figures, but they hold out for more money, are they greedy? You might say yes. You might say that it’s complicated, and economic factors and high costs of living and getting the best candidate for the job and tough tasks and blah blah blah excuse me while I go throw up. This week we got two brilliant examples of how power and greed go hand in hand, and how everyone in a position of power just signs off on it. First, we found out that Dr. Max Coppes was given an extra $75,000 a year in money taken straight out of charitable donations to boost his salary as head of the B.C. Cancer Agency. His salary was already $561,000 a year, by the way. It was the former head of the Provincial Health Services Authority who asked for the boost. The whole point of the B.C. Cancer
PainfulTruth
Foundation is to raise money to buy equipment and to pay for cancer research. It is not so that some senior executive can upgrade to the better grade of champagne to fill his
Matthew Claxton Columnist jacuzzi. Coppes’ sickening greed is particularly alarming for a pediatric oncologist, someone who should know the difference an extra several hundred thousand dollars can make when it comes to buying hospital equipment. Meanwhile, Amrik Virk, our minister of advanced education, is in trouble because of more emails coming to light, showing that he was in on the scheme to “top up” the salary of senior staffers at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, while Virk was serving on the board. In 2011, Virk wrote that an extra $20,000 “research allowance” was a good way to get around government pay caps for an incoming KPU vice-president. The VP, Anne Lavack, would eventually
get a salary of $170,000 her single year at KPU, plus $50,000 for moving expenses, the $20,000 research payment, and $50,000 for a “pre-employment” consulting contract. Let’s see, who else is staggeringly overpaid around here? TransLink CEO Ian Jarvis made $468,015 in 2013. That would seem fair, if buses magically flew through the skies on pink pixie wings, carrying each of us individually to our destinations. Michael Corrigan, CEO of BC Ferries is doing better, making $563,000 in exchange for raising rates while reducing service. Ah, but I can hear the whinging apologists approaching, shuffling forward to grovel before the powerful. “These jobs require special skills, leadership abilities, charisma, experience! It’s hard to find people who can do them well, and they must be attracted with fitting compensation!” But… but they don’t do their jobs well! They are often incompetent, disliked, and
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wasteful. Coppes is gone, having essentially been run out of town amid increasing patient wait times and morale problems in the agency. TransLink and BC Ferries? If half a million gets us this level of service, do we have to pony up $10 million to get something worthwhile? The same thing happens in private enterprise, of course, where CEOs regularly produce massive layoffs, inefficient mergers, or bankruptcies while lining their own pockets. The same people often switch from public to private, CEO to president, from the boardrooms of for-profits to nonprofits to government consulting work. It’s a system of, by, and for the powerful, where those signing off on the salaries expect to be the ones getting them someday. It’s based on greed. It’s based on entitlement. It’s based on the idea that the people in charge are better than the rest of us. Matthew Claxton is a reporter for the Langley Advance.
The Richmond News is a member of the Glacier Media Group. The News respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at www.richmond-news.com. The Richmond News is also a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body. The council considers complaints from the public about conduct of member newspapers. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint, contact the council. Your written concern with documentation should be sent to 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. www.bcpresscouncil.org.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
LETTERS
Officials work for us see a doctor unless they were wealthy enough to pay for it. Mr. Douglas worked tirelessly to bring change. He is the father of a health care system that is envied by many nations. Pierre Trudeau brought us a system of codified rights for our protection — though I fear some of today’s politicians wish he had not. I put the challenge to you, the voter, to ask any person seeking election, what they will do for Canada. If they are seeking re-election, ask what they have done for Canada. If you like what you have, keep them in office; if not, send them packing. When I read of politicians using a variety of tricks to
hide communications and facts from the public, I am angered. But when I see the voting public re-elect them, I am disappointed. Remember, politicians work for you! An employee sitting on his/her butt for three and a half years, followed by a six-month burst of energy, is not good enough. An employee that lies and hides facts from his/her employer is not good to have on the payroll. I have seen some pretty sad cases re-elected. It is up to the employer, the voter, to deal with them. Keep an eye on your employees! Scott Stewart Richmond
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The Editor, Re: “What’s the point of voting?” Letters, Nov. 28. I feel the writer’s pain in asking “why have elections?” but I disagree with his feeling of hopelessness. While many folks get into politics for the money and or fame, some go there to change things. Sure, a good number only put their nose to the grindstone once in four years. These people are only effective when they are worried about their job. However, other politicians see the need for change and work towards it. I only need to say the name “Tommy Douglas” to bring back memories of a time when a person couldn’t
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Count on changing system The Editor, Re: “What’s the point of voting?” Letters, Nov. 28. In last Friday’s paper, a letter writer asked, “What’s the point of voting?” He answered his own question with “there is no point as politicians do not respond to voters.” There is another option to withholding your vote, and that is to change the system to make your vote count in all elections. Ten years ago, the
BC Citizens’ Assembly considered the need for electoral reform and after a year of considering the issue, this representative body overwhelmingly supported proportional representation using the Single Transferrable Vote (STV) method. This proposal narrowly failed to reach the 60 per cent requirement in the subsequent referendum. Voter disaffection with unrepresentative bodies at all levels of government as
a result of our first-pastthe-post voting system, requires that we revisit the Citizens’ Assembly’s conclusions and use the STV method for elections in B.C. and Canada. I want my vote to count equally to yours (but not more) and to elect representatives based on all votes holding all elected members accountable to their constituents. Richard Mathias Richmond
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Thanks for the smile The Editor, As important as dental health is to our overall health, dental care is not covered by BC Health Insurance. To those with limited incomes and/or family responsibilities, but without employment benefit plans to cover dental costs, even basic dental care is often unaffordable. However, one of our local heroes and a small army of volunteers offer a remedy. Dr. Doug Nielsen, of Steveston Smiles Family Dentistry, colleagues, members of his staff, Richmond Hospital Auxiliary Volunteers, and doctors and students from the UBC School of Dentistry,
held one of their biannual free dental clinics at the Richmond Hospital. They put in a 12-hour day and I was, once again, one of the many beneficiaries of this clinic, receiving a cleaning and check up at no charge. So, I sincerely thank Dr. Nielsen, his wife Susan and all the other doctors and their staff, the volunteers at the hospital, and especially Amanda, the final-year student, who did my cleaning in a very professional and thorough manner. I want them all to know how grateful I, among many, are for their help. Ramblin’ Ryan Lake Richmond
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A10 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
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RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
rSPIRITUAL u OCOMMUNITY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
A11
RACCOON COLORING CONTEST 1. Paula H. Ballet and Creative Dance Classes Specializing in the small child 2 to 9 years old
GIVE THE GIFT OF DANCE GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE 604-272-0607 Email: gabriela@movementstudio.ca
2. Andrea H. 3. Marcus C. 4. Louis W. 5. Aika W. Winners will be contacted by phone. Please pickup gift certificate from the Richmond News Office, 5731 No. 3 Road.
Winners for November 19th Issue
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CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
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Meeting Saturday Nights 6:30pm at Our Saviour Lutheran, 6340 No. 4 Road, Richmond
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A12 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
Steveston Treasures Celebrate the Holidays at Paesano’s Thanks to you, Paesano’s is Richmond’s #1 Italian Restaurant, again. It is the perfect place to have your holiday lunch or dinner gathering. Located in the heart of Steveston Village, Paesano’s has been serving awardwinning authentic Italian creations for over 35 years. Try our legendary Ossobuco, iconic home-made lasagna or cannelloni and Xinish with our renowned Tiramisu. Book your Christmas party at Paesano’s for this holiday season. Take advantage of our gift certiXicate sale: purchase $125 certiXicate for $100. We’re open seven days a week 11:30am to 10:00pm. 604-270-9252 www.paesanos.ca
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ARTS THEATRE
Blame it on the boys Philip Raphael
Staff Reporter praphael@richmond-news. com
Blame it all on Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, Neverland and the magic of local theatre. That’s what got Richmond’s David Cohen interested in the glow of the footlights when he was just a toddler. He was watching his older brother, Andrew, in a holiday production of Peter Pan at the Gateway Theatre and knew right there and then that’s what he wanted to do. “How could I not love that,” says Cohen. “It was this great fantasy world where people were on stage ‘flying’ and fighting pirates.” Seventeen years later, Cohen, now 20, is well familiar with the stage at Gateway Theatre, especially during the holiday season after appearing in numerous
David Cohen productions over the years. This time out he’s part of the cast of Crazy For You, a musical that taps into the feel good, toe-tapping musical genius of George and Ira Gershwin that opens Dec. 4 and runs until Dec. 31. The stage comes to life with 1930s New York with a story about bachelor Bobby Child — a theatre lover whose day job is in the family bank — who finds
his true love in the middle of nowhere after he’s forced to foreclose on a property. Cohen, a grad of McMath secondary, plays Mingo, one third of the Cowboy Trio in the show, plus he is the understudy to the lead character Bobby, played by Gaelan Beatty. “It’s a very demanding show athletically and vocally, said Cohen. “But it’s great to be challenged.” As part of the Cowboy Trio, Cohen said he has plenty of dancing and climbing to do. “I counted the other day, and I have seven lifts,” he quips. “That means I have to lift someone seven times during the course of the show. And we’re up and down ladders, tapping and dancing with brooms.” see COHEN › page 13
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ARTS
Cohen: Big shoes to fill ‹ from page 12
Aside from that, Cohen says as an understudy he also has to be ready to step into the lead role if required. “Those are pretty big shoes to fill. And that’s always in the back of your mind,” he says. “I can be nervewracking, but it’s all part of being involved with the theatre.” And the demands are well worth the experience performers get from the audience, especially during the holiday season when most community theatres up the ante of their productions to stage a musical. “Musicals almost always have a much greater scope than other productions during the rest of the year,” Cohen says. “There’s a bigger cast, lots of music, more elaborate
Gaelan Beatty, right, star of Crazy For You. lighting, flashier costumes and plenty of choreography.” And the audiences often match the feel-good vibe of the shows. “It’s the holidays, a time when people are thinking more about coming out to
the theatre to see some great entertainment,” Cohen says, reeling off a list of other Gateway shows he’s been part of at this time of year. “I’ve been in the King and I (2003 production), The Secret Garden and Thoroughly Modern Millie,” he says. Cohen has also taken to the stage in a variety of local productions for Theatre Under the Stars and performed at the Vancouver International Fringe Festival. When not performing he manages to find time to continue his studies in political science at UBC. Crazy For You runs Dec. 4-31 at Gateway Theatre. For tickets, more information, and a run down of this season’s productions visit gateway theatre.com.
A13
Steveston Treasures Bliss is a locally-owned jewellery and gift store located on Bayview at 1st Ave (beside Waves Coffee House) in the historic Steveston Village. We are thrilled to have added the PYRRHA line of meaningful Vancouver hand-made Talismans for men and women cast in reclaimed Sterling Silver and Bronze from authentic 19th century wax seals to our selection. Peace of Mind Talisman (In Store in Bronze and Silver) The French talisman reads ‘Je Console’, which means ‘I comfort’. Anchors, which are used to keep vessels from going adrift in strong wind or current, represent stability and peace of mind. Other lines that we carry include: • The PANDORA jewellery line that includes bracelets, charms, necklaces, rings and earrings • Metalwork made in Nanaimo, BC by Jack Willoughby of Anvil Island Design • Small Personal Item belts from SPIbelt for adults and kids • Fun magnets designed by Sa Boothroyd
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A14 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
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GATEWAY THEATRE
The Seafair Minor Hockey Peewee A1 Team is holding a Food Bank Drive at Save On Foods (Ironwood and Terra Nova) from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Called Fill Our Hockey Bags with Food. All proceeds will go to the Richmond Food Bank. The Winter Wonderland display at Richmond City Hall has an array of live, musical performances featuring groups from around the city •
each Saturday through the holiday season. This Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association (Richmond Branch) will perform. From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. the Emmanuel Children’s Chorus and Emmanuel Women’s Choir will entertain. L’Ecole des Navigateurs, Richmond’s only public French school, is pleased to announce its 8th annual Gingerbread Man Party from 3 to 6 p.m. at the school, 8580 Kilgour see WHAT’S ON › page 15
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
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interurban1220 or call 604-238-8081 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Visitors are invited to embrace the spirit of the season at The Winter Tram event taking place at the Steveston Interurban Tram Building from noon to 3:30 p.m. Special guest, Santa Claus, will be greeting children and hearing all of their wishes. Children can also write a letter to him and post it at the building. The Interurban Tram is located in the south west corner of Steveston Community Park at 4011 Moncton St. Admission is free and donations are always welcome. For more visit richmond.ca/
only
From Leading Lady to Woman in Charge
T
he multifaceted Barbara Tomasic takes on the challenge of being this year’s director for Gateway Theatre’s holiday musical, Crazy Foor You. Barbara’s first role at Gateway Theatre was playing the leading role of Maria in the 2002 production of The Sound of Music. “I had just moved back from Toronto, and it was absolutely thrilling,” Barbara remembers. Since then Barbara has been actively involved with the Gateway, including teaching for the Gateway Academy and playing last year’s leading lady, Anna, in The King and I. This year she’s sitting in the director’s chair, and excited to be there. “It’s one of my favourite musicals,” Barbara admits. “Crazy For You is such a well crafted show, and I’m such a huge fan of tap dance.” She also reminisces, “It was a show that I first saw when I was in theatre school, and it really affected me. After I saw it I bought the CD for my parents, and it became one of my Dad’s favourite shows that we listened to in the car on road trips to our cabin.” With Crazy For You opening Friday (December 5), rehearsals have been going extremely well. Barbara’s highlight is “watching the amazing Julie Tomaino choreograph I Got Rhythm. It’s filled with so much life and joy, and you can’t beat 20 amazing tappers onstage.” Barbara promises audiences, “Gorgeous music, a great love story and a huge smile on people’s faces as they exit the theatre.” CRAZY FOR YOU
THE NEW GERSHWIN MUSICAL Music & Lyrics by George Gershwin & Ira Gershwin Book by Ken Ludwig
gatewaytheatre.com Box Office 604.270.1812
Co-conception by Ken Ludwig & Mike Ockrent Inspired by Material by Guy Bolton & John McGowan Originally produced on Broadway by Roger Horchow and Elizabeth Williams • Directed by Barbara Tomasic • Musical Direction by Christopher King • Choreography by Julie Tomaino
DECEMBER 4–31, 2014 • MainStage
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
A15
WHAT’S ON ‹ from page 14 Place. Children can decorate gingerbread men, play many fun games, take part in a cake walk and enjoy our talent show. The fee for gingerbread decorating is $5 per child. All the proceeds will go to the PAC of Ecole des Navigateurs. For the parents, there will be a French book fair and a silent auction.
from the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL) at the Owl Show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information,
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Sunday
Lingyen Mountain Temple Canada — 10060 No. 5 Rd. — is holding a food bank drop off on the first Sunday of every month. Followers and visitors are welcomed to drop off their donations and stay for a vegetarian lunch at the temple. Donations are welcomed from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Are you curious about your silent and intriguing bird neighbours that sleep during the day and wake at night to hunt for prey? Then meet rehabilitated owls and their handlers
to bring your cameras. Admission by donation. For a complete What’s On listing of local events, visit richmond-news.com.
make his way to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Kids will have a chance to meet Santa and take photos with him from 2 - 4 p.m. Don’t forget
Santa Claus is coming to Steveston. After arriving on a Vancouver Whale Watch boat at Fisherman’s Wharf at 1 p.m., Santa will
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A16 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
SPORTS
Send your story ideas or photo submissions to ‘Richmond’ sports Mark Booth at mbooth@richmond-news.com
Hibernians back in VMSL penthouse Local premier division men’s soccer team hovering around .500 after earning promotion back up to top flight Mark Booth
Staff Reporter mbooth@richmond-news.com
Richmond F.C. Hibernians are back in familiar territory and holding their ground in Vancouver Metro Soccer League’s premier division. The Hibernians will take a 5-6-1 record into their home match Saturday at Minoru Park (2 p.m.) with second place West Vancouver FC (9-2-2) as they try to gain some separation from a pack of teams in the middle of the table. Although hovering around the .500 mark is hardly a lofty standard, it sure beats what happened during the 201213 campaign when Richmond was relegated to the VMSL first division. The club wasted little time in earning promotion last season and look to be on solid footing. “I’d say it’s been a good first year back,” said head Craig Burnham. “It’s very tight right now with four to six teams really bunched together but this is exactly where we have been for much of our time in this division expect for what happened a couple of seasons ago.” That’s when Hibernians were hit with a rash of injuries and were on the wrong end of too many close matches. The end result was a one game playoff to avoid relegation against an opponent the locals had won the season series against. They surrendered the tying goal late in regulation time and went on to lose in penalty kicks. “It really was unbelievable. Nothing went our way” recalled Burnham. “But we had nobody but ourselves to blame.”
The club didn’t panic and implode the roster. Instead, the nucleus stayed intact and the team proceeded to dominate the first division. “Such strong friendships have been developed over the years and the guys were basically apologizing to me for what happened,” continued Burnham. “They were determined to get back and went about it with an attitude that they were a premier team playing in division one. They crushed everyone and the neat thing was they stayed together to do it and we have since added to our depth.” The Hibernians are part of the Richmond F.C. umbrella that includes teams in the VMSL Second and Over 40s Divisions. They also have three clubs in the Metro Women’s Soccer League — Premier, Division One and Division Two. Burnham is the assistant general manager at Sportstown where he has developed a pipeline for potential players through the Total Soccer Systems Academy. He also has a close relationship with former TSS instructor Jason Jordan who now oversees the Richmond/Vancouver based Fusion FC of the B.C. Premier Soccer League as technical director. The club would still like to have a better relationship with the Richmond Youth Soccer Association. “We want to be bringing more local players up,” added Burnham. “ I have seen a lot of young players struggle with the adjustment. It’s not just just the level of play but the environment too. It really helps with the transition if they get to play a few games.”
Richmond FC Hibernians currently sit with a 5-6-1 record in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League’s premier division after earning promotion back up to the top tier last season. Photo by Mark Booth
JUNIOR HOCKEY
Sockeyes erupt in 3rd to end Wolf Pack’s 17 game win streak Richmond Sockeyes will be looking to close the gap on the North Vancouver Wolf Pack even further when the top two teams in the Pacific Coast Junior Hockey League collide again on Thursday night at Minoru Arenas. The Sockeyes (20-5-0-2) moved within two points of North Vancouver (21-2-0-
2) with a 4-1 road win on Saturday night. The result was just the Wolf Pack’s second regulation loss of the season and snapped its 17-game win streak. Mac Colasimone’s unassisted goal at the 3:11 mark of the third period broke a 1-1 tie. Quinton Blois gave the Sockeyes some breathing room and Troy Kaczynski rounded
out the scoring with his second of the night with just over a minute remaining. The PJHL scoring leader now has 30 on the season. Kurt Russell was terrific in the Richmond net as North Vancouver enjoyed a 34-22 advantage in the short department. The Sockeyes’ celebration was short-lived as, less than 24 hours later, the locals dropped
HOCKEY NIGHT IN RICHMOND! MISSION ICEBREAKERS SOCKEYES VS NORTH VANCOUVER WOLF PACK Richmond's Premier Sports Team Since 1972
www.richmondsockeyes.com
a 3-1 decision to the Grandview Steelers at the Burnaby Winter Club. This time it was the opposition doing the damage in the final period as a pair of goals from Matteo Belmonte, less than five minutes apart, broke a 1-1 deadlock. Jordan Andrews had the Richmond marker. Game time Thursday is 7 p.m.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
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COMMUNITYForMATTERS the good of our community
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eing able to communicate effectively is an essential skill, one we depend upon to foster understanding and develop our communities. But the everyday reality for a child with a learning disability is one of frustration, a lack of self-confidence and the fear of an uncertain future. Eight-year-old Alex lives in Richmond with his mom, dad and little sister Alyson. At the age of five Alex’s kindergarten teacher noticed he was struggling in school. Mastering vocabulary, understanding instructions, organizing his thoughts and communicating effectively with his peers were among the challenges. An assessment by two speech and language pathologists determined Alex
had receptive and expressive language delays and needed therapy to help him overcome his challenges. Alex’s mom Susana shares the concern of many parents with children who have special needs, who are often overwhelmed by the costs of providing support: “When you know that your child is struggling, you want to provide him with the tools, therapy and all the help he needs to succeed and be a happy, confident kid. But it’s hard because therapy, tutoring and other support needed to help your child are very expensive”. Variety - The Children’s Charity was able to help Alex by providing funding for speech and language therapy over the past two years, and the results have been remarkable. He is now able to more
effectively communicate his thoughts, has learned to read and each year gets better grades in school. Even more exciting is that Alex now has the confidence to be a leader with his peers. Susana says that in school, Alex loves to help the younger students in his grade 2/3 combined class. “Variety made it possible for Alex to get the therapy he needs,” says Susanna. “It’s a great organization that makes every effort to help children and their families. But most importantly, Variety gives the most precious gift, and that is changing the life of kids and providing them with the support they need to shine.” Variety sees each child who has special needs as a champion, and is thrilled to celebrate their little victories with them every day.
You can create more little victories this holiday season by supporting Variety’s Tree of Hearts campaign. Make an online donation at variety.bc.ca and Variety will place a heart ornament on its Tree of Hearts at the Global BC studio in tribute of your generosity. Thank you for showing your heart to children who have special needs. BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
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37th Annual Business Excellence Awards
Chamber celebrates the best in business Winners at the 37th Annual Richmond Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards gather for a group photo following the event Nov. 27 at the River Rock Show Theatre. Photo by Rob Newell/Special to the News
Philip Raphael
Staff Reporter praphael@richmond-news.com
Richmond’s best, brightest, most innovative and community-minded businesses were celebrated Thursday (Nov. 27) evening in front of a sold out River Rock Show Theatre as the Richmond Chamber of Commerce hosted its 37th Annual Business Excellence Awards.
A total of 27 finalists competed in nine categories, plus two additional awards were bestowed on chamber member businesses judged Newsmaker of the Year and 2014’s Hall of Fame inductee. Kicking off the night, Mayor Malcolm Brodie told the audience the city’s business sector plays a key role in building a strong city. “Our diverse economic base includes strong international trade connections,
combined with an entrepreneurial spirit,” he said. “Our city seeks to enhance our economic wellbeing and financial sustainability through strategies for longterm business retention, expansion and attraction.” Brodie added Richmond also wants to continue building on its geographical advantage of being the gateway to the AsiaPacific region. Chamber president Gerard Edwards said
the awards ceremony has been the signature business event in Richmond for nearly four decades, and has recognized countless employers and innovators who have put Richmond on the international stage. “This year we received over 100 nominations,” Gerard said. “We had an extremely difficult task of dropping down to 27 finalists, only to face the most demanding predicament of all, selecting final award recipients and inductees.”
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
Duo cleans up
Exit game gets real
The duo of Scott Faran, 27, and Barry Hartman, 26, cleaned up in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year category as their business — rubbish removal firm 505-Junk — took top honours. The two started up their innovative service in 2011 that calculates a customer’s fee for carting away and recycling all manner of waste based on weight — using a hydraulic scale system they designed — not job type or volume. Their service also includes recycling and donating usable goods to charities. In the past three years, the former KPU marketing management students, have grown their operation to include a total of five employees and revenue growth that has risen 150 per cent between 2012 and 2013, and is on track to increase that by 68 per cent
Getting gamers back into the “real world” earned Exit Canada the Innovation of the Year Award. The business offers customers the opportunity to take part in a simulated, room escape experience in a physical playground at its Garden City Road location. As its website states, players are transported to a universe of their wildest imagination where they are tasked with exploring and solving mysteries and challenges that lead to an exit from one of numerous themed rooms — a lost ship, ancient Egypt, a prison, and laboratory. Exit’s mantra is to bridge the gap between virtual reality and the real world so players can go beyond a simulated environment and physically experience adventure. Exit has been open since October 2013, said owner Justin Tang in accepting the
Barry Hartman (right) and Scott Faran of 505-Junk accept their award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Photo by Rob Newell/Special to the News in the 2013-2014 period. In accepting the award, Hartman told the audience he and Faran are proud to call Richmond home as they start to piece together the next stage of their business which includes
venturing into the realm of franchising. Finalists in the category for those 40 years of age and under were Tammy and Kim Hall of Physio 2U, and Daniel Chen of Stuck Studios Inc.
award. Back then, Tang said he joked with friends that the business idea would prove to be so popular it would quickly spawn three more branches. “That didn’t happen, because we have confirmed that we are opening six more locations, actually. They are all franchises,” Tang said, adding that during the past 12 months the company has generated
revenue in excess of $1.2 million, and has served 62,000 visitors. “We hope to continue that growth and create more creative games for all the players,” Tang said, adding credit for Exit Canada’s success and chamber award is owed to his group of work colleagues. Finalists in the category included: Herbaland Naturals Inc., Planat, and Steveston’s Art Connection.
Justin Tang, owner of Exit Canada, is busy expanding his reality adventure game business by opening another six franchise locations. Photo Rob Newell/Special to the News
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37th Annual Business Excellence Awards ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Pathways praised
Smiles equal success
For more than 30 years, Pathways Clubhouse has operated on numerous fronts in the community — providing jobs, education and housing. But at the forefront has been the goals of hope and opportunity for those recovering from mental illness. And for that achievement — helping pave the way for the future success of its clients — the chamber bestowed on Pathways its Association of the Year Award. The award is given to a non-profit organization, including charities, community associations and societies that have displayed innovation and leadership, and achieved outstanding success in the not-for-profit sector. “Being part of the Pathways Clubhouse is just an amazing experience,” said Dave MacDonald, Pathways’ executive director.
Putting smiles on peoples’ faces is what Wilson Lee set out to do when he created Wun2free Entertainment. And at the Business Excellence Awards Thursday evening, winning the New Business of the Year category certainly put a smile on the face of the company’s managing director. Founded in 2013 as a provider of carnival games, Lee started out at the Richmond Night Market and was an instant success. Within two weeks of operating, the venture generated more than $60,000 in revenue. Today, it runs 20 locations, has more than 100 staff members, and after two years in business total revenue has surpassed the $1 million mark. In 2015 plans are to expand operations at the
Dave MacDonald, executive director of Pathways Clubhouse praised his team for the service they provide to clients suffering with mental illness. Photo by Rob Newell/Special to the News “But it’s all about the team of clubhouse members who are living with mental health issues, our staff and board of directors, volunteers, our employers who have a chance to work with our members and other non-profit organizations we partner with to ensure that people living with mental health issues have an opportunity to get back into the community.” Pathways is unique in
that it offers a one-stop shop for basics such as shelter, employment and food through is commercial kitchen and thrift store: tools that empower its members. Through all of this, MacDonald said, “We’re actually saving lives, as well.” Finalists in the category were Richmond Hospital Foundation/Healthcare Auxiliary and Gateway
night market, the PNE, Calgary Stampede and Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario. “I am honoured to receive this award tonight,” Lee said. “This is not an award for myself, but also for the hard-working men and women who have made my company what it is today.” Lee added his company
was built on the foundation on making customers playing his carnival games happy. “It’s about putting smiles on faces and delivering happiness,” he said. “And I am glad I am able to do that.” Finalists in the category included Genesis Group and UCMAS Richmond/ Orient Education Services.
Wilson Lee, who runs Wun2free, started his carnival game business at the Richmond Night Market. Photo by Rob Newell/Special to the News
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37th Annual Business Excellence Awards BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
OUTSTANDING WORKPLACE
Thinking outside the box Developer rises from ashes
Everyone likely has their interpretation of what the ideal workplace environment entails. For many, it’s simply a dream. But for the employees at Ideon Packaging Ltd., they are living it, day in and day out. And it attracted the attention of the chamber’s Business Excellence Awards judging panel who named Ideon, Outstanding
Workplace of the Year. Since it opened its doors in 2001, Ideon has focused on providing not only everything its customers need in terms of packaging, but its employees with a pleasurable work environment. In keeping with its corporate slogan — ideas, people, packaging — Ideon maintains an open-door office design concept to
Ideon’s Rick Van Poele accepts the award for outstanding workplace of the year from Scotiabank’s Christine Lim. Photo by Rob Newell/Special to the News
enforce the philosophy that there are no boundaries between their employees. “People always ask me what creates an outstanding workplace,” said company president Rick Van Poele, adding the last few weeks of Ideon’s operations serve as an insight into how the firm creates its environment. It included spending time in the community to provide support during the holidays, donating toys to the Richmond Christmas Fund and Canuck Place. “It’s just a privilege when you’re in a position with a company like Ideon where you can make things like that happen,” Van Poele said. Within the company, Ideon also fosters a sense of community by sharing profits with employees. The other finalist in the category was Imperial Security & Protection Services Ltd.
From the darkest of times can spring forth a ray of hope that can blossom into a brilliant new tomorrow. Charan Sethi Knows this very well. The owner of Tien Sher Group of Companies, this year’s recipient of the Business Leadership of the Year Award, experienced a severe low when his firm, which for the past 14 years has been involved with creating real estate projects across Metro Vancouver, had a development burn to the ground in October 2008. A portion of the $625 million Quattro project in Surrey was lost, but Sethi was determined not to allow the setback to dull his vision of seeing it completed. The firm’s persistence to rise from the construction ruins drew praise from the development community
Tien Sher Group’s Charan Sethi praised his employees for rolling up their sleeves following a 2008 fire that severely damaged a project in Surrey. Photo by Rob Newell/Special to the News and in 2012 it was awarded the Greater Vancouver Homebuilders’ Association Community Service Award. The chamber’s award is given to a business or individual who provides leadership and inspiration to the community and environment and serves as a positive role model. “Sometimes bad things
happen to you, but you come out of it ahead, and sometimes you learn what true, human nature really is,” said Sethi. “And I am certainly surrounded by some of the best people in the workforce.” Finalists in this category included Canadian Springs Water Company, and Novel Delivery Services.
Proudly serving the Richmond community for 69 years Thank you for recognizing Richmond Funeral Home in the Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. Congratulations to all the nominees and finalists! Richmond Funeral Home by Arbor Memorial
8420 Cambie Road , Richmond • 604-273-3748 • www.richmondfuneral.ca
Arbor Memorial Inc.
Family Owned. Proudly Canadian.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
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37th Annual Business Excellence Awards BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, 1 - 25 EMPLOYEES
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, 26 - 75 EMPLOYEES
Sleepless nights pay off NCIX tops in‘e-tailing’ In today’s fast-moving, mobile world, if you’ve used an app to hear your favourite, local radio station, chances are you’ve done it using made-inRichmond technology. The name of the firm responsible is 14 Oranges, recipient of the chamber’s Business of the Year Award for one to 25 employees. “When I started the company five years ago there were a lot of long, sleepless nights thinking about decisions,” said Sylvain Marcotte, president and CEO of 14 Oranges who accepted the award. “And I guess this means we have made some right decisions, and I’ll be able to sleep pretty well tonight.” According to the company’s website, it was founded as a group of experts from various disciplines — managers, developers, designers, and
14 Oranges’ president and CEO Sylvain Marcotte. Photo by Rob Newell/Special to the News graphic artists. That allows it to be flexible and nimble in its approach to web and mobile app development. Marcotte added that the collective effort by the company’s employees is why 14 Oranges has been able to post remarkable growth. It also speaks of the great sacrifices the families of employees have made as
staff have been tasked with some long workdays to wrap up projects for clients in a timely fashion. Among its clients on the radio side of the app business are New Country 93.7 JRfm, and 102.7 The PEAK. Finalists entered in the award category included Physio 2U and Richmond Funeral Home.
Tech stores can be a daunting place for customers and employees to venture into, given its fast-paced, often complex nature of goods and jargon. But thankfully, when one is staffed by a group of experts who can break down and reduce clutter for customers in store and online, it can make the whole process of getting your computer software and hardware running right a breeze. That’s part of the reasons why NCIX was named Business of the Year with 26 to 75 employees. The firm was founded 18 years ago and is headquartered in Richmond. Since 1996, and its first retail outlet in Burnaby, NCIX has mushroomed to six stores in B.C.— the latest one opened in September at
Lansdowne Centre — and four in Ontario. It has also become the number one computer components e-tailer in Canada. In addition, a warehouse and office in Los Angeles, California serves customers in the U.S. The company prides itself on not being a typical computer store. Much of that has to do with the staff
who the firm describes as a passionate community of technology lovers and PC enthusiasts. It also helps customers with “how to” videos on its Youtube channel. “We were really not expecting this,” said Sam Li, head of marketing for NCIX. “Richmond has been our home for the past 18 years and we are proud of that.”
Sam Li (left) of NCIX accepts the award for business of the year 26-75 employees from TD Bank’s Darrell Angai. Photo by Rob Newell/Special to the News
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37th Annual Business Excellence Awards BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, 76-PLUS EMPLOYEES
Cowell and paper giant share top honours The category of the Business of the Year Award with 76-plus employees featured something “old” and something “new.” In a tie result, the “old” was Cowell Auto Group, while the “new” was Paper Excellence Canada Holdings
Congratulations to all of the Finalists!
Corp. Started in 1967, Cowell Auto Group is the oldest, continuously owned retail automotive dealership in Richmond. “The choice to start the business here in Richmond nearly 50 years ago was
THANK YOU FOR NOMINATING US!
a wise one,” said Gary Cowell, chairman of Cowell Auto Group. “Reeve Henry Anderson cut the ribbon when we opened the business.” That was back on Dec. 1, 1967 when the dealership was housed in a converted,
#120-12000 1st Avenue, Richmond, BC V7E 3L9
604-644-5524 www.nursenextdoor.com
eight-bay facility where four employees helped sell a total of two new VWs, plus one used one, in the first month of operation. Today, Cowell Auto Group employs more than 200 across four dealerships — Volkswagen, Jaguar, Audi, and Land Rover. As for Paper Excellence Canada, it has only been in existence in name since 2010, but has grown through acquisitions from a single mill to a global, value-added pulp and paper exporter with in excess of $1.5 billion in sales from 10 mills across the country. The company’s deputy CEO, Pedro Chang, who accepted the award, said the business strategy going forward is to capture an increasing share of the paper market in China which is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades, making it a sunrise
Gary Cowell (left) started his car dealership with a single VW showroom back in 1967. Today, Cowell Auto Group represents four brands — VW, Jaguar, Audi and Land Rover. Pedro Chang (right), deputy CEO of Paper Excellence Canada, started operations in 2010 and through acquisitions aims to become a major supplier of paper to China. Photos by Rob Newell/Special to the News industry. “When I was in China in 1998, the per capita consumption of paper was
7 kg.,” Chang said. “Today, it’s 73 kg. And according to experts, by 2022 that will increase to 100 kg.”
ZE Thanks Richmond for Creating a Positive Business Environment ZE PowerGroup Inc. (ZE) has been operative in Richmond for more than 20 years. ZE’s CEO and President, Dr. Zak El-Ramly, is pleased with what the community has to offer. Richmond is an excellent location from which to run an organization. ZE, owned and managed by a family, conducts several lines of business, including software, engineering, and consulting. Recently, ZE was shortlisted for a Richmond Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence award. The award honors companies committed to positive growth, customer service, and quality assurance. ZE warmly congratulates other nominees and wishes Richmond residents a lovely holiday season. Aiman El-Ramly, Chief Strategy Officer
Zak El-Ramly, President, CEO
Salwa El-Ramly, Corporate Secretary
No. Two Road @ Westminster Hwy
WWW.ZE.COM
|| WWW.ZEPOWERENGINEERING.COM
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37th Annual Business Excellence Awards HALL OF FAME AWARD
NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR
YVR makes headlines Legal firm lauded Planes take off. Planes land. People work. That movement of passengers and goods is what has helped build Vancouver International Airport (YVR) into Canada’s second-busiest air traffic gateway and a huge contributor to the Richmond, and B.C. economy. It employs around 26,000 people, and last year handled just under 18 million passengers. Along the way it has earned the YVR Airport Authority some pretty significant distinctions as North America’s top airport for the fifth consecutive year in the Skytrax World Airport Awards, as well as one of the world’s best in terms of customer satisfaction. That was reason enough for the Richmond Chamber of Commerce to present its Newsmaker of the Year Award to the YVR Airport
Anne Murray, YVR’s vice president of marketing and communications, accepts the award for Newsmaker of the Year Award from chamber chair Gerard Edwards (left) and Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. Photo by Rob Newell/ Special to the News Authority. “The Skytrax award is really a celebration of everybody at the airport,” said Anne Murray, YVR’s vice president of marketing and communications who accepted the award. “It’s
really about the people.” That combined effort to make YVR the ultimate welcome mat for visitors and returning residents, spans every aspect of the operations conducted on Sea Island, Murray added.
What does it mean to earn the distinction of having the Richmond Chamber of Commerce grant a business the Hall of Fame Award? In presenting the award, chamber chair Gerard Edwards said it means that enterprise has been an unfailing participant in the local community. “Over the years, you see company names popping up in different places — business events, charity events,” he said. “And you realize there are some names that are just there all the time. “And when you look behind those organizations and look at the boards and the committees whose names change over the years, the company name is always there,” he added. One such firm is the legal enterprise of Cohen, Buchan, Edwards.
“They raised the bar to a point where other companies want to emulate it,” Edwards said. “On behalf of the lawyers and staff at Cohen, Buchan, Edwards, we say thank you to our clients who trusted us to counsel them during their personal and business challenges,” said Gary Cohen, who founded a general service law firm locally in 1979. Ten years later, Jack Buchan and Garth Edwards joined the partnership, creating Cohen Buchan Edwards LLP. Cohen also thanked the families of his staff who had the patience to endure the long absences of their loved ones while they attended to the needs of their clients. “And to the chamber of commerce, who for 37 years have given recognition to the people who create economic
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37TH ANNUAL BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
IN HOME PHYSIOTHERAPY Post hospitalization or surgery Hip fracture Joint replacements
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Physio2U is very honoured to be awarded as a Finalist in the categories of Business of the Year 1-25 Employees, and Young Entrepreneur of the Year. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FINALISTS AND AWARD RECIPIENTS!
WE COME TO YOU!
778-846-7695 www.Physio2U.ca
Gary Cohen, of Cohen, Buchan, Edwards. Photo by Rob Newell/Special to the News opportunity and prosperity,” Cohen said. In parting, Cohen said, “To you, the business owners, we offer this advice: Believe in yourself; communicate your ideas; trust your employees; be creative; embrace innovation; plan for change; consult with your advisors; and give generously to your community.”
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Join us for a Delicious Celebration!
Free PANDORA Ornament with $150 purchase of PANDORA Jewellery.* December 1-7
CHOCOLATE CAFÉ
*Free PANDORA sleigh ornament ($25 CA retail value), with $150 PANDORA purchase. Prices before taxes. While supplies last, limit one per customer. See store for details.
GRAND OPENING
Experience at:
SATURDAY, DEC 6 10am - 5pm Come as an Oompa Loompa, Win Free Chocolate for a Year
STEVESTON VILLAGE #105-12231 1st Ave. • Richmond, BC (on Bayview beside Waves Coffee) 604.284.5212 • www.blissgifts.net
Free Guided Bean to Bar Chocolate Tour 11am 1pm 3pm 25 Golden Tickets Will be Hidden Inside Chocolate Bars. Those Who Find the Winning Tickets Inside Bars They Purchase Will Win a Free Behind the Scenes Tour!
FREE STUFF!
Free Chocolate Covered Oreos® for Kids Hot Chocolate and Liquid Chocolate Shots
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/BlissSteveston
BLISS HOLIDAY HOURS MON-TUE WED-FRI SAT SUN
(Dec 1 – 21)
10 AM – 6 PM 10 AM – 7 PM 10 AM – 6 PM 10 AM – 5 PM
DEC 22 & 23: 10 AM - 7 PM DEC 24 (CHRISTMAS EVE): 10 AM – 4 PM CLOSED DEC 25 & 26 *There is no need to circle around the block when you shop with us this Holiday Season; We will cover 1HR of pay parking (up to $4) when you spend $30+ during your visit. Bring in your parking receipt and we will put it towards your purchase. (Large pay parking lot located at the corner of 1st Ave and Bayview)
MAKE HER
wish COME TRUE WITH THE
LIMITED EDITION 2014 "CHRISTMAS WISH" DANGLE CHARM *
Available While Supplies Last Limited Edition 2014 "Christmas Wish" charm* *Leather bracelet sold separately. See store for details.
@BlissSteveston
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
WITH A PANDORA HOLIDAY
GIFT SET
*
AVAILABLE NOW WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Steveston Village • #105-12231 1st Ave (on Bayview beside Waves Coffee House) 604-284-5212 info@blissgifts.net • www.blissgifts.net @blissSteveston
the NIGHT
LIGHT UP U
Proud member of the
Let’s celebrate the season…
Facebook.com/BlissSteveston
Bliss is a locally-owned jewellery and gift store located in the historic Steveston Village in Richmond BC. We carry an eclectic mix of unique products such as: •
The PANDORA jewellery line that includes bracelets, charms, necklaces, rings and earrings
•
The PYRRHA line of meaningful Vancouver made Talismans for men and women cast in reclaimed Sterling Silver and Bronze from authentic 19th century wax seals
•
Unique ironwork by Jack Willoughby of Anvil Island Design that includes a variety of tree and bird inspired designs
•
Small Personal Item belts from SPIbelt for adults and kids that are great for storing valuables while running, working-out or just being on the go
•
Fun magnets designed by Sa Boothroyd
We hope to see you soon and together work on gifts and wishlists for yourself and your loved ones for a fun filled and unforgettable holiday season!
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Book your Purchase the "Stargazer" Gift Set for $230*
*Featuring a sterling silver PANDORA clasp bracelet, two clear “cosmic stars” clips and one “galaxy” charm presented in a PANDORA jewellery case (a combined retail value of $295 CA). Prices before taxes. While supplies last. See store for details.
Christmas party
Menu Starts at
LIGHT UP
the NIGHT
WITH THE LIMITED EDITION
YOU'RE A STAR BANGLE
*
AVAILABLE NOW WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
$25.00
DEC. 24TH – CHRISTMAS DINNER BUFFET
Menu Price: $35.95
DEC. 31ST – NEW YEARS EVE DINNER & DANCE
4 course Dinner $39 4:30-9:00pm
*Available now while supplies last. See store for details.
LIGHT UP
the NIGHT
WITH A PANDORA HOLIDAY
GIFT SET
*
AVAILABLE NOW WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Purchase the "Starlight" Gift Set for $150*
*Featuring one pair of clear “brilliant legacy” stud earrings and one clear “pavé lights” charm on a necklace chain presented in a PANDORA jewellery case (a combined retail value of $200 CA). Prices before taxes. While supplies last. See store for details.
DANCE PACKAGE $20 9:00-12:30am Dance Package includes appetizers, music by DJ Francis, balloons and a midnight Champagne toast
For reservations 604-232-5001 cavu.reservations@hilton.com www.cavukitchenbar.com
Hilton Vancouver Airport 5911, Minoru Blvd, Richmond BC