Profiles of Excellence Nov 24 2022

EAGLERIDGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

TheEagleRidgeHospital Foundationiscallingonthe communitytohelpsupportits effortstoraisefundsforthe purchaseofanewGeneralPurpose (GP)RadiographicX-Ray.

Thereisanurgentandincreased needformedicalimagingat EagleRidgeHospitalduetothe recentlyopened,newemergency department.

Roughly80%ofpatientswhocome throughtheEagleRidgeHospital ERwillrequiremedicalimagingin someformoranotherthroughout thecourseoftheirdiagnosisand treatment–whetherisaCTscan, x-ray,oranultrasound.

“Withtheopeningoftherenovated emergencydepartmentinlateJuly, wetripledourcapacityforpatient intake,”EagleRidgeHospital FoundationexecutivedirectorJudy Zhusays.

“Weincreasedourtreatment spaces,andthatincreaseofpatient flowdirectlyimpactsthedemand formedicalimaging.”

Medicalimagingtoolshelp physiciansunderstandwhatis happeninginternallyforpatients, whetherit’stoexamineahead injury,abrokenbone,orsomething else.

“Theonlywayfordoctorsto findoutwhat’sgoingoninsideis throughmedicalimaging,”Zhu says.

Thehospital’sexistingGP radiographicx-rayisover20years oldandwhileitiscomputerized,it isnotdigital.

Havinganewdigitalmachine wouldofferquick,instantimaging, whichwouldallowforahigher volumeofpatientstobeseen andcutdownonwaittimesbyan averageof10minutesperimaging session.

Anewermachinewouldalso havetheaddedbenefitoflower radiationlevelsthanthecurrent machine,andwouldofferawider

rangeofcapabilityfordifferent typesofmedicalimages.

Speedinguptreatmentand expandingdiagnosticcapabilityis crucialforEagleRidgeHospital, whichistheonlyhospitalinthe Tri-Cities.

“Ifyouhaveanemergencymedical situationorrequireurgentcare, yourfirststopisEagleRidge.While

you’rethere,youprobablywantthe quickestdiagnosisthatyoupossibly canreceive,”Zhusays.

“Withbothofthosemachines going,thereislesslikelihoodthat youwillhavetobereroutedtoa differenthospital.Fortheelderly andthosewithmobilityissuesthat willmakeahugedifferenceinthe courseoftheirtreatment.”

Medicalimagingtoolshelpphysicians understandwhatishappeninginternally forpatients.

LEFT:JudyZhu,ExecutiveDirectorofthe EagleRidgeHospitalFoundation.

ThepopulationoftheTri-Cities isoneofthefastestgrowingin theLowerMainland,withnew developmentsbeingbuiltallthe time.EagleRidgeHospital’saimis toprovidethebestcarepossible whileensuringitscommunity memberscanstayclosetohome.

“Ifyoudohaveamedical emergencyintheTri-Cities,chances areveryhighEagleRidgewill receiveyou,”Zhusays.

“Wewanttokeepyouinthe communityandwewanttokeep youclosewhilegivingyouthe propercareyouneed.”

Tohelpprovidelife-savingcarein yourcommunitytoday,visit erhf.ca/ways-to-donate/donate-now tomakeadonationnow.

EagleRidgeHospitalFoundationworkstoraisefundsandawarenesstoimprovethehealthofitscommunitythroughdonationstoEagleRidgeHospital (ERH).Througharelationshipwithdonors,communitypartners,sponsorsandvolunteers,theFoundationcontributesnewhospitalmedicalequipment andtechnologyneededtogrowwiththecommunity.

PHOTOSBYTHEEAGLERIDGE

Windowtreatmentscantransform yourrooms,addingstyle,ambiance andwarmth,filteringlight, providingprivacyormanaging temperature.Withsafety,comfort andfunctiontopofmind,deciding whichwindowcoveringissuitable foryourhomecanbechallenging.

Fortunately,youcantrustthe professionalteamatBudgetBlinds ofTri-Cities&RidgeMeadowsto providetherightsolutionsforevery spaceandpricepoint.Backedby 30yearsofexpertise,ownersClay Tierneyandhiswife,Lacey,are proudtobepartofabrandthat hasearnedasolidreputationasa trailblazerinthecustomwindow coveringindustry.

Bycontinuingthemissionofthe fivefounders,BudgetBlinds’ localexpertsprovidethemost convenientwindowtreatment shoppingexperience,offeringthe bestproductsandindustry-leading, five-yearno-questions-asked warranty.

Theteamarepioneersindesign, style,innovationandproduct expertise,withcustomblinds, shades,shutters,drapery,and more.“Weworkwithyouevery stepoftheway,fromthein-home consultationtotheinstallation,to makeyourvisionareality,”says Tierney.

Inordertodiscernyourgoalsand guideyouthroughalltheproducts andfeaturesthatreflectyour tasteandvision,BudgetBlinds offersfreein-homeconsultations, essentiallyone-on-onepersonalized showroomexperiencesdesigned uniquelyforyou.

“Wecometoyourhomeandask questionstogettoknowyour needs,”explainsTierney.

“Byusingaratingsystem,for example,wemightaskhow importantroomdarkeningison ascaleofoneto10andmake recommendationsbasedonyour answers.Webringswatchesand samplestoshowtheoperation ofeverythingapplicabletowhat you’relookingfortohelpyoumake awisechoiceforyourhome.”

Motorizationisoneofthemost excitingadvancementsand innovativesolutionsinwindow treatments.Youcanelevateyour lifestylewith thetouchofafinger withmotorizedblindspowered byBudgetBlinds’SmartHome

Collection.Heat-sensitivesensors adjustyourmotorizedblinds tocloseautomaticallywhen temperaturesrise,effectively loweringyourenergybills.

“Wecometothemarketwithvery inexpensivemotorizationcompared toaremotestylesystem,” describesTierney.“Manyofour vendorsoffervariousproductstyles withseveraloutstandingbenefits thatincludeenhancedprivacyand safety.”

SafetyisabenchmarkforBudget Blinds,particularlyregardingyour children’swell-beinginthehome. Continuouscordandchainloops presentahighstrangulationrisk andcanleadtotragicoutcomes. Asaresult,newHealthCanada regulationscameintoeffecton May1,2021,restrictingthelength ofcordsandthesizeofloops allowedonwindowcoveringssold inCanada.

BudgetBlindsownersClayandLacey Tierneywiththeirchildren.

With30yearsofexperience,Clayand LaceyTierneyareproudofthebusiness’s reliablereputationinthecustomwindow coveringindustry.

“Wearetheleadingcompanyin thewindow-coveringindustryfor allcordlessproductssincethe newregulations,andoffermany optionsforchild-friendlywindow treatments,practicalsolutionsthat providepeaceofmind,”reveals Tierney.“WesellalotofMaxxmar’s DecoraSafe™product,anOntariobasedcompany’sinnovative anti-strangulationdevicewitha shroudedloop.”

“Ideally,youdon’thavehazardous windowcoveringsinyourhouse, butifyoudo,wecanhelpwith replacements.”

“BudgetBlindsiscommittedto servingourcommunity,andwe’re blessedto beconnectedtothe communitieswe’repartof,”Tierney continues.“Theonlywaywe’re abletooperateiswiththesupport ofthelocalcommunities.”

Tofindtheperfectfeaturesforyour homeortobookaconsultation, visitbudgetblinds.com/tricityor visitin-personat#2120-580Nicola AvenuePortCoquitlam.

Photos:LisaKing

Helpingpatientshearclearlyforover80years

Customizedandcompassionatehearinghealthcare,deliveringlife-changingresults

Formany,hearinglossisn’t somethingthathappensovernight. Often,it’sagradualprocessthat takesplaceoveryearswithoutus evennoticinguntilitimpactsour dailylives.

Age-relatedhearinglossoften goesunnoticedforyearsand canprovokeabroadscope ofchallenges,includingsocial interactionandhealtheffects. Abaselinehearingscreeningis recommendedat50.Ifyou’re experiencinghearingloss symptoms,itshouldbeeven sooner.Hearinglosscanalsobea by-productofnoisyenvironments, too.

Formorethan80years,Beltone Hearinghassupportedpatients withtrustedhearingcareand high-qualityservice.Dedicated professionalswillhelpyouwith customizedhearingsolutionsthat addressvariouslevelsofhearing loss.

Withanemphasisonpersonalized care,theBeltoneHearingteam assessesyourneedstounderstand yourparticularlifestylewhile familiarizingthemselveswithyour hearinghealthandmedicalhistory. Thisapproachisthespringboard tobuildingalong-termrelationship withyou,somethingSamTeo, RegisteredHearingInstrument PractitionerwiththeBeltone Coquitlamlocation,masterfully achieves.

“Iamyourpartnerinyourhearing healthjourney,”saysTeo.“Ifyou’re hereforme,I’mhereforyou.Tobe successful,youhavetobeengaged intheprocess;it’steamwork.My goalistolistentoyoutoestablish youruniqueneedsandsituation. Mylisteningskillsaremyforte.” Teoadmitsheeasilybuildsrapport withallhispatients,especially seniors—it’shisaffablenature. Hehasawayofputtinganxious patientsatease,withease,or,in hiswords:“WhenIsteppedinto thiscareer,IfeltlikeIfoundmytrue calling.Workdoesn’tfeellikework tome.”

Particularlyempathetic,Teo recognizesthatspeaking CantoneseandMandarinisa lifelinetonon-Englishspeaking patients.“Iunderstandtheirculture

andamabletoconnectwiththem andtheiruniqueculturalneeds,” heexplains,“whichhelpsthemfeel comfortable,lessresistant.They’re morewillingtostepforwardfor hearingcare.”

Hereturnedasecondtimefora

SamTeo,RegisteredHearingInstrument PractitionerwiththeBeltoneCoquitlam location.

PHOTOMARIOBARTEL

especiallyonspecialoccasionsand duringtheholidayseason,helping youfeellesssociallyisolatedand allowingyoutofullyenjoythe festivitieswithfamilyandfriends.

WithninelocationsinB.C.,a Beltonelicensedhearingcare practitionerisatyourfingertips. “TheWhiteRocklocationrecently reopened,”revealsTeo.“It’sour understandingthere’safairportion ofthedemographicinSouthSurrey needinghelpimprovingtheir hearing.”

“Bythefourthvisit,hewaswearing

wasn’tawarehishearinglosswas affectinghislifestyle,butmostof

WithaBeltonehearingaid,you’ll enhanceyourlifetremendously,

“Seeingliveschangebeforemy eyesafterapatient’ssuccessful journeywithusispriceless,”Teo reflects.“Theyhavebigsmileson theirfaces,andtheirfamiliesare measurablyhappier.”

Formoreinformation,visit Beltonecan.com.

Foundedin1940,BeltoneispartofGNGroup,oneofthelargesthearingtechnologycompaniesworldwide.Theirnumberonepriorityis deliveringexceptionalpatientcarewithservicesrangingfromevaluationstotreatment.Beltoneonly fitshearingaidsthey'vedesignedand manufactured,givingthemunrivalledexpertiseyoucantrust.

TRI-CITIES CHAMBEROF COMMERCE

Tri-CitiesChamberofCommercehits membershipmilestone

Formorethan50years,theTriCitiesChamberofCommerce hasbeenchampioningthelocal businesscommunity,fostering economicgrowth,deliveringvalue toitsmembers,andactingasahub forconnectioninCoquitlam,Port Coquitlam,PortMoody,andthe villagesofAnmoreandBelcarra.

Now,thankstoarecentjoint membershipagreementwiththe DowntownPortCoquitlamBusiness ImprovementAssociation,the Chamberhassurpassed1,000 memberorganizationsforthefirst timeinitshistory.

ThisnowplacestheTri-Cities ChamberofCommerceasoneof thetopfivelargestChambersand BoardsofTradeinBritishColumbia, withmemberorganizations representingover20,000 employees.

“TheChamberisallabout connection,advocacy,resources, servicesandsupportingmember business,sothelargerour collectivevoiceandnetworkare, thestrongerweallaretogether,” chiefexecutiveofficerLeslie Courchesnesays.

“Astrongbusinesscommunity isthebackboneofastrong communityandthrivingregion. Weareallaboutensuringlocal prosperity.”

Nowmorethanever,asbusinesses copewiththeongoingeffectsof COVID-19,thelabourshortage, andtherisingcostofdoing business,organizationsneedan advocatetohelpthemberesilient andthrive.

TheTri-CitiesChamberisa convenerofbusiness,government andcommunitytofosterdialogue focusedonsolutionstothe complexeconomic,socialand environmentalchallengesthe communityfaces.

“TheChamberiswhatbrings togetherthebusinesscommunity intheTri-Cities.Wesupport businessthroughroughtimesas wellasthegood.Weallknow thelastcoupleyearshavebeen

especiallychallengingformany businesses.Wespeaktoalllevels ofgovernmentonwhatbusinesses need,orneedchanged,” Courchesnesays.“Beinganactive memberintheBCandCanadian ChambersofCommerceisalso criticaltooursuccessinadvocacy andpolicydevelopmentatthe provincialandnationallevels.”

WhiletheTri-CitiesChamber existstosupportthebusiness community,itsultimategoalisto

createprosperityforallbyensuring astronglocaleconomy.

Tothatend,Courchesnesays collaborationplaysakeyrole. Forexample,theChamber supportsshoppinglocallyand hasspearheadedtheTri-Local Collective,workingwiththethree cities,twoBIAs,theTri-CityNews, andShopLocalPortMoodyto benefitlocalbusinesses.Through thispartnership,theChamber isplanningthenextTasteofthe Tri-Citiesfestivalforearly2023,

LeslieCourchesne,chiefexecutiveofficer attheTri-CitiesChamberofCommerce.

PHOTOCREDITS:

TOP:TriCityNews LEFT-Tri-CitiesChamberofCommerce/ ButterStudios

andisthrilledtosecure$70,000in fundingfortheTri-LocalShopLocal campaignthisyear.

“Thechamberisallabout people.It’saboutbuilding strongerbusinessesandstronger communities.Ourmembersare driven,passionateanddedicated relationshipbuilders,”Courchesne says.

“Ourboardmembers,chamber ambassadorsandothervolunteers arejustexceptionalaswellasthe staffteam.ThereasontheChamber issostrongandgrowingisbecause ofthepeoplebehindit.”

TolearnmoreabouttheTri-Cities ChamberofCommerce,visit www.tricitieschamber.com.

TheTri-CitiesChamberofCommercerepresentsorganizationsthatspanavarietyofindustries,specialitiesandinterests.Itworkstofostereconomic development,provideconnectionsandbenefits,andinfluencepublicpolicyatalllevelsofgovernmenttoensurestrongbusinessesandcommunities.

Since1997,WebExpresshasbeen attheforefrontofinnovationin localandsustainablecommercial printing.

AsBritishColumbia’scommunity commercialprinter,Web Expressishometomorethan 250publicationsin20different languages.

Thefull-serviceprinterisprimed fordigitalandwebprinting, binding,mailing,andshipping. Itsuniquefacilityisdesigned forrapidproduction,low-waste printing,superiorquality,and timelydistributionfromitscentral locationintheheartofMetro Vancouver.

“Wetakecareof95%of everythinginhouse,whichgivesus alotofcontroloverdeliverydates andmore,”generalmanagerVic Noblesays.

Fromdesigntoprintingand binding,distributionand shipping,theWebExpressteamis dedicatedtomakingprintingeasy. Producingjobsinhousegivesits customersthebestturnaround timepossible.

WebExpressprintsmanylocal newspapersthroughoutMetro Vancouver,aswellasleisure guides,communityguides, catalogues,andmore.

Whatsetstheprinterapartis itssocialpurposetoempower liberty,democracyandcommunity throughfreedomofexpression.

WebExpressparticipatedinthe SocialPurposeInnovatorsprogram attheSocialPurposeInstituteat UnitedWay,whereitdefinedits mission.

“It’simportantthatwestillhave freedomofexpressioninCanada,” Noblesays.

“Wetrytoofferthatforthe communityandpeopleofBritish Columbia.Ifyouwanttoprint somethingandgetyourmessage outtheretopeople,wecanhelp youwiththat.Wedon’tcensor.We willprintalmostanythingaslong asit’slegal.”

WebExpressbelievestheyhave aresponsibilitytogiveallvoices

aplatform,andusesprintto empowerpeopleofallmeans. Nomattertheirbackground orcircumstances,theprinting companybelieveseveryone deservestosharetheirmessage throughthetrustedmediumofthe writtenword.

Thatbeingsaid,WebExpress doesnotendorsehateorillegal propaganda.Theybelieve independentmediaisoneofthe keypillarsofdemocracy.

TheWebExpressteamis dedicatedtomakingprintingeasy. PhotobyWebExpress

SomeoftheorganizationsWeb Expresshasworkedwithinclude theBCCivilLibertiesAssociation, PivotFoundation,CanadaHelps, FairVoteCanada,andmanymore.

Theprintingcompanyis alsosustainabilityfocused—their annualsustainabilityreport outlinesvariousenvironmental impactsfromhowmanytreeshave beenconservedtohowmany gallonsofwaterhavebeensaved overtheyear.

“Everyoneisconcernedabout theirimpactontheenvironment,” Noblesays.

“Whilecertainthingscan’tbe helpedwhenyou’reintheprinting business,wetryourbestto minimizeourimpact.”

Inadditiontoitscommunity printingefforts,WebExpressalso offerstheRealEstatePrintShop, whichisafull-servecommercial printingandmailingcompany specializingindirectmailforreal estateagents.Theyarepleased toofferwholesalepricingtothe realtorcommunity.

Tolearnmoreandtorequesta quoteforallyourprintingneeds, visitwww.intwebexpress.com.

Nothingdevaluesanddiminishes thelookofaspacemorethan tired,worncabinetry,whichis oftenafocalpointoftheroom. Moreover,mostpeoplewould rathersidestepanexpensiveand time-consumingrenovation,justto updatetheirkitchenorbathroom woodcabinets.Fortunately,there’s aneconomical,efficientand sustainablesolutiontobringthem backtotheirformerglory.

TracyBooth,founderofGleam GuardCabinetRefinishingknows thestruggleshomeownersface. Withabackgroundinthecleaning industry,heunderstandsalltoo wellhiscustomer’sdilemma,having heardittimeandagain:“Nomatter howhardIcleanmycabinets,they justgetworse.”

“Theissueisn’tneglector thatpeoplearecleaningthem improperly,butrathertherootof theproblemistheweaknessofthe finish;therealityismanyfinishes oncabinetsaresub-par,”reveals Booth.“Older‘experienced’ cabinetslosetheirshineovertime andcanbecomeworndown, especiallyinhightrafficareas.Once thedamagesetsin,thestains, chipsandscratches,willremain, regardlessofyourefforts.”

Developedin1987,afteryears ofresearchandtesting,Booth inventedaprocesstoclean,restore andprotectyourcabinetry— withouttoxicandharshodoursor thedifficultandexpensiveprocess ormessofstrippingdownand sandingofftheoldvarnish.

“Thekeyistochooseaprofessional withtheexperiencetocreate abeautiful,lastingfinishusing techniquesthatwon’tfilltheair withaggravatingdustparticles,” saysBooth,whohasbeen professionallyrefinishingcabinets formorethan30years.

Notonlydoesitmakegoodsense environmentally,buteconomically aswell.Foraslittleas$2,000rather thaninvesting,say$20,000to $30,000,GleamGuardcanrestore yourkitchencabinetsfor70% lessthanthecostofrefacingor replacingyourcabinets.

“Ourefficientprocessworksto bondwithyourexistingfinish, whileaddingourcustomstains andfinishestoyourwoodwork,” explainsBooth.“Thiscreatesa durablesealthatwillstrengthen andprotectyourcabinets.We’ve restoredthousandsofkitchensto theirformerbeauty,andcustomers havereportedresultslastingfor decades.”

It’sallaboutefficiencyfortheprep work,too.It’snotnecessaryto removeoldcabinetsorreplace dooranddrawerfronts,norempty yourcupboardsanddrawers.“Our averagepreptimeforcustomers is10minutes,”saysBooth,“lessif youdon’thavemuchtoclearoff yourcountertops.”

Thedust-freeprocessstartswitha GleamGuardprofessionalprepping thesurfacewithavigorousclean andthenmatchingandapplying thenewfinish.Awoodfloorfinish providesalong-wearingresult, protectingyourcabinetsfrom

hazardssuchaswaterdamage, greaseanddust.Theycanchange yourstaintolightenordarken yourcabinets;however,theydon’t providepaintingservices.

TracyBoothhasbeenprofessionallyrefinishingcabinetsformorethan30years.

PHOTOSVIAGLEAMGUARD

“There’snolengthyplanning, demolitionorconstructionperiod,” explainsBooth.“Ourtrained cabinetrefinishingprofessionalswill haveyourcabinetslookinggreat andreadytogowithinonetotwo days.”

Youcanpreservethecharacter throughoutyourhome,notjust inyourkitchenandbathroom.All interiormillworkcanberefinished, sothinkbeyondyourcabinetryand looktoyourbuilt-inbookshelves, doors,windowsills,furnitureand more.

GleamGuardcomeswitha five-yearwarranty,andtheir postrestorationserviceincludes complimentarytouch-upsif necessary.

Formoreinformation,visit gleamguardcabinetrefinishing.ca.

TRI-CITY

PROFILESOF

xcellence

COMMUNITY TELEVISION

Localgroupiscommittedtokeeping communitytelevisionalive

TheTri-CitiesCommunityTelevisionSocietyseeksfundingtore-openlocalTVproductionstudio

Communitytelevisionisacrucial mediumforhighlightinglocal voicesandservingasacareer traininggroundforyoung volunteers,butyearsofcutshave leftlocalTVonthebrink,the Tri-CitiesCommunityTelevision (TCCTV)Societysays.

COMMUNITY TELEVISION SOCIETY

Fortunately,thankstofundingfrom bothHeritageCanadaandTELUS, TCCTVisclosetobeingableto openacommunityTVproduction studio.

“Wearealmostinapositionto openalocalcommunityTVoffice, the firstintheLowerMainlandin30 years,”TCCTVexecutiveproducer GeoffScottsays.

“It’s fittingthatwe’re workingtohaveour ownstationre-emerge asanexampleinthe Tri-Citiesofcommunity television.”

“TCCTVhasbeenworkingtokeep communityTVintheTri-Cities forover20years.TheRogers CommunityTVproductionstudio thatusedtobeonKingsway inPortCoquitlamwasthe first productionofficetobeshut downinthelate90swhenShaw tookoverRogersinVancouver andbegantosystematicallyshut downthenetworkofcommunity TVproductionofficesthatexisted throughouttheLowerMainland.

”Shaweventuallyshutdownthe communitychannelentirelyin 2017andatthattimeTCCTV programmingwasonlyavailableon YouTube(Tricitiestv).NowTCCTV programmingisalsobeingcarried onTELUSOptikTV(Ch345)and availableontheCommunityMedia PortalfundedbyHeritageCanada.

Now,TCCTViseyeingre-opening itsownlocalTVstudio.

“Theofficeinourareawasthe firstonetobeshutdownwhen Shawstartedshuttingdownallthe communityTVstations,”Scottsays.

“It’s fittingthatwe’reworkingto haveourownstationre-emerge asanexampleintheTri-Citiesof communitytelevision.”

eventsandpeoplethatdon’tget regularcoverage.

andconnectivitybyproviding

TOP:PartoftheTCCTVproductionteam LEFT:TCCTVisclosetobeingabletoopen acommunityTVproductionstudio.

astarttovolunteerswhoare interestedinthetelevisionindustry.

Callingoutfornew members;reporters,camera operators,editors,story producers.Trainingprovided withthefundingwehave fromTELUS.

Theroleofcommunitytelevision programmingistoaugmentregular broadcastbysharingcommunity

“Limitedcapacitytodeliverindepthanalysesofenvironmental issuesexistsinthefast-pacedworld ofcommercialmedia.Imagesofthe aftermathofglobalandnational environmentaldisasters flashby leavingmanyfeelinghelplessor disengaged.Communitytelevision andmediaoutletsprovidehope

“CommunityTVfocusesitslens oncommunitystories.Storiesthat giveartsandculturethechance totakecenterstage,andallowus alltorealizeitsimpact,value,and integralconnectiontoahealthy community.Inaworldofsports, moresports,realityTVandcar accidentcoverage,celebrating communityiswhattrulysets CommunityTVapartandthe reasonwhyIconsideritaperfect placeformetovolunteerandmake adifferenceinmycommunity,” PatrickMcCarthy,co-hostofTriCitiesMagazineandPo-CoArts Allianceboardmember,says.

WecanbefoundonYouTube, Facebook,andHeritageCanada’s LocalJournalismsite.

TheTri-CitiesCommunityTelevisionSocietyisanot-for-profitorganizationinCoquitlam,PortCoquitlamandPortMoody,B.C.,offeringtraininginmedia productionskillsandprovidesanopportunityforcommunityvoicestobeheard.

PHOTOSBYTCCTV

Flooringcompanyletsyouchoosefromover

Thewiderangeofflooring productscurrentlyavailablein today’smarketmeansyouhave everyopportunitytopersonalize thiscriticalfeatureofyourhome withendlesspossibilities.

AsanownerofPortMoody’sFloor CoveringsInternational,it’ssafeto sayAndreaRicardez-Gortarezhas seenalotoffloorcoveringsinher day,inbothhercurrentprofession andasapropertymanagerin Mexico.Afterall,Gortarezallows clientstochoosefrommorethan 3,000sampleswhenshebringsthe floorstoyourhomeintheirMobile FlooringShowroom,justoneof manyaspectsoftheirprofessional, full-service.

Gortarezoperatesthebusinesswith herhusbandJuan,openingshop inSeptember2022aftersheand herfamilyimmigratedtoCanadain August2022.

“Weboughtthefranchiselast yearandhavebeenworkingvery hardremotelybeforewemoved,” explainsGortarez.“Weputin over200hoursoftrainingbefore opening,soithasbeenquitea journey.”

Whenyoubookacomplimentary in-homeconsultation,onecan’t overstatetheconvenienceand benefits.Thecompany’shigh-touch levelofserviceisunparalleledin theindustry.AsGortarezreveals, theyarewithyouthrougheach stepofyournewflooringproject, fromselectiontoinstallation.

“WhatIlikeaboutthisprocess isyoucaninteractwiththefloor directlyinyourhome,withyour ownlighting,yourfurnitureand wallcolours,”shedescribes.

“Youhavetofeelitandseeit indifferentlightingtomake aninformeddecision.Weset asideabout1.5hoursforeach appointmenttogettoknowyou, yourneeds,andyourstyle.We’re abletoprovidebettersolutions byinteractingwithyou,asking questionsandlookingaroundyour space.”

“Wealsomovethefurniture,clean aftereverythinghasbeeninstalled andprovidesupervisiononall ourprojects,”sheadds.“We’re trustworthy,responsibleandcaring,

andwe’lltreatyourhomeina respectfulway.”

Youwantyourfloorcoveringto bevisuallyappealing,ofcourse, butyoualsomustconsiderthings likehigh-trafficareas,colour,your lifestyle,ifyouhavekidsorpets, andhowyouliveinthespace.

“Iaskcustomerstoclosetheireyes andvisualizetheperfectroomfor

them,thewaytheywantittofeel andthewaytheywantittolook becausethatiswhatweneedto achieve,”explainsGortarez.

“Ican’tpickfloorsformycustomers orprescribeacookie-cutter solutionforthem.Theirproduct choicedependsonthevibe,the lookandthefeelthey’regoing after.So,Ineedtounderstand

AndreaRicardez-Gortarez,ownerofFloor CoveringsInternational.

perfectlywhatthey’relookingfor andwhattheirheartdesiresin ordertohelp.”

FloorCoveringInternationaloffers afullassortmentoffloorcoverings, fromlaminate,vinyl,andhardwood tocarpet,tile,stone,and environmentally-friendlyoptions.

“Everybodyislookingforvinyls thesedaysbecausethereareso manybeautifulandrealisticlooks andtexturestochoosefrom, andtheyaresoeasytocarefor” revealsGortarez.“Mosttimesthey outperformtheoriginalmaterials.”

Gortarezadmitssheishumbledto bepartoftheircustomer’slivesfor awhile:“Youopenyourdoorsto us,andIunderstandit’sasacred place,muchmorenowthanever, andsharealittlebitofyourlives. Andthat’sspecialtome.”

Formoreinformation,visitnevan. floorcoveringsinternational.com.

FloorCoveringsInternationalprovidesthebestin-homeflooringexperiencewithacommitmenttoprovidinganexcellentcustomerservice experience.Itsdesignassociatesandfactory-trainedprofessionalflooringexpertsarebothdedicatedtosuperiorcraftsmanshipbecausethey wantthefloorsinyourhometobefunctional,beautifulandenjoyable.

PHOTOSVIA:TWINLENSPHOTOGRAPHY

The Tri-CityNews’ awardwinningcoverageisbuiltona foundationofworkbyseasoned reporters,andalsobenefitsfrom freshperspectiveofarelative newcomer.

Thatnewadditiontotheteam, reporter KyleBalzer,joined thenewsroominMay2021. Specializingindigitalnewsand socialmedia,Balzergraduated withdistinctionfromBCIT’s BroadcastandOnlineJournalism programin2016.He’ssince becomeanestablishedjournalist andhaswonthreemajorprovincial honours,includingrecognition fromtheBCAssociationof Broadcastersforhispartin coveringthe2017wildfireseason.

Balzerworkedformediaoutlets inAbbotsford,SurreyandPrince Georgebeforejoiningthe Tri-City News. Hehascoveredvarious storiesintheareasofeducation, Indigenousrelations,sportsand communityinterests.

Heisatthenucleusofthe Tri-City News’ socialmediachannels, offeringuniqueperspectivesof Coquitlam,PortCoquitlam,Port Moodyandbeyond.

Helovesmeetingnewpeople, listeningtouniquestoriesand divingintonewexperiences.Out ofoffice,hislifehastakenhim tosixdifferentcountries,with extendedvisitsinColombiaand Ukraine.

He,hiswifeJessicaanddog Peachesarehappytobeback homeinMetroVancouvercloser tofamily,friendsandmost importantly,theNHL.

Reporter,photographerand assistanteditor MarioBartel hasbeenajournalistforover 30years.Morethanhalfthat tenurewasspentpeeringthrough theviewfinderofacameraasa photojournalist.

Withphotographersbearingthe bruntofcutsinacontracting industry,Bartelstartedspending moretimeatthekeyboard, coveringeverythingfromcivic affairstofeaturestosports.

Overthecourseofhisdiverse career,hehascoveredvisitsby primeministers,championship juniorhockeyteams,theearly morningtoilofatugcaptain, late-nightfires,the106thbirthday celebrationofacommunityicon,

thechallengesofaprofessional hockeyplayertryingtocomeback fromtriplecancerdiagnosesand moreelection-nightcelebrationsin dark,crowdedpubsorcommunity hallsthanhecarestoremember. (Alas,he’syettohavethe opportunitytorideinablimp.)

Fellow TCN veteran JanisCleugh bringsanarrayofinternational experiencetohercoverageof theCityofCoquitlam,thearts andhumanintereststoriesforthe Tri-CityNews.Sheisalsoacopy editor,paginatorandproofreader.

Previously,sheworkedfor the ChilliwackTimes (B.C.); BrightonIndependent(Ontario); WokinghamTimes (England);and PortsmouthNews (England).

AsastudentwiththeNational CouncilfortheTrainingof JournalistsinBritain,sheinterned at NorthWalesWeekly, Scotland onSunday andthe Western MorningNews.

Shealsospentayearteaching EnglishinJapan.

Cleughhaswonthreefellowships –twowiththeJackWebster Foundation,andonewiththe HongKongEconomicandTrade Office.

Sheisaco-secretarywith EditorsBC,atwigofEditors Canada,andisfinishingthePlain

Languagecertificateprogramat SimonFraserUniversity.Sheisa nationallycertifiedproofreader underEditorsCanada.

Veteranjournalist Diane Strandberg hasbeencovering newsandeventsinCoquitlam, PortCoquitlamandPortMoody forover25years.

Shehaswonmultipleawardsfor features,environmentalwriting andcommentary,whohasbeen observingthetransitionofthe Tri-Citiesfromasleepysuburban enclavetoamulticulturaland dynamicurbanregion.

Althoughchangehasbrought challengingissuesofhousing affordability,homelessness,gang shootings,overdoses,creek pollutionandhuman/wildlife conflicts,Strandberghasalso coveredthelightersideoflife.

Shehaswrittenabouteducation, healthcareandmentalhealth,the growthofthenon-profitsector, newandthrivingsmallbusinesses, andcivicgovernment.

“TheTri-Citiesisasdiverseand interestingtocoverforareporter thananyplaceelseinB.C.” saysStrandberg,whogrewup intheLowerMainland,wentto journalismschoolanduniversity andraisedherfamilyhere.

“Iwouldn’tworkanywhereelse.”

MarkFalkenberg,editorof the Tri-CityNews aswellasthe BurnabyNOW andthe New WestminsterRecord, ishimself anewcomertothenewsroom, havingjoinedtheteaminMayof thisyear.

Hehasworkedasajournalist forthreedecades,startingasa reporterintheFraserValleybefore joiningthe VancouverSun in2000 andholdingvariousrolesatthat paperincludingnewseditorand assistantArtsandLifeeditor.In 2014hewashiredbyGlacier Mediaasdeputymanagingeditor of BusinessinVancouver,helping overseeitsweeklyprintedition, websiteandassociated BIV publications.

Falkenberg,wholivesintheTriCities,gothisstartincommunity news,andhaswelcomedthe chancetoreturntohisroots.Local journalismismoreimportantthan ever,hesaid.

“Peopleverymuchwanttofind reliableinformationabouttheir owncommunities,toseestories aboutwheretheyliveandwork, placesandpeopletheyknow. Localnewsorganizationslike the Tri-CityNews fillthatneed extremelywell.”

Top,fromleft:MarkFalkenberg,Mario Bartel,DianeStrandberg.Bottom,from left:JaniceCleugh,KyleBalzer.

PHOTOSTRI-CITYNEWS

Promotingstrengths,bridgingdifferencesand creatingcommunity

Imagineasocietywherepeople withdevelopmentaldisabilities arecontributingcitizenstothe communitywithequalrightsand thechancetolivefull,productive andmeaningfullives.Envision aculturewherebypromoting strengths,bridgingdifferences,and creatingcommunitycouldbuilda worldwherepeoplelearnfromone anotherandthrive.

That’swhatCommunity VenturesSociety(CVS)hasbeen committedtodoingformore than40yearsintheTri-Citiesand acrossMetroVancouver.CVS continuessupportingindividuals (bothchildrenandadults)with developmentaldisabilities alongsidetheirfamilies,tosupport settingandachievinggoalsthat willincreaseopportunitiesfor growth,developmentandgreater independence.

“Wewanttoopenthedoorto opportunitiesforpeoplewith developmentaldisabilitiesandtheir familiessotheycanlivethelifethey choose,”saysPeteStone,director ofhumanresourcesandquality assurance,withCVS.

“Wereallywanttohelpenhancethe qualityofourservicesindifferent waysandwestrivetoinspireother peopleinthecommunitytojoinus increatingpositivesocialchange.”

CVSexecutivedirector,Linda King,echoesStone,andfurther emphasizessupportingthefamilies. “Whenwesupportthefamily, thatpersonbenefitsfromour services,notjustwhilethey’rein ourprogramsorattendingdifferent sessions,butwhenthey’reintheir ownhomeswiththeirfamilies.”

Asacatalystforpositivesocial change,CVSisdedicatedto bridgingthegapbetween communityinclusionand communityintegration.

Inclusionversusintegration

Kingisquicktodistinguishthat integrationcanbedescribedas simplysharingaspacewhere thepersonjusthappenstobe therewithyou,whileinclusionis moreaboutprovidingavaluable role,withresponsibilitiesandthe opportunitytocreatemeaningful connections.CVSsupportstherole ofadvocacyasleadersofinclusion inthewidercommunitythrough

theirbroadrangeofprogramsand activities.

Loweremploymentrateshave oftenbeenthecaseforpeople withdisabilities;however,with CVS’sdedicatedfocusonsocial enterprisesandtheirEmployment program,theworkforcefor individualswithdisabilities continuestogrow.

“We’vedefinitelyseenanuptick,” admitsStone.“Withthelabour shortageinB.C.,alotofemployers arerethinkingtheirapproach, andinsteadoftryingtoweed outpotentialemployees,they’re thinkingabouttryingtoreducethe barrierstogetthoseemployeesin.”

“OurEmploymentprogramhelps connectpeoplewithdevelopmental disabilitieswithbusinessesthatfit theirneeds,”explainsKing.“We providetrainingandjobshadowing toensuresuccessforbothparties, plusweeducatebusinessesonthe benefitsofhiringapersonwitha developmentaldisability.”

“Thewonderfulthingabout businessesthathirepeoplewith developmentaldisabilities,”she adds,“isthey’recreatingboth socialinclusionsaswellaseconomic inclusionsforthatperson.”

Individualswithadevelopmental disabilitydeservetobecomean

integralpartoftheircommunity andnotjustbeonoutingsintheir community.

“Partneringwithbusinessesisa reallybigpartofourEmployment program,”saysStone.“It’sone ofourbiggeststepstosupport inclusion,helpingpeoplefindjobs withvaluedrolesinthecommunity. Particularly,businesseslikePort Moody’sBlackSugar,PoCo’sCOBS BreadandPortCoquitlamBIA,just tonameafew.”

“Employmentenhancesthequality ofeverybody’slife,”saysKing.

“Weallmakeconnectionsatwork, andit’sagreatopportunityfor somebodywithadevelopmental disabilitytonetworkwithothers.”

Communityliving

Agoalfortheircommunityinclusion programistosupportmeaningful participationwithinthecommunity andtoensurethatinclusionis multidimensionalwithanextensive rangeofactivitiesthatenhance qualityoflife.

“OurCommunityInclusionprogram isaboutbeingpartofacommunity asmuchaspossible,giving individualsasenseofbelonging intheactivitiestheydointheir day-to-day,”explainsKing.“It’s buildinglifeskills,it’srecreation,it’s supportingthemtoconnectinthe communityindifferentways.”

“Wehaveastrongbeliefthatone personcanmakeadifferencein anotherperson’slife,”saysKing.

Formoreinformation,visit communityventures.caorforcareer opportunities,applydirectlyon theirworkforuspage.

Wehopeyoumightconsider donatingtoourannualChristmas campaignandmakeadifference inthelifeofachildthisholiday season.

www.communityventures.ca/ donations”

LindaKing