Tri-City News October 27 2022

Lotsofprojects, notenoughstaff atCoq.CityHall

Coquitlamcityhallmay besittingprettyfinancially.

Butithasn’tgotenough stafftogetsomeofitsmajor projectsofftheground.

Monday(Oct.24),council-in-committeeheardfrom seniorcorporatemanagers aboutthetightlabourmarketthat’saffectingallLower Mainlandmunicipalities, post–pandemic.

Accordingtothelatest newsletterbyCivicInfoBC, releasedMonday,thereare 678positionsavailableat municipalhallsandcivic facilitiesacrosstheprovince —ineverydepartment.

InCoquitlam,staff vacancyratestendtobe aroundthefivetosixper centmark;however,asof August,therewere90jobs available,representingan 8.5percentvacancyrate.

Bycomparison,Port Coquitlam’srateisat5.8per cent;PortMoody’sat4.86 percent.

Coquitlam’sstaffshortagesmeansomebigprojectsscheduledinthe2022 BusinessPlan—OK’dby councillastyear—willbe putonholdordelayed,city managerPeterSteblinsaid.

Initssecondtrimester report,thecityputtwoprojects“onhold,”citingthelack ofcivicstaff:theCoquitlam RiverParkMasterPlan andtheTownCentrePark GatewayPlanning.

It’sthefirsttimethatthe CityofCoquitlamhasbeen forcedtoputmajorprojects inatrueholdingpattern, saidGrahamStuart,director ofcorporateplanning,at Monday’smeeting.

Don Drysdale

DonDrysdaleRichardRaineyAlexanderHuxtable

Aswell,threeprojects havea“majordelay”stamp, duetothelabourshortages, aswellasothermacro-eco nomicfactorslikesupply chaindisruptionsandinfla tionarypressures:

•BlueMountainPark MasterPlan

•FremontConnector planning

•Heritagemanagement strategyimplementation

•MajorRecreationand CulturalFacilitiesRoadMap

•GlenParkPhase3planning

Inaddition,11projects arelistedashavinga“minor delay”whilefiveitemsare waitingforactionfroman outsidepartnerorgroupthat maybealsohavingprob lemsfindingstaff.

OnMonday,duringhis secondtrimesterreportpresentation,CoquitlamRCMP Supt.KeithBramhillalso voicedconcernaboutthe volumeofqualifiedemploy eesavailableforhire.

Attheregionallevel, TarynneSummers,Metro Vancouver’sdirectorof humanresources,toldthe Tri-CityNews thattheretirementandresignationrates arehigherthanusual.

“Oneofourgreatestchallengesaroundstaffingand vacanciescontinuestobe attractingandsecuringtop talenttoourorganization, particularlyforourspecial izedroles.Intoday’sjob

market,candidatesareoften receivingmultipleoffers fromavarietyofemployers.”

Stuartsaidnotonlyare municipalstaffcurrentlyin highdemand,therecruitmentprocessistakinglonger.Inturn,thatimpactsthe BusinessPlanandbumps priorityitemswithinit.

HesaidCoquitlamcity staffarefaringwellwith A-andB-priorityprojects— liketheCedarDriveupdate, InnovationCentrerenovationsandtheAustinWorks YardRenewal—butare challengedwithC-priority programsliketheCoquitlam CrunchSouthExtension Planning.

“Ican’trecallwhenIhad lookedatatrimesterspreadsheetwithsomanyprojects delayedoronhold,”said Coun.CraigHodge,noting theworkloadsinplanning andparksfields.

NikkiCaulfield,generalmanagerofcorporate

planning,saiddespitethe forecastedeconomicuncertaintyinCanada,Coquitlam continuestoboomonthe developmentfront.

Duringthespring(April toJune),thecityadded$417 millioninconstructionvalue toitsinventory,bringingthe totalyeartodateto$724million.Aswell,Coquitlamtook in361newbuildingpermit applicationsinthesecond trimester,reachingatotalof 651todate.AttheendofT2, thecitywas“inaverystrong financialposition”witha $5-millionsurplus.

Caulfieldtoldthecommitteethatcitymanagersare doingwhattheycantodraw talent,notingCoquitlamhas wonaTopEmployertitle forthepastfouryears;ithas alsolaunchedacoopprogramforstudents“tobuild capacityandexcitement” aroundpublicservice.

Aswell,Coquitlamhas startedaninternalprogram

totrainstafftobe“mental healthchampions,”given thatoneinfourCanadians arestrugglinginthepost–pandemicworld.

Thecompetitivejob marketinCoquitlamand theLowerMainlandwillbe watchedcloselybythecity’s twonewpoliticians,tobe sworninNov.7:MattDjonlic andRobertMazzarolo.

“It’soneofthebiggest challengesthatwe’regoing tohaveoverthenextterm,” Djonlicsaidofthelabour force.“It’snotjustatcity hall:We’reseeingitacross therestaurantindustry, too….We’regoingtohave toprioritizethingsbecause there’stoomuchonthecity staff’splatethatwewon’t beabletogetthingsdonein time.Weneedtobeselective.”

Mazzaroloconcurredthat manyemployersarehaving problemswithfillingpositions.

“Myroleistosupportcity staffinovercomingthese challengesinamanner thatisconsistentwithinmy capacityasacitycouncillor toattractthebestpossible candidatesforthepositions availableatCoquitlamCity Hall,”hesaid.“Duringthe courseofthecampaign, theoverallfeedbackIreceivedfromresidentswas thattheywerehappywith thelevelandqualityofservicesprovidedbyourcity; however,weshouldalways seektoimprove.”

‘There’stoomuchonthecitystaff’splate’:Djonlic

NIKKICAULFIELD,GMOF

PETERSTEBLIN

TRINAHUNTMURDER

Listingstirsonlinefuror

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

ThehomewheredeceasedPortMoodyresident TrinaHuntlivedforover14 yearshasbeenlistedforsale, sparkinganonlineoutcry.

AnMLSpostingstatesthe homeissellingfornearly $2.4million,muchhigher thanthecurrentassessmentof$1.6millionfrom July2021.

ThelistingcomesasrelativesandsupportersofHunt criticizedtherealestatesale, afteraVancouverrealestate agentpostedapreviewof thelistingonsocialmedia.

TheFacebookpostwas removedfollowingseveral angrycommentsanda websitewassetuptoalert potentialbuyersofthereal estatesale.

AccordingtoHunt’s cousin-in-law,Stephanie Ibbott,thedeceasedwoman hadlivedinthehousesince 2006.

MeanwhileaFacebook groupcalledtheMurder ofTrinaHuntDiscussion Group,withmorethan5,000 members,hasraisedconcernsaboutthelisting.

Ascreengrabshowing thepotentiallistingdrew morethan100comments inacoupleofhours,with commentsbothinsupport ofandagainsttherealtor.

Thehomehassome notorietyinthesuburban neighbourhoodafteritwas behindpolicetapeintwo

separateinstances,includingonJune6,2022,aspart ofwhatIntegratedHomicide InvestigationTeam(IHIT) calledthe“investigative process.”

Nochargeshavebeenlaid inthecase.

HuntwaslastseenonJan. 18,2021.

Herremainswerefound nearHope,B.C.,inMarch 2021,anda$50,000reward hasbeenestablishedforinformationleadingtosolving herdeath.

ThePortMoodyhomewhereTrinaHuntlivedfor14 yearsisforsale. DIANESTRANDBERG/THETRI-CITYNEWS

ParentsVoiceBCvowstofirmupideas,return

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

MarkVellaisnotdisappointedintheshowingof ParentsVoiceBCcandidates inCoquitlamandPort Moody.

ThefounderandpresidentoftheB.C.electororganizationsaystheshutoutof thegroup’sTri-Cityschool trusteecandidatesinthe Oct.15municipalelectionis justasetbackduetoashort timeline.

Hesaidthevotersupport acrosstheprovinceisa buildingblocktowardmore successinthefuture.

“We’rethevesselofthis growingmovement.We’ve hadlotsofpeoplewhoare interestedinrunningforus nexttime,”saidVella.

InCoquitlam,voters choseincumbentcandidatesplusaprevious schooltrusteeoverthree ParentsVoiceBCcandidates bya3,000-votemargin

while,inPortMoody,the ParentsVoiceBCcandidate cameinlastwith1,330votes.

However,Vellapointsto theelectionofacandidate inChillwackandtwoin NechakoLakesassignsthat hisgrouphasafoundationit canbuildonfor2026school boardelections.

Vellaattributesthelocal electionlossestothefact thatthegrouponlygot startedinJune—andonly hadtimetofield28can-

didates,althoughitraised $100,000.

Aswell,hesaidsome mediaunfairlycriticizedthe groupassociallyconservativeoranti-SOGI(Sexual OrientationandGender Identity).

Infact,headded,it’sa centre–rightelectoralorganizationthat’sworkingto counterunion-supported candidates.

“Thekeythatwhatwe wantedtodoisbeacounter

totheunions.Inourmind, theunionsareaquasiprovincialparty.Theywinwith professionallyruncampaigns.Therewasnothing equivalentontherightuntil now,”saidVella.

Attheschoolboardlevel, hesaidparentswantmore transparencyinpoliciesand decision-making.

Butwhenaskedwhy ParentsVoiceBCcandidates inCoquitlamandPort Moodyweren’tmoreopen abouttheirviews,hesaid theelectoralorganization letthemdecidewhatthey wantedtosay.

“Themediawasalready puttinghitpiecesouton us,soitlookedlikewe weren’tgoingtogetafair shake,”saidVella,adding,it was“uptothecandidateif theywantedtospeak.”

DespiteParentsVoiceBC’s campaignslogan“TakeBack OurSchools,”therewasno specificmentionofwhatthat meant.

SOGIwasn’tinthe

group’spolicyorliterature, andalthoughVellahaswritteninthe BCCatholic about theimportanceofChristians beingactiveinpolitics,the groupstayedawayfromespousingsocialconservative issuesonitswebsite.

Locally,itwashardtotell whereCoquitlamandPort Moodycandidatesstood onissuessuchasSOGIand diversityofgenderidentity inschools.

OneTri-Cityresidentdid trytogetmoreinformation oncandidatesrunningin Coquitlam,especiallyasto whethertheysupportedthe province’seducationaround SOGI.

NicolaSpurling,a localsocialjusticeadvocate, sentquestionnairestoall Coquitlamcounciland schoolboardcandidates, canvassingtheiropinionon anumberofissues,includingwhethertheysupported SOGIpolicy.

ParentsVoicecandidates BelindaWheatley,Daniel

WestleyandGeoffreyWay didnotrespondtothequestion,whiletheelectedcandi datesallsaidtheysupported itintheresultspostedtoher blog.

Spurling,aformerGreen Partycandidateinthe provincialelectionwho alsopreviouslyranfora Coquitlamcitycouncil seat,saidshetriedtohelp votersmakeinformeddecisions,butshe’snotsure whatimpactshehadonthe electionresult.

“Ithinkit[theresult]showsvotersdon’t eitherlikeslatesbecause theywererunningtogether asoneorganization,orit mightindicatevotersdidn’t likewhattheystoodforor thoughttheystoodfor.”

Vella,meanwhile,said parentsareconfusedabout issues.

Hesaidhisgroupwill spendthenextfouryears firmingupideasandpolicy onissuesthathiscandidates heardonthedoorstep.

flashlightsorglowsticksto

•Usebattery-operatedcandlesfor

•Keepmatches,lightersandcandles

•Keepexitsfromyourhomeclearof decorationssonothingblocksescape routes.

•Ensureallsmokealarmsareworking.

SECONDTRIMESTERREPORT

Mentalhealthcallsup40%thisspring

CoquitlamRCMPare calledto səmiqwəʔelə/ RiverviewLandsfivetosix timesadaytofindpatients missingfromtheRedFish HealingCentre.

Andeachresponse typicallytakesbetween25 and50hourstolocatethe person,returnthemsafely andtypeupthepaperwork, councilheardonMonday asthedetachment’ssuper intendentreportedontheir springactivities.

Inhissecondtrimester (T2)presentationofcrime statistics,Officer-in-Charge KeithBramhilltoldcoun cil-in-committeethatcalls formentalhealthservices jumped40percentoverthe three-yearT2average,with 600requestsforassistance betweenAprilandJune.

Manyofthosecallscame fromtheRedFishHealing CentreforMentalHealth andAddiction,a105-bed facilitythatopenedlast Octobertoreplacethe BurnabyCentreforMental HealthandAddiction.

BramhillsaidtheRCMP hasa“goodrelationship” withtheprovincialofficials atRedFish,and90percent ofthemissingpatientsare broughtbacktothefacility.

Inthecommunity,many callsformentalhealthhelp wererelatedtotheCOVID19pandemic,hesaid.

PoliceinCoquitlamare alsoathospitalslongerwith peoplewithmentalhealth

challenges—up10percent inthepastT2forwaittimes longerthantwohours.

BramhillsaidthedetachmentisworkingwithFraser HealthtoprovideaCar67typemobilecrisisresponse unitthatwouldpairapolice officerwithanursetohelp peoplewithmentalhealth issuesandprovidethem withreferralstoappropriate services.Buthenoted,with thehealthcaresystemis stretched,Coquitlamisstill waitingforsupport.

Besidestheuptickin mentalhealthcalls,RCMP inCoquitlamalsodealtwith morepersonsandproperty crimesthisspring,hesaid.

Personscrimesshotup by15percent—mostlydue toariseinassaults(up8 percent)—whileproperty offenceswentupbyfiveper cent.Tocounterthewave infraud(up18percent), CoquitlamRCMParesetting upan“exchangezone”in frontoftheGuildfordWay detachmentforbettersecuritywithonlineshopping meet-ups.

Anothernewinitiativeis aCrimeFreeMulti-Housing Programthat’sdesignedto preventtheftandproperty crime;it’ssettolaunchlater thisyearorearlynextyear.

Aswell,anewcommunity policingofficewillopenat BurquitlamPlazainJanuary aspartofamajorarea updatethatincludesthe BurquitlamYMCA.

ImagineopensinBurquitlam

Coquitlamhasitsfirst potshop.

ImagineCannabiswas oneofthelastcompanies togettheOKfromcity councilthissummerto openarecreationalcannabisstore.

Now,ithasaretail storeinBurquitlam Plaza,locatedunderthe EvergreenExtensionand nexttoShoppersDrug Mart.

OwnerHarpHoonjan saidbusinessisbriskat the950sq.ft.store,which displaysitsgovernment-controlledproductsonshelvesturned aroundandintableswith frontfrostedpanels,so customersontheoutside

can’tseewhat’sforsale inside.

ImagineCoquitlam hasfivefull-timestaffand fivepart-timestaff.

Hoonjansaidhisteam pickedBurquitlambecauseit’sontheSkyTrain lineandisagrowing neighbourhood.

Otherstoresgreenlit thisyearbycouncilare TheLocalLeafCannabis (109-2957GlenDr.); KJ’sBestCannabis (103-2700BarnetHwy.); SeedandStone(512 YoungDr.);Brunette CannabisCompany (102-935BrunetteAve.; andNorthernLights Cannabis(UnitB-1052 AustinAve.).

COMMUNITIESINBLOOM

5goldenblooms

Fivegoldenblooms. Thatwastheaward theCityofCoquitlam earnedlastweekendat theannualCommunities inBloom,anationaland internationalcompetitionthatrecognizesenvironmentalsustainability, improvementstogreens spacesandheritageconservationinparticipating municipalities.

Coquitlamtookthe prestigious“5Blooms -gold”accoladeinthe GrandChampionscategory,withaspecial shout-outfortheHoy Creekhatcherythatit runswiththeHoy/Scott CreekWatershedSociety.

VilledeRosemere, Que.,alsoscoopeda5 Blooms-gold—edging outCoquitlamforthe topspotwithitscommemorativepoetrygarden—whiletheCityof Castlegartook5Blooms -bronze.

Itwasthefirsttime thatCoquitlamhad competedintheGrand Championscategory.

Coquitlam alsoclinched twoOutstanding AchievementAwards: theGreenCities Award,sponsoredby theCanadianNursery LandscapeAssociation; andsecondplaceinthe

Equinox&ScottsCanada YearoftheGarden Contest(firstplacewent toBrandon,Man.).

InJuly,BertaBriggs, aretiredgreenhouse ownerfromAlberta,and LarryHall,aretirededucator,judgedCoquitlam’s entrythatincludeda tractordanceatTown CentrePark—courtesy ofmunicipalparksstaff. Communitiesin Bloomofficialshanded outthe28thannual awardsonOct.22ata ceremonyinVictoria. Theaimofthecompetitionistofostercommunitystrength,involvementandcontinuous improvement.

Inanewsrelease, nationalchairperson SusanElliscongratulated thenationalandinternationalwinners“who, withthehelpoftheir communityvolunteers, haveraisedthebarwith theireffortstocreate andenhancethegreen spacesthatsomanyresidentshaverediscovered acrossCanada.

“Ourcommunities continuetorecognize theneedtonurtureand protectourenvironment andcreatenewwaysto helpmitigatetheimpacts ofclimatechange,”she added.

LOOKINGAHEAD

Housing,transportation,policingarepriorities

Newcouncilwillbe sworninonNov.8

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

PortCoquitlamcouncil willbesworninonTuesday, Nov.8.

Here'swhat'sonthe agendaforthecity,accordingtoMayorBradWest.

Westsaidhousingwould continuetobea“priority” oncouncil,includingexpandingaffordablerental housing.

CouncilisalreadyworkingwithAffordableHousing Societiestocreatemore affordablerentalhomes atRiverWoodsnextto theWestminsterJunction non-markethousingbeing builtonKingswayAvenue.

Aswell,thecitywillbe workingtopromotemore housingchoices,including ground-orientedhousing andhousingforfamilies.

“Councilisgoingtobe lookingforthoseopportunitiestobuilduponthe successwe'vehadwith thenon-marketaffordable housing.Andthenonthe marketside,makingsure thatweareseeinghousing producedthatissuitablefor familiesandofferspeople

choicesateverystageoflife.”

WestsaidPoCocouncilwillpressforwardona numberofkeytransportationpriorities,suchas improvingsafetyalongthe MaryHillBypass,withearly planslookingtoreplace majorintersectionswith interchanges;replacingthe CoquitlamRiverBridge;and workingwiththePortof Vancouvertoremoverail crossingsatWestwoodStreet andKingswayAvenue.

Westalsowantstosee morebusesandisworking withtheMetroVancouver Mayor’sCouncilonthefeasibilityofSkyTraintoPort Coquitlam.

Meanwhile,thecitywill seekgrantstoimprovepedestrianandcyclingroutes, suchasamulti-usepath alongKingswayAvenue.

Westsaidthecityisinthe midstofdraftingaclimate actionplanthatwilldrive projectstowardreducing

greenhousegases,aswellas plantingtreestoincreasethe treecanopyandimproving floodprotection.

“We’veappliedforgrants fromseniorlevelsofgovernmenttobeabletomakethe cityassafeaspossiblewith respecttoflooding.Andso there'sanumberofverysignificantcapitalprojects,all centredaroundmitigating theriskofclimatechange,” Westsaid.

Westsaidhewantstosee

moreofficersvisibleonthe streetandmoreeffortstoreducespeedinginthecity, Recentcrimestatsshow thenumberofassaultsand mentalhealthcallswasup inthesecondquarterof theyear,comparedtothe three-yearaverage,whilethe numberofticketsissuedfor speedingwasdown.

"It'sgoingtobeimportant tocontinuetoensurethat theresourcesareinplace."

HesaidRCMPresources

weredivertedtodealing withgangshootingsin Coquitlamthispastyear.

“So,forme,it'sabout increasedpolicepresencein ourcommunity.It'shaving thembevisible.I'dliketo seetheminthecommunity patrollingonfoot."

Meanwhile,hiring morebylawofficersandgivingthemmorepowershas helpedmakethecitysafer, Westsaid.

Westsaidanotherbig priorityiskeepingtaxeslow, despiteinflationarypressures,evenifitmeansdivertingprojectsorbreaking themupovertwoyearsand hesaidcouncilwillbeprioritizingprojectsandplansto ensureservicestoresidents.

Onthefestivalfile,West saidhe'slookingforward tomoreeventsdowntown andimprovementstoLeigh SquareandVeteransPark.

“Obviously,therevitalizationofdowntown, makingitago-tospotinour communityinattracting morerestaurantsandplaces toeatanddrinkandshop andbeentertained,that's goingtocontinuetobeapri ority,"saidWest.

He’salsopredictingthat MayDay2023—the100th anniversaryofthetraditional familyevent—willbe“the partyofthecentury.”

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

BUSINESS

Entrepreneursteamupforatastynewtreat

Singlebatchcould bethefirstofmany collaborations

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

Summerholidayseasonis over,butfortwolocalbusinesses,Vacationcouldbe justabeginning.

That’sthenameofanew, limited-editionsorbetcreatedbyPortMoody’sRocky PointIceCreamandSquish JuiceryinPortCoquitlam.

Itssinglebatchwasrecentlyreleased,andifit’sa success,moresuchcollabo rationscouldbecoming.

TheamalgamofRocky Point’sicecreamknowledge andSquish’sfreshlypressed flavourshasbeeninthe worksforsometime,said juicemanCallanMorrison, aPortMoodyresidentwho wasrecentlyelectedtocity council.

RockyPoint’sJamie Cuthbertsaidheandhis wife,Yvette,arealwayson thelookouttoworkwith otherlocalbusinesses— whetherit’ssourcingingre dientsorcomingupwith uniqueflavoursforspecial events,astheicecream

makershavedonefora coupleofthebrewerieson PortMoody’sBrewersRow nearby.

“We’reallaboutsupportinglocal,”saidCuthbert, addingsuchunionsbenefit allpartiesinvolvedbecause theyplayoneachother’s

strengthsanduniquequalitieswhilepresentingnew opportunitiestoreachconsumerswhomaynotbefamiliarwithoneofthebrands orhadn’tyettriedit.

“Youcanhelpbuildeach otherup,”Morrisonsaid.

Whileamutualproject

wasoneofhisgoalssince startingSquishwithhis partner,Jessica,in2019, coordinatingschedulesand availabilitiesfinallyonly happenedafewweeksago, whentheMorrisonswere abletogettogetherwith RockyPoint’sicecream

teamtobrainstormflavours andformulas.

Morrisonsaidheknew hisVacationjuice—ablend ofpineapple,apple,lemon andpear,alongwithsome mint—couldbeawinnerin icedform.

Hesaidit’sSquish’smost

populardrinkandappeals toadultsandkids.

Butturningthoseliquids intoasorbetthathitsallthe flavournotes,scoopswell andretainsitsshapeina conewasn’tassimpleas pouringabottleofjuiceinto avatofice.

Throughtrialanderror, aswellaslotsoftaste-testing sessions,ratiosofthevarious componentswereadjusted, includingaboosttothe amountofmint.

“Itneededakick,” Cuthbertsaid.

Theresult,saidMorrison, “makesyoufeellikeyou’re onabeachinMaui”when youeatit.

Andjustlikethereal thing,Vacation—thesorbet —willbegonebeforeyou knowit.

Theteamcreatedaninitialbatchof24litres,enough for180scoopsavailableonly atRockyPoint’sflagship locationintheparkafter whichit’snamed,aswellas inpintsatboththeicecream shopandSquish’sshopin PortCoquitlam.

Cuthbertsaidfurthercollaborationsareintheworks, includingaplant-based sorbetwithkaleandspinach thatcouldendupbeingthe rarestoftreats—adessert that’sactuallygoodforyou.

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

IncomingB.C.PremierdesignateDavidEby wouldbewisetostick tohispredecessor’sstyleof governing,whichmeans notembarkingdownpaths favouredbyactivistsof allstripeswhorightnow arerathervocalwithinhis party.

OutgoingPremierJohn Horgantoldmeearlyon inhisfirsttermthatitwas importantforhispartyto droptheactivistwaysthat characterizeditstimein Opposition.

Forminggovernment raisedthestakesand forcedthepartymoreto thepoliticalcentreand awayfromthemorefringe activistelements.

Thefirstindication theBCNDPhadactually donethatwasitsdecision tofinishtheSiteCdam, whichthepartyfirmlyop

posedbeforeforminggovernment.Italsobacked theLNGindustry,which itmockedwhileonthe othersideoftheHouse.

Whenhewasin Opposition—indeed, evenbeforeheentered politics—Ebycarvedout areputationasanactivist lawyerwhochampioned civilliberties,thehomelessandopposedanumberofpoliceactions.

Whenhebecameattorney-generalin2017,there wasspeculationhewould continuewithhisactivist approachbutmuchtothe dismayofhisopponents, hedidnotdothat.

Allpoliticalpartiesare coalitionsofinterests,to varyingdegrees.TheBC Liberalshavebothliberals andconservativeswithin theirranks.

TheBCNDPattractsa

broadrangeofliberals, unionistsandsocialand environmentalactivists.

Theparty’srecent leadership“race”revived theageolddebatethat existswithinpartieslike theNDP:isitbetterto adoptpublicpoliciesthat arenotpopularyetsatisfy ideologicalpreferences? Orisitbettertocompromiseonsomeofthose beliefsinordertoachieve realpoliticalpowertoactuallyimplementsomeof thosepolicies?

Horganandhiscaucus haveobviouslyoptedfor thelatterapproach,much tothedismayofdisqualifiedNDPleadershipcandidateAnjaliAppadurai andhersupporters.

Appadurai’scampaign labelledtheNDPgovernmentafailureonthe climateactionfileand

wantedtotakethekindof actionsthatwouldsend thepartyintotheelectoral desertifimplemented.

Publicopinionsimply doesn’tsupportbanning fracking,shuttingdowna hugechunkoftheforest industry,shutteringthe LNGindustryandmoving aggressivelytoendmany naturalresourceprojects.

Ebysaysheintendsto takeactiononanumber offrontsinhisfirst100 daysofoffice.Theyincludehealthcare,street crime,old-growthlogging,climateactionand, ofcourse,housingaffordability.

Iwillbesurprised, however,ifheproposes todoanythingradicalon anyofthoseissues.

KeithBaldreyischiefpoliticalreporterforGlobal BC.

t

Areyouhappywiththeresultsofthecivicelectionresultsinyourcommunity?

t

Doyouthinkalldrugsshouldbe

PROVINCIALPOLITICS

BCNDPactingmorelikeaBigBusinessparty

TheEditor:

Abrave,intelligent, energetic,creativecitizen offershertalentsandthe onlythingtheBCNDPcan thinkoftodowithAnjali AppaduraiistoactlikeaBig Businessparty.

Ihavebeenanofficial memberforalmost40years. IbelongtoLeadnowand Dogwoodorganizationstoo, andIgetmoreusefulinfor mationfromthosenon-profitsthanIeverdofromthe partyinpower.

Allthoseyoungpeopletell youwhatmatterstothem, andweBCNDPmembers can’tthinkofanythingmore

creativethantodumptheir candidate.

Ifyouthinktheoiland gaspeoplehavetokeepdestroyingtheplanetwithyour co-operation,youshould comerightoutandsayso andlet’sgetreal.

Anddon’ttakepeople’s moneypretendingthatyou arereallyactingontheir behalf.

IrespectedPremierJohn Horganandtheparty’snew leaderDavidEbyuntilthis happened,althoughIdid noticetheyweren’tdoing anythingveryconcrete aboutmitigatingclimate change.

Icertainlythoughtthey wereanimprovementon theirpredecessors.

Butnowitiscleartheyare findingithardtocareabout anyonebutoilandgasrevenues,andworkersforwhom theyhavenotmadeany otherpreparations.

IhavelivedinB.C.now formorethan40years.

Thebehaviourofthis provincialgovernmentistoo muchlikethefederalLiberal Party’s:justcosyuptotheoil andgaspeopleandignore thefutureoftheplanetthat sustainsusall.

DonnaStewart NorthVancouver

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

Clockwisefromabove, KenHonigman’sAnmore Manorhouseofhorrorsis looselybasedontheH.G. Wells’novel“TheIsland ofDr.Moreau,”where allsortsofhalf-animal/ half-humancreatures roam.Theinstallation takesuptheentirefront lawnandmuchofthe house.Oneofthe“labs” whereexperimentsgo wrong.Amurderofcrows greetsvisitors.

MARIO

horrors

wrong.

ForeightHalloweenseasons,Honigmanhasbeen thecreatorandkeeperof AnmoreManor,animmersivehauntedhouseexperiencethatlastyearraised $12,000andcollectedmore than400poundsoffood fortheSHARESocietyfood bank.

AnmoreManorisloosely basedonH.G.Wells’novel TheIslandofDr.Moreau,in whichanevilscientist’sexperimentstocreatehalf-human/half-animalcreatures

VisitorsenterMoreau’s

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram

TRI-CITY

PiedPumkinalumnusopensupher'livingroom'

Friday,Oct.28

LIGHTBRIGADE

HelptheCityof Coquitlam’sParkSparklight brigadebuildlitelements fortheannualcelebration atTownCentrePark:Lights atLafarge,whichopens Nov.26.Workshopswillbe heldtodayfrom3to5p.m. andOct.29from9a.m.to 12:30p.m.attheInspiration Gardeninthepark(30913099GuildfordWay, Coquitlam).

EMAIL:garden@coquitlam.ca

PUMPKINWALK

Talkawalkaroundthe courtyardatMillerPark CommunitySchool(800 EgmontAve.,Coquitlam) wheretheParentAdvisory CouncilhasaHalloween pumpkinwalkfeaturing decoratedpumpkinscarved bythestudents.Theeventis accessibleandrunsfrom6 to9p.m.andadmissionisby donation.Itissponsoredby SaveOnFoods(Cameron).

MORE:sd43.bc.ca/ school/millerpark

WONDERFULLIFE

PortMoody’smayor-elect MeghanLahtiispartofa radioplaythisweekend stagedbytheIocoPlayers. It’saWonderfulLife runs tonightandOct.29at7p.m. —andOct.29at2p.m. —at theInletUnitedChurchat

TheSprings(2315Spring St.,PortMoody).Theshow, writtenbyJoeLandry,is toldina1940s-styleradio broadcastformatunderthe artisticdirectionofMike Arseneault.Ticketsare$25 viaeventbrite.ca,or$30at thedoorifavailable.

MORE:facebook.com/ groups/iocoplayersportmoodytheatrearts

THATSIBLING

ThestoryofMariaAnna Mozart—akaNannerl— andherveryfamousbrother,

WolfgangAmadeusMozart, astheytouraroundEurope istoldthrough Mozartand HerBrother, aplaydevelopedbyMarkWeatherley andMasaeDaythatexplores theirrivalry.Directedby GarrettQuirk,theshow isperformedbyDayand JennyAndersen;itruns attheEvergreenCultural Centre(1205PinetreeWay, Coquitlam)tonightand Oct.29at7:30p.m.,witha Saturdaymatineeat3p.m. Ticketsare$45/$38/$16.

MORE:evergreencultur-

alcentre.ca

ARTSHOW

Celebratetheopening oftwonewexhibitions atPlacedesArts(1120 BrunetteAve.,Coquitlam): StitchedTogether, afibreart andmixedmediadisplay byRobinFischer,Karen JohnsonandKarlieNorrish McChesney,and Industrial Remnants, amixedmedia collectionbySherryCooper. Theopeningreceptionisat 7p.m.Bothexhibitionscan beseenattheMaillardville venuefromOct.28toDec. 15,andonlinefromNov.4to Dec.15.

MORE:placedesarts.ca

MUSICNIGHT

AaronConnaughton headlinestheCrossroads Coffeehouseshow—a benefitfortheCrossroads HospiceSociety—inthe GatheringPlace(11002253LeighSq.,nexttoPort CoquitlamCityHall).Doors openat7p.m.withopen micbeginningat7:30p.m. Connaughtonplaysat8:50 p.m.Admissionis$5.

MORE:thecrossroadscoffeehouse.com

SECONDCONCERT

Theaward-winning singer–songwriterShari UlrichofthePiedPumkin andTheHometownBand famewelcomesticketholderstoher"livingroom"

forthesecondshowinthe InletTheatreMusicseries attheInletTheatre(inside PortMoodyCityHall,100 NewportDr.).Doorsopen at7p.m.forthe7:30p.m. show.Shewillbejoinedby CindyFairbankonpiano andvocals.Ticketsare$30, or$40atthedoor.

MORE:portmoodymusic.com

Saturday,Oct.29

HERITAGEBOO

Familiescanheadtothe MackinHouseMuseum (1116BrunetteAve., Coquitlam)fortheHeritage Halloweenextravaganza. Checkoutthehaunted mysterytrainstation,take apicturewithaprincessor superheroandmakesome crafts.Thefreeevent,from 1to3p.m.,isheldoutdoors. Noregistrationisrequired; however,donationstothe CoquitlamHeritageSociety areappreciated.

MORE:coquitlamheritage.ca

HAUNTINGSPIRITS TheCollectiveplays theAsylumatHardRock CasinoVancouver(2080 UnitedBlvd.,Coquitlam) tocelebrateHalloween.A DJkickingoffthepartyat8 p.m.Prizeswillbeawarded forbestHalloweencostume.

MORE:hardrockcasinovancouver.com

Sunday,Oct.30

FARMERSFIELDS

Shopforlocalfarefrom MetroVancouverfarmersandvendorsatthe CoquitlamFarmersMarket, whichrunsfrom9a.m.to1 p.m.intheparkinglotnext toDogwoodPavilion(1655 WinslowAve.,Coquitlam).

MORE:makebakegrow. com

SALMONSUNDAYS

Joinvolunteersany Sunday,rainorshine,atthe MossomCreekHatchery& EducationCentre(Mossom CreekDrive,PortMoody) tohelpoutwithoddjobs andlearnaboutwatershed stewardshipandfishculture. ThegateisopenonSundays from11a.m.to1:30p.m. Visitorsarewelcome.

MORE:mossomcreek. org

STRINGTRIO

RaineHamilton,aclassicallytrainedviolinistand musicologist,performswith QuintinBart(doublebass) andNatanielleFelicitas (cello)attheEvergreen CulturalCentre(1205 PinetreeWay,Coquitlam)at 7:30p.m.Hamilton’slatest full-lengthalbumistitled BraveLand, aseriesofsongs honouringthemountains. Ticketsare$35/$32/$16.

MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

Allyouhavetodoiswalk throughthedoorsof thenewSave-On-Foods storeatSunwoodSquare(#1003025LougheedHwy.)which openedinearlySeptember.

“WeliketocallSunwood Squareyourfreshnew groceryexperiencebecause ofthefocusonuniquefresh offerings,expertservice,and theconveniencethatcomes fromsomanyfreshgrabandgo options,”saidstoremanager, RalphPeragine.

Thestore’sinvitinglayoutis dividedintoavarietyofwellstockeddepartmentsthathave theirown,distinctcharacter thatnotonlyincludesavast arrayofproducts,butexpert helpfromthestore’steam,who canassistyouinchoosingfrom themorethan40mushroom varietiesinthefreshofferings market-styleproducesection.

“Fromacheesemongerto aheadcheftoanutrition specialist–ourteamofexperts canhelpcustomizeyourorder, offertipsandadvice,andhost demonstrationsandin-store tastingstoinspire,”Peragine said.“Plus,there’sajuicing stationtopickupyourfresh pressedjuices,wheatgrass shots,orfreshlyblended smoothies.”

Thestorealsoboastsand oneofthelargestseafood selectionsinCoquitlam,witha wideselectionofOceanWise andlocalseafood,includingan oysterbar.

Cheeseloverscanvisitthefullservicecheeseisland,featuring 250varietiesofcheesefrom allovertheworld,whichpair perfectlywiththemorethan 1,500VQAwinesavailableat thislocation.

There’salso: •Agrillingstationwhere customerscanhavesteaks grilledbyachef

•Acustomcakecentre

•Andabulkcandyandpopcorn kioskcertaintosatisfyany sweettooth

Thestoreevenhasawoodfired oveninthebakerydepartment wheretheybakefreshbreads andcroissantsdaily.

“Irecommendtryingour bakery’scinnamonbuns–they arealocalfavorite,”Peragine said.“Plus,ourcakeshopwill fulfilyourcustomorder,oryou canpickanamazingreadymadecaketotakehomeright away.”

Thestorereallyhasthefeel ofaEuropeanmarket–with thesmellsandsoundsoffresh foodbeingpreparedonthe spot.Thecakeshopandbakery feellikealocalpatisseriewith freshlybakedgoodsondisplay.

Asidefromtheexpansive choiceinstore,another hallmarkofthisgrocerystore istheconvenienceitprovides shoppers.

“TheSunwoodSquareSaveOn-FoodsKitchenisreallya restaurantinagrocerystore,” Peraginesaid,“offeringsomany grabandgomealsolutions–hand-stretched,Napoli-style pizza;homestylefriedchicken; freshpokébowls;andin-store rolledsushi.”

Andifyou’reeatingin-store, youcanevenenjoyaglassof B.C.wineorlocalcraftbeerwith yourmeal–aSave-On-Foods first.”

TheSunwoodSquareSaveOn-Foodslocationistruly one-of-a-kindthatoffers customersquality,valueand conveniencewithafreshnew groceryexperiencebackedby theeverydaysavingsofDarrell’s Deals,MyOffersandweekly onlineflyersales.

Whenthedrugcrisishitsclosetohome,ithurts

Neighbours’son wasjust13whenhe overdosed

MARKFALKENBERG mwfalkenberg@tricitynews.com

Istillsometimeslisten forLuka’sskateboard—the growlofthewheelsrolling upanddowntheblacktop onmystreetashepractises. ButIcan’thearitanymore. AndIstillsometimesexpecttohearhisvoiceoneveningswhentheweatheris good,summoninghisfather

sothatthefamilycanstart theirsupperattheirpatio table:“Papa!Essen!”

ButIcan’thearhim.I neverwillagain.

Ayearago,Lukatooka doseofpoisonedopioidsat hishomenextdoortomine. He’dtakenanearlyfatal dosetwomonthsbefore. Thistimetheycouldn’trevivehim.

Hewas13.

Lukawasthesonofmy neighbours,Robertand Anne,whomovedtomy PortMoodyneighbourhood notlongafterIdid.

IrememberLukaas

animp—smiling,bright andmischievous.Forhim, boundariesweremeantto becrossed.ToLuka,“Don’t gothere”meant“Gothere now.”

Annerecallsthatitwas obviousfromthestartthat theboywiththepuckishgrin wouldbeahandful.“Hewas bornlikethis,”shesays.“I rememberwhenhesmiled forthefirsttimeasatinylittlebaby—RobertandIsaid, ‘Weareintrouble.’”

Lukalivedtoknowmore andtrynewthings.

“Inelementaryschool beforesummerbreak,he

saidtome,‘Iwantanearring,’”Annesays.Shetriedto talkhimoutofit—youare veryyoungandpeoplewill judgeyouharshly.Lukahad arebuttalready:“Mom,little babiesgetearrings.Thisis sexist.’

“Hegothisearring.Ihad noargumentstowinthis.”

Hegrewupfast,literally. At12hewastallerthan prettymucheveryotherkid inhisgrade—andbefore longmostadults,too.He hadalwayspulledchildish pranks;nowhistransgressionsgrewmoreserious.He startedtakingdrugs.Itwasa

crossedboundaryhewould notlivetouncross.

Lukawas12whenhisparentsfoundouthewasusing.

“Thefirsttimewhen Ifoundmarijuanainhis room,wehadabigfight,” Annesays.“Hesaidtome, ‘Mom,Iwanttogosomewhere….Aplacetohelpme.”

Acounsellorwarned againstit—foronething, findingaplacethatcould treata12yearoldwould havebeenneedle-in-haystackstuff;foranother,it mightputLukaincontact witholderkidswithmore seriousdrugproblems—

andaccesstomoreserious drugs.

Beforelong,itseemed, Lukalostwhateverfearhe hadofwhatdrugsmightdo tohim.Hewentthrough manyhoursofcounselling butitdidn’ttake.Onedaya counsellorwarnedtheparentsthatLukahadconfessed tousingheroinandcocaine. AnneandRobertconfronted theboy,whorefusedtogo back.

Afterhisdeath,Anne andRobertfoundnotesin Luka’sbag.Theywerefrom

Ayearlater,boy’sparentsarestillseekinganswers

aspeechhehadgivenin classonthetopicof“com fort.”Oneofthescrapsof paperwiththeboy’shand writingshedssomelighton hisdruguse: “Thereasonheroinisso dangerousisbecauseitfeels good,toogood.Sogoodthat you’llneverneedanything

else,youstopworkingand doingthethingsyoulikejust tobeinthattranquilstate.”

InAugust2021,Luka overdosedathome.Hisfathergottohimintimeand revivedhim.

“Theydroveustothe hospitalandtheychecked thathisribsweren’tbroken andthentheysaid,‘Youcan go,’”Anneremembers.“And

Isaid,‘What’snow?What dowedo?’....Andtheysaid, ‘Well,thereareresources…. Here’stheaddressoftheaddictionclinic.’Wewentright awaythenextmorning—he wasstillthrowingup.”

Theclinicdoctorsaid Lukawas“onthecuspof” addictionbutitwasmore “experimentation.”

Tendaysbeforethe

boy’sdeath,apsychiatrist inSurreytoldAnneand Robert,“It’sexperimentation.”

Theydidn’tagreewith thatconclusion.Theystill don’t.

DRUGCRISIS

Weekafterweek,year afteryear,thereisnever aletuptothebadnews.

Headlineslike“B.C.’sopioid crisiskeepsgettingworse,” “B.C.onnear-recordpace fortoxicdrugoverdoses in2022,”and“Overdose deathsincreaseinBCandin VancouverSROhotels,”are numbinglycommonplace.

Sometimesthevoices ofthoseleftbehindrise abovethelitanyofdeath tollupdates. GlacierMedia reporterMariaRantanen, forinstance,haswritten movinglyofdeathofherson, Michael,totoxicdrugs.My cousin,RachelStaples,has beenadefactospokespersonforB.C.familiestraumatizedbytheopioidcrisis, aftertheoverdosedeathof her16-year-oldson,Elliot, in2018.

RachelhasmadeaforcefulcasethatparentsinB.C. whohavekidswithdrug problemshavebeensidelinedfromthetreatment process,sometimeswith fatalresults.

Anneagrees,saying parentsneedmoredeci-

sion-makingpowerthe treatmentoftheirchildren.

“Hewasaminor.Where doyoudrawtheline?How olddoesthekidhavetobe thatyouasaparentcansay, ‘Yes,Iwantyoutokeephim inthehospital?’”

Ayearafterlosingtheir son,AnneandRobertare stillseekinganswersabout whathappened—could theyhavedonemoretosave him?Whyaredangerous drugssoeasyforchildren toget?Whatcanbedoneto saveotherkidssothatthey willhavethechancetoreach adulthood?

Atthesametimetheystill struggletocometogrips withtheirloss.

“Thepolicecalledus tosaywecanpickuphis phone,”Annesays.“Butwe couldn’t.Wehaven’tdone ityet.Wejustcan’t.It’sso final.”

MarkFalkenbergiseditorofthe Tri-CityNews, BurnabyNow and New WestminsterRecord

MPinspiredasbenefitbillmovesforward

Billaimstoboost benefitsforpeople withdisabilities

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

PortMoody–Coquitlam MPBonitaZarrilloisvery happytoseetheentire

HouseofCommonsunanimouslyvoted‘yes’last Tuesday(Oct.18)topass thesecondreadingofabill tore-introducetheCanada DisabilityBenefitAct. Asthemotioncontinues tomoveforward,Zarrillo saidshe’salsoinspiredby thecontinued“strengthand determination”ofadvocates willingtoworkfordisabled

residents.

“Weareanotherstep closertogettingpeoplewith disabilitiesthebenefitsthey havewaitedsevenyearsfor,” shesaidinasocialmedia postfollowingthevote.

“Iraisemyhandstoall theadvocacygroupsand individualsthathaveworked togettothispoint.”

BillC-22isnowsettogo

tothestandingcommittee onhumanresources,skills, socialdevelopmentandthe statusofpersonswithdisabilities.

ZarrilloistheonlymemberrepresentingtheNDPas she’sthefederalparty’scritic fordisabilityinclusion.

Thebillpassedthefirst readingonJune2—one monthafterZarrillokick-

startedthecampaignto re-tablethebenefitandput possiblelegislationinto motion.

Itpassedunanimously andthefirstdraftofthe planwasreadinOttawaby Canada’sministerfordisabilityinclusionandfellow B.C.MPCarlaQualtrough (Delta).

Therearestillseveral stagesthebenefitmust passbeforebecominga reality,butZarrillobelieves thatwithoutitdisabled Canadianswillcontinueto fallfurtherbehindasinflationclimbs.

“Peoplelivingwithadisabilityhavebeenfeelingthe financialstrainastheprice offoodsoarsandthecost ofrentingorbuyingahome isunaffordableinmany Canadiancities,”shesaid.

JointheCoquitlamParksteamto

“Thegovernment’sdelay hashurtpeoplelivingwith adisabilitywhowereoften strugglingtomakeends meetbeforeinterestrates andinflationmadethings

evenmorechallenging.”

TheLearningDisabilities AssociationofCanada (LDAC),asof2017,saidone infivepeople15yearsand olderhaveidentifiedasa residentlivingwithsome formofdisability.

Inthefederalgovernment’s2021budget,a three-year,$11.9-million investmentwasunveiledto bringaboutconsultations onhowtoimprovetheeligibilityprocessforexisting programsandbenefits.

Accordingtotheplatform, Canadianswithadisability onlowincomesaged18to 64wouldreceivea“direct monthlypayment”whenthe benefitisimplemented.

“Livingwithadisability inCanadashouldnever meanthatyouliveinpoverty,”addedZarrillo,who alsoattendedatarallyon ParliamentHillhostedby communitymemberswho arecallingfortheCanada DisabilityBenefitbelegislatedby2023.

TreePlanting/Giveaway Friday,Oct.28|LeighPark|9a.m.–3p.m.

ormoreinfoaboutthesefreeactiv

SeveralhauntingsinTri-Cities

abandonedencampment alongashroudedwooden walkwayHonigmanbuilt overhisfrontlawn,flanked bybeady-eyedcrowsand somesortofswampcrea ture.

It’satthefrontdoorthe frightsreallybegin.

Honigmansaidhis descentintoHalloween scare-meisterstartedwith agiantspiderwebcraftedof ropesandtombstonesscat teredacrosshisfrontlawn.

Dozensofvisitsto Halloweenhousesacross NorthAmericaandatten danceatconventionsof hauntedhouseenthusiasts calledHauntconstoglean ideashaveevolvedhis annualefforttoa“full-on WaltDisneyexperience,” Honigmansaid.

“It’slikeifyou’reastamp collector,”hesaid.“Ifyou enjoyit,ittakesaholdof you.”

Honigmanbuiltmostof thecomponentsfortheruinousroomsthatconsume hislivinganddiningrooms, backyarddeckandpartof thegaragehimself,using propsandmaterialshe’sac quiredthroughconnections inthefilmindustryaswellas estatesales.

Everythingismodular,so thesetcanbedisassembled andstoredawayatfriends’ homesandgaragesthen piecedtogetheragainin theeightweekspreceding Halloween.

Manyoftheelementsare animated.Lightsblink,fake flamesflicker,wispsoffog creepacrossthefloor,doors

unexpectedlypopopen. Someactuallycometolife, thankstoacastofupto10 amateuractorsHonigman recruitsfromfellowvolunteerfirefighters.

HonigmansaidAnmore Manorismoreaboutsuspensefulscaresthangore.

Eachofthesetpieceshe’s constructedarefilledwith detailsthatdrawvisitorsin, then,whentheyleastexpect it,ahandreachesoutora corpsepopsup.

“Thatmakesisso muchmorefrightening,” Honigmansaid.

AnmoreManorislocated 1151RobinWay,withparkingavailableatnearbyEagle MountainMiddleSchool.

Itoperatesthisweekend from7to10p.m.onFriday andSunday(Oct.28,30),7to 10:30p.m.onSaturday(Oct. 29)and7to9:30p.m.on Halloweennight(Oct.31). Admissionisbydonation totheSHARESocietyfood bank.

Otherhauntedhousesin theTri-Citiesinclude:

COQUITLAM

• 2986ForestridgePl.: MacarthyWhyzelhasa Halloweenhauntedhouse

upforthefourthyear,with sevenroomsopenfora walk-throughscare.More than40animatronicsand hundredsoflightsareup from6to10p.m.withactors portrayingfreakyrolesfrom Oct.28to31.

Thehauntedhouse aimstoraisemoneyforthe VancouverFoodBank.

• 2988ForestridgePl.: Theownersarecollecting fundsforVariety-The Children’sCharity.Lightsare eachnightfrom6:30to10 p.m.,withactorsoutonOct. 29and31.

• 900-blockofLillian Street:Residentsonthis streethavecreatedakindof HalloweenAlleywithmany homesdressedupforthe occasion.

PORTCOQUITLAM

• 3313RaeSt.:Thesame housethatisfestoonedfor Christmasisalsodressed upforHalloweenfor “NightmareonRaeStreet” featuring50animatronics. Theownersarecollecting donationsfortheSHARE foodbank.Thehouseis openFridayandSaturday,5 to11p.m.andSunday,5to 10p.m.

For10monthsoftheyear,KenHonigmanisamild-manneredmillwright. MARIOBARTEL/THETRI-CITYNEWS

Timeclaimedthemin'SoulsoftheMire'

Firstplacewinner, 15to18yearsold

BRIDGETTHIELE-CROCKER

Themireshouldhave beenempty.

Onlythelowingofthe windshouldhavebeen heard,rustlingovermoss andmarsh.Theonlymove mentbeingtheeve’searly fog,swirlinglikewandering spirits.Ifonly....

Thewaterwrinklesand ripples,gentlykissedbythe frigidwind.Theairiscold andbiting,carryingabitter smell.Thecorpseofatree stands,lifelostlongago, rootsdrownedbytime.Its witheredtrunkiswhiteas bone,bleachedbythesun. Once,blackenedfigures hadhunginthebranches, butnolonger.Onebyone, timehadclaimedthemall.

Slowly,theyearscrepton, blanketingthemwiththe sweetestofsporesandsoftestofsoils.Underneaththe earth,theylayrestless,waitingtobeawakened.

Yourushacrossthebog, splashingthoughtheswirls ofstagnantwater.Your breathfreezesandhangs intheair,driftingofftojoin thefog.

Yourraggedbreathing echoesaroundyou.A thoughtpoundsinyour head,Ishouldn’tbehere.It repeatslikeatattoo,drummingthroughyourskull.You

stop,heartbeatingwildly, prayingyourpursuershave gone.Exceptnow,youfeel moretrappedthanever before.

Suddenly,thenoisome smellofthemireisovercomebysomethingelse.The foulstenchofrottingflesh penetratesyournostrils. Yougagandlookfrantically forthesource.Youstumble backwards,feetsplashing wildly.

Youslamagainstsomethinghard,knockingtheair fromyourlungs.Youlookup toseeskeletalbranchesjut-

tingintothesky.Something rumblesbeneathyourfeet, clawingtothesurface.

Youreleaseabloodcurdlingscream,slenderhands grabbingyourfeet.They writheupyourbody,their silverskinshininginthe moonlight.

Erratically,theclawing handspulluphaggard bodiestobeeyelevelwith you.Theireyelessfacesare shroudedbycurtainsof copperhair.Thetenebrous socketsaffixtheirgazeupon you,asifstaringintoyour verysoul.

Theychatterandhissat you,withmouthsforever agapeandthroatsconstrictedbycord."Joinus,” theyrasptheirleathery bodiesshovingagainstyou, pinningyoutothetree.You thrashandcryoutinvain. Youknowthereisnooneto saveyou.Yourcriesgiveway

toheavingsobs,begging, pleading,bargaining.They ignoreyourcriesandpleas astheirbonyfingerstieyou tothebleachedtrunk.As theyignitethegroundbeneathyou,yourbodybetrays youandhangslimp.

Youshakeasthesmoke risestomeetyournostrils.A coldhandreachesforyour face.Youflinchasitstrokes yourcheek,theflames gentlylickingyourfeet.Its headtilts,almostseeming topityyourdirefulsituation. Ithissesatyou,vocalcords crackling,“Welcome.”

Ifonlythemirehadbeen empty.Daybreakwould nothavebeenmetwith plumesofsmoke,perfumed bysomethingsickly-sweet, billowingthroughoutthe pinksky.

Andthefogwouldnot haverevealedanewfigure swayinginthetree.

Pavement pancake

2ndplacewinner, 15to18yearsold

MICHELABEUTHIN 16,COQUITLAM

Thehypnotistpromised hecouldhelp.

Hevoweddistraction. Deliverance.

Pledgeddistancefrom darkdentsamongthetenebroussmokeofmypast. Isatonhislumpy, moth-bittencouch.

Thenoisomestenchof Floridafilthfilteredthrough thespider-webbedwindows,sinkingthesagging, one-bedroomapartmentin fumesofafailingeconomy. Floorboardscreaked.

Sockedfeetshuffledmy way.

Iliftedmyeyes. Hesmileddownatme.

“It’sgoingtobeokay,” hesaidslowly,softly,ashe placedadirt-cakedhandon mytremblingarm.

“Don’tbescared.Close youreyes.”

Headinmyhands. Blind.

Adirefulfeelingsettlesin mystomach.

Something’snotright. Ifeelhimbesideme. Theheatofhisbody.

“Takesomedeep breaths.”

Nosecrinkledfromthe stink,Isteadiedmypound-

IthoughtIcouldtrustMother

Thirdplacewinner, 15to18yearsold

ISLADOBSON 16,COQUITLAM

ItwatchesmewhenI sleep.Icansenseitstanding inthecorner,tenebrousand eerie.

Sometimes,Ifeelitmove ontomybed,threadits fingersthroughmyhair, whispernonsenseintomy ear.Mybodystiffensintrepi dation,sweattricklingdown myback,soakingmycotton shirt.

Inthemorningsitdisappears,thesundrivingitaway untildarknessreturns.Isee itsfaceinthedaytimetoo, asifitneverleft.Ihearthe wordsitwhisperedtomein thenight.

Ifreezewhenitgreetsme inthemornings.Atnightits voiceisotherworldlyand coldbut,inthelight,Ihearit sweetandwarm.

It'sbeengoingonfor months,repeatingevery night.Ifindsolaceknowing itwon’tharmme,ittellsme thateverynight.Often,Ican ignoreitspresenceandgain adecentamountofsleep, thoughitisstillrestless.

Occasionallyitsroutine changes.Maybeitstartson mybedthistimeortellsme anewlie.Thisthrowsme outofmysmallcomfort,and Ilayawake,hopingitwill leavebeforethesun.

Itneverdoes.

Tonight,isoneofthose direfultimes.Thefigure startsinthecornerlikeusual butwhenIriskaglance,Isee

mymother'sSundaybest, torntoshreds,drapedacross itstorturedbody,thefloral patternindiscernibleamong bloodsmears,andwrithing gore.Bloodynauseabuilds inmythroat.

“Letmelookatyou”the figureraspsasitcreepsto thesideofmybed.Ihaltmy breathingwhenherstench reachesmynose.Ishouldbe usedtoitbynow,butit’sstill harrowingtomysenses.It remindsmeoftheratIfound rottinginourbasementlast summer,gutsoozing.

Ikeepmysightstraight ahead;Ican’tlookinto thoseeyes.Sofamiliar,yet, otherworldly.Tearsstingmy eyesasthismonsterrestsits headonmymattress,tilting slightlytomatchmyangle.

Ournosesalmosttouch. Icanfeelitsnoisomebreath dancingacrossmyface.

Paralyzed.It’slikeaboa constrictorhasemerged

frommysheets,windingits wayupmybody,slowlytantalizingme.

Thosespindlyfingers brushmyforehead,pushing awaymybangs.Sharpnails nickmyskin,bloodtrickles downintomyhair.

Itrytospeakbutmy throatisliketheSaharaat noon.Ibreatheinandinhale thestenchIwastryingso hardtoavoid.Mytongue isassaultedbythetasteof rancidair.Igasphardasmy lungsrunoutofbreath.My greatestmistakeyet.

Agnarledtentacleerupts fromthecreature'sback, attachingitselftomyface. Itrytoscreambutthearm justseepsfartherdownmy throat,scrapingawaymy innerflesh.

Mysoulgetssuckedaway bythiscreature.

Ifeelbetrayed.

IthoughtIcouldtrust you,Mother.

Iamnomonster,Isaytothescreams

Firstplacewinner, 11to14yearsold

JACQUELINEAN 12,COQUITLAM

Icanhearvoices.

Everythingisfuzzyand blurred;myheadisblank.

Iwanttosit,butit’slike aweightisholdingme down.

Myeyesightisflickering andI’mswitchingbetweenconsciousnessand unconsciousness.

Mywholebodyisaching,asifamillionscars wereslashedintome.

"It’sgoingtobeokay,”a muffledvoicesayssoftly, andwhateverI’mlying onstartstomove,wheels squeakingonthefloor. “It’sgoingtobeokay."

Then,everythingisexploding.

Iblink,tryingtoclear thefogginessofmyvision. Thetenebrousbodiesare blurred,butIcouldmake outthebloodspreading ontheflooring.Istaggerto myfeet,dazed,butlimpingtowardthedoor.

Myvisionstartstoclear asIexitthebuilding,ig-

noringeveryscreamand burstofbloodaroundme.

“Monster!”someone screamsbeforebecoming amessofbonesandflesh.

“Iamnomonster,”I reply.

Thecoldembraces measIwanderoutofthe building,welcomingme intoaworldofwhite.

Therearechildrenin thesnow,laughingand tumblingintoeachother’s puffycoats,theirmothers watchingthem.

Closeyoureyes,openyoureyes

ingheartandbreathed. “Openyoureyes.”

Blood.

Drippingonmywhite pants.

Soakingintomyskin.Red blotchedwatchinhishand, swinging.

Lost. Falling.

Hisbloodshotgazeblazes intomine.

Teethyellowedfromdecadesofsmoking,arranged inawickedsmile.

“Youfoolishgirl.”

Isawitall. Screechingtires,bloodcurdlingscreams,unseeing eyes.

Scarletsplotchesonthe pavement.

Asucculent,limpheart, whichoncebeatforme. Exceptthistime,it’s worse.

Thecarrevved,rolledover hisbody,reversed,rolled overitagain.

Hisbonescrunched.With everyroll,myloverflattened intothepavement. Iscreamed. Flailedmyarms. Wrestledagainsttheforce

pinningmedown,forcing metowatchmypastamplified.

Hispancakedcorpse jerkedviolently,before straightening.

Bloodied,mangledfingers brushedatpatchypants, combedthroughgreasyhair.

Hisglassywhiteeyesmet mine,lookingbutnotseeing.

Hisbruisedlipsformeda smile.

Allhisteethweregone. Hismouthwasagaping, dryhole.

Breathcameinshudderingwheezes.

“Hellothere,mylove.”

Asplatterofred expr ofhor b s whitegr ic thelastchildlef h dar cr for

Asplatterofred

seepsthroughthepure, whitesnow.

Theyseeme,andtheir expressionsflickerintolooks ofhorror.Onebyone,their bodieserupt,splattering scarletcolourontotheonce whiteground,meltingthe icelayeredunderneath.

Mybreathquickensas thelastchildleftseeswhat happenstoherfamily,not daringtoglanceatme.

“Youareamonster,”she cries,herheadturningbeforeit’scompletelygone.

“Iamnomonster,”Ireply.

Somethingismaking thesehumansexplode.I mustfindoutwhoorwhat itcouldbe,Itellmyselfas morepeoplecryout,ex plodingintoamillionblood drops.Meninblacksuits arepointingweaponsatme, shouting,“Monster!”before theyexplode.

“Iamnomonster,”Irepeat,myvoicegrowingquiet asIturn,runningtheoppo siteway.

EverywhereIgo,people aretellingmeI’mamonster. ButI’mnot!Overandover again,whenwillitstop?!

“Monster!”Crimson

“Iamnomonster!”Ianswer.

“MONSTER!”Direful screamsechothroughthe frostyair.

“IAMNOMONSTER!”I answer.

“Youareamonster!”

Ilookintotheeyesofa littleboy,asecondlater,a pileoffleshandbones.“Iam nomonster,”Iwhisper.

Tearsarerunningdown myclammycheeks,freezing instantly.

Thecorpsesaroundme starttobecomenoisome, butIdon’tcare.Whatishappeningtotheworldaround me?

Mymemoriesarefuzzy, blurred,impossibletoencrypt.Iglanceoveratthe boy’sbody;amirrorliesin theruinsofblood.Acloud offrigidairescapesfrommy throatasIholdthemirrorin tremblingfingers,raisingit upandstaringatthereflection...

“Iamamonster,”Iwhisper,realizingwhatI’ddone. Asplatterofred,andeverythingisgone.

Onlychance istostaystill

2ndplacewinner, 11to14yearsold

SAKINADURRANI 12,COQUITLAM

Thecurvedsteelwallsof thecapsulecloseinaround him,trappinghiminsideits depthsandimprisoninghim indimness.

Hetiltshisheadupwards andhemanagestocatcha glimpseofatenebroussilhouetteloomingdownover him.

“PLEASE!DON’TDO THIS,IBEGYOU!”hesobs, voicegaspingthroughadry throatcravedofwater.

“Thisisjusthowit’s done,”acoolvoiceanswers. “Youknowthepunishment fordesertionoftheclan.”

“WAIT,I’MSORRY!”

Thereisasigh,then, “Youronlychance:staystill. Theywon’tbiteunlessthey feelmovement.”

Adirefulscreechofmetal onmetal–thelidsealsshut. Blacknessswallowshim. “NOOOO!”

Abruptly,asharpimpact collideswiththewallathis backandhefeelsthetank rollsideways,hisinsidesgivingasickeningheave.

Hegainsspeedatadisorientingpaceandcanno longertellwhichwayisupor down,hisbraindulledina dizzyingstupor.

Then,thegroundceases toexistbeneathhimandhe careensovertheedgeofa cliffintoagreatabyss,feeling hisbodyplummetahead ofhisorgansastheagony ofplungingintounknown depthsovertakeshim.

Finally,hehitsbottom andpainpulsesthroughhis being.

Totalsilencesurrounds him,butsoon,hehearsit:

Ghostsofthepastcreepup

Thirdplacewinner, 11to14yearsold

JUSTINKIM 12,CQOUITLAM

Anautumnchillfilledthe air.Thetreeswerestripped almostbare,theremnants oftheirleavesscatteringthe pavement.Halloweenwas here.Childrenwerenearly burstingwithexcitement, unabletositstillinclass, daydreamingofthewarm, deliciouscandysoonabout tomeltintheirtongues.

Thejoycloggingtheatmosphereseemedanalmost cruelcontrasttothehouse ofJackMonroe.Thewooden wallsandfloorboardswere rottingaway,thegardenwas usurpedbyweeds,anda hounddogoftenpatrolled thefrontdoor,barkingatany passerbysoloudthattheir eyesrattled.

Inaremotecornerofthis housesatMonroe,shivering. Thetrick-or-treatinghad begun.Thenoiseoutside seemeddistantandfaraway. JackdreadedHalloween, andforagoodreason. Memoriesfloodedhismind —fiveyearsago,theMonroe

family,bundledupintheir tinylittlecar—offonaroad trip.Thebusyintersection, andtheshiningyellow lightthatturnedredjusta fewsecondstooearly,the midnightblacktruckthat foraninstantloomedover themlikeaninevitabledarkness—andthennothing. Tenentirepeoplehadbeen killed,includingallofJack’s family.Hehadbeenthe onlysurvivorofthefatalcar crash.Anditwasallhisfault. EveryHalloweenmarkeda gruesomeanniversaryofthe life-changingincident.

Thetimepassedexcruciatinglyslowly.Jackcouldnot sleep.Thehourswentby, untilitwasmidnight.

Suddenly,thelightswent out.Eventhecrimsonhue fromthecandleswereswept outimmediately,asifasuddenwindhadblownright throughthem.Thetemperaturedropped.

Afaceappearedfromthe ceiling.Theskinwasashen gray,asifthespiritwasvoid ofanycolor.Therewere bottomlesspitsinthesocketswheretheeyesshould havebeen.Thegapingmaw openedtorevealrowsof

cracked,yellowedteeth.

Itwasadirefulscene.Jack recognizedthisfaceatonce. Itwashisownwife.“WHAT HAVEYOUDONE?!”She screamed,inafrighteningly distortedvoice.

Anotherfacematerialized tojointhefirst.Andthen another.Twomore.Three more.“MURDERER!”They shrieked.“KILLER!”They bombardedhimwithaccusationsandbitintohisskin, takingoutchunksoffleshat atime.Jackscreamed,but hisvoicewasgone.

Asiftheyhadtakenhis screamasasignal,the ghostsbegantowail.Itwas perfectlyinunison—asavage,noisomechoirofthe dead.Hundredsofgrotesque handsbegantotearoutof theground.Theairsuddenly reekedofrottingfleshandan unexpectedwaveofunbearableheatsingedJack’shair. Thegroundbegantoopen, revealingalarge,tenebrous stairwell—theentranceto Hellitself.Theman’sface contortedintoafinalscream ashissoulwaswrenchedout ofhisbodyandintotheunderground,leavingnothing buttheshellofabody.

Ashudderrackshisbody

figure’schillingwarning:stay still.

aneeriestirring,growing steadilynearerwithevery poundofhisracingheart.

Hecantellthattheyare uponhim,surgingupthe sidesofthecapsuleandengulfingit.

Acreakgroansabovehim asthelidunsealsandfalls away,exposinghimtowhateverhorrorslurkbeyond.

Astheopeningappears, hecanseeamassofsmall whitewormswithlethal fangsseethinginside.

Panicseizeshimandhe tenseshisbodyforescape, whenheremembersthe

Goosebumpsraceuphis skinasthecreatures’slimy formssquirmoverhim,a noisomereekoverwhelming hissenses.

Silenttearsofterrorpour downhisfaceasheforces himselftostayasstillashe canwhiletheycrawlover everyinchofhisflesh.

Itbecomesharderand hardertostayfrozen,buthe knowsthatiftheysensehis slightestmotion,hewillbe devoured.

Onewrithesuphisnostril, anotherbeginstoslowly creepdownhisearcanal.

Hisresolvecrumblesasa shudderrackshisbody.He cannolongerstaystill.

Hescreams,flailinghis limbs,andtheswarmerupts andsurgesintohim,ripping skin,ravagingflesh,andrazingtissueinabloodthirsty frenzy.

Hetriestopickthemoff hisface,buttheylatchonto hishands,slicingthrough tendonsandrendering themuseless.Hewatches helplesslyasheisconsumed beforehisowneyes.

Beforelong,theonlyevidenceleftofhisexistenceisa messysmudgeofgoreanda scatteringofbonefragments.

Whatcananimmigrationexpert doforyou?

Thisismy firsttimeasaLocalProandI’mvery happytotakethisopportunitytointroduce myselftomyTri-citiesneighboursandtoshow youhowIcanhelpyoutosolveorbetteryet, prevent,anyimmigrationproblems.

I’vebeeninimmigrationforover30years, first asavisaofficerandnowasaconsultant.Let’s behonest.DealingwithCanadianimmigration (IRCC)isapainfulexperience–rangingfroma dullpaintoablindingheadache–thatcango onformonths,orevenyears.

Withhisknowledgeandexperience,DrJoecan takeawaythatpainandsmooththewayfor youwithCanadianimmigration.

Doyouwanttohelpafamilymembercometo Canadatoworkorlivepermanently?Doyou needtoextendaworkpermitorstudypermit? Areyoutryingto findyourownpathtobecome apermanentresidentofCanada?DrJoeisat yourservicetomaketheprocessassmoothand painlessaspossible.

604-241-2432

Ifyouhaveacellularorhoneycombshade,Dust themwithafeatherduster,orlightlyvacuumwith anupholsteryattachment.Fordustinsidethecells, ablowdryeronthelowest,coolairsettingwillblow thedust-out.Cleanwithaspongeandamilddetergent/warmwatersolutionandblotdry.Drycleaning andultrasoniccleaningarenotrecommended.Extra careshouldbeusedwhencleaningopaque/blackout fabrics,asthefabricscouldbecomepermanently creased.

IfyouhaveaSolarshade,tokeepthemcleanyou wouldLightlyvacuumbothsidesofshadeusinga brushorupholsteryattachment.Softlybrushwitha milddetergentandwarmwatersolution.Rinsethor oughlyandallowtheshadetodrycompletelybefore raisingit.Donotimmersetheminwater.

Howdoyouknowwhenit’stimetorelinedentures?

Ifthedenturesnolonger fitaswellastheyoncedid,youmayneedtohavea proceduredonetorefitthebaseofthedenture,calleda“reline”.Checkwithyour Denturisttoseeifyourdenturescanberelined.Itisbestnottorelineyourdentures withover-the-counterrelinekits.Thisprocedure,whichcanbedonebyyour Denturist,willenableyourdenturestohaveatighter,better fit.Anewimpression willbetakentoensuretheproperlandmarkandanewbasewillbecuredtothe undersideofyourexistingdenture.

CanIeatnormallywithdentures?

Mostpatientsneedtolearnhowtousedenturesproperlyandasaresult,ittakesa littletimetogetusedtothem.Afterawhile,youshouldbeabletoeatfairlynormally, butitmaytakemoretimetogetcomfortablewithharderfoodsorstickyfoods.Using asmallamountofdentureadhesive(nomorethanthreeorfourpea-sizeddabson eachdenture)mayhelpstabilizethedenturesandhelpholdtheminplacewhileyou learnhowtogetcomfortablewiththemandmaymakethelearningprocesseasier. Chewinggum:Denturesandchewinggumdonotusuallyworkwelltogether,no matterwhichbrandofchewinggumyoudecidetotry.Thegumtypicallystickstothe acrylicplasticinthedentureandmaybreakasealonthedentures,whichwillloosen themasaresult.Gummayremainstucktothedentureandeventuallyhardenand discolor.Ultimately,ifyouweardentures,youshouldavoidchewinggum.

WhathappensifIbreakorchipmydentures?

ThebestsolutionistoreturntotheDenturistwhomadeyourdenturesandhavethe crackeddenturerepairedprofessionally.Itmayseemeasyto fix,butitisimportant thattherepairisdonecorrectlytopreventproblemswithchewingandtoavoid anysorespots.TheDenturistalsoneedstocheckthedentureandadjustitafteritis repaired.Thedenturemaybetoooldandmaynolonger fitcloselytoyourgums,and youmayneedanewdenture.Donottrytoglueittogetheryourself,itcanbetoxic aswellitcandisplaceyourbiteifdoneincorrectly.

CanIeatnormallywithdentures?

Mostpatientsneedtolearnhowtousedenturesproperlyandasaresult,ittakesalittle timetogetusedtothem.Afterawhile,you shouldbeabletoeatfairlynormally,butitmay takemoretimetogetcomfortablewithharder foodsorstickyfoods.Usingasmallamountof dentureadhesive(nomorethanthreeorfour pea-sizeddabsoneachdenture)mayhelp stabilizethedenturesandhelpholdthemin placewhileyoulearnhowtogetcomfortable withthemandmaymakethelearningprocess easier.

canbene

liketheBCTrainingandEducationSavingsGrant

ersupto$1,200forchildrenages6-9.Thegreat partaboutthisgrantisyoudon’thavetomakea

fferit,sofeelfree

Chewinggum:Denturesandchewinggumdo notusuallyworkwelltogether,nomatterwhich brandofchewinggumyoudecidetotry.The gumtypicallystickstotheacrylicplasticinthe dentureandmaybreakasealonthedentures, whichwillloosenthemasaresult.Gummay remainstucktothedentureandeventually hardenanddiscolor.Ultimately,ifyouwear dentures,youshouldavoidchewinggum.

#325-5556thStreet,NewWestminster

522SeventhSt.#270,NewWestminster

EXPERT

Clay&LaceyTierney, Owners BudgetBlinds, Tri-Cities

CHANGINGSEASONS

PreparationsforwinterincludeCOVIDbooster

Stayinghealthy, eatingwellwillhelp getyouthroughthe season

MARGARETCOATES newsroom@tricitynews.com

Thoughtheweatherhas beentellingusanotherstory thisyear,winterwillbehere beforeweknowit.

Iheardarumourthat itisgoingtobeawet,cold winter.Inpreparationforthe colder,rainiermonthsthere isalotwecandotoprepare.

Thenumberonestrategy, inmyview,isgettingyourflu andpneumoniashotsand yournextCOVIDbooster.

Becauseofamorerelaxed attitudetoCOVID-19,many peoplearenotmaskingup orkeepingtheirdistance

fromoneanother,sothis couldprovideaddedrisks

forcontactingtheviruses.I feellikeIwasblessedover thelasttwoyears—mercifully,nocoldsorflus.

Duringthewinter,respiratorydiseasescandisproportionatelyaffectolder people.Manypeopledo notrealizevitalrespiratory healthisrelatedtoaging well.Keepingyourrespiratorysystemhealthycanimproveyourqualityoflifeand helpyoulivelonger.

However,immunefunctionnaturallydecreases withageandcausesustobe moresusceptibletorespiratoryillnesses.Infact,older adultshaveafarhigherrisk ofcontractinginfectionslike colds,flus,andpneumonia thanyoungerpeople.

So,whatcanwedo?

Expertssay,“consider vaccinationsasafirstlineof defence.”

Ifwegetvaccinated,we mayavoidgettingthese threediseasesourselvesand wealsopreventspreading thesediseasestoothermore immune-compromised people,pregnantwomen, andthosewhodon’tor won’tgetvaccinated.Most importantly,researchhas shownthatifafterbeingvaccinatedyoudocontractflu, pneumonia,orCOVID-19, yourriskofaserious,lengthy illnessorhospitalizationis reduced.

Asidefromgettingyour shotsandstayingconnected, wecanalsostayhealthy throughexercise,eating well,gettingenoughsleep,

gettingoutdoorsandstaying hydrated.

Everywinter,house boundseniorsarealsoatan increasedriskofdepression, isolationandotherhealth relatedissues.Thesefactors canadverselyaffectseniors’ well-beingandindependence.

Researchhasshownthe healthrisksofsocialisolationincludethefollowing: increasedchanceofprematuredeath;reducedsenseof well-being;disabilityfrom chronicdiseases;poormentalhealth;increaseduseof healthandsupportservices; caregiverburden;andanincreasednumberoffalls.

Liketheuseofvaccina-

CHANGINGSEASONS

Stayingconnectedisimportant

tionsasafirstlineofdefence inkeepingourrespiratory systemssafe,stayingconnectedtofamily,friends andcommunityisperhaps thebeststrategytokeep fromgettingdepressedand isolatedinthecold,rainy monthsahead.

Whatcanyoudotostay connected?

Youcouldtryvisitingyour friendsandneighboursregularlynowthattheCOVID restrictionshavebeenreduced.

Trychattingwithfriends onthephoneorinvite friendstotakeawalkwith you.

Tryvolunteering—this givesyouanopportunityto givebacktothecommunity andwillincreaseyourown senseofwellbeing.

Youcanalsogetoutto seniors’centresandother organizationstogetyoursocialneedsmet.

Mostorganizationsthat provideprogramsandservicesforseniorsarefullyup andrunning.

Whileweusuallydonot experiencethecoldweather thatourfriendsfarthernorth do,wecanhavesomecold weathersnapsbringing snoworfreezingrainandice thatweneedtopreparefor.

Ifyouwanttogetoutdoorsmore,somepractical

suggestionsincludedress appropriately,becareful gettingoutofyourcar,avoid takingshortcutswhenout walking,takeextratimepreparingtogoout,payattentiononslipperysidewalks andtrynottogetdistracted.

Keepyourdrivewayand walkwayssaltedandclear, andprepareyourhouse,car andyourselfforthecoldand rainymonths.

Alwaysbeprepared,say theBoyScouts.Solet’sfollowtheirexample.

MargaretCoatesisthe coordinatorofLionsview Seniors’PlanningSociety. Ideasforfuturecolumns arewelcome–emaillions_ view@telus.net

HEALTH

Resourcesavailablefor dementiadiagnosis

Helpforseniors

livingwithdementia

TheAlzheimerSocietyof BritishColumbiahasprogramstohelpseniorswith early-stagedementiastay alertandfit.Andtheydon’t evenhavetoleavetheir homes.

MindsinMotiononline isavirtualversionofthe society’spopularfitnessand socialprogramthatprovide gentleexercisesforthebody followedbysocialinterac tionforthemind.Sessions consistofa30-minutefitness

videofollowedby45minutes ofsocialactivitytoconnect withotherseniorslivingwith dementia.

Groupsmeetweeklyand carepartnersmustalsoattend:

•Tuesdays:10–11:30a.m. or1–2:30p.m.

•Wednesdays:10–11:30 a.m.

•Thursdays:1–2:30p.m.

•Fridays:1–2:30p.m.

Aswell,thereisaspecialsessionforseniors whospeakCantoneseon Wednesdays,from1–2:25 p.m.

Sessionsarefreeand

arehostedonlineusing MicrosoftTeams.

Formoreinformationand toregister,calltheFirstLink DementiaHelplineat1-800936-6033(English)or1-833674-5007(Cantonese).

DogwoodPavilionin Coquitlamalsooffersan in-personversionofthe programonWednesdays from1–3p.m.

Acertifiedfitnessinstructorworkswithparticipants foranhourwhileafacilitator isonhandforsocialactivitiesinthesecondhour.

Formoreinformationand toregister,call604-742-4923.

SKIING

Slalomracer’saspirationspickingupspeed

Pre-seasonprep followstraining campinChile

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

At17yearsold,Graeme Eder’sslalomaspirationsare alreadygoingdownhill.

Whichisjustthewayhe likesit.

ThesenioratPort Coquitlam’sRiverside SecondarySchoolisin Wittenberg,Germany— betweenHamburgand Berlin—wherehe’straining atanindoorskiresortwith theB.C.men’salpineski teamaheadofabusywinter ofcompetitionsinBritish Columbia,Albertaandthe UnitedStates.

InSeptember,Ederwas withtheteaminChilewhere theywereabletostrap ontheirskisforpre-sea sonpreparationattheEl Coloradoskiresort,36km fromSantiago.

Thatfollowedamonthof dry-landtraininginWhistler inJuly.

It’sabusytimeforthe Coquitlamresidentwhofirst glideddownaslopewhen hewastwoyearsold.

Butit’salsoacriticalstep

towardhisgoalofsomeday representingCanadaonthe WorldCupcircuitandatthe WinterOlympics.

Eder’sascentfromsuccessfulclubandjunior racertothedevelopmental programthatproducesBC Alpine’selitemen’sskiers

hasbeenabitofaneyeopenertotheworkthat’sstill aheadofhim.

“Itrequiresawholedifferentworkethic,”Edersaid whilespendingafewdays relaxingandcatchinguphis schoolworkonlinebefore jettingofftoEurope.

Thatcommitmentstarts earlyinthemorningwhen Edergetsastartonhis schoolassignmentsbefore headingofftothegymto workonhisstrengthand conditioning.

There’stimeformore schoolworkbeforedinner,

butafterwardit’searlyto bedsohecandoitallagain thenextday.

Edersaidhe’salsoworkingtoimprovehisdietand eatinghabits.

“It’salmost24/7,”hesaid. “I’meitherdoingschoolworkorpreparingforskiing.”

Notthatsucharoutineis totallyunfamiliar.

Aspartofafamilyofavid skiers,Eder’smom,Lauren, saidGraemehadlittle choicebuttocomealongon outingstotheNorthShore mountainsandWhistleras soonashecouldwalk.They enrolledhiminlessons,so hecouldhavetheskillsto findhiswaydownanyslope onhisownand,bythree,he wasalreadycarvinghisway throughgatedcourses.

Butthenortheastern cornerofCoquitlamwhere thefamilylivesisn’texactly handytoskihills,soasEder becamemoreinvolvedwith theMountSeymourSki ClubandthentheGrouse MountainTyeeSkiClub,gettingtotrainingandcompetitionsmeantlongcarrides rightafterschoolandalmost everyweekendthroughthe winterseason.

Doinghomeworkand eatingdinnerfromathermosinthebackseatofthe familyvehiclebecamecommonplaceforEder,aswere snoozesonthewayhomein timeforbedat10p.m.

Annie’smacaroniand cheesefortifiedwithpeas andslicedhamwerethefuel forwinningracesasaU12

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

TerryFoxRavensrunningbackXyonFlearygetshelpcelebratinghistouchdownrunfromteammateKaidenExner inthefirsthalfoftheirBCSecondarySchoolsFootballAssociationgameagainsttheNewWestminsterHyacks, lastFridayatPercyPerryStadiuminCoquitlam.TheRavenswon40-0toimproveitsrecordto3-1.Meanwhile,the CentennialCentaursremainedwinlessaftera35-34losstoLordTweedsmuironSaturday.FoxwillvisitSeaquamtomorrow(Friday)andCentennialplaysinNewWest.

SKIING

Successmeasuredintenthsofasecond

racerliketheDual“Glalom” and“Kombi”eventsatthe NancyGreeneSkiFestivalat SunPeaks,andtheslalomat theTyeeCupatGrouse. AsarankedFISU19racer, hefinishedfirstintheslalom attheBCCuponGrouselast yearandthirdintheSuper GattheAlbertaGMCCupat

LakeLouise. Edersaidbeingableto trainandlearnalongside veteranmembersoftheBC SkiTeam,likeTaitJordan, HemingSolaandDylan Timm,willbeinvaluableto hisowncontinueddevelopmentasacompetitive racer,wherethedifference betweenapodiumandthe

bottomofthepackcanbe measuredintenthsofa second.

It’sallaboutfindingefficienciesinmovementand carvingthroughturnsthe fastestwaypossible,much likearacecarnavigatinga track.

That’snotabadwayto describehissport,agreed

Eder,whorecentlylaunched afundraisingcampaignat makeachamp.com/graemeeder,tohelpoffsetsome ofthecostsofequipment andtrainingthathaven’t alreadybeencoveredby sponsorslikesportinggoods retailerSportingLifeand homerenovationcompany HiarHomes.

MondaythroughFriday8:30amto4:30pm: 604-362-0586•604-653-7851

BERMANN,RobertEdward

March21,1944-September26,2022

Bobpassedpeacefullyaftersustainingabraininjury fromafallinJuly.Hewasanonlychildbornand raisedinVancouverbyhislovingparents,Joseph andEdith.UpongraduatingfromVancouver TechnicalSecondaryhemarriedhishighschool sweetheartJoAnne(Alexander).Theyquickly startedafamily,Brian,Brenda(Dean)Washington, andBruce.In1970theymovedfromVancouverto PortCoquitlam.Bobworkedmostofhislifeasa busdriverforBCTransitandmaintainedrelationshipswithco-workersthroughouttheyearswho becamedearfriends.Heenjoyedseveralroadtrips withthemtoReno,LaConner,aswellascamping atvariouslocations.Bobwasanavidphotographer andleftusmanyslidesandpicturestocherish. Boblikedwatchingsportsalmostasmuchashis beloved“PlanetoftheApes”and“StarTrek” shows.Heenjoyedbowlingandplayedonseveral teamsthroughouttheyears.Heloveda competitivegameofcrib,dartsorevenscrabble andyouneverfoundhimwithoutacrossword booktopassthetimeorhissignaturetoothpickin hismouth.

Astimewentbythefamilydynamicschanged.Bob metandfellinlovewithIsabel.Helovedhertwo children,JohnCostainandSamanthaMilleraswell astheirchildrenlikehisown.Afterearlyretirement BobandIsabelmovedtoParksvillein2002fora quieterlife.Hisheartnevermendedaftertheloss ofIsabelin2020andmorerecentlyhiseldestson BrianinNovember2021.

1greatgrandsonaswellasmanyfriendsandwonderful

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