Tri-City News November 24 2022

PoCoMayorBrad Westisnewchairof

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

Tri-CityNews heexpectsto raisePortCoquitlamtransportationissuesduringhis one-yeartermbecausehe understandstheproblems uniquetothecityevenashe worksongreaterconcerns fortheentireregion.

PortCoquitlamMayor BradWestsayshe’llbeadvocatingformoretransitfor theTri-Citiesnowthathe’s thenewchairoftheMayor’s Council.

Westwasacclaimedto leadTransLink’sgovernancebodymadeupof MetroVancouver’smayors afterhewasnominatedby VancouverMayorKenSim.

West,thefirstmayor fromtheTri-Citiestotake ontherole,replacesformer NewWestminstermayor JonathanCote.Hetoldthe

“Partofmyjobwillbeto tellthatstoryandconnect thedotsaboutwhythisimportant.”

West,who’sknownfor beingoutspokenonissues closetohim,acknowledged itwilltakemorethananews releaseandlettertoget theregion’stransportation needsnoticedamongthe manydemandsforfederal andprovincialfunding.

TransLinkneeds$21billiontofundits10-yearplan forbusingandSkyTrainthat wasapprovedinJune.

LIGHTSATLAFARGE

SettinguptheannualLightsatLafargedisplayat Coquitlam’sTownCentreParktakescrewsofcityworkers,contractorsandvolunteersthebetterpartoftwo weeks.Thedisplaycomprisesnearly100,000colourful bulbsandkilometersofelectricalcordsthroughwhich thepowerwillbeflowingbeginningNov.26.Left, ShanayaSmithsortsbouquetsofcolouredlightsready tobeplantedintothegroundatthesouthendofthe lake.Below,JustineCookandBrettSchmidtusealiftto stringlightsinatreealongPinetreeWay.Forthestory seePage7. MARIOBARTEL/THETRI-CITYNEWS

PrioritiesincludeextendingSkyTrainservice

Westsaidhe’shopefulthe moneywillcomewithintenselobbyingfromGreater Vancouvermayors.

Affordable,adequate transitisa“qualityoflife issue,”hesaid.

“Ifpeoplewantmoretime tospendwithfamilyand doingthingstheywantto do—andtospendlesstime sittingincongestion—then weneedfunding.”

Withthefederalgovernmentapprovingtheimmigrationof500,000newresidentstoCanada,andmany ofthemexpectedtomoveto theLowerMainland,West saidimprovedtransporta tionisnecessarytopreserve theregion’senvironment, economyandqualityoflife.

“Allthethingsthatthe governmentathighlevels talksabout,transitand transportationarereally foundationtoallofthose,” hesaid.

Westaddedhe’shopeful

thathavinga“unitedvoice” amongallthemayors,with everyoneworkingtoward thesamegoal,willhelpget themessageacross.

“MetroVancouveris

growingandifourtransportationsystemdoesnotkeep pace,weriskthelivabilityof ourregionandweriskthe economicprosperityofour region,”Westsaid.

“Therearereallyconsequencesofnotgettingthis right.”

AmongtheMayors’ Transport2050plans’10yearprioritiesare:

•Uptoninenewtraffic-separatedBusRapid Transitlines

•Morethandoublingbus serviceover2022levels

•BuildingtheBurnaby

MountainGondolatoSimon FraserUniversity •Extendingthe MillenniumLinefrom ArbutustotheUniversityof BritishColumbia

•IncreasingHandyDART serviceby60percentand providing24-hourservice

•Immediatelyadvancing abusinesscasetodetermine thebestrapidtransittechnologyontheMetrotownto ParkRoyalcorridor,while deliveringbetterbusservice intheshortterm

•ExploringotherpotentialSkyTrainextensions,includingtoNewtoninSurrey andtoPortCoquitlam

•Building450kilometres ofnewtraffic-separated cyclingpathsincludingbike networksineveryMetro VancouverUrbanCentre

•Introducing200new bikelockersandsixnewbike parkades

•IncreasingSeaBusservicestartandendtimesto matchSkyTrain’sservice hours.

PortCoquitlamMayorBradWestsaysheplanstoadvocateformoretransportationsolutionsintheTri-Cities,now

What’sNew

CheckOuttheDigitalWinterProgramGuide

Theeasy-to-readdigitalversionoftheJanuarytoMarchProgram Guideisnowavailable.Fromspringbreakcampsandspecial eventstogeneralrecreationandfitnessprograms,classesand drop-insessions,there’ssomethingforeveryone.

Programscanfillupquicklysovisitcoquitlam.ca/programguide, thenheadtotheonlineregistrationsystemorcall604-927-4386 toregister.

Ifyouwanttogetnotificationaboutthenextregistrationdates directlytoyourinbox,signupforourPRCeNewsat coquitlam.ca/enews

FitnessandFun

HaveFunWhileGettingFitwithZumba®atMCC

EnjoyLatin-inspiredcardioandatotalbodyworkoutatthe newMaillardvilleCommunityCentre(MCC),locatedat 1200CartierAve.Noregistrationrequired.Parkingisavailable atthebackofthebuildingoffofProulxLane.

•Sundays:1:30–2:30p.m.

•Mondays:6:15–7:15p.m.

•Wednesdays:9:15–10:15a.m.

•Fridays:9:30–10:30a.m.

Fordrop-inratesvisitcoquitlam.ca/onepass

NeighbourhoodNews

BecomeaSnowAngelthisWinter

We’relookingforvolunteerSnowAngels—neighbourswhocan lendahelpinghandthiswinterbyhelpingthosewhoareunable tocleartheirCitysidewalks.Learnmoreabouttheprogramorsign uptovolunteeratcoquitlam.ca/snowangels

Don’tjusttakeourwordforit,volunteerRaquelsays,“Iliketogive backtoourwonderfulcommunityandbeagoodrolemodelfor mykidstoencouragethemtovolunteerandtakeprideinthis community.”

WanttoshareyourSnowAngelvolunteerstory? Snapaphoto,writeashorttestimonialandsenditto communityservices@coquitlam.ca

KeepingOurCommunitySafe BeFireSafe

Firepreventionandsafetyisimportantandevenmoresoatthis timeofyear.Protectyourfamilyandhomewiththesesafetytips:

•Onlyuseapprovedlightsetsanddonotoverloadcircuits. Checkalllightsetsbeforeuseanddiscardanythatarefrayedor damaged,usingproperclips(notstaples)toinstalloutdoors. Alwaysturnofflightsbeforeleavinghomeorgoingtobed.

•Candlesmaybeprettytolookatbutanopenflamecaneasily igniteothermaterials—pleasechoosebattery-operated candlesasanalternative.

•Besurethereisaworkingsmokealarmoneverylevelofyour homeandthateverymemberofyourhouseholdknowswhat thealarmsoundslikeandwhatactionstotakeinanemergency.

•Installacarbonmonoxidealarminacentrallocationofyour home.

•Bothsmokealarmsandcarbonmonoxidemonitorsmakegreat inexpensivegifts!coquitlam.ca/seasonalsafety

WinterWise:TipstoPreventFlooding

Floodingcanhappenwhenrunofffromheavyrainexceedsthe capacityofthedrainagesystem.Youcanhelppreventfloodingby:

•Keepingthecatchbasinsnearyourpropertyclearofdebris— rakeupleavestopreventthemfrompluggingdrains. coquitlam.ca/adoptacatchbasin

•Clearingditchesandculvertsnearyourpropertyofdebristhat cancausewatertobackup.

•NotblowingleavesfromyourpropertyontoCitystreets,which increasesfloodingrisks.

•Cleaningfoundationdrainsandsumpsthatcollectwaterfrom yourhouseandpropertyanddirectingittoaCitystormsewer.

•Repairingbrokenordamagedpipesthatcancauseblockages andfloodingofyourhome.

Checkoutmoreinformationtohelpkeepyourhomeandfamily safethiswinteratcoquitlam.ca/winterwise.Beaware,get prepared.

LIGHTSATLAFARGE

Massivedisplayisreadytosparklefullyagain

Lastyear'sshow wasmorelimited

JANISCLEUGH jcleugh@tricitynews.com

Ifyou’vedrivenalong PinetreeWayinthepasttwo weeks,youmayhaveseen somecolouredlightstwin klingfromthetreesatTown CentreParkinCoquitlam.

Thecityanditscontractor,StarIlluminationsof PortCoquitlam,havebeen decoratingthesouthern halfoftheparkwithnearly 100,000bulbsforLightsat Lafarge,anannualfreeshow thatattractsthousandsof visitorsfromacrossMetro Vancouver.

AndonSaturday(Nov. 26),themunicipalitywill officiallykickoffthefami ly-friendlygatheringwith entertainment,activitiesand foodtrucksfrom5to8p.m.

WendyWiederick, Coquitlam’sparksoperationsmanager,saidmore lightsandelementsare addedtothisyear’sspecta cle,includingafieldoficicles onthefestivallawn,aheart fabricatedbyCentennial Secondaryshopstudents, aniceareawithigloosand animals,anewdoublearch wayandalitpathfromthe

InspirationGarden. Butmanyofthemuchlovedfeatureswillalsobe backsuchasthelighted tunnel,thehobbithouse andthecastle(thelatterina differentplacefrom2021).

Togetvisitorsinvolved, thecity’sParkSparkteam ofvolunteerswillbeatthe plazaandaroundthepark toencouragewalkerstotake partinactivities,happening fromTuesdaytoSaturday

intheevenings.Carollers willalsospreadtheholiday cheer.

WiedericksaidtheLight Brigadecrew,whichhandbuiltandinstalledmanyof theshowelements,ishoping toreach1,000volunteers thisyear.“There’sbeenno shortageofpeoplewanting tobeinvolvedinLightsat Lafarge,”shesaid,noting residentscanstillsignup byemailingparkspark@

coquitlam.cafordatesand times.

Meanwhile,MackinPark inMaillardvillewillalsobe deckedoutfortheholidays withmorelightsandfloral elementsaroundthetrees andornamentalgarden.

Likelastyear,cityofficials areconsideringleavingthe MackinlightsupforFestival duBois,theannualFrenchCanadianfetethatrunsApril 1to3,2023.

LightsatLafargemay alsorunlongerthanusual, dependingontheweather, shesaid,toextendtheshow untilmidFebruaryforwalkerstobeatthewinterblues.

Lastyear,duetopark constructionandCOVID19pandemicrestrictions, thelightdisplayandpublic activitiesatTownCentre Parkwerecurbed.Still,despitethesetbacksandcold weather,theturn-outwas

Tellusabout yourChristmas lightdisplay

The Tri-CityNews willagainrunalistof Christmaslightdisplaysintheregion. Already,thereare plentyoflightshows upathomesincludingatFranTopp’s, whoseholidayscene at10HettDr.,Port Moody,willgofor Dec.1toJan.1;the lightsarecoordinated withmusic.

Tosubmityour addressforprint andonlinepublication,sendanemail jcleugh@tricitynews. com.

“muchhigherthananticipated,”shesaid.

•PresentedbyCoquitlam Centre,LightsatLafargeis oneachnightfromduskto around11p.m.fromNov.26, andlaterforNewYear’sEve. Visitcoquitlam.ca/lights orcoquitlam.ca/parkspark formoredetails.Togetto TownCentrePark,takethe EvergreenExtensiontothe LafargeLake–DouglasstationontheMillenniumLine.

AndrewCameronandArneMitchellworktogethertowrapatreewithlightsinpreparationfortheannualLightsat LafargedisplaythatbeginsonSaturday. MARIOBARTEL/THETRI-CITYNEWS

ACCESSYOUTHOUTREACHSERVICES

Holidaymarketpopsupdowntown

Eventwillfeature

dozensofcurated localvendors

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

Sipabeverageandenjoy holidayshoppingatanew pop-upChristmasmarketin downtownPortCoquitlam.

Award-winningbreweryPatinaBrewingCo. andCassandraCakeCo.of FoodNetworkfamewillbe hostingtheChristmasCraft MarketonMonday,Nov.28 between4p.m.and8pm., featuringdozensoflocal vendors.

OrganizedbytheSweet andSaltyCollectiveCo.,the holidayshoppingeventwill beanopportunitytomingle, enjoybeveragesandbaked treatswhilealsosupportingAccessYouthOutreach Services,asupportorganizationforvulnerableTri-City youth.

Theeventisbeingheld justoveroneyearafter Curtisandherteamwon theBigBakecompetitionon FoodNetwork.

HermotherKarenCurtis, whorunstheAccessYouth lifeskillscookingclass, YouthGour-Made,saidthe

holidayshoppingeventwill bringdozensofsomeofthe bestlocalvendorstogether foragoodcause.

"It’sacuratedevent.The onlyvendorsarepeople we'veinvited—thebestof thebest,"saidCurtis,who startedKicsLemonadeand runstheHaneyFarmers Market.

Entranceisbydonation,

shesaid,andgiftwrapping willbeoffered,withproceedsgoingtoAccessYouth programs.

JessicaWilliams,executivedirectorofAccess, saidthehelpiscomingata criticaltimefortheorganization,whichrunstheProject ReachOutbusserving homelessandatriskyouth.

"Alittle[ofthemoney

raised]willgointoevery program,"saidWilliams."All ourprogramsareinneed"

Thechancetosupporta localorganizationwasimportantforKyleO'Genski, co-ownerofPatina.

"Thecharityaspectwas the'goldsealofapproval'to beinvolved,"hetoldthe TriCityNews.

Theeventisbeingde-

scribedasanightof"cupcakesandbeer,"according toMelissaMaltais,whoisa memberoftheSweetand SaltyCollective,alongwith Curtis.

"Wethoughtitwouldbe greattogetallofourfriends together,"saidMaltais, whosebusinessismaking organicfoodproducts, amongotherthings.

Cityseeks diversity input

PortCoquitlam hasopeneditsapplicationprocessfor itsEquity,Diversity andInclusion(EDI) Roundtable,whichis responsibleforprovidinginputtoPoCo officialsonremoving barriersinprograms andfacilities.The deadlinetoapplyis Dec.4.

EDIRoundtable volunteersaresought whoreflectthe communityitself, includingthe"diverse voicesofIndigenous people,Black,people ofcolour,LGBT2SQ+ andgenderdiverse people,peoplewith disabilities,immigrantsandnewcomers,peopleliving inpoverty,seniors, womenandyouthand others,"saidanews release.

Thetermbeginsin January2023andends inJune2024,with meetingsheldevery othermonth.

Visitthecity’swebsitetofindoutmore.

CassandraCurtis(left),andKyleO'Genski(backright),alongwithJessicaWilliamsofAccessYouth,SophieTowne andMelissaMaltais,aregettingreadyforaChristmasCraftMarketindowntownPortCoquitlam. DIANESTRANDBERG/ THETRI-CITYNEWS

Whatisyourhomeworth intoday’smarket?

STATIONMUSEUM

LastPostabouttoplayforMcKnighttrench

Trenchwasbuiltin tomarkcentenary ofFirstWorldWar

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

Justlikethewaritmemorializes,thetimeforthe McKnighttrenchatPort Moody’sStationMuseumis comingtoanend.

JohnGrasty,thepresident ofthePortMoodyHeritage Society’sboardofdirectors thatrunsthemuseum,told the Tri-CityNews thetrench willbedecommissionedand thegroundlevelledtomake spacefornewprogramming opportunitieslikekids’ campsandsummersessions thatfocusonarcheology andthecity’sIndigenous heritage.

Hesaidhehopesthe workcanbecompletedby nextspring.

TheMcKnighttrenchwas constructedin2014,then expandedthenextyear,asa tributetothe100thanniver saryofthebeginningofthe FirstWorldWar.

It’snamedforLt. AugustusMcKnight,an engineerfromPortMoody whodiedinbattleinFrance

in1916.

localhistorianwholeads toursofremembrancefor

championedtheprojectas awaytopromotepeaceby recreatingsomeofthereal

hardshipsofwarexperiencedbyveterans.

Infact,Goheensaid, trenchlifeforsoldiersatthe frontwassodifficult,1,000 ofthemdiedeverydayfrom disease,injuryandthepoor livingconditions.

“Itwasvileanddisgusting anddirtyforpeoplelivingin theseconditions,”hesaid.

Eightyearslater,the McKnighttrenchhasoutlastedtheactualwarit commemorates,butGrasty believesit’stimeforthemuseumtomoveon.

“Museumshaveto evolve,”hesaid,adding discussionsofcurrentissues likeinclusivityandreconciliationareoftenrootedina pastthatmustbeexamined togivethemcontext.

“We’rereallytryingtostay withthetimes.”

Grastysaiddespitetheeffortsofdedicatedvolunteers tomaintainthetrenchand tellitsstories,thestructure hasdeterioratedtothepoint visitorshadtobelimitedto guidedtours.

“We’vebeenpatchingit upwithmoresandbags,but itgottothepointitwould costalottorepair.”

Asthosecostsstartedto exceedtheamountitwould taketojustfillitin,Grasty saidtheboardofdirectors

decideddecommissioning thetrenchwouldbeamore prudentexpenditureofits limitedresourcesaspartof anoverallreviewofallits servicesandprogramming.

The7/8-scalereplicaof aRoyalAirForceS.E.5a biplanethatwasaddedto thetrenchdisplayin2018 willberetainedandmoved elsewhereonthemuseum’s property.

Grastysaidthetrench programexceededallexpectations.

“We’vegotaheckofalot ofmileageoutofit.”

Duringitstenurebehind theoldCPRstation,the trenchhasbeenvisitedby scoresofschoolchildren, hostedcandlelightvigilsand meditationprograms,been thebackdropforfilmprojectsandoccupiedovernight byre-enactors.

Adedicationceremony in2015wasevendisrupted byprotestorscarryingsigns withanti-warmessages.

Grastysaidthemuseum iscurrentlyworkingwith Tri-CitiesCommunityTV onaseriesofshortvideos recountingthehistoryofthe trenchprojectandstoriesof thewartimeexperiencewill stillbetold.

“We’vegottofocuson otherareas,”Grastysaid.

PortMoodyresidentGuy BlackandJohnGoheen,a

theRoyalCanadianLegion,

Topic: EarlyChristmasdecorations disrespectveterans?

“Itisverydisrespectful.Imakeit apointtoremindeveryonethat ChristmascanwaituntilDec.1.”

“Itwouldhonestlyneveroccur tomethataChristmastree goingupsixweekspriortothe holidayissomehowanattackon RemembranceDay.”

Eby’sactionssethimapart

Hehasonlybeenin thejobforafew days,butalready newly-mintedPremier DavidEbyhasbeenabusy man.

Justminutesafterhis swearing-inceremonylast Fridayheannounceda coupleoffinancialgood iesformostpeople:a$100 creditfromB.C.Hydro andanew“costofliving” creditthatamountsto about$400foracouple withtwochildren.

Ontheweekend,he laidoutamulti-pronged “safercommunitiesaction plan”thatreceivedgener allypositivereviews.

Hefollowedthatup withtwonewpiecesof legislationthattacklethe housingcrisis,bothonthe rentalsideandthesupply side.

Hewillsoonturnhis

attentiontoensuringforeign-trainedworkersin healthcareandtheconstructionsectorscanactuallyworkintheprofessionsinwhichtheyhave beentrained.Therewill besomeclimateaction policiesunveiledaswell.

Thisrollingseriesof policiesisallpartofEby’s “100dayactionplan”he announcedafewweeks back.

Ofcourse,someof thesepolicieshaveattractedcriticismfrompoliticalopponents.

Takingmoneyfroma Crowncorporationlike BCHydrotoeitherbolster thegovernment’sbottom lineorfundarebateor creditschemeisexactly thetypeofthingtheBC NDPwassocriticalof whileinOpposition.

AndtheBCLiberals

havecorrectlypointed outthatmanyelements ofhissafercommunity plancouldhavebeenimplementedmonths(ifnot years)ago.

Ebyandhisgovernmentwillclearlytakethat criticisminexchangefor beingseenasactuallytakingaggressiveactionona numberoffronts.

ManyhavelongwonderedifEbyaspremier wouldbethesameEby whofirstburstonthe publicsceneasanactivist lawyerwhochampioned thehomelessandcivil liberties.

Sofar,atleast,weare seeingadifferentDavid Ebyinactionthanwe sawwhenhewaswith thePivotLegalSociety ortheB.C.CivilLiberties Association.

Hewantstogetridof

thestreetencampmenton theDowntownEastside andhasopenedthedoor tore-openingmental healthinstitutionslike RiverviewHospital.In sodoing,hehasdrawn strongcriticismfromhis formerassociates(again, criticismhewon’tmind taking).

Ebywillbetheenergeticfaceofhisgovernmentforafewweeks ifnotmonths.Then,I suspect,hewillslipmore intothebackgroundlike hispredecessorJohn Horganandlethisfrontlineministerscarrythe ball.

Bythenhewillhaveestablishedthereisindeed anewanddifferentleader inB.C.

KeithBaldreyischiefpoliticalreporterforGlobal BC.

Maillardvillefacilitycelebrating50thbirthday

Buildingwas formerlyanRCMP headquarters

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

OnSaturday,Nov.25, Coquitlam’sPlacedesArts willbeputtingontheRitz.

Thethrivingconnection pointforartistsandthe communityiscelebratingits 50thanniversarywithagala party.

PlacedesArtswas bornfromadreamofthe CoquitlamFineArtsCouncil thatwantedtocreateawelcomingplacewheremany artsdisciplineswouldbe taughtbyskilledteachers whileemergingandlocalar-

tisanscouldhaveavenueto displayandselltheirwork.

Theartscentrestartedina buildingthathadbeenused bytheRCMPasitsheadquartersinMaillardville,followingitspreviouslifeasthe residenceforthemanagerof

thenearbyFraserMillslumberoperation.

Thecitypromisedtoprovidethespaceifthefoundinggroupcouldrenovateit, thenoperatetheartscentre successfullyforoneyear.

Thechallengewasmet,

andthedreamofadedicatedartsfacilitybecamea realitywhenPlacedesArts officiallyopenedonDec.1, 1972.

Formoreinformation aboutPlacedesArts’programs,visitplacedesarts.ca.

CLIMATECHANGE

PoCocouncilmustprioritizeclimatesolutions

TheEditor:

OnNov.8,thepeopleelectedtoPort Coquitlamcouncilsworein andanewfour-yearterm hasbegun.

Inaprocessthatfeelsa bitlikebeingthrownfrom thefryingpanintothefire, councilwillimmediately startworkingonthecity’s budget.

Budgetsshowwhata communityprioritizes.

Oneofmyhighestprioritiessincebeingelected in2014wastofindclimate solutionsthatfitourcom munitysothatwemightreduceourrisk.Ifoughthard

duringbudgetdiscussions tofundaclimateplanand finallywedid.

Now,ourcityneedsto implementandbuildon thatclimateplanandmake

fundingthosesolutionsa prioritymovingforward.

Weknowthatfailingtodo sowillcostussomuchmore inthelongrun.

Ourcommunityisvery fortunatetobeborderedby threebeautifulrivers,the FraserRiver,thePittRiver andtheCoquitlamRiver.

Thesethreeriversand theirdikesprovidewonderfulrecreationopportunities forourresidents.

Theyalsoputusatrisk fromflooding,asourhomes andbusinesses,andmuch ofthedowntownarea,lies withinthefloodplain.

Peoplelivinginhighflood

riskareas,whereinsurance coverageisnotavailable, couldcostalllevelsofgovernment“wellintothebillionsofdollars.”

Thereisalsothelossof humanandanimallifethat wegenerallyfailtoquantify aswellasuntoldeconomic losses.

Wecanhoweverbe proactiveandplanforthe future.

MunicipalitiesandFirst NationsCommunitiesinBC arewinningclimateleadershipawardsandprovingthis orderofgovernmentthatis closesttothepeoplecanbe wheretheopportunitiesare

forpositivechange.

WithintheTri-Cities,Port Moodyisafewstepsahead whenitcomestotakingclimateaction.

Allthreecouncilsmight considerstrikingaTri-Cities YouthClimateCommittee, whichcouldreportdirectly tothosecouncilswithrecommendationsandinput.

Thiswouldservethedual purposeofengagingyouth inameaningfulwayandallowingforinclusivedialogue onrealclimatesolutions.

Itisafterall,theirfuture thatisatstake.

LauraDupont PortCoquitlam

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram

MapleRidge

TRI-CITY COMMUNITY

TRAINYOURTRAINER

RevengeasweetwaytohelpKidSportTri-Cities

Eventhasraised morethan$52,000 overthreeyears

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

Howmuchvengeance can$100buy?

DylanRobertsisaboutto findout.

He’soneof16coachesat InnovativeFitnesswhowill beputthroughtheirpaces bytheirclientstomorrow (Nov.25)atthecompany’s annualTraintheTrainer eventtoraisefundsforvariouscharitiesacrossBritish Columbia.

ThePortMoodylocation,aswellasthestudio inCoquitlam,aredirectingtheirproceedstohelp KidSportTri-Cities.

KidSport’slocaldirector,ChrisWilson,saidthe efforthasraisedmorethan $52,000overitsthreepreviousassociations.

Effortbeingtheoperative word,saidRoberts,who expectssomeofhisclientsto comeupwithcreativeand gruellingwaystoexactalittlepayback.

Here’showitworks:Fora minimum$100donation,a clientgets10minutestobe-

cometheirtrainer’strainer, inflictinguponthemthe kindofpainandbarkedinstructionstheyendureevery timetheyclimbaboard theairbikeorstepuptoa weightsstation.

InthefouryearsRoberts

hasbeensubjectedto—er, participatedin—theTrain theTrainerevent,hesaid he’seatenpiesfromatrough whiledoingplanks,dragged acampervanthrougha parkinglotandcompleteda fitnesscircuitwhilewearing

afullhazmatsuitandcarryinga25-poundweight.

“Ineverknowwhattoexpect,”Robertssaid.

“Theclientschallenge youinfunways,butthenext dayyouendupfeelingpretty stiff.”

MattDinsdale,thestudiomanageratInnovative FitnessPortMoody,said TraintheTrainerisoneof severalwaysthecompany triestogivebacktothecommunitythatalsoincludea charitygolftournamentand

anadventurerace.

Hesaidnotonlydoesit challengehisteamoftrainerstobetheirverybest,but ithelpscementtheconnectionthey’veforgedwiththeir clients.

Italsogetscompetitive.

“Forsomecoaches,itbecomesatestforthemtosee whocantakethemost.”

CAMARADERIE

Robertssaidthechallenge helpsbuildasenseofcamaraderieamongstthetrainers, astheyspendthedaysand weeksleadinguptoitbecomingbrothersandsisters inarms,preparingandsteel ingthemselvesforwhatthey mightbetaskedtodo.

“Wecanlookbackonitas realteambuilding,”hesaid.

Dinsdalesaid,sincethe companystartedtheTrain theTrainerevent14years ago,it’sbecomeahighlightofthecalendarthat’s supplementedwithraffles, beveragesandfoodtoturnit intoasocialoccasionthatallowsthetrainersandclients tointeractatadifferentlevel.

Andreally,headds,who wouldn’tlikethechance topushbackafterbeing pushedtotheirownlimits timeandtimeagain?

It’sallaboutbeing“accountable,”Dinsdalesaid.

NOV.25TO27

Music,crafts&foodatlaunchofLightsatLafarge

Friday,Nov.25

COFFEEHOUSE

TheGramPartisans istheheadlineactatthe CrossroadsCoffeehouse,a fundraiserforthehospice societyintheTri-Cities. DoorsattheGatheringPlace (1100-2253LeighSq.,Port Coquitlam)openat7p.m withtheopenmicstartingat 7:30p.m.Thefolkbandtakes thestageat8:50p.m.Entryis $5atthedoor.

MORE:thecrossroadscoffeehouse.com

HAPPY50TH!

Seeaone-of-a-kind performanceforPlacedes Arts’50thyear,atananni versarygalaattheEvergreen CulturalCentre(1205 PinetreeWay,Coquitlam). Receptionisat6:30p.m. whiletheproduction,under thedirectionofSusan Bertoiawithdesignby MarcusValliant,isat8p.m. Theshowtellsthestoryof PlacedesArts.Admissionis free;however,registration isrequired.Allagesarewel come.

MORE:placedesarts.ca

Saturday,Nov.26

ARTCLUBSHOW

Checkouttheoriginal piecesbymembersofthe CoquitlamArtClubtoday

andNov.27from9a.m.to4 p.m.intheCentennialroom atDogwoodPavilion(1655 WinslowAve.,Coquitlam). Themediumsinclude textiles,drawings,oiland acrylicpaintings,watercoloursandpastels.Admission isfree.

MORE: CoquitlamArtClub.ca

BOARDGAMES

SwingbytheCityCentre branchoftheCoquitlam PublicLibrary(1169Pinetree

Way,Coquitlam)foraboard gameandtomeetnewpeople.BoardGameDayruns from2to3:30p.m.inRooms 136and137.Theeventis recommendedforageseight andup.Noregistrationis needed.

MORE:coqlibrary.ca

LIGHTTHELAKE

TheCityofCoquitlamwill kickoffitsannualLightsat Lafargedisplaywithaparty from5to8p.m.atTown CentrePark(1299Pinetree

Way,Coquitlam).Thefree family-friendlyeventwill featurefoodvendors,artistic activities,entertainmentand agrandfinaleperformance. PresentedbyCoquitlam Centre,thelightshowruns nightlyuntiltheendof January.

MORE:coquitlam.ca/ lightsatlafarge

SWEETLITTLELIES

Hearthesoundsof FleetwoodMacwiththe coverbandFleetwood

Magic,whichwillplaythe Americanband’sgreatest hitsfrom1969to1987.The showattheInletTheatre (insidePortMoodyCityHall, 100NewportDr.)isat7p.m. Ticketsare$39,or$45atthe door.

MORE:eventbrite.ca

HOCKEYNIGHT

CheerontheCoquitlam Expressasthehockey playersmeetChilliwackon homeiceatthePoirierSport andLeisureComplex(633

PoirierSt.,Coquitlam).The gamestartsat7p.m.

MORE:coquitlamexpress.ca

Sunday,Nov.27

WINTERFARMERS

Grabyourgrocerybags andheadtothePortMoody RecreationComplex(300 IocoRd.,PortMoody)forthe winterfarmersmarket,run bytheGrowLocalSociety. Tourthemarketbetween10 a.m.and2p.m.tofindveggies,meatsandhandcrafted items.

MORE:makebakegrow. com

DANCEMOVES

Seechoreographer

JoshuaBeamishshowcasecontemporarydance piecesinaproduction called Proximity,at7p.m. attheEvergreenCultural Centre(1205PinetreeWay, Coquitlam).Theshowlooks attwoofhisowncreations: theworldpremiereof“Lost Touch,”and“Proximity.”As well,Beamishwillperform twosoloschoreographed forhim:“Redemption” and“AblazeAmongstthe FragmentsfoYourSky.” Beamishhasdancedat venuesaroundtheworld. Ticketsare$35/$32/$16.

MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

TheFleetwoodMactributebandFleetwoodMagicperformsthegroup'shitsattheInletTheatreinPortMoodyon Nov.26.Fortickets,visiteventbrite.ca. PHOTOSUBMITTED

NewfutureenvisionedforCoquitlamstation

Planlookstomake betteruseof 9.2-acreproperty

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

Coquitlam’sbiggesttransitstationandpark-and-ride facilitycouldonedaybea

majormobilityhubwith offices,plazas,andsafer bikeandpedestrianconnections.

TransLinkisstartingthe processofimaginingwhat thefuturewilllooklike fortheCoquitlamCentral Stationproperty,although it’sinits“earlystages,”accordingtoaspokesperson withtheregionaltransit

authority.

It’sbeguntheprocessof hiringexpertstocomeup withaplan,inlinewiththe CityofCoquitlam’svision,as itlookstomakebetteruseof the9.2-acrepropertyat2920 BarnetHwy.

TransLinkhasissued arequestforexpressions ofinterest(RFEOI)fora multi-disciplinaryteam

tocompleteaconceptual MasterDevelopmentPlan fortheCoquitlamCentral site.

Accordingtoonlinedocumentation,theteamislikely tocompriseofthefollowing: •Projectadministration orplanning

•Architecturalengineering •Electricalengineering

services

•Buildingconstruction management

TransLinkstatesinthe RFEOIthatit’slooking to“establishavisionforthe developmentofasignificant neighbourhoodintheCityof Coquitlamandthecreation ofamobilityhub.”

ThedeadlineforproposalsisJanuary2023, andTransLinkislooking toshortlistuptofiveproponentsforthejob,who willthenbeinvitedtobid throughaRequestfor Proposalsprocess.

Fewspecificshavebeen laidoutfortheproperty, buttheRFEOIstatesthat theworkwill“informsubsequentphasesofdevelopmentplanningandintegrationwithtransitfacilities.”

Withpropertycurrently valuedat$132.4million, accordingtothelatestBC Assessment,thepropertyis locatedadjacenttoanother bigdevelopmentproject— MarconQuadreal’sTriCity Central,withcondos,rental andcommercialspacein ninetowers,builtintwo phases.

AsfortheCityof Coquitlam’svision, TransLink’spropertyis locatedwithinthePinetreeLougheedprecinct,which thecityenvisionsasagatewaytothecity,withoffices, high-densityresidentialand

safe“barrier-free”connectionsforpedestriansand cyclists,accordingtotheCity CentreAreaPlan.

TheRFEOIsignalsthe beginningoftheplanningprocess,accordingto TransLinkspokesperson DanMountain.

“TransLinkhasissued aRequestforExpression ofInteresttobeginengagingwithexternalfirmsto developaComprehensive CommunityPlanforapotentialredevelopmentat CoquitlamCentralStation. Thispotentialredevelopmentisstillinitsearlystages andthisfirststepwillallow ustoexploretheviabilityof thesite.”

TheRFEOIcomesas TransLinkrecentlyestablishedaRealEstate DevelopmentProgram,its developmentarmtogeneraterevenuefortransit services.

CoquitlamCentralisalreadyhometomultipletran sitservices,includingthe SkyTrainMillenniumLine, WestCoastExpress(WCE) andabusloop.

TheWCEParkandRide has1,060spaces,which driverspayjust$60amonth —or$3aday—tousewhen theytakeWCEdowntown.

Turningthepropertyinto somethingmorelucrative,to generaterevenuefortransit servicesisthegoal.

Fakegunsbeingcarriedinplainsightpromptpolicewarning

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Imitationfirearmsshould bekeptoutofthepubliceye and“willbetreatedasreal, untilprovenotherwise.”

CoquitlamRCMPrecently issuedthereminder,while alsonotingairgunsarecon sideredfirearmsunderthe CriminalCode,afterapair

ofBBgunsweresurrendered tolocalofficers,including onethatlookedlikeanassault-stylerifle.

Fourmaleyouthswere seenintheareaofComo LakeParkonNov.9carrying theweaponsinplainsight. Theotherappearedtobea pistol,accordingtoanews release.

Around12:30p.m.that day,spokespersonCpl.

AlexaHodginssaid,the youngmenwereseenwearingbalaclavasandwerewith agrey2006Acuranearthe intersectionofLakeshore DriveandFosterAvenue.

Officersultimatelyfound thegroupinanearbyalleyway,Hodginsadded,and theyclaimedtobeusingthe imitationgunswhilefilming amusicvideo.

Aninspectionbyofficers determinedthetwofirearms wereBBguns,whichwere thensurrenderedtopolice.

“Therewillbeanimmediateandheightenedresponsewhenpolicerespond toreportsinvolvingweapons toensurethesafetyofthe publicandrespondingofficers,”saidHodgins.

“Imitationfirearmscan

poseasignificantrisktothe public,policeandthepersonwhoiscarryingit,asthe differencesbetweenrealand fakeareinthedetails.”

BB,pelletandairsoft gunsareconsideredtobe firearms.

Infact,CoquitlamRCMP saidthey’resubjecttothe samelicenceandregistrationrequirementsas

realfirearms,especially high-poweredairguns,and shouldonlybeusedindesignatedareasoronprivate land.

Thepublicisbeing remindedthatimitation weaponsshouldbelocked inasecurecaseandoutof reachofchildrenandyouth to“preventmisunderstandings,accidentsorthefts.”

TRI-CITY SPOTLIGHT

Let’sgetdigitial. tricitynews.com

PleasesendyourinformationandphotosforinclusiononourTCSpotlightpagetojcleugh@tricitynews.com

NEWBELCARRACAO

Afamiliarfaceisnowoverseeing Belcarra’sday-to-dayoperationsona full-timebasis.

Afterservingfourmonthsinan interimrole, PaulaRichardson (picturedatright)waspromotedNov.1as thevillage’snewchiefadministrativeofficer(CAO).

InanewsreleaseonOct.24,Belcarra MayorJamieRoss saidhe’slookingforwardtoworkingwithRichardson,who alreadyhasmorethansixyearsofexperiencewiththevil lage.

“Paulaiswellrespectedbycouncilandherpeers,and hasagoodrapportwithmembersofthecommunity,”he added.

AsCAO,Richardsonwillmanagethevillage’sfinances, andcreatepoliciesandproceduresthataidinamoreeffectivemunicipality.

Inanyorganization,asatop-tierexecutive,theCAOis ultimatelyresponsibleforitsperformance.

RichardsonwasappointedasactingCAOinJulywhile thevillageconducteditsrecruitmentprocessand“demonstratedherabilitytofulfilltheresponsibilitiesoftheposition inaverycompetentandprofessionalmanner.

“ItwastheopinionofcouncilthatPaularepresentedthe bestfitforthepositiongivenherdeepunderstandingof localissues,andthefactthatshehasprovenherabilityto workcloselywithcouncilandthecommunity,”thevillage added.

Richardson’srésuméwithBelcarradatesbackto2016 whenshewasfirsthiredasanadministrativeservicesassis tant.

Sheearnedapromotionroughlyfiveyearslatertothe village’smunicipalcoordinatorpositionpriortothisweek’s announcement.

Sheofficiallyreplaces LornaDysart, whoretiredinJune aftersevenyearsasBelcarra’sCAO.

BURKEMOUNTAINCAFEOPENS

NortheastCoquitlamresidentswon’thavetotravelfar togetamorningcupofcoffeealongtheircommute—ora glassofwineifitsaweekendsocialgatheringwithfriends.

IbexCaféandKitchen openedthedoorstoitsnewdigs onOct.15andissituatedinanewcommunitybuildingthat aimstoactasagatheringplaceforneighboursandvisitors alike.

Infact,IbexisnowthefirsttoeveropenacaféonBurke Mountainafterofficiallyreceivingitsbuildingpermitin March.

PGAHospitality wonthecontractinJuly2021tooperate thebusiness.Italsomanages BeaneryCoffeehouseand Eatery onWestwoodPlateau.

Ibexisinthenewlybuilt$3.75-millionBurkeMountain DiscoveryCentre(3537PrincetonAve.)inthePartington Creekneighbourhood.

Coquitlamofficialssaidit’smeanttoserveasaplace forcurrentandfutureresidentstolearnaboutcommunity updates,schoolconstruction,parkupgradesandthefuture ofthevillageasBurkeMountainispredictedtoexpandto 50,000peopleinthenext20years.

“Thesingle-storeycentrefeaturesaspacewithinteractivedisplaysandinformationonBurkeMountain,four unisexwashrooms(twothatarefullyaccessible),asix-spot bikerackandon-siteparkingfor13vehicles,includingEV chargingstations,”thecitysaidinanewsrelease.

Ibex’smenuincludesavarietyofbakedgoods,sandwiches,brunchoptions,specialtycoffee,wineandbeer.

VIPsgatheredlastmonthfor theinauguralTri-CitiesDiwali galainPortMoody.Pictured areMithilaKarnik,Jessie Tandon,AkshitaKariman, ShubakshiRawla,Naval TandonandSumitRawla.

StaffattheHardRockCasino VancouverinCoquitlampresented$2,800toCarolTodd, founderoftheAmandaTodd LegacySocietythatprovides mentalhealthresourcesto peoplearoundtheworld.

LarryOakley,presidentofthe LangleyElks,presented$500 toMauraFitzpatrickofPLEA’s ChildrenoftheStreet.The moneywillbeusedtodeliver preventionworkshopsforchildrenandyouthinLangley.

Grade11and12textiles studentsMakenna,Veronica, TaliaandColeatDr.Charles BestSecondaryinCoquitlam stitched100babyknothatsfor theRidgeMeadowsHospital’s maternityunit.

DozensofSD43teachersspent

PetPhotoswithSantaisback

Eventwaslast heldin2019

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Dogs,cats,hedgehogs, lizardsandweasels.

SantaClaushascertainly seenallkindsofhouse pets,whiletravellingfrom hometohomeeachyearto delivergifts.

Nextmonth,Jollyole’ SaintNickissettomake apre-holidayvisittoPort Moody,markingthereturn ofapopularfundraiser— andtheresultsaresureto makeanyonesmile.

OpenRoadMazdaishosting“PetPhotoswithSanta” forthefirsttimesince2019 followingapandemichiatus.

Proceedswillgotothe Tri-CitiesSPCAEducation andAdoptionCentre.

TheStJohnsStreetdealershipisoneoffourlocationsinvitingallhousepets

toparticipateinthecause sothatownerscansharethe uniqueexperiencewiththeir families.

“Petsarefamilyformany peopleand,often,theyaren’tpermittedtogoinside mallstoseeSanta,”saidClub OpenRoadspokesperson JoannaHo.

QUIETENVIRONS

“Wecreateagreatenvironmentatourdealerships fortheholidaypetphoto experience—it’snottoo loudorcrowded,solessdistraction.”

In2019,OpenRoad MazdaPortMoodyraiseda totalof$1,365.

ThatwasalsotheinceptionoftheMetroVancouver campaign,whichhassince broughtinmorethan $15,000forlocalnon-profit organizationsthatsupport neglectedandrescuedanimals.

HosaidPortMoody’s dealershipwillbedonating $500tokickstartthe2022

editionof“PetPhotoswith Santa.”

Localresidentsinterested incontributingtothefundraisercanmakeadonation toanSPCArepresentative onsite.

VancouverPet Photography’sKatherine Gonzalezwillbebehindthe camerathisyear.

Foraminimum$20donation,petownersreceive twocopiesoftheirphoto— onedigitalandoneprinted.

BESTTOBOOK

Drop-insareallowed,but participantsareencouraged tobookatimeinadvanceas theeventwillbeonafirstcome,first-servebasis.

“PetPhotoswithSanta” isscheduledforDec.3from 12to4p.m.atOpenRoad MazdaPortMoody(3170St JohnsSt.).

Formoreinformation andtobookaphoto-op, youcanvisittheinitiative’sEventBritepageat eventbrite.ca.

Digitalbillboardsaren’tbringingintheanticipatedbigbucks

Citystillgetsa guaranteed minimumof $650,000ayear

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

Thetwodigitalbillboards ateitherendofPortMoody aren’tbringinginasmuch revenueashadbeenantic ipated.

Butthecity’smanagerof financialplanning,Tyson Ganske,saystaxpayers shouldn’tbeimpactedas savingsarebeingfound inotherareastooffsetthe $209,000shortfall.

Theredinkwasrevealed inanupdateaboutexpected

revenuesandexpenditures ofvariouscitydepartments throughthepastyear.

PaulRockwood,Port Moody’sgeneralmanagerof

CityofCoquitlam

financeandtechnology,told council’sfinancecommittee lastTuesday(Nov.15)that whilethecitywillreceivethe minimum$650,000guaran-

teedannuallybythesigns’ proprietor,PattisonOutdoor Advertising,additional revenuesanticipatedbythe city’s2022budgetdidnot materialize.

“Peopleweren’tgoingout asmuch,sotherewasless demandonadvertisingrevenue,”Rockwoodsaid,citing theongoingfalloutfromthe COVID-19pandemic.

Theplacementofthe 10-foothighby35-footwide billboardswasapprovedby councilin2019andthey wereerectedinJanuary2020 —oneatthecornerofIoco RoadandBarnetHighway andanotheratthecity’sold landfillsiteontheBarnet.

PortMoodyanticipatedit wouldearnabout$30millionoverthecourseofthe

25-yearcontractitsigned withPattison,basedona guaranteedannualminimumpaymentfromeach billboard,plusa$300,000 signingbonus,or45percent oftheadrevenuetheygeneratedannually—whicheverisgreater.

Atthetime,Pattisonsaid thatcouldamounttomore than$590,000ayearfrom eachbillboardgoingintocity coffers.

Sofar,though,thathasn’t quitepannedoutsaidJeff Moi,PortMoody’sgeneral managerofengineeringand operations.

“Wewerehopingto drawinmorerevenue,but we’restilljustgettingthe minimumannualguarantee,”hesaid,addingevena

looseningofrulesbycouncil toallowalcoholtobeadvertisedonthebillboards hasn’tgeneratedabounce indemand.

InOctober,anothercompanyproposedtwomore digitalbillboardsalongthe BarnetHighwaywest(akaSt. JohnsStreet)—onealong thecurvenearUnionStreet andanotherjustwestofthe intersectionatClarkeStreet.

Termsofthecontractfor thatarrangementwerenot disclosedfor“competitive reasons.”

However,councilatthe timedecidedtodeferany decisionontheproposal untilresidentscouldhave achancetoweighinonthe idea.

NOTICEOFPUBLICCONSULTATION

TheCityhasreceivedanapplicationforarenewalofa TemporaryUsePermit(TUP)forthepropertylocatedat 2KingEdward.ThepurposeoftheTUPwouldbetocontinuetoallowindustrialusesassociatedwiththeopen storageofpipeandpipelayingrequirementinasecured yardwithconstructiontrailersandassociatedparkingfor workers.ThisTUPwouldexpireonDecember31,2023.

YouareinvitedtoprovideinputtoCouncilrelative tothisapplication.Additionalinformationrelatedto thisapplication,includingacopyofthepermit,may beinspectedfrom Thursday,November10,2022 to Monday,November28,2022 attheCity’sPlanning andDevelopmentDepartment,3000GuildfordWay, Coquitlam,duringthehoursof8:00a.m.to5:00p.m. fromMondaytoFridayexcludingstatutoryholidays.

Youmayalsoobtainmoreinformationonthis applicationbycontactingNickChallis,Planning Technician1,PlanningandDevelopmentDepartment, atNChallis@Coquitlam.caorthePlanningand DevelopmentDepartmentat604-927-3400.

ThisapplicationwillbeforwardedtoCouncilforconsiderationon Monday,November28,2022.TheRegular CouncilMeeting,atwhichtheapplicationwillbe considered,startsat7:00p.m.intheCouncilChambers ofCityHall,whichislocatedat3000GuildfordWay, Coquitlam,BC.

Instructionsandregistrationinformationfor participatingremotelyand/orinpersonatthePublic Hearingcanbefoundonourwebsiteat www.coquitlam.ca/publicnotices.Weencourageyou toregisterasfarinadvanceofthemeetingaspossible.

Youmayalsoregistertoattendthemeetingwithout

signinguptospeaktoanitem.TheCityClerk’sOffice willcompileaspeakerslistforeachitem.Everyonewill bepermittedtospeakatthePublicConsultationbut thosewhohaveregisteredinadvancewillbegivenfirst opportunity.

Ifyouwouldliketoprovidewritteninput,pleasesubmit yourcommentstotheattentionoftheCityClerk’sOffice, inoneofthefollowingways:

•Email:clerks@coquitlam.cawith “TUP–PROJ19-070” inthesubjectline;

•Fax:totheCityClerk’sOfficeat604-927-3015;or

•Inperson:Attn:CityClerk’sOffice,CityHallat3000 GuildfordWay:

·TotheCityClerk’sOfficefrontdesk,whichislocat edonthesecondfloorofCityHall;or

·PlaceineitheroneoftwoCityHalldropboxes locatedatthe undergroundparkingentranceor bythemainentrancefacingBurlingtonDrive.

ToaffordCouncilanopportunitytoreviewyoursubmission,pleaseensurethatyouforwardittotheCityClerk’s Officepriortonoononthedayofthehearing.Please notethatthedropboxeswillbeemptiedshortlyafter 12:00p.m.andnotcheckedagainpriortothehearing.

Writtensubmissionsprovidedinresponsetothiscon sultation,includingyournameandaddress,willbecome partofthepublicrecordwhichincludesthesubmissions beingmadeavailableforpublicinspectionatCoquitlam CityHallandpotentiallyonourwebsiteaspartofafu tureagendapackageatwww.coquitlam/agendas.

IfyouwishtospeakattheCouncilMeetingpleasecall theCityClerk’sOfficeat604-927-3010.Ifyoucallthe CityClerk’sOfficetoregister,yournamewillbeplaced onthespeakerslist.Everyonewhowishestospeakat themeetingwillbegivenanopportunity,butthosewho haveregisteredinadvancewillbeallowedtospeakprior tothefloorbeingopenedtoallotherspeakers.

Pleasenotethatinterestedpartiesmayonlyspeaktothe issuescoveredbytheTUP.

CityofCoquitlam NOTICEOFPUBLICCONSULTATION

TheCityhasreceivedanapplicationtoamendthe CitywideOfficialCommunityPlan Theapplicationproposesanamendmenttothelandusedesignationofthesubject propertiestochangethedesignationfromMediumDensityApartmentResidentialto HighDensityApartmentResidential.

Ifapproved,theamendmentwouldfacilitatethedevelopmentof181marketrental unitsand23below-marketrentalunitsinone12-storeyapartmentbuildingandone 7-storeyapartmentbuilding.

YouareinvitedtoprovideinputtoCouncilwithrespecttotheabove-noted application.

TheCityofCoquitlamwillbereceivingtheinputrequestedhereinupto December2, 2022.Writtencorrespondencecanbeprovidedinoneofthefollowingways:

•Email:clerks@coquitlam.cawith“Section475–PROJ21-145”inthe subjectline;

•Regularmail:CityClerk’sOffice,2ndFloor,3000GuildfordWay,Coquitlam, BC,V3B7N2;

•Inperson:Attn:CityClerk’sOffice–pleaseplaceinoneoftwoCityHall dropboxes(3000GuildfordWay,Coquitlam),locatedattheunderground parkingentranceorbythemainentrancefacingBurlingtonDrive;

•Fax:totheCityClerk’sOfficeat604-927-3015.

AdditionalinformationaboutthisapplicationcanbeaccessedbycontactingKerry Thompson,PlanningandDevelopmentDepartment,atkerry.thompson@coquitlam.ca.

Writtensubmissionsprovidedinresponsetothisconsultation,includingnamesand addresses,willbecomepartofthepublicrecordwhichincludesthesubmissions beingmadeavailableforpublicinspectionatCoquitlamCityHall(atthePlanning andDevelopmentcounter)andpotentiallyonourwebsiteaspartofafutureagenda packageatwww.coquitlam.ca/agendas.

ShouldCouncildecidetoapprovethisapplicationgoingtoaPublicHearing, notificationforthehearingwillbecompletedinaccordancewiththe Local GovernmentAct

CityofCoquitlam NOTICEOFPUBLICCONSULTATION

REVISED–Thisisarevisednoticetocorrecttheproposed CitywideOfficial CommunityPlan (CWOCP)AmendmentMap,whichnowcorrectlyincludesthe amendmentofaportionofthesitefromOneFamilyResidentialtoOpenSpace.

TheCityhasreceivedanapplicationtoamendthe CitywideOfficialCommunity Plan. Theapplicationproposesanamendmenttothelandusedesignationinthe NorthwestCoquitlamAreaPlan tochangethedesignationofaportionofthesubject propertyfromOneFamilyResidentialtoCompactOne-FamilyResidential.

Ifapproved,theamendmentwouldfacilitatethecreationofforty(40)singlefamily lots,two(2)lotsforwatercourseprotection,andtwo(2)parklots.

YouareinvitedtoprovideinputtoCouncilwithrespecttotheabove-noted application.

TheCityofCoquitlamwillbereceivingtheinputrequestedhereinupto December12, 2022.Writtencorrespondencecanbeprovidedinoneofthefollowingways:

•Email:clerks@coquitlam.cawith “Section475–PROJ21-128” inthesubject line;

•Regularmail:CityClerk’sOffice,2ndFloor,3000GuildfordWay,Coquitlam,BC, V3B7N2;

•Inperson:Attn:CityClerk’sOffice–pleaseplaceinoneoftwoCityHalldrop boxes(3000GuildfordWay,Coquitlam),locatedattheundergroundparking entranceorbythemainentrancefacingBurlingtonDrive;

•Fax:totheCityClerk’sOfficeat604-927-3015.

Additionalinformationaboutthisapplicationcanbeaccessed bycontactingTiffany Khuu,PlanningandDevelopmentDepartment,attkhuu@coquitlam.ca.

Writtensubmissionsprovidedinresponsetothisconsultation,includingnamesand addresses,willbecomepartofthepublicrecordwhichincludesthesubmissions beingmadeavailableforpublicinspectionatCoquitlamCityHall(atthePlanning andDevelopmentcounter)andpotentiallyonourwebsiteaspartofafutureagenda packageatwww.coquitlam.ca/agendas.

ShouldCouncildecidetoapprovethisapplicationgoingtoaPublicHearing, notificationforthehearingwillbecompletedinaccordancewiththe Local GovernmentAct

Coquitlam.ca/ publicnotices

ApplicationsopenforJuniorFirefighters

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Applicationsareopenfor apopularCoquitlaminitiativethatseekstotrainfuture firefightersandexpandre cruitmentatthesametime.

The2023Junior Firefighterprograminvites localstudentsingrades11 and12,whoareconsider ingacareerinthefield,to takepartingrounddrills, high-anglerescueandbasic firstaid.

Thefirefightertraining isastandardeight-week programcondensedinto eightdaysforabout12par ticipants.

It’salsoapartnership betweenSchoolDistrict43 (SD43)andCoquitlamFire Rescue,andisscheduled duringspringbreakfrom March10to17.

Youngsaid,including2022’s class,46teenshavegone throughtheprogramatFire Station1sinceitsinception in2019.

“Theprogramgoalsare toprovidestudentsthe opportunitytolearnexperientiallyaboutbecominga firefighter,”Youngaddedina newsrelease.

Hesaidsuccessfulapplicantswillalsoexperience the“communitygoodwill, pride,excitementandcamaraderiethatcomewith thejob.”

Notabletrainingexercises includetheuseoffireextinguishers,harnessinghose andnozzleskills,vehicleand equipmentfamiliarization, autoextricationandapublic servicecomponent.

Specificcriteriamustbe metinordertoparticipatein thejuniorfirefighteracademy.

Afitnesstestwilltake

placetoseeifcandidates meetphysicalstandardsof thehands-onprogram.They mustalsotakepartinan interviewandsubmitanindepthapplicationformfor theacademicportion.

Theapplicationdeadline isDec.2.

Formoreinformation, visitCoquitlamFireRescue’s pageatcoquitlam.ca.

AparticipantinCoquitlam FireRescue’sannualJunior Firefighterprogrampreparestodescendfroma platformduringhigh-anglerescuetraining. MARIO

DeputyfirechiefScott

BARTEL/TRI-CITYNEWSFILE

PHOTO

Chase,shootoutendsonHighway1aftercartheftinPoCo

CRIME KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Policearelookingfor suspectsafteranalleged cartheftTuesdayafternoon turnedintoawildchase andshootoutalongthe Lougheedhighwayand endedwithacrashandcar jackingonHighway1.

CoquitlamRCMPspokespersonCpl.AlexaHodgins saidnoonefromthepublic washurtfollowinganexchangeofgunfirebetween thesuspectsandarmedofficers.But,sheadded,it’snot clearifanyoftheoutstandingsuspectswereinjured duringthepursuit.

Theeventsstartedto unfoldataround3:40p.m. whenMountiesresponded

toreportsofarobberyinvolvingfirearmsataPort Coquitlamcardealership neartheintersectionofthe LougheedHighwayand DominionAvenue.

It’sallegedfoursuspects stoleavehiclethenfired shotsatpoliceastheyfled.

Inavideoprovidedtothe Tri-CityNews byawitness, ablacksedancanbeseen drivingawaywestbound

fromatleast10policecruisersalongLougheedHighway nearPittRiverRoad.

Thestolenvehicleultimatelycrashedtoahalt inthewestboundlanesof Highway1neartheKing Edwardoverpass.Thesuspectsfledonfoot,butone waslocatedatthescene.

Asecondsuspectallegedlycarjackedanother vehicleandfledeastbound

toSurrey,beforebeing arrestedbyofficersinthat city.Theothertwoareunaccountedfor.

HodginssaidRCMPare turningtothepublicin hopesofobtainingmoreevidenceasthedetachment’s majorcrimesteamtakes theleadontheinvestigation oftheincidentthatalsoinvolvedpolicefromseveral jurisdictionsaswellasthe LowerMainlandEmergency ResponseTeam(ERT).

“Weappreciateandthank thepublicfortheirassistanceinadheringtopolice directions,”Hodginssaid.

“Thiswasaverydynamic investigationwithmultiple crimescenes.”

TrafficonHighway1 westboundwassnarledfor hoursandinvestigatorswere stillonthesceneWednesday morning.

Transitthrough CoquitlamandNew Westminsterwasalsodelayedordetouredduringthe policeresponse.

Anyonewithmoreinformationorvideoofthe incidentsisencouragedto allCoquitlamRCMPat604945-1550.Quotefile-number 2022-30931.

Volunteer as a Light Host

Thank You Light Brigade Volunteers!

HeavilyarmedpoliceweavethroughtrafficatLougheed andShaughnessyStreetinPortCoquitlamafteranallegedarmedcartheftnearby. KRISTIANB./SCREENGRAB

WhatisSponsoredContent?

SponsoredContentisabrand-sponsoredarticlethat livesonamediapublisher’swebsite.Itlooksand readslikethepublicationsowncontentbutis,in fact,apaidadvertisement.Itpositionsthebrandas anexpertbydeliveringinterestingcontentthatis relevanttoapublisher’saudience.

Aswemovefurtherdownthedigitalroad,it’s importanttoconnectwithyouraudienceonline. Notmerelyadvertiseproductsandservices…spark interest,answerquestions,educatereaderswith valuableinformation.Oneexampleofthiswould beforaRealtortosponsoranarticleon“Howto turnyourBasementSuiteintoaRentalUnit?”A TravelAgencycouldtalkabout“5BestTripstoCure theWinterBlues!”MaybeaYogaStudiodiscusses “TheHealthBenefitsofMaintainingaGoodWorkLifeBalance?”Thegeneralideaistoprovideyour audiencewithhelpful,interesting,evenmustread articles…sponsoredbyyourbusinessofcourse!It’s asofter,butmorememorablesell,presentedina journalisticstyle.

SponsoredContentbuildsbrandtrust&credibility, whenusedeffectivelycandriveonlinetrafficand engagementbyleapsandbounds!! 604-314-4502 www.glaciermediadigital.ca ndhillon@glaciermedia.ca

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.

604-944-3375

www.budgetblinds.com/tricity #2120-580NicolaAve.,PortCoquitlam

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.

RegisteredEducationSavingsPlans(RESP)area greatwaytosaveforyourchild’sfuture,especially whencombinedwiththeCanadaEducationSavings Grantwhichpays20%onthe first$2,500contributed eachyearuntilthechildis17.That’supto$500for post-secondaryeducationeachyearyoucontribute toamaximumof$7,200,regardlessofhousehold income.ThereisalsotheCanadaLearningBondthat canbenefitlowerincomefamilies.Provincialgrants liketheBCTrainingandEducationSavingsGrant offersupto$1,200forchildrenages6-9.Thegreat partaboutthisgrantisyoudon’thavetomakea contributiontoreceiveit,youjusthavetoqualify. However,notallRESPprovidersofferit,sofeelfree toreachouttousifyouwantsomehelpopeninga qualifyingaccountforyourchild.

604-521-3778 www.braunfinancial.com #325-5556thStreet,NewWestminster

Q A

CanIeatnormallywithdentures?

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

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

604-553-1222 www.newwestminsterdenturist.com 522SeventhSt.#270,NewWestminster

WindowCovering EXPERT

Clay&LaceyTierney, Owners BudgetBlinds, Tri-Cities

TeensuingCoquitlamafterslideinjuryinpark

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

Theguardianofa Coquitlamteenissuingthe cityforpainandsuffering sheallegedlysustained duringaplaygroundinci denttwoyearsago.

Thenameofthegirl,who was11atthetimeofthe reportedinjury,isnotbeing namedassheisaminor.

However,thepetition filedinB.C.SupremeCourt onNov.7claimsshewas injuredwhenshesliddown aslideinRochesterParkin June2020.

“Theplaintiffwasinjured whileslidinginthesteel tubeslidecausedbyametal slipinsideofthesteeltube slide,leftuncoveredbythe negligenceoftheDefendant, itsemployees,servantsand agents,”thestatementof

claimreads.

“Shesufferedinjuriesto herleftshoulder,andaleft legfracture,”thesuitclaims, aswellasothersthat“may bedisclosedbyclinicalevidence.”

TheCityofCoquitlamhas 21daystorespondtothe suitandaccusationsthatit failedtomaintaintheslide properly.

Accordingtothestatementofclaim,thecity “allowedthedangerous conditiontoexistandfailed toimplementaregular, adequateoranyprogramof cleaningandmaintenance ofthepremises”orwarn thepublicthattheslidewas “unsafeforpublicuse.”

Damagessoughtinclude reimbursementofexpenses includingthecostofprescriptions,transportation expenses,hospitalandambulanceexpenses,continu-

ingmedicalexpenses,care costs,domesticassistance/ replacementservices,expensesforfamilyandfriends renderingassistanceaswell asexpenses“yettobedetermined.”

Thesuitallegesthegirl sufferedpain,inconvenienceandlossof“enjoymentoflife,”andbelieves sheshouldbecompensated.

ParksinfrastructuremanagerWendy Wiedericktoldthe Tri-City News thecityisunableto commentonthecasebefore thecourt.

However,shesaidthe citydoesregularlymaintain playgroundequipment.

“TheCityiscommittedto providingsafecommunity andrecreationamenitiesin

Coquitlam,whichincludesa comprehensiveplayground maintenanceprogramthat includesregularplayground inspectionsbyqualified certifiedstaff.Inspectorswill correctdeficienciesonsiteif possibleoridentifyneedfor followupworkorrepairsas required.”

Shefurtherstated thatCoquitlamparksteams

“routinelyandregularlyvisit ourparkstoassessandaddressitemsrequiringmaintenance.”

Membersofthepublicare alsoencouragedtocontact thecityif“theyseesomethingneeding”itsattention.

Thiscanbedoneby emailingparks@coquitlam. caorbycalling604-9276300.

InthecircularbeginningWednesday,November23,2022,theEverydayValue pricefor3-TierLexingtonRollingCartbySimplyTidy®wasincorrectlystatedat 48.99each.ThecorrectEverydayValuepriceforthecartis 49.99each. InthesamecircularbeginningWednesday,November23,2022,thefollowing treesshowtobeonsaleandinstock.

•7.5ft.Pre-LitWhistlerPineDualLEDTree,#178onsalefor149.99, Reg.479.99

•7.5ft.Pre-LitJasperCashmereTreewithQuickSet®,#129onsalefor239.99, Reg.549.99

Unfortunately,wehavesoldthroughthesetreesfasterthanexpectedandwewill notbereceivingadditionalinventory. Weapologizeforanyinconveniencethismayhavecaused.

WOMEN’SHEALTH

Middleagecanbeempoweringforwomen

CLAIRENIELSEN newsroom@tricitynews.com

Iwritethisforthewomen whoaremyage,thewomen goingthroughorwhohave passedthroughthe“Change ofLife.”

Iapologizetotheyoung womenwhomaybefreaked outbythisarticle.Youtoo willexperience,endure andcomethroughitwith increasedwisdomand empowerment.Toquote LeonardCohen:“Iliftmy glasstotheawfultruth whichyoucan’trevealtothe earsofyouth”.

Sostopreadingnowif youareunder40unlessyou wanttoknowwhatitfeels liketobethatmiddle-aged womanwhoyouprobably

avoid,judgeoratleastare gratefulthatyouarenother.

Youwillbe.

Theterm“Women’s Health”issomethingIheard formanyyearsbutIhadno ideawhatitmeantuntilI becamethatage,whenweas womenarenolongerfertile andourbodiesseemtostart betrayingus.

Forme,thingsstarted prolapsing(womenmyage willunderstandthis).Every partofmybodystartedhurting,myinternaltemperature skyrocketedfornoreasonat allhoursofthedayandnight (myfamilymadefunofme whenIhadtostickmyhead outofthecarlikeadogin

Womenreachingmiddle agemayexperienceall kindsofphysicalchanges thatmakethemfeelas iftheirbodyisbetraying them,buttheycanalsobe empoweredtofeellikethe yearsafter50willbethe bestoftheirlives. PAOLA AGUILAR/UNSPLASH

WOMEN’SHEALTH

Freedomtofindyourvoice,confidence,identity

themiddleofwinter).

Isweatedandsprouted whiskers,Ihadmoodswings worsethanIhadasateen ager(andIhadteenagersat thetime–whatfun).

Istoppedsleeping,Ihad torushtothebathroomifI felttheslightesturgetopee.

Igotrashesonmybody.

Ibecameallergictoeverything,mybonesbecame brittle.

Igainedweighteven thoughIwasexercising.

Ibecamefearfuland worried.

AndIconsidermyselfone oftheluckyonesbecause therearewomenIknow whohavemuchmoresevere

symptomsthanIdo. Whatisthiscrueljokenatureplaysonwomenwhen webecomemiddleaged? Haven’tweendured enoughalready?

SACRIFICES

Wegaveupourbodiesto carrybabies,enduredbirth, actedasawalkingdairy bar,tendedtotheneedsof ouryoungandourfamilies (andoftenourownaging parents),sacrificedourown needsandidentities,were rejectedbyourteens,were criticizedforbeing“cranky” whenourtolerancewaned orwefeltburntout.

Itisaroughdealbeinga woman.

Idon’tknowofasingle

manwhocouldendurewhat wedoandwedoitwithout beingacknowledgedor forthemostpart,evenrespected.

Eventhoughitsounds likeanightmare,Ilovethe ageIam.

Manywomenfeelthat after50isthebesttimeof theirlives.

Why?

Becausewefindliberation,wefindourvoice,we findourconfidence,wefind ouridentity,westopworryingaboutwhatothersthink, andbestofallwefindeach otherandlaughattheludicrousnessofitall.

Itisimportantforwomen whoareenteringintothis newagetohaveanetwork

offriendsorsisterswhounderstand. Ifnotyet—findthem.

SUPPORT

Weneedtoholdeach otherup,unconditionally supportingeachotherwithoutjudgmentorcompetition,understandingwhat eachotherisgoingthrough andsharingagoodjokeand maybeabottleofwine.

Ihavecometolovethis timeofmylifebecauseI havebeenforcedtosurrenderalotofbeliefsthatdon’t servemeandhavefoundmy heart.

Ihaveearnedeverybitof respectthatIhave,Ilikewho Iam,Iamgratefulformy wisdomandmycapabilities,

andIlovetheyoungpeople aroundmeandalwaystake theopportunitytobreathe windundertheirwings.

Itissoimportantfor womenmyagetoreclaim theirminds,theirspirit,their voicesandtheirbodies.

Nowisthetimetotake careofus.

Itisnevertoolateto adjustourdietsinorderto consumefoodsthatnurture ourhealthratherthanfeed oldaddictions.

Itisnevertoolatetostart exercisinginawaythat feelsgoodtoourbodies andmakesusfeelstronger (withouttheintentionof lookinglikewedidwhenwe were20).

Itisnevertoolateto

reclaimouridentitiesand wearthebadgeofhonour: “Beenthere,donethat, learnedfromitandam strongerforit.”

IfIcanempowerone womantolearntoappreciateherself,andfeelsheis worthtakingcareof,thenI feelIwillhavefulfilledmy purpose.

Readthosebooksoncaringforyourselfatthisage, listentopodcasts,findyour innerwisdom(yourplaceof calm),andloveyourself.

Frommyhearttoyours withblessingsandencouragement.

ClaireNielsenisahealth coach,author,publicspeaker andfounderofwww.elixirforlife.ca.

Tue,Dec6,2022at6pm Location: CouncilChambers,CityHall-2580ShaughnessySt.,PortCoquitlam ImmediatelyfollowingadjournmentofthePublicHearingtheRegularCouncil MeetingwillreconveneandCouncilmaygiveconsiderationtobylawsonthe PublicHearingportionoftheAgenda.

Item1ZoningAmendment

BylawNo.4285,2022590DominionAve.

TheIntentofBylaw No.4285,2022 isto amendCityofPortCoquitlamZoning BylawNo.3630,2008torezonethe subjectpropertyasoutlinedinblackon themapmarkedSchedule“A”toBylaw 4285fromA(Agricultural)toM3(Light Industrial).Ifapproved,theapplication willenablethesubdivisionofthesubject propertyanddevelopmentoftwonew industrialbuildings.

Item2ZoningAmendment

BylawNo.4286,20221759,1771,1775,1781PrairieAve.

TheIntentofBylaw No.4286,2022 isto amendCityofPortCoquitlamZoning BylawNo.3630,2008torezonethe subjectpropertiesasoutlinedinblackon themapmarkedSchedule“A”toBylaw 4286fromRS1(ResidentialSingle Dwelling)toRTh3(ResidentialTownhouse 3).Ifapproved,theapplicationwill enablethedevelopmentofa3-storey, 23-unittownhousecomplexwith landscaping.

Item3RoadClosureBylaw No.4288,20222650BurleighAve.&2634-2636 KingswayAve.

TheIntentofBylaw No.4288,2022 isto facilitatetheclosureoftheCity-owned unopenedlane(218m²),outlinedinred onthemapmarkedSchedule“A”to Bylaw4288.Closureandsaleofthelane willenableconsolidationofthetwosites anddevelopmentofamixedcommercial andresidentialbuildingonthesite.

TRI-CITY ARTS&LIFE

MÉTISCULTURE

Artisanfusestraditionalfashionwithclimatehealth

PoCoresident partofthe'Flower BeadworkPeople' JANISCLEUGH jcleugh@tricitynews.com

AlexaLizotteusestongsto pullcottonribbons,soaking invinegar,fromaboiling pot.

ThePortCoquitlamartisanisexperimentingwith naturaldyeson100percent cotton,dippingthematerial todayinliquifieddarkred kidneybeans,andatur mericblend.

Thecoloursandprocessesarethesameaswhat herMétisancestorshave usedforyears.

Andshe’scontinuingtheir legacyofreturningtothe Earthtofindwaystocreate.

Indeed,thebrandforher newbusinesshasadistinct eco-focus:DesertMétis Creations.

DesertreferstoLasVegas, theplacewhereshewas bornandgrewup,butleft at18.

ShemovedtoVancouver, whereshegotherbachelor ofartsdegreeinpsychology andsociologyandrecon nectedwithherMétisroots byworkingpart-timewith

theUrbanNationYouth Association(UNYA)at CommercialDriveandEast HastingsStreet.

There,shewasacounsellorforfiveyearstohelp kidslivinginthedowntown eastside.

Butthesamemonth theCOVIDpandemichit, Lizottesoughtadeeperconnectiontoherfamilialroots andmovedtoherMétis father’svillage—eighthours northofEdmonton.

TheNorthVermilion

Settlement,akaButtertown, isacrosstheriverfromFort Vermilion,andistheplace herdadescapedasasurvivoroftheBoyerRiverIndian DaySchool.

Inthatcommunity, Lizottetoldthe Tri-City

News duringaninterview lastmonth,shefeltathome andbecameaMétisNation ofAlberta(MNA)citizen.At itslocaloffice,shewasasa communitynavigatorand floodrecoveryworker,gainingfurtherinsightintothe impactsofclimatechange whilebuildingDesertMétis, hersustainablefashion business.

LizottesaidtheCOVID lockdowngavehertimeto finishherbeadedprojects thatshehadstartedatUNYA

—whicheventuallyledher todevelopDesertMétisprofessionally.

Shedidflat-stitchbeadworkformoccasinsand earrings,aswellassome beadingaroundaneagle featherthatwasgiftedtoher fromanElderafterasummercampatUNYA.

Shethenbeadedtwo smallereaglefeathers,found ataRichmondpark,forher brothers.

Atleft,AlexaLizotteholdsaribbonskirtthatshecreated,showingthecolourfulfabricwithbeaded-styledesigns.Above,thePortCoquitlamresidentpreparescottonribbonsoverthestove. JANISCLEUGH/THETRI-CITYNEWS

Educationisnowentrepreneur'smaindriver

Butonceshepostedeight pairsofherbeadedearrings onherFacebookpageand theyinstantlysold,Lizotte knewshewasontosome thing.“Ithought,‘It’snot justmewhothinksmyworks looksnice,’”shesaid.“Their feedbackwasreallyencour agingforme.”

DesertMétis,aname inspiredbyhermotherand grandmother,hasalsohad successonotherdigitalplat formssuchasInstagram(@ DesertMetis)andEtsy,an e-consumersite.

Now,shewantstoexpand herbusinesswitheducationalcomponents,offering workshopsthattieMétistra ditionsandknowledgewith climate–positivewardrobe choices.

Lastmonth,Lizotteledan MNAworkshoponcultural sustainabilityinfashion,

Above,PortCoquitlam residentAlexaLizotte modelsearringsthatshe createdwithfurfromthe firstfoxsheskinned.At right:Lizotteholds100per centcottonthatshehanddyedusingnaturalfoods andliquids. JANISCLEUGH/ THETRI-CITYNEWS

teachingMétisabouthow

ChangeDepartment,her workshopwasthefirstsessioninaseriesonclimate change,climateactionand environmentalprotection.

AsMétisareknownfor theirbrightlycolouredfloral motifsintheirbeadworkand embroidery—givingthem thename“FlowerBeadwork People”—Lizottesaidshe weavesinstoriesaboutthe UkrainianandFrenchinfluencesintheirartworkand sharesteachingsabouthow herancestorsdyedfabric usingthejuicesofbeetsand berries.

Withherworkshops,she hopesyoungergenerations ofMétiswillcarryontheir culture.“WehavetorememberthatIndigeousandMetis havebeenleadersinclimate health.”

• YoucanseeAlexaLizotte teachbeadworkonher YouTubechannel:@desertmetis.

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

traditionalcustomstranslate tofashionandenvironmentalprotection.

RunbytheMNA’s EnvironmentandClimate

WinterTreasuresopens foranotherseasonof holidayshoppinginPM

Boatsandbarns—twosubjects thatMapleRidgepainterIsobel Gibsonisbestknownfor.Raised inNewZealand,Gibsonloves ruralandcoastalviewsforher acrylicandwatercolourworks. Herartisticscenesaretypically basedonphotosofhertrips aroundtheworld,orfrompenand-inkdrawingsinhertravel journal.Gibsonisanassociate memberoftheFederationof CanadianArtistsandamember oftheGaribaldiArtClub;this year,shetookpartinthe2022 MapleRidge–PittMeadows ArtStudioTour.Now,she’s showingandsellingherpieces —including“BrightlyPainted” (16x16”acryliconcanvas,atleft) —intheninthannualWinter TreasuresArtisanMarket,which openedNov.17atPoMoArts (formerlythePortMoodyArts Centre).Morethan50Metro Vancouverartistsandartisans willbestockingthemarket withhandcrafteditemssuchas pottery,jewelery,glassandart untilDec.22.Meanwhile,the BlackberryGiftShop,located insidetheartscentreat2425St. JohnsSt.,isalsohostingits26th annualChristmasMarketplace. Bothareopendaily.Visit pomoarts.ca.

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

ISOBELGIBSONVIAPOMOARTS

TRI-CITY SPORTS

CLIMATECHALLENGES

604.472.3040

Mountainbikersadapttoextremeweather

Trailbuildersand ridersmaking changestoaccount forclimatechange

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

Extendeddroughtsthat dryouttrails,atmospheric riversthatwashthemaway andintensewindstorms thatblowdowntreesare amongtheclimatechange challengesfacingthelocal mountainbikingcommunity.

SomembersoftheTriCitiesOffRoadCycling Association(TORCA)are adaptingthewaytheybuild andmaintaintrails,aswell ashowtheyridethem.

KaraleenGioia,adirector ofthegroupthatcomprises morethan750members, saidatypicaltrailonBurke Mountainthat10yearsago waslittlemorethanadirt path—snakingthroughthe toweringtrees—mustnow bearmouredwithlogsand rocks,bridgedwithhandbuiltwoodenspanstoallow fordrainageinheavyrains, andcontouredwithlittle rollinghillstoslowriders whocouldotherwisespeed erosion.

“It’snotjustgettingout andshreddingthetrailsanymore,”Gioiasaid.“Climate changeisanotherfactorto consider.”

Droughtfollowedbybig rainstormscanbeespecially damagingtotrails.

Gioiasaidtheformer stripsallthemoisturefrom thegroundthatbindsthe trailbeds,threateningtheir structuralintegrity,whilethe latterresultsinwashoutsas rainfallinunprecedented volumesisforcedtotravelin

unfamiliarplaces.

Havingbothinquicksuccessioncanbedisastrous.

“Theresultisthatmore workisrequiredtomake trailssustainable,”Gioia said.“Morelabourupfront meanslessworkinthelong

run.”

Mostofthatlabourissuppliedbyacorpsofdedicated volunteersoverthecourse ofseveralorganized“trail days”throughouttheyear, aswellasindividualprivateereffortstostayontopof

Buildingbridgestoallow watertorunoffafterheavy rainsandlittlerollinghills toslowriderswherethey mightcauseerosionare amongtheadaptations localmountainbikers like(fromright)Karaleen Gioia,ChristopherPinski andChrisCookhave madeintrailconstruction toaccountfortheeffects ofclimatechange. MARIO BARTEL/THETRI-CITYNEWS

repairs.

“We’reprettyproactive.”

Gioiasaidmostlocal mountainbikersaretuned intotheprivilegedposition theyenjoywithsomany

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram

Workbenefits alltrailusers

trailssoclosetohome. Manyfiletrailreportsto documentanyproblems orareasofconcernthey identifyastheyrollupor downthemountains.

Gioiasaidkeepingthe trailsingoodshapebenefitsallusers,including hikers,dogwalkersand trailrunners.That’sbeen especiallyimportant sincetheadventofthe COVID-19pandemic thatsentmorepeople outdoorsfortheirrecreationalpursuitsasactivity helpedreducetheirstress andkeptthemhealthier.

Gioiasaideducation ofpropertrailuseetiquetteandtrailbuilding techniqueisanongoing process.TORCAliaises frequentlywithother usergroups,aswellas landmanagers,todevise solutionstoproblemsas theyarise.

“We’relearningaswe go,”shesaid.

Infact,areportconductedforParksCanada bytheCalgary-based MiistakisInstitutethat lookedattheecological impactsofmountain bikingsaidthat’sthecase formostusergroups,as there’sbeenverylittle

empiricalresearch.

“Specificeffectsassociatedwithmountain bikingactivityandinfrastructurecharacteristicoftheothertypesof usehaveemergedasa considerablegapinthe researchliterature,”concludedthereview.

Gioiasaidlandmanagersandusergroups aregainingagreater appreciationthatbolsteringtrailswillhelpkeep mountainbikingviable evenasweatherextremes intensify.

“Itmakesitenjoyable foralltheusers,”shesaid.

RAISINGFUNDS

TORCAisholding itsannualraffletoraise moneyfortheconstructionandmaintenanceof itstrailnetworkaswell assupportingacycling programforIndigenous youth.

Theprizefortheearly birddrawthatwillbe awardedNov.27isa KnollyTyaughtonhardtailmountainbike,while aKnollyChilcotinwill gotothewinnerofthe maindrawonDec.18. Formoreinformation,as wellasalinktobuyticketsonline,gotoTORCA’s websiteattorca.ca.

WORLDCUP

Viewingparties

hostedatPCCC

It’snotquitelikehaving ablackandwhiteTVrolled intoyourclassroomtowatch hockey’sSummitSeries betweenCanadaandRussia in1972,butsoccerfanscan gathertogetheratthePort CoquitlamCommunity CentretocheerCanadaat themen’sWorldCupin Qatar.

TVswillbesetupinthe centre’sconcessionarea forCanada’smatchagainst

CroatiaonSunday,at8a.m., andnextThursday(Dec.1), 7a.m.,forthematchagainst Morocco.

Canadaisparticipatingin soccer’sbiggestspectaclefor thefirsttimein36years.

“Itisanexcitingtimefor soccerinthiscommunity andthiscountry,”saidPoCo MayorBradWestinanews release.

“Getinthespiritand showyoursupport.”

CoquitlamExpressforwardReilleyKotaiand LangleyRivermen’sDeven Nagrakeeptheireyeson abouncingpuckinthe secondperiodoftheirBC HockeyLeaguegame, FridayatthePoirierSport andLeisureComplex. TheExpresswon5-3then followedthatupSaturday witha2-1winoverthe VernonVipers.Coquitlam playstheSurreyEagles inSurreyonFriday,then hoststheChilliwackChiefs Saturdayat7p.m. MARIO BARTEL/THETRI-CITYNEWS

REMEMBRANCES

KENNETT,AudreyJ. November3,1927 November17,2022

OntheeveningofNovember17,Audreygotup fromthebesttableatTheCave,ThePalomar SupperClub,orFilippone’sPenthouse.Smoothing hercocktaildress,shepickedupherminkatcoat checkandgavethedoormanonelastwinkbefore walkingoutintotheeternalnight.

BorninCalgary,hermuch lovedparentsandthree sistersmovedtoVancouver’sWestEndintheearly ’30s,firsttotheMurrayHotel,hometohookers andremittancemen,andlatertoabarnofahouse onHarwoodStreet.ShegraduatedfromKing GeorgeHighSchool,wheresheexcelledat badminton,fieldhockeyandsoftball,aswellas pullingoffaprettysolidBettyGrableimpersonation.

Aftersomedisappointingteenjobs,Audreylanded aclericalpositionwiththefederalgovernmentin WarAssets,whichhelpedfundherunderagevisits toVancouver’sbestnightspots.

In1954,shemarriedFredrickNelsonKennett(see his2014obituaryonLegacy.comforsomeadded perspective).Ithasbeensaidthatoilandwater don’tmix,butFredandAudreymanagedtoprove thatwrongin60yearsofmarriage.Weimagine thattheyaretogetheragain,arguingoveraloud televisionaboutwhowastheoilandwhowasthe water.Itwillendinadrawandseveraldaysofnot talking.

In1958,afterthebirthoftheironlychildCindy, Audreypulledoffacoupbynegotiatingthe opportunitytocontinuewithhercareeratwhat wasbythenTransportCanada.Atatimewhen mostwomengaveupworktoraiseafamily,she stayedtruetoherdreamsandultimatelyretiredin 1987asaRegionalDirector.

Bythesummerof2019,Audreywasnolonger capableofstayinginherCoquitlamhomeof60 yearsandmovedtoTheMadisonCareCentre,not farfromheroldneighbourhood.Itwasadifficult transitionforsuchanindependentsoul,butthe yearsweretakingtheirtollonhermentaland physicalwell being.

AudreyissurvivedbyherdaughterCindy(Eric),her grandsonKai,nieces,nephews,andfriendsand acquaintanceswhoareallbetterpeoplefor knowingandlovingher.Ourthankstoeveryoneat TheMadisonfortheirkindcareandfierce dedicationtohelpingandprotectingtheirresidents. Noservicebyrequest,andifyouwouldliketo makeacharitabledonationinmemoryofAudrey’s 95years,pleaseconsideragenerousgifttothe SPCAortheUnionGospelMission.

Calloremailtoreserveyourspace, MondaythroughFriday8:30amto4:30pm: 604-362-0586•604-653-7851 DTJames@glaciermedia.ca•nmather@glaciermedia.ca

MUNRO,DonaldC.

June11,1933 November14,2022

ItiswithsadheartsthatwesaygoodbyetoDon Munroatage89.Muchlovedbyhisfamilyand friends,Donwasknownbyallasagenuine gentlemanwhotreatedeveryonearoundhimwith respectanddignity.Donaldwaspredeceasedby hisparents;brothersWillardandMorris;andhisfirst wife,Frances.HeleavesbehindhiswifeJoyce; childrenBrianMunro(Maureen)andDonnaDrake (Trevor);stepchildrenMelanieArnold(Carsten)and RandyBurrows(Sharon);tengrandchildren;and fivegreat grandchildren.

Service:Saturday,December3,2022,2:00pm

ValleyviewFuneralHome 14644 72ndAvenue,Surrey,BC Inlieuofflowers,donationstothe UnionGospelMissionwouldbeappreciated.

NIKULA,SinikkaH.

June13,1954 November6,2022

Withbrokenhearts,weannouncethepassingof ourMom,Sinikka,onNovember6thattheageof 68.AfteradevastatingdiagnosisofLewyBody Dementiashefoughteverychallengethatcame herwaywithcourageandgrace.Wewillmissher kindness,laughterandbeautifulspirit.Shewasan adoredÄiti(Mom),Mummu(Grandma),daughter, sister,auntandfriendandwassolovedbyher familyandfriendsinFinlandandCanada.Leftto rememberherwithyearsofwonderfulmemoriesis hermother,Leena;sonanddaughter in law, Janne JuhaniandMichelle;belovedgrandsons, LukasandOwen;sisterandbrother in law,Satu andJussi;sisterandbrother in law,PäiviandPasi; brotherandsister in law,IsmoandAuli;brother andsister in law,TimoandJaana;brother in law andsister in law,RaimoandAnneli;sister in law Eila;sister in lawandbrother in lawEiniandPauli; alongwithnieces,nephewsandlifelongfriends. Thefamilywishestothankthewonderfulnurses andcareaidesatERHandNicolaLodgefortheir supportandkindness.Inlieuofflowers,please considerdonatingtotheAlzheimerSocietyofBC fordementiaresearchortheEagleRidgeHospital Foundation.Detailsforacelebrationoflifewillbe sharedatalaterdate.

EMPLOYMENT

ADVERTISINGPOLICIES

Alladvertisingpublishedinthisnewspaperis acceptedonthepremisethatthemerchandise andservicesofferedareaccuratelydescribed andwillinglysoldtobuyersattheadvertised prices.Advertisersareawareofthese conditions.Advertisingthatdoesnotconform tothesestandardsorthatisdeceptiveor misleading,isneverknowinglyaccepted.Ifany readerencountersnon-compliancewiththese standardsweaskthatyouinformthePublisher ofthisnewspaperandTheAdvertising StandardsCouncilofB.C. OMISSIONAND ERROR: Thepublishersdonotguaranteethe insertionofaparticularadvertisementona specifieddate,oratall,althougheveryeffortwill bemadetomeetthewishesoftheadvertisers. Further,thepublishersdonotacceptliability foranylossofdamagecausedbyanerroror inaccuracyintheprintingofanadvertisement beyondtheamountpaidforthespaceactually occupiedbytheportionoftheadvertisement inwhichtheerroroccurred.Anycorrections of changeswillbemadeinthenextavailable issue. TheTri-CityNewswillberesponsible foronlyoneincorrectinsertionwithliability limitedtothatportionoftheadvertisement affectedbytheerror.Requestforadjustments orcorrectionsonchargesmustbemade within30daysofthead’sexpiration. Forbestresultspleasecheckyouradfor accuracythe firstdayitappears.Refunds madeonlyafter7businessdaysnotice!

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