Tri City News December 1 2022

WHEN: December5th-9th LOCATION: #2120-580NicolaAve, PortCoquitlam

TRI-CITIES:604-944-3375 budgetblinds.com OfferendsDecember9th,2022

Snowfallleaves abigmess, poweroutages

promptingcitymayorsto explainhowsnowclearing planswork.

Abigsnowstormthat sweptthroughtheTri-Cities onTuesday(Nov.28)slowed trafficandbusesandshut downpowerinsomeareas.

However,schoolsremainedopenandpriority streetswereclearedasdry conditionsonWednesday providedopportunitiesfor catchingup.

Buttheregionremains inwinterconditions,with belowzerotemperatures tonight(Thursday)andpossiblesnowflurriesFriday.

Whilemostpeopleput upwiththeinconvenience, somecomplainedonsocial mediaaboutpoordriving conditionsandlackofsnow clearingonlocalroads,

“Iwanttoaccentuatethis, weknewsnowwascoming soweprepared,”saidPort CoquitlamMayorBradWest.

InPortMoody,Mayor MeghanLahtiwenton Facebooktoexplainwhythe cityprioritizesmainarterial routesduringasnowstorm.

“Thissnowiswetand heavyanditisachallenge foreveryone.Weareasmall butmightyoperationand willgettoyourstreeteventually.Yourpatienceisappreciated.”

MayorRichardStewart usedalittlehumour—anda photoofhisdog,Sabre,with atoytireinitsmouth—to remindpeoplewithoutsnow tirestostayofftheroads.

INTRI-CITIES

Farleft,RachelSherneck navigatesanunshovelledportionofsidewalk alongSt.JohnsStreet Wednesdaymorning.Left, Itwasn’talltoilandinconvenienceafterTuesday’s snowfallthough,as VladimirPasko,3,zooms downahillinCoquitlam’s TownCentrePark.Below, Ajoggerisundeterredby thesnowyconditionsin TownCentrePark. MARIO BARTEL/THETRI-CITYNEWS

WINTERWEATHER

DouglasCollege,SFUclosed,foodbanksopen

Whilesidewalksandlocal roadsweren’tyetclearedin manyareasbyWednesday morning,some31,000stu dentsandteachersheaded toclassesasschoolsre mainedopen.

However,parentsand guardiansweretoldviasocialmediathattheycould keeptheirchildrenhomeif needed.

Flickeringlightsanda poweroutagecausedsome concernduringTuesday night’sschoolboard

meeting,whichwaslive streamed,andPortMoody trusteeZoeRoyerhadto leavethemeetingwhenher powerwentout.

ByWednesdaymorning, 10,000BCHydrocustomers inPortCoquitlamwere withoutpowerduetothe impactofhighwindsthat followedthesnowstorm.

Meanwhile,TransLink warnedriderstoexpect delaysonsomeroutesdue tosome15cmofsnowdroppingoncitystreets.

Busroutesaffectedbythe stormincludedtheMoody

Centre183,whichhadtodetour,andthe160Kootenay Loop/PortCoquitlam Station.

EXTRATIME

BothDouglasCollegeand SFUcampuseswereclosed Wednesdaymorningwhile TransLinkurgedcommuters toallowextratimefortravel.

Meanwhile,thoseusing foodbanksrunbySHARE FamilyandCommunity Serviceswereabletopickup hampersonWednesdayas theserviceremainedopen.

InPortCoquitlam,

CoquitlamandPortMoody, crewsweredeployedto mainarterialroutesfirst, includingthosethatconnect regionalhighways,followed byPriority2and3routes.

Coquitlamhad15trucks workingtoclearsnowon Wednesday.

“Ourmainroadsare ingoodconditionforthe morningcommute,and crewswillcontinuetowork oncleaningupourlocal roads.Wewillberunning throughthenightagaintonight,continuingonclean upaswellasdealingwith

icingissuesastheforecast iscallingfortemperatures to-4Ctonight,”statedBrad Lofgren,directorofpublic works.

PortCoquitlamwasalso preparingforWednesday night’sfreeze,withtemperaturesexpectedtodipto-4C.

“Afreezeisanticipated tonightthatwewillbepreparingfor,”MayorBradWest statedinanemail.

InPortMoody,therewere fivetrucksoutovernight, aswellasadditionalstaff clearingpedestrianareas toensuretheywereclear

forWednesday’spedestrian commute.

“Weprioritizehowwe clearroadsandpedestrian areastoprovideahighlevel ofsafetyonbusierroutes. Priority1roadsaremajor routesthatallowmovement acrossthecityandconnect withregionalroadsand highways,”statedJeffLittle, managerofoperations.

Residentsandbusinesses mustcleartheirsidewalks within24hoursorsoonerif theyareonprioritypedestrianstreets,withissuedfor noncompliance.

75affordableunitsnowopen

Projectisonland

ownedbyComo LakeUnitedChurch

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Anewfive-storeyapartmentbuildingisofficially openforCoquitlamseniors, familiesandthoseon“low tomoderateincomes”tocall home.

Saturday(Nov.26),the B.C.governmentandlocal officialscuttheribbonon thenewMountainView SuitesinAustinHeights, completewith75affordable housingunits.

There’samixofspacesfor residentsmovingintothe 1110KingAlbertAve.com plex,whichwillbeowned andoperatedbytheBritish ColumbiaCommunity RenewalSocietyofthe UnitedChurchofCanada.

Theyincludesstudio, one-,two-andthree-bed-

roomunits,withrentsthat startaslowas$375per month.

“Weknowpeoplein Coquitlamneedmore optionsforquality,affordablehousingoptionslike MountainViewSuites,”said Coquitlam-Maillardville MLASelinaRobinson,who wasonhandforthegrand opening.

B.C.provided$7.5million fortheprojectthroughits BuildingBC:Community HousingFund,andwillalso provideanannualoperating subsidyof$560,000.

“Partnershipsarekeyto successontheseprojects,” addedRobinson.

Meanwhile,theCityof Coquitlamcontributed $660,000toMountainView Suitesthroughitsaffordable housingreservefund,which MayorRichardStewartsaid isthe“cornerstone”ofthe city’soverallstrategy.

Thebuilding,whichalso hasanadjoiningchapel andcommunityspace,was

constructedonlandworth $5.3-millionprovidedbythe ComoLakeUnitedChurch congregationinpartnership withthePacificMountain RegionoftheUnitedChurch ofCanada.

“Havingproperty throughoutB.C.putsthe UnitedChurchinaposition toleverageourassetsforthe benefitoflocalitieswherewe serve,notjustforourcongregationsbutforthewider communities,”saidspokespersonDeborahRichardsin anewsrelease.

“Thispartnershipwith BCHousingthroughthe CommunityHousingFund enablesustoprovideworkingfamilies,seniorsand individualswiththeaffordable,qualityhousingthey need.”

Theprovincesaid MountainViewSuitesisthe latestbuildinginits10-year, $7-billionhousingplan, whichhasfundednearly400 homesinCoquitlamsince 2017.

What’sNew

TreeofMemoriesatRobinsonMemorialCemetery

Theholidayscanbeadifficulttimeforthosewhohavelosta lovedone.Honourthosewhohavepassedandhangan ornamentontheTreeofMemories,locatedinfrontofthe RobinsonMemorialParkCemeteryofficebuildingat 621RobinsonSt.TheTreeofMemoriescanbedecoratedfrom dawntoduskandwillremainupuntilJan.16.Afterthat,the ornamentswillberemovedandheldforpickup.More informationisavailableatcoquitlam.ca/cemetery

LookingOutfortheEnvironment

Real-timeWaterQualityMonitoringtoProtect

NearbyCreeksandStreams

CoquitlamisupdatingtheStreamandDrainageSystem ProtectionBylawtorequirereal-timecontinuouswaterquality monitoringequipmentatlargedevelopmentsitesinthe StoneyCreekWatershed.Thenewrequirementwillenhance existingenvironmentalprotectionsandincreasethescrutiny ofwaterleavingconstructionsites.Formoreinformation abouttheCity’ssedimentcontrolandprotections,visit coquitlam.ca/esc

FitnessandFun

Cha-ChaDancingforTwo

Getfitandhavefunwhilechallengingyourmindwithour Cha-ChaBeginnerWorkshop.Basedonabasicpatternofthree stepsandashuffle,thisLatinAmericanballroomdanceis fast-pacedbuteasytolearn.

Saturday,Dec.17from1:30–3:30p.m.atDogwoodPavilion

Eachpartnercanregisterbyvisitingcoquitlam.ca/registration andsearchingcourseID#106915,orcall604-927-4386

KeepingOurCommunitySafe

WinterCookingandHeatingSafety

Overtheholidays,cookingprovidesanoutletforcreativityand funwithfamilyandfriends.Remembertoneverleaveyour cookingunattended,andkeepovenmitts,woodenutensils andtowelsawayfromyourstovetoptopreventafire.Never putwateronagreasefireandmakesureyouhaveakitchen fireextinguisherhandy.

Ensureallyourhomeheatingappliances,likefurnaces,gas fireplaces,chimneysandspaceheatersareingoodworking condition.Keepportabledevicesatleast1metreawayfrom flammablematerialsandremembertoalwaysturnthemoff whileyou’resleepingorwhenyouleaveyourhome. coquitlam.ca/seasonalsafety

WhenitSnows

Weallworktogetherduringsnowevents—pleasefollow thesetips:

•Youarerequiredtoclearallthesidewalksaroundyour propertywithin10hoursofthesnowstopping,asperthe City’sBoulevardMaintenanceBylaw.

•Residentsareexpectedtoparkvehiclesinadriveway,garage, carportorotherareaoftheirprivatepropertyinsteadofon theroadduringasnoweventtohelpCitycrewsplowstreets clearfromcurbtocurb.Followallparkingrestrictionsto preventyourselffromhavingtodigoutyourvehicleandto avoidaticketortowing.

•DisruptionstoGarbageandGreenCartcollectionwillbe communicatedthroughourfreeCoquitlamCurbside Collectionapp.Downloadtheapporsignupforphonecallor emailalertsatcoquitlam.ca/recollect

•Ifyouchoosetodriveyourvehicle,makesuretodriveonly withgoodsnowtires,allowextratimetoreachyour destinationanddrivefortheroadconditions.

Beaware,getprepared.coquitlam.ca/winterwise

BUSINESS

Veganyogurtisadeliciousrecipeforsuccess

Coquitlamcompany adoublewinnerat BCFoodand BeverageAwards

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Youcantastethesuccess inJadeHerrmann'salternativeyogurt.

Somuchsothatthe Coquitlambusinesspersonhasbeenrecognized twiceattheprovinciallevel forhereffortstocreatean environment-andeconom ic-friendlyproduct.

Especiallythosethatmay notgodirectlytotheall-naturalaisle.

Herrmann,29,andYoggu! weredouble-winnersatthe 2022BCFoodandBeverage AwardsonNov.3,claiming womanentrepreneurofthe yearandemergingbusiness oftheyear.

In2017,Herrmannwas livingaveganlifestyleand, tooffsetwhatwasbranded onstoreshelvesatthetime, concoctedwhatshebelieved wasa"betterway"foranondairyyogurtthatwasalso tasty.

"Ihadspentayearliving

inFranceeatingverydecadent,thatcreamyyogurt. Thatreallyservedasmy inspirationbecauseIwanted toessentiallymakethe samethingbuttotallyplant based,"shetoldthe Tri-City News

"That'sreallywhatYoggu! is.It'smadewithahandful ofingredientsthathasactu-

allybeenfermented....We usetraditionaltechniquesto createareallycreamythick yogurt."

FastforwardtoMarch 2022,when,aftersearch-

ingforaplaceforbusiness andproduction,aswellas theCOVID-19pandemic, Herrmann’salt-yogurtis stockedonshelvesacross thecountry.

It’smanufactured,packagedandshippedfrom its12,500sq-ft.facilityin Coquitlam'sindustrialarea.

Herrmannsaidshe's learnedthatalt-yogurtconsumershavecompromised inrecentyears.

"Theplant-basedoptions haven'tbeenverytasty. Whenwecameout,it's beenreallygreattoseehow muchourproducthasreally impactedalotofpeople's lives,becausetheyneveractuallythoughttheywouldbe abletotasteacreamy,thick yogurtagain.Tobeableto makeaproductlikethathas beenreallypositive."

Yoggu!hasfourflavours —original,vanilla,strawberryandmango.

Herrmannsaidyoucan topitoffwithjustaboutanythingtosatisfyyourcravings.

Evenbetter,sheadded, thecoconutcreamisfrom aFairtradesupplierinSri Lanka.

"Wesourceonlyorganic coconutcream,whichis whatmakesupthebulkof ourproduct,"Herrmann said."Andbecauseweferment,wecanensurethatis aliving[beneficial]probiotic attheendwhentheproduct hitsshelves."

Butaboveall,Herrmann

hopesherbusinesscanoffer anenrichingalternativeto bigbrandyogurt,despite consumersrecentlyfeeling thepinchatgrocerystores.

"Therearedefinitelychallengestotheeconomyand theshiftthat'shappening rightnow.And,youknow, forus,wereallyjusthaveto usethatasanopportunity," shesaid.

Herrmannalsoadmits there'saresponsibilityto carryingthetitleof"woman entrepreneuroftheyear" fromBCfoodandBeverage.

Shesaidshehopestouse thehonourtoencourage futurefemaleleadersinthe industry.

"Thereweren'talot ofpeoplelikemeinthe space….Idothinkthatfood issuchanimportantvessel forchangeinthisworld.I'll keepdoingwhatIcandoto keepinspiringthenextgeneration."

Coquitlamstart-upSoul BiteFoodInc.wasalsorecognizedattheBCFoodand BeverageAwardsnight.

Theveganappetizer company,representing15 nationalities,receivedthe society's2022sustainability awardasaleaderin"environmentalpassionand dedication."

BeWinterReady-GetPreparedforWinterWeather

TheCityofPortCoquitlamisreadyforwinterweatherand isremindingresidentstobepreparedalso–fromiceand snow,heavyrainstowindandpoweroutages.

Followthesetipsforbeforethesnowarrives:

•Makesureyouhaveasnowshovelandothersnow/ice removalequipmentandsupplies(e.g.salt).Oncethe snowbegins,itcanbedifficulttofindtheseitemsinthe stores.

•Donotparkontheroadorinthelaneduringandafter asnowfall.

•Winterizeyourvehicleandensureyouhavegoodwinter tires.Keepitemssuchas,jumpercables,shovel,ice scraper,firstaidkit,flashlight,antifreezeinyourvehicle.

•Prepareyourhome–haveyourfurnaceinspected,shut offoutsidewaterandcleanguttersand catchbasingrates.

•Reachouttoneighboursandfamilymemberswhoare elderlyorhavemobilityissuestomakesuretheyare prepared.

•Assembleemergencykitsforyourhomeandcar (detailsat portcoquitlam.ca/ep).

Formoresnow-removalinformationandwinterpreparation tips,visit portcoquitlam.ca/snow,usethePoCoSortand ReportApporonlineat portcoquitlam.ca/report foranyCity Serviceissues.

WatchYourMailboxfor2023CommunityCalendar& WasteCollectionSchedule

PortCoquitlam’snaturalbeauty,capturedbylocal photographers,isfeaturedonceagaininthe2023City calendarthatwillstartarrivinginmailboxesinthefirst weekofDecember.

TheCity’sannualcalendarwillbemaileddirectlyto allPortCoquitlamhouseholdsandbusinesses.Entitled NaturallyPoCo,thesceniccalendarincludes:

•Informationaboutcityevents,servicesand meetings.

•Wastecollectionscheduleinthemonthly calendars.

•Spaceinthemonthlycalendarsforwriting personalschedules.

Toviewthecalendaronlinevisit: portcoquitlam.ca/2023calendar. Aone-pagecollection scheduleandzonemapcanbedownloadedfrom portcoquitlam.ca/waste (seeCollectionScheduleand ZoneMappage).

Formorewaste-sortinginformation,including downloadingtheSortitRight!Flipguidevisit portcoquitlam.ca/sortitright.

LEDCORSTRIKE

'Monumentaldecision'achievesfirstcontract

Bargainingunit hitthepicketline threeyearsago

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

UnionizedtelecommunicationsworkersinPort Coquitlamwho'vebeenon strikeforthreeyearswill soonhaveacollectiveagreementafterarulingfound theiremployerwasbargaininginbadfaith.

"Thisisamonumental decision,aSection80under theCanadianLabourCode —ithasn'thappenedina verylongtime,"saidIBEW 213businessmanagerRobin Nedila,inlaudingtheNov. 10rulingbytheCanadian IndustrialRelationsBoard (CIRB).

Thereareonly65workers leftinthebargainingunit outof238,afterthelongand divisivestrikeoverafirst collectiveagreement,with manyformerLTSSolutions Ltd.employeestakingother jobsorreceivingstrikepay, whilethenextstepshaveyet tobeworkedoutforabackto-workprotocol.

However,Nedilasaid therulingisgoodnewsfor

unions,especiallyworkplacesthataretryingtoget unionized.

"Thisisobviouslyan importantdecisionforour workersandworkersingeneral,"Nedilasaid.

"It’swhatwe’vebeen sayingallalong,wefeelvindicatedinthatdecision,it’s justastartinwhatwehope aremorechangestocome."

Therulingcomesfive yearsafterworkersemployedbyLTSSolutions Ltd.,partofLedcorGroup, certifiedasalocalunderthe InternationalBrotherhood ofElectricalWorkers(IBEW 213)

Theemployeessought afirstcollectiveagreement withthecompanytoimproveworkingconditions,

jobsecurityandwagesbut werehandedanofferthat wouldhavegiventheemployer"unilateralcontrol overwages,"theruling states,.

"Theprincipalreasonfor theboard’sinterventionis theemployer’slackofgood faithbargainingatleastfor theperiodsinceittendered anoffertotheunionon

Sept.17,2019),"theruling states.

Thecompanyadvanced thepositionthattheunion didn'taccepttherealities neededtostayinbusiness.

Itwronglytoldsome workerstheyweren't membersofthebargaining anddismissed31workers,anactionthatultimatelysparkedtheOct.1, 2019strike.

Thecompanytoldthe labourboardtheunion’s section80referralwas"an abuseofprocess,"and,while threeoffouroftheunion's unfairlabourpracticeclaims weredismissed,thepanel decidedtoimposeacollectiveagreementduetothe employers'failuretorecognizetheunion.

"Theemployer’sactions haveneutralizedtheunion’s abilitytoparticipateina meaningfulwayincollectivebargaining,"theruling stated.

Abacktoworkprotocol willbeimplementedanda mediatorwillreportonwhat issuesremainunresolved.

DustinBrecht,IBEW213 assistantbusinessmanager andleadorganizer,saidthe workersshouldn'thavehad towaitfiveyearstohavea collectiveagreementand saidthefederalgovernment

needstoimplementlaws topreventsuchasituationfromoccurringagain amongfederally-regulated businesses.

"Whenyoudon'thave anti-scablegislationorfirst contractlegislation,there’s nothingtocompelanemployertonegotiate.Anemployercan’tjustignorean employee'sunionofchoice andnotbargainwithout consequences,"Brechtsaid.

Overseveralmonths,the strikespilledontostreets inPortCoquitlamandPort Moody,whereworkers wavedsigns,andtherewas evenalawsuitbythecompany,citingharassmentof replacementworkers.

PortCoquitlamMayor BradWesthasissuedacongratulationstotheunion, tellingthe Tri-CityNews thathejoinedworkerson thepicketlineanumberof times.

"Thatfightthattheyare inisreallyabouttherightto collectivelybargainwhich isaguaranteedrightin Canada,whichisalsothe foundationonwhichwe builtamiddleclassin Canada."Westsaid,adding "attheendofthedayallthey weretryingtodoistomake adecentlivingfortheirfamilies."

Whatisyourhomeworth intoday’smarket?

PORTMOODYFIRERESCUE

Growth,climatechangepressurePMFR

Numberofcallsfor serviceincreased 31percentin2021

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

PortMoody’sfirefighters aregettingbusier.

Andthey’reonlygoingto keepgettingbusiersaysPort MoodyFireRescue’s(PMFR) chief,DarceyO’Riordan,as thecitycontinuestogrow andclimatechangecauses moresevereweatherevents.

Inapresentationto councilofthedepartment’s annualcommunityreport lastTuesday(Nov.22), O’Riordansaid,afteralull becauseoftheCOVID-19 pandemic,PMFRresponded to31percentmoreincidents in2021over2020’s1,008 call-outs,andheexpects thatnumbertoincreaseyet againforthisyear.

O’Riordantoldthe TriCityNews muchofthatboost isfromalarmactivations inmulti-unitresidential buildingsandcommercial structuresasmoreofthose arebuilt.

Changestoambulance dispatchprotocolsmeans firefightersarealsoattending

tomoremedicalcalls.

Aswell,O’Riordansaid theeffectsofclimatechange arestartingtoplaceincreasingpressuresonfirecrews.

In2021,PMFRassisted wildfirecrewsinCache

Creekanditszodiacinflatableboathelpedrescue10 peopleandadogduring floodinginAbbotsfordthat wascausedbyanatmosphericriverofheavyrain thatdelugedtheLower

MainlandandFraserValley lastNovember.

Locally,theheatdomein thesummer’searlymonths alsogeneratedmorecallsfor service.

O’Riordansaidthe

increasingfrequencyof extremeweatherisbeing reflectedinthedepartment’s operationalplanning.

“Itmayimpactourresourcinginthefutureif theseeventsbecomemore common,”hesaid,adding thedepartmentmayhaveto diversifyfirefightertraining aswellasitsequipment needs.

PortMoody’sproximity toforestandtheseabrings climatechangecloseto home,hesaid,enhancing theurgencyofpreventative programsliketheFireSmart propertyassessmentsit offerstohomeownersto determinetheirvulnerability towildfiresandgivethem strategiestomitigaterisks.

O’Riordansaidhis firefightersareuptothe challengespresentedbythe city’sgrowthandachanging climate.

In2021,theyunderwent 5,361hoursoftrainingto ensuretheirreadinessofall emergencies,fromlife-savingmedicalemergencies todealingwithhazardous materialstopluckingpeoplewho’vestrayedontothe mudflatsattheeastendof BurrardInlet.

Hesaidthecity“aspiresto beoneofthesafestcommunitiesinCanada.”

Police seeking more$$

ThePortMoody PoliceDepartment islookingfora6.3 percentboosttoits budgetforthecoming year.

DaveFox,a memberofthepoliceboard’sfinance committee,told councillastTuesday theforce’sprojected budgetfor2023of $13,586,879represents aboutaquarterofthe city’stotalbudget.He addedthat'sinline withwhatisspentin comparablecommunitiesaroundMetro Vancouver.

Foxsaidmorethan $10millionofthat totalgoestosalaries forthedepartment’s 52officersand15civilianstaffmembers.

Hesaidtheforce expectstohold “steady”onthose numbers,butadditionalcostpressures arecomingfrom higherbenefitsand costoflivingincreases.

FinanceMinisterdeliversbig

Shemaybediminutive instature,butB.C. FinanceMinister SelinaRobinsonhasdevelopedaknackfordelivering largebudgetsurplusesin hershorttimeonthejob.

Robinson’sfirstbudget cameinat$1.3billionin theblack,eventhough thatbudgetoriginallypro jectedadeficitofnearly $10billion.

Hersecondbudget(the oneforthecurrentfiscal year)wasalsoprojected toincura$5.4billiondefi cit,butthelatestquarterly updatenowprojectsa whopping(andall-time recordhigh)surplusof $5.7billion.

Thecurrentbudget assumedtherewouldbea declineinrevenueinthe neighborhoodofabout $1.7billion.Instead,rev enuesareexpectedtoin-

creasebyahugeamount fromlastyear—more than$12billion.

Themajorreasonfor thebigjumpisthefederal government’srecalculationsofpersonalandcorporateincometaxfilings, whicharecompletedwell pastthetimethebudgetis puttogether.

Itnowlookslikepersonalincometaxrevenue willbe$4.2billionhigher thanfirstthought,and corporateincometaxrevenuewillbe$4.6billion higher.

Thesearehugenumbers,andtheysuggest thatalotofBritish Columbianindividualsas wellasmanycompanies andcorporationsareactuallydoingprettygood whenitcomestoearning highwagesandcorporate profits.

Whichbringsmeto whattodowiththatoutof-nowhere$5.7billion surplus.

Bylaw,anymoneyin thebudgetthatisnot spentbytheendofthe fiscalyearisautomatically appliedtothedebt.

TheBCLiberalslearned apainfullessononthe eveofthe2017election whenthatgovernment optedtoputa$2.9billion surplusagainstthedebt ratherthanspenditon programsorservicesor rebates.

Onemustwonder whether,iftheyhadbeen morepoliticallydeftand hadspentthatmoneyon peopleinsteadofdebt retirement,the2017electionresultwouldhave beenmuchmorefavorabletothem.

YoucanbesuretheBC

NDPgovernmentismindfulofitspredecessor’s miscueonthisfront.

Thegovernmentis awashincashlikenever before.

Expectmuchofitto flowoutthedooroverthe nextfourmonths.

TherehasbeenspeculationthatEbywillreplace Robinsonasfinanceministerwhenheunveilshis cabinetonDec.7.

Givenherunprecedentedtrackrecord,such amovewouldbesomewhatastonishing.

However,it’sclear hernewleaderwantsto spendhiswaytogainthe heartsofvoters.

Weshallseewhether Robinsonisinstepwith thenewboss.

KeithBaldreyischiefpoliticalreporterforGlobal BC.

“Poolsaregreat...Aslongasyou usethem.”

“Poolsaregenerallyconsidered anegativewhensellingahouse especiallyoldpoolsbuiltinthe ‘60sor‘70s.”

FindevenMORElettersonline: tricitynews.com/opinion/letters

HOUSINGCRISIS

Stratachangesaren’twelcome

TheEditor:

Iamveryupsetatthe proposedchangetostrata legislationthatwillnotallow forastrataboardtohavean “ownersonly”policy.

Becauseoftheprevalence ofpeoplebuyingsuites andhousesintheLower Mainlandforinvestments andrentals,wespecifically lookedforabuildingwitha no-rentalbylaw.

Itisawell-maintained andlooked-afterbuilding becauseweareall“in vested,”physicallyand financially,inkeepingitthat way.

Ourstratacouncilcare-

fullymaintainsagoodcontingencyfund.

Anabsentlandlordmay notbeinterestedinfinancingthesekindofconsider-

ableexpensesasitwillcut intothemoneyreceivedfor rent.

Renters,too,maynotbe interestedinthelong-term

maintenanceofthebuildingastheirinvestmentisin monthlyrentpayments,not thelongtimewelfareofthe buildinganditsresidents.

Pleasedonotchangeso fundamentallythelivesofso manypeopletosupposedly freeupsomeunitstorenters intheentireprovince.

Itwouldsurelybetter servethecitizensofB.C.to stoprenovictionsandthe subsequentremovalofaffordablerentedapartments, buildmorerentalunitsand toputastoptorisingrentsin thisprovince. AnnaBjarnason NewWestminster

TheEditor: Yes,thereareniceTriCityresidentshere.

Myhusbandand IwerehavingdinneratTheNoodle Houserestauranton PrairieAvenueinPort CoquitlamonSaturday, Nov.5,between5and6 p.m.

Afterenjoyingthe goodfood,myhusband wentuptopay($36.50+ tax)andweweretoldby

theserverthatsomeone hadalreadypaidforus!

Yes,ananonymous personpaidforourdinner.

Wewereinshockas thishasneverhappened tousbefore.Westillcan’t believeit.

Wewon’tforgetand willpayitforward. Manythanksforyour generosity. FayWright PortCoquitlam

Changestostratalegislationarebeingproposedby PremierDavidEbytocreatemorerentalsuites. TRI-CITY

NEWSFILEPHOTO

JanisCleugh/TheTri-CityNews

HOLIDAYCLASSICS

PortCoquitlambassistJodiProznickandvocalist DawnPembertonkickoff theholidayswithO ComeAllYeSoulful,aconcertattheEvergreen CulturalCentre(1205PinetreeWay,Coquitlam) featuringtrumpetplayerChrisDavis.WithNoah FrancheNolanonpiano,NickBracewellondrums andDominicConwayonsaxophone,they’llcover holidaystandardsmadefamousbyRayCharles, StevieWonder,EllaFitzgerald,JohnLegendand OtisRedding.Ticketsare$35/$32/$16. Theshow startsat7:30p.m.intheStudio Theatre.

MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

Friday,Dec.2

HOLIDAYSHOPPING

FinduniquehandcraftedgiftsatPlacedesArts (1120BrunetteAve.,Coquitlam),theartscentre thathasitsPositivelyPetiteminiatureexhibition andsaleonuntilDec.15,aswellasitsannual HolidayArtisanShoponuntilDec.17. Admissionisfree.

MORE:placedesarts.ca

CHRISTMASNIGHTMARKET

EvergreenCulturalCentre(1205PinetreeWay, Coquitlam)willtransformintoashoppingextravaganzafortwodaysfortheCoquitlamChristmas NightMarket.Morethan40vendorswillbeonsite tosellhandmadegifts,jewellery,clothingandfood. Itrunstonightfrom5to9p.m.,andDec.3from 4to9p.m.Admissionis$2foradults(nocharge forkids)withpartialproceedssupportingB.C.’s Children’sHospital.ItishostedbyBettyBakes. MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

ICEHOCKEY

CheerontheCoquitlamExpressastheybattle LangleyatthePalaceatPoirier:thePoirierSport andLeisureComplex(633PoirierSt.,Coquitlam). Thepuckdropsat7p.m.

MORE:coquitlamexpress.ca

Saturday,Dec.3

CRAFTFAIR

Shopforgourmetfoods,greetingcards,soaps, candles,photos,clothingandjewelleryatthePort MoodyChristmasCraft FairinsidePortMoody CityHall(100NewportDr.,PortMoody). The seventhannualfairwillhavemorethan40vendor tables.Admissionis$3,orfreeifyoubringanew unwrappedtoyforthePortMoodyFire/Rescue toydrive.Admissionalsoentersyouintoadraw forprizes. Theeventrunsfrom10a.m.to4p.m. MORE:portmoody.ca

PlacedesArtsphoto

REPAIRIT

DECEMBER

Discoverthebestplacestoliveandexplore— MYTri-Cities!

Sunday,Dec.4

CLEANTHEWEEDS

ThemonthlyRepairCaféisopenfrom10a.m.to 2p.m.atthePortCoquitlampublicworksyard (1737BroadwaySt.,PortCoquitlam).Bringyour brokenhouseholditems—i.e.,bicycle,jewellery, woodworkinggoods,electronicsandtoys—fora free fixbyvolunteerswiththeRotaryClubofPort CoquitlamCentennial.

MORE:facebook.com/repaircafepoco/

POETRYREADINGS

TheTri-CityWordsmithswillhostanonlinepoetryreadingbyRenéeSarojiniSaklikar,aswellasa writingworkshop,startingat2p.m.Shewillread treepoemsfromanewanthologyandtalkabout herownwritingpractice.

MORE:tri.city.wordsmiths@gmail.com

SALSANIGHT

AlbertoGonzalezandTeresaSzeflerwiththe HotSalsaDanceZoneareatthePortCoquitlam Legionbranch133(2675ShaughnessySt.)fora SalsaandLatinDanceNight. Thelessonisat8 p.m.whilethepartyrampsupat9p.m.Admissionis$10.

MORE:hotsalsadancezone.com

ICEHOCKEY

CheerontheCoquitlamExpressastheybattle SurreyatthePortCoquitlamCommunityCentre (2150WilsonAve.). Thepuckdropsat7p.m.

MORE:coquitlamexpress.ca

PANTHERACTION

CatchthePortMoodyPanthersjuniorhockey teamasitfacesLangleyatthePortMoodyRecreationComplex(300IocoRd.,PortMoody) at7:30p.m.

MORE:portmoodypanthers.com

ACHRISTMASCAROL

MovingMirrorProductionsstagesareadingof theDickens’classicstory AChristmasCarol,at Inlet Theatre(insidePortMoodyCityHall,100 NewportDr.). Theshowincludesaperformance byQuayside.Ticketsare$27.54viaeventbrite.ca withpartialproceedssupportinglocalfoodbanks. Bringcashoradry/cannedfooddonationfora chancetowinadoorprize.

MORE:movingmirrorproductions.com/ eventbrite.ca

HelptheCityofPortMoodyremoveinvasive plantsalongtheShorelineTrialnearPigeonCove from9:30to11:30a.m.MeetattheShorelineTrail signonthenorthernsideofMurrayStreet.Wear closed-toeshoesorboots,aswellasclothesthat cangetdirty,andbringawaterbottle.Gloves,eye protectionandtoolswillbeprovidedtoparticipants.Registrationisrequired.

MORE:604-469-4556

WINTERWONDERS

SantamakesanappearanceattheWinterWondersCommunityCelebration,happeningfrom1 to5p.m.atHeritageSquareandMackinHouse Museum(1116BrunetteAve.,Coquitlam).Make crafts,siphotcocoa,listentocarols,takeastory walk,enjoyascavengerhuntandlearnaboutseasonablefoodsfromdifferentcultures. Theeventis free;noregistrationisrequired. MORE:coquitlamheritage.ca

ALICEINTHEWINTER

Join Theatrixastheyexplore AliceinWinter Wonderland intwoshowsattheEvergreenCulturalCentre(1205PinetreeWay,Coquitlam):at 4p.m.andat7p.m. TheaudiencewillseeAlice returnfromheradventurestodiscovermanyof thecharactershavefollowedherback,throughthe rabbithole,totheCityofCoquitlam.Ticketsfor thefamily-friendlyproductionare$18/$12. MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

Monday,Dec.5

CHRISTMASTREASURES

PoMoArts(formerlythePortMoodyArtsCentre, at2425St.JohnsSt.)hasdozensofhandmade giftsupforsalefromlocalartistsandartisans. The facility’sWinterTreasuresArtisanMarketandthe BlackberryChristmasMarketplacearelocated inPoMoArts’CanadianPacific,SuncorandAnn Kitchinggalleries.Admissionisfree. MORE:pomoarts.ca

Wednesday,Dec.7

THEHILLSAREALIVE

Dressupinwhitedresseswithbluesatinsashes —orlederhosen—forSincerelySusie’ssingalong totheclassicmovie TheSoundofMusic The showrunsfrom7:30to10p.m.attheEvergreen CulturalCentre(1205PinetreeWay,Coquitlam). Ticketsare$35.

MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

Thursday,Dec.8

FAMILYTRIVIANIGHT

TheDisneymovie Frozen isthethemefortheCoquitlamPublicLibrary’sfamilytrivianight,which runsonlinefrom7to8p.m. Thegamenightisfor kidsages12andunder,aswellastheirfamilies. Registrationisrequired.

MORE:coqlibrary.ca

PYJAMAS,STORIES

LibrariansfromtheCoquitlamPublicLibrary swingbyMackinHouseMuseum(1116Brunette Ave.,Coquitlam)forafamilystorytimeforkids —intheirpyjamas!—agesthreetoeightyears old. Theeventrunsfrom7to8p.m.Registration isrequired.

MORE:coquitlamheritage.ca

Friday,Dec.9

COUNTRYLADY

Nashville,Tenn.,residentLisaBrokop,aCanadianCountryMusicAwardwinner,deliversa ClassicCountryChristmasshowattheEvergreen CulturalCentre(1205PinetreeWay,Coquitlam) at7:30p.m.—afollow-uptohersuccessfulrun of LegendaryLadiesofCountry.Hearsuchtunes as“OhHolyNight,”“BeautifulStarofBethlehem” and“ChristmasTimesAComin’.”Ticketsare $35/$32/$16.

MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

CHORALEMUSIC

ListentoChristmastunesattheCoquitlam Chorale’swinterconcertthismonthattheEagle RidgeBibleFellowship(1160LansdowneDr., Coquitlam). OnceUponaDecember istonightat 7:30p.m.andDec.10at2p.m. The65-member adultchoirisundertheartisticdirectionofJustin MallerwithLornaYeatesatthepiano.Ticketsare $25/$20/$10.

MORE:coquitlamchorale.com

ICEHOCKEY

CheerontheCoquitlamExpressastheybattle VictoriaatthePalaceatPoirier:thePoirierSport andLeisureComplex(633PoirierSt.,Coquitlam). Thepuckdropsat7p.m.

MORE:coquitlamexpress.ca

CoquitlamChoralephoto

COFFEEHOUSE

DECEMBER

Discoverthebestplacestoliveandexplore— MYTri-Cities!

AllInGoodTimeisthenameoftheheadliner fortheCrossroadsCoffeehouse,afundraiserfor theCrossroadsHospiceSocietyintheGathering PlaceatLeighSquare(nexttoPortCoquitlam CityHall). Theopenmicstartsat7:30p.m.while themainactisonat8:50p.m.Admissionis$5.

MORE:thecrossroadscoffeehouse.com

Saturday,Dec.10

DOGWOODDRAMA

SueDaveyisdirectingtheshow Hookedon ChristmasStories,aDogwoodDramaClub productionthatrunsat1:30p.m.today,aswell asonDec.13and14.Ticketsare$10atthegift shopinthe50-pluscentre(1655WinslowAve., Coquitlam).

MORE:604-931-5243

LYIN’EYES

TheEaglestributebandEagleEyeswillperformat 3:30p.m.intheInlet Theatre(insidePortMoody CityHall,100NewportDr.)aspartofafundraiser fortheSummerSundaysconcertseriesatRocky PointPark.Ticketsare$40.

MORE:summersundays.ca

12DAYSOFXMAS

ThePacificSymphonicWindEnsemble—better knownasPSWE—playsatitshomebaseatthe EvergreenCulturalCentre(1205PinetreeWay, Coquitlam)foraChristmasconcert,startingat 7:30p.m.

MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

PANTHERACTION

CatchthePortMoodyPanthersjuniorhockey teamasitfacesNorthVancouveratthePort MoodyRecreationComplex(300IocoRd.,Port Moody)at7:30p.m.

MORE:portmoodypanthers.com

Sunday,Dec.11

ARTSHOWS

It’sthelastweektoseetwoexhibitsatPlacedes Arts(1120BrunetteAve.,Coquitlam): Stitched Together,a fibreartandmixedmediashowby RobinFischer,KarenJohnsonandKarlieNorrish McChesney,isintheLeonorePeytonSalon;and IndustrialRemnants,alsoamixedmediadisplay, hangsintheMezzanineGallery.

MORE:placedesarts.ca

WINTERWIND

ThePortCoquitlam-basedChoralConnections presentsseasonalfavouritesin Blow ThouWinter Wind attheTerryFox Theatre(1260Riverwood Gate,PortCoquitlam)at2p.m.Doorsopenat 1:30p.m.atthefacilitynexttoTerryFoxSecondary.Ticketsare$25viabrownpapertickets.com.

MORE:choralconnections.ca

COOLYULE

SingerswiththeCoastalSoundMusicAcademyhonourtheholidayspiritwithshowsat Coquitlam’sEvergreenCulturalCentre(1205 PinetreeWay)at4p.m.—withkids,juniorand children’schoirs—andat7:30p.m.—withDe Coro,youthandchildren’schoirs.

MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

Discoverthebestplacestoliveandexplore— MYTri-Cities!

Wednesday,Dec.14

HOLMESSWEETHOLMES

DirectorMandyTullochbrings HolmesfortheHolidays totheEvergreen CulturalCentre(1205PinetreeWay,Coquitlam)untilDec.17. Theplay tellsthetaleofWilliamGillette,aBroadwaystarwhohasinvitedhisfellow castmatestohiscastlefortheweekend.ItfeaturesRobHartleyasWilliam Gilette,DeborahBlakofMarthaGilette,MikeBlackstockasFelixGeisel, OlympiaTomastaasMadgeGeisel,BradeonGroverSunnesasSimonBright, SnezhanaBykovaasAngieWheeler,HelenVolkowasInsp.GoringandKristenWoodrowasDariaChase.Ticketsare$25/$20/$15.

MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

ICEHOCKEY

CheerontheCoquitlamExpressastheybattleAlberniValleyatthePalaceat Poirier:thePoirierSportandLeisureComplex(633PoirierSt.,Coquitlam). Thepuckdropsat7p.m.

MORE:coquitlamexpress.ca

SNOWANGELS

Coquitlamisstartingitssnow angelrecruitmentprocessto ensurethecityhasenough volunteerstohelpshovel drivewaysandclearsidewalks forlocalresidents. "Snowcanbefunforsomeand achallengeforothers,"said DebbieClavelle,Coquitlam communityrecreationmanager, inanewsrelease."Winter canbedifficultandisolating timeforseniorsandthose withmobilityoraccessibility concerns.Coquitlamresidents areencouragedtoconsider helpingtheirneighboursasa volunteerSnowAngel." Clavellesaidvolunteers areprimarilyneededinthe LaurentianBelaire,Maillardville andWestwoodPlateau neighbourhoodsastheysitat higherelevationsthanothers. Residentsaged65andolder, orhavemobilitychallenges andcan'tclearthesnowcan completeanapplicationform torequestanangeltoshovel theirsidewalkforwhensnow fallswithina24-hourperiod. Slipperysidewalksare hazardousforeveryone— particularlyforseniors,those withmobilitychallengesand parentswithstrollers. "Beingagoodneighbour takesonanewmeaninganda newsenseofurgencyduring

thewintermonths,"added Clavelle,notingyoudon'thave tobeasnowangeltoshovela snow-coveredsidewalk."There aremanyactionsyoucantake toensureyourneighboursstay safe."

Visitthesnowangelspage oftheCityofCoquitlam's website,call604-927-6076 oremailcommunityservices @coquitlam.ca.

GettyImagesphoto

DECEMBER

Thursday,Dec.15

EFFECTIVERESUMES

Learnhowtowriteasharpresumethatwillget younoticedforajobinterview. Thecareerprep workshopisavirtuallessondeliveredbytheCoquitlamPublicLibraryandtheWorkBCCentre.It runsfrom2to3:30p.m.Registrationisrequired.

MORE:coqlibrary.ca

POCOART

FoursoloartshowsareupatfourPortCoquitlamcivicfacilitiesuntilJan.10,2023: Coastal Sentinels,acollectionofpaintingsbyTatjana Mirkov-Popovicki,isonthewallsintheMichael WrightArtGalleryinLeighSquare(nexttoPort CoquitlamCityHall); FootprintsandotherWorm Signals,aseriesbyPierreLeichneraboutpoorsoil fertility,isin TheOutletgalleryinLeighSquare; God’sPeopleareBeautiful byCobanChenis placedinthecityhallgallerywhile Resurgence by EndaBardellisinthePortCoquitlamCommunity Centre(2150WilsonAve.).

MORE:portcoquitlam.ca/leighsquare

ENGLISHEXAM

Ifyou’restudyingfortheCELPIPandCAELlanguagetest,jointheCoquitlamPublicLibrarystaff forafreeonlinesessionabouttheexams.AspeakerfromPrometricwilltalkaboutstudystrategies, teststructureandresourcesavailable.

MORE:coqlibrary.ca

Friday,Dec.16

FESTIVEFELTING

Makesomefeltedornamentsandgiftsforthe holidaysattheFestiveFeltingpARTy@PdA—or PlacedesArts(1120BrunetteAve.,Coquitlam). Theworkshopat7p.m.willseeparticipantsusing wetfeltingtechniquestomakedecorationsand potholders.Ticketsare$26perperson,or$42for twopeople. Theeventisforadultsonly. MORE:eventbrite.ca

GOSPELMUSIC

TheMarcusMoselyEnsembleperformsgospel, jazz,R&B,pop,folkandbluestunesaspartof theInlet TheatreMusicSeries. Theshowatthe Inlet Theatre(insidePortMoodyCityHall,100 NewportDr.)isat7:30p.m.Ticketsare$31via eventbrite.

MORE:portmoodymusic.com

Saturday,Dec.17

SEETHELIGHT

FamiliescanlearnaboutDiwali,Hannukah, KwanzaaandwintersolsticeatCelebrationof Light,heldfrom11:30a.m.to2:30p.m.atMackin HouseMuseum(1116BrunetteAve.,Coquitlam). The firsthour-longsessionstartsat11a.m.;the secondat1:30p.m.Seasonalcraftsandtreatswill beavailable.Registrationisrequired. MORE:coquitlamheritage.ca

CHECKMATE

DropintothePoirierbranchoftheCoquitlam PublicLibrary(575PoirierSt.)forachessmatch. Allagesandabilitiesarewelcometoplayfrom2 to3:30p.m.Admissionisfree.

MORE:coqlibrary.ca

ICEHOCKEY

CheerontheCoquitlamExpressastheybattle SurreyatthePalaceatPoirier:thePoirierSport andLeisureComplex(633PoirierSt.,Coquitlam). Thepuckdropsat7p.m.

MORE:coquitlamexpress.ca

PANTHERACTION

CatchthePortMoodyPanthersjuniorhockey teamasitfacesDeltaatthePortMoodyRecreationComplex(300IocoRd.,PortMoody)at7:30 p.m.

MORE:portmoodypanthers.com

Sunday,Dec.18

CPHOLIDAYTRAIN

TheCPHolidayTrainendsitscross-countryjourneytonight,stoppinginPortMoody(behindthe PortMoodyRecreationComplex,300IocoRd.)at 4:45p.m.forahalf-hourshowat5p.m.withrising countrystarMacKenziePorterandVirginiatoVegas—akaDerikBaker,anindie–popsinger–songwriter. TheirtripendsinPortCoquitlamat6:15 p.m.attheWestCoastExpressstation(Kingsway Avenue)withaconcertfrom6:30to6:45p.m. The 24thannualrideisraisingmoneyandnon-perishabledonationsfortheSHAREfoodbank.

MORE:cpr.ca/en/holiday-train/canada

Monday,Dec.19

THEGIFT

BalletVictoriareturnstoCoquitlam’sEvergreen CulturalCentre(1205PinetreeWay)forfour showstotelltheclassictale, TheNutcracker,but withamoderntwist. TheGift isanupdatedfamily versionoftheballetproductionthatfollows Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker score. Thecompanyof 12dancersisunderthedirectionofPaulDestrooper.Ticketsare$35/$32/$16.

MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

Wednesday,Dec.21

COOKIEDECORATING

Kidsages fiveandupcanbringaparenttoMackin HouseMuseum(1116BrunetteAve.,Coquitlam) todecoratesugarcookiesfortheholidays,listento songsandsiphotcocoabythe fireplace. Thereare twoseasons:noonto1p.m.and1:30to2:30p.m. Registrationisrequired.

MORE:coquitlamheritage.ca

Saturday,Dec.31

NOONYEAR’SEVE

JointhelibrariansatthePortMoodyPublic Library(100NewportDr.,PortMoody)asthey countdowntothe12(p.m.)tomarkthe“noon year.” Thefamily-friendlycelebrationwillhave photobooths,craftmakingandadanceparty. Arriveby11:30a.m.

MORE:calendar.portmoodylibrary.ca

HAPPYNEWYEAR

CoquitlamresidentsRegQuiring(viola)and RosemaryO’Connor(piano)arebackforthe14th yearwiththeir QuiRingintheNewYear atthe EvergreenCulturalCentre(1205PinetreeWay, Coquitlam). Thepairwillperformwithspecial gueststotoastin2023withclassicalmusic.Ticketsare$35/$32/$16.

MORE:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

Discoverthebestplacestoliveandexplore— MYTri-Cities!

CanadianPacificRailphoto

NEWBUSINESS

PoCogameshophopestocultivateconnections

Shopgivesgamers analternativeto videoscreens

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

JeremyBradleywants

PortCoquitlamtocelebrate itsinnergeek.

He’sevenprovidinga venue.

Bradleyandhiswife, Teile,havejustopened CasualGamesintheold ShaughnessyMallinthe city’sdowntown.

Hesaidtheshophasbeen designedasasafespace wherepeoplecanpursue theirpassionforrole-playingadventuregamessuch asDungeonsandDragons, collectiblecardgameslike PokémonandYu-Gi-Go!,as wellassillypartyfavourites likeExplodingKittensand ThrowThrowBurritoand thosecuriousaboutthem canlearnwithoutjudgementorsnickers.

BROADAPPEAL

Bradleysaidintheshop’s firstfewdaysofoperationall mannerofcustomershave crosseditsthreshold,froma biker-typewithalong,grey beardtoayoungmanwitha patterntattooedonhisarm whoseemedtobespeaking

broughttheirkids,grandchildrentheirgrandparents, andvice-versa,forsomeintergenerationalbonding.

“It’sbreakingdownthe stereotypeofwhoplays them,”Bradleysaid,adding theyallhaveacommonpurpose,tofindacommunity thatsharestheirpassionfor gaming.

Whiletheironlineoptions maybeendless,nothing beatsbeingabletoconnect inperson,acrossatable fromeachother.

Bradleysaidthatneed forpersonalinteraction hasbeenamplifiedbythe COVID-19pandemic,that isolatedpeoplefromeach otherandcontinuestoleave manycautiousaboutminglingwithothers.

SOCIALCONTACT

“Peoplearecravingsocial contact,”hesaid.“There’s anitchtoreconnectfaceto face.”

Boardgames,Bradley said,aretheperfectsalveto soothethatitch.

“They’realicencetobe connectedwithotherpeople,”hesaid.“Theyallow peopletobondovertheir sharedpassion.”

Bradleysaidevenasonlineandelectronicgaming platformsgrowexponen-

tially,physicalgameswith piecesandcardsthatmust beheldinyourhand,and rulesandstrategiesthathave tobeplayedoutinrealtime inthepresenceofyouropponentstillhaveanallure.

DIGITALBREAK

They’renotonlyanescapefromtherealworld, they’reabreakfromourdigitalselves.

Thatprettymuchsums uphisownjourneytogame playing,Bradleysaid.

Adigitalmarketerwho’s workedatvariouscompaniesinthebusiness-to-businessandbusiness-to-consumerfields,hewasspendingatleast10hoursaday parkedinfrontofascreen.

Chasingacovetedcard inaboxofsealedPokémon packstookhimawayfrom thatandallowedhimto forgefriendshipsthatendure.

“Friendshipsgrowover sharedexperiences,”Bradley said.

“Someofmymostmeaningfulinteractionshave beenoveraboardgame,or dice,orcards.”

• CasualGamesislocated at110-2540ShaughnessySt. Formoreinformation,you canvisitshopcasualgames. com.

alanguageallhisownashe enquiredaboutYu-Gi-Go! cards. Hesaidfathershave

TheIntentof BylawNo.4291,2022 isto amendCityofPortCoquitlamZoning BylawNo.3630,2008torezonethe subjectpropertiesasoutlinedinblack onthemapmarkedSchedule“A”to Bylaw4291fromRS1(ResidentialSingle Dwelling1)toRD(ResidentialDuplex) Ifapproved,theapplicationwillenable thedevelopmentofa2.5storeyduplex.

TheIntentof BylawNo.4292,2022 isto amendCityofPortCoquitlamZoning BylawNo.3630,2008torezonethe

subjectpropertiesasoutlinedinblack onthemapmarkedSchedule“A”to Bylaw4292fromRS1(ResidentialSingle Dwelling1)toRD(ResidentialDuplex)

Ifapproved,theapplicationwillenable thedevelopmentofa2.5storeyduplex.

TheIntentof BylawNo.4293,2022 isto amendCityofPortCoquitlamZoning BylawNo.3630,2008torezonethe subjectpropertyasoutlinedinblackon themapmarkedSchedule“A”toBylaw 4293fromRS3(ResidentialSingle Dwelling3)toRS2(ResidentialSingle Dwelling2) Ifapproved,theapplicationwillenable theconstructionofanewsingle

Here’swhenandwheretoseetheSantaShips

Theskippersarestringing thelightsandsecuringdecorationsinpreparationfor anotherseasonallaunchof theSantaShipsfromReed PointMarina.

Thisyear’sflotillaaround BurrardInletshouldinclude about20vessels,depending onweatherandthesched ulesofindividualcaptains, saidorganizerMikeGerard.

Theboatsleavethemarinaat7:00p.m.andreturn atabout9:00p.m..

Gerardsaidiflandlubbers blinklightsorshinetheir cellphones,captainswill behappytoguidetheboats closertoshoreforabetter view.

shoreline,AdmiraltyPoint, CatesPark,Dollartonshoreline,GreyRock,Dollarton shoreline(2ndpass), BoulderIsland,Belcarra Bay.

SATURDAY,DEC.3

ROCKYPOINT—Rocky PointPier,Iocoshoreline, possiblesecondpassto RockyPointPierandIoco

shoreline.

FRIDAY,DEC.9

DEEPCOVE—Admiralty Point,BelcarraBay,Deep Cove(severalpassesinDeep Cove),GreyRock,Dollarton, CatesPark.

SATURDAY,DEC.10

HARBOURCRUISE— TBA(Captain’schoice)

FRIDAY,DEC.16

WOODLANDS& BRIGHTONBEACH— AdmiraltyPoint,Belcarra BayLoneRock,Woodlands, BrightonBeach,Belcarra Bay.

SATURDAY,DEC.17

BELCARRABAY,SANTA& LIGHTSHOW—Admiralty Point,BelcarraBay.Several

passesinthebaywhilechildrenvisitSantaatBelcarra Parkandenjoythelight show.

FRIDAY,DEC.23

FARRERCOVE, BEDWELLBAY,SHORESIDE LIGHTSHOW—Admiralty Point,BelcarraBay,Jug Island,CampHowdy, BedwellBay.

LightsatLafarge

EnhanceyourexperiencewhilevisitingLightsat Lafarge.We’llbehostingactivationsnightlyTuesdays toSaturdaysthroughouttheseason,rainorshine. Visitcoquitlam.ca/parksparktoviewthefull schedule.

Tuesday,Dec.6:Explorethelightdisplayand completethescavengerhunttowinaprize.

Wednesday,Dec.7:CollageChoirwillbehostinga festivecarolingsing-a-long.

Thursday,Dec.8:Playlight-upFrisbeeorbadminton, ortryourlightedwalkingpoles.

Friday,Dec.9:CAChurchwillbehostingafestive carolingsing-a-long.

Saturday,Dec.10:Discoverhiddenmascotsaround thelakeinthisfun,interactivehunt.

CityofCoquitlam NOTICEOFPUBLICHEARING

TheCityiscontinuingtofacilitateelectronicparticipationfor PublicHearings.Thosewishingtolistenand/orparticipateat thePublicHearingcanvisitwww.coquitlam.ca/publichearing orcall604-927-3010fordetailsandinstructions.

Ifyoudonotwishtoprovideinput,butwouldliketoviewthe proceedings,watchonline:www.coquitlam.ca/webcasts

NoticeisherebygiventhattheCityofCoquitlamwillbeholdingaPublicHearingtoreceiverepresentationsfromallpersonswhodeemitintheirinterestto addressCouncilregardingthefollowingproposedbylaws.Thismeetingwillbeheldon: Date:Monday,December12,2022 Time:7:00p.m.

Location:CityHallCouncilChambers,3000GuildfordWay,Coquitlam,BCV3B7N2 ImmediatelyfollowingtheadjournmentofthePublicHearing,CouncilwillconveneaRegularCouncilMeetingduringwhichitwillgiveconsiderationtothe itemsonthePublicHearingagenda.

HowdoIfindoutmoreinformation?

Forcopiesofsupportingstaffreportsandthebylaws,pleasevisitwww.coquitlam.ca/publichearing.

Theintentof BylawNo.5258,2022 isto authorizetheCitytoenterintoaHeritage RevitalizationAgreementtoregulatethe developmentonthesiteandtherestorationand protectionofoneheritagehome.

Theintentof BylawNo.5259,2022 isto authorizetheCitytodesignatethelandlocated at1125CartierAvenueandoneheritagehome (TheBeaubienResidence)asprotectedheritage property.

Ifapproved,theapplicationwouldfacilitate therestorationandprotectionofoneheritage homewithasecondarysuite(TheBeaubien Residence),aswellasthedevelopmentof adetachedduplexbuildingonthewestern portionofthesite,foratotalof4dwellingunits.

Foradditionalinformationandanyrelevantbackgrounddocumentation,contactthePlanningand DevelopmentDepartmentbyemailat planninganddevelopment@coquitlam.ca orbyphoneat 604-927-3430.YoumayalsovisitthePlanningandDevelopmentDepartmentinpersonat3000 GuildfordWay,Coquitlam,BC,duringthehoursof8:00a.m.to5:00p.m.fromMondaytoFriday excludingstatutoryholidays.Pleasenote:whileCityHallisopentothepublic,andphysicaldistancing measuresareinplace,theCitycontinuestostronglyencouragetheuseofremotemeanstoobtainmore informationontheseapplications.

PriortothePublicHearingwrittencommentsmaybesubmittedtotheCityClerk’sOfficeinoneof thefollowingways:

•Email:clerks@coquitlam.ca;

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

•Inperson:Attn:CityClerk’sOffice,CityHallat3000GuildfordWay:

•TotheCityClerk’sOfficefrontdesk,whichislocatedonthe secondfloorofCityHall;or

•PlaceineitheroneoftwoCityHalldropboxeslocatedattheundergroundparking entranceorbythemainentrancefacingBurlingtonDrive.

ToaffordCouncilanopportunitytoreviewyoursubmission,pleaseensurethatyouforwardittotheCity Clerk’sOffice priortonoononthedayofthehearing.Pleasenotethatthedropboxeswillbeemptied shortlyafter12:00p.m.andnotcheckedagainpriortothehearing.

Writtensubmissionsprovidedinresponsetothisconsultation,includingnamesandaddresses,will becomepartofthepublicrecordwhichincludesthesubmissionsbeingmadeavailableforpublic inspectionatCoquitlamCityHallandonourwebsiteatwww.coquitlam.ca/agendas.Ifyourequiremore informationregardingthisprocess,pleasecalltheCityClerk’sOfficeat604-927-3010.

ThosewhowishtoprovideverbalsubmissionsareencouragedtoparticipateremotelyviaZoom. Remoteparticipantscanusetheircomputers,smartphones,tabletsortelephonestospeaktoCouncil. Instructionsforhowtoparticipateremotelyareavailableatwww.coquitlam.ca/publichearing.

Ifyouwanttoprovideaverbalsubmission, pleaseregisterasfarinadvanceofthemeetingaspossible Registrationforremoteparticipantscanbefoundatwww.coquitlam.ca/publichearing.Ifyouwishto participateviatelephone,pleasecall604-927-3010toregister.Pleasenote,youmayalsoregisterto attendthemeetingremotelywithoutsigninguptospeaktoanitem.TheCityClerk’sOfficewillcompile aspeakerslistforeachitem.EveryonewillbepermittedtospeakatthePublicHearingbutthosewho haveregisteredinadvancewillbegivenfirstopportunity.

PleasealsobeadvisedthatvideorecordingsofPublicHearingsarestreamedliveandarchivedonthe City’swebsiteatwww.coquitlam.ca/webcasts.

PleasenotethatCouncilmaynotreceivefurthersubmissionsfromthepublicorinterestedparties concerninganyofthebylawsdescribedaboveaftertheconclusionofthePublicHearing.

KatieKarn,CityClerk

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

CityofCoquitlam NOTICEOFPUBLICCONSULTATION

PERMANENTCHANGETOALIQUORLICENCE–ROGUESBAR&GRILL–3251PLATEAUBLVDCOQUITLAM

TheRoguesBar&Grill,locatedat3251PlateauBoulevard,Coquitlamhasapplied totheLiquorandCannabisRegulationBranch(LCRB)forapermanentchangeto itsLiquorLicense.Ifapproved,theamendedlicensewould:

1.Extendthehoursofliquorservice.Thecurrenthoursofserviceare from 11:00a.m.–1:00a.m.Monday–Saturday and 11:00a.m.–12:00a.m.Sunday.Theproposedhoursofservicearefrom 9:00a.m.–1:00a.m.Monday–Saturday and 9:00a.m.–12:00a.m.Sunday.

2.Permitpatronstohavealcoholinthefollowingadditionalareas: practiceputtinggreen,clubhousebridalrooms,clubhouseproshop,and aliquorservicekiosknearthe11thholeteebox.

Inaccordancewiththe LiquorControlandLicensingActandRegulations,the CityofCoquitlamhasbeenaskedtoprovidecommentsandarecommendation ontheapplicationtotheLCRB.

TheCityinvitesthepublictoprovideinputtoCouncilwithrespecttohowthe changetothislicence,ifapproved,mayaffectthemandtheirproperty.TheCityof Coquitlamwillbereceivinginputonthisapplicationuntil December14,2022

Writtencorrespondencecanbeprovidedinoneofthefollowingways:

•Email:clerks@coquitlam.cawith “PROJ22-113” inthesubjectline;

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

•Inperson:Attn:CityClerk’sOffice,CityHallat3000GuildfordWay:

·TotheCityClerk’sOfficefrontdesk,whichislocatedonthesecondfloorof CityHall;or

·PlaceineitheroneoftwoCityHalldropboxeslocatedattheunderground parkingentranceorbythemainentrancefacingBurlingtonDrive.

InputreceivedwillbeprovidedtoCouncilintheformofareportataRegular CouncilMeeting.Councilwillconsidertheinputprovidedandsubmitaformal recommendationontheapplicationtotheLCRB.

Writtensubmissionsprovidedinresponsetothisconsultation,includingyour nameandaddress,willbecomepartofthepublicrecordwhichincludesthe submissionsbeingmadeavailableforpublicinspectionatCoquitlamCityHall andonourwebsiteatwww.coquitlam.ca/agendas.

Additionalinformationconcerningthisapplicationcanbeobtainedbycontacting PlanningandDevelopmentat604-927-3430oremailingdevinfo@coquitlam.ca

Coquitlam.ca/ publicnotices

Ownerisreunitedwithhismissingmoney

PantelisSarrishashis moneyback.

Morethantwomonths afterhelostalarge amountofcashatIKEAin Coquitlam,RCMPdeterminedhewastherightful ownerandhandedthecash overtohimonNov.18atthe localdetachment

Thatwasfourdaysafter Mountiesissuedapublic

plea.

However,itwasSarris’ guestappearanceona Vancouverradiostation backinSeptemberthat helpedclosethecase.

Inanearlierrelease,policeexplainedthecashwas foundbyanemployeeatthe localIKEAonSept.11and laterturneditovertoRCMP.

Thenextday,Sarriscalled

intoJACK96.9tosharea “weekendregret,”sayinga bundleofcashfelloutofhis pocketwhilefurnitureshoppingforhisdaughter.

“Turnsoutthisisoneof #DrexonJack’slisteners.He calledustotellushelost moneyinIKEAtheMonday [Sept.12]afterithappened,” thestationtweetedonNov. 15whenthestorywent

public.

RCMPspokesperson Cpl.AlexaHodginssaidthis instancehelpedpoliceconnectthemissingmoneywith Sarris,andservesasapublic remindertofileareport whenalargesumofmoney goesmissing.

“Thisistheoutcomethat wehopedforandarevery pleasedtosee,”shesaid. PantelisSarris(left)gothiscashbackafteraGood

NON-PROFIT SUPPORTS

BuildWorkExperienceby Volunteering

Whileyourvolunteeringeffortshelppeoplein thecommunity,it’salsoanopportunitytobuild workexperienceandlearnnewskills.TheCity ofCoquitlam’sCommunityVolunteerSupport Hubprovidesworkshopsandresourcesforlocal not-for-profitorganizationsandpeoplelooking foropportunitiestogivebackinthecommunity. Learnmoreatcoquitlam.ca/supporthub

GETINVOLVED

VolunteerRecruitment, RetentionandTrainingWorkshop

Friday,Dec.9|11a.m.–2p.m.|Free Explorepracticesthatsupportthesuccessful engagementofvolunteersandlearnhowto proactivelyplanfor,attractandengagethem inyourwork.Inthisonlineworkshophosted byVantagePoint,you’llgettoolsand templatestosuccessfullyplanfor,recruit, retainandtrainvolunteers.Allarewelcome. Emailsupporthub@coquitlam.catoregister.

SPOTLIGHT

LesEchosduPacifique

Since1973,Maillardville’sLesEchosdu Pacifiquehasbeen“GreaterVancouver’s francophonechoir.”Undertheartistic directionofMarlaMayson,this communitychoirperformsconcertsin Coquitlamandsurrounding communities,singinginFrench,English andotherlanguages.Astheyapproach their50thanniversaryin2023,theyare invitingnewmemberstojointhechoir. Theyarealsowelcomingvolunteerswith experienceinarts,marketing,social mediaandadministration.Learnmoreat lesechosdupacifique.info

Humbugtoparkdecorations?

Reportsays

decorationsaren’t anorganizedeffort

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

PortMoodycouldsoon besaying“bah-humbug”to holidaydecorationsinBert FlinnPark.

LastTuesday(Nov.22), counciltaskedcitystaffto reportbackonimplement ingabanonthepractice ofhangingornamentsand tinselontreesandbushesin thepark.

Itwillalsoinvestigateopportunitiestocreatepop-up decoratinglocationselse whereinthecity.

Inareport,Esin Gozukara,chairofPort Moody’sparksandrec reationcommission,said decorationsfirststartedap pearinginthepark’snatural off-trailareasin2016and havebeenincreasingsince.

Sheaddedthetrend pickedupsteamduringthe COVID-19pandemic.

Gozukarasaidthedecorationsusuallybeginappearingthroughthemonth ofDecemberandaremostly cleanedupafterNewYears, however,“growingparticipationisconcerningdueto materialsusedindecorating thatmaypersistintheenvironment,potentialattractantissuesandecological concernsfromoff-trailfoot traffic.”

Anearlierpresentation totheparksandrecreation commissionbyenvironmentaltechnicianEmily Gutenbergnotedthedecoratingeffortdoesn’tseemto beorganized,butithasbecomeapolarizingtopicon localsocialmediaforums. Onepostcharacterizedthe practiceas“forestgraffiti.”

Anothersaid“beautiful naturalspacesdeservetobe leftpristine.”

Some,however,lauded theseasonaldisplay.

“WhenIseerandom treesdecorated,itmakesme smile,”saidoneobserverin 2021.

“Itbringsmesomuch joyasIwalkthrough,”said another.

But,Gutenberg’spresentationpointedout,decorationshavebeenobserved hangingfromtreesinsensitivewetlandareasandbrokenglassbulbshavebeen foundonforesttrails.

Duringdiscussions, Coun.CallanMorrisonacknowledgedwhilethedecorators“comefromaplaceof positivity,”theplasticparts andtinseltheyusecanbea dangertowildlife.

Coun.AmyLubiksaidthe cityshouldtreadcarefully torespectthedecorators’ holidayspiritwhilestillprotectingtheforest.

However,MayorMeghan Lahtisaidanybanwouldn’t beimplementeduntila Christmasfuture,asitwill takestafftimetocompileits report.

NoticeofPublicHearing& PublicInputOpportunity

TheCityofPortCoquitlamwillbeholdingaPublicHearingandPublicInput

ImmediatelyfollowingadjournmentofthePublicHearingtheRegularCouncil MeetingwillreconveneandCouncilmaygiveconsiderationtobylawsonthe PublicHearingportionoftheAgenda.

Item1ZoningAmendment

BylawNo.4285,2022590 DominionAve.

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-unittownhousecomplexwithlandscaping.

Item3RoadClosureBylaw No.4288,20222650Burleigh Ave.and2634-2636 KingswayAve.

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

InspectionofDocuments

Toviewcopiesofthesupportingdocuments(staffreportsandbylaws)visit portcoquitlam.ca/publichearings.

TRI-CITY ARTS&LIFE

CHILDREN'SLITERATURE

Let’sgetdigital. Search

BelcarraauthorweavesgriefwithFirstNationloss

JANISCLEUGH jcleugh@tricitynews.com

DianaJ.Drakealways wantedtowritefiction.

In1998,sheco-authored abooktitled BetweenForest &Sea:MemoriesofBelcarra, whichgotanhonourable mentionfromtheBC HistoricalFederation.

Twoyearsago,whenthe COVID-19pandemichitand theBelcarraresidenthad lotsoftimeonherhands, Drakedecidedtoreturnto writing.

Onlyshediditinavery untraditionalway.

Insteadoftoilingovera computerforhours,Drake usedheriPhone’sNotesapp topenhermanuscriptwhile shewasoutandaboutinthe village.

Ittookhersixmonthsto getthestorydownthenanother18monthstoguideit throughtheproductionpro cessunderaself-publishing contractwithFriesenPress.

Thisfall,Drakefinally gotherhandsonherdébut book,titled Ren’sTreasure, whichisnowavailablevia theFriesenPress,Kindleand Koboonlinebookstores,as wellasthroughAmazonand Barnes&Noble.

The310-pageworkis gearedtokidsagesnineto 13andisprintedinlarger

type,withshorterchapters foreasierreadability.Itis modelledafterthebooks Drakereadasachildlike fromtheEnglishauthorEnid Blyton.

Followingtwo12-year-old charactersnamedRenand Bean,herstoryhighlights theirtreasurehuntaround thevillageandupIndian Arm.

Tokeeptheinterestof youngreaders,Drakealso

includedillustrationsof RenandBean’sadventures throughoutthenovel:her daughter,AnnaValdez Drake,didsomedrawings whileAlethaHeymanofferedthewatercolourimage onthefrontcover.

Still,forolderreaders, Drakeweavedinanother storylinethattouchesonthe themesofdeath,andthe lossofcertaintyandidentity.

Inthebook,Ren’smother

hasrecentlydiedfromcancerwhileBean’sparents havesplit;botharestrugglingwiththeirnewrealities.

DraketiestheiremotionalhardshipstotheFirst Nations,andespeciallyto theTsleil-WaututhNation thatwasnearlywipedout alongIndianArm.

Theirlossofland,language,cultureandlives —fortheTsleil-Waututh, throughsmallpoxinthe

1800s—andtheimpactof residentialschoolsareintertwinedinDrake’stale.

“It’sastoryontwolevels,”Drakesaidduringan interviewat təmtəmíxʷtən/ BelcarraRegionalPark.

“There’satreasurehunt, butthere’salsoastoryabout upheavalandareflection aboutwhat’sleftbehind.”

Drake,aBelcarraresidentfor47years,pointsto IndianArmandcitesthe

Tsleil-Waututhpictographs thatarestillvisibletodayin caves,butarefading.

Shesourcesapublicationcalled“Tseil-Waututh Nation’sHistory,Culture andAboriginalInterestsin EasternBurrardInlet,”by JessieMorin,aPhDinanthropology,whosetheoryis thatthepictographsstarted whentheNationwas“falling apart”andwantedtomake amarkalongIndianArmfor futuregenerations.

Drakealsoreferencesthe Tsleil-WaututhNation’smissionstatement,whichreads: “Wehavemadeaconscious decisiontoacknowledgeour angertowardthedamaging changesweexperienced fromcolonialcontacts,preferringinsteadtofindcreativewaystomoveforward intoourfuture.”

Theirspirit,resiliencyand hopearecapturedinRen, whoalsohappenstobeof Indigenousdescent.

“Iwantedtowriteabout howpeoplecanreactina timeoftrauma,”Drakesaid.

Now,she’snotonlypromoting Ren’sTreasure (Drake signedcopiesatChapters CoquitlaminOctober),but she’salsofinishingafollow-upnoveltitled Ren’sGift.

•Topurchaseacopyof Ren’sTreasure,gotobooks. friesenpress.com/store.

BelcarraauthorDianaJ.Drakeholdsherfirstchildren'snovel,"Ren'sTreasure,"atBelcarraRegionalParkpier.The bookisself-publishedthroughtheFriesenPressbookstoreandotheroutlets. JANISCLEUGH/THETRI-CITYNEWS

2024OLYMPICS

PortCoquitlamgymnasttakesthepressureoff

Canadianwomen’s teamearns automaticberthin ParisGames

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

SydneyTurnermaybe Canada’sunexpectedgymnasticsstar.

The17-year-oldGrade 12studentatRiverside Secondaryrecentlyhelped boostCanada’snational teamtoathird-placefinish attheworldartisticgymnasticschampionshipsin Liverpool,England.

TheresultwasunexpectedasCanadawasin eighthplaceafterthefirst dayofcompetition.Italso automaticallyqualifiesthe teamforthe2024Summer OlympicsinParis,France–anhistoricfirst.

Infact,Turner’spresence onthenationalteamwas alsounexpectedasshewas onlynamedasitsyoungest athleteaftershe’dputin atopperformanceatthe GymnixinternationalinvitationalmeetinMontreal, Que.,inMarch2020.

Turnerwasonthe‘B’ teamthatwasn’tsupposed tocompeteuntilJapan droppedoutbecauseofthe

COVID-19situationinthat country.

Turnersaidherentire careersincetakingupgymnasticswhenshewasjust two-and-a-halfyearsoldhas beenabouttemperedexpectations.

Shesaidshe’salwaysjust wantedtodoherbestand lettheresultsfallwherethey may.

Turner’slong-timecoach

sinceshewasfive,Barbara FraseratTAGgymnastics inPortCoquitlam,saidher charge’sin-the-momentattitudetowardhersportfuels hersuccessbecauseittakes thepressureoff.

“It’stoughinthissport towithstandthepressure,” Frasersaid.

Turnersaidthat’sherdemeanourtowardallaspects ofherlife,fromschoolto

strengtheninghertechnique onthevault.

“Ifyou’reinanegative environment,it’shardtoget agoodresult,”shesaid.

Turnerwasjustarecreationalgymnastwitha remarkableabilitytowin medalsateverymeetwhere shecompetedwhenshe realizedat13thataspoton Canada’snationalteamwas withinhergrasp.

Herthird-placestanding attheGymnixmeet—tops ofalltheCanadians—finallybroughtittoherhands.

“Iwasn’tsupposedto compete,”Turnersaid.“So Ijustfocussedondoingthe bestIcould.”

Sinceattainingherstatus amongstthetopCanadian femalegymnasts,Turner’s competedatmeetsin countrieslikeHungaryand Belgium.ButtheWorldsin Englandwasthefirsttime hermomtravelledtoseeher inaction.

Severalotherfamily membersandrelativeswere inthestandsaswell.

Turnersaidthatalone wasenoughtomaketheexperiencespecial,especially afterthechallengesofthe previoustwoyearswhenthe COVID-19pandemichad restrictedheropportunities totrainaswellascompete andshealsohadtobattle throughinjuries.

Butwhenshewasable toputintheperformances ofherlifeinthethreedisciplinesinwhichshewas entered—unevenbars, balancebeamandfloorexercises—thatcontributedto Canada’sremarkablevault upthestandings,Turner saidshe“justdidn’tbelieve it.”Fraserdidthough.

Acoachformorethan30 years,she’shadalotofath-

leteswithbigdreamstumble acrosshermats.ButTurner, shesaid,hasthefocusand motivationtorealizethem, evenifshedoesn’talways realizeit.

“It’saprocesstogether tobelievesheisthatgood,” Frasersaid,addingTurner’s strongsupportnetworkthat doesn’tpressureherhasalso beenacontributingfactorto hersuccess.

WhileCanada’splaceat the2024Olympicsissecure, thegymnastswhohelped achievethataren’tassured they’llbepartoftheteam.

Forthenexttwoyears they’llhavetocontinue todevelopandattaintop resultsatthenationaland internationallevelinorder toaccumulatethepointsto retaintheirrankings.

ForTurner,thatmeans goingtothegymfivedays aweektoimproveher strengthandconditioning whilealsointroducingnew movestoherroutines.

Itwillalsogivehera chancetoworkonher vault,whichsheadmitshas “alwaysbeenastruggle”because,shesaid,she’s“more ofaflexibilitygymnastthan apowergymnast.”

Fraserisconfidenther starathletehasitinher.

“She’sextremelymeticulousinherpreparation,”she said.“She’sararefind.”

PortCoquitlamgymnastSydneyTurnersaysshe’sneverputpressureonherselftoget results. MARIOBARTEL/THETRI-CITYNEWS

TerryFoxRavens’forward MatthewMarronebattles aVanTechdefenderfor controloftheballinthe firsthalfoftheirBCHigh SchoolAAAboyssoccer provincialsmatch,last ThursdayattheBurnaby LakeSportsComplex West.TheRavensfinished thirdinthetournament afterdefeatingVancouver College1-0inpenalty kicksinSaturday’sconsolationfinal.Fox,rankedfirst ofthethreerepresentative teamsfromtheFraser NorthDistrict,finishedfirst atopitspoolaftergroup play.TheRavensdefeated VanTech,Abbotsfordand PanoramaRidgebutthen losttoArgyle,3-0,inthe semifinal.TheRiverside Rapidsfinished10thafter itlostitsplacementgame onSaturdaytoMcMath, 1-0inpenaltykicks.The Rapidsfinishedthirdin itsgroup,losing2-0to VancouverCollegeinthe openinground,thenre boundingwitha3-2win overPrincessMargaretand 5-0overNorthPeace.The otherrepresentativefrom FraserNorth,theBurnaby NorthVikings,finished 11th.ReynoldsSecondary —fromVancouverIsland —wonthetournament, defeatingArgyle2-1in penaltykicks. MARIOBARTEL/

THETRI-CITYNEWS

REMEMBRANCES

Obituaries

WanteD

CASHforyourCLUTTER IwillpayCASHforyour UNWANTEDITEMS! Ispecializein RECORDS, EnglishBoneChina& Figurines,Collectibles, Tools, Antiques, ETC Rob•604-307-6715

INTEGRITYPOSTFRAME BUILDINGSsince2008.Built withconcreteposts.Barns, shops,ridingarenas,machineshedsandmore. sales@integritybuilt.com.1866-974-7678.www.integritybuilt.com.

BELL,MarjoriePatricia(neeSt.Louis)

Marjoriepassedawaypeacefullyintothepresence oftheLordonNovember18,2022.Sheislovingly rememberedandwillbemissedbyhersonDale, brothersRoderick(Dolores)andReynold,Marjorie Petersandmanyfriends.Marjoriewasbornin TrinidadonMarch17,1929.Sheemigratedto Englandin1963andthentoCanadain1968.She workedasanurse’saideatRiverviewHospitalfor 11yearsandthenasapersonalcaregivertothe Johnstonfamily.Shewasafantasticcook,seamstress,andcrocheter.Marjoriewasadevout Christianandwasalovingandnon-judgmental woman.Shehadanindominatablespiritandlived lifeonherterms.Thankyoutothedoctorsand caregiversofHolyroodManorwhereMarjorielived thepast8years.

AcelebrationofherlifewillbeheldatMapleRidge FuneralChapelonSaturday,December3,2022at 11am.Inlieuof flowers,donationstoUnionGospel Mission,gratefullyaccepted.

WANTEDSASQUATCH SKULL-AlsopurchasingSILVER&GOLDcoins,bars, jewelry,scrap,nuggets,sterling,999+BULLION,maple leafs,bulksilver,pre-1969 coins.CoincollectorBUYING ENTIRECOINCOLLECTIONS,old$&RoyalCanadianMintcoins.TODD250864-3521.

RENTAL

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ADVERTISINGPOLICIES

Alladvertisingpublishedinthisnewspaperis

andservicesofferedareaccuratelydescribed andwillinglysoldtobuyersattheadvertised

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!

WeallneedVGH,andVGHneedsyou.

Supportlife-savingcareatBritishColumbia’slargesthospitalandhelpourdoctors,nurses,staff,healthcare workers,andallthepatientswhovisitVGHeveryday.

YourMillionaireLotteryticketssupportspecializedadulthealthcareandresearchatVancouverGeneral Hospital,UBCHospitalandGFStrongRehabCentre.

VGHisoneofonlytwoaccreditedadultLevel1TraumaCentresinBC.VGH,togetherwithUBCHospitalandGF Strong,aretheprovince’smainreferralcentresforspecialistcare.

Thesimpletruthis,ifyouareseriouslyillorinjured,ourhospitalsareyourbestchance.Therearefewillnesses orinjuriesourmedicalteamscannottreat,nomatterhowcomplexorrare.

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