maple ridge pitt meadows times december 26 2013

19
Online, all the time... www.mrtimes.com Thursday, December 26, 2013 LOCAL NEWS AND HAPPENINGS mrtimes.com 604-463-2281 20 PAGES Burnett Fellowship Church held a kids Christmas fundraiser to send a mission to South Africa. Page A10 People tend to get more and more generous as Christmas approaches. by Maria Rantanen [email protected] On Dec. 23, the Maple Ridge- Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society was still registering fam- ilies for Christmas. But they were also thinking ahead, packing up leftover toys so that they have something to start with next year, explained hamper co-chair Lorraine Bates. “People phone and say can we still donate,” Bates said. “Your donations at the end are as important as at the start because it’s our startup [for next year].” Most people start donating in mid-December, as Christmas approaches. “The closer it gets [to Christmas], the more people get generous,” she said. But by mid-December, when the gifts start pouring in, the hamper society has already given out a lot of toys. The hamper society gets access to two buildings at the Albion Fairgrounds in mid-November and registration of families begins soon thereafter. As of Monday (Dec. 23), there were 572 families registered with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society. In addition, 104 families were sponsored through the Good Neighbour Program, whereby a group of individuals, a team, or a business collects money and buys gifts and food for a family. This year, “Riddick’s made a huge impact,” Bates said. At a candlelight vigil held for two-year-old Riddick Servio, who was killed in a parking lot about a month ago, 355 toys were donated in his memory to the Christmas hamper society. Organizer Debra Douglas set a goal of getting a thousand toys to honour the toddler and this weekend the total was up to 798 toys and $725 in cash. Bates said the hamper society is lucky to have use of the fair- ground buildings free of charge continued on page A5... Hamper society Remaining toys stockpiled for Christmas 2014 Rick Moyer/TIMES Ridge Meadows Search & Rescue volunteers Brent Boulet, Phil Nease, Derek Scollon, Mike McKinley, and Paul Robinson were at Alouette Tree Farm on Saturday where the public was able to enjoy a train ride. Tree chipping Charities benefit Groups are raising money post-Christmas. Christmas tree chipping supports several groups in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Ridge Meadows Search & Rescue team members will be chipping Christmas trees on Jan. 4, 5, 11, and 12 at their facility, 23598 105th Ave., Maple Ridge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Money raised will aid the search team. Pitt Meadows Lions will be chipping trees by donation at Meadows Landscaping, 18020 Kennedy Rd., Pitt Meadows, on Jan. 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., assisted by the Girl Guides of Pitt Meadows. Proceeds go to youth programs in Pitt Meadows that are supported by the Lions. In addition, trees are being chipped on Jan. 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. by donation at the old Mussallem Motors lot at 223rd Street and Lougheed Highway by Robert Jeglum. Proceeds will go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of B.C. www.mrtimes.com View photos with or online Connect With Your City pittmeadows.bc.ca facebook.com/pittmeadows @citypittmeadows BOXING WEEK CALL 604.465.8931 PREVIEW THIS WEEKEND SAVE! SAVE!! SAVE!!! CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE WITH YOUR NEXT VEHICLE WITH YOUR NEXT VEHICLE PURCHASE FROM PURCHASE FROM 11911 WEST ST, MAPLE RIDGE 11911 WEST ST, MAPLE RIDGE GET A SET OF WINTER TIRES GET A SET OF WINTER TIRES CALL 604.465.8931 CALL 604.465.8931

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Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

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Page 1: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

Online, all the time...

www.mrtimes.com

Thursday, December 26, 2013

• LOCAL NEWS AND HAPPENINGS • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 20 PAGES

Burnett Fellowship Church helda kids Christmas fundraiser tosend a mission to South Africa.

Page A10

People tend to get more andmore generous as Christmasapproaches.by Maria [email protected]

On Dec. 23, the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Christmas HamperSociety was still registering fam-ilies for Christmas.

But they were also thinkingahead, packing up leftover toysso that they have something tostart with next year, explainedhamper co-chair Lorraine Bates.

“People phone and say can westill donate,” Bates said. “Yourdonations at the end are asimportant as at the start becauseit’s our startup [for next year].”

Most people start donating inmid-December, as Christmasapproaches.

“The closer it gets [toChristmas], the more people getgenerous,” she said.

But by mid-December, whenthe gifts start pouring in, thehamper society has alreadygiven out a lot of toys.

The hamper society gets accessto two buildings at the AlbionFairgrounds in mid-Novemberand registration of familiesbegins soon thereafter.

As of Monday (Dec. 23), there

were 572 families registered withthe Maple Ridge-Pitt MeadowsChristmas Hamper Society.

In addition, 104 families weresponsored through the GoodNeighbour Program, whereby agroup of individuals, a team, ora business collects money andbuys gifts and food for a family.

This year, “Riddick’s made ahuge impact,” Bates said.

At a candlelight vigil held fortwo-year-old Riddick Servio,

who was killed in a parking lotabout a month ago, 355 toyswere donated in his memory tothe Christmas hamper society.

Organizer Debra Douglas set agoal of getting a thousand toysto honour the toddler and thisweekend the total was up to 798toys and $725 in cash.

Bates said the hamper societyis lucky to have use of the fair-ground buildings free of charge

continued on page A5...

Hamper society

Remaining toys stockpiled for Christmas 2014

Rick Moyer/TIMES

Ridge Meadows Search & Rescue volunteers Brent Boulet,Phil Nease, Derek Scollon, Mike McKinley, and PaulRobinson were at Alouette Tree Farm on Saturday wherethe public was able to enjoy a train ride.

Tree chipping

Charities benefitGroups are raising money post-Christmas.

Christmas tree chipping supports severalgroups in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

Ridge Meadows Search & Rescue teammembers will be chipping Christmas trees onJan. 4, 5, 11, and 12 at their facility, 23598105th Ave., Maple Ridge from 9 a.m. to 4p.m. Money raised will aid the search team.

Pitt Meadows Lions will be chipping treesby donation at Meadows Landscaping, 18020Kennedy Rd., Pitt Meadows, on Jan. 4 and 5from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., assisted by the GirlGuides of Pitt Meadows. Proceeds go to youthprograms in Pitt Meadows that are supportedby the Lions.

In addition, trees are being chipped on Jan.4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. by donation atthe old Mussallem Motors lot at 223rd Streetand Lougheed Highway by Robert Jeglum.Proceeds will go to the Prostate CancerFoundation of B.C.

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Page 2: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

A2 Thursday, December 26, 2013 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

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Page 3: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

Drivers are geared up fortheir biggest volunteer nightof the year.by Eric [email protected]

It’s a given that New Year’sEve equals a late night for manypeople.

For Karen Keist, it lasts untilthe morning of Jan 1.

“I usually get home about 6a.m.” she said.

Keist is a volunteer driver withOperation Red Nose (ORN) inMaple Ridge and Pitt Meadows,and she has been part of thelocal chapter of the campaignsince it began in the communitysix years ago.

“I was actually on bike patrol,”she said of her first year.

“It came to us through thetrickling of emails and a coupleof us from the patrol thought,‘hey, let’s go do that’.”

It’s the feel-good aspect of theoperation that keeps Keist com-ing back – the same sort of rea-son people engage in things likedoor-to-door carolling.

“We go out and do this andpeople really appreciate the ser-vice,” she explained. “It can beexpensive and a hassle to dealwith a cab.”

A lot of volunteers will usethe service themselves on theirnights off, Keist said. “Then theycome back and volunteer againbecause they really see the valuein what we do and the service

we provide.”It was snowing when Keist

spoke with the TIMES, but shesaid weather doesn’t usually hin-der the operation.

In fact, out of all the years, thecampaign has operated in thecommunity, there has only beenone night when it was called offdue to extreme weather.

“If it’s too unsafe, we’re notgoing to put volunteers at risk,”she stressed.

When people call for a ride,

they’re asked about the suit-ability of their car for the currentconditions, Keist said. “We’llmake sure they have winter tiresand stuff like that.”

When it comes to humansafety, volunteers can also refusecalls, or call for another team ofdrivers if they feel a certain pick-up puts them at risk.

Although there are some newfaces, the overall volunteer num-bers are down this year, Keistnoted. But it’s still not too late to

volunteer for New Year’s Eve.Low volunteer numbers make

it more challenging to answercalls and increase wait times forthose using the service.

And more drivers are neededas the operation’s biggest nightof the season is yet to come.

There is a core of volunteerswho have helped each night,though, she said, and that’s alarge part of what has kept theoperation going.

Even though they start tak-ing calls at 9 p.m., it’s when theclock strikes midnight on Dec. 31that the night really begins.

Keist said that driving on NewYear’s is “very different.”

“It’s definitely its own nightbecause you’ll be really quiet upuntil midnight and then you’llhave people calling, ‘can youpick me up in 15 minutes?’”

The phone lines officially shutdown at 3 a.m. but ORN willcontinue to offer rides home afterthat point, in order of the callsthat dispatch has received.

Keist said her favourite partof being a driver is meeting andtalking to the people she helpsget home.

“It’s how happy they are whenthey get home and their car isthere, too,” she said. “It’s funand interesting. No two nights– no two rides – are exactly thesame.”

For a ride on New Year’s Eve,people can call 604-515-6673,and for more information visittheir Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OperationRedNoseRidgeMeadows.

UpFrontMaple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, December 26, 2013 A3

mrtimes.com

Businesses honouredFour Maple Ridge businesses are semi-

finalists for Small Business BC awards,voted by the public, including MainStreet Communication, which is ownedand operated by TIMES columnist VickiMcLeod. The other three local busi-nesses are Ellason Signature Homes, StartSmart Child Care Centre, and CasanovaEnterprises Inc. The winners will be hon-oured on Feb. 27.

• More at www.mrtimes.com

‘I’ still wanderingLike us on Facebook at www.facebook.

com/MapleRidgePittMeadowsTimes andguess where the ‘i’ is this week. Everyonewho guesses is entered in a weekly and agrand-prize draw.

• More at www.mrtimes.com

Free movie offeredTaking in a movie is one way to enjoy

the Christmas break – and Hollywood 3Cinema in Pitt Meadows is letting folks dothat for free today (Dec. 26). At noon onBoxing Day, the theatre will be showingArthur Christmas in 3D. The movie the-atre is at Meadow Vale Shopping Centre,19190 Lougheed Hwy., Pitt Meadows.

• More at www.mrtimes.com

Clickfor community

Maria Rantanen/TIMES

The ‘i’ got lost in the snow last week.

ExperienceSome images and advertisements in today’sedition of The TIMES have been enriched withLayar and contain digital content that you canview using your smartphone or tablet.How it works:Step 1. Download the free Layar app for iPhone,

Android, iPad, or tablet.Step 2. Look for pages with the Layar logo.Step 3. Open the Layar app, hold your device

above the page, and tap to scan it.Step 4. Hold your device above the page to view

the interactive content, and hit scan.

Operation Red Nose

Rudy gives onemore night of rides

Eric Zimmer/TIMES

Karen Keist has been getting people home safe with Operation Red Nose since thecampaign in Maple Ridge began six years ago.

Cancer has claimed the lifeof two civic-minded men.

by Maria [email protected]

The community has lost twomen to cancer, Tom Murray inPitt Meadows who was pushingCity hall to keep taxes lower forresidents, and Maple Ridge resi-dent Rod Smelser, a long-timeNDP activist.

Murray, a former schooltrustee, passed away from pancreatic cancer,and a celebration of life will be held for himon Jan. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the Pitt Meadows

Heritage Church, 12109 Harris Rd.Murray was born in Hamilton, Ont.,

served in the air force, and then worked inreal estate and financial planning.

He leaves behind his wife, Norma,his children Mark and Erin, and step-children Steve and Shari.

Rod Smelser was born and grewup in Victoria, but lived the last 30years in Maple Ridge. Smelser workedin public service for 39 years as aneconomist, working in Ottawa, andaround B.C.

Smelser was recently made an life-time honorary member of the NDP,which he joined at the University ofVictoria in 1968. He kept active byskiing, scubadiving, running, cycling,swimming, and gardening.

A celebration of Rod Smelser’s lifewill be held in the new year. He leavesbehind his wife Verity Howarth.

• More online at www.mrtimes.com

In memoriam

Activists passionate about their community

Rod Smelser (left) and Tom Murray both passed away in the last couple weeks.

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Page 4: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

A4 Thursday, December 26, 2013 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Centennial NewsThere will be lots to do in Pitt Meadows to celebrate our 100 years! Aside from exciting events, you can look forward to participating in projects tocommemorate our community, such as:

Centennial Time Capsule – Pitt Meadows students can help put together a time capsule!Show us “Your” Pitt Meadows Video Contest – on now until January 31, 2014Centennial Community Banner Program – Begins January 2014Citizens of the Century & Citizens of the Future – Nominations accepted in February 2014Centennial Art – Call for artwork from students March 1 – 31, 2014May Pole Dancing Record Breaking Attempt – Spring 2014

Get all the details on our website underVisitors>Community Special Events>Pitt Meadows 100YearAnniversary>Projects.You can also follow us on Facebookat facebook.com/pittmeadows and onTwitter @citypittmeadows to get the latest information on events and projects you can be involved in.

TransportationCommunityBuilding &Engagement

EconomicDevelopment& Land Use

Help Advocate for ActiveTransportation in Pitt Meadows.The City is also still accepting applicationsfor residents who are interested in joiningthe Active Transportation Committee.The Committee advocates for activetransportation opportunities in thecommunity, including cycling and walking.Residents who are interested can fill out theapplication on our website at pittmeadows.bc.ca under the “City Hall” tab under“Committees and Commissions” and clickon the “CommitteeApplication” link.

Public Works& Safety

Holiday Waste Pickup.Pitt Meadows residents who have Tuesdayand Wednesday pickup will be affected bythe holidays.

Tuesday customers (December 24)were serviced on Monday December 23

Wednesday customers (December 25)were serviced onTuesday December 24

Tuesday customers (December 31)will be serviced on Monday December 30

Wednesday customers (January 1)will be serviced onTuesday December 31

Visit our website for tips on having a greenChristmas at pittmeadows.bc.ca.

Centennial Decal Program Businessowners – if you have received your businesslicense renewal form, be sure to checkout the information on the CentennialDecal program. Show your support for ourcommunity’s 100th year by purchasing adecal to proudly display on your vehicle or inyour window. More information is availableonline or email [email protected] to find out how you or your businesscan become a sponsor of the City’s 100thbirthday or be a part of one of the eventscelebrating this exciting milestone!

Show us “Your” Pitt MeadowsVideo Contest. Here is an opportunityto show us what Pitt Meadows means toyou! Create a video that shows what makesPitt Meadows a special place to you. Thepossibilities are endless - people, geography,recreation, history, or community programs.Entries will be accepted until January31, 2014. Visit the City’s website fordetails and the contest application format pittmeadows.bc.ca under Visitors >Community Special Events > Pitt Meadows100YearAnniversary.

Funding generously provided by: Info on events & grants at:

pittmeadows.bc.cafacebook.com/pittmeadows

@citypittmeadows604.465.5454

Go Green

What’s

On

Are you replacing your old Christmas lights withenergy efficient LED lights? Remember,Christmaslights don’t go in the garbage! If you have stringsof lights that need to be disposed of, bring themto the Pitt Meadows Family Rec Centre or theSouth Bonson Community Centre and drop themin the bin for recycling. Christmas light recyclingbins will be available until January 10.

Tree Drop Off.Drop off your Christmas treebetween 9am and 4pm witha donation to benefit thePitt Meadows Lions and GirlGuides. 18020 Kennedy Road.Call 604.888.5311.

Jan 4 & 5Budget Finalization.This is the last opportunity for public inputinto the City’s budget for 2014. Learn morefrom our website at pittmeadows.bc.ca.

Jan 21

SCAN THISAD WITH

Happy 100th Anniversary, Pitt Meadows!2014 marks 100 years since Pitt Meadows was originally incorporated, and tocelebrate this exciting milestone, there are lots of events and projects plannedthroughout the year.We are inviting Pitt Meadows past and present to join in thecelebrations by attending events, participating in legacy projects and volunteeringto help make these celebrations happen!Visit pittmeadows.bc.ca and click on the Centennial logo to find out moreinformation about how you can participate!

Centennial Garden Open House – Jan 8, 2014Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks and Leisure Services will be hosting an open

house to provide an opportunity for residents to review andcomment on a concept plan for the Pitt Meadows CentennialGarden located at the foot of Barnston View Road in theWaterfront CommonsArea of Pitt Meadows.The Open Housewill be held at the South Bonson Community Centre at 6:30pmon January 8. Park Planning Staff will be available to answer

questions and provide comment sheets.

Regular Council Meetings• Jan 21, 7:00pm

Council in Committee• Jan 14, 6:00pm• Jan 28, 3:00pm

Watch Council Meetings live online!Visit our website at pittmeadows.bc.caand click on Council MeetingVideosunder the Quick Links sidebar.

City TalksJanuary 2014

Page 5: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, December 26, 2013 A5

...continued from page A1Some Christmas bureaus don’t have

any space to store toys, she added.The use of the two buildings is thanks

to the District of Maple Ridge.“The municipality really believes in get-

ting behind its residents, especially thosefinancially disadvantaged,” Bates said.

There are a lot of “heroes” who helpthe Christmas hamper society, she added,and that includes the 80 to 100 volunteersinvolved in helping the families.

But some people can donate money orgifts, and other people can donate theirtime, Bates said.

“All those things make Christmashappy,” she said.

Last year, the Christmas hamperexpenses were more than $88,000.

Families sponsored by the hamper soci-ety also benefited from an outpouring ofgenerosity directed toward the Evanowfamily, who lost their home to an arson

fire in mid-November.The family received donations of

household items from across the LowerMainland, from their hometown of MapleRidge to North Vancouver.

“It was mind-blowing, the support,”said the mother of the family, CristinaEvanow. The parents, Cristina and Bill,have a daughter and three sons betweenthe ages of 14 and 20, and in the past,they have used the hamper.

So, when an abundance of donationswas pouring in, the family decided theywould donate some to the Christmashamper society, specifically, the KidsOnly Shop where kids can pick out giftsfor their family, and to Rudolph’s RecycleGift Shoppe, where families can pick upused clothing and household items.

The arson fire is being investigated bythe RCMP, Evanow said, and she is justhappy that her family is “all together andsafe” this Christmas.

Many heroes helping hamper

Maria Rantanen/TIMES

Lorraine Bates, co-chair of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society, was overseeing the packingup of toys which will go into storage for Christmas 2014.

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Page 6: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

Boxing Day near Bethlehem,One Day A.D.

“Joseph did you sleep well?”“Not exactly, Mary. God’s little

devil kept me awake with hisholy hollering, and in case youhadn’t noticed, we are in a man-ger, a feeding trough, a stable,call it what you will, it smells ofanimals: goats, cows, the don-key, and the ox. And were thatnot enough, that bloody brightstar is shining right in our faces.”

“That’s to guide the wise men,dear, the Magi with their gifts.”

“Christmas was yesterday, Mayme, they’re late.”“They’re on camels.”“Not wise enough to get themselves horses,

then?”“I know you’re tired, Joseph, but you could be

civil. He might be listening.”“Oh, the Big Guy, the real father. I wonder why

I’m here.”“Yes, and he will be judging us as parents.”“You will be doing the nurturing, Mary, I shall

be trying to earn a living working on that condoproject in Jerusalem. They’re calling it the NewJerusalem. And I’ll be heading in there to getsome new tools; there are some excellent bar-gains at the Dome of the Rock Boxing Day sale. Idon’t suppose any of those three wise guys wouldthink to get us anything practical.”

“They’re bringing gifts for the Son of God. Idon’t think there’ll be a saw or hammer amongthem. More than likely spices.”

“We could use some incense in here, that’s forsure.”

“Better than the cave, is it not, Joseph?”“Oh yes, the spelunking shepherds and the bats

were a little much. Shame we couldn’t get a roomat the inn. You would have thought the prospectsof having the Son of God in one of their roomswould have been good for business.”

“Apparently, quite a few couples have claimedthey were to give birth to the Son of God in aneffort to get a room, Joseph.”

“Despicable. I’ve a mind toreport them to the BethlehemBetter Business Bureau when I passthrough on the way to Jerusalem.”

“Could you pick me up a fewthings? I hear the Wal-Mart on theMount also has a Boxing Day sale.I could use some diapers and acouple new robes.”

“Why don’t you come along,Mary? I hear the council has donequite a bit of revitalization to thedowntown: sidewalk cafes, camelhitching posts, music in the park,and the farmers market where, I

am told, they will serve wine.”“Maybe I should accompany you, Joseph, to

make sure you don’t drink too much. The lasttime you ended up at a tavern with those shep-herds, and you didn’t come home ’til all hours.”

“Oh, they’re a good lot, Mary; not like thosesnobby landowners putting up their homes onour pasture lands. And besides, they claim tohave seen angels.”

“And pink camels, no doubt, Joseph.”“Come along, Mary. The new laws allow the

young ones into the taverns. We won’t have topay anyone to watch the baby.”

“I’m not sure God will be impressed, Joe.”“Surely, the Big Fellow can’t object to a carpen-

ter and his wife having a few glasses to celebratethe birth of the Son of God.”

“Just don’t be bragging when you’re in yourcups, Joseph, that you are the father of God’sson, just to shore up your masculinity.”

“Ah, but Mary, the other carpenters are alwaystalking up their kids. Ezekiel can predict thefuture, Jeremiah sees this and that, blah, blah.I’m tired of it. Wait ’til they find out who our sonis and what he can do. I’ll bet he will be able towalk on water, heal the sick, stuff like that.”

“Joseph, you’re getting a little carried away.”“I have my reputation to think of, wife. You

wouldn’t understand. You are a mere girl. It’s notas if anyone is going to remember a Virgin namedMary.”

Opinion

A6 Thursday, December 26, 2013

Our View

Sales maymakehistorical sense

For the record, nobody alive todayreally knows for certain where BoxingDay came from – or how it got itsname.

Mostly recognized in countriesthat, like Canada, belong to theCommonwealth of Nations (formerlyknown as the British Commonwealth,in recognition of their birth in subservi-ence to Mother Britain), versions ofBoxing Day are also marked in a num-ber of European countries, and haveorigins that can be traced back to theMiddle Ages… or still more centuriesbeyond that.

The day after Christmas was a timefor employers and gentlemen – busi-ness owners and landholders – to givegifts or (in today’s parlance) monetarybonuses to their servants and any con-tractors who provided them with servi-ces, such as delivering milk or bread, ordid odd jobs, for instance window-hang-ers or chimney sweeps.

The traditions may well go backbeyond Medieval times, indeed beyondthe beginning of Christmas itself, to themid-December celebration of Saturnaliain ancient Rome.

The Saturnalia festivities, as in manyof the related Medieval traditions,involved affluent folks filling alms boxeswith money to be dispersed among thepoor and needy.

Generally, most of the traditionsthat have arisen from the day-after-Christmas celebration continue toinvolve people who have more acced-ing some of their wealth to those whohave less, either through direct gifts, orsimply by making goods or alms moreaccessible on Boxing Day than theywould be any other time of the year.

And in that sense, perhaps theBoxing Day sales that are so pervasivein retail commerce these days are notentirely out of place. They’re actuallyjust another manifestation of a traditionthat is at least centuries – and perhapsmillennia – old.

– B.G.

Mary and Joe’s Boxing Day debate

Opinion

Yours Trulyby Tim Tyler

[email protected]

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Page 7: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, December 26, 2013 A7Mailbag

LETTERS POLICY: Copyright in letters and other materials submitted voluntarily to the Publisher and accepted for publication remainswith the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic, or other forms. Letters are also subjectto editing for content and length. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows TIMES is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership.

Local councillors, MLAs, and theMP were all invited to share theirholiday wish for the community.

MP wishes for contentmentWhile I could wish for lower taxes, safer

streets, and long-term prosperity – allgood things that our government caresabout – my one wish for the people of PittMeadows-Maple Ridge-Mission is content-ment.

That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’tstrive to improve ourselves and our com-munities. We should.

But I think it means learning to enjoythe simple things and appreciating thesmall pleasures of daily life.

It means practising gratitude for whatwe have and who we are and cultivatingoptimism.

Contentment is nurtured when weunderstand our purpose in life andhow relationships give meaning toour goals and aspirations.

So we need to invest in others,especially family and friends.It’s easy to take people forgranted so we need to learnto say thank you moreoften.

As we live contentedlives, we’ll find that successin life is not about what weget, but what we give.

That’s my Christmas wish forour community in 2014!

MP Randy Kamp

Wishing for peace on EarthMy wish is the ageless greeting that

the angels heralded to the shepherds ofBethlehem some two thousand years ago:“Peace on Earth and good will to all.”

Peace in our relationships with thosenear to us and with sometimes demandingpeople we may encounter day to day.

May we be peacemakers and peacekeep-ers insofar as it depends on us.

Peace in our hearts as we all face, atdifferent times, difficult news and challen-ging circumstances.

May our peace be deeper and not bedependent on the fluctuations of day-to-day life.

Peace and safety on our streets, in ourcommunities, and in our land.

We are blessed to live in Canada.May crime continue to decrease and

may our country not experience war with-in our borders for generations to come.Merry Christmas!

MLA Marc Dalton

Reaching out to neighboursTime is a precious gift. My wish is

everyone would give generously of theirtime as a volunteer, participating in com-munity events or helping out a neighbourwho could use some care and assistance.

This coming year is Pitt Meadows’ cen-tennial and I look forward to enjoying theongoing celebrations with our community.

Merry Christmas and a happy, healthyand prosperous New Year!

Pitt Meadows Councillor Janis Elkerton

Surround oneself with familyMy wish is simple, yet difficult to

achieve with all the complexities ofhuman nature that exist in our commun-ity.

I wish that everyone is safe and warm,surrounded by friends and family enjoyingthe spirit and goodwill of the season.

Merry Christmas.Maple Ridge Councillor Al Hogarth

Wanting an end to hungerMy wish would be that no person goes

hungry or cold in our City.Merry Christmas to all.

Pitt Meadows Councillor Gwen O’Connell

Peace amid life’s challengesI wish for Christmas that those who

don’t or can’t enjoy this season – for somany reasons – might be able to findsome kind of peace in amongst the chal-lenges that life presents us.

Maple Ridge Councillor Michael MordenP.S. For me one of the upsides of going

into politics was that I now see so muchmore than I ever dreamed; the good, thebad, and the sometimes ugly! It sure isn’tan easy job at times but it’s very reward-ing. Have a great Christmas or whateveror however you choose to celebrate!

Snowwishes may be unpopularMy wish for the com-munity... The publicworks crew is going tohate me for this, but I

wish for lots of snow and awhite Christmas for our com-

munity.I am from Winnipeg and it is not

Christmas without snow. If my wishcomes true I guess I was shovelling a

lot of driveways on Christmas morning!Pitt Meadows Councillor Tracy Miyashita

[Editor’s Note: These wishes were col-lected prior to Christmas.]

Drive safe so we can all rejoiceMy wish is for the community to work

together and rid our society of homeless-ness, poverty and crime.

Families should not have to go withoutthe essentials in life, food, and adequateshelter.

I have one other wish and that is forpeople to drive safely and respect the rulesof the road. I am noticing a real increasein poor driver behaviour. Please slowdown, put your cell phones away, and becourteous to other drivers and pedestrians.

Merry Christmas!Maple Ridge Councillor Judy Dueck

Wishing for a universityOnly getting one wish makes it tough!My top pick for the community is to see

a significant post-secondary institution inMaple Ridge.

Across Canada, and especially in B.C.and Alberta, there is a huge skills short-age, while at the same time there are somany people unemployed or working forunsustainably low wages. Maple Ridge isperfectly positioned to help the provincein meeting this challenge.

A university or trades and technicalschool would create tremendous oppor-tunity for the youth of Maple Ridge, whileat the same time transforming the localeconomy; as a post-secondary institutionis recognized as one of the fundamentaldrivers of a robust local economy.

Our society is faced with a critical andrising “inequality of opportunity” that isconcentrating wealth disproportionatelyto the top one per cent. This is negativelyaffecting everyone, across the social-economic spectrum, and damaging theeconomy as a whole. One of the mainsolutions is to provide our youth, throughaccessible higher education, the opportun-ity to maximize their potential and fill thevacuum of skills, whether it be in healthcare, professions, or skilled trades andtechnical. I wish I had more than onechoice! Best regards and Merry Christmas,

Maple Ridge Councillor Bob Massecontinued on page A11…

Holiday hopes

Politicians share wishes

More onpage A11

NotSatisfiedwith your present

Dentures?Dentures?

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Wecanhelp!Wecanhelp!Bob Shivji who has over 30 years ofBob Shivji who has over 30 years ofexperience would like to introduceMiladexperience would like to introduceMiladSalasi to hisWestwood Denture ClinicSalasi to hisWestwood Denture Clinic

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Page 8: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

A8 Thursday, December 26, 2013 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

THIS 5 DAY EVENT STARTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013. PRICES IN THIS FLYER ARE IN EFFECT DECEMBER 26 TO DECEMBER 30, 2013. IF ANY ADVERTISING ERROR OR OMISSION IS DISCOVERED, SPORT CHEK WILL MAKE THE APPROPRIATE CORRECTIONS AND NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. QUANTITIES MAY BE LIMITED. SELECTION (STYLES, COLOURS, SIZES AND MODELS) MAY VARY BY STORE. KIDS’ APPAREL, OUTERWEAR ANDFOOTWEAR IS NOT AVAILABLE AT STEPHEN AVE, CALGARY, AB; PACIFIC CENTRE, VANCOUVER, BC; HYLANDS, LONDON, ON AND EATON CENTRE, TORONTO, ON LOCATIONS. SKI IS NOT AVAILABLE AT STEPHEN AVE, CALGARY, AB; SOUTHLAND MALL, REGINA, SK; NORTH BATTLEFORD, SK; NORTHGATE CENTRE, WINNIPEG, MB; KILDONAN, WINNIPEG, MB; ST. VITAL, WINNIPEG, MB; STEINBACH, MB; ST. CATHARINE’S, ON AND YARMOUTH, NS. SNOWBOARD ISNOT AVAILABLE AT STEPHEN AVENUE, CALGARY AB; TOWN AND COUNTRY MALL, MOOSE JAW, SK; ESTEVAN, SK; GATEWAY MALL, PRINCE ALBERT, SK; NORTHGATE CENTRE, WINNIPEG, MB; STEINBACH, MB; ST. CATHARINE’S, ON AND YARMOUTH, NS. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES PURCHASED. *NOT ALL CLEARANCE PRICED ITEMS OR PRICE POINTS AVAILABLE AT ALL LOCATIONS. SELECTION WILL VARY. PRODUCT SHOWN ON MODELSIN THE LIFESTYLE IMAGES PRESENTED IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE. **THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS NOT INTENDED TO BE MEDICAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PREGNANT OR HAVE OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT A DOCTOR BEFORE ENGAGING IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES. PRODUCT AND OFFERS IN THIS FLYER MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE AT SALMON ARM, BC; STEPHEN AVE, CALGARY, AB; COLDLAKE, AB; CAMROSE, AB; WETASKIWIN, AB; MANNING PARK, EDMONTON, AB; LONDONDERRY, EDMONTON, AB; NORTH BATTLEFORD, SK; ESTEVAN, SK; STEINBACH, MB; LINDSAY, ON; SIMCOE, ON; 2529 YONGE STREET, TORONTO, ON; YARMOUTH, NS; TRURO, NS; MIRAMICHI, NB AND GANDER, NFLD LOCATIONS. PRODUCTS AND OFFERS IN THIS FLYER EXCLUDE THE MARKVILLE SHOPPING CENTRE, MARKHAM, ON LOCATION. ®REGISTERED TRADEMARKSOF FGL SPORTS LTD. AND ALL OTHER TRADEMARKS ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNER(S).

ENTIRE STORE†

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20%%TO20MINIMUM

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BOXINGDAYSALEMEN’S RTM ALPINE 75 iSALPINE SKISWITHMARKER4MTN 10.0 BINDINGS

OUR REG. PACKAGE PRICE 649.98

OURPACKAGEPRICE

32498

50%SAVE

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WHENPURCHASEDASAPACKAGE

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INSTALLATIONINCLUDED.

INSTALLATIONINCLUDED.

WOMEN’SESSENZAAURENA ‘14ALPINESKISWITHMARKER4MOTION 10.0 BINDINGS

OUR REG. PACKAGE PRICE 549.98

OURPACKAGEPRICE

29998

MEN’S AMBUSHSKI GOGGLES

OUR REG. PRICE 79.99

3999

ADVERTISED COLOUR ONLY.

50%SAVE

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ESQUIRE XSENIOR COMPOSITE STICK

OUR REG. PRICE 69.99

3499

SELECTION WILL VARY BY LOCATION.

BAUERVAPORX5.0, SUPREMEONE.7ORCCMVECTORU+12SENIOR

HOCKEY SKATESVAPOR X 5.0. OUR REG. PRICE 249.99

SUPREME ONE.7. OUR REG. PRICE 332.99VECTOR U+12. OUR REG. PRICE 349.99

YOURCHOICE

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EA.

EA.

130$SAVE UP TO

MEN’S FUSE ORFUSEWIDE 2013SNOWBOARD

OUR REG. PRICE 347.99

16999

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EA.

50%SAVE OVER

40%SAVE OVER

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PITBULL POLISHEDROOTBEER SUNGLASSES

OUR REG. PRICE 145.00

6999

MEN’SIMPACT X SKI BOOT

OUR REG. PRICE 349.99

19999

MEN’SRIVAL PROSKI HELMET

OUR REG. PRICE 149.99

7499

ADVERTISED COLOUR ONLY.

MEN’SFORCE 2013

SNOWBOARD BOOTOUR REG. PRICE 129.99

6499

NEXONN6ORNEXONN6WHITE

SENIOR COMPOSITE STICKOUR REG. PRICE 79.99

3999

COLOUR SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION.

EA.

50%SAVE

50%SAVE

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SUPREME ONE.8SENIOR HOCKEY SKATES

OUR REG. PRICE 508.99

24999

WIDOW SESENIOR COMPOSITE STICK

OUR REG. PRICE 249.99

11999

50%SAVE OVER

SILVER SCOT24-PACK GOLF BALLS

OUR REG. PRICE 24.99

1499

40%SAVE

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RIDGE LINESHOWSHOE KIT

OUR REG. PRICE 199.99

9999

AVAILABLE IN MEN’S 21, 25 OR 30.SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION.

100$SAVE

60$SAVE

BAUER NEXUS 1000OR REEBOK 20K SICKICK4

COMPOSITE STICKSENIOR. OUR REG. PRICE 299.99

BAUER INTERMEDIATE. OUR REG. PRICE 279.99

YOURCHOICE

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SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION.INTERMEDIATE AVAILABLE IN SELECT LOCATIONS.

BAUER JUNIOROUR REG. PRICE 229.99

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BAUER INTERMEDIATE. OUR REG. PRICE 279.99

BIOMIMETIC PRO-GTX 140 ORBIOMEMETIC PRO-GTX 130CLASSIC SQUASH RACQUET

OUR REG. PRICE 159.99

YOURCHOICE

7999EA.

50%SAVEMIN.

ADVERTISED COLOURS ONLY.

MEN’S ORWOMEN’SGEL CUMULUS 14RUNNING SHOE

OUR REG. PRICE 149.99

7499EA.

MEN’S CULVERMID SKATE SHOE

OUR REG. PRICE 99.99

4999

50%SAVE

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MEN’S ORWOMEN’SONE TRAINER 1.0TRAINING SHOE

OUR REG. PRICE 109.99

4999EA.

WOMEN’S BUGABOOTWINTER BOOT

OUR REG. PRICE 119.99

5999

MEN’SCASCADIAN SUMMIT II

WINTER BOOTOUR REG. PRICE 109.99

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MEN’S IMPAX ATLAS 4OR LUNAR EDGE 15 TRAINING SHOE

IMPAX ATLAS. OUR REG. PRICE 119.99LUNAR EDGE. OUR REG. PRICE 114.99

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COLOUR SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION.

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WOMEN’SBAREFOOT PACE GLOVEMULTI-SPORT SHOE

OUR REG. PRICE 124.99

6249

ADVERTISED COLOURS ONLY.

6250%SAVE

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MEN’S ORWOMEN’SGRID STRATOS TR GTX

RUNNING SHOEOUR REG. PRICE 129.99

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50%SAVE

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MEN’S HIKEPOINTMIDWATERPROOFHIKING SHOE

OUR REG. PRICE 149.99

7499

WOMEN’S TECHFIT STRAPPY TANKOUR REG. PRICE 29.99

1499WOMEN’S TECHFIT PERFECT 3/4 TIGHTS

OUR REG. PRICE 54.99

2749WOMEN’S SPORT BRA

OUR REG. PRICE 39.99

1999WOMEN’S TECHFITPERFECT TIGHTS

OUR REG. PRICE 59.99

2999

COLOUR SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION. COLOUR SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION. COLOUR SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION. COLOUR SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION.

TOPPICK 50%

SAVE

50%SAVE

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MEN’S SULLIVANFLANNEL TOP

OUR REG. PRICE 54.99

2749

COLOUR SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION. COLOUR SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION.COLOUR SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION.

MEN’S TECHFITFITTED SHORT SLEEVE TOP

OUR REG. PRICE 34.99

1749

50%SAVE

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MEN’S ORWOMEN’SFLEECE PANT

OUR REG. PRICE 59.99

2999EA.

MEN’S PASSION PROMOBOARDSHORT

OUR REG. PRICE 49.99

2499EA.

EA.

EA.EA.

50%SAVE

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MEN’S FUSION EXACT ORCASCADE PEAK IV JACKET

OUR REG. PRICE 299.99

11999

LIMITED QUANTITIES.COLOUR SELECTION MAY VARY BY LOCATION.

EA.

WOMEN’S ME LONG LOGO HOODYOUR REG. PRICE 89.99

4499WOMEN’S

BRUSHED LEGGINGOUR REG. PRICE 44.99

2249

EA.

EA.

†EXCLUDES GIFT CARDS, TECHSHOP SERVICES, PREVIOUSPURCHASES & TICKETS.

WOMEN’S

MEN’S

Page 9: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, December 26, 2013 A9

Don’tMissOurBoxingWeekPrices!

Santa was just one of the specialguests at the annual Santabreakfast hosted by NorthridgeFoursquare Church recently.

Hundreds came forpancakes, crafts, and asit-down with Santa.Story and photos by Eric [email protected]

Pancakes were plentiful andsausages were in full supplyas the Northridge FoursquareChurch hosted its annualBreakfast with Santa.

The event took place atThomas Haney Secondary,and according to LeahSchofield, the event’smain organizer, thisyear’s breakfast sawa large increase inattendance.

Schofield said morethan 800 peopleattended and half ofthose were children.

This was up fromlast year’s total tallyof 650, Schofieldexplained.

The Veino family of MapleRidge was one of the familiesthat enjoyed the morning’sofferings.

Three years ago, a neigh-bour of the Veinos told themabout the event. They decidedto check it out, and havebeen coming ever since.

“It’s like a Christmas trad-ition now,” said Mom, KellyVeino.

“My favourite part is the

craft fair,” said her eight-year-old son, Hayden.

“We make a candle eachyear,” added Hayden’s dad,Robert.

Although Hayden hadn’tbeen up to see Santa yet, hesaid he was going to pay hima visit before they left.

In addition to Santa,Schofield said there werenew characters added to themix this year, including JackFrost, Mother Nature, MickeyMouse, and carollers.

Feedback from the eventwas positive, Schofield said.

“People toldus that the eventflowed smootherthis year,” she elab-orated, creditingit to minor adjust-ments that she andthe organizing teammade. The changesincluded separatingthe food bank tablefrom the welcometable and having the

crafts in a different area.More than 100 volunteers

– not all of them from thechurch – helped to make surethe event went successfully,too.

“We had students fromMaple Ridge Christian Schooland Thomas Haney helpingout as well,” Schofield said.“It’s a huge community eventthat keeps growing.”

Christmas traditions

Northridge breakfast growing into ‘huge’ event

www.mrtimes.com

View photos with

or online at

Leah SchofieldBreakfast organizer

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Page 10: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

Eric Zimmer/TIMES

Jennifer Scramstad isn’t going to Africa, but shedid help with the kids bake sale earlier this month.

A team from the BurnettFellowship Church willbe travelling overseasin February, as part ofinternational campaign.by Eric [email protected]

Glory Destura is off to Africain February.

Far from being a vacationfrom the Canadian winterthough, Destura and nineother locals from the BurnettFellowship Church are goingthere on a mission.

Destura and her group aregoing as part of the “Preciousto Jesus” campaign.

The campaign, which beganin May 2011, estimates thattwo-thirds of young girls andboys will be molested beforethe age of 18 aims to “empow-er the children in SouthAfrica by spreading a messagethrough T-shirts,” according totheir website.

Destura said that message iseach child is precious to Jesus.

Shirts and trips don’tcome cheap though, and onSaturday, Dec.14, BurnettFellowship Church hosted akids Christmas party and bakesale fundraiser to help fund theundertaking.

“We know there’s a lot of

kids in Africa who get abused,”said Destura.

“We want to make sure thesekids know they’re precious andvalued, so that’s what we’reraising money for – to buy T-shirts and bracelets.

The team that’s going willtake the money that raised,buy the shirts, and take theseshirts with them to give tokids during rallies in the town-ships.”

Through the rallies, Desturasaid they hope to reach about300 kids.

Though Burnett Fellowshiphas done mission trips in thepast, this will be the first timethey’ve gone to South Africa.

Destura said the main goalof this year’s overall campaignis to raise a total of $5,000 to$10,000 to build a campsite forthe kids to go to.

“But we’ll also be going into

the high schools, pre-schools,elementary schools and doingsome ministry work there,” sheexplained.

The recent bake sale raised$816 towards the purchase ofT-shirts.

Destura feels confident theycan reach – and hopefullyexceed– their fundraising goal.The next event, which includesa lunch and silent auction, isset for Jan. 26.

Africa Fundraiser

Bake sale raises cash for South Africa mission

Eric Zimmer/TIMES

Glory Destura (left) played with Greyson Hoff and Edan Verster during a recent Burnett Fellowship Church Christmas party andbaking sale. The event raised funds to send a church team, including Destura, to Africa in February.

www.mrtimes.com

View photos with

or online at

A10 Thursday, December 26, 2013 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, December 26, 2013 A11

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…continued from page A7Happy holidays!As we say goodbye to

2013, I am filled withexcitement to welcome2014 and our 100th anni-versary… this marks thebeginning of a new cen-tury for all of us in PittMeadows.

We are blessed to livein a wonderful commun-ity with so many positivethings happening, andnow we have more rea-sons to celebrate – mark-ing this amazing milestonein our history honours ourpast and bringshope for a brightand prosperousfuture.

Our centennialwill be a greatopportunity to lookback and learnabout our roots andearly times of ourcommunity – ourKatzie neighbours,and the families who builthomes and worked here– the McMyns, the Parks,the Hoffmans, and manymore names that residentswill recognize today.

I invite you to join inthe festivities during ourcentennial year, fromthe heritage fair in April,events at our musuem,Pitt Meadows Day, andCanada Day to the finalwind-up at next year’s APitt Meadows Christmas.

Let’s make it a year wewill never forget!

We are a growing com-munity, with a currentpopulation of 18,500people and growth rate of13.5 per cent… that makesus one of the fastest grow-ing and most affluent mar-kets within all of MetroVancouver.

Our accessibility toMetro Vancouver and U.S.border crossings, as wellas access to air and railtransportation, mean weare fast becoming the “goto place” for business and

investment oppor-tunities.

I am extremelyproud that wehave been recog-nized as the No.5 Investment Cityin Canada andsecond in all ofB.C., by the RealEstate InvestmentNetwork.

I am also proud to reportthat for the past two years,we have been finalists inthe BC Open for BusinessAwards.

We are committed to thevision for our communitylaid out in our strategicplan. We are working tocreate a complete, diversecommunity, includingmaintaining a compacturban centre, with a bal-ance of financial, environ-mental and social sustain-

ability.Pitt Meadows’ employ-

ment base has the poten-tial to grow by more than130 per cent during thenext 20 years, and ourgoal is to provide our resi-dents with job opportun-ities close to home, and arange of housing optionsthat will meet the needs offamilies, seniors and singleworking residents.

And of course, we willcontinue to protect ournatural environment,which we are so proud of.

I want to thank the cit-izens of Pitt Meadows forplacing their trust in me toprovide leadership, vision,and direction for our City.

I know my council col-leagues and I all feel thatit is an honour to serveyou and serve this won-derful community that wecall home!

I also want to thank allof our amazing staff whowork in the City of PittMeadows for their profes-sionalism and commitmentto serve our residents inmaking Pitt Meadows agreat place to live, work,play and invest.

On behalf of all ofcouncil, I wish you andyour family a very MerryChristmas, happy centen-nial, and a bright andprosperous New Year!

Pitt Meadows MayorDeb Walters

Pitt Meadowsmayor: Let’s make it a year we will never forget

Deb WaltersPitt Meadows mayor

Sorry to have to borrow this poem,but I think we are worth poking fun at.

Maple Ridge Councillor Cheryl Ashlie

Twas the night before…Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the hallNot a creature was stirring, not even a phone call.The stockings were hung by the finance door with care,In hopes that taxes would soon drop there.

The developers were nestled all snug in their beds,While visions of an Albion Flats mall danced in their heads.And Ernie in his ‘kerchief, and Jim in his cap,Had just settled their brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,Folks sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.Away to the window they flew like a flash,Tore open their LEEDS shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the beast in the town centre did glowGave the lustre of mid-day to the electric car plug-ins below.When, what to their eyes should appear,But a miniature garbage truck, and two riders in gear.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,They knew in a moment it must be that Ole chiropractor,Bob Masse on stick.More rapid than eagles his course he did steer,And he whistled, and shouted, to his side kick so dear!

“Now Corisa, you dasher, you dancer, you vixen!Come on to yonder council where we can cause some more Blitzen!To the top of the mayor’s floor! to the top of the hall!Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As like council members before them, the wild thoughts did fly,Til they meet with their colleagues, and then give a sigh.

So back to doghouse the newbies flew,With the truck full of garbage, and their election signs too.And then, in a twinkling, it was heard on the roofThe prancing and pawing of a realtors hoof.As people drew in their heads, and were turning around,Down the chimney Ole Al came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,And he looked like a bike peddler, he wanted to sack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! He looked just like Judy!She is much prettier, her reputation a beauty!Closely linked with her buddy Ashlie, the gal who Doug keepsAnd the man at the top, whom Rotarian Michael, would like tounseat.

The helm of the community they hold tight in their teeth,Til the smoke from their new medicinal marijuana policy swirls roundlike a wreath.They know the community as much as Ernie’s round belly,That shakes when he laughs, usually after bacon and jelly!

He is chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,But he loves ole Maple Ridge, in spite of himself!A wink of his eye and a bylaw you dread,Soon gave us to know a line we’ve been fed.

He may stutter his words and council may brawl,But they all love this place and work for you all.And so upon the holidays know all will remain calm,There is much rest to be had, before the next council bomb!

So gone is the garbage truck, they are all back on their bikes,And away they all flew, like dogs to the dikes.But hear them exclaim, as they rode out of sight,“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

Council may brawl, but all devoted

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A12 Thursday, December 26, 2013 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

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Yoga instructor Jane Gallagher was recognized by Hope and Balance, an MS support group, for helping them withadaptive yoga.

The Hope & Balance support grouphelps people who are struggling withmultiple sclerosis.by Maria [email protected]

Greg Turnbull can’t say enough abouthow much the Eagles – and other indi-viduals – have helped the local multiplesclerosis support group, Hope & Balance.

And for all their helpto the group, the servicegroup will be recognizedby the national MS CanadaSociety with a HeroesAmong Us certificate forexceptional achievementfor a community group.

On Dec. 14, at HaluSushi at Westgate Mall, the MS supportgroup gave out certificates of apprecia-tion, one to the Eagles, one to reflex-ologist Ursula Hielscher, one to yogainstructor Jane Gallagher, and one toWillow Manor whose boardroom thegroup meets in.

The certificates were a way of sayingthank you to volunteers who help themembers of the group

“What’s made this group grow… is allthe volunteer commitment we have,”Turnbull said.

The reflexologist provides therapy tothe members of the group and sometimesdoes house calls for people who can’tcome out – all at no cost to the group.

Gallagher does adaptive yoga, also forfree, for the group.

In addition, Gallagher applied throughthe company she works for, CarlsonWagonlit Travel, for a grant for thegroup, and she was successful in securinga $1,000 grant for them.

But to offer these free therapies, somespace was needed.

Turnbull approachedGerry Acton with theFraternal Order of theEagles and they offeredtheir space free of chargewith storage space fortheir massage table toboot.

Turnbull was pleasedwhen he found out last week that thelocal Eagles were to receive this nationalaward because of all they do for the sup-port group.

“They bend over backwards for us,” hesaid.

In the past, the group has also receivedfree acupuncture and massage therapy,but because of various employment situa-tions, these are no longer offered.

For more information about the Hope &Balance support group, people can con-tact Turnbull at [email protected].

Health care

Group thanks volunteers

“What’s made thisgroup grow… is all thevolunteer commitmentwe have.”Greg Turnball

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Page 12: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, December 26, 2013 A13

A compnay in MapleRidge is set up to growa lot of pot.by Cayley DobieGlacier Media

Despite some major stepstowards the legalization ofmarijuana, the all-naturaldrug continues to be mis-understood.

So, when a group ofyoung entrepreneurs werelooking for a location tobuild a state-of-the-artmedical marijuana produc-tion facility, they werefaced with a number ofobstacles.

Enter the District ofMaple Ridge.

Maple Ridge councillorswere apprehensive whenfirst approached by AgrimaBotanicals chief operationsofficer James Poelzer.

Soon, however, Poelzerand the District came to anagreement, which led tothe construction of AgrimaBotanicals’ medical mari-juana production facility onagricultural land in ruralMaple Ridge.

Agrima Botanicals gotits start under HealthCanada’s soon to expireMarijuana Medical AccessRegulations about a yearand a half ago.

Since then, a groupof people from NewWestminster have beenchurning out high-qualityherb for patients across thecountry.

The company pridesitself on offering a varietyof strains that address dif-ferent ailments, not onlypain, according to Poelzer.

On April 1, changes toHealth Canada’s regula-tions will take effect,moving the production ofmarijuana out of backyardsand into larger, commercialoperations.

“The research is defin-itely a very exciting oppor-tunity for us,” he said.“We have some guys whodo our growing and sci-ence side of it and they’revery excited about operat-ing under these new regu-lations.”

Agrima Botanicals willbe working with facultyand students from SimonFraser University to studymarijuana – there are so

many things that remainunknown because of itsstigma in society, Poelzersaid.

“The ability for doctors,researchers to get grants isso much easier because it’snow regulated,” he said.“Now it’s legitimized...and the opportunities todo more research and findout just how much it canactually help is amazing.”

Marijuana is used formedical purposes like painand nausea relief. Thesebenefits are thanks to thechemical compounds foundwithin Cannabis calledcannabinoids – the mostknown being tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) and can-nabidiol (CBD).

“But there have beenshown to be about a hun-dred different ones in can-nabis. So you can imagine,we’re only really lookingat two and there’s over ahundred so there are def-initely someinterestingpotentialtherapeuticbenefits,”Poelzersaid.

“We’vereally only scratched thesurface on the medicinalbenefits of marijuana.”

With new regulations onthe horizon, Agrima wasrequired to apply for thenew Marijuana for MedicalPurposes Regulationslicence in order to continueproduction.

Under these new regula-tions, Health Canada hasdeclared all personal grow-ers’ licences void comeApril 1, giving companieslike Agrima an opportun-ity to make a place forthemselves in the fledgling

industry – but it won’tcome cheap.

Health Canada’s newregulations require pro-duction facilities to havesophisticated security sys-tems as well as an inven-tory system to catalogueand track the plants pro-duced and sold.

Because this is a newindustry, there were veryfew companies providingthese types of services.

“That inventory man-agement system is a hugeopportunity for companiesto start coming out withnew software. Even thedirect digital control soft-ware that we had designedto control all the mechan-ics in the facility – we hadto get it designed custom,”Poelzer said.

“Companies can makeproducts like that and sellthem en masse to othercompanies like us.”

As Agrima awaits itsnew licence,the team isanxious tostart producingagain. Rightnow the facil-ity, whichheld about 700

plants, is undergoing reno-vations.

An addition is being builtthat will act as a storagefacility with a bank-stylevault to store preparedproduct – as required byHealth Canada’s new regu-lations – and a researchlab for Agrima Botanicals’continued partnership withSimon Fraser University.

If all goes according toplan, on April 1 AgrimaBotanicals will be among ahandful of companies thatmake up Canada’s medicalmarijuana industry.

Medical marijuana

Agrima Botanical takesnug out of bud industry

Agrima Botanicals photos

Agrima Botanicals chief executive officer James Poelzer.

Agrima Botanicals hasbeen growing medicalmarijuana underHealth Canada’s soon-to-expire MarijuanaMedical AccessRegulations for nearlytwo years.

Agrima Botanicals photo

A medicalmarijuanaoperation islocated inrural MapleRidge.

Agrima Botanicalsphoto

“We’ve really onlyscratched the surfaceon the medicalbenefits of marijuana.”James Poelzer

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Page 13: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

December 28: Improv• Theatre in the Country presents holidayimprov with their improv team Caught OffGuard at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Info:www.theatreinthecountry.com.

January 7: Prostate support• Coquitlam prostate cancer support andawareness group invites Maple Ridge and PittMeadows residents to its monthly meeting at7 p.m. in the Coquitlam Pinetree CommunityCentre. All those involved with prostateproblems are encouraged to come and sharetheir concerns and experiences in a strictlyconfidential atmosphere. There is no charge(donations are accepted). Info: Norm at 604-936-8703 or Ken at 604-936-2998.

January 8: Square dancing• Town ‘n’ Country Swingers are holdingmodern square dance classes for seven weeks

starting Jan. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Info and toregister: Gloria at 604-467-0951.

January 9: Seniors• A Seniors Helping Seniors meeting takesplace at 9:30 a.m. at the Ridge Meadows

Seniors Activity Centre, 12150 224th St.,Maple Ridge.

January 4, 5, 11 & 12: Tree chipping• Ridge Meadows Search & Rescue teammembers will be chipping Christmas trees bydonation at their facility, 23598 105th Ave.,Maple Ridge (by Planet Ice) from 9 a.m. to4 p.m. Money raised goes to the search andrescue team. For information about searchand rescue, go to www.rmsar.bc.ca.

January 10: Elvis tribute show• Randy Elvis Friskie and his Las Vegas ShowBand are returning with a new show, That’sThe Way It Is, which will showcase some ofmemorable music from Elvis’ movies. Relivethe 50s, 60s and 70s movie songs from BlueHawaii to Viva Las Vegas. The show is at7:30 p.m. and tickets are available from TheACT ticket centre in person, by calling 604-476-2787, or at www.theactmapleridge.org.

January 11: The ACT• Arts Club On Tour presents Driving MissDaisy at The ACT, 11944 Haney Pl., MapleRidge. There will be a pre-show talk at 7:15p.m. in The ACT lobby with Bill Millerd,artistic managing director of the theatre com-pany. Tickets are available at The ACT ticketcentre in person, by calling 476-2787, oronline at www.theactmapleridge.ca.

Grad dress sale• Twice in a Lifetime grad dress sale takesplace on Jan. 25 and 26 at the Greg MooreCentre multi-purpose room from 11 a.m. to3 p.m. To register dresses, the fee is $25 perdress and $10 for any additional dresses fromsame consignee. Any dresses not sold can bedonated to Putting on the Glitz or picked upSunday, Jan. 26 between 3 and 4 p.m. Info:Yvonne at 604-463-2001.

• Full list: www.mrtimes.com

Post events10 days inadvance byemail to:

[email protected]

What’s Onwww.mrtimes.com

A14 Thursday, December 26, 2013 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Page 14: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, December 26, 2013 A15

Six dancers from MapleRidge and Pitt Meadowsrecently travelled to Riesa,Germany, to compete inthe 2013 World Tap DanceChampionships that ranfrom Dec. 1 to 8 [Younghoofers tapping forgold in Germany, Oct.15, The TIMES]. Thosedancers (from left) wereShayla Bodnarchuk, KieranKrasser, Shelby Greaves,Isabelle Flavin, FranquiBarber, and Emily Flavin.They had a picture takenin front of the competitionstage, holding a copy oftheir hometown newspaper,The TIMES.

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Page 15: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

A16 Thursday, December 26, 2013 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

RAINCHECKS

Page 16: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

On Deck

Send your scoresand game reports [email protected]

Happy fishing!TIMES columnist Jeff Weltz gets

philosophical about fishing in hisweekly column.

Fishing offers us a greatlife -ong challenge, he writes.Sometimes we win, other timesthe fish win. For the angler it is agame that never gets old.

He continues by writing: thedesire to outwit a fish holds thesame fascination for today’sangler as it did for our ancestors.• More online: www.mrtimes.com,

click on “Sports”

Flames sizzlingThe Ridge Meadows Flames

put an end to an opposing team’simpressive streak last Friday atPlanet Ice.

A 3-2 double overtime win overthe Aldergrove Kodiaks halted theKodiaks’ win streak at 12.

Meanwhile, the red hot Flames,who evened their record to 12-12-2-3, notched their fifth straightvictory.• More online: www.mrtimes.com,

click on “Sports”

Skaters impressMaple Ridge Skating Club host-

ed its quarterly test day Dec. 12.Skaters perform dances and

demonstrate elements for a visit-ing adjudicator.

Scores of skaters tested andpassed.• More online: www.mrtimes.com,

click on “Sports”

SportsMaple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, December 26, 2013 A17

Recreation Reach The TIMES' sports desk: Phone: 604-463-2281 or email: [email protected]

Marauders fallThe Pitt Meadows Marauders

senior boys basketball team madeit all the way to the title game ofthe Gleneagle Talons Invitationalin Coquitlam, before droppingdropped a 71-58 decision Fridayto the tournament champion HolyCross Crusaders.• More online: www.mrtimes.com,

click on “Sports”

The MapleRidge

FigureSkating

Club had asuccessful

test day onDec. 12.

On the FlyOn the Flyby Jeff Weltz

A fly fishing instructor and outdoor writer,Jeff has fished the area since the early 1970s.Contact him at [email protected]

Bill McCrae has been themat guru for Maple RidgeSecondary’s wrestling teamsince 1989.by Troy [email protected]

Going on a quarter of a century,Bill McCrae has instilled a cultureof hard work and grit at MapleRidge Secondary.

McCrae started teaching at theschool in 1989 and since then, hasguided the MRSS Ramblers wrest-ling program.

He knows a thing or two aboutthe demanding sport.

McCrae is a 1981 national cham-pion who wrestled internationallyfor Canada in 1978, ’79, and ’81.

A Simon Fraser University alum-nus, McCrae was the assistantcoach at SFU in 1985 before mov-ing his talents to Douglas Collegewhere he served as head coach ofits wrestling program. Then he jet-ted to New Zealand where for twoyears he served as club and NorthIsland coach in Kiwi Country.

After that, McCrae returned toB.C. to join MRSS.

When McCrae arrived at MapleRidge, wrestling had a solidfoothold in the area, thanks inlarge part the efforts of LarryKliparchuk, longtime coach atWestview and Thomas HaneySecondary who presided over theB.C. Wrestling Association for 20years.

“He [Kliparchuk] had an estab-lished junior high program,”McCrae recalled. “I had kids thatactually wrestled in Grade 8, 9,and 10, now in their Grade 11year, so we were quite competitivefrom the get-go.”

In fact, McCrae had in his stablea two-time provincial championand national team member in RobWellwood.

Through the years, McCrae’swrestling teams have experiencedsome ups and downs.

“It’s very cyclical,” he said, ashis wrestlers warmed up duringa noon-hour practice on Dec. 12.“Every four years, it’s right to thebottom of the basement, becausewhen you have very good wrest-lers at the top end, none of the

young kids want to come [jointhe team] because they get beatup. They can’t see the big picture.You’ve got to hang in there forfour years. So you have a verygood crop of Grade 11s and 12s,but no one in Grade 8, Grade 9.”

Getting “beat up” is a sort of riteof passage when it comes to ama-teur wrestling. That said, in all thetime he’s coached,McCrae has onlyseen one injury.

“Two kids hitheads backwards.That’s the onlymajor injury I’veever had, swear to God,” McCraesaid.

But the rigours of the sport cantake a toll on its athletes. Becauseof that, attrition is very high inMRSS’s wrestling program.

McCrae started last season with42 athletes and finished with 11.

This year, there are 23 wrestlerson the team, an encouraging num-ber for McCrae.

The veteran coach said he’sreceived a lot out of the sport – ascholarship and the opportunityto travel around the world justto name two – and he returns tocoach each year to give studentsthe same kinds of opportunities hewas able to get.

Most recently McCrae has beenfortunate to coach a pair of elite

wrestlers – PaytenSmith, who ison a three-yearundefeated streakand is a two-timedefending B.C. highschool champion,

national champion, and 2013Canada Summer Games titleholderin the girls 90-kg division, andCam Hicks, who, at 41 kg, finishedsecond at the provincial champion-ships and Canada Summer Games.

Now in her Grade 12 year, Smithis hoping to clinch a post-second-ary scholarship through wrestling.

“I really love the sport,” shesaid. “I like that it’s a one-personsport, so you’re with your team,but it really depends on youractions that you take.”

Smith said McCrae has given herthe best base she could have, tocarry on in with her wrestling.

“If I were to ever go to theOlympics, I would want him in mycorner,” she said.

At the Canada Summer Games,Smith ran the table, winning all sixof her matches to capture gold.

It adds to a dominant run forSmith, who won a Canadian titleat the national meet in Saskatoon.

Looking ahead to this season,Smith said, “I’m hoping for somemore matches. I know there aresome new kids coming into it, so itshould be good.”

Tough sportIn spite of his school’s recent

success, wrestling isn’t as popularas it really should be, in McCrae’sopinion.

This surprises him, particu-larly after Daniel Igali’s and CarolHuynh’s gold-medal victoriesat the 2000 and 2008 SummerOlympic Games, respectively.

“It’s one of two things: Wehaven’t promoted it well, or it’stoo tough a sport,” McCrae said.“You have to get a certain kind ofkid that can do it.”

McCrae isn’t the only wrestlingaficionado in the community.

Westview’s Greg Brock is “prob-ably the most technical coach inthe province,” McCrae said, and hecoaches one of the top wrestlers inB.C. in Cody Osborn.

Recent resultsOn Dec. 5, MRSS’s Kodi Strobel

had an impressive mat debut atthe Terry Fox Invitational, winningall three matches to earn a goldmedal.

Ramblers joining Strobel on theupper podium were Hicks, Devinand Ciara McCrae, and Smith,who continued her impressive winstreak.

Olivia McDonnell also wrestledwell, winning a silver while JacobBurgi, David Cameron, and GregMcKenzie were also impressive,pinning down bronze medals.

Austin Sheridan and GaerthBourke were unlucky not to placehigher, coming fourth while TylerDrew-Adams and Dionte Hurtadorounded out the team scoring, pla-cing fifth and sixth, respectively.

Prior to that, MRSS wrestlersdominated the Upper Fraser ValleyNovice Championships at QueenElizabeth Secondary in Surrey.

Gold medalists included DevinMcCrae, David Cameron, HaydenTupper, and Daniel Jo, whileHurtado was a silver medal win-ner.

Wolfie Wallace, Austin Brown,Jack Dillen, and Asian Altinaryeach earned hard-fought bronzemedals.

Matthew Sillanpaa and MarkoKolobara rounded out theRamblers’ scoring with fourth-place finishes.

High school wrestling

Grappling woven into fabric of MRSS

Troy Landreville/TIMES

Kodi Strobel was about to take down Marko Kolobara during a wrestling practice at MapleRidge Secondary.

Troy Landreville/TIMES

Two-time defending B.C. high school girlschampion Payten Smith (90 kg) trainswith male counterparts at Maple RidgeSecondary. During a recent practice, shegrappled with Tyler Drew-Adams.

Troy Landreville/TIMES

Dionte Hurtado was at an advantage versus Maple Ridge Ramblers teammate Greg McKenzieduring a Dec. 12 wrestling practice at Maple Ridge Secondary.

“You have to get acertain kind of kid thatcan do it.”Bill McCrae

Page 17: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013
Page 18: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013
Page 19: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times December 26 2013

A20 Thursday, December 26, 2013 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

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