INSIDE: Controversial gender selection ad raises questions
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T H U R S D A Y
April 26, 2012
27 N E W S , BATEMAN
SPORTS,
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E N T E R T A I N M E N T abbotsfordtimes.com
Body found in Fraser
LIFETIME LEARNING
Foul play not suspected in Mission case ROCHELLE BAKER Rbaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
M – JEAN KONDA-WITTE/TIMES
Renowned B.C. artist and environmentalist Robert Bateman gives art students some pointers during a morning painting class at Palfy Park in Abbotsford on Tuesday. The artist spent the day at Robert Bateman Secondary School, talking to students and staff about art and the environment. For more photos see www.abbotsfordtimes.com.
A lesson on art and nature JEAN KONDA-WITTE JKonda-Witte@abbotsfordtimes.com
T
he downpour Tuesday morning did not enhance the picture perfect painting class setting at Palfy Park the art students at Robert Bateman Secondary envisioned. But that didn’t stop Robert Bateman, the artist, from handing out a bit of on-location advice about painting in the rain forest. Bateman was in Abbotsford for the day to visit the school that bears his name, and talk to kids about art and the environment. Huddling under umbrellas, Sherry Dunn’s art students attempted to paint their surroundings during the soggy walkabout at the little park that straddles Stoney Creek. “We wanted to introduce Bob to the piece of nature we have that is close to the school,” said Dunn. The mini-field trip didn’t last long, thanks to the weather, but Bateman went back to the school to meet with students and teachers, and to share some of his passions. “He basically says he paints and he rants [about the
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environment],” said Dunn. “He talked to the students about drawing, art, and had lots of fatherly advice on what they can do with their future. In the art classroom, Bob talked about slowing down and observing carefully.” He showed his early works along with students’ work from art classes he taught, and of famous artists who inspire him. “He gave us lots of advice for art and for life,” said Dunn. “The kids were really thrilled to meet him. It’s a real special experience for him to be in the classroom.” Later Bateman met with students in the science and sustainable resources classes and spoke on the environment and the activism in which he is involved. ‘He’s been ahead of the curve for years to get people reconnected to nature,” added Dunn. “He spoke about how we can recognize so much of the corporate world and how we now need to reconnect with the natural world.” They were hoping the artist would participate in the ground breaking for the school’s community garden but they ran out of time.
ission RCMP say no foul play is suspected after the completion of an autopsy of a woman’s body that was found floating in the Fraser River on Monday afternoon. Although investigators haven’t released the cause of death, they are issuing a description of the woman in hopes of identifying her, said RCMP Sgt. Miriam Dickson. The woman is Caucasian, between 60 to 70 years of
age and weighing 200 to 220 pounds. She is about five feet, six inches tall with short gray/ blonde curly hair and grey/ blue eyes. The woman is not believed to have been in the river for long, said Dickson. Investigators are following several leads, including reports of missing women from other communities. Mission RCMP have not had any local reports of someone matching the woman’s description go missing, said Dickson. Abbotsford boaters discovered the body Monday about 2:30 p.m. just east of the Mission Bridge. Anyone who can assist in the identification of the woman is asked to contact the Mission RCMP detachment at 604-8267161.
iPhones targeted A
bbotsford Police are trying to stem a spree of iPhone thefts around the Bourquin bus loop and Mill Lake Park. Five of the expensive cell phones have been stolen in the area since April 18, said Const. Ian MacDonald. A man has been approaching people who already have their phones in hand and ask to borrow it to make an emergency call. As soon as someone hands over his or her phone, the suspect flees, said MacDonald. Suspects are also bumping people who are busy looking at their phone. When the victim is distracted by the contact, the thief grabs the phone and runs. If a stranger says there’s an
emergency, MacDonald recommends people phone police or to dial a number and relay a message themselves rather than handing over their iPhone. Witnesses descriptions suggest there may be two different suspects at work, but both are described as Caucasian males in their 20s. The APD had already identified the area just south of the Sevenoaks Shopping Centre as a robbery hot spot A rash of incidents, 8 of 25 street robberies since the start of the year, had occurred in the geographical triangle bounded by Mill Lake, Bourquin Crescent and the shopping mall on South Fraser Way. – ROCHELLE BAKER
The Salvation Army of Abbotsford and Mission Independent Financial Services 201-2190 West Railway Sreet, Abbotsford, BC V2S 2E2
Todd Chretien
Financial Advisor 604-851-4299 todd.chretien@raymondjames.ca
Conservative Investment Advice
Member CIPF
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Our Thrift Store staff would be happy to receive your clean, usable items including house wares, collectibles, clothing and furniture. All proceeds raised stay in the community to support vital services and programs! Visit us on Facebook at The Salvation Army Centre of Hope - Abbotsford 34081 Gladys Ave. Abbotsford • 7221 Park St. & Lougheed Mission • 604.852.9305