A4 NewsLeader Friday, January 10, 2014
CITYPAGE MEND: WHERE FAMILIES GET FIT AND HEALTHY FOR FREE MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it!) is a fun, FREE and interactive 10 week program that supports children aged 5 - 7 years and their families on the journey to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The program facilitates safe, effective and lasting lifestyle changes by improving children’s physical activity levels, nutrition and self-esteem. Sundays, from January 12 - March 16, 2014 1:00 pm - 2:45 pm Centennial Community Centre, 65 East Sixth Ave FREE Who can participate? MEND is for 5 - 7 year olds, who are above or at risk of being above a healthy weight, and for their families. One parent must attend with their child(ren) for the 10 weeks. By attending MEND, families learn: • About choosing healthier foods and spending more time being physically active • How to read food labels and determine what serving and healthy portions look like • How to set goals to encourage healthy habits as a family through fun, active games that build self esteem For more information or to register, please contact Lisa Mandel at 604-777-5100 or mend@newwestcity.ca
MY HEALTH, MY COMMUNITY SURVEY Help provide input to improve health in New Westminster! The My Health My Community survey seeks to gather information about issues that influence our health, such as transportation, community services, green spaces, and sense of community. For example, do your kids have a safe place to play? Do you have access to fruits and vegetables? Is there too much traffic on your street? This information will be used to inform policy and programs to help make New Westminster a healthier community. Confidentiality is a priority - survey answers and identifying information will be kept on separate computer systems complete with data encryption. Take the survey and win prizes including iPads and gift certificates. If you are 18 yrs or older, please take the survey at: www.myhealthmycommunity.org We encourage everyone to take the survey, as the more responses we have, the better we can assess and plan for a healthier New Westminster!
THANK YOU FROM THE NEW WESTMINSTER ANIMAL SHELTER The City of New Westminster Animal Shelter would like to thank all those that helped with fundraising and/or donated to us over the holiday season. Your time and donations provided our animals with much-needed toys, treats and other items to make their stay at the shelter as comfortable as possible until they are adopted. We’d like to thank the Burnaby/New Westminster Animal Hospital, Bosley’s New Westminster, Greens & Beans, Aquapaws, Custom Canine, and all the members of the public who volunteered, came out to our fundraisers, or gave donations. Happy New Year!
www.newwestcity.ca
Neighbours oppose West End church’s expansion plan ⫸
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Now the congregation wants to go back to the larger addition it first proposed, which would allow for another four feet to the extension, so the altar could face the east, the direction the religion traditionally calls for. “You’re supposed to have the altar to the east, but our altar is to the south,” said church parish council president Gheorghe Serban. “Every Orthodox church they’ve got to be like that.” Akhter and Tanya Zainul, who own the home on the southern edge of the church property, were unhappy about the addition back in 2010. They’re still unhappy about it. “It is disappointing that our neighbourhood once again will be dragged into this issue,” said the Zainuls in an email to the NewsLeader. “The proposed extension will cause a direct negative impact to the neighbourhood by lowering the property values and the owners’ use of yards and enjoyment.” Parking and traffic were major concerns in 2010, and they haven’t gone away, the Zainuls said. Although an
The congregation of the Saint Gheorghe Romanian Orthodox Church on Eighth Avenue at Bowler Street wants to put on an addition but is receiving opposition from neighbouring residents.
arrangement was made for Sunday churchgoers to use a 34-space retail parking lot on the other side of 20th Street following the original discussions in 2010, it is always empty, they added. “The parking is no problem because the parking on 20th Street is there,” insisted Serban, who estimated the church’s congregation at about 80 with the hope the expansion will attract more. The Zainuls also said residents have had difficulty
turning on to Eighth Avenue because parked cars block their view, and some have called police because they can’t back their vehicles out of their driveways on Sundays. The couple said the addition would be a visual blight so close to their home and would block sunlight into their yard. They noted the existing church is already encroaching on their property line closer than city regulations allow but it’s legally non-conforming because it existed before the bylaw was created. Serban believes property values are motivating the opposition. “It’s been there almost 80 years and no one complained, and now they complain because the house next to the church [has a lower property value],” said Serban. “Why buy [next to a church] if you don’t like it?” When the report came to council Dec. 9, some Start your good life today. councillors questioned why it had returned. “I’m wondering what the benefits are for this * application actually going through given that (on a 2 year membership) we went through a very protracted controversy,” E R FO E B ember said Coun. Bill Harper. Barb | M However, despite Harper’s objections, Northgate Village Co-Ed council voted to give and for Women Club staff the go ahead to 3433 North Rd. begin processing the church’s application. That process would involve presentations to the West End Residents ® YOUR NO JUDGEMENT CLUB Association and the city’s advisory planning EveryBODY Welcome Here commission, and a goodlifefitness.com public meeting with invitations to residents *Based on the purchase of a 2 year membership. Bi-weekly payments will commence based on your start date. Applicable tax applies. No additional fees are required above the regular membership fee. Membership fees vary based on club and the within 200 metres of the membership option chosen. Offer valid at participating locations only. Please check goodlifefitness.com or with club for hours of operation. Other conditions apply, see club for details. site.
My good life is setting a healthy example for my children.
NO MONEY DOWN NO ENROLMENT
604-444-3343