FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2010 THE TIMES
Upfront O P I N I O N
Briefly Disney on Ice tickets on sale this Saturday Tickets go on sale this Saturday for Disney On Ice’s Let’s Celebrate! This all-new, high-energy show visits Abbotsford from Dec. 3–5 for six performances at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! features more than 50 characters from 16 Disney stories live on ice, including Tiana, the newest Disney Princess from Walt Disney Pictures’ The Princess and the Frog. Tickets are available through the AESC, online at www.abbotsfordcentre. ca or by calling 1- 866-977AESC(2372).
Powell wins world trip Abbotsford’s Katie Powell and her boyfriend Evan Hunken are off on a sixmonth worldwind tr ip around the globe after winning the Get Rid of Me contest, announced from London at noon Thursday. Powell, who has been working tirelessly to gain support, received 35,648 online votes, more than 15,000 votes ahead of the other contestants. “I feel great . . . my heart is racing all afternoon,” she said after hearing her name announced on the website. “A humungous thank-you to all the people who voted for us, people who went out of their way to help me.” Powell and Hunken will leave on their all-expense paid trip Jan. 11, 2011 and will fly to London, then Egypt, Africa, Istanbul and beyond. Read more in next week’s Times.
Heat help wanted Volunteer Abbotsford is interviewing potential volunteers for the upcoming Abbotsford Heat AHL hockey season. Contact Jane Cooper, 604-850-7161 or e-mail jane@volunteerabbotsford.ca.
We repair your jewellery. Goldsmith on premises
10 • LETTERS 11 • SPORTS 27 • CLASSIFIEDS 31
A3
We MISSION The Junction Custom 604.826.5766 Design www.lankajewels.ca
CARING IS BUSINESS WHERE
(. . . AND BUSINESS IS GOOD)
– CHRISTINA TOTH/TIMES
MCC Furniture and More Shop volunteer Hildegarde Baerg takes a closer look at some of the art on display in the store’s new location on South Fraser Way, across the street from the old site. MCC thrift stores on both sides of Abbotsford hold opening events to celebrate their new locations today and tomorrow.
Sweet deals abound at two new MCC stores CHRISTINA TOTH CToth@abbotsfordtimes.com
B
argain hunters can rejoice as the venerable Mennonite Central Committee Thrift Stores celebrate the official re-opening of two of their new, expanded locations this week. The MCC Furniture and More Shop moved across the street from its previous location in the MCC complex in west Abbotsford. It now has a spacious 23,000 square feet at 31877 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, in the building that formerly housed The Brick. The new store is airy and has dozens upon dozens of living room and dining room sets, plus household accessories, art work, beds and office furniture and an amazing array of late model electronics. “We also have a lot of large appliances,” said store manager Jim Roth, showing off stoves, fridges and freezers during a tour of the new location. And there’s more for the avid collector, such as books and vinyl record albums, sports gear, a lot of exercise equipment and kitchen essentials. There’s even an automotive section, “which empties out all the time,” said staff member John Taves. Customers are always greeted by friendly people like Taves, or one of the many volunteers who keep the operation running smoothly, such as Art Janzen, who is also a vice-chairman of the store’s committee. Janzen, a retired Abbotsford principal, not only
front, and it’s been very popular,” said Heisler. “We also have a boutique section [with some brand name clothes]. Some of our regular customers go enjoys the infectious camaraderie with others who there first.” work or volunteer at the store, but also the value As with many of the MCC’s efforts, these stores he finds in his contributions. rely on their incredible volunteers. While the store “I like interacting with the range of people and could use more volunteers, “the ones we do have doing something that’s useful, like recycling fur- are so fabulous. God bless each and every one of niture and making it available to people who may them – they worked so hard to open this store for September,” said Heisler. be in need,” he said. All donations are from local All goods are still dropped off donors and much of the kindness at the old location in the MCC is returned to the community. complex on South Fraser Way, “In our store we look after The faith-based MCC uses the to be reconditioned and cleaned as many people as we can. profits from both the stores to before the items can be displayed support local programs, such in the store, said Roth. We help as much as we as the Above the Underground, Along with great deals, the furwhich helps women find work, niture shop also has an on-going can with what we have.” and its many other outreach prosilent auction for special items, grams. such as collectible antique teleThe store also provides clothes phones or car models. – Karen Heisler manager or household items for those who The MCC Abby East Thrift are getting their feet under them, Shop has also moved to a larger building just next door to its previous location, at and who are referred by social service agencies. “In our store we look after as many people as 5-34150 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford. It’s part of the newly refurbished complex, we can. We help as much as we can with what we accessible from South Fraser Way and Abbotsford have,” Heisler said. Some monies are also used for MCC’s overseas Way, that has more of a mall feel than a warehouse complex – there’s even a Tim Hortons coming long-term campaign or relief efforts, such as in Haiti, she added. soon. The main doors to the new thrift shop are level with the parking lot, and staff are keen for both ◗ The MCC Furniture and More Shop at 31877 customers and donations, said store manager South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, commemorates its Karen Heisler. The bright space is about 4,000 sq. new location this morning at 10 a.m. The MCC ft. larger than the old store, and with more than Abby East Thrift Store at 5-34150 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, has its grand opening on Saturday at 18,000 sq. ft., it has lots to offer. “We have a much larger book section up at the 10:30 a.m.
The Cleaner, Drier, Safer way to clean
“Citrus-O does a beautiful job of our carpets every time. The technicians are accommodating and do a great job.” ~ K.B.
604-852-2633 • www.valleycitruso.ca
YOU SERVIC CAN E TRU ST