Burnaby’s first and favourite information source
Michael Eklund in the VIFF spotlight PAGE 11
Delivery 604-942-3081 • Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Clan blown away by Storm PAGE 21
Your source for local sports, news, weather and entertainment! >> www.burnabynow.com Stickhandler turns stick manufacturer
IMMIGRATION
City top spot for refugees Jennifer Moreau staff reporter
Burnaby is back in the top spot for government-assisted refugees to settle, according to latest number from the Immigrant Services Society of B.C. “The big reason was that we found increased affordable housing in Burnaby,” said Chris Friesen, the society’s director of settlement services. “Apparently our staff were able to locate some other housing they weren’t aware of previously. So we were able to (send more refugees) to Burnaby than we thought we would be able to.” Government-assisted refugees are people approved as refugees by the United Nations before they come to Canada, as opposed to those who seek asylum after arriving. They get money and loans from the government and resettlement help from groups like Immigrant Services Society. According to the society’s latest bulletin, Burnaby was the top spot to settle, with 71 new refugees, the TriCities was a close second with 64, and Surrey was third with 58 people. There were 294 government-assisted refugees settling in B.C. between July 1 and Sept. 30. They made up 127 families, and two out of five were under the age of 18. They are from Iraq, Bhutan, Iran, Ethiopia, Sudan and Afghanistan. Burnaby used to be the top settlement spot in the province for government-assisted refugees from 2003 to 2006 but lack of affordable housing has forced settlement workers to place Refugees Page 4
Jason Lang/burnaby now
The face of Base: Former NHLer Cliff Ronning is one of the founders of Base Hockey Labs, a new company making affordable customized hockey sticks and providing high-tech consultation services in Burnaby.
The science of hockey sticks Andrew Fleming staff reporter
Cliff Ronning will likely have an impact in the NHL again this season, although the 45-year-old Burnaby resident, who helped lead the Canucks all the way the Stanley Cup finals back in 1994, won’t be lacing up his skates again to do it. Instead, expect to see customized hockey sticks made at his new local business, Base Hockey Labs, to be appearing in the
1/2 PRICE DESIGNER FRAMES WHEN PURCHASING A COMPLETE PAIR OF PRESCRIPTION EYEWEAR (Some Restrictions Apply) No other Coupons or Special Promotions apply.
LOUGHEED TOWN CENTRE
#168/169 - 9855 Austin
604-444-9840
100% B.C. Owned & Operated “We will make it perfectly clear in about an hour.”
hands of more and more of today’s pros. Ronning has teamed up with former Easton and Warrior executive Holmes Ghassemi and Innovative Hockey’s Ron Kunisaki to launch a state-of-the-art graphite and kevlar composite hockey stick design and manufacturing firm in Burnaby’s Lake City Business Centre that’s been open since early September. Players such as Mike Green and Paul Gaustad are among those already using Base sticks (albeit with the logos covered
up) but Ronning says the idea is much more about targeting average players who are serious about stepping up their game. “We’ve got guys in the NHL already using it with black sticks, but we’re really focusing on the public, getting a good product in their hands for great value,” said Ronning. “Our model is to treat everybody like a pro and the response so far has been fabulous.” Hockey Page 4
NOW OPEN - 2 BLKS W. OF BOUNDARY CUSTOM T-SHIRTS WITH FULL COLOUR LOGO
$
ONLY
855 EACH
*call for details
3484 Hastings Street, Vancouver 604-628-8784 www.instantimprints.ca
Grab a Double Leg & Thigh Meal w/one regular side for $8.49!
Two Double Leg & Thigh Meals w/2 sides for $14.99!
www.nandoskingsway.com
Valid only when you present this voucher at Nando's Kingsway, Burnaby. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Substitute regular salad for 75¢ extra. Expires Oct. 30, 2010.
Nando’s Kingsway, Burnaby • 4334 Kingsway • 604-434-6220