North Shore News April 17, 2024

Netloss

Tennis players voice concerns over loss of several public courts

ARTS14

Movingpoetry

Poet Svetlana Ischenko documents journey from Ukraine to Canada

SPORTS22

Paddlesportmilestone

Deep Cove celebrates 25th anniversary of weekly race series

PREPARING FOR THE WORST

Multi-agency response douses

mock wildfire at North Van camp

NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com

It’s 9 p.m. on the first day of the sweltering month of August. As the sun is setting, a recreational boater notices a glow from a depression on the eastern slopes of Indian Arm – the more they look, the more they become certain that what they’re seeing is a wildfire.

Actually, it’s 9 a.m. on a rainy April 11, and District of North Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services is preparing to launch a multi-agency exercise in response to a mock wildfire at the boat-access-only Camp Jubilee

At an introductory briefing in Deep Cove’s Panorama Park, dozens of personnel gather from the likes of West Vancouver Fire & Rescue, North Shore Rescue, North Shore Emergency Management, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, BC Wildfire Service and Metro Vancouver Watershed Protection.

Effective collaboration is a critical marker of success when it comes to responding to emergencies like this, says Mike Danks, Chief of DNVFRS.

“Exercises like this are extremely important,” he said. “They help us identify functional strengths and gaps in our responses, and give us an opportunity to improve and increase our preparedness before an actual event happens.”

Last year’s wildfire season was one of the most destructive in the province’s recorded history. With snowpack levels already well below average, and hot weather forecasted to follow, experts are anticipating another tough wildfire season.

“The mountains are our backyard on the North Shore, which makes us particularly vulnerable to wildfires,” Danks

said “Our priority is to be as prepared as possible for scenarios like this.”

In the scenario, strong winds quickly turned the smouldering remains of a kayaking group’s campfire into a five-hectare blaze by the time it was first discovered. On the day of the simulated exercise, the mock next morning, that

Firefighter Phineas Wrenshall from Metro Vancouver Watershed Protection uses a hose to douse a mock wildfire during a multi-agency training exercise at North Vancouver’s Camp Jubilee April 11. NICK LABA / NSN

Tennis players voice frustration over loss of public courts

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews com

Tennis players in the City of North Vancouver say they’re frustrated and disappointed that the municipality hasn’t come up with a game plan to replace the municipality’s rapidly vanishing tennis courts.

“There’s a particularly acute and current loss of courts,” said Duncan Brown, president of the North Shore Tennis Society, noting eight of the previous 18 outdoor public courts in the city have either been lost to redevelopment projects or are likely to be lost soon.

In the past, tennis players in the city were generally well served by the number and quality of courts available, said Brown. But in recent years, that’s changed.

Four public tennis courts were lost when the Harry Jerome Recreation Centre rebuild project started, said Brown. At one point, he said, there were discussions about putting tennis courts on the roof of the new rec centre, but when the project was revised because of financial pressures, “those were eliminated from the discussion,” said Brown.

Four tennis courts in Cloverley Park are also being lost soon as the school district moves to build its new elementary school on the site of the park, which is owned by the school district.

Tennis players have also learned that two courts at Derek Inman Park could also be lost as part of the redevelopment of North Shore Neighbourhood House.

UNCONTROLLED CROSSING

Brown said tennis players don’t dispute that the projects that have pushed out their courts are valuable. The problem, he said, is that tennis has become “collateral damage” and no plans have been put in place to replace the lost courts.

“They’ve had multiple years to develop plans to replace these courts. And they

haven’t done that,” said Brown.

Political leaders have been generally supportive, he said. But funding to address the problem has been lacking.

Instead, Brown said money that has previously been earmarked for tennis has repeatedly been cut from the budget. Two replacement courts at Loutet Park were

CN train collides with truck in North Van

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews com

CN Police and North Vancouver RCMP are investigating after a CN tanker train hit a truck on an uncontrolled railroad track crossing in North Vancouver Thursday.

The collision happened around 4:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of Barrow Street, just west of Mountain Highway

The tanker train – used to carry chlorine and other chemicals manufactured at ChemTrade Electrochem

Inc’s North Vancouver plant – was heading east at the time, travelling at a slow speed on the tracks, when it collided with a 2016 Nissan truck that was attempting to leave a business parking lot, according to the North Vancouver RCMP

It was not clear whether the train was carrying chemicals at the time.

Police did not have any immediate information about how or why the truck was on the tracks at the time. That is still under investigation. The

uncontrolled crossings in the area are all marked with stop signs.

Fortunately the North Vancouver man driving the truck – who was alone in the vehicle – was not injured, said Const. Mansoor Sahak, spokesman for the North Vancouver RCMP.

The truck, which sustained damage to its passenger-side door panel, was later towed off the tracks. Traffic in the area was stopped briefly to allow emergency vehicles to enter and exit the area.

included in a draft budget last year, for instance, but didn’t make the final cut.

This year, after tennis players lobbied city politicians, civic leaders agreed to put $80,000 towards a consultant who will assess the situation, including the condition of remaining courts, how many courts need replacing and which parks have space to accommodate the courts.

Tennis players say that money would have been better spent towards building tennis courts rather than studying them.

“I can count the number of courts on one hand and I can tell you within two minutes what the quality of those courts are,” said Brown.

“If you’re going to replace the courts get on with it,” said Cathy Still, a board member of the North Shore Tennis Society “That to me is just a delay tactic.”

Other user groups – including skateboarders and lawn bowlers – have seemed to have a much easier time getting action from the city in replacing their facilities, including those lost as part of the Harry Jerome rebuild, the tennis players say “And we’re still waiting for them to even talk about tennis courts,” said Brown.

Brown said players are now worried that the need to replace tennis courts will get lost in wider studies of parks within the city, which could take years to complete.

Currently the main indoor facility for tennis is at the North Shore Tennis Centre on Lloyd Avenue. That nine-court facility is hugely popular, and very difficult to book,

A CN train hit a truck that was crossing train tracks after exiting a parking lot in North Vancouver April 11. Luckily nobody was injured CN Police and North Vancouver RCMP are investigating what happened MARK TEASDALE

Nancy Hunter (left), Anthony Shay and North Shore Tennis Society board members Kristen Ames and Cathy Still gather at the Cloverley Park tennis courts slated for removal for new school construction. The Cloverley tennis courts are among several disappearing in the City of North Vancouver PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

WARM WINTER

Spring snow wraps ‘wild ride’ of a season for North Shore ski hills

JANE SEYD

jseyd@nsnews.com

A bumpy ski season on the North Shore mountains is closing out on a high note, as diehard skiers and snowboarders got in some spring skiing turns in the sunshine this past weekend.

Two of the three North Shore ski hills – Seymour and Cypress – had their last skiing and boarding day of the season on Sunday, April 14, while Grouse has yet to announce the last day of its skiing season and has tickets available online up to this coming Sunday, April 21.

Spring skiing conditions during Seymour’s last week of the season were good, following a dump of about 25 centimetres of snow on April 8, said Simon Whitehead, spokesman for Seymour Mountain.

Local ski hills traditionally close around mid-April as demand cools off and employees move on to other jobs.

It was a challenging year for local ski hills – when record-high temperatures and atmospheric rivers delayed the opening of the ski season and caused resorts to shutter on a number of days

“It has been a wild ride this year,” said Whitehead. “We had a very strong El Niño. And that definitely created a lot of the weather conditions we saw ”

“It’s not the worst year we’ve had but

it’s definitely up there.”

Having to open then close repeatedly made it hard to retain staff, he said. When Seymour is running at full capacity, it employs between 550 and 600 people

Prior to this ski season, however, the North Shore hills had a string of years where conditions were excellent, Whitehead added A probable La Niña weather pattern forming for next year is also good news when it comes to snow, he said.

“It’s Mother Nature,” he said. “It’s like farming. You get what you get.”

In the case of Seymour that’s especially true – unlike Cypress and Grouse, the resort doesn’t have snow-making equipment.

Just how many days ski resorts were open this year is open to interpretation, he added.

Some resorts declared themselves open when only the bunny hill was functional, while others, like Seymour, defined “open” as having the main chair lift running.

Ski hills rely on sales of season’s passes – usually bought six months in advance –to help buffer the drop in sales of daily lift tickets that happen when skiing conditions aren’t great.

This year’s season’s pass holders at Seymour are getting a 30-per-cent discount on next year’s passes to make up for some of that, said Whitehead.

Skiers and boarders enjoy the last days of the ski season at Mt Seymour on Friday, April 12 PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

Twoelectrictugs ready foraction in Vancouver harbour

BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com

As an older model diesel tugboat roars to life on Vancouver’sindustrial waterfront, aplume of black diesel exhausterupts from its stacks anddrifts skyward.

“That’swhat we aretrying toget rid of, completely,” says Sander Bikkers, president of SAAM Towage Canada. “That’swhy it’s important that we get started.”

The tug company officially launched its zero-emission alternatives Wednesday –two all-electric tugboats capable of safely bringing massive ships to dock while keepingabout 2,400tonnes of carbon out of the atmosphereper year

That’sequivalent of taking 600 gas-burning cars offthe road.

When they officially enter service, they’ll be two of just six all-electric tugboats in the world.

Low-carbon solutions

Bikkers said the company’s leadership first contemplated electric tugs when planningin

2019for their future fleet needs. Theylearned thenthat it would be doable,but at an up-front cost 60 to70per centhigher than adiesel. That might have killed theproject, but Bikkers said SAAM turned to their partners onthe harbour, including OldendorffCarriers and Teck Resources, which owns the

metallurgical coal exportfacility Neptune Terminals, for support. Through CleanBC, the province chipped in $8.4 million.

Bikkers saideveryone involved shared acommitment to cut GHG emissions out of their supply chains.

“Thereisintrinsic motivation

from all of us to really get the industrytochange,” Bikkers said “If you want to startchanging history, thisisthe exact place where you start.”

The boatsweredesigned by local naval architecture firm RobertAllan Ltd. and,like most tugsonthe world’swaters, they werebuilt in Turkey’sSANMAR shipyards.

One of the e-tugs has been named the Volta while the other will be named in honour of the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), whose members wereonhand Wednesday to bless thelaunching of the vessels.

The tugs’ electric motors put out 5,000 horsepower,backed up by stacks of Corvus Energy batteries–enough to run about 50 electric vehicles.

Just above SAAM’s dockisa new 3.5-megawatt transformer fromBCHydro, which thecrew have dubbed Optimus Prime

The charging cables areso heavy,they’ll requireasmall crane to manoeuvretheminto place.

Better marine technology

On thewater,Bikkers said they’ve only had glowing reviews from thetug captains at thecontrols.Unlike aconventional engine, thereisinstant torque without any rumbling and revving.

“You get instant feedback from theboat butyou don’t hear it and you don’tfeel it,” Bikkers said. “This is absolutely acompletely different level of operating a vessel. It’struly,truly something different.”

That’salso good newsfor the nearbyaquatic life, Bikkers noted, which will have tocontend with a fraction of the noisepollution that diesel engines make.

Docking and escorts in the harbour tend have abit of anatural rhythm that followsthe tides, which means therewill always be plentyoftime to ensurethe e-tugs arefully charged when they’re needed.

Electricity is cheaper than diesel, and over time, electric tugs will requireless maintenance and

Sander Bikkers,president of SAAM Towage Canada, checksout the controls of the firstall-electric tugboat deployedinVancouver’s harbour

BRENT RICHTER /NSN

Electric tugsrequire less maintenance

repair than traditional vessels, Bikkers added.

Butthereare trade-offs.

After 10 to 12 years, they expect the batteries will have degraded to apoint thatthey won’t be suitable for tuguse anymore–about the same lifespan of adiesel engine beforeitneedsan overhaul. But, Bikkers said, the batteries will still have morethan enough capacity to be downcycled andput to use elsewhere

And because the technologyisnew, it facesmorestringent regulations, including the requirement to have an engineer on board, something Bikker said should change as regulators better understand how they perform.

“When something is new,ittakes some time to adjust,”hesaid. “But our idea and our projection is that these ships arefar easier and safer to conduct than any other vessel.”

Age of electricity

SAAM can’t claim to be the first company to introduce azero-emission tugboat –that title goes to HaiSea,a partnership between Seaspan and the Haisla Nation, which launched the

first one in the world in 2023. Twotugs have followed, and all three HaiSea vessels will be put into service at LNG Canada’sterminal in Kitimat.

Unlike Seaspan’selectric tugs, SAAM’sare staying put, designedspecifically for use in Burrard Inlet

While the age of electricity is arriving inVancouver’sharbour, naval architectsaround theworld areturning their minds to other methodsof reducing carbon output from shipping, including the use of sails and gyroscope devices that assist engines,along with alternate fuelslikehydrogen, methanol,

ammonia and LNG. In Antwerp, there is one hydrogen fuelcell tug operating, but hydrogen is much more readily available there,Bikkers said.

Hereonthe West Coast,BCHydro supplies almost entirely clean energy largely thanks to hydroelectric dams. B.C.’sEmergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister BowinnMa welcomed the launch of the electric tugs.

“Although these arethe firstelectric tugs in the port, we arehoping they inspireothers to make the switch,”she said.

One of SAAM Towage Canada’s all-electric tugboatsdocksatBurrard DryDock in North Vancouver,April 10,2024. BRENT RICHTER /NSN

Smoking gun

Anyone who was anywhere near Deep Cove on April 11 was likely greeted by a startling sight – dozens of fire crew members from multiple agencies preparing to respond to a wildfire up Indian Arm. Thankfully, it was just a training exercise, but with our changing climate, it’s not a question of if there will be another wildfire in the North Shore mountains, but when.

We’re pleased to see our first responder agencies getting prepared like this. The province is warning snowpacks are at their lowest levels in 50 years – a worrying sign that we’ve got another dry and dangerous summer ahead. And until we decarbonize our economy, things are only going to get worse.

While lightning may be the natural cause

ANDY PREST aprest@nsnews.com

For a lot of people, finding a “local,” a place where they can go and be welcomed, comfortable, and accepted, is a lifetime dream.

You know the song: “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. And they’re always glad you came.”

For many residents of a three-block strip of the Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood of North Vancouver, that dream is a reality thanks to a little sliver of a sandwich shop called Meat At O’Neill’s. It’s a place where you can go and get a pint and a pretty darn good sandwich – their Mexican Meatloaf easily holds a spot in my lifetime top-sando list – but more than that, you know that you

of wildfires and forest regeneration in the later summer months, every single wildfire we’ve had on the North Shore in recent years has been “human caused.”

The situation demands a change in the way we think and talk about recreation on the trails and in our backyards on the forest interface.

While we aren’t in favour of closing trails and trying to keep people out of the backcountry, we are big proponents of a robust awareness campaign about the frankly stupid and unnecessary risks of smoking on the trails and skirting campfire bans.

This kind of acknowledgment needs to become a coda to any conversation we have with our friends about even the most casual trip into the woods.

The least destructive fire is the one that never starts.

are going to get a friendly reception from Martin and Shari O’Neill, an Irish couple who moved to North Vancouver in 2013 and opened their shop a couple of years later

And I do mean that you “know” it will be one of them greeting you when you walk into Meat At O’Neill’s, because they’re the only two employees in the shop. They used to employ a couple of casual workers years ago, but since the days of COVID, it’s been a strictly two-person show

My younger son and I visited the shop on a recent Wednesday afternoon – a time slot picked because it was meant to be their quietest time of the week – and there was still a steady stream of people coming in to grab a seat at the bar or get a couple of sandwiches to go. The affable owners greeted most

patrons by name, including a few dogs that stopped by, all while patiently explaining the intricacies of sandwich making to my culinarily curious kid.

(Don’t underestimate the power of perfect bread, Martin conspiratorially explained to the kid. Great bread is “the big secret.”)

In a comfy space lit by a chandelier, down the bar from a cheeky sign advertising “Free beer tomorrow,” the O’Neills also described the importance of selling much more than sandwiches at their shop. They knew they needed to make it different than the trendy resto-bars that are found on seemingly every second block in high-traffic areas.

Meat At O’Neill’s is located right across the street from one such space, a Browns

Social House, and Martin noted how different the vibes are.

“I’m not sure about that middle word,” he said with a laugh. Meanwhile at Meat At O’Neill’s, the “social” aspect comes naturally Some of the regulars felt such a pull to the shop that they kept stopping by even when the O’Neills shut things down to take a well-deserved two-week vacation over the Christmas break.

“Some of them actually came and sat out on the deck here and had a can of beer while we were shut down,” he said, adding that getting to know members of the community has been the most rewarding part of their work. “The most special thing about it is when you walk out into the middle of the

Continued on A9

MAILBOX

APPROVAL PROCESS FOR BORROWING $55.7M RAISES CONCERNS

Dear Editor:

Re: City of North Vancouver Seeks Voter Approval to Borrow $55.7M, March 16 news story

Can City of North Vancouver taxpayers afford to borrow $55.7 million?

The city wants to borrow $55.7 million without allowing the taxpayers a chance to vote. Can we allow this to happen?

If you live in the City of North Vancouver or know people who do, please get a copy of the Alternative Approval Process Response Form

Resident Elector.

The city put a notice in the North Shore News in mid-March without any follow up or mailed-out notices and now requires an in-person delivery or Canada Post delivery, of a signed form by April 22 at 5 p.m., otherwise they will consider you to be a Yes vote

Unfortunately, I was away when it was published in the North Shore News.

If 10 per cent (4,233) or more of the estimated number of electors of the City of North Vancouver sign an Alternative Approval Process Elector Response Form opposing the proposed bylaw,

city council will not be able to proceed without then receiving the assent of the electors by vote.

I don’t approve of the process and have spoken to many of my neighbours. I understand that they too think the process is underhanded at best.

The present mayor and councillors will proceed with borrowing $55.7 million at our expense if we don’t submit the signed “No” form by April 22. We will be paying increased taxes for many, many generations to come.

I urge you and your neighbours to personally deliver or use Canada Post to send your signed forms to city hall as soon as possible, and definitely before April 22. They do not accept emailed forms. They are trying to make it as difficult as possible, so they can proceed without proper consultation or allowing the taxpayers an opportunity to vote.

We are a very small city, only five square miles with a population of 42,325 electors

How can we afford to borrow $55.7 million?

I have been a resident and tax paying citizen of the City of North Vancouver since 1977.

J. Craig North Vancouver

Shop owners live ‘Canadian dream’

Continued from A8

road and you look over you see the big city, like it’s touching distance, yet this feels like just a suburban neighbourhood kind of thing where everybody knows each other That’s kind of special.”

Those regulars are going through a bit of a mourning period right now – the landlord has told the O’Neills they need to be out of the space by the end of September Martin said he’s been expecting this for a while, with the shop located firmly within a block that seems ripe for redevelopment.

The landlord, in fact, has already told them a few times before that they needed to clear out, but somehow the message always changed – Martin suspects some of the shop’s regulars have made passionate pleas straight to the landlord.

But this time seems like it’s for good, Martin said, and the O’Neills are at peace with the fact that they’ll permanently close in a few months. They have no concrete plans for the future, although Martin says he’s ruled out finding another space for a new shop, and he’s not keen on opening a

food truck. Maybe a brewery needs a good sandwich-maker on staff?

If these are the last few months of sandwich goodness for the O’Neills, they will get the most satisfaction from the continued support from the regulars, said Shari, adding that whatever joy the shop has given the community has come back in equal measures to the owners.

“The whole nine years have been incredible – we’ve seen births, marriages, funerals,” she said, adding that they’ve lived “the Canadian dream.”

“We came as immigrants, we’ve raised a child here, got her through the school system. We started a business from scratch, which has been really successful, and we’re citizens of Canada now We’re Canadians. We’ve lived the dream. We’ve done what other people can only dream of. So we’re just so thankful that we’ve had nine years here to be able to fulfil that dream. We’re really, really lucky, fortunate and grateful.” Andy Prest is the editor of the North Shore News. His humour/lifestyle column runs biweekly

Incelebration of VolunteerAppreciationWeek, theNorth VancouverRCMP wish to extend theirgratitude to our volunteersdedicatedto fosteringa safercommunity.

Thankyou!

Twofakeguns lead to tworeal arrests

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com

Police on the North Shore recently arrested two men carrying fakeguns in two separate incidents.

The first incident happened April 5 whenWest Vancouver Police arrested a bus passenger who carried afake gun onboardpublic transit. Abus passenger who wasonaWest Vancouver transit bus called police after seeing the suspect moving whatappeared to be ahandgun around in their belongings while onboard.

Police stopped the bus near Marine Drive and 22nd Street and arrested a suspect, who wasfound in possession of an imitation gun. The man was released pending further investigation.

It’snot yet knownwhy the person wascarrying the fakegun or if he will face charges.

Sgt. ChrisBigland of the West Vancouver Police said police aregratefulthe incident was resolved quickly Bigland added that incidents involving possession of gunsorobjects that appeartobeguns arealways treated seriously by police.

Thearrest ofthe man with afake

gun in West Vancouver came just aday beforeanother man observed with a fake gun in the civic plaza next to the North Vancouver City Librarywas also arrested. In thatincident, aman observed playing with what turned out to be afake handgun outside the librarywas arrested in adramatic takedown.

Police saidthey received areport around 7p.m. April 6fromawitness whosaid they’dseen aman holding what was possibly aplastic imitation gun in the city plaza near the libraryon West 14th Street.

Officers flooded the area, and

quickly located asuspect matching the description given by thewitness at a busstop on Lonsdale Avenue, ashort distance away.Photos of thescene from witnesses showed thesuspect beinghandcuffed on theground.

“Frontline officers treated this extremely seriously,following all the protocols in place for responding to incidents involving firearms,” said Const. Mansoor Sahak of theNorth Vancouver RCMP.Sahak warned anyone whocarries afake gun in public can expect apolice response to follow. “It’sgoing to cause panic,” he said.

The man was arrested, andthe imitation gun was seized.

Benjamin McBeath, 47, of no fixed address, hassince been charged with failing to comply with aprobation order not to possess any imitation firearms.

Biglandsaid theredoes not appear to be any connectionbetween the two incidents. Biglandaddedthere can be a“broad spectrum” of reasons why someone would be carrying afake gun, from just not thinking enough about their actions in advance, to planning to use the imitation firearm to commit acrime.

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Policearresta manobservedplaying with afakegun outside the North Van citylibraryApril 6. JUAN MANUEL PALACIO

COLD CASE CANADA

North Van true crime podcast finalist for Webby Award

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com

There are few unsolved Vancouver murders that haven’t caught the attention of North Vancouver writer and podcaster Eve Lazarus.

Lazarus – a writer, reporter and arguably investigative sleuth herself – has made a name writing and blogging about the city’s most notorious unsolved killings, many of them dating back to a grittier time in Vancouver’s history.

In recent years, Lazarus has also grown a loyal following for her true crime podcast, Cold Case Canada.

But for Lazarus, one of the most intriguing – and heartbreaking – stories she’s come across involved a series of cold case killings that had actually been solved.

Between April 1988 and August 1990, six sex trade workers from Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood were killed and their bodies dumped in laneways. Officially, their murders remain unsolved.

But in a strange twist of fate, this was one case where detectives were convinced they had caught the killer, Lazarus revealed. The catch: the suspect had died before he could be charged. And nobody had ever told the victims’ families.

Now, the podcast episode that details that case, The Alley Murders, has been recognized as a finalist in the crime and justice category of the Webby Awards, which recognize outstanding work from around the internet

That’s a huge honour for the local podcaster, whose work has been shortlisted alongside four other podcasts, including

one produced by broadcasting network Al Jeezera.

Lazarus’s podcast is the only Canadian episode and the only independent podcast among the five finalists.

A winner in each category will be selected by a panel of expert judges, along with a people’s choice award for the podcast with the most public votes in each category. Voting on the Webby website is open until this Thursday, April 18.

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“It was just heart wrenching,” said Lazarus.

When Lazarus sets out to investigate a cold case, she makes a point of talking to the family of the victim first Most are haunted by questions they’ve never had answered.

“For the families, it just doesn’t go away,” she said.

Lazarus is also careful in her crime podcasts to acknowledge the victims as more than murder statistics.

Too often in the true crime genre, “they just get dehumanized,” she said.

Most of Lazarus’s true crime stories happened years in the past. At one time, that would have made the chances of solving them remote.

But the advent of forensic genetic genealogy – using vast databases of DNA uploaded by people looking for their ancestry and stored by companies like Ancestry123 – has been a recent gamechanger, she said. Two years ago, it was just that kind of match that led to the identification of Stanley Park’s murdered Babes in the Woods – a question that had dogged investigators since the 1950s and “which we never thought would happen,” she said.

Like some of her other podcast episodes, the story of The Alley Murders came to her via her Facebook page Cold Case Canada, after Lazarus noted that some of those murders had been added to the Vancouver Police Department’s cold case web page. That was when two retired Vancouver police officers told Lazarus the surprising information those cases had been solved –but never officially acknowledged or shared with families of the victims.

Lazarus hasn’t given up on other kinds of historical writing. Currently, she’s working on a book about the fates of surviving passengers from the CPR liner Empress of Ireland which sank in 1914 off the mouth of the St. Lawrence.

But true crime has a special place in her heart. “They’re amazing stories when they’re done properly,” she said. “I can’t go to sleep without listening to them. They’re like my bedtime story.”

North Vancouver author and podcaster Eve Lazarus is up for a Webby award for her true crime podcast on a historical Vancouver murder case. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

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Ukrainian poet questions identity with powerful new collection

MINA KERR-LAZENBY MKerrLazenby@nsnews.com

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For expats or immigrants, the emotional journey of shifting a life across the world and understanding the new and ever-changing meaning of “home” can be difficult to put into words.

Yet for Svetlana Ischenko, a North Vancouver poet, playwright and teacher, words are what come easily

In Nucleus: A poet’s lyrical journey from Ukraine to Canada, Ischenko pulls from 23 years of living abroad, detailing the waves of excitement, homesickness and frustration that comes with moving from the city of Mykolaiv to Canada’s North Vancouver.

“I wrote the very first sonnet at the beginning, when I emigrated in August 2001,” she said. “The rest just follows naturally. It explains my transition from being totally Ukrainian, to becoming a Ukrainian Canadian, and then, eventually, to becoming Canadian.”

The title Nucleus references all the separate elements that can combine to make up a person, said Ischenko. When moving abroad, a person doesn’t stop being one

thing to become another, but instead becomes a mixture of the cultures that surround them.

“You don’t lose your identity: you are who you are,” she said. “You actually become a Canadian and you gain more You add to your Ukrainian identity, and that nucleus grows as you absorb and learn here in Canada. That becomes you.”

Anyone who has ever tackled the challenge of moving abroad will likely find solace and humour in Ischenko’s verses. One particular favourite of the poet’s, simply entitled home, addresses conversations

Svetlana Ischenko’s poetry collection Nucleus details the experience of moving from Ukraine to North Vancouver. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

Book uses Ukrainian and English

Continued from A14

so often had between new acquaintances and those no longer living on home soil.

It starts:

“Where are you from?”

– “South of Ukraine, Mykolaiv it’s near Odessa… north of the Black Sea…”

“M-m-m… Is it a part of Russia?”

– “No, it’s Ukraine.”

“Was it a Soviet Union sort of thing?”

– “Yeah, sort of…”

Later on, it reads:

“I’ve noticed, you have an accent. Definitely eastern European Polish?”

– “Ukrainian.”

“What nationality are you?”

– “Canadian.”

The poem is the essence of the book, said Ischenko An answer to all the questions others may have and even the complex queries that have arisen within herself over the years. With each stanza written, Ischenko tackles her own question of what it means to be both Ukrainian and someone who is enamoured with their adopted country.

Correlating with her own 23-year journey, the first section of the book was written in Ukrainian, the second and third in a mixture of English and Ukrainian and the fourth, when Ischenko had grasped

her new tongue, was written in English.

While the majority was transcribed for the final edition of Nucleus, marking her first English language published set of works, Ukrainian words are still interspersed.

“For some of the words there is not a direct translation, and to change them completely would be to lose their essence and their meaning,” she said. “There are a bunch of explanations at the end of the book of all the terms that I used in Ukrainian, because this should still have Ukrainian culture, Ukrainian sensibilities.”

The poems have gained new poignancy in light of the unfolding events in Ischenko’s war-ravaged home country Oftentimes they reference the culture, traditions and land of the country she grew up in, long before her family were plunged into omnipresent danger and her friends were forced to fight on the frontlines.

Nucleus is available to purchase locally from independent bookstore Helicon Books, or online via Amazon.

Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative

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Knowledge Network debuts trailer fornew North ShoreRescue series

BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com

Strap on your microspikes and pack your 10 essentials.We’regoing back in.

The Knowledge Network has released the trailer for Season 2of Search and Rescue: North Shore

The five-partdocuseries, which embeds filmmakers with B.C.’sbusiest mountain rescue team,was wildlypopular when the first season ran in 2020, rackingupnominations and awards.

Directors and producers Grant Baldwin andJenny Rustemeyer of Silvapark Films areback behindthe lens, and North Shore Rescue team leader Mike Danks returns to helpshare the stories of life-and-death missions in thebackcountry.

Season 2ofthe series follows North ShoreRescue along with their counterparts in Squamish formuch of 2022 and into the summer of 2023 –one of thebusiest periodsinthe team’shistory. In that time they carried out rescues involving heart attacks, aBASE jumper,a paraglider,dogs, silveralerts, avalanches, and recoveries of those who did not survive.Italso contains footage from the mission to rescue stranded peopleafter an atmosphericriver storm flooded the Fraser and Nicolavalleys in 2021.

The trailer also highlightssome of the leapsNorth ShoreRescue has made in acquiring new technology that helps them quicklyand safely findand extract thelost and injured, including thefirst ever use of ahelicopter hoist in darknessusing night vision goggles and thermal drones that can spot rescue subjects under tree cover

“The complicated retrievals the teams areperforming areincredibletosee, andwewanted to document moreofthe process for how these aredone, ultimately giving theaudience areal sense of what is

involved with the rescues they see on the news,” saidBaldwin, theshow’sdirector.“Modern day innovative technology, equipment and teamwork with other first responder organizations arehelping both NSR and Squamish SAR save lives, and we’reproud to continue to highlight these inspiring stories for Season 2.”

In arelease, Knowledge Network CEO Michelle van Beusekom said viewers can expect another up-close-and-personal perspective of real-life heroics.

“This kind of on-the-fly storytelling in life and death situations requiresextraordinary skill and agility,and the access is based on a deep relationship of trust and respect for all involved. Grant and Jenny aretwo of B.C.’s most talented documentarystorytellers and have done an exceptional job in crafting a series that brings viewers insidethisunique and compelling world.”

Search and Rescue: NorthShore will begin airing and streaming on May 28.

North ShoreRescue team leader Mike Danksand his volunteer crew areback in the spotlight in adocumentaryseries.

BRENDAN MEADOWS /SEARCH AGAIN FILMS

‘Chill’ marmot takes up residencein bustling North Vancouver neighbourhood

MINA KERR-LAZENBY

MKerrLazenby@nsnews.com

Local Journalism InitiativeReporter

He might not be from around these parts, but thathasn’t stopped acertain rotund little fellow from making ahomefor himself in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood.

Amarmot,affectionately dubbed “Morty” by his new neighbours, has taken up residence in asmall patch of brushnear the corner of East First Street and St.Georges Avenue.

“I discovered him about two to three weeks ago, and everyday I stepoutside he’sthere,” said Leslie Robertson, aresident in the neighbouring apartment block.

“We’ve kind of bonded,” he said. “He’svery, verychilled. He’sveryprotective over his burrow,which is very cute, but other than that he is very easy going.”

Robertsonsaid the friendly rodent is “verycomfortable”with its human neighbours, rarely returningtoits burrow even when people arepresent,

but thereare fearsother species may be putting its safety in jeopardy

Recent clearing of the brush in a nearby green spacehas left the burrow andsurrounding land bare, and, with the area being acommon spotfor dogwalkers, Robertsonisapprehensive of local hounds viewing Morty as a plaything or snack.

“I’m justa bit concerned for his safety.He’susually very, verycalm, but his home has been uncovered,and now he’sexposed,” he said.

“His life could come crashing down.”

WildsafeBC’sGabriela De Romeri said Morty is likely ayellow-bellied marmot,alarge speciestypically found in the southern partofthe province and closer to the interior. It is “a little unusual” for the rodents to findthemselves this far west, butnot completely unexpected, shesaid.

The marmot could have been born in the area and only recently emerged forspring, or the adventurous creature could have racked up the kilometres and travelledsolo from the interior, she said.

While it is difficult to determine whether themarmot is amale or female, Morty(or Martha?) clearly looks veryrelaxed, happy,and healthy, De Romeri added.

“Outofall themarmots, yellow-bellied types arebest adapted to living close to humans, and can handle noises and disturbances,” shesaid Dogs, however,are another matter

“I am alittle bit worried though about it burrowing in apark [frequented by dogs], especially if there areany hunting dogs in the area, they might see amoment and just snap right into it,” she said. “It might be more ethical to have this creature moved. Perhapsthe city will have to look into weighing theprosand cons as to whether disrupting this marmot and translocating him would be worth the traumatic stress, or whether he could get away with beingsafe in the park.”

According to the City of North Vancouver,itisn’t unheardofto have

Continued on A19

TheNorth ShoreNeighbourhood House thanks alloftheir hardworking loyalvolunteers.Our volunteers provide serviceinall programs at NorthShore Neighbourhood House, and we could notrun our programs withoutthem! Some of these programs include: Food Bank, Sharing Gardens, Child Care,Recreation, Tax Clinic,Youth, Loutet Farm,Gerry’s Garden,Special Events,Seniors Programs,and Administrationtasks

We have notthanked youenough and want to let youknowthatyour dedication is essential to thework that we do.Your willingness to give your time and serviceisgreatly appreciated. Youbring ideas,positive energy,and intensity. Your support ofthe NorthShore Neighbourhood

Houseallows us to continue to fulfill our mission andtoserve the people in our communityeach year,especially ourmostvulnerable

With deepestgratitude foryour commitmenttoserve,wethank youonbehalf of theNorth Shore Neighbourhood House andthe

peopleweserve. Your work is invaluable to us

To find outmoreaboutour volunteer opportunities pleasevisitour website at www.nsnh.bc.ca

Marmots protected by Wildlife Act

Continued from A18

marmots on the North Shore. In recent years one of the furry creatures was even discovered residing in the greenhouses at the city’s operations centre in Mosquito Creek, said CNV spokesperson Amanda Gibbs.

Gibbs said the area where Morty lives is currently used as an informal meet up area for dog owners, but there are no concrete plans for any kind of development.

‘Morty’

“If there was to be a temporary or permanent change, an environmental assessment as part of the project would help identify any localized nests or burrows,” she said. “Our staff are asking the public to give it space, and we will follow up with any developments from our environment team.”

All marmots are protected under the BC Wildlife Act, yet while trapping and relocating yellow-bellied marmots without a permit is allowed, De Romeri warns it can be challenging to do so humanely and safely

“That decision shouldn’t be taken

lightly,” she said.

“If you ever do see a marmot in real life give it space, make sure it has an escape route and, if it is taking up space on your residence and deciding to create a burrow and live there, then there are different strategies to deter an animal from staying around – like contacting a qualified pest management contractor,” she said.

Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

TheRotary Club of LionsGate is hosting amonthly series of Lunch &Learn sessionsfor Seniors at the SilverHarbour Centre

Theinformative sessionswillbeconductedbyexperts fromthe North Shore Senior ServicesCircle covering aspectsof wellness, independence,safetyand personal finance- topics that are important andvaluabletoSeniors on the North Shore.

Each session will be followed by afreeHot Lunch and each attendee can take homeuptotwo additional freeentrees -one forthemselves andone fora seniorfriendorneighbour who couldnot attend thesession.

Attendance is strictly by registration only. Spaceislimited. PleasecallSilver Harbour at 604.980.2474tobookyour spot.

the marmot has made a new home for himself on the corner of First Street East and St Georges Avenue in North Vancouver LESLIE ROBERTSON

Southern resident killer whales face extinction in 75-100 years, study predicts

NICK LABA

nlaba@nsnews.com

If more changes aren’t made, prospects appear dim for the survival of the southern resident killer whale.

This population of around 75 individuals is heading toward extinction at a rate of one-to-two per cent annually, according to a study published April 2 by researchers with B.C.-based Raincoast Conservation Foundation.

The recent paper follows a 2017 analysis that showed the group of whales had a 24-per-cent chance of extinction within a century. But the situation has worsened since then, explained Paul Paquet, co-author and senior scientist with Raincoast.

Treaty fisheries in Alaska and B.C. away from rearing grounds and migration routes into terminal rivers and estuaries; not harvesting immature fish in marine fisheries; and allowing mature females to pass through terminal fisheries to spawning grounds. Those changes could lead to a fish size increase of 40 per cent over 50 years, while also boosting the abundance of chinook, according to the research.

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Three primary threats affecting the southern residents are dwindling stocks of chinook salmon, increased underwater noise from boat traffic and higher concentrations of industrial contaminants building up in the animals. A failure to address these pressures in a more serious way could lead to an accelerated population decline, which picks up speed after two generations, in around 40 years from now, Paquet said.

Over time, these problems become amplified, he said. “We usually talk about the extinction vortex. And often that’s related to genetic issues having to do with inbreeding, common to small populations.”

may be more isolated than previously understood.

Transient and resident killer whales were once thought to be distinct groups in terms of behaviour, but the same species, Paquet said. However, another new study suggests they are distinct species as well.

“There are fewer of them [in each species] now than would have been previously thought,” he said.

But potential improvements made in the threat areas drastically change the projected numbers of the southern residents over the next 100 years.

One of the most critical areas is their diet of chinook salmon. Less fish in the sea is just part of the problem

Science conducted on whale poop at a Raincoast lab in West Vancouver suggests that other similar populations, like northern resident killer whales, have been bouncing back in recent years despite similar diets and contamination levels.

“Increased availability of salmon, that’s positive. It would help, but it’s insufficient in itself to ensure that the population will actually persist,” Paquet said.

One of the current threats that will likely keep increasing is ocean noise.

“We identified that as being a serious problem for killer whales,” Paquet said. “And it’s likely increasing because of development, new terminals [and] more shipping.”

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Raincoast uses the term “bright extinction” to describe the decline of the southern resident killer whale, because they are one of the most researched animals at risk of dying out. Previous research has shown how the population has become increasingly inbred, an issue compounded by a recent finding that their genetics

“Some fish are not as easily available as they were previously because of disturbances that are taking place so that whales can’t access the fish,” Paquet said. “Also, over time the chinook salmon have gotten much smaller than they were originally.”

That means the resident cetaceans have to work harder for less return when hunting for a meal.

In the study, its authors advocate for several solutions to create an abundance of larger, more mature chinook. Those include moving Pacific Salmon

With this data, Paquet and his colleagues will lobby governments at the provincial, state and federal levels, along with key bodies like the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, in hopes of directing stricter policy to better protect these whales.

The DFO did not comment on the new research directly, but said that 2024-specific measures to protect southern resident killer whales would be announced soon. Starting in 2019, the agency began adding new rules to protect southern residents, such as fishing closures and restricting speeds in certain areas.

Southern resident killer whales spotted near the Sunshine Coast in January 2023. MARTIN DAVIS

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PADDLESPORTS PIONEERS

Deep Cove celebrates 25 years of racing

MINA KERR-LAZENBY MKerrLazenby@nsnews.com

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

There is often celebration to be had on a summer’s Tuesday night down by the waters of Deep Cove, but on the evening of April 2 there was an inordinate level of excitement in the air.

Deep Cove Kayak’s iconic Tuesday Night Race had kicked off, marking the start of another season, and the 25th anniversary of North America’s largest weekly paddlesport race.

For a quarter of a century, paddlers of all vessels and all levels of expertise have taken to the Indian Arm fjord to race among other like-minded individuals.

Bob Putnam, co-owner of Deep Cove Kayak, said the race has grown “beyond belief” since it first began in the summer of 1998.

Putnam was running the canoe and kayak rental store when professional adventurer Dave Norona approached him, suggesting the idea of creating a weekly race among sea kayakers and surf skiers.

“I think we ran ten races that year, mostly of people in sea kayaks,” said Putnam.

“Over time the event grew, and we started to make the races multisport. Sometimes there would be a run, sometimes there would be a swim, but there was always a paddle involved.”

Sometimes the races would be dreamt up an hour in advance with more elaborate circuits, involving sprints through Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park or paddles across the water to Belcarra. Occasionally there would be partner races. After a while, the growing paddleboard community led to the more modern stand-up vessels being involved

After around three or four years, the event saw close

Deep Cove Kayak’s Bob Putnam (far right), seen here with paddlesport experts Karly and Mike Darbyshire, created the weekly Tuesday Night Race event 25 years ago, in the summer of 1998. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

Largest weekly race on continent

Continued from A22

to 150 people attending each week, said Putnam.

The multisports were never the most popular events, he added – most people preferred low-impact exercise and not everybody was great at swimming – but the paddling routes remained a hit among the water-loving locals.

One of Putnam’s most cherished moments over the event’s 25-year span includes starting and organizing the Canadian SurfSki championships in 2014, an event that has gone on to be one of the most in-demand water races around the globe.

“The paddling community in the world is very small, and with social media making it easy to connect we had people coming from all over the world: Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa,” he said.

That crowd comprised some of the best international paddlers, including Australian sprint kayaker Clint Robinson and South African canoeist, and Putnam’s “hero,” Hank McGregor.

For long-standing racers the sense of community has become just as important as the sport itself, said Putnam. During his time overseeing the event he has seen friendships formed, love sparked and even the odd marriage or two.

Deep Cove Kayak is like a “community centre for the sea,” he said The weekly race has become a fixed point in the weekly routine for many locals, as has the post-race social event at Deep Cove’s The Raven pub.

Putnam said the community will likely rally for an official anniversary event in June, when the weather is warmer.

Those who hope to try their hand at water sports should dip their toe in by attending one of the races, said Putnam. They are open to kayakers of all skill level and require no previous training, or fitness level, to start.

“Come out and try out as soon as possible. Don’t put it off,” he said. “One of the main excuses I hear is that people want to wait a little bit to get in shape before racing. Ignore that – this is the best way to get in shape.”

Everybody is nervous when they first take to the water, said Putnam, but the community is “really friendly” and full of kayakers and water skiers who started out at a beginner level.

This year’s Tuesday Night Race series runs until Sept. 10.

Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

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An event designed to help unpaid caregivers and elderlyspouses navigate their caregiving journey by providinghelpful information and supportive resources.

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HOCKEYPHENOM

North Vancouver’s Macklin Celebrini youngest ever to win HobeyBaker Award

NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com

Not only has MacklinCelebrini earned the top honour in college hockey,he’sdone it at the tender ageof17, younger thananyone to ever do it.

On Fridayevening, Celebrini was handed the Hokey BakerAwardamid the Frozen Four hockeytournament in Saint Paul, Minn.

The North Vancouver product is theyoungest player in the NCAA thisseason, is No. 1inNHL Central Scouting’smidterm rankingofNorth American players and is thirdin the collegeleague with 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in 38 games with his Boston University team. He’salso widely expected tobethe No.1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

North Vancouver’s MacklinCelebrini receives the 2024 HobeyBaker Award.

Celebrini stands out as oneofthe country’stop centres, showcasing acomprehensive,200-foot game that balances elite playmakingwith diligent defensive responsibility,said theHobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation in awrite up onthis year’s recipient.

“His blend of superior talent, hockey sense, competitive drive, and work ethic underscoreshis commitment to improvement, bothonthe ice and offit,” the foundationwrote, while listingthe many accolades rackedup

by theyoung skaterthis season.

Among thoseare honoursfor rookieofthe year and player of the year in Hockey East. Celebrini is just the fourth player to win both awards in thesame season, joining theranks of BrianLeetch (1987), fellow North Vancouver product Paul Kariya (1993) andBoston University alumJack Eichel (2015).

“It’sasurreal feeling,” Celebrini toldanNHL reporter after receiving the trophy.“It’struly an honour to win the award.”

“It was agreat season, Iloved everyminute of it. We had agreat team, and Icouldn’t be morethankful for the friendships, the relationships Imade over the last year at BU,” he said.

While Celebrini helped lead his teamtothe Frozen Four,otherwise knownasthe NCAA Division Ihockey championship, Boston fell2-1 to UniversityofDenver in overtime on Thursday.Denver went on to win the final on Saturday,shutting out Boston College 2-0.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF INTENTTOCONSIDER:

•proposedBusinessLicenceBylaw No. 4455, 2005,Amendment BylawNo. 5329,2024;and •proposed BylawNotice Enforcement BylawNo. 4368, 2004,AmendmentBylawNo. 5330,2024 inorder to add restrictions to thesale of bear spray

PublicNotice is hereby givenpursuanttosection 59(2)(a) of the CommunityCharter that it is the intent ofthe DistrictofWest Vancouver Councilto consider proposed BusinessLicenceBylaw No. 4455, 2005, Amendment BylawNo. 5329,2024 and proposed BylawNoticeEnforcement BylawNo. 4368, 2004, Amendment BylawNo. 5330,2024 at theApril 22,2024 Council meeting, which willbeheldat 7 p.m. inthe Municipal Hall Council Chamber, 75017th Street,and viaWebex communication facilities

Theproposed BusinessLicence BylawNo. 4455, 2005,Amendment Bylaw No 5329, 2024 would addnew regulations to restrict thesaleofbear spray to aperson under 19 yearsofage and requirebusinesses toproperly identify and document each salewhile ensuring the product is stored in asecurearea.

Theproposed BylawNoticeEnforcement BylawNo. 4368, 2004,Amendment BylawNo. 5330,2024 would implement newsections and fines applicable to the proposed business licenceamendments. The proposed bylaws and reportwill be availablefor viewing from April 5 to 22,2024 at Municipal Hall, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,MondaytoFriday, excludingstatutory holidays;and at westvancouver.ca

Persons whowish to makerepresentations regarding theproposed bylaws will be givenanopportunity to be heardand to present written submissionsatthe April 22,2024 Council meeting.

ENQUIRIES? Bylaw&Licensing Services: 604-925-7152

ADOPT-A-FISH

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NOTICE OF ELECTORALTERNATIVE APPROVAL PROCESS

Regional facility plan coming

Continued from A4

said Brown.

March13to April22, 2024

DETAILS:

City of NorthVancouver haslaunchedan AlternativeApproval Process to gain permission fromelectorstoborrowanamount nottoexceed $55.7milliontofinancedesignand construction of anew North ShoreNeighbourhood Houseand twoCity-ownedparks

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

•Ifyou areinfavourofthe bylawauthorizingCityCounciltoseekfinancing, no action is required.

•Ifyou areopposedtothe bylaw, please download aformorpickupa form at City of NorthVancouver City Hall. Allforms canbesubmittedvia mail or in person at City Hall.

Completedforms must be dropped off or mailedtoCityHall by 5:00pmonMondayApril 22nd, 2024.

To learnmoreabout theproject and to download forms, please visit cnv.org/aap

Unlike many indoor sports, tennis players pay all the operating costs through user fees, he added.

Tennis players have proposed that the city identify a site for a new tennis hub – at a location such as Sunrise Park near Park & Tilford – where six to eight new convertible indoor/outdoor courts could be built on a self-funding model.

So far, players say, the response has been muted

In a statement, the city acknowledged both staff and council have heard from members of the tennis community about the loss of courts.

“We understand that sport users are passionate about access to the facilities they love, however, staff are looking to provide a clear, data-centred rationale to all residents and council when it comes to decisions regarding capital expenditures,” the statement read.

The North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission is expected to complete a sport facility plan in the fall of this year, which will include an inventory of indoor and outdoor facilities, an analysis of how much those facilities are used, a look at changing demographics and community

engagement.

Funding previously earmarked for courts at Loutet Park wasn’t specifically for tennis courts, the city added – but will be guided by the results of the recreation commission’s planning process.

In contrast to the situation in the city, the District of North Vancouver has a reasonable number of outdoor tennis courts, said Brown.

West Vancouver has 29 outdoor courts. But most of them are in the western, less-populated part of the municipality, said Marcus Shapiro, a tennis society board member.

“There are really only three tennis courts down in Ambleside by the water,” he said. “They’re highly popular.”

There also aren’t any indoor public courts in West Van, said Shapiro.

A year ago, the District of West Vancouver announced tentative plans to partner with Tennis B.C. to build a tennis and pickleball facility at Hugo Ray Park. But since then, “there’s been a dearth of information and extreme tight-lippedness from West Vancouver, even though we have asked them for updates,” said Shapiro.

According to the district, “staff continue to work to explore the feasibility of that project.”

DISTRACTED DRIVING

Driveroncellphone failsto noticecop right besideher car

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com

ATesla driver caught in North Vancouver traffic wassodistracted by her cellphone she didn’t notice when a police officer pulled up beside her and repeatedly tried to get her attention.

The clued-out driver was captured on videoonMain Street near Mountain Highway April 3aspolice officers conducted distracted drivingenforcement during stopand-gorush hour traffic.

Const. Mansoor Sahak saidanofficer driving amotorcycle on the shoulder spotted the driver “clearly verydistracted on their phone” and pulled up beside the Tesla.

“The officer honked his horn acouple of times,” said Sahak. But that stillfailed to grabthe attention of the overlyabsorbed person behind the wheel. Finally, after about 15 seconds, thepolice officer turned on his siren and knocked loudly on the Tesla window.

Further attention-getting devices included a$368 ticket for distracted driving.

Sahaksaid the incident ably demonstrates how usingcellphones when behind the wheel leads to adriver’s inability to pay

attention to surroundings, including pedestrians,trafficlights and other vehicles.

In March,North Vancouver RCMP handed out141 tickets for distracted driving. Allof thosewerefor using cellphones whiledriving –ofteninhigh-crash locations during rush hour,which havebeen targeted for enforcement.

Often drivers tell police they werejust making aquick call, were stopped ata red lightorwereplugging their phone in to chargeit.

But “thelaw is veryclear,you cannot be using acellphone while in the careand controlofa motor vehicle,” said Sahak.

The onlyexceptions arephones that are mounted inthe car and take only one brief touch to answer. Phones that areonyour lap,between your legsorinacup holder count as “using” your phone while driving, evenifyou have the phone on speaker,said Sahak, adding, “It doesn’t matter that you’re stuck in traffic.”

According to ICBC statistics, the area near MainStreet and Mountain Highway is one of the top 10 crash locations in North Vancouver,with 231 collisions recorded therebetween 2018 and 2022.

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Silver HarbourSeniors'ActivityCentre

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TheSalvation Army NorthShore Ministries

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Make afull breakfast of eggs,bacon, pancakes, andsausage on the grill.Lunch burgers,grilled sandwiches,tacos.Dinner steaks,chicken satays, kabobs,flatbread pizza….

Evogrill comes in multiplemodels to best suit your needs

-Evo Affinity30G forlarge outdoor kitchens

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-Evo Affinityindoor models arethe ultimate cooking appliance forany indoor kitchen, available in a25”or 30”diameter cooktop They aredesigned forbuilt-in installationin residential indoor kitchen counters or islands Discoverour website www.alpinecanada.com formoreinformation on our products,services and the Evogrill.

Call 604-980-8889todayorvisit

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SHOP SWAP

Fresh St. to replace IGA on Esplanade

NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com

Lower Lonsdale grocery shoppers can expect a change in scenery over the coming months.

A new Fresh St. Market location will replace the IGA location at 150 Esplanade West, which has operated in North Vancouver for 22 years.

But the grocery store will remain fully open during the transition, which is expected to be complete by this fall, according to Georgia Main Food Group, a company that owns a number of IGA and Fresh St. locations in B.C.

The renovation is in its early stages, with various departments undergoing transformations, and customers can expect the same “seamless and enjoyable shopping and customer service experience” along the way, the company said.

In an emailed statement, Georgia Main CEO Gary Sorenson thanked loyal IGA customers, and said the new store will bring an “exciting” experience: “a place where you will find the best local produce and ready-to-go

foods and where you can dine-in with friends and family at your leisure.”

Once renovated, the new store will mark the second Fresh St location on the North Shore, adding to the West Vancouver market in Ambleside.

Looking at renderings of the renovated store, customers can expect elements similar to other stores, as well as some unique to the area,

Sorenson said.

“It will really reflect the Lower Lonsdale living experience with sections like our Esplanade Delicatessen, Shipyards Kitchenware – nods to its location – and more,” he said. “This Fresh St. Market location will have its first-ever Burrito Bar, a hot meal self service bar and carving station, and it will also have a seating area for customers to comfortably enjoy their food and beverages.”

“We are beyond excited to bring Fresh St. Market’s fresh food and shopping experience to Lower Lonsdale,” Sorenson said.

Dates for the store’s official opening will be announced “in the near future.”

Regarding other businesses at the 150 Esplanade West address, like Shoppers Drug Mart, a spokesperson said the grocery store’s footprint would remain the same.

In January, Georgia Main announced it was launching an “Asian grocery store experience” with Meiga Supermarket, replacing another IGA location in Port Moody

A rendering shows what the new Fresh St Market façade on Esplanade will look like upon completion The current IGA store will stay open during renovations GEORGIA MAIN FOOD GROUP

LIVEONYOURTERMS

atAmicaWestVancouver

What makesAmica WestVancouver different from otherseniorlivingresidences? Well, that’s different foreveryone. Maybeit’sour rangeofpremium amenities andengaging social activities, or ourchef-prepared mealstosuitevery appetite. Or maybeit’sknowing youcan continue to livethe lifeyou’reaccustomed to,with professional support always availableifyou need it.LifeatAmica West Vancouver canbeexactly what youwantittobe. Andthat’sthe Amicadifference.

YOURDAY,YOURWAY

You’ve always lived life on your ownterms, spendingeachday exactlyasyou please That won’tchange once youmoveto AmicaWestVancouver.“Ourresidentsare continuing to livethe same amazing lives they lived at home,”saysRonnel Sordilla, Director of Wellness. “But nowtheyget to do it with an amazingcommunityof likemindedseniors,and awonderful team that’s here to support theirevery need.”

THEONLYSCHEDULEYOU’LL FOLLOWISYOURS

Whetherit’sjoiningin on activities such as movienights, creative workshops, social events andoutings,orrelaxingwitha good book by ourcozyfireplace,atAmica West Vancouver, youset your own schedule everyday

Unlikemanyother seniorsresidences, Amica’sflexible dining means youchoose

whereand when to enjoyyourmeals:inour diningroom,inour self-serve bistro,orin thecomfort of your suite. Youcan even host your family fordinnerinour beautifulprivate diningroom

We’reheretosupport youasyou continue to thrive.Comeand go as youplease, connect with friends andfamily,and foster newrelationships with otherresidents. At AmicaWestVancouver,every dayisyours

PEACEOFMIND,FORYOUAND YOURLOVEDONES

Youmay notrequire care today, butifyou need some support with daily living, from cleaning andcookingtoassistance with dressing or getting groceries,our team will always accommodate.“We’rehereto alleviatethe stress of daily living,”says Ronnel. “Our goal is to offer support while promotingthe independenceofour residents, so they canjustfocusondoing what they love.”

Andif, down theroad, youdorequirecare, know that you’ll always have access to the professional, personalized support you need in theprivacy of your suite, as well 24/7emergency support from ourLicenced PracticalNurse

We’d love to show youwhatyourlife couldbelikeatAmica West Vancouver. Experience theAmica differencefor yourself today.

To book atour, please call CelesteLee or ChristinaMintenko at 604-921-9181

North Vancity businesses and homeownerstoshare taxhit

BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com

Residential and commercialproperty owners will be sharing equally the burden of a6.9 per cent property tax increase this year,City of North Vancouver council has decided.

Council determined last month that the increase would be necessarytocover inflation in labour costs,new programs andcapital projects. The final step in the budgetingprocess is determining how to divvy up the tax increase over the industrial, commercial, residential and other taxbases.

In recent years, council hasopted for across-the-boardincreases, although usually after athorough debate on whether to shift some of the burdenoff businesses andontohomes.

Over thelong term, thecityhas agoal to make the ratio of business tax ratesto residential ones at or belowthe median forMetroVancouver.In2023, thecity’s ratio was 3.17, meaning the commercial tax rate wasmorethan three times higher than the residential one. The median ratio for MetroVancouver in 2023 was 3.10.

This year,however,CNV council opted to widen thegap to 3.20.

What that means in reality is the averageassessed condo owner’stax bill is going up by $84 in 2024, the average single-family homeowner’s is going up by $293 and the average commercial property tax bill is going up by $1,166.

The calculations do not include the increases in other fees that come with themunicipal tax bill including Metro Vancouver utilities, TransLink taxes and school taxes.

North Vancouver Chamber CEO

Patrick Stafford-Smith urged councilto move towardacompromise and bringthe business-to-residential tax ration down closer to 3.14.

“Asyou’reaware, many businessesin North Vancouver aresuffering from many cost challenges and headwinds at the moment and need all the help they can get,” hesaid.

Council members acknowledged the concerns of the business community, but ultimately votedunanimously for an across-the-boardtax increasein2024.

“Even at the median ratio increasing, thecity is still withina competitive range in theregion,” said Coun. AngelaGirard “And opting to shift from thebusiness classtothe residentialclass wouldresult in asignificant property tax increasefor single-family residents thatIdon’t believe our residents should be absorbing.”

Coun. Don Bell, who has previously argued in favour of shifting taxes from businesses to residential,saidheworried how increasing the tax burden on residentswould impact seniors who mustget by only on government pensions.

“It’sdisappointingthatwecan’t [shift taxes from businesses to residential], but with all things considered, this isn’t the year todoitasfar as I’m concerned,” he said.

Mayor LindaBuchanan stressed that municipalities alloverare working to find something balanced.

“It’snot just our table, but every council table,” she said.“We know that forbusinesses, it is tough. It’sbeen really tough sinceCOVID, as well. But it is also tough forresidents.”

At their April 15 meeting, councilmemberspassed their2024 budget without any further debate.

First lettermailed in astreet letter box

Here is aphoto commemorating the firstletterevermailedbystreetletter box in NorthVancouver,atFifth andLonsdale, in 1910. MayorW.H.May andAldermanW.J.Irwin areshown placingletters into thebox MayorMay wasoriginally abutcher before establishinghimself in real estate andthenlocal politics. He wasfirst electedasanaldermanin1893, andin1909 becamethe City of NorthVancouver’s second mayor. Inhis time in office he sawtheinstallation of tram cars,streetlamps,and telephonelines,aswellasthe mail servicetoNorth Vancouver.

Accessing water a top priority

wildfire had grown to 20 hectares.

NSEM has activated the emergency operations centre, declared a local state of emergency and issued an evacuation order

In the mock exercise, emergency crews and supplies are brought to Camp Jubilee by boat and barge. Carrying a fixed line with cargo on the end, a Talon TwinStar helicopter flies in lines of hose and a gas-powered water pump.

After the site is assessed by team leaders, crews execute various orders around the camp. One of the exercise’s

“I can’talways be there to

key priorities is to get water onto an area where the mock fire is burning, simulated by bright-coloured tape and toilet paper on the ground.

With some tinkering, the pump gets started and the flat hoses become plump with water from a nearby creek. Along a path that winds to various sites at the yearround youth getaway, a Metro Watersheds firefighter successfully knocks down the single-ply flames.

While the day’s dangers were just fiction, the North Shore is that much more prepared for the next time real trouble sparks.

We know you want to help your momordad stay in theirhome, but you can’t always be there. However, you worry -will they be in good hands?ShyloHomeHealthcareoffers acomplementary RN assessmentfor your parentsand our computerized scheduling system lets you seewhenwevisitedand how we helped –itisa little peace of mind. Helpingyour momordad stay in theirhome is thebestway forthemtostaysafe, stay calmand carry-onwith lifeontheir terms.

Continued from A1 A map shows the area of a mock wildfire during a multi-agency training exercise held at North Vancouver’s Camp Jubilee April 11. NICK LABA / NSN

Photo: NVMA,2570

UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE

Hassell/Griblindesigned home lists for$2.4M in LionsBay

NICK LABA

nlaba@nsnews.com

An updated home that was originally designed by famed architecture firm Hassell/Griblin Associates is now on the market.

The property at 249 Bayview Rd. in Lions Bay listed on Wednesday for $2.39 million.

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home was first built in 1974,and was updated by D’Arcy Jones Architects in 2019 with the addition of astudio and patio.

Nestled on asteep slope amidtall trees, with exteriors clad in long cedar boards, the 2,317-square-foot floor space is divided betweenthe original home above, and the lower studio addition below.The structures sit on athree-quarter-acrelot.

The original home’shugewindows andskylights, sharp angles and dramatic placement exude West Coast Modern

style, with the additionbuilt to match, but with amoremodern, minimalist aesthetic. Architects RobertHassell andBarry Griblin startedworkingtogetherin 1968,and wereknown specifically for a “mineshaft modern” construction that referenced B.C.’smininghistory Often,their cedar-cladtimberframe designs were steppeduponterrain that wasconsidered“un-buildable,”but which created dynamic livingspaces.

Dramaticwindowpaneslight and exterior views intothe dining area. COURTESY OF WEST COASTMODERN

REMEMBRANCES

In loving memoryof RobWagenaar

Mar30, 1960 -April8,2023

Rob lovedbeing an Ironworker and agood unionman

He loved anything with amotor and wheels and doing thingsthat took himtothe edge of life.

He always had plans, grand ideas and lived with spontaneity

He preferred nights and so, his cousins had astar,inthe constellationAries, named forhim.

May he always shine brightly.

BALDRY,Lynda Mary

June 9, 1942 -March 15, 2024

It is withgreat sadnessthatweannounce the passingofLynda,mother,grandmother,sisterand friend.She was predeceased by husband of 47 years, Rick, andissurvived by brother Gwynne, sons Owen andMathew(Fumiko), grandchildren Kaiand Sera,and extended family in England, Canadaand Australia. She hada lustfor life and traveled extensively around the world. The family wouldlike to thank everyone at theBCCancer Agency andthe North ShorePalliativeCare Team fortheir committment and compassion. For those whowish, donationscan be made in Lyn’s memory to theBCCancer Foundation

BROWN,LynnaE.

January5,1958 −January 23, 2024

My earth angel lost her battle with cancer at the age of 66.Cherished 40years with her generosity to alland care forenvironmentalissueswithanima welfare at heart. Long timeNorth Shoreresident with many friendsfrom NVSS,BCTel (Telus), United Way, Walmartmarketing, social media, Lions Gate oncology unit,and hospice care. Celebration of Life to take placeonJune15thon theNorth Shore−locationdeterminedby attendance.Contacther spouse, Kevan, at khorncastle@shaw.cafor attendanceinformation

BOSCO, RoseSusan Victoria

March 3, 1958 -April 5, 2024

Rose passed awaypeacefully with family by her side on April 5th, 2024. Rose was born in North Vancouver,later relocating to and calling Richmond her home.Rose was aloving daughter, sister,aunt,mother, grandmother,and friend. Her lovedones meantthe world to her. Roses talents and passion forsketching, painting, sewing, playing instruments, writing poetry and music always kept her busy.She was predeceasedbyher loving parents Frank and Millie Boscoand twoofher oldersiblings.She is survived by 4siblings, 6 children, severalgrandchildren, and many nieces andnephews. Rose will be deeply missedbyall who knew her.Trisha, Matthew,and Mark, Rose’s threeeldest children, would like to invite you to Rose’s memorial mass on April 18th, 11amatSt. Edmund’sParish in North Vancouver. Aburial ceremony will follow at the Capilano View Cemetery where she will eternally rest in peace withher parents. Prayers for the family and a viewingofRose will take place inside the church at 10:15am.Her family thanks herhealth care workers and thestaff at Richmond General Hospital for the compassionate care they provided Rose in herfinal days. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for a donation to anycharity or helpful organizationof your choice in Rose’s name To write acondolence to the family,please visit www.mckenziefuneralservices.com

REMEMBRANCES

7. R0 :: #748610

PATTERSON, JoAnn Louisa

March 1, 1955 −April8,2024

GOODERHAM, June Beatrice

Born in Southport, England, June grew up with a passion for the theatre and wanting to act, but as parents do, they insisted she get a ‘real job’, which resulted in June training as a medical lab technologist. In 1964 she was recruited by an Ontario hospita to head up the r hematology lab, eventually moving on to become a lecturer at the Toronto Institute of Technology Along the way she met the love of her life and soon to be husband for next 56 years, Paddy In 1972 they moved to British Columbia and in 1978 she joined her husband and two partners in a startup electronics import and distribution business, subsequently becoming Burtek Systems. She was an integral part of the growth of the company across Canada retiring in 2002. June continued her love of the theatre and was a loyal supporter of ‘Bard on the Beach’ from its earliest days She also spent much of her early free time as a dedicated volunteer at the Vancouver Aquarium. Many of her winters were spent enjoying their second home in Whistler and the summer months cruising Howe Sound and the Gulf Islands with Paddy on their boat, Pescador, as a member of the West Vancouver Yacht Club.

June leaves her husband (Paddy), sister (Naomi) with three children and eight grandchildren in the UK, and one nephew Ian and his daughter Abi, in BC who wrote ‘You were my Grandma, the only extended family I had and I think about you every day I love you so much Junie’ Abi xoxo She wil be missed by her many friends.

There will be a celebration of life on June 14th 3.00pm at the WVYC

WOOD, Karen Louise

We are heartbroken to announce that our mum passed away on March 22, 2024.

She is survived by sons Trevor and Spencer, her mum Glenna and her partner Valentino, her brother Tony Wood and his wife Sandy, nieces Zoe and Lily, her aunt Peggy and many close family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lions Gate Hospital Foundation in Karen’s name.

Celebration of life to be held Apri 27, 2024, 2 to 4 pm, at the Hope Center, 1337 St Andrews Avenue, North Vancouver “Rest in Peace Mum”

It is with great sadness we share the passing of JoAnn. She had an amazing laugh and afierce spirit. In her younger years, she enjoyed Special Olympics bowling and was alwaysupfor aparty or anycelebration. She was predeceased by her dad, Jimmy. She is survived by her mom, Ethel, daughter Louisa, sisters Judi and Jacki, brothers Rik and Rob, and many extended family members

A private celebration will be heldinMay.

Donations to Sea to Sky Community Services are appreciated.

A Celebration of Life to honour Triona Claire O’Hea will be held on May 18, 2024 at the Capilano Rugby Club, 1910 Glenaire Drive, North Vancouver, BC from 1:30 pm

An opportunity for all to gather and celebrate the Width of beloved Triona’s life. A sharing with Family, Friends and all Loved ones

Please feel free to share if desired, memores, photos.

Triona requested that family and friends offer a song they think of when remembering her Use the link provided or contact Maura @ fossickingirl@gmai.com

https://bit.ly/memoriesoftriona

If desired bring a dish to add to potluck NO expectations. Use link if desired or contact Charito MacKay@tcmackay5@gmail.com

https://mealtrain.com/7z06m1

EWING, K. Bradley

August 21, 1950 - January 24, 2024

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of K. Bradley Ewing, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Brad, as he was affectionately known, passed away peacefully at his home in North Vancouver, BC, surrounded with love and support of his loving wife and family, on January 24, 2024. He was 73 years old.

Brad was born on August 21, 1950, in Winnipeg, Manitoba and was the eldest of three children. In Brad’s early years his family moved several times, as he experienced life across several Canadian provinces before his family settled in North Vancouver in the early 1960s

He graduated high school in North Vancouver where he enjoyed playing football and loved listening to music. During these early years Brad took up playing the guitar and joined the bands called “The Geezers” and “The High Flying Birds” in which he played in for several years with his longtime friend.

Brad was a Glass Entrepreneur, not just a worker, he was self employed his whole business career He created and enjoyed working in the glass business in which his work helped enhance the building industry

Brad was the main important link to our blended families and friends. Brad leaves behind a legacy of love and warmth that will be forever cherished by his devoted wife, brother, sister, our children, our grandchildren, great-grandchild, in-laws, and countless friends.

His Celebration of Life will be held on April 20, 2024, at 3:00 pm at St Christopher’s Church in West Vancouver, BC. To write a condolence to the family, please visit www.mckenziefuneralservices.com

REMEMBRANCES

LARSEN, Jytte Melchior

November 14, 1944 - March 30, 2024

Jytte slipped away peacefully to be with her Lord, Jesus, her parents, and her nephew Bradley Wait on March 30, 2024.

She is survived by her sisters Helen Wait (Rick), Ann Larsen and her nephews Cory Wait (Denise), Kris Larsen, 5 great nephews and nieces, cousin in Canada, Lena Yurick (Bill) along with many cousins in Denmark. She will be missed by dear friends Leah, Cheryl, Lana, Lee, Jo-Anne and James, John, and Mary along with her first Canadian friend Janet Jytte leaves behind many cherished friends through her Hair Styling Career, her Capilano Christian Community Church in North Vancouver and Westwood Community Church, Port Moody

Jytte was a hairstylist from age 17 to well into retirement She owned CJ Styling Boutique in Edgemont Village for over 40 years. One of her many joys as a Stylist was ‘first hair cuts’ for toddlers, children.

For over 20 years Jytte volunteered with NS Family Services’ inaugural Palliative Ward at Lions Gate Hospital.

Over the past several years, Jytte struggled with health issues; now at peace.

A Celebration of Life for Jytte is being held at 11:00 a.m on April 27, 2024, at Westwood Community Church, 1294 Johnson St., Coquitlam, with light lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Jytte’s nephew’s Foundation would be appreciated: www.bradwaitfoundation.ca

Expressions of sympathy can be made at www.burquitlamfuneralhome.ca

604-936-9987

CelebrationofLife

Fred and Marilyn Myers

Join us in celebrating the lives of Fred and Marilyn Myers.Thursday, May 2nd, 1−4pm, Deep Cove Yacht Club, 4420 Gallant Ave. Feel free to wear your favourite Hawaiian attire. Please confirm your attendance: fredandmarilynmemorial@gmail.com

Obituaries Obituaries

PAGE, William Charles

April 5, 1940 - April 5, 2024

I would like to share some of the many messages of condolence I received. These came from friends, young and old, who are among those fortunate people who bore witness to his strength, humour, tenacity and love: He really nspired me to never complain and to smile He was so courageous with all the hurdles he had to jump What a fighter! He was such a positive and kind person. Page was one of my favourite people. I always admired him and appreciated his calm but witty demeanour I remember my daughter being so enthralled with him as she was able at her young age to feel the kindness and wisdom from his spirit. He had a life ful of love and laughter and we are going to miss him. What a strong, brilliant, kind man he was. He truly was an amazing, smart, kind, thoughtfu man. He was a true gentleman, liked and loved by many When I think of you both I think of a true love story. This is the man we have loved and lost

SILLARS, Rosanna "Ann"

October 22, 1931 −April5,2024

It is with sadness that we announce thepassingof Ann Sillars at the age of 92. Predeceased by her husband Robert, Annwas devoted to her family daughtersLinda (Dean), Rhonda, andLouise (John); grandchildren Emily,Jack, Matthew, and Graham; great−grandchildren Ella andMiles; and relatives in CanadaandScotland. Annwill be dearly missed.

For an in−depth obituary, please go to dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/north vancouver−bc/rosanna−sillars−11762180

As yousharethe stories and the memories of howthey lived their lives and howvery much they meant, mayyou find comfort...

SCHILLER, Elizabeth Jean

February 26, 1945 – March 27, 2024

In Loving Memory

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, Mom and Grandma.

Elizabeth (Betty) passed away at the North Shore Hospice at the age of 79 She was predeceased by her parents Jean and Fred and is survived by her husband Dan, brother Bob, daughters Andrea (Per), Margo (AJ) and Julie (Kevin) and grandchildren Ruth, Desmond, Owen and Rosa

Betty was born in Vancouver and grew up in the Kerrisdale area. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Education and later earned an Early Childhood Education diploma Betty married Dan in 1973, and they settled in North Vancouver where they raised their three children and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary

Betty spent her working years teaching elementary school in Vancouver, and preschool in North Vancouver She touched many children and families throughout her career, often running into former students and parents while out in the community

After retirement Betty fulfilled her lifelong dream of traveling the world, visiting South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. She cherished her family and friends and spent time with them as often as she could.

Betty will be remembered for her positive energy and outlook, always seeing the good in every situation. She was courageous and brave, never gave up, and continued to live the best life possible during her time with cancer

Her family wishes to thank all of Betty’s doctors and the medical teams at Vancouver Coastal Health who took such good care of her

Betty will be dearly missed and never forgotten.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the future.

Themoreyougive, Themoreyouget, Themoreyoulaugh, Thelessyoufret. Themoreyoudo unselfishly.

Themoreyoulive abundantly. Themoreof everythingyou share, Themoreyou’ll alwayshavetospare. Themoreyoulove, themoreyou’llfind, Thatlifeisgoodand friendsarekind. Foronlywhatwe giveaway, Enrichesus fromdaytoday.

Celebrate the lives of loved ones with your stories, photographs and tributes

TeresaPiercey-Gates

Probate made easy. WestcoastWills &Estates

604-230-1068

westcoastwills.com *A lawcorporation

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