Royal City Record December 31 2014

N E W

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

W E S T M I N S T E R

AWARDS: The worst brought out the best in us P8



NEWS,

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OPINION

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Headline makers and head shakers of 2014 New Year’s Eve is here – and, for those of us in the newsroom, what better time to pause, reflect and remember all that’s happened in New Westminster in 2014.

When it comes to news headlines, New Westminster has never been short of things to write about. This may be a small city, but what it may lack in population it makes up for in passion.

Earlier this month, The Record editorial team sat down to discuss the top stories of the year. Our collection of awards, honours and special mentions include The News Story of the Year, The Newsmaker of the Year, and several other awards, such as The Best Bogeyman and the Take Your Ball and Go Home Award.

We’ve also got some heartwarming

awards, and, of course, nods to the lively arts scene in this town.

Our choices are obviously subjective. How can one really decide between traffic and the downtown renaissance?

Between the chap who dethroned a longtime mayor, or that mayor himself?

We don’t pretend these “awards” can possibly touch on everything important

or ironic that happened this year – but they are a good sampling.

A big thank you to all of our newsmakers and those who pass on news tips and ideas – we couldn’t do it without you! Go to www.royalcityrecord.com to check out the awards that just couldn’t fit into this print edition.

And, of course, Happy New Year!

◗ NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR/JONATHAN X. COTE

Top politico watched – and counted – his steps V

eteran councillor Jonathan X. Cote took on a four-term mayor – and came out on top in November’s civic election.

Cote was born in New Westminster and moved around the Lower Mainland before returning to the Royal City 12 years ago and getting to work at making his mark on the city. The newly appointed mayor is The Record’s 2014 Newsmaker of the Year.

While Cote’s election win didn’t come until late in the year, the three-term councillor was busy all year long, juggling a job at ICBC and council duties that included co-chairing the city’s master transportation plan committee, as well as completing a masters in urban studies at Simon Fraser University and enjoying some family time with his wife and three young daughters.

When council meetings went on hiatus for the summer, Mayor Wayne Wright headed Down Under for a vacation in Australia. There wasn’t a lot of R&R for Cote, who spent the time pounding the pavement in his quest to become New Westminster’s next mayor.

By the time Wright announced in September that he’d be seeking re-election, Cote had already hit the campaign trail, knocking on doors and consulting on platform issues. Cote had a plan – and it was a winning one.

Shortly after announcing his plan to run for mayor, past and present NDP politicos and party supporters started throwing their support, which had often gone to Wright in the past, behind Cote.

While he had significant support from “the machine,” Cote also garnered tremendous grassroots support from young and old

who joined him at berma-shaves and other campaign activities in the fall.

While many thought the race between the incumbent councillor and the incumbent mayor would be tight, Cote topped every poll in the city. As the polls reported on election night, Cote’s lead grew, eventually leaving him more than 2,500 votes ahead of Wright and miles ahead of challengers James Crosty and Vladimir Krasnogor.

“We are so proud of the campaign we ran,” Cote told The Record after the election. “It was interesting because we could see in the last two weeks something was happening out there.”

During the campaign, Cote logged 1.1 million steps and knocked on 5,000 doors – something that gave him a good sense of what was happening “on the ground level” among voters.

In the days that followed the election win, Cote did something he hadn’t done for a couple of months.

“I have been catching up on a bit of sleep which is nice,” he said. “For the last two nights I have slept longer than five hours – I haven’t done that in over two months. To have two dinners at home with the whole family, I don’t think we have done that in a couple of months either. It was nice to take a bit of time off.”

Cote, who was sworn in as New Westminster’s mayor or Dec. 1, wasted no time in making a few changes at city hall.

At his first official meeting on Dec. 8, he introduced three new mayors’ task forces and a new committee.

“I did set out a very ambitious policy platform,” he told The Record. “I do think

File photo/THE RECORD

New mayor at the helm: Jonathan Cote breezed to victory on election night, winning every poll in New Westminster. The three-term councillor and newly elected mayor is The Record’s Newsmaker of the Year for 2014. it was very pragmatic and very doable but it’s going to require a lot of work.”

Cote quickly introduced a change to a longstanding practice at council meetings that allowed council members to talk about the events and meetings they’d attended since the previous council meeting. An announcements section aims to help speed up the meetings and make reports more meaningful.

Cote also got up to speed on his new role as a member of the Mayors’ Council

Wishing You A Happy New Year!

Tracey Davies REALTOR

on Regional Transportation and threw his support behind the mayors’ council’s proposed referendum question concerning transit and transportation funding in the region.

With no shortage of issues on the city’s radar, we’ll soon see what mark Cote – whose middle name Xerxes comes from a Persian king who is also known as Xerxes The Great – will leave on the Royal City in the years ahead.

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The Record • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • 3

◗IN THE NEWS Runner up: Wayne Wright ◗P5 A city with heart ◗P8

◗ NEWS STORY OF THE YEAR/DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE

From dope dealers to food trucks

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rowds descended downtown this fall for two seminal events that marked the culmination of a decade of turning around the downtown.

The opening of the Anvil Centre, an anchoring community facility on the corner of Eighth and Columbia streets, and the unveiling of the Wait for Me, Daddy sculpture, a Second World War memorial at Hyack Square, were two of the biggest events in the city’s recent history.

Both structures stand as physical markers to the renaissance of New Westminster’s downtown. And just over the train tracks lies the city’s new Westminster Pier Park – yet another controversial project which seals the Downtown renaissance as The Record’s News Story of the Year. ◆ A decade ago, the same swath of land that the Anvil Center and Wait for Me, Daddy resides on was littered with drug activity and a general air of urban neglect.

Years of looking upwards had taken its toll, but a new mayor with a distinctly downtown focus had taken office. Early on, Wayne Wright ran on a campaign to maximize the potential of the waterfront neighbourhood.

But he didn’t do it alone. Many on council, including current Mayor Jonathan Cote, supported that vision, voting (as a councillor) in favour of the hefty $86.4 million budget for the Anvil Centre project, which drew thousands of curious residents for its much-anticipated opening in September.

The local Twitterati raved about the venue, which is home to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, a Tourism New Westminster kiosk, a state-of-the-art theatre, a conference centre and a number of cultural spaces where a variety of programs will be offered.

The modern structure stands on the corner of Eighth and Columbia streets across from what was once the epicenter of drug dealing at the New Westminster SkyTrain station.

Across the street the other way, on the south side is the Wait for Me, Daddy sculpture, a large bronze rendering of Claude P. Dettloff’s iconic photograph of Warren (Whitey) Bernard racing out to touch the hand of his father, marching down Eighth Street with a row of soldiers

File photo/THE RECORD

A vision realized: A new civic convention centre, a new sculpture paying tribute to an iconic photo, and a waterfront park made for fun – downtown New West is truly a changed area. on their way to war.

The Oct. 4 unveiling event garnered plenty of media attention to the city. One has to wonder if such a piece of art would have been erected in the same spot 10 years earlier? ◆ Downtown’s metamorphosis didn’t happen in a single year. It was a slow push, with luck also playing a part in the neighbourhood’s scrub down.

Drug dealing practices have changed to a certain extent, with Dial-a-Dope operations (where drug dealers are called for a sale) have taken over some of the oldfashioned street-level dealing, Sgt. Chad Johnston, spokesperson for the New Westminster Police Department, told The Record.

Crime statistics for downtown New West show that rates have dropped significantly in drug offences, going from 200 incidents in 2006 and 239 in 2007 to 70 (up to the end of November) so far this year.

Another factor blowing new life to downtown are the many residential towers that have crept up over the last decade (too quickly perhaps for some).

But even in the good times, the city hasn’t shoved out the area’s vulnerable residents, partnering with provincial and

local agencies to create shelters and emergency housing.

The Westminster Pier Park, the Shops at New West, the revitalized River Market and sophisticated Gastown-style development have all also had a hand in the shifting downtown core.

While Columbia Street might not be the Golden Mile it was 60 years ago, the area

has emerged with new life and a unique vibe. It’s reclaimed a new kind of prominence – without any pretension – in the Lower Mainland. And the new landmarks will shape and define the neighbourhood.

Now that the downtown has undergone a rebirth, it will be interesting to watch where the neighbourhood goes from here.

– By Niki Hope

◗ NEWS STORY OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UPS

The All Roads Lead to New West and more political battles

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his one is also known as the All Roads Lead to New West – and We Can’t Stand It – Award. Chances are pretty good you’d have to have been stuck under a rock for most of 2014 to

have missed the ongoing debate about traffic or bridges in New Westminster.

Whether it was the city’s ongoing support for a single-lane Bailey bridge while Coquitlam fought for a two-lane crossing

Last week’s question Are you making any new year’s resolutions?

YES 39% NO 61% This week’s question Did you stick to your new year’s resolutions from last year?

Vote at: www.royalcityrecord.com

6

Opinion

6,7 Letters

or concerns about increases in truck traffic after tolls enticed motorists to veer away from the new Port Mann Bridge and take the free Pattullo crossing, New West made regular headlines – and traffic

19 Sports

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The Bay*

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Shoppers Drug Canada*

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reports. With transportation being the top issue in the city (not to mention the civic election), it’s a pretty safe bet to say it will continue to be a hot topic in 2015. ◗AWARDS Page 5

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4 • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • The Record

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 40 (NEW WESTMINSTER) 1001 Columbia Street, New Westminster BC V3M 1C4 Phone: (604) 517-6240 Fax: (604) 517-6390 http://www.sd40.bc.ca

REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR THE 2015/16 SCHOOL YEAR ALTERNATE PROGRAMS

GENERAL INFORMATION RETURNING STUDENTS If your child was in an SD No. 40 (New Westminster) school or program last year, s/he is automatically registered at the same school or program s/he attended last year in the next grade, as noted on her/his report card.

NEW STUDENTS: KINDERGARTEN Children who were born in 2010 are eligible to begin school in September 2015. Kindergarten registration for the 2015/16 school year begins on Monday, January 12th at elementary schools.

All elementary schools have exclusively FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN programs.

All Kindergarten students register at their neighbourhood school, even if they have applied for Programs of Choice. At the time of registration, please bring the following original documents: the child’s birth certificate, immunization record, health care card and two current proofs of residence. You may also need proof of legal status in Canada (see http:// www.sd40.bc.ca for info). Contact the School Board Office to find out your neighbourhood school (see contact information above).

NEW STUDENTS: ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE

successfully completed courses can earn university credit. NWSS offers NWSS pre-IB Honours courses to students in grades 9 and 10 and IB courses to students in grades 11 and 12.

For more information on the International Baccalaureate Program, call (604) 517-5932 or visit the NWSS IB website at: http://www.sd40.bc.ca/nwss-ib/.

FRENCH IMMERSION/MONTESSORI

PLEASE NOTE:

Location: 1001 Columbia Street*. * Until June 30, 2015. New location to be announced.

Registrations for Programs of Choice are accepted at the Columbia Square Office reception, 1001 Columbia Street, 1st Floor. Please bring your child’s original birth certificate (with translation, if necessary). Please bring two current proofs of residence. For information, call (604) 517-6333.

EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION (EFI) Locations: École Herbert Spencer (Grades K-5), École Qayqayt (Grades K-5) and École Lord Tweedsmuir (Grades K-5).

1. In-Catchment

LATE FRENCH IMMERSION (LFI)

Out-of-catchment and in-district students register first at their neighbourhood school. They then fill out a Cross Boundary Form at their neighbourhood school during office hours between 9:30 a.m., Monday, January 26th and Friday, March 13th, at 3:00 p.m. Admission decisions at the desired school or program may not be made before 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5th.

3. Out-of-District Out-of-district students apply for admission during office hours between 9:30 a.m., Monday, January 26th and Friday, March 13th, at 3:00 p.m. Admission decisions may not be made before 3:00 p.m., Friday, June 5th.

NEW WESTMINSTER SECONDARY SCHOOL (NWSS) Students not enrolled in NWSS feeder schools may apply to register at NWSS beginning Wednesday, April 1st, 9:00 a.m.—12:00 noon only and daily thereafter from 9:00 a.m.—12:00 noon. Applications for OUT-OFDISTRICT students are subject to available spaces and resources.

Information Meeting: A session for new students in grades 8 and 9 and their parents will be held on Monday, March 2nd at New Westminster Secondary School, 835 Eighth Street.

For more information contact (604) 517-6220.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) PROGRAM Location: NWSS. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is a rigorous pre-university course of studies that meets the needs of highly motivated secondary students. The IB graduation diploma is recognized world-wide and

This is an academic program to complete Grades 8, 9, and 10 with social and life-skills support for students 13 to 15 years of age. The program provides a transition to regular or alternate secondary school programs.

For more information call (604) 517-6194.

EFI Information Meeting: École Qayqayt School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library on November 5, 2015.

This meeting is for parents to learn about the program and decide if it is appropriate for their child. See also http://www.cpf.ca.

2. Out-of-Catchment AND In-District

Location: Location: 1001 Columbia Street*. * Until June 30, 2015. New location to be announced.

For information about the District’s continuous registration process for Programs of Choice, visit our website at http:// www.sd40.bc.ca. The link to French Immersion and Montessori is under Programs.

All new students register FIRST at their neighbourhood school. At the time of registration, please bring the following original documents: the child’s birth certificate, immunization record, health care card and two current proofs of residence. You may also need proof of legal status in Canada (see http://www.sd40.bc.ca for info).

Applications from new students are date and time stamped to be accommodated in order of:

Applications are now accepted to enroll for the next school year. Apply at your neighbourhood school between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding days schools are closed). Students are guaranteed a place in their catchment (neighbourhood) school provided they have registered by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2015.

ROYAL CITY ALTERNATE PROGRAM (RCAP)

Location: École Glenbrook Middle School (Grades 6-8).

Information Meeting: École Glenbrook Middle School (701 Park Crescent) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room on February 11, 2015.

This meeting is for parents and students to learn about Late French Immersion and the application process.

POWER (Planning, Ownership, Work, Education, Respect)

This secondary school completion program for youth 16 to 18 years of age offers self-paced and classroom courses, one-on-one tutoring, grade 12 graduation (Dogwood), work experience and jobsearch skills, field trips and outdoor activities and personal counselling.

Second term intakes will occur the week of January 5, 2015.

For more information call (604) 517-6159 or visit the POWER website at http://district.sd40.bc.ca/power/about.

SIGMA Location: 835 Eighth Street.

The Sigma Program (located inside New Westminster Secondary School) is for youth aged 16 - 18. A variety of grade 10, 11, and 12 courses are offered leading to a BC Dogwood Graduation.

Sigma is a semestered school with structured classes, one-on-one instruction, individualized programming, and personal student support.

Please call 604-517-6 292 sigma@sd40.bc.ca to register.

or

e mail

MONTESSORI Locations: Connaught Heights (Grades K-5) and Richard McBride (Grades K-5).

Montessori Information Meeting: Richard McBride School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library on November 4, 2015. This meeting is for parents to learn about the program and decide if it is appropriate for their child. See also http://www.newwestmontessori.ca.

PUNJABI AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (PSL) Locations: Queensborough Middle School (Grades 5-8) and NWSS (Grades 11 & 12).

For more information on registering for Punjabi courses, contact the schools: Queensborough Middle School

(604) 517-6040

NWSS

(604) 517-6220

HOME LEARNERS’ PROGRAM (HLP) Locations: 521 Fader Street and Bowen Island.

Enrolment applications are now being accepted for the 2015/16 school year. Are you looking to play an active, hands-on role in your child’s education? Have you ever thought of Home Learning but not sure how? Why not investigate your options with the School District No. 40 Home Learners’ Program? Campuses are located in: New Westminster Bowen Island

(604) 517-5917 http://www.sd40.bc.ca/nwhl (604) 947-0700 http://www.islanddiscovery.ca

COMMUNITY EDUCATION Adult Academic Programs and English Language Learning

 Free programming for BC residents who have not already graduated

 Complete high school graduation  Prepare yourself for post-secondary training  Upgrade your English skills Columbia Square Adult Learning Centre

Pearson Adult Learning Centre

1001 Columbia Street* New Westminster (604) 517-6191 http://www.ce40.ca * Until June 30, 2015; New location to be announced.

835 8th Street @ New West Secondary (604) 517-6286 http://www.palc.net

Virtual School Do you need a school that’s open when you’re ready to study? Take high school credit courses online and achieve your educational goals.

Upgrade your English, Math, Social Studies and Science knowledge, and grades. The Virtual School Program is open to both high school students and adults. To find out more, call (604) 517-6191 or visit us online: http://www.nwvss.ca for students under 19 http://www.virtualschoolbc.com for adults

The Record • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • 5

◗ CONTROVERSY OF THE YEAR AWARD/NO SOCCER FOR YOU

Score: Whitecaps 0 – City 0

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ontroversy of the year (also known as the Take Your Ball and Go Home Award): When soccer legend Bobby Lenarduzzi came to the Royal City to announce Vancouver Whitecaps FC had signed a memorandum of understanding with the city to bring a pro soccer franchise to Queen’s Park Stadium, it seemed like the proposal was going to hit it out of the park. Two months later, it was game over for the proposal that sadly pitted the soccer and baseball communities on opposite sides of the debate. Critics raised the yellow card about the costs to the city, the loss of a field for baseball, alterations to the stadium and the potential loss of some trees, while supporters highlighted economic benefits, rejuvenation of the stadium and perks for local youth soccer players.

Ultimately, city council determined that the financials didn’t work and rejected the

plan.

Controversy of the Year runner up: WOW New Westminster If art is supposed to get folks talking, a proposed public art installation on New Westminster’s waterfront did just that. City council agreed to support three art installations as part of the Vancouver Biennale – and then saw what was being proposed for Westminster Pier Park. WOW New Westminster didn’t wow council, but the project ultimately got enough support to move forward. By year-end, however, city staff and Biennale officials were still trying to seal the deal that would allow the installations to come to New West in 2015.

File photo/THE RECORD

Getting support: Whitecaps CEO and president Bob Lenarduzzi fielded media ques-

tions following a press conference held by three local groups supportive of a pro soccer plan for Queen’s Park Stadium.

◗ NEWS STORY OF THE YEAR – RUNNER UP/WAYNE WRIGHT LOSES

Goodbye and good luck:

Wayne Wright was defeated as New Westminster’s mayor in the Nov. 15 civic election. Had he won a fifth term, he would have been the longest serving mayor in the city’s history.

T

Clean sweep in – and out

he Goodbye and Good Luck Award goes to Wayne Wright, who served as New Westminster’s mayor for 12 years prior to November’s civic election. Credited by many for leading a renaissance of the city downtown – by pushing for the creation of Westminster Pier Park and the Anvil Centre civic facility and office tower – Wright lost his re-election bid to council colleague

Jonathan Cote. The likeable mayor beat out Helen Sparkes 12 years ago with a promise to sweep out the old and revitalize the city. Although he won’t serve a record-setting stint as mayor, we reckon we haven’t seen the last of this longtime New Westminster resident and businessman. ◗AWARDS Page 8

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With nearly a dozen years in the hair

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6 • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • The Record

◗ Your view:

To include your letter, use our online form at www.royalcityrecord.com, contact us by email at editorial@royalcityrecord.com, or fax to 604-444-3460.

2014: A Year in Cartoons

Rice says: Clockwise from top left, Ingrid Rice took aim at the teachers’ dispute in January, the Olympics in February, the anti-vaccine movement in March, the Senate in May and the radicalization of Canadian youth in July.

How Ingrid saw it From the local to the national, there aren’t many headlines that elude the eagle eye of cartoonist Ingrid Rice.

Rice (shown in a self-portrait at right) is responsible for the cartoons that grace our editorial pages throughout the year.

She began her career in 1992, freelancing to The Vancouver Sun, and started

to syndicate her work across Canada in 1994.

In celebration of the year past, we’ve chosen a few of our favourite images from 2014 to pay tribute to her work.

She’ll make you laugh.

She’ll make you groan.

Sometimes she’ll even make you cry.

And, most of all, she’ll make you think.

Alvin Brouwer

2013

CCNA BLUE RIBBON

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The Record • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • 7

THE YEAR IN CARTOONS

As she saw it: Ingrid Rice turned her pen to the teachers’ strike in September (above), and the Parliament Hill shootings in October, at right.

Dr. Sara Bishara

Welcomes Dr. Sara Bishara to the New Westminster dentistry team!

To complement Dr. Bishara’s general dentistry expertise, she will also be bringing to our New Westminster community further services in Pediatric dentistry (children) plus a focus on the medically complex patient. Dr. Bishara’s style of patient care is one of warmth, patience, and understanding .... the calm relaxation of the patient is always a priority.

In addition to her private practice, Dr. Bishara volunteers with international missions bringing critically needed dentistry to underserved populations in Mexico and Guatemala. Soon, Dr. Bishara will be joining another dental brigade to serve in a remote region of the Amazon.

Feds under fire: Ingrid Rice took aim at Stephen Harper’s government in October with the muzzling of scientists, and in November with the treatment of veterans.

For more cartoons, scan with Layar

Currently, Dr. Bishara holds the position of part-time staff at Vancouver Coastal Health involving medically complex care, teaching hospital dentistry to dental residents, and providing emergency on-call coverage for Vancouver General Hospital. She graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2005 and continued her studies by completing a General Practice Residency through UBC.

NEW PATIENTS HAPPILY ACCEPTED! Dr. Douglas Lovely & Associates wishes all of our patients and their families warm Holiday wishes with sincere appreciation for once again voting us your #1 Dentist in New Westminster. Thank you!

609 Sixth Street, New Westminster 604-524-4981 newwestminsterdentists.com Hours: Monday: 8am – 7pm • Tuesday: 9am – 5pm • Wednesday: 8am – 8pm Thursday: 8am – 8pm • Friday: 9am – 5pm • Saturday: 9am – 5pm • Sun & Holidays: Closed

8 • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • The Record

◗ COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD/ASH STREET FIRE RESPONSE

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A city with heart

ragedy struck on Jan. 31 when the apartment building at 404 Ash St. went up in flames, leaving the tenants of the 31-unit building without a home.

But what rose from the ashes was something quite commendable.

New Westminster residents, shocked at what had happened, came to the rescue of the tenants. They donated cash, household items and clothing to the displaced tenants to help them get back on their feet.

More than $18,000 was collected to help pay for dental services, while

Save-On-Foods, Thrifty Foods and St. Vincent De Paul Society at St. Peter’s Church contributed $3,000, $500 and $4,000 in gift cards respectively.

Even the kids at Richard McBride Elementary School raised $528.

St. Barnabas Church collected so many donations that it held a rummage sale to sell off remaining items.

Proceeds from the sale, which came in just shy of $1,000, were donated to a fire relief fund for the victims.

All in all, it was an amazing show of compassion by residents of New Westminster.

◗A ‘WIN FOR THE LITTLE GUY’ AWARD/VICTORIA HILL

The ratrunner wars

I

f there’s one thing New Westminster residents can agree on, it’s their collective disdain for ratrunners. You know the type – folks who drive down back alleys, laneways or residential streets trying to cut the line onto the Pattullo Bridge.

So when ratrunners started clogging up Ross Drive and Francis Way in the quiet Victoria Hill neighbourhood in order to cut onto McBride Boulevard from Memorial Drive at rush hour, residents took

their outrage straight to the top.

The seven stratas within Victoria Hill proposed that the city install a “no-left-turn” sign at Memorial Drive, effective only during rush hour. While the city approved the request, it wasn’t until firefighters took 30 minutes to respond to an alarm in the neighbourhood that it moved up the installation.

The afternoon the sign was installed, residents were celebrating their win over the ratrunners with champagne and cheers.

File photo/THE RECORD

Fire gutted an apartment on Ash Street on Jan. 31, leaving many without homes.

◗THE HEAD-SCRATCHER AWARD/OR ‘LET THEM EAT WHAT WE GIVE THEM’ AWARD

I

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Residents even launched a petition to try to save Thrifty’s, but in the end the switcheroo went through. As a result of the whole saga, today New West has lost a Thrifty’s and a

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Oh, and reportedly Pattison’s Buy-Low Foods is moving into the Westminster Centre Mall space formerly occupied by Save-OnFoods.

Now is that a recipe for healthy competition? ◗AWARDS Page 15

The Record • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • 9

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New West firefighters get chippy for a cause New Westminster firefighters are gearing up for their second-biggest fundraiser.

The New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society is holding its Christmas tree chipping event on Saturday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, Jan. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Canada Games Pool parking lot.

Next to the biannual Hydrant Cup hockey game with the Vancouver Canucks Alumni, the tree chipping is the group’s biggest fundraiser. The event includes a barbecue, popcorn, music, face painting and fire extinguisher demonstrations.

Trees will be chipped and recycled by donation, with proceeds going to the char-

itable society.

Each year, the society dispenses funds to a variety of organizations that help those in need in New Westminster, including the pediatrics department at Royal Columbian Hospital, the meal programs at St. Barnabas Church, inner city schools and the Union Gospel Mission.

The Scouts will be holding a bottle drive at the same time as the tree-chipping event. Anyone with recyclable bottles and cans is welcome to drop them off to help support adventure, outdoor experiences and friendship for New West youth.

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◗ IN THE COMMUNITY

Good people make the city a better place ◗P14 Never underestimate a cat ◗P15

WHO CAPTURED OUR NEW WEST AR TS EDITOR’S EYES AND EARS IN 2014?

The halls were alive with talent in 2014 W

ith the end of the year upon us, it seems only fitting that I take some time to look back at the year that was and highlight some of the amazing stories and people that came to my attention this year.

There’s no denying it was a big year for the arts and entertainment scene in New West: With the JULIE MACLELLAN opening of the incredible new Anvil Centre downtown, arts and culture has a more visible and prominent place in the city than ever before.

And, as always, there’s talent busting out all over in this fair city of ours.

So, without further ado, I present my year-end “awards” for the movers and shakers on the arts scene in 2014.

At left: The Royal City Musical Theatre’s Annie was powered by a showstopping orphan chorus when it hit the stage in April.

Tim Matheson/ CONTRIBUTED

ON MY BEAT

Below: Cassius Khan, a.k.a. The Tabla Tornado, is onehalf of the husband-and-wife team that produces the Mushtari Begum Festival of Classical Indian Music and Dance.

BEST ARTS NEWS:

Hands down, I’ve got to give this one to the above-mentioned opening of the shiny new Anvil Centre. With the museum, gallery space, the New Media Gallery, the fantastic new theatre, studio spaces and so much more – not to mention a full schedule of incredible programs and classes for the community – this new facility stands to put New Westminster on the arts and culture map.

But it wasn’t the only good newsy story on the arts scene: I give my runnerup nod in this category to city council’s decision to accept three pieces of public art through the Vancouver Biennale program. The controversy over WOW New Westminster at Westminster Pier Park – and city council’s resulting decision in favour of the piece – started an interesting discussion over the value of public art. Now, the only downside here is that the pieces haven’t actually been installed in New West yet. Various issues have pushed the installations back to the spring of 2015. But keep your eyes open for Blue Trees by Konstantin Dimopolous on Columbia Street, Public Furniture/Urban Trees by Hugo Franca at a to-be-determined location and WOW New Westminster by Jose Resende, at Pier Park.

BEST SOURCE OF ARTISTIC INSPIRATION:

This one’s also a no-brainer: Wait For Me, Daddy. While Claude P. Dettloff’s iconic Second World War photo became the inspiration for the new sculpture in Hyack Square, the sculpture itself became the inspiration for a number of related arts events – including a literary evening, a poetry walk around downtown New Westminster and a visual art exhibition at the Anvil Centre. It’s clear that the photograph and the themes of family, war, love and loss still resonate with all of us.

Check

File photo/THE RECORD

File photo/THE RECORD

From left, Dwayne Campbell, Elizabeth and Hugh Elwood, at the Bernie Legge Theatre, are honorary life board members of the Vagabond Players. The group earns our Best Volunteer-Driven Effort award of the year.

And the amount of artistic output around this one piece has been incredible – and inspiring – to see.

BEST LITTLE COMPANY THAT COULD:

They’re a husband-and-wife team living right here in New Westminster – and together they’re producing some of the finest musical theatre you’ll find anywhere. Yes, I’m talking about Peter Jorgensen and Katey Wright and Patrick Street Productions, which had its firstever two-production season this past year.

Not only did Jorgensen create his own Rodgers and Hammerstein revue, Out of a Dream (which ran to great success at Vancouver’s York Theatre), the company also staged Adam Guettel’s Floyd Collins – and even flew in the Broadway superstar composer for a workshop and public appearance. Floyd Collins even travelled all the way to Barrie, Ont. (my hometown, as coincidence has it) for a co-production with that city’s Talk Is Free Theatre. And this coming year looks like another busy one for the company: Out of a Dream is finding new life at the Gateway Theatre in Richmond and the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam, and Patrick Street is

also working on a new partnership with Touchstone Theatre – an adaptation of Terry Fallis’s novel The Best-Laid Plans.

The theatre world is eagerly awaiting to see what this amazing professional company comes up with next – and so am I.

BEST CROWD PLEASER:

There’s no doubt there’s been a great deal of fine entertainment on offer over the past year, but this one’s gotta go to Royal City Musical Theatre for its amazing production of Annie in April. Powered by the talents of Steve Maddock as Oliver Warbucks and young Julia MacLean as Annie, the musical hit all the right notes in its vocal talent, choreography, staging, costumes and overall heartwarming feel.

I wanted to adopt all the orphans by the end of the night, and I know I wasn’t

www.RoyalCityRecord.com for breaking news, photo galleries, blogs and more

◗Arts Page12

12 • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • The Record

Arts: Talent galore in city scene of 2014 ◗ continued from page 11

alone. The production I saw got a standing ovation, and the musical generated a whole lotta buzz around the city and beyond. It’ll be tough to top this smashing success in 2015 – but if anyone can do it, RCMT can. (And psst, have you bought your tickets for RCMT’s My Fair Lady yet?)

BEST VOLUNTEERDRIVEN EFFORT:

That New Westminster has a theatre company that’s been operating for more than 75 years says an awful lot about the host of people who make it all happen. The Vagabond Players group – which grew out of the Unity Club at St. Aidan’s Church in the 1920s and has been operating in its current form since 1937 – is one of the rare community theatre companies anywhere that still produces a full season of theatre for local audiences. Operating out of the Bernie Legge Theatre at Queen’s Park, the company stages a range of plays every year and each year makes it a mission to tackle at least one more artistically challenging effort – this past year, that was Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet). This grande dame of the local theatre scene continues to draw in appreciative audiences from New Westminster and beyond, providing affordable and enjoyable theatre right here at home.

You can’t get better than that.

BEST RISING STARS:

Every year, I have the privilege of meeting young and emerging artists who may not yet be widely known but who are out there already displaying such talent and conviction that you just know they have to go places. It’s tough to choose just one talent, but this year, I’m giving the nod to VanDeca. The self-directed

choral ensemble from New Westminster builds on the individual strengths of each of its members and creates a flexible sound that can transition from current chart hits to early music with ease. The group is chock full of young talent – but, more to the point, they’ve also got the drive, the energy and the community spirit to take themselves places. They’re becoming a ubiquitous presence at community events in New Westminster and beyond, and they just held a holiday benefit concert for L’Arche Greater Vancouver. I can’t wait to see what they have in store in 2015 – the sky’s the limit for this group, and I’m ready to say “I knew them when.”

BEST ARTS FESTIVAL:

It hardly seems fair to narrow this down to one choice, given the amazing amount of events in the city, but this year, I’m going to give the nod to the Mushtari Begum Festival. The festival of classical Indian music and dance, produced by Queensborough’s husband-and-wife team of Cassius Khan and Amika Kushwaha, brings incredible international talent to the stage at Massey Theatre – and opens the doors of classical Indian music to a broader audience. This festival is destined to keep on growing as word spreads through Canada and India that New West is the place to be to hear world-class classical music.

Runner-up: New West Doc Fest.

The film fest returned to the Landmark Cinemas for this year’s fourth annual outing, and once again showed a mix of thought-provoking and crowd-pleasing offerings - including their first nondocumentary screening, Boyhood. Next year they’re

At left: Peter Jorgensen is one of the co-artistic producers of Patrick Street Productions, this year’s Best Little Company That Could.

Below: Susan Greig runs 100 Braid Street Studios, where a new Artism program offers a place for people with autism and other special needs, this year’s Best New Arts Program. looking to expand their offerings even further to encompass more nondocumentary films and become more of a general film festival – but without losing their roots as a “festival with a cause.”

BEST NEW ARTS PROGRAM:

I found out about this one when I was writing about an open house at the new 100 Braid Street Studios, and it deserves its own mention here.

Studio owner Susan Greig not only offers a place for professional artists to create and show their work, she provides a wide range of classes for people of all ages. The most special of those? Artism, and art program designed specially for children with autism and other special needs.

It offers an inclusive and welcoming environment for people who might be challenged to fit in traditional art classes.

Run by Greig and fellow artist Cliff Blank, along with volunteers and an occupational therapist, it’s

helping to open up new worlds for all kinds of people. That’s what I call art at its best.

To all of the above-mentioned folks, and to everyone out there creating art of all kinds in our city: I salute you. You are all helping to make our city a better place to live, and your efforts are not going unnoticed.

A very Merry Christmas and the warmest wishes for

File photos/THE RECORD

the new year to all of you.

or find her on Twitter, @ juliemaclellan. Your feedback could appear in an upcoming edition.

Who were your favourite movers and shakers on the arts scene in 2014? What was the best local production you saw? Who should we watch for in the coming year? Send your comments and ideas to Julie, jmac lellan@royalcityrecord.com,

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◗ AWARDS/ ‘IF EVERYONE WERE LIKE THEM, THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE’

Or, who says there’s no good news?

S

ome may accuse the media of being driven by “bad news” and always looking for the down side to get a better headline.

That might well be true.

But here at the The Record, we’re proud of the fact that we’re also always looking for the up side – and for the people who fill the community with the kind of “good news” that we all need more of in our lives.

At the end of the year, we like to take a look back at some of those people we’ve encountered throughout the year – and we salute them with our “If Everyone Were Like Them, The World Would Be a Better Place” award.

Here are our winners from 2014:

Howard Dai and Tiger Xu:

Something not going right? Then step up and fix it yourself. These two young go-getters from New Westminster Secondary School have the kind of cando attitude that the world could use more of. Faced with the news that their school might not have a year-end drama production (thanks to the maternity leaves of a couple of key teacher players), the two took it upon themselves to make a production happen. With guidance from Renee Bucciarelli of City Stage New West, the two spearheaded a

production of Neil Simon’s Rumours in May - and made sure that graduating students had that onstage experience to look back on as a high school highlight.

Kudos to Howard and Tiger – we need more people like you in all aspects of city life.

Emily and her family – and thanks for being part of our life in 2014.

Emily Luu:

This 10-year-old came to our attention in the spring, when she was featured in an issue of Discovery Girls magazine – she won her way into the magazine through a contest that included a questionnaire.

The magazine covers real girls’ real issues – like most embarrassing moments, how to handle friendship problems or coping with their Worst Day Ever – and Emily and her featured counterparts put a realworld face on discussions for other girls their age. It’s all focused on kindness, File photo/THE RECORD respect – for yourself and Admirable: Ten-year-old Emily Luu was featured in an others – and building confiissue of Discovery Girls magazine after entering a con- dence in the person that you are. And Emily embodies all test, which included a questionnaire. of those qualities. Kudos to

File photo/THE RECORD

Entrepreneur: Local Jen Casey started her own business, Dimpleskins.

Jen Casey:

A lot of people talk the talk on environmental issues – but fewer people walk the walk. Jen Casey is one of them.

The local entrepreneur built up her own business, Dimpleskins, around

◗Awards Page 14

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Awards: Good people make New West a better place as the Lac Mégantic train disaster, the Salmonbellies or the Columbia Street fire victims, participating in awareness campaigns for ending domestic violence and cooking up tasty soup for the local extreme weather shelter. The tip jar at Greens and Beans isn’t designated for tips – funds go to various causes.

Green’s community efforts resulted in her being named New Westminster’s Citizen of the Year in 2004. What many may not know is she was nominated again in 2014 – and graciously turned it down. Along with contributing to many causes, Green brings a sense of fun to her work – whether it’s by bringing the Soup Nazi (Larry Thomas) to town for fundraisers or encouraging diners to do a little dance for free soup.

◗ continued from page 13

creating all-natural skincare products for babies, and this past year she stepped up to take on a new role: serving as a “green” coach for local families through the David Suzuki Foundation’s Queen of Green. She worked with five local families who were “entry-level green” and took them through an eight-week journey towards becoming more environmentally conscious – in easy, everyday ways. Casey and one of her families, the Schieblers, met with us in March to share their stories. For that we say: thank you.

You’ve helped to make the world a little greener.

The Fox family:

That would be Alexa Bennett Fox, Isaac Fox and Quentin Fox, the sibling team behind the New Westminster Pop-Up Library project. Inspired by the way they saw pop-up libraries building a sense of community in Vancouver neighbourhoods, the siblings thought they could bring the idea to New Westminster – and they did. They held a library-building workshop at River Market in the summer, got themselves a Neighbourhood Small Grant through the Vancouver Foundation and held a launch event at River Market in the fall.

Thanks to this community-minded family, New West now gets to be home to these awesome little homes for shared books – and, hopefully, an increasing sense of shared community. Kudos.

Amber Anderson:

File photo/THE RECORD

Kudos: Tegan Cheremkora of SoAreWe Creative, left, with pop-up library founders Alexa Bennett Fox and brother Quentin at the pop-up library launch event.

Leona Green:

The owner of Greens and Beans Deli on East Columbia Street, is quick to respond to needs of those near and far, hosting fundraisers for causes such

As with so many community heroes, Amber Anderson doesn’t see herself that way – in fact, even though she was nominated as the city’s Citizen of the Year, she didn’t mention to her daughter that she was attending the Platinum Awards dinner, since she figured someone else would surely win it. As it turns out, Anderson did win – and deservedly so.

The local chef is a driving force behind the 12th Street Music Festival, president of the West End Business Association, a volunteer with St. Barnabas Church, and executive director of the HAVE Culinary Training Society, which works to address poverty and unemployment in the Downtown Eastside by providing culinary training. She’s a person who

File photo/THE RECORD

Winner: Amber Anderson was named New Westminster’s 2014 Citizen of the Year at the Platinum Awards. uses her passion for food and cooking not for her own good, but for that of the community around her. In other words, she’s the kind of person every city could use more of.

What do you think? Who were the community heroes of 2014? Send us a line to editorial@royalcityrecord.com, or tweet us @ TheRecord.

The Record • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • 15

◗ THE YEAR OF THE CAT AWARD/FURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

◗ THE ‘BEST BOGEYMAN’ AWARD

Never underestimate a cat

Never underestimate a labour machine

I

t may have been the Year of the Horse but here in New Westminster felines were the top mammal on the prowl.

In May, local realtor Bryn Erin Ward was showing a client a home when a feral cat viciously attacked them. Ward said the cat jumped on her client causing her to fall over a table and onto the ground. When Ward tried to pull the feisty feline off her client, the cat tore into her – leaving her with five stitches on her face, a black eye and cuts to her legs and arms.

Needless to say the client didn’t end up buying the house. Meow!

A few months later in September, Plaza 88 resident Joel Isfeld watched in horror as his eight-month-old savannah cat, Cleo, leapt from the balcony of his 17th floor condo.

“It was very traumatic,” Isfeld said at the time. “I was frantically searching and looking below to see if the cat was splattered all over the bottom.”

But much to his surprise (and the newsroom’s) Cleo was found safe and sound the next night. Apparently the adventurous youngling had made her way to the adjoining building’s ninth floor courtyard – talk about nine lives!

T

he Best Bogeyman Award goes to “the machine.”

While one definition of machine is “an efficient and wellorganized group of people”, it took on an ominous tone during the civic election, after media highlighted the power that labour endorsements (and the phone lists and money that flows from affiliated unions) have on a candidate’s success at the polls.

Although the issue has been raised in past civic elections, it took centre stage among politicos vying for seats on city council and school board in New West – much to the chagrin of some of those campaigning for the endorsed candidates. Some candidates and supporters reacted defensively to suggestions they were supported by “the machine,” somehow thinking it minimized the hours and hours of work they put into running robust campaigns. At the end of the day, “the machine”

File photo/THE RECORD

For a video of Cleo, scan with Layar

Cleo the cat is lucky to be alive after she jumped from her owner’s 17-storey apartment balcony.

had the last laugh – seeing all 12 of its labour-endorsed candidates elected to city council and school board.

File photo/THE RECORD

New West MLA Judy Darcy congratulates Jonathan Cote on his mayoral victory on election night. The support of organized labour and the NDP – aka The Machine – is viewed as an obstacle for non-endorsed candidates in getting elected in New West.

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◗ THE ‘ONES TO WATCH OUT FOR’ AWARD

◗ THE MOST VALUABLE BUREAUCRAT (MVB) AWARD

What will they do next?

T

he New Westminster civic elections brought us all sorts of headlines – and it also introduced us to a few new movers and shakers in town.

The long list of candidates vying for council and school board seats included a few young up-and-comers whom we’ll undoubtedly be seeing more of in the future. There was Tej Kainth, executive director of Tourism New Westminster, who wound up eighth in the race for council seats, who brought her passion for her city to the campaign trail. There was Mike Folka, who fell farther down the list of results but who

Newcomer: Jeremy Perry impressed voters during the school board race – and nearly earned himself a seat.

impressed voters in real life and on social media with his enthusiasm and fresh perspective. And, on the school board side, there was Jeremy Perry, who ended up in eighth spot and just off the school board – again, his enthusiasm, fresh perspective and positive attitude impressed more than a few voters. Folka, for one, has already said he has his sights set on 2018. Whatever the three decide to do with their futures, we know we’ll be hearing more from them.

◗ THE ‘DECAYING EYESORE’ AWARD

G

ive it a few more years, and New Westminster Secondary may simply return to the earth from whence it came, saving the province the cost of demolition.

The decaying, 60-plus-year-old structure – called an “embarrassment” by a community member during this year’s municipal election – has been on the cusp

of being replaced since 2004, when plans were unveiled for a new $25 million-to$30 million school to be completed by 2007. The latest plans are for a $110 million replacement to be built…TBA. Here’s hoping 2015 doesn’t find us cutting and pasting this same award into The Record next Dec. 31.

◗ THE ‘#WHY WE LOVE TWITTER IN #NEWWEST’ AWARD

W

e may be a tad biased (OK, we’re a lot biased) but it seems like New West is especially unique when it comes to its love of Twitter. Anytime a big issue or controversy hits the fan, one of the first places people go to vent is Twitter.

New Westminsterites were out in droves on Twitter during the recent municipal election. Many used the social media platform to extol the proposals of their favourite candidates. Labourendorsed and independent candidates alike used Twitter as a way of sharing stories from their campaigns. Our own Julie MacLellan watched with fascination as candidates interacted with voters online, engaged in lively debates and heck, even posted photos of their shoes when she requested them!

Mike Folka, MaryAnn Mortensen, David Brett, Jonathan Cote, Patrick Johnstone, Mary Trentadue, Tej Kainth and Jaimie McEvoy, were all superstars in the Twittersphere, and while not all were elected, it definitely proved just how exciting our social media-centered world

can be.

More recently, debates over pedestrian safety have drawn our attention.

A quick tweet about a possible pedestrian being hit at Fifth Street and Eighth Avenue sparked dozens of comments on Twitter from people in New West. Matt Lorenzi (@stickers66), Patrick Johnstone (@PJNewWest), Briana Tomkinson (@ breebop) and Leslie Robinson (@lwrobins) were just some of the tweeters engaging and sharing ideas on how pedestrian safety can be improved in the city.

Brad Cavanagh (@canspice) is another local tweeter to watch out for. He often delves into lengthy debates and certainly isn’t one to shy away from telling it like it is. One of his recent tweets on the proposal to build a new rental building at 404 Ash St., which read “More familyunfriendly rental units in the works,” was followed by a slew of comments.

So kudos New West, while sometimes Twitter conversations can get a little nasty, it’s nice to see folks engaging in healthy debates on relevant, and important, issues in the city.

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The trustee whisperer

H

board voted against Cook as vice-chair. e came in with a roar, but he’s At the time, Cook lamented the decimanaged with a whisper. sion, noting it would have been an Superintendent John opportunity to mend fences. Fast-forGaiptman took over for outgoing John ward to this year, the labour-majority Woudzia at a time when public conschool board elected Cook vice-chair. fidence and parental concerns were It’s a significant turning point for at an all-time high (and that’s saying the once-fractured board, Cook told something).

The Record earlier this month and But since he came on, Gaiptman praised Gaiptman, sayhas managed to turn the ing it’s a “different” board school district’s tarnished under his watch. reputation around. He even “To be really clear, John’s asked for the province to been a huge, huge influpay for a special advisor ence,” Cook said. “Before it to look through the school was always about hoarding district’s books – which information and hoarding have long been fraught with power.” troubles, including a surGaiptman’s employment prise multi-million dollar is based on a self-imposed deficit that saw the ousting month-to-month agreement of a secretary-treasurer with (he actually wrote this in a hefty $195,000 severance his contract), which means package after just four years of employment with the Turnaround: John Gai- he’ll get no severance if he leaves. Why? district. ptman – The Trustee “When you play the To say he’s shaking movie of New West in your things up is an understate- Whisperer head, part of it is severment. ance payments,” he said. “ I like the Then, perhaps most mystifying of fact that every month I have to prove all, Gaiptman has managed to make myself. It’s who I am. longtime political foes (Ahem, we’re I work better when I feel that I have talking to you trustees Michael Ewen to produce.” and Casey Cook) cordial boardmates.

So far, the Trustee Whisperer seems Proof of the change, last year the have met his mandate. labour-endorsed majority on school

For more awards, go to www.royalcityrecord.com

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The Record • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • 17

ENGAGE WITH ROTARY AND CHANGE LIVES

Rotary’s objectives include: Development of opportunities for service and acquaintance; Highly ethical standards in business and the professions; International understanding and goodwill.

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A resident commented “Monarch Place has changed my life and I am looking forward to a new beginning.”

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For information call Louise Perry 604-549-5260. www.newwestrotary.ca The Royal City Rotary Club holds its weekly breakfasts at 7 a.m., Wednesdays at the De Dutch Pannekoek House, #102 - 1035 Columbia Street, New Westminster.

For information call Roy Prevost at 604-519-0035 or Hansi Natzke at 604-521-8858 The Rotary Clubs welcome new members by invitation.

If you are interested in joining please call one of the club contacts.

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18 • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • The Record

Biz ties up fundraiser Top picks for fun in AROUND TOWN

THERESA MCMANUS

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oyal City Jewellers and Loans has done it again.

The downtown business recently raised $11,042 for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society through its annual Tie Day Auction, a month-long event that sees people bidding on ties signed by celebrities.

Michael Isman, president of Royal City Jewellers and Loans Ltd., thanks everyone who supports Tie Day and asks them to consider doing it again next year.

“Next year, our 60 anniversary in business, will be our 19th annual Tie Day auction, all proceeds going directly to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and we cover all costs,” he said in a press release.

Remembering Bicycle Bill

A childhood memory of growing up in New Westminster has stuck with Colleen Sheriff for her whole life and inspired a generous donation to those in need.

Sheriff, 59, recently donated about 40 Christmas presents to people living in the Cliff Block shelter in downtown New Westminster. She was inspired by her interactions with Bicycle Bill, a well-known and popular homeless man who left an impact on many young children who grew up in New West in the 1960s and ’70s.

Growing up with tough financial times, Sherrif had a special place in her heart for homeless people, and particularly Bicycle Bill.

A press release from

Homeless Partners states that Sheriff and her sisters never knew the full name of the homeless man from their youth, but Bill was always riding around New Westminster with shopping carts attached to his bicycle.

While Bicycle Bill was often seen yelling and cursing at traffic and people in cars, Sherrif said he had another side that was only seen by kids in the city.

“He was always protective of kids, especially girls.

If he ever saw you walking on your own and it was getting dark, he would ride along beside you just to make sure you got home.

(The) first time was kind of creepy, but he was soft spoken and kind,” she said in a press release.

In 2014, Homeless Partners posted 624 personal stories online based on interviews and Christmas wishlists from shelters across Canada. As people read the profiles at home lesspartners.com, they can choose to help out someone at Christmas.

Retired firefighter passes away

A New West native who once saved a young girl’s life and fought fires around town recently passed away after a battle with cancer.

Ken Herron attended Lord Kelvin Elementary School, before moving on to Vincent Massey and Lester Pearson, where he was an accomplished athlete.

“He was a runner. He was a Canadian champion,” said wife Ila. “Back in his youth, he did running and track and field.”

At the age of 13, Ken rescued a young girl who was playing with friends and fell into the Fraser River. Terry Hughes, 18, jumped in to rescue the nine-year-old girl, as did 38-year-old Bob Thomas.

Encountering difficulties in the strong current, Hughes drowned and Thomas barely made it back to the

the city this weekend H

boom, where he was pulled out of the river; Herron removed his shoes and jacket, jumped in and rescued the girl.

“I let the current carry us along and held her head up till we reached the boom,” he told reporters at the time of the rescue. “She just kept saying, ‘Thank you, mister’ over and over.”

Though he was just a teenager at the time, Ken returned to the water to attempt to find Hughes, eventually having to give up because of the cold water.

After embarking on a post high school adventure to California, Ken returned to New West and met Ila in 1964. They married in 1966 and soon became parents of two (Julie and Jeff) before he landed a job with the New West Fire Department.

“He loved it, just the whole family of being in the fire hall situation,” Ila said. “It’s like a brotherhood that we can’t understand because their lives are on the line everyday.”

Ken, who retired as an assistant fire chief almost a decade ago, also had a passion for gold mining.

He’d work long stretches at the fire department all winter long to bank time so he could head to the hills in search of gold each summer at his mine in Tulameen.

“No,” laughs Ila, when asked if he ever struck it rich.

Ken, 68, suffered a series of health ailments prior to recently being diagnosed with the pancreatic cancer that claimed his life. A memorial service is being planned for the new year.

THE

Cinemas in New West. The series gets appy New Year! As we welcome underway on Saturday, Jan. 3 with the first week of 2015, we’ve Manet (followed by Munch on Feb. 7 and got some suggestions on how to Vermeere on April 4). Individual or series enjoy the first week of the new year. We tickets are available at www.landmarkare continuing with our popular feature, cinemas.com/new-westminster.

The Record’s Top Five (or More) Things to Do This Weekend and offer the following Landmark Cinemas is located in the Shops at New West, which is at the New suggestions for Jan. 2 to 4.

Westminster SkyTrain station at Eighth Get your Christmas tree chipped and Columbia streets.

– and have a good time – at the New Westminster Drop by the New Firefighters’ Charitable Westminster Public Library and pick up a book Society’s annual tree chipto help you make your New ping event. It’s being held on Year’s resolution successful.

Saturday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, Whether you’re aiming to get Jan 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residents are welcome to fit, get out of debt, eat healthdrop by (even if they don’t ier or get a new job, you’re have a tree) and enjoy some bound to find some resources popcorn, music, face paintat the library to help you. ing, a barbecue and fire Splash around at Canada extinguisher demos. It’s all by Games Pool – it’s far more (or more) donation. The tree chipping comfortable than a Polar Bear takes place in the parking lot Things to do plunge. The pool is having of the Canada Games Pool at this weekend public swims on Saturday 65 East Sixth Ave. and Sunday from 1 to 8:25 p.m. Regular admission rates apply.

Start the new year off with some Canada Games pool is located at 65 East fresh food at the Royal City Farmers Sixth Ave. Market. The first winter market of 2015 Email your Top 5 ideas to calendar@royal includes farm fresh produce, baked cityrecord.com or send them to tmcmanus@ goods, local beer and wine, artisan crafts royalcityrecord.com. You can also check out and more. It’s taking place on Saturday, our full arts and events calendar listings at Jan. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at River www.royalcityrecord.com.

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The Record • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • 19

◗ IN THE GAME SECTION COORDINATOR Tom Berridge, 604-444-3022 • tberridge@royalcityrecord.com

Douglas College great earns just reward ◗P20 2014 was quite a year ◗P20

Athletes have age on their side standing female performer.

In her first-ever competitive heptathlon, Schultz The Record’s top athletes recorded two victories and of 2014 still have a life- three other top-three fintime of accomplishments in ishes in the two-day, sevenfront of them event competition held earNina Schultz of New lier in Abbotsford in May. Westminster had a record“For my first heptathbreaking year in lon, it was track and field, pretty good,” setting a new said Schultz.

B.C. youth mark “Personally, I She also in the girls’ shared a fourth heptathlon at a don’t want to gold with meet in Langley pursue (the hep- Tjernagel and in June.

New West’s tathlon); it’s Raquel 4x400 metre Tjernagel relay team in such a tough proved herLangley. self the fastest event.”

Later in the Canadian in the season, Schultz, 200 metres at NINA SCHULTZ who trains with the IAAF world New West top athlete the New West junior track and Spartans track field championclub, also took ships in Eugene, Oregon gold in horizontal jumps at in July. the Canadian Legion Youth The 15-year-old Schultz track and field championrecorded 5,105 points in ships. the seven-event discipline, Schultz medalled in both including a leap of 1.78 the long and triple jumps in metres in the high jump, the u-18 division, winning which ranked her first in the former with a personalthe country in the girls’ best leap of 5.82 metres in youth and junior divisions. the final round.

Earlier, Schultz, a Although already a serGrade 10 student at New ious challenger to national Westminster Secondary, juniorrecordholderGeorgia helped the Hyacks win Ellenwood of Langley in their first-ever provincial the multi-events, Schultz team and girls’ team ban- appears to be reluctant to ners at the B.C. high school make any serious commitchampionship. ment just yet.

Schultz won three sep“I’ll definitely do (the arate events, including the heptathlon) in my high heptathlon in her multi- school years. I don’t mind event debut, high jump most of the events. … But and triple jump – all with personally, I don’t want to personal bests – and was pursue it; it’s such a tough named the provincial high school meet’s most out◗Athletes Page 20

BY TOM BERRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR tberridge@royalcityrecord.com

BY TOM BERRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR tberridge@royalcityrecord.com

The Douglas College Royals went on a playoff push at the PacWest provincial college women’s basketball championships.

The fifth-place-finishing Royals during the regular season, scraped into the playoffs and then knocked off the regular season champion Vancouver Island University Mariners in the semifinals before settling for the silver medal under interim head coach Courtney Gerwing.

Douglas eventually lost the PacWest final to Quest University.

“I think because we had made a steadily improved climb, there was more surprise outside our circle than inside it,” said Gerwing.

Douglas started the 2015 season with a 5-0 record and is currently in second place.

A perfect sweep

File photo/THE RECORD

A giant leap: Nina Schultz set a new B.C. women’s youth record in the heptathlon in June in her first season tackling the seven-event multi-sport.

Field final gold was a 2014 highlight

BY TOM BERRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR tberridge@royalcityrecord.com

New Westminster’s Kevin Crowley turned in one of the most inspiring sporting performances of 2014.

Crowley was the hero of Canadian lacrosse at the International Lacrosse Federation world championships.

The national team midfielder was named player of the game in the field lacrosse championship final, scoring five of Canada’s opening six goals, including the eventual game-winner in an 8-5 victory over perennial champion United States at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado in July. “(Today) world champions sounds pretty good,” said Crowley. “In 2010, … I was a late addition. But this time around, I made sure I was prepared for it. All my preparation was for this gold-medal game.”

The win was just the third gold medal for Canada at the worlds and first since 2006.

A terrific 2014 for teams, too

Player of game: Kevin Crowley celebrates Canada’s world field lacrosse title with his grandparents following an 8-5 victory over the United States in July.

File photo/ THE RECORD

St. Thomas More swept the B.C. high school wrestling championships, winning three separate provincial banners in March.

The Knights won their first-ever aggregate title with 142 total points, almost doubling overall runner-up W.J. Mouat at the meet.

STM also won its first boys’ aggregate, while the girls’ took top spot after finishing in second place the year before.

“The beauty of it all was even though we had a lot of great performances, we could have had more,” said STM wrestling coach Doug Corbett.

A hoop first

The St. Thomas More Knights won their firstever AAA high school banner in basketball in March.

The No. 2-ranked Knights defeated honourable mention Charles Hayes Rainmakers 53-38 in the B.C. boys’ championship final in Langley – STM’s first provincial title in 38 years.

STM was led by tournament MVP Reese Morris, who had a game-high 16 ponts and 12 rebounds.

“It’s the best moment of my life. The best basketball moment I’ve ever had,” said Morris.

20 • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • The Record

◗ RECOGNITION

2014 was quite a year B.C. won a fifth consecutive Canadian netball national championship title at the Fortius centre in Burnaby in May. B.C. defeated Ontario 48-34 following a pivotal 15-4 third quarter.

Paddle power

Paige Misfeldt shared a pair of gold medals at the ninth international Dragon Boat Federation club crew world championships in Italy in September.

File photo/THE RECORD

Two out of three

College great: RuiLin Huang’s career at Douglas College was made complete when she was named Sport B.C.’s college athlete of the year in March.

The Burnaby Lake Rugby Club sent three teams to the provincial championships in May, coming home with a seventh premier women’s title and a second banner in Division 1.

A Douglas College great finally realizes her just reward Douglas College badminton player RuiLin Huang was named the collegiate athlete of the year following a second consecutive nomination at the 48th annual Sport B.C. athlete of the year banquet in March.

Huang, who posted a career record of 207-1 while

at Douglas, won the award after an initial nomination in 2012.

“I was so surprised.

Last time, I had so many doubts,” said Huang.

Huang, the college’s choice as female athlete of the year for five consecutive seasons while attending the New Westminster

college, was also named an All-Canadian five straight times. She was also the CCAA athlete of the year across all sports in 2012.

Huang honed her badminton skills at Mainland China’s Provincial Sport Institute in Hunan Province for 17 years before coming to Canada to study.

Athletes: Sprinter top 12 at junior worlds ship meet. ◗ continued from page 19 event,” Schultz said.

At the B.C. high school championships, Tjernagel set a new B.C. open Tjernagel won both the 100 and and native youth women’s record 200m in personal-best times, garin the 200m, breaking the tape in nering a combined total of 89 23.75 and smashing multi-record points with Schultz to help defeat holder Krysha Bailey’s 14-yeardefending titlist and 10-time old mark in the process. provincial champion Oak Bay by The 16-year-old New a single point in the aggregate Westminster Secondary studentcategory, while also winning the athlete was eventually eliminated girls’ provincial aggregate. in the semifinals despite a second “I’m just proud of my school straight sub-24-second heat at the being rewarded with these two Raquel Tjernagel: banners,” said Tjernagel. worlds.

Tjernagel finished with the “Proud of my 12th-fastest time at the champion- school.” tberridge@royalcityrecord.com

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A tall order: Airon Nisperos, in orange, stretches for shot against Centennial at the recent Bob Gair Basketball Classic. New West won a close opening matchup against the Centaurs.

The Burnaby Velodrome played host to Cycling Canada’s junior and under-17 cadet national track championships in November. Maggie ColesLyster was a standout for B.C., winning the u-17 women’s omnium.

The Record • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • 21

22 • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • The Record

The Record • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • 23

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24 • Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • The Record

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Aritisana Virgin Raw Organic Coconut Oil

3.49-9.99

select varieties and sizes

assorted sizes

gold orange or red orange

DELI

regular retail price

regular retail price

assorted varieties

assorted sizes

20% off

Whistler Glacial Spring Water

Sunrise Tofu

80 sachets • product of England

300g

product of Canada

Yorkshire Orange Pekoe Tea

Choices’ Own Hot Chili

select varieties and sizes

Natural Factors Vitamin D3

assorted varieties

600g product of Canada

2.49SAVE 31% 2.79

21.99-23.99

Natural Factors PGX

product of Bolivia

assorted varieties

12+ or 16+

regular retail price

26% 8.29 397-454g

Armstrong Cheese

Wedderspoon Raw Organic Manuka Honey

20% off

assorted varieties

SAVE

1.89L product of USA

product of Canada

asssorted varieties and sizes

Alter Eco Fair Trade Gluten Free Quinoa

assorted varieties

assorted varieties

Amazing Grass Green Superfood Powder or Bars

2L product of Canada

473ml • +deposit +eco fee product of USA

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Fresh Beverages

Kicking Horse Ground Organic Fair Trade Coffee

SAVE

Dairyland Lactose Free Milk

Blueprint Organic Raw Juice

4.99 /ChoicesMarkets

2.99

package of 3

300-454g

@ChoicesMarkets

Kitsilano

Cambie

Kerrisdale

Yaletown

Gluten Free Bakery

South Surrey

Burnaby Crest

Kelowna

Floral Shop

2627 W. 16th Ave. Vancouver

3493 Cambie St. Vancouver

1888 W. 57th Ave. Vancouver

1202 Richards St. Vancouver

2595 W. 16th Ave. Vancouver

3248 King George Blvd.

South Surrey

8683 10th Ave. Burnaby

1937 Harvey Ave. Kelowna

2615 W. 16th Vancouver

Best Organic Produce