Bernie Boulanger and David Bridges put city roots into country music
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Sept. 3, 2003
Sitting in a shaded north Burnaby backyard with his guitar strapped over his shoulder and his fingers plucking away at bluegrass chords, it's easy to get the impression that Bernie Boulanger was born and raised on a ranch.
"I've always really loved the acoustic folksy stuff," the 35- year-old singer-songwriter says with just a hint of twang in his voice. "And I've really had a hankering for the country music."
So what sends a man who was born and raised in the city into the throes of country music?
"This stuff runs a little deeper," says Boulanger, who has been playing in bands of one kind or another since his early teens.
"People get attached to it more personally. It's more of the 'sit down and listen to' kind of music."
Boulanger, who has experienced moderate success in the local music scene with his Latin pop quartet The Colorifics, recently joined forces with his childhood friend David Bridges to form the country-rock band Blackfeather.
Even before the pair played their first club, Blackfeather released its debut CD, a 12-track venture titled So Far From the Beauty, on Boulanger's own record label, Homegrown Records of Napier Street.
While Boulanger admits that country music does not have the same kind of "immediate wow" found in pop music, he brings the same kind of urban edge to Blackfeather that he has with his earlier bands.
"I've been writing songs like this ever since I was a kid," says the one-time member of a country garage band that went by the moniker of DGS - short for Dust, Guns and Spurs.
"For one thing, we're not terribly country," says Bridges, the bass player. "We're more on the folk edge.
"If you listen to country stations these days, mostly what you'll hear are pop songs with a banjo or steel guitar."
But there is only a hint of pop music in Blackfeather.
In fact, the real strength of this band is in its heartfelt lyrics and tuneful arrangements.
From the angst-ridden First Train - a song about getting out of the city - to the wistful optimism of Little Seeds - "I wrote that after I'd been living in the Okanagan for a while in a cabin with no electricity. Things can get a little weird," admits Boulanger, whose band clearly plays to a variety of tastes.
Another song, Flying U, was written in homage to a buddy who was once the part owner of the B.C. Interior dude ranch of the same name.
"I went up there for two days in the winter and, on the drive home, I couldn't get the chorus out of my head," says Boulanger.
"I like storytelling," says Boulanger, the son of long-time Burnaby NOW Arts Scene columnist Annie Boulanger. "It's nice if something you write has a pertinent story. Especially if it has some kind of lesson."
And Bridges is happy to leave the songwriting to his partner.
"I think Bernie writes songs that are more in the like Hank Williams, Gordon Lightfoot, Stan Rogers or the Carter family," he says. "They're just really good, simple tunes, with simple arrangements."
Boulanger and Bridge both say their experience growing up in Burnaby in the late 1970s and early '80s provided the perfect upbringing for a pair of country music fans.
"We had a bit of a Huck Finn-like existence," Bridges says. "Back in those days, the city was semi-rural. I remember the horse farms all over the place."
Like any good songwriter, Boulanger is a little more irreverent.
He jokes that he and his friends were primarily responsible for denuding the local creeks of their once-substantial population of crayfish.
Today, they still spend much of their time outdoors, and one of their favourite practice spots is at the Barnet Marine Park.
For the CD, Blackfeather was joined by longtime friend and drummer John Rule, who plays with Boulanger's other band, The Colorifics, plus two violinists Morritz Behn and Llynn Kellman.
The band is currently playing about once a week at a variety of live music venues in Vancouver, notably the Sugar Refinery and the Silvertone Tavern, and they are aiming to have a formal CD release party sometime in the fall.
The band is also looking for a new manager.
For people who are curious about how the band sounds, an informal CD release party will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, 9:30 p.m., at the Sugar Refinery, 1115 Granville St., in downtown Vancouver. Tickets will be available at the door.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Gallery opens in an office
Here and Now column
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 16, 2003
There's an art gallery with a difference inside the Madison Dental Centre, located in the city's newest shopping plaza at Lougheed and Madison.
The photography of Norm Coridor, a longtime Burnaby resident who has Parkinson's disease, is gracing the walls of Dr. Karim Lalani's new place of business.
"When he was first diagnosed with Parkinson's, he could have folded his tent and said 'That's it,'" said Lalani, a longtime associate and friend of the photographer. "But, instead, that's when I started to see his more creative side blossom."
And blossom it has. About 20 of Coridor's photos of all shapes and sizes grace the walls of the dental office's reception area, hallways and five operatories - that's dentalese for the work rooms.
Most of the photos are nature shots, and they include images of Coridor's holidays in Hawaii and Victoria.
"Every time I look at his work, it gives me a feeling of peace and calm," said the dentist. "My patients are loving it."
And, besides, anything that soothes a person's mind before going into the dentist's chair has to be a good thing.
EMPTYING THE LAKE
If Burnaby Lake looks a little shallower than usual this week, it's not just your eyes playing tricks on you.
In their efforts to reduce the amount of unwanted purple loosestrife around the lake, officials at the GVRD have lowered the lake's water levels a few weeks ahead of schedule this year.
And that means the summer canoeing programs that were scheduled to take place over the next few weeks have been cancelled, and private canoe trips will be rather difficult to manage in the extremely shallow water.
Because of the low water levels, those who absolutely insist on canoeing (and who can blame them?) will have to find some place other than the popular Piper Spit launch site.
Also this summer, seismic upgrades are being conducted on the small Cariboo Dam, meaning people who hike the trail from Piper Spit to Avalon Avenue will occasionally be forced to walk the long way around. Notices will be posted in the park to outline the exact times when the walkway over the dam will be closed.
The GVRD canoeing programs will resume next spring.
TOASTING THEIR MASTERS
You'd think that a group that meets at 7 a.m. on a weekday morning might have a tough time finding new members.
Not so for the Outspoken Toastmasters, who have recently elected a new executive to oversee their work for the coming year.
Toastmasters is that nonprofit group that offers professional training, communication and leadership programs to people of all ages throughout the Lower Mainland.
The new president of Outspoken Toastmasters is Doug Manness of Deep Cove, past president is Andrik Moe of Port Coquitlam, the v-p of membership is Aaron Drozdiak of New Westminster, v-p education is Rachel Mens of New West, v-p public relations is Ange Frymire of Burnaby, the treasurer is Ron Knight of Burnaby, the secretary is Nikki Scott of White Rock, and the sergeant of arms is Ron Lee of Richmond.
"The early bird not only gets the worm at our club," said Manness, a manager at Creo Inc. "They also get free donuts or muffins, warm greetings from everyone and as many chances to speak or watch as they need."
People to join Toastmasters to improve their public speaking abilities, develop confidence and network. "Public presentation abilities progress dramatically, especially for those who start off shy," Manness said.
Outspoken Toastmasters meets from 7 to 8:30 a.m., every Thursday in the 16th floor training room of the Rogers AT&T Building, 4710 Kingsway, in Metrotown. Guests must register in advance by calling Drozdiak at 604-787-5795 or visiting the Web site www.outspokentoastmasters.com.
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 16, 2003
There's an art gallery with a difference inside the Madison Dental Centre, located in the city's newest shopping plaza at Lougheed and Madison.
The photography of Norm Coridor, a longtime Burnaby resident who has Parkinson's disease, is gracing the walls of Dr. Karim Lalani's new place of business.
"When he was first diagnosed with Parkinson's, he could have folded his tent and said 'That's it,'" said Lalani, a longtime associate and friend of the photographer. "But, instead, that's when I started to see his more creative side blossom."
And blossom it has. About 20 of Coridor's photos of all shapes and sizes grace the walls of the dental office's reception area, hallways and five operatories - that's dentalese for the work rooms.
Most of the photos are nature shots, and they include images of Coridor's holidays in Hawaii and Victoria.
"Every time I look at his work, it gives me a feeling of peace and calm," said the dentist. "My patients are loving it."
And, besides, anything that soothes a person's mind before going into the dentist's chair has to be a good thing.
EMPTYING THE LAKE
If Burnaby Lake looks a little shallower than usual this week, it's not just your eyes playing tricks on you.
In their efforts to reduce the amount of unwanted purple loosestrife around the lake, officials at the GVRD have lowered the lake's water levels a few weeks ahead of schedule this year.
And that means the summer canoeing programs that were scheduled to take place over the next few weeks have been cancelled, and private canoe trips will be rather difficult to manage in the extremely shallow water.
Because of the low water levels, those who absolutely insist on canoeing (and who can blame them?) will have to find some place other than the popular Piper Spit launch site.
Also this summer, seismic upgrades are being conducted on the small Cariboo Dam, meaning people who hike the trail from Piper Spit to Avalon Avenue will occasionally be forced to walk the long way around. Notices will be posted in the park to outline the exact times when the walkway over the dam will be closed.
The GVRD canoeing programs will resume next spring.
TOASTING THEIR MASTERS
You'd think that a group that meets at 7 a.m. on a weekday morning might have a tough time finding new members.
Not so for the Outspoken Toastmasters, who have recently elected a new executive to oversee their work for the coming year.
Toastmasters is that nonprofit group that offers professional training, communication and leadership programs to people of all ages throughout the Lower Mainland.
The new president of Outspoken Toastmasters is Doug Manness of Deep Cove, past president is Andrik Moe of Port Coquitlam, the v-p of membership is Aaron Drozdiak of New Westminster, v-p education is Rachel Mens of New West, v-p public relations is Ange Frymire of Burnaby, the treasurer is Ron Knight of Burnaby, the secretary is Nikki Scott of White Rock, and the sergeant of arms is Ron Lee of Richmond.
"The early bird not only gets the worm at our club," said Manness, a manager at Creo Inc. "They also get free donuts or muffins, warm greetings from everyone and as many chances to speak or watch as they need."
People to join Toastmasters to improve their public speaking abilities, develop confidence and network. "Public presentation abilities progress dramatically, especially for those who start off shy," Manness said.
Outspoken Toastmasters meets from 7 to 8:30 a.m., every Thursday in the 16th floor training room of the Rogers AT&T Building, 4710 Kingsway, in Metrotown. Guests must register in advance by calling Drozdiak at 604-787-5795 or visiting the Web site www.outspokentoastmasters.com.
Cleaning up a hidden beach
Cleaning up a hidden beach
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 13, 2003
Shell Canada is spending several hundred thousand dollars to clean up a secluded section of the inlet
It is a secluded little section of beach along the Burrard Inlet and, despite the natural beauty of the place, there is no true public access to the land.
But, this summer, Shell Canada is in the final stretch of a long- term cleanup campaign to remove industrial debris and other materials that landed on this beach during a 1970s-era sand slide that tumbled off the former refinery property.
Here, the view is tremendous. A noisy family of osprey nest on the nearby pilings. Great blue herons come home every night to one of the largest rookeries in the Lower Mainland, in a ravine about a kilometre away. The area is also rife with harbour seals, who sun themselves on the old log booms and pilings that dot the seascape in front of the former oil refinery lands.
The small beach, located between Berry Point and the Shell Canada loading dock, is not even owned by the oil company. But the firm is paying for the cleanup as part of a gesture of goodwill for the community, especially those few dog walkers, urban explorers and others who know how to find this hidden jewel of a beach.
Janet Annesley, a public affairs representative from Shell Canada's head office in Calgary, said the first cleanup was started in 1998 and, at that time, officials with Shell and the affected government and non-government agencies were satisfied with their work.
But, in 1999, a second sand slide covered up even more of the beach.
This year, as the natural effects of erosion gradually cast the sand into the water, more debris was found. So Shell made a decision to continue the cleanup.
"Last fall, we started to see barrels sticking up out of the sand, so we knew there was more debris here," said Dave Peters, the senior environmental consultant on the project and a former Shell employee.
And the cleanup is using every high-tech device in the book. The work started with a magnetometer scan of the entire beach to locate the largest pieces of metal. After that, ground-penetrating radar was used to pinpoint the shape and depth of each of the 52 targets found hidden underground.
A global positioning satellite (GPS) program was also used to track and record each of the target pieces of debris, Peters added.
Most of the debris is smaller material - pieces of chain and old railway ties and spikes - but about one-third of the pieces are larger, such as old metal barrels.
The actual cleanup work is being done by a small work crew, which uses gas-powered wheelbarrows, a front-end loader and whole lot of handwork.
The project is expected to cost "a couple hundred thousand dollars," said Annesley.
And while the public is legally entitled to visit the beach, Annesley reminds local residents that the surrounding neighbourhood is private property and, as long as the work is underway, anyone on the site must use caution.
"We just want the community to know that we are taking action," Annesley said. "This is evidence of our commitment to taking action and being responsible for a sustainable environment."
So what about the future of the property? The beach is and will remain public, but the fate of the surrounding Shell Canada properties - which include that ravine that is home to the great blue herons - still needs to be decided.
Annesley admits that local real estate agents are hoping to see the former refinery lands converted to housing, but that dream is far away in the future.
"I think Shell would have to plan very carefully and have an exhaustive review.
"It's a nice piece of property," Annesley said as she looked up the eastern slope of Capital Hill.
"But just because external people have their eyes on it doesn't mean that Shell has any plans. Shell doesn't have any plans. It's zoned industrial."
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 13, 2003
Shell Canada is spending several hundred thousand dollars to clean up a secluded section of the inlet
It is a secluded little section of beach along the Burrard Inlet and, despite the natural beauty of the place, there is no true public access to the land.
But, this summer, Shell Canada is in the final stretch of a long- term cleanup campaign to remove industrial debris and other materials that landed on this beach during a 1970s-era sand slide that tumbled off the former refinery property.
Here, the view is tremendous. A noisy family of osprey nest on the nearby pilings. Great blue herons come home every night to one of the largest rookeries in the Lower Mainland, in a ravine about a kilometre away. The area is also rife with harbour seals, who sun themselves on the old log booms and pilings that dot the seascape in front of the former oil refinery lands.
The small beach, located between Berry Point and the Shell Canada loading dock, is not even owned by the oil company. But the firm is paying for the cleanup as part of a gesture of goodwill for the community, especially those few dog walkers, urban explorers and others who know how to find this hidden jewel of a beach.
Janet Annesley, a public affairs representative from Shell Canada's head office in Calgary, said the first cleanup was started in 1998 and, at that time, officials with Shell and the affected government and non-government agencies were satisfied with their work.
But, in 1999, a second sand slide covered up even more of the beach.
This year, as the natural effects of erosion gradually cast the sand into the water, more debris was found. So Shell made a decision to continue the cleanup.
"Last fall, we started to see barrels sticking up out of the sand, so we knew there was more debris here," said Dave Peters, the senior environmental consultant on the project and a former Shell employee.
And the cleanup is using every high-tech device in the book. The work started with a magnetometer scan of the entire beach to locate the largest pieces of metal. After that, ground-penetrating radar was used to pinpoint the shape and depth of each of the 52 targets found hidden underground.
A global positioning satellite (GPS) program was also used to track and record each of the target pieces of debris, Peters added.
Most of the debris is smaller material - pieces of chain and old railway ties and spikes - but about one-third of the pieces are larger, such as old metal barrels.
The actual cleanup work is being done by a small work crew, which uses gas-powered wheelbarrows, a front-end loader and whole lot of handwork.
The project is expected to cost "a couple hundred thousand dollars," said Annesley.
And while the public is legally entitled to visit the beach, Annesley reminds local residents that the surrounding neighbourhood is private property and, as long as the work is underway, anyone on the site must use caution.
"We just want the community to know that we are taking action," Annesley said. "This is evidence of our commitment to taking action and being responsible for a sustainable environment."
So what about the future of the property? The beach is and will remain public, but the fate of the surrounding Shell Canada properties - which include that ravine that is home to the great blue herons - still needs to be decided.
Annesley admits that local real estate agents are hoping to see the former refinery lands converted to housing, but that dream is far away in the future.
"I think Shell would have to plan very carefully and have an exhaustive review.
"It's a nice piece of property," Annesley said as she looked up the eastern slope of Capital Hill.
"But just because external people have their eyes on it doesn't mean that Shell has any plans. Shell doesn't have any plans. It's zoned industrial."
Cuts hurt disabled
Reductions to home support services impact Burnaby residents
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 9, 2003
The first effects of the recent Fraser Health Authority decision to reduce the amount of home support service provided to the elderly and disabled are starting to be felt.
Troy Hamilton, a south Burnaby resident who has epilepsy and is legally blind, is wondering how she will cope after she recently received notice that her six hours of home support per week are being cut back to only two hours.
"I'm worried about how my health will go," Hamilton told the Burnaby NOW this week. "They're cutting back in the wrong places."
Hamilton, who also suffers food allergies and other abdominal problems, said her home support workers used to help with her shopping, cleaning, laundry and food preparation.
Now, she will only receive assistance with cleaning, and has been told to buy frozen foods.
"I have a difficult time preparing meals, and I have seizures, so this is a safety issue to me," she said. "I once had a seizure when I was trying to make a simple cup of coffee for a friend and that resulted in second- and third-degree burns on my hand.
"This is terrible, it's going backwards. If I had something to to say to the government, I'd probably tell them to pull up their socks."
Hamilton said the cutback was made after she went through a gruelling 'review' of her needs by FHA officials - a review that each of the estimated 10,500 home support clients in the region will undergo over the next few months.
She said the process was both stressful and antagonistic.
"The review was like a fight," Hamilton said. "I had to argue with them because they wanted take take away my service from me completely. They wanted to leave me with no hours - nothing!"
Jane Dyson, of the B.C. Coalition of People with Disabilities, said Hamilton's story is typical of what happens when the disabled lose their services.
This month, the coalition confirmed that at least one former home support client - a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic - committed suicide after his home support service was completely cut.
Dyson said she knows of studies that indicate that cutting back on home support services will ultimately lead to higher health-care costs in the future. The study found that, after three years, people who had their home support cut were costing the health-care system more than $4,000 each more per year.
For many home support clients who are homebound and have few friends or relatives in the neighbourhood, the loss of their home support worker also means the loss of their companionship and a compassionate, watchful eye.
"Home support means there is somebody going into these homes. It means there's somebody who may notice things that have changed that the person receiving the service many not notice themselves. It's a way of monitoring their health."
Ultimately, this decision will isolate people more and make them more lonely.
"And for seniors who spent years paying into the system, being told that they can now only take one bath a week is shocking - it's very shocking."
Kathy Slayman, director of FHA health services for Burnaby, said the cutbacks are intended to make sure home support service are focused on health-care needs.
"Generally speaking, the focus is to reassess the clients in terms of their health-care needs," Slayman told the Burnaby NOW recently. "If they currently receive non-health-care services or hospitality services, we'll work with the client to have them get those services from other agencies or other sources."
According to new home support guidelines approved for the Fraser North region in late June, the new goal of the service is to "meet the health and safety needs of clients within the context of the current fiscal realities."
Slayman denied that her department has been given a "budget target," and refuted allegations that the "majority" of home support services would be cut.
Another Burnaby resident worried about the potential loss of his home support service is Derek Isobe, who has cerebral palsy and currently receives about 23 hours of service per week.
"I am scared for those of us in the disability community who don't have a voice and whose support needs may be trampled on by these cutbacks," Isobe said in a series of e-mail exchanges with this newspaper. "I don't exactly know how the cutbacks are going to affect me personally yet. I don't want to speculate on how they will affect me. However, let me say the threat of these cutbacks is adding stress to an already very stressful year."
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 9, 2003
The first effects of the recent Fraser Health Authority decision to reduce the amount of home support service provided to the elderly and disabled are starting to be felt.
Troy Hamilton, a south Burnaby resident who has epilepsy and is legally blind, is wondering how she will cope after she recently received notice that her six hours of home support per week are being cut back to only two hours.
"I'm worried about how my health will go," Hamilton told the Burnaby NOW this week. "They're cutting back in the wrong places."
Hamilton, who also suffers food allergies and other abdominal problems, said her home support workers used to help with her shopping, cleaning, laundry and food preparation.
Now, she will only receive assistance with cleaning, and has been told to buy frozen foods.
"I have a difficult time preparing meals, and I have seizures, so this is a safety issue to me," she said. "I once had a seizure when I was trying to make a simple cup of coffee for a friend and that resulted in second- and third-degree burns on my hand.
"This is terrible, it's going backwards. If I had something to to say to the government, I'd probably tell them to pull up their socks."
Hamilton said the cutback was made after she went through a gruelling 'review' of her needs by FHA officials - a review that each of the estimated 10,500 home support clients in the region will undergo over the next few months.
She said the process was both stressful and antagonistic.
"The review was like a fight," Hamilton said. "I had to argue with them because they wanted take take away my service from me completely. They wanted to leave me with no hours - nothing!"
Jane Dyson, of the B.C. Coalition of People with Disabilities, said Hamilton's story is typical of what happens when the disabled lose their services.
This month, the coalition confirmed that at least one former home support client - a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic - committed suicide after his home support service was completely cut.
Dyson said she knows of studies that indicate that cutting back on home support services will ultimately lead to higher health-care costs in the future. The study found that, after three years, people who had their home support cut were costing the health-care system more than $4,000 each more per year.
For many home support clients who are homebound and have few friends or relatives in the neighbourhood, the loss of their home support worker also means the loss of their companionship and a compassionate, watchful eye.
"Home support means there is somebody going into these homes. It means there's somebody who may notice things that have changed that the person receiving the service many not notice themselves. It's a way of monitoring their health."
Ultimately, this decision will isolate people more and make them more lonely.
"And for seniors who spent years paying into the system, being told that they can now only take one bath a week is shocking - it's very shocking."
Kathy Slayman, director of FHA health services for Burnaby, said the cutbacks are intended to make sure home support service are focused on health-care needs.
"Generally speaking, the focus is to reassess the clients in terms of their health-care needs," Slayman told the Burnaby NOW recently. "If they currently receive non-health-care services or hospitality services, we'll work with the client to have them get those services from other agencies or other sources."
According to new home support guidelines approved for the Fraser North region in late June, the new goal of the service is to "meet the health and safety needs of clients within the context of the current fiscal realities."
Slayman denied that her department has been given a "budget target," and refuted allegations that the "majority" of home support services would be cut.
Another Burnaby resident worried about the potential loss of his home support service is Derek Isobe, who has cerebral palsy and currently receives about 23 hours of service per week.
"I am scared for those of us in the disability community who don't have a voice and whose support needs may be trampled on by these cutbacks," Isobe said in a series of e-mail exchanges with this newspaper. "I don't exactly know how the cutbacks are going to affect me personally yet. I don't want to speculate on how they will affect me. However, let me say the threat of these cutbacks is adding stress to an already very stressful year."
Show finds home for furry orphans
Here and Now column
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 9, 2003
There were tears in the eyes of the SPCA volunteers when they joined in the Family Pet Show and Adopt-a-thon at Brentwood Town Centre last weekend.
While adopt-a-thons typically only find homes for 10 cats, the good folks of Burnaby almost helped to triple that number during the four-day event at Brentwood, says Charlene Hess, marketing director of the shopping centre under the sails.
"Last weekend, we saw 27 cats adopted and one 12-year-old dog," said Hess, who adopted her own pet cat from the SPCA just a few years previously. "The volunteers had tears in their eyes, they were so ecstatic."
In addition to the Adopt-a-thon, Brentwood Town Centre also opened its doors to a variety of working animals such as Barkley, the Vancouver Fire Department's search and rescue dog, plus emergency first-aid dogs and freestyle dancing dogs.
The event went over so well, Brentwood Town Centre is planning to do it again next year, said Hess, who was recently featured as one of Susie Wall's Glam Girls in the Province.
STARS OF THE PNE
If you think the weather the past few weeks has been hot, try standing under the bright lights at the PNE Shaw Star Discovery Talent Search, which takes place during the annual fair that begins next weekend.
A total of seven Burnaby residents have qualified for the semifinals of British Columbia's largest talent search. They are Braden Fong, Vanessa Fong, Ashley Chow, Alissa Keogh, Caitlan Read, Belinda Cheremkora and Laura Grossi.
The lucky contestants will compete for a total of $20,000 in cash prizes, including a top prize of $3,000 in each of the four age divisions. In addition, the winner of the Youth Talent division will win a trip to represent our province at the Canadian Youth Talent Competition.
A panel of industry professionals judged the semifinalists and rated the contestants on the following criteria: 50 per cent quality of performance, 25 per cent natural ability and 25 per cent stage presence and showmanship.
A total of 116 semifinalists will perform on the Telus Mobility Stage from 5 to 6 p.m. each day during the Pacific National Exhibition, which runs from Aug. 16 to Sept. 1.
For more information, visit www.pne.bc.ca or call 604-253-2311.
ONE VERY WILD BOARD
A little birdie told us that the folks at the Wildlife Rescue Association have elected a new executive.
The board will now be headed by president Cynthia Picker, vice- president Mick Yada, treasurer Jackie Hesketh and recording secretary Susan Stevens. The directors-at-large will be David Cook, Linda Heep, Dirk Haack and Deborah Tucker.
Picker is a 14-year volunteer with the organization and was primarily responsible for the construction of the beautiful and functional NatureScape habitat garden at the Glencarin Drive headquarters.
The WRA is that region-wide organization that provides care and relief to injured or distraught wild animals that are found throughout the Lower Mainland.
The association always seeks donations to help ensure it has the equipment, food and other supplies needed to keep the operation running.
And, oh yeah, the little birdie says 'thank you,' too.
TAX PROTEST MADE PUBLIC
Some rather pertinent information was left out of an item in my previous column about Ron Knight, the Burnaby author of the self- help book Healing Money Issues.
Knight has confirmed this week that he is indeed the same person who in December 2001 was convicted and fined $6,000 for failing to file his income tax forms for the years 1994 to 1998.
"Yes, it's true, but I have since filed all my taxes," Knight said Thursday, after this newspaper was tipped off to the oversight by an astute reader.
Apparently, Knight's refusal to pay the taxes was intended as a protest against the practices of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.
"I deliberately didn't file in order to get them into court," says the north Burnaby resident. "But that was so many years ago. I have paid it and I'm current and that's all finished and handled."
Knight's describes the national taxation agency as an "organization that preys on fear" and said he made the challenge simply to get the experience.
"They actually panic anyone they deal with. So, instead of going through that, I decided I was going to challenge them."
He also says his book is not so much about financial advice as it is about the emotional issues surrounding money.
"I don't advise people what to do with their money. That's definitely not what I do. I advise people how to handle their emotions and their feelings and all the emotional charge and issues that stem from dealing with money issues."
And as for his court experience, Knight says, "It's actually the best thing I ever did, and I'd do it again."
HUFFING AND PUFFING
You could say he blew away the competition.
Magician Rick Mearns of Burnaby won the award as the fastest balloon twister in the west at the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians convention, held last weekend at the Executive Inn on North Road in Coquitlam.
Using a combination of prestidigitation and perspiration, Mearns twisted eight doggie-shaped balloons in two minutes: the best time among the 260 magicians who registered for the convention.
A full-time professional comedy magician, Mearns has been wowing audiences for more than 30 years and was recently named the 'Rolls Royce' of Vancouver magicians.
A LITTLE CLARIFICATION
In the Wed. July 2 edition of the Burnaby NOW, in the story 'Parents protest federal process,' we mistakenly referred to Senator Landon Pearson as "he." She is currently looking over submissions for the National Plan of Action for Children, which will be released later this year.
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 9, 2003
There were tears in the eyes of the SPCA volunteers when they joined in the Family Pet Show and Adopt-a-thon at Brentwood Town Centre last weekend.
While adopt-a-thons typically only find homes for 10 cats, the good folks of Burnaby almost helped to triple that number during the four-day event at Brentwood, says Charlene Hess, marketing director of the shopping centre under the sails.
"Last weekend, we saw 27 cats adopted and one 12-year-old dog," said Hess, who adopted her own pet cat from the SPCA just a few years previously. "The volunteers had tears in their eyes, they were so ecstatic."
In addition to the Adopt-a-thon, Brentwood Town Centre also opened its doors to a variety of working animals such as Barkley, the Vancouver Fire Department's search and rescue dog, plus emergency first-aid dogs and freestyle dancing dogs.
The event went over so well, Brentwood Town Centre is planning to do it again next year, said Hess, who was recently featured as one of Susie Wall's Glam Girls in the Province.
STARS OF THE PNE
If you think the weather the past few weeks has been hot, try standing under the bright lights at the PNE Shaw Star Discovery Talent Search, which takes place during the annual fair that begins next weekend.
A total of seven Burnaby residents have qualified for the semifinals of British Columbia's largest talent search. They are Braden Fong, Vanessa Fong, Ashley Chow, Alissa Keogh, Caitlan Read, Belinda Cheremkora and Laura Grossi.
The lucky contestants will compete for a total of $20,000 in cash prizes, including a top prize of $3,000 in each of the four age divisions. In addition, the winner of the Youth Talent division will win a trip to represent our province at the Canadian Youth Talent Competition.
A panel of industry professionals judged the semifinalists and rated the contestants on the following criteria: 50 per cent quality of performance, 25 per cent natural ability and 25 per cent stage presence and showmanship.
A total of 116 semifinalists will perform on the Telus Mobility Stage from 5 to 6 p.m. each day during the Pacific National Exhibition, which runs from Aug. 16 to Sept. 1.
For more information, visit www.pne.bc.ca or call 604-253-2311.
ONE VERY WILD BOARD
A little birdie told us that the folks at the Wildlife Rescue Association have elected a new executive.
The board will now be headed by president Cynthia Picker, vice- president Mick Yada, treasurer Jackie Hesketh and recording secretary Susan Stevens. The directors-at-large will be David Cook, Linda Heep, Dirk Haack and Deborah Tucker.
Picker is a 14-year volunteer with the organization and was primarily responsible for the construction of the beautiful and functional NatureScape habitat garden at the Glencarin Drive headquarters.
The WRA is that region-wide organization that provides care and relief to injured or distraught wild animals that are found throughout the Lower Mainland.
The association always seeks donations to help ensure it has the equipment, food and other supplies needed to keep the operation running.
And, oh yeah, the little birdie says 'thank you,' too.
TAX PROTEST MADE PUBLIC
Some rather pertinent information was left out of an item in my previous column about Ron Knight, the Burnaby author of the self- help book Healing Money Issues.
Knight has confirmed this week that he is indeed the same person who in December 2001 was convicted and fined $6,000 for failing to file his income tax forms for the years 1994 to 1998.
"Yes, it's true, but I have since filed all my taxes," Knight said Thursday, after this newspaper was tipped off to the oversight by an astute reader.
Apparently, Knight's refusal to pay the taxes was intended as a protest against the practices of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.
"I deliberately didn't file in order to get them into court," says the north Burnaby resident. "But that was so many years ago. I have paid it and I'm current and that's all finished and handled."
Knight's describes the national taxation agency as an "organization that preys on fear" and said he made the challenge simply to get the experience.
"They actually panic anyone they deal with. So, instead of going through that, I decided I was going to challenge them."
He also says his book is not so much about financial advice as it is about the emotional issues surrounding money.
"I don't advise people what to do with their money. That's definitely not what I do. I advise people how to handle their emotions and their feelings and all the emotional charge and issues that stem from dealing with money issues."
And as for his court experience, Knight says, "It's actually the best thing I ever did, and I'd do it again."
HUFFING AND PUFFING
You could say he blew away the competition.
Magician Rick Mearns of Burnaby won the award as the fastest balloon twister in the west at the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians convention, held last weekend at the Executive Inn on North Road in Coquitlam.
Using a combination of prestidigitation and perspiration, Mearns twisted eight doggie-shaped balloons in two minutes: the best time among the 260 magicians who registered for the convention.
A full-time professional comedy magician, Mearns has been wowing audiences for more than 30 years and was recently named the 'Rolls Royce' of Vancouver magicians.
A LITTLE CLARIFICATION
In the Wed. July 2 edition of the Burnaby NOW, in the story 'Parents protest federal process,' we mistakenly referred to Senator Landon Pearson as "he." She is currently looking over submissions for the National Plan of Action for Children, which will be released later this year.
Camping week for the kids
Here and Now column
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 6, 2003
A couple of Burnaby firefighters spent a recent week in the wilderness in their efforts to help out the some of the youngest victims of tragedy in this province.
Firefighters Craig Matsumura and Dave Samson were camp counsellors at the 10th annual B.C. Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund Camp near Squamish last month.
"I've really wanted to get involved with the kids for some time," said Samson, a 13-year firefighting veteran who is currently stationed in the bright new Hastings Street Fire Hall.
"These are all special kids," Samson said of the 62 young people who were at the camp. "They're all burn survivors and the idea is to give them a good time for a week, even though other times are pretty tough for them.
"I'm really excited to be a part of it."
Samson spent his week hanging out with the kids aged seven to 10 years old, while Matsumura spent his days with the 13-year-old group.
This is the first time at burn camp for either of the two firefighters, although both are well-known for their other charity work.
Both Burnaby firefighters have posed for the B.C. Professional FireFighters Calendar, which helps raise money for the very same cause.
ADERA KICKS IN CASH
Students at a variety of south Burnaby schools have good reason to celebrate the addition of a new townhouse complex in their midst this summer.
The folks at Adera Development Corp. have donated a series of Soccerama Clinic programs to the five local elementary schools as a way to celebrate the opening of their new Ledgestone townhouse complex in the Edmonds Town Centre.
"This means that players from the Vancouver Whitecaps will be coming into the schools to provide an afternoon of clinics that help teach the kids sportsmanship," said Howard Steiss, vice-president of marketing for Adera.
The firm also donated 200 tickets to upcoming Whitecaps games for students at the schools, and they gave an official Whitecaps jersey to the schoolboard.
The donation was made last month during a grand opening celebration that featured Adera Development Corp. president Kevin Mahon and Vancouver Whitecap legend Bob Lenarduzzi. Also on hand were Mayor Derek Corrigan, Coun. Celeste Redman and school board chair Mondee Redman.
A ROBERT BIRCH BIOGRAPHY
One of Burnaby's most controversial and outspoken church leaders is commemorated in a new book written by city resident Beth Carson.
Pastor Bob, A Statesman of Prayer for Canada is a glowing account of the life of Rev. Robert Birch, the former minister of Burnaby Christian Fellowship who made many newspaper headlines for his conservative ideas on social issues and family values.
Carson describes Birch as "a man who wanted his life to count. In his 60s he weathered a hippy invasion at St. Margaret's, his small Vancouver church; then he pioneered the influential Burnaby Christian Fellowship in his 70s; and, in his 80s, took on major social issues and established a nationwide movement of prayer for Canada."
Birch's greatest claim to notoriety came in 1990 when it was discovered that he paid for a full-page ad in the Vancouver Sun, condemning Celebration '90, the gay and lesbian games that were being held in Swangard Stadium.
Pastor Bob, a 352-page tome published by Guardian, brought dozens of people out last month to a book release and signing party at the Pilgrim Book and Bible Store on Kingsway. The book retails for $15.95 and can be ordered on-line at www.essencebookstore.com.
FINANCIAL SELF-HELP IS HERE
Are you having money troubles? If so, Burnaby author Ron Knight believes he has just the solution.
Knight has recently published his own self-help book for people dealing with financial difficulties. Healing Money Issues is a 117- page 'prosperity workbook' that provides 44 methods to help readers improve their self-worth and energy.
"This book is not about about dollars and cents. It's about identifying the subconscious patterns, habits and feelings that prevent people from receiving what they want financially," said the author.
He has a background in the import/export business, construction, jewelry, property management and as a tour bus owner/operator.
Knight has studied numerology and transcendental meditation and is currently committed to the path of Siddha Yoga meditation.
His book is $24.95 and can be ordered at www.prosperitymethods.com or by calling 604-294-2038.
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 6, 2003
A couple of Burnaby firefighters spent a recent week in the wilderness in their efforts to help out the some of the youngest victims of tragedy in this province.
Firefighters Craig Matsumura and Dave Samson were camp counsellors at the 10th annual B.C. Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund Camp near Squamish last month.
"I've really wanted to get involved with the kids for some time," said Samson, a 13-year firefighting veteran who is currently stationed in the bright new Hastings Street Fire Hall.
"These are all special kids," Samson said of the 62 young people who were at the camp. "They're all burn survivors and the idea is to give them a good time for a week, even though other times are pretty tough for them.
"I'm really excited to be a part of it."
Samson spent his week hanging out with the kids aged seven to 10 years old, while Matsumura spent his days with the 13-year-old group.
This is the first time at burn camp for either of the two firefighters, although both are well-known for their other charity work.
Both Burnaby firefighters have posed for the B.C. Professional FireFighters Calendar, which helps raise money for the very same cause.
ADERA KICKS IN CASH
Students at a variety of south Burnaby schools have good reason to celebrate the addition of a new townhouse complex in their midst this summer.
The folks at Adera Development Corp. have donated a series of Soccerama Clinic programs to the five local elementary schools as a way to celebrate the opening of their new Ledgestone townhouse complex in the Edmonds Town Centre.
"This means that players from the Vancouver Whitecaps will be coming into the schools to provide an afternoon of clinics that help teach the kids sportsmanship," said Howard Steiss, vice-president of marketing for Adera.
The firm also donated 200 tickets to upcoming Whitecaps games for students at the schools, and they gave an official Whitecaps jersey to the schoolboard.
The donation was made last month during a grand opening celebration that featured Adera Development Corp. president Kevin Mahon and Vancouver Whitecap legend Bob Lenarduzzi. Also on hand were Mayor Derek Corrigan, Coun. Celeste Redman and school board chair Mondee Redman.
A ROBERT BIRCH BIOGRAPHY
One of Burnaby's most controversial and outspoken church leaders is commemorated in a new book written by city resident Beth Carson.
Pastor Bob, A Statesman of Prayer for Canada is a glowing account of the life of Rev. Robert Birch, the former minister of Burnaby Christian Fellowship who made many newspaper headlines for his conservative ideas on social issues and family values.
Carson describes Birch as "a man who wanted his life to count. In his 60s he weathered a hippy invasion at St. Margaret's, his small Vancouver church; then he pioneered the influential Burnaby Christian Fellowship in his 70s; and, in his 80s, took on major social issues and established a nationwide movement of prayer for Canada."
Birch's greatest claim to notoriety came in 1990 when it was discovered that he paid for a full-page ad in the Vancouver Sun, condemning Celebration '90, the gay and lesbian games that were being held in Swangard Stadium.
Pastor Bob, a 352-page tome published by Guardian, brought dozens of people out last month to a book release and signing party at the Pilgrim Book and Bible Store on Kingsway. The book retails for $15.95 and can be ordered on-line at www.essencebookstore.com.
FINANCIAL SELF-HELP IS HERE
Are you having money troubles? If so, Burnaby author Ron Knight believes he has just the solution.
Knight has recently published his own self-help book for people dealing with financial difficulties. Healing Money Issues is a 117- page 'prosperity workbook' that provides 44 methods to help readers improve their self-worth and energy.
"This book is not about about dollars and cents. It's about identifying the subconscious patterns, habits and feelings that prevent people from receiving what they want financially," said the author.
He has a background in the import/export business, construction, jewelry, property management and as a tour bus owner/operator.
Knight has studied numerology and transcendental meditation and is currently committed to the path of Siddha Yoga meditation.
His book is $24.95 and can be ordered at www.prosperitymethods.com or by calling 604-294-2038.
Eye doctors see red over deal
Eye doctors see red over deal
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 6, 20303
Plans to open a Centre of Excellence in eye care at Saint Mary's Hospital in New Westminster hit a roadblock this week when a group of ophthalmologists from Burnaby announced their intention to withdraw from the negotiations as a protest against the Fraser Health Authority.
The eight Burnaby eye doctors said despite more than three months of discussion, their concerns and recommendations have been virtually ignored by Dr. Peter J. Hill, chief medical director for the Fraser North region of the FHA.
"The Burnaby ophthalmic group has reached an impasse with Dr. Hill and clearly, there is no benefit to be had with us meeting with him again," the doctors said in a July 25 letter to the health authority.
The pronouncement comes after the Burnaby NOW was provided with a series of letters that indicate a growing level of distrust between the Burnaby eye doctors and the FHA.
"It is up to us whether we will co-operate with this scheme or withdraw from it completely," the doctors said in a July 11 letter to Hill. "We are not prepared to be 'managed' without meaningful consultation and if need be we will withdraw services from the region."
At issue are Burnaby doctors' claims that Saint Mary's lacks the equipment, facilities and other support to make the Centre for Excellence a practical or financial success.
The doctors also alleged the move is a misguided attempt to ration the amount of eye surgery done in the region, by moving the eye care surgery into a facility that only recently quelled rumours that it was about to close down.
Dr. Larry Daitz, one of the eight Burnaby eye doctors, said he and his colleagues may simply stop performing eye surgeries if they are forced to relocate.
"What's been going on in the background is a political thing between the region and Saint Mary's," Daitz said in a July 28 interview.
Earlier this year, the government-appointed FHA board drastically reduced its funding for Saint Mary's. In making that announcement, the FHA said it would move a variety of services around the region, including opening a new Centre of Excellence for eye care in the 89- year-old New Westminster facility, forcing the relocation of many of the services currently offered by the Burnaby eye doctor group.
Larry Odegard, chief executive officer at Saint Mary's, was hesitant to speculate what might happen if the doctors follow through with their threats, however, he said more discussion is definitely needed to ensure the centre opens smoothly.
"I know it is very disruptive to them and their practices and their patients, obviously," Odegard said Tuesday. "What we're intending to do is arrange a meeting of the leaders of their ophthalmology groups and their counterparts here at Saint Mary's.
"But my understanding is the decision is final and it part of a new agreement with Fraser Health. We expect, as the eye centre for Fraser North, we'll be able to address patient needs, and hopefully we'll be able to resolve their concerns.
"We'd prefer to have them (the Burnaby doctors) here, and that they'd bring their patients. That's the desire and the intention."
Helen Carkner, chief spokesperson for the Fraser Health Authority, said the authority is still hopeful of obtaining the co- operation of the Burnaby eye doctors.
"I think we're hoping that we can gain that support," Carkner said Tuesday. "That's why the discussions are continuing with them. The plan is to develop a quality program from all facets and avoid duplication of equipment at all sites.
"Change is not always universally welcome, but we do have a responsibility to the whole health authority."
But the doctors said the move could result in higher costs, particularly for the 'ancillary services' they provide at their two private offices in Metrotown and on Hastings Street.
"Rather than taking the region's money by doing testing in the hospital - as they would have us do at Saint Mary's - we currently provide those services in our office, and we don't charge the region a cent for it," Daitz said. "So this is not going to save them a lot of money."
Daitz also believes the move could result in a rationing of eye- care surgery in the region. "The real objective is to contract service. They want to pay for 50,000 operations and that's it.
"It makes no financial sense to consolidate all this at one facility," Daitz said. "We have the full range of services in Burnaby, which they really don't have in New Westminster."
Another complaint is that Saint Mary's fails to meet seismic, earthquake protection standards, and it would be unsafe to use the ceiling-mounted microscope currently used at Burnaby Hospital for many of the most delicate laser surgery operations.
"You don't want your microscope shaking around while you're doing surgery," Daitz said.
That allegation was dismissed by Odegard. "I think they are misled, and I think there are some areas where they have services we do not and vice versa," said the CEO of Saint Mary's.
Meanwhile, in a July 18 letter to Burnaby North MLA Richard T. Lee, the Burnaby doctors alleged that they were completely ignored in the planning process.
"Despite Dr. Hill's assurances, we recently received a letter from him indicating that the amalgamation is a 'done deal.' Many platitudes are expressed, but they are unrealistic, ill-conceived and, in today's budgetary situation, totally impractical fantasies," said the letter. "Despite being the health-care professionals with the most knowledge of the practical aspects of eye-care delivery, and willing to help if asked, we have been completely left out of the entire process and the administrators have decided what is best for everyone."
In the letter, the Burnaby doctors also claim the move could result in the closure of Burnaby Hospital. "If our fears about the true reason for amalgamation - decreased access to care leading to decreased costs - are realized, then neither community will benefit, and waiting lists will lengthen considerably. If other services are similarly organized, the case to downgrade (Burnaby Hospital) from acute care will be easy."
Daitz also does not believe the move will result in the opening of the desired centre for excellence in New Westminster.
"The promises made by Dr. Hill of turning this facility (Saint Mary's) into a top-notch eye-care centre to rival the eye-care centre downtown, to have research and students and all this, is a pipe dream," he said. "If you look at the budget and how much they're in the red in that eye-care centre in Vancouver, there's no way it's going to happen twice," Daitz said.
"This plan is hopelessly ambitious and seriously flawed."
If the proposal does go ahead, Daitz admits that many of the younger eye doctors will likely make the move. However, he also said that most of the more experienced doctors who have already established their careers, such as himself, will likely just retire, resulting in a net loss for the public.
"If they move tomorrow, I'll tell them to shove it. I just won't do it," he said. "I'm 57 years old and I don't need it from a financial point of view."
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 6, 20303
Plans to open a Centre of Excellence in eye care at Saint Mary's Hospital in New Westminster hit a roadblock this week when a group of ophthalmologists from Burnaby announced their intention to withdraw from the negotiations as a protest against the Fraser Health Authority.
The eight Burnaby eye doctors said despite more than three months of discussion, their concerns and recommendations have been virtually ignored by Dr. Peter J. Hill, chief medical director for the Fraser North region of the FHA.
"The Burnaby ophthalmic group has reached an impasse with Dr. Hill and clearly, there is no benefit to be had with us meeting with him again," the doctors said in a July 25 letter to the health authority.
The pronouncement comes after the Burnaby NOW was provided with a series of letters that indicate a growing level of distrust between the Burnaby eye doctors and the FHA.
"It is up to us whether we will co-operate with this scheme or withdraw from it completely," the doctors said in a July 11 letter to Hill. "We are not prepared to be 'managed' without meaningful consultation and if need be we will withdraw services from the region."
At issue are Burnaby doctors' claims that Saint Mary's lacks the equipment, facilities and other support to make the Centre for Excellence a practical or financial success.
The doctors also alleged the move is a misguided attempt to ration the amount of eye surgery done in the region, by moving the eye care surgery into a facility that only recently quelled rumours that it was about to close down.
Dr. Larry Daitz, one of the eight Burnaby eye doctors, said he and his colleagues may simply stop performing eye surgeries if they are forced to relocate.
"What's been going on in the background is a political thing between the region and Saint Mary's," Daitz said in a July 28 interview.
Earlier this year, the government-appointed FHA board drastically reduced its funding for Saint Mary's. In making that announcement, the FHA said it would move a variety of services around the region, including opening a new Centre of Excellence for eye care in the 89- year-old New Westminster facility, forcing the relocation of many of the services currently offered by the Burnaby eye doctor group.
Larry Odegard, chief executive officer at Saint Mary's, was hesitant to speculate what might happen if the doctors follow through with their threats, however, he said more discussion is definitely needed to ensure the centre opens smoothly.
"I know it is very disruptive to them and their practices and their patients, obviously," Odegard said Tuesday. "What we're intending to do is arrange a meeting of the leaders of their ophthalmology groups and their counterparts here at Saint Mary's.
"But my understanding is the decision is final and it part of a new agreement with Fraser Health. We expect, as the eye centre for Fraser North, we'll be able to address patient needs, and hopefully we'll be able to resolve their concerns.
"We'd prefer to have them (the Burnaby doctors) here, and that they'd bring their patients. That's the desire and the intention."
Helen Carkner, chief spokesperson for the Fraser Health Authority, said the authority is still hopeful of obtaining the co- operation of the Burnaby eye doctors.
"I think we're hoping that we can gain that support," Carkner said Tuesday. "That's why the discussions are continuing with them. The plan is to develop a quality program from all facets and avoid duplication of equipment at all sites.
"Change is not always universally welcome, but we do have a responsibility to the whole health authority."
But the doctors said the move could result in higher costs, particularly for the 'ancillary services' they provide at their two private offices in Metrotown and on Hastings Street.
"Rather than taking the region's money by doing testing in the hospital - as they would have us do at Saint Mary's - we currently provide those services in our office, and we don't charge the region a cent for it," Daitz said. "So this is not going to save them a lot of money."
Daitz also believes the move could result in a rationing of eye- care surgery in the region. "The real objective is to contract service. They want to pay for 50,000 operations and that's it.
"It makes no financial sense to consolidate all this at one facility," Daitz said. "We have the full range of services in Burnaby, which they really don't have in New Westminster."
Another complaint is that Saint Mary's fails to meet seismic, earthquake protection standards, and it would be unsafe to use the ceiling-mounted microscope currently used at Burnaby Hospital for many of the most delicate laser surgery operations.
"You don't want your microscope shaking around while you're doing surgery," Daitz said.
That allegation was dismissed by Odegard. "I think they are misled, and I think there are some areas where they have services we do not and vice versa," said the CEO of Saint Mary's.
Meanwhile, in a July 18 letter to Burnaby North MLA Richard T. Lee, the Burnaby doctors alleged that they were completely ignored in the planning process.
"Despite Dr. Hill's assurances, we recently received a letter from him indicating that the amalgamation is a 'done deal.' Many platitudes are expressed, but they are unrealistic, ill-conceived and, in today's budgetary situation, totally impractical fantasies," said the letter. "Despite being the health-care professionals with the most knowledge of the practical aspects of eye-care delivery, and willing to help if asked, we have been completely left out of the entire process and the administrators have decided what is best for everyone."
In the letter, the Burnaby doctors also claim the move could result in the closure of Burnaby Hospital. "If our fears about the true reason for amalgamation - decreased access to care leading to decreased costs - are realized, then neither community will benefit, and waiting lists will lengthen considerably. If other services are similarly organized, the case to downgrade (Burnaby Hospital) from acute care will be easy."
Daitz also does not believe the move will result in the opening of the desired centre for excellence in New Westminster.
"The promises made by Dr. Hill of turning this facility (Saint Mary's) into a top-notch eye-care centre to rival the eye-care centre downtown, to have research and students and all this, is a pipe dream," he said. "If you look at the budget and how much they're in the red in that eye-care centre in Vancouver, there's no way it's going to happen twice," Daitz said.
"This plan is hopelessly ambitious and seriously flawed."
If the proposal does go ahead, Daitz admits that many of the younger eye doctors will likely make the move. However, he also said that most of the more experienced doctors who have already established their careers, such as himself, will likely just retire, resulting in a net loss for the public.
"If they move tomorrow, I'll tell them to shove it. I just won't do it," he said. "I'm 57 years old and I don't need it from a financial point of view."
Firefighters battle in Kelowna
Firefighters battle in Kelowna
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 6, 2003
A five-person crew of Burnaby firefighters was dispatched to Kamloops last weekend to aid in the massive effort to fight forest fires across the province.
The Burnaby crew, along with a hose truck and auxiliary vehicle, will be posted in a region that, as of Sunday, was experiencing as many as 306 of the total 337 forest fires burning in the province.
A total of 2,000 firefighters are battling the blazes, including 449 people from out of province and 48 helicopters. According to media reports up to 10 a.m. Tuesday, as many as 8,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.
"We have a crew in Kamloops helping to protect the city," Burnaby assistant fire chief Fred Scarfe said Tuesday morning.
The crew, headed by chief Bob Cook, includes the city's chief mechanic Alan Grey plus three other firefighters. They will remain in the Interior city until further notice.
On Saturday, premier Gordon Campbell declared a state of emergency in the entire province due to the fires, which are currently costing about $2.5 million per day to battle.
While an estimated 2,000 volunteers were helping with the firefighting efforts, efforts were also underway to collect bottled water, sleeping bags and other necessities for the thousands of people left homeless by the flames.
People who are worried about family or friends who have been evacuated because of the fires can call the Red Cross at 1-888-350- 6070.
For up-to-date information on the status of the wildfire situation, visit the Provincial emergency Program Web site at www.pep.bc.ca
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 6, 2003
A five-person crew of Burnaby firefighters was dispatched to Kamloops last weekend to aid in the massive effort to fight forest fires across the province.
The Burnaby crew, along with a hose truck and auxiliary vehicle, will be posted in a region that, as of Sunday, was experiencing as many as 306 of the total 337 forest fires burning in the province.
A total of 2,000 firefighters are battling the blazes, including 449 people from out of province and 48 helicopters. According to media reports up to 10 a.m. Tuesday, as many as 8,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.
"We have a crew in Kamloops helping to protect the city," Burnaby assistant fire chief Fred Scarfe said Tuesday morning.
The crew, headed by chief Bob Cook, includes the city's chief mechanic Alan Grey plus three other firefighters. They will remain in the Interior city until further notice.
On Saturday, premier Gordon Campbell declared a state of emergency in the entire province due to the fires, which are currently costing about $2.5 million per day to battle.
While an estimated 2,000 volunteers were helping with the firefighting efforts, efforts were also underway to collect bottled water, sleeping bags and other necessities for the thousands of people left homeless by the flames.
People who are worried about family or friends who have been evacuated because of the fires can call the Red Cross at 1-888-350- 6070.
For up-to-date information on the status of the wildfire situation, visit the Provincial emergency Program Web site at www.pep.bc.ca
Increases will hurt local seniors
Increases will hurt local seniors
By Dan Hilborn, BUrnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 6, 2003
A director of one of the largest senior groups serving Burnaby and New Westminster is expressing concern after the provincial government increased the 'co-pay fee' for seniors living in residential care homes late last month.
Vic Leach, director of the Seniors' Bureau, said the latest move is one of "too many changes" for seniors in the past two years, and it's time to stop the cuts to services and the increases to fees.
"How do you adjust for the future when the ground is constantly changing?" Leach asked. "I'd say the MLAs should put themselves in the shoes of a 70-year-old low-income individual and walk with them for a week. See what it's like living on $1,100 a month and then being faced with putting your 80-year-old spouse into a care home when you don't have the funds."
The change, announced Thursday, means many seniors who live in subsidized residential care homes will face increases in October ranging from $1.60 to $15 per day, depending on their income. Anyone earning under $18,000 per year will not have a rate increase, and will continue to pay the former rate of $27.10 per day to live in residential care.
Katherine Whittred, the Minister of State for Intermediate, Long Term and Home Care, said the change means the vast majority of seniors in B.C. care homes - an estimated 72 per cent of residents - will not have to pay any fee increase.
"We have worked very hard to ensure that people on low incomes and moderate incomes are not impacted," said Whittred.
Under the system, the lowest rate of $27.10 per day is unchanged and people currently paying that rate will not be affected. But above that rate, the fee increases begin to rise sharply, until people paying the highest rate, $50 per day for people with annual incomes of $56,000 or more, will pay another $15 per day - or an extra $450 per month.
Whittred noted that B.C. still has the lowest residential care fee in Canada, and its $65 per day maximum rate is lower than many provinces. Only Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec have lower maximum rates.
"I think I can pretty much say with a great deal of confidence that the increase in residential rates are not going to have an impact on people in residential care," Whittred said. "The co-pay is pretty much in line with other provinces and is really, I think, quite reasonable in that it includes all accommodations, meals, activities and various therapies, as well as their drugs."
While Leach agreed that the current change will affect only a few local seniors, he said the cumulative effect of a great number of changes over the past two years is starting to overwhelm many.
"There have been dramatic changes in all the things that have to do with the medical services - from the Pharmacare program to all of their programs. These are traumatic changes, and what are seniors going to do?
"There are too many changes in too short a period of time, and they're still coming. It doesn't give seniors any hope ... they're reeling," Leach said.
Leach, who oversees one of the oldest and most active senior's advocacy organizations in the Lower Mainland, said most seniors voted for the B.C. Liberal government and were willing to give premier Gordon Campbell's austerity measures the benefit of the doubt. However, the long list of changes is overwhelming for many.
For instance, when the province changed the Pharmacare system earlier this year, many seniors had to pay fee increases of up to $200 per year. "I've heard a number of people say they're going to cut back on the pills they take because it's getting too expensive," Leach said.
In addition to those changes, the Fraser Health Authority recently announced plans to reduce the amount of home support services it provides. Home support is one of the programs intended to help keep seniors out of extended care homes or hospitals.
By Dan Hilborn, BUrnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 6, 2003
A director of one of the largest senior groups serving Burnaby and New Westminster is expressing concern after the provincial government increased the 'co-pay fee' for seniors living in residential care homes late last month.
Vic Leach, director of the Seniors' Bureau, said the latest move is one of "too many changes" for seniors in the past two years, and it's time to stop the cuts to services and the increases to fees.
"How do you adjust for the future when the ground is constantly changing?" Leach asked. "I'd say the MLAs should put themselves in the shoes of a 70-year-old low-income individual and walk with them for a week. See what it's like living on $1,100 a month and then being faced with putting your 80-year-old spouse into a care home when you don't have the funds."
The change, announced Thursday, means many seniors who live in subsidized residential care homes will face increases in October ranging from $1.60 to $15 per day, depending on their income. Anyone earning under $18,000 per year will not have a rate increase, and will continue to pay the former rate of $27.10 per day to live in residential care.
Katherine Whittred, the Minister of State for Intermediate, Long Term and Home Care, said the change means the vast majority of seniors in B.C. care homes - an estimated 72 per cent of residents - will not have to pay any fee increase.
"We have worked very hard to ensure that people on low incomes and moderate incomes are not impacted," said Whittred.
Under the system, the lowest rate of $27.10 per day is unchanged and people currently paying that rate will not be affected. But above that rate, the fee increases begin to rise sharply, until people paying the highest rate, $50 per day for people with annual incomes of $56,000 or more, will pay another $15 per day - or an extra $450 per month.
Whittred noted that B.C. still has the lowest residential care fee in Canada, and its $65 per day maximum rate is lower than many provinces. Only Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec have lower maximum rates.
"I think I can pretty much say with a great deal of confidence that the increase in residential rates are not going to have an impact on people in residential care," Whittred said. "The co-pay is pretty much in line with other provinces and is really, I think, quite reasonable in that it includes all accommodations, meals, activities and various therapies, as well as their drugs."
While Leach agreed that the current change will affect only a few local seniors, he said the cumulative effect of a great number of changes over the past two years is starting to overwhelm many.
"There have been dramatic changes in all the things that have to do with the medical services - from the Pharmacare program to all of their programs. These are traumatic changes, and what are seniors going to do?
"There are too many changes in too short a period of time, and they're still coming. It doesn't give seniors any hope ... they're reeling," Leach said.
Leach, who oversees one of the oldest and most active senior's advocacy organizations in the Lower Mainland, said most seniors voted for the B.C. Liberal government and were willing to give premier Gordon Campbell's austerity measures the benefit of the doubt. However, the long list of changes is overwhelming for many.
For instance, when the province changed the Pharmacare system earlier this year, many seniors had to pay fee increases of up to $200 per year. "I've heard a number of people say they're going to cut back on the pills they take because it's getting too expensive," Leach said.
In addition to those changes, the Fraser Health Authority recently announced plans to reduce the amount of home support services it provides. Home support is one of the programs intended to help keep seniors out of extended care homes or hospitals.
TransLink asks for an apology
TransLink asks for an apology
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 2, 2003
The TransLink board of directors is demanding a written apology from Burnaby mayor Derek Corrigan and Port Coquitlam mayor Scott Young over their allegations of impropriety in the handling of the Rich-mond-Airport-Vancouver rapid transit project.
During an in-camera meeting on Wednesday, the TransLink board approved a motion that calls for the apology and defends the actions of its chair Doug McCallum and CEO Pat Jacobsen.
Corrigan, a former chair of B.C. Transit, was unrepentant and said that he and Young are only trying to learn the reasons for a $150-million funding shortfall for the RAV line.
"Why was representation made to us that we had $450 million from the federal government in the bag?" Corrigan asked again on Thursday morning. "If the TransLink board is offended by us asking questions about the evidence that we see, that's too bad."
*The motion points to a July 16 letter sent from Corrigan to the GVRD board that claimed they were given "inadequate, incomplete and inaccurate information" and "it would appear that less than the full truth was presented to the board."
The motion calls on TransLink board members to remember their duty to act in the best interest of the board and to raise their concerns about process or staff conduct through board channels "rather than in launching personal attacks against the chair or staff in letters to a wide audience."
Corrigan said Trans-Link appears to be trying to divert the public's attention away from the larger funding issue. "They should respond to a letter written by Scott (Young) outlining how this situation arrived and the circumstances we found at the GVRD," he said.
"Both Scott and I are asking how TransLink could come forward with a position that the federal and provincial governments were forcing this issue, when those two governments were saying it was Trans-Link's project?
"I have a duty in the public interest to ask questions about matters like this and to present the information that's available to me," Corrigan said. "I supplied TransLink and all the mayors and councillors the evidence. Both Scott and I were concerned that there was something wrong in Denmark."
Corrigan noted that the GVRD had previously voted in favour of making the North East Sector rapid transit line its next funding priority. However, in late May, the GVRD board voted to give equal priority to both the RAV and North East Sector lines.
Corrigan said that change of heart was fuelled primarily by claims that there was enough federal funding committed to build both lines.
"I don't think there's any question. Everyone knows that the federal commitment was never what we were told.
"You've seen the shock and dismay of the province and TransLink over the federal refusal to pay $450 million. You've also seen that the GVRD and TransLink were told that we won't get $450 million if we don't support this (the RAV) line.
"Under those circumstances, they voted in favour of it. The GVRD may very well have made a different decision if they were told at the time of the vote that there was only $300 million in federal funding and we'd have to find another $150 million.
"And they certainly would not have wanted to vote on the issue until that $150 million was found."
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 2, 2003
The TransLink board of directors is demanding a written apology from Burnaby mayor Derek Corrigan and Port Coquitlam mayor Scott Young over their allegations of impropriety in the handling of the Rich-mond-Airport-Vancouver rapid transit project.
During an in-camera meeting on Wednesday, the TransLink board approved a motion that calls for the apology and defends the actions of its chair Doug McCallum and CEO Pat Jacobsen.
Corrigan, a former chair of B.C. Transit, was unrepentant and said that he and Young are only trying to learn the reasons for a $150-million funding shortfall for the RAV line.
"Why was representation made to us that we had $450 million from the federal government in the bag?" Corrigan asked again on Thursday morning. "If the TransLink board is offended by us asking questions about the evidence that we see, that's too bad."
*The motion points to a July 16 letter sent from Corrigan to the GVRD board that claimed they were given "inadequate, incomplete and inaccurate information" and "it would appear that less than the full truth was presented to the board."
The motion calls on TransLink board members to remember their duty to act in the best interest of the board and to raise their concerns about process or staff conduct through board channels "rather than in launching personal attacks against the chair or staff in letters to a wide audience."
Corrigan said Trans-Link appears to be trying to divert the public's attention away from the larger funding issue. "They should respond to a letter written by Scott (Young) outlining how this situation arrived and the circumstances we found at the GVRD," he said.
"Both Scott and I are asking how TransLink could come forward with a position that the federal and provincial governments were forcing this issue, when those two governments were saying it was Trans-Link's project?
"I have a duty in the public interest to ask questions about matters like this and to present the information that's available to me," Corrigan said. "I supplied TransLink and all the mayors and councillors the evidence. Both Scott and I were concerned that there was something wrong in Denmark."
Corrigan noted that the GVRD had previously voted in favour of making the North East Sector rapid transit line its next funding priority. However, in late May, the GVRD board voted to give equal priority to both the RAV and North East Sector lines.
Corrigan said that change of heart was fuelled primarily by claims that there was enough federal funding committed to build both lines.
"I don't think there's any question. Everyone knows that the federal commitment was never what we were told.
"You've seen the shock and dismay of the province and TransLink over the federal refusal to pay $450 million. You've also seen that the GVRD and TransLink were told that we won't get $450 million if we don't support this (the RAV) line.
"Under those circumstances, they voted in favour of it. The GVRD may very well have made a different decision if they were told at the time of the vote that there was only $300 million in federal funding and we'd have to find another $150 million.
"And they certainly would not have wanted to vote on the issue until that $150 million was found."
Wild in the city
Wild in the city
* This story won First Place in the Environmental Reporting category of the 2003 Suburban Newspapers of America Awards
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 3, 2003
Five years ago, reporter Dan Hilborn canoed Still Creek as experts embarked on a plan to restore the waterway to some of its former glory.
Last week, Hilborn took the same voyage and recorded the phenomenal change to the urban creek in our midst.
His special report follows.
- - -
What was once known as one of the most polluted waterways in the Lower Mainland is slowly coming back to life, thanks to the dedicated efforts of local environmentalists and governments.
In fact, the long-term restoration of Still Creek has gone so well that one of the most renowned rivers experts in the world believes that the small channel of murky water that flows out of east Vancouver and into Burnaby Lake could well become the next great recreational playground for paddlers and hikers from throughout the Lower Mainland.
"Still Creek could be a jewel for all of Burnaby and Vancouver," says Mark Angelo, head of the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program at BCIT, and the former executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C.
Recently, Angelo and colleague Bob Gunn invited a Burnaby NOW reporter on a five-kilometre paddle along the surprisingly pristine creek. The trip was similar to a venture made with this newspaper in 1998 and was intended to show off the many improvements made on the waterway in the intervening half decade.
"There is some great potential to make this creek people- oriented," Angelo says as we begin the trip on a secluded section of water behind the parking lot of the McDonald's restaurant near Still Creek Drive and the #1 Highway.
Lowering the inflatable, self-bailing canoe into the shallow waters, Angelo points to a mass of branches and wood piled across the creek - indicators that beaver have been active here.
As we walk the canoe towards the Willingdon overpass and deeper water, we are surrounded by lush and diverse vegetation along the banks of the creek, dozens of insects skimming the water and tiny schools of minnows - most likely baby cutthroat trout - darting through the mud stirred up by our hip-waders.
"There's no question we're making some progress," Angelo says. "Water quality is moving in the right direction and coliform counts are down. But what we really need is a long-term vision. Over the next 20 or 30 years, there are going to be some incredible opportunities for redevelopment here."
And that is the crux of our journey. Angelo is hoping that the more people know about this hidden waterway in the city's midst, the greater the chance there is of turning Still Creek into a recreation destination.
Angelo points downstream and admits that, on this section between Willingdon and Douglas Road, the focus will have to be on restoration - widening the buffer zone and taking other steps to ensure nearby landowners protect the creek, its water and wildlife.
And as we paddle past the first bend, there is virtually no way to tell that the canoe is surrounded by the busiest highway in the province (Highway #1) to the south, and one of the biggest shopping centres (Brentwood Mall) in the Lower Mainland to the north.
That's when the first great blue heron is rustled out of its restful slumber and lifts its giant wings into the sky. Here, the lush vegetation is broken only by the few beaver trails that lead right to the water's edge.
River otter are the newest residents to find their way up into this section of water. And while Angelo and Gunn say they frequently see these playful mammals in the water, we are unfortunate not to spot one today. Angelo believes the otters made their way upstream from their traditional home in the Brunette River, which runs from the eastern end of Burnaby Lake to the mighty Fraser River.
We make our first stop at the outlet of Guichon Creek, which flows out of the BCIT property and under the freeway to join Still Creek. Angelo describes this smaller creek as 'off channel habitat' - a place where cooler water runs into the slower moving larger creek, providing respite for small fish during the hottest days of summer, when the low oxygen levels that are normal in warm water can spell their doom.
"As salmon stocks start to recover, habitat like this will become more important," Angelo says, as he points up Guichon Creek. "I know the city is talking about installing bio-filtration ponds on some of these smaller off-channel areas, and my hope is that they can be fashioned in such a way as to create new fishery habitat."
Angelo is also hopeful that city hall and BCIT can work together to 'daylight' Guichon Creek - open it up so that the water no longer has to travel through long portions of culverts.
As we paddle closer to Douglas Road, the creek widens and begins to straighten out, evidence of the channeling work done to stabilize Still Creek back in the early days of Burnaby.
Five years ago, when the Burnaby NOW first paddled Still Creek, this particular section of creek had several major problems related to the nearby commercial and residential development.
Businesses along this stretch of water used to store their products right up to the stream side, causing potential pollution problems and leaving little green space for any passing wildlife. Today, it appears that all the commercial neighbours have heeded the warnings from city hall, the GVRD and local environmentalists, and the buffer zone is well respected.
"It's not that these people were deliberately using up the buffer zone. They were just unaware," says Angelo.
Another new addition to Still Creek is the construction of several small patios or docks along the water's edge - built by local businesses as a place where their employees can enjoy their breaks amid the natural surroundings.
This section of water was also home to a leaking sewer when the Burnaby NOW last paddled down Still Creek in 1998. Thankfully, the leak was quickly fixed and has not reappeared.
Beside the Douglas Road overpass, we pull the canoe out of the water to carry it over a 'trash rack,' which collects debris or garbage that floats down the river. Angelo says the device provides a valuable service, but its location, right next to a busy road, often gives passersby the false impression that the creek is unusually dirty or polluted.
And Angelo says the final section of Still Creek, between Douglas Road and Burnaby Lake, provides some of the most beautiful natural features in the entire city.
"I can see the day when this will become a popular canoeing spot," Angelo says. "Here, the water is open and wide, we have beaver runs all over the place and there is lots of diversity.
"On a good day, you can see coyote and pheasants here," Angelo says as bullfrogs jump into the water with every stroke of the paddles.
Angelo also applauds the many community groups and businesses which have helped to cleanup the water in this area. He specifically mentions the Eighth Northview Scouts who have spent years working on Beecher Creek, and the SkyTrain construction crew who helped preserve the cutthroat trout population in little-known Cranberry Creek.
Gunn points out a large, grassy yard which used to be a foraging ground for a group of three or four coastal blacktail deer.
In this area, we also hear the distinctive high-pitched screech of a red-tailed hawk. Gunn says the hawk's cry is probably the best-known bird call in the world, because Hollywood producers tend to use the more stirring hawk's voice in their movies to replace the less majestic call of the bald eagle.
As we near the Kensington overpass, a belted kingfisher skims the water in front of our craft - heading towards the trees in the 300- metre buffer zone that separates the creek from the nearby Burnaby Lake sports fields.
This portion of the creek, which is accessible by walking trails from the Burnaby Lake sports complex, has a mix of outdoor activities. Besides being one of the most popular carp fishing spots in the Lower Mainland, it is also home to a makeshift kayak course, where red and green gates hang from wires over the water.
And finally, three hours after we first set the canoe into the water, we pull the craft out of the creek at the most western end of Burnaby Lake, at the start of the Cottonwood Trail.
"My classes come down here a lot, and we've paddled this creek dozens of times," said Angelo, who has traveled around the world in his efforts to protect rivers. "Sometime I'm surprised that Still Creek just never gets the focus of other creeks in the region."
CREEK NEEDS PUBLIC INPUT:
It's time to encourage more canoeing on Still Creek, says Mark Angelo, a recent Order of Canada recipient and one of the most renowned rivers experts in the world.
And the best way to promote more paddling is to get the public involved in the ongoing debate over the future of the stream, he said.
A series of public meetings on the future of the waterway is planned for this fall, and Angelo is hoping that canoeists, kayakers and other fans of outdoor recreation make their voices heard.
"I think there is great potential to make the creek more people- oriented," Angelo said during a July 23 paddle down a five- kilometre stretch of the creek.
And to demonstrate the kind of positive changes that are possible, Angelo pointed to a small section of the creek closest to Boundary Road and Vancouver. Just five years ago, this area had no fish, and few wild plants other than blackberries would grow along to the polluted banks.
After years of hard work and the cooperation of at least three levels of government, this small section of creek has blossomed into new fish and wildlife habitat.
"Here, the creek opens up and it literally springs to life," Angelo said as he pointed to the now thriving native plant life along the banks.
"Everything you see here has been planted," Angelo said, naming the redozier dogwood, salmonberry, wild rose, red-flowering currant, cascara and western red cedar. "And as these plants mature, you'll get a range of heights that will make the area more attractive to wildlife and songbirds."
This stretch of water, which was once virtually lifeless, is now home to a small group of cut throat trout, even though they still have to travel through culverts to their newfound habitat.
Even this, probably the most neglected and once the most polluted section of the water, is coming back to life.
Angelo said he will advise the public when the next phase of the consultation process moves forward this fall. One thing he's definitely unhappy with is the unwieldy name of the process, which is known as the the Integrated Storm Water Management Plan.
* This story won First Place in the Environmental Reporting category of the 2003 Suburban Newspapers of America Awards
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published Aug. 3, 2003
Five years ago, reporter Dan Hilborn canoed Still Creek as experts embarked on a plan to restore the waterway to some of its former glory.
Last week, Hilborn took the same voyage and recorded the phenomenal change to the urban creek in our midst.
His special report follows.
- - -
What was once known as one of the most polluted waterways in the Lower Mainland is slowly coming back to life, thanks to the dedicated efforts of local environmentalists and governments.
In fact, the long-term restoration of Still Creek has gone so well that one of the most renowned rivers experts in the world believes that the small channel of murky water that flows out of east Vancouver and into Burnaby Lake could well become the next great recreational playground for paddlers and hikers from throughout the Lower Mainland.
"Still Creek could be a jewel for all of Burnaby and Vancouver," says Mark Angelo, head of the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program at BCIT, and the former executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C.
Recently, Angelo and colleague Bob Gunn invited a Burnaby NOW reporter on a five-kilometre paddle along the surprisingly pristine creek. The trip was similar to a venture made with this newspaper in 1998 and was intended to show off the many improvements made on the waterway in the intervening half decade.
"There is some great potential to make this creek people- oriented," Angelo says as we begin the trip on a secluded section of water behind the parking lot of the McDonald's restaurant near Still Creek Drive and the #1 Highway.
Lowering the inflatable, self-bailing canoe into the shallow waters, Angelo points to a mass of branches and wood piled across the creek - indicators that beaver have been active here.
As we walk the canoe towards the Willingdon overpass and deeper water, we are surrounded by lush and diverse vegetation along the banks of the creek, dozens of insects skimming the water and tiny schools of minnows - most likely baby cutthroat trout - darting through the mud stirred up by our hip-waders.
"There's no question we're making some progress," Angelo says. "Water quality is moving in the right direction and coliform counts are down. But what we really need is a long-term vision. Over the next 20 or 30 years, there are going to be some incredible opportunities for redevelopment here."
And that is the crux of our journey. Angelo is hoping that the more people know about this hidden waterway in the city's midst, the greater the chance there is of turning Still Creek into a recreation destination.
Angelo points downstream and admits that, on this section between Willingdon and Douglas Road, the focus will have to be on restoration - widening the buffer zone and taking other steps to ensure nearby landowners protect the creek, its water and wildlife.
And as we paddle past the first bend, there is virtually no way to tell that the canoe is surrounded by the busiest highway in the province (Highway #1) to the south, and one of the biggest shopping centres (Brentwood Mall) in the Lower Mainland to the north.
That's when the first great blue heron is rustled out of its restful slumber and lifts its giant wings into the sky. Here, the lush vegetation is broken only by the few beaver trails that lead right to the water's edge.
River otter are the newest residents to find their way up into this section of water. And while Angelo and Gunn say they frequently see these playful mammals in the water, we are unfortunate not to spot one today. Angelo believes the otters made their way upstream from their traditional home in the Brunette River, which runs from the eastern end of Burnaby Lake to the mighty Fraser River.
We make our first stop at the outlet of Guichon Creek, which flows out of the BCIT property and under the freeway to join Still Creek. Angelo describes this smaller creek as 'off channel habitat' - a place where cooler water runs into the slower moving larger creek, providing respite for small fish during the hottest days of summer, when the low oxygen levels that are normal in warm water can spell their doom.
"As salmon stocks start to recover, habitat like this will become more important," Angelo says, as he points up Guichon Creek. "I know the city is talking about installing bio-filtration ponds on some of these smaller off-channel areas, and my hope is that they can be fashioned in such a way as to create new fishery habitat."
Angelo is also hopeful that city hall and BCIT can work together to 'daylight' Guichon Creek - open it up so that the water no longer has to travel through long portions of culverts.
As we paddle closer to Douglas Road, the creek widens and begins to straighten out, evidence of the channeling work done to stabilize Still Creek back in the early days of Burnaby.
Five years ago, when the Burnaby NOW first paddled Still Creek, this particular section of creek had several major problems related to the nearby commercial and residential development.
Businesses along this stretch of water used to store their products right up to the stream side, causing potential pollution problems and leaving little green space for any passing wildlife. Today, it appears that all the commercial neighbours have heeded the warnings from city hall, the GVRD and local environmentalists, and the buffer zone is well respected.
"It's not that these people were deliberately using up the buffer zone. They were just unaware," says Angelo.
Another new addition to Still Creek is the construction of several small patios or docks along the water's edge - built by local businesses as a place where their employees can enjoy their breaks amid the natural surroundings.
This section of water was also home to a leaking sewer when the Burnaby NOW last paddled down Still Creek in 1998. Thankfully, the leak was quickly fixed and has not reappeared.
Beside the Douglas Road overpass, we pull the canoe out of the water to carry it over a 'trash rack,' which collects debris or garbage that floats down the river. Angelo says the device provides a valuable service, but its location, right next to a busy road, often gives passersby the false impression that the creek is unusually dirty or polluted.
And Angelo says the final section of Still Creek, between Douglas Road and Burnaby Lake, provides some of the most beautiful natural features in the entire city.
"I can see the day when this will become a popular canoeing spot," Angelo says. "Here, the water is open and wide, we have beaver runs all over the place and there is lots of diversity.
"On a good day, you can see coyote and pheasants here," Angelo says as bullfrogs jump into the water with every stroke of the paddles.
Angelo also applauds the many community groups and businesses which have helped to cleanup the water in this area. He specifically mentions the Eighth Northview Scouts who have spent years working on Beecher Creek, and the SkyTrain construction crew who helped preserve the cutthroat trout population in little-known Cranberry Creek.
Gunn points out a large, grassy yard which used to be a foraging ground for a group of three or four coastal blacktail deer.
In this area, we also hear the distinctive high-pitched screech of a red-tailed hawk. Gunn says the hawk's cry is probably the best-known bird call in the world, because Hollywood producers tend to use the more stirring hawk's voice in their movies to replace the less majestic call of the bald eagle.
As we near the Kensington overpass, a belted kingfisher skims the water in front of our craft - heading towards the trees in the 300- metre buffer zone that separates the creek from the nearby Burnaby Lake sports fields.
This portion of the creek, which is accessible by walking trails from the Burnaby Lake sports complex, has a mix of outdoor activities. Besides being one of the most popular carp fishing spots in the Lower Mainland, it is also home to a makeshift kayak course, where red and green gates hang from wires over the water.
And finally, three hours after we first set the canoe into the water, we pull the craft out of the creek at the most western end of Burnaby Lake, at the start of the Cottonwood Trail.
"My classes come down here a lot, and we've paddled this creek dozens of times," said Angelo, who has traveled around the world in his efforts to protect rivers. "Sometime I'm surprised that Still Creek just never gets the focus of other creeks in the region."
CREEK NEEDS PUBLIC INPUT:
It's time to encourage more canoeing on Still Creek, says Mark Angelo, a recent Order of Canada recipient and one of the most renowned rivers experts in the world.
And the best way to promote more paddling is to get the public involved in the ongoing debate over the future of the stream, he said.
A series of public meetings on the future of the waterway is planned for this fall, and Angelo is hoping that canoeists, kayakers and other fans of outdoor recreation make their voices heard.
"I think there is great potential to make the creek more people- oriented," Angelo said during a July 23 paddle down a five- kilometre stretch of the creek.
And to demonstrate the kind of positive changes that are possible, Angelo pointed to a small section of the creek closest to Boundary Road and Vancouver. Just five years ago, this area had no fish, and few wild plants other than blackberries would grow along to the polluted banks.
After years of hard work and the cooperation of at least three levels of government, this small section of creek has blossomed into new fish and wildlife habitat.
"Here, the creek opens up and it literally springs to life," Angelo said as he pointed to the now thriving native plant life along the banks.
"Everything you see here has been planted," Angelo said, naming the redozier dogwood, salmonberry, wild rose, red-flowering currant, cascara and western red cedar. "And as these plants mature, you'll get a range of heights that will make the area more attractive to wildlife and songbirds."
This stretch of water, which was once virtually lifeless, is now home to a small group of cut throat trout, even though they still have to travel through culverts to their newfound habitat.
Even this, probably the most neglected and once the most polluted section of the water, is coming back to life.
Angelo said he will advise the public when the next phase of the consultation process moves forward this fall. One thing he's definitely unhappy with is the unwieldy name of the process, which is known as the the Integrated Storm Water Management Plan.
Pipeline fuel leak needs more work
Pipeline fuel leak needs more work
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 30, 2003
Traffic on the far northern end of Willingdon Avenue is expected to return to normal by the end of this week, in the aftermath of the July 21 jet fuel pipeline leak.
Philippe Reicher, manager of public and community affairs for Terasen Pipelines in Calgary, said crews are now trying to determine the extent of the spill and exactly what kind of remediation is necessary.
"We'll probably need another week of repair work," Reicher told the Burnaby NOW on Monday morning. Crews will only know how long the remediation effort will take after they determine how much jet fuel was spilled, he said.
"That's part of the whole process," Reicher said. "By trying to identify the extent of contamination, that will determine how much digging we need to do in that area."
Ray Lord, manager of public affairs for the nearby Chevron refinery, said tanker truck traffic was allowed back onto Willingdon by the end of the day last Monday, when the fuel leak was first noticed, however, the 41-kilometre pipeline that delivers jet fuel to Vancouver International Airport did not get back on line until last Thursday.
The pipeline leak was first spotted by a Chevron employee conducting a routine inspection on the outskirts of the north Burnaby industrial operation.
Within minutes, emergency response crews were called out to the scene, and tanker traffic was diverted off the main arterial street.
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 30, 2003
Traffic on the far northern end of Willingdon Avenue is expected to return to normal by the end of this week, in the aftermath of the July 21 jet fuel pipeline leak.
Philippe Reicher, manager of public and community affairs for Terasen Pipelines in Calgary, said crews are now trying to determine the extent of the spill and exactly what kind of remediation is necessary.
"We'll probably need another week of repair work," Reicher told the Burnaby NOW on Monday morning. Crews will only know how long the remediation effort will take after they determine how much jet fuel was spilled, he said.
"That's part of the whole process," Reicher said. "By trying to identify the extent of contamination, that will determine how much digging we need to do in that area."
Ray Lord, manager of public affairs for the nearby Chevron refinery, said tanker truck traffic was allowed back onto Willingdon by the end of the day last Monday, when the fuel leak was first noticed, however, the 41-kilometre pipeline that delivers jet fuel to Vancouver International Airport did not get back on line until last Thursday.
The pipeline leak was first spotted by a Chevron employee conducting a routine inspection on the outskirts of the north Burnaby industrial operation.
Within minutes, emergency response crews were called out to the scene, and tanker traffic was diverted off the main arterial street.
18 still homeless after fire
18 still homeless after fire
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 30, 2003
Residents of the Cascades West condominium complex are slowly moving back into their homes after last week's devastating fire. But some will have a longer wait than others.
A total of 18 suites suffered the most serious damage and tenants of those units will not be allowed to move back into their homes for some time, said Debbie Clyne, emergency social services director in Burnaby.
But tenants in the remaining 42 suites began moving back into their homes on Monday morning, as portions of the building were declared suitable for occupation by Burnaby building inspectors, Clyne said.
Dave Butler, acting supervisor of the Burnaby building inspection division, believed the occupants of the 42 unaffected suites would be able to move back into their homes by the end of the day Tuesday (last night), however, the remainder will probably have to wait much longer.
"I think it could take three or four months to get those 18 units cleaned and stripped," said Butler. "They have to apply for building permits, the engineer has to assess them for structural damage, whether the fire wall was breached or if it is still sound, and then we need working drawings and letters of assurance from the engineer."
Meanwhile, Clyne said it was simply good luck that a majority of suites were self-owned, and most of the owners and renters had content insurance.
On Monday, the B.C. Automobile Association took the unusual step of issuing a press release reminding renters and homeowners to make sure they have adequate insurance in the event of a disaster.
According to the press release, BCAA had policies on six suites in the building, with an average of $40,000 in contents per suite, plus more than $20,000 per suite for additional living expenses.
A trust fund has been set up to assist those people who did not have insurance.
Donations can be made to the Richmond branch No. 26 of VanCity Credit Union, account number 186 262, with cheques payable to 'Strata Plan LMS 367, disaster relief.'
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 30, 2003
Residents of the Cascades West condominium complex are slowly moving back into their homes after last week's devastating fire. But some will have a longer wait than others.
A total of 18 suites suffered the most serious damage and tenants of those units will not be allowed to move back into their homes for some time, said Debbie Clyne, emergency social services director in Burnaby.
But tenants in the remaining 42 suites began moving back into their homes on Monday morning, as portions of the building were declared suitable for occupation by Burnaby building inspectors, Clyne said.
Dave Butler, acting supervisor of the Burnaby building inspection division, believed the occupants of the 42 unaffected suites would be able to move back into their homes by the end of the day Tuesday (last night), however, the remainder will probably have to wait much longer.
"I think it could take three or four months to get those 18 units cleaned and stripped," said Butler. "They have to apply for building permits, the engineer has to assess them for structural damage, whether the fire wall was breached or if it is still sound, and then we need working drawings and letters of assurance from the engineer."
Meanwhile, Clyne said it was simply good luck that a majority of suites were self-owned, and most of the owners and renters had content insurance.
On Monday, the B.C. Automobile Association took the unusual step of issuing a press release reminding renters and homeowners to make sure they have adequate insurance in the event of a disaster.
According to the press release, BCAA had policies on six suites in the building, with an average of $40,000 in contents per suite, plus more than $20,000 per suite for additional living expenses.
A trust fund has been set up to assist those people who did not have insurance.
Donations can be made to the Richmond branch No. 26 of VanCity Credit Union, account number 186 262, with cheques payable to 'Strata Plan LMS 367, disaster relief.'
Blues Festival may have set record
Ticket sales are up
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 30, 2003
Attendance was up for the fourth annual Burnaby Blues Festival, but exactly how many people showed up for this year's event won't be known for at least a few more days.
"The trend is looking good," declared John Orysik, media director for the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society. "We had great performances, there was great weather and the food was out of sight."
While Orysik estimated the attendance to be around the 3,500 mark, that was decidedly higher than the guesstimate provided by Ian Forsyth, the cultural programs co-ordinator at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
"We didn't set a record, but we were considerably better than last year," Forsyth said Monday. "So far, the box office is up considerably from last year. There seemed to be a lot more people in the beer garden and the merchandising did a booming business."
Forsyth said his preliminary numbers indicate that about 2,000 tickets were sold for the day-long festival that featured Canadian blues rocker Remy Shand, Wide Mouth Mason, Shemekia Copeland, Big Jack Johnson and the Oilers and others.
While the numbers appear to be headed in the right direction, Forsyth said city hall won't stop promoting the event until they reach their target mark of 5,000 fans.
"I'd like to have 5,000 people there. That's certainly where we're building up to and that's where the festival needs to be," he said Monday.
One of the greatest indicators that the numbers are on track is the fact that the free Vancouver Symphony orchestra concert in the park on the night before the blues festival drew 11,000 attendees this year.
"I know free is good, but the Burnaby Blues Festival has six bands and six shows for the cost of one concert at the Commodore," he said.
Forsyth said city hall was more than satisfied with the local media coverage leading up to the event, but planners had a tough time trying to attract attention from major media outlets for a festival that conflicts with other large scale events such as the Molson Indy races, the Mission Folk Music festival and the Illuminairies Festival in Vancouver.
"This really is a regional event, and it has to get out there and draw from the two million people who live in the Lower Mainland," he said. "It's hard trying to elbow out those other events. That's always going to be the challenge."
To help fine tune the marketing strategy, a total of eight polling kiosks were set up inside the Deer Lake amphitheater during this year's event to ask patrons 105 questions about what they liked best about the festival, how they heard about the event, and if there is anything different they would like to see added.
Forsyth said those questionnaires will be studied over the next several months to help shape future Burnaby Blues Festivals.
And Orysik agrees that the festival is on track for success.
"The site looked marvelous and everything was decked out," he said. "There was a real sense of community spirit out there, and I think all these things together are contributing to a real memorable cultural experience."
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 30, 2003
Attendance was up for the fourth annual Burnaby Blues Festival, but exactly how many people showed up for this year's event won't be known for at least a few more days.
"The trend is looking good," declared John Orysik, media director for the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society. "We had great performances, there was great weather and the food was out of sight."
While Orysik estimated the attendance to be around the 3,500 mark, that was decidedly higher than the guesstimate provided by Ian Forsyth, the cultural programs co-ordinator at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
"We didn't set a record, but we were considerably better than last year," Forsyth said Monday. "So far, the box office is up considerably from last year. There seemed to be a lot more people in the beer garden and the merchandising did a booming business."
Forsyth said his preliminary numbers indicate that about 2,000 tickets were sold for the day-long festival that featured Canadian blues rocker Remy Shand, Wide Mouth Mason, Shemekia Copeland, Big Jack Johnson and the Oilers and others.
While the numbers appear to be headed in the right direction, Forsyth said city hall won't stop promoting the event until they reach their target mark of 5,000 fans.
"I'd like to have 5,000 people there. That's certainly where we're building up to and that's where the festival needs to be," he said Monday.
One of the greatest indicators that the numbers are on track is the fact that the free Vancouver Symphony orchestra concert in the park on the night before the blues festival drew 11,000 attendees this year.
"I know free is good, but the Burnaby Blues Festival has six bands and six shows for the cost of one concert at the Commodore," he said.
Forsyth said city hall was more than satisfied with the local media coverage leading up to the event, but planners had a tough time trying to attract attention from major media outlets for a festival that conflicts with other large scale events such as the Molson Indy races, the Mission Folk Music festival and the Illuminairies Festival in Vancouver.
"This really is a regional event, and it has to get out there and draw from the two million people who live in the Lower Mainland," he said. "It's hard trying to elbow out those other events. That's always going to be the challenge."
To help fine tune the marketing strategy, a total of eight polling kiosks were set up inside the Deer Lake amphitheater during this year's event to ask patrons 105 questions about what they liked best about the festival, how they heard about the event, and if there is anything different they would like to see added.
Forsyth said those questionnaires will be studied over the next several months to help shape future Burnaby Blues Festivals.
And Orysik agrees that the festival is on track for success.
"The site looked marvelous and everything was decked out," he said. "There was a real sense of community spirit out there, and I think all these things together are contributing to a real memorable cultural experience."
'That was an incredible fire"
Condominium blaze damage could reach $1 million
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 23, 2003
A condominium complex near Canada Way and Boundary Road suffered up to $1 million in damage Thursday afternoon in a massive fire that forced 81 residents out of their homes.
"This was an incredible fire," said Captain Perri Talkarri, the lead investigator of the blaze that was first reported at 11:30 a.m. "There is very minor damage to the inside of the building, but the outside balconies and roof assembly in the affected area are almost completely gone."
The entire building suffered water damage, and none of the residents will be allowed back into the complex until this weekend, at the earliest.
Despite the massive size of the fire - the smoke was visible throughout much of Burnaby - all of the residents made it out of the building safely. One firefighter was taken to hospital with severe cuts to his hand, and a dog was taken to the SPCA for treatment after it was pulled out of the burning building on a stretcher.
Debbie Clyne, the emergency social services director for the city of Burnaby, praised the city's firefighters for their quick response and heartfelt attempts to assist the burned-out residents.
"One thing that stands out was this box of burned photo albums that had been pulled out of the worst burned- out suite," Clyne said. "At around 7 p.m., the owner got home from work and pulled up to the building, and then burst into tears."
"She came over and we showed her that the firefighters had rescued the photos on their own. It turns out she was a newlywed and she was so grateful," Clyne said.
"Here these guys are trying to fight fires and they consider photo albums. They have huge hearts."
After the fire was extinguished and the building was safe to re- enter, a crew of four firefighters was assigned the duty of escorting tenants into their suites to collect their most needed possessions such as medications, pajamas and clothes for the next day.
While only a dozen suites suffered fire damage, virtually the entire building suffered water damage.
"We've got swimming pools inside," said Talkarri. "In the parkade, we had water just raining through the suspended slats and through every hole and orifice in the walls. We were pumping 3,000 gallons per minute into that building for about two hours, so, do the math."
Kevin Chu, who has lived in the Cascade West building since it opened 11 years ago, was at home on vacation playing on his computer when he first noticed the power fluctuate and then heard people running. When he looked out onto his first-floor balcony, he saw "burning chunks" of debris falling from above, and immediately exited the building.
Diane Quan rushed home from work and ran into the burning building to rescue her pet Shetland sheep dog after she learned the building was on fire.
"I don't care if it's on fire, I'm getting my dog," Quan told the Burnaby NOW.
While firefighters said her actions are understandable, they also warn others to leave the rescue efforts to the professionals.
"That was a very foolish thing to do," Talkarri said. "We had to get our guys off the fire to find her."
Meanwhile, Clyne said most of the suites were self-owned and most of the residents had insurance.
"We always advise people who are renting to buy content insurance so they will be looked after in the event of a fire," Clyne said. "That's very important."
Clyne also said that a majority of residents were able to find alternate accommodations on their own, although two families did make use of the social service registration centre that was set up briefly at Bonsor rec centre.
And while many tenants believe the fire began on a first-floor balcony, Talkarri said the early evidence is pointing him at a second-floor balcony that has the telltale marks of an ignition source.
"On the ground floor, only one small wall suffered damage, the window is intact, the vinyl is intact and the sockets are intact. But if you go to the second-floor balcony, the plywood is completely consumed, the vinyl is gone, the window frames are gone and even the studs have real heavy charring."
Talkarri said one of his next tasks will be to interview the tenants of the three suites closest to the fire source to determine if any were home in the moments prior to the fire, and whether they were using anything combustible.
The building's management company is currently in the process of setting up a trust fund to assist those tenants who lost the most in the fire, and details of that campaign should be known early next week.
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 23, 2003
A condominium complex near Canada Way and Boundary Road suffered up to $1 million in damage Thursday afternoon in a massive fire that forced 81 residents out of their homes.
"This was an incredible fire," said Captain Perri Talkarri, the lead investigator of the blaze that was first reported at 11:30 a.m. "There is very minor damage to the inside of the building, but the outside balconies and roof assembly in the affected area are almost completely gone."
The entire building suffered water damage, and none of the residents will be allowed back into the complex until this weekend, at the earliest.
Despite the massive size of the fire - the smoke was visible throughout much of Burnaby - all of the residents made it out of the building safely. One firefighter was taken to hospital with severe cuts to his hand, and a dog was taken to the SPCA for treatment after it was pulled out of the burning building on a stretcher.
Debbie Clyne, the emergency social services director for the city of Burnaby, praised the city's firefighters for their quick response and heartfelt attempts to assist the burned-out residents.
"One thing that stands out was this box of burned photo albums that had been pulled out of the worst burned- out suite," Clyne said. "At around 7 p.m., the owner got home from work and pulled up to the building, and then burst into tears."
"She came over and we showed her that the firefighters had rescued the photos on their own. It turns out she was a newlywed and she was so grateful," Clyne said.
"Here these guys are trying to fight fires and they consider photo albums. They have huge hearts."
After the fire was extinguished and the building was safe to re- enter, a crew of four firefighters was assigned the duty of escorting tenants into their suites to collect their most needed possessions such as medications, pajamas and clothes for the next day.
While only a dozen suites suffered fire damage, virtually the entire building suffered water damage.
"We've got swimming pools inside," said Talkarri. "In the parkade, we had water just raining through the suspended slats and through every hole and orifice in the walls. We were pumping 3,000 gallons per minute into that building for about two hours, so, do the math."
Kevin Chu, who has lived in the Cascade West building since it opened 11 years ago, was at home on vacation playing on his computer when he first noticed the power fluctuate and then heard people running. When he looked out onto his first-floor balcony, he saw "burning chunks" of debris falling from above, and immediately exited the building.
Diane Quan rushed home from work and ran into the burning building to rescue her pet Shetland sheep dog after she learned the building was on fire.
"I don't care if it's on fire, I'm getting my dog," Quan told the Burnaby NOW.
While firefighters said her actions are understandable, they also warn others to leave the rescue efforts to the professionals.
"That was a very foolish thing to do," Talkarri said. "We had to get our guys off the fire to find her."
Meanwhile, Clyne said most of the suites were self-owned and most of the residents had insurance.
"We always advise people who are renting to buy content insurance so they will be looked after in the event of a fire," Clyne said. "That's very important."
Clyne also said that a majority of residents were able to find alternate accommodations on their own, although two families did make use of the social service registration centre that was set up briefly at Bonsor rec centre.
And while many tenants believe the fire began on a first-floor balcony, Talkarri said the early evidence is pointing him at a second-floor balcony that has the telltale marks of an ignition source.
"On the ground floor, only one small wall suffered damage, the window is intact, the vinyl is intact and the sockets are intact. But if you go to the second-floor balcony, the plywood is completely consumed, the vinyl is gone, the window frames are gone and even the studs have real heavy charring."
Talkarri said one of his next tasks will be to interview the tenants of the three suites closest to the fire source to determine if any were home in the moments prior to the fire, and whether they were using anything combustible.
The building's management company is currently in the process of setting up a trust fund to assist those tenants who lost the most in the fire, and details of that campaign should be known early next week.
Changes upset mental health clients
Changes upset mental health clients
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 23, 2003
Clients of the now-closed Lougheed mental health centre in Burnaby are expressing concern this week after some of them learned that they will have to change caregivers for the second time in under a year.
Linda McGregor, who first raised concerns about the move more than six months ago, said she was dismayed to learn last week that she will now have to go the South Burnaby centre, after a second redrawing of boundaries for mental health patients in Burnaby.
"I find it really hard to understand why people with mental illness are being pushed from pillar to post," McGregor told the Burnaby NOW on Monday morning. "First they're having their doctor changed, now they're having their case manager changed. When you're suffering from a mental illness, this is just awful."
McGregor, who was first diagnosed with severe depression in 1977, said she has benefited much from her involvement with the Burnaby mental health centre over the past quarter century.
But she does not understand why so many changes are being thrust upon so many sensitive people in so short a time period.
"A change in medical treatment is difficult for anyone, but it's especially difficult for someone with a mental illness."
And she claims to know of instances of other people who have simply stopped seeing their therapists and clinicians because of the inconvenience of the long trip.
The changes first went into effect last December when the former Lougheed mental health office, located on North Road at the far eastern boundary of Burnaby, was closed due to an apparent lack of clients.
Clients who attended that office were offered a choice to move to either the smaller North Burnaby office on Hastings Street or the main Central Burnaby office, which was located at Willingdon and Canada Way but was moved to Burnaby Hospital, at the far western end of Burnaby, this week.
This week, some clients originally moved from Lougheed to Central were told they were being moved again, this time to the South Burnaby office, located at Middlegate Mall. McGregor said the multiple changes in offices and caregivers is difficult for a variety of reasons.
"Most people with mental health have trust issues. It takes a lot of time to build up trust," McGregor said. "My concern is not just for myself. I know of at least two other people who do not want to be relocated again.
"But both of them are very intimidated by the system, and they don't want to be fighting and I don't know if they will have the strength to be able to argue and fight on their own behalf."
Akinlulo Falode, manager of Burnaby Mental Health Services, was able to confirm that some patients of the former Lougheed care centre were being relocated for the second time in about eight months but said his office was forced to make the move because of limited resources.
Falode was also unable to talk about the specifics of any case because of strict client confidentiality rules.
"That's the best solution we have for closing the Lougheed team," Falode said, when asked about the relocation of clients from Lougheed to Central and then to South. "I don't see any other solution.
"I understand the concern and apologize for the inconvenience, but under the circumstances, we can't avoid it," Falode said. "We have a shortage of staffing and we do the best we can. That's what we're trying to do here.
"However, if anyone has major concerns they can call me. But no one has contacted me directly," he added.
Meanwhile, McGregor claims to have evidence that at least one of the former clients from the Lougheed mental health centre has stopped attending therapy sessions, simply because of the long travel time required to get from his east Burnaby home to the newly opened office at Burnaby Hospital.
The client, a man diagnosed with schizophrenia, apparently moved into the neighbourhood of the former Lougheed office because he was uncomfortable riding on public transit. Last December, when his files were transferred to the former Willingdon office, the man simply stopped attending.
"One day I found him on the street having 'an episode,'" McGregor said. "I stopped the car and talked him off the middle of the road, and found out he's not going to doctor's appointments because he won't travel by bus. And he is not alone. There's a lot of people like that."
The Burnaby NOW was also contacted by the husband of another client of the former Lougheed mental health centre, who said his wife had to be admitted to the inpatient unit of the mental health centre last week because her condition started worsening soon after she was told she would be unable to see a clinician due to the Lougheed office closure.
"There is insufficient psychiatric care," said the husband, who asked to remain anonymous. "My wife used to have a clinician, but there's absolutely no support now. I've been told to hang on tight and wait until September rolls along when that position (clinician) will be filled again, but I doubt the position will be filled because of the deletion of the Lougheed team."
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 23, 2003
Clients of the now-closed Lougheed mental health centre in Burnaby are expressing concern this week after some of them learned that they will have to change caregivers for the second time in under a year.
Linda McGregor, who first raised concerns about the move more than six months ago, said she was dismayed to learn last week that she will now have to go the South Burnaby centre, after a second redrawing of boundaries for mental health patients in Burnaby.
"I find it really hard to understand why people with mental illness are being pushed from pillar to post," McGregor told the Burnaby NOW on Monday morning. "First they're having their doctor changed, now they're having their case manager changed. When you're suffering from a mental illness, this is just awful."
McGregor, who was first diagnosed with severe depression in 1977, said she has benefited much from her involvement with the Burnaby mental health centre over the past quarter century.
But she does not understand why so many changes are being thrust upon so many sensitive people in so short a time period.
"A change in medical treatment is difficult for anyone, but it's especially difficult for someone with a mental illness."
And she claims to know of instances of other people who have simply stopped seeing their therapists and clinicians because of the inconvenience of the long trip.
The changes first went into effect last December when the former Lougheed mental health office, located on North Road at the far eastern boundary of Burnaby, was closed due to an apparent lack of clients.
Clients who attended that office were offered a choice to move to either the smaller North Burnaby office on Hastings Street or the main Central Burnaby office, which was located at Willingdon and Canada Way but was moved to Burnaby Hospital, at the far western end of Burnaby, this week.
This week, some clients originally moved from Lougheed to Central were told they were being moved again, this time to the South Burnaby office, located at Middlegate Mall. McGregor said the multiple changes in offices and caregivers is difficult for a variety of reasons.
"Most people with mental health have trust issues. It takes a lot of time to build up trust," McGregor said. "My concern is not just for myself. I know of at least two other people who do not want to be relocated again.
"But both of them are very intimidated by the system, and they don't want to be fighting and I don't know if they will have the strength to be able to argue and fight on their own behalf."
Akinlulo Falode, manager of Burnaby Mental Health Services, was able to confirm that some patients of the former Lougheed care centre were being relocated for the second time in about eight months but said his office was forced to make the move because of limited resources.
Falode was also unable to talk about the specifics of any case because of strict client confidentiality rules.
"That's the best solution we have for closing the Lougheed team," Falode said, when asked about the relocation of clients from Lougheed to Central and then to South. "I don't see any other solution.
"I understand the concern and apologize for the inconvenience, but under the circumstances, we can't avoid it," Falode said. "We have a shortage of staffing and we do the best we can. That's what we're trying to do here.
"However, if anyone has major concerns they can call me. But no one has contacted me directly," he added.
Meanwhile, McGregor claims to have evidence that at least one of the former clients from the Lougheed mental health centre has stopped attending therapy sessions, simply because of the long travel time required to get from his east Burnaby home to the newly opened office at Burnaby Hospital.
The client, a man diagnosed with schizophrenia, apparently moved into the neighbourhood of the former Lougheed office because he was uncomfortable riding on public transit. Last December, when his files were transferred to the former Willingdon office, the man simply stopped attending.
"One day I found him on the street having 'an episode,'" McGregor said. "I stopped the car and talked him off the middle of the road, and found out he's not going to doctor's appointments because he won't travel by bus. And he is not alone. There's a lot of people like that."
The Burnaby NOW was also contacted by the husband of another client of the former Lougheed mental health centre, who said his wife had to be admitted to the inpatient unit of the mental health centre last week because her condition started worsening soon after she was told she would be unable to see a clinician due to the Lougheed office closure.
"There is insufficient psychiatric care," said the husband, who asked to remain anonymous. "My wife used to have a clinician, but there's absolutely no support now. I've been told to hang on tight and wait until September rolls along when that position (clinician) will be filled again, but I doubt the position will be filled because of the deletion of the Lougheed team."
Jet fuel pipeline springs a leak
Jet fuel pipeline springs a leak
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 23, 2003
The Terasen jet fuel pipeline that runs from north Burnaby to the Vancouver airport sprung a leak Monday afternoon, shutting down a portion of Willingdon Avenue and causing some serious concern for area residents.
The leak, which was discovered at about 12:45 p.m. by a worker from the nearby Chevron refinery, was stopped within five minutes of the first report, said Kathy Seifert, a public affairs specialist with Terasen's corporate head office in Calgary.
"At this time, there is no danger to the public," Seifert said Tuesday morning. "We closed off all the flow, but there has been some inconvenience to the residents due to the road closure."
The closure affected a one-block section of Willingdon, between Cambridge and Oxford streets, forcing large tanker trucks travelling in and out of the nearby refinery to reroute onto normally quite residential side streets.
Officials with both Terasen and Chevron expected Willingdon to re- open before the end of the day Tuesday.
While investigators have yet to determine exactly how much fuel was spilled, Seifert said her firm's response crews suspect the pipeline was leaking only for a short time.
"The amount is not known at this time, but what we're hearing from the crew that's out there is they feel the leak was quite small," she said.
Seifert said the 18 centimetre pipeline delivers 2,800 cubic metres (2.8 million litres) of jet fuel to the airport each day. The 41 kilometre pipeline received a clean bill of health after a caliper test looked for deformations in the pipeline wall in December 2002 and then a high resolution tool run tested the thickness of the pipeline in January 2003.
Judi Marshall, an area resident who has previously expressed concern about living next to a working oil refinery, said she drove past the pipeline while it was leaking and did not realize what had happened until she saw emergency response crews cleaning up the spill.
While Marshall admits the Chevron refinery is doing a better job of limiting the number of 'incidents' at its plant, she is concerned that she and her neighbours still have not received an official emergency response plan in the event of a major incident related to the refinery.
"While Chevron has made steps forward in terms of its response, I wonder about the emergency preparedness," she said. "As much as I'm reassured by everyone involved that this was nothing to worry about, I certainly don't feel the same way.
"Maybe they've done everything that could be done, but I don't know. But in this case it appears that Chevron probably did a good job. At least they found the leak and alerted the pipeline company."
Ray Lord, manager of community affairs for the Chevron refinery, was pleased with his company's response to the incident.
"Chevron noticed it first and stopped the product from moving through the pipeline," Lord said. "All the valves were closed and then Terasen was notified.
"From Chevron's perspective, this was not a safety issue at all," said Lord, who added that Chevron is now most concerned with the tanker traffic being rerouted through the residential streets in the Heights neighbourhood.
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 23, 2003
The Terasen jet fuel pipeline that runs from north Burnaby to the Vancouver airport sprung a leak Monday afternoon, shutting down a portion of Willingdon Avenue and causing some serious concern for area residents.
The leak, which was discovered at about 12:45 p.m. by a worker from the nearby Chevron refinery, was stopped within five minutes of the first report, said Kathy Seifert, a public affairs specialist with Terasen's corporate head office in Calgary.
"At this time, there is no danger to the public," Seifert said Tuesday morning. "We closed off all the flow, but there has been some inconvenience to the residents due to the road closure."
The closure affected a one-block section of Willingdon, between Cambridge and Oxford streets, forcing large tanker trucks travelling in and out of the nearby refinery to reroute onto normally quite residential side streets.
Officials with both Terasen and Chevron expected Willingdon to re- open before the end of the day Tuesday.
While investigators have yet to determine exactly how much fuel was spilled, Seifert said her firm's response crews suspect the pipeline was leaking only for a short time.
"The amount is not known at this time, but what we're hearing from the crew that's out there is they feel the leak was quite small," she said.
Seifert said the 18 centimetre pipeline delivers 2,800 cubic metres (2.8 million litres) of jet fuel to the airport each day. The 41 kilometre pipeline received a clean bill of health after a caliper test looked for deformations in the pipeline wall in December 2002 and then a high resolution tool run tested the thickness of the pipeline in January 2003.
Judi Marshall, an area resident who has previously expressed concern about living next to a working oil refinery, said she drove past the pipeline while it was leaking and did not realize what had happened until she saw emergency response crews cleaning up the spill.
While Marshall admits the Chevron refinery is doing a better job of limiting the number of 'incidents' at its plant, she is concerned that she and her neighbours still have not received an official emergency response plan in the event of a major incident related to the refinery.
"While Chevron has made steps forward in terms of its response, I wonder about the emergency preparedness," she said. "As much as I'm reassured by everyone involved that this was nothing to worry about, I certainly don't feel the same way.
"Maybe they've done everything that could be done, but I don't know. But in this case it appears that Chevron probably did a good job. At least they found the leak and alerted the pipeline company."
Ray Lord, manager of community affairs for the Chevron refinery, was pleased with his company's response to the incident.
"Chevron noticed it first and stopped the product from moving through the pipeline," Lord said. "All the valves were closed and then Terasen was notified.
"From Chevron's perspective, this was not a safety issue at all," said Lord, who added that Chevron is now most concerned with the tanker traffic being rerouted through the residential streets in the Heights neighbourhood.
Warning issued after several fires set
Warning issued after several fires set
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 23, 2003
Burnaby firefighters are warning residents living near Moscrop secondary school to keep a vigilant eye open for suspicious activity in their neighbourhood.
A series of small fires over the past 10 days has escalated into the burning of a vacant duplex and the torching of an excavator last week, said assistant chief Fred Scarfe, head of the fire prevention office.
"There could be a fire- setter in that neighbourhood," Scarfe said Monday. "Any time you get several fires in a similar area, you start to get concerned. It would be nice if we could touch base with the people in the area and tell them to keep an eye open for anything suspicious."
The excavator, which had been working on the western side of the school property, had suffered minor damage in several small fires earlier this summer, but the machine was probably destroyed when it was torched last Wednesday night.
And then, last Saturday night, firefighters were called out to a small hedge fire in the neighbourhood, about one hour before a vacant duplex in the 5700 block of Willingdon suffered extensive damage in a suspicious fire.
"We can't establish a firm link, but these fires are suspicious," said fire inspector Bonni Prokopetz. "I would caution people to be extra vigilant right now.
Prokopetz also advises all city residents to do a cleanup of their yards to remove any kind of material that might be used to start a fire and to make sure their garages and worksheds are locked.
"Don't leave anything lying around that might entice someone," she said. "That's just a common sense precaution.
"The other concern is if you hear something, it might be an idea to investigate."
Other fires in the neighbourhood in recent weeks include the torching of a garbage bin on the school property, plus a suspected arson attack against a used fridge.
Scarfe said the nature of the suspicious fires leads investigators to believe that the suspects could be young people out of school for the summer. The RCMP have been called in to help with the investigations.
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 23, 2003
Burnaby firefighters are warning residents living near Moscrop secondary school to keep a vigilant eye open for suspicious activity in their neighbourhood.
A series of small fires over the past 10 days has escalated into the burning of a vacant duplex and the torching of an excavator last week, said assistant chief Fred Scarfe, head of the fire prevention office.
"There could be a fire- setter in that neighbourhood," Scarfe said Monday. "Any time you get several fires in a similar area, you start to get concerned. It would be nice if we could touch base with the people in the area and tell them to keep an eye open for anything suspicious."
The excavator, which had been working on the western side of the school property, had suffered minor damage in several small fires earlier this summer, but the machine was probably destroyed when it was torched last Wednesday night.
And then, last Saturday night, firefighters were called out to a small hedge fire in the neighbourhood, about one hour before a vacant duplex in the 5700 block of Willingdon suffered extensive damage in a suspicious fire.
"We can't establish a firm link, but these fires are suspicious," said fire inspector Bonni Prokopetz. "I would caution people to be extra vigilant right now.
Prokopetz also advises all city residents to do a cleanup of their yards to remove any kind of material that might be used to start a fire and to make sure their garages and worksheds are locked.
"Don't leave anything lying around that might entice someone," she said. "That's just a common sense precaution.
"The other concern is if you hear something, it might be an idea to investigate."
Other fires in the neighbourhood in recent weeks include the torching of a garbage bin on the school property, plus a suspected arson attack against a used fridge.
Scarfe said the nature of the suspicious fires leads investigators to believe that the suspects could be young people out of school for the summer. The RCMP have been called in to help with the investigations.
New digs for mental health
New digs for mental health
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 19, 2003
Change is never easy, especially when the person being asked to accept new ideas suffers from a mental illness.
But the manager of Burnaby Mental Health Services is more than confident that his 90 staff and almost 2,000 clients will be glad to move out of their 46-year-old location on Willingdon Avenue this week.
"This is amazing. There is no comparison," Akinlolu Falode said Thursday afternoon as he moved boxes into spacious new surroundings in the former Cascades residence located at Burnaby Hospital.
"At first there was a lot of negativity and resistance to the move," Falode said. "But, now that people can see the finished product, they can't believe it."
The new Burnaby Mental Health Centre will be spread over two floors of the former Cascades building, which has undergone a $2.5- million renovation that included all new panelling, paint, furniture and office fixtures, including many new computers.
When the centre opens on Monday morning, it will house the bulk of the services provided by the Fraser Health Authority to mental health 'consumers' living in Burnaby.
While Burnaby Mental Health will continue to operate smaller 10- to 15-person offices at both Middlegate Mall and on East Hastings Street, the hub of its activities will now be relocated to the Burnaby Hospital site.
The first floor of the new centre will house the two day programs that are used to teach life skills, assertiveness training, stress management and other issues for mental health consumers in the city.
The day programs will operate out of several large workshops that include a kitchen for teaching clients how to cook and a pottery room with kiln, plus arts and crafts programs. This side of the centre also includes an exercise room with two stationary, Schwinn recumbent cycles; a TV room with a new, big-screen television; and a dining area with a walkaround fireplace and a pool table. There is also an outside patio that includes a small covered area for clients who smoke.
The more challenging aspects of mental health care will be offered on the second floor of the centre. Here, the mental health team will have a 25-bed inpatient unit and three-bed crisis stabilization unit. These acute-care services are in addition to the emergency, after-hours psychiatric care that will continue to be offered at Burnaby Hospital's emergency department.
Besides the new paint - most of the walls have a mustard yellow colour with natural wood highlights - computers and furniture, Falode said his estimated 90 staff people, including nurses, social workers, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and psychiatrists, are glad to see improvements in the security standards at the new office.
"Now our area is very secure," he said. "No one can get in without being let in."
The centre will also house several other specialized mental health programs, including the five-person Geriatric Team, which does outreach, assessments and other work with senior-aged clients in the community and long-term care facilities.
The centre also has a community residential program, which oversees the contract for about 110 beds of supported semi- independent living operated by the Progressive Housing Society, plus five different group homes.
Other services provided by the Burnaby Mental Health Centre include: community rehabilitation services, which offers occupational therapists to clients needed short-term assistance; the Se-Cure program, which has one part-time staff person operating a self-cure program for anxiety sufferers; the co-ordinator of Burnaby's addiction services division; plus a single 'concurrent disorder' specialists who deals with some of the most difficult clients who have both a mental illness and drug abuse problem.
Falode said one of his favourite aspects of the new centre is that it allows the 25-bed in-patient acute care program to be located right inside a hospital.
"Normally you want these programs near a hospital," Falode said, noting that Burnaby typically sees about 400 person each year admitted to short-term psychiatric stays ranging anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
And while the Fraser Health Authority was criticized last year for closing the Lougheed area mental health centre, Falode is confident those issues have been satisfactorily resolved with the opening of the new central office at Burnaby Hospital.
"We closed the Lougheed office because it was no longer viable," he said. "it was opened in 1991 on the assumption that the population would grow there, and that didn't happen. t's unfortunate we had to close, but the clientele were not there."
Falode noted that each client of the Lougheed office was offered a choice of where to relocate, either to a similar centre in Coquitlam, the north Burnaby North office on Hastings Street, or to the new central office at Burnaby Hospital.
While a majority of clients do not have cars, Falode is confident that the new Burnaby Hospital centre will be accessible, particularly because it is just one bus ride away from the new Brentwood SkyTrain Station.
And of course, the real measure of the move will come Monday morning when the new offices open for the first time. ""there's going to be a lot of action here," Falode said.
For the first few weeks, Falode and his staff will be working out all the minor bugs that come with any office relocation, and come the early fall, probably sometime in September, the new Burnaby Mental Health Centre will host an open house for its clients and the public.
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 19, 2003
Change is never easy, especially when the person being asked to accept new ideas suffers from a mental illness.
But the manager of Burnaby Mental Health Services is more than confident that his 90 staff and almost 2,000 clients will be glad to move out of their 46-year-old location on Willingdon Avenue this week.
"This is amazing. There is no comparison," Akinlolu Falode said Thursday afternoon as he moved boxes into spacious new surroundings in the former Cascades residence located at Burnaby Hospital.
"At first there was a lot of negativity and resistance to the move," Falode said. "But, now that people can see the finished product, they can't believe it."
The new Burnaby Mental Health Centre will be spread over two floors of the former Cascades building, which has undergone a $2.5- million renovation that included all new panelling, paint, furniture and office fixtures, including many new computers.
When the centre opens on Monday morning, it will house the bulk of the services provided by the Fraser Health Authority to mental health 'consumers' living in Burnaby.
While Burnaby Mental Health will continue to operate smaller 10- to 15-person offices at both Middlegate Mall and on East Hastings Street, the hub of its activities will now be relocated to the Burnaby Hospital site.
The first floor of the new centre will house the two day programs that are used to teach life skills, assertiveness training, stress management and other issues for mental health consumers in the city.
The day programs will operate out of several large workshops that include a kitchen for teaching clients how to cook and a pottery room with kiln, plus arts and crafts programs. This side of the centre also includes an exercise room with two stationary, Schwinn recumbent cycles; a TV room with a new, big-screen television; and a dining area with a walkaround fireplace and a pool table. There is also an outside patio that includes a small covered area for clients who smoke.
The more challenging aspects of mental health care will be offered on the second floor of the centre. Here, the mental health team will have a 25-bed inpatient unit and three-bed crisis stabilization unit. These acute-care services are in addition to the emergency, after-hours psychiatric care that will continue to be offered at Burnaby Hospital's emergency department.
Besides the new paint - most of the walls have a mustard yellow colour with natural wood highlights - computers and furniture, Falode said his estimated 90 staff people, including nurses, social workers, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and psychiatrists, are glad to see improvements in the security standards at the new office.
"Now our area is very secure," he said. "No one can get in without being let in."
The centre will also house several other specialized mental health programs, including the five-person Geriatric Team, which does outreach, assessments and other work with senior-aged clients in the community and long-term care facilities.
The centre also has a community residential program, which oversees the contract for about 110 beds of supported semi- independent living operated by the Progressive Housing Society, plus five different group homes.
Other services provided by the Burnaby Mental Health Centre include: community rehabilitation services, which offers occupational therapists to clients needed short-term assistance; the Se-Cure program, which has one part-time staff person operating a self-cure program for anxiety sufferers; the co-ordinator of Burnaby's addiction services division; plus a single 'concurrent disorder' specialists who deals with some of the most difficult clients who have both a mental illness and drug abuse problem.
Falode said one of his favourite aspects of the new centre is that it allows the 25-bed in-patient acute care program to be located right inside a hospital.
"Normally you want these programs near a hospital," Falode said, noting that Burnaby typically sees about 400 person each year admitted to short-term psychiatric stays ranging anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
And while the Fraser Health Authority was criticized last year for closing the Lougheed area mental health centre, Falode is confident those issues have been satisfactorily resolved with the opening of the new central office at Burnaby Hospital.
"We closed the Lougheed office because it was no longer viable," he said. "it was opened in 1991 on the assumption that the population would grow there, and that didn't happen. t's unfortunate we had to close, but the clientele were not there."
Falode noted that each client of the Lougheed office was offered a choice of where to relocate, either to a similar centre in Coquitlam, the north Burnaby North office on Hastings Street, or to the new central office at Burnaby Hospital.
While a majority of clients do not have cars, Falode is confident that the new Burnaby Hospital centre will be accessible, particularly because it is just one bus ride away from the new Brentwood SkyTrain Station.
And of course, the real measure of the move will come Monday morning when the new offices open for the first time. ""there's going to be a lot of action here," Falode said.
For the first few weeks, Falode and his staff will be working out all the minor bugs that come with any office relocation, and come the early fall, probably sometime in September, the new Burnaby Mental Health Centre will host an open house for its clients and the public.
Rec N' Read camps get a boost from BC Hydro
Rec N' Read camps get a boost from BC Hydro
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 19, 2003
B.C. Hydro community relations has given $1,750 to help keep a unique reading program alive in Burnaby schools.
The money will help the school district's summer Rec 'n' Read program, which provides an special 16-day intensive reading program to 140 recent Grade 1 graduates from the city's seven community schools.
Students spend their mornings in activities such as shared reading, choral reading, interactive writing and independent reading to an adult, and then get to spend their afternoon playing in a summer day camp. Rec 'n' Read programs are targeted at children who are believed to be at-risk in their reading development.
"Burnaby school district is taking a proactive approach to provide support for struggling readers," said Terry Parson, B.C. Hydro community relations manager. "This will be a lifelong benefit to both students and the community."
Wendy Borelli, community school co-ordinator at Stride Avenue community school, said early intervention programs are absolutely essential in making sure students complete elementary school with adequate reading skills.
While the program does require a small fee, children from low- income families are elgible for subsidies.
DAY-CARE CASH
The B.C. Liberals are doling out some cash to help keep a couple of local day-care centres up and operating in good condition.
Earlier this month, John Nuraney, the Willingdon MLA, gave $4,000 to the BCIT Child Care Centre, to resolve "numerous challenges" related to repairs and renovations.
Just days later, Patty Sahota, the Edmonds MLA, handed a $1,580.08 cheque to South Burnaby Neighbourhood House recently to buy a refrigerator for the Stride Ave. Neighbourhood Care Program.
Both cheques were provided under the Child Care Capital Funding program, one of several by the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services, to support the government's commitment to encourage the expansion of safe, affordable child care.
In the accompanying press release, the government says it hopes to increase from 45,000 to 70,000 the number or child-care spaces eligible for operating funds.
HEFTY HELP
The Burnaby-based B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association pulled out the big cheque book recently when they donated a whopping $23,224.40 to B.C. Children's Hospital.
The funds, which mark the third year in a row the group has been able to donate over $20,000 to the hospital, were raised during the association's 34th annual Ivan Hanchard Charity Golf Tournament.
"Our members are really proud to be helping out the kids and families in their communities," said association president Jack Davidson.
GET WELL SOON
Best wishes go out to CUPE B.C. president Barry O'Neill, who is recovering in Vancouver General Hospital after a car accident while travelling to work earlier this month.
While the injuries are not life-threatening - minor head and leg injuries, including a broken nose - O'Neill will be taking at least two weeks away from his duties at the CUPE regional offices in the Deer Lake office complex, across from Burnaby city hall. O'Neill's big campaign these days is against using private-public partnerships on any government projects.
KINGSTON GRADS
B.C. deputy premier and education minister Christy Clark was the guest of honour when Kingston College, which has a campus on Holdom Avenue in Burnaby, held its spring graduation ceremonies.
"This day marks a significant achievement, and you should be very proud of reaching this milestone in life," Clark said.
told the graduates. "You are now well prepared to explore the many opportunities available in our global marketplace."
Kingston College has campuses in Vancouver, Toronto and Niagara Falls and specializes in programs for international students who come from countries as diverse as China, Korea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Taiwan and South America.
SFU'S FINE FELLOWS
A trio of SFU faculty members were recently elected as fellows to the Royal Society of Canada, considered one of the most prestigious academic accolades in the country.
The honourees are:
Historian Jack Little, whose groundbreaking revisionist studies looked at the links between the Eastern townships of Quebec with Scotland and New England.
Biologist Mark Winston who is one of the world's most renowned experts on bees and the author of Travels in the Genetically Modified Zone; and
Chemist Mario Pinto whose molecular research led to the discovery of a new method of controlling adult onset type II diabetes.
The three are among 60 researchers across the country who will be inducted into the society in November.
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 19, 2003
B.C. Hydro community relations has given $1,750 to help keep a unique reading program alive in Burnaby schools.
The money will help the school district's summer Rec 'n' Read program, which provides an special 16-day intensive reading program to 140 recent Grade 1 graduates from the city's seven community schools.
Students spend their mornings in activities such as shared reading, choral reading, interactive writing and independent reading to an adult, and then get to spend their afternoon playing in a summer day camp. Rec 'n' Read programs are targeted at children who are believed to be at-risk in their reading development.
"Burnaby school district is taking a proactive approach to provide support for struggling readers," said Terry Parson, B.C. Hydro community relations manager. "This will be a lifelong benefit to both students and the community."
Wendy Borelli, community school co-ordinator at Stride Avenue community school, said early intervention programs are absolutely essential in making sure students complete elementary school with adequate reading skills.
While the program does require a small fee, children from low- income families are elgible for subsidies.
DAY-CARE CASH
The B.C. Liberals are doling out some cash to help keep a couple of local day-care centres up and operating in good condition.
Earlier this month, John Nuraney, the Willingdon MLA, gave $4,000 to the BCIT Child Care Centre, to resolve "numerous challenges" related to repairs and renovations.
Just days later, Patty Sahota, the Edmonds MLA, handed a $1,580.08 cheque to South Burnaby Neighbourhood House recently to buy a refrigerator for the Stride Ave. Neighbourhood Care Program.
Both cheques were provided under the Child Care Capital Funding program, one of several by the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services, to support the government's commitment to encourage the expansion of safe, affordable child care.
In the accompanying press release, the government says it hopes to increase from 45,000 to 70,000 the number or child-care spaces eligible for operating funds.
HEFTY HELP
The Burnaby-based B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association pulled out the big cheque book recently when they donated a whopping $23,224.40 to B.C. Children's Hospital.
The funds, which mark the third year in a row the group has been able to donate over $20,000 to the hospital, were raised during the association's 34th annual Ivan Hanchard Charity Golf Tournament.
"Our members are really proud to be helping out the kids and families in their communities," said association president Jack Davidson.
GET WELL SOON
Best wishes go out to CUPE B.C. president Barry O'Neill, who is recovering in Vancouver General Hospital after a car accident while travelling to work earlier this month.
While the injuries are not life-threatening - minor head and leg injuries, including a broken nose - O'Neill will be taking at least two weeks away from his duties at the CUPE regional offices in the Deer Lake office complex, across from Burnaby city hall. O'Neill's big campaign these days is against using private-public partnerships on any government projects.
KINGSTON GRADS
B.C. deputy premier and education minister Christy Clark was the guest of honour when Kingston College, which has a campus on Holdom Avenue in Burnaby, held its spring graduation ceremonies.
"This day marks a significant achievement, and you should be very proud of reaching this milestone in life," Clark said.
told the graduates. "You are now well prepared to explore the many opportunities available in our global marketplace."
Kingston College has campuses in Vancouver, Toronto and Niagara Falls and specializes in programs for international students who come from countries as diverse as China, Korea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Taiwan and South America.
SFU'S FINE FELLOWS
A trio of SFU faculty members were recently elected as fellows to the Royal Society of Canada, considered one of the most prestigious academic accolades in the country.
The honourees are:
Historian Jack Little, whose groundbreaking revisionist studies looked at the links between the Eastern townships of Quebec with Scotland and New England.
Biologist Mark Winston who is one of the world's most renowned experts on bees and the author of Travels in the Genetically Modified Zone; and
Chemist Mario Pinto whose molecular research led to the discovery of a new method of controlling adult onset type II diabetes.
The three are among 60 researchers across the country who will be inducted into the society in November.
HEU calls for details in FHA private contracts
HEU calls for details in FHA private contracts
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 16, 2003
The Hospital Employees Union is calling on B.C. Health Services Minister Colin Hansen to release the details of its newly signed contracts for private security and laundry services at the Fraser Health Authority's nine hospitals.
"We had to turn to the courts to open their meetings to the public, and we're confident that by turning to the office of the privacy commissioner, we'll be able to blow the doors off these secret contracts," said Stephen Howard, director of communications for the union.
At issue are the contracts signed by the FHA, the largest of six health regions in B.C., with Intercon Security Ltd. and K-Bro Linen Systems.
Last month, the FHA laid off five managers, plus 56 full-time, 18 part-time and 40 casual unionized workers who provided in-house security services at the region's nine hospitals. According to the FHA, the move will save $9.1 million over the five-year term of the contract.
Howard said the union is fully confident that its Freedom of Information requests on the private contracts will be allowed because of a 1997 ruling that forced the University of British Columbia to release details of its contract to allow Coca-Cola the exclusive right to sell soft drinks on its campus.
Howard said the union is particularly concerned about "the so- called performance standards" that will force the private contractors to uphold the same standard of services that was previously provided by the unionized workers.
"We wonder what have they got to hide," Howard said. "Why aren't they disclosing these contracts? If, as minister Hansen has said, this is an open and transparent process, then why aren't the contracts public?"
This week, the union also released a statement from liability lawyer David Rosenberg stating that the provincial government and its health authorities will not be able to sidestep legal responsibility if patients are harmed by poor infection control or cleaning practices at hospitals where support services such as housekeeping have been privatized.
"Liability cannot be avoided by contracting out," Rosenberg said in a July 7 press release from the HEU. "If it turns out contracted services are substandard and cause the spread of infectious disease, then health authorities and the provincial government would be liable."
The FHA has previously insisted that performance standards will not be reduced under the contracts. However, they also refuse to release all the details of those contracts due to business-client confidentiality.
"There certain information which is proprietary, such as financial details and other specific confidential information," FHA manager of shares services said last month when the security contract was let. "But we have provided a general overview, and we've declared the total amount of the contract which is $16.6 million. Also, we have ensured that standards will be maintained or enhanced. We're satisfied that there are provisions in the contract that will do that."
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 16, 2003
The Hospital Employees Union is calling on B.C. Health Services Minister Colin Hansen to release the details of its newly signed contracts for private security and laundry services at the Fraser Health Authority's nine hospitals.
"We had to turn to the courts to open their meetings to the public, and we're confident that by turning to the office of the privacy commissioner, we'll be able to blow the doors off these secret contracts," said Stephen Howard, director of communications for the union.
At issue are the contracts signed by the FHA, the largest of six health regions in B.C., with Intercon Security Ltd. and K-Bro Linen Systems.
Last month, the FHA laid off five managers, plus 56 full-time, 18 part-time and 40 casual unionized workers who provided in-house security services at the region's nine hospitals. According to the FHA, the move will save $9.1 million over the five-year term of the contract.
Howard said the union is fully confident that its Freedom of Information requests on the private contracts will be allowed because of a 1997 ruling that forced the University of British Columbia to release details of its contract to allow Coca-Cola the exclusive right to sell soft drinks on its campus.
Howard said the union is particularly concerned about "the so- called performance standards" that will force the private contractors to uphold the same standard of services that was previously provided by the unionized workers.
"We wonder what have they got to hide," Howard said. "Why aren't they disclosing these contracts? If, as minister Hansen has said, this is an open and transparent process, then why aren't the contracts public?"
This week, the union also released a statement from liability lawyer David Rosenberg stating that the provincial government and its health authorities will not be able to sidestep legal responsibility if patients are harmed by poor infection control or cleaning practices at hospitals where support services such as housekeeping have been privatized.
"Liability cannot be avoided by contracting out," Rosenberg said in a July 7 press release from the HEU. "If it turns out contracted services are substandard and cause the spread of infectious disease, then health authorities and the provincial government would be liable."
The FHA has previously insisted that performance standards will not be reduced under the contracts. However, they also refuse to release all the details of those contracts due to business-client confidentiality.
"There certain information which is proprietary, such as financial details and other specific confidential information," FHA manager of shares services said last month when the security contract was let. "But we have provided a general overview, and we've declared the total amount of the contract which is $16.6 million. Also, we have ensured that standards will be maintained or enhanced. We're satisfied that there are provisions in the contract that will do that."
Fledgling TLC protects sensitive land
Fledgling TLC protects sensitive land
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published June 28, 2003
The Land Conservancy of B.C., which has raised $14 million to purchase and protect environmentally sensitive lands across the province, is moving its Lower Mainland headquarters into the Eagles' Estate heritage home at Deer Lake this weekend.
The society, which was founded in 1997, now owns more than 9,000 acres of pristine property around the province, and has long-term leases and protective covenants on another 77,000 acres.
"What we do is purchase property and open it up to public use," said Tracy Keeling, communications co-ordinator for the society, which was modelled after the 100-year-old National Trust of the United Kingdom.
While TLC is still relatively young, it has already accomplished some significant land deals in this province. Recently, it garnered headlines for helping to convert the 130-acre Thwaytes Landing property on the west shore of Indian Arm into a public park.
"It's a beautiful site," Keeling said of Thwaytes Landing. "Now we have a landing for people who historically had no place to stop when they were boating on Indian Arm. This site has wonderful old- growth and second-growth forest and its ecological values are significant."
Another well-known property under its wing is the Abkhazi Garden in Victoria, known as 'The Garden of Love' because it was built by Russian prince Nikolas Abkhazi for his wife and princess in 1946. When the last member of the royal family passed away, the property was sold to a developer who was going to build condominiums on the site, until concerned citizens stepped in to purchase the property and donate it to the Land Conservancy.
The Land Conservancy is a member of the Land Trust Alliance of B.C., and is constantly seeking donations to help it purchase and preserve other significant properties in the province.
For more information, visit the TLC Web site at www.conservancy.bc.ca
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published June 28, 2003
The Land Conservancy of B.C., which has raised $14 million to purchase and protect environmentally sensitive lands across the province, is moving its Lower Mainland headquarters into the Eagles' Estate heritage home at Deer Lake this weekend.
The society, which was founded in 1997, now owns more than 9,000 acres of pristine property around the province, and has long-term leases and protective covenants on another 77,000 acres.
"What we do is purchase property and open it up to public use," said Tracy Keeling, communications co-ordinator for the society, which was modelled after the 100-year-old National Trust of the United Kingdom.
While TLC is still relatively young, it has already accomplished some significant land deals in this province. Recently, it garnered headlines for helping to convert the 130-acre Thwaytes Landing property on the west shore of Indian Arm into a public park.
"It's a beautiful site," Keeling said of Thwaytes Landing. "Now we have a landing for people who historically had no place to stop when they were boating on Indian Arm. This site has wonderful old- growth and second-growth forest and its ecological values are significant."
Another well-known property under its wing is the Abkhazi Garden in Victoria, known as 'The Garden of Love' because it was built by Russian prince Nikolas Abkhazi for his wife and princess in 1946. When the last member of the royal family passed away, the property was sold to a developer who was going to build condominiums on the site, until concerned citizens stepped in to purchase the property and donate it to the Land Conservancy.
The Land Conservancy is a member of the Land Trust Alliance of B.C., and is constantly seeking donations to help it purchase and preserve other significant properties in the province.
For more information, visit the TLC Web site at www.conservancy.bc.ca
Students win bikes from school safety roadeos
Students win bikes from school safety roadeos
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published June 28, 2003
A couple of students from Burnaby will be riding around in style after winning brand-new Norco bicycles after taking part in recent Bike Safety Roadeos at their schools.
Francesco Disilvia of Kitchener elementary and Silvia Retana of Suncrest elementary were the local winners of the bikes, which were provided by Rand and Fowler Insurance.
Four similar Bike Safety Roadeos and free bicycle draws were also held at elementary schools in Coquitlam and Vancouver.
"The bike 'roadeos' were a huge success," said Rand and Fowler manager Linden Stracqualursi. "Increasing awareness about bike- safety issues and preventing senseless accidents involving bicycles was our main goal going into these events. It feels great to say that we achieved these goals."
The bike 'roadeos' are becoming an increasingly popular - and photogenic - event at local schools. Participating students receive an inspection of their bike and helmet and hands-on training from a qualified instructor, plus the opportunity to ask questions about pedestrian safety and bike safety tips from a local community police officer.
The award presentation was held at the Boundary Road offices of the insurance company recently.
MICHIGAN GRADS
Kudos to Burnaby residents Qin Lu and Shu Ching Chang, who were among a class of 900 to graduate from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Mich. last month.
LTU, which has been in operation for 70 years, is the largest 'independent' university in the state. It offers undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs in architecture and design, arts and sciences, engineering and management.
IMMERSED IN IT
A mother of three who hails from Burnaby and has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to French language education has been awarded the Canadian Parents for French bursary for B.C. and the Yukon.
Annamarie Sember is in the final year of the French professional development program at Simon Fraser University, and intends to become a teacher of French immersion in her hometown of Merritt.
A former graduate of Burnaby North secondary, Sember was among a record number of applicants for the CPF bursary this year. The other bursary winner was Nadine Evans of Castlegar.
Both received high praise from CPF B.C. president Melanie Tighe- Lovsin.
"Choosing the recipient for the bursary was so difficult this year due to the high calibre of candidates," she said.
"Parents increasingly understand the growing importance of language in the modern economy," she said. "Whatever our children learn to do, learning another language will help them pursue their dreams. Having qualified teachers like Annamarie will help those dreams come true for our children."
Sember taught her practicum at Moscrop secondary in Burnaby last year, and her three children are currently enrolled in French Immersion programs at home in Merritt.
There are currently 31,990 students enrolled in French immersion programs across B.C. and, according to the CPF, there is a nationwide shortage of qualified teachers.
A SHOT AT HARRY
Local Liberal MLA Harry Bloy sent out a press release this week announcing that he plans to stick with his day job.
The comment came after Bloy tried his hand at playing goaltender during his own 'Taste the Olympics' gala evening at Canlan 8-Rinks.
During the fundraiser, Bloy put on the goaltender equipment and allowed some of his colleagues to take slapshots at him - for a price.
His friends and colleagues donated $250, an amount Bloy matched before sending a total $500-cheque to Canuck Place hospice.
"Canuck Place is an excellent organization, and I'm more than happy to take a few slapshots to help bring smiles to the kids that need it the most," Harry said.
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published June 28, 2003
A couple of students from Burnaby will be riding around in style after winning brand-new Norco bicycles after taking part in recent Bike Safety Roadeos at their schools.
Francesco Disilvia of Kitchener elementary and Silvia Retana of Suncrest elementary were the local winners of the bikes, which were provided by Rand and Fowler Insurance.
Four similar Bike Safety Roadeos and free bicycle draws were also held at elementary schools in Coquitlam and Vancouver.
"The bike 'roadeos' were a huge success," said Rand and Fowler manager Linden Stracqualursi. "Increasing awareness about bike- safety issues and preventing senseless accidents involving bicycles was our main goal going into these events. It feels great to say that we achieved these goals."
The bike 'roadeos' are becoming an increasingly popular - and photogenic - event at local schools. Participating students receive an inspection of their bike and helmet and hands-on training from a qualified instructor, plus the opportunity to ask questions about pedestrian safety and bike safety tips from a local community police officer.
The award presentation was held at the Boundary Road offices of the insurance company recently.
MICHIGAN GRADS
Kudos to Burnaby residents Qin Lu and Shu Ching Chang, who were among a class of 900 to graduate from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Mich. last month.
LTU, which has been in operation for 70 years, is the largest 'independent' university in the state. It offers undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs in architecture and design, arts and sciences, engineering and management.
IMMERSED IN IT
A mother of three who hails from Burnaby and has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to French language education has been awarded the Canadian Parents for French bursary for B.C. and the Yukon.
Annamarie Sember is in the final year of the French professional development program at Simon Fraser University, and intends to become a teacher of French immersion in her hometown of Merritt.
A former graduate of Burnaby North secondary, Sember was among a record number of applicants for the CPF bursary this year. The other bursary winner was Nadine Evans of Castlegar.
Both received high praise from CPF B.C. president Melanie Tighe- Lovsin.
"Choosing the recipient for the bursary was so difficult this year due to the high calibre of candidates," she said.
"Parents increasingly understand the growing importance of language in the modern economy," she said. "Whatever our children learn to do, learning another language will help them pursue their dreams. Having qualified teachers like Annamarie will help those dreams come true for our children."
Sember taught her practicum at Moscrop secondary in Burnaby last year, and her three children are currently enrolled in French Immersion programs at home in Merritt.
There are currently 31,990 students enrolled in French immersion programs across B.C. and, according to the CPF, there is a nationwide shortage of qualified teachers.
A SHOT AT HARRY
Local Liberal MLA Harry Bloy sent out a press release this week announcing that he plans to stick with his day job.
The comment came after Bloy tried his hand at playing goaltender during his own 'Taste the Olympics' gala evening at Canlan 8-Rinks.
During the fundraiser, Bloy put on the goaltender equipment and allowed some of his colleagues to take slapshots at him - for a price.
His friends and colleagues donated $250, an amount Bloy matched before sending a total $500-cheque to Canuck Place hospice.
"Canuck Place is an excellent organization, and I'm more than happy to take a few slapshots to help bring smiles to the kids that need it the most," Harry said.
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