Seniors to `Activate' at Minoru
Seniors will trek around the track to good health on Saturday at the Activate 2003 Wellness Fair in Minoru Park.
A full day of activities is planned at a variety of venues within the park aimed at reinforcing the message that active seniors are healthy seniors. This second annual fair is hoping to build upon last year's success and draw more than 1,000.
The day begins at 9 a.m. with outdoor exercises, followed by a grand march around the Clement Track (organizers are hoping to beat last year's record of 205 walkers). At 10 a.m. an opening ceremony will honour special guests Doug and Diane Clement, former Olympians and the namesakes of the Minoru track.
Also included in the day's events are a health fair, billiards, yoga, a blood pressure clinic, dance
demonstrations and talks on traditional Chinese medicine, diabetes, nutrition and more.
Seniors interested in attending Activate 2003 can register in advance at any community centre, or at the event itself. Bus service will be provided to the fair for seniors from local community centres for $1.For more information call 604-718-8450.
Safeway workers vote 98% to strike
Safeway workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike.
Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Union voted 98 per cent Monday and Tuesday to stop working at Lower Mainland stores, after three months of failed negotiations with one of North America's biggest grocery chains.
"It is clear that our members have absolutely no interest in negotiating the contract concessions and roll-backs that Canada Safeway has placed on the bargaining table," Brooke Sundin, Local 1518 president said.
"Safeway is competing successfully in the market and earning substantial profits due to the hard work of our members."
The strike vote covers 4,700 workers at 48 Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley stores, including four in Richmond. Workers must give 72 hours notice before withdrawing.
Safeway has 1,700 stores throughout North America.
According to the company's 2002 financial report, Safeway spent $1.4 billion to open 71 new stores and expand 191 existing outlets.
"In the coming year we expect to invest between $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion in cash capital expenditures and open 50 to 55 new stores, while completing (between) 100 and 125 remodels," president and chief executive officer Steven Burd wrote in a March 21 report to investors.
The company lost $828 million last year, after gains in 2000 and 2001.
Company shares dropped $3.70 Wednesday. At noon they were trading for $16.70 on New York Stock Exchange.
Calls to the company's corporate headquarters were not returned.
Off-roaders warned against trespassing
If you love off roading in your all-terrain-vehicle, mountain bike or motorcycle, but don't want to be fined up to $575, avoid the sand dunes off Triangle Road.
Richmond RCMP announced this week that it will begin an awareness campaign aimed at those found off-roading in that southeast area of Richmond, behind Riverport's Watermania and SilverCity theatres.
The Fraser River Port Authority recently began massive development of the area and plans to cover most of its 600 acres of land in commercial sites.
More development of the land, much of which is covered in sand dunes, has resulted in more complaints that off-roaders are "buzzing the heavy equipment and also destroying property," Richmond RCMP say.
The port authority said it has not given consent to people to use its property.
As a result, police have started an education campaign and are warning people using the land, or roadways adjacent to it, illegally are subject to fines or prosecution.
Riding on private property without permission from the owner can result in an $86 fine, while riding on Triangle Road in an uninsured vehicle can result in a $575 fine.
Riding without permission on private property also constitutes an offence under the B.C. Trespass Act and can lead to charges. Police are urging the public to find other suitable areas to ride.
Bad fortune for local restaurant as cockroaches prompt closure
Health officials closed down Good Fortune Seafood Restaurant on Leslie Road due to a cockroach infestation and unsanitary conditions.
Located at 8111 Leslie Rd., the restaurant was closed Tuesday and was ordered to be properly and thoroughly cleaned and the infestation eliminated.
"The premises will remain closed until compliance with the order is completed," Richmond
chief public health inspector Kelvin Higo said in a press release.
Food bank opens an East Richmond depot
Richmond Food Bank Society has opened a second distribution depot in East Richmond.
The depot, located at 11571 Daniels Rd., will distribute food between 1 and 3 p.m. Tuesdays.
Each week the food bank serves 400 families, residents of all backgrounds and ages (about 40 per cent are children) who are struggling with the cost of living.
Donations are received Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the food bank's main location at #7-12491 No. 2 Rd.
Dry grads get boost from wet source
Richmond School District will receive $8,740 in donations to help pay for alcohol-free graduation events, thanks to the contributions of customers at local liquor outlets.
From Feb. 9 to March 22, liquor store customers across the province were encouraged to donate one dollar for dry grad.
In return, they received a package of Jelly Belly beans.
Sponsoring fundraising for dry grads is part of the Liquor Distribution Branch's public safety and social responsibility program to promote the responsible use of alcohol.
This year, 52 school districts are participating in the campaign.
The money raised by customers tops up funds raised by parents, students and teachers.
Auxiliary elects new board
Richmond Hospital Auxiliary installed their new board of directors at its 41st annual general meeting.
They are: Pat Seller, president; Sylvia Macdonald, first vice president; Evelin Fowler, second vice president; Marilyn Randall, treasurer; Pat Bloom, recording secretary; Jill Poirier, corresponding secretary, Helen Pettipiece, public relations; and Colleen Kason, past president.
Pearl Ford, a 40-year member with the auxiliary was also honoured with her life membership pin.
The hospital auxiliary donated more than $280,000 this past year and volunteered more than 30,000 hours.
MS fundraiser set for April 27
On April 27, Richmond residents are invited to run, walk or skate in the 12th annual Super Cities WALK/Run For MS at London Heritage Farm.
All funds raised remain in B.C. and serve the needs of more than 6,000 British Columbians living with multiple sclerosis and their families.
Last year's runs around the province raised $493,000.
For more information call 604-602-3221 or register on-line at www.SuperCitiesWalk.com.
Fitting changes at centres
Thompson Community Centre has added an additional five pieces of fitness equipment to their 4,000-square-foot facility.
The new equipment includes a 45 degree leg press, lateral raise machine, leg curl machine, pec dec and elliptical machine.
For more information on the fitness centre or aerobic programs call 718-8434.
Meanwhile, Steveston Community Society is covering up the existing hot tub and demolishing the glass wall to expand the weight room at Steveston Community Centre.
Ben Branscombe, vice-president of programs for the society, said the weight room will be 50 per cent bigger with six new cardio machines replacing the free weights.
For more information about changes and services at Steveston Community Centre call 604-718-8080 or attend an open house on April 26 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Bottoms up for beer lovers
It's a widely-known fact that beer sales spike during the Stanley Cup playoffs, and Richmond Museum is offering a beer tasting and a talk highlighting ways to brew your own.
The Beer Essentials, put on by the Richmond Beer Club (who knew?), presents four local brewers who will share their knowledge of beer Thursday, April 24.
As more people become involved in the hobby of beer-making, brewers are not only learning the fine art of brewing, but also about its historical roots and cultural distinctions.
The brew masters at the talk will help participants in the often-challenging task of selecting the "brew recipe" that matches their taste. Also, samples of locally-brewed beers will be tasted, with explanations about what distinguishes their flavour.
On hand will be Ross Renwick (The Brewing Experience), Lionel Durocher and Mark Barbour (Richmond Beer Works), and Leigh Hansen (Ironwood Wines and Steins).
The tasting will also be, incidentally, the inaugural meeting of the Richmond Beer Club.
The talk and tasting is 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., is free for club members and $5 for new members.
Richmond Museum is located at 7700 Minoru Gate.
For information call 604-231-6460.
Agency reports on youth issues
Though services for youth are lacking in the community, many youth are also looking for more than just additional sports and recreation programming.
A recent series of forums put on by the Richmond Youth Service Agency highlights this and other views from the community in relation to the needs of children, youth and families. The forums, titled "Dare to
Dream About a Better Future" attracted 50 people over two days in late March and early April.
A significant number of the attendees said youth should be able to meet and interact with peers in an environment that is protected but less structured.
Organized programs are lacking, many said, but others cited the need for youth to socialize with friends informally, in a safe place.
Also, the results suggested that programs for youth are more successful if youth help lead them.
"That notion of youth involvement in their own programming is one we've heard about for a long time," said Bill Scott, executive director of Richmond Youth Service. "Most service providers would like to see more involvement of the people receiving the service."
Participants also emphasized the need for a broad-based, holistic approach with services available to young people outside traditional office hours.
Other suggestions included: parenting education, cultural awareness and greater mutual understanding amongst various groups currently separated by age, ethnicity and social standing.
Scott said the agency plans use the results to move ahead and revamp its strategic plan as a result of the consultationsa process to be completed by mid-May.
The agency is also taking advantage of the Internet to host continued discussion around the issues raised in its consultations.
To participate in the dialogue, visit www.rysa.bc.ca.
The summary of the consultation process is also on the web site.
BCIT keeps on truckin'
B.C. Institute of Technology heavy duty diesel electronics students are working with the latest truck engine diagnostic equipment thanks to a recent donation by Richmond-based McCarney Technologies Inc.
McCarney developed and sells TruckLink, an interactive black box installed in a truck's cab.
Commercial truck fleet managers have access to GPS co-ordinates for trucks equipped with the technology
and can monitor and analyze electronic control systems operating data as a truck is in use.
As soon as the key is turned on, the device monitors a multitude of parameters such as oil pressure, fuel rate, exhaust temperature and vehicle speed.
Campaign targets postal crime
Canada Post and Crime Stoppers have joined up in a pilot project to tackle theft and vandalism against post boxes.
"We say never send cash in the mail," Canada Post spokesman Bob Taylor said. "Crooks tend to steal greeting cards."
Stickers are being placed on mail boxes throughout the region, encouraging people to call 1-800-222-8477 if they see suspicious activity around the boxes, of theft of mail or damage of equipment.
Some 6,000 street letters boxes, postal relay boxes and community mail boxes around the Lower Mainland will be affixed with stickers over the next six months.
If successful, the program will be expanded across Canada.
Firm gives `green' light to low pollution courier
`Green' meant go last week for a Richmond-based firm's plan to be the first same-day courier in Canada to help ease environmentally harmful vehicle emissions by starting to switch over to a less polluting delivery fleet.
Officials from Novex unveiled the first of 12 Honda Civic Hybrid cars it has ordered for staff to use as they criss-cross the Lower Mainland.
"Courier companies are culprits when it comes to pollution," said Robert Safrata, chief executive officer of Novex, which has a fleet of more than 100 vehicles. "At Novex, we're committed to being part of the climate change solution."
According to Greater Vancouver Regional District figures, light duty vehicles produce roughly 58 per cent of the Lower Mainland's air pollution. Other studies indicate about half of that pollution comes from delivery and courier vehicles.
Novex estimates its fleet travel more than 25,000 kilometres each day, creating 6,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide.
With the addition of the Honda Civic Hybrids, which use both a gasoline and an electric motor to help cut emissions in half while making it twice as efficient (roughly 4.8 litres/100 km in the city) as a gasoline-only Civic sedan, the firm is hoping to not only reduce pollution, but display a leadership role in the industry in light of the ratification by Canada of the Kyoto Accord.
Sleepover addresses consumption habits
Richmond youth are sleeping in their own filth as part of the Cotton Socks Trashy Sleepover fundraiser this weekend.
Organized by the Cotton Socks outdoor youth group, the sleepover is intended to make a statement about people's consumption habits.
All participants in the event will sleepover at the West Richmond Community Centre in a confined space, and will not be allowed to throw anything into the garbage. By doing so, they are enacting a microcosm of North American consumption habits.
Participants have sought out local sponsors to help fund environmental initiatives, support the activities of the group and cover event costs.
The sleepover started at 9 p.m. Saturday and finishes 10 a.m. Sunday in the community centre's games room.
Bahamas cop to speak at city hall
Richmond residents are invited to watch a special presentation Monday night about community policing by Supt. Shannondor Harold Evans of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
Evans will be giving a PowerPoint presentation in the eighth floor training room at city hall and will talk about reducing the levels of crime which cause locals concern, how to reduce offences affecting public tranquility, improving the relationship between the police and the community and improving public safety in public places.
The free presentation will run from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, April 14 and is open to the public.
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