Fowler's Store At McKenzie & Beecher in Crescent Beach 1927.
Shell gas station sign on the roof and a cigarette advertisement for Sweet Caporal on the side wall
Local News
June 02, 2023
MIKE FARNWORTH Losing His Patience With Surrey
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General MIKE FARNWORTH has sent a letter to Surrey council urging them to stop stalling and make a decision on policing in Surrey. The Province has informed Surrey the time has come.
FARNWORTH is urging all members of council to sign a NDA Non Disclosure Agreement in order for them to read the fully unredacted report on the RCMP vs private police force document. MAYOR LOCKE has struck back at VIctoria saying she will not be bullied by Victoria. LOCKE is on the record as saying she is waiting for a full report from staff on the Province's report on policing going in to the future. The members of council that are not part of LOCKE'S supportive council members have all agreed to the terms of the NDA.
Surrey council meets on Monday.
Tomorrow Evening's Full Moon
Why Is It Called the Strawberry Moon?
The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Historically, names for the full or new Moons were used to track the seasons. Today, we think of Moon names as “nicknames” for the Moon.
June’s full Moon—typically the last full Moon of spring or the first of summer—has traditionally been called the Strawberry Moon. While strawberries certainly are a reddish-pink color and are roundish in shape, the origin of the name “Strawberry Moon” has nothing to do with the Moon’s hue or appearance, despite the evocative imagery (shown in the artist rendering below). A Moon usually appears reddish when it’s close to the horizon because the light rays must pass through the densest layers of atmosphere.
This “Strawberry Moon” name has been used by Native American Algonquian tribes that live in the northeastern United States as well as the Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples to mark the ripening of “June-bearing” strawberries that are ready to be gathered. The Haida term Berries Ripen Moon reflects this as well. As flowers bloom and early fruit ripens, June is a time of great abundance for many.
June 01, 2023
Our Worst Nightmare
Photo courtesy GLOBAL TV
Yesterday afternoon a gravel truck pulling a pup trailer rolled right up on top of a vehicle stopped at the intersection of 200th street and 16th avenue. The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and his passenger in the gravel truck received minor injuries.
Travellers on 16th avenue for years have been calling for something to be done about this rural road that now operates as an east west corridor for giant trucks.
The RCMP are investigating the accident and have released no details of how the accident occurred. or whether any charges will be laid.
White Rock RCMP riders cycling for Tour de Valley
White Rock RCMP Constable Emma Dyer is back for a third season cycling and raising money for Cops for Cancer. Her passion and commitment to ending childhood cancer was so infectious that Corporal Tarmii Miskiw is joining her. Cst. Dyer will be at our open house on June 10th, 2023 selling baked goods and will be available for photos by donation.
More information about them can be found on their specific fundraising links- Cst. Dyer and Cpl. Miskiw
About Cops for CancerCops for Cancer Tour de Valley and Tour de Coast are annual fundraising events in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. Law enforcement and emergency services personnel cycle across British Columbia, engaging communities enroute to raise money for childhood cancer research and support services. Cops for Cancer cycling tours have raised over $52 million since 1998.
In total there are four cycling tours in BC, and the program is evolving and spreading across Canada. Hundreds of law enforcement and emergency services personnel have raised awareness and funds to support children and families affected by cancer. Because of the Cops for Cancer program, $16.4 million has been invested in pediatric cancer research in the last 5 years, and last year alone over 500 BC children, youth and parents were able to attend sessions at the inspirational Camp Goodtimes.
Newly elected mayor of Langley City NATHAN PICHAL is moving forward with a plan to name areas in the city by incorporating Indigenous language into the community.
The mayor has reached out to the community asking the question.......Where should we start?
The White Rock RCMP would like to hear from the community about your concerns and understanding of policing in White Rock. A short survey is available on the Talk White Rock engagement platform from Monday, May 29 to Monday, June 12 at 4 p.m.
The responses to the survey will be used to help build a framework for future policing initiatives to be considered in a three year plan. It will also provide the Detachment Commander with community perceptions of policing in the city and facilitate communication between the police and the public.
A police force’s biggest strength is its partnership with the community and the White Rock RCMP encourages all members of the community to participate in the survey.
The local business community came together in a truly incredible night for the Business Excellence Awards. It was an inspiring event where we shone a light on the incredible businesses, organizations and the people who make our community such a special place.
It was seven years ago last Tuesday that our city by the sea was woken by many emergency sirens breaking the silence of an early Sunday morning. Word spread quickly a giant fire had broken out at Five Corners engulfing the condo building, commercial shops and Laura's Coffee Corner. Fire investigators quickly identified the source of the fire was arson
The culprit who set the fire evaded capture until last year when charges were finally laid. There is no set date for the trial of James Adrian Dyer, 24, of Surrey.
Eight Years Ago
Under the guise of "vegetation control" the WAYNE BALDWIN led council orchestrated a massive clear cut of the vegetation along the section of Marine Drive now referred to as THE HUMP.
When the chain saws were finally turned off dozens of mature tree logs laid beside the rail line. Below is a picture of the hillside before the devastation took place.
With the exception of a few residents on Marine Drive, the city of White Rock was outraged at the scarred hillside.
Over the past 8 years Mother Nature has done an admiral job of bringing the hillside back to life. Despite repeated requests by residents on the hillside who wish to have their unobstructed views replaced, the last two councils have rebuffed all requests, with the exception of some very minor blackberry bush trimming which occurred last week.
Interestingly enough this past week a quick thinking photographer caught a pair of deer hanging out amongst the vegetation on The Hump.
Tired of Waiting
Open Letter from Surrey Police Service to Council and Residents
As the wait for a final decision on the future of Surrey policing continues into its fourth week, Surrey Police Service (SPS) is expressing concern over the impact these continuing delays are having on law enforcement personnel and effective policing in Surrey.
In an April 28th news release, the Province of BC recommended the City of Surrey continue its transition to SPS “because it ensures public safety”, while the City and RCMP plans were found to “present significant risk to adequate and effective levels of policing in Surrey and province” due to RCMP recruitment challenges and vacancy issues across BC. While the Province was definitive in its recommendation for SPS and provided evidence-based rationale in a public report to support this direction, the City of Surrey continues to weigh its options with no identified timeline for a decision.
On August 6, 2020, SPS was established as a bona fide police service in BC. However, since that time, our organization and our employees have been under a cloud of uncertainty as various individuals and groups began to advocate for a reversal of the transition, resulting in our employees having the future of their jobs questioned both online and in person on a daily basis. Despite this pressure, our employees – now 400 strong – have continued to serve Surrey with professionalism.
The continuing delays weigh heavily on SPS employees and their families. No doubt this is true for staff who serve with the Surrey RCMP as well. As the weeks, months, and years tick by, individuals who work in policing in Surrey are increasingly distracted by worries about their futures. As we have often said before, the physical and mental wellness of police officers and support staff is a critical element in their ability to effectively take care of the community.
It is unfortunate that Surrey’s policing model continues to be debated, despite the fact that the transition to a municipal police service was requested by the City of Surrey in November 2018, approved by the Province in February 2020, and recommended for completion by the Province in April 2023. Furthermore, it is extremely concerning that changing a municipality’s policing model after one election cycle can even be contemplated by various levels of government.
It is critical that those in a decision-making position understand some key facts of Surrey’s current policing situation:
Completing the transition to SPS has been identified by the Province as the only option that will ensure public safety and provide adequate and effective levels of policing in Surrey.
SPS already has 46% of the police officers currently required to police Surrey. Deployed SPS officers currently comprise over 25% of the Surrey RCMP’s total detachment strength, and 50% of its frontline officers.
Making a change in policing is a decision for generations of Surrey residents, not for only four years.
SPS’s modern policing model is already showing early signs of success:
Increased transparency on policing for Surrey residents including the posting of monthly financials, staffing levels, public board meetings, and collective agreements.
Enhanced de-escalation training and low use of force complaints.
Unprecedented application numbers in a time when police recruiting has been challenging across North America.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy and consultation is well underway.
98% officer retention rate.
SPS has done its best to stay out of the politics of this policing transition, however, as the delays continue and the merits of SPS are debated, we have to speak up. Policing is too consequential to the community and to our 400 employees for this debate to not include SPS’s voice.
After almost three years of uncertainty – it is time for a clear and safe path forward for policing in Surrey.
Ian MacDonald | Media Liaison
Reported seismic-like event (likely no quake):
1.7 km southeast of Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington, USA, Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 2:01 am
I was rather taken back to learn that the posters advertising for Alex Fest contained the disclaimer "Hosted on the stolen and occupied land of the Semiahmoo Nation, with respect and gratitude." Looking into this I found that the About Us tab on the Alex House website begins with "Alex House has operated on the stolen land of the Semiahmoo Nation since 1916."
What say we dance right into this beautiful weekend?
Playing For Change shares their music video of Tito Puente’s song “Oye Como Va,” featuring Carlos Santana, who made the song a worldwide hit in 1970 with his band, Santana. Carlos is joined by Cindy Blackman Santana, Becky G, Tito Puente, Jr., Tal Wilkenfeld, Rubén Rada, and 20 other musicians from around the world.
Chesney's Chestnut
Old age makes us great multitaskers.
Why, I can sneeze and pee at the same time!
One benefit of old age is that your secrets are always safe with your friends … because they can’t remember them!
Ultra low tides coming over the next four days mean that Bar Atlantis will rise up out of the ocean. This epic sand bar has the nicest beach in south Surrey and is part of CRB.
To access, use the Olympic Trail on 13 Ave just west of 131 St in Ocean Park. Starting at the chain link fence, follow the stairs down to the viewing platform and the trail from there to the beach. The sand will be accessible for two hours before and after low tide.
Wear good footing for the trail and rip-rap boulders at the shore and use caution when crossing the BNSF tracks. Sun, Mon & Tues will be the best days, check the tide forecast link for WR.
The live web-cam on an eagle's nest high over the cliffs in Ocean Park reveals two eggs this year in the nest.
Both eggs have now hatched. IT'S TWINS!
Watch Mother Nature in all her glory.
Tickets for Charcuterie on the Pier Event - On Sale Now
Sheila's Catering Co. is gearing up for an extraordinary event on September 2, 2023 as tickets for their attempt to break the World Record for the longest Charcuterie Board ever go on sale this week! Residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to secure their tickets for Charcuterie on the Pier, where the Sheila's Catering team will construct a consecutive 500ft Charcuterie board down the center of White Rock's iconic Pier.
The general public will be able to purchase tickets and partake in this historic event, taking place on White Rock's "Longest Pier in Canada." The 500ft Charcuterie board will serve 1,200 individuals, and there will be a selection of beer and wine. In addition, there will be a day of free entertainment, music, and activities provided by local businesses and organizations in the Grand Chief Bernard Robert Charles (Pa-Kwach-Tun) Memorial Plaza.
Tickets will go on sale to the public on Thursday, June 1, 2023. There will be 4 time slots of tickets available for purchase and ticket prices range between $89 and $189 for the VIP experience. Tickets include entrance to Charcuterie on the Pier at a designated time, a keepsake charcuterie board, a chance to enjoy the delicious selection of charcuterie, live entertainment and an official certificate of attendance.
Since the event was announced on May 1, over 30 local businesses have stepped forward to provide sponsorship and in-kind donations, ensuring a successful event with net proceeds benefiting Sources Food Banks, Friends of the Pier, and the Semiahmoo Rotary Club.
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