When I was young, heading to the Yale nightclub on Granville St. in Vancouver was always a rocking good time. Known as the "Home of the Blues" it featured many local bands of the era. My two favourites were Billy Dixon's Soul Train Express and the Wailin' Walker band with front man Al Walker. Amazingly, both of these bands have now played at the Crescent Legion's Club 240 over the past few years. Ever since Al Walker and his wife Dawn moved to White Rock from East Van several years ago, the Wailin' Walker band has been using the Club 240 for frequent shows, the last one on Nov. 22 with the next scheduled for Mar. 21st. With a good sized dance floor and a capacity of 190 people, the "Rocking 240" makes for an up close and intimate night of blues/rock for only $25.
I'm not sure if Al Walker's plan was to move to White Rock to retire but being at the City By The Sea seems to have rejuvenated his nearly 50 year long music career. Heading back into the studio with his band mates, they laid down tracks for a new album with Al both singing and playing lead guitar. I was at the Crescent Legion in the fall of 2024 for the CD release party of their "All Fired Up" album. With catchy riffs, great songs and cool instrumentals, this album got great reviews, plenty of air time and quickly began to climb music charts in Canada and around the world. In Dec of 2024, Al got the best Christmas present ever when All Fired Up deservedly hit #1 in Canada's Rock & Blues charts. It went on to also top various charts in rock and blues in America, Europe and Australia as well last year.
Buoyed by the critical and commercial success of All Fired Up the band went back into the recording studio with a fresh batch of songs in 2025. The result was another great album with more of a bluesy feel titled "Blues lightning." Once again, Al and the band used the Club 240s live music venue for their CD Release party on Nov. 22nd. After hearing all of the new songs, almost everybody left the Crescent Legion with a CD and t-shirt. Following the success of All Fired Up, which was still charting at that time, "Blues Lightning" took off like a rocket and quickly rose to the top of the Blues/Rock category. Just into the new year I received a note from Al that Blues Lightnin' and All Fired Up were sitting #1 & #2 on the Blues/Rock charts for Canadian music.
This is an absolutely monstrous achievement especially when you realize that All Fired Up was released in the fall of 2024 and has been on the music charts ever since. To have both of these albums hit #1 & #2 at the same time is almost unheard of since the Beatles did it regularly in the 1960s. Kudos to Al Walker for becoming an overnight sensation 50 years in the making. Besides a great voice and wicked guitar licks, Al has surrounded himself with talented band mates who together create great rock n roll and blues music. You can download his latest two albums from Spotify plus see his videos on YouTube. Join the Wailin' Walker FB page to stay up to date with the band that I hear through the White Rock music grape vine is already back in the studio working on more new music. I have put links to the band's web page plus Facebook site below.
One more thing about the Wailing Walker band I want to share is that they have one of the hottest logos in rock n roll. It's a circle with "WAILIN' WALKER" around the perimeter and a skull with crossed guitars like a Jolly Roger surrounded by yellow and orange flames. Not quite as notable as the Rolling Stones' iconic red tongue by Andy Warhol but definitely a close second. For as long as I can remember the Wailing Walker band has played with a bright yellow neon light around this logo that is back-lit in white. I have no idea what the history is of this now historic light but it is always lit up and proudly displayed when the band plays. If Al Walker keeps this up, he might end up in the Canadian Rock n Roll Hall of Fame (flame?) along with getting a few Juno awards. Now that would be something he'd be all fired up about.
SURREY FIRST'S Mayoral Hopeful LINDA ANNIS Under Investigation
The province’s public safety minister has brought in her director of policing to assess whether any follow-up is needed after correspondence between Surrey’s police chief and a Surrey city councillor Linda Annis related to impaired-driving enforcement action outside a local golf course became public.
Extreme Weather Shelters Open
Based on current forecasts, the current Alert has been extended and will also remain in effect for tonight Monday (January 19)
January 17, 2026
Semi Housing
Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, joined Chief Harley Chappell Thursday to announce a $6 million federal investment to support much-needed infrastructure improvements at Semiahmoo Indian Reserve . This funding will help make way for more housing, including a planned 32-unit BC Housing development, pending approvals—creating more opportunities for Semiahmoo First Nation members to live, raise families, and stay connected to their community.
City council members from Surrey and White Rock were not invited to attend.
The investment will support extending water and wastewater services by connecting the site to the City of Surrey’s municipal systems, as well as site preparation, road construction, and installation of essential utilities.
In addition, Indigenous Services Canada has recently provided over $400,000 for important design upgrades, including improvements to the watermain along Beach Road, new fire hydrants, and electrical upgrades to sanitary lift stations.
These projects are the result of years of collaboration and planning, and they show what’s possible when Semiahmoo First Nation, the Government of Canada, and the Government of British Columbia work together to deliver real, community-driven results.
We look forward to continuing this work to support safe, sustainable housing and long-term growth—so community members have a place to call home now and for generations to come.
January 15, 2026
SPS Investigating Shooting in Panorama Ridge
Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating an overnight shooting at a residence in the Panorama Ridge neighbourhood.
At approximately 12:50 am on January 15, 2026, SPS members responded to reports of a shooting in the 13400 block of 56 Avenue, Surrey. Upon arrival, police located a residence and vehicle that had been damaged. Fortunately, nobody was injured as a result of the incident.
SPS Frontline Investigative Support Team (FLIST) attended. SPS Major Crime Section has taken conduct of the investigation. The investigation is in its early stages and investigators are continuing to gather evidence. While the motive for the shooting is still under investigation, it appears that this incident is related to the ongoing series of extortions in Surrey.
Anyone with information about this incident, including CCTV or dashcam footage, or who may know the identities of the suspects is asked to contact SPS’ non-emergency line at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca and quote file number 26-4746 (SP).
There have now been two dozen reported shootings in Surrey since the beginning of the year.
January 14, 2026
Open House – Surrey Libraries – Semiahmoo Branch
Meet the Bus Rapid Transit team at the TransLink booth and learn more about the engagement.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over conduct of a homicide investigation after the body of a man was found deceased on the ground in the 3500 block 176 Street, Surrey.
At approximately 12:05 pm on January 13, 2026, SPS officers responded to calls of a man lying near the street in the 3500 block of 176 Street, Surrey. Upon arrival, members located a man apparently suffering from gunshot wounds. Surrey Fire Services and BCEHS attended, and the man was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.
IHIT has now taken over the investigation and are working in partnership with SPS to complete priority investigative tasks.
On January 13, 2026, SPS responded to a report of a vehicle fire in the area of 18900 block of 40th Street, Surrey. At this stage, investigators believe this to be related to the ongoing investigation.
In order to further the investigation, IHIT is identifying the victim as 46-year-old Baljinder “Binder” Singh Garcha of Surrey.
“It remains very early on in this investigation,” says Sukhi Dhesi, Media Relations Officer for IHIT. “Based on initial investigative steps, investigators do not believe there is a connection to the BC Gang Conflict and are working diligently to understand the circumstances that led to the death of Mr. Garcha. We are asking anyone with information to please come forward and speak with investigators.”
Investigators are looking for anyone with information, CCTV or dash camera footage from 18900 block of 40th Street, Surrey from 11:00 am and 1:00 pm and from the 3500 block of 176 Street Avenue between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm on January 13, 2026. Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
January 13, 2025
White Rock Council Rewind
- Public Hearing regarding cannabis store LITTLE BUD'S temporary use permit located @ 1478 Johnston Road). Council unanimously passed removing the designation of temporary.
- Reps from Coldest Night Of The Year were in attendance to promote the annual walk along the waterfront which will be staged this year on Saturday February 28. Last year the walk raised $240,000.00 the goal this year is $300,000.00 White Rock's annual walk consistently is one of the top fund raising locations across Canada
- Council began its initial work on the city's 2026 operating budget which must be completed by May. A few minor changes were made in the initial meeting. Council will continue to review the budget in upcoming council meetings.
- Official Community Plan. A final Public Hearing will be scheduled and following that meeting council will make any changes it feels that reflect the wants and needs of the residents.
- Councillor Anthony Manning put forth the following Notices of Motions.
*Christmas on the Peninsula fee be grandfathered; consider having CotP/Bright Walk openings same weekend
*veterans-themed crosswalk at BV/Fir
*letter to Fraser Health expressing frustration with PAH maternity ward closures
The motions will be discussed at the next council meeting in two weeks.
January 12, 2026
UPDATE - Police Investigating House Fire in Cloverdale
Further Update January 13 2026
UPDATE – IHIT Assuming Conduct of Fatal Fire in Surrey
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over conduct of the investigation into an early morning house fire in which the body of a deceased man was found.
Shortly after 7:00 am on January 12, 2026, SPS officers responded to calls of a house fire in the 12700 block 56 Avenue to assist SFS with road closures. During their efforts to extinguish the fully engulfed residence and search it for any victims, SFS members discovered the body of an adult individual, who was deceased.
IHIT has now taken over the investigation and are working in partnership with SPS to complete priority investigative tasks.
Investigators are looking for anyone who has information or dashcam, CCTV footage from the area of the 12700 block 56 Avenue between the hours of 5:00 am and 7:00 am on January 12 to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Surrey Police Service (SPS) and RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) are updating the public on an investigation into a house fire in the Cloverdale neighbourhood.
At approximately 4:40 pm on January 9, 2025, members of RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) attended the 16900 block of Jersey Drive regarding a house fire. Further investigation has revealed that there was an explosion and subsequent fire at a residence. A single 22-year-old male was located inside the residence and was transported to an area hospital by Air Ambulance with life-threatening injuries. The man is still receiving treatment in hospital but is expected to survive. The victim was pulled from the fire by two of his neighbours who happened to have heard the explosion and ran to see if they could be of any assistance.
RCMP SPOSU General Investigation Unit (GIU) is assuming conduct of the investigation. A Fire Investigator and Integrated Forensic Identifications Service (IFIS) attended the scene to assist in the investigation.
While it is early in the investigation and the cause of the explosion and fire are still undetermined, police do not suspect foul play.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact SPS’ non-emergency line at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca and quote file number 26-1201 (SU).
January 11, 2025
Did Surrey City Councillor Linda Annis Interfere With Surrey Police Service?
FOI shows Surrey check stop location concerns from city councillor.
