TRICELERATE
Several young technology entrepreneurs joined Coquitlam Public Library officials, Tri-City Chamber of Commerce directors, Coquitlam city councillors and provincial politicians — including Amrik Virk, B.C.’s minister of technology, innovation and citizen’s services — to celebrate the opening of the new Innovation Hub last week at the City Centre library branch. Visit tricelerate.ca.
ARTS BOOST
A Coquitlam arts centre checked in a $3,600 grant this week from a credit union. Westminster Savings gave the donations to the Evergreen Cultural Centre for its family days program, which provides free access to art gallery exhibitions and drop-in initiatives — the first of which will be held tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon at the venue.
QUARTER MILLION
Last month’s gala to support Eagle Ridge Hospital injected $250,000 into the Port Moody healthcare centre. The hospital foundation’s 25th annual Evening of Caring collected the cash for the Fund-A-Need campaign to buy life-saving equipment for the emergency ward. As well, philanthropists Kelly and Glenn Hobbis were honoured with a Caring Heart Award, an accolade that recognizes individuals and companies that have shown outstanding contributions to ERH. Past recipients have included gala founder Myrna Code, Linda McGenn Jackson, Andy Nord, Jim Irwin, Larry Wald, and Dorothy and Ken Mackenzie. The gala has brought in more than $3.5 million for ERH in the past quarter century.
WEEDERS
The Lower Mainland Green Team rolled up its sleeves this week for the city of Coquitlam’s Bad Seed weed out of invasive plants at Mundy Park. The 35-person crew joined other community volunteers to pull English Ivy and lamium from the park, racking up a total of 68 hours for the team.
WILDLIFE OUT
The city of Port Coquitlam was honoured last month by provincial delegates at the Union of BC Municipalities’ convention for its patented waste cart locks. The locks are aimed at keeping bears and other wildlife out of the trash. The city received an honourable mention in the Best Practices - Excellence in Action category. “We’re thrilled to be recognized for our made-in-PoCo solution to keeping our community safe from bears,” Mayor Greg Moore said in a news release. “This is the fifth time in five years we’ve been honoured by the UBCM for our unique approach to addressing problems and providing services.”
OPTIMIST CASH
A $1,000 donation came to Maura Fitzpatrick of the Children of the Street Society last month from the Evening Optimist Club of Coquitlam. President Rick Todd presented the money to the Coquitlam-based organization at its club meeting. The society works to raise awareness and stop the sexual exploitation and human trafficking of children and youth in B.C. communities. Last year, it offered 116 school-based workshops for 4,000 Tri-Cities students.
PINK PANCAKES
Coquitlam firefighters used power tools to stir the mix for the second annual Pink Pancake Breakfast at Town Centre firehall on Sunday. The fundraiser by the Coquitlam Firefighters Charitable Society flipped in $2,380 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation — a sum that was matched by the Scotiabank branch at Coquitlam Centre mall. Spokesperson Kim Saulnier said the meal drew 350 attendees to the hall to support the cause.
HER ANGELS
Carmen Taylor’s Angels donned their team shirts and runners on Sunday for the CIBC Run for A Cure to benefit breast cancer research. The group — including Scott, Brad, Nick and Jordan Taylor and Sheri Geldart — brought in $3,000 for the special day to support the charity. The Taylors are well known in the Tri-Cities for their volunteer work with box and field lacrosse.
WET CANOE TRIP
The inaugural FraserFEST Coquitlam was a damp one but that didn’t stop cyclists and paddlers from taking part in the province-wide series along the banks of the Fraser River. Among the participants were MP Fin Donnelly, founder of the Rivershed Society of BC, and Ed Hall, a Kwikwetlem First Nation band councillor. The group enjoyed the trip in a 34’ voyageur canoe from Fort Langley to Coquitlam.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Sasamat Fire Department Chief Jay Sharpe was joined by volunteer Darin Macdonald to thank Wyatt, Harrison and Odin Belenkie for their heartwarming donation last month. The boys handed over their birthday cash, totalling $326, to the fire hall for its operations.
