PNE SEMI-FINALS
Tri-City residents Annaliese Hearns, 15, belted out Proud Mary while Ben Freemantle, 17, performed a self-choreographed routine, titled Hallelujah, and Centennial grad Bailey Alexis, also 17, sang Halo at the PNE Star Showdown semi-finals last Saturday; Freemantle, a Port Moody secondary student, placed second in the youth division. On Tuesday, musician Jayden Holman was named as the overall winner of the talent contest for singing Into the Mystic.
FISHY
New murals now adorn the walls of Port Coquitlam's Hyde Creek Education Society education centre. Kim Hunter painted four outside murals, representing the four seasons. The last mural on the stairwell is a thank you to School District 43 students who raised Chum eggs to the fry stage in aquariums in their schools as part of a Fisheries and Oceans Canada Salmonids in the Classroom program.
FOR GARY
Coquitlam's Nichola Smith, the widow of esophageal cancer victim Gary Smith, recently presented Kenneth Atkinson, head of gastroenterology at Royal Columbian Hospital, and Kandi Kozler of RCH Foundation, with a cheque for $11,924, which was raised from the third annual Gary's Walk event. The funds will be used to buy a gastroscope, a thin, flexible fibre-optic instrument that is passed through the mouth and allows the doctor to see whether there is any damage to the lining of the esophagus or stomach.
ART CAMP
Several Grade 1 to 5 students took part in ArtReach last week at Coquitlam's Place des Arts. The annual outreach arts program, sponsored by the Westminster Savings Foundation, is designed for youth from low-income families to learn about drama, music, dance and visual arts as well as gain self-esteem and confidence; the camp wrapped up last Friday with a performance for family and friends.
KIDS WIN
A bi-annual sale in Coquitlam last Saturday to raise money to help kids from low-income families stay fit is being called a "huge success." Organizer Chris Wilson said the Tri-City KidSport used equipment sale at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex drew more than 1,300 buyers - nearly 500 of them coming through the doors in the first 10 minutes - and collected some $17,000 for the non-profit group. "The sale keeps getting bigger and better," Wilson said. "A lot of families were saving hundreds of dollars, especially when they were outfitting their kids for hockey or lacrosse. Where else can out outfit a child with everything they need for hockey for $100?" KidSport's next sale will be in Port Coquitlam in March.
KA-CHING
A non-profit group that runs a Tri-City food band and provides social services got a chunk of change from the Port Mann/Highway 1 contractor this month. Kiewit/Flatiron General Partnership swung in $60,000 to Share Family and Community Services' coffers following the company's annual golf tournament in June. Last year, the company donated $50,000 to the local charity - money also raised from the golf event. "Kiewit/Flatiron is truly impressed by Share's tremendous accomplishments within the community. The community relies on Share to guide the way in making positive changes that help children and adults in need," said Ryan Tones, senior project manager at Kiewit/Flatiron, in a news release. "We're pleased to support such a worthy organization."
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