PDA HONOURS
Longtime Coquitlam resident Fern Bouvier was honoured last Saturday for his work with Place des Arts. The Maillardville facility that he help to found marked its 40th anniversary at an awards gala. In his honour, a new Fern Bouvier Arts Legacy Award has been created; the first recipient is PdA student cellist Brontë Wagar.
TO THE WORLDS
A Coquitlam school team is off to the world finals for Odyssey of the Mind, a problem-solving competition for students. Last month, Hillcrest middle group - comprised of Lyle Hendriks, Ryan Kwasnicky, Jessica Seemann, Fiona Mollon, James Situ, Vanessa and Joanna Giannapuluos - was in the provincial tournament with its ARTitecture: The Musical entry. The kids scored 346.7 out of 350 points, earning them the top overall score in their division. The win means they will head to the international contest at the University of Michigan later this month. To donate towards their travel expenses, call 604-454-4367 or visit www.odysseybc.ca.
BOOK WORMS
When it comes to reading, Coquitlam's Panorama Heights elementary wins the title. Last month, the school's Team Awesome - made up of Aaron Wei, Valerie Zhang, Yihoi Jung, Myah Rawji, Maggie Xu and Jessie Xu, under the direction of teacher librarian Sylvia Nicolau and parent coach Christina Purnomo - was named the winners of the Reading Link Grand Challenge, besting eight other teams at Douglas College. Second place went to the Rainbow Readers from Albion elementary in Maple Ridge while third place went to the Hardcore Hardcovers from Nestor elementary in Coquitlam.Now in its 11th year, the challenge for students in grades 4 and 5 is sponsored by the Coquitlam Public Library, Fraser Valley Regional Library and Surrey Public Library.
GREEN DRIVE
A Port Moody student has dug up $5,000 for tuition for being eco-conscious. Saskia Vaisey was named one of 20 recipients of a 2013 Toyota Earth Day scholarship, created by Earth Day Canada in partnership with Toyota Canada. "These students are an important reminder of the passion, dedication and ingenuity that young people bring to addressing environmental issues," said added Jed Goldberg, president of Earth Day Canada, in a news release.
BANK TO BMN
A bank opened a new branch in Port Coquitlam this month - and donated money to a Tri-City environmental group. The Burke Mountain Naturalists checked in the cash from TD Canada Trust, which now has a 5,500-square foot location at 2385 Ottawa St.
PORT GRAD
A worker at Port Moody's Pacific Coast Terminals has graduated from the Certified Port Executive Program. David Olivares is one of 11 new grads to complete the five-day professional course that focuses on the operations of ports, vessels, marine terminals and the related transportation system.
HELPING HANDS
Naturopath Meghan Stobbs and Clara Cohen, owner of Port Moody's Healing Cedar Wellness, recently handed over $621 to Anna Wilczewski of the Crossroads Hospice Society - cash that was raised through the company's Arts for Healing Gala in March. The event paid tribute to Tanya Bayley, who passed away at the PoMo hospice. "We know Tanya would be so proud of all the people who came to show their support in her honour," Cohen said in a news release.
HEALTHY HANDS
Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore checked to see how clean his hands were during World Hand Hygiene Day at Port Moody's Eagle Ridge Hospital. Practicing good hand hygiene is the best way to fight common cold and flu viruses, says the Fraser Health Authority, which serves the Tri-Cities. "We teach our kids to sing 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' while washing their hands to ensure they do it correctly and for long enough to be effective," said Elizabeth Brodkin, executive medical director for infection protection and control at Fraser Health.
HEALTHY BODIES
More than 150 people rolled out their yoga mats at Port Moody's Rocky Point Park on Tuesday night to mark the city's 100th year. Yoga in the Park was led by Port Moody rec complex fitness instructors Monique Roukema and Ava Stone. The next event in the free centennial series is on May 22 at 7 p.m. when Lisa Porcellato teaches pilates.
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