MORE PHOTOS ABOVE
MAGICAL TREES
Some 400 guests at the 22nd annual Treasures of Christmas gala helped to bring in thousands of dollars for the Crossroads Hospice Society. The sold-out event at the Hard Rock Casino Theatre in Coquitlam even saw a friendly pooch from PADS, which received a Magical Tree that night.
ORANGE LAKE
Freda Patel, Bev Harris and Gail Mullan of the Greater Vancouver Grandmothers Advocacy Network — or GRAN — were at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam after the city bathed the fountain orange. The colour was to raise awareness of the Orange the World campaign for the United Nations, a 16-day drive that started Nov. 25 with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and will end Dec. 10 with Human Rights Day.
SILVER DUKE
Kailem Kwan of Port Coquitlam was one of four Tri-City teens to receive their silver achievement certificate at Government House last month as part of the Duke of Edinburgh program. The others were Adam Virani and Ishira Bharadwaj of Coquitlam and Tatiana Chow of Port Moody.
ON BOARD
There's a new board of directors steering the Children of the Street Society.
Last Friday, the Coquitlam-based charity elected its executive at the annual general meeting at Place des Arts, naming Leanne Atkinson, a sexual exploitation youth worker, as its president. Social entrepreneur Shana Rivett is the vice-president while accountant Sarah Harris returns as the society's treasurer.
The new directors are Jim Walker, Laila Rana, Meherun Laila and Priscilla Sanker. Coming back as directors are Trevor Ritchie and Oscar Ramos.
NICE GRILL
Coquitlam's Michele Keepence won a stainless steel natural gas BBQ last month for throwing a block party with her neighbours.
The cooker is courtesy of Fortis BC and the city of Coquitlam, which have partnered to offer "green" incentives to residents and businesses. Next year, during the city's 125 birthday celebrations, the city will host the 125 Block Party Challenge. To be one of the 125 parties, visit coquitlam125.ca.
AWARD SURGE
A longtime member of IBEW Local 213, an electrical trades training union based in Port Coquitlam, generated a lieutenant-governor's award last week.
Andy Cleven, training director for BC's electrical joint training committee, won the accolade at a ceremony in Richmond.
"He's recognized as a leader in training and has developed national training standards for industrial electricians and in the emerging fields of photovoltaic solar installation and electric vehicle infrastructure," said IBEW 213 business manager Adam Van Steinburg in a news release. "His passion for training is closely related to his commitment to creating a safer workplace."
Each year, six British Columbians are picked by the BC Safety Authority to receive an Award of Excellence.
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