OVERSEAS FANCY FABRICS
INVENTORY CLEARANCE
32853 Ventura Ave • 604.864.8100
PRICES TO CLEAR
10:30-6:00 7 days a week
BUY 1 METRE GET 1 METRE
Bridal satin • organza • velvet
BUY 2 METRE GET 4 METRE
Printed cotton • flannel • upholstery
SHOWTIME
Johnny Reid rocks their boots off 2010
1985
Country fans flock to Rockin’ River festival
F RIDAY , A UGUST 20, 2010
32 Pages
Page A18
YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, WEATHER AND ENTERTAINMENT abbotsfordtimes.com
Taking time for Tamils
Local churches collect clothes, toys for Canada’s latest refugees CHRISTINA TOTH CToth@abbotsfordtimes.com
A
bbotsford churches have reached out to the Tamil refugees with generous donations of clothes and toys for the women and children who arrived in Canada last week aboard a cargo ship from Sri Lanka. Les Talvio of Cyrus Centre in Abbotsford sent out a request on Tuesday after getting a call from a friend, who asked if there was a way he could help to get clothes for the women and children and some toys. “I sent out an e-mail [to some local churches] and was absolutely overwhelmed by the response,” said Talvio, the director of the youth shelter. Cyrus Centre was the drop-off site for goods gathered by several local churches. He expected to receive enough to fill up the back seat of his car. “The notice went out yesterday, and [Wednesday] we have two van loads of stuff, including new clothes and used clothes, baby stuff, baby clothes, diapers. I was just blown away.” “The community continues to amaze me with its generosity. It is truly a city that cares,” he added. A group of 492 Tamil refugees arrived in Victoria on Aug. 13 aboard a small cargo ship, the MV Sun Sea, after being at sea for about three months.
– JEAN KONDA-WITTE/TIMES
Les Talvio, executive director of Cyrus Centre, was overwhelmed by the response from local churches to help Tamil refugees. In one day, the centre received more than two carloads of clothes and toys that he delivered on Wednesday.
see TAMILS, page A7
MCC pitches in for Pakistan A
lthough the Mennonite Central Committee does not have an office or staff in Pakistan, it is helping the Asian nation where the most severe floods there in 80 years have displaced two million people, and killed at least 1,600 to date. Outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera threaten to create a health crisis. Causalities are expected to rise as flooding continues across Pakistan, the MCC reports. D&G VERSACE RAY BAN VOGUE CK MAUI JIM CALVIN KLEIN
125 2for1
$
or off
COMPLETE PAIR
Prescription does not have to be the same
FREE SIGHT TESTING Ages 19-64
gifts, contacts and resources as we respond to this serious humanitarian crisis,” said Bremner. With Canadian Foodgrains Bank members, MCC aids food kit distribution by the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and the Presbyterian World Service and Development. see MCC, page A7
see CLOSURES, page A7
Ask us for details about
DIGITAL
PROGRESSIVES
Some restrictions apply
#103-2955 Gladwin Rd, Abbotsford 604.864.8803
I
t seems road construction is everywhere in Abbotsford, Mission and the Lower Mainland this summer, and that will continue locally for the next several months. Clearbrook Road between Marshall Road and the Clearbrook overpass was expected to be open to traffic this morning First reported @ after being closed between 7 a.m. abbotsfordtimes.com and 6 p.m yesterday as a result of interchange and overpass construction. It is not scheduled to close again. Clearbrook Road at Marshall Road (east) and the Clearbrook overpass has been closed between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m since Aug. 16, but should be open all day beginning Sept. 3.
Partnering with churches in flooded areas
“The floods have destroyed homes, farms, factories and the livelihoods of millions of people,” said Wayne Bremner, executive director of MCC in British Columbia. “Many people have lost everything and are in desperate need of assistance.” MCC is partnering with several church agencies in the region. “[This] allows us to combine our
Clearbrook should be open
Kwatlen Square #105-12568 72 Ave., Surrey 604.594.6940
Need Knows No Season Never before have we seen such a demand on our resources, services and food supply. Would you help us help others by making a donation to The Salvation Army Centre of Hope? Please call 604-852-9305. ®
Giving Hope Today 34081 Gladys Ave. Abbotsford • 7221 Park St. & Lougheed Mission