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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2010
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INSIDE FEATURE: Aunt Leah’s legacy ◗P11
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Kicking up their heels for Pride Queen’s ◗ DEVELOPMENT
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Inaugural Diversity Week celebrations got drenched – but spirits remained positive BY ALFIE LAU REPORTER
editorial@royalcityrecord.com
It was set to be the highlight of New Westminster’s inaugural Diversity Week, but Mother Nature rained all over Saturday afternoon’s Hills and Heels fundraiser. Organizer Vance McFadyen estimated that 75 people participated in the walk up Sixth Street to city hall, a much smaller-thananticipated number. “I think the rain cost us twothirds of our participants,” said McFadyen. “We were very happy to have as many people walk because the weather wasn’t that great. ... I had so many calls and e-mails from people apologizing profusely for pulling out.” The Hills and Heels fundraiser raised more than $1,900 for the new youth centre at Century House McFadyen said the Pride celebrations continued despite the rain, with more than 200 people at city hall to hear the Pride Proclamation from Acting Mayor Jonathan Cote. “We were very pleased with the attendance of our local politicians and the reading of the proclamation,” said McFadyen, who said he will frame a copy of that document in his home. Even when a Christian protestor threatened to disrupt the proceedings, McFadyen said participants took everything in stride. “He was making his point and all we said to him was Happy Pride Day,” said McFadyen. Coun. Bill Harper attended Saturday’s events, which also included the world’s largest flock dance in heels, along with a drag show at the Heritage Grill earlier in the week.
Landmark in the ‘Boro has been listed for $9.999 million BY ALFIE LAU REPORTER alau@royalcityrecord.com
“I was pretty pleased with how the whole week went,” said Harper, who estimated the crowd at closer to 300 for the city hall proclamation. “I think we’re seeing New Westminster becoming a residence of choice for people from the gay community.” Harper said he expects Diversity Week to grow bigger and better next year. “This was a great first event,” he said. “I think the organizers did a great job and with this experience, they’ll put on an even better event next year.” As the party adjourned to Tipperary Park for an afternoon picnic party, more than 15 tents provided entertainment and respite from the rain for the people
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Pride and prejudice: Above, Helen Clay, dances at Tipperary Park, on Saturday during Diversity Day in New Westminster. This Christian protester, below, makes his point at Saturday’s celebrations.
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A Queensborough institution is on the market for close to a cool $10 million. The Queens Motor Hotel, a 30-room hotel, pub and restaurant, has been listed by Homelife Benchmark Titus Realty for sale at $9.999 million. According to a listing by realtor Barry Bock, the property with frontages at 1110 Ewen Ave. and 240 Jardine St. has 111,296 square feet of space and the potential for 15 storeys of development. And while the property is zoned for multifamily high-rise and commercial mix usage, the value of the land lies in the future redevelopment of the property. Calls by The Record to Bock were not returned before press time. The property is currently owned by the Djurkovic family. Patriarch George, now deceased, bought the hotel on April 1, 1969 although the hotel has been in operation for more than 50 years. In the late 1950s, when the hotel was built and considered the city’s newest attraction, there were no highways and very few stores in the area for people to shop. Fewer patrons were attracted to the area. Fishermen from the Fraser
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