A North Vancouver man has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his partner.
On Dec. 19, 2021, Everton Javaun Downey and Melissa Blimkie drove from their North Vancouver apartment to Metrotown in Burnaby While walking through the mall’s stairwell, Downey stabbed the 25-year-old 15 times with a folding knife, hitting her left lung, heart, liver, left kidney as well as her arms, hands and thighs.
He was later charged with second-degree murder and faced trial in Vancouver in B.C. Supreme Court between January 2024 and June 2025.
Downey never denied that he stabbed his girlfriend to death, but his defence counsel argued he should be found not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder, or that he lacked the specific intent required under the law for a conviction for second-degree murder
At trial, Downey testified about a series of “strange” incidents causing him paranoia – people following him or monitoring him through holes in the ceiling, someone talking to Blimkie through her ear, and strangers throwing
Lacrosselegend
West Van player inducted into Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame
B.C.
TransLink asks for public input on bus rapid transit route
ABBY LUCIANO aluciano@nsnews.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TransLink is asking for the public’s input on a route option in Burnaby for the future bus rapid transit (BRT) line between Metrotown and the North Shore.
The bus will operate between Metrotown in Burnaby and Park Royal in West Vancouver, via the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows crossing.
Metro Vancouver’s transit operator is asking for the public’s feedback on which of two options they prefer for the route south of the bridge.
Option 1 sends the bus down Hastings Street to Willingdon Avenue, while Option 2 routes the bus down Boundary Road and Lougheed Highway
The BRT will span 21 kilometres with 16 or 17 stations, depending on the final route option selected.
The route options have sparked debate over the last two years.
Businesses owners and residents have raised concerns about the loss of parking spaces in Burnaby Heights that would result if the BRT were to get dedicated lanes on Hastings and Willingdon. Transit advocates, meanwhile, have argued that Boundary Road lacks the housing and employment density required to support a high-capacity bus route.
City of Burnaby engineering staff had proposed an alternate route that would have connected Kootenay Loop to Brentwood Town Centre through Boundary Road, First Avenue and Halifax Avenue, instead of the original route along Hastings
Street in Burnaby Heights. A spokesperson from TransLink said Monday after further technical work and discussion, the transit operator and the City of Burnaby decided not to proceed with that route option.
TransLink said while the BRT operates with dedicated bus lanes, no traffic lanes will be removed on the Ironworkers Bridge for the project.
Station locations for the route were selected based on facilitating connections with major locations like Metrotown and Brentwood Town Centre and transit hubs like the SeaBus at Lonsdale Quay, Phibbs Exchange and Park Royal.
Locations were also determined based on growing residential areas and key destinations like BCIT, Burnaby Heights, Lynn
Creek, Lower Lonsdale, Capilano Mall and Park Royal, while also providing faster service for transit users with fewer stops that are more spaced out, the release said.
“This new BRT service will better connect the North Shore and Burnaby with rapid transit, unlocking access to thousands of job sites along the way. It will speed up travel for customers with a reliable and comfortable ride, complete with dedicated bus lanes and weather-protected stations,” said Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink.
The transit operator said they estimate the BRT route would provide rapid transit access to more than 85,000 households and roughly 100,000 jobs that are within walking distance on the planned route.
Once the project is finished, TransLink
said they estimate the BRT will have 60,000 riders daily and an end-to-end travel time of 60 minutes during rush hour, roughly the same time as driving.
Mayors from the North Shore, Burnaby and Vancouver all said they welcomed the BRT line.
“Creating a bus rapid transit link between Metrotown and the North Shore is a huge win for Burnaby, the North Shore and the Metro Vancouver region,” said City of Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley in the release.
“This north-south connection would provide excellent service to some of the fastest growing neighbourhoods in Burnaby, and help foster growth for businesses on both sides of the Burrard Inlet.”
Mike Little, mayor for the District of North Vancouver, said the project is an important step in tackling traffic challenges on the North Shore, and encouraged people to share their feedback.
“BRT including stations from Phibbs to Park Royal offers North Shore residents an easier and more reliable form of transit,” Little said. “We look forward to continuing the long-term vision of the Mayors’ Council that explores rapid transit improvements to and from the North Shore.”
People can participate in the engagement survey on TransLink’s website until Sept. 21.
Five in-person open houses will also take place between Sept. 4 to 17. Open houses are scheduled in North Vancouver for Sept. 9 at the John Braithwaite Community Centre (Shoreline Room) from 3 to 7 p.m. and at the Lynn Creek Community Recreation Centre (Creekview Room) on Sept. 17 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Police investigating after gun shots fired at North Vancouver home
NICK LABA
nlaba@nsnews.com
Police are investigating after gun shots were fired into a North Vancouver home on Sunday.
At around 4 a.m. on Aug. 24, a homeowner on the 900 block of Tollcross Road called police when they heard a loud bang and then
discovered bullet holes.
Officers then attended the scene and found evidence that “several” shots had been fired at a residence on the street, according to a statement from North Vancouver RCMP
The home was occupied at the time of the shooting, but no one was injured, police said.
This was an unsettling incident that understandably causes concern in the community, said Cpl.
Mansoor Sahak, spokesperson for North Vancouver RCMP
“The active investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the North Vancouver RCMP Investigative Services Section,” he said. “At this time, the motive
remains under investigation and there is no known threat to public safety.”
Property records show the owner of the home is a suspect in the boating collision that killed a 10-year-old boy and seriously injured another near Whey-ahWichen/Cates Park in June.
As the investigation is still in
its early stages, Sahak said that police are not sharing any further details and can’t comment if the incident is connected to any other crimes. Police are asking anyone with CCTV, dashcam footage, or information related to the shooting to contact North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
TransLink is seeking public input on the route the new bus rapid transit line will take as it connects Metrotown in Burnaby to Park Royal in West Vancouver. To see maps of the proposed routes, visit nsnews.com. NICK LABA / NSN
FLAGSHIP LOCATION
New indoor pickleball courts popping into Capilano Mall
NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com
A trendy new pickleball facility is set to pop into the old Sears store in Capilano Mall.
Fairgrounds, which currently operates six pickleball locations in Ontario, says it’s opening a flagship location in North Vancouver this fall.
The facility will house 15 full-size indoor courts, which can be booked by the hour or as part of a monthly membership, according to a press release. There will be a licensed lounge with food, drinks and seating. For players looking to improve, there will be coaching and clinics.
The facility will host pickleball parties, member mixers and brand pop-ups Fairgrounds will also sell pickleball gear and clothing on site.
Fairgrounds’ existing facilities feature minimalist designs with a bright colour palate. It will cost $50 to rent a court per hour, a representative said
Expanding to Vancouver is an exciting next chapter for Fairgrounds, said co-founder Drummond Munro
“We believe in the power of racket sports to create meaningful connections, support wellness, and bring people together across generations,” he said in the release. “Capilano Mall’s dynamic community and the incredible energy of the North Shore make it the perfect home for our first Vancouver location.”
Originally, Fairgrounds had plans to
open a facility at CF Pacific Centre Mall in downtown Vancouver last year, but that fizzled.
Developer seeking to redevelop entire Capilano Mall property
QuadReal, the developer that owns the Capilano Mall property, said Fairgrounds is an ideal partner for the facility.
“Their vibrant, community-first approach to athletics not only activates Capilano Mall in new and exciting ways, but also creates memorable experiences for North Shore residents – a place to connect, stay active, and have fun year-round.”
QuadReal and Fairgrounds have partnered on similar projects in the past, including two Ontario locations owned by the developer, and a planned facility in Red Deer, Alta.
Previously, the Sears store space housed the North Shore Indoor Bike Park, which opened in July 2023 and closed in March 2025. Around the time of the closure, which was due to the bike part not meeting its lease obligations, it was rumoured that a pickleball business would be taking over
QuadReal intends to eventually redevelop the entire Capilano Mall site into a community of residential high rises, with extensive retail space, a new public park and community centre. Its detailed application for the site – under consideration by the City of North Vancouver – was revealed in June
Players tap pickleball rackets at a Fairgrounds court. FAIRGROUNDS
West Vancouver breaks 38-year-old temperature record
ABBY LUCIANO aluciano@nsnews.com
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
If you were feeling the heat on the North Shore this week, you’re not alone.
West Vancouver was one of the many municipalities across B.C. to break a temperature record for Saturday, Aug. 23.
Temperatures soared to 30.1 C in West Vancouver, sizzling the previous record of 29 C in 1987.
Abbotsford, Pitt Meadows, Whistler, Victoria, Sechelt and Qualicum Beach were some of the other municipalities that broke daily heat records
Saturday, said Environment Canada meteorologist Jennifer Kowal.
Whistler saw a scorching 34.2 C, breaking the previous record of 33.5 C in 1988.
Victoria also saw 31.1 C, smashing the previous record of 30.0 C over 100 years ago in 1916
Kowal said the recent heat is due to a big ridge of high pressure over the western part
of North America, spanning into Alberta, B.C. and the American Pacific Northwest
“It’s very dry, so there’s not a lot of moisture around,” Kowal said.
Hot temperatures are expected to continue this week, with a chance of a break coming midweek in the form of some
cloud cover.
But the weather will heat up again on Thursday and Friday, she said.
“When we’re talking about a break, it might only be two or three degrees cooler,” Kowal said. “It’s not really that significant, just a little bit of cloud, which will be a nice break.”
With the continuing hot weather, the meteorologist is reminding people to make sure they are safe in the sun by wearing sunscreen, staying in the shade or air conditioning, keeping hydrated and avoiding sitting in am enclosed car for long periods of time.
“We don’t have a heat warning
issued, so it’s not really deemed particularly extreme or unsafe,” Kowal said. “[But] of course you do want to still take your precautions.”
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative
Community Day on Sept. 6atChemtrade
We are excitedtoinvite ourcommunity neighbourstojoinusand visitour site to learn more aboutwhatwedoand howwedoitsafely.
Event details:
What: Tours, activities, food, information, and family fun!
Where: Chemtrade’sNorth Vancouver facility,100 Amherst Avenue, North Vancouver
Good to know:
• Limited parking will be available on site.
Comeand see ourfacility and learnmore aboutwhat we do.
We ask thatwhere possible, please use transit or carpool.
• Tours of the site will be provided using shuttle buses so everyone can participate.
• Chemtrade employees from across the company, including senior leadership, will be on-site to answer your questions.
• No need to RSVP,but for more information about the facility,please visit www.AskChemtrade.ca.For more information about the event, please email Amy Jonsson at ajonsson@chemtradelogistics.com
Visitors enjoy the water at Ambleside Beach on in July, 2023. Environment Canada says the current heat wave has been a record breaker. NICK LABA / NSN
Coho Festival returns to Ambleside Park for 46th year
ABBY LUCIANO aluciano@nsnews.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A popular North Shore festival and fundraiser for aquatic wildlife preservation is making a grand splash for another year.
The Coho Festival is coming to Ambleside Park in West Vancouver on Sunday, Sept. 7, celebrating the salmon’s annual return to the North Shore rivers and streams while also raising funds for local environmental groups.
At 9 a.m. the festival will kick off with the Coho Swim, where dozens of people in wetsuits will swim from the Welcome Figure totem pole to the entrance to the Capilano watershed at Ambleside Beach.
The open-water swim, which can be done at 1.5-kilometre and three-km distances, mimics the migratory patterns of coho and other native salmon for millennia, according to the Coho Society, the volunteer organization that runs the event.
After the race, swimmers will enjoy a hearty pancake breakfast where the top winners will be given medals.
From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. the main activities take place, said board member and president of the Coho Society Tony Wachmann.
The day-long festival will have the coho salmon barbecue with community leaders as chefs alongside a Coho Garden offering local craft beers, cider and wine.
Around 1 p.m. the Skwxwú7mesh
Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Canoe Family will have a traditional “blessing of the salmon” ceremony. A war canoe from the
Squamish Nation will also be on display as well as crafts and activities for kids to check out.
The “stewardship zone” will have educators and environmental groups with exhibits and displays highlighting salmon, fish and everything else in the oceans, Wachmann said.
Seymour Fish Hatchery, North Shore Streamkeepers and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are some of the organizations that will attend. DFO will be bringing out the Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft, welcoming visitors aboard to check out the vessel.
The annual 14-kilometre Coho Run, which spans from Kitsilano Beach to Ambleside, will not take place due to construction along the route and other logistical issues. Wachmann said they plan to bring the run back next year.
The festival, now in its 45th year, draws in thousands of people from the North Shore and other parts of Metro Vancouver, he said, adding that the society has raised nearly $1 million for North Shore environmental agencies and projects.
Wachmann encourages people to come out to the event and learn about conservation efforts and salmon.
“It’s a nice, fun time for everybody and a nice day, but the message is still the same. Everything we do is about salmon, salmon habitat and keeping them happy where they are and growing,” he said.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
The annual Coho Festival returns to West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park on Sunday, Sept 7.
PETER KVARNSTROM
Misinformation age
This week’s paper includes two stories about brazen scams targeting North Shore residents, but sadly, we could make this a regular column with weekly updates and warnings. It’s just that common.
Whether it’s by email, phone, text or otherwise, it seems would-be fraudsters clamour for our attention more than a fussy toddler It’s become part of the noise of the modern age. The vast majority are spotted and ignored before any damage can be done, but the sheer volume of attempts means some do get through.
If you’ve been taken by a scam, don’t feel bad. They can be quite sophisticated, targeting our vulnerabilities and mimicking the phone numbers, emails and websites of the banks, governments, police and businesses that we think we can trust.
A reminder: those institutions never
deliver ultimatums over the phone or by email. Unforeseen tax bills can’t be paid with cryptocurrency. If you have even the slightest of doubts, stop dead in your tracks and never hand over any personal information.
Yet the arrival of generative AI gives criminals unprecedented tools for digital deception. The increasingly devious and tech-enabled methods scammers and agents of misinformation use means we have to harden and broaden our defences even more.
It’s high time we went from living in the Information Age and into the age of healthy skepticism.
In a world in which people who are untethered by the truth seek to exploit victims’ susceptibilities, we offer an adage that has served us well in journalism: Trust, but verify
A definitive ranking of Vancouver’s best and worst months
ANDY PREST
aprest@nsnews.com
We’re coming up on one of the biggest calendar flips of the year, August to September. Do you love that or hate that?
Your answer might say a lot about you and what you consider a good time. Beach blanket or back-to-school – what gets you fired up?
This line of questioning ignited a great dinner table debate at my place, and I’d like to bring you into it. What is the best month? Here are my rankings (based on Canadian stat holidays – no consideration to birthdays! – with Vancouver weather as the standard), starting with the worst month of them all.
November: I tried to keep this month out of last place out of respect for our noble
veterans, but the numbers just don’t lie. November just gets darker and darker, and, in Vancouver at least, wetter and wetter There’s one holiday in November. An important one? Yes. Fun? No So yes, thank you for your sacrifices – you fought for our freedom to complain about the rain.
January: This one feels like it should be higher too, but I just couldn’t make it work. It obviously starts with a bang, but if you look past the excitement of resolutions and the end of holidays, you’re left with a month that drags on into cold and wet darkness.
Scientists have deemed the third Monday of January as the “saddest day of the year” –something we all can look forward to It’s the hangover of months.
February: Another winter month near the bottom. Maybe this list would be different if we were skiers? Valentine’s Day and
Family Day both provide some contrived fun, and the Winter Olympics pop every four years. But the cold, dark and rain really limits the possibilities once you’ve finished your heart-shaped box of chocolates. On the other hand, February is really short That helps.
September: Split vote here, as the kids said September is easily a bottom three month while my wife was much happier with back-to-school vibes (maybe those two things are related?). I’m torn too. The weather is still mostly great, but the big vacations are over Back-to-work means you get to see your friends and get back into a routine again, but it’s not all beaches and ice cream. If September was a day of the week, it would be Monday. “September sucks,” my kids say. I get it.
March: Controversial one here too. I’m a
big March fan – March Madness basketball, March break, the coming of spring. But two of my family members did not hesitate to call March the “worst” month. You’re caught between seasons, with winter sports are over but spring hasn’t really sprung. The school year is really starting to drag –“everyone is feral” my wife says of the March mood, adding that the combo of rain, mud and melting snow makes March “brown.”
April: I feel bad putting April in the bottom half, but here we are. Another tweener, as we’re not stuck in the winter blahs, but we’re not getting the full summer effects just yet either Don’t be mad, April. You’re good, just not great.
October: We’re into the top half now with a month that features a steady decline in weather and daylight hours but makes
MAILBOX
TRAFFIC FIX: BUILD ANOTHER HIGHWAY ON TOP OF THE HIGHWAY
Dear Editor:
I think a cost-effective way to help solve the transportation problem on the North Shore is to just add an upper deck above the existing Highway 1 and bridges as is done in many countries. This would not change the footprint of the existing highway, just use the air above it. This would double the traffic that the highway could handle and could be built relatively quickly with minimal impact to the environment.
You could have the lower deck reserved for traffic going in one direction only with the other deck reserved for traffic in the other direction. Or, what would be cheaper, is to keep the traffic pattern the same on the lower deck as is now with traffic going in both directions, and the upper deck reserved for traffic going in both directions but with few on/off ramps as the upper deck would be mostly used for traffic bypassing the District and North Vancouver as well as West Van.
You could also build relatively cheaply a SkyTrain system with stations spaced out
on the upper level and over the bridges to and from Burnaby and Vancouver with stairs and elevators that would connect to various buses on the lower level.
Michael Smith North Vancouver
TARIFF TROUBLE ABOUT TO HIT HOME FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Dear Editor:
A crisis is about to happen that will affect many people’s businesses on the North Shore. Small businesses make up a huge proportion of our province’s economy, and at least 70 per cent of online mail order business is with U.S. customers.
Starting Aug. 29, the U.S. has suspended its de minimis exemption, meaning commercial mail-order shipments valued at $800 or less are now subject to applicable tariffs
Does the government have any plans to support these thousands of individuals whose livelihood’s depend on online mail order small businesses?
Patricia Bowles West Vancouver
Does Christmas beat out summer?
up for it in personality Thanksgiving and Halloween is a heck of a one-two punch. Put on a sweater, grab your gravy and smoother it all over your turkey and mashed potatoes. Then dress up as a spooky ghost and have a big party! NHL starts, NBA starts, football is rolling, the World Series! That’s a quality month.
May: Now we’re heating up! Should we get the barbecue going? Maybe they have a patio table open? How about an evening baseball game that doesn’t require toques and parkas? We’re so close
December: I’m going to get hate mail for keeping this banger of a month out of the top three It’s cold, wet and dark, but that hardly seems to matter with everything so merry and bright! The last two weeks of December, from a few days before Christmas to the last second of the month on New Year’s Eve, are just a blur of gifts, tinsel, cheese, chocolate, booze, fondues and a midday snooze. It really is incredible that we’ve brought so much light to the darkest month of the year.
A Christmas miracle!
August: This somehow feels too low as well. Only third place? August is so great! Sunshine! Vacation! Jump in the ocean on a Tuesday morning and then read a book
Nature andLuxury in Harmony
For alimited time,our immaculate,rarelyavailable 2-bedroom penthousesuite couldbeyours!
without a care in the world! The only thing holding it back is what comes next. August is the Sunday of months.
June: To my surprise, a couple of my family members, with no hesitation, picked June as the greatest month. School is still in, but it’s not really school, is it? Should we finish our math, or should we go out and play baseball!?! My wife claims the anticipation of summer is even more exciting than the sweaty reality of summer itself. You’re “on the edge of something great.” If we’re going to continue the days of the week theme, June is Friday. Everyone loves Friday July: And here’s Saturday. This is what we’ve been waiting for! The beach, the sun, the camping, the water park We made it! And you’re telling me we get an Olympics or World Cup every other July? Perfection. I know some people don’t like the heat or miss the work routine – please put your complaints in a bottle and float it down the river where I can read it while having the time of my life on a big floating unicorn. There’s the list. Feel free to let me know where you disagree If I don’t get back to you, it’s because we’re not in September yet. Andy Prest is the editor of the North Shore News and author of a regular humour/lifestyle column.
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Six traffic fixes we can make on the North Shore now
MICHAEL HALL Contributing writer
In regards to the July 31 petition requesting a ”Re-evaluation of North Shore Transportation Infrastructure” and the argument for a third car crossing to the North Shore: be careful what you wish for.
The ambiguous title of the petition might lead some to assume that sustainable transportation options lie within. But no, the author immediately argues for a third bridge (or tunnel) be built to the North Shore to relieve vehicle congestion that plagues the area. The petition cites efficiency and safety, movement of emergency vehicles, and the economic cost of gridlock as reasons that a third crossing must be constructed.
Is a third crossing the solution, though? If the two existing bridges do in fact function as bottlenecks for vehicle traffic, what will happen to North Shore streets when that bottleneck is removed? What will happen when more people decide to commute to or from the North Shore when, for a brief time, traffic is flowing more smoothly from added lanes?
In the world of transportation, the phenomenon of “induced traffic” is a fancy way of saying “if you build it, they will come.” When a highway is expanded or newly built, people drive on it.
Houston and Los Angeles have tried to outrun this phenomenon and failed horribly. Their gridlocked 20+ lane highways stand as testament to this. It is acknowledged that this highway expansion was a mistake, and twice in the last 20 years Los Angeles County voters have overwhelmingly approved measures to help correct this mistake with sales tax increases meant to raise more than $150 billion in support of greatly expanded public transit.
If a third crossing were to connect to the North Shore, where would the 19,000 vehicles per lane each day (the existing bridges throughput) go when they reach the north end of a new crossing? Will Marine Drive be widened for them? East Keith Road? Grand Boulevard? What should be demolished to widen those corridors? A new bridge could end up shovelling 100,000 more cars per day on the already-congested streets of the North Shore.
Bus Rapid Transit across Second Narrows should happen ASAP
The cost would be astronomical too, with new connecting roads, highways, onramps and offramps required.
The sensible thing to do would be to forgo a new crossing and its likely $10 billion price tag, and instead give North Shore residents an even more attractive option that won’t turbo-charge congestion in their neighbourhood. Grade-separated rail like SkyTrain could be designed to be so fast, frequent and reliable that you would no longer want to subject yourself to Vancouver traffic.
Our region deserves far more transit, and rail to the North Shore is an inevitable part of that. But, like the theoretical car bridge, it will take a long time and a lot of money
In the medium term, TransLink’s Bus Rapid Transit proposal across the Second Narrows should happen as quickly as possible, but it remains unfunded by the province or the federal government Regardless, there are things we can do right now to make transit far more attractive on the North Shore. These measures that are already in place today point the way:
• Queue jumps at both ends of both bridges make buses far more reliable than they otherwise would be by letting buses
skip the long queues of cars. Many North Shore residents know this, as 46,000 daily trips are taken on the bridge buses already
• Bus lanes like those on West Keith and East 3rd/Cotton easily shave six minutes off trips on North Van’s busiest bus routes.
• Both of these measures are already frequently used by first responders to avoid traffic backups and respond to emergencies quickly
Here’s how we can build on those measures immediately:
1. Extend the queue jumps leading to both bridges so that transit riders are even more protected from congestion.
2. Certain streets on the North Shore already move more people by bus than by car Harness the de-congesting effect of buses by extending existing bus lanes.
3. Buses already have cameras facing outward. Use them to ticket bus lane violators, to reinforce that no one is above the law Cities like Seattle and Philadelphia already have this. This would also raise some revenue.
4. Most transit-friendly cities already have technology that allows traffic
On behalf of Local 389 ExecutiveBoard, to all the membersofour municipal, library, recreation commission, museum, and school district, we extend our heartfelt wishes fora HappyLabour Daytoall. We express our deepest gratitude foryour unwavering hardwork, dedication, and service to the North Shore. Youtruly arewhat makes theNorth Shore sucha greatplace to live.
This long weekend, as youcelebratewith friends,familyand loved ones,weencourage youtotakeamoment to reflect on the struggles and victories of workersthroughout historyand the ongoing fight for fairness,rights,and dignityinthe workplace
signals to give green lights to waiting buses, but our region is almost universally an exception. We can work toward adopting a system like Lyt that requires very little custom technology, but yields surprising results.
5. Boost frequency and hours of operation. Frequent routes like the 222, 240 and 250 suffer from chronic overcrowding. Infrequent routes like the 232 and 255 force riders to wait way too long for a bus, and disappear after 10 p.m. All of these problems can be solved by adding more buses, which will make transit a more realistic alternative to driving. Similar
improvements in Surrey have resulted in single-year ridership increases of up to 20 per cent. That 20 per cent translates to six million trips that are no longer congesting Surrey streets. The North Shore deserves the same.
6. Bridge congestion is often caused by a collision. Depending on the severity of the crash, it’s often easier to let a few buses through than thousands of cars. The province should set up procedures to ensure the reliable movement of buses when collisions make it impossible to let cars through reliably.
In the end, whether a new car crossing or SkyTrain route is built to the North Shore, it’s safe to say that it would take many years, likely more than a decade, to come to fruition. In the meantime, there will still be growing traffic concerns, and the only way to address that is to provide people with realistic and compelling options to cross Burrard Inlet that are competitive with driving.
The fastest way to do this is to improve existing public transit routes and corridors. Michael Hall is a transit advocate and volunteer with Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders, a non-profit organization that represents the region’s one million transit riders.
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BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com
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Police say a woman is in hospital in critical condition after a motorcycle crash that closed Highway 99 for two hours, Sunday night.
According to a release from the West Vancouver Police Department, the incident happened around 7 p.m. in the southbound lanes, just north of Horseshoe Bay
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“Two motorcyclists travelling together in the same lane collided, causing one of the riders to lose control and leave the roadway before coming into contact with the rock wall,” the statement read.
Southbound traffic on the Sea to Sky Highway sits at standstill just north of Horseshoe Bay, Sunday, Aug. 24, while paramedics work to save a woman injured in a motorcycle crash. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Paramedics performed life-sustaining measures until the woman was airlifted to hospital.
The crash brought traffic to a standstill. Police detoured traffic via Horseshoe Bay Drive while the Lower Mainland’s
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SHAKE IT UP
Entrepreneurs create a buzz with canned espresso martini
NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com
Sabrina Carpenter isn’t the only one capitalizing on the intoxicating allure of an espresso these days.
Two female entrepreneurs from West Vancouver have just released a new canned espresso martini, now selling in BC Liquor Stores across the province.
The enterprising pair say their beverage – 1983 Creamy Espresso Martini – is the only product of its kind to use real cream liqueur.
“I know 70 per cent of Canadians drink their coffee with milk or cream in it,” said co-creator Gabrielle Mustapich. “So I figure, why not their coffee cocktail?”
The drink is packaged in a petite 250 millilitre can, but packs 15-per-cent alcohol by volume. It’s advertised as being bar strength and bar quality, with no mixing required –and currently retails for $6.99 at the BCL.
“I think if [Canadians] are willing to give it a shot and support something local and different … I think they’ll enjoy it,” Mustapich said.
It was by happy accident that Mustapich, 30, and business partner Sheereen Price, 40, got into the canned cocktail market.
In fact, the friends’ journey started in 2019 with a fun idea to make a boozy freezie. While they started making their Hardpops in Alberta, opportunities froze in other Canadian markets. In B.C., the provincial distributor determined that the product could appeal to minors, and wouldn’t stock it.
But regulators south of the border were warmer to the idea, and the pair soon had US$800,000 in investor capital, with Hardpops heading to stores in Texas and California. They also sold an official branded
Florida Panthers product to hockey fans at Amerant Bank Arena, the only NHL venue with an outdoor section connected to the indoor concourse.
Ultimately, Mustapich and Price wanted to move themselves and their future business plans back to Canada, making something that could be made and sold domestically
“We thought: Let’s do a canned cocktail,
but we want to be unique,” Mustapich said. “We love espresso martinis. We love them with a little splash of cream liqueur, and there was nothing on the market like that.”
They saw creamy coffee products on shelves all the time, and wondered why there were no alcoholic products like that.
“We quickly found out that it’s because it’s very difficult to do,” she said, noting a number of complications to making a
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shelf-stable beverage with real cream and alcohol. “But we worked with some of the best food scientists and formulators in the industry because this was really important to us to get right.”
The business partners said they weren’t going to put out their product if it didn’t hit a few key criteria.
“We wanted it to be bar quality, just like a bartender would make it with no weird fillers or funny ingredients,” Mustapich said.
“[And] obviously it had to taste really good.”
Following months of testing, they had a beverage they could stake their reputation on. They called it 1983, referencing the year the cocktail was invented by late British bartender Dick Bradsell, who famously made the drink first for an unnamed to-be supermodel – or so his story went until he took it to the grave in 2016.
For the branding, Mustapich said they wanted a “nostalgic, retro” colour palate, and ended up using the cover of an old blank VHS cover as the inspiration.
“It had stripes of orange and burgundy and these cream colours on it. I thought, that’s screaming espresso martini to me,” she said
After launching in BCL stores Aug. 4, Mustapich said they’ve gotten a very positive response, adding that the feedback was also strong during their public debut at Harmony Arts Festival in West Van. While 1983’s launch was exclusive to B.C., the buzzy potion is coming soon to retail in Alberta and Ontario. Mustapich said she and Price are happy doing business in Canada.
“Ultimately, this is our home, and this is where we wanted to start from the get go,” she said
TED Call 604-985-6881 fora FREE In-HomeAssessment.
Call 604-985-6881 fora FREE In-HomeAssessment.
Gabrielle Mustapich and Shereen Price are co-founders of 1983 Creamy Espresso Martini beverage cans PAUL MCGRATH / NSN
FLEETWOOD MAGIC, THE AUTHENTIC TRIBUTE
FLEETWOOD MAC - FRIDAY MAY30 2025, 7.30PM CENTENNIAL THEATRE
DECKCHAIR CINEMA 2025: SUMMER OF SCI-FI ON NOW TIL AUG. 28
THE POLYGON GALLERY, 101 CARRIE CATES COURT, NORTH VANCOUVER
2300 LONSDALE AVE., NORTH VANCOUVE
Fleetwood Magic Tribute Band transports audiences in sound time on amusical journey performing Fleetwood Mac’sgre from the 60’stothe 80’s http://tickets.centennialtheatre.com/
Youare invited to enjoy classic films under the stars on Cates Deck in front of The Polygon Gallery every Thursday in July and August. thepolygon.ca/news/deckchair-cinema2025-summer-of-sci-fi-lineup/
LIVING DREAMS
ON NOW TIL SEPT14
SILK PURSE ARTS CENTRE
1570 ARGYLE AVENUE, WEST VANCOUVER
Artists PierreLeichner,Bita Mohabbati & Marcie Rohr sharestriking works in painting, cyanotype, sculptureand mixed media that delve into the journey of conflict, trauma, recovery &hope. westvanartscouncil.ca/event-6186273
CURATED PAIRINGS
Cheese and Meat Festival returns to Pipe Shop next month
BRENDAN KERGIN brendan@vancouverisawesome.com
The ever-popular Vancouver Cheese and Meat Festival is returning this fall with additions like a Canadian cheese showcase and a third sitting (since it sells out each year).
Dedicated to the two classic food groups, the festival goes a bit beyond Lunchables with 150 curated pairings fit for the charcuterie board. It also includes all the items that might surround cheese and meat on a platter
“We started the festival because I found walking into a specialty food section overwhelming,” said festival director David Bain. “What cheese goes with what jam? And now what cracker?”
Plenty of focus will be put on local and Canadian cheeses and products, with brands like Mt. Lehman Cheese Co., Vallee Sausage, and Fromagerie L’Ancêtre. As part of that, a new coast-to-coast cheese showcase is planned to highlight the Canadian cheese industry.
“From the coastal saltiness of Nova Scotia to the grassy richness of British Columbia, this program celebrates the full
range of Canadian cheese craftsmanship,” reads a press release.
Tickets for the Sept. 27 event have opened. Because it sells out each year a third session has been added Tickets, which start at $72, include food, tea and liquor samples.
Vancouver Cheese and Meat Festival
When: Three sessions (starting at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.) on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Where: The Pipe Shop - 115 Victory Ship Way (North Vancouver) Cost: Tickets start at $72
The Polygon Gallery 101 CarrieCates Court Territories of theSquamishand Tsleil-WaututhNatons, and theMusqueam Band
@polygongallery |thepolygon.ca
The Vancouver Cheese and Meat Festival returns to the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver on Sept 27 LAURI PATTERSON / GETTY IMAGES
Photo: Alison Boulier Sponsored By
TRANSITION PERIOD
Horseshoe Bay-Nanaimo ferry
sailings to go reservation only
BRONWYN BEAIRSTO editor@coastreporter.net
BC Ferries is making tweaks to its Horseshoe Bay routes in anticipation of major construction at the terminal starting this fall. BC Ferries expects the vehicle staging space to decrease by 25 per cent during the multi-year construction period.
The biggest change – previously announced – is that the Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo section of Route 2 will be reservation-only for vehicles, including motorcycles, starting Oct. 15 The return direction (Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay) will still allow drive-up travel.
The big change for the Sunshine Coast is that the 5:30 p.m. commuter run from Horseshoe Bay will be replaced with a 6:10 p.m. sailing, BC Ferries says, “to help reduce terminal congestion and improve on-time performance.”
“Minor schedule adjustments” are also coming for the Earls Cove-Powell River and the Gambier-Keats-Langdale routes Bowen Island, however, isn’t facing schedule changes. (It was previously announced that the Bowen ferry’s passenger capacity would be increased for select sailings.)
More Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo tweaks
Exclusive to Route 2 (Horseshoe BayNanaimo), BC Ferries is introducing tools
that will let customers subscribe to email notifications to alert them when space comes available on previously sold-out sailings, and will introduce a waitlist capability. It will be available for both directions of Route 2.
For the Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo direction, customers will choose between prepaid and saver fares, with saver fare availability rising to 40 per cent of all fares on those sailings between Oct. 15 and March 31. Commercial vehicles’ fare structures and payment processes will remain the same, but they too will need to book in advance.
During the fall transition period, from Oct. 15 to Nov. 30, the ferry corporation is waiving change fees for travel between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo.
“We understand this is a big change, and for a terminal that already has limited space, it may feel frustrating at first,” said Melanie Lucia, BC Ferries vice-president of customer experience in an email.
“No one wants to be turned away when they’ve made the trip to the terminal. By requiring advance bookings, we’re giving customers more certainty and a better chance of securing their spot, especially as space becomes even tighter during construction. It also helps our crews manage the terminal more smoothly and safely, so they can focus on getting everyone where they need to go,” she said.
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The Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) ferry route will become reservation-only in the island-bound direction starting in the fall. NICK LABA / NSN
West Vancouver player inducted into Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame
NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com
After a career that spanned nearly two decades, Neil Doddridge is being recognized as one of the best Canadian lacrosse athletes to ever play the sport.
In July, Doddridge was named to the 2025 class of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. In November, the West Vancouver resident will travel to Caledonia, Ont. for a formal induction ceremony.
Over a professional career spanning 1991 to 2005, he had success with multiple teams in the Major Series Lacrosse (eastern Canada), Western Lacrosse Association and National Lacrosse League.
Doddridge, who’s now 55 years old, has a career record of 461 regular season points and 199 in the playoffs, for a total of 660 points.
After 20 years retired from professional play, Doddridge still holds the record for the most consecutive Mann Cup wins: six in a row. He then won a seventh following a one-year dry spell.
Those trophies include two with the Brampton Excelsiors (1992-93), three with the Six Nations Chiefs (1994-96) and two with the Victoria Shamrocks (1997 and 1999).
NOTICEOFINTENT
Doddridge’s first international play was with the 1988 U-19 Field Lacrosse Team Canada, followed by two stints with Team Scotland and Team Canada in 2002 at the senior level.
Application for alounge has been receivedbythe Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch from Garden ofGranite Winery Ltd. located at 228 Esplanade East in North Vancouver.
Proposed licensed hours are: 12:00PM (Noon) to 10:00PM Sunday-Wednesday and 12:00PM (Noon) to 11:00PM Thursday-Saturday
Person capacity will be limited to 60persons inthe interior. Residents located within a0.5 mile (0.8 km) radius of the proposed sitemay comment on this proposal by:
1) Writing to: The General Manager C/OSenior Licensing Analyst Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch PO Box 9292 Victoria, BC V8W 9J8
2) Email to: LCRB.SLA@gov.bc.ca
PETITIONSANDFORMLETTERSWILLNOT BECONSIDERED
To ensure the consideration of your views, your comments, name and addressmust be receivedon or before September 30, 2025. Please note that your comments may be made available to the applicant or local government officials where disclosure is necessary to administer the licensing process.
almost ended before it began. When he was a teenager, Doddridge was also an aspiring skater, playing NCAA hockey for Oswego State University in New York, 1989-1990.
The two sports clashed when he found
out that a lacrosse training camp for the national team landed right in the middle of junior hockey playoffs.
“We couldn’t quit on our junior hockey teammates,” he said.
But that wasn’t good enough for the lacrosse coaching staff. Doddridge and his friend Randy were both cut from the team.
“So you have two 18-year-olds come out of the meeting – I’m crying, he’s crying,” Doddridge recalled.
His dad, a 250-pound Harley Davidson rider with a handlebar mustache, said that he had to take a quick bathroom break before they left.
It wasn’t until after his father’s death many years later that Doddridge learned that his father had a few words with the coach instead.
“I think he might have grabbed the guy,” Doddridge said.
Three weeks later, the boys were back on the lacrosse team.
Lacrosse playoffs in the ’90s were ‘wars’
During the height of his playing career in the ’90s, Doddridge described some of the playoff games as “wars.”
The Mann Cup finals in ’95 – when his Six
Continued on A17
Newly named lacrosse hall of famer Neil Doddridge plays with the Buffalo Bandits in 1999 COURTESY OF NEIL DODDRIDGE
Respect for game’s Indigenous roots
Continued from A16
Nation Chiefs beat the New Westminster Salmonbellies in Queens Park – was probably the roughest series ever played, he said.
“We had four bench-clearing brawls that lasted between 20 minutes and half an hour,” Doddridge said. “They just would go on – there was nothing stopping them.”
In play, he described himself as a guard dog.
“If anybody went near [my top players], then I was right there,” Doddridge said.
Apart from the rougher aspects of the sport, Doddridge said lacrosse is a Creator’s game, and has deep respect for its Indigenous roots.
“It’s a medicine game. The First Nations people invented it,” he said. “It’s good for the soul.”
After coaching national teams in Finland and Switzerland from 2015 to 2024, Doddridge is now the lacrosse director for Avenue Sports Management, an agency that helps youth athletes get sports
scholarships to universities.
Doddridge, who has lived in West Vancouver for the past 20 years, praised the new state-of-the-art lacrosse facility built by the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and said he plans to help coach there.
“Hopefully we’ll get junior lacrosse back to prevalence on the reservation,” he said.
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ARECORDTOTALOF presented by Locher Family
Forone fantastic day our sponsors, donors, players and volunteers came together to help revitalize rehabilitation services at Lions Gate Hospital!
LGHFoundation is grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the 27th AnnualLions Gate Hospital Golf Classic which was generously hosted by Capilano Golf &Country Club
All funds raised will supportour Re-Imagine Rehab Campaign to build anew intensive rehabilitation unit at LGH.
$715,980 (net)
ORGANIZINGCOMMITTEE(picturedlefttoright)CameronWilson, MikeHaraguchi,HeatherBuckley,JoanProudfoot,ScottDempster,Co-Chair, JohnZaplatynsky,RobertHutchison,GabrielleLoren,Co-Chair,Dr.MarkMadden, TravisPow,KyleMcLellan Not pictured: Daniel Kiselbach, MikeKennedy
Neil Doddridge with his son Liam. COURTESY OF NEIL DODDRIDGE
Public hearing set for West Van’s Rodgers Creek tower proposal
NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com
West Vancouver council is moving ahead with a plan to add height and removal rental from a project of high rises above the Upper Levels Highway.
At a July 21 meeting, council voted to send an updated proposal for the Beedie Uplands development to a public hearing.
An initial version of the plan, first approved in 2019, involved rezoning the properties at 3861 and 3875 Upland Way as well as 3389 and 3181 Chippendale Rd. to allow up to 620 units in a mix of single-family homes, “cluster housing” and apartment buildings.
Under that proposal, one of the development lots was required to be built as rental – up to 275 homes.
Since the previous rezoning, some of the cluster and single-family homes have been built, but none of the rental units.
Now, developer Beedie Living is asking council to remove the rental requirement and increase the building height on three of the four towers on the site – from 16 storeys to 20 or 25 storeys.
Speaking to council at the recent
meeting, staff said the market for rental in that area is struggling, and municipal planners want to see something built there rather than nothing.
Coun. Nora Gambioli, who supported the rental requirement for the project six years ago, said she would like to see a significant portion of the additional $13 million in amenity contributions from the switch to strata go to the district’s affordable housing fund.
“So that we can create rental in another place that is closer to transit and closer to services,” she said.
The public hearing has been set for Monday, Sept. 8 at 5 p.m
A developer’s image shows two of the proposed strata towers BEEDIE LIVING
Supreme Court judge rules accused took ‘deliberate’ action
Continued from A1
an intoxicating powder on him that would cause him to lose control of his actions.
A few days before the murder, Downey claimed to see Blimkie putting powder into his drink. He testified he believed she was trying to kill him and that he struck her in the face.
In the moments leading up to the fatal stabbing, Downey said Blimkie herself “reached into her waistband and threw powder into his face.”
“The effects were worse than when other people had thrown powder at him. This time, Mr. Downey ‘kinda blacked out’ and ‘basically lost it,’” Justice Heather Holmes summarized in her Aug. 21 written ruling. “Mr. Downey testified that he heard voices saying, ‘she’s going to set you up, she’s gonna kill you.’ He remembered little else except that he was not able to control himself ”
After the stabbing, Downey climbed into a stranger’s car and asked to be driven somewhere but she refused. He then walked through the surrounding residential areas, letting himself into people’s homes, asking them for help and telling them that someone was trying to kill him. He stashed his knife and swapped out his bloody clothes with some found in an apartment’s laundry room. He also threw away the pouch he used for his drug business that contained cocaine, a stack of money, and his encrypted phone.
He was eventually taken into custody where he appeared anxious and agitated, telling officers he couldn’t breathe, that his back was causing him extreme pain and that he was about to die. He was eventually taken to hospital but returned to police cells later that night.
After he was released from custody the next day, Downey took the bus to Brentwood where he robbed a bank for $112 in coins.
He was arrested again a few days later when he approached Richmond RCMP members in a parking lot, telling them he wanted to turn himself in.
B.C. Supreme Court judge reject’s testimony
In reaching her verdict Thursday, Aug. 21, Holmes said she did not believe Downey’s account of his perception
and state of mind surrounding the offence. She said Downey was an unreliable witness who had a profound difficulty maintaining a coherent accounting of the sequence of events and, she noted, he had a history of lying “to serve his own purposes.”
Holmes also rejected any assertion that Downey’s ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, paranoia or cannabis use had interfered with his ability to know right from wrong.
“The evidence of Mr Downey’s post-offence conduct provides compelling evidence that he was thinking clearly and taking deliberate and, in its context, rational action,” she wrote.
Considering the whole of the evidence, Holmes said
there was no reasonable doubt about Downey’s intent.
“To stab Ms. Blimkie, Mr Downey had to remove the folding knife from his pocket and open it to extend the blade. He stabbed Ms. Blimkie a full 15 times. This was a purposeful and sustained attack. Mr. Downey also fled the scene immediately, leaving Ms. Blimkie alone in a stairwell. He did nothing to assist her, and he made no effort to enlist others to do so,” she wrote. “The only reasonable inference from these facts is that Mr. Downey intended to kill Ms Blimkie, or at least to cause her serious bodily harm that he knew was likely to cause her death, without caring whether she died or not.”
Downey is due back in court on Sept. 3.
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North Vancouver’s Melissa Blimkie, 25, was the victim in a fatal stabbing at the Metrotown mall in Burnaby on Dec. 19, 2021. IHIT
Everton Javaun Downey is pictured in an arrest photo on Dec. 19, 2021. IHIT
Outdoor brand hopes to set group hike world record at Cypress
ABBY LUCIANO aluciano@nsnews.com
Do you have what it takes to break a Guinness World Record this summer?
Kathmandu, an outdoor apparel brand founded in New Zealand, is celebrating its launch to the Canadian market with a hike at Cypress Mountain resort on Aug. 30, aiming to beat the Guinness World Record for the “most people hiking simultaneously.”
New Zealand clothing brand Kathmandu is celebrating its launch into the Canadian market with Kathmandu World’s Biggest Hike in hopes to beat the Guinness World Record for ‘most people hiking simultaneously.’
The company has the goal of attracting up to 2,000 people to take on the free challenge. The four-kilometre hike will start from Cypress Mountain’s base and go to the top of the Sky Chair It is open to anyone comfortable with moderate hiking terrain.
Alongside helping set a new Guinness World Record, hikers can also listen to music and expect vendor sessions at the mountain’s base with food and drinks for purchase, the press release said.
But it’s not all about setting a new record, as Kathmandu is also raising funds for organizations like North Shore Rescue, BC Parks Foundation and Take a Hike Foundation.
People will have the chance to donate through purchasing T-shirts, water bottles and more, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the organizations, the press release stated.
“Our goal with Kathmandu World’s Biggest Hike is to encourage people to get outside to experience the physical and mental benefits that the outdoors provides, while raising money for local organizations that make a difference,” said Nick Russell,
general manager for KMD Brands Canada
“This even is not only about setting a world record, but also inspiring people to connect with nature in a sustainable and meaningful way.”
Kathmandu, which got its start in 1987, offers men’s and women’s apparel and gear, with a mission “to improve the well-being of the world through the outdoors.” The clothing brand’s products are available through local retailers, including MEC and online at Kathmanduoutdoor.ca
Those interested in taking on the challenge can register on Kathmandu’s website.
Kathmandu World’s Biggest Group Hike
When: Saturday, Aug. 30. Check-in from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Hike starts at 11 a.m.
Where: Cypress Mountain, 6000 Cypress Bowl Rd., West Vancouver
Cost: Free
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
Happy Labour Day from BC's largest union, CUPE BC
CUPE BC's 110,000 members deliverthe important publicservices that make ourcommunities abetter place to live,learn, work,and play. Better Services. BetterCommunities.
West Van police warn of continued spoofing of non-emergency line
NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com
If you get a call from West Vancouver police, it’s not West Vancouver police.
West Vancouver Police Department is again warning residents of a scam using the department’s non-emergency phone number
Potential victims receive a call that appears to be from 604-925-7300, WVPD’s non-emergency line. This is possible with tools that allow scammers to spoof the caller ID system.
The victim is told they are speaking to a police officer and are given a fake name and badge number
Many are then asked to download an app on their phone, putting themselves at significant risk, police said.
Scammers also ask for personal information, which can lead to financial or identity fraud, police said.
But police will never call members of the public from
its non-emergency line, which is used exclusively for local residents to report non-urgent police matters, according to WVPD.
Police said they will never ask for bail money, bitcoin, gift cards or money transfers, and won’t ever ask people to download apps on their phones.
If you think you’re being scammed, don’t provide any information and end the call immediately, police said.
“Do not call the ‘spoofed’ number back to inquire about missed calls. This inundates the non-emergency police line, delaying access for those who may need assistance,” WVPD said.
Police ask that you report the attempted fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, either online or toll free at 1-888-495-8501; visit westvanpolice.ca to file an online police report if you have been victimized; or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 if you have more information about this or other scams.
NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION
Proposed rezoning of 3181 and 3389 Chippendale Road and 3861and 3875 Uplands Way
WHAT&WHEN: Council is scheduled to consider proposed Zoning BylawNo. 4662, 2010,Amendment BylawNo. 5399,2025atthe 6p.m. regularCouncil meeting on September 8, 2025.
WHERE: Municipal HallCouncilChamber,750 17th Street and via electronic communication facilities.
SUBJECT LANDS: 3181 and 3389Chippendale Road and 3861 and 3875 Uplands Way. Thesubject lands areshown shaded blue on the map
PROPOSED ZONING BYLAWNO. 4662, 2010,AMENDMENT
BYLAW NO.5399,2025: would amend the CD3 Zone (RodgersCreek) to:
• remove the residential rental tenurerequirement for 3875 Uplands Way;
• increase the maximum number of storeysfor 3181 and 3389 Chippendale Road and for3861Uplands Way;
• increase the maximum height forthe subject lands to align with the proposed number of storeys; and
• decrease the minimum number of dwellingunits of 93 m2 or lessinfloor area required in Area 6 from 30%to27%
PROVINCIAL PROHIBITION ONPUBLICHEARING: Pursuant to the LocalGovernment Act the Districtisprohibited from holding apublic hearing regarding theproposed bylaw. Consistent with provincial legislation, membersofthe public arenot permitted to addressCouncil regardingthe proposed bylawduring theCouncil meeting.
QUESTIONS? Moreinformation on the proposed bylaw, including staff reports and other supporting documents, maybe viewedatwestvancouver.ca/news/notices and at Municipal Hall from August 21 to September 8, 2025 during regular businesshours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., MondaytoFriday, excludingstatutory holidays
staff contact:James Allan, Manager, CypressVillageApplications ReviewOffice| jallan@westvancouver.ca |604-925-7177 email: correspondence@westvancouver.ca mail: 75017th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3 drop-box: located at the entranceofMunicipal Hall
PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT &ENVIRONMENT SERVICES 750 17thStreet, West Vancouver BC V7V3T3 |604-925-7055 |planning@westvancouver.ca| westvancouver.ca
Police will never call you from the non-emergency line. NICK LABA / NSN
SUBJECT LANDSSHOWN BLUE
Scammer taunts victim after swiping more than $11K, police say
ABBY LUCIANO aluciano@nsnews.com / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
North Vancouver RCMP are reminding the public about fraudsters after a man lost a hefty chunk of cash and was then taunted by the churlish scammer.
Police say on Aug. 19 a distraught victim went to the local detachment reporting he had just been defrauded. The man said he had received a phone call from someone claiming to be a representative from a bank, stating that he owed money to the government for previous loans.
Out of fear of legal trouble, the victim believed the story and followed the scammer’s instructions. According to police, the man was directed to go to a local Bitcoin machine and deposit $11,800.
During the phone call, the victim made a stop at the North Vancouver RCMP detachment to confirm the caller’s identity and the claims made.
Police said the fraudster then realized the situation and asked the victim, “So how did you like this scam?” before quickly hanging up.
“In this latest scam, the
fraudsters used fear and a sense of urgency to victimize the caller,” said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, spokesperson for the North Vancouver RCMP in a news release. “We are sharing this case of fraud to raise awareness and highlight the bold actions of scammers to prevent further victimization.”
Investigators are attempting to help the man recover the lost funds, but it is often a difficult and complex task, North Vancouver RCMP said in the release.
Local Mounties are sharing the following tips on how to prevent being a victim in a scam:
• Don’t be afraid to say no.
• Do your research.
• Never give out personal information, such as your name, address, birth date, Social Insurance Number, or your credit card or banking information.
Financial institutions will never request payment through Bitcoin or gift cards, North Van RCMP said, adding that if you have been a victim of a scam you should contact local police or call 911.
You can also contact the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre online or by phone at 1-888-4958501 to report an attempted fraud, even if the scam was unsuccessful.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
PUBLIC HEARINGNOTICE
WHERE: Municipal Hall Council Chamber,750 17th Streetand via electronic communication facilities.
Proposed amendment of Phased DevelopmentAgreementAuthorization Bylawfor 3875Uplands Way
SUBJECT BYLAW: Apublic hearing will be held regardingproposed Phased Development Agreement AuthorizationBylaw No.5041, 2019,Amendment BylawNo. 5400,2025.
SUBJECTLANDS: 3875 Uplands Way. Thesubject land is shownshaded blue on the map PROPOSED PHASED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTAUTHORIZATION BYLAWNO. 5041, 2019,AMENDMENTBYLAW NO. 5400,2025: would amend thePhased Development Agreement with British Pacific Properties Limitedtoremove the requirement forBritish Pacific Properties Limited to construct a purpose-built rentalapartment building on Lot12(3875 Uplands Way).
Thepublic hearing is your opportunitytospeak to Council if youfeel your interests will be affected by the proposed bylaw.
ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING AS AN OBSERVER
• Watchonline: Visit youtube.com/@WestVanDistrict at thescheduled start timeofthe public hearing.
• In-person: Visit Municipal HallCouncil Chamberatthe scheduled starttime of thepublichearing.Advanceregistration is not required to attend apublic hearing. HOW TO PARTICIPATEINTHE PUBLICHEARING
• Speak in-person:
Municipal Hall Council Chamber,750 17th Street, West Vancouver.Persons mayaddressCouncil duringthe publichearing foruptofiveminutes at atime.
• Online via Zoom (electroniccommunication facilities)
Please call 604-925-7004 on September 8, 2025 to be added to the speakers list. Instructions on howtoparticipateare available at westvancouver.ca/ph
• Provide awritten submission:
• By email, to correspondence@westvancouver.ca.
• By mail, addressed to LegislativeServices, 75017thStreet, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3
• In-person, addressed to LegislativeServices placed in thedrop-boxlocatedoutside theentrance to Municipal Hall.
Written submissionsmust be received by noon on September 8, 2025 to ensuretheir inclusioninthe public information packagefor Council’s consideration. Toensureafair process, Council cannotconsider anysubmissionsreceived afterthe public hearinghas ended.
QUESTIONS? Moreinformation on the proposed bylawincluding staff reports and other supporting documents maybeviewedat westvancouver.ca/news/notices and at Municipal Hall from August 21 to September 8, 2025 during regular businesshours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., MondaytoFriday, excluding statutoryholidays James Allan, Manager,CypressVillageApplications ReviewOffice| jallan@westvancouver.ca |604-925-7177
PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT &ENVIRONMENT SERVICES 75017th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3 |604-925-7055 |planning@westvancouver.ca | westvancouver.ca
North Van RCMP are warning the public about scams. NSN FILES
B.C. COURT OF APPEAL
Judge erred in case involving burnt mansion, appeal court rules
NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com
A judge has erred in a lawsuit involving a fire-damaged mansion in West Vancouver, a B.C. Court of Appeal judge has ruled.
According to a July 10 ruling, Rosa Donna Este’s application to overturn a court order that would require her to demolish the home was granted because the judge who made that ruling previously represented the municipality, and had sent emails in the past directly related to the home’s possible demolition.
The property at 2668 Bellevue Ave. was bought by Este and her mother Mina Esteghamat-Ardakani in 2003.
In previous testimony, Este told the court she had lived in the house until 2015, when it was extensively damaged by a fire. It sat derelict for more than five years. In December 2020, the District of West Vancouver issued a demolition order for the home, after receiving complaints.
In 2021, Este applied for a permit to build a new house on the property, but her mother opposed that plan. The district denied the application.
Shortly after, Este applied for a judicial review of the decision and the demolition order, which was rejected by the appeal court.
Last December, a B.C. Supreme Court judge granted the district an injunction to prevent Este and others from interfering with the
ordered demolition of the home.
In her most recent application to have that order overturned, Este argued that Justice Francesca Marzari had erred by not recusing herself because she should have been aware of her own bias on the matter.
Este claimed that before being appointed as a judge, Marzari had worked for the law firm that represented West Vancouver.
During the previous hearing,
Este had raised this issue to the judge, but Marzari dismissed the application, stating that almost seven years had passed since she worked at the firm, and that she couldn’t remember ever being involved in Este’s case.
“I don’t recall being involved in this file whatsoever. I think it arose after my appointment,” Marzari commented at the time of the application.
Interests of justice necessitate granting the appeal, judge rules
But in his written ruling, appeal court Justice Bruce Butler said counsel for the district has recently alerted the court that Marzari, while practicing at the firm, had sent an email to district employees advising them on matters related to the possible demolition of Este’s home.
Butler said there’s merit to Este’s appeal.
“It is clear the judge was alive to the issue of a potential conflict arising from her past involvement with the district,”
Butler said. “While she did not recall any involvement in the file, she clearly wanted to know if ‘there’s a chance I was somehow involved.’”
In her comments, Marzari said that if she had been involved that she would be concerned
“However, the information regarding her prior involvement was not brought to the attention of the judge and the information was only provided by the district to Dr Este last week,” Butler said
The new information means that a person might reasonably conclude the judge, either consciously or unconsciously, would not decide the case fairly, Butler said.
He added that success of the appeal would prevent the district from removing Este from the property and executing the demolition order, at least until the matter is reheard in court or otherwise resolved
“[But] the interests of justice necessitate granting leave to appeal,” Butler said.
Crews work to put out a fire at a West Vancouver waterfront home in 2015. The house has been the subject of several court rulings NSN FILES
A morning garden has many secrets to share with you
LAURA MARIE NEUBERT
Contributing writer
“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep,” advised the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi. Gardens especially are seductive at dawn, when birdsong awakens the trees and the air is cool, heavy and still.
Without question this is my favourite time of day, and almost without exception I am walking the garden, steaming cup in hand, observing and listening. Inevitably, something or someone needs attention or a rescue, and almost always there is time.
TIME TRAVELLER
Aweekly glimpseintothe past from MONOVA:Museum& Archives of NorthVancouver
Thefirst SeymourDam
In June 1928, thefirst Seymour Damwas completed.
Time before the sun takes its toll, and the noise and busyness of the day distract me from peace. This past week, after atmospheric river rain, the morning garden had many new secrets to share.
Dozens of spiders swollen with eggs had spun dewy webs across the footpaths, telling me that neighborhood children would soon be returning to school, and reminding me to plant winter greens and start harvesting near-ripe fruit before the bears come calling.
Tiny holes in the cork of the rain barrel told me that native carpenter bees had set up house near the mason bees. The water spouts shooting out the sides of the barrel confirmed that ecosystem services are hospitable for yet another species of super-pollinator
A large patch of creeping thyme, plugs recently planted as part of an overall plan to replace the last patch of grass in the back yard, was suddenly dotted with hundreds of baby plants self-seeded from elsewhere in the garden – yarrow and selfheal, wild strawberry, plantain, nodding onion and thistle. There was time to pluck them quickly while the soil was sodden and their roots were shallow. I committed to memory that these plants might thrive together in partsun and sandy soil
A tiny Anna’s hummingbird had somehow found his way into a covered hurricane lantern planted among some littleneck sage. His mate buzzed my head like a miniature harrier aircraft, until I followed her lead and rescued the terrified creature. I know now just how clever and trusting hummingbirds can be. I know too, to move the lanterns out of the pollinator garden.
The unseasonably heavy rain had taken a toll on many vegetables that traditionally hold their own weight in our gardens. Dwarf bush beans, Brussels sprouts, chickpeas and perennial fennel caved under the weight of too much water falling fast.
By the time I’d recovered and staked so many plants in a wet garden, I was well and truly soaked. Next year I will stake them at the outset Lesson learned.
On this particular day, a trio of adolescent barred owls were actively hunting when I began my morning walk-about. I’ve only ever seen night raptors after sunset when they navigate the confers circling our property, searching for mice and small birds. I thought perhaps the deluge had sent owl prey into hiding, but I’ve since learned that rodent burrows are often flooded by heavy rain.
I am awestruck by the miracles of nature and how perfectly the relative proportion and health of producers, consumers and decomposers within an ecosystem anywhere in the world, can create and maintain balance. I am learning too how easily we can upset this balance, and at what cost.
There is little I can do to offset a potential trophic cascade produced by last week’s heavy rains, but I can continue to reduce my carbon footprint and share what I learn about growing food and native habitat in a changing climate.
I can continue to get up early and walk – in our gardens, on the seawall, and in the woods – and listen closely to secrets on the breeze.
Laura Marie Neubert is a West Vancouverbased urban permaculture designer Follow her on Instagram @upfrontandbeautiful, learn more about permaculture by visiting her Upfront & Beautiful website or email your questions to her at hello@upfrontandbeautiful.com
The440-foot-wideand 22-foot-high(134 x6.5 metre) cement structurecreated theSeymour Lake reservoir,which provided water across GreaterVancouver throughpipes running under theSecond Narrows
Thedam wasreplacedin1961. Reconstruction of theSeymour Damprofoundly impacted salmon and steelhead troutasthe work cutoff access to upperparts of theriver
In 1977, BCIT establishedthe SeymourRiver Fish Hatchery –taken over in 1987 by theSeymour Salmonid Society– to combat decliningfishnumbers andhelprestore theirpathupstream.
Discover more of theNorth Shore’srichhistory at MONOVA.Start planning your visitat monova.ca. Do youhavea storytotell? Getintouch via archives@monova.ca
This tiny male Anna’s hummingbird was freed after getting trapped in a candle holder. LAURA MARIE NEUBERT
You’ll take on new responsibilities at work that will push you beyondyour current skill level. This experience will help you grow andmay pave the way for apromotion.You’ll also get the go-ahead onan innovative project
TAURUS April 20-May20
You’ll feel inspired to go back to schooland work towarda degree, setting yourself up for abrighter future.Aromantic getaway will revitalize your relationship anddeepen your connection with your partner
GEMINI May21-June 20
Work has become monotonous, andyou need achange. You can steer your career toward excitingnew opportunities withasolid plan andsome preparation. Boldness will be the key to your success in longterm projects.
CANCER June 21-July 22
It’soften easier to get along with people with whom you have no emotional connection. Youmight face challenges regarding disciplinewith one of your children.Use your diplomacy skills to resolve any conflicts.
Everydetail counts. You’ll plan alarge work event that will bring many people together Communication may be difficult, so your patience and calmness will be essential to overcoming these obstacles.
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept.22
Your leadership will shine, whether at work or in your personal life. You’ll first have to overcome doubts or alack of self-confidence. However, others will recognize your abilities once you do, and you’ll earn praise for your achievements.
LIBRA Sept.23-Oct. 22
Aloved one could slow you down as you rush to make all your appointments on time. It might be time to consider a change, such as moving out of the family home. The space has become too big since your children left.
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Expect alot of travel for work or family commitments. Numerous details will be vying for your attention. Asurprising secret could come to light. You could forge new friendships with people who live close to you.
You’ll receive the green light for financing aproject, like purchasing aproperty.The idea of starting abusiness with afamily member could appeal to you. Let inspiration and intuition guide you.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Everything is changing quickly,but things may not be happening fast enough for your liking. You’ll suggest interesting ideas to your partner,who will be impressed. Youcould win a sports competition.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb.18
Health issues could slow you down, but this break will allow you to take astep back and gain afresh perspective on your professional and personal life. Lean into spirituality; you’ll find it to be asource of peace and well-being.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
You’ll feel stressed this week, but it may also give you moreenergy and boost your efficiency.You can accomplish great things when you’re in atime crunch. Youcould be struck by love at first sight. However,ifyou’reina relationship, it may lead to some confusion.
HOWTOPLAY: Fill in the grid so that everyrow,every column and every3 x3box contains the numbers 1through 9only once Each 3x3box is outlined with a darker line. Youalready have a fewnumbers to get youstarted. Remember:you mustnot repeat the numbers 1through 9inthe same line, column or 3x3 box.
MARKETPLACE
Call or email to place your ad, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm 236-889-6595 ahogan@glaciermedia.ca
Book your ad online anytime at nsnews.adperfect.com
It has been 20 years The sunstill riseswitheachdawn, Nightstill follows day. Thetidecomes in,thetidegoes out, The sands of time passby. Butthoughtsofyouwill never fade Life hassurelylostits sparkle, Theworld sometimesfeelsblue. What givesusstrengthand hope is thememoryofyou…
Rememberingand loving you sisterKarin,parents,family,and friends
Ashley Riehl (née Wren),49, passedawayin palliative care at Surrey Memorial Hospital on August19, 2025, surrounded by her family and close friends.Those whoknewAshleywill remember her kindness, generosity, and fearlessness. Sheis survived by her beautiful daughter,Tevy(12), her parents, Harvey and Eileen Wren, her sister,Aeron (Mark and Mila), and her brother,Damon.
Ashley wasborninVancouveronOctober 1, 1975, and grew up near Horseshoe BayinWest Vancouver.Ashleyapproached eachday with unwavering courage and grace, even in thefaceofa terminal,relentless disease. As we,her family, friends,and community,mournher passing,wetake comfort in knowingshe is at peace. ACelebrationof Life announcement will followfor closefamilyand friends as we shareinher favouritepastime,sharing food and laughter
Because I Love You So
Eduardo Mejia Salvador,son of thelateAlejandro Salvador and Felicia Mejia,was bornJuly2,1939, in Dagupan City,Philippines.Heattended the University of thePhilippines and wasa graduateof the College of BusinessAdministrationand College of Law.
He marriedhis beloved wife CorazonR.Pascual in July of 1968. This union wasblessedwiththree children, Alex (StephanieRedivo), Pierre (Roxana Yegani), and Melanie(JaredSanborn);three grandchildren, Ashley (MatthewCurran),Jordan and Elise; and one great-granddaughter,Rosa-Lynn.
Eduardo wasformerlya member of theKiwanis SocietyofWestVancouver and served as Treasurer forseveral years. He wastreasured by hisfriends at Kiwanisand enjoyed thefellowshipthe organization provided. Aquiet retiredformerexecutive, Eduardo worked with multinational companies in Ontario beforemovingtoVancouver in 1988.
Hisbusinesstravels with Bell Atlantic ledtohis relocation retirement in Vancouver.The family moved to West Vancouver in 1992. Duetofailinghealth, Eduardo movedtoCreekstone Care Centre in June of 2024.
Thefamilyacknowledged thecareand supportof Creekstone staffduringhis entirestayatthe care home. Specialrecognition to FatherBabuMathew forhis spiritual guidanceand help. Eduardo received thegrace to saygoodbye on August20, 2025. Condolences maybesent to thefamilythrough the websitewww.hollyburnfunerals.com.
It is with tender hearts that we announcethe passing of Noel Hullah, wholeftuspeacefully at theage of 90, surrounded by family and with hisgreat love,Gracie, by hisside. Noel lived along,fulllifeand wasalways happiestathome. It waswherehis hearttruly lived—in thepeaceofWestVancouver,whether sharingahomecooked meal with Grace, or laughter and storieswithfamilyand friends,creatingcherished memories
If youeverasked Noel howhewas doing,you already knewthe answer: "Outstanding." It wasn't just a response—it washis signaturetaglineand areflectionofhow he chosetolive— full of optimism, humour,and a characteristic sparkleinhis eye. Friends and family came to expectit, and Noel delivered everytime.
Fromhis early days in Vancouver workingalongsidehis father,Art,and uncle,Norm, at HullahConstruction, Noellearned thevalue of hardworkand ambition. He went on to becomethe Manager at CHQM Radiofrom 1960to1991—a31-year legacy that left itsmarkonthe broadcasting industry. He also served as President of the BC AssociationofBroadcasters,earning therespectand admirationofcolleagues across theprovince. AfterCHQMwas sold,Noel brought hisleadership and energy to theInvestors Group forover10years.
Athleticswere partofNoel's lifefromthe start. An avid runner,heevenadded severalmarathons to hisroster beforetakinghis competitivespirittothe tenniscourt, golfcourse,and ski hill. Noel turned everygame—from cards to sports—intoachampionshipmatch,completewithcheekybanter and playfulsmack talk.And if you were one of hiskidsorgrandkids, youquickly learned therewerenofreewinsinNoel's world—he played to win,every time,all while lovinglyteasing. He skied and golfedwellintohis 85thyear
OnememoryNoel oftenrecounted with nostalgia from histeenage yearswas skiingfromthe topofGrouse Mountainall theway downto theferry at thebottomofLonsdaleAvenue, guided onlybya candlemeltedintoa tin can—hismakeshift lanternglowing through thetrees.Itwas astory he always shared with deep reverence forsimpler,moreinnocent times. He neverforgot hishumblebeginnings,carryingthosevalues with him throughout hislife.
Beyond thegames,Noel lovedthe good things in life: an afternoon Kokanee with peanuts, crafting hisiconic ginand tonics,tending to thegarden, sittingby awarm fire in theden, sunsetsfromthe deck, and the countless dinner parties and legendaryholiday celebrations he and Gracehostedoverthe yearsthat left everyonewithfullhearts and fullerglasses.
Tohis family,hewas more than Noel—hewas Gramps,Noelie,Noelie-Pie,Noelster,and Lovey, names that spoke to hiswarmth, humour,and thejoy he brought to thoseclosest to him.
He and Gracie shared 41 incredibleyearsofloveand adventure,enjoyingmemorable trips— cruisingand travellingtoChina, across Europe,the Mediterranean, theCaribbean, Hawaii, and beyond. Shewas his undeniable NorthStar, hiscompass, and Noel nevermisseda daywithout declaring howlucky he wastohave her—often with agrin, admitting just howspoiledhetruly was. Theirs wasa love storyjustshy of timeless.Onone of hisfinal days,Noel told Gracie:
Noel leaves behind hisadoring sweetheart, Grace, daughtersLaurie (Anthony) and Michelle,grandchildren Tyson, Kia, Daniel,and Samantha, and extended family Andrew (Nobie),Adrienne (Johnny),Sage,and Sky— Grace's childrenand grandchildren—whoall lovedhim as adevoted father and grandfather Noel'sspiritwill liveoninour memories,our laughter,and everysunset over Passage and Bowenislands. He lived with honesty,integrity,wisdom,wit,loyalty—and most of all, he was"Outstanding."
Always,myLovey
We extend our heartfeltgratitude to theemergencyservicesteam and thededicatednursesand doctors at Lions Gate Hospital fortheirkindand compassionatecare. AfamilyhonouringofNoel's lifewill be heldata later date. If youwishtoshare amemory, send condolences,orleave amessage forthe family,pleasedosoat www.Hollyburnfunerals.com
OBITUARIES
Roger passed peacefully at theage of 92, lucidand optimistic, surrounded by family
Predeceased by hismother Evelineand firstwife Norma, Roger is survived by hiswifeof54years, Susan; childrenJanine,Leslie,Geoffrey (Linda) and Jennifer(Mike); grandchildrenAlison, Andrew and Owen; great-grandchildrenGeorgiaand Beau; as well as recently discovered half-siblings (the Chamberlains)!
Although he would neveradmit to having experienced anyhardship, Roger hadaunique and challenging beginnings.BorntoLynnValley pioneers, hisformative yearswere spent in North Vancouver,WestEnd Vancouver,Steveston and the Cariboo (McLeeseLake)
Having fundedhis universityeducationthrough workasa waiter on CPRtrains, Roger graduated from UBCmedicalschool in 1958. He later specialized in OB/GYN and dedicated thenext4 decades to women'shealth and childbirthatLGH Uninterestedinstepping away from medicine,his retirement fromprivate practice sawhim spend manyyearsassistinginthe OR
Roger wasanintrepidtraveller, competitivesailor, painter,gardener,and carenthusiast.Heenjoyed trains,planes,skiing, dogs,Canucks hockey, and timespent at hishappyplace -his LasquetiIsland home. Hissuperpowerwas conversation, owingto hisloveoflearning about peopleand history, and his keen interest in current events!
SpecialthankstoLGH,inparticular, the departmentsofOncology and Interventional Radiology and NorthShoreHospice
Donations in Roger's memorymay be made to Lions Gate Hospital Foundation.
Afamilygatheringwillbeheldata latertime.
One Final Gift
Scatter me not to restless winds, Nor toss my ashes to the sea.
Remember now those years gone by When loving gifts I gave to thee.
Remember now the happy times The family ties we shared. Don’t leave my resting place unmarked As though you never cared.
Deny me not one final gift For all who come to see A single lasting proof that says I loved... & you loved me.
by DJ Kramer
s you share the stories and the memories of how they lived thei lives and how much they meant may you find comfort...
As you stories memories their mean
or email ahogan@glaciermedia.ca to place your Remembrance.
Rose MarieReid(née Baratta) wasborninLondon, Ontario, and movedtoNorth Vancouver,British Columbia, as asmall child This is whereshe called homefor many years.
Shestudied at (then) Capilano College in her 40s and gained employment in Administration at the same universityshe had attended.
Rose Marieloved to travel in her lateryearswithher good friend, Sharon, wheretheyenjoyed many world adventures on land and the'high seas'together
Shespent her last yearsin thebeautiful city of Chilliwack, surrounded by family
Rose Marieissurvivedbyher children, Mike,David (Aleda) and Donna (Rod),grandchildren, Melissa, Alanah and Scott, and many trulyloved friends
Memorial servicewill be heldatStJohn'sChurch, 220 8thSt, NVan on Saturday,August30, at 1:00 p.m.
Shewill be laid to rest with her Dadatthe N. Van Cemetery
Passed away at theage of 96. Shewas born in Vernon,BCand movedtoTorontotodoher grade 13.After that,she movedtoBC, and shespent the remainder of her lifeinNorth Vancouver,BC. She waspredeceased by her husband, Walter William Sills, in 2018.She is survived by her sonWilliam Randall(Randy)Sills,his wife AnitaSills (Metler) and her daughter Margot MarieSills and will be greatly missed.She spent many yearssquare dancingwiththe Village Squares
takingcare of each other is what communityisall about.
Hollyburn Funeral Home
Thankyou forcontinuingto place your trustinusnow and always.
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ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONNOTICE
TAKE NOTICE THAT RichardsonInternational Limited of 375 Low Level Road, North Vancouver,BCV7L 1A7applies to theMetro Vancouver Regional District (“Metro Vancouver”) pursuant to theGreater Vancouver Regional District AirQualityManagementBylaw 1082, 2008 fora new Permit.
1. Thepurpose of this applicationistorequest authorization to continue discharging air contaminants from Richardson International Limited’sexistinggrain terminal located at 375 Low Level Road, North Vancouver, BC V7L1A7. Richardsoniscurrently operatingunder permit GVA0617, which expires November30, 2025.
RichardsonInternational Limitedisrequestinga newpermitwith term to November30, 2035 andan overalldecrease in authorized non combustion particulate matter emissions.
Theexistingpermitcan be viewed by searching“Richardson” here: https://metrovancouver.org/services/environmental-regulation-enforcement/air-qualityregulatoryprogram/current-permits-and-approvals.
2. Thelegaldescription of theland orpremises wherethe plant, operation or source andtreatment works areorwillbelocated is District Lot273 and Lot 274, City of North Vancouver,New West MinsterDistrict.
3. Asummary of theemissioncharacteristicsfor theentirefacilityisasfollows:
a. Maximumtotal numberofsources:
b. Maximumannualoperatinghours:
c. Expiry date:
d. MaximumOpacity:
e. Combustionprocesses- Primaryfuel: Secondaryfuel: Current 27 8760 2025-11-30 20
4.The mass of material to be discharged, emittedorstored(perspecifictimeperiod)isasfollows:
TotalEmissions from AllSources Based on Requested Limits and or Estimates*
ContaminantAuthorized Emisions (tonnes/year)*
*Detailedmethodsfor calculatingemissions arecontained in thefull applicationdocument.
This Noticeispublishedpursuant to the Environmental ManagementAct,the PublicNotification Regulation, and theGreater Vancouver RegionalDistrict AirQuality ManagementBylaw 1082, 2008. Aperson whomay be adverselyaffectedbythe grantingoramending of thepermitdescribed in this noticemay,within 30 days of itspublication, notifyMetro Vancouver’s District Director in writingstating how that person is affected.When making adecisiononthe permit or approval application,the District Director will consider theapplication, commentssubmittedand any responsesprovidedbythe applicant.
As perthe Environmental ProtectionNotice, available on our websitehere (https://metrovancouver.org/services/environmental-regulation-enforcement/air-qualityregulatory-program/ permit-applications),informationcollected duringthe comment period andthe time followinguntil adecision on thepermitapplicationhas been made is collected by MetroVancouver in accordance to s.26(c) of the Freedom of Informationand ProtectionofPrivacyAct.The information collectedwill be used forthe purpose of making adecisiononthe permit or approval application andwill be forwardedtothe permit applicantfor response to theDistrict Director.Bysubmittinga public comment,you consenttosuch disclosure.Also, your submission maybemadeavailabletothe public as part of thepublicrecord, subject to theprovisionsofthe Freedom of Informationand ProtectionofPrivacy Act.Shouldyou have anyquestions about thecollection of thispersonal informationplease contact thePrivacy Officer at privacy@metrovancouver.org
MetroVancouver
Attention: District Director 4515 CentralBoulevard,Burnaby BC V5H0C6
Phone: (604) 432-6200
Email: RichardsonComments@metrovancouver.org
Renovations, Alterations, andAdditions
PRISM PAINTING
Mainland
QUALITYRENOS & HOME IMPROVEMENTS •PolishedConcreteFloors
Learn about wild pacific salmon and test your knowledge with asalmon Trivia Contestand lots of prizes!
Learn about salmon life-history and newresearch on changing life-histories!
Experiencea deep diveintothe Salish Sea right in our backyard.Explorethe Aquarium’sunique collect-and-release model and the local species it features. Learn howthis work fosters adeeper connection to our marine environment. The presentation will also highlight the Aquarium’s conservation initiatives, including monitoring of invasiveand nativecrabpopulations, conducting eelgrassand biodiversity surveys, and the ongoing HealthyHarbour project with the Town of Gibsons.
Brock Burgess, apost-Doctoral Fellowofthe Pacific ScienceEnterprise Centrediscusses the topic eDNA.
Coho Festival is back Sept. 8 atAmblesidePark with salmon BBQand Coho Swim
Come late summer,the return of Pacific salmon to spawn in North Shorerivers and streams in great abundanceholds hopeful anticipation, and just as optimistically,the return of thousands ofpeople to the 45th Annual Coho Festival at West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park, the first ‘full-scale’festival since 2019.
Pacific salmon aremaking acomeback in North Shorewaterways and that’s cause forcelebration. CohoFestival 2025will honourthis returnwith afree, communitypoweredevent that raises awareness and funds to help protectthese iconic fish —and the ecosystems and cultures they support—for generations to come
Thesignificanceofsalmon
efforts, those same creekswelcomedthe returnof spawning salmon just last year Nowalivewith developing Coho fry, the North Shoreisproof that environmental conservation works-if we all do our part.
Coho Festival: Afestival with purpose
Hosted by the Coho Societyofthe North Shore, this family-friendly free event on Sunday, Sept. 8from11a.m. to 6p.m., brings community,local businesses,environmental conservation foundations and all levels of government together in one of the largest and oldest environmental conservation festivals with afocus on salmon in North America. The backbone of the festival is its firm commitment to uphold a community-wide efforttoprotect salmon on the North Shorefor future generations
“Attending the Coho Festival is an opportunity forthe community at large to learn about what individuals can do to mitigate their impact on local salmon species and salmon habitatwhile concurrently supporting locally-drivensalmon conservation efforts by partaking inthe Coho FestivalBarbecue and other fundraising activities the festival offers.”
including local craftbeer,as livemusic kicks off in front of the park’ssweeping ocean views
Shore, as well as funding the Jim McCarthy scholarshipprogram and Coho Discovery DayWorkshops, salmon conservation workshops in local elementary school classrooms.
and forgenerations.
Formillennia, salmon thrived in the countless creeks flowing through what we nowcall the North Shore. They’ve long playedavital role in the coastal environment and in the cultural practices of the Squamish Nation, who have cared forand relied on salmon since time immemorial
“Wild salmon continue to struggle to surviveinimpacted North Shorestreamsand rivers,” says Tony Wachmann, president,
But colonization, urbanization, pollution and habitat loss drastically impacted their numbers,leading to the near disappearance of salmon from these urban waterways.Fortunately,thanks to decades of habitat recovery and stewardship
Enter the Coho Festival: afun, informative and deeply community-rooted celebration that’s been educating locals on our interdependent relationship with salmon since its founding in 1980. Each year, Coho Festival brings thousands of locals and visitors to Swáwi (Ambleside Park), combining food,music and environmental education intoone powerful event.
As in previous years, the Squamish Nation Canoe Family will perform the traditional “Blessing of the Salmon Ceremony” on the Main Stage around 1 p.m.
“The Coho Festival is very grateful and honoured to have along-standing salmon conservation partnership with the Squamish Nation,” notes Wachmann.
Proceeds, donations, Coho Swim 100% of the proceeds raised at each year’s Coho Festival go towards salmon conservation initiativeson the North
This year’s festival continues that legacy with arobust lineup of activities for all ages.The belovedCoho Salmon BBQ returns,serving up wild,local and sustainably harvestedsalmon with B.C. cornand greens,while the neighbouring Coho Food Garden will offer refreshments
“Ideally we hope to raise about $50,000 forthe various environmental groups around the North Shore,” says DavidJones, Coho Festival chair
Families will find plentytodointhe Coho Kids Park,while the Stewardship Zone will featuremorethan20exhibitors showcasing the ongoing work of local organizations restoring and protecting streams,forests and marine habitats
Fundamental to our future
“Weaccept all forms of donations, including credit cards and cheques, at the Coho Society kiosk situated on the west side of the Main Stage. Youcan also give cash at various donation jar collection points throughout the festival.”
Education, local conservation, Tent Talks
Amust-see is the StewardshipZone, whereyou can learn from morethan 20 exhibitors whoare involved in rejuvenating, maintaining and improving streams, rivers, oceans, parks and forests, today
Theexhibitors demonstratethat salmon aremorethan just alocal species; they’re a fundamental partofour region’s ecological and cultural identity. Theirepic journey from ocean to stream and back again supports everything from orcas to bears to the forests themselves,delivering crucial nutrients that enrich entireecosystems.Our spectacular coniferous forests would not have existed if theyhad not been fertilized over the eons by decaying salmon in the forests,rivers,streams and creeks
This year’s Coho Festival will welcome back the Squamish Nation Canoe Family,who will perform atraditional “Blessing of the Salmon”onthe Main Stage,aceremony that beautifully honours the ancient relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the “salmon people”who sustain so much of the coast’s biodiversity.
Interactivedisplays and tanks with live salmon provide afun and immersiveexperience to learn moreabout salmon species face-to-fin.
Coho Society partners and community members offer engaging Tent Talks throughout the daytohelp bring awareness to local issues and offer ways to get involved to be responsible stewards of the environment.
Salmon barbeque, entertainment
TheCoho Festival isn’t just aparty;it’s areminder that we all have astakein protecting our waterways and supporting the organizations that keep these vital lifecycles intact. Over the years,the Coho Societyofthe North Shorehas raised more than $750,000 to supportlocal salmon conservation efforts,thanks in large partto festival attendees
Whether you’re therefor the food,the fun or the fishthemselves,this event is your chance to reconnectwith the land,the water and the shared responsibility of stewardship
While yousit back in the Coho Garden and soak in the stunningwater view,you can pair your salmon with local craft from Coho Beach Bar,aswell as offerings from wine and cider providers, too. You’ll be entertained by “Bitterly Divine,” Squamish Nation rock ‘n’ roll/blues, “Interstellar Riders,” rockabilly,“Sounds of New Orleans,” with Gary Comeau and West Vancouver’s “Adam Woodall Band,” deliveringoriginal rock and roll.
