INLET
DISTRICT LIVING
COMMUNITY
MAGAZINE
INSIDE
Discover the people, places, and pets in & around Inlet District, Port Moody
As spring arrives around the Inlet, the days grow longer and our community begins to move outdoors again Parks fill with families, trails come alive with walkers and cyclists, and the shoreline becomes a gathering place to enjoy the changing season It’s a time when Port Moody and the surrounding neighbourhoods feel especially vibrant
In Issue 05 of Inlet District Living, we’re celebrating some of the people, traditions, and simple moments that make this community such a wonderful place to live. You’ll meet our feature artist, whose work creatively captures the history and present of Port Moody, and be introduced to a very special featured pet whose story is sure to warm your heart. We’re also highlighting two beloved local annual events that signal the arrival of spring: the Inlet Spring Regatta and the Noons Creek Fingerling Festival, both bringing residents together to celebrate the natural environment of our area. You’ll also discover a local business creating natural organic skincare right here in the Lower Mainland In our Coaching Corner, entrepreneurs are encouraged to make positive structural changes to overcome strain in business
As always, thank you for being part of this community and for supporting the local people, businesses, and events that help make the Inlet District and Port Moody such a special place to call home
Sincerely,
Contact us for info, features, advertising inletdistrictlivingmagazine@gmail.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Love for Inlet District
Why we love it here
Artist Feature: Megan K Barry
Learn about local murals & artists
Noons Creek Hatchery & PMES
Welcoming back the Fingerling Festival
Kids Activity Page
Fun puzzles, games, & colouring
Scentuals Natural & Organic Skin Care A legacy of Canadian clean beauty
7th Inlet Spring Regatta Connecting with water & community
Coaching Corner with Brian Cady
strain in your business
INLET DISTRICT
L I V I N G
Inlet District Living recognizes and respectfully acknowledges the ancestral and shared traditional territory of the kʷikʷəƛəm (Kwikwetlem), qicəy (Katzie), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), q ʼʷa:nƛʼ ən (Kwantlen), Stó:lō (Sto:lo), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam) Peoples. We extend appreciation to live and work on this territory.
Cover Art
“Graffiti in the Garden” mural by Megan K Barry
Editor-in-Chief & Content Director Advertising Sales
Katherine Hall
Contributing Photographers / Artists
Megan K. Barry
Joe Lee
The Scentuals Team
Port Moody Ecological Society
Joep Olthuis
Jeannie Scott
Katherine Hall
Katherine Hall
Contributing Writers
Megan K. Barry
Emma Dunbar
Monica Peterson
Ashley Gonzalez Rivas
Nothin' Dragon Paddling Society
Brian Kenny
Brian Cady
Jeannie Scott
Katherine Hall
Connect with us: inletdistrictlivingmagazine@gmail com
@inletdistrictlivingmagazine
InletDistrictLiving Magazine
ApexFencingAcademyisrunbyOlympicFencers, EricBoisse,OlympicChampion&MonicaPeterson, CanadianOlympian&multipletimenationalchampion, whoareexcitedtobringthesportoffencingtoour communitywithclassesavailableinEnglishandFrench!
Love for Inlet District
I love nature and the small-town feel! Watching the shorebirds, walking through the trees, and eating an incredible scoop of honey earl grey ice cream is pretty much the perfect day for me Port Moody has some pretty incredible food offerings too While working on my mural I got an absolutely delicious donut from Sweet Talk, and a lot of ice cream from Rocky Point
-
Megan
, Illustrator, Artist & Muralist
What we love most about the Inlet District is feeling connected to the community every time we paddle from Rocky Point Park. The scenery is unmatchedmountains, shoreline, birdlife, and marine life surround us. There is always something new to see on the water, and we feel truly blessed to train and race in such a picturesque place.
- Brian , Commodore ,
Inlet Spring Regatta
We are so incredibly grateful to be located in the beautiful Inlet District, where many of our community members are returning guests. We are so happy to connect with folks who use the trails around the hatchery, and many who bring their dogs along for a visit! We are also very grateful for the many local businesses who continue to support us on an annual basis
- Emma , President
Port Moody Ecological Society
The Inlet District is a vibrant, growing community that Apex is proud to be a part of. Apex aims to become a cornerstone of the Inlet District community - a hub where people can connect, move, learn and have fun, one lunge at a time Whether you’re picking up a sword for the first time or returning to the sport, Apex is here to welcome you
- Monica , Apex Fencing Academy
We are excited about moving to Inlet District as we feel like it will be a place we can call home with excellent facilities to enjoy and fabulous views of the Inlet where Phoebe enthusiastically enjoys to explore.
- Jeannie , Proud Pawrent of Phoebe
The Inlet District captures that quintessential Port Moody "mountain-meets-city" magic. It’s a masterclass in lifestyle-first planning, offering a gateway to the best of both worlds It balances the sleekness of new highrises with the raw, natural beauty of the Burrard Inlet, creating an energy that feels both revitalizing and highly functional
- Ashley ,
Scentuals Natural & Organic Skin Care
I’ve lived in Port Moody, in the Tri-Cities, for over 20 years. It’s practical, grounded, and easy to live in. You’ve got access to nature, solid neighbourhoods, and a pace that makes sense People stay, businesses last, and the area keeps moving forward without losing what makes it special
- Brian , Executive Business Coach , Effectus Coaching
Artist Spotlight: Megan
K. Barry
WORDS & ARTWORK BY MEGAN K BARRY
ARTIST
BIO
I’m an illustrator and artist living and working in Vancouver, BC. You can find my name in the credits of multiple 2D animated productions as a background artist, which I’ve done since graduating with my bachelor’s in illustration and design in 2023. Alongside animation work, my art practice also includes pottery, painting, comic art, and mural work As a kid, I spent a lot of time in the forest and the rest of my time in the library reading graphic novels and fantasy Often inspired by nature, my work is about giving form to the joy, wonder and magic that I find in my everyday surroundings In doing so, my art shapes myself and my relationship with others To me, art is fundamentally about connection, which is why I take such joy in mural work that exists in public and in community
My art has been featured in multiple exhibitions with One More Life Gallery, and since 2025 I’ve sold my illustrations and pottery at Slice of Life Gallery’s gift shop. My mural work can also be found on the campus of Capilano University. In my free time, I like to go for long walks in the sun.
Often inspired by nature, my work is about giving form to the joy, wonder and magic that I find in my everyday surroundings. In doing so, my art shapes myself and my relationship with others.
FEATURE MURAL
“Graffiti in the Garden” by Megan K. Barry
POMO Museum was looking to create a mural that both engaged the public and represented the history and present of Port Moody. I created “Graffiti in the Garden,” a design that the public could participate in painting, paintby-numbers style. It needed to be painted on multiple panels that could be transported for painting and later attached to the wall. Inspired by the modular panels, my design became a patchwork tapestry, each block representing a different element of Port Moody’s heritage and present. Some items featured in the mural you can find in the museum, like the Chisholm radio. My personal favourite is the harbour seal. I love to draw plants, so of course the beautiful nature of Port Moody became a big focus of the design. I did some of my sketching in Rocky Point Park, where the shoreline is deeply inspiring Once I had primed the wooden panels and drawn on the outlines, members of the public got to paint it at Car Free Day and continued to drop by and paint over the course of the following weeks I came back to the museum afterwards to touch up the paint and outlines and apply a sealant Finally, several members of the Men’s Shed put the panels up behind the museum, where they will bring life to that space and be visible from the overpass
Follow along:
www megankbarry com
Instagram: @megolas art
megolasart@gmail com
Noons Creek Hatchery & the Port Moody Ecological Society
The Port Moody Ecological Society and Noons Creek Hatchery welcome back the Annual Fingerling Festival May 2nd.
WORDS BY EMMA DUNBAR, PMES PRESIDENT PHOTOS BY PORT MOODY ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Salmon have been a crucial part of the Coast Salish waterways since time immemorial. Salmon provide a fundamental food source for local fauna including herons, bears, marine life, and of course ourselves! We strive to understand the lifecycle and habits of our local salmon, in order to be better stewards and neighbours.
The Port Moody Ecological Society has been operating the Noons Creek Hatchery since 1991 We are a small, dedicated team of volunteers committed to supporting local salmon populations, as well as the ecosystems which they rely on Our team opens the hatchery 7 days a week in order to feed, monitor, and support the Coho and Chum salmon being raised We hope to share our love for Salmon with all of our neighbours.
Coming up on May 2nd, we have our annual Fingerling Festival! This free event is open to the public and we encourage you to bring your friends and family to help us release this year’s fingerlings. The main event is the salmon release, where guests receive a bucket of salmon fry to gently release into Noons Creek We also invite over 50 different environmental organizations to set up booths in the Port Moody Recreation Complex, and we are very grateful to host live music throughout the day
This year we have raised 23,029 Chum, and 9,602 Coho, which will all be released into Noons Creek and eventually make their way through the inlet to begin their 4-year journey before returning to our creek
As part of supporting the local ecosystems, we operate a water quality lab which tests for various chemical and physical properties of Noons Creek and its tributaries. This data is publicly available through DataStream, so that anyone can access and use this data for research purposes. We also carry out invertebrate studies of Noons Creek and our Duck Pond, as monitoring the health of invertebrates can be crucial in understanding the health of our waterways.
The Port Moody Ecological Society has been operating the Noons Creek Hatchery since 1991. We are a small, dedicated team of volunteers committed to supporting local salmon populations, as well as the ecosystems which they rely on.
Throughout the year, we encourage anyone to stop by the hatchery to check out our weekly activities! We host a few other events throughout the year, including the TriCities Nature Challenge in partnership with the City of Port Moody, which will be coming up in April featuring interactive plant and invertebrate studies In October we host an annual Halloween trail which is designed to be an educational interpretive trail for younger audiences, available for 2-3 weeks. We are also very grateful to have co-hosted National Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Tasha Evans and the City of Port Moody.
Follow along:
340 Ioco Road (to the right of the Port Moody Rec. Centre, down a short pathway)
Website: www.noonscreek.org
Email: portmoodyecologicalsociety@hotmail.com
Instagram: @noonscreekhatchery
Connect the dots. What is it?
Spot the differences in the pictures. How many did you find?
BONUS: Find all the hidden eggs. How many did you find?
Colour the egg. Then decorate the blank eggs with your own creative designs!
Draw some flowers on the stems to create a beautiful garden.
The Alchemy of Care: A Legacy of Canadian Clean Beauty
WRITTEN BY ASHLEY GONZALEZ RIVAS
PHOTOS
BY
THE SCENTUALS TEAM
At the core of Scentuals Natural & Organic Skin Care lies the understanding that skin care is a shared heritage, a canvas reflecting both a family’s history and the products that contribute to the backdrop of their lives The brand’s origin story isn't found in the sterile calculation of a laboratory, but within the vibrant warmth of a family home - sparked by a mother’s fierce, intuitive mission to cultivate natural healing for the people she holds most dear Since its start in 2008, the brand’s selection has grown to feature a sophisticated array of beauty oils, facial creams, cleansers, serums, body lotions, repair creams, multi-purpose liquid and bar soaps, aromatherapy roll-ons, and essential oils - with exciting new launches arriving throughout 2026.
In the heart of the home, perched by the kitchen sink, a single bottle of Scentuals gentle hand soap becomes a silent vessel of communal care. It is there for the child, whose small hands are still learning the world; for the parent, whose palms carry the weight of the day’s labor; and for the grandparent, whose skin, delicate as fine parchment, requires the softest touch. Each product is an offering to transform mundane necessities into routines of healing comfort. It is more than a collection of products; it is a universal language of care that speaks to every generation Today, the "from our family to yours" ethos remains the heartbeat of every formula, transforming the daily ritual of skincare into an act of deep, grounded love Their message is simple: ‘’Choosing Scentuals is choosing healthier living ’’
Each product is an offering to transform mundane necessities into routines of healing comfort. It is more than a collection of products; it is a universal language of care that speaks to every generation.
Proudly Certified Leaping Bunny, free of Animal Testing and adhering to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) protocols, Scentuals ensures that quality is at the forefront of their mission, building loyalty that stands the test of time through consistency. This ethical transparency is why the brand has found a permanent home in the hearts and aisles of major retailers across the nation.
Beyond the bottles and the botanicals lies a deeper narrative of longevity Scentuals is not a fleeting trend in a crowded marketplace; it is a legacy brand that helped define the natural movement long before it was fashionable. Scentuals remains an anchor of trustmoving confidently into the coming iterations of the skincare industry with the wisdom of the past and an eye fixed on healthier alternatives to our everyday essentials.
ore Hours: Monday to Friday, 12-5pm
ebsite: www scentuals com
stagram: @scentuals
kTok: @scentualscanada
cebook: Scentuals Natural & Organic Skincare
nail care, elevated experience. eart of Suter Brook Village.
Specializing in hard gel extensions & relaxing pedicures
Using Akzentz, a high-quality, professional Canadian nail brand
Hygienic care with sterile, sealed tools
Expert technicians focusing on your nail health
Relaxed cozy environment
1-121 Brew St, Port Moody (Suter Brook Village)
Phone: 604-469-6388
Email: inletnails@gmail com
Instagram: @theinletnailstudio www.inletnailstudio.com
Under new management since March 2024
Book your next service:
Inlet Spring Regatta Returns to Rocky Point with Focus on Youth Participation
PRESENTED BY NOTHIN' DRAGON PADDLING SOCIETY
BY
JOEP OLTHUIS
The Inlet Spring Regatta was first held in 2018 and annually draws over 1000 paddlers making it a significant annual event for the Port Moody community Held at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody, the Regatta is hosted by the Tri-Cities based Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society
Port Moody, BC - The sound of drums, cheering paddlers and racing dragon boats will return to Rocky Point Park on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as the Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society hosts the 7th Inlet Spring Regatta With 44 teams registered, the event promises a full day of high-energy racing and community celebration along the shores of Burrard Inlet.
Dragon boat racing continues to grow worldwide because of its welcoming and team-driven nature. “Dragon boating is inclusive,” says Brian Kenny, Event Director of the Inlet Spring Regatta “It’s the ultimate team sport - 20 paddlers moving in unison to the beat of the drummer at the front of the boat, guided by a steersperson keeping the boat straight down the race course ”
Founded in 1998, Nothin’ Dragon has evolved over nearly three decades while staying rooted in community. In 2022, the team became the Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society, strengthening its focus on outreach and participation. Today, the society offers dragon boat experiences for schools, businesses, and non-profit groups, along with a Recreational Paddle program for alumni paddlers who want to remain connected to the sport and the water
PHOTOS
“What’s remained most consistent is the sense of family,” says Kenny. “Our connection to the water and to each other is what keeps people coming back. Two of our founding members still paddle with us every Wednesday - after 28 years, that says everything about the spirit of this team ”
When the 55+ BC Games were taking place in 2016, the Inlet Spring Regatta was born from a conversation between Brian Kenny and former Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay, recognizing Rocky Point Park as an ideal venue for a community-centered dragon boat event. Since then, the regatta has drawn thousands of paddlers and spectators and has become a seasonal highlight for the Tri-Cities.
The 2026 event places special emphasis on supporting youth in the sport, offering half-price registration for youth teams While youth and adult teams will race together this year, the mix adds excitement and unpredictability to the competition
Teams will again travel from across the region, including the returning Seattle Flying Dragons, joining local crews for a festival atmosphere featuring racing, music, food trucks, vendors, and a Yellow Dog beer garden operated by Port Moody Rotary
The Regatta is not only a competitive sporting event - it’s an invitation for businesses, families, athletes, and spectators to connect with the water, the park, and each other It’s also for the community! SHARE Society is supported through a 50/50 draw and Rotary Club of Port Moody operates the Yellow Dog beer garden.
“The event would not be possible without our inlet neighbour and longtime major sponsor, K+S Potash Canada,” said Martin McKeown, President, Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society “Together, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for paddlers and spectators alike!”
Nothin’ Dragon invites the community to come experience dragon boat racing, and celebrate the seventh year of the Inlet Spring Regatta at Rocky Point Park on April 25.
Dragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. Participants of all ages compete and enjoy the sport. Over 2,000,000 people around the world participate in dragon boat festivals or regattas. Dragon boats are 12 meters in length and are propelled by 20 paddlers guided by a steersperson and kept in rhythm by a drummer seated at the bow of the boat maintaining a steady and powerful pace for the duration of a 200-meter or 500-meter course.
The Regatta features thrilling 200m sprints, with teams racing head-to-head in heats of three to four boats Each race lasts about a minute, but every second counts as paddlers push their limits in a test of teamwork, precision, and power. Teams will compete in either the mixed or women’s division, with the top three finishers earning a coveted “woodal”- a handcrafted wooden medal featuring a kingfisher, a bird of the Inlet, intricately carved by First Nations artist Glen Rabena
Each BUK dragon boat seats 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steersperson, with teams often bringing additional paddlers, coaches, and managers Those needing extra hands can sign up for roving spares, ensuring that every team gets a fair shot at victory. With four guaranteed races per team, the day promises non-stop action and unforgettable moments on and off the water.
2026 paddlers (44 teams) are from Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Fort Langley, Half Moon Bay, Harrison Hot Springs, Langley, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody, Seattle, Vancouver and West Vancouver Learn more about each team at https://www.inletspringregatta.com/registered-teams.
The Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society wishes to thank this year’s sponsors and supporters: K+S Potash Canada, Enhance Sport & Wellness, CERTISPEC, City of Port Moody, Yellow Dog Brewing, Oddball Apparel, Thrifty Foods, Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue, Old Mill Boathouse and Shutter Up & Shoot
Nothin' Dragon Paddling Society
Nothin' Dragon is a 50+ team formed in 1998 and is based in and around the Tri-Cities of BC The team supports local youth, community groups and offers dragon boat experiences.
More information at www.nothindragon.org.
GETEVENT DETAILSHERE
Rocky Point Park, Port Moody, BC
www inletspringregatta com inletspringregatta@gmail.com
Instagram: @inletspringregatta
Facebook: Inlet Spring Regatta
www nothindragon org memberships@nothindragon.org
Instagram: @nothindragon
Facebook: Nothin’ Dragon
Coaching Corner with Brian Cady
Making Positive Structural Changes
For many local business owners, Spring is when the calendar begins to fill again. Clients return. Staff settle back into routine. The pace starts to build. That makes this time of year a useful checkpoint, not for setting new goals, but for noticing what is already pulling on you.
If this year is starting to feel a lot like last year, it is worth paying attention. The same long days. The same decisions landing on your desk. The same pressure to stay involved in everything just to keep things moving.
Nothing changes if nothing changes
Most strain in owner-run businesses shows up in three places: time, team, and money Not enough time away from the business Too much reliance on a few people Cash flow that looks acceptable but never quite feels comfortable
These challenges are common and they usually do not come from lack of effort. They come from unclear roles, unclear priorities, and too much resting on the owner.
When structure is missing, owners fill the gaps with their own time. The business keeps running, but it never really lets go. Sound familiar? The first quarter of the year is still early enough to change that. Choose one area to tighten. One task to step out of. One decision that protects your time instead of consuming it.
If you want this year to run differently, now is the moment to act. This is exactly the kind of work I do with local business owners, and often one focused conversation is enough to change the direction of the year
Brian Cady Executive Business Coach
International Coaching Federation Member
www.effectuscoaching.group
“Most strain in owner-run businesses shows up in three places: time, team, and money. ”
Overcoming strain:
Which area can I tighten?
What needs to change to make this happen:
Which task can I step out of?
What needs to change to make this happen:
What can I do to protect my time?
What needs to change to make this happen:
Start with a complimentary coaching session
Hellofriends!
Meet our Feature Pet
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY
JEANNIE SCOTT
Phoebe, our much loved and wonderfully goofy blonde dog, joined our family in April 2017 in a moment that quickly changed everything While my husband was away on a business trip in Brazil, our sons convinced me to visit a nearby puppy that was said to be the last of her litter We were firmly a no dog household with two cats and no plans to change that but one look at her oversized paws, gentle nature, and soulful brown eyes was all it took.
Before we knew it, she was coming home with us Her caregiver said she is half Golden Retriever and half German Shepherd. The vet said she should grow to about 60 pounds. We thought, well I guess that’s manageable! And looking down at her big brown puppy eyes as she sat up looking at us with the sweetest little smile An hour later, our younger son pulled out his phone and paid for her right there by sending an e-transfer
Our daughter, away at UBC at the time, missed the excitement of that day but was given the honour of naming her. She chose Phoebe, inspired by the beloved Friends character, and the name could not have been more fitting
My husband initially assumed the photos we sent were an April Fools’ prank and voiced all the usual concerns, saying she’s NOT MY dog Phoebe, of course, wasted no time proving she was a true puppy, digging holes, chewing baseboards, and enthusiastically testing boundaries Our older son patiently slept on the floor with her until she adjusted to crate training, and soon enough, we were proudly a dog family.
When Phoebe passed 70 pounds, a DNA test revealed she is mostly Great Pyrenees, with smaller amounts of Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Husky At 110 pounds, her size and her strong guardian instincts finally made sense. In 2023, after our children had settled into homes of their own, we downsized from our longtime 5,000 square foot house in Surrey to a 2-bedroom condo in Port Moody. The transition was a big one, especially for Phoebe.
Condo living brought elevators, hallways, and frequent encounters with unfamiliar dogs. Despite her imposing appearance, she is sensitive at heart and continues to meet each new challenge with quiet determination Now 9, Phoebe has settled into condo life and delights in shoreline walks, swims, patio outings, and any adventure that includes treats We are grateful to share our home and our days with her, and we are happy to call Port Moody home ,
April Fools’ Dad! HeeHee!
