Lots of activity

On the radio today it was announced that the official construction would start Monday.  According to the website we see:

Well we already have the fencing, and the DQ is gone.  There is this odd black cylinder that is obviously for construction, but can't be clearly identified (see "fencing").

and yes - in the middle of the fencing is where the DQ stood.  As this picture was taken, a passerby bemoaned the loss and hoped that something new would come in soon.  He may get his wish.  At the end of Burquitlam Plaza, where the Greek Restaurant and sushi restaurant stood, they were unable to completely wall off at the M&M.  There was some problem with the firewall and building code.  So they had to terminate with this little building.  Rumour has it that we are courting a chic coffee shop, but maybe we could talk DQ into coming back?

Been away for awhile

I came back to this, almost on the front lawn. 

and all I can say is it is about time!  Let it begin. The usual propaganda exists as well, telling us what a great job our government is going to do with this.

Yes, yes, we know - very pretty, jobs, transit blah blah.  After 20 years, just get it built already.

Evergreen update

Interesting to see the alignment of the line.  We had been trying to guess where the station wouild actually start, but can see that it will be around the entrance to the plaza, right outside M&M Meats. I was in M&M the other day where they said people are getting used to them being the first door now, not the 3rd.  Also interesting to see where the line crosses.  I can see that some of the clearing has begun at the plaza, some has begun on the south east corner of Smith/Clarke - it's little bits and pieces here and there that keep us wondering "when are they starting, and more importantly, how will it impact us".  

FWIW, Apparently a report out recently suggested that the line should be complete by July 2016. Let's home that's accurate!

Garage Sale

Community Recycling!Coquitlam’s City Wide Garage Sale is Saturday, May 11, 2013. Residents are encouraged to participate in community recycling by hosting a garage sale. The City will promote this event through advertising a list of registered garage sale locations. Register Online! Registration Deadline: April 20, 2013 City Wide Garage Sale Online Registration Form City Wide Garage Sale Registration Form Drop-off completed forms at City Hall. City Wide Garage Sale Registration Forms (hard copy) are available for picked up at City Hall. Do you live in a Multi-Family complex? If so, you will need to have a Property Manager/Landlord Authorization Form completed by your Property Manager or Landlord and have it retured to City Hall. 

Never heard of this before - is it new?  Nice to see that multi-family complexes are involved too.  If you have done it before, how successful was it?

Burquitlam seniors battle care home for cats

Nothing like knowing the neighbourhood is kind to animals and is respectful to its elderly. Oh wait - this is Burquitlam:
CTV British Columbia Published Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 6:58PM PST Seniors living at the Burquitlam Lions Care Centre say they’ll fight a decision made by the care home to no longer allow live-in cats. Phyllis Anderson, a resident of the care home, said her cat Smokey is both a source of companionship and comfort. “You just look at them and they’ll jump in your arms, and all you’ve got to do is feed them and just cuddle them a bit, and they love that,” she said. “What more would you want?” Photos Cats Phyllis Anderson says she will join other residents of the Burquitlam Lions Care Centre in fighting a ban on live-in cats like Smokey. (CTV) Smokey is one of five live-in cats that reside at the home, which has had a pet therapy program in place since the 1990s. That’s why Anderson and other residents were stunned to find a memo posted in an elevator that stated management would no longer be allowing cats. “It’s very impersonal, very cold, not very caring,” said Candy Hayter, whose mother lives at the retirement home. “Their physical needs are being taken care of but when your mental and emotional needs are not being taken care of, it will physically make you sick.” Hayter said management didn’t consult with any of the residents prior to posting the memo. Read more: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/coquitlam-seniors-battle-care-home-for-cats-1.1160735#ixzz2LK3CX5Zi
God forbid we should actually be developing a compassionate, caring neighbourhood. One of those cats might jump onto a skytrain for free and the skycops would have to fine it. No wait, they don't fine the humans: the cats are probably safe.
Boo Burquitlam Lions Centre. Get with the new neighbourhood. You want upscale. You want contemporary. Develop a little compassion and heart for the seniors who live in this area!