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Former Tri-City MP James Moore has a new job.
Moore is now the senior business advisor for Dentons, a law firm in which he will provide "strategic advice to clients in British Columbia, across Canada and around the world."
He starts Monday. "James’ knowledge of our local business community and opportunities, as well as his experience on an international stage, make him an ideal addition to our team," said Vancouver managing partner Lori Mathison, in a news release.
Moore, a Conservative, held a number of portfolios under prime minister Stephen Harper including ministry of industry.
NATURE PRIZE
Belcarra student Miranda Andersen has won yet another national award for her environmental work.
The 16-year-old filmmaker, blogger and speaker, who also volunteers at the Mossom Creek Hatchery, accepted the youth Nature Inspiration Award — and a $5,000 cheque, which she plans to direct to the hatchery's ongoing work — from the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa.
Andersen, who appeared at the gala via Skype, won alongside Meredith Brown (head of the Ottawa Riverkeeper); ACAP Humber Arm (a Newfoundland-based educational group); David Suzuki Foundation's Homegrown National Park; Adventure Canada (an Arctic tour company); and Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, for lifetime achievement.
"This year we received more than 70 nominations from across Canada and it was truly inspiring to see the diversity of projects and people that are contributing to a healthy and creative engagement with the natural world," said Meg Beckel, CEO and president of the Canadian Museum of Nature, in a press release.
FUEL FOR STUDIES
For the second year, Chevron Canada is paying for Douglas College students to get to their practicum sites.
The college, which has a campus in Coquitlam, last month received $5,000 in gas cards from the company to help students get to their destinations that are outside the UPass zone.
Students ply their skills through practicums and work experience courses in sites such as hospitals, clinics, youth shelters, veterinary offices and food banks. "Our students are making a difference in the community as part of their studies, even though it can add to the cost of their education, which is why Chevron’s gift of gas cards is so helpful," said Hazel Postma, associate vice president, advancement & alumni relations at Douglas, in a news release.
ON THE MOVE
The Victoria Foundation has awarded a total of $455,000 to 91 students around B.C. including two from Port Coquitlam.
The Ike Barber Transfer Scholarships, valued at $5,000 each, are aimed at helping undergraduates move between B.C. post-secondary institutions to complete their studies. Both Tri-City recipients — On Yee "Gigi" Lin and Petra Markova — are Douglas College students heading to SFU.
MAKING IT WORK
David Kidd, Port Moody's parks and public works department director, is receiving a national prize this week for hosting a community event that highlighted civic services.
The award is expected to be presented at Tuesday's city council meeting by Doug Regehr, Coquitlam's superintendent of sewer, drainage and capital construction and a Public Works Association of BC director.
The accolade by the Canadian Public Works Association is in recognition of Port Moody's celebration held in May as part of National Public Works Week; the city had entered the contest in the small centres category for municipalities with populations up to 75,000.
“The city of Port Moody’s Parks and Public Works Day provided a forum for the public and various groups to learn about the community services that the parks and public works department provides," said CPWA president Kealy Dedman in a news release. "The school outreach educated children about the importance of their services in the Port Moody community and the high level of involvement demonstrated by city staff and members of CUPE 825 — the Port Moody civic workers — served to showcase the profession."
MOVEMBER
Port Coquitlam's Sport Clips Haircuts will donate $1 from every MVP haircut to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of BC this month.
The business, located at 1971 Lougheed Hwy. at Oxford Street, is making the effort as part of Movember, a campaign to build awareness and fund men's health research. Sport Clips is also offering free beard and moustache trims throughout November to help “Mo-Bros” look sharp. "We are so pleased to have the support of the local Sport Clips and their help in raising funds for the foundation. It’s a great fit,” said, Rhonda Krushel of Prostate Cancer Foundation of BC, in a press release.
TOP JOB
Port Moody resident Shaun Carpenter is now a partner of PFM Executive Search.
A Calgary native, Carpenter was named to the top position this month along with Shelina Esmail, both 17-year employees with the executive search firm.
20 YEARS
Mike Farnworth was recognized at a celebration bash last week for his 20 years as Port Coquitlam's MLA.
He was joined at the Giggle Dam by 120 well-wishers including Mayor Greg Moore, city councillors and NDP members in his constituency.
SOROPTOMIST
Port Coquitlam's Dana Martin is now on the board of directors for Soroptimist. Martin recently started her two-year term on the executive of the volunteer organization, which aims to improve the lives of women and girls.
A clinical counsellor at Fraser Health, Martin is a 10-year member of the Soroptimist International of Tri-Cities — one of 1,300 clubs around Canada and the U.S.
TURF FIELD
An artificial turf sports field was re-opened last month by Port Moody council and youth from the Port Moody Soccer Club.
The 10-year-old field at the North Shore Community Park was upgraded this summer and fall to improve drainage problems and with a new artificial surface, which is expected to last 15 years. Recycled crumb rubber was used and a temporary asphalt running track has been installed around the turf field until the new artificial track surface is finished next summer, a city spokesperson said.
FOR THE KIDS
Coquitlam's Diane Sowden, executive director of the Children of the Street, got a $5,000 donation last month on behalf of the society she founded.
Sowden was handed the cash from the Fraternal Order of Eagles after talking to the Abbotsford group about her child's experience having been caught up in the drug and prostitution trade years ago. Madam Conductor Cheryl Acton (Maple Ridge, ladies' auxiliary) and Gerry Acton, provincial charities co-ordinator congratulated Sowden for her efforts.
As well, Eagle members at the banquet gave more than $600 to buy the society's new daisy lapel pins — a symbol to end the sexual exploitation of children and youth. "We are so grateful for this donation and the Eagles outstanding generosity," Sowden said in a news release.
MAKE A WISH
Port Coquitlam's Alexa Kemp, 12, and her mom Natasha Prokosh got a helicopter ride over the Tri-Cities last month to promote an expansion of the Children's Wish Foundation's wish-granting program.
The campaign, called More Wishes, More Wonders, was created to provide positive experiences for children with serious genetic and neurological diagnoses, such as those with severe cerebral palsy. The goal is to raise $2 million by next spring and $10 million by 2021.
The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada typically grants wishes to children between the ages of three and 17 who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. But with the expansion of the program, the organization hopes to reach out to other children who are experiencing difficult challenges. Meanwhile, with its current program, The Children's Wish expects to grant more than 1,000 new wishes across the country; the BC and Yukon Chapter has already granted 56 wishes this year.
BOO
Sasamat volunteer firefighter Ken Honigman and his partner Lilija Lavoie saw about 500 people walk through their Anmore Manor in the week before Halloween.
And many of the visitors to their Robin Way home brought non-perishable goods and money to donate to Share as part of the admission. Honigman said the pair raised $2,000 worth of items — including baby food and diapers — and $700 for the food bank. "We even had a family drive up from Seattle to check out our haunted house," Honigman told The Tri-City News last week.
Meanwhile, over in Coquitlam, Sandy Olynyk, who was also featured in The News the day before Halloween, had so many kids to see his decorated house "I ran out of candy for the first time." Olynyk asked guests to donate to the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation.
BREAKFAST CLUB
The owners of two Mr. Lube businesses recently pumped in $1,000 for the Moody elementary Breakfast Club program.
Kristen and Keith Wickens have funded part of the initiative, which has been operating for about a month with the help of parent volunteers. It feeds about 20 kids every morning before school.
Meanwhile, the Wickens will also be contributing $5 from every oil change at the their Barnet Highway or Hastings Street locations. School spokesperson Alicia Purvis said customers need to mention Moody elementary for the donation to take effect.
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