That black car was parked outside my house again this morning. The same two police officers pulled in about 9:15am to watch and wait for whatever is going on in this neighborhood. Darned inconvenient where they park, nearly across from my driveway. If I backed out the way I normally do I'd hit their car. Instead I have to make a shorter turn.
Around 1pm today Kerry and I were driving home from Langley up the Fraser Highway, between Willowbrook Drive and 64th Avenue. There's a mall on the north side of the Fraser Highway called Sur-Lang Mall. Mostly a lot of Asian operated businesses in there. As we drove past on the south side of the highway a ghost car had pulled over a truck. As we got closer I recognized the black car from the surveillance outside my driveway and the same two cops. Kerry said they had someone sitting on the curb and he thought he recognized the truck from around our neighborhood but not sure where. I was concentrating on driving and didn't get a good look at the truck or the man seated on the curb.
Hmmm. Wonder what's up. And if its connected to the block I live on.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Cloverdale crime
When I was growing up in Cloverdale in the sixties nobody locked the doors to their houses, whether they were home or out. Except maybe for extended periods for vacations. In fact people used to leave their keys in the cars. Cloverdale had such a low crime rate and everyone knew everyone else who lived on the street so strangers stood out.
We had a St Bernard dog when I was a kid. She was usually inside the house. One day in 1968 or 1969 she let a burglar come inside who stole the car keys to the VW Beetle. He needn't have bothered because when he returned that night to steal the car the keys were already left in the ignition by one of my parents. Tina may have been a big dog but not scary enough to keep intruders away. The car was located a day or two later undamaged.
The next time a vehicle was stolen was in 1978. My brother left the keys to the truck in the ignition. This was a crew cab GMC. It was found in the Nicomekl River on 192 Street early the next morning. We didn't know it was gone until the police officer knocked on the door around six o'clock and woke us up. Considerable damage was done to the truck. The windows were smashed out and the tires slashed before the thieves pushed it off the road down the bank into the river. Its one thing to go for a joy ride but what's the point in vandalizing it? The insurance fixed the truck. My father kept it for a couple more years before trading it in for a new one.
Cloverdale has generally been a town of small time crimes such as burglaries rather than crimes of violence that have plagued other parts of Surrey such as Whalley and Newton.
We've had our vehicles broken into countless times and attempted theft of them. Fortunately for kill switches no one has yet to steal one of our cars. But there have been plenty of vandalism and stolen stereo equipment. We've also had items stolen from around the house. Husband's fault for leaving his tools lying around, though out of sight in the back. Someone had to physically put themselves into our back yard to see it and steal it. I interrupted a thief just after six one morning when I was taking the garbage out. I also brought a dog outside with me and was talking to it. I didn't see the thief in the truck, nor standing outside the truck when he exited - he must have been ducking down. But I saw a man running down the street who jumped in a truck and sped off. I thought nothing of it because the truck was parked in front of a contractor's house and its normal to see several trucks and men there in the morning. An hour later we discovered the truck's window had been smashed in and the ignition smashed while the thief tried to steal it. He left behind on the passenger seat his baseball cap, his screwdriver, and his hammer. Oddly enough the cops caught him shortly afterward as he was stealing a bait car nearby but they couldn't charge him with our truck's vandalism because I couldn't identify him.
One of the first things we did when we moved into this house was have an alarm system installed. Cloverdale has come a long way in crime and keeping your property secure. We never leave the house without turning it on and we also have the alarm set at night while we're sleeping. So far no problems with anyone trying to get into the house. Our two dogs might also be a deterrent.
Today while I was bringing my saddle and other riding gear out to the car I noticed a black car across the street, engine running, two men inside. A little odd and I kept an eye on them. On one of my trips out to the car my neighbor drove up and I went to the street to talk to her and we discussed who and what were those men doing. I said I'll go to the other side of her car and pat the dogs and tell her the license number of the car. She wrote it down and I went into the house and called the police to report the suspicious vehicle. The dispatcher typed in the information and then told me I had nothing to worry about at all on this car. I took that as code that it was a police vehicle.
Later I was at the neighbor's and the woman of the house also had spotted them and went over and knocked on the window and asked if she could help them or if they needed directions. They told her they were waiting for someone. She continued talking and one of them flashed a badge at her. She told them she'd taken down their license number and then left.
Blockwatch, crimewatch is alive and well in Cloverdale.
We had a St Bernard dog when I was a kid. She was usually inside the house. One day in 1968 or 1969 she let a burglar come inside who stole the car keys to the VW Beetle. He needn't have bothered because when he returned that night to steal the car the keys were already left in the ignition by one of my parents. Tina may have been a big dog but not scary enough to keep intruders away. The car was located a day or two later undamaged.
The next time a vehicle was stolen was in 1978. My brother left the keys to the truck in the ignition. This was a crew cab GMC. It was found in the Nicomekl River on 192 Street early the next morning. We didn't know it was gone until the police officer knocked on the door around six o'clock and woke us up. Considerable damage was done to the truck. The windows were smashed out and the tires slashed before the thieves pushed it off the road down the bank into the river. Its one thing to go for a joy ride but what's the point in vandalizing it? The insurance fixed the truck. My father kept it for a couple more years before trading it in for a new one.
Cloverdale has generally been a town of small time crimes such as burglaries rather than crimes of violence that have plagued other parts of Surrey such as Whalley and Newton.
We've had our vehicles broken into countless times and attempted theft of them. Fortunately for kill switches no one has yet to steal one of our cars. But there have been plenty of vandalism and stolen stereo equipment. We've also had items stolen from around the house. Husband's fault for leaving his tools lying around, though out of sight in the back. Someone had to physically put themselves into our back yard to see it and steal it. I interrupted a thief just after six one morning when I was taking the garbage out. I also brought a dog outside with me and was talking to it. I didn't see the thief in the truck, nor standing outside the truck when he exited - he must have been ducking down. But I saw a man running down the street who jumped in a truck and sped off. I thought nothing of it because the truck was parked in front of a contractor's house and its normal to see several trucks and men there in the morning. An hour later we discovered the truck's window had been smashed in and the ignition smashed while the thief tried to steal it. He left behind on the passenger seat his baseball cap, his screwdriver, and his hammer. Oddly enough the cops caught him shortly afterward as he was stealing a bait car nearby but they couldn't charge him with our truck's vandalism because I couldn't identify him.
One of the first things we did when we moved into this house was have an alarm system installed. Cloverdale has come a long way in crime and keeping your property secure. We never leave the house without turning it on and we also have the alarm set at night while we're sleeping. So far no problems with anyone trying to get into the house. Our two dogs might also be a deterrent.
Today while I was bringing my saddle and other riding gear out to the car I noticed a black car across the street, engine running, two men inside. A little odd and I kept an eye on them. On one of my trips out to the car my neighbor drove up and I went to the street to talk to her and we discussed who and what were those men doing. I said I'll go to the other side of her car and pat the dogs and tell her the license number of the car. She wrote it down and I went into the house and called the police to report the suspicious vehicle. The dispatcher typed in the information and then told me I had nothing to worry about at all on this car. I took that as code that it was a police vehicle.
Later I was at the neighbor's and the woman of the house also had spotted them and went over and knocked on the window and asked if she could help them or if they needed directions. They told her they were waiting for someone. She continued talking and one of them flashed a badge at her. She told them she'd taken down their license number and then left.
Blockwatch, crimewatch is alive and well in Cloverdale.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Cloverdale Fire Department
The Cloverdale Fire Department is on 57 Avenue, just east of 176th Street. When I was growing up in Cloverdale there used to be a baseball park across the street from the firehall. The Cloverdale Shopper's Mall, or what's left of it, was built on the park. The firemen used to have fireworks displays there each Halloween. We could see it from our house up on the hill on 182 Street, but often we went to the park to watch.
Every Monday night at 7pm the firehouse used to practice and tested its siren. They also tested the siren on Sunday morning at 10am. If the siren went off at other times that meant there was a fire or another emergency and the volunteers were being called to the station. We could hear that siren all over town. Even a mile away where we lived that siren was loud and clear. We had a Saint Bernard dog growing up and every time the fire siren sounded she sat down, pointed her snout in the air, and howled.
When pagers came on the scene back in the late 1980's, they were handed out to the firefighters and the pagers were then used to call the firefighters and the siren ceased to be used.
A few years ago Kerry and I were taking the dogs for a walk. The fire siren sounded. Growing up in Cloverdale and hearing it tested twice a week, plus in use for whenever a real fire was happening, I didn't give it a second thought. But Kerry said: "What the hell is that?" I told him it was the fire siren, then I thought about it for a second and said "It's Wednesday night so what are they doing testing it?" It completely went over my head that it had been years since I'd last heard the siren.
If the firefighters were still using that siren it would be going off constantly. Cloverdale has many non-fire emergencies that firefighters respond to. And today firefighters live at the hall and work in shifts.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Ding Dongs
When I was a kid one of my favorite treats was a Ding Dong. Wrapped in tin foil was a round chocolate cake with chocolate icing and a cream filled centre. Yummy. They came in a box of 12 and my mother bought them each week for the school lunches she packed for me and my brother. That meant there were 2 left over Ding Dongs each week that I usually snacked on at some point during the week. It took my brother years to discover that the box held 12 Ding Dongs and not 10.
When I started Cloverdale Junior High I still got Ding Dongs each day for lunch. A girl I met said she used to go to school with a girl named Terry Lynn and her father owned the bakery in Langley where the Ding Dongs were made. Furthermore, he named his bakery after his daughter.
By the time I got to high school, and I went to a different school than the friends I'd grown up with, I met the infamous Terry Lynn when I was in Grade 12 riding the same school bus. I hadn't seen her before even though we were the same age. Apparently she'd taken a year off school because her family had been sailing around the world. I didn't know her all that well but she seemed friendly and nice and always said hi to me on the bus.
Sometimes during the eighties Ding Dongs ceased to exist, though a similar product King Dons emerged on the shelf next to the Twinkies where the Ding Dongs used to be. Later I found out that Terry Lynn Bakeries was sold to Labatt's. However Ding Dongs were still available at stores down in the states, offered by local bakeries. On every road trip I've taken to California I always stop at grocery stores to get a box of Ding Dongs. Never forgetting the chocolate cake and cream delight I'd enjoyed as a kid.
On our last trip to Washington this past April I bought a box of Ding Dongs. But this time I was disappointed. Even though it was well before the expiry date the cake seemed stale and the chocolate icing was not nice. I don't know for sure, maybe I'll still be tempted at some point down the road, but I'm thinking this might be the end of my love affair with Ding Dongs.
When I started Cloverdale Junior High I still got Ding Dongs each day for lunch. A girl I met said she used to go to school with a girl named Terry Lynn and her father owned the bakery in Langley where the Ding Dongs were made. Furthermore, he named his bakery after his daughter.
By the time I got to high school, and I went to a different school than the friends I'd grown up with, I met the infamous Terry Lynn when I was in Grade 12 riding the same school bus. I hadn't seen her before even though we were the same age. Apparently she'd taken a year off school because her family had been sailing around the world. I didn't know her all that well but she seemed friendly and nice and always said hi to me on the bus.
Sometimes during the eighties Ding Dongs ceased to exist, though a similar product King Dons emerged on the shelf next to the Twinkies where the Ding Dongs used to be. Later I found out that Terry Lynn Bakeries was sold to Labatt's. However Ding Dongs were still available at stores down in the states, offered by local bakeries. On every road trip I've taken to California I always stop at grocery stores to get a box of Ding Dongs. Never forgetting the chocolate cake and cream delight I'd enjoyed as a kid.
On our last trip to Washington this past April I bought a box of Ding Dongs. But this time I was disappointed. Even though it was well before the expiry date the cake seemed stale and the chocolate icing was not nice. I don't know for sure, maybe I'll still be tempted at some point down the road, but I'm thinking this might be the end of my love affair with Ding Dongs.
Monday, August 3, 2009
White Rock's Torchlight Parade
We've been going to White Rock's Torchlight Parade for most of the past 20 years. It is held on the August long weekend as part of the sea festival celebrations, either on Saturday or Sunday night. This weekend it was held on Saturday night, starts around 9pm. The premise is most of the floats are decorated with lights of some sort, so viewed best when its dark out.
The Torchlight Parade has the reputation of being one of the worst parades around. It is so bad that we are compelled to go just to see how bad it will be. Can it be worse than last year?
When my parents owned a house on Columbia Avenue there was a walkway on the other side of their next door neighbor's house that went to Marine Drive. It came out on the crest of the hill that separates White Rock's east and west beaches. This is a good spot to watch the parade with not too many people. Mostly locals who walk here because there is no parking for anybody driving in. The best part of setting up in this location was the house on Marine Drive across the street where the residents came out on the sundeck and yelled insults at the parade entries. This was a high entertainment value. One year some friends came with us and their son was about 12 years old at the time. He got in the spirit of the hecklers across the street and also started insulting the entries, much to his mother's chagrine. I thought it was pretty funny.
So what makes this parade so bad? Mostly its the timing. The parade will start, usually with a motorbike cop, followed by the parade marshall in whatever vehicle they're in. Then there's about a 5 minute wait till the next parade entry comes along. Then a few minutes later the next entry. Most of the front of the parade consists of one car after another with unknown people in them. There are signs on the doors of most of these cars saying who is inside. But its dark out. No one operating the vehicle thought to light up the sign, so its too dark for the spectators to read the sign.
Sometimes its hard to tell when the parade has ended. Just when you think its over because there hasn't been a float come past in over 5 minutes, another one is spotted coming along.
These days we park at a friend's house near the west beach and walk down, so we're right in the thick of the crowd.
Last Saturday night's parade was no different from what we've come to expect. The motobike cop, the parade marshall, and then a huge wait. Ah, we finally spot it way down the block and it reached us 5 minutes later. A float entered by BMO. My gosh, I wonder if this is typical of the service one can expect from this financial institution. I think I'll keep my business elsewhere. Even my father got into the heckling spirit by yelling at them to speed it up. He commented they need parade volunteers with whips going along the route to keep things going. So it was the usual see an entry, wait a few minutes, see another. Every now and then 4 or 5 entries bunched up together and moved along.
This is the first year the Vancouver Police Mounted squad weren't there on their horses. Also there was no fire truck spraying the crowds with water. I'm guessing due to the police and fire games happening in town right now that they were busy with that event instead.
I must say that Potter's garden centre had a great float. It was a hearse with a werewolf on top of the roof pulling a creepy version of Cinderella's carriage. They were advertising their upcoming haunted house this October at their 72nd Avenue location. Really well done.
Overall this year's parade was much worse than others I've seen with way fewer entries. It was also over a lot faster than past parades, lasting less than an hour.
The Torchlight Parade has the reputation of being one of the worst parades around. It is so bad that we are compelled to go just to see how bad it will be. Can it be worse than last year?
When my parents owned a house on Columbia Avenue there was a walkway on the other side of their next door neighbor's house that went to Marine Drive. It came out on the crest of the hill that separates White Rock's east and west beaches. This is a good spot to watch the parade with not too many people. Mostly locals who walk here because there is no parking for anybody driving in. The best part of setting up in this location was the house on Marine Drive across the street where the residents came out on the sundeck and yelled insults at the parade entries. This was a high entertainment value. One year some friends came with us and their son was about 12 years old at the time. He got in the spirit of the hecklers across the street and also started insulting the entries, much to his mother's chagrine. I thought it was pretty funny.
So what makes this parade so bad? Mostly its the timing. The parade will start, usually with a motorbike cop, followed by the parade marshall in whatever vehicle they're in. Then there's about a 5 minute wait till the next parade entry comes along. Then a few minutes later the next entry. Most of the front of the parade consists of one car after another with unknown people in them. There are signs on the doors of most of these cars saying who is inside. But its dark out. No one operating the vehicle thought to light up the sign, so its too dark for the spectators to read the sign.
Sometimes its hard to tell when the parade has ended. Just when you think its over because there hasn't been a float come past in over 5 minutes, another one is spotted coming along.
These days we park at a friend's house near the west beach and walk down, so we're right in the thick of the crowd.
Last Saturday night's parade was no different from what we've come to expect. The motobike cop, the parade marshall, and then a huge wait. Ah, we finally spot it way down the block and it reached us 5 minutes later. A float entered by BMO. My gosh, I wonder if this is typical of the service one can expect from this financial institution. I think I'll keep my business elsewhere. Even my father got into the heckling spirit by yelling at them to speed it up. He commented they need parade volunteers with whips going along the route to keep things going. So it was the usual see an entry, wait a few minutes, see another. Every now and then 4 or 5 entries bunched up together and moved along.
This is the first year the Vancouver Police Mounted squad weren't there on their horses. Also there was no fire truck spraying the crowds with water. I'm guessing due to the police and fire games happening in town right now that they were busy with that event instead.
I must say that Potter's garden centre had a great float. It was a hearse with a werewolf on top of the roof pulling a creepy version of Cinderella's carriage. They were advertising their upcoming haunted house this October at their 72nd Avenue location. Really well done.
Overall this year's parade was much worse than others I've seen with way fewer entries. It was also over a lot faster than past parades, lasting less than an hour.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Free outdoor movies
The cities of Surrey and White Rock are offering free outdoor movies this summer. Some dates have passed but August still has a few movies coming. The movies begin at dusk. Arrive early with lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and snacks.
In Surrey, the movies are held at Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Road. Bring a picnic dinner or buy from the concession and BBQ.
August 8 – Mamma Mia
August 15 – The Lion King
August 22 – Hannah Montana: The Movie
The only one that interests me is Mama Mia, but I already have the DVD at home. And you know, no matter what the city of Surrey says about cleaning up the Whalley area, I just don’t feel all that comfortable about leaving my car unattended in a parking lot in Whalley so I think I’ll pass. The other movies don’t interest me.
White Rock still has some movies on in August. Again, you can bring a picnic dinner or buy from a food vendor who will be on site.
August 15 – Up – showing in the back parking lot of the Central Plaza Mall, approximately Johnston Road (aka 152 Str.) and Thrift Ave.
August 29 – Mama Mia – 5 Corners. It is still called 5 Corners even though a condo/business development took away some of the corners! Approximately Johnston (aka 152 Str) and Pacific Ave.
Now, I just might be interested in seeing this Mama Mia because its in a better part of town. I just can’t figure out where they’re setting up the movie screen. Perhaps they’re closing down part of the street. It might be worth going just to get an answer to that question.
In Surrey, the movies are held at Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Road. Bring a picnic dinner or buy from the concession and BBQ.
August 8 – Mamma Mia
August 15 – The Lion King
August 22 – Hannah Montana: The Movie
The only one that interests me is Mama Mia, but I already have the DVD at home. And you know, no matter what the city of Surrey says about cleaning up the Whalley area, I just don’t feel all that comfortable about leaving my car unattended in a parking lot in Whalley so I think I’ll pass. The other movies don’t interest me.
White Rock still has some movies on in August. Again, you can bring a picnic dinner or buy from a food vendor who will be on site.
August 15 – Up – showing in the back parking lot of the Central Plaza Mall, approximately Johnston Road (aka 152 Str.) and Thrift Ave.
August 29 – Mama Mia – 5 Corners. It is still called 5 Corners even though a condo/business development took away some of the corners! Approximately Johnston (aka 152 Str) and Pacific Ave.
Now, I just might be interested in seeing this Mama Mia because its in a better part of town. I just can’t figure out where they’re setting up the movie screen. Perhaps they’re closing down part of the street. It might be worth going just to get an answer to that question.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
What's happening in Cloverdale in August 2009?
Some events happening in Cloverdale in August:
August 8 2009 – Cloverdale Blueberry Festival. We always start the morning at the Cloverdale Legion enjoying their blueberry pancake breakfast. This is pancakes, eggs, sausage, and coffee and orange drink. And yes you can go back for seconds. All for $4/person. From about 7:30am to 11am. This will be a busy morning with many of the festival’s exhibitors in attendance. Along 176th Street is a Show N Shine with classic cars from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Get there early to enjoy the cars. Past experience is that the Blueberry Festival is usually very hot and sunny. The pavement gets hot and can become unbearable with the sun beating down. There will also be a pie eating contest, music, and the Legion has a BBQ from 5pm to 7pm
August 15 from 10:30am to about noon is a walking tour held at the Surrey Centre Cemetery on Old McLellan Road (60th Avenue). This is about a block west of 168th Street for those who haven’t been there before, across the street from Surrey Centre Elementary School. Cost is $10. Phone the Surrey Museum in Cloverdale to pre-register 604-592-6956. Sorry, I’m not sure what their hours of operation are, but if there’s no answer, they’re closed!
August 22 from 10am to about noon is another walking tour of downtown Cloverdale. Also $10 and pre-register at the Surrey Museum 604-592-6956.
August 8 2009 – Cloverdale Blueberry Festival. We always start the morning at the Cloverdale Legion enjoying their blueberry pancake breakfast. This is pancakes, eggs, sausage, and coffee and orange drink. And yes you can go back for seconds. All for $4/person. From about 7:30am to 11am. This will be a busy morning with many of the festival’s exhibitors in attendance. Along 176th Street is a Show N Shine with classic cars from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Get there early to enjoy the cars. Past experience is that the Blueberry Festival is usually very hot and sunny. The pavement gets hot and can become unbearable with the sun beating down. There will also be a pie eating contest, music, and the Legion has a BBQ from 5pm to 7pm
August 15 from 10:30am to about noon is a walking tour held at the Surrey Centre Cemetery on Old McLellan Road (60th Avenue). This is about a block west of 168th Street for those who haven’t been there before, across the street from Surrey Centre Elementary School. Cost is $10. Phone the Surrey Museum in Cloverdale to pre-register 604-592-6956. Sorry, I’m not sure what their hours of operation are, but if there’s no answer, they’re closed!
August 22 from 10am to about noon is another walking tour of downtown Cloverdale. Also $10 and pre-register at the Surrey Museum 604-592-6956.
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