What's happening in Cloverdale in December 2009

December 5, 12, and 13 – Free photo with Santa at London Drugs in Cloverdale Crossing Mall – 17685 64th Avenue. 2 – 4pm on the two Saturdays and Sunday Dec 13 session is from 1 – 3pm.

December 6, 12, and 19 – Cloverdale trolley tours will be operating between 10am and 6pm. A few years ago this was a trolley pulled by two draft horses, but this one is on loan from the Vancouver Trolley Company that operates sightseeing tours around Vancouver. Its free to ride but they ask people to bring donations for Cloverdale’s Christmas hamper. Trolley stops at Kwantlen College on 180th – across from Stampede Tack, stops at Clover Square Village Mall on Hihway 10 and 177B Street, Hawthorne Square on 176th Street, about halfway between 57th and 58th Avenues, Fraser Downs, Cloverdale Crossing Mall at 64th Avenue and 176th Street, and oddly enough at Clayton Crossing up on the Fraser Highway and 188th Street. Probably has something to do with Coast Capital sponsoring the trolley and they have a branch at that location. Takes about half an hour to do a full loop.

Sunday, December 6 – free movie at the Clova Theatre. Elf will be playing starting at 4pm. This is a really funny movie, should be on TV a few times over December if you can't get to the Clova.

Sunday, December 6 – Santa Parade starts at 6pm. Last year they cancelled the parade at the last minute due to snow. Kind of ironic. Christmas, Santa, snow all seem to go together. Freezing temperatures are in the forecast later this week, so we’ll see if any snow hits and makes a repeat cancelled performance. There are several places to watch the parade, but normally the best spot is on 176th Street around Hawthorne Square in order to watch the Christmas tree atop the Dale Building being lit. The parade starts in the fairgrounds and goes down 176A Street and then down 58A Avenue to 176th Street, and ending at 56A Avenue. Various groups are usually selling or giving away hot dogs, popcorn, and hot chocolate. Bring food or cash donations for Cloverdale’s Christmas hamper.

Saturday, December 12 – pancake breakfast at the Cloverdale Legion. For $4, pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, and orange juice. 17567 – 57th Avenue.

Saturday, December 12 – Christmas open house at the Stewart Farm at 13723 Crescent Road from noon to 4pm. Tour the house, make a Christmas ornament, and enjoy a hot apple cider. Admission by donation.

Christmas decorating in downtown Cloverdale

The city crews have started putting up Christmas decorations around Cloverdale. No fun feat for them given the heavy rains and wind we've experienced recently.

There is a string of lights at each end of 176th Street, one closer to Highway 10 and one string closer to 58th Avenue that were put up a couple of weeks ago. The one closest to 58th is only half working. Hope they get that fixed soon.

Some lights are up and they've started putting up wreaths. I don't see the Christmas tree on top of the Dale Building yet. The Christmas parade is only 10 days away so I hope they get the decorating done soon. They usually do a good job and its nice to walk downtown in the evenings and admire the Christmas lights. That is when its not raining.....

Playing at the Clova from Nov 27 - Dec 3 2009

I was walking past the Clova this morning, yes before the rain hit, and saw they have next week's movie posted for November 27 - December 3.

Only one movie playing this week and its Disney's A Christmas Carol. Movie plays at 7pm nightly. No second feature. Lets out around 8:35. But on Friday and Saturday night they are playing it again at 9pm.

Admission is $7 or $4 if you go on Tuesday. Bring your own reuseable popcorn or drink container and fill up at the concession for $2.

The theatre is located in downtown Cloverdale on 176th Street, between 58th and 57th Avenues, east side of the road.

Cloverdale Creek

Yes, there is a Cloverdale Creek running through Cloverdale. Its kind of a joke, similar to the Los Angeles River down in California. Could almost double as an oversized ditch. But its a real little creek and when I was younger small fish, I suppose some species of salmon, could be seen swimming in there. Its been so long that I can't even be sure where the original Cloverdale Creek ran through town. I remember it running alongside and across 176th Street in the 58th Avenue to 60th Avenue areas. There used to be an Anglican Church on 176th, kind of in the area where that big vacant lot near the 7-11 is. The creek ran alongside it. It has since been covered over, but with the big cement culverts to protect the fish and keep the water flowing. Part of the parking lot over the United Church has Cloverdale Creek running beneath it. But these days the only place that Cloverdale Creek can actually be seen is on 57th Avenue, between the Beaver Lodge, and closer to 173 Street. From either side of the avenue, the creek can be seen running back towards Cloverdale, and then towards Highway 10 before it becomes encased in the culverts again. I suppose it must drain out to the Nikomekl River eventually, but I'm not too sure. The creek was mostly covered over before I was ten years old. These days the area around Cloverdale Creek on 57th Avenue is pretty much a dumping ground for people who don't want to deliver the local newspapers or flyers. Ever wonder why so many of the storm drains around 58th Avenue and other parts around downtown Cloverdale are stamped with fish? That's because Cloverdale Creek is still running through town and fish are still living in the creek. Don't send any pollutants into the storm drains or it could potentially kill the small fry that live there. And there you have it. Part of Cloverdale's hidden history.

Playing at the Clova from Nov 20 - Nov 26 2009

This week at the Clova, from November 20 - 26. The movie theatre is on Cloverdale's main street, near the Clova Inn. 5732 - 176th Street. Admission is $7, whether you stay for one or both movies.

Starting at 7pm is The Men Who Stare at Goats.

Around 8:50 is Paranormal Activity.

They're both fairly short movies, the final show letting out just before 10:30pm.

Bring your own reusable popcorn and drink containers and fill up at the concession for $2.

First Christmas song in a store!

And the winner in the first Christmas song I hear in a store goes to the Real Canadian Superstore in Langley.

I was in there yesterday, Saturday Nov 14, and they are playing Christmas songs.

Ironically enough I went in there to buy a food normally associated with Christmas - candy cane ice cream. I wasn't sure if it would be out in the stores yet. My mother used to buy candy cane ice cream every December. But the one sold at the Superstore goes a step further and has a chocolate fudge crackle running through it. I don't always find it because it sells out fast. They didn't have any yesterday, so I don't know if that means its not stocked yet or was and its all sold and they're waiting for more. There was nothing else I wanted to buy there so I left empty handed.

I did see candy cane ice cream (no chocolate in it) at Price Smart Foods in Cloverdale.

I saw Egg Nog for sale in the stores in September. There's something not quite right about drinking egg nog in the summer so I haven't bought any yet. I'll probably buy some in early December and then again closer to Christmas. Kerry makes very nice egg nog lattes so I'll be looking forward to them very soon.

Playing at the Clova from Nov 13 - Nov 19 2009

I walked by the Clova on Thursday night to see what was playing this week. I remembered the name of the first movie, Law Abiding Citizen, but hadn't walked the end of the block when I forgot the second one, though I remembered something about Capitalism. I was distracted by a sign up in the window of the ticket booth. About a month ago the Clova has pinned a notice offering admission discounts to people who are wearing or doing something. For example on Halloween everyone wearing a costume got a discount. Thursday night's discount was for couples who kiss, and for some reason I kept thinking that was the name of the movie so it threw me off. Anyway, when you go to the Clova keep your eye out for the special and see if you qualify for that night's discount.

Playing at 7pm this week is Law Abiding Citizen.

Starting around 8:55 is Capitalism: A Love Story.

Both shows let out around 11pm.

Admission is $7, stay for one movie or watch both for the same price. Tuesday nights is $4.

I say "about" in the staring times because the Clova with its small town atmosphere does not start the first movie if there is a huge line of people at the concession. They wait till the lobby has cleared and then start. Usually the Clova does not show trailers, so once the lights dim the movie is about to start.

Bring your own reusable popcorn or drink container and fill it for $2.

Is it too early for Christmas music?

When I was growing up just after Halloween the stores would all start putting up their Christmas displays. These days, the Halloween stuff seems to come out in August.

But what about the Christmas music? I do like it in December, but not earlier than that.

Who’s the first to come out with Christmas music? I won’t include Staples who start in the summertime every year with their back to school campaign and It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

The first Christmas tune I heard was on November 1, a commercial on TV for MADD featuring the music of Deck the Halls.

Today on Global TV Morning News a group came on to sing White Christmas. After the first chorus one of the singers called out “Its never too early for this song!” and they did another round. Some people might disagree with that statment. It is too early.

Many years ago a company I worked for had piped in music. Around the middle of November we heard the worst rendition ever of Little Drummer Boy. I guess they must have got a lot of complaints because we didn’t hear any more Christmas music until December.

I haven't done a lot of shopping this month but so far none of the stores or restaurants I’ve been in are playing Christmas music yet. Though Christmas music by the end of November isn’t so bad.

Several years ago we were down in Hollywood during the Thanksgiving long weekend, and down in the states that’s pretty much the kick off to the Christmas season. The main reason for our trip was to watch Hollywood’s Christmas Parade. It was the last weekend in November and Christmas music was being played everywhere. Around Hollywood are a few Christmas tree lots, with trees going for well over $200 apiece. Metal trees and trees flocked in just about every color imaginable. I believe there were also live Christmas trees brought down from Oregon, but those were really big bucks. And with Christmas over a month away, what is the longevity?

Although its still a little too early for Christmas music for my liking, I’m looking forward to hearing the carols in a couple of weeks time.

Remembrance Day on Wednesday November 11 2009

If you're planning to attend the Rememberance Day services in Cloverdale on November 11, it starts at 10:15am in the cenotaph next to the museum, near the corner of 176A Street and Highway 10. Arrive early to find a parking spot. 56A Avenue is usually closed off, but parking can be found on the nearby streets, 176A, 177B, etc. Some people park in the lot at the back of the Clova Inn (176A and 57 Avenue) and walk over. You want to play on arriving 20 to 30 minutes early to find a parking spot and walk over to the museum. The wreath laying starts around 11am. There are usually several airplane flypasts during the service as they make the rounds at various cenotaphs across the Lower Mainland holding services. It always rains on Remembrance Day and there is an 80% chance of showers tomorrow.

If you're closer to White Rock, the Remembrance Day Service is held in the United Church at 10am. Its on Centre Street, on the corner of Buena Vista. If you know where the City Hall and Library is, its about half a block away. Wreath laying ceremonies at 11am. Its behind City Hall, kind of off Pacific Avenue and inbetween Buena Vista. Just follow the crowd from the service.

I was going to mention Port Kells because they usually have a Remembrance Day Service too for anyone closer to that area, but I can't find any mention of it this year. In the past its been held at the Port Kells Elementary School on 88th Avenue and about 190th Street. But I just don't know this year. My sources have let me down!

Handydart employees on the picket line

Most people know from the news that Handydart has been on strike for the past couple of weeks. They keep their buses in a parking lot on the south side of Highway 10, inbetween 176th Street and Highway 15. Next to Red Barn Antiques and across the road from the Husky/Mohawk gas station.

The striking employees are standing on the sidewalk in front of their parking lot on Highway 10 with their signs and waving at cars.

Remember when we were kids and walking down the street and a semi truck would drive by and we'd pump our arms in the air to get the driver to blow the air horn? That was fun as a kid. Most of those drivers probably had kids back home or otherwise liked kids and were happy to comply.

But darned if those strikers aren't doing the same thing, pumping their arms up and down in the air to get the truckers to blow their horns. And these are adults. How childish is that? I realize it must be pretty boring standing out there on the street if they have to resort back to their childhood jollies. If I'm driving in the area I can hear the truckers blowing their horns at the striker's request. We were driving down Highway 10 the other day and heard a trucker. Kerry said a truck must be running a light and blowing his horn to alert the other drivers at the intersection. I said it was more than likely the strikers encouraging the truckers to honk. I said that must be pretty annoying to the people working in the adjacent business, hearing these truckers honk all the time. I live a few blocks away and I can't hear the honking when I'm inside the house, but if I'm outside I can hear those truck horns blaring away.

I even had the opportunity to talk to someone who works near the intersection and she said the honking is driving her up the wall trying to get her work done. She's also talked to some of the picketers. What I didn't know is that Handydart is owned by an American company. Doesn't make any difference to me who the owner is, but that might explain the huge Canadian flag that the stikers have out on the picket line.

The other thing the employee said is that the strikers are being rude to any cars that drive past with American plates. Screaming obscenities and giving them the finger. I actually witnessed this, before I knew about that. I wondered what their problem was. I just figured it was one of their managers driving past. But I guess it was aimed at a car with Washington license plates. She said that she spoke with an American couple who were cursed out as they drove past the picket line. They couldn't believe what had happened to them. Their impression of Cloverdale is that its an unfriendly town and they don't feel safe here.

Nice going Handydart employees!

I don't think anyone is challenging your right to strike for the issues that are important to you. But childish antics at getting truckers to blow their horn, creating noise for the locals, and flipping off cars from the states is not the way to get your message across.

Grow up.

Kind of creepy, Halloween leftovers

Here's a very good lesson why its important to put away the Halloween decorations asap after October 31. Our neighbor hasn't put his decorations away and we're enjoying a very windy day in Cloverdale and other parts of southwestern BC. One of the ghouls escaped and is now hanging around the power lines. Kind of creepy watching it getting battered by the wind, almost like its ready to fly away if it wasn't tangled. I have no idea how the neighbor's going to get this one down!

Everyone else enjoying the wind today? It's a warm wind. Rain on and off. I have a feeling we might lose our power later on. Got the candles and flashlights ready to go.

Playing at the Clova from Nov 6 - Nov 12 2009

Chilly night to be out walking the dog, but we walked downtown to see if next weeks movies are up yet at the Clova. And they are for November 6 - 12.

At 7pm is Couples Retreat.

The second feature starts around 9pm Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant.

Admission is $7, same price for one movie or stay to watch both. Tuesday night's admission is $4. Bring your own reusable popcorn and beverage containers and fill up for $2.

What's happening in Cloverdale in November 2009

A few things going on in and around Cloverdale this November. Definitely Christmas is in the air.

Saturday November 7 - 9:30am - 2:30pm - Christmas bazaar and craft sale at the Cloverdale Senior's Centre. Its located in the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, the former museum building. 6022 - 176th Street.

Saturday November 7 - 10am - 3pm - craft and bake sale at the Hazelmere United Church located on 184th Street at 16th Avenue, on the north east corner of the intersection.

Wednesday November 11 at 10:15am Remembrance Day services at the Cloverdale Cenotaph, in the square outside the museum on Highway 10 and 176A Street. (17710 - 56A Ave.). Wreath laying and there are usually several planes doing fly pasts.

Saturday November 14 - 8am - 11:30am - pancake breakfast at the Cloverdale Legion 17567 - 57th Avenue. $4 gets you pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee or tea, and juice.

Friday November 20 from 6pm - 10pm and Saturday November 21 10am - 5pm is Christmas in Cloverdale gifts and crafts for sale in Shannon Hall in the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. $2 admission donated to the food bank.

Please remember to buy a poppy.

Another Halloween is over

It was a pretty quiet night on our street last night as far as trick or treaters were concerned. The first kids showed up at 6:45 and it was all pretty much over by 8pm. We had about 20 kids. Normally we get 40 - 60. And this year it was mostly smaller kids, the under 5 years old bracket. The last trick or treaters I got were 2 girls about 10 years old and there were a couple of boys a little earlier who were about 8 years old. It also appeared to me that we had some kids walk on past our house without coming in. We were in the living room last night, lights on, curtain open, so we could keep an eye on what was happening outside. Also our front door light was on. Nothing about our house would indicate we weren't home.

We handed out Halloween sized chocolate bars and a bag of chips to each kid. I got plenty of leftovers. Good news for me!

When I was a kid we got started trick or treating as soon as we ate dinner, which was always early on Halloween. We'd join up with our friends a couple of houses over around 5:30 and away we'd go. We'd go down one side of 182 Street and then up the other side. Then down the hill on 58th Avenue, by now crossing back and forth. No one wants to walk up that hill again. We'd continue on down 58th for a bit and then make our way over to 60th Avenue and head up home. We'd finish around 8 or 8:30. My pillowcase would be heavy by that time. I trick or treated up until 12 years old. The next year I was going to Cloverdale Junior High and by that time it wasn't cool to trick or treat because that was only something the little kids did.

Back then we trick or treated with a group of neighborhood kids, no adults in tow. Occasionally parents hired a babysitter, one of the teenagers living in the neighborhood, to accompany their kids. The lazy parents used their cars to transport their children trick or treating. Our parents stayed home to hand out the candies. Last night all the kids had their parents with them. That makes sense for the small kids, but even the older kids had parents waiting on the street.

I'm not sure if the trend now is to drive kids to newer subdivisions where the houses are 5 feet apart from each other and walk those neighborhoods. More houses can be covered in a shorter period of time. Also the news said parent's fears of H1N1 were keeping trick or treaters off the street.

I remember growing up in Cloverdale and we got a lot of homemade treats when we headed out on Halloween. The best score was the lady who made caramel apples. We also got popcorn balls and cookies. I'm afraid those homemade treats are a thing of the past. Too much paranoioa about possible tampering or poisoning.

Years ago when Halloween was over we could expect to see Christmas items hit the stores. Who are we kidding these days? I saw Christmas items in the stores at the end of August.