What's happening in Cloverdale during January 2011

Slow start to the year in Cloverdale. I really can't find too much going on.

Saturday, January 1 - Fraser Downs 35th birthday celebrations. I can't find out what the festivities are but apparently some are planned during the afternoon. Racing usually starts at 1pm.

Sunday, January 2 - Need to get rid of your Christmas tree? Clayton Secondary is having a tree chipping day 9am to 4pm. 7003 - 188th Street. This is a fundraising event but no mention how much of a donation they're looking for to chip that tree.

Saturday, January 8 - 8am to 11am pancake breakfast at the Canadian Legion 17567 - 57th Avenue. $4.50 per person for pancakes, sausages, eggs, coffee, tea, and juice

Annoying Phone Calls from North Dakota

I don't know if anyone is getting annoyed by phone calls from this number in North Dakota:

701-625-5003

If you don't answer the phone they won't leave a message on your answering machine. I just got another call from them. Usually get a few calls a week from North Dakota.

However if you do answer the phone you get a recorded message that says something to the effect of: "if you're tired of getting calls from collection agencies, press 1. If you want to be removed from our phone list, press 2."

So in answer to the first part, no, collection agencies do not phone me. Well they occasionally they phone looking for Chris Rhodes who I've never heard of and is no relation to me. I've been getting calls for him for many years in 4 different houses and phone numbers. I'm assuming Chris is a male because my husband answered once and was unable to convince the female collector he wasn't Chris and she was very rude to him. With call display he phoned back and it was a collection agency. He asked the receptionist for this woman's supervisor and told her what happened. He received an apology and had our name removed from their list of suspected phone numbers for Chris.

Anyway its been a good 2 years since I last received a call asking for Chris so no more collection agencies have been calling.

Back to 701-625-5003 I did a Google search on it and found some forums discussing it. People across Canada are getting calls even those of us on the do not call directory. Apparently American scammers don't care less about Canadian laws. I've never actually talked to a person from this number. I usually don't answer the phone. One time I stayed on long enough to press 2 to get my number removed from their list but that didn't work.

I gather from the forums its some scammer either posing as a credit counselling service or sometimes as a debt collector. Either way if you get a call like this ignore it. Or keep a whistle or air horn handy by your phone and if you get connected with a live body, let them have it.

Demolition begins on Cloverdale Mall

For the past couple of weeks I've seen an excavator parked in the lot near the old Cloverdale Mall but it hasn't moved.

Today I saw several people on the roof of the old beginning demolition. It appeared they were taking out the windows in the upper areas so I'm guessing they are trying to salvage what they can for resale. Surrey New & Used has a lot of pre-used construction materials.

Oddly enough there is still at least one tenant in the old mall, a religious group whose entry is in the alley behind the parking lot for the Cloverdale SuperMarket.

There also seems to be a very high number of sea gulls and crows around the old mall today too. Not sure if the demolition crews have unearthed some tasty treats for them or if something else is going on.

I really hope with the demolition of the mall that those charitable foundations with bins set up for clothes and books remove them soon. They've become a nuisance as a dumping ground. Two couches and an old freezer are there right now.

Playing at the Clova from December 17 to December 30 2010

Playing at the Clova for pretty much the rest of the year is only one movie:

7pm: Yogi Bear

This is a new release so the Clova doesn't have a 2nd movie from Friday Dec 17 until Dec 30. Show lets out at 8:20. Admission is $8 or $15 if there are 2 people in your group. Add another $4 for each extra person in your group.

Bad Zion Lutheran Bus Driver

Tonight - Tuesday Dec 14 - at 7:30 I was driving east on 58th Avenue heading up to 182 Street to meet someone. The street was quiet. I was the only vehicle in either direction.

179th Street is a street that runs only between 58th and 60th Avenues. Closer to 60th Avenue on the east side of the street is Zion Lutheran Church. There is a school there too. Behind the church and school on 180th Street is the retirement residence run by the church.

As I was driving along 58th I observed a small school bus - the kind that seats about 30 people or so - travelling on 179th. It runs the stop sign and turns left right in front of me. I slam on my brakes and hit the horn and held it down for several seconds. The bus had passengers though I couldn't tell if they were children or adults or both. I'm not sure if that bus driver had a little Christmas cheer before picking up his load which would certainly account for why he (she?) ran a stop sign and cut off a car on the street he (she?) turned on to. Really bad decision when the vehicle is plastered with the name of the organization all over it. Talk about bad advertising!

Anyway my husband got the license number written down though I'm pretty sure their facility likely doesn't have more than one bus and we'll be reporting it tomorrow when the administration office opens.

It just amazes me when people who are supposed to be professional drivers have total disregard for other drivers on the street. More so in this case seeing as how the bus was full of passengers and and the driver was doing a poor job of safely transporting them.

Cloverdale Santa Parade of Lights 2011

For those of you who missed Cloverdale's Santa Parade of Lights this year, here are a few shots of some of the well decorated big rigs.

Last Christmas lights up in Cloverdale?

Proving better late than never I think all the lights may now be hung in Cloverdale - 5 days after the Santa Parade has been here.

Today I was driving on the Bypass during a torrential downpour. Really ugly rain and I see 2 cherry pickers near a large tree just off the Bypass, close to the ambulance station, about 176th Street and 58A Ave. I wondered if they were putting up Christmas lights and boy did they pick a really bad morning to do that. They must have gotten absolutely drenched.

Sure enough tonight when I was walking my dog through Cloverdale those big trees are lit up with Christmas lights.

Playing at the Clova from December 10 to December 16 2010

This week at the Clova December 10 - 16 is:

7pm: Secretariat

9:15pm - Morning Glory

Show ends just after 11pm. Admission is $8, stay for one or both movies. If 2 people are in your party the admission is $15. Add $4 for each extra person in your party. Tuesday night is $5 per person. Bring your own reusable popcorn and drink container and fill up at the concession for $2.50 each.

Playing at the Clova from December 3 to December 9 2010

Playing at the Clova starting Friday December 3 until December 9:

7pm: RED

9:10pm - Due Date

Movie lets out at 10:45pm. Times are approximate. The Clova won't start the movie until the lobby has cleared of concession patrons. Admission is $8 for either one or both movies. For two people the admission is $15. Add $4 for each extra person in your group.

What's happening in Cloverdale during December 2010

Well there's not too much going on in Cloverdale during December 2010 other than the Santa Claus Parade. The Santa Parade of Lights is on Sunday December 5 on 176th Street starting at 5:30pm. The parade starts in the fairgrounds, makes its way down 176A street to 58A Avenue then along 176th Street down mainstreet Cloverdale. Once it hits Highway 10 they double back on the Cloverdale Bypass and return to the fairgrounds or they go home. Its kind of interesting watching the trucks blend in with the regular traffic. For more information check out the web page here.

On Saturday December 11 the Cloverdale Legion is holding a pancake breakfast from 8am to 11:30am. $4.50 gets pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee, tea, and orange juice. On Sunday December 12, the Legion is having breakfast with Santa, same price same menu. 9am to 11:30am.

Don't forget to stop by Potter's on the corner of 192 Street and 48th Avenue to wander around their Christmas store. Or stop by at night to admire their lights.

Clothing bins at old Cloverdale Mall

On the northwest corner parking lot of the old Cloverdale Mall - on 58A Avenue just before it bends to become 58th Avenue - there are several donation bins. Mostly accepting clothing and one is for books.

One of the clothing bins either isn't locked or the lock can be easily broken into because we often see people rooting through the clothes in the bin looking for something to wear.

Most of these look like homeless people, likely living in the tent city just south of the Clydesdale Inn, though there are other bush areas around Cloverdale that look like homeless people have set up living quarters.

With the recent bout of snow and rain there are a bunch of soggy clothes dragged out of one of the bins and scattered around. I saw quite a few people there on Sunday November 28 when I went past. The clothes are wet and nasty now but I guess that doesn't matter if you need them. They'll eventually dry out.

This post is kind of a heads up to well meaning citizens who bring clean clothes to the donation bins thinking they're going to a charity but instead they're scattered around the parking lot left out in the elements. I'm not sure how often the charities that own the bins show up to pick them up but apparently not all that frequently. Your best bet is to take clothes directly to the charity of your choice or phone them because many offer pick up service.

Surrey Now newspaper dumped under a hedge

I was out walking the dogs and noticed a bunch of Surrey Now newspapers dumped under a hedge down the street. One newspaper is sitting on the grass between the sidewalk and hedge, the rest of the stack stuffed under the hedge. A pretty soggy mess by now!

When we moved into this house a few years ago it had been vacant for awhile. The people that owned the house lived elsewhere and rented it out. Tenants were gone, it was up for sale, we bought, and took our time moving in. I guess in the interim whoever is delivering The Now in our part of Cloverdale decided the vacant house was a good place to dump extra copies that he (she?) didn't want to deliver. As soon as I moved in I contacted The Now to let them know I wasn't happy about dealing with 20 or 30 newspapers - really fills up the old recycling bin! - and asked them to stop all newspaper deliver to my house which they did.

From time to time when I'm out walking my dogs I'll see extra copies of The Now dumped in the next block.

This time I looked up their contact information on the Internet and phoned the number for circulation. They're closed on the weekend but the recorded message said it was the Langley Advance. I'm not sure if they handle the circulation for The Now too so I just hung up and sent an email instead to the address for deliveries asking them to come and clean up their mess.

The house in front of where the stack of Now newspapers has been dumped has renters living there. The hedge is quite thick and on the corner of the property. I'm sure they'll never notice the papers there unless they happen to be out for a walk.

Hopefully The Now will show up to pick up their unwanted newspapers.

Clean your sidewalks

Surrey bylaws say that sidewalks must be cleaned by 10am excluding Sundays if there's been a snowfall.

My husband loves playing with the snowblower. Not only does he get the sidewalk in front of our house cleared, he goes a block up the street in each direction. And if he notices someone needs their driveway cleaned he goes in. Just loves playing with that toy. He had it out twice yesterday. Once before 10am and then in the afternoon about 4 hours later but we'd already had a lot of snow fall during that gap.

I just came back from walking my dog through Cloverdale so I could pick my car up at the mechanic's. Here's what I noticed. The shopkeepers on 176th Street have their sidewalks clear. The deserted Cloverdale Mall, that is owned by the City of Surrey, is full of icy slush. NO city crews showed up to clear the sidewalks. On Highway 10 in front of the Clover Square Village the sidewalks are not cleared of snow and ice and its already 11am on the day following a snowfall. Now I'd think that the property management company is responsible for the sidewalks bordering Highway 10 rather than the few businesses who happen to be situated closer to the road than the others such as Dairy Queen, Coast Capital, Chevron and Salty's.

Continuing down the sidewalk none of the businesses had their sidewalks cleared of snow and ice and slush. That would be A & W, Ricky's, Lordco, Tim Hortons, McDonald's, etc. Now whether the employees/management of these stores are responsible or whether or not they lease their buildings and the owner or property management company is responsible I don't know. But its a dangerous situation. Its disrespectful to the citizens of Cloverdale and disrespectful to the city of Surrey not to abide by the law. Snow removal law is the same in most cities in the Greater Vancouver Area. If you don't want to shovel snow the city of Surrey's website lists contractors who will come to your house or business and take care of clearing driveways and sidewalks. Or check Craigslist. There are many enterprising persons with snow shovels or snow blowers who can be hired to take care of snow clearing.

Surrey Leader showing up again

It looks like the Surrey Leader may have found a new carrier for our area in Cloverdale because we've been receiving their newspapers for about a month now. Whenever they get a good delivery person they usually quit after a couple of months or so. I guess they find another job and move on and then it takes weeks or months to find a new carrier. The houses in this neighborhood are on good sized lots, like a quarter of an acre to an acre, so there's a fair amount of walking to do as opposed to newer neighborhoods where houses are built on small lots so less amount of walking for newspaper carriers who can deliver more papers and make more money.

Today was kind of ironic. With the delivery of the Surrey Leader was a note asking if we want to cancel the paper to phone a number provided.

I can only guess that someone at the Surrey Leader checks this blog from time to time, looked up my address, and the carrier stuck the note on my door. Either than or the whole neighborhood is getting the same note. Nice touch but I'd say due to the rare times we actually receive a Surrey Leader that its pointless to cancel. It almost seems like we already are cancelled and then surprise the Leader shows up for a few weeks and then goes into hiding again.

Though I admit the Surrey Leader usually ends up in my recycling bin unread. Its just not a big deal to me one way or the other if I receive it or if I read it.

But it is kind of fun to report when I don't get it!

Playing at the Clova from November 19 to November 25 2010

Starting this Friday at the Clova is a new release so even though they say until Thursday November 25, expect that to be extended another week. The Clova has to play new releases that open at all other theatres for 2 weeks and can't show a 2nd feature.

7pm - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

I'm assuming Part 2 is coming out next year sometime???

This is a long movie. Be prepared to sit still for 2 and a half hours. Lets out around 9:30pm.

Admission is $8. If there are 2 people in your party, admission is $15. Add an extra $4 for each extra person in your group.

Remembrance Day in Cloverdale

We walked to the cenotaph beside the Surrey Museum for Cloverdale's Remembrance Day ceremony. The service started at 10:15 and ended around 11:30. We had 3 different fly pasts, the first group flying over while we were having our 2 minutes of silence at 11am.

Thankfully it didn't rain, a rarety for Remembrance Day. It was cloudy but not overly cold. The rain held off until mid-afternoon, well past the end of the ceremony.

Years ago the Remembrance Day ceremony was held in the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. It started inside the Shannon Hall building which was very nice in bad weather. When it came time to lay the wreaths at the cenotaph, which at that time was located in the southwest corner of the fairgrounds, alongside 176th Street, everyone trooped outdoors. Back in high school I was in the band and every year we played O Canada and God Save the Queen during the Remembrance Day ceremony. One year I remember we'd all gone outside to lay the wreaths. The crowd was closer to the cenotaph, the band was further away from the group. We couldn't hear a thing from the speakers so we were just standing there hanging out waiting to play the last song. My mother was in the crowd so she was able to tell me this later. Whoever had the microphone announced that now the band would now play God Save the Queen. Nothing happened. None of us had heard the announcement. One of the ministers on stage, his son was in the band. My mother watched the minister frantically trying to catch his son's attention. I guess he got it and word was out to the conductor to get the song going.

Ah yes, high school memories of carrying a soggy clarinet during the Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Cloverdale Kindergarten

When I was growing up in Cloverdale most mothers did not hold an outside job. My mother was a teacher but she quit when she had me. My father ran a printing shop and office supply store in Cloverdale and my mother helped out there for a few hours a day when I started school but otherwise she was always at home.

One winter my brother was in the hospital in New Westminster and so my mother was there a lot. I was 5 years old at the time and I couldn't hang out at the hospital or my father's business so they put me in kindergarten which was pretty much like playtime with other kids. The kindergarten was run by a nice elderly lady named Mrs. Nowles. And I know I'm probably spelling her name wrong. Back then I couldn't spell! Could also have been Mrs. Knowles. All I remember was that it sounded like "nose". She had a house on 60th Avenue just west of 176th Street with a huge wing built in the back that was the playroom for kids. That white house is still there. Its on a corner of the alley where the people who live on 176th Street drive in to park in their driveways or garages.

I remember having a lot of fun there playing with other kids. There weren't many kids on 182 Street where I grew up at that time, though as more houses started to be built more kids came to the neighborhood.

The kindergarten worked out well for me because a lot of the kids I met were there in my Grade 1 class when I started at Cloverdale Elementary, making the starting school experience less traumatic for me seeing as how I already knew a lot of kids. Most of the kids were in the same situation that I was. Dad worked, mom stayed home, and the kids just came to kindergarten as a social playtime thing. Most kids only came once or twice a week. I remember having so much fun that even after my brother came home from hospital that I still continued to go and have fun with my new playmates. Mrs. Nowles had a field behind the house and kind of like the big kids in school, she held a sports day back there. She also held an Easter egg hunt there. Mrs. Nowles either had one or two ladies who were employees or volunteers, perhaps moms of some kids in attendance.

A few years down the road kindergarten was introduced into the school system which pretty much effectively shut down Mrs Nowles calling her facility a kindergarten. So she switched and became a daycare which she operated for many more years.

Judging by her age back then I'm sure Mrs. Nowles or Knowles has long since passed away.

Today there is a sign on the fence in front of the house saying they do "lo cost name tags and engraving".

Playing at the Clova from November 5 to November 11 2010

This week at the Clova only one movie is playing from November 5 to 11 and seeing as how its a new release I'm going to go ahead and say its also playing the following week too.

7pm - Megamind

Show lets out at 8:36pm. The Clova's contract with new releases is that they can't play another movie double feature and they have to play it for 2 weeks. Admission is $8 or $15 if there are 2 people in your group. Add another $4 for each extra person in your group. On Tuesday nights the admission is $5 plus $4 for each extra person in your group.

What's happening in Cloverdale during November 2010

Here are a few events you might want to take note of for the month of November:

November 6, Saturday - crafts and bake sale at the Hazelmere United Church on 184th Street, corner of 16th Avenue. 10am to 2pm.

November 11, Thursday - At 10:30am join the crowd at the Cloverdale cenotaph next to the museum for Remembrance Day ceremonies. 17710 56A Ave. 56A will be closed but there is lots of parking on other neighborhood streets around Cloverdale. Also public parking lots at the old Cloverdale Mall near the Legion, the public parking lots on 176A Street behind the Clova, next to the Bank of Montreal, and a little further down on the other side of 58th Avenue across from the bowling alley. Be prepared to walk a couple of blocks or so. It always rains on Remembrance Day so dress for the weather.

November 13, Saturday - 8am to 11:30am - Pancake breakfast at the Cloverdale Legion 17567 57 Ave. $4.50 for pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, tea, juice.

November 19 to 20: Christmas in Cloverdale Marketplace in the fairgrounds in the Alice McKay building. Friday night 5pm to 9pm and Saturday hours are 10am to 4pm. Admission is $2, partial proceeds to the food bank. See their web page for more info

Cloverdale Mall demolition upon us soon?

A couple of nights ago we were walking down 176th Street and saw someone moving into an empty building across from the Clova Theatre. That building was originally home to the Red Barn Antiques. I remember a shoe repair shop being there for quite some time before the owner tragically died about 10 years ago. Since then a video rental place and more recently a healing place.

We asked the fellow what his business is and he is from Peter Pook Insurance from the Cloverdale Mall. They were in a kiosk in the centre of the mall for a long time and then a few years ago moved into the frontage that was originally home to Shopper's Drug Mart.

He said they have to be out by the end of October because they're going to start demolition within the next couple of months.

When we walked past the mall we saw a huge moving truck at the south entrance so perhaps that furniture place that has taken up most of the interior atrium part of the mall is on the move.

But for the most part the tenants still appear to be in place today. The antique place in the old Safeway slot has cars in the nearby parking lot. A couple of religious groups still have all their things in place. So perhaps there has been an extension to some of the tenants.

I'll keep an eye on things on my walks past there.

The Pit is open!?

I just walked by the Clover Creek BBQ Pit during their Open hours and for once they are open! I saw a man behind the counter and a woman standing their ordering something. Or else it was another employee standing there chatting.

The door was open and it actually smelled pretty good walking past there. And that's saying a lot coming from a vegetarian!

Playing at the Clova from October 29 to November 4 2010

In Cloverdale this week October 29 to November 4 at the Clova is:

7pm - Life as We Know It

9:10pm - The Social Network

Last show lets out at 11:10pm. Admission is $8 or $15 for 2 people. Add another $4 per person if there are 3 or more in your group. Bring your own reusable containers for popcorn and drinks and fill up at the concession for $2.50 each.

Clover Creek BBQ Pit

I walked past the site of the old Rico Burrito restaurant - the restaurant that was closed more than it was open - to see if the new Clover Creek BBQ had opened yet. This is the restaurant on 176th Street, next door to where the Salvation Army used to be, across the street from Dann's. I guess thats about 56A Ave.

According to the sign in the window they're closed on Sundays but open the rest of the week from 11am to 7pm. Even though I walk past it during the times it says it should be open, so far I haven't actually seen the "open" light lit up, the lights on in the restaurant, or any sign of customers or staff.

There is a menu up on the window. It has about 4 or 5 starters and about 5 or 6 main dishes. The main dishes run from $10 to $16. I'm a vegetarian so I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the entrees but I noticed things like steak, pulled pork sandwich, and BBQ ribs. Oddly enough in the starters there is one dessert item mentioned, I think it said dessert quesadilla. That sounds Mexican to me.

I can't prove it because I can never find anyone in the restaurant to ask but I can't help wondering if its the same proprietors as Rico Burrito. Very similar in that its always closed even though the hours state it should be open and only a handful of items on the menu. Not to mention that Clover Creek BBQ has the same phone number that Rico Burrito had.

Things that make you go hmmmm......

Rocky Horror Picture Show

I just walked past the Clova and notice they are showing the Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight on Saturday October 30, doors open at 11:30pm. Admission is $10.

Christmas lights going up!

I just drove down 58th Avenue and on 176th Street are a couple of cherry pickers and men (or at least I didn't notice any females) putting up Christmas decorations.

They picked a good day for it (sarcasm intended). It is raining hard today and although its not really windy right now, the wind is blowing.

The banner that stretches across 176th near the grocery store parking lot entrance with the snowflakes and lights is up. I didn't stick around to see what other Christmas decorations and lights are up.

Its not even Halloween yet!

Halloween decorated houses

It seems like more and more people are getting into the Halloween spirit and decorating their houses.

I took a couple of night photos of an eerie house using my cell phone but they didn't turn out well enough to put them up here.

If you're up to driving around Cloverdale neighborhoods over the next week, the best decorated houses seem to be a little northeast of downtown.

In the Clover Valley Station subdivision, northeast corner of 184th Street and 64th Avenue there are quite a lot of creatively decorated Halloween themed houses. Of course they're better viewed at night than in the daytime.

In the Clayton Heights area there is a nicely decorated house on the corner of 190th Street and 69A Avenue. Spiders on the walls, a graveyard out front, and when I walked closer inbetween 2 homes is a gate with the grim reaper standing behind it. I almost expected it to be a real person who was going to jump out at me. Maybe that'll happen on Halloween? Go one block east on 69A and 191 and there is another good house to look at with holograms.

Tonight we were driving down 68th Avenue near 191 Street and on the north side is a house with a big spider out front. It must be motion activated because it moved its head when we drove by. Now that could be a little spooky.

Those are the areas I've seen the most Halloween themed houses. Not surprisingly, these are high density neighborhoods, so probably more to do with lots of residents having similar ideas than community spirit.

Have fun.

Playing at the Clova from October 22 to October 28 2010

Playing this week at the Clova from October 22 to 28th is:

7pm - Easy A

8:50pm - You Again

Last show lets out at 10:35pm. Admission is $8 or $15 for 2 people. Stay for one or both movies at this price. Bring your own popcorn or drink container and fill up at the concession for $2.50.

Playing at the Clova from October 15 to October 21 2010

Playing this week at the Clova from October 15 to the 21st:

7pm - The Town

9:40pm - Takers

Last show lets out at 11:30pm. Admission is $8, stay for one or both movies. 2 people is $15 and add another $4 per person after that.

Halloween Happenings around Cloverdale

Its coming up to my favorite time of the year - Halloween.

There's not too much in the way of haunted houses/tours in Cloverdale but there's a couple of options just outside town. I checked some of my old sources, a couple of them don't specifically say 2010, so I'll direct you to the websites and if you're interested, please contact them for more information.

Barnyard Phantoms in the Haunted Barn located at 3048 - 192 Street. Says its open nightly but doesn't say what day in October its really open or if its a neglected website from years gone by. There is an email address for more info. Click here for their website.

Potter's House of Horrors is located at 12530 - 72nd Avenue and they do say they're on for 2010 starting October 15 until the 31st. Click here for their website.

The Scream Train at Bear Creek Park does show its on for 2010. 13750 - 88th Avenue. Near the King George Highway. The train is kind of located in the middle of the park. Check their website here.

On a tamer note I've seen a bunch of dried corn plants set up around the parking lot of the Cloverdale Country Farms produce store on the corner of 168th Street and Highway 10. I checked their website and they have a pumpkin patch corn maze going on until Halloween. Click here for more information.

I've seen the signs up for the Hazelmere Pumpkin patch located at 18507 - 20th Avenue and they're open weekends 10am to 5pm. A tractor pulling a trailer takes you down to the pumpkin patch to choose your pumpkin.

Also I've seen signs for Capella's Farm on 160th Street, just off Highway 10. First farm on your left after you cross the train tracks and Colebrook Road. They're advertising pumpins, hayride, and I think a haunted house. I'm not sure on the last one. I've only spotted the sign that recently went up a couple of times while driving past.

Playing at the Clova from October 8 to October 14 2010

This week at the Clova playing from October 8 to 14 is:

7pm - Legend of the Guardians: the Owls of Ga'Hoole

8:50pm - Eat, Pray, Love

Last show lets out at 11:10pm. Times are approximate. Sometimes the Clova delays starting the movie until no more patrons are at the concession. Admission is $8, stay for one or both movies. If there are 2 people in your party admission is $15. Add $4 for each extra person.

Cloverdale, California

How many people know that Cloverdale, BC has a sister city?

Its Cloverdale, California.

When I was 9 years old my family travelled to Cloverdale, California with a gift from Cloverdale, Surrey, BC. Strapped to the roof of our red Buick Skylark was a good sized wooden crate. Inside was an equally good sized paper mache beaver. Sonny Beaver to be precise.

I'm sure most of us have seen the "Welcome to Surrey" signs as soon as you cross the boundary from Langley or Delta and they have a beaver on it, city mascot animal.

Today it might be a little more difficult crossing the US border with a wooden crate on the roof of the car but back then it was no problem. We delivered the beaver to Cloverdale, California which is located in the wine country, Sonoma County, about 30 miles from Santa Rosa.

In exchange, the following year, a contingency of Cloverdale, Californians brought up a paper mache orange.

I believe the sister city thing was arranged by the Board of Trade in both Cloverdales. Back in the 70's it was pretty active. Every other year in February, a bunch of Cloverdale, BC'ers would drive down to Cloverdale, California to attend the citrus fair. On the alternate year the Cloverdale, Californians would drive up here to attend the rodeo.

There was always a big party up here whenever the Californians arrived. My parents had a large basement set up for entertaining so quite often the "welcome" party was held at our house.

It was a rather interesting group of people and although I never was able to attend the citrus fair because my parents wouldn't take me out of school, they often went down over the years and I loved it when they visited for the rodeo. We often had guests stay at our house or parking their campers in our driveway.

As happens to all good things, the sister city exchange eventually fell by the wayside, though friends were made and continued to visit over the years. My father still keeps in touch with one couple from back in the sister city exchange days. They no longer live in Cloverdale but nearby still in the Sonoma Valley. That's too bad the board of trades in both towns didn't keep this active. I would be interested in being part of a convoy driving down to California for the citrus fair.

As for the last time I visited Cloverdale, California, that had to be back in 1992. That's the last time I recall driving down the coastal route, Highway 101. Just a brief stop on the journey.

Maybe its time to play another trip.

For more information on our long lost sister, please see the Cloverdale California website.

Click here for more information on the Citrus Fair.

Playing at the Clova from Tuesday October 5 to October 7 2010

I walked past the Clova earlier and saw that the rest of next week's schedule has been posted. Again a little odd for 3 days, Tuesday to Thursday October 5 to 7:

7pm - Chicago

9:10pm - Moulin Rouge

Not sure what's up with these oldies, musicals at that, and have been on TV a few times over the years.

Anyway if you're interested in going, admission is $8 or if there are 2 in your group $15. Have fun!

What's happening in Cloverdale during October 2010

A few things going on around Cloverdale this month:

October 1 - horseracing returns to Fraser Downs. Schedule is a little dicey. 25 dates allotted by the racing commission for the next 3 months, racing mostly Friday nights and Sunday afternoons until year end. Best to check the Fraser Downs website for post times. www.fraserdowns.com

October 9, Saturday - 8am to 11:30am - pancake breakfast at the Cloverdale Legion, 17567 57 Ave. Cost is $4.50 for pancakes, eggs, sausage, and coffee and orange juice/drink.

October 15 to 17 - Friday to Sunday the Woodworking and Tool Show returns to Cloverdale. Admission is $10. Supposedly its being held in one of the halls, either Shannon or McKay building where the flea market is held if you believe their website. I wondered if this meant the flea market was cancelled but when I checked the fairgrounds website it shows the flea market is on as usual and the woodworking show is in the Agriplex off 62nd Avenue, a couple of blocks east of 176th Street. Oddly enough this show has been held at the Abbotsford Agriplex for the past couple of years and prior to that it was in Cloverdale. When we visited the show in Abbotsford the exhibitors said they didn't like the Cloverdale Agriplex due to the dirt floor and difficulty setting up their displays and tools. Oh well. Its probably cheaper than Abbotsford. So beware if you go. Start with the 62nd Avenue barn and if its empty head over to the fairgrounds and see if its in one of the halls.

October 16, Saturday - 11am to 3pm - Darts Hill garden and plant sale. There are tours at 11am and 1:30pm. See their website for more info. www.dartshill.ca

October 30, Saturday - 2pm. Cloverdale's annual Halloween Costume Parade. Stars at the Surrey Museum and then the group walks to participating Cloverdale merchants for trick or treating. Get there at 12:30 for pumpkin decorating. 17710 - 56A Avenue.

An unusual offering at the Clova this week

I'm not sure what's up at the Clova this week starting on Friday October 1 until Monday October 4 2010. These movies are a couple of years old.

7pm - Hairspray

9:15 - Mama Mia

Yes, these are the singalong versions. I have no idea what's happening starting Tuesday October 5 for the rest of the week. I don't know of any new releases that start on that date. I'll keep walking my dogs past and see if I can figure this one over the next couple of days.

Last show lets out at 11pm. Admission is $8, stay for one or both movies. If there are 2 people in your group admission is $15. Add another $4 per person for each extra person in your group.

Playing at the Clova from September 24 to September 30 2010

This week at the Clova playing from Friday September 24 to the 30th is:

7pm - The American

9pm - Going the Distance

Last show lets out at 10:45pm. Admission is $8, stay for one or both movies. If there are 2 people in your party, admission is $15. Add another $4 for each extra person in your group.

Travis Tritt Cloverdale concert cancelled

I forgot to update but I read in the paper a couple of weeks ago that Travis Tritt cancelled the September 24 concert at Fraser Downs. Scheduling conflict. Apparently he had something else he'd rather do that day. He wanted to postpone the concert until later in the year.

OK, it might be one thing to reschedule an outdoor concert in Hawaii or Florida for later in the year. But how many people want to attend an outdoor concert in Canada in November or December?

Anyway, don't head to Fraser Downs on September 24 if you're hoping to hear some country music.

Anyone ever eat at Rico Burrito?

A Mexican restaurant opened in Cloverdale a couple of years ago next to where the Salvation Army used to be, across the street from Dann's, called Rico Burrito. We like Mexican food so we went in shortly after it opened. Its a small restaurant with a few tables and offers take out service as well. The owner had recently sold a Mexican restaurant in Langley and was starting his new venture in Cloverdale. The food was good but there were only about ten items on the menu. Due to the lack of choices I doubted it would appeal to the Cloverdale crowd. After a couple of months I never saw it open again, though the sign remained and the menu was on the window. I doubt the restaurant owner owns the building its housed in, so it must be running up a huge expenditure on lease payments for a restaurant that's closed all the time.

Earlier this year I saw a sign on the window stating Rico Burrito was reopening soon. As of this summer it stayed closed, though the menu remained on the window.

I walked by it this morning to check it out and the name has changed. It is now called Clover Creek BBQ. I didn't see a menu up on the window but the interior of the restaurant still looks the same. I'm not sure a BBQ restaurant is a good choice for a vegetarian so I doubt I'll go in there but I'm interested to see what is being served.

And Clover Creek for a name? I wonder if the propietors know that there is a Cloverdale Creek running through Cloverdale.

Playing at the Clova from September 17 to September 23, 2010

Playing at the Clova starting on Friday Sept 17 until the 23rd is:

7pm - Eat Pray Love

9:25 - The Kids are All Right

Last show lets out at 11:15pm. Times are approximate. The Clova does not start the movie until the customers have finished their purchases at the concession and taken their seats. Admission is $8 or $15 for two. Add another $4 for each extra person in your group. Price is good for one or both movies.

Accident outside Cloverdale Highway 10 and 168th Street

In case anyone's wondering why the traffic is all snarled around Cloverdale today its due to an accident on Highway 10 and 168th Street.

This afternoon I was heading home from White Rock. I went down 152 Street and turned east on Highway 10 to return to Cloverdale. This was just after 2:30pm. Apparently Highway 10 was shut down at 152 Street just a little after I'd gone down there.

As I approached 168th Street it was clear there was an accident in the intersection because of the emergency vehicles - fire trucks and police cars - effectively blocking any westbound traffic along Highway 10 and any northbound traffic for 168th Street. They were preventing any traffic from using the left hand turn lane to turn north up 168th Street. All traffic traveling south along 168th Street was not allowed to proceed. They had to turn into the Cloverdale Farm Market's parking lot and go back the way they came.

There was a semi-trailer truck pulled over blocking the northbound lanes and a car or truck, something unidentifiable, mangled red metal in the ditch in the west side of the intersection. Unfortunately there was someone on a stretcher and several paramedics over him. I'm pretty sure it was a man on the stretcher.

As I continued on Highway 10 I saw the police had closed off traffic at 172 Street and were diverting all Highway 10 traffic up there. I didn't think that was a good move. Sending all the highway traffic into subdivision hell.

As I drove up my street I saw an air ambulance helicopter coming in for a landing and then I saw a 2nd helicopter but I don't know if it was an ambulance one or not.

After I arrived home the police finally closed off westbound traffic at the Cloverdale Bypass, the traffic lights were the Husky/Mohawk station is. Around that time all the cars that turned left decided to try turning left at the next lights at 57th Avenue, which goes up for a block or so then curves to the right and eventually comes out to 58th Avenue. The choices are then to turn west and go up to 172 Street and then turn right to go towards 60th Avenue. Turning right down 172 wouldn't help because traffic is not allowed west, so back to Cloverdale you go. Heading through Cowtown and coming out at 168th won't help either because that's closed too.

I ran into someone who'd just come home from Richmond. He said Highway 10 was now closed at 152 Street and he had to come home down 64th Avenue which was a traffic nightmare.

I came back from feeding my horses at 7:30pm and Highway 10 is still closed. From driving down 176th Street I could still see the emergency lights at 168th Street and the semi truck is still there.

According to Drive BC the estimated reopening of Highway 10 between Cloverdale and 152 Street is 9pm on Tuesday September 14. But they plan to update again if its still not open.

Closed this long? Fatality, unfortunately, is my guess.

Be safe making your way in and out of Cloverdale tonight.

Surrey Leader MIA again

For most of the summer we've been receiving the Surrey Leader regularly on Fridays and I think Wednesday is the other day it comes. I've often seen the woman delivering it early in the morning.

For the last couple of weeks there's been no sign of the Surrey Leader. Until today (Saturday) when I saw Friday's Surrey Leader and the Cloverdale Reporter in the mailbox.

Tucked in with it is another notice about how Surrey Leader carriers are needed in this area.

This is a nice quiet neighborhood. I wonder if the carriers find other jobs and abandon their route. Or is it harder to earn money in older neighborhoods. The houses around here are on quarter acre to half acre lots. That means a fair amount of walking between the houses. It would be faster (quicker income) to deliver papers to the newer subdivisions where the houses are a few feet apart. I suppose those are the golden routes for the delivery people

Playing at the Clova from September 10 to September 16, 2010

Playing this week (Sept 10 - 16) at the Clova:

7pm - The Switch

9pm - The Expendables

Admission is $8, or $15 if there are 2 in your group. Add $4 for each extra person. Stay for one or both movies at that price.

Last show lets out at 10:45pm. Times are approximate. The Clova doesn't start the movies until the lobby is cleared from customers waiting to purchase snacks at the concession. Bring your own reusable popcorn or drink container and fill up at the concession for $2.50.

Cloverdale Elementary School

Seeing as how school is starting up after this long weekend, I thought now would be a good time to remember Cloverdale Elementary School. The school is on Highway 10, just a little east of 177B Street.

Today it is known as Cloverdale Traditional School.

Back when I started Grade 1 there were two buildings and the gymnasium separated them. The main building is still standing and in use today. It was a pink building for many years and everyone in the area from grades one to seven attended. No kindergarten back then. Well, there was in private residences/buildings. Today its called daycare but in the sixties this service was called kindergarten. Kindergarten was introduced to the Surrey school system in the early seventies and children came for 2 hours daily either morning or afternoon shift.

Besides the main building we had the annex and students mainly in Grade 4 were placed here. This was an interesting building with a cement basement that was a play area when it rained. There were 2 entrances, one for boys and one for girls, probably because the restrooms were accessed from the basement. Upstairs were two or maybe three classrooms. The annex was taken down many years ago.

Behind the annex was a small covered building with open sides. Kids parked their bicycles here. In a generation ahead of us kids rode their ponies to school and tied them in this barn while they were in school.

There were about 400 kids attending Cloverdale Elementary School. This was back in the day when you knew the name of everyone in your grade and you probably knew the names of all their brothers and sisters too. Each grade had two or three classrooms. Some of the names stick with me: Mrs Bell, Mr Mountain, Mr Bryan, Mrs Klassen, Mrs Carter, but mostly if I remember their names its not a good thing.

It was a pretty typical school, learned all the basics and there was optional music lessons - violin or band. The school had a library, and when the school expanded out the back a bit we got an even larger library. There was a gymnasium and it was big enough to hold entire school assemblies with all of us seated on the floor. There occasionally were movies played in here for all classes to watch or various children's entertainers or high school bands performed here. Had to like those days because it meant getting out of class.

Outside in the playground were baseball diamonds, tetherball, a jungle gym, and a swing set. Recess for fifteen minutes a day was never long enough.

Sports days were held late May or early June, rain or shine. Students were grouped by age, not necessarily by grade, and further grouped based on athletic ability, predetermined by the teachers at a run through prior to sports day. The school sent out notices to the parents looking for sports day volunteers. My mother, a former gym teacher, volunteered for my first sports day thinking she was going to be assisting with one of the events. Instead she got stuck cooking hot dogs. My very Scottish mother did not like hot dogs. She never volunteered again. The one thing I remember about sports day was the pop. I always ordered Tahiti Treat. Yummy!

Try as I might I just don't seem to have a favorite memory of Cloverdale Elementary School. Maybe that memory will come to me another day for another post.

Playing at the Clova from September 3 to September 9, 2010

Coming to the Clova this week starting on Friday Sept 3 to the 9th:

7pm - The Other Guys

9:05pm - The Expendables

Movie ends at 10:40pm. Times are approximate. If there are customers still lined up at the concession, the Clova doesn't start the movie until they've taken their seats. Admission is $8. If there are 2 people in your party, admission is $15. Add an extra $4 for each extra person.

What's happening in Cloverdale September 2010

In a nutshell, not too much is going on around Cloverdale in September.

September 11, Saturday - pancake breakfast at the Cloverdale Legion. $4.50 gets you pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee, tea, and orange juice. The Legion is located on 57th Avenue between 176th Street and the Cloverdale Bypass, across from the firehall. 8am to 11:30am.

September 18, Saturday - Soap Box Derby. 8:30am to 2:30pm. This is held on 60th Avenue, on the hill above Greenaway Park. It used to start around 181A Street, come down 60th, through the flat section around 180th Street, then down the hill by Greenaway Park, ending before 177B Street. So expect traffic to be detoured away from 60th for a few hours. Check their website for more information. I didn't see the route on there.

September 18, Saturday - Like birds? Surrey Parks is hosting a free bird watching walk and talk at Hi Knoll Park, a little southeast of Cloverdale, between 9am and 11am. Meet at the parking lot on the north side of Colebrook Road. For those of you haven't walked around Hi Knoll Park there are several entrances. To get to this one drive east out of Cloverdale down Highway 10 and turn right (south) on 192 Street. Drive a couple of kilometres (you will drive over the train tracks and past the flats) to Colebrook Road and turn left. You'll see the parking lot about 3 blocks down the road.

September 19, Sunday - Terry Fox Run. Various locations around BC but in Cloverdale, the Legion is sponsoring it. 17567 - 57th Avenue. Registration begins at 9am. Donations gratefully accepted. For more infomation see the Terry Fox website.

September 24, Friday - Are you a country music fan? Come out to Fraser Downs and hear Travis Tritt. Concert to be held on the racetrack's infield, so hope for good weather. The concert starts at 6pm but there are several opening acts so it will likely be well into the evening before Travis comes onstage. Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster for $77.50.

Free outdoor movie in White Rock, Saturday August 28 2010

There's a free outdoor movie playing in White Rock tonight, Saturday August 28 2010. This will be at 5 Corners, which really hasn't been 5 corners since the early 1990's. Its approximately the corner of Johnston Road (152 Street) and Pacific Avenue (approximately where 10th Avenue would be if White Rock was in numbers). Best suggestion is to get yourself to 152 Street and head south to White Rock. Once you cross 16th Avenue you are no longer in Surrey, you're in White Rock, drive down a few blocks and the street bends to the left. That's 5 Corners. I'm not sure if traffic will be closed on Johnston tonight.

8pm - Hairspray

Movie ends just after 9:30pm. I'd say bring a lawn chair. This is all pavement around here. Blanket won't be too comfortable.

Free outdoor movie at Holland Park Saturday August 28 2010

There's a free outdoor movie at Surrey's Holland Park tonight, August 28 2010.

8pm - How To Train Your Dragon

Show ends around 9:30pm. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. Bundle up, it cools off real fast once it gets dark. Holland Park is near the King George Skytrain station, on the corner of the King George Highway and Old Yale Road.

Tennis courts open at Greenaway Park

I forgot to mention that I was driving past Greenaway Park a few days ago and noticed the tennis courts are completed, nets up, and people are playing tennis on the two courts.

I often wondered if newcomers to Cloverdale knew about the old tennis courts that were on the hill midway between the pool and Lord Tweedsmuir. Certainly those of us who were living in Cloverdale in 1969 knew they were built because it was big news and they used to have tennis lessons there.

The newly built ones are much easier to spot - just a few feet away from the parking lot.

Playing at the Clova from August 27 - September 2 2010

Playing this coming week at the Clova starting Friday August 27 to September 2 is:

7pm - Scott Pilgrim vs the World

9:10pm - Dinner for Schmucks

Last show lets out at 11:05pm. Times are approximate. The Clova doesn't start playing the movie if there are still people lined up for the concession. Admission is $8, stay for one or both movies. If there are 2 people in your group admissions is $15. Add another $4 for each additional person in your group. Bring your own reusable drink and popcorn containers and fill up at the concession for $2.50 each.

Free outdoor movie August 22 at Morgan Crossing

On Sunday August 22 a free outdoor movie is coming to South Surrey at Morgan Crossing - 15765 Croydon Drive.

9pm - ET

Movie ends at 10:30pm. Bring a lawn chair and probably a sweater or jacket because it'll be cold. Maybe a rain coat and umbrella in case it rains. But you'd have to be a diehard ET fan to attend in the rain! No seriously, I'm pretty sure Fresh Air Cinemas cancels in bad weather.

Free outdoor movie August 21 at Holland Park

There's a free outdoor movie on Saturday August 21 at Surrey's Holland Park, located in the Whalley area on the corner of King George Highway and Old Yale Road, across from the King George Skytrain station.

8pm - The Last Song (with Miley Cyrus)

Movie ends at 9:30pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Free outdoor movie August 20 at Holland Park

There's a free outdoor movie on Friday August 20 at Surrey's Holland Park, located in the Whalley area on the corner of King George Highway and Old Yale Road, across from the King George Skytrain station.

9pm - The Wizard of Oz

Movie ends at 10:30pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Playing at the Clova from August 20 - 26 2010

Coming this week - August 20 to 26th - at the Clova:

7pm - Salt

8:55pm - The Last Airbender

Last show lets out at 10:40pm. Times are approximate. The Clova doesn't start the movie until there are no more people lined up at the concession stand. Admission is $8, stay for one or both movies. 2 people is $15. Add another $4 for each extra person in your group.

Troubling news for horsepeople at Fraser Downs

The first interesting piece of news at the end of July is that General Manager Chuck Keeling announced his resignation effective October 1, 2010. For those who are not familiar with the history of Fraser Downs, Keeling's grandfather Jim Keeling Sr was the one who founded the racetrack at Cloverdale in 1976 - back in the days when it was known as Cloverdale Raceway. In the early 90's his son and Chuck's father, Jim Keeling Jr, took over the management duties. In 1996 he died rather tragically in a boating accident and his son Chuck took over running the racetrack. Huge shoes to fit for a young man in his mid-20's. Chuck has not announced what his new venture is other than to say it is nothing related to horse racing or gaming.

On Friday, August 13 2010, a newsletter was issued on the BC Harness Racing website. You can read it here.

Bottom line is the number of racing days at Fraser Downs has been cut from 37 days to 23 days. Racing was supposed to resume on October 1 but has now been postponed to October 15. All race days for 2011 have been cancelled, but there might still be racing next year, dates to be determined.

This is not good news for the horse owners and trainers and other persons who work in the backstretch of Fraser Downs. That is practically no income at all.

Awhile ago I posted about Fraser Downs moving into the 2000's. I was at the city hall meeting where the racetrack staff and backstretch people were all for a casino opening in Fraser Downs with slot machines. I went to the meeting out of curiosity. Bottom line is it didn't matter to me one way or the other. I've been to Reno and Las Vegas several times over the years. I did not oppose a casino opening at the racetrack.

The incredible thing was the horsepeople's attitude to this. Slot machines were good. It would save their racing industry. They'd be able to share in the slots revenue and the purses. Some sort of racetrack propaganda they were all blindly believing as several horsemen and women took the microphone to address the council.

I shook my head. I sympathized with them and for their jobs and way of life but they weren't seeing the bigger picture. These are not businessmen used to the corporate world. Well there might be a couple of semi-retired corporate types who got into horse racing as hobbyists, but we're not talking the majority of the backstretch folk, many of whom have not worked any other jobs. Corporate business people are used to meetings, contracts, budgets, crunching numbers, speaking with advisors, etc. Not so on the racetrack where gossip runs rampant and the scuttlebut clearly was that the slots would be a good thing.

I doubted it. I figured the casino would bring in a new clientele who lived closer to Fraser Downs than other casinos and would come to Cloverdale instead of driving into Newton, Coquitlam, Richmond, etc. The corporate busines people running Fraser Downs would be checking their spreadsheets and seeing that slots revenue was good and the wagering on the horse races not so good because they are two different business run under Fraser Downs. I knew the slots revenue would carry the horse racing along for awhile but eventually someone crunching numbers would see that the horse racing venture just wasn't that profitable.

I think this is just the first step.

Prepare for a mass exodus of horsemen to Ontario.

Handling the Cloverdale heat with frozen treats

Its been HOT lately in Cloverdale, in the low 30's every day. Nights are still warm and sleeping at night is not easy because the house maintains the heat from the sun beating down for a long time. Staying cool is not easy.

I hear several ice cream trucks in the neighborhood. Most of the time I hear the truck playing Turkey in the Straw, but lately we've been inundated by the competitors who play The Entertainer and La Cucaracha.

I've been buying more ice cream and frozen yogurt from the store than I usually do. Yesterday we finished off the last of the ice cream so a trip to the grocery store was in order today. I bought a container of ice cream, one of frozen yogurt, a box of something called frozen cream pops (face it they were creamsicles when I was a kid) and a box of popsicles, also with some fancy name.

It's almost like I have to ask myself how old am I. Reverting back to childhood treats.

Well whatever works to stay cool in this heat.

Cloverdale's Blueberry Festival 2010

Sorry to say I didn't take in too much of today's blueberry festivities in Cloverdale. Can thank the too hot, hot weather for that!

We did start the day at the Legion for blueberry pancakes. Yummy!

Then Kerry had to leave and I waited at home for my father and his girlfriend to arrive so they could see what's happening in Cloverdale today. We drove back to the parking lot near the Legion and fortunately there were still a couple of spots available so we managed to park fairly near to 176th Street. A quick walk down there to check out the cars. There were some older cars and trucks but many were newer vehicles and hot rods. We didn't see the blueberry pie eating contests nor the entertainers or vendors. Basically once up the street and back around 11am and called it quits due to the heat.

I managed to take a few photos of some cars.

I can say I'm sure glad I'm not at the Abbotsford Airshow in this weather with the hot sun beating down on the pavement.

Apples for the garbagemen

Today I was in the backyard doing some painting when I heard the garbage truck and then male voices. I looked up to see 3 garbagemen on the other side of my fence by the apple trees looking for a snack. One of them had snagged a Transparent apple and was eating it. The other two were looking for an apple but they are high up. I told them the Transparents aren't that good and recommended they eat a Gravensteen instead. The Transparents are getting to the end of their season and are over ripening on the tree and falling half rotten to the ground.

But I could see my recommendation wasn't getting through to them, so I helped out by grabbing my apple picker - a net attached to a pole - and passed it over. One of the men snagged two apples for him and his co-worker and they were both happy.

They can help themselves to the Transparents. I don't like them, but my horses do!

I did make some nice apple muffins with the Granvensteens a couple of days ago.

If you're interested in one of those nifty apple picker nets, I bought it at Lee Valley Tools in Coquitlam last year.

Free outdoor movie August 14 at Holland Park

There's a free outdoor movie on Saturday August 14 at Surrey's Holland Park, located in the Whalley area on the corner of King George Highway and Old Yale Road, across from the King George Skytrain station.

8:30pm - Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Movie ends at 10pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Free outdoor movie August 14 in White Rock

There's a free outdoor movie playing in White Rock's Central Plaza on Saturday August 14:

Happy Feet - starting at 8:30, ending around 10pm

Central Plaza is on the southwest corner of 152 Street and 16th Avenue, though techinically this is White Rock, so make that Bluff Road and Johnson Road. This is a shopping mall. TD/Canada Trust is in there as is Shopper's Drug Mart, I think Scotiabank is on the corner plus a bunch of smaller shops. This is a parking lot so best to bring lawn chairs instead of blankets.

Playing at the Clova from August 13 - 19 2010

This week at the Clova only one show is playing, not a new release, just a long one so they don't have a 2nd one playing:

7pm - Inception

Show lets out at 9:30. Admission is $8 or $15 for 2 in your group. Add $4 for each extra person in your party.

Salty's Fish and Chips coming to Cloverdale

There's a building in the northeast section of the Clover Square Village on 177B Street and Highway 10 and I see a sign on it that Salty's Fish and Chips is opening soon.

I'm assuming Salty's may be a franchise because I've eaten at the one in White Rock.

Is it a good thing to be coming to Cloverdale? There already is a fish and chips place downtown on 176th Street across from the Clova Theater - Sea Shanty. So, yes Cloverdale could probably use another fish and chips place, that's not the reason I'm questioning them.

Its the building they're moving to. Right now half of the building is the UPS store - courier and mailbox rentals. The side that Salty's is moving to has been the kiss of death for many restaurants over the past 10 years or so since its built.

Originally it was a donut shop, this was a few years before Tim Hortons came to town. I don't remember the name, an independent franchise. It closed down and another donut shop opened, this one a franchise, again the name escapes me but it might have been Robin's Donuts. I remember going in there one night around 10pm and they didn't have any donuts. All they had was coffee. "Come back around 2am," said the cashier. "The baker will be on shift and there will be donuts."

Yeah, I'll get that right on that and set my alarm to wake me up in a couple of hours so I can go back for donuts. I mean is it just me but when a business has "donuts" as part of their name, is it unreasonable to expect to go in during their business hours and purchase, say, donuts? I remember we ended up driving to Langley to buy donuts from Tim Hortons.

That may have been its demise if everytime customers went in to buy donuts and they were out so people went elsewhere and never returned. Ever hear of consumer confidence?

Its been a variety of restaurants over the years. Among others I remember an Indian restaurant, a sushi restaurant, and most recently a Bread Garden. Those are the ones I remember but never was a customer.

Its kind of a bad location. You have to drive through the Chevron gas station to get to it. It gets overlooked by people who see a variety of restaurants ahead in the next block or so: A & W, Ricky's, Tim Hortons, McDonald's, Wendy's, Starbucks.

I like fish and chips. Maybe I'll come down one night and check it out. I wish them luck staying open. They're going to need it. That place has been the kiss of death for every other eating establishment that's tried to make a go of it over the years.

A House with a Bomb Shelter? In Cloverdale?

In this day and age building houses with bomb shelters is pretty much non-existent. But what about during the world wars? Or threat of a cold war or nuclear attack from Russia back in the fifties and sixties?

Growing up, none of my friends lived in houses with bomb shelters. I knew of only one house in Cloverdale with a bomb shelter. I lived in it.

My father had our house built in 1962 on 182 Street, formerly Thomas Road. My mother grew up in Glasgow, Scotland. She remembers World War 2 and the sound of bombs dropping. It was probably this fear of being bombed that made her insist to my father that the new house have a bomb shelter built in it.

In my lifetime I've never known of another country waging war on Cloverdale and singling out this rural farming community as a bomb drop.

So there it was this cement bunker in our basement, accessed through the storage room beside the furnace and hot water tank. From an early age we understood that if bombs were dropping over Cloverdale we had to run down to the bomb shelter and take cover.

Fortunately no bombs ever descended on our part of town and our bomb shelter's usefulness kind of shifted to storing the Christmas decorations.

Sometime around 1970 my mother must have decided Cloverdale was unlikely to come under attack and decided the bomb shelter could be put to better use by having a sauna installed in there.

Forget bomb shelters. I'm sure we were probably the first house in Cloverdale to have a sauna installed in the basement. This was a good sized sauna too running half the length of our house. My mother still made sure we understood that if any bombs dropped on Cloverdale we were supposed to make a beeline for the sauna.

Like all things when the sauna was new my parents and their friends used it a lot but eventually lost interest. The storage room beside it became a spare bedroom and eventually my bedroom around 1973. I wasn't too excited about people tramping through my bedroom to access the sauna. Soon the sauna suffered the same fate as its bomb shelter predecessor and became storage for Christmas decorations and other items.

Our old house still stands and sometimes I wonder whatever became of the sauna/bomb shelter. The room really couldn't be used for much else other than a sauna or storage. Its underground, no windows, no access other than through my old bedroom. I suppose a new access to it could go through the old den. I keep hoping that one day the house will go up for sale and I'll call the agent to take a look. Not that I'd ever want to live there again, but I'm kind of curious about any renovations that have taken place in the past 25 years since my parents sold the house and whatever became of the old bomb shelter.

Free outdoor movie August 7 at Holland Park

If you like classics, "The Wizard of Oz" is playing at Holland Park on Saturday August 7. Hmm, isn't rain in the forecast this weekend?

This is a free outdoor movie that starts around 9pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Snacks. Maybe an umbrella???

Holland Park is in Whalley on the corner of the King George Highway and Old Yale Road, not too far from the King George Skytrain station.

Free outdoor movie August 6 at Fraser Heights

If you missed it when it was playing at the Clova, and if you like free outdoor movies and are looking for something to do on Friday August 6, you might want to consider driving over to Fraser Heights Rec Centre to watch "How to Train your Dragon". The Rec Centre is on 160th Street, about a kilometre or so north of Highway 1. There's a good sized parking lot there. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and snacks. Bring a sweater It gets cold after the sun sets. Show starts at 9pm.

The Destination Cloverdale shop

Has anyone ever seen the Destination Cloverdale office/shop open? Its a tourist information centre about Cloverdale but the only time I've ever seen it open is when Elections BC was in there and they had removed all the tourist stuff.

They have a nice display in their window to promote the upcoming blueberry festival on August 14. A couple of blueberry pie plates with covers on them, some blueberry muffin mix, and bottles of blueberry lemonade. That sounds yummy. Very simply done, set up on a table in the window. Sure looks good.

Playing at the Clova from August 6 - August 12 2010

This coming week at the Clova, from August 6 to 12 is:

7pm - Toy Story 3

9pm - The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Last feature lets out at 10:50pm. Admission is $8. Or $15 for 2 people. Add $4 for each extra person in your group. That price is for one or both movies.

Torchlight Parade looking up?

My father phoned about 10pm last night. A little odd because he never phones that late. He'd just returned from the Torchlight Parade held on Marine Drive in White Rock. He said the parade was actually better than usual this time without the huge delays between entries and the slowness in catching up. He said a smaller crowd than usual showed up. I guess people are getting tired of it and the one year its actually better than usual the people stayed away. As such my father took in a big haul of goodies, you know the stuff that they usually give out to children. He wanted me to come over and share in the booty.

One of their friends he went to the parade with is a New Yorker and is very loud and pushy. She got a good haul of goodies last night too. I'm pretty sure she jumped on the street and demanded cookies and candies and the people handing them out were too scared to say no!

Spirit of the Sea Festival this weekend in White Rock

The Spirit of the Sea Festival is on this weekend in White Rock. There is free parking at Semiahmoo Secondary on 148th Street and about 18th Avenue. Free bus rides down to the beach.

I only bring it up because tonight, July 31, is the Torchlight Parade, one of the funniest parades in existence but I don't think they mean it to be funny! I always enjoy the hecklers, mostly yelling at the entrants to speed it up. The parade starts at 9pm on Marine Drive at Oxford Street and ends down by Semiahmoo Park. It only seems longer!

The fireworks are on Sunay night. More information at their web page. http://www.spiritofthesea.ca

What's happening in Cloverdale in August 2010

A few events around Cloverdale this August:

Monday, August 2 - The Bose family corn maze opens. Located on the corner of 64th Avenue and 156th Street opening at noon. Opening and closing times vary by day of the week. Check their website for more information. http://www.themaize.com/sites.php?ID=&username=cancloverdale Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for children.

Saturday, August 7 - Rock the River 2010 concert - Christian music - is being held at the Millenium Park on the corner of 64th Avenue and 176th Street from 2:30 - 9:30. Admission is $10. More info at this web page http://www.billygraham.org/specialsections/rtr2010/citiesFV.asp

Saturday, August 14 - Cloverdale Blueberry Festival. 9am to 5pm. There are several events happening: musical entertainment, pie eating contest, tractor pull, farmers market, free trolley rides, and a Show N Shine. Best to check out this web page for more information http://www.cloverdalebia.com/cgi-bin/itsmy/go.exe?page=19&domain=1&webdir=cloverdale Most of the events take place on 176th Street and 176A Street between 58th Avenue and Highway 10.

Saturay, August 14 - 7:30am to 11:30am blueberry pancake breakfast at the Legion on 57A Avenue, across from the firehall. Pancakes, sausages, eggs, juice, coffee or tea $4.50.

Saturday, August 21 - 10:30am to noon - walking tour of the Surrey Centre Cemetery. Very interesting, especially for those who were unaware that Surrey Centre is just beside Cloverdale instead of being Newton or Guildford. This is put on by the Surrey Museum and costs $10. Phone the museum for reservations 604-592-6956.

Playing at the Clova from July 30 - August 5 2010

Playing at the Clova this upcoming week starting on Friday July 30 until August 5 is:

7pm - Grown Ups

9:00 - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Last show lets out at 10:55. Admission is $8, stay for one or both movies. If there are 2 people in your group, admission is $15. Add $4 per person for each person in your group after that. Bring your own reusable popcorn and drink container and fill up at the concession for $2.50.

White Rock Outdoor Movie night July 30 2010

Free outdoor movie event in White Rock on July 30 taking place at the East Beach at the far end near the Sandpiper. Starting around 9pm is an Elvis Presley oldie - Blue Hawaii. Bring a chair or a blanket and a snack. Maybe a sweater. Kind of cools down a bit in the evening. Movie lasts around an hour and a half.

Eagle swooping in

On Friday morning about 8am I was driving westbound on 40th Avenue, around 160th Street, and I spotted an eagle soaring in the sky trying to avoid two crows that were intent on pestering it. As I drove nearer I decided the two pesky birds were actually hawks. The the eagle swooped straight down to the road in front of me so I slowed down in case it came to a stop in front of my car. Instead its destination seemed to be the eastbound lane beside me. I watched its talons extend and it snatched something up from the road and took to the air again. I looked closely and it appeared to be a rodent in the eagle's grasp. I suppose the eagle plucked a mouse or rat from a farmer's field, took to the air, and then dropped it on the road to kill it, and then swooped down to grab its breakfast. I'm not sure when the rodent was dropped, before or after the hawk's intervention. It was an interesting sight, something rarely seen as the wildlife gets pushed out of Cloverdale with all the development.

On Thursday afternoon I was driving along Crescent Road and a deer emerged from some bushes at the side of the road. The doe stood there for a few moments and then returned to the yard she had come from.

When I was younger deer were a common sight around Cloverdale and the South Surrey area.

Playing at the Clova from July 23 - July 29 2010

This week Cloverdale's only theatre, the Clova is playing a double feature after the past month of first run 2 week exclusives. Playing until July 29 is:

7pm - Despicable Me

8:50pm - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Second show lets out approximately at 10:50, depending on whether or not the movie started on time. On busy nights the Clova waits until most patrons have cleared away from the concession stand and found their seats before starting the movie. Admission is $8 - stay for one or both movies. Two people in the party is $15 admission. Add $4 for each extra person in your group.

If you bring your own reusable drink and popcorn containers, refills are $2.50 at the concession.

Internet modem not working :(

On Tuesday our Internet modem stopped working. We called Telus and after a walk through they determined it was toast and they'd send a new one in 4 to 5 business days.

So we're effectively without Internet. Here it is Thursday and I decide I should find a place with WiFi and check my email. In the past when we've had connection problems I've taken my laptop to the Wired Monk on the hill above Cloverdale, the little strip mall on 64th Avenue and 184th Street but I decided to try the other location in Cloverdale on the corner of 168th Street and 60th Avenue. I've been there in the past for drinks but never taken my laptop so I wasn't sure if they offer wireless Internet there but it doesn't hurt to check. I still don't have the answer. I turned into the parking lot to be greeted by a sign saying due to a burst pipe and cleaning the mess they are closed right now. OK, so off I go to the Monk on the hill.

Had my heart set on a strawberry Italian Soda but changed my mind when I got here and ordered a Creamsicle drink instead. Kind of wish I'd gone with my first choice. Oh, well. May end up getting one this weekend if my new modem doesn't show up tomorrow.

Local Berries

So far this year I haven't had much luck at buying local berries around Cloverdale. I like Kraus Berry Farms out in the Otter area of Langley. They're usually big, juicy, sweet berries and at a premium price. But quality is worth it. I'm not out in that area often so I have to make a special trip.

I notice the Blueberry Store on 152 Street is now open, though I haven't stopped in there yet this year. Its on the east side of 152, about a couple of blocks south of the railway tracks at Colebrook Road. I've often pulled in there when stopped by a train. They have decent blueberries and often other berries and produce that are in season. Therefore they are only open a couple of months of the year in the summer.

Last week I stopped at Surrey Farms on the corner of 152 and Colebrook. They often have flats of blueberries and raspberries at $9.99. I bought a flat of blueberries for $9.99, a carton of strawberries for $7 (Yikes!) and a couple of pounds of Okanagan cherries that worked out to just over $6. Kerry likes them so I wanted to get him a treat. The cherries are good.

The blueberries weren't bad. Its the beginning of their season and they're not sweet and big and juicy the way I like. I ate some and froze about the majority. They'll be good for baking over the winter.

The strawberries I bought only because someone I know bought some there and said they were pretty good. I didn't like them. They weren't that big, were more white inside than red, more tart than sweet, and kind of tired looking even though they were picked that morning. By the 2nd day in my fridge they were already starting to turn. I turned them into strawberry smoothies and they were OK but I won't be buying any more strawberries here.

There are several signs up for blueberries for sale on the outskirts of Cloverdale along 152 Street, 168th Street, and 184th Street, among other places. These are farmers selling their berries on tables set up in their driveway or in booths on their front lawn. All cash sales. Occasionally I stop at some of them but more often than not I'm not carrying cash on me. I really need to make it a point to have a couple of tens on me during the summer months of driving around.