When I was growing up we didn't have McDonald's restaurants on practically every street corner. There was only one in Surrey and none in Langley, so I really didn't grow up with the fast food joint.
Of course, we saw the McDonald's commercials on TV and wanted milkshakes, fries, and burgers. The closest McDonald's was in Whalley on the King George Highway and about 102nd Avenue. It still stands there today. Occasionally we'd get a meal from McDonald's, usually in Vancouver or some other town we were visiting. Maybe once at the Whalley McDonald's.
By the mid-70's a few more McDonald's had popped up around town. There was one at the Scottsdale Mall, Scott Road and 70th Avenue that I used to go to from time to time when visiting the mall. Back then I got a hamburger, large fries, and a large coke for one dollar.
That was around the time McDonald's was running the commercials about how you always get change for a dollar. Those days are long since past. Maybe change from a ten or twenty now depending on if you're eating alone or with someone else.
The first McDonald's in Langley opened around 1978, the one on the corner of the Fraser Highway and the Langley Bypass, so now we finally had a McDonald's that was somewhat closer to home. Though I think the one across the street from the Guildford Mall opened around the same time, perhaps a year or two earlier.
The McDonald's in Cloverdale opened around 1980 with a decidedly Western theme. Stools shaped like Western saddles adorned the counter tables. The Ronald McDonald statue wore a cowboy hat. Little things keeping with Cloverdale's country western town, and possibly a tribute to the Cloverdale Rodeo which was the second largest in Canada at the time.
I'm a vegetarian so I rarely go into McDonald's. I still like their fries and McFlurry's so I visit about 2 or 3 times a year for a snack. I was last in the Cloverdale McDonald's a little over a year ago and the stools shaped like Western saddles are gone, as is most of the other decor I remembered from after it opened.
But if you go through the drive-thru at McDonald's, you'll be on the east side of the wall at Stampede Tack and the mural is full of McDonald's characters in Western attire.
And why the sudden interest in McDonald's? Darned if my father didn't phone last night and is bringing his car into the mechanic around the corner on Wednesday morning and he wants to take us out to breakfast at McDonald's.
Hmm. I'm hoping I can persuade him to go to another fine dining establishment in town....
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
A new Holiday Inn coming to Cloverdale
Awhile ago I wrote about where to stay in Cloverdale. Pretty much slim pickings.
However a new building going up on 64th Avenue, just west of 176th Street kept us guessing about what was going in there. Condos? Offices? Hotel? A few weeks ago the mystery was solved when a sign for Holiday Inn went up. And then we figured the race was on and that they'd be hoping to be open in time for the upcoming 2010 Olympics and catching out of town visitors.
A Google search shows it was supposed to open in November 2009. Not likely. It was still under exterior construction. Not to mention the sign only showed up about a month ago. The exterior looks pretty much done but no telling what's going on in the interior. Beds, linens, plumbing, flooring, etc. I've been on enough construction sites to know that if one trade gets behind, then they all get behind. And sometimes it gets behind enough that the trades have moved on to their next job = occupancy delays.
Even Holiday Inn's website doesn't say when its opening, but says its accepting reservations for after March 12, 2010. Whether or not that's the new opening date or whether they are fully booked for the Olympics, I don't know. I'll have to keep an eye on the parking lot next month and see if it is full of out of town vehicles or trucks belonging to the trades.
But with 76 rooms it looks like Cloverdale finally has a full service hotel. I bet this one will be solidly booked during the long weekend in May when the rodeo comes to town.
However a new building going up on 64th Avenue, just west of 176th Street kept us guessing about what was going in there. Condos? Offices? Hotel? A few weeks ago the mystery was solved when a sign for Holiday Inn went up. And then we figured the race was on and that they'd be hoping to be open in time for the upcoming 2010 Olympics and catching out of town visitors.
A Google search shows it was supposed to open in November 2009. Not likely. It was still under exterior construction. Not to mention the sign only showed up about a month ago. The exterior looks pretty much done but no telling what's going on in the interior. Beds, linens, plumbing, flooring, etc. I've been on enough construction sites to know that if one trade gets behind, then they all get behind. And sometimes it gets behind enough that the trades have moved on to their next job = occupancy delays.
Even Holiday Inn's website doesn't say when its opening, but says its accepting reservations for after March 12, 2010. Whether or not that's the new opening date or whether they are fully booked for the Olympics, I don't know. I'll have to keep an eye on the parking lot next month and see if it is full of out of town vehicles or trucks belonging to the trades.
But with 76 rooms it looks like Cloverdale finally has a full service hotel. I bet this one will be solidly booked during the long weekend in May when the rodeo comes to town.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Playing at the Clova from January 29 - February 4 2010
Two movies playing this upcoming week at the Clova starting on Friday Jan 29:
7pm - Its Complicated
9:10 - The Blind Side is making a return performance
They're both fairly long movies. The second show lets out at 11:20pm. Times are approximate. The Clova staff usually don't start the movie until there are no more customers at the concession in the lobby. On busy nights sometimes the delay is 15 minutes or so. Don't forget to bring your own reusable drink and popcorn containers and fill them up for $2. Admission is $7 for one or both movies or $4 on Tuesday nights.
7pm - Its Complicated
9:10 - The Blind Side is making a return performance
They're both fairly long movies. The second show lets out at 11:20pm. Times are approximate. The Clova staff usually don't start the movie until there are no more customers at the concession in the lobby. On busy nights sometimes the delay is 15 minutes or so. Don't forget to bring your own reusable drink and popcorn containers and fill them up for $2. Admission is $7 for one or both movies or $4 on Tuesday nights.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
More on the Cloverdale fairgrounds grandstand
With a couple of recent posts about the grandstand at the Cloverdale fairgrounds and how we enjoyed playing there as kids, I got to thinking about when that grandstand became fully enclosed.
When I was growing up, the grandstand was covered with a roof on top, but overwise open to the elements. After the Standardbred horse racing started in the mid-70's, the grandstand remained open for a few years, but eventually was partly enclosed, leaving part of the grandstand open to the elements and where the smokers had to sit.
But when was it entirely enclosed? I really don't know for sure, but my guess is around 20 years ago. So say somewhere in the late 80's to early 90's.
I started thinking about that because of the recent updates on the news about the Olympic torch making its way around British Columbia. Back in early 1988 or maybe it was late 1987, another Olympic torch was making its way around BC on its way to the winter Olympics in Calgary. My mother was quite excited about it and was planning to go to the fairgrounds for a torch event while it passed through town. It didn't interest me, but I happened to be shopping at Willowbrook Mall a day or two beforehand, and some volunteers were selling candles with a handle to make it look like a torch, proceeds going to some Olympic event. The idea was that you'd be able to light your candle with the flame from the Olympic torch. They were $2 apiece so I bought one and gave it to Mother to take to the Cloverdale fairgrounds for the festivities.
So this is the only evidence I have that the grandstand was still not fully enclosed because Mother was outside while the Olympic torch came into the track area in front of the grandstand. Many in the crowd had the same candles that I'd bought for Mother and some were able to be lit from the torch. From there everyone in the grandstand passed the flame along from candle to candle until they were all lit. There's no way that would have happened if they'd been inside the enclosed section of the grandstand.
As for a repeat performance at the Cloverdale fairgrounds this year, I don't see it listed on the Olympic torch's route. The torch will be going through Cloverdale on Monday February 8, running along Highway 10 at approximately 2:30 in the afternoon and is supposed to stop briefly at the Surrey Museum.
When I was growing up, the grandstand was covered with a roof on top, but overwise open to the elements. After the Standardbred horse racing started in the mid-70's, the grandstand remained open for a few years, but eventually was partly enclosed, leaving part of the grandstand open to the elements and where the smokers had to sit.
But when was it entirely enclosed? I really don't know for sure, but my guess is around 20 years ago. So say somewhere in the late 80's to early 90's.
I started thinking about that because of the recent updates on the news about the Olympic torch making its way around British Columbia. Back in early 1988 or maybe it was late 1987, another Olympic torch was making its way around BC on its way to the winter Olympics in Calgary. My mother was quite excited about it and was planning to go to the fairgrounds for a torch event while it passed through town. It didn't interest me, but I happened to be shopping at Willowbrook Mall a day or two beforehand, and some volunteers were selling candles with a handle to make it look like a torch, proceeds going to some Olympic event. The idea was that you'd be able to light your candle with the flame from the Olympic torch. They were $2 apiece so I bought one and gave it to Mother to take to the Cloverdale fairgrounds for the festivities.
So this is the only evidence I have that the grandstand was still not fully enclosed because Mother was outside while the Olympic torch came into the track area in front of the grandstand. Many in the crowd had the same candles that I'd bought for Mother and some were able to be lit from the torch. From there everyone in the grandstand passed the flame along from candle to candle until they were all lit. There's no way that would have happened if they'd been inside the enclosed section of the grandstand.
As for a repeat performance at the Cloverdale fairgrounds this year, I don't see it listed on the Olympic torch's route. The torch will be going through Cloverdale on Monday February 8, running along Highway 10 at approximately 2:30 in the afternoon and is supposed to stop briefly at the Surrey Museum.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
More Tim Hortons around South Surrey
There are a few more Tim Hortons within easy driving of Cloverdale. We have a lot of customers in the White Rock/South Surrey area and often stop at these restaurants.
There are 2 restaurants at Grandview Corners - 24th Avenue and 160th Street.
The first Tim Hortons is in the plaza close to 24th Avenue and 162 Street. Restaurant service only. They usually have 2 cashiers, sometimes 3 when its busy. This restaurant offers fast service and has a lot of tables for eat it customers.
The other Tim Hortons is on the other side of the street, inside Wal-Mart. Restaurant service only. There is usually one cashier and several other staff running back up getting the orders together quickly. Only a few tables for sit down customers. This is one of very few Tim Hortons that does not offer 24 hour service. They are only open when Wal-Mart is: 7am to 11pm.
There is a Tim Hortons in Southpoint shopping centre located on 152 Street and 32nd Avenue. It was built about 7 years ago, during the time when Wendy's and Tim Hortons still operated under the same parent company. The split happened shortly after that restaurant was built because with Tim Hortons selling chili and sandwiches they were competing too much with Wendy's menu. This restaurant is the only one in South Surrey with a drive thru. Generally both the drive thru and inside restaurant offer quick service. Line ups go down quickly no matter if you walk in or drive thru. Large table area to accomodate the customers for both restaurants, but may be hard to find a seat during lunch time.
The last Tim Hortons is almost in White Rock, located just outside Semiahmoo Mall on 152 Street and about 17th Avenue. Restaurant service only. There are only a few tables inside the restaurant, so coming during lunch or dinner rush may result in having to take out your food. Service is generally pretty quick here with 2 cashiers serving customers.
There are 2 restaurants at Grandview Corners - 24th Avenue and 160th Street.
The first Tim Hortons is in the plaza close to 24th Avenue and 162 Street. Restaurant service only. They usually have 2 cashiers, sometimes 3 when its busy. This restaurant offers fast service and has a lot of tables for eat it customers.
The other Tim Hortons is on the other side of the street, inside Wal-Mart. Restaurant service only. There is usually one cashier and several other staff running back up getting the orders together quickly. Only a few tables for sit down customers. This is one of very few Tim Hortons that does not offer 24 hour service. They are only open when Wal-Mart is: 7am to 11pm.
There is a Tim Hortons in Southpoint shopping centre located on 152 Street and 32nd Avenue. It was built about 7 years ago, during the time when Wendy's and Tim Hortons still operated under the same parent company. The split happened shortly after that restaurant was built because with Tim Hortons selling chili and sandwiches they were competing too much with Wendy's menu. This restaurant is the only one in South Surrey with a drive thru. Generally both the drive thru and inside restaurant offer quick service. Line ups go down quickly no matter if you walk in or drive thru. Large table area to accomodate the customers for both restaurants, but may be hard to find a seat during lunch time.
The last Tim Hortons is almost in White Rock, located just outside Semiahmoo Mall on 152 Street and about 17th Avenue. Restaurant service only. There are only a few tables inside the restaurant, so coming during lunch or dinner rush may result in having to take out your food. Service is generally pretty quick here with 2 cashiers serving customers.
Tim Hortons around Cloverdale
It wasn't all that long ago when Cloverdale residents had to drive 10 or 15 minutes to reach the nearest Tim Hortons. Through the nineties the closest Tim Hortons were located in Fleetwood on the Fraser Highway and about 156 Street (still open) and in Langley on the Fraser Highway, about a half block east of the Langley Bypass, next to the Husky gas station. That one closed down about 5 years ago.
In the past few years Tim Hortons are sprouting up everywhere. There are 2 in Cloverdale within a 5 minute drive of each other. And a third one could be in the running too if you count the one on Highway 10 near 152 Street.
I'm not a coffee drinker. Kerry loves Tim Hortons coffee so he stops in almost daily. Of course if I'm along, and often one will be near a job site, I may join him and have a Boston cream donut or sometimes a bottle of green tea citrus iced tea or a mocha if its a cold day. We often enjoy soup for lunch at Tim Hortons. I've been to the Tim Hortons around Cloverdale many times and consider myself to be a pretty good judge of the service, so here's a little run down.
The Tim Hortons on Highway 10 just east of 177B Street, next to Lordco, has a drive thru in addition to walking in the restaurant. The drive thru is usually faster. Overall fairly quick service inside the restaurant too.
Tim Hortons in Clover Crossing Mall on 64th Avenue just east of 176th Street can get busy both in the restaurant and the drive thru. The drive thru is usually faster even if there are lots of cars in the line up. Sometimes inside the restaurant one staff is handling a cash register and all the rest of the staff are rushing to serve the drive thru customers. Generally during busy times there are 2 cashiers helping walk in customers. I find the staff at this Tim Hortons usually more friendly and energetic than in any of the other restaurants.
Tim Hortons on Highway 10 and 152 Street is one of the slowest restaurants I've been to. Both in the drive through and inside the restaurant. I don't know what it is with the staff here because I've been here on different days and different times but they are so slow.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway and 166th Street, in front of the Super 8 Motel, across from Rona. Without a doubt this is the worst Tim Hortons in the area. The staff at Highway 10 and 152 Street move lickety split compared to these people. And yes, I've been here different times of the day and different days of the week. It is the worst, both drive through and walk in. If you walk in to this restaurant and see one person in line, you can expect a good 10 minutes wait to be served. Forget the drive thru if there are more than 3 cars. You'll be waiting 20 minutes. I was there about a year ago and the parking lot was in icy, trecherous condition. Inside the restaurant, during the 10 minutes or so I waited for the one cashier to finish the customer ahead of me, I watched several male staff chatting, including one who appeared to be a supervisor. Surely one of them could have gone outside with a bucket of ice melt or sand or whatever the restaurant uses to make the lot and sidewalks less slippy. This was really bad. I complained to Tim Hortons. They said the manager would be in contact with me. A year later and I'm still waiting. Definitely pass this one by. Go a little further up Fraser Highway for better service.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway and 156 Street. This oldie but goodie is still standing. No drive thru service, which possibly is the reason why the staff can serve customers quickly.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway near 188th Street. This is a newer Tim Hortons in the Clayton Heights area and has a drive thru. I find service quick and pleasant either inside or in the drive thru.
In the past few years Tim Hortons are sprouting up everywhere. There are 2 in Cloverdale within a 5 minute drive of each other. And a third one could be in the running too if you count the one on Highway 10 near 152 Street.
I'm not a coffee drinker. Kerry loves Tim Hortons coffee so he stops in almost daily. Of course if I'm along, and often one will be near a job site, I may join him and have a Boston cream donut or sometimes a bottle of green tea citrus iced tea or a mocha if its a cold day. We often enjoy soup for lunch at Tim Hortons. I've been to the Tim Hortons around Cloverdale many times and consider myself to be a pretty good judge of the service, so here's a little run down.
The Tim Hortons on Highway 10 just east of 177B Street, next to Lordco, has a drive thru in addition to walking in the restaurant. The drive thru is usually faster. Overall fairly quick service inside the restaurant too.
Tim Hortons in Clover Crossing Mall on 64th Avenue just east of 176th Street can get busy both in the restaurant and the drive thru. The drive thru is usually faster even if there are lots of cars in the line up. Sometimes inside the restaurant one staff is handling a cash register and all the rest of the staff are rushing to serve the drive thru customers. Generally during busy times there are 2 cashiers helping walk in customers. I find the staff at this Tim Hortons usually more friendly and energetic than in any of the other restaurants.
Tim Hortons on Highway 10 and 152 Street is one of the slowest restaurants I've been to. Both in the drive through and inside the restaurant. I don't know what it is with the staff here because I've been here on different days and different times but they are so slow.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway and 166th Street, in front of the Super 8 Motel, across from Rona. Without a doubt this is the worst Tim Hortons in the area. The staff at Highway 10 and 152 Street move lickety split compared to these people. And yes, I've been here different times of the day and different days of the week. It is the worst, both drive through and walk in. If you walk in to this restaurant and see one person in line, you can expect a good 10 minutes wait to be served. Forget the drive thru if there are more than 3 cars. You'll be waiting 20 minutes. I was there about a year ago and the parking lot was in icy, trecherous condition. Inside the restaurant, during the 10 minutes or so I waited for the one cashier to finish the customer ahead of me, I watched several male staff chatting, including one who appeared to be a supervisor. Surely one of them could have gone outside with a bucket of ice melt or sand or whatever the restaurant uses to make the lot and sidewalks less slippy. This was really bad. I complained to Tim Hortons. They said the manager would be in contact with me. A year later and I'm still waiting. Definitely pass this one by. Go a little further up Fraser Highway for better service.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway and 156 Street. This oldie but goodie is still standing. No drive thru service, which possibly is the reason why the staff can serve customers quickly.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway near 188th Street. This is a newer Tim Hortons in the Clayton Heights area and has a drive thru. I find service quick and pleasant either inside or in the drive thru.
Friday, January 22, 2010
The grandstand at the Cloverdale fairgrounds
When I was growing up in Cloverdale the grandstand was a lot different than the one that is standing there today. The grandstand back then were rows of bleachers, undercover with a roof overhead, but still open to the elements. In other words if it was raining, one could stay reasonably dry in the bleachers depending on where you were sitting, but if it was cold and windy, everyone was subject to that. This was where people sat and watched the rodeo and other events that might be happening in the infield throughout the year.
At the top of the grandstand, the nosebleed section, the building had window openings. No glass in them. People standing at the top could hang outside and wave to people below in the parking lot or out on 60th Avenue.
There were washrooms on the parking lot level that were open year round. Unlocked. Very convenient when we were playing over at Greenaway Park and someone needed to use the toilet, everyone would walk over to the grandstand. And then we'd continue playing in the grandstand, running up and down the steps, and along the benches.
I guess if there were any homeless people in Cloverdale back then this would have been an ideal place for them to stay. A covered place to sleep and washrooms.
By the time Standardbred horse racing came to Cloverdale in the mid 70's, the grandstand underwent a renovation. Seeing as how back then the racetrack charged patrons $2 admission to come in and watch the horse races, it wouldn't do to have open gates with access to the grandstand. Half of the grandstand was completely enclosed so patrons could sit and watch horse races in the winter months in warmth. Though I'm not exactly sure when that half was enclosed, whether or not that was the year horse racing started or a year or two later. The other half of the grandstand was left as it was - covered roof but otherwise open to the weather. Better known as the smoking section. The curling rink was attached to the original grandstand. A new building was built closer to 176th Street in its current location, to make way for the renovations for the racetrack.
By that time I was too old to be playing in the grandstand, running up and down the bleacher stairs and jumping from bench to bench, and then hanging out the window at the top watching the traffic go by on 60th. So I guess the renovation process kind of passed me by. The last generation of Cloverdale kids who got to enjoy playing in the grandstand before the renovations and locking it off to the public.
At the top of the grandstand, the nosebleed section, the building had window openings. No glass in them. People standing at the top could hang outside and wave to people below in the parking lot or out on 60th Avenue.
There were washrooms on the parking lot level that were open year round. Unlocked. Very convenient when we were playing over at Greenaway Park and someone needed to use the toilet, everyone would walk over to the grandstand. And then we'd continue playing in the grandstand, running up and down the steps, and along the benches.
I guess if there were any homeless people in Cloverdale back then this would have been an ideal place for them to stay. A covered place to sleep and washrooms.
By the time Standardbred horse racing came to Cloverdale in the mid 70's, the grandstand underwent a renovation. Seeing as how back then the racetrack charged patrons $2 admission to come in and watch the horse races, it wouldn't do to have open gates with access to the grandstand. Half of the grandstand was completely enclosed so patrons could sit and watch horse races in the winter months in warmth. Though I'm not exactly sure when that half was enclosed, whether or not that was the year horse racing started or a year or two later. The other half of the grandstand was left as it was - covered roof but otherwise open to the weather. Better known as the smoking section. The curling rink was attached to the original grandstand. A new building was built closer to 176th Street in its current location, to make way for the renovations for the racetrack.
By that time I was too old to be playing in the grandstand, running up and down the bleacher stairs and jumping from bench to bench, and then hanging out the window at the top watching the traffic go by on 60th. So I guess the renovation process kind of passed me by. The last generation of Cloverdale kids who got to enjoy playing in the grandstand before the renovations and locking it off to the public.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Playing at the Clova from Jan 22 - 28 2010
At the Clova from Friday January 22 to the 28th is:
7pm - Sherlock Holmes
9:20 - Daybreakers
2nd show lets out at 11:05pm
Times are approximate. The Clova waits until the lobby has no patrons waiting at the concession stand before starting the movie. On weekends and Tuesdays sometimes the delay is 10 or 15 minutes. Admission is $7 for one or both movies. Tuesday nights is $4. Bring your own reusable popcorn or drink container and fill it up for $2.
7pm - Sherlock Holmes
9:20 - Daybreakers
2nd show lets out at 11:05pm
Times are approximate. The Clova waits until the lobby has no patrons waiting at the concession stand before starting the movie. On weekends and Tuesdays sometimes the delay is 10 or 15 minutes. Admission is $7 for one or both movies. Tuesday nights is $4. Bring your own reusable popcorn or drink container and fill it up for $2.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Coast Capital drive thru window still not fixed
We had the opportunity to walk around Coast Capital in Cloverdale last night when we went over to Dairy Queen to pick up our BOGO Blizzards. The corner window where somebody drove their car through on Christmas Eve still has not been repaired. Now I can see it not being repaired over Christmas because people are taking a few days off, but its nearly a month later. They have plywood over the window and they have painted the plywood the same color as the branch so it will blend in and not be noticed. Clever idea, but what's taking so long to fix it? I used to work for one of their competitors in the maintenance department and everytime a window or door was vandalized, we'd have a glass company out within hours to put up a temporary window. Sometimes it did take them a few days or so to make a permanent window replacement, but this seems to be taking a long time.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Cloverdale Monsoon Friday January 15
Doesn't it figure that the windiest, rainiest days happen in Cloverdale on Fridays - the day we're scheduled for garbage and recycling pick up?
I got my garbage can and blue recycle box out early this morning but neither one of them is full or heavy enough to hold it down in the storm. After running into the street to pick up my recycle box and having to pick up my garbage can, I weighed both of them down with bricks. But I see garbage cans and blue boxes all over the street, or more accurately blowing across the street and ending up in a neighbor's yard.
Fortunately both our collections came early enough today and within minutes of each other that I was at home and able to bring the can and box back to safety.
A few months ago I lost a lid to one of my garden waste garbage cans in a furious wind storm. Even though I hunted the neighborhood looking for it, I didn't find it.
Here's hoping that it may blow back to my yard today. Or one just like it!
I got my garbage can and blue recycle box out early this morning but neither one of them is full or heavy enough to hold it down in the storm. After running into the street to pick up my recycle box and having to pick up my garbage can, I weighed both of them down with bricks. But I see garbage cans and blue boxes all over the street, or more accurately blowing across the street and ending up in a neighbor's yard.
Fortunately both our collections came early enough today and within minutes of each other that I was at home and able to bring the can and box back to safety.
A few months ago I lost a lid to one of my garden waste garbage cans in a furious wind storm. Even though I hunted the neighborhood looking for it, I didn't find it.
Here's hoping that it may blow back to my yard today. Or one just like it!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Playing at the Clova from Jan 15 - 21 2010
Only one movie playing nightly at the Clova starting on Friday January 15 through to the 21st and its a long one so that's why its not a double feature.
7pm - Avatar It lets out approximately at 9:42pm.
Admission is $7 or $4 on Tuesdays.
7pm - Avatar It lets out approximately at 9:42pm.
Admission is $7 or $4 on Tuesdays.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Cloverdale Raceway opens
When I was growing up in Cloverdale the only horse racing we had was during the rodeo on the long weekend in May and that was chuckwagon racing. The grandstand was a bit different back then. There were outside bleachers with a roof cover and more bleachers on the infield. The curling rink was attached to the bleachers on the east side, the Greenaway Park side.
In the early 1970's during Cloverdale's fall fair in late September a group of different racehorses showed up to race on the chuckwagon track during the weekend. They were Standardbreds pulling racing sulkies, guided by a driver, generally a man, sitting on the sulky.
In late 1975 or early 1976 Standardbred racing officially began in Cloverdale including betting windows and placing wagers. The grandstand was transformed into a closed in building. The curling rink was relocated to where it currently is off 176th Street on the west side of the fairgrounds. Barns to stable the horses were built at the north end of the fairgrounds and the racetrack was upgraded to a limestone track.
The racetrack was very popular during the first few years with racing 5 days or nights a week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The popularity of racing fed off Hastings Park's Thoroughbred racing during the spring and summer months. When the season ended mid-October the gamblers had nothing until Cloverdale Raceway opened in the mid-70's and offered Standardbred racing from mid-October to mid-April. So the racing piggybacked off each other. One breed of racing ending as the other racing breed began. Of course back then there was no other types of gambling in the Lower Mainland and not a whole lot of entertainment options out there either other than movies, sporting events, and music concerts. Cablevision brought us about 12 channels on the TV.
Even though it was in competition with the Thoroughbred racing at Hastings Park, Cloverdale Raceway still held a fall meet of racing during the fall fair in September for the weekend. Eventually they expanded their fall meet to two weekends.
In the 1970's and 1980's it was not uncommon to see cars lined up all the way down 176th Street from Cloverdale to well past the Fraser Highway on race nights as cars came in to town to watch the racing. The races ended just after 10pm and it was a steady flow of traffic leaving Cloverdale too. Bumper to bumper traffic back then.
Cloverdale Raceway charged patrons a parking fee to park in the fairgrounds and also charged admission to the racetrack grandstand of $2/person.
In the early 1970's during Cloverdale's fall fair in late September a group of different racehorses showed up to race on the chuckwagon track during the weekend. They were Standardbreds pulling racing sulkies, guided by a driver, generally a man, sitting on the sulky.
In late 1975 or early 1976 Standardbred racing officially began in Cloverdale including betting windows and placing wagers. The grandstand was transformed into a closed in building. The curling rink was relocated to where it currently is off 176th Street on the west side of the fairgrounds. Barns to stable the horses were built at the north end of the fairgrounds and the racetrack was upgraded to a limestone track.
The racetrack was very popular during the first few years with racing 5 days or nights a week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The popularity of racing fed off Hastings Park's Thoroughbred racing during the spring and summer months. When the season ended mid-October the gamblers had nothing until Cloverdale Raceway opened in the mid-70's and offered Standardbred racing from mid-October to mid-April. So the racing piggybacked off each other. One breed of racing ending as the other racing breed began. Of course back then there was no other types of gambling in the Lower Mainland and not a whole lot of entertainment options out there either other than movies, sporting events, and music concerts. Cablevision brought us about 12 channels on the TV.
Even though it was in competition with the Thoroughbred racing at Hastings Park, Cloverdale Raceway still held a fall meet of racing during the fall fair in September for the weekend. Eventually they expanded their fall meet to two weekends.
In the 1970's and 1980's it was not uncommon to see cars lined up all the way down 176th Street from Cloverdale to well past the Fraser Highway on race nights as cars came in to town to watch the racing. The races ended just after 10pm and it was a steady flow of traffic leaving Cloverdale too. Bumper to bumper traffic back then.
Cloverdale Raceway charged patrons a parking fee to park in the fairgrounds and also charged admission to the racetrack grandstand of $2/person.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Lots of cars parked in downtown Cloverdale
Does anyone ever wonder why 176th Street between 58th and Highway 10 is always lined with parked cars no matter what time of day or night it is? Today I walked my dogs downtown around 8:30am. Between 58th and 57th there wasn't a parking space to be had at the side of the road. So what's open in Cloverdale at that hour? The market on the corner of 176th and 58th is open. But they have their own parking lot. Three cars were parked there. The only restaurant that is open at this time of morning is the one at the Clover Inn. I peeked in as I walked past and there were customers at one table. I also saw one person getting a haircut at the beauty salon. Seemed a little early for me for the hairdresser to be open, but they were. The drycleaner's was also open and had one customer. The only person I saw on the street was an older man of questionable status who was lurking in the bushes next to La Belle Vie (the former pawn shop). I somehow don't think he arrived by car.
Its too early for people to be lining up for the 1:30 matinee at the Clova. The Vault isn't open. The fish and chips shop, Sea Shanty, isn't open, even that tea shop that opened last summer next to the Clova isn't open this early.
The only place that's rocking at this hour is the Cloverdale Legion because of their pancake breakfast this morning. But they're around the corner and there is still plenty of room in their parking lot so people don't need to overflow out to 176th and walk that extra distance.
So there you have it. Nothing really open this early in Cloverdale, a couple of customers in the shops that are open, and not a parking space to be had on the street.
One of Cloverdale's unexplained mysteries.
Its too early for people to be lining up for the 1:30 matinee at the Clova. The Vault isn't open. The fish and chips shop, Sea Shanty, isn't open, even that tea shop that opened last summer next to the Clova isn't open this early.
The only place that's rocking at this hour is the Cloverdale Legion because of their pancake breakfast this morning. But they're around the corner and there is still plenty of room in their parking lot so people don't need to overflow out to 176th and walk that extra distance.
So there you have it. Nothing really open this early in Cloverdale, a couple of customers in the shops that are open, and not a parking space to be had on the street.
One of Cloverdale's unexplained mysteries.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Loose horses
“Cheryl, your horse is loose!”
Those words can strike terror into the heart of any horse owner. In this instance, I was fifteen years old and my mother had woken my up. I’ve never got out of bed and dressed so fast in my life. I ran into the garage, grabbed a bucket of oats and my lead shank and raced down the driveway, where I stopped. I could see my Quarter horse, Duchess, safely in the field across the street. And yes, there was a time when 182 Street on the hill above Cloverdale had several small hobby farms. Unfortunately we didn’t have a field and barn but our good friends the Scott’s let me keep my horse on their property. A quick glance at the field below where I kept Duchess and I could see the pony that lived in that pasture was accounted for. Then I saw the third horse, grazing at the side of the road by the field. I was carrying a bucket of oats and a lead shank so I walked down the street, approached the horse, gave him some oats and snapped on the shank. I led him to our back yard and put him in, not quite sure what to do next. Mother phoned the police department to report we’d caught a stray horse, only to be frustrated by a rude officer who kept repeating: “Phone the pound, ma’am, phone the pound.” She finally slammed the phone down on him and phoned the pound. They said they could pick up the horse, but it would cost the owner big bucks when they claimed him. Not wanting to cause someone financial problems, Mother told them we could keep the horse in our back yard, and passed the phone over to me to give the description. I was pretty sure the horse was a runaway from the local Standardbred track (now known as Fraser Downs) that had recently opened a mile from our home. I gave the clerk all the details on the horse. A couple of hours later the frantic owners phoned and we gave them our address. They were extremely grateful when they picked up the horse, which was indeed a racetrack escapee. This was the first in a long string of Standardbreds that I frequently caught over the next few years. My horse was probably the closest horse living to the racetrack, so they may have naturally gravitated in our direction.
One night I was driving home down 184th Street, nearing 24th Avenue and an oncoming car was flashing his high beams at me. I thought I saw something in its headlights and stopped my car. Sure enough two horses were galloping ahead of the car. I figured the owner could use a hand, pulled a U-turn and came up alongside him with my hazard lights flashing. An oncoming car cresting the hill forced me to pull behind the car trailing the horses. The car continued down the hill toward 16th Avenue, but I was positive I’d seen the horses turn right down 20th Avenue, which led to 176th Street a mile ahead. Just to be sure I turned right and caught up with them a block ahead. Carefully I pulled around them and got in front, slowing my car until I was able to bring them both to a stop. I got out of my car and approached them, but they ran down the nearest driveway. I got a hold of one horse’s halter. I knew a family who lived on acreage about a block away and figured I could lead the horse there and hope the other horse would follow. But it was not to be. The other horse bolted and the one I was holding yanked out of my grasp, and they both galloped down the road, fortunately headed back to 184th and not to the much busier 176th. I hopped back in the car and pursued them, but clearly I was not going to be able to catch them singlehandedly. I pulled out my cell phone, ready to dial 911 for assistance. These horses had to get off the street, for their own safety and the safety of any drivers who might not see them in the dark. As I approached 20th and 184th I saw several people on the street. I blocked my car behind the horses and two men managed to grab them and lead them onto the property on the corner. They’d heard the hooves pounding on pavement a few minutes earlier and had come out to investigate. With the horses safe, I turned for home, but at the first stop sign I noticed a man on the sidewalk. I rolled down the window and asked if he was looking for two horses. Fortunately he was and I told them they were safe and gave him directions where he could find them.
Cloverdale has grown significantly in the past 30 years. There are no small hobby farms housing horses. And the racetrack has fences around the barn areas making it less likely for Standardbreds to escape the fairgrounds. The days of catching loose horses roaming around town are over.
Those words can strike terror into the heart of any horse owner. In this instance, I was fifteen years old and my mother had woken my up. I’ve never got out of bed and dressed so fast in my life. I ran into the garage, grabbed a bucket of oats and my lead shank and raced down the driveway, where I stopped. I could see my Quarter horse, Duchess, safely in the field across the street. And yes, there was a time when 182 Street on the hill above Cloverdale had several small hobby farms. Unfortunately we didn’t have a field and barn but our good friends the Scott’s let me keep my horse on their property. A quick glance at the field below where I kept Duchess and I could see the pony that lived in that pasture was accounted for. Then I saw the third horse, grazing at the side of the road by the field. I was carrying a bucket of oats and a lead shank so I walked down the street, approached the horse, gave him some oats and snapped on the shank. I led him to our back yard and put him in, not quite sure what to do next. Mother phoned the police department to report we’d caught a stray horse, only to be frustrated by a rude officer who kept repeating: “Phone the pound, ma’am, phone the pound.” She finally slammed the phone down on him and phoned the pound. They said they could pick up the horse, but it would cost the owner big bucks when they claimed him. Not wanting to cause someone financial problems, Mother told them we could keep the horse in our back yard, and passed the phone over to me to give the description. I was pretty sure the horse was a runaway from the local Standardbred track (now known as Fraser Downs) that had recently opened a mile from our home. I gave the clerk all the details on the horse. A couple of hours later the frantic owners phoned and we gave them our address. They were extremely grateful when they picked up the horse, which was indeed a racetrack escapee. This was the first in a long string of Standardbreds that I frequently caught over the next few years. My horse was probably the closest horse living to the racetrack, so they may have naturally gravitated in our direction.
One night I was driving home down 184th Street, nearing 24th Avenue and an oncoming car was flashing his high beams at me. I thought I saw something in its headlights and stopped my car. Sure enough two horses were galloping ahead of the car. I figured the owner could use a hand, pulled a U-turn and came up alongside him with my hazard lights flashing. An oncoming car cresting the hill forced me to pull behind the car trailing the horses. The car continued down the hill toward 16th Avenue, but I was positive I’d seen the horses turn right down 20th Avenue, which led to 176th Street a mile ahead. Just to be sure I turned right and caught up with them a block ahead. Carefully I pulled around them and got in front, slowing my car until I was able to bring them both to a stop. I got out of my car and approached them, but they ran down the nearest driveway. I got a hold of one horse’s halter. I knew a family who lived on acreage about a block away and figured I could lead the horse there and hope the other horse would follow. But it was not to be. The other horse bolted and the one I was holding yanked out of my grasp, and they both galloped down the road, fortunately headed back to 184th and not to the much busier 176th. I hopped back in the car and pursued them, but clearly I was not going to be able to catch them singlehandedly. I pulled out my cell phone, ready to dial 911 for assistance. These horses had to get off the street, for their own safety and the safety of any drivers who might not see them in the dark. As I approached 20th and 184th I saw several people on the street. I blocked my car behind the horses and two men managed to grab them and lead them onto the property on the corner. They’d heard the hooves pounding on pavement a few minutes earlier and had come out to investigate. With the horses safe, I turned for home, but at the first stop sign I noticed a man on the sidewalk. I rolled down the window and asked if he was looking for two horses. Fortunately he was and I told them they were safe and gave him directions where he could find them.
Cloverdale has grown significantly in the past 30 years. There are no small hobby farms housing horses. And the racetrack has fences around the barn areas making it less likely for Standardbreds to escape the fairgrounds. The days of catching loose horses roaming around town are over.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Playing at the Clova from Jan 6 - 14 2010
Playing at the Clova from Wednesday January 6 - Thursday the 14th in downtown Cloverdale is:
7pm - The Blind Side which just hit the news yesterday as topping 200 million dollars making Sandra Bullock the highest grossing movie with a female lead. Or something to that effect.
9:25pm - The Twilight Saga: New Moon
These are long movies. Second show lets out around 11:30pm. Admission is $7 for one or both movies or Tuesday nights is $4. I noticed this week's special $4 rate applies to anyone wearing something that says 2010 on it.
The matinee this weekend is Old Dogs playing Saturday and Sunday Jan 9 and 10 at 1:30pm. I'm a little surprised that this movie isn't on one of the evening showtimes. Maybe it will be later this month? You'd think a movie starring Robin Williams and John Travolta could stand as part of an evening double feature.
Show times are approximate. The Clova doesn't start the movies until most of the patrons have left the lobby's concession. Bring your own reusable popcorn or drink container and fill up for $2.00.
7pm - The Blind Side which just hit the news yesterday as topping 200 million dollars making Sandra Bullock the highest grossing movie with a female lead. Or something to that effect.
9:25pm - The Twilight Saga: New Moon
These are long movies. Second show lets out around 11:30pm. Admission is $7 for one or both movies or Tuesday nights is $4. I noticed this week's special $4 rate applies to anyone wearing something that says 2010 on it.
The matinee this weekend is Old Dogs playing Saturday and Sunday Jan 9 and 10 at 1:30pm. I'm a little surprised that this movie isn't on one of the evening showtimes. Maybe it will be later this month? You'd think a movie starring Robin Williams and John Travolta could stand as part of an evening double feature.
Show times are approximate. The Clova doesn't start the movies until most of the patrons have left the lobby's concession. Bring your own reusable popcorn or drink container and fill up for $2.00.
Monday, January 4, 2010
A rare Surrey Leader times 2 has been delivered
There must be yet another new delivery person in our Cloverdale neighborhood for the Surrey Leader. I've seen perhaps 4 newspapers in the past 3 months. Today I got 2 newspapers. One sitting at the end of my driveway about 20 feet from the front door. The second sitting about 5 feet from the front door. In the rain. Both soaking wet by the time I arrived home. Unreadable. Straight to the recycle bin. The Sunday, January 3, 2010 edition. One day late.
I mean, how difficult is it to put one newspaper in my mailbox that is attached to the side of my house next to my front door. That's what those 2 metal prongs sticking out of the mailbox are for - the newspapers.
And doesn't it figure. This one has the calendar with Surrey's recycling schedule for the year.
I guess I should thank my lucky stars. Last year I didn't get the Surrey Leader paper delivered the day they put the calendar inside the Leader. This year I got two. Unusable of course because they're saturated with rain.
I mean, how difficult is it to put one newspaper in my mailbox that is attached to the side of my house next to my front door. That's what those 2 metal prongs sticking out of the mailbox are for - the newspapers.
And doesn't it figure. This one has the calendar with Surrey's recycling schedule for the year.
I guess I should thank my lucky stars. Last year I didn't get the Surrey Leader paper delivered the day they put the calendar inside the Leader. This year I got two. Unusable of course because they're saturated with rain.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
What's happening in Cloverdale in January 2010
Happy New Year to everyone! May 2010 be filled with health, wealth, and happiness.
There's not too much happening around Cloverdale in January. I guess everyone is recovering from December and Christmas activities.
January 2 and 3, Saturday and Sunday - bring your Christmas trees to the parking lot at Lord Tweedsmuir, 6151 180th Street, between 9am and 4pm. This is a fund raiser for the Lord Tweedsmuir band students. They are also doing a bottle drive.
January 9, Saturday - Cloverdale Legion's pancake breakfast from 8am - 11:30am. Looks like their price has gone up a bit. $4.50 for adults, $3 for children, gets you pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, and juice.
That's all I can come up with. The store windows in Cloverdale are lacking any notices about anything happening around town this month.
There's not too much happening around Cloverdale in January. I guess everyone is recovering from December and Christmas activities.
January 2 and 3, Saturday and Sunday - bring your Christmas trees to the parking lot at Lord Tweedsmuir, 6151 180th Street, between 9am and 4pm. This is a fund raiser for the Lord Tweedsmuir band students. They are also doing a bottle drive.
January 9, Saturday - Cloverdale Legion's pancake breakfast from 8am - 11:30am. Looks like their price has gone up a bit. $4.50 for adults, $3 for children, gets you pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, and juice.
That's all I can come up with. The store windows in Cloverdale are lacking any notices about anything happening around town this month.
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