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.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
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!
The door was open and it actually smelled pretty good walking past there. And that's saying a lot coming from a vegetarian!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
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......
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.
Monday, October 25, 2010
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!
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!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Playing at the Clova from October 22 to October 28 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Playing at the Clova from October 15 to October 21 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
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!
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!
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