Another free event on Canada Day is the raspberry social at the Otter Co-op at 3600 - 248th Street, approximately on the corner of the Fraser Highway and 248th. This is Sunday July 1 2012 between noon and 3pm. Free raspberry shortcake and a beverage. They have their brand pop and juice, coffee, and tea. There is live band providing entertainment and a vintage truck display.
The best thing is the event is held under the huge canopy in front of the store so if its raining you can stay reasonably dry.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Free Pancake Breakfast at Krause Berry Farms on Canada Day
Its a little out of the way but Krause Berry Farms is having their annual pancake breakfast on Canada Day between 9am and 11am. They're located at 6179 - 248th Street in Langley. Even though its free they're accepting donations for breast cancer research.
We went one year and the place was a zoo so be prepared. We were on our motorbikes and they had us park near their store but cars were parking way down the long driveway after the big parking lot was full - they had parking attendants that day.
We waited 20 minutes for pancakes.
So judge for yourself if that's something you want to do. Many families come to pick strawberries while they're here or buy something from the store.
For more information: http://www.krauseberryfarms.com/
We went one year and the place was a zoo so be prepared. We were on our motorbikes and they had us park near their store but cars were parking way down the long driveway after the big parking lot was full - they had parking attendants that day.
We waited 20 minutes for pancakes.
So judge for yourself if that's something you want to do. Many families come to pick strawberries while they're here or buy something from the store.
For more information: http://www.krauseberryfarms.com/
Cloverdale Canada Day 2012 Celebration at Millenium Park
Canada Day celebrations on Sunday July 1, 2012 will be happening at the Millenium Park in Cloverdale. The park is located on the southeast corner of 64th Avenue and 176th Street.
Admission is free. Park never closes but most people start arriving between 9am and 11am to stake out a spot for the day. All day entertainment. Acts on the stage and some midway rides. Fireworks at 10:15pm end the day.
For more information and a line up of the entertainment see their website: http://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/
As for parking, if you get there early enough you will find parking off 62nd Avenue and 176th Street where the Agriplex is located. The parking lot at the fairgrounds, enter off 60th Avenue, also has parking. A lot of people park on the nearby streets but its not conveniently accessible. If you plan to do that get onto 172nd Street off 60th or 64th avenues and then choose any of the roads leading east from there. There is a park located on 62nd Avenue I think and there's a good sized parking lot there.
Whatever you do, don't park in the lot at the Cloverdale Crossing Mall across the street from the Millenium Park. There's a Tim Hortons in there, a London Drugs, a PriceSmart, etc. They put up big signs at the entrances saying customer parking only, no event parking. There are several security guards patrolling the lot. If you park your car here they watch where you're going. If you cross the street into the Millenium Park your car will probably be towed.
Want to just watch the fireworks? A good spot is the football field at Lord Tweedsmuir located on 180th Street, just north of 60th Avenue. Get there by 9pm and you should find a parking spot OK. Watch out for mosquitoes. Another good spot to watch is in the parking lot at the Cloverdale Super Market - the old Shop Easy - on the corner of 58th Avenue and 176th Street. The store is closed by then and this just has a nice view of the fireworks.
Getting out of Cloverdale after the fireworks? This is nightmare city for drivers, including cars travelling on 176th Street who have no intention of participating in the Canada Day activities. The police close down 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. Open for pedestrians only. However last year they had to rethink that strategy. The corner of 60th Avenue and 176th Street can be dangerous for pedestrians even though it has pedestrian activated light and a chirper noisemaker. There's a lot of bad drivers who don't want to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and multiply that when there are hundreds of pedestrians leaving a major event. So last year the police made a last minute decision to put in another blockade 2 blocks away at 58th Avenue and the Cloverdale Bypass. The problem is there were no instructions so drivers unfamiliar with the area turned up towards the United Church and then going through the back alley to 60th Avenue only to find themselves no better off because the only option was to turn east down 60th right back to where the police had it blocked off and they had to turn south back down the Cloverdale Bypass. So they did the circle route. The police also had 60th Avenue closed off between 176A Street and 176th Street so cars could not reach the intersection at all. To get out of Cloverdale if you're closer to 64th Avenue, go that way either direction on 64th or continue north on 176th Street. If you're parked in the fairgrounds/casino lot, either head east on 60th and away from Cloverdale, or go down 176th Street to Highway 10 and whichever way you want to leave. Avoid residential areas that are unknown to you. They are choked with lost drivers.
Happy Canada Day!
Admission is free. Park never closes but most people start arriving between 9am and 11am to stake out a spot for the day. All day entertainment. Acts on the stage and some midway rides. Fireworks at 10:15pm end the day.
For more information and a line up of the entertainment see their website: http://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/
As for parking, if you get there early enough you will find parking off 62nd Avenue and 176th Street where the Agriplex is located. The parking lot at the fairgrounds, enter off 60th Avenue, also has parking. A lot of people park on the nearby streets but its not conveniently accessible. If you plan to do that get onto 172nd Street off 60th or 64th avenues and then choose any of the roads leading east from there. There is a park located on 62nd Avenue I think and there's a good sized parking lot there.
Whatever you do, don't park in the lot at the Cloverdale Crossing Mall across the street from the Millenium Park. There's a Tim Hortons in there, a London Drugs, a PriceSmart, etc. They put up big signs at the entrances saying customer parking only, no event parking. There are several security guards patrolling the lot. If you park your car here they watch where you're going. If you cross the street into the Millenium Park your car will probably be towed.
Want to just watch the fireworks? A good spot is the football field at Lord Tweedsmuir located on 180th Street, just north of 60th Avenue. Get there by 9pm and you should find a parking spot OK. Watch out for mosquitoes. Another good spot to watch is in the parking lot at the Cloverdale Super Market - the old Shop Easy - on the corner of 58th Avenue and 176th Street. The store is closed by then and this just has a nice view of the fireworks.
Getting out of Cloverdale after the fireworks? This is nightmare city for drivers, including cars travelling on 176th Street who have no intention of participating in the Canada Day activities. The police close down 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. Open for pedestrians only. However last year they had to rethink that strategy. The corner of 60th Avenue and 176th Street can be dangerous for pedestrians even though it has pedestrian activated light and a chirper noisemaker. There's a lot of bad drivers who don't want to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and multiply that when there are hundreds of pedestrians leaving a major event. So last year the police made a last minute decision to put in another blockade 2 blocks away at 58th Avenue and the Cloverdale Bypass. The problem is there were no instructions so drivers unfamiliar with the area turned up towards the United Church and then going through the back alley to 60th Avenue only to find themselves no better off because the only option was to turn east down 60th right back to where the police had it blocked off and they had to turn south back down the Cloverdale Bypass. So they did the circle route. The police also had 60th Avenue closed off between 176A Street and 176th Street so cars could not reach the intersection at all. To get out of Cloverdale if you're closer to 64th Avenue, go that way either direction on 64th or continue north on 176th Street. If you're parked in the fairgrounds/casino lot, either head east on 60th and away from Cloverdale, or go down 176th Street to Highway 10 and whichever way you want to leave. Avoid residential areas that are unknown to you. They are choked with lost drivers.
Happy Canada Day!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Latest Novel Horseman Spell coming soon!
Here's the cover of my latest novel Horseman Spell coming soon from Musa Publishing! My novel takes place in a fictitious area near Cloverdale and the characters are all pure fiction too. If you like romance novels, horses, or Standardbred horseracing this novel has a little bit of everything.Thursday, June 21, 2012
Cloverdale Legion Open House June 22 and 23 2012
The Cloverdale Legion is holding an open house on Friday June 22 and Saturday June 23, 2012.
On both days between 1pm and 4pm the public is invited to come in and view their exhibits and talk to members. The Ladies Auxiliary is serving free coffeee, tea, and desserts.
On Saturday morning June 23 between 8am and 10:30am there will be a free pancake breakfast. No other breakfast food will be served.
The Legion is located at 17567 - 57th Avenue in Cloverdale.
Playing at the Clova from June 22 to July 12, 2012
Playing this week at the Clova starting on Friday June 22 2012 starting at 7pm is Brave. This is another first time release date which means that the Clova's agreement is they play it for 2 weeks and they do not play a second movie feature with it. Movie ends around 8:40pm and the run ends on July 12, 2012. Admission is $8 or $15 for 2 people. Add $4 for each extra person.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Cora's Restaurant South Surrey
I've had the opportunity to visit Cora's Restaurant on 24th Avenue a couple of times this month.
There are a few Cora's around and the restaurant began in Quebec, thus why the menus are in both English and French.
Cora's is known for huge sides of fruit that accompany some of the entrees. Cora's is open for breakfast and lunch only. Most of the items on the menu run $10 to $15.
I had the tuna melt sandwich with the side of fruit and that fruit was pretty much a meal in itself. Highly recommended if you're craving fresh fruit to accompany your meal or as a garnishment to pancakes, waffles, or crepes.
Cora's is located in the Peninsula Shopping Centre on 24th Avenue inbetween King George Boulevard and 152 Street. There is a Safeway and London Drugs in here plus many other smaller shops and restaurants.
Horse Book Reviews: Ringer by Cheryl Rhodes
Horse Book Reviews: Ringer by Cheryl Rhodes: Cheryl Rhodes' romance novel, Ringer , is an exciting read for female horse lovers. It features a brave protagonist named Holly helpi...
Click on the above link to go to the blog Horse Book Reviews to read about my novel Ringer.
Click on the above link to go to the blog Horse Book Reviews to read about my novel Ringer.
Friday, June 15, 2012
2012 Ride To Conquer Cancer - Cloverdale stop
For anyone else wondering why tents and a stage are set up in the Cloverdale fairgrounds parking lot, it has to do with the Ride To Conquer Cancer 2012.
The tents were marked with different signs - media, medical, etc.
This stop is part of a 2 day event where cyclists are riding from Vancouver to Seattle.
For more information follow this link http://va12.conquercancer.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=va12_homepage
The tents were marked with different signs - media, medical, etc.
This stop is part of a 2 day event where cyclists are riding from Vancouver to Seattle.
For more information follow this link http://va12.conquercancer.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=va12_homepage
Cloverdale Mowing Does Not Yield to Pedestrians
Tonight - Friday June 15, 2012 - we had another enounter with a bad driver in Cloverdale.
We walked our dogs over to the fairground to check out what was going on because we drove past earlier and saw white tents and a stage being set up in the parking lot.
We were standing on the corner of 60th Avenue and 176th Street in front of 7-11, preparing to walk north across 60th to the fairgrounds when the light changed. I had pressed the pedestrian light. It was 8:30pm, plenty of light outside.
On this intersection there were several cars lined up on 176th Street preparing to turn left up 60th Avenue eastbound. They got the green arrow and away they went.
The pedestrian light activated and at this crosswalk it chirps for pedestrians. We stepped into the crosswalk - 2 adults and 2 large dogs - and a truck pulling a utility trailer made a flying left turn to go up 60th, cutting off the northbound traffic on 176th Street and without a care in the world for the pedestrians in the intersection and continued up 60th.
We stopped walking and pulled the dogs in when it was clear this truck and trailer was planning to mow us down in the crosswalk even though we had the pedestrian light. Advertising said "Cloverdale Mowing" and the utility trailer had large sides but I could see a riding lawnmower inside. Ironic isn't it. A mowing company wants to mow down pedestrians in a crosswalk!
It never ceases to amaze me when people are driving company vehicles with the advertising plastered all over that they will drive badly and give themselves bad advertising.
I don't know how many employees Cloverdale Mowing hires but they have at least one driver who has no regard for the safety of pedestrians in a crosswalk who have the legal entitlement to cross. Nor any regard for the safety of the people in the first car that was cut off on 176th Street. Companies are responsible for the actions of their employees. They have hired a poor driver who tried to hit pedestrians in a crosswalk and then sped off without a care in the world. Apparently the driver thought he was going so fast that I couldn't read his company name. Bad advertising when you hire bad drivers to drive a company vehicle. Employers do not seem to grasp this concept.
Fortunately I have my own riding mower and have no need of their services but they sure won't get a recommendation from me if I hear of anyone looking for a lawn cutting service.
We walked our dogs over to the fairground to check out what was going on because we drove past earlier and saw white tents and a stage being set up in the parking lot.
We were standing on the corner of 60th Avenue and 176th Street in front of 7-11, preparing to walk north across 60th to the fairgrounds when the light changed. I had pressed the pedestrian light. It was 8:30pm, plenty of light outside.
On this intersection there were several cars lined up on 176th Street preparing to turn left up 60th Avenue eastbound. They got the green arrow and away they went.
The pedestrian light activated and at this crosswalk it chirps for pedestrians. We stepped into the crosswalk - 2 adults and 2 large dogs - and a truck pulling a utility trailer made a flying left turn to go up 60th, cutting off the northbound traffic on 176th Street and without a care in the world for the pedestrians in the intersection and continued up 60th.
We stopped walking and pulled the dogs in when it was clear this truck and trailer was planning to mow us down in the crosswalk even though we had the pedestrian light. Advertising said "Cloverdale Mowing" and the utility trailer had large sides but I could see a riding lawnmower inside. Ironic isn't it. A mowing company wants to mow down pedestrians in a crosswalk!
It never ceases to amaze me when people are driving company vehicles with the advertising plastered all over that they will drive badly and give themselves bad advertising.
I don't know how many employees Cloverdale Mowing hires but they have at least one driver who has no regard for the safety of pedestrians in a crosswalk who have the legal entitlement to cross. Nor any regard for the safety of the people in the first car that was cut off on 176th Street. Companies are responsible for the actions of their employees. They have hired a poor driver who tried to hit pedestrians in a crosswalk and then sped off without a care in the world. Apparently the driver thought he was going so fast that I couldn't read his company name. Bad advertising when you hire bad drivers to drive a company vehicle. Employers do not seem to grasp this concept.
Fortunately I have my own riding mower and have no need of their services but they sure won't get a recommendation from me if I hear of anyone looking for a lawn cutting service.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Greenaway Pool 2012
I drove past Greenaway Park tonight (June 13 2012) just after 7pm and saw people in the pool.
Brrr! Must be cold in there! Raining today and just didn't warm up!
I still remember taking swimming lessons in there when I was a kid. Brrrr!!!!
I checked the City of Surrey's website to see what the hours are at Greenaway Pool but nothing is posted other than to say the pool is open on June 11 which I think I figured out all by myself when I saw the swimmers in there! It will be closed on September 3 2012 which is Labour Day this year.
The hours Greenaway Pool is open for swimmers is unknown but its always been pretty much hit or miss in the past. They seem to open and close without rhyme or reason, just whenever they can find a lifeguard or two to staff it.
Brrr! Must be cold in there! Raining today and just didn't warm up!
I still remember taking swimming lessons in there when I was a kid. Brrrr!!!!
I checked the City of Surrey's website to see what the hours are at Greenaway Pool but nothing is posted other than to say the pool is open on June 11 which I think I figured out all by myself when I saw the swimmers in there! It will be closed on September 3 2012 which is Labour Day this year.
The hours Greenaway Pool is open for swimmers is unknown but its always been pretty much hit or miss in the past. They seem to open and close without rhyme or reason, just whenever they can find a lifeguard or two to staff it.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Pancake Breakfast at Cloverdale Legion Saturday June 9, 2012
The Cloverdale Legion is having a pancake breakfast this Saturday June 9 2012 from 8am to 11:30am. Cost is $4.50 per person and includes pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, tea, and orange drink/juice. The legion is across the street from the Cloverdale firehall. Address is 17567 57 Ave.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Playing at the Clova from June 8 2012 to June 14 2012
Playing this week at the Clova from Friday June 8 until June 14th 2012 is:
7pm - Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Even though the Clova only has it up till the 14th this is a first run movie premiering everywhere on Friday June 8 2012. That means the Clova's contract is to play it for 2 weeks without another movie playing the second feature bill. So let's call it playing until June 21st.
Show lets out around 8:35pm. Admission is $8 or $15 for 2 people. Add $4 for each extra person.
7pm - Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Even though the Clova only has it up till the 14th this is a first run movie premiering everywhere on Friday June 8 2012. That means the Clova's contract is to play it for 2 weeks without another movie playing the second feature bill. So let's call it playing until June 21st.
Show lets out around 8:35pm. Admission is $8 or $15 for 2 people. Add $4 for each extra person.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Ringer by Cheryl Rhodes
Do you recognize the breed of racehorse in this picture?
If you don't recognize the breed of horse that races pulling a sulky and driver, keep reading below. The excerpt of my novel Ringer has the answer.
Never bet on an imposter!
“How do you suggest we get your horse off the track? Someone is going to see you and the horse walking out.”
“Drive up to Barn Three. I’ll duck down so no one sees me. Are the cops still there?”
“I can’t see them. They parked on the other side by the grandstand and walked over, so they might still be in the barns.”
Holly glanced at her passenger who was trying to crumple his large frame sideways, his head nearly in her lap. “Which side of Barn Three?”
“Left side and stop at the middle door.”
Holly drove through the unguarded gates. “The guy who manages the racetrack, his car is still here.”
“Johnson’s a jerk.”
She pulled the truck up to the barn’s side entrance, turned off the engine, and looked down at Matt.
“Okay, when you go in, turn to your right. She’s in the second stall down and wearing a halter with ‘Meadow Prancer’ engraved on it. Grab any lead shank. I’ve got them hanging all over the place.”
“What do you mean, I’m getting your horse? You want to bring her, you go on in there and get her yourself.”
“Holly, someone tried to kill me. What if they’re hanging around waiting for me to come back?”
“Why don’t you just tell the police who they are? And I doubt they’re hanging around with the cops crawling all over the place.”
“Please? I don’t want anyone to see me and know I’m out of the hospital.”
“What if someone sees me and I get arrested for attempted horse theft?”
“Not going to happen. Trust me. Please, just go on and get my mare.”
The man could talk a dog out of a big, meaty soup bone. He had a gentle persuasion that was impossible for horses and women to resist. Holly rolled her eyes and strode to the back of the trailer to let down the tailgate ramp. Scooby nickered softly and turned to look at her.
“Sorry, boy, you’re not coming out. You’re getting a passenger in a minute.”
Holly entered the dim barn, lit with only a couple of low-watt bulbs. She saw the main light switch but didn’t flick it on. If the police were still on the backstretch, she didn’t want to attract attention to herself and the removal of one Standardbred racehorse. Holly smelled the sweet aroma of alfalfa and listened to crackling straw as horses rustled softly in the stalls and poked their heads out to see the late visitor. She moved quickly to the second stall, read the horse’s name, Meadow Prancer, snapped on the lead shank, and unlatched the stall door.
“Come on girl,” she whispered, and the sleek, bay horse willingly followed. She walked the horse out the barn door and turned to her trailer.
“Stop right there!”
This is a picture of a Standardbred horse warming up before a race at Fraser Downs racetrack in Cloverdale, British Columbia. The same breed as featured in my novel Ringer.
Ringer is available as an electronic book. To purchase a copy of Ringer, click on one of the buy links below. Its also available on the iTunes bookstore and other online booksellers that might not be listed here. The Amazon link has a sneak peek at the first chapter and part of the second chapter.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Burnt Now Newspapers
I don't know if someone is making a political statement or just giving their opinion on the Now newspaper but someone pulled the newspapers out of the free box on the corner of 176th Street and 58th Avenue near the parking lot of the old Shop Easy - why can't I remember the name of the grocery store, I think its the Cloverdale Market. We have a lot of problems with the Now newspaper. People dumping them around our neighborhood under hedges and over by Cloverdale Creek. And no one at the Now seems to care enough to clean up their mess.
Playing at the Clova from June 1 to June 6 2012
Playing this week at the Clova from June 1st to the 6th is:
7pm - Dark Shadows
9:10pm - What to Expect when You're Expecting
Last show lets out around 11pm. Admission is $8 or $15 for 2 people. Add $4 for each extra person in your group.
7pm - Dark Shadows
9:10pm - What to Expect when You're Expecting
Last show lets out around 11pm. Admission is $8 or $15 for 2 people. Add $4 for each extra person in your group.
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