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Good morning, folks,

Thanks for reading. The Weather Network is predicting temperatures of around 30 C for the next few days, so put on the sunscreen and put off the yardwork.

Smoke section

I hope you guys had a better weekend than I did. I ended up getting into it with Gary, the disgraced president of my fantasy baseball league.

Some of you may remember Gary’s violent campaign to overturn the results of the 2020 Fantasy World Series.

Recently, Gary demanded that I give him Otto Lopez – the best player on my team – as a tax. When I asked why I should have to pay tax, Gary said the smoke from my cigar went into his window.

• Confused, I told him I couldn’t control the wind, but he said my “willful negligence” allowed “filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air” into his house.

I said I only smoked occasionally due to my anxiety over climate change but Gary said climate change was a scam created by China to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive, which I thought that was a weird thing for any president to say, let alone the president of a fantasy baseball league. 

After the meeting, my buddy read up on the rules and said there was nothing in there about a tax on smoke, even if it did cross a border. Unfortunately, I don't know if the rules apply in fantasyland.

Thanks for a great season, Otto Lopez.

On we go.

- Jeremy Shepherd

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Province pitches 3,000-unit Moody Centre plan

Nearly three years after the initial announcement, details are emerging on the province’s plan build a substantial development on Spring Street.

Roughly sandwiched by Hugh and Williams streets, the two-acre parcel would be redeveloped with approximately 3,000 units including rental housing. The development is also set to include a plaza fronting Moody Centre SkyTrain station and a pedestrian overpass to Rocky Point Park, according to a release from the province.

• Adding about 5,000 new residents to the area, the development aims to: “increase market rental and affordable housing unit supply,” while providing family-oriented options for middle-income households, according to the release.

 A Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure spokesperson previously stated the project would include a mix of affordability levels including purpose-built rentals, larger units, and options for low-income families.

The project would also include retail shops, artist studios, and parks. There is also potential to add health facilities and childcare, according to the province.

The site spans five Spring Street parcels, including about 150 parking stalls, based on a previous estimate.

Visit Tri-Cities Dispatch to read the story

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One quarter of Port Moody residents surveyed avoid some parks because of dog-related concerns

Nearly one in four people who responded to a City of Port Moody survey say they avoid certain parks because of dog-related issues, with Bert Flinn Park and Rocky Point Park emerging as the locations most frequently avoided.

The findings were presented to Port Moody council on July 14 as part of the first phase of public engagement for the city’s People, Dogs, and Public Spaces Strategy, which is intended to guide future decisions on off-leash areas, dog-friendly amenities, bylaws, enforcement and public education.

The strategy aims to balance the needs of dog owners versus other park users while protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Future recommendations could include changes to off-leash areas, education campaigns, park design and bylaw enforcement.

The first phase of engagement included three pop-up events, an online survey and discussions with the parks committee. In total, 349 people completed the survey, with 58 percent identifying as dog owners and 42 percent as non-dog owners.

• One of the clearest findings was a sharp contrast between the experiences of dog owners and those who do not own dogs.

According to the engagement summary, 79 percent of dog owners reported positive experiences with dogs in parks and on trails, compared with significantly more mixed responses from non-dog owners. Across both groups, respondents consistently said positive experiences were associated with dogs being leashed and under control, while negative experiences stemmed from rule breakers.

- by Patrick Penner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Visit Tri-Cities Dispatch to read the story

Today’s top stories

Friday night burger barbecue benefits food bank

The bank needs a little interest.

With donations running low and demand still high, SHARE Family & Community Services is joining up with Coquitlam firefighters this Friday as part of the Remember the Food Bank campaign.

Approximately 5,000 Tri-Cities residents, including many youths and children, head to SHARE’s food bank every month.

• “As costs keep climbing, we’re seeing more families where both parents are working and it’s still not enough to make ends meet,” stated SHARE CEO Claire MacLean, noting demand at food banks has doubled since 2022.

Friday’s barbecue at Blue Mountain Park offers attendees a chance to get a freshly grilled hot dog or burger, chat with firefighters, and learn a little more about SHARE.

Food is by donation with suggested amounts of $7 for a hot dog and $10 for a burger, both of which come with chips and a drink. 

With a goal of raising $150,000 this summer, the Remember the Food Bank campaign is part of an effort to make sure people in need can get: “healthy, fresh, and culturally appropriate food,” MacLean explained.

The event is scheduled to run from 4 to 7 p.m. at the picnic pavilion by the tennis courts. More info here.

Events around town

Super bowl

Head to Lee Valley Tools in Coquitlam this Saturday morning to learn how to turn a wooden bowl. $100. More info here.

A feast for the senses

Learn to make paella this Friday night at Eden West Gourmet. $145. More info here.

One more time with feeling

Grab the lawn chairs and set up at Evergreen Park for a screening of Sing 2 this Friday. More info here

Community Highlights

• Tree time: Port Moody residents can apply to have a city-owned tree to be planted near their property. More info here
  
  

• Drainage: Coquitlam looks for volunteers to mark storm drains over pollution concerns. More info here

Today’s featured photo

Thanks to Paul Ohannesian for snapping a picture of this very orderly goose convoy in Belcarra.

To have your photo featured, reply to this email with the photo along with your name (and if you want, your Instagram account). Or use the tag #TriCitiesDispatch on Instagram.

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