March 16, 2023 edition - A Fraser-Valley-famous potter hangs up his apron

Thursday, March 16, 2023 | Today: 🌞 High 13C, Low 1C | 7-day forecast

Good morning, there!

I was just looking at the weather on Saturday and I’m getting pretty excited about it. That much sunlight—and the fact that it’s around until 7pm every day—makes everything a little better. It’s probably too cold still to go to the beach, but I might go anyway.

Also, yesterday, as we prepared to celebrate our second anniversary, we asked you to submit any questions you wanted to ask us. We set a pretty strict character limit that may have been a little too restrictive. If you have a longer question to answer, you can now do so. Ask it here. Oh! And if you haven’t taken our reader survey, please do so. You can find it here!

Forward this to a friend so they can stay connected to Fraser Valley Current too!

New here? Subscribe here

NEWS

‘I pursued a dream’: a pottery pioneer bids farewell

After more than half a century of potting, Herman Venema has fired his kiln for the final time.

Last week, students-turned-long-time-friends wiped down the counters and tidied up Herman’s once-bustling studio. Since the 1970s, Fraser Valley’s pioneer of pottery has taught the fine art from his Abbotsford property. But after a final farewell sale this weekend Herman will close his studio doors for good.

Today, Joti writes about an attempt to save the studio, what former students had to say about the legendary potter, and Herman’s thoughts on his 50-year career in a precarious industry.

Need to know

🐣 Canadian farms are being hit by increasing numbers of cyberattacks, with hackers threatening to kill livestock [Financial Post]

➡️ A celebration of culture in Aldergrove went ahead after pandemic delays [Langley Advance Times]

🐔A deadline to apply for help was extended for farmers facing losses from poor weather or avian flu [Abbotsford News]

📈 Langley Township is considering a tax hike of 4.9% [Langley Advance Times]

🧑‍🌾 A pair of Abbotsford farms will receive federal funding for eco-friendly projects [Abbotsford News]

🚓 A woman’s death in Abbotsford has been deemed suspicious [Global News]

🏥 A man was arrested after allegedly carrying a gun into the Abbotsford hospital and dropping a bullet on the floor [Abbotsford Police]

👉️ The Fraser Valley Down Syndrome Society is in danger of shutting its doors as funding dries up [Abbotsford News]

🏊‍♀️ Fundraising for Kent’s regional pool is nearing its $21 million goal [Agassiz-Harrison Observer]

📷️ Current Cam: This week’s current cam was a barn on Chadsey Road in Chilliwack and was first guessed correctly by Kevin. Thanks to Grace Kennedy for the photo!

SPONSORED POST

TOGETHER WITH CUPE FRASER VALLEY TRANSIT WORKERS

First Transit workers need a lift

Fraser Valley transit workers care about getting you where you need to be - quickly and safely. Because connecting communities is what they do.

But First Transit is putting profit ahead of workers and riders.

They are paying transit operators 32 percent less than other transit workers in the region, and that means employees are working overtime to make ends meet. And there’s no pension.

First Transit workers with CUPE 561 need a fair deal so they can focus on getting you where you need to go.

The Agenda

Lifeguarding course coming to Chilliwack high school

Teenagers at Sardis Secondary School who want to be lifeguards will be able to dive into their training for (almost) free.

A new high school course, Swimming and Lifesaving 11, was approved by the Chilliwack School Board on Monday. Students can be certified for Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, and Standard First Aid (prerequisites for full lifeguarding certification) when they complete the course.

There are fees attached to the exams if a student wants their official badge but the standard course fees ($625 for all three certifications) won’t apply, lowering cost barriers to accessing lifesaving courses. Students will also get high school credit.

The new course was designed by Joel Sutcliffe, a teacher at the school and current lifeguard and lifesaving instructor. He said that the community has both an “immediate and long-term demand for lifeguard staff.”

The school will partner with the YMCA for pool space at the Cheam Leisure Centre and a co-instructor. Local pools have faced significant challenges recruiting and keeping enough lifeguards.

SPONSORED POST

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BC CANNABIS STORES

BC Cannabis Store is now open in Langley!

Opening Mar. 15 in Langley at Unit 150 – 20202 66 Ave. Join their grand opening on Mar. 18, and the first 100 people in the door will get a free tote bag!

Around town

THIS WEEK

🍹 The BC Beer & Beverage Festival is coming to Abbotsford’s Tradex on Friday. The event will include performances by Five Alarm Funk and Delhi 2 Dublin. Tickets online.

🎭 Abbotsford’s Gallery 7 Theatre presents The Secret Garden, which takes to the stage from March 17 to 25. Tickets for in-person or online live stream available.

📢 Have a future university student at home? Bring them to Spring Break Tour Nights at the University of the Fraser Valley! Ask about programs and campus life and have pizza on UFV.*

COMING UP

🎫 The Abbotsford Recreation Centre will screen Luca and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 during a family movie night on March 20. Admission is $2. Register online.

Have an event to tell us about? Fill out this form to have it highlighted in Around Town.

*Sponsored Listing

Want to promote your business to 30,000+ engaged locals?

Contact our partnerships team today

Have a tip? Email us