Monday, May 1 2023 - What to do in May

Monday, May 1, 2023 | 🌧 High 18C | Forecast

Good morning!

I recently did an interview with the Fraser Valley’s version of Bear Grylls. (Remember him from the television show Man vs. Wild?) At least that’s how I imagined Adam Laurie when he described his decades-long career with the Chilliwack Search and Rescue team (and his lengthy resume outside of SAR). We spoke about how the SAR teams operate and also the origin story of the Chilliwack team specifically. I didn’t know that it got its start in the 50s after a tragic plane crash in Mount Slesse. He also shared some tips for venturing out in the woods. So stay tuned for all that.

I also wanted to express my gratitude to Linda, Nancy, and Reena for supporting The Current by signing up for a membership. Learn all about it here.

NEWS

Mother’s day and dinosaurs

May is for Mother’s Day and dinosaurs.

At least, that’s what the month holds in store for the Fraser Valley this year. May is the heart of spring in the valley, and full of events, markets and festivals. It’s crowned with the May long weekend—and one of Fort Langley’s oldest spring parties.

This month, we’re talking about two of the valley’s biggest events (one old and one pretty new) and sharing a few options for celebrating Mother’s Day in your community.

There are also those dinosaurs.

• Today, Grace writes about what’s going on in May.

Need to know

🌡 Abbotsford and Hope broke temperature records on the weekend [Daily Hive]

🤔 Harrison’s mayor was allegedly absent from meetings with an independent facilitator appointed to help improve village governance [Agassiz Harrison Observer]

👮🏻‍♂️ Nine home invasions at Abbotsford marijuana grow-ops in the last year highlight how the ‘criminal element’ didn’t end with legalization, police say [Vancouver Sun]

🗃 The deadline to file taxes has not be extended; here’s how the CRA strike can impact your tax filing [Vancouver Sun]

🚓 A man was charged in connection to an attempted bank robbery in Chilliwack [Global]; RCMP explained why they asked the public not to post images on social media of the incident [Fraser Valley Today]

📕 Kwantlen First Nation author Joseph Dandurand released a new children’s book [donna_robins/Twitter]; We spoke to Dandurand about his early life and career, read that profile here [FVC]

💰 Abbotsford will receive $8.5 million from the province for upgrades to the Barrowtown Pump Station and other recovery efforts [CBC]

🚔 RCMP released photos of a man who allegedly attempted to rob a Chilliwack gas station [RCMP]

🚨 An Abbotsford man was charged for assaulting an Uber driver [Abbotsford police]

👍 As they celebrate 100 years, Langley’s freemasons are planning a housing project on the site of their current hall [Langley Advance Times]

⚖️ Two Mission properties connected to a marijuana grow-op trial can be subject to searches, a judge ruled [Mission Record]

❗️ A report of man exposing himself to a woman at Downes Bowl Trail has prompted Abbotsford police to patrol the area [Abbotsford police]

TOGETHER WITH FORT LANGLEY JAZZ FESTIVAL

Fort Langley Jazz Fest announces free line-up

The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival will feature 30 free shows, in addition to hosting other free programming at this year’s festival, July 20-23.

It’s the most diverse line-up yet spanning cultures, genres, and borders with extraordinary local, regional, national, and international musicians performing across four outdoor stages.

Local musicians like Oliver Gannon and Bill Coon. Raagaverse, an indo-jazz fusion quartet and jasmine jazz—which blends jazz with traditional Chinese music—will perform alongside national artists like two-time Juno jazz vocalist, Caity Gyorgy; Indigenous artist and Juno award winner, Celeigh Cardinal; and Argentinian pianist and composer, the Gabriel Palatchi Trio.

With fantastic music, art, and cultural activities throughout the village, the festival promises to be a unique experience that celebrates the power of music and art to unite cultures and communities.

More information about the festival’s free events is available here.

The Agenda

Tap-to-pay fares coming to Fraser Valley buses

Bus riders in the Fraser Valley may soon finally be able to electronically pay their fare (whenever buses begin running again).

BC Transit has begun implementing a new electronic fare system in Victoria, and officials expect the project to be rolled out in the Fraser Valley this fall.

The system, created by a company called Umo, will eventually let riders tap their credit and debit cards, as well as using Apple Pay and Google Pay. The project in Victoria would start with riders using Umo’s own app and reloadable cards, with the ability to tap cards following in a second stage. A Fraser Valley Regional District update by staff predicted that Umo would launch in the valley in the fall.

Of course, buses in the Fraser Valley are not currently running because of an ongoing labour dispute between drivers and the private operator contracted by BC Transit.

Marginally increasing bus boundaries would cost the Langley School District millions

The Langley School District spent $60,000 to learn that marginally changing student bus service boundaries will cost millions of dollars.

During a recent school board meeting, trustees reviewed information from a completed transportation study commissioned by the previous board. Last April, that Langley School Board asked staff to investigate the cost associated with changing walk limits for elementary and middle students from 3.2km to 3km and 4.8km to 4km for high school students. Walk limits are the point at which students are entitled to school-provided transportation.

The study found the changes would result in additional 434 students being eligible for bus service with an operating cost of nearly $700,000 annually. It would also mean the district would require an additional eight buses, which would cost between $2 to 3 million dollars depending on whether they were electric, propane, or diesel.

“I was a little surprised to be honest, or quite surprised at the cost of the study and that now we have $60,000 that isn’t going to classrooms,” said board chair Candy Ashdown.

The board received the study for information but whether any of the changes to bus services will be implemented remains to be seen.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CLOVERDALE RODEO

Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair returns May long weekend

For the first time since 2019 the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair is back May 19-22. Featuring professional rodeo events, live music headlined by George Canyon, food trucks, carnival rides, and countless activities for the whole family.

Purchase tickets here.

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Local of the Day

Sue Marples has been a realtor in Abbotsford for 20 years.

Favourite local restaurant: Revive

Favourite hidden gem: Willband Creek Bird Sanctuary

How long have you been a local? 40 years

Know an awesome local we should spotlight? Reply back and let us know!

We want to profile you! Or someone you really, really like. Take a moment and fill this out (or tell a friend to do so) and be one of our first locals of the week.

Become a paying subscriber of Current Insider Membership to get access to this post and other subscriber-only content.

Already a paying subscriber? Sign In