The victim of a targeted shooting in Langley on Friday night has been identified as Tarek Ali Al-Romeshi, 23, of Surrey.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says at around 9 p.m., the Langley RCMP received reports of shots being fired at a townhouse complex in the 8200-block of 204B Street.  

Officers found a man with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle.  He  was taken to hospital and pronounced dead.

A white Nissan 370z was found on fire close to the shooting site, and police believe it was related to the shooting.

IHIT was called in and investigators believe the shooting was a targeted hit.

Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551- IHIT (4448), or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

ticrawford@postmedia.com

Police are investigating after a weekend crash in Langley – in which alcohol and speed are believed to be factors – sent two men to hospital.

Just after midnight on Saturday, Langley RCMP were called to the 2800-block 273 Street for the report of a serious crash.

Officers on scene found that a right hand-drive Mitsubishi Lancer was southbound on 273 Street when it missed a “slight curve” in the road and crossed into the northbound lane. The Lancer then collided with a parked Dodge 3500 pickup truck.

A passenger was airlifted to hospital for life-threatening injuries and remains in grave condition. Meanwhile, the 38-year-old male driver from Chilliwack was taken to hospital by ground ambulance and is expected to recover.

“Alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in the collision,” according to a statement issued by Cpl. Holly Largy. “ICARS attended that night to assist with the investigation which will remain with Langley Traffic Services.”

sip@postmedia.com
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Langley International Film Festival

When: Feb. 16-18

Where: Chief Sepass Theatre

Tickets: varying prices

At first glance it might seem a bit weird that a documentary about a SoCal rock/punk/rockabilly band is opening the Langley International Film Festival (Feb. 16-18).

However, the Cadillac Tramps, the band at the centre of the film Cadillac Tramps: Life on the Edge, are kind of homies through association as they toured the Canadian West Coast quite extensively during 1991-00. In fact, in 1994 alone, The Tramps gigged in Vancouver three times.

“Canada was always really good to them. It is almost like their second home,” said Jamie Sims Coakley, the director of the documentary and the wife of Brian Coakley, one of the Tramps’ guitar players. “We were really excited when Langley asked for the film.”

Jamie Sims Coakley directed the new documentary, The Cadillac Tramps: Life on the Edge. The movie is part of the 2018 Langley International Film Festival from Feb. 16-18 at the Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort Langley.

The film is as energetic and heartfelt as the band itself was. I was lucky enough to see them live in the day. Leaving one of their shows you were both exhausted and completely exhilarated. This was a raucous happy place, where audience members were encouraged to slam into each other, but also hug one another.

Cadillac Tramps: Life on the Edge is one of six films at this year’s Langley International Film Festival (LIFF). It’ll be screened Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. After the film, Jamie and Brian will be on-hand to talk about the band and the movie.

Led by the charismatic and unrelenting frontman, the late Mike (Gabby) Gaborno, The Tramps entertained audiences and put fear in the hearts of other musicians who might find themselves having to follow the Orange County, Calif., outfit on stage.

Despite the huge shout-outs and reverence from musicians from bands like No Doubt, Pearl Jam and Rancid, The Tramps never made it big in the record-deal, arena-tour sort of way, in turn leaving their history to be more legendary than lucrative.

“Even after everything and even after making the film, I can’t put my finger on it. I still can’t say there is one definitive thing,” said Jamie Coakley, when asked about the band missing the big record deals and MTV success.

Coakley began the filmmaking process in 2013, when it became clear that Gaborno’s health began to crash. He eventually died in January 2017 at age 51 from liver disease. Gaborno dealt with addiction and alcoholism for stretches of time between 1987 and 2001. However, it should be noted that for the most part The Tramps were a sober gang that supported each other.

“We met because we all had a problem. We met because we were all seeking recovery,” says Brian in the film.

It’s that sober situation that also inspired Jamie to turn the camera on the group.

“Beyond the celebrities or rock stars talking about them, what really blew me away were the fans were just like, ‘They changed my life,’ or, ‘They saved my life,’ ” said Coakley.

Coakley added that during filming of the movie that at least 100 people told her they got sober and remained sober due to the band.

“I thought, ‘Who cares if they got famous or not?’ How many people can say they made art that affected people that deeply on that level. That you literally gave people their lives back with your art,” said Coakley. “That’s amazing. How cool is that?”

It’s really cool when you consider the film will be part of a festival that in turn helps young people make art, art that some day may also help people. The LIFF has to date raised close to $20,000 for film programs in the Langley secondary-school system. This year they’re expecting to add another 10 grand to the mix.

This year’s festival lineup also includes The TIFF and VIFF award-winning film, the drama Luk’Luk’l, from former Langley resident Wayne Wapeemukwa. The French film C’est la vie delivers the laughs. Rounding out the festival are the Hollywood movies Wonder and the Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning Get Out. Wonder stars Langley’s own 11-year-old Jacob Tremblay, who’ll be on hand after the film’s screening on Feb. 18 to do a Q&A.

Vancouver actor Jacob Tremblay with Julia Roberts in a scene from Wonder.

On Feb. 17, 18 short student films take centre stage at the LIFF.

“They are always very interesting. It shows what the next generation is maybe going to look like in filmmaking,” said Susan Cairns of the Langley School District and the festival’s programmer. “They love it and they love having their films in the festival. We make a big deal out of it.”

That big deal is the adjudication and prizes, as well as a post-showing reception.

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The social model of Canada’s first ‘dementia village’ is a good one that needs to part of a continuum to give people choices in where they choose to live, according to the B.C. seniors advocate.

Isobel Mackenzie said Wednesday that because the number of people with dementia will grow as the population ages, the need for facilities such as The Village in Langley will also increase.

Mackenzie cautioned that most people who live to 85 years of age and older will be living in their own home and maintain all their cognitive abilities.

“(But) we need to remember that there are those who won’t,” she said. “It is those people that I think are most deserving of our attention and our resources. I think that (The Village) will go a long way to bringing continued dignified living to those who deserve it.”

The Village in Langley is described as the country’s first community designed specifically for people with dementia. It based on the Dutch model of Hogeweyk which is designed so residents on their own can safely walk the streets, squares and gardens and use the theatre and grocery store.

Following groundbreaking for the project, Mackenzie spoke at an information session in the Township of Langley City Hall.

Once completed next spring, The Village will be a community of up to 78 people with dementia and other cognitive and physical impairments living in six, single story cottages. Care will be provided by 72 staff.

The Village is at 3920 198th St which is known as the Old Bradshaw Elementary School site.

Related

• Canada's first 'dementia village' to open in Langley next year

The Village is entirely funded by the private sector. Although the final costs haven’t been set, it is estimated that each person will pay $190 to $245 a day or between $6,000 to $7,500 a month for care.

Speaking to the media after the information session, Mackenzie acknowledged that The Village works for people who have the money to pay.

“The question is: How do people without those means find care?” she said.

“This is one model and it is good model but there needs to be other models because different people have different abilities and will want to make different choices.”

Mackenzie said because of the greatly appreciated value of homes in Metro Vancouver and to some extent in Victoria, aging homeowners are finding that they’re able to afford a level of care they didn’t anticipate when they retired.

“I think there are opportunities for the government to look at how it might want to help people subsidize their residential care in a different way to facilitate greater choice,” she said.

She gave the following example: If the government is already subsidizing someone at a cost of $4,300 based on income in a facility, then maybe the individual is given that amount to use it wherever she or he wants. In some cases, family members may be able to add another $3,000.

“I think we need to look at that,” she said.

“That will to some extent address this ghettoization. Then people really are choosing where they want to spend the last two and-a-half years or three years of their life.”

kevingriffin@postmedia.com

School officials in Langley are looking to calm nerves after a social media post by a Langley child read “planning a mass shooting” and drew a police investigation.

In a letter sent on Wednesday to parents at Langley Fine Arts School, administrators say the post didn’t point to a specific school but said social media chatter in the community had suggested the school was a possible target.

After an investigation by the RCMP, it has been determined there was no threat to the school.

A female teen admitted to police she had made the post. Police say she is not a student at the school.

Langley School District spokesman Ken Hoff said the concerning post never mentioned any school at all and “was not made by a student of the Langley School District.” 

“The post was made by a minor that is a citizen in Langley and the incident was reported to Langley RCMP but makes no reference to any Langley school or any Langley student. It was subsequent posts online that referred to Langley Fine Arts school.”

According to a follow-up letter sent Thursday to parents, school officials said the RCMP uncovered and are investigating “other previously unreported and unrelated incidents.”

No further information was being shared at this time, the letter said.

“It is important to recognize that the RCMP must investigate reported incidents which may affect what information can be shared. The school and school district do not act independently in cases where there is a concern regarding student safety and always work collaboratively with the RCMP. Please continue to notify authorities of direct threats and refrain from spreading unsubstantiated rumours on social media. Although the specifics of an RCMP investigation cannot be discussed, if you have any concerns of a general nature, please contact the school.”

After sending the letters to parents at LFAS via email, the Langley School District posted both letters on their website.

The school, which features a heavy emphasis on the arts in its core curriculum, has about 900 students on its rolls, from kindergarten to grade 12.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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Unapologetically Her

When: March 9; 3 p.m. to midnight

Where: Cascades Casino (20393 Fraser Highway)

Tickets and info: $159; eventbrite.ca

Kaitlyn Bristowe isn’t afraid to share what’s on her mind.  

Kaitlyn Bristowe will be part of the Unapologetically Her event in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Perhaps that’s part of what has made the former The Bachelorette star and current Off The Vine Podcast host so popular with her fans and followers. 

Bristowe will be doing even more of her trademark “real talk” at an event in Langley this weekend in support of International Women’s Day (March 8). 

Dubbed Unapologetically Her, the evening event will include “girl-talk style” conversations about love, life and business — as well as guest speakers, shopping, dinner, drinks and more. 

We caught up with Bristowe in advance of the event to see why exactly she wanted to be involved, what International Women’s Day means to her, and the one thing she wishes her younger self had known. 

Q. What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

A. International Women’s Day has such a special meaning to me, especially in this day in age. It’s a day where we really get to pause and think about all of the incredible achievements we’ve made. We’re strong, fierce and have a powerful voice. Now more than ever, it’s being heard. I’m proud of all the women around me and how far we’ve come. I’m also proud of the men that stand behind us and support us on this journey. 

Q. Being in the spotlight, how do you try to influence/join the conversation surrounding women supporting women and women’s rights? 

A. Because of social media, we’re so fixated on our appearances. Everything has to be filtered perfectly, and we only show the highlight reel. I’ve started a movement with Raw Beauty Talks called #Realstagram where I bare it all, no makeup and share something real that’s going on in my life. It’s not just targeted towards women, but I feel like a lot of women can relate to this. Unfortunately, we’re tough on ourselves when it comes to our appearance, but we have so many beautiful layers. Digging deeper into what that is a conversation I’ve started on my platform. 

Q. What made you want to be a part of the Unapologetically Her event? 

A. I love everything it stands for. When women come together, we’re unstoppable. Right now, there’s so much happening on a global level, and if we can have these moments and conversations locally, then that’s incredible. With every #metoo and every strong female leader sharing her story, we show the world the power of being a woman.

Q. How would you describe the event?

A. This is a one-of-a-kind event aimed at entertaining and inspiring women across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. This event includes an exclusive shopping experience, live music, dinner, dessert, champagne and of course unapologetic girl talk, live coaching panel and Q&A with the Lower Mainland’s best life, soul and business coaches. 

Q. What do you hope attendees take away from your Q&A at the event? 

A. I want this to be a very candid conversation where we talk freely. I want women to walk away feeling comfortable in their own skin and empowered to be themselves. 

Q. Why is it important to be a part of events like this? 

A. Every conversation we have, every movement, every event makes a lasting impact. Through events such as Unapologetically Her, we’re able to reach so many women and have these raw and real discussions. It’s so uplifting. 

Q. What is the ‘best version of yourself’? 

A. I love connecting with other women. Whether it be on my podcast, Off the Vine or through events like Unapologetically Her — I find it so inspiring. I always leave feeling on such a high.    

Q. What’s one thing you wish you could have told your younger self, and why?

A. To care less about other people’s opinions. Being in the spotlight, you’re always picked apart. It’s not easy. But over time I’ve realized that you can’t please everyone and when you feel overwhelmed, just take a step back. Love yourself first. 

Aharris@postmedia.com

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A longtime Vancouver condo developer was briefly taken into custody Thursday morning after a ruling by a B.C. Supreme Court judge moved him one step closer to extradition on criminal charges in the US, a few hours before a B.C. Court of Appeal judge decided the accused fraudster should be released on bail pending an appeal.

While Thursday’s extradition hearing concerned the alleged conduct of Vancouver developer Mark John Chandler a decade ago in California, court also heard details of his more recent real estate dealings back in B.C., and of a new, ongoing police investigation.

An FBI investigation into Chandler’s participation in an alleged scheme involving a purported Los Angeles condo development appears to have produced a legitimate case supporting allegations of fraud, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Duncan said Thursday morning in her reasons for ordering Chandler committed for extradition.

Chandler, 54, stood in the prisoner’s dock while Duncan advised him of his right to appeal, then he was handcuffed by a sheriff who escorted him out of the courtroom.

Chandler’s lawyer Michael Bolton immediately filed a notice of appeal, and an hour later, Bolton and a lawyer for the Government of Canada were upstairs before a B.C. Court of Appeal judge, arguing over whether Chandler should be released on bail pending his appeal on the committal order.

During the course of the hearing over Chandler’s bail, court heard details of Chandler’s latest Metro Vancouver real estate project, a 91-unit Langley condo development which has in recent months become mired in a complex tangle of multi-million dollar lawsuits alleging breach of trust, been ordered into receivership, and drawn the scrutiny of B.C.’s real estate regulator.

And now, court heard Thursday, B.C.’s real estate watchdog has referred their investigation into Chandler’s Murrayville House development — in which they found “serious allegations of misconduct” — to the Langley RCMP for a criminal investigation.

The findings of the investigation by B.C.’s Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate (OSRE) into Chandler’s Murrayville House development — in which the same condo units were allegedly sold to multiple different buyers — were of concern to the Attorney General of Canada, said John Gibb-Carsley, a Canadian Department of Justice lawyer acting on behalf of the US government seeking Chandler’s extradition.

Gibb-Carsley raised OSRE’s investigation into Chandler’s recent Murrayville House dealings in Thursday’s bail hearing, he told the court, because the findings raised “concerns that some of the same conduct that underpins the request for extradition is alleged to be occurring here.”

“The specific reason that it is of concern to the Attorney General is that it is very similar to the allegations in the request for extradition: the funds that were to be used for the project in California were used, the allegations are, for personal uses by Mr. Chandler, including a $90,000 trip to Hawaii and purchases at various luxury shops in Vancouver. So the concern is that funds — even if it is a loan — are being given for one purpose and used for another.”

B.C. Court of Appeal Justice Peter Willcock, considering whether Chandler should be released on bail again pending his appeal on the extradition order, asked Gibb-Carsley what risk would remain to the public now after OSRE’s emergency order last year barred Chandler from continuing to market the Murrayville development.

Gibb-Carsley replied that Chandler is involved in other property developments, and “the fact is that Mr. Chandler’s livelihood is as a property developer, and has been for, I believe, decades … I take your lordship’s point that if further activities with this property are no longer ongoing, what is the risk to the public? It may be from other properties.”

Justice Willcock said he did not consider Chandler a serious enough flight risk to deny his bail on those grounds, and that the risk to the public could be managed with strict bail conditions. He ordered Chandler’s interim release on a $500,000 surety, more than four years after Chandler was first arrested in 2013 in connection with the alleged California real estate investment scheme.

The criminal investigation is ongoing, court heard. Langley RCMP had previously told Postmedia that while no charges had been laid in connection with the Murrayville development, they could neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.

Today, all 91 units of Murrayville House in the Township of Langley sit empty, more than two years after its originally anticipated move-in date. Some homebuyers have suffered personal and financial hardship as a result being unable to move into the homes they thought they had purchased, according to affidavits filed in support of civil lawsuits.

Dozens of Murrayville pre-sale contracts will be reviewed on an individual basis before a B.C. Supreme Court judge over five days next week.

J.P. Dhaliwal, the chief financial officer of Chandler’s company, observed Thursday’s court proceedings. When a Postmedia reporter asked him outside court how Chandler’s possible extradition could influence the company’s operations, Dhaliwal said: “No comment. Lots going on today.”

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We all have those difficult spots in our gardens where it’s tough to get anything to grow. If those spots happen to be in a hot, sunny, very dry location, help is on the way.

Walter Pinder, of NATS Nursery in Langley, is in charge of sales for LiveRoof, a modular green roof system. Living roofs have been very much part of the European building culture for many years. Over the last 15 or so years in North America, interest in living roofs has been making great headway.

Sedum landscaping mats are ideal to create neat, easy-care borders. 

Pinder came to see me last fall to explain an exciting new concept that is similar to living roofs but designed more for today’s smaller spaces as a ground cover — one ideally suited for areas where it’s hot and dry. With our trend of ever-increasing drier summer weather, this could be a real asset for dealing with some challenging areas of our gardens.

The idea is to take this growing concept one step further by planting sedum landscaping mats in those trouble spots. Pinder said that eight to 12 specially selected evergreen sedum varieties, produced from cuttings, are planted in various sizes of coco fibre mats and grown on until they become thick, full and attractive. 

Chosen for their growing habit, foliage colour, and flowers, the sedums are blended together to create a beautiful textured look.  These very hardy sedums should grow year-round anywhere from the Yukon to the Gulf Islands, but it is essential that the soil drains well, and the area is not waterlogged during the wet fall and winter seasons.

Because the coco fibre mats come with the plants already rooted, they are easy to grow, however, proper soil preparation is important. Once you loosen up or rototill the existing soil, work in a well-draining, quality blended soil mix to help the roots catch hold quickly. Once laid out, give the mats a thorough, deep watering which will also help the roots penetrated the soil and anchor the mat.

Unique stepping stones, beautifully placed in a bed of sedum mats, are both attractive and practical.

Similar to living roofs, these landscaping mats need to be situated in low traffic areas where walking is minimal. If used on a pathway, set out some stepping stones, or better yet, uniquely shaped pieces of flagstone or slate for a more artistic touch.

The sedums will grow between two to eight inches (5-20 cm) tall and are very low maintenance. The only pruning needed is a quick cut back when the flowers are finished in order to keep a tidy appearance.

Pinder said there have been few problems with diseases or insects. On the contrary, these sedum mats create a bio-diversified habitat and make great homes for bees and pollinators. Their flowers provide both nectar and pollen.

Weed seeds will find their way into these mats via the wind and birds, but just a little hand-weeding will quickly remove these intruders.

To keep these sedum mats at their prime with healthy growth and good colour, an annual application of slow-release 14-14-14 fertilizer will feed them continually for four to five months. 

Beautiful sedum landscaping mats solve the problem of hard-to-mow banks. 

Watering, even during summer, is not really an issue according to Pinder. Once the roots get into the soil, the sedums are quite self sufficient. Only during a long period of drought and if you see some wilting, a good drink might be required.

Pinder said these locally-produced mats will be available for the first time this spring in late March or early April, so, check with your neighbourhood garden store.

The attractive ‘Color Splash’ mix is the most popular sedum landscaping mat. 

‘Color Splash’ is the most popular mix. The mats will come in three different sizes: 10-inch squares; 10 inches by 20 inches; and 1 foot by 2 feet. They will be priced around $25 per square foot. 

I can foresee many useful applications for this innovative product, from using it on hard-to-mow banks and for replacing turf to simply beautifying a barren area with live plants and creating new plant habitats.

This new concept sounds like a good solution for many landscape challenges. It is environmentally friendly, relatively low maintenance and well suited to today’s busy lifestyles. How great is that?

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• Read more about gardening

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Bob Donnelly, president of the Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club, next to the threatened Little Campbell River in South Surrey.

The Little Campbell River is a hidden natural gem in a bursting metropolis of 2.5 million people.

Every year, more than 5,000 salmon annually return to its waters, muscling their way up from the river mouth at Semiahmoo Bay near White Rock, surging beneath the bustling Highway 99 freeway, and splashing their way through a watershed spanning 72 square kilometres.

For more than six decades, volunteer club members — 800, at last count — have lovingly cared for the Little Campbell under an omnipresent cloud of human encroachment. 

“It’s known as the most productive salmon and trout river for its size in the Lower Mainland,” says Bob Donnelly, president of the Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club, which operates a productive hatchery built in 1984 on 11.5 hectares off 184th Street. “For the most part, it’s never been developed and that is what’s saved it.”

Yet it could also be lost in a flash with rampant development, he warns. “This whole thing is at risk. We’re trying to hold our finger in the dam right now and stop it from being destroyed.”

The hatchery’s indoor tanks and outdoor ponds are brimming with juvenile coho and chinook salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout — more than 100,000 to be released this spring alone. The goal is to have hatchery fish represent 25 per cent and wild fish 75 per cent of stocks returning to spawn.

Nature trails through the club’s property are open to the public and leashed dogs.

More than 100,000 school students have participated in the raising and releasing of fish into the wild, part of the club’s commitment to spreading the conservation message throughout the community.

At least 124 species of birds have been documented here, as well as mink, beaver, coyote, river otter, black-tailed deer, and the endangered Salish sucker. The river extends 24 kilometres through Surrey and Langley.

Two weeks ago — and for the first time to anyone’s knowledge — a couple of harbour seals made their way upriver to the hatchery’s steel fish-counting fence, nine kilometres from the ocean, in hopes of a cheap meal.

“It gives an indication of the value of this river,” said Donnelly, a retired management consultant.

The list of developments planned for the Little Campbell watershed are mounting up.

The Metro Vancouver board of directors last month said it plans to hold a public hearing into Surrey’s push for a 145-lot, single-family residential subdivision, housing about 450 residents. The development requires an amendment to the Metro 2040: Shaping our Future land-use designation map and the extension of regional sewer lines to the site, which is part of the Hazelmere golf course development. 

The Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club did not officially endorse the Hazelmere project, but did not oppose it, either, after a third round of talks with the developer led to a promise of rehabilitation of Kuhn Creek, a tributary of the Little Campbell River, including retention ponds and stormwater improvements.

“We’ll go back and hold their feet to the fire,” Donnelly pledged. “We know if we’re being conned.”

Waiting in the background is another plan for about 250 hectares in the South Campbell Heights area through which the Little Campbell River flows. The lands are currently mostly designated agricultural in Surrey’s official community plan, but are not part of the agricultural land reserve.

Donnelly is concerned that Surrey council ‘s latest plan for the area is inconsistent with the city’s “urban containment boundary” and includes a “special commercial/institutional” zoning that he fears could have serious consequences for the Little Campbell River watershed, including its western red cedar forests.

“It’s now wide open,” he asserted. 

A city staff report says that the zoning designation could include care homes, educational institutions, churches, conference centres, hotels, restaurants, craft breweries, and other small-scale commercial uses.

The land-use plan for South Campbell Heights will also require Metro Vancouver’s approval.

“There’s no other place like this in Surrey,” Donnelly said of the Little Campbell. “And there won’t be if we keep pushing it.”

The Surrey First civic party currently controls all nine seats on council, but insists it is not abandoning the environment in favour of development.

Surrey councillor Mike Starchuk, chair of the environmental sustainability advisory committee, said he believes that green space protection and streamside setbacks will prove sufficient to protect the Little Campbell River.

“We’re doing a good job,” he said of council’s environmental record, while touting the city’s state-of-the-art biofuel plant as “our newest treasure.”

Earlier this month, a new Surrey civic party emerged — Surrey Community Alliance, describing itself as the coalescence of the former Surrey Civic Electors and Surrey Matters parties, which included former mayor and longtime councillor and farmland advocate Bob Bose.

The new party says it seeks to bring balance and diversity to council in this October’s civic election and to give greater priority to environmental protection, arguing the current council is too indebted to the financial support of developers and does not sufficiently listen to the public.

“How can we avoid destruction of our green spaces?” asked Surrey Community Alliance president Doug Elford, an environmental protection officer in Vancouver who twice ran unsuccessfully for civic office in Surrey.

“We want more responsible development versus development at any cost for profit.” 

The party plans to hold a nomination meeting in May to elect candidates.

Urban development, including loss of riparian vegetation and laying of asphalt, can increase the amount of stormwater laced with pollutants that finds its way into fish-bearing streams.

In 2017, a report by Surrey staff revealed that some 10,000 trees are being cut annually in the municipality due to clearing by private property owners and developers.

lpynn@postmedia.com

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On a postcard-perfect street lined with cafés and shops, a boarded-up storefront is bound to attract attention. In historic Fort Langley, six of them have become the talk of the town.

Earlier this year, as the Township of Langley announced ambitious plans to develop several city-owned lots near the Fort Langley waterfront, developer Eric Woodward was in the process of withdrawing three development applications for projects along Glover Road, the village’s main street.

In February, he boarded up the buildings on the sites, stating he could not come to an agreement with Township planners over “onerous and ridiculous” development requirements. He has no intention to reapply and no long-term plans, he told Postmedia in a recent interview.

As spring sunshine brings crowds of tourists to Fort Langley after a the winter, the standoff between Woodward and the Township has many concerned.

On a Facebook page devoted to community issues, one resident called the boarded-up buildings a “black eye for the birthplace of B.C.” 

The Fort Langley Business Improvement Association and the township council want the impasse resolved as warmer weather brings more tourists, but both admit there is no simple solution.

A large piece of property at Glover Road and Mary Avenue is among several owned by developer Eric Woodward, who is locked in an impasse with the Township of Langley over the conditions for redevelopment.

A large portion of Fort Langley is a designated heritage conservation area, one of about 60 in B.C. That means new development must “respond to the heritage theme,” according to the Fort Langley Community Plan. Bylaws limit the height and size of new projects, and permits are required to alter or demolish heritage buildings.

But protecting the past can make it difficult to plot a course for the future.

“It is tough to balance,” said Township Coun. Charlie Fox. “When I make a decision, I have to look at the economics, the heritage piece and the residents themselves. It’s often give and take.”

Fort Langley is one of Langley’s most expensive — and richest — neighbourhoods, with residents reporting the highest incomes and highest education levels in the Township, according to a report presented to council in 2014.

In planning jargon, it’s a penturbia, a small town that lies beyond city suburbs. With a population of about 4,000 people, major growth is not expected in the future.

“It’s not an area with a lot of vacant or undeveloped land,” said Ramin Seifi, the township’s manager of engineering and community development.

Bedford Landing, the last large development in the area, was completed in 2011, when an old sawmill on the waterfront was subdivided, adding about 1,000 residents to the community.

“Fort Langley is a niche market,” said realtor Andy Schildhorn. “Demand is steady. People don’t tend to move away. They move in, raise their family and live in the community for 20 years or more.”

Andy Schildhorn, a realtor and president of the Fort Langley Community Association, in front of one of the boarded-up properties.

The Township’s plans for the village involve building two museums, a library, a conference centre, a small Aboriginal-themed lodge, new homes and shops on a collection of lots near the waterfront. Some of the projects will be developed in partnership with the Kwantlen First Nation.

“It will be exciting to see it come together, probably not in this council’s time, but the next one,” said Township Mayor Jack Froese.

Other developments are also going ahead. In early March, concrete trucks lined Glover Road to begin work on Lily Terrace, “an exclusive collection of 24 modern residences,” starting at $1 million.

On a recent Saturday, as the scent of lavender soaps and waffle cones wafted from busy shops, several tourists said they assumed the six boarded-up buildings were also part of a new development.

If Eric Woodward had his way, they would be.

“We made an amazing proposal that other towns would beg for,” he said. “This is not my fault.”

Fort Langley businessman Eric Woodward is locked in a dispute with the Township of Langley over his proposal for redeveloping a number of lots with boarded-up old buildings.

The developer floated the idea of a boutique hotel for Fort Langley in 2015. After community consultation, he submitted a development application to transform seven lots at the corner of Glover Road and Mary Avenue into a mixed-use building that would include a 27-room hotel, 34 residences and commercial space.

According to a staff memo, council would need to approve several variances, or exceptions, to the zoning bylaw for the project to proceed, including height and lot coverage. Staff also required a lane, or an acceptable alternative, to provide better access for service vehicles and connectivity with adjacent sites.

The lane, which would cut through a courtyard proposed for the middle of the project, proved a sticking point, with Woodward against it and township planners adamant the developer needed to address issues related to “transportation, connectivity, servicing and access.”

Another proposal by Woodward — this one to redevelop seven lots near Glover Road and McBride Street to build nine townhouses, 17 apartment units, retail and restaurant space — also hit a speed bump.

Anticipating increased traffic from the project, township staff asked the developer how he planned to improve a badly aligned intersection at Glover and Mary Avenue. One suggestion involved building a new road, which would require relocating a heritage building. Woodward called it the “road to nowhere.”

In October, with both projects stalled, the developer had one of the buildings painted pink in protest. He later repainted it grey and, between November and January, withdrew the development applications for both projects, as well as a third application for a small building on Glover Road. In February, the plywood went up.

All six buildings are “beyond repair,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do about the fact that they’re 80 years old. We’re not going to make a huge investment to restore them, especially when I’ve made proposals to replace them.”

The situation has some residents lining up along familiar battle lines, first drawn when Woodward developed the Coulter Berry building, also on Glover Road, in 2013. A group of residents, upset council had allowed the three-storey building to proceed contrary to a bylaw restricting buildings to two storeys, sued the Township to stop the project. They were unsuccessful, and council’s decision to allow the building was validated by a court ruling.

While the current impasse is not solely about height — council has indicated it is willing to consider three-storey buildings in Fort Langley, including its own museum proposal — some still feel the character of the village is at stake.

“If you’re going to develop, you have to adhere to the guidelines,” said George Otty, who runs a Facebook page dedicated to “protecting Fort Langley’s small village.”

“What (Woodward) is proposing is so far over the line, it would dramatically change the village.”

The size of the proposed developments would create significant transportation and parking issues, agreed Schildhorn. “I support development, but this seems too much for our little village.” 

He called the decision to board up six buildings “punitive to the community.”

Fort Langley Business Improvement Association president Gareth Abreo said his group tries to remain neutral on conflicts over private development, but the boarded-up buildings are not good for business, “especially when the real possibility exists of them remaining boarded-up for years to come.”

Woodward is a BIA director, and the association has asked him to consider “temporary beautification” of the plywood as a stopgap measure.

Fox said township council and staff are “very willing” to continue to work with Woodward and his professional team to find solutions.

The mayor was also optimistic the conflict could be resolved.

“It takes a lot to develop these older properties,” said Froese. “There are issues that need to be worked out, but I think we’ll get there.”

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The Independent Investigation Office of B.C. has filed a report to the Crown for possible charges against an officer in a serious collision.

On June 21, 2017, an RCMP officer in a police vehicle collided with a woman on a motorcycle in Langley. The woman suffered serious injuries but survived.

As a result, the IIOBC was tapped to review the incident. The IIOBC is responsible for investigating incidents that involve police and have resulted in serious harm or death.

On Monday, the agency announced it had concluded its review of the file and has forwarded a report to the B.C. Prosecution Service for “consideration of charges.”

The IIOBC does not make recommendations of specific charges or whether they should be approved, only whether an offence may have been committed.

The B.C. Prosecution Service then determines whether there is grounds to approve charges and whether a conviction is likely.

A Walnut Grove woman is appealing to TransLink’s board of directors to stop the Township of Langley’s bid to turn 216th Street into a truck route.

Geraldine Jordan, who brought her two young daughters to last week’s board meeting, said changing the street’s designation from a minor collector to a truck route after a new overpass and interchange are built at Highway 1 will cause serious problems for nearby residents.

“Residents in north Langley living in proximity to 216th Street will be at significant risk of increased pollution, noise and safety hazards due to the predicted large volume of truck traffic associated with the 216th Street and Highway 1 interchange,” said Jordan.

Construction is under way on the overpass and four-lane interchange at 216th Street. The project, which is being led by the provincial government, but has long been on the books for the Township of Langley, also includes the expansion of Highway 1 between 202nd and 216th Streets.

The idea is to improve traffic on Highway 1 and connect Walnut Grove to Willoughby and other communities on the south side of the highway.

The project is expected to cost $59 million, with $22.3 million coming from the each of the federal and provincial governments and $14.3 million from the township. Construction is scheduled to be complete by fall 2019.

The neighbourhood around 216th Street between 88th Avenue and the highway has long been opposed to the construction of an overpass and interchange, but since the project has gone ahead, residents have focused on preventing the now-residential street from becoming a busy truck route. 

Residents have met with council, attended meetings and information sessions and collected more than 1,700 signatures on a petition.

“There has been no consent given by the residents in our municipality for designating 216th Street north of Highway 1 as a truck route with highway connectivity, nor part of the MRN (major road network),” said Jordan.

According to a May 2017 Township of Langley staff report, the municipality plans to designate the length of 216th Street, from 88th Avenue to Highway 10 as a truck route, and remove six truck route designations and add two others in Fort Langley.

Designating 216th as a truck route would make it eligible to be added to the major road network, which is planned by TransLink and municipalities. TransLink staff must review proposals for additions to the major road network against a number of criteria, and then make a recommendation to the board of directors, which makes the final decision.

Jordan asked the board to reject any application for 216th Street to become part of the major road network.

The township report states that if the road was included in the major road network, it would be eligible for operations and maintenance revenues to the tune of just over $300,000 per year, and annual capital funding for required upgrades.

A TransLink spokesperson said the township has not yet applied to have 216th Street included in the major road network. The decision to designate 216th a truck route is one that rests with the municipality.

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• Imminent, 'bloody criminal' Langley Township interchange angers ailing residents

The moving boxes had scarcely been unpacked when the first break-in happened.

Six months after Deb Kinar moved into a new development in Maple Ridge, a man stole two dirt bikes and two road bikes from her garage.

“We weren’t as safe as we thought,” she said.

A neighbour had video footage of the theft, which Kinar immediately supplied to police. Six weeks later, she had most of her stolen property back.

The experience prompted Kinar, a former RCMP employee, to begin the Jackson Ridge Block Watch. The group uses a Facebook page to update members about crime, suspicious activity and stolen property in their subdivision near 100th Avenue and Jackson Road in Maple Ridge.

“We’ve gained a lot of traction over the last two years,” she said. “It has definitely led to results.”

The residents of Jackson Ridge aren’t the only citizens turning to social media to fight crime. Across B.C., official block-watch groups — and some unofficial groups — are using Facebook to make their neighbourhoods unwelcoming to criminals.

The practice has benefits, but it’s not without risks, said Gabriel Pelletier, a director with the Block Watch Society of B.C.: “All we can do is encourage our captains to be involved in these pages, to tamp down some of the hype and remind people to report incidents to police.”

The non-profit society, which provides block-watch materials and education to participating municipalities and police departments, promotes email as the preferred method of communication between neighbours. Facebook groups can be difficult to control, particularly when members are able to post unconfirmed accusations against suspected criminals.

The spread of misinformation is something the Abbotsford Police Department considered when it started its own block-watch Facebook page earlier this year, said Kelly Pater, the APD’s community-policing coordinator.

“We haven’t had any negative experiences, but we’re aware that there could be issues,” she explained. “If we see anything that shouldn’t be there, we’re prepared to deal with it.”

Pater coordinates 312 block-watch communities within Abbotsford, comprising about 11,000 homes. Not all the communities have a Facebook page, but it’s an effective way for neighbours to stay in touch, she said. The program, which began 18 years ago, is picking up speed, with seven new inquiries over the last month.

The emphasis is always on reporting incidents to police, said Joanne Kaminsky, a block-watch captain in Abbotsford’s Sandy Hill neighbourhood and the administrator of the group’s Facebook page. “If police don’t know what’s happening, how can they possibly address it?”

Several months ago, Kaminsky was walking her dog when she came across a pair of work boots in the bushes. She snapped a few photos and posted them to her block-watch page. The owner saw the post and was able to recover his stolen property.

“Facebook is an amazing tool,” she said.

The South Otter Block Watch Facebook group isn’t connected with the official block-watch program, but it has also been key in the Aldergrove community’s fight against crime, said administrator Doug Anderlini.

After a rash of break-ins, residents held a community meeting to make a plan, which included the creation of a Facebook page.

“There would be yard sales on the weekends, and residents would recognize their stolen stuff. But there was nothing we could do if we didn’t have the serial numbers written down,” explained Anderlini.

The Facebook page became a way for neighbours to keep tabs on suspicious vehicles trolling the streets late at night.

“We stayed within the law, but we took away their anonymity. We made it hard for them to stay,” said Anderlini.

Florence Fowler, crime prevention program coordinator with the Langley RCMP, couldn’t comment on the unofficial block-watch group, but she said part of the reason block watch works is because it provides a way for residents to get to know their neighbours.

“People are busy, people move in and move out, but with this program you get to know who belongs in your neighbourhood and who may be there for another reason,” she said.

The Vedder Block Watch Facebook group was also instrumental in helping to curb suspicious activity in Chilliwack, said administrator Steve Vanlaerhoven. While the group of 320 members isn’t officially connected with the Chilliwack RCMP, members sometimes supply police with information about stolen property they’ve found stashed in the bushes or call the pawnshop to report missing goods.

“It’s a great way of coordinating,” said Vanlaerhoven, who admits he’s had to discourage vigilantism a time or two. “It’s a way for people to get involved in their neighbourhood.”

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Gary Janzen and his wife, Karen, have been living out of suitcases for 18 months. But they’re not on holiday.

They’ve “couch surfed,” and slept in 15 different beds in that time, Janzen said. As he prepared this week to collect his summer clothes from a Pitt Meadows storage locker, he said: “This is getting a little old.”

In April 2016, the Janzens signed an agreement to buy a condo in Murrayville House, a 92-unit development in Langley. They expected to move in that July.

The Janzens knew construction might not be completed right on time. But they didn’t expect to wait until this month for clarity on the purchase agreement they signed two years ago.

And when that clarity came, in a B.C. Supreme Court decision this month, it wasn’t good news for the Janzens.

Constructions delays aren’t uncommon in condo developments. But Murrayville House goes far beyond that.

The Janzens are part of the human toll of the development, described this month by a B.C. Supreme Court judge as a “house of cards.” The property is entangled in lawsuits while its developer, Mark Chandler, faces a criminal investigation by the Langley RCMP and tries to fight off an extradition to the U.S. to face charges of orchestrating a real estate investment fraud there.

Gary Janzen and his wife, Karen, are among dozens of would-be homebuyers left out in the cold by the mess at the troubled Murrayville House development in Langley. They are living by couch-surfing with most of their belongings in this storage facility.

In this month’s B.C. Supreme Court judgment, which had been anxiously awaited by prospective Murrayville homebuyers, a judge ruled they couldn’t complete the purchases of their units at the prices agreed upon years ago in their sales contracts. 

In the view of the private lenders who financed Murrayville and who fought to have the pre-sale contracts terminated and the units re-sold at current prices, the decision was the only appropriate one. It was also the outcome supported by the developer, Chandler, and his numbered company.

But B.C.’s real estate watchdog had warned the judge about the precedent it could set if the court cancelled the homebuyers’ contracts in favour of the lenders’ applications to re-sell the units at higher prices, calling it an “absurd result” that would reward the developer for “serious misconduct.”

“This result would set a precedent encouraging future developers to enter into contracts of purchase and sale with no intention or incentive in certain markets to complete those sales,” the watchdog said in court filings. “For example, in a rising market a vendor would simply allow the completion date to pass, and then re-market a unit for a higher price of its own benefit.” 

After this month’s decision — which real estate experts say underscores the need for caution in pre-sale purchases — the Janzens and many others are trying to figure out what they’ll do next.

In the two years the Janzens have been waiting to take possession of the home they thought they were buying, Metro Vancouver housing prices have risen dramatically. Meanwhile, they’ve been on the sidelines of the property market, having sold the home they had owned for 15 years. As a part of the judge’s order this month, the Janzens and other would-be Murrayville pre-sale buyers will have the first right of refusal on their unit at current market rates. But the Janzens can’t afford the new price.

Elyse Vroom outside Murrayville House in Langley.

Elyse Vroom, a 28-year-old who works for a financial firm and saved for two years to make Murrayville her first home purchase, has been living in an apartment owned by a church that, she says, “took pity on me.” 

“I don’t even know what to do now,” said Vroom. “There’s almost no option left but to leave the Lower Mainland.”

Kelly Burke, a retired train conductor, and his wife tried to buy a Murrayville unit last year, looking to move from the Okanagan to be closer to their grandchildren.

Instead, the Burkes spent almost a year bouncing around the Fraser Valley. In an affidavit to the court, Burke wrote “as our closing date was constantly pushed back, we had to live in our trailer … forcing us to move our trailer daily and weekly and to occupy Costco and Walmart parking lots, side streets and friends’ driveways.”

Burke doesn’t expect to recover any of the $14,000 of delay-related expenses listed in his affidavit.

After this month’s court decision, he’ll just take his down payment back, and try to move on. “This isn’t how we wanted to spend our retirement.”

‘No winners’

“First, let me state the obvious. There are no winners in these circumstances,” Justice Shelley Fitzpatrick said in her ruling on Murrayville. “The failure of the development will affect most, if not all, of the stakeholders.”

Construction on Murrayville was to be completed in early 2016, and although the building was ready for occupancy in August 2017, no sales have happened, and it remains empty.

Last year, after a number of lenders began foreclosure action against the Murrayville property, claiming Chandler’s company owed millions in unpaid mortgages, “some order was brought to this chaos by the appointment of the receiver,” Fitzpatrick said.

That receiver, the Bowra Group, reviewed the Murrayville project and found several irregularities. For one thing, the project’s various creditors were owed about $62 million, more than double the property’s value of $29 million. Furthermore, the receiver reported, Murrayville had 149 purchase contracts for 91 units, with many units being sold two or three times.

Most deposits for the pre-sale contracts had been held in trust at the developer’s law firm, Bowra reported in November. But 68 parties had paid $12.2 million directly to the company for units, money for which the developer had not provided the receiver with any accounting nor “confirmation as to how much, if any, of these funds are held in a bank account.”  

From left, Elyse Vroom, Nolan Killeen, Kelly Burke, Laurie Lakusta, Laurie Brummitt and Dave Brummitt outside Murrayville House.

During the Bowra Group’s review, they separated the 149 buyers into different groups, based on the types of contracts they’d signed. In their application to the court, the receiver highlighted a group of 40 would-be homebuyers with what they described as “standard pre-sale contracts.”

Many of the other sale agreements contained irregularities, but the receiver recommended that the homebuyers who signed those 40 contracts identified as standard should be allowed to complete their sales and take possession of their units. That way, the receiver could start monetizing the property and at least some buyers could start moving on with their lives.

The Janzens were among the 40.

In January, the Bowra Group applied to the B.C. Supreme Court for directions on the validity of the contracts and whether they should be completed. As Fitzpatrick noted in her ruling, although the contracts had passed their expiry date, “the receiver suggests that it be allowed to ‘amend’ the existing contracts to permit them to complete, presumably meaning that the contracts could be resurrected.”

Over five days last month, lawyers for the receiver, buyers, lenders, developer and others — one observer said he counted 22 lawyers in court at one point — appeared before Fitzpatrick to make submissions on what to do with those first 40 would-be homebuyers.

The fate of another group of homebuyers is to be discussed at another hearing later.

The receiver’s recommendation to complete the 40 contracts was supported by many who bought pre-sale contracts and by B.C.’s superintendent of real estate.

Chandler’s company, whose representatives did not return calls for this story, opposed closing those 40 contracts. The private lenders also opposed the receiver’s recommendations, arguing contracts should be terminated, so the units can be sold again at current market rates.

An appraisal in January indicated the current value of the units was, on average, 46 per cent higher than the contract prices.

A filing from Forjay Management, one of the lenders, states there’s “no doubt” that terminating all the contracts, remarketing, and selling the units on today’s market is likely to result in a “materially greater recovery.”

“That result — the maximalization of realizations from the sale of assets under its control — is one of the most important duties, and arguably the primary mandate, of a receiver. In the circumstances of this case, the investigation as to the proper course of action should end there.”

Forjay’s president, Jim Mercier, is also the chairman of Reliable Mortgage Investment Corp., the lender that financed the developer’s original purchase of the Murrayville property.

This week, Mercier said that while the situation of the pre-sale buyers was “unfortunate,” the case boiled down to the fact the contracts were past their “drop-dead date.”

“It was that simple,” Mercier said. “The law is quite clear.”

Murrayville House, a condo project at 5020 221A St in the Township of Langley.

A tangled web

But the superintendent of real estate stated that “the creditors’ desire to sell units at a higher price should not trump the purchasers’ interests to finally complete the purchases of their units.”

This week, the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate made a brief statement by email: “This decision is but one part of a larger case. … OSRE continues to investigate this development and its developer, Mark Chandler. OSRE respects the court’s ruling and will not be providing any additional commentary.”

The superintendent’s position is outlined in submissions filed with the court before the March hearing, stating that if the 40 contracts were declared invalid, it would mean the developer’s creditors — and, by extension, the developer — “will reap the benefit of the significant increase in value of the units and bolster their own economic position at the expense of the purchasers of the 40 subject contracts.”

“Declaring the 40 subject contracts invalid or unenforceable essentially amounts to a windfall for creditors,” the superintendent said. The submission added that while there is no indication the creditors committed any misconduct, the developer and the lenders should not receive a windfall from the developer’s “serious misconduct.”  

That result would be “absurd” and “undermines the basic tenets of fairness enshrined in … consumer protection legislation,” the superintendent said. “This result would set a precedent encouraging future developers to enter into contracts of purchase and sale with no intention or incentive in certain markets to complete those sales.”

Mario Mainella, Bowra Group’s senior vice-president overseeing the Murrayville case, has worked on many challenging real estate receiverships in his 18 years in the business, but “in terms of pre-sale contracts and money being exchanged, this would be the most complicated one.”

“This is more of a tangled web,” he said. “This is a big mess, and it wasn’t created by the pre-sale purchasers or the lenders.”

‘Moving forward’

Scott Johnston, a real estate lawyer with Campbell, Burton & McMullan who is not involved with the Murrayville House litigation, said Fitzpatrick’s decision essentially shows that the “unregistered contractual rights of the pre-sale buyers did not trump the registered land rights of the mortgage holders.”

“This decision,” he said, “stresses the importance of careful review of the disclosure statement provided to buyers of a pre-sale development. As noted by the judge, the disclosure statement for Murrayville House expressly disclosed that Mr. Chandler had been issued ‘cease marketing orders’ by the superintendent in 2006 and 2007, facts that would have highlighted the potential risk in this case. … Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

In the 2006 cease-marketing order, B.C.’s then-superintendent of real estate, W. Alan Clark, wrote there was a likelihood Chandler “sold one or more development units in the developers’ developments to more than one purchaser.”

B.C.’s current superintendent also highlighted Chandler’s earlier cease marketing orders, but used them  to argue risk should be borne not by the would-be buyers, but by the mortgage holders. In court filings, the superintendent called them “sophisticated lenders who would have been well aware of the risk they were taking. Simple due diligence would have alerted lenders to the previous misconduct of Mr. Chandler who was subject to previous cease marketing orders for astonishingly similar misconduct as in the current circumstances.” 

Indeed, the fallout of the Murrayville house of cards has already given pause to some prospective pre-sale buyers.

Tracy Gustafson had been eyeing a pre-sale condo in North Delta, but this month’s decision caused her to reconsider. She learned of the Murrayville mess from an acquaintance, Jacquie Zeglen, whose mother in her late 70s was one of the 40 would-be buyers who signed a pre-sale contract for a unit there.

Now Gustafson and her husband want to avoid a pre-sale contract, and are leaning toward purchasing an existing unit.

“I think the judge’s decision is going to have a wide impact on pre-sale buyers,” Gustafson said. “It was an eye-opener for us, that’s for sure.”

Gustafson’s acquaintance, Zeglen, said not only does her mother now need to dig deeper into her retirement fund to buy the contracted unit at a much higher price — she estimated her mother could be out an additional $200,000 — but “the worst part is … essentially we are helping pay of Mr. Chandler’s debt, which doesn’t sit well.”

“It is very frustrating,” Zeglen said, that the developers “seem so untouchable, leaving a trail of devastation behind them.”

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Osso Lunchroom   

Where: 20381 62 Ave. #703, Langley

Open: Tuesday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Info: ossolunchroom.com

If you’re in Langley and looking for a delicious dish of Italian food that doesn’t come with all-you-can-eat bread sticks you might want to try Osso Lunchroom.

The restaurant, which opened in 2015, is located in a commercial complex that gives it a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it quality. But, don’t let the unsuspecting exterior fool you, inside the there’s a lineup of eats on offer that includes casual comfort food inspired by the cuisine of Italy, with a local twist.

“Our menu is 95 per cent local at the peak of the Fraser Valley’s growing season,” Sean Bone, the executive chef and owner, says. “We grow our own micro-greens, and grow some of our own vegetables.”

Osso Lunchroom in Langley offers casual Italian fare. 

The small eatery features walk-up ordering, guided by a floor-to-ceiling chalkboard menu displaying the seasonal creations on offer by Bone, a Red Seal certified chef, and communal seating at reclaimed wood tables that can create  a bit of a musical chairs scenario in the dinner rush hour. 

“It was meant to have people come together to eat,” Bone explains. 

Despite a steady stream of diners coming and going, the restaurant’s front-of-house staff member was friendly, helpful and efficient — taking orders, filling drinks, delivering meals and quickly clearing empty plates and othed assorter dinner detritus to clear the way for the next dining party. 

In addition to offering a decent array of local beers on tap such as Four Winds of Delta, Osso Lunchroom serves up several coffee concoctions, as well as red and white house wines (both were pleasant but a bit pricey at $8.50 for a 5 oz pour).

Roasted beet, spinach and goat cheese salad.

Our meal started with the roasted beet, spinach and goat cheese salad with walnuts and a roasted lemon vinaigrette ($13.75). The chilled starter dish was delicious and flavourful with the mix of pickled and plain beets and light dose of dressing playing perfectly alongside the creamy dollops of goat cheese.

Pizza with prosciutto, arugula, pesto and tomato at Osso Lunchroom in Langley.

As one might expect in Italian eatery, our dinner party then moved on to the pizza and pasta offerings. The prosciutto, arugula, pesto and tomato pizza ($16.50) was loaded with toppings, including both sliced and chopped prosciutto pieces.

The thin crust was chewy and slightly crispy, and created a perfect base for the layer of goodies on top.

“The pizza dough that we produce is made with a bread starter called a biga,” Bone says. “We have kept our starter alive for over three years. This style of dough yields an amazing flavour.”

While the finely chopped prosciutto was a nice surprise, a handful of fresh arugula in addition to the baked leaves might have made the pie more flavourful. Next time we’ll try the popular margherita pizza, which seemed to be a consistent choice among fellow diners.

Bucatini and meatballs.

Next was the bucatini and meatballs ($13.50), which came in a personal serving size (unlike the pizza, which was easily shareable between two, maybe even three people). What, at first, appeared to be a small portion turned out to be just right thanks to the chewy noodles and trio of meatballs. The slightly spicy sauce was simple and enjoyable, but it was the juicy orbs of ground beef that were the star of the dish. Next time, we’d probably go for a side dish of the meatballs, they were that good.

The eatery also offers its meatballs as the filling of one of its fresh sandwiches, which Bone says is a bestseller. 

Affagato.

For dessert, our dinner party shared the affagato ($5.50) as well as the ricotta doughnuts ($5.50). 

Affagato, essentially a few scoops of gelato drowned in hot espresso was absolutely delicious. The cold ice cream absorbs the full flavour of the coffee, creating a soupy, sweet mix that had our table nearly fighting for the final spoon. 

Ricotta doughnuts.

The rich ricotta doughnuts may not appear too appetizing at first glance, but it was love at first bite. Fried to a crispy golden crust and coated in cinnamon sugar, the soft, pillowy insides were perfectly sweet and not too doughy or dense. Sitting in a shallow pool of warm caramel, the devilish delights provide the perfect ending to a pleasant experience. 

Aharris@postmedia.com

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I have the privilege of speaking to many garden clubs and plant associations across the province, and I always appreciate their passion for the many aspects of gardening. 

These folks deal with many plant issues in their own gardens, and they are a great resource for sharing gardening know-how and for providing novice gardeners with helpful advice. 

Many groups raise funds for community needs and projects by selling plants, and they stage spring shows to feature their clubs’ interests and activities.  

The following are just some of the local garden club events happening throughout B.C. over the next few weeks. For further information on each event, please contact the association directly. 

Be sure to contact your local garden club to ask if they have something special happening soon. (Please note: some events are cash only.)

Garden club plant sales are always eagerly anticipated.

PoCo Garden Club plant sale

When: April 28, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Trinity United Church, 2211 Prairie Ave., Port Coquitlam

What: From herbs and edibles to annuals, perennials and shrubs, all plants are grown by members, and organic master gardeners will be on hand to provide advice. Bake sale, raffle and garden-themed yard sale, too.

More info: pocogardenclub.wordpress.com

Langley Garden Club annual spring plant show and sale

When: April 28, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: United Church of Langley, 21562 Old Yale Rd

What: Juried plant show, plant sale, garden related items and baked goods/preserves, too.

More info: langleygardenclub.com

Chilliwack Garden Club plant sale

When: April 28, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Chilliwack Mall, 45610 Luckakuck Way

What: Offering perennials, fruits, vegetables, herbs, annuals, bulbs and exotic plants. Learn from area experts while you’re there.

More info: chilliwackgardenclub.com

Gibsons Garden Club annual plant sale

When: April 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Gibsons Community Centre, 700 Park Rd.

What: Featuring plants lovingly started and potted up by members, as well as a bake table and garden decor. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions.

More info: gibsonsgardenclub.ca

Park & Tilford Gardens spring plant sale

When: April 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 333 Brooksbank Ave. & Main Street, North Vancouver

What: Plants for sun or shade, trees, shrubs, grasses, summer bulbs, annuals, herbs and edibles.

More info: email info@parkandtilfordfogs.ca

VanDusen Botanical Garden plant sale

When: April 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5151 Oak Street

What: Thousands of tried and true plant favourites will be for sale, as well as new and different treats for your garden.

More info: Contact Margie Knox 604.261.1868

South Burnaby Garden Club annual plant sale

When: May 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: All Saints Anglican Church, 7405 Royal Oak Ave

What: Flowers, annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs and edibles. Also refurbished garden tools, and much more.

More info: southburnabygardenclub.org

Mission Garden Club 23rd annual plant sale

When: May 5, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church 8469 Cedar St.

What: Hostas, hydrangeas, hardy fuchsias, perennials, edibles, a few trees and rarities. 

More info: facebook.com/groups

Coquitlam Dogwood Garden Club plant sale

When: May 5, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Centennial Room, Dogwood Pavilion, 624 Poirier St.

What: Will be offering a wide variety of plants and will be featuring the Coquitlam rose that was developed for the city’s 125 anniversary in 2016 by Brad Jalbert of Select Roses.

More info: dogwoodgardenclub.weebly.com

Vancouver Rhododendron Society plant sale

When: May 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Park and Tilford Gardens, 333 Brooksbank Ave. & Main Street, North Vancouver

What: Species and hybrid rhododendrons and companion plants for sale. Experts will be on hand to answer your questions.

More info: rhodovanbc.org

New Westminster Garden Club’s boulevard plant sale

When: May 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Boulevard in front of 720 Fifth St.

What: NWHS members’ veggie and herb seedlings, perennial divisions, propagated shrubs. Pretty much everything you’ll want in your garden.

More info: newwesthortsociety.org

Armstrong and District Garden Club annual plant sale and silent auction

When: May 12, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Odd Fellows parking lot, 3005 Wood Ave

What: This is a fun event and is their only fundraiser, which helps them to give back to the community with donations, high school bursaries and support to needy clubs.

More info: facebook.com

Lynn Valley Garden Club plant sale

When: May 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Where: St. Clements Anglican Church, 3400 Institute Rd., North Vancouver

What: Offering a wide variety of perennials, shrubs, trees, vines, ground covers and hundreds of veggies plants.

More info: email lynnvalleygardenclub@gmail.com

The much coveted Meconopsis betonicifolia (Blue Himalayan Poppy) will be available at the UBC Botanical Garden Peonies, Poppies and Pelargoniums Courtyard Sale. 

UBC Botanical Garden peonies, poppies & pelargoniums courtyard sale

When: May 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Where: 6804 SW Marine Drive at 16th Avenue, Vancouver

What: Shop from several varieties of poppies including the Blue Himalayan Meconopsis, a special assortment of pelargoniums, Itoh, tree and shrub peonies. Master gardeners and Hortline experts will be on-site.

More info: botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/events

London Heritage Farm Society annual plant sale

When: May 12 and 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Where: 6511 Dyke Road, Richmond

What: Over 100 varieties of perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, organic vegetable seedlings, heirloom tomatoes, herbs and more. Be sure to visit the museum, gift shop and tea room while you’re there.

More info: londonheritagefarm.ca

David Douglas Botanical Garden Society 2018 annual plant sale

When: May 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: University of Northern British Columbia Parking Lot A, Prince George

What: Annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, vegetables, fruits, herbs, specialty plants, compost, gardening advice, memberships and much more.

More info: ddbotgarden.bc.ca

Chilliwack Floral Art Club annual spring show

When: May 26, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Cottonwood Mall 45585 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack

What: This annual competitive event usually includes about 40 entries of beautiful floral designs. There are no items for sale but displays by floral designers in 12 categories, this year’s theme is The Shape of Things to Come. Open to members of all Lower Mainland floral art clubs, deadline for entries May 11.

More info: whitegl@shaw.ca

Gwynne Vaughan Park annual plant sale and garden party

When: June 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: 46181 Hope River Rd., Chilliwack

What: A community-focused event featuring plants and plant-related vendor booths and attractions for all ages (including the Rotary train) and the ever-popular strawberry tea. 

More info: gwynnevaughanpark.ca

West Coast Bonsai Society plant show

When: June 9 and 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Harry Jerome Rec Centre, 123 23rd Street, North Vancouver

What: One of the finest collection of bonsai in the Pacific Northwest cultivated by their bonsai artists. Hands-on demonstrations of how to train and prune trees as well as plants, pots, books and soil for sale.

More info: email rose_marie_adams@hotmail.com

Art in the Garden, presented by the Campbell River Garden Club

When: June 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Compost Education Centre, 228 S Dogwood St, Campbell River

What: Enjoy light refreshments, take a tour of the gardens and be inspiration by funky repurposed art.

More info: campbellrivergardenclub.com

4th B.C. Yukon regional peony show and garden tour

When: Show June 16 1 to 7 p.m., garden tour June 17 (self-guided)

Where: Sandman Hotel 1944 Columbia Ave., Castlegar

What: Show and seminars are open to the public on June 16, and then on June 17 plan a tour of local peony collections. The National Canadian Peony Society Festival and AGM will be in Castlegar in June 2019, so save the date for that, too

More info: castlegarpeony.com

Most garden club sales are not limited to plants but offer a wide range of garden products. 

Related

• Read more about gardening

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A group of dissatisfied would-be condo-buyers are appealing a B.C. Supreme Court decision to cancel pre-sale contracts for an embattled Langley development.

A B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled this month that 40 pre-sale contracts, entered into over the last three years by dozens of people who sought to buy condos in the troubled Murrayville House development, were void.

The property is entangled in lawsuits, and its developer, Mark John Chandler, is simultaneously facing a police investigation, regulatory action, and fighting extradition to the U.S. to face fraud charges there.

A court-appointed receiver overseeing the 92-unit Murrayville House had recommended allowing 40 of the pre-sale buyers to complete their purchases and take possession of their units, a position supported by the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate, a provincial watchdog agency.

But a group of private lenders who financed the Murrayville project opposed the receiver’s recommendation, arguing the contracts were all expired and the units must be re-sold at current market rates, in order to capture more value for the creditors.

Justice Shelley Fitzpatrick ruled that the contracts had expired, and the condos should be re-marketed immediately and sold, though she said she had “great sympathy for the position of the pre-sale purchasers who have become embroiled in this litigation and who have now potentially lost the ability to obtain what they hoped would be their homes.” She ordered the would-be buyers get “first refusal” for their units, although many buyers said they would not be able to afford the units at current market prices, estimated to be almost 50 per cent higher than the contract prices.

Related

• 'House of cards': While developer faces police investigation, Langley condo buyers left in cold

A notice of application to appeal was filed last week on behalf of eight of the pre-sale buyers, seeking to set aside Fitzpatrick’s decision. For the grounds of the appeal, the lawyers have alleged the court erred by failing to give weight to public policy concerns, and by accepting financial information from the developer “as fact, without any, or adequate, evidence.”

The lenders had said that although the situation of the pre-sale buyers was unfortunate, the judge’s decision was the only appropriate one.

Diego Solimano, the lawyer who filed the notice of appeal, said Friday: “This matter affects all consumers of real estate in British Columbia. Anyone who has purchased or is thinking of purchasing real estate in British Columbia should be concerned.”

“The right of first refusal, which has been offered to those individual purchasers, is illusory as many of the individual purchasers are now priced out of the market, if they are forced to buy the same unit that they purchased with a written contract in 2015, but now at 2018 market prices,” he said. 

This month’s court decision, Solimano said, “goes to the heart of, and undermines, consumer protection legislation in British Columbia.”

Solimano said any others affected by the Murrayville decision and interested in joining the appeal, should contact his office at info@solimanolaw.ca.

dfumano@postmedia.com

twitter.com/fumano

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The Victoria Day long weekend is here! Gather up your friends and family and have some fun at one of the many events happening around town.

FESTIVALS:

Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair
One of North America’s longest running and most entertaining rodeos returns for its 72nd year with more competitions, live entertainment food and fun for all ages. Some of the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls will compete for cash prizes in roughstock rodeo events like saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, and barrel racing. • Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Surrey • May 18-21 • cloverdalerodeo.com/

Professional barrel racer Katie Garthwaite runs home to victory at the 2016 Cloverdale Rodeo.

Go Fest – Whistler’s Great Outdoors Festival
Go Fest is all about Whistler’s great outdoors, from the physical activities and adventures that get you out and about, to movies that will inspire you to keep on exploring, and arts and culture events that blend time in nature with creativity. • May 18-21 • whistler.com/events/gofest/

Fort Langley Beer & Food Festival
Enjoy local food and craft beer on the fort grounds outside the palisade. Breweries and food vendors will come together to thrill your taste buds for an event that’s sure to please. • Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada, 23433 Mavis Ave. • May 19, noon-6 p.m. • $35, 604-513-4777, fortlangley.beer

Enjoy craft beer and local food at the Fort Langley Beer & Food Festival.

The Vancouver Comic Arts Festival
A two-day celebration of comics and graphic novels and their creators, including an exhibition and vendor fair featuring hundreds of creators from around the world. Other festival highlights include readings, panels and workshops. • Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews • May 19 and 20 • Free admission, vancaf.com/

FAMILY FUN:

Royal Canadian Family Circus SPECTAC!
For 50 years, the Royal Canadian family Circus has showcased some of the finest circus performers from around the world, bringing the highest standards in artistic excellence, with thrilling white-knuckle acts such as The High Wire and the Motor Cycle Cyclone. • Guildford Town Centre, Surrey, May 17-21 | May 25-27: Tsawwassen Mills | May 31-June 3: Lansdowne Centre, Richmond | June 7-10: TRADEX, Abbotsford.• Tickets at ticketleader.ca, two-for-one tickets at royalcanadiancircus.ca, Promo Code: vancouver.

The Tarzan Zerbini dancers and aerialists perform at the Royal Canadian Family Circus SPECTAC!

VSO: Inspector Tovey
Maestro Bramwell Tovey takes his final turn as Inspector Tovey, investigating the power of live symphonic music and its ability to inspire, entertain, educate, and bring people together in harmony. • Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St. • May 20, 2 p.m. • 604-876-3434, vancouversymphony.ca

Burnaby Village Museum Victoria Day
The Burnaby Village Museum site is set in the 1920s — a place where pictures of the King George V and Queen Mary are hung in the school house, where the Union Jack flies over the site, and Victoria Day is celebrated in grand style. Come enjoy the special entertainment and activities, and shop the Market Monday vendors. • Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave. • May 21, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. • 604-297-4565, burnaby.ca

Royal Victorian Party
The whole family can enjoy this regal event with live dancing, and birthday cake honouring Queen Victoria. Future kings and queens are encouraged to dress the part. • Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Rd., Surrey • May 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free, 604-592-6956, surrey.ca/heritage

Celebrate Victoria Day at the Historic Stewart Farm in Surrey.

Family Day at Southlands Heritage Farm
Meet the horses and ponies and get to know the pigs, sheep, goats, ducks and chickens. Learn about shearing sheep, washing, carding and spinning wool. Discover where barn swallows and barn owls nest, and why bees make honey. Enjoy a picnic in the orchard, while watching hummingbirds and listening to some wonderful musicians. • Southlands Heritage Farm, 6767 Balaclava St. • May 21, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • southlandsfarm.ca

Forest Fairy Gathering
​Visit the Gnome Depot to get construction material for your fairy home. Enjoy free face painting and be prepared for a magical time. Fairy attire welcome. • Burnaby Lake Regional Park Nature House, 4519 Piper Ave. • May 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free, drop in, all ages, 604-432-6359, metrovancouver.org/events

The fairies will be gathering at the Burnaby Lake Nature House.

BAG Family Sundays
Come and make art. Get your minds humming with a visit to the gallery to view the exhibitions on display and then into the studio for family-friendly art projects. • Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Ave. • May 20, 1-4 p.m. • Free, drop in, all ages, burnabyartgallery.ca

Day Out With Thomas: Big Adventures Tour 2018
Children and their families can take a 25-minute ride on Thomas the Tank Engine and meet Sir Topham Hatt, the controller of the railway. Fun for the whole family includes a Thomas & Friends Imagination Station with Thomas-themed activities including stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts and crafts; and a Thomas storytelling and video viewing area. There will be mini golf, mini rail rides, a bouncy castle, live entertainment and a large Thomas retail area. • May 19-21 and May 26-27 • West Coast Railway Heritage Park, Squamish • Train times: 9:30 am., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. • 604-524-1011, wcra.org

Head to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park and spend the day with Thomas the Tank Engine and friends.

Victoria Day at Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada
Fort Langley National Historic Site has a float in the 96th annual Fort Langley May Day Parade, which starts at 11 a.m. and is followed by a community fair. We hope to see you at the community fair after the parade. As always, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can explore the fort, visit the farm animals, and watch historic demonstrations. • Fort Langley National Historic Site, 23433 Mavis Ave. • May 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • $7.80/$6.55, 604-513-4777, pc.gc.ca/fortlangley

Victoria Day Anvil Battery Salute
This 21-shot anvil salute to the current Queen and the memory of Queen Victoria has been held since the 1880s. Music starts at 11:30 a.m. and the salute begins at noon precisely. Presented by the Ancient & Honourable Hyack Anvil Battery. • Queen’s Park Stadium, New West • May 21, 11:30 a.m.-noon • newwestcity.ca

Playland at the PNE
Playland kicks off another season of fun, and the return of Vancouver’s most thrilling rides, games and activities, and the sweet smell of mini donuts. With more than 30 rides, including one of the world’s fastest, the Revelation; the heart-stopping Hellevator; or the Beast’s fantastic five G-forces, you are sure to have an electrifying experience. Playland’s classic 60-year-old wooden rollercoaster, the 360 degree looping of Hells Gate, and the Flume’s 40-foot plummet are all back, too. • Hastings Park, 2901 E. Hastings St. • pne.ca/playland

Playland opens its gates for another season of summer fun.

Miniature Train Rides
Take a ride on a miniature live steam/diesel/electric train along 3km of track. • Confederation Park, 120 North Willingdon, Burnaby • Weekends and holidays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. • $3.50, 604-291-0922, bcsme.com

MISCELLANEOUS:

Art Deco & Chocolate Tasting Walking Tour
Forbidden Vancouver has launched a new walking tour that visits both the city’s most gorgeous Art Deco buildings and its greatest chocolatiers. The walking tour is packed with Vancouver’s juiciest early 20th century history, with tales of scandal, bootlegging and murder to feast on, along with award-winning chocolate to taste. • Departs from Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St., and ends at the Marine Building, 355 Burrard St. • Thursdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. • $45/$41, forbiddenvancouver.ca

Art Deco and Chocolate Tasting is a new walking tour from Forbidden Vancouver.

Douglas Coupland’s Vortex
Experience acclaimed artist Douglas Coupland’s new radical art installation. Vortex will bring you on an imaginative journey to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, immersing you in the ocean plastic pollution crisis and making you think about the seductive yet sinister medium in a relevant, contemplative, transformative way. Art meets science meets ecology in this new installation. • Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way • May 18 until Sept. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • $22-$39, 604-659-3474, vanaqua.org

All British Field Meet
The 33rd showing of the Greatest Show on British Wheels returns to VanDusen Botanical Garden. This is the largest show of its kind in Western Canada displaying 450 British built classics reflecting the history and automotive culture from the pre-war era through to the late 1970. • VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Great Lawn, 5251 Oak St. • May 19 • westerndriver.com

The Science Behind Pixar
Science World’s new interactive exhibition showcases the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts used by the artists and computer scientists who help bring Pixar’s award-winning films to the big screen. Featuring more than 40 interactive elements, the exhibition is broken into eight sections, each focusing on a step of the filmmaking process – Modelling, Rigging, Surfaces, Sets & Cameras, Animation, Simulation, Lighting, and Rendering. Visitors of all ages will engage in and learn about the filmmaking process through interactive elements and hands-on activities. • Telus World of Science, 1455 Quebec St. • Opens May 19 and continues until Jan. 6, 2019 • scienceworld.ca/pixar

The Science Behind Pixar is Science World’s new interactive exhibit.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS:

Birding Walks
Join a local naturalist for a series of free monthly walks to discover Surrey’s birds. Learn how these amazing creatures are adapted to their habitat and why our local urban parks are so important for their survival. These walks are drop-in, rain or shine. Please dress for the weather and bring a pair of binoculars and a field guide, if you have them. • Surrey Lake Park, 7500 152nd St. • May 19, 9-11 a.m.: • Free, 604-502-6065, surrey.ca/culture-recreation

Sea to Sky Gondola
Take in the amazing natural sights of the Howe Sound and its surrounding mountains on this gondola ride that boasts killer views from 2,700 feet above sea level. • Sea-to-Sky Hwy., Squamish • $13.95-$34.95 or $89.95/family, passes available, 604-892-2551, seatoskygondola.com

Nature Walk: The Wonderful World of Trees
​Shake hands with a spruce, sniff a fir needle, and admire the mossy gardens on maple trunks. We’ll discover amazing stories that the park’s trees have to tell, how to identify them, and how they help to support wildlife. With veteran naturalist Al Grass, formerly with B.C. Parks. • Campbell Valley Regional Park, South Valley park entrance, 20285 8th Ave., Langley • May 21, 1-2:30 p.m. • Free, all-ages, 604-432-6359, metrovancouver.org/events

Go on a guided nature walk with veteran naturalist Al Grass.

London Heritage Farm
This 1890s farm sits on acreage overlooking the south arm of the Fraser River and features the restored farm house, a hand tool museum, tea room, gift shop and more. • 6511 Dyke Rd., Steveston • By donation, 604-271-5220, londonheritagefarm.ca

Guided Nature Walks
Join us for guided walks in Surrey’s nature parks and learn a little more about the urban forest that we are lucky to call home. All ages welcome. Drop-in, rain or shine. • Surrey Nature Centre, 4225 Green Timbers Way May 19, 10 -11 a.m. (all ages) and 2-3:30 p.m. (for ages 13+) • Free, surrey.ca/culture-recreation

Capilano Salmon Hatchery
Learn how fish develop from eggs to the juvenile stage on a self-guided tour, and see salmon making their way upstream during spawning season. • Capilano Regional Park, 4500 Capilano Rd., North Van • Free, 604-666-1790, vancouversnorthshore.com

MARKETS:

Artisan Farmers’ Markets
Burnaby Artisan Farmers’ Market: North parking lot, Burnaby City Hall, Saturdays, until Oct. 27 • Ambleside Artisan Farmers’ Market: Foot of 13th St., West Van, Sundays, until Oct. 28 • Lonsdale Artisan Farmer’s Market: East Plaza at the Quay, North Van, Saturdays and some Sundays until Oct. 27 • artisanmarkets.ca

Vancouver Farmers Markets
Riley Park: 30th Avenue & Ontario Street, Saturdays until Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Trout Lake: Lakewood Dr. & E 13th Ave., Saturdays, until Oct. 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. • Kitsilano Community Centre, Sundays, until Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • eatlocal.org

Shipyards Night Market features food, art, music, entertainment and shopping.

Shipyards Night Market
Come down for great food, art, music, entertainment and shopping. On the Shipbuilders’ Stage there is live music going until 10 p.m., showcasing talent from all over B.C. The market also includes a beer garden featuring local craft beer. • The Shipyards, 138 Victory Ship Way, North Van • Fridays until Sept. 28, 5-10 p.m. • northshoregreenmarkets.com

Eastside Flea Spring Market
Features more than 50 local vendors, rotating food trucks, seasonal drink specials, artisan showrooms, pinball, door prizes and great tunes. • The Ellis Building, 1024 Main St. • May 18-20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. • $3 admission, eastsideflea.com

Richmond Night Market
Check out more than 100 food vendors, 200 retail stalls, an entertainment stage, rides, and much more. • 8351 River Rd., Richmond • 7 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 7-11 p.m Sundays and holiday Mondays • $3.75, free for kids under 10 and seniors • richmondnightmarket.com

MUSIC & CONCERTS:

Harry Manx
Blend Indian folk melodies with slide guitar blues, add a sprinkle of gospel and some compelling grooves, and you’ll get Manx’s unique ‘mysticssippi’ flavour. • Genesis Theatre, 5005 45th Ave., Delta • May 18, 7:30 p.m. • $40, 604-940-5550, delta.experiencebc.ca

VSO: Love, Lust & Rock ‘n’ Roll
Join powerhouse vocalist Storm Large (of Pink Martini fame) and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for a pulse-racing tribute to Love, Lust & Rock ‘n’ Roll, spanning the greatest hits from the ‘30s to the ‘90s. • Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St. • May 18 and 19, 8 p.m. • 604-876-3434, vancouversymphony.ca

Pink Martini’s Storm Large and the VSO play hits from the 1930’s to the ’90s.

Rogue Folk | Pharis & Jason Romero
Award-winning roots music duo celebrates their newest album, Sweet Old Religion. • St. James Hall, 3214 W. 10th Ave. • May 18, 8 p.m. • $28/$24, roguefolk.bc.ca

Making Movies and Alex Cuba
Making Movies blends pulsing Afro-Latino rhythms, psychedelic jams and rock ’n’ roll swagger. Alex Cuba is a Latin Grammy/Juno-winning Canadian-Cuban singer-songwriter. • Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward St. • May 18, doors 8 p.m. • $17-$20, ticketfly.com

Alex Cuba will be at Biltmore Cabaret on May 18.

Brent Cobb & Them: Ain’t A Road Too Long Tour
Grammy-nominated country music singer-songwriter and artist his band. • Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward St. • May 19, 8 p.m. • $15/$20, ticketfly.com

Martin Harley
Singer-songwriter and slide guitar master is a talented acoustic roots and blues musician with a burgeoning global reputation. • St. James Hall, 3214 W. 10th Ave. • May 20, 8 p.m. • $25/$30, capilanou.ca/blueshorefinancialcentre

Rufus Wainwright
One of the great male vocalists, composers, and songwriters of his generation, Rufus Wainwright has released eight studio albums, three DVDs, and three live albums. • Chan Centre, 6265 Crescent Rd., UBC • May 20, 8 p.m. • $49.50, $69.50, ticketmaster.ca

American-Canadian singer, songwriter Rufus Wainwright.

Russ: I See You Tour Part 1
Atlanta-based hip-hop artist Russ has had breakout success over the past year, with his entirely self-penned debut album, There’s Really A WOLF. • Pacific Coliseum • May 20, 8 p.m. • $59.95, ticketleader.ca

Smallpools & Great Good Fine OK: Spring Has Sprung Tour
American pop bands present a co-headlining show with guests Half the Animal. • The Imperial, 319 Main St. • May 20, 9 p.m. • $18, ticketweb.ca, Red Cat, Zulu

Hinds
Rock band from Madrid tour to support their upcoming release. • Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward St. • May 21, 9 p.m. • $20, ticketfly.com, Red Cat, Zulu

The Brian Jonestown Massacre
American psychedelic rock band returns to Vancouver. • Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St. • May 21, 8 p.m. • $35, ticketfly.com, Red Cat

STAGE – THEATRE & COMEDY:

Mamma Mia!
The smash-hit musical based on the songs of ABBA. An island paradise in Greece sets the stage for the ultimate feel-good show. A daughter’s quest to find her biological father before her wedding brings together three men from her mother’s past. Who will walk her down the aisle ? Will she find out before saying I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do? Filled with ABBA hits like Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All, and S.O.S., this uproarious and fun-loving musical will have you dancing in your seat. Presented by the Arts Club Theatre Company. • Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville St., until July 8 • From $29, 604-687-1644, artsclub.com

The cast of the Arts Club Theatre production Mamma Mia! 

Shirley Valentine
A bored housewife is offered a trip to Greece by her best friend. She secretly packs her bags, heads for the sun and starts to see the world and herself very differently. Willy Russell’s heart-warming one-woman comedy play premiered in 1986 and took the world by storm. Now, on its 30th anniversary, Louise Porter (Always … Patsy Cline, On a First Name Basis) stars in this English national treasure. Presented by First Impressions Theatre. • Deep Cove Shaw Theatre, 4360 Gallant Ave., North Van, until May 26 • $25/$23, 604-929-9456, firstimpressionstheatre.com

Tolkien
Where can friendship take us? The enduring worlds created by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis changed the face of fantasy forever. Frodo, Aslan, the Pevensie children, and dozens more iconic characters sprang from two fertile imaginations fed by a friendship that spanned decades. The tale of how Narnia and Middle Earth came to be – and how close both came to disappearing – is chronicled in this new play by Pacific Theatre’s Artistic Director Ron Reed. • Pacific Theatre, 1440 W. 12th Ave., until June 9 • $10-$36.50, 604-731-5518, pacifictheatre.org

David Blaine
This death-defying magician is known for his exceptional fusion of magic and stunt work, and is unlike any other modern-day performer. His one-man show is an interactive experience to shock and awe audiences. • Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton St. • May 18 and 19, 8 p.m. • $49, $69, $79, $99, $125, ticketmaster.ca

Magician David Blaine’s Electrified: 1 Million Volts Always On stunt.

Vancouver TheatreSports: Murder on the Improv Express
Picture this: a luxury train trapped in the Canadian Rockies with a passenger list that includes a prominent socialite, a retired military officer, and a famous detective and, oh yes, there’s a corpse. What you have are the makings of a classic murder mystery. Welcome to Murder on the Improv Express – A Killer Comedy. • Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau St., Granville Island, until May 26 • From $10.75, vtsl.com

The Mousetrap
Mystery and intrigue surround six strangers stranded at an English boarding house during a snow storm when one among them is murdered. The suspects include the newly married couple running the guest house, a spinster with an obscure background, an architect more suited to be chef, a retired army major, and an unexpected arrival whose car has overturned in the snow. The job of solving the murder falls to a policeman, who’s investigation rattles nerves and shakes many a skeleton in the closet. Agatha Christie’s most famous and riveting thriller will leave you guessing until the very end. Presented by Gallery 7 Theatre. • Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, 32315 S. Fraser Way, Abbotsford, May 18-26 • $15-$25, gallery7theatre.com

Gallery 7 Theatre presents Agatha Christie’s murder mystery play, The Mousetrap.

Jimmy Carr: The Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits World Tour
Just For Laughs presents this award-winning comedian, writer and television host. The master of deadpan one-liners will return to Vancouver with his latest, all-new stand-up show. • Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St. • May 20, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. • $55.50, ticketfly.com

GALLERIES / MUSEUMS:

Chali-Rosso Art Gallery
Vancouver’s largest private gallery of original European modern master collections showcases two original large-scale Salvador Dali sculptures, and more than 100 additional Dali artworks. Salvador Dali’s Surrealist Piano will be on display in the gallery, and Dali’s Women Aflame will be publicly exhibited at the corner of West Hastings and Hornby Street. • Exhibit runs until Sept. 1 • 549 Howe St. • Free, definitelydali.com

Museum of Anthropology
Arts of Resistance: Politics and The Past In Latin America. This premiere exhibition illustrates how Latin American communities use traditional or historic art forms to express contemporary political realities, until Oct. 8 • 6393 NW Marine Dr., UBC • 604-822-5087, moa.ubc.ca

Museum of Vancouver
The MOV, in partnership with Haida Gwaii Museum, presents a visual feast of innovation and tradition with new exhibition Haida Now. Guest curated by Haida curator Kwiaahwah Jones in collaboration with Viviane Gosselin, co-curator and director of collections & exhibitions at MOV, this exhibition features an unparalleled collection of Haida art boasting more than 450 works created as early as 1890. • Exhibit runs until June 15, 2019. • 1100 Chestnut St. • 604-736-4431, museumofvancouver.ca

Shaman, Chief and Human wood sculpture from Haida Now exhibition at Museum of Vancouver.

Richmond Art Gallery
Karilynn Ming Ho: For The Left Hand Alone | Ho Tam: Cover to Cover. This spring, Richmond Art Gallery presents an intriguing combination of lens-based work within its galleries and across the cities of Richmond and Vancouver. At the gallery, two solo exhibitions by artists Ho Tam and Karilynn Ming Ho engage the aesthetic façade of desire. In dialogue with these exhibitions but outside the physical gallery, RAG presents four public installations along the No. 3 Road Canada Line stations and one at the line’s terminus at Vancouver’s Waterfront Station. • 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond • Exhibit runs until May 27 • richmondartgallery.org

Surrey Art Gallery
Elizabeth Hollick: Body Politic. Larger-than-life paintings of the human body that dominate urban landscapes, until June 10 | Flow: From the Movement of People to the Circulation of Information. See paintings, sculptures, and ceramics from our Permanent Collection that flow in different ways, until June 10 | Ben Bogart: Watching and Dreaming. Watch an artwork made by computers, until June 10 | Jim Bizzocchi: Ambient Landscapes. Contemplate the majesty of nature across several screens in this evocative video work, until Aug. 5 • 13750 88th Ave. • 604-501-5566, surrey.ca/artgallery

Vancouver Art Gallery
Emily Carr in Dialogue with Mattie Gunterman: This exhibition draws on the Vancouver Art Gallery’s extensive holdings of Emily Carr’s work to reflect her direct engagement with and great affection for British Columbia’s landscape which, for her, was a site of artistic and spiritual inquiry. Like Carr, much of Mattie Gunterman’s oeuvre reflected her engagement with the wilderness around her, which she documented with images of friends, campsites, trappers, prospectors, miners and day-to-day pioneer life, until Sept. 3 • Bombhead: A thematic exhibition organized by guest curator John O’Brian that explores the emergence and impact of the nuclear age as represented by artists and their art, until June 17 • Living, Building, Thinking art and expressionism uses the German Expressionist collection from the McMaster Museum of Art to explore the development of Expressionism in art from the early 19th century to the present day, until May 21 • A Cultivating Journey: The Herman Levy Legacy. Representing one of the most important donations ever made to a university gallery in Canada, this exhibit presents five centuries of magnificent art from the McMaster Museum of Art’s Levy Collection and Bequest from Herman Herzog Levy, until May 21 • 750 Hornby St. • vanartgallery.bc.ca

Emily Carr, Loggers Culls, 1931. Emily Carr in Dialogue with Mattie Gunterman is one of the feature exhibits at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Vancouver Maritime Museum
Urgent Sea: An exhibition created and designed by Langara design formation students in collaboration with the City of Vancouver Park Board, and the Stanley Park Ecology Society. The exhibition is intended to educate the public about rising sea levels using Vancouver as a model: what are the causes, what are the impacts, and what we can do to contend with this issue. The displays that make up the exhibition have been fabricated sustainably using mostly recycled materials and repurposed wooden shipping pallets. • 1905 Ogden Ave. • 604-257-8300, vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:

B.C. Sports Hall of Fame
Exhibits, galleries and interactive displays tell the stories of sport in B.C. from the early 1800s to the current day. • B.C. Place, Gate A • 604-687-5520, bcsportshalloffame.com

Bloedel Conservatory
Visit this lush tropical rainforest complete with exotic free-flying birds. • Top of Queen Elizabeth Park • $5, friendsofthebloedel.ca

A girl plays in front of the fountains at the Bloedel Conservatory.

Britannia Mine Museum
Preserves the material and social history of mining in B.C. • Britannia Beach • 604-896-2233, bcmm.ca

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Features the 450ft-long suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure and Cliffwalk. • 3735 Capilano Rd., North Van • 604-985-7474, capbridge.com

Taking a stroll along the Cliffwalk feature at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

Fly Over Canada
See Canada like never before at this new, all-ages ride. Take off into a huge domed screen with the latest in projection and ride technology creating a true flying experience that takes you from east to west across Canada • Canada Place • flyovercanada.com

Greater Vancouver Zoo
B.C.’s largest zoo features a wide variety of animals including lions, tigers, giraffes and more. • 5048 264th St., Aldergrove • 604-856-6825, gvzoo.com

A cheetah poses for a photo at the Greater Vancouver Zoo.

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Learn about space and the night sky through Planetarium shows, live demos, an interactive exhibit gallery and evening lectures. • 1100 Chestnut St. • 604-738-7827, spacecentre.ca

Telus World of Science
Discover the wonders of science by immersing yourself in interactive displays, inspirational feature exhibitions, live science demonstrations and larger-than-life films in the Omnimax Theatre. • 1455 Quebec St. • 604-443-7440, scienceworld.ca

Vancouver Aquarium
4-D experience movies, dolphin, beluga and sea lion shows, shark dives and sea otter feeds, plus behind-the-scene tours. • 604-659-3474, vanaqua.org

Tropical fish at the Vancouver Aquarium.

 jpiper@postmedia.com

A Mission woman who was attacked by a dog in Langley on Tuesday night and her sister are pleading with the animal’s owner to come forward.

Shelby MacNeil, 45, had to have 85 staples put in her leg after the mauling on Tuesday evening.

Shelby MacNeil of Mission was attacked by a large dog in Langley on Tuesday. She needed 85 staples in her right leg. The mauling also left her with bites on the thigh and buttocks, and bruises all over.

Her sister, Kim Tamminga, said the attack has left the mother of two in pain and unable to work.

Tamminga, who is speaking for her sister because she is still in shock from the attack, said MacNeil was leaving a softball game in Langley around 7 p.m. at 29th Avenue and 272nd Street. She packed up her truck and just as she stepped out a large dog, that MacNeil thinks may be a mastiff, began attacking her leg, Tamminga said.

“She curled up into the fetal position while this dog was mauling her, trying to protect her face. The dog starting biting her on her hip and buttocks. She has bruises everywhere,” she said.

Shelby MacNeil of Mission was attacked by a large dog in Langley on Tuesday. She needed 85 staples in her right leg. The mauling also left her with bites on the thigh and buttocks, and bruises all over.

Tamminga said MacNeil was released from hospital Thursday night and is recovering at home. Her sister says she didn’t see the owner of the dog, but heard a whistle and the dog immediately stopped attacking and ran off.

Some Good Samaritans heard her sister screaming and came to help. A man used his belt to tie a tourniquet on her leg as they waited for emergency crews. Tamminga said they would like to meet the person who helped and return his belt. 

They’re also calling on the dog’s owner to come forward because they’re terrified that the dog might attack children in the neighbourhood.

“This dog had to have behaved aggressively before. Someone knows this dog, and as a mother, I am just so worried because a lot of families with young kids live around there,” said Tamminga.

She said her sister wants to make it clear that she isn’t mad at the dog, but puts the blame on the animal’s owner.

“We really want the owner to come forward. We think owners should be held to task for the behaviour of animals in their care,” said Tamminga.

MacNeil doesn’t have extended medical benefits, so an Aldergrove mother has created a Go Fund Me page to raise money for the woman’s medical expenses.

Langley RCMP confirmed the mauling was under investigation.

ticrawford@postmedia.com

Residents located on the unprotected flood plains in the Township of Langley have been told to be prepared for evacuation.

On Tuesday morning, the water level at the Mission gauge reached 5.5 metres, prompting the township to issue an evacuation alert for those living on the unprotected flood plain areas of Northwest Langley, Glen Valley, Brae Island and McMillan Island.

An evacuation alert requires residents be prepared for the possibility of evacuation.

More to come.

sip@postmedia.com
twitter.com/stephanie_ip