Good morning! It’s Morgan here with your daily edition of the Tri-Cities Dispatch.
Thank you for all of your support in getting this newsletter up and running. I can’t emphasize how much I’ve appreciated all of your kind words and suggestions. The most exciting part? We just passed 900 subscribers.
Can you take a moment to share this newsletter with your friends in the Tri-Cities? It’s the best way for our small (but mighty) nonprofit outlet to make a bigger impact.
BC’s current vaccination plan has been updated. BC moves into the next category as people above the age of 80 will now qualify for a vaccine come mid-March.
A third vaccine approval means that the vaccination rollout is starting to accelerate. Every eligible adult is set to receive their first dose of vaccines by the end of July.
- John Horgan: “I want British Columbians to take the good news we’re hearing today with the joy that it deserves but we need to remind ourselves not just today but next week and next month that we have a long long way to go.”
Here at home: According to recent census data, there has been an increase in seniors living in the Tri-Cities area. Out of all the Tri-Cities municipalities, Coquitlam has the largest population distribution of elderly community members.
Stay informed: You can find out more information about vaccinations for seniors through the BC Government’s website. Fraser Health also has an online booking tool for those eligible to receive vaccinations.
The Port Moody Heritage Society is working hard to preserve an abandoned town that used to be home to an oil industry. The Heritage Society is planning on bringing the issue of preservation to the city council in the upcoming weeks.
Blasts from the past: Ioca (an abbreviation for Imperial Oil Corporation) is a townsite situated on the Burrard Inlet’s north shore. 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of Ioco’s initial establishment as a town. In 1919, 2,000 barrels of crude oil were produced on a daily basis. The industry proved to be lucrative and allowed for local residential and commercial development.
Historical preservation: Preserving heritage sites is important because it allows historical knowledge to be passed onto future generations. The Port Moody Heritage Society is currently recruiting new members. Membership includes frontline access to events, the ability to vote on important decisions, and an exclusive newsletter delivered right to your inbox.
Local eats: Agricultural consultants and food strategists have been hired to study food security in the Tri-Cities area.
- Tri-Cities Food Council (TCFC): Aims to provide an environment “where all residents can access safe, nutritious, affordable and culturally appropriate food in a dignified manner.”
This project will focus on creating digital resources – including a food asset map. Vancouver Coastal Health has previously created similar maps that display various food banks and low-cost meals across the Greater Vancouver Area.
Controversy: TCFC has come under criticism due to their membership policies. In order to have voting rights, community members are only required to attend three sessions.
Play your part: Creating a sustainable living environment includes utilizing community resources. Get inspired by visiting or joining a local community garden:
- Burke Mountain Pioneer Park: 1428 Collins Rd. Coquitlam, BC
- Port Moody Police Community Gardens: 3051 St. John’s St. Port Moody, BC
- Port Coquitlam Community Garden: 2370 Shaughnessy St. Port Coquitlam, BC
Happening Around Town
- Diversity in Books: The first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM the Coquitlam Public Library hosts a virtual book club that features works from marginalized authors. This week the club will be talking about the novel Older Sister – Not Necessarily Related by Jenny Heijun Wills. I’ve read this book before – it’s pretty good!
- Authentically Connecting for Entrepreneurs: This Friday at 9:30 AM Happy Healthy Women is hosting a virtual networking event for women entrepreneurs to connect with each other. Tickets start at $11.62.
- Online Cooking Class: This Saturday at 11 AM Port Moody culinary companies Eden West Gourmet and Tartine & Maple will be hosting an online breadmaking class. Learn how to make delicious desserts, bread, buns, and pizza dough! Tickets start at $34.48.
In Other News
- There was a cluster of COVID-19 cases reported at Scott Creek Middle School in Coquitlam.
- The BC government introduced legislation that will allow the current freezing of rent increases to be extended to 2021. If passed, this legislation will also include increased protections against renovictions.
- A GoFundMe account was launched to support the effort to find Trina Hunt, a missing woman from Port Moody. The campaign was launched two days ago and has already raised over $7,000.
One More Thing
The European Space Agency recently released video footage from their Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission. The video features a view of The Greater Vancouver Area – from space! I think I can just about make out where my apartment is located. What about you? Can you spot your home?
