Good morning, everybody. Jeremy here. In today’s newsletter we talk trees with a guy named Forrest and behold a small wonder in Port Moody.
First, however, a milestone. We have officially reached 5,000 readers, so I want to thank everyone who recommended the newsletter to a friend and everyone who sent in their story ideas. We appreciate it.
We’ll be making an announcement soon about building impactful community news. Now, on with it.
The Gillnetter is set to get a bit bigger as Port Coquitlam council OK’d the Argue Street pub’s petition to add 47 new seats (for a total of 187) at Tuesday’s meeting.
Patio space: The popular pub is also reworking the patio to provide covered and uncovered patio sections overlooking the Pitt River..
The art of craft beer: During a broader discussion of neighbourhood pubs in Port Moody, Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West suggested the city had a chance to build on the individual success of local breweries and create a: “PoCo-specific stamp.”
News you can booze:
Council also endorsed plans to add a 50-person lounge at Boardwalk Brewing on 2115-575 Seaborne Ave. and an expanded lounge at Provincial Spirits at 573 Sherling Ave. (The mayor excused himself from the latter discussion due to a family connection with the business.)
Tiiiiim-berrr! More than 40 trees that have already died or are at risk of falling are set to be chopped in Shaughnessy Dog Park.
The schedule: The falling of the trees is set to be finished by Thursday. The clean-up is estimated to take an additional 10 working days, according to Port Coquitlam director of engineering and public works Forrest Smith.
City staff are slated to replant the trees this winter, Smith added.
As the pandemic makes our world feel tiny, miniature art has helped a local writer keep her sense of proportion.
Read the fine print: Isabella Wang recently unveiled a miniature version of Massy Books on East Georgia Street made of wood and glue. She posted photos of her work on Twitter.
“The bookstores in Vancouver are all really important to me as a writer and poet,” Wang explained.
Reciprocated: “I’m not sure there is a bigger expression of love for our bookstore than this,” the bookseller replied online.
Entering a small world: Wang was moved to try her hand at miniatures after encountering the idea that children’s toys prefigure the adult world.
“I kind of fell in love with miniatures after that.”
The tiny bookstore was the product of six weeks of work. There was something “therapeutic” about listening to relaxing music in the evening as she put all the little pieces together, Wand said, even though cutting out slices of miniature furniture with an X-acto knife often left her with sore hands.
Through the looking glass: A close inspection of her work reveals customized covers. Some of the books even contain bits of text, Wang revealed, noting that many of the featured authors are friends.
“Any engagement with your book is really special,” she explained
More in store: Between writing, editing, and pursuing a double major at SFU in English and world literature, Wang said she plans to create more miniature bookstores including: Iron Dog Books, The Paper Hound, and Port Coquitlam’s Western Sky Books.
“Four bookstores is enough to go on right now,” she said.
- It’s in you to give: Canadian Blood Service holding a blood donation drive at All Saints Parish at 821 Fairfax St. on April 8.
- Get the picture: Coquitlam Archivist teaches you how to save family photos for future generations.
- Walk it off: If you’re looking for a walking buddy, the Walking Club of Maillardville is looking for you. Call 604-933-6166 to register.
- Farsi Story Time offers rhymes, fingerplays and, of course, stories (all through Zoom) this Friday
- Port Moody city hall restores in-person service
- Man convicted of Coquitlam murder deemed high risk to re-offend
- Worker at Port Moody Thrifty Foods tests positive for COVID-19
- Teens can save lives: “It’s problematic to think young people entering the world aren’t learning about overdoses and how to keep people safe.”
If you want to sit at home and watch yourself on TV (well, BCHL TV, but close enough) you can soon have your face in the stands at Coquitlam Express hockey games.
If you’re interested in seeing your cutout put in the Scotia Barn, email [email protected]. Deadline is Thursday.
