Welcome to the working week, my friends. The weather is bad and the Snyder Cut is long but at least we have each other.
Today we salute a Port Moody hockey player for her fine season but first we answer a critical question: why are those dudes in hi-vis vests rooting through recycling bins?
We’re missing our recycling targets and it might cost us in more ways than one.
- “Aside from the environmental benefits of sorting waste properly, significant money is at stake if sorting doesn’t improve, explained Port Coquitlam communications manager Pardeep Purewal.
Recycling penalties: The city is consistently risking $5,000 penalties by producing contaminated recycling loads, Purewal added, noting Recycle BC has a three per cent contamination cap.
- If problems persist, the city will fine residents as much as $300, although that sum will be discounted if paid within two weeks.
To address the city’s sorry sorting, ambassadors from Port Coquitlam’s engineer and public works department are making periodic “audits” of recycling bins, Purewal explained.
Not the right sort: The initiative is designed to keep contraband out of recycling bins including plastic bags, food scraps, scrap metal and electronics.
- Ambassadors frequently leave tags on bins regarding sorting problems.
Tonnes of trash: City households produce about 5,100 tonnes of garbage each year – however, audits show “more than half” of that could go into recycling bins, green carts, and recycling depots, Purewal stated.
- For more sorting information click here.
We shed a barbecue sauce-coloured tear today for the demise of Ribfest 2021.
Cancelled: Port Moody’s annual three-day, finger-licking Epicurean spectacular has been cancelled for the second consecutive year, explained organizer Ian MacPhail.
- “It just doesn’t look like it can work,” he explained.
While the Rotary Club considered a drive-through and socially-distanced picnic this July, there are “too many uncertainties,” MacPhail said, explaining they would have to execute the event really well to make it work even a little bit.
Maybe next year: Organizers are hoping to bring Ribfest back in 2022.
Despite a dramatic flurry late in the game, the Wisconsin Badgers were too much for Port Moody’s Jenna Buglioni and the Ohio State Buckeyes last Thursday.
- The Badgers bested the Buckeyes 4-2, sending Wisconsin to the NCAA women’s hockey championships.
Buglioni finished the season tied for a team-high of eight goals. The Gleneagle grad also recorded seven assists in 20 games.
Saints rookie recognized: Coquitlam Express alum Greg Lapointe had a pretty good week.
Just days after the St. Lawrence Saints forward earned all-rookie honours from the Eastern College Athletic Conference, Lapointe was on the ice in Hamden, Connecticut for the ECAC championships. In a back-and-forth contest that stretched into overtime, Lapointe’s Saints topped the Quinnipiac Bobcats 3-2 to win the championship.
Disappointment follows glory: Due to a positive COVID-19 test, the Saints will not be able to accept the customary automatic bid into the NCAA championship tournament.
“It was my own test that came back positive today,” revealed coach Brent Brekke in an interview posted at ECAC Hockey. “Last night we are holding the trophy above our heads and today we are shaking our heads in disbelief that the season is over. This hurts. But the one thing that can’t be taken away from this team — they are champions.”
- Friends of DeBoville Slough (a group dedicated to caring for the ecology of the area) are holding a meeting Thursday via Zoom. All are welcome but only members may vote.
- Calling all photogs: Coquitlam Public Library is holding a spring photo challenge
- Kids invited to play Among Us (a game of teamwork and betrayal set on a spaceship) via Zoom on Monday afternoon
- Take a hike through Port Moody’s history
- On garden we stand: Port Moody council mulls spending $53,000 on two community gardens
- “No humans in the loop” Port Coquitlam company teaches robot to swim
- Left in the dark: 1,200 Port Moody/Anmore residents slated to be without power Tuesday
Art in the park: Coquitlam residents and professional artists Lorraine Yigit and Margaret Farrar found inspiration for their oil works with some plein air painting at Como Lake Park’s Lakeside Loop trail recently. Thanks to Tracey Rayson for providing this photo of Yigit touching up a landscape painting.
