The Valley Voice News Chilliwack

07/23/2024

Art: No more paint-by-numbers murals.

Jorit Agoch is a famous Italian graffiti artist known for his clean style and large-scale, ultra-realistic portrait murals painted on the side of buildings all over the world. Over the last 16 years, we've featured many

07/23/2024

Food for thought. Eat it up. 20,000 people die each year from eating it. Jonestown with a twist? Lol.

Koi Pla, a popular traditional dish consumed in Thailand and Laos is said to be responsible for the deaths of around 20,000 people every year. Considered a salad by the Lao people of Laos and Thailand's

07/23/2024

Music: There's a semblance dontcha think? With a hint of Yoko.

Sean Lennon has re-released John Lennon’s 1973 album 'Mind Games,' to honor his father's legacy and prevent his music from being "forgotten."

07/23/2024

Mindfulness: And so what do you "think" about this?

https://theconversationcom/meditation-can-be-harmful-and-can-even-make-mental-health-problems-worse-230435

07/23/2024

And so what do you "think" about this?

In some cases, people have experienced psychotic or delusional symptoms.

07/23/2024

When it rains it pours auroras. Check the sky tomorrow.

Northern lights could be visible over some northern and upper Midwest states.

07/23/2024

Radioland: Good one at midnight for weather buffs. I guess we're all weather buffs right now. https://kmed.com

https://www.geoengineeringwatch.org (Facebook fact-checked this and says chemtrails are just water v***r. Those jets sure carry a lot of water. At least they didn't block it like they do everything else.)

"Second Half: Researcher and activist Dane Wigington has been documenting disturbing man-made changes in the environment, known as geoengineering. This includes various weather modification techniques including chemtrails, HAARP, and GMO crops. He'll discuss the radical temperature swings and weather patterns happening right now."

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07/23/2024

Air Index: According to this Chilliwack is a 1-2.

07/23/2024

Weather Alert: Here comes that smoky air I posted about a few hours ago. (Photo August 20, 2023)

"Many regions of BC are being impacted or likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24-48 hours.

Smoke will be highly variable across the province. Concentrations will be higher near active fires and overnight.

The fine particles in wildfire smoke pose the main health risk. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase.

People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke include seniors, pregnant women and pregnant people, people who smoke, infants and young children, people who work outdoors, people involved in strenuous outdoor exercise and people with an existing illness or chronic health condition. Those who are more likely to be impacted should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors or seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.

Listen to your body and if you experience symptoms, consider reducing or stopping strenuous outdoor activities. Symptoms can include milder and more common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as serious but less common symptoms such as chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.

Limit time outdoors. When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool. Always seek out and follow health guidance from local authorities.

Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air purifier that can filter fine particles.

When spending time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health.

Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke.

07/23/2024

Volcanos: More on Etna. This is also one of the sites I use to track earthquakes. Sometimes earthquakes wake up dormant volcanoes especially around the Ring of Fire.

Volcanoes Today - summary of volcanic activity world-wide

07/23/2024

What the world needs now is a good old fashioned volcanic eruption.

"Sicily's Catania airport has been forced to shut after an eruption from nearby Mount Etna sent a huge tower of ash into the sky, bringing fresh travel chaos in the midst of the summer holiday season."

07/23/2024

101 ways to roll a vehicle.

07/23/2024

Where's Waldo?

07/23/2024

Mr. Music Man.

07/23/2024

Food Bank drive: Mounties stocking Coquitlam and PoCo cupboards. (Photo 2017 Supt Inspector Keith Robinson Chilliwack RCMP and in 2018)

"Join us to Cram the Cruiser with donations for people in our community.

Date: Thursday, July 25, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Locations: Save-On-Foods located at 3025 Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam
Safeway located at 2850 Shaughnessy Street in Port Coquitlam

All donations are collected in partnership with Share Family and Community Services Society to help support people in the community over the holiday season and beyond.

To learn more about the Share Society, visit SHARE: Family and Community Services

"During the summer months, food bank donations drop but the need for them still remains high," said Media Relations Officer, Corporal Alexa Hodgins of Coquitlam RCMP. "Food bank services can act as a life-line for families, and we want to be able to support them all-year-round."

"With the ever-increasing cost of living, so many members of our community are struggling to get by. Children are going hungry, seniors are limiting their meals, and families simply do not have enough," said Claire Maclean, Chief Executive Officer, SHARE Family & Community Services Society. "SHARE’s Food Bank has seen a 48% increase in the number of people seeking help compared to last year. By donating at the RCMP Cram the Cruiser event during SHARE's Remember the Food Bank summer campaign, your generosity provides healthy food and hope to those who need it most."

If community members wish to donate and are looking for specific ideas for donations, some of the items in greatest need are:

Canned diced tomatoes or chunky tomato sauce
Canned Vegetables – corn or mushrooms
Canned Fruit
Canned tuna or ham
Canned meals (beans in tomato sauce, chili or stews)
Breakfast Cereal
Rice
Cooking oil
Large sized diapers

We will also be accepting grocery gift cards and cash donations.

Thank you for your donation and hope to see you there.

07/23/2024

Community: Volunteers know every effort makes a huge difference helping the Alzheimer's Society. (Handout photo)

"While Celia Toews has always known volunteers make a difference in the lives of people living with dementia and their caregivers, it wasn’t until someone in Minds in Motion® – a social and fitness program she runs with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. in Abbotsford and Chilliwack -- shared their experience with her that she understood how tremendous their impact can be.

“They told me that every time they leave a session, they feel like they matter,” says Toews. “Volunteers are a vital part of that.”

Minds in Motion® is a program specifically for people living with any form of early-stage dementia to attend with a family member, friend or other care partner. Gentle exercises are followed by social activities designed to be enjoyed in pairs. The popular program is supported by staff and volunteers who help set up sessions, facilitate activities and connect with participants.

“Volunteers bring the energy up because they really want to be there,” says Lyanne Hui, a Minds in Motion® Coordinator for the Society. “They make a big difference.”

The Society urgently needs volunteers in Abbotsford and Chilliwack to ensure the continued success of the program. Each volunteer brings a unique skillset to their role that enriches the experience for people living with dementia and their care partners. Sometimes, a volunteer’s background and skillset can meet the needs of participants in ways they might not foresee.

“We had two Korean-speaking people who were struggling to participate,” says Toews. “One of our volunteers also spoke Korean and was able to talk to them and connect on a deeper level. They taught me a lot about how to connect with someone experiencing a language barrier.”

Minds in Motion® volunteers help participants, assist with set-up and clean-up of refreshments, games and activities. They help ensure everyone is included. Comprehensive training and ongoing support is provided to all volunteers. A minimum 6-month commitment of 3 to 4 hours per week is required.

“Volunteers are partners in the experience,” says Mary Beth Rutherford, a Minds in Motion® Coordinator for the Society. “They are ambassadors in the community. The program has been able to expand because we have volunteers sharing their experience.”

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. invites everyone interested in volunteering to visit their website at alzbc.org/volunteer to explore the various volunteer opportunities available and learn more about the impactful work they do.

07/23/2024

Ticket purchase deadline Sept 27.

Save animals by playing the BC SPCA Lottery for animals in need. Every ticket you buy gives you the chance to WIN BIG and helps vulnerable animals in BC, thank you!...

07/23/2024

SPCA news: Society's 50/50 setting precedents with $1.5 million. Deadline September 27. (Handout photo of last summer's winner Damian Wallace [left] from Maple Ridge)

https://lottery.spca.bc.ca

"The BC SPCA Lottery for animals in need is back with its popular summer 50/50 and its most massive prize ever, a pot up to $1,500,000! It’s your chance to make a difference in an animal’s life AND you just might win big doing it. Last summer’s winner, Damian Wallace of Maple Ridge, won a life-changing prize of $650,135 – and this year’s lucky animal lover could win up to $750,000!

“Last summer the 50/50 sold out early, in less than a month,” says Alina Wilson, BC SPCA senior officer, digital giving. “We were thrilled to see the support for animals pouring in from across the province. This time we’re giving even more caring people a chance to join in the fun and help animals, by adding extra tickets and increasing the potential 50/50 pot to an incredible $1,500,000. With tickets starting at just $15, we hope that many animal lovers will have the chance to enter and potentially change their life.”

Tickets for the lottery are $15 each, three for $40, or six for $60. The final sales deadline is midnight, September 27.

Every ticket purchase raises funds to support vulnerable animals in B.C. Maureen Caroll, who was the lucky winner of $500,000 in the 2021 BC SPCA summer lottery, shared, “I am still in disbelief that I won...and it feels particularly good to know that the windfall was shared with an organization that does so many good works for the innocent beings we share the world with. My purchasing a ticket was a totally out of character and spur-of-the-moment decision ... one of the best I've made as it turns out. So grateful!”

For tickets and more information on how you could be the next big winner, visit lottery.spca.bc.ca or call 1.855.205.5998. Ticket purchasers must be 19 years of age or older and tickets can only be sold in B.C. Know your limit, play within it.

07/23/2024

It's British Columbia Junior Football League season again. Huskers have yet to play but the other teams have.

Westshore Rebels 43 Kamloops Broncos 27
Langley Rams 15 Okanagan Sun 22
Van Island Raiders 34 Prince George Kodiaks 39

Send a message to learn more

07/23/2024

Surrey Crime: Gone shopping. Three days, 46 arrests at Surrey malls recovering thousands of dollars in merch. Some shopping with fake guns and a machete.

"In June and July, 2024, NCRU hosted two Boost and Bust operations at the Guilford Town Centre and one at the Central City Mall. The three operations were conducted in partnership with the Delta Police Patrol Support Team, Metro Vancouver Transit Police Crime Suppression Team, Mall Security and local store Loss Prevention Officers (LPO).

The projects led to the arrest of 46 persons on mall property for shoplifting and weapons related offences. Police recovered approximately $7,300 in stolen merchandise, executed five arrest warrants and located one missing person.

Multiple criminal charges are being recommended to BC Prosecution Services for charge approval as a result of these operations, with three replica fi****ms and other weapons seized.

"Ensuring Surrey’s retail spaces are a safe place to work and shop is a key priority for Surrey RCMP and all our retail stakeholders", says S/Sgt Nigel Pronger, Surrey RCMP NCRU Commander. "Attending any retail location with a weapon, or intent to commit crime, will have consequences. We work closely with all our policing partners across the region, and I would like to thank Delta Police and Transit Police for their ongoing support in making all our communities safer."

07/23/2024

Forest fires: If there's an outflow we're going to see smoke in Chilliwack again this year.

Send a message to learn more

07/23/2024

Jasper forest fire: We are leaving. Exit stage left. Drivers flee Jasper Alberta. (Web photo)

Traffic literally inched along. Reports are it took 3 hours to move just over 1 mile.

07/23/2024

Wildfires closing on Jasper, Alta.

"The municipality of Jasper is impacted by developing wildfires in the area. North bound and south bound travel along Highway 93 near Athabasca River is closed in all directions due wild fires.

"Jasper, Alta. – The municipality of Jasper is impacted by wildfires in the area. At this time, RCMP is advising that Highway 16 will be closed for west bound travel at the Jasper Park gates, on the east side. East bound access to Jasper will also be closed during these fire fighting efforts.



RCMP are advising that travel is not recommended west of Hinton.



If travelling west, detour north through Grande Prairie on Hwy 40 or south to Hwy 1 through to British Columbia. Where travelling from British Columbia to Alberta, at this time detour south on Hwy 1 or north on Hwy 2.



Please avoid the Jasper National Park area along Highway 16 and allow First Responders to do their jobs safely.

Send a message to learn more

07/23/2024

Space: Hi, how are ya?

People are anticipating extrateresstrial life and have no idea how communication would unfold but recent studies have intriguing opinions

07/23/2024

Radioland: Highway robbery. Good one tonight at 10 for night owls. https://kmed.com for anyone who drives a car. BC is a monkey do province so we can expect the same here too.

https://ww2.motorists.org

"First Half: Executive Director of Policy at the National Motorists Association, Jay Beeber, will discuss the imposition of low-speed limits coupled with automated ticketing machines that penalize us for the simple act of driving, as well as driving taxes, car-free zones, and more."

07/23/2024

Food Banks: If you want to donate I suggest giving them baby supplies like: diapers, formula, baby food, wipes. Food Banks are a cheap form of public insurance for the entire community.

Send a message to learn more

07/23/2024

Chilliwack: Beautiful day. Did we just get through the worst part of summer? Looking good all week and throughout the weekend.

Quesnel: You've got 4 weather alerts including thunder and lightning which might signify a change in weather patterns. (below)

07/23/2024

Event: Mission Folk Fest July 26-28

https://missionfolkmusicfestival.ca/tickets/

"We present a three day festival of music, dance, children’s activities, art vendors, food vendors and camping, and are renowned for its mix of accessibility and easy-going comfort, affordability and small-town friendliness, shaded day stages and some of the finest music from across Canada and around the world."

07/23/2024

BC Gov't news: Stop the world I want to get off. One call does it all. "Road to Recovery" innovative plan to help drug users kick the habit.

"Road to Recovery establishes a seamless continuum of care for addictions from detox to treatment and after care. The expansion will include 100 substance-use treatment beds and outpatient services in all health authorities, as well as a single-access line to get connected to addictions care in each health-authority region."

- This expansion is being enabled and guided by the Provincial Addiction Recovery Treatment and Support Network.
- This network brings together health partners to plan and improve addictions care for adults throughout the province.
- Through this network, medical and operational experts are driving improvements to addictions care across the province.
- Recovery is not a linear journey, and the Road to Recovery model helps people access the right care for their needs when they need it.
- When someone makes the brave decision to seek help, they can call the Access Central Line in their health-authority region to receive a same-day medical assessment and connection to care.
- Family members and loved ones can also call the line to get information for someone they know who is struggling with addiction.
- For those who need treatment, they may access detox services in a community clinic, hospital or at home depending on their needs.
- Some patients may require longer-term treatment services.
- These are also available as a bed-based service or outpatient supports, depending on need.
- Treatment services can range from:
substance-use counselling;
medication-assisted treatment for opioids;
alcohol-relapse-prevention medications; to
bed-based treatment and supportive programs.
- Patients can be vulnerable when transitioning between services, so supports are available to keep clients connected to care and to stay safe through every step.
- Recovery does not end after treatment.
- Road to Recovery will help connect people to community after-care supports like day programs, life-skills classes and peer- recovery groups to help them stay on their path to wellness.

https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/RecoveryGraphic.pdf