Hi folks! Sorry again to everyone who reads frequently but received an email suggesting they weren't reading enough! That triggered an enormous barrage of emails, but they were all so nice. So thanks. (The next time I'm feeling sad about myself, I'll have to really strain to resist the urge of emailing you all again.) Anyways, as I mentioned in that follow-up email, I'll be at the Chilliwack Independent Film Festival this weekend moderating panels and just hanging out. If you're there, come by and say Hi! And if you are curious about it, we'll be giving away free festival and virtual passes later this week. You can enter here in just a couple seconds.
—Tyler Olsen, managing editor
NEWS Bringing pro ball to the Fraser
Valley
Professional basketball in Canada is not limited to the Toronto Raptors, and includes several dozen teams in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. 📸 Fraser Valley Bandits
Professional basketball had never succeeded before in the Fraser Valley. But then again, it had never been tried here.
Three years after their inaugural game in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, the Fraser Valley-turned-Vancouver Bandits look set to stick around, buoyed by high attendance numbers, a new generation of sports fans, and now a local ownership group.
🚘 An employee at a Mission oil change shop was taken to hospital after being pinned against the garage door by a customer's vehicle [Mission Record]
🎨 A new mural by a local Indigenous artist at the Chilliwack Library, called "nature and nurture," celebrates parents and children [Chilliwack Progress]
💵 Events in
Mission and Abbotsford will receive
provincial tourism funding for the first time since the start of the pandemic [Abbotsford News]
🐐
Give meaningful gifts on behalf of your loved ones and practical help to families in need. Peck through Food for the Hungry’s plucky online Gift Guide!*
*Sponsored Listing
THE
AGENDA
The Marshall Road connector was closed for further work shortly after it's ribbon-cutting ceremony. 📸 City of Abbotsford
TWO WEEKS AFTER OPENING, LANGLEY-ABBOTSFORD ROAD CONNECTION CLOSED A new road connecting Abbotsford and Langley has been closed to traffic indefinitely, less than two weeks after it was opened. On Oct. 28, outgoing Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun cut a ribbon to officially open the new route, which runs south of Highway 1 and
connects Marshall Road in Abbotsford to 16th Avenue in Langley. It’s hoped the route will be particularly useful to trucks and reduce traffic on Fraser Highway and Highway 1. The road cuts through several properties that were once used for farming and gravel extraction. On Wednesday, though, the city announced the connector had been closed between Bradner and Ross roads. The city said “some settlement has led to dips in the road that will require further assessment and work,” and that the road was being closed “out of an abundance of caution.” It’s not known when the road
will re-open. You can check out the current status here.
15-ACRE WILLOUGHBY
DEVELOPMENT HEADS TO PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT A developer wants to build more than 400 more homes on a 15-acre parcel of Willoughby land. Residents will be able to provide feedback on the project at tonight’s public hearing. The project needs an amendment to the Willoughby neighbourhood plan to proceed.
Isle of Mann Property Group is seeking
approval from the city to rezone three properties—at 76 Avenue between 200 and 202a streets. The move would make way for 320 condos, 70 rental apartment units, and about three dozen single-family, duplex, and row homes.
The developer needs the township to amend the Latimer Neighbourhood Plan to change the land use designation boundaries and increase the permitted apartment height and overall density. (The developer is proposing 390 units, whereas the current neighbourhood plan allows for a maximum of 120 units.)
The meeting is scheduled for 7pm tonight at the Township of Langley Civic Facility (20338 65 Ave.). To register to speak at the hearing sign up here.
TOGETHER WITH FAIRMONT EMPRESS HOTEL The grandest of holidays at Fairmont Empress
In the heart of the city and on the edge of nature, you will find a historic castle that truly comes alive with the spirit of the holidays. From curated festive menus, to jaw-dropping holiday decorations, inventive cocktails, and over-the-top events, there’s no shortage of festive cheer at Victoria's Fairmont Empress.
S’mores and the Santa Claus Parade, Nov. 26 This season, Fairmont Empress invites guests to gather ‘round a fire on The Veranda for fondue and spectacular views of the Santa Claus Parade. At the end of the Santa Claus Parade, Santa himself will declare that Christmas in Victoria has officially begun! This is a great way to get in the Christmas spirit and enjoy the magic of the season. See all the holiday offers at Fairmont Empress.
🧿 Learn about the world of contemporary beadwork at a talk by artist Catherine Blackburn and The Reach Gallery Museum's curator on Nov. 16 over Zoom. Register online.
🎻 The Fraser Valley Symphony's 39th season begins with a concert at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium in Abbotsford on Nov. 20. Tickets are available online.
