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Enjoy the special gifts that Christmas brings

Christmas is a special time. It evokes strong feelings. Some express impatient outrage at the glaring commercialism of the mall and the media, others treasure the expectancy, hope and spiritual significance of the birth of Christ.

Monday more than just a stat

My daughter and I went to the Remembrance Day service and dutifully applauded the few old soldiers who remain these 60-plus years after the Second World War and Korean War.

Ruling derails pot bust

TWO men who were stopped driving away from a West Vancouver grow-op with more than eight kilograms of marijuana in their car have had their case tossed out after a judge ruled police violated their rights to get the evidence.

Crosswalk shelter reopens

A Downtown Eastside shelter for the homeless has reopened a few blocks away from its former home. The Crosswalk shelter, formerly located at 108 West Hastings St. and operated by the Salvation Army, has relocated into a renovated new facility at 136 East Cordova St. The new building has increased security features, dorm rooms and larger washrooms with showers. The B.C. government provides annual operational funding of more than $470,000 for the Crosswalk shelter, while the Sally Ann raised more than $31,000 to help pay for renovations to the new shelter.

Lawyers want grow-op evidence tossed

LAWYERS for two men charged with running a sophisticated marijuana grow-op in West Vancouver argued in court to have the charges tossed out, saying police violated their rights to get the evidence.

Community Calendar

I've had the privilege of being a "celebrity" judge at several hot dog-eating contests for the Vancouver Canadians at Nat Bailey Stadium, so I know a little something about the competitive sport.

Market movement?

It's been a few months since a "For Lease" sign went up at the vacant Surrey Public Market property, and the owners say there will soon be action at the site.

Shinny fans stuff the rink

Hockey fans raised more than 4,500 pounds of food for the Salvation Army food bank Wednesday in the inaugural Chilliwack Chiefs Fill the Rink for the Food Bank event.

A serving of Christmas spirit

Hundreds of guests at the Salvation Army's annual Christmas luncheon got a hearty helping of Christmas spirit on Wednesday at the Centre of Hope on Gladys Avenue in Abbotsford.

Kindness surrounds kettles

The newspaper story said the Salvation Army Kettle fund was short of 300 people [Kettle campaigners could use some help, Dec. 13, Langley Advance].

Sally Ann brings back memories

I am grateful to the Salvation Army kettle fund for re-kindling parts of my past that glowed dully under the ash of time.

Keeping quiet kettles

With just a handful of days left in 2011, donations to the Salvation Army's iconic Christmas kettles are looking a bit meagre compared to past years - and that has organizers concerned.

Salvation Army toy drive seeks public¹s help

THE Royal Canadian Legion and the Salvation Army in North Vancouver say their annual Christmas toy drive is facing a crisis, with only half the number of toys that were collected by this time last year even as the number of families in need continues to grow.

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Fill the rink for the food bank

The Chilliwack Chiefs, the Salvation Army, Save-On Food Group and local media are teaming up to restock the food bank after Christmas.

Sally Ann kicks it into gear for holiday season

'Tis the season to dig deep for loose change or bills on your way into the supermarket or liquor store.

Talking turkey with our less fortunate

The Salvation Army is all set to serve up the family spirit of Thanksgiving during its annual celebration meal this holiday Monday.

More than half the homeless are female

The number of homeless women in Chilliwack is increasing according to the 2011 Fraser Valley Regional District homeless survey, final results for which were released on Friday.