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Welcome to Crescent Beach / DIANE GRENIER photo

Where You Can Vacation And Be Home The Same Day

 

 

 

 

TNT The Naked Truth

May 26, 2025 

Giants Among Us


Back in 1997, my neighbour decided to plant a tree in his front yard to match up with the line of Douglas fir trees on the other side of the driveway.  He picked a different species of evergreen that was only two feet tall.  When we moved in across the street in 2008, this tree had already grown to a height of 35 feet or 10 metres in only 11 years.  Well here we are in 2025 and it has now reached a height of 90-100 feet or 30 metres.  It is rapidly catching up with the Douglas firs that are towering nearby at 120 feet,  That little two foot tree which is now visible from our back yard over the roof of our two storey house is none other than a Coastal Redwood, otherwise known as California Redwood, Giant Sequoia, or if you prefer Latin, Sequoia sempervirens.  I have a special arborist tape measure that when wrapped around the circumference of a trunk gives the measurement for the diameter.  In the case of my neighbour's tree, it is already 65 centimetres in width, measured ABH (at breast height) of 1.4 metres. 

For reasons unknown many residents of the Crescent Park and Ocean Park neighbourhoods favour these non-native trees for their yards, often planting several of them in a row.  In total there are nine of these giants within a five minute walk of our house in Crescent Heights.  There are six trees on 124 St., one on Indian Fort Drive and two on Seabrook Drive.  They all have trunks over 1.24 metres in diameter, with the largest of the bunch on Seabrook measuring 2 metres across.  Next to the Crescent Beach #12 Fire Hall on 128 St., there is a massive hedge of six of these huge trees with the largest of them measuring 1.25 metres across and over 100 feet tall.  While all of his sounds impressive, these trees are really just babies since they are the tallest trees on Earth that live from 1,200 to 2,200 years old.  Coast Redwoods reach average heights of 60 to 100 m (200 to 330 ft), but can grow to be more than 115 m (380 ft) with a trunk diameter of over 9 m (30 ft).

It may be that Redwood Park in South Surrey is also responsible for people's love of the Giant Sequoia.  Originally owned by homesteader David Brown, he gave his twin sons David and Peter sixteen acres each of north facing land west of 176 St. when they turned twenty-one in 1878.  Instead of turning it into a farm, the two brothers began planting trees and orchards on the property.  The land now contains a wide assortment of trees from across North America and Asia.  By far the most amazing aspect of Redwood Park is the large grove of redwoods that the brothers planted from seeds they had collected in California.  This is an excellent spot to find cones with viable seeds that can easily be grown to start your own giant trees with a direct link to the Brown brothers.  Considering that many of the large redwoods in south Surrey appear to be 50-60 years old, it is possible that many of these trees originated from cones gathered at this property once it became a Surrey park.

I have always always loved redwood and admired the colours of the wood and its thick growth lines.  A few years back I decided it was time to replace my kitchen table and went looking for a slab of life edge redwood.  There had been a sequoia at the entrance to the Mud Bay Village Art Knapps that had died when the King George Hwy. was widened.  I knew the Vanderzalm boys had planted it and went to the Way-To-Grow soil plant to inquire what had become of it.  It turns out the tree had been cut down and stored in the warehouse for years, with it just being milled into slabs only a week before I decided to drop by.  I haggled with Marty Vanderzalm and he traded me a stack of the slabs for some used ATVs I was looking to part with.  I ran the wood through a commercial sander, finished the edges by hand and then coated them using polyurethane and epoxy.  One of my customers manufactured metal legs that were then powder coated and bolted on to the slabs.  Our kitchen table and two coffee tables are Art Knapps redwood, that are as beautiful as they are unique.

Coast redwoods are relatively easy to spot throughout Surrey in older neighbourhoods with large yards needed to accommodate their growth.  You only need to see what looks like a giant manicured Christmas tree that is bluish-green in colour.  The thick trunks that are reddish brown and flared towards the ground are also a giveaway.  There is a long line of 17 sequoias on 16th Ave. on either side of 142 St. that are quite the sight to see.  A little farther afield, there is an old farm on 168 St. just north of 88 Ave. that has at least 60 of these giant trees planted as a hedgerow.  If you are ever heading to Fort Langley on 96 Ave heading west from 200 St., keep an eye out for the massive sequoia hedge with white fence boards between them on the south side of the road.  Of course, if you really want to see some big trees, there are many parks in both California and Oregon including the famed Redwood National Park and Humboldt State Park.  Check out the Wikipedia listing below that includes the tallest (380 ft.) and largest (36,900 cubic feet) sequoias on the planet.  

Naturally yours,

Don Pitcairn

I wish to acknowledge we live work and play on the traditional lands of the Semiahmoo People

 

 

 

 

Local News

May 27, 2025

 

Celebrate Canada Day by the Bay in White Rock

The City of White Rock invites residents and visitors to the waterfront on July 1, 2025 for an exciting day of free, family friendly festivities at Canada Day by the Bay.

The event begins at 12 p.m., with welcoming remarks from the mayor and council in addition to the presentation of White Rock’s Outstanding Canadians on the Peninsula award.

Live entertainment will take place all day, building up to an unforgettable evening of music on the main stage. White Rock's own DJ James T will kick things off, followed by rising Canadian talent Richard Tichelman.

Headlining this year’s celebration is the Guess Who Tribute, delivering iconic hits from The Guess Who and Burton Cummings, a musical homage to Canadian rock legends.

New this year is a second stage at the Kids Zone, which will feature performances all day long including ventriloquist-comedienne Norma McKnight, Shot of Scotch, and a one-of-a-kind pan-drum performance by John Watkins.

Families can also enjoy face painting, crafts, balloon artists, and Vendor Row along the Promenade with local goods and treats.

Don’t miss the Pier Photo Op at 3:30 p.m., a stunning drone shot that will capture White Rock’s Canadian spirit like never before. Come dressed in red and white, bring a flag to wave around, or use one of the hundreds of Canadian flags the city will be handing out.

Cap off the day with a spectacular fireworks display presented by Thrifty Foods at 10:15 p.m., lighting up the night sky over Semiahmoo Bay.

This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada.

For more information, visit whiterockcity.ca/canadaday


White Rock Council Rewind

 

- QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD

PRITAM DHALIWAL a resident from the east beach district of White Rock appeared before council to question why NO PARKING signs have suddenly appeared on Moffat lane. It was explained by staff there had been a complaint from a resident in the area and upon investigation staff and the fire chief confirmed if parking continued to be allowed on MOFFAT LANE it could prohibit a fire truck in servicing the area in the event of a fire.

- council initially approved murals for the Balsam street change rooms as well as a mural for the West Beach parkade

- the deputy mayor rotation was revised as a result of councillor ERNIE KLASSEN resigning from his council seat to fulfill his newly acquired MP duties for the LIberal Party of Canada.

- council endorsed sending a letter to Victoria registering the city's displeasure with Bills 13/14 & 15 that are scheduled to become law this Friday. Critics of the bills state it puts excessive power in Victoria's hands for future development in local communities.

 

1.49 Day Tuesday (Today)

 

Have your say in shaping the future of North Bluff Road!

Join us for an open house today May 27, from 4–8 p.m. at the White Rock Community Centre to learn more about the North Bluff Road Corridor Study.

 

 

May 25, 2025

Dig It

Recently a soil remediation company set up shop on the vacant parking lot at the corner of Russell avenue and Johnston road in uptown White Rock.

The lot was purchased from Imperial Oil back in 2016 by the city of White Rock for park space. Recently the community was informed there were plans for a possible "highrise hub" in the uptown area of White Rock.

In that the site was once home to a gas station the soil quality has always been in question.

IMPERIAL OIL secured the services of the the soil remediation company.

 

May 23, 2025

Ocean Park Attack - Too Close To Home


Police investigate overnight stabbing in South Surrey

RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) is investigating an overnight stabbing in the Ocean Park neighbourhood.

At approximately 12:30 am on May 22, 2025, a man approached White Rock RCMP members in the area of 140 Street and 16 Avenue, Surrey. The man stated that he had been attacked by unknown suspects nearby at 128 Street and 16 Avenue and was suffering from a serious, but non-life threatening injury to his hand. White Rock RCMP rendered medical aid and members of RCMP SPOSU attended. BCEHS attended the scene, treated the man’s injuries and transported him to hospital. 

SPOSU General Investigative Unit (GIU) members have taken conduct of the investigation. While the motive of the attack is still under investigation, it does not appear to be random.

Anyone with information about this incident or the identity of the suspects should contact the SPS non-emergency line at 604-599-0502 and quote file number 2025-28325 (SU) or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.


The Reklaws to headline Surrey Canada Day 2025
 

Western Canada’s largest Canada Day celebration will return to Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre on Tuesday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Surrey Canada Day will be headlined by eight-time JUNO nominees, The Reklaws, alongside Canadian singer-songwriter, Goldie Boutilier, and Indigenous rock ‘n’ roller, Garret T. Willie.

 

This free full-day celebration will feature an exciting lineup of live music and entertainment across four stages, Indigenous cultural sharing, and family-friendly activities. 

Alongside the Main Stage, Surrey Canada Day will feature three additional stages offering something for everyone: Indigenous performers will take the spotlight on the Siam Stage in the Indigenous Village, family-friendly entertainment will be featured on the Family Stage, and dance battles and DJs will bring up the energy on the Community Stage. Attendees can also enjoy amusement rides, food trucks, and a beer garden with a site-wide license. The event will end with a fireworks show. 

For more information, visit surreycanadaday.ca

 

May 22, 2025

Get On The Bus - Take A Ride With Us

Subregional highlights


  • Ridership south of the Fraser (Surrey, North Delta, White Rock, the City of Langley, and the Township of Langley) grew by 11.4 per cent, which was more than anywhere else in Metro Vancouver.

  • South of the Fraser River faced significant overcrowding

    • New service from the R6 RapidBus and additional bus service approved in the 2024 Investment Plan helped ease pressure.

    • The 2025 Investment Plan will further expand service south of the Fraser by adding or upgrading seven routes and increasing service on 25 other routes.

       

May 20, 2025

Have you ever wanted to learn to roast coffee?

Maybe you'd like to learn about what it takes to make a great cup of coffee.

Kingha Coffee Roasters course is designed to take you from the coffee tree to the coffee cup. You’ll get hands-on, professionally guided mentorship every step of the way. Working across multiple coffee roasting machines, we will move through sample roasting up to production roasting, examining the variations in taste, aroma, color and roasting time. You'll get to samples the coffees you roast, and use what you're learning to adjust your roast profile to dial in your best roast.


Join us for a 2 day hands-on, fully immersive coffee roasting and sensory skills course.

Saturday June 21 and Sunday June 22
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Kingha Coffee Roasters
15585 24th Avenue Surrey

Unit 110 - Back of the Building

For more info email us at: kgriffin@kinghacoffee.com or

Click on the below link for more info and to sign up.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/kingha-coffee-roasting-level-100-tickets-1366690641499?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

 

 

 

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Joke Of The Day

At a recent rally, somebody threw a beer at Trump's head...

He's fine.

It was a draft, so he dodged it.

 

Thought For The Day

 

 

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