Journalist at Coast Reporter on Sunshine Coast BC. Travel/lifestyle writer/editor.
Sunshine Coast, B.C.
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- Following 5,006
- Followers 4,581
- Likes 24,727
Friend's brother owns restaurant in Vernon & young staffer refuses to get vaccinated, threatens to sue if they don't rehire her. WCB tells him if she wears mask all is well. Yesterday she tested positive. Ripple effect includes staff, customers & cancelled trip to see dying dad.
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My exhausted son, single dad travelling home from our place with his 2 boys, was just stopped by @BCFerries security & taken into an office & accused of being a courier. I promise, the only things in those bags were clothes & presents. Missed their next ferry because of it.
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So, this is what 20 years @VanCourierNews looks like as it comes to an end. Due to #covid, the Courier has closed permanently after 112 years, but what a privilege it's been to write about this city and the people who live in it for the past two decades.
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1/2 Ripple effect also includes lost revenue from long weekend & beyond, and the cancellation (for them) for a long-awaited family reunion in Whistler this weekend, which means hotel cancellation, etc. #COVIDIOTS
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Just saw a job posting for a reporter in Metro Vancouver and under "benefits," instead of listing, oh, say, health and dental, it listed "casual dress" and "discounted or free food." #partylikeajournalist
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Been at Park MGM since Monday & it’s a bit of a gong show — moving to Aria on Friday, which is the same I hear. Biggest issue for us is we can’t use our $350 food and beverage credit or hubby’s $250 free play.
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This is the same neighbourhood where residents got so bent out of shape re a proposed dog park years ago, I sat through a dozen @ParkBoard meetings where people were crying & yelling. It was so bad, someone wrote a play for the Fringe Festival about it called, The Dog Park. 1/2
Column: City of Vancouver board said no to a daycare for eight kids, after area residents mobilize to oppose it. vancouversun.com/opinion/col…
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In the end, there were no speeches, cake or, sadly, due to covid-19, not a single embrace. Instead, we gathered at 6-feet apart to share stories, remember lost colleagues & mourn the loss of @VanCourierNews after 112 years. #localnewsmatters #savelocalnews #vanpoli
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In some personal news, I'm the new reporter @coast_reporter on the Sunshine Coast & moving there in 2 days. Also, here's a story I wrote about BC Ferries & the 1st in-person event to be held on the Coast after a threat last year to staff. tinyurl.com/44wdcvfb
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Today would have been my mom's birthday. This photo was pretty classic mom. As a war bride from Glasgow, she never left the city behind even after following my dad to Canada & Chilliwack. I believe she was showing off the new cupboards in our old house in this photo.
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Do you remember there was a fire at their plant a few years ago, and Canadians across the nation panicked.
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I wrote a eulogy about the end of my #journalism career for @Slate magazine. I had imagined many ways my career might end, but a pandemic was never on that list. tinyurl.com/4odxxpxa #savelocalnews (Also, their style is not quite CP.)
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Anyone else have this happen with @TELUS ? I was travelling from Victoria to Vancouver on the ferry & I received this message, followed up by an email alerting me that someone on my plan is travelling within the US.
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I am so sorry you had to go through all of this @jodyvance I experienced some death threats, but only two of them really scared me. I also assumed it was part of the job. Good for you for following this through.
Broadcaster Jody Vance feels relief after suspect charged following years of online harassment dlvr.it/S9g0Cn
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Same on the china. Mom spent years collecting every piece of her beautiful china set & when she died, my sister tried to give it to her daughter who had no interest whatsoever. Sad, but none of us three daughters wanted it either. Who’s got room and who needs a gravy boat?
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We’re watching the action from our room at #NoMad @parkmgm & are glad we’re not driving. #StanleyCupPlayoffs #hockey
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It's also been an absolute honour to work with some of the most talented journalists in this country, including @MidlifeMan1 @Naoibh @Howellings @JohnKurucz photographer Dan Toulgoet @blinkwriter @HughesFiona @JessicaEKerr whom I'm proud to call friends. #savelocalnews
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So, just got the AstraZeneca vaccine at Shopper's River District and felt even better when I saw our regular pharmacist from SaveOn getting his as well. He's done a great job of keeping us alive for the past 10 years, so we trust him a lot.
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Also, while I know how ripe the job market is for opinionated, white women of a certain age, I'm a great journalist, copy editor, content specialist, special sections editor, magazine editor, in case anyone's looking.
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They just said “courier” of some kind. The two bags he dropped off in the luggage area were heavy, but packed with new clothes, books & toys.
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House sitting for a friend 25-years ago & was outside watering the pond when her neighbour climbed over the fence carrying a bottle of wine. Ride or die ever since. @SusanCrabbe
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Again, anything to avoid the metric system.
The world’s largest kidney stone has been removed from a patient in Sri Lanka – and it’s about the size of a grapefuit, as long as a banana and as heavy as four hamsters cnn.it/3N9PPqb
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Things you do on a rainy day, show cat videos to your neighbour’s cat. #notmycat #CatsOfTwitter
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Sat through one heated meeting seated next to the great Allen Garr & one woman stood up & tearfully said her neighbour called her the "C word" because she was for the park. Garr staged whispered, "Cowboy, why would he call her a cowboy?"
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Dear diary, it’s day 2 of our stay @parkmgm We survived the loss of charging to our room & slot machines not letting us cash out or collecting points, but the loss of TV might drive us to unholy acts. @VitalVegas
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Inagural @AlaskaAir flight from #Bellingham to #Kona. Arrived to leis, hula, music & Miss Kona Coffee. #lethawaiihappen #Hawaii
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Wasn’t really paying attention when what I thought was #notmycat showed up at our door, so I just let it in. Then took a closer look & realized it was a completely different #notmycat but it found the treat bowl right off the bat. #Caturday #CatsofTwittter #hellostranger
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Grandkids are at the airport waiting for the arrival of "Buddy." I'm sure this little guy will bring a lot of joy to them in what has been a super stressful time. #dogs #dogsoftwitter
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I agree about the news, but also like Twitter because after reading a breaking story, I can watch a video about a dog playing piano.
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They did not qualify of what. What he was couriering was a wild 7-year old hopped up on the hot chocolate and waffles with sprinkles I fed him before they left.
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Found this @VanCourierNews dish in a #thrift store today. Guy charged me $5, because “it’s brand new.” @MidlifeMan1 @blinkwriter @Howellings @Naoibh #localnewsmatters
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Heading to see this guy in a couple of days. Haven't seen/hugged/held my two grandsons since November. #VaccinesWork
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Didn't have enough room to mention @Cheryl_Rossi @MHStewart and all of the incredibly talented interns who passed through onto greater things, including @bychrischeung @Thuncher
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Reminds me of the council meetings I sat through in Chilliwack and listened to newcomers complain about the smells from neighbouring farms and could they just make it stop.
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It’s already a super long day getting from the Coast to Sooke. They also questioned their tickets because he bought them at the gift shop onboard, which I told him to do.
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I just want to hug Xander and quietly lead them away from the entire crew and tell them it's ok to leave now.
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When I started we were tasked with writing lengthy feature stories for the cover, which is how I found myself over the years dressed as a sex-trade worker, staking out a porn theatre, meeting with criminals, interviewing seniors, & searching for missing men. #savelocaljournalism
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Instead of a goodbye Vancouver column, I wrote a hello Sunshine Coast column. In response, one of our new neighbours left me this. You’ll have to read my column to get the joke.
Have you met @sthomas10 yet? She's already hit the ground running with her reporting for @coast_reporter, and here is her official introduction to the Sunshine Coast: coastreporter.net/opinion/op…
Share your story tips with her!
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As if living on the Sunshine Coast could get any better. Chilliwack corn for sale two minutes from our place. #sunshinecoast
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I remember looking for a rental (quite a few years ago) in Vancouver and I said to the guy showing it, "But there's no floor." It was an unfinished basement suite that literally had a dirt floor.
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Was saddened this morning to read about the passing of tireless #seniors advocate Lorna Gibbs, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing many times. I wrote a few words about Lorna & a recap of just one interview we did together. tinyurl.com/4rbny4j9 #vanpoli @ParkBoard
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The cat that doesn't belong to us dropped by (surprisingly in this cold), slept on our bed for a few hours, went to leave & said, "hell no" as he stuck his nose out the door, & came back in for another snooze. #notmycat #catsoftwitter
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Had to cancel our travel plans for my #birthday due to #COVID19 but who needs drinks by the pool when you can vote. #ElectionsCanada #vote
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Hey @CBSNews @GlobalBC @cbcnewsbc huge fire on Richmond side of the Fraser River just east of the Queensborough Bridge. Big explosions from whatever is on fire.
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Feeling a little down? This "pep talk" generator will give you that confidence boost you need. "Just saying, your hair today rains magic, so treat yourself," @paulnixey
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I couldn't even get our conservation office to talk about the grizzly bear in Sechelt last week. That seems pretty "public health and safety" related to me.
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If only there was a community newspaper left with this kind of institutional knowledge. Oh right. RIP @VanCourierNews #localnewsmatters
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When #journalists have nightmares. Last night I had a dream I was being chased by something, but saw a farmhouse where I could get help. But then my brain started asking is "farmhouse" spelled with one word or two? And then that kept me up for an hour. #partylikeajournalist
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Our 12-year-old granddaughter was just named MVP at her hockey tournament in Kamloops today. #mightygirl
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Had a dream last night I met a bunch of working & retired journos from the Sunshine Coast for a beer & by the end we all decided to work together to solve a serial killer cold case. So the Coast Killer Crew was established & now it looks like I have to write a book @snufflewort
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My new #TV guilty pleasure for 2017 has got to be @LetterkennyProb @CraveTVCanada @jaredkeeso #hicks #skids
#hockeyplayers #Ostrich
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Me, trying to get paid in a timely fashion after sending an invoice. #freelancer
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After doomscrolling on Twitter this am, I decided to say an enthusiastic "good morning" to anyone within earshot at the grocery store. And, it worked. People answered back & smiled (I think) behind their masks, except that one guy who grabbed his kid & walked away in a hurry.
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Checked out the newly reinvented Mollys Reach by Black Bean yesterday. This iconic eatery famous for it’s starring role in the #Beachcombers series reopened last Thursday in #Gibsons #explorebc #Sunshinecoastbc
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6-years ago today we got married in front of 30 friends & family in a Blue Hawaii #Elvis ceremony in @Vegas . As you can see, it was a small, dignified affair, complete with “Nancy,” world’s worst hula dancer & yes, that is @FredAboutTown photo bombing the video.
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So, the neighbour’s cat woke me up at 8 am today and, after I let him in, slept next to me until I finished reading the news & has been sleeping on our bed ever since. That’s a 12+ hour record. #cats #CatsOfTwitter #notmycat
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I yelled at him & in my best mom voice said, "There will be no conspiracy-theory, anti-vax videos at the dinner table." Therein lies the difference between covidiots and the rest of us, who should start pulling out our phones & saying, "Have you seen this science video?"
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At Zoom meeting this morning one of the women screamed because there was a bird flying around her bedroom and it landed on the windowsill & a cat in the background leaped up & grabbed it. Bird was OK, but most exciting Zoom I've been on to date.
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OMG, do you remember when I was recently lamenting I never got a response for the job writing dating profiles & witty responses for Tinder & Match.com? They want to interview me in April! Who's too sarcastic now?
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Living down by #fraserriver we hear all kinds of things. Tonight we heard two loud drunk guys, so of course I stepped outside to listen. 1st guy, "Then I added a bunch of ginger." Guy 2, "No, F-ing way." 1st guy, "Yeah and I used coconut oil." Guy 2, "Are you f-ing kidding?'
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Always classy. Five-years ago today, we finally said "I do" with #bluehawaii ceremony in front of 30 friends at Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, complete with world's worst hula dancer & smoke machine that went rogue. Supposed to be in #Vegas today to celebrate, but #covid.
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After two months on the #SunshinecoastI finally got to write about the #beachcombers! After a 10-year search, Relic's jet boat from The Beachcombers returns to Gibsons - Coast Reporter coastreporter.net/local-news…
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BC Ferries waiting room at Tsawwassen Terminal is full of happy grandparents waiting for spring break grandkids, including me.
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The @ValleyTulips #Chilliwacktulipfestival is open for business. Time to plan that road trip and what you need to know before you go. chilliwacktulipfest.com/ @VanCourierNews #tulips #roadtrip
#AprilShowers #flowers
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Our journo group has been meeting in Dude Chilling Park since start of Covid. Started out sitting 6-feet away from each other to drink our illegal beer, but now huddle a little closer. The DC Underemployed Writers Club saw me through the loss of my job & have been invaluable.
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On our flight from Palm Springs last night, Mother Nature was showing off just a little. Also, @AirCanada flight left early, had enough room we could move to our own row & had #Elf as a movie choice. #winning #TravelTuesday
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Back yard of my Airbnb in Langford comes complete with a hot tub and axe-throwing target. Place is great, with exception of a slight mildew smell when you 1st walk in. $80 a night works out to $425 for 3 nights with fees & taxes. #travel
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Knew I needed a haircut but that was confirmed this morning while chatting with a guy from our building I had never met before & he asked if I was "that woman who just moved back here from Salt Spring." That will be rectified next Tuesday. #youknowifyouknow
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I'm guessing a job posting that includes the requirement, "boundless energy" is a red flag? #WritingLife
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Pleased my story about @visitMONOVA surviving Covid not only made the @BCMuseumsAssn #Roundup magazine #bestof2022 edition, it's also the cover story. tinyurl.com/5p9tc4e7 #traveltuesday #travelblogger #Travel #museumsmatter
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Two weeks today since my AZ vaccine, so I celebrated by wearing my mask to the grocery store, using hand sanitizer while I was there, and washing my hands obsessively when I got home. #COVID19 #VaccinesSaveLives
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Heading to #Yarmouth next week for the annual @TravelMediaCA conference & a highlight will be (among many) an exclusive visit to @SailBluenoseII. @VisitNovaScotia @VisitYAS #travel #Canada
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He might not be our cat, but he makes himself right at home as if he is. Some days he’ll sleep here for up to 10 hours. We love him even if he’s just using us as a crash pad. #NotMyCat #CatsOfTwitter
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I'm at the, just joined the "Disapproving Corgis" Facebook group, time of the pandemic. #corgis #dogs #dontjudgeme #dogs
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Someone just posted this here and I thought, but we are in the exact same place today as we were last year -- celebrating New Years in our living rooms. And, I didn't even learn how to make sourdough bread.
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I always respond to those sales pitches with, "sorry, not interested, but do you need a copy writer?" And I never hear from them again.
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Literally 30 seconds out of @bcferries Schwartz Bay terminal & 3 alarms sounding. Make that 5. I think they should introduce a fine system. @BCFerrys #caralarm #Ugh
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One of my favourite projects when I was in charge of the magazine division @VanCourierNews I chose the name, cover image, was lead writer and editor. #writerslife #sigh
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A little Christmas spirit b4 we take flight in search of Santa with @airtransat & @cwfbc & a plane full of kids! #Christmas #santa
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This message from #Earnesthemingway is found all over #KeyWest Thinking I might give it a try & finally get that book written. #writing
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"Tap, tap, tap." "Meow, meow, meow." Blinds are closed on French doors, but we know it's the neighbour's cat. Husband: "No, it's too late." Me: "What if he's being chased by a coyote?" Treats & fireplace seat later & he's safe. #NotMyCat #CatsOfTwitter #cats
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8-year-old g-daughter sent me text last night that said, "Hi Tutu, dad told me you used to be an investigative reporter so I was wondering if you could help me find #TaylorSwift tickets." It was both adorable & sad, cause it reminded me I actually was an investigative reporter
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New @visitMONOVA Museum of North Vancouver opens Dec. 4, with free admission that day. Here's a link to 20-page feature I was lead on (except some of the headlines) that tells the story of how the museum finally became a reality. tinyurl.com/yckje92c #NorthVanStorie
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Took grandson to Happy Lamb Hot Pot in #Richmondbc today. You know food is always better when it’s served by a robot. @MeetRichmondBC #explorebc #SpringBreak2023
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A grizzly bear spotted in downtown Sechelt at around noon today, made its way to Davis Bay where it was immobilized and relocated by conservation officers with assistance from RCMP. This is the second #grizzly relocated from the lower Coast this month tinyurl.com/yc5xwzy9
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