Columnists

Books on the shelves of the Fraser Valley Regional Library branch in Langley City. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

PAINFUL TRUTH: Christmas means books

Reporter Matthew Claxton writes a weekly opinion column

Books on the shelves of the Fraser Valley Regional Library branch in Langley City. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
A Pavel Bure mascot wearing a face mask walks through the crowd as fans wait to enter Rogers Arena for the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in Vancouver, on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: For many Canuck fans, the hope candle has stopped burning

After nine years of disappointment, fingers are pointing at ownership for franchise troubles

A Pavel Bure mascot wearing a face mask walks through the crowd as fans wait to enter Rogers Arena for the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in Vancouver, on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Wildlife Preservation Canada shared a picture of an Oregon spotted frog up close. (Pourya Sardari, WPC/Special to Langley Advance Times)

GREEN BEAT: Hope for the seldom spotted Oregon spotted frog

Wildlife Preservation Canada endeavours to raise $50,000 for its preservation efforts by year’s end

  • Dec 22, 2022
Wildlife Preservation Canada shared a picture of an Oregon spotted frog up close. (Pourya Sardari, WPC/Special to Langley Advance Times)
Premier David Eby and Premier Danielle Smith (Canadian Press photos)
Premier David Eby and Premier Danielle Smith (Canadian Press photos)
Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

THE MOJ: That was a weekend to remind us of why we love sports

NFL piled up the big plays and big stories while the World Cup gave us a final for the ages

Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
The Legion Veterans Village project is seen under construction in Surrey, B.C., on Saturday, November 6, 2021. The project is led by the Royal Canadian Legion B.C./Yukon Command, Whalley Legion Branch 229 and Lark Group and will be Canada’s first centre of excellence for veterans and first responders focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health as well as mixed medical and rehabilitative services. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

PAINFUL TRUTH: Real estate boom and bust creates future problems

Gluts and shortages keep coming in the housing market

The Legion Veterans Village project is seen under construction in Surrey, B.C., on Saturday, November 6, 2021. The project is led by the Royal Canadian Legion B.C./Yukon Command, Whalley Legion Branch 229 and Lark Group and will be Canada’s first centre of excellence for veterans and first responders focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health as well as mixed medical and rehabilitative services. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
North Langley resident Ryder, 7 had his picture taken with Santa by grandfather Louchie Harry, who was visiting from Powell River, at the Dec. 11 Santa Skate organized by Langley Minor Hockey Association at George Preston arena. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Santa skate draws crowd at George Preston

Langley Minor Hockey Association event

North Langley resident Ryder, 7 had his picture taken with Santa by grandfather Louchie Harry, who was visiting from Powell River, at the Dec. 11 Santa Skate organized by Langley Minor Hockey Association at George Preston arena. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Jessica Peters is a reporter at the Abbotsford News and a big fan of Father Christmas.

COLUMN: The magic of Christmas isn’t so unbelievable, is it?

A deep adoration of Santa Claus and everything he represents has led to a life of loving Christmas

Jessica Peters is a reporter at the Abbotsford News and a big fan of Father Christmas.
Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko, left, of Russia, and Bo Horvat talk before a faceoff against the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Canuck free agents, pricey pitchers and the value of irrelevance

‘What is Kuzmenko going to cost?’ in a Friday sports potpourri

Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko, left, of Russia, and Bo Horvat talk before a faceoff against the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat waits to take a faceoff against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: If it wasn’t for bad luck, we wouldn’t have any Canuck luck at all

Horvat and Miller contract timing typical of what we’ve come to expect from this franchise

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat waits to take a faceoff against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Pixabay photo/blende12

More eggnog: 10 terrible Christmas movies to torture your family with this holiday season

Be forewarned, these cinematic lumps of coal could potentially ruin the holiday season

Pixabay photo/blende12
The Sardis Library on June 23, 2022. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

PAINFUL TRUTH: Libraries are an essential service

Please, don’t ever suggest we start charging money for library services

The Sardis Library on June 23, 2022. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Vancouver Canucks’ Ilya Mikheyev, back, of Russia, Brock Boeser, back right, and Elias Pettersson celebrate Mikheyev’s goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Reassuring to see the allure of the Montreal Canadiens continues

Rich legacy of the franchise ensures their visits to B.C. are never really road games

Vancouver Canucks’ Ilya Mikheyev, back, of Russia, Brock Boeser, back right, and Elias Pettersson celebrate Mikheyev’s goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Nature Conservancy of Canada handout photo)

OPINION: Conserving forest, grassland and wetland ecosystems in B.C. has global impact

This week and next governments, scientists and conservation experts are gathering in…

  • Dec 8, 2022
(Nature Conservancy of Canada handout photo)
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and J.T. Miller celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Why the floundering Canucks really need to consider breakfast

It’s time for franchise to step off cycle of mediocrity by truly committing to the draft

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and J.T. Miller celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Congestion on the approach to the 232nd Street overpass. (Langley Advance Times files)

PAINFUL TRUTH: Family affects jobs and hiring

Our society has changed – and jobs aren’t changing to keep up

Congestion on the approach to the 232nd Street overpass. (Langley Advance Times files)
Most outstanding Canadian player, quarterback Nathan Rourke of the BC Lions, holds up his trophy during the CFL Awards in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: Colts among the team’s eyeing Lions Rourke south of the border

CFL’s outstanding Canadian will be working out in Indianapolis this month

Most outstanding Canadian player, quarterback Nathan Rourke of the BC Lions, holds up his trophy during the CFL Awards in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers reacts after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers’ Arik Armstead during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

THE MOJ: Continued surprises are what makes the NFL must-watch sports

Experts from around the league share their takes on the season’s most unexpected developments

Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers reacts after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers’ Arik Armstead during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Condos under construction in Langley. Backyards not included. (Langley Advance Times files)

PAINFUL TRUTH: The death of the backyard is coming soon

We need to rethink public space, since private greenspace is getting rare

Condos under construction in Langley. Backyards not included. (Langley Advance Times files)
(Photo - Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)

THE MOJ: Rocketing into orbit with a B.C. hockey success story

Bruce Hamilton’s Kelowna Rockets have been doing junior hockey the right way for years

(Photo - Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)
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