Editor’s Note: This review was first published April 27, 2012. Their menu has changed since ths article was published.

The mid-2000’s saw many restaurants using digits as their name and Restaurant 62 is no exception.

Established in 2004, co-owner, Alicia Bodaly shared an engaging story about how the restaurant got its’ name. In the RCMP, code 62 stands for meal break, Restaurant 62’s previous co-owner is a police officer.

It was also the original number of seats at the restaurant and when co-owner, Eric Ferris, met his wife, he was surfing on a 6ft 2” surfboard.

Currently, the restaurant has a seating capacity for 64 and a private dining room that can accommodate a maximum of 24 guests.

My first impressions of the place upon walking into the dimly lit bustling restaurant were of a friendly host who guided us down a narrow lobby, past a kitchen that offers a pee-ka-boo view inside it. As we walked by the chef greeted us as he was busily plating a colourful dish.

The particularly central spot of our seating area was busy but not intrusive. It was across from the sublimely designed warm wooded fully stocked bar. Once comfortably ensconced into the soft cushioned oversized black booth adorned with a twinkling tea light candle we were able to see local, for sale, artwork displayed on the mint coloured walls juxtaposed by sunburnt orange ceilings in the oblong dining area.

While surveying the menu and listening to acoustically, pleasing standard jazz music that also plays on the restaurant’s website a charming server took our drink orders. I started with my signature cocktail, a cosmopolitan, and my friend ordered a robust house red wine from an extensive wine list that contains 2,000 selections.

The beautifully designed Spring menu produced its’ desired effect—watering mouths. Fresh baked bread and hummus were served before dinner. I found the hummus to be a refreshing change from the more common butter that is usually served with bread.

We each ordered an appetizer. My friend had fresh Salt Spring Island mussels in coconut ginger soup. ($12). The aromatic soup can easily be ordered as a tasty entrée. I ordered the crisp East Coast crab cakes with pear slaw ($13). I loved the pairing of the bite sized crab cakes with the tangy and sweet slivered pear slaw.

After savouring every morsel of the appetizers, our entrées arrived. My friend chose the Roasted lamb sirloin steak with minted fingerling potatoes topped with zucchini ribbons, cherry tomatoes and green beans ($27). Roasted to her liking, she described it like this, “Mmm, this is so good and succulent.”

For my entrée, I had the West Coast potlatch of mussels, tiger prawns, an assortment fresh fish (salmon, sablefish, and ling cod), clams and scallops in a roasted lobster and fennel broth ($27). The broth was a skosh salty for my taste buds, but that would not deter me from ordering the dish that was presented in a deep boat shaped crockery overflowing with mounds of colourful and delicately flavoured seafood, asparagus, green beans and button peas.

Our desserts were sinfully decadent, a crème brulee ($9) for my friend and double chocolate mousse ($10) for me.

Executive Chef, Jeff Massey

As we raved about our dining experience, I could not help but ask Massey what he likes to cook, “That’s a tough one (he smiled), I enjoy cooking duck but if I had to pick a food it would be seafood because it’s a subtle cookery and I really enjoy cooking fish.”

Massey and his partners also plan to grow the catering side of their business. Currently, the restaurant hosts many events in their elegant private dining room, which is equipped with full audio visual support and a 42” plasma television.

Restaurant 62 is a marvellous addition not only to Abbotsford’s restaurant scene but also for BC that is well regarded for its’ haute cuisine. Perhaps the biggest compliment the restaurant received, on the evening I was there, came from a couple who stopped by my table before they left. The Vancouver residents, who drove all the way to Restaurant 62 to celebrate their wedding anniversary said, “It was excellent, excellent, excellent and we will be back.”

Restaurant 62 is located at 2001 McCallum Rd, in the Gateway. Its’ hours of operation are: Lunch – Monday – Friday 11:30am; Dinner – Monday – Sunday 5:00pm.

Editor’s Note: This feature was originally published 08/10/10 but it truths remain, sadly, as true today as they were when the article was published. With the media focus brought to bear on the tragic death of Amanda Todd and Premier Christy Clark’s call for new legislation, maybe it’s time somebody in government did something concrete about the issue of bullying – in schools, at home and in the workplace.

Robyn Durling

The group, which came to be in April 2007, is now supported by many individuals and organizations, including the BC Human Rights Coalition.

Over the last three years the organization has been building strategic relationships with leaders and influencers in all working sectors and political parties throughout the province.

When asked why the organization has not launched an all-out
public awareness campaign to elicit additional support, Robyn Durling, Communications Officer for the B.C. Human Rights Coalition and Chair of the BullyFreeBC Communications Working Group

Workplace bullying is starting to be recognized by Canadian legislators

“With that in place, this fall BullyFreeBC plans to launch a public awareness campaign that we hope will achieve sustained traction in support of legislative reform that prohibits workplace bullying in British Columbia.”

The organization’s efforts have so far yielded a $15,000 grant from the Law Foundation of BC, the creation of a draft legislative framework, and a province-wide petition for Workplace Bullying Law Reform to address the problem directly.

Prior to 2004, Canada had no legislation to protect employees from workplace harassment. In 2004 Quebec was the first province to ban psychological harassment in the workplace, not only in Canada, but also in all of North America.

Saskatchewan followed with its own legislation in 2007 and, in June of this year, Ontario under the Occupational Health and Safety Act implemented its own legislation.

Workplace Bullying Petition
Efforts by BullyFreeBC and The Law Foundation of BC have resulted in a petition which is available online at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/workplace-bullying-law-reform.html .

BullyFreeBC plans to launch a public awareness campaign in support of legislative reform that prohibits workplace bullying in BC

Just as Ontario passed its legislation, the School of Business at Queen’s University released research on workplace bullying, which was published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.

“Even with the best preventative measures in place, harassment may still occur, caution authors, Jana L. Raver of Queen’s School of Business, and Lisa H. Nishii of Cornell University. “If it does, leaders should clearly communicate to employees that they are taking the situation seriously and that all forms of mistreatment are unacceptable.”

What is Workplace Bullying?

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Dr. Lisa M.S. Barrow

The intent of bullying is to intimidate and torment, stripping a person of his or her dignity and self-esteem. For the most part, workplace bullying relies on the formidable weapons of hostile actions and words. If not addressed, the targeted person may resort to harmful activities which could include violence in the workplace.”

First-time author Lauren Weisberger hit a home run with her book, The Devil Wears Prada. The astounding success of the book led to the 2006 blockbuster movie, which saw Meryl Streep play bully boss Miranda Priestley and Anne Hathaway play the bullied assistant Andrea Sachs.

Miranda Priestley, referring to her assistant, Andrea Sachs: “Is there some reason my coffee isn’t here? Has she died?”

Why is BC silent on the issue?

Weisberger writes eloquently about haute-couture clothes, top models, fashion shows, glamorous parties, hobnobbing with A-listers and, most importantly, she highlights a serious problem in organizations worldwide: workplace bullying.

At the outset of the book, readers are introduced to Andrea Sachs, a new university graduate full of zeal and confidence who has a passion for writing. By the middle of the book, the beloved Andrea has lost her confidence and is on prescription medication for anxiety. Working for Miranda Priestley has taken its toll on young Sachs.

Workplace bullying is a pervasive issue not only in the movie but in real life, where often it is the competent and intelligent worker who becomes a target of the workplace bully.

The ripple effects of bullying include loss of reputation, financial hardship from potential job loss, legal fees and health-care costs.

They are also felt by organizations that tolerate this behaviour, because in the long run they can also face hardships to their bottom line, reputation and recruitment efforts. These repercussions can in turn affect provincial labour-recruitment initiatives and increase health-care costs.

Journalism Student Work
Shaheen Shivji is a journalism student at the University of the Fraser Valley

University of the Fraser Valley

To read work published on Abbotsford Today by UFV journalism students simply go to the Journalism Student Work heading under the Education section or simply Click Here.

Previously Published:

Shane Perusse
Issues: The Right to Remain Silent

Cover Photo: Copyright 2006, www.mobbing.ca Please consider making a donation.

“I never imagined the next phase in my life would take me to Afghanistan … It is an exciting opportunity and one that will allow me to do purposeful international communications work in the area of global development,” says Shivji.

“Working for Today has been an awesome experience and I will miss covering local issues but will be sure to file stories from overseas that I think may be of interest to Today’s readers.”

Shaheen Shivji

“Shaheen has proved an invaluable resource for Today Media, “says Editor Mike Archer. “Her tenacity, professionalism and endless curiosity will serve her well and she will be sorely missed,” he added.

Shivji wrote some of Today’s most read features including Domestic Violence, APD Launch Public Consultations and Surviving Domestic Abuse – An Abbotsford Woman’s Story as well as a five part series on Marijuana

Thanks to Shivji, Today was the first news organization to interview Abbotsford’s new mayor, Bruce Banman, after his upset victory over incumbent George Peary in a video interview published on the website.

Today has always had a commitment to providing journalism students an opportunity to develop their talents and make their way into the professional world of journalism,” says Archer, adding, “Shaheen has proved that journalism school grads can flourish and succeed when given the opportunity.”

Shivji also broke the story about Mission’s SAINTS animal rescue seeking help in recovering $3,300 from a Coquitlam security company. “Her tireless and aggressive reporting helped Today be the first to cover the story and, ultimately, enabling SAINTS to receive its refund and find another company to help them with their needs,” says Archer.

While working for Today Shivji developed strong working relationships with the Abbotsford and Mission Police Departments and covered everything from community events to restaurant reviews.

“Shaheen has the rare ability to get to the heart of the story and tell it in a compelling manner,” says Archer. “While always willing to learn and open to all points of view, Shaheen brooks no interference from anyone involved in the story she is telling. She is a reporter’s reporter,” says Archer.

Shivji is currently making all of the necessary preparations for her move and is looking forward to her departure for Afghanistan on July 19.

Currently, Canada’s MMAR allows distribution of dried marijuana to people with a terminal illness and those who have:

Under Canada’s MMAR, as of December 2011, 12,225 individuals were authorized to possess dried marijuana, with the majority residing in British Columbia (4,798) and Ontario (4,312).

• Number authorized to grow their own marijuana, as of January 2010: 3,576
  - Number that had a personal-use production license: 2,822
  - Number that had a designated-person production license: 754
• Average daily use of dried marijuana for medical use: 1 to 3 grams. Those authorized to possess marijuana are allowed to possess a maximum 30-day supply. If a patient’s daily dose is three grams, he or she is allowed to possess 90 grams.
• Cost of 30 seeds from Health Canada’s supplier (Plant Prairie Systems): $20.00
• Dried marijuana per gram: $5.00

Source: Health Canada

In addition to marijuana, other forms of cannabinoids available in Canada are:

• Dronabinol: A synthetic THC in pill form that is marketed as Marinol;
• Nabilone: A synthetic derivative of THC in pill form that is marketed as Cesamet; and
• Cannabidiol: Although not used medically by itself, it is a constituent of an oral spray containing equal portions of TCH and cannabidiol that is marketed as Sativex.

Source: Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis from the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

It is estimated that thousands of other Canadians may also be using marijuana for medical reasons, but because the application process is rigorous they have not applied for authorization. An applicant who wants to use marijuana for medical reasons is required to submit a lengthy and detailed application including two passport-sized photographs, one of which is to be signed by their doctor. Their physician must also complete a medical report that indicates the patient’s illness and symptoms that would require the use of marijuana.

Mayor Banman

Approved individuals can obtain the drug by purchasing dried marijuana from Health Canada, grow their own supply or have a “designated person” grow it for them. Should the latter be the case, the designated grower must apply for a license, be 18 years of age or older, and pass a criminal-record check.

Later this year, Health Canada is expected to release improvements to MMAR that will reduce the risk of exploitation by organized crime groups.

Banman said, “The war on drugs is not being won because the very nature of humans. If you look at drug addicts, most people are doing it to suppress emotions and escape their past.”

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Cover photo from The Economist, April 2007

Over the next twelve years of her arranged marriage, Kamal Dhillon was repeatedly beaten, hanged, stripped, raped, burnt with cigarettes, starved and choked in her sleep by her then husband, who regularly planned her funeral with their children. He would tell the children, “I’m going to get you a new mommy.”

Kamal Dhillon with her dog. Photograph by: Nick Procaylo

Emotionally and physically broken, Dhillon tried to leave but her husband threatened to kill her and her family. At one point, she escaped to her parents’ home but after her husband convinced Dhillon’s family that she was the problem her father insisted she go back to her abuser. Her father said, “I will come for your body when he kills you.”

Over a decade later, the mother of four, chose life over death and left her husband, who died two years after she fled.

Today, the gentle and compelling speaker with soulful dark eyes is a domestic violence counsellor, who presents workshops on the topic globally. Earlier this week, Dhillon was the keynote speaker, who also facilitated the Abbotsford Police Department’s (APD) day long mandatory training workshop on domestic violence that took place at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.

Chief Bob Rich opened the hands-on workshop, where he announced to a full house of police officers and civilian staff that one of the department’s strategic goals is “to eliminate domestic violence.” In the coming weeks, APD will be holding public consultations with survivors of the under reported crime, at which they will focus on obtaining answers to key questions including “how do we handle domestic violence better than we have been and how do we prevent it from happening.”

“This is not an easy onion to peel but it’s a huge step toward prevention … We’re just trying to do as much as we can,” Constable Ian MacDonald, spokesperson, APD said.

According to MacDonald, it takes an average of seven incidents before a victim leave. In 2010, Abbotsford saw 784 incidents of domestic violence and 643 in 2011. However, the APD’s victim centered Domestic Violence Unit that was formed in 2009 had a conviction rate of 95 percent in 2010 and 97 percent last year.

MacDonald said, on average, Abbotsford Police receive 40-plus calls a month, from male and female domestic violence victims. “Throughout my talk I have a habit of saying “she” in my presentation but that does not mean men are not victims as well,” Dhillon said. Both genders experience domestic violence. On Jan. 27, 2011, Statistics Canada released a report entitled Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, 2009. The report stated that in 2009, 6.4 percent or 601,000 women were victims of spousal violence and 6 percent of men or 585,000.

With microphone in hand, the Black and Blue Sari author paced the stage as she interwove her harrowing story into an interactive learning tool that, at times, seemed to leave even the most seasoned police officers subdued upon hearing the indignities she experienced. Nonetheless, many raised their hands when she paused for audience participation. During which time active discussion centered on neighbourhood prevention tactics, myths, signs and types of domestic violence, changing the mindset, need for family support, treating the victims as they were “our own daughters and sons,” and bringing that message to young children by letting them know “what is right and wrong.”

Dhillon also made a concerted effort to thank police officers, “for their hard work and caring attitude.” She said, “We don’t often hear about you unless there is bad press, but I want to let people in the community to know how much you are appreciated.”

Additional presenters at the Domestic Violence workshop were Abbotsford Crown counsel and APD’s Domestic Violence Unit.

Last month, Dhillon was named the 2012 Courage To Come Back Award recipient in the Social Adversity category.

Signs of Domestic Violence
What are the warning signs that you or someone you know is being abused?

He/She:
• puts you/her/him down
• does all the talking and dominates the conversation
• checks up on you/her all the time, even at work
• tries to suggest he is the victim and acts depressed
• tries to keep you/her away from others
• acts as if he/she owns you/her/him
• lies to make himself/herself look good or exaggerates his/her good qualities
• acts like he/she is superior and of more value than others in his home

He/She:
• are apologetic, makes excuses for his/her behaviour or becomes aggressive and angry
• are nervous talking when he/she’s nearby
• seem to be sick more often and miss work
• try to cover your/her/his bruises
• are sad, lonely, withdrawn and is afraid
• use more drugs or alcohol to cope

Source: domesticviolencebc.ca

where cannabis is Cannabis coffee shop in Amsterdam where posession and sale of cannibis are legal and lifetime use of cannabis is half that of Canada or the US where it is illegal

“THC potency has increased under prohibition,” Wood said. A Cannabis Potency Monitoring Project conducted at the University of Mississippi shows that the THC content of US cannabis has risen by approximately 145%, from 3.5% in 1990 to over 8.5% in 2007. “Under regulation, the government would be able to set limits on potency and regulate what is sold and who it is sold to,” he added.

A strict public health framework could include prohibitions on sale, distribution, advertising and public promotion, as well as restrictions on age and on where cannabis could be consumed, which would help address issues of availability to minors. Wood added: “And taxation would allow for proceeds from the cannabis market to be used for programs that benefit society rather than to simply fuel organized crime.”

While Wood could not say what the direct cost benefit might look like to health care if marijuana were legalized, he did say, “What we do know is that in the U.S. where—like Canada—the possession and use of cannabis are illegal, the lifetime use of cannabis is more than double than in the Netherlands, where the drug is de facto legalized.”

Next Week: Part V – Canada’s Marijuana Medical Access Regulation (MMAR)

Provinces that have passed Safer Communities and Neighborhoods Acts are Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.

However, many jurisdictions have sought different ways of combating illegal grow operations, including increased police enforcement, civil forfeiture legislation, Safer Communities Acts, Controlled Substance Bylaws and mandatory minimum sentences, $5,000 fees on landlords and owners of illegal grow operations, education and awareness. As an example, the City of Richmond provides residents with the option of reporting suspected illegal grow operations online.

In addition, the University of the Fraser Valley’s Centre for Criminal Justice Research has created a Marijuana Production Indoor Calculator for policymakers and law enforcement officers to measure marijuana production in individual jurisdictions.

However, the illicit drug trade remains widespread in Canada. A 2007 United Nations World Drug Report found Canadians to lead the industrialized nations in toking up by four times the global rate.
While most Canadian jurisdictions have accepted their public safety and enforcement role in relation to illegal grow operations, communities are handcuffed by federal marijuana legislation and lack of funding.

Photo from www.tobacco-news.net

Federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair does not believe that anyone should go to jail for possession of a few marijuana cigarettes and favours a harm reduction approach over criminalization. Prime Minister Stephen Harper at last month’s Summit of the Americas in Cartagena said, “Existing strategies to combat the drug trade are not working,” but he does not favour legalization.

Next Week: Part IV – Template for Taxation and Regulation, Pot More Potent

With that, authentic 911 call is how the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) introduce Operation X—The Straight Goods on “E”. The documentary is part of a prevention campaign that focuses on the dangers of ecstasy and other illicit drug use and their consequences.

Operation X presents viewers with haunting and heartbreaking narrations by family and friends who have lost loved ones’ to the drug.

The impetus for APD’s warnings against the use of ecstasy came from the tragic deaths of Tyler Miller, 20 and Cheryl McCormack, 17, both of Abbotsford, who died late last year after ingesting the drug also linked to spate of deaths in B.C. and Alberta.

The APD will present the documentary to all Abbotsford secondary schools before district 34 breaks for summer holidays.

A trailer of the video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5nVoxlsoAU&feature=youtu.be

In total, 2,800 inspections, of which 72 percent were confirmed grow-ops, took place in eight jurisdictions between 2004 and 2009.

A 2008 RCMP report on the Illicit Drug Situation in Canada found that marijuana seizures made up 75 percent of all drugs seized by Canadian law enforcement. Transnational criminal groups from BC, Ontario and Quebec supply the market in the Prairie and Maritime provinces and into the United States. Moreover, organized crime groups attempt to evade law enforcement detection by moving their operations to rural areas. “In 2008, Vietnamese crime groups in Canada continued to dominate production of marijuana in indoor locations while Eastern European and Indo-Canadian organized crime groups in BC and Ontario were involved in cross-border drug smuggling using commercial transportation.”

Major Seizures in Canada:
• September 2008, RCMP seized 827 kilograms of marijuana in Langley, BC.
• September 2008, RCMP seized of 5,100 marijuana plants in Beaverdell, BC.
• December 2008, RCMP seized 6,700 clones and 255 marijuana plants from a grow operation in Langley, BC.
International Seizures:
• February 2008, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol seized a shipment of 252 kilograms of marijuana that came from Canada.

For Part I – Marijuana; Not Here Thank You Click Here.

Next Week: Part III – Canadians Still Toking Up

Constable Marc LeQuesne holding newborn baby Shania Reisinger. Photo by Shaheen Shivji

The, yet to be named, pint sized soft black and brown mascot adorned with a blue bandana and APD crest is just small enough for little hands to cuddle with during their recovery in hospital.

“APD officers have quietly been visiting children at the hospital for a number of months but decided to publically launch the program, “because we’ve seen the project be a success elsewhere and if it ends up generating kids going to the hospital for treatment then great,” Constable Ian MacDonald, APD, said. “We also want to offer encouragement to these children as they recuperate or face the challenges involved with their treatments,” he added.

Eight-month-old baby Owen holding APD mascot with mom Kylie. Photo by Shaheen Shivji

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While the mascot is not available for sale to the public to help name it visit www.facebook/AbbyPoliceDept and submit an entry.