Lunch with a great group of women!

Crown Jewels is a Canadian Organization.  I belong to the Sapphire Sisters a chapter in Langley, BC.  There are chapters across Canada.  Yesterday, our Queen Anne invited us to her home for a wonderful Italian lunch.  We all chipped in to help with the costs, but the work she put into this lunch was amazing.  

She served, Caesar Salad, Spicy Flatbread, Lasagne, Chicken Penne Alfredo, Meatballs, Garlic Bread and Coffee-Almond Tortoni for dessert!  It was delicious!

How it all began

It all began back in early 2009.  Many of us had formerly been red hatters but the Canadian economy had changed and with it the value of the Cdn dollar.  When a chapter with 100 members realized it would cost $2,000* US/yr  ($2,600 Cdn) to belong to a privately owned American corporation, just to have fun, we realized something had to change. Canada was in a recession and it didn't make sense to be sending money out of our country.  As the value of the Canadian dollar continued to slip, it made even more sense to start something "purely Canadian".  It was time to form a Canadian women's social group and the name, we hoped, would be "Canadian Jewels" - because we believe Jewels are precious, just as women are precious and also, unique! The sole purpose of our group was to socialize with other women in our local area to have fun. Fun, not fund-raising.

We began as a small group in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.  Word spread. As sisters told sisters and friends told friends, word spread about the "Canadian Jewels."   We listened to what women wanted. They didn't want to belong to a privately owned corporation and they wanted accountability. Members wanted to be heard.  As a result I applied for incorporation as a non-profit, applied to trademark and copyright our name, and formed a Board of Directors to oversee the operations of our group.  Next, we appointed Regional and Provincial Representatives who would have the members in their own area their top priority.

The intention was to register as a British Columbia Non-Profit but with word spreading the decision was made to become a National Non-Profit.  When registering federally we had to change our name to Crown Jewels of Canada Society. We have excellent legal representation and an accounting firm that we work with to ensure we are on track and legal in all aspects of what we do.

On July 22, 2009 (our Founders birthday) the Canadian government gave us an official name: "The Crown Jewels of Canada Society."

We asked women to donate $5.00 to help us set up the group and pay our legal fees.  These women are our "Founding Members" and may wear a special pin showing they were the ones who helped us with our start-up.  We will be forever grateful to them for believing in our mission and showing their support.  The Founders Club was closed in September 2009.  On October 2, 2009, we received notice from the Federal Government that we were now officially registered as a National Non-Profit.  We couldn't have done this without the members of the Founders Club and are forever grateful to these wonderful ladies.

We are close to registering our 9,000th member!  Why not join the fun?  There are local events, plus Provincial and National Conventions, annual cruises and trips to Vegas and Mexico.

Join a chapter or start your own.  We're here to help you do it - it's really quite easy. We also offer independent memberships for those not affiliated with a chapter but who still wish to receive our newsletters, join in activities, etc.

We are not "hatters" and we ask that our members please never refer to themselves as such.  Also, be fair and do not dress in a way that you might be mistaken for a member of the RHS. 

We are "Jewels" - precious jewels at that!  We believe it's all about recognizing our worth as women and as the fun part of it - the bling!

Queens and Vice Queens of chapters come together to socialize and share information at their local "Royal Court" - a gathering of Royalty.

If you are interested in joining here is their website:  https://crownjewelsofcanada.com/

I belong to a Red Hat group in Vancouver.  That group has grandfather rights and we have not chosen to join the US Red Hat Society.   

I'm exhausted

For a reason I can't explain, I watched one hour of Trump's news conference yesterday.  I turned it off and sang "How Great Thou Art".  I'll never get that 60 minutes back.  I'm exhausted and now I know why.  This explains it:

A TIMELINE OF TRUMP "DEFEATING" IRAN: 

Mar 3: "We won the war."

Mar 7: "We defeated Iran."

Mar 9: "We must attack Iran."

Mar 9: "The war is ending almost completely, and very beautifully."

Mar 11: “You never like to say too ⁠early you won. We won. In ​the first hour it was over.” Mar 12: "We did win, but we haven't won completely yet."

Mar 13: "We won the war."

Mar 14: "Please help us."

Mar 15: "If you don't help us, I will certainly remember it."

Mar 16: "Actually, we don't need any help at all."

Mar 16: "I was just testing to see who's listening to me."

Mar 16: "If NATO doesn't help, they will suffer something very bad."

Mar 17: "We neither need nor want NATO's help."

Mar 17: "I don't need Congressional approval to withdraw from NATO."

Mar 18: "Our allies must cooperate in reopening the Strait of Hormuz."

Mar 19: "US allies need to get a grip - step up and help open the Strait of Hormuz."

Mar 20: "NATO are cowards."

Mar 21: "The Strait of Hormuz must be protected by the countries that use it. We don't use it, we don't need to open it."

Mar 22: "This is the last time. I will give Iran 48 hours. Open the strait"

Mar 22: "Iran is Dead"

Mar 23: "We had very good and productive talks with Iran."

Mar 24: "We’re making progress."

Mar 25: “They gave us a present and the present arrived today. And it was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money. I’m not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize.” 

Mar 26: "Make a deal, or we’ll just keep blowing them away."

Mar 27: "We don’t have to be there for NATO."

Mar 28: No major quote

Mar 29: Claimed talks were progressing

Mar 30: "Open the Strait of Hormuz immediately, or face devastating consequences."

Mar 31: Claimed a deal was "very close" and that Iran would "do the right thing"

Apr 1: "We’ll see what happens very soon."

Apr 2: Repeated that a deal was likely, while warning of continued strikes if not

Apr 3: "Something big is going to happen."

Apr 4: Said Iran must comply "immediately" or face further consequences.

Apr 5: "Open the f*ckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah."

On Easter Sunday, President Trump missed three planned events but made it to his own golf course and managed to tweet a vulgar message to Iran.  Despite being Christian, he never went to church on Easter Sunday or Good Friday.  

How Canadian are you?

I thought this was interesting.  Enjoy:

So, how Canadian are you, anyway? Take this quiz and find out!

When a sentence starts with “So buddy comes over to the shop,” what is buddy most likely to be?

A friend?  A police officer?  A well-meaning idiot?  Or literally someone named Buddy.

"Dave is a massive tool." Is Dave...

Handy? A jackass? A very strong person? Or blessed when the Queen was handing out the family jewels?

"That concert was mental." Was it...

Insane in a good way? Did something go badly wrong? Did it feature a lot of sensory experiences? Or did it make you think deeply?

Your friend tells you to "Just give 'er." Should you...

Cave in to something you don't want to do? Give someone a gift? Accelerate your car fast? Or ignore what someone's telling you?

If you ended up at the legion after, what did you most likely do next?

Played lacrosse? Drank beer? Read your anime story to an audience? Or cleaned up moose shit?

If Sarah is a "real keener," is she...

Enthusiastic to the point of being annoying? Good at telling jokes? Someone who cries too easily? Or a busybody?

Someone hands you a two-four. Do you...

Drink it? Burn it? Use it to build a house? Or hand it right back and apologize?

What do you put in a parkade?

Juice? Your children? Your car? Or nothing, because parkade is a word I just made up?

If buddy biffs it, what did buddy do?

Slip and fall? Miss an opportunity? Dance like Elaine from Seinfeld? Or fall asleep at an inopportune moment?

The garburator is broken. You should call...

The police? Your city's garbage pickup people? An appliance repair person? Or a linguistics professor?

ANSWERS:

Buddy, in this context, is most likely to be an idiot. A massive tool is also an idiot. If something’s mental, it’s like metal — hardcore, in a good way. If you’re givin’ her, you are pedal to the metal in your car If you’re at a legion, you’re probably drinking. Keeners are enthusiastic about things to the point of exhaustion A two-four is a flat of beer (24 beers) A parkade is a multi-storey parking structure If you biff it, you’ve fallen. And people probably laughed at you. (Note: In the eastern parts of Canada, "biff" is more likely to mean you've thrown something. In other parts, "biff" means to vomit.) A garburator is a garbage disposal grinder in a sink

Happy Easter

 

News I like to read

A bus is shown at the New Flyer facility in Winnipeg on Tuesday. New Flyer is now producing five made-in-Canada buses off its assembly line every week, the company says. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)

For the first time in 15 years, a fully assembled transit bus rolled out of Winnipeg—built entirely in Canada. And that moment represents more than just a vehicle. It marks a shift in strategy.

For years, Canadian companies were required to send buses to the United States for final assembly due to “Buy American” rules. Canada handled the early stages, but the most valuable part of production—and the profits—stayed south of the border.

Now, that system is beginning to change. With new investment and policy direction, Canada is rebuilding its ability to complete manufacturing at home.

This is not just about buses. It’s about economic control, job creation, and reducing dependence on external systems. By bringing final assembly back, more value stays inside Canada—supporting workers, supply chains, and long-term growth.

At the same time, Canada is expanding trade relationships beyond the United States, looking toward regions like South America to diversify its economic future.

What’s happening in Winnipeg may seem small—but it signals something much larger.

A country quietly redefining how it builds, produces, and competes.

Update on Surrey Policing

According to a November 2025 SPS news release, the Surrey Police Service reported:

• 608 sworn police officers

• 491 civilian staff

• Total staff: 1,099

In order to police the Cloverdale area, the Surrey Police Service disbanded the Gang Crime Unit.  They don't have enough officers to serve the city.  As of November they are 292 police officers short of what they promised in 2023.  They are now offering a $30,000 signing bonus to officers who want to come to Surrey.  

https://globalnews.ca/video/11752448/surrey-police-boosts-hiring-incentive

This transition has not safely served the people of Surrey.  We lost our dog unit and two police helicopters.  Now the Gang Crime Unit is gone.  It's time the NDP government corrected the horrific decision they made.   Here is last week in the city I live.  This never happened when the RCMP was in charge!

 1. March 23, 2026 — Business in Cloverdale shot at

•  First of two shootings at the same business complex.

2. March 28, 2026 — Fatal targeted shooting (Sullivan Heights)

•  27‑year‑old Jasman Sekhon killed; believed linked to drug trade.  4 blocks from my home!

3. March 29, 2026 — Officer‑involved shooting (81 Avenue)

•  Man confronted officers with an edged weapon; police fired; injuries reported.

4. March 30, 2026 — Overnight shooting at home on 77A Avenue

•  Damage to home and vehicle; believed extortion‑related.

5. March 30, 2026 — Business on Production Boulevard shot at (second time)

6. March 30, 2026 — Additional extortion‑related shooting (home + business)

•  CTV confirms two extortion‑related shootings damaging a home and a business.

(These may overlap with the 77A Ave and Production Blvd incidents, but CTV treats them as two distinct events.)

7. March 29, 2026 — IIO case 2026‑076 (officer‑involved shooting)

No other area in the lower mainland makes the most dangerous list!  

75 years of RCMP service came to an end on April 1st.

The First Cloverdale RCMP Force in May 1951

The former RCMP in Cloverdale with the officer in front holding a picture of the original force in May 1951.😢

After more than seven decades of service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is preparing to say goodbye to policing in Cloverdale. While policing in Surrey is entering a new chapter, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the long and meaningful history the RCMP has shared with this community and to express our sincere gratitude for the trust and support you have shown our members over the years.  The RCMP first began policing Cloverdale in May of 1951, when eighteen members left the RCMP Headquarters in Vancouver to take up their new post. At that time, the Detachment was led by Corporal Bill Turner, and 17 RCMP Constables. The first RCMP members worked out of Surrey City Hall at 5900 Main Street in Cloverdale – known today as 177b Street, Surrey – laying the foundation for policing in what would become one of Surrey’s most historic and vibrant communities.

Over the years, the Cloverdale District Police suboffice became the cornerstone of neighbourhood policing. RCMP members built lasting relationships with residents, local businesses and the agricultural community and were a familiar presence at community events, including the beloved Cloverdale Rodeo and many other gatherings that celebrate the spirit of Cloverdale, Surrey.  In 1974, Constable Roger Pierlet of the Surrey RCMP, gave his life in the line of duty in Cloverdale, B.C. He stood for courage, service, and an enduring commitment to public safety – values that have guided generations of members who followed in his footsteps. The Const. Roger Pierlet overpass is now proudly located on Highway 15 near Highway 10 in Surrey, B.C., where dedication plaques remain to honour his sacrifice.  The work carried out here reflected the commitment of the RCMP. The commitment to service, community, and the people we were privileged to protect.

It has been an absolute privilege to police in Cloverdale and to call this community home for the past 75 years. On November 29, 2024, the Surrey Police Service became the police of jurisdiction of Surrey, marking the beginning of a historic new chapter for policing in the city. As the police transition continues, the RCMP remains committed to serving the District 2 – the Guildford/Fleetwood area of Surrey.  On April 1, 2026, the RCMP will depart from the Cloverdale District 4 policing area to make way for the Surrey Police Service as they continue to expand their operations. To the residents of Cloverdale – thank you for welcoming our members into your neighbourhoods, businesses, and your community traditions. Thank you for the trust you placed in the RCMP for generations. Our photos taken represent Surrey RCMP in 1951 to a recent complement of RCMP members to replicate our history.  As we say farewell to the Cloverdale District, we do so with pride in the legacy built here and with deep appreciation for every employee and community member in this city. The history of this Cloverdale community, and the service given by those who wore the Red Serge here, will always remain an important part of the story of policing in Surrey.