CAR WASHING WITH THE DRAGONS

Every summer, the King George basketball team hosts a weekly car wash. Players from grades 6 through 12 (ages 11-19) team up to raise money for basketball programs at Lord Roberts Elementary and King George Secondary.

A firm but gentle scrub is what’s needed, and the King George Dragons’ car wash team is up to the chore.

To get some further details, I spoke with Darko Kulic, head coach of the KG Dragons. He promised they take great care in carefully washing each vehicle and they come out looking brand new. “Our ballers actually watched videos on how to wash cars, with care as part of their training.”

So how busy does it get? Kulic said sometimes on weekends the lines “can wrap around the block.”

I also spoke with some of the volunteers helping their team. Kaden said the car washing itself isn’t exactly fun, it’s hard work. “However, my friends make it like a party. It’s way better than just playing video games all day. You get outside and hang out with your friends,” he said. Kaden’s job is generally scrubbing windows.

Milad said it can get really hot out. “But hanging out with my friends and washing cars is surprisingly fun,” he added. He also gratefully acknowledged that the money from the car wash really helped the team. His job is getting down and dirty cleaning car rims.

Finally, I asked Joseph who he admired in pro basketball. “I’ve never really looked up to anyone, but one person that really stood out to me was Chicago Bulls’ great Michael Jordan. “I want to be like him, but also be myself,” he proudly stated. Joseph’s job is also cleaning car rims.

So, if you’re ever stuck in traffic on Denman near Barclay or Haro and need your car washed, go support your local basketball team, the King George Dragons.

The car wash is open 4 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays, and 12 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays (depending on weather or if they have any tournaments or special events).

LORD ROBERTS FIELD CLOSURE

Every summer, the Vancouver School Board closes the popular Lord Roberts field for grass reseeding. Jointly managed by the Vancouver Park Board, it’s poorly maintained, takes a beating during the school year, and is generally reduced to a sandpit by June.

Sadly, it’s the only open field with a soccer nets in the West End. The other grass soccer field at King George is behind a locked fence. Many I have spoken with at LR are hoping for a long-term solution to the bad grass situation.

Eleven-year-old Ewan is a regular playground-goer and is disappointed by the annual closure. “Without the field open, the playground is kind of boring. Closing the field just makes kids want to jump the fence onto the field anyways,” he says.

When I was walking home recently, I saw 20 kids playing soccer on the closed field, so Ewan makes a great point. On another night, I noticed someone had successfully removed one of the temporary fences to gain access to the field. Two days later that section is still gone.

But what can be done to solve this issue? There are reports that the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) at LR has explored the possibility of an artificial turf replacement plan.

VAPING UPDATE

Last month, I reported on the dangers of vaping to teens.

In an interview on Good Morning America, Kevin Burns, the CEO of the popular vaping company JUUL (pronounced Jewel) apologized to parents. He claims his company will be doing more soon to try and reverse the teen vaping epidemic.

Currently 20 per cent of high school students vape.

NEXT ISSUE

For the September issue of The Dragon’s Pen, we will present an “Ultimate Guide to King George Secondary,” created specifically for next school year’s grade eights (ages 13 and 14).

Into the Archives will also return next month.