Before cherries grow big, red, and juicy, they could all be gone because of aggressive thieving crows.

Even worse than 'sharing' a hardgrown bounty is that these thieves sit on the fence or in the property and subject everyone to their annoying caws.

That's were local business woman Johanna Trimble comes in.

Trimble had a couple of traumatic run-ins with a murder of crows and came up with the ultimate crow deterrent device.

Right around the same time that Trimble and her husband moved into their house, so did the family of crows. She said her feathered neighbours were dive-bombing her and her dog, and it was a turf war.

Trimble was reluctant to hurt the birds or break any laws, so she began her research.

Everywhere she read - the Internet, blogs, magazines - they all recommended killing one crow them and using it as a deterrent for the others. But she wasn't interested in hurting or killing any of them, and learned that crows are protected and killing them is illegal.

She came up with a humane idea to make a fake, but realistic-looking crow, constructed from an all-weather nylon body and thin foam wings and tail.

Wire in the wings allows the appearance to be altered and a loop at the base of the tail allows for hanging.

The first time she laid the fake crow in her yard, the other crows circled around, had a look, and packed up and left.

The crows from her yard called out a warning, which attracted others, they circled the area, some landed and stayed for a moment, and then they all left. Within about 10 minutes of spotting the decoy the crows vacated.

Even more interesting, she said, is that the fake crow only creates a 'danger zone' for other crows.

Trimble explained that crows mate for life and are family-oriented creatures and therefore don't want to see any of their murder murdered. They even mourn their own dead.

Trimble was so impressed with her crow coup that she decided to start a business selling them.

Since starting Perfect Murder Decoys, Trimble has had success at the local farmers' market and at Amsterdam Greenhouses & Nursery in Pitt Meadows. For information about the crow visit www.perfectmurderdecoys.ca or call 778-TOP CROW.

THE REAL SCOOP - LITERALLY

id you know July 15 is National Ice Cream Day?

D I don't know who invented it or how long its been celebrated, but I believe it might just be the best celebrated day ever!

National Ice Cream Day is a testament to people's love of ice cream. According to some statistics, Canadians ate more than 121 million servings of ice cream at fast-food restaurants in 2011.

To celebrate, Cold Stone Creamery unveiled 10 provincial signature creations, representing each province.

Guess what B.C.'s namesake ice cream is - that's right - Rocky Mountain Landslide.

Whipped topping on top of chocolate ice cream signifies the snowy peaks of the Rockies and Oreo cookie pieces and chocolate chips captures the feel of the craggy cliffs of Canada's West.

Drop by Tim Horton's locations - which have partnered with Cold Stone Creamery to celebrate this extra special day - at 22987 Dewdney Trunk Rd. in Maple Ridge and 19800 Lougheed Hwy. in Pitt Meadows.

NEW OWNERS FOR BELLA VITA

Popular Maple Ridge restaurant Bella Vita has new owners. George and Kelly Niavis, residents of Maple Ridge for 16 years, have embarked on George's life dream of owning his own restaurant.

George has been a chef for more than 20 years and Kelly is the chief financial officer of a public manufacturing company. Together, with their combined experiences, they may very well have a successful future in the restaurant business.

As the new owners of Bella Vita they have decided to bring fresh new changes to the menu and food service.

"We really are looking to send a message to our existing and potential new customers that we are the new owners of Bella Vita," Kelly said.

FUNDRAISER BRINGS IN $3,045

The second annual Make it Happen fashion-show fundraiser for the BC Cancer Foundation took place recently at the Maple Ridge Golf Course and raised $3,045. All of the funds raised will benefit cancer patients in the community.

Sandy Harnett, the event organizer, Mico's, and Crazy About Clothes, were instrumental in the fundraiser's success.

Send any local tidbits on business to: smclaren@ mrtimes.com