⚓ Coming Home's new home!

Plus, a grassroots initiative needs your help

Happy Thursday!

Last week I took a tour of the new Coming Home space at Eighth and Eight—the creative spaces at Massey Theatre. OH. MY. GOODNESS. I can’t explain how excited I am for this program, and to see how it blooms. When Coming Home Cafe closed down last year, it was such a sad moment for the community, but like a phoenix, Coming Home has risen from its very brief stay in the ashes (I prefer to refer to it as glitter) and is back to SLAY ALL DAY!

I’m proud and honoured to have interviewed Guy Dubé. Like many spaces in the city, I have memories of sitting in the old Coming Home Cafe and studying while I was at BCIT, because it was one of the places still open while I’d wait to hang out with friends. I lived off grilled cheese and RuPaul’s Drag Race: it was a simpler time. I can’t wait for others to experience moments like this, and Dube (AKA Grandma) was kind enough to walk us through what the new space plans to offer.

Shoutouts time: Vanessa W., Kellie F., Brad C., Laura K., Shawn S., Winona K., thank you so much for becoming an Anchor member. Your subscription makes a world of difference as we work towards a sustainable, grassroots publication 💜

Ria Renouf

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FEATURE STORY

Guy Dubé has a new home at Eighth and Eight Spaces/Ria Renouf

Guess who’s back? Guy Dubé, the warm, wonderful, and welcoming human you may recognize from Coming Home Café—which closed late last year—is giving The Anchor a tour of his new spot at Eighth and Eight.

Learn more about the journey to his new space, what his hopes and dreams for it are, and an update on the deer mural by Roaming Deer that was previously painted over at his last location. (We promise it’s a good news update.)

📣 Neighbourhood bulletin

🚶🏼‍♀️ Jane’s Walk. The walks are back—if you’re interested in creating and/or leading one, be sure to sign up at this page. (PS: the Jane’s Walk falls within the Walk30 challenge time, so if you need more steps…just saying!)

📢 Sign up for Be Heard New West, the City’s online public engagement platform! Learn more and share feedback on projects that matter in the community.*

⚡️ Do you work in tech? Then sign up for Button Inc.’s free twice-monthly newsletter and up your digital communications, user experience, and customer relationships!*

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🗞 In other news

Makeover. Science World is getting a big fix, to the tune of about $20M. The money is coming from the province and includes repairs to its iconic dome. (CityNews Vancouver)

Anti-vaccine complaints. A group of BC nurses have had their complaint dismissed by the BC Labour Relations Board. The group of nurses, from the Interior Health and Vancouver Island regions, took issue with mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirements. (Global)

Karaoke closure. A karaoke bar in South Burnaby has had its business licence revoked after apparently serving liquor without a valid liquor licence. Solo Karaoke was also the subject of multiple complaints between August 2021 and February of this year. (Burnaby Beacon)

Burnaby arrest. After a number of people—including a senior—was assaulted earlier this month, Mounties say a 30-year-old suspect has been arrested. (CityNews Vancouver)

Hollywood dreams. Tyson Venegas of Port Moody has made it to the top 12 on American Idol. (CTV Vancouver)

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Don’t Go Hungry urgently needs donations

Telling The Anchor its current food drive technically doesn’t have an end date, the Don’t Go Hungry program is putting out a call to those in New Westminster and South Burnaby: it’s going through a tough time obtaining food, for a variety of reasons.

Learn more about this grassroots initiative, and how you can help.

THROWBACK THURSDAY
This photo from the 1890s shows New West's west side, including Chinatown.

This photo from the 1890s shows New West's west side, including Chinatown. / Photographer unknown, New Westminster Museum and Archives IHP4313

It was briefly discussed at council last Monday evening, but did you know New Westminster previously had a Chinatown?

Check out this piece to learn more about what happened to it.

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