🙋🏻‍♀️ Welcome to Thursday, New West—it’s Ria!

As of today, I am the new managing editor of the Burnaby Beacon. I am excited, proud, scared, nervous, and feeling all the feelings. I grew up in North Burnaby, so I’m looking forward to seeing where this adventure takes me. Never in a million years did I think I’d be running a digital publication in the city I spent much of my childhood in—nor did I ever think I’d have this opportunity in New West.

I’ll still be covering council and other cool New West stories, and I am happy to take your news tips—we’ll do our best to chase them as much as possible. And of course, please say hi if you see me out and about—I love it when you do. We will be welcoming a new reporter at the Beacon soon, so stay tuned.

I know we’ve been aggressive in our appeals to join the Anchor Insider program, but it’s because I hope to be doing this for as long as possible—and I know you’ve told me how much you’ve loved The Anchor being a part of living your life in New West. So if you:

• Believe in local, on-the-ground journalism

• Believe in new and innovative ways to get information out to you

• Don’t want to have to visit a handful of websites just to stay in the know about New West and want to see what’s going on in fewer than seven minutes, give-or-take

…I’d be honoured if you joined the more than 200 people who are contributing financially to The Anchor for as little as $2 a week (with an annual subscription).

And hey, if you know someone who lives in Burnaby who wants to stay informed, let ‘em know the Beacon is also here to help.

Advertise your business, event, or restaurant in front of 5,000+ engaged locals! Contact our team today.

🌡 Temperature check

Today: ☀ 24°

Friday: ⛅ 25°

Saturday: ☀ 28°

Sunday: ☀26°

Monday:🌦 24°

7-day forecast

LOCAL NEWS

A Guinness World Record in the works?

Call it a multi-purpose event: Purpose Society is not only trying to set a Guinness World Record for the largest naloxone training session, it’s aiming to spread an important message about the effort to save lives. How you can take part and potentially make a difference.

📣 Neighbourhood bulletin

🥍 Salmonbellies update. The Bellies dropped their latest game against the Langley Thunder in overtime, and the series is again tied. The next game is happening tonight, and they’re going back to Queen’s Park Arena.

🎉 Charity gala. There will be a fundraiser for Ubuntu Hope on Oct. 14. Tickets are on sale now—they cost $75.

🌭 Join MP Peter Julian & MLA Aman Singh at their Queensborough Picnic on Sunday, August 27 at the Queensborough Community Centre. RSVP today, spots remain limited.*

🎨 Eighth and Eight. There are still spaces available for creatives through the Community Nights program. Looking for spaces to innovate? See if you qualify to sign up.

🧑‍🚒 ICYMI: Mayor Patrick Johnstone confirmed to The Anchor earlier this week that New West has sent resources to help with the wildfire situation in Kelowna.

📅 Save the date! Making Connections to Counter Loneliness and Empower Community: learn to build connections in your neighbourhood. Anvil Centre Theater, October 10, 6:30pm.*

🎇 Heads up. There will be fireworks taking place on Saturday evening—these are a part of the Farewell to Summer Festival at The Quay. (See our events section below for more details! 👇)

*Sponsored listing

We can’t tell local stories without you! Support community journalism in New West by becoming an Anchor Insider member today.

🗞 In other news

Disappointment in the Shuswap. A number of people in Scotch Creek, Lee Creek, and Celista say they’re not impressed with the handling of the Bush Creek wildfire. (CBC Vancouver)

Mixed emotions. A man who emigrated from The Netherlands became a Canadian citizen—as he battled a wildfire in Chilliwack earlier this week. Chief William Roos came to Canada 18 years ago. (Global BC)

Surrey pedestrian dies. In a release shared with The Anchor, Mounties in Surrey say someone attempted to cross Hwy. 17, in the Whalley area. It happened Tuesday afternoon. The driver involved is cooperating.

Whitecaps, Lions momentum. According to recent polling by Research Co., there’s been an uptick since 2021 in support for the respective Major League Soccer and Canadian Football League teams.

The search is on. A woman whose house was saved by a lone firefighter—with just a garden hose—is trying to find her hero. Marie Endersby of West Kelowna was recently evacuated from the wildfires in the area. (CTV Vancouver)

Trial continues for man accused of teen’s death. The brother of a teen who was found dead in Burnaby’s Central Park in 2017 has testified. He mentioned his last WeChat exchanges with her. (CBC Vancouver)

Leading the way for the Beacon and the Anchor

I (Ria) am running The Anchor and The Beacon now! I’m excited to keep tabs on not one but two amazing cities near and dear to my heart. Thank you for your support.

🤩 Community Spotlight

Pie for Pride winner Mike Balser

Congratulations to Mike Balser, who won the Pie for Pride contest a week ago today! Balser took home top pie honours with his “Who-berry Pie.” Learn more about this year’s champion, and the ingredients that led to the win.

We love playing a role in getting to know local New Westies. There are so many of you doing incredible work out there.

It’s a team effort to be able to do this though, and we need support from the community. Become an Anchor Insider member today so we can keep covering all the cool things New Westies are doing!

Want to keep discovering the best of New West? Help us continue producing the Anchor for free to thousands of locals by becoming an Anchor Insider member today.

🗓️ NEW WEST EVENTS

Today, Aug. 24

• Seniors Satellite Social. 10am. Westminster Pier Park.

• Sketching by the River. 2pm. Waterfront Esplanade.

• New West Farmers Market. 3pm. Tipperary Park.

• Summer sounds concert series. Queensborough Community Centre bandshell. 6pm.

• Karaoke night. 7pm. Georgie’s Local.

• Hidden Wonders. 7pm. Secret location.

• Trivia night. 7:30pm. Sapperton District Taphouse.

Friday, Aug. 25

• Meet the French Doctor. Free event, registration required. 11am and 1pm. Kinder Books.

• Fridays on Front. 5pm. Front St. Mews.

• Hidden Wonders. Two shows: 7 & 9:30pm. Secret location.

• Dance party. 9pm. Georgie’s Local.

Saturday, Aug. 26

• Super Saturday: Food of the Fraser. Costs vary. Fraser River Discovery Centre.

• Farewell to Summer Festival. This will include evening fireworks. 11am Westminster Quay.

• Dance party. 9pm. Georgie’s Local.

• Hidden Wonders. Two shows: 7 & 9:30pm. Secret location.

Sunday, Aug. 27

• Tafoni: Coastal Influence. Today is the last day! Open during gallery hours. The Gallery at Queen’s Park.

• Circus Sundays. 1pm. Pier Park.

• Queensborough picnic. Brought to you by MP Peter Julian and MLA Aman Singh. 1pm. Queensborough Community Centre.

• Queen’s Park concert series. Featuring Rhythm Resource. 3pm. Queen’s Park Bandshell.

• Hidden Wonders. Two shows: 3 & 7pm. Secret location.

Monday, Aug. 28

• Storytime fun with Family Place. 9:30am. Westminster Pier Park.

• Poker night. 6:30pm. Sapperton District Taphouse.

• Open mic night. 7pm. Begbie’s.

• Trivia night. 8pm. The Terminal Pub.

Tuesday, Aug. 29

• Mornings by the River. Featuring Penny Pom Pom. 10:30am. Westminster Pier Park.

• WorkBC workshop. 4pm. Queensborugh Community Centre.

• Open mic: standup comedy. 6pm. The Terminal Pub.

• Trivia night. 6:30pm. Kelly O’Brien’s.

• Music bingo. 7pm. Paddlewheeler Pub.

• Open mic night. 7pm. Georgie’s Local.

• Name that tune! 7pm. Hops New West.

Wednesday, Aug. 30

• Outlaw Art Show: first day. On until Sep. 3. Gallery hours. The Gallery at Queen’s Park.

• Helping Your Kids Foster Friendships: a workshop. $20, registration required. 10am & 6:30pm. Kinder Books.

• Music by the River. 5pm. Pier Park.

• Trivia night. 7pm. Georgie’s Local.

• Trivia night. 7:30pm. Paddlewheeler Pub.

Ongoing

• Neurodivergent knitting for mental wellness. Brought to you by Arrieta. Every Sunday, Arrieta Art Studio.

• Drink New West Bingo. 19+. Find the Bingo card on their Facebook page. Ends Aug. 31.

That’s it!

The best way to support us is to share us. We can’t do what we do without your support! Tell your friends and family to sign up—it takes just two minutes.

• Help us keep growing. Become an Anchor Insider member.

• New here? Sign up to our 2x weekly newsletter for free.

• Connect with nearly 6,000 engaged locals. Advertise with us. 

• Got a tip or some event info to pass along? Send us a note.