Welcome to Thursday, New West.

Today we’ve got an interesting story about Mayor Patrick Johnstone and another mayor—Nathan Pachal of Langley City—as they each talk about their blogs.

In New Westminster, it’s common for Mayor Johnstone to give recaps of council meetings if folks have missed them, and round up his thoughts on particular points of time (for instance, his first year as a mayor). Pachal’s is called The South Fraser Blog, while Johnstone’s simply uses his name as it is part of his website.

🌡 Temperature check

Today: 🌧️ 6°

Friday: 🌧️ 10°

Saturday: ⛅️ 9°

Sunday: 🌧️ 8°

Monday: 🌧️ 7°

7-day forecast

LOCAL NEWS

When two bloggers became mayors

Our sister publication Fraser Valley Current is taking a look at the story of two people who became bloggers—then mayors. Both Nathan Pachal of Langley City and Patrick Johnstone are talking about how those blogs have served them in their municipal careers.

SPONSORED BY JAMES & JAMESY

LIVE ON STAGE! O Christmas Tea

O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy

Fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean, and Dr. Seuss... Grab your teacups!

Thursday, December 28th, 3pm and 7.30pm at the Michael J Fox Theatre, Burnaby

Combining British propriety with an unabashed love for the unexpected, 3x London Impresario Award Winners, James & Jamesy, steep an outrageously funny and brilliantly inventive show reminiscent of classic British pantos.

“Complete and utter fun… for all ages!”
★★★★★ CBC

“A comedy masterpiece.”
★★★★★ Theatre in London

“An absolute must-see.”
★★★★★ WestEnder

“Outrageously funny, magnificently written, beautifully choreographed.”
★★★★★ London Free Press

Rich in wordplay, comic physicality, and cleverly crafted interactive elements, O Christmas Tea is uproarious fun, yet it is the duo’s boundless imagination and endearing chemistry that provide the real magic and heart of this play.

Get your tickets today!

📣 Neighbourhood bulletin

✋ In case you missed it. There are four people running for the open seat left vacant by former school trustee Dee Beattie. Community First—the slate Beattie was previously aligned with—announced its candidate earlier this month.

🐶 Coffee talk. There will be a coffee talk event at Bosley’s Columbia Square on Friday morning, beginning at 8am. Everyone is welcome to attend. The event is being put on in collaboration with the New West Chamber of Commerce.

❄️ Head to Shine Bright's Snowflake Spectacular, featuring live music, activities, and more, Dec 15 at Belmont Plaza (6th St. and Belmont St.) from 5-8 pm.*

🥜 Donations needed. New West Police recently put out an appeal for the kinds of food Don’t Go Hungry—which serves New West and Burnaby—is looking for. Take a look at the list.

*Sponsored listing

🗞 In other news

Kidnapping arrest. Someone else with alleged ties to a kidnapping case out of New Westminster has been arrested, according to police. The kidnapping happened in April. A third person said to be involved was recently arrested in Kitimat.

Weapon in the courtroom? Global BC is reporting that the father of the teen killed in Central Park in 2017 was recently arrested and released. This comes after reports of someone bringing a gun into a courtroom where the accused in the teen’s death was tried for her killing.

Property tax. Vancouver property owners will see a hike of 7.4% for 2024. (CityNews Vancouver)

Mayoral expenses. Based on an investigation by CBC News, the Mayor of Prince George has apparently overspent his allowed budget on meals, travel, and accommodation.

Disappointed. Former Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe says she’s leaving her office frustrated with the response to the toxic drug crisis. (CityNews Vancouver)

LOCAL NEWS

Petition calls for Princess Street to be “made safer”

The petition to make Princess Street safer—particularly near Royal City Centre—comes amid the death of a pedestrian in the area on Sunday.

Started by an Irene Choi, the change.org effort says that person’s death could have been prevented if “there was a pedestrian-controlled crosswalk.”

You can take a look at the petition online. 

SPONSORED BY ANVIL THEATRE

Anvil Theatre presents Bunny

At Anvil Theatre February 8-18 is The Search Party's production of Hannah Moscovitch’s award winning play Bunny. First produced at The Cultch in 2022, Bunny was nominated for eight Jessie Richardson Awards and won four including Best Performance by a Leading Actor and Best Production. Moving from object towards agent, Sorrel discovers the power of her own desire. Armed only with Victorian Literature and an unconventional upbringing, she struggles to find her way. With Bunny, Moscovitch, dives into societal inhibitions, desire and sex.

Get your tickets here!

This play has sexual content and is recommended for mature audiences.

🗓️ NEW WEST EVENTS

Today, Dec. 14

• Downtown shop nights. Part of New West’s Shine Bright festivities. Hours vary, depending on participating shop. Downtown New West.

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

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

Friday, Dec. 15

• Hanukkah cooking. Ages 3-5. $12. 1:15pm. Queensborough Community Centre.

• It’s a Jumble! 2pm. Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces.

• Hanukkah cooking. Ages 6-12. 3:30pm. Queensborough Community Centre.

• Snowflake spectacular. 5pm. Uptown Plaza.

• Echoes of Georgia. 7pm. Tickets start at $29. Massey Theatre.

• Dance party. 9pm. Georgie’s Local.

Saturday, Dec. 16

• Holiday hoopla. 10:30am. Queensborough Community Centre.

• It’s a Jumble! 11am. Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces.

• Heritage gift making. 2pm. Irving House.

• Glow gala middle school dance. For those aged 11 to 13 years old. $10 for youth members, $12 for non-members. Century House.

• Dance party. 9pm. Georgie’s Local.

Sunday, Dec. 17

• It’s a Jumble! 2pm. Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces.

• The Nutcracker. Tickets start at $18. 1pm and 4:30pm. Massey Theatre.

Monday, Dec. 18

• Make it Spin Science. 3:30pm. Queensborough Community Centre.

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

• Info session for the upcoming byelection. 6pm. City Hall.

• Open mic night. 7pm. Begbie’s.

• Trivia night. 8pm. The Terminal Pub.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

• WorkBC workshop. 4pm. Queensborough Community Centre.

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

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

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

• Name that tune! 7pm. Hops New West.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

• Make it Spin Science. 3:30pm. Queensborough Community Centre.

• Family holiday movie night. 6:30pm. Queensborough Community Centre.

• Trivia night. 7pm. Georgie’s Local.

Ongoing

• Shine Bright. Various activities throughout New Westminster. Happening the entire month of December.

• Autochthonous/Allochthonous. On until Jan. 18. Plaskett Gallery, Eighth and Eight spaces.

• Winter Solstice. On until Dec. 21. Gallery hours. Gallery at Queen’s Park.

• Tangled in Blue. On until Jan. 24. Gallery hours. Gallery at Queen’s Park.

• Winter wonderland. On until Dec. 31. 10am daily. New Westminster Public Library.

• Holiday cheer. Tours start at noon. Suggested donation: $5. Operating hours. Irving House.

That’s it!

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