Welcome to Tuesday, New West—and to a new year!

We hope you managed to get some time in with your friends and family, and that 2024 will be filled with great things for you. Believe it or not, we’re just mere weeks away from a by-election, so hopefully you are ready. This edition also includes some important dates you’ll want to take advantage of, and some real cool news about the first BC baby of the year.

Advertise your business, event, or restaurant in front of 5,600+ engaged locals! Contact our team today.

🌡 Temperature check

Today: 🌧️ 8°

Wednesday: 🌧️ 9°

Thursday: 🌧️ 9°

Friday: 🌧️ 8°

7-day forecast

LOCAL NEWS

Fees kick in for property taxes, flat-rate utilities if unpaid

Did you remember to pay your 2023 property taxes, flat-rate utilities and/or metered water and utility bills? If not, these started to accrue additional charges as of yesterday.

• Property taxes for 2023 would have been due to the City on Dec. 31. Daily interest charges would have kicked in yesterday.

• Flat-rate utility bills for 2023 would have been due to the City on Dec. 31. Anything unpaid is considered taxes-in-arrears and also began incurring interest charges yesterday.

• Unpaid metered items including water, sewer, and electrical utility bills with a due date of no later than Dec. 31 are officially considered outstanding if unpaid. Anything unpaid is considered taxes-in-arrears and also began incurring interest charges yesterday.

Learn more about the ways you can pay your bills if you still need to get it done.

📣 Neighbourhood bulletin

👶 It’s a girl! The first BC baby of 2024, Taylor Stutsky, was born at Royal Columbian Hospital. She weighed 6 lbs, 14 oz. Take a look at the sweet family photo online, courtesy of Fraser Health!

🎄 Christmas tree chipping. This will take place this upcoming weekend (Jan. 6 and 7) outside City Hall. Proceeds from donations go to the New Westminster Firefighters Charitable Society.

🧑‍🍳 Food services. Some City spaces are offering discounts if you participate in sustainability efforts! As an example, you can get a discount on your hot beverage when you use a reusable mug. Bringing a 12 oz. (or bigger) mug will get you $1 off. Using a cafeteria mug gets $0.50 off.

✍️ In Their Words. The Royal City Literary Arts Society will be hosting this event on Jan. 18. Come on down to the I ❤️ New West space at Columbia Square at 7pm to enjoy an evening of cherished authors.

🗞 In other news

Already. North Shore Rescue has responded to its first call of 2024. The call has prompted the not-for-profit group to remind people to be prepared and to especially have the right kind of footwear if you’re going to be on the mountains. (CityNews Vancouver)

Trekkie. Parts of the late Gloria Knowlan of Vancouver will be out of this world—literally. Knowlan—who died 12 years ago—will have some of her ashes launched into outer space, along with about 250 other samples of human remains—including some of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. (CBC Vancouver)

Generous. According to GoFundMe, New West was among the most generous communities in Canada in 2023. (New West Record)

Fatal fire. Someone in Surrey has died after a house fire early yesterday morning. Six others were taken to hospital. (CBC Vancouver)

In case you missed it. Getting directions from the Drake concert to go home topped the 10 nuisance calls to E-Comm in 2023. 

Your official by-election candidates

Ahead of the new year, four candidates for the upcoming by-election to replace former school trustee Dee Beattie filed their paperwork at City Hall. Here is the list of those who are running, according to the City’s chief election officer:

• Jalen Bachra. Bachra is running with Community First.

• Kathleen Carlsen. Carlsen is running with the New West Progressives.

• Shawn Sorensen. Sorensen is running as an independent.

• Alejandro Diaz. Diaz is running as an independent.

Mark your calendars: the vote takes place on Feb. 3.

🤝 Now hiring

Stock clerk. Fit Nutrition, Inc. Salary/wage: $16.75/hour.

Line cook. IHOP. Salary/wage: $18/hour.

Casual clerical. New West Schools. Salary/wage: $28.29/hour.

Corporate officer. City of New Westminster. Salary/wage: starts at $140,783/year.

Retail worker. Best Season Produce. Salary/wage: starts at $16.75/hour.

Sales associate. Calvin Klein. Salary/wage: starts at $17.25/hour.

Hiring in New West? Reply to this email and let us know.

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.

🗓️ Things to do

New West Craft. The market will return to the Quay on Jan. 13. 

Big sale. The Refill Stop is having a heck of a sale: a number of items are up to 40% off. Find the full offering on their Instagram page. 

A new hobby? There will be podcasting meet-ups at the New West Public Library—and the first one is this Thursday at 7pm, if you’re looking to develop a new skill in 2024.

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a friend in New West.

And before you go, let us know:

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

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

• Connect with more than 5,700 engaged locals. Advertise with us. 

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