⚓ How new films teach us about New West's past

🧘 Plus: stretching to new heights

Together With

Welcome to Thursday, New West!

I want to take the opportunity to give the New West Museum and Archives a shoutout. Yes, they are the keepers of some really neat old things, but they’re also finding some unique new ways to engage with the community, with a particular focus on modernization—and you’ll get to see some awesome examples in today’s lead piece by Brianna Reeve.

Thanks as always for reading our newsletter and we look forward to seeing you in the next one!

Ria Renouf

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FEATURE

Erin Brown-Osterman leads a discussion at the monthly Archives & Sci-Fi event. Brianna Reeve.

How do relatively newer movies like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story offer us the opportunity to learn about archival work?

Our Brianna Reeve sat down with Erin Brown-Osterman, a city archivist, who is at the forefront of changing the way we think about preserving our history.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

While we might think of spaces like libraries, arenas, and council chambers as options for bonding, within the walls of the theatre is also a wonderful choice.

Meet three of the folks taking part in Our Town, which will begin showing at the Bernie Legge Theatre today.

SPONSORED BY DRAGON BOAT BC

Kick off summer at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival June 24-25!

The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is set to hit False Creek, and it’s bigger than ever! Between the continent’s best dragon boat races every 11 minutes on the race course, or the TD Main Stage’s 100% local lineup featuring Dear Rouge and Sabai, you can’t miss the biggest summer kickoff party this year!

📣 Neighbourhood bulletin

Adam Haber. Investigators announced Wednesday that 50-year-old Adam Haber has been charged with three counts of sexual assault. New West Police say this investigation is tied to victims sharing their experiences on social media. Police say 11 victims have come forward.

🕹 Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo. The event is returning to the Anvil Centre for its 10th year, and is happening on Saturday, June 24. Tickets are $25 each.

🎨 Artist residency. Eighth and Eight Creative Spaces is accepting proposals from established artists. If you’re interested in a residency, you have until June 9 to apply.

🧋 2023 Canada Bubble Tea Festival is returning to Burnaby Swangard Stadium with more excitements. Tickets are now available, get yours today!*

*Sponsored Listing

LOCAL EVENTS

How do you give back to the community? For Westminster House, it loves to show love, support, and thanks via its flagship clean-up event.

Learn more about this Saturday’s festivities, and how you can take part.

🗞 In other news

Housing targets. New Westminster has NOT appeared on a list that will require municipalities to work on housing targets. Some of the municipalities that did appear on the list include Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford, and Port Moody.

Filling shifts. A memo has been sent out to hospitalists by Fraser Health to help fill shifts at Surrey Memorial Hospital. This comes after workers at Surrey Memorial previously said it was becoming common for some patients to wait days to be seen by a doctor. (Global BC)

Komagata Maru Place. A street in Vancouver will be receiving an honorary name after the 1914 incident that saw more than 300 people trying to immigrate to Canada via boat, only to be turned away. Komagata Maru Place will be the secondary name for Canada Place Way. (CityNews Vancouver)

A spa in Stanley Park? A space that is currently vacant, and previously used to house polar bears, is gaining attention with a local architecture firm looking at whether it can be converted into a Nordic spa. (CBC Vancouver)

What’s the T? Former CKNW radio personality Jawn Jang is spearheading a new podcast called What’s the T—the T stands for TransLink, of course. Jang currently works in media relations for TransLink.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Left to right: New West Chamber of Commerce executive director Angie Whitfield and Oxana Kirsanova, owner of Sea2Sky Wellness Club.

From law to loving yourself through yoga: we sat down with Oxana Kirsanova, who recently opened Sea2Sky Wellness Club in Downtown New West.

Learn more about how she ended up teaching yoga, and why she’s opened her space in this city.

🗓️ New West events

Ongoing
  • Hidden Fragments: Layers of Discovery. Six artists recently met at a workshop where they discovered new methods of working with discarded paper and paint. Be sure to check out their work. On until June 9. Plaskett Gallery, Massey Theatre.

  • Bike donation drive. On until June 30. Cap’s New Westminster. 434A Columbia St.

  • Go By Bike Week. Every trip by bike counts—you can even win a trip for two to Croatia. Learn more at this page. On until June 4.

  • Through Our Eyes. Featuring local Indigenous artists from Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass. The group’s goal is to create a forum where they could show their best art, connect, and encourage one another. Daily until July 26. 10am to 5pm. Anvil Centre Art Gallery.

Today, June 1
  • Self-guided scavenger hunt by bike. Cycle to eight qualifying locations, take a selfie, then submit them to potentially win a prize. You have until June 30 to complete the challenge. Details here.

  • New West Farmers Market. Enjoy artisan fare, fresh fruit and veggies, food trucks, and family fun activities. 3pm. Tipperary Park.

  • Perkele Power. Workout to focus on strength, cardio, and mobility. 5:30pm. Queen’s Park.

  • Community bike ride. This ride will take you through the Farmers Market, the River Market, and Grimston Park. To register, email [email protected] with the subject line ‘HUB-NW bike ride.’ 6pm. Meet at Century House.

  • Hidden Wonders. The man who fooled Penn & Teller twice brings his show, Hidden Wonders, to a new hidden performance space. Tickets start at $50. 7pm. Secret location.

  • Our Town. This production is brought to you by the Vagabond Players, and runs until June 24. Preview tickets (June 1 and 2) start at $12. All other dates start at $15. 8pm. Bernie Legge Theatre.

Friday, June 2
  • Connaught Heights Elementary fun fair. Enjoy a dunk tank, food, games, prizes, and entertainment. Free admission. 5pm. 2201 London St.

  • Gastronomia workshops: tiramisu. Learn the tips and techniques for the perfect tiramisu, right from an Italian kitchen. Standing room only, contact Gastronomia Italia for more details.

  • Hidden Wonders. Tickets start at $50. 7pm. Secret location.

Saturday, June 3
  • Clean-up New West. Post clean-up, there will be a food truck and some activities—including a pie eating contest. All proceeds go towards continued care programs for Westminster House. Registration required. 9am.

  • Century House bazaar. Shop pre-loved treasures, and handmade arts and crafts. Debit and credit purchases welcome, though the minimum amount is $15. 10am. Century House.

  • Sapperton garage & yard sale. Sapperton residents will be getting rid of some of their stuff—you may find some treasures there! 10am. Various locations.

  • New West Craft. A variety of artisans will be on hand to sell their handmade goods. 11am. River Market.

  • Storytime. Brought to you by Kinder Books, the pick for this event is Boobies by Nancy Vo. Vo will be on hand for storytime, too! Event is free, but you’ll need to register through Kinder Books. Ages 4+. 10:30a. River Market.

  • New to New West. Get information on health, jobs, financial programs and settlement services, and make volunteer connections. 11am. Welcome Centre at New West Secondary.

  • D&D Meet-up. Come learn how to play, and hang out. 1pm. Union Jack.

  • Community class: reiki healing. Offered by Sea2Sky Wellness Club. Events are free, but registration is required. Multiple times, classes start at 1:30pm. Sea2Sky Wellness.

  • Hidden Wonders. Tickets start at $50. 7pm. Secret location.

Sunday, June 4
  • River Walk. This walk, put together by the New West Hospice Society, will raise funds to support a variety of the society’s programs. Registration at 8:30am. Walk starts at the Paddlewheeler.

  • Westie Walk. This walk aims to protect West Highland Terriers. Event will feature a bagpiper, door prizes, and games. 9:30am. Moody Park.

  • Sea2Sky Open House. The featured event is ‘Spirit Essence’ led by Tara Diana. Event starts at 11am. Sea2Sky Wellness Club.

  • Hidden Wonders. Tickets start at $50. 7pm. Secret location.

Monday, June 5

Tuesday, June 6

  • WorkBC employment services. Every week, the group hosts a help session for those looking for work. Get one-on-one support from a WorkBC centre specialist. No cost, no registration needed. 4pm. Queensborough Community Centre.

Wednesday, June 7
  • Rainbow Connections Cafe. Coffee, conversations, and community building can be found here. 3pm. Eighth and Eight Spaces.

  • Trivia night. 7pm. Georgie’s Local Kitchen and Bar.

  • Trivia night. Brought to you by IQ 2000 Trivia. 7pm. Paddlewheeler Pub.

  • Trivia night. 7pm. Frankie G’s.

That's all, folks! What did you think of this edition?

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