Welcome to Thursday, New West.

If you haven’t seen the amazing video of some local kiddos dancing to PYT by Michael Jackson—it’s a must watch. Not only are the kids super talented…but there’s a particular cameo that is worth a couple o’ seconds of your time. We’ve got a link to the video below—enjoy!

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🌡 Temperature check

Today: ☀️ 20°

Friday: ☀️ 21°

Saturday: ☀️ 21°

Sunday: ⛅️ 19°

Monday: 🌥️ 19°

7-day forecast

LOCAL NEWS

Assailant believed to have scaled townhome to break in

There were some startling moments for a resident of a Connaught Heights townhome after the person came home to hear someone else in their bedroom. “Initial information indicates that a suspect broke into the townhouse by climbing the exterior of the building,” a release from the New West Police Department (NWPD) reads.

The break-in happened on May 5 before 10pm, and now investigators are asking anyone with CCTV or dash cam footage from the area of Edinburgh St. and 20th St. to pass it along, as they do not have a description of the suspect. Anyone with this or other information related to this break-in should reach out to the NWPD at 604-525-5411.

📣 Neighbourhood bulletin

🌉 Don’t forget! The inaugural Bridges Literary Festival is happening from this Thursday May 9 to Sunday May 12. We’ve got the comprehensive list of FREE events from the festival in our events section below.

👀 I saw the sign. You can use the sign on this little free library in the area to learn more about how to apply for an Uptown Plaza grant, or to get in touch with someone about booking the space.

🏢 State of the City. This ticketed event took place earlier this week. If you were unable to attend, the New West Chamber says a recording will be available “soon for online watching.”

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🗞 In other news

Changes. The City of New West’s firefighters will now practice as emergency medical responders, as opposed to first responders. This means they will be able to provide more medical assistance at pre-hospital medical aid calls, among other expanded duties.

Rebate. ICBC says there will be a $110 rebate for all policyholders. The rebate will start to appear at the end of May, with the premier saying the rebate was made possible by its capital levels sitting at more than 100%. (CityNews Vancouver)

Train whistle cessation update. A report shared with council earlier this week has set out some additional timelines related to train whistle cessation—however, a number of locations are still in the ‘to be determined’ stage. (New West Record)

Sorry. After dozens of London Drugs stores had to close amid a cyberattack. the company’s president and COO has apologized, reiterating that company customer data was not compromised. (CityNews Vancouver)

🤩 Community spotlight

Battlezone Canada comes to New West

In a video that featured a couple of dance cameos by Mayor Patrick Johnstone and his dance moves, Battlezone Canada—a multi-day dance competition—announces that it will be coming to New Westminster. Cash prizes will be awarded for multiple categories, including an all-ages competition and a U18 competition. Mark your calendars!

• Preliminaries: Friday, June 14 at Sapperton Community Hall.

• Finals: Saturday, June 15 at the Uptown Plaza.

• Workshops: Sunday, June 16 at Boswell Dance Academy.

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🗓️ NEW WEST EVENTS

Today, May 9

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

• How to make fresh spring rolls workshop. $15. 5:45pm. New West Farmers’ Market, Tipperary Park.

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

• Mary Poppins. Tickets start at $27. 7:30pm. Massey Theatre.

• Bridges Literary Festival: local author book club. 7:30pm. Groove Cat Books & Records.

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

Friday, May 10

• Bridges Literary Festival: meet Frank (and meet Mavis). 10:30am. New Westminster Public Library, main branch.

• Bridges Literary Festival: microfiction showcase. 4:30pm. New Westminster Public Library, main branch.

• Mary Poppins. Tickets start at $27. 7:30pm. Massey Theatre.

• Dance party. 9pm. Georgie’s Local.

Saturday, May 11

• Rotary bottle drive. 9am. 166 6th St.

• 27th annual Queen’s Park garage sale. 9am. Queen’s Park neighbourhood.

• Bridges Literary Festival: upcycling book crafts. 10am. Moodswing Coffee & Bar.

• Spring market and swap meet. 11am. Queensborough Community Centre.

• Bridges Literary Festival: author feedback session. 11am. New Westminster Public Library, main branch.

• Bridges Literary Festival: Buried Treasure. 11am. New Westminster Public Library, main branch.

• Bridges Literary Festival: Between Blade & Bullet, an author reading. 1pm. Groove Cat Books & Records: 775 6th St.

• Mary Poppins. Tickets start at $27. 2pm. Massey Theatre.

• Bridges Literary Festival: on getting stuck and unstuck. 3:30pm. New Westminster Public Library, main branch.

• Bridges Literary Festival: book celebration. 7pm. Wildfires Bookshop.

• Mary Poppins. Tickets start at $27. 7:30pm. Massey Theatre.

• Dance party. 9pm. Georgie’s Local.

Sunday, May 12 🌷

• Bridges Literary Festival: when you sing. 10:30am. Kinder Books, River Market.

• Bridges Literary Festival: poetic justice. 10:30am. New Westminster Public Library, main branch.

• Mary Poppins: final show. Tickets start at $27. 2pm. Massey Theatre.

• Bridges Literary Festival: discovering your expert appeal. 2pm. The Gallery at Queen’s Park.

• Bridges Literary Festival: journal comics and zine making. 2pm. Wildfires Bookshop.

• Bridges Literary Festival: queer Asian authors on writing chosen & given family. 2:30pm. New Westminster Public Library, main branch.

• Bridges Literary Festival: book fan book slam. Registration required; contact the library to register. 6pm. Steel & Oak.

Monday, May 13

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

• Open mic night. 7pm. Begbie’s.

• Trivia night. 8pm. The Terminal Pub.

Tuesday, May 14

• MOSAIC’s 12th annual job fair. 9:30am. Anvil Centre.

• təməsew̓txʷ aquatic centre opening. 4pm. təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre.

• 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, May 15

• Artist talk: Holly Schmidt and Janet Wang. 6pm. Anvil Centre.

• Trivia night. 7pm. Georgie’s Local.

Ongoing

• Walking with SYM. On until May 29. Anvil Centre community gallery.

That’s it!

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