Welcome to Thursday, New West—it’s Ria.

Bear with me: last week I had a friend over to watch a movie called ‘Bingo Hell.’ The horror flick—which is as ridiculous, cheesy and creepy as you are likely thinking it is—actually touched on the importance of community as a group of people vs. an actual place.

This is my bizarre segway into today’s lead story: I had the privilege of interviewing Jim Diers, a man who has been working with cities, towns, and people for decades to undo the stereotypical definition of community. He’ll be coming to New West for some workshops to cover this topic in the days ahead, so I’ve chatted with him beforehand to get a sense of what to expect.

And hey, if you happen to be looking for a campy scary movie, why not give Bingo Hell a try, seeing as it’s spooky season and all? I liked it. 🤷 

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🌡 Temperature check

Today: ⛅️ 17°

Friday: ☀️ 19°

Saturday: ☀️ 20°

Sunday: 🌤️ 19°

Monday: 🌧️ 17°

7-day forecast

LOCAL NEWS

People, not a place

As Washington state’s Jim Diers prepares for a visit to New Westminster, The Anchor has the privilege of catching up with this lovely human for a chat about the importance of approaching community from a people-first perspective. How out-of-the-box experiences with everything ranging from chickens to gardens have culminated in Diers being able to help others.

SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF NEW WEST

Farewell to Centennial Community Centre

Centennial Community Centre’s last day of operation will be November 3.

Bid farewell to the facility, reminisce about the memories made, reflect, celebrate, and gather. Register to take part in a farewell try-it program in the final week, October 30 to November 3.

On November 5, a farewell event will include a free 15-minute walk down memory lane before the doors close permanently. An outdoor, heated gathering space will also be set up outside featuring Little Miss Coffee food truck, selling hot beverages and baked goods. Registration is required. Register online or call 604.777.5100.

📣 Neighbourhood bulletin

🏳️‍🌈 No Space for Hate. Local parent and activist Naomi Perks is looking to encourage people and businesses to display a pride flag, and will be placing orders for those who are interested. Be sure to fill out a form if you’d like one.

🦺 Safety seminar. Couns. Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas will be hosting a crime and safety panel on Sunday, Nov. 8 from 7 to 9pm. The event is free, but the spaces are limited. If you’d like to attend, you’re encouraged to register ASAP. 

🗑️ Annual Trash Mob. Attention Sapperton! This event is for you. The November event is already taking sign-ups—visit this page for all the details.

🧡 Donation match. Today at the Farmers’ Market, the team will be taking donations for the Spirit of the Children Society. Donations up to $500 will be matched; cash and card are accepted. The market is on at Tipperary Park from 3 to 7pm.

🧥 Warm clothing drive. Purpose Society will be taking donations from Oct. 9 to 13. They’re hoping the community can help them with some warm, gently-used clothing and blankets. Here’s what you need to know about donations.

💫 A great night for a great cause. The Ubuntu Charity Hope gala is happening in nine days at New West Secondary! Have you picked up your ticket yet?

*Sponsored listing

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🗞 In other news

Banned Books Week. The New West Public Library has shared a number of titles of films and works that are banned stateside. They’ve got the display up until Oct. 7 at the main branch in Uptown.

Laid to rest. A service for Cst. Rick O’Brien, who was killed in the line of duty in Coqutilam late last month, took place yesterday in Langley. (CTV Vancouver)

Real estate. According to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, more homes have been going on the market as of recent, which has helped to somewhat soften home prices. (CityNews Vancouver)

Ferry fine. The province is preparing to implement fines against BC Ferries in the event it misses core sailings due to staff shortages. (CBC Vancouver)

History. Wab Kinew, a New Democrat, is premier-elect of Manitoba. He is not only the province’s first Indigenous premier—but the country’s.

Cancelled. The Stanley Park Ghost Train has been cancelled for the four year in a row. The beleaguered attraction has been undergoing restoration work. (CityNews Vancouver)

Gourd-gantuan. Dave Chan of Richmond recently won a contest for his 1,000 kg pumpkin. “Mama” resulted in a $27,000 cash prize and all the gourd-related glory. (CBC Vancouver)

SPONSORED BY MASSEY THEATRE

Massey Theatre presents OKTOPUS

Award winning ensemble Oktopus is a major presence on the Canadian world music scene. Primarily devoted to klezmer with a twist, Oktopus incorporates classical, Québécois repertoire, jazz and Balkan accents with a klezmer base. Featuring eight virtuoso musicians who play with humour and take original compositions and finely crafted arrangements combined with improvisation. In a word, Oktopus is simply spec-ten-tacular!

Click here to learn more.

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LOCAL NEWS

The Paddlewheeler Pub closes after 37 years

After a spate of messages from our readers to The Anchor, we tried to put together the latest info for you to see if we could confirm the permanent closure of the anchor River Market tenant. Here’s what we can share.

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🗓️ NEW WEST EVENTS

Today, Oct. 5

• New West farmers market. 3pm. Tipperary Park.

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

• Here With You book launch. Brought to you by Kinder Books. 7pm. River Market, 2nd floor.

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

Friday, Oct. 6

• World Folk Festival. 5:30pm. Massey Theatre.

• Dance party. 9pm. Georgie’s Local.

Saturday, Oct. 7

• Rebel Girls Fest. 10am. Kinder Books.

• Blocktoberfest. A collaboration between Another Beer Co. and Odihi. 1pm. Lower Hume Park.

• Dance party. 9pm. Georgie’s Local.

Sunday, Oct. 8

• Councillor cafe. 9am. Take THE Cake Bakery.

• Storytime. 9:30am. Kinder Books.

Monday, Oct. 9 🦃 

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

• Open mic night. 7pm. Begbie’s.

• Trivia night. 8pm. The Terminal Pub.

Tuesday, Oct. 10

• Making connections to counter loneliness and empower community. Noon. Anvil Centre.

• WorkBC workshop. 4pm. Queensborugh Community Centre.

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

• Making connections to counter loneliness and empower community. 6:30pm. Anvil Centre.

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

• Victoria Hill & Ginger Drive Residents' Association Annual General Meeting. 6:30pm. 245 Francis Way.

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

• Name that tune! 7pm. Hops New West.

Wednesday, Oct. 11

• La Leche League. 10am. Main branch, New West Public Library.

• Trivia night. 7pm. Georgie’s Local.

Ongoing

• MEASURE. On until Dec. 10. New Media Gallery.

• Best of the Crawl: a group exhibit. On until Oct. 29. Gallery hours. The Gallery at Queen’s Park.

• Collecting. Featuring artwork by Alyx Essers-Silverman. On until Oct. 31. Main branch, New West Public Library.

That’s it!

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