Burnaby Now December 1 2022

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Building retrofits totackle climate crisis

Buildings are Burnaby’s largest source of commu nity carbon emissions now the wheels are in mo tion to retrofit all buildings in the city by 2050.

It’s a part of Burn aby’s climate action plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, after the city de clared a climate emergency in 2019.

Transitioning to zero emission buildings would reduce the city’s emissions by 34 per cent, according to the city’s climate action framework.

On Nov 21, council re ceived a report by the city’s zero emissions building

Burnabydigsoutafterwinterstormbattersregion

(Nov. 29).

Burnaby is one of nu merous municipalities digging out after a major snowfall hit MetroVan couver onTuesday night

Last night turned into a snarl of traffic throughout the Lower Mainland, with drivers getting stuck on hills and bridges shutting down. At points through out the evening and late

into the night, Google maps was nearly entirely “red” meaning traffic was going almost nowhere

In Burnaby, it was par ticularly challenging go ing up the steep hill along Royal Oak southbound at

Deer Lake Parkway, with police closing the road due to vehicle stalls

Environment Can ada has ended its snow fall warning for Metro Vancouver, but drivers are cautioned to continue to

take care on the roads this week

More snow is in the forecast for later this week, with flurries expected on Friday but nothing like Wednesday’s storm

KNIGHTS KNOCKED OUT: After going undefeated in the regular season and in two playoff games, Burnaby’s St. Thomas More Knights were stopped in a Triple A semifinal game against Chilliwack’s GW Graham Grizzlies at BC Place on Nov 26, 2022 See story page 12 PHOTO JENNIFERGAUTHIER

LaurenVanderdeen lvanderdeen@burnabynow com

JessBalzer jfedigan@burnabynow com

Buildings in Burnaby will be required to cut emissions by 2050

now

Emotionalendtostandoffcaughtoncamera

Man in incident had been getting support from RCMP Const.ShaelynYang before her slaying

CorneliaNaylor cnaylor@burnabynow com

A Burnaby photographer cap tured the emotional end to a six hour police standoff at the Metrotown SkyTrain station last month

The photo shows a man sur rounded by five tactical officers.

He hugs one of the officers, his head resting on the officer’s shoulder.

The image was taken from a nearby condo tower by a resi dent who did not want his name published

He could only watch the six hour ordeal from a distance, not knowing the tragic circum stances that sparked it

CONST. SHAELYN YANG CONNECTION

Officers were dispatched to the station at about 5:18 p m on Nov 13, after a man jumped into the guideway and began pacing along the tracks and screaming profanities, MetroVancouverTransit Police spokesperson Const Amanda Steed told the NOW

At the scene, the officers learned the man, who struggles with mental illness, had been getting support from Burnaby RCMP Const ShaelynYang, who was stabbed to death last month while on a call at a lo cal park.

Yang had been a member of Burnaby RCMP’s mental health and homeless outreach team.

“He was getting the support he needed from this officer, and she was murdered,” Steed said of the man at the Metrotown station “Obviously, when she was killed, he didn’t have that

support into the mental health section that he needed, and he just kind of spiralled That’s why he found himself out on the tracks ”

When two male transit police officers first arrived at the scene, Steed said the man said he would only talk to a female offi cer he had spotted at the scene

“She happened to be of Asian descent, and I guess he sort of felt more comfortable with someone who looked and acted like Const Yang,” Steed said

‘THEYTOOK THE TIME TO CONSOLE HIM’

The female officer tried to en gage the man with help from another officer at the scene who is a trained crisis negotiator, but

the standoff continued to drag on

For most of the incident, the man was precariously perched on a railing high above Central Boulevard

The street had been shut down, as had the Metrotown, Patterson and Royal Oak Sky Train stations

After negotiations had gone on for several hours, police called in the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Re sponseTeam

“They are highly trained in high angle rescues,” Steed said

The photo taken by the Metrotown condo dweller cap tured the moment after the man finally allowed the tactical offi cers to arrest him

“They didn’t just rush in and put him in handcuffs They took the time to console him That’s what you’re seeing in that pic ture,” Steed said

The man was taken to an area hospital, and no charges are be ing considered in the case, ac cording to Steed

SPIKE IN MENTAL HEALTH CALLS

News media tend not to re port on mental health crises, es pecially suicides and suicide at tempts

There is evidence some forms of suicide coverage are associ ated with a “statistically signifi cant excess of suicide,” with the impact strongest among young people, according to aWorld

TransLinkrenewsregionalweatheralert

Kids hoping for a snow day were disappointed on Wednesday morning, with School District 41 an nouncing all schools in the district were open Simon Fraser Uni versity’s Burnaby cam

pus announced it would be closed until 10:30 on Wednesday morning due to campus conditions and road conditions

TransLink renewed its winter weather alert at 5:27 a m Wednesday, noting snowy conditions

could still cause delays throughout the bus and SkyTrain system

ATransLink news re lease warned of bus delays in NewWestminster, Sur rey, SouthVancouver and Richmond, in particular

“We continue to salt

and sand bus loops and SkyTrain stations, but please use caution in these areas,”TransLink said in a public alert

With files from Julie MacLellan, NewWest Record

Health Organization resource for journalists

But the traditional absence of that type of coverage means the general public may not be aware of the jump in serious men tal health calls transit police has been called to in recent years, according to Steed.

“It’s so common now to get calls of people in the guideway It’s shocking,” she said. “Be fore, it used to be so rare; now, sometimes it’s happening two or three times a day, whether that be mental health, suicide or drug induced psychosis ”

‘ATTHEIR BREAKING POINT’

Between 2020 and 2021, transit police saw a 24 per cent increase in mental health appre hensions

In the first six months of 2022, there have been 146 such incidents, compared to 107 dur ing the first six months of 2021.

“Even just average people are at their breaking point, and we’re getting calls for people who have no history of anything like this before,” Steed said

Given those challenges, the call at the Metrotown station on Nov 13 was a good example of emergency services working to gether to resolve a difficult situ ation, according to Steed

“They were calm; they made sure the public was safe; they shut down the stations, and, more importantly, they wanted to make sure that this person got the help that they needed ”

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs emotional support, you can find resources from the Canadian Mental Health Association at www tinyurl com/CMHAFindHelp

CRISIS RESOLVED: A photo shot from a nearby condo tower captures the emotional end to a six hour standoff at the Metrotown SkyTrain station on Nov 13 PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Digging out: Burnaby was hit hard by a major Metro Vancouver snowfall overnight Wednesday PHOTO CORNELIA NAYLOR

Residentialhomesarethetopcarbonculpritsamongcitybuildings

retrofit task force, outlin ing the massive task of ret rofitting ahead.

The largest source of emissions from Burnaby’s 37,000 total buildings comes from single family homes, two family homes and townhomes, which make up 38 per cent of

emissions from buildings in the city, according to the task force report

Commercial buildings, including retail, office, light industrial and others, are the second largest source of building emissions (36 per cent), while making up 15 per cent of Burnaby’s buildings.

Lowrise and highrise buildings make up two per cent of the buildings in Burnaby and account for 55 per cent of the number of units They make up 10 per cent of building emis sions

There are five main types of building retrofits, according to the retrofit

task force report: replacing windows; improving insu lation; installing more effi cient space and water heat ing equipment, like heat pumps; reinforcing how airtightness (how much air escapes from a building); and switching away from fossil fuels

A heat pump is a de vice that pumps heat into or out of a home, which is more energy efficient than

generating heat, according to the task force report

Different retrofit combi nations can be used to de crease building emissions

One of the goals of the task force is to transition Burnaby buildings away from conventional natural gas to reduce emissions

Coun Alison Gu, a member of the retrofit task force, said at council the work is not just about

fighting climate change, but also about saving lives, referencing the 2021 heat wave that killed 63 people in Burnaby

“This work is absolutely paramount,” Gu said.

“Partly because we need to limit how severe the im pacts (of climate change) become.”

Gu also lobbied for the city to accelerate the B C Energy Step Code.

HIGHWAY CLOSURE

It is proposed to place this bylaw before City Council for consideration of Final Adoption at the regular Council Meeting scheduled for December 12, 2022.

The proposed Bylaw and Plan may be inspected on the City’s website (see November 21, 2022 Council agenda). For additional information, please contact the Planning and Development Department at 604-294-7400 Anyone who considers themselves affected by the proposed bylaw is provided an opportunity to be heard or to present written submissions respecting the bylaw to Burnaby City Council by submitting a letter addressed to: Mayor and Council, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2 All submissions must be received by the Director Legislative Services no later than Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at noon.

of road dedicated in District Lot 161, Group 1, New Westminster District by Plan LMP31309 containing 0.586 ha) shown outlined in bold on Reference Plan EPP117214, prepared by Tyson Cotnam, B.C.L.S.

LaurenVanderdeen lvanderdeen@burnabynow com

A vote on a bike and pedestrian overpass over Highway 1 revealed a rift on Burnaby city council.

At a meeting on Nov 21, city staff recom mended council move for ward with the shortest and least expensive route op tion for the project

The overpass will con nect Burnaby Lake Re gional Park with the cul tural centre near Deer Lake, including Burnaby Village Museum and the Burnaby Art Gallery.

Pedestrian and cyclist access to that cultural hub is “severed” by Highway 1, according to the staff pre sentation at council

The staff report laid out four options for

routes across the high way, including option 1 at Claude Avenue which is the shortest and least ex pensive, though furthest from the cultural hub

It’s also the option with the least environmental impact, according to staff

Options 3 and 4 are the longest, most expensive, and would have the most environmental impact, yet are closer to the hub

The city needs to begin construction on the proj ect by September 2023, as a requirement of the $6 87 million in federal and pro vincial funding it received Options 3 and 4 were not recommended by staff, as the location in volves “poor geotechnical conditions” and would re quire the relocation of BC Hydro infrastructure

It could also affect fu ture Highway 1 expansion plans, according to staff

Three Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA) coun cillors raised concerns about the recommended option 1, questioning whether staff should have received more public feed back regarding the more expensive routes.

Mayor Mike Hurley supported option 1, as did Green Party Coun Joe Keithley, who suggested it would leave enough money on the table for a second similar cycle pe destrian overpass further east

Council voted in fa vour of taking option 1 to a detailed design phase, with BCA Couns Pietro Calendino and Sav Dhali wal opposed

Katie Daroogheh RAUD, RHIP/Burnaby North Raymond Belmonte RHIP/Burnaby Metrotown

Topic: Emotional end to standoff

MY VIEW KEITH BALDREY

B.C. surplus to spur more ‘Eby bucks’

She may be diminutive in stature, but B C Finance Minister Selina Robinson has devel oped a knack for delivering large budget surpluses in her short time on the job

Robinson’s first budget came in at $1 3 billion in the black, even though that budget originally projected a deficit of nearly $10 billion Her second budget (the one for the current fiscal year) was also projected to incur a $5 4 billion deficit, but the latest quarterly up date now projects a whop ping (and all time record high) surplus of $5.7 billion.

The major reason for the big jump is the federal government’s recalculations of personal and corporate income tax filings, which are

completed well past the time the budget is put together

It now looks like personal income tax revenue will be $4.2 billion higher than first thought, and corporate in come tax revenue will be $4 6 billion higher

While the average person is not enjoying pay raises that keep pace with the rising cost of living, it seems the upper levels of society are doing just fine, thank you

Which brings me to what to do with that out of no where $5 7 billion surplus (which could approach $10 billion if various contingency funds are not dipped into).

The BC Liberals learned a painful lesson on the eve of the 2017 election when that government opted to put a $2.9 billion surplus against

the debt rather than spend it on programs or rebates

One must wonder whether, if they had been more politically deft and had spent that money on people instead of debt retirement, the 2017 election result would have been much more favourable to them.

You can be sure the BC NDP government is mindful of its predecessor’s mis cue on this front Look for Premier David Eby and his cabinet ministers to con tinue with a spate of new announcements of funding of various goodies

I’d be surprised if they take the form of program funding, as that simply adds more spending to the base total of government spend ing. Rather, one time pay

ments like rebates and such are more likely

In any event, the govern ment is awash in cash like never before. Expect much of it to flow out the door over the next four months (will more “Eby bucks” be coming your way?)

There has been specu lation that Eby will replace Robinson as finance minister when he unveils his cabinet on Dec 7 Given her un precedented track record, such a move would be some what astonishing

However, it’s clear her new leader wants to spend his way to gain the hearts of voters We shall see whether Robinson is in step with the new boss

Keith Baldrey is chief po litical reporter for Global BC.

“‘Even just average people are at their breaking point, and we ’ re getting calls for people who have no history of anything like this before.’ This should be a huge red flag to the masses ”

“Our system/society is failing our most vulnerable populations We should and can do better ”

Adam Tutt

Christopher Springstead via Facebook

Here’s how to start addressing mental health,addiction

Editor: Being a mental health advocate in Vancouver, one listens to and sees people’s mental health issues and how this on many occasions is intertwined with addiction

I was volunteering at a food bank near Chinatown, where I got to witness an over dose as paramedics were doing everything to help the individual It was a sad event since the individual looked like he was in his 20s He woke up, which was good, but it made me realize how addiction really is negatively impacting lots of young people

One thing is how lack of affordable hous ing, university classes and many other events and issues directly impact mental health An example being at the University of British Columbia, where I had conversations with people who feel lonely, have anxiety and de pression because they feel they don’t belong or feel like a number.

It’s quite a paradox; out of a place with thousands of students, people struggle to make meaningful connections

Social media and texting have replaced

meaningful connections with others in many ways I remember having a conversation with a friend on how people are really shy and reserved and instead turn to their phone on social occasions.

Many people who struggle with mental health issues turn to drugs or alcohol in order to numb the pain and fill in the emptiness inside, only to realize at the end this does not work

Something that works, I have found as a mental health advocate, is basically listening to somebody; truly understanding why this person is feeling this way as well as why a person thinks a certain way

Just by asking, you would be surprised how people are open about their life and struggles, and this takes a huge pressure from a person It relieves people’s emotional and mental burdens; I’ve noticed it myself, the before and after when I ask a person about mental health, and after you can clearly see a change in the person how they are relieved and feel more at ease with themselves

I strongly feel there should be a mandatory mental health class for all students who grad uate high school, basically teaching coping mechanisms and what to do and not in a mental health situation

Brian Jones

THE BURNABY NOW WELCOMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We do, however, edit for taste, legality and length Please include a phone number where you can be reached Send letters to: The Editor, #201A 3430 Brighton Ave , Burnaby, B C , V5A 3H4, email to: editorial@burnabynow com (no attachments please) or fax to: 604 444 3460 Letters to the editor and opinion columns may be reproduced on the Burnaby NOW website, www burnabynow com

Charity lends helping hand to Ukrainian family

JessBalzer jfedigan@burnabynow com

Bogdan Motorenko and his wife,Yelyzaveta, already had to give up everything they knew to flee their home and come to Can ada, but another large hur dle soon faced them

Their eight year old son, Mark, has cerebral palsy When they fled Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, they weren’t able to bring his medical equipment with them, and then they couldn’t afford to have it shipped to Canada

That’s when the Burn aby Firefighters Charitable Society stepped in, provid ing the financial support needed to have the equip ment sent to Burnaby

“My office received a desperate plea in early September from Bogdan Motorenko and his wife, Yelyzaveta Motorenko, through their sponsored family in Burnaby, that it would cost thousands of

dollars to ship their spe cial needs child’s medical equipment from Ukraine to Canada,” Burnaby New Westminster MP Peter Ju lian said in a release.

“We immediately con tacted the Burnaby Fire fighters Charitable Society for assistance ”

After months of co or dination between the fam

ily, firefighters and the post office in Ukraine, the equipment arrived Julian, alongside Burn aby Mayor Mike Hur ley, thanked the Burnaby

Firefighters Charitable Society on Nov. 26 for its support

“The Burnaby Fire fighters Charitable Society is honoured to have the opportunity to provide the financial support to ship Mark’s medical equip ment to Canada Our

mission is to raise money for community groups and non profit organi zations,” Burnaby Fire fighters Charitable Soci ety president Scott Alleyn added in the release

“It is our joy to see Mark’s smile as he sees his equipment finally ar rive in Canada.We hope this equipment will make a huge difference in his life ”

Bogdan Motorenko ex plained in the release the equipment will increase his son’s mobility and quality of life

“I want to sincerely thank MP Julian and the Burnaby Firefight ers Charitable Society for helping us to bring Mark’s equipment to Canada

“The equipment is ex ercise equipment en abling Mark to exercise to strengthen his mus cles The equipment will tremendously increase Mark’s mobility and qual ity of life ”

Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society answers plea to help ship child’s medical equipment to Canada

Spirit of giving: Yelyzaveta Motorenko (left) and Bogdan Motorenko with their son Mark alongside Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society president Scott Alleyn, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and Burnaby New Westminster MP Peter Julian PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

It is our joy to see Mark’s smile as he sees his equipment finally arrive in Canada. We hope this equipment will make a huge difference in his life.

SFUwomen’ssquadhonoured Undefeated 2004-05 team will enter Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame

JessBalzer jfedigan@burnabynow com

Perfection is hard to reach

But the 2004 05 Simon Fraser University (SFU)

women’s basketball team was able to hit that peak and is now being hon oured with an induction into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame

SFU went 38 0 in the

regular season and play offs, which saw them cap ture the CanadaWest con ference championship and the 2005 national ti tle, known then as Cana dian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).

The 38 wins are the most in a single season for SFU women’s basketball ever.

“By 2004 05, I had been four years in the CIS,” head coach Bruce Langford said in a news release

“We had been to the na tionals each time winning the Canadian champion ship my first season with a 31 0 record.That was an exciting year but really, it was an Allison McNeill team; she had recruited and coached for years.

“By 2004, the team, I felt, was mine I had tried to keep the tradition and recruited what I believed to be quality people They were a great group to work with and I had a few local assistant coaches in Kerry Rokosh and John Prescott to help Teresa Gabriele, as an assistant coach, provided a valuable

voice with lot lots of expe rience ”

SFU went 20 0 in Can adaWest league play and winning by an average of 20 8 points

They swept Calgary in a best of three playoff series and then defeatedVictoria in the semis before beat ing Regina in the confer ence championship.

“The veterans of Maren Corrigal, Devon Camp bell, Dani Langford and Morgan McLaughlin played huge roles in lead ing the team and set ting the tone,” Langford added

“My recruits of Jen Mc Elgunn, Laura van den Boogaard, KelsieThu, Courtney Brown, Lani Gibbons, Courtney Ger wing and JuliaWilson had grown into solid players

It was a great team effort Everyone knew their role and filled it nicely See ing them recognized for a truly incredible year is very rewarding.”

The full 2023 class of inductees will be hon oured at a ceremony at Riverway Golf Course on March 24, 2023

Semifinallossends Knights’season

After going 6 0 dur ing the regular season and 2 0 during the playoffs to date, the St.Thomas More Knights dropped their semifinal game at the B.C. AAA senior varsity football championships 27 10 to the GW Graham Grizzlies Nov 26

The Knights’ regu lar season was impres sive, going 6 0 and fin ishing atop of the central division standings with wins over Mt Bouche rie (38 14), Centennial (24 0),Terry Fox (21 15), Seaquam (29 0), Lord Tweedsmuir (21 14) and a 52 0 thumping of New Westminster

They continued their

dominance in the playoffs, securing a 36 21 win over Mt Douglass in the wild card game

They then came out victorious with a three point (37 34) win over WJ Mouat in the quar ter final, setting up Sat urday’s match with the Grizzlies

At BC Place, the Knights were down 3 0 after the first quarter be fore coming back to take a 10 3 lead into halftime

The Grizzlies would come back to win with three touchdowns and a field goal, giving them a shot at a second straight provincial title

Jess Balzer

Find more events online: burnabynow.com/local events

ALL WEEKEND

TIMEBOMB TRADING WINTER WAREHOUSE SALE

This weekend Timebomb Trading is clearing out its warehouse of all things winter and Christmas, includ

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

SFU WOMEN’S AND MEN’S BASKETBALL HOME OPENERS

It’s a day chock full of basketball with a double header of both SFU teams taking on the Western Wash ington University Vikings! The women’s team is com ing off two losses, after two wins to start the season The team plays the Vikings at 5:15 p m at SFU’s West Gym

At 7:30, the men’s team takes to the court, having won three and lost three so far this season

The SFU Student Athlete Advisory Committee will collect non perishable food items and cash donations for Share Food Bank, with donation boxes at the West Gym entrance

WHEN: Saturday, Dec 3 (start times 5:15 and 7:30 p.m.)

WHERE: SFU West Gym (8888 University Dr West)

COST: $13, tickets available on Eventbrite (search “SFU women ’ s men ’ s basketball”)

JARVIS

CHURCH AT THE SHADBOLT

Soul singer Jarvis Church will perform at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on Saturday night The artist gained prominence as the front man for 1990s groundbreaking R&B group the Philosopher Kings

With a notable career as a producer, working with Nelly Furtado and rapper K’naan, this show promises to be an evening of cool and classy R&B

WHEN: Saturday, Dec 3 at 8 p m

WHERE: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (6450 Deer Lake Ave.)

COST: $35 adults, $30 seniors and students, $15 youth, tickets available through tickets shadbolt centre.com

ing snowboard boots, button ups, sweaters, hoodies, dresses, bags hats, shoes and more There’s a little bit of everything at this sale.

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 2, from noon to 6 p.m.; Sat urday, Dec 3, from 11 a m to 6 p m ; Sunday, Dec

4 from noon to 5 p m

WHERE: 8067 North Fraser Way (enter through the rear of the building near the loading bays)

COST: Free admission, cash only with an ATM on site

SUNDAY, DEC. 4

DRAG BRUNCH AT THE REC ROOM: THE REAL HOUSEELVES OF THE NORTH POLE

Drag stars are coming to Burnaby this weekend, with the winner of CallMeMotherseason 1, Toddy, taking the stage, along with Felicia Bonée and Ella Lamoureaux.

Hosted by the Established, Shanda Leer, this show is sure to be a rollicking good time

WHEN: Sunday, Dec 4 at noon

WHERE: The Rec Room at Brentwood

COST: $22 23, guests must be 19 and over; minors allowed if accompanied by their parent or guardian; tickets available on Eventbrite (search “Drag Brunch

Rec Room”)

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT BURNABY LAKE PARK

Join the Burnaby Lake Park Association for their an nual holiday open house at the park’s nature house Learn all about the birds of Burnaby Lake, take a guided bird outing to see migratory birds and year round birds, and check out Santa’s “naughty and nice” plant list Don’t forget to decorate a wood duck cookie!

WHEN: Sunday, Dec 4 from 11 a m to 2 p m

WHERE: Burnaby Lake Nature House (4519 Piper Ave )

COST: Free, registration is required for guided walks, for more information go to https://tinyurl com/BLPAHolidayOpenHouse22

Compiled by Lauren Vanderdeen

Seasonal attraction: Will Burnaby Lake be a winter wonderland this weekend? Join the Burnaby Lake Park Association for its holiday open house, a guided tour and even a wood duck cookie PHOTO JAMESVANCOUVER / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

LaurenVanderdeen lvanderdeen@burnabynow com

As December frosts sneak up on chilly morn ings and nights grow lon ger, ward off the winter blues with fun and lively events to brighten the sea son, including sweep ing musical arrange ments, lights galore and, of course, visits with Santa.

HERITAGE CHRISTMAS

From now until Jan 2, 2023, you can visit a win ter wonderland at Burn abyVillage Museum (6501 Deer Lake Ave.) as the 10 acre venue is adorned with beautiful, festive lights and traditional décor.The event runs Monday to Fri day from 1 to 5:30 p m (with a 4 p m closure on Dec. 5) until Dec. 18;

from Dec. 19 to Jan. 2, the museum is open from 1 to 9 p m and closed Dec 24 and 25.

Admission is free but remember to plan in ad vance as entry may be lim ited by site capacity.

ORNAMENTAND WREATH WORKSHOPS

Manites Flower Shop, at 7656 Sixth St , is hosting a variety of ornament work shops this season.

The mini Christmas tree and pine cone orna ment workshop will be held Saturday, Dec 3 at 10 a m ; onThursday, Dec 15 at 5:30 p m ; and Monday, Dec. 19 at 5:30 p m

The course costs $144.22 on Eventbrite search “Mini Christmas Tree & Pine ConeWork

shop” for more details

You could also try a Christmas wreath and dried flower ornament workshop on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 4:30 p.m. For more information, search Eventbrite for “Christmas Wreath & Dried Flower OrnamentWorkshop” Tickets are a minimum of

$133 61

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

For an evening of bright, festive light and joy, take a tour of Burnaby’s holiday lights The city has created a map of holiday light dis plays throughout Burnaby Find the map at https:// tinyurl com/HolidayLights

Bby.

As you follow the trail of lights, take photos of your journey and include the hashtag #BurnabyLights to your social posts

BREAKFASTWITH SANTA

On Dec 3, from 10 to 11 a m , enjoy a breakfast buffet with Santa Claus and his forest elves All proceeds go to Burnaby Meals onWheels

The event will be hosted in the community room on the mall’s lower level beside Daniadown.

Registration is required, with tickets almost sold out (adult tickets are $15 and children’s are $10).

For more information, search Eventbrite online for “Breakfast with Santa Lougheed”

Romanian musician

Lache Cercel is in town this month to perform “Roma jazz” which fuses Eastern influences with Western musicology

On Friday, Dec 9, head to the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave for a collaborative concert featuring a blend of magical music from around the world

Tickets are $35 for adults, and $30 for seniors and students Showtime is 8 p m , tickets available through tickets.shadbolt centre com

PHOTOS WITH SANTA

Head out to the mall, tell Santa what you want for Christmas this year,

ROMAJAZZ

Village celebration: Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum runs until January 2 PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

Merry & Bright Christmas in Burnaby erry &

and snap a picture to re member the moment

At Metrotown, reserve your photo visit between Monday and Saturday from 11 a m to 1 p m , 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. On Sundays, Santa is available between 11 a m and 1 p m and then from 2 to 6 p.m.You can reserve a time slot at www metrop olissantaphotos com Pho tos are by donation.

At Brentwood, head to the food court’s exterior deck for a private Santa visit and photo time. Pho tos are a minimum of $35 plus tax Reserve a time slot online at theamazing brentwood com/events/ photos with santa/ Lougheed mall will host Santa as well, in front of London Drugs on the lower level Photos are a minimum of $35 plus tax, and you can book your time slot online at thecity

oflougheed com/events/ santa photos/

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Join the Burnaby Lake Park Association for its an nual holiday open house on Sunday, Dec 4, at the park’s nature house From 11 a m to 2 p m at Burn aby Lake Nature House (4519 Piper Ave ), learn all about the birds of Burnaby Lake, take a guided bird outing and check out San ta’s “naughty and nice” plant list Registration is required for the guided walks at tinyurl com/BLPA HolidayOpenHouse22

METROTOWN TOY DRIVE

The Burnaby Firefight ers Charitable Society is hosting a toy drive for the giving season, in support of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. Head to Metro town mall, on the lower level next to Uniqlo, to do nate new, unwrapped toys

from Friday, Dec 2 to Sunday, Dec 4 between 11 a m and 7 p m

The Burnaby Christ mas Bureau has a list of suggested toy and gift do nations. For more infor mation, see tinyurl com/ BbyChristmasBureauGifts

Cash donations are also accepted.

VOCES ANGELORUM

Amabilis Singers, a 60 voice community choir, presentsVoces Angelorum at NewWestminster Chris tian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave , Burn aby, on Friday, Dec 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec 10 at 2 p m They will be joined by the Burnaby Central Chamber Choir on Friday and St.Thomas More Collegiate Chamber Singers on Saturday Tick ets are $25; free for chil dren 12 and under Book via Eventbrite ca or find more information at www

amabilissingers org

YOUTH CHOIR

Join Coastal Sound’s youth ensemble for Into the Morning, Saturday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave , Burnaby The choir will be joined by spe cial guests from Argyle Secondary School Tickets at tinyurl.com/Coastal SoundBby22 Tickets range from $20 for adults, $15 for students and se niors, to $10 for children 12 and under

WINTER FUN

Saturday, Dec 17 will be a day of great winter ju bilation in Burnaby, as the city hosts a variety of holi day themed celebrations

At Bill Copeland Sports Centre, at 3676 Kensing ton Ave , wear your best ugly Christmas sweater for a toonie skate, then par

ticipate in family friendly crafts, reindeer games and holiday cheer Santa and his friends will make a spe cial visit The event runs from 12:30 to 3 p m , with admission $2 per person (including skates and hel met) and free for children three and under

For an “Elfie Selfie sta tion,” head to the festivities atWillingdon Community Centre (1491 Carleton Ave ) on Dec 17, from 1 to 3 p m Admission is $2 per person

That same Saturday of fers “Swim with Santa” at Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool and Fitness Centre at 240 Willingdon Ave Fam ily swim rates apply, with games and seasonal crafts

MAPLE LEAF SINGERS

The Maple Leaf Sing ers, a 50 voice show cho rus, presents its Christ mas show on Sunday, Dec 18 from 2 to 3:30 p m

at Burnaby Lake Row ing Pavilion, 6871 Rob erts St , Burnaby Tick ets are $10, and you can also enjoy a bake sale (cash only) Email info@ma pleleafsingers.com or see mapleleafsingers com/ shows/public shows/

FAMILY STORYTIME

Kids of all ages and their adults can welcome win ter onTuesday, Dec. 20, as Burnaby Public Library will host a winter themed family storytime at its Cameron branch (9523 Cameron St ) in the chil dren’s area It’ll be a half hour beginning at 10:30 a m , with songs, rhymes and stories; you can come early or stay after to meet other families and social ize This is a drop in event, no registration is required just remember to stay home if you’re feeling sick

With files from Julie MacLellan