New Westminster Record February 9 2023

Academic Foundations

Accounting (includes bachelor’s degree)

Accounting Studies

Asian Studies

Associate of Arts

Associate of Science

Behaviour Intervention

Business

Business Law

Child and Youth Care (includes bachelor’s degree)

Classroom and Community Support

Commerce and Business

Administration

Community Mental Health Work

Criminal Justice Studies

Criminology (includes bachelor’s degree)

Disability and Applied Behaviour

Analysis

Early Childhood Education

Earth & Environmental Sciences

Economics

Education Assistance and Inclusion

Engineering and Fabrication

Technologies

WHAT YOU LOVE. BE GOOD ATIT.

Engineering Foundations

Environmental Science

Environmental Studies

Finance

Financial Services (includes bachelor’s degree)

Future Professional Pilots

Future Teachers

General Studies

Geological Resources

Global Banking and Economics

Health Care Assisting

Health Information Management

Hearing Instrument Practitioner

Hospitality Management

Hospitality Marketing

Hospitality Services Management

International Supply Chain Management

Legal Studies

Management (includes bachelor’s degree)

Marketing (includes bachelor’s degree)

Modern Languages

Music

Music Technology

Music Therapy Studies, Foundation

Musicianship, Basic Nursing (Academic Foundations and bachelor’s degree)

Opticianry

Physical and Health Education

Physical Education and Coaching (bachelor’s degree)

Professional Communication

Proficiency in Academic College

English

Psychiatric Nursing (Academic Foundations and bachelor’s degree)

Psychology (includes bachelor’s degree)

Sales

Social Work (bachelor’s degree)

Sport Science

Stagecraft and Event Technology

Teaching English as a Second Language

Theatre

Therapeutic Recreation (includes bachelor’s degree)

Veterinary Technology

Youth Justice

ABIOTIC ART: Visitors check out Labofactory’s Sky installation during the opening of the new aBIOTIC exhibition at New Media Gallery

The exhibition is underway until April 23 at the gallery, located in Anvil Centre Photographer Jennifer Gauthier was on hand for the exhibition opening and artist talks Saturday, Feb 4 Check out more of what she saw, plus some information about the show, on page 14

New West schools are full up for 2023/24

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

It’s official: All of the NewWestminster school district’s elementary and

middle schools are full for 2023/24

After registration for the new school year closed Jan 27, School District 40 reviewed its school capac-

ity status for September. The result? Eleven of the district’s 12 schools are full, the only exception being NewWestminster Secondary School And three

of those schools École Qayqayt, Lord Kelvin and Queen Elizabeth elementary schools may still need lotteries to determine who gets in and who gets

placed elsewhere.

SD40 says it will have updates on the lotteries by tomorrow (Friday, Feb 10) The Record will keep an eye on the issue and

provide updates online at www newwestrecord ca

For the rest of the district’s schools, any students who registered

Continued on page 3

Up Front

New elementary school delayed before it starts

School district had hoped for concept plan approval by March but

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

NewWestminster’s much-needed new Fraser River elementary school is already delayed, and it’s not even out of the gate.

School District 40 is working on plans for a new 600-student elementary school on the site occupied by Fraser River Middle School, overlooking Simcoe Park

The new school, with a hoped-for completion by 2027, is planned to help the district cope with overcrowding at schools in the fast-growing city core where both École Qayqayt and Lord Kelvin elementary schools are so full that they may need lotteries for kindergarten enrolment this coming fall

SD40 has submitted a concept plan for approval to the B C Ministry of Education and had originally hoped to have word back by March.

But Dave Crowe, the district’s director of capital projects, says that’s now not going to happen.

“It’s looking now like it’s going to be pushed out

to possibly June, which will slow us down considerably on that project,”

Crowe reported at the school board’sTuesday night operations committee meeting.

Crowe said the ministry has reported that it’s currently “overwhelmed”

gets pushed,” Crowe said “Obviously, we do everything in our power to try to make up the time, but you can only do so much ”

Crowe said the district is being “very proactive” and getting as much work done as possible to move towards the next stage of the approval process, known as the project definition report

“We’re working on that so that as soon as we do get approval, we’ll be able to quickly submit our project definition report and hopefully expedite some of those approvals, but they are definitely taking longer than we had hoped.

with projects that it’s trying to get in front of the Treasury Board for approval.

Trustee Danielle Connelly asked what the delay could mean for the projected opening date of the new school.

“Obviously, the more we get pushed out, the longer everything else

“But we’re trying to be optimistic and working with them to see if there’s anything we can do to expedite that ”

SCRAMBLE FOR SPACE

If the new school goes ahead as planned, it will be built on district-owned land next to Fraser River Middle School on the Queens Avenue side, using Simcoe Park to provide greenspace for both

says it will be at least June

schools

The planned three-storey school would house students from kindergarten to Grade 5

The Ministry of Education gave the district the green light to work on a concept plan for the new school in March of 2022 but it has yet to approve the necessary money to build it

In the meantime, SD40 has been looking for ways

to fit students into its downtown-area schools, including converting community space at Qayqayt and Fraser River Middle School into classrooms

That conversion has pushed out two community organizations that previously occupied space in the schools: NewWest Family Place, which was operating out of Qayqayt; and the Purpose Society, which runs daycare cent-

res in both schools.

A total of 72 daycare spaces are being displaced to two other schools significantly away from the downtown core, F W Howay in Massey-Victory Heights and Lord Tweedsmuir in theWest End a move that has drawn criticism from parents who say it will make child care inaccessible to many families who live in the downtown area

Out-of-catchment school transfers open only to siblings

Continued from page 1

before the end of the regular registration period will be able to get in to their neighbourhood school

The capacity announcement doesn’t affect currently enrolled students or those transferring to middle school. All district students moving on from elementary school will still be accepted at their catchment middle school.

But if a family wants to transfer their child to a different school, they’re out of luck.

The application period for out-of-catchment transfers started this week

This year, though, the school capacity challenges mean no out-of-catchment applications will be accepted, except from students with siblings in that school.

As for out-of-district requests? No student from outside the NewWestminster school district can apply for a place in an SD40 school, except at NWSS

Families who move into the district between now and the start of the school year will still be able to register for their catchment school, and they’ll be placed in that school wherever possible

At this point, the district is only anticipating possible placement problems at the three most crowded schools: Qayqayt, Lord Kelvin and Queen Elizabeth.

In those cases, students will be offered a spot at the nearest available school within the district, as space permits.

Students who can’t be placed at their catchment school will be placed on a waitlist and offered a chance to move if a space does become available at that school

The space crunch in NewWestminster schools

has become acute over the past couple of years, as the city’s population rises rapidly and the district has maxxed out its capacity to add expansions or portables at most schools.

It’s awaiting funding approval for a new elementary school, proposed for the Fraser River Middle School site, that will alleviate some of the enrolment pressure at Qayqayt and Lord Kelvin. But that school won’t be ready before 2027 at best, and it’s already facing delays out of the gate (see story above).

In the meantime, the

district is making numerous moves to deal with the space crisis in its schools, including converting com-

munity spaces into classrooms and reviewing its programs of choice

now

We do everything in our power to make up the time, but you can only do so much.

SCHOOLSITE: Fraser River Middle School will share campus space with a new 600-student elementary school, if School District 40 can get approval and funding for the plan The new elementary school has a hoped-for completion date of 2027 PHOTO JULIE MACLELLAN

Full house: Portables crowd the Lord Kelvin Elementary School site Kelvin is one of three SD40 schools that may need a lottery for enrolment this fall PHOTO JULIE MACLELLAN

NEW ITEMS ACCEPTED FOR RECYCLING

You can now recycle even more items through the curbside collection program and at your local depot. Items accepted in the curbside program include:

ALUMNINUM foil, pie plates, and baking dishes; PLASTIC plant pots, cups, gift boxes, storage containers, straws, stir sticks, and utensils; and PAPER cups and plates, lunch bags, party décor, piñata, and gift bags. Visit recyclebc.ca/newitems for a full list

YOUTH SKATE (11 - 18 YEARS)

Moody Park Arena | Saturday, Feb. 11, 8:15 – 9:45 pm

Skate with friends and enjoy games, prizes, and music by Royal City Sound Youth DJs. Drop-in fee is $2 00 (includes skate rental). newwestyouth.ca/post/winter-youth-skate-dates

NOTICE RESPECTING ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW

Under sections 464(2) and 467 of the Local Government Act MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023 AT 6:00 PM Meeting held electronically and open to public attendance in Council Chamber, City Hall

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 8373, 2023 for 228 Seventh Street

In accordance with sections 464(2) and 467 of the Local Government Act, the Corporation of the City of New Westminster will not hold a public hearing on Zoning Amendment Bylaw No 8373, 2023. A Zoning Amendment Bylaw application has been received for 228 Seventh Street, which would change the property’s zoning to make it consistent with its current use This bylaw would rezone the property from Single Detached Residential Districts (RS-1) to Comprehensive Development District (228 Seventh Street) (CD-99). The CD-99 Zone would permit the principal use of the site as a substance treatment and recovery centre, as well as construction of a two-storey, detached accessory building that would help provide additional client intake and support spaces. The proposed accessory building uses (client intake, administration, laundry, washroom facilities, and food storage) would be considered accessory to the permitted principal use The CD-99 Zone would permit a floor space ratio of 0.26 for the detached accessory building and require two off-street parking spaces, which would be accommodated in a carport at the rear of the property

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?

From February 2 to 13, 2023, the proposed bylaw and related material are available for inspection at Legislative Services, City Hall 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday, and online at: newwestcity.ca/publicnotices

City Council will consider giving first, second and third readings to Bylaw No. 8373, 2023 at its meeting on February 13, 2023. The meeting will be open to public attendance and broadcast live on the City’s website. It can be viewed by going to newwestcityca/council and clicking on the Council meeting in the meeting calendar.

Jacque Killawee, City Clerk

CITYPAGE

THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS IN OUR CITY

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Saturday, February 11

10:00 am

Seedy Saturday: Seed Library

Launch

New Westminster Public Library, Main Branch

Monday, February 13 3:00 pm

Council Workshop

Council Chamber, City Hall and online

Monday, February 13 6:00 pm

Council Meeting

Council Chamber, City Hall and online

Tuesday, February 14

7:00 pm

Queensborough Residents Association Meeting

Queensborough Community Centre

January – March

Outside/In

Hyack Square and Anvil Theatre newwestcity.ca/outside-in

BROWSE SPRING BREAK PROGRAMS

Find day camps, lessons, drop-in programs, and more in the Parks and Recreation Spring Break Brochure! Browse online or pick one up at a Recreation facility There is something for everyone, of all ages, and opportunities to try something new! Registration opens for New Westminster residents on Feb 9 at 8:30 am, and on Feb. 10 for everyone. newwestcity.ca/register

PRO-D DAY - CREATIVE TOY MAKING

Centennial Community Centre | Tuesday, Feb 21

Paint and design a toy car, then create your very own sock animal stuffy! Use a variety of materials to make some truly unique finished products. The creative process will be prompted by a story reading of Phoebe Gilman's The Wonderful Pigs of Jillian Jiggs. Visit newwestcity.ca/register to register for one of the sessions below:

• 10:00 - 11:00 am (5 - 7 years) | ID# 165814 | fee: $15.00

• 12:00 - 2:00 pm (8 - 10 years) | ID# 165810 | fee: $30 00

NEW Q TO Q FERRY SCHEDULE FOR SPRING

A new schedule is now in effect for the Q to Q Ferry, as noted below. Visit newwestcity.ca/qtoqferry for more information.

WEEKDAYS

• Leaving Quayside at 7:00 am, then every 30 minutes until 7:30 pm

• Leaving Queensborough at 7:15 am, then every 30 minutes until 7:45 pm

SATURDAYS

• Leaving Quayside at 10:00 am, then every 30 minutes until 8:30 pm

• Leaving Queensborough at 10:15 am, then every 30 minutes until 8:45 pm

SUNDAYS & STATUTORY HOLIDAYS

• Leaving Quayside at 10:00 am, then every 30 minutes until 7:30 pm

• Leaving Queensborough at 10:15 am, then every 30 minutes until 7:45 pm

Police department dials back budget request for 2023

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

The NewWestminster Police Department is seeking a 6 51 per cent increase in its 2023 budget less than what it had previously proposed.

In November, the police department had outlined its 2023 request for $29.26 million, which was a $3.1-million increase from its 2022 budget The increase presented at that time included funds for negotiated salary increases for police officers and civilian staff ($1 25 million), downloaded costs from E-Comm and the Justice Institute of B.C., and new spending of about $960,000, including $655,000 related to backfilling of positions when employees are on leave.

The NWPD is now proposing a $27 85 million budget, which is an increase of $1 7 million from last year or 6.51 per cent.

A Jan 30 memo about 2023 service enhancements said NWPD salaries and benefits are expected to have a net increase of $1 7 million Those increases include an adjustment due to prior year contracts finalizing higher than budgeted, an expected salary increase of three per cent for 2023, and changes to benefit programs, including parental leave and extended health

NWPD Chief Const Dave Jansen said he’s been working with the city’s finance director, HarjiVarn, and chief administrative officer Lisa Spitale to find

ways to address the backfill strategy, specifically ways of filling positions when staff are off on maternity or paternity leave.

“We recognize that the budgetary goals of the city, everyone was going to have to do some cuts and make some alterations, and I heard that very clearly,” he said. “And so we’re going to work on other areas that related to the original request with city finance, just to look at different areas that we might be able to defer Now that we’re already a couple months into the year, the cost may not be as much ”

When asked how many additional “boots on the

ground” the city would see as a result of the budget increase, Jansen said the budget wouldn’t result in the hiring of additional officers to the current staffing allotment

“This is just backfilling No new resources,” he said. “This just allows us to continue what we’re doing so I don’t have to cut service ”

Jansen noted the budget does include funds to hire civilian staff to do some of the non-emergency calls that have been handled by E-Comm.

A budget memo to council said the police department is facing increasing financial pressures due

to cost downloads from other agencies

These cost downloads are budgeted at $901,000 in 2023, including:

$365,000 in support for E-Comm and non-emergency phone lines;

$22,000 per new recruit in police training costs;

$213,000 in costs for integrated teams; and

a reduction of $125,000 in traffic fine revenue

At a city budget workshop Jan 30, Coun Nadine Nakagawa expressed ongoing concerns about the way city councils are expected to deal with budgets from municipal police departments She said police boards put forward budgets to city council, and council members don’t have a lot of say in what that final budget number is

“I think, as a city councillor, that we need more transparency, because we are accountable for these numbers,” she said. “And I will continue to say this, that I just do not think that this process works I think that it needs to be fixed ”

Nakagawa said the province needs to take action to address the budget process between municipalities and police boards

Coun. Jaimie McEvoy said he’d like further information about what E-Comm expects to achieve with the increases it’s receiving from B.C. communities

“And I’ll be frank, are they asking enough? Because E-Comm has had significant challenges in the last couple of years We need a functional E-Comm,” he said

Dave Jansen NWPD chief

MY VIEW KEITH BALDREY

Liberals float competing plan to tackle drug crisis

The complex and often entwined issues of mental health and drug addiction dominated the provincial political scene in recent days, and, unfortunately, there is every reason to think they will continue to do so.

The latest annual report by B.C.’s chief coroner on toxic drug deaths started things off in a grim way early last week Lisa Lapointe reported that, last year, 2,272 people lost their lives from using toxic drugs, a number just slightly below the previ-

ous year’s total

The report coincided with the start of a three-year pilot project that will decriminalize the possession of small amounts (2 5 grams) of illicit drugs Police will not confiscate small amounts, and no action will be taken against any possessor of those drugs.

The B.C. government had been pushing for an exemption from the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and Health Canada granted it last May It came into effect last week

Carolyn Bennett and JenniferWhiteside, the respective federal and provincial mental health and addictions ministers, heralded the move as “a monumental shift in drug policy” that will help end the stigmatization attached to drug use that in some cases prevents people from getting life-saving help.

The BC Liberals made a related announcement of their own a couple of days later

The party laid out a major policy plan to tackle the issues of both mental

health and drug addictions

And, for now at least, it differs significantly from what is currently being tried

The BC Liberal plan focuses on recovery rather than prevention and moves away from the de-institutionalization model that has been embraced by various governments (including the previous BC Liberal governments) for decades

The party pledges to build at least four complexcare regional facilities and five regional recovery centres over three years The price

tag would be $1 5 billion, which includes more than $500 million for capital construction and about $1 billion for treatment and recovery

BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon says he is not a fan of decriminalization or a free safe drug supply.

The most controversial part of the plan would allow the use of involuntary care on a limited basis, meaning some people could be confined against their will

Premier David Eby floated such an idea in last

year’s BC NDP leadership race but has gone quiet on that particular issue since becoming premier

You can be sure that Falcon will push Eby for clarity on this issue in this spring’s legislature session

No political party can claim to have the key solution to ending this crisis. But the concept of involuntary confinement of people who pose a danger to others as well as themselves will be a big part of that debate

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC

If you hate train noise, why live near the tracks?

Editor: I live near the tracks; in fact, I’m fairly surrounded by them The noise from the trains does not bother me in the least.

The trains sound their horns as a warning, and, yes, there are cars on the road in the wee small hours. Would people prefer loss of life so that their slumber can be uninterrupted?

The trains have been here for a long, long time. If you don’t like the sounds associated with the rail lines, why choose to live near them?

Kathleen Lawrence

Shunting and slamming rattles Quayside condos

Editor: We bought a condo on Quayside Drive in 2018. At that time, whistle cessation was achieved at the Quayside crossing from the train bridge to the main railyards on the north side of Quayside Drive, and also at the level crossing at Begbie and Quayside This apparently took a massive amount of work and time to achieve.

The railyards where trains from several companies shunt and assemble and disassemble trains are right behind our building This is

a whole other noise issue but is worth some attention

The railyard tracks run all along the backs of the towers on the north side of Quayside The shunting and slamming happens at a variety of hours, including late at night. I actually don’t mind it I’ve got used to the noise And it is very loud

The only really disconcerting thing is that every time train cars are slammed together on the tracks closest to us, our building rattles and shakes like a small earthquake I’m assuming the architects and builders allowed for that kind of seismic activity when they designed our towers and I don’t see any cracks anywhere, so my fingers are optimistically crossed.

Winona Kent

Train noise shakes us from our sleep

Editor: We have been living in the Sapperton neighbourhood for 20 years, and the train whistle and “noise” is part of our life

Every whistle has its personality and a story: the angry, loud obnoxious one at 3 a m ; the one that seems to last forever and gets on your nerves; or even the one that surprisingly stops without warning, making us wonder “Why the sudden stop?”

They don’t bother us so much in the winter because the windows are closed But spring emerges and it is a complete different story. The open windows feel Iike an invitation to the train to pass straight into our bed, shaking us from our sleep, as if we were sleeping on the tracks: beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeppppppppppppp beeeeeeeeeeeeeep beep beep be p

It’s 3 a m Really? Was that necessary?

And so goes another spring and summer full of resentment and questioning around: What is the point of this train making so much noise? Isn’t there a more modern way to deal with this? A more quiet way? A silent way?

Guilly Milburn

Trains are inconsistent

Editor: I’ve lived near Richmond and Columbia for 18 years and don’t mind the noise from the trains. I understand the train whistle for a crossing is two medium-length whistles, one short, then one long

Why is it that some trains do this quite quickly, while other trains extend these four whistles all the way along Columbia to Braid giving Royal Columbian Hospital extra-long noise And some trains cruise by without whistling at all. Shouldn’t it be consistent?

Barb Lindsey

THE NEW WESTMINSTER RECORD WELCOMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We edit for taste, legality and length Please include a contact phone number

Social media said

Cody EdwardJames, via Facebook

…

We should implement the same systems that allow other jurisdictions to reduce the amount of noise on their urban rail systems.

For example, just down the tracks in downtown by the Quay, there has already been changes made to the safety systems that reduce the amount of whistling

The main reason it’s not happening in Sapperton is some political back and forth about whose jurisdiction the tracks are over here

This isn’t a situation of something that can’t be done

I’ve lived and worked in urban industrial areas with train tracks for nearly my whole life, and never have I heard so many whistles

Why? Because many other cities have figured this out already, and the rail companies don’t steamroll their wishes as they do here

Jayson Vonfreizer, via Facebook

Honestly, the trains were there first, they moved there knowing this. To complain after the fact is asinine

Want to see what your neighbours are saying?

You can follow our daily coverage of local stories on Facebook, @NewWestRecord

Arts & Entertainment

When drag meets choral music, fun abounds

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

The falsettos are high, and the heels are even higher

That’s how theVancouver Men’s Chorus is billing its annual Singing Can Be a Drag show, which is coming to NewWestminster for a just-before-Valentine’s-Day concert this weekend.

You can catch the chorus onstage for its annual drag extravaganza at the AnvilTheatre on Saturday, Feb 11 at 8 p m

tween). HumphreyTam, a chorister and board member, promises the show is bigger than ever

“The queens are really amping it up this year,” he said “The comedies are funnier; the ballads are sadder Everything is just amped up.The show is definitely becoming bigger ”

Onstage

What:

When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p m

Where: Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia St.

Tickets: $40 regular, or $75 patron seating. buy through wwwticketsnw ca.

Just don’t expect your average choral concert or your average drag show, for that matter This is a full-on musical production that merges the two, as chorus members step into the spotlight for their own drag numbers, sung live and larger than life.

It’s the third year for the show at the Anvil Centre, after its debut in 2020 and a followup last year (with a COVID hiatus in be-

Even Hedda Nipplegate’s wigs are growing more voluminous as the popular “mama hen” of drag returns to host the show

The queens took Singing Can Be a Drag to the stage for two shows at the Cultch this past weekend, and they’re looking forward to the final outing this coming Saturday

“Traditionally NewWest has always been one of the loudest crowds,”Tam said with a laugh “We cannot wait ”

The show includes some popular returning

performers: the comedic Aussie, NewWestminster’s own Elaine da Nundah; country crooner Bettey Cocker; Broadway beltress Francesca Hunty Parks; and pop princess Aya Keane, among others Audiences will also have a chance to enjoy WanTing Moi, the chorus member who used her experience with the drag show to launch a part-time career as a drag performer

“She’s a dancing queen, but with a powerhouse vocal,”Tam said He’s also stoked for audiences to check out a couple of newcomers who “hit it out of the park” in their debut year: Akanisha, with a Selena tribute medley, and Dianne van Damme, tapping into the darkness with an Evanescence number

The show will also be peppered with group

numbers, including a Spice Girls medley.There will even be some Disney sets butTam warns they won’t be the G-rated kind of Disney.

“You probably want to have a couple of drinks before you chill and sit down You want to be ready for these ones,” he said with a laugh.

Audience members should take note that the show is aimed at an adult

audience and one that doesn’t mind when things get more than a little risqué

But if you’re prepared to laugh, cry and experience some full-on entertainment?The queens have your back.

“We’re very, very excited to showcase a great variety of talent this year,”Tam said “We really could not be more excited about the NewWest show.”

SINGINGCANBEADRAG: Hedda Nipplegate (left) hosts the Vancouver Men’s Chorus’s annual drag extravaganza, set for Saturday night at the Anvil Theatre. She’s seen above with Gae Ping Hoe. PHOTO MOONRIDER PRODUCTIONS

Family Day Weekend

FEBRUARY 18 - 20, 2023

Piece together an adventure with your family!

Suggested activities will provide opportunities for families to create, discover, get active, and try something new! There is something for families of all shapes and sizes, and everything is free!

Schedule Highlights:

• Family Day Frozen Adventure with Anna and Elsa

• Outside/In Street Social and Concert

• Art and Gardening

• Science, Storytelling, and Technology

• Dance, Sport, and Fitness

• Skating, Trampoline, and Gymnastics

Registration is required for some activities. For more information:

newwestcity.ca/familyday

Community New West library launches seed library this weekend

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

NewWest residents will soon be able to “check out” flower, vegetable and herb seeds from the New Westminster Public Library.

Starting Feb 11, the library will be joining the ranks of several libraries across Canada that have started a seed library

“We hope people will take some seeds, grow a garden however and wherever they are, then bring some of the seeds they produce back to us for sharing,” says Caitlin MacRae, a librarian and coordinator of the seed library.

“Saving seeds is actually fun, free and a great way to expand your knowledge of gardening while being a part of a larger community effort to go green ”

Users will have free access to a variety of seed types including vegetables, flowers and herbs

The idea of a seed library is not new for libraries, but it’s a new en-

deavour for the New Westminster Public Library

Christopher Koth, the library’s manager of community programs and services, said the library lends out books about gardening, but, after being approached by community members, it realized there was an opportunity to support city-wide efforts around climate action and food security

The library’s 2021 to 2025 strategic plan emphasizes the City of New Westminster’s Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action as a priority.

“They (seed libraries) very neatly encapsulate a lot of great things that libraries represent the importance of community, de-commercialization and free resources for all, and education,” MacRae told the Record in 2022, when announcing a seed library would be set up in New West “They also meet many community priorities like climate action, food security and commu-

nity connection.”

KICKOFF CELEBRATION

Starting this Saturday (Feb 11), gardeners can go to the main branch of the library at 716 Sixth Ave , fill out a short registration form, and then take home seeds

A small number of gar-

dening tools and planting templates are also available for loan, whether folks are planting a small container on a balcony or starting their own garden in a backyard.

Details about the collection are available at www nwpl ca/seeds

To kick off the service,

the NewWestminster Public Library has partnered with FarmFolk CityFolk and Gardens4Kids to offer an all-ages celebratory Seedy Saturday event.

Taking place on Feb. 11 from 10 a m to 2 p m , it will feature a range of programming including a number of gardening

talks, storytime and children’s activities.There will also be an ask-a-gardener booth, a garden gear swap and an introduction to the seed library.

To find out more, contact the library at 604-5274660, email askus@nwpl ca or check out the website at www.nwpl.ca/seeds.

is thePerfect Time for Seniors to Rent

With B.C. real estate prices continually changing, it’s a good time to get ahead of the curve and sell. In fact, renting may be the best choice for your stage of life. Here are six signs it’s time to think about renting in an independent seniors’ community

1. Your home maintenance is tougher than it used to be.

2 You wish you had more time to spend with family and friends

3. It’s harder to get around than it used to be.

4. You’re spending more and more time alone

5. You don’t feel as safe on your own.

6. You wish you had more cash on hand.

Learn

Growing community: Caitlin MacRae, librarian, and Chris Koth, the NWPL’s manager of programs and community development, are getting set for the launch of the New Westminster Public Library’s seed library PHOTO COURTESY NWPL

Fun and free activities to enjoy Family Day weekend in New West

Experience multiple events, and mix and match activities to produce a local adventure for you and your family to create, discover and get active.

Here is just a sneak peek of some weekend highlights to expect:

Get creative

Join Anna and Elsa in storytelling, song, and a craft.

Photo via: City of New Westminster

Spending quality time together is at the heart of why the B.C. Family Day holiday was conceived in 2013. For working parents, it offers a well-deserved mid-winter break and provides a fun opportunity to enjoy the long weekend with family and loved ones.

The City of New Westminster has planned a variety of inclusive activities for Saturday, February 18, Sunday, February 19 and Monday, February 20, with family fun to suit every member Participate in arts, technology, crafts, Indigenous storytelling, dance, games, sports, exploration, and more. It’s the perfect occasion to discover something new and try something unique and exciting while celebrating family togetherness.

Previous years have proven these wide-ranging activities to be overwhelmingly popular, so be sure to sign up early:

registration opens February 2 for residents and February 3 for non-residents, with some activities being by drop-in.

Create, learn, grow and get active as a family Photo via: City of New Westminster

Get immersed in a Frozen Adventure along with princesses Anna and Elsa from Frozen. Sing songs, listen to stories, take photographs, and engage in a winter-themed craft at Century House, Douglas Fir Room, February 18, 2:30 – 3:25 p.m. and 3:30 – 4:25 p.m.

Free: Registration required. Exercise your green thumbs with Families Growing Together, where nature crafts and planting activities are nurtured at Queen’s Park Greenhouse, February 19, 11:00 a.m. –3:00 p.m.

During Family Art (2+ years) Parent

Participation on February 20 at Centennial Community Centre, you’ll create family-themed crafts, explore the preschool room stations, and enjoy a healthy snack.

9:30 – 10:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Free: Registration required.

Learn and explore

Celebrate the arts and culture of six regions of Canada with Outside/In; A Celebration of Canada, featuring the East Coast, February 18. Enjoy an outdoor street festival (Hyack Square) featuring local artisans and musicians, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., and an indoor performance featuring Morgan Toney (Anvil Theatre), 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Join S^yowah, founder of Buffalo Heart Medicine Healing Society, on February 20, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., for Buffalo Circle at Anvil Centre to celebrate the importance of our relationships through indigenous storytelling and interactive activities. Play traditional games and craft your own corn husk doll.

Free: Registration required.

Experience Family Fun On The Fraser and investigate the critters and biodiversity in the Fraser River estuary at Fraser River Discovery Centre, February 20, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Unleash your cowboy/cowgirl moves at Family Day Line Dancing (6+ years), with easy-to-follow and fun choreography at Centennial Community Centre, February 20, 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Free: Registration required.

Get active

Try the newest low-impact sports craze with Pickleball (16+ years). Drop in at Queensborough Community Centre for a hybrid of badminton, tennis and table tennis for all levels. Bring paddles and a perforated ball, February 19, 5:45 – 7:30 p.m.

Tap into your inner Simone Biles and participate in Family Gymnastics (all ages) at Queen’s Park Sportsplex on February 20. Enjoy tumbling, jumping, and learning while you practice your balance, flexibility, and agility 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Lace-up and take to the ice during Family Public Skating (all ages) at Moody Park Arena, February 20, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. No hockey sticks or figure skating; free skate rentals are available. For a full list of activities and to register, visit newwestcity.ca/family-day-2023.

The City of New Westminster offers programs and services that are truly worthwhile and make life better for others. It strives to provide creative, innovative services and programs through a well-maintained network of community facilities, parks, and open spaces.

Family Day Weekend

FEBRUARY 18 - 20, 2023

Piece together an adventure with your family!

Suggested activities will provide exciting opportunities for families to get creative, learn, explore, and be active!

The City of New Westminster will be hosting events for families to get creative, active, learn & explore

WEEKEND

Please send your information for inclusion to editorial@newwestrecord.ca

Please send your inclusion editorial@newwestrecord.ca

THURSDAY, FEB. 9 TO SUNDAY, FEB. 12

POP-UP ART GALLERY

A new pop-up gallery art show, I Love Art, featuring local artists, launches today (Thursday, Feb. 9) at the new I Heart NW community space in Columbia Square at 78 10th St , Unit 103 in NewWestminster in partnership with the Arts Council of NewWestminster The pop-up gallery will be open to the public from Feb 9 to 12 from 11 a m to 5 p m , with an opening reception tonight between 5 and 8 p m In the coming months, I Heart NW will offer a space for events and community engagement and a hub for cultural events where community members can learn about and explore local art at a rotating art gallery

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 9 to Sunday, Feb. 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m Opening reception tonight (Feb. 9) 5 to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Unit 103, Columbia Square (78 10th St.)

INFO: See www.acnw.ca/news

MORE: See the events calendar at www. nwpl.ca.

SATURDAY, FEB. 11

SINGING CAN BE A DRAG

FRIDAY, FEB. 10

SWING DANCE

Join 10-piece live band,Westside Swing Band, for a night of live music and swing dance with old and new friends at Sapperton Community Hall (318 Keary St ) from 7:30 to 10:30 p m Cost of admission is $20 includes free swing dance lesson Expect Big Band-era jazz standards, jump blues classics and rockabilly favourites

MORE: See www.westsideswingband.ca

SATURDAY, FEB. 11

SEEDY SATURDAY

For the parents out there, drop in at the NewWestminster Public Library’s main branch (716 Sixth Ave ) for the launch of Seedy Saturday from 10 a m to 2 p m , featuring fun-filled activities for families: mini-lectures, seed sharing, kids’ activities, garden gear swap, ask-a-gardener, food trucks and more Also, remember to check out the new seed library

Jazz at theAnvil

PRESENTED BY

Members of theVancouver Men’s Chorus don their finest frocks to bring an energetic singing drag extravaganza to the AnvilTheatre (777 Columbia St ) on Feb 11 from 8 p m Expect an evening of bombastic show tunes, heartfelt ballads and high-energy pop anthems with this popular drag show (See story on page 9 )Tickets $40 general, or $75 for patrons

MORE: See www.ticketsnw.ca.

SUNDAY, FEB. 12

RAINBOW CHORUS

What’s a better way to celebrate the season of love andValentine’s Day than a

concert of love songs from the movies?The Rainbow Chorus of NewWestminster will close its second season with a concert, Love Goes to the Movies. It will be hosted by NewWestminster’s lovable drag sweetheart,Whoopsie Daisy, and features special performances fromVancouver Orpheus Male Choir and pianist James Dekker The concert will be held at the Sanctuary on Sixth (207 Sixth St ) on Feb 12 from 7 p m onward General admission tickets are priced at $22.63 with special prices for students and seniors Tickets at the door will be $25

MORE: Buy tickets through Eventbrite; see www.tinyurl.com/ RainbowChorusFebruary. – compiled by Abhinaya Natesh

Got an event to share? Be sure to email us, editorial@newwestrecord ca

Schedule of Performances at the Anvil Theatre

September 27 A Night of Dave Brubeck

October 18 A Night of Ella Fitzgerald

November 29 A Night of Oscar Peterson

December 6 A Jazz Christmas

January 24 A Night in Rio

February 14 A Night in Havana

March 21 A Night in New Orleans Tickets available online at www.pivarestaurant.ca/piva-presents

Photo: contributed Paul Newton, Tony Durke, Paul Gravette, Angela James, Judy Villett, Victoria Mitchell, Victoria Klassen and Jim Walsh celebrate the opening of their pop-up art show in 2022 The same gang (minus Tony Durke) is back with a pop-up gallery exhibit, I Love Art, at a new community space in Columbia Square this week

Arts & Entertainment

BEFORE LIFE BEGAN:

Above:

Artist Verena Friedrich, left, and viewers react as the soap bubble in her piece, The Long Now, bursts during the opening reception for the new aBIOTIC exhibition at the New Media Gallery, held Saturday at Anvil Centre

At right, visitors take in Finnbogi Pétursson’s Infra/ Supra PHOTOS

JENNIFER GAUTHIER

UBC Faculty of Dentistry

CheckoutaBIOTIC

The new exhibition aBIOTIC opened at New Media Gallery Saturday and continues to April 23

New Media Gallery is on the third floor at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia

St It’s open 10 a m to 5 p.m.Wednesdays through Sundays, with evening openings till 8 p m on Thursdays

Find the details at www.newmediagallery.ca.

(Full orthodontic treatment cost: $4,200)

For information, visit www dentistry

ARTISTS’INSIGHTS: Artists Laurent Karst (top) and Filippo Fabbri of the French artist collective Labofactory were on hand to give artist talks at the opening reception for the new aBIOTIC exhibition at New Media Gallery Saturday Above, visitors check out Labofactory’s kinetic sculptural installation, Sky. PHOTOS JENNIFER GAUTHIER

People

Former spy was a ‘beacon of happiness and kindness’

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

Eileen Glavin may once have worked as a spy during the SecondWorldWar, but it was in her day-today life in the decades that followed where she made her greatest impact

Eileen, a longtime New Westminster resident, died Jan 29 at the age of 101

Tony Glavin, one of Eileen’s four sons, said his mother made a huge impact on many of the people she encountered

“She seemed to kind of lighten up their day and had a way of bringing happiness into their lives,” he said “I’ve been so grateful to hear the comments from people who were friends of mine, or neighbours of mine, that just thoroughly enjoyed her company and bumping into her in the community

So that’s her legacy, for sure I just think she really was this beacon of happiness and kindness that was quite infectious.”

Born in Barking, Essex, England on June 16, 1921, Eileen moved to Canada in 1957, settling in Burnaby and raising her sons.

Tony recalled times when some of his teenage friends needed a place to stay, and would live with his family for awhile.

“They just revere my mother as this great caregiver and adult who gave them the time of day and was really kind to them,” he said “And, you know, we feel that way as her children, obviously, too”

WhenTony was about 10, Eileen became a nanny to Rabbi and Shandi

Feuerstein’s eight children She worked with the family for 19 years, only retiring at the age of 79 when

the family returned to their home in New Jersey

Eileen moved to New Westminster in 1999, first staying withTony and his family before moving into her own apartment in the Queen’s Park neighbourhood, living there until she was 98. She spent her final years at the Kiwanis Care Centre, where she enjoyed activities like trivia and spelling.

“She really loved it,” Tony said “They’re really fine people who made her life very enjoyable and fun.”

Up until January, Eileen hadn’t been ill, but her condition deteriorated after she had a fall

“She was in a lot of pain. She said, ‘I think the time’s up now; I really do,’”Tony said “And so we had this period over the last week where I kind of let everybody know that

it looked like she was into her last days, and they should really come and see her, and everyone did ”

THE SPYYEARS

Before moving to Canada, Eileen served in the Royal Air Force as one of the “Bletchley Girls” who helped intercept enemy codes at listening stations in England, as in the 2015 film The Imitation Game.

Eileen “the spy” became a bit of a local celebrity following the release of the movie. In addition to sharing her story with the media, she also spoke at some “human library” events hosted by the city

Tony said his mom enjoyed those experiences and seemed to be able to separate out the tougher times, such as the wartime deaths of her brother and her pilot boyfriend, from

the positive experiences.

“I think her attitude was one of: I might as well be happy, because why not?” he said

PAYING RESPECTS

A funeral service is taking place on Friday, Feb 10 at noon at St Peter’s Catholic Church, 330 Royal Ave., with a recep-

tion to follow at Centennial Lodge in Queen’s Park

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people consider making a donation to Kiwanis Care Centre recreation programs in Eileen’s name, or to a bursary established in her name at Royal Roads University.

Life well lived: Eileen Glavin, seen here in a photo from 2015, died Jan 29 at the age of 101 PHOTO LARRY WRIGHT, RECORD FILES

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DUNN, Mary Alice (MAYLI)

The Dunn Family is heart broken to advise of the peaceful pass ng of our Family Matriarch, Mary Alice (MAYLI) Dunn, at the age of 90 Mayli was ra sed in East Vancouver and had a happy childhood with her parents Ralph McAlpine, Mary Alice (MeMe) her mother, and V olet (V ) her stepmother, a l of whom predeceased her

The academic achievements of Mayli at Templeton High School were notable culminating in her and 5 girlfr ends skipping Grade 12, and, Mayli graduated on the Honor Ro l She then enrolled at UBC and oined the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority whereupon she met the ove of her l fe, Alfred (A f) Dunn of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Mayl and Alf marr ed and had 5 ch ldren (Brent, Patti, Scott, Mark, and Cheryl), and, the family settled in New Westminster

Alfred joined the Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) n the mid 1960s, as did May i in the Jaycettes, an aux l ary organization That management and leadership training exper ence helped them both n their careers The family moved from New Westminster to Kitimat so that Alfred cou d commence work at A can as a Corporate Trainer, and, May i started a ong career with the Bank of Montreal

The family then moved from K timat to Coquit am as Alfred continued his career at Weldwood, and, Mayli transferred with BMO, eventually rising to the position of Bank Manager In that capacity, she worked throughout the Lower Mainland and was respected by her co leagues As occurred in K timat, Mayli and Alf became involved with minor acrosse in Coquitlam and enjoyed many friendships

After the loss of her loving husband, Mayli kept working at BMO until her retirement, and, she lived a quiet life reading, trave ling to Australia, and attending family celebrations In her later years, Mayli was slowed down by two strokes but her humour, car ng manner, and love for all endured Mayli is survived by 4 of her 5 chi dren: Brent (Joanne), Patti , Scott (Maddalena) and Mark (Karolyn), son-in law: (Terry), 6 grandchildren: (Chantelle, Tristin, Ashlea, Car y, Blake and Anna), 3 great grandchildren: (Peter, Louis and Benjamin), many re atives, and, so many fr ends, all of whom miss her dearly Alfred passed away in November 1978 and Cheryl, the youngest, passed away in Apri 2003

A Memoria Serv ce wi l be held in the spring of 2023 when immediate family are able to gather together A notification wi l be sent n advance so that those who loved her can attend

WRIGLEY, Dorothy Edith (nee FELL)

June 25, 1925 - January 30, 2023

Dorothy passed away peacefully on January 30th surrounded by family n her Burnaby home, Fe lrigg Fe lrigg, named for Dorothy, was bui t by her and her husband Don Wrgley in 1964 after they emigrated from Liverpool, England in 1957 with their two ch ldren, Lynda and Clive, who all survive her, as well as her granddaughter, Saralyn

Dorothy survived WWII and the bombing of her home in Liverpool in 1940 During her ear y years in Liverpool, Dorothy was active n amateur dramatics and her church community, where she met Don while singing in the church choir Don and Dorothy were married in Liverpool in 1948 - they would have celebrated their 75th wedding ann versary on Ju y 10th Don and Dorothy shared a life of adventure and commun ty involvement, with many travels to the far corners of the world

Dorothy was proud to be the Secretary to the mayors of Burnaby for over 20 years Throughout her life n Burnaby, Dorothy was nvo ved in many c vic projects nclud ng organizing the royal visit from Princess Diana and King Charles, and establish ng sister cities for Burnaby w th Kushiro, Japan and Loughborough, UK Dorothy was awarded numerous honours from the City of Burnaby, the Burnaby H storical Society, the Governor General, the Rotary Club and the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society, nclud ng the spirit of PAD’s award Don and Dorothy spearheaded the rehabilitation of the Burnaby Village Carousel, and there s a cardiac ward at Royal Columbian Hosp tal named in Dorothy’s honour

Dorothy would have ce ebrated her 98th b rthday in June of this year

Her Funera Serv ce will be held at Deer Lake United Church, 5135 Sper ing Avenue, Burnaby, on Saturday, February 18th at 2:00pm

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Units may be v ewed and bids to be subm tted on TUESDAY

February 14, 2023 at 5917 Thorne Avenue, Burnaby, BC between 10:00am to 3:00 pm A l wr tten b ds to Mundie’s Tow ng 5917 Thorne Ave Burnaby BC V3N 2T8

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