Community Plant sale: ‘You never know what treasures you’ll find’

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

Hundreds of plants will be for sale at the New Westminster Horticultural Society’s upcoming sale

The society’s spring plant sale is on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until the plants sell out). It’s at St.Thomas More Collegiate, 7450 12th Ave., just across the border in Burnaby.

“Visiting the NWHS plant sale is something like visiting a thrift store.You never know what treasures you’ll find,” said Audrey Barnes, a longtime mem- ber of the society. “You must grab it when you see it or it will be gone.Whatever you find, you can be sure that it will be a good deal.”

Gardeners will find a

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“Traditionally, we have lots of perennials at the plant sale, as it is healthy for a perennial to be divided,” Barnes explained. “Divisions by members from plants they have nurtured in their own gardens is what we sell.”

Vegetables grown by members have also been gaining prominence, Barnes said.

“This includes a wide variety of tomatoes, including heirloom, zukes and cukes, squashes and salad greens,” she said. “We will also have annuals and fruit-bearing bushes (i.e. raspberries).”

But gardeners will have to attend the sale to see exactly what’s available at this year’s sale.

“Until sale day, we have no idea of how many plants or exactly what we will have for sale,” Barnes said. “Last year we had over 1,800 plants.”

For more information about the NewWestminster Horticultural Society, visit www.newwesthort society.org

Saturday, May 6 BEER RUN

Local brewery Steel & Oak is calling people to join its first-ever run this weekend. While runners can warm up for the five-kilometre jog around Queen’s Park (two loops) at 11 a.m., those who plan to stand by and cheer can plan to do so along the Sixth Avenue hill stretch. Runners, the cheering squad and any others who would like a beer, Mexican street food (by Lucha Libre Taqueria) and coffee by Little Miss Coffee Co. can show up at the beer garden, open at Queen’s Park between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Queen’s Park

INFO: www.instagram.com/steelandoak/

Plant Sale Fundraiser

If you are on a plant-buying spree, head to this sale and help a parrot all while sprucing up your garden. A New

West resident is organizing a plant sale to raise funds for Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary. Funds from the sale go towards providing food and shelter for 120 macaws, finches and cockatoos, among others that are housed at the bird sanctuary waiting for their forever homes.

WHEN: 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

WHERE: 1522 London St.

INFO: www.instagram.com/greyhaven birds/

Sunday, May 7 SONNETS FOR THE SOUL

Watch a poem come to life right in front you at this event. New West’s poet laureate Elliott Slinn will be at the children’s bookstore Kinder Books on Sunday afternoon, dishing out poems on his typewriter for anyone who likes the idea of custom verses about themselves or their dear ones. If you are at the store between 1 and 3 p.m., you get to walk out with a freshly-typed poem in hand. The poet will accept

Saturday, May 6

Jazz Music

Here’s a concert that brings the sound of dan bau, a Vietnamese one-string zither; the erhu, a Chinese fiddle; the quena, an Andean flute; and the jazz guitar onto one stage. This striking mashup is all thanks to composer and multi-instrumentalist Huu Bac Quach who decided to blend his Vietnamese and Chinese heritages with jazz music, and form a quintet with prominent musicians in the Montreal jazz scene The band will serve up music that’s influenced by Asian, North and South American cultures.

WHEN: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia St INFO: Tickets are $35 to $45 plus service charges. Buy them through anvilcentre.com donations

WHEN: 1 to 3 p.m.

WHERE:Kinder Books, 810 Quayside Dr INFO: www.instagram.com/kinderbooks2/

Expressive Arts Therapy

New West Hospice Society is launching its first expressive art therapy session this weekend at Arrieta Art Studio. The free grief support event will provide a safe space for anyone to explore grief through expressive arts, which, as per the event description, is a “therapeutic practice” that integrates healing with creative expression. To register, send an email to programs@newwesthospice.ca.

WHEN: 1 to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Arrieta Art Studio, 707 Front St. INFO: www.instagram.com/newwesthospice

Compiled by Naveena Vijayan

ANNUAL FLAT RATE UTILITY BILLS DUE MAY 11, 2023

Annual flat rate utility bills are due May 11, 2023 Are you set up for online payments via your financial institution? Paying your bills online saves you time and hassle Call 604-527-4550 for assistance in setting up online payments.

SAVE PAPER BY SIGNING UP FOR E-BILLING! You can also create a MyCity account to sign up for e-billing and check your account records online at newwestcity.ca/mycity.

CITY-LED COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

COMMENT PERIOD: MAY 3 – MAY 24, 2023

REZONING APPLICATION FOR 1032 AND 1036 ST. ANDREWS STREET (REZ00193)

WHAT IS THE REZONING (REZ00193) ABOUT?

Rezoning and Development Permit applications have been received for 1032 and 1036 St Andrews Street A total of 12 side-by-side, ground-oriented infill townhouse units are proposed across two buildings, which are 2- to 3-storeys with an overall Floor Space Ratio (FSR) of 1.00 All of the proposed units would be familyfriendly, containing three bedrooms, and stratified. The development proposes 12 resident parking spaces, and one visitor space. Long-term bicycle storage would be provided for each unit, as well as four short-term bicycle spaces, per Zoning Bylaw requirements. The proposal would rezone the properties from Single Detached Residential Districts (RS-1) to a Comprehensive Development (CD) District based on the Infill Townhouse (RT) zone The applicant has updated the design based on feedback received during the applicant-led consultation, held between April 30 and May 21, 2022.

Images of the proposed development are available on Be Heard New West This is the last opportunity for public comment on the updated proposal prior to the application being forwarded to Council for consideration.

HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

Complete the comment form and find detailed project information on the project webpage at: www.beheardnewwest.ca/1032-st-andrews

If you are unable to access the webpage, please contact the Planning Division: Phone: 604-527-4532

Email: devfeedback@newwestcity.ca

Mail: Climate Action, Planning and Development Department - Planning, 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC, V3L 1H9

Send your comments by end of day on May 24, 2023

S.T.E.P. INTO EMPLOYMENT! APPLICATIONS CLOSE MAY 7

The New Westminster Scholarship Training Employment Program (S.T.E.P.) for Swim Instructors and Lifeguards is now accepting applications. Successful S.T.E.P candidates receive the required training for their future positions, all paid for by the City! newwestcity.ca/STEP

MAYOR’S ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

Join Mayor, Council, and the New Westminster community at Starlight Casino for lunch and the annual State of the City address on Wednesday, May 24, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. Mayor Patrick Johnstone will highlight the Council’s Strategic Plan and deep dive into how they landed at their strategic priorities, and what it means for the City and the community in the term ahead Tickets are $40 plus applicable fees and can be purchased at nwstateofthecity.eventbrite.ca

Red Dress Campaign In May

Red Dress Day on May 5 honours the memory and lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people across Canada and the US. The City will be recognizing this important movement throughout the month of May with displays, learning opportunities, and a community event. Join us and Spirit of the Children Society on Friday, 3:00 pm at Hyack Square Find out more at: newwestcity.ca/reddress

MAYORS’ FOOD BANK CHALLENGE

The City of New Westminster is proud to once again participate in the Mayors’ Food Bank Challenge! From May 1 - 31, the mayors of New Westminster, Burnaby, Vancouver, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver, are challenging their communities to help the Greater Vancouver Food Bank feed people in need

There are nearly 1,150 individuals, families, and seniors living in New Westminster that are in need of food support We came in a close second place last year, so let’s try our best to raise the most and prove that our city is the very best at taking care of its own.

Donate today: mayorschallenge.foodbank.bc.ca/fundraiser/newwestminster

DON’T GO HUNGRY: SPRING DONATION DRIVE

The City is supporting a donation drive this spring for the Don’t Go Hungry Food Program, which serves 1,300 people in New Westminster and south Burnaby every weekend. Donation bins will be available until May 31 at Anvil Centre and the Glenbrook and Queensborough Fire Halls For more information and a list of indemand items, visit newwestcity.ca/dgh-spring2023

ADOPT A STREET TREE!

Help us increase our urban tree canopy by caring for newly planted City trees. As a Tree Steward you’ll water and weed young trees from June to September Find a map of 600+ adoptable trees, and learn how to volunteer on our website There are many trees in need in the Brow of the Hill and Queensborough! Learn more at newwestcity.ca/adopt-a-street-tree