New Westminster Record July 27 2023

Whosupports Indigenousyouth andchallenges socialinjustices?

SamsonV spills oil into river

ARTS 9

Shakespeare in the Park returns

EVENTS 11

“I’maformeryouthincarewho’s makingapositivedifferencein people’slivesandthecommunity.”

AlyHillaby Bachelor of Social Work graduate

Turnthepagetofindyourprogram.

FindyourprogramatDouglas.

APPLIEDCOMMUNITYSTUDIES

Behaviour Intervention

Career and Employment Preparation (VEST)

Child and Youth Care (includes degree)

Classroom and Community Support

Customer Service and Cashier Training (VEST)

Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis

Early Childhood Education

Education Assistance and Inclusion

Fit and Ready for Skills Training (VEST)

Indigenous Pathway

Local Industry Skills Training (VEST)

Social Work (degree)

Therapeutic Recreation (includes degree)

Youth Justice

COMMERCEANDBUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Accounting (includes degree, PDD, PBD)

Accounting and Finance (PBD)

Accounting Studies (PDD)

Advanced Human Resource Management (PBD)

Advanced Supply Chain Management (PBD)

Business Law (PDD)

Commerce and Business Administration

Computer and Information Systems (PBD)

Computing Studies and Information Systems

Data Analytics (PDD)

Digital Marketing (PBD)

Economics Finance (PBD)

Financial Analysis (PDD)

Financial Planning (PDD)

Financial Services (includes degree)

General Business

Global Banking and Economics (PDD)

Hospitality Management (includes PDD)

Hospitality Marketing (PDD)

Hospitality Services Management (PBD)

Human Resource Management (PDD)

InformationandCommunicationTechnology(PDD)

International Business Management (PDD)

International Supply Chain Management (PBD)

Management (includes degree)

Marketing (includes degree and PDD)

Project Management (PDD)

Sales (PDD)

Supply Chain Management (PDD)

HEALTHSCIENCES

Community Mental Health Work

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Health Information Management (includes degree and PBD)

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Nursing (Academic Foundations and degree)

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HUMANITIESANDSOCIALSCIENCES

Academic Foundations

Anthropology

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Music Therapy Studies, Foundation for Performing and Fine Arts

Professional Communication (PDD)

Proficiency in Academic College English (ELLA)

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Student Success

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SCIENCEANDTECHNOLOGY

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VEST = Vocational Education and Skills Training

PDD = Post-degree diploma

PBD = Post-baccalaureate diploma

GD = Graduate diploma

Firefighters battle blaze at recycling plant

CorneliaNaylorand

TheresaMcManus

editorial@newwestrecord ca

NewWestminster firefighters quickly controlled a fire that broke out at a local recycling plant Sunday but it took eight hours to extinguish the stubborn blaze completely, according to the fire department.

NewWestminster Fire and Rescue Services got a flurry of calls just before 7 p.m. on July 23 for reports of a structure fire at Urban Impact on CapilanoWay, according to assistant deputy fire Chief Brad Davie.

Residents in NewWestminster and Coquitlam could see black smoke billowing into the sky after the fire took hold

At the scene, Davie said crews found fire and

smoke on the left side of the building

“Flames were reaching up beyond the roof on the outside of the building and up to the roof on the inside of the building, and there was thick black smoke that apparently could be seen from miles away,” Davie said.

Once crews determined there was no one inside, they quickly contained the fire, pouring water onto large piles of burning recycling material

“The damage to the building was actually quite minor,” Davie said.

The burning piles of paper and plastic were a different matter

A loader had to be called in to turn over the smouldering heaps.

Continued on page 8

HOT WORK: Firefighters spent eight hours battling a fire at a New Westminster recycling plant before the blaze was finally extinguished. A huge cloud of black smoke raised alarm, but damage to the Urban Impact facility was minor, the fire department says

PHOTO JULIE MACLELLAN

A cloud of billowing black smoke drew attention across the city,but damage remained‘quite minor’

UpFront

Samson

TheresaMcManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

An oil spill on the Fraser River last week stemmed from a leak in the old fuel tanks of the SamsonV paddlewheeler

In a statement to the Record, the Canadian Coast Guard said it received a report about 2:10 p m onThursday, July 20 of a “sheen” on the Fraser River near Quayside Park. It said the sheen was drifting with the current towards the Pattullo Bridge

On Friday morning, the City of NewWestminster issued a statement about the spill.

“The Canadian Coast Guard was contacted to determine the source of the pollution Upon inspection, the oil appears to have originated from the old fuel tanks of the SamsonV, an historic steam-powered sternwheeler that now serves as a museum,” said the statement. “The Coast Guard,

find more online: NewWestRecord.ca

V closed

along withWestern Canadian Marine Response Corp. (WCMRC), have cleaned up all the oil from the river.”

According to the city’s statement, it has been determined that the fuel leaked from the fuel tanks into the ship’s bilge, where it was subsequently pumped outside the vessel

“The SamsonV bilge pumps have been turned off to ensure no more oil is pumped from the ship,” said the statement. “The ship’s hull is sound and there is no current water ingress.”

Western Canadian Marine Response Corp placed booms around the vessel as a further precaution.

after oil spill on Fraser River

“Currently, the tanks are being inspected to determine how much fuel is remaining and will take measures to mitigate any further leaks into the bilge. Staff are also in the process of securing contractors to pump the remaining fuel from the tanks and properly clean the bilge ar-

eas

Spill renews call to put paddlewheeler into drydock

TheresaMcManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

An oil leak from the Samson V into the Fraser River has renewed a call from two members of city council to consider putting the sternwheeler into drydock

In April, Coun. Daniel Fontaine, supported by fellow New West Progressive councillor Paul Minhas, proposed that staff report back on costs, potential sources of funding and opera-

tional impacts associated with temporarily placing the Samson V in drydock to repair and restore the vessel for public viewing He also proposed that staff report back on options to find a permanent indoor home for the SamsonV adjacent to or on the waterfront, as part of a possible pier expansion and/or long-term tourism strategy

In a 5-2 vote, council defeated the motion

A day after the July 20 spill,

Fontaine told the Record he wants council to receive a thorough report from city staff about Thursday’s incident, and he’d like that report to be made public.

“Secondly, and more importantly, I think this ship needs to be taken out of here,” he said. “I’m going to renew my calls again ”

Fontaine said the SamsonV is part of the city’s history and should be preserved He’d like

to see it put into drydock while the city determines how it fits in with its waterfront vision

“To me, it would be a real shame to let it disintegrate, as we’ve been seeing and happening before our eyes,” he said, “but also for it to not have a special place on our waterfront, or nearby, where kids and families and tourists can enjoy it and understand the story of this boat.”

Minhas said the SamsonV has had a big role in the Fraser Riv-

er’s history.

“I would like to see it preserved, but not the way it has been preserved or the condition that it’s in,” he said “To let it sit like this, have an oil spill, or be in the condition that it’s in, it’s shameful Very, very shameful ” The SamsonV, moored on the city’s waterfront next to the Inn at the Quay and River Market, was the last steam-powered sternwheeler to operate in Canada It was built in 1937

impacted by the leak,” said the statement.

“The SamsonV will remain closed to the public while repairs are being completed.”

CLEANUP TIME: A Coast Guard official works to clean up a small spill on New Westminster’s waterfront on Thursday, July 20 PHOTO CORNELIA NAYLOR

Cause of fire at Urban Impact plant is under investigation

Continued from page 1

“The fire gets all through the debris and down to the bottom of the debris, and you basically have to roll the debris over

to put all the fire out,” Davie said

That task wasn’t complete until 3:05 a m Monday.

At one point, the fire de-

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, July 27 7:00 pm

Queen’s Park Concert Series

Queen’s Park Bandshell

Sunday, July 30 2:00 pm

Queen’s Park Concert Series: “As You Like It”

Queen’s Park Bandshell

partment’s entire complement of 16 on-duty firefighters was at the scene, and eight more off-duty personnel had to be called in to provide coverage to

the rest of the city

Compounding the heat for the firefighters on scene was the summer weather; even as sundown approached, temperatures

remained at 25 C or more

The BC Ambulance Service was called in to help monitor firefighters

Urban Impact was closed when the fire broke

out, but there had been a security guard on site, according to Davie.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

PARK AMENITY UPGRADE PROJECTS (JULY –OCTOBER)

Monday, July 31 7:15 pm Mid-Summer Outdoor Youth Swim Moody Park Outdoor Pool

Monday, July 31 No Council Meeting

A YEAR OF TRUTH CONTEST – LAST CALL!

In order to make meaningful reconciliation, truth must come first A Year of Truth is a time for us to acknowledge where we are responsible and to learn as much as we can about the Indigenous experience. The Year of Truth contest is your opportunity to share what you have learned about the Indigenous experience for a chance to win some great prizes Enter as many times as you wish until July 31! yearoftruth.ca/contest

SAVING OUR STONES PRESERVATION PROJECT (ALL AGES)

Help clean and preserve the City’s grave markers at Fraser Cemetery using best practices Register online for free at newwestcity.ca/register:

• Saturday, Aug 12, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (ID# 181852)

• Sunday, Aug 13, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (ID# 181853)

Want to hear about some of the historic individuals at the cemetery and learn the basics of caring for the grave markers? Join us for the free virtual info session on Aug 10, 7:00 – 8:00 pm (ID# 181907) This information session is open to everyone, regardless of whether you will be participating on-site

Two park amenity upgrade projects are getting underway this week: Repairs to the Hume Park Sport Courts and lighting system updates at Sapperton Park field The sports courts will be closed during the maintenance and repair work, with an anticipated reopening in October Improvements aim to enhance the recreational experience and accommodate both tennis and pickleball The Sapperton Park field lighting is being transitioned to LED sport field lighting; this project is expected to be completed in October and the field will remain open to permitted groups For more information, visit: newwestcity.ca/2023/07/19/park-amenity-upgrades.php

WATERFRONT FUN

Head to Westminster Pier Park, Columbia Street, and the Waterfront Esplanade to enjoy free activities in August and September, including street festivals, markets, live music, and more. Highlights include Yoga in the Park, Circus Sundays, Story Time Fun, an outdoor movie, and the ever-popular Music by the River. Find out more, and vote your outdoor movie choice, at newwestcity.ca/waterfrontfun

MUSIC BY THE RIVER IS BACK!

Westminster Pier Park | Wednesdays, Aug. 9 – 30, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Music by the River is back and jam-packed with something for everyone! Each night will feature family-friendly activities, a free fitness class at 5:00 pm, and a featured live musical performance starting at 7:00 pm Bring a blanket, chairs, family and friends, and enjoy an evening of music and activities

Highlights Include:

• August 9 - Quayside Voices and Dos Amigos Food Truck

• August 16 - Miss Shauna and Old Country Pierogi Food Truck

• August 23 - The Seabillys and Spanish Cravings Food Truck

• August 30 - China Syndrome and Tradish Food Truck

Find out more at newwestcity.ca/waterfrontfun

THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS IN OUR CITY

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

Sixteen people in New Westminster died of toxic unregulated drugs in the first six months of 2023 with three new deaths being reported in June.

Preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service shows 16 people in New West died from toxic drugs between January and June, an increase from the 13 deaths reported up to the end of May

Provincewide, the coroner is reporting there were 184 suspected unregulated drug deaths in June Preliminary data suggests 1,228 deaths in B C have been attributed to toxic drugs in the first six months of 2023

“The June numbers represent a 17 per cent increase over the numbers of deaths in June 2022 (157) and a two per cent increase over the number of deaths in May 2023,” said the report “The number of unregulated drug deaths in June 2023 equates to about 6 1 deaths per day”

According to the BC Coroners Service, 70 per cent of the people who have died this year were between 30 and 59 years of age; 77 per cent were male.

“British Columbia is continuing to lose com-

munity members at record rates as a result of the toxicity of the unregulated drug market,” chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said in a news release. “Illicit fentanyl continues to drive the crisis, which is causing deaths in large and small municipalities, towns and cities across the province. This health emergency is not confined to one neighbourhood or one demographic. Anyone accessing an illicit substance is at risk of serious harm or death.”

Some other facts from this month’s report:

w The communities experiencing the highest numbers of unregulated drug deaths from January to June 2023 are:Vancouver (328); Surrey (116); and GreaterVictoria (80).

The 1,228 deaths in 2023 has touched communities across B.C., including: Nanaimo (66); Kelowna (48); Abbotsford (44); Kamloops (43); Prince George (39); Chilliwack (35); Langley (25);Vernon (21); Burnaby (19); and Coquitlam (10)

w Unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death in B C for people aged 10 to 59, accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined.

w In 2023, 81 per cent of

unregulated drug deaths occurred indoors – 47 per cent in private residences and 34 per cent inside other residences, including social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters and hotels Eighteen per cent occurred in parks, side-

walks, vehicles and other outdoor locations

w At 67 per cent, smoking was the most common mode of consumption, followed by injection (16 per cent), nasal insufflation (13 per cent) and oral (five per cent).

w At least 12,509 British Columbians have lost their lives to unregulated drugs since the public health emergency was first declared in April 2016.

loved one,” Lapointe said. “Our agency continues to recommend rapid expansion of a safer drug supply throughout the province to reduce the significant harms associated with the toxic illicit drug market and prevent future deaths.”

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Do you intend to get another COVID-19 booster in the fall if it’s available to you?

Would you support a proposal to put the Samson V into drydock?

Surrey debacle prompts changes to Police Act

One of the key pieces of legislation to be introduced in the fall legislature sitting (or perhaps the next spring session) will be amendments to the province’s Police Act that will ensure we never repeat the debacle that occurred when Surrey tried to transition to a new police force.

The attempt by Surrey to first move away from the RCMP and towards creating its own municipal police force, and then bizarrely try to move back to the RCMP was at times comedic, error-prone and costly, both in terms of real dollars as well as political capital.

Solicitor-General Mike Farnworth finally put an end to months of wrangling by using his powers under the Police Act to order Surrey to continue transitioning to the new Surrey Police Services.

It was a welcome move, and it has im-

plications for other jurisdictions as well

The RCMP is clearly at a crossroads as an organization, and other municipalities that have the RCMP providing local policing may begin exploring their options for policing in the years ahead

Farnworth has indicated the changes to the Police Act will better clarify that process they will, among other things, give the provincial government a closer role in any transition should it be used in the future. As well (and this is critical), the changes will not allow any municipality embarking on a transition to its own police force to then “pull a Surrey” and try to reverse course down the road.

Surrey council’s decision to shift back to the RCMP was unprecedented and led to great confusion and uncertainty.To create a brand-new force employing hun-

dreds of people and then attempt to get rid of it by transitioning back to a police force that was experiencing chronic and seemingly unsolvable staffing issues was, to say the very least, ill-advised

Some will argue that an elected council should be allowed to reconsider its position and change things up, even after a couple of years. But when the impact of that council’s decision reverberates beyond its municipal boundaries and potentially threatens the safety of its residents, the provincial government will step in, as it did in this situation.

Surrey Police Services Chief Const Norm Lepinski estimates the full transition to his force could take up to three years, but he thinks it will take less than a year for the SPS to exceed the RCMP in terms of front-line staff, and thus become

the jurisdictional police force in Surrey Police reform is clearly in the air.The Toronto Star recently reported the federal government and senior RCMP officials want to turn the storied force into a “FBI of the North,” responsible for things like investigating terrorism, cybercrime and organized crime and no longer involved in daily policing in cities.

An all-party B C legislature committee has recommended moving to a provincial police force, but that seems well down the road

As more municipalities eye transitioning to their own police force, those looming Police Act amendments should provide a much-needed road map to ensure they won’t end up in the ditch like Surrey

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC

Gradual kindergarten entry doesn’t fit 21st-century life

Editor: I was interested to read your article about gradual entry to kindergarten and the concerns raised by other parents

As the parent of a two-year-old currently in daycare in New Westminster, I hear the conversations of other parents having to use all of their vacation for this gradual entry program and dread having to manage it in two years when my daughter starts school

I find it hard to believe that two weeks are required to introduce children to school; my own daughter’s start in daycare at age one was done over a two-day period

Of course there will be children who need some extra support, but this need not be the default at the inconvenience of all families

I think this type of program speaks to the larger issue of how education isn’t integrated into modern life. More than two-thirds of British Columbia families have two parents

working, yet access to daycare and beforeand after-school care isn’t guaranteed and requires a great deal of time, money and energy to arrange

The default assumption also seems to be that families have two parents with family support; things are even more difficult for single parents or parents with unconventional work schedules And finally, there is still a sexist undertone of these programs that assumes that women will be the ones to stay home or take time off work to deal with any schedule disruptions for their kids because they did so in the past

Of course I want the school board to consider the well-being of children in their schools, but I would hope that they are also able to consider the challenges their families face when having to plan for schedule changes affecting their children.

Diana Whellams

NewWest needs water meters,not prayers for rain

Editor: In 2016, a delegation appeared before council to ask for the implementation of a voluntary water metering program for single-family homes in New West

The city chose not to act at that time, though as a consolation ruled all new construction of homes had to be wired for meters

Seven years later, as we look skyward praying for rain, we still have thousands of single-family homes who are allowed to use as much water as they please for a flat annual rate

Water is the most valuable resource on the

planet It is finite, and our growing population will continue to put increasing stress on our system. Studies have consistently shown those homeowners who install water meters and conserve pay less than those on a flat rate

The implementation is voluntary; no one would be forced to change. The new normal for weather is there no longer is a normal The luxury of being able to use as much water as one pleases is just not sustainable.

PS I am a single-family homeowner

Andrew Murray

Water meters would save money,conserve water

Editor: At one time in New Westminster, there were water meters, brass or bronze mechanical devices that remain in many locations My property had one, and the house was built in 1941.

Two decades ago, a co-worker, who lived in Surrey, signed up for a free water meter installation. It was estimated that a family of five or less would save money We meter electricity and gas, which are as essential as water A former New Westminster politician opined that water meters would disadvantage the poor; did he think the poor were water hogs? I have a wealthy neighbour who is a

prodigious user of water for hot tub, pressure washer and in-ground sprinkler system that runs every day and vehicles that are washed frequently

Our taxes pay to get high-quality water processing and delivery systems that supply high-quality drinking water that is often wasted. Surrey is considering an advanced metering system that provides online information There are many ways to conserve water; a meter would provide a direct way to measure results of conservation and save money and the cost of additional infrastructure.

Gavin McLeod

Arts & Entertainment Shakespeare in the Park returns this weekend

NaveenaVijayan

nvijayan@newwestrecord ca

While most might be familiar with the Shakespearean play AsYou Like It, the NewWest theatre group Shadows and Dreams is bringing its own version to the stage for its annual Shakespeare in the Park presentation

The play, originally written in the early 1600s, will be remagined as a story set in the 1950s. And a portion of it will feature a countryside setting with actors sporting cowboy hats, said Patricia Ann Brooke, one of the founders of the theatre company.

For the group, launched by the Brooke and Elcheshen-Norris families, the play hits a nostalgic note as it was one they performed in the second year of Shakespeare in the Park in NewWest back in 2007

“My son was two when we did the show,” said Brooke “Now he is playing one of the lead characters ”

Almost 16 years have

passed since their first As You Like It production; in all these years, the group has kept up the tradition of bringing the legendary playwright’s work to the NewWest stage every summer without fail (except when COVID-19 restrictions prevented it).

This year is no different

RECREATING A 1950s ROM-COM

The festival reflects a worldwide tradition of Shakespeare performed outdoors in the park. First launched in NewYork back in 1954, it celebrates the genius of Shakespeare while also making theatre free and accessible for all.

True to its roots, the NewWest festival is free for anyone to attend under the open sky at Queen’s Park

While the Shadows and Dreams group has taken the creative liberty of changing the timeline and locales of the Shakespearean tale, the dialogue and theme remain intact.

“A lot of Shakespeare’s comedies are about love

and mistaken identity,” said Brooke.

And AsYou Like It, she said, has a fair share of it

In the play, Rosalind, a duke’s daughter, is banished into the forest after her dad’s brother steals the land from them and kicks them out of the country.

Rosalind dresses herself up as a man while in the forest as a safety measure; when she meets her love, Orlando, she refuses to reveal her identity and instead continues to interact with him as a man teaching him how to “woo” his love Rosalind herself

while dressed as a man

The play “full of romance and silly comedy”

is one of the most popular plays of Shakespeare, only next to Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night, said Brooke, who has seen multiple different productions of AsYou Like It at the an-

nual Oregon Shakespeare Festival in the last two decades

When Shadows and Dreams first performed the play, they set the story in the ’60s, depicting the contrast between city and the forest as one between the “Establishment 1960s” and the “Hippies 1960s ”

The upcoming version is set in a traditional 1950s city setting, with the forest being the countryside, she said.

“Everyone sort of has their take on things, like Bard on the Beach is doing AsYou Like It this year set in the ’60s, with a Beatles-inspired theme,” she added.

“That’s the magic of Shakespeare You can do almost anything with his plays And that’s what I love about him ” Shadows and Dreams Theatre Company will perform their production of As You Like It at 2 p.m.at the Queen’s Park Bandshell on July 29,30 and Aug.5 and 6 It’s free

SHAKESPEARE FOR ALL: Shadows and Dreams Theatre Co in rehearsal for As You Like It Its production is on at the Queen’s Park bandshell this weekend and next PHOTO COURTESY SHADOWS AND DREAMS

Weekendevents

Don’t miss these weekend events & activities!

SATURDAY, JULY 29

CAR FREE DAY

After a successful bash last year, the second Car Free Day festival is returning to Columbia Street this weekend. Parts of the street, between Fourth and Eighth streets, will turn into a “pedestrian paradise” with live music, dance-offs, market vendors, food trucks and more. Besides offering people a whole day of fun, the festival, presented byTransLink, is also a chance to learn about the future of transportation in the region and rethink the use of single-occupant vehicles (See story page 14 )

WHEN: Noon to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Columbia Street

DETAILS: www.carfree.ca/new-west

SATURDAY,

JULY

29

TO SUNDAY, JULY 30 SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK

SUNDAY, JULY 30

BOARD GAME MEETUP

THURSDAY, JULY 27

FREE YOGA AT FARMERS MARKET

Shop for fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted items before settling down for a calming bend-and-stretch, at this week’s NewWest Farmers Market Yoga at the Quay, a yoga studio that aims to make traditional yoga accessible for all, is taking its class beyond the walls of River Market into the open grounds ofTipperary Park for one day the same day when the weekly farmers

narket comes alive with rows of vendors and family-friendly activities.

WHEN: 5:15 p.m.

WHERE: Tipperary Park

DETAILS: www.instagram. com/yogaatthequay and www. newwestfarmers.ca

QUEEN’S PARK CONCERT SERIES

Find out how well summer breeze pairs with bedroom pop. The band Soul Sisters, which

describes its music as “quirkyyet-catchy bedroom pop,” will be giving NewWesties a taste of the genre at its upcoming free show as part of Arts New West’s Queen’s Park Concert Series Made up of vocalist Amanda Doucette and producerTom Maguire, the band’s songs explore the journey of emotional self-discovery

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Queen’s Park

DETAILS: www.newwestcity ca/2023-queens-park-concerts

Join the annual ode to the legendary playwright at this theatre festival in the park Shadows and DreamsTheatre Co , which has been organizing the Shakespeare in the Park festival in NewWest for over 15 years now, is back with its version of Shakespeare’s AsYou Like It at the Queen’s Park Bandshell. Get your picnic mats and tubs of popcorn ready for the play that will remind you what you already know: “All the world’s a stage ”

WHEN: 2 p.m. on July 29 and 30, Aug. 5 and 6.

WHERE: Queen’s Park Bandshell

DETAILS: www.newwestcity. ca/2023-queens-park-concerts

If your ideal Sunday involves a long sesh of trading resources in Catan or planning train routes in Ticket to Ride, here’s a community group where you’ll fit right in The Friendship Club Gaming group recently re-launched its Sunday meet-up sessions at the River Market after having to put them on pause for three years due to the pandemic The casual meetups are free and for all skill levels; all you need to be part of it is a love for board games

WHEN: noon to 6 p.m.

WHERE: Second floor of the River Market

DETAILS: tinyurl.com/ newwestgaming

ON FOOT: Car Free Day drew crowds to downtown New Westminster in 2022. The festival returns this weekend.

PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

ARE YOU READY TO PUT PAIN IN THE PAST?

AS WE AGE Celebrating Seniors

• Tight muscles?

Are YOU Tired of Living with:

• Chronic pain?

• Restricted movement?

Pain Doesn’t Have to Be Your Normal

Enjoy art and music in Moody Park this summer

• Poor posture?

Our team of health professionals are here to help if you’re suffering from chronic pain

Following a comprehensive assessment, we will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan From there, a combination of supervised exercise, massage, and manual therapy will be used to help you recover faster and get back to living your life!

Get back to the active, healthy life you want and deserve!

Fill your summer with music and art

If you’re 50-plus, you’re invited to join in live art and music sessions in Moody Park this summer

Folks of all levels and abilities are invited to join in sessions, guided by an instructor, on three upcomingTuesdays from 1 to 3 p m There’s collage on Aug. 1, sculpting on Aug 15 and wet felting on Aug 29

Alternating with the Tuesday art sessions, you’re also invited to enj live music in the park Tuesdays from 1:30 to

2:30 p.m. Coming up in August, you can hear from singer-songwriter Norine Braun on Aug. 8 and HayleyWallis on Aug 22

For more information, call Century House at 604-519-1066 or see more details at tinyurl com/ ArtinMoodyPark2023.

SUMMER STUDIO

ART COURSES

If you want to delve deeper into art this summer, Century House can help NewWestminster’s seniors centre (for adults aged 50 and up) offers

a variety of art courses throughout the year

An all-levels Summer Sketch Studio course runs Wednesday mornings from Aug 9 to 30 for participants to practise drawing a variety of subjects from photos and from life

There’s also an Acrylic Painting Summer Studio course on Mondays from Aug. 14 to 28, giving you a chance to enhance your painting repertoire

Find out more in the city’s Summer Active Living Guide at tinyurl com/ NWActiveLiving2023.

Know a top senior? Nominations open for Seniors of Distinction Awards

Do you know a senior in NewWest who makes a difference in the community?

AgeCare is calling for nominations for its Seniors of Distinction Awards, to be presented in NewWestminster and Burnaby

“We can all think of a senior who has made a difference in our lives They are mentors, volunteers, role models and loved ones Every day, seniors continue to make a big difference in our community,” the company says on its website. “The Seniors of Distinction Awards is an occasion to recognize local seniors and their amazing accomplishments, achievements, and the valuable contributions they have made, and continue to make, in our communities, workplaces and homes.”

Seniors can be nominated in the following categories:

ARTS

The Arts Award recognizes a senior who has demonstrated artistic achievement and/or contri-

ARTIST AT WORK: Seniors of Distinction Awards are being presented in four categories, including arts

PHOTO PATRICIA MARROQUIN/ MOMENT/GETTY IMAGES

butions or support of the arts community. All artistic disciplines are eligible: culinary, literary, performing and visual arts, as well as craft, environmental arts, new media and music

LEADERSHIP

The Leadership Award recognizes a senior who acts as a role model and inspires commitment in others to reach goals and accomplishments This senior is passionate about raising people up and inspiring them to show their fullest potential

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Community Service Award recognizes a

senior who has been instrumental in the creation of new or different programs, fundraisers or services that have had a significant impact on the community and/or lives of seniors.This individual is passionate about serving others

HEALTHY LIVING

The Healthy Living Award recognizes a senior who promotes and leads by example for healthy and active programming and/ or living for all ages This senior could be a trailblazer in sports, have the greenest of thumbs, or share their knowledge to inspire the next generation.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE NOMINATED?

w Nominees must be currently 55 years of age or older

w Nominees’ achievements or accomplishments should have been achieved after 55

w Nominees must currently live in Burnaby or New Westminster

The deadline for nomi-

nations is Sept 8 You can find all the details online at agecare.ca/seniorawards.

Car Free Day promises a ‘pedestrian paradise’

NaveenaVijayan nvijayan@newwestrecord.ca

On Saturday, July 29, parts of Columbia Street will see no traffic Instead of cars, the busy street will turn into a “pedestrian paradise” filled with music, artisan vendors and a variety of food trucks

Two performance stages will bookend the area between Fourth and Eighth streets; within this zone is where the 2023 Car Free Day Festival will unfold

The festival, an evolved version of what used to be the Columbia StrEAT FoodTruck Fest preCOVID, saw nearly 50,000 people flock to NewWest’s downtown area last year. This year, the organizers are prepared for a simi-

lar crowd.

Alice Cavanagh, Downtown NewWest BIA president, said the setup for the street fest will resemble last year’s, but with minor changes in the location of the performance stages and food trucks.

Despite the success of Car Free Day’s debut in 2022, its second edition hasn’t gotten bigger and for a reason

“As much as I would love to have a bigger event, we do need to be mindful of road closures and traffic access especially considering all the construction projects that are currently happening,” said Cavanagh.

Both the MetroVancouver sewer project and the

Pattullo Bridge construction played a role in scheduling the festival

This year, a big challenge was to figure out the Car Free Day festival date a “back and forth” discussion that started in January, Cavanagh noted

Despite the challenges, the Downtown BIA team has managed to bring the festival back.

FUN WITH A FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY

At the event, there will be three performance stag-

es the main stage on Eighth Street and a second one on Fourth Street. Another small stage with foam seating for kids will be set up at McKenzie Street for family and children’s performances, such as a magic show, juggling, drag storytime and more

The festival will bring back the Dance and DJ space “a huge hit last year” where anyone can take a quick lesson on DJing and watch (or join in) a dance battle

Meanwhile,TransLink, the presenter of the festival, will display a selection of “cool” vintage and current buses to show the evolution of technology and services, said Cavanagh.

As evident in the ti-

tle, the festival is a car-free zone Located between two SkyTrain stations, it’s easily accessible by public transport And to encourage people to bike to Columbia Street, the organizers have arranged for a bike valet this year

“There will be enough spaces for people to park their bikes and for their bikes to actually be safe and secure ”

“Different modes of transportation other than just solely vehicular, and other sustainable methods of transportation are going to be a huge part of this event,” said Cavanagh.

Car Free Day is on Saturday,July 29,between noon and 8 p.m.,on Columbia Street

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Sincerely

The New Westminster Record team

STREET PARTY: Hotel Decor rocked the main stage at Car Free Day last summer The annual street festival returns this weekend

PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

REMEMBRANCES

Obituaries

ESPOSITO, Armando

August 6, 1925 - July 23, 2023

Armando Esposito (97) of Burnaby, passed away on July 23, 2023 He was born in Nicastro Italy, August 6, 1925 He was oved by a l who knew him

He never had a bad word to say about anyone

He s surv ved by his daughter Josie, grandson Stephen (Rita), grandchldren Bianca and Sebastan, nieces and nephews Adriana, Roberto, Rena do, Gino, V rgil

A serv ce wi l be held on August 3 at 11:00am at St Helen’s Church 3860 Tr umph St, Burnaby

annOuncements

AUGUST 14 - 18, 2023

JACKSON, Anthony William

October 3, 1939 to June 30, 2023

Wth great sadness we announce the passing of Tony W Jackson (83) Tony ded peaceful y on June 30, 2023, surrounded by his family and friends He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce, his sons Bruce and Chris, Chris’ w fe Al ison, and his beloved granddaughters Georgia and Ju iet

Tony was a dedicated teacher and coach at New Westminster Secondary Schoo for over 25 years

Tony’s aim was to inspire in hs students a love of geography, history and art In h s spare time, he oved to bui d elaborate mode railways, p ay with his cats, watch rugby and British comedes, t nker and fix things, l sten to mus c and spend time on the water

A Celebration of Life for Tony W Jackson will be held on Thursday, August 3rd from 1 to 4 pm at Centennial Lodge, Queens Park, New Westminster

In ieu of flowers, donations may be made to the World Wi dlife Fund Canada or another char ty of your choice that supports an mals

For more information or registration, contact us at 604-526-6008 or vacationbiblehour@gmail.com www.southburnabygospelhall.org

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