Monday again already? Well, not quite — but maybe a little sooner than we'd hoped. Once again, we've rounded up this list of highlights of the week ahead in New Westminster to help you escape the mid-February doldrums.
For weather watchers: An okayish week ahead
Well, compared to the last couple of weeks’ forecasts, this week looks — okayish? So far, we’re expecting light rain tomorrow but a mainly sunny day Tuesday, according to the Weather Network. That’s followed by a Wednesday that’s cloudy with sunny breaks, a Thursday that’s cloudy with showers and some more light rain on Friday. Temperatures, meanwhile, are expected to hover around 5 C or 6 C each day. All in all, a relatively pleasantish week? Here’s hoping.
For city hall watchers: Council meetings coming up
It’s a busy time of year for New Westminster city council, as work continues on the 2023 budget.
There’s another council workshop set for Monday, Feb. 13 at 2:30 p.m., and the budget will once again be on the agenda, along with the city’s retail strategy.
There’s also a city council meeting starting at 6 p.m. that will include a special presentation for Heritage Week 2023 and a presentation from Nav Canada about proposed flight path changes at YVR. Also up will be a long list of items, including:
- an update on the council’s notice of motion process, stemming from a discussion at the Jan. 30 meeting,
- a request for a construction noise bylaw exemption for Bosa Development so it can deliver crane sections to its waterfront project at 660 Quayside Dr. on two Saturdays in March (4 and 11) early in the morning;
- a motion to explore partnership opportunities with the Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar for emergency response;
- a motion to extend speed zone enforcement hours in school zones.
You can find all the meeting details, agendas and information about attending at the City of New Westminster website.
For school board watchers: One week to go
What with news about full schools, disappointment over the delay in building a new elementary school and the latest on lotteries for three New West elementary schools this fall, it's been quite a couple of weeks on the school front. Heads-up that there’s no public school board meeting this week — the next one is on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m., so mark it on your calendar now.
For music lovers: Piva Presents, Outside/In
It’s a great week for music lovers in New Westminster. A couple of highlights of note:
- Piva Presents – Jazz at the Anvil: Take your valentine to the Anvil Theatre on Tuesday night (yes, that’s Feb. 14) for the next concert in the jazz series. This one features Jack Duncan, bringing his Afro-Cuban jazz group Conga Cartel to the stage. Fun fact: Jack has appeared on numerous soundtracks, notably the Grammy- and Oscar-winning animated movie Ratatouille.
- Outside/In: The East Coast represents at this weekend’s edition of the cross-Canada festival that’s running inside at Anvil Centre and outside at Hyack Square on Saturday, Feb. 18. Inside, you can catch Mi’kmaq fiddler-singer Morgan Toney, fusing the fiery fiddling of Cape Breton Island with the old songs of the Mi’kmaq people at 7:30 p.m. (book seats online). Outside, enjoy a free street festival in Hyack Square from 2 to 5 p.m., with artisans, musicians, family activities and more.
For dance lovers: Ballet Jörgen
- Cinderella: The Canadian dance company Ballet Jörgen brings its production of Cinderella to the stage at Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.) on Saturday, Feb. 18. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 to $50, plus service charges, and you can buy online.
For people lovers: Valentine’s Day
Yes, Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, so don’t forget about the folks you love — your friends, your family, your valentines and galentines and, yes, yourself.
If you’re searching for ideas, check out this list of locally created treats and sweets. Or maybe get your valentine a ticket to one of the above-mentioned performances and enjoy a night out together this week?
For families: Family Day weekend ahead
Yes, don't forget that next weekend (Feb. 18 to 20) marks Family Day weekend again. The City of New Westminster has an array of programs and activities set up for families: nature crafts, family art, family printmaking, family fun drop-ins, Indigenous teachings, pickleball, Zumba, gumnastics ... The list goes on and on, so check it all out at the city's Family Day webpage.
Got a New Westminster happening you'd like to share? Email Julie MacLellan.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
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