If you're a student, a teacher or a parent, the countdown to the end of the school year is well and truly on.
Whether you're counting down the days or just having another ordinary work week, we've rounded up this list of happenings to help you plan the week ahead.
For weather watchers: More heat ahead
June has certainly had its ups and downs, weather-wise, and the week ahead is looking like another mixed bag. The forecast for the coming week has been rapidly changing, so it may well change again by the time you read this. As of the time of writing (on Friday), the week was set to get off to a hot start, with a high of 25 C on Monday that feels like 27 C. After that, temperatures were ready to dip back down to more temperate levels, with highs of 20 C, 19 C and 18 C for the rest of the week. But who knows? By Sunday night, this could all change again — so best to have your sunscreen and water bottle handy, but also have a fleece nearby.
And, as we saw this past week, we're back in the time of year where wildfire smoke can play havoc with air quality. To keep abreast of the latest, you can keep an eye on New West's air quality in real time at the Metro Vancouver Air Map site.
For everyone: Community events
- Queensborough Children's Festival: Turn out Saturday, June 17 for the annual Queensborough Children's Festival at the Queensborough Community Centre (920 Ewen Ave.), with activities and entertainment on the field and outdoor stage between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. There'll be music, art, a dance workshop, activities with Vancouver Circus School and, of course, food. You're encouraged to walk or take public transit, since parking is limited. Get all the details here.
- Evolution to Revolution: Love bicycles? You can take a fascinating journey back into the original "machine for freedom by self-propulsion," as an event write-up calls it, as presenter Gordon Hobbis from Cap's Bicycles shares his lifelong interest in pre-1900 bicycles, along with items from his own collection, in a presentation at Century House (620 Eighth St.). It's on twice: Monday, June 13 and Monday, June 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It's free, but registration is required; find info and register online.
- Let's Get Ready To Ride: And speaking of bicycles, are you set for the season? Gordon Hobbis will lead this workshop for everyone who wants to prepare their bike and make sure it's road-worthy for the season. It's on Wednesday, June 14 at Century House from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Once again it's free, but you need to sign up ahead — find information and register online.
- New West Farmers Market: Everyone's favourite farmers market continues its season on Thursday, June 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Tipperary Park, next to New Westminster City Hall. Take in food trucks, vendors, live music and family-friendly activities. Dogs are welcome. For a full vendor list, see the market website.
For performance lovers: Theatre, music and dance
- Vagabond Players: New Westminster's favourite community theatre company is back onstage with its production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town. It's playing at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen's Park until June 24, with shows from Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Buy tickets online or call 604-521-0412.
- NWSS Dance: The New Westminster Secondary School dance program celebrates almost 20 years of shows at Massey Theatre with this night of dance on Thursday, June 15 at 7 p.m. The senior dancers present Wreck-It Ralph, and the junior dancers present Into the Toy Box. Tickets are $10; buy online.
- Vancouver Youth Choir: Join the internationally acclaimed Vancouver Youth Choir for a concert at Massey Theatre on Friday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $10; buy online.
For art lovers: Check out New West galleries
- Anvil Centre Community Art Gallery: Check out a new exhibition of work by the Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass Indigenous artist collective, Through Our Eyes, at the Anvil Centre's fourth-floor gallery (777 Columbia St.). Take special note of the Wednesday, June 14 opening reception, running from 6 to 8 p.m. It features guest speakers, live music by drumming group Indigenous Women Rise Society, a cash bar and a chance to mingle with the exhibiting artists.
- Gallery at Queen's Park: You can check out work by the up-and-coming artists of New Westminster Secondary School in their year-end exhibition, Tying It All Together, running until June 25. The gallery is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome.
For city hall watchers: Council workshop, meeting Monday
Yes, it's council meeting day again tomorrow (Monday, June 12) — and it's a big one. There's a council workshop at 3 p.m., where city council (and members of the public) will learn more about a proposal for a massive new development at Columbia Square (88 10th St.). At the 6 p.m. regular council meeting, there's a packed agenda including a report about renovations to Massey Theatre, a report on council remuneration (council pay is going up by 6.8% in 2023), a report on relaunching the city's "bold vision" for the 22nd Street station area, a report on housing needs and a whole lot more. You can find all the meeting details, agenda and information about attending at the City of New Westminster website.
For school board watchers: No meeting this week
Last week saw a marathon night of meetings, but this week has no school board meetings scheduled. If you want to catch the final school board meeting of the year, mark your calendar for next week: Tuesday, June 20 at 7 p.m. You can attend in person at the board office (811 Ontario St.) or online via Zoom. You can find links and agenda packages at the SD40 website.
Got a New Westminster happening you'd like to share? Email Julie MacLellan.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected]
