It's hard to believe we're saying goodbye to September already, but here we are.
This week marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Saturday, Sept. 30), and you can recognize the occasion in New Westminster.
You can also enjoy some jazz, shop at the farmers market, take in a few art shows and attend a council or school board meeting. Check out these highlights for the week ahead:
For weather watchers: Fall has fallen
Well, it looks like Mother Nature may have decided to embrace fall after all. The forecast, as of the writing of this post, shows the week getting off to a downright chilly start, with highs of just 14 C on Monday, 13 C on Tuesday and 12 C on Wednesday — and rain on all three days.
(Memo to self: It may finally be time to brave that lineup and get the kid some new Vessis for the season.)
Remember to bookmark your New West Weatherhood forecast for the latest hyperlocal weather.
For everyone: Community events
- Every Child Matters: Spirit of the Children Society is inviting everyone to attend the unveiling of the new Every Child Matters crosswalk project, on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m. in Hyack Square.
- New West Farmers Market: Fall markets? Yes, please. The next edition of the market is set for Thursday, Sept. 28 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. For a full vendor list, see the market website.
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Spirit of the Children Society is holding a Teaching Pow Wow at Westminster Pier Park on Saturday, Sept. 30 from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy drumming by StarChild, dancing by the Wild Moccasin Dancers, a marketplace with Indigenous vendors, and food and drinks from food trucks and the Eats concession. Bring your water bottle and your chairs or blanket (note it's an alcohol- and drug-free event).
- Meet Me Downtown: Turn out to Hyack Square on Thursday, Sept. 28 for the next edition of Meet Me Downtown at Hyack Square, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bistro tables and chairs will be set up for folks to enjoy coffee and take in live music between noon and 1 p.m.
For music lovers: Jazz series returns
- Piva Presents: Jazz at the Anvil: The jazz series returns for a new season at the Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St.), with Rumba Calzada kicking off the fun on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $20; buy online.
- The Zombies: Yes, you can catch the British psychedelic pop legends onstage at the Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.) on Sunday, Oct.1 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $53.50; buy online.
For art lovers: Shows around town
- New Media Gallery: The New Westminster New Media Gallery at Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St.) has just opened a new exhibit, Measure, running until Dec. 10. "MEASURE reflects on the interconnections of time, light, colour, season, the movement of celestial bodies, and how we perceive the measure of all these things," as the gallery explains. Find out more at its website.
- Arrieta Art Studio: The studio at 707 Front St. is featuring a solo exhibition by artist Tianna Hall, documenting her mental health journey. There's a group paint night planned on Sept. 26 in connection with it. Check the Arrieta Art website for all the current happenings at the downtown studio.
- Gallery at Queen's Park: It's the final week to catch the current exhibition at the Arts New West gallery. The Interplay of Light, featuring the work of glass artist Robert Friedman, is on at the gallery in Centennial Lodge until Oct. 1. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is always free, but donations are welcome.
- Amelia Douglas Gallery: The gallery at Douglas College (fourth floor north, 700 Royal Ave.) is showcasing Mexican culture with a pair of related exhibitions: The Heart’s Rhythm, by Mauricio Silerio, and Color Calavera, by Adrián Edgar. The exhibitions run until Nov. 2.
For city hall and school board watchers: Council meeting
All you local politics watchers can rejoice: it's a busy week once again.
City council will be busy on Monday, Sept. 25, with a special workshop at 3:30 p.m. to discuss the city's 2023-2026 strategic plan. Then there's a public hearing at 6 p.m. and a council meeting set for 6:30 p.m. Expect a report on the 2023 New Westminster intersection safety study, a review of fees and rates in the 2024 budget, an update to exemptions to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and a couple of motions from city councillors, including one on implementing speed limits for electric motorized scooters and one on "increasing trust and accountability for civic officials" — plus a whole lot more. You can find all the details about attending the meeting, along with an agenda and reports, at the City of New Westminster website.
For school board followers, meanwhile, the first school board meeting of the year is coming on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be hybrid, so you can attend in person at the school district office (811 Ontario St.) or online. You can find the agenda package and a meeting link at the School District 40 website.
Got a New Westminster happening you'd like to share? Email the Record.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected]
