Business Breakfast + Festival Vendors Wanted

Issue #471

Author

Carla McNeil
January 09, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌧️ Weather - Light rain

 😜 Rain Joke - What do you call a raindrop that tells stories? 💧💬

 🗓️ New West Events - A slower start, but plenty of reasons to get out and explore.

 🗞️ New West Local News - Business Breakfast + Festival Vendors Wanted

 📧 Did someone forward you our New West Spotlight? You can Subscribe Here!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 10.5 2019 - Record low -2.3 2016

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

January 09, 2026

📖 Punjabi Storytime (All Ages) – 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Weekly Karaoke Every Friday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎸 Live Music at The Terminal - Mike Van Eyes – 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM

🎙️ Notorious Grey Fox Karaoke Friday Nights – 9:00 PM until Close

January 10, 2026

🍾 Charity Bottle Drop at Royal Towers – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🗣️ Spanish Conversation Drop-in – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🤸 Taoist Taichi Arts Open House – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

❄️ River Basin Days: Winter Weather Wonders – 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🎂 Galette des Rois – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎭️ Burning Mom at Anvil Theatre – 7:30 PM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

January 11, 2026

🧶 Knitting & Crocheting Circle – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🎭️ Burning Mom at Anvil Theatre – 2:00 PM

🧿 January Beading Workshop – 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM

💑 Lunar New Year Loyal Love Boba Speed Dating Party – 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM

🔮 Manifesting for 2026 – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Sunday Night Open Mic! – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

📍 Remember: The Search Starts This Monday!

We are just three days away from the launch of our new weekly game: "How Well Do You Know New West?" On Monday at 6:15 AM, look for the first mystery photo on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Find the Local Love Tin Man, guess the business, add your guess to the comments, and earn your entry for the Rotary Bevies & Bites ticket draw.

One quick rule: We reveal the winners and the business names only on Friday newsletter. If you have friends who want to play, make sure they subscribe before the first reveal! https://www.newwestspotlight.com/subscribe

Connect With Leaders Shaping the Local Economy

As British Columbia faces a decade of major labour market change, New Westminster is positioning itself at the centre of the conversation. A special Business Breakfast on Friday, January 23, 2026, will bring together government, education, and business leaders to discuss how the city can prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.

Held from 7:45 to 10:30 a.m. at the Inn at the Quay, the event focuses on the projected one million job openings across B.C. by 2035 and what that means for New Westminster’s growing role in the health, tech, and creative sectors.

More than an information session, the breakfast is designed as a collaborative forum, giving local business owners, HR professionals, educators, students, and policymakers a chance to align workforce planning with the city’s long-term growth strategies.

Featured speakers include Jennifer Whiteside, BC’s Minister of Labour and longtime New Westminster MLA, Dr. Kathy Denton, President and CEO of Douglas College, and Mark Davidson, Superintendent of New Westminster Schools. Together, they will explore how education, training, and industry can work in sync to support a resilient, future-ready local economy.

Planning to take part in one of New Westminster’s most family-friendly community events? Booth registration is now open for the 2026 Queensborough Children’s Festival, inviting non-profits, local businesses, and community organizations to be part of this much-loved celebration.

Organizations interested in hosting a booth are asked to complete the online registration form by March 31, 2026. Non-profit organizations can register for free, while businesses, political affiliations, and for-profit organizations are required to pay a $200 sponsorship fee, which includes a $100 non-refundable deposit to secure a spot.

The festival is a popular annual event that draws families from across New Westminster and beyond, offering a lively mix of activities, entertainment, and community engagement focused on children and youth. Booth participants play an important role in creating a fun, inclusive atmosphere while connecting directly with local families.

Applicants are encouraged to review the registration details carefully before submitting. Space is limited, and early registration is recommended.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What do you call a raindrop that tells stories? 💧💬

A sprinkle storyteller!🌧️📚

Groan O' Meter

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