Calling All Makers! + Community Volunteer Café

Issue #477

Author

Carla McNeil
January 15, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌫️ Weather - Fog patches

 😜 Rain Joke - Why did the raindrop apply for a job at the bakery? 🧑‍🍳 

 🗓️ New West Events - Picking up the pace, with more things worth checking out.

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Rajan S.!

 🗞️ New West Local News - Calling All Makers! + Community Volunteer Café

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

Thank you, Rajan - you’re awesome!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 13.8 2023 - Record low -8.7 2024

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

January 15, 2026

🗣️ English Conversation Circles at the Welcome Centre – 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🤝 New Westminster - Women In Business Networking – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

🧑‍⚕️ Chronic Conditions Self-Management Program – 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

📚️ Douglas College Library Orientation - New West – 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM

📖 Tigrinya Storytime (all ages) – 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM

🍷 Frankie G’S Thursday 50% Off All Wine Bottles – 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🎨 "Journey" Art Gallery Opening – 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM

📝 SFU Writing Consults – 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

🎭️ Bee's Knees Burlesque at The Flapper Lounge – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎙️ The Terminal Pub Colossal Thursdays Karaoke – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Notorious Grey Fox Open Mic Jam – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

January 16, 2026

👦 Toddler Time (12-36 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

👪️ Family Place Storytime & Play Lab – 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

🎲 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

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

🍸️ DJ at Frankie G’s – Fridays at Frankie G’s

January 17, 2026

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

🛍️ New West Craft at River Market – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎸 Mechanics of Music Street Sessions – 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🎂 Cake it Easy Turns One – 1:00 PM

😆 New West Improv's improv comedy jam! – 2:15 PM to 3:45 PM

💃 Secret Balboa Social – 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

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

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

In case you missed it, yesterday’s post is worth a look 👀 

Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages and guess where the Tin Man is.

Apply to Be a New West Craft Vendor

Arts New West is calling on artists, artisans, small business owners, and local entrepreneurs to be part of its upcoming Winter/Spring New West Craft Markets. Applications are now open, with the first market of 2026 taking place on Saturday, January 17.

Held at the River Market in the heart of Downtown New West, New West Craft is a curated handmade market that brings together local makers and the community in a vibrant, welcoming space. Taking place every second Saturday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the market offers a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to showcase their work, connect with customers, and grow their local following.

Whether you create handmade goods, art, gifts, or unique products, New West Craft provides a supportive platform to share your work and be part of a thriving creative community.

📍 Location: River Market
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📅 When: Every second Saturday

Image via AI

If early mornings are your thing and you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, the Queensborough Café at the community centre is welcoming new volunteers. The café operates from approximately 7:00 to 9:30 AM on school days, offering a warm and friendly start to the day for students and families.

Volunteers help with light café duties, including simple baking and food prep, and there are opportunities to assist on several days of the week. For those with less predictable schedules, there’s also an option to join the on-call relief roster, making this a flexible and accessible way to get involved.

All proceeds from the café go directly back into Queensborough events and community projects, helping support programs that bring neighbours together and strengthen the community.

It’s a rewarding way to meet people, stay connected locally, and make a positive impact—one morning at a time.

👉 Interested in volunteering?
Send a message through the Queensborough Special Programs Committee Facebook Page to learn more.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ Why did the raindrop apply for a job at the bakery? 🧑‍🍳 

It wanted to make some dough! 🥯 

Groan O' Meter

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