Celebrate Indigenous Creativity + Lower Hydro Bills

Issue #605

Author

Carla McNeil
May 23, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌤️ Weather - A mix of sun and clouds

 😜 Rain Joke - Why does rain show up in every vacation photo? 🖼️ 📸 

 🗓️ New West Events - Don’t Miss This Week in New West

 🗞️ New West Local News - Celebrate Indigenous Creativity + Lower Hydro Bills

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 28.9 1947 - Record low 1.1 191

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

Saturday May 23, 2026

🔍️ New West Museum Quest – 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM

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

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Saturday Sessions – 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

🎆 Hyack Multicultural Parade and Festival in the Park – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

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

🎉 Queer Spirit Fair at Eight & Eight Creative Spaces – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🌸 New Westminster's 156th May Day – 1:30 PM

🪡 Needle Felting Workshop at Arrieta Art Studio – 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🎸 Live Music Saturday at the Legion Branch 2 – 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM

🎙️ Karaoke Saturdays at Kelly & Carlos O’Bryan’s – 9:00 PM to 12:30 AM

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

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

Sunday May 24, 2026

🔍️ New West Museum Quest – 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM

🧵 Rug Tufting at Arrieta Art Studio – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🍣 Gong cha Collaboration Workshop – 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

⚽️ U15 (2012) Boys Division 1 Evaluations – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

📿 World of Art Beading Workshop – 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM

🎨 Paint Event CHESHIRE CAT – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🧘 Meditative Sound Bath - New Westminster – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

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

🎲 Sunday Funday Bingo at RCCC - – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Monday May 25, 2026

👪️ Outdoor Family Playtime Drop in at Moody Park – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

📖 Cantonese Storytime (all ages) – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🧩 Steel & Oak Puzzle Mondays – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🎷 Jazzed! In the Living Room – 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

🎨 Downtown’s Living Room at Anvil Centre – 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

🎭️ About TIME at the Massey Theatre – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Begbie's Open Mic – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Image via AI

Celebrate Indigenous Creativity as the 5th Annual New West Craft Indigenous Market returns to New Westminster’s waterfront on June 6 for a full day of art, culture, fashion, and community connection.

Hosted by Shop First Nations, Arts New West, and Native Art Renaissance, the vibrant event will transform 810 Quayside Drive into a lively cultural gathering featuring talented Métis, First Nations, and Inuit artists showcasing handcrafted jewelry, beadwork, textiles, pottery, artwork, and more.

This year’s celebration promises even more excitement with an expanded lineup of vendors, live performances throughout the day, and a stunning Indigenous Fashion Show at 1 p.m. on the boardwalk.

Visitors will have the chance to shop one-of-a-kind creations, meet local Indigenous makers, and experience the rich traditions, stories, and creativity woven into every piece.

Whether you’re searching for unique gifts, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, or simply looking for an inspiring waterfront event, this family-friendly celebration offers something for everyone.

📍 June 6 | 810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster
✨ Free community event
🎶 Live performances • Indigenous fashion • Local artisans

Image via AI

BC Hydro has launched Power Smart 2.0, a province-wide energy conservation plan aimed at helping British Columbians lower electricity bills while reducing overall energy use. The initiative represents BC Hydro’s largest-ever conservation investment, with more than $1 billion committed toward energy-efficiency programs and rebates over the coming years.

The new plan includes several programs that may directly benefit New Westminster residents and businesses. Homes using electric baseboard heating will soon be eligible for free smart thermostats, expected to roll out this fall. BC Hydro is also expanding rebates and support programs for income-qualified households, while a new mobile app will allow customers to track electricity usage and monitor costs more easily.

For New Westminster — a city with many apartments, condos, and older residential buildings that rely on electric heating — the program could provide meaningful cost savings for households facing higher living expenses. Local businesses may also benefit from energy-efficiency upgrades and lower operating costs.

BC Hydro estimates the program could save enough electricity to power approximately 220,000 homes by 2030, while reducing pressure on future energy infrastructure across the province.

🔔 Weekend challenge time

The Tin Man is hiding somewhere new, and the prize is still up for grabs. 👀

🎁 This week’s prize (May 21-May 27):
$50 Gift Certificate from The Eyesite.

Visit Facebook and Instagram and drop your guess.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ Why does rain show up in every vacation photo? 🖼️ 📸 

✌️ Photobomber. 😊 

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