Expanded HandyDART Service + Shop Local New West

Issue #439

Author

Carla McNeil
December 08, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 ☁️ Weather - Cloudy

 😜 Rain Joke - Why did the rain bring a suitcase? 🧳

 🗓️ New West Events - Which ones will you choose?

 🗞️ New West Local News - Expanded HandyDART Service + Shop Local New West

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

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 13.8 2015 - Record low -8.4 2013

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

December 08, 2025

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

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

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

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

🎄 Holiday Sip & Stroll Scavenger Hunt – Downtown Neighbourhood

December 09, 2025

📖 Storytime (3-5 years) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

📚️ BYO Book Club – 1:00 to 2:30 PM

📱 Bring Your Own Device Tech Cafe! – 1:00 to 2:30 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🍺 Steel & Oak Beer and Board Games – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hot B*tch Rock & Roll Bingo – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Notorious Grey Fox Trivia Tuesdays – 7:00 PM

🎤 Itilia Kitchen Karaoke Nights – 8:00 PM

🎄 Holiday Sip & Stroll Scavenger Hunt – Downtown Neighbourhood

December 10, 2025

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 CaRT Peer Navigators – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

👶 Babytime (0-23 months) – 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM

📝 Disability Tax Credit Application Process – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

🎒 After-School Drop-In (5-12 years) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🌃 Pyjama Storytime (all ages) – 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM

❓️ Georgie's Local Trivia Night – 7:00 PM

🏃 Steel & Oak Run Club – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎭️ Drag Bingo with Justin Abit – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

❓️ Frankie G’s Trivia Night – 7:30 PM

☃️ Annual Christmas Mingle at Centennial Lodge – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎄 Holiday Sip & Stroll Scavenger Hunt – Downtown Neighbourhood

If you have an event you would like us to list please CLICK HERE.

Michael James Pallant (1966 - 2025)— died October 24, 2025 in New Westminster.

Image courtesy of Translink

TransLink has approved the new HandyDART Customer-First Plan, bringing major service improvements for the region’s 32,000 registered riders—including many in New Westminster who rely on HandyDART for essential daily travel. The plan introduces more available trips, extended service hours, and modernized booking tools designed to make travel easier for customers and caregivers.

Key upgrades include new software for online trip booking and cancellations, real-time vehicle tracking, and a simplified registration process. HandyDART hours will extend from midnight to 2 a.m., helping New Westminster riders access late-night work shifts, medical needs, and social activities. The plan also expands one-on-one travel training and strengthens operator and taxi driver training to improve customer support.

These changes build on TransLink’s Access for Everyone strategy and directly address feedback from riders across Metro Vancouver. With HandyDART already achieving a high satisfaction score of 8.8 out of 10, the plan aims to make one of the region’s most reliable transit services even stronger. Last year, 99.6% of trip requests were fulfilled, and 91% arrived on time.

TransLink will continue working with customers, caregivers, and frontline staff as the improvements move toward implementation.

A festive community tradition returns to New Westminster as Freedom Church hosts its annual Christmas Market on Friday, December 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. The free indoor event at 320 Eighth Street invites families and neighbours to celebrate the season with local vendors, hot chocolate, kid-friendly activities, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Set in the heart of New West, the market offers residents a cozy place to shop local, enjoy seasonal treats, and connect with the community. Organizers are also welcoming volunteers and vendors who want to help bring the event to life, adding to the strong community spirit that makes this market a favourite each year.

Those interested in taking part can sign up online through Freedom Church’s event page.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ Why did the rain bring a suitcase? 🧳

🚿 It was ready for a wet and wild vacation! 🌴

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