Faery Fun at Irving + TransLink’s Summer Tours

Issue #277

Author

Carla McNeil
June 29, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌞 Weather - Sunny and warm

 😜 Rain Joke - My umbrella and I have a great relationship. ☂️ 

 🔦Business Spotlight - Sapperton Business Association

 🗓️ New West Events - Busy long weekend (if you took the Monday)

 🗞️ New West Local News - Transit Friendly Tours + Fairies at Irving House

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

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 32.4 2021 - Record low 12.2 2017

Sapperton: Where Community, Commerce, and Care Thrive Together

Tucked into the northeast corner of New Westminster, Sapperton is more than just a neighbourhood—it’s a living, growing community where local businesses, families, and healthcare institutions all work together to create a vibrant, welcoming place to live, play, and shop. This year, the Sapperton Business Association (SBA) is proud to sponsor the Rotary Pot of Gold Golf Tournament, reinforcing their long-standing commitment to giving back and supporting events that strengthen community connections.

The SBA was first formed in the 1970s by a group of determined local merchants who believed in the power of collaboration. Their mission was clear: make Sapperton a better place for everyone. That same spirit still fuels the association today as it supports 80+ member businesses ranging from independent retail shops and home-based entrepreneurs to world-class medical services.

A stroll through Sapperton’s main corridors—Columbia Street and Brunette Avenue—reveals the energy of a community that’s truly come into its own. Whether you’re stopping by for a coffee, exploring boutique shops, picking up a prescription, or heading to Royal Columbian Hospital for care, Sapperton offers convenience wrapped in charm. It’s no wonder the neighbourhood has seen rapid growth and renewed interest in recent years.

To meet the needs of this evolving community, the SBA launched Support Sapperton, an online platform that gives member businesses a way to showcase their services, share upcoming events, and connect directly with local residents. It’s more than a directory—it’s a hub for engagement, visibility, and grassroots promotion. From industrial firms to family-run clinics, from yoga studios to dental offices, the platform helps bridge the gap between neighbours and the services they rely on.

Sapperton’s history adds even more depth to its appeal. Originally named for the Royal Engineers (or “sappers”) stationed in the area during the 19th century, the neighbourhood still embraces that legacy of hard work and purpose. Today, that pioneering energy lives on in the entrepreneurs who’ve chosen Sapperton as their base of operations and the association that works tirelessly to support them.

Accessibility is another key strength. With Braid and Sapperton SkyTrain stations just minutes apart, the area is easy to reach from across Metro Vancouver.

As the SBA steps up as a sponsor of this year’s golf tournament, it’s not just about visibility—it’s about values. Supporting local fundraising initiatives aligns perfectly with the association’s goals of creating a more connected, resilient, and generous community. The Pot of Gold Tournament’s focus on charity and fun is a natural fit for an organization rooted in service.

This year’s tournament will take place on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the scenic Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club in Richmond. Register today! Whether you’re swinging clubs or just soaking in the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone:

  • 🎯 FOUR Hole-in-One contests—each offering a chance to win up to $50,000 in prizes (cash, a new car, and more)

  • 🏆 Competitions for longest drive, straightest drive, and closest to the pin

  • 🍴 Delicious food and refreshments are served throughout the course

  • 🎉 A buffet dinner and awards banquet to close the day

  • 💎 And yes, someone once won a $15,000 diamond ring—so it really can happen!

Can’t attend the tournament? There’s still a way to take part—the online auction from July 05 to July 27, 2025, lets anyone in the community bid on exciting items from the comfort of home.

“Rotary builds playgrounds, supports students, and runs community projects,” she adds. “I think it’s important to give back to the place where you live and work. New West has this unique small-town feel, and events like this help keep that spirit alive.”

So the next time you’re looking for a place to explore in New Westminster, head to Sapperton. Discover the businesses that power this dynamic neighbourhood and meet the people who make it special.

Supporting local businesses means supporting the heart of our community!

🍁 Shop Local 🍁 

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

June 29, 2025

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Spectrum Strong Parents – 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM

🔍️ Unique Survival Scavenger Hunt - New West – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

🚲️ Cap's Flat Repair Clinic – 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

🔥 Summer Discovery Days: Fire Wise Fraser – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎭️ J’Lo Drag Brunch – 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

⛸️ Public Skate – 1:15 PM to 2:45 PM

🧘 Meditation Class – 3:15 PM to 4:30 PM

🧵 Solidarity Quilt - Monthly Quilting Club – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Sunday Night Open Mic! – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

June 30, 2025

🔥 Summer Discovery Days: Fire Wise Fraser – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🧘 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

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

🧩 Puzzle Mondays at Steel and Oak – Starts at 5:00 PM

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

July 01, 2025

🔍️ Unique Survival Scavenger Hunt - New West – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

🔥 Summer Discovery Days: Fire Wise Fraser – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎨 Art Gallery in the Habitat, Queen's Park – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Understanding Together: Special Visits with Kimia, our BCBA Friend – 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

🍁 Canada Day – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🍺 Beer and Board Games – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Tuesdays at Howe Sound New West – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🤰 Labour and Childbirth Education Series – 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

We are considering creating a mascot for the newsletter; your input is invaluable. Click here to provide your thoughts and suggestions. Everyone who votes will be entered to win a $25 Tim Hortons gift card. Last day to vote is June 30, 2025.

image via FB Page

NEW WESTMINSTER, BC — Summer just got a whole lot more adventurous — and way more transit-friendly! TransLink is inviting locals and visitors to explore Metro Vancouver like never before with the launch of its Transit-Friendly Summer Tours, kicking off July 3.

With more Canadians choosing to vacation closer to home, TransLink is meeting the moment with a jam-packed lineup of over 50 self-guided tours that make discovering the region’s hidden gems, cultural hotspots, and foodie favorites easier (and greener) than ever — all accessible by bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, bike, or foot.

From Family-Fun Tours to Hidden Gems, Outdoor Adventures, and even Memorable Date Nights, these curated itineraries offer something for everyone. Our own Capital City Classic Arcade is in the passport. And it’s not just about the journey — it’s about the rewards, too.

Enter the Transit Passport: a colorful keepsake that helps you track your adventures across the region. Collect three novelty stamps from participating businesses or attractions, and you could win free transit for a whole year — plus a $200 TransLink Store gift card. Not every stop has a stamp? No problem — just snap a photo of your visit and upload it online to qualify.

New Westminster, the historical heart of the region and home to the Fraser River Discovery Centre, is stepping into the spotlight as one of the featured destinations. With its waterfront charm, public art, and riverside walkways, the city is perfectly placed for summer exploration via transit.

To sweeten the deal, exclusive local discounts are available just by showing your Compass Card or same-day transit proof at participating locations — from ice cream shops to museums.

Starting July 3, physical copies of the Transit Passport will be available at Waterfront Station’s Customer Service Centre and at TransLink’s summer events, including Car Free Days across Metro Vancouver. A digital version is ready to download and print at translink.ca/tours, and new tours will be added all summer long.

Whether you’re a long-time local or a first-time visitor, there’s never been a better reason to hop on transit and uncover the magic of Metro Vancouver — one stamp at a time.

image via AI

Get ready for a magical morning your little one will never forget! On Saturday, July 5, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Irving House will transform into a whimsical world of fairy tales and garden adventures — and your child is invited to join the fun!

Perfect for children aged 4 to 6, this fairy-themed event is packed with fun, imagination, and discovery. Young guests will explore the enchanting world of garden fairies through:

🌼 Whimsical garden games
🎨 Hands-on crafts inspired by fairy lore
📖 Magical stories and rhymes that spark the imagination

Set in the beautiful gardens of one of New Westminster’s most charming historic homes, this special program is designed to engage curious minds and bring fairy tales to life.

Hosted by the New Westminster Museum & Archives, this event is part of their mission to make learning fun through play, creativity, and history, and this fairy celebration is sure to be a hit with both kids and parents!

✨ Spaces are limited, so don't let your little fairy miss out!
Register now and let the fun begin!

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🤝🌂 My umbrella and I have a great relationship;

☔️ we really know how to weather the storm! ⛈️ 

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