Film Submissions Deadline + Transit Fare Update

Issue #653

Author

Carla McNeil
July 10, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

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 🗓️ New West Events - More Than a Few, Just for You

 🗞️ New West Local News - Film Submissions Deadline + Transit Fare Update

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The Silent Gardener Award from the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 32.8 1926 - Record low 8.3 1896, 1902

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

Friday July 10, 2026

🌊 FRDC Summer Camps: Journey Down the River – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

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

⚕️ Nabat's Open House – 2:00 PM

🎉 Friday's on Front: Filipino Night – 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

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

🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM

💃 Café Dance Nights at You N Me Cafe – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

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

🎸 Brewpub Sessions: Johnny TooNice – 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

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

Saturday July 11, 2026

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

🎉 Quayside Boardwalk Sale – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

⚕️ Nabat's Open House – 11:00 AM

🎶 Uptown Live Summer Series – 12:00 PM to 4:15 PM

🚢 Samson V Museum – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🛍️ Fandom Bazaar 2026 – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🛍️ Hyack Square Market Days – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🎸 Buskers on the Boardwalk – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Last Door Family Fun Day BBQ – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

😎 Summer Patio Sessions at Howe Sound Brewing – 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

📖 Under the Sea Storytime (All Ages) – 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM

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

🎶 Heated Rivalry Soundtrack Release Party – 6:30 PM to 8:00 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 July 12, 2026

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

🦖 Kids Pokémon League - New West – 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

🎶 Uptown Live Summer Series – 12:00 PM to 4:15 PM

🚢 Samson V Museum – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

📿 July Beading Workshops – 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM

🍽️ Community Lunch at You N Me' Cafe – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🐾 Paws on the Patio – 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🎨 Origami with Yuki Anthony: Big Kids (7-12 years) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎉 Condom Packing Party in New West with HIM – 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🗣️ Dr. Norman Finkelstein – 4:00 PM

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

🎲 NFMA Sunday Funday Bingo – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Lights, Camera, Submit!

Calling all filmmakers—this is your moment to shine!

If you've been putting the finishing touches on your latest short, documentary, feature, animation, or passion project, now's the time to hit submit.

The New West International Film Festival is accepting film submissions until July 15, giving filmmakers one final opportunity to have their work considered for this year's festival and the chance to see it on the big screen in New Westminster this fall.

The festival celebrates independent filmmaking and brings together creators and audiences to showcase stories from around the world while highlighting New Westminster's growing arts and film community.

Whether you're an emerging filmmaker or a seasoned storyteller, this is your chance to share your vision with festival audiences.

🎥 Submission Deadline: July 15, 2026

Image courtesy of Translink

If your daily commute feels a little more expensive this month, you're not imagining it.

As of July 1, TransLink fares have increased across Metro Vancouver, affecting thousands of New Westminster residents who rely on SkyTrain, buses, and SeaBus every day.

For many commuters travelling through New Westminster, Columbia, Sapperton, and Braid stations, the changes are now part of their daily travel costs.

An adult one-zone fare paid with a Compass Card (stored value) has increased from $2.70 to $2.85, while the cash fare has risen from $3.35 to $3.50. The cost of an adult one-zone monthly pass has also increased from $111.60 to $117.20.

Overall, fares have increased by an average of 5%, following a 4% increase in 2025. TransLink says the additional revenue will help maintain service levels, accommodate growing ridership, and support transit improvements outlined in its 10-year investment plan through 2034.

Another notable change is the first-ever increase to the Canada Line YVR AddFare. Eligible single-trip passengers travelling from Vancouver International Airport now pay $6.50, up from $5.00. The surcharge does not apply to Monthly Pass holders, DayPass users, U-Pass BC, BC Bus Pass, CNIB Pass, or most pre-purchased Compass fares.

For regular riders, using a Compass Card with stored value remains the most affordable option, with fares about 15% lower than paying cash.

For a transit-oriented city like New Westminster, where many residents rely on public transportation to get around the region, even small fare increases can add up over time.

🤖 This week’s Tin Man stops:

☕️ Starbucks-Columbia Square

💇‍♀️ Zara Hair Design

🥐 Delicia Cafe & Bakery

📝 Bay City Insurance Services

💇‍♀️ Jescuts Hair Salon

🏙️ Fraser River Pile & Dredge

⚖️ The Law Courts

Congratulations to last week’s How Well Do You Know New West? winner. 🎉

Kim Loree Baker

You’ve won a $25 Bingo Package from North Fraser Metis Association.

To claim your prize, please email, within 48 hours, us at [email protected]. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Thank you to everyone who played this week and shared your local knowledge — we love seeing New West experts in action! 💙

👉 Ready for the next round? Head over to Facebook and Instagram and start guessing!

🔍️ Want to play again?  
Learn how to join the fun

Thanks to Dynamic Health & Fitness and Fuel Hut for sponsoring

🕵️ “The First Detective on the Scene” 🕵️‍♀️ prize!

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What’s July humidity’s full-time job? 💼🕛️ 

Hair sabotage. 💇‍♀️ 

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