FireSmart New West + 13 Jr Student Musical - Special Announcement

Issue #468

Author

Carla McNeil
January 06, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌧️ Weather - Rain

 😜 Rain Joke - Why did the raindrop take a nap? 😴 

 🗓️ New West Events - A slower start, but plenty of reasons to get out and explore.

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Bev B.!

 🗞️ New West Local News - FireSmart New West + 13 Jr Student Musical

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

The 33-Year Revelation: Rediscovering the City I Thought I Knew

I’ve called New Westminster home for 33 years. I’ve walked the hills of Uptown, strolled the boardwalk at the Quay, and watched the city evolve from a quiet river town into the vibrant hub it is today. If you had asked me a year ago, I would have told you I knew this city like the back of my hand.

I would have been wrong.

Since launching this newsletter, I’ve had a startling realization: despite three decades of residency, I had been missing nearly 90% of what makes New West truly special. I realized I was "living" here, but I wasn't always "looking." I was driving past storefronts without knowing the faces behind the counters and walking through neighborhoods without hearing the stories of the people building our local economy.

It turns out, there is a whole world hidden in plain sight, tucked away in the "Area" pockets we often overlook.

The Search our Tin Man Mascot

This realization sparked a question: How many of my neighbors are in the same boat? To help us all slow down and truly look at our surroundings, we are launching a new weekly community challenge: "How Well Do You Know New West?" Starting this week, we are sending our mascot—the Local Love Tin Man—out into the city. He’ll be visiting a different local business every Monday and Wednesday. We’ll post a "mystery shot" of his location on our social media channels, but there’s a catch: we’ve obscured the signs and names.

It’s a test of your local knowledge and a chance to celebrate the spots that make our city unique.

Here is an example of some of the graphics you will see!

How to Join the Journey

We aren't just playing a game; we’re intentionally rediscovering our home. Here is how you can join the search:

  • Mondays & Wednesdays: Head over to our Instagram or Facebook pages. We’ll drop the mystery photo at 8:00 AM. If you recognize the spot, be the first to drop the name in the comments.

  • The Friday Reveal: Every Friday, right here in this newsletter, we will publish the Official Reveal. We’ll share the name of the business, why they are a vital part of our community, and a link back to the social posts so you can see who guessed it first.

I’ve learned more about New Westminster in the last 12 months than I did in the previous thirty years. I’m inviting you to join me on this journey. Let’s see if we can find the Tin Man—and in the process, find a few more reasons to love where we live.

Be sure to share with your friends and learn together!

Thank you, Bev - you’re awesome!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 11.5 2015 - Record low -3.5 2022

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

January 06, 2026

🧘 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

January 07, 2026

💰️ 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

👨‍👩‍👦 Nobody's Perfect Parenting Program – 12:30 pM to 2:00 PM

🧔‍♂️ In-person Dark Horse Men’s Group Meeting – 6:30 PM to 9:30 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

❓️ Frankie G’s Trivia Night – 7:30 PM

January 08, 2026

☕️ Waves Wednesday at Waves Coffee House – 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

❤️‍🩹 Chronic Conditions Self-Management Program – 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM

📝 Resume Clinic with BCNSP – 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 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

🎭️ Comedy Exposed at Flapper Lounge – 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Build Wildfire Resilience This Winter

Winter pruning isn’t just good yard maintenance — it’s an important step in protecting New Westminster neighbourhoods ahead of wildfire season.

As climate change brings hotter, drier summers across Metro Vancouver, urban communities like New Westminster are increasingly focused on fire prevention and preparedness, even in areas surrounded by parks, ravines, and green corridors. Fall and winter are ideal times for residents to take action, when trees are dormant and their structure is easier to see.

Removing dead plant material, pruning low-hanging branches at least two metres off the ground, and keeping tree limbs away from roofs and buildings can significantly reduce potential wildfire fuel. These steps help protect individual homes while also lowering overall risk across dense, connected neighbourhoods.

In New Westminster, where homes, multi-family buildings, and green spaces sit close together, small actions taken by residents can have a big collective impact. Preparing properties now helps reduce strain on emergency services during peak fire season and contributes to a safer, more resilient city.

Residents are encouraged to explore FireSmart resources tailored to BC communities to learn more about practical, at-home steps they can take.

Young performers at New Westminster Secondary School are ready to shine as the NWSS Musical Theatre Foundations program presents 13 Junior — a lively, heartfelt musical about growing up, fitting in, and finding your voice.

The production runs Thursday, January 22 and Friday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Junior School Theatre. Tickets are $10, available online through the link in the program’s bio, with a limited number available for cash purchase at the door.

13 Junior follows Evan Goldman, a New York City teen who moves to a small Indiana town and faces the challenges of starting over — making new friends, planning his Bar Mitzvah, and figuring out who he wants to be. Through humour, music, and relatable moments, the show explores themes of friendship, identity, and self-confidence, reminding audiences that popularity isn’t everything.

This production highlights the creativity, confidence, and dedication of New Westminster’s young performers, offering the community a chance to support local arts education and celebrate emerging talent.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ Why did the raindrop take a nap? 😴 

It was feeling a little drippy! 💦 

Groan O' Meter

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