Heritage Homes Tour + Inflation Watch

Issue #604

Author

Carla McNeil
May 22, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌤️ Weather - Mainly sunny

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

 🗞️ New West Local News - Heritage Homes Tour + Inflation Watch

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 29.4 1914 - Record low 1.7 1909

🏡 Win 2 Tickets to the New Westminster Heritage Homes Tour!

What’s your favourite section of the New West Spotlight? We’d love to know!

To celebrate the 44th Annual New Westminster Heritage Homes Tour on May 31, we’re giving away 2 tickets, one each to two lucky subscriber. This year’s self-guided tour features a record 10 private heritage homes, historic Irving House, unique places of interest, and a rare chance to step inside some of New Westminster’s most fascinating and beautifully preserved spaces.

From charming 1930s homes to stunning West Coast modern design, every stop has a story. If you love local history, architecture, or simply exploring New West, this is a fantastic day out.

💕 To enter: Simply tell us your favourite section of the New West Spotlight by completing our quick survey below.

👉

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

Friday May 22, 2026

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

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

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

👪️ Spanish Parent Support Circle (registered group) – 12:00 to 2:00 PM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 12:30 to 1:30 PM

🧶 Crochet Workshop: Cotton Yarn Scrunchie – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Friday Sessions – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

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

🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM

🤸 Youth Services Drop-in - Gymnastics – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

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

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

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

Explore 12 Beautiful Heritage Properties Across New West

History lovers, architecture fans, and curious neighbours are invited to explore some of New Westminster’s most beautiful heritage properties during the 2026 Heritage Homes Tour on May 31.

This year’s self guided tour features a record 11 private heritage homes along with the city’s iconic Irving House, giving visitors a rare chance to step inside residences filled with character, craftsmanship, and fascinating local stories.

From charming 1930s family homes to a mid century modern design featured in Popular Mechanics, each stop offers a glimpse into the people and history that helped shape New Westminster over generations.

Visitors can tour the homes at their own pace between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with volunteers and guidebooks sharing stories and historical details along the way.

For longtime heritage enthusiasts or anyone simply curious about the city’s past, the tour promises a full day of discovery right in the heart of New West.

Image via AI

Canadians are continuing to feel the pressure of rising fuel costs, with Statistics Canada reporting that inflation climbed to 2.8 per cent in April, up from 2.4 per cent in March.

The increase was driven largely by a sharp jump in gasoline prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted global oil shipments and pushed prices higher at the pumps.

According to StatCan, gas prices were nearly 29 per cent higher compared to the same time last year. The switch to more expensive summer fuel blends also contributed to the increase.

For New Westminster residents and businesses, higher fuel costs continue to affect everyday expenses, from commuting and deliveries to transportation and household budgets.

There was some relief in other areas. Food inflation slowed slightly in April, while rent increases and travel costs also eased compared to previous months.

Economists had expected inflation to rise even higher, with forecasts predicting it could surpass three per cent.

🤖 This week’s Tin Man stops:

🍗 The Thirsty Duck - 12th

💅 Champagne Nail Lounge

📚️ CEFA Early Years School

🍫 Purdy's Chocolate RCC

🧺 We Do Laundry

🥣 Bulk Barn

🍣 Kojima Sushi

🎉 We have a winner! 🎉

Big congratulations to this week’s How Well Do You Know New West? winner:

Deborah Chaboyer Staples

🏆 You’ve won a $50 from Sichaun Yummy Food

To claim your prize, please email us at
[email protected]

⏳ You have 48 hours to claim your prize before we redraw a new winner.

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!

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⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What’s a storm’s favorite vacation mode? 🏖️😎 

All-inclusive soaking. 🌊 

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