Inside the New West Spotlight
☀ Weather - Mainly sunny
😜 Rain Joke - Why did the witch check the radar? 📶 ✅
🗓 New West Events - A Little Culture, A Lot to Discover
🗞 New West Local News - Small Business Week + Apartment Fire
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Local New Westminster Weather
Historical Records for Today - Record high 23.3 1929 Record low 0.0 1905
Check out all of our local New Westminster Events
Friday October 16, 2026
🗣 English Conversation Circles – Friday Sessions – 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
📚 French Reading Buddies (6-9 years) – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
🎤 Discover at the River: Open Mic Night – 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM
🎸 Sip n’ Strum Fridays at Mechanics of Music – 7:00 PM
🎲 Georgie’s Local Hot Bitch Rock & Roll Bingo – 7:00 PM
🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM
🎙 Howe Sound New West Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM
🍸 Cocktails and Conjuring at the Flapper Lounge – 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 October 17, 2026
🗳 General Voting Day – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
💓 Health Promotion and Prevention Day – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
🗣 Spanish Conversation Drop-in – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
🐝 Tasting Your Way Through the Hive – 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM
🖼 One Day Wonder Vintage Collectible Antique Show – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
🗣 English Conversation Circles – Saturday Sessions – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
🎨 Latin Craft Market – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
🛍 Fall Craft Market - Hosted by the Crafty Cousins – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
🎉 Fiesta de la Alegria - A Party of Joy – 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM
🚲 Youth Cycle Express: $2 Drop-in for Youth Ages 13 - 18 – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
🎸 Live Music Saturday at the Legion Branch 2 – 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
🕯 Candle Making Workshop – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
🎭 Bury the Hatchet – 7:30 PM
🎶 Saturday Night Live Music at The Terminal Pub – 9:00 PM
🎙 Karaoke Saturdays at Kelly & Carlos O’Bryan’s – 9:00 PM to 12:30 AM
🎶 Georgies After Dark at Georgies Local – 9:30 PM
🕹 Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley
Sunday October 18, 2026
☕ Morning Coffee with Neighbours at You N Me' Cafe – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
☕ Coffee, Community and Conversation – 12:30 AM to 12:00 PM
🕺 Bhangra Fitness with Raj – 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
🦖 Kids Pokémon League - New West – 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
🎨 Collage Workshop at Arrieta Art Studio – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
🍽 Community Lunch at You N Me' Cafe – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
🎨 Line Art with Pen - Inktober-inspired Drawing Workshop – 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
🎙 Georgie's Local Sunday Night Open Mic! – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
New Westminster’s small business community is getting ready to connect, share ideas and explore new opportunities as Small Business Week 2026 kicks off with an evening dedicated to helping local businesses adapt and grow.
The free event, Adapt. Connect. Grow., takes place Monday, October 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia Street. Hosted by the New West Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of New Westminster, local business associations and Tourism New West, the gathering welcomes entrepreneurs, small business owners and their teams.
The evening will feature a panel discussion exploring the latest trends and challenges facing small businesses, with perspectives from organizations including the Business Development Bank of Canada, Business Council of BC, Canadian Federation of Independent Business and Business Improvement Association of BC.
Attendees can also take part in breakout workshops covering digital presence, business financing and cross-promotion, offering practical ideas to help businesses strengthen their operations and reach new customers.
Beyond the learning opportunities, the event provides time to network with fellow business owners and community organizations while recognizing the hard work and risk-taking that keep local businesses moving forward.
Refreshments and light snacks will be provided, and complimentary childcare for children ages 3 to 12 will be available, led by City of New Westminster Parks and Recreation staff.
Registration is required, but attendance is free — giving New West business owners a chance to learn, connect and start Small Business Week together.
A major apartment fire in downtown New Westminster early Sunday, October 11, displaced dozens of residents after flames spread from a third-floor balcony into the building.
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services crews were called to 37 Agnes Street, near the intersection of Agnes and Coburg streets, at approximately 3:45 a.m. Pacific time. Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames on a third-floor balcony, with the fire extending into the suite's interior and affecting several third-floor suites.
The response escalated to a third-alarm fire, bringing approximately 45 firefighters, including about 20 from Burnaby, to the scene.
All residents were evacuated, including people with mobility challenges. One pet was also rescued. A neighbouring building was evacuated as a precaution because of smoke.
Displaced residents were taken by bus to an emergency reception centre at the təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre, where emergency support services were arranged. Royal Avenue between Fourth Street and McBride Boulevard was also closed during the emergency response.
Reports on injuries differed. Freshet News quoted the fire chief saying nobody was injured, while CityNews reported that three patients were transported to hospital in stable condition.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed in the reports reviewed. Fire investigators were expected to investigate once the scene was safe to enter.
🤖 This week’s Tin Man stops:
🥗 Chopped Leaf
🪳 Integrated Pest Supplies
🍽 Kalash Indian Kitchen
🍅 Best Season Produce Ltd
🏘 Aunt Leah's
🏞 Victoria Hill - The Great Lawn
⛽ Esso Gas Station
Congratulations to last week’s How Well Do You Know New West? winner. 🎉
Debbie Inaba
Win House Cleaning Services (2 hours) from Seniors Services Society.
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! 💙
🔍 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” 🕵♀️ monthly prize!
⛈ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧
🌧️ Why did the witch check the radar? 📶 ✅
🧙♀ Broom safety. 🧹
Groan O' Meter
Meme of the Day
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