Under the Baobab Tree + Leader in Park

Issue #349

Author

Carla McNeil
September 09, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 ⛅️ Weather - A mix of sun and clouds

 😜 Rain Joke - Why did the rain start a band? 🎸🥁 

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

 🎉 Exciting New West Spotlight Announcement! 

 🗓️ New West Events - Plenty of options to enjoy!

 🗞️ New West Local News - Under the Baobab Tree + Leader in Park

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

Thank you, Heather - you’re awesome!

A delicious way to support our community hospital while celebrating New Westminster's incredible culinary scene

The New West Spotlight is excited to announce a special media partnership that brings together two of our community's greatest strengths: our amazing local restaurants and our commitment to supporting Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH).

Introducing the New Westminster Christmas Cookbook

This holiday season, we're partnering with New West's finest restaurants and chefs to create something truly special—a community cookbook featuring signature holiday recipes from the kitchens that make our city a dining destination.

Here's how it works: Local restaurants and businesses will share their most cherished holiday recipes, from festive appetizers and main courses to decadent desserts and warming cocktails. Each recipe will be beautifully presented with the restaurant's story, chef insights, and full contact information.

The best part? 100% of proceeds will be donated directly to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation to support critical equipment and patient care for the over 2M people RCH serves across our region.

Why This Matters

"When New Westminster businesses support each other and our community institutions, everyone thrives," explains Carla McNeil, publisher of the New West Spotlight. "This cookbook celebrates our incredible local culinary talent while making a meaningful difference for our hospital—it's exactly the kind of collaboration that makes our city special."

For participating restaurants, this represents more than just a charitable contribution. It's an opportunity to:

  • Showcase their culinary expertise to thousands of local families

  • Gain valuable exposure through both cookbook sales and Spotlight coverage

  • Demonstrate their commitment to community wellness

  • Connect with new customers who discover them through their recipes

Featured Partners

We're currently inviting New Westminster's restaurant community to participate in this exciting project. From established neighborhood favorites to exciting new ventures, every culinary voice adds something special to our community's recipe collection.

Restaurants interested in participating should contact [email protected] or 778-835-4032. The deadline for recipe submissions is October 16, 2025.

Want to help us reach out? Visit our Facebook page and comment on this post with the name of your favorite New West restaurant that you'd love to see featured in the cookbook. Your suggestions help us connect with every corner of our amazing culinary community!

More Than Just Recipes

This cookbook will serve as a lasting celebration of New Westminster's food scene—a keepsake that families will treasure for years to come. Imagine gathering around your holiday table, preparing a feast inspired by your favorite local chefs, knowing that your purchase is also supporting life-saving equipment at our community hospital.

Stay Tuned

Over the coming weeks, the New West Spotlight will be featuring participating restaurants and their cookbook contributions. We'll share the stories behind the recipes, introduce you to the chefs who created them, and give you a taste of what's to come in this special collection.

This is community partnership at its finest—where great food, local business, and healthcare support come together in one delicious package.

To support this project or learn more about participating restaurants, follow our coverage in the New West Spotlight. The cookbook will be available for purchase in November 2025, with all proceeds benefiting the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.

Contact: Carla McNeil, Publisher
New West Spotlight
[email protected]

778-835-4032

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 26.0 2021 - Record low 9.7 2016

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

September 09, 2025

📱 Bring Your Own Device Tech Cafe! – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

📚️ BYO Book Club at NWPL – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

🧑‍⚕️ Care for the Caregivers - ZOOM – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🛋️ Lounge & Learn: "The Talk" for Adults! – 2:00 PM at Wildfires Bookshop

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🍺 🎲 Beer and Board Games – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🥁 NWDB Jazz Band Registration/Rehearsal – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

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

🏆️ 2025 Mann Cup Finals – Queen’s Park Arena

September 10, 2025

💰️ 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

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 CaRT Peer Navigators – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

📽️ Climate Films: Eating for Tomorrow – 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM

🏃 Run Club - Steel & Oak  – 7:00 PM

🎲 Drag Bingo with Justin Abit – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

👦👧 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎤 Open Mic Jam at Bully’s Studio – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Frankie G’s – 7:30 PM

🏆️ 2025 Mann Cup Finals – Queen’s Park Arena

September 11, 2025

🍅 Farmers Market – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

📝 SFU Writing Consults – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎙️ Karaoke Night at Georgie's – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Colossal Thursdays Karaoke at The Terminal Pub – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Open Mic Jam at Notorious Grey Fox – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎭️ Comedy Exposed – 8:00 PM at The Flapper Lounge

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 20—because something truly special is happening at Hume Park! From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., the community is gathering Under the Baobab to celebrate, honor, and uplift the wisdom, strength, and beauty of our elders of African descent. ✨

🔥 What to Expect: An evening filled with delicious BBQ, lively music, and plenty of dancing! From soulful rhythms to joyful movement, the park will be alive with celebration.

👵🏾 Spotlight on Our Elders: Seniors are encouraged to wear their traditional outfits, showcasing heritage, culture, and pride. This is their night to shine—and a chance for us all to learn, connect, and give thanks.

💛 Why It Matters: The Baobab tree is a powerful symbol of community, memory, and roots. Gathering beneath it reminds us that our elders are living libraries of wisdom, guiding us forward while connecting us to the past.

🎉 Best of All: This event is FREE and open to everyone—families, friends, and neighbors are all welcome. Let’s come together to celebrate our roots and share an unforgettable evening of joy, culture, and community love!

Good news, New Westminster! 🌟 Leader in the Park is returning this September, and we couldn’t be more excited. Starting Saturday, September 6, Westminster Pier Park will come alive every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

👟 What to Expect: Games, crafts, and playful activities led by friendly City staff. Whether you’re in the mood for creative projects or energetic fun, there’s something here for everyone.

🧺 Perfect Family Outing: Pack a picnic, bring the kids, and enjoy the riverside scenery while little ones explore, create, and play. It’s the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon.

🎈 Best Part: It’s totally FREE! Just head to the playground area at Westminster Pier Park, join in, and let the fun begin.

Mark your calendars, grab your sunscreen, and make your September weekends unforgettable with Leader in the Park!

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ Why did the rain start a band? 🎸🥁 

Because it had the perfect rhythm! 🎶 

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