Woman Rescued from River + Rooftop BBQ Party

Inside the New West Spotlight

🍁Happy BC Day 🍁 

 🌥️ Weather - Mainly cloudy

 🔦Local Business Spotlight - Capital City Arcade 

 😜 Rain Joke - What do you call a rainy day with no plans? 📆 

 🗓️ New West Events - Lots to choose from

 🗞️ New West Local News - Woman Rescued from River + Rooftop BBQ Party

 😆 Meme of the Day

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Tucked away in the Sapperton neighbourhood of New Westminster, Capital City Arcade is where nostalgia meets community in the best way possible. With its authentic collection of over 80 restored arcade games from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, this retro haven is a love letter to childhood memories—and a completely family-friendly destination you’ll wish you discovered sooner.

What makes Capital City Arcade truly special is the heart behind it. Owners Maryanne and her husband Brad have been collecting and restoring games for more than 30 years, transforming what began as a passion project into Metro Vancouver’s largest retro arcade. “I bought my first machine—Centipede—in 1994 with my student loan,” Maryanne laughs. “I had no idea I’d be opening an arcade in my forties.”

Their journey to opening wasn’t easy. Arcades are still heavily restricted across many Metro Vancouver cities, often lumped in with outdated zoning rules that treat them like undesirable businesses. Maryanne and her husband spent five years navigating bylaw changes and convincing both city and provincial officials that a retro arcade could be a positive, family-friendly space. “If you'd told me how hard it was going to be, I probably wouldn’t have done it,” she admits. “But once we were in it, we were determined to finish it.”

Capital City Arcade finally opened on July 4, 2019, and quickly became a rare gem. Located on East Columbia, near Braid Street, it’s not unusual for visitors to travel from as far as North Vancouver or Mission just for a few hours of pixelated bliss. Why? Because this isn’t just a place to play—it's a place to relive.

Step inside and you’ll find a vibrant space filled with iconic games like Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Donkey Kong, and Tetris. But the experience is about more than gameplay. The space is clean, welcoming, and surprisingly peaceful. “People always comment on how clean our bathrooms are,” Maryanne says with a grin. “If the bathrooms are clean, you know the rest of the place is too.”

Unlike coin-operated arcades of the past, Capital City operates on a flat-rate model—visitors pay by the hour or enjoy unlimited play during weekday specials. It's a low-pressure, high-fun atmosphere. During the summer, $15 gets you an all-day pass. Show your Compass card on the weekend, and you’ll score two hours for the price of one as part of TransLink’s DIY Discovery Tours. We are proud to be one of the stops!

While the arcade once experimented with a nacho bar, the food service has since paused—but guests are welcome to bring their own snacks, adding to the laid-back, inclusive vibe.

The arcade is also an unbeatable venue for events. From birthday parties to team-building nights, groups can book the entire space for a private two-hour session starting at just $300. “Parents especially love that it’s private, safe, and easy,” says Maryanne. “You just bring the cake and the kids—we’ve got the fun covered.”

Above all, what Maryanne loves most is the joy Capital City Arcade brings to others. “You see grown men tear up from the memories,” she says. “It’s amazing to know we’re creating a space that means something to people.”

Whether you’re chasing your high score on Centipede or just looking for a fun indoor activity in New West, Capital City Arcade is one stop you don’t want to miss.

📍 Capital City Arcade is located in Sapperton, New Westminster. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or Threads @capcityarcade, or visit their website to plan your visit.

Supporting local businesses means supporting the heart of our community!

Address: 457A E Columbia St, New Westminster, BC V3L 3X6

Phone: (604) 553-8555

Already know, like, and trust this business? Be sure to support Capital City Arcade and leave them a Google Review

🍁 Shop Local 🍁 

August 01, 2025

🔍️ Unique Survival Scavenger Hunt - New West – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples - New West Area – 1:00 PM

🍺 Burger and Beer Social at RCCC – Doors open at 4:00 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – Doors open at 6:00 PM

❤️ Reignite Us : A Sacred Evening of Intimacy, Truth & Love – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 Hitmix Bingo - Howe Sound – 7:00 PM

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

🎸 Live Music at The Terminal - Mike Van Eyes – 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM

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

💈 Libre Hair Salon Give Away – Any day in August to enter

🎲 Board Night Game – Phantom Alley

August 02, 2025

🔍️ Unique Survival Scavenger Hunt - New West – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

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

😎 Summer Discovery Days: Rockin’ the River – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

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

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples - New West Area – 1:00 PM

🚲️ Youth Cycle Express: Drop-in for Youth Ages 13 - 18 – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🛼 Pink Pony Club Pride Double Header – 4:30 PM at RCCC

🎲 Drop-In D&D Nights @ New West Youth Centre – 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

August 03, 2025

🔍️ Unique Survival Scavenger Hunt - New West – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

😎 Summer Discovery Days: Rockin’ the River – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

📚️ Book Club Led by Lindsey Munson – 11:00 AM at Unity Church

🏘️ Summer Sundays @ the Irving House – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples - New West Area – 1:00 PM

⛸️ Public Skate – 1:15 PM to 2:45 PM

🧿 World Of Art Beading Workshop – 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Sunday Night Open Mic! – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

👮 Early Morning River Search Saves Woman in Crisis Near New Westminster 🚨 

In the early morning hours of July 27, the New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) responded to an urgent request from Richmond RCMP to assist in locating a woman in crisis, last seen in the Fraser River. The call came in around 4:00 a.m.

Two NWPD officers quickly deployed aboard Shaw 1, the department’s police boat, and joined forces with the Canadian Coast Guard to begin a coordinated search effort on the river. After approximately 30 minutes, the woman was found clinging to a log boom. Officers promptly administered life-saving first aid at the scene.

Paramedics from BC Emergency Health Services arrived shortly afterward and took over care, ensuring the woman received the medical attention she needed. Authorities confirmed that the individual has since been connected with her health care team.

This incident highlights the importance of swift inter-agency collaboration and emphasizes the continued efforts by law enforcement to safeguard vulnerable individuals in the community.

For those struggling with mental health issues, resources are available. Fraser Health offers professional support, and the 9-8-8 Crisis Helpline provides 24/7 free access to mental health and suicide prevention services in both English and French. If immediate danger is present, calling 9-1-1 or visiting the nearest emergency room is strongly advised.

Read the full NWPD post here

🍡 BBQ, Beats & Big Vibes: Project Vancity’s Rooftop Bash Takes Over New West 🎉 

Get ready for an unforgettable summer evening as Project Vancity brings the heat—literally and musically—with their Rooftop BBQ Bash on Sunday, August 10! Whether you're a musician, producer, visual artist, or just someone who loves the creative scene, this two-hour event is your chance to connect, vibe, and maybe even find your next collab.

Happening from 5 to 7 p.m. on a scenic rooftop patio at 831 Carnarvon Street in New Westminster, the event promises more than just fresh air and good views. You can expect grilled hotdogs, chill beats, and a crowd full of creatives ready to link up and spark something new.

Bring your own beverages to keep things flowing and your instruments if you’re down to jam after the main event. There’s also an open call for music—send your Spotify links ahead of time to get your tracks on the event playlist and heard by a room full of industry peers.

With tickets at just $6.66 and good vibes guaranteed, this is your chance to meet other artists, share your work, and soak in the summer energy. If you're serious about your craft—or just want to kick back with people who get it—this is one event you won’t want to miss.

Snag your spot now and be part of the rooftop magic!

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What do you call a rainy day with no plans? 📆 

A cozy day in! ☕️ 

Meme of the Day

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