BC Pen + Cookie Exchange

  Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 ☔️ New West Weather - ⛅️ 🚿 Mixed 🌧️ 

 Rain Riddle - What goes up when rain comes down?  (Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

🗓️ New West Events - a few events to choose from! 😆 

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News - BC Pen + Cookie Exchange

 😀 Viral Meme

 📰 Advertise with New West Spotlight - Buy One, Get One Free

Read New West Spotlight Online

December 08, 2024

 🎅 Breakfast with Santa – 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

 🧘 Free Guided Meditation Session by Heartfulness – 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

 🖋️ Write for Rights – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

 🛍️ Churi at the Quay Christmas Market – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

 🎂 Kelly O'Bryan's New West Birthday Party – 11:00 AM - Late

 🍭 Holiday Cheer (All Ages) – 12:00 AM to 3:00 PM

 🍩 Steel and Oak Brewing Co. Holiday Market – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

 ✨ Light Up Sapperton – 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM

 🎁 Gifts from the Grinch – 1:00 PM

 🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

 🎨 Sunday's Are for Art! Art Talk and Presentation with Potteryworks Studio! – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

 🎨 Egg Tempera Painting Workshop – 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM

 🧶 Rug Tufting: Learn to make your own rug – 4:00 PM

 🕺 Yuniverse – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

 ⚽️ NWSC Blackout Takes the Field for Caring Neighbours Program - 5:00 PM

 🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

 🛍️ Markers Alley Market – Massey Theatre

December 09, 2024

👪️ Family Playtime Drop-in (Quayside) – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

👪️ Uptown Playtime Drop-in (Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces) – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

🧩 Puzzle Mondays at Steel and Oak – Starts at 5:00 PM

🧶 Experience Trampoline & Crafts – 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🎙️ Begbie's Open Mic – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

🛍️ Markers Alley Market – Massey Theatre

December 10, 2024

 👪️ Family Playtime Drop-in (Quayside) – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

 📖 Storytime (2-5 years) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

 🔦 Light Experiments – 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

 🎅 Meet & Greet Santa Claus – 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM

 🍕 Holiday Pizza Party w/ Councillors Tasha Henderson and Ruby Campbell – 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

 💡 Lights and Science – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

 🍺 🎲 Beer and Board Games – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

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

 🛍️ Markers Alley Market – Massey Theatre

 🚧 Historic B.C. Penitentiary Site Faces Foreclosure and Legal Feud

A historic riverfront property in New Westminster, once home to the notorious B.C. Penitentiary, is now at the center of contentious legal disputes among real estate investors, lenders, and their legal teams. The property, known for its chilling past of executions, riots, and hostage situations, is facing an uncertain future.

The former B.C. Penitentiary, Canada’s first federal prison west of Manitoba, operated from 1878 until its closure in 1980. While most of the prison grounds were redeveloped into residential neighborhoods, one of its last remaining structures—a castle-like gatehouse at 319 Governor’s Court—still stands. This century-old landmark, once the administrative hub of the prison, is now embroiled in lawsuits and foreclosure proceedings.

Governor’s Court Holdings, the company that purchased the property for $5.08 million in 2021, is under financial strain. The company reportedly stopped making interest payments on a $3.1 million mortgage in July 2023. As a result, Autumn Sea B.C. Mortgage Ltd. has filed a foreclosure petition, seeking to recoup its investment. Meanwhile, legal battles between the two families behind Governor’s Court Holdings—the Sodhis and the Bajwas—have further complicated matters, with accusations of forgery, defamation, and other grievances flying back and forth.

Adding to the uncertainty, the property's protected heritage status limits development options. The gatehouse, described in historical registers as a fortress-like structure with turrets and battlements, has served various commercial tenants in recent years, including a daycare, offices, and a pub. While plans were once floated to transform the site into a hotel with restaurants and offices, no formal applications have been submitted to city authorities.

A recent valuation placed the property at $4.55 million, though Governor’s Court Holdings disputes this, claiming it is worth $6.67 million. Despite its rich history and redevelopment potential, the property risks going to auction if the legal and financial disputes remain unresolved.

New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone emphasized the site’s significance, calling it a challenging but essential task to balance the city’s history with modern community needs. For now, the future of this storied piece of New Westminster’s heritage hangs in the balance.

Read the full story here.

 🍪 Dozens of Treats and Holiday Fun at BC Pen Cookie Swap 🍪 

A Christmas cookie exchange is a delightful holiday tradition that brings people together to share homemade treats, festive cheer, and a love for baking. Sometimes called a “cookie swap,” these gatherings allow participants to bake one or two types of cookies and trade with others, leaving everyone with a wide variety of cookies to enjoy throughout the season.

This long-standing tradition, dating back to the 1930s, can be simple or elaborate, often incorporating games, activities, and plenty of socializing. It’s a perfect solution for anyone who wants an assortment of holiday cookies without spending endless hours in the kitchen. Guests bake a few batches of their specialty cookies, exchange them, and go home with an impressive collection of treats.

Governor's Court Massage Therapy hosted the cookie exchange in the historic BC Pen gatehouse building in New Westminster. Baking enthusiasts contributed an array of cookies, from cornstarch cookies and double chocolate chips to festive “Christmas Crack” creations. Participants left with dozens of cookies to share with family and friends and fond memories of a fun, community-centered event in a stunning setting.

Everyone shared their excitement about meeting new people and going home with five dozen cookies, recommending the experience to anyone looking to add a little sweetness to their holiday season.

Thanks to the following:

• Alessandra - Cornstarch Cookies

• Carla - Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chocolate Chip

• Erin - Snowman

• Khiara - Cran-Lemon Bliss

• Leah - Double Chocolate Chip

• Rosanne - Christmas Crack

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

What goes up when the rain comes down?

☂️ Umbrellas. ☔️ 

Meme of the Day

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