Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 🌧️ New West Weather - Rain

Rain Riddle - What do lightning bolts do when they laugh?

 (Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

 🥳 Subscriber Celebration 🎉 - Enter the draw to Win Chocolate 🍫 

🗓️ New West Events - LOTS of events to choose from! 😆 

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News - Postal Strike Ends + Sleeping Beauty @ Massey

 😀 Viral Meme

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

Read New West Spotlight Online

 We’ve Got Chocolate - It only takes a minute to enter the draw

December 17, 2024

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

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

🧑‍💼 New West Business Community Winter Social – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🖼️ Holiday Pop-in – 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

🎶 Have A Holly Jolly Jazzy Christmas – 7:00 PM at Anvil Theatre

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

December 18, 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

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👷 Work BC Employment Services Drop-In – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Georgie's Local  – 7:00 PM

🏃 Run Club  – 7:00 PM

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

🛍️ Makers Alley Market – Massey Theatre

🃏 Holiday Scratch Ticket Giveaway – Starlight Casino

December 19, 2024

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

🎸 Holiday Ukelele Tuneups – 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

🎸 Holiday Ukulele Tuneup – 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

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

🕯️ Twelve Powers Candle Lighting Service – 7:00 PM

🤡 Bees Knees Burlesque – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

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

🎅 Meet Constable Claus – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

 📬️ Canada Post Resumes Operations Today; Union Challenges Back-to-Work Order

Mail delivery is set to resume on Tuesday following a month-long strike by Canada Post workers. However, Canadians should brace for delays extending well into the new year as operations gradually ramp up.

Canada Post confirmed on Sunday that while operations technically resume Tuesday, mail will not be picked up or processed until Thursday. New international mail will begin being accepted on December 23. The Crown corporation emphasized that post office hours may vary, service guarantees remain suspended, and the backlog of letters and packages will take time to clear.

The strike began on November 15, involving more than 55,000 postal workers after negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) stalled. Key issues at the center of the dispute include wage increases, weekend delivery expansion, and staffing concerns.

Government Steps In

After weeks of mounting pressure from businesses and consumers—particularly during the busy holiday season—Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon intervened on Friday, directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to determine if the parties could reach a deal before year-end. The board, following a two-day hearing, declared the two sides at an impasse and ordered workers back to their jobs under their existing contracts.

MacKinnon described the government’s move as a "timeout," citing the lack of progress despite ongoing proposals and counterproposals. In addition to sending workers back to work, the government will appoint an industrial inquiry commission to investigate the issues and provide recommendations by May 15 on how a new agreement can be reached.

“The inquiry will have a broad scope,” MacKinnon stated, “examining Canada Post’s customer and business models in today’s challenging environment.”

Union Challenges Intervention

CUPW criticized the government’s intervention, calling it an infringement on workers’ right to strike and bargain collectively. In a statement Monday evening, the union confirmed it will challenge the back-to-work order at hearings scheduled for January 13 and 14.

CUPW also expressed concern over Canada Post’s proposal to expand weekend deliveries, which it argues undermines full-time positions by relying on part-time staffing to cut costs. Canada Post maintains that weekend delivery expansion is essential to boost revenues and remain competitive as the corporation struggles with financial losses.

Despite their opposition to the intervention, union members will return to work under extended contracts, which include a 5% wage increase retroactive to the day after the agreements expire.

Delays Expected

While the strike is over, the backlog caused by the month-long disruption means mail delays will likely persist into January 2025. Canadians are advised to expect slower delivery times during the holidays, and businesses should plan for service interruptions as Canada Post gradually resumes operations.

Read the full article here.

 🩰 Experience the Magic of Sleeping Beauty at Massey Theatre on February 8, 2025

Fans of the timeless fairytale and classical ballet are in for an enchanting evening as Ballet Jörgen presents its spellbinding rendition of Sleeping Beauty at the Massey Theatre on February 8, 2025.

Renowned for its stunning choreography and classical artistry, Ballet Jörgen’s Sleeping Beauty breathes fresh life into the beloved tale of Princess Aurora, her fateful curse, and the redemptive power of love. Audiences of all ages can look forward to a magical performance featuring elegant costumes, a majestic score, and exceptional dancers who bring the centuries-old story to life on stage.

A Timeless Tale of Love and Magic

Ballet Jörgen’s production draws on the traditional choreography of Marius Petipa and is set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic 1890 score, with a libretto inspired by Charles Perrault’s La Belle au bois dormant. This masterful interpretation beautifully conveys the magic, emotion, and charm that have captivated audiences for generations.

Jessica Schneider, executive and programming director at Massey Theatre, highlights the unique beauty of ballet, saying, “The power of ballet is that it can communicate without using words and make us feel and understand through the simple beauty of movement. This performance lets us share something that is happening here and now, never to be repeated the same way.”

The Perfect Stage for a Magical Performance

As one of the largest proscenium arch stages outside of downtown Vancouver, the Massey Theatre provides a grand and immersive setting to showcase Ballet Jörgen’s artistry. Schneider explains, “The Massey is a production theatre, which means it was built to showcase complete scenic designs and large casts of performers. There is no better place to see this kind of performance.”

Conveniently located in New Westminster, the theatre offers ample free parking, easy access to public transit, and nearby dining options—making it the perfect destination for an unforgettable evening.

Read the full article here

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🤣 What do lightning bolts do when they laugh? ⚡️ 

🌩️ They crack up. 🌩️ 

Meme of the Day

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