Cultural Practice Review + Famous Last Words

  Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 🌦️ New West Weather - Mixed

 Rain Riddle - What do you call the weatherman who likes to eat steak?

 (Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

 🔦 Business Spotlight - The Cove Indoor Play 🧒 

  🎀 Announcing Milestone Celebrations 🎁🎀 - New Feature Added - 😯 

  🗓️ New West Events - Pretty quiet out there today.

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News - Cultural Practice Review + Famous Last Words

 😀 Viral Meme

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

Read New West Spotlight Online

Here in New Westminster, B.C., a new family destination is redefining what it means to play, connect, and grow as a community. The Cove Indoor Play, situated on the second floor of Royal City Centre, isn’t just another indoor playground—it’s a carefully curated haven where children of all abilities are empowered to explore, socialize, and thrive in a safe and inclusive environment. With a focus on understanding neurodiversity and creating meaningful experiences for families, The Cove offers much more than fun. It’s a space where children can embrace their unique strengths, parents can enjoy peace of mind, and the entire family can share joyful, stress-free moments together. From thoughtfully designed sensory-friendly zones to adaptive play structures that ensure every child feels included, The Cove sets a new standard for family-friendly spaces. It’s not just a place to play—it’s a place to belong.

A Playground with Purpose

At The Cove, inclusivity is at the heart of everything they do. Designed specifically with neurodiverse children in mind, the 4,200-square-foot facility features:

• Sensory-Friendly Zones: Quiet areas with low lighting and reduced noise for children needing a calm retreat.

• Adaptive Play Structures: Every child can play comfortably from wheelchair-accessible equipment to harnessed swings.

• Flexible Play Options: Climbing walls, and foam block zones allow children to explore independently.

• Cooperative Play Spaces: Special areas foster teamwork, helping kids develop social and communication skills.

With trained staff who understand the needs of neurodiverse children, The Cove creates an environment where every child feels valued and supported.

The Cove isn’t just a play area—it’s a community hub where families can connect and grow together. Parents can relax in the seating area, enjoy a coffee, or even take advantage of unique perks like Saturday massages in partnership with WCCMT for our members.

In addition to play, The Cove offers:

Birthday Party Packages: Customizable celebrations in a fun, stress-free setting.

Classes & Workshops: Creative and educational programs to keep kids and parents engaged.

Future Plans: A coworking space for parents and a retail wall showcasing local businesses are coming soon.

Building a Stronger Community

The Cove is deeply committed to giving back to New Westminster. Their initiatives include:

Volunteer Opportunities for Students: Partnering with local schools to provide valuable experience.

Inclusive Hiring Practices: Offering meaningful employment opportunities for neurodiverse individuals.

Winter Drive Success: Collaborating with organizations like BabyGoRound to support families in need with essentials like clothing, diapers, and toys.

Founder Trisha Ocampo envisioned The Cove as a place where families of all backgrounds and abilities could feel welcome. “Each child experiences the world differently,” Trisha says, “and we want to create a space that reflects those diverse needs.”

Visit The Cove Today!

Location: Second floor, Royal City Centre, New Westminster
 Hours: Monday–Saturday: 10 AM–6 PM | Sunday: Closed for Private Events
 Learn More: Whether you’re looking for a fun day out, a birthday party venue, or a supportive community space, The Cove Indoor Play is ready to welcome your family. Stop by today and discover why this new gem has become a favorite in New Westminster!

 Play It Forward: A Fundraiser for The Cove, an Inclusive Space for Parents & Kids!

Celebrate Life's Big Moments in the New West Spotlight!

Do you know a New Westminster resident (or a former long-time New West resident) celebrating an incredible milestone? Whether it’s a 90th (or more!) birthday or a 60th (or more!) anniversary, let’s honor them in style!

Nominate your loved ones or friends to be featured in our daily digital newsletter, the New West Spotlight, and share their joy with the entire community. It’s a wonderful way to make their milestone moment even more special!

Submit the details through our quick Google Form here, and we’ll include their celebration on their big day.

Let’s come together to celebrate the amazing people who make New West such a vibrant and cherished community. Start sharing those milestone stories today!

January 07, 2025

🍺 🎲 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

January 08, 2025

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

📖 Reading Theatre Series – 1:45 PM

📽️ Chasing Carbon Zero – 6:00 PM to 7:30 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

🎭️ Charity Drag Bingo hosted by Justin Abit – 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM

January 09, 2025

👩‍💼 Resilient Women in Business – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

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

📚️ Library Champions Information Session – Virtual Event – 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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

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

 🌇 City Reviews Cultural Observance Practices with Community Recommendations

The Community Advisory Assembly, a diverse group of local residents convened monthly to advise the City Council, has presented recommendations on how the city should address cultural observances in light of its growing and diverse population.

Currently, the city’s practices around cultural celebrations are a blend of long-standing traditions and sporadic updates to include notable cultural events. For example, City Hall is adorned with traditional Christmas decorations each year, while more recently, it has been lit up during Diwali to honor Sikh and Hindu community members. However, there is no formal framework guiding how these decisions are made, leaving room for inconsistency and the challenge of balancing recognition for all cultural groups.

The assembly proposed categorizing cultural observances into three types: Collective Identity, Community-Led, and Awareness-Raising events. This approach clarifies the roles the city should play in supporting or promoting each type of event. Implementing these changes will require resources, staff coordination, and further discussions on funding allocation to ensure equitable support across all groups.

The recommendations highlight the importance of engaging with the community to create inclusive policies while ensuring the city can manage its resources effectively. The council has referred these proposals to staff for review and planning, signaling that the discussion around cultural observances is far from over.

Read the Mayor’s full blog post here.

 😂 Laughter Meets Literary Genius at Famous Last Words Debut in New Westminster

The highly anticipated debut of Famous Last Words is set to hit New Westminster with a unique mix of comedy, poetry, and audience-driven antics. Hosted by the charismatic Sara Bynoe, this literary-meets-comedic event invites five talented contestants to compete for the audience's favor—and Bynoe’s heart—through a series of unpredictable games.

With no two shows alike, the competitions range from literary and comedic challenges, like crafting provocative poems aimed at fellow panelists, to lighthearted spectacles such as balancing a balloon while “dolphining” or creating sketches of puppies that somehow resemble famous poets. Audience participation and the whimsical guidance of Bynoe’s sidekick, Uni the Unicorn, make this an immersive experience full of surprises.

For the inaugural New Westminster show, Famous Last Words will feature a lineup of celebrated poets and performers:

• Marlo Browne, is a Barbadian poet and author of four critically acclaimed books, whose work explores themes of social justice, mental well-being, and love.

• Roger Blenman, is an Afro-Caribbean-Canadian poet, novelist, and playwright, known for his sharp wit and reflective storytelling.

• Babaloluwa (Lolu) Oyedele, whose bio remains a mystery but promises a poetic force to be reckoned with.

• Neko Smart, is a UBC Creative Writing graduate, Van Slam Champion, and mental health advocate with a history of engaging audiences through powerful, stigma-breaking poetry.

• SJ Valiquette, a Treaty 7 Territory-based poet, photographer, and arts administrator, whose next collection, knick-knacks/ things no one is saying, is set for release in 2024.

Sara Bynoe, the mastermind behind the show, brings her trademark humor and energy to the stage. With a background in acting, comedy production, and writing, Bynoe has been featured in festivals across North America and the UK, including the Vancouver Comedy Festival and the Verses Festival. Her presence ensures a blend of hilarity and heartfelt creativity throughout the night.

Join the fun at Famous Last Words for a one-of-a-kind evening celebrating wit, wordplay, and whimsy. Expect to laugh, cheer, and witness unforgettable performances that blur the line between competition and community connection.

Register Now

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

 ☁️ What do you call the weatherman who really likes to eat steak? ☂️ 

👨‍💼 A meateaterologist. 🥩 

Meme of the Day

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