Eat New West + Karl Hirzer to lead VSO

  Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 🌥️ New West Weather - Mixed

 Rain Riddle - 💧 Can bees fly in the rain? 🐝 

 (Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

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

  🗓️ New West Events - busy day

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News - Eat New West + Karl Hirzer to lead VSO

 😀 Viral Meme

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

Read New West Spotlight Online

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 13, 2025

👶 Baby Talk Drop-ins – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

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

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

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

January 14, 2025

📖 Storytime (3-5 years) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

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

💰️ Littératie financière : maîtrisez vos finances personnelles!  – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

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

👩‍💼 Naloxone and Overdose Prevention Training  – 6:30 PM

👼 Death Conversation Game X Phoenix – 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

🎭️ Trivia Tuesdays at Notorious Grey Fox – 7:00 PM

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

👪️ Nobody's Perfect Parenting Program (January 14-February 18)  – 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

🧘 FREE Gentle Flow Yoga @ Vista Royale  – 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM

January 15, 2025

🛂 Canadian Immigration Policy Updates: Webinar with BCNSP – 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

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

👶 Babytime (0-23 months)  – 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM

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

🎒 After-School Drop-In (5-12 years) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🌃 Pyjama Storytime (all ages)  – 6:30 PM to 7:00 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

🎭️ Drag Trivia hosted by Scarlett Rosé – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

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

🎭️ Stim City Mental Health Comedy – 7:30 PM

 🥐 Dine, Win, and Give Back: Eat New West Challenge Ends January 15

Foodies in New Westminster, it’s your last chance to dive into the city’s vibrant dining scene, win exciting prizes, and support a great cause! The Eat New West Bucket List Challenge wraps up on January 15, so grab your Bucket List Card and make your way through 10 incredible local restaurants, including fan-favorite Greens and Beans Deli.

How to Participate:

1. Pick Up Your Bucket List Card:
   Visit any participating restaurant to grab your card and start your delicious journey.

2. Dine and Collect Stamps:
   Savor a meal at each spot and collect a stamp for every visit.

3. Enter to Win:
   Each stamp gives you an entry for a chance to win one of 10 gift cards. Want to boost your odds? Post about your experience on the restaurant’s social media pages with the hashtag #ENWBucket to earn bonus entries!

Don’t Miss Your Chance!

Some restaurants, like Greens and Beans Deli, closed for a holiday break starting December 20, so plan your visits carefully to ensure you collect all your stamps.

Support the Local Food Bank:

This challenge is about more than just great food – it’s also about giving back. For every $10 you donate to the local food bank at Eat New West Fundraiser, you’ll earn bonus entries and help spread holiday cheer to those in need.

Which Restaurant Will You Visit First?

Whether you’re craving comforting classics or bold new flavors, this is your chance to explore New Westminster’s culinary gems while supporting local businesses and the community. Don’t wait – get your Bucket List Card, start dining, and make the most of this tasty adventure before it’s gone!

 🎹 New Westminster's Karl Hirzer to Lead Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Winter Concert

A celebrated alumnus of New Westminster Secondary School is returning to the spotlight, conducting the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) in an upcoming performance. Karl Hirzer, an accomplished conductor, pianist, and composer, will lead the VSO in its "Land of Winter" concert on January 16.

Hirzer has established himself as a rising star in the world of classical music, earning recognition for his dynamic presence and collaborative spirit. Currently serving as the associate conductor with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Hirzer has taken on diverse roles throughout his career. His work includes guest conducting engagements with the Szczecin Philharmonic in Poland, Symphony Nova Scotia, the Regina Symphony Orchestra, and contemporary group Land’s End Ensemble.

A New Westminster native, Hirzer began his musical journey at five with piano lessons under local teacher Anne Unger. He credits these early lessons with shaping his love for music and introducing him to the works of composers who continue to inspire him. He later honed his skills through the robust music program at New Westminster Secondary School, which he credits as a critical foundation for his career. After graduating in 2007, Hirzer earned a bachelor’s degree in performance from the University of Victoria, a master’s degree from McGill University, and a diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto.

This marks not the first time Hirzer has conducted the VSO. He previously led the orchestra’s Christmas concert in December 2021, describing the experience as a personal milestone. His deep connection to the VSO, nurtured since childhood, adds a heartfelt dimension to his upcoming performance.

As Hirzer prepares to lead "Land of Winter," his journey from a young student in New Westminster to an internationally recognized conductor exemplifies the power of passion, dedication, and the support of a strong musical education.

Revised Council Meeting Schedule

Under the new schedule, council meetings and workshops will alternate on Mondays, reducing the number of workshops by two each month. The revised structure ensures a total of four council-related meetings per month, including regular evening meetings, closed meetings, and workshops.

The updated schedule aims to balance efficiency in handling official city business with the need to address strategic priorities effectively. Mayor Patrick Johnstone and Councillors Ruby Campbell, Tasha Henderson, Jaimie McEvoy, and Nadine Nakagawa supported the schedule, citing its potential to prevent meetings from running late into the night and ensuring a thoughtful approach to issues.

However, Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas opposed the schedule. Fontaine expressed concerns about the impact of frequent Monday meetings on those with full-time jobs and questioned the value of the workshops, suggesting that they could instead be held on an as-needed basis.

Summary:

Starting January 2025, New Westminster city council meetings will begin with delegations at 6 p.m., giving presenters priority. The new meeting schedule reduces workshops while alternating them with council meetings on Mondays. While most council members supported the changes for efficiency and engagement, some expressed concerns about the frequency of meetings.!

Read the full article here!

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

 💧 Can bees fly in the rain? 🐝 

🐝 Not without their little yellow jackets! 💧

Meme of the Day

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