Royal City Rotary Online Auction + Fatal Crash on McBride Blvd

Issue #140

Author

Carla McNeil
February 13, 2025

  Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 🥶 New West Weather - Cold and Sunny

 Rain Riddle - What happens before it rains candy?
 
 (Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

 💡 Business Spotlight - The Refill Stop

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Bev B.!

🗓️ New West Events - Variety and lots

 😯 Your Opinion Counts - New Survey

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News - Royal City Rotary Online Auction + Fatal Crash on McBride Blvd

 😀 Viral Meme

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

In a world where single-use plastics dominate household consumption, The Refill Stop in New Westminster is making a difference by offering a sustainable, waste-free shopping experience. Customers can bring their own containers and refill them with household and body care essentials, including laundry soap, dish soap, cleaners, shampoo, and conditioner—eliminating the need for disposable plastic packaging.

The inspiration behind The Refill Stop came from its founder’s experience at a similar shop in Victoria, BC and a firsthand look at waste in the construction industry. After years of working as a carpenter and foreman, witnessing excessive material waste, the idea of a local refillery took root, driven by a commitment to reducing landfill waste and minimizing plastic pollution.

Sustainability at Every Level

Beyond refilling everyday essentials, The Refill Stop prioritizes working with local makers and suppliers who allow returned bulk containers to be reused—creating a closed-loop system. If containers can’t be returned, the team finds second uses for them instead of throwing them away.

More Than Just a Store

The Refill Stop is deeply involved in the local community, organizing yearly cleanups, donating to schools and charities, and running educational sessions with elementary students to promote sustainability. They’re also constantly on the lookout for innovative reusable alternatives to common single-use items.

Currently, the shop is undergoing renovations after five years in business—staying true to its eco-conscious mission by reusing materials during the process.

For those looking to make a simple but meaningful change toward sustainability, swapping out single-use plastic for refillable options at The Refill Stop is a great place to start!

📍 Location: The Refill Stop, 865 Carnarvon Street New Westminster
🕒 Stay tuned for updates on new products and renovation progress!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for today - Record high 12.6 2015 - Record low -4.1 2019

Thank you, Bev - you are so sweet!

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

February 13, 2025

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

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

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🖊️ SFU Writer's Studio Writing Consult – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🎙️ Table 29 Karaoke – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

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

🗣️ ESL Class – 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

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

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

🎭️ The Comic Strip – 8:00 PM

February 14, 2025

🎨 Acrylic Pouring – 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

👶 Toddler Time (12-36 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🍔 Between 2 Buns – 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

📚️ French Reading Buddies (6-9 years) – 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM

💂‍♂️ Tin Soldier Time Capsule Opening – 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

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

💘 Valentine's Day Love Party – Event Starts at 7:00 PM

💘 V-Day Party – Party Starts at 7:00 PM

🔮 Mystical Friday – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

👯‍♀️ Galentine's Day Heels & Bubbly – 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM

💝 Balentine's Day Social – 7:30 PM to 9:45 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

🎲 Board Night Game – Phantom Alley

🎒 School's Out Activities – New Westminster Parks and Recreation

PM

🍽️ Dine and Dance Valentines Day Specials – The Terminal Pub

February 15, 2025

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Day Weekend – Registration Opens at 10:00 AM

🛍️ New West Craft – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM River Market

🧶 Rug Tufting – 12:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The Integration Circle – 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

💘 Love is in the Air! – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

💃 BWCV Pole Dance Class (Galentines Edition) – 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

🚲️ Youth Cycle Express: $2 Drop-in for Youth – (For youth ages 13 - 18) 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🤗 You're Loved – 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🎭️ Comfy Cozy Comedy – Doors Open at 7:00 PM

🎶 Kellylee Evans with Krystle Dos Santos – 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

💘 Valentines Dance Party – 9:00 PM to February 16, 2:00 AM

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

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

🎸 Legends Show: A Tribute to Elvis and Roy – Massey Theatre

The New Westminster and Royal City Rotary Clubs are once again demonstrating their commitment to community service through their upcoming "To the Heart of the Matter" online auction. In line with Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self,” this initiative aims to raise funds for charitable projects both locally and internationally.

For the past 25 years, the Pot of Gold Charity Golf Tournament has been a major fundraising event, generating over $600,000 for local causes, including more than $30,000 in its most recent edition. The primary focus of the Rotary Clubs remains on supporting youth programs in the New Westminster area, a mission they continue to uphold through this fundraiser.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit The Salvation Army New Westminster and the Lower Mainland Purpose Society, an alternative education facility. These organizations provide essential support to individuals facing challenges in the community, particularly at-risk youth.

With the success of past fundraising efforts, organizers are optimistic about another impactful event and encourage community members to take part in the online auction. Every bid helps make a difference in the lives of those in need. Take a peek at the items that were auctioned last year.

Mark your calendars - Sat Feb. 15, 2025 at 6:50 p.m. - Thu Mar. 06, 2025 at 8:07 p.m.

New Westminster police are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision on McBride Boulevard, marking the second such incident in the area within two months.

A 54-year-old man from New Westminster was fatally struck by a drilling truck on Tuesday night. Emergency responders were called to the intersection of McBride Boulevard and Eighth Avenue around 7 p.m. after receiving reports of an unresponsive pedestrian. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities confirmed that the driver of the commercial vehicle remained on-site and is cooperating with the investigation. Specialists from the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS) were brought in to examine the scene, using advanced forensic techniques to determine the cause of the crash.

McBride Boulevard was closed for several hours, reopening around 4 a.m. as investigators gathered evidence. The New Westminster Police Department’s Major Crime Unit is leading the case, urging anyone with dash-cam footage or relevant information to come forward.

Police believe there were multiple witnesses due to the time of the incident and are asking the public to assist in the investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411. Your assistance is appreciated.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🍭 What happens before it rains candy? 🍬 

🚿 It sprinkles. ☔️ 

Groan O' Meter

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