Conservative Candidate Steps Down + Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo

Inside the New West Spotlight

 ⛅️ Weather - Mainly Sunny

 😜 Rain Joke - 🌈 Why do rainbows appear in spring? 🌈 

 🔦 Local Business Spotlight - Vita Felice MEDI SPA

 💝 Testimonials - Thank You, Ennessa G.!

 🗓️ New West Events - Variety

 🗞️ New West Local News - Conservative Candidate Steps Down + Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo

 😆 Meme of the Day

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

Read New West Spotlight Online

Discover Your Happy Life with Vita Felice Medi Spa in Downtown New West!

Have you ever stumbled upon a hidden gem, a place with a story and a heart as warm as its services? That’s exactly what you’ll find at Vita Felice Medi Spa, nestled in downtown New Westminster at 661 Columbia Street, unit 103. Don’t worry if you haven’t spotted it right away; as owner Rachel Leoni playfully admits, being tucked away from the street front can make them a little elusive. But trust us, the happy life ("Vita Felice" meaning just that in Italian) Rachel is cultivating inside is well worth seeking out.

Recently, we had the pleasure of chatting with the multi-talented Rachel, who wears every hat in her micro-business – from CEO and owner to aesthetician, tattoo artist, receptionist, admin, and marketer. Yes, you read that right – when you reach out to Vita Felice, you’ll be speaking directly with Rachel!

So, what brought Rachel to this charming spot in the heart of New West? A resident of the city since 2011, Rachel shared that she wanted to be close to her community, a community she deeply loves and wishes to see thrive. The location itself offered a practical advantage too. The beautiful heritage building, owned by a savvy commercial landlord, features small units, each equipped with a sink – a crucial element for personal service businesses like Rachel’s.

But the story behind Vita Felice is more than just location. Rachel, an immigrant from Japan, found herself facing familiar challenges in her job search after studying at SFU. It was a serendipitous discovery of the microblading industry on Facebook that sparked a new career path. Despite never imagining herself in the personal service industry, Rachel has built a business where she gets to choose what she does. Her corporate background in marketing has proven invaluable in this new venture.

More than just a medispa, Vita Felice is about helping people feel confident in their own skin. Rachel emphasizes that true beauty comes from within, and her services are designed to provide that little boost we all need sometimes. Her offerings are diverse, including a range of skincare treatments for the face, body, and even intimate areas, alongside beauty treatments for brows and lashes, cosmetic tattoo removal, hair removal, and hair loss services. Notably, Rachel also provides scar treatments for various reasons, including surgery, burns, and violence, as well as addressing stretch marks. She offers special programs for cancer patients and survivors, alopecia patients, and burn survivors. This passion stems from a desire to help victims and contribute to the community.

When asked about her favorite service, Rachel enthusiastically highlights skincare. She loves the complexity of skin and the rewarding journey of seeing significant positive changes when clients commit to the process. She even shared a personal anecdote about overcoming her own pigmentation issues, a testament to the power of dedicated skincare. You can even see her personal before-and-after photos on her website!

Interestingly, the most popular service at Vita Felice is Brazilian sugaring, a hair removal method similar to waxing but, in Rachel’s expert opinion, gentler, less painful, and offering more benefits. She believes she was one of the first to offer sugaring in New Westminster. So, if you’re looking for sugaring in the area, Vita Feliche Medi Spa should definitely pop up in your search!

What truly fuels Rachel’s passion is the connection with her clients. She expresses deep gratitude for the wonderful clientele, many of whom are from New Westminster. While achieving great results is rewarding, it’s the positive relationships she builds that truly get her going.

Of course, running a small business comes with its challenges. Rachel points to the current economy as the most significant hurdle, as personal services are often reconsidered during uncertain times. She also addresses a common misconception that facials are solely for relaxation. Rachel clarifies that while relaxation can be a part of the experience, her primary goal is to provide results and improve skin conditions. She even wrote a blog article distinguishing between a medi spa and a day spa to educate her clients.

For those interested in experiencing the “happy life” at Vita Felice Medi Spa, the best way to connect with Rachel is through her website, which offers extensive information. If you still have questions, texting is a good option as it allows her to respond more flexibly when she's with clients. You can also find Vita Felice Medi Spa on Instagram and Facebook.

Keep an eye out for monthly promotions, usually announced through her email newsletter and shared on social media and Google. Rachel is currently working on specials for April, focusing on intimate care with added services, and eyebrow cosmetic tattoos.

In exciting news, Rachel has also started teaching sugaring classes this year, targeting individuals seeking extra income or those already in the beauty industry looking to expand their skills and offerings. Information about these classes can be found on her website.

Adding to the convenience for her clients, Vita Felice Medi Spa is open seven days a week until 10 p.m. by appointment only. Call 778-987-5480. This allows those with day jobs to access her services after work and even on weekends. Plus, the location is conveniently within walking distance of two SkyTrain stations in New Westminster.

So, New Westminster, are you ready to discover your own "happy life"? Support your local businesses and treat yourself to the dedicated care and expertise offered by Rachel Leoni at Vita Felice Medi Spa.

🍁 Proudly Canadian 🍁 

April 03, 2025

🔍️ New Westminster Scavenger Hunt – 11:00 AM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples - New Westminster Area – 1:00 PM

🧕 Eid Mubarak – 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

📝 Taxes 101 – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

🎙️ Karaoke Night at Georgie's – 7:00 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

April 04, 2025

🔍️ New Westminster Scavenger Hunt – 11:00 AM

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

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples - New Westminster Area – 1:00 PM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Friday Sessions – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🍔 Between 2 Buns  – 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

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

🎨 Brush Hour Paint Night - Wild Mushrooms – 6:30 PM to 8:30 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

April 05, 2025

🧘 Breathe and Rejuvinate - Free Pranayam Workshop – 7:00 AM

🏓 Pickleball Doubles League 2025 Winter Season – 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM

🛍️ Spring Craft Market – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Friday Sessions – 10:30 PM to 12:30 PM

🔍️ New Westminster Scavenger Hunt – 11:00 AM

📱 Smartphone Photography Workshop– 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples - New Westminster Area – 1:00 PM

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

📚️ Celebrating Poetry Month – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

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

🎭️ Poetry Flood Night – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎸 INGROWN IDAHO WEST COAST 2025 VANCOUVER – 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM

💰️ Reach for the Stars: QPPS Silent Auction – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

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

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

 ❌ Lourence Singh No Longer Running for Conservatives in New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville

Lourence Singh is no longer in the running as the Conservative Party’s candidate in the New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville riding.

Singh’s name appeared on the official candidate list published by the Conservative Party of Canada on Tuesday morning but was removed by the evening. The party later confirmed his withdrawal in a brief statement issued on April 2, though no explanation was provided for the change.

Singh had previously announced his nomination on social media in mid-January, expressing enthusiasm about representing the Conservatives in the federal race and aiming to shift the riding’s political leaning.

His departure follows news earlier the same day that two other Conservative candidates — Stefan Marquis in Quebec and Mark McKenzie in Ontario — had also stepped down.

With Singh no longer in the race, it remains unclear whether the Conservative Party will field a replacement candidate in the riding. The Record has reached out to the party for clarification.

As of now, three individuals are confirmed to be contesting the New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville seat: incumbent Peter Julian of the NDP, Jake Sawatzky for the Liberal Party, and Tara Shushtarian representing the Green Party.

Elections Canada will release the finalized list of confirmed candidates on Wednesday, April 9.

Read the full story here.

 🕹️ Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo 2025 

The Greater Vancouver Area has long been home to a thriving gaming community, and in 2012, that passion sparked the launch of the Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo. Debuting on March 17, 2012, the event quickly sold out the Columbia Theatre, marking a strong start to what would become an annual celebration of gaming culture.

By 2016, growing interest led organizers to relocate to the Anvil Centre in New Westminster—a modern venue that could accommodate the expanding scope of the expo. Since then, the event has grown to occupy the entire space, becoming a cornerstone of the region’s gaming event calendar.

Now in its 13th year, the Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo returns on Saturday, June 15, 2025, once again transforming the Anvil Centre into a haven for fans of classic gaming.

Inspired by retro gaming expos in other cities, the Vancouver version brings its own unique flair. Attendees can expect a blend of classic gaming attractions like vendor booths, free-play arcades, and panel discussions, along with distinctive local flavor—licensed areas, live music inspired by old-school gaming, guest appearances, and themed performances unique to Vancouver’s scene. New content is added each year, with community participation at the heart of the expo's continued evolution.

Organized by a dedicated volunteer team through Phase 3 Events, the expo is the brainchild of Brian Hughes, owner of Gamedeals Video Games. Held annually around June, the Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo remains a one-day event—designed that way to keep ticket prices affordable and to maintain a strong focus on high-quality content. Our own Press Stat Video Games will be there!

With more than a decade of memories behind it, the expo is set to continue bringing gamers together for years to come.

Get Your Tickets Now

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌈 Why do rainbows appear in spring? 🌈

🎉 Because the rain and sunshine are having a party! 🍸️ 

Meme of the Day

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