Heat Mitigation + Don’t Get Fooled

Issue #214

Author

Carla McNeil
April 27, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 ☀️ Weather - Mix of Sun and Cloud

 😜 Rain Joke - Why did the raindrop break up with the puddle?

 🗓️ New West Events - Variety

 🗞️ New West Local News - Heat Mitigation + Don’t Get Fooled

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

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 18.5 2015 - Record low 3.7 2022

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

April 27, 2025

🚴 Bike for Earth Day – 11:00 AM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Never 51 – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎭️ RAVOLUTIONARY Drag Brunch – 12:30 AM to 2:30 PM

🏘️ Low-Carbon Vacations in BC – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

⛸️ Public Skate – 1:15 PM to 2:45 PM

📿 Beading Workshop – 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM

🧘 Learn to Meditate – 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM

🖼️ sagawakisis, our ancestors are always with us' – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

💃 Simply Caring Dinner and Dance – Doors open at 6:00 PM

🎶 Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical – 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Vagabond Players Presents The Revolutionists – 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

April 28, 2025

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

🕯️ Day of Mourning – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

📖 Cantonese Storytime (all ages) – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

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

🎶 New West Community Choir – 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM

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

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

April 29, 2025

🌺 Hanging Basket Workshop – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles All Levels – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🍺 🎲 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

🗣️ English Conversation Circles All Levels – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

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

Four years after the devastating 2021 heat dome, which claimed over 600 lives in British Columbia, a pioneering study has revealed stark contrasts in how municipalities across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are preparing for future extreme heat events. The research, published in the Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, found that cities with larger populations and more financial resources are generally better equipped to address the dangers posed by rising temperatures.

Among the leaders in proactive heat mitigation efforts are Vancouver, Surrey, and New Westminster, each of which has implemented a significant number of initiatives aimed at protecting residents from extreme heat. In contrast, municipalities such as Chilliwack, Delta, Port Coquitlam, and West Vancouver were identified as having limited plans in place.

The study, led by Andréanne Doyon, associate professor at Simon Fraser University’s School of Resource and Environmental Management, analyzed over 240 official planning documents from 27 municipalities and two regional districts, dating from 2023. This analysis marked the first province-wide examination of local government strategies to combat extreme heat.

Key initiatives were categorized into three primary areas: urban greening, urban design, and land use planning. The findings showed a wide disparity in preparedness, often influenced by socio-economic status, population density, financial constraints, and staffing resources.

Urban greening—such as planting more trees and preserving green spaces—was identified as the most common approach to cooling cities. This reflects a strong public awareness of the benefits of parks and vegetation in reducing urban temperatures. However, the report also highlighted the ongoing loss of ecological spaces in Metro Vancouver due to development, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of these green initiatives.

The research emphasized the need for more coordinated efforts across municipal boundaries. It called for integrated planning at the neighborhood level, rather than isolated projects, and encouraged local governments to collaborate and learn from one another to strengthen heat mitigation strategies.

As part of the ongoing research, the team is now focusing on housing policy in Burnaby, one of the hardest-hit areas during the 2021 heat dome, to further understand how urban planning can protect vulnerable populations in future heat events.

Artisans and small business owners are being warned about a growing wave of scam ads flooding social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Fraudulent profiles are promoting fake craft fairs and markets, charging booth fees between $40 and $75 for non-existent events before disappearing with the money.

These scammers target not only crafting groups but also broader community pages and Marketplace listings, using identical ad text across multiple accounts, altering only names and locations to appear local and credible. The goal is to deceive vendors into paying upfront fees for events that will never happen.

To stay safe, artisans are urged to follow key tips to verify the legitimacy of any event:

  • Check for Official Sources: Always look for an official event website or directly contact the venue to confirm the event’s authenticity.

  • Spot Copy-Paste Ads: Many scam ads use the same wording across different profiles. If you see identical phrases from multiple accounts, it’s likely a scam.

  • Be Wary of Direct Messages: Scammers often approach vendors via private messages, offering available booth spaces or discounts to lure them into quick payments.

  • Avoid Risky Payment Methods: Legitimate organizers use secure, traceable, and often refundable payment systems. Avoid sending money via PayPal (friends/family), e-transfer, Zelle, or gift cards.

  • Watch for Red Flags: Poor grammar, vague details, and overly pushy messages are signs of a scam.

  • Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off or too rushed, it’s best to step away.

These scam ads have been reported across social media feeds, community forums, and even as sponsored posts. The artisan community is encouraged to remain vigilant and share experiences to help others avoid falling victim..

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️Why did the raindrop break up with the puddle?

It found someone more refreshing!! ☔️ 

Groan O' Meter

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