New West Market Crawl+Fake Gold Scam

Issue #211

Author

Carla McNeil
April 24, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌥️ Weather - Mix of sun and cloud

 😜 Rain Joke - My umbrella and I have a great relationship. ❣️🌂

 🔦 Business Spotlight - World of Art

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Rajan S.!

 🗓️ New West Events - Variety

 🗞️ New West Local News - New West Market Crawl+Fake Gold Scam

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

World of Art

In the heart of New Westminster, a vibrant space fosters creativity and development in young minds: World of Art Studio, helmed by the passionate Olesia Chyryk. More than just an art class, World of Art offers children a unique opportunity to explore their imagination, hone their fine motor skills, and build valuable social connections.

Olesia’s journey to establishing this creative haven is as inspiring as the colorful beadwork her students craft. Originally from Ukraine, Olesia brought with her a wealth of experience, including her own beading studio and a background in teaching, complemented by two master's degrees in economics and teaching. After moving to Canada six years ago, her desire to work with children and her passion for hands-on activities led her to establish World of Art.

Starting with donation-based beading classes in 2019, Olesia’s initiative quickly blossomed. Word spread, initially within the Russian and Ukrainian-speaking community, and now she proudly welcomes a diverse group of young artists, with approximately 25% or more being English-speaking. This growth is a testament to the engaging and enriching experience Olesia provides.

World of Art offers a variety of creative and development classes for kids, encompassing everything from crafting animals and flowers to designing their own jewelry. These activities are thoughtfully designed to develop fine motor skills and enhance social communication among children, catering to both typical kids and those with special abilities. Olesia’s dedication is evident in her explanation of how beading connects the brain and fingers, highlighting the educational value embedded in the fun.

You might find World of Art’s workshops taking place at the Russian Library on Sixth Street in New Westminster. Olesia also brings her engaging sessions to birthday parties and other locations like church premises or community amenity rooms, showcasing her flexibility and commitment to reaching young learners. Assisting her in these endeavors are her two daughters, her “best helpers,” who earn hourly wages, reflecting Olesia’s belief that all labor deserves to be paid.

While the colorful beads and charming creations might seem purely playful, Olesia emphasizes the deeper benefits of her classes. Beyond the fun, children learn problem-solving, spatial thinking, and the joy of creating their own patterns – a significant achievement Olesia finds incredibly rewarding. This educational aspect sometimes gets overlooked, as some parents might compare her classes to simple playrooms, not fully recognizing the skill development involved. However, for a reasonable price of around $30 for a two-hour session (including all materials, rent, and her daughters' salaries), children gain so much more than just an afternoon of fun.

Olesia’s favorite aspect of her studio workshops is the vibrant atmosphere where children can communicate, make friends, and socialize, which she finds particularly important for kids with special abilities. Witnessing these connections and the children’s creativity brings her immense joy. Even managing the boundless energy of some of the younger boys presents a fun challenge, and the initial apprehension before each class quickly fades as she witnesses the children’s engagement.

For those looking to ignite their child's creativity and support a passionate local business owner, finding World of Art is easy. Olesia encourages you to visit her Facebook page, "World of Art" where you can find more information, including her phone number, email address, and Instagram details. She also places her business cards at local establishments like Banette Brunch Bakery, Full Basket, and Imprinta in New Westminster. Keep an eye out for upcoming workshops, though the schedule is currently lighter due to Olesia’s studies and personal commitments, with hopes to expand in the summer.

By choosing World of Art, you're not just signing your child up for an art class; you're investing in their development, fostering their creativity, and supporting a dedicated local entrepreneur who pours her heart and soul into enriching the lives of young people in our community. Discover the magic of beading and so much more at World of Art – a true gem in New Westminster!

Thank you, Rajan - you are so nice!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 16.9 2022 - Record low 3.8 2023

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

April 24, 2025

🗣️ English Conversation Circles for Intermediates – 9:30 PM to 11:30 AM

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

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

🧑‍💼 ACP - Administrative Professionals' Appreciation Day – 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM

🌡️ Climate Report from the City of New Westminster – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎨 Oil Pastels – 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

👩‍🌾 Gardening: Living Compost – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

📝 Guidance and Behaviour Management – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

🎶 Live Music at El Santo – 6:30 PM to 9:30 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

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

April 25, 2025

🛝 Super Kids Camp Hosted by Nooma Space – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

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

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

🍔 Between 2 Buns – 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🍻 April Beer Friday at the Legion! – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

💰️ Pub Night Fundraiser - Walk for Alzheimer's – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

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

🎨 Brush Hour Paint Night - Sunset Campfire – 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

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

April 26, 2025

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

🍃 The City Nature Challenge – 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

🏘️ Sustainable Homes Information Sessions – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

💰️ Thrift Sale – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

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

🧹 Spring Queensborough Shoreline Cleanup! – 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

🧶 Knitting & Crocheting Circle – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🏘️ Climate Friendly Homes Tour – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

♻️ Earth Day Recycle Popup – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎨 Dot Mandala Workshop – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

📖 Ukrainian Storytime (All ages) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

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

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

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

Downtown New Westminster is inviting residents and visitors alike to experience its vibrant artistic community through the Downtown New West Market Crawl. This guided walking tour explores the creative pulse of the city, offering a close-up look at four distinctive markets, each home to talented local artisans and makers.

The tour takes small groups on a journey through the heart of the neighbourhood, blending insights into local history with the chance to explore a variety of independently-run markets. At each stop, visitors will have 15 to 30 minutes to browse and engage with the vendors and their work.

The first stop is Arts New West at River Market, located at 810 Quayside Drive, showcasing a diverse collection of art from Canadian creators. Next, the tour visits Designs by Jules in the Shops at New West, where a partnership with First Capital has brought to life a new community space designed for interactive experiences like this market.

The third stop is the Indigenous Art Market at 721 Carnarvon Street, where authentic Indigenous artworks and handmade goods are displayed within the recently launched Native Art Renaissance Foundation and Gallery. Finally, the tour ends at the Deathcap Tattoo Art Market, a tattoo studio turned market space at #301-332 Columbia Street, featuring distinctive handcrafted designs and unique artistic pieces.

Adding to the experience, participants will enjoy a complimentary treat at one of several beloved local spots, such as Origins Chocolate Bar or Cake It Easy, included in the ticket price.

Tickets for the Downtown New West Market Crawl are limited, offering a special chance to discover the creativity and businesses that make this area a hub for Canadian artistry.

The New Westminster Police Department is issuing a public warning about a concerning rise in thefts involving fake gold jewelry. On March 18th, around 3:00 pm, a senior citizen was targeted in the 1700 block of 7th Avenue. A woman, accompanied by a man driving a grey Mazda SUV, approached the victim, initiating a brief conversation. During the interaction, the fraudster gave the victim fake gold jewelry while simultaneously stealing her real jewelry, which included a necklace and two bracelets valued at approximately $3,000.

Authorities are actively investigating this incident and are seeking assistance from the public to identify those responsible.

This event follows a similar case reported on April 9th, where another woman attempted to snatch a gold necklace from a passerby in the 100 block of 8th Street at about 11:00 am, before quickly fleeing the scene.

Police note that such scams are becoming increasingly common, particularly targeting seniors in public places such as streets, parking lots, and near retirement homes. Scammers often pose as overly friendly strangers, sometimes going as far as hugging victims to get close enough to steal jewelry. In some cases, they also try to sell fake gold for cash or offer to escort seniors to ATMs to withdraw money for purchases.

The police are urging the community, especially caregivers of seniors, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately by calling 9-1-1. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of such fraud is encouraged to contact the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

My umbrella and I have a great relationship. ❣️🌂 

⛈️ We really know how to weather the storm! ☔️ 

Groan O' Meter

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