Quayside Voices Wins + Water Main Flush

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌧️ Weather - Rain

 😜 Rain Joke - What is a wet bear called?

 🗓️ New West Events - Variety

 🗞️ New West Local News - Quayside Voices Wins + Water Main Flush

 😆 Meme of the Day

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April 07, 2025

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

🔍️ New Westminster Scavenger Hunt – 11:00 AM

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

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

📚️ Train Hoppers Book Launch – 4:00 PM at Gino’s Restaurant

🎶 New West Community Choir – 6:45 PM

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

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

 😉  April Special, Permanent Eyebrow - Vita Felice Medi Spa

April 08, 2025

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

🤰 Minminigal | Fireflies Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group – 10:30 AM

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

🔍️ New Westminster Scavenger Hunt – 11:00 AM

📚️ BYO Book Club – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

🏥 MAiD Information Session – 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

📝 Work BC Employment Services Drop-In (Queensborough) – 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

🧘 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

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

🎸 Georgie's Local Tuesday Night Jam Session – 7:00 PM

🎸 Calling All Captains w/ Gutter King, IDIOFAME – 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM

April 09, 2025

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

🔍️ New Westminster Scavenger Hunt – 11:00 AM

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

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 CaRT Peer Navigators – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

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

⛑️ Crises Response Team Outreach Worker Drop-ins at the Library – 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM

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

🧘 Children’s Yoga – 4:00 PM at Anvil Centre

📽️ Climate Films: Food Synergy – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

🚲️ CAPs Bike Club Open House – 6:30 PM

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

🍽️ Tour the Sikh Temple in Queensborough & celebrate Vaisakhi! – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Georgie's Local  – 7:00 PM

🏃 Run Club  – 7:00 PM

🧘 The Long Exhale-breathing through untenable times – 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

💘 Love in Action - Singles Night - Ages 32-48 – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

👦👧 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎤 Open Mic Jam at Bully’s Studio – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Frankie G’s – 7:30 PM

🧑‍🎤 Quayside Voices Wins for “Breathe” at U.S. A Cappella Competition 👨‍🎤 🎶 

New Westminster’s a cappella ensemble Quayside Voices recently returned from a U.S. competition with more than just an award — they brought back a renewed sense of purpose and community.

Competing in the Pacific Northwest Regional round of the Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Competition in Olympia, Washington, the group won Best Original Song for “Breathe,” written by Stephanie Lam and arranged by Lam and fellow member Danjel Young. The song, a raw reflection on anxiety and coping, resonated powerfully with the audience.

When the group introduced the piece, member Elyse Kantonen invited the 700+ attendees to reflect on their own experiences with anxiety and join in a deep breath before the performance — a moment Lam described as deeply moving.

“Breathe” was written just two months before the competition and speaks to growing openness around mental health since the pandemic. Lam explained the song captures the emotional moment when anxiety begins to rise and the effort to regain calm — something many people in the room related to.

The group — comprised of Lam, Young, Kantonen, Aerhyn Lau, and Troy Martell — had previously won two awards at the same competition in 2023. This year, the journey south came with some hesitation due to economic and social concerns. However, they were met with warmth and gratitude from audience members who applauded their presence and diversity.

Quayside Voices’ blend of cultures, identities, and musical styles sets them apart. Lam shared that the group’s diversity sparked concern about how they'd be received across the border, especially seeing polarizing signs along the I-5. But those fears were eased by the outpouring of appreciation they received in Olympia.

As the group marks its 10th anniversary this year, the road ahead is busy. Plans are underway for a celebratory local show, while international travel is on the horizon. In 2026, they’ll head to China for a multi-city tour, where they’ll perform Canadian hits and original material — potentially in one of New Westminster’s sister or friendship cities. A tour to Sweden is also in the works for 2027.

Past tours have included stops in Edmonton and Toronto, along with collaborations with other vocal groups, such as Sweden’s The Real Group. Collaborations have become central to their mission, as the group seeks to grow a cappella audience by sharing the stage rather than competing for listeners.

Founded by Lam and Martell a decade ago, Quayside Voices continues to surprise and delight audiences with a soundscape crafted entirely by voice — from beatboxing to basslines, from instrumental illusions to soaring vocal runs. Their performances are both musically complex and highly entertaining.

Lam says those who’ve never experienced a cappella show are often amazed to discover the full sound comes from just five voices — no instruments required.

Check out the full story here

 🚰 Water Main Flushing in New West Runs Through May 1

The City of New Westminster has begun its annual water main flushing program, a routine maintenance activity aimed at preserving water quality and removing sediment from the system.

From March 31 to May 1, 2025, flushing will take place in the following areas:

• McBride Boulevard to Hume Park

• East 10th Avenue to the Fraser River

• Including Massey Victory Heights, Sapperton, Hume Park Area, and the Braid Industrial Park

This essential procedure helps maintain a safe and clean water supply. However, during this time, residents may notice temporary cloudiness in their tap water caused by loosened sediments. While not harmful, it may affect laundry and some industrial processes.

To minimize inconvenience, the City recommends the following precautions:

• Run cold water taps until the water runs clear

• Check water clarity before doing laundry to avoid potential staining

• For the most accurate daily information, refer to the City’s flushing map or call the Water Department at 604-526-4691 between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The City thanks residents for their understanding and cooperation as this important maintenance work is completed.

Read the full story here.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️What is a wet bear called? 🐻

A drizzly bear

Meme of the Day

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