Vintage and Collectibles + Living Compost

Issue #201

Author

Carla McNeil
April 14, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌤️ Weather - Mix of Sun and Cloud

 😜 Rain Joke - What do clouds do when they become rich?

 🗓️ New West Events - Variety

 🗞️ New West Local News - Vintage and Collectibles + Living Compost

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

Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation

New Westminster is known for its strong sense of community, and this spirit will be on full display at the upcoming Simply Caring Dinner and Dance Fundraiser. The event, in support of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation (RCHF), aims to raise $60,000 for much-needed equipment for the new Jim Pattison Acute Care Tower.

Hosted by Simply Wonderful Nails on Columbia Street, the evening promises live music, delicious food, and a vibrant celebration of community connection.

A Community-Driven Vision

Shawn at Simply Wonderful Nails, a local retailer with a passion for bringing people together, came up with the idea for the event. While his wife Mai, who manages the day-to-day operations, is known by many residents in the neighborhood, Shawn prefers to remain behind the scenes, his dedication to New Westminster and its residents has inspired many. By championing this fundraiser, he’s encouraging others to consider the hospital's impact on the city’s well-being and economy.

"When we support Royal Columbian Hospital, we’re supporting our entire community. It’s not just about healthcare; it’s about making New Westminster a place where people want to live, work, and thrive," Shawn shared.

Why It Matters

The Jim Pattison Acute Care Tower is a transformative addition to the hospital, nearly doubling its size and accommodating a thousand new healthcare workers. With this expansion comes a growing need for updated equipment and resources. Every dollar raised through the Simply Caring fundraiser will directly contribute to ensuring patients receive the best possible care.

For many in our community, Royal Columbian Hospital is more than a medical facility — it’s a lifeline. From emergency services to specialized treatments, the hospital serves as a critical resource for families in their most vulnerable moments.

Community Support in Action

While the event isn’t themed "Supporting Each Other," it’s a sentiment that naturally emerged in conversations leading up to the fundraiser. It’s about strengthening the bonds that make New Westminster a welcoming and resilient city. Every ticket purchased, every dance enjoyed, and every donation made reflects the belief that when we lift each other up, we all thrive.

Local businesses are also playing a crucial role in the success of the event. Simply Wonderful Nails, the presenting sponsor, exemplifies the spirit of community support by using their platform to rally others in aid of the hospital. Additional sponsors and volunteers are contributing their time and resources, making this a truly collaborative effort.

How to Get Involved

Attending the Simply Caring Dinner and Dance is an opportunity to enjoy a fantastic night out while making a tangible difference.

Can’t attend? You can still contribute by making a donation through the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation website or by spreading the word. Every effort counts.

A Brighter Future, Together

As the community gathers to celebrate and support Royal Columbian Hospital, the Simply Caring fundraiser serves as a beautiful reminder of what makes New Westminster special.

"Let’s come together for an unforgettable evening," says Shawn. "Not just for the music and the dancing, but for the people who make this city what it is. Together, we’re making a lasting impact."

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation website.

Let’s raise $60,000 and celebrate the power of community.

See you there!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 17.9 2014 - Record low -1.7 2022

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

April 14, 2025

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

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

🔍️ New Westminster Scavenger Hunt – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🎶 Music of Twilight – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

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

🎼 New West Community Choir – 6:45 PM to 7:45 PM

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

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

April 15, 2025

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

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

🔍️ New Westminster Scavenger Hunt – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

📲 Tech Café – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

📚️ Young Readers Book Club (9-12 Years) – 3:45 Pm to 4:45 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🍺 🎲 Beer and Board Games – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🚶 Walk with the Mayor for WALK30 – 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM

❓️ Trivia Tuesdays at Howe Sound New West – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

April 16, 2025

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

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

🔍️ New Westminster Scavenger Hunt – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

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

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

📝 Work BC Employment Services Drop-In – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

📖 Readiing Theatre Series – 1:45 PM

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

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

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

🏃 Run Club  – 7:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Youth & the Young at Heart – 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

🧘 TWILIGHT & TEA Sound Bath Meditation – 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

👮 April Police Board Meeting – 8:00 PM

Collectors and vintage lovers are in for a treat as the Fraser Valley Antiques and Collectibles Club (FVACC) hosts its milestone 30th Annual Vintage Antiques & Collectibles Show in New Westminster. Taking place on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, 2025, this major event will fill the Queens Park Arena with over 200 tables of rare, quirky, and nostalgic treasures.

From antique toys and advertising tins to vintage radios, LP records, postcards, and sports memorabilia, the show offers an impressive array of collectibles. Enthusiasts can also expect to find movie posters, breweriana, fishing tackle, old tools, Fire King Jadeite, Chinese artifacts, coins, comics, and much more. Whether you're a seasoned collector or simply enjoy browsing through history, the selection is bound to captivate.

Friday evening offers early access for keen collectors from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with an early admission fee of $20. This premium ticket also grants entry on Saturday, making it a convenient two-day pass. General admission is just $5 on Saturday, with the show running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on a cash-only basis—visitors should note there is no ATM available on-site.

The event takes place at the Queens Park Arena at 51 - 3rd Street in New Westminster, and tickets are sold at the door. Service dogs are permitted, but other pets may be turned away at management’s discretion due to crowd size and fragile displays.

As part of Earth Week celebrations, the New Westminster Public Library is offering a unique workshop focused on "Living Compost"—a powerful way to nurture both gardens and the planet. This engaging session explores compost not just as an organic fertilizer, but as a living ecosystem teeming with beneficial microorganisms that boost plant growth and enrich soil health.

Participants will discover how to recognize high-quality compost, understand the biological activity that makes it "alive," and learn how to harness its microbial power to support a healthier, more productive garden. The workshop will also cover compost’s role in climate action through carbon capture, making it a practical and sustainable choice for urban gardeners.

Led by Jo Tobias of RootShoot Soils, an expert in natural soil health management, this workshop is designed to equip attendees with the knowledge and confidence to transform their soil into a vibrant, life-sustaining system.

The event will take place in person and will also be streamed live via Zoom for registered participants. Please note that the session will not be recorded.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

☁️ What do clouds do when they become rich? 💸 

They make it rain! 🌧️ 

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