Thurs. Aug 17: Burnaby's Housing Authority and the task ahead

Good morning!

This week’s edition offers a glimpse into what may be a newer, shinier, and hopefully more affordable Burnaby via the city’s new housing authority. Are they up to the task? Regardless, the Crave the Heights food festival is in full swing this weekend, and a 15-year-old Burnaby skateboarding champion continues to carve his way towards the Olympics. Let’s get to it.

-Eva

👀 In today's edition:

• Crave the Heights food festival

• A 15-year-old Burnaby skateboarding champion

• The best bubble tea spots

☀️ Today’s weather: Clear and sunny with a high of 28 and a low of 18.

💨 Here is Burnaby’s Air Quality Index.

🚗 Driving in the city? Check out current driving conditions and road closures.

CITY

Burnaby Housing Authority to foster a ‘deeply affordable’ housing market

As Burnaby’s housing market continues to skyrocket (recently named Canada’s second-most expensive city to live in) the City of Burnaby has created a corporation to help develop and build more affordable housing—the Burnaby Housing Authority.

The primary goal of the housing corporation is to catalyze as much deeply affordable housing as possible—aiming for 20% below the market median of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation rents—as well as oversee operations with non-profit housing organizations and other government agencies as an operating partner as early as 2024.

Ed Kozak, the city’s general manager of planning and development, says that a housing authority will allow the city to be more “nimble, proactive and direct,” speeding up development approvals that would normally take much longer to process via city departments.

Burnaby Bulletin

🚤 Burnaby boaters are now subject to increased fees at Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park after enjoying discounts for over 50 years. The prices are expected to skyrocket by 280% as of Jan. 1.

🥵 The City of Burnaby has opened four new cooling centres for anyone seeking relief from extreme heat, as well as two outdoor pop-up cooling locations.

✨ Burnaby Mountain is now hosting one of Canada’s biggest “star parties”, a free event that allows participants to gaze at stars, learn about the cosmos and bask in its beauty.

🏆 A Burnaby woman has recently been named one of Canada’s top 25 immigrants in a yearly magazine award, celebrating her life and career in community service.

⛹️‍♀️ The City of Burnaby’s new WebReg system allows for easier access and registration to local sport and recreation activities.

🎭 A first-time Burnaby playwright will be featured at Vancouver’s famous Fringe Festival this year, presenting a coming-of-age story about friendship, loss, and identity.

🍓 Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market: Support local this Saturday. Bread, pastries, fresh fruit and veggies? They have it all and more at 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby!*

*Sponsored Listing

EVENTS

Crave the Heights

The Crave the Heights food festival is coming to Burnaby this week, showcasing some of the city’s best local restaurants in a 10-day foodie extravaganza that celebrates its colourful, diverse food scene.

Some notable participating restaurants include Sopra Sotto, Circolo Wine Bar, and Chad Thai, as well as irresistible offerings from local dessert cafes like Glenburn Soda Fountain & Confectionery and Chez Christophe.

In addition to the food, expect live music, entertainment and even homemade goods to pamper your pets (yes, dogs are welcome). Find more information about the festival here.

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

The best bubble tea in Burnaby

We’re continuing with our Beacon’s Readers’ Choice Awards category winners this week. Here are the results for the best bubble tea in Burnaby.

What do you think about the results?

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Meet Burnaby’s 15-year-old skateboard champion

Heading into Grade 11 this year at Burnaby North Secondary, 15-year-old Oli Ward has been ranked sixth in Canada for men’s park skateboarding. Practising the sport for nearly half of his life, Canada’s national team considers him a top prospect for the 2028 Olympics and beyond.

Picking up the sport in Burnaby’s Confederation Park when he was only eight years old, Ward has since competed (and won) at several local competitions—since February, he’s gone to two World Skate Olympic Qualifiers in Argentina and United Arab Emirates.

“It’s all the friends you make and learning new tricks,” he said, when asked about the best parts of skating. “There’s never a point [where] you have to stop learning stuff.”

Where to eat & drink

🍲 Siam Le Bien Thai Cuisine offers some of the best Thai food in Burnaby, from delicious bites like fried prawns and crispy pork belly to elaborate mains like red duck curry and stir fried squid with salted egg.

🌮 Don Oso’s Restaurant is a casual taco spot serving all the familiar Latin American classics and much, much more. Expect favourites like quesabirria tacos and crispy tostadas to unique entrees like deluxe Chilean hot dogs.

🍨 Nuvola Gelato & Dolci is the place to go if you’re looking for authentic Italian gelato. All flavours are made fresh daily, with various rotating sorbetto flavours to match each season’s produce. Flavours like green apple and double chocolate ganache are hard to resist.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Civic Archaeologist at the City of Burnaby

• Line Cook at White Spot

• Senior Software Engineer at Stemcell Technologies

• Sales Representative at Ferrero Canada

• Communications Specialist at the City of Burnaby

• Customer Service Representative at Backstretch Consulting

• Records and Document Administrator at BC Hydro

• Financial Sales Representative at Money Mart

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Summer Season: Hosted by Burnaby Village Museum, you can explore a variety of historical exhibits and live demonstrations like riding around on a restored 1912 carousel or visiting a Japanese bathhouse replica.

• Afro Vibes: Fall may be right around the corner in Burnaby, but summery beach vibes never stop at Lounge Sixty. Enjoy a night of music and dance from Deejay Drac, voted the best African DJ of 2022.

Friday

• Starry Nights: Hosted by Simon Fraser University, you can stargaze with dozens of astronomy enthusiasts on Burnaby Mountain and learn more about the cosmos.

• Crave the Heights: This exciting food festival in Burnaby Heights features some of the best restaurants in the city, highlighting its diverse (and delicious) food scene.

Saturday

• Farm Tour: If you’re curious about land maintenance, local farms or simply want to walk around and get some fresh air, Burnaby’s Big Bend Urban Farm is offering tours of its space for a fun, educational experience for all.

• Pouring Art Lab: This experimental art class combines paint with science to create stunning, psychedelic art pieces, manipulating acrylic paints to create unique textures and colours on a canvas. Suitable for seasoned professionals and beginners!

Sunday

• Khoj with Live Orchestra: This classical Indian dance concert at Michael J Fox Theatre features unique performances from six professional Kathak dancers along with a live orchestra. Find more information here.

• Paint Nite: This isn’t just any ordinary paint night—wine and snacks will be served, along with an all-pink dress code to celebrate (you guessed it) Barbie in all of her glory.

Monday

• Getting Started with iPhone: This 60-minute session at Apple Metrotown teaches new iPhone users how to navigate their new devices, exploring the latest apps and features.

Tuesday

• Fandom Trivia: Hosted by podcast host Jeff Porter and comedian Daniel Chai, this trivia night at the Rec Room features multiple quizzes, themed rounds, and plenty of fun prizes at the end. Admission is free for all.

• Summer Stages: This free live performance series at Confederation Park has new shows every week. This Tuesday features performances from the Vancouver Puppet Theatre, an Elvis tribute band, and a ventriloquist act.

Wednesday

• Leah Barley Music: Brought to you by the City of Burnaby’s Sounds Like Summer program, you can catch this free outdoor concert at Brentwood Park at 1:15pm. Bring a chair or blanket for maximum comfort.

• Coffee Group Drop-In: You can meet new people, play games, and drink coffee or tea at this welcoming get-together hosted by Vancouver Coastal Health’s Deaf Well Being program. All are welcome!