Thurs. Sept. 21: Burnaby on the housing front

Hey there, Burnaby—it’s Ria.

It’s been interesting to learn about how much growth is happening atop Burnaby Mountain. I’m an SFU alum, and I remember what it was like attending school there in 2008—yes, it was very different and admittedly quite lonely.

Today, the top of the mountain is a hub of lively activity, and the most recent StreetFest! is just a small slice of the big growth that’s happening in this area. Be sure to take a look at our reporter Lubna’s piece on that today—scroll on to learn more.

👀 In today's edition:

• How StreetFest! goes beyond being an event, demonstrating community

• How’s Burnaby faring on the housing front?

• ICYMI: Man dead after Burquitlam-area shooting over the weekend

• Readers’ Choice Awards: your favourite fine dining spots

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LOCAL NEWS

StreetFest! mirrors a growing community

What began as a much smaller event to welcome students has grown to invite people who live outside Simon Fraser University’s walls. How a growing festival is mirroring the changes unfolding atop Burnaby Mountain. 

Burnaby Bulletin

SOGI support. Amid protests yesterday against LGBTQ2S+ education, a number of Burnaby groups—including those with ties to the school district—have put out a statement reiterating their position on providing a welcoming, inclusive space.

Targeted shooting. Investigators are trying to piece together what led to the shooting death of a 29-year-old man along North Road on Saturday. The victim was from Abbotsford.

India and Canada. After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian government agents were behind the death of a Sikh leader from Surrey, India has sent out a warning to its residents regarding travel to our country. (The Independent)

Ibrahim Ali trial. The latest out of the courts notes that Ali’s alleged victim—a teen girl—died from injuries that appear to be blunt force trauma. Ali has pleaded not guilty in relation to her death. (CBC)

Overpass crash. After a truck crashed into an overpass along Hwy 1 on Tuesday, Mounties have revealed that the driver apparently fled from the scene. The company whose truck was involved in the crash has been levied a fine. (CityNews Vancouver)

Casualties. The BC government says “hearts are broken” after four members of a wildfire fighting team recently died in a crash on the way back from a response in Vanderhoof. The crash happened near Cache Creek.

Surprise! Tennis star Roger Federer was on hand for a kids’ tennis camp at UBC on Tuesday. (CBC)

Set for Life. BCLC recently shared that Idrissa Brathwaite managed to win more than $600,000 playing Set for Life. Brathwaite, who is from Burnaby, is now planning to travel the world. The lucky ticket was purchased at the Shoppers Drug Mart near Brentwood.

🛋️ IDS Vancouver 2023 is opening tonight! Explore top designers, use code IDSVAN2023 for 10% off, shop at the District, and join the IDS Party for unique installations and music.*

*Sponsored Listing

LOCAL NEWS

Multiple housing announcements tied to Burnaby—but is it enough?

While there have been a number of housing announcements with ties to Burnaby—everything from provincial funding to giving the green light on laneway houses in the city—are things moving as quickly as they should amid a housing crisis? We hear from one advocate who has some mixed reactions.

SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF BURNABY

Celebrate World Rivers Day with us!

Do you want to learn more about local waterways and restoration efforts to help protect these environments? The City has organized a free event for World Rivers Day this Sunday, Sept. 24, 11 am to 4:30 pm at the Burnaby Village Museum. There will be demonstrations, live entertainment and more.

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Your picks for fine dining in Burnaby

Every now and again it’s fun to get fancy—especially with our food. Burnaby has no shortage of fine dining spots—and we’ve got three of them to talk about, as voted by you. 

Where to eat & drink

🐟 Time and Place. On the third floor of the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown is a lovely little restaurant that serves both hotel guests and the public. From now until the end of the month, they’ve got a steal of a deal on a surf and turf platter: it’s $85 and includes everything you need to leave full.

🇪🇹 Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant. This lovely restaurant is the perfect way to become acquainted with Ethiopian food. Textures of spongy injera and hearty watt—a kind of stew-like dish—are guaranteed to satisfy an array of cravings and tastes.

🤤 Pho Japolo. We’re moving into that weird time of year where it’s both too hot and too cold. Get the best of both worlds at Pho Japolo along North Road: not only does it have pho for those cold days, there’s banh mi, too!

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Certified dental assistant, Burnaby Heights Dental Centre

• Seasonal store associates at The Ordinary

• Auto body collision technician, MasterTech

• Front desk, Cactus Club Byrne Road

• Part-time cast member at Cineplex Metrotown

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday, Sept. 21

• Ghostly Makers and Tending Otherworlds: New Acquisitions. On until Sept. 24. Burnaby Art Gallery.

• Art that Speaks to the Heart. To mark Truth and Reconciliation, Caleb Ellison-Dysart’s work is on display until Sept. 30. The Amazing Brentwood.

• Virtual job fair. 11am. Online. 

• Music and infants, session #1. 1pm. BC Conservatory of Music.

• BARN raising. 1pm. Burnaby Art Gallery.

• English conversation circle. 1:30pm, Burnaby Public Library, Cameron location.

• English conversation circle. 3pm, online via the Burnaby Public Library.

• Family yoga & cookie decorating event. 4pm. 2055 Rosser Ave.

• Burnaby 2050: vision dialoguing event. 6:30pm. Lougheed Town Centre.

• Divine Trio: an Indian Classical Concert. 6pm. Shadbolt.

• Paint night. 8pm. The Rec Room.

• Karaoke. 8pm. The Admiral.

Friday, Sept. 22

• Blood donation event. Noon. Nikkei Museum.

• Youth drop-in. 4pm. 4908 Hastings St.

• Comedy night. 6:30pm. The Rec Room.

• Bruno Hubert Trio fundraiser. $20. 8pm. Brentwood Presbyterian Church.

• Incognito. $6 cover charge. 8pm. The Admiral.

• Oktoberfest salsa. 9pm. World Dance Co.

Saturday, Sept. 23

• Farmers Market. 9am. City Hall parking lot. 

• Hike and connect for international students. 9am. Burnaby Mountain.

• Vancouver coins, stamps & collectibles show. 9:30am. Nikkei Museum.

• Canada walks for bladder cancer. 10am. Deer Lake Park.

• Screening of two Japanese documentary films. 10:30am. Nikkei Museum.

• Babytime. 10:30am. Burnaby Public Library, Tommy Douglas location.

• Garlic planting seminar. 11am. Gardenworks, Burnaby-Lougheed.

• Truth and Reconciliation: Canadian fundamentals education session. 11am. Lougheed Town Centre.

• BAG on a bike. The focus is printmaking. 11am. Shadbolt Centre.

• Family storytime. 11:30am. Burnaby Public Library, Tommy Douglas location.

• GVAD corn party & international sign day celebration. 3pm. Bonsor Rec Centre.

• Zafirios. $6 cover charge. 3pm. The Admiral.

• Burnaby 2050: vision dialoguing event. 6:30pm. Wesburn Community Centre.

• Stand up for mental health. 7pm. St. Timothy’s, 4550 Kitchener St.

• The Jason Lane band. $6 cover charge. 8pm. The Admiral.

• Bollywood mash-up. 9:30pm. The Rec Room.

Sunday, Sept. 24

• Last day: Ghostly Makers and Tending Otherworlds: New Acquisitions. On until Sept. 24. Burnaby Art Gallery.

• BC Transplant Trot. 8am. Burnaby Lake sports complex.

• Bossa sports card and collectibles show. 10am. Bonsor Rec Centre.

• World Rivers Day. 11am. Various locations.

• Gabriel Mark Hasselbach. Noon. The Admiral.

• Neighbourhood speaker series. Featuring the Hindu Temple Burnaby. 12:30pm. 5420 Marine Dr.

• Fall/winter pruning techniques. 1pm. Gardenworks Burnaby-Lougheed.

• Beginner square dance lessons. 3pm. Wesburn Community Centre.

• Karaoke night. 8pm. Great Bear Pub.

Monday, Sept. 25

• Resume clinic. 2pm. Burnaby Public Library, Tommy Douglas location.

• Mindful Mondays. 7pm. Online + in-person (in-person location provided once registration is complete).

• Trivia Night. 7:30pm. The Admiral.

Tuesday, Sept. 26

• Family story time. 10:30am. Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie location.

• Tech cafe. 1pm. Burnaby Public Library, Bob Prittie location.

• Music and infants, session #2. 1pm. BC Conservatory of Music.

• Youth drop-in. 4pm. South House, 4460 Beresford St.

• Game night for English learners. 6pm. Burnaby Public Library, McGill location.

• Taco Tuesdays. Feat. DJ Eddie Rolando. 7pm. The Admiral.

• Fandom trivia. 7:30pm. The Rec Room.

Wednesday, Sept. 27

• Baby social. 1pm. Burnaby Public Library, McGill location.

• Youth drop-in. 4pm. Brentwood House. 2055 Rosser Ave.

• Toastmasters. 6:45pm. BCIT.

• Blue Wednesdays. 7pm. The Admiral.