Thurs. July 27: Taller Burnaby Buildings

Good morning !

Today will be the last time I’m in your inbox, as my internship with the Beacon is ending. Writing for the Beacon and exploring Burnaby has been an incredible experience this summer, and I plan to continue writing about the city I live in and love. Thank you, readers, for making this summer so enjoyable.

Today’s estimated read time is: 5 minutes

-Brianna

👀 In today's edition:

• Taller houses in Burnaby? 

• A quilter with a cause

• The best Indian cuisine in Burnaby

CITY

Will Burnaby homes get taller?

At council on Monday night, a discussion arose around whether a single-family dwelling should be allowed to be built 2.54m higher than the maximum height permitted.

We also saw the Municipal District and Regional Tax (commonly known as the hotel tax) come back to council for an increase to 3% to help support affordable housing, a push for more Burnaby skateparks, and a community-needs assessment come to the table.

Read the full recap to hear more about whether the taller home was allowed to go through and what the future of Burnaby housing heights will be.

SPONSORED BY BURNABY ARTISAN FARMERS MARKET

This Summer, Support Local

Every Saturday from 9am-2pm, now until October 28, Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market houses a wide selection of local farmers, bakeries/bakers, cool artisans, craft vendors and more. Right in the parking lot of Burnaby City Hall, customers are treated to live sets from a series of musicians from the area during their shopping.

Those who want to support local, complete their grocery lists, cravings, gifting needs - or even just include themselves in a welcoming community - are warmly invited to join the Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market this season.

Burnaby Bulletin

🏒 Kensington Arena will close for the fall ice season on Aug. 21 as replacements of the concrete floor under the rink begin. The programming normally held at the arena will be held at Burnaby Lake Arena.

The accused murderer of a 13-year-old girl wore earplugs during trial on Tuesday, and did not wear the headphones provided for him to hear the court interpreter. [Burnaby Now]

🛳 BC Ferries inaccurately reported a nine-sailing wait on Tuesday morning, with a BC Ferries spokesperson later confirming that it was only a one- to two-sailing wait. [CityNews Vancouver]

⚕️ What’s important for your health and community? Complete the BC SPEAK Survey by July 31 for a chance to win prizes. Full contest rules, regulations at FraserHealth.ca.*

Burnaby RCMP is seeking witnesses and dash cam footage of a single-vehicle collision at Canada Way and Kensington Avenue that occurred just before 5pm on Wednesday, July 19.

A Burnaby sex shop owner is facing trial for selling sex drugs that violated the Food and Drugs Act by selling products that allegedly contained prescription erectile dysfunction drugs not listed on the label. [Burnaby Now]

🏙 The online survey for the new city hall location closes on July 30 after it was extended for further public consultation. Give your input about the location and potential amenity space options for a new city hall.

*Sponsored Listing

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

The best Indian cuisine in Burnaby

This week, we’re continuing our Beacon’s Readers’ Choice Awards category winners, and we’ve got the results for the best Indian cuisine in Burnaby.

What do you think of the results?

SPONSORED BY WHITELEAF INTERIOR PAINTING

Give your home the refresh it deserves

With the dedicated team of professionals at Whiteleaf Interior Painting. We offer residential and commercial interior services, colour consultation, custom murals, and award winning customer service. Get in touch to book your free estimate today!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Irene Harvalias: A quilter with a cause

Irene Harvalias is a member of the Pacific Spirit Quilters Guild, and this 89-year-old retired teacher doesn’t take quilting lightly.

From helping disaster victims to mass face mask production, this quilter doesn’t quit when her community needs her. The Beacon sat down with Irene to learn more about her favourite parts of quilting, the projects she’s run in the community, and why she gives back so much.

SPONSORED BY PETER JULIAN MP

Annual Community Summer BBQ

Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, light refreshments, and hot dogs (vegetarian options available) at MP Peter Julian and MLA Raj Chouhan’s Annual Summer BBQ Event. Stop by on Saturday, August 5th, at Edmonds Park from 12 – 2PM. Reserve your spot today and join in celebrating the local community!

Where to eat & drink

🍣 Sushi Bar Kilala is a family-owned Japanese restaurant that serves traditional dishes, and its customers recommend the spicy salmon rolls and natto maki. Check out its hours, as it closes between lunch and dinner.

🥞 Fraser Park Restaurant is a quaint breakfast and lunch joint that serves Canadian classics with a German twist. Try the German breakfast platter, breakfast poutine, or potato pancakes.

🍜 Bun Rieu Phu’o’ng Nam is a Vietnamese restaurant serving specialty and authentic traditional cuisine. Customers recommend the crab pho, cha ca, and lemongrass chicken.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Space Planning Administrator at BCIT

• National Relationship Manager at ADP

• Executive Assistant at HUB International

• Communications and Marketing Coordinator at City of Burnaby

• Assistant Claims Examiner at BCAA

• HR Strategic Business Partner at SFU

• Administrative Assistant at RBC

• Manager of Facilities at BCGEU

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Hudson Group Hiring Event: Meet the regional recruiter for this North American travel retail company at WorkBC Brentwood Centre from 10am to 1pm and see what jobs are open.

• Burnaby Town Hall for Filipino Cultural Centre: This town hall event will be an evening of discussion about the future of the Filipino Cultural Centre from 6 to 7:30pm.

Friday

• Animal Architects: Join a park interpreter from Metro Vancouver Regional Parks and learn more about the different animals who build in the wild, and meet a live animal at 2pm at Bob Prittle Metrotown Library.

• Starry Nights at SFU: The starry nights observation moves online this week. Tune into the live stream to view stars and constellations from 9:30 to 11:30pm.

• SHAPE UP: Join the free Latin cardio class with Angi at The Space Community Room. All experience levels are welcome to join, but pre-registration is required.

Saturday

• Community Cleanup Event: The City of Burnaby and the Lower Mainland Green Team are hosting a community cleanup event at Bonsor Recreation Complex. All equipment will be provided, but you must register in advance.

• Bunk #7: The play is based on the true story of the student-led riot in 1960-61 at the Edmonton Indian Residential School and cultural resiliency, and is coming to the James Cowan Theatre. Buy your tickets here.

Sunday

• SFU Pipe Band Concert: The SFU Pipe Band and the Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band are pairing up for an afternoon of exhilarating music from 11am to noon at SFU’s Academic Quadrangle Courtyard.

• Sheryn Regis All Out: Sheryn Regis hits the Michael J Fox Theatre on her worldwide tour to celebrate 20 years in the music industry, performing her greatest hits. Get your tickets here.

• Pilates + Meditation: Get your Sunday sweat on or relax with some meditation with a certified yoga instructor at Burnaby Central Park from 11am to noon.

Monday

• Burnaby Blood Donation Event: It’s in you to give—at this blood donation clinic held at Holy Cross Elementary from 1 to 7:45pm. Book your appointment here.

• Bitcoin & Coffee: Sip a delicious latte, talk about Bitcoin, and get to know one another at Cafe Artigiano from 10am to noon.

Tuesday

• Colours of Community: Help add to the large art installation that will hang in the Edmonds Community Centre lobby under the guidance of a visual arts instructor. Register in advance here.

• Fitness at the Met: Join this free Zumba class at Metrotown mall to get moving. Held in the Grand Court from 9 to 10am, bring your workout clothes and drop in.

Wednesday

• Baby Social: Bring your baby in for social time, mingle with other parents, and enjoy a comfortable space from 1 to 3pm. Newborn to 18-month-old babies are welcome.

• Rain City Improv!: The improv group takes the stage from noon to 1pm at Confederation Park to bring you laughs, entertain you, and celebrate the art of improv.