Thurs. Aug. 8, 2024 edition: City plans to visit Japan, Korea and Taiwan in 2025

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👀 In today's edition:

• City plans trips to Japan, Korea, Taiwan 

• Parking rates to increase 

• Burnaby’s sister city in Arizona

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NEWS

City plans to visit Japan, Korea and Taiwan in 2025

The City of Burnaby is planning a trip to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan in 2025 to visit three of Burnaby’s sister cities in Asia.

Delegates will likely include the mayor, several councillors, and members of Tourism Burnaby, Burnaby Board of Trade, Burnaby Board of Education, SFU, and British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). The delegation will visit Burnaby’s sister cities, Kushiro in Japan, Hwaseong in South Korea, and Taichung in Taiwan. 

If all three members of the International Relations and Friendship Cities Committee and the mayor join the trip, the city will pay between $60,000 and $70,000 for the delegates’ accommodation and airfare. With an additional $46,000 for ground transportation, hosting dinners, and tokens of appreciation, the cost will be between $106,000 and $116,000. 

Read more about the upcoming trip here.

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IDS Vancouver returns this September

From September 26-29, the Interior Design Show Vancouver returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Enjoy various new products and furniture, designers, and cutting-edge concepts.

Get your tickets and passes today!

Burnaby Bulletin

Gas leak. Four homes were evacuated in North Burnaby Tuesday evening due to a ruptured natural gas line in the area. Posts on social media reported a “heavy gas smell” in the area. [Burnaby Now]

A density ultimatum. The B.C. government has given at least two municipalities—including Burnaby and Langley—until Oct. 31 to implement provincial requirements around housing developments near transit hubs — otherwise the province will impose them. [Vancouver Sun]

Public feedback needed. The City of Burnaby invites residents to share their input in developing a strategy for public electric vehicle charging, guided by Burnaby’s Climate Action Framework. Access the survey here. 

Emergency exercise. The City of Burnaby is planning a full-scale emergency exercise on Burnaby Mountain in order to assess and enhance the City's emergency response capabilities, coordination, and resource management for a major incident on the mountain.

The aftermath of a mall fire. A 33-year-old man is scheduled to be back in court this month in relation to a fire at a Burnaby mall loading dock last year. Police said part of the loading bay and a commercial trailer were damaged in the fire. [Burnaby Now]

Bike to Shop returns to Metro Vancouver from August 1-31! Check out HUB Cycling's interactive neighbourhood maps to find bike routes, bike parking, bike shops and bike-friendly shops.*

The Vancouver Fringe Festival is back September 5-15 on Granville Island for its 40th year, featuring over 70 unconventional, unforgettable shows!*

*Sponsored Listing

NEWS

Metrotown street parking rates to increase in September

Starting Sept. 30, parking rates on the street in Metrotown will increase. According to a report submitted to council on July 22, parking will reach $6 per day in some parts of Metrotown where long-term parking is allowed, defined as 10-12 hours. 

The primary reason stated in the report for the increase is to generate extra revenue for the city. 

“Based on current usage, it is anticipated that $150,000 additional revenue could be generated per year. Overall, approximately 600 on-street parking meter spaces will be adjusted with the new rate,” the report said.

Get more details about the price increase here.

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Dinosaur blood pressure, self-driving cars and renewable energy

During Burnaby’s International Relations and Friendship Cities Committee meeting on July 23, several city councillors and Mayor Mike Hurley discussed their visit to one of Burnaby’s sister cities, Mesa, Arizona, from April 9 to 13, 2024. The purpose of the visit was to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Burnaby and Mesa, which began in 1998. 

Council members who were able to take the trip pointed out several aspects of Mesa they found to be particularly impressive and noteworthy, such as the city’s renewable energy program, online learning centres and the local film industry which organized a visit for the Burnaby delegation to film school classrooms at Arizona State University.

“I thought there were some great ideas in there, and I know our staff were taking notes,” said Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley.

Get their full experience in Mesa, Arizona here including a virtual trip to a world of dinosaurs.

Where to eat & drink

🥙 Zaaki Cuisine. This small Middle Eastern takeaway counter in New West makes a mean chicken, lamb, beef and falafel shawarma (your choice of wrap or plate) ideal for curing that midday slump at work. Don’t shy away from dessert when you’re here too—their tiny bites of baklava are delightful.

🍕 L’Onore Pizza. A rustic pizza spot churning out sourdough-based pies with charred, puffed-up crusts. Find everything you need for a perfect dinner or lunch, from bright fennel salads with citrus to housemade meatballs (not to mention their inviting selection of gelatos and tiramisu slices).

🍵 Craft Cafe. This adorable cafe—decked out with fluffy pillows, funky striped carpets and funky ornaments—doubles as a craft store that sells a variety of patterned notebooks and creative stationery items. Their food and drink menu offers all kinds of comforting goodies like french toast breakfast sandwiches and lobster mac ‘n’ cheese.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Keyholder at DECIEM Metrotown

• Server at BCIT Student Association

• Sales Representative at A1 Windows

• Assistant Program Leader at City of Burnaby

• Lawn Care Specialist at Weed Man Canada

• After School Club Supervisor at St. Michael’s Elementary

• Temporary Beauty Advisor at Sephora

• Pet Trainer at PetSmart

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Mysterious Creatures of the Night. 2pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Summer Stages: Burnaby International Folk Dancers Club. 2pm. Confederation Park.

• Colombian Salsa Lessons. 6pm. 4534 Hastings St.

Friday

• Hawaiian Salsa Party. 9pm. World Dance Co.

• Resume Workshop. 10:30am. Burnaby Public Library.

• Storytelling with Drag Queens. 7pm. The Rec Room.

Saturday

• Blues + Roots Festival. 4pm. Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn.

• Summer Vibes Party. 7:30pm. Charles Rummel Centre.

• Intro to 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons. 12pm-5pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Admiral! 8pm. Admiral Pub & Grill.

Sunday

• Self Care Sunday Sound Bath. 9am. Saje Natural Wellness.

• Summer Sundays with the BLPA. 11am. Burnaby Lake Regional Park.

• Nikkei Garden Farmers Market. 10am-2pm. 6688 Southoaks Crescent.

Monday

• Stimulight Toastmasters Club. 7:15pm. Cameron Recreation Centre. 

• Paint Nite. 7pm. Wings Burnaby.

Tuesday

• Summer Stages: Zornitza Dance Ensemble. 11:30am. Centennial Park.

• Summer Stages: Rhythm Resource. 2pm. Centennial Park.

Wednesday

• The Subtle Tango with Fabrizio & Sigita. 7:30pm. Lochdale Hall.

• SFU Employee Appreciation BBQ. 12pm. SFU AQ Pond.

• Burnaby Writing Club Meetup. 6pm. Burnaby Public Library.