Thursday, Feb. 13 edition: City considers car-free days

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week, we’re peering into the possibility of car-free days in Burnaby—during their Feb. 11 meeting, council members discussed the possibility of expanding the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival in the effort to enhance the city’s cultural events, as well as possibly having car-free days in either Edmonds or Metrotown on Beresford Street. Also this week, Jim Lorimer Park is to receive major upgrades and a new health clinic has opened in Edmonds.

👀 In today's edition:

• City considers car-free days and expanding Burnaby Blues and Roots

• Jim Lorimer Park to receive upgrades to reduce flooding

• New health clinic now open in Edmonds

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NEWS

City considers car-free days and expanding Burnaby Blues and Roots

As part of the city’s efforts to enliven Burnaby’s streets, a new staff report came to council on Tuesday, Feb. 11, with suggestions for improvements and enhancements to the city’s cultural events, especially free ones. 

After coming close to cancelling Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, which Coun. Joe Keithley described as “old cornball” during a February 2024 council meeting, the city decided instead to keep the festival and possibly rejuvenate it to attract younger, more diverse crowds. According to the staff report, the city’s efforts may have paid off, with an increase in attendee numbers during the 2024 festival. As a result, council members discussed the possibility of expanding the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival (BBRF).

Also in this week’s meeting, councillors discussed the possibility of introducing car-free days in either Edmonds or Metrotown on Beresford Street—while many welcomed the idea to some extent, some remarked on the high cost of car-free days.

Get more details on this week’s council meeting here.

SPONSORED BY CELTICFEST VANCOUVER

CelticFest Vancouver is back March 7-17

This year’s festival offers a series of events around Vancouver in the lead up to St. Patrick’s Day. Local comedian Amy Walsh will host an Irish comedy show with Aaron McCann, chef Donal Hughes is preparing a live cooking demonstration of Irish favourites with a modern twist, and the Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir will return in addition to the annual family Ceilidh. Other events include the Great Irish Soda Bread Bake-off, What’s the Craic variety show and a performance by the award-winning musical trio from County Clare, Socks in the Frying Pan. 

The headline event features popular Irish acoustic folk-rock band, Hermitage Green visiting from Limerick, Ireland. The band headlines the Vogue Theatre on March 16, supported by popular local musician Paul Caldwell, and others.

For families, a St. Patrick’s Day event will be held in East Vancouver on March 15, featuring art, music, dance, storytelling and tin whistle workshops for kids along with food trucks, bouncy castles and face painting. 

Burnaby Bulletin

Assault suspect. One man is facing assault charges after a fight in the hallway of a Burnaby apartment building Saturday night, according to authorities. Officers with the Burnaby RCMP were called to a complex on the 7200 block of Kingsway around 10pm for “a report of screams” and an altercation, a spokesperson said in an email. [CTV News]

Pedestrian struck and killed. A man was killed on Tuesday night after being struck by a commercial vehicle in New Westminster. According to the New Westminster Police Department, the pedestrian was hit at McBride Boulevard and 8 Avenue around 7pm. The victim was found unresponsive upon their arrival. [CityNews]

Utility fee payments. The City of Burnaby is reminding Burnaby property owners that 2025 utility fees are due March 17, 2025. Utility notices were sent out in early February. If you do not receive your utility notice, please contact Burnaby Revenue Services at 604-294-7350 before the due date. 

Suspicious package. A suspicious bag prompted a brief evacuation at the New Westminster SkyTrain station on Tuesday night. Transit Police received a text report from a passenger just after 8pm on Feb. 4 saying a large bag had been left unattended on a westbound train, said Const. Amanda Steed, media relations officer. [New West Record]

Volunteer of the year. Burnaby resident Charlie Grahn is being recognized for his volunteer efforts this week after being awarded the King Charles III coronation medal, a gift that honours Canadians' outstanding achievements and contributions to their communities. [Burnaby Now]

NEWS

Jim Lorimer Park to receive upgrades to reduce flooding

Last October, the Gilmore area experienced extensive flooding that damaged infrastructure, left residents without power for several days, and turned streets into flowing rivers, among other effects. A less-reported consequence of the widespread flooding was the closure of the area’s local playground, Jim Lorimer Park. 

Jim Lorimer Park and the surrounding developments were built in a flood-prone area. The park is adjacent to Still Creek, a shallow waterway that often fills up with water and overflows during storms. As with many playgrounds, the infrastructure is mostly wood, and frequent flooding has led to extensive damage to the playground structures, rendering them unsafe for children’s use. The city closed the playground in October 2024 after the atmospheric river event that flooded the entire area.

Upgrades have been planned for the Jim Lorimer Park for several years. In mid-2023, the city launched a public engagement survey to gather feedback from community members about the playground. While Burnaby resident Martin Kendell said it is good that the city’s webpage about the project is finally showing progress in the design phase, the community has not heard back from the city about the design’s details. 

Get the full story here.

SPONSORED BY JOKERS CANADA

Burnaby Comedy Classic produced by Jokers Canada

Jokers Canada is bringing a lineup of Canada’s best pro comedians to The Michael J Fox Theatre this Saturday! Enjoy a night of Pro Stand-up Comedy with multiple headliners featured on Canada’s Got Talent, CBC Debaters, Just For Laughs and more!

Purchase tickets here!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

New community clinic now open in Edmonds

The MOSAIC Community Clinic, located at 7366 Edmonds St., Burnaby, opened on Thursday, Feb. 6. The new clinic is a partnership between MOSAIC and the Burnaby Primary Care Network. 

“This is going to be a tremendous addition to this community and we look forward to seeing it grow. It's a wonderful space, and a safe space and a welcoming space and I think that’s so important,” Mayor Mike Hurley said about the new clinic.

According to Dr. Baldev Sanghera, Edmonds physician lead at the Burnaby Primary Care Network Steering Committee, the new clinic will provide treatment and services to hundreds or possibly thousands of patients in the community. MOSAIC has hired five primary care physicians and registered nurses, mental health professionals, social workers, and others to provide healthcare for historically underserved populations. 

Read more about it here.

Where to eat & drink

🍻 Another Beer Co. There’s no better place to get together with a group of friends and indulge in quality beers than this rustic, industrial brewery in New West. Taking pride in using Czech-style taps as opposed to standard beer faucets, each beer is topped with a dense and creamy foam that’s as delicious as the beer itself. Hot snacks like spinach dip and pretzels are on tap here as well, and much appreciated after a few cold ones.

🍞 Olivier’s La Boulangerie. Cakes, pastries, breads and other viennoiseries—Olivier’s is a classic boulangerie in New West that offers all our favourite classic treats. Come for a beverage and a slice of something sweet (their millefeuille looks shatteringly delicious) or order a full cake in advance to celebrate a special occasion.

🥙 O Love Greek Kitchen. A spacious, unfussy dining hall near Kensington Park serving Greek classics like hummus, souvlaki, falafel and a wide range of grilled meats and seafood. Come with a larger group of people to try a bit of everything—their menu is quite long, making for a perfectly balanced feast.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Money Advisor at Beem Credit Union

• Museum Interpreter (Indigenous) at City of Burnaby

• Event Supervisor at Marriot Bonvoy

• Office Services Clerk at Service Corporation International

• Demand Specialist at PNP Pharmaceuticals Inc.

• STEM Liaison and Copyright Librarian at BCIT

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Using the Internet. 10:30am. Burnaby Public Library.

• Pop-Up Pantry & Social. 12pm. Global Student Centre.

• Umami: Exhibit Opening. 6pm. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

Friday

• V-Day Party. 8pm. 800 Columbia St.

• Jason Lane Band. 8pm. Admiral Pub & Grill.

• Valentine’s Day Salsa Party. 9pm. World Dance Co.

• Galentine’s Day Heels & Bubbly. 7:30pm. 802 Agnes St.

Saturday

• Comfy Cozy Comedy. 7pm. 712C 12th St.

• Valentine’s Traffic Light Party. 8pm. 26905 Pender St.

• Jazz at the ‘Bolt. 11:30am. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

Sunday

• Paint Nite. 6pm. The Rec Room.

• Thriving Through 2025: Year of the Wood Snake. 9am-5pm. Hilton Hotel Metrotown.

• Bully’s Studios Gear Swap. 12pm-6pm. 67 6th St.

Monday

• Malik Elassal. 3:30am. Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy.

Tuesday

• Roadhouse Comedy Tour. 8pm. Another Beer Co.

• Family Storytime. 10:30am. Burnaby Public Library.

Wednesday

• Drag Trivia. 7pm. 759 Carnarvon St.

• Butterfly Pinning Workshop. 6:30pm. 2333 Ontario St.

• Pyjama Storytime. 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library.

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