Thurs. June 20, 2024 edition: Use of personal digital devices will be restricted in Burnaby classrooms

Good morning, Burnaby!

It’s almost summer and probably the busiest time of the year for cultural events in Burnaby. The city is sponsoring, funding, or hosting several events in the next couple of weeks; and we’ve got a list of a few you can attend this weekend, including one for National Indigenous Peoples Day tomorrow. Check them out here, most of them are family-friendly events, so call up all your friends and relatives, bring your kids and get ready for some summer fun!

👀 In today's edition:

• Cell phone use restrictions in Burnaby classrooms 

• Residents want a better outdoor pool season

• Burnaby’s big plans for its BC Parkway corridor 

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NEWS

Use of personal digital devices will be restricted in Burnaby classrooms

Starting July 1, Burnaby schools will be enforcing a new code of conduct that restricts cell phone and personal digital device usage among students during the school day. Last January, the BC government announced that it is taking three actions to protect children online. The first of these actions is restricting the use of electronic devices among students. 

According to the new rules, elementary school students in Burnaby will not be allowed to use digital devices such as cell phones during the school day, including recess and other breaks. Secondary school students are not allowed to use electronic devices during class time but are allowed to use their phones and digital devices during breaks. 

Get the full story here.

SPONSORED BY CONCORD PACIFIC DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

Kick off Summer at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival this weekend

Head down to False Creek this weekend because the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is BACK and BIGGER THAN EVER.

Witness over 200 teams from around the world fight for gold at the continent's biggest dragon boat race, and catch the TD Main Stage's 100% local lineup of artists, featuring headliners Hey Ocean! and MANILA GREY.

Then, refuel at our 25+ food trucks on the city's biggest outdoor patio, and support local at our marketplace with over 30 local makers. Kids will also have a blast at the Concord Pacific Community Zone, where they'll have the chance to win one of two $3,600 RESP contributions!

And don't miss out on Vancouver's FIRST ever public drone show, lighting up the skies over False Creek on June 22.

This is a Vancouver summer highlight you won't want to miss. Click here to find out more!

Burnaby Bulletin

Motorcycle crash. A crash occurred at the intersection of Boundary Road and Frances Street early Wednesday morning that involved a truck and motorcycle. The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital while the truck driver, who remained at the scene, was not hurt. [Burnaby Now]

A fatal stabbing. Two people have been charged after a man was fatally stabbed in Burnaby Monday evening, around 6:15pm. RCMP reports that a man had been found unconscious with life-threatening injuries. [Global News]

Bear triggers lockdown. A bear ventured close to a Burnaby high school last Thursday, triggering a temporary lockdown to ensure the safety of students. [CTV News]

$200K in safety violations. WorkSafeBC has fined a major Lower Mainland builder—Axiom Builders Inc.—with a near $200K fine for safety violations at a 43-storey condo tower project in Burnaby’s Metrotown area. [Burnaby Now]

Attacked by a large wooden stick. A man walking in Burnaby’s Central Park last Wednesday was assaulted by a stranger wielding a large wooden stick, according to authorities. The victim has suffered significant injuries to his head and arm. [CTV News]

A new ethics commissioner. New Westminster has appointed its first ever ethics commissioner this week, Jennifer Devins, a lawyer with nearly 20 years of experience in labour and employment law, including human rights law. [New West Record]

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NEWS

Residents want extended season for outdoor pools, better accessibility, more spray parks

At Burnaby’s Parks Recreation and Culture Committee (PRCC) meeting on June 11, Rebecca Thandi, director of PRC strategic initiatives with the city, updated the committee about the progress of Burnaby’s outdoor aquatic services and facilities strategy. 

Thandi said the strategy, which will govern the construction and operation of outdoor aquatics facilities, will be completed by the end of 2024. She added that city staff are currently halfway through creating the new strategy. 

“The city’s four outdoor pools were all built during the 1960s, and more than half of these pool systems are at end of life,” Thandi said.

Thandi also updated the committee on the results of the city’s public engagement efforts. More than 800 people responded to the public engagement survey posted on the city’s Your Voice platform where extended hours and a longer outdoor pool season were among the popular requests.

Get more details about the pool strategy here.

SPONSORED BY CANADA BUBBLE TEA FESTIVAL

Enjoy the Got Talent contest while sipping your bubble tea

Join us at the Canada Bubble Tea Festival on July 19-21 for a fun-filled celebration of all things bubble tea! Enjoy a variety of delicious flavours, exciting Got Talent contests, live performances, and outdoor movies. Perfect for families and bubble tea enthusiasts. Don’t miss out on this refreshing summer event!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

The Parkway is alive: Burnaby has big plans for its BC Parkway corridor

If you live in the Metrotown area, you have probably noticed colourful benches and picnic tables that have recently appeared near the SkyTrain station almost overnight.

Now, whenever it is sunny and pleasant outside, groups, couples, singles, and families can be seen having meals, socializing, and enjoying the late spring sunshine. Sometimes, people engage in foosball and table tennis matches on tables the city has placed in the area. Occasionally, food trucks park nearby, adding to the area’s variety of food and snack options. 

The new additions to Burnaby’s section of the BC Parkway are part of the city’s latest project, Parkway Alive, which aims to transform the underutilized area underneath the SkyTrain line into a linear park with all the amenities that a usual park offers.

Read the latest update on the project here.

Where to eat & drink

🍕 Trattoria Burnaby. This charming Italian restaurant near Metrotown Mall is a true gem for classics like prosciutto pizza, spaghetti carbonara and simple antipasti like burrata and focaccia. A definite menu highlight is their signature pasta platter—for $67, you get an assortment of truffle spaghetti and meatballs, crispy gnocchi, rigatoni bolognese and linguine gamberi.

🥞 Angelina’s Dutch Corner. There’s likely no better place to go for brunch in New West than Angelina’s Dutch Corner, which specializes in fluffy pannekoeken (aka Dutch pancakes, or Dutch babies). Get yours sweet or savoury, or, ideally, get one of each and share with friends so you can try them all.

​🧆 Basha Metrotown. Who doesn’t love a good mall snack? We certainly do, especially when it comes in the form of a juicy chicken shawarma (accompanied, of course, by a generous smear of hummus and finished off with heavy brick of baklawa). Get all of that and more at this wholesome food stand at Metrotown, giving you the perfect mid-shop lunch.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Personal Trainer/Recreation Instructor at City of Burnaby

• Pension Calculations Specialist at Pacific Blue Cross

• Disability Access Advisor at Simon Fraser University

• Nail Care Technician at Haven Nails & Spa

• Liability Adjustor at ClaimsPro LP

• Overnight Associate at Walmart

• Dance Instructor at City of New Westminster

• Tattooist at Rosé Ink Parlour Ltd.

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Cantonese Storytime. 3pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Solstice Celebration. 3:30pm. 5049 Still Creek Ave.

• Safe Community Series: Women’s Personal Safety. 5pm. 4949 Canada Way.

Friday

• Summer Solstice Social. 5pm. Habitat Pub.

• National Indigenous Peoples Day. 3-7pm. Burnaby Civic Square.

• National Indigenous Peoples Day. 9:30am-2:30pm. Moody Park.

• Party With Kickstart. 8pm. The Admiral.

Saturday

• Y2K Paint Party. 3-7pm. Location details here.

• Beastmode Fitness: Shred Saturday. 9am. Burnaby Central Secondary School.

• Ho’okani. 9am. Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market.

• Weedbusters. 9:30am. Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion Parking Lot.

Sunday

• Girolino. 7:30am-1pm. Confederation Park.

• Hot Wheels Diecast Show. 11am-3pm. Lochdale Community Hall Association.

• Wife Carrying Contest. 2pm. Scandinavian Community Centre.

Monday

• Healthcare Virtual Job Fair. 11am-3pm. Online via Zoom.

• No Sedation Pet Teeth Cleaning Event. 10am-6pm. Ayros Dog Grooming Salon.

Tuesday

• English Conversation Circle. 1:30pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Summer Season at Burnaby Village Museum. Daily hours here. Burnaby Village Museum.

Wednesday

• Creative Protesting. 7pm. Starbucks @ Lougheed Mall.

• Outdoor Baby Social. 1pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Burnaby Entrepreneurs Toastmasters Club. 6pm. Winners Community Room @ Metrotown Mall.