Thurs. June 6, 2024 edition: City embraces anti-racism research

Good morning, Burnaby!

We’ve noticed that there are some new subscribers here this week. Many of whom came over to us from our friends at the New West Anchor. If this is your first edition of the Burnaby Beacon, welcome! We’re so happy to have you here. And for those of you who have been reading for a long time, thank you for your support!

👀 In today's edition:

• City commits to anti-racism framework 

• New video series raises awareness on guns and gangs 

• Local green team cleans up Central Park 

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NEWS

City embraces anti-racism research, commits to acting on its findings

Researcher and SFU professor June Francis presented the results of a two-year study on systemic racism in Burnaby at an event organized by Burnaby Together Coalition Against Racism and Hate on May 23.

The research results spanned a wide range of issues affecting racialized people in Burnaby. For example, the study found that immigrants are far more often overqualified for their jobs than nonimmigrants.

“The percentage of overqualified immigrants in the labour force in British Columbia is 24.8% in 2016 compared to 12.2% for nonimmigrants,” the report said. The problem seems to affect racialized immigrants disproportionately compared with immigrants from European countries.

“Racialized immigrant groups show alarmingly high rates of overqualification from Southeast Asia (53.6%), Southern Asia (38%), Caribbean and Bermuda (28.8%), Sub-Saharan Africa (28.7%) among other groups,” the report said.

The report also covers biases in the built environment, such as in public spaces, recreational facilities, and even in the sense of safety racialized people feel when walking down the street. In addition, chapters are dedicated to health and well-being and the school system.

Read the full story here. 

SPONSORED BY COASTAL JAZZ

Vancouver International Jazz Festival kicks off Summer

The 39th Vancouver International Jazz Festival returns June 21 - 30. This year's Festival features 150 performances and more than 50 free events. Headliners include Killer Mike, Veronica Swift and Julian Lage. Opening weekend includes Downtown Jazz, a free concert series outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. Granville Island will be the hub for festival activity, with free and ticketed shows at Performance Works, Ocean Artworks and the Revue Stage. Downtown theatres, clubs and North Shore venues will host live performances throughout the ten days. 

Coastal Jazz believes live music and performing arts are integral to building community, platforming social issues, and feeling connected to the city and culture. One of BC’s most prominent not-for-profit music presenters, over 30% of its Festival concerts are free because of a long-standing commitment to transcending economic barriers.

Burnaby Bulletin

A questionable exam. Burnaby School District has launched an investigation into a harmful exam question posed by a Grade 6 and 7 elementary school teacher that asked students to weigh in on Israel’s right to exist. [CBC]

Expanding 5G fibre networks in Burnaby. Telus has recently announced an investment of more than $24 million in Burnaby to connect more homes and business to its 5G and PureFibre networks, aiming to double the number of new cell towers built across the province this year. [Burnaby Now]

Hats Off Day. Thousands of people flocked to Burnaby Heights last Saturday to celebrate the annual Hats Off Day festival, a unique event created in the 1980s that gives Burnaby Heights businesses a chance to thank the community for their support. [CTV News]

The future of Central Park. The City of Burnaby is currently asking for public feedback on Central Park. Residents are being asked to share their thoughts about the city's Central Park Master Plan by taking an online survey until June 30. 

OCP feedback also needed. The City of Burnaby is also seeking public feedback about its official community plan (OCP) Burnaby 2050. Members of the public can discover more about the plan and share their thoughts in surveys about transportation, housing, parks, food systems, and more by Sunday, June 9. 

Retro Gaming Expo is back. The Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo is returning to New Westminster this year with what organizers say is its biggest show ever. The event will take place at the Anvil Centre on June 22. [New West Record]

A new surgeon in New West. A new pediatric orthopedic surgeon has been recruited at Royal Columbian Hospital, according to Fraser Health. The specialist is expected to start seeing patients in early July. [CTV News]

HUB Cycling’s Spring Go by Bike returns to Metro Vancouver from June 3-9! Check out their list of six things you need to know to make your bike commute something to look forward to.*

*Sponsored Listing

NEWS

Burnaby launches educational video series about gang violence

As part of its gun and gang violence prevention initiative, the City of Burnaby recently launched a new video series to help raise awareness about the risk factors that cause some young people to join gangs. The five-part series covers diverse topics ranging from myths about gang involvement to girls in gangs. 

The video series is just the latest part of a larger project aimed at addressing risk factors among young people in Burnaby, fostering healthy social connections, and creating direct interventions for youths already involved in high-risk lifestyles. 

Get the full story here. 

SPONSORED BY CONCORD PACIFIC DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

Summer starts at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival

The biggest race on the continent. The first public drone show in Vancouver. And more to do than any other weekend festival around. Your summer starts at False Creek, and it's all for free on June 22 and 23 down at Concord Pacific Place.

Click here for info!

NEWS

Green Team kicks off Environment Week with city support

On Sunday, June 2, the Lower Mainland Green Team organized a community activity to remove invasive plant species from Central Park in Burnaby. Even though it was raining heavily, 16 people showed up and eagerly participated in the activity from 9:45am to 1pm.

The group removed invasive plants such as Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, and English holly. 

Burnaby councillor, Maita Santiago attended the activity to show support and the event was organized in partnership with the city, which provided logistical and financial support. The activity was one of the city’s Environment Week events.

Get more details about the event here. 

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Where to eat & drink

🥪 Cioffi’s Cucina. It would be difficult not to fall in love with Cioffi’s at first sight. This do-it-all deli, meat market, grocery store and breakfast, lunch and dinner cafe offers its guests everything from steaming hot americanos with Nutella-stuffed brioche to veal osso bucco with risotto.

🍲 Liuyishou Hotpot. This international hotpot chain is beloved among Burnaby residents for its authentic broths, good quality ingredients and ample variety of specialty items to choose from such as green peppercorn beef tripe and duck soup with Chinese pickled radish.

🍝 Artusi Restaurant. A charming Italian restaurant in New West that specializes in contemporary rustic fare like tagliatelle primavera, wild boar ragu and homemade porchetta with focaccia. Perfect for date nights!

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Personal Banker at BMO

• Field Sales Support Specialist at White Cap Canada

• Change Management Specialist at Engineers and Geoscientists BC

• Engagement Coordinator at Trans Mountain

• Policy Advisor at BC Family Maintenance Agency

• Operations Support Supervisor at LifeLabs

• Assistant Fitness Manager at Fitness World

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Shadbolt Celebrates! 7pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. 

• Tech Cafe. 3pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Walk & Coffee around Deer Lake. 11am. Deer Lake Park.

Friday

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

• Lunch and Learn: Importance of Critical Illness Coverage. 12pm. 4555 Kingsway.

• City Love Scavenger Hunt. 1pm to 5pm. Event details here. 

Saturday

• Spring Clean Up Day. 9am to 3pm. Details here.

• Eco Centre Open House. 10am. Eco Centre.

• Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market. 9am to 2pm. City Hall.

• Dragon Boat Festival Workshop. 3:15pm. MandoKids Chinese Learning Centre.

• Family Constellations Workshop. 12pm. Sea2Sky Wellness Club.

Sunday

• Plant a Row - Grow a Row. 8:30am. St. Thomas More Collegiate.

• Nikkei Farmers Market. 10am. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

• Latte Art Class. 2pm. JKLatte Studio.

• Knitting Workshop + Social. 4pm. Arrieta Art Studio.

Monday

• Improv Karaoke. 6pm. Brentwood Presbyterian Church.

• Burnaby ACE-IT Film and Broadcast. Doors at 6:30pm. Rio Theatre.

Tuesday

• Chinese-Canadian Reconciliation: Community Dialogue #2. 5:30pm. Bonsor Recreation Complex.

• Computer Skills for Job Searching. 1pm. Burnaby Public Library.

Wednesday

• Inner Child Healing Meditation. 7pm. Savasana Breathwork & Meditation.

• Dreamcatcher Lessons. 5:30pm. McGill Public Library.