Downtown Off Leash Dog Paw-ty, Saturday, May 2nd

Off-Leash Dog Area
Opening Paw-ty

Come out and help celebrate the newest doggy area in your community!

Check out the by-donation paw-dicures, face painting, BBQ with hot-dogs and more.

Where

• 823 Carnarvon / 824 Agnes St.

When

• Saturday May 2nd, 2009 11am-1pm

What

• 11:15am - Royal City Rockets agility show
• 12:00pm - Opening Address

Donations will be accepted towards amenities for the off-leash area and New Westminster Animal Services Shelter.

Hosted by Quayside Petspa & Daycare and the City of New Westminster.

New Westminster’s Historic 150th Birthday Celebration

Queen’s Park Neighbourhood Association Presents:

Celebrate: New Westminster’s Historic 150th Birthday

Sunday, April 26, 2- 4 pm, Centennial Lodge in Queen’s Park

Be part of history. Tell your New Westminster story for our digital video ‘time capsule.’

KEY NOTE SPEAKER: Chris Bryan, Editor, New Westminster News Leader.

Using his March column as a jumping off point, Is change a dirty word in New Westminster?, Chris will share his unique views on the intersection of change and continuity in our 150 year old city.

Digital ‘Time Capsule’: Be interviewed with your family and friends. Tell your unique story of social or architectural connection for posterity.

Trivia Game: How well do you know your heritage trivia? Test your skill. Prizes!

OPEN MIKE: Share your story of significance in New Westminster.

Connected through generations of family?

· Some families (like Fred Cirillo’s mentioned in The Leader) have multi- generations living in New Westminster. If this describes you, please invite your extended family to be part of this historic event and the digital ‘time capsule.’

Connected via historic architecture?

· Does the history of your old house engage your imagination and link you to the past? Is there an object, like an old photo of your house, or, a person, someone who used to live in your house, that makes this link more significant for you? If so, bring it or them along and tell your story of connection to history via architecture.

About the Digital Time Capsule: Digital content created at this event will be uploaded to the Arts Council’s Internet Portal site ( http://www.artscouncilnewwest.org/nw150/acvidportalvs2.pdf) established as a means of accumulating and archiving video about events and everyday life during the 150th Anniversary in New Westminster. All are invited to bring their digital cameras to capture this event.

REFRESHMENTS SERVED – BY DONATION

WEB: www.qpra.org EMAIL: qpra@shaw.ca BLOG: queensparkra.blog.ca

Open Forum on Animal Services In Your Community

Where: Fir Room, Century House
When: 1:00 pm, Saturday, April 25, 2009

The goal is to allow residents and invited guests the opportunity to learn more about the services available and provide feedback and suggestions regarding animal-related issues.

On the agenda:

• The Role of Animal Services In Your Community
• Recent Animal Control Bylaw Amendments
• Recent Changes In Departmental Policy
• City of New Westminster Animal Control Bylaw Discussions


• Excessive barking
• Off-leash dogs
• Dog Licensing
• Dog waste


• Issues Pertaining To Responsible Pet Ownership
• Volunteer Opportunities with the City of New Westminster Animal Shelter
• Question and Answer Period.

Please email for consideration any recommendations to the agenda to shelter@newwestcity.ca.

The development of this forum is part of New Westminster's Animal Services Department's plan for growth and development of animal services in our community.

Please RSVP before April 20, 2009 to shelter@newwestcity.ca.

Contact:
David Cole
Supervisor of Animal Services
Animal Services Department
The City of New Westminster
604-519-2008

Minutes of March 25, 2009 Meeting

NEW WESTMINSTER DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
Regular Meeting March 25, 2009

Chairperson

• Andrew Boyd

Recorder

• Miriam Smith

Call to Order
7:05 pm in Lounge of the Parish Hall, Holy Trinity Cathedral, with 10 people in attendance.

Directors Present:

• Andrew Boyd
• Barb Elliott
• Judy Ross
• Miriam Smith
• Jonathan Story

Regrets

• Lila Wood

Guest: Eric Westerberg, City Planner, City of New Westminster

Guest Speaker: Jayne Petula, Film Coordinator, City of New Westminster

Petula gave a short presentation and fielded audience questions regarding the film industry and film shooting in the downtown area.

Guest Speaker: Travis Johnson, Vancouver Circus School.

Johnson gave a lively presentation on the second location of the Circus School at the River Market at Westminster Quay. Currently on a short- term lease at the Market, the Circus School offers a variety of classes; i.e.,
trampoline, juggling, swinging trapeze, open to all ages. The public is encouraged to come for a “look-see” on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 – 9 pm. Johnson is hoping to secure a long-term lease once an anchor tenant is secured at the Market.

Guest Speaker: Reena Meijer- Drees, on electoral reform and STV.

Meijer-Drees spoke on the Single Transferable Vote and the structure and mechanics of it. The STV will come up as a referendum question in the May 12 provincial election. Meijer-Drees explained that with the STV the number of MP’s won’t change though it could mean a minority or coalition government. With STV, votes won’t be wasted. If passed in the May election perhaps the STV will be enacted in the next provincial election in 2013. A lively question and answer period followed the presentation.

Committee Reports

Homelessness Coalition
Updates on the College Place Hotel, the Garfield Hotel and the Maria Keary cottages. A possible drop-in centre for the homeless is being looked into.
A “Grand March for Housing” is taking place on Saturday, April 4, meeting at Main Street Skytrain Station at noon for a further walk to V.C.C.

Traffic Advisory Committee
Updates on the Queensborough Bridge Project and a presentation by the South Coast BC Transportation Authority Policy Service.

Community Policing
No report.

New Westminster Environmental Partnership
Represented by Barb Elliott. We are all encouraged to participate in EARTH HOUR – March 28, 2009, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm.

Barbecue Committee Report
No news on our grant request. Call for more volunteers. Date has been changed from July 23, 2009 to July30, 2009 to coordinate with the holiday weekend. Updated on planning procedures so far

Farmers Market Report
Most of the original vendors will return. Markets will run Thursdays from June 25 through to Thursday, October 8.

New Business
Discussion on need for public washrooms in the downtown area. Perhaps Hyack Square?

Next Meeting
May 27, 2009.

Adjournment
9:10 pm.

WASTE CHALLENGE MEETINGS

SUSTAINABLE REGION INITIATIVE . . .
TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION
PUBLIC CONSULTATION CALENDAR – SPRING 2009

ZERO WASTE CHALLENGE MEETINGS
Public Evening Meetings: 7 – 9 pm (registration 6:30 pm)

April 1
Central/Northeast
Executive Plaza Hotel, 405 North Road, Coquitlam

April 16
South of the Fraser
Compass Point Inn, 9850 King George Highway, Surrey

April 22
North Shore
Eagles Club, 170 West 3rd Street, N. Vancouver

April 29
Vancouver
BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Public Breakfast Meetings: 7:30 – 9:30 am (registration 7 am)

April 8
North Shore
North Vancouver City Library, 120 West 14th Street, N. Vancouver

April 9
South of the Fraser
Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, 15269 – 104th Avenue, Surrey


LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT MEETINGS
Public Evening Meetings: 7 – 9 pm (registration 6:30)

April 15
Vancouver
Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 580 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver

April 21
Richmond
Executive Airport Plaza, 7311 Westminster Hwy, Richmond

April 22
Central/Northeast
Executive Plaza Hotel & Conference, Ctr 405 North Road, Coquitlam

April 23
South of the Fraser
Compass Point Inn, 9850 King George Highway, Surrey

April 28
North Shore
Lonsdale Quay Hotel, 123 Carrie Cates Court, N. Vancouver


REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY MEETINGS
Public Evening Meetings: 7 – 9 pm (registration 6:30 pm)

April 22
Vancouver
UBC Robson Square, Room C180, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver

April 29
Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge
Ridge Meadows Seniors Society, 12150 – 224th Street, Maple Ridge

May 7
Burnaby/New Westminster
Metro Vancouver, 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby

May 12
North Shore
Eagles Club, 170 West 3rd Street, North Vancouver

May 13
Langley
Douglas Recreation Centre, 20550 Douglas Crescent, Langley

May 14
Richmond
Richmond Cultural Centre, 180 - 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond

May 19
Surrey/Delta White Rock
Surrey Conference Centre, 9260 - 140th Street, Surrey

May 21
Tri-Cities
Leigh Square Community Arts Village, 2253 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam


Public Breakfast Meetings: 7:30 – 9:30 am (registration 7 am)

May 6
Vancouver
BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver

May 13
North Shore
North Vancouver City Library, 120 West 14th Street, N. Vancouver

May 27
South of the Fraser
Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, 15269 - 104th Avenue, Surrey


Regional Forums: 12 noon - 2 pm (registration 11:30 am)

April 23
South of the Fraser
Eaglequest Coyote Creek Golf Club, 7778 152nd Street, Surrey

May 20
Vancouver
Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 580 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver

May 27
North Shore
Hollyburn Country Club, 950 Crosscreek Road, W. Vancouver


Regional Forums: Evening 5 - 7 pm (registration 4:30 pm)

April 30
Central/Northeast
Hilton Metrotown, 6083 McKay Avenue, Burnaby

If you would like to provide feedback, and are unable to attend a meeting please send your comments.
Deadlines for feedback are: Liquid Waste Management - May 15, Zero Waste Challenge - May 1,
Regional Growth Strategy - May 22

Online: www.metrovancouver.org Email: icentre@metrovancouver.org Fax: 604-432-6399
Mail: Metro Vancouver, Corporate Relations, 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4G8

Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy Meetings

Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy (Metro Vancouver 2040: Shaping Our Future) is a framework to guide the future development of our region to 2040. It is a shared commitment by Metro Vancouver and member municipalities to work together to achieve regional goals. The Regional Growth Strategy is an important tool for managing future growth in the region, while still ensuring its livability. Following the adoption of the new Regional Growth Strategy, New Westminster’s Official Community Plan will need to be reviewed to take into account the new regional policies.

New Westminster City Council is also hosting a Public Meeting in order for New Westminster residents and the business community to learn about the draft Regional Growth Strategy and provide comments on the growth projections:

New Westminster’s City hosted Public Meeting is scheduled for:
Thursday April 23, 2009
7:00 to 8:30 pm
Century House
620 Eighth Street, New Westminster

Metro Vancouver is inviting residents to learn more about the strategy and provide comments.
Sub-regional Public Meeting is scheduled for:
Thursday May 7, 2009
7:00 to 9:00 pm (registration at 6:30 pm)
Metro Vancouver Head Office
4330 Kingsway, Burnaby

Regional Forum is scheduled for:
Thursday, April 30, 2009
5:00 to 7:00 pm
Hilton Metrotown Hotel - Ball Room 2
6083 McKay Avenue, Burnaby

Please register in advance at http://www.metrovancouver.org
(Search 'Sustainability Dialogues')

For more information, see:
Draft Regional Growth Strategy- Metro Vancouver 2040: Shaping Our Future and background information from Metro Vancouver
http://public.metrovancouver.org/planning/development/strategy/Pages/default.aspx

City of New Westminster: March 23, 2009 COW report “Draft Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy: Comments for Consultation Process and Timeline for Review”:
http://www.newwestcity.ca/cityhall/Leg_Info/Electronic_Packages/2009/0323_Mar23/CW/Reports/COTW_12_Draft_Metro_VanRegional_Growth.pdf