Thurs. Dec 13, 2023 edition: In conversation with Japanese mural artist Taka Sudo

Good morning, Burnaby!

Have you noticed more emails and text messages that seem like scams this time of year? We’ve seen a few that are telling us a package has been delayed, or that an order was cancelled, and they’re quite tricky because this is the time of year when many of us are shopping online. Our reporter Lubna is working on a story about this type of cybercrime in Burnaby, so if you’ve got a story to share, email her at [email protected].

👀 In today's edition:

• Council celebrates Burnaby FC

• The artist behind a new Burnaby mural 

• The best local Greek restaurants 

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COUNCIL

Local soccer champs and dangers of new zoning

This week’s council meeting on Dec. 11 was the last before the holiday break and council kicked it off by celebrating the Burnaby FC under 17 boys and girls soccer teams.

Staff members then presented a report on the negative effects of new legislation from the province that prohibits mandated parking in transit-oriented areas except for accessible parking.

Mayor Hurley responded with his concerns about an increase in housing supply not resulting in lower housing costs, as well as concerns about infrastructure and a lack of consultation regarding this legislation.

Get all the details in this week’s council recap here. 

Burnaby Bulletin

Facility allocation changes at Burnaby parks, recreation and culture facilities. The new policy prioritizes access for people with disabilities, historically underserved and emerging groups, rather than prioritizing groups with more participants.

More student spaces. Rachna Singh, BC minister of education and child care, announced the latest expansion to Kitchener Elementary School that will bring 375 new spaces to the school.

Man charged in murder case. A jury verdict was reached in the Ibrahim Ali trial—Ali has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 13-year-old girl in Burnaby. Read Burnaby Beacon’s profile remembering the victim here. [CBC]

A detailed design. Burnaby City Council has approved the Burnaby Lake Recreation Complex project to advance into detailed design, realizing an exciting new aquatic and arena facility at Burnaby Lake.

$500k in recovered equipment. A Burnaby business that was robbed twice in the span of 24 hours has recently recovered their equipment through Burnaby RCMP. [Burns Lake Lakes District News]

A massive redevelopment. Burnaby’s BC Tel Boot Building could be undergoing a massive redevelopment with more than 2,500 new homes. [Burnaby Now]

Food security funding. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank, a non-profit organization based in Burnaby, is receiving $264,000 in funding to continue improving regional access to healthy food. [Burnaby Now]

A fire in Burnaby. The Burnaby Fire Department investigated a fire in a duplex on Manor Street last week, warranting a two-alarm response. About 30 firefighters appeared on the scene. [CityNews]

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Celebrating Burnaby’s cultures with public art

On Dec.4, Burnaby City Council voted to grant $7,000 in funding for a mural, completed in September 2023 in time for the Nikkei Matsuri festival that takes places every year to celebrate Japanese-Canadian culture. The mural, two colourful Japanese cranes facing one another, can be found on the side wall of Nikkei Place.

The Beacon spoke with the artist, Taka Sudo, to learn more about the mural and its significance. Working as an artist for 20 years, Sudo’s art has been displayed all over the Metro Vancouver area and in Japan, where his work is currently exhibited at a ski resort. Born and raised in Tokyo, he has lived and worked in Metro Vancouver since 2007.

Read more about Sudo and his brand new mural here.

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BURNABY READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

The best Greek restaurants in Burnaby, as chosen by you

Where do Burnaby residents go for a hearty souvlaki platter, preferably one that’s accompanied by hummus, spanakopita and a warm shot of ouzo? Here are some of the best Greek restaurants in the city, as chosen by you in the Burnaby Readers’ Choice Awards!

Where to eat & drink

🍛 Manjal South Indian Kitchen. This casual eatery is ideal for families or large groups—their large, round tables are the perfect stage for a feast. Order several unique items, such as vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries, biryani, dosas and a few seasonal specialties, and you’ll be in for a treat.

☕️ Oneway Cafe. A brunch and lunch cafe serving diner classics like benedicts, omelettes, and club sandwiches. Some stand out, not-so-classic options include a bulgogi benedict, chashu panini and an extensive list of bubble teas.

🧋 Blossom Teas. On the hunt for a quality bubble tea shop? This is where it’s at. Signature drinks include a selection of mango smoothies and milk teas, as well as a few enticing options for dessert such as mango cheesecake bingsu and fresh taiyaki—adorable fish-shaped waffles traditionally stuffed with red bean filling.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Pastry Chef at Fior Di Latte Cafe

• Assistant Store Manager at Gardenworks

• Fundraiser Representative at Prime Apex Acquisitions

• Facilities Coordinator at Hunt Personnel Temporarily Yours

• Technical Writer at Aplin

• Korean speaking Game Presenter at Evolution

• Team Lead at Sephora

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Contemplative walk. 1pm. Deer Lake Park parking lot.

• A Big Fat Xmas Holiday Fam Jam. 6pm. YVR Prep.

• Festive Victories. 6:30pm. 4219B Lougheed Hwy.

• Babytime. 11:30am. Burnaby Public Library.

Friday

• Shorties Christmas 2023. 7pm. Brentwood Presbyterian Church.

• Burnaby Job Fair. 11am. Online.

• Polymer Clay Crafts. 1:30pm. Out On Campus Lounge.

• Common Ground. 8pm. Admiral Pub & Grill.

• Trauma Healing Breathwork. 7pm. Savasana Meditation.

Saturday

• Next Move Xmas Party Battle. 3pm. Next Move Dance.

• SFU Choir: Eric Whitacre. 3pm. Cliff Avenue United Church.

• Poetry Night. 6pm. Pacific Arts Market.

• Mistletoe Workshop. 10am. Gardenworks Burnaby.

Sunday

• Winter Weaving. 2:30pm. Sussex Condos.

• Weedbusters. 11am. Burnaby Lake Nature House.

• Christmas Wreath Workshop. 3:30pm. 2826-4500 Kingsway.

Monday

• Christmas in the City. 7pm. Wings Burnaby.

• Tame Your Inner Critic. 8pm. Banyen Books & Sound.

• Paint Nite. 7pm. Wings Burnaby.

Tuesday

• Tech Cafe. 1pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Professional Development Program. 9:30am. Online.

• Heritage Christmas. 1-5:30pm. Burnaby Village Museum.

Wednesday

• Burnaby Toasters Public Speaking Training. 5:30pm. Burnaby City Hall.

• Community Meal. 5:30pm. St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church.