Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 edition: An emergency response to cold weather

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week, we’re looking at the first council meeting of 2024. In response to extremely cold weather hitting the city (and only more snow and ice predicted in the forecast), council has approved 24-hour cold weather shelter operations in Burnaby to those in need. Also, Burnaby Public Library has announced a new scholarship available to BIPOC library school students—applications are being accepted until Feb. 15!

👀 In today's edition:

• A strong, chemical burn smell in Burnaby

• A 48-hour transit strike

• A new Asian grocery store opening this week

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NEWS

Council approves 24-hour cold weather shelter operations

During its first meeting of 2024, Burnaby City Council voted unanimously to maintain the city’s emergency response to the cold weather system that has brought freezing temperatures to the Lower Mainland over the past week and is expected to bring more snow and ice to Burnaby this week.

A report submitted by the general managers of planning and development and community safety requested an amendment to the license agreement with BC Housing to maintain the operations of the winter shelter at 7320 Buller Ave. at 24 hours a day until April 30, 2024. The changes aim to extend and continue operations at the shelter to meet the high demand during the cold weather season.

Read more about the city’s emergency response to cold weather here.

Burnaby Bulletin

A strong odour in Metro Vancouver. Have you noticed a strange burning smell in Burnaby this week? You’re not the only one—it came from a north Burnaby refinery experienced an issue with their processing unit. [CBC]

Driving backwards on the highway. A Burnaby woman was caught driving on the wrong side of the highway at 3am this Monday. After failing a breath test, she has been banned from driving for three months. [Global News]

Helping farmers tackle extreme weather events. BC farmers and ranchers are getting a new round of funding to help prepare for extreme weather emergencies amid climate change.

A 48-hour transit strike. Metro Vancouver bus and SeaBus services were suspended this week as transit workers represented by CUPE Local 4500 went on strike. [CBC]

A new Asian grocery store. PriceSmart Foods, a new grocery store stocked with quality Asian ingredients, is opening today at the new City of Lougheed development at 9899 Austin Rd. [Burnaby Now]

Travelling more than 4,000km for beer league hockey. A Canuck’s game was set to take place in Burnaby this week, which got cancelled and switched to a beer league hockey game. A group of fans from Washington, D.C. are coming anyway. [CityNews]

A deadly passenger plane crash. A plane crashed in a remote community near Fort Smith, N.W.T. this Tuesday, resulting in a significant number of fatalities. Investigations are taking place for the cause of the crash. [Times Colonist]

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Burnaby Public Library announced scholarships for BIPOC library school students

Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) Burnaby residents and BIPOC Burnaby Public Library employees can now apply for one of two Picard Trust awards to pursue a graduate degree in library studies. Only applicants accepted into a master’s program at a library school in Canada will be eligible for the $2,500 awards. Applicants can submit their application online before the Feb. 15, 2024 deadline. 

According to Beth Davies, chief librarian at BPL, these awards aim to add diversity to BPL’s librarians.

“We know Burnaby is a diverse city, and we want Burnaby residents to see themselves reflected in our libraries, whether that’s through the books on the shelves or programs we offer or the people who answer their questions,” Davies told the Beacon.

Read more about the scholarships here.

Where to eat & drink

🍛 Agra Sweets. A hidden gem for delicious Indian food and desserts. Find a long list of veggie and meat mains like spinach-infused paneer and goat vindaloo as well as a variety of naan and roti options. Don’t skip the hot gulab jamun at the end—aka fried dumplings drenched in syrup—they’re delicious.

🍰 Fratelli Authentic Italian Baking. As their name suggests, this is exactly the place to indulge in Italian specialities like biscotti, tiramisu and Sicilian cannoli (ideally accompanied, of course, by a shot of espresso). Call in advance to reserve your favourites!

🍲 House of Tofu Soup. A beloved restaurant for Korean cuisine that sits right on the border of Burnaby and Coquitlam, equally adored by both. Though everything looks incredible, the tofu soup is an essential order during your first visit—it comes in a fiery red broth with your choice of meat (or, if you prefer, double up on the veggies and tofu!)

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Elementary School Teacher at Burnaby School District

• Track Attendant at Burnaby Velodrome Club

• Restaurant Manager at James Street Cafe & Grill

• Systems Development Manager at TechioSoft Systems Inc

• Pizza Master at Trattoria Burnaby

• Food Service Supervisor at Katson Enterprises

• Restoration Supervisor at Flexiplan Maintenance Inc

• Communications Specialist at City of Burnaby

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• English conversation circle. 11:30am. Burnaby Public Library.

• Family Storytime. 11:30am. Burnaby Public Library.

• Butter Making Class. 11:30am. Burnaby Village Museum.

Friday

• Technology Virtual Job Fair. 11am. Online via Zoom.

• Spring Speaker Series: Spyros Sofos and “Greece’s ‘Other’ Populism”. 2:30pm. SFU Library.

• Beauty and the Beast Broadway Musical. 7:30pm. Micheal J Fox Theatre. Tickets here.

• David Francey. 7:30pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

Saturday

• BCIT Broadcast Centre Open House. 10am. SE10 Broadcast Centre.

• In Conversation: Katee Robert. 12pm. Indigo Metrotown.

• Crystal Light Psychic & Wellness Fair. 12pm. First United Spiritualist Church.

• Free Guided Meditation. 5:45pm. Online via Zoom.

Sunday

• Saje X Heights Yoga: Sound Meditation & Yoga Class. 7:30pm. Metropolis at Metrotown.

• Weedbusters. 11am. Burnaby Lake Nature House.

Monday

• Integrated Women’s Entrepreneurship Project. 9am. Online via Zoom.

Tuesday

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

• Advance Theatre Festival. 8pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

• Global Career Building Workshop. 4:30pm. Global Student Centre.

Wednesday

• Burnaby Writing Group. 6pm. Burnaby Public Library.

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