Is the gulf too wide between the citizens who came before and the young adults rising up to take our place in media and public life? According to Michael Valpy’s recent opinion piece in the Globe & Mail, indeed, this is so. I don’t agree with everything Valpy’s got to say in his piece, but it’s beautifully written and full of food for thought. While Valpy is writing about Canada, I would say that the demographic and behavioural shifts he writes about are evident here in New Westminster as well …

I came into Urth for a coffee, and to scope out the free wifi, but ended up staying to chat for over an hour with owner Bryan Schwartz and a handful of well-caffeinated regulars who joined our conversation at the bar.
Urth isn’t just a place to get coffee. It’s a place that invites lingering to chat, and a place to meet new friends. I’ve found New West to be friendlier than most places, but it’s still unusual to go into a place and strike up a conversation with strangers. But …

On August 6th, my husband and I moved to New Westminster. This is his third time living here and my fourth. I guess you could say we’re New West Homing Pigeons. Despite being dragged off to far away places, we always find our way back. The question is, Why?

This is a guest post by Travis Fehr from New West Cycle, New West’s newest bike shop. New West Cycle is a community-oriented co-op specializing in reviving neglected and vintage bicycles.
As a home and part time bicycle mechanic, bicycle enthusiast, bike commuter, and believer in all things pedal-powered, I have come to rely on some practical and social practices that make my ride safer and more enjoyable.
One that I would particularly like to share is this: be nice.
Bike riders are a rugged, lonely, and sometimes maligned minority. The sideline is …

I am sorry to say that I am one of those women who screams and flails when a wasp or bee flies near. I whimper too.
On Saturday, for the first time in years, I got stung. The irony of it was that there was no flailing or screaming beforehand. Indeed, I only noticed a wasp had landed on my finger when I felt the sting.
It was at the Quayside Festival, and I had been looking at the bric-a-brac on a table when something tickled my pinky finger. I scratched the …

When I was a kid, I loved the water – on TV mostly. In real life, it was something to akin to a lurking creature looking to choke the life out of me. I have no idea how I got this fear of water, which had me taking beginner lessons at the late age of thirteen. But, wherever it came from, it’s not a dominant gene passed along by me. My three (almost four!) year old daughter is in love with the water, particularly this summer …

The 10th Annual Doggy Fun Day is set to happen Sunday, August 30th from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. It takes place, as in previous years, on the playing field above the dog park in Queens Park. Billed as “fun and games for dogs and their people”, this year’s DFD is being put together by the Pacific Volunteer Education and Assistance Team for Animals (VEATA, for short), which is a relatively new group helmed by long time well known animal volunteer, Cheryl Rogers (who some of you may simply know as “the lady …

Back for a third year, the Quayside Festival & Sidewalk Sale will be back on the Quayside boardwalk this Saturday August 22nd from 10-3, with more tables, more entertainment, more activities and more food than ever before.
Organized by the Quayside Community Board which represents over 4,000 residents in the Quayside area of New Westminster, the Quayside Festival will be a fun time for New Westminster residents young and old.
With over 100 tables booked, come bargain-hunt, there is sure to be incredible treasures and ‘finds’ for everyone. Port Metro Vancouver …

Good food. Cheap prices. Cheery service. Free wifi. Booze.
It may look humble, with its homemade signage and rather drab, dated decor, but Los Generales at 334 Sixth St.delivers a surprisingly warm, satisfying, authentic Mexican culinary experience. It is well worth a visit.
If your experience of Mexican cooking has so far been limited to chain restaurant fajitas, quesadillas and tacos, you may be surprised at the wholesome simplicity of the food. Cast Taco Bell expectations aside, and you’ll soon appreciate the homey fare Los Generales has to offer.
The tortilla chips with homemade …

As a former smoker I am just beginning to realize the impact that smoking has on the environment. Environmentalists are all over plastic water drinking bottles, idling and pesticides. But never a whimper about butts, butts.

It was the best of stores, it was the worst of stores….well, nothing is that simple.
New Westminster residents, like folks all over, develop a preference for grocery stores. Those of us habituated to the 6th Ave. Safeway in the Royal City Center have had our choice expanded as the Save on Foods has recently opened in New Westminster Center, on 6th st. Like anything, our individual choices will be based on a number of factors including location, layout, staff, selection and price. While it is impossible to say one …

(Today we are live-blogging from the 12th Street Festival – come find us in front of Village Coffee at 7th avenue and 12th Street!)
NW Firehall #2 firefighters turn the hose on a joyful crowd at the Thirsty Duck’s raffle – part of the 12th Street Festival here in New Westminster. Even the photos are refreshing…

(Today we are live-blogging from the 12th Street Festival – come find us in front of Village Coffee at 7th avenue and 12th Street!)
Here at the T2F booth at New Westminster’s 12th Street Festival, we are sitting across from three of the most beautiful cars that came out of the 1950′s and 60′s, and talking cars we love and wish we could own.
Will has a yen for the crazy Japanese import Delicas, wierd retro jeeps from the post-war period, and other cars whose names and number I don’t understand. Jen, …

Dawn Black and Peter Julian stop by the Chai by Night and TenthtotheFraser booth at the 12th Street Festival – check out the hard copy print of our second T2F newsletter Dawn’s holding!

The editorial board of T2F is here on 12th street enjoying the sun, breeze, good cover tunes and great conversations here at the Chai by Night booth just up from Seventh Ave by Village Coffee.
Some pictures so far:

Kale  has started recognizing the place as we open the door and go in, a soft whoosh as the air transfers and the sudden cacophany of child play noises replaces the traffic whizzing by on the street. He starts kicking his feet and arching his back, straining mightily to get out of the stroller and get to the TOYS and the FUN as fast as possible.
We go to Family Place, located at 101 – 93 Sixth Street, probably twice a week these days. In the world of  one year old busy little bees, …