The NewsLeader, May 15, 2012.

The annual DiverseCity festival will explode onto the Quay Boardwalk in New Westminster on Saturday, May 19 at noon with sights, sounds, smells and tastes from all over the world. DiverseCity embraces everyone, and therefore is the ultimate celebration of community.

With cultural groups from all over the globe participating you can expect live entertainment, dance lessons, tasty treats, interactive activities for the kids, and fun for the whole family as well as arts and crafts, a film festival, art exhibition, and a few surprises too.

The River Market’s Hungry Floor Food Hall is a great addition with Mexican, French, Italian and Chinese contributions through fabulous food. Other merchants such at the Paddlewheeler Pub, Great Wall Tea and KJM Urban Gardens are getting into the spirit as well with featured theme specials and demos. Fraser River Discovery Centre has been a long-time valued partner and always provides fantastic exhibits and activities for kids of all ages.

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The Record, Marelle Reid, May 11, 2012.

For new immigrants and lifelong residents alike, this year’s multicultural festival in New Westminster will be a chance to check out traditions and cuisines from around the world. The 10th annual festival, presented by the Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Association, will be held Saturday, May 19 from noon to 6 p.m. at River Market. Food, dances, music, ethnic dress and arts will be shared at this family-friendly event, with about 30 groups presenting a variety of cultures.

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Wild Rice Newsletter, May 11, 2012

Mondays May 14th and May 28th: Pork is the feature this month in our cooking classes. The menu consists of ground pork potstickers with a red vinegar caramel, following up with char siu bao with a chilli aioli, then tickle your senses with sweet & sour pulled pork with steamed veggies and pickled pear. The sweet ending will be homemade s’mores with a chocolate ganache. Classes are $45 per person and start promptly at 6:30pm.

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The NewsLeader, Letters to the Editor – Richard Armstrong, May 10, 2012.

On behalf of the members of the New West Artists I would like to thank the River Market and The Network Hub for hosting our very successful art exhibition recently. We sold 37 out of 220 pictures and raised over $3,400 for our member artists. We would not be able to do this without the participation of the community of New Westminster—estimated attendance over three days was 800. With 95 members, New West Artists is a self-funding group and our success in only 18 months of existence  demonstrates that the art scene in New Westminster is thriving.

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Tenth to the Fraser, Briana Tomkinson, May 3, 2012.

Three community-building ideas in New Westminster will get a boost from Donald’s Market and River Market, winning cash and publicity from the inaugural ONE Prize. Funded through a customer appreciation program that allocates 1% of member sales to community projects, five shortlisted projects will vie for votes in hopes of winning a portion of the $5,000 in this year’s pot.

This year’s diverse ideas include initiatives related to food, art, social media, volunteering and entrepreneurship.

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The Record, Niki Hope, May 2, 2012.

Juicy fried Oyster Po’ Boy sandwich? Just say, “Yes, please” the next time you’re at the River Market.

The team behind the Re-Up BBQ is taking over the Crab Shop at the River Market and adding their own delicious twist to classic cod/halibut and chips, including freshly made tartar sauce and mayo verde with garlic and cilantro.

“We love fish and chips,” says Michael Kaisaris, who owns the Re-Up and the Crab Shop along with his wife, Lindsay Kaisaris, Chester Carey and Jose RosalesLopez. “It’s a nice bit of synergy – the Re-Up being next door, and we can just have a really big celebratory presence in the space.”

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Wild Rice Newsletter, May 1, 2012.

Did you know that Mother’s Day is the busiest restaurant day of the year? Fret not, this year we have TWO Wild Rice locations opened to accommodate all those who want to show their mom’s, grandma’s, and close ones a good time! Both locations will be offering something different and exciting.

Wild Rice New Westminster is offering a three course meal with a glass of bubbly on this coming Mother’s Day. The menu will be offered all day from lunch til dinner. The menu runs at $30 per person, a great way to treat your mom on her special day!

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The Globe and Mail, Alexandra Gill, May 1, 2012.

Sauvignon blanc with citrus poached prawns may be a classic pairing, but it has become awfully predictable. If you’re in the mood for something more refreshing, may we suggest a light-bodied Belgian-style wheat ale instead?

Such was the sudsy subtext to a recent Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Company dinner at Ensemble Tap restaurant in Vancouver, where beer’s uncanny ability to complement, cut and accentuate food was served to startling effect.

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The Georgia Straight, Carolyn Ali, April 26, 2012.

When you think about restaurants in the suburbs, what springs to mind? Many Vancouverites would say strip malls, fast food, and chain restaurants. Or maybe hamburgers and pizza, laminated menus, paper placemats, and crayons for the kids.

Scott Jaeger knows the preconceptions he’s up against. On the line from the Pear Tree Restaurant in Burnaby, he said people often tell him his restaurant is too good for the burbs. “We get it all the time: this isn’t where we should be, we should be downtown,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. “I understand why people say it. I think they say it in a good way. I think they’re trying to say, ‘You’re good enough to be downtown.’ ”

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The Georgia Straight, Charlie Smith, April 26, 2012.

In many respects, Jonathan X. Cote—the “X” stands for Xerxes—is emblematic of the new New Westminster. Young, progressive, and well-educated, he was elected to city council seven years ago, at the tender age of 26. Cote, who topped the polls in the last two elections, is also a graduate student in the SFU urban-studies program and works part-time as an ICBC adjuster. Not only that, but he and his wife Alix are raising two young daughters, both under the age of five.

No wonder the busy councillor is looking a tiny bit harried as he sits down in a booth at the Heritage Grill, a funky Columbia Street restaurant, to discuss the revival of New West’s historic downtown.

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