Stay Tuned...

Have spent a fair amount of time over the last few weeks in and around the Newton bus loop and downtown area. Many conversations were had with residents, transit users and drivers and business owners. I'll be blogging about these talks in the coming days.
To say it was an eye opener is an understatement. Although I've lived in what is technically considered Newton, my home is south of the downtown neighbourhood and orients more to the Sullivan Heights and Panorama communities. Those areas are changing too.
Will be writing soon about some of the issues we are all facing in Newton, specifically south Newton and Downtown.
 Stay tuned.

Street Piano Launch Party Pics plus full Video Playlist

 We had a wonderful Monday evening of music and community harmony amid the sounds of buses, car horns and people hurrying home after a busy day on transit. 

The  street piano, generously donated by Sean Pacey and Pacey's Piano is now a fixture at the Newton  Exchange between Coast Capital and the Wave Pool. 

It's yours to play!

  A few images from Monday's launch. Stay tuned for news on the painting portion of this fun, engaging placemaking project in the heart of Newton, Midtown Surrey

Keeper of the Grove David in action

Members of Make Music Vancouver and the Piano Teachers Federation

Vladislava Mars performed her own Philip Glass inspired compositions.

A little sparkle in the trees

Children are born to play music!

Taking a break from snapping photos to soak in the tunes.

Neighbours came out to enjoy the twilight concert

These two met on Tuesday and just started jamming

A few videos of performances from Monday's kick-off.

Pianos On the Streets comes to Newton!

 The Grove in Newton has a piano for everyone to enjoy. It will be in place until September 10. 

Tonight at 6 o'clock join Friends of The Grove, as we make beautiful music together with Make Music Vancouver and the Piano Teachers Federation.

 The piano has only been onsite for a few hours and already it's a big hit. Just wait until you see it painted next week!

 We hope everyone will take pride and ownership of the ''People's Piano". 

It's yours, play it.

Update: Last night's Launch Party was a  resounding (pun intended) success! Will post full report later this week with some wonderful heartwarming photos.  Thank you to those who came out to play and those who made up our audience. The event was originally planned for 6-7:30  but at 9 we were still making music. A very special evening in the heart of the city.

What is my favourite part of Surrey? This!

When I'm asked what I like about Surrey and why I choose to  live here, and it is a choice, without dropping a beat I  shout out, the people!  Forever curious, I love to find out all about people, especially those that were not born and raised here. Maybe it's the fact that both my parents have fascinating and in my father's case heartbreaking immigrant stories.

The multi-cultural  Fusion Festival  is probably my favourite weekend in the city. 

A little global village right here at home.

    A few images and moments from yesterday 

                                  at Surrey Fusion Festival.

Hey Ocean! performed. Love this band!

I talked to a few women from Nigeria yesterday.
 So full of life and the colour.... oh my, I want to dress like this! The one on  the right? Sooo beautiful!

Ran into two of Surrey's best community minded citizens.

Happy to see Newton 's
art/craft/ home decor store DeSerres helping kids paint a big mosaic wall.

The sun came out!

More vibrant colour.
Seriously, I think I need a trip to Africa,  for the fabric alone.
Not sure if I could pull off this look but I love it!

This juggler was a crowd pleaser- have seen him several times at Granville Island and he's always a big hit. 

At the end of the show he puts the torches out with his mouth. Ya, okay then...  

Crowd loved the juggler guy

Get out there and take in Day 2 of this fun event.

 Eat, dance, shop,  listen to some cool tunes and talk to people from literally all over the world. 

Enjoy! 

Full event information  here

For the Victims, The Ripples of Crime Never Stop

There is so much here in our neighbourhood to take pleasure in, but we also have to acknowledge the fact that bad things do happen here. They happen everywhere.  
So,  in an effort to keep  readers informed, here you go.

Just a reminder.  

Yosef Jomo Gopaul, the person accused in the killing of Julie Paskall at the  arena in Surrey is scheduled to make another court appearance tomorrow morning  at 9:30. 

 At his last appearance,  I looked around the courtroom, and other than Julie's husband and her best friend, I did not see  anyone from the general public. If you can, please support the family and let them know we haven't forgotten them. Imagine if this were your family.

204662-1	GOPAUL, YOSEF Jomo	1	Surrey Provincial Court	15-Jul-2014 09:30 AM	101

Update:

I attended this morning and again, no one but Julie's husband and her best friend were there. It's difficult for me to look at the face of the person accused of this heinous crime and I can only imagine how awful it was for Al Paskall.  

 He and Julie would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary next week.

30 years in the Neighbourhood!

 Just a few quick shots in anticipation of

Greco's Mediterranean Foods

Thirtieth  Anniversary this Sunday in south Newton!

SAY CHEESE!

 This is a destination deli and one of our absolute favourite places to spend  time. The  owners and staff are amazing , the products they carry  range from fabulous food to gift items and there's  something wonderful and unexpected to see on every visit.

Plus-there are always yummy samples to try!

If you haven't been to Greco's just trust me.
You have to go.
There's a reason they have survived for 30 years in Newton, and believe it or not, they've done it without a website.
They are however, on facebook  Find out more about this special place on their page.

So many specialty items from around the world

Vinegars, Oils, and so much more....

Dozens of types of imported pastas

Spices Galore...

Best olive bar around

More cheese- love the samples!

Sunday  come wish Greco's Happy Anniversary!
 King George near 68th Avenue
in Newton- Midtown Surrey.

Placemaking Guru Fred Kent. What Does it Take to Create Great Public Spaces?

 Fred Kent is the founder of Project for Public Spaces. If you've ever walked through Bryant Park in Manhattan you've experienced his work.
 Here's a video lecture in which Fred discusses placemaking and the art of creating public spaces that people love.
 Enjoy.

Summer in Newton- Midtown Surrey

 A few of our favourite things and places in the neighbourhood

Summer is the perfect time for catching up on some reading- remember to take the kids!

DeSerres Art and Craft Supply store. A little tricky to get to but well worth it!

Relax in the shade of The Grove cedars.

Check out the mosaics at the Wave Pool and Community Centre

Our neighbourhood Art Centre on 72nd. 

Pho Newton- The Best! near Superstore at KG and 74thAve.

Greco's Deli- Just go. Trust us. Just go.

So many delicious cheeses!

Greco's celebrating 30 years in the hood- July 13th big celebration King George and 68th Ave.

Newton, The heart and soul of Surrey.
Midtown