"It's All About the Corner" Jane Jacobs

"It's All About The Corner"

Some of you may  know that even before this place  (shown below) was a public market

there was an even  older way funkier and very successful market and community hub on the  same corner at King George and 64th Avenue. The goal of ReNewton was to bring back the public market to this corner. Now, our mayor, being focused  on City Centre so intently that she pays little attention to the state of south Newton, is fond of saying that this corner is not the right location for a public market. How very disingenuous of her!  The original market  the one housed in an old former roller rink was booming !   Fresh fish vendors, veggie stands, the  BEST Japanese take-out and so much more! It was one of the things that drew many of us to  the area and to ultimately purchase homes in what was then a semi-rural  part of the south Newton/ north Panorama neighbourhood.. 

And now, with 10s of thousands more people here and with 70,000 cars passing through the King George and 64th Avenue, well, just imagine the possibilities. 

But I digress.....

The land is privately owned and the owner has plans for a mixed use development but no construction is slated for the foreseeable future. And that's where we, and you come in. 

 Let's bring some life back to this corner and show that this IS a place that we in the community care about.  

Any arts group or individuals  who would like a huge  and very visible canvas to work on send a message to hey-jude@telus.net.  Some of  you have said you'd like to see a giant chess/checkerboard or a labyrinth and hey, who wants to yarn bomb those trees?  Wouldn't it be great  for drivers through that intersection to see those trees covered in something so whimsical and fun? Others have suggested food producers and a farmers market set up a few times this summer.

So... what are you waiting for?  Let's get creative!

Check out these new places in Newton!

Quick shout out to a few new places in the hood.

The Greek Corner  restaurant also is open in  Newton  in the  Save-on-Foods shopping centre.  Used to be John's Taverna now has new owners and a whole new look. We hope to pay them a visit soon. 

DeSerres  Art Supplies  on  the west side  of King George near 76th Ave. Amazing selection of art supplies for serious artists plus a HUGE selection of crafty items and great kids gifts and creative projects and kits. Gorgeous looking store- friendly knowledgeable staff!

Let us know if you've been! 

Wild Wing also in the same shopping centre on the Shoppers Drug Mart side. 

Looks like a fun place to go for a casual bite and enjoy ( hopefully)  watching the Canucks!

Plus, don't forget Bistro 72 located in the Old Surrey Restaurant. 

Less formal than the Old Surrey and a great place for live music on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Open for brunch too! 

Now get out there and start spending money in your own neighbourhood! Have fun, eat, drink, get creative, and shop!

  

New ( and Newish ) in the Neighbourhood - Check them out!

 Quick weekend post to tell you to be sure to check out  the brand new DeSerres Art Supply and Craft store on King George and 76th Ave. They opened yesterday! 

Had the most delicious Pho ( pronounced FA for those new to this delicious Vietnamese  noodle soup cuisine) the other day here at PHO Newton. Nice little place located right next to the Bank of Montreal at King's Cross  Shopping Centre at King George and 74th in Newton. Loved it!

Seemed like a good idea at the time....

Well, The community garden project has turned out to be a bit of a non starter.  There was so much initial positive response from the community, but as is often the case, finances and logistics  got in the way.   We probably could have justified the expenditures had the lot been given to us on a permanent or at least 2-3 year basis. Having it til only November at first didn't seem to be a bad deal but it's just not enough time to make it a sustainable enterprise. 

So.....

Thank you to everyone who sent messages of support and offers to help.  The outpouring of community spirit is so encouraging and will keep us going  to achieve the ultimate goal of revitalizing the King George corridor in south Newton between 62nd and 68th Avenues. 

We still envision creating The George Arts District. 

Where there's a will- there's a way and it's been clear from your calls and messages that this is what the community wants.

 No matter what neighbourhood they're from, patios and cafes  on the street are what people keep telling us they want! Really, REALLY want!

 Just remember Margaret Mead's famous quote:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” 

What would happen if we shut down  a few blocks of The George for a street fair?

Gotta have kids involved in any festival or community  event!

Who doesn't love a farmer's market?

Farmers,  neighbourhood groups,  artisans, food producers all get  great exposure!

And what's a street festival without loads of music and dancing?

The Difference Between Surrey and Yogurt.

In the summer of 1986 when I first told my family and friends that I was thinking of moving from a heritage home in the Queen's Park area of New Westminster to a brand new house in Surrey, one of them  rolled her eyes and asked this....


 What's the difference between Surrey and Yogurt?*


  Anyone remember the answer?  It was a real dig at Surrey and came on the heals of that whole Surrey bashing  thing that was rampant at the time.
Richmond's  " Buying a house in Richmond means never having to say  'You're Surrey'"
   If you're of a certain age you'll know that  THAT line came from the movie Love Story ( Being in love means never having to say you're sorry)  haha  :((  So clever. Sigh.

Well, guess what folks? 
 Just like yogurt, Surrey actually HAS CULTURE!

Our Arts Centre in Bear Creek Park is an outstanding facility. I have visited the gallery with instructors from Emily Carr University of Art & Design  and fellow artists and they have commented on what a great space we have there.  I'll take that as an endorsement.

 So what's the problem?  Well, Surrey just doesn't have enough venues and entertainment options.
We need places where young people can go for a night out to hear live music and have fun.
Too many 20 something Surrey-ites are  choosing to pack up and make their home in Vancouver  cuz, 'nothing happens here'
 We have to change that.
One of   ReNewton's goals is to encourage an Arts District in the  dead centre of the city.
Newton.
Yes.
Newton.

Street Cafe  - Jazz Club
Who needs Vancouver when you could have this right here in  Newton the heart of Surrey- the smack-dab centrepoint of the city?

There's an area in south Newton  along the King George between 62nd and 70th Avenues that has many for lease spaces, empty lots and vacant  or under used buildings. What if we could create an Arts District  there? A walkable stretch  of 8 blocks where artists, musicians, young people can hang out, eat, drink , listen to music, shop, perform etc.  and NOT have to go to Vancouver for a night out.
Surrey needs to keep more entertainment dollars in its own backyard.

And, this is important...  Surrey needs to show young people from other areas of Metro Vancouver that yes, this IS where the future lives. Not just 'lives'..... but LIVES !!

The George Arts District might just be a way  to start.

 Let the city of Surrey know that you'd like to see a more vibrant dynamic cultural core in the heart of Surrey. That's right here in Newton folks. Midtown Surrey.  

Market Community Garden Info Update

Still waiting for official news re:  funding for the Market  Community Garden project

Turning this.....

into this!

 Stay tuned!

And in our dreams....... this too!  We can dream right?