Monday - Nov 3 - The power of stories

Morning!

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. I basically played dress-up twice this weekend—first as Elphaba from Wicked on Friday (yes, it was hilarious, and I can send you a photo if you really want proof), and then at St. Mary’s Elementary School’s annual Oktoberfest party in full lederhosen. It was a fun night with fantastic music from S-Bahn—and I’m already planning to be back next year.

Today’s newsletter includes a preview of the Fraser Valley Writers Festival, which this passionate bibliophile is particularly excited about. And if you scroll to the bottom, you’ll find one of my favourite quotes about books—from none other than Seth Godin.

—William

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Traffic & Weather

🌤 Local forecast: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope | Mission

🚘 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google, and find DriveBC’s latest updates.

🛣 Click here for links to road cameras across the Fraser Valley, including those for the Coquihalla, Highway 7, Hope-Princeton, Fraser Canyon, and Highway 1 in Langley and Abbotsford.

Feature Story

Fraser Valley Writers Festival brings two days of readings, panels, and workshops to UFV

Poets, novelists, and readers from across the region will gather at UFV next week for the 18th annual Fraser Valley Writers Festival—a two-day celebration of storytelling, creativity, and connection. The free event features keynote talks by Charles Demers and Evelyn Lau, plus workshops, panels, and a live podcast recording with acclaimed authors from across Canada.

Explore the full lineup and schedule →

Need to Know

🏢 Langley City officials lobbied federal representatives in Ottawa during October 22-23 meetings to ease 150-foot building height restrictions near the regional airport, potentially enabling taller affordable housing construction in the Willowbrook area [Langley Advance Times]

🎭 The 2025 Chillies Awards celebrating Chilliwack's artistic achievements take place November 7 at the Cultural Centre featuring performances by Joe Matheson, The Maybelles, and eight other acts, with tickets $30 for adults and $25 for seniors and youth [Chilliwack Progress]

💰 Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation's 25th anniversary Grand Gala aims to raise $500,000 for an Endoscopic Ultrasound Processor on November 14 at the Clarion Hotel in Abbotsford, with tickets starting at $225 [Mission City Record]

🌺 Agassiz Legion president Frank Stover and second vice president Carol Breland delivered ceremonial first poppies to District of Kent Mayor Sylvia Pranger and Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Fred Talen, launching the annual Remembrance Day fundraising campaign [Agassiz Harrison Observer]

🚒 Hope FireSmart completed the first phase of its Structure Protection Unit project with trailers containing specialized wildfire defence equipment capable of protecting homes, with phase two funded for 2026 expansion [Hope Standard]

🌱 Fantasy Farms hosts a free container gardening workshop on November 8 from 10:00 AM - noon teaching families with children ages 5-12 how to grow food and address food insecurity, with Rotary Club funding a portable handwashing station [Fraser Valley Today]

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🗓 Things to do

Live Music at Duke's Pub: Greg Neufeld performs on November 1 at 7:30 PM during Halloweekend at Duke's Country Pub (41582 Yale Rd), kicking off a weekly live music series featuring different artists each Friday through December.

Sourdough Masterclass with Chef Deniz: A hands-on baking workshop on Tuesday, November 4 from 6:00-9:00 PM at 20353 64 Ave in Langley teaches sourdough fundamentals, mixing, shaping, and baking techniques, with students taking home their own loaf and starter culture.

Here and There in my B.C.: Chilliwack Visual Artist Association presents Jake Stelpstra's landscape and floral paintings alongside Jeff Maron's photography at Odlum Brown Art Gallery from November 5 to December 6, with an opening reception November 8 from 1:00-3:00 PM and free admission Wednesday-Saturday noon-5:00 PM.

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Catch up

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