Make sure you have a plan before heading out or shopping online today, says the business watchdog

Step aside Vito Corleone – there’s a new godfather in town. Sam Fabbro, executive chef at El Santo on Columbia Street and Amaranthus in River Market at the Quay, is among the 40 finalists for Western Living magazine’s Foodies of the Year.

The next time you’re on the market for a beautiful piece of jewellery, a work of art, or snowboard gear or even a laptop, you might consider stopping at your local pawnbrokers. Since 1955, Royal City Jewellers and Loans has been providing a service to New Westminster and the area. From $2 Blu-ray videos to $50,000 works of art, there is something for everyone at the shop, which is located on Columbia Street in New Westminster. “We have couples coming in wanting to buy engagement rings to people coming in to purchase musical instruments. We have an incredible variety of items for sale,” says the company’s General Manager, Ken Basso.

River Market has two new eateries for foodies to enjoy. Angelina’s Dutch Corner has taken up residence in River Market, after outgrowing its former home at a nearby building. As part of the move a larger space that was formerly occupied by Wild Rice, the restaurant plans to add dinner service to its popular breakfast and lunch menu.

Holiday fires cause injuries, death and thousands of dollars in property damage every year, and the Office of the Fire Commissioner and Emergency Management B.C. want to remind you how to stay safe. While households should have some safety preparations in place, there are extra life-saving precautions recommended over the holiday season to prevent fires.

Acommunity within a community – that’s what Oxygen Yoga and Fitness has created in their Columbia Street location since opening three years ago. Oxygen has fast become a favourite home-base for yoga and fitness enthusiasts of all ages in the Royal City, which itself has a special place in the hearts and lives of its owners.

Sleep apnea is a common breathing disorder that, when untreated, can have severe health and safety consequences for you and people around you. Marina Abramskey, a Registered Respiratory Therapist at CanSleep Services, says that sleep apnea can go undetected for many years. “People adapt to their symptoms of feeling tired and fatigued during the day and often attribute it to other events going on in their lives,” Abramskey said.

We do many things out of habit (because that’s the way we’ve always done it) or convention (because that’s what everyone else does): how we relate to family and friends, our routines at school or work, where we shop, what we eat, what we do for exercise, and how we travel from place to place. We get into a groove and it becomes our norm.

Here are 5 things to consider so you get the best deal for yourself and your community. 1. Start with the right valuation The big question: How much is my home worth under the new OCP? According to Darcy Schlechtleitner, founder of Rethink Real Estate Group, there are ways of working it out, but you need a realtor with experience and training in land assembly. “Values can be calculated based on comparable land sales for similar projects and what can be built, but you need someone who knows their numbers and has access to all the data,” says the long-time New West resident. She studied real estate at BCIT and has been working in the New West area ever since. The Land division at her brokerage focuses specifically on land assembly projects. “Make sure you’re asking the right questions of potential realtors: What’s your land assembly history? Have you done this before? What developers do you work with? What’s your understanding of contracts and contract law?” Schlechtleitner says.