1. Support local programs and enjoy some entertainment at the New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society’s annual tree-chipping event on Saturday, Jan. 5 and Sunday, Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Canada Games Pool parking lot. Along with bringing your Christmas trees for chipping, you’ll be able to enjoy a barbecue, popcorn, music and fire extinguisher demonstrations. It’s all by donation to the charitable society, which supports programs helping those in need in the community.
2. Boo the bad guys and cheer for the good guys when the Royal Canadian Theatre Company’s traditional British panto, Ellie King’s Hansel, Gretel and the Strolling Players takes to the stage at Massey Theatre. This family-friendly show is on Friday, Jan 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 5 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets and info at www.masseytheatre.com. Massey Theatre is at 735 Eighth Ave.
3. Clear out some clutter and take your empties to the New Westminster Scouts bottle drive and the New Westminster Lions Club’s clothing drive. They’re being held in conjunction with the New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society’s tree chipping event at the Canada Games Pool parking lot, 65 East Sixth Ave.
4. Take a spin around the ice at Moody Park Arena, where there’s a public skate from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and a family skate from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and a public skate from 1:15 to 4:15 p.m. and an adult skate from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. Regular admission rates apply. Moody Park Arena is at 701 Eighth Ave.
5. Help send French immersion students from École Glenbrook Middle School to Quebec City and Montreal in March by supporting their bottle drive on Saturday. Students will be canvassing the Connaught Heights and the West End neighbourhoods for empty bottles and cans (mark bags with CPF for Canadian Parents for French) on Saturday, Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents who live in other neighbourhoods or in condos or apartments can drop off refundable pop and alcohol bottles, cans and juice boxes at a sorting station that will be set up at New Westminster Secondary School, at Eighth and Dublin, starting at 9 a.m.
6. Start the year off with a session of poetry when Poetic Justice presents Ruth Kozak on Sunday, Jan. 6 at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St. Hosted by Warren Dean Fulton, this weekend’s event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. and includes an open mic.
Email your Top 5 ideas to calendar@newwestrecord.ca or tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca. You can also check out our full arts and events calendar listings on our website's homepage at www.newwestrecord.ca.
