New Westminster is getting a little wild this month.
The New Westminster Lions are holding a New Wild West Hoedown to raise funds for Lions' projects and the Sapperton Pensioners Association. They're promising a rootin' tootin' good time in the Wild West way.
The hoedown takes place on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sapperton Hall, 318 Keary St. The hoedown features a silent auction, door prizes, Wild West cancan dancers, western singers with some original songs by Dave Cobb and Mark MacKenzie, and stories of western characters such as Bill Miner. The three-course dinner, to be catered by Judy B. includes a garden salad, Judy's cheese biscuits, onequarter roasted chicken, gold nugget potatoes and western produce, a dessert buffet and tea and coffee.
Tickets are $25 and available by calling Louisa or Vic at 604-525-1829.
ANIMATED FUN
New Westminster is getting animated in its educational offerings.
CG Masters Academy, a new digital animation and visual effects school, has opened at the Plaza at New Westminster Station. The school has its own film studio, shooting equipment and the latest hardware and software.
"We are bringing a new way of thinking to digital arts training because we think some schools are getting it wrong," said founding instructor Nicholas Boughen in a press release. "Our graduates will be better prepared and better skilled than most others for work in the film, television and gaming industries."
Boughen, who has 15 years experience in the film industry, has nine years of teaching experience in digital arts at several institutions, including Capilano University.
"Our short-term goal is to produce the best graduates in the northwest," he said. "The bigger challenge will be in producing the finest grads in the world, which we expect to take slightly longer."
Boughen believes the Plaza at New Westminster Station is the "perfect" location for the school. For more information, visit wwww.cg-masters.com.
HIGHLAND TIME
Members of the 78th Fraser Highlanders enjoyed the spirit of aloha when they received a recent visit from the Royal Hawaiian Guard.
The 78th Fraser Highlanders, a military historical society, is dedicated to the education and improvement of youth, strives to preserve the memory of the Fraser Highlanders.
"The Royal Hawaiian Guard came for the first time to Canada. They are based in Maui," said Robert Rathbun, captain of the 78th Fraser Highlanders. "They wanted to meet us. They had heard a lot about us. They do a lot of work with youth in Hawaii. They want to form some ties with us."
The Royal Hawaiian Guard visited Canada after attending a function in Seattle.
Neil Dukas Ho'ohanohano Hope Konelam, the honorary lieutenant colonel of the Royal Hawaiian Guard, contacted the 78th Fraser Highlanders Fort Fraser Garrison about the idea of getting to know one another better, with the possibility of forming an affiliation further down the road. Established in 2009, the Royal Hawaiian Guard is quite new and feels it could benefit from the Fraser's experience. The Royal Hawaiian Guard's visit to Canada began with a formal hands-across-the-border ceremonial event at Peace Arch Park in the morning.
"They did a traditional Hawaiian welcome, and blew their conch shells," Rathbun said. "They requested permission to enter Canada."
Once they were granted permission to enter Canada, the Frasers marched the contingent though the Peace Arch and across the international boundary. From there, the visitors were taken to a rod and gun club in Port Coquitlam for a traditional musket shoot, and to a New Westminster home for a salmon barbecue and reception to celebrate the new friendship.
"Residents in the West End would have overheard strange noises ranging from conch shells to bagpipes," Rathbun said. "The conch shells are very loud."
78th Fraser Highland has a strong presence in New Westminster, with several members calling the Royal City home and the group attending events including the Hyack Festival Parade and FraserFest. The group's activities include doing ceremonial escort and attending services at the cenotaph and other locations.
