Outdoor movies are returning to New West this summer – and you still have time to have a say in what’s shown on the big screen.
For the summer of 2021, the city is hosting two types of outdoor movie experiences – two drive-in movies in the parking lot at city hall and two outdoor movies on the field at Queen’s Park Stadium. The movies will be shown on a 16-foot inflatable screen.
Community members can vote on this year’s summer outdoor movies until July 11.
The fun kicks off with the drive-in movies in the rear parking lot at New Westminster City Hall on Wednesdays, Aug. 4 and 18, with shows starting at about 9 p.m. The lot is limited to 50 vehicles.
The options for Wednesday, Aug. 4 are Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, while the choices for Aug. 18 are Sandlot and Goonies.
In September, folks are invited to bring a blankets and chairs to Queen’s Park Stadium for movies taking place on Wednesdays, Sept. 1 and 15, starting at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The Sept. 1 flick is a battle between Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Viewers will watch Ferdinand or Spies in Disguise on Sept. 15, depending on which one comes out on top in the survey.
The movies are free, but people must preregister online. In the event of inclement weather, a decision will be made by 4 p.m. on movie day.
For movie details or to participate in the survey, go to www.newwestcity.ca/movies.
SCAMPS fun continues
One down, six to go.
After an inaugural week where participants reportedly had “a lot of fun” playing bocce and doing crafts, the Summer Camp and Moody Park Seniors (SCAMPS) programming is continuing to offer a variety of themed, two-day camps for seniors this summer. Week 2 (July 14 and 16) includes acrylic paint pouring and incense making; Week 3 (July 21 and 23) features an introduction to finger knitting and macramé (decorative knotting for a hanging planter); Week 4 (July 28 and 30) includes a ceramics showcase and yoga/meditation. Week 5 (Aug. 4 and 6) features nature sketches and partnered portraits, while Week 6 (Aug. 11 and 13) includes a community quilt project and acrylic paint pouring) and Week 7 (Aug. 18 and 18) includes summer tie dye and lawn games.
The fun wraps up in Week 8 (Aug. 25 and 27) with to-be-determined activities. Organizers note that the activities proposed for each week of SCAMPs could change without notice.
“Join Century House staff for some summer fun in Moody Park,” said a notice about SCAMPS. “We will host activities in the park over July and August. Activities will include art, games, speakers, connecting, exploring the park, special projects and some special guests. Join us for one week or many weeks. Register for all that you want. We guarantee some summer fun!”
SCAMPS takes place in Moody Park on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch and enjoy a picnic together.
Each two-day session is $44.50. To register, call Century House at 604-519-1066 or go to www.newwestcity.ca/activeliving.
Pollution in the Fraser River
How does pollution impact the health of the Mighty Fraser? You can find out at this month’s Faces of the Fraser event.
Sadie Caron, program manager for Fraser Riverkeeper, is the guest at Fraser River Discovery Centre’s next virtual Faces of the Fraser event. It’s on Thursday, July 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
“We are excited to have Sadie join us at our next virtual Faces of the Fraser event,” said Stephen Bruyneel, the centre’s director of external relations and development. “As program manager for Fraser Riverkeeper, her focus is on the health of the mighty Fraser, and she will talk to us about what they are doing in that area.”
Fraser Riverkeeper is the Vancouver subsidiary of the national charity, Swim Drink Fish. Caron’s work connects people with their local river systems and encourages them to consider the ways they can safeguard them.
“Sadie will be presenting on two major forms of pollution that threaten the health of the river, its wildlife, and recreation: bacterial contamination and illegal dumping,” Bruyneel said in a news release. “Her presentation will discuss these sources of pollution, where they come from, and what we can do to help protect the river. She will also be sharing information about Fraser Riverkeeper’s annual Fraser Valley Cleanup, one of the largest single-day cleanup events in North America and a fantastic opportunity to give back to this amazing river.”
Faces of the Fraser is free, but a donation to Fraser River Discover Centre is recommended. For more information and to register for the Zoom event, go to www.fraserriverdiscovery.org/facesofthefraser.
Challenge accepted?
The organizers of the Everybody Needs to Eat community grocery challenge want New Westminster city council to help lead the charge.
With a lot of federal funding for COVID food programs having expired at the end of March – and food hubs having seen no decrease in the need for food support – the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society, and its member agencies, are challenging community members to fill an Everybody Need to Eat grocery bag with items to be donated to the food hubs. And they’re challenging city council to lead the way.
“Fill a bag – be creative, pick a theme… We will even give you bonus points for including any of the most-needed items,” said a notice about the Everybody Needs to Eat community grocery challenge. “But don’t stop there; we want you to also include a commitment to support community food security by letting us know what actions you plan to take besides donating food.”
Bags can be dropped off at the St. Aidan’s Food Hub (1320 Seventh Ave.) on Saturday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. until July 24. That’s the day when food hub volunteers will pick which council member gets bragging rights as the Everybody Needs to Eat champion.
Donations can also be delivered to the St. Barnabas Food Hub at 1010 Fifth Ave. on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon and the Holy Trinity Food Hub at 514 Carnarvon St. on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Betina Wheeler at admin@nwhomeless.ca or visit the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society’s Facebook page.
Do you have an item for Around Town? Email tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca
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