Royal City residents are invited to join in a celebration for World Animal Day.
Ericka Ceballos, Canadian ambassador for World Animal Day, is the founder and president of Campaigns Against the Cruelty to Animals. The New Westminster resident is inviting the community to attend the group's animal awareness artwork exhibit on Sunday, Oct.
30 from noon to 4 p.m. at Centennial Community Centre.
"We are inviting the children to come wearing some nice animal costumes," she said in an email to The Record. "There will be a couple of cool prizes for the best and cutest animal costume."
The free event will include information about animals and animal protection, snacks, juice and small prizes for children who attend. Awards will be presented at 3 p.m.
IT'S FISHY
Fraser River Discovery Centre is having an OFish-al party to celebrate the birthday of its mascot.
George, who is the centre's famous white sturgeon, will be on hand for the birthday bash that's taking place on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m.
The 90-minute fishedthemed party invites children aged three to five (accompanied by an adult) to take part in activities such as a puppet show, games and crafts.
The party will wrap up at 2: 30 p.m. with a robust round of Happy Birthday followed by party treats.
Space is limited so pre-registration is recommended. The party costs $5 per child and adults' admission is by donation.
For more information or to register, call the Discovery Centre at 604-521-8401 to book your child a spot.
FOOD BANK FUN
New Westminster MLA Dawn Black's constituency office is celebrating Halloween.
The office is helping students from Douglas College to collect nonperishable food items for the New Westminster Food Bank. Donations can be dropped off at Black's constituency office at 737 Sixth St. by Monday, Oct. 31.
HELPING HANDS
The Group of Five is serving up some scrumptious treats in its ongoing effort to raise funds for Royal Columbian Hospital.
The group is holding a high tea on Sunday, Nov.
6 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Galbraith House at 131 Eighth St. Tickets are $35.
"You get either tea or coffee, beautiful little sandwiches, scones with jam," said Gerda Suess, one of the founders of the Group of Five. "This is a scrumptious high tea."
The menu also features lemon and raspberry squares, and Bon Ton Bakery's petit fours.
As with the Group of Five's previous fundraisers, the high tea will fund equipment purchases at Royal Columbian Hospital.
"Since 2004, the Group of Five has raised over $100,000 to buy equipment for the Royal Columbian Hospital," Suess said. "We do this without office staff. This is all volunteer work.
Every dollar is being used to buy equipment."
In addition to Suess, the Group of Five consists of Mary Lou Chesman, Shirley Piper, Alana McIntyre, Marion Osterman and Helen Bodner.
"Without the generosity of the people here in New Westminster, we wouldn't be able to buy this muchneeded equipment," Suess said.
Suess and Piper recently returned from Italy, where they purchased jewelry that will be sold at a Group of Five luncheon to be held in the spring of 2012.
WELCOME ABOARD
Oana Capota has joined the New Westminster Museum and Archives as its new museum curator and heritage planner.
Capota comes to New Westminster from the Surrey Museum.
Coincidentally, she replaces Rob McCullough, who left in June to take on the role of manager of the Surrey Museum.
Capota's background includes several years with the City of Surrey, where she worked as a public programs specialist, interim museum facility supervisor and community service coordinator. She's also worked as a museum assistant and oral history project assistant, and as an assistant English teacher for the Gyoda City Board of Education in Japan.
