New Westminster Firefighters' Charitable Society will host its annual tree-chipping fundraiser in January. Royal City residents who have live Christmas trees may want to jot Saturday, Jan.
5 and Sunday, Jan. 6 down on their calendars as that's the day that local firefighters will host their annual tree-chipping event in the Canada Games Pool parking lot from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
People are welcome to drop by and enjoy the entertainment and food offerings - even if they don't have a Christmas tree.
The event is a fundraiser for the New Westminster Firefighters' Charitable Society, which disperses funds to a wide variety of local organizations.
ON THEIR TOES FOR THE NUTCRACKER
Royal City Youth Ballet enjoyed another successful run of its annual Christmas tradition.
The company recently performed The Nutcracker at Massey Theatre. After near full houses, the Royal City Youth Ballet was off to Duncan for three performances, and Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.
"A total of 120 dancers, crew of 10 and a total of 23 performances," said an email from Dolores Kirkwood.
"I am so very proud of them all - plus the many volunteers who happily give their time for this venture."
In addition to a contingent of dancers from New Westminster, the production includes dancers from studios from throughout the Fraser Valley.
EXPLORE TOKYO
A new exhibit at the New Westminster Museum explores experimental architecture in Tokyo.
Presented by the Japan Foundation through the Japan Consulate, the international traveling exhibit Struggling Cities; from Japanese Urban Projects in the 1960s, runs until Jan. 27.
A press release from the New Westminster Museum and Archives states that the exhibit tells the story of the development of the urban space through architectural scale models, photos and audiovisuals, with a focus on Tokyo.
One display also describes how New Westminster changed in the 1960s, with the advent of new transportation routes and a changing landscape.
The Struggling Cities exhibit is collaboration between the Japanese Consulate and the New Westminster Museum and Archives to bring the exhibit to western Canada. The Japan Foundation, founded in 1972, aims to promote international understanding through cultural exchange.
The New Westminster Museum and Archives is located at 302 Royal Ave., behind Irving House. It's open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is by donation.
For more information, call 604-527-4640 or visit www.new westpcr.ca and check out the museum's page.
GRIT PROVES POPULAR
The recent launch of a book celebrating some fine women from New Westminster's history attracted quite a crowd.
More than 200 people attended the Dec. 6 launch of the new book, Grace Grit and Gusto: Profiles of Remarkable Royal City Women.
The book release was held to coincide with the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to Monarch Place, a transition house for women and children fleeing violence.
Lorraine Brett, who is helping to publicize the book, noted that former MLA Anita Hagen spoke at the book launch. In addition to being profiled in the book, she was a key fundraiser for Monarch Place.
"The most dramatic moment came when Hagen recounted a story of Dorothy Beach, a 99year-old environmentalist also profiled in the book, and to the surprise of all assembled the diminutive Beach chose that moment to arrive, front and center," Brett wrote in an email to The Record. "Dorothy received a round of applause and afterward a family friend noted that this opportunity to reconnect and 'relive her journey' was for Dorothy and her family just 'priceless'."
The book is $20 and available at the Arts Council of New Westminster, Greens and Beans Deli, the Queen's Park Health Care Centre Gift Shop (315 McBride Blvd.) and online at www.vivalogue.com.
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