A former resident of Woodlands School will be among the comedians taking to the stage at Lafflines Comedy Club next week.
Richard McDonald, a longtime volunteer with community living organizations, will be among the featured standup comedians in A Christmas Comedy Night that’s taking place on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Impressionist Jordana Rose Pratt, Ben Simcoe andClifford Prang of Panic Squad are also featured.
The show is presented by B.C. People First, which will get proceeds from the event. Tickets are $15 at the door. In addition to the comedy show, A Christmas Comedy Night includes door prize draws and a 50/50 draw. To purchase tickets in advance go to www.tinyurl.com/ChristmasComedy. People can also RSVP to Meredith at 604-600-8951.
Quayside fun
The Quayside Community Board is inviting community members to celebrate the season on the Royal City’s waterfront.
The residents’ organization is holding its eighth annual Light up the Quay event. It’s encouraging Quayside residents to decorate their balconies, lobbies, yards and courtyards for the holidays. Community members are invited to take a stroll through the neighbourhood to check out their efforts.
“We call it the Candy Cane Loop,” said James Crosty, organizer of this year’s event. “We call it the loop because people are encouraged to start at River Market, one of our title sponsors, walk along the Fraser River promenade and then return via Quayside Drive – or the reverse.”
Judges will once again select winners for best residential décor, best lobby and best building, as well as the coveted Griswold Award for the most over-the-top display. Judging will take place on Thursday, Dec. 19.
As part of this year’s event, the Quayside Community Board has expanded its holiday food drive and joined forces with the Festival of Trees that is being produced by The Stage New Westminster at River Market from Dec. 12 to Jan. 4. People are invited to visit the Quay Tree on the main floor of River Market, bring a non-perishable food item and get a ballot to choose their favourite tree in the festival.
All food collected through the Light up the Quay and the Festival of Trees events will help local charities. See www.quay
sideboard.com.
Looking back
Newspapers are providing some glimpses into Christmases past at the New Westminster Historical Society’s upcoming presentation.
Everyone is invited to attend the presentation on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the New Westminster Public Library at 716 Sixth Ave. The topic is Christmas Past in New Westminster – as Reported in the Local Press.
Archie Miller has shown examples of published accounts about streets, stores, celebrations, traditions and everyday activities in the holiday season from past years.
“In this presentation, he will gather together many of the colourful and entertaining reports just as they appeared in the local newspapers in the first decades of the city’s history,” said a press release about the event. “This presentation will be a nice break from the constant activity of this time of year.”
The program is free and everyone is welcome to attend. There is no need to pre-register.
Award winner
Kudos to Christine MacLeod, who was among the recent winners of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education for 2013.
MacLeod is a lead instructor of Good Beginnings, a professional development program at Douglas College for family childcare providers. She received a certificate of achievement for her work at Wee Kids Family Day Care, a licensed facility she owns and operates in Delta, B.C.
“Christine’s passion for family childcare is also reflected in her work at Douglas College as she strives to inspire the students in her Good Beginnings class,” said Cheryl Jeffs, program manager in the faculty of child, family and community studies.
“She helps students achieve success by focusing on their individual strengths and by introducing them to many valuable resources.”
