Community members are invited to Rest in Peace on Kelly Street.
The free event is taking place on Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the 400 block of Kelly Street near Hume Park.
“Forget about the pre-Halloween dinner scramble. Come down to Rest in Peace on Kelly Street. Relax and enjoy free hot coffee, hot chocolate and pizza – complimentary from Starbuck’s and Sapperton’s very own Pappa Leo’s Pizza. Be warm and sheltered from our heat lamps and gazebos. Get enchanted by the decorations and vibe to come. Be most rewarded by our give-aways and BIG treats,” said a post on the Rest In Peace on Kelly Street page on Facebook. “‘Rest in Peace’ prior to your journey or let it be a pit stop with food and beverage to-go. Or, if it works better, end your night with us ... as your final resting place.”
City celebrates
The City of New Westminster is inviting residents to celebrate the completion of the official community plan (OCP).
To celebrate the conclusion of the three-year process, the city is having a party on Monday, Oct. 30 in city hall’s lobby from 5 to 7 p.m. In addition to an official cake cutting with the mayor at 5:30 p.m., residents are invited to share their favourite moments from the OCP process, talk to city staff about building a laneway or carriage house, ask questions about the new plan and take the OCP quiz and be entered into a prize draw for a gift basket.
Get inspired
A one-hour documentation about the Grind Blind Challenge is airing this week.
Accessible Media Inc. is showing a documentary about the Grind Blind Challenge, which took place on Sept. 10, and featured a number of low vision and blind youth and young adults who trained for four months before doing the Grouse Grind. New West native Shawn Marsolais, executive director and founder of Blind Beginnings, was among the participants.
Accessible Media Inc., which followed the hikers through their training and attended the hike, is sharing some of the incredible transformations and stories in the documentary running on Accessible Media on Friday, Oct. 27. For more information, got to www.ami.ca.
Thanks for the help
Queen’s Park Care Centre is grateful for the support from the Rotary Club of New Westminster.
The Rotary club recently donated funds to the Queen’s Park Healthcare Foundation for the purchase of three new wheelchairs. They’ve arrived and are now being used by folks at the local facility.
Queen’s Park Care Centre has a number of services including a care home, rehabilitation programs and an older adult daycare program.
New West Pride names new board
A new crew is taking the helm of the New West Pride board of directors.
After serving as co-president with Jeremy Perry, New Westminster resident Mike Tiney was named president of New West Pride at the Sept. 28 annual general meeting. Joining him on the board of directors are: Kurt Knoblick – vice-president; Lorraine Fletcher – treasurer; Amanda Koble – secretary; and directors Steven Best, Veronique Boulanger, Ryan Layfield, Trish MacAuley, Shelbey Osborne, Don Ralph, Pierre Richez and Jason Waight.
Perry, who is moving to the sidelines after four years on the board, is stoked about the number of folks who’ve stepped forward to serve on the board and is confident the organization is in good hands.
“Being part of New West Pride during its transformation from a small festival in the park to a multi-stage street party has been rewarding. The visibility and support for the LGBT+ community has and is growing, but there’s still so much to do. Too often trans, bi or people of colour can feel excluded, and this is something that needs to actively be addressed,” he said. “I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished, and look forward to continue supporting New West Pride in the future.”
Save the date: Saturday, Nov. 4
The Century House Association’s annual craft sale and tea returns on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend the event that features an afternoon tea and sales of pottery, books, jewelry, hand quilting, original artwork and variety crafts. A bake sale, white elephant sale and raffles round out the day’s fun.
Anyone wishing to make donations for the sale can drop off items at Century House from Saturday, Oct. 28 until noon on Friday, Nov. 3 at 620 Eighth St. For more information, call Century House at 604-519-1066.
Homes wanted
If you’re looking to expand your family, you need go no further than the New Westminster Animal Shelter.
Nancy Millar, acting coordinator of animal services, said there’s currently a full house at the city’s shelter in Queensborough.
“Lots of cats. Lots and lots and lots and lots of cats,” she said. “We have done really well with adoptions, but there has been a lot of animals come through this summer.”
The B.C. wildfires played a part in the increased numbers of animals available for adoption at the shelter, as the shelter accepted some from a volunteer organization in the Cariboo.
“They adopt out animals so they had their own animals and then they were evacuated. We moved them through pretty quickly so they could move their animals through and help out the evacuees. That is only one little piece,” Millar said. “July 1 and Aug. 1 are the number 1 moving months of the year. It’s also the number 1 move-out-and-leave-your-cat-behind month of the year. May through October is usually pretty busy in the cat department.”
Anyone wishing to adopt from the New Westminster Animal Shelter can visit the Animal Services pages on the city’s website at www.newwestcity.ca.
