An eclectic mix of films is being presented as part of a documentary film festival taking place at Douglas College this week.
New Westminster Environmental Partners and Green Ideas Network are presenting New West DocFest on Oct. 21 and 22. Organizers hope to educate and to create dialogue and change in our society by thinking globally and acting locally.
An opening reception with entertainment and a screening of Burning Water takes place on Friday, starting at 6 p.m. The festival gets underway at noon on Saturday, with the day's films to include Tapped, 65 Red Roses, Vanishing of the Bees and H2Oil.
65 Red Roses is an award-winning documentary based on the life of New Westminster resident Eva Markvoort, who lost her lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis in March 2010. New Westminster resident John Gibeau, who is the founder of the Honeybee Centre, will take part in a question and answer session following a screening of Vanishing of the Bees, and New Westminster-Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly will participate in a question and answer session after H2Oil is screened.
For the complete festival schedule and ticket information, visit www. newwestdocfest.ca.
STUDENTS HELPING
Students at Richard McBride Elementary School are doing their best to help out Honour House.
Laura Swanson, chair of the school's parent advisory councils, said the students at Richard McBride have done a penny drive for several years.
"We have always used the funds to purchase items needed for the school or to do something special for the students," she said in an email to The Record. "Last year we were inspired by Honour House here in New Westminster with their Penny in a Pot campaign."
The parent advisory council agreed to donate half of the money raised for the penny drive to Honour House.
CHRISTMAS SALE
The folks at St. Barnabas Thrift Store have been gathering items all year long for its annual Christmas sale and are now preparing for the big day.
Michele Moret, who manages the thrift store, said people will be able to find a wide variety of Christmas items, including decorations, lights, ornaments, trees, linens, kitchen items, gift wrap, clothes, dishes and more. The sale is being held on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The store will be selling coffee and hot chocolate.
The volunteer-run thrift store raises funds in support of programs offered at St. Barnabas Church, including a community lunch each Thursday, an emergency food cupboard on Fridays and a Christmas Day dinner.
