he New Westminster Downtown
TResidents' Association is inviting area residents to get involved and contribute to the changing community.
Jocelyn Smith, president of the New Westminster Downtown Residents' Association, said she's lived in the city for about a year and likes the changes that are underway. She said the association formed a number of years ago to address various issues with the city, police and other groups.
"We have seen the fruits of all those efforts," she said. "It has become an attractive place to live."
The association would like to try to get more downtown residents involved in its activities. Its monthly meetings include presentations from developers, city officials and other groups about various projects that are in the works for the neighbourhood, and a discussion about those initiatives.
"It's not just development. There is definitely quite a few new businesses in the downtown, lots of new residents," Smith said of changes underway in the neighbourhood. "The downtown feels like quite a strong community."
The New Westminster Downtown Residents' Association is holding its annual general meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 26 (today) at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity parish hall, 514 Carnarvon St. In addition to electing the association's board of directors, the agenda includes a presentation by June D. Bossons from West Fraser Developments Ltd. about the redevelopment at 314 Agnes St, by developer Mike Degelder about the digital board at Plaza 88. Colleen Ponzini, the city's manager of financial services, will speak about the city's 2013 budget process and how the public can provide input.
If she's re-elected to the association's board, Smith said her vision for the association for the coming year would be to grow its membership, and provide a place where downtown residents can make connections to help better their neighbourhood.
FAMILY CHALLENGE SET
The City of New Westminster wants to help local families get moving.
The city is launching the Biggest Mover Family Challenge, which provides weekly challenges aimed at providing a healthy focus for families. Families will keep track of points in a family passport, with families meeting the minimum activity goal at the end of the challenging qualifying for draws for various prizes.
The 12-week challenge began Sept. 24 and costs $10 per family, which must include at least one adult and one child (aged five to 11) or youth (aged 12 to 18). It's not too late to pick up passports and sign up at Centennial Community Centre or Century House. For more information, visit wwww.newwestpcr.ca or call 604777-5100.
FUNDRAISING HELP
Organizers of a fundraiser for the Royal City Humane Society have been canvassing local businesses for items for their upcoming event.
New Westminster resident Mike Guild is organizing a benefit concert that will be taking place on Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Columbia Theatre. The event will include musical entertainment by four bands (including Guild's band The Beladeans), a silent auction and more.
"Myself and my wife are going to several local businesses to get teams for the auction," Guild said in an email to The Record. "We are New Westminster residents - so are most of the musicians on the show."
Royal City Rock & Roll featuring the Beladeans takes place on Saturday, Oct. 6. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show gets underway at 7: 30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. The Columbia Theatre is located at 530 Columbia St.
CADET CONGRATULATIONS
A New Westminster cadet received an engineering ticket after taking part in an eight-week sea cadet marine engineer course this summer at the HMCS Quadra cadet summer training centre in Comox.
While some youth spent the summer at the beach, Gurjot Karla was working on heavy machinery aboard the Royal Canadian Navy's Patrol Class Tender (PCT) vessels.
He's now qualified to act as a second engineer of the watch on Canada's PCT naval vessels.
"Sea cadets has taught me the value of loyalty, professionalism and has helped me make friends from across Canada," he said in a press release. "I've been provided with amazing opportunities that I wouldn't get anywhere else."
Karla, a 16-year-old new "stoker," is a member of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Fraser that's based in New Westminster.
The City of New Westminster has proclaimed September as Sea, Army and Air Cadet Month. Among the three cadet units, about 200 youth are engaged in the cadet program in New Westminster.
"Our goal is to provide a fun and exciting program that builds life skills in the youth of our community. We go to great lengths to ensure that our activities are enjoyable and safe for all those who take part," said Lt. Bryan Watson of the Fraser Sea cadets. "There are so many opportunities from learning to sail or fly, to international exchange and trips across Canada, all at no expense to the cadets. There is even an opportunity to have a great summer job teaching other cadets after taking part for a few years."
A press release from Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Fraser states that cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces and are not expected to join. Youth aged 12 to 18 who live in New Westminster, Burnaby or North Delta can visit joinseacadets.ca or call 604-525-2298 for more information.
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