Twelfth Street is getting into the festive spirit this weekend.
The West End Business Association is offering free photos with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 12 to 3 p.m. at Press Start Video Games, 734 12th St. Free hot chocolate will also be served for the whole family.
“It’s just to invite people to 12th Street to enjoy the businesses on 12th Street,” said Coun. Chuck Puchmayr, a strong supporter of businesses on 12th Street.
The West End Business Association invites community members to explore the offerings on 12th Street. Its motto is: Love your mom and pop and support your local small business.
Along with organizing the photos with Santa, the West End Business Association encouraged 12th Street businesses to decorate their windows for the season and vie for prizes.
Celebrating the Christmas season
Irving House is once again decorated for the holidays and offering a traditional Victorian Christmas.
This is the final weekend to take part in some historic Christmas programs at Irving House.
Christmas Cheer at Irving House is a family event taking place on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Along with touring Irving House at 302 Royal Ave., visitors taking part in the drop-in program (by donation) will be able to enjoy some musical performances.
Here’s a rundown of Christmas Cheer performances taking place this weekend at Irving House:
* Saturday, Dec. 20: 12 p.m. – Sonia Liu (Guzheng instrument); 1 p.m. – Mattie and Will (acoustic bass and banjo); 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Rebecca and Margaret (singing).
* Sunday, Dec. 21: 12 p.m. – Kevin Lee (piano); 1 p.m. – Lois Weninger and Group (singers and piano); 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Winter Hymnals (carollers).
Kringle, Cards and Crackers is a craft event for kids aged eight to 10. It’s taking place on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon and costs $12.70. To register, call 604-527-4640.
A few spots are still available for Sunday’s Victorian Christmas Tea, but only one space remains for Saturday’s teas. Tickets are $7 per person. For reservations, call 604-527-4640.
Students work to feed the hungry
A group of Douglas College business students is making the holidays a little brighter for people in need in New Westminster.
The Douglas College Business Association, a student-run organization, is putting on a meal for 150 people at the Salvation Army on Sixth Street on Dec. 21.
“The Salvation Army does so much to help families and individuals who struggle to make ends meet. As students at Douglas College, we want to do our part to help make a meaningful difference in our community,” Haidar Waled, president of the Douglas College Business Association, said in a press release. “Our phenomenal team of volunteers has been working hard to plan and prepare this event, and we hope it will put smiles on people’s faces and become an annual holiday tradition.”
At the event, student and staff volunteers from Douglas College will set up tables and Christmas decorations, serve food, socialize with guests, hand out prizes, and clean up. The meal, inspired by Greek and Turkish cuisine, will be prepared by Al-An’am Halal Meat and Food Production and will include basmati rice, sliced almonds, green beans, potato, vermicelli and meatballs.
The association had been looking for opportunities to do charitable work, and Douglas College Community Connections introduced them to the Salvation Army,.
