An up-and-coming singer, a frequent headliner at Lafflines Comedy Club and the host of MTV’s Disaster Date will be in town to raise funds for FSH Muscular Dystrophy.
#StandUp4FSHD, a night of comedy to raise money for FSH Muscular Dystrophy, is being held at the Columbia Theatre on Saturday, May 30. The event starts at 7 p.m. with 16-year-old singer/pianist Ben Dunnill from White Rock, followed by Vancouver’s Jared Borland, a frequent headliner at Lafflines and host of Comedy on the Corner at the Corner in Vancouver.
Rounding out the night is K-Von, an American-Iranian comedian and host of MTV’s Disaster Date. New Westminster resident and CBC reporter Belle Puri will be hosting the event.
“Last year’s event was a rousing success,” said Neil Camarta, founder and CEO of FSHD Canada. “We have used funds from this event and other grassroots fundraisers like this to partner with world-class organizations leading the way for treatment and therapeutics specifically for FSH Muscular Dystrophy.”
Net proceeds from the event will go to fund research for FSH Muscular Dystrophy through FSHD Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to fund research targeted specifically to FSH Muscular Dystrophy, the most preventable of the nine muscular dystrophies.
According to organizers, FSH Muscular Dystrophy (or FSHD) is a muscle-wasting disease that primarily affects the facial, shoulder and upper arm muscles, as well as other parts of the bodies. People who have this genetic condition don’t know when or how severely muscle loss will take place and no treatment currently exists for this condition.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for #StandUp4FSHD and the show begins at 7 p.m. An onsite raffle will include a signed jersey donated by the Whitecaps and a photo session donated by Wendy D Photography. Tickets are $20 (plus tax and service charge) and available at www.thecolumbia.ca.
For more information about #StandUp4FSHD, visit the group on Twitter or Facebook.
Keeping pedestrians safe
A New Westminster resident is hard at work on an initiative aimed at improving pedestrian safety.
Vic Leach has been researching ways to make changes that would reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths. He’s discovered that Sweden has one of the lowest records of road accidents in the world.
“Sweden had 50 pedestrian fatalities in 2012. In B.C. alone, we had 65,” he told the Record. “They have a population of 9.5 million, we have a population of 4.5 million.”
Leach became involved in the issue after a woman who belongs to the Sapperton Pensioners’ Association was nearly hit by a car while walking in Sapperton. He helped organize the Reflection for Pedestrian Safety forum in February at the Sapperton Pensioners Hall and is continuing to investigate what can be done to improve pedestrian safety.
Leach has spoken to people from a variety of groups including the Greater Vancouver Fire Chiefs Association and the City of New Westminster. He thinks pedestrians would benefit from a set standard for reflective materials, which is something that exists in Europe.
Leach would like to see Canada-wide regulations regarding reflectors, but is willing to start small.
“Even if we do it in the Lower Mainland, it will start to make a difference,” he said. “Maybe it will carry on across the province.”
New West artist celebrated
A New Westminster native who went on to make his mark on the international art scene is being recognized in the gallery bearing his name.
The Massey Theatre is offering an exhibition in the Plaskett Gallery as part of the theatre’s 65th anniversary celebration. The exhibit features works by Joseph Plaskett from 1943 to 1958.
Born in New Westminster in 1918 and raised in Sapperton, Plaskett became a renowned international artist with studios in Paris and London. Still, he returned to New Westminster often to visit family and friends and to exhibit his work.
The exhibit will be running from May 5 to June 30 in the Plaskett Gallery. Massey Theatre is looking for volunteer hosts to introduce visitors to Joseph Plaskett and his work.
Did you know Plaskett? Do you love his work? Do you have stories to tell? Would you like to know more about this distinctive artist? If so, call Massey Theatre at 604-517-5900.
