Organizers of Spring Cleaning for your Mind, Body and Soul are grateful to the community for its "amazing support."
Heidi Clarkson, Robyn Murrell and Sonja Curry - the Spring Cleaning team - want to acknowledge the supporters who made the April 13 event a success.
"Not only did the event raise awareness for local small businesses, groups and organizations that promote health and wellness, it supported the Canadian Cancer Society's April Fight Back campaign in a big way," wrote the team in a letter to The Record.
"A huge thanks go to the three brave New West residents who stepped forward to have their hair shaved for cancer awareness: Robyn Murrell - her long hair was saved at the last minute by a generous supporter who matched her pledges; James Crosty - moustache; and Bud Clarkson - hair."
The team is also thankful to New West hair artist Sarah Thomas who did the shaves. The event raised $3,142 for the Canadian Cancer Society from the shave, raffle proceeds, daffodil pin sales and donations from local businesses.
The Spring Cleaning Team is also grateful for the support it received from Quay resident Mardi Denis, the New Westminster Candid Cancer Society Daffodil Street Team, Canadian Cancer Society B.C. and Yukon and River Market.
"Stay tuned for next year - we already have five New West VIPs who will do the shave in 2014," said the letter to The Record. "We'll keep you guessing."
Big River showing
Fraser River Discovery Centre will present a special screening of Hiqw Stó: l_ (Big River) as part of this weekend's DiverseCity Multicultural Festival.
The screening will take place on Saturday, May 18 at 3 p.m. in the Canyon Theatre. This film is part of the Discovery Centre's exhibit, Our Bones are Made of Salmon and celebrates the enduring traditions of Aboriginal salmon fishing and wind-drying technique in the Fraser Canyon.
According to Discovery Centre, Hiqw Stó: l_ (Big River) shares the story of how sockeye salmon came to the Fraser River and why salmon fishing is vital to Aboriginal communities today. Produced by Kamala Todd, a Metis-Cree filmmaker and community planner who lives in New Westminster, the film includes the oral histories of Stó: l_ cultural advisor Dr. Sonny McHalsie and Musqueam elder Larry Grant.
McHalsie, along with Whonnock tribe member Josette Jim, will be at the centre from 2 to 4 p.m. to share their knowledge and answer questions about the traditions of salmon fishing on the Fraser.
Along with sharing their stories, Jim will demonstrate traditional net making and cedar work.
"Sonny and Josette were a big part of making Our Bones are Made of Salmon. We laughed so much when we built the dry rack together. I'm sure visitors will learn a lot from them but also share some laughs," said Shannon King, the centre's education coordinator. "Sonny and Josette are passionate about sharing their culture, and I hope visitors will enjoy hearing their stories."
Fraser River Discovery Centre is located at 788 Quayside Dr.
War of 1812
A new exhibit at New Westminster Museum and Archives looks at the War of 1812 on the West Coast.
According to a press release from the museum, no War of 1812 battles took place on the West Coast, but William Black, who was the captain of the British warship, the HMS Racoon, wanted a military victory so he staged a mock takeover of the fur trade at Fort Astoria.
"The Americans, not wanting to be invaded already sold the fort to the British of the North West Colony," said a press release. "A new exhibit at the New Westminster Museum and Archives tells the story, the history of the Peace Arch and other stories that shaped our province and county."
The exhibit - The War of 1812 in the West: The Oregon Country Legacy - is a travelling exhibit coming from the Osoyoos Museum. It runs until Sunday, June 9 and admission is by donation.
"While most people think of the War of 1812 in the east, the Astoria, Oregon event had a major impact on the geopolitics of what most people know as the Pacific Northwest," said the press release. "The aftermath of the war and the joint occupancy of the Oregon Country by British and Americans culminated in the 1846 creation of the boundary between Canada and the U.S. from the Rockies to the Pacific. The little-known story of the episode is told here with reproductions of historic images, artists conceptions of various events, and reproductions of artifacts from the 1812 period."
The exhibit commemorates the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.
The New Westminster Museum and Archives is located at 302 Royal Ave. and is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
