Kudos to 11-year-old Nur Elmasri, who planned and hosted last week's Fun Day for kids in Moody Park.
The Lord Tweedsmuir student applied for a grant and, once successful, got to work planning an event meant to provide fun for kids who may not be able to afford expensive summer activities.
"It was amazing," he later told The Record about the Aug. 28 event. "The Tumblebus - there was a very big line. There were over 500 people."
Nur said several people asked him to hold the event again next year - and some even offered to help out. Friends and family members helped him organize this year's event.
"It was really fun," he said.
Nur is no stranger to community involvement, having held garage sales and set up lemonade stands to raise money for charity.
EUROPEAN JAUNT
Coun. Lorrie Williams and longtime New Westminster resident Leona Green soaked up some history during a recent trip to Europe.
Williams had seen a video on YouTube of a young boy saluting Canadian soldiers in November 2007 as they left a war memorial where they had paid tribute to soldiers who helped in the liberation of Belgium during
the Second World War. While in Belgium, Williams and Green met up with the boy and his family, and went to the Nenin Gate in Ieper, where the Last Post is played every night at 8 p.m. in tribute of the courage and sacrifices of soldiers who defended their town.
Williams and the boy, Randall-Benjamin, laid a wreath at the memorial.
"It was a very moving experience," Green wrote in an email to The Record.
MOVIE DEAL
Moviegoers may want to take advantage of pass deals for Last Monday at the Movie offerings at Massey Theatre.
Local arts promoter Tony Antonias said movie passes for nine award-winning movies are now available for $60.
"You only have until Sept. 7 to cash in on this early bird price," he said.
Upcoming presentations include Still Mine on Sept. 30, Love is All You Need on Oct. 28 and Unfinished Song on Nov. 25.
"Those are not just ordinary movies, they are extraordinary," Antonias said.
For more information on the movies visit www.artscouncilnewwest.org or call the New Westminster Arts Council at 604-525-3244.
GIUSTRA HONOURED
Douglas College recently honoured entrepreneur philanthropist Frank Giustra as one of its most distinguished alumni.
Giustra, who graduated from Douglas College in 1979, began at Douglas in the music program before switching to business and finance. He became a successful stockbroker, mining financier and founder of Lions Gate Entertainment.
"It's probably the last thing I would have expected, but I'm honoured," he said of the award. "I certainly couldn't have imagined this back when graduated."
Giustra is currently president and CEO of Fiore Financial Corporation and donates a substantial percentage of his profits to charity.
He's also founder and chair of the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership and a director of Streetohome Foundation.
"Few people in the world could be said to better reflect our college motto, 'Do what you love. Be good at it,' more than Frank Giustra," said Douglas College president Scott McAlpine. "Mr. Giustra has embraced this philosophy his whole life, and he has truly embodied the spirit of Douglas."
