Lookout Emergency Aid Society is in desperate need of donations to help keep people warm this winter.
The society has launched a Share the Warmth campaign as it is in urgent need of donations for people living on the street. Blankets, sleeping bags and winter clothes are needed for people who are living without shelter this winter.
In New Westminster, donations can be dropped off at the Cliff Block at 606 Clarkson St.
A press release from the Lookout society notes that donations of essential winter items help those without shelter to stay healthier during the upcoming cold months. Blankets, sleeping bags, heavy winter coats, hats, wool socks and shoes are essential survival items and are appreciated.
According to the press release, Lookout, one of Vancouver's largest providers of shelter beds, was forced to turn away people 10,793 times last year because it didn't have enough beds. When people are turned away, the society tries to provide them with winter essentials to help them better cope with the winter weather.
In New Westminster, the society offers transitional and permanent housing, as well as emergency shelter. In addition, it will also be operating the extreme weather program, which takes effect during particularly inclement weather conditions.
DAZZLING DUO RECOGNIZED
Royal City Musical Theatre has recognized the efforts of two of its biggest supporters through the years.
The society held a gala dinner at La Perla Ballroom on Oct. 14 to raise funds for the spring production of Oklahoma! Local arts promoter Tony Antonias reports that the dinner featured "spectacular entertainment" and a special recognition by artistic director Valerie Easton of the society's former choreographer Dolores Kirkwood and former artistic director Ed Harrington.
"The whole audience was on its feet when Valerie announced that they were choreographer and artistic director emeritus, respectively," Antonias said. "The whole audience was on its feet and applauding - and they were loud!"
Easton announced the lead male role for Oklahoma! has been filled by New Westminster's own Sayer Roberts.
"Curly is the bashful cow punch who is trying to win over the heroine Laurey Williams," Antonias said, "but the sinister Jud Fry is trying to upset the romance."
It's not the first time Royal City Musical theatre has presented Oklahoma, as it was the society's 1992 production.
"It's one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most successful musical," Antonias said. "It has many firsts to its credit. It was the first to combine the talents of Rodgers and Hammerstein."
Oklahoma! was also the first Broadway production to be have a record album made with the original cast.
It may only be October, but Antonias suggests residents cross a few names off their Christmas list and buy tickets to Oklahoma! as gifts.
"Guaranteed they love you in December and all over again in April," he said.
For tickets, call 604-5224306.
BUY A BOOK, HELP ST. MICHAEL'S
St. Michael's parish in Burnaby will be selling more than 10,000 brand new books at its upcoming book sale.
Located just across the border in Burnaby, the sale is taking place on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sale is being held in the St. Michael's school gymnasium at 9387 Holmes St. - just across 10th Avenue.
"This will be the third annual book sale organized by the parish since 2010," said New Westminster resident Angie Ho in an email to The Record. "Because of the success of the past two events, we had to schedule another one in October 2012."
The sale features a wide range of books including children's, cookbooks, computer, cars, language, fiction and non-fiction, novel, history and more. Books are one for $3, two for $5 and five for $10.
In addition to books, the event features a raffle basket draw and an all-day concession.
REMEMBERING THE QUEEN'S VISIT
The City of New Westminster is celebrating Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee at the New Westminster Museum and Archives.
From Paper to Diamond: The 60-Year Reign of Queen Elizabeth II runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 25. Admission is by donation.
The exhibit includes collections by Linda Cooper, who recalls the first time she saw the Queen during her 1971 visit to New Westminster.
"My mother and I were waiting on the parkade watching the Queen step off the Royal Britannia - my mom was jumping with excitement," she recalled in a press release.
The exhibit also includes some of the New Westminster Museum and Archive's rarely seen British royals memorabilia, as well as treasures from local collectors. The museum is also hosting two public programs as part of the exhibition.
Oana Capota, the museum's curator/heritage programmer, will lead a guided tour of the exhibit on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. Visitors will hear some of the stories behind the artifacts and see additional treasures from the museum's vault that relate to other Royals - and will also receive a Diamond Jubilee pin, flag and poster. (Admission is by donation.)
Fashion historian Ivan Sayers will visit the museum on Saturday, Nov. 3 and offer a presentation about Royalty in Fashion, a presentation about royalty and its influence in fashion. The presentation will highlight influential royal women from 1840 to 2000.
Admission to Sayers' presentation is $10. To register for the program at 302 Royal Ave., call 604527-4640.
Do you have an item for Theresa McManus's column? Send it to tmcmanus@ royalcityrecord.com
