Happy New Year! Now that Christmas and New Year's Eve have passed, it's time to focus on the year ahead.
We're continuing our popular feature, Our Top Five (or More) Things to Do This Weekend.
Here are The Record staff's suggestions for the Jan. 4 to 6 weekend:
1Dispose of your Christmas tree - and help a good cause at the same time. The New
Westminster Firefighters' Charitable Society is holding its annual tree-chipping event on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Canada Games Pool parking lot.
Thing The event this w is a fundraiser for the charitable society, which funds a variety of initiatives around town.
If you don't have a tree, you're still welcome to drop by and enjoy the entertainment, food offerings or just say hello to local firefighters.
2 Clear out all those bottles amassed over the holidays and help out local Scouts, who are holding a bottle drive this weekend.
The 12th New Westminster Scouts are starting off the New Year with a bottle drive that takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the firefighters' tree chipping event.
The Scouts will gladly accept your donations at the Canada Games Pool parking lot.
3 Drop by the Royal City Farmers Market, which is kicking off the New Year with a winter market on Saturday, Jan. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at River Market, 810 Quayside Dr.
The winter market features some of the market's summer vendors and some newcomers as well.
You'll find the artisans upstairs and the food and produce vendors downstairs and on the patio of River Market.
kend 4 Check out some of the talent that's making New Westminster a bit of a Mecca for poetry events.
Poetic Justice is launching 2013 with an event featuring poets Heidi Greco, Susan McCaslin and Leslie Timmins.
Deborah Kelly will host the event, which takes place on Sunday, Jan. 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St.
5 Start the year off with a clean slate and clear out some clutter.
Many charities around town run thrift shops and would gladly take your donations to raise money for their various causes.
It's a win-win as you'll have a cleaner home and the charity will welcome your donations.
A few to consider include St. Barnabas Church, the Canadian Mental Health Association (Treasure Chest at 435 Sixth St.), the Shop 4 Paws Thriftstore (615 12th St.) and the Royal Columbian Hospital New to You Thrift Store (416 Columbia St.) - Compiled by staff
reporter Theresa McManus
