Royal City Gogos are inviting residents to shop for hope in Africa.
The group is having a Grandma's Attic new and used sale on Saturday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the CAW hall at 326 12th St. Quality collectibles, décor items, artisan crafts, African jewelry, used books, bedding plants, perennials, a service auction and tea and goodies will be among the items for sale.
Royal City Gogos raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign, which has raised more than $13 million in six years. The funds assist African grandmothers who are caring for some of the 14.8 million children who have been orphaned in sub-Saharan Africa by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
New Westminster resident Janine Reid founded the Royal City Gogos in March 2009.
TALK ABOUT IT
Input is being sought about kids' activities being offered in the Royal City this summer.
The New Westminster early and middle childhood development committees are hard at work on this year's summer activity guide for local families.
"Last year's very successful Kids in New West Summer Activity Guide for Families with Children 0 to 12 is being produced again this year thanks to funding from the United Way and Children's First," said an email from Betina Ali, community program development officer for the New Westminster School District. "I am currently collecting information about free and low-cost programs, services and events in June, July and August for families with children zero to 12 for the guide."
People with ideas about information for the guide should contact Betina at [email protected] so she can forward them a Summer Activity Guide information submission form.
VOLUNTEER TIME
An upcoming workshop is aimed at youth and older adults who are interested in volunteering.
The City of New Westminster is holding a workshop about Showing Your Value - Including Volunteering on Your Resumé. It's being held on Thursday, April 19 from 4 to 5: 30 p.m. at Century House. The workshop is for youth aged 13 to 18 and adults 50 and older. Attendance is limited to 20 youth and 20 older adults.
Stacy Ashton, executive director of Community Volunteer Connections, is the workshop's presenter.
Although the workshop is free, pre-registration is mandatory. Call 6045191023 or email rcampbell@ newwestcity.ca (course #119444 for youth or #119445 for adults).
EARTH HOUR IN CITY
Royal City residents fared better during Earth Hour 2012 than during last year's event.
The City of New Westminster reports that residents also beat the provincial average for this year's Earth Hour. Residents were urged to turn off the lights and reduce their electrical consumption on Saturday, March 31 from 8: 30 to 9: 30 p.m. New Westminster experienced a reduction in consumption of 2.19 per cent during Earth Hour 2012, compared to a 1.67 per cent reduction provincewide that was reported by B.C. Hydro.
"I'm very proud of our results this year," said Mayor Wayne Wright. "The statistics show that our community was engaged in Earth Hour and its message, and I look forward to us doing even better in the years to come."
In 2011, New Westminster experienced a reduction in consumption of 1.49 per cent.
The City of New Westminster has supported Earth Hour since 2008, encouraging residents to turn off any unnecessary lights in an effort to reduce power use and demonstrate their support for climate change awareness efforts.
EXPLORE HISTORY
A Sense of History Research Services is inviting residents to enjoy a stroll around Queen's Park and learn about the park's history from the vantage point of its Millennium Trail.
An upcoming walking tour will examine the park and its trail to see how things have evolved over the landscape's many decades as a city feature. The tour takes place on Sunday, April 15, starting at 1: 30 p.m. in front of Queen's Park Arena.
"The piece of land, now known as Queen's Park, received its name at the time of Queen Victoria's Jubilee Year in 1887," said a press release about the tour. "With that fact as a link to the past, and in keeping with 2012 being Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee Year, this tour will follow the park's millennium trail around the site and will focus on the various historical connections that can be seen from the walkway - looking both into the park and out from it."
The tour is free, will take one-and-a-half to two hours and takes place rain or shine. Pre-registration isn't required - participants can just show up and join in on the tour.
