Here we are at Sunday night again — the first Sunday of spring break, for those of us who have kids in the New Westminster school district.
Whether the coming week has you searching for ways to keep the kids occupied, or whether it's just another ordinary work week, we've got your back. Check out some highlights of the coming week.
For weather watchers: Spring showers
Is it finally starting to feel like spring? Those of us who like to wander around town have finally started to see some crocuses popping up, so it feels like maybe we've left Mother Nature's winter moods behind (touch wood). In any case, the Weather Network's forecast ahead for the week is pretty tame, as of the writing of this post — rainy Monday with a high of 7 C, chance of a shower Tuesday with a high of 8 C, a few showers on Wednesday with a high of 7 C, chance of a shower Thursday with a high of 8 C ... you get the picture. And keep your eyes open for signs of spring, since budding trees and flowers should soon be our norm.
For city hall watchers: Monday meeting
There's no March break for city council, as there's a regular council meeting on Monday, March 13 at 6 p.m. It's a busy agenda again, including a presentation on the city's Year of Truth proclamation, a report on the possibility of extending school zone hours, an update about the city's outdoor pool season ahead, a recycling program report and much more.
You can find all the meeting details, agenda and information about attending at the City of New Westminster website.
For families: Spring break fun
Whether you actually got organized and got your child into a spring break camp or program, or whether you're more of a wing-it sort of parent, the City of New Westminster has plenty of offerings for spring break. Check out this list of five free or affordable things to do over spring break, or check out the city's spring break brochure for details.
If getting outdoors is your style, then why not go explore one of the city's lovely greenspaces? Here's a list I rounded up of 5 places to hug a tree (it was snowy at the time, but it still stands).
For theatre lovers: Dinosaurs and vampires
- A Dinosaur Tale: Here's a fun one for families, especially those in the five-to-10-year-old age range. A Dinosaur Tale, billed as "a live action fantasy adventure for the whole family," is on at Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.) on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19, with shows at 2 and 7 p.m. both days. Tickets are $20 to $30; buy online.
- A Vampire Story: This one comes with the warning that it's definitely not for the kids, since it deals with sexual assault, prostitution and murder. But Douglas College is presenting Moira Buffini's play about two young vampires who settle in a British town. It's onstage at the New West campus's Studio Theatre (fourth floor north at 700 Royal Ave.). It opened on Friday, but you can still catch shows this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and there's a livestream option too. Find information and tickets on Eventbrite.
For art lovers: Plaskett, Queen's Park, Anvil Centre galleries
- Gallery at Queen's Park: An exhibition of work by Victoria Mitchell, Common Threads, continues until March 26 at the Arts Council of New Westminster's gallery in Centennial Lodge. It's open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also enjoy a talk by Victoria on Sunday, March 19 between 1 and 3 p.m. — she'll be sharing stories about the 100-day environmental project she did last year. It's all free, but feel free to make a donation towards the gallery's ongoing operations.
- Plaskett Gallery: Pop in to the gallery at Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.) to see Landscape of Tranquility, featuring work by Wenyan Xu, running until March 30. You can see it Tuesdays through Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., during shows at the theatre, or by appointment at 604-517-5900.
- Anvil Centre Community Art Gallery: If you haven't yet popped in to the Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St.) to see Fleeting Moments, you still have time to catch this exhibition of work by Victoria Klassen and Julia Di Sano, running until March 22. The gallery is on the third floor, and admission is always free.
- New Media Gallery: If you haven't yet been down to the New Media Gallery (third floor at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.), why not wander in to catch the fascinating aBIOTIC exhibition? Check out some great photos by Jennifer Gauthier for a sneak preview, or just head down yourself to check it out. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with evening openings on Thursdays until 8 p.m.
For school board watchers: No meetings till April
School District 40 schools are out of session until March 27, so there are no more school board meetings his month. If you're a school board watcher, save the date for April 11 — there will be both an education committee meeting and an operations committee meeting that day. Keep an eye on the SD40 website for agendas and links.
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