New Westminster will be highlighting its efforts to address homelessness at a forum at Douglas College this week.
The theme of the Urban Challenges Forum on March 9 is Housing: What Have we Done? Joseph Moore from the faculty of humanities and social sciences at Douglas College and Mayor Jonathan Cote will speak at the forum that will be moderated by Peter Hall of the urban studies program at Simon Fraser University.
“Homelessness is on the rise across the Lower Mainland. But not in New Westminster,” states a poster about the event. “Join us for a hard look at the political, historical and social roots of the crisis. Explore how our perception of housing has shifted from home to commodity, and learn how the City of New Westminster has emerged as a leader in fighting homelessness.”
The Urban Challenges Forums, hosted by Douglas College, SFU and the City of New Westminster, are open to the public and are free. This week’s forum takes place on Thursday, March 9 (today) form 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Douglas College, 700 Royal Ave.
If you miss today’s forum, the next one takes place on Thursday, March 30 and focuses on Fentanyl: Breaking the Cycle.
Political cartoons considered
The New Westminster Historical Society will be taking a look at political cartoons at this month’s presentation.
Guest speaker Charles Hou will discuss political cartoons and cartoonists at his presentation on Canadian Political Cartoonists Look at Confederation: The First 150 Years.
“For many people the political cartoon is a vital part of the study of a country, its actions, its people, and so on,” said a press release about the event. “Charles Hou is very good at finding great political cartoons that really do tell a wonderful story. He has spoken to the historical society a number of times and is always well received.”
The presentation is on Wednesday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave. It’s free and everyone is invited to attend.
Welcome to Canada
The folks at Arundel Mansion were pleased to welcome some special visitors for a short stay in the Royal City.
A few weeks back, Myrna Ball received a call from an acquaintance in the West Kootenays, who was searching for accommodations for a Somalian family that was coming to Canada as refugees. En route to their new home in Silverton, the family spent their first night in Canada as guests of Arundel Mansion owners Myrna and Glynn Ball.
Soon after their arrival on Feb. 22, Mayor Jonathan Cote dropped by and brought greetings from the city – as well as a few small souvenirs. The following morning, the family flew to the Kootenays to begin their new life in Canada.
Focus on death
Royal City residents are invited to take part in conversations about death as part of the New Westminster Ministerial Lenten Lecture Series.
Death Matters: Conversations About Our Fears and Our Hopes includes four gatherings in March. The evenings run from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and include a presentation and time for discussion and worship, followed by refreshments.
If you missed the inaugural session about Introductions and traditions on March 8 at Mount Zion Lutheran Church, you still have time to attend the upcoming sessions:
* March 15: Death Café: Open facilitated conversation about death and dying, featuring presenter Tricia Keith. This takes place at St. Peter’s Church, 330 Royal Ave.
* March 22: MAID – medical assistance in dying, featuring Lisa Chapeskie, a social worker with the Fraser Health Authority. This one’s at St. Barnabas Anglican and Shiloh Fifth Avenue Church at 1010 Fifth Ave.
* March 29: Accompanying the dying and preparing for own death, featuring presenters Bailey Paul and Laura Deacon. The location has yet to be determined.
