You've probably heard of Coats for Kids, but what about Boots for Kids?
The Rotary Club of Burnaby - Deer Lake is collecting boots to keep local school children warm this winter.
The campaign, now in its second year, was started by Doreen George, a community coordinator with the Burnaby school district, who realized there were too many students with inadequate winter footwear.
Last year's boots were distributed to two Burnaby community schools, and this year, Rotary would like to help more schools.
To donate cash or new children's boots, contact Janice Froese at 6044200038 or email jfroese@ telus.net.
Blog for Burnaby bird lovers
Burnaby birder George Clulow has launched a blog dedicated to birdwatching in the city.
Clulow organizes the Christmas Bird Count, an annual census of winter birds, and he has been interviewed by the NOW about the count and the Still Creek crow roost.
Clulow has a wealth of birding knowledge, now available to the public through his posts.
He includes descrip-tions of Purple Martins amassing at Deer Lake, about to head south to Brazil for fall, and some interesting history on barn owls that seemed to disappear from the Deer Lake area once the Oakalla prison barns were torn down.
Check out his blog at burnabybirdguy.word press.com.
Remembering loved ones
St. Timothy's church in Burnaby is holding a special evening for people to remember their loved ones who have passed away.
The annual St. Michael's Evensong is on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 7: 30 p.m.
The service gives the grieving a chance to pray for and remember those who've passed away.
The church is at 4550 Kitchener St.
To have your loved one mentioned in the service, contact Yolanda Lumase at 604-299-6816 or email [email protected].
A little free reading
Here's a free book to keep your kids busy.
The NOW received a copy of Bernadette to the Rescue, by Toronto author Susan Glickman.
According to the book jacket, the story is about a Grade 3 girl who conducts research experiments on her new puppy. (Harmless research, I might add. She learns things like: don't feed dogs grapes and chocolate, reward them for listening etc.)
Bernadette and some girls identified as "the Lunch Bunch" go to camp, and they discover that frogs from a local pond are disappearing.
Bernadette uses her research skills and love for science to help her "slimy new friends."
The book seems an attempt to foster young girls' interest in the scientific method and protecting the environment.
The first person to email me with Bernadette to the Rescue in the subject line gets the book, but you have to pick it up at our office on Lougheed Highway.
Get roaring for a good cause
Here's a last minute announcement about an event on this Saturday.
The second annual Roar Green Space Celebration runs from 10: 45 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Royal Oak and Rumble Street.
Entertainment will be provided by local crooner Stephen Scaccia, Tonia Jurbin, and Rainshadow.
There will also be hotdogs, balloons for the kids and a police dog demonstration.
The event is free.
Have an item for Here & Now, or other ideas about unique community projects or events? Send them to Burnaby NOW reporter Jennifer Moreau by email at [email protected], by fax to 604-444-3460, or by mail to 201A-3430 Brighton Ave., Burnaby, B.C., V5A 3H4. Jennifer can be followed online at www.twitter.com/ JenniferMoreau.
