- THURSDAY, MARCH 1

LEADS workshop for older adults, on public speaking. Century House, 10 to 11:30 a.m., free but register by calling 604-519-1066.

- FRIDAY, MARCH 2

World Day of Prayer, 1:30 p.m. at Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Cathedral, 501 Fourth Ave., Theme: Let Justice Prevail. All welcome. Coffee and snacks. Hosted by New West branch of Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada. Info: Joyce at 604-944-1971.

- SUNDAY, MARCH 4

A Burlesque Benefit, led by dance teacher Lana Friesen, in support of the PACE Society. Event includes standup comedy, burlesque dancing, lyrical dance, draws, original art and more, Lafflines Comedy Club. Proceeds to benefit women in the survival sex trade who face barriers to accessing services and staying safe. Tickets range from $15 to $25 and are available at Lafflines -604-525-2262.

- MONDAY, MARCH 5

Codependents Anonymous, 12-step program for people who want healthier, more functional relationships, 7:30 p.m., Royal Columbian Hospital, 330 East Columbia St., Neil Russell Room, third floor, Columbia Tower. Info: Sue, 604-580-8889 or info line, 604-515-5585.

- TUESDAY, MARCH 6

Royal Columbian Hospital auxiliary general meeting, 1 p.m., Neil Russell room of Royal Columbian Hospital, 330 East Columbia St.

- MONDAY, MARCH 12

Puffers Club meeting, for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other breathing problems, 12:30 to 2 p.m., at New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave. Codependents Anonymous, 12-step program for people who want healthier, more functional relationships, 7:30 p.m., Royal Columbian Hospital, 330 East Columbia St., Neil Russell Room, third floor, Columbia Tower. Info: Sue, 604-580-8889 or CoDA info line, 604-515-5585.

- SATURDAY, MARCH 17

St. Barnabas Church community pancake breakfast, 8:30 to 11 a.m., 1010 Fifth Ave. By donation. Sponsored by the New Westminster Lions Club.

- MONDAY, MARCH 19

Codependents Anonymous, 12-step program for people who want healthier, more functional relationships, 7:30 p.m., Royal Columbian Hospital, 330 East Columbia St., Neil Russell Room, third floor, Columbia Tower. Info: Sue, 604-580-8889 or CoDA info line, 604-515-5585.

- MONDAY, MARCH 26

Codependents Anonymous, 12-step program for people who want healthier, more functional relationships, 7:30 p.m., Royal Columbian Hospital, 330 East Columbia St., Neil Russell Room, third floor, Columbia Tower. Info: Sue, 604-580-8889 or info line, 604-515-5585.

- TUESDAY, MARCH 27

Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition -New Westminster, monthly meeting to discuss local cycling issues, 6:30 p.m. at the New Westminster Public Library, in the Plaskett Room, 715 Sixth Ave. Info: 604-323-5763.

- THURSDAY, MARCH 29

Gen Silent, screening of the award-winning documentary that follows the personal journeys of six lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered seniors, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Century House, 620 Eighth St. Panel discussion to follow; refreshments provided. RVSP to 604-519-1066.

- SATURDAY, MARCH 31

Century House Association, annual thrift sale, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 620 Eighth St., free admission.

- ONGOING

Vancouver Rape Relief, needs male volunteers for group that raises money for the crisis centre and transition house. Contact Louisa Russell at info@rapereliefshelter.bc.ca. Hominum, an informal discussion and support group for gay, bisexual and questioning men with the challenges of being married, separated or single. Meetings every Monday around the Lower Mainland, including New Westminster. For more info and meeting location, call Don, 604-329-9760 or Bernie, 604-688-8639.

Urban Aboriginal Young Parents Program, offers a parent-child Mother Goose literacy program, Tuesdays and Thursdays 1 to 2 p.m., as well as playgroups for young parents and children up to five years old, Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. All programs free. Call 604-395-4106 or visit 713 Columbia St.

The New Westminster Amateur Radio Club, is looking for new members, and meets every third Tuesday of the month at Century House, Moody Park, with meetings starting at 7:30 p.m. Focus is on emergency radio communications within the City of New Westminster in the event of a disaster. Info: Peter, 604-525-6708. ESL and preschool program for African women, a course sponsored by Family Services of Greater Vancouver and B.C. Settlement and Adaptation Program, for African mothers with young children, at Olivet Baptist Church, 613 Queens Ave. For more information, call 604-525-9144, ext. 55. New Westminster Community Gateway, a program that provides reception and orientation services for newcomers, is looking for volunteers. If you are an established immigrant who's interested in helping, call coordinator Eman Elmasri at 778-397-1022 or email eman.elmasri@purposesociety.org.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Lower Mainland chapter, has 16 different support groups running around the Lower Mainland. For info on the one closest to you, call 604-689-3144, and ask for the Lower Mainland chapter. Girl Guides of Canada, units meet weekly around Burnaby and New Westminster. Girls aged five to 18 and women 19 and up can join all year round. Call 1-800-565-8111. SUCCESS Host program, matching volunteers with newcomers to act as a community guide and resource person, is looking for volunteers living in New West, Burnaby or the Tri-Cities. Time commitment: two to three hours once a week for six months. Contact SUCCESS Settlement Services Centre, 604-430-1899, ext. 101, or yumiko.king@success.bc.ca. Association for Awareness and Networking Around Disordered Eating (ANAD), provides education through community outreach. Should your community group or school wish a presentation that focuses on positive body image, call ANAD at 604-739-2070.

St. Barnabas, located at Fifth Avenue and 10th Street in New Westminster, is seeking committed volunteers for their thrift shop, community lunch program, emergency food cupboard and for the office. For more information, please call 604-526-6646.

New Westminster Lions Club, meets every second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Boston Pizza, 1035 Columbia St., Columbia Square plaza. New members welcome. Volunteers needed, to help with the Elizabeth Fry Society women's drop-in centre. If you are a woman who wants to make a difference in the lives of marginalized women and you have two hours a week between Tuesday and Sunday, for four to six months, call 604-520-1166 or e-mail donna. sur-man@elizabethfry.com. Book Club Cafe, New Westminster Public Library meets the fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Plaskett Room. Drop-in book club allows people to share one or two books you have read. Library at 716 Sixth Ave. Info: 604-527-4667.

Support groups, for men or women, aged 19 and up, who were sexually assaulted as children. Group also available for teenage girls, aged 13 to 18, who have been sexually assaulted. Groups held in safe, non-judgmental environment so you feel free to share as much or as little as you want. Info: www.sarasociety.net,sarasociety@telus.net,604-584-2626. Community kitchens, offered by Family Services of Greater Vancouver and Cameray Centre, a community-building program that brings people together to learn to cook low-cost, nutritious meals in a friendly, informal environment. Offered at Shiloh-Sixth Avenue United Church and Queensborough Community Centre, call 604-525-9144. Parenting in Canada, a parenting support group for immigrant women with young children, offered by Family Services of Greater Vancouver on Friday mornings, child care provided. Free. Call Gloria at 604-525-9144 for information. Developmental Disabilities Association, collects used houseware items, helping to provide a significant source of income to support its programs and services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Call 604-273-4332. Scouts Canada, for boys and girls aged five to 17, meeting every Monday at various locations in New Westminster. Early registration for fall programs starting now. Parental involvement needed. Call Gord at 604-524-5780.

ESL conversation circles, held at New Westminster Public Library. Program for all adults runs Saturdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Program for women only runs Fridays, 10 to 11 a.m. at New Westminster Public Library. Free, drop-in program for adults who want to meet people and practise speaking English. Children welcome. Information: 604-527-4660.

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- DON'T MISS THIS

A burlesque benefit event at Lafflines - March 4 Community pancake breakfast - March 17