A million pennies for those in need By Chloé Bach Le New Westminster pub, The Rivers Reach, has set a goal this fall to raise $10,000 in a rather unique fashion. General Manger Peter Saran and the staff at the Rivers Reach are asking their local clientele to donate to their “Thanks A Million” campaign by bringing by their extra pennies to contribute to their goal of raising one million pennies by January 1“ for the Salvation Army. “Every year, we try to do something for the Salvation Army because they’re right across the street from us,” said Saran. “We know the need is there, and we are always trying to find new ways to raise money to help.” One hundred percent of the profit from the pennies that are accumulated will be donated to the Salvation Army just across the street from the pub on Sixth Avenue and they “won’t stop until [they] hit a million pennies.” With the economic crunch right now it is projected that this winter there will be less donations than usual, making times even more tough for those in need. The cold weather shelter at the Salvation Army opens up when the thermometer hits negative two but with less funding than usual, offering these types of services can be a financial ” stretch. “I’m always checking the long-term forecast,” said Capt. Dave Macpherson from the Salvation Army. “We had the cold weather shelter open for 50 days last year, and I expect the numbers to be similar this year.” In this case, something as simple as a penny that we might misplace, or lose and forget about has the potential to go a long way and help a lot of people in need, which is why making even a small donation is important. For donations of unused and forgotten about pennies, stop by the Rivers Reach Pub at 320 Sixth Street in Uptown New Westminster. Oxfam’s initiative to end violence AGAINST WOMEN 3, a.sis writin, asi Non rio STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Tena November 25" marked the 9" Annual International Day to End Violence Against Women. Created in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly, the day invites governments, international organizations and NGO’s such as Oxfam Canada to organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the problem of violence against women in local and Oxf ae international communities. This year, Oxfam hosted the “We Can Dinner” at Fraser Hall with executive director of Oxfam Robert Fox, as well as Public Engagement, Advocacy, and Campaign Officer Mariam C. Palacios. The event kicked off “16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence,” occurring annually from November 25" to December 10" which symbolizes the global women’s movement and end-violence networks. It also links violence against women with human rights violations including the massacre of the Mirabal sisters, three political activists from the Domincan Republic who were assassinated on the same day in 1961, and December 6", the anniversary of the Montreal massacre, in which 14 female students were murdered in a rampage at Ecole Polytechnique back in 1989. The end of the 16 days is marked by December 10", International Human Rights Day. The event was very successful this year, raising over $1000 for their global “We Can: Human Rights for Women-Human Rights for All” campaign. Palacios writes in a press release, “As you know, violence against women is one of the most pervasive and deadly human rights violations in our world today. This hinders the full participation of women in our communities.” Palacios also encouraged others to join in the movement by educating themselves on the issues and “[learning] what people are doing globally and locally to change the attitudes and practices that perpetuate violence (against women).” Upcoming events include Canada’s Nationial Day of Mourning from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on December 6" at the Vancouver Art Gallery, and a candlelight vigil on December 10" at Victory Square to honour all the women who have suffered from violence. NEWS SHORTS By Ashley Whillans “Ride Share” Program Arrives at Douglas Early last week, Douglas College announced its participation in the Jack Bell Foundation’s Ride Share Program. Ride Share is part of a TransLink- supported initiative to cut down on pollution and traffic, as well as to help make commuting more efficient for students and seniors. Open to all Douglas College students and employees, Ride Share promises to link all registered members through their on-line database. After registering, and filling in a desired destination, the system will look up people who are going to approximately the same place at approximately the same time. Ride Share then provides suggestions and contact information of the suggested match. According to the website, anyone with a Douglas College or myDouglas email is eligible to apply. For more information see www. ride-share.com. Graveyard found in NW A map dating back to 1861 was recently uncovered at the Victoria Title Office. This map offers a “glimpse at the first years of New Westminster,” says researcher Katherine Freund-Hainsworth. In addition to being an important historical artifact, this map also gives the location of the city’s first ever cemetery. The Dufferin Family Cemetery, located at what is now 42 Dufferin Street, contains the remains of 14 Royal Engineers and their families. It is speculated that five of the people buried there were murdered. The most horrific of these murders was that of infant Rosina Crart. Her own mother Elizabeth stabbed her and her two other children, before turning the knife on herself. The map can now be found at the Victoria Land titles office, while the bodies remain buried at 42 Dufferin Street. Money Lending Concerns David Tate, a city council candidate and associate with ACORN Canada (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), says that the proliferation of money-lending businesses in New Westminster is a growing concern. As well as contributing to a vicious poverty cycle, these associations bring “the wrong element to the city” he said, and must be dealt with as soon as possible. ACORN deals with financial institutions to develop alternative services to “pay day loans,” which are intended as short-term loans and charge very high interest rates. Three larger banks are moving into downtown with intentions of developing alternative solutions to low and middle income debt problems.