First Canada, now the United States. Local actor Graham Wardle will now become a familiar face south of the border.

Wardle, who is entering his fourth year playing Ty Borden on the CBC series Heartland, was recently in town to announce that the show has been picked up in syndication south of the border. The first season of Heartland will start showing on various NBC, Fox, ABC and CW affiliates, with more than 200 markets and 97 per cent of the U.S. audience able to follow the exploits of the Heartland gang.

CBS in Dallas will be playing the show through station KXTA in their prime-time viewing slot of 9 p.m. Saturday evenings starting Sept 18.

Wardle was scheduled to do a West Coast promotional tour for the show, which started on Sept. 1 in the King5 studios in Seattle, followed by appearances in San Diego and Los Angeles.

In Canada, new episodes of Heartland's fourth season will premiere on Sept. 26. Wardle has been nominated twice for Leo awards, in 2009 and 2010 for best lead performance by a male in a dramatic series. See www.cbc.ca/heartland.

TAKING THE PLUNGE

Coun. Jonathan Cote once again braved the dunk tank in support of a community facility.

The city's youngest councillor offered his services in the dunk tank a couple years back at an event for Moody Park Outdoor Pool, and he did so once again at the Kraft Celebration Tour.

The Aug. 29 event was held after New Westminster won an online voting contest with Nelson and earned $25,000 for the new youth centre.

"It was definitely a bit cool out," said Cote. "I was a little bit sore in the morning."

Councillors toured the new youth centre on Aug. 30 and were pleased with what they saw.

"I am very happy with how it turned out," said Mayor Wayne Wright. "You can feel it is the right thing."

EYES ON SHANGHAI

The Shanghai Expo Photographic Exhibition will find a home in New Westminster this month.

The City of New Westminster, in partnership with the Association of Chinese Cultural Promotion of Canada and Royal City Centre, is presenting the exhibition from Sept. 8 to 26.

"Many residents will recall Expo 86 in Vancouver," said Mayor Wayne Wright. "This photographic exhibition will provide a wonderful retrospective look at the history of the World Expo through the years as well as shine a spotlight on this year's expo in Shanghai, China. We're proud to host it right here in the Royal City."

It was previously held at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Vancouver and at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond.

The free exhibition can be viewed at Royal City Centre during mall hours, with the official opening taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m.

The exhibit includes a series of 80 photographic panels, including 60 from this year's Expo in Shanghai and others from the various expositions. Some panels will show Expo 67 in Montreal and Expo 86 in Vancouver.

"The displays provide an opportunity for local residents to be a part of the Shanghai Expo without having to leave the city," said Greg Magirescu, the city's manager of arts and culture development. "It's a great way to experience the magnificent architecture and 2010 World Expo pavilions from right here at home."