(These are FREE listings. Email: EditorVoice@gmail.com)
MLA Suzanne Anton’s Constituency Picnic
MLA Vancouver Fraserview Suzanne Anton’s second annual constituency picnic at Riverfront Park at 2750 E Kent S South @ Jellicoe on Saturday, July 26, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. No charge. Phone: 604-660-2035.
Public Forum on Climate Change
Saturday, July 26, 2-5 p.m. at SUR 3280: SFU Surrey Campus, 250-13450 102nd Avenue (across from Surrey Central transit station). Please join us at this important public discourse on climate change impacts and our responsibility for sustainable environment. Panelists: Dr. Harun Rashid (report on the science of climate change), Seth Klein (climate justice), Harsha Walia (climate refugees and refugee rights), Dr. Mohammad Zaman (adapting to climate change), Dr. Summer Pervez and Dr. Chinmoy Banerjee (everyday living for sustainable life). RSVP for registration: Chin Banerjee, cbanerjee@telus.net; Mohammad Zaman, mqzaman.bc@gmail.com
2014 Under-16 Field Hockey National Championships
Field Hockey Canada, in partnership with Field Hockey British Columbia, is hosting the 2014 Under-16 Boys and Girls Field Hockey National Championships this week at Rutledge Field in West Vancouver from now until July 27. More than one hundred of the best male and female field hockey players from B.C., Alberta, and Ontario are competing for the national titles. Both boys and girls’ finals to be held on Sunday, July 27. For a full competition schedule and results visit fieldhockey.ca/u16nationals.
Sidak
Sidak, the Sikh Research Institute’s flagship educational program is coming to Canada for the first time from July 27-August 9 at Miracle Valley Mission, B.C. (14100 Stave Lake Road) at the Khalsa Centre. It is a two-week intensive immersion in Sikh culture, language, values and community though understanding bani (scripture), tvarikh (history), and rahit (discipline). This is an opportunity to have direct access to the tool-kit (for example the linguistic skills necessary to understand Gurbani) and knowledge (Gurbani and seminal texts of Sikh history are studied and discussed) for Sikhi. To register, visit www.sidak.org. Contact either Lali Pawa (604-505-0502 / lali.pawa@SikhRI.org) or Mandeep Singh (314-537-5669 / mandeep.singh@sikhri.org).
South Asian Seniors: Bingo
Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults / senior members and non-members to come and play bingo for the sake of fun and make some new friends on July 27, 2-3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall at 8321 – 140th Street in Surrey. Bring only two dollars with you to play two games. Members will explain the game to you. Tea & snacks will be served. Contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for further details.
Pakistani Canadian Cultural Association
PCCA has organized a Grand Chand Raat and Eid Mela (Festival) with free entry on July 28, starting 8 p.m. at Royal King Palace at #365, 8158, 128th Street, Surrey. This year they are bringing the best Hina (Mehndi) designers, jewelry, clothing and Pakistani and South Asian food. There will be games, rides and gifts for kids. Bring your friends and families. For booking a stall or sponsoring, contact any member of PCCA. For more information, call: Bilal Tarar: 778-863-6449, Rizwan Shawl: 604-818-0160, Naveed Waraich: 604-721-0956 or toll free: 1-877-401-7222 (PCCA). www.PCCABC.ca.
MOSAIC Free Community Workshops & Activities
Canadian Citizenship Preparation (English) on July 28 & 29, 5:30–8:30 p.m. at Bob Prittie Metrotown Burnaby Public Library, 6100 Willingdon Avenue. Registration required: Call 604-438-8214, ext. 114. * BC Housing & Financial Assistance Workshop (English) on July 30, 3-5 p.m. at MOSAIC Northeast Employment Services Centre, 312–2555 Commercial Drive, Vancouver. Registration required: Call 604-254-9626, ext. 258.
CCTV’s Canada Audition
Canada Global Chinese Television (CGCTV) has started its open auditions for China Central Television’s top program “I Want to Perform in Chinese New Year Gala” in Canada. All residents in Canada who love performing on stage can attend the open audition, regardless of age, race and professional background. The auditions provide a grassroots opportunity for performers to demonstrate their talents. All forms of performances, especially those with distinctive cultural features and origins are welcome. Registration is now available on www.cgctv.com by emailing registration form to newyeargala@cgctv.com or contacting (647) 795-0980.
Surrey Libraries
Youth English Conversation Circle at Guildford Library. If you are an English language learner or have basic or intermediate English skills, join us at the Guildford Library for these fun, weekly sessions to practice speaking English. Thursdays, July 31 – August 28, 4-5:30 p.m., at Guildford Library, 15105 – 105 Avenue, Surrey. For ages 13-18. Drop in (no need to register). Free. Need more information? Call 604-591-4176. www.surreylibraries.ca
BC Summer Reading Club
Surrey Libraries invites kids of all ages to join the 2014 BC Summer Reading Club. It’s free. This year’s theme is Funny Business. Every child receives a reading log to keep track of their reading. Kids visit the library regularly to collect special weekly stickers for their reading log, enter contests, and win prizes. Kids that read for 49 days receive an official 2014 medal. Kids can participate in many fun free programs from magic shows, to the one-woman circus act, to a sound-effects performer. As well there are family storytimes, craft programs, book clubs, LEGO clubs, computer and games events, and more. For more information, and to learn about other free library programs, contests and activities for kids, call the Surrey Libraries at 604-598-7445 or visit http://www.surreylibraries.ca/5370.aspx
YVR Take-off Fridays
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) getting ready to host its 5th summer celebration event YVR Take-Off Fridays at Domestic, International & U.S. Terminals, Departures Level 3. Every Friday from now to August 29, YVR will come alive with fun-filled activities, free entertainment, delicious food samples and deals for travellers and locals alike. Running Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event features live entertainment by local performers and beats courtesy of the Lower Mainland’s hottest DJs. For the little ones, caricaturists and balloonists will be onsite, complemented by face painting and photos ops with the beloved YVR mascots. Lunch and shopping specials also await visitors. Plus, back for a second consecutive year is the popular YVR Take-Off Fridays’ Paper Airplane Competition, scheduled for Friday, July 11 at 11 a.m. Participants of all ages are invited to vie for the chance to scoop up huge prizes, as they square off to create an airplane that will soar past their competitors. Paper airplane expert Ralph Heldt will coach participants on the aerodynamics of paper airplanes and which folding methods will yield the farthest flights..Enjoy a special YVR Take-Off Fridays parking rate of $5 for up to four hours in YVR’s Parkade, or begin your adventure on the Canada Line and get to the airport in 26 minutes or less.
South Asian Seniors: Chair Exercises Class
Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian seniors to register for Chair Exercises Class to improve your fitness with strength training, flexibility, posture, and some cardio activities through gentle exercises taught by a certified fitness instructor. The Chair Exercise Class will be held every Friday from 10:15 to 11.30 a.m. starting from August 1, at Shanti Niketan Hall at 8321 – 140th Street, Surrey. There are limited seats. Those interested to register should contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945.
Introduction to Canadian Citizenship
This free program in Punjabi / Hindi caters to permanent residents who are applying for Canadian Citizenship. An introduction will be provided on topics like Canada’ History, Geography, Government and much more. Participants will learn on how to study “Discover Canada”. Every Thursday from August 7-September 11, 1-2:30 p.m. At South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, 6470 Victoria Drive at 49th) in Vancouver. Free Child minding and refreshments will be provided. For more information and registration, call: 604-324-6212, ext. 134.
Surrey Board of Trade: International Trade Minister
On Thursday, August 7, the Surrey Board of Trade will host Canada’s International Trade Minister Ed Fast at Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel (15269 104 Avenue, Surrey). The Government of Canada has many tools available to support Canadian companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises to explore and do business effectively in new markets. Find out what the Minister is doing to renew the focus on trade promotion and economic diplomacy in the recently released Global Markets Action Plan. He will speak on: 1. How to work with the Private Sector to achieve Canada’s Success in International Markets. 2. How to Unify and Build Canada’s Business Brand in the Global Marketplace. 3. Status on the Free Trade Agreement with Canada’s major trading partners including Korea, India, Japan and the EU. Lunch and Registration – 11:30 a.m.; Program 12-1:30 p.m. Admission for non-media guests: $45 + GST each (member) or $60+ GST each (non-member).
Free Concert for Peace
August 8 at 8 p.m. at the St James Community Square, 10th Avenue and Trutch, Vancouver. Join us in celebrating the music of peace visionary and composer maestro Sri Chinmoy, with a special tribute to the life of legendary flutist Paul Horn. Featuring special performances by: Canada’s own the Pavaka Ensemble; legendary flutist and saxaphonist, Premik Russell Tubbs; Canadian singer, Sara Fretz; Gandharva Loka Orchestra’s Musical Director, Panchajanya Burri; from Ottawa, the soulful Sangit Surabhi; Austria’s reknowned sitarist, Kanala Auer; Juno-nominated composer, Timothy Corlis; Talking Stick Festival and Full Circle Founder, Margo Kane; Dutch composer and pianist, Vapushtara; and guest choral singers. For tickets, call 604-683-7733 or come to Gandharva Loka World Music at 1650 Johnston Street on Granville Island.
Richmond Maritime Festival
August 8 to 10. BC’s oldest shipyard, the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, will be transformed with festive, maritime-themed decor, spontaneous performances and ingenious exhibits. Free family event at the naturally spectacular 3.5-hectare (8.5-acre) site on the Steveston waterfront. This year’s festival will run three full days from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10. Opening night of the festival will feature an outdoor evening concert featuring the roots blues, zydeco, swamp pop and folk sounds of The Swamp Dogs performing from 5 to 7 p.m. Throughout the weekend, festival goers will be entertained by music, roving performers, painters, wood carvers, potters, stilt performers, puppets, storytellers, dancers, drummers and, of course, tempting offerings from a variety of food and drink vendors.
Chariot Festival of India
The 41st annual Chariot Festival of India also known as Jagannath Rath Yatra is taking place in Downtown Vancouver on August 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Second Beach, Stanley Park, Vancouver. This colourful and fun-filled cultural parade starts at 11:30 a.m. from Beach Avenue at Howe Street (under the Granville Street Bridge) and travelling along Beach Avenue, culminates at Second Beach at 1 p.m. Features: Entertainment on two stages; music & dance; live theatre; mendi hand tattoos; yoga & meditation; face painting; veggie-cooking demos; clowns & balloon artists; free feasting for 10,000; kids fun tents; market bazaar. All families and friends invited. Free admission. Organizer: ISKCON Vancouver. Information: iskconvan@gmail.com
India Day
India Day is being celebrated on Sunday, August 24 at 2 p.m. to commemorate Independence Day of India. It is being organized by the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society at 8321-140th Street in Surrey. Dr Subramanian Swamy, former Indian minister, will be bringing greetings and a message from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
