B.C. EVENTS: For the week of Saturday, February 24

 

(These are FREE listings. Submit your event at EditorVoice@gmail.com)

 

 

Free South Asian Health Forum

 

In support of seniors, their families and caregivers, UBC’s interCultural Online Health Network is producing Healthy@Home: Living well with Chronic Conditions on Sunday, March 4. This free South Asian health forum will be delivered in Punjabi with simultaneous interpretation in English. This forum will highlight strategies and best practices for managing these chronic conditions at home through nutrition, medication management, stress reduction, exercise, and more. In addition, the forum will feature the opportunity to ask questions to the experts, health exhibitions, resources and community support programs. Open House: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Where: Grand Taj Banquet Hall, 8388 128th Street. Who: Punjabi-speaking seniors, families and caregivers – everyone is welcome. Free to public. Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/icon-south-asian-health-forum-living-well-with-chronic-conditions-registration-42211406453

By phone at 1-877-357-7611 or Jay Bains at 604-763-6523. For more information, visit www.iconproject.org. Facebook: www.facebook.com/iconproject

 

Blood Donation

 

Canadian Blood Services has issued an urgent call for Canadians to give blood. More than 35,000 donors are needed by spring break to ensure all patients continue to have access to the blood and blood products they need. Visit blood.ca, download our GiveBlood app or call 1-888-2-DONATE and find a nearby donation site. Walk in appointments are also available at all locations.

 

Free Eye Health Clinic

 

Canadian Eyesight Global’s Free Eye Health Clinic, sponsored by Rotary Club of Surrey-Guildford, will be held at the Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple,18691 Westminster Highway, Richmond, on Sunday, February 25, 1-4 p.m. A team of eye surgeon, Dr. David Neima, and associates will participate. Everyone is welcome. Volunteer help needed. Anyone interested in sponsoring an eye camp in their village in Punjab or any other part of India, contact: Anup Singh Jubbal, President, Canadian Eyesight Global, at 604-582-0579, www.CanadianEyesight.org

 

Pet Lover Show 

 

At TRADEX, 1190 Cornell Street, Abbotsford, from Saturday, February 24 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Sunday, February 25 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) Over 30 unique features and events, including “Ask the Trainer” seminars and grooming demonstrations and free photos for your pup. Admission: Adult (16+ years): $14 / Senior (65+) or Youth (6-15): $10 / Child (5 years and under): Free / Family (2 youth, 2 adults) $34. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased in advance online at a discounted price. For more information, visit www.petlovershow.ca. Follow the Pet Lover Show on Facebook, on Twitter: @PetLoverShow, and on Instagram: @PetLoverShow

 

South Asian Seniors: Carpet Bowling

 

Vedic Senior Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults / senior members as well as non-members to come and play carpet bowling, a great exercise free of cost, and make some new friends, on Sunday, February 25, 2-3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 140th Street, Surrey. Even if you have never played, Baldev Raj Kohli will teach you the game. All are welcome. Tea and snacks will be served. Call Surendra Handa, coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for further details.

 

Psychology Month: Talks in Punjabi

 

Free public presentation series for Psychology Month: Sunday, February 25, 2-3:30 p.m.: Supporting young adults heading to post-secondary by Dr. Manbeena Sekhon at Newton Library, Surrey, 13795 70th Avenue, Surrey. (For info on more talks, visit www.psychologists.bc.ca or call 604-730-0501.

 

Conversations on Community Safety

 

Monday, February 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Surrey City Centre Library, 10350 University Drive, Surrey, at Ambedkar Room, 4th floor. The City of Surrey has a Public Safety Office and an official Public Safety Strategy; its 2017 budget for Public Safety services was $227.2 million. “Conversations on Community Safety” is a series of gatherings where we can talk about the impact of these initiatives on our lives, critically examine our current approaches to policing, and think about alternatives for community safety. Organized by Alliance against Displacement — www.stopdisplacement.ca

 

South Asian Seniors: Filing Income Tax Returns Free

 

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey informs South Asian Seniors that during the tax filing period we can help you to file your income tax returns for the year 2017 free of cost through the community volunteer program of Canada Revenue Agency from February 26 to April 30 if you are living in Surrey / Delta. The eligibility criteria are: 1. Single individual with annual income limit up to $30,000. 2. Couples with annual income up to $40,000. 3. Three persons’ income $42,500. 4. Four persons income’ $45,000, 5. Five persons’ income  $47,500. 6. Add $ 2,500 for additional members. Interest income not over $ 1,000 and this income will be included as total eligibility. With no investment income, no rental income, no business or partnership income and no capital gain or loss. Sin# card and photo identity will be required to prove the documents. If you are eligible, contact Surendra Handa, coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for further information.

 

IHOP Restaurants: National Pancake Day

 

IHOP Restaurants and Miss Universe Canada partner to provide much needed funds for local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In celebration of National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 27, participating IHOP Restaurants will once again offer guests one free short stack of their famous Original Buttermilk Pancakes, in the hopes that they will pay it forward with a voluntary donation to the Children’s Miracle Network member hospital in their community. To find a local IHOP restaurant, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com

 

Surrey Board of Trade Business Networking Reception

 

At The Flamingo at 10768 King George Boulevard, Surrey, on Tuesday, February 27, 6-8 p.m. A short presentation will take place at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy an evening of beverages, appetizers, good music, and great company while networking with Surrey’s growing and diverse business community. This will also be an opportunity to see recent renovations, learn about upcoming events, and venue rental opportunities. David Geertz and the Penmar Community Arts Society have partnered with the Flamingo property owner and developer Charan Sethi of Tien Sher to help create an arts and culture hub at the Flamingo. This is on course to the revitalization of Whalley. Parking: Free at the front and behind the Flamingo buildings. Admission: Free. For more information, contact Anita Huberman, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade, at 604-340-3899.

 

MOSAIC Culture Connection

 

Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi. Join us for this culture connection activity which takes places every Friday. Connect with other people and learn more about the Canadian culture. This will be conducted in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi. Fridays, until March 23, 6-8 p.m. at MOSAIC Surrey Office, #200 7134 King George Boulevard. Contact: Attif at 778-591-9334 / aihsan@mosaicbc.org

 

Vancouver Book Launch: Policing Black Lives

 

Book Launch of Policing Black Lives with Author Robyn Maynard and guests on Thursday, March 1 at 6 p.m. at SFU Harbour Center, 515 West Hastings, Vancouver. Full event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/399026460520621/

 

UBC Department of Asian Studies

 

10th Annual Harjit Kaur Sidhu Memorial Program: Celebrating Punjabi language and culture at UBC. From March 2 to 4. * Friday, March 2, 7:30-9 p.m. UBC Asian Centre Auditorium, 1871 West Mall, Vancouver. “Awazzan” (“Voices” 2016): A documentary on the UK-based Punjabi language poet Amarjit Chandan. * Saturday, March 3, 7:30-9:30 p.m. UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Downtown Vancouver. “Anhe Godhe da Daan” (“Alms for a Blind Horse” 2011):  A film exploring the experience of marginality in contemporary Punjab. * Sunday, March 4, 4:30-7:45 p.m. Surrey Centre Stage (Surrey City Hall), 3450 104th Avenue, Surrey. Co-organized with the Gursharan Singh Memorial Lecture Committee. “Chauthi Koot” (“The Fourth Direction” 2015): A film portraying individuals and families negotiating a space between separatist and state forces amidst the violence of the 1980s in Punjab, India. Awards for student Punjabi-language essay contest winners and for lifetime achievement to a BC-based Punjabi writer will be presented. https://asia.ubc.ca/events/event/the-2018-harjit-kaur-sidhu-memorial-program/

 

South Asian Film Education Society

 

The South Asian Film Education Society presents a film screening and discussion of “In Custody” (1993) (‘Muhafiz’). Directed by Ismail Merchant. Starring: Om Puri, Shashi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi and Sushma Seth. Language: Urdu / Hindi. An Indian university teacher (Om Puri) seeks to preserve the last works of an ailing Urdu poet (Shashi Kapoor). Adapted from the novel by Anita Desai. Venue: Room 4955 – SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149  West Hastings, Vancouver, on Saturday, March 3, 2-5 p.m.

 

Surrey: Sanctuary City, Not Detention City

 

Public Forum on Sunday, March 4, 1-4 p.m., at Surrey Centre Library, Room 120

10350 University Drive, Surrey. Panel: Chelliah Premrajah, Harsha Walia, Mohammad Zaman.

Moderator: Sejal Lal Overture: hospitality in Vancouver: Patricia Gruben with Martin Gotfrit on mandolin. Organized by South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD).

 

PICS: New Child Care Centre, Cloverdale

 

Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society is opening a Child Care Centre at 6050 176th Street within Cloverdale Rodeo Grounds premises on March 5. After surveying the community of child care needs in Cloverdale, PICS decided to provide these services to the needy families.  All families are encouraged to register their children at the earliest convenience.  These children should be between the ages of 3 and 5 years. Fees are very reasonable and may vary according to the children’s care schedule. Call Eva Touzard, Community Connections Coordinator, at 604-596-7722, ext. 138, or Devinder Chattha, Director, Language Studies, Settlement & Social programs at ext. 107 to register your child or for any other information.

 

MOSAIC: Tax Clinic

 

Need help to prepare your tax return? Volunteers can help you prepare your income tax and benefit return if you have modest income and a simple tax situation. Must be a permanent resident and filing for 2017 only. Call for more information and eligibility. Registration is required. Language support available. Phone line opens on March 5. Dates: March 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at MOSAIC Head Office, 5575 Boundary Road, Vancouver. Contact: Katherine 604-254-9626

 

Shakti Film Festival

 

Through the Shakti Film Festival, we aim to promote and bring an awareness of women filmmakers, including directors, producers, writers, production crew and films that portray women as strong, empowered, and realistic characters. We invite you to join us for the launch of the Shakti Film Festival where we will showcase some clips of empowering films that reflect the values of our film festival. We will have a discussion with local film, media personalities and community leaders about the relevance of this film festival and the role that media plays in shaping society. When: Thursday, March 8, 6:30-9 p.m. Where: Ultimate Banquet Hall, 8072 120th Street. Tickets: $20 (can be purchased via e-transfers or cash.) Includes: Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. For more information or sponsorship enquiries, call Sonia at 604-307-8796 or Alison at 778-896-0294 or email shaktisociety2000@gmail.com

 

A Journey Into Islam

 

Join us on Saturday, March 10, 5:30-10 p.m., for the sixth annual A Journey Into Islam exhibition and open house.  A Journey Into Islam is an initiative undertaken by the youth of the Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre, designed to convey the core beliefs and practices of the Islamic faith in an interactive and comprehensible manner. They aim to create a comfortable environment in which guests are welcome to ask questions and engage in dialogue with members of the community. The goal of the event is to showcase our faith through an evening full of interactive exhibits, guided tours of our beautiful Centre, and a tasty ethnic dinner. The exhibits are designed to address various elements of our faith, and to clear misconceptions. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Dialogue in Islam.’ Address:  8580 No. 5 Road, Richmond. Email ajourneyintoislam@az-zahraa.org if  you are interested. For  more information about the event and what to expect, visit http://ajourneyintoislam.org./

 

The Dance Centre: Discover Dance!

 

The Dance Centre’s popular Discover Dance! noon hour series features the classical Indian dance style of Bharata Natyam, with a performance by Mandala Arts and Culture. Thursday, March 15 at 12 noon at Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street(at Granville), Vancouver. Tickets $14 / $12 students, seniors and children from Tickets Tonight at 604-684-2787. www.ticketstonight.ca  Info: 604-606-6400 www.thedancecentre.ca

 

The Raga Experience

 

A sitar presentation of western and Indian classical music by Sharanjeet Singh Mand (sitar) with tabla accompanist Hriday Buddhdev on March 16 at Surrey City Hall, 13450 104th Avenue. This is part of the celebrations leading up to Juno week.  The program: Pre-concert Reception:  7 p.m. Seating: 7:50 p.m. Concert: 8-9 p.m. Followed by Q&A till 9:15 p.m. Tickets are $12 and available at Tickets.surrey.ca

 

 

(For more events, visit the “Events” section of our website at voiceonline.com)