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Vaisakhi Day Celebration
Khalsa Diwan Society, Vancouver, presents Vaisakhi Day Celebration on Saturday, April 15: 7-9 a.m. Kirtan (Hymn singing); 9-9:30 a.m. Reception of dignitaries; 9:30-10:30 a.m. Speeches; 10:45 a.m. Ardas. Parade: 11 a.m. Departure from Gurdwara Sahib; 4 p.m. Return to Gurdwara Sahib. The parade will proceed from the Ross Street Temple to Ross Street, Marine Drive, Main Street, 49th Avenue, Fraser Street, 57th Avenue, Ross Street. Location: 8000 Ross Street, Vancouver. Telephone: 604-324-2010. Fax: 604-322-0504. Email: kdsross@live.com. Web: www.kdsross.com. RSVP A.J. Rai or Mrs. Mand at 604-322-5610 or email kdsross@live.com.
Surrey Food Bank: Surrey Vaisakhi Parade
Bring a loonie to donate at Surrey’s Vaisakhi Parade on Saturday, April 22. Every $1 donation buys $3 worth of food. Look for our volunteers or drop off your donations at any RBC Branch in Surrey throughout April. www.surreyfoodbank.org
Stanley Park Easter Train
Operated by the Vancouver Park Board, the Stanley Park Easter Train will run April 15 to 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Easter bunny will be on hand to greet children and join them in photos. Included with the cost of admission are: bean bag toss, ring toss, hula hoops, and planting a posy. A preview with the train only runs April 8 and 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. An Easter egg hunt, mini golf, inflatable bouncers and face painting cost extra. Food trucks will be on site, in addition to the Cob House, operated by Stanley Park Ecology Society, and the Bunny Hop Café.
Queen Elizabeth Park: Cherry Blossom Festival
Queen Elizabeth Park, 33rd and Cambie, Vancouver: * The Big Picnic under cherry trees in peak bloom on Saturday, April 15, 12-3 p.m. * Spring Light Illumination on Saturday, April 15 and Sunday, April 16, 8-10 p.m. Both events are free, and public transportation or cycling is strongly recommended for travel to and from the park. The Big Picnic will feature: * More than 20 Akebono and Yoshino cherry trees in peak bloom for cherry blossom viewing and 10 more cultivars by the duck pond, also in full bloom * Kabuki theatrical face painting and face painting for children * Yukata dress-up (a lighter version of the kimono) * French storytelling for children under the blossoms * VCBF’s Cherry Blossom-branded car * Urban sketchers * Picknickers can pre-order cherry blossom lunches created by caterers Cocktails & Canapés by visiting the Festival website * Cherry blossom colouring sheets.
South Asian Seniors: Playing Cards
Vedic Seniors Parivar Center of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults and seniors to come and play cards in groups of four to help preserve mental health and positive changes to the brain (memory) on Sunday, April 16, 2-3:30 p.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple at 8321 140th Street, Surrey. Tea and snacks will be served. Contact coordinator Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for further information.
Surrey’s 150+ Summer Day Camps
Registration opens April 18 for City of Surrey’s 150+ fun, affordable and safe summer day camps designed to keep children and teens (ages 3–18) active and engaged over the school break. Parents have the option to pay 50% of the cost at the time of registration and the remaining balance on the first day of camp. Early registration is recommended as popular day camps fill up fast. In addition to Summer Fun 1-1 and Youth on the Move for youth ages 13–18 with disabilities, City of Surrey’s variety of unique day camps include: fun zone, pre-teen road trip, leadership, 3D animation, forest adventures, ready-set-paint, photography fun, basketball, and swim and skate. Free one-to-one staff support is available for children ages 6–13 with disabilities for a limited number of weeks. Extended camp hours are available through the Camp Connections program. For complete details, visit www.surrey.ca/daycamps or call 604-501-5100.
Stop Racism Event
Communities are invited to join Kids Play and Asian Pulse TV in its event to commemorate “The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination” which is observed in March, to collectively work towards the elimination of all forms of racism. Come to listen, learn and join in the dialogue on racism in current geopolitical times with a focus on, but not limited to racism and its impacts targeting immigrants, continued stigma towards Sikhs and Muslims as national threats and terrorist frames, Islamophobia, the negative gaze towards the turban, resistance, Neo-Nazi movements and the far right, what we can learn from Sikhi in addressing some of these issues, and the war on gangs and drugs and more. The event will include a panel with four powerful speakers: Tony McAleer, Executive Director of Life After Hate and a former organizer for the White Aryan Resistance (WAR), Indira Prahst, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, specialist on racism and human rights activist with a book forthcoming, Bhai Hari Nam Singh Khalsa, host and producer of insight into Sikhism, and members and police from Crime Stoppers who will focus on tackling gangs and drugs. The event will be officially opened by First Nations people, with a drum ceremony and an opening prayer from well-respected Alana Anderson originally from the Campbell River reserve and daughter of the current Hereditary Chief. A $3,000 scholarship fund will be given out to students on the day of the event in a draw divided into six funds of $500 each, and free pizza. Where? Taj Convention Centre at 8580 132nd Street, Surrey, When? Wednesday, April 19, 5:30-8 p.m. Visit www.kidsplayfoundation.com or call 779-320-6540
Surrey’s Party for the Planet
Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at The Plaza at City Hall, 13450 104th Avenue, Surrey. This is a free event. No tickets are required. Party for the Planet is BC’s largest Earth Day. Features amazing musical performers, including headliner Shawn Hook. Take in loads of fun things to do such as the ‘perennially’ popular tree and plant sale, the Science Surprise Show, rock climbing, fun booths, Kids World, road hockey and more.
Surrey Art Gallery: Vaisakhi
Passionate Colours: April 22−July 14. Opening reception and Vaisakhi celebration on April 26, 7−9 p.m. Just in time for the spring harvest festival of Vaisakhi, the South Asian Artists Guild will be launching an exhibit at Surrey Art Gallery that embodies a zest for life and passion for colour. The artists in Passionate Colours are: Shital Anmol, Gunwant Bassi, Sanjoy Das, Vipin Kapoor, Baljit Kaur, Bindoo Matharu, Jay Panesar, Jarnail Singh, Navalpreet Rangi, Neeti Singh, Parminder Singh, and Mandeep Wirk. Surrey Art Gallery at 13750 88th Avenue, Surrey. Phone: 604-501-5566 / surrey.ca/artgallery. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. / Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. / Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. / Sunday 12-5 p.m. / Closed Mondays and holidays.
2017 Delta Career Fair
The Corporation of Delta invites you to the 2017 Delta Trades and Technical Career Fair on Thursday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is a free event. Situated throughout the spacious arena at Sungod Recreation Centre and in the surrounding parking lot, you can expect dozens of exhibitors offering hands-on introductions to a variety of new and unique careers. In addition to the many interactive exhibits the Show Stage is bringing along with it a variety of fascinating presentations, including the tantalizing artistry of the White Spot chefs, as well as frank, motivational talks on women in trades.The Job Fair will host different organizations with immediate job opportunities that they are looking to fill now. From 4 to 8 p.m., come interview ready and armed with your resume. The Boat Race will give students in grades 10 through 12 the chance to work alongside marine industry professionals to construct a vessel that can withstand the wild waters of Sungod’s aquatic centre. Learn more about the exhibitors, Boat Race, and Job Fair at Delta.ca/CareerFair.
Dance Canada in Richmond
Celebrate Canada’s rich multicultural diversity with Dance Canada: A Celebration of International Dance Day in Richmond on April 28 and 29. Aberdeen Centre has partnered with Sudnya Dance Academy and Clarkson Events to host this year’s celebration. The community is invited to learn a variety of culturally diverse dances through free workshops on Friday, April 28 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and a free performance showcasing dance traditions from around the world will take place on Saturday, April 29 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Both events are open to people of all ages and abilities and will take place in the Central Atrium at Aberdeen Centre. For more information, visit iddrichmond.wixsite.com/iddrichmondbc.
Richmond-Vancouver Walk for ALS
Volunteers and families gather each year to show their support for Canadians living with ALS.
Every year, volunteers from all around the province team up with the ALS Society of BC to organize and lead a Walk for ALS. This year’s Richmond-Vancouver Walk will be held on May 13 at Garry Point Park in Steveston, Richmond. The Walk will start at 10:30 a.m., with check-in at 9 a.m. Everyone is invited and welcome to join this family friendly event.The 5km walk gives people the chance to raise funds and awareness for those living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and their families. Leading up to the event, walkers collect pledges from family, friends, and colleagues who wish to sponsor them. On the day of the Walk, participants can enjoy various activities organized by the volunteers. Proceeds from the Walk for ALS go to the ALS Society of BC to provide support for people living with ALS and to invest in research to make the disease treatable not terminal. Register today at www.walkforals.ca
Free Income Tax Clinic
At Richmond Multicultural Community Services. Call 604-279-7160 to book an appointment or email karamjit@rmcs.bc.ca.
Free Income Tax Filing: Muriel Arnason Library
If your return is straightforward, and you have a low income, visit or call the library staff to book an appointment with a community volunteer to get your tax return filed free of charge. The program will run till April 24. Muriel Arnason Library is located in the Township of Langley Civic Facility at 20338 65th Avenue. Phone: 604-532-3590.
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 they can help you to file your income tax returns for the year 2016 free of cost through the community volunteer program of Canada Revenue Agency from now to May 2 – if you are living in Surrey / Delta. The eligibility criteria are as follows: 1. Single individual with annual income limit up to $ 30,000. 2. Couples with annual income up to $ 40,000. 3. Adult with one child annual income up to $ 35,000, add the income limit by $ 2,500 for each dependent child. 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 ID will be required for proof. If you are eligible, contact coordinator Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for further information.
ESL Book Clubs: Surrey Libraries
If you would like to practice your English and make new friends, join Surrey Libraries’ ESL Book Clubs. Come practice reading, speaking, and listening in English. Readers are welcome at any level from beginners to advanced. Library books will be provided (Levels 1-4). Call or visit the libraries to register. * City Centre Library: Wednesdays, 1 – 2:30 p.m. April 19, May 24, June 21 * Fleetwood Library: Saturdays, 1:30 – 3 p.m. May 17 * Guildford Library: Thursdays, 2 – 3:30 p.m. May 4, June 1 * Newton Library: Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. April 27, May 25, June 22 * Semiahmoo Library: Thursdays, 1 – 2:30 p.m. April 20, May 18, June 15. www.surreylibraries.ca
PICS: Free Self Employment Program
Are you unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week? Are you thinking of launching your own business? Join PICS for an information session on PICS’ Self Employment Program at one of PICS Offices: * Suite 205, 12725 80th Avenue, Surrey – every 2nd Wednesday of the month, or * 8153 Main Street (near Marine Drive), Vancouver – every 3rd Wednesday of the month. All info sessions are from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. This program offers * Business Start-Up Training * Business Plan Writing * Business Advisor Support * Networking Events * Support During Business Launch Period. To attend a session, pre-register at Katarina.Low@pics.bc.ca or 604-596-7722, ext. 150
(For more events, please visit the “Events” section of our website voiceonline.com)
