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Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen
On February 14, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Sukh Sagar Gurdwara at 347 Wood Street, New Westminster, Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen (GNFK) will be partaking in their 3rd annual One Billion Rising Celebration, this year joined by Global Girl Power in support of the global movement V-Day by Eve Ensler. V-Day is a global call to action started in 2012 to raise awareness on violence against women; people all over the world are encouraged to share their stories through dance, art, music, dialogue, service projects and community gatherings to express their outrage for injustices women suffer and demanding an end to violence against women. For the last two years GNFK has visited local shelters and provided women and children in need with roses and chocolates on Valentine’s Day following Guru Nanak’s philosophy to “Love all, feed all.” This year they have over 40 shelters on the list and will be taking donations of funds, chocolates or roses up to February 14. To donate you may do so directly to Sukh Sagar Gurdwara, email gurunanaksfreekitchen@gmail.com or call 604-218-1347.
Carnival Cultural Club
The Carnival Cultural Club is celebrating its 20th anniversary on February 14, at the Royal King Palace, 8158 128th Street, Surrey. This will be a family fun day with a parade, music, games for children, face-painting, food and much more. Visit our website www.carnivalfiesta.com for details and tickets.
South Asian Seniors: Religion Teaches Harmony
Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults / senior members as well as non-members also to attend a lecture on Religion Teaches Harmony by S. Gian Singh Kotli on Sunday, February 15, 2-3:30 p.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 – 140th Street, Surrey. There will be a question-and-answer session. Tea and light snacks will be served. Contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for further details.
Hindu Temple Burnaby: Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri on Monday, February 16 at Hindu Temple Burnaby at 3885 Albert Street, Burnaby. Phone: 604-299-5922. Abhishek starts from 4 a.m. Final Aarti at 12 a.m. (midnight). All devotees are welcome to join the celebrations. For more information, contact Swami Ji or Pandit Ji at 604-299-5922.
Vedic Hindu Cultural Society: Maha Shivratri
Tuesday, February 17, 6 a.m. to midnight at Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir, 8321, 140th Street, Surrey. Lord Shiva Act at 6:30 p.m. Food stalls. For more information, contact Satish Kumar at 604-618-5114, Vinay Sharm at 604-782-7624 or Mahesh Gupta at 778-928-5270. www.hindumandirsurrey.com. Email: surreymandir@gmail.com.
Muriel Arnason Library: Year of the Sheep
Tuesday, February 17, 3:30-5 p.m.: Families are invited to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Make a lantern craft and a lucky envelope, and enjoy some New Year’s foods. This is a free, drop-in program. All supplies are provided. Muriel Arnason Library is located in the Township of Langley Civic Facility at 20338 – 65 Avenue. Phone: 604-532-3590.
Punjabi Language Celebration
Punjabi Language Education Association’s (PLEA) 12th Annual International Mother Language Day on February 21, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at North Delta Recreation Centre, 11415 – 84th Avenue, Delta. * Information sharing about the continuous efforts to have Punjabi language education in BC’s public schools, colleges and universities. * A critical look at the Language Education Policy of BC’s Education Ministry created in 1994.* The audience will also be given time to voice their opinions and engage in an open dialogue. * Punjabi learners will share poetry, songs and their ideas. * PLEA cordially invites everyone to come and be part of the annual celebration of Punjabi language. * Free event. Refreshments. For more information, contact: Balwant Sanghera at 604-836-8976, Sadhu Binning at 604-437-9014, Parvinder Dhariwal at 778-838-1121 or Paul Binning at 778-889-8255.
Pharmacy Career Event
SFU Surrey Campus, 250 – 1345 102nd Avenue, on February 24, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Connect for Immigrants Program & BC Pharmacy Association, Canada, presents an event for internationally educated professionals or students interested in pursuing careers as pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy-related fields. Registration is required in order to attend this event. This event is complimentary and sponsored by SFU Surrey, the BC Pharmacy Association and Back in Motion: Skills Connect for immigrant program. Register today as spaces are limited. Link: http://www.bcpharmacy.ca/international. Presenters: Dr. Shakeel Bhatti, PharmD, CPhA Board Member; Mohamed Hasanine, Agassiz Pharmacy, Pharmacy Owner; Sandi Hutti, Coordinator, UBC Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program; Nadeem Zia, President, OpenDoor for Success Association; Bal Dhillon, Director, Pharmacy Technician Society of BC.
Shakti Society
Do you know a woman who has excelled in the field of art, academia, sports or business? Do you know a woman that has contributed to her community or has made a significant impact in a profound way? Do you know a woman who has met challenges and hardships and overcome adversity who is using her journey in a positive way? Shakti Society considers these achievements as outstanding displays of ‘Shakti’ and as we have been doing for the past 12 years, we want to recognize these vital women for their hard work and accomplishments. The 13th annual Shakti Awards will take place on Friday, April 10 at the Aria Banquet Hall in Surrey. Women can be nominated in one of the following categories: * Academic Achievement Award
* Public Service / Volunteer Award * Business Entrepreneur Award * Artistic Achievement Award * Sports and Recreational Award * Resilience Award – A woman who has overcome adversity and has used her personal journey in a way to inspire and motivate others to be positive despite challenges and setbacks. Her achievements may reflect one of the above categories or she can simply be a woman who takes care of her children, parents or herself. Complete your nomination at http://shaktisociety.com/home/nomination-form/ no later than midnight February 28. To purchase tickets, sponsor or donate, become a vender or volunteer, contact Sonia at 604-307-8796 , Iti at 604-831-7728 or Sandhya at 778-788-6936. All funds raised will be donated to Shakti: Empowerment of Women, Children and Families Society. http://www.shaktisociety.com
PICS Society: Volunteer Income Tax Clinic
Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society is establishing PICS Income Tax Clinic this year from the last week of February to April in partnership with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Clinic Program of Canada Revenue Agency. This program will engage PICS volunteers who have been trained by Canada Revenue Agency to help community members who have low incomes to electronically file their income tax returns. To be eligible to avail this free service, your income must be as follows: * Single Person: $30,000 or less * Single parent with child: $35,000 or less * Each additional child: $ 2,500 * Couples: $40,000 or less * Investment income under: $ 1,000 * You have a simple tax return (no self-employment, no bankruptcy, no forms for deceased, no capital gains/losses and no rental income). * You must attend in person. Income Tax Clinics will be located at the following locations: * PICS Head Office, #205—12725—80 Avenue, Surrey. * PICS White Rock Office, #206—1461 Johnston Road, White Rock * PICS Vancouver Office, #200—8153 Main Street, Vancouver. For more details, contact: Deshpal Grewal (deshpal.grewal@pics.bc.ca) or Manjinder Thandi (manjinder.thandi@pics.bc.ca) Phone: 604-596-7722.
‘Literacy for Life’ Adult Program
“Literacy for Life” is a free adult program that is being held on Friday nights from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. from now until May 15. The first 6 weeks (January 16-February 20) will take place at the Richmond Public Library, Brighouse (Main) Branch in the 2nd floor Community Place, 7700 Minoru Gate. Weeks 7-12 will take place at Kwantlen Polytechnic University Learning Center, Richmond Campus, 8771 Lansdowne Road. To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/events. This program is free and offered in English. The first 6 weeks of this program focuses on improving participants’ reading, writing and computer skills with instructors from FIRST Society (Filipinos in Richmond Support Team). The last 6 weeks participants will learn skills to improve job prospects or explore further education opportunities with tutors from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Participants must have intermediate-level speaking and listening English skills. This program is sponsored by the Community Adult Literacy Program of the Province of British Columbia. If participants attend all 12 sessions they will be awarded a KPU Certificate of Completion.
Ehsaas South Asian Readers and Writers Festival
Tuesday, March 3 at 6 p.m. at UFV’s Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies, Room F125, Abbotsford Campus. Renowned author Shauna Singh Baldwin will be at this year’s Ehsaas South Asian Readers and Writers Festival. Shauna will be presenting her talk, titled “Why Names Matter” where she will address how a story truly begins the moment we name a character. Patriarchy claims us with a last name, then further differentiates us by gendered first names. What name would you give yourself? Some of us may silence our own names, take androgynous names, pen names, respond to nicknames or code names. In this talk, Shauna tells us why we should legitimate and encourage matrilineal and creative naming. All are invited to attend and refreshments will be provided. Inform your friends, colleagues and book clubs across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
SAFA: International Women’s Day
SAFA is presenting International Women’s Day (IWD) with a South Asian focus in partnership with the Langara School of Nursing. This event will take place on March 8. This year’s theme is “Make It Happen” through education, empowerment and awareness. The day promises to be one of education, promise and fun. You can participate in this conference via poster or oral presentations. Informational providers have the opportunity to come and share their resources and information via information booths. Registration fee for service provider is $50. For further information, contact Prav at Pdhaliwal@langara.bc.ca. / Suki at Sgrewal@langara.bc.ca / visit www.safa.ca / Call 778-688-3996.
Zakir Hussain’s Celtic Connections
Chan Centre presents Zakir Hussain’s Celtic Connection on Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m. at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC, 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver. Ticket prices: from $36. Box Office: 604-822-2697 / chancentre.com. In person at the Chan Centre ticket office: open Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Website: chancentre.com.
