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Free Help To Do Your Taxes
If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, volunteers from the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) can do your taxes for you for free. The CVITP has free tax preparation clinics all across Canada, run by organizations and volunteers in your community. Tax clinics are open from mid-February to the end of April, with some even open year-round. You can also find a tax clinic with the free MyCRA web app when you select “Help with my taxes”. Tax help through the CVITP is available to anyone with a modest income and a simple tax situation. Last year, over 2,500 community organizations and more than 16,000 volunteers filed over 765,000 returns for Canadians. Program volunteers do not file tax returns for those with complex tax situations, such as: individuals filing returns for deceased persons; individuals filing for bankruptcy; self-employed individuals; individuals reporting capital gains or losses; individuals reporting employment expenses; individuals reporting business or rental income and expenses. To determine if you are eligible for this service call the CRA toll free at 1-888-805-6662, or visit canada.ca/taxes-help. Taxpayers are reminded to bring all of their 2017 slips and receipts and a copy of their 2016 tax return and Notice of Assessment. For a complete listing of locations, time and dates for the Surrey area, visit canada.ca/taxes-help.
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 now 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.
PICS & KPU: Learn English
Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP): PICS in partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey is offering Free English language classes for newcomers, Canadian citizens and work permit holders. Classes run every Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants learn about the Canadian work culture such as resume writing, cover letter, job search, interview skills and work expectations through English. Qualified teacher Gita, who is certified to teach English as a Second Language and is highly experienced, entices students to practice English communication while working in pairs or group activities. Hands-on computer activities, visits to the WorkBC centre and presentations by guest speakers are part of the curriculum. Daily news events and other topics of interest to the students are part of the daily routine. Free on-site childcare is available for students with children. Call Eva Touzard at 604-596-7722, ext. 138, to register.
Coalition of Progressive Electors
Policy Conference on Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Members and friends come help select COPE Policy for 2018 at WISE Hall 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver. Registration: 9 a.m. coffee and mingling. Policy Conference begins 10 a.m.
Abbotsford Tulip Festival
Friends of the Tulip Festival and Circle Farm Tour partners are ready to welcome guests from far and wide. Scheduled to open on April 9, Bloom – Abbotsford Tulip Festival, will be running daily as long as the blooms last. In its third year, Bloom has gained worldwide attention with over 2.5 million tulips, endless varieties, and 10 acres of fields. Highlights include: U-pick tulip fields, tulip crown photo opportunities, tulip bouquet sales, food trucks, photo booths, covered picnic areas and children’s games. Discounted locals nights. Visitors are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets as weekend dates sell out quickly. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit http://abbotsfordtulipfestival.ca/
Delta: Parent-Child Mother Goose
A new session of Parent-Child Mother Goose will begin mid April. There is still space available at the George Mackie Library and the North Delta Family Place locations. If you are a Delta resident, call the George Mackie Library at 604-594-8155 and talk to a staff member to register. Discover fun with rhymes, songs, and stories. This is an interactive program for babies 15 months and younger as well as caregivers starting Monday, April 9 and continuing until June 18, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the George Mackie Library or on Fridays, from April 13 to June 15, 12-1 p.m., at the North Delta Family Place at New Hope Church, 11838 – 88th Avenue. Mother Goose helps your baby learn speech and language skills. Healthy snacks are provided.
MOSAIC Job Fair
MOSAIC’s 7th Annual Job and Career Fair on Tuesday, April 10, 10 a.m.-3p.m., at Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver. The present labour market has translated into a record attendance with 83 organizations registered to recruit jobseekers at MOSAIC’s 7th Annual Job and Career Fair. In previous years, between 2,500-3,500 jobseekers have turned out at MOSAIC’s job fairs. Attendance is free and more information is available at www.mosaicbc.org/careerfair. MOSAIC itself will also be taking a booth at its own job fair event to meet candidates. It’s also a first for established brands such as Air Canada, Lordco, Canada Revenue Agency, Ikea and more.
Dr. M.R. Rajagopal’s Visit
The BC Centre for Palliative Care and Victoria Hospice are co-presenting the BC premiere of the feature-length documentary film, Hippocratic: 18 Experiments in Gently Shaking the World, based on the extraordinary life and work of Dr. M.R. Rajagopal. The movie will be followed by a Q&A with Rajagopal. The palliative care doctor from India will be in B.C. to talk about his humanitarian work and for the screening of Hippocratic. Date: Tuesday, April 10. Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Location: Park Theatre, 3440 Cambie Street, Vancouver. Tickets: $16 per person, available at: https://tickets.demand.film/event/3792
Healthy & Financially Sustainable Meal Plans
Register for Food and Finance and learn how to create healthy and financially sustainable meal plans at the George Mackie Library on Wednesday, April 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. and at the Ladner Pioneer Library on Tuesday, April 17 from 7-8:30 pm. Sheilagh Cahill, a Financial Educator with the Credit Counselling Society will share tips on frugal meal plans. Tsawwassen Library will be hosting this program on Tuesday, June 19, 7 pm – 8:30 pm.
Soz: A Ballad of Maladies
84 minutes. Directed: Tushar Madhav and Sarvnik Kaur. Q & A with the directors and discussion following the screening on Saturday April 14, 2-5 p.m. Room: 4955, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, SFU, 149 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. Produced after three years of research in the Kashmir valley, this documentary breaks through the official and popular representation of Kashmir to reveal a deeply militarized conflict zone. Tushar Madhav is a documentary filmmaker based in Mumbai. Sarvnik Kaur is a writer and filmmaker who is also based in Mumbai. This is their first film. This is a free event. RSVP: cbanerjee@telus.net
Valley Royals Track & Field Club
Second Annual Vaisakhi Festival Track & Field Meet on Sunday, April 15 at Rotary Stadium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No fees for participation and admission. Donations and sponsorships are welcome. We are also encouraging non track and field athletes to come and compete, participate or watch . We are trying to reach out to the entire community with all backgrounds and abilities. We are offering an opportunity to learn about other cultures and neighbourhoods through Vaisakhi festival traditional food, henna, dresses, Gatka, Bhangra, tug of war and many other fun activities. We are also inviting Special Olympic athletes in races and javelin events. Therefore, special needs or abilities people are welcome to participate. We are offering races for young children , moms and elderly people to participate. A special 4×100 family relay is a unique feature to have entire family competing and cheering for prizes. Free Lunch (Langar) from Sikh temple is provided for all spectators and participants. We are a not-for-profit organization promoting community harmony and health through such events. For participation and registering for events, go to www.valleyroyals.ca and register early or email: dawn_driver@hotmail.com
Voices of Muslim Women: VMW Awards Gala
On Sunday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m., Voices of Muslim Women (VMW) will be holding their annual VMW Awards Gala, a public event that will be held at the Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey. Hosts this year include Aliza Vellani, of the award-winning CBC series, “Little Mosque on the Prairie”, and UBC Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair Dr Ayesha S. Chaudhry. The evening will feature a screening of locally produced films, and an awards ceremony honoring the achievements and contributions of local Muslim women. Additionally, there will be a photography exhibit featuring award winning photographer, Alia Youssef’s “The Sisters Project”. For tickets, more information or for any inquiries, email gala@voicesofmuslimwomen.com.
International Dance Day
We Dance – Celebrating International Dance Day is the 4th annual opportunity for the public to take free workshops in diverse dance styles as well as view a showcase of dance. Join for free dance workshops on Friday, April 27 from 1-2:30 p.m.; catch emerging and professional dancers display their talent through a free dance showcase performance on Saturday, April 28 from 2-3:30 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 about We Dance: Celebrating International Dance Da, visit http://iddrichmond.wixsite.com/iddrichmondbc.
Investors Group Walk for Alzheimer’s
Register and fundraise today at walkforalzheimers.ca: White Rock, North Delta and Surrey – no one should walk alone. Show an estimated 70,000 British Columbians living with dementia and the people who care for them – you stand with them. Join the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s movement to create a dementia-friendly society, by rallying together with your family, friends and colleagues and walking on Sunday, May 6. Location: Eaglequest Golf at Coyote Creek, 7778 152nd Street. Registration: 9:30 a.m. Walk: 10:30 a.m.
CBC Vancouver: Science Fair
This spring, CBC Vancouver launches its first-ever Science Fair on Sunday, May 27. Grades six and seven students from across B.C. and the nation are invited to submit their best hypothesis centred on the themes environment and / or technology for a chance to present their project at CBC Vancouver headquarters, 700 Hamilton Street. When: Sunday, May 27, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at CBC Vancouver, 700 Hamilton Street in the atrium and room 700. Why: To engage junior students in a community-based Science Fair. In order to apply, interested students are asked to submit a short 100-word hypothesis about their concept for the science fair project, along with key application information on the website at www.cbc.ca/cbcsciencefair by April 15 at 11:59 p.m. PST. The grand prize is a special CBC Vancouver Science Fair trophy, a $750 gift card from Best Buy, and a spot in one of Simon Fraser University’s Science Al!ve Summer Camps. In addition, Johanna will feature the winner’s project on her CBC TV segment Science Smart. More information: www.cbc.ca/cbcsciencefair.
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