(These are FREE listings. Email: EditorVoice@gmail.com)
Free Basketball Camp in January
Fraser Valley Basketball Association (FVBA) is a federal non-profit community organization which is committed to the enjoyment and development of basketball among children. They are conducting FREE basketball camps in the month of January: January 17-18, 24-25. Camps are absolutely free. They believe that every child deserves to play. The camps will be held on Saturdays and Sundays. Gym location: 6962 124 Street, Surrey. For more info, call 778-833-3822. basketballfv.com
Surrey Libraries: How to Pay for College & University
Post-secondary education can be expensive. Discover options available to assist you. What are scholarships and bursaries? What kind of financial aid is available? How do you apply? Get answers at the How to Pay for School information session on Saturday, January 17, 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Guildford Library. Free. All ages welcome. Register at 604-598-7366 or email ajhomfeld@surrey.ca
South Asian Seniors: Impact of Religion
Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults / senior members and non-members to attend a lecture on Impact of Religion in Our Life in Foreign Countries by Mahant Purshotam Dasji on Sunday, January 18, 2-3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 – 140th Street, Surrey. Your views on religion will be welcomed after the lecture is over. Tea and light snacks will be served. Contact Surendra Handa, Coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for further details.
Centre for Indo Canadian Studies, UFV
Seventh exhibition launch at Sikh Heritage Museum located in the National Historic Site, Gur Sikh Temple, 33094 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford. This exhibition features the very important stories of the only 10 known Canadian Sikh soldiers to have served in WWI. The launch date, Sunday, January 18 (1-3 p.m.) will feature original artifacts and materials for viewing as UFV works in partnership with the Indus Media Foundation of Canada and the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada in Toronto. The launch will also feature Q & A with documentary filmmaker David Gray – Canadian Soldier Sikhs: A Little Story in a Big War – and a talk by Lt.-Col. Harjit Singh Sajjan of the British Columbia Regiment. All are invited to attend and refreshments will follow the short program. The exhibition will be available for viewing yearlong until December 2015.
SAFA Annual General Meeting
SAFA’s Annual General Meeting on January 18, 2-4 p.m. at Multi-Purpose Room, Sunset Community Centre, 6810 Main Street, Vancouver. Phone: (604) 718-6505. All current and new members are invited to come and hear what SAFA has been doing and what is planned for the future.
Developing Confidence, Self-Esteem in Children
Wednesday, January 21, from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in learning techniques to build your child’s confidence and self-esteem? Attend a free program ‘Developing Confidence and Self-Esteem in Children’ at Muriel Arnason Library, 20338 65 Avenue, Langley. Stacey Phillips, Registered Clinical Counsellor, will share useful tools for communicating with children and better understanding their behaviours and needs. Call 604-532-3590 or visit the library to register for this free program.
All Star Wrestling
At Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver, on Friday, January 23. Doors open at 7 p.m. Former WWE Star Jinder Mahal vs Travis Sionys; Azeem The Dream vs Mr India; The Great Kasaki vs Fabulous Fabio. Ladies Wrestling: Bambi Hall vs vixen. The Breakers vs Johnny Obsession & Christopher Ryseck. Don Ciever vs Hurricane Adam Ryder. Flexx Payne vs Toga Boy. Meet the wrestlers after the show at Hudsons Landing Pub,1041 Southwest Marine Drive, Vancouver. Phone: 604-263-5445. Tickets prices: $20 for Front Row; $15 for General Admission. Available at: www.allstar-wrestling.com / 604-710-0872 or at: Bruce Guitars, 434 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, (604) 428-9118.
‘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.
Surrey Libraries: Snail Mail Social
Make someone feel extra special by taking the time to craft a note or letter with your very own hands. They will receive it in the mail just in time for Valentine’s Day. We provide typewriter, fancy pens, decorative paper, envelopes, glue sticks and more. Tuesday, January 27, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Guildford Library. Free. Register at 604-598-7366.
Shakti
Community café addressing violence against women. Our first community café of the year is aimed at bringing organizations and community members together to talk about their challenges in this work and how we can become better organized to end violence against women. With this focus, we are calling our community café – ‘What is violence against women: Why should you care?’ Wednesday January 28, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Bollywood Banquet Hall 8166—128th Street, Surrey. Panel of speakers with brief presentations. Café style small group discussions. This forum is a free event and is open to men and women of all backgrounds. Childminding will be provided upon request and light refreshments will be served—pre-registration required. For additional information or to confirm your participation, contact Sonia Andhi at 604-307-8796 or email shaktisociety2000@gmail.com.
Langley’s International Festival Society
5th annual Multicultural Gala Dinner & Awards evening on Saturday, January 31 at 6 p.m. at the Langley Golf and Banquet Centre at 4343 – 216 Street, Langley. The celebration recognizes the individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the Spirit of Cultural Diversity to the Langley community through their activities, volunteer work or employment. There will be four awards in four different categories including Youth, Seniors, Community Services Award, and Education. Think of a Langley resident or Langley-based organization or an institution that you would like to nominate that has made an outstanding contributions to the Langley community through their activities, work or employment. Nominees must be current residents and / or has employment / business proprietors within Langley. Nomination forms and details for submitting the applications are available on website: www.internationalfestival.ca/. The nominations must be submitted latest by January 5.
If you are interested in attending this entertaining evening, reserve your seat online at www.internationalfestival.ca/ or email at gala@internationalfestival.ca or call 778-298-7703.
Newton BIA
February 1, 12-2 p.m. at The Newton Grove (next to the Newton Wave Pool / 13730 72 Avenue, Surrey): The first ever Groundhog Day in Newton. A free, family-friendly event. Opening ceremony with City Councillor Vera Lefranc. Giant tree stump with Lou Jack (Early Pioneer) the Groundhog. Crafts table for kids & goodie bags presented by Deserres and the Youth Arts Council. Groundhog photo board for pictures donated by Fast Signs. Groundhog Day coupons / token for promotions at local businesses. Live music performed by Juno nominated local musician Neil Harnett (www.neilharnett.com). Closing ceremony with Lou Jack the Groundhog popping out to determine the length of winter. Plus a free screening of “Groundhog Day” the Movie at Hollywood 3 Cinemas @ 2 p.m.
World Interfaith Harmony Week
The UNO in October 2010 proclaimed the first week of February, every year, the World Interfaith Harmony Week. This year Global Clergy Association of Canada will celebrate in collaboration with the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society and Multifaith Action Society on February 3 at Laxmi Narayan Mandir, 8321-140 Street in Surrey. Program will commence at 7 p.m. It will include prayers and talks from religious representatives of Bahai, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, Unitarianism and Zoroastrianism, musical items and panel discussion. All are welcome. Dinner will be served to all guests. For further information, call Satish Kumar, President of VHCS, at 604-596-4777, Dr. J. Das at 604-599-6876 or coordinator Acharya Dwivedi at 604-507-3099.
Surrey Women in Business Award Nominations
The 6th Annual Surrey Women in Business Awards organized by the Surrey Board of Trade with presenting sponsor, Vancity, is taking place in March. Nominations are now open. Nominate a Surrey businesswoman in one of the four award categories: Entrepreneur, Corporate / Leadership, Professional, or Not-for-Profit Leader. Go to: www.businessinsurrey.com for details. Nomination deadline: Friday, February 6. For additional information about the event or assistance with completing a nomination, contact Brianne Colbert, Event Marketing Coordinator, at the Surrey Board of Trade, at brianne@businessinsurrey.com or 604-634-0347.
UN World Interfaith Harmony Week
Saturday, February 7, 1-4 p.m., at Surrey City Centre Library, Room 120. The Surrey Interfaith Council is hosting an Interfaith Celebration to wrap up “World Interfaith Harmony Week 2015”. This year we will focus on the spirit of love and devotion, requesting people from various faiths and traditions to offer prayers and blessings by reciting, singing or chanting them. Participants appreciate the opportunity to have conversations with one another. Therefore, this celebration will provide ample time for that to take place focusing on the theme, “Acceptance and Respect for all Faiths.” Dr. Scott Dunbar will give a keynote address to provide focus for the small group discussions. He is an Associate to the UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations at Monash University, Australia, as well as a faculty member in Monash’s Centre of Religious Studies.
Sai Lakshacharan
All devotees are invited at Hindu Cultural Society and Community Center of B.C. (3885 Albert Street, Burnaby) to participate in Sai Lakshacharan Japa and Bhajans on Saturday, February 7 at 5 p.m. Program: 5:15-6:15 p.m. Bhajan / Kirtan. 6:30-7:15 p.m. Sai Japa. 7:30 p.m. Priti Bhojan. Contact: Rajubhai Parekh at 604-327-8259; Vijaybhai Dayal at 604-986-5958; Kantibhai Patel at 604-522-7989; or Temple at 604-299-5922.
St. Mark Concert Series
A non-profit event: Steve Maddock in a concert of hot jazz for a cool season on Sunday, February 8, 2-4:15 p.m. at Mark Ocean Park, 12953 20 Avenue, Surrey. Arts & Entertainment, Benefits, Music. Teens, 19+, Seniors: Cost $15.
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.