B.C. EVENTS

OBITUARY

OBIT 1

JOHAL, GURDIAL “JOE”

Joe Johal, the grandson of one of India’s first pioneers to Canada passed away peacefully on February 24th at home surrounded by family.  Joe’s journey started Sept 21, 1946 in Vancouver, he grew up in Kitsalano, attending Henry Hudson Elementary and then Kitsalano High School. He was one of the “cool” kids and his life was full of adventure.  In his later years, Joe’s life was filled with the love for his family, especially his children and grandchildren.  He leaves behind a tremendous amount of people whose hearts he will be in forever. He was one of a kind, a true fighter, and will be greatly missed.  A funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 1, 10:00am at Riverside Funeral Home, 7410 Hopcott Road, Delta, followed by a church service at 1:30pm at Brookside Gurdawara, 8365 140th Street, Surrey.

 

 

 

 

 

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South Asian Seniors: Group Birthday

 

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian senior members to celebrate group birthday of 14 senior members born in January & February, on Saturday, February 28, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 140th Stree,t Surrey. It will start with serving snacks, tea and pop, and there will be live entertainment including Hindi songs sung by members.  Cake-cutting ceremony will take place and pure vegetarian lunch & dessert will be served. Registration required for non-members. Contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for registration.

 

KPU Surrey’s Open House

 

Surrey campus of Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) on Saturday, February 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Future students, local businesses, families and the general public are invited to check out interactive exhibits, attend mini-lectures, take a campus tour, and connect with instructors, students and alumni. Activities including sculpture creation, an indoor putting green and mini golf, a chemistry magic show, salsa dance lessons and a social media contest. There will also be entertainment, prizes and The Beat 94.5 on site. There will be a free shuttle between campus and the nearby Newton Athletic Park for any visitors who want to see the KPU Eagles men’s and women’s soccer teams in action at the Eagle’s Nest. Prizes include $500 tuition waivers and other prizes totaling more than $3,000. You can win prizes by tweeting at the open house using the hashtag #KPUOpenHouse. While not required, advance registration is recommended at kpu.ca/openhouse. KPU Surrey is located at 12666-72nd Ave. Parking is free. For more information, contact the KPU Future Students’ Office at 604-599-3030 or email study@kpu.ca.

 

Vigil for Transit Police Shooting Victim

 

Vigil for Naverone Woods, who died at the hands of Transit Police, at Surrey Central SkyTrain Station on Saturday, February 28, 4:30-6 p.m. Speakers will include Naverone Woods’s family members, Union of BC Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, and representatives of Transportation Not Deportation and community groups concerned about political and social justice issues. The vigil marks the two-month anniversary of Woods tragic death.

 

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 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. 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.

 

Minerva Foundation for BC Women

 

Seeking applicants for the next installment of Women Leading the Way – a distinctive, interactive, part-time leadership training program for women who want to have an impact in business, government and community. The deadline for applications is June 1. Women interested in learning more about Women Leading the Way can call (604) 683-7635, ext. 228, or email wlw@theminervafoundation.com. More information and an application package are online at https://theminervafoundation.com/lead/leadership-development/women-leading-the-way

 

South Asian Seniors: Management of Pain

 

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults / senior members as well as non-members to attend presentation – Management of Pain ( Joints & Body) for Seniors – by Amit Kumar, Director, Consultant Occupational Life Skills Therapy, on Sunday, March 1, 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. Call Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for more info.

 

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.

 

MP Jinny Sims Town Hall Meetings

 

MP Jinny Sims hosts two Town Hall meetings: * Child Care Meeting: Sims will be holding a discussion. Child care providers have been invited, along with parents and interested community member, to take part in this discussion on child care on March 3, 7-8:30 p.m., at Frank Hurt Secondary Theatre, 13940 77 Avenue, Surrey. * Enbridge Town Hall Meeting with MPs Nathan Cullen and Sims. Cullens will be presenting his Bill C-628, An Act to Defend the Pacific Northwest, along with the work he has done to protect the North Coast of BC on Wednesday, March 4, 7-8:30 p.m., at Kwantlen Polytechnic Campus, Fir Building, Room 128, 12666 72 Avenue, Surrey.

 

Surrey Libraries: Author Events

 

* Authors Among Us will take place Wednesday, March 4, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Guildford Library: Tom Zytaruk, Sandy Chernoff, Diana Ng, and Judy McFarlane will speak to the theme Trailblazers and Pathfinders: Making Our Own Way. Call 604-598-7366 to save your spot. * Canadian Mystery & Crime Writers will share their writing experiences at the Fleetwood Library on Saturday, March 7,   11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Dietrich Kalteis, E.R. Brown, Robin Spano and Sam Wiebe.  To register, call 604-598-7347. * Meet Gerard LaSalle on Tuesday, March 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Newton Library. Register at 604-598-7406. LaSalle is an MD, CMO, award-winning filmmaker, teacher, and story-teller.

 

Vancouver International Women in Film Festival

 

10th annual Vancouver International Women in Film Festival, March 4-8. Margarita, With a Straw (Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m.) is the gala festival opener. It is an Indian coming of age film about a young college student who struggles with a disability, romance and moving from Delhi to NYC for her studies.  More info about the film on the festival website:

http://www.womeninfilm.ca/2015_Film_Festival_Films.html#Last. The festival is organized by Women in Film and Television Vancouver, a not-for-profit organization to further the careers of women in screen-based media.

 

Surrey Women in Business Awards

 

On Thursday, March 5, the Surrey Board of Trade will host the 6th Annual Surrey Women in Business Awards Luncheon. Keynote speaker Justin Trudeau, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Steve Darling of Global BC is Master of Ceremonies. On Thursday, March 5 at Eaglequest Golf Course (7778 152nd Street, Surrey). Registration and lunch – 11:30 a.m.; program – 12-1:30 p.m. Admission (+GST): $55.00 each or $440.00 for a table of 8. Nominations were judged on the nominee’s work in Surrey, business acumen, leadership, balanced lifestyle and community involvement and service. For additional information about the event, contact Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade, at 604-340-3899. anita@businessinsurrey.com

 

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business Immigrant Integration Support (BIIS)

 

Free seminar on “How to do business with WorkSafeBC” on Friday, March 6, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Settlement and Business Centre (#570 – 1333 West Broadway, Vancouver). Speaker:  Michael Song, Occupational Hygiene Officer, WorkSafeBC. Information and registration: 604-558-4909 / businessinfo@success.bc.ca / www.successbiis.ca

 

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.

 

Surrey Arts Centre

 

Presents I Am Woman! Hear Me Laff!—an evening of ‘herlarious’ stand-up comics with Ash Dhawan, Julie Kim, Elvira Kurt, and emcee Betsy Bottom Dollar—on March 9 at 8 p.m. Adult material and situations. Tickets: $25–$40, including all fees. 604-501-5566 / https://tickets.surrey.ca / 13750–88 Avenue

 

International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination

 

Multicultural communities are invited to join Asian Pulse TV and Kidsplay to commemorate “The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination” to collectively work towards the elimination of all forms of racism and inequalities. This event is free and will be hosted at Kwantlen Polytechnic University on Saturday, March 21, 12-3 p.m. Come to listen, learn and join in the dialogue on personal and institutional racism, and solutions. The event will open with Aboriginal greeting by Alana Anderson,  a free lunch,  followed by a panel with a question and answer period.  Topics covered will include, racism in Canada and current geopolitical climates, media representations and terrorist labels, Islamaphobia, neo-Nazi movements, and personal narratives.  Some of the panelist’s include Tony McAleer,  Executive Director of Life After Hate, a former organizer for the White Aryan Resistance (WAR), served as a skinhead recruiter, proprietor of Canadian Liberty Net, Indira Prahst, Department of Sociology and Anthropology at  Langara and human rights activist, Charan Gill, founder of PICS and  community activist, Jodi Derkson with FAST, and  Sadia Sameeullah, outspoken activist and speaker within the Muslim community. For information call Kamilla Singh at (604) 537-5123.

 

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.