OBITUARY
JASWANT SINGH MALHI
With great sadness we announce that Jaswant Singh Malhi of village Gholia Khurd, District Moga, Punjab, passed away on March 28. He leaves behind two sons, Amarjit Singh Malhi and Parmjit Singh Malhi, two daughters-in-law and five grandkids.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 5 at 3 p.m. at Riverside Funeral Home in Delta. Last rites and prayers will be held at Ross Street Gurudwara in Vancouver following the funeral. For condolences, please call 604-930-8490 or 604-728-7793.
B.C. EVENTS
(These are FREE listings. Email: EditorVoice@gmail.com)
Terry Fox Training Run
On Saturday, April 4, residents of British Columbia’s Tri-Cities and the surrounding communities will have the opportunity to do just that while raising funds for cancer research. They will take runners along the same 10 mile (16 kilometre) route he took through the streets of Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Port Moody. The event takes place at Westwood Elementary School in Port Coquitlam with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m. The run will start at 7:30 a.m. The opening ceremony, which includes the unveiling of the permanent route signs, will begin at 9:45 a.m. The community walk will begin at 10 a.m. Visit www.terryfoxtrainingrun.com to register for the run or walk. There is no fee to participate in this event and donations are greatly appreciated. Registration will also be accepted on the morning of the run. Shirts to commemorate the event are also available on the website and at the event for $35.
South Asian Seniors: Cruise to Panama Canal
Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey has organized a 19-day cruise to Panama Canal and a tour to Orlando Attractions USA from April 15 to May 8. The meeting of all the families (52 members) who have already registered for the cruise has been arranged for April 5 at 2 p.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 – 140th Street, Surrey. The meeting is to get to know each other and to discuss some important issues regarding the tour and may take place for an hour. Tea and light snacks will be served. Contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for more information.
MOSAIC: Free Community Workshops
Canadian Citizenship Preparation: April 6 & 9, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Brentwood Community Resource Centre, 2055 Rosser Avenue, Burnaby. Phone: 604-292-3908. April 8 & 9, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Vancouver Public Library Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street, Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level. Phone: 604-254-9626. April 13 & 14, 5:30–8:30 p.m. at Bob Prittie Metrotown Burnaby Public Library, 6100 Willingdon Avenue. Phone: 604-438-8214, ext 114. * Ways for Newcomers to Improve Job Search Skills: April 14: Creating a powerful résumé. April 21: Tips for writing various types of cover letters. April 29: Developing effective interview skills and improving your confidence level – 2–4 p.m. at MOSAIC Language Centre, 304–2730 Commercial Drive, Vancouver. Phone: 604-254-9626, ext. 227.
Shakti Society: 13th Annual Gala
Friday, April 10 at the Aria Banquet Hall in Surrey. To celebrate International Women’s Day and the accomplishments of women in our community. This year 13 awards will be given out to women who have been nominated for their achievements. The evening will be hosted by CKNW talk show host Maureen McGrath. An inspiring keynote address from Vicki Waters. Brand new Indian styles will be showcased in a fashion show by Resham Couture, coordinated by Mannu Sandhu. Come early to check out various different and unique vendors, silent auction, 50/50 raffle and door prizes. Tickets: $50 each or Table of 10 for $450. Tickets are available now. Contact the organizers or KVP Entertainers\ Kamal Sharma located in Surrey 604-592-9777 or Main Video Ltd located in Vancouver 604-322-5551. All proceeds will go to Shakti: Empowerment of Women, Children and Families Society. For further information about Shakti Awards or Shakti Society, contact Sonia Andhi at 604-307- 8796. Website: http://shaktisociety.com/ home/. https://www.facebook.com/events/940310892646407/
MP Jinn Sims: Advocacy into Action
The issues of mental health and suicide prevention are incredibly important in our society. Advocacy into Action will be held on Saturday, April 11, 1-4:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room of Bear Creek Church, 8383 140th Street, Surrey. The agenda afternoon includes time to visit booths set up by community groups; a panel on suicide prevention and mental health with time for audience questions; and small group strategy discussions around important questions. We will be collecting signatures on petitions that will be presented in the House of Commons and using the small group discussions to create strategies to pressure all levels of government to improve mental health care and suicide prevention programs. We are asking stakeholders, community groups and concerned individuals to join us in order to share your experiences and knowledge. If you have any questions, call Laurie at 604-598-2202 or Harj at 604-590-5868.
Free Eye Health Clinic
Canadian Eyesight Global has partnered with the Canadian National Institute of Blind (CNIB) and is organizing a free eye health clinic on Sunday, April 12, 1-4 p.m., at Richmond’s Nanak Niwas Sikh Temple, 8600 No.5 Road. A dedicated team of eminent eye surgeons including Dr. David R.S. Neima, Vice President, Canadian Eyesight Global, will participate in the free eye health clinic. Patients with serious eye problems will be referred to the specialists for further investigation and treatment. Free eye drops will be given to needy patients. www.CanadianEyesight.org. Phone: 604-582-0579 for more information.
Earth Day Pilgrimage
Burns Bog Conservation Society on April 26, to celebrate Earth Day, has planned “Pilgrimage Walk” in Burns Bog, Delta Nature Reserve, 10388 Nordel Court. Pilgrimage will begin at 1:35 p.m. It will be a cross-cultural family event. For further information, call 604-572-0373 or Acharya Dwivedi at 604-507-3099. For info on Burns Bog, visit: www.burnsbog.org.
Disposal in Surrey: Spring-Summer
No Dumping: For large items disposal, FREE pickup. Call City of Surrey at 604-590-7289 (then, option 3). Mattresses should be in a plastic bag, or shrink / saran wrapped. Collection carts: To request a larger or extra FREE recycling bins, call City of Surrey at 604-590-7289.
Need Help for Tax Return?
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) would like to remind Canadians with low or modest incomes that volunteers are available in the community to assist with the preparation of tax returns. Each year, through its Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, the CRA links with community organizations to train volunteers to complete basic tax returns. The community organizations hold tax-preparation clinics where the volunteers donate their time to help people with simple-tax filing situations complete their income tax and benefit returns, free of charge. To determine if you are eligible for this service call CRA toll-free at 1-800-959-8281, or visit www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer for a complete listing of volunteer tax preparation clinic locations.
MOSAIC: Free Multilingual Tax Clinics
For low income individuals and families filing basic 2014 tax returns. Service languages include: English, Cantonese, Farsi, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Malay, Mandarin and Spanish. By appointment only. Visit www.mosaicbc.com/settlement-services for more information. Burnaby (Permanent Residents only): 778-3215406. Vancouver (Permanent Residents, Naturalized Citizens and Work Permit Holders): 604-254-9626.
PICS Society: Volunteer Income Tax Clinic
Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society in partnership with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Clinic Program of CRA is offering free income tax filing services until the end of April. This program helps individuals 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 are located at the following locations: * PICS Head Office, #205—12725—80 Avenue, Surrey. * PICS White Rock Office 9by appointment only), #206—1461 Johnston Road, White Rock * PICS Vancouver Office (by appointment only), #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.
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 2014 free of cost, through the community volunteer Program of Canada Revenue Agency from now to April 20 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 and no partnership income, sin# card and photo identity will be required as proof. If you are eligible, contact Surendra Handa, Coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for further information.
Indo-Africa Charitable Society: Mother’s Day Celebrations
Fun filled celebrations with live entertainment on Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at Riverside Signature Banquet Hall, 13030 – 76 Avenue, Surrey. Tickets – Adults: $30 per person; Table of 10: $275; Children under 12: $10. Gujarati style meal. Cash bar. All net proceeds to serve homeless in Vancouver and less fortunate in India and Uganda. For more information, contact Vasant Lakhani at (604) 987-1925, vasantlakhani@gmail.com, www.indoafricacharity.com, www.vasantlakhani.com; or Rotary Club of Burnaby-Deer Lake’s Nasim Jiwa at 604-761-5492.
