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Vancouver Rally to Stop Bill C-51
On Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m. at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street), Vancouverites are being invited to join with thousands of Canadians and residents of Canada across the country in solidarity against Bill C-51 at a family friendly, peaceful demonstration against the federal government’s proposed “Anti-Terrorism” legislation. Vancouver’s rally is the joint effort of a broad coalition facilitated by a group of concerned citizens. All federal political parties and MPs in Greater Vancouver have been invited to participate as well. This program will begin at 1 p.m. and will conclude with a march through downtown Vancouver. The march will include several short stops during which the public will be invited to engage in discussion about Bill C-51. For more information about the rally program, visit www.stopbillc51.ca/vancouver.
Vancouver Sun Run
Register in person at The Sun Run Fair from now until Saturday. The run takes place on Sunday, April 19 at 9 a.m. in downtown Vancouver. Register for the Individual 10K and The Shaw Mini Sun Run in person only on Saturday at The Sun Run Fair at BC Place Stadium. This is also the location for this year’s race package pick-up and Sunday’s Wrap Party. Race package pick-up at The Sun Run Fair is for Individual 10K or Shaw Mini Sun Run registrants only. All corporate and youth teams are to see their team captain for bib and t-shirt pick up. In-training participants are to see their clinic leader. Sun Run Fair time: Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. There is no race day registration. Registration fees: Individual 10K $60 (inclusive of taxes and fees) at The Sun Run Fair. 2.5K Shaw Mini Sun Run: $30 (Under 18 years), $40 (18 years and older) at the Sun Run Fair (prices include taxes and fees). Adults or escorts must accompany the children in The Shaw Mini Sun Run – all adult escorts or parents must register. There is no fee for adult escorts or parents unless a t-shirt is requested. All fees include a souvenir t-shirt. Kids get a paint-your-own t-shirt and a box of paints. The Vancouver Sun Run is open to international elite competitors, recreational runners, joggers and walkers, wheelchair competitors, teams, schools and children. The 2.5K Shaw Mini Sun Run starts at 8 a.m. For more information, visit vancouversunrun.com or call 604-689-9441.
Delhi-ites of B.C. Meet
Delhi-ites of B.C. are getting together again on Sunday, April 19 at Vancouver’s Fraserview Hall to celebrate Vaisakhi. Tombola, karaoke, musical chairs and many door prizes are the major attraction and like last time, the cost is $25 for adults & $15 for children and can be purchased in advance from Kamal’s Video Palace (604-592-9777) or from Delhi-ite volunteers.
MOSAIC: Free Community Workshops
Ways for Newcomers to Improve Job Search Skills: 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.
Seva Canada
An Evening of Sight – exclusive pre-release screening of Highway to Dhampus in support of Seva Canada. Local innovative social justice film society, Reel Causes, is teaming up with international eye health organization Seva Canada to present An Evening of Sight on Wednesday, April 22 at SFU Woodward’s Djavad Mowafaghian Theatre, 149 West Hastings Street. Attendees will connect in person with the filmmaker as well as representatives from Seva Canada, and come away with practical ideas how they, personally, can make a positive difference. Director Rick McFarland, Executive Producer Kathy McFarland and the Executive Director of Seva Canada, Penny Lyons, will join in the conversation. Doors open 6:30 p.m.; event starts 7:15 p.m. Tickets: $10 / $15 in advance through www.reelcauses.org or at the door.
Update on Surrey’s Crime Reduction Activities
On Friday, April 24, the Surrey Board of Trade will host Chief Superintendent Bill Fordy, Officer-in-Charge of the Surrey RCMP, in his annual luncheon address. He will provide an update on crime in Surrey, his plans for Surrey under his leadership of the Surrey RCMP and the relationship between the RCMP and Surrey’s business community. The event will also feature an update on the results of Surrey’s Crime Reduction Strategy by the City of Surrey. In addition, MLA Darryl Plecas, who is also the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General for Crime Reduction will provide an overview of the recommendations of the BC Government’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Crime Reduction. Location: Eaglequest Golf Course (7778-152 Street, Surrey). Lunch and Registration at 11:30 a.m. Program 12-1:30 p.m. Admission: $45 + GST each (member) or $55+ GST each (non-member). For further information, contact Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade, at anita@businessinsurrey.com or at 604-634-0342.
Fund Raising for OXFAM
Variety Show at South Arm United Church (#3 and Steveston Road) in Richmond on Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20 / Seniors and students: $15 / Chikdren under 7: Free. For details, contact Orval Chapman at 604-278-2543.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Career Start Program
Free three-week workshop in English from April 25 to May 9: Career Start Program (Mentorship Program) on Saturdays (April 25, May 2 and May 9), 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at 28 West Pender Street, Vancouver. Who should participate: Been in Canada for less than 5 years; intermediate to advanced English level; interested in building interview and resume writing skills to explore IT and business careers. Presented by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. in partnership with Accenture. Questions or RSVP: email your resume to careerstart@success.bc.ca, or contact Dingying Tang at 604-558-4909, ext. 127.
Pakistan-Canada Association AGM
2015 AGM will be held on Sunday, April 26 at Vancouver Jamia Masjid (655 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver) starting at 11 a.m. Minutes from previous AGM along with financial statements for fiscal year 2014-2015 will be presented. For more information, contact Haroon Khan at 604-720-8054.
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.
Fraser Valley Basketball Association Free Camps
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 May (May 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24). They believe that every child deserves to play. The camps will be held on Saturdays and Sundays Gym location: 6933 124 Street, Surrey. For more info, call 778-833-3822. Email: basketballfv@gmail.com. www.fvbball.com
Talk on Reducing Violence in Pakistan
“Reducing Sectarian-Religious Violence in Pakistan: Role of the Diaspora” at Room 120, Surrey City Centre Library, 10350 University Drive, Surrey, on Saturday, May 2. Doors open at 1 p.m. to meet / greet. Talk begins at 2 p.m. Aden Dur-e-Aden, Emilia Valsta, and Dr. Muhammad Iqbal. Co-sponsored by South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy, and the Committee of Progressive Pakistani Canadians.
Indo-Africa Charitable Society
Indo-Africa Charitable Society (IACS) will be holding its 4th Annual Mother’s Day Fundraising Gala Event on Friday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Riverside Signature Banquet Hall, 13030 – 76 Avenue, Surrey. Tickets – Adults: $30 per person; Table of 10: $275. Funds raised at the gala will assist the organization to continue in their efforts to relieve poverty in developing nations by means of promoting, providing and supporting public health, safe drinking water and advancement of education. For more information, contact Vasant Lakhani at (604) 987-1925.
Historic C.P.R Locomotive 374
128th Anniversary Celebration (374 Pavilion is part of the West Coast Railway Association) on Sunday, May 17, 12- 3 p.m. with live music, cake, and arts & crafts. Free fun for the whole family at Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (at the corner of Davie Street & Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver).
Surrey Mayor’s State of City Lunch
On Wednesday, May 20, join Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner for her first Annual State of the City Address. The presentation will feature a discussion on Surrey’s Economic Outlook and plans for the coming year. Hosted by: the Surrey Board of Trade, the Cloverdale BIA, the Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Surrey BIA, the Newton BIA, the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Surrey. Location: Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel (15269 104 Avenue, Surrey). Time: Registration at 11:15 a.m.; Program 12–1:30 p.m. Admission: $80 +GST each or $800 +GST for a table of 10.
Surrey International Children’s Festival
Tickets for the 11th annual Surrey International Children’s Festival are on sale at the Surrey Arts Centre box office. This year’s festival is being held May 21-23 with seven ticketed headline performances over three days. Tickets are $10 each. A Saturday “All Access Pass” is also available for $12, which allows full access to all performances (subject to show availability) and all arts activities on site. Entrance to the festival is free, as are many community performances and art activities. The Surrey International Children’s Festival exposes children to the arts in a fun and interactive way. This year’s line-up ranges from preschool performances for children as young as six months to intermediate shows for older children, aged 9 and up. Purchase tickets online at www.surrey.ca/childrensfestival or by calling the Box Office at 604-501-5566. Check the website for full festival programming information.
Canada India Education Council (CIEC)
ScholarSHIP 2015 Fundraising Dinner on Sunday, May 31, 6:30-10 p.m. in Vancouver. ‘ScholarSHIP 2015’ will take place on board a cruise ship in Vancouver Harbour. Participants will enjoy networking opportunities with dignitaries, education ministers and policy makers, academic champions and key stakeholders, as well as on-board Bollywood entertainment. It will serve as a great way to highlight emerging issues and areas of possible co-operation between Canada and India, as well as governments’ programs and policies in the education sector. info@canadaindiaeducation.com