B.C. EVENTS: For the week of Saturday, March 24

 

(These are FREE listings. Submit your event at EditorVoice@gmail.com)

 

 

 

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.

 

MOSAIC: Tax Clinic

 

Need help to prepare your tax return? Volunteers can help you prepare your income tax and benefit return if you have modest income and a simple tax situation. Must be a permanent resident and filing for 2017 only. Call for more information and eligibility. Registration is required. Language support available. Dates: March 24, 26, 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at MOSAIC Head Office, 5575 Boundary Road, Vancouver. Contact: Katherine 604-254-9626

 

Detoxifying Masculinities: A South Asian Conversation

 

Saturday, March 24, 1-4 p.m. Room A122a, Langara College, 100 49th Avenue, Vancouver. The forum will address three main concerns: how the family reproduces and normalizes masculine aggression; how society endorses these views of masculinity; and why today it is crucial for young men to overcome the toxic masculinity and sexism prevalent within our communities. The #metoo campaign has made the issue of toxic masculinities a mainstream concern across the globe. But the recent local convictions of the killers of Maple Batalia, Jassi Sidhu, and Amanpreet Kaur Bahia focus our attention on the ongoing and structural problem of sexism and toxic masculinity within the South Asian community. Presentation by the panelists we will be followed by small group discussion to maximize participation. Organized by SANSAD (South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy) and supported by Langara College.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1986249388305596/

 

Abbotsford Police: Drive Thru Club Event

 

The Abbotsford Police Department invites Abbotsford residents to drop by Sevenoaks Shopping Centre (access off Gladwin Road by The Bay) on Saturday, March 24 for APD’s “Drive Thru Club Event.” Pre-2007 vehicles are targets for vehicle thieves.  The APD is offering a free steering wheel club to Abbotsford residents who drive 2007 or older model year vehicles. Bring your vehicle registration and get your free club. Want to know which vehicles are the most appealing to thieves? According to police reports, the following were the most popularly stolen vehicles in 2016- older styles of: 1. Ford F Series pickup trucks. 2. Honda Civic & CRX. 3. Dodge pickup trucks. 4. GMC / Chevrolet pickup trucks. 5. Ford E Series vans. 6. Jeep Cherokee / Grand Cherokee. 7. Acura Integra. 8. Toyota Corolla. 9. Honda CRV. 10. Dodge Caravan. Visit the ICBC website for even more tips on preventing auto crime.

 

International Day Against Racism and Bigotry March

 

The annual International Day Against Racism and Bigotry March will be held in Vancouver on Saturday, March 24 at 1 p.m., starting at Thornton Park (Main Street SkyTrain Station). Well-known academic and activist Sunera Thobani will speak at march on Islamophobia and White Supremacy. Speakers will address the failure of the Canadian justice system in the murder of Colten Boushie, Tina Fontaine, and Tony Du, the mass shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City that killed six and wounded 19 people, the alarming increase in hate crime since 2015, the danger of right wing populism / fascism and the failure of the justice system to protect people.

 

Canadian Eyesight Global: Free Eye Health Clinic                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

Canadian Eyesight Global’s Free Eye Health Clinic, sponsored by Rotary Club of Surrey-Guildford, will be held at the Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple, 18691 Westminster Highway, Richmond, on Sunday, March 25, 1-4 p.m. A team of eye surgeon Dr. David Neima and associates will participate. Everyone is welcome. Volunteer help needed. Anyone interested in sponsoring an eye camp in their village in Punjab or any part of India should contact Anup Singh Jubbal, President, Canadian Eyesight Global, at (604)582-0579 / www.CanadianEyesight.org

 

South Asian Seniors: Bingo

 

Vedic Senior Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian adults / senior members as well as non-members to come and play bingo for the sake of entertainment and make some new friends on Sunday, March 25, 2-3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 140th Street, Surrey. Bring only two dollars with you to play two games. If you do not know how to play, members will explain it to you. Tea and snacks will be served. Call Surendra Handa, coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for further details.

 

South Asian Film Education Society

 

Presents a film screening and discussion of “Lipstick Under My Burkha” on Sunday, March 25, 2-5 p.m. Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava and starring Ratna Pathak Shah and Konkona Sen Sharma. Four women set on a journey to break free from conservative society toward freedom and happiness This is a free public screening. https://twitter.com/LipstickMovie. Language: Hindi / Urdu (with English subtitles). Running time: 117 min. Venue: Room 4955 – SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings, Vancouver.

 

Telephone Townhall: MLA Rachna Singh

 

Telephone Townhall with Rachna Singh, MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers, on Monday, March 26 for the very first telephone town hall. She will be answering questions about this year’s budget and what it means for Surrey-Green Timbers, as well as any other questions you might have. Call in on 1-877-229-8493 ID Code: 117 264. The town hall will start at 6 p.m. sharp, so start to call in a few minutes beforehand to make sure your question gets heard.

 

Walk for Alzheimer’s

 

In Richmond, join us to hear from Alzheimer Society of B.C. past board chair and Vancouver Walk honouree Michelle Buchignani, learn about the programs and services the Alzheimer Society of B.C. provides, and experience a Minds in Motion session on Tuesday, March 27 at 3 p.m. at South Arm Community Centre, 8880 Williams Road. RSVP: Email rsvp@alzheimerbc.org by Monday, March 26. The 2018 Investors Group Walk for Alzheimer’s will take place in 23 locations across B.C. on Sunday, May 6. Find an event near you and register online today at walkforalzheimers.ca.

 

Canadian Citizenship Test Preparation

 

In English with Hindi, Urdu & Punjabi language support. Join us for a 2-day workshop to prepare for Canadian citizenship. The session will be facilitated by MOSAIC staff. We will talk about topics such as Canada’s history, symbols, government and geography, as well as the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. March 28 & 29, 1:30-4:30 p.m. þ MOSAIC Surrey Office, #200 7134 King George Boulevard. Contact: Attif at 778-591-9334 / aihsan@mosaicbc.org

 

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 morning 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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

(For more events, visit the “Events” section of our website at voiceonline.com)