2018 Volkswagen Passat: Much Loved Sedan Keeps Impressing!

25 October 2017

By Autoreviewman

For the 2018 model year, the Volkswagen Passat continues on as one of the best sedans in its class. It is smart, beautifully made and extremely good value for money. The Passat is now available in three trim levels in Canada, with a choice of two engines at each level. A 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-4 is the base engine, teamed with a 6-speed automatic. It’s rated at 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. There is also a more powerful 280 horsepower V6 engine with 258 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices range from either a six speed manual transmission, through to a six speed automatic with Tiptronic manual control, or a very fast acting six-speed DSG automatic on the V6. The Passat is a smart, conservative looking car, the more upright styling giving excellent access and visibility. The four-bar front grille, LED headlights and taillights add sophistication, and class to this pretty four –door sedan.

The optional Driver Assistance Package for an additional $1,350, is highly recommended. It includes adaptive cruise control, which keeps a pre-set distance from the vehicle in front; lane assist that warns and assists you back if you cross the line; park distance control that sound a an audio alert if you are too close proximity to other objects or vehicles. There is also a self-parking feature that allows the Passat to park itself either parallel or perpendicularly using sensors.

Seats are firm, yet comfortable and offer good lumbar support. There is plenty of interior space while the rear has a roomy 60/40 folding rear seat with a folding armrest and a pass through. The trunk has an Easy open feature and provided an impressive amount of cargo space.

On the road, the Passat’s V6 engine proves to be a smooth unit with ample torque in the mid-range, where it’s needed. The V6 makes 280 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, it is more than ample for all driver’s need. Do a lot of highway miles, then the V6 is superbly suited for this, offering fast accelerates and has a wide power band. The electric power steering is precise, and very good highway stability makes it an excellent long-distance machine. In short, nothing to really complain about, the V6 is a bit heavier on fuel, but offers considerably more power. Highly recommended.

2018 Volkswagen Passat Highline Price as tested; $39,095 Plus freight, PDI and AC Tax.

Almost 2 million South Asians in Canada, largest visible minority group

25 October 2017

SOUTH Asians continue to be the largest visible minority group in Canada with 1,924,635 people, representing one-quarter (25.1%) of the visible minority population and 5.6% of the entire Canadian population, according to the 2016 Census.

Statistics Canada reported on Wednesday that Chinese and Blacks were the two other largest visible minority groups in Canada.

Chinese formed the second largest visible minority group, with 1,577,060 individuals, representing 20.5% of the visible minority population.

The Black population in Canada surpassed the one-million mark for the first time in 2016. This visible minority group, the third largest in terms of number, comprised 1,198,540 individuals (15.6% of the visible minority population) in 2016, compared with 945,670 in 2011.

The fourth and fifth largest visible minority groups, Filipinos and Arabs, almost doubled their numbers in 10 years and had the highest growth rates among visible minority groups from 2006 to 2016.

They were followed by Latin Americans, Southeast Asians, West Asians, Koreans and Japanese.

THE increase in the number of immigrants from non-European countries, as well as their children and grandchildren born in Canada, has contributed to the growth of the visible minority population in Canada.

In 2016, 7,674,580 individuals were identified as belonging to the visible minority population as defined by the Employment Equity Act. They represented more than one-fifth (22.3%) of Canada’s population. Of this number, 3 in 10 were born in Canada.

The visible minority population has grown steadily since the 1981 Census, when data for the four Employment Equity groups (women, Aboriginal peoples, visible minorities and persons with disabilities) were first derived. At that time, the 1.1 million people belonging to a visible minority represented 4.7% of the total Canadian population.

If current trends continue, the visible minority population would continue to grow and could represent between 31.2% and 35.9% of the Canadian population by 2036.

CHANGES in the main source countries of immigrants have transformed the overall portrait of Canada’s foreign-born population. In 2016, almost half (48.1%) of the foreign-born population was born in Asia (including the Middle East), while a lower proportion (27.7%) was born in Europe.

Furthermore, African-born immigrants represented a growing share of the foreign-born population, increasing from 1.4% in the 1971 Census to 8.5% in the 2016 Census.

In 1871, in the first census held after Confederation, the foreign-born population was mainly from the British Isles (83.6%).

One hundred years later, the 1971 Census showed that individuals born in the British Isles still accounted for the largest group of foreign-born population, but their share had decreased significantly to 29.5%. The majority of the foreign-born population were from other European countries and the United States, while 10.9% of foreign-born were from other parts of the world.

Current immigration trends—if they continue—and the aging of established cohorts of immigrants mean that from 55.7% to 57.9% of all immigrants would be born in Asia by 2036, and from 15.4% to 17.8% would be born in Europe. The proportion of immigrants born in Africa is projected to increase to between 11.0% and 11.9% in 2036.

ALMOST 2.2 million children under the age of 15 were foreign-born (first generation) or had at least one foreign-born parent (second generation), representing 37.5% of all Canadian children. This is an increase from 2011, when this proportion was 34.6%. This population of children with an immigrant background could continue to grow and could represent from 39.3% to 49.1% of children under the age of 15 by 2036.

In 2016, the majority (74.0%) of these first- or second-generation children were from countries of ancestry in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Bermuda, Central and South America.

THE language composition of immigrants has changed over the past 100 years. The percentage of immigrants with English or French as a mother tongue decreased from 71.2% in 1921 to 27.5% in 2016, mirroring changes in the source countries of immigrants over the same period. Overall, statistics are presented on about 200 languages for the 2016 Census.

English and French remain the languages of convergence and integration into Canadian society. In 2016, the vast majority of the 7.5 million immigrants (93.2%) were able to conduct a conversation in English or in French. This means that only 6.8% of immigrants reported not being able to conduct a conversation either in English or in French.

IN 2016, Canada had 1,212,075 new immigrants who had permanently settled in Canada from 2011 to 2016. These recent immigrants represented 3.5% of Canada’s total population in 2016.

The majority (60.3%) of these new immigrants were admitted under the economic category, 26.8% were admitted under the family class to join family already in the country, and 11.6% were admitted to Canada as refugees.

Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal are still the place of residence of over half of all immigrants and recent immigrants to Canada. More immigrants are settling in the Prairies and in the Atlantic provinces.

THE Atlantic provinces were home to 2.3% of all recent immigrants in Canada in 2016. Each of the Atlantic provinces received its largest number of new immigrants, which more than doubled the share of recent immigrants in this region in 15 years.

Ontario, Canada’s most populous province and the place of residence of most of the country’s immigrants, received 39.0% of recent immigrants in 2016. This share decreased from 55.9% in 2001.

British Columbia also saw its share of recent immigrants decrease over the past 15 years, from 19.9% in 2001 to 14.5% in 2016.

In 2016, 17.8% of recent immigrants lived in Quebec, a higher share than in 2006 (17.5%) and in 2001 (13.7%). Overall, Quebec had the second highest number of recent immigrants in 2016, after Ontario.

REGINA, Winnipeg, Calgary, Saskatoon and Edmonton census metropolitan areas (CMAs) were the place of residence of a share of recent immigrants that was almost twice that of each CMA’s share of the total population in Canada in 2016. For example, 4.3% of new immigrants settled in Winnipeg, while 2.2% of Canada’s total population lived in this CMA.

Nevertheless, Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal, the three most populous CMAs in the country, together are still the place of residence of over half of all immigrants (61.4%) and recent immigrants (56.0%) in Canada. In comparison, just over one-third (35.7%) of Canada’s total population lived in these three CMAs.

In 2016, immigrants represented 46.1% of Toronto’s population, 40.8% of Vancouver’s and 23.4% of Montréal’s.

For the first time, Africa accounts for the second largest source continent of recent immigrants

In 2016, 13.4% of recent immigrants were born in Africa, a four-fold increase from the 1971 Census (3.2%). Africa thus ranked second, ahead of Europe, as a source continent of recent immigrants to Canada.

Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Cameroon were the top five countries of birth of recent African-born immigrants in 2016.

Asia (including the Middle East) remained the top source continent of recent immigrants. The majority (61.8%) of newcomers to Canada from 2011 to 2016 were born in Asia. This is a slightly higher proportion than was observed in the 2006 Census (58.3%) and in the 2011 National Household Survey (56.9%).

Asian countries accounted for 7 of the top 10 countries of birth of recent immigrants in 2016: the Philippines, India, China, Iran, Pakistan, Syria and South Korea.

Newcomers from the Americas and Oceania represented 12.6% and 0.7%, respectively, of recent immigrants to Canada.

ALTHOUGH a large proportion of the 7.5 million immigrants reported neither English nor French as their mother tongue, the vast majority (93.2%) of them were able to conduct a conversation in English or French. In other words, 6.8% of immigrants reported being unable to conduct a conversation in either official language.

Immigrants were more likely than Canadian‑born people (non‑immigrants) to report knowing more than one language. In 2016, 76.4% of immigrants reported knowing at least two languages, compared with 27.5% of non‑immigrants.

However, immigrants’ knowledge of languages varied from region to region. In Canada outside Quebec, the majority of the immigrant population knew English, either alone (19.4%) or with at least one language other than English or French (72.0%). A lower proportion reported being able to conduct a conversation in French (5.9%).

On the other hand, half (50.3%) of immigrants in Quebec were able to conduct a conversation in both official languages, in addition to any other languages.

Quebec also had the largest proportion of the immigrant population with knowledge of French. Specifically, 80.5% of immigrants living in Quebec reported being able to conduct a conversation in French.

The proportion of immigrants with knowledge of at least one of Canada’s official languages is high (93.2%) largely because knowledge of English or French is one of the selection criteria for economic immigrants admitted to Canada and because these are the two languages of convergence in the public sphere. Furthermore, Quebec’s immigration policies specifically promote admission of immigrants with knowledge of French.

Queensborough Bridge closure

25 October 2017

NEW Westminster Police say that “effectively immediately, and until further notice, the Queensborough Bridge is completely closed to all traffic, in both directions.”

It said: “The closure is due to a fire below the bridge deck, and emergency crews (police, fire, electrical) are on scene and assessing the cause of the fire and any potential damage. It is unknown at this time whether the bridge will reopen to traffic prior to the morning rush hour; however, commuters are advised to plan an alternate route.”

Paulette Freill is the new Abbotsford Police Deputy Chief Constable

24 October 2017

THE Abbotsford Police Department announced on Tuesday that former RCMP chief superintendent Paulette Freill will be a new Deputy Chief Constable.

Freill brings over 32 years of law enforcement experience to her new role as the Deputy Chief of the APD in charge of the Administration Division. Freill’s most recent posting was as the Officer in Charge of RCMP “E” Division’s Operations Strategy Branch. The majority of her service has been in operational policing roles in British Columbia and Manitoba.

Freill has taught Statement Analysis to law enforcement agencies all over the world and is globally recognized as an expert in this field. She has an Advanced Program in Management, Leadership and Strategy Diploma from the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business Executive Program.

Freill has an extensive background in operational, investigative and administrative matters. Her abilities in the areas of Project Management, Conflict Management, Human Resources Management and Financial Resource Management make her an ideal fit as the leader of the APD’s Administration Division.

Freill is originally from Newfoundland but has been a long-time resident of the Fraser Valley. She and her husband are the parents of two adult children.

Sikh Blood Donation Campaign Against Genocide in November to provide “the gift of life”

24 October 2017

(L-R) Gurvinder Singh of Victoria, Sunil Kumar of Surrey, Dr. Baljinder Singh of Surrey, Sukhdeep Singh of Surrey and Robby Kanwaljit Singh of Vancouver.
Photo by Vinnie Combow

SIKHS in Surrey, in protest against the horrific massacre of innocent Sikhs in November 1984 – what they call “genocide” – even as Indian Police did nothing to prevent the murders, rapes and pillaging of Sikh homes and businesses and even gurdwaras, decided to protest in a novel way by holding a blood donation campaign to save lives.

Today, that campaign spans the globe and keeps expanding. As of December 2016, the campaign has been successful in providing “the gift of life” to over 120,000 Canadians. In fact, Blood Services has declared this as the largest life-saving campaign in Canada.

The organizers told the media on Tuesday at a press conference: “Our volunteers are doing this for the good of all people no matter what their faith, color, or views. Nobody does this to receive rewards or recognition; it’s done for the satisfaction of doing good for humanity.”

Schedule in B.C.:

* Vancouver: 4750 Oak Street on Saturday, November 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

* Victoria: 3449 Saanich Road on Saturday, November 4, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

* Kelowna: 1865 Delworth Drive on Saturday, November 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

* Surrey: Unit C2 15285-101^st Ave (Permanent Clinic) on Saturday, November 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

* Surrey: 6887 132^nd Street (École Gabrielle-Roy School) on Sunday, November 12, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

* Kamloops: 1205 Rogers Way on Tuesday, November 7, 12-7 p.m.

* Abbotsford: 3145 Gladwin Road on Saturday, November 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

As in past years, several North American cities outside of B.C. will be partaking in the campaign in November. These include cities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec in Canada, and three cities in Washington state and Yuba City in California in the U.S. Cities across Australia will also be participating.

For more information and schedules, visit website www.Genocide1984.com

Nicholas Khabra of Surrey named as victim of Monday’s targeted shooting in Surrey (update)

24 October 2017

THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team on Tuesday identified the dead victim in Monday’s shooting as Nicholas Khabra, 28, of Surrey in an effort to identify associates and find out what happened before the homicide.

IHIT Cpl. Meghan Foster said the female victim who was wounded in the shooting is expected to survive her injuries and her name will not be released.

“Mr. Khabra and the female victim are known to each other and were together at the time of the shooting,” said Foster. “The investigation to date leads police to believe that Mr. Khabra’s homicide was a targeted act.”

On Monday (October 23), 2017 at 2:10 a.m. the Surrey RCMP received a report of shots fired from the 14300-block of Crescent Road. When police arrived, a male victim was located suffering from gunshot wounds and was transported by the British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS) to hospital where he later died.

Just after the initial report to police, a second report to police was made from a female victim who said that she too had been shot. Police located this female victim a short distance away on Highway 99 at exit 10. She was also transported by BCAS to hospital for treatment.

IHIT is working with the Surrey RCMP and the Forensic Identification Section to gather and review evidence. Shortly after the homicide occurred, a vehicle was recovered in Langley after it was deliberately set on fire. It remains early in the investigation and police cannot confirm if this vehicle had any involvement in the homicide of Khabra.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Lower taxes on small business, more support for parents, more money in the pockets of low-income workers: Federal government

24 October 2017

THE federal government on Tuesday announced that it will strengthen the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) by making annual cost of living increases starting in July 2018—two years ahead of schedule.

For a single parent of two children making $35,000, a strengthened CCB will contribute $560 in the 2019–20 benefit year towards the cost of raising his or her children. That means more money, tax-free, for books, skating lessons or warm clothes for winter. The added confidence the CCB brings to families has been shown to have an immediate impact on economic growth, the government said.

With the Fall Economic Statement, the government will also:

Put more money in the pockets of low-income workers—including families without children and the growing number of single Canadians—by further enhancing the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) by an additional $500 million per year, starting in 2019. This enhancement will be in addition to the increase of about $250 million annually that will come into effect in that year as part of the enhancement of the Canada Pension Plan. These two actions will boost the total amount the Government spends on the WITB by about 65 per cent in 2019, increasing benefits to current recipients and expanding the number of Canadians receiving support.
Help small businesses invest, grow and create jobs by lowering the small business tax rate to 10 per cent, effective January 1, 2018, and to 9 per cent, effective January 1, 2019. This will provide a small business with up to $7,500 in federal corporate tax savings per year to reinvest in and grow their business.
Make important changes to the tax system that will ensure Canada’s low corporate tax rates go towards supporting businesses, not to providing unfair tax advantages to the top 1 per cent wealthiest Canadians.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau said: “Our plan to invest in our people and in our communities is working. Canada’s economy is growing faster than it has in a decade, allowing us to do even more to help the middle class and those working hard to join it. With lower taxes on small business, more support for parents, and more money in the pockets of low-income workers, we are working to grow the economy in a way that benefits all Canadians. And that is exactly what Canadians sent us here to do.”

Morneau on Tuesday tabled a Notice of Ways and Means Motion in the House of Commons that proposes legislative changes to strengthen the CCB and lower the small business tax rate.

The Fall Economic Statement also provides an update on how investing in the economy and the middle class is delivering real results for Canadians:

Canada is the fastest-growing economy in the G7—by a wide margin—growing at an average rate of 3.7 per cent over the last year, which is the fastest pace of growth since early 2006.
Job creation is strong, with over 450,000 new jobs created in the last two years, and the unemployment rate at its lowest level since 2008. Youth unemployment is at an historic low.
Growth is forecast to be 3.1 per cent in 2017—significantly above expectations at the beginning of the year. The fiscal outlook has improved by more than $6.5 billion annually on average from what was projected in Budget 2017 last March.

The government said Canada’s fiscal position remains strong, and the government will keep Canada’s debt-to-GDP (gross domestic product) ratio on a downward track—preserving Canada’s sound fiscal position.

New B.C. curriculum transition extended for graduation years

24 October 2017

TEACHERS, school districts and post-secondary institutions will have one more year to prepare for the implementation of the new Grade 11-12 curriculum, Education Minister Rob Fleming announced on Tuesday.

The additional year of transition is in response to feedback from educators in the K-12 sector, along with post-secondary partners, who need to ensure alignment of the new 10-12 curriculum with their admission processes and requirements.

“Success in the graduation years is very important for a student’s smooth transition to post-secondary opportunities,” said Fleming. “That’s why we are giving our partners in the sector this extra year to ensure the new curriculum will serve our students, providing them with the best possible chance for future success.”

Students will also benefit from educators having more time to develop classroom supports such as instructional samples and assessment resources, and incorporate the curriculum’s core competencies and Aboriginal content into their classrooms.

“BCCPAC appreciates that all educators want to be fully prepared to facilitate a smooth transition to the new curriculum,” said Jen Mezei, president, B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC). “The extra year will also give students and parents more time to understand the changes, and how they will affect post-secondary admission requirements.”

The Grade 11-12 curriculum will now be mandated for use in all B.C. classrooms starting September 2019. The Grade 10 curriculum will be implemented as planned in September 2018, building on the successful implementation of the new K-9 curriculum, meaning all current Grade 9 students will continue their learning with the new curriculum throughout their graduation years.

The first provincial-literacy graduation assessment will be moved to align with the new Grade 11 and 12 curriculum implementation, with the first assessment scheduled for January 2020. As previously planned, the provincial-numeracy graduation assessment will be taken for the first time in January 2018 as part of a staged roll-out, with another session in June 2018.

Toronto’s “Nachdi Jawani Folk Loverz” wins PCS Chicago Bhangra Championship

24 October 2017

Winners Nachdi Jawani Folk Loverz, Toronto, with PCS officials and guests.
All photos by Asian Media

CHICAGO: Punjabi Bhangra (folk dance) teams including the University of Chicago, Spartan Bhangra from Cleveland Ohio, “Raakhe Virse De” from Michigan, SFU Bull Bhangra from Tampa Florida, and Nachdi Jawani Folk Loverz from Toronto competed in the 10th PCS (Punjabi Cultural Society) Chicago International Bhangra and Gidha Competition held on October 14 at Meadows Club, in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

Anita Lerche, a Billboard Top-5 charting artist and an internationally acclaimed award-winning singer, songwriter and composer, enthralled the audience with her singing and dancing. She started with her song “Aao Ji” and kept the audience spellbound and engaged with her songs “Lathe Di Chadar ute,” “Heer” and “Sadke Punjab Ton.”

P.C.S. introduced Anita Lerche for the first time to a Chicago audience. She originates from Denmark and was the first non-Asian woman from the West to release an album in Punjabi known as “Heer From Denmark.”

Despite the heavy rain and flooding on Chicago streets, more than 500 diehard PCS supporters defied the weather to enjoy this colorful and high energy cultural showcase.

Nearly 100 male and female bhangra performers from all over the United States and Canada and local youth coordinators participated in this event. The competition this year was among the bhangra teams only, who wore stunning costumes and gave stellar performances.

“Bhangra continues to rise to new heights, there were more non-Punjabi than Punjabi names among the list of these university teams participants, which is great. We hope to keep families and the youth engaged in their Punjabi culture,” said Sukhmel Singh Atwal, President of PCS Chicago.

In addition to a meaningful bhangra competition experience, the participants had a lot of fun games and dancing during pre and post event social mixers, networking parties, meals together and celebrations like a youth festival.

Competition performances were judged by seasoned bhangra experts who are not PCS officials. Parminder Singh Walia, Vipan Kaur Kaler, Amrita Kaur Randhawa, and Navkiran Kaur Dhillon judged the teams for traditional dance form, authenticity, costumes, choreography, artistic creativity, and flawlessness in their presentations. Rajinder Singh Mago, a P.C.S. official, coordinated the judgment process. The team captains received friendly feedbacks from the judges after the show.

Pardeep Deol announced the Bhangra competition results. “Nachdi Jawani Folk Loverz” an independent Bhangra team from Toronto, Canada, comprised mostly of youth ranging in age from 10 to 17 years, won the PCS Chicago Bhangra Championship 2017 first place trophy and $3,100 cash along with the bragging rights amidst thunderous applause all through their performance. They landed and swept the stage like a whirlwind and with every move they made, they won the hearts and minds of the audience and the judges.

The second place PCS trophy and $2,100 cash prize was won by “Raakhe Virse De,” another independent Bhangra team from Michigan. It was a very close contest with all the rest of the teams, making the judges sweat to come to a final decision. Interestingly, this team (RVD) was runners-up in PCS Bhangra competition in 2014 as well.

Tarandeep Singh Nagra compered the bhangra competition teams performances and also the dance-off for the best dancer contest. Fantastic Bhangra performances one after the other announced by Nagra kept the spectators spellbound. Nobody moved away from their seats right till the end lest they miss a performance.

Parvinder Singh Nanua emceed the sponsors recognitions segment. Event sponsors Lakhvir Singh Sahota, Kevin Atwal, Balwinder “Nick” Singh, Surjit Singh Chera, Harkewal Singh Lally, Jaidev Singh Bhathal, Jesse Sahota, Dr. Gurdial Singh Basran in lieu of PCS Chairman Hardial Singh Deol were honored with plaques by chief guest Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini.

“PCS Chicago officials and volunteers work very hard and do a great job organizing this event and hosting the guest teams from far and near for the weekend celebrations. Our community must also do their part and support them in their efforts to be able to continue promoting our culture,” said Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini the chief guest.

Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the grand sponsor.

The event was also sponsored by Dr. Narinder S Grewal, Mohina Ahluwalia, PCS Chairman Hardial Singh Deol, and Gurdeep Singh Nandra.

The program was organized by P.C.S. officials Sukhmel Singh Atwal, Mohinderjit Singh Saini, Bikram Singh Chohan, Parvinder Singh Nanua, Surinder Singh Palia, Manjeet Singh Bhalla, Raibrinder Singh Ghotra, Pardeep Singh Deol, Surinder Singh Sangha, Sunny Kular, Balwinder Singh Girn, Paul Lail, Bhinder Singh Pamma, Onkar Singh Sangha, Parminder Singh Ghotra, Yadwinder Singh Grewal, Ronny Kular, Vick Singh, Gurmit Singh Dhillon, Amarjit Kaur Atwal, Jasbir Singh Palia, and Rajinder Singh Mago.

The logistics of the competition and the pre and post event activities were managed by the P.C.S. youth organizing committee comprising of Harleen Kaur, Taranpreet Singh Nagra, Amardeep Kaur Deol, Harman Kaur Sidhu, Shan Dev, and Ankush Verma, Jaskaran Singh Saini, led by Pardeep Singh Deol and Bikram Singh Chohan. The youth group was introduced on stage by Pardeep Singh Deol, and honored for their hard work with plaques by the Chief guest Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini.

The next PCS Chicago’s mainstream event is participation in McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on State Street in Chicago downtown on Thanksgiving Day November 23, with a theme “Punjabi Maharaja Wedding Procession.” The PCS contingent will include a decorated float, a dressed-up walking unit, Bhangra dance troupe, Punjabi music and live Dhol drum, where thousands of spectators will line up to watch and it will also be broadcast live on WGNTV-9 and re-broadcast on CLTV later.

P.C.S. is an all volunteer non-profit community service organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, performing arts, education, sports, and good citizenship in the Chicago Metropolitan area.

Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago
P.O. Box 1244 , Palatine , IL 60078
Ph: 847-359-5727,
e-mail to info@PCSChicago.org
PCS website http://www.pcschicago.org/

PCS Calendar of Events:

* PCS Chicago will participate with a float in “McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” on November 23 on State Stree,t Chicago
* PCS Chicago will host the “New Year Eve Langar” on December 31 in Palatine, IL
* “PCS Rangla Punjab 2018” in April 2018. Teams form and rehearsals start in January 2018.
* “PCS Youth Graduation Night” in June 2018
* “PCS Sports Festival in July 2018

Tips for a fun and safe Halloween

24 October 2017

WITH Halloween a week away, the City of Surrey Fire Services, RCMP and Bylaws want to ensure everyone has a safe and fun Halloween. Here are a few reminders for a night of safe fun for all trick-or-treaters.
Fireworks are not allowed to be sold or discharged within the City of Surrey. This has been in effect since 2005 and the only exception is with a Fire Department permit and a Federal Fireworks Supervisor Certificate. For fireworks or fire crackers complaints, do not call 911 unless it is an emergency, and instead direct your calls to City of Surrey Bylaws at 604-591-4370.
“We continue to see a downward trend in our fireworks-related responses, with an average of seven responses per year over the last three years. It is due, in large part, to these requirements that the safety of our citizens has improved as it relates to fireworks” said Jason Cairney, Assistant Chief with Surrey Fire Service.
Surrey RCMP will have extra resources on patrol this Halloween dealing with any public safety concerns and ensuring our streets are kept safe for our young trick-or-treaters.
”We receive a large increase in calls for service on Halloween, including a disproportionate number of calls related to fireworks and firecrackers,” said Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann. “Please do your part and keep 911 reserved for emergency situations only.”
The Surrey Animal Resource Centre wants to remind residents pets are safer inside with the family, where they can be secure from the frightening sights and sounds of fireworks or people in costumes. While it can be a fun exciting time for people we need to remember our four-legged family members don’t perceive things the same way we do and extra care should be taken with them.
“A terrified dog can escape even a fenced yard and will feel safer with you in the house,” said Bylaw Services Manager Kim Marosevich. “By having your pet in a quiet safe spot in the house during trick or treating it will reduce the chance of incidents or escape.”

Here are more tips for a fun and safe Halloween:
· Trick or treat in groups or with an adult and ensure children have emergency contact information on them.
· Plan a route that includes well-lit streets, sidewalks and crosswalks.
· Leave any fake weaponry at home.
· Costumes should be made with reflective material and be made of flame-resistant material and include glow sticks or reflectors
· Avoid face masks that could obstruct your vision; make up or face paint is a safer choice.
· Use LED lights instead of candles in your jack-o-lanterns.
· Decorations should be kept away from heat sources.
· Don’t overload electrical cords and power-bars.
· Bring your treats home and inspect them before eating them. Many children suffer from allergies.
· All spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items should be thrown out.

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