ATTENTION: Lower Mainland dental clinics donate free oral cancer screening exams TODAY (Thursday)

16 April 2014

TODAY (April 17), Willow Dental Care and 123Dentist.com clinics across the Lower Mainland are offering free oral cancer screenings to the public, waiving their standard fee for the service.

Oral cancer is one of the least discussed cancers, and if it goes undetected, the results can be devastating. About 500 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year in BC and 170 patients die from the disease, according to the BC Cancer Agency. Due to low early detection rates, the disease is one of the deadliest cancers, with four in 10 patients dying within five years of diagnosis. Survival rates (63%) are lower than cervical cancers (75%), melanoma cancers (89%) and prostate cancers (95%).

However, with advances in technology, dental professionals can detect a wide variety of oral malignancies before they develop into cancer. In Canada, the technology can detect an estimated 84 per cent of oral cancers. As a result, the College of Dental Surgeons of BC recommends that dental professionals across the province should incorporate oral cancer screening using a fluorescence visualization device into routine patient exams.

“Oral cancer screening is a preventative best practice we follow in all of our clinics to safeguard the health of their patients,” says Dr. Pierre Vigneault, a dentist with Willow Dental Care and 123Dentist.com. “By offering free screenings on April 16 and 17 as part of our community initiatives program, we hope to raise awareness of the importance of oral cancer detection, encourage our patients to make oral cancer screening a part of their routine dental checkups, and raise money for an important cause.”

All Willow Dental Care and 123Dentist.com clinics use a state-of-the-art device called a Visually Enhanced Lesion Scope (VELscope), a handheld instrument that allows early detection of oral cancers by allowing dentists to see changes in the mouth not visible to the naked eye. The screening exams are pain-free and take less than five minutes to perform.

In the early stages of oral cancer, there may be no visible signs or discomfort present. As a result, between 30 to 40 per cent of oral cancers in BC are diagnosed in the late stages. Many oral cancers are only discovered when they are advanced and less responsive to treatment. Treatment at this stage is often disfiguring and can dramatically affect how someone looks, eats and socializes. Think about losing part of your jaw, the roof of your mouth, or even your life.

Among risk factors, oral cancer is linked to alcohol and tobacco consumption, as well as with increasing age (risk is greatest over 40 years). However, there is a growing incidence of oral cancers connected to people who carry HPV, Human papillomavirus, meaning younger people who are sexually active may also be at risk.

“This changing demographic means an even greater reason for us to promote oral cancer awareness and the importance of regular oral cancer screening exams,” says Dr. Vigneault.

To find a Willow Dental Care or 123Dentist.com clinic offering a free screening on April 16-17, please visit: willowdentalcare.com or 123dentist.com. Schedule early, as appointments will fill up quickly. The clinics will waive the usual fee of $34 as part of their community initiatives program, inviting patients to make a donation for their free exam.

All funds will be matched by Willow Dental Care and 123Dentist.com, and proceeds will be donated to the BC Cancer Foundation at the An Evening to Conquer Oral Cancer gala on April

24 to support the BC Cancer Agency’s BC Oral Cancer Prevention Program.

FRIDAY EVENT: Sher-E-Punjab Radio issues pledge: “Come and participate, leave a hero”

16 April 2014

WITH a new year, Sher-E-Punjab Radio, leader of Dastar Celebration, has announced it’s 12^th annual turban tying free event at Surrey’s Grand Taj Banquet Hall at 12 p.m. on Friday, April 18.

After 11 fantastic years of unparalleled success, they have packed this special event with more excitement. This year, you will still see your favourite elements of the Dastar (turban) Celebration with a world class production, the hosts of Sher-E-Punjab Radio, community leaders, Sher Icons, and an exclusive slice of North Indian entertainment. Their mission of cultural arts promotion and positive image remain strong, and they are proud to make this event even more successful this year.

They look forward to continuing their great relationships with sponsors, press, and all of their fans. The team at Sher-E-Punjab Radio say they are committed to making this year’s production one that goes down in history.

“Every year the event keeps growing” says Ajit Singh Badh, CEO of Sher-E-Punjab Radio. “This is an event where everyone can leave feeling stronger and attached to their culture and being a part of the Canadian fabric.”

Anyone interested in getting involved as a sponsor, member of the team, volunteer, or to compete should contact 604-271-1550 or at [email protected].

UPDATED REGULARLY: Underwater search for missing Malaysian plane continues

15 April 2014

Canberra, April 15 (IANS) A mini-sub hunting for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was prepared to make a second mission to the remote Indian Ocean seabed Tuesday, officials said.

The Bluefin-21 is expected to continue search Tuesday, “when weather conditions permit,” Australia’s Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) said.

The Bluefin-21 was supposed to cover an area of 40 sq.km on its first day Monday underwater, using side sonar to create a 3D image of its surroundings.

The mini-sub deployed Monday from Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield ended its first underwater search mission prematurely after six hours as it had reached its maximum operational depth of 4,500 metres, WA Today reported.

“After completing around six hours of its mission, Bluefin-21 exceeded its operating depth limit of 4,500 metres and its built-in safety feature returned it to the surface,” stated.

“The six hours of data gathered by the autonomous underwater vehicle is currently being extracted and analysed,” JACC said.

Nine military aircraft, two civilian planes and 14 ship are Tuesday scheduled to search an overall area of about 62,063 sq.km.

The Bluefin-21 takes two hours to reach the sea floor after which it can search for 16 hours at a stretch before using another two hours to return to the surface.

A team of 10 US contractors aboard the ADV Ocean Shield would analyse the monochromatic picture captured by the Bluefin-21, looking for anything that appeared “abnormal”.

The US-made Bluefin-21, a 4.93 metre (16.2 feet) long, 750-kg sonar device will now scour the seabed on a 24-hour cycle covering a search area of 40 sq.km each time it dived deep into the ocean, the report said.

The ADV Ocean Shield still continues at the northern end of the defined search area and Chinese ship Haixun 01 and British ship HMS Echo at the southern end.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority narrowed down the overall search area Saturday to 41,393 sq km located about 2,331 km northwest of Perth from Friday’s search area of 46,713 sq. km, the report said.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished mysteriously about an hour after taking off for Beijing from Kuala Lumpur shortly after midnight March 8.

The Boeing 777-200ER was scheduled to land in Beijing the same day. The 227 passengers on board included five Indians, 154 Chinese and 38 Malaysians.

Vancouver’s third murder of 2014

14 April 2014

SHORTLY after 10:30 a.m. on Monday, the Vancouver Police Department received a call about a small child crying, a man yelling, and blood on the walls in the hall of an apartment building in the 3300 block of Kingsway.

Officers arrived to investigate and were confronted by a man with a weapon. He was challenged by police who drew their firearms, and the man was shot, according to the VPD.

Police officers discovered a woman in a suite with what appeared to be multiple injuries. She was declared dead at the scene. A young girl believed to be five or six years old was taken to hospital with injuries. The suspect shot by police was also taken to hospital.

The VPD Homicide Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the woman in the apartment. As this is a police-involved shooting, the IIO was notified.

Kirpan to be accommodated at Canadian missions across the world

14 April 2014

THE World Sikh Organization of Canada on Monday announced the release of accommodation guidelines for the kirpan in Canadian embassies and consulates across the world.

The Indo-Canadian Voice had reported last week that this announcement was to be made by Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Multiculturalism), on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird at the Khalsa Community School in Brampton, Ontario. Parm Gill, MP for Brampton-Springdale, was also present.

The WSO said it worked with the Government of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development to develop these guidelines.

The kirpan is an important article of faith worn by amritdhari or initiated Sikhs which represents spiritual wisdom and the duty to stand against injustice.

Sikhs will be permitted to wear the kirpan in Canadian missions based on the following guidelines:

* their kirpan is secured within a sheath, attached to a fabric belt, worn across the torso and under clothing prior to entering the mission premises, and

* they are in possession of the four other Sikh articles of faith (an attestation on the part of the visitor is acceptable for those articles that are not normally visible).

The accommodation policy for Canadian missions follows recent accommodation policies for the kirpan in courthouses in Toronto, Alberta and British Columbia which WSO helped to create. The kirpan is also accommodated at the Parliament of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada.

WSO President Dr. Amritpal Singh Shergill said, “We are very thankful to Prime Minister [Stephen] Harper’s government for recognizing the importance of accommodating this article of our faith. The accommodation of the kirpan in Canadian missions is a welcome move and a matter of pride for Canadian Sikhs. Anywhere across the world, Sikhs who wear the kirpan can go to a Canadian mission without fear of being turned away. Accommodation of the kirpan is integral to showing respect to the Sikh community, its faith and practices.”

Monday’s announcement is particularly significant as it coincides with Vaisakhi, the birth of the Order of the Khalsa in 1699, the day initiated Sikhs were enjoined to wear five distinct articles of faith, including the kirpan.

WSO legal counsel Balpreet Singh said, “Canada is a leader in human rights and a model of how diversity and religious freedom can be celebrated. The accommodation of the kirpan in Canadian missions sends a strong message that the Government of Canada is committed to upholding the values of equality and respect that we hold dear as Canadians.”

Vancouver Whitecaps FC to celebrate 40th anniversary match May 3 at BC Place

14 April 2014

GET your bell-bottoms and afro wigs out of storage because May 3 will be “Saturday Night Fever” when Vancouver Whitecaps FC host San Jose Earthquakes at BC Place. Fans are encouraged to get in the spirit of the ‘70s and come to the match in their retro apparel.

This special 40th anniversary match presented by Bell will celebrate the first ever ‘Caps match played on May 5, 1974 against the Earthquakes. As part of the May 3 celebrations, pioneers from the original 1974 Whitecaps team will be honoured during a pre-match ceremony, which will include the original ball and coin from the first match. A limited edition line of 1974-themed Whitecaps FC merchandise will be released for sale the week of the match.

“Professional soccer has had an incredible journey in Vancouver over the last 40 years,” said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. “It’s very exciting to see the ‘Caps again capturing hearts and minds in this city. It started in 1974 and has continued throughout all eras.”

A dollar went a long way back in 1974 – bread was $0.39 per loaf and gasoline was $0.14 per litre – and today the dollar will go a long way again. To celebrate the 40th anniversary, Whitecaps FC will be making a honourary donation to one of the club’s main charitable pillars, mental health. Proceeds will directly support Clara’s Big Ride Vancouver Community Champions – the Kettle Society and the Canadian Mental Health Association. So on May 3, Whitecaps FC are asking every fan to #BuckUp for Mental Health and donate at least one dollar at the match.

In addition to honouring the 1974 squad, a newfound Whitecaps FC Ring of Honour has been launched. Over the course of the season, players will be entered into the Ring of Honour from each of the following eras: North American Soccer League, Canadian Soccer League, A-League/United Soccer Leagues First Division, and W-League. Based on input from fans, media, and alumni, the most deserving players from each era will be selected. Fan voting will count for 30%, media voting for 30%, and alumni voting for 40%. The first induction ceremony for the NASL era will be held at the May 3 match. Starting next Monday, April 21, fans can vote for their selections from the NASL era at whitecapsfc.com/since1974.

For more nostalgic content, including a White is the Colour Ringtone, Where are they now, and Forgotten Stories, visit whitecapsfc.com/since1974.

LEC hosts BC High School boys and girls basketball All Star games

14 April 2014

TOWNSHIP OF LANGLEY (Monday, April 14, 2014) – The Langley Events Centre will again be the home for the annual BC Boys and Girls High School Basketball All-Star Games which will take place on LEC Centre Court on Sunday, April 20. The girls’ game will start at 3:00pmand boys’ will tip off at 5:00pm. The games will feature the top grade 12 boys and girls players in the Province as players will take to the floor as high school basketball players for the final time. Teams were confirmed earlier this week by their respective associations.

The girls’ team will be a coaching rematch from the 2014 BC Secondary School Girls AA Basketball Championship game as winning coach Peter Sprogis from the Windsor Dukes will lead one squad while runner up Anthony Beyrouti from St. Thomas Aquinas will lead the other. Here are their respective rosters:

TEAM SPROGIS
Name                                                     School
Maddy Baker                                       York House
Domunique Booker                            St. Thomas More
Vanessa Botteselle                            St. Thomas Aquinas
Victoria Brown                                    Wellington
Angela Clarke                                      St. Thomas Aquinas
Sherri Errico                                         Windsor
Karley Fugel                                         Vernon
Jasmine Grewal                                  Rick Hansen
Ally Keir                                                 Wellington
Ariella London                                     Windsor
Hannah Pudlas                                    Cedars Christian

TEAM BEYROUTI
Name                                                     School
Rachel Beauchamp                            Holy Cross
Samantha Beauchamp                      Holy Cross
Jesse Brown                                        Brookswood
Vanessa Gee                                       Riverside
Marisa Harrington                             Oak Bay
Hannah Johnson                                 Immaculata
Roza Kalashnikoff                               Kelowna Christian
Jasmine Manhas                                Burnaby South
Emma Piggin                                        South Kamloops
Tessa Ratzlaff                                     M.E.I.
Amy Sprangers                                    Holy Cross

On the boy’s side, a championship coach will lead each squad. Rick Lopez, whose Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs won the 2014 BC High School Boys 4A Basketball Championships, presented by TELUS, will coach one team. On the other side will be Aaron Mitchell who guided the St. Thomas More Knights to victory in the 2014 BC High School Boys 3A Basketball Championships, presented by TELUS. The boys’ teams will be as follows:

TEAM LOPEZ
Name                                                     School
Mindy Minhas                                     Sir Winston Churchill
Alex Coote                                            West Point Grey Academy
Corey Hauck                                        W.J. Mouat
Sukhjot Bains                                       Tamanawis
Alex Jordache                                      Claremont
Elijah Campbell-Axson                       Vancouver College
Eric Rogers                                           Sardis
Kosia Cauw                                          B.C. Christian Academy
Nick Tancon                                         Highland
Grant Galbraith                                  Gleneagle

TEAM MITCHELL
Name                                                     School
Ishmail Abdulahi                                 Lambrick Park
Jadon Cohee                                        Walnut Grove
Nathan Vogstad                                 Queen Charlotte
Reece Morris                                       St. Thomas More
Joe Davis                                              Westsyde
Matt Neufeld                                       Lambrick Park
Hayden Lejeune                                  Sardis
Jonathan Kongbo                                Holy Cross
Denver Sparks-Guest                        Gleneagle
Patrick Vandervelden                        Yale

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster (www.Ticketmaster.ca) or in person at the LEC Ticket Office, students are $5.00 and adults are $10.00; children 6 years and under get in for free.

B.C. EVENTS

14 April 2014

(These are FREE listings. Email: [email protected])

Khalsa Diwan Society: Vaisakhi Day Celebration

Saturday, April 12: The timeline: * 7-9 a.m. – Kirtan * 9-9:30 a.m. – Reception for dignitaries * 9:30-10:30 a.m. – Speeches * 10:45 a.m. – Ardas. * Parade departs from Ross Street Gurdwara Sahib at 11 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m.

Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Surrey

All are invited to celebrate Vaisakhi Mela on Sunday, April 13, starting at 12:30 p.m. at 8321 -140 Street, Surrey. Attractions: Free Food Stalls, Rides for Kids, Live Cultural performances. For more info, contact Vinay or Satish at 604-782-7624.

Canadian Cancer Society Fundraiser

Spring cleaning for your mind, body & soul: An exciting interactive event, supporting small local businesses, community organizations, groups and clubs that promote health and wellness for all ages. Up to 35 exhibitors, eight demos, children’s activity zone and live Spring Shave from 3-4 p.m. Everyone welcome. Date: Sunday, April 13. Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Venue: River Market at Westminster Quay. Free admission. * Demos & activities for all ages * Gift bags for first 100 families. * Spring Shave & Raffle with all proceeds donated to Canadian Cancer Society.

Special: BC Victims of Homicide

Are you living with the traumatic loss of a loved one? Are you in need of support? The BC Victims of Homicide, an initiative of the BC Bereavement Helpline, is hosting an eight week traumatic loss grief support group for the South Asian community in Surrey in partnership with Valley View Funeral Home. When: Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., starting May 7 and ending June 25. Cost: Free – but registration is required. Space is limited. Languages: Punjabi, Hindi and English. Facilitators: Jas Cheema and Manjeet Singh. To register or for more information, contact Jas Cheema by phone at 604-561-2700 or by email at: [email protected]. Please refer this group to your network or to anyone who may benefit from it.

Canada Cancer Society

Help us build our Daffodil Campaign in April in the City of Surrey and Abbotsford community. We are looking for volunteers to donate 2 to 4 hours on weekends throughout April. Please call 604-837-6837 to volunteer in Surrey, call 604-533-1816 to volunteer in Abbotsford.

Surrey Libraries: Filing Personal Tax Return

Surrey Libraries are offering free clinics for those eligible, at City Centre, Guildford and Strawberry Hill branches. A volunteer from DIVERSEcity, trained by the Canada Revenue Agency, will help prepare & electronically file (if eligible) your tax return. You must be a Surrey resident and your income falls within these guidelines: Single Person: $30,000. Single parent with child: $35,000. Each additional child: $ 2,500. Couples: $40,000. 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). The clinics operate on a first come, first serve basis. For details, visit the Libraries or www.surreylibraries.ca

Richmond Library: Free Income Tax Clinics

Richmond Public Library, in partnership with the Family Christian Fellowship, is offering free Income Tax Clinic to help those with a low income file their income tax returns. The clinics take place on Saturdays: April 12, 19, and 26 between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in Community Place Room at the Brighouse (Main) Branch located at 7700 Minoru Gate. If you’re a single person with a maximum income of $30,000, a couple with a maximum income of $40,000, or an adult with one child and a maximum income of $35,000, then you qualify for this free service. Sessions are 45 minutes per person and couples must sign up for one time slot each. To register, call 604-231-6413 or visit the Brighouse 2nd floor information desk. Bring all relevant documents such as T4 and T5 slips.

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 2013 free of cost 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 to prove the documents. If you are eligible then contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945.

Free Tax Clinic

Eligibility: Low income Permanent Residents who have been in Canada for 5 years or less. Locations: MOSAIC Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway; MOSAIC Vancouver, 2nd floor, 1720 Grant Street. Service dates: April. Appointments: Have your PR number ready and call required: 604 254 9626 (Vancouver) or 604 438 8214 (Burnaby).

Surrey Board of Trade: Crime Reduction Breakfast

On Tuesday, April 15, the Surrey Board of Trade and the Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce will host a free Crime Reduction Breakfast focusing on crime and safety issues for businesses in Cloverdale. The morning event will feature representatives from the Surrey RCMP, the City of Surrey, Fraser Health Authority, Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, and Surrey Crime Prevention Society. Attendees are encouraged to come prepared with questions or issues that their business would like to address. Registration and breakfast: 7:45 a.m. Program: 8-10 a.m. At 5 Star Catering at Sunrise Banquet & Conference Centre (5640 188 Street). For more information, contact Anita Huberman at 604-634.0342 or [email protected].

Girl Empowered Leadership Workshops

Surrey Libraries has partnered with Plan in support of the Because I am a Girl campaign which is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of girls and women both locally and globally. The Strawberry Hill Library will be hosting free motivational workshops for girls ages 10-14 to help raise awareness of issues girls face and inspire them to create change of their own. Tuesday, April 15 – 5-6:15 p.m. Snacks provided. Workshop Theme: Because I am Cooperative: I Will Work as a Team. For more information, contact Jaskirat Sahni at[email protected]. Register at the Strawberry Hill Library or call 604-501-5838. http://www.surreylibraries.ca/5252.aspx

Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar: Vaisakhi Celebration

Saturday, April 19: Parade Route: The Vaisakhi Parade is scheduled to begin at about 9:30 a.m. at the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, located at 12885-85 Avenue. It will conclude there at about 4 p.m. Main Stage Timeline: * 11-11:45 a.m.: Traditional Sikh hymn singers * 11:45 .am.-12:45 p.m.: Ceremony honoring community volunteers * 12:45-1:30 p.m.: Speaker series.

For more information about the event including the parade route visit: www.surreyvaisakhiparade.ca.

Annual Plant, Bake and Craft Sale

Plants in Real Time: Check out the Reality of the BC Fuchsia and Begonia Society, at the VanDusen Botanical Garden Floral Hall, 37th Ave and Oak Street, Vancouver. Saturday April 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. Face painting for kids of all ages. China painters. Unique vendor items. Prize draws. Home baking. Refreshments. Great variety of plants. Some hardy fuchsias. Vendor tables available: call Sylvia and Derek at 604-277-2905. For information call Sandy & Ruth at 778-881-0175 Everyone welcome. Wheel chair accessible.

South Asian Women’s Networking Group

BYOBF Network 2-Year Celebration at Ginger 62, 1219 Granville Street, Vancouver on Thursday, April 24, 8-10 p.m. Tickets: $20 Early-bird, $25 Regular. Ticket includes complimentary canapes and a networking reception. For more information: http://byobfnetwork.com. The BYOBF Network is Metro Vancouver’s first South Asian women’s networking group that provides the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded professional women who also share and celebrate each other’s success.

Lyme Disease Awareness Seminar

Free Lyme Disease Awareness Seminar on Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m. at Semiahmoo House, 15306 24^th Avenue, Surrey. Speakers: Dr. Ernie Murakami and Gwen Barlee. Symptoms, treatment and prevention of this multi-system dysfunction epidemic.

Beacon of Hope for Afghan Children Society

8^th Annual Benefit Concert on April 25 at 6 p.m. Help us bring hope to Afghan children at Bollywood Banquet Hall, Suite 201 – 8166 128^th Street, Surrey. Tickets: $25 per person. For more information, call 604-996-3364 or email [email protected].

South Asian Family Association: Mother & Daughter

South Asian Family Association (SAFA) is hosting their annual Mothers & Daughters – Part 6: on April 26 at 6 p.m. at Vancouver’s Fraserview Hall at 8240 Fraser Street. Come and honour your mother (or daughter) and share your personal story about mother & daughter relationships. Participate in our popular “Aaja Billo Nachiye” Dance Competition, Zumba lesson, Boliyaan competition, entertainment, open dance floor and exquisite food. Tickets available at Kamal’s Video Palace in Surrey and Main Video in Vancouver or call 778-688-3996 for only $20 for a fun-filled evening.

Sai Japa

All devotees are invited at Hindu Cultural Society and Community Centre of B.C. (3885 Albert Street, Burnaby) to participate in Sai Japa on Saturday, April 26 at 5 p.m. Remembrance of Samadhi Day of Satya Sai Baba. Program: 5:15-6:15 p.m. – Bhajans / Kirtan. 6:30-7:15 p.m. – Sai Japa. 7:30 p.m. – Priti Bhojan. Contact: Rajubhai at 604-327-8259,Vijaybhai at 604-986-5958, Kantibhai at 604-522-7989, or Mandir at 604-299-5922.

Punjabi Language Education Association

Punjabi Language Education Association’s 11th Annual International Mother Language Day on Sunday, April 27, 1:30-4:30 p.m., at Balti House Restaurant, 8220 – 120 Street (Scot Road), Surrey. This year’s function will be dedicated to the Komagata Maru Centenary. Presentations by Punjabi students. Representatives from municipal and provincial governments will share their views about the difficulties in having Punjabi language education classes started in elementary and secondary schools. The audience will also be given time to voice their opinions and engage in an open dialogue. PLEA invites everyone to be part of the annual celebration of Punjabi language. Free event. Refreshments. For more information, contact: Balwant Sanghera at 604-836-8976, Sadhu Binning at 604-437-9014, Parvinder Dhariwal at 778-838-1121 or Paul Binning at 778-889-8255.

Earth Day Pilgrimage to Burns Bog

On April 27. The annual pilgrimage engages several ethnic and religious people in a spiritual journey to connect with the environment and to celebrate the sacred ground of Burns Bog – the largest dome-peat-bog on the west coast of North America and the largest wilderness area in the urban setting of North America also. It is a home of hundreds of species of plants and animals. Join us in protecting it. All are welcome. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at the entrance to the Delta Nature Reserve (beside Planet Ice Delta) with a gathering followed by pilgrimage. For further information, call Dara at 604-572-0373, Rob Dainow at 604-523-0123 or Acharya Dwivedi at 604-507-3099.

Vancouver Satsang Cultural Society

2014 South Asian Heritage Musical Celebration. Come and celebrate the struggle and successes of Indians from Canada, Guyana, Trinidad, Surinam, Mauritius and Fiji on Saturday, May 3 at 6 p.m. at 2215 Pender Street East in Vancouver. Free admission. Dinner included. Contact Chamaylee at 604-945-9510 for complementary tickets.

Shakti Dance

Presents “Five Faces’ – a montage of five unique Bharata Natyam dance performances by Anusha Fernando and Sujit Vaidya. Written and narrated by Anusha Fernando.Visual art by Sue Leibik. On Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Norman Rothstein Theatre, 950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver. Tickets: $20 / $15 for children, seniors and arts workers. Tickets available at Banyen Books (604) 737-8858 and Gaia’s Fair Trade (604) 886-7117. For information, contact [email protected] or (604) 733-3439.

Mother’s Day Celebrations: Charitable Society

Fun filled celebrations with live entertainment during Mother’s Day weekend: Saturday, May 10 at 6 p.m. at Riverside Banquet Hall, 14500 River Road, Richmond. Tickets: Adults: $25. Tables of 10: $225. 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 info, contact Vasant Lakhani at (H) (604) 987-1925.[email protected]. www.indoafricacharity.com. www.vasantlakhani.com

Quran Memorization Competition

Muslim Association of Canada is holding the 12^th Annual BC Quran Memorization Competition: * Preliminaries: Saturday, May 17 * Finals: Saturday, May 24. At MAC Masjid & Community Centre at 2122 Kingsway, Vancouver. The competition is open to participants of all ages, males and females, from all parts of the province. Participants may register for both memorization and recitation. Sponsors needed for the Quran Competition Awards – call 604-434-7526 or email: [email protected]. Registration deadline: May 10 at 11:59 p.m. Information and registration: quran.islamicinfocenter.org.

7th Uganda Medical Mission

Indo-Africa Charitable Society (Canada). Venue: Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited – Lugazi: medical, dental & eye camp from August 4-15 to provide primary examinations and treatments to needy Ugandans. Donation: US$650 (non-refundable) or equivalent in other currencies per person. Register by May 31 by contacting Vasant Lakhaniv(H) (604) 987-1925, [email protected], www.indoafricacharity.com,www.vasantlakhani.com. All participants arrive by August 3 committed fully till the end of the mission.

Canada India Education Council

Presents “The Business of Education” dinner event at Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver, on Friday, June 6, 5-9 p.m. Learn about BC’s new education quality assurance standards (EQA) and examine the confluence of ‘business’ with education. How do we measure ‘ROI’? BC is committed to increasing international students by 50% by 2016. Interesting in attending / sponsoring? To view the agenda / speaker profiles, visit: http://canadaindiaeducation.com/bc/

CRA update on Heartbleed Bug: Online services restored

13 April 2014

THE Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) said Sunday all of its online systems have been restored to full service. Individuals, businesses and representatives are now able to file returns, make payments, and access all other e-services available through the CRA’s website, including all the CRA secure portals.

CRA said that on April 7, it was informed of an Internet security vulnerability named the Heartbleed Bug that had the potential to affect technology systems around the world. This represented a serious challenge for CRA, which has worked around the clock with Shared Services Canada to apply a “patch” or solution that addresses this vulnerability. Its effectiveness has been rigorously and successfully tested on CRA systems, resulting in restoration of its e-services.

“Our systems are back online. We apologize for the delay and the inconvenience it has caused to Canadians. That said, the delay was necessary. We could not allow these systems back online until we were fully confident they were safe and secure for Canadian taxpayers,” said CRA Commissioner Andrew Treusch.

“I would like to reiterate that interest and penalties will not be applied to individual taxpayers filing their 2013 tax returns after April 30, 2014 for a period equal to the length of the service interruption. This means individual tax returns for 2013 filed by May 5 will not incur interest or penalties,” said Minister of Revenue Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay.

“On behalf of the CRA, we are grateful for the collaboration of the public and our stakeholders, including our Community Volunteer Income Tax Program volunteers, the tax preparer community and the business community, for their cooperation and patience as we worked to resolve this service interruption.”

Further information is available through Frequently Asked Questions on the CRA website. The Agency says it remains committed to maintaining the confidence of Canadians by taking all steps necessary to ensure the confidentiality of taxpayer information.

Journey after tragic death: Are you living with the traumatic loss of a loved one? Are you in need of support?

11 April 2014

WE hear a lot about murders, suicides and other tragic deaths in our community but no one to this point has stepped forward to support the grieving families and survivors of these heartbreaking events. Most are left alone to deal with the grief, shame and guilt of their loss and somehow finding the strength to continue.

The most difficult type of death to cope with is a sudden traumatic death, whether that be through murder, suicide or an accident. This death leaves families, friends and communities shattered, feeling helpless and not knowing what to do. Losing a loved one through a traumatic loss, whether it is a child, a spouse, a sibling, a co-worker, an acquaintance or a close friend, is an extremely difficult experience for anyone to endure.

When an individual is murdered, it is like no other experience. Traumatic loss complicates the grief process for you as well as each member of your family and extended community. As you are dealing with the loss of your loved one, your grief and mourning process becomes further complicated as you deal with the police, the justice system and, yes, let’s not forget the media who are looking for a story. All of this continually adds to yours and each family member’s stress at a time when each person’s capacity to cope is truly diminished. Unfortunately, this is a time when you and every bereaved family member needs the most support from their friends / family / community. Each bereaved person may feel isolated, judged, embarrassed, and remorseful. Unfortunately, people are quick to judge family members as being incompetent and / or the victim deserved what he / she got because they were with the wrong crowd, etc. The pain and sorrow of such actions can be overwhelming for you as a survivor.

You and your family members may be plagued with many unanswerable questions. The guilt and shame associated with the loss of a loved through murder / suicide can be lifelong. Some family members and friends may become so ashamed when someone has been murdered or someone died by suicide, that they will completely distance themselves from it all. Others carry the guilt, always there, always a burden. Some bereaved individuals’ plight can be so debilitating that they are unable to work, manage their finances, or engage in relationships. Few realize that survivors also become another victim of the crime.

Overwhelming sadness, anger, vulnerability, lack of desire to do anything, anxiousness, irritability, inability to concentrate, numbness, confusion, inability to sleep and forgetfulness are some common reactions to a traumatic loss. By sharing and listening to others who have experienced a similar loss survivors are able to connect with others who understand and have their feelings validated.

The BC Victims of Homicide, an initiative of the BC Bereavement Helpline, http://www.bcvictimsofhomicide.com will be hosting an eight-week traumatic loss grief support group to help individuals from the South Asian community, in partnership with Valley View Funeral Home in Surrey. These sessions will be in Punjabi, Hindi and English. Sharing a common experience, especially as traumatic as the murder or suicide of a loved one, is often the first step in healing and learning to live with “a new normal”.

For more information or to register, contact Jas Cheema by phone at 604-561-2700 or by email at: [email protected].

BY JAS CHEEMA, M.A.
Facilitator