SOUTH EAST ASIAN

New Year’s dinner
Mon Dec 31 7pm-1am
Gather up your friends and join in on the fun at MSBCA’s New Year dinner and dance. Tix $45 includes dinner, champagne, noisemakers and dancing to the music of The Tropicana. Floata Seafood Resto (400-180 Keefer St). Info: www.msbca.com.

Polar bear swim
Tue Jan 1, 2008 2.30pm
All Malaysian Assoc of BC members are encouraged to start their New Year with a “crisp” new outlook by joining the annual Polar Bear Swim at English Bay. Contact the Vancouver Aquatic Centre for more info: 604-665-3418.

EAST ASIAN

Chinese in BC
Ongoing
“From Generation to Generation,” a history of Chinese Canadians in BC. Tix $4/2.50. Chinese Cultural Centre Museum & Archives (555 Columbia St). Info: 604-658-8880.

Taiwanese party
Wed Dec 19 9.30pm-2am
UBC’s New Taiwanese Generation is hosting their year-end club bash, “Frost”. Tix $15. Sonar Club (66 Water St). Info: 604-218-0280 or 778-881-5922.

Ceramics sale
Ongoing until Sat Dec 22
Mon-Sat 5-9pm;
Sun noon-8pm
Artist Hide Ebina will hold a sale of his “functional art” pieces including platters, bowls, cups, teapots, etc. Are all unique and hand-made. Hide Ceramic Works Studio Gallery (#310-338 W 8th Ave, between Yukon & Alberta). Call ahead: 604-875-6002 or 778-235-0236.
Info: http://hideart.com.

Bi-cultural exhibition
Ongoing until Mon 31
The Chinese Cultural Centre museum presents “Images of Canada and China,” an exhibition of watercolor
paintings by Jiang Shiyu.
Tix $2. Chinese Cultural Ctr (555 Columbia St).
For more information call: 604-658-8880.
Adults’ karaoke club
Ongoing, every Mon &
Thu 1-3pm
Exercise your vocal chords and the diva inside with English karaoke on Mon and Chinese karaoke on Thu. Bring your own karaoke discs if you have any. Renfrew Park Community Ctr (2929 E 22nd Ave). Info: 604-257-8390.

Lunar new year auditions
Ongoing until Mon Dec 31
Rebel Nations will be running auditions for its Lunar New Year 2008 show. Participants are invited to perform their dancing, singing, martial artsor cultural arts pieces at the Burnaby South Secondary School (Michael J Fox Theatre, 5455 Rumble St). Info: 604-961-7286.
 
Lantern festival
Fri Dec 21 6-10pm
Join the 14th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival as it celebrates the return of light after the longest night of the year. The procession will carry hand-made lanterns from Science World and Strathcona Community Centre to the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Garden (578 Carrall St).
Info: 604-662-3207.

Bilingual celebration
Sun Dec 23 3pm
Megumi Baptist Church presents a bilingual Christmas celebration in English and Japanese. Dinner follows the service; baby-sitting is available for children under three years. Free admission. Oakridge Baptist Church Building (6261 Cambie St). Info: Tomoko at 604-872-2899.

Rice cake party
Sat Dec 29 12noon-3.30pm
Celebrate O-Shogatsu (Japanese New Year) at Nikkei Place, featuring mochi-making and tasting, and a mochi and manju (steamed cakes) sale. Children are encouraged to come dressed in traditional Kimono. National Nikkei Heritage Ctr (Kingsway & Sperling, Bby). Info: Frank at 604-929-4476, Roberta at 604-432-6160.

Lecture on bullying
Sat Jan 5 & Sat Jan 12, 2008
The Chinese Cultural Centre will host a lecture on bullying as part of its Children’s Safety Talks, in cooperation with the Chinese Community Policing Centre. In Cantonese from 1-2pm and Mandarin from 2-3pm. Free admission. CCC Boardroom (50 E Pender St). Info: 604-658-8850.

Choir audition
Mon Jan 7 7.30pm
The Vancouver Oratorio Society, the city’s largest all-Chinese choir, will be accepting new members in the new year. Pilgrim Baptist Church (6075 Inverness St). Info: www.vancouveroratorio.org or 604-645-6761.

SOUTH ASIAN

Surrey women’s centre
Ongoing – daily 10am-4pm
The Surrey Women’s Centre offers free and confidential counseling support by qualified female lawyers, for women and families experiencing violence. Services are available in English & Punjabi. Info:  www.surreywomencentre.ca  or 604-583-1295.

Toastmasters Club
Ongoing every Thu
7.30-9.30pm
Sharpen your communication and public speaking skills with the PICS (Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society) Toastmasters Club. PICS Surrey (#109-12414 82nd Ave, Surrey). Info: Barry @
604-596-7722 ext 246.

SAFA arts youth nights
Ongoing every Fri 7-9pm
The South Asian Family Association’s Arts Youth Nights are for kids and teens between seven and 16.
Programs are geared to promoting South Asian culture, a positive image of South Asian youth and achieving cultural harmony. Moberly Arts & Cultural Ctr (7642 Prince Albert St). Info: www.safa.ca.
Saregamapa
Sun Dec 23 7.30pm
The Saregamapa Challenge 2007 tour hits town, featuring performances by all the young contestants of the vocal talent search. Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Hamilton at Georgia). Info: 604-543-9000.

Jingle with singles
Sun Dec 23
Toronto event. From the people who organized Bollywood Singles Bazaar Part I, comes a Christmas party event, “Jingle with the Singles” mixer. Wear green if single, red if “not looking.” Tix $15/10. Six Degrees Nightclub (2335 Yonge St, Toronto). Info: www.globalfundates.com/parties.htm or 416-254-2618.

Safa First Night
Mon Dec 31 8pm
Ring in the new year and raise funds for youth scholarships and a Family Support Centre with a not for profit organization called the South Asian Family Association (SAFA ). Entry includes a deluxe three-course dinner, music by DJ Rocky, a live band, a midnight toast, party favours and more. Formal attire (ladies in red, men in black). Fraserview Hall (8240 Fraser St). Info & Tix: Nina Sohi at 604-721-7778.

JiTEN & KARiM
Mon Dec 31 9.30pm
Toronto event. New Year’s Eve Social ’08 features DJs KiTEN & KARiM at Club {V}. Complimentary champagne, hors d’oeuvres and party favours. Tix $40 in advance. Club {V} (88 Yorkville Ave, Toronto). Info: 416-991-7205.

SOUTH ASIAN

Rice as art
Ongoing until Tue Jan 1 2008
Canada’s first ever exhibit dedicated to rice!
Rice is Life explores rice’s significance in societies from all over the globe through history, cultivation, culture, religion, ritual, science and modern day challenges.
Vancouver Museum (1100 Chestnut St, Vanier Park). Info: www.vanmuseum.bc.ca or 604-736-4431.

VanDusen light up
Ongoing until Tue Jan 1 2008
Thousands of lights blanket the gardens for their Festival of Lights, with music from Christmas choirs, a water light show and even two Scandinavian Christmas elves. Tix $10.25-$5.25.
VanDusen Botanical Garden is located at 5251 Oak St (37th and Oak Street).
Info: 604-878-9274.

Courage awards
Ongoing until Feb 12, 2008
The Coast Mental Health Foundation’s “Courage to Come Back Awards” is accepting nominations for persons who have overcome extraordinary challenges of illness, injury, or adversity and have given back to their community. The foundation was created in 1974 in response to the need for services for people recovering from a serious mental illness. Info: visit the web site: www.coastfoundation.com.

IN THE WORKS

Dragon gala dinner
Sat Jan 12, 2008
The Chinese Cultural Centre’s biggest fundraising event of the year.
More info to come.
Floata Chinese Seafood
Restaurant
(#400 180 Keefer St).
Info: 604-658-8850.

Teen Canada pageant
Sun Jan 13 7pm
Last year’s winner, Gurveen Johal will be on hand to pass the crown at this year’s Miss Canada Teen Global Pageant and fundraiser for Variety Children’s Charity.
Tix $25. Bell Centre for Performing Arts (6250 – 144th St, Surrey).  Info: www.misscanadateenglobal.ca. or
604-803-5080.

Skating championships
Sun Jan 16 – Thu Jan 20, 2008
Approximately 150 of Canada’s best skaters are headed to Vancouver to compete in the 2008 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships. The event will determine who will represent Canada at the next ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Sweden.
Pacific National Exhibition (Hastings & Renfrew). Ticket info: 604-280-4444.

Dine Out Vancouver
Wed Jan 16 – Sun Feb 3, 2008. Tourism Vancouver presents Dine Out Vancouver. Participating restaurants will offer special three-course dinner menus to allow
visitors to sample the best of local cuisine at a
reduced price.
Info: www.tourismvancouver.com.
 
Game design expo
Sat Jan 19 & Sun Jan 20, 2008. The brains behind
Bungie Studios’ blockbuster Halo 3 video game, Jay
Winland and CJ Cowan,
will be the keynote speakers at Game Design Expo
2008, hosted by Vancouver Film School. Also featuring talks and panels by the designers, producers, and CEOs behind the biggest games of yesterday and today.  Tix $80/$50/$35. VanCity Theatre (1181 Seymour St) and Vancouver Film School (200 198 W Hastings St). Info: www.gamedesignexpo.com.

Municipal Advisories

Abbotsford

Snow removal
During snow storms, residents are reminded to park their vehicles off the road to allow City crews to clear the streets. Be good neighbours – clean snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of your property and/or business. 

Burnaby

RCMP counter overhaul
The front counter of Burnaby’s main RCMP detachment (6355 Deer Lake Ave) is closed for renovations until Wed Jan 2, 2008. The general public may bring their inquiries to the four Community Policing Offices situated around town.
For locations, visit www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/whatsnew. Police response to emergency situations will not be changed.

Heritage Christmas
Ongoing until Tue Jan 1
A storybook Christmas is brought to life in Burnaby Museum’s Heritage Christmas event, as the grounds are filled with decorations, carollers, actors, and the smell of pine and cedar and of farmhouse baking.
Tix $10-$5 (Tues half price). Burnaby Village Museum (6501 Deer Lake Ave, Bby). Info: www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca or 604-293-6501.

Delta

Whether you’ve done too much celebrating over the holidays, or you’re tired from Christmas shopping or are nervous about driving on icy roads, Operation Red Nose will make sure you and your car get home safely.
Call toll free 1-877-604-6673 (NOSE) until Mon Dec 31 to ensure a safe ride home. Info: www.bccpa.org/rednose.

North Vancouver

Free LED bike lights
For a limited time, North Shore cyclists can get a free LED bike light if they visit www.cnv.org and click on the What’s New link.
One light per person, while quantities last. Offer expires January 30, 2008.

Port Coquitlam

Collection services in snow
In the event of hazardous road conditions due to snow and/or ice, the City may find it necessary, in the interest of public safety, to authorize temporary cancellation of garbage and/or recycling collection. If this occurs, the City will advise residents through bulletins on the City’s website and the CKNW radio station at 980 AM. City crews will collect the waste for the missed zone(s) after the next day’s collection zone is completed. Info: 604-927-5488.

Port Moody

Murray-Clarke connector
The City’s campaign to explain the urgent need for the twice-delayed Murray-Clarke Connector has paid off. At its meeting last week, TransLink’s outgoing Board of Directors approved the allocation of up to $50 million for the design and construction of the much-needed Murray-Clarke Connector. Info:
www.cityofportmoody.com.

Richmond

BC senior games
Richmond has been awarded the 2009 BC Seniors Games, to be held September 16-19, 2008. The Games give participants over 55 years a chance to compete in organized sporting events. Over 3,500 BC Seniors are expected to compete in 26 sporting events over four days. Info: www.richmond.ca/news.htm.

Surrey

Surrey Firefighters will be on hand to chip used Christmas trees once the holidays are over. Any donations will go towards their charity. Trees must be free of wires, decorations and tree stands. Info: 604-591-4203.

Vancouver

Online taxi survey
The City has launched an online survey to assess customer satisfaction with recent service improvement initiatives in the taxi industry. Residents are asked to take the time to visit the survey and provide feedback. Find the survey at www.city.vancouver.bc.ca.

City Hall holiday hours
For the holiday season, the City Hall campus (453 West 12th Ave, the East Wing at 2675 Yukon St, and 515 West 10th Ave) will close from Mon Dec 24 through Tue Jan 1, 2008. City Hall will reopen at 8.30 am on Wed Jan 2, 2008. Visit www.city.vancouver.bc.ca for a list of contact numbers for services in operation during the holidays.