what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | January 22, 2009
This weekend has two distinctly different themes – Chinese New Year and Robbie Burns Day, though they do come together with Gung Haggis Fat Choy. Plus you’ll find a little bit of literacy. And we’ve got events that extend well into next week as well. We’ve also added a new section to our weekend guide called Going Green that will include green and sustainable events that may not necessarily be family-friendly but have distinct mum appeal, this week it includes Pesticides & Our Children for example. Find it after our Farther Afield listings.
Robbie Burns Day Luncheon
Friday, January 23rd, Noon – 2:30 pm, Marpole Place 1305 West 70th Avenue, Vancouver
Marpole Place’s annual Robbie Burns Day luncheon will include traditional food and music as well as traditional dancing: www.marpoleplace.ca
“Taste of Burns” Robert Burns 250 Anniversary Celebrations
Friday, January 23rd, 7:30 pm, The Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver
This informal celebration for the whole family includes a light meal, speeches and dancing, as well as Pepperpot, Scotland’s Premier Party Band: www.scottishculturalcentre.com
Celebrate Family Literacy Week
January 24th – 31st, Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch, different dates and times
With everything from author readings, to digital storytelling, to an interactive session introducing activities that connect literacy, physical activity and healthy eating, the library is hopping with literacy all next week: www.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca
Olympicraze
Saturday, January 24th, 11 am – 2 pm, Kensington Community Centre, 5175 Dumfries Street, Vancouver
Catch the spirit by trying out a winter sport on a Nintendo Wii – we’d try the luge – playing Olympic-themed carnival games, making medals, posing on the podium and lots more: vancouver.ca/parks/cc/kensington
Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns 250th Birthday & Chinese New Year’s Eve
Saturday, January 24th, 5 pm reception, 6 pm dinner, 9:30 pm after party & Chinese New Year’s Eve countdown, Floata Seafood Restaurant, #400 – 180 Keefer Street, Vancouver
Covering lots of cultural bases, this event is a literary, music and food celebration blending BC’s Scottish and Chinese history. So if you’re in the mood for both Robert Burns poetry and a Gung Haggis dragon dance you know where to go: www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com
Winter Scavenger Hunt
Sunday, January 25th, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm or 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Kids from four to 11 are invited to bundle up and take part in a seasonal scavenger hunt collecting nature’s treasures and then turning them into works of art. Pre-register by emailing familyprograms@vandusen.org or calling 604.714.5998: vancouver.ca/parks/parks/vandusen
Kids Club! Celebrate the Year of the Ox for Chinese New Year
Monday, January 26th, 8 am – 9 pm, Whole Foods, 925 Main Street, West Vancouver
Join in the scavenger hunt for the missing ox at Whole Foods on Monday and be sure to visit the guest service desk for your prize once you find him. You need to be a member of their kids club before you can get started: www.wholefoodsmarket.com
The Well-Balanced Child
Tuesday, January 27th, 7 pm, Yaletown Chiropractic, 3-1238 Homer Street, Vancouver
Dr. Stephanie Bonn will be presenting this interactive talk on achieving a balanced and healthy lifestyle for you and your family. She’ll address optimal nutrition, exercise and sleep habits and how to avoid having an over-scheduled child. Email info@bonnchiropractic.com or call 604.688.5437 to register: www.yaletownchiropractic.com
Celebrate the Dunbar Community Centre’s 50th Birthday
Wednesday, January 28th, 10:30 am – Noon, Dunbar Community Centre, 4747 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
The Dunbar Community Centre’s turning 50 and how are they celebrating? By inviting the community to help them make art for their upcoming bird and butterfly garden. Everyone’s welcome and all materials are provided: www.dunbarcentre.ca
Robbie Burns Day Luncheon
Wednesday, January 28th, Noon – 2:30 pm, Renfrew Park Community Centre, 2929 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver
Celebrate Robbie Burns Day: vancouver.ca/parks/cc/renfrew
Farther Afield:
Oxford Learning – Family Literacy Day
Friday January 23rd, 11 am – Noon & 3 pm – 4:30 pm & Saturday, January 24th, 10 am – 10:30 am, Oxford Learning, 7380 Westminster Hwy, Richmond
Want to help break a world record for the most children reading with an adult? This Friday, January 23rd beginning at 11 am, Oxford Learning will open its doors to the community to come in and listen to stories from Robert Munsch’s Munschworks 2. So if you’re a reader, a listener or you’d like to witness a world record here’s your chance. Call 604.233.5566 for more details: www.abc-canada.org
Try Family Open Gym
Saturday, January 24th, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm, Centennial Secondary School, 570 Poirier St Coquitlam
The whole family can enjoy the full gym and fun activities like soccer, badminton, basketball and more. Call 604.933.6046 for more info.
Build a Bird Feeder – Family Event
Saturday, January 24th, 1 pm – 3 pm, Surrey Nature Centre. Enter the driveway to the east of 9800 140 Street (just north of Fraser Highway) and follow the signs to the Surrey Nature Centre, Surrey
Here’s a chance for the whole family to build a bird feeder while learning about local bird species and going on a bird walk: www.birdsonthebay.ca
AquaVan in White Rock
Sunday, January 25th, 11 am – 4 pm, White Rock Elementary School – 1273 Fir Street, White Rock
The Vancouver Aquarium’s AquaVan educators will be in White Rock delivering their award-winning aquatic program featuring live animals, props and activities. Here’s your child’s chance to touch a sea star, learn how a barnacle feeds and lots more: www.birdsonthebay.ca
Web Kinz Swim
Sunday, January 25th, 1 pm – 3 pm, Hyde Creek Recreation Centre , 1379 Laurier Avenue, Coquitlam
Here’s your chance to get some pool time and potentially win a Web Kin thanks to games and prizes throughout the afternoon. Call 604.927.7946 for more info.
Golden Dragon and Lion Dance
Monday, January 26th, 11 am outdoor courtyard & 12:15 pm onwards, all mall levels, Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond
The New Year will get started right with this dance that brings a 50ft dragon and lions to life in the traditional eye-dotting ceremony that includes a firecracker spectacular at halftime: www.aberdeencentre.com
Animal Action Workshop
Monday, January 26th, Noon – 4 pm, BCSPCA, Animal Learning Centre-6706 152 Street, Surrey
If you or your tot is passionate about animals here’s your chance to become informed about animal welfare issues and how to make a difference for animals in your community and the world: www.surrey.ca
Going Green:
Pesticides & Our Children: What are the risks and what can you do?
Saturday, January 24th, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
Did you know that the Canadian Cancer Society is concerned about the non-essential use of pesticides? Here’s your chance to learn how to make informed choices about your children’s health and the carcinogens they’re exposed too. Pre registration is recommended and they’ll have childminding for kids under six. Call 604.215.5468 for more details or to register: richmondpac.blogspot.com/
Detox Makover
Saturday, January 24th, 2 pm – 3:30 pm, Whole Foods, 3277 Cambie Street,Vancouver
Nutritionist Victoria Pawlowski will be leading this seminar on how to detox your home, your body and your mind while setting the stage for a year of whole food eating. Register by email to vanessa.pratt@wholefoods.com or victoria.pawlowski@wholefoods.com: www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Home Energy Efficiency Upgrade Rebates
Tuesday, January 27th, 7:30 pm – 8 pm, Trout Lake Community Centre, 3350 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
Find out about LiveSmart BC, a provincial program designed to improve home energy efficiency through rebates, which will help owners of detached houses, townhouses and row houses learn how to make their homes energy efficient and how to access the money to help make those green improvements. Be sure to register in advance: www.relocalize.net
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