Bakeries and cafes around the world have dedicated March 20 as a day to enjoy sweet treats while bringing attention to important causes. Check out these participating cafes in Vancouver this Macaron Day.
Cause: In honour of this annual meaningful event, Mon Paris Pâtisserie is celebrating the exquisite French treat by bringing back one of its most popular seasonal flavours: Sakura and Strawberry, and donating 50% of all macaron sales on March 18th and 19th to the BC Hospitality Foundation. Pastry chef/owner, Elena Krasnova, has created three exclusive macaron flavours to commemorate the spring equinox and International Macaron Day: Sakura and Strawberry, Coffee, and Blackcurrant. These limited edition flavours are sure to tantalize your taste buds and warm your heart. Your purchases will not only satisfy your cravings but also help support the BC Hospitality Foundation which raises funds to support those in the hospitality industry facing financial crisis due to a health condition.
Photo submitted.
Where:Faubourg 769 Hornby St & 2156 W 41st Ave in Vancouver
Where: Chez Christophe 4717 Hastings, Burnaby & 1558 Johnston Rd, White Rock
Cause: Partnering once again to support a common cause! This year Chez Christophe and Fauburg Macaron Day efforts will support those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. On March 18th and 21st, their special Macaron Packs will be available for in-store purchase at both locations. Together they will be donating proceeds from macaron sales to the Red Cross Canada Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria Appeal.
Journée internationale du macaron
Macaron Day was founded in France (Journée internationale du macaron) by Pierre Hermé in 2006. It’s a day to celebrate the colours of spring with a bright palette of treats. Macaron Day events will be happening overseas, in New York, and in Toronto. Over the last few years it has become a Vancouver tradition as well.
Macarons (not to be confused with macaroons) are meringue-based confections commonly filled with buttercream or jam with a delicate soft and crunchy outer shell. All you need to do is visit a participating “Macaron Day” bakery or cafe on March 20th and you’ll be given a macaron and be invited to make a donation their chosen charity.
Bring your family to Taves Family Farm to celebrate Easter in the country this spring! Take a hayride out to the apple orchard for an egg hunt, see lots of animals and have the chance to pet bunnies and goats, ride the pedal karts, and more at Easterfest 2023.
Taves Family Farm Easterfest. Photo submitted.
Easterfest 2023 Family & Dog Friendly Fun
When: April 7 to 10, 2023 from 9:15 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Taves Family Farms at 333 Gladwin Rd, Abbotsford
Tickets:On sale now! $11.95 walking age and up TREATpass, $12.95 dog TREATpass
Even four-legged members of the family are welcome this spring to Taves Family Farm for hayrides, petting bunnies and goats, seeing plenty of other farm animals, jumping pillows, pedal karts, and delicious treats for both people and dog family members. Collect delicious treats from concession such as Bunny Butt ice cream, mini donuts, hot dogs, and more.
Add-On Tickets are available everyday and include participation in the egg hunt. TREATpass for Saturday and Sunday give visitors the opportunity to watch a magicians performance or purchase food and beverages from Steamworks food truck. Dog TREATpass allows your dog to visit multiple stations throughout the farm to collect local dog products and treats in their own Easter egg hunt.
Adult Easter Fun
A fun night at the farm for those 19 and over includes a twilight Easter egg hunt, live music from Ryan McAllister on Friday and Kyle Pierce on Saturday, food truck bites from Steamworks, cider flights, goat petting, jumping pillow, and prizes for best Easter Hat and finder of the golden egg.
When: March 31 and April 1, 2023 from 5:30 pm to 8:45 pm
Where: Taves Family Farms at 333 Gladwin Rd, Abbotsford
Enjoy the Easter holiday at Maan Farms in Abbotsford with BAE (Baby Animal Easter) Days and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny for family fun, as well as Bunnies & Booze for adults.
Egg-Cellent Ice Cream. Photo submitted.
Easter at Maan Farms – BAE Days
Baby Animal Easter Days takes visitors on a hunt for colourful Easter eggs hidden at seven animal stations as an activity booklet teaches about bunnies, ducklings, chicks, calves, goats, lambs, and pigs. Explore the Barnyard Adventureland attractions including the playground, zipline, pedal go karts, and more. Enjoy treats from Maan Farms Country Kitchen such as lemon mini donuts and handmade chocolate soft serve as well as savoury dishes like butter chicken and naan tacos.
VIP passes are available for purchase and include animal feed, mini donuts, a glass of Maan Farms Estate Winery’s berry wine or strawberry lemonade, chocolate, and a comback pass.
When: April 7th to 10th, 2023
Where: Maan Farms at 790 McKenzie Rd (Abbotsford)
Tickets:On sale now! Walking age and up: $21 online. Parents: $17 online, $15.50 at the door.
BAE Days VIP pass $40 in addition to general admission tickets, VIP pass includes animal feed, mini donuts, a glass of Maan Farms Estate Winery’s berry wine or strawberry lemonade, chocolate, and a “comeback pass”.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
In addition to seeing the Easter Bunny around the farm during BAE Days, join in an immersive Breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 9:00am to 10:30am every morning. Visitors will meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy a breakfast menu of pancakes with strawberries and whip cream, sausages, and a drink.
When: April 7th to 10th, 2023 from 9:00am to 10:30am
Bunnies & Booze is a 90’s themed egg hunt for those 19 and older including fun games, the chance to meet the Easter Bunny, appetizers and dinner made by Mama Maan’s Country Kitchen served with Maan Farms Estate Winner’ys berry wine or a glass of beer.
For more information about the Maan Farms Easter event follow along on Instagram and Facebook.
Maan Farms is a third-generation family-owned and operated farm, located in the Fraser Valley. The Maans are always thinking of new ways to engage Lower Mainland communities, and strongly believe in hospitality, treating guests as if they were personally inviting them into their own home. With a welcoming nature, rooted in their cultural heritage, guests are guaranteed a fun farm experience.
YWCA Metro Vancouver has announced the 78 nominees for the 40th Women of Distinction Awards, presented by Scotiabank. Tickets for the awards gala May 9th are now on sale.
40th YWCA Women of Distinction Awards
Where: Westin Bayshore Vancouver When: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 5:30pm to 9:30pm Tickets:Available now! Until March 17th $285 per person; from March 18th $325 per person
2023 Nominees
You can view the full list of nominees, along with their bios, online.
The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver (“CHV”). Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV. This month’s post has been written by Jason Bosher.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking (sex, labour, and organ trafficking) involves recruiting, transporting, harbouring, or receiving a person, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of exploitation. In the case of minors, any commercial sex act is trafficking, regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion is involved. Exploitation can occur without trafficking.
Myths and uncertainties about trafficking abound — and the trafficking industry thrives on such misconceptions. The hidden nature of this crime has meant that most Canadians are completely unaware that it occurs in our country.
Youth who are experiencing homelessness are at greater risk of being trafficked, which in turn has been found to be a risk factor for future sexual exploitation and trafficking experiences. Trafficking rates have been found to range from 19% – 40% among homeless young people.
Human trafficking begins with traffickers assessing potential victims based on their vulnerability — and then luring them into a friendship or romantic relationship, by giving them false hope for a better life.
The traffickers lure potential victims with gifts and promises of “great opportunities” for “easy work” that would bring money, glamour, and prestige. Of course, these are all false promises — but the victims are desperate enough to believe them.
Coercion, such as threats of serious harm to, or physical restraint against, any person, including family members, as well as psychological manipulation, document confiscation, and threats of exposure, may be used by the trafficker to control youth.
How Covenant House Vancouver Is Helping Trafficked Youth
At Covenant House Vancouver, nearly 1 in 5 youth who come through their doors have survived trafficking.
Statistics show that it takes an average of seven attempts to exit a trafficking situation. Covenant House takes a youth-led, non-judgemental approach. They first meet a youth’s basic needs of a safe place to stay, food, clothing, and wraparound services that include mental health and substance use supports. Covenant House knows that it is difficult for youth to leave their situation, because of the manipulation by, and dependence on, the trafficker, so staff build a rapport and a relationship of trust with the youth, so if the youth are retrafficked, they know that they have a safe place to return to. A safe place to stay is paramount in helping youth exit trafficking.
After 32 months of extensive research and collaborations, Covenant House Vancouver is in the final stages of creating a toolkit, and training model, to support frontline staff and community partners that will empower supports for trafficked youth.
How You Can Help Trafficked Youth
Raising awareness and providing information are the most common tools in the arsenal of prevention activities. Awareness is required not only for the youth but also service providers in schools, law enforcement, social work, and healthcare.
To address homelessness among youth, a continuum of services that ensure low-barrier, affordable housing should be offered. Given that homelessness and poverty run parallel to each other, job opportunities and employment programs would help prevent these youth from falling prey to trafficking. School attendance and engagement can also help to reduce a youth’s risk of experiencing trafficking, as schools reduce a youth’s isolation.
Another way that you can help is by donating to organizations that are engaged in efforts to eliminate youth trafficking. A very special family understands the prevalence of trafficking and that this issue continues to put young people in danger, every day, so starting March 8th, they have offered to match any donations to Covenant House, up to $15,000!
