The 6th Annual CAN Family Festival at Jack Poole Plaza is coming up on April 9th. The day’s festivities will kick off with a fundraising walk and the lighting of the cauldron to commemorate April as Autism Awareness Month.
CAN Family Festival
Where: Jack Poole Plaza, Downtown Vancouver
When: Sunday, April 9, 2017 10:30am to 2:30pm
Admission: Free!
Emceed by Breakfast Television Host Riaz Meghji, the festival will include live entertainment by Bobs & Lolo and David Morin, food trucks, a skate park, face painting, a ball hockey tournament featuring Vancouver Canucks alumni, and much more.
Browse 15 vendors at a pop-up artisan market selling unique gifts, gourmet food, apparel for adults and children, and home décor, with part proceeds benefiting Canucks Autism Network. There will also be first responder vehicles on-site for kids to explore, and a photo booth with Canucks alumni.
The Canucks Autism Network (CAN) provides year-round sports and recreation programs for individuals and families living with autism, while increasing awareness and providing training in communities across British Columbia. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for more information.
On Thursday, March 30, 2017, Dining Out For Life returns for its 23rd year in support of people living with HIV/AIDS in our community.
Dining Out for Life
From Whistler to White Rock and across the Lower Mainland, DOFL’s restaurant partners will contribute 25% of their food sales to A Loving Spoonful.
Over 50 restaurants are participating, from Lucky’s Doughnuts and Burgoo Bistro, to Cactus Club, Gotham Steakhouse, Forage, Fable, and more! They’re donating 25% of breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner to the cause.
All proceeds directly benefit the programs and services they provide free-of-charge, including:
- An average 100,000 meals per year delivered by volunteers to those affected by HIV/AIDS in Metro Vancouver and surrounding regions
- Nutritional counselling and meal planning.
- Easter Sundays where chefs donate their time to cook for a group of 50-60 people.
- Family Pantry Program where families receive fruits, vegetables, and other pantry essentials.
- Snack Packs all clients receive: fresh fruit, yogurt, bread, juice, milk and more.
A Loving Spoonful is a volunteer-driven, non-partisan Society that provides free, nutritious meals to people living with HIV/AIDS in Greater Vancouver. A Loving Spoonful is the constant support of over 250 adults and children living with HIV/AIDS throughout the Greater Vancouver area
Dine out on Thursday, March 30, 2017 and make it a day to remember.
Follow Dining Out for Life on Twitter and Facebook with the tag #VanDOFL for more information.
A gathering with your friends on a weekend may usually consist of watching hockey, playing board games, meeting at a bar or resto lounge, or something active like Frisbee on the beach or outdoor ice skating. Over the last year or so the options have expanded, and some activities you may not have considered before are becoming to new go-to hangouts for friends families, or date nights.
5 Unconventional Ways to Play in Vancouver
Archery Tag
Where: 6Pack Indoor Beach (#115-13180 Mitchell Rd. Richmond)
What: “Imagine paintball, only instead of painful stings and guns, it’s foam tipped arrows and bows.” Join public archery tag play, book a private party, or drop in for Combat Fridays.
Fencing
Where: Academie Duello (412 West Hastings St, Vancouver)
What: Book in a group to learn the basics of movement, posture, attack and defence in fun interactive games that get everyone involved. Try out the arts of the rapier, longsword, sword and shield, quarterstaff and more.
Trampoline
Where: Extreme Air Park (14380 Triangle Road, Richmond)
What: Canada’s Largest Trampoline Park with 42,000 sq/ft of enclosed interlocking trampolines with a variety of different activities. Additional locations in Langley and New Westminster. Ninja course coming soon! Keep your eye on Apex Adventure Plex (3810 Jacombs Road, Richmond) as they’re opening a Ninja Course soon too.
Curling
Where: Vancouver Curling Club (4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver)
What: Join a public open house, learn-to-curl session, clinic or Monday Novice League. See also: Marpole Curling Club (8730 Heather St, Vancouver).
Axe Throwing
Where: Bad Axe Throwing (8132 130 St Unit #109, Surrey)
What: The world’s biggest urban axe throwing club, bringing the thrill of a traditional Canadian backyard pastime to urban communities. Must book in groups of 8 (minimum). Bring your own food, learn from the coaches, play mini games, and more.
Millennials are changing the face of travel today, in some very big ways. A recent article in HuffPo says they’re revolutionizing their travel choices in four ways. They’re choosing cultural experiences over partying, they’re mixing business with leisure creating “Bleisure Travel”, group travel is on the rise, as are hostel stays. For this impactful age group, volunteer opportunities also provide ways to engage with cultures, allowing these eager travellers to make the most of their time abroad rather than quickly passing through as a tourist.
Cuso International Youth Volunteer Program
Recent university graduates and young professionals from across Canada have transformed communities and lives in five developing countries by volunteering their skills through the International Youth Internship Program offered by Cuso International, sponsored by Global Affairs Canada.
Cuso International connected 35 young professionals with non-governmental partners in Guyana, Laos, Peru, Cameroon and Nicaragua. Among the interns who were accepted into the highly competitive International Youth Internship Program was Brittney Potvin, an SFU grad from Vancouver, who spent 6 months in Nicaragua.
“I applied to the International Youth Internship Program (“IYIP”), which a 6 month placement opportunity funded by Global Affairs Canada,” explains Brittney. “Cuso is one of the numerous partners that work with GAC to send youth abroad (given Cuso’s experience, they were already set up to prepare and integrate interns, based on their time sending volunteers abroad).”
She was placed with the marketing team at the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua. This is a non for profit located in the capital that offers various services to small, medium and large scale producers, exporters and businesses in Nicaragua. Their mission is to help shape Nicaragua as a leading export country.
“The International Youth Internship Program program was ideal for me given that I had only recently completed my studies and had yet to secure full time employment. As an NGO focused on development issues with opportunities in latin America, Cuso was an ideal organization to pursue the IYIP.”
Going forward, Brittney says she would like to pursue, whether in the near or distant future, a position with Cuso in Latin America again.
“I would recommend the organization to anyone interested in contributing to skill, culture and language sharing, as well as those with a passion for international issues (social justice, poverty alleviation, etc.). I am also certain that the personal development that comes with the placement will be worth it, and you will learn much more than you anticipated about yourself and the world.”
Her experience in Nicaragua opened her eyes to the diversity of volunteering opportunities. “Some volunteers are working in very small, low budget women’s rights issues, while others focus on coffee cooperatives, universities, etc. Scale/capacity and the location of the various projects have all shaped our individual experiences in the country.”
“Now more than ever, the skills of our young people are needed as we work together to build a more equitable world,” said Lloyd Axworthy, Chair, Cuso International. “These interns have made sustainable and life-changing accomplishments while working side-by-side with local colleagues, propelling our global community forward. We are fortunate that the Government of Canada shares our belief in the potential of youth and provided the funding to match our International Youth Interns with organizations transforming lives around the world.”
While the two-year International Youth Internship Program is ending on March 31st, there are still ways for young people to get involved with volunteer opportunities with CUSO International, either in Canada, around the world, or online.
The Monster Jam Triple Threat Series, the most adrenaline charged motorsports experience for families on the planet, is coming to the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver April 7-9, 2017.
Monster Jam in Vancouver
Where: Pacific Coliseum (2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver)
When: Friday, April 7, 2017 at 7:00pm
Saturday, April 8, 2017 1:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, April 9, 2017 – at 1:00pm
Tickets: Starting at just $15 each. Tickets are available for purchase online via TicketLeader, charge by phone at (604) 252-3700 or visit the PNE Box Office. *Prices subject to change; additional ticketing/venue fees may apply.
On Saturday, there’s a Pit Party open from 10:30:00am to 12:00pm, Pit Passes are available to purchase for an additional $10 each.
The Monster Jam Triple Threat Series is a points-based format that showcases the best lineup of Monster Jam vehicles that deliver what fans want to see most – more trucks, more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies, more action!
Each event tests the versatility of the athletes as they go head-to- head in seven different competitions driving three different vehicles: Monster Jam trucks, Monster Jam Speedsters and Monster Jam ATVs. These athletes battle for points in challenging racing and freestyle events that push themselves and their machines to the limit – the Monster Jam premiere team athletes vying to be Vancouver champions are:
Grave Digger ® driven by Cole Venard
Max-D ® driven by Jared Eichelberger
El Toro Loco ® driven by Mark List
Monster Mutt ® Dalmation driven by Canada’s Cynthia Gauthier
Zombie™ driven by Tyler Groth
New Earth Authority SM (N.E.A.) driven by Travis Groth
Scooby-Doo™ driven by rookie Myranda Cozad
Mohawk Warrior driven by rookie Bryce Kenny
Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, Monster Jam trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch- tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, Monster Jam trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.
Win Tickets
I have a 4-pack of tickets to give away to opening night on Friday, April 7th. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Click below to get another entry by posting on Twitter:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a 4-pack of @MonsterJam tickets http://owl.li/rOzt30acKgA” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, March 30, 2017.
Update The winner is Erica!
