WEDNESDAY
The Richmond Garden Club meets on the fourth Wednesday at 7: 30 p.m. at the Minoru Sports Pavilion, 7191 Granville Ave. All novice and experienced gardeners are welcome as our guests. For more information, call Gary at 604278-8159.
The Cambie branch of Richmond Public Library will be holding a free drop-in Christmas in the Library celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 19 from 4 to 5 p.m. The event is for all ages and includes carols, holiday stories and crafts. For more information, call Melanie Au at 604-2316425 or email melanie. au@yourlibrary.ca.
THURSDAY
The Steveston branch of Richmond Public Library will be holding a free drop-in Christmas in the Library celebration on Thursday, Dec. 20 from 3: 30 to 4: 30 p.m. The event is for all ages and includes carols, holiday stories and crafts. For more information, call Melanie Au at 604-2316425 or email melanie. au@yourlibrary.ca.
Staff at the Brighouse branch of the library will demonstrate some delicious ideas for homemade gifts and how to package them on Thursday, Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. on the main floor, 7700 Minoru Gate. The event is free and open to everyone.
FRIDAY
Hominick Music Studio and Brighouse United Church present Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol: A dramatic reading with seasonal music and carols by local musicians on Friday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. The event is held at Brighouse United Church, 8151 Bennett Rd. Admission is by donation to the Richmond Food Bank.
Big River and The Zone is joining forces to raise awareness and donations for the Richmond Food Bank Society. Donations can be brought to The Zone or Big River Brew Pub, 14200 Entertainment Blvd. Every donation gets an entry for the Big River's Meat Draw worth $100. The draw is on Jan. 5, and the last day for entry is Jan. 4. Last year, the team collected $300 and 12 50-pound boxes of food.
Richmond Public Library and Literacy Richmond are partnering with Kwantlen Polytechnic University to offer a program for parents wanting to gain workplace skills. The Learning Together program combines family reading readiness with adult workplace literacy into an all in one program. It runs Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Kids Place Program Room at Brighouse branch. The program is free and drop-in, although it's suggested participants attend regularly. For information, visit a branch, www. yourlibrary.ca/whatson. cfm or call 604-2316413.
Bring a canned donation to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery now until Dec. 31 and receive two-for-one admission on a guided tour. Donations go to the Richmond Food Bank.
Natural Capital Exhibit is on now until April 30 at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Emily Carr University in partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation and OCAD University present an interactive community mapping and storytelling project. Digitial narratives feature stories from diverse community members, highlighting the importance of our vanishing wetlands.
SUNDAY
Local Volkssport club is hosting a non-competitive 5K/10K walk in Steveston on Sunday, Dec. 23. Free for new participants. For more information, contact Verni at 604-682-8390.
MONDAY
Fraserview Church's serves up its "legendary" Christmas Eve service with both, as always, a traditional and a contemporary slant on "The Story." December 24 at 7 p.m. All are welcome! Candy bags for the kids.
TUESDAY
Richmond Hospice Association Library is open Tuesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Caring Place, Suite 310, 7000 Minoru Blvd. Come and meet the librarian and see the resources for bereavement support.
UPCOMING
Master Toa Wong introduces the origins and development of Cantonese opera at a free seminar in Cantonese on Saturday, Jan. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Brighouse Branch of Richmond Public Library, 7700 Minoru Gate. Wong will be 99 in early 2013 and is an internationally recognized Chinese musician and teacher. To register, visit any library branch, call 604231-6413 or visit www. yourlibrary.ca/programs/ adult_prog.cfm.
City of Richmond has an event on Jan. 7 that is a free street-safety and self-defense class at the Minoru Sports Pavilion, 7191 Granville Ave. Register: by phone at 604-276-4300. Kids session (8yr-15yr): 7: 15-8: 15 p.m. Code #261420. Adult session (16yr +): 8: 15-9: 30 p.m. Code #261416.
enRICHed Speakers Toastmasters Club will begin meeting again on Jan. 9, 2013 and on Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m. in Meeting Room M.1.003 on the main floor of Richmond City Hall. Guests attend for free. For more information call 604-276-4219 or email nwright@richmond.ca. enRICHed Speakers has a supportive and friendly environment and members learn from one another through positive constructive feedback and encouragement.
Touchstone's Restorative Justice Program in collaboration with Peace of the Circle is pleased to announce training in Peacemaking Circles with Dr. Evelyn Zellerer. The two-day workshop will take place on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20 from 8: 30 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m. at Touchstone Family Association, 209-6411 Buswell St. The cost is $200. To register, contact 604-279-5599 or email info@touchfam.ca. For more information, visit www.peaceofthecircle. com/events/peacemaking-circle-training-2/.
Career Programs Office at the Richmond School Board is holding an informational event for parents, students and any other interested parties about high school apprenticeship programs in Richmond. The event is being billed as The Career Programs Skilled Trades Forum and is being held Jan. 23 from 6: 30 - 8 p.m. at Richmond Secondary.
MYVoice (Mobilizing Young men's Voices) is coming to Richmond and begins rehearsals on Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. at McNair secondary, 9500 No. 4 Rd. The free program is for young guys aged 12 to 20 looking to find their voices, develop confidence and sing together. The program runs for 11 weeks, culminating in a concert on April 20 called Chor Leoni presents MYVoice: Heroes! To register, visit www. chorleoni.org/myvoice.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Richmond Gospel Choir meets on Sundays, from 1-2 p.m. at the Parish Hall of St. Alban church, 7260 St. Alban's Rd. We extend a warm welcome to those who would like to share the joy of singing. Everyone is welcome, male and female ( all ages). There are no auditions for this group. For more information, contact Kevin Zakresky at: kevinzakresky@ me.com.
