FRIDAY
According to Canadian Blood Services, every day many Canadians need blood. Please donate at the Canadian Blood Services Bloodmobile that's coming to the Richmond Library and Cultural Centre on Friday, March 23. The Bloodmobile will be open from 10 a.m. to 4: 15 p.m. and people are asked to book their appointment in advance. To register to donate blood or to find out if you're eligible call 1-888-2-DONATE (1888236-6283) anytime.
SATURDAY
Richmond Nature Park present a FREE Exotic Reptile Show on Saturday and Sunday, March 24-25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for all ages, presented by the West Coast Society for the Protection and Conservation of Reptiles. Meet the animals and talk to the people who know reptiles best. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 6047186188 or visit www.city. richmond.bc.ca.
SUNDAY
Sunday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Walk to Rebuild the Lives of Onagawa's Children, hosted by the Steveston Rotary Club, will see participants walk a one kilometre route starting from Fisherman's Park at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Every hour on the hour, supporters will participate in the memorial walk. All funds raised will be going to support children in need in the small village of Onagawa, Japan, near the heavily damaged city of Sendai. For more information, call Bill McNulty at 778-838-1560.
MONDAY
ESN Spring Business Expo will be held on Monday, March 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, at the corner of Cambie and No. 3 roads.
There will be 75 exhibitors, podcasting and seminars as well as major networking and gifts. Free door admission by emailing info@esnorg.org or call 604-273-7445.
RICHMOND'S NURSE NEXT DOOR'S PINK
Heart Club is offering a Complimentary Week, from Monday, March 26 to March 30. (Pre-registration is required.) Come each day of the week or pick which day(s) of the week to attend, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members can arrive as early as 9: 30 a.m. and leave as late as 2: 30 p.m. if their transportation is via HandyDart or taxi. Snacks, lunch, beverages and all activities are included. If you like the program remember that there is now subsidized space available for low income seniors. For more information, call Kim at 604-644-5524 or visit www.nursenextdoor.com.
TUESDAY
Attend a free talk on Introduction to SelfPublishing on Tuesday, March 27, from 7-9 p.m. in the 2nd floor program room, Brighouse Branch of Richmond Public Library, 7700 Minoru Gate. To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call 604-231-6413 and quote program #316 or register online at www.yourlibrary. ca/whatson.cfm.
Learn how following your instincts can provide practical solutions to your life's challenges and how to trust your intuition in daily decisions during Trusting Your Intuition with Philip Ponchet and Mandana Rastan from the Inner Peace Movement on Tuesday, March 27, at 1: 30 p.m. and 7: 30 p.m. at Travelodge Hotel Vancouver Airport, 3071 St. Edwards Dr. The lectures are open to the public. Everyone is welcome.
Admission is $16 including HST.
WEDNESDAY
The Richmond Garden Club meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7: 30 p.m. at the Minoru Sports Pavilion, 7191 Granville Ave. The March 28 speaker will be Paul Edwards of Select Maples speaking about Japanese Maples. All novice and experienced gardeners are welcome as our guests. For more information, call Gary at 6042788159.
THURSDAY
Caroline Adderson, Richmond's first Writer-in-Residence, has been doing ESL Writers' Workshops with the community and now her students will have the chance to read their works in public. Come to a free public reading on Thursday, March 29, from 7-9 p.m. at the Brighouse Branch of Richmond Public Library, at 7700 Minoru Gate. A sample of writing by the students has been published in a chapbook edited by Adderson, and everyone is invited to hear them read from their works in the library's Kwok-Chu Lee Living Room.
UPCOMING
Richmond martial arts school Pacific Wave Jiu-jitsu is holding an open house. Visitors can drop by the school on Saturday, March 31, 7-8: 30 p.m. to meet the instructors, get a tour of the facilities, and enjoy cake and refreshments.
Those who RSVP by email or on the Facebook event page will be entered in a draw for gift certificates that can be applied toward any of the school's programs.
To RSVP for the grand opening party, email info@pacificwavejiujitsu. com with your full name and phone number or visit www.facebook.com/ PacificWaveJJ. The event will be held at Pacific Wave Jiu-jitsu, 140-12811 Clarke Place.
Are you or someone you know misusing substances or experiencing problems gambling? Richmond Public Library is partnering with Richmond Addiction Services to offer a series of free, drop-in community education programs.
The seven programs will take place from 7-9 p.m. in the 2nd floor program room at the Brighouse Branch of RPL, 7700 Minoru Gate. No registration necessary. The sessions will cover issues related to substance use and misuse, gambling and understanding what addiction is. The programs take place on Wednesdays, April 4, 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 16, 23. For more information, call 604-270-9220.
Celebrate Vaisakhi, an ancient Indian harvest festival and enjoy Bhangra performance, storytelling, musical mats, a lucky draw and refreshments on Sunday, April 1, from 3-4: 30 p.m. at the Cambie Branch of Richmond Public Library, located in the Cambie Shopping Plaza at No. 5 Road and Cambie Road. This free, drop-in program is for all ages. It will take place in English with Punjabi translation. For more information, please call Vandy Advani at 6042732223 or Gurpreet Faridkot at 604-279-7157.
Want to learn about nutrition, blood sugar and their effects on your body?
Then come to a free program called Optimum Health & Wellness: The Blood Sugar Connection on Tuesday, April 3, from 7-8: 30 p.m. in the performance hall at the Brighouse Branch of Richmond Public Library, 7700 Minoru Gate. To register, visit any branch of the public library, call 604-231-6413 or visit www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm. Registration is necessary, please quote program #319.
The Brighouse Parent Advisory Council is hosting a presentation on disaster preparedness on Thursday, April 5, at 6: 30 p.m. at the library of Samuel Brighouse elementary, 6800 Azure Road. It is open to the surrounding community.
Please RSVP to contactus@brighousepac.org or visit www.brighousepac. org.
MISCELLANEOUS
If you are age nine to 19 and love to perform, the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver is pleased to offer Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! Session 1: July 3 to 26, session 2: July 30 to August 23, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost per session: Members $600 / NonMembers $700. Deadline for applications: April 2.
For more information, call the Jewish Community Centre at 604-257-5111 or Perry Ehrlich 6042327209 or ehrlich@kzellaw. com.
