Lulu's women
When Richmond was incorporated 125 years ago, men played a public role while women kept the wheels of the new community moving smoothlyand quietly.
Some of these women are being acknowledged with a display currently exhibited in the reference room of the Richmond Archives.
The history books refer to their husbands, fathers, and brothers but less is written about these notable early women settlers.
Lulu Island is named after Lulu Sweet who never set foot on the Island. While she admired the scenery as she sailed from New Westminster to Victoria, she was just "passing through."
What about the women who stayed, some arriving after arduous trips from Europe or Australia? They married, raised families and coped in a brand new farming and fishing hamlet with not much in the way of servicesno bakeries, often no running water and no inside plumbing, scanty medical care, and no TV or radio.
The Richmond Archives is located at 7700 Minoru Gate.
Bernie and Red hit the ANAF
Comedy and music combine this Sunday as the team of Bernie and Red perform at the Army, Navy and Air Force Club in Steveston.
Bernie and Red are married, originally from Liverpool, England, and have been touring North America with their show for the better part of 20 years.
Their comedy comes from real life, focusing on the joys and travails of family life and marriage. And their music is a virtual history lesson on the popular sounds of the past 50 years.
Call the club for reservations at 604-277-5444. The show starts at 7 p.m.
The club is located at 11900 No. 1 Rd.
City voices won't be sitting Idol
Top student singers gather for RichCity Idol
Talented youth from all over Richmond will gather next week for a singing competition between students from local schools.
The event, dubbed RichCity Idol, has been organized by local students from 11 schools and was inspired by the television shows Canadian Idol and American Idol.
Organizers are hoping to promote the importance of school spirit and community involvement by setting an inspirational showcase of student talent.
Winners from each school competition will perform at the Wednesday, May 19 competition at Gateway Theatre.
Well-respected figures from the local music scene, including Spencer Bach, conductor of the Richmond Youth Orchestra, will comment on each performance, but those in attendance will select the winner.
Votes will be cast during the intermission to decide the first RichCity Idol.
The event takes place 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday at Gateway Theatre (6500 Gilbert Rd.).
For more information about this RichCity Idol, e-mail the organizing committee at mh_02@hotmail.com.
For ticket infomation, call the Gateway Theatre's box office at 604-270-1812. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 on the day of the event.
Music without borders
The Richmond Concert Association has announced its 20th anniversary season Distinguished Artists Series line-up and it is promising a season of music that knows no bounds.
From the big band-era sound of Dal Richards and his Orchestra to the sultry sounds of Tango Paradiso to the medieval melodies of the Harps of Avalon, it promises to be a rich and varied year.
As part of its commitment to bring professional performers to Gateway Theatre, the concert association kicks off the 2004/05 season with Dal Richards on Sept 25. For more than 60 years, Richards and his orchestra have treated Canadians with memorable dance music. Richards had his own band even before he graduating from Magee High School in 1936. Over his career, Richards had a five night a week, 25 year run at the Panorama Roof of the Hotel Vancouver, 25 years of live CBC national radio broadcasts from the Roof on Saturday nights, dinner dances at the Pan Pacific and cruise ship performances.
On Nov. 23, pop soloist Michael Hope will bring his baritone voice and vast repertoire to Gateway. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Hope first gained international recognition as the first prize winner in the 1988 CMC International Stepping Stones Competition. He's been called everything from "charismatic and debonair" to "one sexy baritone."
Jan. 22, 2005 features an evening of harps, voice and an array of rare medieval instruments with Harps of Avalon. Ever seen a bass psaltery? Ever heard an organist rum or nyckelharpa? You'll hear them and hear all about them with harpists Lori Pappajohn, Jill Whitman, and Emilie Whitman as well as medieval instrumentalist Joaquin Ayala.
Tango Paradiso spices up the stage on March 12. Drawing upon the sultry and expressive realm of the tango, the group performs traditional tangos such as the La Cumparsito from the early 20th century and Nuevo Tango created by Astor Piazolla. Their repertoire also includes original compositions and arrangements by Douglas Schmidt (bandoneon, accordion), and Budge Schachte (guitar), which meld elements of tango, jazz, classical and new music, creating a unique and colourful sound and style. They are joined by Antonio Bernall on violin and Les Kasprzak on double bass. Joining the group will be tango dancers Semiral Tuncer and Elaine Carson.
Wrapping up the 20th season on May 11 will be Babayaga (Patricia Armstrong, violin; Lawrie Hill, violin; Marie-Claude Brunet, viola; Harold Birston, cello). The group's repertoire includes unique arrangements of jazz masterworks and original compositions influenced by the languages of jazz, pop, rock and blues. Babayaga has toured extensively throughout Canada, and has performed at numerous jazz festivals.
All shows are at Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Rd. For tickets or information call 604-279-9810 or 604-270-1812.
Carvings on display
Richmond Carvers Society is hosting its 15th annual Woodcarving Show this weekend.
Wood carvers from B.C., Alberta, and Washington state are expected to enter more than 300 carvings in this show.
In addition to carving displays, there will be demonstrations, an auction and retailers.
The show will be held at the Steveston Community Centre (4111 Moncton St.) on Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and free for children under 12 years of age.
48 hours
The Community Arts Council of Richmond and Marathon Entertainment are holding a gala screening of the 10 to 12 short films entered in their joint 48 Hour Film Challenge.
The screening takes place Friday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Richmond Arts Centre, (7700 Minoru Gate).
Teams of aspiring filmmakers will pick up a thematic package tomorrow and then write, shoot, edit and deliver the finished product within 48 hours.
Tickets, which cost $7, will be available at the door. For more information, call Rajan at 604-880-2757.
Outsiders inside at Boyd
Sodapop and Ponyboy struggle with rough realities of being a youth tonight and tomorrow night (May 14) as Hugh Boyd Secondary students perform The Outsiders.
Based on the novel by S.E. Hinton, the play follows a group of greasers in a world where it's just them and the socsthe kids who have money, attitude and can get away with just about anything.
The play stars Hugh Boyd students Giorgio Trasolini, Chris Cartwright, Kyle Giroux, Todd Russell, Natalie Needham as well as other students.
Performances will be in the school's gymnasium at 7 p.m., 9200 No. 1 Rd.
Food bank holding open house on Saturday
Richmond Food Bank is hosting an open house and fundraising tea this Saturday.
The food bank is inviting the community to see its facility, meet the volunteers, and learn more about how your donations help our neighbours in need.
There will be tours and displays, tea and refreshments, prizes, children's activities and story time. There will be music put together by Dave McArthur and the Steveston Folk Guild featuring the Juke Box Gypsies, Madd Regaeles Muse and Alleged.
Local celebrities Mayor Malcolm Brodie, CBC Radio host Kathryn Gretsinger, retired fire chief Ted Lorenz, and B.C. Lions veteran Sean Graham will perform readings to launch the food bank's "Feed the body, Feed the mind" nutrition and literacy program.
Every week, Richmond Food Bank volunteers serve 1,000 people. Thirty-four per cent are children.
Saturday's open house lasts from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Richmond Food Bank is located at 7 12491 No. 2 Rd. There is a map at www.richmondfoodbank.org.
For more information call 604-271-5609.
Workshop for volunteers
Volunteer Richmond Information Services is hosting a free workshop to help volunteers improve their communication skills on Tuesday, May 18.
"Listen with Your Heart: The Essentials of Effective Communication" will teach participants how to communicate effectively with seniors and people with disabilities.
The workshop is free with pre-registration and takes place next Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Richmond Caring Place (7000 Minoru Blvd.).
To register call Volunteer Richmond Information Services at 604-279-7020 or e-mail info@volunteerrichmond.ca.
ICBC issues crash challenge
The City of Richmond has officially challenged the Corporation of Delta in this month's Community Crash Reduction Challenge, which runs until May 27.
Organized by the Insurance Corporation of B.C., the initiative challenges communities throughout B.C. to achieve a lower number of crashes than are predicted to occur between May 5 and 27.
If Richmond wins its category province-wide, it will receive a $35,000 traffic safety grant from ICBC.
Mayor Lois Jackson says she'll fly the Richmond flag at council for a week if Richmond can reduce car crashes more than Delta this month.
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie has called her bet, along with a personal wager of $100. The money will go to the winning mayor's favourite charity.
ICBC spokesperson Karon Trenaman said the dates were picked because weather is fair, and the period occurs just before high school graduation parties. Delta's average during that period has been 645, while Richmond's is 1,128.
Police holding town hall forum
Residents concerned with public safety are invited to the first in a series of town hall meetings organized by the Richmond RCMP.
Next Wednesday's forum will be held at McMath Secondary School (4251 Garry St.) and kicks off at 6 p.m.
Locals are invited to visit display booths and meet representatives from local partner agencies, including the Steveston Harbour Authority, the City of Richmond, Richmond Alcohol and Drug Action Team, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Insurance Corporation of B.C., among others.
A panel discussion will then begin around 7 p.m. A question period will follow.
Give the gift of sight and sound
It's a chance to give the gift of sight, and the gift of hearing.
Gord Sanders is asking Richmond residents to dig out their old hearing aids and prescription glasses.
In September, Sanders plans to take the donations down to Puerto Vallarta for distribution through a local social service agency serving people in need.
For a decade Sanders has organized coat drives each December in Richmond, and distributes the warm coats to people living on the Downtown Eastside.
Last year, he expanded his scope and took a shipment of donated crutches, canes and eyeglasses to Mexico. Sanders said the response was tremendous, prompting him to do it again.
So far he has received 50 pairs of eyeglasses, but no hearing aids. His goal is to collect 100 hearing aids and 200 pairs of glasses by the end of his campaign at the end of June.
Donations can be dropped off at the SPCA Thrift Store (160-5400 Minoru Blvd.).
If necessary, pickups can by arranged by calling 604-276-2477.
Parking committee seeks members
The City of Richmond is looking for eight people who can help steer the management of parking in this growing, increasingly urbanized municipality.
The parking advisory committee will begin meetings in July, and will meet at least four times a year.
Members will either own, manage or use parking in the city. The city is seeking four members who are from the "retail centres/merchants" category, as well as two members who work in Richmond and two who are Richmond residents.
Richmond's city centre transportation plan emphasizes improving transit services including the addition of a rapid transit system. But cars will continue to dominate the city centre. As a result, efficient use of parking supply is key to preserving community livability.
Those interested in participating in the advisory committee are asked to submit a letter of interest by May 21 that includes the category applying for, reason for interest, key parking issues, place of employment and position, contact information and preferred meeting dates.
Qualifying applicants will be placed in a random draw for the appointments.
Letters should be sent to Joan Caravan in the city's transportation department.
For more information, call 604-276-4035.
Police impound street racer's car
A 23-year-old Richmond man has had his car impounded for a month after being caught street racing near Gilbert and Blundell roads Thursday night.
According to police, the new driver was seen by a police officer racing against another car around 8:30 p.m.
While the officer managed to pull over the local man's car, a modified white 1997 Acura Integra Type R, the second vehicle got away.
Now police are asking for the public's help in locating that second vehicle, described as a black import car. Witnesses are asked to call Const. Hwang at 604-278-1212.
The Richmond driver was charged with driving without due care and attention and was handed a 15-day driving ban. A detailed report will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles, who will review the driver's driving status.
According to police, this man was connected to a previous street racing incident.
Report studies Indo-Canadian crime
The rising rate of crime within the Lower Mainland's Indo-Canadian community is being fuelled by a widening generation gap that divides Canadian-born children and their more traditional immigrant parents.
That's one of the findings of a study commissioned by the federal government.
"It's the first study of its kind," researcher Alex Tyakoff told reporters Thursday. "The goal was to shed light on a difficult and complex issue."
"South Asian-based Group Crime in British Columbia: 1993-2003" reports some Indo-Canadian parents are so busy working to improve their lot in life that they have no time for their children, a charge levelled by the Canadian-born children surveyed as well as social workers, police and prosecutors.
Such parents try to make up for their absence by showering their children with possessions, but that makes young people more vulnerable to the lure of crime because their distracted parents know little about their children's activities outside the home, the study indicates.
Boys are especially vulnerable because they traditionally get less supervision than girls, several participants said.
"It starts with treating boys differently," said one Indo-Canadian woman.
Many young Indo-Canadian men who come in conflict with the law "are rudderless and spoiled," another said.
A group of "white collar professionals" that included a chief executive officer, lawyer, realtor, social worker and Grade 7 teacher, participated in a focus session at Cambie Community Centre in March of 2003. They were asked to comment on whether the problem of Indo-Canadian violence has been overstated, and most said it hasn't.
"There is a daredevil mentality among youth these days. This is reflected in shootings during the middle of the day," one participant commented. "There has been a growth of gang violence, but it is not overstated."
Asked what the root cause of the violence is, the participants pointed to a "lack of good role models" and the fact "it is far easier to sell dope for fast money."
The study shows many Indo-Canadians feel isolated from Canadian society at largean us-and-them attitude that one Crown prosecutor commented must change, saying the community has been "marginalized by racism (but it) needs to change with the times (and) break with the village culture."
Tyakoff said the study was a first step toward developing programs and other solutions to the problem.
He stressed the study shows that crime within the Indo-Canadian community is the work of a very small minority, but it is increasing and it poses a growing threat.
Local cadets earn their Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Seventeen Richmond residents will receive the Duke of Edinburgh's Award this weekend at Government House in Victoria.
The teenagers receiving the award are Melvin Cardoza, Jason Lau, Matthew Ng, Jade Tong and Stanley Xiao from the 195 "Bicknell" Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps and Duncan Chan, Matthew Downs, Walter Lam, Kenneth Law, Jeremy Tse and Emily Wu of the 655 "Richmond" Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
Also receiving the award are Charmaine Lum of Matthew McNair Mini School and Sea Dragon Sea Scouts Karen Lam, Sin Ning Leung, David Li, Lester Lo and Yvonne Sin.
The will receive a silver pin display Prince Philip's royal cypher, indicating that they have completed a program of community service, personal achievement, improved personal fitness and outdoor expedition and exploration.
Special events planned for Police Week
A community barbecue at the Steveston Community Police Station, a pool tournament at South Arm and bike rodeos throughout town highlight some of the planned events for Police Week, which runs Sunday, May 9 to Saturday, May 15.
But police are hoping to make the biggest impact when they visit all 41 elementary schools in Richmond this month, and speak to as many as 16,000 students.
Locals are invited to meet the new officer in charge of the Steveston Community Police Station as well as her new staff, at 4291 Moncton St. next to the Steveston Community Centre, doing a barbecue on Saturday, May 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Members of the police dog unit, traffic section and the Safety Bear are also participating.
The South Arm Community Centre will host a pool tournament that will stack up youth against police beginning Tuesday, May 11 and running until Thursday, May 13, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
The tourney will be held during the lunch hour and youth are invited to sign up to compete against local Mounties. To register, call Jeff Campbell at the South Arm Community Centre, 8880 Williams Rd., at 604-718-8060.
Bike rodeos will be held at Hamilton Community Centre, Cambie Community Centre and Thompson Community Centre throughout the week.
Local children are invited to test their skills as they ride through the obstacle course, as well as have their bicycle checked for safety, and their helmet checked for how well it fits.
The Cambie bike rodeo is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, May 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 4111 Jacombs Rd., at Cambie Road. (This event could be cancelled because of lack of people to run the event. Call the community centre at 604-233-8399 for the latest news.)
The Hamilton Community Centre will host the rodeo at its facility at 5140 Smith Dr. on Saturday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thompson Community Centre, located at 5151 Granville Ave., will host a rodeo on Sunday, May 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A police display will also be up at the Vancouver International Airport, which will also feature an RCMP member in red serge.
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