WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A11
news
Community Calendar with Sandra Thomas
One of my co-workers joked this week, “I hate solstice, it’s become so commercialized,” in a not so subtle dig at Christmas. Today (Dec. 21) marks solstice, which means the days will finally begin to get longer, if only by a few minutes. But anything will be an improvement over the 3:30 p.m. gloom we’re been suffering through recently.
Dec. 21
Events this Wednesday organized by the Secret Lantern Society begin with a lively lantern procession through the streets of Strathcona and end at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park. Enjoy the beautiful heron and koi lanterns created by artist Joey Mallett, the whimsical tea set lanterns of Carmen Rosen and the ginkgo and red maple tree lanterns hand-crafted by garden volunteers. The procession begins at the Strathcona Community Centre, 601 Keefer St., at 6 p.m. If you weren’t able to attend any of the earlier lantern making workshops, there’s one taking place at the community centre from 4 to 6 p.m. Cost is $5. The Granville Island solstice event includes three processions that begin together at Leg-in-Boot Square in Southeast False Creek and then splits with participants heading to Granville Island and H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. The processions begin at 6 p.m. In Yaletown the party begins at the Gathering Place, 609 Helmcken, from 1 to 5 p.m. with a procession at 5:30 p.m. to Emery
Barnes Park. Lantern processions will then parade to Cooper’s park and the Vancouver Aquatic Centre. The Roundhouse Community Centre is also hosting a solstice event at 6 p.m. as part of the Yaletown festivities. The East Side of the city is privy to a very special series including solstice music, a lantern making workshop and storytelling taking place in three homes on Parker Street. Following the house concerts, a procession leaves Parker Street and meanders to the courtyard of the Britannia Centre off Commercial Drive. Last year’s shows were sold out, so you’ll want to check the website to see if there are any spaces left. For more information visit secretlantern.org.
Dec. 25
The women who seek out the services of St. James Community Service Society’s Powell Place shelter will enjoy a Christmas dinner of turkey with all the trimmings Dec. 25. But it won’t be any old turkey and cranberry sauce—instead, the women will be treated to Christmas dinner from the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The dinner will include all the fixings a guest at the Fairmont might enjoy, right down to the pastries and pumpkin pie for dessert. A hotel employee will deliver the dinner on her day off on Christmas Day. The Fairmont has been providing the holiday feast to the shelter for more than a decade. The hotel staff also helps during the year with periodic clothes drives, movie nights and a Mother’s Day tea. The Powell Place Emergency Shelter is a 24-hour, safe place for women who shouldn’t have to choose between sleeping on the street and the potential threat of violence they might find in a mixed shelter. sthomas@vancourier.com Twitter: @sthomas10
Get out of the cold!
INFRARED 3ZONE SAUNA WRAP
+ Detox & Remove Toxins + Weight Loss & Burn up to 800 Calories per Session + Relax Muscles & Relieve Aches and Pain
60 MINS $45 add a relaxation facial for only $20 (reg. $30)
Diamond/Crystal Microdermabrasion + Deep Pore Cleansing Facial $ + Photo-Rejuvenation
90
Rejuvenating Facial + Ultrasonic Elastin Treatment
$
Relaxation Facial
$
Deep Pore Cleansing Facial + Extraction & Coup d’eclat pore tightening serum
$
48
The healthiest way to tan
Valid until Jan. 31/12
39 30 $ 39
*All Advertising offers valid for first visit only
3407 West Broadway • 604.738.2826 www.amethystskincare.com
12212812
Organic Anti-aging Spray Tan
A lantern procession tonight will end at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park. submitted photo
A PLACE TO BREAK. A PLACE TO PLAY. SHE SHOPS. HE STAYS. Hey guys, during this holiday season The Metropolis at Metrotown Holiday Lounge is brought to you by Nintendo! Experience the latest Nintendo games, grab some coffee and do what you love while the woman in your life finds what she loves. Location: Atrium Court Now Until December 28th Find out more at MetropolisatMetrotown.com