Burnaby author Elizabeth Smayda had a successful book signing at Coles in Lougheed Town Centre on Canada Day.
Smayda was there signing copies of The Spirit of Canada, the latest edition in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
Her submission, A Canadian First, was one of 101 stories published. It tells the tale Canadian athlete Dyane Lynch, who was the first woman to compete in and complete the Ironman triathlon race in Canada in 1983.
“My story shares how her remarkable example touched me at a very difficult time in my life, and how her story motivated me and gave me courage to keep going on,” Smayda wrote in an email to the NOW. “We did two book signings. ... One at Coles in Burnaby and one at Indigo Granville in Vancouver. We did very well at both and it was a wonderful way to honour the 150th anniversary of Canada.”
A Canadian First is Smayda’s fourth story published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
Scavenger hunt
Mark your calendars, Burnaby.
Burnaby Neighbourhood House’s North House is partnering with the Burnaby Heights Merchants Association for an exciting scavenger hunt for emojis from July 26 to Aug. 2.
Participants can register for the event and pick up their scavenger card anytime within those dates at 4908 Hastings St. It costs $5/person to play.
The scavenger hunt will end with a community barbecue on Aug. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hastings location. There will be activities for the whole family, including bingo, face painting, chalkboard art and a DIY emoji button activity.
For more information, call 604-294-5444.
Helping kids
Congrats go out to Burnaby resident Raz Chan.
He’s one of 50 British Columbians who was honoured as part of Shaw’s 50 Outstanding Canadians, which recognizes exceptional individuals and organizations for making Canada a better place for kids.
Chan was given a $1,500 grant from Shaw to donate to the charity of his choice. He’ll be giving his money to 12th Avenue Elementary School’s breakfast program.
“No child should ever be held back from experiencing the joy of childhood due to financial circumstances,” Chan said in a press release.
The local entrepreneur has been actively involved with the school for the past three years, raising food donations through his business Raz Chan Fitness. He volunteer when he cans and donates proceeds of his book The Human Excellence Project: Lessons Even Awesome Parents Never Teach.
