It's time to get the city's eco-sculptures in shape for the coming season. Every year, the city calls on volunteers to help cover the dirt-filled metal frames with plant plugs that bloom and give shape to gigantic botanical figures. The sculptures then go on display in various locations throughout Burnaby.
Only some planting sessions still have some room available. (These are popular workshops that fill fast!) About 20 people are needed on Friday, March 27, from 9 to 11 a.m. On Saturday, there's only room for a few people in both the morning session, from 9 to 11 a.m., and the afternoon portion, from noon to 2 p.m. Each session will include refreshments and a brief introduction on what to do. To register and get the exact location of the nursery, email [email protected].
Women of Distinction
Hats off to four Burnaby residents who were nominated for this year's YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.
Vivian Eliopoulos, Nancy Keough, Lianna Mah and Sandra Singh are all Burnaby residents, and all four were nominated for the awards, which recognize women's outstanding contributions to their respective communities.
Eliopoulos is the chief operating officer of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority's acute services department in Vancouver. She was nominated for her leadership in the face of budget deficits and lengthy emergency wait-times.
Keough is the longtime executive director of the Kettle Friendship Society, a non-profit agency that helps people with mental illnesses. Under Keough's leadership, the Kettle has grown to an $11.5-million organization.
Mah is vice-president of Associated Engineering, and she was nominated for her work encouraging more women to join the field. She is also a founding member of the Division for the Advancement of Women in Engineering and Geoscience.
Singh, Vancouver's chief librarian, was nominated for creating the Centre for Equitable Library Access, which helps provide library materials for people with vision loss or learning disabilities.
Award recipients will be announced at a special dinner on May 26 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. For tickets or more info, go to ywcavan.org/distinction.
Donate to BACI
If you have clothes to get rid of this spring, consider donating them to the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion.
The local non-profit has ordered 10 bins that will be placed around the city to collect donations of used clothing. The exact locations will be announced on March 23.
The clothes will be sold through Value Village, but BACI will receive the money and use it towards programs that help people (including children) with disabilities. BACI is also looking for suggestions of high-traffic areas on commercial or business properties to place more bins. For details on locations, or to suggest a spot, call or email Carol Broomhall at 604-292-1277 or [email protected].
Free workshop for immigrant women
The Vancouver and Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society is hosting a free job search workshop for immigrant women on Thursday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to noon in Burnaby's Metrotown area. The workshop will focus on tips for immigrant, refugee and visible minority women looking for work. For info and the exact location, call the society's Anna Foschi at 604-436-1025.
