If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, Burnaby Community Connections is hosting a Murder Mystery fundraiser on Saturday, May 12.
The event will be at Can Am Importique, a props rental company in the Lake City area, and the organizers promise an evening of murder, mystery and deception. There will be cocktails and orientation for the teams from 6 to 7 p.m. Don't worry about showing up with a team; you will be grouped with others. Then from 7 to 9 p.m., there will be a "press conference" and the murder. (I will be making a cameo appearance as a pesky, probing reporter.) Dinner is at 9 p.m., followed by live music and dancing till midnight.
Tickets are $50 each, available at the door, and proceeds go to the Camping Bureau, a program that sends kids from lowincome families to summer camp. Call 604-299-5778 for more information.
PLANT SALE
If you are looking for a green-thumbed gift for Mother's Day, Gilpin Elementary is hosting a plant sale on Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be hanging baskets and bedding plants, and proceeds go to the school's parent advisory council. Gilpin is at 5490 Eglinton St.
MUSIC MONDAY
Burnaby students from Inman, Kitchener and Cameron elementary schools spent Monday singing their little hearts out in concert with people across Canada.
Their choral efforts were part of Music Monday, an annual crosscountry event where students, teachers, parents and community members all sing a pre-chosen song at the same time. This year's commissioned song was called Tomorrow is Coming. The event is meant to highlight the importance of music education, and roughly 700 schools and organizations participated this year. Music Monday is organized by the Coalition for Music Education in Canada, a collection of more than 20 music education groups.
LITTLE MERMAID
The Byrne Creek Theatre Company is presenting The Little Mermaid, based on the Disney version of Hans Christian Andersen's popular fable. The show is Wednesday, May 16, and tickets are $13 for general admission, $10 for staff, and $9 for students. To reserve, call 604-664-8299. The theatre company is Byrne Creek Secondary's student drama class. The school is at 7777 18th St., and the curtain rises at 7 p.m.
HAPPY 102!
Happy belated birthday to Burnaby's Edna Tamkin, who turned 102 on April 23. The Normanna rest home resident was born in Nelson, B.C., in 1910 and is the third of 13 children. She was married for 48 years, raised two kids and spent much of her life as a homemaker. She's also been involved with Queens Avenue Church in New Westminster. We're told she was a wonderful cook and an avid bowler, who loved watching baseball and soap operas.
"Edna is well-respected and loved at Normanna," writes the rest home's Leslie Torresan. "She has a feisty spirit and love for life and always joins in the daily activities."
So here's to Edna, and let's hope we're all lucky enough to make it to the ripe old age of 102.
AWARDS FOR WORDS
The school district is hosting its annual student writing awards ceremony on May 17 at the Michael J. Fox theatre at 7 p.m.
It's free, and anyone can attend. Email communica [email protected] for info.
