What are the virtues and challenges of increased density on the Metrotown area? That's the subject of debate at an upcoming Philosophers' Café on July 20.
The free event is from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the Bob Prittie library branch, at 6100 Willingdon Ave. Former Vancouver city councillor Gordon Price is moderating the discussion, and everyone is welcome to attend, registration not required. For more on Simon Fraser University's Philosophers' Café series, go to www.sfu.ca/philosopherscafe.
PHOTO CONTEST
A group of Simon Fraser University students is raising awareness about organ donation through an online photo contest.
The students were inspired by the story of New Westminster resident Eva Markvoort, who died last year at 25 from cystic fibrosis, while waiting for a lung transplant.
Through an award-winning documentary and her online blog, Markvoort became a figure in the awareness movement for cystic fibrosis and organ donations. (For more on Markvoort's story, visit www.65RedRoses.com.)
Contestants can visit the students' website at wehaveaheart.ca, where people can also vote for photos they find most inspirational. Contest organizers are accepting photo submissions until July 16, and the top entries will be on display at SFU's campuses and at 65RedRoses.com. Prizes include gift cards for Black's Photography and Best Buy and DVD copies of 65_RedRoses.
GET TEST READY
MOSAIC settlement services is helping new immigrants with free classes to prepare for their citizenship test.
The sessions take place on July 18 and 19, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Tommy Douglas library branch, at 7311 Kingsway in Burnaby.
Settlement worker Tim Chow said the preparation includes sample questions and presentations on Canadian history and geography.
"Then at the end of the first session, there will be a mock test," he said.
Chow also pointed to the benefit of studying together, rather than in isolation.
"It will be more helpful in a group session of more people, participating together, rather than reading alone at home," he said. Register by calling Claudia at 604-636-4724 or Tim at 604-254-9626.
FREE BOOK
I have a few more books to give away that may satiate your summer reading appetite. Betty Keller's novel A Thouroughly Wicked Woman is a tale of "murder, perjury and trial by newspaper."
The story focuses on an actual homicide from more than 100 years ago in Vancouver. Here's a snippet from the book jacket: "On a foggy evening in November 1905, 48-year-old Thomas Jackson returned home on Melville Street in Vancouver after striking gold north of the Skeena. Four days later, he was dead from strychnine that had been slipped into his morning mixture of Epsom salts and beer."
The first person to email me at [email protected], with A Thouroughly Wicked Woman in the subject line, gets the book. Be sure to include your full mailing address.
