Inside Van: What’s happening Jan. 11, 2020

The Canadian Condominium Institute

Interested in joining your strata council, but don’t know what’s required? Do you live in a building with a dysfunctional strata board? The Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) was created to help. CCI Vancouver has planned a year full of half-day and evening Strata Educational Seminars, and Lunch ‘n’ Learns for council members in different locations in Greater Vancouver. Visit the CCI website at ccivancouver.ca for the locations and speakers for each seminar, including the very useful “Condo 101,” taught by strata lawyers. This educational course has been designed to help strata council members in B.C. learn how to be better equipped to perform their duties. Topics include legal elements of stratas such as administration, finance, insurance and procedures of strata corporation meetings.

HAVAN coat drive

This year’s Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) Coat Drive for Kids was a huge success. On the morning of Dec. 6, many generous people made the trip to Trail Appliances on Sweden Way in Richmond, and in the end, HAVAN members more than doubled last year’s cash donation to the Lower Mainland and Surrey Christmas Bureaus with $10,800. Accepting the cheque on behalf of the bureaus, Lisa Werring, executive director of the Surrey Christmas Bureau, pointed out the positive benefits of the donation to many refugee families, as well as making the holidays brighter and warmer for many other lower-income families in Greater Vancouver.

More than 150 people joined in the festivities. The Partita Choir, Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs arrived on ‘Santa’s Sleigh’ (provided by Wesgroup Equipment) to sing by the Christmas tree, while members and guests who dropped off donations enjoyed Buddy’s Hot Breakfast Bar, sponsored by Tradesmen International and Falcon Homes; the Gingerbread Man’s Cookie Decoration Station sponsored by TQ Construction in partnership with Snow Cap; a Customizable Hot Chocolate Bar sponsored by Designs by KS; plus photos with Santa in the Sub Zero room, compliments of Miracon Development.

Holiday revelry at Wesgroup’s River District

Residents of River District enjoyed the holiday season with fun events for the whole family during the month of December. First came the lighting of the town centre Christmas tree, with children singing and hot chocolate all around. On Dec. 3 Ladies’ Nights, ladies had the opportunity to create a gorgeous seasonal holiday centrepiece for the dining table. The kids were the stars of the show at the Neighbourhood Centre on Dec. 7, with a fun photo booth and crafts. There was more crafting to be done on the remaining Saturdays in December, with drop-ins for kids at the Neighbourhood Centre.

In January, River District will host a traditional Chinese Lions Dance to celebrate the incoming Year of the Rat. Check riverdistrict.ca/news for details.

Burnaby Village Concord Pacific market

Burnaby Village has always been a prime Christmas destination, where children and adults can go back in time to experience the historical charm of the Village shops, grab some hot chocolate, do some shopping at the gift store, and most famously, take a ride on the vintage carousel. This year, Concord Pacific sponsored a host of fun holiday activities in the traditionally decorated town centre, where kids took part in the 12 Days of Christmas Scavenger Hunt, made traditional Christmas crafts and enjoyed live theatre performances, carolers, and live music. With every picture posted with the hashtag #ConcordSleigh, Concord Pacific donated $5 to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau.

Holiday events at The Unwritten Exhibition by Westbank

Westbank used the holidays to send The Unwritten Exhibition out with a bang during its final months of existence. Outside in the mall, kids sat with Santa, as live Christmas music played continuously. Inside, little ballerinas practised for the Goh Ballet Nutcracker performances, the gorgeous lights and decorations twinkled, and the immersive Unwritten experience was enhanced by the lovely live piano performances of holiday favourites.