POLAR BEAR DIP
The 92nd annual Polar Bear Swim takes place at 2: 30 p.m., Jan. 1. Swimmers have kicked off the New Year with a dip in English Bay since 1920. Last year, a new record of 2,246 swimmers participated in the event. The previous record participation was in 2000 when 2,128 swimmers took the plunge. Registration begins at 12: 30 p.m. at the bathhouse. Registration is free and includes membership in the Polar Bear Club and a commemorative button, although there's limited quantity. The swim starts at 2: 30 p.m. sharp. The first three swimmers to reach the marker buoy in the 100-yard race receive trophies. Arrive early to get a good spot. Swimmers should have a warm blanket or change of clothes handy. Adults must accompany children. Dog owners are asked to leave their pets at home. The Greater 麻豆传媒映画Food Bank will accept non-perishable food and cash donations. Safety tips and additional information are available at vancouverparks.ca. First organized by Peter Pantages, the Polar Bear Swim is now overseen by the 麻豆传媒映画park board in cooperation with the Polar Bear Swim Committee.
TREE CHIPPING
Christmas tree chipping events are planned across the city between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Jan. 7 and 8. Each year, the city of 麻豆传媒映画and volunteers from the Lions Clubs organize the events. In 2011, about 2,600 live cut trees were chipped and composted at the 麻豆传媒映画landfill. Donations of cash and nonperishable food items are encouraged and will be distributed to local charities. Locations include the Kerrisdale Community Ice Rink parking lot at East Boulevard north of 41st Avenue, Kitsilano Beach parking lot at Cornwall Avenue and Arbutus Street, Sunset Beach upper parking lot at Beach Avenue and Broughton Street and RONA Home and Garden Grandview Store at 2727 East 12th Ave. in the overflow parking lot south of 12th Avenue. This is the replacement site for Trout Lake Community Centre. There are alternate disposal options. If you receive city yard trimmings collection service, you can set out your live cut Christmas tree on your regular collection day. City crews collect Christmas trees until Jan. 31. Trees should be set out on their own, one metre clear of your cart(s) and laid on their sides. Don't place the tree inside your cart. And don't bag or bundle the tree. Remove all decorations and tinsel. Trees can also be dropped off at the 麻豆传媒映画South Transfer Station or the 麻豆传媒映画Landfill at no charge up to and including Jan. 31.
PLAYWRIGHTS WANTED
Award-winning 麻豆传媒映画theatre company Solo Collective Theatre, which produces original work by Canadian playwrights in partnership with the 麻豆传媒映画Playhouse Theatre Company, is looking for entries for the eighth annual Emerging Playwrights' Competition. The deadline is Feb. 3. Three winning monologues and/ or dual character scripts will be selected and presented at Solo Flights-the annual Emerging Writers' Showcase-in April and May 2012. Judges are playwright Amiel Gladstone, playwright and dramaturge Dave Deveau, and Andrea Yu, dramaturge intern, Solo Collective, with support from solo Collective Theatres co-artistic directors Rachel Peake and Aaron Bushkowsky. Every competition entrant will receive written feedback from two of the judges. Details for the competition are at solocollective.ca.
STATUS: GOOD, BAD?
Is status helpful? That is the title of the Jan. 19 SFU Philosophers' Caf脙漏 at the Britannia Community Services Centre, 1661 Napier St. near Venables and Commercial Drive. It asks the question whether giving special status or citizenship to certain people groups or ethnicities-even with the best intentions to make up for past inequities or injustices-leads to a more just world, or to more hatred and conflict? The moderator is Ehor Boyanowsky, a professor of criminology at Simon Fraser University. His research covers the causes and forms of aggression, as well as violent crime and public reactions to crimes against the environment. Call 778-782-5215 or visit. philosopherscafe.net. Everyone welcome. Registration and experience not required. The event is at 7: 30 p.m. in the 55+ Centre. Free admission.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The City of 麻豆传媒映画is looking for volunteers from the general public for positions on several civic agencies, including the Active Transportation Advisory Committee, the Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee, the Development Permit Board Advisory Panel, the First Shaughnessy Advisory Design Panel and the Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee. Volunteers are also required for the LGBTQ Advisory Committee, the Multicultural Advisory Committee, the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee, the Public Art Committee, the Seniors Advisory Committee and the Urban Aboriginal Peoples Advisory Committee. Volunteer positions are also available on the Urban Design Panel, the 麻豆传媒映画City Planning Commission, the 麻豆传媒映画Civic Theatres Board, the 麻豆传媒映画Food Policy Council, the 麻豆传媒映画Heritage Commission and the Women's Advisory Committee. Call 604-873-7269 for more information, or email bonnie. [email protected] or teresita.burke@vancouver. ca. Apply from Tuesday, Jan. 3 to Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.
