Gastown
Gastown father Kevin Gooch says there are multiple opportunities for new moms to gather socially with their babies, but the same cant be said for new dads.
So Gooch is launching a group just for fathers and their babies and toddlers called Little Buddies Adventures. His plan was to initially limit the group to dads and sons, but decided baby girls would be a welcome addition. To gather a core group of dads, Gooch is hosting a free barbecue this Saturday, Aug. 25 from noon to 4 p.m. in the courtyard of 55 East Cordova.
I created this event to bring many dads and sons together to share experiences, support each other, inspire new ideas and create a community that I havent found in Gastown or even Vancouver, said Gooch, who wants to plan daddy outings such as trips to the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, barbecues in Stanley Park or rock climbing. With the help of Nesters Market Woodwards, Starbucks Gastown, TD Bank and Cartems Donuterie, (only) dads and their young children are invited for free hotdogs, juice, coffee and pop.
Chinatown
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is hosting the first known pet blessing in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»by a Buddhist lama, Kyabgon Phakchock Rinpoche, the supreme head of the of the Tibetan Taklung Buddhist lineage.
According to Buddhists, blessing animals can help reduce the hardships they may face in their lives and lead to a positive rebirth. Im not sure if that means your beloved turtle could be reborn as a cat, but a blessing cant hurt. Animals invited to attend include well-behaved dogs on a leash, cats and other small animals, including turtles, so long as theyre in a carrier or otherwise contained. If the pet cannot attend, owners may bring a photo to be blessed. The cost is $20, with partial proceeds being donated to help dogs in need in Kathmandu, Nepal. To reserve a spot for the blessing visit petblessing.eventbrite.ca.
Kerrisdale
Congratulations are in order for a young Kerrisdale teen I wrote about recently, who organized a fundraising concert for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I heard from 13-year-old Michael Mastracci this week and he told me the Kids for Kids concert he organized with his friends raised $1,127.31.
Mount Pleasant
It was only a matter of time before yoga invaded the last bastion of life as we know it.
Yes, its the Rockin Yoga class next Tuesday lead by Eoin Finn, complete with the GetDownDog move and live music. This fundraising class is a benefit organized by Instruments of Cahnge and singer/songwriter, Leah Abramson for Women Rock, a program that teaches women serving time in a B.C. prison to learn instruments, form a band, manage gear and write songs.
At the end of three month, the women participating perform for an audience of their peers. The program is made possible by the donation of instruments-on-loan from Vancouvers Girls Rock Camp. The class runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 28 at 200138 West Seventh Ave.
West End
Pump Jack Pub, 1167 Davie St., is hosting a fundraising event Sunday, Aug. 26 in honour of Douglas Gault, who recently passed away.
As per Gaults request, there will be no speeches, flowers or sad music, just many off-colour jokes. Donations can be made in Gaults name to the Dogwood Monarchy charity fund, where he was past president.
Twitter: @sthomas10
