Make Mine Chocolate is the battle cry of rabbit rescue groups across North America as the one holiday they dread the most hops closer. Easter is to rabbit rescue volunteers what Christmas is to animal shelters-the absolute worst time to give a live pet as a gift. According to Rabbitats Canada Rabbit Rescue, rabbits deemed to be failed gifts are often abandoned. In Vancouver, that's one of the reasons behind the ever-increasing bunny population at Jericho Beach. Richmond is also a hotbed of bunny love and the Richmond Auto Mall has become an unlikely rabbit love nest and commune. Rabbitats says part of the population explosion in Richmond can be blamed on the fact 2011 was the Year of the Rabbit and while many fluffy bunnies were given as gifts to mark the occasion, those same pets as adults have long been abandoned. To raise awareness of the problem, Rabbitats is hosting an Easter Bunny Fest April 8 from 11 to 4 p.m. at the Richmond Auto Mall, which will include an information table, garage and bake sale.
FALSE CREEK AND BEYOND
Speaking of Easter, there are still a few spots left for the Easter Egg Hunt at Creekside Community Centre. The hunt is April 6 from 11: 30 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. Children up to five years and 11 months, are invited to hunt for eggs, play in the bouncy castle and get their arts and crafts on. Pre-registration is required. For more information call 604-257-3050.
STANLEY PARK
It's "All aboard," at the Stanley Park Miniature Train April 6 to 9. Festivities include train rides, Easter egg hunts, visits with the Easter Bunny, puppet shows and more. Kids are asked to bring their own Easter basket to collect eggs. For hours and information, visit vancouver.ca/parks.
VANDUSEN GARDEN
VanDusen Botanical Garden on West 37th Avenue at Oak Street is also hosting an Easter egg hunt, but I understand it's sold out. Instead, visitors can take part in the Cherry Tree Talk and Walk from 1 to 2: 30 p.m. with garden director Harry Jongerden. The walk highlights the garden's ornamental cherry trees and is free with the cost of admission. Or if plants are more to your liking, the Alpine Garden Club of B.C. is holding its annual Spring Sale and Show from 1 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, April 7, in the Floral Hall and Cedar Room at VanDusen. The sale includes a show of live plants judged in 65 categories, including many rock-garden varieties, primulas, bonsai, dwarf conifers, dwarf rhododendrons and ferns. Admission is free to the sale, but please note this is a cash-only event.
COMMERCIAL DRIVE
The Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr., is the location for a huge record and CD convention taking place April 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Neptoon Records is organizing the event and promises this is the ideal opportunity for music lovers to discover those hard-to-find songs on record, CD, cassette, Eight Track, tape or pretty much any format known to man. Admission is $3 and it's advised music lovers arrive early. To book a table or for more information call 604-324-1229 or email ben@ neptoon.com.
Twitter: @sthomas10
