South Cambie and Metro Vancouver
Bike to School Week rolls out May 27 to 31 and Eric Hamber secondary, the winner of the annual Bike to School Week competition for three years running, is preparing to defend its title by hosting a Biker Bootcamp, Wednesday, May 22. Instructors from HUB: Your Cycling Connection hope to inspire confidence with cycling skills and games for a chance to win cycling accessories. A bike mechanic will assist with minor bike repairs. Students who participate in Bike to School Week and recruit new participants will receive daily giveaways and a chance to win bigger prizes, which include a new Norco bike. HUB and HASTe B.C. organize Bike to School Week. HUB promotes cycling through education, action and events. HASTe B.C. serves as a hub for groups taking action on reducing school transportation emissions in the province. For more information about Bike to School Week, visit biketoschoolmetrovan.ca.
Mount Pleasant
You can watch women cycle and then you can eat the bonbons they make in the former Olympic Village Friday, May 24. Dora Ho and Jennifer May will ride stationary training bikes and make and serve gluten-free energy treats stuffed with dried fruits, nuts and chocolate as a fundraiser in advance of the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer. Each of the women needs to raise a minimum of $2,500. The two members from Team Bodin will join thousands of cyclists who will ride the more than 250 kilometres from Vancouver to Seattle, June 15 and 16, to raise money for the B.C. Cancer Foundation. Ho, a culinary instructor in Richmond, will participate for her fifth year. Her mother died of cancer when Ho was 13 years old and shes lost other loved ones to the disease, including her good friend and former colleague vice-principal Lorne Bodin with whom she rode to Seattle in 2009. May is riding for the first time and her dog Marley Blue will be by her side May 24. May and Marley Blue visit cancer patients and hospital visitors through the B.C. Cancer Agencys pet visitation program. The cycling fundraiser will run from 6 to 9 p.m. near the bird sculptures in the former Olympic Village if its sunny or nearer the liquor store if its rainy. Those unable to attend can enter their names and donate at conquercancer.ca.
West End
The sixth annual West End Cleanup and barbecue happens Saturday, May 25. Founded in 2007 as part of the citys annual Keep Vancouver Spectacular event, the West End Cleanup is a grassroots group of volunteers who are dedicated to keeping their scenic neighbourhood clean. The cleanup runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a barbecue for volunteers starting at 1 p.m. Volunteers meet in front of Gordon Neighbourhood House on Broughton Street between Nelson and Comox streets. The group typically meets on the second Saturday of the month for a two-hour cleanup. For more information, see westendcleanup.com.
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant Day happens at Mount Pleasant elementary school Saturday, June 1. The event will focus on outdoor fun, with the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association running a fishing booth. The event will include food and entertainment and runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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