The Vancouver Courier office
Last week students from the after-school care program at Tennyson elementary made their yearly pilgrimage to the Courier’s office to drop off gifts. The presents were for the 10th annual Christmas drive organized by office manager June Stafford in support of Directions Youth Services, a non-profit organization that helps street youth meet immediate needs through hot meals, showers and laundry facilities.
Directions staff also encourage teens and young adults to seek support through education, recreation and artistic programs, while the centre offers locker space and pet kennels.
Thank you and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone who donated this year and in the past.
Downtown
Visit the Vancouver Christmas Market this Friday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. to watch the semi-finals of the annual X-Mas Factor Singing Competition.
Then drop back the next day at 6 p.m. to watch the finals. (FYI, every paid admission receives a season’s pass.)
Get ready to enjoy Christmas classics such as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “All I Want for Christmas is You,” performed by local singers competing to be named the 2014 X-Mas Factor Champion by music industry judges.
The winning performer will receive an artist development and recording package from Studio Cloud 30, Widejko Photography, Big Chip Media and Carlie Wong, valued at more than $5,000.
The Christmas Market is located on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, 650 Hamilton St. For more information, visit vancouverchristmasmarket.com.
Chinatown
Light up the longest night of the year Dec. 21 at the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival, where participants can take in live music and walk the Labyrinth of Light in Yaletown, try their hand at bird-inspired shadow puppetry at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and join a lantern procession on Granville Island that ends at a giant, sun-inspired fire sculpture. For a complete schedule, visit secretlantern.org.
Various locations
White Spot is embracing the holiday spirit with its annual Christmas Day Luncheon Dec. 25 at the Kingsway Vancouver and Richmond Centre locations.
On Christmas Day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., management and staff will continue a decade-long tradition of donating their time, tips and proceeds to the Richmond Hospital Foundation and Variety — The Children’s Charity. In 2013, restaurant staff raised more than $16,000 and hope to set a new record this year.
Since the Christmas Day Luncheon’s inception, more than $160,000 has been generated for a good cause. The Richmond White Spot is located at 1902-6551 No. 3 Rd. and the Vancouver restaurant is at 1476 Kingsway, at Knight.
Hastings Sunrise
Members of the City Baptist Church believe everyone should have the pleasure of a nice family photo, especially at Christmas time.
To that end, the church is hosting a free Christmas photo event Dec. 19 at the Vancouver Tap Dance Society studio, 2775 East Hastings St. from 4 to 9 p.m. for families in the community.
Families can enjoy home-baked goodies to accompany hot chocolate or cold milk and a free, professionally taken photo in front of a festive Christmas background. The event is completely free, but families should register to reserve a spot. Within a day, participants will receive a high-resolution image direct to their email address and if they like, can even pick up a five by seven print of their photo on Sunday Dec. 21. For more information and to register, visit citybaptist.ca/Christmas.
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