Provincewide
A global fundraising effort that uses cupcakes to raise money for animals in need is being celebrated across the province Feb. 24.
National Cupcake Day is the first-ever collaborative fundraising effort supporting animal welfare societies in Canada. Funds raised locally will assist the B.C. SPCA and other animal welfare groups across the province.
The SPCA is asking people to “bake a difference,” by registering at nationalcupcakeday.ca, planning a cupcake party at work, home or school and encouraging friends and family to donate online in advance and in person at your event.
Through the Online Bakery, participants can track cupcake orders, send emails to friends and family about their National Cupcake Day Party and manage fundraising. In 2013, animal lovers across Canada raised more than $400,000 in support of their favourite societies.
This year, celebrity chef and Food Network host Anna Olson joined the party as the “Cupcake Crusader.” A long-time supporter of animals and the SPCA, Olson has created an original cupcake recipe for this year’s event.
The recipe, Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting, can be found at nationalcupcakeday.ca (a nut-free version is also available online). Locally, Kristina Matisic, co-host of Anna and Kristina’s Grocery Bag, has joined the public campaign.
Oakridge
The Madagascar Community Development Society invites the community to escape the winter blues and join them at their Valentine’s Dinner Dance fundraiser Friday, Feb. 14, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Church, located on the corner of Oak and West 49th Avenue.
Funds raised will be used towards the purchase of a pump for their community garden in Madagascar.
The party includes a silent auction and food — good company and atmosphere guaranteed. For more information, call 604-722-8774 or visit madagascargarden.org.
Grandview-Woodland
Gluten-intolerant beer lovers rejoice — a tasting event this weekend promises some delicious alternatives to craft brews.
The Campaign for Real Ale’s Vancouver chapter welcomes the (drinking-age) public, to CiderWISE, a cider and gluten-free beer tasting event at the WISE Hall Saturday, Feb. 8, from noon to 4 p.m.
The event, organized in response to the growing number of beer lovers who’ve discovered they’re gluten intolerant, will feature local and American ciders and craft beers. For more information and tickets, visit camravancouver.ca.
Renfrew
The world premiere of East Side Animals takes place Saturday, Feb. 8, at Falaise Community Hall, 3434 Falaise Ave.
This community composition project, presented by the Little Chamber Music Series That Could, is an opportunity for kids to make their own animal mask starting at 2 p.m. with an all-ages musical event with East Side Animals beginning at 3 p.m. For more information, visit littlechambermusic.com.
Downtown
There’s free hot chocolate at the Robson Square Ice Rink on Family Day, Feb. 10, from noon to 4 p.m. There will also be free skate rentals on the day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. along with music for the whole family. The ice rink is open until Feb. 28. For more information, visit RobsonSquare.com.
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