Downtown
Tickets are on sale now for a special Sicilian-themed wine tasting evening with proceeds going to help fund commemorative ceremonies to mark the 70th anniversary of Operation Husky in Italy in 2013.
Operation Husky was the name given to the 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily, which marked the first independent role for Canadian soldiers in the Second World War. More than 25,000 Canadian soldiers fought in the operation, which led to the creation of a second major front and helped bring victory for Allied forces in Europe.
To commemorate Operation Husky, Canada Company will conduct two large ceremonies on sites where key battles took place, one on July 10 and the second July 30, 2013. The ceremonies will pay tribute to the thousands of soldiers who fought and the 562 who fell during the Sicilian campaign of 1943. Canada Company is a non-profit organization that helps build relationships between the business community and Canada's military. According to Canada Company, at the time of the Sicilian campaign the Canadian soldiers who took part received little recognition at home or on the international stage for their efforts and losses. The goal of this commemorative initiative is to remind Canadians about this important campaign and pay homage to those brave soldiers.
The Glowing Hearts evening takes place Oct. 16 in the Drill Hall of the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own), 620 Beatty St., with guests walking the red carpet accompanied by the sound of bagpipes, gastronomic cocktails, a video presentation about Operation Husky, speeches and music. For more information and tickets, visit operationhusky2013.ca.
Pacific Spirit Park
Starlight Children's Foundation is lacing up for its seventh annual Walk for Smiles, which takes place Sept. 29 in Pacific Spirit Park. Proceeds will benefit Starlight's programs, which provide entertainment and education for seriously ill children and their families. Participants will be greeted by mascots and enjoy children's activities and music by Ptarmigan. There is a fivekilometre walk and 10-kilometre run to chose from. Registration is at 9 a.m. at Pacific Spirit Park, entrance at 4915 West 16th Ave. The run begins at 9: 30 a.m. and the walk starts at 11 a.m. For more information, visit starlightcanada.org.
Mount Pleasant
A free public talk and yoga workshop with Sherri Kajiwara and John Buchanan explores the six qualities found in life. The series is based on the teachings of an ancient Indian female yoga master. The public talk runs from 7 to 9 a.m., Sept. 29, followed by the yoga workshop Sept. 30 from 12 to 5 p.m. at 9 East Broadway at Ontario Street. For more information visit threejewelsvancouver.com.
Grandview Woodland
Terminal City Glass Co-op is hosting an open house this weekend as part of Culture Days, happening across Canada Sept. 28 to 30. Drop by to watch glassblowing demonstrations and learn all about the world of glass from the raw material to the science behind it and the techniques used to create fragile art pieces. The event features demonstrations by six experienced glass artists who promise to turn simple pieces of glass into stunning works of art. The open house runs from noon until 4 p.m. with artists creating everything from marbles to glass balloon animals. Terminal City Glass, Canada's first and only non-profit co-operative glass arts centre, is located at 1191 Parker St., near Clark and Venables. Children are welcome with adult supervision. For more information, visit terminalglass.com.
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