Classes and Events

Check out a list of local food events happening in the days and weeks to come (via Cityfood)
Weekly Hot List

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Pacific Ag Show - Abbotsford
Vancouver Farmers Markets Operations Manager, Roberta LaQuaglia will be presenting on a panel along with Jeff Nield from FarmFolk/CityFolk and representatives from SPUD! and Lepp Farm Market, on how social media can benefit farmers and agriculture businesses at the 12th Annual Pacific Agriculture Show on January 30.
Facebook Event Page
http://www.agricultureshow.net/

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Watch the Explosive New Film "The Age of Stupid"
Sci-fi docu-drama described as the best climate change film to hit the big screen. Presented by UBC Continuing Studies Centre for Sustainability, The Age of Stupid follows a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from present day and asking: Why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?

After the film a panel discussion featuring Brian Nattrass of Sustainability Partners Inc, Robert Safrata of Novex Couriers and Elisa Campbell of the UBC Design Centre for Sustainability will examine potential forward steps in the fight against climate change. Vanessa Timmer of One Earth will moderate the discussion. Find out more about the movie and the post-film panel.

Date: Tuesday, January 19
Time: Doors open at 6pm; film at 6:30pm, followed by panel discussion
Place: UBC Point Grey – Woodward Instructional Resources Centre, Theatre 2
2194 Health Sciences Mall (map and parking)
Cost: $10 admission
Tickets only available by calling 604-822-1444 or at the door.

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Cupcake Throwdown
Think you've got what it takes to be crowned a cupcake champion? Test your culinary prowess at the Cupcake Throwdown January 27th at Café Deux Soleils, 7pm-10pm. If you'd rather be on the tasting side of the competition, a $10 donation at the door gets you sampling and judging rights as well as a chance to win fabulous door prizes.

Still accepting cupcake contenders at woowoo1@hotmail.com

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Events at VanDusen Gardens this month
16 Saturday — Bird Walk, 10 a.m. meet at the Garden entrance. Join Jeremy Gordon from Nature Vancouver for a beginners’ birding exploration in the Garden. Rain or shine. Limited to the first 20 people. Free for Members or with Garden admission. For more information on Nature Vancouver, visit www.naturevancouver.ca

31 Sunday – HSBC VanDusen Family Program, Winter Scavenger Hunt for families with children ages 5 - 11. Bundle up and join us for a seasonal scavenger hunt around the Garden. Discover VanDusen’s magic in the winter and make nature-inspired works of art with your favourite natural treasures that you collect along the way! Two sessions: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Price: Member Family $10, Non-Member Family $15 (includes admission to the Garden). One-time bursaries are available for families with limited resources. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration required by calling 604-718-5998 or familyprograms@vandusen.org

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Tuesday Family Dinners at Campagnolo
Now is your chance to get out for a neighborhood get-together before we are elbow to elbow with tourists. We know that dining-out cash is a little harder to come by this time of year, so Campagnolo is happy to present Tuesday Night Family Dinners on January 12, 19 & 26. For only $19 Chefs Pillay & Belcham have been able to create a hearty meal while still using the great local suppliers we have been working with for years. The meal is accompanied by a 16oz glass of R&B Brewing Company’s finest.

Having fielded many inquiries about taking reservations at Campagnolo, we decided that reservations are a must for these events. The event will take place for 25 lucky guests in our cozy back lounge for dinner to be served at 6pm sharp. To secure a spot for you and your friends please call ahead and make your reservation today.

Remember - 25 seats, 6pm dinner, $19, January 12, 19 & 26 - reservations only.

Located on Main Street, Campagnolo is located only five minutes on foot from the Olympic village, and will be a regular haunt for athletes or those looking for a high-carb reprieve.

  Buzzing with activity and laughter, Campagnolo serves affordable, casual Italian dining in a welcoming space. Though spacious and open, the atmosphere is warm and intimate in the 65-seat open dining room and beautiful, 25-seat wine bar. A cozy respite with a glowing bar, the wine bar is the ideal locale for sipping delicious cocktails, watching the Canucks game, or sampling Italian fare with friends after work or on the weekend. Serving food until midnight Sunday – Thursday and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, the wine bar is the perfect spot for an early dinner or late-night bite.

Campagnolo is located at 1020 Main Street, Vancouver BC. For more information please call 604.484.6018 or visit:
www.campagnolorestaurant.ca

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Classes offered by Grandview Woodlands Food Connection
Cooking with Care
Join seasoned chef Cari Lyn Reid and food security organizer Ian Marcuse for a four part series of DIY Food Preparation Workshops. These workshops are open to all and no experience is necessary. Cost is $15 per workshop ($12 for Sauerkraut workshop), sign up for as many as you like (subsidies available). Supplies are included.

LunchBox: Learn creative new ways to make homemade lunches. Send your children to school with tasty treats and so much more on a tight budget.
Monday, Jan 25, 6:30 - 9:30pm
Pre-Teen Centre
Info: Ian @ 604-718-5895 or Registration

Vegetarian Protein Sources: Be part of the discussion to learn how to eat the most protein out of a leafy diet.
Monday, Feb. 1, 6:30 - 9:30pm
Pre-Teen Centre
Info: Ian @ 604-718-5895 or Registration

Bulking on a Budget: Wondering where all your time went? Take the work out of home cooking. Come and learn how to cook for a week in just 3 hours!
Monday, Feb. 8, 6:30 - 9:30pm
Pre-Teen Centre
Info: Ian @ 604-718-5895 or Registration

Sauerkraut Fermentation: We will learn how to make your own tasty and nutritional sauerkraut. This workshop is open to all and no experience is necessary.
Monday, Feb. 15, 6:30 - 9:30pm
Pre-Teen Centre
$12
Info: Ian @ 604-718-5895 or Registration

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Chicken and Egg Dance - February 13, 6-11pm
A perennial-favourite family event that benefits local food organizations returns this year on February 13.  This time around, a trio of non-profits bring an evening of good old-fashioned country fun to the city for the 9th Annual Chicken and Egg Dance held at the Capri Hall. The BC Association for Regenerative Agriculture, FarmFolk/CityFolk and Vancouver Farmers Markets join forces to raise money to further their work promoting and supporting local food production.

Saturday, February 13, 2010 6-11pm
Capri Hall, 3925 Fraser Street @ King Edward in Vancouver
Adults: $12, Kids (6-12 yrs) $6, Kids 5 and under – Free

Family Fun – no alcohol.  Dance to the Sybaritic String Band.
Farm-friendly snacks for sale. Kids activities too.

Tickets are available in advance at Vancouver Winter Farmers Markets (January 16, 30 & February 13) through the Vancouver Farmers Markets office and online at www.eatlocal.org  Tickets also available at the door.  Cash & Debit accepted.

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Hastings Park Groom School
Hastings Racecourse is proud to offer a Groom School this March. The Groom School is an intensive 2 week program where participants will learn how to properly care for and groom thoroughbred horses. For applicants with little or no experience with horses, the program will teach the skills required for an entry level groom's position.

The program is part of Hastings Racecourse's commitment to community and as such, the tuition costs are completely paid for. In addition, special priority will be given to residents of Hastings-Sunrise and East Vancouver neighbourhoods as part of our commitment to local hiring.

The deadline for application is Feb 28th, with an orientation date set for March 5th and classes commencing March 8th - 19th. This program is open to anyone ages 16 and older. Applicants are encouraged to visit our website for more details and to download an application form. A copy of the application form is attached for your reference. Completed applications can be faxed back to the number listed on the application form or scanned and e-mailed to hastingsbenefits@hastingsracecourse.com

If you have any questions concerning the Groom School, please do not hesitate to contact us at hastingsbenefits@hastingsracecourse.com

Opportunities - Volunteer and Otherwise

We're always looking for great people to join us!
Interested in Volunteering with us? Check out our volunteer blog and see what sort of fun things are volunteer team is up to. Volunteers allow us to do more community outreach, add value to the market experience for shoppers and assist with promotions and market growth. We welcome volunteers from all walks of life, experience and age. Contact Danno, our Volunteer Co-ordinator if you're interested in joining our team.

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Position: Langley Community Farmers Market Manager
Organization: Langley Community Farmers Market Society
Location: Langley, British Columbia

Applications are being accepted for the 2010 position of Langley Farmer's Market Manager. This is a contract position, with responsibility for the promotion, set up and effective running of a mid-week farmers market. The hourly commitment will be approximately 20 hours per week with additional one-off events. The market time is scheduled for Wednesdays from 3:00pm to 7:00pm each week from May 26th to October 6th. The position will run from February until December.

We are looking for someone with some experience with not-for-profit, community, volunteer and agriculture based groups. Enthusiasm, stamina, strong communication skills (active listening), an assertive (not dismissive or aggressive) problem solving style and a valid driver’s license are required.

Please submit a cover letter and resume with current contact information to Andrea Lawseth at alawseth@tol.ca or by fax to 604-534-6593. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted and all information will be kept confidential.

The deadline for applications is January 31st, 2010.

Job Duties
1. Recruit committed vendors for our market(s); this is a competitive field requiring a strong marketing plan and vigorous application.
2. Assisting and liaising with vendors on applications, Health compliance and market guidelines.
3. Keep detailed and accurate records of vendor's membership status, markets attended and fees paid (for year end receipts).
4. Assign vendor spaces prior to the start of each market.
5. Liaise with local governments, Downtown Business Associations, Tourism Langley, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and other stakeholders/partners.
6. Put up all market signage on market day, as well as putting those signs away at the end of day.
7. Recruit and manage volunteers/students, delegating as required.
8. Resolve any vendor conflicts as quickly and discreetly as possible.
9. Enforcing health and market rules as required, by ensuring compliance with Fraser Health guidelines.
10. Creating and distributing market promotional material such as newsletters, informational notices and advertisements.
11. Organizing special events (i.e. festivals) as well as entertainment for the market (i.e. storytelling, musicians, etc.).
12. Report to and attend board meetings (monthly), and participate in discussions regarding management, growth and promotion of the market where appropriate.

More details...

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KCC NEIGHBOUR NEWSPAPER is Looking for CONTENT!!!
The KCC Neighbour is a community newspaper by and for people living in the Kensington/Cedar Cottage area that is distributed to 15,000 households and local businesses and organizations. Look for our next exciting edition in March 2010.

Write a story.
Send in photos.
Provide information about local programs or upcoming community events.
Advertise your local business in our marketplace pullout.
Join our dedicated and dynamic Newspaper Committee

Submission Deadline: February 5th, 2010

The KCC Neighbour focusses on the strength and spirit of the people in our community and emphasizes the partnership between residents, businesses and organizations. Help us build the future of this paper.

Content can be dropped off at
Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House (604 874-4231) - http://cedarcottage.org/newspaper.html
4065 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC V5N 4M9 oremailed to: ccnh@cedarcottage.org

Read This!

The facts about food and farming
Let's not join one of the armed camps deeply suspicious of one another shouting past each other.
By Russ Parsons, LA Times January 6, 2010

One of the more pleasing developments of the last decade has been the long-overdue beginning of a national conversation about food -- not just the arcane techniques used to prepare it and the luxurious restaurants in which it is served, but, much more important, how it is grown and produced.

Read on...