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Community Calendar: Festival of Trees winners announced

Downtown The votes are in and the winners have been named in the 27th Annual Festival of Trees at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and upper level of Pacific Centre Mall, an event that benefits B.C. Children’s Hospital.

Downtown
The votes are in and the winners have been named in the 27th Annual Festival of Trees at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and upper level of Pacific Centre Mall, an event that benefits B.C. Children’s Hospital.

Besides offering a colourful and festive respite in the heart of the city’s hustle, the festival is a friendly fundraising competition between Christmas-loving individuals and companies. This year’s winners, chosen by a panel of judges, include “Despicable Tree,” for most child-like, “Alimony Tree” for most creative, and Kids For Kids for “Most Green Tree.” The trees are on display until Jan. 2.

Mount Pleasant
Haven Studio and the Babz Chula Lifeline for Artist’s Society are hosting a fundraising party in support of actor Violet Cameron on Dec. 19 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the ANZA Club.

The party includes a concert by MOO, which apparently includes members of the Odds, and an appearance by singer/songwriter Kevin House.

DJ Zak Santiago will spin tunes while partygoers drink wine, beer and the special Violet Martini. All proceeds will go towards Cameron’s homeopathic treatments used in her fight against Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Tickets are at the door or at bownpapertickets.com. Direct donations to Cameron can be made at violetcameron.com.

Citywide
A group that ensures homeless men and women receive a Christmas gift is short in its quest for 2013.

Homeless Partners works with shelters in cities across Metro Vancouver to identify people in need. In Vancouver, Homeless Partners supports clients of Yukon Housing Centre, the Living Room Drop-in centre, the Walton Hotel and the Downtown Housing Centre. Staff and volunteers have compiled a personal wish list for the men and women who frequent these facilities and from the looks of it, their requests are pretty basic.

Practical gifts such as gloves, socks, steel-toed boots, bus tickets and warm coats make up the majority of the requests, but pre-paid cellphones and gift cards are much-needed items.

The more unusual requests include “Duck Dynasty Stuff,” cigarettes and a leopard-print duvet. The group’s website includes a request from each individual and offers their first name and a brief story about how they came to be homeless.

Donors can go to the website, read through the stories, chose a recipient and purchase a gift, which they can then deliver to the shelter accompanied with a personal note. Visit homelesspartners.com for more information.

Kensington Cedar Cottage
You’ve got to love an event dubbed “Post Chanukah on Ice.”

On Dec. 26, hundreds of kids and adults will converge on Trout Lake Ice Rink for Chabad of East Vancouver’s annual celebration for an open skate offering contemporary Jewish music, kosher food and fun.

“Chanukah is a holiday that enriches our lives with the light of tradition,” Rabbi Schneur Wineberg, director of Chabad of East Vancouver, said in a press release. “We want to make the spirit of the Chanukah holiday alive for the kids.” For more information and reservations visit goo.gl/CmyqDr or call 604-266-9841. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The rink is located at 3350 Victoria Dr.

Downtown
Free ice skating continues at Robson Square now through Feb. 28, with entertainment offered most evenings of December.

Skating is free if you bring your own skates and rentals are $4 if you don’t. Helmets are mandatory for children 12 years and under and they can also be rented at the rink. Rentals are cash only. Just some of the performers bringing holiday cheer to the rink include JC and the Wailin’ Wassailers (Dec. 15), the Dal Richards Band (Dec. 19), Santa’s Brass (Dec. 22) and Rumba Calzada (Dec. 23). The rink is open Christmas Day from 3 to 5 p.m. For a complete schedule visit robsonsquare.com.

sthomas@vancourier.com
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