Low-income

_ BC Benefits rate increases in July
will combine with higher Canada
', child tax benefit payments to boost
monthly incomes for low-income
Singles, couples and families across
the province, Jan Pullinger, minister
of social development and economic
security, said recently.

“An increase in BC Benefits averaging

about 2% across all programs will arrive in

Wednesday, April 5, 2000 — North Shore Nevws - 23

—_— PARENTING —

people’s hands the week of July 24,” said
Fullinger. Changes in federal child tax bene-
fits will also take effect in July, complementing
our efforts.

“This government's pioneering BC Family
Bonus program in 1996 led to Canada’ 's first
new social program in a generation,” Pullinger
added. “Through the Canada child tax bene-
fit, the federal government is now sharing i in
our commitment to end child poverty.”

Pullinger said the BC Benefits rate increas-

es reflect the government’s balanced

p-m., North Van City Library.

approach. All programs are affected by the
rate increase, including those for people with
disabilities, children piaced in the homes of
relatives and comforts allowances for people in
institutions.

“This government is comunitted to sup-
porting low- and mid-income pxopie so they
can create a better future for themselves and
their families,” said Pullinger.

Supporting people in cheir move from wel-
fare to work remains a priority, Pullinger
added. “Thanks to programs like Youth

12 years. Fee of $30. Register:

jage earmers to receive boost

Vorks, EC Family Bonus, Welfare to Worl
ed BC Healthy kids, we are continuing is
support low-income individuals and famitics
to succeed in finding jobs and sharing, in
B.C.’s changing and expanding economy.”

The BC Benefits caseload has dropped by
more than 26% since December 1995.

For the 19-24 age group enrolied in the
Youth Works program, the caseload decline
has been almost 50%. Most people feave BC
Benefits within the first. few months to take
jobs or to further their education.

nee? Drop-in Babes Storytime:

WEDNESDAYS a

. May 25,

Drop-in Storytales for ages
4-6 on Thursdays, April 6-
10:30 am., at
Capilano. Library. Info: 987-
4471. :

Drop-in Storytales for ages
4-6 on Thursdays, April 6-
June 1, at. 10:30 a.m.,

’, Parkgate. Library. Info: 929-
° 3727. :

‘Author Sheryl Macfarlane
-and IHustrator Sheena Lott:

For Grades 2-4 at the North

-. Van. City Library. Thursday,

April 27. at .10:30 a.m.
Register: 980-4424.

‘a.m.

~. upstairs lounge of Lynn Valley

United: Church, 3201. Mt.

. Highwa $5 /fanl Info: —
eta ~. Fridays, April. 7-June 16,

987-2114.

: Babytime: Stories; songs, ‘and
: finger Plays © for. 6- 24 months

Ee. citement . at
» Griffin. Make your own Easter .,
-. basker_ and hunt for eggs in
- the magical rose
“your face painte
ide more. Bring a non-

‘North:

This month the country fea-
tured is Guatemala. Pre-regis-
tee: 980-4424,

FRIDAY

Drop-in Babytales for ages
0-2 years on Fridays, April 7-
May 28, at 10:30 a.m., Lynn
Valley Library. Info: 990-
5811.

Author Visits: For Grades 3-
4 at the West Van Memorial
Library. Friday, Aprii 28 at
1: 30 p. p. ‘m. Sheryl McFarlane,
local author of Waiting for the
Whales, Moonsnail Song and
Eagle Dreams 2nd Sheena
Lott, focal artist of Moonsnail
Song, — Jessie’s isiand and
Midnight in the Mountains
will talk about their work.
Info: 924-7408.

Hip Hop Dance Classes:

6:30-7:30 p.m. for ages 13-
18. Register/info: North

. Shore Neighbourhood House

at 987°8138.

"SATURDAY

, play games

le ‘food ' donation

~ Shore’ Harvest.

NS | “apply. Info: $87-

: Heritage: Pupp Workstio

» Saturday, April 29,°1-4 p shop
“West... Van. “Museim and

"Archives, :

«show, learn about puppets and
|» ereate your own: For ages 8-

Watch a puppet

. Session: Singing,

‘and 6:45 p.m. Info:

William ~

len, Have.
erish ;
r the
rl. 8;- 1:30.3:30"
pan... Regular. public swim ..

. Session:
. Singing, music games and spe-.
-cial songs to sing in.church

925-7270.

Drop-in French Movie: For
ali ages at the North Van City
Library, 11 a.m. on the last
Saturday of every month.
Info: 980-4424.

French for Fun Storytime:
Drop in for all ages at the
North Van City Library, 9:30
or I} a.m. Info: 980-4424.

Saturday. Storytime and
craft: For 4-8-year-olds, 10
am. at North Van City
Library. To pre-register call
980-4424. °

SUNDAY

Sunday Schoo! Spring
in bible sto-
rics, arts and crafts an games
for preschoo!-Grade

Sundays at 10 a.m. Discussion
groups, games, special outings
and participation in events
around the community for
Grades 7+, Sundays at 10 a.m.
Mt.
Seymour United Church at

929-1336.

Easter Egg Hunt: Annual
Howe Sound Lions Club east--
er egg hunt at John Lawson
Park, Sunday, April 23, 10
a.m.-3- p.m. Lots of easter
eggs for the kids and music by"
the West ‘Van Pops Band. :

‘MONDAY

Youth: . Choir,

For ages. 6-12.

once a month. Now preparing
for a special “musical play” in
June. Mondays, 7-8-p.m. at

Mt. Seymour United Church. ©
* Info: Kelly at 708-9264.

2 Thre words that used to sink the hearts afd: + aptetee of
- men, women and children. They would see better but look worse.

But with new ‘designs from Gucci: Calvin Klein, Georgio Armani, .
‘Fendi, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Nine west, Liz Claiborne —
. & Kenneth Cole, you'll not only sea better, youll look better.

Don’t miss our.
Grand Opening Sale.

Up to 50% off selected frames with purchase Of.
: prescription lenses at regular price. Sale ends: May: 18/00. © nosh

Lions Gate Optical & Optometry

can “ BYE EXAMS: AVAILABLE »
164- -162 East 1 ‘Bt North Van - : The Grande Bullding across from the Fire Station

az)

Wines din iGine sto Vy

Spring

TUESDAY

Drop-in Toddletales:
Tuesdays to May 30, at 10:30
a.m., for ages 2-3 at Capilano
Library. Info: 987-4471.

Drop-in Babytales: Tuesdays

to May 30, at 10:30 a.m. for -.

ages 0-2 years at Parkgate
Library. Info: 929-3727.

International Fairytales and
Craft; For 6-9-year-olds.
Tuesday, Aprii 18, 3:30 p.m.,
Nerth Van City Library.
Guatemala is the country fea-
tured this month. Pre-regis-
ter: 980-4424.

For 0-24 months at the North
Van City Library. Tuesday and
Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Info:
980-4424.

‘fales for Twos: Half-hour of
stories, songs and puppetry.
Children must be accompa-
nied by a parent or caregiver.
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and
Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., at the
West Van Memorial Library.
Register for May beginning
April 10: 925-7408.

— Compiled by Sharon

Cocomile -—

Fax your event information to

. Sharon at 985-2104.

The North Vancouver. Chapter
of Canadian Parents for ne
French invites you

to attend’ our or antiial