10 - Sunday, June 3, 1990 - North Shore News Help "Ss at hand HELP’S AT Hand, a_ weckly feature by the North Shore Infor- mation and Volunteer Centre, an- swers questions about and discusses such topics as govern- ment policies and programs, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and pulic ser- vices. Answers published in this col- umn are intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to specific individual cases without further consultation. whe Question: I read with interest your column on medical coverage while visiting the United States. Having just returned from Catifornia (well protected by additional health in- surance), I thought your readers might be interested in another potential problem. I frequently travel to the U.S., but until this trip it was always by automobile, so I was very casual and relaxed about flying to Los Angeles. This jaunty traveller suf- fered 2 real surprise at not being very welcome without a passport or birth certificate. No doubt you have a bot of sophisticated readers who would mever dream of leaving Canada without proper documentation, but for the rest of us, where does one obtain a copy of a birth certif- icate? Answer: If you were born in British Columbia, you can apply WV grads exhibit art THE WEST Vancouver Depart- ment of Parks and Recreation in conjunction with the West Van- couver School District 45 have or- ganized an exhibition of artwork produced by the district’s graduating secondary students. Juried by Sam Black, Penny Gouldstone and Karen Love, the grad show will be held from June 5 to 17 at the Ferry Building at Ambleside Landing in West Van- couver. Opening night celebrations will take place June 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., during which time awards of merit will be presented to the top five entries. “If there’s going to be a strong artistic community here it will have to begin in the schools,”’ said grad show coordinator Susan Aoki. Students will be in the gallery during the show to explain the cre- ative process and the purpose of their work. Aoki said she hopes the show will become an annual event. ARDAGH HUNTER TURNER Barristers & Solicitors a Personal Injury AFTER HOURS [FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION] — gay 645-8989 [ 986-4366 — #300-1401 LONSDALE NORTH VANCOUVER, BC. for a copy of your birth certificate from the Department of Vital Statistics, 800 Hornby St., Van- couver V6Z 2C5, telephone 660- 2937. You can write or phone for a form to fill in, or go in person and fillin the form while you are there. There is a charge of $17 and, as long as you have all the required information, you should receive your birth certificate in seven working days. The information you need to in- clude to gei your birth certificate is your name, date and place of birth; your father’s name, date and place of birth; and your mother’s name, maiden name, date and place of birth. f you were born in another province, the Department of Vital Statistics can still help you get your birth certificate. They have the forms needed to apply for birth certificates in other provinces. The information needed is the same as in B.C. The only real differences are the fee for the certificate and tke length of time it takes to pro- cess your request. You likely also discovered that another thing the American im- migration officials are looking for is proof that you have somewhere to stay in the United States and a return ticket to show that you don’t intend to stay there forever. The U.S. is understandably ner- vous about “‘illegal aliens,’’ al- though as a Canadian, it is upset- ting to be mistaken for one! kan The North Shore Information and Volunteer Centre, a United Way agency, is located at 1060 Roosevelt Cres., North Vancouver, B.C. V7P 1!M3, telephone 985- 7138. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation. ACUPUNCTURE Catherine Shaw Member Acupuncture Assoc. of B.C. Traditional Chinese Medicine Delbrook Naturopathic Medical Centre Suite 116 3711 Delbrook Ave. 986-9191 helping people. QUnited Way CONO TRANSMISSION BRAKE & MUFFLER TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU FROM! GUARANTEED SERVICE, DOMESTIC/iIMPORT CARS & LIGHT TRUCKS * BRAKES x SHOCKS * MINOR ENGINE REPAIR * TRANSMISSION x SUSPENSION * OIL LUBE FILTER * DIFFERENTIALS x CLUTCHES * 4X4’S + EXHAUST COURTESY CARS AVAILABLE OPEN MON. TO SAT., 8:30 AND 5:30 P.M. ' 860 W. 15TH ST. {across from Dave Buck, off Marine) : NORTH VANCOUVER 984-9581 4s Aliso see our 2nd location at: 2639 Kingsway 436-1633 bee i ew i ee CAS SEAIRS DRA PERY CLEANING. ¢ Your Drapes cleaned and sized * Rods silicone sprayed ¢ Cords adjusted ¢ Take-down and re-hang « New Hooks ¢ Free pick-up and delivery * CALL TODAY x HURRY - BOOK BEFORE JUNE 15190 438-8935