HELP’S AT HAND HELP'S AT Hand, by North Shore Community Services (NSCS), is a forum for discussing government policies und pro- grams, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public services. Answers are intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to individual cases without further consultation. Question: § belong to a support group for senior women and many of us are widows. We are doing a Project on family medical history, documenting the health problems and life spans of our relatives. We have found that the Beitish Coiumbia death certificates do not document the reason for death, whereas British and American cer- tificates do. Why is that, and is there another way of finding this in- formation? . Answer: It is not uncommon for survivors to be curious about the causes of death of their family meinbers. This information can be helpful if dependents wish to take preventive measures diseases, especially those with a known genetic tendency. Unfortunately, as you have found oui, that information isn’t always readily available. You are right that the British Columbia certificates for death do not state the cause of death. The B.C. Division of Vital Statistics (BCDVS) forbids the reiease of medical information, except in the case of a death that occurred 50 Or more years ago. In that situation, you would contact the BCDVS at 660-2937 in Vancouver, or 660-1268 in North Vancouver, and request a geneal- ogy certificate. The cost of a genealogy search is $25, and from it you would find out the date, place and cause of death as well as parents’ names and who the informant of the against - death was. The fee covers a_ three-year search; in other words, if you are uncertain of the exact year of death, you can give an approx- imate date and they will search over a three-year span. Vital statistic information is under provincial legislation and we understand that some pro- vinces do make the cause of death information readily available. If your family member died in another province, try contacting their division _ of vital statistics. Addresses of other Canadian vital statistics offices are available by calling the numbers given above. if the deaths involved the cor- oner's office, such as in the case of accidental os sudden death, cause of death information wiil be much easier to acquire. Coroner’s reports are public, and you would simply contact the B.C. Coroner’s Service at 4595 Canada Way, Burnaby, V5G 4L9, or call 660-7739, with the name of the deceased and date of death. You will be mailed a copy of the coroner's report at no charge. The most obvious way of find - ing medical information is by contacting the deceased person’s doctor, or the hospital in which he or she died if that is possible. If he or she died in hospital suddenly or of unnatural causes, the hospital may have decided to perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death, and they would have a copy of the autopsy report. If you do not have copies of the British or American certificates for death, which as you have said do state the cause of death, con- tact the respective consulates at 683-4421 or 685-4311. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation. For more in- formation call NSCS at 985-7138. ‘KIDS’ STUFF THURSDAY March 19~Squeakers Program; stories & crafts for kids aged 6 & 7 yrs; W.V. Memorial Library; 3 p.m. Pre-reg: 926-3291, loc. 251. eee March 19--Ongoing. RecCentre Magnussen mew program: Leisure Link, parents and kids may participate in activities at the same time but in different areas of the centre. Parents may swim, play tennis, weight train, or enjoy the steam room while kids have fun with creative activities. Preschool programs are also available. Info: 987-play. eee . March 19--Ongoing Thursdays to March 26. Mini T-Ball program for kids 4-5 yrs.; 10:30-11:15 a.m. Also: Brain Gym Plus, 7-10 a.m. program for kids, helps increase comprehen- sion, coordination & organization. In- fo: W.V. YMCA, 926-5541. eee Merch 19-Ongoing. Capilano Super Readers. After-school book club for keen readers, grades 4-7, 3:30 p.m. Info: Capilano District Library, 987- 4471. eee March 19--Ongoing. Evening storytime, storytelling, puppetry & reading. Info: Lynn Valley Library, 984-0286. eee March 19--Ongoing. Preschool storytime drop-in, 10:30 a.m. Info: Capilano District Library, 987-4471. eoe March 19—Ongoing. CAYAC North Shore for Catholic teens. 7 p.m. every Thurs. at Holy Trinity Church Hall. Info: 980-4450. eee March 19-Ongoing. Shotokan Karate for ages 7 & older. Co-ed program aimed at developing fitness, self- discipline, confidence & self defence. Info: N.S. YMCA 926-5541 or 986- 0388. eoe March 19-Ongoing. N. Van Youth Band practice for 9-13 yr. old N. Shore music students. 6-7:30 p.m. on Tues./Thurs. at Highlands Com. School. . FRIDAY March 20--Ongoing. Preschool Storytime, drop-in program for kids aged 3-5, fingerplays, folk tales, pic- ture book fun, 2:30 p.m. Info: Lynn Valley Library, 984-0286. March 20--Ongoing. Super Readers, - program for keen readers, grades 4-7. Info: Lynn Valley District Library, 984-0286, eee March 20--Ongoing. Mini tennis for children 6-9 yrs. 3:30-4:15 p.m. Info: recCentre Lonsdale, 988-6166. eecg March 20—Ongoing each Wed. & Fri. Storytime for toddlers aged 2 & 3 yrs., 10 & 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. lnfo: N.V. City Library, 980-4424. eee March 20--Ongoing. Exchange pro- gram with European students and N.S. Students. Info: 921-6296. Li a | SATURDAY March 21--Ongoing. Papier mache Dinosaurs. Program for kids aged 6- 10 yrs., 1-3 p.m. Info: recCentre Lynn Valley, 984-9341, eee March 21--Ongoing. Saturday Storytime. Stories & fun for kids 4-8 yrs., 10:30 a.m. Info: N.V. City Library, 980-4424, eee March 21--Ongoing. Storytimes in French. 11 a.m. beginners, 1:30 p.m. French immersion students. N.V. City Library, 121 W. 14th St., N.V. Info: 980-4424, For more Coming Events see first page of Classifieds. For arts and entertainment listings see the Around Town column in Wed- nesday’s North Shore Now sec- tion. NEWS photo Paul McGrath MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR Vern Pilz points out the wear and tear the Lions Gate Hospital roof has received over the years. LGH Is currently repairing the roof (at a cost of $400,000) over a three-month period. cor hat Crowd of Bursting Red Tulips that strain to caress the Early Morning Sun.” THE RAINBOW. WE KNOW OUR COLORS, may t 2 $ % upto 50% OFF the manufacturer's suggested retail price of all in-stock walicoverings and borders. How 60% OFF all bock orders wallcovering & borders. SALE PRICES START AT $3.99 <4 BREEZE ACRYLIC LATEX EGGSHELL OR SEMI-GLOSS Interior Finishes Regular $38.48 (3.78 Litre can) Our Beat Seller! Interior Finishes Regutar $42.48 (3.78 Litre can) SAVE $10.00 OFF the regia retail on al other Premium Ineo fishes (3.78 Lire can) VISIT THE PAINT EXP NEIGHBORHOOD... 70 Locations - Serving Western Canada since 1911! GENERAL PAINT STORE GENERAL PAINT West Vancouver Park Royal South Mall 922-7389 133 West 16th St. 988-0141 (one block west of Lonsdale}