IT'S CHERRY BLOSSOM TIME !

It seemed like it was a long time coming this year, but cherry blossom time is here and that means the annual Vancouver Cherry Blssom Festival, with events and activities March 30 through April 23 at locations all over town. Here in the West End we can take part in the free Cherry Jam Downtown Concert in the indoor concourse of the Burrard Skytrain Station from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, stroll down to Stanley Park Pavilion for the Sakura Night Gala on April 2, and on Easter Sunday, April 16, meet back at the Burrard Skytrain to join the Tree Talks and Walks Easter Parade, complete with ukulele music and Easter Bonnets. Bring your own ukes and bonnets! For more information check the Festival website.

STANLEY PARK WALKING TOUR CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
OF (SOME) WOMEN'S VOTES

On April 5, 1917 eligible white women got the right to vote in the provincial B.C. election, though it took over three decades for other women to be granted that same right.

Mark the 100th anniversary of this important milestone by joining a Historical Walking Tour in Stanley Park led by historical interpreter Jolene Cumming. The tour, Sunday, April 2 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., will feature various women's rallies, protests, and demonstrations that took place in the park.

Meet at the Lost Lagoon viewing plaza, at the foot of Alberni. Drop in only. $10 donation. Visit stanleyparkhistory.ca for further information on this and future historical walks in the West End.

WEST END TAX CLINICS TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE PAPERWORK

It's tax time again, and the paperwork alone can be daunting. There are a number of West End community organizations offering tax clinics, some for qualified seniors and some for anyone low-income individuals and couples who need a hand.

The West End Seniors' Network has a free drop-in clinic for low-income seniors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday through to April 29. No clinic on April 15. Drop-in only, at Barclay Manor (1447 Barclay). Call Tasha at 604.669.5051 for details.

St. Paul's Advocacy Office (1130 Jervis) offers a clinic for anyone with an income below $30,000 per year. Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. No clinic on Easter Monday, April 17. Drop-in only. By donation.

Remember, the deadline for filing your taxes is Thursday, April 30, unless you are self-employed, in which case you have until Thursday, June 15.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS! SIGN UP NOW FOR ART IN THE CITY 2017

There's still time to register to take part in this year's Art In The City exhibition, which will run May 5 to 7 at the West End Community Centre (WECC).

Art In The City is an annual three-day exhibition and sale of visual art works on paper, sculpture, and glass panels which gives West Enders an opportunity to view, enjoy, and purchase the works of up to 50 local artists. Exhibitors pay a fee for their space and manage their set-up and display themselves. The WECC provides all other services, including credit card payment arrangements for art work sales which aren't paid in cash or by cheque.

The WECC also hosts an opening evening Vernisage with food and refreshments.

To receive the information package and reserve your exhibition space contact Debbie Coulson at debbie.coulson@vancouver.ca or 604.257.8344.