Burnaby's Claudia Li is celebrating a major victory with her campaign to stop shark fin soup.
The local resident is the founder of Shark Truth, a non-profit group dedicated to stopping the practice of "finning." Fishermen catch the sharks and slice their fins off to make shark fin soup, a delicacy for Chinese weddings.
The sharks are sometimes left to perish finless and unable to swim. Li's group recruited nearly 10,000 people to join a campaign urging Toronto city councillors to ban the soup in their city. On Oct. 25, the councillors voted and adopted a citywide ban on the soup.
"For a city the size and influence of Toronto to pass a shark fin bill is a historic moment for Canada," Li said. "Councillors are setting an example of how we can protect sharks from the wasteful practice of finning."
On July 8, the NOW featured Li and her organization. Go to www.burnaby now.com and use the webpage search engine to find the previous story.
BRAND YOURSELVES
MOSAIC is running a "brand yourself" series for job seekers at the Metrotown branch of the Burnaby library. People can learn how to revamp resumes and cover letters, target companies they want to work for and develop social media strategies for networking. Attendees should bring a copy of their resumes.
Spanish interpretation is available. The next sessions are Nov. 16, from 9: 30 a.m. to 1: 30 p.m, and Nov. 23, from 1: 30 to 5: 30 p.m. To register, call 604-436-5400.
JOY OF CYCLING
The McGill library branch is hosting a talk on the joys and benefits of cycling. Amy Walker, editor of On Bicycles: 50 Ways the New Bike Culture Can Change Your Life, is a cycling advocate and co-founder of Momentum Magazine. Walker will speak about her book on Thursday, Nov. 17, 7 to 8 p.m. at the McGill branch at 4595 Albert St.
Walker gathered writing from a wide range of cyclists to create the book. The event is free, but space is limited, so save a spot by calling 604-299-8955.
TOP STUDENTS
Accolades are in order for this year's local recipients of the Governor General Awards.
Here are the winners: Kevin Hua, Belle Shih, Aaron Prosch, Paula Hsien, Amy Wu, Lily Tan, Mathew Teoh and Christina Guan.
The awards go to graduating students who achieve the highest average (Teoh, for example, had a 99 per cent average for his final year at Cariboo Hill Secondary) in their school and are considered one of the most prestigious academic awards.
CAREGIVING HELP
Taking care of a terminally ill family member or loved can be especially difficult during the holidays.
That's why the Burnaby Hospice Society is hosting a talk by Elizabeth Causton on reducing stress for caregivers on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. The event is at the Mulberry Retirement Residence, at 7230 Acorn Ave.
Those wishing to attend can RSVP before Nov. 14 by calling 604-520-5087 or by emailing info@burnaby hospice.org.
MAKING SPACE
The parents of children at St. Francis de Sales are busy fundraising, trying to get enough money to pay for a portable to make more space, now that the private school has been squeezed with full-day kindergarten taking effect.
Sandra Wong told the NOW parents are hoping to raise $300,000 but have scraped together about $7,000 so far.
Anyone wishing to donate time or money can contact Wong at 7787727000.
REMEMBRANCE
Kudos to Burnaby North Secondary student Atalanta Shi, who won the Canada-wide Remembrance Day poster contest put on by the Royal Canadian Legion.
Atalanta was awarded more than $1,000 and got to participate in the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa.
The prize-winning poster will be on display in Ottawa's Canadian War Museum through till next May.
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