STEVESTON MUSEUM AND POST OFFICE

The Steveston Museum Society would like to remind all businesses and residents about the services they offer. Don't forget when you are doing your any mailing that you buy your stamps and send your parcels through the Steveston Post Office. The Post Office is run by the Society and all proceeds are used to operate the Museum. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSEUM.

GULF OF GEORGIA CANNERY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

The Statistics are in. Our 2003 season total visitation (between April and October) was 23,245 visitors. Imagine if we were open 12 months a year.

The Cannery will re-open for the season, April 3, 2004. We will present another new exhibit called "Mayday: The Risky Business of Fishing". This exhibit has been developed over the past two years and is the most ambitious project ever undertaken and funded by the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society and its partners. The exhibit details Search & Rescue stories told through illustrations and interactive displays. Call 604.664.9134 for more details. Watch here for more exciting information and details.

JOIN US NOW!
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society is a SOCIETY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY. We have been delivering Visitor Services since April 1996. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is owned by Parks Canada and in April 2000, the Society assumed the responsibilities of all site operations. That means our Members' ideas, our Members' programs, and our Members' involvement will ensure that the West Coast Fishing Industry's story will continue to be told in an exciting and stimulating way. Our Administration office is open and staffed 12 months a year.

For those of you who may not be aware, the day-to-day operations are under contract with Parks Canada Agency. We do this through a 16 member Board of Directors, with its roots firmly entrenched in the Fishing industry and Steveston Community. To help us with the day to day-running operations, the Society Board has hired a full complement of Staff, with Mark Sakai, our Manager and his 7 full time staff. Their responsibility is to develop Public Programs, take care of our joint Archival Collection with Parks Canada, operate our Gift Shop, Market and promote our site, train Volunteers and Interpreters, and maintain the upkeep of this building. During the summer, our staff increases to nearly 20 with our site interpreters and gift shop.

We are very proud of what we have accomplished as a Society since we started this journey in 1986. We are also proud to celebrate with our staff and Parks Canada, 10 years of excellence in public exhibits.

Become a member and support the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society. Any time that you can spare as a volunteer would be greatly appreciated. A wide variety of volunteer opportunities exist such as: Serving on the Board of Directors, Sitting on a Committee, Conducting tours, Fund-raising, Greeting Visitors, Being an Outreach Ambassador, Working with artefacts and exhibits, Writing for the newsletter, Special events, Assisting in the Gift Shop, Helping with school programs
Sharing computer skills.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS: Unlimited free visits to the Site, 20% off at the Cannery Store, "Cannery Currents" newsletter 4 times a year, Invitations to Special Member Events, Voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting, Opportunities to volunteer and last but not least, your membership contributes to the preservation of our West Coast Fishing history

1 yr. Individual $15./yr - 2 yrs. $30. : 1 yr Family $25./yr. - 2 yrs.$50.

Checks please made out to: Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society, we also accept MC/Visa, please call.
12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond, B.C. V7E 3J1 Telephone: (604) 664-9203

UPCOMING EVENTS: please join us.
Feb 28 - Pub Night Fundraiser for the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society Just $10 gets you a burger and a beer at the Buck & Ear. 50/50 draw and door prizes, food served from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Call Rob at 604.664.9134, or Sue Girling at 604-275-9452, sunor@steveston.bc.ca for tickets. Everyone's Welcome!

Mar 6 - Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society Annual General Meeting. All Society new and renewing members (including Corporate) are welcome. 1:30 pm in the main Cannery, Boiler House Theatre. Refreshments, prizes, something for everyone.

The Cannery has also partnered this year with Gray Line Tours for daily trips from Vancouver to Steveston. http://www.grayline.ca/tours/pages/graylineca/graylineca_1281_StevestonVillageTour.asp. Website excerpt: "After your Cannery tour, there will be plenty of free time to explore the Village of Steveston. Browse through the numerous galleries, gift shops, and antique stores, stroll down the boardwalk to see dozens of fishing boats moored in the harbour or simply enjoy a lunch at leisure at one of the fish & chip parlours along the water's edge."

With a slumping tourism industry in 2003 we exceeded our 2002 (Tall Ships) visitor stats. 23,245 people can't be wrong!! The Cannery is the leader in, and for, Steveston promotion and tourism. We welcome Steveston businesses to join us in cross promotions of their own with the GOG Society. Become a Corporate Member of the Society, and one of the many privileges of membership is racking your own brochure with us! Corporate Memberships are only $50./ year. Contact: Rob Hart, Marketing Coordinator, 604-664-9134, or rob.hart@pc.gc.ca and ask him how you can get involved in this outstanding, award winning, organization!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site
Heritage Interpreters/Front Desk Attendant

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society is currently hiring Heritage Interpreters and Front Desk staff for the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site 2004 season. The interpretation of the site consists of public tours, school programs and informal interaction with visitors. Front desk staff must handle cash, interact with the public and be knowledgeable about the site history and programs.
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society operates this Parks Canada site situated in the original 1894 cannery building in Steveston (Richmond). The site commemorates the development of the West Coast fishing industry and opened to the public in 1994. We host special events and temporary exhibits throughout the season.

INTERPRETIVE POSITION:
- Delivers interpretive programs and activities, including public tours
- Delivers school programs and special events
- Interacts informally with visitors
- Has experience with children and/or seniors and/or ESL

FRONT DESK POSITION:
- Handles cash, including opening and closing
- Greets visitors and responds to inquiries
- Keeps daily records; assists with general office duties
- Has working knowledge of Excel

BOTH positions require excellent communication skills, scheduling flexibility, experience working with the public and in a team environment. Tourism, museums, theatre and/or fisheries background an asset. BILINGUALISM (French/English, Cantonese or Mandarin/English) is a requirement for some positions; other languages an asset.

SALARY: $11.00/hour
HOURS: Full, part-time and casual positions, from April through October. Training sessions will be conducted in late March. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Hire is conditional upon security check. Only those selected for interview will be contacted.

Please submit resume by February 06, 2004 (specify availability)
Kathi Lees, Visitor Services Coordinator
Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society
12138 Fourth Ave
Richmond, BC V7E 3J1
fax: 664-9008; email: kathi.lees@pc.gc.ca

LONDON HERITAGE FARM

No admissions charge. Our Tea Room reopens on Sunday, February 1st with a special Chinese New Year Tea to honour our Chinese clientele. We are having Andrew Song demonstrating the art of Chinese calligraphy.

The Chocolate Tea we have our 'chocolate lady' demonstrating chocolate-coated spoons and a London Farm volunteer demonstrating chocolate leaves. Valentines Day we will be doing more chocolate demonstrations. Heritage Day we will have free house tours with emphasis on the pioneers of this area. St. David's Day we will be serving Welsh cakes
For More information contact: Trudean Fraser, Administrator, Phone/fax 604-271-5220, Email: londonhf@telus.net

STEVESTON CHRISTIAN CHURCH

When a pastor takes a 4-month sabbatical, what happens to the church? What happens to the pastor? With great anticipation we invite you to come and find out with us this on month at SCC. We meet Sunday mornings at 10:30 for a celebration service in Lord Byng Elementary School. Coffee is on after 10:00. Come as you are! For more information, call the church line at 604.271.3786 or check out the website: www.steveston.org

STEVESTON COMMUNITY SOCIETY and the RICHMOND INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

Will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Thursday, February 12th, 7pm Steveston Community Centre. Anyone interested in seeking the nomination for our Board of Directors, please leave a message at (604) 718-8094.

The Steveston Community Society, celebrating it's 60th anniversary in 2004, is responsible for programming at the Steveston Community Centre, including preschool, fitness, tennis and special events such as craft fairs, hayrides and breakfast with Santa. The Richmond Industrial and Agricultural Society, fondly called "the Ag." is a society more than 100 years old and is responsible for the Steveston Salmon Festival. Profits from both these societies go towards improvements in our facility and park. Our current goal to raise $300,000 for a children's water play area. Join this vibrant group of volunteers and make a difference in our community.

BRITANNIA HERITAGE SHIPYARDS

The Murukami Boathouse Britannia Heritage Shipyard 5180 Westwater Drive, Steveston, Admission $5 at the door.

February 19th 2004 - Phil O'Flaherty
We welcome Phil O'Flaherty to SFG. Phil's experience listening to great Irish Bands such as Planxty and the Bothy Band, with their fantastic arrangements of traditional songs, reels, and jigs, convinced him that this was something he had to do himself. "Scatter the Mud" formed in 1990, was one of Canada's most traditional, yet innovative Celtic bands. They recorded two cd's and toured Canada coast to coast. These days Phil is concentrating on song writing and a solo career. Phil's first solo CD, "Too Fond of Walking", was released in June 2003. The album is a mix of traditional and original songs.

March 18th 2004 - Steve Palmer at SFG
A man who has done his time in the "trenches", Steve has been playing guitar for 35 years. From the "Waifers" and "Warp Factor" in the early days in Alberta, to life on the road across Canada and the USA. From "dives" to "luxury resorts, to pubs and hotels" this man has done it all. Come hear a guitar player who can switch between flat picking and Travis style finger picking with ease. His first cd "From Here To Nashville" is superb

CHIMO CRISIS SERVICES

Steveston finally has their own youth drop-in resource centre located in the Steveston Community Centre. Everyone is invited to drop by from 3:30-4:30pm to meet their local helpers. Come by the youth room in the Steveston Community Centre to ask questions, get free information, or just to say "hi" and enter the contest to name the new drop-in centre. The youth drop-in will be in service every other Thursday starting January 15. The next three dates for the drop-in will be February 12, and February 26.

Please feel free to contact Lynn or Faye at CHIMO Crisis Services, Community Development and Education if there are any questions. The phone number is 604-279-7077.

SOS CHILDRENS VILLAGE - "SOS Children's Village BC and The Community, Giving homes for life
Thursday, March 11th, 2004, 5:00 - 7:00 pm, Location 14843 66A Avenue, Admission: Free, donations accepted
Did you know that with the power of the community, SOS Children's Village gives foster children a "house" they can call home? Throughout the province many children are left without families. They're all alone, frightened, facing a brutal world… their parents may have died as a result of an accident. Or their parents are unable to suitably care for them because of extreme poverty, mental disorders or alcohol or drug abuse. SOS Children's Village provides foster children with life skills and family homes for a lifetime.

Come to SOS Children's Village BC's OPEN HOUSE and find out how you can give foster children the chance to be kids again." By invitation only... an exclusive opportunity to see inside an SOS Village and how our community helps foster families... mark your calendars for March 11 - SOS' Open House presented by VanCity. www.sos-bc.org
Susan Polano, Office Administrator, Volunteer Coordinator, SOS Children's Village BC, 604-599-0887, 604-599-0854 Fax
office.sosbc@telus.net, www.sos-bc.org
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Do you have a few hours to spare once a week, enjoy people, working with a team and having lots of fun? Then please pick up the phone and give us a call!

Treasure Cottage is a thrift store working to support British Columbia's foster children. SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE SOCIETY OF BC is part of a world-wide humanitarian organization committed to protecting the increasing number of children who are in need of long-term care. For more information on how you can help, please call Barbara at 604-274-8866

RICHMOND HOSPITAL AUXILIARY THRIFT SHOP

Located at 3920 Moncton St. in the heart of Steveston.

We were closed from Dec. 20th to January 2nd, and are just getting back into the swing of things. Have already held one half-price sale, and will likely hold another one early in February. On this day, we have all clothing on sale for half of its original marked price, and we put out new clothing ALL day long. It has proven to be a very successful event.

The Richmond Hospital serves the whole community of Richmond and we depend on the same community to support our Thrift Shop.

THE RICHMOND TOASTMASTERS

Improve your Public Speaking and Leadership skills. Visit The Richmond Toastmasters @ The South Arm Community Center - Annex Bld. 9020 Williams Rd. on Tuesday from 7:00pm to 9:10pm or call Ken Sanders at 604-275-2759