SPLASH TOY SHOP

Has everything you need to play outside this summer. We have the largest selection of kites in the area and our knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect flyer. Want a great way to play in the surf with your older child this summer? Catch the wave with Skim Boards. These well-crafted wood boards are the hottest item for teens and pre-teens at the beach. We also have bug nets, badminton sets and bouncy balls for the backyard. Wherever you play this summer Splash Toy Shop is the place to find a great family outdoor activity!

Located at 140- 3580 Moncton Street. Call us at 604-241-0234 for further information.

Announcing Peekaboo Baby Boutique … Unique clothes, toys and accessories for babies and toddlers (up to age 4). Peekaboo also carries trendy diaper bags and other accessories for mommy too! Located at 4229 Dunbar Street (604) 228-0804.

PMC WIRELESS

http://www.pmcwireless.com , info@pmcwireless.com (604) 277 5607, (604) 687 6921 Secure Home & Small Business Wireless Networks, Experience the freedom of WiFi Networking, Secure * Affordable * Convenient * Fast Seamless home to office networking * Remote printing * Remote Internet cameras for security & child/pet Monitoring * Internet Radio - world wide radios at your finger tips * Central Music streamed around the home/office * No messy wires

Installation of Wireless Networks & Internet Security Cameras * Security Audit of your existing Wireless Network * Router Upgrades, give Paul Magnus a call.

RAINTREE SPA

Birthday Party - Saturday, May 7th, 9-5pm. Come celebrate our one-year birthday with us! We'll be serving up beautiful handcrafted cookies by Jane Dough, tea cocktails and special savings on Raintree products. Our sincere thanks to all our customers who have helped us grow and be successful during our first year in business. We have formed some wonderful friendships over the last 12 months and look forward to the year ahead.

STEVESTON VILLAGE GALLERY

Dear Friend and Supporter of the Arts, Thank you for making Steveston Village Gallery’s first year of operations a successful one through your support and referrals. You have helped elevate the profile of local Vancouver Lower Mainland Artists here at home and abroad.

In May 2004 Steveston Village Gallery opened celebrating the work of 20 local Artists and has grown to a group of 90 painters, potters, glass blowers, sculptors and jewelers! The gallery has become a cultural meeting point for Artists, local collectors and tourists. To date, we have matched over 1,100 clients with artwork and the number is growing.

I personally invite you to attend our First Anniversary Celebration ! It’s our way of saying ‘THANK YOU!’ with live music , refreshments, fresh new local art and a chance to see old friends and make new ones. Please send this invitation to friends, family , and colleagues so we can continue to grow and support local art in our community.

Steveston Village Gallery
First Anniversary Celebration
Thursday, May 5, 2005
7pm to 10pm
RSVP by May 1, 2005 email tfisher@sprint.ca

#125-3900 Bayview St.
Richmond, B.C. V7E 4R7
(604)241-5771

Best regards and I hope you will join us to celebrate!

H2O HAIR & NAIL CO.

Is happy to announce the addition of the following services.
EYE LASH EXTENTIONS!! PERMANENT MAKE UP BY BRUNA !!
WE'RE THE CHANGE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR! 230-12240 SECOND AVE. (STEVESTON)
604 241 5593, DROP IN OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY..

THE RICHMOND PHONE GUY

Service for computer networks and landlines re-invented to better serve the 'little guy'. With over 90% of all faults and troubles occurring within 10 metres of the computer (or the phone), and Phone Companies having 'cut' on-the-road service staff, you can find yourself in a real jamb these days. We provide that much-needed help, at relatively low cost and, by Appointment! Specializing in telephone-line(s) management and computer networking for home and small office environments, we do custom work such as jack installations, jack repairs, changes and moves. Enjoy direct access to an experienced Installation and Repair technician at affordable rates. If your line is in trouble, or you're needing jacks, call 604 275-3548 for FAST and FRIENDLY service. Free estimates for residential work. Seniors get discounted labour costs. Find us Online through the Superpages.ca Business Directory: ('Phoneguy' for 'BC' ) or in the Directory for Richmond/South Delta. Look under 'Telephone Service - Local' (page 916). Licensed and Insured in the City of Richmond. Proud Member of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, call, or visit: www.TheRichmondPhoneGuy.com

TURNING POINT WELLNESS CENTRE

Is pleased to announce the addition of 'Raise the Bar' rehab centre to our facility. Opening May 2nd we are offering the community a place to come and get strong and healthy with highly qualified trainers. We will be offering small classes and personal training so that your progression is closely monitored. Check out our web page for information about classes www.turningpointwellnesscentre.com

SEASCAPE GIFT BASKETS

Your one stop shop for Gourmet Gift Baskets.
Looking for something different? Our Gourmet Gift Baskets make the perfect gift for all occasions and with Mother's Day and Father's Day rapidly approaching. We allow you to shop easily and quickly from the comfort of your own home. Send that special gift that everyone loves to receive and it have it personally delivered within the Lower Mainland. We also ship throughout BC and Canada. Check out the "Other Products" section on our web site. We have added more products such as children's furniture, and hug-to-dry baby bath towels to enable us to cater to a wider range of gift giving requirements.

We design baskets for individuals or large groups, making our baskets the perfect "corporate gift". Our baskets can be customized by adding Mineral waters, Non Alcoholic wines or quality BC VQA wines, as well as choosing from our selection of options to make your gift truly unique. If you have special requirements, please e-mail us or call us. We would be pleased to assist you.

Our website is user friendly and easy to navigate. Please check us out at: www.seascapegiftbaskets.com

SEASCAPE GIFT BASKETS

Your one stop shop for Gourmet Gift Baskets.
Our Gourmet Gift Baskets make the perfect gift for all occasions and with Mother's Day and Father's Day rapidly approaching, we allow you to shop easily and quickly from the comfort of your own home. Send that special gift that everyone loves to receive and it have it personally delivered within the Lower Mainland. We also ship throughout BC and Canada. Check out the "Other Products" section on our web site. We have added more products such as children's furniture, and hug-to-dry baby bath towels to enable us to cater to a wider range of gift giving requirements.

We design baskets for individuals or large groups, making our baskets the perfect "corporate gift". Our baskets can be customized by adding Mineral waters, Non Alcoholic wines or quality BC VQA wines, as well as choosing from our selection of options to make your gift truly unique. If you have special requirements, please e-mail us or call us. We would be pleased to assist you.

Our website is user friendly and easy to navigate. Please check us out at: www.seascapegiftbaskets.com
We would like to thank everybody for their support.
Douglas Hamilton
www.seascapegiftbaskets.com
Phone: (604) 576-2645

PRESS RELEASES

STEVESTON BUSINESS OWNER RECEIVES HIGHEST INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION

Merle Linde is President of Probizz Advertising Specialties Inc. and is a National Board Member of the Promotional Products Association of Canada. 3580 Broadway Street, Richmond, BC V7E 2X8, Phone: (604) 448-0310, Fax: (604) 448-0176

RICHMOND PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS PROFESSIONAL EARNS INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Bill Prickett
972-258-3041
BillP@ppa.org

Irving, Texas, (April 15, 2005) Merle Linde, of Probizz Advertising Specialties Inc., Richmond, British Columbia, passed the certification examination administered by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) on February 11, 2005 to receive the Master Advertising Specialist (MAS) industry certification.

MAS/CAS certification is the only recognized credential in the promotional products industry and signifies that an individual has reached and continues to meet a higher standard of professionalism, knowledge and experience within the industry.

“Pursuit of professional certification adds another dimension of credibility and professionalism for individuals who choose to work toward them,” said Steve Slagle, CAE, PPAI president. “Undoubtedly, their efforts will contribute to the continued excellence in services offered to their clients.”

The CAS certification requires 70 classroom hours from a structured curriculum, three years experience in the promotional products industry and a passing score on the CAS certification exam. The MAS certification requires 170 classroom hours from a structured curriculum, five years experience in the promotional products industry and a passing score on the MAS certification exam.

Individuals who receive the industry benchmark MAS/CAS certification have made a commitment to increase the professionalism of the promotional products industry and its practitioners, uphold and raise industry standards and provide superior service to their clients.

The number of professionals in the promotional products industry who have achieved either the MAS or CAS certification grows each year. In 1996, the rules governing the certification program were re-structured, and all industry professionals who wish to achieve the MAS or CAS designation must pass a certification exam.

For more information on the Master Advertising Specialist or Certified Advertising Specialist certifications, call 1-888-492-6892 or email to Certification@ppa.org.
For immediate release
April 11, 2005

Richmond – The Province is providing the Richmond school district with $205,300 to purchase two new school buses so that students continue to have access to safe transportation, announced Richmond MLAs Linda Reid and Geoff Plant.

“Safety is of the highest importance when we’re talking about our children and these buses will increase the protection of students on their way to and from school,” said Reid. “Parents can have more peace of mind seeing their children off to school.”

“BC’s strong economy has made it possible for this government to provide our school district with money to purchase two new buses,” said Plant. “One 84 passenger bus and one 24 passenger bus will be added to Richmond’s school bus fleet.”

Since 2002, government has provided three-year plans to help school districts with their long-term planning and budgeting.

“We are committed to safe schools, and that includes safe transportation for students,” said Christensen. “We want to make sure that students have a safe and reliable way to get to school so they can concentrate on learning.”

Since 2000-01, the Province has increased funding to BC public schools by nearly $460 million: $305 million for district operating grants and $153 million for special, one-time grants. During the same period, enrolment has declined by more than 30,000 students. The $150 million funding increase for the coming school year is the largest in more than a decade, and will help school districts continue to focus on improving student achievement.

Media Contact:
Christine Lewis
Communications Officer
BC Government Caucus Communications
Ph: (250)356-1539 Fax: (250)387-7957
Cell: (250)818-0107

For immediate release
April 13, 2005

$1 million investment from Province for UBC rowers High performance and community rowers alike to benefit

Richmond - The province will provide $1 million to assist the University of British Columbia in the construction of a permanent rowing facility on the Fraser River, Richmond MLAs Greg Halsey-Brandt, Geoff Plant and Linda Reid announced today.

"Creating opportunities in sport and healthy-living is at the heart of our efforts to make BC one of the fittest places on earth," said Reid. "UBC has a long rowing tradition, producing world-leaders in the sport and this facility is the realization of a long-held dream.

Named in memory of a UBC rower and rugby player, the John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse will be the University's first permanent home for rowers. Once complete, the boathouse will feature 950 square metres of dock, second floor office and conference space and allow for storage of approximately 85 shells.

"I've been involved in helping to secure funds for the Boathouse and I'm pleased that it will soon become reality," said Plant. "It will train new generations of recreational and elite rowers and become another significant landmark on this stretch of Richmond waterfront."

UBC's proposed $5.5 million, two-story boathouse will be moored in the Middle Arm of the Fraser River, less than half a kilometre from the site of the Richmond Oval speed skating facility.

"I know I speak for UBC and the rowing community, both of whom have worked tirelessly to make this project a reality for high performance, high school and recreational rowers," said UBC Gold for Life Campaign Chair George Hungerford. "The confidence of the provincial government and the City of Richmond in support of this vital community facility completes the campaign, which is supported by many community partners and friends of rowing. It is indeed a golden day for rowing."

"Currently, the UBC Varsity Rowing Team trains in the water under the Burrard Street Bridge," said Halsey-Brandt. "The Fraser River offers excellent water conditions for competitive rowing and unlike the False Creek site, the new facility will be able to house equipment and other activities right on the water."

"Richmond City Council is very pleased about this significant financial contribution from the Province," says Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. "The entire Richmond community will benefit from the UBC Boathouse, with opportunities for recreational participants to elite athletes to participate in paddle sports in Richmond. The benefits of this facility will contribute to enhancing the vibrancy and liveability of our waterfront, and of our City."

Provincial funding for this project comes from the provincial government's Major Post-Secondary Sports Facilities Initiative. Construction is scheduled to begin later this spring with completion expected in the fall.