LINDA REID on the campaign strategy of Burma Shaving

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Burma-shaving has become synonymous with election campaigns, yet few people know what the term means or even its history.

Did you know that ‘Burma Shaving’ originated in the 20’s and ’30 when the manufacturers of Burma Shaving Cream in the U.S. rejuvenated their flagging company by erecting their signs along key highways and thoroughfares? There were actually a series of signs, where drivers had to follow each one to get the final message. Their strategy coincided with the expansion of the highway system in the U.S. and the transition from horse and buggy to the automobile. Soon Burma-Shave signs were sprouting up on the roads of America, including the iconic Route 66 across the country’s heartland.

Although the Burma-Shaving brand and the company that made it has long disappeared, the term "Burma-Shave” lives on. Burma-shaving now refers to the direct method of reaching voters—particularly the commuting crowd—by gathering with supporters at the side of the road with election signs. Drivers can see the candidate first-hand and be reminded that the election is underway and that it is important to vote. Ironically, given our online and social media age, Burma-shaving remains one of the most effective ways to reach voters and instantly receive feedback. Drivers are invited to honk if they’re supporters; unfortunately, the response can sometimes go the other way too but that’s all part of the campaign experience.

Over the next four weeks, I look forward to seeing you on the byways and thoroughfares of Richmond East and hope you’ll join us. To sign up as a ‘Burma-Shaver’ and support our campaign, call the Garden City Campaign Office at 604-276-8868 or our Hamilton Office at 604-710-9533.

(Authorized by Kimberly Sorensen, Official Agent for the Linda Reid Campaign, 604-276-8868)

Chinese New Year

A Happy Chinese & Lunar New Year.  This year's Chinese New Year is February 10th, 2012 - The Year of the Snake. 

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.

Breathing Fire into the New Year
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in dragon years are innovative, brave, and passionate. Salvador Dali, John Lennon, and Mary-Louise Parker were all born in the year of the dragon.

Fireworks and Family Feasts

At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.

The Lantern Festival

In China, the New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at each other's homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a feast on New Year's Eve. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families, and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese-American neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year events.
The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.
In many areas the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon—which might stretch a hundred feet long—is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets. In the United States, where the New Year is celebrated with a shortened schedule, the dragon dance always takes place on a weekend. In addition, many Chinese-American communities have added American parade elements such as marching bands and floats.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2013 is the Year of the Snake, which begins on February 10, 2013 and ends on January 30, 2014. The Snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal Signs. It is the enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the Animals Signs. Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve. People born in the Year of the Snake are keen and cunning, quite intelligent and wise. They are great mediators and good at doing business. Therefore, you should have good luck if you were born in the Year of the Snake. (Please click the following images for more information.)

This is a year of water Snake, and all things will be possible. Saving money and being thrifty should be your top priorities. Delusion and deception are common in the year of water Snake. Stay alert! To gain the greatest benefits from this year, you must control spending and use your talents wisely. If you are planning to get married or to begin a business partnership, be sure to thoroughly investigate the other person's finances and background before you legalize the alliance.

Happy New Year

Wishing you and your families a Happy & Safe New Year! All the best for 2013

Details on UBC

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is home to approximately 48 thousand students at its Vancouver Campuses and close to 8 thousand at its Okanagan Campus. The school is committed to ensuring that students have the opportunity to engage fully in their academic pursuits. UBC strives to provide their students with the opportunity to have a blend of volunteer and work experience while attending classes through their UBC Community Learning Initiative and Co-op Programs.

For more information, please visit their website: governmentrelations.ubc.ca/ubc-in-your-community or e-mail questions to your.community@ubc.ca

 

Dream on Seniors Wish Foundation

The Dream on Seniors Wish Foundation is a private charitable organization founded by Nurse Next Door Home Care Services that aims to celebrate aging and make the dreams of seniors come true.  The Foundation promotes a culture of respect and admiration and encourages seniors to never stop dreaming.  The Dream on Foundation shows that life doesn't stop at the age of 65.

For more on Dream on Seniors Wish Foundation please visit their website: http://www.dreamonseniorswish.org

The Legion In BC & the Yukon

Did you  know...

That the Royal Canadian Legion is Canada's largest non-governmental service organization open to membership for all Canadians. The Royal Canadian Legion shares in its commitment of "Remembrance" and standing for a strong and united Canada.

• is the largest non-profit provider of veteran/seniors housing with over 4,500 units in 70 facilities with a community investment of approximately $169 Million;
• has endowed the Chair of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia for over a quarter of a century, creating new family doctors in rural and under-serviced areas;
• is a significant contributor to the BC Seniors Games;
• volunteers over 600,000 hours in communities supporting health, social, educational and athletic programs;
• traditionally supports over 400 youth groups and is the largest contributor supporting Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and Cadets;
• provides bursaries and scholarships worth more than $819,000 annually; contributes in excess of $400,000 for medical research and special medical equipment in health care facilities;
• is one of the critical points of contact in many communities for emergency preparedness and response;
• is the sole sponsor of the BC/Yukon Team participating at the annual National Track and Field Championships and training camp with 400 youth from across Canada;

For more information about the BC & Yukon Command please go to www.bcyuk.legion.ca

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Wishing all of my constituents of Richmond East a Merry & Safe Christmas and Happy Holidays.