Community Updates (12) – November 22, 2013

1) Monday's Presentation - Preparing for the Next Boom: The Implications of Labour Mobility hosted at the Social Planning Council's AGM Nov 25, 2013

Join researchers Laura Ryser & Greg Halseth from the University of Northern British Columbia and Sean Markey from Simon Fraser University at the Social Planning Council's AGM this Monday Nov 25th from 11:30 am - 1 pm at the City of Williams.

Presentation Outline: Preparing for the Next Boom: The Implications of Labour Mobility (PowerPoint presentation is attached for you to preview).

•         Background

•         Study results

•         Key labour mobility issues in Williams Lake

•         Policy implications

Everyone is invited - there will be lunch. Also attached is last year's AGM minutes, and Monday's agenda for your review.

2) Memory Tree Celebrations - Dec 1/13 from 3 - 4:30pm

WHAT: Williams Lake Hospice Society Memory Tree Celebration to commemorate and celebrate those we have loved and lost

WHEN: Sunday, December 1st, 3pm-4:30pm

WHERE: City of Williams Lake chambers and lobby

HOW: donate in memory of a lost loved one, and commemorate them with an ornament on our Memory Tree. Donations and ornaments available through the WL Hospice Society main office (9am-12pm m-f), or in front of Save On Foods from 10am-6pm, November 18th-30th.

CONTACT:  517-6th Avenue North, Williams Lake, BC  #392.5430 or cchospice@telus.net

3) Made in the Cariboo Craft Sale - Nov 23rd from 10am - 3pm

The Williams Lake & District Visitor Centre is hosting their 4th Annual Made in the Cariboo Craft Sale. Come on down and check out what the local crafters have to offer! Find honey, alpaca products, wood crafted products, Christmas decorations, jewellery, knitted items, local books and much more. There will also be great drink specials at the coffee shop. For more info or to register a table call the Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce office at 250-392-5025 or email visitors@telus.net

4) Annual Medieval Market at Columneetza Secondary - Nov 22 - 23rd

Come to Columneetza on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am - 4 pm for crafts, food, and more for the annual Medieval Market.

5) TRY-IT grant from ParticipACTION - free sampling of Recreation Programs - Nov 25 - 29th.

The City of Williams Lake has received a TRY-IT grant from ParticipACTION to provide a sampling of active living programs for everyone from Preschoolers to Seniors during the week of November 25^th to November 29^th.  These unique programs are provided for free and you don’t have to register. For more information please contact the Recreation Complex.

Available programs to try are: Preschool Skating (3‐5 years), Mom and Toddler Yoga, 55+ Strength Training, Dance Express (9‐12 years), Little Sneakers (3‐4 years), Tai Chi, Tri‐Sport (4‐5 years), and Belly Dancing

6) Women's Spirituality Planning Event - Dec 5th from 5:30 - 8 pm

How do women experience the Sacred in daily life? Margaret Anne Enders at CMHA received Embrace BC funding to put on a Women's Spirituality event - it will take place over two days at the end of March, and we are interested in finding women from a variety of spiritual backgrounds to take part in the planning. Planning session - open to all women interested in spirituality.

December 5, 2013  5:30 – 8:00 pm

CMHA #51 4^th Avenue South, Williams Lake

Call Margaret-Anne at 305-4426 for more information.

7) Third Annual - Earth Friendly Holiday event - Nov 29 & 30th

Join in this free family event held at the Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society (the old Firehall next to the City) on Friday Nov 29 from  6 - 9 pm, and on Saturday Nov 30th from 11 am - 2 pm  to make natural wreaths and swgas, bark art, birch bark critter houses, pine cone angels, ornaments made from recycled materials, bird feeders, clay ornaments, pressed cards and music. Bring bits of nature (dried flowers etc.) or just your enthusiasm!

8) CTC’s Positive Action Word of the Week

In keeping with the unit on physical and intellectural positive actions, the word of the week is:  Wellness: To be totally healthy in mind, body, and feelings.

For more information contact Carla Bullinger - Cell: (250) 267-8249 or email: comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca

9) Reminder - Event Hosting Grant Deadline - Nov 30th

The purpose of the Event Hosting Grant is to provide the stimulus and seed money to assist local non-profit organizations to bid, host, develop, grow, market and administer new events in the City of Williams Lake.

A little information about the grant, contact information as well as links to the application and the Event Hosting Policy are available on their website. Please read the policy carefully to ensure that your organization and your event are eligible. Contact the Complex at 250.398.7665 for more information

10) The Museum's annual Christmas Tea & Bake Sale - Dec 7th

Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin annual Christmas Tea and Bake Sale in the museum 113 North 4^th Ave.  December 7^th,  11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

11) The 2013/2014 Deryck Thomson Award - Call for Nominations

The Deryck Thomson Award is sponsored by the Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC) in honour of Deryck Thomson - a founding Director of SPARC BC and a leader in community social planning in BC.

Do you know an individual or organization who has made a significant contribution to social planning or social justice in British Columbia? The Deryck Thomson Award was established by the SPARC BC Board of Directors to recognize individuals and organizations who have made a significant contribution in advancing social planning and social justice in BC.

Building or enhancing community capacity and community well-being and supporting innovation that has contributed to positive change for people and communities;

Advocating for equity, fairness, and dignity for all through inclusion, integrity and learning;

Advancing initiatives or policies that: Integrate social, cultural, economic and environmental planning, decision-making and action;  Advocate for improved social policies and programs;  Ensure that those who are most affected by decisions have a voice in determining and implementing policies and programs that impact them

and their families; Raise public awareness and consciousness about the importance of

social and community well-being.

You can get the Nomination Form at www.sparc.bc.ca or call Alla Timofeyeva at (604) 718-7735. Please complete the Nomination Form and return it by mail to  SPARC BC 4445 Norfolk Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 0A7 by December 31, 2013.  

12) City Encourages Feedback on Proposed Residential Parking Change

In order to increase the effectiveness of snow removal in residential areas, the City of Williams Lake is proposing to align snow removal with the garbage and recycling pickup schedule, and restrict parking streets for a 24 hour period the day preceding the scheduled garbage pickup (i.e. if an area has garbage pickup on a Tuesday, street parking is not permitted on Monday.) Vehicles parked on the street interfere with the proper cleanup of snow, and those found doing so will be towed.

This change would limit the impact on most residential areas to only one set day a week, and allow snow removal crews to have these areas completely cleaned so that the garbage containers can be placed on the street for the day of their pickup. Snow plowing will continue to be done as needed.

A public forum on the proposed changes will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 450 Mart Street. All residents are encouraged to attend to learn about the proposed change and to provide feedback.

The City welcomes all comments on the proposed change. Comments can be e-mailed to bylawenforcement@williamslake.ca, or written comments can be dropped off at City Hall, 450 Mart Street.