Community Updates April 13, 2012

1) Authors Fair: The Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce is Hosting a Authors' Fair this Saturday April 14th from 10 – 3 pm at 1660 South Broadway. Come on Down and Meet the Local Authors! For more information Contact the Williams Lake Visitor Centre 250-392-5025.

2) April 21st Earth Day events at TRU

Morning: Awakening the Dreamer Symposium 9:30 – 12:30 pm http://www.changingthedream.ca/

Afternoon: Sustainability Forum from 1:30 – 4 pm - Learn about what sustainable projects are already happening in Williams Lake and let your voice be heard by participating at a discussion table.

Evening: Earth Day Extravaganza at TRU starts at 4:30 pm - The evening sponsored by the STEW Magazine will feature dinner & music, open mic, local arts, music and dance performances.

3) City of Williams Lake Junior Council is hosting a Youth Engagement Workshop on April 26th from 1 – 4 pm – Do you work with Youth? Want to involve youth in your organization? Highlights: Learn the youth engagement model, Identify in what ways young people are currently engaged, Learn barriers to youth engagement, Learn tools to become an ally, and Practice learned tools. To register, please contact Anne Burrill at 250-392-8480 or aburrill@williamslake.ca

4) On Saturday April 28th, the Boys and Girls Club is hosting a free community education workshop. Entitled, "Are you a Prepared Parent? Have you had the talk yet?”, the workshop will be led by certified Sexual Health Educator and local Outreach Nurse Patti Murphy.

The aim of the workshop is to encourage parents to be askable adults and provide them with the resources required to do so. Topics covered will include: being an askable parent, building healthy relationships, what is age-appropriate discussion, negotiation, healthy decision-making, creating dialogue with teens, and current information on sexually transmitted infections (STI’s.)

The Forum is planned to run from 1:00pm-3:30 pm, seating is limited, and no registration is required. Refreshments will be provided. Location is Thompson Rivers University on Western Avenue, Room 1254. For more information phone Sally, Prevention Worker at 250-392-5730 or email prevention@noopa.org

About the presenter: Patti Murphy is a Certified Sexual Health Educator whose focus is on providing practical, current, and appropriate information for children, teens, and parents. With fifteen years of Community Health nursing experience in the Cariboo, Patti not only understands the pressures that children and teens feel; and appreciates the issues their parents face. She blends her knowledge as a sexual health educator with her nursing experience to create a reliable, safe and lighthearted learning environment for all. Passionate about increasing awareness in our communities regarding healthy sexuality through all stages of life. Patti is guided by her gentle spirit and values the importance of family, as a loving mother and grandmother.

5) Update from the Recreation Complex - We are very happy that the pool is now up and running, as we have lots of events for summer taking place in and around the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.

All of the staff at the Complex would like to thank you for your patience while we resolved the issue with the pool and took the necessary steps to repair it.

For a full list of programs that are now being offered through the complex, view the Spring & Summer 2012 Active Living Guide that was published on March 23rd. If you did not receive a guide in the Tribune's Weekender, you can pick up a copy at the CMRC or view it online at www.activewilliamslake.com.

6) The City of Williams Lake proclaimed April 26th as Pay it forward Day, and National Public Works Week May 20 – 26th. Visit www.payitforwardday.com or https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=229501883727397 for more information. On Apr 26th do something nice for someone.

7) To learn more about The Salvation Army’s Holistic Addiction Treatment Program’s Recovery Day Program, please call of email 250-305-2492 or wladdictions@shaw.ca

8) United Way’s Day of Caring® is a community initiative designed to foster a sense of caring through volunteerism. It is not a fund-raising event, but an opportunity for volunteers to undertake worthwhile projects for non-profit organizations. United Way matches business groups with non-profit organizations to paint, landscape, make food hampers or build a fence all while learning about the programs and services the organization has to offer. Last year we completed 35 Days of Caring® throughout the Thompson Nicola Cariboo Region with 415 volunteers totaling over 2250 volunteer hours. This year will be better than ever!If you would like to register to do a Day of Caring® with your organization or business or you are a community partner who would like to apply for a Day of Caring® to happen at your organization please email office@unitedwaytnc.ca.