Community Updates – October 5, 2012

Community Updates – October 5, 2012
1) HandyDART Expansion in Williams Lake:
The City of Williams Lake and BC Transit are pleased to announce expanded handyDART services in the community. Effective October 1, 2012 an extra 435 service hours (30 minutes per weekday and six hours on Saturdays) will be added to better serve the growing need for custom public transit.
HandyDART service will extended to 5 p.m. from 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and Saturday service from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be added. The project is funded jointly by the City of Williams Lake ($3,500) and BC Transit ($3,900).
“The need for more transit service for our seniors were heard loud and clear during our budget process, and we are pleased that by working with BC Transit, we are able to offer this expanded service,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “Partnerships such as this are what allow us to be responsive to the community’s needs.”
“HandyDART is a vital service that links our customers to their community,” says BC Transit President and CEO Manuel Achadinha. “With greater service options, the whole community can benefit.”
BC Transit is proud to promote its fully accessible fleet. The handyDART service is door-to-door and available to qualified riders. BC Transit buses, in regular service in Williams Lake, are equipped with low floors and ramps that accommodate customers with mobility limitations.
For more information on transit service in Williams Lake please consult our website www.bctransit.com/regions/wil or call 250.398.7812.
2) Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society (CCACS) NEWS
a) Invitation to Join the Community Arts Council of Williams Lake
The Community Arts Council of Williams Lake AGM is October 17, at 7 pm, and will be held at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre. We will be seeking to fill a number of executive positions, these are President, Vice President, and Treasurer. This meeting is open to all interested parties, new members are welcome and encouraged to attend - help keep the Arts Council alive!
b) Christmas Ornament Pottery Class
Saturday, October 13 and 20 with the Cariboo Potters' Guild at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre. 9am -12pm for adults with child or 1-4pm for adults only. $30 per person, includes some clay (more clay available for purchase). Register at the Station House Gallery.
c) Central Cariboo Art Route (New deadline is OCTOBER 22nd)
The Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, with the support of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association and the Cariboo Regional District, are pleased to present an opportunity to be a part of the development of a new and exciting Central Cariboo Art Route. This project is supported financially by the Community Tourism Opportunities (CTO) program under the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, and by Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin.
The Central Cariboo Art Route is an opportunity to develop the arts sector and showcase the region’s artists and artisans. Through a year-round, self-guided tour, locals and visitors alike will have the chance to connect with artists at work and gain a deeper sense of their practice.
Increased market exposure and revenue generated for local artists through direct sales and/or post-visit shipping orders, along with increased visits and sales to local galleries and cafes, has the potential to transform our resource dependent economy to a diversified economy, rich in artistic talent.
Participation is open to artists residing within the Central Cariboo (defined as Williams Lake and CRD Areas ‘D’, ‘E’, and ‘F’) and who open up part of their home or a building on their property to display their art and practice. Non-profit and Business participation, also located within the Central Cariboo, is available to galleries, museums, artist collectives, or commercial spaces primarily focused on displaying local art for artists/artisans. Participation fees allow for the inclusion of a photo or image and a write-up in the 2013 Central Cariboo Art Route brochure, which will be available online and at participants’ studios, galleries, and cafes.

Inclusion is limited to 25 participants for 2013. The Art Route strives for a balanced representation of mediums and locations through the Central Cariboo Region; we cannot guarantee that all applications will be accepted.

All levels of participation allow for the inclusion of a photo or image and a brief write-up in the Arts Route brochure and website. Wording is limited to a title not longer than 8 words, a write-up not longer than 45 words, and contact information and hours of operation not longer than 4 lines.

Participation fees, write-up and images are to be submitted with your application by October 22nd 2012 at 4pm. Application forms are available at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre (90 Fourth Avenue North, Williams Lake), via email from artroute@centralcaribooarts.com.

For more information, please contact:
Maureen LeBourdais, Fraser Basin Council
Central Cariboo Art Route Coordinator
artroute@centralcaribooarts.com
3) Cariboo Regional District Special Event – October 11th
CRD’s Special Event - Evening with the Authors of “Stepping into nature: A guide to the Williams Lake River Valley” takes place on Thursday Oct 11, 7:30 – 9 pm at the Williams Lake Regional Library (Suite A, 180 N. Third Avenue).

“Join us for an exciting conversation with Ordell Steen and Anna Roberts. The presentation will introduce you to the natural world of the Valley, including it’s amazing geological features and the many plant and animal species that can be seen in it’s diverse habitats. Through photographs, stories and descriptions, the authors will show that the Valley is a truly exceptional recreational and nature-viewing resource on the edge of our City. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, with all proceeds going to the Williams Lake Field Naturalists. For more information contact cderksen@cariboord.bc.ca or call 250-392-3351 ext 220”

4) National Film Board Screening – Oct 17th – Pink Ribbons
Each year, millions of dollars are raised in the name of breast cancer, but where does the money go and what does it actually achieve?
Wednesday Oct 17th - 7pm
FREE screening in the CRDL Williams Lake Branch program room
Suite A, 180 N. Third Ave
Call 250-392-3630 for details or email cderksen@cariboord.bc.ca
Pink Ribbons Inc. Directed by Léa Pool and produced by Ravida Din, Pink Ribbons, Inc. is a feature documentary from the National Film Board of Canada that shows how the devastating reality of breast cancer, which marketing experts have labeled a “dream cause,” has become obfuscated by a shiny, pink story of success.
5) Communities that Care Update
Communities that Care (CTC) is a community based, prevention focused approach to promoting positive, healthy behavior among youth and families. Positive Action is the program that we chose to implement in our community.

“Hi Everyone,

One of our Communities that Care (CTC) strategies this year for expanding Positive Action into the community and workplaces is to post the Positive Action Word of the week in as many places as we can. I have received the word of the week schedule from the school counsellors and will send out the PA word of the week, along with a definition, every Monday (except those weeks when schools are not in session). Please post in your workplaces and offices – in as many places as possible. Thanks. I appreciate your valuable contribution to CTC and Positive Action!” If you would like the word of the week sent directly to your inbox please contact Carla.
October 1, 2012
Positive Action Word of the Week:
Valuable
Precious or of great worth
Carla Bullinger, Facilitator
Communities that Care
Williams Lake, BC
email: comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca
cell: 250-267-8249
6) Williams Lake Food Policy Council – update & survey
The Williams Lake Food Policy Council (WLFPC) is about to start some GREAT new projects and we would love for you to be involved! Here’s the 5 second version, so you can quickly determine whether you're interested in learning more: Below this is the link to a quick, 6 question survey, for those of you who want to consider becoming involved.
WHAT?: The FPC is creating action-groups to work on the many projects that arose from the Community Food Forum. (see question 1 of the survey for a list of projects with description)
WHERE AND WHEN?: action-groups will meet periodically (likely once a month), at a central location in town for 1 hour meetings.
WHO WILL LEAD THE MEETINGS?: The WLFPC Food Action Coordinator will organize and lead meetings.
WHO SHOULD VOLUNTEER?: anyone with a passion to improve our community and at least one hour a month to commit.
WHY?: these projects were envisioned by, and belong to, the community. We want to create an easy, minimal commitment, rewarding way for you to be involved in bringing them to life for the benefit of the whole Cariboo Region while ensuring that the work of the WLFPC reflects the vision and priorities of the community.
By completing this short survey, you'll help the WLFPC to create action-groups that work for you, and we thank you in advance for your interest. We look forward to working with you to better our community!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q2CKBWF
The WLFPC will gather survey results until the end of October and create action-groups based upon these results. We hope to share our results with the community by mid November. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to create any given action group at this time.
Thanks again for taking this survey and expressing your interest in bettering our community! We look forward to working with you!
7) Women’s Contact Society Update:
October 27 – Diamond Dinner & Auction at the Point Restaurant tickets are $65.00 per person. Diamond draw, live and silent auctions, raffles and door prizes. Proceed will be invested in programs that address violence, homelessness, food security and early learning.
October 30 – Holiday Card Making with Penny and Close to my Heart 6:30 -8:30 pm at Women’s Contact Society. RSVP by Oct 26. Materials provided, 18 people max. Child minding available.
Zumba Fitness every Monday and Thursday from 5:30 – 6:30 pm at Women’s Contact Society. Child minding is available on Mondays only. Call to pre-register.
Child Care Provider Networking Nights are the first Wednesday of the month and Workshops are generally the third Wednesday of the month.
The Women’s Contact Society is looking to fill a vacant position in CCRR as a Child Care Consultant.

For more information on any of the above, please call 250-392-4118 or visit the Women’s Contact Society at 301 – 19 N. First Avenue (Above Caribou Ski).
8) Reminder – The Social Planning Council AGM
Everyone from the community is invited to attend the Williams Lake Social Planning Council’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday Nov 5th from 11:30 am – 1 pm at Thompson Rivers University (free lunch is included). The event is an open room café-style gathering over lunch to discuss, share, participate, or just learn about initiatives including a) the local Poverty Reduction and Living Wage Campaign, b) Effective Community Collaboration, and c) Retention and Succession; Increasing overall community desirability and reduce “brain drains” and a “silver tsunami”.

9) Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex Updates

a) The Recreation Centre’s free upcoming events:
Parents For French sponsored FREE SWIM
October 14, 2012
3:30pm-5:30pm
PMT Chartered Accountants sponsored FREE SWIM & ICEBERG
Celebrate Halloween early at the CMRC
October 20, 2012
1:30pm-3:00pm
b) Please see forwarded October newsletter below