Community Updates (16) - May 2, 2014

1) Communities that Care's - Positive Action Word of the Week

2) Reminder - City marks 85 years with huge community celebration May 3/14

3) Williams Lake High School Rodeo - begins today May 2nd - May 4th

4) Williams Lake Library Annual Book Sale - begins May 6th

5) Grief Recovery - drop-in support group

6) May is Child Care Month AND Speech & Hearing Month!

7) McDonald’s Bicycle Rodeo Teaches Safe Riding - May 3rd from 11am - 2 pm

8) McDonald’s Fun Walk/Run- Sunday May 4rd at 9am

9) Junior Lifeguard Club - May 7th - Jun 25th

10) Youth Week's "VOICES" Event - May 7th from 6 - 8:30 pm

11) 6th Annual Seedy Saturday - May 10th at Memory Garden from 10 am - 2pm

12) Mountain Biking with the Boys & Girls Club - May 12 - Jul 1st

13) City Encourages Feedback on Proposed Good Neighbour Bylaw

14) Women's Contact Society's Annual Children’s Festival - May 25th in Boitanio Park

15) Women's Contact Society's - used clothing

16) Williams Lake Wanderers Club - May schedule

1) Communities that Care's - Positive Action Word of the Week

The Positive Action word of the week of May 5th is: Self-Responsibility: To answer for your actions.

If you would like more background information about Positive Action please contact Carla Bullinger at 250-267-8249 or email comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca

2) Reminder - City marks 85 years with huge community celebration May 3/14

The whole community is invited to join in the free family-oriented festivities. The main event is on May 3rd in beautiful Boitanio Park and in Rink 2 of the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. The schedule is below.

Boitanio Park

8:30 - 10:30 am Lions Club breakfast fundraiser

10:30 am - 1:30 pm Family Activities - wagon rides, potato sack races and more

Recreation Complex

1:30 - 4:30 pm - Carnival hosted by Maranatha School

5:00 pm - Rotary Club Fundraiser Community dinner

7:00 pm - Birthday cake

7:30 - 10:30 pm - Family dance with live performances

3) Williams Lake High School Rodeo - begins today May 2nd - May 4th

Beginning Friday at 1pm with the ribbon cutting, the junior rodeo follows at 3pm at the Stampede Grounds. The junior rodeo wraps up on Saturday morning at 8:30am with the high school rodeo to follow. Sunday the final high school rodeo continues at 9am. The event is completely free and everyone is invited to attend.

4) Williams Lake Library Annual Book Sale - begins May 6th

Check out the annual book sale at the library from May 6 - 10th (see schedule below).

Tuesday May 6th: 10:30-7:00 Wednesday May 7th: 10:30-4:30 Thursday May 8th: 10:30-4:30 Friday May 9th: 10:30-4:30 Saturday May 10th: 10:30-2:00

For more information please contact the Branch at 250-392-3630 or email wlake@cariboord.bc.ca

5) Grief Recovery - drop-in support group

A casual drop-in support group that takes place the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Williams Lake SDA Church located at 782 - 9th Ave North. Call 250-392-6598 for more information or to learn more. Next sessions are May 7, and 21st.

6) May is Child Care Month AND Speech & Hearing Month!

In celebration of children, the Williams Lake Early Childhood Development Network (ECDN) is challenging YOU!

YOU are the expert in helping your child learn and develop.  It’s easy to think that children’s speech, language and communication develops no matter what.  But that isn’t true.  Speech, language and communication underpin everything we do, yet children don’t learn to talk by accident.  Adults play a really important role in nurturing and supporting these skills.  Listening to what children say, giving them ideas and creating opportunities for talk and interaction can make a big difference to children’s ability to live life to the full.

Have you ever thought of GROCERY SHOPPING as an activity to help your child develop their communication skills? 

Take the *TROLLEY CHALLENGE! (*In Canada we call it a grocery cart)                

Take the accompanying sheet when you go to the grocery store.  Use the developmental ages as guides and ideas as to what you can say to your child.  Watch and listen to their response.

When you are done, please give us feedback.  We would love to hear how much FUN you had.  Please fill out the questions below and return them to your daycare/preschool/StrongStart by May 30th (call the School District for more info) and your name will be entered in a draw at your centre.

Survey Questions: Age of Child, Do you want more ideas like this to do with your child? Comments/Observations?

Trolley Challenge details:

Keep your children amused and develop their communication skills, as you go around the supermarket with the Trolley Challenge.  You have a lot to think about as you shop so here are some quick and easy things to do with your child at the same time, whatever their age.  If you have children of different ages, swap the activities you do, so they all have a turn.

0-6 months: Every time you put something in your trolley – look at your child.  How many different faces does he/she make?  Comment on what you are putting in the cart. E.g. we’re getting your diapers.

6-12 months: Every time you put something in your trolley – talk or make noises with your child.  How many noises does your child make in return? E.g. mmmm bananas taste good.

12-18 months: Every time you put something in your trolley – show it to your child and tell them what it is. E.g. it’s a red pepper.

18-24 months: Every time you put something in your trolley – say the name of the object and add the word ‘in’, e.g. banana in the cart

24-36 months: Every time you put something in your trolley – say the name of the object and add a describing word. E.g. it’s a big banana.

3-4 years: Every time you put something in your trolley – clap out the syllables in the word, e.g. ba/na/na = 3 claps

4-5 years: Every time you put something in your trolley – ask your child to tell you 2 things about it, e.g. banana – ‘its yellow and you eat it’.

7) McDonald’s Bicycle Rodeo Teaches Safe Riding - May 3rd from 11am - 2 pm

Bicycle Safety will be the theme for the McDonald’s Bicycle Rodeo on Saturday, May 3rd from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Canadian Tire parking lot.

This year the McDonald’s Bicycle Rodeo committee is teaming up with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society who in partnership with Red Shred’s Bike and Board Shed is offering gently used bicycles for anyone that doesn’t own a bike.  Anyone needing a used bicycle can call the Conservation Society at 250-398-7929 and ask for Brianna van de Wijngaard.

The Bike Rodeo promotes safe bicycle riding habits which will reduce accidents involving children. The event is free and offers many interactive activities for children.

“As more people start riding their bikes it is important to remind riders that safety and awareness are critical.  Parents should always wear a helmet as it shows children through example that you should never ride your bicycle without one.” says Dave Dickson, Safer Communities Coordinator. 

A course with a series of eight safety stations will give children the opportunity to learn correct riding skills. A safety inspection of the bicycle is the first stop on the course. Professionals will also check the child’s bike helmet to make sure it fits well and is being worn properly.

According to Safe Kids Canada, “Children suffer injuries doing wheeled activities because of a combination of factors that most commonly include inexperience, loss of control, lack of traffic safety skills, high speed and the tendency to attempt stunts.”

The remaining bike safety stations will focus on riding techniques and skills. Children will be asked to ride through established courses of figure eights, circles, and parallel lines. The emphasis for children at this event is to learn how to control their bicycle. All children who can ride tricycles or bicycles are encouraged to attend.  Bring your bicycle and helmet along.   You must register for this free program by calling the Cariboo Memorial Complex at 250-398-7665.

Sponsors of this event are: McDonald’s, Success by Six, United Way, Canadian Tire, the Brain Injury Society, Community Policing, Red Shreds, Boys and Girls Club, Youth for Christ, and the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.  Contact Suzanne Cochrane or Denise Skarra at 250-398-7665 or visit activewilliamslake.com for more information.

8) McDonald’s Fun Walk/Run- Sunday May 4rd at 9am

Registration begins at 8:30 am and the run takes place starting at 9am behind McDonalds. This event supports McHappy Day and the Williams Lake KidSport Chapter. The entry fee is $5 or $20 per family. Participants will receive a free McMuffin breakfast sandwich and money raised will support McHappy day which is Wednesday May 7th.

9) Junior Lifeguard Club - May 7th - Jun 25th

Beginning May 7th and running until Jun 25th from 3:45 - 4:30 pm on Wednesday's at the Cariboo Memorial Complex - costs $45 and includes pool time, award stickers, coaching and training for 8 weeks of fun. To register contact the Rec Complex at 250-398-7655 or register in person.

Participants will work towards earning their Rookie, Ranger and Start Patrol awards from the Canadian Lifesaving Society. Participants should be able to swim one length of the pool and tread water for 1 minute. Junior Lifeguard Club is a place to build on swimming skills, learn the basics of personal safety, first aid and aquatic rescue while having fun with new friends.

10) Youth Week's "VOICES" - May 7th from 6 - 8:30 pm

Youth week in BC is May 1 - 7th and the Boys & Girls Club, Youth for Christ and WorkSafeBC is putting on an evening of uncensored musical performances by youth. May 7th staring at 6pm at Williams Lake City Secondary (WL Campus in the commons area). Free, refreshments and prizes and this event is drug & alcohol free. All ages are welcome but note that some content may be inappropriate for younger audience members. Contact Linda at 250-392-5730 or Ryan (Youth for Christ) at 250-398-7765 for more info.

11) 6th Annual Seedy Saturday - May 10th at Memory Garden from 10 am - 2pm

This year Seedy Saturday is taking place at Memory Garden Community Garden at the bottom of Carson Drive hill. A free family event, come and stock up on locally grown seedlings and saved seeds!  Seedlings and seeds will be available for purchase or trade from over 20 vendors!  You will also be able to sign up for a Community Garden bed there.

FREE WORKSHOPS!  Come spend time with Brianna VanDeWijngaard - Master Gardener, local SPIN Farmer, operator of Puddle Produce and Assistant Food Action Coordinator with the Food Policy Council.  She will be leading mini-workshops on:

Soil Testing:  learn a simple way to deconstruct your soil and see what it's major components are, then learn ways you can adjust it to suit your growing needs.  Either experiment with the soil on site, or bring your own sample from home in a 500mL canning jar!

Organic/Natural Fertilizers:  learn about natural options for improving your soil quality!

Potting Soil Recipes:  learn a few different recipes for homemade potting soil, take home the recipe cards and you can try it out at home!

Members of the Williams Lake Gardening Club will also be on hand all morning to answer any of your gardening questions!  The bring a wealth of experience and knowledge with them, and they will also have their favourite reference books on hand.

Karen Thompson from San Jose Cattle Ranch will be selling her homegrown beef smokies, so be sure to plan to stay for lunch!

The Williams Lake Hospice Society will be selling plantable Memory Cards by donation. Each card is made of hand-crafted papers and includes 12 varieties of perennial wildflowers seeds.  Cards can be taken home with you, or planted in the Cariboo Lodge Community Garden in a bed we have dedicated for this purpose.

There will be a kids section as well, with seedy-themed crafts :), and Terri Smith of Roads End Vegetable Company will have the famous Amadeus the Goat with her!

For more info please contact Michelle Daymond or Tatjana Lauzon at 250-302-5010 or email foodpolicycouncil@hotmail.com

12) Mountain Biking with the Boys & Girls Club - May 12 - Jul 1st

From May 12 - Jul 1st (summer schedule will be announced later) the Boys & Girls Club is hosting free guided mountain bike rides for children & youth ages 7-18. Equipment is provided if needed to explore some of the best trails in the Cariboo (please bring water). Beginner/Intermediate level rides (suggested ages 7-11) take place on Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm, and Intermediate/Advanced level rides (suggested ages 12 - 18) take place Mondays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm. Contact Linda for more information at 250-392-5730 or email linda@bgcwilliamslake.com

13) City Encourages Feedback on Proposed Good Neighbour Bylaw
The public is invited to provide feedback on a proposed Good Neighbour Bylaw at an open house at City Hall on May 15, 2014 starting at 7pm. Comments are also welcome via e-mail at bylawenforcement@williamslake.ca, or in writing to the City.
The proposed Good Neighbour Bylaw supports the City’s goal to protect and improve the quality of life of its residents, promote civic responsibility, and to encourage good relationships between neighbours.
The proposed bylaw incorporates four main categories: Street Nuisances, Noise Control, Property Maintenance, and Vacant Buildings. While most of the Good Neighbour Bylaw will contain existing regulations, there are some changes proposed. Examples include:
Property Maintenance:
New regulations would require residents to:
Ensure no more than 1 unlicensed vehicle and no more than 1 recreation vehicle are on a property
Clear sidewalks of snow within 24 hours of a snow event
Keep properties clear of flyers and other debris
Ensure compost sites are enclosed, or that a compost pile is not within 3 metres of another property
Ensure outdoor lighting does not disrupt other residents or create a traffic hazard
Street Nuisances:
New regulations on panhandling, loud unruly noise, and fighting or loitering on City streets will give the RCMP additional tools to address these issues in a more informal manner, without the need to devote time and resources to a court process.
Noise Control:

The restriction on noise will remain in effect from 10 PM to 7 AM Monday to Friday. Noise restrictions will be in effect from10 PM to 8 AM on weekends and holidays.
Construction for gain on Sunday would be allowed between 8 AM and 10 PM.
Vacant Buildings:
Regulations would address vacant buildings that are dilapidated, dangerous, improperly secured, subject of public complaints, and that have been vacant more than 60 days.
Every owner of property that contains a vacant building must maintain $2 million in liability insurance and obtain a Vacant Building Registration Permit, and maintain the building in compliance with bylaw standards.
Residential permits are valid for one year. Commercial permits are valid for two years.
“I encourage everyone to learn about the proposed changes in the bylaw, and to have your voices heard,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “We’re looking forward to the discussion at the Open House May 15th.”
The open house will be held at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall on May 15, 2014. Staff will be on hand to explain the Good Neighbour Bylaw and the proposed changes. More information is available from the City of Williams Lake website at williamslake.ca (http://www.williamslake.ca/index.asp?p=3450), or by calling 250-392-1765.

14) Women's Contact Society's Annual Children’s Festival - May 25th in Boitanio Park

The annual Children’s Festival organized by the Women’s Contact Society is on Sunday May 25^th in Boitanio Park from 10 am – 3 pm.  Craft booths, picnic sports, local talent performances, free activities, door prizes and more. Contact the Women's Contact Society to get involved or for more information please call 250-392-4118.

15) Women's Contact Society's - used clothing

The Women's contact Society collects and makes available to those who cannot afford it, clothing that women can use to wear when getting back into the workforce. If you are cleaning out your closets this spring, bring your clothing that you no longer need to the Society. For more information please call 250-392-4118.

16) Williams Lake Wanderers Club - May schedule

Spring is here, so we’re into a new set of activities and a new schedule for May. For this month, we’ll meet at Sam Ketcham at 9:15 am with a leaving time promptly at 9:30. Tuesdays will always be biking( unless roads are wet; then it might be a walk) and Thursdays will always be walking.

We are only scheduling the first 2 Wednesdays in May to see if there is enough interest. These will be for both biking and walking, leaving at 9:30. To join this group, come about 9:15 am to the Cariboo Memorial Complex on a Tues., Wed., or Thursday. We always begin our outings from there, so you can fill out a membership form and pay your $10 annual fee. We leave at 9:30 am. Once you're a member, you will receive emails with schedule and schedule changes. Schedules and updates are also on Facebook.

To join this group, come about 9:15 am to the Cariboo Memorial Complex on a Tues., Wed., or Thursday. We always begin our outings from there, so you can fill out a membership form and pay your $10 annual fee. We leave at 9:30 am. Once you're a member, you will receive emails with schedule and schedule changes. Schedules and updates are also on Facebook.

May Schedule

Thurs May 1 – Moon Road walk

Tues May 6– Soda Creek Road bike

Wed May 7 – Mission Road bike/walk

Thurs May 8 –  Snap Trail bike

Tues May 13– Fox Mountain bike

Wed May 14 – Springfield Ranch bike/walk

Thurs May 15 - Coal Pit Road walk

Tues May 20– West Fraser Road bike

Wed May 21- TBA

Thurs May 22 – Eagleview walk

Tues May 27 – River Valley bike

Wed May 28– ???

Thurs May 29 – Kitchen sink walk

All of these activities are subject to change according to weather conditions, so keep an eye on your email/Facebook daily!!

Members' Monthly Breakfast Social: Our no host breakfast get together for conversation & new ideas for outings will be Thursday, May 8th, at 8:00 am at The Gecko Tree.