Community Updates (22) – Sept 26, 2014

Table of Contents:

1) Reminder - Studio Theatre's AGM - tonight at 6:30 pm

2) Reminder -  Cultivating Caring Children - tonight from 6 - 8:30 pm

3) CULTURE DAYS Event - "The Writing Life - Words of Experience" - Sept 27th

4) Nature Art @ Scout Island Nature Centre - as part of Williams Lake CULTURE DAYS

5) Horsefly Salmon Festival - this weekend! Sat & Sunday from 10am - 4pm

6) Evening Info Session - "Serving on Local Government - Myths versus Reality" Oct 1st

7) Grant for Assistance Application - due this Tuesday Sept 30th

8) Communities that Care - Positive Action Word of the Week

9) Prepare your Garden for Fall FREE Workshop and Play-Bee on Sept 27th

10) Strengthening Families Together (SFT) - Helping Canadians Live with Mental Illness

11) Williams Lake Food Policy Council - Quarterly Meeting - Oct 1st from 1 - 2:15 pm

12) Orange T-Shirt Day with a Walk for Harmony Parade - September 30, 2014

13) United Way's Community Investment Fund Fundraiser - Oct 3rd "Wined up to Give"

14) Williams Lake Garden Club - last meeting of the year presents "Taking care of your tools".

15) CONNECT 10 week program for caregivers of pre-teens & teens - register by Oct 2

16) OAPO Pancake Breakfast at Seniors Centre - Saturday Oct 4th from 8:30 - 10:30 am

17) Senior's Activity Centre - Crib Tournament Sunday Oct 19th - limited tickets on sale

18) "Healthy Bite" Vegetarian Supper Club - resumes Sunday Sept 28 at 6pm

19) Community Policing AGM - Oct 1st at 7:30 pm (open to the public)

20) Williams Lake Restorative Justice - First Steps, Next Steps - register by Sept 30th

21) Mental Health Service Providers -  complete by Sept 30th

22) Cultivating Emotional Balance with the Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi - Intro Talk Oct 3rd

1) Reminder - Studio Theatre's AGM - tonight at 6:30 pm

Friday night Sept 26th starting at 6:30 pm at the Theatre - Find out more information on upcoming auditions or the AGM by calling Mary-Jo at 250-305-4801 or wlstheatre@gmail.com

2) Reminder -  Cultivating Caring Children - tonight from 6 - 8:30 pm

There is a free community event on Friday, Sept 26, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Thompson Rivers University.  Deborah MacNamara will speak on Cultivating Caring Children. To register or for more info please contact the Women's Contact Society at 250-392-4118 or email events@womenscontact.org

3) CULTURE DAYS Event - "The Writing Life - Words of Experience" - Sept 27th

Featuring Donna Milner, Sage Birchwater, Christian Petersen, and Chris Czajkowski at the Old Fire Hall at 90 - 4th Ave from 9:30 am - 12 pm. Afterwards, meet the local writers from 1 - 2:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event.

4) Nature Art @ Scout Island Nature Centre - as part of Williams Lake CULTURE DAYS

Saturday Sept 27th from 12 - 2pm

Make temporary nature art hosted by naturalist Mary Forbes. Bring your shiny stones, pine cones and smart phones to photograph the beautiful displays we will create on the beach at Scout Island. This is a fun afternoon for parents and their kids ages 5-14. NO pre-registration is required.

We also recommend you visit the Horsefly Salmon Festival Saturday and Sunday 10-4! Take your family and a picnic to the  river and practice your new nature art skills for everyone to enjoy!

Jenny Noble, Coordinator

Scout Island Nature Centre

(250) 398-8532

5) Horsefly Salmon Festival - this weekend! Sat & Sunday from 10am - 4pm

The Horsefly River Roundtable invites everyone to attend the annual Horsefly Salmon Festival this weekend and to celebrate BC Rivers Day. Activities will be happening across the bridge in downtown Horsefly on both Saturday and Sunday until 4pm. For all the information please visit http://www.horseflyriver.ca/salmonfestival/ or call 250-620-3505 or info@horseflyriver.ca

6) Evening Info Session - "Serving on Local Government - Myths versus Reality" Oct 1st

Are you considering a run for City Council, the School Board, or the Regional District (as an Electoral Area Director)? Do you have questions about the work of an elected official and what it entails? As you may know, 2014 is a local election year. Nominations close on October 10th, and voting is on November 15th.

Potential nominees are invited to attend an evening information session on October 1st, 2014. Our intent is to provide clarifications, address your questions, and help you make an informed decision about running for elected office. The following topics will be addressed:

• Common myths about serving as an elected official;
• Roles of individual members versus roles of the Council/Board as a collective body;
• Protocols for Council/Board meetings: Debating, voting, motions;
• Decision making goals, principles; the duty to constituents versus broader duties;
• Interactions between the Council/Board and the administrative staff;
• Interactions of the Council/Board and individual members with the community;
• Transparency versus risk management (open meetings versus closed meetings); and
• Conflicts of interests: Issues and procedures.

This session is co-sponsored by the following organizations:
• City of Williams Lake;
• School District 27; and
• Cariboo Regional District.

Presenters:

In additional to opening comments made by representatives from the three sponsors, the overall presentation and discussion will be led by Mr. Eli Mina, a Vancouver based Registered Parliamentarian and Board effectiveness consultant. Since 1984, Eli has advised his clients on effective decision making, chairing meetings, preventing and dealing with disputes and Boardroom problems, demystifying the rules of order, and minute taking standards.

Date, Time, Location:

Date: Wednesday October 1, 2014
5:30 pm Registration and light refreshments

6:00 to 9:00 pm: Information session
Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 450 Mart Street

To register for the session, contact Cindy Bouchard at 250-392-1773 or cbouchard@williamslake.ca

7) Grant for Assistance Application - due this Tuesday Sept 30th

On an annual basis, the City of Williams Lake and Electoral Areas D, E & F of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) jointly provide Grants for Assistance to local non-profit organizations for projects, activities and events that strengthen and enhance the well being of the community, promote volunteerism and support the goals and priorities of the City and CRD.

Application forms can be picked up and submitted to the City or CRD office. Deadline is Sept 30th. For more information please contact the City or CRD directly.

8) Communities that Care - Positive Action Word of the Week - Sept xxxxnd

Positive Action Word of the Week for Sept 29th is:

Cooperation: to work with others for a common purpose

For more information please contact:

Carla Bullinger, Facilitator

Communities that Care

Williams Lake, BC

email: comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca

cell:250-267-8249

9) Prepare your Garden for Fall FREE Workshop and Play-Bee!

Saturday, September 27 at 10:00am - 12pm

MEMORY GARDEN COMMUNITY GARDEN, Carson Drive

We want the gardens to be as healthy as possible, and all gardeners to have the tools and information they need to do this. On Saturday, September 27th @ 10am, we welcome you all to join us at the Memory Garden Community Gardens for a how-to on fall garden prep.

Brianna will be hosting demos on clearing beds, cover cropping, fertilizing, mulching, amending, and over-wintering (hand-outs with all this info will also be distributed at the play-bee). We will also be doing a little pre-winter work, such as stacking the remaining lumber for the greenhouse, tidying up the compost bins, etc. Please bring any tools you can! shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, etc.

Also, we thought it would be nice to have some sort of harvest sharing at the Play Bee - if you like (this is completely optional), you are welcome to bring seeds you've saved or some of your garden bounty for snacks. At the very least, please come and share your garden stories with us!

10) Strengthening Families Together (SFT) - Helping Canadians Live with Mental Illness

SFT is more than Education, it’s about strengthening family members and friends, by providing support, awareness and tools. 

This National Education Program aims to increase accessibility to Canadian based information on topics associated with living daily with mental illness. 

This ten session training is facilitated by trained professionals, and resource experts. The course is offered in three hour modules,   and delivered over five weeks.  (It can be customized to meet your community needs).

1.      What is mental illness;  Schizophrenia

2.      Mood and Anxiety Disorders;  coping as a family member

3.      Coping as a family member;  treating mental illness

4.      Understanding the mental health system;  mental illness,  addictions and the justice system

5.      Living with mental illness;  striving for change,  advocacy

If you are interested, please call to register for our next course with BCSS coordinator Cindy at 250-392-3633 or bcsswl@bcss.org  

In Williams Lake - Starting November 2014 - Venue to be announced. 

There are two schedules available:  (based on number of participants)

1.       Tues/Thurs evenings 6 pm – 9pm

2.       Saturdays 9 am – 3 pm

Please contact us to register. The BCSS delivers SFT at no charge to Family members.  All other course delivery determined per community (to cover costs). *This program is confidential and respects your right to privacy.   

11) Williams Lake Food Policy Council - Quarterly Meeting - Oct 1st from 1 - 2:15 pm

You are invited to attend the next quarterly meeting of the Williams Lake Food Policy Council on Wednesday Oct 1st at the Community Policing Community Board Meeting Room (next to Cariboo Growers and the BIA) from 1 pm - 2:15 pm. For more information please email foodpolicycouncil@hotmail.com or call Tatjana at 250-267-5412.

12) Orange T-Shirt Day with a Walk for Harmony Parade - September 30, 2014

Orange T-shirt day is all about Honouring Residential School Survivors to ensure "every child matters". It  is hosted by the CRD, City of Williams Lake and SD no. 27.

The Walk For Harmony parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 30 (Orange Shirt

Day), and encouraged the community to participate. The parade ends in Boitanio Park for more activities including:

Children's activities & entertainment

Gary Fjellgaard Performance

Survivors Sharing, and

Mental Health Supports.

Cariboo Chilcotin Mental Health Association, the Women’s Spirituality Circle, and the Orange Shirt Day Committee are partnering by holding the walk on Orange Shirt Day. The Walk for Harmony aims to increase awareness about  issues such as diversity in our community and racism and violence. It is a public statement of support that racism, both personal and systemic, needs to be eliminated if our society is to thrive.

This year, there will be three streams of walkers, all finishing at Boitanio Park:

1. From Marie Sharpe Elementary east along Cameron St. then south along 5th Ave.

2. From Lake City Secondary, Carson Campus, south along  Carson and then south along 5th Ave.

3. From Courthouse Square at Oliver and 1st Ave, east along Oliver St., then north along 7th Ave. and finally east along  Borland to the St. Joseph’s Memorial.

Please visit the Face book page online at https://www.facebook.com/orangeshirtdayeverychildmatters

For more information on any of the events, or to find out what is also going on in 100 Mile House on Orange T-shirt day please call 250-243-2201 or 250-989-2222. Everyone is encouraged to participate, and pass the word on.

You can purchase T-shirts at Dollar Dollar by emailing dolladollar@telus.net or calling 250-398-5121.

13) United Way's Community Investment Fund Fundraiser - Oct 3rd "Wined up to Give"

Last year, you helped the United Way raise fund for their Community Investment Fund which goes towards supporting organizations and initiatives right here... in Williams Lake. The 2014 Cariboo Investment Report of $117,07 dollars raised went towards the following areas.

From Poverty to Possibility:

City of Williams Lake - Housing First Forum & Housing Needs Assessment

Salvation Army Williams Lake Corps - Drop-in Coordinator

Williams Lake Food Policy Council - Food Action Coordinator

Women's Contact Society - Aboriginal Women's Employment Program

All that Kids can Be:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Williams Lake - In-school Mentoring

Boys & Girls Club of Williams Lake & District - Pre-teen Program

Cariboo Regional District Library Society - Youth Drop-in Program

Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre - Youth Programs

Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society - Tsilhqot'in Nation Food Forum

Strong Communities:

Access Williams Lake - Online Resource Directory

Canadian Mental Health Association Cariboo Chilcotin - Suicide Prevention

Caribou Brain Injury Society - Community Workshop

Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre - Parent Attachment Yoga Program

Central Cariboo Hospice Palliative Care Society - Operational

Social Planning Council of Williams Lake and Area - Operational

Show your support again this year. One way is to attend the "WINED UP to GIVE"  event on Oct 3rd. Tickets are available at the Laughing Loon for $50 or by calling Melinda at 250-267-8080.

October 3rd at the Laughing Loon Pub: Cocktails at 6pm, Dinner at 7pm

There will be door prizes (including from the Station House Gallery, the Bean Counter, OK Tire, Red Tomato Pies, and bottles of Wine. The silent auction features tickets from Pacific Coastal Air, Spa package from LUSH & Cobalt Spas, Canucks tickets and Hotel packages. There will also be shuttles home courtesy of Cariboo GM (in the event you do not want to drive).

You can also contact Melinda Mitchell at 250-392-8145, or 250-267-8080 or melinda@unitedwaytnc.ca for more information.

14) Williams Lake Garden Club - last meeting of the year presents "Taking care of your tools".

On October 2nd at 7 pm at the Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society (Old Fire Hall) with guest speaker Rick Burnett on taking care of your gardening tools. Drop-in fee is $2

15) CONNECT 10 week program for caregivers of pre-teens & teens - register by Oct 2

Sometimes wonder and worry about your child’s behaviour? Ever worry about your relationship with your child? Feel like you just do not know what to do?

Family Solutions Program at Canadian Mental Health Association Cariboo Chilcotin Branch

is offering a group for parents and caregivers.

CONNECT is an attachment-based 10week program to support parents or caregivers of pre–teens and teens, who struggle with issues that make it difficult for them to do well at home, at school, and in their community. Small groups meet with two trained group leaders for an informative one-hour session each week. Each session provides parents with new information about parent-teen relationships, attachment needs and adolescent development. With an understanding of these attachment needs, parents can then use a variety of basic parenting techniques in ways that promote positive parent-child relationships and provide structure, safety, and a healthy framework for the beginning of independence.

Goals: To think about behavior from a different perspective - To develop awareness of relationship issues & patterns - To learn new skills and consider fresh approaches to parenting

Start Date: October 8, 2014 to December 10, 2014

5:30 pm -6:30 pm on Wednesdays

There is no charge but pre-registration before Oct. 2, 2014 is necessary. For more information, please contact: Sheila Cohen at (250) 305-4487

16) OAPO Pancake Breakfast at Seniors Centre - Saturday Oct 4th from 8:30 - 10:30 am

The pancake breakfast will be followed by the regularly scheduled Saturday Bingo at 12pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

17) Senior's Activity Centre - Crib Tournament Sunday Oct 19th - limited tickets on sale

At the Seniors Activity Centre at 176 4th Ave North. Lunch 11:30 - 12:30 , games from 1-4 pm. Door prizes & lots of fun, laughs & friendship. Round Robin format. Tickets available at office until Oct 15th. Maximum 60 tickets are available. Call (250) 392-7946 for more information or visit the office.

18) "Healthy Bite" Vegetarian Supper Club - resumes Sunday Sept 28 at 6pm

"Healthy Bite" Vegetarian Supper Club will resume Sunday, Sept 28, at 6pm. Please bring a large 'dish' to share, the recipe, and a friend!  782 North 9th Avenue. Please email if you have a question.  Short, fun, food, friendship, and updated health information. Anyone welcome! This club is ongoing the last Sunday of each month, at 6 pm.  

For more information please contact Rita Corbett at 250-392-6598

19) Community Policing AGM - Oct 1st at 7:30 pm (open to the public)

On Oct 1st in the Community Policing Boardroom at 327 Oliver Street (Community Corner @ 3rd & Oliver St. downtown (next to Cariboo Growers Farmers Co-op). Members of the public are welcome to attend.

20) Williams Lake Restorative Justice - First Steps, Next Steps - register by Sept 30th

Oct 17 - 18th, a Northern Regional Conference for Community Groups with Restorative Justice Programs in operation& for those who would like to implement programs.

Register by Sept 30th - registration is free. Thompson Rivers University - 1250 Western Avenue, Williams Lake, BC

The Williams Lake Community Council for Restorative Justice is a volunteer group which facilitates conferences for Crown Counsel, RCMP, and the Cariboo Chilcotin School District.  All facilitators have been trained by certified Community Justice Facilitators and many have taken Peace Making Circle Training.  This group has organized a gathering for its members and members of other restorative justice groups in the area to share practical knowledge and skills.

Please contact Dave Dickson at david.dickson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca for more information.

21) Mental Health Service Providers -  complete by Sept 30th

Reminder - The Cariboo Regional District was successful in obtaining a grant to complete an analysis of mental health services currently offered within the South & Central Cariboo region and identify any gaps in these services. This survey is one of several research techniques being used to collect data for this project. This e-survey tool allows for anonymity for respondents. All identifying factors that may arise from the text responses will be removed from the final report to protect anonymity.

Please take time to answer the text responses with as much detail as possible. Results from this study have the potential to lead to the application for further funding to address some of the issues that arise so your input is important.

Input will be gathered until September 30th 2014.  Follow the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CaribooMentalHealth

If you have any questions about this survey or about the project, please contact researcher Kimberly Vance-Lundsbye at 250-706-3143 or cariboomentalhealthsurvey@gmail.com

22) Cultivating Emotional Balance with the Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi - Intro Talk Oct 3rd

Introductory talk with the world renowned teacher, Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi on Friday, October 3rd​ from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the New World Coffee & Tea House 72 Oliver Street, Williams Lake

Starting October 18th, Gendun Drubpa Centre will be offering a training in Cultivating Emotional Balance, so this introductory talk is especially intended for those who are curious about the Cultivating Emotional Balance training and would like more information about what the training involves.

Basic training: October 18th, November 1 & 15th, 9:30 to 5:00 & Advanced training: 21 February, 7 & 21 March, 9:30 to 5:00 

What is the Cultivating Emotional Balance training?

This 42- hour training program developed by Dr. Paul Ekman and Dr. B. Alan Wallace integrates Buddhist contemplative practices with Western psychological techniques for dealing with negative emotional experiences. The training's purpose is to reduce emotional responses that are destructive to self and others and enhance compassion and empathy.

Very simply the purpose of CEB is to:

Identify and cultivate genuine happiness,

Support the cultivation of genuine happiness through leading a constructive emotional life, and

Create a choice in how we engage with our emotions.

​

This course is appropriate for students with no prior experience with meditation or Buddhist philosophy. It is secular in nature, meaning that it will not be teaching Buddhist principles or philosophy, but be teaching contemplative and psychological techniques for cultivating emotional balance.

​

The course includes lectures, small group work, meditations, and contemplative exercises and costs $225 dollars.

For more information on Cultivating Emotional Balance (CEB) please visit http://www.cultivatingemotionalbalance.org/

 

To register for the Williams Lake sessions, please contact:

Gendun Drubpa Buddhist Centre
212 South Third Avenue
Williams Lake, BC  V2G 1J4

(778) 412-7780

gendundrubpa@shaw.ca

http://gendundrubpa.org/