Anyone thinking of boarding the Polar Express at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park next weekend (Dec. 4 and 5) should get their tickets soon by calling (604) 898-9336. Along with enjoying all the fun of the ride, the CN Roundhouse and Conference Centre will be decked out for the annual Christmas Craft Fair. Children are invited to visit Santa's Workshop, do crafts and have their photos taken with Santa.
***
The general public will have access to the Christmas Craft Fair on Friday evening (Dec. 3) from 4 to 9 p.m. with a $2 per person donation to Community Christmas Care.
***
St. Joseph's Catholic Church Women's League is hosting its annual Christmas Bazaar and luncheon tomorrow (Nov. 27) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2449 The Boulevard in Garibaldi Highlands. The bake tables will be laden with an eye-appealing assortment of home-baked goods and as well, a good selection of hand-knitted items, slippers and crafts will be on display. The day also includes raffles and a silent auction.
***
Tonight and Saturday (Nov. 26 and 27) is your last chance to take in Between Shifts performances of The Most Excellent Adventures of Darth and Luke in 3D. It's at the Eagle Eye Theatre starting at 7:30 p.m. each night and tickets are available at Billie's Bouquet, Republic Bicycles, the Adventure Centre and, possibly at the door for $15 adults and $10 for seniors and students.
***
The Squamish Food Bank will open its doors for grocery distribution at the Alano Club on Third Avenue on Wednesday (Dec. 1) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
***
Garibaldi Highlands Elementary School has its annual Christmas Craft Fair an Thursday (Dec. 2) from 5 to 8 p.m. The evening includes a bake sale, crafts, games, food and much more. The school is located at 2590 Portree Way.
***
The Squamish Valley Quilters Guild will meet in the conference room at the Mountain Retreat on Wednesday (Dec. 1) for a Social Sew Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and if you wish, take a lunch along. New members are invited and there is a $5 charge. The monthly meeting will start at 6:45 p.m. in the same location. For more information, please call (604) 898-9240.
***
The Over the Hill Hikers will meet at Canadian Tire at 10 a.m. on Tuesday (Nov. 30) for a Skookum, IMBA loop (George's Bridge) hike. For more information, you are asked to call Heather at (604) 892-9003.
***
The Caregiver Support Group is offered for anyone caring for an aged relative or loved one who has such an illness and who may be at a home or living in a facility. The next gathering will take place on Wednesday (Dec. 1) from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Seniors Centre. Please call Donna Howard (facilitator) at (604) 892-6400, local 226 for more information.
***
Howe Sound Secondary School is presenting its annual Winter Gala on Monday, Dec. 6, starting at 6 p.m. The evening includes dinner and social, live entertainment and a silent auction. Tickets are $15 at the door and proceeds go towards student tours. Call the school at (604) 892-5261 for more information.
***
In the 1920s and 1930s, the Squamish area and Garibaldi Park were "discovered" by members of the Group of Seven and its successor, the Canadian Group of Painters. These master painters returned to Garibaldi again and again with artist colleagues and students. On Thursday (Dec. 2) at 7 p.m. at the Squamish Public Library, Eric Andersen will present slides of works by Fred Varley, Jock MacDonald, W.P. Weston and others. Special guests will read from the artists' descriptions of their encounters with Squamish-area scenery. Admission is by donation, with proceeds going towards obtaining high-quality prints of select paintings for local permanent display.
***
The Tantalus Seniors Walking Club will meet on Thursday (Dec. 2) at 10 a.m. at the Alice Lake turnoff for a walk on the Wonderland trail. For more information, please call Joyce at (604) 898-5594.
***
Carol's Carols is a popular Christmas concert each year and on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m., everyone is invited to Squamish United Church on Fourth Avenue. The program participants include Aaron Purdie, Colleen Koop, the Thompson Family, Brackendale Elementary School Choir, and of course, the organizer Carol Grolman, who leads everyone in the carol sing-a-long. There are other participants I'll mention next week. Admission is by donations of cash or non-perishable food items for Community Christmas Care.
***
The last community drop-in clinics for the flu vaccine will be held at the Squamish Community Health office at 1140 Hunter Place (behind Nesters Food Market) on Friday, Dec. 3, and Wednesday, Dec. 8, from noon to 2 p.m. each day.
***
Community Christmas Care will be the winner on Wednesday (Dec. 1) when residents are invited to drop off unwrapped toys and cash donations to the east corner of the McDonald's parking lot between 6:30 and 9 a.m. and, Mountain FM will be on site.
***
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 277 is holding another Bingo Night on Monday (Nov. 29) with doors open at 5:30 p.m.
***
Hey kids, be sure to take your coloured page of the Polar Express into The Chief office by Tuesday (Nov. 30) for a chance to win two tickets to board the Polar Express on Dec. 3 or 4.
***
The Grade 5 French Immersion students at Mamquam Elementary School are holding a bottle drive on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also take your recyclables to the Squamish Bottle Depot to account No. 51. All proceeds will go toward the students' camp at the North Vancouver Outdoor School.
***
On Friday (Dec. 3) at 10 a.m., the Hearts in Motion Walking Club will meet at the entrance to the Nexen Lands for a waterfront walk. For more information call Shirley at (604) 892-9885 or myself at (604) 815-0152.
***
Young people's use of online communication tools is presenting many challenges for parents, and the Don Ross Secondary School Parent Advisory Council has organized a presentation next week to help parents cope with the new realities.
The presentation, "Parenting in a Cyber-Age," is planned next Tuesday (Nov. 30) at 7 p.m. at the school. The workshop's focus will be on "equipping those who care for youth with the tools to deal with these challenges," states a poster advertising the event. Focusing on Internet literacy and safety, the presentation is meant for parents, advisors, foster parent groups and the general public.
Admission is free, and a concession will be available.
Raffle winners from Saturday's (Nov. 20) hugely successful St. John's Anglican Church Christmas Bazaar: Eleanor Babcock (quilt); M. Harney ($100 grocery certificate); and Kathy R. ($50 gas certificate).
