The first-ever Howe Sound Women's Centre Online Turtle Toonie Drive is now on in an effort to reach the centre's goal of $10,000. Please consider donating a toonie online through Canada Helps by going to www.canadahelps.org. Toonies can also be dropped off at Pearl's 2nds and Fetish Shoes on Cleveland Avenue and at the Women's Centre on Third Avenue.
The weekly speaker series at St. John's Anglican Church on Sunday (Jan. 30) at 4:30 p.m. will welcome Grant Bruce, who will present "A photographic journey across Bhutan." The Bruces lived in Bhutan for almost six years and traveled from one end of the country to the other. The presentation will feature photographs of people, flora and fauna of this unique and beautiful Himalayan kingdom. An invitation is extended to everyone. Admission is by donation with proceeds going towards the St. John's Roof Fund.
On Tuesday (Feb. 1), members of the Over the Hill Hikers are asked to meet at Canadian Tire at 9 a.m. for a Wormhole, Word of Mouth loop hike. Anyone wanting more information is asked to call Heather at (604) 892-9003.
The Tantalus Seniors Walking Club members will meet at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Ross Road at 10 a.m. on Thursday (Feb. 3) for a Powerline Loop walk. For more information, please call Joyce at (604) 898-5594.
Former resident Jackie Hildering was recently awarded the Vancouver Aquarium's highest honour for significant achievement in aquatic conservation. She is the communications director of Save our Salmon and she has dedicated her life to marine conservation through education. The Murray A. Newman Awards were established as a tribute to Dr. Murray Newman, the founding director of the Vancouver Aquarium.
Hildering shared the stage with Simon Fraser University's Dr. Randall Peterman for Significant Achievement in Aquatic Research. She was interviewed on CBC radio last Friday. Jackie, the daughter of Ed and Billie Hildering, graduated from Howe Sound Secondary School in 1981.
The Healthy Brain Group for Older Adults will meet at the Squamish Mental Health office at 38075 Second Ave. on Tuesday (Feb. 1) from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For further information, please contact Delores Stewart at (604) 892-6400.
The Squamish Food Bank will open its doors for food distribution on Wednesday (Feb. 2) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alano Club on Third Avenue.
Long-time Squamish residents will fondly remember Dr. Gino D'Appolonia, who practiced here in Dr. Kindree's clinic before leaving for Trail in the1960s. Dr. D'Appolonia passed away in Trail on Jan. 7 and sympathy is extended to his family.
Franz Boas and the first collecting of Squamish Legends will be presented at the Squamish Public Library on Thursday (Feb. 3) at 7 p.m. Participating will be Eric Andersen with a slide presentation, Squamish Nation special guests will read from the Squamish Legends and Gregory Fischer will read from the journals of Franz Boas. There will also be a screening of short films made by anthropologist Harlan I. Smith in the Squamish Valley in the early 1920s. Admission is by donation with proceeds going toward enhancing the Squamish Library resources concerning Squamish Nation history and culture.
A Chronic Disease Self-Management Program will be held at the Squamish Seniors' Centre for six Wednesdays from Feb. 9 to March 6 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop is for adults with ongoing physical or mental health conditions. Family members and friends are welcome to attend. To register, call toll-free 1-866-902-3767 or go to www.coag.uvic.ca/cdsmp.
A series of free talks and meditation by Western Buddhist nun Gen Kelsang Delek is planned with the first session at the Squamish Public Library on Tuesday (Feb. 1) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The theme is Happiness from a Different Source: a spiritual path for modern life. This will be followed by bi-weekly classes on Tuesdays: Feb. 15, March 1, 15 and 29. There is a $10 drop in fee. For more information, call (604) 221-2271 or go to www.tilopa.org.
The Hearts in Motion Walking Club will meet at the Adventure Centre on Friday (Feb. 4) at 10 a.m. for a trail walk. For more info, call Darleen at (604) 892-2092 or myself at (604) 815-0152.
Come out and meet your community at Squamish's Local Social. Everyone is welcome no matter how long you've lived here. Bring your spouse, co-workers, neighbours or tell anyone else that could use a good casual social night out. This free event is Thursday, Feb. 10 at La petite Burrow in downtown Squamish. For more information, email [email protected]
I have a new deadline for dropping of items at The Chief for Friday columns. It would be appreciated if they could be dropped off by Monday at 2 p.m. If you miss the deadline, please call me at home at (604) 815-0152.
The Squamish branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is hosting an evening of reflection on the 2010 Winter Olympics and a look ahead at the next Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The Feb. 24 event will feature guest speakers David and Rosemary Malaher, a scrumptious three-course chicken cordon bleu meal with dessert and a chance to share your 2010 Olympic memorabilia. The Malahers, who travelled to the Sochi area in October, will share their experiences. The cost is $20 per person, and tickets are available at the Legion.
