Dec. 9 - miracle marathon food drive - Mountain FM will be helping to collect non-perishable food items for the community harvest food bank at Castlegar Safeway from 10am-6pm.
Dec. 10 - castlegar fire dept toy drive - At A&W in Castlegar from 9am-3pm.
Dec. 10/11 - Christmas musical “Hotel Bethlethem” - at New Life Assembly. Both at 6:30pm.
Dec. 11 - the Twin Rivers chorale christmas concert - 7pm at St. Peter Lutheran Church (713 4th Street, Castlegar) - Please join us for inspiring music and good cheer. Following the concert, refreshments will be served. Donations in support of the choir will be gratefully appreciated.
Dec. 11 - OOTISCHENIA FIRE DEPARTMENT FOOD DRIVE - We will be doing our annual canvas for non-perishable food, new toys and cash donations for the food bank from 9 am till noon. Ootischenia and Area J residents can also drop their donations off at the fire hall at this time. All donations will be forwarded to the Legion Community Christmas Hampers.
Dec. 11 - Kootenay Gallery’s TD Canada Trust Concert Series -
The Kootenay Gallery kicks off the Christmas season with a concert of Christmas music from the Baroque to the Contemporary. Alison Girvan, vocal soloist from Nelson teams up with contemporary jazz guitarist and Selkirk College faculty member Paul Lansberg. Join us Sunday December 11th at 1:30 p.m at the Castlegar United Church. Tickets are $10 for gallery members and $12 for nonmembers. For more information, contact us at 250 365-3337 or visit the website at www.kootenaygallery.com.
Dec. 11 - OOTISCHENIA FIRE DEPARTMENT FOOD DRIVE - We will be doing our annual canvas for non-perishable food, new toys and cash donations for the food bank from 9 am till noon. Ootischenia and Area J residents can also drop their donations off at the fire hall at this time. All donations will be forwarded to the Legion Community Christmas Hampers.
Dec. 12 - CP Holiday Train - The Holiday Train will be at the Station Museum in Castlegar at 3pm. Please bring a non-perishable food item or cash for the Community Harvest Food Bank.
Dec. 15 - Community Candlelight Memorial Service at 7pm at New Life Assembly.
Dec. 16 - Blueberry Creek Community Christmas - Show up for Carols and more. Bring a non-perishable donation for the Castlegar Food Bank and treats to share.
Dec. 18 - Community Choir and carol sing at New Life Assembly, from 2-4pm. bring non-perishable food items for the Community Harvest Food Bank. This year we are featuring a young teen soloist. Her name is Milane and she is a Rotary Exchange Student from Hanover, Germany. She has sung most of her life and is part of the Hanover Girls Choir. This will be a wonderful treat for all of us.
Dec. 24 - Christmas eve candlelight service - At New Life Assembly.
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Candle-light service - At Castlegar Baptish Church, 419 7th Avenue.
Dec. 25 - Christmas Day service - at New Life Assembly.
Dec. 25 - Christmas Day service - At Castlegar Baptist Church, 419 7th Avenue. 10:30am.
Ongoing: castlegar & district hospital foundation light up campaign - The Foundation is raising money to purchase three Space Lab cardiac monitors, Life Pak 15 crash cart monitors/defibrillators, and CADD Prism pump. call 250-304-1209 or mail cheque to 709 10th Street, Castlegar, BC V1N 2H7 to donate.
Ongoing: CASTLEGAR GARDEN CLUB meets the first Tuesday of the month 7:00 P.M. at the Castlegar Community Complex, Columbia Room. New members are always welcome. Share your love of gardening with other garden enthusiasts and expand your gardening horizons. Information: Pam Johnston: .250.399.0077 or castlegargardenclub@shaw.ca.
Ongoing: St. David’s Thrift Store is selling Christmas items in addition to household and clothing items. Come and check out the many changes we have made in our store. Our regular hours are Monday and Friday 10:00 to 1:00 and Tues ,Wed, Thurs 10:00 to 4:00. We will close from Dec 17 and re-open Jan 3. We are located under Anderson Insurance Agency on Columbia Avenue. Thanks to all our valued customers and donors and our best wishes to you for the Christmas season.
Ongoing: until Dec. 24. Kootenay Gallery Christmas Show and Sale - The Kootenay Gallery is filled with a huge selection of handcrafted items made by local artists and artisans including metal work, wood, fiber, pottery jewellery, garden art, paintings, glass and much more.There is no admission charge so come and get a start on your Christmas list. Gallery hours Tuesday -Saturday 10-5pm December open 7 days/week.
Community Christmas Hampers Applications are now available at the Community Harvest Food Bank – the Drop in Centre and the Castlegar Museum. Donations of non perishable food and toys may be dropped off at the Castlegar Museum. Applications Deadline is December 11, 2011. If your family or company wishes to adopt a family hamper please call Deb McInstosh 250 365 6440 or Gail Maki -Richards 250 399 4718.
Ongoing: weekly 2 for 1 sales at the Castlegar Hospital Auxiliary TreasureShop - Stop and shop to save precious dollars over the holiday season. Enjoy monthly Silent Auction features and bid on those items dear to your hearts. The Treasure Shop will be closed Tuesday, December 6, 2011. Please note that over the Christmas holidays the Treasure Shop will be closed from Friday, December 23, 2011 until reopening Tuesday, January 3, 2012. Our volunteers and families wish for everyone a safe, healthy and happy holiday season. Located at 210 - 11th Avenue
Ongoing: free events at Kinnaird Park Church - Free family badminton Monday nights 7:30-9 p.m., free Mommy group Wednesday 10-11:30 a.m. Let the kids play in the preschool room and nursery while the moms chat and drink coffee.
Ongoing: Doukhobor Centre writing contest - Doukhobor Discovery Centre Village Museum is holding a writing contest open to children, teens and adults. The subject matter is on Doukhobor migration and must be based on actual time lines. Work submitted can be poetry or short story (fact/fiction) and must be original. The deadline for submissions is May 6, 2012. Winners and prizes to be announced Jun 2012. Please bring or send your entries to the Doukhobor Discovery Centre Village Museum 112 Heritage Way, Castlegar B.C., V1N-4M5. Phone 365-5327 for more information.
Ongoing: book under every tree - Do you have a new or gently used book to donate for a Christmas food hamper? Drop off books between December 1 -14 to Blueberry Creek Community School, Castlegar and District Public Library, Kootenay Family Place, Robson Community School and Selkirk College Library. For more information call Margaret at 250.365.3336 or Alana at 250.304.6862. In partnership with Community Harvest Food Bank and Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy.
Ongoing: TOASTMASTERS MEEtINGS - The local Toastmasters club, the Sentinel Speakers, meets from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fireside Inn Castlegar on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Learn speaking skills, gain confidence and have some fun! Guests warmly welcomed. For more information please call Mark Sirges at 250-368-2504 or Diane Cushing at 250-365-8336.
Ongoing: Castlegar Judo Club meets Mondays, Thursdays from 6:15- 8 p.m. - At Twin Rivers Elementary for Sept. 12 to May/June. Male or Female, ages 8 years and up. Registration at any meeting. Call senior sensei John Gibson 250-5763 or sensei James Welychko, 250-365-4920.
Ongoing: Twin Rivers Chorale rehearsals are held every Thursday at 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (713 4th Street, Castlegar, BC, V1N 2B7). If you love to sing and want to sing both classical and contemporary music, come join the Twin Rivers Chorale. The registration fee is $30 for the entire season and you do not have to be able to read music to join the chorale. FMI contact Sarah Currie at 250-304-2529 or curries@ymail.com.
Ongoing: Conversation Club. Mondays 10am-12noon. If Canada is your new home, come and meet others who have immigrated to Canada and spend time chatting and learning. At Kootenay Family Place (behind Chopsticks)
Ongoing: Alpha Course - What is the meaning of Life? - Come and join us on this journey of discovery as we look into the issues of first order. Alpha Course is on Wednesday Nights beginning on September 28th at 7pm at the New Life Assembly 602 7 Street, phone 250-365 -5212. Dessert and coffee will be served, the course is free, everyone is welcome.
Ongoing: Selkirk Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild Gift Shop - demonstrations and displays of handwoven work. Open 10 - 4 p.m. June, Saturdays and Sundays. July - mid September, Wednesday to Sunday. Located within the Doukhobor Discovery Centre. Admission free to our shop. For additional information please email selkirkweavers@gmail.com or phone 250-365-8026.
Ongoing: The West Kootenay Family Historians Society meets at 7 o’clock on the first Monday of each month (September to June) at Stanley Humphries Senior Secondary School in Castlegar. New Members are welcome. For further information, contact Grace DeBiasio at 250.364.1426 or Ingeborg Leavell at 250.367.0076. The November meeting will cover electronic book publishing your family history with open forum discussions on all family history and genealogy. Local family historians on hand to assist with questions and aid in research.
Ongoing: Sharing dinner pot - Every Tuesday, noon at the Cadet Hall on 8th Avenue. No charge.
NOVEMBER SR. ACTIVITIES @ COMPLEX - Mon. 10:00 Darts. 1:00 Whist, Whist on Boxing Day too; Tues: 9:30 Floor Curling & Carpet Bowling, 1:00 Crafts 7:00 Pool, Wed: 9:30 Floor Curling, 7:00 Rummoli; Thurs: 9:30 Floor Curling, !:00 Bingo, Fiday: 1:00 Crib & Bridge; Dec 9 - Christmas Dinner and Dance.
ongoing: Beautiful Beginnings. Pre and postnatal program 10:30 - 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, includes lunch, supplements, resources, workshops at Kootenay Family Place.
Ongoing: Castlegar A.A. meetings at the Pioneer Arena. Sun. at 10 a.m. (phone Mike at 365-8302), Tues. at 7 p.m. (phone Dennis at 365-2738), Thurs. at 8 p.m. (phone Jim at 365-6216) and Sat. at 8 p.m. (phone Leonard at 365-7805.)
ongoing: Family Fun Nights - Come for a fun time with activities, books, art and theme nights. A healthy meal is provided. Robson Community School - 1st Wednesday of the month from 5:30–7:00 pm. Call Laurie at 365-5970 to pre-register. Offered by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy and Robson Community School.
ongoing: At the Community Learning Place you can get free help with basic computers, reading and writing, citizenship, test preparation, and skills upgrading. This program is offered at the Castlegar & District Public Library on Tuesdays from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. For more information call 250.365.3336. Offered by Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy.
Ongoing: Blueberry Play to Learn Preschool currently has space for 3 year old children in the Tuesday/Thursday morning preschool class. This program will provide your child a warm, nurturing environment for your child to get ready for Kindergarten. Call 250-365-7201 for more information.
ongoing: Mother Goose - Cuddle, Connect and Communicate with your 0-12 month old at the Parent Child Mother Goose program. Join us at the Castlegar and District Public Library on Wednesdays at 10:30-11:30am starting October 12 until November 30. To register call 365-6611.
ongoing: Robson and Blueberry StrongStart Centres free early learning programs for parents/caregivers with young children. Join us for snack, art, stories, gym time, and music. Robson StrongStart - Mon, Tues, Wed, & Fri 8:30-11:30am, Thurs 12:30-3:30pm. Blueberry StrongStart - Mon, Wed, Thurs, & Fri 8:30-11:30am and Tues 12:00-3:00pm. For more info call Alana at 304-6862 or 365-7201.
ongoing: Scrabble Club - Come out and play Scrabble on the 2nd Wed. of the month at the Castlegar Public Library - 6:30–8:00 pm. All levels are welcome! For information call Alana at 304-6862.
ongoing: Free English Classes - Attend free English classes at the Castlegar Public Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11 am. All levels are welcome! For information call Alana at 304-6862. Offered by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy.
ongoing: 12 week Bible study for women - Begins Friday, Sept. 30 at 7pm at New Life Assembly, 602 7th Street, Castlegar. To register: Email linda@lindabloom.com or call 250-365-5212.
Ongoing: September SR. ACTIVITIES @ The Castlegar community COMPLEX - Mon. 10:00 Darts. 1:00 Whist, Tues: 9:30 Floor Curling & Carpet Bowling, 1:00 Crafts 7:00 Pool, Wed: 9:30 Floor Curling, 7:00 Rummoli, Thurs: 9:30 Floor Curling,1:00 Bingo, Friday: 1:00 Crib & Bridge .
ongoing: al-anon meets every Monday night AL-ANON is for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. Meeting every Monday 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 2224 6th Ave. (Kootenay Society for Community Living building.) For more information call Donna 365-3168 or Eileen 365-3674.
Ongoing: Summer Family Drop-In. Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 a.m. - noon. Come in and keep cool. A variety of topics, things to do and topics of your choice.
ongoing: ESL Family Time -
Join other English as a Second Language families for stories, crafts and snacks. Learn more about your community and help your kids get ready for school! Fridays from 10 am - 12 noon at Kootenay Family Place (behind Chopsticks). For information call Alana at 304-6862. Offered by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy and Kootenay Family Place.
Ongoing: Advocate in Castlegar on Thursdays. Questions about welfare issues, disability benefits, tenancy or family law? A staff person from The Advocacy Centre is in Castlegar every Thursday from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Castlegar and District Community Services, 1007 2nd Street. Previously, the advocate was in Castlegar on Fridays. Appointments are encouraged, so please call the Centre at 250-608-0589 or 1-877-352-5777.
Ongoing: The Trail Maple Leaf Band is looking for experienced brass, woodwind and percussion players. If you are interested in joining us please call: 365-6405 Castlegar or 364-2803 Trail for more information.
ongoing: ESL Family Time -
Join other English as a Second Language families for stories, crafts and snacks. Learn more about your community and help your kids get ready for school! Fridays from 10 am - 12 noon at Kootenay Family Place (behind Chopsticks). For information call Alana at 304-6862. Offered by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy and Kootenay Family Place.
ongoing: Adult Upgrading The Adult Upgrading Program is a free program for parents to upgrade math, English and/or study skills with an instructor from Selkirk College. This program is held at Kootenay Family Place (beyond Chopsticks) on Mon and Wed afternoons from 1:00-3:00pm. Childcare and snacks are provided. For more information call Alana at 304-6862. Offered by Selkirk College, Kootenay Family Place and Columbia Basin Alliance for literacy
Nov. 20 - Flea Market at Robson Hall - 8am - 11am. Breakfast sponsored by Relay for Life “Moonlight Strollers”. Tables are $5 each. Call Kathy at 365-3796 to book. No Flea Market on Nov. 13. Flea Markets than resume weekly starting Nov. 20.
FEB. 1 - Book Club Discussion Wed. evening Feb 1st @ 7pm at Castlegar United Church. . The book is Tears of the Desert by Halima Bashir and even though it’s not a light book, it is an amazing enlightening book regarding a young woman’s life growing up in the Sudan,becoming a doctor and eventually having to leave the country she loves. It tells of her journey through female circumcision and rape. She was 32 when she wrote the book. One feels quite a connection to the author and though the story took a while to develop she was able to make the reader connect with her life as a young girl growing up in her village and eventually becoming a doctor so that when the horrific experiences happened to her you related to it all.
If you are interested in joining this discussion please call Carol Conkin at 365-5860