Community Updates (13) - Jan 30, 2015

1) Free Family Fest - Sunday Feb 1st at the Gibraltar Room from 10 am - 2pm

2) First Annual Winter Carnival - Jan 31st - Feb 1

3) Transportation Plan for Williams Lake

4) "Turn down the Heat" week - Feb 1 - 7

5) Cariboo Festival - deadline Feb 10th

6) Call For Performers 2015 for Performance in the Park series.

7) Communities that Care's - Positive Action Word of the Week - "Thoughts"

8) Free Skate - Saturday Jan 31st from 1 - 2:30 pm

9) Daybreak Rotary's 24th Annual Book Sale Feb 15 - 28th

10) Volunteers needed - Helping Seniors Remain Independent

11) Update - Next Steps Charted for Sam Ketcham Pool Renovations

12) www.accesswilliamslake.org - looking for community resources?

13) Cariboo Growers Local Farmer's Co-op - open all winter long

1) Free Family Fest - Sunday Feb 1st at the Gibraltar Room from 10 am - 2pm

Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy encourages everyone to celebrate Family Literacy Week, Jan. 25-31 and the annual Family Fest by the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy.

Come to Family Fest on Feb. 1, 10:00-2:00 in the Gibraltar room. It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s FREE!  What a great way to spend time with family.

  

Visit Family Fest – It’s the 10^th annual Family Fest that celebrates families and supports lifelong literacy and learning with lots of fun activities, book give aways, puppet plays, music, and much, much more.  Sunday, Feb. 1 from 10 am – 2 pm in the Gibraltar Room (Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex).  Have fun indoors and then visit the 1^st annual winter carnival just outside the complex.

For more information please contact Carla Bullinger at 250-267-8249

2) First Annual Winter Carnival - Jan 31st - Feb 1

The 1st annual Williams Lake Winter Carnival is this weekend in partnership with Family Fest. 

Pancake breakfast starts at 9 am, and the events run from 10am - 3pm on Saturday and Sunday at 

Boitanio Park. Free public skating, face painting, igloo building, teepee events, snow art, cross 

country skiing, snow shoeing, horse drawn sleigh rides, warming huts, music and karaoke, 

sledding, snowball throw, chili cook off and warm beverages.

These different  events are sponsored by local businesses and it is going to be a lot of fun!

3) Transportation Plan for Williams Lake

Tell us what you think about transportation in our City and region. Have comments, suggestions, or other feedback that you would like shared?

There are a few ways to do this. You can email The Social Planning Council your comments and we will take your information with us to a stakeholders meeting. You can also stop by  the Library on Thursday Feb 5th from 4-6pm to fill out a survey.

Send your comments to spc-coordinator@xplornet.com by Feb 2nd or visit the Library on the 5th to have your say.

4) "Turn down the Heat" week - Feb 1 - 7

Next week is "Turn down the Heat" week. From Sunday Feb 1 - 7th help save energy by turning 

down your thermostat. Sponsored by Fortis BC and the local BIA's. Visit

 https://www.facebook.com/turndowntheheatweek for more information.

5) Cariboo Festival - deadline Feb 10th

This is a reminder for schools, teachers, students and other performers to get their registrations 

in for the 2015 festival. The festival begins this year on Apr 6th and ends with an honours concert 

on April 25th. Visit http://cariboofestival.ca/ for further information.

6) Call For Performers 2015 for Performance in the Park series.

Presented by the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, the City of Williams Lake and the

Cariboo Regional District.

The Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society is happy to announce that Performances in the 

Park, the outdoor free summer concert series, will begin on Thursday, July 2nd at 6:00pm and 

will continue each Thursday evening at the same time at the Gwen Ringwood Theatre in 

Williams Lake’s Boitanio Park until August 20th. Once again, with the support of the City of 

Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District, the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society 

will be presenting this event under the management of Angela Sommer of Angelkeys Music Studio.

The concert series will feature two acts each week; one at 6 pm to showcase performances 

including youth, theatre, dance, musical and fashion shows, followed by a headline act from

7 – 8 pm. All acts will be family friendly.

We are currently looking for performers of every type to fill these performances. Application

forms can be downloaded from the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society’s website at

www.centralcaribooarts.com/performancespark.html. You can also receive an application by 

emailing Angela at performances@centralcaribooarts.com

Submissions can be made by mailing or dropping off completed applications to: Performances

in the Park, c/o Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, 90 Fourth Avenue North, Williams Lake,

 BC  V2G 2C6, or by emailing completed forms by April 2nd 2015 at 4:00 pm.

This well attended, free event, is fun for the whole family and we look forward to seeing familiar

and new faces in the crowd!

For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or for interviews please call 250-305-4784

7) Communities that Care's - Positive Action Word of the Week - "Thoughts"

The Positive Action word of the week of Feb 2nd is Thoughts: Ideas that result from thinking.

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

8) Free Skate - Saturday Jan 31st from 1 - 2:30 pm

Sponsored by Oliver & Co... enjoy a free skate from 1 - 2:30 pm on Saturday Jan 31st at the Recreation Complex

9) Daybreak Rotary's 24th Annual Book Sale Feb 15 - 28th

Giant used book sale in the upper level of Boitanio Mall. Donations are greatly appreciated with collection bins at: Safeway, Save-on Foods, Western Financial, Boitanio Mall entrance the 150 Mile House Centre or call 250-392-4498 for pickups.

10) Volunteers needed - Helping Seniors Remain Independent

Through the Williams Lake Better at Home program we will be offering support services to assist seniors with simple non-medical day-to-day tasks so they can continue to live independently in their own homes and stay connected to their communities. 

Can You Help? Williams Lake Better at Home needs volunteers to provide: Transportation to medical appointments, Light housekeeping, Minor home repairs, Snow Shoveling, Light yard work, Grocery shopping and Friendly Visiting

If you feel you have the skills, energy and time to volunteer, we would like to hear from you, as you can make a positive difference for seniors and your community.

Let's help turn compassion into action! Contact Us Today. Phone: (778)412-2430 email betterathome-wl@shaw.ca or stop by the office, we are located at 176 N 4^th Ave in the Williams Lake & District Seniors Activity Centre – office hours are Monday to Friday 9:00am till 12:00pm

11) Update - Next Steps Charted for Sam Ketcham Pool Renovations

Central Cariboo - Following a successful public information process, the November 15, 2014 referendum to enable the Cariboo Regional District to borrow up to $10 million for the Sam Ketcham Pool Upgrade passed with a support level of 68 per cent.

The Sam Ketcham Pool, located in the West Fraser Aquatic Centre at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex will undergo an extensive renovation upgrade over the next two years. The next step in the project will focus on the procurement of the necessary consultants for development of detailed designs. The drafting of the procurement documents is in progress, as is the collection of all existing background reports and materials.

A Sam Ketcham Pool Project Working Group has been formed and the Terms of Reference have been established. This group will guide the detailed design and construction process, including procuring and working with architectural, engineering and other consultants as required; and engage key stakeholder groups and the public as appropriate throughout the project.

“After working on the preliminary steps that led to the 2014 successful referendum, the Central Joint Committee and Working Group is keen to get this project underway,” stated Central Cariboo Joint Committee Co-Chair, Director Joan Sorley. “This project is long overdue and I am sure the end result will be an aquatic facility which will greatly improve recreation opportunities and could potentially encourage families to relocate to the Central Cariboo.”

“We are pleased the project is moving forward and we look forward to the day we get shovels in the ground,” stated Central Cariboo Joint Committee Co-Chair, Mayor Walt Cobb. “Although much of the work over the next year is behind the scenes, it is essential to ensuring we get the quality product that our community deserves.”

To support the project, the Regional District and the City continue to pursue funding from other sources and have applied to the Northern Development Initiative Trust for $650,000 and the Federal Gas Tax Strategic Priorities Fund administered by the Union of BC Municipalities for $4 million. If the applications are successful, it will reduce the amount of funding the Regional District must borrow for the project and save local taxpayers those financing costs. It is expected that the success of these applications will be known later this year.

A Facebook page dedicated to helping provide information to residents and an opportunity for residents to ask questions can be found at facebook.com/SamKetchamPool. A Twitter feed can also be found at @SKPProject. Project updates will also be posted on the Cariboo Regional District website at cariboord.ca and on the City of Williams Lake site at williamslake.ca.

12) www.accesswilliamslake.org - looking for community resources?

Looking for an address, phone number, program in Williams Lake? Visit www.accesswilliamslake.org

13) Cariboo Growers Local Farmer's Co-op - open all winter long

Local foods are available all year long at the Williams Lake Cariboo Growers Farmers Co-op. Open

four days a week: T, W & Friday's from 11am - 6pm, and on Saturdays from 10am - 3pm. Supporting

local farmers is good for the local economy, good for you, and good for your local community. What

is at a local farmers co-op at this time of year? Tons! - Find carrots, garlic, potatoes, onions, leeks,

turnips, shallots, crispy apples, frozen fruits, honey, bread, cheese and don't forget meat. 

Everything at the Co-op is grown to organic standards including the grass-fed (and finished) beef, 

pork, lamb, chicken, salmon and even duck! 

Visit www.cariboogrowers.ca, call 778-412-2667 or stop by the store on the corner of 3rd & Oliver 

Street in downtown Williams Lake.

SPC Monthly Meeting Minutes - Oct 27 2014

SPC Monthly Meeting Minutes - draft

Oct 27, 2014 - 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Location: Child Development Centre

In attendance (from sign-in sheet): Sharon Taylor, Diane Wright, Kourtney Cook, Anne Burrill, Rosanna McGregor, Leah Selk, Deb Radolla, Diana French, Shannon Thom, and Jessica Knodel

Accept Minutes & Agenda

·        Reviewed meeting minutes from Sep 22 2014

·        Reviewed meeting agenda for Oct 27, 2014 - add TRU's Economic Forum, add SD user fees update, and table UBC Field School project.

School District User Fees - update

There are still groups having trouble finding affordable space for their group activities. Groups are encouraged to write letters expressing these concerns, and ask these questions in preparation for the upcoming elections.

Creative options such as stocking the school with as many groups as possible a few days a week so groups could share some associated costs such as the custodian fees (e.g. 1 janitor for 8 groups).

Action - Encourage individuals and organizations to express their concerns in a formal letter and keep this issue on our "radar".

Upcoming Elections

The SPC sat in the all candidates forum planning meetings at the Chamber of Commerce and brought our questions for consideration. There was a question put forth in the paper asking why it costs money to attend the Mayors luncheon. While this was not an event of the SPC's, the SPC was thankful for the opportunity to participate and hopes this will lead into a new working relationship.

Action - Sharon will write a letter for the Roses and Raspberries section of the paper thanking the Chamber.

We need to encourage people to vote and get the message out about how to vote in the different elections. There is also a misconception by many people who think they need to be homeowners to be able to vote (which is not true - you only have to live here to vote here). People should be aware that the busses are running extended hours that day.

 
Action - Create and distribute posters for the three elections and referendums taking place on Nov 19 with a complete list of the election stations, advance voting options and links for more information.

Annual General Meeting - Nov 24th

·       Our keynote presentation for the AGM will be the results from Project Comeback.

       During our AGM roundtables, we want people to share something positive that has happened during the last year; "Celebratory Roundtables".

·        Sharon will be stepping down as Chair

TRU Economic Forum

This is scheduled for Nov 19th & 20th and the SPC has been invited to attend. We have also been invited to participate in an external review of the WL campus (which is a separate initiative). The SPC will need representatives to attend.

Action: Ask members to confidentially respond to the questions for the external review so we can take this collective feedback to the table.

Action: Jessica to find out more information about the level of participation required for the two day forum.

Roundtable Updates (in addition to those sent out via weekly updates)

Anne Burrill - Junior Council leadership training took place.

Nancy Gale - 1) Yuletide Dinner is taking place on Dec 9th and 16th. 2) WLCBIA Meet and Greet is on Nov 19th, 3) the Diamond Dinner was a great event again this year.

Leah Selk - 1) The Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society just hired an Administrator, Brandon Huffman (also a Comeback kid!). 2) Grant deadlines are Jan 30th

Deb Radolla - 1) Deb is retiring in December 2) Deb brought Affordable recreation applications and kidsport applications and copies of the new Leisure Guide.

Meeting was adjourned - the next SPC meeting is our AGM scheduled for Nov 24th at 11:30 am at the City of Williams Lake.

Community Updates (9) - Jan 23, 2015

Table of Contents:

 

1) Social Planning Council's monthly meeting - Jan 26th at 11:30 am

2) Celebrate Family Literacy Week! - Jan 25 - Feb 1st

3) Reminder - CRD's Sub-Regional Budget Sessions

4) Free Family Astronomy at Scout Island - Sat Jan 24th from 6pm-8pm

5) Grant Funds Available - deadlines Jan 30th (next Friday)

6) Communities that Care's - Positive Action Word of the Week - "Possessions"

7) Free Skate - Saturday Jan 31st from 1 - 2:30 pm

8) The Cariboo Chilcotin  Metis Association  - two events

9) Mural Workshop - Jan 24 - 25th

1) Social Planning Council's monthly meeting - Jan 26th at 11:30 am

Our next monthly meeting is being held on Monday January 26th at 11:30 am at the City of Williams Lake. Lunch and a presentation by Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy and the upcoming Literacy Week. We hope to see you there! The agenda is below:

During lunch we will:

·   Review meeting minutes from Oct 27, 2014

·   Review meeting agenda for Jan 26, 2015

Guest Presentation:

Presentation by Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy in celebrating of Literacy Week.

SPC Board Updates & discussions:

·   Memberships renewals are now due

·   UBC Human Geography Field School Project update

·   BC Transit Review Stakeholders Meeting

·   Meeting with MLA Donna Barnett

·   SD no. 27 user group fee update

·   Strategic Planning & discuss impacts of recent City staff changes

2) Celebrate Family Literacy Week! - Jan 25 - Feb 1st

Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy encourages everyone to celebrate Family Literacy Week, Jan. 25-31!  There’s lots of fun ways to do it. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

Create a story with your family: take turns writing one sentence at a time, then read the whole story aloud when you’re done;

Organize a book swap with friend

Count how many steps it takes to get from your bedroom to the kitchen – find out who in your family has the most steps to a snack!

Read a “wake up” story in the morning (in addition to last night’s bedtime story);

Write a note to include in a grown-up’s lunch – ask them to write back!

Go for a nature walk and play I Spy!

Come to Family Fest on Feb. 1, 10:00-2:00 in the Gibraltar room

It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s FREE!  What a great way to spend time with family.

  

Visit Family Fest – It’s the 10^th annual Family Fest that celebrates families and supports lifelong literacy and learning with lots of fun activities, book give aways, puppet plays, music, and much, much more.  Sunday, Feb. 1 from 10 am – 2 pm in the Gibraltar Room (Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex).  Have fun indoors and then visit the 1^st annual winter carnival just outside the complex.

For more information please contact Carla Bullinger at 250-267-8249

3) Reminder - CRD's Sub-Regional Budget Sessions

Have your say and join the discussion. In Williams Lake on Jan 29th at the Cariboo Regional District Board room at 5pm. Call 250-392-3351 or visit cariboord.ca for further information. If you are unable to attend you can pre-register for the webinar by emailing communications@cariboord.ca

4) Free Family Astronomy at Scout Island - Sat Jan 24th from 6pm-8pm

Saturday, January 24th at 6pm join local community astronomers Steve and Lynn Capling at the Scout Island Nature House for stories and stargazing until 8pm. There will have plenty of stellar stuff to gander at with your naked eye, binoculars or with a telescope. If the weather outside is inappropriate for stargazing, the event will be moved indoors with games and activities.

Everyone and all ages are welcome - no registration is required. Bring: Warm clothes (and gloves!), Binoculars (Scout Island have some available to borrow), lawn chairs or something to lay down on. Please do NOT bring a flashlight or headlamps.

A very large telescope is provided but you are welcome to bring along your own, more

telescopes make this event even better! Call Scout Island Nature House if you have questions about this special event call 250.398.8532 or email themaryforbes@gmail.com

5) Grant Funds Available - deadline Jan 30th (next Friday)

a) United Way's Community Investment Funding - applications due Jan 30th:

United Way provides funding to strengthen the network of services and capacity of non-profits to achieve meaningful, long-term improvements in quality of life in the community by addressing not just the symptoms of problems but also the root causes.

Our Community Investment process is open to receive applications from non-profits with charitable status as of December 1st, 2014 throughout the Thompson Nicola Cariboo region. The deadline for applications will be January 30th, 2015. The application is available only on-line at www.investingincommunity.ca.

For Youth Initiative Grants, please visit http://www.investingincommunity.ca/yig/

b) CCACS 2015 Grant Applications due Jan 30th by 4pm:

Project grants are available for non-profit organizations or community groups in Williams Lake and the Central Cariboo (CRD Areas D, E, and F) to support and develop arts and culture within this region. The funding for these grants is courtesy of the City of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District on the recommendation of the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society subject to the availability of funds.

Applicants, specifically new applicants, are encouraged to contact CCACS before filling out the application. For further information on this program, contact CCACS Executive Director Leah Selk at 778-412-9044 or info@centralcaribooarts.com or visit www.centralcaribooarts.com

6) Communities that Care's - Positive Action Word of the Week - "Possessions"

The Positive Action word of the week of Jan 26th is Possessions: How we manage our shared possessions.

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

7) Free Skate - Saturday Jan 31st from 1 - 2:30 pm

Sponsored by Oliver & Co... enjoy a free skate from 1 - 2:30 pm on Saturday Jan 31st at the Recreation Complex

8) The Cariboo Chilcotin  Metis Association  - two events

Enhancement Agreement concerning your children in SD no. 27 on Wednesday Jan 28th at 7pm, AND Michif Language Workshop on Saturday Jan 31st from 12 - 6pm (lunch and refreshments provided). Please call 250-392-4428 to register or for more information on either of the events.

9) Mural Workshop - Jan 24 - 25th

The Cariboo Arts Society is sponsoring a mural workshop with Dwayne Davis on Jan 24 - 25th being held at the Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society and will teach students how to take a small image to mural. Registration is still open but late fees now apply. All materials are supplied and all levels of experience are welcome. For more information on how to register, please contact Cat at 250-296-3670 or Yvette at 250-989-4241.