CommunityCalendar

The Review provides this community calendar free of charge, giving preference to Saanich Peninsula clubs, organizations and individuals holding non-profit events in our readership area. Publication is not guaranteed. Please submit written information before 5 p.m. Friday for inclusion in the following Wednesday’s paper. Calendar items should be mailed, dropped off at our office (9726 First St., Sidney, V8L 3C9), faxed to 656-5526 or e-mailed to editor@peninsulanewsreview.com.

Arts & Crafts
Knit Knut Machine Knitting Club meets the second Thursday of the month at St. Aidan’s United Church, 3703 St. Aidan’s, 7 p.m., from September to June. Machine Knitters as well as “want to be machine knitters” are all invited to join in an evening of fun, Show & Tell and demonstrations. Next meeting is January 11. For more information please phone 652-9862 or e-mail e-laine@shaw.ca.
Vancouver Island Chapter of Romance Writers of America invites writers to its regular meeting Jan. 13. Hands-on workshop by Ramona Bucknell on making decisions as a writer and how characters can make more creative decisions. St. Aidan’s Church, Victoria. Business meeting 11 a.m., potluck lunch at noon, presentation and discussion 1 to 3 p.m. No admission charge. www.vicrwa.ca for directions.
Hot Reads for Cold Nights. Curl up with a good book this winter and you might win a prize. Join the Sidney/North Saanich Library’s Adult Reading Program, and every time you read or listen to a book, you can enter prize draws for items donated by local businesses. The more you read the more chances you’ll have to win. Program starts Jan. 20 and ends March 17. Call 656-0944 for more information.
Book talk with Library Divas. Looking for something to read during those long cold winter evenings? Join Library Divas Sharon and Vicki at the Sidney/North Saanich Library (10091 Resthaven Drive) on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2 to 3 p.m. for an afternoon of books. Meet new friends, share good books and go home with a list of interesting and exciting titles to choose from. Refreshments and prizes. Register for this free program by calling 656-0944.

Sidney Reading Series presents A Poetic Evening. Come to a lively literary evening and meet writers Lorna Crozier and Patrick Lane who will read from and sign their books on Friday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.) at the Red Brick Cafe, 2423 Beacon Ave., Sidney. Music by Geoff Noble, guitarist and singer. Refreshments for sale. Enter book draw to win autographed copy of books. Admission is $5. Sponsored by Community Arts Council for the Saanich Peninsula. Call Beacon Books 655-4447.
Dance
School-aged children and parents are invited to dance on Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. at the old Brentwood Bay school. Regular performances for seniors. Call Janet at 656-1869.
New Walk-Around Scottish Country Dancing class. Come try walking the Scottish Country dances. Lots of fun, good music. No partner required. Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call Janet at 656-1869.
Regular Scottish Country dancing on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 to 9 p.m. for those capable of high impact dancing. No partners required. Good exercise, fun and friendly group. Regular performances for seniors. Call Janet, 656-1869.
Health
The Be Well  program runs from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. each Monday at the Shoal Centre, 10030 Resthaven Drive. The free program, sponsored by Silver Threads, includes blood pressure and glucose monitoring. Donations are gladly accepted. Call 656-5537.
The Community Response Network (CRN) meets bi-monthly on the fourth Wednesday. Everyone is invited to attend. Call Beacon Community Services Volunteer Services Office at 655-4402.
Kids & Youth
Babytime. Share songs, rhymes, and bounces with your baby at the Sidney/North Saanich Library (10091 Resthaven Drive) Thursday, Jan. 18 to Feb. 22, 11 to 11:30 a.m. Babies from newborn to 14 months and their parent/caregiver. Registration for this free program begins Dec. 27. Call 656-0944.
Storytime. Stories, songs, rhymes, and more for children 3 to 5 years old at the Sidney/North Saanich Library (10091 Resthaven Drive). Two sessions offered: Tuesday, Jan. 16 to Feb. 6, 10:15 to 11 a.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 17 to Feb. 7, 10:15 to 11 a.m. Registration for this free program begins Dec. 27. Call 656-0944.
Evening Storytime. Wear your jammies, bring a favorite sleeping pal and blanket and join Vicki for Family Storytime at the Sidney/North Saanich Library (10091 Resthaven Drive). All ages welcome. Monday, Jan. 15, Feb. 19, Mar. 19, Apr. 16, 7 to 7:30 p.m. Call 656-0944 to register.
Family Storytime at the Central Saanich Library. Wednesdays, Jan. 10 through March 28 at 10:30 am. Free, drop in program. Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and puppets. Caregivers are welcome and encouraged to participate. Call 652-2013.
Babytime at the Central Saanich Library. Thursdays, Jan. 11 through Feb. 15 at 10:30 am. Learn rhymes, songs, fingerplays and stories to use with your baby everyday. Free, drop-in program. Call 652-2013.
Volunteering at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital in the Volunteen Program offers experience in a health care setting, references for future employment applications, and the satisfaction that helping others brings. The next orientation will be held on Friday, Feb. 16 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Contact Volunteer Resources at 652-7519.
Meetings
Peninsula Newcomers. Regular luncheon meetings held the second Thursday, September through May, at Glen Meadows Golf Club.  Speaker Jan. 11:  Judy Reimche, Editor, Peninsula News Review.
Peninsula Newcomers’ Graduate Club are having their luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 18, at Theo’s Restaurant, 9819 Fifth Street, Sidney. The speaker will be Pam Frier, entertainment food writer and columnist. Graduates of the Peninsula Newcomers’ Club are welcome to join at any time. Contact 656-1247 or 655-6578.
University Women’s Club of Victoria meets Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007 to hear Dr. Verna Linney, painter and printmaker, speak on Writing Women into History:  Mary Delaney, 18th Century Artist Extraordinaire. Cedar Hill Golf Club, 12 noon, lunch $22 (prepaid).  http://web.uvic.ca/~canfeduw/
Sidney Single Seniors 55+ is open to men and women who are single, also to those who are caregiver to their partner and want an evening out. Contact Beacon Community Services, 655-4402.
 
Miscellaneous
The Brentwood Bay Revitalization Committee announces the fourth annual Robbie Burns dinner and dance, to be held Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Brentwood Bay Community Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets $35 per person through The Gallery in Brentwood, and Ronald Orr & Sons, Family Butcher, in Brentwood. For more information contact Leslie Gentile at 652-1758, www.brentwoodbay.info
Victoria Joint Scottish Council invites everyone to celebrate, on Sunday, Jan. 28, the birthday of Robert Burns by attending a short ceremony at the Burns statue in Beacon Hill Park at 2 p.m., followed by a concert and tea at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Hall on Courtney Street at 2:30. Admission to the tea and concert is by donation. For more information, call 652-5773.
Royal Canadian Legion, 1660 Mills Road. Bring your friends. New hours: Thursday and Friday, 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, 1 to 7:30 p.m. Meat draws every Saturday, 3 p.m. Memorial Room, downstairs.General meeting Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m. Installation of officers; 2007 dues are due. Call 656-2428.
Army, Navy & Air Force Unit 302, 9834 Fourth St. in Sidney welcomes members and guests Tues. to Sat. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Drop in fun pool, 7 p.m. Charity meat draw, 5 p.m. Karaoke Wednesdays, bring your friends 7 to 11 p.m. Prizes, music and appetizers. Karaoke Wednesdays, 7 to 11 p.m.; dance to True Blue Friday, Jan. 12 and Saturday, Jan. 13, 7 to 11 p.m. Call 656-3777.
Alpha Course at the Brentwood Anglican Church, Jan. 31, 2007 to April 18, (10 consecutive Wednesday evenings), 6 p.m. to 8.45 p.m., 800 Sea Drive, Brentwood Bay. No charge. Adults of all ages interested in finding out more about the Christian faith are warmly welcomed. Nicky Gumbel’s Alpha series includes discussions pertaining to the Christian faith. Contacts: 655-3076 and 652-8999 or e-mail to bachapel@islandnet.com for a registration form.
Crosswinds, a multi-media, cafeteria-style program based on the life of Jesus Christ on earth, is taking a break until January 7 when the regular Sunday meetings resume at 9:30 a.m., with a continental breakfast, then a visual multi-media presentation from 10 to 11 a.m. at Sidney elementary school, Henry Avenue at Seventh Street. Call 655-1594.
Central Saanich Seniors Centre, 1229 Clarke Road, offers gentle fitness for strength, balance and flexibility, Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. For 50+ citizens. Call 652-4611.
Music
Music in the Bay presents Jan. 20: Clay George. Fast becoming a major force on the Canadian roots music scene, this Victoria native’s easy baritone takes you back to early country/roots music. Check out his music at: http://www.myspace.com/claygeorge
Sports
The Capital City Fencer’s Club is open to novice and experienced fencers. Club practice times are 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at St. Andrew’s elementary school gym (corner of Vancouver and Pandora). Ten beginners classes, Fridays from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. $75, equipment provided by the club. The next set of lessons begins Jan. 26. Visit http://members.shaw.ca/ubik/CapitalCity/index.html. Sign up: Robert Smith at ubik@shaw.ca or call 592-8713 evenings.

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