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One-Offs & Limited Engagements

Theda Phoenix at The Labyrinth on January 1.

NEW YEAR’S DAY IN THE LABYRINTH

Tuesday, Jan. 1
St. Paul’s Anglican Church
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free

Join in walking the Labyrinth in sacred silence There will be walking in sacred silence from 10:00 to 12 noon, followed by two hours of musical accompaniment with Theda Phoenix on vocals, crystal bowls, guitar and Tibetan singing bowls. As is their annual tradition, soup and fellowship will be provided by St Paul’s in the downstairs hall from noon to 2 p.m..

SFU philosophy professor Alan Belk will moderate February’s Philosopher’s Café at Joe Fortes Library.

PHILOSOPHER’S CAFE @ JOE FORTES LIBRARY

Thursday, Jan. 10
7 p.m.
Joe Fortes Library
Free. No Registration Required.

Thinking the unthinkable, imagining the impossible, and discussing the improbable. That’s the theme of SFU’s Philosophers’ Café series of informal public discussions in the heart of our communities. Since 1998, this award-winning program has engaged the interests of scholars, seniors, students, philosophers, and non-philosophers through stimulating dialogue and the passionate exchange of ideas. The January Café at Joe Fortes will pose the question, does the interesting time in U.S. democracy that we are currently witnessing offer guidance on how to maintain democracy in Canada? Alan Belk, who has taught ethics, critical thinking, and existentialism to undergraduate students for 12 years, will moderate.

WEST END COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION AGM

Tuesday, Jan. 15
West End Community Centre
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The West End Community Centre Association operates the West End Community Centre, Coal Harbour Community Centre, and Barclay Manor, providing programs, activities, and services to West Enders of all ages. I you don’t already have a membership (only $5, and will be waived for anyone who can’t afford it) get yours now at either of the West End or Coal Harbour centres and plan to attend the Annual General Meeting and get involved!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN / FRASER DOWNS HARNESS RACING!

Sunday, Jan. 20
9:45 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Departs from the West End Community Centre
$89
Registration Info at 604.257.8333

Your community centre offers monthly out-trip adventures. In January, venture out to the Fraser Downs racetrack in Cloverdale for a thrilling afternoon of live harness racing and dining at the venues generous buffet. The outing includes reserved Homestretch seating, the buffet lunch, three hours of live racing, and all fees and taxes. Register early, as all out-trips are subject to cancellation or seat bookings are slow.

EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS FOR YOU AND YOUR PETS

Tuesday, Jan. 29
7 - 8:30 p.m.
West End Community Centre / Bidwell Room
Free / Please Register at 604.257.8333

In Vancouver we know we could be affected by an earthquake at any moment. The key to preparedness is ensuring you are prepared. But what about our pets? We saw in Hurricane Katrina that people refused to evacuate if they could not take their pets with them Learn what you can do to ensure both you and your pets are prepared for any type of emergency or disaster. Presented by the City of Vancouver’s Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program

WEST END GAMES NIGHT

Last Friday of very month (Jan. 25)
7 - 11 p.m.
Gordon Neighbourhood House (1019 Broughton)
Free
Looking for a spot to play board games with friends? Or do you want to meet neighbours and learn new games? Join the fun at the West End Games Night, hosted by Young Ideas and Gordon Neighbourhood House. If you arrive solo, the friendly hosts can help form groups, and teach you new games.

COMMUNITY CARE FIRST AID / RED CROSS BABYSITTING

Saturday, Jan. 26
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
WECC / Barclay Room
$65

Each month the West End Community Centre hosts a first aid or other health care session provided in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross. The January course is for 11 to 16 year-olds and is a nationally recognized program designed to prepare growing teens to develop the self-assurance, knowledge, and skills required for babysitting duties.

Johanna Hauser is at the Labyrinth January 25.

IN THE LABYRINTH

Music In The Labyrinth
Last Friday of Every Month (Jan. 25)
St. Paul's Anglican Church (1130 Jervis)
7 to 9 p.m.
By Donation

The Labyrinth at St. Paul’s Anglican Church is a full 13-metre replica of the medieval labyrinth laid in the stone floor of the 13th-century Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Chartres, 80Km south of Paris. It is laid on the hardwood upper floor of St Paul's Church Hall in a space once used as a theatre and a basketball court. The Labyrinth is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and Sundays from 9:30 to 12:30 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m.

The last Friday of every month the Labyrinth experience is accompanied by a local musician or group. Music on this last Friday, Jan. 25, will be by clarinet soloist Johanna Hauser.

Click here to learn more about the St. Paul's Labyrinth.

FIRESIDE BOOK CLUB

Second & Fourth Fridays (Jan. 11 & 25)
11 a.m. to 12 noon
Joe Fortes Library / Stanley Court Room
Free
Connect with other avid readers to talk doubt what you’ve been reading and why you love it — or didn’t! Every second and fourth Friday of the month.

Jan. 11 is Reader’s Choice - Potpourri (as is the first meeting every month) when you can discuss whatever book you’re currently reading or recently read and share why you liked it, or didn’t. The Jan. 25 title will be "A Train In Winter" by Caroline Moorehead.

“TRY IT OUT” OPEN MIC

Every Third Thursday (Jan. 17)
7 to 9 p.m.
Barclay Manor (1447 Barclay)
Free

Got a story to tell, a song to sing, a tune to play? Share your interests and your talent in an informal gathering of friends and neighbours, or just come to listen and enjoy. It’s an opportunity to share music, stories, poems, comedy, interpretive dance, or to just listen and enjoy. “Try It Out “has seen first-time performers as young as five and seasoned performers who are — well, ageless! Everyone gets 10 to 15 minutes (enough time for up to three songs) depending on the size of the group. Sign up at 7, first come, first served. One mic, acoustic guitar amp, and piano provided.

GARDENING WORKSHOP SERIES

Sunday, Jan. 20
1 - 2:30 p.m.
West End Community Centre / Barclay Room
Free

Join the West End Neighbourhood Food Network at a family-friendly monthly gathering. Bring something tasty, share some good food and conversation with neighbours, and pick up a West End Urban Garden Calendar. You’ll also learn about the many other West End Neighbourhood Food Network events and activities. Each month’s meeting includes a mini-workshop on a different food and/or gardening related topic, and is followed, from 2:30 to 3:30, by a meeting of the West End Urban Garden Club, where you can share information, help organize food and gardening workshops, and save and share seeds.

The January 20 workshop is titled “How to Create a Village in the City.”

Once A Week, Every Week …

FAMILY STORY TIME ... Every Tuesday from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. at Joe Fortes Library, join this program for parents and caregivers with young children. Songs, rhymes and stories are shared. Suitable for pre-schooled and toddlers of all abilities to enjoy and learn together.
FRIDAY NIGHTS FOR YOUTH @ Coal Harbour Community Centre … Every Friday it’s something different, from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. with activities for youth ages 13 - 18. Upstairs in the Multi-Purpose Room. Nov. 2 is Move Night Out ($5); Nov. 9 it’s Taco Friday Fiesta; Nov. 16 Iron Chef; Nov. 23 Jeopardy Night; and Nov. 30 take the Stanley Park Christmas Train. Info at 604.718.8222.