COMMUNITY CALENDAR
/December Highlights …
‘Tis the season … for craft fairs, eggnog, and general jollification!
A HOLIDAY HO-HO-HODOWN
Thursday, December 5
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Gordon Neighbourhood House (1019 Broughton)
Free
A family event with just about everything you’ve ever wanted in a holiday party, including “Kringle Karaoke, Hohohors d’oeuvres, a talent show elfstravanza” along with less creatively named but important items as hot cocoa nd cider, mulled wine (at $3 a glass), a sale of craft by local crafters, and of course an appearance by the big man himself, Santa!
HOLIDAY SOCIAL & CRAFT MARKET
Saturday, December 7
Denman Place Mall
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This is a great opportunity to purchase hand-made greeting cards, gift wrap, seasonal linens, ornaments, tins for your baking, and lots of fun décor items. And last minute gifts for that certain someone. And we’ve heard a rumour that Santa may put in an appearance!
Diorama Tree founders Julie Stines and Janine Fuller at home.
THE 30TH & FINAL DIORAMA TREE
30 Years of Giving
Imagine these boxes each containing a hand-created diorama, and you’ll be visualizing the Diorama Tree.
Saturday, December 7
5 to 9 p.m.
Doors at 5 / Show at 6
The Junction (1138 Davie)
Admission $10
Tickets
Begun on a lark in December 1989 by founders Janine Fuller and Julie Stines as a substitute for a traditional holiday evergreen in their cozy West End apartment, the Diorama Tree is composed of small wooden boxes, originally built by Stines.
Those empty wooden boxes are doled out in advance to a select group of crafty and creative artists, worked on under a veil of hushed secrecy, and returned filled with magic and wonder! The boxes are then combined into a fantastic, multi-sensory illuminated art installation in the shape of a holiday tree!
Joined by a slate of live performances from singing to burlesque to drag, emceed by the unstoppable Connie Smudge, the Diorama Tree event has grown and evolved over the years, moving from their apartment and becoming an annual nightclub variety show which has raised thousands of dollars for charities over three decades!
This is the 30th and final Diorama Tree, so you don’t want to miss it. And you sure don’t want to miss the ever-popular Ugly Dress Auction with special guest auctioneer Barb Snelgrove and ugly dress model Buster Cherry!
Learn to weave traditional cedar bark baskets.
WEAVING ARTS: CEDAR BARK BASKETS
A Stanley Park Ecology Society Workshop
Saturday, December 14
1 to 3 p.m.
Stanley Park Nature House on Lost Lagoon
Members $55 / Non-Members $70
Register
Western red cedars stand as one of the oldest and most revered trees in the forests of Stanley Park. In this workshop Contessa Brown Qmdmaxl of the Heiltsuk Nation shares the sacred place of cedar bark in Northwest Indigenous culture and guides us in contemporary weaving techniques.
Participants are provided with prepared cedar bark, with Contessa sharing the process of harvesting, cleaning, beating, and splitting the materials. After a tutorial on weaving techniques, participants will create their own small baskets to take home.
Indian Horse is the December title for discussion at the Fireside Book Club.
FIRESIDE BOOK CLUB
Friday, December 27
11 a.m. to 12 noon
Joe Fortes Library / Stanley Court Room
Free
Connect with other avid readers to talk about what you’ve been reading and why you loved it — or didn’t! The December book will be Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese.
In this award-winning novel Saul Indian Horse is dying. Tucked away in a hospice high above the clash and clang of a big city, he embarks on a marvellous journey of imagination back through the life he led as a northern Ojibway, with all its sorrows and joys.
For Saul, taken forcibly from the land and his family when he's sent to residential school, salvation comes for a while through his gifts as a hockey player. But in the harsh realities of 1960s Canada, he battles racism and the spirit-destroying effects of cultural alienation and displacement.
Indian Horse unfolds against the bleak loveliness of northern Ontario, all rock, marsh, bog and cedar. Wagamese writes with a spare beauty, penetrating the heart of a remarkable Ojibway man.
Pick up your copy now, and plan to join the conversation!
ONCE A WEEK, EVERY WEEK
COMMUNITY LUNCH ... Mondays through Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. at Gordon Neighbourhood House. An opportunity for community members to enjoy a meal together, meet new people, and catch up with friends in a casual environment. On Mondays it’s a pay-what-you-can vegan hot dish (suggested donation $2). For Tuesdays and Thursdays, it’s a delicious three-course menu for $5. Wednesdays there’s a a pay-what-you-can Nourish Bowl. For more information contact welcome@gordonhouse.org or 604.683.2554.
FAMILY STORY TIME ... Tuesdays 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-schoolers and toddlers of all abilities to enjoy and learn together.
WEST END FAMILY PLACE … This successful program has now been expanded. West End families can play, learn and grow at Gordon Neighbourhood House. West End Family Place is a drop-in program for children and their parents or caregivers, featuring activities that promote healthy child development, including circle time with songs and stories, free play, and arts and crafts. Mondays everyone is welcome from 9 to 11:30 a.m. On Tuesdays it’s families only from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays are also everyone welcome from 9 to 11:30 a.m., with a families only afternoon session from 2 to 4 p.m. Fridays it’s families only from 9:30 to 11 a.m. And the first Saturday of each month is families only from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
WEST END WRITER’S CLUB … Wednesdays from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Barclay Manor. West End writers gather to share and critique their work. Includes all genres. Members don’t have to read at every meeting, just enjoy and participate in the discussion. Three free visits, after which there is an annual membership fee of $20.
FRIDAY NIGHTS FOR TEENS … from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Coal Harbour Community Centre (upstairs in the Multi-Purpose Room). Every week it’s something different, with activities for youth 13 - 18. Info at 604.718.8222.
PRE-TEEN NIGHT … Fridays from 6:15 to 8:45 p.m. at the West End Community Centre. A free program for youth ages 9 to 12. Participants are asked to fill out a waiver, which can be picked up at the WECC front desk.
NAR-ANON FAMILY GROUP … Fridays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Barclay Manor (Piano Room). A gathering for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone near and dear. Confidentiality and anonymity are respected.
Senior Moments …
Note that all West End Seniors’ Network (WEN) events, unless otherwise indicated, are for current WESN members. Passes for non-members are available at Barclay Manor reception. Annual membership is $10, a one-week pass is $5, and a day pass is $2. For information on all their programs and events visit their online newsletter here.
TEA WITH ANTHONY
Monday, December 2
1 to 2 p.m.
Barclay Manor
Register at 604.669.5051
Free
An opportunity to enjoy tea and conversation with West End Seniors' Network executive director Anthony Kupferschmidt. Discuss the issues impacting the organization and your life as a senior in the West End. Bring your questions, suggestions, and viewpoints -- they provide the tea and snacks. Registration required.
WEST END SENIORS’ NETWORK HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
Saturday, December 14
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Century Plaza Hotel / Burrard Room (1015 Burrard)
$15 for members
Tickets on sale at Barclay Manor and Kay’s Place
Celebrate the season with old friends and new at this annual get-together.
A PARTY FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY
Monday, December 16
Barclay Manor (1447 Barclay)
2 to 3 p.m.
Free
Reservations at 604-669-5051 or programs@wesn.ca
Are you a member of the West End Seniors’ Network ... and if you're a senior and aren't a member, why not? During the month of your birthday, you and a guest are invited to celebrate your special day with others whose birthday fall in the same month.
Join the party for tea, birthday cake and live music.
WEST END SENIORS’ COMMUNITY PLANNING TABLE
Friday, December 27
10 a.m. to 12 noon
St. Andrew’s Wesley Church (1018 Nelson)
Free
The monthly Seniors’ Community Planning Table is an opportunity for West End seniors, community organizations, and service providers to connect and share information and views on issues important to seniors in our community. Each month’s agenda includes updates on West End programs for seniors, a keynote speaker, and discussion on a topic of interest to West Enders.
For information on this or upcoming month’s topics and speakers, contact Sharon Isaak at isaaksharon@gmail.com or 604.880.2743.
THIS MONTH’S ENGAGEMENT QUESTION
What Was The Best Christmas Gift You Ever Received?
Every month the West End Senior’s Network ask a question that everyone is welcome to answer. These questions are meant to stimulate conversations, ignite ideas and bring the community together. To participate in this activity, come into Barclay Manor and write your response on the board at the front entrance. The monthly question can also be answered online:
The December Engagement Question: What was the best Christmas gift you received?
See all past engagement questions and the responses at: wesn.ca.
ONCE A WEEK, EVERY WEEK
SENIORS’ LOUNGE … Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at Gordon Neighbourhood House. An informal gathering where you can catch up with old friends, make new ones, and get to know the neighbours. There will be coffee, cookies, and conversations. Bring a joke and share a smile! Free.
AT THE MOVIES … Tuesdays and Fridays at 1:30 p.m. at Barclay Manor (Piano Room) West End Seniors’ Network hosts two movie series (no Monday movie this month). Free admission, with popcorn included! Find this month’s screening details in their online newsletter here.
