CLUBS & GROUPS

Do you have concerns about falling? Have you restricted activities because of your concerns? A Matter of Balance is a free eight-week program starting on Wednesday, April 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at Ladner United Church. Call UVic Centre on Aging to register 604-946-1273.

There's an employment fair at the Ladner Community Centre, 4734-51st St., on
Thursday, April 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. Gary Hollick will be speaking about attitude at 2 p.m. and employers look forward to meeting you afterwards. Bring your resume and be prepared for possible interviews. Call Youth Works at 604-948-1911 for more information.

The Delta Women's Connection hosts a Honey of a Brunch at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn on Thursday, April 8 at 9:30 a.m. It costs $16 at the door. Tony Lovse of the Honeybee Centre and Veronica Lovell will be guests. Reserve with Elaine at 604-952-0151.

On April 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. the Tsawwassen Lawn Bowling Club is holding an Open House on its premises at the north side of Winskill Park (next to the artificial turf field). The club welcomes all those who would like to learn about the social sport of lawn bowls, and to see what else the TLBC has to offer. Call John at 604-943-9877 for more information.

The Ladner Lawn Bowling Club will hold an open house on Saturday, April 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 5128-47th Ave. Meet new friends, try the game and relax in the group's clubhouse. Everyone welcome.

A Food Gardens at Home workshop series will be held at the Boundary Bay Earthwise Garden, 6400-3rd Ave., Tsawwassen runs on April 10, 17 and 24 from noon to 1 p.m. and May 2 from 10 to 11 a.m. Cost: $20 per workshop, $75 for the series. Registration is required for all Earthwise workshops. RSVP to avoid disappointment. Contact Earthwise at 604-946-9828 or e-mail info@earthwisesociety.bc.ca to RSVP.

Cammidge House volunteers are doing their second weeding of the garden surrounding Cammidge House, in Boundary Bay Regional Park, on Monday, April 12. They will be meeting there at 10 a.m. and weeding for about two hours. At noon, light refreshments will be served in Cammidge House. Anyone interested is welcome to join them. Bring gloves and gardening tools if you have any. Contact Murray Hastings at 604-943-0828 for details.

Join members of Delta Nature on Monday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Cammidge House, Boundary Bay. Our guest speaker will be Kate Hatmeier. We are in the middle of Brant Geese migration and Kate will be speaking on their numbers, trends in migration, timing and their fattening on the way to the breeding grounds. Everyone is welcome. No cost. For more information, call Joanne at 604-946-2240.

Author Brian Brett will read from and talk about his newly published book Trauma Farm: A Rebel History of Rural Life at the Ladner Pioneer Library on Monday, April 12 from 7 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit the library or call 604-946-6215.

Canadian Mental Health Association Delta offers free, facilitated, Depression/Bipolar Support Group meetings for people with depression or symptoms of depression. Meetings are on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at 14-1835-56th St., Tsawwassen. Call 604-943-1878. Next meeting: Tuesday, April 13.

Delta District PAC, in partnership with CUPE is proud to present Dr. Paul Malette on April 13 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Delta Manor Education Centre located at 4750-57th St., Ladner. Dr. Malette will highlight the evidence-based practices of school wide positive behaviour support. All parents and staff of Delta school district are invited to attend. RSVP to deltadpac@deltasd.bc.ca by April 9.


Canadian Mental Health Association Delta offers free, facilitated, Family Support Group meetings for family and friends who are supporting a person living with a mental illness. Meetings are on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Education Room at Delta Hospital, 5800 Mountainview Blvd. Call 604-943-1878. Next meeting: Wednesday, April 14.

Join avid and casual birders for a Birds on the Bay/Delta Nature Event on Wednesday, April 14. We meet at 9 a.m. at Cammidge House in the Boundary Bay Park. We will have a 2.5-hour stroll through the beautiful regional park enjoying and identifying resident and migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors and smaller birds. Bring binoculars if you have them. No charge. For more information, call Tom at 604-940-9296.

The eighth annual Watershed Fish Release is on April 18 from noon to 2 p.m. Displays, crafts, participants release 25,000 chum fry at Watershed Park in North Delta. Visit www.corp.delta.bc.ca for more information.

Starting April 16, a Parent-Child Mother Goose program will be offered at the Ladner Pioneer Library and Tsawwassen Library in partnership with Boys and Girls Club Community Services of Delta/Richmond, and Child Care Options Resource and Referral. To register, visit the library or call 604-946-6215 (Ladner) or 604-943-2271 (Tsawwassen).

OWL's annual open house is on Saturday, April 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3800-72nd Ave., Delta. See eagles, falcons, hawks, owls and turkey vultures.

The Evergreen Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at Kinsmen House, 5050-47th Ave., Ladner. The April 20 speaker is Ingrid Hoff - insect/pest management. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. Visitors and new members always welcome.
Info: 604-940-0937.

The University Women's Club of South Delta is inviting applications from female students for $1,000 bursaries. To apply you must have the following qualifications: Female resident of South Delta and/or graduate of a South Delta High School (Ladner/Tsawwassen), 20 years of age or older and have completed Grade 12, registered at an accredited post-secondary institution. The application deadline is May 31, 2010. For applications, contact Caroline Becir at 604 943-4358 or via e-mail at cbecir@dccnet.com.

A Pregnancy Loss Support Group meets on the first Thursday of every other month in 2010 (Apr., June, Aug., Oct., Dec.) at 7 p.m. at 202-1624-56th St. Open to women who have experienced an early pregnancy loss to meet other women who have had a similar experience. Please do RSVP to confirm location, which may change based on the number of people attending. RSVP: Wendy Frasca, wendyfrasca@telus.net, 604-649-8843.

The Tsawwassen Tuesday Ladies Golf Club welcomes new members. Play Tuesday mornings until October. For more information call Rita at 604-535-0932 or Sandi at 604-943-4075.

The Tsawwassen Early Bird Golf Club for men over 55 years has membership openings. The group plays twice weekly Mondays and Thursdays until Oct. 18. Membership is $40, which includes windup luncheon. Call Rod at 604-943-7984 for more information or pick up a registration form at the Tsawwassen Golf Club pro shop.

Ambassador Toastmasters meets from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Fireside Room in the Tsawwassen Alliance Church
4951-12th Ave. Contact Vera at 604-943-4782 or veradtm@telus.net for more information.

Male volunteers urgently needed for Hospice Cottage Thrift Store in Tsawwassen. Day and evening shifts available. Call Sandy at 604-948-0660 ext. 333.

The DYSL Discoveries Thrift Store, 1308-56th St., Tsawwassen, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Visit www.dyslsociety.com.

The South Fraser Gogos meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome to hear what groups of Canadian grandmothers are doing to help African grandmothers left to look after their orphaned grandchildren on little to no resources. For more information contact Jesse Pringle at 604-946-1012 or gogojess@telus.net.

Ladner Business Association weekly meetings have moved to the Royal Canadian Legion #61, 4896 Delta St., Ladner. All members and those interested in our local business community - see you Thursdays at 8 a.m.

The Ladner Hub, 200-5000 Bridge St., Ladner, hosts the following: Drop in Programs Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m., Mother Goose on Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m., infant massage on Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m., infant signing on Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m. and Pebble Hill Elementary Drop in every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for more info call Umerath at 604-946-3933.

The Canadian Federation of University Women South Delta meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at Royal Oaks Clubhouse, 1100-56th St. at 7:15 p.m. With monthly guest speakers and interest groups, the Club is dedicated to the promotion of education & improvement of the status of women. New members are always welcome. Call Cheryl at 604-943-4634 or Anna at 604-943-0042.

The Delta Stamp Club meets every second and fourth Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. at the Tsawwassen Library. New members are always welcome. Call 604-940-3803 for more information.


Do you want to be a speaker people listen to? Do you want your presentations to be strong and convincing? Do you want to fill a room with laughter, and move a crowd to tears? Do you want to participate and learn in a supportive club atmosphere? Then join Deltones Toastmasters in Ladner every second and fourth Wednesday from 7:15 to 9 p.m. at the Fraser Health Unit (beside Delta municipal hall). Call David at 604-946-4048 for more information or visit deltonestoastmasters.ca.

Are you new to Canada and a youth looking to succeed in school, work and life? YOUTH-CAN! - a free program in Surrey and Delta is now accepting referrals. If you are between the ages of 15-25 and have lived in Canada for five years or less and are a permanent resident of Canada or awaiting permanent resident status, YOUTH-CAN! staff will support and train you to help you reach your goals. For more information call 604-501-6850 or e-mail youthcan@options.bc.ca.

The Knitting Sisters Group makes hats, scarves, laprobes, slippers, and baby items to donate to cancer patients, sick children, homeless and other worthy causes. If you would like to help knit/crochet; donate yarn; or be a sponsor contact Alice at 604-946-3060 or agisborne@dccnet.com. Visit www.user.dccnet.com/agisborne for more information.

Delta Potters are accepting new members. To register for the coming year contact Carole Clancey at 604-943-5987. For more information visit deltapotters.com.

Learn techniques of meditation and mindfulness which have been handed down through generations with teacher Lama Tsultrum every Wednesday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at 120 North Tsawwassen Dr., Delta. The class is good for beginners to advanced. Call 604-943-1182 to sign up. There is limited seating.

Stories at Sharkey's is a support group for writers and storytellers. Any genre, fiction or non-fiction, poetry. Everyone welcome. It's at Sharkey's Restaurant on the third Thursday of the month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. For more information, e-mail info@agentstory.net.

Gateway Society, Services for Persons with Autism has been providing outreach and residential services to adults and children throughout the province for 31 years from our base in Ladner. The group is looking for volunteers to sit on its Board of Directors. Accounting, business, legal or fundraising experience would be particularly valuable. Contact Barbara Baydala at 604-946-0401 for further information.

Delta Deas Rowing Club is offering interested youths and adults an opportunity to learn to row. This is your chance to try a great sport. For more information call 604-946-3074 or visit www.deltadeas.com.

Free Parent Support group: Parent Support Circles are a free, bi-weekly, confidential parent gathering with a focus on parenting children with ADHD or behaviour challenges. They are led by trained facilitators and held every second Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Reach Child and Youth Development Society, 3- 3800-72nd St., Ladner (off Hwy 10). To register call Lisa at 604-946-6622 ext.342 or e-mail lisaw@reachdevelopment.org or call Bella at 604-569-3110 or e-mail at office@parentsupportbc.ca.

The Tsawwassen Writing Group meets every second and fourth Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Tsawwassen Library. Admission is free. Limited seating. For more information call Belle Curd at 604-948-5441.

Want to improve your communication skills? Be more effective in meetings?
Get your point across more concisely? Then come visit the Ambassadors Club and learn how membership can help you succeed. The group meets at the Tsawwassen Alliance Church, 4951-12th Ave., Tsawwassen in the Fireside Room Every first, second and third Tuesday of each month at 7:15 p.m. For more information, contact Donna Makelki at: 604-948-5443 or dmakelki@telus.net.

Moments for Moms, a morning out for moms in the community to be encouraged as a parent, meets at the South Delta Baptist Church every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. Contact South Delta Baptist Church at 604-943-8244 to attend. For more information contact Donna Makelki at 604-948-5443 or dmakelki@telus.net.

The Rotary Club of Tsawwassen meets every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at Beach Grove Golf Club.

The Canadian Cancer Society is in need of volunteer drivers in the Ladner/Tsawwassen area to take cancer patients to and from their cancer treatments in Vancouver and Surrey. We reimburse for mileage. You must provide a drivers abstract and have proof of insurance to apply. For more information contact Linda Kelly at lkelly@bc.cancer.ca or by phone at 604-533-1668.

Abreast in a Boat is the world's first breast cancer survivor dragon boat team. The group is dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness and demonstrating that there is life after diagnosis. The group is always looking for new members. If you would like more information visit www.abreastinaboat.com or e-mail Bunny at newmembers@abreastinaboat.com.


Book club - new members welcome. Meetings are on the last Thursday of the month.
Interesting and current fiction read and discussed. Call Bev at 778-230-8753 for more information.

The Delta Rock and Gem Club meets every third Monday of the month at the South Delta Recreation Centre. Meetings are at 7:30 p.m. There are educational programs and workshops. For more information call 604-943-4568.

Boundary Bay I.O.D.E., a ladies Canadian charity organization, meets the second Tuesday evening each month. New members welcome. For information contact June Langsford at 604-943-2296.

Delta Chess Club welcomes players of all abilities for games on Thursday at 7 p.m. at South Delta Library. Contact Chris Ludwig at 604-275-4762.


SENIORS

Celebrate the season at the Spring Luncheon to be held at KinVillage, 5430-10th Ave., Tsawwassen on Friday, April 9. Entertainment will be provided by Teresa Harbott for the event which starts at noon. Tickets are on sale at the centre for $11 (members) and $13 (non-members). Menu includes meatloaf with gravy, spring greens salad and lemon cream cake. Please advise if vegetarian menu required at time of ticket purchase. Licensed premises. Call 604-943-0225 for further information.

Finding Your Way, a housing workshop for seniors is on Thursday, April 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ladner Pioneer Library. For more information, visit the library or call 604-946-6215.

South Delta Senior Travel is having a casino bus trip on April 16 to Edgewater Casino. Tickets cost $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Tickets at KinVillage Community Centre and McKee House.

Open to all members of the community! Plan to attend Age Friendly Communities, a free seminar hosted by ElderCollege Delta in association with Simon Fraser University and moderated by Coun. Anne Peterson. View this timely video/ panel presentation and participate in the discussion to follow. Saturday, April 17 at Cedar Park Church, Ladner, from 10 a.m. to noon. To assist with planning, register at 604-943-0262 by April 15.

There's a South Delta Seniors Travel trip to Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino on Friday, May 7. It costs $39 for members and $41 for non-members. Includes dinner at the clubhouse. Tickets are at KinVillage and McKee House.

Singles over 60 Friendship Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. If you are on your own, why not join us for fun and friendship. We have lunches, dine out or join our walking group, book club or special events. For more information call Janet at 604-943-4296 or Joe at 604-943-3317.

The new spring 2010 instructional program guide is available at McKee Seniors Recreation Centre. Classes in art, computers, crafts (card making), dance, fitness and life learning (bridge, piano, snooker and Spanish).

For those who missed ElderCollege Delta's public registration, there are still spaces available for the spring 2010 semester in the following courses: Word Processing for Beginners; Using Your Laptop for Digital Photography; Computer for Beginners Level 2 (Files and Folders); History-Conversations on Canadian Visionaries; The Joys of Poetry; Opera; Ukulele; Beginners Spanish; Personal Estate Planning; Quality Sleep-What's Normal What's Not; Reiki; and Light Indian Cooking. For more information or to register by phone, call 604-943-0262.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Community is invited to a spring fair at Neilson Grove Elementary on Friday, April 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be carnival games, bouncy castles, cake walks, gift basket raffles, used book, VHS and DVD sale, M&M Meats barbecue, interactive reptile display and much more.

The eighth annual Watershed Fish Release is on April 19 from noon to 2 p.m. Displays, crafts, participants, release 25,000 chum fry at Watershed Park in North Delta. Visit www.corp.delta.bc.ca.

FUND RAISERS

United Entertainers Society presents Once Upon a Time, Happily Never After, written and directed by Ted Hubert, on April 9 at 7:30 p.m., April 10 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Genesis Theatre, 5005-45th Ave., Ladner. Tickets cost $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Call 604-946-9949.

Beach Grove School, 5955-17A Ave., has a garage sale on April 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a Broiler King barbecue raffle, bake sale and much more.

Books, Bags & Buns - Join the South Fraser Gogos on Saturday, April 17 between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ladner United Church, 4960-48th Ave., Ladner. We will be offering a selection of good quality used books and an assortment of unique creations including our signature tote bags. Net proceeds from the sale of books and gift items will be donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign. Lunch available for small price with proceeds going to the Ladner United Church Building Fund. For information, call Avril at 604-946-8402.

Ladner Elementary has a Spring Carnival on Friday, April 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. Used book sale, plant sale, reptile room, food, games, raffle and much more.

The Ladner Lawn Bowling Club invites you to their annual Garage, Plants and Bake Sale on Saturday, May 1 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5128-47th Ave., Ladner. Drop by and enjoy a fresh scone and cup of coffee or tea while selecting plants for your garden, home baked goods for your family and you just might find that special item that you can't live without.

The University Women's Club of South Delta and the Delta Arts Council are jointly sponsoring the fundraiser Once Loved Art Sale to provide scholarships and bursaries for local women students. The group is requesting donations of artwork such as oils, watercolours, reproductions, sculptures and other framed or unframed pieces that can be sold at the sale to be held on May 7 and May 8 at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre on 1172-56th St., Tsawwassen. For pick-ups or more information, call Olga (604-943-3923) or Caroline (604-943-4358). Donations can be dropped off until April 30 at South Delta Secondary School (750-53rd St., Tsawwassen) and Delta Secondary School (4615-51st St., Ladner).

Delta Secondary Dry Grad 2010 is running a wild salmon fundraiser. A nine-pound case of sockeye costs $120. Boneless, vac-pac fillets are approximatley half a pound each. For information or to place an order, contact Lisa Bridge at 778-552-5600.


ARTS

Upcycling art classes for youth are at DYSL on the first Wednesday of each month from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Upcycling is using items that have been donated. Contact the store at 604-948-0108 to register or drop by the DYSL Discoveries Thrift Store at 1308-56th St., Tsawwassen.

Happening until April 25 the South Delta Artists' Guild presents Bold Strokes. This art show says stop and look at me! All works are for sale and may be enjoyed at the Tsawwassen Longhouse Gallery located on the southeast corner of 18th Avenue and 56th Street. Visit from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Thursday through Sunday. For information on upcoming shows and workshops visit: southdeltaartistsguild.com.

Delta Sings, under the direction of John Trepp, will be performing two concerts in Ladner and Tsawwassen in May. Sharing the Joy of Music is on Friday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at All Saints Anglican Church in Ladner and on Saturday, May 8 at 8 p.m. at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre. Tickets will be available at the door at a price of $10. For more information contact Cyril at 604-946-9124.


The Delta Music Makers Community Band is looking for all players, but particularly low brass: trombone, baritone horn, French horn and tuba. This 50-piece concert band rehearses at Delta Secondary School, Ladner, on Tuesday evenings, 7:15 to 9:45 p.m. All musicians on any instrument may contact music director Curt Jantzen about joining at cjband@telus.net or 604-946-2309, or assistant music director Margaret Behenna at mbehenna@dccnet.com. High school experience or equivalent is helpful but not required. The Delta Music Makers provide a warm welcome to those who have not picked up their horn for a while. We balance serious rehearsing with lots of fun and socializing.

A new volunteer band is looking for members. Men and women 18 and over are welcome. Uniforms are provided. Contact Don at 604-946-8130.


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The Coming Events column is published every Wednesday as a community service. If you have a non-profit event, mail, drop off, fax, or e-mail (events@delta-optimist.com) the details to the Optimist by 3 p.m. Monday. Submissions are subject to space limitations (no phone calls, please).