CLUBS AND GROUPS

Does your son or daughter have a favourite stuffed animal? Have your child bring "Teddy" or "Fuzzy" to your local Delta library to register for the Stuffed Animal Pet Parade happening at Storytime on Aug. 12 at both Ladner Pioneer Library (2 to 3 p.m.) and Tsawwassen Library (11 a.m. to noon). Space is limited. Registration is required. This program is aimed at children ages 2- to 5-years-old.

There's a Teen Pizza and Games Night at the Ladner Pioneer Library, 4683-51 St., on Thursday, Aug. 19, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. For ages 12 to 19. Registration is required. Visit or call the information desk at 604-946-6215.

The first Rainbow Family Brunch was fantastic and up next will be a picnic. It will be on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Park gazebo (near the water park). South Delta Rainbow Families is a social group of same-sex partners and their families; singles; male and female couples from Ladner or Tsawwassen. Come for a picnic in the park and meet your neighbours.

The South Delta Basketball Association is inviting artists and graphic designers to submit entries for a new logo for the group by Aug. 31. Submit a pdf to info@southdeltabasketball.org or drop one off to Sublime Art Supplies and Gallery in Tsawwassen. The winning design gets a $100 gift card to Sublime (or cash). Visit southdelta.snyb.ca for more information.

Are you responsible for the care of a family member or friend with a chronic illness or problems related to aging? Delta Caregivers' Network is offering a six-week education and support group starting Thursday, Sept. 9 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. once a week for six weeks. Cost is $25. Subjects covered include caregiver stress, communication techniques, role and lifestyle changes, accessing and using community resources, and legal and financial issues. To register call Laurie Pettman at 604-943-3921 or the Centre for Supportive Care at 604-948-0660.

Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary is accepting volunteer applications. Be a part of this highly skilled group of men and women that provides a service to the community by performing marine search and rescue. All new members are provided with in-depth training and all abilities are welcome. Visit deltasar.bc.ca for more information.

The Canadian Cancer Society Volunteer Driver program in Ladner/Tsawwassen is in need of more volunteer drivers to take patients to and from their treatment. Training and dispatch are provided. Time commitments are flexible. If you are interested in further information contact Linda Kelly, practical support co-ordinator at 604-533-1668 ext. 305 or e-mail lkelly@bc.cancer.ca.

Do you want to learn the art of public speaking and leadership skills with a fun, safe and supportive group for $8 per month? Tsawwassen's own Ambassadors Toastmasters Club has been serving the community for 10 years doing just that. Join us on the first and third Tuesday of each month at our new location: Tsawwassen Public Library, 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. Contact Godfrey Nash, VP public relations, 604-948-9996, e-mail: godfrey@ambassadorstoastmasters.org. Visit www.AmbassadorsToastmasters.org for more information.

Would you like to practice your English skills in a social setting? The Tsawwassen Library invites new members to drop by every Friday morning to share ideas, meet people from your community with similar interests and practice English. For more information about this free program, visit or call 604-943-2271.

A Pregnancy Loss Support Group meets on the first Thursday of every other month in 2010 (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 Knitting Sisters Group makes hats, scarves, laprobes, slippers, and baby items to donate to cancer patients, sick children, homeless and other worthy causes. Drop-in sessions at McKee House are on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. 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.

Reach Developmental Preschools in Ladner and North Delta are accepting registration for their fall programs. Reach preschool provides learning experiences that encourage each child to reach their full potential. All teachers are ECE and special needs certified. To register or for more information call 604-946-6622 ext. 308.

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.

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.

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.

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

There's a 45 and up butlers and French maids theme and costume dance with the Grand Star Band and Kenny Rich on Saturday, Aug. 14 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the KinVillage Community Centre, 5430-10th Ave., Tsawwassen. There will be $25 prizes for best butler and best French maid costume. Admission is $19 and includes a free swing dance lesson from 7 to 8 p.m., all-night snacks, coffee/tea/lemonade and a late night sandwich and salad buffet. Tickets will be available at the door. For information or group reservations call Joy at 778-938-5702.

South Delta Seniors Travel presents a mystery trip on Wednesday, Oct. 6. It costs $55 for members and $60 for non-members. Lunch and gratuities are included. Tickets are sold at KinVillage Centre (Monday to Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and McKee Seniors Recreation Centre (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) Ticket deadline: Aug. 27.

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.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Tsawwassen Legion hosts an event on Saturday, Aug. 14 to mark the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. It starts at 1 p.m. at 22-1835-56th St. There's no admission cost.

Delta Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop, 4816 Delta St., Ladner, has a collectible sale on Wednesday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop our unique one of a kind items: high quality artwork, pottery, silverware, china, linens, jewelry and furniture plus decorative and unusual objects of all kinds. Come early for the best selection. All proceeds go towards medical equipment and patient comforts at Delta Hospital. Call 604-946-1455 for more information.

FUND RAISERS

A Day in the Garden Fundraiser for Delta Hospice is on Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission by donation. Tour maps can be picked up at the Hospice Cottage Thrift Store in Tsawwassen, the Harold & Veronica Centre for Supportive Care in Ladner, Thrifty Foods, Ladner Village Hardware, Open Space Yoga. For more information, to make a donation or to volunteer in the gardens, contact Kristina Linder at kristinalinder@yahoo.ca or call 604-946-3758. There will also be a Heart of Ladner Night Market fundraiser on Aug. 14, from 4 to 9 p.m., on Delta Street in Ladner Village to benefit the Delta Hospice Society.

ARTS

Please join us for the third annual Summer Music & Arts festival to be held at the Boys and Girls Club in Ladner on Saturday, Aug 21 at noon and sponsored by West Coast Community Church. We will be featuring performances by local musicians ranging in style from classical to a punk-pop. There will be an art gallery featuring paintings and photos by local artists, we will also have woodcarving by a local wood carver and you can try your hand at pen making with the Ladner Woodworkers club. There will be crafts and activities, including story time for the kids. Come and enjoy coffee and homebaked cookies while being entertained by talented musicians.

The annual juried art show Oil & Water is running until Aug. 28. It is presented by the South Delta Artists' Guild and includes work from many accomplished artists both local and from the Lower Mainland. 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 8 p.m. on Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For information on upcoming shows and workshops visit: http://southdeltaartistsguild.com.

Do you love to make music, sing, dance, or act? If you are 25 years and under, come share your talent and audition for the 2010-2011 season of the Young People's Concert Series. Auditions will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre. We're looking for outstanding solos or small ensembles to perform in the exciting series which will run from October 2010-May 2011. Book your audition time today at 604-720-3392 or contact jones-inc@telus.net.

Kinvillage Community Center is now booking vendors for their 11th Annual

Christmas and Family Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more info or to book a table e-mail Jodi at thepeacefulchild@gmail.com or call 604-948-2820.

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.

Men and women are needed for a marching band. Uniform is provided. Contact Don at 604-946-8130.

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.

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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).