WED. JAN. 1
• INAUGURAL JOHN DOUGLAS MEMORIAL POLAR BEAR SWIM at John Douglas Park at tiipis (formerly known as Canal Beach). Registration opens at noon and the race for the water will start at 1 p.m.
SAT. JAN. 4
• TREE-CYCLE at the Echo Centre rear parking lot (entrance off 10th Avenue). 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your Christmas tree to be chipped and mulched by donation, with proceeds going to KidSport.
TUE. JAN. 7
• JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY Author Gwynne Hunt’s drop-in writing group encourages spoken word, poetry, performance art, monologues and more. Group will meet the first and third Tuesday of the month starting Jan. 7, 2025, 6:45 p.m. in the upstairs lounge at the Capitol Theatre. Doors lock at 7 p.m. Free admission.
WED. JAN. 8
• CANADIAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND meets at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at Abbeyfield (downstairs meeting room at the back of the building) All low vision and blind individuals are invited to come out for support and connection. FMI: Jenn Collette, 250-240-1738.
JAN. 9-11
• TOTEM 69 Annual basketball tournament returns to the ADSS Gym. The ADSS Senior Girls kick things off on Thursday with a 5 p.m game vs. Kwalikum. Admission is $10 per day for adults (18 and up) and $5 per day for ages 5-17. Kids under the age of 5 get in for free.
SAT. JAN. 18
• WINTER ROCKFEST at the Kinsmen Community Centre. 19+ event. Featuring Bad Medicine (Bon Jovi Tribute), Barracuda (Heart Tribute), Rock or Burst (AC/DC Tribute) and Eagle Eyes (Eagles Tribute). Tickets at fiveacre.tickit.ca.
SUN. JAN. 19
• WINTER FILM FEST kicks off with “The Fabulous Four” at Landmark Cinemas Paramount Theatre. 5 p.m. Tickets and series passes available at the Alberni Valley Museum.
SAT. FEB. 8
• SEEDY SATURDAY at the Echo Centre (4255 Wallace Street). 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hosted by Alberni Valley Food Security Society. Informative speakers, children’s activities, a seed exchange table and plenty of vendors. FMI: www.avfood.ca/events.
THU. FEB. 13
• MAGGIE’S GETTING MARRIED opens at the Capitol Theatre. The hit romantic comedy written by Norm Foster. 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at www.atthecapitol.org.
ONGOING
• JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY In Search of Happily Ever After, author Gwynne Hunt’s drop-in writing group meets the first and third Tuesday of the month from January to May, 6:45 p.m. in the upstairs lounge at the Capitol Theatre. Doors lock at 7 p.m. Free admission.
• GOLDEN OLDIES CAR CLUB meets on the first Thursday of each month upstairs at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 293 (Victoria Quay) at 7 p.m. New members welcome. No need to have a car — just an interest in vehicles.
• WESTERN VANCOUVER ISLAND INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE CENTRE at 3250A Ninth Ave. (behind the curling club) is open to visitors Monday to Friday from 9–11 a.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tours by appointment: call 250-724-5509 to book.
• ALBERNI VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m. in the basement room at Abbeyfield House (3839 Eighth Ave. at Redford Street). All levels of photographers welcome. Membership required. FMI: Steve or Lorna Crowshaw, 250-723-6901.
• JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP for Grades 3-7 in the Upper Clubhouse at Arrowsmith Baptist Church (4283 Glenside Rd). Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Have fun playing games, making friends and exploring faith.
• SKYSONG COMMUNITY CHOIR meets at Char’s Landing every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. Everyone welcome. ON HIATUS until February 2025.
• GRIEF CARE meets Sundays at 2 p.m. at Southside Church of the Nazarene (4190 Victoria Drive). Call 250-918-5830.
• CANADIAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND meets at 10 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Abbeyfield (downstairs meeting room at the back of the building). FMI: Jenn Collette 250-240-1738.
• TOPS (TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY) MEETINGS Tuesdays at the Royal Canadian Legion (Victoria Quay). 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• SPIRIT SQUARE FARMER’S MARKET every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Harbour Quay.
• ALBERNI VALLEY COIN CLUB meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of every month in Craft Room A of Echo Centre (4255 Wallace St.). FMI: Carl ph. 250-723-9891.
• ALBERNI VALLEY ROCK AND GEM CLUB meets the first Sunday of the month, 2 p.m. at the clubhouse, 5100 Tebo Ave. (Club’s workshop is open to members Mondays 7–10 p.m. and Wednesdays 1–4 p.m. FMI: Les Bontron, 250-724-1564.
• ELECTRIC MERMAID A monthly live reading event at Char’s Landing. Last Wednesday of every month. Visit www.charslanding.com for the Zoom link for the event. Anyone who would like to read their own work can sign up at ElectricMermaidReads @gmail.com.
