– by Doreen Marion Gee –
Please visit respective venue websites for further programming and registration information.
September 6: Sea Shirt Sunday
Get creative with ‘fishy’ art, putting your marine pictures on a T-shirt, pillowcase or cloth bag. All ages. Sunday, 1 – 3p.m. Admission cost plus $2.00 per item for fabric paint. Small selection of white shirts available to buy at the Centre. Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. www.oceandiscovery.ca. 250-665-7511.
September 10 to October 22: Good Morning Rhymetime
Tiny tots can come with Mom or Dad to the library for songs, stories, rhymes and movement. Up to 5 yrs. Thursdays, 10.15 – 11 a.m. Also November 19 to December 17. Drop in. Free. Sidney/North Saanich Library. www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich. 250-656-0944.
September 13: Autumn Splendour
All ages will enjoy a beautiful guided walk through Autumn woodlands with a CRD Naturalist along Elsie King Loop trail in Francis/King Regional Park. Sunday, 1 – 2.30 p.m. Free. Meet at the Francis/King Nature Centre off Munn Road. www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails/crd-regional-parks/events. 250-478-3344.
September 20 (Sunday): Kraft Hockeyville Celebrations
Celebrate the NHL Pre-Season Hockey Game (at the Q Centre) with a big party the day before at Panorama Recreation Centre parking lot. Road hockey, face-painting. Panorama will be presenting the game on September 21. Contact www.panoramarec.ca for more details. 250-656-7271.
September 23 to November 25: Tumbling Tutus & Jazz Combo
Creative and fun-filled classes for tiny dancers who will learn basic ballet steps and dance movements with tumbling, rhythm and song. 4 – 6 yrs. Weds, 3.30 – 4.15 p.m. 10/$87. Panorama Recreation Fitness Studio. Register: www.panoramarec.ca. 250-656-7271.
September 25 to November 27: LEGO® Stories
Everybody loves LEGO. Make something special with lots of LEGO blocks to play with at the library. Each time kids will explore a different theme. Age 5 yrs+. Fridays: Sep 25, Oct 9, Nov 13, Nov 27. 3.30 – 4.30 p.m. Sidney/North Saanich Library. Free but register: sidney@virl.bc.ca. 250-656-0944. www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich.
September 29 to December 15: Drama Explorers
A supportive and nurturing class for little thespians who love to dress up and make believe. Role playing, story theatre and creative play. 6 – 8 yrs. Tuesdays, 3.15 – 4.15 p.m. 12/$200. Greenglade Community Centre, Room #5. Register: www.panoramarec.ca. 250-656-7271.
October 6 & ongoing Tuesdays: Tot Tuesday
Kids learn about the wonders of the sea with ocean-themed stories, crafts and activities. New theme each week from Turtle Time to Squishy Squids. Children must be with parent or adult. 3 – 5 yrs. Tuesdays, 10.30 a.m. Registration not required. Cost of admission, annual passes accepted. Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. www.oceandiscovery.ca. 250-665-7511.
October 9 to 30: Budding Biologists
These classes for children will shape future environmentalists with hands-on, inquiry-based learning, centring on marine and coastal ecosystems. Great for K-Grade 2 homeschoolers. Fridays, 9.30 – 11.30am. 4/$75. Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. www.oceandiscovery.ca. 250-665-7511.
October 14 to 23: Weight Training for Teens
Teens can get in great shape, learn how to use the weight room equipment and work on a strength program designed just for them. After course completion, teens can access other weight rooms in other centres. 13 – 19 yrs. Wednesdays & Fridays, 3.30 – 5 p.m. 4/$45. Panorama Recreation Weight Room. Register: www.panoramarec.ca. 250-656-7271.
October 18 to 24: Teen Read Week – Get Away @ Your Library
Calling all teens. Leave the ‘same old, same old’ behind and escape with a good book. Read, write, win prizes all week long. 13 – 18 yrs. Free. Sidney/North Saanich Library. www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich. 250-656-0944.
October 23: Science-Sea Day
Celebrate National Science and Technology Week with a day of science experiments (perhaps a dissection?), science journal-making, demonstrations and activities hosted by the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. All ages. Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission cost, annual passes accepted. www.oceandiscovery.ca. 250-665-7511.
October 23: Archaeology Afternoon
Be Indiana Jones, an archaeology detective, unlocking past secrets with Chris Mundigler from UVic. Slides, activities. 7 – 12 yrs. Friday, 1.30 – 3 p.m. Free but register: sidney@virl.bc.ca. 250-656-0944. www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich.
October 25: ARTrageous Class – Batik Landscapes
Little Picassos will discover a world of wild colours & messy mediums. Take home your own special work of art. Supplies provided. 6 – 12 yrs. Sun 9.30 – 11 a.m. $12. Greenglade Community Centre Room #7. Register: www.panoramarec.ca. 250-656-7271.
November 1: Sea Shirt Sunday
Get creative with ‘fishy’ art, putting your marine pictures on a T-shirt, pillowcase or cloth bag. All ages. Sunday, 1 – 3 p.m. Admission cost plus $2.00 per item for fabric paint. Small selection of white shirts available to buy at the Centre. Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. www.oceandiscovery.ca. 250-665-7511.
November 5 to December 17: Active Start
This valuable program teaches physical literacy skills that will help keep kids active for life. They learn running, jumping, throwing and balance through games and play. 3 – 4 yrs. Thursdays, 3.15 – 4 p.m. 7/$46. Greenglade Community Centre Gymnasium. Register: www.panoramarec.ca. 250-656-7271
November 6 to December 18: Mermaid School
Just like magic, you can be a mermaid in the water. Have fun with mermaid tails, games and swimming techniques. Children must be able to swim at least 15m without assistance and tread water for 15 seconds. 8 – 12 yrs. Fridays, 4 – 5 p.m. 7/$77. Panorama Recreation Centre. Register: www.panoramarec.ca. 250-656-7271.
November 12: Trickster Tales – Puppet Show
What is more exciting than watching the antics of puppets! Meet ‘Anansi’ and ‘Raven’ and other famous legendary tricksters at this special puppet show. All ages. Thurs, 10.30 – 11.15 a.m. Sidney/North Saanich Library. Free but register: sidney@virl.bc.ca. 250-656-0944. www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich.
November 13: Babysitting Training
Hey Teens, take this babysitting training designed by the Canada Safety Council and earn your own money. It covers child development, responsibilities, safety, games. 11 – 15 yrs. Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. $60. Greenglade Community Centre Room #8. Register: www.panoramarec.ca. 250.656.7271.
November 18: Bubble Makers
Introduction to scuba diving for children, in shallow water, with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors’ Bubblemaker experience. Learn basic skills and then start blowing bubbles. Half hour of free play at “Everyone Welcome” swim after class. 8 – 12 yrs. Wed 5 – 6 p.m. $35. Panorama Recreation Centre. Register: www.panoramarec.ca. 250.656.7271.
November 25: Teen Pizza Party
Adventurous teens are needed by the Sidney/North Saanich Library. 13 – 18 yrs. Wednesday, 4 – 5.30 p.m. Library staff will be searching for teens to enjoy a pizza party and talk about the library. Contact: sidney@virl.bc.ca. 250-656-0944. www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich.
