Gold River Buzz

Local(ish) Parenting Resources

Please note – these resources are all located in Campbell River. Services are free unless otherwise noted.

Hotlines

The Parenting Line at Family Services (250 287-2421). To help parents brainstorm about difficulties. Not a crisis line, but they do try to call back within 48 hours. (Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888; Aboriginal Crisis line: 1-800-558 8717)

If you are concerned your child may be suicidal – you can call the crisis nurse at Campbell River Hospital (250 850-2647) or you can call Child and Youth Mental Health (250 830-6500).

If you think your child is in immediate danger they should be taken directly to the ER.

Courses/Programs

Parenting Teens – The John Howard Society puts on a course based on the book Positive Discipline for Teenagers. A $20 fee includes the cost of the book. The next course runs on Tuesdays, October 19^th to November 23^rd from 6:30 to 8.30 p.m. Call Gary Hartford or Leigh Simms at 250 286-0611.

Parenting after separation or divorce – The Family Justice Centre puts on a three hour information session periodically. 877-202-1114 or 800-757-9406 for more info.

Laichwiltach Family Life Society programs – Call Nadine McGee for more information 250 286-3430 ext. 105. To attend you must have Aboriginal ancestry or be in relationship with an Aboriginal (partner, adopted/foster child, etc). For transportation, please call by 10 a.m.

Tuesday 11-12:30 Parent and tot group

Light snacks provided, transportation available upon request. Short topics relevant to parents and tots.

Tuesday 12:30-2:00 Community kitchen

Participants prepare and take home a nutritious serving of whatever is made for each person who is living in the home.

Wednesday 12-1:30 Parent and babe

Infant development, baby massage, pre/post natal information, (RN on site for questions 2x a month).

Thursday 11-12:30 Parent and tot

Light lunch provided, rides available upon request, topics change weekly.

Fridays 11-1 Parent and tot

Cooking group offered at the Gathering Place. Parents cook and prepare nutritious lunch, try out new recipes and take a meal home.

LIFE Seminars (Living in Families Effectively). Courses run regularly at CR Family Services. To register or for more information call Sandy (250-287-2421). Topics include: Understanding your kids – all about temperament, The push and pull toward independence, Raising a thinking child, How to make limits stick, Everyday challenges – homework, siblings, aggression. The parent support group meets the final Wednesday of each month from 6:30-8:00 pm. Group facilitators call families mid-month to discuss progress and problem-solve.

Parenting Through Times of Change for step-families and parents of blended families. Contact Sandy at Campbell River Family Services (250 287-2421) to find out when the next one runs.

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is a family support strategy designed to help parents improve their parenting skills and build positive relationships with their children. It has been well researched and shown to be effective. Materials and tip sheets to take home are provided. For info on the next program, please contact CR Public Health (250-850-2110) or CR Family Services (250-287-2421).

Moms and infant/toddlers drop-in at Family Services – 487 10^th Avenue. Call for info about the Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) at 250 287-2421.

Tuesdays: 11:30 to 1:30 Drop-in group for moms and infants – education, resources and referral.

Thursdays: 11:30 to 1:30 Drop-in for moms and toddlers (1-3) – education, resources and referral.

Fridays: 11:30 to 1:00 Interactive Play Group for moms and children ages 0-5.

Campbell River Young Parents’ Program – The CRYPP has four components: education, child care, support/outreach and health. The program operates out of Cari’s Infant and Toddler Centre on the grounds of Carihi Secondary and supports young parents as they work towards high school graduation. For more information or to book a brief informational presentation for your agency, please call Coordinator Gwen Bennett at 250-286-1193.

Support Groups

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. First Tuesday of each month from 10:00 to 11:30 am. 101-301 Dogwood St. Child friendly meeting room. Parents, Grandparents or extended family caring for children affected by FASD. For more info contact Mary Catherine Bellamy (250 203-0488).

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Meetings. Second Wednesday of the month from 10:00 – 11:30 am. 101-301 Dogwood Street. A monthly group for grandparents (or other relatives) who are caring for their Grandchildren (or family members). Join us for support, ideas and information, a cup of coffee or tea, a chance to share with others. This group is open to families with children of all ages. The meeting room is “child-friendly”. For more information, please contact Mary Catherine Bellamy Ph: 250-203-0488, email: maryc.bellamy@cradacl.bc.ca

Parenting support at Ann Elmore House. Women can phone 250-286-3666 and book a time to speak with Bonnie McGill (Child & Youth Counsellor) about any parenting issues they have. Appointments take place on Mondays and Thursdays between 1: 00 and 4:00.

Campbell River Community Autism Network. For information about networking and meeting times please contact Valerie Allemekinders at crcan@telus.net.

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GRMHA Fundraiser – Hockey Pool

Gold River Minor Hockey Association is doing an NHL Hockey Pool this year as a fundraiser, and I KNOW you’re all going to want in on it! (Right?)

If you’re already familiar with how a hockey pool works, please feel free to skip to the end, if not – read on! (Don’t feel bad – I had no idea either.)

First – you must pick up this form - hockeypool-grmh from the Gold River Deli, The Gold River Legion, Piper’s on the Ridge, Gold River Builders Supply, The Liquor Express or from Laura Brunning. (Or click the above link and download the pdf file and print at home.)

Second – fill out your form by picking one player from each of the 30 boxes on the form. (Don’t forget to put your name and contact info on the form too!)

Third – beg, borrow (don’t steal) $20 cash. (If you’re short on funds, the chocolate bar shelf directly below the counter at the Payless is always a good spot. Money from wallets and change purses always seems to land in and amongst the bars.)

Lastly, drop off your form and cash to Laura Brunning. (Address is in the new Telus phone book) Forms must be dropped off to Laura no later than October 6th.

Points are accumulated as one point per goal and one point per assist for each player you select until the end of regular season. (April 8th, 2012) No trades allowed.

Proceeds are as follows - 50% to GRMHA and the other 50% will be split 50/30/20 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in accumulated points.

Please contact Laura for more info. Good luck!

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Resident Spotlight – Philip Parkes

This resident spotlight features a man who is a wonderful asset to our town and our schools!

Philip is a passionate outdoorsman, traveler and educator, and generously shares his enthusiasm for life with the kids in our school district.

Your dedication to expand our children’s horizon’s while bringing them together is much appreciated!

How long have you lived in Gold River? What brought you here?

My affinity for the Gold River area started when I hiked the Nootka Trail and met a group of energetic and engaging kids from RWES on the Uchuck. I thought to my-self I want to live and work in this stunning area. So, in January 2009, I battled a snow storm to make an interview in Gold River for a “Teacher On Call” position. I remember vividly the persistent and worrying sound of slush and ice scraping the underside of my car, not to mention the snow plow in the ditch. Truth be told, I did not think my car would make it.

What do you do for (paid) work?

I run the Nootka Sound Outdoor Program (NSOP) for SD 84 – an outdoor program that introduces students to a variety of wilderness pursuits. The program allows students to explore a world of inquiry beyond the confines of the traditional classroom.

Please tell us about any volunteer work you do.

My fondest memories of high school are of the athletic teams and extracurricular activities in which I participated. As a result, I coach the track and field and soccer teams at GRSS. I love it – nothing better than mentoring and inspiring young athletes to achieve their best. I truly believe that success in sport, or whatever one puts their mind to, often translates to success in life. Apart from that I have coached the Jackrabbit ski program and masters ski program at Mt. Washington.

Please tell us a bit about your family.

I am the Black Sheep of the family, or a twinkle in my dad’s eye as some have put it. My brother and sister are at least a decade older than I. I don’t have any children of my own, but I am Crazy Uncle Philip to many of my friends’ children.

What do you wish Gold River had that it doesn’t? Is there anything missing for you?

Gold River has what many people desire – unparalleled nature and endless wilderness opportunities. City cravings and services are only an hour drive away!

And just for fun – if you had 1 million dollars to donate to the community in any way you wished – what would you do with the money?

I would build an Outdoor Education School/Centre and program – open to our community and international students. The program would deliver the BC school curriculum through experiential learning.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Big thanks to the students, parents, my colleagues, and business’ that have supported the Nootka Sound Outdoor Program. And thanks for asking me to be part of the BUZZ’s resident spotlight!

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Aquatic Centre Fall 2011

The Aquatic Centre’s Fall 2011 Program and Schedule are below and also now updated on the Maps/Extras page should anyone need to refer to them in the future.

(Click to enlarge in new window)

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Screening Mammography Service

Screening Mammography Service will be in Gold River October 12th & 13th at the Community Centre.

This service is for women ages 40 – 79 with no sign of a breast problem. You do not need a Doctor’s referral, simply call 1-800-663-9203 for an appointment.

When booking your appointment be sure to have the name of your health care provider handy. A health care provider may be your doctor, naturopath or a registered Nurse Practitioner. On the day of your appointment: please wear a two-piece outfit (you undress from the waist up) and do not wear perfume, deodorant or talcum powder. No doctor’s referral is needed and an appointment takes about 15 minutes.

Please share with your Gold River friends and family!

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Bake Sale

A Gold River resident will soon be undergoing major surgery, and will need help with travel expenses, prescriptions, etc.

Please come and show your support Thursday September 29th from 4:00 – 6:00pm in the Plaza. Bake some goodies, make a casserole and/or pick up something delicious to take home.

Baked donations can be dropped off the day of. Please contact Tracy Guss for more information.

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Christian Fellowship Church Sunday School

The Christian Fellowship Church is pleased to announce start up of Sunday school.

“What’s in the Bible? ” (from Veggie Tales creator, Phil Vischer) is being offered for children Preschool to Grade 5. Join us as we venture through the Bible in a whole new way. It is the story of God and what He’s done for us, told though puppets, animation, music and more.

“The Beat” for students, Grade 6 and up, interested in learning about music and participating in a weekly devotional. (f you have a hand drum, please bring it along)

Both sessions start September 18^th at 9:45 – 10:45AM at the Christian Fellowship Church, 600 Nimpkish Drive, Gold River. Info: (250) 283-7241

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Join a Book Club this Fall!

The Gold River Literacy Society hosts a monthly Book Club. We borrow book club sets from the library, read the books and get together to talk about what we’ve read.

Our current book is “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen. It was recently released as a motion picture and has been described as “a highly enjoyable, well-researched, somewhat romantic read that brings to life the era of the traveling circus and small town America during the Depression.” Check out http://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm?book_number=1826 for more reviews.

If you’d like to join us, stop by the GRLS Resource Centre, 121-396 Nimpkish Drive, on a Monday-Thursday morning or call 1-866-725-4790 to arrange to get a copy.

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Gold River Legion News

Weekly events are now back on at the Gold River Legion for the Fall!

Tuesdays: Darts Night – 7:00pm
Wednesdays: Poker Night – 7:00pm
Every other Thursday is Burger Night from 5:00 – 7:00pm with the next on September 29th.
Fridays: Meat Draw at 6:00pm and DJ music starting at 8:30pm.

Saturday Sept 24th is UFC 135, Jones vs. Rampage beginning at 6:00pm.

Please phone the Legion at 283-2516 for more information.

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GRMHA 2011 Practice Times & News

The 2011/12 Gold River Minor Hockey season will begin on Tuesday, September 19th!

Please don’t forget the combined bottle drive is on Monday Sept 19th – this is mandatory for all players unless the volunteer waiver has been signed.

GRMHA needs you to come out and become a Referee. Give back to GRMHA and support our local kids. Make a paycheque too! Please contact Jordan Weeks for more info.

Please also remember that children MUST be registered prior to stepping on the ice. They can not be at practice to skate unless they are registered and insured.

GRMHA 2011 PRACTICE TIMES

Monday 6:30 – 7:30 MIDGETS

Tuesday 6:00 – 7:00 NOVICE / MITES

7:00 – 8:00 ATOMS

Wednesday 6:30 – 7:30 PEEWEE

7:30 – 8:30 BANTAMS

Thursday 6:30 – 7:30 MIDGETS

If you have questions regarding registration, please contact Secretary/Registrar Barb Wilson.

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