Deadline Friday 10:00am for Wednesday’s ­publication.
To advertise your not-for-profit community event, send it to Carol Heimpel, Elmira Indepen­dent, P.O. Box 128, Elmira, N3B 2Z5; fax to 669-5928; or email to: cheimpel@elmiraindependent.com (please put Out ‘N’ About in the subject line).

WOOLWICH COMMUNITY
HEALTH CENTRE (WCHC)
10 Parkside Dr., St. Jacobs, 664-3794. Program info can be found on our website, www.wchc.on.ca

Caregiver Coffee Hour
Tues., Jan. 5, 10-11:30am. At Chateau Gardens in Elmira. The Alzheimer Society and Woolwich Hospice are your hosts. Topic for the meeting is “Disability Tax Credit & Medical Expense” by Sharon Mercier from K-W Tax Services. For more info contact Lorraine at WCHC 519-664-3794.

Wellesley Township
Caregiver Group
Wed., Jan. 6, 2-3:30pm. Wellesley Township Community Health Centre. Topic is “Dealing with Change and Loss.” Call Lorraine at WCHC 519-664-3794 or reception 519-656-9025 to register.

H.U.G.S. Program
Fri., Jan. 8, 9:15-11:45am. For parents and their children (0-5yr). Topic: Raising Healthy Kids.

Registration forms for the following fitness sessions are now available at WCHC. Please register before December 31, 2009. For more information call Joy at 519-664-3534 ext. 230.

Body Fit Morning Classes
Jan. 11-Mar. 10, 2010 (22 classes for $66).

Body Fit Evening Classes
Jan. 12-Mar. 11, 2010 (18 classes for $54).

FUNdamental Fitness
Jan. 12-Mar. 11, 2010 (18 classes for $54).

Gentle Moves
Jan. 11-Mar. 8, 2010 (8 classes for $24).

Gentle Step Toward Fitness
Jan. 12- Mar. 9, 2010 (9 classes for $27).

Better Bones Monday Morning
Jan. 11-Mar. 8, 2010 (8 classes for $24).

Better Bones Wednesday Morning
Jan. 13-Mar. 10, 2010 (9 classes for $27).

Better Bones Monday evening
Jan. 11-Mar. 8, 2010 (8 classes for $24).

Pilates
Tuesday, 1-2pm-Jan. 12-Mar. 9, 2010 (9 classes for $54).

Pilates
Tuesday, 5:45-6:45pm-Jan. 12-Mar. 9, 2010 (9 classes for $54).

Pilates
Thursday-Jan. 14-Mar. 11, 2010 (9 classes for $54).
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ELMIRA SENIORS CENTRE
The Elmira Seniors Centre is now located in the Woolwich Memorial Centre. Office open on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. 519-669-5044 for info.
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Youth Centre Extends Hours
for the Holidays
24 Snyder Ave. South, Woolwich Memorial Centre. The youth centre is going to be open over the winter holidays and have extended hours. We will be open Tuesday and Wednesday from 2pm-10pm. We will be closed from 5-6pm for a dinner hour. If we see you great and if we don’t have a wonderful holiday and see you in 2010. For more info, contact Karyn or Tiffany at the Youth Centre 519-669-3539 or by e-mail woolwichyouthcentre@hotmail.com

Indoor Market
Saturdays, 9am-2pm. Closed Sat., Dec. 26. Downstairs at 10 Church St. W., Elmira.

Christmas Eve Choir Service
Thurs., Dec. 24, 7pm. Elmira Mennonite Church. Freewill offering to support House of Friendship, Shalom Counseling Service and Woolwich Community Services.

Women’s and Men’s Intermediate Level Sledge Hockey exhibition game
Wed., Dec. 30, 2pm. Woolwich Memorial Centre, McLeod ice pad. Help support sledge hockey in Woolwich by attending this free event.

Elmira Legion is Hosting
New Years Eve Dance
Thurs., Dec. 31, Doors open 8pm. Music by D.J. 9pm to 2am. $17.50/person. 11 First St. E., Elmira. Tickets in advance. Late night meal.

GALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NEW YEARS EVE GOURMET TAKEOUT DINNER
Thurs., Dec. 31, takeout or pickup 5:00-7:30pm. Menu: 3 appetizers, caramelized leek and mushroom soup, fresh croissant, spinach salad with Chardonnay dressing, boneless chicken breast in creamy wine and mushroom sauce, roasted potatoes, orange pea boats, and frozen grand marnier torte. $20/person. Also kids menu: pogos, oven homefries, veggies and dip and chocolate pudding with gummy worms, juice $6/child. For tickets please call 519-669-3827.

Region of Waterloo Library Children’s Storytime
A Storytime program for children 3 to 5 years old. Join us for stories and fun activities. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.
Elmira Branch
Registration starts Tues., Jan. 5, 10am-8:30pm in person registration only. Drop in to register your child for Storytime or Toddler Tales, during library hours. Storytime is for children 3-5 years old and will run on Wed., 2-2:45pm from Jan. 13-Mar. 3 and Thurs. 10:15-11am from Jan. 14 to Mar. 4. Toddler Tales is for children 24-36 months old and runs on Tues. 10:30-11:15am from Jan. 12 to Mar. 2. Elmira Branch Library is located at 65 Arthur St. S., Elmira. For more details www.rwl.library.on.ca for more info 519-669-5477.
St. Clements Branch
Wed., Jan. 6-Feb. 24, 1:45-2:30pm or Thurs., Jan. 7-Feb. 25, 9:30-10:15am. Call or visit the library to register or for more info 519-699-4341 or e-mail stclemlib@region.waterloo.on.ca.
Linwood Branch
Thurs., Jan. 7-Feb. 25, 2-2:45pm. Call or visit the library to register or for more info 519-698-2700 or e-mail linwdlib@region.waterloo.on.ca.
St. Jacobs Branch
Wed., Jan. 20-Mar. 10, 10-10:45am or Thurs., Jan. 21-Mar. 11, 1:30-2:15pm. Call or visit the library to register or for more info 519-664-3443 or e-mail stjaclib@region.waterloo.on.ca
Bloomingdale Branch
Wed., Jan. 20 to Mar. 10, or Thurs., Jan. 21 to Mar. 11. Wed. afternoons 1:30-2:15pm or Thurs. afternoons 1:30-2:15pm. Call or visit the library to register or for more info 519-745-3151 or e-mail bloomlib@region.waterloo.on.ca.
WATERLOO REGION POLICE MALE CHORUS New Member Open House
Tues., Jan. 5, 7:15pm. The Waterloo Region Police Male Chorus invites men who like to sing to join us for an open house/rehearsal at Olivet United Church, 47 Onward Ave., Kitchener. For more information visit www.wrps.on.ca/volunteers/male-chorus.htm or leave message at 519-208-9326.

Auditions for Peter Pan the Drama Fantasy and Peter Pan the musical
Jan. 6, 9, 10. KWCDW is now accepting booking audition time slots for their second and third productions of their 2009-10 season. Children and youth from the KW Region ages 8-16 years are welcome to sign up. Please see website for audition requirements as spaces are limited. Casting will be based on Individual Audition performance. Drama Line 519-954-5931, e-mail info@kwcdw.org, web www.kwcdw.org.

Elmira Legion
Hungryman’s Breakfast
Sun., Jan. 10, 8:30am-1pm. Elmira Sugar Kings.

Foster Parent Information Night
Mon., Jan. 11, 7pm. Family and Children’s Services is in need of more foster parents in the community to care for children in crisis. Over 500 children in care, and only 300 foster homes. This agency is hosting a Foster Parent Information Night. This is an opportunity to learn how you can care for a child in need on a temporary basis in your own home. Please call 519-576-0540 to register or visit the website www.fosteringkids.ca

Alma Optimist Beef Barbecue
Fri., Jan. 29, 5-7pm. At the Alma Community Hall, come and enjoy. Tickets adults $12.00, children $4.00 at the door.

Local Views-Artwork by Sandra Bray
Opening February 4, 2010, Closing April 30, 2010. Woolwich Administration Building, 24 Church St. W., Elmira, Ontario.

St. James Lutheran Church, Elmira 160th Anniversary Concert Series
At St. James Lutheran Church, Elmira, 60 Arthur St. S., 519-669-5591. Invite your family and friends to join us for three Sunday afternoons of music and song to celebrate our 160th Anniversary.
Sun., Feb. 7, 3pm. The Cambridge Male Chorus.
Sun., May 16, 3pm. An afternoon of Chamber Music. Featuring Peter Carter, violinist, Jennifer Enns Modolo, mezzo-soprano, Jeff Enns, pipe organ and piano.
Sun., Oct. 24, 3pm. The Gloryland Chorus. Freewill offering, handicap accessible. Refreshments will be served following each concert. So mark it on your 2010 calendar now and plan to attend.

Woolwich Counselling Services Fundraiser with speaker and
author Malcolm Gladwell
Fri., Mar. 5, doors open 5:30pm. Floradale Mennonite Church, 22 Florapine Rd., Elmira. Buffet dinner 6-8pm (gym), speakers 8:30pm (sanctuary), dinner and event $125/person, event only $100/person. Tickets or further info, contact Mary Wilhelm, Executive Director 519-669-8651, or e-mail mary.wilhelm@woolwichcounselling.org or Myrna Shantz 519-669-2852 or e-mail myrna@golden.net. We would be happy to speak to you about this astounding opportunity.

Woolwich Community Lions Club
Welcomes new members. Meetings are held 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 7pm at Lions Hall. If interested in attending a meeting, please contact Lion Chief Linda Palmer 519-669-0776 or e-mail bilpal@rogers.com.

VOLUNTEER: BE AN ADULT LITERACY TUTOR IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY
Partnered with Woolwich Community Services and training provided by The Literacy Group. Two hours per week, no teaching experience necessary, excellent communication skills required. Contact Karen, e-mail karen@theliteracygroup.com, 519-743-6090 ext. 223.

UNEMPLOYED???
NEED ASSISTANCE!!!
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Woolwich Community Services has tools available to assist you. Computers with internet access for job searching, e-mailing cover letters and resumes, and a job board with current job postings. Employment councilors are available Wed. & Thurs. To prepare resumes and to discuss your employment options. WCS staff are available to assist completing your on-line EI app. And help you find the answer to any questions that you may have. This service is offered free of charge along with faxing and photocopying for employment purposes. To find out what your options are drop in at Woolwich Community Services, 73 Arthur St. S., Elmira or call to book an appointment with an employment counsellor 519-669-5139.

Girl Guide Cookies
Help support Guiding in Elmira. Chocolate and Vanilla Cookies on sale now $4/box by calling Lynne Snell 519-669-4681.

Do You Like to Dance?
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10-11am, Tuesday and Thursday 7-8pm. Don’t Get enough of it? Come dance with me, just dance, have fun, lose weight, strengthen your heart, lower your cholesterol, have fun!  $2.00/visit which at the end of each month will be donated to charity of your choice. 12 Grosbeak Rd., Elmira, 519-669-1288. Come join in the fun!


Join Our Foster Team
Family and Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region is in urgent need of foster homes, couples, singles and or families to provide care for infants, children and youth from ages birth to 15 years. Call 519-576-0540 to register for September PRIDE preservice training.

WHEELCHAIR RAMP AVAILABLE
Did you know that a portable wheelchair ramp is now available on loan to anyone in the community? The ramp is stored at Woolwich Physio­therapy, but may be reserved by calling WCS, 669-5139. A small re­fundable deposit may be re­quired.

Volunteers Needed
Community Care Concepts provides support services to seniors and adults with disabilities in the townships of Woolwich, Wellesley and Wil­mot. We’re always in need of caring people like you to help us carry out our programs. Op­por­tunities include: Day Program Assis­tants, Meals on Wheels and Assisted Transportation Dri­vers and Friendly Visitors. Help someone in your community and feel good about yourself. Chris­tine 669-3023 or 749-0784 (toll free) for more information.

K-W Access-Ability
Provides social, recreational and educational programmes and services for persons with physical disabilities. 105 University Ave. E., Wa­terloo. Please call 885-6640.

TOPS
Mondays, 6:30 weigh-in, 7-8pm meeting. Learn how to Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Join TOPS. Meet at the Woolwich Community Services, 73 Arthur St. S. (back door). Very low weekly cost. For more information, call Lois at 669-5704.

Attention Seniors and Caregivers
Could you or your loved one benefit from some extra help with household chores such as housecleaning, yard work or meal preparation? Would it be helpful if someone picked you up from your home and drove you to appointments or to run errands? Would you like some companionship from a friendly visitor or as a Recreation Day Pro­gram member? If you or someone you care about could benefit from one or more of these services please contact Com­munity Care Con­cepts of Woolwich, Well­esley and Wilmot, a non-profit agency at 669-3023 or 749-0784 (toll free).

PET RESCUE DONATIONS
Bring in used or unwanted pet items including dog coats, booties, toys, pet beds or crates. Accessories such as leashes, harnesses, collars and nail clippers are also needed and appreciated. All items received will be donated to rescue groups and shelters in need of these items for rescued animals. Creature Comfort Pet Em­porium, 664-3366.

The Canadian Hearing Society Hearing Help Classes
Do you have trouble hearing someone speak to you in a crowd? Do you find that people mumble when they speak? Do you wear a hearing aid or wonder if you should? Hearing Help Classes for seniors 55 years of age and over are offered by The Canadian Hearing Society. The classes will teach hearing health care and coping skills that will help individuals to deal successfully with the daily challenges of living with a hearing loss. For more information, contact Joyce Haynes 744-6811.