West Island community events

Hudson Village Theatre presents the romantic comedy Storm Warning, written by Norm Foster, Aug. 14 to 31, under the direction of Andrew Johnston. Tickets are $29 for matinées and $34 for evening performances. For more information, check www.villagetheatre.ca or call 450-458-5361. Kirkland Concert Band will perform Aug. 13 at Canvin Park (Andre Brunet St. and Cambridge Rd.). Bring a chair. For details call 514-457-6987. Stewart Hall in Pointe Claire (176 Lakeshore Rd.) will host a tour of its historic property Aug 13 at 6:30 p.m. It will be followed by a swing concert featuring the Moonlight Girls at 8. Bring a chair or rent one for $2. Call 514-630-1220 for information. Rustic Living series on Mountain Lake television will air a show featuring West Island resident Kim Vergil, an artist and innovative creator of rustic furniture, on Aug. 19 at 9 a.m. Cafe Swiss Jazz Project in Ste. Anne de Bellevue (53A Ste. Anne St.) will hold free live shows Thursdays from 9:30 to 11 p.m. until the end of August. The concerts grew out of recent jazz workshop for beginners. For information call Sharon Allaway at 514-956-2289. Summer Sundays series in Centennial Park (288 Beaconsfield Blvd.) will host a Mad Hatters Tea Party Aug. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. Make a crazy hat and have tea with Alice and friends. At 2 enjoy comedy and daredevil stunts by the Circo Comedia. In case of rain the party moves to the recreation centre (1974 City Lane). Call 514-428-4480 for details. Stephen Barry Band, one of Canada’s foremost blues ensembles, will present a free concert at Pine Beach Park on Lakeshore Dr. in Dorval Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Bring a chair or rent one for $1. In case of rain this free event moves to the Sarto Desnoyers Centre (1335 Lakeshore Dr.) For more information call 514-633-4170. Montreal Theatre Ensemble, a dynamic young company which was founded by John Abbott College graduates, will present Mice and Men from Aug. 28 to Sept. 13. Performances are Tues. to Sun. at 8 p.m., with matinees Sundays at 2 in the Casgrain Theatre in Ste. Anne de Bellevue (21275 Lakeshore Rd.). For reservations call 514-515-9140. Spectrum vocal ensemble is holding auditions for tenors and basses with vocal experience. The 22-voice chorus sings pop, jazz, Broadway, and ballads and will rehearse at Beaurepaire United Church beginning in September. For more information call 450-458-2296. Montreal Public Poetry Festival Sept. 26-28 is now accepting applications. The deadline is Aug. 29. For more information visit www.publicpoetry.wordpress.com. @Rb>Cantabile Chorale and Orchestra<@$p> is recruiting singers for its Dec. 6 concert, Bach’s Mass in B minor. Rehearsals will be held Monday nights in Pointe Claire starting in September. All voices welcome. For information call 514-453-0238. New community daytime choir is seeking singers with or without experience from ages 18 to 70 to join Voices of Hope. The chorale, under the direction of Douglas Knight, will specialize mainly in Broadway music. Concert proceeds are earmarked for developing countries. Rehearsals will soon get underway Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. For details call 514-630-0331 or visit www.cedarparkunited.org/groups/voices-for-hope.

ART EXHIBITS Galerie Ouest in Ste. Anne de Bellevue (37 St. Thomas St.) is hosting an exposition entitled Eyemusic, featuring portraits of iconic jazz figures. The exhibit runs from Aug. 13 to 24, with a vernissage Aug. 15. For details call 514-695-8249 or visit www.galerieouest.ca. Kirkland Library (17100 Hymus Blvd.) will showcase works by Lakeshore Artist Association member Renee Mizgala until Aug. 29. Meet the artist at the vernissage Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. For information call 514-630-2726. Café Suisse in Ste. Anne de Bellevue (53A Ste. Anne St.) will hold an exhibition of original prints by Claude Aimee Villeneuve until Aug. 15. The theme of the show: a celebration of our feline friends. For more information call 514-457-0323. Canadian Railway Museum Exporail in St. Constant (110 St. Pierre St.) will host its annual exposition Aug. 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A Great Passion for Small Trains will feature 20 exhibitors. On Saturday visitors can ride a 1928 streetcar and miniature railroad; Sunday travel in style on the Museum Express train, which goes from Lucien L’Allier station to the Exporail. For info call 514-426-7137, or 450-632-2410. Stewart Hall Gallery in Pointe Claire (176 Lakeshore Rd.) is presenting States of Materiality until Aug. 24. The exhibit features works by contemporary sculptors Michel Goulet, Karilee Fuglem, and Douglas Scholes Mon. through Sun. from 1 to 5 p.m., and Mon. & Wed. from 7 to 9. Call 514-630-1254 for details. Galerie de la Ville in Dollard des Ormeaux invites professional and semi-professional artists to participate in an in-gallery project Sept. 6 to Oct. 11. The theme is Flights of Fancy: the Imaginary Canadian Stamp Collection. Register following an information session Aug. 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. For full details call 514-684-1012 ext. 298. Ste. Anne de Bellevue Art Expo will be held until Sept. 1. Artists will exhibit on the boardwalk, and in stores along the main street. Professional and amateur artists wanted. For more information, call Tom Levitt, 514-457-0323. Dorval City Hall (60 Martin Ave.) will display the works of artist Monic Fournier until Sept. 2. Call 514-633-4000 for information. Artists of the Month at Dorval Library (1401 Lakeshore Dr.) are Nga Nguyen and Carol Noel. The exhibition runs to Sept. 2. For details call 514-633-4000. Miniatures exhibition will be held at the Dorval Cultural Centre (1401 Lakeshore Dr.) until Aug. 27. Meet the 30 local participating artists at the vernissage of Small is Beautiful on the 13th from 7 to 9 p.m. Gallery hours are Mon. to Thurs. from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m., and Fri., 1 to 5. Dorval Museum of Local History (1850 Lakeshore Dr.) will hold an exhibition entitled Horsepower until Aug. 31. Revisit the past through photos and memorabilia Thurs. through Sun. from 1 to 5 p.m.

FUNDRAISERS Royal Canadian Legion branch 245 will hold a garage and bake sale Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Dorval (575 Jean-Marie Landry St.), rain or shine. Proceeds will go towards Christmas baskets for West Islanders in need. Call 514-663-9039 for information. Montreal-West Island Lions Club will host its 10th annual golf tournament Aug. 23 in Kahnawake. Tickets cost $95 and cover green fees, cart, and a roast beef dinner. Proceeds go to the Special Olympics’ West Island sector. To register call 514-695-0700. Lachine Hospital Foundation is holding its 15th annual golf tournament at Club de Golf Atlantide in Ile Perrot Aug. 27. Tickets cost $175 and include brunch, cart, fees, dinner, and prizes. Former Canadiens’ hockey player Phil Goyette will preside over this event, which will raise funds for geriatric chairs for long-term patients, and a blood pressure monitoring machine. Call 514-637-2351, ext. 5333. Literacy Unlimited is selling $10 raffle tickets at Dix Milles Villages in Pointe Claire (290 Lakeshore Rd.). Proceeds will go to expanding literacy services. Prizes are two Air Canada tickets, a flat screen TV, and a set of irons. Fifth Annual Golf Classic will be hosted by Literacy Unlimited on Sept. 8, International Literacy Day. The tournament will be held at the Whitlock Golf and Country Club in Hudson and will feature prizes, brunch, a raffle, silent auction, dinner, and more. For information and to register call 514-880-7157 or visit www.literacyunlimited.ca. The Lakeshore General Hospital will host a fashion show Sept. 17 at Chateau Vaudreuil. Live Body Art will be featured during cocktail hour at 6 p.m.; the show starts at 7. Entertainment will be provided by recording artist Jacinthe. Tickets are $100 and can be reserved by calling Valerie Cousineau at 514-630-2081. A fashion show in aid of the West Island Palliative Care Residence will be Held Oct. 1 at Chateau Vaudreuil. Regular tickets are $50, VIP tickets $100, and are selling quickly. Call 514-693-1718 to purchase yours. Basset Hound Rescue Quebec has joined other animal welfare organizations in listing its homeless pets on-line. Visit http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/qc46.html. Scrabble Friends and Family Challenge raises funds for Frontier College, a non-profit literacy organization. Pick a date, invite friends for a game and donate to the cause. To register call 1-800-555-6523 ext. 335, or visit www.scrabblenightincanada.ca.

SALES Second Annual Garlic Festival will be held Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ste. Anne de Bellevue Farmers Market on Ste. Anne St. Organic bulbs and braids will be on sale; two local garlic producers will present three bilingual morning workshops. For details call 514-452-4271. <@Rb>Ste. Anne’s Farmers Market<@$P> is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On sale -- organic produce, baked goods, honey, cheese, meats, fair trade coffee, ready-to-eat snacks and more. Artisans will display their work. This non-profit citizens’ initiative operates rain or shine in front of City Hall (109 Ste. Anne St). For information call Lise-Anne Briand at 514-457-7244.

SOCIAL EVENTS The Greenwood Centre in Hudson (245 Main Rd.) is open Sundays until Labour Day. Experience home and garden tours, as well as poetry readings, an art workshop, harp recital, quilting demonstration, and more, in an historic setting overlooking Lake of Two Mountains. For details call 450-458-5396 or visit www.greenwood-centre-hudson.org.

MEETINGS Go Green Hudson will host a free seminar Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. on the advantages of eating locally produced food. Eating, Growing, and Thinking about Local Food will be presented in English and French at the community centre (394 Main Rd.). For more information call 514-928-9313 or visit gogreenhudson@gmail.com. Prime Time, a division of the Cummings Centre, is holding registration for its free fall programs Aug. 20 and 21 from 1 to 9 p.m. in Dollard des Ormeaux (96 Roger Pilon St.). The topic of discussion on Sept. 16 at Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton (1900 Trans Canada Hwy.) will be, Is Life Together Still a Many Splendored Thing? For information call 514-342-1234 local 7255. English Writers Association West Island is looking for aspiring writers for a new group starting up in Pierrefonds. During regular meetings, members will explore publishing and other resources in an atmosphere of mutual support. For information call 514-624-0378. The Weight Loss Club meets weekly in the West Island for challenging and fun activities. For more information call 514-242-6865. West Island Italian Seniors’ Club invites new members to join the group for a variety of activities Wednesday nights in Pierrefonds. For details call Maria at 514-833-4809. Catholic Community Services (CCS), a bilingual 50+ drop-in social group in Pierrefonds (8652 Basswood St.) meets on Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. for movement to music, breakfast and conversation. For more information, call Diane Doonan at 514-770-8416. One Parent Families Association meets every Saturday through the summer for breakfast and many social activities. All are welcome. For more information, call 514-685-2717. DDO Toastmasters, a public speaking group to build confidence and improve your career, meets Mondays at 7:30 p.m., at Sunnybrooke Chalet (100 Cadman St.). For more information, call Pat at 514-684-9626. Dorval City Toastmasters Club meets at Sarto Desnoyers Community Centre in Dorval (1355 Lakeshore Dr.), on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 514-696-5973. Pointe Claire Toastmasters, open to all interested in the Toastmasters program, meets Wednesday evenings at St. John’s United Church in Pointe Claire (98 Aurora Ave). For more information, call 514-697-4728. Singled Out Toastmasters meets the second and fourth Friday of each month at the West Island YMCA in Pointe Claire (230 Brunswick Blvd.) from 7:10 to 9:10 p.m. For more information, call 514-213-0446. The Networking Club invites people seeking employment to its meetings Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. at Jewish Family Services in Montreal (5151 Cote. St. Catherine Rd., suite 310). Members exchange ideas and information on job search techniques and hear monthly speakers on different topics. Space is limited; register by calling 514-342-0000 ext. 3029.

COURSES Traditional Rustic Chair Building course with Kim Vergil will be held Sept 13, 14, 20, and 21 at Morgan Arboretum in Ste. Anne de Bellevue. For information call 514-457-7081 or visit www.kimcreations.net. Mini Med School at the Montreal Children’s Hospital still has a few places for classes starting Sept. 10. Health experts will speak about leukemia, genomics, asthma and more. The cost is $60 for adults, $30 for students and seniors. For information and to register call 514-412-4307 or visit www.thechildren.com. Stewart Hall in Pointe Claire (176 Lakeshore Rd.) is holding flute and violin workshops using the Suzuki method for children from the age of four and a-half, and for adults. Space is limited. There are also openings in classical ballet workshops. Call 514-630-1220 to register. Le Trait d’union Employment Centre in Pointe Claire (189 Hymus Blvd., suite 201) is offering free job search services, including workshops on interview and job search techniques, CV preparation, and job bank and internet access. Drop in or schedule an appointment at 514-426-9508. The Single Mothers program at the Montreal YWCA offers free assistance to women who want to re-enter the workforce. The course, held in collaboration with Emploi-Quebec, will be held in September. Space is limited; call 514-866-9941 ext. 416. Free French courses for immigrants under the auspices of the Ministre de l’immigration et des communautes culturelles get under way Sept. 22. Register for part-time, full-time or written courses by calling 514-685-3000, or 514-693-1000.

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK Whiteside Taylor Preschool in Baie d’Urfe has spaces available in September in its program for two and-a-half-year-olds. Call Alexandra at 514-426-1783 for information. Beaconsfield High School Alumni Association is planning a 50th anniversary Reunion Thanksgiving weekend '08 at BHS (250 Beaurepaire Dr.). Register at beaconsfieldhighschool.ca to receive updates. The planning committee welcomes participants at its meetings the last Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. For more information call 514-697-8802. Dorval Elementary School is planning a fall fair in October and is looking for artisans to take part. If interested call the co-ordinator at 514-636-7773. Beaconsfield Creative Preschool, a non-profit bilingual preschool for three and four-year-olds, has ongoing registration for September in the Windermere Chalet (303 Sherbrooke St.). For more information, call Cynthia at 514-693-5665. Coolbrooke Park Preschool in Dollard des Ormeaux (260 Spring Garden Rd.) offers a bilingual program for three and four-year-olds and is taking registration for the 2008-2009 school year. For more information call 514-684-1062 or 514-421-7565. Dorval Elementary Pre-Kindergarten offers a bilingual, structured program which prepares children for kindergarten. For more information, call 514-947-7899. Dorval Preschool Cooperative (1335 Lakeshore Dr.) offers classes for three and four-year-olds. For information on registering, fees, tuitions, and programs, call 514-631-9394. Jardin d'enfants Beechwood in Roxboro (116 Cartier Ave.) is taking registration for September. Bilingual programs for children age two to five are available. For more information, call 514-684-5087. Pat Roberts Centre in Ste. Geneviève (16167 Gouin Blvd.) offers a specialized preschool program for children from birth to five years of age with special needs. A formal diagnosis is not required. Registration is ongoing. For more information, call 514-696-5144. Stewart Hall (176 Lakeshore Rd.) in Pointe Claire is launching Learning Through Play, a cultural bilingual preschool for three and-a-half to five-year-olds. The accent will be on art, drama, and music Mondays through Thursday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. starting in September. Call 514-630-1220 for information.

JUST FOR KIDS Dollard des Ormeaux Library invites participants in its Summer Reading Book Club to two bilingual circus-style shows Aug. 20 at 2:30 and 6:45 p.m. Continental Drift Theatre will entertain. Receive a free pass by presenting your notebook at the library (12001 de Salaberrry Blvd.). For info call 514-684-1496. The Family Resource Centre (4855 Sources Blvd.) in Pierrefonds is currently offering the following programs to children: Friendship and Feelings, Social Skills, and Study and Organizational Skills. For more information, call 514-685-5912. Mother Goose Rhyme Time is a fun-filled hour for parents and infants (0-four years old): sharing nursery rhymes, songs and stories Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at Riverdale Community Learning Centre in room 259 (5060 Sources Blvd), Pierrefonds. For more information and registration call 514-937-2180.

SUPPORT GROUPS Bereavement camp is being organized by West Island NOVA for youth undergoing the grieving process. The weekend-long Camp Carousel features support, guidance, and recreational activities. Call 514-695-8335 ext. 115 for information. Pierrefonds Library has introduced a free new delivery service for housebound readers. For books to you door call 514-620-4181. Self-Help Against Depression provides professional guidance by phone to people who suffer from mild to moderate anxiety or depression. Leave a message at 514-684-9896. Inquiries are also welcome about the non-profit organization’s Buddy Connections project. Breast cancer survivors are invited to join the West Island Dragons for camaraderie, exercise, and fun. Training sessions for the dragon boat racing team are under way at the Pointe Claire Canoe Club. For details visit www.westislanddragons.com or contact westislanddragons@hotmail.com. The West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped (111 Donegani Ave., Pointe Claire) operates a resource centre where parents and educators can find materials and information on children with special needs. Topics range from family life to advocacy to integration. Call 514-694-7090 for more details. Obesity Incorporated (O.B.C.T.) is a charitable organization dealing with Obesity Syndrome. It provides counselling and activities such as Walking Connections. To find an indoor or outdoor walking companion in your neighbourhood, call 514-684-4409. West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped (WIAIH) in Pointe Claire hosts a coffee break to exchange ideas with other parents and learn about resources on the first Tuesday of the month from 9:30 to11:30 a.m. (111 Donegani Ave.). For more information, call 514-694-7090 ext. 14. Family Life Centre offers short-term professional counselling for those who cannot otherwise afford it. They offer individual, couple or family counselling to anglophone West Island residents. Call and leave a message at 514-630-7794.

VOLUNTEERS West Island Mission’s Back to School program provides food and essential supplies to local underprivileged students. Volunteers are needed to assist with transportation, registration and telephone tasks, and more for a fundraising event Aug. 16. For information visit www.marlene.gallant@hotmail.com. Volunteers are needed for the BMO financier Summer Provincial Championships Aug. 15 to 17 at the Sportplexe 4 Glaces de Pierrefonds. Call 514-626-6350 or visit www.papierrefonds.com. ANEB Quebec offers support to people with eating disorders. Bilingual volunteers are being sought to man a help line two evenings per month. Training provided. Call Corinne at 514-630-0907 for information. Lighthouse, Children and Families is looking for bilingual or English speaking volunteers for its respite in-home program for families in Beaconsfield caring for children with life-threatening illnesses. The next training session is in September. For information call Emma at 514-787-8817. West Island Citizen Advocacy is looking for volunteer advocates. A 60-year-old woman in Lachine with health problems needs a companion with whom to socialize, go out for walks and lunch. Call Mimi at 514-631-9151. An 80-year-old Pointe Claire woman would like someone to take her to the grocery store and pharmacy every few weeks. She also enjoys reading and computer games. Call Mimi at 514-631-9151. A volunteer is needed to provide a few hours respite care once a week to a family caring for a Dollard des Ormeaux man with health problems. Call Cat at 514-694-5850. A Dollard senior citizen originally from India is seeking a male volunteer for companionship and to go on social outings. Call cat at 514-694-5850. A Mandarin-speaking person is needed to teach English to Chinese senior citizens in the Pierrefonds area. Call Helene or Nellie at 514-694-5850.

A mildly intellectually challenged young woman in Roxboro would like a female volunteer to be a role model, and accompany her to movies and on other outings. Call Yolande at 514-694-5850. A Pierrefonds woman in her 30s who is mildly intellectually disabled would like a female volunteer with whom to share cycling, movies, and other activities Thursdays or weekends. Call Yolande at 514-694-5850. Seniors in a residence in Roxboro would like an advocate to join them every few weeks for social activities, Bingo and board games. Call Helene at 514-694-5850. Volunteer mentors 55 plus are needed to share their business experience with individuals seeking employment or a new career. Contact Orit Sheck at the Ometz social service agency for info at 514-345-2645, ext. 6417. Volunteer West Island is recruiting volunteers from the community. For information call Yolanda at 514-457-5445 ext. 227. Volunteers are needed evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. for supervision of activities and social interaction at a long-term care hospital for Alzheimer’s patients in Pointe Claire. West Island Association for the Intellectually handicapped needs someone to work with children with severe intellectual handicaps at day camps in Pointe Claire and Beaconsfield. Volunteers are needed to help prepare for the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Walk for Heart Sept. 14. Meals on Wheels need cooks and drivers Tuesday and Thursday mornings once or twice a month.