West Island community notes

Dorval Artist Association will host Art in the Park 2008 June 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the Sarto Desnoyers Cultural Centre (1335 Lakeshore Dr.) In case of rain the exhibit and sale will be held in room S023.

Dollard Artists Association will hold an exhibition and sale at Marche de l’ouest (11600 de Salaberry Blvd.) June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.



Ile Bizard Library (500 de l’Eglise Ave.) will host Dreaming in Colour, a solo show and sale featuring watercolours by Krysia Gallien until June 30. Call 514-695-7950 for information.

Dorval artist Lois Holst will display her work at Dorval City Hall (60 Martin Ave.) until June 30.

Artist of the Month until June 30 at Dorval Library (1401 Lakeshore Dr.) is Maciejka Voss of the Dorval Artist’s Association.

Galerie Pierre Seguin will host its fifth annual art festival June 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the grounds of the gallery (61 Grand Blvd.) in Ile Perrot. Hundreds of works by 25 professional artists will be showcased during Dehors, Les Artistes, which will also feature student art, workshops, a violin mini-concert and more. For more info call 450-453-9530 or visit www.pseguin.com.

Lake of Two Mountains Artists Association will be exhibiting and selling their artwork until Apr. 2009 at Meubles Signature ( 121 route 342) in Pointe Fortune.



PERFORMANCE

Lakeshore Players will host its annual Café Theatre June 5 to 7 at the Sarto Desnoyers Centre in Dorval (1335 Lakeshore Dr.). Enjoy five hilarious one-act plays in a café-style setting at a cost of only $10. Tickets will be sold at the door. Curtain time 8 p.m.; doors open at 7:30. Cash bar; free parking.

Montreal Welsh Male Choir, under the direction of Colleen Walsh, will present a concert entitled Celtic Connections June 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Cedar Park United Church (204 Lakeview Ave.) in Pointe Claire.

Baie d’Urfe free summer concert series gets under way June 12 at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by the Kirkland Concert Band. The concert will be held in Fritz Park, or in case of bad weather in the Red Barn. Bring a lawn chair. For more information call 514-457-5324.

West Island Student Theatre Association, a musical theatre group for 17 to 25-year-olds, will present the cabaret A Salute to the Music of Disney at Karnak Shriner’s Hall in Dollard des Ormeaux (3350 Sources Blvd.). The dates are June 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and June 15 at 2. For tickets and more information call 514-636-4603 or 514-333-3325.

Hudson Village Theatre’s 16th summer season opens June 21 with the play All Grown Up. Travel by train and back from Montreal or the Beaconsfield station for the 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. performance. Tickets at $50 each include fare, the play, snacks, a beverage, and entertainment by a Dixieland band. Contact escapadesentrain@amt.qc.ca or call 514-287-7866.



FUNDRAISERS

Steri-Animal will host a cat/kitten adoption day June 7 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Global-Pitou, Minou and Compagnons in Plaza Pointe Claire (245 St. John’s Blvd.). Fees will go to its cat sterilization program. Foster homes and volunteer drivers are needed. Call 514-9386150 or visit www.steri-animalpetfinder.org for more information.

Benefit concert with live music and tap will be held June 8 at 7 p.m. at Bourbon Street West (1866 Sources Blvd.) in Pointe Claire. Singing the Blues for Ethel will raise funds for the Ethel Bruneau dance school . Doors open at 6 and tickets are $15. Call Ken Gaucher at 514-436-7104 for more information.

Heart and Stroke Foundation will hold its annual Big Bike for Stroke June 11 at Complexe Pointe Claire on St. John’s Blvd. For details call 514-636-4599 or visit www.heartandstroke.ca.

SALES

Rummage sale will be held at St. John’s United Church in Pointe Claire (98 Aurora Ave.) on June 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. Clothing, books, free coffee. Call 514-697-6459 for information.

La Maison des jeunes de Pierrefonds will hold its annual giant garage sale at 13665 Pierrefonds Blvd. June 14 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. To participate and reserve a table, visit La Maison (4855 Sources Blvd.) from Tues. to Sat. from 2:30 to 9 p.m. Or call 514-683-4164 for more details.

SOCIAL EVENTS

Notre-Dame of Yore, a celebration of 300 years of the history of Ile Perrot, will be held June 7 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and June 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of Ste Jeanne-de-Chantal Church (1 de l‘Eglise Ave.). Highlights include the inauguration of the Heritage Route, a fund-raising banquet, exhibitions, horse-drawn rides, kids’ theatre, mass, a picnic, a cyclists’ event, and more. Call 514-453-5284 or 514-453-0013 for more info.

Neighbourhood party organized by the borough of Pierrefonds/Roxboro will be held at A-Ma-Baie Park June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy activities for the whole family.

St. Luke’s Church in Dollard des Ormeaux (106A Anselme Lavigne Blvd.) will hold a Eucharist celebration and a bilingual mass June 10 beginning at 7 p.m. Prayer teams available. Wheelchair access. Call 514-683-1082 for more information

YMCA (230 Brunswick Blvd.) in Pointe Claire will mark its 20th anniversary June 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an open house and activities for the whole family. Visitors are invited to go for a swim; a barbecue lunch will be available.

JUST FOR KIDS

Whiteside Taylor Centre’s preschool and day care in Baie d’Urfe (20551 Lakeshore Rd.) will hold a Fun Fair June 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Carnival games for the whole family, clowns, pony rides, a bake sale and BBQ are among the highlights. Call 514-457-5406 for information.

Dollard des Ormeaux Library (12001 de Salaberry Blvd.) launches Laugh Out Loud, a summer reading program for children age 12 and under, on June 9. Registration is also under way for free story-time activities for children ages two through 12. Call 514-684-1496 for details.

West Island YMCA’s summer day camp offers young participants a wide range of activities, including team sports, co-operative games, arts and crafts, and outings. For registration information call Andrew Borelli at 514-630-9622.



YMCA’s summer Explorers program for 12 to 17-year-olds will be held from June 30 to Aug. 22. Activities include team-oriented workshops, sports (soccer, swimming, basketball, bowling), trips to La Ronde and the Old Port, and more. Space is limited. Call 514-630-9864 ext. 344 for further details.

Café Swiss in Ste. Anne de Bellevue (53a Ste. Anne St.) holds a Children’s Story Hour with Johnathan Goudreau on June 20 from 9 to 10 a.m. Free activity with milk and cookies. For more information, call 514- 674-2233.

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.



MEETINGS

AWISH (Arthritis West Island) will hold its 20th annual general meeting June 8 at 1:30 p.m. in Dorval (750 Dawson Ave.) Guest speaker commander Michel Lecompte will take about senior abuse; there will also be an info session and small buffet lunch. All welcome. For more details call 514-631-3288.

Weight Loss Club meets weekly in the West Island for challenging and fun activities. To learn more about a new eight-week program (with a cash prize for the winner) and free consultation call 514-242-6865.

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 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.

COURSES

Stewart Hall (176 Lakeshore Rd.) in Pointe Claire is organizing summer cultural workshops for all ages, with registration starting June 4. Explore arts, dance, ballet, pottery, yoga, languages and more; inquire about kids’ day camps. Call 514-630-1220.

Christian Home Educators is sponsoring a free homeschooling information session and brunch June 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Church of the Nazarene (455 Spring Garden Rd.) in Dollard des Ormeaux. Call 514-696-9149 for details.

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, a job bank, and internet access. Drop in or call to schedule an appointment at 514-426-9508.

Literacy Unlimited, as a means of addressing the needs of adults who struggle with low literacy, offers a free public scribe service. This service is designed to help people who have difficulty reading official documents, filling out forms, and writing or proof-reading. Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., at John Rennie High School (501 St. John's Blvd.) in Pointe-Claire. For more information, call 514-694-0007.

Pointe Claire CPR will hold regular sessions in Basic Life Support, Early Child Care and First Aid, and other courses starting the week of June 2. For more information call Micheline at 514-630-1214.



SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

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.

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 2009, reserve now and place your name on a list. 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 ages 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.





SUPPORT GROUPS

The Low Vision Self-Help Association departs from Church of St. John the Baptist in Pointe Claire (233 Ste. Clare Ave.) at 9:30 p.m. June 12 for a bus trip to Otterburn Park, a visit to a Belgian chocolate factory, and lunch. For more information call 514-697-3852 or 514-630-6978.

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.

YWCA of Montreal is offering free assistance through a Single Mothers’ Program to all who would like to join the workforce. To register, call 514-866-9941 ext. 416.

Obesity Incorporated O.B.C.T. is a charitable organization dealing with Obesity Syndrome. To participate in Walking Connections 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

Hudson Meals on Wheels needs volunteers who would be available to cook once a month. For information call Louise Wibe at 450-458-7862 or Alec Whyte at 450-458-2418.

West Island Citizen Advocacy is looking for the following volunteer advocates:

A 45-year-old woman in Dorval who has a four-year-old autistic son needs a female volunteer to be her companion. She enjoys baking and needlepoint. Call Mimi at 514-631-9151.

A 66-year-old Lachine woman in a wheelchair needs a volunteer who could become her friend. She enjoys playing cards and crossword puzzles. Call Mimi at 514-631-9151.

An 81-year-old woman (with car) in Roxboro needs someone to accompany her on weekly banking and shopping errands. Call Yolande at 514-694-5850.

A seniors residence in Beaconsfield is looking for an advocate to participate in activities (board games, cards, etc). Call Yolande at 514-694-5850.

Seniors in a residence in Pierrefonds would like an advocate to join them monthly for board games, arts and crafts, etc. Call Helene at 514-694-5850.

A Pierrefonds seniors’ residence is seeking someone who speaks Mandarin to translate for their Chinese residents and accompany them to medical appointments. Call Helene or Nellie at 514-694-5850.

A senior woman in Pointe Claire would benefit from a volunteer to help with errands. Call Cat at 514-694-5850.

A Pierrefonds woman with MS would is seeking a female volunteer for companionship and to accompany her on outings. Call Cat 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 matches people with diverse volunteer opportunities that suit their interests, availability and aspirations. For more information, visit www.cabvwi.org or call 514-457-5445.