Classic Moliere comedy ‘Tartuffe’ targets hypocrisy, sexual deceit
The students of Island Oak High School presents Moliere’s comic play Tartuffe Thursday and Friday, May 7 and 8 at the Mercury Theatre on Brae Road in Duncan, starting at 7 p.m. nightly.
The story, which is translated from the original French, tells of a con-man disguised as a holy pilgrim that worms his way into the gullible heart of Orgon, a rich family man, and tries to take him for all he has.
A desperate trap by Orgon’s wife, Elmire, finally exposes the imposter.
The French masterpiece hilariously skewers religious hypocrisy, mindless piety and sexual deceit.
Entry is by donation, with $10 the amount suggested.
Help to brighten the lives of foster kids with pancakes, silent auction
The Foster Parent Support Society’s Cowichan Valley support group is throwing a pancake breakfast and silent auction to raise money to make life just a bit brighter for kids in foster care.
The event will take place May 9 at St. John’s Church in Duncan from 10 a.m. to noon.
"Our silent auction has been a great success in the past thanks to support from the community," said Dan Malone, executive director of the group.
The support group hosts such things as Halloween parties, barbecue picnics, bowling parties, swim parties, a Christmas party where every child receives a gift and more.
In the Central Island area there are over 400 foster families.
Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve In Bloom for wildflower festival
On Saturday, May 9 the Nature Conservancy of Canada is inviting all nature lovers, native plant gardeners and curious ecologists of all ages to come out and experience the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve for the 9th annual In Bloom Wildflower Festival.
This family-friendly event offers guests the chance to walk around the Garry oak meadows while the wildflowers are blooming, and to discover the preserve’s many natural and cultural wonders.
The festival features a wide range of displays, storytellers and hands-on discovery stations that will bring to life the world of the iconic Garry oak ecosystems.
Whether you are interested in birds and bees, splashy wildflowers, scientific research, Coast Salish stories, native plants or wetland bugs, In Bloom will have something for everyone.
Children’s programming includes hayrides, face painting and nature crafts.
A Nature Photography Workshop is being offered at the preserve in advance of the festival with NCC program director and photographer Tim Ennis.
Starting at 8 a.m., the workshop will take advantage of the morning light and will feature tips and techniques for taking great nature photos.
Participation is by donation with all proceeds benefiting the West Coast Program of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Call or email to register: 1-888-404-8428 or bcoffice@natureconservancy.ca
Free workshop helps caregivers understand dementia patients
Changes in communication and behaviour are very common in people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
Area families can learn practical techniques for living with those changes during a free teleworkshop offered by the non-profit Alzheimer Society of B.C. Understanding Behaviour runs on Wednesday, May 13 and offers practical strategies for dealing with the challenges of supporting a person with dementia at home.
"Caregivers will learn how to understand behaviour as a form of communication," says Jan Robson, provincial coordinator for the Society. "We will explore strategies to determine what the person with dementia might be trying to communicate, to find ways to decrease the occurrence of behaviours that concern us and to respond in supportive ways."
It is offered twice on May 13, at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Tele-workshops are learning sessions designed for family caregivers, but are also open to healthcare providers. Participants can ask questions and share with others who are in similar situations.
Connecting to the sessions is as easy as phoning toll-free 1-866-994-7745, then entering pass code 1122333 when prompted, or visiting momentum. adobeconnect.com/alzheimerbc and entering as a Guest to listen to and view the presentation online at the same time.
For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, which affect one in 11 Canadians over the age of 65, visit the Society website at www.alzheimerbc.org
