• It is perhaps every parent’s worst fear — the attempted abduction of their child. Though we rationally understand that crimes of violence (such as child abduction) are far more likely to be committed by someone known to the victim, as opposed to a complete stranger, it is sometimes surprising how children define and perceive “a stranger” or “someone who is trustworthy.”
For the past 20 years, Cathal Walsh has conducted the SHAKU 8 Tips to Street Safety for Children program to thousands of elementary school-aged children on Vancouver Island. The program has also been adopted in public and independent schools and martial arts academies across Canada. There are a lot of “safety tips” out there and also a lot of misleading stereotypes portrayed in children’s television programming.
An upcoming Child Abduction Prevention Seminar for children and their parents will serve to help dispel myths and empower children to make safe choices.
All participating families will receive a complimentary Safety Activity Booklet and an easy-to-use Home DNA and Fingerprint ID Kit.
The Child Abduction Prevention Seminar will take place Saturday, Feb. 1 from 1:30-2:45 p.m. at SHAKU Martial Arts at 25 High St. in Ladysmith. A seminar will also be held at SHAKU Martial Arts in Nanaimo (109 Finlayson St.) that same day from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
The workshop is aimed for children aged five to 12 and their parents. The event is open to the general public, and parent attendance is required.
The cost is $25 per family (which includes a DNA/fingerprint kit and a safety booklet). Participants must pre-register at one of the martial arts schools.
• Don’t forget the Festival of Lights Society is looking for volunteers to help take down the lights this Sunday (Jan. 26). The Take Down Work Party starts at 9 a.m., and sign-in will be in the upper parking lot at 49th Parallel Grocery.
• Have you ever wondered what exactly the Rotary Club of Ladysmith is and what the members do? Now’s your chance to find out!
The Rotary Club is hosting an Information and Fellowship Night Thursday, Jan. 30 at Cottonwood Golf Club.
Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m., and dinner is at 6 p.m. Dinner costs $22.80, which includes tax and gratuities.
RSVP to Cheryl Leukefeld: by e-mailing cherylis@shaw.ca.
• The Royal Canadian Legion in Chemainus is bringing us a Robbie Burns Supper and Old Time Scottish Gala this Saturday (Jan. 25). Tickets are available at the Legion Lounge and at British Allsorts. Phone 250-246-4532 or 250 -246-3133 for more information.
• The War Amps begins its 2014 key tag mailing to BC residents this week with the theme “Then and Now.”
War Amps key tags protect any keys, not just car keys, and are more vital than ever with the extremely high replacement cost of electronic door openers and anti-theft devices.
Each key tag has a confidentially coded number registered to your name and address. Should the keys be lost, the finder need only call the toll-free number on the back of the tag, or deposit them in any mailbox, and the keys will be returned to the owner by bonded courier.
The War Amps receives no government grants. Its programs are possible solely through public support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service.
For more information, or to order key tags, call 1-800-250-3030 or visit www.waramps.ca.
