• Music in the Park, at Waterwheel Park in Chemainus, will feature The Victoria Children’s Choir June 30 at 7 p.m. A string ensemble, these 15 young musicians are an award-winning group that has been selected to represent Canada at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. “Prepare to tap your toes and clap your hands,” says the Chemainus Valley Arts Cultural Society.
• The Ladysmith Secondary School band program is planning a trip to Paris next March for two weeks over spring break and are hoping to include 48 people, a combination of students and chaperones. They will be fundraising over the coming months including silent auctions, beverage and burger nights, car washes and bake sales.
• The Third Annual Stz’uminus Soccer Tournament will take to the field – or fields – over the July 3 to 5 weekend, says Tournament Director Tim Harris. There will be teams in men’s, women’s and youth brackets. Games start on Friday evening and will be at Ladysmith Secondary, Frank Jameson Community Centre, and Forrest Turf Field. Youth starts on Saturday at Ladysmith Primary and Ladysmith Intermediate fields. Organizers expect the tournament to be well attended, and are reminding people that it’s an alcohol and drug free event. Finals for men and women will be on Sunday at the turf field. Come watch and enjoy the action.
• Kids are being invited to visit their local library to read, build, craft and create some fun at this year’s Summer Reading Club! The theme for 2015, “Build It”, encourages children ages 0-12 to visit their local library branch this summer to help build their reading skills. Registration is free at local library branches or online at virl.bc.ca/kids! Summer Reading Club officially kicks off July 2nd and runs to Aug. 22.
• Ladysmith students were among the top performers at the Nanaimo District Elementary School Track and Field Championships held at Rotary Bowl stadium. Finishing among the top three in the 800m race was Ladysmith Intermediate’s Alex Fernau. Competition on the track for peewee (born 2003-04) girls saw Ladysmith Intermediate’s Catherine Sampson finish third in both the 100m and 200m. Catherine also finished third in high jump. Ladysmith’s Kamryn Grooms took second in the softball throw event.
• A folk/Celtic/bluegrass blend will kick of the Concerts in the Park series at Ladysmith’s Transfer Beach, with Saskia & Darrel, who together are The Great Plains, taking to the stage between 6-8 p.m. Put on by the Ladysmith Resource Centre Association, these concerts – which run through July and August – are offered by donation. So enjoy an evening in the bowl, with great music and a great feeling of supporting your community. See the summer lineup at lrca.bc.ca/concerts.asp.
• Help defeat cancer by participating in the Tour de Rock Raffle: Draw date is Sept. 10, 2015. Tickets $10. 1st Prize is a Bear Mountain Golf Getaway Package for four, $1,250 value. 2nd Prize is a Canucks Hockey Getaway Package for two, $1,000 value. 3rd Prize is a Mayne Island Getaway Package for two, $400 value. For more information and to purchase your tickets contact Tour de Rock riders Alison Wood at 250-380-6132 or Alison.wood@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or Rob Webb at 250-732-0312 or atrlwebb@telus.net.
BC SPCA looking for cat lovers
The BC SPCA is looking for homes for adult cats. From June 26 to 28 they knocked 50 percent off the normal adoption rate, hoping to create demand. “The goal is to find loving homes for as many adult felines as possible,” they said in a release – which, unfortunately, didn’t get to the Chronicle until it was too late for last week’s edition. Each year the SPCA rescues more than 15,000 cats, so help them help our feline friends. BC SPCA Nanaimo can be contacted at 250-758-8444; Duncan 250-746-4646
Search and Rescue wants more crew
Ladysmith’s Royal Canadian Search and Rescue is looking for crew and supporting members, and will be holding an ‘open boathouse’ July 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ladysmith Marina. You can also email recruiting@rcmsar29.com for more information.
