BARRIE - Family Literacy Day
The Public Library will celebrate Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27 with a special bedtime story time between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the picture book area on the children’s floor. Join in around the campfire to sing songs and listen to stories. This event is free, and no registration is required.

Coffee and info chat
Jan. 27, Barrie serves up Laura-Lynn Bourassa, education coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Greater Simcoe County, at its morning coffee lecture series. Held at the Holly Community Centre at 9:15 a.m., the one-hour exam-free lecture focuses on keeping your brain fit. Cost is admission to the rec centre. For more information, call recreation programmer Heather Kenehan, 739-4220, ext. 4773.

Bus to Casino Rama
A free bus to Casino Rama will leave the Collingwood Legion on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. The bus will return at 6:30 p.m. Call Evelyn to reserve a spot, 445-0277.

Shutter bugs meet
The Barrie Photo Club meets Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Southshore Centre, 205 Lakeshore Drive. Open to photography enthusiasts regardless of ability, the club meets the last Thursday of each month, except July and August. Cost is $5 for noon-members. For more info, email info@barriephotoclub.org or call 737-4406.

Tourist lecture on Cuba
A lecture - Around the World in 60 Minutes: Cuba, the Other Tourist side - will be held at the Barrie Public Library on Jan. 28 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Angus Ross Room. Grant Eccles will speak about the popular tourist destination, focusing on the more natural Cuba, its towns and rural regions instead of the beaches and high-end hotels. All are welcome. For more information, call Alison at 728-1010, ext. 7084.

Quilters’ Guild
The Simcoe County Quilters’ Guild will meet Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. at the ANAF Club, 7 George St. Barrie. Bring your UFO’s, unfinished objects that you’ve been meaning to finish for a long time. There will be a president’s challenge to complete and bring to the meeting. There will also be a workshop on Spring Postcards. The postcards will be up for a viewers-choice award at the April meeting. Lug a mug. Click here for materials needed and more information.

Legion events
The Royal Canadian Legion, 410 St. Vincent St., welcomes The Bell Aires on Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 30 at 8:30 p.m. Bring your dancing shoes. For more information, call 728-4002.

YMCA craft sale
Arts and Crafts, made and sold by local artisans, will be featured in the Barrie YMCA 10 Thousand Villages Artisan Craft Sale being held at the YMCA on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Progressive Euchre
The Royal Canadian Legion is hosting a team progressive euchre tournament on Sunday, Jan. 31 at the Barrie branch at 410 St. Vincent Street. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m. and goes until 1 p.m. Play starts at 1:15 p.m. sharp. Partners will be retained and progressive scoring will be used. There will be 12 games. Food will be available. There will be $700 in cash prizes up for grabs (based on 20 tables). For more information, call event convener Sandra Doucette at 721-4253.

Autism tax planning seminar
Autism Ontario Simcoe County Chapter is hosting a seminar to learn more about Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSP’s) and Tax Planning for Families with Individuals with Autism on Jan. 31 between 2 p.m and 4 p.m. at Simcoe Community Services, 40 Fraser Court. The seminar is free to members and non-members. To register, call 252-7429 or send an e-mail to Chantal at simcoe@autismontario.com.

Warminster Legion
The Warminster Legion hosts a jam with the Golden Tones on Jan. 31 between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Bring your dancing shoes.

Gwynne Dyer at Georgian
Georgian College University Partnership Centre Speaker Series presents Gwynne Dyer on Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Georgian College Theatre. Dyer will speak on the in-box that Barack Obama inherited last January, including topics such as troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, oil, and climate. Tickets are $20, $10 for students or groups of ten or more. For tickets, call 728-4613.

Arts and Crafts Association
The Simcoe County Arts and Crafts Association hosts a workshop on how to create copper chainmaille bracelet using jump rings with Barrie jewellery artist Sue Cahoon on Feb. 1. The meeting will be held at the Simcoe County Museum at 1 p.m. sharp. The cost is $10, which covers instruction, materials and refreshments. For more information, click here, send an e-mail to info@simcoecrafts.ca or call 431-2390.

Autism support group
Autism Ontario Simcoe County Chapter is hosting a support group for families of individuals on the autism spectrum on the Tuesday, Feb. 2, March 2 and April 5 at the Bayfield Street Zehrs Community Room (upstairs) from 7 pm to 9 pm.  To register, please email Chantal at simcoe@autismontario.com or call 252-7429. When registering, please provide the following information:  age of individual with autism, gender and official diagnosis.  Group may be divided into smaller groups to reflect issues that are age, gender or diagnosis specific to better serve participants.  Divisions will occur the night of meeting.

Mood Disorders
The Mood Disorders Self-Help Group of Barrie is meeting Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Canadian Mental Health Association at 21 Bradford St. for sharing and discussion. Friends and family are welcome. Call 726-5033 for details.

Travel at the library
Join Colleen McKee who took the train to New York City last summer for a taste of her travels Feb. 3. At 7 p.m. in the Angus Ross Room at the Barrie Public Library, McKee will make a slide show presentation that features popular attractions such as Ellis Island and Central Park. Free to all. For more info, call Alison at the library, at 728-1010, ext. 7084 or via email at abrumwell@barrie.ca

Info night
Open house and registration evening will be held at Timothy Christian School Feb. 4, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tours of the school that offers JK through Grade 8 are available. 750 Essa Rd., just south of Mapleview Drive.

Black History Month events
The City of Barrie is presenting a number of free events to mark Black History Month in February. On Feb. 5 guest speaker Cabral “Cabbie” Richards, a television and radio sports personality is best known for his shows on The Score will speak at the City Hall Rotunda at noon. On Feb. 10 the city welcomes Detroit jazz guitarist Robert Lowe at 7 p.m. at the Southshore Community Centre. For more information, call Elaine Britnell at 739-4220 ext. 4356. Then, on Feb. 13 the Barrie Public Library will host an African storytelling and drumming workshop at 10:30 a.m. At 2 p.m. Tiki Mercury-Clarke will perform Lift Every Voice and Sing, a musical telling the story of the roots of gospel music. For more on the library event call 728-1010 ext. 7019.

Pancake Breakfast
Central United Church, 54 Ross St., is set to host its annual Barrie Winterfest Pancake Breakfast on Feb. 6 between 8:30 a.m. and noon. The cost is $6 for adults and $2.50 for children 10 and under. Preschoolers are free.

Diabetes information night
The Canadian Diabetes Association is hosting a free diabetes information night featuring Health and Wellness from a Chiropractic perspective on Feb. 9 between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Grace United Church. 350 Grove St. For more information, call 737-3611.

Coming up roses
The Huronia Rose Society will hold an open meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at the Barrie Public Library (Angus Ross Room) at 7:30 p.m. The speaker will discuss “Wind Turbines and Alternative Energy.” There will be a Q & A on all rose questions to follow. Refreshments and door prizes finish the evening. Everyone is welcome at no cost. Call 721-0484 for details.

Murder Mystery
The Valentine Murder Mystery Dinner “A Crime of Passion” is being presented by the Royal Victoria Hospital Auxiliary at 6 p.m. on February 13 at the Tangle Creek Golf Club. Tickets are $50 each and are available from Lorraine 726-5123. or Ann 735-0164. Dress is business attire. All proceeds go to patient care at RVH.

Ice fishing tournament
The Canadian Homebuilders Association presents the 5th annual ice fishing tournament in support of Seasons Centre for Grieving Children on Feb. 13 on Kempenfelt Bay. Tournament features more than $50,000 in prizes. Registration will take place at the Southshore Centre. Ice fishing licences are not required for the event. Space is limited. To register for the event or for more information, call 728-5030 or click here or click here.

Dutch Canadian coffee club
The Dutch Canadian coffee club meets the third Wednesday of each month in the Georgian Mall food court by the elevators between 10 a.m. and noon.

Hispanic networking meeting
The Barrie Hispanic Networking Group will host a meeting on Feb. 17 between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. at Andy’s Place Diner, 107-19 Hart Dr. This is the first monthly networking and brainstorming meeting of business owners and professionals of Hispanic heritage to exchange contacts and business ideas in Spanish. This is an open group, but requires a personal recommendation from a member. The cost is $10, which includes breakfast. Please RSVP to info@barrielatincommunity.com.

World Religions
Learn the primary teachings of two faiths in a single evening. Being held Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 7:30 p.m to 9:30 p.m., J.W. Windland, founder of the Encounter World Religions Centre, will present Jehovah’s Witnesses: A Bible People, and Unitarianism: A Free and Responsible Search at Midhurst United Church on 91 Doran Road in Midhurst. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door or by calling ahead the church at 722-6331.

Curling for Epilepsy
Epilepsy Simcoe County is holding its third annual curling bonspiel at the Stroud Curling Club on Saturday, Feb. 20. There will be two draws of two games each at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. New or relatively new curlers should be prepared to go on the ice for instructions 30 minutes earlier. The cost is $35/person or $130/team, payable by cash or cheque prior prior to or on the day of the event. A 50-50 draw will be available and photographs will be taken. Muffins, beverages, lunch and prizes will be provided. Curlers will need clean shoes, warm clothing and a sense of fun. Register by Feb. 8 by calling Liz or Shirley at 737-3132.

K9 First Aid
Learn how to save your dog’s life in the event of an emergency by taking the CECAP’s Canine First Aid course on February 28, 2010 at Action First Aid on 92 Commerce Park Drive, Barrie. The six-hour course includes a full-colour course manual, hands-on practice with a dog mannequin, exam and a certificate upon completion. The Part 1 will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm, and Part 2 will continue from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $115.00 + tax for the entire course. “This course is a must-have for anyone who works with or owns a dog,” says veterinary technician Melanie Cook. To register, call facilitator Lynn Remmelgas of Muskoka Dog Academy at 705-789-3586 or email info@muskokadogacademy.ca.

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