The Western Wheel’s Datebook is a listing of upcoming events, activities and meetings taking place throughout the Foothills. If you would like to submit a non-commercial listing to be included in the Datebook, please email [email protected].
The Town of Okotoks’ Environmental Education Centre hosts Nature Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where activities focus on a different theme weekly. Upcoming topics include: Compost (Jan. 10). okotoks.ca
The Okotoks Legion will hold meat draws (nine) every Saturday at the Elks Hall. Doors open at noon for a perogie meal. Tickets are $1 and draws run from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
The Sheep Creek Arts Council’s annual open house will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. Stop by 133 Sunset Blvd. SW in Diamond Valley to discover winter/spring classes, meet instructors, explore creative opportunities and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. sheepcreekarts.ca
Chinese Ink Art & Calligraphy with Sheep River artist in residence Wanru Kemp will be held at the Okotoks Public Library on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The free program for ages 12 and up will feature a traditional celebration of the Lunar New Year with festive art and calligraphy activities. okotokslibrary.ca
A weekly Meditation Circle meets at 9:30 a.m. on Mondays at the Sheep River Library. A group of open-hearted folks gather with a shared intention to cultivate happiness and wellbeing within ourselves and our world. No registration required. sheepriverlibrary.ca
The Art of Letting Go, a public talk with Kadampa Buddhist nun Kelsang Khacho, will be held at the Okotoks Public Library on Monday, Jan. 13 from 7 to 8:15 p.m. $15 drop-in fee. It’s the first in a series of five meditation classes on Mondays at 7 p.m. meditateinokotoks.org.
The Age-Friendly Speaker Series continues on Wednesday, Jan. 15 with a fire safety presentation from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Okotoks and District Seniors Club. Okotoks Fire & Rescue deputy Chief Dave Hodgins will discuss the importance of fire safety. No registration required. okotoks.ca
Join Mayor Thorn on Thursday, Jan. 16 for Mayor's Town Update, a conversation on growth, taxes and the future of Okotoks. Session starts at 7 p.m. at the Viking Rentals Centre. okotoks.ca
Board Games for Adults is held on the first and third Monday of the month at the Okotoks Public Library from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy one of the games provided or feel free to bring your own board game. okotokslibrary.ca
CanAm Wrestling presents Vengeance at the Okotoks Elks Hall on Friday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. The main event will feature "Bigg Daddy" Dean Holstein and "The Original Aboriginal" Big Jesse Youngblood take on Deryck Crosse "Show Killer" and "Uhinged" Skyler Gray. Tickets on Showpass.
A Repair Café will be held at the Viking Rentals Centre on Saturday, Jan. 25 from noon to 4 p.m. Items accepted for repair include electronics, small appliances, toys, housewares and more. Food bank donations will be accepted. okotoks.ca
AV and the Inner City will perform at Red Deer Lake United Church in Foothills County as part of the On the Edge concert series on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. Fronted by Ann Vriend, the all-female soul/roots group formed for front porch performances in inner city Edmonton during the pandemic. reddeerlakeuc.com/concerts
You & Me Sweetheart, a mini photo album/card class in time for Valentine’s Day, will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Coterie Co., 2 Elk Ave., Okotoks. Cost is $30. Register at thecoterieco.ca.
Are you new to Okotoks and area, looking to meet new people and learn about the community? If so, consider attending a Women’s Newcomers meeting. They are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 20 Banister Gate, Okotoks. For more information, call Verna Schneider at 1-306-961-2364.
The Solace Grief Support Society offers free individual/group grief counselling with 6 p.m. start times on the following dates: Zoom group: third Thursday; in-person group: first Wednesday at Okotoks Public Library, third Thursday at Jacks Place in High River; men’s group: second Tuesday at Okotoks Public Library, fourth Tuesday at High River Library. Register at 403-601-3312 or [email protected].
Foothills Writers Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at the Okotoks Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m. The group is a community of local authors whose goal is to encourage and support writers during their creative journey. The group includes members new to the writing world and published authors. [email protected]
A Memory Cafe will be held on the fourth Friday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Griffiths Centre in Diamond Valley. It’s an opportunity for people with memory loss and their caregivers to meet for mutual support. Call 403-969-6040 for details.
Weekly Jam Sessions at the Okotoks and District Seniors Club are held on Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. Musicians and singers are welcome as well as those that want to listen, sing along or dance to the tunes. Entrance fee is $2.
Weekly 45-minute OM chanting sessions are held at the Okotoks Public Library to lift your energy and mood. Always free, open to drop-ins. Sessions are held on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. sharp, so arrive early to get a seat. okotokslibrary.ca
The Sheep River parkrun, a free weekly five-kilometre run/walk, is held every Saturday at 9 a.m. The loop begins and ends at the picnic shelter in Sheep River Park, and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. sheepriverparkrun.ca
You can record, edit and upload your own podcasts at the Sheep River Library in Diamond Valley in its soundproofed recording space. Equipment and training are provided so you can get your podcasts out into the world. Call 403-933-3278 to book a time or get more information.
All songwriters and poets are invited to join a new songwriting club, Foothills Song Writers Troupe, with meetings on the first Sunday of every month at 2 p.m. Group is for encouragement, growth and sharing love of writing. Ask to join the private Facebook group (Foothills Song Writers Troupe).
The Rotary Club of Okotoks meets on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 6 p.m. at the Crystal Ridge Golf Club. okotoksrotary.ca
An ELL (English Language Learning) class is held every Thursday from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. Learn vocabulary that will help you in everyday situations in classes facilitated by YMCA LINC instructor Deb Payne. Classes are free and drop-in. okotokslibrary.ca
The Okotoks Chess Club meets every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. The free club aims to improve chess play and maintains a friendly environment where learning takes priority over winning. Chess sets and clocks are available. All ages welcome, drop in. [email protected]
The LEGO Club meets every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. Kids aged six to 12 can enjoy playing with LEGO and meeting new friends in the free, drop-in activity. okotokslibrary.ca