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DATEBOOK: Learn Chinese ink art, calligraphy at Okotoks Library

Sheep River artist in residence Wanru Kemp leading free drop-in program for ages 12 and up on Saturday, Nov. 16.
wanru-kemp-2024-okotoks-library
2024 Sheep River artist in residence Wanru Kemp stands outside the Okotoks Public Library, where she will be hosting a workshop on Chinese ink painting and calligraphy on Nov. 16.

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].            

             

Hunt for 10 wooden pumpkins on a one-kilometre loop trail in the woods behind Oilfields Arena in Diamond Valley. Perfect for families with young children. Self-guided Pumpkin Hunt runs until Nov 17. Hosted by Connections Nature Play Forest School. dvslc.ca/nature-school/   

 

The Okotoks Public Library is launching Christmas colouring contests for kids and adults on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Drop in to pick up your colouring page from one of the library’s service desks or print a copy from the website. okotokslibrary.ca  

       

The Okotoks & District Seniors Club’s Age-Friendly Speaker Series continues on Wednesday, Nov. 13 with Going Digital with CRA & Service Canada. The free presentation from 2 to 4 p.m. will explain why signing up for online accounts can make managing your taxes, benefits and services easier.  

  

Foothills seniors are invited to a monthly luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at Okotoks Alliance Church. All are welcome. Suggested donation: $10. Please RSVP, if possible, to [email protected]

 

The Okotoks Public Library hosts Movie Night for Adults on the second Thursday of each month. A free screening of Back to Black will be held on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. okotokslibrary.ca    

   

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: Outer Space (Nov. 15). okotoks.ca         

       

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.                   

                         

YYC Drum Circles and Sheep River Library are proud to bring Trevor Uruski as a feature guest at the Friday, Nov. 15 drum circle at 7 p.m. Chris and Don from YYC Drum Circles will be sharing their love for rhythm and drumming, guests will also get to experience Uruski's magic with the didgeridoo, flutes, chanting and more. sheepriverlibrary.ca 

  

The DeWinton Hall Christmas Market will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be an incredible selection of gifts, décor and homewares perfect for the holiday season. The hall is located at114 Macleod Trail.  

   

Discover the story of the Chinese Zodiac and practice a special character for the upcoming Chinese New Year at Chinese Ink Art & Calligraphy at the Okotoks Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Facilitated by Sheep River artist in residence Wanru Kemp, the free drop-in program is for ages 12 and up. okotokslibrary.ca  
  

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 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 Foothills Philharmonic Society presents Acoustic Open Mic Night at Okotoks Alliance Church on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include one drink and snack. foothillsphilharmonic.com  

 

Pine Creek Cemetery Society's important annual meeting is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. at the DeWinton Community Centre. In anticipation of the publication of the Pine Creek Cemetery History since 1889, publishers from Folklore Reasearch will make a presentation. All society members are encouraged to attend. 

 

Buddhist meditation classes will be held at the Okotoks Public Library every Monday from 7 to 8:15 p.m. until Dec 9. There’s a drop-in fee of $15. www.MeditateInOkotoks.org    

    

Acoustic Nights at the Old Church Theatre continues on Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. Bring your instrument to jam with fellow musicians in a safe place. Open to all ages and all levels of performers. okotoks.ca      

      

The Utilities Consumer Advocate, in partnership with the Town of Okotoks, is hosting a free presentation to help residents and businesses navigate Alberta's utility market. Utility 101: Make Informed Choices for Your Energy Needs will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Environmental Education Centre. okotoks.ca 

 

The Friends of the Okotoks Public Library will be hosting a book sale at the library on Friday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All books, DVDs and audiobooks are by donation. okotokslibrary.ca 

 

Light Up Okotoks, a kick-off celebration to the holiday season featuring the lighting of the community Christmas tree, will be held on Friday, Nov. 22 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. There will be festivities throughout the downtown core, including wagon rides, fire pits, choir performances and more. okotoks.ca  

  

The On the Edge concert series presents a Heebee-jeebees Christmas on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. at Red Deer Lake United Church. With five Christmas albums of comical and witty material, their renditions of Christmas classics and their originals are legendary. reddeerlakeuc.com/concerts   

   

Heebee-jeebees Christmas will be held at Old Church Theatre on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The Heebee-jeebees are an internationally acclaimed, award-winning, comic a cappella group born and raised in Calgary. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door. okotoks.ca 

 

A Christmas Décor Swap will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Environmental Education Centre. Donate holiday decorations or pick up new ones. okotoks.ca 

 

The next show in the Beneath the Arch concert series will feature the Andrew Collins Trio on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Flare N Derrick Community Hall in Diamond Valley. beneaththearch.ca 

 

United Church in the Valley hosts two performances of Christmas with The Travelling Mabels on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. thetravellingmabels.com 

 

Foothills Brass Christmas concert at Old Church Theatre on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. The quintet’s repertoire ranges from Renaissance to ragtime, Bach to the Beatles, with a healthy dose of jazz, Dixieland, blues and even country. okotoks.ca 

 

A new season of Social Nights at DeWinton Hall continues on Friday, Dec. 6. Learn a fun 15-minute line dance, followed by an hour-long Double Shuffle lesson and a social evening until 10 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and lessons begin at 7 p.m. sharp. Tickets are $27 per person, and available by calling 403-938-2525 or email [email protected]. Complimentary snacks and free parking.  

  

The Okotoks Festive Film Festival will take place at Okotoks Cinemas on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. One of a handful of dedicated Christmas film festivals, it will show short films from around the world and is screening the new feature film Nochebuena. showpass.com/okotoks-festive-film-festival 

 

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].    

    

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.                     

                     

Foothills Writers Group (formerly the Indie Author Group Okotoks) 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]                              

                              

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). 

 

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.                        

                        

A Memory Cafe will be held on the first Wednesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Seniors Club. It’s an opportunity for people with memory loss and their caregivers to meet for mutual support. Call 403-969-6040 for details.                              

                               

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 

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