Relaxation During the Hustle and Bustle

The holiday season can be so busy, you may get caught up in the bustle and bustle.  It is important to take time for yourself so you don’t feel overwhelmed.  Enjoy the small things.

Put together a holiday playlist with some of your favourite tunes.  Music is a great way to help you relax. A quote by Plato really captures the power of music, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, and life to everything.”  Take time to enjoy some music over the holidays.

Maybe a family colouring night is in the books this year.  Colouring is a great way to de-stress and bring out your creativity.  There are colouring books in numerous styles, making it easier to find one that suits each member of the family.  As well, there are many sites which offer free printable pages such as: http://www.crayola.ca/free-coloring-pages/ ; http://www.supercoloring.com/ ; and http://www.canadianfamily.ca/colouring-pages/ .  Dig out some pencil crayons, crayons or markers and have some fun colouring!

It might be a good time to start reading a new book.  Reading a well-written book can help by taking you away from the busyness of life.  According to Readers Digest, the following are the best new books for December 2016: 

• 99: Stories of the Game by Wayne Gretzky
• Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
• Canada by Mike Myers
• The Whistler by John Grisham
• Appetites by Anthony Bourdain
• A Game of Thrones: The Illustrated Edition by George R. R. Martin
• Live by Night by Dennis Lehane
• Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
• Cooking for Jeffrey by Ina Garten
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling.  

You can find a brief description of each novel here. If one of these sparks your interest, why not visit the Wood Buffalo Regional Library and check one out? For those exceptionally cold nights, reading is a great way to pass the time! 

Find some time to relax.  Enjoy the festive lights. Reward yourself with time just for you.

Art Trip to Edmonton

Art Trip to Edmonton

Date: May 13 – 14, 2016$190

Make a trip to Edmonton for a weekend of special programming at the Art Gallery of Alberta. This art-lovers bus trip will arrive in Edmonton on Friday afternoon with the option to attend our Art on the Block fundraiser and silent auction. The following day participate in a deliciously decadent Brunch at Zinc, a private gallery tour and a hands-on class before returning to Fort McMurray. Please see full itinerary below.

Included in the ticket price:

• Return bus ticket from Fort McMurray to Edmonton
• Private AGA Tour
• Brunch at Zinc Restaurant www.zincrestaurant.ca/
• Art Studio Class

Additional Add Ons:

• Room at the Sutton Place Hotel, 2 blocks from the AGA. Mention you are part of an Art Gallery of Alberta program to get a discounted rate! www.suttonplace.com/hotels/sutton-place-hotel-edmonton-edm?property=EDM&currency=CAD
• Ticket to Art on the Block, our annual silent auction and fundraiser, for the special price of $99 www.artontheblock.youraga.ca.

Please note participants must be 18+
To book your spot on the tour and tickets to Art on the Block please call the AGA’s front desk at 780-392-2500 x 0.

Itinerary

May 13, 2016

10AM: Pick up in Fort McMurray at Suncor Community Leisure Centre,

MacDonald Island Park 1 C.A Knight Way, Fort McMurray

3PM:  Arrival in Edmonton at the Sutton Place Hotel 10235 101 Street, Edmonton

7PM: Attend Art on the Block at the AGA

OR Free time in Edmonton

May 14, 2016

11AM: Private AGA Tour
12:30PM: Brunch at Zinc

1:30PM: Art Studio

4PM: Bus picks up at AGA to return to Fort McMurray, Suncor Community Leisure Centre

Contact:

Suncor Community Leisure Centre –  Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo
Ana Maria Mendez
Anamaria.Mendez@onerec.ca

Art Gallery of Alberta
Meaghan Froh
Meaghan.froh@youraga.ca

- See more at: www.youraga.ca/aga-art-bus

Tonight Come See 4 Local Plays

Tonight join Theatre; Just Because in a celebration of the one act plays created in their Play Production Series of workshops. Each play features local actors, directors, and stage managers who have been working with Theatre; Just Because for the last 4 months to bring these stories to life.

"Check Please" by Jonathan Rand
Directed by Diana Moser
Check Please follows a series of blind dinner dates that couldn't get any worse -- until they do.

"For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls" by Christopher Durang 
Directed by Ludwig Moelbert
A fading Southern belle, Amanda, tries to prepare her hyper-sensitive, hypochondriacal son, Lawrence, for "the feminine caller."

"SCABS" by Maria Blom
Directed by Hanna Fridhed
A warm and humorous play about growing as a person, letting go of and embracing both fears and new beginnings.

"Sure Thing" by David Ives
Directed by Jennifer Townsend
A chance meeting of two characters, Betty and Bill, whose conversation is continually reset by a ringing bell.

The shows will take place at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts starting at 7pm.  Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the door or at SECPA.CA. 

Join Alberta Culture Days and help create the largest celebration of arts and culture in the country!

Alberta Culture Days is looking for dedicated community members, sponsors, volunteers, venues, artists, actors, musicians, filmmakers, bands and community groups to create fun and engaging public events such as plays, art exhibitions, music performances, film screenings, dance shows, open mics, culinary events, cultural displays, workshops, and competitions. The sky is the limit! The events will take place from September 30-October 2 in celebration of arts, culture, and the heritage of our region, province and country!

Alberta Culture Days began in 2008 as Alberta Arts Days, a one day event to recognize the value of Alberta’s arts and cultural communities. Since then, it has expanded into a vibrant, three day event celebrated province wide which helped inspire the creation of Culture Days – a pan Canadian movement to raise awareness and participation in the arts and cultural life of our communities.

If you would like to get involved in this unique festival and make Wood Buffalo the largest celebration site in the country please join our first planning meeting this Tuesday, March 22, 7:00pm-8:00pm at the Future Forward Building, 9717 Franklin Avenue. For more information please contact Michael Beamish, michael.beamish@rmwb.ca, 780-788-1498.

Things to Do in McMurray for New Years Eve

Zimbabwe New Year’s Party

When: December 31, 6pm-1am Where: 

Where: Fort McMurray Golden Years Society 

The Zimbabwe Fort McMurray Community Association (ZFMCA) would like to invite the community at large; Friends, Relatives, Neighbours and Visitors to our New Year’s Party. For tickets or more information please call Mr. Mugodo (780) 607-2148. 

The CRAZE

When: December 31, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Where: Suncor Community Leisure Centre and Shell Place

The CRAZE features a variety of free family events and activities for youth and adults of all ages and will run from Noon until 6:00 pm at the Suncor Community Leisure Centre and Shell Place, culminating with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Due to this special event the Suncor Community Leisure Centre and Shell Place will open at Noon on December 31. The event will feature the following:

· Main Stage entertainment presented by Mix 103.7 FM
· Balloon drop presented by Don Scott Law Office
· Oil Barons practice, public skate and autograph session
· Speed Climb and Obstacle Course at the Climbing Wall
· Wipeout 2016 at the Syncrude Aquatic Centre
· Free public skate
· Kid’s Playzone
· Learn to Curl with the Oil Sands Curling Club
· Movie Zone with the Wood Buffalo Public Library
· Fireworks
· Face painting, balloon artists, bouncy castles and craft carnival

For additional details please contact ONE REC, info@onerec.ca

DJ D-NYCE PRESENTS: 2016 NEW YEAR'S PARTY

When: December 31, 2015 from 9:30pm to January 1, 2016 at 2:00am

Where: Stonebridge Hotel

Come and Celebrate the New Year and DJ D-Nyce Birthday at Stonebridge Hotel Banquet Room for tickets or additional information please phone (780) 743-3301 or email fmmdeskmanager@stonebridgefortmac.com.

Royal Canadian Legion, New Years’ Eve Ball

When: December 31, 5:30pm to 11:45pm

Where: Royal Canadian Legion, 9317 Huggard Street

Come to the Royal Canadian Legion New Year’s Eve Ball featuring live music by local band Old Skool. Tickets are $75.00 per person and includes a prime rib buffet from 5:30pm-7:30pm. The event will be held in banquet room upstairs at the legion. For additional information please contact the Royal Canadain Legion, 780-743-2329, royalcanadianlegion@shaw.ca.

BAILEY'S PUB 2016 NEW YEAR'S KARAOKE BASH

When: December 31, 9:00pm to January 1, 2:00am

Where: Bailey’s Pub, 9713 Hardin St.

You are invited to, Bailey's Pub 2016 New Year's Karaoke Bash. There will be lots of prizes and drink specials throughout the evening. For additional details please visit there website, www.baileyspubfortmac.com or contact the Stonebridge Hotel (780) 743-3301, email fmmdeskmanager@stonebridgefortmac.com.

Club NV

Dance into the New Year at Club NV featuring the most requested songs of 2015! Admission includes your chance to win $1,000.00 cash. Doors open at 10pm.

Whatever you do this New Year's Eve please do it responsibly and don't drink and drive! 

Westwood Winter Magic Open House

Westwood Winter Magic Open House 

Wednesday, December 2nd from 7:00-9:30pm  

Westwood Performing and Visual Arts students present: 

Dance, Drama & Improv, Art & photography, Band, Guitar, Piano and Vocal performances.

Admission Free: Cash donations are welcome towards various performing arts programs, Food Bank items, or winter clothing for the Centre of Hope.