Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Haines Junction Community Report CBC – January 9, 2018
 
Good Morning!
Sandi – I thought I wasn’t going to have a very long report for you this morning… I thought, first week back, it will be slow. Well, I was wrong. So let’s dive right in!
 
If there is something that peaks your interest, I post a copy of my report at www.volunteerhainesjunction.com/report and you can also visit our amazing community calendar, that is maintained by Elsabe Kloppers there as well!

Sports Report
Minor Hockey has had a busy and successful first few months… and there is a certainly a buzz around town as we look forward to hosting the ATOM Yukon Championships this weekend. Come on out to Arena and cheer on all our Yukon youth -- but be sure to cheer extra loud cheer for the Haines Junction HUSKIES!!!!!
 
Haines Junction Minor Hockey would like for me to congratulate their November Volunteer of the Month:  Dakota Jackson!  We’ve heard that he has demonstrated a high level of commitment to being prepared for every practice and skills camp, as well as assisting the young beginner skaters in the Mites/Tykes group. Dakota is setting a great example of dedication for his hockey peers.

Val Drummond tells me that the Women's Hockey Jamboree will take place the last weekend in January this year. Contact her for details.
 
And still on the ice… 
The Shawkwunlee Dunena Sports Society is hosting the 36th Annual Native Curling Bonspiel at the St. Elias Center and Arena on February 2-4. Register by January 30. It’s $240 per team contact 634-7074 or 634-5260. There will be a Saturday night banquet and dance.
 
And for those less competitive curlers, The St Elias Lions are hosting a fun curling Bonspiel – a “fun-speil” -- on Saturday, February 17.
 
The 49th annual Alcan 200 snowmobile race is happening on Saturday, January 20th. The Haines road is officially closed for the day. Come on out to Dezadeash and watch as the snowmobiles come in at 11 am Yukon time.
 
The St. Elias Ski Club is holding its annual AGM on Thursday, January 18 at 7:00 pm in the school library. We’re still hoping for snow out here… although I hear the club has started to lay some tracks at the Forestry Trails.
 
Badminton has started up again and it is on Monday nights from 7:30 - 9 pm at the school. For information – call Mark at 634-2943
 
Adult soccer is every Thursday from 7:30-9pm in the school gym.
 
Yoga is on Monday nights at 5:15 pm at Haines Junction Campus with Marguerite Richard.
 
Lia Fox is teaching a yoga Stretch and Tone class tonight at 5:15 pm and its also the college.
 
And if you prefer the gym to a yoga class, the weight room at Aku is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 6pm to 10pm.

Arts and Culture
Da Ku will be hosting Jeneen Frei Njootli – February 1, at 7pm  for a visual performance and screening of her film Being Skidoo, pre-empting the Available Light film Festival in Whitehorse -- this event is hosted by the Yukon Film Society.
 
Junction Arts and Music invites you to Escape the Winter with "La Belle Vie en Hiver", an evening with cheese, wine and music in the atrium of the St. Elias Convention Centre. A tasting of excellent wines will accompany fine cheese, served with artisan baguettes from 14 Acre Farm. Enjoy decadence along with tri-lingual Yukon music from Driftwood Holly and Brigitte Desjardins. Space is limited, so please book your seat in advance by contacting JAM at [email protected]
 
We have a new Art Journaling Group -- and everyone is Welcome!
Tuesday evenings (7 – 9 pm) at School Art Room. Bring your journal and supplies if you have some - If you don't, the group will supply you with some things to get started!

Tots
The 2018 Romp n Run programs start January 9th and run every Tuesday and Thursday until March 15th. This program is for children 4 and under and gets kids moving, wiggling and having fun! It is from 10 -11:30am in the Arena mezzanine! Tuesdays is Dance & Movement and Thursdays will be Parent & Tot Yoga in January, Romp n Stomp Music program in February and other fun in March. Please wear comfortable clothes and indoor shoes and parent or caregiver participation is required.

Youth Centre
The Youth Centre is open this week from 3:30-5:30 pm. Homework help is every Monday from 3:30-5:30-pm. Evening hours this week are from 7 to 9:30 pm. Join them this Friday for Dinner and Movie. And Shannon tells me that the next Mt. Sima Day is on January 20. You need to sign up by January 12 if you want to go so contact Shannon ASAP!

Seniors
The St. Elias Seniors Society tells me that they are at 28 members and growing! They have lots weekly activities and host events for the seniors and the whole community.
 
Tomorrow (Wednesday, January 10th) there will be a turkey dinner to celebrate the New Year. This will be held in the Senior’s Centre social room at 3:00 pm – the event starts with about an hour of shuffleboard and pool.
 
Their regularly weekly schedule is as follows:

• Carpet bowling and floor curling take place in the Atrium every Tuesday at 1:30 pm.

• Wednesdays they meet in the Social Room at 1:30 pm for shuffleboard and pool games and folks have expressed interest in getting some card games going on too!

• And then on Thursdays they host Tai Chi classes – for the whole community -- in the Atrium at 1:30 pm.

 
The Seniors also host guest speakers and take on great community projects. I think its pretty fair to say that Haines Junction is a great place to live and retire!

Economic Development 
The St. Elias Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual AGM on Thursday, January 11th at 7pm in council chambers. 

Wellness
Weight Loss
Haines Junction Health Centre nurses are happy to support any community members in their weight loss goals. We can offer weekly weigh-ins, access to the community dietitian, and tips to change your diet and increase your daily activity. An open women’s weekly weigh-in group will start on January 25th at 4:30pm in the basement of the clinic.
 
Mindfulness and Meditation for Beginners
On January 15, 2018 at 5pm in the clinic basement, Dr. Somani will teach a 1 hr session on Isha Kriya, a simple 12-18 minute practice, to help you become meditative effortlessly. No previous experience required and can easily be done sitting in a chair. Please call to register, as there is a maximum of 15 participants.
 
Smoking Cessation

And a reminder to anyone with a New Years resolution to quit smoking… QuitPath is a free smoking cessation program offered at the health centre. You can access weekly support, free Nicotine Patches, and, as needed, nicotine replacement lozenges and gum for up to 12 weeks. Call to book an appointment today!
 
The nursing station can be reached at 634-4444
 
Looking for a Lunchtime Retreat?
Angie Charlebois invites community members to try out Havening which a method for healing from chronic pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Join her for a free 30 minute session on Mondays from 12:15 to 12:45 pm at the Haines Junction Campus of Yukon College

Adventure!
And last but not least, I’ve learned that Lonnie Dupre and Pascal Marceau are Canadians who are attempting the first winter ascent of Mount Lucania. Nestled deep in the Yukon’s Kluane National Park, this seldom visited peak has never been climbed in the winter.  The two person team, Marceau and Dupre, will attempt to be the first to do so.  Marceau would be one of few or possibly the first ever female, if successful, to summit a subarctic, high altitude mountain in the winter. I understand, Sandi that you’ll be speaking with them tomorrow about this incredible adventure in our backyard!