The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council will hold public information sessions on arts funding opportunities. In Carbon-ear at the Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre, Thursday, Nov. 26, 7 p.m. For information: 726-2212 or long distance toll free 1-866-726-2212, nlacmail@nfld.net.

Friday, Nov. 27

The A.C. Hunter Library will host a seniors' appreciation tea on the second floor Friday, Nov. 27 from 2-4 p.m. Our special guests are Margaret Hitchens, Dave Wilson and Wince Coles. There will be draws for book prizes and light refreshments will be served. See you there.

Gentle Yoga Class Fridays at 11:30 a.m. Suitable for people living with illness, injury or those requiring a slower, gentler pace. Beginner and continuing classes offered. For additional information, call Judy at 754-2425 or visit www.alivewithyoga.ca.

Saturday, Nov. 28

November is Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month across Canada. In honour of this special month, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) will hold an education symposium at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John's Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Marilyn Finkelstein, the co-founder of the CCFC and 2009 Flare Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient. The general public and families and friends of people with Crohn's or Colitis is encouraged to attend. Anyone interested can register online at www.ccfc.ca or for more information call Julie Bowering at 579-3700.

Artists of all abilities are invited to the first meeting of the Northeast Avalon Art Group Saturday, Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. This group will get together regularly to draw and paint and will hold public exhibitions and sales. For more details and to confirm your attendance, e-mail jeanettejobson@ gmail.com or brenda@ brendarowe.ca or call Brenda at 437-7693.

Positive Thinkers monthly breakfast meeting will be held Saturday, Nov. 28 at 9 a.m. at The Battery Hotel and Conference Centre. Guest speaker Dr. Bill Eaton.

Begin to discover your true nature as a genuine, gentle and compassionate human being. We all possess basic goodness. Shambhala Meditation will offer a first level program: The Art of Being Human, with Kay Crinean Saturday, Nov. 28. For full details visit www.stjohns.shambhala.org or call 576-4727.

The Beaches Heritage Centre in Eastport presents Roy Babstock Tribute Concert featuring your favourite local performers Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. Admission: $12. All proceeds go to The Beaches Heritage Centre. To reserve tickets call 677-2360.

Club du Samedi. Saturday morning activities in French for children aged 5-14 offered by the Francophone Association. For more information or to register, visit www.acfsj.ca/club or call 726-4900.

Sunday, Nov. 29

The Wesley United Church Men's Choir will hold a service starting Sunday, Nov. 29 6:50 p.m. at Wesley. Musical guests are "Celebration." Everyone welcome.

Saint Luke's Homes will present its ninth annual Christmas concert at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's Sunday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Admission $17:50. Tickets at the box office.

St. Michael and All Angels Parish, St. Clare Avenue, presents its annual candlelit service of Advent Lessons and Carols Sunday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. A freewill offering will be taken and items for the Emmaus House Food Bank will be gratefully received.

The Arthritis Society goods bingo Christmas extravaganza will be held Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Harbour Breeze Lounge, Harbour Grace. Doors open 1 p.m., admission $5. Come out for a fun-filled afternoon of bingo games, raffle spins and door prizes.

The Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland (SAEN) will offer a fly rod building course on Sundays 1-3 p.m. Contact the SAEN office to register: 722-9300.

Monday, Nov. 30

If you have graduated from the Eastern Health cardiac program and would like to continue on the road to good health, come and join the Newfoundland Cardiac Rehabilitation Associations exercise program at the NL Sports Centre on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8 a.m. Call Barb Baldwin at 579-2593 for more information.

Tuesday, Dec. 1

The Arthritis Society will hold an Arthritis Workshop Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 2-4 p.m. at the Arthritis Society Office, 78 O'Leary Ave., St. John's. If arthritis or fibromyalgia pain is affecting your quality of life, this workshop could help you. Cost is $5 and includes handouts and refreshments (no charge for support person attending with you). Call Donna at 579-8190 or e-mail info@nl.arthritis.ca.

Gentle Relaxation Yoga Classes for all ages at the Church of the Ascension in Mount Pearl Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Call Rita Lester at 368-7643 to inquire.

Wednesday, Dec. 2

At The Rooms Theatre Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 7-8:30 p.m., "Mummers and Masks and Mums the Word" (films). "Mummers and Masks" is a one-hour documentary by Chris Brookes that examines the ancient Christmas tradition of mummering on both sides of the Atlantic. On Saturday, Dec. 5 from 2-3 p.m., Wow do you mummer anyway? - a public forum with mummers. On Sunday, Dec. 6, shows at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., "The Sights Before Christmas." Tickets for these performances are $5 per person and available on a first-come, first-served basis at The Rooms admissions desk.

The Health Archives and Museum will host a Christmas craft and bake sale Dec. 2 in the main lobby of Southcott Hall - Centre for Nursing Studies, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Profits collected from the sale will support the continuing operation of the archives and museum. For more information, call Kerri at 777-3344.

The Wesley United Church Men's Service Club is selling Christmas hams again this year, in three pound ($12) and five pound ($17) sizes. To order, call the church office at 579-3682 by Dec. 2 - delivery around Dec. 18.

BikeShare Fall Calendar of Events: repair shop open every Wednesday from 5-9 p.m. Everyone welcome. Located in Room 1015-E in the MUN Engineering Building. Check out our website http://munbikeshare.wordpress.com.

Cabot Toastmasters meet every second Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mount Pearl City Hall. Guests are welcome. For more information, contact Debbie at 745-0071.

Lunch and bridge every Wednesday at the Remax Centre, St. John's. Call Shirley Kelly at 754-3260 to book a table.

Become a pilot for free. Join 515 North Atlantic Air Cadet Squadron. For ages 12-18, Wednesday nights 6:30-9 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m-noon at Building 312 located in Pleasantville. For more information, contact 570-4706.

If your eating habits cause you concern, come to the Overeater Anonymous public information meeting 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2 at Sobeys Merrymeeting Road Community Room.

Meditation helps us appreciate ourselves, others, and our world. Visit the St. John's Shambhala Meditation Group, Billy Rahal Fieldhouse, rear of Elizabeth Towers. All group meditation sessions are free to attend - Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon. No cost meditation instruction is available each Wednesday. For more info or to book your instruction visit http://stjohns.shambhala.org/ (click on "Sitting") or call 576-4727.

Thursday, Dec. 3

Did you know that 24.8 per cent of people with disabilities living in Newfoundland and Labrador are unemployed? International Day of Persons with Disabilities is Dec. 3. The Canadian Paraplegic Association has career and employment disability case management centres located across Newfoundland and Labrador to assist persons with disabilities achieve their career and employment goals. Information on wage subsidies to hire a person with a disability is also available to employers. For more information, contact the Canadian Paraplegic Association office located at 342 Freshwater Rd. or call 753-5901.

St. John's/Newfoundland and Labrador St. Francis Xavier Alumni Chapter will hold St. Francis Xavier Day Thursday, Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m., at Arribas (above Quintanas) in Churchill Square in St. John's. Alumni and friends of St. FX welcome. There will be draws and prizes. Please bring a donation for the local food bank. For more info, contact Jacqui Janes at jkjanes@yahoo.com or 726-2126.

The annual Grand Falls-Windsor Christmas tree lighting will take place Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. in front of the fire hall. Santa will be in attendance to give out loot bags to the children. Please park in the parking lot on the public works depot side. There will be no parking permitted on the fire hall parking lot.

Fall operating hours and admission rates are now in effect at MUN Botanical Garden The flower gardens and trails are open daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and admission rates are reduced. For more information, visit www.mun.ca/botgarden or call 737-8590.

CLB Roller Skating for 30 years and over at the CLB Armoury, Harvey Road, Thursdays 8-10 p.m. Come, join your friends, re-live those happy times, and enjoy roller skating to the music of the 60s and 70s. Admission $5 per person. For more information, call 364-2888 or 722-1737.

Tango on the Edge holds dances/practices every Thursday at 8:30 p.m., at our new location, the Retired Citizens Club, 10 Bennett Ave. Everyone welcome. For more information, visit www.tangoontheedge.com.

Japanese Language instruction available on Thursday and Saturday evenings, and by appointment. Contact Nami Ohara at ohara.nami@gmail.com or visit www.oharaconsulting.ca.

Coming up

The Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice together with Development and Peace will sponsor a Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Gift Sale on Friday, Dec. 4, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Littledale, 250 Waterford Bridge Rd. All proceeds will go to Ten Thousand Villages to provide steady work, fair wages and a better life for poor people in developing countries. Admission is free.

December programs at The Rooms include: Opening Dec. 4 - "Unrequited Death: Helen Gregory." Opening reception Friday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Artist's Lecture Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. Opening Dec. 11 - "The Inner Rooms: The Peoples' Collection." Public reception Thursday, Jan.14 at 7:30 p.m.

Art Works by J. Walker Wilson Saturday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 177 Water St. Enquiries: walker@warp.nfld.net.

The SPCA annual pet pics with Santa Saturday, Dec. 5 at St. David's Hall, 98 Elizabeth Ave. from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are recommended. To book appointments call 757-4051. The cost is $20 for two 5x7 photos.

Heavenly Creatures fourth annual Santa and pet pictures will be held Dec. 5 and 6 at St. Teresa's Church on Mundy Pond Road from noon to 8 p.m. Cost $20 for two 5x7 photos. Appointments are recommended, walk-ins are welcome. Call 739-0077 to book your appointment now, or e-mail heavenlycreaturesca@gmail.com.

Saturday, Dec. 5, from 1-4 p.m. Michael Flaherty will lead a more hands on workshop where participants will learn how to create their own studded bike tires. If you are interested in this workshop, e-mail munbikeshare@gmail.com to register. There will be a $5 charge for materials.

Celebrate Christmas with music Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. at St. David's Presbyterian Church with St. David's Church Choir and The Tenacious String Orchestra.

At The Rooms Sunday, Dec. 6 from 2-4 p.m., Family Fun Drop-in: Make your own Pocket Mummer. This program is included with the cost of admission to The Rooms. Also from 2-4 p.m. Show and Share for Grown-ups: Mummering Memories.

Christmas concert at St. Teresa's Church on Mundy Pond Road in St. John's Sunday, Dec. 6. Donations go toward scholarships for the education of girls in Kenya, Africa.

Announcements

Are you or someone you know pregnant and in need of support? Did you know that The Kilbride to Ferryland Family Resource Centre offers a Healthy Baby Club which includes pre-natal education, food supplements, hospital tours and more. For more information, call 747-8532.

The Health Care Foundation is selling Christmas Cards in support of adult health care in St. John's. The collection includes five beautiful images by Newfoundland artist Ed Roche - and can be purchased in packages of 10 for $12. To order, call the Health Care Foundation office at 777-5901.

Heavenly Creatures is seeking volunteers to help sell Christmas tickets. If you can help, call 739-0077 or e-mail heavenlycreaturesca@gmail.com. If you are interested but don't live in St. John's and can't pick them up, a volunteer will bring them to you or we can mail them. Draw date is Dec. 20. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5.

Are you interested in a policing career? To find out, attend one of the RCMP career presentations/entrance exams being held during November and December across Newfoundland and Labrador. For more information, call 1-877-RCMP-GRC or visit www.rcmp.ca.

The Salmonid Association of Newfoundland (SAEN) will hold fly tying classes Monday and Wednesday nights. Contact the office for more information at 722-9300.

The NL Down Syndrome Society's resource centre at 21 Pippy Pl., Suite 106 (The Down Syndrome Awareness Centre), is open to the public Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Call 738-3336 during office hours.

New to For the Love of Learning is Luigi Chiaramonte, teaching Aikido. Classes are free to all aged 15-35 and are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:302 p.m., at For the Love of Learning, located at Gower Street United Church. Just ring the bell on the harbour side. For more information, contact Peter Hynes at 722-8848 or peterhynes@fortheloveoflearning.org.

Overeaters Anonymous hold weekly meetings in the St. John's area on the following days: Sundays 8:15 p.m. at Mary Queen of the World parish hall, Topsail Road; Mondays 12:15 p.m. at 23 Cashin Ave.; Wednesdays 8 p.m. at St. James United Church, Elizabeth Avenue, beginners meeting starts at 7:15 p.m.; and Saturdays 11 a.m. at St. Thomas' Anglican Church, Military Road. For more information on the Overeaters Anonymous 12-step program, call 738-1742.

The Holy Sacrifice of the mass in the extraordinary form (traditional Latin mass) is offered weekly on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Oratory of the Sacred Heart, Convent of Our Lady of Mercy, 170 Military Rd., side door facing the Basilica. Latin/English resources supplied. For information, call 726-6727 or 722-4842.

Admiralty House Museum and Archives is looking for volunteers. Positions available are: manager CICQ Tourism Radio 92.3 fm, chair, Mount Pearl History Society, and membership to the board of management. For more information, call 748-1124.

The City of St. John's Mayor's Advisory Committee on Youth is looking for people ages 14-20 to join the committee and serve as school representatives. For more information, see your school guidance counsellor or contact the youth services co-ordinator at 576-8500 or e-mail youth@stjohns.ca.