Community

Andy Pawlyk and his Little Brother Chris Selathamby celebrated being matched for 40 years through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Photo Submitted

40-year Big Brother match a gift to Lacombe man

Andy Pawlyk and his Little Brother Chris Selathamby honoured at BBBS Awards Night

Andy Pawlyk and his Little Brother Chris Selathamby celebrated being matched for 40 years through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Photo Submitted
Ola Zeinalabdin is a Syrian refugee who moved to Red Deer with her family in 2015. Six months after arriving she started volunteering with C.A.R.E. by telling her story in local schools as part of the refugee centre’s public and rural awareness programs. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express

‘I love this city’: Syrian refugee shares experience as a community volunteer

Volunteering has helped Ola Zeinalabdin find her voice in a new country

Ola Zeinalabdin is a Syrian refugee who moved to Red Deer with her family in 2015. Six months after arriving she started volunteering with C.A.R.E. by telling her story in local schools as part of the refugee centre’s public and rural awareness programs. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express
Westpark Middle School Grade 8 students Daksh Sethi, left, Avery Bettesworth and Nathan Randall play wheelchair basketball as part of Inclusive Schools Week this week. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express

Celebrating diversity with Inclusive Schools Week

Westpark Middle School teacher says inclusive schools benefit everyone

Westpark Middle School Grade 8 students Daksh Sethi, left, Avery Bettesworth and Nathan Randall play wheelchair basketball as part of Inclusive Schools Week this week. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express
The Nature Conservancy of Canada says giving someone a wolf (or moose, or bear) is a great way to relieve the pressure of gift shopping on yourself and the environment. Photo courtesy the Nature Conservancy.

Give the gift of nature this holiday season

Please don’t be mad, but I bought you a moose

The Nature Conservancy of Canada says giving someone a wolf (or moose, or bear) is a great way to relieve the pressure of gift shopping on yourself and the environment. Photo courtesy the Nature Conservancy.
A past Soroptimist International of Central Alberta event. file photo

Central Alberta Soroptimists now accepting applications for their awards

Applications are due Jan. 1st, 2019

A past Soroptimist International of Central Alberta event. file photo
Landon Hildebrand, director of housing and clinic development at The Mustard Seed in Edmonton, spoke in Red Deer Monday night about the opioid crisis and ways to treat those suffering from addiction. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express

Mustard Seed and Turning Point hosted event on opioid and substance abuse

Landon Hildebrand says reducing stigma round drug addiction can begin to help treatment

Landon Hildebrand, director of housing and clinic development at The Mustard Seed in Edmonton, spoke in Red Deer Monday night about the opioid crisis and ways to treat those suffering from addiction. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express
Jessa Pellerin stands beside some of her artistic creations currently on display at The Hub. Her exhibit, called ‘Heart & Key’, runs through to the end of December. Mark Weber/Red Deer Express

Jessa Pellerin presents ‘Heart Key’ exhibit at The Hub

Exhibit showcases custom signs ‘made with love’

Jessa Pellerin stands beside some of her artistic creations currently on display at The Hub. Her exhibit, called ‘Heart & Key’, runs through to the end of December. Mark Weber/Red Deer Express
WATCH: CP Holiday Train rolls into Lacombe

WATCH: CP Holiday Train rolls into Lacombe

Kelly Prescott performed for hundreds of Central Albertans

WATCH: CP Holiday Train rolls into Lacombe
Red Deer resident Vince Jackman stands beside one of the 105 decorated Christmas trees in his home at 42 Comfort Close Thursday. To raise money for the Central Alberta Humane Society, Jackman and his partner are inviting Red Deerians over Dec. 9th to see the trees and leave a donation. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express

One hundred and five trees of Christmas

Red Deer couple decorated 105 Christmas trees to raise money for the Central Alberta Humane Society

Red Deer resident Vince Jackman stands beside one of the 105 decorated Christmas trees in his home at 42 Comfort Close Thursday. To raise money for the Central Alberta Humane Society, Jackman and his partner are inviting Red Deerians over Dec. 9th to see the trees and leave a donation. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express
Toys for Tickets wraps up more than 200 gifts for families in need

Toys for Tickets wraps up more than 200 gifts for families in need

City of Red Deer cancelled 216 parking tickets issued when the tickets were paid for with a toy

Toys for Tickets wraps up more than 200 gifts for families in need
A scene from a past Nuit Blanche event held in Red Deer. Organizers are planning to bring the arts-focused celebration to the City next August. photo submitted

Nuit Blanche Red Deer looking to make a comeback in 2019

Local organization is hosting a Christmas artisan market on Dec. 15th

A scene from a past Nuit Blanche event held in Red Deer. Organizers are planning to bring the arts-focused celebration to the City next August. photo submitted
Repeat, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, awaits his showing on Friday morning. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express

WATCH: Every dog has its day

Red Deer and District Kennel Club’s show began Friday and runs all weekend at Westerner Park

Repeat, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, awaits his showing on Friday morning. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express
Majority of neighbourhood outdoor skating rinks set to open next week

Majority of neighbourhood outdoor skating rinks set to open next week

Red Deerians can hit the ice by Dec. 14th

Majority of neighbourhood outdoor skating rinks set to open next week
The annual Christmas Craft Sale, organized by the Central Alberta Refugee Effort, Red Deer Native Friendship Society and Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society, takes place Dec. 7th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Festival Hall. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express

Indigenous and cultural handmade crafts featured at Christmas sale

Red Deer organizer says the holiday craft sale helps contribute to a welcoming society

The annual Christmas Craft Sale, organized by the Central Alberta Refugee Effort, Red Deer Native Friendship Society and Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society, takes place Dec. 7th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Festival Hall. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express
All the money raised from the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre’s first Dream Home Lottery will go toward building a new facility on the Red Deer College campus. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express

WATCH: Looking for a dream home?

Dream Home Lottery raises awareness of Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre

All the money raised from the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre’s first Dream Home Lottery will go toward building a new facility on the Red Deer College campus. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express
Staff from the Primary Care Network presented a session on managing diabetes during the Christmas season at the Golden Circle on Dec. 4th. Mark Weber/Red Deer Express

Tips for managing diabetes over the Christmas season

Primary Care Network staff presented to the Central Alberta Council on Aging

Staff from the Primary Care Network presented a session on managing diabetes during the Christmas season at the Golden Circle on Dec. 4th. Mark Weber/Red Deer Express
Pictured here is an image of many that are part of the current exhibit featuring works by members of the Central Alberta Photographic Society. The exhibit runs in the Corridor Gallery (basement of the Recreation Centre) through to next March. Daniel Pelissier photo

Central Alberta Photographic Society showcases winter-themed shots in exhibit

Display runs through to March 3rd in the Corridor Community Gallery

Pictured here is an image of many that are part of the current exhibit featuring works by members of the Central Alberta Photographic Society. The exhibit runs in the Corridor Gallery (basement of the Recreation Centre) through to next March. Daniel Pelissier photo
‘Everyday Wonderments: Works by Lily Corinne Anderton’ through to Dec. 22nd in the Kiwanis Gallery. The ‘First Friday’ opening is set for Dec. 7th from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Gallery, located in the downtown branch of the Red Deer Public Library. Mark Weber/Red Deer Express

Colour exploration highlights Corinne Anderton’s show at the Kiwanis Gallery

‘Everyday Wonderments: Works by Lily Corinne Anderton’ runs to Dec. 22nd

‘Everyday Wonderments: Works by Lily Corinne Anderton’ through to Dec. 22nd in the Kiwanis Gallery. The ‘First Friday’ opening is set for Dec. 7th from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Gallery, located in the downtown branch of the Red Deer Public Library. Mark Weber/Red Deer Express
Program manager at Shining Mountains Living Community Services Kandace Ogilvie and Kevin Cunningham, a health promotion outreach worker at Turning Point, hold up information pamphlets about HIV treatment and prevention. Both Turning Point and Shining Mountains held an awareness walk on the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day Saturday. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express.

Shining Mountains and Turning Point mark 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day with awareness walk

Progress still needs to be made around stigma and HIV/AIDS testing, say Red Deer health workers

Program manager at Shining Mountains Living Community Services Kandace Ogilvie and Kevin Cunningham, a health promotion outreach worker at Turning Point, hold up information pamphlets about HIV treatment and prevention. Both Turning Point and Shining Mountains held an awareness walk on the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day Saturday. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express.
Volunteers with the Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk, including members of the Lindsay Thurber Raiders cheer team, pose for a photo Saturday morning. Run Director Taylor Poor said the event raised over $7,000. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express

Snowy weather greets Santa Shuffle runners and walkers

The 2018 fun-run and walk raised over $7,000, says run director

Volunteers with the Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk, including members of the Lindsay Thurber Raiders cheer team, pose for a photo Saturday morning. Run Director Taylor Poor said the event raised over $7,000. Robin Grant/Red Deer Express