Ice racing at Barnes Lake
There will be ice racing at Barnes Lake (weather/ice permitting) on Feb. 8–9 and Feb. 22–23, with racing starting around 8 a.m. each day and wrapping up around 3:30 p.m. The event is being put on by Cars on Ice, and locals are welcome to take part (must sign a waiver) or come and watch the action. You can find out more about Cars on Ice — including types of events, rules, how to register, FAQs, and more — at https://carsonice.ca/.
Super Bowl watch party
The Ashcroft Legion will be holding a watch party for this year’s Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 9. Come on down for chili, garlic bread, and hot pork, with sandwiches at half-time.
Coffee’s On
Coffee’s On sessions take place at the 70 Mile Community Hall every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the next one will be on Feb. 11. The event features coffee, a by-donation lunch, and a chance to get together with others for conversation and camaraderie. Anyone interested in “stepping things up” a bit with crafts, art, card games, and more is encouraged to bring their ideas (and themselves!) to the sessions.
If you are interested in helping out by providing soup, bread, or desserts on specific dates, call Sally at (250) 395-0278.
Spences Bridge Community Club
The SBCC will be holding its next monthly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12, starting at 7 p.m. at Clemes Hall. All residents are encouraged to come to the meeting and learn about the many exciting events and opportunities for volunteering that are coming up in the Bridge.
Bingo and loonie auction
A bingo and loonie auction in support of Akio Pierro’s birthday pow wow will be held at the Bonaparte quonset building on Thursday, Feb. 13, and all are invited. Doors open at 5 p.m., and bingo starts at 6 p.m.
There will be a concession, a 50/50 draw, and a loonie auction, and any individuals or businesses that would like to donate items for the auction can contact Shaunna Pierro at mzgrizz686@gmail.com or at (250) 457-1686.
Soccer registration open
The South Cariboo Minor soccer Association is now taking registrations for the 2025 season. Early registration runs through Feb. 19; anyone signing up by that date will receive a $15 discount per child. Regular registration runs from Feb. 20 through April 2, and the season begins on April 14.
Players aged 5–16 from Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Clinton, Logan Lake, Lytton, Lilloet, and the surrounding area are welcome, and new this year is a pre-school team in Ashcroft. To sign up, go to http://southcariboomsa.rampregistrations.com.
Climate change research project
A group of students from TRU are doing a small research project on climate change and emotional wellness, and are looking to interview older adults in Ashcroft and area who are willing to share their experience and thoughts. The purpose of the project is to assess the impact of natural disasters on a community and see what can be done to better support the community in future.
Sessions will take place at the Ashcroft HUB on Feb. 24 and 25. Anyone interested in participating, or learning more, can call the HUB at (250) 453-9177.
Contest alert
The Kamloops Exploration Group is inviting students throughout the region who are in Grades K through 7 to get creative and draw a picture of anything to do with the mining and exploration industry. Students can use any medium, but the works must be on an 8” by 10” piece of paper.
One lucky student will win a pizza party for their class, along with KEG swag, and their picture will be published on the KEG website. Work should be dropped off at the Kamloops Museum and Archives at 207 Seymour Street (please include your name, school, grade, and teacher’s name) by Feb. 28. For more information, go to www.keg.bc.ca.
Kamloops Film Festival
Get ready for the 29th annual Kamloops Film Festival, taking place from March 6–15 at the Paramount Theatre in Kamloops. The festival will feature a captivating line-up of award-winning films from around the world in a variety of genres, including documentaries, comedies, dramas, and Canadian films. The event will also include the Kamloops Independent Short Shorts (KISS) Film Fest, a celebration of the short film format and local filmmakers.
For more information, including how to submit a film to KISS, go to www.thekfs.ca.
Grief support library
Did you know that the Ashcroft and District Hospice Society has a free library of grief support resources for people of all ages? In addition to pamphlets and books, the society also has contact information for organizations that can provide even more resources and support.
The society’s office, at 509 Railway Avenue in Ashcroft, is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For assistance outside office hours, call (778) 207-7575.
School’s Out at the HUB
Looking for something for kids to do after school from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday? Register them for the free School’s Out program at the Ashcroft HUB, which is for children aged 5 through 12 and features crafts, science, physical activities, and more.
Go to https://wkf.ms/487QNx5 to sign your kid(s) up for at least two days of the program. For more information, contact the HUB at (250) 453-9177 or email office@ashcrofthub.com.
Clinton walking sessions
Anyone who wants to do some walking but doesn’t want to brave the cold and ice can walk indoors at the Clinton Memorial Hall every Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon. All adults of any ability are welcome; just make sure to bring a pair of clean, dry shoes in which to walk. If you have a walking stick, cane, wheelchair, or walker, someone will clean it off for you. Drop in for as little or long as you like and enjoy some exercise, or just visit for a spell.
Winter road maintenance
Who do you contact about road maintenance if you don’t live in a municipality? Within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s boundaries, all provincial highways and local roads (outside of municipalities) are maintained by private contractors retained by the province. In fact, no regional district in the province has jurisdiction over road maintenance within its boundaries.
The TNRD encompasses 45,000 square kilometres, and the province has established five Service Areas within the regional district: Service Areas 13, 14, 15, 16, and 20. The TNRD has a webpage available to help you find out which Service Area you are located in or driving through, and the contact information for the road maintenance contractor in that area. For more information, visit tnrd.ca/road-maintenance.
Free energy-saving kit
If you live in an income-qualified household, you can get a free kit to help you save energy and make your home more comfortable all year round. Each kit includes simple, energy-saving products that you can install yourself, including four LED light bulbs, high-efficiency shower heads, weather-stripping, an LED night light, a fridge and freezer thermometer, and more. With this kit, you can seal up the drafts around your home, save on lighting costs, and reduce your home’s water use.
It takes less than five minutes to apply for your free kit, which is available to qualifying homeowners, as well as renters who have a utility account in their own name. For more information or to order a kit, go to https://bit.ly/4cKrD8y.
Think and thump
With temperatures dropping, outdoor cats will be looking for warm places in which to shelter, and one of the most irresistible and dangerous places for cats is a warm car engine, like the one in a car that has just been parked; even electric vehicles have this risk. Cats can easily access and fit in the space under a vehicle’s hood, and can be killed or injured when the vehicle is started.
The BC SPCA strongly encourages cat guardians to keep their cats indoors. An easy and important check you can do to help keep stray and neighbourhood cats (and wildlife) safe is “think and thump” before you start you car. Tap or lightly bump the hood of your car, which allows time for animals to make their escape. Honk your horn, and wait a few moments to listen for any sounds of movement. You should also check under your car for any cats that might be hiding or sheltering there.
Help shape DriveBC website
DriveBC is still accepting public feedback on its redesigned web portal, which will replace the existing website some time in 2025. The new site will include a simplified map, clearer event notifications, new advisory features, and better mobile usability. To provide feedback about the redesigned web portal, visit https://beta.drivebc.ca.
