Our of Town - London

• COMMUNITY SUPPORT
• FAMILY FUN
• SPORTS
• LONDON EVENTS

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

After Hours Infantline. Breastfeeding mothers and parents with new babies can get help by phone. Call (519) 675-8444 (Mon. to Fri., 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and weekends/holidays, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) Middlesex-London Health Unit, www.healthunit.com

The Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex protects children at risk and offers peer support for parents and children, as well as social and educational programs. (519) 455-9000, www.caslondon.on.ca

The Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario, (519) 685-8484, provides care for children from birth through age 17. 800 Commissioners Rd. E., London. www.chwo.org If your child is experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 for help.

Children‘s Safety Village. Reduce childhood injuries through hands-on learning on four acres of land with scaled-down buildings, realistic roadways and more. After seeing presentations by police, fire and other safety personnel, children practice their new safety knowledge using electric cars, bicycles and walking through the village. Call (519) 455-KIDS (455-5437) or visit www.safetyvillage.ca

Craigwood Youth Services helps youths in distress and their families. Crisis Intake Line (519) 433-0334, www.craigwood.on.ca

Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System offers support and information to children and families involved with the justice system, such as young offenders, victims of crime or abuse, the subjects of custody/access disputes, the subjects of child welfare proceedings, parties in civil litigation, or as residents of treatment or custody facilities. Call (519) 679-7250 or visit www.lfcc.on.ca

FamilyInfo.ca lists services available for children from birth to age 6. An easy way for parents, caregivers and professionals find the information they are seeking. www.familyinfo.ca

Health Connection Line. (519) 850-2280. Public health nurses provide advice by telephone about pregnancy, breastfeeding, infant care, parenting and community resources. www.healthunit.com

London Midwifery Network educates and provides information about midwifery care and its benefits. Call (519) 433-3634 for more information.

Madame Vanier Children‘s Services offers a wide variety of programs to help children and parents. 871 Trafalgar St. Call (519) 433-3101 or visit www.vanier.com

Merrymount Children’s Centre. Every family has its own strengths, even at the most difficult times. Merrymount seeks to provide supports, when they are needed, to families. (519) 434-6848 www.merrymount.on.ca

St. John Ambulance offers health and safety training including First Aid, CPR, Babysitting, Heartsaver, Emergency Child Care and Instructor Certification. Also available: fully equipped ambulance units or first aid posts to assist at events, a therapy dog program, ground search and rescue service and more. 741 King St. See www.sja.nu or call (519) 432-1352.

Thames Valley Children‘s Centre is a regional rehabilitation centre for children with physical disabilities, communication disorders, and developmental needs. Call (519) 685-8680 or visit www.tvcc.on.ca

Thames Valley Midwives has provided midwifery services in the local counties since 1997. Our main clinic is in the St. Joseph‘s Family Medical Centre. (519) 433-5855, www.tvm.on.ca

tykeTALK. Worried your child is not learning to talk well? TykeTALK can help you find all kinds of speech and language services which are covered by OHIP. (519) 663-0273 or 1-877-818-TALK, www.tyketalk.com

FAMILY FUN

The Amabile Choirs are recognized as one of the premiere choral ensembles for children and youth. Approximately 300 choristers ages 8a24 rehearse weekly with the Amabile Youth Singers, the Junior Amabile Singers and Amabile DeCapo (Training) Choir, Amabile Boys Choirs. and Amabile Chamber Choir. For details, visit www.amabile.com

Banting House National Historic Site. Step back into history to explore the discovery of insulin. Corner of Queens Ave. and Adelaide St. Call for hours. (519) 673-1752.

Children‘s Museum has hands-on, highly interactive exhibits on the themes of dinosaurs, space, the Arctic, caves and more. Canada‘s first ever children‘s museum...and still one of the best! 21 Wharncliffe Rd., London. Call (519) 434-5726 or visit www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca

Boys’ & Girls’ Club of London. 184 Horton St. Offers recreational programs for children and teens. Various activities depending on the age of the participants such as swimming, computers, play time, crafts, gaming clubs, movies, dances and more. Call (519) 434-9114 or visit www.bgclondon.ca

City of London Recreation & Community Programs offers recreational activities for all ages. Call (519) 661-5575 or see London Spectrum Online, www.city.london.on.ca/recreation/spectrum.htm

Covent Garden Market. Enjoy foods from around the world, restaurants, cultural events and theatre in a market setting established since 1845. 130 King St. Call (519) 439-3921 or visit www.coventmarket.com

Fanshawe Conservation Area is located at 1424 Clarke Rd., between Fanshawe Park Rd. (Hwy. 22) and Huron St. To reserve a campsite, call 1-866-ONT-CAMP (1-866-668-2267). Details of camping facilities available are online at thamesriver.on.ca/Parks/camping_reservations.htm

Fanshawe Pioneer Village. Explore the sights and sounds of the 19th century, May 21 to Oct. 10, Tues. to Sun. and Holiday Mon., 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Call (519) 457-1296 or visit www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca

Museum London. Visit London’s premier museum in person or online. Free tours of the exhibitions are held Sunday afternoons. 421 Ridout Street N., (519) 661- 0333. www.londonmuseum.on.ca

Storybook Gardens. (519) 661-5770. In Springbank Park. Enjoy the water park (Slippery’s Great Escape), a toddler Pirate Play Structure and more. 1958 Storybook Lane. Check out our new annual or seasonal passes. www.storybook.london.ca

Waterloo Regional Children’s Museum. Embark on an adventure of art and technology at play through 5 floors of hands-on exhibits and programs. 10 King St. W. Kitchener. 1 hr. west of Toronto or east of London. (519) 749-9387 www.wrcm.ca

SPORTS

KidSport London. So all kids can play! Offers grants for registration fees and/or equipment to help make sports accessible. For more information, call (519) 451-6401 or visit www.kidsport.on.ca/london/

London Aquatic Club is committed to achieving quality and excellence in competitive swimming at all levels. We are athlete-centered, coach-directed, and parent-supported club. For more information, visit www.csca.org/lac/

Red Circle Hockey Club offers hockey players equal opportunity regardless of ability. Males and females, aged 4 through 19, receive equal ice time each game. Call (519) 453-1413 or visit www.redcirclehockey.com

LONDON EVENTS

July 2005
July 28 to Aug. 1 - London Rib Fest: For 5 days, restaurants from all over North America compete for the title of “Best Ribs in Canada”. Festivities include entertainment, karaoke, crafts and more. All proceeds benefit the Boys’ & Girls’ Club of London. Admission free. More than 100,000 people attend over the five days. Victoria Park. Call (519) 434-9114.

July 29 to Aug. 1 - London Balloon Festival: Join us in Harris Park for the morning and evening hot air balloon launches, great concerts, and a great selection of food and craft vendors. (519) 473-6444, www.londonballoonfestival.com

July 29 to Aug 7 - London Fringe Theatre Festival takes place at various downtown venues. Visit www.londonfringe.ca or call (519) 434-0606

August 2005
Aug. 6, 12 - 5 p.m. - The 2nd Annual Westminster Fun Day: Activities include a community barbeque, the Forest City Youth Talent Search, free games, activities and swimming. Call (519) 685-0971. Westminster Park, 690 Osgoode Dr.

Aug 19 to 21- Dragon Boat Race Festival: Takes place on Fanshawe Lake. Call (519) 495-9005 or visit www.dragonboatlondon.ca for more information.

Aug 20 to 21- Harvest Festival: See traditional harvest activities, antique cars and tractors plus live music. Fanshawe Pioneer Village. Call (519) 457-1296 or visit www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca.

September 2005
Sept. 2 to 4 - Great Canadian Race Weekend: Includes Cintas Late Model - Triple 50‘s, CANUSA Truck Eliminator, POWERADE Modified, and CASCAR Super Series and more. (Rain date for Sun. is Sept. 5.) Delaware Speedway. Call 652-5068 or visit www.delawarespeedway.com.

Sept. 2 to 4 - Fiesta Del Sol: Annual festival held in Victoria Park. Come celebrate Latin American culture. Call (519) 672-1522 or visit www.sunfest.on.ca.

Sept. 8 to 11 - Lambeth and Community Harvest Festival: Enjoy the 27th annual harvest celebration festivities including a parade, dances, slo-pitch, fireworks and more. Optimist Park, Community Centre & Grounds in Lambeth. Call (519) 652- 8797 or visit www.harvestfest.on.ca

Sept. 9 to 18 - Western Fair: Annual fair featuring midway, games, grandstand performers, crafts, talent search, harvest competitions and more. Call (519) 438-7203 or visit www.westernfair.com.

October 2005
Oct 1 and 2 - Doors Open London: Free admission to many of the area’s museums, theatres, churches and other landmark buildings this weekend. Call (519) 661-4980 or visit www.landmarkslondon.ca

Oct 14 to 16 - London Canine Association Dog Show: Includes obedience trials. Held at Western Fairgrounds. Call (519) 351-3147.

Oct 22 to 31 - Shriner’s Haunted Mansion: At the Western Fairgrounds. Proceeds benefit Children‘s Hospitals. Details available at www.timothydrake.ca/mansion/index.html

November 2005
Nov. 22 to Dec 24 - Annie: This musical about the ever-hopeful redhead runs at The Grand Theatre. Call (519) 672-8800, 1-800-265-1593 or visit www.grandtheatre.com

Nov 26, 6 p.m. - Santa Claus Parade: The annual parade sponsored by the Jaycees. Call (519) 668-3576 or visit www.santaclausparade.ca

December 2005
Dec 31 - Children’s New Year’s Eve Family Celebration: Held at the Western Fair Sports Centre with skating and other family activities to ring in the New Year. Call (519) 438-7203 ext. 226 for information.

February 2006
Feb 7 - 25 - Einstein’s Gift: Award-winning play by Vern Thiessen presented at The Grand Theatre offering food for thought for teens and adults. Call (519) 672-8800, 1-800-265-1593 or visit www.grandtheatre.com

Feb 25 to Mar. 5 - 2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts: London hosts the Canadian Women‘s Curling Championship this year. Visit www.hearts2006.curling.ca.

June 2006
TBA - London International Children‘s Festival: Includes ticketed events to world-class performances for children, featuring music, dance, drama and storytelling. As well, children can enjoy free programs and activities. Call (519) 645-6739 or visit www.londonchildfest.com

July 2006
July 14 to 16 - Home County Folk Festival: Held annually in Victoria Park on the third weekend in July. Crafts, family activities, demonstrations and concerts offer something for everyone to enjoy. Call (519) 432-4310 or visit www.homecounty.ca

July 13 to 22 - 2006 World Lacrosse Festival: 18 international teams will converge in London to compete. Call (519) 679-2006 or www.2006worldlacrosse.com