In a loving home in the city of London, Dalmatian parents, Pongo and Perdita happily raise their Dalmatian puppies, until the monstrous Cruella De Vil plots to steal them for her new fur coat!

Join all the dogs of London, as they daringly rescue the puppies from Cruella and her bumbling henchmen. With a delightfully fun score, lovable characters, and one of the most deliciously evil villains in the Disney canon, this stage adaptation is certain to charm and delight all audiences.

On February 10th there will be an evening performance @ 7:00pm / February 11th there will be 2 shows. A matinee at 2:00pm and an evening show at 7:00pm.

The kids will be in rehearsal at the Cultural Centre from 9-3 all next week and will open their show 7pm on Friday 10th February and run two shows on Saturday 11th February at 2pm and 7pm. We have been rehearsing since September and are very excited to be bringing the show to the community. We have students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 in our cast and have had amazing support from Central School staff and parents with costumes, props, publicity.

Tickets are available from the box office:
Adults & Students $12, Seniors & Children $8.

6:00 Café and Box office / 6:30 Theatre doors open / 7:00 Curtain
1:00 Café and Box office / 1:30 Theatre doors open / 2:00 Curtain

Contact: (250) 785-1992

The Fort St. John Youth Advisory Council, also known as the YAC, will be hosting an electronic music event on February 10th entitled, “The Above Ground Underground”. This event will be the first of its kind for the YAC, which is a group of youth ages 13 to 19, who aim to enhance the quality of life for youth in Fort St. John by providing information, resources, and leadership to both their peers and City Council, while creating positive activities for young people to participate in.

Some of the recent projects the YAC has organized are the Big Bang rock concert featuring local and regional rock musicians and a fundraiser dance at Dr. Kearney where
$450 was raised and donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society for victims of last year’s earthquake and Tsunami in Japan.

The YAC plans to donate all proceeds from ticket sales from the Above Ground Underground event to the local SPCA. This event will take place at the Lido Theatre, featuring guest DJs: Netick, Gekko, Yoji, with headliner, Basscharger. The music style falls into the Electro/Dubstep genre. When asked why the group chose to host this type of event, member Madison Faminow replied, “I think it will be a great way to get kids involved in something fun and exciting. Who doesn’t like good music, snacks, and dancing? It’s going to be a great night!” Makaela Paynter, Secretary and long- time member of the YAC had this to say, “I want to host an even like this because it’s something different. Everyone likes a new experience, including myself. I am looking forward to having some fun and getting some feedback from the teen community.”

Doors will open at 7:30pm, with the event running until midnight. The show is 13+ and no alcohol will be permitted or served at this event. Tickets are $5 in advance and are being sold at the following locations: Fort St. John Visitor Centre, Retro Relics, and the Lido. Tickets will be available at the door for $10. For more information please contact the YAC via the City of Fort St. John’s Community Development Coordinator at 250-787-5791 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

STRAWBERRY JAM – Tuesday, February 7^th , 2012 

"The Sweet Taste of Local Music"

Doors Open @ 7:00pm. FREE ENTRY and magnificent entertainment! UNLIKE ANY BAR OR PUB...This event is for the "whole family"... Come and check out the talent found here in Fort St. John! ALL AGES WELCOME!

FEATURING:

Mick Jammer: Mick Jammer is originally from Kamloops, BC and moved to Fort St. John in 1989.  Mick is a self-taught musician, growing up playing his guitar in his bedroom.  Mick has been playin’ now for 30 years.  In 2008, Mick joined the band Leon’s Garage.  In 2009, Mick and his good buddy, Andy Donald, co-founded the band Unresolved.  Mick has a tremendous sense of humour and real passion for playing his music.  On Tuesday, February 7^th, come down to The Lido at 7:00pm and see Mick Jammer perform at Strawberry Jam.

Jordyn Busche: Jordyn's first public performance was on the Fort St. John Cultural Centre stage at the age of 8, and she has been singing ever since. In the summer of 2009 she travelled to Nashville and recorded a short CD, which was produced by Canadian country singer Gil Grand. Some of her influences include Michelle Branch, Jewel, City and Colour, and Jason Mraz, and she describes her music style as alternative/folk/singer-songwriter. She has had the opportunity to play local venues such as Egan’s, Whole Wheat and Honey, the Pomeroy, and the Lido over the past few years, opening for acts such as Brian MacMillan and Sean Hogan, and is looking forward to becoming more involved in the local music scene in the future. On Tuesday, February 7^th, come down to The Lido at 7:00pm and see Jordyn Busche perform at Strawberry Jam.

Mike Strandberg: Mike Strandberg is more than your average good-looking, astrophysicist, time travelling, maverick fighter pilot who enjoys extreme high altitude skydives in his free time... he is also a passionate music lover and singer/songwriter in his own right. Hailing from right here in Fort St John, Mike was raised on a healthy diet of good honest rock and sweet harmonies. Who would have thought that AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin could share the bill with the likes of ABBA, Eagles and Fleetwood Mac! An unlikely combination that created a unique influence on his sound and style. Mike blends tasteful melodies and soulful grooves that leave you feeling good all night long... something you do not want to miss!! On Tuesday, February 7^th, come down to The Lido at 7:00pm and see  Mike Strandberg perform at Strawberry Jam.

For more information about Strawberry Jam, please call The Lido @ 250-785-3011

I love my job. I have the privilege of working with Evangel Chapel, bringing great events to the community of Fort St John such as Party in the Park and Candy Planet. At a recent staff meeting the question of Valentine’s day came up. Could we plan a super awesome, heart-themed event for the community? Should we? Of course! 

The discussion brought up all the usual Valentine ideas. Couples, time together, family, love. And for our area in particular, the notion of the craziness of ‘the patch’ lifestyle and what that can do to a family or relationship and the sort of special support that might be needed. Before I knew it, we were planning an evening of great food, incredible entertainment, wonderful company and, of course, a great time with your significant other. The list just grew. As did mine. But it’s all okay, because I am part of planning something great. Something that I would want to attend even if I was not planning it. I would definitely want to go out with my man and eat an incredible meal with Naomi Shore serenading us, while having great conversations with old and new friends. And I would want to laugh a little or a lot while watching some people make complete fools of themselves re-enacting their own version of the Marriage Ref. I would like to hear even more music, maybe from Joseph teBulte, and then I would like to finish off the night with a decadent dessert and a little dancing with my sweetheart. 

Yes. That is exactly what I would like to do! I love my job. I get paid to plan the best date night ever!

EVENT: Feb 10, Quality Inn Grand Ballroom
TICKETS: $70 per couple available by calling 250- 785-3386 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We are still High on Ice!

Perhaps you would like to join us for a day of fun with ice - we hope you say yes! Come join us in “Finding your Creative Spirit”. All interested people are encouraged to attend, artistic ability or not, we will help you find your ability and spirit within.

The Fort St. John Community Arts Council in partnership with the City of Fort St. John present: the FSJ Ice Carving Workshop "Finding your Creative Spirit” on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Centennial Park form 9 amd to 4 pm. Registration is only $25 and lunch is provided.

Instructor Jesse Forrester FSJs professional carving competitor for three consecutive years. He was born and raised in the Peace and has lead the local High On Ice team for the last five years in park and site preparations. He is an artist by hobby and a successful entrepreneur by trade. Jesse promises to provide hands on techniques and ice loads of fun.

Instructor Sonja Butts is one of FSJs most recognized artists and the local and professional judge for High On Ice for two consecutive years. She was born and raised in the Peace and has added to the beauty to our community with her art and continues to showcase her pieces. She is an artist at heart and a Director of the FSJ Community Arts Council. Sonja promises to share carving tips and help awaken your spirit with your artistic creations.

The registration deadline is Thursday, February 9th, 2012 so get your forms in and unlease your creative spirit on the ice!

A dance extravaganza brings on the clowns, amazing entertainment for the whole family!

Performed with the signature MOTUS O physicality and humor, see for yourself how a little magic, some juggling, tight-rope walking and fortune-telling can fulfill every child’s fantasy to ‘run off and join the circus!’  

We first meet our three circus performers boarding the train to their next show. A case of vanishing tickets, however, thwarts their plans and strands them on the platform. It takes every trick in the book (and their suitcases!) to create an impromptu show to raise money for new tickets. But it works! By watching the antics of these 3 enigmatic clowns, the Train Conductor is drawn into their mayhem and magic. He finally agrees to be their new Ring Master!  With the Conductor’s help, our performers arrive at the theatre just in time to present their magnificent CIRCUS TERRIFICO ~ hilariously unkempt micro-version interpretations of their favourite ballets, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and the Nutcracker!  

Circus Terrifico is a whimsical and poignant comedy featuring original music by composer Ray Ludecke and also some soaring scores of Tchaikovsky. It makes audiences of all ages laugh out loud and leave with a big clownish smile!   

Circus Terrifico will be on stage on Saturday, Feb 4th at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are available at the box office, by phone at (250) 785-1992 and online. Adults $25, Students & Seniors $20.
Note: This show is FREE for children when accompanied by an adult (max. two children per one adult)

...To Ensure Clinical Systems are go for Move-in to New Fort St. John Hospital and Residential Care Facilities

The commissioning process for all existing and new medical equipment has been part of the new Fort St. John Hospital and Residential Care Project ever since the design and planning phase of the new facility.

Commissioning of all medical technology in the new facility is underway ensuring that all systems and components are properly designed and planned for, tendered, evaluated and procured. The equipment must be installed correctly to code and regulations, undergo connectivity and data testing from Information Technology Services, operational testing to device specifications, and certified by regulatory bodies. User education and training must be provided to all by staff for proper and safe operation, with the systems and components properly maintained according to manufacturer specifications.

“In order to be successful the commissioning and certification process involves the participation of many specialists working in the Northern Health organization,” said Francis Keong, Northern Health’s (NH) Regional Manager, Biomedical Engineering. “The Biomedical Engineering department assists the project management team in ensuring adherence to equipment requirements and offers guidance to all processes, regulations and certifications when it comes to medical technology.”

The new facilities in Fort St. John have an NH equipment budget of $24 million including new ‘state of the art’ radiology equipment to renal dialysis equipment.

The larger clinical and some non-clinical systems are in the process of being purchased through the public tendering process managed by the procurement department at Northern Health and Health Shared Services BC.   Additional clinical equipment will include the purchase of drug dispensing systems, bone densitometers, patient monitoring equipment and mammography equipment (funded by the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation) prior to March 31, 2012.

Smaller items such as stretchers and wheelchairs will also be procured early in 2012.

“The Biomedical Engineering department will begin installations and certification of new equipment early in the new year and it will probably take us right up to opening date,” said Keong, adding that completion ahead of schedule would be ideal.

“We also need to accommodate time for the user training before move-in. The schedule for the installations and testing are based on the construction and procurement schedules and the biomed resources required.  A resource plan is in place to manage Northern Health and vendor resources.”

The testing process incorporates the vendor post-installation testing, Biomedical Engineering safety and operational testing, as well as any regulatory certification tests and validation. Once the testing has been completed the device or system will be validated for clinical use.

The commissioning plan will also include the transfer of existing equipment from the existing facility and installation into the new facility during and after move-in. This commissioning process will be slightly different as this will involve Health Care Relocations, Northern Health’s move management company;  end-user consultations;  infection control; and other departments and organizations including ISL Health based on the hospital and residential care move-in schedule which is being finalized by our executive team.

“The NH Biomedical Engineering department is comprised of 17 technologists, one manager and one secretary servicing over 37 sites across the Northern Health region. We are a very busy team and looking forward to the challenge!” said Keong.

Ladies and gentlemen, PLAYING Aerosmith songs to attract attention is easy - BEING Aerosmith, however, now that is something completely different.

Let's start with vocals. Danny Deane is the drop in the drink that turns this party. He has what is needed from the lead singer of a Smith tribute - the crisp high end, the sustain, the "yeh-yeh-yeh-yeh", and most importantly, that neck-tickling Steve Tyler presence that makes Aerosmith fans feel right at home.

Next we have Andrew Laing and Dan Parker picking up their axes in the name of Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. Although Aersomith is more widely known for their vocals, you would be surprised at how easily a guitar player can make or break their signature sound. These guys have re-created one of the most bad-ass guitar duos of all time...

No, it's not Aerosmith, it's Aerosmith Rocks, the tastiest tribute you've ever gotten buzzed on!

Tickets (this is a 19+ show) :

• $25 Advance General Seating (available at Systems and the FSJ Visitor Info Centre)
• $30 for Reservations of four or more
• $35 at the Door

The Lido
250-785-3011
www.thelido.ca

Fort St. John’s premiere winter event, the High on Ice Winter Festival, is set for January 12 – 15, 2012. The featured event – the professional ice carving competition – brings in carvers from around the world to compete in British Columbia’s only sanctioned ice carving event.

This year’s competition theme, Force of Nature, will surely inspire some icy masterpieces.

In addition to the professional competition, some of the other highlights include an amateur ice carving competition, a snow sculpting event, sleigh rides, curling bonspiel, snowmobile group ride, ice fishing derby, pond hockey challenge, live entertainment, and the very popular ice slides will be back for another year.

"Fort St John's High on Ice festival has become an opportunity for the community to celebrate our winter season” said Mayor Lori Ackerman. The 2012 event schedule is full of activities both indoors and out. The ice carvings by the professionals differ every year and never cease to amaze us. This is something you do not want to miss!"
High on Ice is a joint venture between the City of Fort St. John, Fort St. John Community Arts Council, and many other community groups and volunteers.

For a full schedule of events and more information, visit High On Ice.