It occurred to me yesterday, in what ended up to be a fairly huge Oh-My-God moment, that Summer is nearly done.

Check out some of the things happening around the area:

- After last Summer’s amazing Movies Under The Stars, hosted by by CV Regional District, I am happy to say they are back starting THIS WEDNESDAY. The movies begin at dusk out at the CV Exhibition Grounds on Headquarters Road and admission is $2. The movies will run for three Wednesdays (Aug. 13, 20 and 27) and you can check out the titles of the featured films HERE. These are so much fun. Ken and I used them as date nights, but they are great for older kiddos who don’t generally have our 6:30 p.m. bedtime.

- Scrapbook Central is hosting a kids crafting camp all this week and there are spots open for each day’s projects. A different project EVERY day. Don’t let the kid’s miss out!! Demo’s at the store. Sign up for the whole week, or one or more days. Either way this class is sure to be a hit for boys and girls alike!! Ages 6 and up! COST: $10.00 /day OR $45.00 /week. Monday to Friday, August 11th - 15th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM daily.

- The last registration for Fall Youth Soccer through the Comox Valley United Soccer Club will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 16) at the CVUSC Clubhouse, 1701 Lerwick Rd. Call 250.334.0422 or e-mail cvsoccer@shawbiz.ca for more information.

- The new outdoor basketball court over at the LINC (Across from Lewis Park) is now open. If you haven’t checked out the LINC Youth Centre as a fun, safe place for your tweens and teens to hang out, head on over today.

- The best viewing of the Perseid Meteor Shower will be right before dawn tonight/tomorrow here in the Valley. Check out some details: Slated to peak sometime during the night and early morning of August 11 to 12, the shower offers one of the year’s best chances to see a shooting star.

Under perfect conditions, observers can expect to see about 90 to100 meteors an hour, said Wayne Hally, a self-professed “meteor geek” who writes a newsletter for the North American Meteor Network.

The moon will set relatively early, making the sky darker and allowing observers to see fainter meteors. Also, the region in the sky where the meteors appear to come from will rise up higher as the night progresses, so fewer meteors will shoot below the horizon. Meteors higher in the sky also appear brighter, because they are seen through less distortion-causing atmosphere.

Hally, the meteor buff, says that people who want to see the largest number of meteors possible should find the darkest sky available and face northeast, where the meteors will appear to come from.

COOL!

- Activate the Arts at the CV Art Gallery plaza in downtown Courtenay continues from Noon to 3 p.m. daily this week. Here’s the schedule for this FREE fun:
Mon August 11: Erik Eriksson, musician (keyboard and vocals)
Tue August 12: Shelly Combs, painting
Fri August 15: Christina Duncan, violin; Judy and Bruce Wing, singers / songwriters

- Kiddos ages 7 to 12 can jump in to a Painting Skills workshop at CVAG this week with classes from 10 a.m. to Noon Tues, Wed, Thurs August 12-14. Instructor Teresa Knight will teach kids how to understand colour, drawing tips, perspective, emotional impact, and overview materials.
Cost: $65.00 includes supplies. Go to the website HERE for registration details.

- Beaufort Children’s Centre on the North Island College campus currently has several day care slots open for children of varying ages to start care in September. Call 250.897.1233 for more information.

- The newest location of the Island Early Childhood Centre is opening Sept. 1 at 215 Church St. in Comox and is now taking registration. This Preschool, childcare and school program is a full-service centre. Call 250.890.9388 or e-mail iecc1@telus.net for more information.

NOTE: CVK does not rate or endorse any individual child care/preschool program in the Comox Valley or elsewhere. The details about childcare and preschool provided on CVK are purely informational and are not intended as an advertisement or endorsement in any way.

- Kindermusik instructor Carol Anne Parkinson is now taking registration for her Fall series of classes. To register, call Carol Anne at 250.338.7223 or e-mail her at kindermusikwithcarolanne@shaw.ca
Here is the schedule:

Newborn to 18 months ~ Kindermusik Village ~ Feathers & Do-Si-Do
Feathers - The musical poems of Woody Guthrie, bird songs, and the naturally occurring sounds in nature help babies develop an early appreciation—and accelerated aptitude—for language, movement, and music. Do-Si-Do - Pick up your baby and dance. Do the Charleston, the Tango, and the Cha-Cha and learn why dancing with your baby helps her develop vital learning skills—from head to toe. Your At Home Materials include 2 CD’s with over 50 specially-selected recordings from class, Little Bird Shaker instrument, a Yellow Do-Si-Do Clacker, two printed picture books of the class themes in bold shapes and nursery rhymes, and Art Banners for the nursery wall that strengthen vision and promote early literacy.

Tuesdays 10:00am-10:45am (parents attend entire class) September 9 - December 12 (no class November 11) or Wednesdays 10:00am-10:45am (parents attend entire class) September 10 - December 13 (no class November 12) 12 weeks $225 ($240 after August 15) including both sets of At Home Materials (Feathers and Do-Si-Do)

18 Months to Three ~ Kindermusik Our Time ~ Milk and Cookies
Milk & Cookies - Using a favourite snack as a class theme (no actual food in class), we’ll give you songs and stories to bring more music into daily routines with your toddler—if it’s going to the store, baking cookies, or spending time together in the kitchen. Each activity was carefully created to help your toddler build confidence, self-control, and social skills. Your At Home CDs include 56 songs, sounds, and stories from class, plus a wooden stir xylophone instrument. Everything fits inside a vinyl, Velcro insulated lunch bag you’ll use long after this class is over.

Tuesdays 9:00am-9:45am (parents attend entire class) September 9 - December 12 (no class November 11) or Wednesdays 9:00am-9:45am (parents attend entire class) September 10 - December 13 (no class November 12) 12 weeks $220 ($235 after August 15) including At Home Materials

Newborn to Seven ~ Kindermusik Family Time ~ Here, There and Everywhere
Here, There, and Everywhere - In this family-sized version of Kindermusik, the music and activities centre around five different family outings: a visit with a friend, an outing at the park, a trip to the city, an afternoon at the aquarium, and a day on the farm. Your At Home Materials include a hand and finger puppets of Wags—a featured character in the two literature books. Plus, two home CDs of music from class, a home activity guide, and two jambourine instruments. Each item has been carefully created to bring out the music—and the learning—in your family. Specially designed to fit the varying ages and learning abilities of your children, this set will help you bring the learning and the music-making home, as well as become a lasting, well-loved favourite of the toy box and book shelf. Detailed class information and learning objectives below.

Tuesdays 11:00am-11:45am (parents attend entire class) September 16 - November 25 (no class November 11) or Wednesdays 11:00am-11:45am (parents attend entire class) September 17 - November 26 (no class November 12

10 weeks, One Child Family $200 ($215 after August 15)
Two Child Family $275 ($290 after August 15)
Three Child Family $350 ($365 After August 15)