The West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped (WIAIH) is offering a NEW program called Parents, it Starts with You that is FREE to West Island Parents.

These sessions are for West Island parents whose child under 6 may have developmental delays and who may be caught in the pipeline waiting for public/government services. The sessions help parents with tips on how to take action themselves rather than sit and wait.

The topics of the 4 sessions are:
1. What is a developmental delay or disorder and what services could be available for your child
2. Encouraging social interaction and communication
3. How to manage behaviour issues and
4. What are the impacts of a diagnosis on you and your family.

All sessions have a parent-animated support session after the information session done by an expert, so parents can share and make connections with each other. Spaces are limited; registration is necessary and on-going.

Sessions repeat each season (with new topics). There is no pre-set sequence or order , so you may join at any time.
This program is available in English and French on the West Island once a month from 7 to 9 pm.

You can download a copy of the Parents, It Starts With You brochure. For the list of dates or to register, call 514-694-7090 or email the WIAIH at info@wiaih.qc.ca

If your family enjoys watching fireworks here are a few places where you can watch a show this summer:

Baie d’Urfe always puts on an excellent display as an end to the Baie d’Urfe Days celebration. The fireworks show starts at 10:00 pm on June 21st 2010 at the Fritz Farm location.

Several West Island communities have fireworks displays for Canada Day on July 1st.

Beaconsfield will have a show at Centennial Park at 1000 pm on Canada Day.

Dorval will have a fireworks display in Millenium Park that day as well.

Dollard will have a fireworks display on July 1st at Dollard des Ormeaux Park. For information contact (51) 684-1012 x632

Fireworks Festival in Montreal

The Montreal Fireworks Festival is on again this year. You can buy tickets to see the show close up or watch the show for free from many great locations in Old Montreal, Ile Notre-Dame or Jacques-Cartier bridge. Shows start at 10:00 pm most Saturdays in June, July and August.

Here is the schedule of countries putting on a fireworks exhibition:

• June 12th, 2010: Taiwan
• June 19th, 2010: Italy
• June 26th, 2010: Poland
• July 3d, 2010: Portugal
• July 10th, 2010: Hommage to Celine Dion
• July 17th, 2010: USA
• July 24th, 2010: Canada
• July 31st, 2010: Sweden
• August 7th, 2010: France
• August 14th, 2010: Closing Show

Beaconsfield Centennial Celebration

As part of Beaconsfield’s 100 year celebration a special fireworks exhibit will take place on Friday August 20th at Centennial Park. The show starts at 10:00 pm as well.

To find out where and when you should go to get a H1N1 vaccination for yourself or your children you can check out this interactive Montreal Vaccination Centers map.

Each location is shown on a Google map and has a direct link to information on what hours the center is open and the dates when people can go to get vaccinated.

On the West island, there are two locations, one in Dollard des Ormeaux and the other in Beaconsfield.

Also here are a few links to more information on the H1N1 Virus.

Useful Resources:

• Influenza A (H1N1) Self Care Guide (pdf file - in English)
• Grippe A (H1N1) Guide autosoins (pdf file - en Francais)
• Quebec Influenza Pandemic Site
• H1N1 Flu Virus Facts

If you are looking for something to do with the kids on a summer evening try taking in some free live theatre in the park.

This summer Repercussion Theatre is featuring Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It”. They’ll be appearing at various parks around the West Island.

Here’s a partial list of the Repercussion Theatre schedule for 2009:

If you are not familiar with the play take a quick look at the Wikipedia As You Like It summary by William Shakespeare.

For more information, or to see the complete schedule visit the Repercussion Theatre website.