In the Community

Wednesday The Ambleside Orchestra rehearses Wednesdays, 3: 305: 30 p.m. at Highlands United Church, 3255 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver under the direction of Nicolas Krusek. There are opportunities for string players.

THANKS to the efforts of five local youth, the holidays were a little brighter for those struggling with mental illness on the North Shore.

Kids thrive in karate page 29 Kindermusik page 32

THE FOLLOWING is a selection of volunteer opportunities from various community organizations, made available through Volunteer North Shore, a service of North Shore Community Resources Society.

QUESTION: I am a 42-year-old single woman and once again I will be alone for Christmas. My parents died many years ago and my only sister lives in another province.

TRADITION steers so much of what we do at this time of year that it's easy to forget the importance of making fresh memories. Two of the best Christmases I've had were remarkable because they broke from the norm. They were Dec.

Holiday Hi-Light Festival: Park & Tilford will have a display of more than 50,000 lights at the community gardens until Dec. 31 at 333 Brooksbank Ave., North Vancouver.

GALLERIES Artemis Gallery: 104C-4390 Gallant Ave., North Vancouver. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 12: 305 p.m. Info: 604-929-4354 or [email protected]. Artists for Kids Gallery: 810 West 21st St., North Vancouver.

Charity Tree Lot: Aunt Leah's will be selling Christmas trees at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 220 West Eighth St., North Vancouver. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 1-9 p.m. and FridaySunday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Santa and Mrs. Claus wave goodbye as the Reindeer Bus gets ready to leave the North Vancouver transit depot on its annual collection of toys.