Katharine Hamer News Reporter khamer@usnews.con THEY started the day putting out a fire. Then they responded to a car crash and three wpes of medical emergencies — fol- lowed by a canyon rescue, a 140-foot rappel from a bridge and a hose lay, Tt was all part of a day's training for West Vancouver Fire and Rescue’s new recruits. On a recent Friday they took part in the department’s “recruit decathlon,” with a course stretching ~— from Capilano River to Horseshoe Bay, and recruits hiking, run- ONGOING North Vancouver District Libraries will be closed, Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. First Footing: Drop the kids off at the North Vancouver Museum and Archives for a fun and festive morning, Tuesday, Jan.2-Friday, Jan. 5, 10 a.m.-noon. Children will learn about food, legends, games and traditions cf New Year’s around the world. Pre- register:. 987-5618. - Cypress Ski Ciub: is recruit- ing children age 6-12 for the - Alcan Nancy Greene Ski League. Learn fundamental ski skills while having fun under: the supervision of a rofessional coach. One six- hour day per weekend for 12 weeks starting January. Cost is $250. Info: Trevor at 990-: 6769. Birthday Parties: Jumpin’ Jacks, Tugboat and “Gadgets Galore”. Birthdays for kids . ages 6-9 years at the North Vancouver Museum and Archives. Cost is $60 for a two-hour party. Information: ning and: driving fire tucks between locations. The third annual event was designed to show recruits “a day in che life ofa firefighter,” according to organizer: Mike Rose. The seven recruits who took pare had already com- pleted 12 weeks of Fire Academy training and a short orientation of the depart- ment. They included Stuart Millar, a New Zealand fire- fighter on a year's exchange to West Vancouver. “Fe wasn’t a walk in’ the park, it was a run in the park,” said Fraser Ray ~ one of three brand new recruits — of the decathlon. “We did a lot of jogging, It was an awe- 987-5618. WEDNESDAYS Drop-in Toddlers - Storytime: For ages 2-3 at the North Van City Library. Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 am. or Il am. Info: 998- 3480. Drop-in Storytime Fun: For children aged 3-5 years at the West Van Memorial Library. Wednesdays, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and Fridays, at 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, action rhymes and more. Info: 925-7408. THURSDAYS Babytime: For children aged 6-24 months at the West Van Memorial Library. Tuesdays or Thursdays, at 10:30 a.m. Song, action rhymes, finger- plays and picture books. Children must be accompa- nied by a parent or caregiver. Register for January: 925- 7408. Drop-in Babes Storytime: For newborns to 24 months at the North Van City Library. Tuesdays and Thursdays (Dec. 28) at 10:30 a.m. Info: 980-4424. SATURDAYS Scottish Country Dancing for Children: Saturday morn- ings at Mickey MacDougall gym. beginners, 9-10 a.m.; intermediate, 10-1] a.m.; advanced 11] a.m.-12:30 p.m. seme day: a good chance to practise our skills, and a great start to my career with the fire department.” “It was pretty intense,” said fellow recruit fay Leduc. “They really kept us on our toes.” Leduc said West Vancouver was one of the only fire departments he was aware of that gave new recruits training in all types of call- outs at once. “It’s nice to get hands on (experience) and not have to wait ten years before they say, ‘OK, you can join this group and learn swift water rescue,” says Leduc. “West Van is a great place to learn everything at once.” Info: 922-4406. French for Fun Storytime: Saturday, Dec. 30, ar 9:30 or 1] a.m. Drop-in for all ages at the North Van Citv Library. Info: 980-4424. Drop-in French Movie: For ali ages at the North Vancouver City — Library. Saturday, Dec. 20 Tintins, Le Tenple du Soleil. Into: 980- 4424, Saturday Storytime and Crafts: For 4-8 years, Dec. 30, at 10 a.m., at the North Van City Library. Pre-register: 980-4424. SUNDAYS Sensational Sundays: Artists For Kids new family program will have kids and their par- ents learning through games and activities about great Canadian artists such as Gordon Smith, Jack Shadbolt, Robert Davidson and Tony Onley. Additional program for children aged 5 to 8 has been added, Jan. 15. Info and reg- istration: 903-3798, Motus O Dance: Sunday, Jan. 21, 11:30 am. and 2 p-m. Part of the Centennial Theatre Family Festival series. Dance theatre using mime, dance and music to tell the classic story of “Alice.” Tickets are $9.50. Box office: 984-4484. — Compiled by Sharon Cocomile Fax your event information to 985-2104 or e-mail . — . Ria Md, . : NEWS photo Tany Petcrn NEW racruite to West Vancouver Fire and Rescue went through a rigorous day of training Dec. &, tackling a decathion course that ran from the Capilano River out. to Horseshoe Bay. Activities included firefighting and rappelling down a canycn. oe ¥ ae aT 28, J ‘ 0 ea Ma aN ONONDAGA,