New Year's Eve in Cloverdale?

What is there to do in New Year's Eve in Cloverdale?

Not too much.

The last big Cloverdale New Year's event was on the Millenium, a party at the fairgrounds. 50,000 people expected but the reality was closer to 5,000.

Fraser Downs is hosting a buffet from 7pm to 9pm and a live DJ from 10pm to 1am. That kind of leaves an hour in there to kill. Casino anyone? There is a hockey game on, though times not specified, but it will be on their big screen TVs. Cost is $39.95. Reservations required. Phone 604-575-5603. Fraser Downs is located in the fairgrounds off 60th Avenue and the lights at 177B Street.

The Cloverdale Legion (17567 57th Ave) is holding a New Year's Eve dinner and dance beginning at 7pm. Tickets are $50 and are on sale at the bar in the legion.

Playing at the Clova from December 30 2011 to January 5, 2012

Playing this week at the Clova from December 30 2011 until January 5 2012 is:

7pm - New Year's Eve

9:15pm - The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1

Last show lets out around 11:15pm. Admission is $8, stay for one or both movies. If 2 are in your group, admission is $15. Add $4 for each extra person.

Cocoa - Setter retriever cross available for adoption

Cocoa is a foster dog we're taking care of for Dogwood Rescue. She is 10 months old, spayed, up to date on shots, and appears to be a cross between an Irish setter and labrador retriever. She was surrendered to a shelter in Washington by a homeless person or family, I'm not sure which and I'm not sure if they were homeless when they got her or lost their home after they'd obtained her. She was scheduled to be euthanized but Dogwood Rescue was able to transport her up to BC for a second chance. She's a nice dog but has not had any training or discipline. She is eager to please and has learned to sit but she will need obedience lessons. She will probably make a good watch dog. She will bark if someone comes to the door or if she sees someone lurking outside. She is not an incessant barker. She is not destructive and can be left alone in the house unattended. She gets along with other dogs and loves to play. I will say she needs a home with no cats. She is very interested in squirrels and there is no doubt in my mind that she will chase a cat if one runs past her. She is energetic and would do really well with an active person or family and would make an excellent jogging buddy. Cocoa does have a couple of applications in for people interested in adopting her but as of December 21 she is still available. Please contact Dogwood Rescue through her Petfinder profile. http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21470667

Rolf Harris at Christmas

There was an entertainer I saw frequently in the late 60's and 70's called Rolf Harris. He was an Australian and he sang, played an accordion, told jokes, and drew really fast pictures on an easle with a black felt pen that he'd give to an audience member. My mother loved him. Whenever he did family friendly shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre she always took us to see him.

Rolf Harris was also known for his adult raunchy humor and used to do an act in the 70's at the Cave, a Vancouver supper club, no longer operating. Those acts I never saw but my mother bought several of his records and the routine was on them so I got the picture.

Rolf Harris used to do a Christmas show at the QE. He'd always start off coming out singing "Jake the Peg" and wearing his extra leg. Some of the other songs I remember him singing are Waltzing Matilda, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Two Little Boys, and Six White Boomers. He also sang traditional Christmas songs and he'd invite the audience to sing along with him. Unfortunately my mother always took him up on that offer and she'd be the only person in our section singing and she wasn't very good and people would be looking around trying to see who it was. It was very embarrassing.

Aside from the audience participation singing I always enjoyed Rolf Harris's shows. With the Christmas songs being played all the time on the radio now I've heard "Six White Boomers" several times. Now I'm starting to listen to the words a little more carefully. Before I'd just enjoy the cute song and melody. In the song Santa reunites a joey kangaroo with his mother. The joey kangaroo is in a great big zoo somewhere in Australia. How joey got there is never revealed in the song. But what is now very clear is that Santa is a thief. His reindeer drawn sleigh swoops down into the zoo and Santa swipes joey and puts him in the sleigh. Shortly after he removes joey from the zoo the reindeer switch over to kangaroos pulling the sleigh through the Australian sky because its too hot for the reindeer. Eventually joey spots his mama and Santa lets him go out in the wild again.

I'll never think of that song the same way again.

Playing at the Clova from December 16 to 29, 2011

Playing at the Clova starting Friday December 16 2011 until the 29th is:

7pm - Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

Show lets out at 8:30pm. This movie premieres everywhere on December 16 and when the Clova plays a premier their contract is for 2 weeks and no other movies playing with it.

Admission is $8 or $15 if there are 2 in your group. Add $4 for each extra person.

Bring your own reusable popcorn and drink container and fill up at the concession for $2.50.

Playing at the Clova from December 9 to 15 2011

Playing at the Clova this week starting Friday December 9 until the 15th is:

7pm - The Rum Diary

9:15pm - Tower Heist

Last show lets out at 11pm. Times are approximate. The Clova doesn't start the movie until all patrons have finished their purchases at the concession and cleared the lobby. On busy nights this could delay 10 minutes or so. Admission is $8, stay for one or both movies. If 2 in your group admission is $15. Add $4 for each extra person.