Mark your calendars, for these Salt Spring Island "happenings"....shoulder season delights!

January 9, 2010.

Always wanted to be an actor? Here's your chance...auditions are being held again on January 13th, starting at 7 p.m., at the portable behind the Parks and Rec office at Portlock Park, for the upcoming Salt Spring Community Theatre production "Who's Under Where?". Call Steve at 250-653-0004 for more information.

Into Tango? Tomorrow, you have the opportunity of attending a dance lesson with a noted Buenas Aires teacher. Call Karen, at 250-653-4589 for more info (4:30 to approx. 7 p.m., third floor, at Core Inn).

Tomorrow evening, at Moby's, it's Jazz/Folk, with Hugh Fraser, from 7 to 10 p.m.

A Little Night Music, a new course in classical music appreciation and history, by George Erhing, from 7 to 10 p.m., starting on January 18th, at ArtSpring...runs through to March 8th.

The literary year starts this evening, at the Sailing Club, with a Nautical Night: 3 authors (Anthony Dalton, Derek Lundy, and Kevin Patterson) will share their works, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Truth, Trials and Tar Sands event is scheduled for Saturday, January 16th, at ArtSpring...starting at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 ($10 for students and seniors). Proceeds will help the Raven Trust continue its work.

Yes, it's quieter on the Island, in the month of January. A lot of Islanders, especially those in business, take their holiday in January. It's a slow month, as the customer for many businesses is also away in the first three weeks of January...Hawaii, or Palm Desert, or Scottsdale, or San Diego, or Cabo San Lucas, or...you get the drift! Even though we're on the "wet coast", and so not afflicted with the deep freeze winter weather experienced by much of Canada, the "locals" still seek the sun!

By last week in January, people filter back home, and the engine of early Spring starts up.

Not going away this year? Give yourself a treat, and do a daytrip to Victoria, just a 30 minute ferry trip away...check out the Victoria Art Gallery, and some of the very appealing individual galleries dotting the city. How about those great bookstores, like Munro's. The B.C. Museum, and the IMAX presentations. Tea at the Fairmont Empress. It's all fun, and a change is as good as a rest, they say!

Evening classes are coming up for the winter season, plus the fitness opportunities/gyms, and the aquafit classes at the pool....start that daily half hour walking regimen, breathe and observe the fallow beauty of the winter season...you'll be ready for Spring when it erupts!