Hope Library is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of our brand new Senior Section. We'll host an open house on Thursday, July 27 from 3:00 to 5:00. Come and share cake, cookies and snacks while you enjoy our fantastic additions. Not only have we added a fireplace, comfy chairs and a coffeemaker, but we now also offer free computer training specifically geared to seniors. We've purchased some easy-to-read keyboards and monitors, we've hired talented, patient computer trainers, and we'll even spring for your transportation to get you to the lesson!

All of this would not be possible without many hours of hard work from the Friends of the Hope Library, who applied for a government grant from New Horizons for Seniors to fund the entire project. Friends of the Hope Library President Margaret Lawson says, "The basic idea was to provide free computer training for seniors and weekly seniors-focused talks, but it's so much more than that. We're excited to provide a place where seniors can come and relax, meet old friends and make new friends." We hope you can join us on July 27th at the Hope Library, located in the Recreation Centre at 1005A 6th Ave. Come for coffee, computer training, and conversation. See you there!

Gwyneth Jones

Library Operations Assistant

Chilliwack Library

(604) 792-1941   loc. 226

Last Half of July at The Opera House

Live entertainment at the best acoustic venue in the Interior. Amazing July continues at The Ashcroft Opera House.

Wednesday 19th, Christine Fellows with guest Salt

& visual artist Shary Boyle

Nothing ordinary. Everything exceptional.

Every so often, something comes along, so new, we grope for words. Penguin Café Orchestra did that. Now Christine Fellows, performing in a style that is head and shoulders above other styles, steps onto the stage at The Opera House. We can only say, ³She has arrived.² Deceptively simple piano, compelling images, unusually thoughtful percussion while Christine weaves her reflective tales. Mandolins, organ, bells, accordion, guitar, all hand-picked to add just the right touch at just the right place. Strange, delightful, ethereal music that some call ³orchestral folk pop.² Fellows¹ live performances have been hailed as ³jaw-dropping,² So why haven¹t we heard of her before? Movie-makers have, and they have been commissioning her work for years. Don¹t go any longer without hearing this huge talent. Christine will be accompanied by Shary Boyle¹s artful, scenic background projections. www.christinefellows.com  and Salt is her guest. I could quote countless reviewers who use poetic language for Christine and her quirky, engaging songs. I won¹t. Just come.

Friday 21st, John Gilliat Group

The sheer joy of hearing live flamenco. And this calibre! Flamenco guitar aficionados, line up to feed your passion. John Gilliat delivers to that with gusto. The crisp, clean and lightening-fast finger work show astonishing skill. Canadian-born, virtuoso guitarist Gilliat, who also teaches flamenco guitar, presents a new direction and contemporary expression to Flamenco, Rumba and Jazz. John plays with real love and delivers substantial depth of sound from his guitar. www.johngilliat.com Miss a chance for world-class flamenco? You¹ve got to be joking!

Saturday 22nd, Blue Rodeo¹s Bob Egan with guest Cass Eager

An internationally acclaimed, Canadian talent and a new voice. Bob Egan¹s work with Blue Rodeo is just a small window on the extensive career of a consummate collaborator. Woody Guthrie, Tragically Hip, Neko Case are just a few others. Traveling solo, Bob Egan delivers an intimate look at life on the road in the rootsy sounding of the pedal steel and guitar. In Bob¹s usual style, he brings along an emerging talent, telling us, ³Hey, listen to her!² Cass Eager is a great surprise and well worth his support. This polished singer can pull off reggae as if it were created for her rich, mellow voice. Soul to blues, folk to gospel and roots, Cass delivers, in the words of one reviewer, a ³rich, fat sound.² www.bobegan.com  ,

www.casseager.com   A combined performance that gives you one of Canada¹s

most recognized performers and a look at a strong, emerging talent. Word to the wise: History shows that Bob picks winners.

Wednesday 26th, Cuban band Valle Son

Advance ticket sales tell us, buy early!

Last week the Valle Son Band flew straight from Cuba to the land of the midnight sun. Some of the group had never been outside of Cuba before traveling to The Ashcroft Opera House via the Yukon. They bring traditional Cuban son music - - a blend of Spanish and African traditions- - with influences from all over the world and their own jazz/mambo twist. ³The use of bassoon and saxophone makes the sound very different from other Cuban bands,² says Valle Son's Jesus Hernandez Sanchez. www.caribourecords.com/artists/valleson/

When you spend an evening with a group like this at The Opera House, you really spend the evening with them. You hang out before and after the performance, you eat dessert with them.

All at the Opera House

One hour west of Kamloops, 10 K south of Cache Creek, 2 hours south of Williams Lake, 90 NW of Logan Lake, reputed to provide the best, performance acoustics in the Interior. Entering Ashcroft, cross the bridge and turn right onto Brink. Drive down to 4th. There it is, on the corner. Since 1889. The Ashcroft Opera House.

Doors open 6:30, dinner 7, performance 8 PM. Show $20; dinner plus show $35. Dinner is creative, gourmet vegetarian meal made with fresh, local ingredients and includes truly outstanding dessert.

All major credit cards accepted. Information & reservations: (250) 453-9009 www.AshcroftOperaHouse.com