After the ceremonies and services are over at the cenotaph on Friday morning, there are several local drinking establishments that will be offering more than just seating room for people to continue their congregating and remembering. Some are set to offer their own personal 'thank yous' to veterans.
While many will naturally choose to head to the Royal Canadian Legion on Taché Street, some may be enticed to head to The Beer Hunter Bar and Grill at 386 St. Albert Trail. Those veterans and currently serving members who arrive in uniform or bring their military identification will get a meal on the house.
"It's the least we can do for them taking care of us," said Diandra Schmidt, marketing co-ordinator for the restaurant chain.
Other places such as the Crown & Tower Pub in Inglewood Square offer a free drink to those guests who arrive in uniform. The Celtic Knot Pub at 388 St. Albert Trail will be offering a free glass of moose milk instead.
Toys for Tickets
Paying parking tickets has never been more fun. The city is getting ready to launch its annual Toys for Tickets campaign starting on Monday. Instead of paying with cash, people will be given the option to offer new, unwrapped toys to satisfy the expense of their parking violations.
Toys received will be donated to the Fill-A-Bus campaign led by St. Albert Transit and Diversified Transportation, as part of the St. Albert Kinettes' Christmas Hamper Campaign. That campaign kicks off at St. Albert Centre from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.
The program runs from Nov. 14 to 30. People can offer their gifts (for recipients up to 16 years of age). The toy must be in its original packaging and must be valued at equal or greater than $25. The receipt must be presented at the time of payment as well.
Last year, the program received 266 toys worth more than $7,200. Some people also donated toys without having first received a parking ticket.
For tickets issued between Nov. 14 and Nov. 30, 2016, the City will accept new, unwrapped toys as an alternative form of payment for parking violations. Payments will be accepted from Nov. 14 to Dec. 7 at the St. Albert RCMP Detachment during regular business hours.
There will also be a fundraiser for the hamper campaign taking place on the evening of Nov. 19 at The Beer Hunter. Tickets are $10, which not only permits entry but also gets the guest entered into a draw for 50 bottles of wine.
Diapers needed
The public is being encouraged to donate some important but often overlooked personal items for people in need. The Diaper Lady is requesting donations of diapers (all sizes), feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, underwear and socks (for men, women and children), shampoo and body wash, toothpaste and toothbrushes, baby formula, and winter clothing.
All donations will go to support clients of the Mustard Seed Church and the SNUG Program. The church said demand has increased 30 per cent from this time last year and donations have decreased 10 per cent in the same time frame.
Items can be dropped off on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the NEXT Christian Community, 140 St. Albert Trail. For more information, visit The Diaper Lady on Facebook.
