Mass

An annual rite of fall in Iqaluit (yes, fall doesn't start until Sept. 22. The high here today is 4C. It's fall, all right?) is the Mass Registration. It's a clever enough idea. A lot of new people come to Iqaluit in August and September, chosing to start new jobs with the beginning of the new school year. So why not make it easy for people to figure out what's happening around town by doing a massive registration for all activities happening around town for the next year.

And by everything, I mean pretty much everything. You can sign up for Guides, hockey, swimming, the green house, ball room dancing, ahem....curling, and a bunch of other activities. If you're in Iqaluit, it's certainly worth your time to swing by. I remember going to one just after we moved to Iqaluit and it really helped ease us into living here. We found things to do that might have otherwise taken months for us to discover on our own.

The registration takes place from 11 am to 2 pm on Sept. 13 at the Arctic Winter Games Complex. For those new to town, that's the big hockey arena on your way to Apex that is slowly sinking into the tundra and that is never actually used for hockey. It's best to get their early as some activities like swimming tend to have long lines with people trying to snap up all the spaces available as quickly as possible.

And since I'm talking about curling, a little update on things. The ice goes down at the curling club shortly after Thanksgiving. On Oct. 18-19 there will be workshops for those interested in volunteering in the 2009 Canadian Mixed Curling Championships. I also think there might be a coaching clinic for those interested. Oct. 25 will see a clinic for beginning curlers. So if you've never stepped on the ice before, this is your chance to come and learn.

League play begins October 28. A mini-bonspiel will take place on November 1 and the Mixed Nationals will begin on November 8. If you're interested in volunteering, or have a desire to get involved with curling this year, drop a line to iqaluitcurling (at) gmail dot com.

As for the rest of you, see you at the mass registration. Three guesses where I'll be...

Last Five
1. Sunday morning, coming down - Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies
2. One step up - Bruce Springsteen*
3. He lied about death - Stars
4. The New Year - Death Cab For Cutie
5. Two out of three - Meatloaf