The City of Windsor is calling for applications and/or nominations for the city’s next Poet Laureate, as well as the city’s first Youth Poet Laureate.

Windsor’s Poet Laureate Program is a vital piece of the local creative community. Since 2011, the program has helped develop and cultivate an engaged, all-ages local audience that appreciates and responds to the literary arts. The program aims to promote poetry to a wide and appreciative audience, while strengthening the public’s relationship to literature. The program celebrates poetry, writing, and the contribution of poets to the cultural life of our diverse community. Windsor’s program has set an example for other Canadian communities for what is possible through a responsive and interactive poet laureate program that truly engages a community, while allowing us to capture, preserve and share Windsor’s unique stories.

The city’s current Poet Laureate, Marty Gervais will reach the end of his term along with the current Windsor City Council. In recognition of his tenure in the role, and to honour his contributions to the development of the program, City Council recently appointed Mr. Gervais as the Poet Laureate Emeritus for Windsor. In this new leadership and mentorship role, Mr. Gervais will continue to be recognized as an ambassador for the literary arts in Windsor.

As Mr. Gervais prepares to pass the literary torch, interested individuals may apply or be nominated to be considered for either available role. The Poet Laureate position will serve to honour a Windsor poet aged 25 years and older, while the Youth Poet Laureate position will serve to honour a Windsor poet aged 14 to 24 years. Full details on eligibility requirements and the application process, including required submission form, selection criteria, role responsibilities, honorariums, term lengths and more can be found in the Program Guidelines, which are available online at citywindsor.ca.

The deadline to apply or be nominated is Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

To learn more about culture and heritage services at the City of Windsor, visit www.citywindsor.ca or call 311.

November 30, December 1, 2, 7, 8 & 9 at The Green Room Theatre, 600 E.C. Row West. The Box Office is located at Cardinal Music, 2569B Jefferson. Tickets, $25. For more information call 519-944-5800 or visit www.cardinalmusicproductions.com

The popular and beloved River Lights Holiday House Tours is making a return this holiday season – and it’s bigger and better than ever before.

The self-guided tour, which takes place on Saturday November 24 and Sunday November 25 from 10am to 4pm, features some of Amherstburg’s most spectacular private homes, including the heralded Island View property on Front Road. Another estate, at 6212 Concession Rd. 6 South, sits alongside Against the Grain, a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted home décor establishment that will be teeming with Christmas decorations and goods. There are eight homes featured this year, as well as a stop at Vivace Estate Winery, proudly hosting the Christmas Tree Dress Exhibit and generously providing complimentary tea, treats and wine tasting.

Tickets are $25 per person, and are available at the Gordon House, Sobeys Amherstburg, Dusty Loft Antiques and Collectibles, Country Bliss and Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets. They can also be purchased online at www.amherstburg.ca/riverlights. Ticket holders are permitted to visit each home once, but tickets can be used on both Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, visit www.amherstburg.ca/riverlights or facebook.com/amherstburgconnection, or phone 519-730-1309.

December 8, 7pm at Caribbean Centre, 2410 Central Ave. Come enjoy a free traditional dinner and music! Canned goods will be accepted for The Mission.