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Registration for city programs is now at residents‘ fingertips aiting in line to regâ€" Wster for a City of Waterloo _ recreâ€" ational program is now a thing of the past. The city recently introâ€" duced a touchtone system which allows customers to sign up for any course or program offered at local facilities via the telephone. That includes everything from minor sports registraâ€" tion, to booking time at the local swimplex. "People have been asking for a system like this," said Brian Detzler, the city‘s director of recreation and leisure. "It just goes to show people are ready for these types of systems." â€" Detzler said in its first weekend of use, between 45â€" 47 per cent of all program By Anprea Baney Chronicle Staff registration _ was _ done through the touchtone sysâ€" tem. "We didn‘t have people lined up down the hallway like we usually do," he said. Plans for the new system have been in the works for three years. â€" Detzler said a pilot proâ€" gram, which took some proâ€" gram enrollment, was tested in September. This served to work out any â€" systematic â€" glitches before the official system "It just goes to show people are ready for these types of systems." â€"Brian Detzler City of Waterioo director of recreation and leisure LIFESTYLE launch earlier th he said. Using the system is easy, Detzler assured. The registration line is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, and can be accessed by calling 747â€" B585. Customers â€" who _ are already in the city‘s computâ€" er database should have been mailed information on the system, including a client number for each regisâ€" trant and a family pin numâ€" When calling to register for a program, customers will be prompted to input those numbers, as well as a valid Visa, Master Card or American â€" Express Card number. A _ confirmation â€" and receipt will then be mailed to the registrant within two weeks of the transaction. this month, Anyone who is interested in using the system but is stem is easy, _ not in the database can pick f up an application form at tion line is any City of Waterloo recreâ€" n. to 11 p.m. _ ational facility, or call nd can be the Waterloo Memorial calling 747â€" _ Recreation Complex at 886â€" 1177. But make no mistake, Detzler said, people can still register for their programs of choice in person. And if all goes according to schedule, the city will take yet another step forward in 2002 by offering registration over the Internet. "This will give people a choice between registering in person, by telephone or on the web," Detzler said. "It‘s all about offering people more choices and methods. "And so far it‘s been just incredible how people have embraced it." Grade 8 students at Northlake Woods public school recently raised over $1,000 in Canadian Tire money, which was then used to purchase gifts at the Canadian Tire store on Weber Street in Waterloo. The class then delivered the gifts to the Tree of Angels holiday toy drive at Conestoga Mail. Here, from left, Katharine Unrau, Louise Mellor, Kelly Bankier and Monika Unrau had their purâ€" chases to cashier Laurie Beitz. Santa‘s elves B08 VRBANAC PHOTO Wings of Paradise in Cambridge will hold its first annual Bugfeast from Dec. 29â€"Jan. 6. This event will provide visitors with the opportunity to discover how much impact insects really have on their lives. From 'seeing to touclfing to tasting, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the Wonderful World of Bugs. o â€" o Daily insect tasting will introduce the adventurous to the unique flavours of chocolate covered crickets, chocolate chip chirpy cookies and mealworm & garlic stirâ€"fry. Two varieties of walking sticks and stag beetles from the far east will be housed in terrariums where visitors can get a close up look at these fascinating creatures. "The Incredible World of Bugs" will also showcase interesting bug bios on insects that have impacted our lives. Learn how dragonflies were used as the protoâ€" type for the helicopter and discover how water beetles assisted in the creation of the periscope. Interpreters will be available throughout the event to answer quesâ€" tions and assist visitors as they discover the wonderful world of bugs. The event is included in general admisâ€" sion to the facility. Area residents encouraged to sink their teeth into Bugfeast Located on Kossuth Road in Cambridge, Wings of Paradise is a year round attraction that is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. hae ooo Admission $8.25 per adult, $7.75 per senior, $7.25 per youth (13 to 17), $4.25 per child (three to 12), and two and under are admitted free. Lotal community health department awarded grants The Waterloo Region community health departâ€" ment‘s Youth Health Program was recently awarded a $2,000 grant from the Motz Family Endowment Fund, and an additional $4,000 from the Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Community Foundation to assist with their life skills training program. The department‘s life skills program helps children and youth resist substance abuse. _ o Studies show that schools using the program found that tobacco use and alcohol use decreased by 60 per cent compared to schools not using the program. Students participating in the life skills program also displayed higher self esteem as well as increased knowledge and skills to help reduce their risk of subâ€" stance abuse. The program is currently being offered at Sandhills elementary school and at St. Dominic‘s in Kitchener. The new funds received by the health department will allow it to offer the program to additional schools around the region. 11°â€"y48‘~ %o FINANCING Ask for details Northfield at the Partrwray 746â€"1666