Around town BC . . .

| Vancouver Island | Okanagan | Upcoming | Ongoing |
| Swap meets | Sales |

Around the Lower Mainland . . .

Craft and create

Make art rocks at the popular Craft and Create kids’ program at the Langley Centennial Museum, 9135 King St., Fort Langley, Thursday, Aug. 20, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Suitable for six to 10 year olds. Cost is $8. To register, please call 604-888-3922.

Groovin’ at the Grove

Enjoy free music for the family in the park every Friday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Maple Grove Park, 6875 Yew St., Kerrisdale. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs. Aug. 21 and 28, TBA.

Kung Fu Panda in Poco

Friday, Aug. 21, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., catch a screening of Kung Fu Panda at Robert Hope Park, Port Coquitlam. Weather permitting. Come out early and catch some of the fun activities for the entire family.

Summer fun at North Van museum

Take a trip this summer without leaving North Vancouver as part of the Friends of the North Vancouver Museum and Archives invites children ages six to 12 to participate in a series of mini-adventures with Retro Frolic, Friday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m. to noon, North Vancouver Museum & Archives. For more details and to register, call 604-990-3700 ext. 8016. Cost is $5 per child.

Only for adults

Science World After Dark Presents Fear Flicks (a Night of Fright), Friday, Aug. 21, 7 to 11 p.m. Movie begins at 8:30 p.m. For adults over age 19. Come and check out SCREAM! featuring Goose Bumps: the Science of Fear and see Science World transformed into a zombie horror zone. Turn yourself into a zombie, take our fear challenge course and watch some frightful demonstrations at the Peter Brown Family Centre Stage. Then drop by the Science Theatre for a screening of the zombie flick, Shaun of the Dead. It's a night of the undead you won't want to miss. Price: $19.75/person (limited tickets available). Buy tickets at tickets@scienceworld.ca or 604-443-7500.

Community fun day

Enjoy some fun with the entire community at free event at Renfrew Park Community Centre in Vancouver, Friday, Aug. 21, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Call 604-257-8388 for more details.

Movie Under the Stars - Langley

Pack a picnic and bring along a blanket or your chair and enjoy the movie 'UP' under the stars at the Langley Events Centre, Friday, Aug. 21, in Langley. This is a FREE event, however, donations will be accepted for the Big Brothers Big Sisters the movie starts at dusk.

Movie night in Kits

Catch a flick under the stars for a special movie night in Connaught Park in Vancouver, Friday, Aug. 14, 8:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, blanket and the family.

WildLights Lantern festival

Join the North Vancouver Community Arts Council at the WildLights Lantern festival, an annual summer celebration of community and creativity, Friday, Aug. 21, Edgemont Village, North Vancouver. Bring hand-made lanterns, paint your face and wear a colourful costume. Dance alongside a musical procession, costumed characters and stilt walkers. Watch a spectacular spinning fire show performed by the Public Dreams Society. Lantern workshops starts at 7 p.m. Parade and street festival run from 9 to 10 p.m.

Spend on Trend

Shop until you drop at Spend on Trend, a cool fashion trend event showcasing Canadian independent designers, Friday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 23, Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St., Vancouver. Tickets are $5 at the door. For more details, visit www.spendontrend.com.

Richmond Maritime Festival

Ahoy mateys! Head on over to the Richmond Maritime Festival, at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard National Historic Site in Richmond, Friday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 23. The free family event features maritime exhibits, entertainment, demos and much more. For all the details, visit www.richmond.ca.

Boogie with Bobs & Lolo

Tsawwassen Arts Centre hosts Bobs & Lolo for a fun-filled performance on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. Admission is $8 or three for $20 in advance, or $12 at the door. For more information or to book tickets please contact the Tsawwassen Arts Centre at 604-943-9787.

Night in the Wild

Camp over night at the Greater Vancouver Zoo and meet the animals at night on Saturday, Aug. 22. Enjoy an evening walking safari, hot chocolate and marshmallows in front of the fire then be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the animals. After breakfast have a special visit with one of the zookeepers and their animal friend, and then on to the Safari Train and North American Wilds for an experience you'll never forget! Call 604-856-6825 or visit online.

It’s Hannah Montana!

The girls in our house will definitely love to see the special screening of Hannah Montana with Movies Under The Stars, Saturday, Aug. 22, Holland Park, King George Highway and 100 Avenue, Surrey. Entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m. and the movie beings at dusk.

Fair at the PNE

Once again it’s that time of year to check out the Superdogs, mini donuts and all that jazz at the Fair at the PNE, starting Saturday, Aug. 22 and running until Sept. 7. All the details are online www.pne.ca.

Birds of prey

On Saturday, Aug. 22, live birds of prey will be coming to the Fraser River Discovery Centre and exciting activities have been scheduled to complement this special visit. Visitors will meet Jessie, a barred owl and Tira, a merlin from the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL). Visitors will also be able to join guided tours of the Birds of Prey exhibit and dissect owl pellets. Birds of Prey Day activities will be ongoing on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours of the exhibit will be offered at 12:15, 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. The discovery centre is located at 788 Quayside Dr., New Westminster.

Art in the Park Festival

Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., bring the family down for Art in the Park Festival at Minnekhada Regional Park in Port Coquitlam. Be delighted by a wide range of artists work. Enjoy music, be entertained by performers, explore charming gardens, indulge taste buds at the outdoor cafe, go on a guided nature walk, create a craft in the children’s area and attend a workshop. Free admission and parking at the Quarry Road Parking Lot. Free shuttle bus from parking lot (donations welcome).

Open house at the fire hall

Several fire halls in Vancouver are once again opening their doors to the public so we get a chance to check out the local firefighters, learn what they do and discuss any fire and life safety concerns we may have. Next batch of open houses are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 23, 1 to 3 p.m. at the following halls: No. 14 (Hastings/Sunrise), 2804 Venables St.; No. 17 (Sunset), 7070 Knight St.; No. 12 (Kitsilano), 2460 Balaclava St.

Back to school shopping event

One of our favourite e-tailers Raspberry Kids has teamed up with spud! organic home food delivery for a back to school night of shopping and a chance to meet some local Raspberry Kids’ suppliers, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 6:30 to 9 p.m., in Vancouver at the Spud location, 1660 E. Hastings St. 15% of sales during this evening are being donated to Growing Chefs which is a foundation that is a non-profit society that unites chefs, growers, educators and community members in a food sustainability project. Win prizes, pick up some great organic, made in Canada gear for your kids, and have fun. Please RSVP to yesplease@raspberrykids.com. Space is limited so register early to secure your spot!

Around Vancouver Island . . .

Vancouver Island Exhibition

Hot diggity dog it’s the Vancouver Island Exhibition, Friday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 23, at the Beban Fairgrounds, 2300 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo. For all the fair details, visit www.viex.ca.

European and Classic car picnic

On Sunday, Aug. 23, the Vancouver Island Region of the Porsche Club of America will again host its annual European & Classic Car Picnic to raise money for the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children, which supports children and youth with special needs. The car show and family festival runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the QA Centre, 2400 Arbutus Rd., Victoria. Event details are online.

Around Okanagan . . .

Market in Penticton

Head to Downtown Penticton on Saturday, Aug. 22, for the community market and artisans market, 8:30 a.m. to noon., along Main Street.

Upcoming events . . .

Kerrisdale Days

Enjoy fab end-of-season sidewalk sales, entertainment and more for the entire family during Kerrisdale Days, Aug. 27 to 29, along West 41st in Vancouver. For more www.kerrisdalevillage.com.

Multicultural summer reading clubs

Enjoy games and stories in Spanish and English with Silvana Goldemberg, experienced teacher and children’s author, Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to noon, Kitsilano Branch of the Vancouver Public Library.

Smash, crash and squeak

Wrap up summer vacation with the entire family enjoying a free workshop at the ArtStarts gallery, Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This workshop is 45 minutes and features hyperkinetic musicians. Kids will learn action-drumming using funky instruments including rubber tubing, metal bowls, garage can drums and even rubber duckies. ArtStarts is located at 808 Richards St. (at Robson) in Vancouver. Workshop is free and ideal for children five to 12. Please arrive 10 minutes early.

Deep Cove Daze

Head out to Deep Cove in North Vancouver for the annual Deep Cove Daze, Aug. 30. The festival features midway rides, face painters, entertainment for the kids, and more. Admission by donation.

Richmond baby fair

Check out the Richmond Baby Fair on Sunday, Aug. 30, noon to 4 p.m., Thompson Community Centre, 5151 Granville Ave., Richmond. The Baby Fair presents a diverse selection of exhibitors at a family-friendly event where baby and family-related information, products and services will be presented. Participants will receive gift bags and the chance to win many door prizes! Admission is free.

Toons for toddlers

All aboard for the next cool Toons For Toddlers screening. This month tots get to watch Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails The Movie, Aug. 30, 10:30 a.m., The Ridge Theatre in Vancouver. Admission is $5 for toddlers and no charge for adults. For more info please visit www.toonsfortoddlers.com.

Writing classes for moms

The Momoir Project is a series of classes that will inspire you and get you writing. The classes are about connecting you with other moms so we can learn from each other. New fall classes are starting in September for Vancouver, Victoria and online. Reserve your space now and visit online for more details.

Reconnect with Mama Renew

Give yourself a new beginning with a Mama Renew group this fall. Join other seasoned mothers seeking to reconnect, reclaim, and find balance between giving to our families and caring for ourselves. New groups start soon throughout the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. Visit www.mamarenew.ca to learn more, or call Sarah at 604-254-1100.

Scrapbook fair

Scrapbookers check out the annual Surrey Scrapbook Fair, Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sullivan Hall, 6306 152nd St., Surrey. More than 30 tables of scrapbook or card making related items for sale. Entertainment for the kids will be provided by Joseph the Magician and lunch will be available to purchase from a food vendor. This year there will be another layout contest as well as a handmade card contest with the finalists voted on and announced at the Fair. Submission deadline for the contest is Sept. 8. For more details or to book a vendor table please contact Heather at scrapbookfair@hotmail.com or www.scrapbookfair.blogspot.com for more details.

Back to School Nutrition for Picky Eaters

Join Karla Heintz, nutrition educator and author and learn about back-to-school nutrition tips for better health and learning in an informative talk while enjoying healthy appetizers and beverages prepared by Munch and discussing tips from the book Picky? Not Me Mom, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 7 to 9 p.m., at Munch Family Restaurant, 143 – 1233 Lynn Valley Rd, North Vancouver. For more information visit www.karlaheintz.com.

Ongoing events online . . .

Click here to find out the scoop on ongoing events in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

Swap meets . . .

none this week

Sales scoop . . .

Roots sale

Save up to 60 per cent at Roots Canada summer sale. Stock up on clothes for the next season.

Home Depot online sale

Home Depot is having an online only clearance on area rugs, up to 50% off, and select art, 50% off. Having recently been in the market for area rugs, the prices look really great to us! Shipping is free on orders over $99.

Kula Klips discount

Alberta-based Kula Klips, online retailer of funky hip clips for girls, soother clips for both boys and girls as well as adjustable headbands for all ages, is offering 20% off all orders right now with coupon code: school09.

While we do our best to inform you of great family happenings around town, event details are subject to change.

B.C. archives

A big happy second birthday to Marisa on Aug. 24.

Happy 1st Birthday Jonah! Your are the light of our lives ... love Mama, Dada and Monty

We are thrilled to welcome Sienna Hanna Gwen to our family. Big brother Hudson and big sister Findlay are very excited that you finally arrived. We all love you very much!

Sophie Pepper Gidyk turned one on August 17th. Happy First Birthday Sophie, love Mommy, Daddy and your dog buddy Strider.

Happy Second Birthday Evangeline! We love you very much, Mommy and Daddy

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