Thursday, February 19, 2009 - B.C. edition

Around town . . .

Vancouver Island | Okanagan | Upcoming | Ongoing | Sales |

GREATER VANCOUVER . . .

Home and garden show

Spruce up your digs with help from the experts you’ll find at the BC Home and Garden Show on now until Sunday, Feb. 22, at BC Place in Vancouver.

Winterruption

There’s something for everyone at Winterruption, taking place on Granville Island in Vancouver, from Thursday, Feb. 19 to Sunday, Feb. 22. Whatever the weather, you can expect a fabulous family festival, including the Circle of Light in the City, the opening ceremony for Winterruption, live music, live theatre in parking garages, puppets and even aerial dance under the bridge. Visit online for full event schedule.

Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre opening

The fun-filled, family celebration of the opening of Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19, 5 to 8 p.m., 4575 Clancy Loranger Way at Midlothian Avenue in Hillcrest Park. For more details, visit Vancouver Park Board online.

Children’s Arts Festival

The City of Richmond presents a Children’s Arts Festival, Thursday, Feb. 19 and Friday, Feb. 20, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond. For all the details, visit online.

Chutzpah!

Join in for the annual Chutzpah! Festival in Vancouver, Thursday, Feb. 19 to March 1. For all the details on performances, schedules and tickets, visit online.

Peace carnival

Once Upon a Huckleberry Bush 4387 Main St., Vancouver, is hosting a Peace Carnival, Saturday, Feb. 21, 1 to 3 p.m. Michelle Mulder, author of Yeny and the Children for Peace, which was inspired by the peace movement in Columbia, will be on hand along with refreshments, raffles and a voting booth so you can vote for peace like Yeny.

Junior pirate school

Ahoy, Mateys! Kids three to five years are invited to discover the world of pirates at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, located in Vanier Park in Vancouver. Learn about seafaring bandits through stories and hands on adventures! Junior Pirate School is a one day program, happening Saturdays on the following dates: Feb. 21, April 4 and April 18. Cost per each adult-child pair is $10 for members, $12 for non-members. Space is limited and registration is required. Visit online or phone 604-257-8300.

Countdown to the Olympics

In celebration of one-year countdown to the 2010 Winter Olympic festivities, head out to your local Vancouver ice rink for a free skate between Saturday, Feb. 21. Skate rentals are available, but bring your own if you can in order to avoid line ups. Bring a non-perishable food bank donation for your chance to win prizes. Athlete and Vancouver 2010 mascot appearances at selected sessions. For the schedule visit online.

Olympicraze!

Drop by Champlain Heights rec centre in Vancouver for Olympicraze, Saturday, Feb. 21, 1 to 3 p.m. Play games, check out displays and more.

French fun

Enjoy lots of Francophone family fun at the FrancoFete Family Fun Fair, Saturday, Feb. 21, noon to 3 p.m., Place Maillardville, 1200 Cartier Ave., Coquitlam. Admission is free.

Jan Ken Pon (Rock Paper Scissors) Family Games Day

Come play traditional Japanese heritage games at the annual Jan Ken Pon! Family Games Day, Saturday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nekkei Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres., Burnaby. Play with colourful tops, make your own sumo wrestlers, and more. Don’t forget to pre-order your traditional Japanese lunch. The highlight of the day is a rock-paper-scissors tournament with prizes. Suitable for kids four and older accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $4 in advance, or $5 at the door. Visit online.

Baby Steps Life Coaching event

Would you like to spend a few hours having great food and wine, and redefining your dreams/goals with a great group of women? If so, you might want to check out Baby Steps Life Coaching’s “Come as You Will Be” party, happening at Brock House restaurant, 3875 Point Grey Rd., Vancouver, Saturday, Feb. 21, 6 to 9 p.m. Visit online for details, and to register.

Bobs and Lolo at the Roundhouse

Come see Bobs and Lolo at the Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, in Yaletown, Saturday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. For ticket info, visit online or call 604-713-1800.

2009 Kids’ swap meet

Head out to the Cloverdale Fair Grounds, 6050 176 St., Cloverdale, Saturday, Feb. 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for the 2009 Kids’ Swap Meet. This is a great chance for parents and those expecting to pick up clothing, books, furniture and toys. E-mail for more info.

Mindfully Feeding Our Toddlers

Join registered dietician and clinical counsellor Victoria Pawlowski, consultant to Capers Whole Foods Markets, in the Mindfully Feeding our Toddlers seminar Saturday, Feb. 21, and Satuday Mar. 21 at 10 a.m. at Cambie Capers Whole Foods Markets at 16th and Cambie in Vancouver. Issues covered will include power struggles and picky eaters. This seminar is free, but will fill up quickly, so pre-register by e-mail to victoria@springwellnutrition.com.

Illuminate Yaletown

Enjoy a free winter party in Yaletown featuring contemporary lighting installations and vibrant music, Saturday, Feb. 21, 5:29 to 9:30 p.m., at locations throughout Yaletown, including the Roundhouse. For more info, visit online.

Diversity health fair

Pick up some healthy living tips at the Diversity Health Fair, a free event for multi-ethnic families to come and learn about crucial health topics and ways to adapt healthier lifestyles, Saturday, Feb. 21, Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr., Vancouver.

Farmhouse open house

Drop by the Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Rd., Surrey, for an open house, Saturday, Feb. 21 and Sunday, Feb. 22, noon to 3 p.m. Learn about Victorian social etiquette, recreate Victorian cards, sachets, and more. For all ages. Call 604-592-6956 to find out more.

Two new Marnie shows!

Crowd-favourite Music with Marnie will be playing two shows on Sunday, Feb. 22 to celebrate the release of their new online community, scheduled to launch Friday, Feb. 20. Shows happen at the Polish Community Centre, 4015 Fraser St., Vancouver, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $12 each (group rates available), and available online.

Climb for air

Help raise money for the BC Lung Association with Climb the Wall, an annual stair climb to the top of the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, Sunday, Feb. 22. Check out all the details and find out how to register by visiting the BC Lung Association online.

Drop by Minnekhada Lodge

Celebrate Heritage Week with a visit to the historic Minnekhada Lodge in Port Coquitlam, Sunday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participate in a heritage scavenger hunt to earn a sweet treat or join a free, guided walk of the grounds. Children can make an old fashioned craft to take home. Meet at Minnekhada Lodge off Oliver Road or Park at Quarry Road and walk to the Lodge. Call Metro Vancouver at 604-432-6359
to register.

VANCOUVER ISLAND . . .

Maple Sugar fest *NEW*

Thursday, Feb. 19 to Sunday, Feb. 22, check out the annual Maple Sugar Festival, Beban Park Centennial Building, 2300 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo.

Seedy Saturday *NEW*

The James Bay Market Society hosts Seedy Saturday, Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual seed and garden show will beheld at the Victoria Conference Centre, level 2, 720 Douglas St., Victoria. Kids’ activities, speakers, demos, and more. All the details are online.

Victoria boat show *NEW*

It’s the annual Victoria Boat, Fishing and Outdoor Show, Friday, Feb. 20 to Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Pearkes Recreation Centre at Tillicum Mall in Victoria.

Vancouver Island Baby Fair

Find out more about everything baby, toddler, preschooler and then some at the Vancouver Island Baby Fair, Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, March 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Beban Park Social Centre, Nanaimo.

Hobby and toy fair

Attention hobby and toy lovers! Ever wonder what happened to the GI Joe you buried in the back yard? Feel guilty about cutting off Barbie’s hair? Come delight your inner child and discover a fun day with a blast from-the-past atmosphere at the Hobby and Toy Fair, Sunday, March 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pearkes Arena, 3100 Tillicum Rd., Victoria. Check out action figures, vintage toys, LEGO, Star Wars, Hot Wheels, win prizes and more. E-mail cbtoys@telus.net for more info or phone 250-385-8697.

Great library programs in Victoria

Don’t forget to keep up to date on all the great programs for babies, kids, and families, including author readings, and special events the Victoria Public Library (various branches) has to offer! Visit online for the entire scoop.

OKANAGAN . . .

Mommy Movies

Capital Theatre in Westbank presents Mommy Movies, Thursdays at noon. Fem. 19, you can bring infants and toddlers to a screening of Confessions of a Shopaholic.

Family art time

Kelowna Art Gallery presents Family Sundays: finger streaks painting and artist trading cards, Sunday, Feb. 22, 1 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS . . . (4 NEW EVENTS)

Tri-Cities trade show *NEW*

Oodles Family Clubhouse presents Family Fair, March 1, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam. Bobs & Lolo will be performing in three shows, enter into a photo contest, check out displays, and more. Tickets are $3 for adults, and children under 12 are free.

Orchid festival

The Vancouver Orchid Festival and Sale will bloom at the VanDusen Botanical Garden Floral Hall, 5251 Oak St., Vancouver, on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22. This is your chance to buy an orchid for a loved one or for yourself and add beauty to your home while giving a little TLC to A Loving Spoonful, which is a volunteer-driven, non-partisan society that provides free, nutritious meals to people living with HIV/AIDS in Greater Vancouver. Visit online for more details.

Kids’ stuff swapmeet *NEW*

Help raise money for Gleneagle secondary’s aftergrad event by dropping by the kids’ stuff swapmeet, March 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gleneagle secondary, 1195 Lansdowne Dr., Coquitlam.

L’IL Rascals Kids Swap Meet *NEW*

Once again it’s the L’IL Rascals Kids Swap Meet, April 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chilliwack Heritage Park, 44140 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack. Early bird admission is $5, and admission after 10 a.m. is $3. Children’s admission is free. To book a table (200 are available at $25 each), call Tammy at 604-858-4034 or e-mail lilrascalsswap@telus.net.

Family Musik *NEW*

Music in the Morning presents Rob Kapilow's Family Musik, "Casey at the Bat - Play Ball to Music!", Sunday, May 3, 3 to 4 p.m., Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC in Vancouver. Tickets available at Music in the Morning's Box Office 604-873-4612, Chan Centre Ticket Office (in person sales only), or online through Ticketmaster / 604-280-3311. For more information, visit www.musicinthemorning.org.

ONGOING EVENTS ONLINE . . .

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

SALES . . . (2 NEW LISTINGS)

Organically Hatched bday sale *NEW*

Organically Hatched is having a birthday and to celebrate, they are offering a large selection of items at 25 per cent off. They also offer free shipping on orders $100 or more and free local pick up. Check out the sale online. Sale ends March 15.

Hip Baby sale *NEW*

Vancouver store Hip Baby has new owners and is currently getting a new look. Check out the sale on FIG organic clothing for kids. Hip Baby is located at 2110 West 4th Ave., Vancouver.

BetweenMommies sale

Online store BetweenMommies is having a huge sale. Many products are discounted at over 50% off. Shop online at www.betweenmommies.com.

Marimekko

Save up to 50% off winter fashions, including children’s, fabrics and home accessories at the Marimekko concept store, 1233 Hamilton St., Yaletown. Sale ends Feb. 28.

B.C. archives

Ryerson Kunz is turning one year old on Feb. 20! We've had so much fun watching you grow from a tiny newborn to a curious toddler over the last year. Our family is complete now that you are a part of it. We love you very much. Love Mommy, Daddy and big sister Alayna.

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