Around town BC . . .

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

Greater Vancouver . . .

Pools and water parks starting to open

Seaside heated outdoor pools located at Kitsilano Beach Park, Second Beach in Stanley Park and New Brighton Park, located north of the PNE, are scheduled to open Saturday, May 16 at noon.

Children’s fest

Vanier Park in Vancouver is alive with tons of children’s entertainment and fun now until Monday, May 18 with captivating performances, hands-on arts activities, roving entertainers and much more at the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. Visit www.childrensfestival.ca for details.

Bed races

It’s the annual bed races and kids’ bike parade in Cloverdale, at 176A Street and 58th Avenue, Thursday, May 14, 5:45 to 7 p.m.

Chinatown market

Starting Friday, May 15, the Vancouver Chinatown Night Market will once again offer a shopping extravaganza every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 6:30 to 11 p.m., at Keefer and Main streets, between Main and Columbia streets, in Vancouver. For more details, visit online.

All British Field meet

Check out more than 400 classic British cars on the Great Lawn at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cloverdale Rodeo

Get your cowboy boots and hat out for the annual Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair, Friday, May 15 to Monday, May 19, Cloverdale Fairgrounds. All the details, visit www.cloverdalerodeo.com.

Royal City Multicultural Festival

Head over to Downtown New Westminster for a full day of ethnic culture from all over the world, Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Westminster Quay. Enjoy a wide selection of foods, traditional dances and more.

Hyack Festival

Starting Saturday, May 16, you’ll be able to enjoy fireworks, carnival rides, antique fair, street fair, parade and more until Saturday, May 23 in New Westminster. Visit the Hyack Festival Association online for event details.

River Explorers’ Day

On Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Fraser River Discovery Centre is going back in time on River Explorers’ Day. Visitors can celebrate the courageous men and women who first explored the Fraser and can see the newest exhibit Memory, Imagination, Time: New Westminster 150. The Fraser River Discovery Centre is located at 788 Quayside Dr., New Westminster. For more information please call 604-521-8401.

Junior Pirate School

Ahoy matey! Let’s make like a pirate and participate in the Junior Pirate School at Vancouver Maritime Museum, Saturday, May 16. Pirate school is for young pirates, three to five years old and their parents. Cost per child with accompanying adult is $12 (additional adults $10). For more information and to purchase tickets call 604 257-8300. Space is limited. Drop-in not permitted.

explorASIAN Friends & Family Day

explorASIAN celebrates Asian Heritage Month with a day of family friendly activities featuring live performances, demonstrations, and children’s activities, Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver. Meet some of the local Asian Canadian arts, culture, and community groups. Tour the beautiful and serene Chinese garden. Admission is by donation with all proceeds going to support Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Visit www.explorasian.org for more details.

Hatchery open house

View hatchery operations, take a tour, discover wildlife and more at the Little Campbell Hatchery Open House Salmon Saturday - Family Creek Peek, Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club, 1284 184 St., Surrey. Rain or shine. Contact Lisa Dreves at 604-532-3517 for more information.

Celebration of motherhood

Enjoy a women’s evening of feasting, dancing, ritual and meditation with the Maiden-Mother-Wise Woman Gatherings for Women, Sunday, May 17, 7 to 11 p.m., Chai Gallery, 3243 W. Broadway, in Vancouver. Tickets are $30 and are available at East-Is-East or call 604-734-5881. Event is being organized by Dr. Samantha Gray of Sage Clinic.

Anniversary of CPR engine

Head over to the Roundhouse in Yaletown for the 122nd anniversary of CPR Engine 374, Sunday, May 17, noon to 4 p.m. Free birthday cake, mini train rides, music, walking tour and children can make train tracks and trains out of recycled clay. Donations to West Coast Railway will gratefully be accepted.

Victoria Day Open House

Celebrate the queen’s birthday in an historic way with the Victoria Day Open House at Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Rd., Surrey, Sunday, May 17, noon to 4 p.m. Bring a picnic, sip tea in the garden, make crafts and more. Admission by donation. Drop-in.

Burnaby Lake Nature House opens

Join in for the season opening of Burnaby Lake Nature House, Sunday, May 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take a guided walk with a park interpreter, visit displays or make a craft to take home. Park and meet at the Nature House on Piper Avenue off Winston Street, or park at the Avalon Avenue lot and enjoy a half-hour walk to the Nature House.

Lynn Headwaters open house

Bring the family to the annual Lynn Headwaters Open House to explore the park, Sunday, May 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in North Vancouver. For more details, call 604-432-6359.

Victoria Day at the village

Spend Victoria Day at the Burnaby Village Museum, Monday, May 18, where you’ll be able to enjoy special entertainment, including maypole dancing, morris dancers, cake, parade, and more.

High tea and games

Enjoy a Victorian High Tea and games at the Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada, Monday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fort Langley parade and fun

Monday, May 18, spend the day in Fort Langley’s quaint village, enjoying a parade at 11 a.m., pancake breakfast, strawberry tea, carnival games and more. The annual Fort Langley Lions Parade and Festival runs all day, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more details, visit online.

Bobs & Lolo action packed fun

Head out to Kerrisdale Community Centre, Monday, May 18, for a Bobs & Lolo musical adventure at 1 p.m. The family concert is a huge must-see for kids. They’ll have tons of fun. Ticket price: $6 for people over two, or $20 per family of four. For tickets, contact the centre.

Screenwriting for moms

Ever feel like you’re watching your life unfold exactly like a story on the screen? Introducing Better Than Chocolate, a four-week screenwriting series presented by Nannies on Call – and created just for moms. Join in for a fun-filled month of workshops designed to inspire while helping you learn how to spin your life tales into a cinematic yellow brick road. Explore exciting excerpts on the page, simple tips to whipping off that fabulous first draft, develop an original project as a group – and get a fab BTC VIP SWAG Bag! Classes start May 19 in the boardroom at Macstation in Yaletown. Cost: $280 plus GST per session. Full schedule at www.fatrockproductions.com. E-mail classes@fatrockproductions.com to register before May 13. Only seven moms per class.

Savour with Neighbours

NOW BC (Neighbours Organic Weekly Food Co-op) presents Savour with vcccBank (part of CityReach Care Society in East Van), Wednesday, May 20, 6 to 10 p.m., Heritage Hall, 15th and Main Street in Vancouver. Suggested donation is $10. Enjoy live music, fun for kids, raffle, and prizes for best potluck dishes.

Vancouver Island . . .

Dorothy the Dinosaur comes to town

From the Wiggles, it’s Australia’s favourite dinosaur, Dorothy the Dinosaur Show, Friday, May 15, 4 p.m., Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 907 Pandora St., Victoria. Tickets are $22.50 and are available online at High Tide Entertainment.

Highland Games

Get your kilt on and head down to the Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival, Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 in Topaz Park, Victoria. Enjoy dancing, bagpiping, haggis hurling, and much more. For more details, visit www.victoriahighlandgames.com.

Luxton Pro Rodeo

Head out to Langford for the Luxton Pro Rodeo (Highway 14 at Luxton Road), Saturday, May 16 to Monday, May 18. Lots of fun for everyone.

Victoria Day Parade

Island Farms presents the Victoria Day Parade, Victoria’s largest parade event filled with marching bands, floats, clowns and more, Monday, May 18, in downtown Victoria along Douglas Street. For more information please call 250-382-3111.

Everybody and their dog walk

Sunday, May 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., it’s the Citizen Canine’s annual Everybody & Their Dog Walk, at Beaver Lake Park (entrance off Elk Lake Drive) in Victoria. Lots of fun for the kids and dogs.

Cumberland Empire Day

Now until Tuesday, May 19, Cumberland Empire Days are underway. For the complete lowdown, visit www.cumberlandbc.org. Village market Day festivities kick off Saturday, May 16.

Moss Street Community Market

Once again the Moss Street Community Market is set up for business. The market runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., every Saturday – rain or shine – until Oct. 31, at the Sir James Douglas school yard, the corner of Moss Street and Fairfield Road, Victoria.

Okanagan . . .

Rutland May Days

Enjoy three days of family fun and activities at the Rutland May Days, Friday, May 15 to Monday, May 18, Rutland Centennial Hall, 180 Rutland Rd.

Kids Swap Meet

Join in for the Kelowna Baby and Kids Swap Meet, Saturday, June 6, 9 a.m., Boys and Girls Club Kelowna, 1434 Graham St., Kelowna. Table rentals are $10. E-mail nikebug90@yahoo.com if you are interested in a table.

Upcoming events . . . (7*New*)

Attention artists, designers and crafters *NEW*

The Mommies on Main Show will be held at the Heritage Hall in Vancouver this September and the organizers are looking for vendors to fill spaces. They are interested in items that are either handmade locally or manufactured in Canada. Art, clothing, jewelry, accessories, furniture, toys, music, food, etc, will all be considered. Please view the website at www.mommiesonmain.com for show information and show application. For further information, please contact Brenda at info@mommiesonmain.com or phone 604-739-3739.

Trusting your intuition *NEW*

Mamaspeak presents Trusting Your Intuition at Harmony Wellness Centre, 736 W 16th Ave., Vancouver. Trusting Your Intuition is a six-week series to help new moms make a smooth transition to motherhood. Topics discussed include identity shift, relationships, sleep, feeding, self-care and birth stories. For moms with babies newborn to four months. Begins Monday, May 25. Please contact Meralon Shandler at 604-266-8124, or go to www.mamaspeak.com for more details.

Breastfeeding and nutrition *NEW*

Cherish Childbirth Care is offering a free Breastfeeding and Nutrition Workshop on May 27, 7 to 9 p.m., Harmony Family Wellness Center 736 West 16th Ave. (at Heather), Vancouver, to celebrate International Doula Month. Learn tips and tricks for successful breastfeeding and how to nourish yourself while breastfeeding. Also learn what a doula is and how she can help you during labour and after you baby arrives. Registration required. Partners welcome. Call 604-626-1079 or visit www.CherishChildbirth.com.

Green your home for little ones

Curious about the hype and research on chemicals in our homes? But want to avoid the stress, guilt and consumer pressure that usually comes along with it? Let MamaMaven presents an informative two-part workshop Healthy Home: Greening Your Home for Little Ones, Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m. to noon, Dunbar Community Centre in Vancouver. Find easy cost effective alternatives to create a healthy space for your family keep our growing little ones out of the chemistry lab. Register directly with the community centre at 604-222-6060. More info at www.mamamaven.ca.

Toons for toddlers *NEW*

Sunday, May 31, 10:30 a.m., at the Ridge Theatre, 3131 Arbutus St., Vancouver, is the next Toons for Toddlers, featuring TOOPY & BINOO. From the organizer of Movies For Mommies, TFT allows children to see their favourite programs and characters on the big screen. Screening time is only 60 minutes. Sound levels are lowered, and lights are left on a low setting. Admission is $5 per toddler. Adults and babies are free when accompanied by toddlers. Doors open at 10 a.m. and tickets may be purchased on site before the show. Full info at www.toonsfortoddlers.com.

Mindful Eating for Babies and Toddlers

We all need to eat each day - and our children need to eat meals and snacks every few hours. Each feeding is an opportunity to practice mindfulness, to build a positive feeding relationship, to secure attachment and ground the family. Join nutritionist Victoria Pawlowski for an inspiring and practical discussion about how and what to feed your baby in a way that makes sense, Friday, May 8, 10 a.m., the new Whole Foods Market at Cambie and Broadway in Vancouver. Additional times are Friday, June 5, 2 p.m., and Friday, June 19, 10 a.m. Cost is $5. Preregistration required. E-mail vanessa.pratt@wholefoods.com.

Free music classes

Four free Music Together Phoenix Song demo classes will be offered on Wednesday, June 3 and Wednesday, June 10 at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. at Midnight Cheer Athletics (near Marine Drive and Granville Street) in Vancouver. Please RSVP to reserve space in one of these free classes as space is limited. Call 604-327-5165 or e-mail anna@mtphoenixsong.com.

Crazy Carnivale

Science World in Vancouver presents Crazy Carnivale, a family fundraiser to raise money for Science World’s Tower of Bauble, Saturday, June 6, 6 to 10 p.m. It’s a 20th birthday party for Science World. Join Science World in celebrating 20 years of igniting minds at Crazy Carnivale! and help raise money for the Tower of Bauble outside TELUS World of Science. Live music by XLR8, street entertainment, delicious food, family photos, take-home art projects, face painting, birthday games, the famous Crazy Carnivale! goody bag and more. Tickets $250/family before April 30. $300/family after April 30. Call 604-443-7500.

Dash and pedal *NEW*

Join in for the first annual Il Girolino di Burnaby Dash & Pedal event for children five to 12, Saturday, June 6. The event is part of the Burnaby Height's Hats Off Day. Kids will dash for their bikes and then head out on a safely monitored bike course on Hastings Street, returning to the start/finish line all in the presence of a cheering, festive crowd and a race commentator. Finisher medal for all participants. Visit www.ilgirolino.com for more information and to register.

Get the Word Out *NEW*

The annual Enterprising Moms Business Conference, presented by SHE Financial, is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the River Rock Casino in Richmond. This year's theme is Get the Word Out! and explores all the various ways to promote your business. Speakers include mom entrepreneur Claire Newell (Jubliee Travel Best Bets/Global TV), PR genius George Affleck (Curve Communications,) social media guru Rebecca Bollwitt (Miss 604), and marketing extraordinaire Fiona Walsh (FM Walsh and Associates) plus all the resources and shopping for moms. Admission is free with a donation made at the door to the Ronald McDonald House. There is also a networking evening being held at the River Rock afterwards from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with drinks, appetizers and Kelley Scarsbrook, president of Enterprising Moms Network will be speaking on The Power of Believing in You. Also, special guests will be attending from the media. To purchase your ticket for the evening, visit www.enterprisingmomsnetwork.com. Also enter to win tickets to the networking event through babyvibe’s Nest Egg prize blog.

Barbecue in the park

Howe Sound Rehabilitation Services Society is hosting the annual BBQ in the Park for Brain Injury Awareness and Prevention, in conjunction with Brain Injury Awareness Month, Thursday, June 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Blue Mountain Park, 975 King Albert Ave., Coquitlam. There will be live musical entertainment, food and refreshment, information booths, raffle prizes, and lots of free activities for the kids. Pedalheads bicycle instructors will be on hand to teach kids who have their bikes how to ride safely and have a try at their “bike rodeo.” Event is free to attend with drinks, barbecue, and raffle tickets available for purchase. For more info please contact elsa@howesound.net.

Just for parents-to-be *NEW*

Parents-to-be! Imagine a summer weekend away relaxing and reenergizing together before baby arrives! Why not enjoy two nights at the four-star Summit Lodge and Spa in Whistler with other expecting parents as we incorporate daily prenatal yoga, partner yoga, nature walks, meditation and nutrition sessions while finding plenty of time to relax by the pool or refresh in the spa? This Prenatal Yoga and Wellness Weekend, July 10 to 12, is available at the Early Bird package rates (booked before June 1) beginning at $150 per person (based on double occupancy). Contact Suzanne at New Mother Yoga and Wellness or e-mail suzanne@newmotheryogaandwellness.com or call 1-917-370-7288 for more information or to reserve your space.

Hoping for mama time this summer?

The first annual Mama Renew retreat will nurture your spirit, make room for play, allow for quiet and time in nature, and include a bounty of laughter and reflection, Aug. 22 and 23 on the Sunshine Coast. $175 includes lodging and organic cuisine. For more information, visit www.mamarenew.ca or call Sarah at 604-254-1100.

Ongoing events online . . .

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

Swap meets . . . (0 *NEW*)

Huge Kids Swap Meet

Looking to sell your kids’ gear? Vendors are needed for gently used/new kids items for the huge kids’ swap meet at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050 176 St., Cloverdale, May 30, 9 to 1 p.m. Two buildings will be filled with baby equipment up to 10 years old. To book a table or for more information, call 604-588-9919 or e-mail mattie1995@hotmail.com.

Sales . . . (1 *NEW*)

Kiki Kids spring sale *NEW*

Kiki Kids Wear is having a spring sale. Save 20 to 40 per cent off all spring 2009 fashions until the end of May. Visit www.kikikidswear.com.

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

B.C. archives

Kaede Gossman turns one on May 15! Happy First Birthday little monkey. We can't wait to see what you have in store for us in your second year. Love you lots - Mom and Dad.

Happy first birthday Samuel! We love you very much and are so proud of our little Buster. Love always Mommy and Daddy.

A big happy first birthday to Caelan on May 14.

Our sweet little Magoo is turning ONE on May 18th - Camden what a wonderful year it has been - you have added so much to our family - you are such a happy and funny little boy - and we love you TONS!!!! luv Mommy, Daddy and big brother Jackson.

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