Around town BC . . .

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

Around the Lower Mainland . . .

Once again, holiday craft fairs are popping up around the Lower Mainland, and we have created a sub-category: craft fairs (see above) so that you can easily navigate your way to the listings. As well, please feel free to e-mail us with any great craft fairs happening near you!

Circle Craft

We definitely plan on spending a few hours checking out the wares from hundreds of Canadian and BC artisans at the Circle Craft Christmas Market that is currently running until Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver.

In search of the perfect sitter

Lullaby League is hosting a mixer for parents in the Tri-Cities and Burnaby, Friday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m., at Newport Yoga in Port Moody’s Newport Village. The next mixer is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 24, 7:30 p.m. at Caramel Salon in Vancouver. To register or for more information, visit www.lullabyleague.ca.

Mother Goose program

Mothers with babies one to 18 months are invited to attend the Mother Goose program at Norgate Community School, 1295 Sowden St., North Vancouver, every Friday, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. until Dec. 11. The program is filled with rhymes, songs and stories and is free. Snack provided. Call 604-903-3684 to register.

Art show and sale

Port Moody Art Association presents the annual Show and Sale of original paintings, Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Port Moody’s Social Recreation Centre, 300 Ioco Rd., Port Moody. Admission is free.

Mindfully feeding babies and toddlers

Drop by Cambie Whole Foods Market in Vancouver as family therapist and registered dietitian Victoria Pawlowski discusses whole foods for babies and toddlers, Friday, Nov. 13, 2 p.m. Event is free but please preregister at vanessa.pratt@wholefoods.com. Victoria Pawlowski will be offering a free talk on nutrition, stress and immune support, Saturday, Nov. 14, at West End Community Centre, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 3:30 p.m., Cambie Whole Foods Market. Preregister at victoria@springwellnutrition.com.

Pulse to the Podium

Get into the Winter Olympic spirit at Pulse to the Podium - Celebrating Vancouver's Countdown to the 2010 Winter Games, Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Douglas Park Community Centre, 801 West 22nd Ave., Vancouver. Event features free, family focused events.

Tree buddies

Preschoolers can learn more about trees with Tree Buddies, Saturday, Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Minnekhada Regional Park in Coquitlam. Meet a tree, do a bark rubbing and play other fun games while enjoying a walk in the woods. Suitable for children three to five years. To register, call 604-421-5225 and quote barcode 295303. The cost is $12.84 for each adult/child pair.

Winter wonderland

Bundle up the entire family and head out for the HSBC VanDusen Family Program – Winter Wonderland, Saturday, Nov. 14, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the VanDusen Gardens in Vancouver. In the garden investigate the changes that plants and animals go through as they prepare for the winter months ahead. For more details, visit online.

Grappling with the Grumblies

Hear the story, meet author Deborah Miller and illustrator Diane Jacobs at Once Upon a Huckleberry Bush, 4387 Main St., Vancouver, Saturday, Nov. 14, 1 to 3 p.m. Grappling with the Grumblies is the first book in a series of fun-loving stories aimed at empowering children when they feel overwhelmed by negative emotions. Best suited for children three to seven.

Bobs & Lolo at the Roundhouse

Catch Bobs & Lolo in a fun concert Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m., at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown. Tickets are $10 each or $35 per family. Call 604-713-1800 for tickets.

Diapering Alternatives 101

Learn about your diapering options and how they compare from an environmental, health, cost, and convenience perspective. Modern cloth diapers; chlorine free, gel free, or flushable disposables; diaper service; diaper free; EC! See, touch and feel the range of options available. Leave with information you need to decide what will work for your family, and where to find it. Plus a great MamaMaven swag bag full of goodies for you and your growing family. Visit www.mamamaven.ca for more info. Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Riley Park community centre (30th near Main Street) in Vancouver. Call 604-257-8545 to register.

Fall frenzy

Shop for great products offered by moms at the Fall Frenzy, Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 4p.m., 2965 140th St., South Surrey. Pick up great gifts from the following companies: Saplings, Green Planet Parties, Coast Creations, and Homeworks Etc.

Four hugs a day and Santa

Santa arrives at Lansdowne Centre in Richmond, Saturday, Nov. 14, at to mark the occasion Charlotte Diamond will be performing at 1 p.m. in the entertainment court. Enter to win prizes, and meet Charlotte at Kiosk Court near Customer Service. The day also marks the start of the winter carousel and holiday train.

Salmon festival

It’s the annual Hyde Creek Salmon Festival, Sunday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hyde Creek Recreation Centre, 1379 Laurier Ave., Port Coquitlam. Free event features nature walks, wild salmon barbecue, activities for the kids and more.

Reading at the rink

One Book, One Vancouver hosts Reading @ the Rink: The Farm Team on Ice, a free public skate for children and families, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Britannia Ice Rink, 1661 Napier St., Vancouver. Enjoy special guests, door prizes, including tickets to a Vancouver Giants game, and more. Admission is free and skate rental is included.

Around Vancouver Island . . .

Christmas Chaos Arts and Craft Fair

The Island Savings Centre in Duncan hosts the annual Christmas Chaos Arts and Craft Fair, Thursday, Nov. 13, to Sunday, Nov. 15, Cowichan Valley Community Centre, 2687 James St., Duncan.

Around Okanagan . . .

Christmas sale

Get ready for the Potters and Artisans annual Christmas Sale, Thursday, Nov. 13 to Sunday, Nov. 15, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna. The art sale features a variety of different media, and is one of the best in town.

Holiday Festival of Creations

Check out thousands of unique arts, crafts and food products created just in time for decorating and gift giving at the Holiday Festival of Creations, Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15, Prospera Place, Kelowna. A perfect way to spend time with the family.

Upcoming events . . .

Universal Children’s Day

Everyone is welcome to come celebrate Universal Children's Day at retailer Blue Sky Baby in Mission on Nov. 20, 3 to 6 p.m. There will be free infant massage classes, gift bags, balloons, cookies, in-store specials and a draw for a $40 natural baby skin care & infant massage set courtesy of Mashala Baby Organics. RSVP online.

Children’s Christmas Fair

Come celebrate the magic and wonder of the winter season with the whole family at the Vancouver Waldorf School’s Children’s Christmas Fair and Open House - featuring creative and festive activities for children, puppet shows, storytelling, live music, delicious organic food and baking and the ever popular Marketplace offering natural toys and handcrafted gifts for all ages, Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.vws.ca or call 604-985-7435 for more information. The Vancouver Waldorf School is located in North Vancouver.

Bobs & Lolo concert

Inglewood Parent Participation Preschool in West Vancouver presents Bobs & Lolo and lots of family fun, including games, face painting, concession and more, to help fundraise for the preschool, Nov. 29, West Vancouver United Church (21st and Esquimalt, across from the community centre). Show starts at 3 p.m. Family fun begins at 2 p.m. Come early as seats are not allocated in advance. Tickets are $10 per person, children under two are free. Tickets can be bought from an IPPP parent, online at www.lavishandlime.com or by e-mail.

Preschool open house

Inglewood Parent Participation Preschool invites you to an open house, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 6 to 8 p.m., 1068 Inglewood Ave., West Vancouver. Check out the facilities, meet the teacher and talk to parents of children currently enrolled. Call 604-925-1888 for more information. Spaces available for 2010.

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.

Ongoing events online . . .

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

Craft fairs . . .

Place des Arts Christmas Boutique

Find unique Christmas gifts at the Place des Arts Christmas Boutique that opens this weekend and runs until Dec. 18 in Coquitlam. For more details, visit www.placedesarts.ca.

Archbishop craft fair

It’s Archbishop Carney's 11th Annual Christmas Craft Fair, Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The school is located at 1335 Dominion Ave. in Port Coquitlam. Admission is $1. Children can enter for free. Check out more than 100 tables of quality handcrafted items.

Fall affair and book sale

Terry Fox Library and Wilson Centre host a Fall Affair and Book Sale Saturday, Nov.14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wilson Centre, 2150 Wilson Ave., Port Coquitlam. Enjoy music, crafts and bake sale, entertainment and more. The book sale will be at the Terry Fox Library.

Quality Fair

Saint Laurence Anglican Church’s annual Quality Fair is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check out home baked goods, preserves, jewellery, toys, books, gift baskets, silent auction and more. The church is located at 825 St. Laurence Street, Coquitlam.

Cliff Drive Christmas craft fair

Cliff Drive PAC presents a Christmas craft fair, Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cliff Drive Elementary, 5025 12th Ave., Delta.

Creative Treasures craft fair

Creative Treasures hosts the annual Christmas Craft Fair, Friday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Delta Hall, 10379 Ladner Trunk Rd., Delta. Free admission.

Swap meets . . .

Huge kids' swap meet

Drop by the Cloverdale Fairgrounds for a huge kids’ swap meet, Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Swap meet takes place inside two buildings filled with new and used kids’ items, including everything for baby, toddler, preschooler and up. Contact 604-588-9919 or e-mail mattie1995@hotmail.com.

Sell your gear

There's a kids swap meet and fundraiser, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at South Delta Rec Centre in Tsawwassen. Tables are $25 or if you are a kid-friendly business, a table is $40. Contact Trudy at kids_swapmeet@yahoo.ca to book a table.

Sales scoop . . .

Big big sample sale

Head out to the GX Building (behind Home Depot on Terminal Avenue) in Vancouver, for a building-wide sample sale, Monday Nov. 16 to Friday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cash sales only. Lots of great brands for the kids, adults, and home.

Sport Mart sale

To celebrate their 25th anniversary, Sport Mart is having a 25 per cent off everything sale, Saturay, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15.

Sale on organic kids' stuff

B.C.-based online store Every Little Bit is having a fabulous sale with 40% off all organic baby & kids clothes, and 30% off all organic cotton crib sheets and blankets. This sale runs until the end of the year, or while stock lasts. They also have 15% off all eco-friendly toys and books, use coupon code: toys15 until Nov. 20.

While we do our best to inform you of great family happenings around town, event details are subject to change. Please check ahead before heading out!

B.C. archives

Happy 1st Birthday Owen! Love always Mummy, Daddy & Babe!

Happy 5th Birthday to our ROCK STAR, Isabella. We love you, Mom, Dad and Little Brother Bennett

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