There is little more than a week left before Christmas (and only two shopping weekends), so kick your holiday spirit into full gear with a family movie night, Santa skates and a trip on the Santa train.
TODAY: Friday, Dec. 14
TREE TIME
Find the perfect tree at Aunt Leah's lot in the Eagle Ridge United Church parking lot (2813 Glen Dr., Coquitlam), where all proceeds go to help kids in foster care and to young moms at risk of losing custody of their children. The lot is open weekends from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (and Monday through Thursday, from 1 to 9 p.m.). Visit www.auntleahs.org for more information.
TOOLS FOR THE WORLD
Clear some space in the garage and do some good by donating your old (but still in good shape) tools to KMS Tools' Tools for the World effort running until Saturday. So far KMS Tools (110 Woolridge St., Coquitlam, next to Ikea) has sent 28 pallets of tools to places like Haiti, Thailand, Ghana, Malawi and more. The store is open today until 9 p.m. and Saturday until 5 p.m.
CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA
Kids aged six to 11 years old can have some holiday fun at Summit community centre (1450 Parkway Blvd., Coquitlam), where there will be themed gym activities, gift making and pizza from 5 to 9 p.m. For more info and to sign up call 604-927-4386, visit any Coquitlam rec facility or go online to www.signmeup.coquitlam.ca/signmeup.
Saturday, Dec. 15
SANTA TRAIN
All aboard the West Coast Express Santa Train, rolling through the Tri-Cities at 10:39 a.m. (Port Coquitlam stop), 10:45 a.m. (Coquitlam Central) and 10:50 a.m. (Port Moody). Just bring a new, unwrapped toy and get a free Santa Train return ticket. The Santa Train departs Waterfront Station in Vancouver at 4 p.m.
CINDY LOU WHO
Gather the family for a free movie night at the Hyde Creek gym (1379 Laurier Ave., Port Coquitlam), starting at 7 p.m. PoCo's youth services department will be screening the Grinch who Stole Christmas, starring Jim Carrey, on the 40-foot big screen starting at 7 p.m. Donations for the Share food bank will be gratefully accepted.
Sunday, Dec. 16
SANTA SKATES
Bundle up the kids and head to the Port Moody arena for a Santa Skate, from 1 to 4:15 p.m. The man in red and Frosty the Snowman will be there, and everyone can enjoy hot chocolate. Cost is $3.50 per person. You can Skate with Santa in Port Coquitlam, too, from 12:45 to 4 p.m. at the PoCo recreation complex (2150 Wilson Ave.). Be sure to bring a camera for a photo with Santa on the Zamboni. Admission for a family is $9.60; rental charges also apply. For more info call 604-927-7970 or visit www.portcoquitlam.ca.
Please send Things-To-Do guide submissions to spayne@tricitynews.com.
