Summer holidays may be a thing of the past, but that just means there are more family fun events on deck for the weekend. Keep the kids busy enough and they'll forget all about the lazy hazy days gone by.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 7
FILL 'ER UP
The Share food bank is down to nearly-bare shelves, and desperately needs the community's help to stock things up for Tri-City families until the Christmas giving season kicks in. The second Food Bank Fill Up takes place at PriceSmart Foods in Pinetree Village (formerly Save-On Foods) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., where volunteers will be taking donations to fill an empty semi-trailer. Dry goods (beans, canned tomatoes, cereal, etc.) are needed, or pre-packaged hampers are available for $10 or $15.
SECOND TO LAST
Time's running out for the Coquitlam Farmers Market at Spirit Square (next to city hall). The Friday afternoon markets wrap up on Sept. 14, so take advantage and drop by between 3 and 7 p.m. for delicious late-summer produce, baked goods and more.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 8
HURRY HARD
Curling is a blast - learn why at the Port Moody Curling Club one-day learn-to-curl clinic, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Port Moody recreation centre (300 Ioco Rd.). Whether you're new to the sport (and the lingo, which is half the fun) or you've been sweeping madly for ages, the clinic will have you hooked. The clinic costs $35 and includes instruction and lunch. Registration is required by visiting www.portmoodycurling.ca or calling 604-461-3719.
FALL FAIR
Learn more about all the great programs available at Douglas College - including the finer points of folding napkins, part of the hospitality management program - at the annual Fall Fair, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Coquitlam campus on Pinetree Way. In addition to all the great info there will be kids' activities, crafters and the Coquitlam Farmers Market on hand, along with music and a barbecue. Admission is free.
FRUIT FUNDRAISER
Kin's Farm Market is celebrating its 25th anniversary with games, lucky draws, fruit sampling and fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society. In the last three years, Kin's has raised more than $60,000 and hopes to raise the bar this year while educating the community about healthy eating and cancer prevention. Drop by any of the three Kin's locations in the Tri-Cities (Newport Village, Oxford Village in PoCo and Coquitlam Centre at Northern Avenue) between 10 and 3 p.m. today.
WALK ON
Early-morning walkers, unite. The Mundy Mudthudders are gearing up again for a season of trekking the trails in Mundy Park as well as Como Lake, Rocky Point, Belcarra and more. Walks are at a steady pace for one hour and walks are held rain or shine. Meet on the west side of Mundy Park at 10:30 a.m. near the trailhead at the foot of Regan Avenue, near Hillcrest middle. Email [email protected] for more info.
TREE PLANTING
The Port Moody Ecological Society hosts TD Tree Days at the Noons Creek Hatchery (300 Ioco Rd.) from 10 a.m. to noon. A whopping 125 trees will be planted around the trail that hatchery volunteers are creating. This month at TD Tree Days events throughout Canada, the U.S. and UK, more than 40,000 trees will be planted.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 9
GET ACTIVE
Fall is a great time to get up and get active, especially for the 50+ set. Here's your chance to check out the open house weeks at the Glen Pine (1200 Glen Pine Court) and Dogwood (624 Poirier St.) pavilions in Coquitlam, starting today. Break out of your routine and try something new - belly dance, anyone? Call 604-927-6940 (Glen Pine) or 604-927-6098 (Dogwood) for more information.
PAWS FOR A CAUSE
Grab your pooch for the annual BC SPCA Paws for a Cause walk at Lafarge Lake (Pinetree Way, across from Douglas College). The route goes around the lake twice (3 km total), after which there will be entertainment and activities like a look-alike contest, musical sit and nail trims by donation. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. Visit www.spca.bc.ca/walk for more info.
100 YEARS
That's how long fire fighters in Coquitlam have been serving in the community. Celebrate the Coquitlam Fire/Rescue milestone from noon to 4 p.m. at Spirit Square (3000 Burlington Dr.), where there will be a short presentation, rescue demonstrations, exhibits, face painting and, since no fire fighter event would be complete without them, a barbecue and fire truck photo ops.
