Whether you've enjoyed a two-week break from school or work or this is just a regular, never-long-enough weekend, there's plenty to do. So ring in spring, bust out the New Year's party hats for Nowruz or just get centred at a free meditation session.
Friday, March 20
DUNK TANK
It's got a wave pool, a waterslide, laps and loads of floating toys for little ones and, tonight from 7 to 9 p.m., there's free swimming at the City Centre Aquatic Complex (1210 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam), courtesy of Westminster Savings. Visit www.coquitlam.ca/ccac for more details.
Saturday, March 21
GET IN THE GARDEN
If the onset of spring has you itching to get your hands in the dirt, you're not alone. And if you're looking for a few ideas or ways to spruce up your yard or balcony, the Inspiration Garden (Guildford Way and Pipeline Road, Coquitlam) is a great place to start. The garden is open to the public from dawn to dusk and staffed with a garden host on Saturdays, and today from 10 to 11:30 a.m. they'll be talking about choosing and dividing the right perennials for your garden to encourage continuous bloom from spring to fall (ages 16 and up). Register at signmeup.coquitlam.ca and enter barcode 512513.
JUST CHILL
In this helter-skelter world of ours, who doesn't need to take time out to slow down, breathe deeply and just be still? At the World Day for Inner Peace the Free Meditation folks - a group that aims to spread the message of peace by supporting families and young minds to find emotional and mental wellness through Sahaja Yoga - host an afternoon of free meditation workshops for all ages, along with live music, tea and refreshments, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Poirier Community Centre (620 Poirier St., Coquitlam). Contact [email protected] or visit www.freemeditation.com for more information.
MIXED MEDIA
Artist Claudia Stewart shows a collection of mixed media artworks at the Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., PoMo) based on three themes: doorways; a celebration of women friends; and, the ubiquitous crow. Stewart works in a variety of media, including photography, acrylics and 3-D, with a focus on organic subjects and textures. Check out the art (the exhibit runs to April 12) at today's opening reception from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
CELEBRATE SPRING
Spring is, officially now, in the air, so drop by the Port Moody Station Museum (2734 Murray St.) to really shake off the winter blues. Check out the blooms bursting in the heritage and meditation gardens (and, while you're at it, the very cool First World War replica trench) and keep the kids busy with games and crafts. Celebrate Spring runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.portmoodymuseum.org for more details.
Sunday, March 22
EARTH DAY
The Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable hosts a free open house with activities designed to bring our focus back to Earth. There's a community yoga class from noon to 1 p.m. at Coquitlam's Spirit Square (3000 Burlington Dr.), kids' yoga (parent participation required) from 4 to 4:30 p.m. at Coquitlam city hall's courtyard (3000 Guildford Dr.), followed by more community yoga from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., also at city hall. Visit www.coquitlamriverwatershed.ca or www.coquitlam.ca for more information.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Or should we say, Happy Nowruz? The first day of spring marks the beginning of the Iranian new year, and the Tri-City Iranian Cultural Society is getting set for the big event with entertainment, music and a chance to check out some Iranian traditions, at the event at Glen Park (Westwood Street and Lincoln Avenue) in Port Coquitlam from 1 to 7 p.m. Visit www.www.tcics.com for more information.
FIRST TREE WALK
The Riverview Horticultural Centre Society hosts its first tree walk of the season and this year there will be something new: Sue's Garden Patch. It's dedicated to tireless Riverview advocate Sue Haberger, who passed away two years ago, and is, quite appropriately, full of the bright daffodil blooms that were her favourite. The guided tree tour, led by a qualified arborist, begins at 1 p.m. at the upper entrance of the Henry Esson Young building. For more information visit www.rhcs.org or contact 604-290-9910.
