Living

Thanks to La Niña, our winter so far has been milder and drier than usual. However, winter doesn't end until March 20, so there could still be a real possibility of challenging weather ahead.

Yet another year has rolled by and we are now into a new one. But it's not just a new year that we have entered.

Parents can always use a hand or a sympathetic ear, not to mention activities to do with their children.

You can learn to speak and write German with instructor and author Leslie Michael at Dogwood Pavilion on Tuesday evenings starting Jan. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. Pre-registration is required and the course cost is $64.

If you're a senior citizen, there are plenty of organizations in the Tri-Cities that offer activities and support for you.Below is a selection from the Seniors section of The Tri-City News' Community Calendar: Seniors meet every Friday, 12:30-2:30 p.

Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver (BBGV) always needs volunteers but especially now. The mentoring agency currently needs 372 volunteers throughout the Lower Mainland (including 32 in the Tri-Cities) and the need is urgent.

Last year brought many great times - including the time I spent reading. I would like to share some of the favourite books I read in 2011. I hope that these titles will help to give you a good start to your new reading year.

Dormant spraying is one of the most important winter tasks to keep most of our deciduous trees and shrubs clean. Moss, algae, fungus, overwintering insects and disease will all take their toll during the growing season unless we take some action now.

This winter there are excellent opportunities to see snowy owls around Boundary Bay in Delta.

When we arrived on Christmas day, there was a big, black truck parked in front of the house. This truck, I was told, belonged to my cousin, Jack.