Living

COQUITLAM On display: At the City Centre branch, Coquitlam artist Jamie McCarthy's pop culture-inspired digital art prints and tiny costume replicas can be seen in the display cases.

R hubarb is the hot new perennial vegetable that adds that tangy, tart flavour to dessert menus, sauces, fruit combos and compotes. It's also hard to beat for pies and crumbles.

W ith planning for the future of Riverview Hospital now hastily convened, the fate of this spectacular site has finally reached a crossroads.

H ere are some great reading suggestions for kids in Grades 4 and 5 that are interesting for both girls and boys. The Paper House by Lois Peterson is the inspiring story of 10-year-old Safiya, who lives in the Kibera slum outside Nairobi.

Need some swoon-worthy romantic reads to beat the February blues? Banish away the blahs with some vicarious genteel smooching as we count down the Top 10 Best Fictional Boyfriends: Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen 's Pride and Prejudice .

M odern society outdoes itself during the month of amour. Ads and store shelves seduce shoppers' senses with items to serenade one's sight or smell, tantalize one's touch or taste in the name of love.

COQUITLAM National Film Board of Canada Friday Afternoon at the Movies: Documentaries from the NFB are screened in the Nancy Bennett Room at the Poirier branch. Next Friday, Feb. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m.

O ver the past two years, we've enjoyed wonderful, mild winters but this one has certainly made up for it with the cold spell in early December and the most recent one with some record lows for this time of the year.

W ith temperatures finally rising and the welcome return of the rain, it's beginning to feel more like spring. While the recent freezing weather was tough on the plants poking new growth above ground, they're surprisingly resilient.

T hinking of watching Annie Hall, Sleepless in Seattle or Roman Holiday on video again this Valentine's Day? Why not try something new and pick up a funny and heartfelt book from your local library instead.