Living

Books Plus runs in The Tri-City News each Friday to highlight programs and happenings in the Tri-Cities' three libraries: Coquitlam Public Library, Port Moody Public Library and Terry Fox Library in Port Coquitlam.

When late summer arrives, far too many landscapes look a bit tired, tatty and worn out. This is especially true when the summer has been long and hot.

In the last Green Scene column, I outlined the history of Strathcona Park, B.C.'s first provincial park, and described the struggles to protect this supposedly protected place from mining, logging and hydroelectric development.

Early retirement is not a universal goal. Some things increase their value and purpose with age. The Fraser Mills Train Station is a good example of this.

Virtually every well-tended garden is now going through its summer cycle of colour but one flowering shrub is preparing to steal the show. Hydrangeas, next to roses, are perhaps the most common deciduous flowering shrub in West Coast gardens.

Books Plus runs in The Tri-City News each Friday to highlight programs and happenings in the Tri-Cities' three libraries: Coquitlam Public Library, Port Moody Public Library and Terry Fox Library in Port Coquitlam.

Gardens are wonderful places but keeping them in good condition seems to take a lot of work, leaving gardeners little time to just enjoy them.

In the heat of summer (should we be so lucky), we normally would be looking to add a little extra punch to our gardens, and there is one family of plants that has so much to offer but really doesn't get the attention it deserves.

This Saturday, Parks Day in Canada, is a good time to celebrate 100th anniversary of British Columbia's parks.

You can walk to find a cure and prevent kidney disease during the Walk for Life around Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam Sunday, Aug. 21.