During the weekend of August 22nd and 23rd, the first annual Art in the Park Festival was held in Minnekhada Park. There was live music, performers, a guided nature walk, food, and artist demonstrations.

A total of 629 participants came and enjoyed the festivities.

The photos are courtesy the event organizer, Manfred Kraus. Manfred is a local landscape photographer, and through his website www.vancouvermoments.com sells stock photos, tshirts, and other art pieces. Here are a couple of samples of some panorama prints that would make a great addition to any home.

I have been pretty grumpy lately. We all have times like that in our lives when nothing seems to be going our way. For various reasons, this is one of them for me. But I’ve discovered that one sure-fire way to turn my bad mood around is to get out of the house and into nature with the kids.

Thankfully, we’re lucky enough to live in a part of the world where natural beauty and outdoor recreation are accessible and abundant. Right now my favourite local getaway with the kids is Buntzen Lake [map]. On a weekday afternoon it’s not too busy, and the water is just the perfect end-of-summer temperature. There is a sandy beach for the kids to play on, lots of picnic tables, a dock and boat launch and the ever-important flush toilets. Or if you’re up for a hike you can follow the walking trails.

We encountered some local wildlife on a recent visit, including a squirrel who stole a peanut butter sandwich right off our table. It was truly impressive, the sandwich was almost as big as he was and he ate it really, really quickly. I tried to stop him because I’m pretty sure PB & J isn’t good squirrel food, but he was too fast for me. So learn from our mistake and don’t leave your food uncovered.

Here are some photos I snapped at the lake:

What about you? Do you have any favourite local get-aways? Or any tips for fending off the squirrels at Buntzen Lake?

(Image of the sign from our friend Raul at hummingbird604.com)

August might be drawing to a close, but it’s still summertime here in the V3H. There are still plenty of chances to get out and enjoy it while it lasts, too. Especially because with a late return to school this year the kids have a whole extra week of vacation time to enjoy.

On Thursday August 27 there will be a heritage walk taking in the Southside of Port Coquitlam. The walk is free, and is presented by the Port Coquitlam Heritage and Cultural Society. The walk leaves at 6pm from the Terry Fox Library [map], rain or shine. Register by calling 604.927.7611 or email pocoheritage@portcoquitlam.ca.

This Friday is your last chance to get out and enjoy Cinema Under the Stars in Port Coquitlam. They planned to show Kung Fu Panda at Robert Hope Park [map] last week, but due to rain it was rescheduled to August 28. The show starts at 8:30pm, and a showing of ThE MeSsY LiE, a new film, will precede it as a trailer. So bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy the show!

This weekend is also your last chance to check out Live @ Leigh Square and Music in the Park in Port Coquitlam. Live @ Leigh Square is finishing the season in style with the Beanstalk Folk Fest from 12 – 9pm on August 29. It’s a free local festival intended to bring people together, create friendships and promote live music. How can you go wrong?

This Sunday, August 30 is the final date in Pacific Coast Terminal’s Summer Sundays concerts in Rocky Point Park. Vancouver band Brickhouse will be playing. The show is free, and promises to be great.

Fresh, local food is still going strong at this time of year, and the Coquitlam Farmer’s Market has opened a new pocket market in Anmore. Every Saturday until September 26 the market will be offering a selection of local produce and baked goods from 10am to 2pm in Anmore’s Village Hall parking lot [map]. Farmer’s markets seem to have really taken off in the Tri-Cities this year. It’s a great way to get in touch with your food and meet your neighbours, just remember to bring cash and your reusable bags.

The days are already getting shorter, but autumn is still a month away. I’m doing my best to soak up the last of the warm days while they’re here. I hope that you get a chance to do the same.

Our friends at Translink have had a busy few months. First it was the opening of the Golden Ears Bridge linking Langley and Maple Ridge. Last week we saw the launch of the Canada Line, linking Skytrain from Downtown Vancouver to the airport and downtown Richmond. Here’s a video that let’s you ride the whole thing in a minute and a half.

The end of September will see the partial opening of the new 7 lane Pitt River Bridge. In September, 3 of the new lanes will open, with the old bridge still being used. The full 7 lanes will be open by the end of December, when they’ll start taking down the old span. The extra lane will be an Eastbound lane, 3 going into Vancouver, 4 lanes going back to Pitt Meadows. I guess when you’re at the Poco Costco and that bag of frozen chicken wings is melting, you want to get home a little quicker.

The next major project on the horizon for Translink is the long awaited Evergreen Line linking Lougheed Mall to Coquitlam Centre through Port Moody. The Evergreen Line has quite the long and winding history. Originally it was supposed to be part of the Millennium Line, then as a surface light rail system, and in February 2008 the plan was changed to use the Skytrain technology, with a completion date of sometime in 2014.

Now, fresh on the heels of the Canada Line opening, there are clouds on the horizon. At the end of July Translink announced that they would need another $450 million dollars in annual revenue or they won’t be able to build the Evergreen Line. Options for getting the money include a levy on vehicle sales and tolling roads based on what time of day people are driving on them. Even if all of this was implemented, they would still need more money from the provincial government to keep Translink afloat. If there is no new funding for Translink at all, they would be looking at reducing bus service by 40%, as they are not allowed to go into deficit. Metro Vancouver mayors have until October 31st to make a decision on further funding Translink, so that will be the next important day in history of the Evergreen Line.

What are your thoughts? Are you optimistic about seeing Skytrain come to the V3H by 2014, or should we not get our hopes up?

The Coquitlam animal shelter is experiencing a cat crisis this summer. The shelter has room for up to 25 cats, but as of the end of July the occupancy was far above that. So the shelter is calling on area residents to consider adopting or fostering one of these furry felines by declaring August ‘Cat Adoption Month’.

Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart said, “This overcrowding of animals is a serious concern for the shelter and happens almost every year. We hope that this call for help will encourage animal lovers to open their homes, and hearts, to these pets.” The shelter has set a goal of placing 40 cats this month, and each week has a different focus. The week of August 23 is ‘Spay or Neuter your Cat’ and the week of August 30 is ‘Volunteer Opportunities at the Animal Shelter’.

All cats adopted at the Coquitlam Shelter are spayed or neutered, unless they are under 6 months of age. Those who are too young are sent home with a $50 certificate for the procedure.

In order to adopt a cat you will have to complete the adoption process to make sure that you get the best possible fit with your new furry friend. Visit the shelter and fill out an application form. You can also expect to answer some questions from a staff member regarding your ability to care for your pet. Then your application will be held for 24 – 48 hours for approval. The shelter does not do same day adoptions, so be aware that you will not be taking your new family member home right away.

For more information about adopting or fostering a cat, or volunteering at the shelter, call 604.927.7387.

If you’ve never visited Minnekhada Park in the Northeast corner of Coquitlam, it’s definitely worth a visit [map]. The park got its start in the 1930s as a hunting retreat for Lieutenant Governor Eric Hamber. Eventually the province sold it to the GVRD and it became a regional park. The lodge remains, and features a lake and some excellent hiking trails, as well as distinct geographical features called ‘knobby knolls’. This weekend the park is playing host to several events.

First up, on Friday August 21, we have Bat Watch at Minnekhada Park. From 7:15 to 9:15pm, you can watch the bats swoop and glide over fields as they leave their roosts and feed on insects. You will have a chance to learn about bats, what they eat, and how they live. For more information call Metro Vancouver at 604.432.6359.

If your tastes are a little more cultured, you will enjoy the First Annual Art in the Park event on Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23 at Minnekhada Lodge. The event runs from 11am to 4pm both days, and admission is free. The roster is packed, featuring live music and entertainment, an outdoor cafe and barbecue, guided nature walks, artist demonstrations, and of course art on display. Take the free scenic shuttle from the Quarry Road parking lot to the lodge. For more info email artinthepark@metrovancouver.org.

Minnekhada isn’t the only place that’s hopping this weekend. The gorgeous outdoor amphitheatre outside city hall in Port Moody will play host to Insieme LIVE! on Friday, August 21 at 7:30pm [map]. Insieme is a local pop opera act, and they are amazing. All proceeds from the event go towards the BC Centre for Ability, benefiting children, youth and adults with neurological, physical and developmental disabilities. Tickets are only $22, and can be purchased by calling the box office at 604.931.2008.

On Saturday, August 22 from 2-4pm there will be a celebration to kick off the BC-Jeongju Hanji Cultural Arts Festival at Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam [map]. The event celebrates the Korean art of Hanji, a centuries old tradition of making paper with the bark of the mulberry tree. There will be a fashion show displaying unique paper garments along with traditional and contemporary hanji artwork created by over 30 local and Korean artists. You can hear Korean drumming and see dancers from the Vancouver Korean Dance Society. Following the event an exhibit will be on display in the Leigh Square Arts Community until September 13. The event is free, and everyone is welcome. If your kids are really excited by what they see, you might want to consider enrolling them in the “Life of Paper” art camp for children, running August 24-28 in Port Coquitlam. To register, or for more information, visit ExperienceIt.ca

So if you’re not up for the PNE, you can stick close to home and still have some fun right here in the V3H this weekend. It’s enough to drive you batty! (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Grab your bike and fill out your pledge form, the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation will benefit and great fun will be had by all.

The inaugural ERHF Wheel to Heal takes place this Sunday, August 23rd. The event begins and ends at Lafarge Lake in Town Centre Park, Coquitlam. It’s a bike ride where you choose your distance. 10 km of the Trans-Canada Trail, 40 km of the Poco Trail, or for the big boys and girls the 80 km Tri-Cities Climb challenge road course that will pass through all 5 municipalities of the Tri-Cities.

The purpose of the event is to support the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation to buy a much needed new operating room table for the hospital. Eagle Ridge Hospital performs more than 11,000 surgeries every year. The majority of the surgeries are hip and knee replacements and pacemaker insertions.

Registration is $30 for individuals, $25 each for a team of 4, or $20 per family member with kids under 12. There are prizes to be won for the top fundraisers. Cap’s Westwood Cycle is the presenting sponsor, and you must have your bike and bike helmet checked out by them at their store before August 21st, to make sure all your safety gear is up to date and in good working condition. You can pick up your event package this Thursday or Friday, the 20th or 21st from 3pm – 7pm at Cap’s, or you can pick up the package on site.

The start times at Lafarge Lake are…

• 6:30am – Onsite registration and package pick-up begins
• 8:00am – 80km ride begins
• 10:00am – 40km ride begins
• 10:30am – 10km ride begins

To sign up and for all the information you require, visit the event website at www.wheeltoheal.ca

The Port Moody Public Library’s 9th Annual Links to Literacy Golf Tournament and Banquet is coming up on Monday, August 31. The tournament will take place at Meadow Gardens Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, with registration at 11:00am and a shotgun start at 12:00pm. Links to Literacy is relaxed and fun, and everyone is welcome.

The day will be capped off by an evening banquet, complete with prizes and an auction. The no host bar will open at 5:30pm, and dinner and auction will start at 6:30pm. The items up for auction include a trip for two to the Port Moody Police firing range, a location portrait session by In view Images, and a dinner for four at Pasta Polo Restaurant. CTV’s Jason Pires will do the honours as Master of Ceremonies, and Canucks play-by-play announcer Johns Shorthouse will fill the role of auctioneer. If you absolutely don’t golf (and I’m sheepishly raising my hand on this one) you’re welcome to come out just for the banquet and auction.

As its name implies, the tournament raises money to support literacy in Port Moody. Funds from last year’s tournament allowed the library to bring literacy experts, such as David Bouchard and Dr. Gabor Mate, to the Inlet Theatre in Port Moody for a special evening lecture series. Proceeds from the tournament were also used for library enhancements such as an easy reading collection and computer listening station for our special needs patrons, and a talking book reader and talking books for our visually disabled patrons. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will be directed at creating a portable computer lab to provide basic and advanced training on Internet, email and other electronic resources.

Tickets for the tournament and banquet are a steal at $165 each. Tickets for the banquet and auction only are even more of a steal at $40. And of course, you can donate or sponsor the event without having to show up at all. Could there possibly be an easier way to support our local library? I don’t think so.

To register, or for more information, call 604.469.4686 or email dayna.solem@cityofportmoody.com. Get out there, support the library, and have some fun!

This weekend is all about Elvis in the V3H. Which is odd, because the King had no particular connection to Port Moody that we know of, but I’ve decided to run with it. So here it is, a hunka hunka summer fun.

On Friday, August 14th Steve Elliot and Patsy Bartholomew will be taking to the stage at the Inlet Theatre in a tribute to Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline [map]. The Elvis and Patsy Show is presented by Elite Productions and runs from 7:30 – 10:30pm. Tickets are $22.50. Of course, the question whenever someone is paying tribute to the King of Rock and Roll has to be, which Elvis? And the answer in the case is Young Elvis from the 1950s. So there won’t be any phoenix suits, but there will be a great time. For more info contact Elite Productions at 604.793.4581 or the Inlet Theatre at 604.931.2008.

On Sunday, August 16th Elvis will be paying another visit to the area, stopping by the Festa Italiana in Newport Village [map]. The Italian Festival Main Street event will take over the village from 11am – 5pm. There will be crafts, games, and entertainment for the kids, as well as watermelon and spaghetti eating competitions. And Ben Preslee Klein will provide an excellent Elvis Presley tribute. How could you go wrong?

You would think two Elvis sightings in the area would be enough, but you would be wrong. The King will also be making an appearance at the Downtown Port Coquitlam Car Show on Sunday, August 16 in downtown PoCo [map]. The cars will be on display from 10am – 4pm, and entertainment will continue until 6pm at Leigh Square. Elvis Within will take the stage from 10:30 – 11:15am, and then will be on walkabout for the rest of the day, but there will be lots of other acts, too [complete schedule]. The event is free to spectators, and it costs only $20 to register your car. Visit the Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association to download the registration form, or call 604.464.1490 for more info.

If your tastes run less towards Elvis and more towards film, check out the Port Moody Film Society’s double header on Saturday, August 15. They are showing two films at Inlet Theatre, with the first film showing inside the theatre and the second outside [map]. The first film is Adam’s Apples, a Danish film with English subtitles, which is a festival favourite with 15 wins. The second film is Death at a Funeral, a comedy from the UK and the USA. Admission is $5 per film, and a $5 annual membership is also required. For more info call 604.469.4571.

If you want to commune with nature, you can stop by the Riverview Hospital Grounds on Sunday, August 16 for a Public Tree Tour [map]. The Riverview Horticultural Centre Society runs the free walks, although you can join the society or make a donation if you wish. The walks are led by a volunteer arborist, and leave the HEY building at at 1pm. They generally last about 2 hours, depending on the weather and the group. Children and dogs on leash are welcome. For more information you can call the horticultural society’s answering service at 604.290.9910.

So check out of Heartbreak Hotel and have some fun this weekend in the V3H!

This Saturday the largest and most celebrated event for the local Korean community takes place in Coquitlam. The Korean Heritage Day Festival showcases Korean heritage through cultural performances, community gathering, the finals of Korean Fest Idol, and some awesome food.

Here’s 2 of the 5 w’s

• Saturday, August 15th
• 10:30am to 6pm
• Blue Mountain Park. 975 King Albert Ave, Coquitlam.

The festival is presented as part of the Coquitlam 2009 – Cultural Capital of Canada program. This is the 8th annual festival and in 2003 the Province of BC declared the official Korea Day to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Korean-Canadian diplomatic relations.

While the main festival day is on Saturday, there is also an art exhibition at the Evergreen Cultural Centre. Korean Art: Past, Present, and Future will run until September 5th. The exhibition features 5 Korean artists who created pieces influenced by Korean culture.

Two venues, lots to see and do, bring the kids!