Since I have been keeping track of local events, I have noticed something. A trend, if you will. That is that the week preceding a long weekend is very busy. Since Monday, October 12 is Thanksgiving, that means that we can expect a lot of events to be happening this weekend in and around the V3H. It’s by no means a scientific law, but it looks like this weekend is living up to my expectations.
Starting on Thursday, October 1 and continuing to Saturday, October 3 there is tree-planting along Lower Como Creek. The City of Coquitlam and Trees for Tomorrow will be planting native trees and shrubs along the banks of the Como Creek to prevent the re-growth of invasive Himalayan Blackberry and provide quality wildlife habitat. Volunteers will be meeting in the Creek Side Cafe parking lot [map] at 10am each day. Please wear sturdy footwear, bring lots of water and dress for the weather. If you have a shovel and a pair of gloves you may bring those, too, although extras will be on hand. Refreshments will be provided. To RSVP, or for more information, contact Dana Slocum at dslocum@coquitlam.ca or 604.927.6913.
On Friday, October 2 the Coquitlam School District and SHARE are hosting a community pot-luck to celebrate the Full Moon Festival. Bring a dish to Mountain View Elementary in Coquitlam [map] from 6:30-8:30pm, and learn more about the traditional Chinese and Korean festival. There will be traditional foods, crafts, and performances at this free, family event. To find out more contact Stella Chen at 604.803.8128.
On Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3 Polish Popular Theatre will be taking to the stage at the Evergreen Cultural Centre with a presentation of “Pragnienie”. Details are still to be announced, but you can call 604.927.6550 for more info.
Port Coquitlam’s annual Harvest Festival is happening on Saturday, October 3 at Lions Park [map]. The event, sponsored by the Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association, kicks off with a run at 9am, and then the festival itself goes from 10:30am-4pm. There will be food, activities, games, vendors, and entertainment. For more info contact info@pocobia.com or 604.464.1490.
Coquitlam invites people to come out and ‘Bee’ Inspired at the Inspiration Garden Open House on Saturday, October 3 from 1-3pm. The garden, located at Pipeline and Guildford Way in Coquitlam [map], offers a place for everyone to be inspired and engaged. The open house offers everyone a chance to tour the garden, see seasonal gardening demonstrations, and find out about future events. There will also be a craft for the little ones. For more info call 604.927.4386.
Maillardville is celebrating 100 years with its Centenary Gala on Saturday, October 3 at the Red Robinson Show Theatre [map]. The gala kicks off with dinner at 5pm and the production, Le Rêve d’un village, follows at 7:30pm. It’s a star-studded evening featuring Lennie Gallant, Lucille Starr, the band De Temps Antan, Annette Campagne, Gérald Laroche, the choir Les Échos du Pacifique, South Asian Arts, Rhéal Poirier, Danielle Hébert, the band Joutou, North Shore Coquitlam Celtic Ensemble, the choregraph Noam Gagnon, the artist Sokato and Mr Jean Lambert. And tickets are a steal at only $75 for dinner and the show. For more information contact Société francophone de Maillardville at 604.515.7070 or info@maillardville.com.
Bobs and Lolo, who have long since captured my 4-year-old’s heart, will be performing on Sunday, October 4 at the Evergreen Cultural Centre [map]. The duo will take to the stage at 2pm with their band to perform Action Packed, a musical adventure for all ages. You can expect the little ones (and big ones) to be on their feet dancing and singing along. To buy tickets call 604.927.6555 or visit the online box office.
The City of Coquitlam is running two 4-hour long Bike Skills Courses. The first takes place on Sunday, October 4 from 9am-1pm at Pinetree Community Centre [map]. The $21 class is open to Coquitlam residents 16 years or older, and combines classroom, parking lot and on-road training to build traffic cycling proficiency for adults who want to cycle for transportation. Participants you must bring a bike in working condition, a helmet, bike lock, snack, water bottle and weather appropriate clothing. To register go to signmeup.coquitlam.ca, phone 604.927-.4386 or drop by any Coquitlam community centre. If you can’t make this course, it will repeat at the same time, in the same on October 11.
And, of course, don’t forget about Ioco Ghost Town Day, happening on Sunday, October 4.
I hope that you enjoy this harvest weekend here in the V3H!
On Tuesday, September 15th I had the pleasure of attending the Taste of the Tri-Cities. This is a co-production, put on by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and the Society for Community Development. Local businesses and non-profits run a hopping trade show and the sounds of jazz fill the Red Robinson Show Theatre. What was not to be missed was the variety of food and drink available throughout the venue. The local restaurants pull out all the stops with a wonderful variety of culinary delights.
For me it was a chance to meet some of the people I have met though TheV3H.com in person. This website would be a whole lot harder to do without the help of all the community groups who send us emails with all the cool stuff they’re up to. If you’re active in the community and have cool stuff that you’d like people to know about, send me an email at jon <at> thev3h.com. And if you’re a local business, joining the Tri-City Chamber of Commerce is a great way to not only network with other business owners, but they have some great events throughout the year that are not to be missed.
The Ioco townsite is an important part of Port Moody’s heritage. The name is an abbreviation for ‘Imperial Oil Company’, and the community was created to service the refinery that the company began operating in 1915 on Port Moody’s North shore.
The townsite sprung up quickly around the refinery, with hundreds of families taking up residence. By 1920, 83 permanent houses were under construction, all with flush toilets. A school, churches, and stores served the burgeoning company town. However, the glory days did not last. In 1993 Imperial Oil announced plans to close the refinery, and most of the 165 jobs were lost within a couple of years. The townsite was largely abandoned.
Every year in early October Ioco is celebrated with ‘Ghost Town Day‘. This is a free, fun, family-oriented event celebrating the community’s heritage. It runs, rain or shine, on October 4 from 12-4pm at the Ioco Townsite [map]. Highlights include a historical skit, a pie contest, a showcase of local talent, an antique car display, and hands-on activities for the kids. There will also be a performance by some of the Hot Flash Hoofers, a world-class senior tap dancing troupe from North Vancouver. And, of course, there will be food and treats and items for sale.
It sounds like a great day, and a great way to celebrate the history of this place we call home. Hope to see you all there!
Things just never slow down here in the V3H. Or, if they do, I haven’t noticed it. Now that everyone’s back from vacation the events just keep coming. So read on for some ideas of things you can do right here in your own backyard this week.
On Thursday, September 24 the Port Coquitlam Fire Department is offering a course in Light Urban Search and Rescue. The class runs from 7 – 9pm at the #1 Fire Hall located at 1725 Broadway Street [map]. Participants will learn what to do if they find themselves in a position in which another person is trapped in a residential home during a disaster. You should dress in old comfortable clothing as the class will be very hands-on. For more details, or to register, call 604.927.5466.
If you have students in grades 6 to 8 in your house, they may be interested in Young Chefs on the Run on Saturday, September 26. The class runs from 3-5pm at the Centennial Activity Centre in Coquitlam [map]. Thanks to sponsorship by Thrifty Foods the class is free, and participants will bring home a recipe book with the things they learn. For more information call 604.927.4386.
If you’re looking for something a little more grown-up the Evening of Caring on Saturday, September 26 might be more up your alley. This gala evening features a plated dinner, entertainment, and auctions, and all proceeds go to benefit the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation. The evening starts at 6pm at the Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam [map]. For more information call 604.469.3128.
Sunday, September 27 is the Rivers and Trails Festival in Port Coquitlam. It all starts in the morning with the Trail River Run, featuring 1/2 marathon and 10km events. The runs start and finish from Hyde Creek Recreation Centre in Port Coquitlam [map], and then winds along the scenic Traboulay PoCo Trail. During the run dogs, bikes and strollers are prohibited on the trail. For more information, please call 604.927.7946.
In the afternoon, from 12-4pm, the festival kicks into high gear at Peace Park in Port Coquitlam [map]. Activities at this free community event nclude hands-on displays, entertainment, informative nature walks, demonstrations and more! There is also an opportunity to participate in the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition’s Great Ride along the PoCo Trail. The festival is happening in conjunction with BC Rivers Day, and promises fun for the whole family.
On Sunday, September 27 Halifax native Kevin Fox will be taking to the stage at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam at 8pm [map]. Fox is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger/composer and recording artist, and has been dubbed “Canada’s most ubiquitous side-man”. He combines his signature instrument, the cello, with his charismatic voice, to create a musical tapestry of cello-driven folk/pop. You can purchase tickets online, or call 604.927.6555.
Have a great week!
PS – Did you know that today is my husband Jon’s birthday? The fabulous creator of this site is now 33 years old. Happy birthday, Jon!
Now that school is back in swing and Fall is upon us, one of the largest events in the Port Moody calendar begins this week.
The Port Moody Festival of the Arts takes place from September 24th to October 4th. A combination of art exhibitions and performances will have a little something for everybody in the family.
Let’s start with the art exhibitions. The Coquitlam Weavers Guild & Dye Pot Club will be showcasing local fibre arts at the Pomo Civic Centre. The Port Moody Arts Centre are displaying a wide variety of works, from oil paints to sculpture to jewellery.
The festival’s opening gala is on Friday, September 25th. The Inlet Theatre will groove to the jazz stylings of Laila Baili. She was honoured as both SOCAN Composer of the Year and Keyboardist of the Year at the 2005 National Jazz Awards. I’m just listening to some of her music through her website as I write this post, and it’s great stuff. Great voice, and an incredible piano player.
The rest of the performance dates include some great acts.
Now, our friend Nick Satore, the Festival Coordinator has been kind enough to offer a pair of tickets to a lucky reader. Comedy night is on Saturday, October 3rd and features magician Alym Amlani and headliner Peter Kelamis. Peter is a fast-rising comedian and actor, featured in over 30 films, series, specials, and movies of the week. Here’s a clip from his CTV Comedy Now! special…
After watching the clip, now I’m laughing at my collection of Ikea tea candles that are in the back of my closet somewhere. To enter for the draw, simply join the email club with your name and email address, and we will draw a random email club member on Friday. If you are already an email club member, you’re already entered.
Nick and crew have put together another excellent Festival for us to enjoy this year, you can learn more about all the events, as well as see a fancy online copy of the Festival brochure, at their website, www.pomoartsfestival.ca
Our awesome inaugural sponsor Closet Addiction are celebrating their first year in business, and they are inviting everyone to join them. There will be free refreshments, garden vendors, someone will win a Prada Purse, and proceeds will support the West Coast Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund.
Closet Addiction is Port Moody’s premiere designer clothing consignment store. Owner Kara Forrest is a Yaletown transplant. She saw that Port Moody was not only a great place to live, but with a growing and sophisticated population would be a great home for a, “unique boutique full of artistic and funky treasures.”
- When: Saturday, September 19th
- Where: Closet Addiction Boutique, 2231 Clarke Street, Port Moody
- Time: 10 am – 6 pm (open an hour earlier than normal)
- Why: So they can say “thank you”! So you can support charity (a portion of proceeds goes to West Coast LEAF (Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund).
- What: Free refreshments, big sales, gift with purchase (valued at $12), garden vendors, and more!
- Win: They’re giving away a Prada purse at the end of the day! (You must visit us in-store on September 19, 2009 only, to enter to win. Bonus entry for Closet Addiction VIPs)
Say hello to Kara and tell her theV3H sent ya!
There’s a lot going on this weekend in the V3H. In fact, there’s pretty much something for anyone of any age. So read on, and see if there isn’t something to tickle your fancy.
On Friday, September 18 Mackin House in Coquitlam [map] is celebrating its 100th anniversary with an Open House. From 1-4pm the museum is opening its doors, complete with a barbecue and cupcakes in honour of the occasion. This heritage house was the original home for the Fraser Mills Sales Manager, H. J. Mackin. The house now stands as a living tribute to life in Fraser Mills from 1909 to 1914. For the past 10 years, the house has served as Mackin House Museum, and offers a great peak into life in the Maillairdville of yesteryear.
The Langley Ukelele Ensemble is now in its 28th year, and in this time the group has developed a reputation for excellence in musical performance. On Friday, September 18 they will be performing at Dogwood Pavilion in Coquitlam [map]. Doors open at 5:30pm, and dinner will be served at 6:00. The entertainment starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are $19. For more information call 604-927-6098.
On Saturday, September 19 the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is kicking off. This event started in 1994 with a small group of employees from the Vancouver Aquarium. Today, it is the second largest beach clean-up in the world. There are cleanups planned in Anmore, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. For example, one group is meeting at 9am on September 19 at Noons Creek Hatchery in Port Moody [map]. To find an event near you, or to register, visit the shoreline cleanup’s website.
Also on Saturday, September 19 our fabulous sponsor Closet Addiction is throwing a party in honour of their first birthday. From 10am to 6pm the boutique, located at 2231 Clarke St. in Port Moody [map], will be holding a huge sale. The are also offering a gift with purchase and free refreshments, and raffling off a Prada purse. Part proceeds from the event are going to support West Coast LEAF.
The Seniors PASS Community Fair is also taking place on Saturday, September 19. The free event is taking place from 10am-4pm at the Wilson Centre – Main Lounge, 2150 Wilson Avenue, Port Coquitlam [map]. This event features a scooter rodeo, Nintendo Wii-lympics, free hearing, diabetes and blood pressure clinics, presentations and more. For more information call 604.552.3324 or visit Seniors PASS online.
And, of course, don’t forget about the Douglas College Fall Fair, yet another event this Saturday in and around the V3H.
On Sunday, September 20 the City of Coquitlam is holding a Children’s Swap Meet at Poirier Community Centre [map]. The event runs from 9am-1pm, and features over 75 sold out tables. Admission is free, but be sure to bring cash and re-usable bags and come search for treasures and a good bargain on any clothes your kids still need for back-to-school.
There’s certainly no shortage of ways to enjoy yourself this weekend. We hope to see you around!
The gripping story of a local legend is about to hit the stage at the Evergreen Cultural Centre. Back to You: The Life and Music of Lucille Starr will be in Coquitlam from September 22nd-26th.
Lucille Starr (born Lucille Savoie) grew up in Maillardville. With her husband/singing partner Bob Regan, they called themselves The Canadian Sweethearts and signed a record deal in 1963. In 1964, at A&M Records in Los Angeles with the legendary Herb Alpert producing, Lucille recorded “The French Song” which was released as a 45rpm single. It was an instant hit, and Lucille became the first Canadian female artist to ever have a record sell 1 million copies. During the height of Beatlemania, “The French Song” catapulted Lucille to international fame.
The story of Back to You begins in 1981, Lucille has come home to Coquitlam to give her first solo concert in 25 years. The last time the hometown crowd saw her, it was with her husband Bob. Coming home has stirred up a lifetime of memories that the audience will relive throughout the course of the play. The story takes you to the heights of her international stardom, to the loss of her voice and the downhill spiral of her marriage. The common thread through it all is the music, songs such as Yodel Love Call, I’m Leavin’ It Up To You, Who’s Gonna Stand by Me, and of course, The French Song.
Back to You stars Beverley Elliott as Lucille in concert, Alison MacDonald (just from the Arts Club production of Les Miserables) as the young Lucille, and Jeff Gladstone plays Lucille’s husband Bob Regan.
It’s a fascinating homegrown story, and this is a great chance to see a top notch production in our own backyard.
Back to You will be in a few venues around the Lower Mainland throughout the fall…
Sept 22-26: Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam
Sept 30-Oct 10: Firehall Arts Centre in Vancouver
Nov 12-21: Gateway Theatre in Richmond
For tickets in Coquitlam, visit the Evergreen Cultural Centre Box office at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca, or call (604) 927-6555.
For more information about the production, visit www.musicaltheatreworks.ca
The David Lam campus of Douglas College is a great local resource right here in the Tri-Cities. In January of 2008 the Health Services Centre opened, expanding the range of courses and the number of students significantly. Together with the other campuses Douglas College has 14,800 students, 7500 continuing education registrants, and 1260 faculty and staff. They operate year-round, and welcome both local and international students.
Next Saturday, September 19 the David Lam campus is holding its first Fall Fair, from 10am to 2pm on the campus green [map]. The event will raise funds for student aid and college programs in a fun, family-oriented environment. The college wants to create a space for current and prospective students, and community members, to gather and have a great time and learn a little bit more about what’s on offer. Everyone is welcome, and admission is free, although donations are welcome.
Planned activities include a showcase of college departments and programs, face painting, a bouncy castle, a barbecue and prizes. Local community groups such as the Girl Guides, the Coquitlam Public Library and the Crossroads Hospice Society will be there. And a large marketplace will feature fresh local produce from the Coquitlam Farmer’s Market, as well as other vendors and craftspeople.
If you would like more information, or have any questions about the event, you can call Yvonne Mostert at 604-777-6168 or mosterty@douglas.bc.ca.
As for me, I’m pretty sure I will be in the line-up for the bouncy castle. They’re my 4-year-old’s absolute, all-time favourite, and I aim to please. Well, some of the time, anyway. I hope to see you there!
September is in full swing here in the V3H. The kids are back in school, there’s a chill in the air, and the farmer’s markets are overflowing with the bountiful harvest. And of course the fall social calendar is just revving up.
On Friday September 11, the Port Moody Film Society will be showing La Vie en Rose at 7:30pm at the Inlet Theatre in Port Moody [map]. The film chronicles the life of the Little Sparrow, Édith Piaf (1915-1963). It won 2 Oscars, and is in French with English subtitles. Admission is $5, although a membership is required if you don’t already have one, and that is $5 for the year. For more info call 604.469.4571 or email info@pmfilm.ca.
Saturday is the Place des Arts Open House, as we mentioned last week. It bears repeating, though, as it promises to be a great event. Plus it fits right in with the art theme that seems to be going on.
On Saturday, September 12 there is a Back-to-School Salsa Party at Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam [map]. The event kicks off at 6:30pm with an hour-long free Salsa class. Then from 7:30-10:30pm the party kicks in to high gear with merengue, bachata, and cha cha cha. Tickets for the party are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 604.725.4654 or email Info@HotSalsaDanceZone.com.
Evergreen Cultural Centre is also the place to be on Sunday, September 13 from 4:00-5:30pm with the opening reception for The Human Pool: Michael Lewis. The Human Pool is a series of 10 large-scale painting by Toronto artist Michael Lewis which will be on display in the gallery from September 11 – October 17. The works explore scientific motifs and, as the name suggests, represent the scientific use of individual human bodies as part of a “unified flesh” on which to experiment. Even if you can’t make the opening reception, it’s certainly worth stopping by the gallery at some point during the showing to take in the work. For more information contact the Evergreen Cultural Centre at 604.927.6550 or info@evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
If your tastes run more to the great outdoors, you’ll be interested in The Riverview Horticultural Society‘s 16th Annual Treefest. The free family event runs rain or shine from 11am-4pm on the Riverview grounds at 2601 Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam [map]. There will be guided tree tours, tree sales, live entertainment, art exhibitions, children’s activities, and of course food and drink. This is a great chance to explore this natural jewel here in our community. For more information call 604.927.6959.
They say you should make hay while the sun shines. So get out there and enjoy all the great events our community has on offer!
