though school is back in session, and west coast sunshine is but a fading memory, any kid will tell you that they look forward to October all year. Who hasn’t been informed by their seven-year-old in early May about their Halloween costume plans? So while the 31st is a day we all look forward to, the rest of the month has a lot to offer as well – bustling farmer’s markets, the opportunity to get out your favourite sweaters and boots, and sitting in front of the fire watching the new season of your trashy TV show of choice. And fall is also the time we put out our annual Baby Guide, filled with great information for new parents about the latest baby gear, early education and practical survival tips to get you through this exciting time in your child’s life.
If you’re looking for stuff to do around the Lower Mainland with your family, we’ve rounded up the top five fall activities and destinations you must check out this year, on both sunny days and days when the sky is gray. We’re also excited to introduce you to our WestCoast Mom, Ganga Jolieceour, who puts her considerable energy into raising a ten-year-old daughter and running the BC Association of Midwives, advocating on behalf of mothers and midwives all over the province.
So whether you’re hunkered down under a blanket or dancing through piles of fallen leaves, spending time with your family at Thanksgiving, or enjoying a solo hike in the forest, enjoy October for everything it has to offer!
Art Director & Layout Krysta Furioso studio@westcoastfamilies.com
Administration Jennifer Bruyns admin@westcoastfamilies.com
For distribution inquiries, please email publisher@westcoastfamilies.com
For submissions to our community calendars, please email admin@westcoastfamilies.com
To share your feedback, please email editor@westcoastfamilies.com
Contributors
Stephanie MacDonald,Peg Keenleyside, Jennifer Bruyns, Andrea Vance, Laura Grady, Heather van Mil, OurKids.net, Lesley Harris
Win four tickets to Disney on Ice’s “Rockin’ Ever After”!
Mickey and Minnie have searched the globe for the hippest and hottest acts to perform in the most sensational talent showcase to rock the ice at Rogers Centre. In a new twist on fairytale fun, favourite Disney characters compete to be the next superstar in comical segments leading up to the tales of show-stopping princesses - Ariel, Rapunzel, Belle and Merida from Disney Pixar’s BRAVE in her ice debut. Value $100 www.disneyonice.com
Deadline to enter: October 31, 2013
Enter at www.westcoastfamilies.com
Win One of Two Family Super Fun Passes to Taves Family Farm AppleBarn attractions in Abbotsford
The prize packs include admission to: Corn Quest Maze, Jumping Pillow and Bouncy Barn, Petting Barn and Bunny Town Tractor Trail, Slides and Zipline, Playground and Farmville, plus one hayride, at the Taves Family Farms AppleBarn at3 33 Gladwin Road in Abbotsford. On top of the Fun Passes, each family will also be able to U-pick a 10lb bag of apples! Value: $29 www.tavesfamilyfarms.com
Deadline to enter: October 31, 2013
Enter at www.westcoastfamilies.com
fall fun activities
By Kelly Thompson
as the rainy autumn season begins, umbrellas and raincoats become symbolic of west coast living. After sunny summer vacations, this time of year has a tendency to have us all feeling a bit down, but it can also be an opportunity to explore all that the lower mainland has to offer in the way of events, museums, and culture (without the tourists). Rainy weather also provides the chance to reconnect with members of our family as the fall season often denotes the return of school and work routines.
October 5th marks the day that Richmond’s Country Farms becomes the Pumpkin Patch, where families can relax on hayrides, visit with farm mascots Korny Corn and Polly Pumpkin all while jiving to the wagon band that offers day-long musical entertainment. Adults can relax during walks through the duck pond and waterfalls while their kids pick the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween. Families can also pay a visit to the resident farm animals and after a fun day on the patch, grab a snack from the Snack Shack. The Pumpkin Patch allows families to get into the Halloween spirit, all while learning where their food comes from.
All entry fees include a child-size pumpkin, carry bag, visit with the farm animals, entertainment and hayrides. Prices vary year to year in fluctuation with crop yields, so be sure to check out the website or call beforehand for cost and hours.
WestCoast Families has rounded up five fun fall activities for families, all available at our very own doorstep. There’s even a few things to do on those days that offer rare breaks of sunshine. So grab the umbrella (just in case), dash to the car, and explore!
Science World
1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver www.scienceworld.ca
With more than 550,000 visitors every year, TELUS Science World never fails to impress those both young and old. Every corner offers exciting rotating exhibits, hands-on learning experiences and fun for every member of the family.
October will see many exciting new learning adventures at Science World. From September 28th until October 27th, Science World presents Around the World in 30 Days, a month-long event focusing on all the wondrous science and technology right in the Vancouver community. With a theme of music and the music industry, Around the World in 30 Days will highlight the benefits of science, technology and innovation to the Vancouver area and throughout British Columbia.
October also features the AMPED exhibit, which opens on October 12th and is aimed at teens and young adults. Through various hands-on experiences, AMPED will allow science lovers the opportunity to explore the inner workings of writing, recording, and performing music. The focus will be on creativity and the use of technology in understanding how music is made.
Cost is $25 per adult and $17.75 for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Visit the Science World website for more information and hours of operation.
Dunbar Haunted House
8934 Shaughnessy Street, Vancouver www.dunbarhauntedhouse.com
Halloween is a time for ghouls and goblins and the best place to find them is at the Dunbar Haunted House, a place where families can be full of fright while indulging their generous sides, since the house is family-run and all proceeds are donated to charity.
The Dunbar Haunted House is open from October 15th-31st and the 2013 theme is the Terror of History, with displays that include an Egyptian tomb, crusading knights, a witches forest, a pirate’s lair and a monster’s ball, just to name a few. The sets are elaborately and impressively done, frightening those with even the most steely of nerves. Those with children younger than ten are encouraged attend the haunted house during daylight hours on weekends when there are no live actors. But for those who revel in fear, regular cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12. Please note that the Dunbar Haunted House is a cash only operation. Visit their website for hours and further information.
Vancouver Writers fest runs from October 22nd – 27th with most events held at Granville Island. Ticket prices vary as much as the events themselves, ranging from adult evenings that include readings and book signings, to events specifically for the younger reader in the house, such as lessons on improving their own writing craft. And for those who want to flex their own literary muscles, there is even a writing contest for both children and adults. Your kids will thank you for helping to build their love for books and the written word.
Vancouver Police Museum
240 E. Cordova Street, Vancouver www.vancouverpolicemuseum.ca
Vancouver is a city rich with history, and the legacy of the illustrious Vancouver Police Department is told at their downtown museum in a charming old building. While touring the birthplace of Vancouver’s finest, visitors will learn about the history of women in the Force, ethnic diversity, and all about the most famous officers of the canine variety. There is plenty of hands-on fun to be had with police uniforms to try on (including a shockingly heavy bulletproof vest!), historic weapons to see, a prison cell to be locked in, and an excellent history on how Vancouver itself was a far less glamorous city, once upon a time.
For your children’s inner gumshoe, using their newly honed sleuthing skills, kids can work with VPD Museum employees to help solve a fake crime by dusting for fingerprints, taking shoeprints, and adding up the clues.
Admission is $12 per person and children under the age of 6 are free. Family rates are also available and the museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9-5
hotspots
SPANK store
We love this store for its focus on Canadian fashions and their unique house brand of clothing. You’ll find a unique look here that is easy and comfortable – absolutely perfect for busy Moms. The prices are affordable too, with five locations around Vancouver. Look online to see just some of the great pieces you can try and buy at this cool store.
5 locations in Vancouver | www.spankclothing.ca
Precious and Few
It’s difficult to walk past this sweet little store, the window displays are so inviting and imaginative. Once inside it’s hard to leave empty handed, whether you have kids or not. From fancy dresses, to cool shoes, rainwear, wedding outfits and jewelry for kids, and even a selection of the lovely women’s clothes that the motherstore Barefoot Contessa is known for. After shopping, you can pop into Matchstick Café next door for a latte and lunch.
623 Kingsway, Vancouver | www.thebarefootcontessa.com/precious-few
Butter
Tucked away in the little Village at 33rd and Mackenzie Street in Kerrisdale, Butter Baked Goods and Café serves up an astounding array of confections and cakes in a charming Victorian-parlour ambiance. Every day there’s a variety of sandwich and lunch specials with the tuna salad and potato chip sandwich being a standout. Don’t leave without a couple of cupcakes and a batch of home made marshmallows!
4907 Mackenzine St, Vancouver www.butterbakedgoods.com
Fort Langley
Rediscovering the Birthplace of BC
By Lesley Harris
westCoast Families was kindly invited to Fort Langley to learn more about what this quaint community and National Historic Site have to offer. We figured we had “been there, done that” in Fort Langley and weren’t really expecting that we’d learn much new. Well, we were pleasantly surprised! Here’s just some of what we found. We met at the historic Fort site where we were introduced to the oTENTik that was ours for the night. These are brand new semi-permanent tent-like structures that are a blend of comfort and outdoor adventure. Fort Langley has five oTENTiks that each sleep up to six people and are available from May to September each year. They are just $120 per night and can be reserved in advance. Just bring your sleeping bag, food and personal items and you’re set for a night of fun!
After settling in, we headed out to experience a one-hour immersion into what it was like to be a Hudson’s Bay Company worker at Fort Langley in the early 1800s…. signing a three year work contract, learning to blacksmith, and even a mock wedding to “make our lives easier”.
After realizing that this “simple” life may not have been so simple after all, we moved outside the walls to the River and the Fort-to-Fort trail, where we rented bikes from Fort Cyclery. This is an amazing way to get some fresh air, and enjoy a city bike for an hour to burn off lunch and take in the scenery. There are many road cyclists in this area, taking advantage of the beautiful country backroads, and Fort Langley is a great destination. Fort Cyclery caters to both competitive and recreational cyclists with everything from performance road bikes and parts, to city bikes for rent.
We worked up an appetite and ended up at the Langley Centennial Museum and BC Farm Machinery Museum where we were treated to local wines and cheeses. Did you know there are more than six local wineries in the Langley area? While it was tempting to just sit and eat and drink, we decided it was the polite thing to do to take the quick museum tours. Wow, were we glad we did. You could hear a lot of “wow” and “amazing” and “I did NOT know that” coming from us as we learned more about our own history and the local area. The Langley Centennial Museum has rotating exhibitions, telling the story of this historic area, as well as featuring local artists in the foyer throughout the year. The BC Farm Museum includes an exhibit Handmade to Handheld, featuring the stories of four farmers in the Fraser Valley using photographs and artifacts.
After a bit of free time, and a little rest, we were swept off for dinner. We had no idea what amazing things were still in store. Arriving at Eighteen27 Restaurant, we sat down to delicious martini creations that started us off on the right foot! The food that followed, and kept coming, was crazy good. This is a small quaint local eatery that specializes in tapas for sharing. The ambiance and decor was well suited for the history of Fort Langley and we would highly recommend to anyone visiting or living in the area. What a great evening.
OK, so where there’s great history, there are usually great ghost stories too. Our Fort Langley adventure was capped off with the Grave Tales Historic Walking Tour where our expert storyteller told us of spine-chilling tales of love, mysterious burials and old-school amputations from Fort Langley’s past. Perfect timing with Hallowe’en just around the corner - The Grave Tales continue into October.
Returning to the Fort, we got to cozy up around the central bonfire and even got offered a piece of First Nations traditional bread called bannock. Most of us were too full from the delicious dinner to partake, but it looked good. Then it was time to retire to our oTENTik for a great night’s sleep. The morning brought us to the on-site Full Barrel Café, which served up amazing eggs benedict with all the fixings. A hot coffee and we were set to carry on with our day.
What a cool and unique place to spend a couple of nights with the family – to explore, experience and learn about the history of our area. Once you arrive you can tuck away the car keys and walk or bike to dinner, shops and entertainment.
We only touched the surface of Fort Langley and all it has to offer for a family weekend or a kid-free getaway. We’re looking forward to seeing more soon.
Resources
Fort Langley National Park www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/index.aspx
Inside our 14th Annual Baby Guide: special offers, resources, features and cool finds for expectant and new moms & dads
welcome to our annual rundown of all things baby! Whether this is your very first or your fourth, every baby comes with his or her own surprises, unique charms and challenges, just to keep life interesting for parents. Fortunately, there is an ever-evolving array of products, services and activities that are available to make life easier, more educational, more active, healthy, and entertaining than ever before. We’ve done our research on the latest and greatest Cool Finds, along with creative ways to teach your baby through music and social interaction.
Nurturing your baby’s potential is high on every parent’s list of priorities, and we speak with some experts about the best way to maximize your baby’s first year for their future development, and we also know that mom and dad need to go easy on themselves too, and trust their own instincts about what is right for their own families, so we’ve got a story about how to filter the vast amount of advice coming at families from all sides. Babies are a blessing and a challenge and our Baby Guide is here to help you through, so keep us as a reference for all the special changes baby will experience in their first year.
on our cover...
5 month old Emaryllia snuggled in for her Baby Guide photo shoot.
Photographed by Magna Vita Photography www.magnavitaphotography.ca
www.baby-guide.ca
Managing Editor, Andrea Vance editor@westcoastfamilies.com
Art Director & Layout, Krysta Furioso studio@westcoastfamilies.com
Administration, Jennifer Bruyns admin@westcoastfamilies.com
Accounts Receivable & Payable, Jennifer Brule finance@westcoastfamilies.com
Advertising, sales@westcoastfamilies.com
We encourage you to visit the amazing local businesses who support the Baby Guide and make it possible for us to share all the great information with you. Check out the coupons in the back for savings, and don’t forget to tell them you saw their ad in the Baby Guide!
Cool Finds
4
14 10 18 21
Fun and practical, everything you need (or want!) for baby
Raise a Social Baby
Teaching your baby to connect
Listen to Yourself
Ditch the parenting books
The Pre-ABCs
Key Ingredients for Teaching Babies
Reource Listings
Find what you’re looking for, quick and easy
8
12
Geekology
Fun and informative websites for new and expecting parents
Joyful Noise
Tips on enjoying music with your family
16 20
WestCoast Mom Ganga Jolicoeur, Executive Director, MABC Coupons! Special offers for our readers
www.twitter.com/wcfmag
www.facebook.com/westcoastfamilies
www.pinterest.com/wcfmag
Sidekick Baby Carrier
Babies come with so much equipment these days that once you’ve loaded yourself up with all the diapers, wipes, toys, changing pads, hats, extra clothes and the like, it’s a wonder you never walk out forgetting the baby. With the Sidekick Baby Carrier and Diaper Bag, you can carry all baby’s (as well as your own) stuff, and baby too, in one convenient system.
$130 on www.gogobabyz.com
Raindrops Rainwear
Keep your kids warm, dry, and looking good with Canada’s own Raindrops Rainwear. With tons of cute options for kids of all ages, including umbrellas, rain boots and rainwear, your kids will be welcoming the coming stormy season. Raincoats starting at $60 on www.raindropsto.com
Shaidee
Shaidee ™ is a revolutionary product that is a lightweight, sleek “visor” that fits easily around any person carrying a baby in most models of front baby carrier or sling. It also works with car seats and most strollers, a true multi-use item!
$40 at Baby’s World, Crocodile Baby, TJ’s and West Coast Kids
Kiinde Twist Baby Feeding System
Taking care of a baby is hard enough without messing around with bottle sterilizers, storage containers and various breastmilk retrieving and transferring apparatus. With Kiinde Twist feeding system, you can collect, organize, store, warm and feed all from the same pouch. You never have to transfer precious breast milk from bottles to bags.
$40 for starter set at www.kiinde.com
Three-In-One Play Centre
Anyone who has a couple of kids will tell you all about their garage, packed to rafters with used baby stuff. Which is why it’s great to invest in quality pieces that can grow with your child, like the Bobbin Triple Play Centre, which changes from a baby play centre to a toddler activity table to a kid’s table. The Bobbin comes with a reversible birch/ chalkboard insert as well as moveable Tether Bobble that lets you attach your baby’s favorite toys. Disassembles easily and stows neatly away until next time.
$549 on www.threepears.ca
Bambooee Reusable Kitchen Towels
Everyday 3,000 tons of paper towel waste is created in North America, not to mention the hundreds of dollars spent by families each year on paper towels that get thrown away. Bambooee reusable bamboo kitchen towels can be washed 100 times each, and take the place of over 286 rolls of paper towels, all while helping save our trees and environment.
$15 (+ $13 shipping and handling for Canadian orders) per roll of 20 sheets www.bambooee.com
Philips Wake Up Light
You’re running along a white sand beach, a gentle wind in your hair… BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Time to get up! Instead of waking up cursing every morning this winter try the Philips Wake Up Light, which uses gentle, gradually increasing light and sound to ease you out of your dreams and into your day ahead.
$80 at Costco and other retailers
SleepBelt
WeeUrban Rompers
Romping should be very high on any baby’s list of priorities, and what better attire for this activity but a romper? Your baby can romp away in style and comfort in Wee Urban’s 100% organic cotton rompers. Perfect for romping in the park, on playdates and anywhere your baby needs to look good and feel comfy.
$28 on www.weeurban.com
When you have a newborn, you want to have them as close as you can, but when they’re sleeping, you have also a call from your best friend to take, a pressing need to find out what happened to Sybil on Downton Abbey, and a couple million emails to return. With the Sleep Belt you can do this while baby snuggles safely against you, with no fear of falling off. The Sleep Belt also comes off easily, allowing a seamless transfer from chest to crib.
$60 at www.sleepbelt.ca
cool finds
Buggy Network
With infant transporters becoming one of a new parent’s biggest expenses, it makes sense to try before you buy. With the Buggy Network’s fashionable Baby Gear Rental, you can do just that, and not just with strollers, but cribs and infant carriers as well. See if you really enjoy jogging with a stroller before you shell out $500 for the newest jogging stroller (speaking from experience here).
Prices vary by item www.buggynetwork.com
Snappy Socks
Invented by a Swift Current mom of four who was sick and tired of sorting socks with her precious time, Snappy Socks solve the eternal laundry chore of searching for matching pairs of socks. Children who haven’t worn a matched pair of socks for five years will also rejoice in their newfound sartorial matchy-ness and they even come in adult sizes for the rest of the family.
$6 at www.mysnappysocks .com and major children’s retailers
PJ’ZZZZ
PJ’ZZZZ Bamboo Rayon baby nighties are great for all new moms! Their bamboo is blended with organic cotton making this a staple in any new mom’s layette. Pair it up with one of their popular toques for a cute gift. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and grown naturally pesticide free, and because of this no detergent is needed when washing your bamboo fabrics.
From $38 at Dandelion Kids, Room for Two, and online at www.pjzzzz.com
Check out these websites full of great information and entertainment for new and expecting parents.
Online Birth Registration
new parent resources
Environmental Working Group
Apply for baby’s birth certificate, enrol your baby in MSP, apply for Canada Child Benefits, apply for your baby’s Social Insurance Number.
https://ebr.vs.gov.bc.ca
Buggy Network
Rent quality strollers, cribs, and highchairs for baby instead of buying. Short and long term rental and lease programs. www.buggynetwork.com
Midwives Association of BC
Use their searchable map of BC to find a midwife in your area, and learn more about midwifery. www.bcmidwives.com
Healthy Canadians
Safety tips for water, injury prevention for kids, roadways and more. Guides on food, getting active, and healthy pregnancy. Assistance to quit smoking. And much more! www.healthycanadians.gc.ca
This website for the leading environmental health research and advocacy organization includes dozens of consumer guides where you can check the safety and ingredients in thousands of products from skin care to bug sprays. Also great tips and information on other important items that affect your family.
www.ewg.org
Child Care Resource & Referral
Broken down by geographical area, this website can provide you with child care referrals, resources and support to child care providers and families in more than 400 communities across BC.
www.ccrr.bc.ca
Daily Babble
An interesting and entertaining collection of blogs and articles on kids and parenting.
www.babble.com
Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education
This Vancouver-based, secular, charitable organization focuses on educating the hearts of children, connecting people and ideas. The website hosts dozens of video, audio and articles from researchers and programs on children’s social-emotional learning.
www.dalailamacenter.org
Raise a Social Baby
Teaching Your Baby to Connect
By Laura Grady
have you ever wondered how your baby will learn to connect with other people? Do you think about when and how he will make friends? It all starts with you. Your social prowess may have dwindled since the arrival of a baby, but to your little one, you are the life of the party. As a parent, you are your baby’s very first playmate. You are the centre of his world. He will react to the sound of your voice. He will delight in the sight of your face and the touch of your hand. Just by being with him, you are teaching your baby social skills.
“Socializing your baby is about doing what happens naturally,” says Dr. Deborah Bell, Registered Psychologist. “ A baby loves to be touched, held and smiled at. Making eye contact, talking to your baby, singing and reading to them are key to developing attachment and building relationships.”
The best learning environment for your baby is with you. But, sometimes as parents, we need to take our social interaction beyond baby babble and a game of peek-a-boo. Just the thought of getting out of the house with a baby may be enough to keep you indoors. But, making the effort to get out there is not just healthy for you as a parent; it’s fun for your baby too.
Vancouver is bursting with activities, classes and groups for caregivers and babies. From dancing to yoga and music to meet-ups there is non-stop action to be had. So, get out and get social.
“Baby groups and drop-ins are not essential for a baby’s development, but if you approach them with the right attitude they can be beneficial,” informs Bell. “Getting out and socializing is good for new moms and that makes it good for babies too. Chose a group or activity that focuses on interaction between mom and baby.”
A parent and baby music class is sure to get you and your little one moving. Once a week classes give caregivers and babies the opportunity to explore new songs and chants, dance and play instruments.
“Our classes are all about parent participation. The same parents and their babies attend each week. Everyone gets to know each other. The babies become comfortable around other adults and children,” says Kera Doherty of Staccato Music Studios. “It is a really relaxed environment that invites babies to learn from each other through mimicking and observation.”
Looking to add a playful twist to your daily repertoire? Gymboree Play and Music North Vancouver is sure to add some spark to your baby’s social calendar.
Gymboree classes are specifically designed by
early childhood experts to promote socialization of all ages. Babies gather around a tummy-time mirror or inflated tube full of balls or simply a circle of friends so they can watch, engage, copy and learn.
“Babies learn so much from watching one another,” informs Heather van Mil, General Manager Gymboree Vancouver North Shore. “Unless you have big families close by–something rare, especially in a city like Vancouver–babies don’t get many opportunities to interact with other little ones their own age. They use all their senses to explore their new friend, and often try to mimic them.”
Don’t expect too much of your baby during your social outings. They won’t be forming friendships or signing up to be someone’s BFF. There won’t be much playing together. Babies love watching other children (especially older ones), but they are not yet ably to strike up a friendship for themselves. But remember, it’s about having fun together and setting the stage for future social development.
“It is important that we plant the seed of sharing and taking turns, but babies do not have the cognative development to do that until much later,” says Bell.
Meet-up groups are a dream come true for new parents (and little social butterflies). Most neighbourhoods in and outside the city have groups geared for new parents. Sign up online and you are immediately plugged into a supportive and active group of like-minded individuals. Their calendars are full of play dates, coffee meet ups, walking groups, running clubs and more. Meet-up groups are the perfect, no fuss way to get you are your baby out of the house.
“It’s great to get together for casual playdates with other moms in the community”, explains Vancouver mom Natalie Reik.” I really do it for me, but it’s fun to see my baby playing with other babies and discovering new toys.”
Simply strapping the baby in the stroller and wandering your neighbourhood is another way to get you and your little one on the social scene. Community centres, libraries and Neighbourhood Houses are brimming with fun activities for the two of you.
“Activities allow both parent and baby to experience new environments together with others and can be such a great complement to all the connecting and bonding that happens at home,” explains Lee Ann Steyns of Signing Babies Vancouver. “ I think baby classes give both parents and babies the opportunity to learn new skills
and play in stimulating environments together.”
Steyn always asks the parents what made them come to her baby signing classes, and every time, parents answer that besides wanting to learn a helpful skill, they really want to give their baby the opportunity to meet other babies.
“As a new parent, I remember spending lots of time at home playing and bonding with my newborn, but very soon, getting out and meeting other families became equally important in our daily lives. I wanted my baby to see other little ones her size, and interact with the world of babies and families.”
As a parent you are the most important person in a baby’s life. Enjoy this time with your little one and don’t rush into worrying about your baby’s development. Relax and treasure this amazing period in your relationship. Use these social activities to deepen the bond with your baby.
Resources
Vancouver Public Library 604-331-3603 www.vpl.ca
Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre 604-709-5661 www.wstcoast.org
Vancouver Coastal Health 604-736-2033 www.vch.ca
Burnaby Family Life 604-659-2200 www.burnabyfamilylife.org
Association of Neighbourhood Houses 604-875-9111 www.anhbc.org
Signing Babies www.signingbabies.ca
Staccato Music Studio 604-421-3753 www.staccatostudios.com
Yoga Buttons 604-739-9642 www.yogabuttons.com
Gymboree Vancouver North Shore 604-971-5244 www.gymboreeclasses.com
MeetUp.com www.meetup.com
Make Some Joyful Noise
Tips on Enjoying Music with your Family
By Clare Adams
tonight over dinner we ended up having a spontaneous family singsong, enjoying a less-than tuneful attempt of “On top of Ol’ Smokey, all covered in cheese…” It was a fabulous moment of family fun, speaking to the power music (however bad) has to create unity, bring forth smiles and spark the imagination.
We’ve enjoyed sharing music with our kids from an early age, be it our eclectic mix of UK music, comedy pieces like Cadbury’s drumming gorilla (google ‘Cadbury Phil Collins’) or classical pieces like Beethoven’s 5th. And with so much music in so many different forms families everywhere can find a way to enjoy music with any age of child, including infants and toddlers.
The Benefits of Music
Whether it’s listening to classical, discovering beats or rapping out an important message, World Hip Hop Mom, Monica Morong, knows how music can be an integral part of life with children.
As a Mom to Nya, six, Talia, five, and Alana six months, her home is rarely without music, and from day one Monica and her husband, Sean, would dance their babies to sleep to salsa music and would play classical or Cuban music while they slept. “Our first two daughters have gone to sleep to the musician Alex Cuba every night, and we find it provides comfort and warmth in an otherwise dark and empty space”.
Vancouver-based children’s entertainer and star of Kids CBC, Will Stroet, agrees that music has countless benefits for children and can be very useful for families. “It can make chores fun, motivate children, alleviate boredom, not to mention calming a child when it’s time for bed. It has also been noted many times that music is beneficial to cognitive development, literacy, and social awareness. Dancing and actions to music can help children with spatial awareness too, while, like other art forms, music provides a vehicle for children to express their creativity and use their imaginations.”
Finding What Works
Just as I have one child that loves meat and another that would rather eat peas, the way that kids appreciate music or the types of music that they enjoy can differ greatly too. I have one rocking Queen enthusiast and one die-hard ABBA fan; one who likes quiet to sleep and one who needs white noise; one who loves to dance and one who loves to sing.
Finding what works for your child may take some figuring out and just because it works with one child doesn’t mean it will work for another.
Will has been entertaining kids as a musician for the past nine years and used his music when working as an elementary school teacher before that. He has seen for himself how different kids respond differently to music. “Some kids will dance from start to finish, some will stay seated with their parents for the whole show, and everything in between. Different children learn in different ways which means some kids might love the idea of singing lessons, while others prefer an instrument, others might prefer to experience music through dance.”
Making Music A Part of Family Life
So often when it comes to music for children, people instinctively think of introducing children’s music like locals Will Stroet and Bobs and Lolo, but it’s important to recognize that exposing kids to a variety of genres is great too and there are lots of opportunities to share music in your day.
For Monica, driving usually involves more upbeat music. “We clap our hands and bob heads, or make up our own rhymes to instrumental tracks. At home we play satellite radio stations while we cook and clean. While I’m prepping dinner I put YouTube on and the kids love dancing to Zumba - they can follow along to the music and dance moves instead of just listening to various songs.”
Will, whose three-year-old daughter Ella was the inspiration behind his latest albums, also finds their day is filled with music start to end. “We like to sing on car rides, while doing chores, when out for a walk, bath time, bed time, and the list goes on. As a fan of music I will typically have music playing a lot of the time when Ella’s playing, when I’m making dinner.”
Of course, when choosing music to share with children it’s super-important to be aware of the lyrics and ensure they’re appropriate. Monica is very careful to play music that contains age-appropriate language and material. “I’ve developed a special kids playlist that contains current songs but with inspirational messages so that we can discuss them after. A major benefit of discussing the music we listen to is that the kids are very attentive to the lyrics. A benefit of playing culturally diverse music is creating sensitive and respectful children who have an appreciation for different types of music and, subsequently, people.
And if your children have an appreciation for different types of music and can’t agree? Monica points out, it’s an easy fix: “Take turns!”
Listen to Yourself
Tune Out the Advice, Ditch the Parenting Books
By Heather van Mil
it is said that “it takes a village to raise a child”, and while I believe this is very true (many hands make light work and all), what this old proverb leaves out is that the people in this village aren’t always speaking the same language and if you are not a strong interpreter –able to decipher what advice is appropriate and applicable for your baby and your family – it is very easy to become overwhelmed and confused.
To co-sleep or cry it out, breastfeed for four years or do baby-led weaning at five months, to daycare or stay-at-home, cloth diaper or disposable diaper, to vaccinate or not to vaccinate, to swaddle or not to swaddle. Soother, thumb, or none of the above? Front, back or side to sleep? These are the questions of parents the world over, and the roots of the so called “mommy wars”. Underneath it all are parents who are desperate to do the best for their children and have been led to believe that they are not good enough by experts and pseudo-experts alike.
If you were to follow the advice of a handful of very real parenting books currently on the market (that your neighbour, mother in law, hair dresser just swear by) you would have a three-month-old baby who could learn to read, sign, sleep through the night, feed on a perfectly set schedule and never cry! Or a six-year-old child who breastfeeds, co sleeps, is ‘unschooled’ and follows a local, organic, non GMO, raw, nut-free diet.
I believe it’s Newton’s little known Law of Parenting that states “for each expert opinion there is an equal and opposite expert opinion. And often that opinion comes with a hefty price tag!
Babies, from preconception through to preschool and beyond, are a billion dollar business. It starts when baby is still a twinkle in the parent’s eye with reams of checklists that include items like losing weight and moving to a prime school district all before baby is conceived! It is easy to get carried away trying to follow all the “to do’s” with many parents trying to balance careers in the mix. As parents or parents to be, it’s no longer sex that sells but guilt. You need this product for your baby to be happy. You must register in this school or your baby is destined for the unemployment line. You are poisoning your baby if every bite isn’t independently certified by at least five non-profit organizations. You are a horrible parent if you can’t do all of this, as well as manage your career, see to your spouse’s needs and of course, get in all your ‘me time’ – because you’re worth it!
All hyperbole aside, more parents need to throw out the books, ignore the experts and break the stereotypes! Get back in touch with your family and discover what works for you. Nurture your “momtuition” and trust your instinct. Your baby is different, your situation unique. What worked for one baby won’t necessarily work for yours. Don’t get me wrong, you will come across unusual situations where you are out of your depth; where reading, doing some research, investing in some appropriate tools or consulting an expert who has your child’s best interest at heart will be necessary. The issue comes when parents use these products and services against their better judgement. They go against their gut instincts and more often than not, regret those decisions in the end. Or overuse these products and services with the misguided belief that as parents they alone are not good enough. By all means, ask for advice. But filter it by remembering that one size definitely does not fit all and that no one – no one – knows your baby better than you.
Recognize that you can cultivate your own village of support. Join local mom groups. Seek out like minded individuals in the playground. This network will be invaluable and often results in lifelong family friendships. Humans are social beings after all, and being a new parent is a hard, often lonely, challenging experience – and that’s when you’re sleeping well! There is nothing more valuable to a new mom then having a friend who doesn’t bat an eye when your kitchen hasn’t been cleaned in a week and your dirty laundry is strewn over every surface in the living room; someone who can be your confidante, sounding board, and counsellor. Someone who will help you remember - after a day that felt like one parenting fail after another – that you are an awesome parent. No one could do a better job then you for your baby.
Parenthood is trial and error so listen to the advice, read what you want and look for answers when you are having difficulties. Experiment and learn about what is best for your baby. Empower yourself by following your intuition. Know when something isn’t working and that you don’t have to persist with it. Stick to your guns and day by day you will gain more confidence and selfesteem as a parent.
You can do this! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
mom westcoast Ganga Jolicoeur
Executive Director, Midwives Association of BC
By Stephanie MacDonald |
Photo by Dylan Doubt
“I knew I couldn’t go back into the music industry with a three-month old baby, and if there was any place out there where I could employ my own work/family balance philosophy it would be with the midwives.”
“iknow that it seems like a total non sequitur in my life and my career,” laughs Ganga Joliecoeur, explaining how she went from making CBC music documentaries, producing international music events, and working for famous musicians for a living to becoming the Executive Director of the Midwives Association of BC. But the Argentina-born, California-, Hawaii-, and Canada-raised Ganga finds her most recent calling as engaging as she does surprising. “I had no idea it would keep me enthralled for this long. It has now been 10 years and an incredible journey of growth”.
Though she still does freelance work in the cultural industry, the focus of her life is the Midwives Association of BC (MABC), a role she fell into only three months after giving birth to her daughter Uma (now ten). “I had one of those glorious, easy and lovely pregnancies, and so a lot of my visits to my midwives (at the Midwifery Group, on Main) were just getting to know the women and the team there.” Though she previously had no real experience with the midwifery profession, “I really thought they were incredible, and the care they provide is such high quality, it really is the Cadillac of maternity care.” Part of accepting the position with MABC was practical, she explains, “I knew I couldn’t go back into the music industry with a three-month old baby, and if there was any place out there where I could employ my own work/family balance philosophy it would be with the midwives.”
When Ganga started the job, it was just herself and a part-time assistant, a situation that has grown steadily to this point, where she leads a team of six, and a healthy, active board of directors as well. As the infrastructure of the MABC continues to build, it seems the BC Ministry of Health has gotten on board as well, especially in regards to home births.
Former Health Minister Margaret MacDairmid (herself a doctor) was quoted in a recent Times Columnist article saying, “As long as mothers were screened to be low-risk and assisted by a registered midwife, “there wasn’t any difference between the outcomes for moms and babies whether they were at home or in a hospital.” Since funding and regulating the profession in 1997, the BC government has since covered midwifery services through the Medical Services Plan, and has recently approved approximately $500,000 in home birth support funding.
But Ganga doesn’t want people to think midwives are all about home births either, which is a common misperception. Most women who choose a midwife for their prenatal care still choose to have their babies in the hospital. “I wanted to have my baby at home, but after a very long and difficult labour, I ended up in the hospital for Uma’s birth. My midwife was there the whole time and integrated seamlessly with the maternity ward and all of the staff there, making me feel so well-cared for.” All midwives have admitting privileges at hospitals, and indeed attend most of their births in hospitals, but the only problem is, especially for women in the Northern parts of BC, that there simply aren’t enough midwives to go around, so access can be a big issue.
This is one of Ganga and the MABC’s biggest challenges, getting care to those in more rural areas. This may spark changes in the role of midwifery in certain situations. “We are looking into seeing if, in areas of lower populations, if midwives can take on a wider range of health care needs for women when they’re not doing prenatal care and delivering babies. That’s one option.”
Another goal of the MABC Ganga would like to see is the percentages of pregnant women accessing midwifery care more on par with countries like Australia, at 80% and New Zealand at over 85%.
Just a few years ago, they had rates similar to Canada’s 10%, before beginning a large education campaign around all the benefits midwifery has to offer women. “We’d like to see 35% of pregnant British Columbian women using the services of a midwife by 2020”. And certain places in the province are getting close. Victoria is already in that range, with almost 20% of babies even being born at home, and on Saltspring the rate is almost 100% of women choosing a midwife. When asked how her former experience in the music industry translates to midwifery, Ganga is characteristically practical. “Once you produce something, you can produce anything. The skills are the same: budgeting, managing teams and interpersonal relationships, and making decisions. I like to create a healthy environment, where people feel like they are brought in to make a difference.”
The Pre-ABCs
Key Ingredients for Teaching Babies
By Madeleine Fitzpatrick
it is a fact that children these days start education after the age of 5, but in spite of this, research shows the period from five months’ gestation to five years of age to be a very critical time for early learning. Babies’ and young children’s brains are very malleable and capable of absorbing large amounts of information during this stage, providing a window of opportunity which, if maximized, may produce positive long-term results.
The authors of Creating Communities for Young Children: A Toolkit for Change produced by the Human Early Learning Partnership in Vancouver, confirm: “Studies show that a child’s early experiences have a vital impact on the way his or her brain develops. A baby is born with billions of brain cells that represent lifelong potential. To develop, these brain cells need to connect with each other. The more stimulating the early environment, the more positive connections are formed in the brain and the better the child thrives in all aspects of their life: physically, emotionally, and socially, as well as in their ability to communicate and learn.”
Although there are many theories and methods developed on the subject of early childhood education, most of them focus and agree on a few key ingredients for success: affection, nutrition, repetition and stimulation.
Affection greatly affects the learning and development of children; a child is more likely to remember and learn if she is happy and feels loved. “Loving interactions with children form the firm basis of all human growth,” says Susan Ludington, professor of pediatric nursing and author of How to Have A Smarter Baby
“Intellectual skills, like forming ideas, solving problems, thinking logically, using symbols, and developing grammar are all linked to a child’s emotional growth,” add Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn, psychologists, child development experts and authors of Baby Minds and Baby Signs
Nutrition also plays an important role in brain development, even from the moment of conception. Here, Lise Eliot, neurobiologist and author of What’s Going On In There? explains its significance:
• Between four months prenatal and two years after birth, your baby’s brain is highly sensitive to the quantity and quality of nutrients he consumes.
• Malnourished children have smaller brains, fewer neurons and synapses, shorter dendrites and less myelin.
• Brain-building foods include protein, dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables, and vitamin-fortified milk and grains.
• A deficiency in iron can cause anemia, with too few red blood cells carrying oxygen to the brain. Prolonged anemia at any time in infancy can stunt cognitive development.
• Of the 45 nutrients essential for body growth, 38 are essential for neurological development.
• Children reared on breast milk score up to eight points higher on IQ tests at the age of eight.
“Again, again!”There’s a reason children drive us crazy with their requests to do or hear the same thing over and over: children learn best through repetition.
“A child masters an activity by repeating it,” says Winifred Conkling, author of Smart-Wiring Your Baby’s Brain . “At the same time, she is programming and strengthening the neural pathways in her brain. Allow – and even encourage – your child to repeat activities if they involve new skills she is developing.”
“Going over a story more than once enables a child to learn new vocabulary items well enough to use them in answer to questions,” Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn confirm.
As a parent, giving your child the right stimulation and helping them realize their intellectual potential is critical during early childhood, at the time when they find pure enjoyment in learning.
“Never forget that when you are giving a child visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation with increased frequency, intensity, and duration, that you are actually physically growing his brain,” states Glenn Dorman, founder of the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential.
There is, however, a limit to how much stimulation a young child should have. “Too many toys, activities and outings can create confusion and actually work to a child’s detriment, hampering his ability to focus,” adds Eliot. “Children are usually pretty good at telling us when they are bored but not when they are over-stimulated. Their behavior is often the only sign.”
Together, these four act as the foundation for any teaching program that can be personalized for each family and each baby. Parents should speak, sing and play music to their children from birth and may even want to consider teaching their baby sign language to improve communication and reduce frustration. When the child reaches four months of age, it is possible to teach them both reading and math, and even start encouraging physical development, altogether aiding in brain development resulting in intelligence.
Madeleine Fitzpatrick for OurKids.net, Canada’s trusted source for camps and schools.
Resources
West Coast Child Care Resource Centre www.wstcoast.org
BC Healthy Child Development Alliance: Social and Emotional Development in the Early Years www.childhealthbc.ca/bchcda-forums
BC Association of Family Resource Programs: Find a Family Resource Program www.frpbc.ca/resources/for-parents/whats-a-frp/
Living Magic Entertainment
Brighten up your baby shower with pregnant belly art and photography www.livingmagicentertainment.com
Offer Details: Book a pregnant belly art and professional photography package and receive 10% off and five additional high resolution images.
Expires: March 30, 2014
Hip Baby
Sustainability, value, function… and a whole lot of style! www.hipbaby.com
Offer Details: $5 OFF your purchase of $50 or more.
Expires: October 31, 2014
Baby Footprint
Cloth diapers and accessories, newborn rental kids, amber teething necklaces and more. www.thebabyfootprint.com
Offer Details: Free 6-pack of Bummis cotton wipes with a purchase of $50 or more. Coupon code WCBGFree50. Coupon code can be used once per customer. Expires: December 31, 2014
Mother Me
Provides in home support for new families, specializing in day and night care www.motherme.ca
Offer Details: 30% off your first shift. One coupon per customer day or night shift. Pre booking is required. Coupon code:WCB2013 Expires: December 31, 2014
Songs with My Name
Personalized Children’s CDs featuring Elmo, Mickey, Disney Princesses, VeggieTales, The Wiggles, and more! www.songswithmyname.com
Offer Details: Save 15% with coupon code wcbg15 Expires: September 30, 2014
Mamique Photography
Providing Professional Photography services to families in the Vancouver area. Specializing in newborn and Maternity photography www.thebabyfootprint.com
Offer Details: Receive a complimentary set of birth announcements with the purchase of any collection.
Expires: Book before December 31, 2013
From Tummy to Mummy
Did you know there is a single supplement that can help prevent postpartum depression, increase breast milk supply, provide energy and gives the new mother the right nutritional and hormonal support? www.fromtummytomummy.com
Offer Details: With the purchase of placenta encapsulation services, receive a complimentary herbal salve valued at $20
Expires: June 30, 2014
See ad in this Baby Guide
ACTIVITIES & THINGS TO DO
Aquaventures Swim Centre Vancouver 604.736.7946 | www.aquaventuresswim.com
Arts Umbrella Vancouver
604.681.5268 | www.artsumbrella.com
Burnaby Village Museum www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
City of Richmond Aquatics Richmond 604.779.8579 | www.richmond.ca/aquatics
Craft Caravan www.craftcaravan.com
Gymboree Play & Music Multiple locations www.gymboreeclasses.com
Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch Surrey 604.992.7748
High Touch High Tech
778.737.5277 | www.sciencemadefunbc.net
Imagine Children’s Museum Everett, WA www.imaginecm.org
Jump Gymnastics
Non-competitive kids developmental gymnastics for ages 6 months to 7 years. 604.568.9690 | www.jumpgymnastics.ca
Limegirl
604.460.1289 | www.limegirl.ca
Living Magic Entertainment Vancouver. Brighten up your baby shower with pregnant belly art and photography. 604.653.7773
www.livingmagicentertainment.com
Maplewood Farm North Vancouver 604.929.5610 | www.maplewoodfarm.bc.ca
My Gym Surrey
604.249.5437 | www.mygym.com
Music for Young Children
800.561.1692 | www.myc.com
Party Arts www.partyarts.ca
Phoenix Gymnastics Vancouver 604.737.7693 | www.phoenixgymnastics.com
Providing women & families with greater choice and quality care. Covered by BC’s Medical Services Plan. 604.875.2424 local 6460 www.midwivesinvancouver.ca
Doula Services Association of BC 604.515.5588 | www.bcdoulas.org
From Tummy to Mummy Placenta Encapsulation and Doula Services 778.998.2610 | www.fromtummytomummy.com
Midwifery Associates
604.450.1126 | www.midwiferyassociates.ca
Midwifery Care North Shore 604.984.6960 | www.midwiferycare.ca
The Midwifery Group 604.877.7766 | www.midwiferygroup.ca
Midwives Association of BC Pregnancy, birth and postpartum care for home and hospital births. Covered by BC Medical Services Plan.
604.736.5976 | www.bcmidwives.com
Mother Me Newborn Care Inc.
Lower Mainland. Mother Me provides in home support for new families. We specialize in day/ night care, breast/bottle feeding support and twins/triplets. Newborn to 6 months of age. 604.524.1793 | www.motherme.ca
Pacific Midwifery Vancouver 604.874.7999 | www.pacificmidwifery.ca
Pomegranate Community Midwives
Vancouver 604.255.5556 www.pomegranate-midwives.com
South Community Birth Program Vancouver 604.321.2201 | www.scbp.ca
EDUCATION & ARTS
Boundary Bay Montessori www.bbmh.com
Brightpath Early Learning & Child Care Various locations www.brightpathkids.com
CEFA: Core Education & Fine Arts
604.913.7713 | www.cefa.ca
Collingwood School
A co-educational school with grades JK-12, situated on two campuses in West Vancouver. 604.925.3331 | www.collingwood.org
Association of Neighbourhood Houses of Greater Vancouver
604.875.9111 | www.anhgv.org
Autism Society of BC
888.437.0880 | www.autismbc.ca
Battered Women’s Support Services
604.687.1867 | www.bwss.org
BC Association of Family Resource Programs
604.738.0068 | www.frpbc.ca
BC Housing
604.433.1711 | www.bchousing.org
BC Parents Connection www.bcparentsconnection.ca
Belly to Baby Prenatal Education
604.469.2698 | www.bellytobaby.ca
Burnaby Family Place
604.299.5112
Caregiver Tax
604.786.2566 | www.caregivertax.ca
Childcare Resource and Referral Services for families and child care providers. www.ccrr.bc.ca
Coquitlam Share Family & Community Services Society
604.540.9161
East Burnaby Family Place
604.444.1090 | www.ebfp.ca
East Side Family Place
604.255.9841 | www.eastsidefamilyplace.org
Family Services of Greater Vancouver
604.731.4951 | www.fsgv.ca
Annual Resource Listings
Guildford Family Place Surrey 604.596.4321
Hastings Family Drop-in Centre Vancouver 604.718.6222
Information Children Parent Support Line 778.782.3548 | www.informationchildren.com
Kids Matter
604-746-4331 | www.kidsmattercanada.com
Langley Community Services Society 604.534.7921 | www.lcss.ca
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services Family Place 604.467.6911 | www.comservice.bc.ca
Marpole Oakridge Family Place Vancouver 604.263.1405 | www.marfamplace.org
Mommy Connections www.mommyconnections.ca
Mother Me Newborn Care Inc.
Greater Vancouver - Mother Me provides in home support for new families, specializing in day and night care. Newborn to 6 months. 604.524.1793 | www.motherme.ca
Mount Pleasant Family Centre Vancouver 604.872.6757 | www.mpfamilycentre.ca
New Westminster Family Place 604.520.3666 | www.nwfamily.bc.ca
North Shore Family Services
604.988.5281 | www.familyservices.bc.ca
Pacific Post Partum Support Society 604.255.7999 | www.postpartum.org
Parent Support Services Society of BC 604.669.1616 | www.parentsupportbc.ca
Parents of Multiple Births
866.228.8824 | www.multiplebirthscanada.org
PosAbilities www.posabilities.ca
Richmond/Delta Parents of Twins and Triplets Club 604.271.8348
Fraser Health Authority 604.587.4600 | www.fraserhealth.ca
Single Mothers Support Network 604.732.3300 | www.singlemothers.ca
South Vancouver Family Place 604.325.5213 www.southvancouverfamilyplace.org
Sunrise Family Drop-in Vancouver 604.251.2913
Support for Parents of Young Children Program 604.596.4321 | www.options.bc.ca
The Children’s Foundation Surrey & Vancouver 604.434.9101 | www.childrens-foundation.org
Tri-City Family Place Society 604.945.0048 | www.tcfp.citysoup.ca
West Side Family Place Vancouver 604.738.2819 | www3.telus.net/wsfp
FITNESS, HEALTH & WELLNESS
BC Association of Optometrists 604.737.9907 | www.absee.ca
BC Children’s Hospital 604.875.2345 | www.bcchildrens.ca
BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre 604.875.2330 | www.bcwomens.ca
Bonn Chiropractic Vancouver 604.688.5437 | www.cocochiro.com
Logan Creek Counselling & Consulting Langley 778.908.2931 | lcreek@telus.net
Nourished with Alyssa Bauman Health consulting www.nourished.ca
PDG Pediatric Dental Group 604.263.2422 | www.pdgdental.com
Phoenix Gymnastics Vancouver 604.737.7693 | www.phoenixgymnastics.com
Pollock ClinicsInfant Circumcision/Vasectomy New Westminster & Vancouver 604.717.6200 | www.pollockclinics.com www.circumcisionvancouver.com
Rich/Follows Vasectomy Clinic No scalpel, no needle vasectomy.10 minute office procedure, covered by BC Medical. Langley 604.539.1915 | www.nsv.ca
St John Ambulance 604.321.2652 | www.sja.ca
TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly Multiple locations 800.932.8677| www.tops.org
Tot 2 Teen Dental Care
604.218.9401 | www.tot2teendental.com
FURNITURE & BABY GEAR
Baby’s World Coquitlam 604.515.0888 | www.babysworld.ca
Boomers & Echoes Kids & Maternity North Vancouver – One stop mom shop
604.984.6163 | www.boomersandechoes.com
Buggy Network Rent or lease fashional baby gear www.buggynetwork.com
Crocodile Unique Baby Store Surrey & Vancouver www.crocodilebaby.com
Hip Baby
Sustainability, value, function… and a whole lot of style! Vancouver, Victoria & online 604.736.8020 | www.hipbaby.com
Lusso Baby North Vancouver & Vancouver 886.740.9830| www.lussobaby.ca
Nestings Kids Vancouver
604.734.5437 | www.nestingskidsvancouver.com
One Tiny Suitcase Rentals
877.663.8469 | www.onetinysuitcase.ca
GROCERY SERVICES
Avalon Dairy Delivery
604.434.2434 | www.avalondairy.com
Dairyland/Saputo Foods
800.667.1228 | www.morethanmilk.ca
Green Earth Organics
604.708.2345 | www.greenearthorganics.com
Skyrise Foods www.skyrisefoods.com
Small Potatoes Urban Delivery
604.215.7783 | www.spud.ca
Stong’s Market
604.266.1401 | www.stongs.com
Thrifty Foods www.thriftyfoodsonline.com
FOR MOM : MATERNITY, NURSING, CLOTHING
Bellies in Bloom
250.479.0803 www.belliesinbloommaternity.com
Boomers & Echoes Kids & Maternity North Vancouver – One stop mom shop, here for your family for over 30 years. Now moved to a bigger & better location.
604.984.6163 | www.boomersandechoes.com
Bravado Designs
800.590.7802 | www.bravadodesigns.com
Flirty Maternity Maple Ridge
604.657.7333 | www.flirtymaternity.com
Forever Yours Lingerie
604.532.1933 | www.foreveryourslingerie.ca
Hazel & Co./Jools Vancouver jools.ca | www.hazelhipmoms.com
Living Magic Entertainment Vancouver. Brighten up your baby shower with pregnant belly art and photography.
604.653.7773 www.livingmagicentertainment.com
Motherhood Maternity www.motherhoodcanada.ca
Nummies Nursing Bras www.nummies.com
Purl Mama & Baby www.purlmama.com
Room for 2 Maternity & Baby Vancouver
604.255.0508 | www.roomfor2.ca
Thyme Maternity www.thymematernity.com
Trendy Tots Maple Ridge www.trendytots.ca
Twist Fashions
Personalized service for every budget. Postbaby fashions to fit a busy mom’s lifestyle. www.twistfashions.com
Child Care Resource & Referral Services for families and child care providers.
888.338.6622 | www.ccrr.bc.ca
Elite Nannies
604.876.5520 | www.elitenannies.ca
First Steps Child Care Options
604.876.5520 | www.childcareoptions.ca
International Nannies
604.609.9925 | www.internationalnannies.com
Mother Me Newborn Care Inc.
Greater Vancouver - Mother Me provides in home support for new families, specializing in day and night care. Newborn to 6 months.
604.524.1793 | www.motherme.ca
Nanny Finders Directory
888.628.1622 | www.nannyfindersbc.com
Nannies on Call
877.214.2828 | www.nanniesoncall.com
Nooks & Nannies
604.566.9280 | www.nooksandnannies.com
Not Just Nannies
604.723.5683 | www.notjustnannies.net
OptiMum Childcare & Nannies
604.671.4965 | www.opti-mum.com
Susan’s Nannies
604.779.8579 | www.susansnannies.com
Vancouver Child Care Resource & Referral
604.376.6447 | www.wstcoast.org
YMCA Childcare Resource & Referral
604.931.3400 | www.vanymca.org
Annual Resource Listings
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO
Alexandra Hunt Fine Art Photography www.alexandrahuntblog.com
Blue Olive Photography Boutique family portraits, and no session fees for newborns. Voted “Best of Vancouver” in Georgia Strait for four straight years. www.blueolive.org/expecting
Bopomo Pictures
604.678.1411 | www.bopomo.ca
Eclipse Photography
604.984.7427 | www.eclipsephotography.ca
Haley Lorraine www.haleylorraine.com
Jillian Kirby www.jilliankirbybaby.com
Kyla Baker Photography kylabakerphotography.com
Living Magic – Pregnant Belly Art Baby showers & photography sessions 604.653.7773 www.livingmagicentertainment.com
Magna Vita Photography – Bini Ball Children’s portraits for portfolios and home. 604.258.8301 | www.magnavitaphotography.ca
Mamique Photography Professional photographer specializing in newborn, maternity and baby photography. 604-568-2121 www.mamiquephotography.com
Go to www.baby-guide.ca for even more listings and links to great baby resources!
>> H.R. MacMillan Space Centre reveals starring role in UFO hoax
Is it a bird, a plane or proof that life exists on other planets? Recent close encounters reported by local UFO bloggers are actually the result of an elaborate hoax masterminded by the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. The image of a drone in the shape of the Space Centre was captured by web cams, camera phones and video in and around Vancouver locations such as Deep Cove, Jericho Beach, Burrard and Cornwall, and Nat Bailey Stadium, including during two Vancouver Canadians games this summer.
The goal of the faux UFO was to create a buzz about the new planetarium viewer experience at Vanier Park. The Planetarium Theatre at the Space Centre underwent a $500,000 upgrade this summer.
“We want to show Vancouver, BC and the world that you can truly have a rare experience by exploring the exciting new shows and state of the art projection system. The buzz we are creating seems to be working as attendance is up 65 per cent compared to this time last year,” said Rob Appleton, Space Centre executive director. First on the docket is a new program debuting in November called Through the Lens: Building Vancouver’s History. The indoor digital walking tour will give the audience a chance to experience Vancouver streetscapes as they have evolved over the past century.
The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is a non-profit community resource that brings the wonders of space to Earth, while providing a personal sense of ongoing discovery. www.spacecentre.ca
>> Get Your Art and Culture Fix (not to mention, most of your Christmas shopping) this November at the East Van Culture Crawl!
This exciting Visual Arts, Design And Crafts Festival Returns November 15–17, 2013, where wood, fire, glass, metal, paint and canvas collide on the Eastside as artists celebrate the 17th year of the city’s favourite arts festival. For one weekend in November, artists’ doors open wide to reveal the secrets of their craft. The public is invited to peer behind the scenes to see the artists at work and play, and visitors are welcome to purchase one-of-a-kind pieces on the spot.
The Eastside Culture Crawl officially began in 1997 with 45 artists in three Strathcona area studio buildings attracting a few hundred visitors. Today, the Crawl has evolved into a visual arts phenomenon. Covering the area bounded by Main Street and Victoria north of First Avenue, it draws over 20,000 visitors to 75 buildings, housing art from over 300 artists, including photographers, painters, glassblowers, jewelers, textile artists and more.
The Crawl is excited to announce its new executive director Esther Rausenberg. Esther is a photo-based artist that has participated in the Crawl since its inception. She is a well-known advocate for the arts in Vancouver and has worked and volunteered in the non-profit sector since 1979. “The Crawl is excited to introduce some new events this year, including a Crawl Hunt contest and a public screening of the wonderful documentary film Herb & Dorothy at the Wilder Snail,” says Esther. “This year the Crawl is also unveiling an updated look, with a bright new logo design that reflects the creative energy of the festival. We look forward to introducing the Eastside Culture Crawl to new arts enthusiasts and surprising longtime Crawl-ers with new artists, designers and craftspeople.” www.eastsideculturecrawl.com
>> BabyGoRound Offers a Chance to Clear Out Your Storage Space While Helping Mothers in Need
BabyGoRound is an idea born out of the need to give back to those who may need it the most – new mothers with newborn babies and children up to four years old. The arrival of a new baby for most woman is a joyous time filled with celebration, anticipation, baby showers and wonderful gifts of new clothing, baby gear, and the required essentials needed to care for a newborn and young child. However, for many women this is not the case, and the arrival of their newborn is fraught with worry about not being able to provide their baby with what is needed for their early development. BabyGoRound is dedicated to providing Lower Mainland families in need with essential equipment, clothing, and products for their infants and young children. These items will be delivered through a network of qualified service partners in the community.
The goal of BabyGoRound is to help mothers access the essentials they need to ensure the well-being of their babies and young children. By providing concrete resources to their families through a network of social service professionals, the stress of having a new baby can be alleviated for those mothers who are struggling financially. As families fall below the poverty line, these services become even more critical. The items they require are all around us – perhaps they are in your child’s room, still unused or in storage, or perhaps you are about to throw them away – please don’t . Instead, BabyGoRound can create a home for these items and to pass them on to people who require these gently used or new items for their children. www.babygoround.ca
>> Do Your Thing To Prevent Cancer
Today, the Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, is calling on British Columbians to make one simple lifestyle change to reduce their cancer risk. The “My One Thing” initiative is based on the knowledge that about half of all cancers can be prevented through healthy living and policies that protect the public.
Approximately 23,800 new cancer cases are diagnosed every year in BC and that figure is set to grow dramatically. There will be a 70 per cent increase in cancers in the next 20 years unless something changes. While BC historically has lower cancer rates than the rest of the country, the Society believes focusing on prevention is a game changer for the fight against cancer.
The premise of the initiative is to encourage British Columbians to commit to making one change to reduce their cancer risk – from taking the stairs at work to eating more vegetables. People are encouraged to write down their one thing and share it through their own social media channels and through myonething.ca.
The initiative has already gained support in the public, including from Vancouver Whitecaps FC President, Bob Lenarduzzi.
“Like many other Canadians, cancer has affected me personally and has motivated me to commit to the fight against cancer,” says Lenarduzzi. “I think too often we mistakenly believe that cancer prevention is out of our hands or requires a major change in our lifestyle. This initiative reminds us all that cancer prevention is up to each one of us and together, we can make a difference.” www.cancer.ca
what?! no candy?!
If you’re feeling a little overloaded on sugar this Halloween season, try these fun alternatives for tricks and treats.
• Freeze and use for gingerbread house at Christmas trade it in donate it save it
• Bake with it
• BC Orthodontics Buy Back Program www.bcorthodonticsgroup.com
• Check your local dentists
• Trade your child .25 for each piece of candy or let them pick a few pieces then trade in the rest for a special item – book, toy, outing.
Instead of candy, give away other treats...
• Coupons for food at restaurants
• Playdough or Silly putty
• Magic trick with instructions
• Glow sticks
• Dollar store books
• Pencils & Erasers
• Bubbles
• Money
• Toothbrushes
• Stickers
• Joke cards
• Tattoos
Some organizations accept wrapped candy donations for their programs:
Ronald MacDonald House - www.rmhbc.ca
Agape Ministries - www.agapestreetministry.org/donations-2/ The Cinderella Project - www.thecinderellaproject.com
Food Bank - www.foodbank.bc.ca
• Honey Sticks
• Quiz or game cards
• Hot Chocolate/Hot Apple Cider Packets
• Natural juice boxes or mini water bottles
• Vouchers at local recreation centres (Delta Recreation has them!)
Do you know of a charity who could use some marketing to reach more than 112,000 families in the lower mainland?
Nominate your favourite charity and they could WIN a marketing campaign with WestCoast Families magazine.
Readers will be able to go online and vote for the charity they feel most deserves the WestCoast Families Community Campaign.
The winning charity organization will receive
• complimentary 1/6 page full colour ad in three issues of WestCoast Families in 2014
• an email BLAST to 3000 readers
• an article in the magazine to tell our readers more about them and what they do.
Nominations will be open from October 5-29
Voting will begin November 3, 2013 and the winner will be announced December 15.
Haunted Village
Burnaby Village Museum
October 25 - 27
The Burnaby Village Museum--an outdoor 1900s village--celebrates Halloween with a Witch’s Ball, Circus Sideshow, and carousel rides. Bring the kids in costume.
www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca (604) 297-4565
Reapers Haunted
Attraction and the Maze of Terror
Chilliwack
September 27- October 31, 7-10pm
Do not miss out on your Scare! For the older kids (8+) check out the scary Reapers attraction, or for the younger kids, there is a pumpkin patch and corn maze. $10-$18 per person.
www.reapers.ca
There are many more Hallowe’en events and attractions on our website at
Family Fright at the Fort
Fort Langley Historic Site
October 26-27
Trick-or-treat at Fort Langley National Historic Site, and discover surprises along the way. Watch as “Go Bonkers” twists balloon surprises, check out “Mike’s Critters” creepy crawly creatures, decorate a pumpkin, explore the Spooky Servants’ Quarters and much more.
www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fortlangley | 604.513.4777
Halloween Carnival & Spooky Graveyard
Coal Harbour Community Centre
October 27, 10am-1pm
Enjoy creepy crafts, terrifying treats, tombstone tumbling, eerie entertainment and much more. Wear your costume and visit the spooky graveyard. Pre-registration is recommended, as space is limited.
www.coalharbourcc.ca | 604.718.8222
Pumpkin Patch at Westham Island Herb Farm
Delta
October 6 - 31
Not only is there a patch that offers pre-picked pumpkins, Westham Island Herb Farm also has loads of goofy looking gourds, corn stalks and straw for all your fall decorating. The Haunted House will be open daily, starting October 6 for the little ones.
www.westhamislandherb.ca | 604.946.4393
Potters House of Horrors
72nd Street, Surrey
October 12-31
Take the challenge and walk the transformed nursery complete with a state of the art sound system, the latest in animatronics and live actors. www.pottershouseofhorrors.com | (604) 572-7706
Children’s Halloween Festival
Bear Creek Park Train, Surrey
October 11-31, 10am-4:45pm
Take the train ride through the Halloween Forest Display. Play Halloween games, make special spooky crafts and get a candy treat. Take home a farm-fresh pumpkin. From October 18-31 for older children and adults, prepare to be scared on the Haunted Forest Scream Train. The forest comes alive with ghosts and ghouls intent on scaring you amidst creepy sounds and special effects.
.$8.50-$9 per person.
www.bctrains.com
604.501.1232
Taves
Family Farms
Taves Family Farms
Abbotsford
Open daily, some extended hours
Join the family at Taves for an amazing pumpkin patch, the crazy pumpkin gun and corn guns, hay rides and pony rides , zipline and MUCH more. $4.50$7, family rate $24.50
www.tavesfamilyfarms.com
604.853.3108
Halloween in the Forest
Surrey Nature Centre
October 26, 10am–2pm
Follow the Forest Fairy as she introduces you to owls, bats and other creatures of the night. Dare to identify mystery items using only your sense of touch and bring home your very own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. This outdoor event is perfect for families with children aged 5-8. Rain or shine! $7 per child.
www.surrey.ca | 604.502.6065
Ghost Ridge
Albion Fairgrounds, Maple Ridge
October 25-30, 6-9pm nightly
Come to the annual Ghost Ridge Haunted House at the Albion Fairgrounds for spooky fun for the whole family. This annual event is a fundraiser for local charities. $8 per person. www.ghostridge.org
Halloween Storytime
Historic Stewart Farm, Surrey
Wednesday, October 30: 10:30am to 11:30am
Join your child at the Farm to listen to stories about creepycrawlies and Halloween long ago. We’ll sing songs and do a spooky craft too. 1 session $5 (3 to 5 years)
www.surrey.ca | 604.592.6956
Stanley Park Ghost Train
Stanley Park, Vancouver
October 11 - November 2 (closed on October 14)
When it comes to all-ages Vancouver Halloween fun, you can’t beat the Stanley Park Ghost Train. Every year, Stanley Park’s Miniature Train transforms itself into the Ghost Train for a magical ride through the nighttime forest.
Come and enjoy country at its best at the Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch. This pumpkin patch is filled with many fun, family activities including U-pick pumpkins and gourds, hayrides, petting zoo, mini corn maze, face painting, concession and more. Bring your family and your flashlights!
604.992.7748
Adult
Events for the Hip Mom Around Town!
Amy Grant
Capture 2013
October 01, 2013 - November 15, 2013
Various locations
Capture is an annual celebration of photography and lensbased art.Vancouver’s first annual city-wide photography festival. Launch party October 1, 7:30-10pm at Museum of Vancouver. www.capturephotofest.com
The BARN Fall Antique Show
Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Grounds
October 5, 9am-5pm & 6, 10am-4pm
The very best these well known pickers & dealers have to offer will be here offering rustic furniture, paintings, gold & silver, jewellery, coins & stamps etc. $7 admission at the door. www.cloverdale.ca
ECO Fashion Week Edition 7
October 06-10
Various locations
Celebrating her 6th season informing and inspiring the fashion-conscious, and sustainable-minded. Speaker seminars, industry panels, and dynamic, collaborative, and award winning fashion shows www.ecofashion-week.com
Orpheum Theatre
October 7, 8pm
The evening will include some of Grant’s biggest hits as she performs songs from her roots in gospel to her experience as a pop star, along with selections from her new album. www.vancouversymphony.ca
Cranberry Sale
Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Hwy
October 12, 10am-3pm
Stock up on fresh cranberries at the Richmond Nature Park Society’s annual cranberry sale. Proceeds support educational and public programs in the park. All ages! www.richmond.ca/parks/parks/naturepark/events.htm
Yoga with the Beluga Whales
Vancouver Aquarium
October 15, 5:30-6:30pm
Accompanied by the Aquarium’s beluga whales, Qila and Aurora, you will enjoy the serenity of the underwater beluga exhibit while doing yoga. This gentle Hatha yoga class is for all levels and will include “no-sweat” variations of movement/ postures for beginners to advanced levels www.vanaqua.org
Boeing-Boeing
Main Stage, Surrey Arts Centre
October 16-26, various times
Bernard, a successful architect in swinging sixties Paris, is even more successful with the ladies. In fact, he juggles the hearts of three air hostesses who jet in and out of his groovy bachelor pad, but when Boeing introduces a faster jet, Bernard’s precise romantic timetable goes hysterically off course and turbulence looms. Tickets start at $29. www.surrey.ca | 604.501.5566
marketplace
9th Annual Taste of Yaletown
October 16 – 27 (daily)
Various locations
Taste of Yaletown returns this year as Vancouver’s premier foodie event, showcasing the talents of chefs and culinary treasures of the best dining district in Vancouver. $25 | $35 | $45 www.yaletowninfo.com
Science World After Dark
Science World, Vancouver
October 18, 7pm–10pm
Amidst crazy science experiments, a murder has taken place! It’s up to you and your friends to crack the case while gathering clues from a collection of mysterious characters. You don’t want to miss this annual Murder Mystery-themed night! As usual drinks will be sold. Early bird Tickets are $23. Must be 19+ www.scienceworld.ca
Heart and Soul! Dinner and Dance Fundraiser
Radisson President Hotel & Suites, 8181 Cambie Road, Richmond
October 19, 5:45pm-12am
An evening of entertainment, auctions and dancing with proceeds benefitting the Heart of Richmond AIDS Society. www.heartofrichmond.com | 604-271-5137
Retro Design & Antiques Fair
Croatian Cultural Centre
October 20, 10am-3pm
The 175 different vendors participating in this fun one-day fair are what make it unique to the city, and what guarantees the huge variety and sheer volume of antiques, memorabilia, and funky retro collectibles, all in one place at one time. General admission is $5 at the door. 604.980.3159 | www.21cpromotions.com
Heart of the City Festival
Vancouver Downtown Eastside, various locations
October 23 - November 3
Now in its 10th year, the Heart of the City Festival celebrates Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with over 80 events, including music, theatre, comedy, workshops, history walks and more. Most events FREE! www.heartofthecityfestival.com
Workshop: Applications of Digital Photography Place des Arts, Coquitlam
October 26 &27, 1-4pm
Explore the applications of digital photography by learning composition essentials and basic lighting. You will be introduced to specific types of photography such as portraits, landscapes, food/macro, sports and cityscapes. Digital SLR with manual control required. Please pre-register. Cost is $59
604.664.1636 | www.placedesarts.ca
Other Desert Cities
Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Vancouver Ongoing until October 20
The Wyeths have wealth, fame, and a political legacy— and they preside over it all from their desert perch in Palm Springs.Tickets are $29-$65. 604.687.1644 | www.artsclub.com
SUNDAY
“An exceptional tool for parents researching educational options for their kids. I was able to get all my information about schools in one spot.”
Meet top PS-12 schools
Attend information seminars
“How to find the best school” “Scholarships, bursaries and financial aid”
— C. Delaney
NOVEMBER 17 The Westin Bayshore 12 – 4 pm 1601 Bayshore Drive Vancouver, BC V6G 2V4
Around the Dome in 30 Days Science World, Vancouver Sept 28- October 27
Join in for a month-long celebration of all things science in BC! This is a series of activities that will bring the community together to showcase and explore the science and technology all around us. www.scienceworld.ca
Fraser Valley Bead Show
Cascades Casino/Coast Hotel Convention Center, Langley
October 4-6, check websites for hours
Head to the Fraser Valley Bead Show to shop for beads, watch a free glass bead making demonstration, or sign up for one of the 16 DIY classes. Admission is $7. www.fraservalleybeadshow.ca
Build a Fire Rescue Plane
Various Home Depot locations
October 5, 10am
Kids will learn how to build a fire rescue plane with easy to follow step-by-step instructions using hammer and glue. A great free activity for children ages 4-12. Reserve your spot as some popular workshops will fill up!
Derby Reach Regional Park, Langley October 5, 11am-2pm
Lots of fun including apple tasting, old-fashioned tasks, tours, fiddling, artists painting, and historians re-enacting! Meet at the Heritage Area on Allard Crescent, north of 96th Ave and 4km west of Fort Langley. www.MetroVancouverOnline .org
Cirque Musica
Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre
October 5
Featuring top circus performers from around the world performing in an over-the-top arena spectacular with a live symphony orchestra on stage. Tickets start at $25. 866.977.2372
community
Do It Yourself Science
Science World, Vancouver
October 5 & 6
A weekend full of challenges, activities and make and takes that inspire you to be creative at home! Join in making something amazing out of cardboard. www.scienceworld.ca
Delta Studio Stomp
Various locations throughout North Delta, please check website
October 5 & 6, 10am-4pm
Artists & artisans will be opening their studios & homes to the public. This free event is a wonderful opportunity to not only meet the Artists/Artisans in your community, but also view several of them demonstrating their talents & possibly win a door prize.
www.deltastudiostomp.com
Critter Care’s Walk-a-ThonWalk on the Wild Side
Campbell Valley Regional Park, Langley
October 6, 11:30am
Help change lives for the better - for the animals who can’t speak for themselves and raise funds and awareness for Critter Care Wildlife Society.Choose between a 4k walk and a 2k walk & stroll through the peaceful paths of the park. Lots of goodies & prizes and fun for all including a light BBQ after the walk!
604.202.5697
Wonderful Wetlands Tour
Glen Valley Regional Park
October 6, 1:30 – 4pm
Enjoy an exclusive, guided nature walk through this restricted reserve, home to an incredible variety of plants and wildlife. This is a free event although registration is required.
604.430.26359
www.metrovancouveronline .org
Fall Fairy Frolic
Tynehead Regional Park, Surrey
October 6, 10–11:30am
Find the magic of an autumn morning with your youngster and the Fall Fairy. Ages 3-5 & $12/child/ adult pair. Please pre-register.
www.metrovancouveronline .org
Visit www.westcoastfamilies.com/events_calendar for more family friendly events in October! To have your event included in the WestCoast Families community calendar, please email your details to admin@westcoastfamilies.com. Go to www.westcoastfamilies.com to see more local and community family events in your area.
Fossil Show
Richmond Nature Park
October 6, 11am-4pm
Come learn about BC’s fascinating prehistoric past with real fossils displays. Make fossil casts and fossil rubbings too! By Donation www.richmond.ca/parks/parks/naturepark/ events.htm
Ioco Days Festival - Ioco Ghost Town Day
Old Lawn bowling green Corner of Ioco Road & 1st Avenue, Port Moody
October 6
A variety of activities are offered, including pony rides, entertainment and tours of Ioco in Model A cars. Costumed actors wander amongst the public and interpret local history, while you visit game booths.
www.portmoody.ca
Live the Life of Your Dreams
Kinder Café, Port Coquitlam
October 8, 7-9pm
Join the inaugural Mom CEO Academy workshop with acclaimed author and inspirational speaker, Juliet Van Ruyven, who will be sharing her story and experience as a bare-footed child selling goods in the Philippines. Free but pre-registration is required online www.momceotricitylaunch-eac2.eventbrite.ca
Zumba Family Day
Dance hall at Vancouver Recovery Club
October 13, 2:30-3:30pm
This is a fundraiser for Vancouver Recovery Club to help those in need. Adults $5. minimum donation, kids 16 and under free. Snacks and drinks sold at location. The class will be geared more for the kids, but everyone will break a sweat! All ages welcome.
778.985.9305
Inspector Tovey Investigates Rhythm Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver
October 13
Inspector Tovey investigates one of the central elements of music in a concert that features Carnival of the Animals. The Kids’ Koncerts series features full orchestra, and the very best in children’s musical entertainers children 4-11years of age and their families.
604.876.3434
calendar
Will Stroet’s Just Imagine Vancouver CD Release
St James Community Hall, Vancouver
October 14, 10:30am & 1:30pm
Join Will Stroet to celebrate the release of his new English and French CDs. Will and his Backyard Band will perform two high-energy hour-long family shows. Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door. This is a fundraiser for Bayview preschool 604.727.4413
Yoga with the Beluga Whales Vancouver Aquarium
October 15, 5:30-6:30pm
Accompanied by the Aquarium’s beluga whales, Qila and Aurora, you will enjoy the serenity of the underwater beluga exhibit while doing yoga. This gentle Hatha yoga class is for all levels and will include “no-sweat” variations of movement/postures for beginners to advanced levels
604.659.3400 | www.vanaqua.org
Taste of Yaletown Returns
October 16-27
Taste of Yaletown will indulge your senses with featured events that invite you to dine, drink, and explore the culinary scene of Vancouver’s premier dining district. www.yaletowninfo.com
2013 Sea to Sky Family Fair
CN Conference Centre, Squamish
October 19, 10am-3pmto Sky Family Fair
Bring your questions to the community organizations, find out about programs and services and shop the stores while younger children get the chance to enjoy a fun filled day of fun and laughter in the Par-T-Perfect Fun Zone. Admission is $2 and children under 2 are free. www.seatoskyfair.ca
Children’s Swap Meet
North Delta Recreation Centre
October 19, 9am - 1pm
Parents have been busy cleaning out their babies’ and children’s closets and toy boxes; perfect for bargain hunters wishing to purchase books, baby accessories and clothes. Admission is free.
604.952.3000
Great Pumpkin Run Walk 5k & 1k
Starts at the Peace Arch Hospital parking lot October 20
Dig out your best costumes and qualify for cool prizes. Bring the whole family including kids in strollers and dogs to walk or run for your hospital. Let’s get together and enjoy a fun morning of healthy activity while supporting your ER. Registration is by donation.
604.535.4520 | www.pahfoundation.ca
Return of the Salmon
Kanaka Creek Regional Park, Maple Ridge
October 20, 11am–3pm
Witness the return of spawning salmon to Kanaka Creek fish fence. Displays, games and fisheries experts will be on-site. Meet at the fish fence, located on 240th St, north of Lougheed Hwy. www.MetroVancouverOnline .org
The 10th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival
Throughout Downtown Eastside Vancouver October 23 -November 3
This festival features over 80 events including music, stories, cultural celebrations, films, theatre, dance, processions, spoken word, forums, workshops, discussions, gallery exhibits, mixed media, art talks, history talks and walks, and a diverse array of artists. www.heartofthecityfestival.com
Discovery Day
Surrey Nature Centre
October 25, 10am-2pm
Create an eco-craft, explore with a scavenger hunt and learn something new with the interactive Exploration Boxes. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy your self-guided discovery through the special places. Drop in, free 604.502.6065 | www.surrey.ca
Art We Awesome
North Delta Fire Hall
October 25, 9-11am
6-9 year olds can get creative with different art mediums including watercolour, drawing & collage. Please wear old clothes. Please pre-register. $20 www.deltarec.ca
The Brick Games
Langley
OCT. 26, 2013
Come and participate in the second Brick Games with more prizes and at a larger venue. It will include exhibitors and more entertainment for the whole family. This year’s event will raise money for the LEGO Foundation and Love Global Foundation. Come experience Canada’s largest charity LEGO Building event in Langley, BC www.thebrickgames.com
Family Day at PdA - Halloween Hoopla Place des Arts, Coquitlam
Oct 27, 1:30-3:30pm
Gather up the family and tour three exhibitions in fibre arts, mixed media and acrylics then participate in a variety of free Halloween-themed workshops. Come at 2pm for Mr. I’s Spooky Songs & Stories concert, perfect for getting wee ones) in the mood for haunting! Admission for concert is $7/person 604.664.1636 | www.placedesarts.ca
Vancouver International Flamenco Festival October 30-November 10
Various venues
The festival presents flamenco artists performing in a range of styles from traditional to contemporary, and soloists to ensemble works. The Vancouver International Flamenco Festival takes the audience from flamenco’s origins as a blend of cultures through to today’s continual evolution of music, song, and dance. www.vancouverflamencofestival.org
Vancouver’s Circle Craft Christmas Market
Vancouver Convention Centre
November 7-11
Exhibitors include wood turners, glass blowers, sculptors and potters, clothing and jewellery designers, toy makers, leather and metal workers, and more. Enjoy fashion shows, food and demonstrations. Tickets are available online. www.circlecraft.net
FOR MORE amazing Hallowe’en and Fall Fun events, please go to www.westcoastfamilies.com and check out our events calendar and listing pages.
home-ec
modern juice it!
It’s trendy, it’s now, it’s the health kick of the moment, but the current passion for juicing comes from a very solid base of nutritional science. While proponents say that a juice cleanse will heal everything from low energy to cancer, what is well known is that fruit and vegetable juices, when made fresh, are bursting with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that will leave you feeling healthier and more energetic, and will also give your immune system a boost – particularly important in the coming winter months when the cold and flu season is upon us. We tested the Breville Juice Fountain to see just how easy it is to make healthy juice at home.
Local nutrition expert Alyssa Bauman from Nourished.ca recommends these juices to take you through fall and winter.
Nourished Sun
Skip the high fructose corn syrup and yellow dye #1 found in classic yellow drinks and press a fresh juice that’s sweetly natural. Drink in the sun with this antioxidant, potassium, Vitamin C and Vitamin A-packed tonic. A strengthened immune system, energy boost and glowing skin are just a few of the other sweet perks. Who can beat that!
Ingredients
• 2 mangoes
• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 1 yellow or orange pepper
• 2 inch piece of ginger, more for extra zing
Instructions
Peel mangoes and orange and wash pepper. Slice pepper and remove seeds. Peel ginger. Juice and pour over ice.
Sun Kissed
Harness the sun’s orange glow with this simple zingy juice. Bursting with Vitamin C, it’s perfect to keep colds away while promoting healthy, glowing skin. The red bell pepper plus an orange provides almost 500% of your daily Vitamin C needs. Nice! The carotenoids (or carotenes) that gives beets and red peppers their colourful hue may also help reduce cardiovascular diseases and the risk for certain cancers, including breast cancer. This juice is perfection. Kids love the crazy fuscia colour, but ease up on the potent ginger for them.
Ingredients
• 2 inch piece of ginger, more for extra zing
• 2 oranges
• 1/2 cucumber
• 2 celery stalks
• 2 small red beets
• 1 lemon
• 1 red pepper, halved and seeded
Instructions
Peel orange, ginger and lemon. Wash red pepper. Juice all ingredients and serve over ice.
Everything Green Juice
Nutritionists are obsessed with Kale. With good reason. This superfood, press darling as of late, has more nutritional value for fewer calories than most any other food. It’s alkalizing properties are just as tremendous. This juice is loaded with beta-carotene, protein, folic acid, vitamin B, iron, vitamin K, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, sulphur. Need I say more? That’s why this tangy and tart juice is my daily go-to either as my wake-up boost or 4 pm pick me up.
Ingredients
• 1 bunch kale
• 1 green apple, halved
• 3 celery stalks
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/2 bunch of parsley
• 1 lemon, peeled
• 2 inch piece of ginger, more if you like it zingier!
• Chunk of Pineapple, for sweetness
Instructions
Wash all produce, juice. Serve over ice. Drink ASAP
