SATURDAY, SEPT. 15

Vancity, Urban Impact Recycling and the Tri-City Transitions Society host a shredathon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Vancity's Shaughnessy Station branch in PoCo (7100-2850 Shaughnessy St.). Residents and business owners are invited to bring sensitive private documents to be shredded onsite and reycycled. Shredding is free, but donations will be accepted in support of the TriCity Transitions Society.

Société francophone de Maillardville and the Coquitlam Heritage Society host 103rd birthday celebrations for Maillardville, from noon to 4 p.m. at Heritage Square, 1120 Brunette Ave. Highlights include music, dance, barbecue and activities for young and young at heart. Everything is free, including the birthday cake.

City of Port Moody hosts its first-ever safety fair, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the traffic circle in front of City Hall, 100 Newport Dr. Highlights include DriveWise driving simulators, putting, basketball shooting and hockey slap shot games. Kids can enjoy a bouncy castle, bring their bikes to try a Pedalheads bike safety circuit and enter a colouring competition. Exhibitors include BC Ambulance Service, CP Rail Police, Evergreen Line Project, ICBC, MADD, Port Moody police and fire departments, Preventable, St. Johns Ambulance, Tri-City Speed Watch and WorkSafe BC. Admission is free, and complimentary refreshments will be available.

Wildwood Park hosts a market day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 201 Cayer St. in Coquitlam. Food, products, gifts and services will be available, with hot dogs for purchase. Support the SHARE food bank by bringing a non-perishable food item. Free raffle draws and coffee. Proceeds from hot dog sales will go to SHARE.

Riverview Horticultural Centre Society hosts Treefest on the Riverview Hospital grounds from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Highlights include guided tree walks, a heritage building walk, environmental displays, blackberry tea in the Serenity Garden, musicians and artists on site and a children's tree walk. Info: 604-290-9910 or www.rhcs.org.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 16

Terry Fox Foundation hosts Terry Fox runs in Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Port Moody and Anmore.

The Hometown Run, which features 2.5-km, 6-km and 10-km routes, starts at 10 a.m. at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre, 1379 Laurier Ave. in PoCo (registration starts at 8 a.m.). The Coquitlam run, which features 2-km, 6-km and 10-km routes, starts at noon at Blue Mountain Park (registration starts at 11 a.m.). The Port Moody run, which features 2-km, 5-km and 10km routes, starts at 10 a.m. at Rocky Point Park (registration starts at 9 a.m.) and the Anmore run starts at noon at the Village Hall (registration starts at 11: 30 a.m.). Dogs on leash are welcome at all four of the events. For route maps and details, visit www.terryfoxrun. org/Run. There is no entry fee and no minimum donation at any of the runs.

MONDAY, SEPT. 17

SFU Philosophers' Café hosts a forum called "Has democracy failed?" at 7 p.m. at the Leigh Square Community Arts Village, 1100-2253 Leigh Square Pl., PoCo. Everyone is welcome. Registration and experience are not required. Admission is free. Moderator Graham Forst will focus on questions such as: Is it time to ask if democracy has turned out to be a flawed political system? Can the tendency of democracy to move towards economic monopolies and plutocracy be avoided? How can citizens be properly "armed" to be qualified participants in the democratic process? Info: www. philosopherscafe.net or 778-782-5215.

City of Port Moody hosts a creative writing group, starting on Sept. 17 and running until early December, on Mondays from 7 to 9: 30 p.m. at Kyle Centre, 125 Kyle St. The fee is between $90 and $110 per semester. Info: Facilitator Julie H. Ferguson at info@beaconlit. com.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 18

Immigrant Services Society of BC hosts a presentation and screening about its Skills Connects for Immigrants program, from 10: 30 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. at the Terry Fox Library, 2470 Mary Hill Rd., PoCo. You may qualify for this program if you are unemployed or underemployed (working outside of your field or at a lower level), are eager to learn and motivated to build your career in Canada, have a clear and reasonable job target, can speak at an intermediate to advanced level of English, and have been in Canada for less than five years and are a permanent resident. To register, call 604684-2561, Ext. 2123 or e-mail skillsconnect@issbc.org.

Dogwood Garden Club meets at 7 p.m. in the Centennial Room of Dogwood Pavilion, 625 Poirier St. in Coquitlam. The speaker will be club member Arcadia Robinson, who is also president of the Coquitlam Art Club. She will speak on garden photography. Everyone is welcome.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19

SHARE Family & Community Services Society hosts an alcohol and drug education session, from 7 to 8: 30 p.m. on the second floor of 2615 Clarke St. in Port Moody. The topic will be "Alcohol: how dependence develops, controlled using and effects on pregnant women." This program is open to everyone in the community, and is designed for those who have an alcohol or drug problem or those concerned about their use, as well as those affected by the use of others. The format consists of a video, a brief presentation and open discussion. Registration is not required for this drop-in program, which runs each Wednesday through Nov. 28. Info: 604-936-3900.

Tri City Potters gather at 7 p.m. for their first meeting of the season. Activities include gatherings, shows, presentions and more to inspire those with an interest in clay. Meetings are held at Port Moody Secondary, 300 Albert St. on the third Wednesday of each month. Info: www.tricitypotters.ca.

ONGOING

Coquitlam Area Gogos meet monthly to find ways to help African grandmothers raising children orphaned by AIDS.

You do not have to be a grandmother to join. Info: 7782160499.

Coquitlam Lawn Bowling Club is looking for new members to take part at the lanes behind Dogwood Pavilion, 624 Poirier St. Information: Ann at 604-939-8976.

Council of Senior Citizens Organizations is an advocacy group devoted to improving the quality of life for all seniors. Info: Ernie Bayer at 604576-9734 or ecbayer@shaw.ca.

Crossroads Hospice Society hosts a free walking group for the bereaved, Fridays from 10: 30 a.m. to noon. Group meets at the Port Moody Social Recreation Centre. Hospice volunteers will be present on the free walk through Rocky Point Park or Orchard Beach. Newcomers can register by calling Castine Breckwoldt at 604-949-2274.

Debtors Anonymous meets regularly to offer hope and recovery to debtors, compulsive spenders and underearners. Info: 604-878-3328 or www.debtorsanonymous.org.

Developmental Disabilities Association offers free pickup of gently used houseware items, including dishes, toys and books. Cloth items can be dropped off in bins. Furniture, dishes and clothes are accepted at donation stations. Info: 604-273-4332.

Eagle Ridge Hospital Auxiliary hosts a coffee program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays in the main lobby of the hospital, at 475 Guildford Way in Port Moody. Sales of beverages and baked goods raise funds for the purchase of hospital equipment and patient comfort items.

Fibromyalgia Support Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Poirier branch of the Coquitlam Public Library, 575 Poirier St.. Info: Julie Park at 604-936-6027.

5th Coquitlam Scouting Group is accepting ongoing registrations throughout 2012. The group offers Beavers (K to Grade 2), Cubs (Grades 3 to 5), Scouts (Grades 6 to 8), Venturers (Grades 9 to 12) and Rovers (ages 16 to 18). Boys and girls are welcome. Info: Sharon at 604-936-3495 or perrycoq@telus.net.

Fraser Pacific Rose Society meets at 7: 30 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month at Dogwood Pavilion, 624 Poirier St. in Coquitlam. Info: 604-931-5120.

Hominum is an informal discussion and support group to help gay, bisexual and questioning men with the challenges of being married, separated or single. Members meet every Monday evening at locations around the Metro Vancouver area. For information and meeting location, call Don at 604-329-9760 or Art at 604-462-9813.

King of Life Lutheran Church hosts a board game night at 7 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at 1198 Falcon Dr. in Coquitlam. Play some of the classics and be prepared to learn some new favourites. Everyone is welcome.

Kyle Centre offers dropin bridge for all skill levels from 12: 30 to 3: 30 p.m. every Tuesday. Soup and sandwich lunch follows, prepared by Community Integration Services Society, which supports adults with disabilities. Info: 604-469-4561.

Lincoln Toastmasters meet from 7: 30 to 9: 30 p.m. at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre, 1379 Laurier Ave. in Port Coquitlam. New members welcome. Info: www.lincolntm. com. or Ken at 778-786-2533.

Maillardville Community Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at ABC Country Restaurant at Lougheed Highway and Schoolhouse Street. Information: 604-464-1808.

Maillardville Residents' Association meets the first Wednesday of each month at Place Maillardville, 1200 Cartier Ave., Coquitlam. Information: 604-931-5650.

Mood Disorders Association of BC (Coquitlam) hosts a support group every second and fourth Monday of the month at 6: 50 p.m. at the Burquitlam Lions Care Centre, 560 Sydney Ave. in Coquitlam. Information: Anne at 604-941-4721 or Mood Disorders Association of BC office at 604-873-0103.

Morningside Toastmasters meets every Thursday from 7: 10 to 8: 30 a.m. at Burkeview Funeral Home, 1340 Dominion Ave. in Port Coquitlam. New members welcome. Information: www. morningsidetoastmasters.ca.

MOSAIC kindness club needs host volunteers to help newcomers adjust to Canadian life. Commitment is for two hours a week for 13 weeks. For more information, call 604-254-9626.

Nar-Anon support group for those affected by someone else's addiction meets Tuesdays from 7: 30 to 9 p.m. at Lions Hall, 12479 Harris Rd. in Pitt Meadows. Information: Cheryl at 604-465-0872.

North Fraser Alzheimer Resource Centre offers monthly caregiver support groups in Coquitlam and PoCo. Info: 604-298-0780.

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