The third annual CARES cat shelter plant sale is a chance to pick up items for the garden while helping reduce the feral cat population.
The sale May 7 and 8 at the PetSmart, 20015 Langley Bypass, allows the no-kill shelter to care for cats in its Milner facility and those animals living wild around the community.
“The proceeds basically mean that we can continue to grow our organization in terms of taking in feral cats and unwanted cats, and we have an active TNR program,” said Clive Ellis, with CARES. “There’s a contstant need for that.”
The shelter does trap, neuter and release (TNR).
“Mainly our thrust at the moment is our TNR program,” he said.
It also has several unwanted cats available for adoption at its shelter. Learn more at www.carescatshelter.com
The sale is possible because of the donation of items by local gardeners, shelter supports and more. Fort Langley’s Christine Herman made a big donation of plants. Cedar Rim made a substantial donation as well.
That means CARES has lots of selection at the sale that runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 7 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mother’s Day, May 8.
There’s some herbs, small shrubs, lettuce, ornamental grasses and more.
“There’s over 1,000 perrennials. There’s lots of veggies, hundreds of veggies, including some heirloom tomatoes,” Ellis noted. “There’s a good selection of annuals.”
To get the green, bring the green (and blue, purple, silver and bronze). Sales are cash only.
“Unfortunately we don’t take plastic,” he said.
Park it
The Fraser Valley Community Winds offers Music in the Park on May 8. Take mom to the Douglas Park bandshell to enjoy an afternoon concert. The show begins at 2 p.m. and is by donation.
Seedy Saturday
A celebration of all things gardening will mark the opening of the Township Demonstration Garden for the 2016 season and get ready for Mothers’ Day in a unique way.
Seedy Saturday and a Plant Exchange will be held at the Demonstration Garden, located in the Derek Doubleday Arboretum, in the 21200 Block of Fraser Highway, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on May 7.
“Each year, this beautiful educational facility welcomes the spring and summer with workshops for kids and the community, information on composting and gardening, and a number of special events,” said Meg Jordan of the Langley Environmental Partners Society, which runs the garden in partnership with the Township.
“Seedy Saturday and the Plant Exchange are great ways for green thumbs to kick off the season and for newcomers to learn some sustainable gardening ideas and techniques,” she said. “They also offer a unique way to celebrate the Mothers’ Day weekend with the family.”
Visitors are encouraged to bring their extra seeds and veggie starts to exchange, get to know their local seed and plant resources, and support non-profit organizations through the purchase of garden items. Baked goods, tea, and juice will be available for purchase and pear trees will be up for sale.
During the day, guests can take a guided tour of the Demonstration Garden at 1:45 p.m. and discover secrets to seed saving with David Catzel of the Glorious Organics Cooperative at 2:30 p.m. Visitors can bring their own special container or use one provided to plant a container garden for Mothers’ Day at 3 p.m., and at 3:30 a fun activity will be held for kids.
The event will be held rain or shine, and plenty of covered space is available.
Be the early bird
Stop by Campbell Valley Regional Park for Metro Vancouver’s unique Breakfast with the Birds program starting 8 a.m. on May 7.
Enjoy a muffin and coffee while watching a slideshow about the park’s common birds then use these new skills to identify and count birds on a walk with a naturalist.
While the event is free and suitable for all ages, tegistration required. Call 604-432-6359 and quote barcode 6489 or at metrovan.org.
To market, to market
Bloom Market features more than two dozen artisans gathered at the Fort Langley Community Hall on May 7 and 8.
Admission is $2 (free for kids 12 and younger) and admission proceeds benefit Project Aftershock.
The market runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Fort Langley Community Hall
Project Aftershock, which runs a thrift shop in White Rock, funds medical relief trips to Haiti. It helps rebuilding efforts after the devastating 2010 earthquake.
Monday munchies
Langley Township is hosting a food fair but with a distinctly local flavour.
In fact, there will be many local flavours at Eat Local on May 9.
The public can stop by the Township Civic Facility, 20368 65th Ave., from 2 to 7 p.m.
to try free samples and learn about the community’s food producers.
“Buying local has many positive impacts in our community,” said Val Gafka, senior manager of corporate administration for the Township. “It enhances our economy and contributes to our tax base, welcomes entrepreneurs, and supports business retention and expansion. Buying local enables the creation of local jobs for local talent, and acknowledges the valuable work that our business community does to support local organizations and charities. As well, it shows we value the environment by reducing our goods transportation footprint and it puts dollars back into our community.”
The event by the Township’s Economic Investment and Development Department is to raise awareness about the importance of shopping and buying local.
Eat Local is the first in a series of activities being spearheaded by BC Buy Local in 2016, which the Township will be participating in. In May, events across the province will focus on eating locally.
“With so many award-winning and exceptional businesses producing and selling food and beverage products in the Township, this Eat Local event will be a tasty way to show your support,” Gafka said. “We encourage everyone to consider their buying power and to buy local.”
Other suggestions:
- Langley Quilters' Guild Show and Sale at the George Preston Recreation Centre, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 6 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on May 7.
- Pick up free online tickets for the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Science Rendezvous on May 7
- Look in the Langley Advance for tickets to the Quake Cottage at Willowbrook Shopping Centre on May 7. the earthquake simulator is here as part of local emergency preparedness activities by the Langley Emergency Program