BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for September 24 – 30

Sow the seeds for spring now at the VanDusen Compost and Spring Bulb Sale

What to do in BC this week

Participate in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup – September 17-25
If Earth is our home, then a little housekeeping is in order from September 17 to 25 for the 17th annual Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, taking place at various beachfronts around B.C., including Vancouver’s False Creek, Beaver Lake and Granville Island. The largest shoreline cleanup program in Canada, it draws thousands of volunteers cross-country to remove a summer’s worth of litter that threatens aquatic life. View the online map for locations.


Rev an RV – September 22-25
It’s not just Canada geese that flock to warmer climes each autumn. There’s also a sun-seeking contingent of Canadians who can be counted on to make the Snowbird RV Show & Sale a success each year. Held September 22 to 25 at TRADEX (1190 Cornell St., Abbotsford), it features 180,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibit space showcasing 200 of the latest models to roll off the production line. And don’t worry; they’re available in a range of price points so they won’t bust your budget.


Catch the Word on the Street – September 23-25

If you find your local library eerily empty from September 23 to 25, that’s because all the bookworms have headed to The Word on the Street. This big-time national book bash, now in its 17th year, salutes Canada’s literary landscape with free author readings, workshops, musical entertainment and even a massive marketplace. Check it out here in Vancouver at Library Square, Banyen Books, Carnegie Centre and Historic Joy Kogawa House.


Get Your Garden Spring-ready – September 24

Not so fast! Just because lawn-mowing season is almost over doesn’t mean you can retire your gardening tools for another year. Experts know that now’s the time to sow your seeds for spring, a not-so-dirty job you can jumpstart at the Compost and Spring Bulb Sale at VanDusen Garden (5251 Oak St., Vancouver) on September 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Another option? Swing by UBC Botanical Garden (6804 SW Marine Dr., Vancouver) on the same day for a Treasured Bulb Sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.



Support 1 School 1 Day – September 24
It may take a village to raise a child, but how many people does it take to build a school? The answer: 5,000, the number of B.C. folks expected to come together for 
1 School 1 Day, a one-hour fundraiser on September 24 to raise $100,000 to support education in Ethiopia. And no door-to-door soliciting required: All you have to do is swing by a participating fitness centre, including YYoga and Steve Nash Fitness World, and take a class at 1 p.m. Fee is $20 per person and you can register online.


Shop the Elle Canada Style Station at H&M – September 24
No flag-waving fashionista needs an excuse to shop till they drop at H&M, but here’s one anyway: On September 24, the chic store — a favourite of Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Kylie Minogue — is hosting Elle Canada Style Station at H&M in Pacific Centre (609 Granville St., Vancouver). From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., professional stylists will be on hand to help you pick out the latest looks while handing out surprise H&M gift cards to lucky shoppers.


Join the Ismaili Walk
 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation – September 25
We all know a walk will do you good, but here’s a chance to make it mean a whole lot more. On September 25, you’re invited to hit the streets for the 20th annual Ismaili Walk, a fun-filled fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. & Yukon. Starting at Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park, it helps raise awareness for hypertension, a silent killer that contributes to heart disease and stroke. But don’t think it’ll be gloomy ’cause you’ll also enjoy lunch, live entertainment and a chance to win fantastic prizes. Register online.

Have a Final Beachfront Bash at Nanaimo Rivers Day – September 25
Beach weather may be over for another year, but that’s not stopping people from beelining it to Nanaimo Rivers Day on September 25. Held at Maffeo Sutton Park (50 Arena Street, Nanaimo), this beachfront bash features family-friendly fun including a salmon barbecue, live music, educational booths, free refreshments and children’s entertainment. Check it out from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Don’t Miss the Vancouver International Film Festival – September 29 – October 14

Critically acclaimed as “an unspoiled celebration of world cinema,” the 30th annual Vancouver International Film Festival is set to screen more than 350 films from over 80 countries from September 29 to October 14. Sound impressive? This cinematic showcase, taking place at various venues including Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour St., Vancouver), ranks among the five largest film festivals in North America. Check online for full listings.
››

Attend the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival – September 29 – October 9
A toast is in order for the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival. Not only is it set in Canada’s only true desert, it’s also the only wine festival in North America that takes place during the heart of grape harvest season. This world-class sip-fest, running from September 29 to October 9, features more than 165 events running the gamut from wine and food tastings to seminars and vineyard tours across the Okanagan Valley.


See Next to Normal – until October 9
“The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well,” said world-famous psychiatrist Alfred Adler. Maybe that’s why audiences can relate to Next to Normal, a hit musical fresh off a critically acclaimed Broadway run. Hailed for the empathy and accuracy with which it portrays a woman battling bipolar disorder, it’s said to “shake audiences to the core with its groundbreaking themes and thrilling score.” See it at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (2750 Granville St, Vancouver) until October 9, with details at 604-687-1644.


Go Behind the Scenes at the Royal BC Museum – October 11
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a museum? You’ve got until October 11 to find out, when the Royal BC Museum (675 Belleville St., Victoria) invites guests to venture beyond those mysterious “employees only” doors to meet curators, collection managers and researchers, the folks who dig, dredge, and document their way to new scientific discoveries.

Originally published in TVW. For daily updates, subscribe to the free TVW e-newsletter, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.