FRIDAY DANCES
The Abbotsford Social Activity Association (ASAA) hosts dances every Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at its hall, 33889 Essendene Ave. Cost is $9 for members and $10 for non-members. Bands for January are: True Country (Jan. 15), InnerWild (Jan. 22) and Brian Zalo (Jan. 29).
WINTER FESTIVAL
Central Abbotsford Community School holds its annual Winter Festival on Saturday, Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at Abbotsford middle school, 33231 Bevan Ave. The free event, held in partnership with several local agencies, includes a pancake breakfast, crafts, science experiments, face painting, balloon artists, dance performances and more. Info: abbycommunity.com
BRIDGE MUSICIANS
A chamber music performance by Bridge Musicians International takes place on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Columbia Bible College (2940 Clearbrook Rd.). The group will perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 13 in C major and Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 59, No. 1 in F major. Cost is $15. Info: bridgemusicians.com
INTERFAITH EVENT
The Baha’i community in Abbotsford hosts a program called “Respect and Understanding – Foundation for Cooperation among Faith Communities” on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Abbotsford Social Activity Association drop-in centre at 2631 Cyril St. The event will explore themes of interfaith and unity-building. There will be short prayers, readings, choral music and refreshments.
GRAND SQUARES
The Abbotsford Grand Squares, a square and round dance club, begins a 10-week new dancer program on Monday, Jan. 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The first three sessions are free. The club is open to those 14 years and older, and dancing takes place at the Abbotsford Social Activity Association hall at 33889 Essendene Ave. Info: David at 604-864-7435
WOMEN’S NETWORK
The Valley Women’s Network meets Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Phoenix Ballroom, 33780 King Rd. Cost is $22 for members and $25 for non-members. Reservations are requested by Friday, Jan. 15 by emailing June Krause at vwnabbyreservations@gmail.com
CONNECT NOW
The Connect Now business network holds a session in its Inspired Influencers speaker series on Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Red 21 Restaurant in Chances Playtime Gaming, 30835 Peardonville Rd. Info: inspiredinfluencer.com or 778-823-2421
GENEALOGY SOCIETY
The Abbotsford Genealogical Society holds its annual general meeting on Thursday, Jan. 21 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at The Reach Gallery Museum, 32388 Veterans Way. Nominations are accepted for all officer positions, and voting is open only to paid members. Info: abbygs.ca or 604-852-6526
LEARNING PLUS
Abbotsford Learning Plus holds a free open house on Thursday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre, 2499 McMillan Rd. Everyone is welcome.
HOMINUM MEETS
Hominum Fraser Valley meets Monday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. This is an informal discussion and support group to help gay, bisexual and questioning men with the challenges of being married, separated or single. For information and meeting location, call Art at 604-462-9813 or Don at 604-329-9760.
READING BUDDIES
Volunteers are needed for the Reading Buddy program at the Clearbrook Library (32320 George Ferguson Way) and Abbotsford Community Library (33355 Bevan Ave.). The program pairs high school students and/or adults with children in Grades 1 to 4 who need extra help with their reading skills. The volunteers spend one hour a week with their buddy, practising reading and doing literacy-based activities. An orientation session is provided to all volunteers. Application forms are available at both libraries.
WOMEN WITH CANCER
The Women with Cancer Support Group meets the third Monday of each month for lunch at noon. The next get-together is on Jan. 21. Call Edith at 604-289-0630 for the location.
MOOD DISORDERS
The Mood Disorders Association support group in Abbotsford meets the first and third Thursdays of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Abbotsford Community Services (2420 Montrose Ave.) It is open to those who have mood disorders such as depression, manic depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Friends and family are also invited. Info: Christine at 604-854-9404
FOR SEXAHOLICS
Sexaholics Anonymous is a 12-step program of recovery for men and women who want to stop their sexually self-destructive thinking and behaviour. Abbotsford SA meets every Saturday at 8 a.m. For information and location, email abbotsfordsa1@gmail.com. See also www.sa.org.
NAR-ANON GROUP
Nar-Anon Family Group meets every Thursday in Abbotsford at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3845 Gladwin Rd., from 7:30 to 9 p.m. This is a 12-step program for those who have been affected by someone else’s addiction.
ALATEEN MEETS
Alateen, a part of Al-Anon Family Groups, is for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking, whether it’s a parent, sibling or friend. The group meets every Tuesday in Abbotsford at the Home Society (31581 South Fraser Way), starting at 7:15 p.m. Info: 604-855-1942 or 604-826-5100
CARPET BOWLING
Carpet bowling takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Garden Park Tower, 2825 Clearbrook Rd. Cost is $1.25. Info: 604-853-5532
TOPS IN WEIGHT LOSS
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a non-profit weight-loss support group, meets weekly. For evening chapters in Abbotsford and Mission, call Jacquie at 604-556-0535. For daytime chapters, phone Peter at 604-702-8338.
