BUY THE BOOK

The Friends of the Abbotsford Libraries hold a book sale at Clearbrook Library (32320 George Ferguson Way) on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adult hardcovers are $2 and children’s are $1. DVDs, CDs and gently used puzzles will also be sold. Info: 604-859-7814

KIDS’ ART PARTY

The Reach Gallery Museum (32388 Veterans Way) hosts a Surrealist Art Party for Kids on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. Info: thereach.ca

PHOTO ARTS EXHIBIT

An exhibit and lectures from members of the Abbotsford Photo Arts Club take place Saturday,  Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Abbotsford Community Library (33555 Bevan Ave.). The short lectures run from 2 to 3 p.m. about the art of capturing unique photos. Info: 604-853-1753

BLESSING OF ANIMALS

St. Matthew Church (2010 Guilford Drive) holds a St. Francis celebration and Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, Oct. 2 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. People are invited to bring their pets for a short service and blessing. Info: 604-853-2416 or abbotsfordanglican.ca

FRASER VALLEY POETS

The Fraser Valley Poets Society meets Monday, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Clearbrook Library (32320 George Ferguson Way). Robert Martens will read from his new book, followed by an open mic. Info: fraservalleypoets.com

GRAND SQUARES

The Abbotsford Grand Squares, a square and round dance club, begins a 10-week new dancer program on Monday, Oct. 3 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

LEARNING PLUS

Abbotsford Learning Plus presents two classes next week in its fall series. Both sessions run from 10 a.m. to noon at Abbotsford Recreation Centre (ARC), 2499 McMillan Rd. The topic on Tuesday, Oct. 4 is “Experiences of a Muslim Woman.” The topic on Thursday, Oct. 6 is “A Review of Crime Prevention for Seniors” followed by the annual general meeting. Cost per class is $5, plus the $2 ARC drop-in fee. Info: 778-808-7377 or learningplus.ca

DIABETES SUPPORT

The Abbotsford branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association meets Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Central Heights Church, 1661 McCallum Rd. The topic is Moving Forward with Lowering Blood Sugars. Info: 604-701-7985

LIBRARY EVENT

Abbotsford Community Library (33355 Bevan Ave.) holds a customer appreciation event on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 2 to 3 p.m. Join the Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt, and guess how many beans are in Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans jar. Info: 604-853-1753

BLANKET TIME

Blankets for the Fraser Valley holds its monthly meeting on Thursday, Oct. 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. at  the Abbotsford Co-Op Hall, 32855 Marshall Rd. All are welcome to help put knitted and crocheted blankets together for those in need in Abbotsford. All materials are supplied. Donations of yarn are always appreciated. Info: Nancy Gallagher at 604-504-3713

READING BUDDIES

Volunteers are needed for the Reading Buddy program at the Clearbrook Library (32320 George Ferguson Way) and Abbbotsford Community Library (33355 Bevan Ave.). The program pairs high school students and/or adult volunteers with children in Grades 1 to 4 who need extra help with their reading skills. The volunteers spend 45 minutes a week practising reading with their little buddy. An orientation session is provided to all volunteers. Application forms are available at both libraries.

DANCES EVERY FRIDAY

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 $8 for members and $10 for non-members. The bands for October are:  Geno Vegas (Oct. 7), Brian Zalo (Oct. 14), Inner Mild (Oct. 21) and Stillwater (Oct. 28).

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.

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

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.

FOR THE BLIND

The Blind and Visually Impaired Society meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Legacy Sports Centre, #4 – 3270 Trethewey St. Info: 604-626-0643

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

TOPS IN WEIGHT LOSS

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a non-profit weight-loss support group, meets weekly. For information about evening chapters in Abbotsford and Mission, call Jacquie at 604-556-0535. For daytime chapters, phone Peter at 604-702-8338.

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