David Hancock and Karen Bills of Hancock Wildlife Foundation View Eagles

And while you’re visiting the area, check out the scenery aboard a riverboat tour with Fraser River Safari.  For schedules and tour details visit www.fraserriversafari.com.

Sandpiper Golf Resort's Owner, Betty Anne Faulkner and eagle,Sonsie share a wink

The Greater Vancouver Zoo is working with the team at Xa:ytem Interpretive Centre  during the festival as well.  Drop by to see the live exhibit of the Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl and maybe, if you’re lucky, Meredith the Bald Eagle may be visiting.  Xa:ytem features local native art and gifts in their First Nations gift gallery too.  There are great gift ideas for Christmas.  For directions and hours of operation visit www.xaytem.ca.

Extend your eagle viewing adventure with an overnight stay at Sandpiper Golf Resort and Rowena’s Inn.  This exquisite heritage Manor is the former summer home of the Pretty Family. Filled with favourite family antiques and heirlooms, including a photo wall revealing the faces of the family behind the home, the ambiance is cultured and luxurious.  Enjoy a lavish hot and cold breakfast in the solarium located off the main dining lounge, or stay in one of the four west coast chic cabins – each complete with king-sized bed, soaker jacuzzi tub and river rock fireplace – a perfect retreat to relax with a glass of wine while admiring the view out over the river.  Whether you choose to stay at the Inn or in a cabin, the eagles will soar past gracing you with their majesty.  Visit www.sandpiperresort.ca for package details.

The Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society – OWL – is a dynamic organization comprised of people who care deeply about the safety of birds of prey.  The web site offers information on educational programs and special events, as well as contact information should you site a bird in need.  Please visit www.owlcanada.ca.

All Photos Courtesy of R. Bond, CtoC Productions

Interior cabin at Sandpiper Golf Resort and Rowena's Inn

Cozy up in this romantic cabin with someone you love.

Easily one of the most accessible romantic getaways in the lower mainland is at Rowena’s Inn on the River in Harrison Mills.

Located less than two hours from Vancouver, half the fun is getting there. The colours of autumn fuse together like a cozy quilt as you travel along Highway 7. Once you arrive at Rowena’s the warmth, elegance and especially the intimacy of the Inn and its nearby cottages provides the perfect setting to unwind together. Exquisitely decorated with lavish antique furnishings collected for decades by family members, the Inn’s guest rooms and public areas evoke a luxurious standard from a by-gone era, yet remain completely comfortable and relaxing. More recently built, The Cottages offer authentic west coast ambiance with the finest linens, soaker tubs, river rock fireplaces and a cozy seating area from which to take in the soothing views of Harrison River. Sit back, light the fire and savour the complimentary wine and fresh fruit with cheese. Kick back for a few days either exploring the fascinating history of the area – the Pretty family, who own and operate Rowena’s and the adjacent Sandpiper Golf Course and Club – are descendants of one of BC’s founding timber barons, Charles Nelson Pretty.

A challenging but idyllic spot for a hole-in-one.

Great golf, nearby hikes and gentle bike trails are right out the front door affording easy outdoor adventures. Then, as you head back to Vancouver, take the scenic drive back via Highway 7 and be sure to stop at Xa:ytem Long House. This fascinating First Nations cultural attraction provides a most unique opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the Sto:lo, the ‘people of the river’ who have lived in the Fraser Valley for centuries. An advanced society of people who fished, harvested the forests systematically and traveled long distances to trade, the Sto:lo culture is steeped in ceremonial traditions from which all peoples might benefit. Xa:ytem interpreters share their heritage through engaging inter-active displays, Monday through Friday, year round.

Get The Calendar

Harrison Sandpiper Golf Resort

One of the best times of year to visit Harrison Mills and Harrison Hot Springs – only twenty minutes apart by car, is most definitely in the fall. Sturgeon and salmon fishing are popular, as are guided wildlife tours. One of my favourites? Heading out with the Charlie family and their tour company, Sasquatch Tours. From the traditional First Nations welcome dock-side, to touring the lake aboard a certified power boat, the tours provide a unique look into local history.

BC Sportfishing Group, also located in Harrison Hot Springs, offer guides, equipment and incredibly good times for fishing and wildlife tours down the Harrison River.

Mark off November 21 and 22 for the annual Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival. If you’ve never been to watch these majestic creatures return to a familiar nesting ground, this is a fantastic getaway. Pack up the kids and make it a day trip or better still, check out the accommodation packages at Tourism Harrison and go for the entire weekend!

Get Going

• Harrison information at www.tourismharrison.com.
• Fraser Valley golf is at www.fraservalleygolf.ca and for great sport fishing in this area, visit www.bcsportfishinggroup.ca.
• Visit Xa;ytem Lodge at www.xaytem.ca
• The Bald Eagle Festival site is www.fraservalleybaldeaglefestival.ca
• Book your getaway at www.rowenasinn.com or call toll free to 1.800.661.5108

April 18 – May 2

Downtown Art Walk

Follow the yellow footprints to art works in the downtown core.

www.downtownabbotsford.com

June 7

BC Lions

Training Camp

The CFL football squad is back at Abbotsford’s Rotary Stadium to get ready for the coming season.

July 4-5

Abbotsford Berrybeat Festival

The 28th annual Abbotsford Berrybeat Festival is a family-friendly country street festival. Celebrate the bounty of one of the world’s best and most beautiful berry-producing communities.

www.downtownabbotsford.com

July 31 – Aug. 3

Abbotsford Agrifair

One of Abbotsford’s most popular festivals, the Agrifair is a showcase of our agriculture community, and includes a three-day rodeo, lumberjack show and lots of entertainment.

www.agrifair.ca

July 31 – Aug. 9

World Police &

Fire Games

Today, the World Police & Fire Games is a spectacular international sporting event, featuring police officers, firefighters, customs and correction officers from around the world. This year’s event will be hosted in the Fraser Valley, and Albert Dyck Park will be one of the venues hosting these amazing games.

www.2009wpfg.ca

Aug. 7-9

Abbotsford International

Airshow

B.C.’s favourite summer event returns in full force this August! The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are headlining the Centennial of Flight along with special guests the F-86 Sabre, Golden Centennaire Tutor and the CF-18 Hornet Demo.

www.abbotsfordairshow.com

Aug. 19-23

BC Summer Swimming Championships

Centennial Pool in Abbotsford plays host to the Speed Swimming events.

www.bcssa.bc.ca

Sept. 4-5

Canadian National Professional Truck Driving Championships

Top truck drivers from across Canada will compete in a skills competition like no other!

Sept. 18-19

Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale

Come and enjoy great food, entertainment, quilt auction, crafts and much more. Great fun for the whole family.

Sept. 26

2nd Annual Abbotsford Multicultural Festival

This lively festival features cultural and entertainment groups, organizations, food

and more.

www.abbyfest.com;

and culture scene. The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford opened on Sept. 22, 2008 and in the first six months of operation has already seen thousands of visitors and become a fixture in the community.

The welcome figure, Xay teluk, carved by premier Salish artist Stan Greene and Tsimishian artist Reynold Collins greets visitors in his permanent location in the foyer of this new home for arts and cultural activities in Abbotsford and the region.

Preserving and sharing the stories of Abbotsford’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, showcasing the best in arts from both inside and outside the community, this engaging and dynamic gathering place is committed to excellence and quality programming and exposing the public to the multi-disciplinary, inspiring and provocative world of arts and culture. This is the mission of The Reach Gallery Museum.

The inaugural museum installation People of the River, Valley and Land, which runs until Sept. 6, 2009, animates these themes with artifacts, photographs, stories, five commissioned art installations and a digital time map (a favourite of young and old alike).

People of the Valley highlights the St

Relax, balance and energize with spa services that melt away all of your cares and distractions as you unwind in luxurious relaxation lounges and private treatment rooms.

It’s the perfect way to get away from it all.

While these soothing environments are popular with wedding parties and graduations, they also have a steady stream of clients who rely on professional services on a regular basis.

Basic spa treatments are massage, facial, body treatment, manicure and pedicure, but some spas also offer hair removal, makeup application and microdermabrasion.

Some spas offer treatments for both men and women, or specialized packages for couples.

Arrive early at the spa so you are not rushed. You will also have time to relax and enjoy the sauna or steam before your treatment.

Our spas have something for everyone – whether you live here or you are a visitor.

The basic spa treatments are massage, facial, body treatment, manicure and pedicure.

A massage will help you relax and get rid of muscle tension. Experts say a Swedish massage is a good place for beginners.;

Located at 33800 King Rd., the new building will have 7,000 seats for hockey and 8,500 seats for other entertainment when it opens in May.

A deal has already been struck to bring the Calgary Flames’ farm team, based in the American Hockey League, to Abbotsford as the building’s major tenant, however league approval is still pending.

What is known is the date for the first entertainment event, a rock concert on May 9 with the group Third Day.

Having sold more than six million albums worldwide, Third Day has garnered 25 number-one singles during its 17-year career, and also won numerous Grammy and Dove awards. Last year, the band won the 2008 American Music Award for Favourite Contemporary Inspirational Artist.

Also booked is the Monster Truck Spectacular, slated for May 30 and 31. The event features five monster trucks, including the world champion Bounty Hunter and the world champion female driver Kristy Edge in Jurassic Attack.

There will be plenty of raucous action when the superstars of TNA Wrestling come to town. The pro wrestling circuit arrives on June 5.

For more details and a calendar of event, visit: www.abbotsfordcentre.ca;

be surprised.

Whether you are a long-time resident or a newcomer to our community, you may be surprised by just how many fine-dining establishments call Abbotsford home.

You don’t have to travel to Vancouver to get a great meal. Why not spend a little time sampling the local cuisine? Abbotsford boasts restaurants and eateries from fine dining to the exotic, from family fare to fast food and from formal elegance to blue jeans.

Local restaurants take full advantage of the Fraser Valley’s agricultural roots as many of them serve farm-fresh, locally grown products.

For international dining, this city offers everything from Italian, German and Greek to Chinese and Indian fare, just to name a few. Maybe you are looking for a casual and relaxed atmosphere or perhaps your taste leans more towards fine dining.

No matter what tempts your appetite, Abbotsford has it all. In the summertime, many of our local establishments offer outdoor seating so you can dine, get a little sun and take in the beauty that is the Fraser Valley. From pizza to pannini, from hamburgers to high-class cuisine, Abbotsford can satisfy your carvings.

No matter what you like to eat, or how much you want to spend, our restaurants will leave you feeling full and happy.;

Ice cream made right from the dairy, rustic breads hot from the oven, and apples you can pick from the tree: These are but a few of the delicious and nutritious farm-fresh treats that await you in mighty Fraser country.

And finding your way to the barn door has never been easier! Circle Farm Tours are found in six Fraser Valley communities: Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge, Mission, Agassiz, Langley, Chilliwack and, of course, right here in Abbotsford!

Whether you are new to this community or have lived here for years, the Circle Farm Tour can help you enjoy and learn more about our agriculture industry.

Discover the difference fresh ingredients make to a fine meal. Whether you fancy yourself as a chef du jour or prefer to let others do the cooking, you’ll find many delectable delights on the tour menus. Enjoy cool-climate wines, gourmet cheeses, organic chicken, artisan works, antiques and collectibles. Or for the young-at-heart: learn to fish, watch bees making honey, ride a pony, pick your own fruit, and wind your way through a corn maze.

And with the abundance of the markets, nurseries, wild and manicured gardens, you’ll be able to find great ways to beautify your dinner or get landscaping tips from pros.

The tours are self-guided, meaning you travel in your own car, at your own pace, when it suits you. Community brochures and maps direct you to about 12 venues. All relate to agriculture and the area’s farming heritage, providing a fun and educational experience that city kids will love.

Depending where you live, what your interests are, and how much time you have, you build your own itinerary for a day trip or full vacation. For each community, there’s a list of special events, and accommodation options along the route too!

It’s an epicurean treasure map!

Download the brochures at www.circlefarmtour.com, put on your favourite pair of blue jeans, and head north for some tasty treasures!;

Looking for the hottest styles and newest trends? Toys? Electronics? Then look no further than Abbotsford.

You will find high styles at stand-alone stores like Ronald Allan, Pistachio or Gabby’s, hip outfits at Studio 604 or Plouteo, and an East Asian flavour at Suman’s Beauty Bride and Boutique.

If you like indoor malls, Sevenoaks Shopping Centre offers everything from major department stores like Sears and The Bay to small boutique shops like TimeMaster Jewellers.

West Oaks Mall and Power Centre are our largest outdoor malls and have the big names like Zellers, Winners/HomeSense, Future Shop and Home Outfitters, as well as a sprinkling of small stores.

Abbotsford is also home to numerous big box stores – like Costco, Michaels and the Real Canadian Superstore.

And if you haven’t explored Historic Downtown Abbotsford recently, you are in for a treat! Head to the Farmers Market on summer Saturday mornings, and beautiful old-style shops all year round.;

Abbotsford’s recreation facilities received a major addition in 2009, when construction was completed on the 7,000-seat Entertainment and Sports Centre. The sparkling new $67.3 million facility hosts its first event in early May, and is set to stage a wide variety of sporting events and concerts throughout the year.

At the heart of the city is Abbotsford Exhibition Park, located at 32470 Haida Dr., where there is virtually always something happening. The spectacular facility drew the attention of the Canadian Football League’s B.C. Lions, and hosted the club’s training camp from 2006 to 2008. The Lions are set to return to Exhibition Park for the 2009 edition of their training camp.

Rotary Stadium is the park’s crown jewel. With its covered stands for almost 5,000 spectators, the stadium has been the site of the national track and field championships, and has hosted the likes of Donovan Bailey. It is also home to the elite Valley Royals Track and Field Club, and is regularly used by the Abbotsford Falcons Minor Football Association.

Exhibition Park also features a cricket pitch; a trio of fields where Abbotsford’s hugely successful minor soccer teams play; and a quartet of ball diamonds for slo-pitch and baseball. The Abbotsford Rugby Football Club also operates on the Exhibition Park pitch.

The Abbotsford BMX Society has constructed a track and has the goal of becoming the biggest club of its kind in Canada. The club hosted the Pre-World Championships in 2007 and rebuilt the track from top to bottom in advance of the event. The result is a wider, longer, more challenging course that has been described as world-class.

On the ice, Abbotsford has several quality facilities for hockey and other sports. The twin-rinks facility, Centre Ice, 3600 Townline Rd., has become the nerve centre of the hockey community. MSA Arena, 2323 Emerson St., seats 1,000 fans and is the winter home of the Abbotsford Pilots junior B hockey team.

Abbotsford Recreation Centre, at 34890 Old Yale Rd., boasts an Olympic-sized rink which is used for hockey, and is home to the Matsqui Blades speed skating club. ARC also has an indoor pool, while a $500,000 skateboard park, one of the finest in the province, sits adjacent to the facility. In 2008, ARC underwent a $24 million expansion that added 50,000 square feet to the facility. It includes two new gymnasiums and spaces for seniors, youth and families.

Abbotsford’s slate of award-winning recreation facilities also includes Matsqui Recreation Centre, located at 3106 Clearbrook Rd. Most commonly referred to as “The Wave Pool,” this indoor swimming experience has a slide, diving boards, pools of various depths and temperatures, sauna, hot tub and a shallow “beach” area where waves crash every 15 minutes.

Albert Dyck Park on Walmsley Road is another rarity. The little lake, with its steep banks, is one of the most perfect places on the planet on which to waterski.

There were more than 120 parks in Abbotsford at last count, each with its own unique facilities, ranging from basketball courts to pathways to playground equipment.

For information on Abbotsford’s recreation clubs and facilities, call 604-859-3134.;