Deals and more deals are available at the third annual A Night of Festive Shopping to Support Local Kids, which is set to take place tonight (Nov. 15) from 5 to 9 p.m.

For $5 you'll get access to festive deals at businesses all over Downtown Maple Ridge, plus you can enter to win shopping sprees, gift baskets, and gift certificates.

To see what five bucks will get you, look at the two-page BIA spread in The TIMES on Nov. 13, or visit http: //downtownmapleridge.ca.

Proceeds from ticket sales go to local non-profits that benefit kids and youth in this community. Call 604-467-2420 for ticket locations.

STORES SPOTLIGHT DIABETES

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and at least two local grocery stores are taking part - Pitt Meadows' Real Canadian Superstore in Meadowtown Centre and the Extra Foods at 224th Street in Maple Ridge.

Following on the heels of some diabetes-friendly cooking classes held at Superstore yesterday (Nov. 14), both that store and its Loblaw affiliate Extra Foods, are offering diabetes-risk assessments and giving out information on the topic of blood-glucose monitoring throughout November.

One in four of us is reported to have diabetes or prediabetes, and it is estimated that will escalate to one in three by 2020.

Might be worth a visit.

CHAMBER HOSTS SUMMIT

Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce is hosting a business summit and trade show at Meadow Garden Golf Club on Nov. 22 from 3 to 9 p.m.

The event cost is $10, which allows guests to visit the booths as well as hear experts speak on topics such as succession planning, HST to PST transitions, franchising, social media, and financing.

To find out more about booth space or speaking opportunities contact Jesse at 604-463-3366 or email jesse@ridgemeadowschamber.com.

MOBILE LICENCES GET MOVING

Di o c mobile

District of Maple Ridge and City of Pitt Meadows are two of nine communities that have joined the mobile licence program.

Each community has agreed to implement a one-year, inter-municipal, business-licence pilot - which will make it easier for businesses to operate in those communities.

The other communities involved are Surrey, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Hope, and both Langley Township and Langley City.

The Mobile Business Licence (MBL), also referred to as an inter-municipal business licence, reduces red tape as it allows mobile businesses to operate in more than one municipality by purchasing one licence, rather than by obtaining non-resident permits in each municipality in which they operate. Info: www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/mobile.html.