November 27

. Ridge Meadows Autism Information and Support group welcomes Perry Bateson of Yuen's Family Martial Arts to provide information on bully-proofing your special-needs child. The group meets from 6: 30 to 8: 30 p.m. at Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living. Bateson will be at the meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. For more information or to RSVP: Tracy.Hewgill@rmacl.org or 604-467-8700 ext. 119.

November 28 . Kanaka open mic features local singer-songwriters Candice Metz and Alexandria Shankland from 5 to 7: 30 p.m. at the Kanaka Creek Coffee, #101-24155 102nd Ave., Maple Ridge. Info: 604463-6727.

November 28

. Ridge Meadows College and the Community Literacy Committee are co-hosting a free workshop on preventing identity theft presented by Vancity volunteers from 7 to 9 p.m. To register for this hands-on workshop, call 604-466-6555 ext. 203, fax 604-463-5437 or email rmc@ sd42.ca. The workshop will be held at Riverside Centre, 20575 Thorne Ave.

November 28

. The Salvation Army Caring Place will be hosting its first annual Dignity Breakfast with keynote speaker Dr. Peter Legge of Canada Wide Media Ltd. The event is at the Maple Ridge ACT from 7: 30 to 9 a.m. Tickets are $50 and are available by calling Amelia Norrie at 604463-8296 ext. 106 or email amelia.norrie@caringplace. ca.

November 30 . Hominum Fraser Valley, an informal discussion and support group to help gay, bisexual, and questioning men, meets at 7: 30 p.m. For information and meeting location, call Art at 604-462-9813 or Don at 604-329-9760.

December 2

. Alouette Field Naturalists are visiting Pipers Spit at Burnaby Lake. Meet at Harris Road and Dewdney Trunk Road at 9: 30 a.m. Info: Ken at 604-831-9079.

December 3

. Golden Ears Gogos are hosting an African-themed dinner in the cafeteria at Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary, 10445 245th St. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner is served at 5: 30 p.m. for $20 per person. Contact a Gogos member or rclancaster@shaw.ca or lindaking7@ gmail.com to purchase a ticket. Tickets must be pre-purchased. Bring cash or a cheque for the silent auction. All profits go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

December 6

. A Seniors Helping Seniors meeting takes place at 9: 30 a.m. at the Ridge Meadows Seniors Activity Centre, 12150 224th St.

December 6

. Cinema Politica is showing Threadbare: A Film on Canada's War on Terror from 7 to 9 p.m. at Maple Ridge Muncipal Hall, 11995 Haney Pl. This film takes its audience back to the summer of 2003, when 24 South Asian men, all Muslims, were arrested by Canadian police and immigration under "Project Thread," a purported anti-terror investigation.

December 8

. The I Love to Dance Christmas dance includes a cha cha lesson from Robyn Picard from 7 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. The dance takes place at the Ridge Meadows Seniors Activity Centre, 12150 224th St. Info: www.ilovetodance.ca or Ray at 604-836-7295.

December 8

. Marv Jones Honda is hosting a fundraiser for the Friends In Need Food Bank from 11: 30 a.m. to 3: 30 p.m. There will be a silent auction with all proceeds going to the food bank, pictures with Santa, facepainting, and crafts for the kids, and food. Marv Jones Honda at 20611 Lougheed Hwy. will also be accepting donations for the food bank for the weeks leading up to Christmas before and after the event.

Warm Winter Nights

. Maple Ridge health unit and volunteer resources at Ridge Meadows Hospital are asking for help to make this winter a little warmer for those less fortunate. Drop off gently used winter coats or new socks and gently used boots and shoes by Dec. 3 to the RMH Volunteer Resources office, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The items will be given out at the December public health clinic at the Caring Place.

Chess club

. Ridge Meadows Chess Club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m. at The ACT. Info: Chris at 604-467-2426 or cbdickson@ telus.net.

Support group

. A support group for widowed and divorced women aged 55 and older meets the last Friday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. George's Anglican Church Hall, 23500 Dewdney Trunk Rd. They hold social activities, presentations about seniors concerns, and grief counselling. Info: Rose at 604-467-8319 or Lil at 604-463-4703.

Volunteers needed

. Cythera Thrift Store has volunteer opportunities for weekend retail cashiers. Shifts are one hour in duration. Full training and support provided. Call Shelley at 604-467-4671. Net proceeds support women and children fleeing abuse.

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