EVENTS

Abbotsford Right to Life Society hosts a forum on stem cell technology on Thursday, Oct. 8 at Clearbrook Library (32320 George Ferguson Way). The free session begins at 7:15 p.m. and features guest speaker Dr. Clem Persaud, formerly a professor of microbiology from Victoria. Info: 604-852-4623.

The Employment Mentors’ and Host programs at Abbotsford Community Services (2420 Montrose Ave.) hold a Thanksgiving celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be served. RSVP to Pat Christie at 604-217-0444 or Nimrita Bains at 604-217-3055.

Stop! Drop! and Roll! – a special Fire Prevention Week story time – takes place at the Clearbrook Library (32320 George Ferguson Way) on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m. Firefighters will be on hand to share their stories. Info: 604-859-7814.

CLASSES

Registration is on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to noon for the next set of computer classes offered by the Abbotsford Seniors’ Association. Sessions are held Thursdays and Fridays, beginning this week. Beginners are at noon, and intermediates start at 1 p.m. Cost is $60. Classes and registration are at the drop-in centre, 2631 Cyril St.

MSA Museum (2313 Ware St.) holds the next session in its Making Memories workshop series on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ellen Kingswell leads the session, Kept in Stitches, and teaches participants how to make a Christmas brooch. Cost is $25. Info: 604-853-0313.

Abbotsford Learning Plus Society holds two workshops this week in its fall series. The first, held Tuesday, Oct. 6 features jewelry designer Leslie Easte. The second takes place Thursday, Oct. 8 and is about the Abbotsford Police’s Operation Tarnish campaign. Both sessions start at 10 a.m. at Abbotsford Recreation Centre. Admission is $2 plus entrance to the rec centre. Info: 604-302-1685.

Gladwin Language Centre (3145 Gladwin Rd.) hosts a free workshop called How to Teach Reading on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Info: 604-854-8160 or gladwinlanguagecentre.com.

SOCIAL CLUBS

Dances are held every Friday by the Abbotsford Seniors’ Association (ASA).The dances run from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the ASA hall, 33889 Essendene Ave. Cost is $5.50 for members and $6 for non-members. Adults of all ages are invited. Bands for this month are Ben Isaac (Oct. 9), Cadence (Oct. 16), Sweetwater (Oct. 23) and Gracie (Oct. 30).

Mission Library (33247 Second Ave.) hosts the League of Extraordinary Readers Teen Book Club on Thursday, Oct. 8 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The club is open to youths aged 12 to 18. Food is served. Info: 604-826-6610.

The Abby-Mission Newcomers – a social group for women new to the area – meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. For location and other information, call Gayle at 604-870-4929.

The Central Fraser Valley Retirees meet the second Thursday of each month at Abbotsford Recreation Centre, 2499 McMillan Rd. The speaker on Oct. 8 is Brenda Borody of the Abbotsford BCAA. Info: Gary at 604-820-9179.

Blankets for Canada, a non-profit Canada-wide organization, holds a blanket-joining party on Thursday, Oct. 8. The session is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Michaels arts and crafts store in Abbotsford. Volunteers will join crocheted and knitted squares into blankets for those in need in Abbotsford. All materials are supplied. Donations of yarn are appreciated. Info: Nancy Gallagher at 604-504-3713.

The Abbotsford Quilters’ Guild meets the second Tuesday of each month at Ross Road Community Church, 3160 Ross Rd. The lending library opens at 9:30 a.m., and the morning meeting starts at 10 a.m. The evening session is at 6 p.m. Info: Ruth at 604-854-6440 or abbotsfordquilters.org.

SUPPORT

Living Room – a faith-based support group for people with a mood disorder – meets the second and fourth Fridays of each month at Highland Community Church from noon to 2 p.m. Info: John at konconsult@gmail.com or Lorraine at lorraineisaak@hotmail.com.

La Leche League meets the second Thursday of each month at Northview Community Church. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and is for pregnant and new moms looking for information about breastfeeding. Info: Catherine at 604-859-1797.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a non-profit weight-loss support group, meets every week. For information about chapters in Abbotsford, call Lynda at 604-856-8014.