From pumpkins to trick-or-treating to decorating for Christmas, fall is a great season for many reasons! We are lucky to live in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley of beautiful British Columbia which offer so many events and attractions for every season. Whether you're continuing old traditions or looking to add new ones, this list will keep you busy!

Pumpking Patches and Corn Mazes

Maan Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, Abbotsford | September 17 - November 1

Loft Country Farms, Langley | October 1-31

Southlands Farm Pumpkin Patch, Vancouver | October 1-31

Aldor Acres Family Farm, Langley | September 18 - October 31

Laity Pumpkin Patch, Maple Ridge | September 30 - Octoebr 31

Willow View Farms Pumpkin Patch, Abbotsford | October 1-31

Chilliwack Corn Maze, Chilliwack | October 1-31

Halloween 2021 Events

Fly Over Canada Halloween Edition at Canada Place

Fright Nights at the P.N.E.

Glow in the Garden at VanDusen Gardens

Pumpkin Train (Day Time) at Bear Creek Park

Scream Train (Night Time) at Bear Creek Park

Halloween in the Forest at at Surrey Nature Centre

Celebrate the Night at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge

Markets and Shows

Vancouver Fall Home Show | October 14-17

Westcoast Small Home Expo | October 18

The Vintage Barn Market | November 5-7

The Olde Farmhouse Vintage Market | November 13-14

There's yet another reason to pick that walkable community you've been thinking about for your next home. Walking is good for brain health and could contribute to keeping seniors more cognitively fit. 

That's according to new research by the BRAIN Lab at Colorado State University. It shows that aerobic exercise, particularly walking, positively affects – refreshes – the brain’s white matter. "White matter deterioration is associated with cognitive impairment in healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease," says the study.

Even if you've been inactive during the pandemic, putting on your walking shoes could improve your health. And living somewhere that allows for regular strolls and running errands on foot makes daily walks all the easier. Walkable communities also improve satisfaction, according to a pair of studies, the “Community and Transportation Preference Surveys,” conducted by the National Association of REALTORS^® earlier this year.

Respondents who strongly agree that there are "lots of places to walk nearby" show an 8% increase in quality of life, for example. And older generations – Gen X and beyond – and those with higher incomes showed an increased interest in walkability. 

So, when you're scoping out a new neighbourhood, keep an eye out for the elements that make for a walkable community. 

According to Walkscore, they are: 

-A center: Walkable neighborhoods have a center, whether it's a main street or a public space.

-People: Enough people for businesses to flourish and for public transit to run frequently.

-Mixed-income, mixed-use: Affordable housing located near businesses.

-Parks and public space: Plenty of public places to gather and play.

-Pedestrian design: Buildings are close to the street and parking lots are relegated to the back.

-Schools and workplaces: Close enough that most residents can walk from their homes.

-Complete streets: Streets designed for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit.

In 2020, Walkscore ranked Canada's most walkable cities and the top five are:

1. Vancouver (79.8 out of 100)
2. Montreal (65.4)
3. Toronto (61.0)
4. Hamilton (49.6)
5. Mississauga (48.9)

Additional Resources:

Learn more about walkable communities, how to incorporate walking into your day-to-day life, and where to find walking groups. 

• Build a Better Burb
• Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines
• Park People's Walk in a Park
• Walk n Roll

A FEW ROUTINE ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER:

As the season changes from summer to fall, it's a good time to go through an end-of-summer cleaning checklist. Here are four tips to get you started:

Clean Outdoor Furniture

Scrub all patio furniture and wash or wipe cushion covers. Cover outdoor furniture or store in a covered area to avoid rust and dirt accumulating over the winter.

Scrub the Grill

The BBQ's time to shine is coming to an end. Give it a thorough clean to remove grease and grime. Try this all-natural grill cleaner recipe:

1 tbsp baking soda

1 tbsp distilled white vinegar

1 tbsp natural/biodegradable cleaner

1 ball or sheet of aluminum foil

2 tbsp avocado oil spray (or similar high-heat oil)

Garage or Storage Sweep

Clear out your garage, shed, or storage locker and give it a thorough sweep. Brush away cobwebs and purge no-longer-needed items as you go. You can also oil your garage door and chain and all door hinges while you're in there.

Scrub Garden Tools

Scrub down garden tools to prevent rusting. Also, take advantage of end-of-summer sales to replenish your gardening supplies so you're ready to start fresh in the spring.

This may seem hard to believe, but many people thoroughly enjoy their moving day and the time leading up to it. The secret? Being organized. Make sure you have the right tools, start early and work steadily. Make progress every day instead of leaving it all until the last minute.

Here are 14 tips for packing like a pro:

1. Develop a master “packing/to do” list so you won’t forget something critical.

2. Purge! Get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.

3. Before throwing something out, remember to ask yourself how frequently you use that item and how you would feel if you no longer had it.

4. Pack like items together. Put toys with toys and kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils.

5. Decide what, if anything, you plan to move yourself. Precious items, such as family photos, breakable valuables, or must-haves during the move should probably stay with you.

6. Use the right box for the item. Items packed loosely are more likely to be damaged.

7. Put heavy items in small boxes so they are easier to lift. Keep the weight under 50 lbs., if possible.

8. Do not over pack boxes, boxes that are packed comfortably will be less likely to break.

9. Wrap each fragile item separately and pad the bottom and sides of boxes.

10. Label every box on all sides. You never know how they will be stacked and you do not want to have to move other boxes aside to find out what is inside.

11. Use colour-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Colour-code a floor plan for your new house to help your movers.

12. Keep your moving documents together, including phone numbers, the driver’s name, and van number.

13. Back up your computer files before moving your computer.

14. Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as soon as it arrives. Remember, most movers won’t take plants.