This wet shoulder season,  existing between winter’s slush and springtime’s sun, can be a damp and forlorn time of year – in other words, one not always ideal for entertaining kids on a two-week break from school. Fortunately, there are a number of local diversions for Lynn Valley families to keep both children and adults busy this month.

Most novel is the appearance of Shawn Farquhar at Friday Night Live on Friday, March 7.  This internationally acclaimed magician has appeared on the Ellen show and even managed to hoodwink magician/comedian duo Penn and Teller on their British television program Fool Us.  This is perhaps not surprising, given that Farquhar has won numerous international awards, including the Grand Prix World Champion of Magic title in the Olympics of Magic in Beijing in 2009.

Farquhar has appeared once before at Friday Night Live, and FNL organizers say he was an incredible hit, staying behind for an added 90 minutes to engage with the audience. They say the Maple Ridge native is delighted to be returning to Lynn Valley this week – warmed, perhaps, by memories of the birthday cake they had waiting for him at his last FNL appearance. As always, the Friday Night Live guest performance will be bookended by hilarious musical theatre improv performed by Add Libretto, working off suggestions provided by the audience.

For more information about Farquhar’s appearance, and upcoming FNL guests, visit www.fnlnorthvan.com. Tickets are $10 each, or $25 per family (and people under 12 are free).

Kids break ground

There’s still time to register for the Real Farming series for six to 12 year olds. On the first Saturday morning of each month from March through to June, participants will roll up their sleeves and learn about urban farming at Loutet Farm, just off Grand Boulevard.

Register for this Edible Garden Project program through Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 604-990-3755.

The ecology centre itself will be hosting by-donation “Wildlife Weeks Family Events” during the school break. From March 16 to 28, a wide range of events will be presented, from black light puppet shows to visits from birds of prey and reptiles, to learning about a day in the life of a wildlife rehabilitation worker. For information on the programs and other spring break opportunities, click here.

Library offers movies, books, crafts

Libraries offer more than just books these days (although the 200,000-plus books circulating in the local library system could keep anyone busy for several lifetimes).

Also on offer, however, are family movie nights (Dallas Buyers Club and Frozen are being screened at the Lynn Valley branch this month), craft workshops and Lego clubs. See our events calendar for a few events happening at the Lynn Valley library this month, or visit the library website for a full listing.