Living

High school students on the North Shore who speak French could win up to $12,000 in scholarship money. French for the Future’s ninth annual National Essay Contest is open to Canadian students in grades 10 to 12.

Christmas is looming, your to-do list is haunting you and the kids are driving you nuts. There are the perennial questions.

Setting your table for a dinner party doesn’t have to be a chore if you plan ahead. There are many decorative items on sale in stores at this time of year and you may be able to purchase a few for a real bargain.

The so-called pocket office or micro-office is becoming more and more popular these days as a trend towards living smaller is demanding a more creative use of space within the existing confines of our homes.

A few cuts of this and a few snips of that can go a long way when it comes to decorating for Christmas and where better to start looking for decoration than in the garden.

Once the big day is over, a nice way to relax with family and friends is to host a Boxing Day brunch (especially if you weren’t elected to cook Christmas dinner this year).

Several years ago, my friend Matt would have been an unlikely candidate to accompany me on a restaurant review.

Teen Book Buddies Volunteers The North Vancouver Public Library is looking for teens in grades 10-12 interested in helping children who need support and encouragement in their reading skills. Submit a cover letter and resume to alicam@nvdpl.

UNCOVER YOUR CREEKS on Monday, Jan. 6, 3:15-4:30 p.m. at the entrance to Mahon Park, West 18th and Jones Ave., North Van.

Lita Martin serves sisters Katherina Meyer and Gisela Klotz some refreshments at North Vancouver’s Chartwell Churchill House Retirement Residence’s recent Autumn Harvest open house event.