Living

MUFFINS are one of my favourite things to bake, especially ones that feature fresh fruit. Now that sweet summer berries and tree fruits are hitting the stores, take a few moments to whip up a batch of muffins for breakfast.

SOME plants are grown for their luxurious foliage, other plants are grown for their colourful flowers, but some plants are grown for the wildlife they attract into the garden.

THE words "compost coaching" may conjure up images of a gardener perched intensely over a compost bin coaxing worms to munch through apple cores, but a program offered by the North Shore Recycling Program is a little more down-to-earth.

Pub fundraiser: A fundraiser and silent auction will be held Saturday, Aug. 4 in support of Dave Hawkins, manager of Sailor Hagar's Liquor Store.

AS part of its continued support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, CIBC has launched the 2012 edition of the CIBC Pink Collection this week

- Hurdal Summer Shuffle and Slide: A five-kilometre walk/run for adults and 2.5-km fun run for kids, with an optional slip and slide finish for both courses, along the West Vancouver Seawalk, Saturday, Aug. 11, starting at Dundarave Park at 8: 30 a.

I went for a walk with my dogs today completely naked. Don't be alarmed, I do pilates four days a week. Seriously though, I haven't lost my mind nor was I on some hallucinogenic drug.

NEXT time you're rushing from Swartz Bay to downtown Victoria, consider taking your time in the interests of a tasteful detour.

"MY brother. He's a barber too," says Fred Kirby. I'm at Kirby's Hair Designs in North Vancouver. Inside, classic car models are displayed near vintage red leather barber chairs, one occupied by Fred's next customer, a regular.

Harmony Arts Festival: A trip down memory lane for the young at heart. Seniors can dance to the sounds of Dal Richards' Orchestra Sunday, Aug. 5, 2-4 p.m. and the Yaletown String Quartet will perform Sunday, Aug. 12, 2-4 p.m.