The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit.

The Scout List is our carefully considered first rate list of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. From our calendar to yours…

Stock up on spring reading material tonight at the VPL book sale.
April 9 | 10 am 9 pm | VPL Main Branch | FREE (prices range from .55 to 2.75)

Catch Yellow Submarine and Magical Mystery Tour at the Rio. For the bravest among you: costumes are encouraged.
April 9 | Midnight | Rio | $10

Looking for new music? Try Apollo Ghost – they have a sweet CD release party going down at the Little Mountain Gallery.
April 10 | 7pm | Little Mountain Gallery | By Donation (proceeds will go to the Canadian Red Cross)

At a loss for something to do Saturday night? Two words: Alpen Club. Hold on to your lederhosen – it’s beerfest time (check out our video from last year).
April 10 | 8pm | Alpen Club | $15

How’s this for awesome and unlikely? There’s a Bumblebee Workshop at VanDusen this weekend – though it comes with a bit of a price tag – but I have no doubt that it’s worth it as you get to make your own bumblebee nest! Find out more…
April 10 | 1 – 4 pm | VanDusen Gardens | $65

Hit the Free Store at Rhizome Cafe. The theme for this month is kitchen stuff: favourite recipes, cookbooks, and kitchen gadgets – you get the drift. Fingers crossed! I’m looking for a new juicer…
April 11 | 5 – 8 pm | Rhizome Cafe | FREE – and then some

Pay homage to those hard working local farmers that keep you in fresh food during the winter months with a trip to WISE hall this weekend. Pick up hearty root veggies, spring greens and dried fruit to keep you going.
April 10 | 10am | WISE Hall | FREE (the admission part anyway, veggies tend to cost a few cents)

Baker’s Market. Earl Grey Cupcakes here I come. Check out our recent post on this to whet your appetite.
April 10 | 11 am – 3 pm | 408 East Kent Avenue South, Back door #115 | Find out more…

From this weeks Zulu report: “Beach House bring back the dreamy, hazy sound that made Galaxie 500 and Mazzy Star so great.” read more… catch Beach House at the Rickshaw on Sunday.
April 11 | 8pm | Rickshaw Theatre

Food Matters: A Closer Look at Farmed Salmon (video screening followed by discussion)
April 13 | Christ Church Cathedral | 7:15 | FREE

It’s Indie Week out at UBC’s Norm Theatre. Catch a load of UBC (April 13) and Emily Carr (April 14) student films as well as (April 16) 65 Red Roses, (April 17) She’s a Boy I Knew, and Crude Sacrifices. Full scoop here.
April 13 – 17 | 7:30pm | Norm Theatre, SUB UBC | Week-Long Passes only $10

Again – not the cheapest activity of the week – but remember those 70’s t-shirt with velvety textured images? Learn how to make one for yourself. That’s gotta be a good skill to pick up.  Details at Blim…
April 15 | 6 – 9 pm | Blim | $60

A 22nd Century City: Reinventing our DNA. “What will it take to transform our cities? What changes do we need to make in the basic operating code in how cities function? In this lecture, Thomas Osdoba will argue for creating a culture of innovation around sustainability — and ways to make it happen.” Sounds fascinating.
April 15 | 7 pm  | SFU Segal Building | FREE but reservations are required. Reserve here.
DRAT update : Unfortunately, this public lecture has been canceled due to speaker unavailability.

British author Ian McEwan is in town promoting his new book (Solar) and will be interviewed by Jerry Wasserman at St. Andrew’s. Don’t miss this one. Thanks VIWF!
April 15 | 7:30 pm | St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church (Burrard at Nelson) | $20

——————————————————————————————–

Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives by the beach in Vancouver and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

——————————————————————————————–