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…

Playland is open, so there’s that right off the bat.

Trout Lake Farmers Market is open, too.
May 15 | 9 am – 2 pm | North Parking Lot of John Hendry Park at Trout Lake | FREE

The Jericho Sailing Centre opens it’s doors for the curious this weekend. If that isn’t a sign of Spring, I don’t know what is. Find out about upcoming programs and learn about what the center can offer you and your dinghy, windsurfer, sailboat or kayak. Always a good place to grab a burger and beer and take in the view. Full scoop here.
May 15 | 12-4 pm | Jericho Sailing Centre | FREE

Get your ride road ready and looking snappy for the summer! Head to Strathcona (either Union Market or The Wilder Snail) for the Velopalooza bike wash. Bonus – grab baked goods and coffee from the Snail and crash in Maclean Park – perfect chill out spot for pre or post Velopalooza activities.
May 15 |  11 am–5 pm | Union Market (Union and Heatly) or the Snail (799 Keefer) | By donation

The second annual Spring Fling over at Cedar Cottage Community Garden happens this weekend. The day will include children’s activites, gardening workshops, entertainment, a poetry contest, and plant, craft and bake sales.
May 15 | 11am | Victoria Dr. and Hull Street – Under the skytrain at the big red

The Emily Carr University of Art + Design Graduation Exhibitions continues until Sunday.

The Museum of Vancouver continues its cool and interesting string of exhibits with Fox, Fluevog & Friends: The story behind the shoes: “150 shoes dating from 1968 to 2000 are featured, complemented by photographs, catalogues, newspaper articles, sketches and customer comments”.
May 13 |  7pm |  Museum of Vancouver | $15

Catch up with Lanefab designer and sustainability consultant Bryn Davidson at the Lighthouse Sustainability Centre this weekend as he dishes on the pilot project to create a green laneway house. www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/
May 15 | 2-4 pm | Lighthouse Sustainability Centre | $5

Get ready to prep your garden with two cool gardening workshops:

Organic Urban Gardening 101 at Walrus. This workshop is lead by Vancouver garden design experts of Aloe Designs and goes down in the stylish and community oriented digs of Walrus on Cambie. This is the first of 3 workshops – I promise to find out how much it’ll cost you before #2. Please rsvp to [email protected]
May 16th | 11am – 12pm | Walrus (3408 Cambie)

Get in on the rooftop garden class on growing in small spaces. This workshop is hosted by the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation and is aimed at people who are interested in growing food in the city but have limited space. Facilitators will review the basics of growing in small spaces and teach you about succession growing (growing multiple crops throughout the summer) as well as waterwise gardening.
May 15 | 2pm | SPEC – 2150 Maple| Only 5 spaces left.

Artspeak gallery is being transformed into a temporary space for the sale, presentation, and discussion of contemporary art publishing this weekend. “The selection of printed matter for the store has been made by Motto, a Berlin and Zürich-based bookstore and distributor specializing in experimental, small run, and self-published artist books, magazines, and fanzines.” Hit the gallery Saturday afternoon for the opening lecture.
May 15 | 2pm | ARTSPEAK | FREE

Lots of goodies and trinkets to root through at the 21st Century Flea Market .
May 16 | 10 am–3 pm | $4

This Blim workshop sounds worth a peek: “Screen print your own designs onto ceramic tile. 4? and 6? bisque tiles provided. Learn to print using actual glazes. Makes a lovely gift, coaster, soap dish, or wall art. All materials provided. You bring your own designs. Or we can provide some.”
May 17 | 6 – 9 PM | BLIM | $60

Opera Pro Cantanti presents Verdi’s masterful rendition of Macbeth. Nothing says spring like bloody hands. I know, right ? But you just gotta love that Shakespeare.
May 16 | 7:30pm | Cambrian Hall (17th & Main) | $15

Oh, and the UBC Farm’s Growing Season Workshop Series presents another (slim) chance of taking part in their famous Cheese Making with David Rotsztain: “Love cheese? Ever wonder how cheese is made? Want to save money by learning how to make it yourself?  This practical workshop will provide a wonderful introduction to the world of cheese making.  Your very own cheese handbook will be provided.” Registration is limited to 15 people each workshop and sell out VERY quickly.
Not until May 20, but did I mention they sell out in a heartbeat? | 2-5pm or 6-9 | $30

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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.

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