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 agenda 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…

MONDAY | December 26

CHIP | If you just can’t wait to get rid of your Christmas tree, you can get it recycled at UBC Botanical Garden starting on Boxing Day. Rest assured, tree recycling goes on until January 8th (for those of you who like to be a bit more leisurely about these kind of things). | DETAILS

GAME | The Canucks play the Edmonton Oilers tonight on home soil. If you aren’t able to hook up with tickets, consider the ANZA club or the lounge area at Campagnolo (with a nice pizza pie). We also hear the rear room at Bitter is awesome for games | DETAILS

TROPICAL | I don’t know if you’ve looked at the weather forecast for Vancouver the week, but it’s not phenomenal. Stay warm and cozy by hitting the Bloedel Conservatory for a tropical walk amongst twinkling lights and over 1,000 poinsettias. Draw out that magical holiday buzz on without the frostbite! | DETAILS

SKATE | Grab your skates (or rent them once you’re there) and hit Robson Square for a lap of twelve around the rink. Take your thermal mug, some nice thick gloves and your residual holiday cheer. | DETAILS

TUESDAY | December 27

SCORE | Abigail’s Party is open for brunch today. Have a brisk wander along Kits Beach and then climb up Yew St. for a well deserved meal of comfort food and fresh squeezed juices. Word is some champers might flow. | DETAILS

MOVIE | Ooh. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is playing at the Rio all week. “Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty.” | DETAILS

GLUTTONY | The Long Table Series is throwing down with Line Caught Ling Cod, Winter Vegetable and White Bean Stew with a pint of Innis and Gunn tonight. I don’t know about you, but that sounds darn near perfect to me. | DETAILS

ART | The Vancouver Art Gallery is open late tonight and after 5pm admission by donation. It’s a good time to scoot in and check out An Autobiography of Our Collection (an investigation of the history of collecting at the Vancouver Art Gallery) | DETAILS

WEDNESDAY | December 28

WATCH | Some movies are just meant to be seen on the big screen. Being that this is the best week of the year for hitting theatres, why not catch a mid-week flick? The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is on at the Fifth Avenue Cinemas this week. The revised American version is said to be pretty snappy. Well, that and Daniel Craig is in it. Just saying’ | DETAILS

HOPE | Today is a good day to make your way to Chinatown and check out the Hope in Shadows exhibition at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Chill out and regain some perspective with a glance at photographs selected from the HIS archive: “the images in this exhibition are perspectives on garden spaces, and artistic and scholarly pursuits in the Downtown Eastside.” This show is only on until Saturday. | DETAILS

MORE ART | George Vergette: The Sweetest Asian Transexual is showing at The Waldorf’s Black & Yellow Gallery. The show, curated by Graeme Berglund, is “A group of text based work from disparate sources – sex ads, Facebook, novelty signs, twitter, national newspapers and radio interviews – homogenized into a modern aesthetic using basic Helvetica.” | DETAILS

THURSDAY | December 29

FRESH AIR | Yes, it’s damp out. But that’s never stopped us Vancouverites from enjoying nature – right? Throw on gloves and scarf and hit the Endowment Lands for a solid afternoon hike. Best thing about that plan? La Ghianda is justifiably close for a post walk minestrone soup. | DETAILS

STAGE | A little Samuel Beckett puts a new twist on things. Get cultured – catch Waiting For Godot at the Cultch. The ‘profound comedic masterpiece’ opens tonight and runs until January 21. | DETAILS

MUSIC | The Waldorf is presenting one of their “Soundtrack To My Life…” gigs tonight. This one is with Paul Wong. The first 25 attendees will be given a limited edition CD with custom artwork. | DETAILS

MOTHER MOTHER | Mother Mother is playing at the Commodore. If you can make it down tonight, there’s another show tomorrow afternoon and then another tomorrow night. Tickets are selling out, so get on it. | DETAILS

FRIDAY | December 30

EAT | The Union is set to open this week. You never know with this sort of thing, but with a little luck, the new Strathcona restaurant may be pulling pints by today. Head down for a beer and some southeast Asian snacks. | DETAILS

SNOW | Head up to Grouse Mountain for a sleigh ride through a snowy forest or lace up some skates for a turn on the mountain’s outdoor rink. Both activities come free with admission to the mountain. Other free activities include snowshoeing, Theatre Under the Sky, and the Endangered Wildlife (wolf) Habitat. | DETAILS

WATCH | Goodfellas is the midnight movie at the Rio tonight. Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci in the Martin Scorsese classic, how does it get better than that? (Maybe a little popcorn on the side?) | DETAILS

BALLET | Didn’t get a chance to hit the ballet in the run-up to Christmas? No problem. Ballet Alberta performs the Nutcracker tonight (and tomorrow night). Keep the holiday cheer flowing with Tchaikovsky’s Christmas favourite. | DETAILS

SATURDAY | December 31

EAT WELL | There are a number of lucky foods to fill your belly with today in preparation for 2012. Gobble a grape for every month. Feast on cooked greens (they resemble money) and pork (progress). | DETAILS

NYE | The wiki: “New Year’s Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year’s Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the incoming year. The observance of New Year’s Eve generally extends through midnight of January 1 (New Year’s Day).” You don’t say? Have fun. Stay safe. | DETAILS

FIRST FOOT | Heads up, it’s important to think about who will be your ‘First -Footer this year. In Scottish folklore, the first-foot is the first person to cross the threshold of a home on New Year’s Day and a bringer of good fortune for the coming year. The first-foot is traditionally a tall, dark-haired male who brings with him coal (for warmth), a coin (for prosperity), some bread (full belly), and a drink (um – whisky) for good cheer. | DETAILS

SUNDAY | January 1

FREEZE | On the icy shores of English Bay, a Vancouver tradition goes down. Yes, it’s time for the Polar Bear Swim. Some swear by it, thinking it’s THE best way to start a new year (others could give a shit because they’re still half cut and asleep). Costumes and the Peter Pantages Memorial 100 yard swim race are the highlights. Rumour has it that a few swigs from the scotch bottle beforehand can help boost courage (not that we encourage that sort of thing). | DETAILS

BRUNCH | New Years Day brunch is a good idea. But it’s an idea that a lot of people have so plan ahead. Plenty of fine Vancouver restaurants open their doors. Chinese dim sum at Sun Sui Wah anyone? | DETAILS

STYLE | Feeling broke? Don’t worry. A thin wallet doesn’t mean you have to live with last year’s fashion choices. Start 2012 with a snappy new coat or sweater from Community Thrift & Vintage. The Gastown vintage shop(s) have racks of $25 coats and $5 sweaters, so load the hell up. | DETAILS

——————————————————————————————–

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 in beautiful Strathcona and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

——————————————————————————————–