by Michelle Sproule | 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…

IDEAS | What Is Cohousing? American Architect Charles Durrett is in town to tell us all about it. The whole idea is to combine the independence of private dwellings with the financial and environmental advantages of shared resources. He’ll give a presentation and slideshow about the concept and practice that just might get you thinking that a version of Utopia is a possibility. Interesting gig. Sensible stuff. I like the sound of it.
February 23 | 7-9 pm | WISE Hall (1882 Adanac) | $10

URBAN MYTH | Have you heard about the tunnels underneath Chinatown? Word has it is that a secret system of tunnels was created to shuffle people back and forth after a government imposed curfew. But where are they? Vancouver historian John Atkin gives a presentation (Exploring a Dead End: The Chinatown Tunnel Myth) that looks at the origin of the tunnel myth, “from early San Francisco tour guide’s stories and “eyewitness” accounts, to the tunnels as a side show attraction and early film.” Get the full scoop at the Museum of Vancouver on Thursday night.
Thursday, February 23 | 7:30 pm | Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut)| Details 

POP-UP | The Beggars Banquet sets up for it’s second pop-up market in the old Boneta space this weekend. Stop in to score some new duds, retro trinkets or sleek accessories. The Found and The Freed will be there with their regular line-up of beautiful treasures, so will Red Flag (dig those canvas pillows and bags) as well as Sharks + Hammers, Cocolico, Twenty One Tonnes (decor & accessories) and Blue Owl. There will be a cash bar kids…make a night of it.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Feb 24, 25, 26) | Fri 6pm, Sat + Sun 11- 6pm | Boneta 1 West Cordova | $2 Admission | Details

SECRET | Along lower Main Street there’s a little gallery space and in the alley behind it there is silver gate. Through that gate (this Friday night) will be a pop up dinner …  wait, is this sounding vaguely familiar?  Yes, something similar went down a few weeks back. And yes, it was crazy popular and people were turned away at the door.  They’re still not taking reservations or telling just anyone where the dinner will be, but if you contact the organisers they might just hook you up with what you need to know. This week’s super-cool, can’t-tell-you-where dinner (“A Chance of Meatballs”) is all about the love of German comfort food. It’s gonna be köstlich! (that’s German for delicious). Organizers will be serving Zwiebelkuchen (onion tart) mit Blue Cheese und Stewed Figs, Spätzle mit Mother’s Sauerkraut, Meatballs* und Gravy (*or Mushroom und Walnut Bulette), and Brandy Baked Apple, House-Made Ice Cream und Praline.
Friday, February 24 | 6:30pm till 11pm | Contact ludzuxiexie {at} gmail.com for details

ART | This Friday night is Fuse at the VAG. Head on over to check out the two newest exhibitions Beat Nation. For this edition of FUSE, expect “Art, Hip Hop and Aboriginal Culture” to be spread throughout the gallery.
Friday, February 24 | 8:30pm–1am | Vancouver Art Gallery | $17.50

ADORABLY CREEPY | This is the last week to catch Rebecca Chaperon: Like a Great Black Fire at the Elissa Cristall Gallery on South Granville. Adorably dark and creepy… “The art of Rebecca Chaperon is inspired by the slow long creak of an old door closing somewhere on the third floor in the dead of night.” Surreal landscapes with murky colour palettes that intersect somewhere between Edward Gorey and anime, Chaperon’s work is simultaneously fun and disturbing”. This is a highly recommended distraction for your Friday afternoon.
Now through February 25 | Elissa Cristall Gallery (2245 Granville

COFFEE | Head on over to Matchstick Coffee this week for no reason other than it’s just plain awesome. The amount of natural light that comes in through the big windows is enough to wail on any February-induced malaise, so score a quality brew, dig the good tunes, and scarf on a Montreal Smoked Meat sandwich. The new shop in The Fraserhood is as sweet a place to while an hour away in as could be, and we love the pants off it (watch for Andrew’s review in the WE later in the week).
639 E 15 Ave (Fraser & Kingsway) | 604-558-0639 | MatchstickCoffee.com

UPSIDE | February may technically be the shortest month, but it just seems so long and wet, doesn’t it? The buzz of the holidays is long gone but Spring hasnt arrived. Frankly, it’s a little drab. Upside? You can always find something to brighten your day at the Blim Community Market. This Sunday’s will include over 48 vendors flogging everything from vintage clothing, fine art, soap and note cards to vinyl and superhip t-shirts. There’ll also be hot food, beverages, and good music. If you absolutely can’t wait to know who’ll be there, have a peek at the Blim website for details.
Sunday, February 26 | 12-5pm | Heritage Hall (3102 Main)

EAT LOCAL | The Winter Farmers Market goes down Saturday. Support your local farmers by scooting down to load up on fresh fruits and veggies. You can also pick up fresh bread, dried fruit, preserves and cheeses.  Always worth the wait: the yam tacos at Off The Truck and Lemon + sugar crepes at the purple La Boheme Creperie truck.
Saturday | 30th and Ontario Street in the East Parking lot and Plaza of Nat Bailey Stadium | DETAILS

FILM NERDERY | Like to get caught up in the Oscar hype? Nerd out with the UBC Film Society and celebrate in style with the Potluck Oscar Party at the Norm Theatre. Yes, the red carpet will be rolled out, there will be photo ops, and the award show will be shown on the big screen. It’s free. All you have to do is take along a food or drink item inspired by a nominated film.
Sunday, February 26 | Doors 3:30pm/Oscars 5pm | Norm Theatre, UBC S.U.B. | Free | Details 

Heads Up: Meet Your Maker goes down next week. Farmers, fishers, ranchers, food processors, distributors, food delivery companies, retailers, restaurants and caterers get together to see presentations attend workshops and engage in lots of talk about good local grub. If you’re in the business, Meet Your Maker is a no-brainer. February 27 | 9:30am to 3:30pm | Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver (3250 Commercial Drive.) | $50 | Details 

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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 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.

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