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SCOUT LIST: 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

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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…

FRESH AIR CINEMA | Grab a blanket and get yourself down to Second Beach on Tuesday night. Enjoy a little sunshine on your face and sand between your toes, watch the sun set and then relax for an outdoor movie. This week The NeverEnding Story is showing on the big screen. Think about that for a second. The NeverEnding Story!
Tue, July 9 | 9pm | Stanley Park (2nd Beach) | Free | DETAILS

TOUR DE GASTOWN | Hustle down to Gastown on Wednesday evening the Gastown Grand Prix. Riders from clear across North America are here to participate in the 1.2 course through the streets of this historic Vancouver Neighbourhood – get in on the fun! Secure a good spot (The Diamond is looking like a nice option) and settle in to watch blurs of spandex zoom by. Riders will thrill you with their ability to negotiate ‘hairpin’ turns and astound with amazing stamina as they push through lap after lap of challenging cobblestone terrain (30 for women, 50 for men). There will be a few other people in the crowd, so pack light and take public transit (driving to this gig isn’t advisable as parking will be a nightmare).
Wednesday, July 10 | 5:45 Start | Gastown | Free | DETAILS

ESCAPE | If you’re in need of a summer vacation but can’t manage to slip away from work for a long weekend, consider heading toward Ladner/Delta for a day trip to Westham Island (directions). There’s something so relaxing about the sound of wooden slats under your tires (be they car or bike) as you cross the Westham Island Bridge. On the other side are soft roads lined by long grass and foxgloves, u-pick berry farms and roadside egg and vegetable stands. Don’t miss the on-site ice cream stand at Emma Lea’s – amazing milkshakes and sundaes made with fresh fruit. Westham Island Herb Farm is a great place for peas, potatoes, preserves (and promising little tomato plants). Fit in a walk at Reifel Bird Sanctuary. You’ll feel like you’ve escaped on a country vacation, because you have!
Westham Island Herb Farm | 9-4 Daily | 4690 Kirkland Road | DETAILS
Reifel Bird Sanctuary | 9am- 4pm | 5191 Robertson Road, Delta | $5 | DETAILS
Emma Lea Farms | Daily 10am – 6pm | 2727 Westham Island Road | DETAILS

ART | Chinatown’s Positive Negative Gallery is showing Take Me To Anywhere, an exhibition of new works by Montreal-based artist Jaynus O’Donnell. O’Donnell employs a beautiful mix of painting and collage in her exploration of the relationships between nature, people and place. Some works are bold and geometric, some gentle and colourful. This is the artist’s first solo exhibition in Vancouver, so get out there and show her some solid Vancouver support-for-the-arts love. The show opens on Thursday, July 11, and runs until July 27.
Thursday, July 11 | 7pm | Positive Negative Gallery (436 Columbia Street) | DETAILS

SPACE | Science World and TRIUMF (Canada’s national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics) have joined forces to present Unveiling the Universe:  Mysteries of the Quantum Universe on Friday night. The ambitiously titled talk with theoretical physicist Dr. Hitoshi Murayama (Director of the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe at the University of Tokyo) will (as Science World explains) outline “… what we know and (mostly) don’t know about anti-matter, neutrinos, and (the still-elusive) dark matter, and will explain how these enigmas fit into our understanding of the universe.” Pretty big ground to cover, but having someone like Murayama as a guide is a great place to start. This lecture will be followed by an audience Q&A session (there will likely be a few hands in the air) and will also be webcast for those who did not score a seat.  Tickets are free, but registration is required, visit www.scienceworld.bc.ca for details.
Friday, July 12 | 7pm | TELUS World of Science (1455 Quebec St) | Free | DETAILS

ENVISION | Upcycled Urbanism is project that The Museum of Vancouver organized (with the help of the good folks at the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, the Vancouver Public Space Network, some Maker Faire Vancouver peeps, and Spacing Magazine) in order to engage designers, artists, makers and creators to re-imagine Vancouver’s public spaces. Back in the spring, ‘citizen design teams’ began to brainstorm and design. Now it’s time to build (using large format polystyrene building blocks). Watch from the sidelines or roll up your sleeves and join in to help as these teams erect their creations at an outdoor exhibit on Granville street this weekend. Expect to see massive living room furniture, a humongous game zone and a series of other large scale structures that will transform the strip of Granville street between Georgia and Robson in to a cultural creativity lab.
Sat, July 13 | 700 Block of Granville Street (between Georgia & Robson) | Free | DETAILS

SHAKESPEARE |  This week Bard on The Beach throws down with The Twelfth Night (this version of Shakespeare’s 1601 comedy is updated (it is now 1913) and relocated from ancient Illyria to a high-end 20th century European spa. Also playing: a modern day Hamlet and Elizabeth Rex (in which Canadian writer Timothy Findley has Queen Elizabeth and Shakespeare discussing love, sexuality and identity. Shakespeare on a Vancouver beach in July? Kinda got to do it, right?
All Weekend | Various times | Vanier Park, Kits Point | DETAILS

KHATSAHLANO | Pretty much the coolest place to be on Saturday is Kits. Sure, things are usually ‘cool’ along West 4th, but Khatsahlano Days takes it to a whole new level. There will be TEN stages located across 10 blocks of West 4th, showcasing over 50 of Vancouver’s finest independent bands and solo musicians as well as many other artists and performers. Grab some sunscreen and good walking shoes and don’t plan to be home for dinner. This is a full-day gig that you won’t want to leave early. Chapel Sound, Portage and Main, Pack A.D., Brasstronaut, Gay Nineties – the list goes on and on. Check out the full line-up of bands here and develop a game plan to maximize your live outdoor free musical enjoyment. Plus, beer gardens.
Sat, July 13 | 11-8pm | Along 4th Ave between Burrard & MacDonald | Free | DETAILS

WANDER | Summer evenings are for slow wandering. Use this Saturday night for exactly that. Start with a cocktail and a bite at The Parker (vegetarian food will provide you healthy fuel for your journey). Then walk off your meal with an eastbound stroll along Union Street. At approximately Princess Avenue (only two blocks in) you will stumble on the annual Union Street Block Party. There are block parties and then there are block parties and the people of Strathcona’s Union Street really know how to throw a good one. Expect live music, grand neighbourly cheer and fantastic people everywhere. Once you have had your fill, continue your walk down Union St. (about four blocks) across the tracks and up the hill to Glen St. where you will run up against the bright pink building that houses La Casa Gelato (1033 Venables St @ Glen). Open until 11pm and serving up 218 flavours, everything from peanut butter and jelly to pear and gorgonzola, this is the perfect place to grab a bit more fuel. When you leave with ice cream in hand, make your way back down Union to Gore and head north to Keefer. Follow Keefer westbound straight in to the heart of The Chiniatown Night Market. If you time it right (plan to arrive at this end of your journey at 9pm-ish) you will catch the beginning of this week’s outdoor movie (TBA).
Saturday, July 13 | Early evening onward… | Strathcona/Chinatown

COTTONWOOD | Poke about the The Cottonwood Community Gardens this Sunday during their annual open house. The City of Vancouver plan to remove the Dunsmuir and Georgia Viaducts could result in the demise of this beautiful garden, so take some get out and see what is at risk. There will be a plant sale, always valuable gardening tips and demos from clever gardeners as well as bees, live music, good food and generally awesome people. A stroll through a community garden is always a good idea.
Sun, July 14 | 10am-3pm | Malkin St. & Raymur Ave (Strathcona Park) | Free | DETAILS

HEADS-UP | If you’re a food-lover, it’s time to get organized with tickets to the 19th annual Feast of Fields. This year, Farm Folk City Folk sets up it’s annual fundraising event at Krause Berry Farms. ”Celebrate the best in sustainable, local food and satisfy your taste buds at this gourmet wandering harvest festival. Farmers, fishers, brewers, ranchers and chefs from across BC will be presenting their culinary creations, and now is your chance to sample them all.” Seriously good times, AND the money raised at this event goes to Farm Folk City Folk and their continued efforts to connect local farmers and food producers with local chefs – good for everyone! Added bonus: there will be a shuttle bus available from Vancouver ($15 ) so you don’t have to drive or think, just eat and drink. This event always sells out, so don’t get stuck without tickets.
Sun, September 8 | 1-5pm | Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery, Langley | $95 | DETAILS

Check the Globe & Mail every Thursday for our Special Weekend Edition of the Scout List

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late-may-2009-169Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended 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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There are 2 comments

  1. Looking at the Escape, how could you miss Bissett Farm and the Westham Island Estate Winery? Luscious berries of all denominations, even Tayberry, and wines to match, sometimes accompanied by Qualicum Cheese. YUM!

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