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. You can also check it out in the Globe & Mail, from our calendar to yours…

FRESH AIR | The Carol Ships are out in full force touring the waters around the city for the last time this season tonight. Catch the ships as they cruise past West Vancouver and under the Lions Gate Bridge at 7:20pm, through the waters off of Ambleside beach (7:35pm) and over to Dundarave (8:30pm) before passing back under the Lions Gate Bridge (8:45pm) and on to Coal Harbour at 9:30pm where they will dock until next season.
Mon, Dec, 23 | 7:30-10pm | DETAILS

WONDERFUL | It’s Christmas Eve! Give up on those last minute panic trips to the shops.  Slow down, focus on the real stuff like decorating your Christmas tree, listening to Christmas concerts on the radio, and baking the hell out of something. If you’re stuck downtown and the chaos gets too much, slip into the Vancouver Public Library for an early afternoon screening of It’s A Wonderful Life. Because a little James Stewart will always snap things into perspective for you pretty quickly.
Tues, Dec, 24 | 1pm | Alice MacKay Room, VPL, Central Library (350 W Georgia) | Free | DETAILS

CHEKHOV | Anton Chekhov’s ‘tragicomedy’ Uncle Vanya is playing at The Vancouver East Cultural Centre (The Cultch) this week: “Vancouver’s finest presenter of classical theatre is back with Anton Chekhov’s heart-wrenching Uncle Vanya – a timeless 19th century masterwork rich in improbable love, yearning, and folly.” There’s something perfect about attending a Russian play on a winter’s night. Get into it with a faux fur coat and a pre-show vodka for the full experience.
Dec. 23 – Jan. 18 | The Cultch (1895 Venables St)| From $18 | DETAILS

TRAIN | Get yourself into the holiday spirit by grabbing a bag of freshly roasted chestnuts and taking a ride on the Stanley Park Christmas Train. Cuddle up with a loved one as the train chugs its way through a heavily decked out forest while Christmas carols are cranked through speakers dotting the surrounds. Buying tickets ($11/adults $7kids) in advance is highly recommended if you want a seat. Just wandering the Bright Nights Train Plaza to enjoy the decorations is free (although a donation to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund is encouraged – and important).
Now through January 5 (Closed Christmas Day) | Stanley Park | DETAILS

SKATE | Sitting on the couch watching the fire log channel is a noble holiday pursuit, but don’t let it go on for too long. Get up and get your blood flowing by hitting Robson Square for a lap or twelve around the ice rink. Burn off some of those holiday calories! There might be one or two other people out there thinking the holidays would be a lovely time for a twirl, too, so plan ahead and expect a crowd. Bring your thermal mug, some nice thick gloves, and some cash (although skating is free, equipment rentals are ‘cash only’ – skates $4, helmets $2). Rink hours are Sunday through Thursday, 9am-9pm, Friday and Saturday 9am-11pm.
Now – Feb. 28, 2014 | Robson Square Ice Rink (800 Robson St @ Howe) | Free | DETAILS

MOVIES | ‘Tis the season for total vegging out in a movie theatre. New releases include “American Hustle” starring Christian Bale, “The Wolf of Wall Street” with Leonardo DiCaprio, Anchorman 2 – The Legend Continues and, of course Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”.

LEARN | If you’re lucky enough to have a few days off this week, take an afternoon to explore one of the many Vancouver museums and galleries that you’ve been meaning to get to. Out at UBC, the Museum of Anthropology and the Beaty Biodiversity Museum offer beautiful architectural settings with compelling collections that will teach you lots about the cultural and ecological history of the region. The Museum of Vancouver is showing Play House: The architecture of Daniel Evan White and The Vancouver Art Gallery is showing Emily Carr: Deep Forest.
Museum of Anthropology (6393 NW Marine Dr, UBC) | Dec, 26-29 | 10am – 5pm | $16.75 | DETAILS
Beaty Biodiversity Museum (2212 Main Mall, UBC) | Dec, 26-29 | 10am to 5pm | $12 | DETAILS
Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut St) | Dec, 26-29 | 10am-5pm | $12 | DETAILS
Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St) | Dec, 26-29 | 10am-5pm | $17.50 | DETAILS

CITY | Get to know your city a little more intimately by slipping into your gumboots, grabbing a warm beverage to keep your hands warm and hustling down to Lost Lagoon to follow Stanley Park expert Jolene Cumming on a Historical Secrets tour of Stanley Park this Sunday. Hear about the evolution of the park and get acquainted with some of the characters that shaped its development. The tour will also include rare historical photographs for context. It leaves from the Viewing Plaza overlooking Lost Lagoon (at the foot of Alberni St) at 1pm.
Sun, Dec 29 | 1-2:30pm | Stanley Park | $10 | DETAILS

FEAST | Did you know that Vancouver cheese shop Les Amis Du Fromage will lend you a fondue set for free when you buy cheese for said set? Supplies are limited, but if you call ahead to reserve a set and order your cheese (they’ll even grate it for you), all you have to do is pick up some bread and wine and you’re ready to go. Scout tip: take an invigorating walk around Lost Lagoon (see above) or hit a serene winter beach for a stroll before your feast. Once your cheeks are rosy and your stomach starts to growl, the timing for fondue is bang on.
Les Amis Du Fromage | 1752 West 2nd Avenue | DETAILS

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 5th (for those of you who like to be a bit more leisurely about these kind of things). | DETAILS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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

——————————————————————————————-

Michelle 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.

——————————————————————————————–