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…

Jazz | The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is on and it’s looking really good. Have a look at the long list of events here. We’re particularly stoked for The Avett Brothers (June 26) and Destroyer (June 29). Lots to consider.
June 22 – July 1 | Various times and venues | Various Prices | Details

Community | Pecha Kucha Night! This edition is themed “Community, Connect and Engage” and it goes down Thursday night at the Vogue Theatre. As usual, the organisers at Cause + Affect have a great group of speakers lined-up. We have a couple of tickets to give away, so stay tuned!
Thursday, June 21 | Vogue Theatre | Details

Solstice | Good News. Summer officially begins this week. The Sun is at the highest point in our west coast sky on Wednesday, June 20 at 7pm. The “highest point” means more sun rays and more sun rays mean warmer weather and slower evenings in the park with bottles of wine. It’s about time.
Wednesday, June 20 | 7pm | Everywhere

Mini Maker Faire |  Mini Maker Faire comes to Vancouver this weekend. It’s a two-day celebration of making and creating that is focused on promoting the ethos of DIY on a large scale. Think of it as “county fair meets science fair meets farmers market meets burning man”. Get psyched for it, as there will be a range of exhibits, workshops, performances, displays, and many ways that you can get involved in making something yourself. Expect everything from perfume and pyrotechnics to growing walls and book making. Go!
June 23+24 | PNE Forum | $17/day pass $27/weekend pass | Get tickets here

Forage | The Grandview Woodland Food Connection is putting on an interesting workshop on urban medicinal plant foraging this week. The gist is this: pills and potions are not necessarily the solution, so learn to identify a few key herbs and natural plant medicines that grow in your own neighbourhood. You’ll also learn how to convert these amazing regional health wonders into teas and tinctures.
Sunday, June 24 | 1-4pm | Britannia Community Centre (1661 Napier) | Details

Game on | The Vancouver Whitecaps take on the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night. We don’t usually pimp sports all that much (Canuckery notwithstanding), but the Whitecaps are putting on a good show these days, and the boisterous crowds are even better than the play on the pitch. Grab a beer at Chambar afterwards and you’re golden.
June 20 | 8pm | B.C. Place Stadium (777 Pacific Blvd) | Details

Not Your Average Neighbourhood Garage Sale | Looking for a little something to brighten up your pad? Here’s a hot tip: The Interior Designer’s Institute of B.C.’s is having a designer-sample sale on Sunday. There’ll be high-end home décor items for sale at a fraction of the retail cost. Proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver’s local-build projects.
Sunday, June 24, 2012 | 10am – 4pm | Vancouver ReStore (69 West 69) | Proceeds to Habitat for Humanity | Details

Live Music | Head over to Zulu Records to dig the live, laid back folk-rock vibes of Jon & Roy. The duo is in town to promote their tasty new release Let It Go and Zulu sweet talked them into an intimate performance in the store, as well as a meet and greet to follow. “Jon & Roy are a band to watch as they are definitely going places having vaulted to both the national and international folk scene! Bring your kids down to the store for an afternoon of sonic nourishment! Check out their new release and hang with the band.” That sounds like a perfect afternoon plan.
Saturday June 23 | 2pm | Zulu Records (1972 West 4th Ave) | FREE

Greek Days | Walk, take the bus or ride a bike to Greek Days this weekend. I mention modes of transportation because you won’t be the only one there and you’ll want to focus on having fun, not parking. A day of roaming entertainers, Greek goddesses, warriors and heros to mingle with! Click here for the full scoop.
Sunday, June 24 | 11am to 9:30pm | Broadway, from McDonald to Blenheim | FREE until you start ordering souvlaki

Wife Carrying Contest | It’s time for the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival. Highlights will include the Viking Village, cultural displays, craft kiosks, a bonfire and beer garden, a Midsummer pole, carnival games, all manner of cultural displays and Scandinavian foods like Danish smørrebrød and tiny, extra super addictive Swedish meatballs (note that Ikea is a shrewd festival sponsor), as well as the only wife carrying contest in the city. For the full program – have a peek here.
June 23 & 24 | 10am – 11pm Saturday, 10– 4pm Sunday | Scandinavian Community Centre (6540 Thomas, Burnaby) | $5

Eat Local | Grab locally grown produce from good people at your neighbourhood farmer’s market. Main Street on Wednesday rocks. Eli has the best Curry Brats, and we dig the fresh pasta from Campagnolo. Add those to your produce needs and you’re laughing See you there.
Trout Lake Farmers Market | Saturday | 9am-2pm | Trout Lake | Free
Kitsilano Farmers Market | Sunday | 10am – 2pm | 2690 Larch @ 10th | Free
West End Farmers Market | Saturday | 9am-2pm | 1100 Block Comox | Free
Thornton Park (Main Street) | Wednesday | 3pm – 7pm | Main Street Station at Terminal | Free
Dundarave (West Van) Saturday | 9am – 2pm | Between 24 & 25 on Marine
UBC Farm Market: Saturday | 9-1 | UBC Farm
Oak Street Market | Wednesday | 3-7pm | Oak @ 49th (Unitarian Church) | Free

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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.

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