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…

ELECTRIC CAR | If you think electric cars are just breaking on to the scene, think again. They’ve been trying to get our attention for a century now. Amazed? Fill in the blanks with a screening of 100 Years of the Electric Car on Tuesday night. The show is followed by an illustrated lecture on electric vehicles with a BC context courtest of electric vehicle advocate John Stonier. Peek inside a 1912 Detroit Electric Model 3.1 and a brand new Chevy Volt, and generally get yourself up-to-speed with the entire concept by chatting with reps from The Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association and General Motors.
Tues, Mar. 19 | 7:30 – 9pm | University Women’s Club | 1498 McRae Ave | $12 | DETAILS 

FOR REAL | Spring gets real this week. The Vernal Equinox (March 20 at 4:03am) officially signals the beginning of longer days and (fingers crossed) warmer weather. And not a minute too soon! Enough with the cold and dark business! It’s time to turn soil and take in all the cherry blossoms, t-shirts and dresses. Pack up the hats and gloves and break out a nice bottle of celebration. If you’re looking for a community event to mark the occasion with – head over to Renfrew Ravine Park for a Spring Equinox Labyrinth Walk.
Wed, Mar. 20 | 4pm | Renfrew Ravine Park (Renfrew @ E 24th Ave) | Free | DETAILS 

IL GIARDINO | Make some time in your schedule to slip down to Umberto’s Il Giardino for a glass of wine and a plate of antipasto before the restaurant is gone forever. Yup, after 37 years in business, Il Giardino closes it’s doors on April 15th and reservations for these last days are getting increasingly difficult to snag. As a Vancouver food lover, you are honour bound to take this opportunity to sit in the room with so much culinary history. It once upon a time set the bar for fine dining in this city, training and employing dozens of people who went on to serve, cook, and manage local restaurants. It also set a few icons on towards restaurants of their own (think Pino Posteraro of Cioppino’s and John Bishop of Bishop’s).
Now through April 15 | Il Giardino Restaurant (1382 Hornby St) | DETAILS 

DRAWFORTH | East Van artist Ehren Salazar is showing his work (charcoal portraits and landscapes) in a solo exhibit at Kafkas Coffee House beginning Thursday night. You may know him as the long-time Director of Little Mountain Gallery. He recently stepped down from the role in order to concentrate on his artwork. We highly recommend stopping in to check it out.
Thurs, March 21 | 8pm | Kafkas Coffee House (2525 Main St) | Free | DETAILS 

SUPPORT LOCAL | Portobello West is holding a Spring Market this weekend. Flip through clothing, accessories and trinkets from loads of local designers; eat well (Mix Bakery will be there, along with La Chocolaterie); and enjoy the gorgeous setting. Grab a cuppa and a hot crossed bun at Terra Breads and then take a stroll along the seawall afterwards.
Sat + Sun, Mar. 23 + 24 | 11am -5pm | Creekside Community Centre | $2 | DETAILS 

VANCOUVER FASHION | Check out the latest from up-and-coming local designers as well as award-winning talent from around the world at Vancouver Fashion Week. There’s something pretty great about sitting in a crowded room watching models strut the runway with flashes going off – it’s an energy that just can’t be explained. So get yourself a ticket(s) and feel it for yourself. VFW takes place at the Chinese Cultural Centre until Sunday. We recommend pre and post-show drinks at the Keefer, Bao Bei, The Parker or The Union.
Mar. 19-24 | Various times | Chinese Cultural Centre (50 E. Pender) | DETAILS 

GET GROWING | Evidence of Spring is already pushing through the soil. Don’t miss out in the fun! Get growing! The ladies of Victory Gardens are offering a workshop this Saturday morning that will walk you through the basics of preparing your garden for a season of plentiful food production. Not only will participants leave schooled on the importance of compost and soil, they’ll also have some crucial understanding of timing (which edible plants will do well in Vancouver soil, how to sew seeds and then transplant seedlings from pot to garden, and so on). Each participant will receive a pack of seeds. The perfect way to start the first week of Spring!
Sat, Mar. 23 | 10:30am | 151 W 1st Ave | $18 | DETAILS

LEARN | The Homesteader’s Emporium on East Hastings is offering a Introduction to Sausage and Charcuterie Making workshop this Saturday. Presenter Rick Havlak, owner of Homesteader’s, is an amateur sausage maker on the side (as well as an amateur wine and beer maker, bee keeper, cheese maker and probably candlestick maker). Rick’s workshop is not intended to be a professional sausage-making gig,  but rather a fun and informative workshop that will incorporate a demonstration of the basic principals and processes involved in making tasty cured meats and sausages. Participants will have the opportunity to check out equipment and ask questions and talk meat amongst themselves. “Topics covered will include fresh, smoked, and cured sausage as well as cured whole cuts (e.g. prosciutto), with tips and safety concerns discussed throughout.” Sold!
Sat, Mar. 23 | Homesteader’s Emporium (649 East Hastings) | Suggested donation: $5 | DETAILS 

HEADS-UP | The Vancouver Writers Fest might not officially go down until October, but the Writers Fest staff make a point of bringing us some pretty amazing speakers all year round. Case in point, this coming Monday night the VIWF presents and evening with Canadian journalist and human rights activist Sally Armstrong. Not only has Armstrong travelled extensively through ‘zones of conflict’ around the world, but she’s also a member of the Order of Canada and the International Women’s Commission at the UN. She has also penned four books — Veiled Threat: The Hidden Power of the Women of Afghanistan, The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor and Bitter Roots, Tender Shoots: The Uncertain Fate of Afghanistan’s Women, and most recently, Ascent of Women.
Mon, Mar. 25 | 7:30 pm | St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church | $21 | DETAILS 

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

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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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