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 theirs…and yours!

KIDS | Head to Granville Island to check out the Carousel Theatre’s musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, the highly entertaining tale of James Trotter, a youngster who escapes the care of his wicked aunts (Spiker and Sponge) by becoming a stowaway in a giant magical peach inhabited by fantastical creatures.
Dec 6 – Jan 4 | Various times | Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright St.) | DETAILS

SUPPORT LOCAL | Not all craft fairs are created equal. Right near the top of the mountain of holiday craft fairs is Toque at the Western Front. The curation standard is high. Expect to find work by Vancouver artists and designers like Erin Templeton, Gailan Ngan, Henderson Dry Goods, and many more. Skip over to the Toque tumblr for examples of what you might see.
Fri, Dec 5 | 6-10pm & Sat, Dec 6 11am-5pm | Western Front (303 East 8th Ave) | DETAILS

WRITE | If there’s one month of the year when the Regional Assembly of Text Letter Writing Club is a must, it’s got to be this one. If you’ve never heard of it before, the wonderful Main Street store sports a brilliant collection of books, paper, cards, stamps, chalkboards, boxes, and – yes – even clothing. On the first Thursday of every month they host a Letter Writing Club that’s free and open to everyone with supplies provided. Don’t leave your Christmas Card until the last minute. Get ‘em done here and in the mail early!
Thu, Dec 4 | 7:30pm | Regional Assembly of Text (3934 Main) | Free | DETAILS

MAKE IT! | Score one-of-a-kind items handmade by local designers at the Make It! show this weekend. Not only will you find table after table of cool and imaginative clothing, accessories and jewellery, but you’ll also find a a beer garden, food carts and cool grown-up vibe. A craft fair with an edge!
Thu, Dec 4 – Sun, Dec 7 | PNE Forum Building (2901 East Hastings St) | DETAILS

LEARN | Eat more plants! Hit Eternal Abundance on Commercial Drive this week to take one of their short and informative holiday raw food classes. The Holiday Meal goes down on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd, and then it’s Delectable Desserts on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Walk away knowing how to make tasty nut loaf and mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy as well as raw pumpkin pie with cashew cream and eggless egg nog. Classes are $40 or 2 for $70. Space is limited to 15 people so pre-registration is required.
Dec 3 + 10 | 7-9:30pm | Eternal Abundance (1025 Commercial Dr) | $40 | DETAILS

BRUNCH | French-inspired L’Abattoir launches it’s first ever brunch menu this weekend. Head down to the Gastown establishment for eggs benedict with smoked pork belly; Dungeness crab cakes served with poached eggs and potato rosti; classic crepes and a selection of brunch appropriate cocktails like Bourbon Cinnamon Toast Milk Punch or a Bloody Alley (Shaun Layton’s rendition of the classic Bloody Mary).
Weekends | 10:30am – 2pm | 217 Carrall St. | DETAILS

READ | Slow down and take some time out with a good book. This weekend is the Friends of the Vancouver Public Library Winter Book Sale. Cruise through table upon table of titles in the promenade area of Library Square and leave loaded up with a solid assortment of winter reads perfect for afternoons in front of the fire.
Thu–Sat Dec 4, 5, 6 | 10am-5pm | Vancouver Public Library (350 W. Georgia) | DETAILS

WHISTLER FILM FEST | This is a great weekend to runaway to Whistler. Snow is falling at higher elevations and the cold mountain air is invigorating. The extra great part is that, if it gets too cold out there and you’re looking for a reason to head inside and defrost, you can hit the 14th annual Whistler Film Festival. Expect 84 screenings (films from Canada and around the world) over 5 days. Now that’s a lot of warm theatre time!
Dec 3-7 | Various times | Whistler Conference Centre (4010 Whistler Way) | DETAILS

BIRD COUNT | Got kids? The Stanley Park Ecology Society is encouraging everyone with little ones to come down to the park on Saturday for the annual Christmas bird count. Participants will get a crash course on the basics of bird identification and then will split into groups and head into the forest for a 1.5 hour bird counting adventure. This event costs $25 for family membership (which includes 12 programs/year) and is appropriate for children ages 5-14.  Pack a lunch, you’ll need the fuel! Preregister: [email protected]
Dec 6 | 9:30am–1:30pm | Lost Lagoon Nature House (foot of Alberni) | DETAILS

SANTA | The annual Santa Claus Parade rips through downtown Vancouver streets this Sunday. The procession of holiday cheer will start at West Georgia and Broughton, travel east along West Georgia, and turn south on Howe before finishing at Howe and Davie. Scout tip: be prepared! The coffee shops along the parade route boast line-ups of epic lengths before, during, and after the parade, so take your coffee, eggnog, hot chocolate, or whatever else with you in a stainless steel thermos or flask. A good day to avoid driving through the downtown core!
Sun, Dec. 7 | 1-3pm | Downtown Vancouver | Free | DETAILS

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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 streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy (but faithful) camera.