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!

OPENING | Nemesis Coffee is now open next to Victory Square in Gastown. Grab a good friend or a good book and head down for some quality hang out time in this beautiful new space. The coffee is good, the food is tasty and the light is fantastic. What are weekends made for if not lounging over coffee with pals?
302 W. Hastings | DETAILS

OWLS | Got kids? Consider bundling them up for an early evening walk in Stanley Park to learn about owls. The enthusiastic and knowledgeable Stanley Park Ecological Society peeps are leading a 1.5 hour wander designed to familiarize participants with owl behaviour and habitats timed to coincide with the elevated activities that take place during breeding season. Take a flashlight and sharp ears, you might hear some hooting, wing flapping, swooping and, if you are super lucky, you might even see one of the amazing creatures.
Thu, Feb. 23 | 6pm | Stanley Park Dining Pavilion | DETAILS

CERAMICS | Hustle yourself to Granville Island this Thursday night and score yourself some top quality ceramics at the Emily Carr University Ceramics Auction and Gala. Expect everything from cups, bowls and vases to sculpture made by local artists, alumni and current students from the ECUAD ceramics program. Funds raised go to getting ceramics students to the upcoming National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference in Portland, Oregon. Conferences mean knowledge sharing and that means even cooler ceramics. This is a win-win. See you there!
Fri, Feb. 24 | 7-9:30 pm | Emily Carr University of Art + Design (1399 Johnston St.) | $18 | DETAILS

CULTURE | The Salon Sessions is an evening of dialogue between artists and audience through music, visual art and social engagement. As event organizers explain, the aim is to “…create an intimate and inclusive experience centered around a featured performer, where audiences are encouraged to meet someone new, and learn something unexpected.” Featuring the talented likes of Tegan Peemoeller, Frederik Robert, Erin Marks and Chad Clark against a backdrop of Janna Watson’s paintings, this one brings together music and art at the Bau-Xi Gallery on South Granville. Learn something unexpected!
Fri, Feb. 24 | 7-10pm | Bau-Xi Gallery (3045 Granville St) | $60 | DETAILS

GARAGE SALE | Looking to score some cool second-hand and vintage items this weekend? Hit the Astoria for The East Van Garage Sale on Sunday. Not only will you find all manner of vintage clothing and snappy jewelry, but you can also browse used vinyl, good books, curious household items AND enjoy super cheap drinks (when was the last time you had a caesar for $4.50?). Bonus: pinball and video games. The only catch is that you’ve got to be legally classified as a grown-up to get in (19+ only).
Sun, Feb. 26 | 1-6 pm | Astoria Hotel & Pub (769 E. Hastings St.)| $2 | DETAILS

PARTY | Sure, Mardi Gras in New Orleans would be a blast if you could swing it, but if you don’t have the time or money rest assured you can still get a little wild right here at home. East Van Mardi Gras has the potential for all sorts of crazy. Think music, dancing, beads and parading…all the fun stuff. Costumes encouraged, drinks available. Enough said.
Fri, Feb. 24 | 8pm | WISE Hall (1882 Adanac) | $15 | DETAILS

ENGAGE | City staff are looking for public feedback on concept and development ideas starting to take shape for the Brewers Park area at an open house this Thursday night. Brewers Park runs along 26th ave between Commercial Street and Victoria Drive in East Vancouver. Whether you live there or not, you may want to bring yourself up to speed on what changes are expected or contribute your own thought(s) on how the park could better serve the growing community. Showing up and speaking out is the best way to be heard, so do it!
Thu, Feb. 23 | 5-8pm | Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House (4065 Victoria Dr.) | Free | DETAILS

LEARN | The Vancouver Institute has one of their mind-expending lectures going down this weekend: Professor Robert Hancock (Canada Research Chair and Professor, UBC Department of Microbiology and Immunology) takes the stage on Saturday night to talk a little about the scary reality of antibiotic resistance. It’s usually pretty humbling when you’re sitting in the audience listening to wicked smart people talk up a storm about critically important topics, but a little humbling paired with knowledge building is a solid Saturday night. Just make sure you leave room and time for a post-lecture cocktail somewhere marginally uplifting…
Sat, Feb. 25 | 8:15-9:30pm | Woodward Instructional Resource Centre Lecture Hall 2, UBC | DETAILS

POP-UP | Ready for a shift in seasons? If the weather isn’t moving fast enough for you, consider bolstering your spirits at the The Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring! pop-up shop this weekend. Expect bright Peruvian textiles, playful ceramics, fun jewellery and clothing perfect for park hang-outs and patio cruising. Bonus: participants are local business owners and local business owners are where it’s at.
Feb. 23-26 | 10am–6pm | Little Mountain Shop (4386 Main St.) | DETAILS

SHARE | Grab some pals and head down to Gastown for a pop-up feast on Tuesday. Chef Mark Singson and the dedicated crew behind the Family Matters dinner series have planned an evening of ‘beats, brews and bites’ at Gastown’s Birds & The Beets. Six courses paired with Steel & Oak beer and cocktails. A stellar way to close out February if you ask us! Tickets are moving fast, so don’t wait. Grab one here.
Tue, Feb. 28 | 7pm | Birds & the Beets (55 Powell Street) | $120 | DETAILS

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended University in Australia and Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Information 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.