From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver from December 6, to December 11 2017. Please note that you can now get the Scout List – with a few extra pieces of intel included – sent to your inbox every Thursday. Sign up for your subscription in the sidebar.

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 and in the mail! Thu, Dec. 7 | 7:30pm | Regional Assembly of Text (3934 Main) | Free | DETAILS

THINK | Hit SFU Harbour Centre on Thursday night for the Truth-telling in Peril lecture. Jay Rosen – critic, author and professor at New York University – takes the stage with Erin Millar (Founder and CEO of Discourse Media) to talk about the state of global journalism. Michael Tippett – Emmy Award-nominated entrepreneur, writer and founder of NowPublic – will moderate the discussion. From event organizers: “Hear first-hand from the battlefront of American news media and the frontier of new Canadian journalism about why today’s crisis of trust in politics and journalism might be the best thing that happened to the news media in a generation.” Thu, Dec. 7 | 7pm | Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, SFU Woodwards (149 West Hastings St.) | $15 | DETAILS

SHINY FUZZY MUDDY | Don’t miss out on Shiny Fuzzy Muddy. Pick up an Andrea Wong bag or some beautiful beadwork by Only Child, ceramics from Russell Hackney Ceramics (the 1/2 dipped pitcher is so rad), or a pair of these stunning minimalist earrings by Kari Woo. All handmade. All local. All good. Bonus: no holiday music. Sat, Dec. 9 + Sun, Dec. 10 | 11am – 7pm (6pm Sunday) | Heritage Hall (3102 Main St.) |$3 DETAILS

MESSIAH | Handel’s Messiah takes the stage at the Orpheum this Friday night. The Vancouver Chamber Choir will perform with the Pacifica Singers and the Vancouver Chamber Orchestra (a lot of bodies are required to pull off The Messiah). There isn’t too much more that you need to know about it other than it’s going to be awesome, in the truest sense of the word. Sat, Dec. 9 | 8pm | The Orpheum (601 Smithe St.) | $24–$69 | DETAILS

GOT CRAFT | The good folks at Got Craft have once again assembled a top-notch line up of artisans, designers and makers under one roof in order to deliver some great local and handmade quality with mall-style convenience. You’ll be able to pick up everything from socks, cards and textiles to butter, caramels and candies. Perfect for gift-giving, cupboard-lining and self-indulgence! Take a look at the impressive vendor list here.  Dec. 9 + 10 | 10am-5pm | Maritime Labour Centre (1880 Triumph St.) | $3 | DETAILS

KIDS BIRD COUNT | It’s the annual Christmas bird count this Saturday, and this year it’s all about kids. Recording bird numbers is a great way to teach an appreciation for the diversity of bird life in the Lower Mainland, and information gathered contributes to an official bird count that can broaden our understanding of trends in local habitat health, species patterns and overall environmental well-being. Kids taking part in this year’s count will get a crash course on the basics of bird identification and then make their way to forest and foreshore for a bird counting adventure. Sat, Dec. 9 | 10am-12:30pm | Lost Lagoon Nature House (foot of Alberni St.) | Free | DETAILS

HOOTENANNY | Books and brews unite for some good times at Pat’s Pub & Brewhouse this Thursday evening — it’s the 6th annual “Holiday Hootenanny”! Six local book publishers and organizations are gathering for one helluva party where you can load up on titles for all of the literary-lovers on your holiday list, and stock up your own home library with good reads to get you through the winter. Fill up on snacks and tasty Hastings Mill beers (brewed on premises) to keep your festive mood up because when the party winds down, the karaoke begins! Stick around to channel your holiday spirit into song in a cozy, convivial pub environment. What could be more festive? Thu, Dec. 7 | 5 – 9pm | Pat’s Pub & Brewhouse (403 East Hastings St.) | 19+ | Free | DETAILS

LISTEN | If you’re looking to get out this weekend, we recommend checking out Michael Bernard Fitzgerald’s show at the Biltmore on Friday night. Not only is a music gig the perfect way to keep cozy on a cool winter night (especially if you can snag a coveted stage-facing spot in one of the Biltmore’s plush red velvet booths) but this one is particularly heart-warming. Fitzgerald is also the founder of TreeEra, a tree-planting subscription company which will be planting their next round in one of the forest fired ravaged areas of Kamloops next month. That’s a double-whammy of goodness! Fri, Dec. 8th | Biltmore Cabaret (2755 Prince Edward St) | 7pm | DETAILS

SCIENCE | Hustle your way out to UBC this Sunday and hit UBC’s annual Physics & Astronomy fair. This year The Faraday Show is focused on winter and will involve demonstrations and hands-on activities aimed at exploring and answering questions like: “Why do the seasons change? How do clouds, snow, and icicles form? How can we see heat and keep it in? And, what is the science behind the warmest winter jacket, or your favourite winter sports?” All important things to know, right? This event is free and a good time for kids and adults who like to learn cool stuff. Sun, Dec. 10 | 2-3:3-pm | UBC Hebb Theatre (2045 East Mall on UBC campus) | Free | DETAILS

CIOPPINO’S | With all the crazy running around that the holiday season brings, it’s important to sit down and eat a restorative meal. Go big and treat yourself. Yaletown’s award-winning Cioppino’s only opens for lunch in December – and now that the window is open, we suggest you take full advantage (you only have until Dec. 22nd). Get in there and take a load off! 1133 Hamilton St. | Vancouver, BC | Reserve by calling 604-688-7466 | DETAILS

MOVE | Lace up some skates and take a spin around the ice at Robson Square Ice Rink this week. It’s free (if you have your own skates), fun and centrally located. The rink – complete with swirling lights, music and concession stand hot chocolate – is a great way to jump start your winter spirit. Don’t forget a pair of nice thick gloves and a pocket full of loonies for your helmet and skate rentals (cash only). 7 days | 9am – 9pm (Fri & Sat until 11pm) | Robson Square | Free (skates/helmet $4) | DETAILS

SLOW DOWN | December has a way of getting hectic. Traffic, social engagements, shopping…the general velocity of the city jumps up a few notches this month, so for the love of all things wonderful try to pace yourself. Take a few hours out to wander one of Vancouver’s beaches. No one will be there, and we have lots of them to choose from. Bonus: they’re free. Remember free? Solitude, clear water and sand softened by rain is the best present you can give yourself this time of year. Note: a flask or thermos of something warming is a nice touch. Everyday | Anytime | Shorelines and seawalls around the city | Free