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 February 5 to February 11, 2020. 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 | Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Be bold by sitting down to craft a hand-written letter. If you’re unsure of how to get things rolling, allow the Regional Assembly of Text on Main Street to help out. Take your romantic thoughts and secret confessions and they will hook you up with a brilliant collection of paper, cards, and stamps to help you get the job done. It’s called the Letter Writing Club. It’s free, open to everyone, and supplies are provided. Go ahead and give someone a written thrill! Find out more.

PuSh | The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival continues to fill stages and unlikely venues around the city. This week, check out Anywhere But Here (a family reverses the refugee’s path in this darkly humorous vision of exile); A User’s Guide to Authenticity (a performance that tackles the idea of the relevance and value of performance art as a mode of resistance); The DJ Who Gave Too Much Information (one turntable and dozens of records, each one with a story behind it); and the follow up event, Bring Your Own Record Listening Party. PuSh has many more performances to choose from. Peruse the full schedule here.

CITY | Interested in the many ways in which Vancouver is transforming? Get yourself to the fifth annual Year-in-Review panel discussion event at SFU this week. The Vancouver City Planning Commission and SFU’s ‘Vancity Office of Community Engagement’ have arranged to have a panel of experts from a variety of fields take to the stage to look back over the past 12-months of planning milestones. Revitalization, housing, decolonization, bike paths, community building – so much to discuss! From event organizers: “Listen in as the panel discuss emerging trends in the evolution of the city that have not previously been recognized. Question some of Vancouver’s most passionate city builders on their perspectives. Offer you own ideas on the watershed moments of 2019 in planning and development in Vancouver. One year, one evening, one conversation. Be part of the showdown.” This event is free, but registration is required. For more information about speakers and event details, as well as registration process, have a look here.

EXPLORE | Snow, rain, sun, cloud… the weather forecast for Vancouver is a mixed-bag this week. Rather than focusing on the soggy bits, be prepared for the sunshine by being ready to reshuffle your plans to include a hike should the prospect of clear skies present. Need a destination? Iona Beach Regional Park (just north of the Vancouver International Airport) in Richmond is a pretty good one. It’s a beautiful stretch of sandy shoreline that spreads toward the sea at the mouth of the Fraser River. In addition to walking the beach (when the tide is out it goes on forever), there’s also a walkable breakwater, raised boardwalks, and a crazy network of unmarked trails. Bonus: a good off-leash dog section for your furry buds. To get there, cross the Arthur Laing Bridge on your way to the airport but turn right at the first traffic light (Grauer Road) and follow the signs.

MOVE | It’s cheap, fun and centrally located – lace up some skates and take a spin around the ice at Robson Square Ice Rink this week. The centrally located (covered) ice rink – complete with swirling lights, music and concession stand hot chocolate – is a great way to get outside for some exercise without getting wet. Don’t forget a pair of nice thick gloves and a pocket full of loonies for your helmet and skate rentals ($5 /cash only). It’s not here forever, so take advantage! Find out more.

FEAST | On a walk, out your bedroom window, from a quiet log on your favourite beach: it’s always nice to pause and appreciate a full moon. This month’s “Snow Moon” rises in the sky on Sunday night (February 9th). Want to take your lunar-loving up a notch? Tasty news: Main Street’s Burdock & Co is now hosting moon-themed meals. From Burdock: “Held on full moon evenings throughout the year, each spiritual feast will feature fare inspired by traditional names for monthly moons, and celebrate our gravitational partner while educating guests about earth-friendly biodynamic farming practices and natural wines.” Sunday evening’s two hour multi-course dinner prepared by Chef Andrea Carlson begins at 6:30pm. Tickets are $149 (wine pairings included). Book early as seating is limited. To reserve, contact michael [at] burdockandco.com Find out more.

WINTER WANDER | Grab a warm cup of something and make your way to the Winter Wander in Vanier Park on Saturday where you can take short walks between these five key cultural centres: The Museum of Vancouver, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Vancouver Academy of Music, and the City of Vancouver Archives. Fill up on music, science, history and art for the low price of $5! Pay your admission at the MOV, Maritime Museum or the Planetarium and get wandering! Extra bonus: Shakespeare inspired photo station! Find out more.

ART | Put your high brow art sensitivities on the back burner. It’s time for some lowbrow business: “Boobies & Wieners” is a group show featuring the of art of 124 (!!!) contributing artists united under the common theme of private bits. Expect immature, crass, explicit, cartoonish, and odd art featuring nude subjects. From event organisers: “From fun and funny nudies to cringe-worthy perversion, expect to see things you didn’t know you just had to have. This year’s exhibit is sure to get you wetter than ever. Come early to avoid missing out.” Viewer discretion is likely advised. Find out more.

NOURISH | Cold temperatures, pounding rain, and darkness…winter can be tough. Stay strong, take your vitamins, and eat well. The very best way to keep your immune system in tip-top shape is to eat nourishing food, and the best place to source nourishing food is from healthy soil, as close to home as possible. Get your fill of fruits and veggies at the Winter Farmers Market. Look for kale, crispy apples, leeks, beets, potatoes and squash, as well as goodies like fresh eggs, bone broth, pickles and local honey. Thanks farmers!

LOVE | Fancy a bit of romance? The Rio is spreading it on thick with a line-up of romance themed movies and events: The Princess Bride (6:30) and Romeo + Juliet (9pm) are playing on Monday night (February 10th); Casablanca (6:30pm) and Wild at Heart (9pm) are showing on Tuesday (February 11th). To continue the theme (and to extend this SL entry into next week), the “Let’s Make A Date” live dating game show happens on Wednesday, February 12th. It’s followed by the epic (Nicolas Sparks) love story The Notebook, which holds the coveted Midnight Movie title on Friday, February 14th. The week-of-love ends with a Natural Born Killers bang on Saturday, February 15th (11:30pm). Get into it guys, “You know, the only thing that kills the demon… is love.” Find out more.

PLAN AHEAD | Speaking of love, if you’re looking for a unique way to connect with your Valentine next week, The Stanley Park Ecology Society is hosting a Thursday night Love In Nature – A Sex Education walk that sounds fun (it also sounds like it will sell out, which is why we’re letting you know about it now). From The SPEC “Human courtship has its twitterpated customs and rituals, many of which would look alien to those outside of our species. This Valentine’s Day, take a moment to appreciate how members of the plant and animal kingdoms ‘get it on’ with sometimes sweet and sometimes risqué examples of how life has approached the question of reproduction. Walk with us to visit Stanley Park’s lovebirds—so to speak—and bring a plus one to enliven the experience, if you wish.” This event is for adults only (19+) and participants are invited to enjoy a pre-walk by-donation drink (get in the mood)! Find out more.