🚧 Broadway Closed At Cambie For 6 Months + ICBC Drops The Road Test

Here’s what’s inside this issue:

As of yesterday, two full blocks of Broadway between Cambie and Alberta are completely closed to all vehicles for the final stage of Broadway Subway construction. This lasts until late 2026 or early 2027.

What you need to know:

The silver lining: This is the last major Broadway closure for the project. After this, the road gets rebuilt and reopened for good.

🔥 Campfire Ban Is On

Heading camping? Campfires are now banned across much of the Coastal Fire Centre, with exceptions in parts of the North Island and Sunshine Coast. Local rules vary, so check your exact destination before leaving. The ban is scheduled to last until Oct. 31 unless lifted earlier.

The Move: Bring a camp stove. Propane and briquette BBQs are fine. S'mores via butane torch still count.

🚨 VPD Scam Alert: Spoofed Calls Impersonating Police

The VPD is warning about a phone scam where fraudsters pose as both your bank and a senior police officer, using spoofed numbers that look real on caller ID. One victim lost $10,000.

The rule is simple: Police will never ask you to transfer money or deposit into a Bitcoin ATM. Your bank will never ask for your passwords or login codes over the phone. If something feels off, hang up and call back using the number on the back of your card.

Why It Matters: This one is worth sharing—especially with anyone who trusts caller ID. A two-second heads-up could save them a lot of money.

🚇 Burrard Station Elevator Out Until Spring 2027

Starting today, the elevator at Burrard Station is out of service for a full replacement. It won't be back until Spring 2027. If you're navigating downtown with a stroller or mobility device, allow an extra 20 minutes. Your best detour: use the accessible entrance at Granville Station (one block along Dunsmuir), or catch the #5 bus between Burrard and Stadium-Chinatown.

If you've got a teen with an N on the bumper, this is a big one. ICBC is eliminating the second road test for drivers upgrading from Class 7 (N) to Class 5. The change takes effect October 19, 2026.

Instead of a road test, N drivers will need to pass a Driving Record Assessment: no excessive speed convictions, no phone-use tickets, no suspensions or prohibitions, and at least 24 months of clean driving (18 if they completed an approved GLP course). After that, a 12-month restriction period before the full licence kicks in.

What this means right now:
If your teen's road test is booked before October 19, it still happens as normal. If it's booked on or after October 19, ICBC will cancel it and email you with next steps. Until then, you can still choose to book and take the test the old way.

Why It Matters: This is the "do we book the test or wait it out?" conversation happening in a lot of households right now. There's no wrong answer, but the deadline is clear: October 19. If your teen has a clean record and hates test anxiety, waiting might be the move. If they want full privileges sooner, booking now still works.

Science World is open late every Tuesday this summer until 8pm, with discounted evening pricing after 5pm. This runs through September 1, which means you can read this issue right now and go tonight.

Evening pricing: Adults/Seniors/Youth $18.95, Children 3-12 $14.95 (both +tax). That's cheaper than regular admission, and the crowds thin out significantly in the evening.

Right now they've got the Soccer & Technology exhibition from the FIFA Museum (timely, given the World Cup is coming to town) and the Creative Technology Gallery covering how BC contributes to movies, animation, and video games. Both are interactive and genuinely fun for children, not just display cases.

The Move: Go after dinner. The 5-7pm window is the sweet spot. Pair it with the Triple O's Tuesday deal ($7.99 original burger) and you've got dinner and an outing sorted for under $50 for a family of four.

📍 1455 Quebec Street, right by Olympic Village.

🎬 A Free Drive-In Movie Where the Car Is Optional

Lansdowne Centre is running free drive-in movie nights every Wednesday evening through September 2. The series kicks off tomorrow night (July 22). Films start at sunset in the northwest parking lot, and you get to vote on what plays each week.

Seven Wednesdays, seven different themes, no cost. It's in Richmond, but for a free drive-in with the kids on a summer evening, the 20-minute drive is an easy yes.

📍 5300 No. 3 Road, Richmond. Free. Show up before sunset.

🧒 This Saturday: 29 Children. 29 Real Businesses. One Market.

This One Is Ours: The Vancity Children's Business Fair is back this Saturday, July 25 at Edith Cavell Elementary. Children ages 6 to 14 have built a product, created a brand, set their prices, and are ready to sell to real customers. There are 29 of them this year.

You'll find everything from handmade jewelry and crochet pieces to 3D-printed fidget toys, a build-your-own slime bar, fresh lemonade, and a kid selling collectible charms while playing live cello. Bring a few dollars and some good questions.

Full disclosure: I organize this one. It's part of the Acton Children's Business Fair program, and this is the second year. It outgrew last year's venue.

📍 Edith Cavell Elementary, 500 West 20th Ave (gravel field)
⏰ Saturday, July 25, 11am-3pm
💸 Free admission. Outdoor market, sunny weather expected.

🎭 Kitsilano Showboat — 91 Years of Free Summer Nights

If you've never done a Showboat evening, this is your summer to start. If you have, you already know.

Kitsilano Showboat is deep into its 91st season of free live performances — bands, dance groups, choirs, and everything in between — Wednesday through Sunday evenings at 7pm, running all the way to August 23.

One of our community members shared this memory:

"When my daughter was little we had a routine of picking up sushi on 4th, walking down the hill for a picnic on the lawn above Showboat and watching whatever show was going on. There were years when we could only watch the first half of the evening because of bedtime, but it was a great escape from our hot apartment and the view is always magnificent."

Her tips: Sit at the bottom of the bleachers on the right or left where children can dance and move. (That said, it's a steep flight of stairs, not stroller-friendly.) Or sit near the top for the view and the show at the same time.

It's also a great spot to watch the fireworks. (Remember this for July 31st.)

📍 Kitsilano Beach, next to Kitsilano Pool. Free. Just show up.

🎶 Performance in the Park — Douglas Park

Douglas Park Community Centre is running a free outdoor performance series on Thursday evenings this summer. Live music, community vibes, all ages. The first show already happened, but there are three more on the calendar: July 30, August 13, and August 20, all from 5:00 to 7:30 PM.

Artist lineup is still TBA — follow @douglasparkcca for announcements.

The Move: This is a Thursday evening thing, so it pairs well with an early dinner at the park. The wading pool is right there if the children need to burn energy before the show starts.

📍 801 West 22nd Avenue. Free. Just show up.

🎭 Bard on the Beach — Family Days Are the Ones You Want

Most Bard performances don't allow children under six. Family Days are the exception.

The family-friendly show this year is The Merry Wives of Windsor, and there are two Family Day dates left: Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, September 6, both at 2pm. Arrive early for pre-show activities (face painting, photo booth, food trucks) included in the ticket price.

The details that matter:
Children 2-5 need a ticket, but you have to call the Box Office to book them (604-739-0559, not available online). There's a family discount: $10 off up to two adult tickets when you buy at least one Youth or Child ticket. Applied at checkout when signed in.

📍 Vanier Park. Full ticket info here.

Why It Matters: If you've been meaning to try Bard with the whole crew, August 16 is your window. Two dates left, and they won't last.

💛 Hidden Gem: Baby Meetup at Douglas Park

If you've got a baby and your social life currently peaks at the grocery store, this one's for you. The Imperfect Parent runs a free weekly baby meetup at Douglas Park every Tuesday morning through September. Think friendly faces, shade under big oak trees, and actual expert guidance on sleep, feeding, tummy time, and all the things you're quietly Googling at 2am.

It's called Beyond the Bump, and it's for babies 0-18 months (siblings welcome too). No registration. Just show up with a blanket.

📍 Douglas Park, north end near the wading pool (801 W 22nd Ave)
⏰ Every Tuesday, 9:45-11:00 AM
💸 Free
🚽 Washrooms available with a change table

Heads up: These only run on fair-weather days. If it rains or air quality dips, the session is cancelled. Follow @imperfect.parent for updates.

✂️ New Cambie Memo Perk: 15% Off at Fà Salon

Our Local Perks roster just grew. Fà Salon is a boutique hair salon right on Cambie Street in Cambie Village, and they're offering Cambie Memo families 15% off any service booked with Mona, Anthony, or Linda.

If you've been putting off a haircut because, well, everything else comes first, this is your nudge. Small salon, no rush, and they do complimentary consultations if you're not sure what you want.

To redeem: Show this page on your phone when you visit.
📍 3412 Cambie Street. Tue-Sat, 10am-6pm. Call (604) 879-2688 or email [email protected] to book.

Active Cambie Memo Perks:
🍣 TonTon Sushi — 5% off (10% with cash)
🏊 Swim Lessons Vancouver — 15% off
✂️ Fà Salon — 15% off with select stylists ← NEW

P.S. Know a family with kids who'd love a Saturday morning market? Forward this — 29 tiny businesses, free admission, and the kind of outing you'll actually remember. Saturday, July 25, Edith Cavell.