Hi friends!
Two quick alerts before we dive in:
🚧 Broadway reminder: The closure between Main and Quebec started yesterday. If you missed the details, here's the full breakdown from last week's issue.
🏕️ Spring Break daycamp registration for Mount Pleasant CC opens February 5 at 10am. Ages 5–12. If you've been burned by the "refreshing the page at 9:59am" game before, you know the drill. Details here.
Alright, on to this week's business. We've got a mix of "do this now" and "put this on your radar" — plus a couple of genuinely fun date night options that don't involve sitting across from each other at a restaurant wondering what to talk about.
Here’s what’s inside this issue:
📚 The Future Author Project: Your kid can get their handmade book on an actual library shelf. Free, drop-in, and surprisingly peaceful.
🥬 The Winter Market: Riley Park Farmers Market is open Saturdays through March — plus a parking heads-up.
🅿️ The Parking Plot Twist: Hillcrest (and others) are going paid parking starting Feb 16. Here's how to avoid a surprise ticket.
🌶️ Date Night at Science World: It's spicy. There's pole dancing. It's educational? Just read it.
🍽️ The $5 Pro-D Day Lunch: Feb 13 is a non-instructional day. I found you a hot meal and kid activities for five bucks.
Let's get into it. 👇🏼
📚 The "Future Author" Project
Is your kid constantly telling you stories that seem to have no beginning, middle, or end? Great news. You can now direct that creative energy out of your ear: VPL will actually put their handmade book on the library shelf for other kids to read. Yes, really.
What: Get Your Book in the Library (write + illustrate a book; VPL makes it available for other kids to read) Who: Kids in Grades K–7 Where (closest options):
Terry Salman Branch (inside Hillcrest Community Centre) — 4575 Clancy Loranger Way
Oakridge Branch — 6184 Ash St
Mount Pleasant Branch — 1 Kingsway
Firehall Branch — 1455 W 10th Ave
When: Anytime during open hours at Terry Salman Branch, but for the rest of the locations, check out their website.
Cost: Free
The Move
I've personally confirmed that at Terry Salman, this is a total drop-in situation. No registration needed. Just march up to the librarian's desk, ask for the book template, and let your kid get to work right there.
Why It Matters
Two reasons. 1) The sheer pride on their face when they see their book "published." 2) It's a quiet, seated, free activity that buys you at least 20 minutes of peace while they work on their masterpiece. ✨
🧱LEGO Block Party at Mount Pleasant Library
Legos. Thousands of them. None of which you have to step on in the middle of the night. The Mt Pleasant Library is dumping out the bins for a free-for-all build session.
Why it wins: It's free, it's indoors, and LEGO is basically self-directed entertainment. Show up, let them build, leave when the vibes shift.
What: LEGO® Block Party.
Where: Mount Pleasant Branch (1 Kingsway).
When: Saturdays, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
Who: Grades K–7.
Cost: Free ($0).
The Move
It's weekly, so no pressure if this Saturday doesn't work.
Why It Matters
It is free, it is indoors, and it is 90 minutes where your only job is to occasionally nod and say, "Wow, cool tower." Plus, you leave the mess behind.
🥬 Farmers Markets to Explore Through the Winter
Yes, the markets are still running. Yes, it is easier to stay inside and eat crackers. But dragging the crew to the winter market counts as "an outing," supports local farmers, and guarantees you better snacks for the ride home.
🥕Riley Park Winter Farmers Market (Saturdays)
Vibe: Stroller lap + snacks + "we did something"
Where: Riley Park — 30th Ave & Ontario St
When: Saturdays, 10am–2pm (through March 28)
Size: 85+ vendors, plus food trucks and coffee
⚠️ Parking note: The Hillcrest lots will soon be EasyPark paid parking. Budget extra time to pay, or street park on the surrounding blocks.
🥕Kitsilano Winter Farmers Market (Sundays)
Vibe: Sunday reset walk that ends in food
Where: Kitsilano — W 10th Ave & Trafalgar St
When: Sundays, 10am–2pm (through April 26)
Size: 50+ vendors, plus food trucks and coffee
The Move
Pick your day. Saturday for the bigger market, Sunday for the Kits stroll. Either way, go early (10–11am) before it gets crowded and the good pastries disappear.
Why It Matters
Fresh air, local food, and the kids get to burn energy walking around while you drink coffee. That's a win. ☕
📌 The Notice Board
🚗 Parking Heads-Up: Hillcrest (and a Couple Other Centres) Are Going Pay-Parking
In a move that feels personally targeted at exhausted parents, the City has announced the official start date for paid parking at community centres (including Hillcrest). And yes, the start date is Monday, Feb 16 — aka Family Day.
You cannot make this stuff up.
What: Vancouver Park Board is rolling out a paid-parking pilot at Hillcrest, Kerrisdale, and Trout Lake community centres.
Rate: $3.50/hour
Free time: First 3 hours are free for community centre patrons (then $3.50/hr after). If you're not using the community centre, you pay from minute one.
Hours: Paid parking applies 6:00am–10:00pm
When it starts: The City says "early 2026." I asked the Hillcrest front desk directly — they confirmed Feb 16.
The Move
You must register your license plate at the kiosk inside the building to get the 3 free hours. Do not forget this step, or your "cheap swim" will become a $60 outing.
Why It Matters
This is one of those quiet changes that'll catch people off guard. Now you know. 🅿️
🗓️ The "Mega Weekend" is Coming
A friendly tap on the shoulder from your calendar. You probably know Family Day is coming up, but there is a sneaky Pro-D day attached to the front end that turns mid-February into a marathon.
Friday, Feb 13: VSB District-Wide Pro-D Day (No school).
Monday, Feb 16: BC Family Day (No school).
The Result: A 4-day weekend.
🌶️ Date Night: Science World... But Spicy
Usually, we go to Science World to watch plastic balls roll down tracks while wiping sticky hands. This time? You are leaving the kids at home.
Science World After Dark is doing The Science of Love & Sex—two days before Valentine’s. Consider this your “we did something fun” flex. 🍷
What: After Dark: The Science of Love and Sex (Science World’s 19+ night)
When: Thu, Feb 12, 2026 — 6:00–10:00pm (doors at 6)
Where: Science World, 1455 Quebec St
Cost: $44.95 per adult
Includes: Sex Ed Trivia (seating limited; wristbands on arrival), pole performances (Centre Stage + 1st floor), exhibits + themed activities
Food/drink: Wine/beer + non-alcoholic options, snacks, and Triple O’s available for purchase
Age: 19+ only (bring ID)
The Move
Tickets are limited and this will sell out. Grab yours now before you forget and end up at Cactus Club again.
Why It Matters
It's a genuinely weird and wonderful date night that doesn't involve sitting in a dark restaurant. Plus, you get to say "we went to Science World for Valentine's Day" with a completely straight face. 😇
🍽️ The $5 Pro-D Day Lunch
You likely have "Family Day" marked on your calendar for Monday, Feb 16. But do you realize that Friday, Feb 13 is a Pro-D Day for many Vancouver schools? I have your lunch plans sorted for the day.
What: MPNH Family Day Community Lunch — food + activities
When: Friday, February 13, 2026 — 12:00–2:00pm
Cost: $5 per meal
Ages: All ages welcome
The Move
Registration is required and opens Friday, January 30 at this link. Set a reminder now. These community events fill up fast.
Why It Matters
It's the Friday before the long weekend, it's indoors, kids are entertained, and you get a hot meal you didn't have to cook. This is the definition of a low-drag win. 🙌
That’s a wrap for this week.
We’ve got this!
Saba Yazdani
The Cambie Memo
