🏫 VSB summer registration dates shifted + your first Cambie Memo perk

Here’s what’s inside this issue:

🏫 VSB Summer Learning Registration: New Dates

Heads up. If you had the old dates circled on your calendar, uncircle them. VSB pushed back registration for their Summer Learning Program.

Here's what you need to know:

Elementary Programs:
📅 Registration opens Thursday, April 30 at noon
📅 Closes Wednesday, May 20 at 11:59 PM

Secondary Programs:
📅 Registration opens Thursday, May 7 at noon
📅 Closes Wednesday, June 10 at 11:59 PM

The Move: The course catalogue is already live. Before registration opens, pick your program and figure out which location works for your family. These spots fill up and the system gets slow on opening day. Set a phone alarm for 11:55 AM on your date. Be logged in and ready. Treat it like concert tickets, except instead of Taylor Swift it's arts and academics at your kid's school.

Why It Matters: Free or low-cost programming that keeps kids learning (and busy) during summer break. If you're already sweating the "what are we doing for six weeks" question, this is your first move.

🤝 Okay, Here's the Plan

I want to walk into the cafés, the swim schools, the kids' studios, the local businesses we already spend money at, and get exclusive perks for Cambie Memo families. Discounts. Free trials. Early access. Stuff that actually puts money back in our pockets.

Every deal sends families through the doors of businesses that are already part of this neighbourhood. More foot traffic for them. Better deals for us. That's a win worth building.

And when it comes to getting perks, size matters. The more families behind this newsletter, the better the perks get. Simple as that.

So here's my one ask: think of two parents you know in the neighbourhood. Someone doing the same Saturday morning scramble, the same "what are we doing this weekend?" panic at 9 PM on a Friday. Forward them this email. No link, no code, no hoop. Just hit forward.

The goal: 750 families by May 21. I'll keep you posted.

(And if you happen to own a local business and you're reading this — reply to this email. I have ideas.)

☕ Indonesian Street Food at City Square — Today at 3 PM

Akira Takaki known for hosting Indonesian pop-up dining experiences is doing a one-day Indonesian street food pop-up at Blaze Cafe in City Square today.

The Move: While you're there, order the Bali Latte — Blaze's signature iced coffee made with Indonesian palm sugar that gives it this perfectly subtle sweetness. It's the kind of drink that works in every season and the thing regulars won't stop talking about.

Why It Matters: The chef (Akira Takaki) is bringing a one of a kind experience to the neighbourhood, and these pop-ups don't happen often. The snacks are cheap and kid-portioned, and you don't need to plan anything. Just show up.

💰 Your First Cambie Memo Perk: 10% Off at Blaze Cafe

Remember that plan I just told you about? It's already started.

Blaze Cafe at City Square is giving Cambie Memo families 10% off any order over $10 this Sunday (April 26).

It's a small one. But it's the first. More to come.

The Move: If you're anywhere near City Square on Sunday, grab a Bali Latte and tell them you're with The Cambie Memo.

🚧 Alberta St Closed for Sewer Work

If your route takes you through Marpole, heads up. Alberta Street is closed between West 49th and West 47th for sewer upgrades. It started last weekend and it's going to be there all summer.

The Move: If you use Alberta for school drop-offs or cutting through to Granville, find your detour now before you're stuck behind a backhoe on a Monday morning. Cambie or Ash are your best bets.

Why It Matters: This isn't a one-week thing. It's an all-summer thing. Adjust the mental map now and save yourself the 7:45 AM surprise.

🅿️ RIP to the Emergency Car Loonie

If your parking strategy involves dumping whatever change is rattling around your cup holder into the meter, that's about to stop working. The City is eliminating coins as a payment option at street parking meters.

Going forward, you'll need a credit card, tap, or a parking app.

The Move: If you don't already have a parking app on your phone, now's the time. Download PayByPhone, set up your payment method, and add your licence plate before you're standing at a meter in the rain realizing coins don't work anymore.

Why It Matters: You do not want to learn about this change while double-parked outside a piano lesson with two minutes on the clock.

🏊 Hillcrest Pool Reopens Monday

If you've been enjoying the ghost-town parking lot at Hillcrest this month... savour it. The pool, sauna, and steam room have been closed for annual maintenance and reopen Monday, April 27.

What's still open right now: The fitness centre is running, but heads up — there's no access to change rooms or showers during the maintenance work.

The Move: If you need the pool this week, you don't have one (at Hillcrest, anyway). If you need the gym, it's there, just plan for a no-shower situation. And if you've been loving that easy parking? Go enjoy it one last time. The Hillcrest parking hunger games resume next week.

🎁 Edith Cavell's Silent Auction is Live Right Now

Need a Mother's Day gift? Father's Day? A birthday present you can feel good about? Edith Cavell Elementary is running an online silent auction this week and it's packed with local stuff.

We're talking gift cards to JJ Bean, Rain or Shine, Thierry, The Elk, Hot Cha Cafe. Passes to Clip & Climb, Castle Fun Park, Origins Parkour. Even Vancouver Canadians tickets and a Museum of Anthropology membership. All donated by local businesses.

The Move: Browse the auction at 32auctions.com/EC2026 and place a bid before Thursday night. You don't need to have a kid at Cavell to participate. If you're going to spend money on a gift anyway, might as well send it toward a school playground while you're at it.

Why It Matters: You get to support a local school, knock out an upcoming birthday present, and experience the very specific thrill of winning a bidding war from your couch.

🚀 Space Camp Saturday: Dark Matter

The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre does a monthly Space Camp Saturday for families, and this month's theme is dark matter. UBC's Department of Physics and Astronomy is running the show, which is the kind of sentence that sounds intimidating but is actually designed for kids and curious parents alike.

The Move: This runs every last Saturday of the month with a different theme, so if this one doesn't work timing-wise, bookmark it for May. The scavenger hunt at 4 PM is a good entry point if you can't make the full day.

Why It Matters: It's hands-on, it's indoors, and your kid might come home explaining dark matter to you at bedtime. Worse things have happened.