Let’s bring back some community connection into our lives.

We’re just past 10 days into 2021. We’re still in a pandemic, still missing our regular connections with friends and family, and news both across the border and close to home has still been…surreal at times. But we’re also ready to (safely) bring back some community connection into our lives. Engage with arts and culture. Get things done on the to-do list. Find ways to spread joy. So in the spirit of all those things, here are 5 things to do in Strathcona this week. 

Strathcona Galleries are kicking off the new year with some exciting exhibitions.

Tiko Kerr: PLEXUS is on view through February 13 at Mónica Reyes Gallery. Tiko Kerr is a Vancouver-based visual artist whose 30 year long exhibition history includes explorations into performance, set and mural design, and social activism. This latest exhibition is the result of Kerr’s exploration with a new medium to him made widely popular by COVID-19: plexiglass. Kerr’s plexiglass works provide an opportunity to look closer and deeper and to challenge the authenticity of what we see. Learn more about the exhibition here, and book a time for your visit in advance to ensure a COVID-19 safe visit.

When: Open Mon, Tues, and Sat 11-2pm and by appointment.

Where: 602 East Hastings Street

More info: monicareyesgallery.com

Liz Magor: Downer is on view through January 30 at Catriona Jeffries. This exhibition explores the question of how do we care or not care for the things that surround us in our lives? Liz Magor is a Canadian visual artist whose practice has centred primarily on sculpture for over four decades. Using traditional mould-making techniques, Magor often replicates everyday objects in unexpected forms, or splices them together and presents them in new contexts. Learn more about the exhibition here. 

When: Open Saturdays 12-5pm. 

Where: 950 East Cordova Street

More info: catrionajeffries.com

Are you looking for books to add to your 2021 reading list? Vancouver Public Library has a superb collection of curated booklists. Find books organized by a variety of genres and categories, including Women’s Fiction, Indigenous Fiction, Award-Winning Canadian Non-Fiction, and many more. The nə́c̓aʔmat ct Library is open for accessing computers, borrowing and returning materials, and picking up holds. 

When: Library is open 11am – 6pm on Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat and 1pm – 8pm on Thurs

Where: 730 East Hastings Street

More Info: vpl.ca/readnext/booklists

Itching to get your hands busy? Check out this beginner sewing class at MakerLabs where you’ll learn to make a fabric basket. No prior sewing experience necessary. Class size is limited to ensure everyone benefits from the experience (and to ensure safe physical distancing). Masks are to be worn throughout the workshop. Take-home your completed fabric basket, plus a copy of the pattern and instruction booklet, so you can continue making more at home! Class includes all equipment and materials. 

When: January 12, 6pm-9pm

Where: MakerLabs, 780 East Cordova Street

More info:  eventbrite.ca/e/fabric-basket-workshop-tickets-132478772575

Vancouver Best Cookies is the latest bakery to call Strathcona home. From classics like Chocolate Chip, to creative flavours like White Rabbit Candy, and Milk Tea and Brigadeiro Truffled Chocolate, their delicious cookies are bound to bring some joy to a loved one. They bake their cookies everyday in small batches, so when they go out for delivery, you know they are always fresh and yummy. The dough is also made in-house with all natural ingredients. When you order online you can request to include a special message that will be handwritten to your gift recipient. And if you want to gift these cookies to yourself, there is no judgement here. 

When: Anytime – but dreary winter days are a great choice

Where: Operate out of 383 Raymur Ave, deliver to Vancouver and across the Lower Mainland

More Info: vancouverbestcookies.com

For the drivers out there, January is a good time to make sure your car is in tip-top shape to keep you safe on the road this winter. Paying a visit to one of our neighbourhood’s Auto Repair Shops for some maintenance is a good life call this week. Get your brakes inspected, coolant levels looked at, and tires checked. While Vancouver does not mandate winter tires, you should be checking to see if you have enough tread and tire pressure. Pro-tip, our local mountains and some highways outside of Vancouver do require Winter tires or Mud+Snow (M+S) tires. To find Auto Repair Shops in our area, visit our Business Directory, and search Auto Repairs in the categories tab. 

When: Anytime this winter

Where: Multiple options in Strathcona

More Info: strathconabia.com/listings-with-map