🌟 Signal Hill Shines Bright While St. John’s Plans Big Moves

Good morning, St. John’s. This is St. John’s Living —the newsletter that’s as exciting to open as the next number on the Advent calendar.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• Habitat for Humanity completes Eric Street project 🔑

• GST holiday begins on Saturday 💵

• The Cabot Tower star has been lit up 🌟

• QMJHL Acadie-Bathurst Titan may call St. John’s home 🏒

Let’s get into it…

Digest

🔑 Welcome Home Eric Street Families

It’s taken 5 years since the first the City first gave the land on Eric Street to Habitat for Humanity to build affordable homes, but three new families now have keys. The mortgage on the properties is capped at 30% of a families gross income, keeping it affordable.

For a quick refresher on who’s eligible to apply for a Habitat for Humanity home…it’s open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have a total gross family income between $35k-$75k. You need to be employed full-time and be a first-time homebuyer. You also have to volunteer 500 hours to Habitat for projects before you can move-in. This program is a hand-up, not a hand out.

💵 GST Holiday Starts on Saturday

As of Saturday, and for the next two months, there will be no GST/HST charged on food and beverages, children’s toys clothing, books and other items. Will you be going out to any local restaurants this winter given the 15% break on the price?

🌟 The Star of Signal Hill Shines Bright

The star at Cabot Tower first appeared in the 1970s but didn’t last very long, but has now been an annual tradition since the 1980s. Whether you preferred the pre-2015 glowy star or today’s compass inspired design, it’s always a sure sign of the holidays when it’s lit for the first time.

🏒 Bonjour Titan?

It’s expected that, at this week’s QMJHL board of governors meeting, the sale and relocation of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan to St. John’s will be approved. We’re a hockey loving town but geography hasn’t always been our friend. Let’s hope that by October we’re cheering on junior hockey at the Mary Brown’s Centre after a 15 year absence.

Local Business

• Whink and The Newfoundland Weavery are closing. No timeframe beyond “a few weeks” was given but starting now, both stores will be operating out of the Newfoundland Weavery location on Water Street. We hate to see any local business close their doors.

• The NL Embassy is hosting an ongoing toy drive in support of Thrive. Pop into the friendliest pub in town anytime until December 19th and drop off a gift for a young’un. There’s a reason the pub won the 2024 Community Champion Award this year.

• Urban Market has submitted an application to the city to re-open their drive-thru. It’s now open for public comment so if you’d like to see the convenience back in convenience store, let the city know.

What’s Happening

Wednesday

🎤 Do you have a story to tell? Or just want to sit back and enjoy a yarn? The December story circle with Dave Penney at The Battery Cafe is great for tellers and listeners alike. Storytellers get a free non-alcoholic drink as a treat, though…. Just sayin’ 

🚂 Family Movie Night: Babes in Toyland at the A.C. Hunter Library. Two employees of a toymaker try to borrow money from their employer to pay off the mortgage on Mother Peep's shoe.  Refreshments and hot chocolate will be provided. 

☕ Stay connected and beat the winter blues with a Chic Socials cafe meet up at Jumping Bean on Kelsey Drive. Grow your social circle while enjoying local coffee shop treats.

Thursday

🎶 Celebrate the season at The Majestic Theatre with the best-loved Holiday songs of all time from all your favourite artists – from Elvis Presley to Bing Crosby, Mariah Carey to The Carpenters performed by local artists.

🎨 Add a Christmas-themed street sign to your holiday decor this year. Take some stress out of the season with a calming painting session.

Friday

🛍️ Looking for something out of the ordinary? The Krampus Christmas Bizarre is just the spot. Filled with over 50 oddity, curiosity, and unique vendors. Have your picture taken with Krampus before you leave.

🏀 Newfoundland Rogues take on the Sudbury Five at the Mary Brown’s Centre at 7pm. And until Dec 31st (or they run out), you can get two tickets, a t-shirt, and a foam sword for just $49.99.

🎨 Sustainable Craft Night at Johnson Geo Centre is a refreshing take on holiday decor. Learn how to hand sew and embroider ornaments that you can enjoy for yourself, or give as a gift! Bring scrap fabric from home or share with others. 

🎤 WRIFFS: A Comedy Talk Show hosted by Matt Wright will take place upstairs at The Republic with guests Steve Mahoney, Jeremy Charles, and Mike Fardy. It all kicks off at 8:30pm.

Saturday

🎲 The A.C. Hunter Library is hosting a youth board games afternoon for anyone 16+. Join in for an afternoon of card games, board games, and snacks!

🎶 Andrew LeDrew, Kalem Mahoney, Robert Kelly and Michael Hanrahan, aka Military Road, will be reuniting for one night at Erin’s Pub to celebrate the new holiday single ‘An Erin’s Pub Christmas’.

🎶 A Trinity Hall Christmas continues the tradition started last year ago when musicians from across Newfoundland & Labrador came together to create an album to raise for the Janeway Children’s Hospital. Enjoy acts like The Navigators, Ron Kelly, Rachel Cousins, and more.

🔬 The big guy is full of magic but he loves science too. Join in an afternoon of holiday science fun at the Johnson Geo Centre with Santa himself!

🎶 Do you just love singing with a crowd? Be part of the Festival 500 instant choir this afternoon at The Rooms and sing your heart out.

Sunday

🎥 The Santa Clause at Bridie Molloy’s @ 7pm. Enjoy festive vibes, good company, and classic holiday movie on the big screen. Popcorn for every table.

🎶 Enjoy an afternoon of Christmas vocal and instrumental favourites with The Celtic Fiddlers @ St. Mary the Virgin Church on Craigmillar Ave at 2pm.

🛍️ If all the big gifts are shopped for and wrapped, there’s just one thing left to do. Stuff some stockings! The SJFM Stocking Stuffer Market will be filled with local gifts all priced $20 or less.

🛍️ Feast on some treats at the multicultural bake sale and craft fair. The Latino Hispanic Bazaar will be taking place at the Amal Unite & Empower centre on Ricketts Road from 1pm-5pm.

Monday

🎨 Paint, Sip, and Snack the night away at Magic Storm Events. Enjoy a coffee/tea and treat from Cloud Puffs Bakery & Cafe, while creating an acrylic painting of a Candy Cane Bubbly.

🎭 Join the Spirit of Newfoundland for a fun holiday dinner theatre experience. The 12 Bays of Christmas promises to be a hoot with a side of gingerbread cake.

Tuesday

💌 Send the gift of song this Christmas! With a donation to the Holy Heart Music Program and the Holy Heart Food Hamper Donation program, a group of Holy Heart Carollers will arrive at your home, business, seniors home, school, etc to perform a medley of Christmas favourites.

🎨 Have you ever wanted to try glass fusing? Drop by the Clay Cafe and design and make your very own holiday “snowglobe”. No glass experience needed.

Municipal News

⚖️City Council Meeting

On the agenda for today’s City Council meeting:

• The driveway to Lion’s Park Ballfield getting a name

• Energy concierge services may be coming

• The tagging turned wall sign at 54 Circular may be approved

• See full agenda

The meeting is at 3 PM 4th Floor City Hall. The public is welcome to attend.

Thanks!

Thanks for reading St. John’s Living today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who has the best ugly Christmas sweater.