Week of December 18-24, 2024

Good morning, St. John’s. This is St. John’s Living —the local newsletter that’s more satisfying than a Vienna sausage and cheese on a toothpick.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• 2025 Budget released 💰

• Churchill Falls Excitement 🌊

• Mail Delivery is Back…Sort Of 📮

Let’s get into it…

Digest

💰 2025 Budget Released

How much does it cost to keep the City of St. John’s going each year? For 2025, the answer is $349,151,881. The city has balanced its budget and managed to not cut any programs or services for the next year all while property taxes stay the same. You can peruse the whole document here.

🌊 Churchill Falls Excitement

Who had tearing up the 1969 Churchill Falls contract on their 2024 bingo card? Not us! While it’s not yet a done deal, the joint announcement this past week with the premiers of NL and Quebec means big things for the province. Starting in January 2025 we’ll be bringing in about $980 million more for the existing Churchill Falls energy than we did this year. That’s going to go a long way to paying down our debt and investing in our future. We’re going to call that a great early Christmas gift.

📮 Mail Delivery is Back…Sort Of

After a month of negotiations without an agreement, it looks like Canada Post will be back on the job as of today. If your package has been Dieppe’d since November don’t expect to see it on the move yet though - it’ll take a while to clear the backlog of mail. Meanwhile, we hope the two sides can agree to a new contract before the new May deadline.

Local Business

• Cove Bouldering is expanding…but not moving. By expanding in their existing building they’ll be able to offer more climbing options and increased capacity. They’re hoping for an end of January completion, but you know how these things go. Stay tuned.

• SpiceX Grand Opening Week on Blackmarsh Rd is happening all this week.

• Lori & Co will be shifting from storefront to studio starting in January. Their Hamlyn Road location will now offer personalized permanent jewelry and custom services by appointment only, while their boutique remains online.

What’s Happening

Wednesday

📽️ Bridie Molloy’s might be known for live music but tonight they’ll be a movie house. Pop down for 7pm and catch Bad Santa on the big screen, popcorn included.

🎶 Who better to launch the Basilica as a concert venue than Kellie Loder. They’ll be performing a mix of their original tunes along with Christmas classics with a few special guests.

Gather your trivial friends and head to Banished Brewing in Paradise for a little December Trivia. $3 per person and teams of 2-8 people - don’t forget to register in advance!

♟️ Inspired by the recent World Chess Championship? Drop by the Magic Storm Chess Club today from 3pm-5pm and indulge your inner Gukesh Dommaraju. $5 drop-in fee, includes a drink.

Thursday

🛍️ The countdown is on! If you’re still shopping your Christmas list, check out the Last Minute Merry Market from 12pm-8pm at the Mazol Shrine Centre for stocking stuffers and sweet treats.

🗺️ This week the city’s Trail Explorers program explores downtown Grand Concourse sections along Duckworth, Water, and Harbour Drive. It’s a great way to meet folks and get some outdoor activity.

☕ Enjoy an afternoon of Land & Sea and a cup of tea at The Rooms. They’ll be playing one of the most classic episodes, The Mummers Show, featuring the music of Simani.  A cup of tea and piece of Christmas cake are included.

🎤 Are you on a Wicked high and just want to belt? Pop by Theatre Hill Bar & Cafe for some musical theatre karaoke with Courtney Fowler. $100 cash prize up for grabs!

Friday

🎶 One of Newfoundland’s great rock bands is back together for one night only. It’s a Christmas miracle. We hope you got your tickets for The Novaks at The Ship early because this one sold out in just a few days.

📖 Join celebrated Newfoundland and Labrador actor, playwright, and humorist Andy Jones as he officially launches his latest book, Actor Needs Restraint!: Monologues, Recitations, Clown Turns, and Comedy Sketches at The Rooms.

🎶 Tim Baker and All Hands will be taking the stage at the Arts & Culture Centre tonight. Expect to hear songs from his new album, Full Rainbow of Light, inspired by his connection to Newfoundland and the unique way December hits there each year along with Hey Rosetta Christmas favourites.

🎤 If comedy is your thing, LSPU Hall is the place for you. Andrew Kay brings his show, Andrew Kay is Somethin’ Else to the second space for a “100% serious comedy show”.

Saturday

🎶 Paige Penny is home for Christmas. The Canadian Folk Music Award nominated singer is back from Nashville and will be showcasing her tunes at The Battery Cafe.

🎶 Tonight marks Jerry Stamp’s return to the stage with a full band after a decade away. Jerry was forced to retire from music due to a painful auto-immune disease so this show at The Ship is indeed a rare treat.

Sunday

🎄 The Holiday Wassail at O’Brien Farm is the year-end fundraiser for the Folks Arts Society and a great holiday tradition. It’s a celebration of community and song during the long winter season, a family event where the community can get together and sing carols led by some of your favourite folk performers.

📽️ Home Alone 2 @ Bridie Molloy’s @ 7pm.

🎤 The Newfoundland Embassy Comedy Showcase: A Very Degenerate Christmas

🎶 If apocalyptic folk tunes are your jam, check out Mother Country’s album release show for their debut album, The Sign of Jonas, at Bannerman Brewing.

🎶 Revel in festive tunes and tales with The Irish Descendants and members of Rum Ragged at the Arts & Culture Centre.

Monday

🎄 It’s Tibbs Eve which means it’s time for O’Reilly’s big Tibbs Eve Bash with The Bishops and The Islanders.

🎶 If your Tibbs has more of a folk/rock vibe, then check out Dave Whitty @ The Rock House with his full band.

🎶 And if you want the biggest Tibbs bash in town, get yourself to the Delta for Shanneyganock Christmas, featuring Bic & The Ballpoints, Rum Ragged, Claire Follett, and Nick Earle & The Reckless Hearts. It’s gonna be a time.

Tuesday

🎅 Don’t forget to put out milk & cookies for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph! Merry Christmas!

Municipal News

⚖️City Council Meeting

On the agenda for today’s Committee of the Whole meeting:

• New apartment building applications and rezoning

• 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 actually likes Christmas fruit cake.