Week of December 4-10, 2024

Good morning, St. John’s. This is St. John’s Living — the local newsletter that's as satisfying as hitting all green lights when you're running late.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• Bootless Line Dancing at the Mews? 🤠

• St. John’s Showcased on PBS 📺

• Airlines Giveth and Airlines Taketh Away 🛫

• Local book blitz - Breakwater and Flanker 50% off 📚

Let’s get into it…

Digest

🤠 No Boots Allowed

When the new Mews Centre finally opens to the public, one popular recreation program will see some changes. Hard-soled shoes, like cowboy boots, won’t be allowed on the new hardwood floor in the gymnasium. Despite knowing how popular the line dancing program is, rooms were not designed to accommodate them, with the gym floor being too delicate and other rooms being too small. Will the dancers have to boot scoot off to another venue? Time will tell.

📺 A Taste of History

This past week St. John’s became the first Canadian city to be featured on the PBS series: A Taste of History. Season 14, episode 8 is all about our traditional food and some local chefs. Chef Walter Staib travels the world visiting historic and exotic locales and famous kitchens and fell in love with our cod, wild game, and enormous bay scallops as well as our people. Watch Online.

🛫 So Long Flair, We Hardly Knew Ya

This past week Flair Airlines announced that they won’t be returning to the province in 2025. After just one summer, the low-cost carrier has dropped both Deer Lake and St. John’s from its destinations in order to beef up frequency on other routes.

📚 Shop Local, Read Local, Save Local

If you’re looking for something new to read in 2025 or searching for that perfect gift for the reader in your life, you’re going to want to hear this. Two of the largest publishers in Newfoundland are having a 50% off sale this month. This Friday and Saturday visit Breakwater Books on Stamps Lane between 9am and 6pm for great deals. Meanwhile from today until Christmas Eve, swing by the Flanker Press office in Paradise (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) to score 50% off local books.

Local Business

• Namjim’s residency at Bannerman Brewing is coming to an end in two months. What’s next for the team is still to be announced.

• For fans of the flakies, apple flips, and schnecke from Rocket Bakery, rejoice! The broken sheeter is now fixed after two months and our favourite delicious pastries are back on the menu.

What’s Happening

Wednesday

✍️ The Write Sort series at the A.C. Hunter library welcomes Dale Jarvis as he discuss research when it comes to writing. Available in person and online.

🎸 Celebrate the Year of the Arts at Colonial Building with a Songwriters Circle featuring Adrian House, Baraka, Jenina MacGillivray, and Sherry Ryan. And the best part is, admission is free!

🎲 Adult D&D with your dungeon master Mike Bannister will take place at the A.C. Hunter library. Call (709) 737-3950 to register.

🔬 Swing by Staples in Mount Pearl for some glow-in-the-dark slime. The National Geographic Slime Green Lab brings out your child's inner mad scientist by letting them create their own gooey, glowing slime! In this session, kids will make and take Glow-in-the-Dark Slime. Register in advance.

Thursday

🎤 Elevating Your Personal Brand: A panel discussion featuring leading visionaries from across industries in the province, discussing how to craft a compelling and memorable personal brand. Enjoy a selection of international dishes as you network and learn! 

⛸️ Catch local Olympic hero Kaetlyn Osmond along with figure skating stars like Elvis Stojko at Stars on Ice at the Mary Brown’s Centre.

Friday

🏀 Newfoundland Rogues take on the Glass City Wranglers out of Toledo, Ohio at Mary Brown’s Centre at 7pm.

🛥️ The boats of Port de Grave light up for the season at 6pm tonight. This has grown into a popular annual event and worth the drive around the bay.

📚 Breakwater Books Book Blitz happens from 9am-6pm at their Stamps Lane headquarters. Save 50% on all in-stock books.

Saturday

🚶‍♀️ Join Nature NL for an enchanting guided hike in the woods of Pippy Park! As you meander through the trails, you’ll hear some festive nature tales, and indulge in some delightful seasonal snacks.

🎄 It’s time to light it up at Bowring Park! Celebrate holiday lights just after sunset. Hosted by Sharon Snow and featuring Quote the Raven, Baraka, and Tyler Humby you won’t want to miss it. Get there early to avoid road closures and snag your perfect viewing spot.

Any mummers ‘lowed in? The annual Mummer’s Parade will be taking place in Bowring Park this year. Watching the parade is fun, but taking part is even better. There’s no wrong way to dress up as a mummer, just don’t let anyone guess your identity.

🍺 Want to show off your favourite ugly Christmas sweater? St. John’s Pride is hosting the Beers for Queers Ugly Sweater Holiday Crawl kicking off at Quidi Vidi and making its way to three more great local breweries.

🚲 Have a fat bike and jonesing for a ride? Celebrate Global Fat Bike Day with an all-comers ride through the trails of Pippy Park. Meet at Steve's Garage at 35 Pitcher's Path.

🌸 The 10th annual Pink Poinsettia Days in Bloom is taking place at Rise & Shine Nursery. Shop pop-tables from local vendors, take selfies with the garden fairies, enjoy some music and pick out the perfect poinsettia for the holidays. A portion of all poinsettia sales will go to Daffodil Place.

Sunday

🏒 The 4-4 St. John’s Senior Caps battle the 5-3 Cee Bee Stars at 4pm at Mary Brown’s Centre.

🎶 Celebrate the Nunatsiavut traditions of Christmas in the Big Land at Cochrane Street Church with a concert featuring special performances by some incredible Inuit performers, such as award winning Inuk Soprano Deantha Edmunds and a special performance from the First Light Inuit Choir.

👚 Looking to clean out your closet to find some previously loved items? Drop by the Swap, Sip, Shop event at Quidi Vidi Brewery from 12pm-6pm. No items to swap? No problem! You can still come in, shop around, and snag a deal.

Monday

🥜 Son of a nutcracker! Get into the holiday season with a little Elf themed-pottery. Join Avalon Clay Cafe for an evening of festive fun where you can paint your pottery pieces with holiday cheer, Buddy the Elf style.

Tuesday

🎶 It’s just not Christmas without a little ‘I Believe in Santa Claus’ Kenny & Dolly style. Head over to Magic Storm Events tonight and catch Darrin Martin as Kenny and Christa Borden as Dolly and make it a ‘Christmas to Remember’.

☕ Have you ever wanted to make that perfect cup of coffee, but were never sure how? The "Behind the Bar" Barista Course at The Battery Cafe will show you how to make a cup at home taste as good as a cup at the cafe. Learn about grind, roast, coffee quality, brew ratios, timing and other tips.

🎨 Have you ever wanted to practice draw the human form but none of your friends will sit for you? Pop over to the 4th floor of the Arts & Culture Centre tonight for an untutored drawing session. Easels and drawing boards available on-site.

⚖️City Council Meeting

On the agenda for today’s City Council committee of the whole meeting:

• A new apartment complex being proposed for Blackmarsh Road

• 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 whose favourite Christmas album is by Boney M.