🦅 Rare Birds and Big Dreams: The Week in St. John’s

Good morning, St. John’s. This is St. John’s Living —the local newsletter that’s as uplifting as a perfectly timed compliment from a stranger.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• Steller’s Sea Eagle has moved on so Terra Nova is closed again 🦅

• Joel Thomas Hynes MUN’s new Writer-in-Residence ✍🏻

• MUN Cheerleading Heading to Worlds 🎉

• Leaside Manor looking to expand & Georgestown Inn for sale 🏨

Let’s get into it…

Digest

🦅 Terra Nova Back to Normal

The amazing and rare Steller’s sea eagle that had been hanging out in Terra Nova Park before Christmas has decided to move on. While Terra Nova opened up some day use areas and trails so that local bird enthusiasts could have a chance to spot the avian anomaly, the park is once again closed for the season.

✍🏻 Consultations Available with Writer-in-Residence

The MUN Department of English and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences have announced Joel Thomas Hynes as Memorial University’s 2025 Writer-in-Residence. Consultations will be available from January 10-February 6 for MUN students and the public. So if you have a piece of writing you’d like another set of eyes on or general writing advice, book an appointment with Joel. 

🎉 MUN Cheerleading Heading to International Competition

This week the MUN competitive cheerleading team will be heading to the International Cheer Union (ICU) University World Cup Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, FL. This year they’ll be shooting for a 3rd straight Top 3 finish, finishing 2nd last year. The student-athletes work so hard to prepare for competition so let’s cheer them on as they go for gold!

🏨 Inns and Outs

Leaside Manor currently has an application in front of city council to build a large new extension, adding 18 new rooms to their existing business. If approved and built to look like the concept, it should blend in quite well with the heritage buildings in the neighbourhood. Meanwhile, the lovely Georgestown Inn has unexpectedly just been listed for sale. A beautiful 7-bedroom turn-key bed & breakfast could be yours for $1.9 million.

Local Business

• No more Velvet? The return of Junctions? Looks like we’ll know for sure in a few weeks.

• Estee Cafe has opened on Water Street. If delicious pastries with Barbie pink decor is something you’d like, be sure to check them out. 

• Planet Fitness is now open on Torbay Road. If you have a black membership you now have two options for your daily workout.

• Ricki’s and Cleos locations closing, Bootlegger in danger. If you have a gift card for Ricki’s or Cleos, use them ASAP. Liquidation likely starts on Friday and they’ll be worthless once that happens.

• New coffee shop coming to old Water Street Starbucks.

• Little Sparo re-opened on January 13 after a New Year’s break.

• Urban Market should be getting its drive-thu back based on the positive neighbourhood submissions and city staff recommendations.

• Namjim will have their last service at Bannerman Brewing on February 10th before saying goodbye. 

• Grand openings we missed:

  • 1949 Barber Shop on Freshwater Road (Dec 14)

  • Spa de la Mer in CBS (Dec 16)

  • Nailstime in Galway (Dec 18)

  • Thai Express in Mount Pearl (Dec 19)

  • Binz 4 Less on Peet Street (Dec 21)

  • Pizza Pizza in Mount Pearl (Dec 30)

What’s Happening

Wednesday

🎼 If you want to pick up a new hobby in 2025, why not make it the ukelele? Darrin Martin will be leading a 12 week adult beginner ukelele class at Magic Storm Events starting today. Still time to book your spot!

🎱 It’s Bingo night at the Newfoundland Embassy, and no dabbers needed. Win some fun prizes, free to play. First game at 7pm.

🎙️ Have a story to tell or just like to listen? Drop by the Battery Cafe for the January edition of the Storytelling Circle, hosted by Chukky Enyi.

Thursday

🎭 St. John's Players is holding open auditions for their spring 2025 production of "Bothered and Bewildered" by Gail Young, to be performed at the Provincial Drama Festival in Corner Brook.

❓ You have your pick of trivia games tonight! It’s up to you whether you prefer the vibes at Landwash Brewery, the Elks Club, or The Station Lounge, you’ve got options.

🎶 Selina Boland will be live at The Black Sheep and if you’re lucky, you might be able to snag one of the few remaining copies of her new CD.

Friday

💃 Join Courtney Fowler for a fun-fille live music dance party celebrating the Pop Superstar, Chappell Roan!

🌱 Ever wondered how to build a closed terrarium? This workshop hosted at Easter Seals will cover the basics but still fun for any experts and you get to take home your creation.

🎄 Still have your real Christmas tree kicking around? Bring it down to Middle Cove Beach for a little Christmas Tree Bonfire social. 

Saturday

🎷 Get a little more jazz in your life with Atlantic Jazz Nights at the Arts & Culture Centre. The series is hosted and curated by celebrated St. John’s-based pianist Florian Hoefner and bassist, Jim Vivian. T.his week will also feature local artists like Heather Bambrick.

🏒 The St. John’s Senior Caps take on the Clarenville Caribous at the Mary Brown’s Centre at 7:00pm.

🎶 Come down to Theatre Hill for a night of ABBA! Featuring Alex Abbott and Julia Dunne, this dazzling duo will take you through all the ABBA hits, like Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, S.O.S., Money, Money, Money and so many more.

Sunday

☕ Quadrangle’s bi-weekly Hi(gh) Tea is back. Come in person or join online for a cup of community.

🎙️ If you’ve got a poem you’d like to share, drop by LSPU Hall for Spoken Word St. John’s Poetry Open Mic Night. Space is limited so get their early to reserve your slot.

Monday

🐐 It’s baaack. This is sure to be the most relaxing and fun experience you've had this year. Paint pottery and play with goats at the Clay Cafe.

Tuesday

🧶 Stitches with your…friends - it’s a great way to spend a Tuesday afternoon. Bring your fibre projects to the A.C. Hunter Library at 2pm for a social knitting circle.

Municipal News

⚖️City Council Meeting

On the agenda for today’s Regular Council meeting:

• New townhouses proposed for Gilbert Street

• Will Urban Market have their drive-thru 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 your kids have a playdate with this week.