🛥️ Rain Records, Recreation, and Rockin’ the Nyachty List!

Good morning, St. John’s. This is St. John’s Living —the newsletter that’s like a Rice Krispies treat, we serve only the crispiest bits of news surrounded by sweet, sweet marshmallows.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• The Province Says Goodbye to Deborah Birmingham

• Winter Rec Registration Opens

• Record Breaking Rain

• Kioti National Grand Slam of Curling

Let’s get into it…

Digest

The Province Says Goodbye to Deborah Birmingham
The province has lost another well-known broadcaster. Deborah Birmingham, best known as a co-host of OZFM’s Dawn Patrol, passed away last week. Her death comes three months after the passing of her longtime co-host, Randy Snow. She joined OZFM in 1984 and became a cornerstone of Newfoundland and Labrador’s morning radio. Working alongside Snow and Larry Jay, the trio was a staple for over a decade. She also spent part of her career co-hosting NTV News Day. She will be missed.

City of St. John’s Winter Recreation Registration
Set your alarm clocks. If you’re looking to take a recreation class with the City of St. John’s this winter, registration opens at 7:00am on Thursday. Registration for aquatics like swimming lessons will be next week. But no worry, we’ll give you a head’s up.

Record Breaking Rain 🌧️
The last day that St. John’s saw nothing fall from the sky was October 23rd.  Since then we’ve gone on to break the November record for rainfall. The previous record was 285.9mm set in 2004 and as of November 25th, we’re currently at 295.8mm with 5 days to go. We’re currently being promised a sunny day a week from now so hopefully December will bring the sun back.

Kioti National Grand Slam of Curling 🥌
The biggest curling event St. John’s has hosted since the Brier in 2017 and saw Brad Gushue win his first of 6 (so far) titles has kicked off!. If you don’t already have yours, there are still some tickets kicking around at the Mary Brown’s Centre. And if you’re heading out for a draw (curling, not the other stuff, although we don’t judge) pop by the Newfoundland Embassy for a pint and a bite before or after. They’ll be serving up breakfast this week as well for the early risers.

Local Business

• We missed this one last week but it looks as if Bad Bones Ramen has closed their doors this month. This one hurts.

• Chinched will also be closing the doors of their restaurants after their New Year’s Eve service and will be pivoting to a deli counter/pop-up incubator.

• Kicking the trend, SpiceX will be opening their 2nd location in St. John’s in the coming weeks at the former Blackmarsh Superette.

• Higher State Health & Wellness Club celebrated their grand opening this past weekend. They have everything from yoga & pilates to physiotherapy to naturopathic medicine.

What’s Happening

Wednesday

11m-2pm - MUN University Centre
🧥 MUN will be hosting a Professional Clothing Closet Thrift Pop-Up on the third floor University Centre, outside The Landing. If you have any professional clothing you’d like to donate, you have until Tuesday. If you’re in need of business outfits, you can shop starting at 11am. All proceeds will be going to Choices for Youth.

7pm - The Battery Cafe
🎤 Full Charge Comedy is popping up at the Battery Cafe again with a showcase of Professional Comedy for your ears, eyes and funny bones! Featuring your hilarious hosts Jarod Farrell and Tyler O'Dea.

6pm - Benevolent Irish Society
🏆 The annual Southcott Awards Ceremony will take place tonight honouring outstanding achievements in heritage restoration, design in context, heritage stewardship, adaptive reuse.

Thursday

7:00am - Online
✏️ If you live in St. John’s are interested in taking part in a recreation program this winter, registration opens bright and early on Thursday. So whether you’re interested in yoga, dance lessons, or play groups, be sure to set your alarm to reserve your spot.

7:30pm-9:30pm - Colonial Building
🎤 For history and journalism buffs, you won’t want to miss this talk. Since 1833, journalists have covered the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature through a little-understood institution known as the Press Gallery. In his talk, journalist Michael Connors will discuss his book, Admit Strangers, and how internal conflicts and poor institutional memory eventually called into question the very existence of the association.

Friday

7pm - Arts and Culture Centre
🎶 Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra's Christmas Pops: Christmas at Home. Join them for a heartwarming evening of festive cheer led by conductor Marc David. This enchanting concert features the delightful Hutton-MacDonald Family, who will fill the hall with the joyous sounds of Christmas classics. From timeless carols to contemporary holiday hits, this concert is a perfect blend of nostalgia and merriment. It's an evening of music, laughter, and holiday spirit that will make you feel right at home.

12pm-9pm - Jack Byrne Arena
🛍️ The North Pole Christmas Fair kicks off at noon on Friday. Shop from over 140 local vendors at the Avalon’s largest Christmas market. No worries about a postal strike here when you shop local. 

Saturday

2pm - A.C. Hunter Library
🧩 Love puzzles but have them piling up in your house? The library will be hosting a puzzle swap that will help you find new puzzles without adding to your overall stash. Bring a puzzle, take a puzzle! All puzzles must be complete and in good condition. Puzzles of all sizes and for all ages welcome.

7:30pm - Majestic Theatre
🛥️ Do you love the soft rock of the 70s and 80s? You’re gonna love this. Come see the Nyachty List take on Steely Dan’s most legendary album, Aja! The band will perform two sets, the full Aja album, followed by the greatest yacht rock hits of the 70s and 80s, including Michael McDonald, The Doobie Brothers, Hall & Oates, Toto, Christopher Cross, George Benson and many more!

Sunday

12pm - Downtown
🎅 Take two for the Downtown Christmas Parade. The parade will start at noon from the Johnson building and head towards the Jag Hotel on Water Street. Let’s cross our fingers that the rain stays away.

10am-5:30pm
🛍️ Looking for a market that combines the love of science fiction, fantasy, pop culture, and all fandoms with festive cheer. The Merry Geekmas Holiday Market is a great one-stop shop for all things geeky this holiday season AND a chance to support incredibly talented local vendors and craftspeople!

5pm - MUN Botanical Garden
🎄 The first night of Merry & Bright kicks off Sunday evening. Tickets went on sale earlier this week so if you don’t have yours yet, don’t sleep on it. After all the RDF we’ve endured in November we could all use a little light in our life. 

Monday

6:30pm-8pm - Magic Storm Events
🧶 Pick up a new hobby this winter. Join Jessica Hickey from Saltwater Crafts for a beginner friendly crochet class. The traditional granny square design dates back to the late 1800's and remains virtually unchanged today. These are great for beginners to let your imagination run wild. Use multiple colours and create squares that can be joined to make almost anything under the sun.

Tuesday

5pm-6pm - Bonaventure Community Garden
🌟 Light Up Hope and celebrate community spirit on this Giving Tuesday. Enjoy music, dazzling fire jugglers, and the feel good sounds of Stella’s Circle Inclusion Choir

7pm-9pm - Victoria Park
🌟 Celebrate international Christmas traditions this year. When caroling in Ukraine, a popular symbol carried around is the Christmas Star. People decorate an eight pointed star that represents the star of bethlehem. Make your own Christmas star at this special workshop as a part of the Mummer’s Festival.

Municipal News

⚖️City Council Meeting

On the agenda for today’s City Council meeting:

• A new 100-unit apartment building has been proposed for Little Street

• 294 pieces of art were submitted by 94 artists for this year’s art procurement. 24 pieces were selected for a total of $19,960. Take a look at all of the chosen pieces here.

• See full agenda

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

Thanks!

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