ISSUE #81

Good morning,

We’ve made another week, and we’re that much closer to warm weather (and the Leafs winning the Stanely Cup!).

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

In today’s issue, we cover:

• What makes Thunder Bay great? 🤷‍♂️

• Daily Poll -Tell us what makes us great!

• No more paper tickets 🚌

• Spring cleanup started 🗑️

• Plasma centre opens🩸

• Robbery arrest 👮‍♂️

• Language program faces cancellation 

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - 2 garages, hot tub, sauna 🏡

- Marcus Luft

Municipal

What Makes Thunder Bay Great?

The City of Thunder Bay is kicking off a new community storytelling campaign, asking citizens, ‘what makes Thunder Bay great?’

The city wants to capture stories and celebrations that showcase the spirit of the community as they plan for a strong future.

It’s part of the city’s broader Smart Growth engagement strategy, which aims to create a sustainable future for Thunder Bay.

To participate, should you have an opinion (and I know some of you do!), you need to submit a written piece up to 250 words.

You can submit online here, or via email here, or in person at City Hall.

Entrants will be entered in a random prize draw. The grand prize winner will have their full submission featured in the Smart Growth Action Plan and receive a prize pack including local experiences and city program passes.

Let us know, what do you think makes Thunder Bay great?

Daily Poll

Today’s question is:

Monday’s Results:

You can download the full results (including comments) here in an Excel file (email addresses have been removed for anonymity).

Transportation

Paper Tickets to End

Even though you’re reading a digital newsletter, I know there are a bunch of you who love the old pen and paper!

Well, if you ride the bus, I have bad news for you.

The city is transitioning away from the paper tickets ahead of schedule.

With the move to a new reloadable pass card, the city will phase out the acceptance of paper tickets on May 31.

Anyone sitting on paper tickets after that date can head to the transit office at 570 Fort William Rd and have those tickets transferred onto one of the new cards.

Municipal

Spring Cleanup Started

The 29th annual Spring Up to Clean Up started yesterday.

The event, started in 1996, is put on by Eco Superior and the City of Thunder Bay, and aims to help clean up the city as part of the transition to spring.

For May, anyone interested in participating will receive a cleanup kit, which includes gloves and trash bags. Eco Superior will provide pocket ashtrays, litter pickers, and sharp containers (while supplies last).

More than 6.000 community members have signed up so far!

If you want to register, you can get more information here.

Local

Plasma Centre Opens

Canada Blood Services celebrated the grand opening of the Thunder Bay plasma centre last week.

The centre, located in the Thunder Centre, across from Giant Tiger, collects plasma for transfusions and extracted immunoglobulins for life-saving medications.

The demand for plasma in Canada is rising, and currently we have to import 70% of our plasma from outside markets, mainly the U.S.

So far, the response has been strong, and the centre hopes the donations continue at the current pace.

Crime

Weapons Call Leads to Arrest

On Wednesday, Thunder Bay Police responded to a service request for an incident that potentially involved a weapon.

A complainant told police a man with an alleged gun had demanded their wallet and then fled.

Police apprehended the 22-year-old suspect a short while later.

Shockingly in our criminal system these days, the suspect, along with robbery charges, also faces a breach or probation charge.

Indigenous News

Language Program Cancelled

Matawa First Nations Management (MFNM) has announced that the Indigenous language revitalization program may be cancelled due to a lack of funding.

The program has been offered in Thunder Bay and several Matawa communities for two years.

The program costs between $2 million and $3 million per year to run. And while languages are a federal responsibility, the funding for this program came from both federal and private sources.

The tragedy is that many of Matawa’s fluent language speakers will pass away within the next 10 years, putting the language at risk of disappearing.

Various federal departments have been contacted for comment and support, but so far no response.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

May 2

Tech Kids PD Day Camp
An interactive half-day camp that teaches kids how to program robots!
Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre - 2400 Nipigon Rd
9am-12pm
$28.25

Teenage Mechanisms Book Launch and Exhibition Opening
Photograph exhibit on youth mental health in Thunder Bay
Goods & Co - 251 Red River Rd
6pm-10pm
$ Free

Steel Panther & Buckcherry - The Northern Exposure Tour
Live musical performance (19+)
NV Music Hall - 228 Red River Rd
6:30pm
$70-$260

TBSO masterworks - Resurrection
Live performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium - 1 Paul Shaffer Dr
7:30pm
$25-$50

Black Pirates Pub 17 Year Anniversary Bash Night 2
15 bands over 3 nights!
Black Pirates Pub - 215 Red River Rd Suite 101
7:30pm
$10 at the door

Cinco De May Pary ft DJ Pura
Cinco party with dance music!
Norteños Cantina - 235 Red River Rd
10pm
$5-$10

Freeground Live at The Foundry
Live reggae & rock performance
The Foundry - 242 Red River Rd
10pm
$5

Karaoke

• The Hodder - 481 Hodder Ave
  9pm

• The Social - 1047 Dawson Rd
  9:30pm

• The Bar - 863 Red River Rd
  10pm

• The Waterhouse - 9 Cumberland St S
  10pm

• The Dragons Den - 1010 Dawson Rd
  10pm (cash prizes)

May 3

Cinco De Mayo at the Brewery
Traditional Cinco music, margarita on tap, Limberjack Beer Launch!
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co - 712 Macdonell St
6pm-10:30pm
$12

Storytime with Mz Milly and Friendz
Crafting and stories for the kids!
Mary J.L. Black Community Hub - 901 Edward St S
2:30pm-4pm
$ Free

Chaban Ukrainian Dance Group
45th Anniversary show, “Dancing Back to the Future!”
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
7pm
$34

RCBB presents Boogie - Music of the 70s
Roy Coran Big Band bring to life the sound and vibe of the big hair era.
The Superior Inn - 555 West Arthur Street
7:30pm
$20-$35

Black Pirates Pub 17 Year Anniversary Bash Night 3
15 bands over 3 nights!
Black Pirates Pub - 215 Red River Rd Suite 101
7:30pm
$10 at the door

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Cinco party!
Norteños Taqueria - 698 Arthur St W
10pm
$10-$15

Karaoke:

• Howl at the Moon - 8 Cumberland St S
  9pm

• The Hodder - 481 Hodder Ave
  9pm

• The Social - 1047 Dawson Rd
  9pm

• The Bar - 863 Red River Rd
  10pm

• Westfort Prosvita - 721 Gore St W
  8pm-12am

• The Dragons Den - 1010 Dawson Rd
  10pm (cash prizes)

May 4

Mother’s Day Tea
Enjoy Mother’s Day with your mum over a cup of tea!
North McIntyre Rec Centre - 2051 Government Rd
1pm-3pm
$7

Spring 2025 Craft Revival
Craft & boutique vendors
Downtown Waterfront District
10am-4pm
$ Free

Home of the Day

227 Skyline Ave.

(Realtors if you want your home featured - send us an email: [email protected])

3 bedrooms
3 bathroom
1,600 sqft

$499,900

Featuring 2 garages, sauna, hot tub and more!