News

Call All Snow Artists

The City of Thunder Bay is putting out a call to all snow artists for this upcoming Family Day on February 17, 2025 for the annual Snow Day on the Waterfront.

There are two snow-based competitions: one for professional artists and artistic teams, and one for organizations and community groups.

New for this year, however, is a third competition, entitled: No Snow, No Problem Sculpture Competition, which is open to professional artists.

The aim of this third competition is to build art out of climate resistant materials to create temporary art structures.

So if you’d rather tool around in the cold and have fun, versus just curse that it’s here and not move somewhere warmer, make sure you click the the button below to register your Picasso-self!

(The deadline to apply is Jan 10, 2025).

Daily Poll

Decorating fiend or no?

You guys LOVE eggnog! 82% of you voted YES for being an eggnog lover.

So today, I am curious, do you put Christmas lights on the outside of your home?

Health

Sheltering the Unhoused

There are more than 550 unsheltered people in Thunder Bay. And with very cold temperatures already here, the Care Bus has launched to help.

The bus, which is run by the NorWest Community Health Centres (NWCH), is in its fifth year.

It started operations this Monday and runs 7 days a week from 1pm to 9pm.

It serves as a mobile warming centre and a touchpoint for harm reduction.

The bus is staffed by 3 harm-reduction workers and provides food, water, winter clothing, naloxone, safer injection kits, safer smoking kits, safer sex kits, drug testing kits, and wound care kits.

Passengers are transported on a fixed route, but can be dropped off at any social service they might require.

The Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre is also joining the bus for the second year.

They will also be adding additional services and help, as 78% of those who are unsheltered identify as Indigenous.

Police

2024 Festive RIDE Program Launches

The Thunder Bay Police launched their 2024 Festive RIDE Program earlier this week and man, I already need to say:

We have to do better, Thunder Bay!

There have already been 164 impaired driving charges this year in Thunder Bay, with 83 of those people impaired via drugs.

And to all the losers who think they can get high and not get caught, allow one of us to slap you and know this:

Thunder Bay Police have expanded their drug recognition expert program and are becoming far more skilled at identifying drivers under the influence of not just alcohol, but drugs too.

So please, this holiday season (and always and forever), don’t ruin someone’s Christmas or New Years by being an idiot. Spend the night, call a cab, call a Uride, call a friend.

Please.

Community

Waterfront Rink Open

I know those itching to get on to the public rinks to play some open air hockey are still left waiting, but the rink at the water front is good to go!

The marina skating rink opened earlier this week and runs daily from noon until 9pm (although I’m not sure what happens if you decide to rule break and skate before or after those times….)

The Water Garden Pavilion Lodge is open to the public for those who drank too much coffee or hot chocolate to stay warm and need a a pitstop.

The city will be providing an outdoor fire place, lighting, music, and skating aids (available on a first-come-first-served basis).

For more information on the this, and the rest of the city’s public rinks, click the button below.

Community

Calls for Social Housing Audit

Elevate NWO has called for an audit on vacant social housing units in the city and it’s gained the support of MPP Lisa Vaugeois.

Elevate NWO sent the request to Ontario Municipal Affairs the Housing Minister, Paul Calandra.

The issue (now remember above we have over 550 homeless people…) is that allegedly the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board, which is responsible for the social housing units, has over 200 vacant units.

Given that the country, never mind the city, is in a housing crisis, the temperatures are rapidly dropping, and we have a significant homeless population, the fact that over 200 units are sitting empty when they could be helping, Elevate NWO and MPP Vaugeois are looking for answers.

Seems like a very reasonable request…

First Nations News

Power Grid Connection

The Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system is turned on!

This set-up is a beast. It includes 1,732.5km of transmission lines, 22 substations, 4,231 lattice steel towers, and 2,572 wooden poles.

The system was energized in November, and currently 12 Indigenous communities have been booked up.

4 more communities are working through the process of being hooked up, with 1 due to be connected this month, and the other 3 in 2025.

The project started in 2019 and faced delays due to COVID, raging NWO forest fires, but now, communities are able to get off diesel for their power, and connect community centres, outdoor spaces and new homes.

Optimism is high that this will help improve living conditions and economic growth for all involved.

Get Your Christmas On 🎄

Get Ready for the Fatman Coming Down the Chimney!

5th Annual Carolina for Charity - Dec 6 (6pm-7pm) @ 95 Winnipeg Ave; Dec 7 (4pm-5pm) @ River Terrace Park

Dulcisono Choir Presents: A Ceremony of Carols - St. Paul’s Anglican Church - Dec 8 @ 3pm - $15-$20

The Sounds of Christmas - St Andrew’s Community Christmas Concert - St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church - Dec 8 @ 4pm-5:30pm - $20-$25

30+ Pop-Up Vendors - Goods & Co. - Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22

Santa Visiting & Photos - Vanderweese - Dec. 14, 15, 21, 22

Pet Pics With Santa - Intercity Shopping Centre - Dec. 7, 14; 4pm-6pm
* proceeds to local rescues

Santa Photos - Intercity Shopping Centre - Nov 16-Dec 24
Monday - Friday in November 3pm-7pm
Monday - Friday in December 11am - 7pm
Saturday - 10am - 6pm
Sunday - 11am - 5pm
Dec. 23 - 10am - 8pm
Dec. 24 - 10am - 2pm (he’s gotta get back to the North Pole!)

Breakfast With Santa - Thunder Bay Country Market - Dec. 14; 8am - 10am

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

Elf: The Musical
Musical stage production
Magnus Theatre
December 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (show times at 2pm & 7pm - check with Magnus for your preferred date)
$25-$55

Constellations: An Evening of Holiday Classics & Festive Favourites
Live musical performance
Fort William Historical Park
December 4 @ 7pm-9:30pm
$35

Champions of Magic - Night 1
Live magic performance
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
December 4 @ 7:30pm
$60

Champions of Magic - Night 2
Live magic performance
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
December 5 @ 7:30pm
$60

Homeopathy Information Camp
Curious about how homeopath can support your health?
Gleeson Clinic (1304 Victoria Ave E.)
December 6 @ 7pm
$ FREE

TBSO - Voices - Messiah
Live musical performance - Handel’s Messiah by the Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus
St. Paul’s United Church Program
December 7 @ 7:30pm
$25-$50

Story Time with Tbay Drag Queens and Crafting with Queens
Family friendly live event
Waverley Public Library
December 7 @ 2:30-4pm
$ FREE

The Book of Mormon
Musical theatre
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
December 7 @ 7pm; December 8 @ 1pm; 8pm
$100-$225

Home of the Day

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2 bedrooms
2+1 bathrooms
1,742 sq ft

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Really cute semi-rural 1.5 story; 1 acre; 20×40 workshop; garage; steam shower