Mirepoix Bistro

Eat Local!

The Covid19 pandemic has devastated the restaurant and hospitality industry in Niagara and elsewhere. I was relieved to find that Mirepoix is once again serving it's delicious food to the patrons who love it. 

Mirepoix Bistro is one of my favourite restaurants anywhere and I have been around the world. Having eaten there often and always having been pleased with the entire experience, I am delighted to see that it is again open.

Mirepoix is a tiny place with a big attitude and quality food. This is a family owned place and you'll doubtless meet at least one of the owners when you go visit.  

Watch your step when entering and especially when exiting the Bistro.

I see that as a nod to Covid19 re-opening requirements that they have installed several tables on the property. I think that there is now more seating capacity out of doors than indoors. The Bistro is facing East. There is generous free parking available across the street.

To be on the safe side, call for a reservation. Once the regular clientele is aware that the Bistro is once again open, reservations will be required as they were in pre-Covid days.

Can you tell that I love this place? Do yourself a favour, give it a try. You really will be glad that you did.

Eat Local!

Go and get your Breakfast/Lunch/Brunch on:
Wed – Sun from 8am – 2pm (ish)

Mirepoix Bistro is located at:
64 Court St.
St. Catharines, On
L2R4S2

Contact them at:
Phone: 289-968-8772
maddy@bistromirepoix.com

www.BistroMirepoix.com

This is an unsolicited review, the owners aren't aware that I am posting it, nor am I receiving any remuneration. It just deserves a great review.

2013 Montebello Park Summer Band Concert Series

Montebello Park Summer Band Concert Series

Head to Montebello Park Sunday and Tuesday nights for great live, local music. Admission is free.

Montebello Park is at 64 Ontario St, St Catharines, which is  the main park in Downtown St. Catharines. The park is located along Ontario Street at the south end of Lake Street.

Make sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating, and remember to bring your dancing shoes so you can dance in the pavillion.

Performances start at 7 p.m., weather permitting.

Summer Band Concert Series Line Up

June 30 - Walter Ostanek Bank (Polka/Variety)

July 2 - Marty Allen Band (Country/Rockabilly)

July 7 - Lincoln & Welland Ambassadors Swing Band (Big Band)

July 9 - Kindred (Celtic)

July 14 - Solid Brass (Big Band)

July 16 - The Juliet Dunn Quintet (Jazz)

July 21 - Winston James (Country/Pop)

July 23 - Vinyl Flux (Classic Rock)

July 28 - Niagara Old Tyme Fiddlers (Traditional Fiddle)

July 30 - Jermaine Cowan (Reggae/Soul/Pop)

August 6 - Vox Violins (Folk/Blues)

August 11 - Solstice (Latin/Carribean)

August 13 - Dragon Ritual Drummers (World/Afro Beat)

August 17 - The British Invasion (60s British Pop/Rock)

August 18 - Sandy Vine Trio (Top 40 Hits)

August 20 - Wendy Lynn Snider (Country)

August 25 - The Rock 'N' Ray Michaels Retro Rockers (50s-70s)

August 27 - Lambs Become Lions (Indie Pop/Rock)

The City of St. Catharines has a webpage as well for this series at http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/experiencein/ConcertsinMontebelloPark.asp

The New St. Catharines Hockey Arena - Cui Bono?

So what is happening in St. Catharines with the proposed new hockey arena? It sure doesn't seem to be about the needs of the public. The last scenario that I heard of has some 6000 seats at a cost of $60 million. That is $10,000 a seat - that is outrageous. This project reeks of influence and wrongheaded, poorly thought out decisions.

Who is benefiting (cui bono) from this project? Somebody or somebodies must be benefiting from this new rink. Is it possible that some of the following may be benefiting:

• Politicians
• Developers
• Financiers
• Contractors
• Team owners
• Sports Fans
• Arena Concession Owners

Who may be  hindered, disadvantaged or hurt by the building of this new rink?

• All of the Ratepayers of St. Catharines
• Neighbourhood around the current arena
• The City of St. Catharines' Balance Sheet
• The City of St. Catharines' Credit Rating
• More pressing projects and opportunities for the City

This project should be stopped - NOW. In the old days, carpetbaggers miscreants were recognized and often given harsh treatment and  / or driven out of town in short order - Some of those traditions are worth resurrecting.

Free Concerts at Montebello Park in St. Catharines - 10 July 2012

Here is the Calendar of Band Concerts in Montebello Park for 2012 -

This summer visit the Walter Ostanek Pavilion at Montebello Park. Free concerts every Sunday and Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in 2012. Montebello Park is the main park in the Downtown St. Catharines. The park is located along Ontario Street at the south end of Lake Street.

Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs, etc..

2012 Concert Schedule

July 3 - Marty Allen Band (honky-tonk, rockabilly)

July 8 - Lincoln and Welland Ambassadors (swing band)

July 10 - Lincoln Concert Band (concert band)

July 15 - Walter Ostanek (polka)

July 17 - Vox Violins (accoustic/ambient/folk)

July 22 - Winston James (50s, 60s Rock 'n' Roll)

July 24 - The Cruisers (50s, 60s do-wop)

July 29 - Sandy Vine Trio (party band)

July 31 - British Invasion (60s music)

Aug. 7 - Frankie Phelan Five (jazz)

Aug. 12 - MacPherson Rant (celtic, blues and pop)

Aug. 14 - Kindred (a cappella to swing)

Aug. 19 - The Retro Rockers (pop, rock and R & B hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s)

Aug. 21 - Solstice (Latin)

Aug. 26 - Solid Brass (big band, 40s)

Aug. 28 - Old Thyme Fiddlers (traditional, old time fiddle)

City seeks public input on $50-million spectator facility

Redbuds at St. Catharines Central Library

I was walking by the St. Catharines Central Library today when I saw the annual display of the redbuds in front of the entrance.  As readers of this blog know, I find the redbud's display in Spring to be a constant joy and a sign that lilacs will soon be in bloom.

The Eastern Redbuds at the library are not large but their planting is well placed to delight the library patrons when they are near the library's entrance.The library's architecture is Brutalist but once inside, it is welcoming.

Below is a short video of the redbuds blooming in front of the St. Catharines Main Library and views of the immediate environs. The blooms are beautiful this year. The images below were captured 24 April 2012.

The Library is an under appreciated institution and I suggest that residents of St. Catharines visit and use the excellent service that the library and the helpful library staff provide.

Cedric's Barber Shop

I needed to be shorn this past week.  So I chose a local professional barber, Cedric.

Cedric is the owner of "The Head Shop", which is located at Welland St., which is near the intersection of Welland St., and the QEW in St. Catharines.

I phoned Cedric at 905-988-9772 and made an appointment for 1 p.m..  As Cedric's shop is less that 1 km from my home, I had planned on walking or bicycling over but I had some other errands to run beforehand and I was pressed for time so I took the car and arrived 5 minutes early as there was plenty of available street parking.

Cedric's shop is clean and tidy with a few barber chairs and a bench for those waiting their turn in the chair. As I had made an appointment, I was in Cedric's chair at 1:00 and my shearing and our conversation began.

We had an interesting conversation about shaving and razors and related paraphernalia as well as the importance to all of us in the region and on both sides of "the river" to buy and use local goods and services whenever possible.

Cedric's 1950's Marvy Barber Pole Sign

While in the chair a family entered with their son. They waited on the bench until I was finished and then the very well behaved young fellow took his turn in the chair.

I was delighted with both the conversation and the professional haircut. Clearly Cedric knows what he is doing and I encourage my readers to give him a try. I think that you'll be pleased - I was.

The Head Shop has relocated to:
20 Hartzel Rd.

Unit 10
St. Catharines, ON
L2P 1M3, Canada
+1 905-988-9772

 theheadshop.blogspot.com

Why isn't the City of St. Catharines properly enforcing contracts?

Why isn't the City of St. Catharines enforcing Municipal Contracts such as tree maintenance. Given the problems with mature trees coupled with the new normal of more frequent severe wind storms, trees must be trimmed so as to ensure both reliable electrical service and safety to the community.

I am fed up with the talk of the new arena, also known as McMullan's Folly, the City should be taking care of the existing physical infrastructure.

There is currently an inadequate and possibly life threatening level of service in place. I would hope that if there is a serious event that someone be held accountable under the full force of the law - when warranted, the Ministry of Labour can put negligent contractor's and employers in prison.

Late Fall at the St. Catharines Farmers Market - 3 December 2011

It is a beautiful fall day here in the Niagara Peninsula. So this morning I decided to head out to the Farmers Market and just walk across the street the St. Catharines Library main branch.

There were Carollers

The market was very busy and people other than food stuffs, the shoppers were gathering Christmas season related items.

 The colours of the plants were very festive

 

People should get out to their Farmers Markets and take in the ambience. Reality sure beats "Reality TV".

City of St. Catharines will hand out smoke alarms on Saturday