December 2017 | Urbanicity Hamilton by UrbanicityHamOnt

d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 7 / t h e h o l i day i s s u e

Holiday eats with no clean up

a very hammer-town holiday

A Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas in Hamilton

The Top Ten Things to Do Before the End of 2017

our first annual holiday gift guide

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big or small, Hamilton has the spot for your holiday parties

Make a special $2 donation to the Good Sheppard this Holiday season

C O M P L I M E N TA R Y

the hamilten

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URBANICITY . CA

A MESSAGE FROM PUBLISHER + EDITOR ANDREA FERNANDES andrea@urbanicity.ca LAYOUT & DESIGN Tafari Anthony COV ER BY Kathy Guffroy DISTRIBUTION urbanicity Magazine

urbanicity Magazine is wholly owned and published by urbanicity Magazine. All content copyright © 2017 and all rights to distribution are reserved by urbanicity Magazine. As a forum for ideas, issues, and experiences, the views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Publisher, Editor, other contributors, advertisers or distributors unless otherwise stated. DISTRIBUTION 40,000+ readers per month. Distributed throughout Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Aldershot, and Burlington. 12 issues per year. (289) 796.0931 AD V ERTISING IN Q UIRES advertising@urbanicity.ca www.urbanicity.ca

the editor in chief It usually happens when I have a hot drink in hand and the cold crisp air pinches my cheeks - that warm and tingly feeling awakens my holiday spirit. We hope this issue awakens your holiday spirit, too. Urbanicity searched for the best gifts made by Hamiltonians and packed as much as possible into our first annual Holiday Guide. After reaching out and chatting with local business throughout the city we compiled a huge list to help with your local holiday shopping experience. From #HamOntForHim and #HamOntForHer boxes by Stocked In Hamilton , T-shirts in every language of the world from True Hamiltonian , classic Ti-Cats gear and perfect stocking stuffers gift ideas from Crown Point Candles , Graham & Brooks , Nest on Locke , and more , we’ve created a holiday spread ( pg. 9 -11 ) with some of our favourite Hamiltonians to help you support our beautiful city . December is all about being kind, generous , and helping those in need. It’s time to lend a hand, volunteer a few hours of your time, donate to a worthy cause, and spend time with family and friends. Spread peace, love, joy, and happiness! Flip to pg. 16 to find part one of “A Child Christmas Story in Hamilton.” Read the rest of the story exclusively online at Urbanicity.ca by donating $2, which goes to the Good Sheppard in Hamilton to help them to continue to supply food, clothing , and hot meals to those in need. We hope you enjoy the most wonderful time of the year and wish you all Happy Holidays! Andrea Fernandes

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The HamilTEN The top ten things to do before the end of 2017 “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, or so I hear. In the spirit of wrapping the year up in a tidy bow or in the spirit of holiday, there is only one month left to make 2017 count. No pressure of course, but if you’re looking for things to do in the next 31 days in Hamilton, here are my suggestions.

0 1 . Z ip I nto the Z oetic The magical movie theatre on Concession always has the most interactive theatre experiences. This month they have several gems to enjoy including an Elf viewing with Quote-Along and costume contest, an improv Second City show, Sound of Music Sing-Along and a pyjama screening of The Polar Express. This may be the only theatre where quoting or singing along isn’t met with glares and thrown popcorn – so go for it!

0 4 . T ry T H A T P lace You know the one – the one you’ve been meaning to try all year. This glorious city has so many new places all the time, but we are still small enough to actually get a table. This is the sweet spot, people. For me, the places I haven’t made it to yet include Cima on Locke, Mesa and Redchurch Café & Gallery. I’m on it!

0 7 . T ry S omething N ew … O r P lan T o You’ve all seen them – those flyers on café corkboards advertising something new and interesting that you may have passed by. Maybe this is the time to get out of your comfort zone, meet new people and experience something different in Hamilton. Aerial yoga could be your new favourite thing!

0 5 . C ook L ocal

We all know shopping local makes everything better – our shopkeepers, our community, our gift-giving experience, our ozone – so make it a priority once again this year. I can always find great gifts at Studio 205, Pure, Canoe, Mixed Media and La Bichette, to name only a few. Delight in their glorious window displays and pop in to check someone off your list.

Hosting a home dinner party is the best excuse to try new recipes, use matching dishes and revel in not having to go out in the cold at the end. Something new to try this month is the new cookbook by the Other Bird (home of Rapscallion, the Mule etc.) called Debauch. It looks beautiful and if we know anything about TOB, the food will be incredibly scrumptious.

0 3 . T o M arket , T o M arket …

0 6 . C heck I nto H P L

0 9 . P ark for F ree

I can’t get enough of our local libraries, but in December, their event calendar is uniquely spectacular. Beyond stocking up on books to get you through those ‘freebie’ days before New Year’s Eve, consider participating in their Ugly Sweater DIY, while the afternoon away with a free HPO Brass Quintet performance, or spend a night out with the Skydiggers. No late fees incurred.

One way Hamilton is making it easier to shop local is by offering free parking during the month of December all over the city! As someone who has received too many parking tickets this year, I will be reveling in this kindness. Go downtown, go to Barton Village, go to Ottawa Street – give them love!

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0 2 . A v oid A mazon

Tis the season for markets: holiday, craft, artisan…every type is in full swing this time of year. They are a great way to get in the festive mood, see what’s new in macramé, and score some delicious baked goods. Some favourites: Handmade Hamilton, Craftadian, and whichever offers Belgium cookies and wool dog sweaters.

1 0 . L earn the W ords to “ A u ld L ang S yne ” Or find New Year’s Eve plans, essentially. If you’re going out on the town, hunkering down with friends or spending it at home with Ryan Seacrest and Times Square, there is an undeniable spark that is captured in NYE. Make your reservations and plans now and add a year in review activity to the conversation. What was the best? The worst? The unforgettable? The most delicious?

0 8 . T aste an A lliteration F ood T o u r To combine your two loves of spelling and dining, look no further than a culinary tour based on alliteration. Challenge yourself to dine at places with double letters in their name like: La Luna, Bread Bar, Rolly Rockets, or Saltlick Smokehouse. Why? Because, why not? If you can come up with one that starts with H, let me know.

By Melissa McQueen

Born and raised in Hamilton, Melissa spends most of her Decembers trying to keep her Christmas tree alive, listening to the Home Alone soundtrack on repeat and setting new goals for January. In 2018, she's all about learning how to eat a pomegranate and getting a gold recycling box. @ WinnieCooperMM

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Stocked in Hamilton Showing off the best of Hamilton, one gift box at a time

Photo by Kathy Guffroy

Photo by MARTY EDWARDS

It’s not often that Christmas shopping also means supporting and celebrating the city you live in. It’s rare that buying gifts encourages you to be proud of where you are. But that’s just what Stocked in Hamilton has done.

and make Hamilton so inspiring. With her husband Daniel’s idea of a stocking stuffer company in her head, Katie saw with fresh eyes the handmade and locally created products she used and loved.

A venture just a few months old, Stocked in Hamilton is the brainchild of Katie Rincker, a Hamilton resident of almost a decade. The longer she lived in the city, the more she grew to love each of the neighbourhoods, the streets, the parks, and the people. A social worker by trade, Katie’s job had her out in the community, at schools, and even family dining room tables. She saw creativity and vibrancy wherever she went, and wanted a way for everyone in Hamilton to experience the same.

When she received a new job offer, Katie had to decide whether she wanted to accept the position or move ahead with this new business. The good news? She did, and created Stocked in Hamilton, a company that pulls together Hamilton makers and creators into one gift box.

“I’d fallen in love with the people,” says Katie, describing her passion for Hamilton. “I’m excited by the culture, the evolution, and the change of this city as it continues to unravel.” During her time on maternity leave, Katie spent time with newborn son Rudy exploring her city. Seeing Hamilton during the day allowed her to see it in a whole new light, so to speak, and discover the people that build

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Katie first turned to the vendors who created some of her favourite local products in city shops and went from there. She began meeting more artisans in Hamilton by visiting festivals, makers markets, and Art Crawls, and the more people she spoke to, the more positive feedback she received. She also put her idea out on Reddit to ask Hamiltonians what they thought of when they thought about their city, and found the same products coming up again and again. This gave her the push she needed to go all in. Stocked in Hamilton gifts focus on two main boxes - #HamOntForHer and #HamOntForHim. Each is filled with a variety of high-quality items not only made

in Hamilton, but representing Hamilton as well. Katie is enthusiastic to be joining the small business community in Hamilton that is so encouraging to new companies. “I really enjoy meeting all the different entrepreneurs in Hamilton and learning from everyone I’ve met,” she says. “Everyone is so creative themselves, having started their own businesses, and so are willing to share their expertise.” The result of Katie’s hard work is a one stop shop gift that’s perfect for longtime Hamilton residents and new transplants alike. Stocked in Hamilton’s boxes take the guesswork out of gift giving with convenient online shopping that’s stress-free and includes complimentary local shipping. Knowing everyone is different, Katie chose to include a customizable option for each box. This means that each box is oneof-a-kind, crafted with care and personality for the recipient. Stocked in Hamilton’s motto is “Your community is our warehouse” - words that could not ring truer for any company. “I love helping people learn what their city has to offer, allowing them to

“I’m excited by the culture, the evolution, and the change of this city as it continues to unravel.” feel more connected to their community,” explains Katie of the slogan. She aims to highlight the best of Hamilton and its spirit by featuring the talented people that make up our city. Head to www.stockedinhamilton.ca or @stockedinhamont to learn more about Katie and the company!

By stefani soliman

Stefani Soliman is a social media marketer and freelance editor. She's an avid supporter of local businesses, Canadian-made goods and fashion. Along with her love of dogs, punctuation, and the ‘90s, Stefani is a keen recycler and instrument collector. Tell her a corny joke and you’ll be friends for life. @stefsoliman

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E x periences

Baroque Bar and Lounge, Coming Soon Bringing rococo style to the Hamilton night life

The opulence of the Baroque era will soon be found right in the city of Hamilton, with Baroque Bar and Lounge aiming to open New Year’s Eve. Located underneath Tailgate Charlie’s on John Street South, Baroque will be the place that young professionals will go for a night out on the town, or for a special celebration.

he baroque style is classified as “relating to or denoting a style of European architecture, music, and art of the 17th and 18th centuries that followed mannerism and is characterized by ornate detail.” That’s exactly what the team behind Baroque plans to offer at the underground bar. The space formerly known as Liquid Kitty will be given the high-end treatment - with feature walls, opulent carvings and mouldings, and hand-painted murals from local artists like Richard Mace (Street Art Hamilton). They also plan to bring in specialty furniture, to add to the theme of the space, such as antique hutches from Spain. Every wall in the space will be an ideal backdrop for those fire selfies. You know Hamilton is in for a treat when you find out who is behind the concept of the new ‘Baroque’ Bar and Lounge. Chef Manny Ferreira, from Mezcal TNT and Uno Mas fame, and Jesse Chiavaroli, from Urban Legend Group (behind Trust, Ora and Heist), have partnered up to create the detail-oriented bar and lounge that will impress guests on every front. The new Baroque Lounge and Bar will be almost a hybridmerger between their ventures. From the food and drinks to the atmosphere and decor, Baroque will be the place to be for those 25+.

The second section of the elegant new spot will be the lounge. The lounge will have booth seating flanking the sides of the room, along with a large stage and will be conducive to the classic bottle service, though the Baroque team plans to do this a little different as well, with large volume cocktails. The third section of the room will house a large dance floor in which they’ll play high energy music, timeless classics, comeback trends and hot new tunes. On top of all this, there is also word of a private party room, reminiscent of an exclusive speakeasy. This section is in the works for 2018, but will have a brand all its own. On top of being the “it spot” on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Baroque will also be an events space, hosting everything from stand-up comedy shows and fashion shows to live musical performances, product launches and corporate events. You go, rococo! Stay tuned to social media for future information. Baroque will be opening at 69 John Street South, Hamilton, ON.

There will be three sections to the bar and lounge, each filling a specific niche. One section of Baroque will house their large bar, where guests can enjoy highend cocktails ordered from a skilled bartender, and the Baroque food offerings – which they are cheekily naming “Petites Cuisine”. Chef Manny states that the food offerings will be small tapas style with a french, rococo flair; ideal pairings to cocktails.

By HEATHER PETER

Heather Peter is a restaurant marketer, food industry graphic designer, writer, blogger & avid home-cook. When not out supporting the local food scene, Heather immerses herself into the culinary community. Beyond food, Heather loves tea, animals, & exploring Hamilton’s green spaces. @ hamontsmallfry

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A Very Hammer-town Holiday Photos by Kathy Guffroy

We’re so lucky here in Hamilton, you know? You could do all your holiday shopping online during Cyber Monday, or you could hit the mall during the biggest shopping season of the year, but why would you when there are so many incredible small businesses in our community that sell amazing Hamiltonmade and products? Urbanicity is proud to present this year’s curated collection of holiday gifts for everyone on your list and we enlisted some of Hamilton’s nicest people to help us present them! Thank you to Kyle

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Andrew, Natalie Sexton, Lyndsay Boyd, Max Francis and his lovely daughter Gwen, little baby Ira, Brian Riddell, Matthew Surina, Mallory Sullivan, Max, and Buddha for your time, energy, and assistance in bringing these pictures to life. And we couldn’t have done it if we didn’t have shoot locations that rock – so thank you to the Beverly on Locke, Munchies Barkery on Upper Gage, and the old grey lady herself, Dundurn Castle for existing. For more photos and close-up shots of products, visit our digital gallery on urbanicity.ca

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#HamOntforHer with Coffee & Card ($110), #HamOntforHim Bearded Man ($110) - Stockedinhamilton.com / mallory: Polka dot Jenni dress with collar ($220), Leather fringe poncho shawl ($140) Blackbird Studios, 123 James St. North

left:

Leather messenger bag ($350-$500) - Tundraleather.ca / Vintage sled ($155) - Graham & Brooks, 43 Cootes Dr., Dundas / natalie: BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA - Dovekie skirt ($149), Allison Wonderland - Kiss top burgundy ($148) -White Elephant, 133 James Street North and 1032 King St. West / kyle: Nautica Navy Puffa Jacket ($195), 34 Heritage Brushed Cotton Pant ($179), 7 Downie Shirt ($179) - Gilbert's Big and Tall Menswear, 439 King St. West

right:

Brian: hamONT sweater ($50), FjĂ¤llrĂ¤ven Skogso Winter Padded Jacket ($400), Deus Beanie ($40) - O's Clothes, 150 James St. North lindsay: Hammer City Paws Rescue T-shirt ($20) - Munchie's Coffee House and Barkery, Unit 4, 1000 Upper Gage Ave / Max & buddha: Doggie bow ties ($10) - Studio 205, 205 King St. East

bottom:

Stratos Board Game ($25-$80) - Stratosgame.com / Felt Animal Ornaments ($11.95-$14.95), Hand carved wooden ornaments, Snowflake Cushion ($11.95-$14.95), Merry Christmas Cushion ($11.95$14.95) - Graham & Brooks, 43 Cootes Dr., Dundas / Ticats Contrast Trim Pillow ($29.99) - Tictas.ca / olga: Tunic Dress ($140) - Blackbird Studios, 123 James St. North / Gwen: True Hamiltonian Kid's T-shirts ($20) / max: True Hamiltonian T-shirt ($20) - Truehamiltonian.ca, August raw reversible jacket ($169.99) - Truehamiltonian.ca

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top-left:

Crown Point Candles ($10-80) - Crownpointcandles.ca / Made in Hamilton Candles ($25) - PURE Home Couture, 174 Locke St. South / Respect the Beard Candles ($14) - Studio 205, 205 King St. East / ira: Hamilton baby onesie ($28.95) - Citizen Kid, 188 Locke St. South / Tictas toque ($19.99-$39.99) - Tictas.ca / Teething Clip ($20) Munchingmonsterchewlery.com / lyndsay: Ticats women's logo hoodie ($28.95) - Tictas.ca / Moose cushion ($60), Felt Bird figurine ($22.95), Christmas Tree ($22.95) - Graham & Brooks, 43 Cootes Dr., Dundas / Birdhouse ($40), Animal figurine with air plant ($25) - NEST, 171 Locke St. South, Hamilton

top-right:

Rosalie Wynne Intimates Bralettes ($58) - Rosalie-Wynne.Myshopify. com / Yoga undies ($20) - OM on Locke, 162 Locke St. / MacramĂŠ Plant Hanger [plant included] ($39) - Studio 205, 205 King St. East

bottom-left:

Felted Animal Bust ($72) - Graham & Brooks, 43 Cootes Dr., Dundas / Stratos Board Game ($25-$80) - Stratosgame.com / Yoga Bag & Strap ($60 & $25), Penguin Stuffy by The Wild ($24) - OM on Locke, 162 Locke St. / Owl mittens ($30), Turtle clutch ($25), Handknit headband ($30), Hot Dog mug ($20), G&T Design Bulldog Napkins ($35-$45), Feline Myself & Werk T-shirts ($25-$30) - NEST, 171 Locke St. South / Teacup candle ($25), Felt Wallet ($28), Reversible Bow Ties ($45) - Studio 205, 205 King St. East / Leather toiletry travel bag ($64.99), Leather-bound journal ($29.99) - Tundra Leather, 313 King St. East / Made in Hamilton Candles ($25) - PURE Home Couture, 174 Locke St. South

By OLGA KWAK

Olga is a Hamilton-based writer and marketer. Her work has appeared in She Does the City, Torontoist, Toronto Star, The Genteel, and PRODUCT Magazine. She builds websites and writes from her office on Barton Street East. Visit www.olgakwak.com for more advice on doing the right thing online.

@ olgakwak

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The Heating & Cooling Professionals Who CARE

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Our 100% bridle leather belts are hand-made in #HamOnt; this is the last belt youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ever need!

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Hamilton in Bloom Bringing floristry to the blossoming steel town On one of this year’s many unseasonably warm late October nights, Thuya Floral Arts held its grand opening. Creative Director, Tasha Lee Van Dithers, welcomed guests to explore the newest addition to Hamilton’s ever-growing list of amenities. Van Dithers, herself a born Hamiltonian, saw the city’s recent revitalization as an opportunity to bring her passion for floristry to the blossoming steel town. Located at 191 King Street East in the International Village, Van Dithers is proud and excited to share the street with other small business such as Girl on the Wing, foreseeing the area to become a main attraction in the city, comparable to eclectic areas in Toronto. She cites Hamiltonian’s unique openness and interest to new things as one of the factors that made this location so promising. The night of Thuya’s opening party, a massive floral arrangement was installed on one the studio’s red-brick walls. Tasha explained that the wire mesh was mounted on the wall, allowing the flowers to be slotted in the desired placement. The execution of this installation was made a little more difficult due to the fact that nonorganic florist foam was not used. The use of organic and eco-friendly practices and materials is important to Van Dithers. A strong and direct relationship with local flower farms is also a top priority for Thuya. Having worked on one herself, and seen first-hand the hard work that goes into the journey from tiny seed to gorgeous flower, Tasha holds great respect for flower farmers, and emphasizes the importance of having and maintaining a close partnership.

Photos by ASHLEY LESIAK

frond print), cactus-themed notebooks, and bright colourful cards that all make great stocking stuffers. Additionally, organic essential oils, such as sandalwood, eucalyptus and tea tree, are perfect for the overstressed. If you’re friends with a facial hair enthusiast, Thuya also carries organic beard care products form Better Beard Co. For a truly thoughtful and fresh gift for the holidays, the handmade ceramics, ranging in price from $25-$60, come with a certificate for an arrangement. This allows you to pick up the intended botanicals right before it is to be given, or more conveniently, allows the receiver to decide what kind of floral display they would prefer. Specially for Christmas, Van Dithers plans on offering amaryllis bulbs, instead of the more common Christmas poinsettia. Whether looking for something specific or just trying to gain a reprieve from the ever-dipping temperature, a quick stop into Hamilton’s newest foray into floral art is a definite must. If you’re not willing to brave the cold, Thuya’s website can be reached at www.thuyafloralarts.com

The studio is open Wednesday to Sunday, being available on Monday and Tuesday only by appointment. Those planning an event have an opportunity to speak with the creative director in the beautifully sparse studio, to plan out the perfect arrangement for their event. In her studio, Van Dithers puts together fresh cut creations in delicate bouquets. If you’re struggling to think of gift ideas for Christmas, you may want to stop in for some inspiration. Thuya not only sells floral arrangements, but other handmade and specialty items. Handmade ties, coming in multiple colours and patterns (including a very fun palm

By Ashley LESIAK

Ashley is a recent Torontonian transplant who studied International Fashion Business at Manchester Metropolitan in England. She enjoys collecting books, dabbling in photography, studying Chinese, and petting fluffy animals. Her favourite thing about Hamilton is living near a second hand book store. @ Sithlorde

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# Urbanicity E ats

Holiday Eats with no Clean Up Big or small, Hamilton has the spot for your holiday parties Whether you are planning a holiday party for four, or for twenty-four, you can be sure that Hamilton has a restaurant that would be ideal for your holiday gathering. From higher-end, to something more casual, Hamilton is home to many event locations to host your family and friends in. Why not explore some of the below options for this year’s party? T hese are j u st a handf u l of the great resta u rants that wo u ld be ideal for yo u r H oliday gatherings , happy hosting !

B et u la R esta u rant

L ake R oad R esta u rant

225 King St W, Dundas, ON L9H 1V6

229 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L2

It may be their first Winter season in Hamilton, but Betula Restaurant’s seasonal menus make for the perfect holiday party. Not only will they have a Christmas specific menu for the season, they also offer a private room for all your party needs. Based on how busy they are during their regular service, we can guess Betula Restaurant will book up quick for Christmas parties. Contact them for details on how they can make your holiday parties a hit this year.

The chic setting of Lake Road Restaurant, paired with their ever-changing delicious feature menu, is the perfect marriage for a top-notch party. Lake Road is known for hosting many of the best holiday parties in Hamilton, and with Chef Dan Megna at the helm, you can be sure your guests will be chatting about the food until next year!

C apri F amily R esta u rant 25 John St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1

If you’re a Hamiltonian, you will have heard of the famous Capri Blue Grotto Lounge. The cave-like appearance of this secret room, along with a river running through it, was closed for years after the popular boom of the 70s. Luckily for us Hamiltonians these days, the Grotto has recently been re-opened as an events space that is able to host up to 75 people for sit down meals and 100 people for drinks and apps, with a minimum spend. If you’re looking for an extremely memorable holiday party that guests will be talking about for years to come, look no further.

R o u ssea u H o u se

375 Wilson St E, Ancaster, ON L9G 2C1 Housed in a heritage (built in the 1830) that once was the home of famous painter Frank Panabaker, Rousseau House is an elegant atmosphere that will impress any holiday party guest. In terms of private dining spots, Rousseau House has three options in spaces to choose from – their Panabaker Room, Solarium Room or Honeysuckle Room. Ranging in party sizes from 12 people to 60 people, the Rousseau House team offers a variety of menu options from oysters to bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts, to ricotta gnocchi. Visit their website for more information on each of their spaces.

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A berdeen T a v ern

432 Aberdeen Ave, Hamilton, ON L8P 2S4 Above Aberdeen Tavern, you’ll find the ‘The Apartment’, a private, fashionable, and modern room that’s almost like hosting in the comfort of your own home – without all the work and mess. The Apartment is equipped with its own bar and kitchen, with the food quality and exceptional service from the popular Aberdeen Tavern restaurant radiating up to the second floor. They are able to host anything from corporate lunches to weekend celebrations. The new Diplomat from the team behind Aberdeen Tavern (Equal Parts Hospitality) is also soon down the road, and is expected to be a popular events space in the city.

By HEATHER PETER

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A Child’s Christmas in Hamilton The following was first published by Hamilton design firm, factor[e] design initiative, as part of a holiday-giving campaign in 2012. The short book, illustrated by Chelsea Peters, edited and laid out by the factor[e] team, and authored by Ryan Moran, was written in the style of the classic Dylan Thomas prose, A Child's Christmas in Wales. In addition to the charitable aspect of the project, it was a wonderful project to work on for the importance of making your stories your own, and telling tales about the place you live.

amilton Christmases of my youth blaze in the warm details of where dinner was eaten and what toys Santa brought. Though Christmas now is no less aglow, those Yule memories have begun to blur together like strings of bright lights seen at a distance. Colourful and merry, they adorn a nostalgia that predates the days in which friends and I might have instead wandered the lower northwest streets, unscrewing and smashing them in early-evening fits of adolescent mischief. As Dylan Thomas wrote, “one Christmas was so much like another,” back then in our bayside mini-metropolis. It could have been on the fifth day of the week and I was six, or on the sixth day of the week and I was five. Regardless, it was Christmas Eve as I waited for the bus with my Mom, who had me capped and coated, anxious and excited, wondrously restless for the whimsy of a plump bearded man who would soon be crossing over Burlington’s waters to park on our Inchbury roof and which point I’d bury my face in Mom's coat, climb down the chimney. waiting for the operator to announce the floor. Jackson Square, in my late 80’s childhood, was located on 34th Street, or at least, it might as well have been. To me downtown was a bustle like any other big city, as at the time, I didn’t know any other big city. For all I knew Ebenezer Scrooge had just, that morning, walked to work at his counting house located on Main St. East, and later that evening George Bailey might be found running through Westdale, screaming Merry Christmas at the top of his lungs. One thing I was sure of was that the glowing garlands that always hung under the fluorescent ceiling lights in the labyrinth halls of Jackson Square quickened my excitement for Santa’s impending evening visit. And still did in later years, and still do today. With awe I stared up at them and at the store windows all around as I accompanied my Mom on a last minute Christmas shopping trip. The loudspeaker music, the hordes of people, all a part of this holiday hypnosis, all stoking my exhilaration, all except for moments in the dungeon-like elevators of the old Eaton’s, at

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Back in the mall, and dragged from the Eaton’s toy aisle - after failing in negotiations for a Green Lantern action figure - I would manage to persuade Mom to take me by the North Pole one more time, which in those days was in no fear of global warming, but actually existed rather comfortably in the south-west halls near Druxy’s. My heart pounded as I caught the scent of chlorine from the indoor waterfall of the Standard Life building, for in those days, it too was located in the North Pole. Passing the McDonald's I’d see the snow, plush and cotton, surrounding Santa’s triumphant throne, fake brick and beautiful, plunked in the middle of what was a fountain during the rest of the year. He HoHoHo’d for the kids, asked those on his lap what they wanted him to bring that evening, and waved at the ones who could only stand by and watch... To read the full story head to urbanicity.ca and make a $2 donation to the Good Sheppard this holiday season.

By Ryan Moran

Ryan is a proud Hamilton, Ontario native, interested in style, travel, adventure, arts and culture and always trying to be better. In other lives Ryan is an MBA, a Senior Manager of Marketing for Niagara Parks, and a Co-Founder/ Owner of CoMotion On King. In his rare spare time, he enjoys writing and photography. @ RPMoran

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