The Scope

PLANNING/PARKING
Georgestown’s lot

When The Casbah restaurant owner Steve Curtis considered opening a gourmet deli on Hayward Avenue, he didn’t foresee the negative affect on area residents.

“Then I found out that parking was an issue,” says Curtis.

The commercial space Curtis eyed lies right in the heart of Georgetown, near the popular Georgetown Bakery. Georgestown residents like Meagan Broderick are already competing with bakery-goers to find parking near their homes. They fear a second shop would limit residential parking even more.

“It probably would be too much. I have trouble parking here on Saturdays because of the bakery,” says Broderick.

Curtis has since withdrawn his application for this location, but does have a suggestion to solve Georgestown’s parking problem.

“Behind the basketball court [on Hayward] is an unused parking lot. If the court moved 10m to the west and parking was created where the court is now, you’d have 20 [additional] spots, eliminating congestion from any business and more on-street parking for the neighbourhood.”

Broderick, who lives houses away from the commercial space, sees merit in Curtis’ idea. “If there was more parking right there, I think [a deli] would be fine. I’d park there.”

Transportation engineer with the City’s Planning Department and Downtown Parking Study chief Robin King, offers insight on Curtis’ idea.

“The on-street parking in these areas is at a premium. We know that, and the only thing that we can do is protect the interests of the residents.”

For a suggestion like Curtis’, King says that many departments would get involved and consider the issues affecting residents before a plan could be drafted.

“There may be some impacts associated with having the basketball courts back closer to the houses, especially if it’s used late at night, say.”

The bottom line, says King, is that Georgetown is a residential area so residents come first over commercial matters.

—Sydney Blackmore

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LOCAL PRODUCTS
Tickles for sale

Tickle Kids, a Newfoundland-centric line of prints, greeting cards and children’s clothing by artist Amber LeDrew-Bonvarlez first began as a doodle.

“I work with the Historical Sites Association and they were looking for content aimed at kids. I brought these sketches I did for fun into the office and everybody loved them,” she says.

The Tickle gang is a watercolour collection of rounded and smiling characters Oliver, the Newfoundland dog Jigger, Sarah, Adelaide, Aiofe and the Cape Spear superhero Cathy Sparks. Each character relates to a provincial site or emblem like Signal Hill, Cape Spear, sou’westers and lupins.

“It’s all about protecting and preserving the culture. And that connection, that space between two places is what a ‘tickle’ is to Newfoundlanders,” says Amber. “The greeting cards for kids is a way to connect two places that aren’t that far out of reach.”

Amber is also in the early stages of producing a children’s book to entertain and teach lessons in Newfoundland history and heritage. Tickle Kids can be purchased at any Heritage Shop and the St John’s Farmer’s Market. For more information contact the Heritage Shop Gallery at 739-7994. —SB

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FITNESS/HEALTH
Using the force

Bobby Bessey and Meaghan Hutchings are offering over 20 yoga classes per week at the new Shakti Yoga Studio located at 286 Torbay Road in Coaker’s Meadow Plaza. Shatki aims to be an inclusive yoga studio for adults and youth alike with classes for prenatal, yoga for mom and newborn and children aged 3-5 years.

“We wanted to fill every need in the city,” says Bobby.

The studio also sells Canadian made yoga gear, eco-mats and bags, and 100% cotton unbleached blankets. To check out their schedule, upcoming seminars and blog at www.shaktiyogastudio.ca or call 722-YOGA. —SB

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RESTAURANTS
At the bistro

There’s one less Coffee Matters in the metro, as the 320 Water Street Coffee Matters Too is now home to Bistro Sofia.

Gregory Bersinski, former Executive Chef of The Vault, is one of four partners that operates the shop, which will sell Montreal smoked meat sandwiches, brioches and specialty chocolates. Sofia will also offer pastries and cakes for weddings, birthdays and special events, plus catering and delivery upon request. For more info call 738-2060 or e-mail bistrosofia1@gmail.com. —SB

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