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Good morning, Thunder Bay — and welcome to issue one hundred and thirty. Mainly cloudy, a 30 percent chance of showers and a high of 16°C, with a gusty west wind early. It's Thursday, and Thunder Bay police are warning about a "grandparent scam" call making the rounds. In today's issue: that warning and how to handle the call; the nurse practitioner-led clinic's new home at West Arthur Place; the Community Auditorium's new name; and a Marathon doctor's provincial award. Plus our Thursday Local Business Spotlight, and eight things to do between now and Sunday.
In this Harbour Beat Issue…
Trivia: Alice Munro, the short-story writer from southwestern Ontario, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in which year — 2003, 2013, or 2023? (Answer at the bottom!)
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Thunder Bay Events
From Come From Away and Menopause The Musical to the Medieval Faire and a free community Thanksgiving dinner, here's what's on between now and Sunday.
Thursday, October 8
OCT 8 · Come From Away — 7:30 to 9 p.m., $36 · 📍 Badanai Theatre production (venue details on the event page) · The Gander musical, with more performances Oct. 9 and 10. · 📅 Add to Calendar
OCT 8 · LIVE Open Mic Comedy Thursdays at Campfire Comedy — doors 7 p.m., show 8 to 10 p.m., no cover · 📍 Campfire Comedy, 117 Cumberland St. N. · Weekly open-mic night; sign-ups at 7:30 p.m., newcomers welcome. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Friday, October 9
OCT 9 · Menopause The Musical — 7:30 p.m., tickets from $73 · 📍 The Auditorium, 1 Paul Shaffer Dr. · A musical parody about four women at a lingerie sale, set to classic hits. · 📅 Add to Calendar
OCT 9 · Bar Polonia Friday Live Music — 8 to 11 p.m., $10 cover · 📍 Bar Polonia, Polish Combatants' Association, 209 N. Cumberland St. · Live music every Friday night; everyone is welcome. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Saturday, October 10
OCT 10 · Thunder Bay Medieval Faire — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 10 and 11; tickets online or at the gate · 📍 Hymers Fair Grounds, 47 Hymers Fair Dr., Gillies · The Knights of Valour bring two days of medieval merriment to the fairgrounds. · 📅 Add to Calendar
OCT 10 · GenX Comedy Takeover Tour — 7:30 p.m. · 📍 The Auditorium, 1 Paul Shaffer Dr. · A night of stand-up from four social-media comedians. · 📅 Add to Calendar
OCT 10 · The Lazys at Black Pirates Pub — 8 p.m., 19+, $35 advance or $50 at the door · 📍 Black Pirates Pub, 215 Red River Rd. · Australian rock band The Lazys return for one night, with Winnipeg grunge rockers The Bloodshots in support. · 📅 Add to Calendar
Sunday, October 11
OCT 11 · The Salvation Army's Free Thanksgiving Dinner — 12 to 2 p.m., free, everyone welcome · 📍 Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre, 545 Cumberland St. N. · A community Thanksgiving meal prepared and served by Salvation Army members. · 📅 Add to Calendar
✅ NO WEATHER ALERTS IN EFFECT
Environment Canada has no alerts posted for Thunder Bay as of Wednesday evening. Expect mainly cloudy skies with a 30 percent chance of showers, and a west wind gusting to 50 km/h in the morning.
☁️ Thursday, October 8 — Thunder Bay
16°C
Overnight low −1°C
Mainly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Wind becoming west 30 km/h gusting to 50 in the morning. UV index 2, low. Clearing tonight with the northwest wind easing in the evening, and a frosty low near minus 1.
Friday reaches 14°C with a 30 percent chance of showers, Saturday warms to 21°C with a 30 percent chance of showers, and Sunday brings 19°C with a 30 percent chance. Monday turns cloudy and cooler near 10°C with a 60 percent chance of showers. Forecast from Environment Canada.
Police warn that the 'grandparent scam' is back in Thunder Bay
The Thunder Bay Police Service says several residents have reported calls in recent days from scammers claiming a family member is in trouble and needs money right away. Callers say the relative was in an accident or was arrested, some claim a connection to the legal system, and in some cases they have demanded $5,000 to keep the matter quiet and offered to come to the home to collect the cash. Police advise hanging up and then contacting the family member directly. If a caller offers to pick up cash at your door, that's your cue to hang up and call your relative yourself.
🗳️ Your call: if a caller said a relative was in trouble and needed cash fast, what would you do?
Your call: if a caller said a relative was in trouble and needed cash fast, what would you do?
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The Lakehead Nurse Practitioner-led Clinic opens at West Arthur Place
The Lakehead Nurse Practitioner-led Clinic has officially opened its doors at West Arthur Place, after moving from Vickers Manor, according to TBT News. If you're a patient of the clinic, West Arthur Place is the address to use now.
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After 40 years, the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium is now simply "The Auditorium"
The venue is dropping "Thunder Bay Community" from its name and going by The Auditorium, a rebrand it says marks a new chapter as it looks toward its next four decades. Acting general manager Andrew Edwards spoke to CBC about the refresh. Look for the new name on tickets — this weekend's shows, including Menopause The Musical and the GenX Comedy Takeover, are at the same Paul Shaffer Dr. address.
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A Marathon doctor is named Ontario Family Physician of the Year
Dr. Eliseo Orrantia of Marathon has been named the 2026 Reg L. Perkin Family Physician of the Year by the Ontario College of Family Physicians. A rural generalist who has served the community for more than 30 years — delivering babies, working in the ER and providing acute, long-term and end-of-life care — he is the third Marathon doctor to win the award since 2013. The award was presented Sept. 24 in Toronto.
☕ Local Business Spotlight
Featured Café: Bay Village Coffee
Overview
Bay Village Coffee is a family-owned and operated café that opened on Bay Street in June 2018. Its mission is simple: quality coffee and homemade baked goods made with natural ingredients, in a spot that aims to feel like a gathering place for friends, neighbours and visitors. Its Facebook page describes it as "your cozy neighbourhood café," and 98 percent of 644 reviewers there recommend it.
Highlights
Locally roasted coffee and house-made baking
Online ordering for quick pickup
Digital gift cards, handy for a coffee-loving friend
A catering menu for meetings and gatherings
Ambiance & Experience
A cozy, family-run neighbourhood café where, in its own words, every visit feels like coming home. The shop also links to a volunteer page and a donation request form for local causes.
Location & Contact
📍 221 Bay St., Thunder Bay
📞 807-286-0278
Operating Hours
Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Final Sip
With a breezy morning and a chilly night on the way, a warm drink and something fresh from the oven sounds about right.
Meme of the Day
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What's faster than word of mouth? The Harbour Beat Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what's going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.
Trivia answer: 2013. The Ontario writer was honoured as a "master of the contemporary short story" and was the first Canadian woman to receive the prize.
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