🐤 Children's Museum Celebrates Grand Opening

WELCOME

Happy Monday Londoners!

Welcome to Forest City Compass where we feature community focused events, live music, good news, and more. Expect a healthy dose of oddness, insight, and positivity.

In today’s edition:

• London Children’s Museum Grand Opening

• Blood Drive Tops the Charts

• Food Business Looking to Grow

• Chocolate Tasting, Hip Hop Dance Off & More Events!

The world’s a wonderful place, let’s learn more about it.

— Enrique Banuelos

NEWS

The London Children’s Museum Grand Opening

The London Children's Museum is set to celebrate the grand opening of its new location at 100 Kellogg Lane on January 25-26, 2025. This event marks a significant milestone in the museum's 42-year journey, transitioning from various locations to a reimagined space in a historic factory. The new facility, spanning 36,000 square feet, promises enhanced accessibility and immersive exhibits designed to foster community engagement and play-based learning for children and families.

Celebration Highlights:

• All-ages dance party

• Fossil shows

• Star shows throughout the weekend

• Glitter tattoo station

• Commemorative button-making activity

LHSC Tops Ontario-Wide Blood Drive

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) won the 2024 Canadian Blood Services Hospital Challenge, collecting 117 blood units during the Ontario-wide competition.

The 15-year challenge raises awareness about blood donation's importance in healthcare, supporting treatments for surgeries, cancer, and traumatic injuries. The achievement demonstrates London’s commitment to community health. Those interested can donate at the CBS centre at 820 Wharncliffe Road South in London.

Food Businesses Looking for Funding

Check out the Foodpreneur Advantage which offers its Scale Up Program, designed for food production and distribution businesses ready to grow! This 10-week program provides participants with funding, access to industry experts, and workshops covering key topics such as:

• Food Safety and Regulations

• Product Development and Innovation

• Marketing and Branding Strategies

• Connecting with Buyers and Distributors

Eligibility Requirements: Post-revenue businesses operating for 1-3 years with a tested consumer product. Strong growth potential and commitment to full participation.

@FOREST CITY COMPASS

Looking to get your photo featured? Tag @forestcitycompass on Instagram.

EVENTS

Dark Chocolate Tasting 🍫 | 9AM-5PM, TUES Jan 21 (More Info)
Location: Forrat’s Chocolates 431 Boler Rd Unit 3B, London, ON, Canada
Description: Enjoy a dark chocolate tasting day at the sweet shop.

Pinball Tournament ($) 🕹️ | 8PM, TUES Jan 21 (More Info)
Location: Forked River Brewing Company 20 Pacific Ct, London, ON N5V 3K4, Canada
Description: 10$ + coin drop. IFPA sanctioned tournament. 5 rounds of match play.

Name That Tune Trivia 🤓 | 7:30PM, TUES Jan 21 (More Info)
Location: Dawghouse Pub & Eatery
Description: "Name That Tune" music video trivia is back, featuring five competitive rounds with prizes and a flexible format for participants. Reservations recommended.

Children’s Museum Free Night 🧸 | 5-8PM, THUR Jan 23 (More Info)
Location: 100 Kellogg Lane, 4th Floor
Description: Free Family Fun Night. Come enjoy our brand new facility!

Google Devfest 💻️ | 10AM-4PM, SAT Jan 25 (More Info)
Location: Western University 1151 Richmond St London, ON N6A 3K7
Description: Developers, tech enthusiasts, and industry leaders come together to explore the latest in Google technologies.

Puzzle Tournament 🧩 | 10AM-2PM, SAT Jan 25 (More Info)
Location: 530 Oxford St W unit 18b (Oxford & Wonderland)
Description: Test your skills against fellow puzzlers and see if you have what it takes to emerge victorious

Hip Hop Dance Off ($) 🕺 | 2PM, SAT Jan 25 (More Info)
Location: School of Hip Hop 760 Little Simcoe Street, London, ON, Canada, Ontario
Description: Casual free lessons, musical vibes and exhibition battles between dance students.

Cooking Classes at the Market 👩‍🍳 | 11AM, SAT Jan 25 (More Info)
Location: Covent Market, upstairs at the Market Kitchen
Description: Chef Jaime Pena, Wild Mushroom Parmesano Risotto. Doors open 20 minutes prior, no registration is required. First come, first serve.

Lifestyle Home Show ($) 🏠️ | FRI-SUN Jan 24-26 (More Info)
Location: Western Fair District Agriplex
Description: Lifestyle products and services, home improvement, and new home construction. Tickets 15$ at the door, students under the age of 18 are free when accompanying a ticket holder.

MUSIC

John Muirhead ($) 🎵 | 8PM, SAT Jan 25 (More Info) 
Location: The Aeolian
Description: Indie-folk musician John Muirhead with special guest The Pairs

Sum 41: Tour of the Setting Sun ($) 🎵 | 6:50PM, MON Jan 27 (Tickets)
Location: Canada Life Place (Budweiser Gardens)
Description: ‘Tour Of The Setting Sum’, to celebrate the upcoming release of their final album Heaven x Hell.

FAREWELL

Your insights matter. If you have suggestions or feedback about this week's rundown, please reply directly to this email. I’ll read it!

P.S. Looking to get your business in front of Londoner’s? Email us at [email protected]