Published December 2023
Please report any broken or expired links to .
All content copyright © louisferreira.org.
As the world spins into the annual holiday season we gather for the last time in 2023 here in our little corner of the internet to check in with Louis Ferreira, his friends and chosen charities. We have lots of cool news, photos, screen caps, our exclusive Reading Series, a new recipe from Jackie and much more, and we launch the 2024 Birthday Project! So grab some cookies, a caramel apple shooter and a hot beverage at our virtual bar, and come on in!
THE 2024 BIRTHDAY PROJECT
Louis’ birthday is coming up on February 20th, and like every year we’re doing a special birthday project for him. Visit the Birthday Project Page to participate – it’s free! Please be sure to submit your birthday wishes no later than February 4, 2024.
CHARITIES NEWS
Ability Online
Help Youth & Young Adults reach their potential
Social isolation is a year-round reality for many young people, especially if they are judged by their differences. What’s needed is a safe place to connect that’s inclusive and where everyone can truly thrive.
Our Solution
At Ability Online, we have separate online communities for youth, young adults, and their caregivers and families. They all promote respect, personal growth, emotional wellbeing, inclusion, and the sharing of lived experiences.
Our youth and young adults can:
- Socialize and make new friends
- Learn new skills and have fun
- Build confidence, independence, and self-esteem
- Learn how to transition to adulthood
Our caregivers and families can: - Connect and share experiences for peer support
- Gain knowledge from credible resources and
professional help - Learn new strategies and skills
Community Feature Highlights
- Monitored topic-based discussion forums
- Resources curated for each member audience
- Activity-based “Fun stuff”
- Live group chat sessions or one-to-one chat for
caregivers - Journey sharing (blogging)
- Active community hosts and mentors
- Accessible 24/7 online
- Zero tolerance for bullying or inappropriate
behavior - Personal data and privacy protections
Be part of our success!
Do you know someone who would benefit from our safe online environment? If yes, we can’t wait for them to join our community! Youth, young adults, and caregivers can all register at myability.ca to connect with their peer group on our state-of-the-art, mobile-friendly platform. Parental consent is required for youth between 8-12 years old. For larger groups, please contact Ability Online to see how we can work together as well as streamline the registration process for your members.
About Ability Online
For more than 30 years, we have been connecting youth and young adults online. Initially supporting those living with physical disabilities, the community has since grown to welcome everyone looking for a safe haven to build friendships, skills, and confidence among peers. Together with community partners, professionals and students, we continue to develop and share meaningful content with our members.
Help provide a safe, bully-free online environment for kids and youth with disabilities and their caregivers with a donation – just click on the logo below!
Haven Toronto
Card for Change, a non-profit that gives out gift cards which provide the recipients the freedom and dignity to go into stores and shop like everyone else, is supporting Haven Toronto by donating $700.00 worth of cards to its members for our Day of Giving on Nov. 28th. With your donation to Card for Change, you are supporting your neighbors, your community and the economy as a whole.
CONVENIENCE
The gift cards we purchase are for stores all very conveniently located throughout the neighborhoods making them easy to get to and offering a wide variety of goods.
FREEDOM
While slightly more restrictive than cash, gift cards still give the receiver a great deal of freedom to purchase what they need and when they need it since the cards do not expire. And they give the user a sense of independence as they get to choose what is most useful to them, rather than have someone choose for them. Just this act alone improves their sense of self worth.
DIRECT SUPPORT
There are ZERO fees to buy a gift card so no money is ever used for anything other than what is on the gift card itself.
DONOR CERTAINTY
Some of us might have misgivings about giving cash to people experiencing homelessness and living in poverty. Gift cards mitigate this concern almost completely because they cannot be transferred into cash and are difficult to trade without going into the store to verify their value.
Of course you can also give to the general operating fund of the organization by clicking on the logo below. Please note that you will be linked to our very own donations page which still bears the former name of the shelter – The Good Neighbours Club. Your donation will still arrive at Haven Toronto.
The Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada
The holiday season is here and Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada is thrilled to share a new way of supporting children, youth and families in care – the WonderKit Holiday Shop. Imagine a holiday where your gift isn’t just another item in a shopping cart, but a meaningful gesture that warms hearts and brings joy to those who need it. WonderKits are not your typical presents; they’re a way to provide essential support, from child care to student backpacks to winter clothing. And it’s a fun way to provide support because today, you can create a custom WonderKit filled with gifts of your choosing. And right now is the perfect time because when you provide a WonderKit before December 31, 2023, your gift will be MATCHED by the KARE Foundation, helping twice as many children, youth and families! You also have the option of sending an ecard with each WonderKit gift.
What is a WonderKit?
A WonderKit is a package of support for children, youth and families involved in child welfare throughout Canada. Each item that can be included in a WonderKit is valued at its real-world cost. These items and supports are provided to children, youth and families by Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada’s programs and funds.
All items in the WonderKit shop are symbolic in nature to ensure resources go where they are most needed.
Read up on all the latest news here! And of course you can always donate directly to help kids in the foster care system get a successful start in life. Click on the logo below to contribute!
SHOWS NEWS
Stargate Universe
Every once in a while the long since cancelled series Stargate Universe pops up in the news again – generally in a tone of regret over its untimely demise. The two articles below reiterate the feeling.
Why was Stargate Universe cancelled?
Stargate Universe took the Stargate franchise in a different direction and was cut short by a network that was itself going through major changes.
TV LISTINGS
Here are Louis’ TV listings for the upcoming week:
Dawn of the Dead – STZEN
December 21, 11:52am
December 26, 12:22am and 1:10pm
Flesh-eating zombies terrorize a group of people who has taken refuge in a shopping mall in this suspenseful and stylized remake of George Romero’s 1979 classic. Louis plays the husband of the main character.
See screen caps here!
Shooter – PAR
December 27, 8am and 2pm
A marksman living in exile is coaxed back into action after hearing of a plot to kill the President. After being-double crossed for the attempt and on the run, he sets out for the real killer and the truth. Louis plays FBI director Howard Purnell whose allegiance changes in the course of the story.
See screen caps here!
Check here every week for current TV airings!
SCREEN CAPS
To round out the year we have another episode of the comedy series Hidden Hills, one of Louis’ personal favorites. He plays Doug Barber, an architect and family man living in Hidden Hills, California, who experiences all the trials and tribulations of the suburban existence.
In episode 107 The Shocker Doug and his wife Janine try to spice up their love life after witnessing their friend Pam’s hot romance with the handsome Manolo. But after their attempts fail, Janine turns to her bestie Sarah, who suggests a bedroom trick…
Here is a direct link to the album, or click on the screen cap below: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zRb-L1UKjhNBGJ8LJB7KTIiC0R5smpUm?usp=sharing
THE 4th READING SERIES: MR. MUGS – ROCKETS AWAY!
The fourth monthly reading series continues in Mr. Mugs – Rockets Away! – Part 2 by Martha Kambeitz and Denise Burns.
Unlike previous readers, this volume was published as a hardcover book within the Level 3 series of the Mr. Mugs readers. It was originally released in 1968. The Mr. Mugs books have been out of print for many years but occasionally you can find them on eBay, Amazon Marketplace or various other antique book dealers.
Louis credits the Mr. Mugs books series with helping him to learn English at a very young age.
You can listen to all the previous book readings under the Reading Series Tab, and you can read and listen to the first half of this book here. https://www.louisferreira.org/the-4th-reading-series/
Here is this month’s chapter.
Listen to the sound clip here:
Chapter 41: An Elephant
… to be continued next month!
An Elephant
An elephant has an awfully long nose
And looks as if he’s slept in his clothes.
Zhenya Gay
FRIENDS NEWS
Alaina Huffman
Alaina shared two photos from her days as Nikki on The 100.
Alaina is not only a mother of four, a successful actor and writer but also a model.
Check out her Instagram Feed for lots of posts in different locations!
Karyn Mott
Karyn is an Intimacy Coordinator and an on-set advocate for young performers, working at Principal Intimacy Professionals, and she frequently shares infographics from her daily encounters. Intimacy coordinators are intimacy professionals who work on film, television, and performance capture projects.
Intimacy and Modesty
Sexiness is subjective! Some folks feel more beautiful with more coverage. Sometimes, there’s a religious or cultural component to why a performer desires more coverage. So your intimacy coordinator/ DIRECTOR is prepared to work on scenes, intimacy, and nudity, that can look different depending on the content, the cast, and the crew.
Regardless, you deserve the support you need!
The Affolter Brothers
“We’re incredibly honored to announce that ALTONA won the World Documentary Award at the Whistler Film Festival last weekend. We’d like to thank everybody involved with the film, especially Tyler Pelke and the amazing community of Altona.”
Check out the trailer for the true-crime documentary Altona! The film’s World Premiere was on December 2nd at the Whistler Film Festival.
Click on the screencap below to watch it!
Justin Breault
Justin is a professional trainer and stunt performer for film and television in Vancouver, BC.
He shared his official stunt reel online, and while it is truly amazing to watch it also contains this hilarious moment of him wielding a chainsaw. Click on the screen cap to watch the whole reel!
Greyston Holt
Greyston won the award for Best Performance in a Made for TV Movie at the UBCP/ ACTRA Awards!
Congratulations!
Greyston also shared this beautiful view of the Old Port of Montreal. Check out his Instagram Feed for many more pictures – Greyston is not just a great actor but also an accomplished photographer!
Mika McKinnon
The Dead Planets Society season 1 finale is out! It’s about Cube Earth, starring our friend Mika McKinnon.
Dead Planets Society is a podcast that takes outlandish ideas about how to tinker with the cosmos – from punching a hole in a planet to unifying the asteroid belt to destroying the sun – and subjects them to the laws of physics to see how they fare.
Your hosts are Leah Crane and Chelsea Whyte.
What would life on Cube Earth be like? Time would be wacky, for one thing. “It would be much simpler if you have a cubical face because you’re going to have, like, flash sunrises. Just don’t deal with time zones,” says Mika McKinnon.
Turning the Earth into a cube, the gift that just keeps giving! If you thought cubifying the Earth couldn’t get more wacky, you’re in for a treat. In the Dead Planets Society season finale, Leah Crane and Chelsea Whyte are once again joined by geophysicist Mika McKinnon. This time she explains what time would be like on a 6-faced planet, how you’d be able to experience all four seasons in a single day on Cube Earth and why this re-formed planet would spur on the evolution of some pretty strange lifeforms, including sea monsters.
Listen to the podcast or read the complete transcript here.
Eric Banerd
Eric’s paint company Even Better Painting has a sister company, Even Brighter Lights, that offers professional holiday light installations in the Greater Vancouver Area.
Give them a call at 604-359-7979 for a free quote!
Ingrid Rogers
“Changing and growing means so much to me. Always has. Since I was a child, I wanted to learn and have wonderful adventures.
As the leaves and the weather changes, I enjoy taking cues from nature and I go within and imagine all the amazing changes and adventures that the coming days and new year will bring.
I envision love and laughter and great food with family and friends through the holidays; exquisite creativity in 2024 and peace and prosperity for our world.
Those are the broad strokes I imagine and then I feel and see and infuse the details of the vision. It’s fun!
Give it a go!”
Rob Munic
Rob grew his hair out and then donated it to cancer victims!
“I LOVE change! Always have. I never feared it. Always welcomed it. I am an absolute believer in anything that stays stagnant is atrophy.
This year has been wild! So much change for so many. As it comes to a close – I wish you all expansion and movement and change!
Don’t wait to give each other their flowers. Give them now! We’re all in this dance together – here’s wishing you a sweet, happy life.
Much love. One Love. All love. See you in ‘24!”
Peter Kelamis
007?
Sounds good.”
SO BERRY NUTRITIOUS
Our friend Jackie has an Instagram feed for sharing her culinary creations. Every month she contributes a recipe you can all try out, knowing that the result will be both nutritious and delicious!
Caramel Apple Shooters
“These mini caramel apple shooters are the perfect light treat for family and friends after dinner. 4 layers of deliciousness! Yummm! Happy cooking, friends!”
Cheesecake Bottom Layer Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked for three hours and drained.
- 2 1/2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 2 1/2 maple syrup
- 2 tbsp almond milk
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Caramel Layer:
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- Pinch sea salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 date
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
Apple Layer:
- 1 1/2 diced apples
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 tbsp corn starch
- 1/2 tbsp cinnamon or to taste
Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon or to taste
- pecans for garnish
Method:
- Blend all of the cheesecake ingredients together in a small food processor and set aside.
- Blend all of the caramel sauce ingredients in a small blender or food processor and set aside.
- Add apples, lemon juice, coconut sugar, water, cornstarch and cinnamon to a saucepan and cook until the apples are tender and the mixture has thickened, approximately 10 minutes or more. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
- In a small bowl, add the almond flour, coconut sugar, salt, cinnamon and Maple syrup. Mix until combined and crumbly.
- To assemble, using shot glasses or small glasses, add your cheesecake layer first, followed by caramel layer, apple layer and then crumb topping. Garnish with pecans or nuts of choice.
And that, dear Friends, is about it for this month – and this year! Thanks for visiting often! Be sure to follow us on “X” / Twitter for all the Louis news you can handle and TV reminders!
If you have comments, questions or suggestions, there are many ways to make your voice heard:
Visit the Forum and start a discussion or participate in an existing one. Signing up is easy and hassle-free but not required for visits, and nobody there will send you spam or unwanted emails.
Leave a note in the Guestbook. Guestbook notes will get a response via email if available.
Contact or any other staff member. Everyone is listed on the Contact Page. If you have any questions that you need answered, email is the way to go!
We are always looking for volunteers who want to contribute, and there are perks associated with being a correspondent or staff member!
Please remember: all content of Ferreira Fest and indeed this entire website is copyright protected. That’s what the note on the bottom of each page says. It means that you should never re-post anything you find here elsewhere. If you absolutely must do so please contact first so we can work things out. We all work for free here, and we all work very hard, and it’s just not fair if you steal stuff and claim it as your own. Your mom/ dad/ parental unit/ teacher already told you as much. Please play by the rules.
We hope to see you all next month!
Happy Holidays
from everyone at louisferreira.org!
