Friday in the cold: bundle up and head out tonight

Bonjour-hi, friends. It's a proper November Friday out there: minus two, feels like minus five, and mostly clear skies. The sun's already tucked away by 4:26 this afternoon, so anything you've got planned for after work is going to be a night-time affair. Dress like you're heading to the Mountain for a walk: toque, real gloves, and a scarf you don't mind getting a little frost on. The sky looks clear and the UV is basically nothing, so the sun will be there for you but it won't be warming anything.

Heads up for the commute: nothing major on today's list of closures, so the usual cone-dodging applies. Give yourself a few extra minutes at the métro platform, since cold cars and cold waiting don't mix. If you're driving, the frost on the windshield will be the real enemy in the morning, so leave the scraper in the car.

On the local front, the Hydro-Québec trades workers are set to strike again starting November 20, refusing overtime. If you're the type who lives by the light switch, it's worth keeping a flashlight and some candles handy this month. Quebec also issued a warning to anyone with a wheat or soy allergy about undeclared ingredients in Rendez-vous cochon pork liver pâté, so check your labels before you spread anything. And if you're mid-week at a dep, the list of recalls is long: Boulangerie Richard has pulled pâtés with undeclared wheat and fish allergens across Quebec, a Montreal-North bakery has recalled all its products over possible wood contamination, and Néo Chips freeze-dried fruit sticks are being pulled for possible stem fragments. Read the labels, friends.

For eating tonight, a warm plate beats a cold one. If you're in the Rosemont area, Marconi Pizza Sur Beaubien is worth a look. For a bit of a sit-down, there's always smoked meat or a plate of frites sauce waiting for you, and nothing beats that when the thermometer's sinking.

Tonight's lineup has plenty of options for a Friday kickoff. The Record Company (19+) takes the stage at Theatre Fairmount at 6:30 PM, Cannelle is also at Fairmount Theatre at 7:00 PM, Jose Gaudet plays the Cabaret du Casino de Montreal at 7:30 PM, and Sadurn is at Bar Le Ritz PDB at 7:30 PM. Pick your vibe and go, since everything tonight is indoors and perfect for a cold night out. The weekend looks like two nights of live music and comedy, so if the weather turns rough you can always stay in with something good on the screen.

Stay warm, take care on the sidewalks, and have a good Friday night out there, friends. À demain!