Q Smokehouse closes, Onyx moves to Argyle
With the end of barbecue season comes the end of Q Smokehouse & Southern BBQ (1580 Argyle Street) . The Argyle Street restaurant known for its finger-licking menu closed its doors for good on Sunday after just over three years of curing carnivorous cravings for ribs, chicken and brisket. With Q “under performing” and its…
CommUNITY feeling
Prismatic Arts Society and CommUNITY Spoken Word Series have made it official. No more furtive glances across the room, the two are on the books as a pair. Earlier this year the groups announced that CommUNITY’s programming would be delivered by Prismatic Arts Society and hosted at the Alderney Landing Cultural Community Centre. On October…
ustice system…NOPE
Once again an example of more concern for the criminal…and victim, well FUCK YOU!! The older I become the less tolerance I have for the accused once they “lawyer up” What the fuck ever happened to accountability…integrity? I truly hope there is a karmic force somewhere…because cowards like you deserve every bit of shit you…
To The Lovely Joe Howe Chicken Breast Bulk Shopper
It was Monday Sept 30th. We were both picking up some boneless, skinless chicken breast. You pointed out the bigger deal to me…and I was so taken with you that I barely registered what you had said. So many things to say came to mind later like “I make a mean stir-fry” or something…anything. In…
Selfish Society
This is a love and a bitch… First the love: To the one walking woman who stopped to ask if I was okay on the trail on Saturday when I was having a major nose bleed. Your kindness is what I think of when I think about Nova Scotian’s being kind and caring. Now the…
Shut up your bad lyrics
I love a good event!!! But when its 5pm on a Saturday and the event is next to a large submarine playground, don’t use explicit lyrics!!! Have some common sense in front of children. They don’t know what sex, weed and your slang means. And shouldn’t have to. You’re rude and loud. I hope the…
Sick of breedism
Please don’t cross the street to the other side when you see us coming. Or pick up your yorkie poo/schnoodle/chihuaha and hold it nervously while we pass. Yes, she is a big dog, but nothing in her manner, or body language would indicate to you that you should be afraid of her. She is smiling…
Across the Ferry and Under The Bridge
H~ happiness on the faces of the people walking home through the commons on a sunny Friday afternoon. A~ all of the beautiful lakes and beaches that that you hold protected in your boundaries. L~ laughter drifting up from the patio’s on Argyle Street; even as autumn sets in, the contentment spreads all through downtown…
Don’t expect to pay less just ’cause you make less
You were going to come on a trip to New York with me, my boyfriend and another couple. You’re single but you had no issue coming on the trip with two couples because you really want to visit New York, and we wanted you to come. We booked a 3-bedroom suite and decided to split…
You should start caring what people think
I understand you have to be your own person, but you take this (not giving a shit what others think) a little too far. Do you realize you’re being laughed at? Do you realize not many people like or respect you? You let loose and say whatever, and when people judge you for it you…
Disillusioned with Nova Scotian Voters
Four years ago we wanted change. We wanted something different. We got a government that made decisions not because they were popular, but because they were the right thing to do. Just when things appear to be getting better, we shun them. Fuck off. Shit had to happens today to make things better tomorrow. So…
I hope you’re fucking comfy!!!
To the able-bodied row of ignoramuses on the crowded bus today. Yield your seats to elderly and handicapped persons! Do it! Pretty sure this includes that fragile 85-year-old lady. —Just as cramped as you are
Pepper spray and Taser an 80 year old dementia patient?
To the cops who felt the need to deploy taser and pepper spray on an 80 year old dementia patient in a nursing home: why don’t you come to a local hospital and learn how to handle dementia and mental health patients by completely unarmed security officers, we do it every day without handcuffs, pepper…
Lovely housekeeper
I just want to apologize to you for my abruptness with you in late August at the hospital. When you came in and asked if it was OK to clean I replied “No, it’s not. This is not a good time.” How could you have known that my beloved family member had literally just died…
The NDP Are An Angry Bunch
Look, I don’t care what you say but I am SICK of Darrell Dexter and how he runs the government. He has made up countless lies and lied straight to my friend’s face twice. The only NDP candidate I like is Megan Leslie or Leonard. The NDP also wanted to cut back the Laing House,…
you really are blind.
darling, you deserve all the love. you are unique, special and such an individual others don’t matter, you stick to your own beat you are who I am I am slowly becoming —du bist mich
Paving Priorities
Can anyone explain to me why the 107 between Mineville and Porters Lake is currently being paved? I can’t find any mention of it in the 5-year plan for roadwork http://gov.ns.ca/tran/highways/5yearplan/Plan_2010-11.pdf. I’ve driven that road nearly daily for three years and never once thought to myself that it needed attention. If we’re really out of…
Companions
A shout out to the woman playing fetch her blind dog in Dingle Park this afternoon for some inspiration. You two have a beautiful system of communication drawing on each others’ strengths. Thank you for reminding me that friendship is so strengthened by giving and trust. —Good vibes in fall times
Corner Market Smiles
To the beautiful employee of a certain Farm Market in Alderney Landing, thank you for the warm smile you passed my way as I was picking up some ginger beer on my way home Saturday afternoon. It brightened, what had up until that point been, far too philosophical a day. —Now wondering if…
Go Fuck Yourself Cancer
Another statistic – that’s what you’ve made me… Twice. You and I are going to have another battle. Last one I won, this time you’ve got a head start… Fuck you, I am going down swinging. Asshat. —Miss Content and Feisty
Prince the Cat on Myrtle
To the owners of Prince, thank you for letting him out. My dad died. A beautiful animal loving man, far too young. I’ve been cleaning out his belongings, mostly poems and letters. On two occasions, in the last two months, reality set in. It took the form of my shoulders falling, my chest becoming an…
Hoarding Landlords You are crazy and disrpectful!
To my old hoarding landlord you have been holding a personal grudge on me because I had the audacity to stand up for myself and offer to pay out of pocket for accidental damage but that I was honest enough to offer to take care of instead of trying to stick you up. I said…
Kindness from a complete stranger
I love my neighbors, I live in the north end, not the trendy, or scary north end… but right by the McKay. I locked my self out, but out onto my 2nd story tiny deck at 715pm. I was there for 40 min B4 you walked by, my neighbor in shining armour. You took about…
“Growth” in NS
According Statscan the population of NS is shrinking, which is not news. But, what is news is that this is actually all that bad or something to be reversed. Our province has the second HIGHEST population density in Canada at 17.4 people per square km, behind only PEI (tiny speck of a province 24.7). Why…
Love on the right floor
I am a husky bearded single gay man. I have always believed that you do not mix your business life with your personal life. When it comes to my gaydar, it is as sharp as a super power. I am Caucasian, and I believe you are South Asian. Could my spider senses be malfunctioning due…
Cis Men
I know a few weeks back I confronted you about taking your shoes and socks off and THEN proceeded to picking the toe jam from your feet and not washing your hands. I could tell my gender was not clear to you then. I know the since then you have been watching me and trying…
Hurricane Juan 10th anniversary
It was 10 years ago this weekend that Hurricane Juan hit. To mark the anniversary, we went into the archives, pulling hurricane-related text and photos out of out-dated electronic files to recreate the issue we did immediately after the storm hit. Check it out here. Related Stories
What the fuck is wrong with you Reddit?!
Why does r/beating women still exist? Reddit is fucked! I always knew the site had a lot of misogynistic members but seriously? Isn’t that hate speech? You took down r/rapingwomen, r/creepshots, r/chokeabitch… but beating women is still okay? How did any of these subreddits exist for as long as they did in the first place?…
Quit pissing on the seat!!!
To the first class piece of shit staff member of a local school who keeps going into the special needs kids washroom every morning and pisses all over the seat and floor…. fuck you!!! I know its not a kid doing it because its a locked washroom that staff members only have access to and…
Music-Jacker
f you are attending someone’s party don’t change the music. I can’t even begin to explain how incredibly rude this is, especially since it was a themed party and a playlist was carefully created especially for that theme and YOU KNEW THIS! If you want to make a fool of yourself dancing to your shitty…
Commons Cheerers
You guys cheered at random people walking by the commons. I was on the phone and snapped at you for it. I’m sure you guys had the best intentions… if I hadn’t been having an absolutely godawful day, listening to bad news on my phone, I’m sure I’d have appreciated it more and found it…
NS Election too much trouble to vote
I got a voter card at my door and the only ways it has to vote are to go to some remote location in person and if you want to do it by mail you have to call a number to find out how. Why should I go to the trouble of calling a number…
Thiels plan development for downtown block
The Thiel family has proposed a massive new development on one of the blocks they own downtown, currently occupied by the RBC building. The proposal calls for 500,000 square feet of new construction, consisting of two towers, one a hotel, the other condos, and restoration of the heritage Merrill Lynch Building. The architectural renderings show…
Who wins – you or the car
Cars weigh on average 2700 lbs. Humans weight approximately 120 – 190 lbs. Whether or not you have the right of way when you cross the street, the car will always win if the two collide. So, pedestrians, don’t jump out in front of my very heavy vehicle. Don’t be that person who ruins your…
Disrespectful Students
Hello new and older students at our lovely universities. You move to Halifax from your parents’ homes to gain your independence or that is what most people think. What a lot of you actually do is drink, dance, party, scream, shout, kick green bins, swing on trees, and a multitude of others things. You don’t…
You really are blind.
that you will look past the hot trashy girl who needs you to pay for her shirt, pants, manicure, pedicure, and earrings. that one day you wont see the image of beautiful as a girl who has to wear high heels and a low cut tank top, but someone who is plainly herself, full of…
who your friend?
I knew you for as little as I’ve known the pimple on my ass. You see me and always ask me how I am doing but I don’t know who the fuck you are. Then… you go tell people I’m your friend and ask me to hang out with you to make it look legit.…
No doubt a-Bout-ique
Amy Donovan has always been a self-starter. Entrepreneur by day, raging derby girl by night, she started her first business—Sweeping Sweeties, a cleaning company—at just 19. Seven years and many derby bouts later she was ready for a change and started brainstorming her next venture. Cocoon Bout-ique (2179 Gottingen Street, which was once the Good…
Stray Kitties tees for all
You might know JJ Steeves’ stray kitties from that telephone pole, that brick wall or that garbage can—they’re basically everywhere. And thank god because these individually drawn stickers are posing the tough questions and preaching some strong truths. But now you don’t only have to search for kitty-relayed thoughts in busy intersections, you can wear…
Portland Street welcomes Kept and The Dart Gallery
Oh boy, oh boy, it’s going to be a good couple of weeks in downtown Dartmouth when Portland Street welcomes not one, but two new businesses to its strip. Bringing a healthy dose of beautiful to the former Joe’s Laundromat are Kept Gift & Housewares (127 Portland Street) and next door neighbour The Dart Gallery…
Halifax-Chebucto district for grabs
For the first time in 20 years, how Halifax-Chebucto votes is anyone’s guess. When four-time incumbent Howard Epstein announced in January he wouldn’t re-offer, he left a question mark in his wake. Province-wide the Liberals are in the lead with 48 percent of decided voters, followed by the NDP with 28 percent and the Conservatives…
Park Yelling SOB
So, what is up with all these assholes I see lately yelling at their women in front of their kids? Wow, in public? in a childrens playground? at 11 am in the damn morning? You have nerve to be tough and all soooooooo big. yelling at a kid and his mom… does it make you…
I feel your pain
To the girl in the green accent struggling with her standard car near Victoria: I’m sorry I honked at you. I didn’t realize you were having such a hard time. I was where you were once, and it sucks, but know it gets better!!! Me and my little standard have been all over this beautiful…
N.S. Health Care Sucks a Big Knob
My partner broke some bones in his foot. He had to go to the Dickson Bldg. for x-rays, THEN has to go to the QEII where he had to struggle down a long, long hallway to the cast room with his walker. We sat right in front of the room where they do casts, watched…
Dear Fictional Characters
You’ve sprung to life before me and now I don’t know how I ever got on without you. To my Melly Hamilton, like Scarlett, I certainly don’t deserve your friendship. Your insane courage and our talks crosslegged on my bed keep me sane when I feel lost. I’ve missed you. To my Diana Barry, instead…
It really only takes 10 seconds
I’m the owner of 2 large dogs that shit mountains when they take a dump. And if I have to carry a pound of shit around with me as we finish our walk/hike, I do it. Why? Because that’s the first goddamn rule of owning a dog, pick up their shit. I’m tired of going…
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
Picking up directly from the end of the first film, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (Nuageux avec une chance de boulettes de viande deux) continues its predecessor’s frenetic pace, while creating some disturbing questions around the ethics of eating. Bill Hader returns to voice a young inventor who must go back to his…
Rush
Fans of Formula One history might already know all about James Hunt and Niki Lauda’s 1976 season, but the expertly-woven Rush thankfully takes a suspenseful time getting there. Thor’s Thor, Chris Hemsworth charismatically stars as Hunt, a reckless bad boy of the racing world who’s lives just as fast as he drives. Lauda (played with…
Don Jon
Joseph Gordon-Levitt puts his notable energy into three roles (writer, director, star) as the titular Don Jon, about a Jersey boy who’s letting porn getting in the way of finding his Snooki (Scarlett Johansson). The movie’s hyper-kinetic, quick-cut visual style (with lots of real porn spliced in) paired with JGL’s put-on Jersey honk and Xavier…
Enough Said
Nicole Holofcener, America’s most unjustly unheralded writer-director, turns in her fifth terrific comedic drama centring on relationships, romance and emotional evolution—that’s right, Enough Said is another one of her women’s pictures. Regular muse Catherine Keener takes a supporting role to allow Julia Louis-Dreyfus her first starring film role ever—think about that—as a masseur fumbling into…
Khyber Sketch Comedy Series’ funny tune
Art and beauty. Sex and death. Love and freedom. These are some of the themes recently tackled by the Khyber Sketch Comedy Series, a performance-based comedy collective that hosts regular shows at the Khyber. But this week the group will find themselves on new, and perhaps shaky, ground when they attempt to centre their show…
Meaghan Blanchard’s empowerment to the people
When ECMA winner Meaghan Blanchard hits town this week, fans should expect to hear songs that mark significant growth for the Prince Edward Island singer-songwriter. Fresh off the album release party for her first full-length, She’s Gonna Fly, Blanchard is looking forward to touring with songs that have a more literary approach than her previous…
Here’s why I’m not voting for Darrell Dexter
Darrell Dexter, we need to have a talk. Things aren’t going so well between us these days. We started off so great. You won me over with your optimism and your folksy charm. I voted for your party as I always have, and you won an impressive majority and made lots of dandy sounding promises.…
Letters to the editor, September 26, 2013
Orange is the new blue Why is the NDP going to lose this election? Simple: they’re not the NDP. Consider the following: Where’s the provincial auto insurance company once promised to us? Why do they dismiss all suggestion that we should nationalize the greedy monopoly known as Nova Scotia Power? Why are they aiming for…
Fall preview 2013
Make it a fall of YES with events, festivals, exhibits, concerts, productions and showcases in music, theatre, dance, comedy, literature, visual arts, film. You don’t have to choose, you just need a good command of Google calendars and a willingness to become your best culturally-enriched self. We believe in you. CLICK HERE for your full…
Hop culture
“From MC J & Cool G getting a major-label record contract in 1989 to Classified winning a Juno last year, Halifax has built a reputation both nationally and internationally for our diverse hip-hop community,” says Michael McGuire, chair of Hopscotch Halifax, also known as producer, spoken word poet and rapper Hermitofthewoods. On Friday and Saturday…
The Coast’s Fall Preview 2013: Events, literary & comedy
Hal-Con 2013 November 8-10 World Trade & Convention Centre, 1800 Argyle Street day pass $30, weekend pass $70 hal-con.com Did you know that in early drafts of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Lando Calrissian dies in an exploding Millennium Falcon, taken out by the destruction of the second Death Star? If you…
The Coast’s Fall Preview 2013: Dance & Theatre
DaPoPo Theatre’s Live-In October 1- 31 at The Living Room, 2353 Agricola Street dapopolivein2013.blogspot.ca Five years ago, the members of DaPoPo Theatre hatched a clever idea for financing rehearsal space. Why not book the TNS Living Room theatre on Agricola for an entire month, rehearse during the day and host paid performances and readings at…
The Coast’s Fall Preview 2013: Music
Classical gas September 24 to October 5 The Bus Stop Theatre, 2203 Gottingen Street Hallelujah! The joyous classical music fall season in Halifax gets off to a great start this month with the St. Cecilia Concert Series and Symphony Nova Scotia—just a couple of the organizations in Halifax who are starting their 2013-2014 seasons, with…
Copperhead
New Brunswick stands in for 19th century New York in the roughly carved Civil War drama, Copperhead. Billy Campbell stars as Abner Beech, an anti-war Democrat facing persecution in a tight-knit Republican town. It’s a timely story idea, actually, to present a film about a man who’s anti-slavery but deeply troubled by the gross liberties…
The Coast’s Fall Preview 2013: Visual arts
Get Schooled It doesn’t matter if you’re enrolled or not, this fall you should be going back to school, even if just for the art. Anna Leonowens Gallery (1891 Granville Street): With so much turnover it could be filled with jelly (new shows open Mondays at 5:30pm), there’s no shortage of inspiration at the NSCAD-affiliated…
A Healthy War
Playwright Bethany Lake has packed a lot into an hour. A Healthy War is chock-a-block full of romance, politics, religion, history and violence. A Healthy War tells the story of a young Irishman named Diarmuid (Sean Skerry) who comes to Halifax in 1916 carrying a shameful secret. He finds work on the docks with a…
Steel Magnolias
It’s been 26 years since Steel Magnolias made its stage debut, and while a lot has changed since then (particularly in the management of diabetes, which is germane to the story), it still shines as a tender and funny tribute to the power of female friendship. The play features six women: Truvy (Debora Pollock), the…
Metallica: Through the Never
A lot of sweaty men yell and scream in pleasure during the “IMAX 3D experience” Metallica: Through the Never. Dozens of cameras capture the elaborate, fantastical goings on during a Metallica concert, as the band rattles through their hits in front of thousands of jubilant thirty-somethings. Interspersed throughout is a narrative about a young roadie’s…
White Rabbit, Red Rabbit
White Rabbit, Red Rabbit is an uncomfortable experience, for both the actor (Jackie Torrens in this case, but a different one every night), and the viewers, all of whom are called upon to be active participants. With no director, minimal set, a previously unseen and unrehearsed script plus an embargo on what can be revealed,…
Free Will Astrology
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIBRA! (September 23-October 22) For four days twice a year, the East China Sea recedes to create a narrow strip of land between two Korean islands, Jindo and Modo. People celebrate the Sea-Parting Festival by strolling back and forth along the temporary path. The phenomenon has been called the “Korean version of Moses’…
Don’t be a dating snob
Q I’m a 23-year-old homo who came out one year ago. Life has done good and bad things to me. Good things include success in the intelligence lottery, a full ride to college and now a job with a six-figure income. Sadly, I find that my place in life is different from the place occupied…
Filling time
A peek behind the curtain of The Coast’s food section would show you a to-do list of restaurants to review that sprawls into the dozens at any given time. How I choose what restaurant to review is as much schedule as it is spontaneity; there is very little rhyme to it, but there is generally…
Rae Spoon gets back to their roots
“When you don’t fit into the gender system people tell you that you shouldn’t exist and you don’t exist. But I’m here to tell you: I exist.” This is Rae Spoon, speaking with a down-to-earth chuckle in the trailer for the upcoming NFB documentary My Prairie Home. The film, directed by Chelsea McMullan, follows Polaris-nominated…
