[Image-1] In the opening scene two fairly fit, athletic, working-class boys from New Glasgow (but it can be any small town in Nova Scotia) are caught holding hands out in the local park by a group of local toughs, and are accused of being “faggots”. The group of boys are furiously homophobic. They set upon […]
Opinion
Letters to the editor, July9, 2015
Adjust attitudes I read “Tourist de force” by Melissa Buote (June 25) with high hopes for a positive take on the local food Nova Scotia has to offer the tourist in our province. Then I got to the part that describes an interaction between a couple of visitors and an employee of Ryer Lobsters. The […]
The Coast needs to do better
[Image-1] Last week, the Coast published an article by Michael Wood, entitled “Why I celebrate Canada Day with all my heart.” This article was in response to Killa Atencio’s article, “Why I choose not to celebrate Canada Day.” The Coast offers Halifax great event listings, horoscopes and sometimes supports important investigative journalism. But there is […]
Why I celebrate Canada Day with all my heart
[Image-1] This letter was submitted in response to the June 25 Voice of the City by Killa Atencio (“Why I can’t celebrate Canada Day”). With the author’s permission, it has been edited for length. Dear Killa, I am upset by your recent article in The Coast. It contains many negative assumptions and bears an accusatory […]
Letters to the editor, July 2, 2015
My election issues Just in case the leaders of the federal political parties are wondering what a voter like me cares about, here are some Canadian issues I’d like to see dealt with in the coming election. Abolish the senate, it’s useless and expensive. Legalize pot in all forms. Beef up northern military/rescue presence and […]
Going surfing on donair sauce, from Montreal to Halifax
I don’t know how I ended up thinking that a 22-hour train ride could be fun, or even somehow humanly possible. I was blissfully ignorant when I boarded my train from Montreal to Halifax on June 21. My editor at Urbania magazine had sent me to the Maritimes to investigate this seemingly cool alternative newspaper, […]
Why I choose not to celebrate Canada Day
[Image-1] Barbecues, fireworks, lots of beer and red and white all over the city. That’s what I see on Canada Day. Even when I’m not looking, I can hear the “Oh, Canada” chants from a kilometre away. But what are you really celebrating? Reflect on that for a minute. Patriotism? Pride? Freedom? Or maybe you […]
Letters to the editor, June 25, 2015
The Bachman turnover drive I agree with Aaron Hartling’s Voice of the City (“CBC, please fire Randy Bachman,” June 18). Someone so in love with himself shouldn’t be allowed to parade his copied music and style over the radio. —posted by Lindsay MacDonald at thecoast.ca I love Vinyl Tap. So I take your comment as […]
CBC, please fire Randy Bachman
[Image-1] During The Coast’s recent (June 10) Halifax Poll, it was asked who should be fired at the CBC now that Evan Solomon is gone. I was struck by the fact that musician/radio host Randy Bachman was not included in the poll. This disappoints me and (I suspect) many others in The Coast’s poll vicinity. […]
Letters to the editor, June 18, 2015
Lord love a duck At 12:30ish on Friday, I was driving in steady traffic on Highway 102 inbound between Kearney Lake and Bayers Lake. Movement at the base of the concrete median barrier caught my attention. There was a black mother duck waddling briskly, counter to the traffic and as close to the median as she could […]
Ex-offenders taking control of their lives, one step at a time
[Image-1] The 7th Step Society is a nation-wide program designed to help the incorrigible and recidivist offender change his/her behavior and attitude, creating a new self-identity by using a basic self-help philosophy. These individuals are typically “career” criminals who commit multiple crimes and have problems with both entering society from prison and maintaining their freedom. […]
Doors Open festival will open doors and minds
[Image-1] Every spring a trifecta of great events gets me reoriented to the wonders of Halifax. First, Jane’s Walks in early May encourage conversations and rambles in the street. Then comes Open City, which I use as an opportunity for urban exploration, fuelled by backdoor takeout. And the third, this weekend, is the very special […]

