Some Cherry Berry good news
The “best yogurt on the planet ” is coming to Halifax via CherryBerry Self-Serve Yogurt Bar (6024 Robie Street). The popular American froyo franchise is opening its first Canadian location this Sunday, September 8. There are 21 delicious flavours (Birthday Bash, Mango Cream Cake, Cheesecakalicious, Java Caramel Cup Greek and Cookie Monster to name a…
Day 6…
Ne Desperemus This show sparked a spirited debate among my fringe companions about what patrons expect from a fringe festival. When people plunk down $5, do they expect a polished piece of theatre? Is part of the fun playing “hunt for the fringe treasures”, knowing that you’ll need to spend time and money on shows…
Gotcha ya Hypocrite
I have a friend who is rabid in his disdain for Walmart, Monsanto and Big Business and Banking – strangely enough he’s not a fucking hippie or an unenlightened twat – so it was satisfying to catch him and wifey in the line up at Walmart with a cart full of stuff. I love catching…
Wine Whine
To the person who picked up my grocery bag containing 4 bottles of wine. I hope you still have it in safe-keeping and can return it to me. …. I forgot the bag beside my car in the parking lot at the Dartmouth Farmer’s Market Saturday morning. I was grief-stricken, on my way to a…
Real Estate Commission suspends Joe Faddoul
The Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission has suspended the brokerage licence of realtor and developer Joe Faddoul. Faddoul is prominent in the local Lebanese-Canadian community, and is connected to some of the largest developers in Halifax. Faddoul’s father-in-law is Besim Halef, president of Banc Developments, the company that developed the Bedford Common, much of Bayers…
Thanks for nothing to my Vet.
I just found out that my pet was cremated at a disgusting business location. I am so sad that my vet told me that my pet would be treated with respect. A simple warning to pet owners. Please do your research as to where your vet is sending your dear pet. My pet was sent…
Mohawked Heroes
To the two mohawked heroes in the blue VW who helped me push my shitbox car down the Bedford Highway to the nearest gas station, you may have saved my fat arse from a heart attack. Thank you! —Empty by the road
What’s up with the two tone Caprice
There is this insane woman who drives around the South End in an old 1980’s two-tone blie Caprice Classic sedan. She runs stop signs, cuts people off and blows through cross-walks like she owns the road. WTF is up with that? Not to mention, it looks like she lives in that thing. Boxes generally piled…
You smell like ass!
don’t know if you know who you are, I can smell you in public, oh from afar. What do you we teach our kids in school? Have a shower, be clean, as a golden rule. LISTEN! I really do not want to smell your whole “night before” odour you got going on. Why do we…
The Fringe Festival marathon continues
Two musicals. Two very different one-woman shows. A game show. A moving story told through puppetry. Stand-up comedy. A tale of friendship lost. Just your typical day at the Fringe. Once More With Feeling by Joss Whedon Saints Alive! Theatre has hit the Fringe jackpot. Once More With Feeling comes with its own fan-base of…
Someone’s kitty won’t be coming home :*(
About 1.5-2 weeks ago, my boyfriend came across a beautiful little calico cat (with no collar…so we’re thinking an indoor cat got out) on FHP in Cole Harbour across from the high school, who’d just been hit by a car. Him and another lady did what they could to help your kitty, but his/her injuries…
You’re an Idiot :)
You likely won’t ever know how much I appreciate old lady walks around halifax, those stupid grins you get, the way you tease me. We both needed someone to give a shit, and I just wanted to say that it’s been really great so far. I don’t mind spending my nights spooning & watching bad…
Parental Alienation
What a horrible thing to do to a child. Having the child call his father by his first name, moving so father doesn’t know where you are with child, severely limiting and obstructing father and child spending time together, having child call your boyfriend “Daddy”. That is just miserable and cruel. You married the guy…
Poisons permeating the public air
Does anyone who MUST have kitten soft towels and Jolly Green Giant green grass know or care that the substances that give your life meaning are carcinogenic: that means your kids can get cancer. If you had rough towels, your skin would be younger looking and softer and if you planted vegetables in your front…
Nice Guy !
Just a thanks to the nice guy who ran to return my sons spiderman hat when we dropped it walking to the bus stop in the rain. I was on my way back for it – when around the corner comes this nice fellow running to catch up with us with hat in hand. Much…
Wedding Crasher
To our next door alcoholic (who we hardly even know) – We recently got married in our back yard (quiet mid-morning ceremony…or so we thought!) We told you ahead of time that we wanted our privacy…when you came to our door insisting on inviting yourself! What the hell were you thinking when you assumed you…
50 cent car thieves
get the fuck out of my car, thieving bitches. you must know there’s nothing more than a bridge token or two in it by now. how many times has it been? so tired of putting all my car papers back together every time your junky ass breaks the law and risks physical violence (from me…
Day 4 at The Atlantic Fringe
The sheer variety of shows at this year’s Fringe is mind-blowing. And after yesterday’s smorgasbord, I feel pretty confident in saying there is something for everyone’s taste.Grumble by Luciana S. Fernandes I love it when shows like Grumble give parents an opportunity to foster a love of theatre in their children. This “contemporary fairy tale”…
A Change of Heart
To the person of conscience (formerly thieving asshole) who decided the picture of the dog meant more to us than it could to them: thank you. Recognizing the worth of property to other people and respecting that worth is one of the first steps along the road to principle. Everyone at sometime makes impulsive decisions.…
nothing personal cats, but..
jesus christ halifax and your cat obsession- fur and shit and fur and shit and repeat. sure, you get a strange being to project your own (strange) drama onto, something to watch and talk about that’s neither your own progeny nor other cats on youtube, and a little cat-sized shield between you and the unique…
You keep using that word…
If one more person tells me to … and I quote “Stop being so lazy and buy a car.” Because I ride a bike everywhere. I am going to loose it. Lazy: averse or disinclined to work, activity, or exertion; indolent. See how I bike everywhere? That means I am ACTIVE and EXERT energy to…
Along with my lost cat posters bitch
On another note to do with my lost cat. To my “friend” that was supposed to be watching my cat while I was forced out of my house for renovations, I honestly don’t believe that you feel bad for a second that you lost her. You text me once a week or so “Have you…
Poster Assholes
So, I recently lost my cat, and have been spending what little spare money I have on posters of her and putting them up, and most of my free time looking for her. I understand that yes, some of these posters may have blown off, there is no way a poster I put up the…
Fringe Binge Day 3
With six plays to review, it may well be time to cut the folksy introduction, but not before I send a shout-out to the awesome Haligonians who helped get my Fringe odyssey back on track after the fringemobile got a flat. Thanks to Glen at The Snappy Tomato on Barrington for the loan of a…
Cutest Awkward Date Ever
You were so cute, sharing a sampler with that guy at the Rockbottom…you didn’t seem that comfortable, but that may have just made you all the cuter…in case you thought the night was a total waste, you completely made my day by just existing. —The Bay Harbour Bitcher
Stop Begging for Tips
Look, I understand it’s a tough world out there. I get it. I don’t make much money; hell, I probably make less than you. So why is it that you proceed to hound me (and every other customer) the second I walk up to the counter. You’re not funny. You’re not amusing anybody. You make…
Dream come true?
To the black man carrying a matress into The Trillium on Friday around 1, you are what my dreams are made of. Too bad you likely like girls. —EJL
Five years later..
The beginning of school always reminds me of the first guy I ever fell for. The first time I seen him, that very moment so vividly imprinted in my mind, and I still remember it so perfectly. Ride into class on your skateboard, so casual like you weren’t doing anything wrong. That day I knew…
You make me happy!
We just recently started seeing each other going on two months now and I can’t believe how happy you make me! I was so independent for so long and then you came along and swept me off my feet. You said you wished girls would stare when you walked into the room, I don’t know…
Running High….Five!
To the man who was also doing sprints up the Citadel hill this past week, you’re super rad. We were both killing it and bumping into each other the entire way. When we were done I walked by and you gave me a big high five that made my day! I’m always looking for a…
Quebecoise
This is for the condescending bitch of a customer that I had to deal with tonight, and it applies to all of you condescending customers who think it’s cool to talk down to someone who is no position to talk back. Fuck you with a rusty pick axe. So this fuckin uppity french bitch calls…
Fellow Brothers on online dating sites, guard your bank accounts
Sure there are plenty of viable “fish”… However, how are you going to net and gut said fish without the proper ‘equipment’: meals, drinks, or any other misc expense? Perhaps it would be in our best interests to attempt to fish with your meager fishing rod at multiple lakes? and when it comes to fishing,…
Adventures, theatrical and otherwise
Fringe binging is not only a theatre adventure, but a city adventure, too. For instance, last night’s trek-about-town started at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, proceeded to Plan B on Gottingen, back downtown for a show at DanSpace and ended on Gottingen again at The Bus Stop just before midnight. Along the way there…
Reel Heat summer party tomorrow
It may be hard to believe but, Labour Day is rapidly approaching. To celebrate the last day of wearing white, the Halifax party collective Reel Life Entertainment is throwing a whites and brights party at Red Fox Tavern this Saturday. This is the third instalment and grand finale in the Reel Heat summer party series.…
Vote Room Service!
This Saturday night there’s going to be a Face Off on CBC. Don’t worry; it’s not the John Travolta and Nicolas Cage movie. It’s a Short Film Face Off and our own Glen Matthews’ film, Room Service, is up for the top prize of $40,000 in production resources. Glen Matthews (who you may know from…
Eleven days! Fifty-five shows!
It’s here! It’s here! (I’m excited. Can you tell?) The 23rd annual Atlantic Fringe Festival opened its doors (Its many, many doors. There are 11 venues, doncha know.) last night, and I eased into my fifty-five play odyssey by knocking just one off my list. You heard me correctly. I’m attempting to see, review and…
No more parties for Sexy Girl
After 11 years of bringing good times and sex-ed to homes around Halifax, this week local biz Sexy Girl announced that the party’s over. Owner and brains behind the operations, Rachel Dodds will continue putting her knowledge of all things intimate to good use though, switching gears to pursue a career as a life coach…
my poor eyes…
how fucking difficult is it to keep your button-up shirt tucked in at work? I definitely don’t want to see that…no matter where it is. also, could you please wear an under shirt? I even asked nicely… I don’t need to see your furry belly at lunch or any other time. please. —#barf
Thought he cut me off at Starbucks
Thank you to the very generous man in the red Ford pickup that thought he cut me off in the Starbucks Dartmouth Crossing drive thru line (Thursday Aug 29) and paid for my frappuccino. I didn’t even realize you cut me off so thank you very much it was very generous of you. Made my…
Fellow Sister’s on Online Datiing Sites Guard Your Hearts.
This is a warning for all women who use online dating sites,your being taken. Some men(used loosely) have several different profiles opened at once in order to get themselves off by using many different women at the same time .One guy’s profile is telling one woman he cares and wants to meet her.While the same…
Barrington Bus Stop Guy!
To the guy with the brown hair waiting at the bus stop on Barrington Street, next to the Discovery Centre on Wed. August 28th, I want to say thank you!! As I walked by and looked at you, you took your eyes off of your book and gave me a beautiful and big smile for…
Nice Bees… but who’s the dude?
Great to see beekeeping making the front cover. The beekeeping business needs as much publicity as possible, it’s a dire situation out there for bees and the numerous other beneficial insects for which we probably couldn’t survive. But why, oh why, do you manage to incorporate yet another too-cool-for-school-I’m so ironic and retro-hipster “model” on…
Second Cup disciplined, fired union organizers
Second Cup franchise owner Kathy Attis disciplined and fired three employees following a union vote, she told the Nova Scotia Labour Board this month. After a union drive at her Quinpool Road cafe, she cut employees’ hours and fired three baristas, but said she did so to maintain order in the cafe. When employees made…
Condition of former St. Pat’s-Alexandra school is debated
The former St. Pat’s-Alexandra School is deteriorating and needs major upgrades, a report HRM released earlier this month states. But after touring the school last Friday, community members who plan to submit a proposal for the property are questioning the report’s validity. The report, authored by Eagle Project Management, says it would cost $15 million…
All the awesome
Dear Sally, Three connecting flights and one expensive ride from the airport later, I made it to Halifax. The first thing I noticed was the weather. You know how in Palo Alto it’s always just “weather”—television-ready days, warm in the sun, each one the same, even on Christmas? Well here, you don’t know what it’s…
Wear it’s at
Logo tees and sweaters have dominated street style this summer, and you can bet they’re sticking around for fall. Whether vintage, designer names or cheeky logos these bold statement shirts are a coveted wardrobe staple. Pair your favourite logo tee with a moody floral or plaid blouse for an updated grunge look and an effortless…
An assertive woman
Q I’m a cute, mostly straight, twentysomething, single and (safely) sexually active woman. This happens to me pretty often: I hook up with a guy, we start fooling around and we’re both really into it. I reach down, and he’s full sail. Things progress–clothes come off, etc–and, as is generally the polite order of things,…
What I know now
“Live in the north end. It’s cheaper and the people are nicer.” —Andrew Hicks, Saint John, NB “The walk on the boardwalk to the Seaport Farmers’ Market is worth it every single time, and Bearly’s has some of the best music in the city, consistently.” —Alex Vance, Moncton, NB “I wish someone would have told me…
Breakfast specials
Mary’s Place Cafe I and II The breakfast at Mary’s is so good, they had to open a second location. Mary’s Place offers all-day breakfast specials, including Middle Eastern breakfasts and vegan delights. My favourite: the 3X3. 2752 Robie Street and 5982 Spring Garden Road The Ardmore Tearoom Open since 1958, the Ardmore’s milkshakes bring…
25 ways to not write that paper
1 Read David Allen’s Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-free Productivity cover-to-cover. I still haven’t gotten around to finishing it, but the four-page “welcome” was really quite inspiring. 2 Be productive and make a list of the things you have to do. It’ll bring you closer to achievement, right? 3 Better yet, start a…
Play on words
“It really is interesting that we see themes emerging regardless–some brooding shows, some sketch comedy, more sci-fi than we expected,” says Atlantic Fringe Festival chair Kevin Kindred. “That’s not by design, it’s just a sign of what artists want to do, and what they think audiences will look for.” With zany acts like Scott…
Glass of 2013
You came here for an education, right? Good, because I’m about to school you on Halifax’s favourite subject: beer. From light to dark, hoppy to fruity, it’s time to meet your new classmates. If you drink: Pilsners, lagers and light ales like Heineken, Steamwhistle, Molson 50 and Canadian, Mill St. Organic, or anything that ends…
The answer’s Canadian Bacon
The sun is starting a slow decline as some storm clouds clear and a bit of evening warmth creeps into the air on the last few streams of sunlight. I’m meeting Allison on the Halifax waterfront for a quick dinner at Canadian Bacon Cookhouse, one of the new crop of snack shacks that popped up…
Baby you can drive my car
When it comes to sex, your body is kind of like a car. A very powerful car that can take you to a lot of amazing places. When you were just old enough to think about driving that car, you were taught the parameters of how it works: this is how the engine works, touching…
Alejandro Escovedo’s universal story
Quickly now, without using your smartphones, what’s the common link between the Sex Pistols and Prince? (And don’t say the Pistols’ searing cover of “Raspberry Beret” because that song only exists in my head.) The answer is Alejandro Escovedo. Though his first professional stint as a musician came as guitarist for seminal Bay Area…
Sane sex
If love is a battlefield, then hooking up can be a minefield. When it comes to dating, there are social cues and rules to follow. Drinks, dinners—or at least coffee—are to be bought. All of this work is for possible— not proven—outcomes of companionship, friendship and ultimately, sex. Sometimes, you just want to forget the hubbub…
Closed Circuit
Surprise, surprise, the British government is watching everything you do in the legal thriller Closed Circuit. After terrorists blow up a busy London market, the mastermind is detained and put on trial with suspicious ease. Lawyers Rebecca Hall and Eric Bana will represent the accused, which would be awkward for the ex-lovers even if there…
The Anatomy of An all-nighter
So it begins It doesn’t matter how it happened: personal emergency, your dog consumed your carefully prepared but not backed-up thesis or maybe you just spent the last three weeks every night levelling up in Diablo 3. Whatever, we all have our own special brand of procrastination (see page 24). Here we are now in…
Love, meet Halifax
The Company House is going to be seeing some love this weekend. Haligonians Chantal Caissie and Jen Ochej have put together Love Does, a benefit concert headlined by folk darling Amelia Curran. The event was conceived as a response to the polarizing reactions of HRM residents to the announcement that Chris Brown was to play…
Making it work
I was a cash counter The summer after third year was the first time I spent a summer in Halifax. And I was broke. So I worked three jobs, lived off Reese’s Puffs cereal and slept for five hours a night in a damp-ass basement apartment. One of my jobs was at the casino, locked…
Hitchcock presents
To borrow a phrase from another iconoclastic English singer-songwriter—in this case, Elvis Costello—Robyn Hitchcock is a man out of time. Coming from the same countryside that begat the simultaneously surrealistic and quaintly semi-rural stylings of Syd Barrett, author Douglas Adams and the Monty Python’s Flying Circus troupe, Hitchcock poked his head into the burgeoning punk…
Keep it clean
Living with people is hard to do because no one really likes to compromise. Forget loud sex, doors left unlocked and battles for the bathroom…cleanliness is the root of most roommate frustrations, internalized, or otherwise. Finding fruit fly-infested old meat left to rot in the oven for weeks, rinsing away someone else’s (or someone…
Getaway
There’s one decent shot in Getaway, a white-knuckle, three-minute chase on busy roads with the camera mounted on the car’s bumper. That scene feels like a shot of pure adrenaline after the exhaustingly boring 80-minutes before it in this rinky-dink heist flick. Ethan Hawke is a better adjusted Ryan Gosling from Drive, who, after his…
All night long
Coffee Caffeine: 95mg-120mg per 8oz cup Focus: 3/5 Flavour: 5/5 Ol’ faithful, but too many cups and you’ll be lucky if you can keep your fingers still long enough to type anything at all between bathroom breaks. Yerba Maté Tea Caffeine: 85mg Focus: 5/5 Flavour: 5/5 Feel good about this choice, with plenty of flavour…
PINEO interest
You wouldn’t necessarily expect to hear a DJ at the Halifax Urban Folk Fest, and that’s totally fair. But a booty-shaking opportunity is a booty-shaking opportunity, so don’t miss out. Mitchell Pineo, AKA PINEO, adds a little night life variety to the festival, with remixes, wild beats and bass for days. “The set I’ll play…
Attention class, Back to School Guide is here
Good morning wise pupils, welcome to Halifax! We present to you a syllabus of sorts, our annual Back to School Guide. Don’t slack on reading this one, it’s chock-full of tips (expert and otherwise) for how to survive the year ahead. CLICK HERE! You’re gonna be great. Happy learning!
Maturity rules
Take a simple visual sweep across any crowd of people in Halifax and you’ll notice a lot of diversity. Whether it be the stage-front area at a killer rock concert, or a first-year Intro to Psychology university class, a whole spectrum of engagement emerges from the behaviour of those in attendance. Let’s run with the…
Letters to the editor, August 29, 2013
The straight honey Great story on urban beekeeping in Halifax (“Plan bee,” Feature by Sam Littlefair-Wallace, August 22). While I have made my living as a beekeeper for almost 30 years and work with bees almost every day the fun and fascination of working with these amazing creatures has never faded. I do have one…
Political science
I f you’re a student (or anyone else, but especially a student), you should pop onto the database at electionsnovascotia.ca and make sure you’re on the voting list. That’s because the premier will likely call an election next week, with voting in early October. Anyone who is a citizen, over 18 and has lived…
Semester sweeps
Like sands through the hourglass, your summer slipped away quickly. Just when you were getting into it, it was gone. If you’re lamenting all of those hours you spent (wasted) in front of the television or your computer screen instead of frolicking in the sun, don’t. (Or, maybe do, but this might help you feel…
Sexist PR campaigns aren’t necessarily the products of men
I used to live with a feminist. I would laugh and shake my head when she went off on tangents about equality and sexism, thinking it was all in her head. I was quite happy with the status quo and saw no reason to waste my time fighting against something invisible and quite possibly non-existent.…
Stock it to ya
THE BASICS “When I was a student, I figured out how to survive on an $11 per week grocery bill. Every night it was Minute Rice cooked up in the microwave with frozen corn, salsa and no-name cheese melted on top,” says Jenna Durling. It’s a far cry from the healthy, seasonal comfort food Durling…
Listen to your he(ART)
Anna Leonowens Gallery, 1891 Granville Street Well, duh, the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design would have its galleries on lock, showcasing not only creatives from across the country, and world, but students, staff and alumni, too. The great thing about the cluster of gallery spaces that make up Anna Leonowens (named for the…
Letters to the editor, August 29, 2013
The straight honey Great story on urban beekeeping in Halifax (“Plan bee,” Feature by Sam Littlefair-Wallace, August 22). While I have made my living as a beekeeper for almost 30 years and work with bees almost every day the fun and fascination of working with these amazing creatures has never faded. I do have one…
Sports? Check.
Pump your bod like A-Rod on Halifax’s local sports scene. We don’t need the Rogers Centre, we’ve got the Metro Centre. With a rich sporting history that dates back to the first days of hockey, Nova Scotia is home to some of Canada’s greatest boxers, ice legends and wrestlers. And our professional, minor and varsity…
Second-hand stoked
The sidewalk’s an everyday runway for the trio of photographers that work hard to make Fashion East (fashioneasthalifax.com) a wardrobe-inspiring blog. Krista Comeau, Melissa Dubé and Meghan Tansey Whitton share their best advice for finding pre-loved pieces. Make a mental list of the items that you really need or want since it’s very easy to…
Free Will Astrology
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIBRA! (September 23-October 22) The online Time Travel Mart sells products you might find handy in the event that you travel through time. Available items include barbarian repellant, dinosaur eggs, time travel sickness pills, a centurion’s helmet, a portable wormhole and a samurai umbrella. I have no financial tie to this store. So…
Books and mortar
In the summer of 1989, an 138-page journal about antimicrobial science arrived at Dalhousie’s health sciences library. It was the July issue, and it wore a red paper cover that bore the title in big white letters: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Over the next months, the subsequent issues arrived, and librarians piled them on top…
Poos clues
Everybody poops. A children’s book said it. Toilet paper companies make millions off of it, and doctors get worried if you aren’t doing it…but nobody wants to be the one to prove it. It’s time to flush away your shame. With the help of Coast readers we’ve created the seven deadly shit tips—a guide to…
Rock camp
Even if you’re new to the city, you should already know that Halifax has always been the centre of sweet music scenes. The Mamas and The Papas, Sloan, Ben Caplan, Cousins and Classified all got their starts on a small stage in Halifax. If you’ve always wanted to be in a band or get involved…
Liquid dreams
You guys, I only want the best for you. So when I sat down to write this exhaustive, encyclopedic, meticulously researched, comprehensive (and humble) guide to hitting the town, it was with the notion that in Halifax, although the myth of the most bars per-capita remains unconfirmed (and I remain skeptical), there is most certainly…
Swell at O’Dell’s Gluten Free Bakery
A pastry chef with a gluten allergy seems like a cruel twist of fate, doesn’t it? Not for Tony O’Dell. He was working as a barista, baking from his licensed home kitchen and not feeling great when he decided to try cutting gluten-y goodness from his diet. It worked. Then his vision in the kitchen…
