Efendy fires up
“We did everything ourselves, from the sign out there to everything in here,” says Altin Begolli of the renovation that’s transformed the longtime space of the former Fid Resto into Efendy Turkish and Mediterranean Grill (1569 Dresden Row). After 10 years of working in restaurants in Halifax and dreaming of opening his own spot, and…
Shining light on streets of danger
It’s been a bad month for those who share the road with automobiles, given the spate of car-versus-pedestrian accidents. The non-motorized public is so freaked out, that this week the police department took the unprecedented step of releasing a report looking at the 74 times walkers have been hit this year (read about it here).…
Sidewalk of shame
Ten centimeters of snow fell Sunday, followed by five millimeters of rain, and then temperatures dropped below freezing Sunday night—a perfect recipe for icy sidewalks. The storm was also the first serious test of the new arrangement for the city, rather than property owners, to clear peninsular sidewalks. By all evidence, ice removal crews failed.…
Iron Salon opens on Granville
Two of Thumpers Salon’s star stylists have teamed up to make their shared dream of running their own salon a reality. Sarah Arbuckle and Nathan MacNeil’s Iron Salon (1883 Granville Court, 407-2322) opened for business last week, breathing even more new life into Granville Square. “It was only this past August, while buying flowers at…
Really Universities?
Everything else is closed. Even NSCC. You stay open. Staff have to risk life and limb, take a vacation day or lose pay because you have determined that it is safe for us to go to work. I imagine the fact that there are no students this time of year played a large role in…
Water Cooler Bitch
I find it ironic that the very people who cannot lift the water jugs to refill the water cooler are the ones that complain the most when its empty.Its not you that has to change it, and it takes a mere minute to replace. So you have to wait a little bit NBD be thankful…
White Car on Witherod
Thanks to the kind soul who saw me creeping down the slick ice hill that was Witherod on Monday morning. I was fairly certain that I’d die before reaching Herring Cove Road, but you backed up your car to offer me a lift. You’ve restored my faith in humanity and have reminded me how much…
First world cookie problems
Seriously. Have you ever even made a cookie before? I wish a CERTAIN COFFEE SHOP would just follow a damned recipe to the letter. No weird substitutions, no adding raisins, no skimping on the the good ingredients. JUST MAKE A NORMAL COOKIE. Stop making us eat these weird spread out messes or hardened pucks and…
A much deserved thank you
To the wonderful bus driver who let me stay on the bus without my pass and gave me a transfer for later so I wouldn’t walk home alone late and in the dark. Thank you so much. I was having the worst day and your kindness immediately snapped me out of it. I hope someone…
Stop interrupting me!
Why is it that whenever I am talking to my supervisor, you always come over and interrupt in the middle of our conversation? He’s not even your supervisor…you have someone else you can talk to. You know you’re doing it, since you preface it with “Sorry, blabla for interrupting but…. ” Why do you think…
Not Prepared For Winter Weather…
To the three awesome guys who helped me push my car from its icy spot off of a Carlton Street parking lot thank you so much. You all walked away before I could properly thank you and I didn’t even know people extended that kind of kindness in real life but it completely made my…
Misogyny is the New Stupid
Hey dumbass: Believe it or not when a woman who’s gone home with you happens to get her period on your sheets the classy move is NOT asking for money as compensation. I’d like to school you on how to be a gentleman or failing that break into your apartment and host a Pantsless Period…
On stage in 2013
In the course of a year, there are well over 100 plays to be seen in and around Halifax. They run the gamut from works taking their first baby steps into the world to big-budget extravaganzas. What I find interesting when I compile this annual list of favourites is that the plays I remember are…
Police release analysis of pedestrian/vehicle accidents
The Halifax Regional Police department has released its review of pedestrian/vehicle accidents of 2013. Find it here.
First snow fall ever?
Nova Scotia weather can be said to be unpredictable, but, guess what Halifax – this ‘storm’ that we got – you know, that white stuff on the ground mixed with rain and cold temperatures – that was predicted!! So why does it seem like nobody was prepared for it? It’s super hard and frustrating when…
PTSD in Halifax
Quiet, so quiet Not at peace, Look into my eyes Others like me, they know Memories haunt my sleepless nights My Mother she chooses life so simple Thinks it black and white She knows of what I’ve done in life But does not see my internal fight My Family has disowned me, I’m saddened by…
intentional car spray
I was trying to find a place to go from the side of the road and on to the sidewalk on Oxford Street. Not the best place to be I know but did you have to intentionally speed up and spray me with soppy wet slush after I signalled at you to slow down so…
Caribbean adventurer delayed at the airport
To the tall cute guy whos flight was delayed at the Halifax airport going to the Caribbean. Your smile is so nice and you made my day chatting with me. I hope your trip ends out well and you get out tomorrow morning like you hoped. Safe travels and don’t stop smiling. —Cook
To a certain bus driver
You harassed me for having my scarf up over my mouth when I got on the bus last night (not my nose, just my mouth). You claimed it was a ‘safety risk’ – I had literally just stepped on the bus from where I had been waiting in the -22C temperature. Really? Do I look…
Dear Halifax, Safest, warm public hanky panky places?
How many more cigarettes must a man smoke before you open up your heart? —Best regards
Dear Halifax, Safest, warm public hanky panky places?
How many more cigarettes must a man smoke before you open up your legs? —Best regards
Common Values indeed
This great little spot on the Commons is an affirmative action venture that supports people gaining employment skills. Plus they have local artisans, and great bargains. —Odette
Lady with the Sunshine Smile
To the tall, lovely, statuesque brunette with the curly long hair, pink winter hat with the brown rim and a smile that lights up the room; You’re smile is like the sun! Breath-taking. And I mean that literally; it steals the breath from my lungs, and my senses with it. I can honestly say that…
Thanks for the comic relief
to whomever responds to the comment cards at a certain 1970’s-built university library, thank you. I don’t typically stop at the bulletin board but glad I had some time to read. Not only do you respond to praise and complaints about the library but you also respond to silly stuff with an evident amount of…
Friends with Benefits
It’s quite clear I’m interested in you. That I want to spend time with you … more than just inside the 4 walls of my bedroom. It’s been almost 3 months… 3 months and it’s still ongoing!! Don’t you get that casual sex doesn’t usually last that long? You say it’s not just sex ……
muslim extremist
hahahaha. you have no chance against the west.lol i know its old but goodbye asshole(bin laden) http://youtu.be/CLcyihrlFW4 —nato
we’re breaking up
dear favorite local brewery- what happened to your IPA? everything was going so well for so long. you were head and shoulders above the competition-i told friends about you-introduced you to my family. now you’re just a memory- replaced by a sour coppery swill that just makes me sad. you were a real bright spot,…
Dog Walker
You were walking your dog on a very cold night through a big open park I walked into your dog like an idiot because my glasses were fogged up from the cold. I’m sorry! Your dog was whimpering when you walked away but you didn’t seem angry, you seemed apologetic, but it was my fault.…
Marketing Frenzy
As I walk through the Halifax Shopping Center, funds not liquid enough to enjoy the frenzy….i hear people talking about…, ” what should I get him??? I’ve not seen him in a year..” Babe, if you haven’t seen anyone in a year, the hell I’d be dishing out my cold hard cash at a time…
Justice system is wackola
How is it that a guy featured in this headline ‘Top dogs’ taken down in Annapolis Valley meth bust….. is out walking around with a gun at night almost a year later and is featured in this awesome headline… Pair charged after vicious backyard beating of Valley man It doesn’t make sense. —Glad I’m not…
Martyr Complex
What the fuck is wrong with you? There are a hundred things going right in your lie right now, and all you can do is fucking complain about the tiniest things – like the fact that it’s snowing today, and you don’t like driving in the snow so you can’t go to the store (which…
Selling off man’s best friend
We recently lost our beloved dog to old age. We’re exploring all available options to find the “right” dog for us. WTF is with people who SAY they want a “good home” for their dog, but want to sell it for $500? If you gave a rat’s ass about a “good home” you’d be willing…
Once upon a time, there was no such thing as a bike helmet.
The whole idea with the bike helmet law is that some people want to wear helmets but they know how dorky it makes them look so they make everyone else wear one because they think it will make them look like less of a dork. Hey, you still look like a timid little baby going…
Times They Are-a-Changin
Why would you drop all of your friends for your boyfriend? Or your values, morals and entire way of life? Your attitude, even. We’re young, boyfriends seem like the world – but we’re not that young. Not young enough to still be thinking all you need is your boyfriend. And that thought that you don’t…
Baby picture blues
Our first child is on the way; very lucky and very happy. We go for our 20 week scan. So excited. We see the little peanut on the screen, hi-fiving and we are stoked. Can’t wait to share this with the grand-parents and aunts/uncles. Only we go to ask how we pay for a photo.…
In May, a white SUV hit a bicyclist and drove away
Halifax police today released photos of the white SUV believed to be involved in Wednesday’s accident at North and Agricola Streets. Two pedestrians walking on the sidewalk were struck and injured in the incident. Soon after police released photos of the SUV, the car was located. Police interviewed the driver, and now say the SUV…
School Christmas concert or Night out at the Roxy
Why do some parents allow their elementary school-aged daughters to wear clothes that are inappropriate for a family-friendly event? The sequins, off-the-shoulder dresses, tight tank tops (it’s been in the minus double digits all week), and crotch-hugging tights have never made sense to me. Is she heading out clubbin’ afterwards? —thankful I have boys
I feel like there’s a subtle message
To certain members of my culture, Christmas can either be a dominant, widely advertised, compulsory holiday, or it can be about Jesus Christ. It cannot be both. —WWSD
Big Business Behaving Badly
In June 2012 we sat with a car salesman for a good hour going over the pricing for our new car. We went through the proposed Purchase Agreement line by line, item by item, declining the Rust Sealant, Fabric Protector, and Extended Warranty. The ONLY add-on we accepted was the Rust Protection. We knew the…
Argyle Fine Art smarts
This will be Argyle Fine Art’s (1559 Barrington Street) third Christmas on Barrington Street, and its 13th Christmas in the business of bringing great, local art to Halifax. From paint, to pottery, jewellery to papercraft, the downtown store and gallery keeps its walls and shelves interesting always, and offers special events regularly like this coming…
13
MJ Photographics The talented teens of 13 In 13, Lachlan Topshee plays Evan, a big-city boy trying to fit into a painfully-small small town after his parents divorce. Evan is drawn to the outcasts Patrice (Nika Gantar) and Archie (Evan Matthews), but realizes his popularity is dependent on winning over the junior high school alpha-male…
Flu
Fuck off flu Bug. Seriously… Fuck Off. —Sick
I’m a loner and I’m smarter than you
I’ll always wish I had more friends and You’ll always wish you had more interesting thoughts.—Life is unfair
Walking at night
If you’re going to walk at night along the side of the road, please, for your own safety, wear light colours, something reflective, or carry a lit flashlight. —Trying to drive safely
CROSS WALK CLOSE CALL
Me and my sister almost got hit last year and when we called the cops to report what happened he asked us what we wanted them to do about it. We said something at least get a hold of him and tell him to drive more carefully we gave you the licence plate.My sister had…
Maybe its just me…
Is it…was that….could it…no…I guess i’ll sit down before I fall down.. —going crazy?
Paper Beat Scissors’ postcards from the stage
Releasing albums is weird business. Contrary to what you may believe, they aren’t like babies. There’s a number of release dates required for albums internationally, each requiring its own publicity schedule of tours, interviews and the rest of it. But if you’re the type who thinks touring is a grueling slog, maybe you should have…
Water, H2o or whatever the fuck you wanna call it.
I’m fuckin sick of that shit. Plain, clear and bland. What happened to Kool Aid? On top of that, where the fuck are my Kool Aid points? You want an old school pitcher with the matching cups? Well, you’re gonna have to try EBay. Now I’m off topic because I’m pissed about the points. But…
Halifax police to review all pedestrian accidents
Halifax Regional Police have announced a thorough review of all pedestrian/vehicle investigations through 2013 and into the future, and will release that information to the public. This is a very welcome move on the police department’s part. The police release is below: In response to the spike in vehicle/pedestrian collisions this month, HRM Partners in…
premier mack kneel
Ok, i get it, you wanted to show your respects to Mandela. But, I also get that your travel costs were a waste of tax payer money. Federal or provincial, it still comes out of our pockets —feeling like a butt hole sore citizen of NS
Librarian Angel
This goes out to the goddess with red hair working returns at the library today. I had my book in hand ready to simply return it then I looked up and said hello. At that moment I was so flustered because you’re smile hit me like a train. You’re radiance startled me and I could…
One Eyed Pirate Lady Bitch
You looked like you just had corrective eye surgery because one of the lenses of your glasses was tinted dark. All the more reason for you to be extra cautious while driving your dark minivan. Have you not heard the news about people getting hit in crosswalks lately? You were deep into a riveting conversation…
Hoes
I am tired of stupid women that are 5 years older than mean or old in general. That think they can try and break up a happy marriage. They try their hardest. the even put information about how they are hoes on facebook. —ms lala
Fingers
I fuckin love chicken fingers. I buy the good kind, too. Eight bucks. I even made a hot chicken sandwich with them. Gravy kinda sucked. But hey, three packs for a buck, that’s why it’s still a Love. Also, I love chicken burgers. The good kind, 12 bucks for a box. —Nukka
Join the adult world
We wrote you up because you weren’t living up to our expectations. You started working for us doing accounting and admin in the spring of 2012, but in the past six months we expanded, and added a little to your duties. Then unexpectedly, your coworker in the same dept. had a death in the family…
You…again
There you were walking smartly down Agricola, rosy cheeks, sparkly eyes. I just hope you read this Lady C, and know you are a beautiful person inside and out —Cook
Sunday night movie-dartmouth
So I feel silly even doing this, but I was out to see a movie on Sunday the first of December, and while waiting in line for some snacks with my friend, I happened to turn around and see you next to me in the other part of the line. Our eyes met, and you…
Many Faces
I’m a man of many faces I’ve carved out over time I carry them around with me Some that make me sigh… Usually I’ll leave it up to others How it is they set the mood The way we inner act To what face it is I choose I have a face I use for…
Man of my Dreams
You walked into my life out of nowhere and turned it upside down. Still hard to believe that you actually picked me, I know the road we’ve traveled so far has not been the smoothest but we’re still going, and I am proud and thankful to have you in my life. You are everything I’ve…
Make change!
The Portland Hills bus terminal is grossly subpar in that there are no machines to make change. The payphone won’t accept quarters, you need a fucking calling card. The vending machines eat your money and the fucking Link bus robs you blind because you have to put a whole loonie in there when you can’t…
How Rude!
To my fly by night friends who can’t even return my phone call from a week ago, but I see you posting your facebook statuses daily. You’re an asshole. You want me to drop everything though and run and jump when you have a whim to plan a “girls night”. I’m expected to open up…
Local Claim
To a certain burger joint in HRM, you are deceiving the public with your “local” claim. Don’t pretend I didn’t see the Sysco truck unloading your beef and potatoes. —One unhappy customer who might as well eat at McDonalds than this place
Wild Leek style
There are few things more delightful than having brunch with my friend Laura. She loves good times, good food and good drinks just as much as I do. Just as much as pretty much all of my friends do. The only difference: she’s vegan. So we need to find vegan food. Good vegan food. There…
Rob Lemon: Into the Wilderness
If there’s anyone who knows Halifax’s music history, it’s Rob Lemon. The 43-year-old street musician has been playing around the city, mostly on Spring Garden Road, since 1989. He remembers Sloan’s Smeared CD release show at Club Flamingo, he’s seen country legend John Prine seven times and he’s witnessed the industry shift from label to…
Road warriors
Scrapes was born on the road. “We were driving to Montreal, in an old convertible Lebaron with flames on the side Devin [Delaney, bassist] bought on Kijiji for a couple hundred bucks and we got the idea that we would kind of do everything backwards,” says vocalist and guitarist Lee MacDonald, meaning nailing down the…
Nicole Ariana’s time of the Seasons
What’s the term for a woman who is talented, cool and business smart? Oh right, bad bitch. Halifax is about to lose one its baddest. Local R&B/hip-hop artist Nicole Ariana (AKA Nicole Curry) is leaving the Halifax scene with a final show as part of the NSCC: Presents series. A graduate of the music business program herself,…
Saying farewell to Nova Scotia for a reason
Nova Scotia’s gotten less crowded in the last year, and that’s not a good thing. Last month, the 2013 population estimates were released by Statistics Canada. Canada added 400,000 people last year. Factoring in movement within the country, all provinces and territories added residents except the Northwest Territories (-83 people), Newfoundland (-139) and New Brunswick…
Out of the Furnace
Christian Bale stars as one of the few guys in Braddock, PA in the thoroughly unpleasant Out of the Furnace, Scott Cooper’s follow-up to his lauded Crazy Heart. But while the town is decidedly blue-collar—cue the Eddie Vedder drone—the tone is a bit more Deliverance, what with a sweaty Woody Harrelson forcing hot dogs down…
The Circle
An epic technological thriller set in the not-distant-at-all future, The Circle is named after a Facebook-meets-Google (though the author claims no relation) hands-in-every-pie computer company in Silicon Valley that has completely monopolized the e-sphere. Set completely on “campus,” this novel has a slow buildup but a reader-is-wiser eeriness from the get go. We follow newbie…
Alice in Tumblr-land: And Other Fairy Tales for a New Generation
Adding to the generation of books based on blogs is Alice in Tumblr-land by Tim Manley, based on his Tumblr Fairy Tales for Twenty-Somethings. Filled with illustrations and matching blurbs a few sentences long, the book reimagines familiar fairytales like Peter Pan, who becomes internet-famous, and Rapunzel, who chops off her hair. Despite their new…
Rayman Legends
Mario who? Despite multiple releases in 2013, Nintendo’s plumber platformers Mario and Luigi haven’t reached the heights that Ubisoft’s limbless hero Rayman has. Rayman Legends takes running and jumping, flips it on its head and injects a beautiful style that saturates the senses. From placid early levels to enraging challenging stages later on, this is…
Placeholder
“If only the heart had antennae to tap/out the way to the safest places.” Cadeau’s sophomore poetry collection is, as her name suggests, a little gift. A poet whose hushed phrases read with a fluidity and clarity approaching effortlessness, she instills in each poem in a sense of dark whimsy, a gentle crumbling of those…
Holly Bartlett’s unlikely journey
Update, February 24, 2014: Halifax Regional Police and Halifax District RCMP have announced an independent review of the police investigation into Holly Bartlett’s death. For more information, click here. Work finished early that Friday afternoon, but Holly Bartlett’s day was just getting started. She had to shop for a birthday present for her six-year-old nephew—Holly…
Fast Romantics
Producer Howard Redekopp (New Pornographers, Mother Mother) at times dominates the music on Afterlife Blues with his bang-chime-reverb imprint. The title song benefits from getting some sonic space to stand on its’ spooky, Kinksian own: “From up here, it makes you seem so small.” Elsewhere, lyrics get fogged and instruments fall into a blender. A…
Various Artists
Fifty years after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, an assortment of Canadians bring to life the jottings of the little-known Scott Garbe. Viewpoints get portrayed in the manner of Jesus Christ Superstar, from an emergency room orderly (“Parkland”) to Jack Ruby (“When Will I Be Mine”) to First Lady Jacqueline (“Disintegrating”). The latter…
Letters to the editor, December 12, 2013
Stroink injury The issue is not that Joachim Stroink is a nice guy but rather that he is an MLA who has not examined his own privilege and has no understanding of systemic race issues (“Stroink apologizes,” Reality Bites by Tim Bousquet, December 4). That is worrying, knowing he is making policy decisions. He said…
Brush with greatness
Dancing, drumming and…calligraphy? It might seem like throwing a pickle onto a peanut butter and jam sandwich, but local jazz legend Jerry Granelli asserts that it’s a natural fit. “It’s just exploring these means of communication from different forms,” he says. “All art is the same, but the forms are different, and it’s very interesting…
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The epic children’s story continues, at great length, in bridging sequel The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Martin Freeman returns briefly as the titular hobbit, Bilbo, still wandering towards a dragon-filled mountain with his indistinguishable dwarf companions. Wizard Ian McKellen frigs off to investigate a more interesting plot, leaving the proto-fellowship to deal with elves,…
BILLIE DRE & THE POOR BOYS
Were this the early 1990s, Garlic Fingers would be the empty cassette case you carry around all your pre-rolls in, because the actual tape wouldn’t leave the deck of the car you borrow from your dad. Lo-fi garage rock infused with energy, attitude and a grit that’s pure Dartmouth—Billie Dre & The Poor Boys are…
Free Will Astrology
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sagittarius! (November 22-December 21) There are pregnant truths I could reveal to you right now that I’ve decided not to disclose. I don’t think you’re prepared to hear them yet. If I told you what they are, you wouldn’t be receptive or able to register their full meaning; you might even misinterpret them.…
Sadface about sad-sack sex
Q I’m a straight woman who loves my boyfriend, but sex isn’t a priority for me. His sex drive, on the other hand, is ridiculous. He gets very upset when I don’t have sex with him and accuses me of not being interested in him anymore, which isn’t the case. I just can’t fuck on…
Crimson Clover’s on the move
Crimson Clover Boutique (1351 Birmingham Street), the consignment store known for its ridiculous shoe selection and gently-used (or not used at all) brand name fashions, is making a move…up the street. Stacey Thompson and Jennifer McGrath’s styling boutique (and the Best of Halifax winner for Best Second-hand Clothing Store) will ring in the new year…
