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The Coast | News, events, restaurants, concerts and Burger Week for Halifax, Nova Scotia
Home of the Best of Halifax Reader's Choice Awards, the award-winning independent newspaper covers the Halifax news, politics, events, concerts, movies, restaurants, and nightlife scene.
Do you trust the police? The Board of Police Commissioners would like to know. “You have to be open,” says BPC chair and deputy mayor Steve Craig. “You have to hear what’s being said and take that all in, whether you like what’s being said or not.” The Halifax police department’s civilian overseers are quietly…
Jesse Brown, founder and host of CANADALAND, is an award-winning journalist and outspoken media critic. Parker Donham, publisher at Contrarian.ca, is also an award-winning journalist and fiercely opinionated about local media. In advance of Brown visiting Halifax this weekend for a live podcast recording with University of King’s College journalism professor Terra Tailleur and Halifax…
“So, you will move to the farthest place in the world, where it snows all year.” This is what friends and family told me when they found out I was moving to Canada. “You are from Syria? I guess this is your first experience with snow; the desert air in your country is tough.” This…
“Confiscate and revoke the passports and citizenship of those involved in terrorist activities including their immediate family. Muslims protect Muslims.” That’s the anonymous comment made by one self-identified Atlantic Canadian as part of the federal government’s online public consultation on national security. The feedback was collected last fall to gain insight into what reforms Canadians…
Opponents of the Fall River quarry are wondering why the Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) withdrew its appeal of the contentious project, and what role a former senator made in that decision. James Cowan served Nova Scotia in the senate from 2005 until his retirement this year. He also has an association with HIAA. As…
Why would anyone want to live in this city? There are no jobs unless you want to work on a casual basis with no benefits and be tortured by permanent staff because they know they have you over a barrel because they know there is no decent work out there. Workplace harassment, no lunch breaks…
Early Summer. Cole Harbour. Be there. pic.twitter.com/z7QDXAww31 — Kenny's Pizza (@KennysPizzaInc) February 25, 2017 Unless you’re a mistaken Pictou County expat, drunk on brown sauce, you know there’s no pizza like Cape Breton pizza. (Save for maybe Italy, New York, Chicago, but you get my drift.) So it makes sense that the news that longtime…
Come experience the new and improved balloon ceiling! Looks cute as hell 💕 great selfie opportunity #cottoncandy #bubblegum #cute #balloons #pop A post shared by BIG PONY•bigponyhfx@gmail.com (@bigponyhfx) on Sep 4, 2016 at 7:39am PDT It’s Instagram official: On Tuesday night, Big Pony announced its plans to close by mid-April. “This has been a dream…
Was I slightly disappointed I didn’t make my connection? Not after the most smiles I have ever seen on Halifax Transit. Yes, I am speaking of Syrian refugees. Strollers, hats, mitts, whatever…Smiles! Made me feel more proud to be a Canadian. —nice bus ride
Gramma you have destroyed your family. You would rather pay that lawyer to drag it on, money that should have gone to your grandkids. The hate that seethes from your pores after a night of rum dumb. Stay off the tele the neighbours hear you and you are their nightly entertainment. I feel sorry for…
“I’m pretty inspired by the other people that I’m playing with.” Amherst-born musician Jon McKiel’s latest music video was filmed live at the Seahorse Tavern. McKiel calls the video a “takeaway show.” “For me, there wasn’t a lot of footage of the band playing,” says McKiel. “We’ve been playing together for a couple years but…
It’s a little bit more than a living wage. Salary numbers for Halifax Regional Council have finally been calculated and most of the municipality’s elected officials received a modest 3.4 percent pay raise this year. Councillors will see their pay increase from $82,653 to $85,443. The deputy mayor’s salary has likewise increased from $90,918 to…
The battle lines are drawn—in some cases literally. On one side are those reaping massive profits from fossil fuels, determined to extract and sell as much as possible before the market dries up. On the other are those who see the amazing potential of energy conservation, renewable energy and other innovations to reduce pollution, greenhouse…
For all of the MLAs who voted in favor of the recent legislation to force a contract on teachers, and undermine their constitutional rights, lets make a commemorative plaque which will bear their names and leave a historical record of their actions. This could be a good fundraiser for the labour movement with moneys raised…
The Wooden Monkey restaurant is “leading the march” in filing its claim with the Utility and Review Board, says lawyer Ray Wagner. Wagner is representing multiple downtown businesses in a lawsuit against the municipal, provincial and federal governments, the Halifax Convention Centre Corporation as well as Argyle Developments Inc. and its parent company Rank Incorporated.…
Government should do its best to live within its means. Hopefully now those in a position of authority will also make a determined effort to reform MLA pensions. Since the chief criteria is affordability, and since the MLA pension plan would be considered by most Nova Scotianers to be unaffordable, it is time to revisit…
I work at a great local restaurant in the city. We have a diverse menu, take lots of care to make it special and unique. Yet every week, at least one table has to come in and shit on it. “I don’t understand this.” ”None of this appeals to me.” “Who eats this food? Yuck.”…
Every day in my life is near about the same. I eat the same breakfast (frozen blueberries microwaved two minutes, half cup Alpen, half a banana, half cup plain yogurt). I talk to my son about the same assortment of things (Let’s go find the fox in the castle. Is it time to watch two…
Over a decade since first identifying severe problems in policy and procedures, Halifax Regional Police are making progress in cleaning up the department’s evidence control system. The work is needed now more than ever, as preliminary results from a full evidence inventory review says nearly 3,000 drug and cash exhibits can’t be found. Police chief…
To the young guy working the cash at the VV in Bayers Lake last Friday: Not only are you tall, dark and handsome but more importantly, you seem kind and your smile and friendly service made my day. The staff at this store are upbeat and friendly and make it a welcoming place to be,…
To the Friday morning mini-van driver with the license plate starting with DCK: I did everything a road bike commuter must do—I checked behind me, and then gave the turn signal that I was turning my bike out of the Bell St bike lane into the left turning lane at Sackville. I could hear you…
For the love of everything, please use some of those profits to hire new entertainment! You run the most expensive restaurant in the city, yet we sit in our downtown flat and listen to the same guy playing the same set in the exact same order on his stupid saxophone three times every. single. week.…
Think you could make a mojito in less than a minute? On Monday, 10 of Halifax’s female bartenders will be put to the test for the city’s first Speed Rack competition. The women have to make four separate “classic” cocktails as quick as possible without compromising the quality of the drink. The tournament was created…
Well…you may but I will continue to take your picture and film you. You see the problem is that you like my lovely, dark yard. You leave your condoms and condom wrappers lying around. You go as far as smoking crack back there too. Unacceptable. May I suggest that you find somewhere else? —CamGuy
So I moved to a rural town, proclaimed online as “a retirement village,” hoping to find some peace and quiet among the retired folks. I’m only 32, but still… Instead I ended up in a village full of crack-smoking, junkie ass, degenerate, cousin-fucking inbreds, who think they are a gang. Running “the hood,” as they…
10 Blue Rodeo Saturday The folk-rockers are gonna make the Scotiabank Centre as hot as five days in July. 9 Tove Storch: How Do I Look Thursday // Friday // Saturday // Sunday The Danish up-and-comer brings minimalist, ’70s-influenced sculptures to the MSVU gallery. 8 Corpus Melliferous Thursday // Friday // Saturday // Sunday It’s…
The Bridge: A Work-in-Progress Showing Friday, February 24, 7:30pm Dalhousie Arts Centre, 6101 University Avenue 2btheatre.com Shauntay Grant is bringing her latest stage play to life in collaboration with 2b Theatre and director Anthony Black. The Bridge is steeped in the past and present of a rural African Nova Scotian community and follows the trials…
Freedom Singer Friday, February 24, 8pm The Music Room, 6181 Lady Hammond Road $20/$25 Soul, gospel and contemporary musician Khari Wendell McClelland says he became increasingly interested in his heritage after getting off stage one day at a folk festival in Lunenburg and receiving a book by author Karolyn Smardz Frost. The narrative examined Black…
Jean-Jacques Defert “Intercultural competence is all about better knowing oneself,” says the Assistant Professor. Canada has long been among the world’s most linguistically and culturally diverse nations. Today, as more and more newcomers to Canada bypass traditional immigrant gateways and make their way to smaller and mid-sized cities, from coast to coast, intercultural competence is…
SHAPE A question for the ages: Flats or drumsticks? It’s a no-brainer for Shayne Chapman AKA The Wingman, a sucker for the daintier, flat wing. “It’s like, rip off, push in, done. Very easy to eat.” He says boneless wings are just chicken nuggets in disguise: “The experience of eating a chicken wing is gone…
Argyle Bar & Grill 1575 Argyle Street Wednesdays, 49 cents/wing Auction House, 1726 Argyle Street Mondays and Thursdays, 4-10pm, 35 cents/wing Bubba Ray’s Sports Bar 5640 Spring Garden Road Thursdays, 49 cents/wing Bubba Ray’s Too 7071 Bayers Road Wednesdays, 49 cents/wing Bubba Ray’s Sports Bar 1717 Bedford Highway Thursdays, 49 cents/wing Freeman’s Little New York 3671…
19th Annual African Nova Scotian Music Awards Show February 25, 7pm Spatz Theatre As African Heritage Month is coming to a close, the African Nova Scotia Music Association (ANSMA) is honouring one of the province’s most iconic musicians. ANSMA’s Annual Music Award Show Celebration—now in its 19th year—is paying tribute to Portia White, who overcame…
“Do you like spicy?” asks Shayne Chapman, confidently navigating the menu at HFX Sports Bar without actually looking at it. “What I found to be the spiciest here is habanero lime dry rub with Sriracha honey butter. A combo of those two is insane. It’s a little too hot for me sometimes.” Like a keen…
Arnau Kubwakristo “To be a competitive professional in the global arena you need a challenging, competitive experience.” Having worked in Halifax for the past 10 years, I was looking to stay in the city to continue my education. I wanted to enter an MBA program that had a great reputation and would equip me with…
Keisha Jefferies I want to work in international aid. I became interested in taking a French language course while working as a nurse at the IWK. I was working in the neo-natal intensive care unit, and sometimes would work with families who only spoke French or were bilingual. It sparked an interest to want to…
Crystal Finley I’m a massage therapist at Agricola Holistic Health. Studying osteopathy at the Collège d’Études Ostéopathiques has opened up a whole new perspective to me, as someone who is working as a massage therapist. I first discovered osteopathy when I got sick in high school, and nothing else seemed to be working for me…
Kitrina Godding I’m bringing attention to climate change in the Arctic. What drew you to the Marine Geomatics program at NSCC? To take the program at NSCC you have to either be in the survey program at COGS, NSCC’s Centre for Geographic Sciences, or have a preferred Bachelor’s degree. I had just finished an undergrad…
Labour’s day I’m glad that Stephen McNeil’s government has decided to force a contract on the teachers—but not for the reason that the Nova Scotia Liberals have for ramming this legislation forward. I’m glad because it’s going to give labour a golden opportunity to take this to court. It is time to put the last…
Denise Costard “I knew I made the right choice from the moment I walked in the door.” I had been working at call centres for 11 years, when I decided that I needed a change in my life. It took some time to really think about it, but I realized that working with animals was…
Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market 1209 Marginal Road, Saturdays “I want to blow your mind,” says Rudi Brooks. “I want you to look at the bottles and see five red sauces that all look the same, but then taste them and see that they have completely different tastes, different heat levels.” Brooks is the man behind…
Gabrielle Fairbairn Opening doors with another language. I grew up in a bilingual house. My mom is from Quebec so I always spoke French with her. But I’m from Nova Scotia, and growing up here it makes it difficult sometimes to practice French because almost everything is English. I never saw how I could really…
Get your Bachelor of Commerce at a top school while staying in Atlantic Canada.
Jasmine Boudreau Administrative Health Officer for the Public Health Agency of Canada 1 I was looking for direction I think like a lot of millennials, figuring out what you’re going to do for work was a big concern for me. You’re left asking yourself what you’re going to do. I had been in a few…
Julie Hatfield “I’ve developed a big passion for MSVU.” I was an athlete in high school, and that was my primary focus for going into university. I spent my first year at Cape Breton University on an athletics scholarship for volleyball. I enjoyed it there, but my priorities shifted and I realized that I wanted…
1. Caribbean Jerk St Louis Wings Bar & Grill 547 Portland Street Thyme is on your side big time with this dark and herb-rich dipper. Tastes like an overdue (and slightly inauthentic) trip to Jamaica. 2. Double Ugly Wing ’N It, 4 Forest Hills Parkway If only all taste-tests of this creamy sucker could be…
Kyung Shin Being a researcher is like an addiction to find out what questions to ask next. When I graduated high school I decided that when I started university, I didn’t want to move far away from home. I wanted to focus on my academics and go to a highly regarded research school with plenty…
Tami Meredith I’m adding a world of opportunity to my computer science background. I just finished my Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, or CELTA, and I couldn’t be happier about. The way it’s run at The Language Centre at Saint Mary’s, it’s a very intensive month-long program that throws you straight…
Lindsay MacPhee Owner and founder, The Floatation Centre. I was working as an environmental engineer, and had just moved back to Halifax to start a job that ended up falling through. I was on EI, and wasn’t entirely satisfied with my career as an engineer, so I started looking for other options. That’s when I…
Alex MacDonnell I’m Executive Director for the Hepatitis Outreach Society of Nova Scotia. What was it that made you interested in becoming a councillor? I’ve always had an interest in counselling, specifically addictions counselling. I’m the kind of person who loves to listen to people’s stories, and that’s a big part of it. Before coming…
Mathieu Boulanger My goal is to start my own wellness centre. Before starting massage therapy I had been a competitive swimmer for 14 years, which led me to have a real awareness of mind and body. What drew me into massage therapy was the ability to use that awareness to help other people. I started…
Abisola Adeniran I’m a software developer for IBM. After finishing my undergrad, I had been working as an information technologist specialist for a USAID project in Nigeria for a few years. I was doing IT, but wasn’t doing any programming, which is something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. There was a…
Julian Covey Running camps and classes is both “nerve-wacking and amazing.” What inspired you to go to NSCAD for your degree? I was doing a foundation art and design program in Ontario and one of my mentors was a NSCAD alumni. He’d always talk about it, and because of his encouragement I applied. The thought…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) What would your best mother do in a situation like this? Please note that I’m not asking, “What would your mother do?” I’m not suggesting you call on the counsel of your actual mother. When I use the term “your best mother,” I’m referring to the archetype of your…
Natalia Ultremari I’m a graphic designer at Form:Media. For Natalia Ultremari, NSCAD University’s Interdisciplinary Design program acted as a magnet, drawing her from São Paulo, Brazil to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The day after her graduation ceremony in May 2015, she began putting her Bachelor of Design degree to use as a graphic designer at Form:Media,…
Q I am a straight married man. My wife and I have a four-year-old and a three-month-old. We’ve just started having intercourse again. For Valentine’s Day, we spent the night in a B&B while grandma watched the kids. We had edibles, drank sparkling wine and then fucked. It was amazing. After we came and while…
This weekend the largest quilt conference in the world takes place in Savannah, Georgia and there’ll be a little piece of Nova Scotia in the mix. Two, actually: Andrea Tsang Jackson, the maker behind 3rd Story Workshop, will be showcasing her bright, intricate work at the Modern Quilt Guild’s Quilt Con—hers are among the 350…
When Katelyn Armstrong’s oma taught her to sew as a child, her designs were usually made of satin and as poofy as possible. Despite promises that she would wear these creations, when it came time to get dressed the garments seemed too fancy for her lifestyle. Today, Armstrong’s handmade high waisted underwear line Moon Beam…
