Hurricane watch
You may or may not have noticed that Sam’s Place (26 Portland Street) is no longer. But, luckily, just like a fierce nor’easter, a new tenant has already whipped through the downtown Dartmouth venue, giving it an swift overhaul, starting by re-painting the interior some bright, Mardi Gras-esque colours. As of June 1 the white…
Live Through This shows addiction without cliches
There was something about Stephanie MacDonald that sparkled. Photographer Tony Fouhse can’t put his finger on what it is that led him to help her but since that day, their journey together has been one of honesty and courage. Since then MacDonald has kicked heroin. Fouhse was working on a project called user when he…
City lawyers: judges don’t like us
In a nearly fruitless effort to cut overtime pay to cops, the city’s legal department is fighting a mostly behind-the-scenes battle with the province’s judges, urging the courts to change the way hearings are scheduled. At issue is the requirement that police officers be available to testify at court, as witnesses in cases involving people…
Cafe Brea’s park place
Shubie Park has welcomed a new resident to its grounds. Cafe Brea will be opening up shop Canada Day weekend on the patio at the Fairbanks Center (54 Locks Road). The cafe usually slings coffees and more from 530 Portland Street in Darmouth, this new location will be its second. “We’re really excited,” says owner…
20 year old children
To the little boys driving down Parkland yesterday evening. What is with 20 year old children having the mental capacity of a small soap dish need to yell things out of your car window at people? I hope you got your jollies, went home and knuckled a few loads out. You’re all a pathetic bunch…
You complain every day!!!
To a certain girl who keeps clogging up a certain transit companies twitter feed complaining about your bus being late at 5:30pm on weekdays! STOP please for the love of god, do you not understand this thing called traffic, buses do not fly over traffic, they get stuck in it just the same as a…
drunk driver
This is to the drunk driver the pulled up beside me the other day and Dartmouth. Now most drunk drivers who drink and drive usually sneak home and not say a word to anyone what the hopes that they don’t get noticed. Not this guy he pulled up beside Us, and said something I still…
Boy
You made me cry today:( I really love you, so don’t do that again. —Girl
Old bitty bad driver
I know you won’t read this but anyway … I’m all in favour of seniors continuing to drive as long as they can but not once they become a menace. I and the others waited for the walk signal at the corner of Spring G. and South Park. We then took three steps into the…
No wonder our hospitals are bacterial cesspools….
Every day I see doctors/hospital staff scurrying about town (basically anywhere in the Spring Garden/Robie/South Park vicinity) in their scrubs. This makes me cringe. Are these the same scrubs that you’re wearing while doing rounds, working in labs, or while meeting with patients? If you change from those gross city-scum scrubs into clean ones once…
#7 red gym bag man
From the redhead on the bus who was sadly working (or I would have said hi) we got off at the same stop, You are so handsome and I’m sad I missed my chance.Matbe we will see each other again. —Gold Deer Necklace Redhead
The Time of our Lives
We knew this time would come. It had been on my mind for a long time. We had wandered along the edge of ACTUAL REAL LIFE for a few months, and now we’re finally here. We’ve come so far from our first chance meeting at university, moving in together and now a million miles later…
adorkable
to the adorable couple that go streaming by, hand in hand, on their little electric unicycles, you two are adorable. You’re like a walking billboard for how to live life in the cutest way possible. I hope you’re as happy as you look. —wants a wheel of my own now..
The best fest
To a certain outsider festival, and everyone who attended, man you all rule so much. It was crazy-inspiring to hear and witness so many talented, kooky, incredible artists and also hang with people who love it, too. It made me really happy. Thank you. —music friend
Equal Love
To the 2 guys who got yelled at (harassed) for holding hands walking down the street. You are so strong, and proud, and I will gladly holler back at the guy again should I see him. Im sorry I couldn’t do more because I was just driving by, but Im so glad to see that…
Ugh babe
My heart soars ( hence the shaking; vascular hyper acceleration!!!) the moment I know you are en route. The nanosecond after ,” ONE MORE!!” I am bereft in your absence. You kill me yet you are the best reason to breathe I have ever known. I love you. More than I will ever understand. Wow.…
I miss you
It’s been almost a year since we last spoke, and circumstances have changed a lot since we first met. I’m hoping we are both in happier places. Since last time where you were brought me down pretty hard. Part of me thinks that timing and circumstance is everything, and if that’s true then it just…
Love those good Haligonians
I think I’ve used up my karma budget by losing my wallet not once but twice this week and having it returned both times. Thank you to the wonderful Haligonians who’ve managed to track me down (go-knows-how) to return it. I love this city! —Happy wallet girl
I lurrvvee how you rock Jabba The Hut
I dig you, your freckles, and your white boy ghetto lips, almost as much as your sick dance moves and your lustrous mane (especially when its in a samurai bun). I love cruising on our sweet hog on summer evenings and digging in the dirt attempting to cultivate an abundant harvest. You are the bomb…
I can’t wait…
You’ve blown my mind since the first moment I laid eyes on you. Electricity, magnetism, and the like. I struggle with societies definition of how long one should wait before getting married, because I’d run away with you tomorrow. While it’s easy to get swept away in the chemical romance of puppy love, we both…
To My Big Bad Wolf
You make me sing. I can’t wait for the day when we can tell everyone either, but until then we will have to be satisfied with our secret rendez-vous–I love those moments, however brief. I love you. —She of the Red Riding…Hat;)
Kayaking Kindness
A big thank you to the incredible woman who lent her Kayak to complete strangers this weekend at the lake. Your belief and trust in people you’ve never met will make this world a kinder place. Keep doing what you are doing, you are who all of us should strive to be. I hope your…
Tuesday Morning on Grafton
To the cute boy in glasses on Grafton Street this morning, my words didn’t make any sense, but I’m still beaming from your smile. I hope I see it again someday. —Headphones
nerdy boyfriend
ok so maybe at first i was kind of jealous cause you took my new bestie out of my reach on the regular. but overall you’re an incredibly honest and solid dude and you make her really happy, from what i can tell. and when you cleaned the microwave you gained a place in my…
cute french boy
who’d a thunk i’d meet a down to earth quebecker in las vegas? the last place on earth i even ever though i would be. thank you for teaching me how to play pool better. and also insert several innuendos related to balls and/or sticks and/or bending over tables here. —glasses
Jenner Cormier is Canada’s Best Bartender
Raise your glasses Halifax (if there was ever a time to use that cliche, it is now) or at the very least, spike that coffee—your very own Jenner Cormier has been crowned Canada’s Best Bartender of 2013. This week the mix master behind the bar at The Middle Spoon and Noble travelled to Toronto for…
Reel-y great stuff, OUTeast
OUTeast is planning a reel-y amazing event this year! The second annual OUTeast Queer Film Festival will be taking Halifax by storm June 20-23 at the Neptune Studio Theatre and this year they’ve added something new to their Saturday night festivities—a prom. Saturday June 22, 10pm, the Atrium in Citadel High School will transform for…
Will Robinson’s amp site
Typically bodies respond to sound, whether it’s an ear-piercing shriek or the opening notes of one of your favourite songs. In William Robinson’s Ringing Building—Khyber Hallway Pass, the artist has reversed this common convention, so sounds will be created in response to people wandering through the exhibit. As part of OBEY Convention VI, Robinson turned…
The Motorleague just wants you to acknowledge them
The Motorleague is motoring into Halifax to play a show at Gus’ Pub on June 12, in honour of today’s release date of their newest album Acknowledge, Acknowledge. After three years, the band’s excited to finally be putting out a follow-up to their 2009 debut album Black Noise. “Our last one was very much the…
Nasty Stank
Will the smokers PLEASE stop sitting near me?! You reek. I’m a nonsmoker and enjoy my fresh air so stop fouling it up! If I wanted to smell cigarette smoke, I’d be lighting up too. But I’m not so take your smelly bodies somewhere else and LEAVE ME ALONE. —Damn Stink Weeds
Someone had to say it
You deserved what I said. After a year of doing every fucking thing I could for you, you still treated me like dirt, with no respect for my feelings or opinions. And still you say how you’re such a good person. WTF ever!! Letting your kid walk out of stores without paying for stuff because…
Hot off the Presser
If you’re the type who’s thinking about lunch from the time you finish breakfast, add this one to the daydream roster. Tomorrow (Tuesday) at lunchtime marks the debut of the newest food truck to roll up downtown, Under Pressers—a sandwich shop on wheels. Graham Wallace and Andrew Muncaster, panini lovers themselves, had started looking for…
Five questions with 2 Doors Down’s Andrew Farrell
We got into the kitchen at Barrington Street’s newest hangout—and Chives’ little sis— 2 Doors Down, to steal some time from its bright young chef, Andrew Farrell. He advises you try the cheeseburger, now. What’s your style in the kitchen? My style is kind of nostalgic in a sense. We all have our go to…
Police release recording of 911 call making bomb threat
Halifax police have released a recording of the 911 call made last Friday threatening a Boston Marathon-like bombing. Because of the threat, the Relay for Life and Arthritis Walk charity events were cancelled. Click here to hear the call.
Cafe Brea to operate at Shubie Park
We reported last month that the Shubenacadie Canal Commission was looking for a vendor for their space at the Fairbanks Centre in Shubie Park. And today we’re happy to report the Commission has found a vendor. Here’s the press release: Cafe Brea Chosen as Vendor for Shubie Park Dartmouth Dartmouth, NS – Monday, June 10th,…
Ignorant concert goers
To the 3-4 guys who thought it would be a great/smart idea to run on top of parked cars on the south end of Barrington Street after they got out of the Matt Mays concert at the Cunard Center on Saturday night, way to go you $%?#s. Not only did you dent my roof, but…
No-Show
To the drummer of a local pop-punk band who no showed a paid gig last week, because, and I quote: “(name withheld)’s been on a fucking bender since noon. He’s super fucked up right now. We can’t play.” First off, not only did I (the guy who put on the show) get this message less…
Pitbull in the heather
After reading a bitch that was submitted last month I was left with some deeply troubled thoughts. It was about pitbulls and the comment section was flooded with an outpouring of support for this breed of dog. After reading a story today about another toddler being bitten and scarred for life I thought I’d do…
To the sociopath who is still stalking me
Give it up. This has been going on for 8 months now. Stop intruding in my life. You mean nothing to me and you never will. I dont care what your intentions are. You may think that you are trying tosave me but that is classic stalker behaviour. You abused the hell out of me…
Spitting on the competition…
There must be some kind of fierce neighborly competition brewing in Halifax these days…as I was walking out of a business, I went to push on the exterior glass door when I mouthful of spit splatted on the other side. Luckily the glass saved me from the projectile, and as I continued out the door,…
And not even a mention…
Wow… Twenty years and no one says anything? You thank everyone but the person who has spent all that time in service? —Not really surprised but definately amazed
Spoiled coffee beans
To all the spoiled coffee shop workers talking about unionizing, You need a serious dose of reality. I take offense to your complaints over trivial matters. You have the nerve to complain about your “working conditions” when most of us have to deal with ten times more shit than you do on a daily basis.…
Look Both Ways FFS!
I’ve just returned to Halifax after a few months away and am APPALLED by the Haligonian pedestrians. I absolutely agree that pedestrians always have the right of way, but for God’s sake, if you’re going to cross the street, use your brain and check to make sure the oncoming traffic has seen you before you…
Our Flag
Why is it people feel the need to display our flag upside down? Is it that they think we do not have a good country? Maybe they have never heard of Haiti. In the United States it is viewed as a sign of distress, but that’s only in America. Our wonderful government even provides this…
Kill the Subwoofer
I’m so god damned tired of listening to the low end of everything you listen to. You like bass? Hey, me too. But guess what: you live in an apartment. I live in apartment. Right next door, in fact. Have you heard my music? I love loud music, man, do I! But you haven’t heard…
Lost out to a friggin cat!
We starting dating exclusively. Early on in our relationship, I told you I didn’t like cats, that I was more of a dog lover, when we were talking about pets. You knew I didn’t like them, but what you didn’t know was that I actually hate them. Four months into our relationship, we decided that…
Rude Drivers
Drivers are ruder, more selfish and impatient than they’ve ever been. my street is no more than a 100 meters long but some driver look at it as drag strip to spin their wheels on — #$%^&&
Kingdom and The Perfection of Man
The room doesn’t look like a dungeon. It appears bright and girlish. Its walls decorated with colourful drawings. Books and toys neatly displayed. But on second glance, this room reveals a sinister side. It’s more like a cage, the walls reminiscent of a giant spider web or fishing net, designed to trap and hold. The…
How excited are you for the AGNS Annie Leibovitz collection?
Thanks to a generous gift made in honour of Al and the late Faye Mintz by their children, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia now has a new collection of photos by photographer/living legend Annie Leibovitz. The collection, titled Annie Leibovitz: Photographs from Her Books—A Gift of the Al and Faye Mintz Family will be…
Going HAM for Canadian Bacon
Get ready to pig out Halifax, a new kiosk on the waterfront is bringing home the bacon, literally. Canadian Bacon Cookhouse (1751 Lower Water Street) will be opening its doors within the next week to share its salty, meaty goodness with the city. Founders Louis Brill and Mike Kennedy dreamt up the business after discovering…
I can’t let go
You know, I was told once, “If you love something, set it free.” I’m sorry but that is BS. Thats not called “setting it free”, it’s called giving up. That my friend makes you a quitter. —Figaro
Bridge Bitch
Anyone who causes an accident on any of the harbour should be fined $1000 automatically . Its not rocket science to drive a motor vehicle in traffic . The speed limit is for ideal conditions ,switching lanes is ONLY when its safe to do so and does stop the people behind you or the people…
Pandemic finially reported!
The American CDC and the WHO organization have been quietly hiding a pandemic but due to recent leaks within these organizations reports have been circulating and a new pandemic is spreading. It is rumored that the disease was kept hidden because several children of employees are among the infected. The disease is not actually new…
Roommate
One of my roommates stole some loose change out of a piggy bank I have in my room, probably for smokes. The thing is I wouldn’t have known, but my bank comes apart in two halves and when he put it back together after taking the money he put one side the right way and…
Barrington Blues…
I really love it in the morning when there is a huge, neverending line of traffic and no one has the decency to let a car out. Where has courtesy gone? I get it..it’s not a set in stone rule, but it goes a long way – especially at 7:30am at the start of a…
What happened…
About a month ago (give or take), everyone was up in arms about a young woman who took her life…. People were disgusted and outraged by the circumstances which surrounded her demise that led her to her end. Outcries for justice were called, society was up in arms, answers were demanded! But as time passed,…
WTF?!
Why is it when someone commits a crime against children – they get only 6mos. to a year in prison?? Then they are let out again!!?? Should be life!! —Enraged at Passive country laws
I Have Schizophrenia
I have schizophrenia. I do not kill people at random, nor do I think about it (contrary to what the papers always seem to imply) I am tired of my illness being confused with sociopath. Seriously people, it’s 2013. I am a professional, and with the proper meds, and support (can’t begin on how terrible…
Yelling from your car makes you a big man
To the BLEEPhole/hothead on Cowie Hill who yells from his car because I am walking my dog on the sidewalk passed his house: My dog shits, yes! but I clean it up-always! Is the reason why you don’t get out of your car because you have a personality disorder causing you to yell and turn…
Altered views from Dartmouth
Halifax council will soon consider revising the protected viewplanes of the Halifax Harbour from the Dartmouth side of the harbour. The proposed changes would remove viewplane protections from much of downtown Dartmouth, and raise height limits on developments below the remaining viewplanes. Some property owners, however, are crying foul. They say the city is privileging…
Broken Deer
As Broken Deer, Lindsay Dobbin spent last winter in an off-the-grid cabin outside of Whitehorse recording Polaraura on two cassette recorders with built-in mics. Sharing the valley with wolves, who started to visit her in dreams, Dobbin began incorporating the sound and feel of the isolated landscape into five improvised tracks. “It was so quiet…
Pete Swanson
“I have never felt as much like a musical outsider as I have this year,” says experimental sound artist Pete Swanson. Moving from the psychedelic-noise-rock of his former group, Yellow Swans, to the electro-techno of releases like Punk Authority, Swanson notices the reactions to his unconventional and genre-bending productions. “There are preconceived ideas regarding how…
Dog Show
Astrophysics, Taoism, permaculture, food sovereignty, survivalism, genocide: these are some of the austere themes that preoccupied artist Jody Zinner as she worked on a series of paintings she’ll be showing at the group exhibit Dog Show, as part of OBEY. A sense of alienation while living in Montreal contributed, too. “I was struggling to survive…
Pissed Jeans’ urine trouble
Despite the office-bully attitude of Pissed Jeans—Allentown, Pennsylvania’s raddest hardcore band—frontperson Mark Kosloff says he’s not one for giving wedgies. “I’d rather receive,” he says of the prank that involves yanking someone’s underpants by surprise. “If I could choose, I’d probably want [pro-wrestler] Chyna to wedgie me.” For the band’s first time in Halifax, Pissed…
Doors wide open
Halifax, get ready to pry behind closed doors. Doors Open Halifax is allowing Haligonians to venture behind the doors of Halifax buildings with social or historical significance that are not usually open to the public. On June 8 and 9 from 10am to 4pm, people will have the freedom to explore buildings such as City…
Ketamines
“Sometimes I wish for insta-success,” says Ketamines’ Paul Lawton. “But I honestly believe that what I’ve been working at and building will last longer.” The musicians who make up Ketamines have been on their grind a while, participating in a musical chairs-esque rotating cast of characters in the Lethbridge scene. “James Leroy, the other Ketamine,…
Focus and Transition
Yang Hong’s Focus and Transition helps put life in perspective. The artist uses his abstract spotted paintings as a metaphor for a life that is adjusted and always changing. His colourful work is mystical and almost hypnotic. In “Number 4: Green Flecks,” the bright green spots stick out of from the reds and blues. In…
Grouper
As Grouper, Liz Harris plays unearthly songs that take cues from subconscious states and the natural world. “I had a dream where someone told me waves crash out what we feel inside, and that’s true for me,” Harris says. “The water is really restorative for me. It helps me sort things out, unlocks convoluted emotions,…
Trews love
The Trews are coming to Halifax and they’re going to raise a little hell-p while they’re here. The fifth annual Delta Halifax Raise a Little Hellp fundraiser in support of Habitat for Humanity will be rocking for your support this Thursday. Stuart Jolliffe, general manager at Delta Halifax and Delta Barrington says they wanted to…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! Gemini (MAY 21 – JUNE 20) How free do you want to be, Gemini? A tiny bit free, hemmed in by comfortable complications that require you to rely on white lies? Or would you rather be moderately free in ways that aren’t too demanding—politely, sensibly free? Maybe you feel brave and strong enough…
The Internship
Two old men illustrate how silly young people are (with their Twitters and their Instagrams) in the depressing comedy, The Internship. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson play Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, but as laid off salesmen looking to switch careers. Vaughn signs them up to compete for an internship at Google, for no clear…
The Purge
Everyone tries hard, but it’s impossible to navigate through a premise as stupid as The Purge. In the near-future, America maintains low unemployment and crime rates through an annual, 12-hour period of lawlessness. Wealthy home security designer James (Ethan Hawke) and his family lockdown their Panic Room-esque house for this year’s purge, but young son…
Batter up for Acadian Fish & Chips
The first thing we spot at Acadian Fish & Chips, after the Acadian flag, of course, is a string of lobster traps that shore up the border of the parking lot. They lead to a lighthouse beside the restaurant that stands ready, one would guess in this landlocked space, to alert cars of any puddles…
Mitchell Wiebe’s fade to black light
In the window display of a former pharmacy-turned-Dooly’s-turned-Starfish Properties blightscape, Mitchell Wiebe is standing amongst his paintings. Black light spreads down from the ceiling and rises up from the floor. “It’s like enter the dragon, exit the poodle or something,” says Wiebe. The space looks like a terrarium for a collection of uncanny characters and…
Halifax is seeing an explosion in bike culture
Since the sunshine returned last week it is tough to walk down Bell Road, Vernon or Agricola Streets without seeing someone on two wheels zipping by. This palpable surge in bicycle culture is not unique to Halifax; cities all over Canada are seeing growing numbers of cyclists. Bicycle culture in Halifax is a relatively recent…
Dave Nauss, the fixer
If you were stuck on a sinking boat in the middle of nowhere with only chewing gum, four feet of wire and a claw hammer, and could choose one companion, you could do no better than Dave Nauss. He could do anything. What he has done is fight fires and repair bicycles. Dave’s dad Jack…
Letters to the editor, June 6, 2013
Trafficking in law I am writing to raise a concern regarding the seemingly increasing tension between motorists and cyclists on the streets of HRM. I both drive and cycle and have noticed that while the majority of motorists and cyclists manage to co-exist in harmony, I have seen both fellow motorists and fellow cyclists who…
Same cuckold story
Q I love my husband of 20 years, but our sexual differences are putting a strain on our marriage. Ten years ago, he asked me to talk dirty to him about having sex with other men. It has progressed to him wanting to be a cuckold. I only want to be with him, but he…
Cousins’ duo tone
“I sort of feel like we’re walking up a hill, and then soon we’re going to be able to peek over the top of it,” says Aaron Mangle, half of Cousins. “And not be there, but we’ll at least be able to see what’s up there. That’s my goal right now—soon we’ll get a glimpse.…
