Speaking of Halifax Nights and Sights, it sounds like we might be in for quite a sight Sunday August 23, 2009. All indications as of this writing, (August 21)are that Nova Scotia is in for a weather pounding from Hurricane Bill, which is currently catagorized as a Category 3 Hurricane....not a good thing at all...
Those of us who were around for Hurricane Juan know what I am talking about, as it was a devastating storm, causing millions in damage, and even loss of at least one life. So as they say on the ship, "batten down the hatches!"
It's time to prepare, get yourself ready. You can almost count on a power outage if nothing else. Here is a link to Nova Scotia's Emergency Management Office website, where you can find information about how to prepare. Emergency Management Office
If you want to watch the Hurricane's track, this is the best site I can find, Hurricane Tracking Centre You can also find current weather conditions and forecasts on the same sight Weather Office
Apparently it is too soon to say with certainty what Hurricane Bill is going to do, it could vear off at the last minute and stay out to the ocean, it could shift and go inland somewhere along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, it could be downgraded to a tropical storm, (still not good) before it reaches Nova Scotia, but it is unlikely. For-warned is for-armed....good luck and hope for the best! If it does hit, stay low and inside, look after your family and any neighbors, especially the elderly....and oh yes, stay away from the coast, yes the waves are spectacular, but you don't want to end up swimming in them!
Prepare For Hurricane Bill
Car Show At The Woodside A&W
As the dutiful blogger that I am, I attended the car show tonight at the ferry terminal parking lot in Woodside. Actually I think the event is sponsored by the A&W Restaurant in Woodside, which is a great restaurant to enjoy a Papa Burger and an ice cold Root Beer.
The car show is really worth seeing, lots of cars and trucks, antiques, hot-rods, beautifully restored vehicles on display and you can walk among them, look to your hearts content, just don't touch!
There's a get together every Thursday night at the A&W and lots of old cars are on display, but tonight's show was one of the bigger ones, a real car show. The other Thursday night events are usually smaller, more intimate gathering of antique car buffs and their friends, which of course is me and anyone else interested in nice old cars lovingly restored to their original beauty.
One or two of the cars at the show tonight really stood out, for example, what do you think of this one, I believe it's a Ford Model T. 
What about this one? Hot red! 
Halifax Harbour Failed Sewage Plant
Further to my earlier rant about the Halifax Harbour failed cleanup project, there is a very good article posted in the current edition of The Coast that explains in great detail How The Sewage Plant Broke
Written by Tim Bousquet, the article spells it out, what went wrong and what can be done to fix it or not. It's an interesting read, given the political ramifications of such a catastrophe, not to mention the negative social and economic impacts that the plant failed and the stench became...well...stenchier....
Halifax Harbour Stench Goes Beyond The Harbour
One thing about writing a blog about Halifax is that anytime I am short of a post, I can just turn my head in the direction of the Halifax Regional Council for a laugh if nothing else....
It's amazing that these folks have managed to stay employed, what with chickens and cats and of course, the Halifax Harbour Solutions Project....a $333 million dollars and still stinking, and now they are talking about another $100 million or so to get it back on track...that is $333,000,000.00 without the upgrades....c'mon...spend that much of the people's money on a failed project and not get fired...what a job! I think the stench goes far beyond the harbour shores, all the way up to the council chambers.
Now they are putting deodorant blocks in the water to make the place smell like the big public washroom it is....and that isn't working...Now restaurants and business's located by the waterfront are complaining and no damn wonder. Not everyday, but many days, it stinks...cuts the lungs right out of you! Deodorant blocks....imagine...how much do they cost...putting a deodorant block in a tidal harbour, that has to be effective...wonder who came up with that one. I wonder who thought of that one....Whoever it was, they are putting the blocks in the water beside the casino where the outflow is the largest.
It's time the Honorable Mayor, Peter Kelly, does the honorable thing and resigns, and so should the rest of the Municipal Council who have lead this fiasco. Sure, it is not all their fault, but someone has to be accountable. Apparently the company that installed the solutions isn't, so the folks that hired them should be. This is a shame, a beautiful harbour, a boardwalk with tons of potential, and infectious diseases floating within metres of the tourists and residents happily snapping pictures of the buskers and the tall ships, floating in God only knows what kind of filth. I grew up on the harbour, and I know what that smell can be like on some days, not everyday, but some days it will cut the lungs right out of you.
Imagine splashing into a big septic tank in the Harbour Hopper, shouts of glee from the passengers as infectious disease filled water hits them in the face!
The Mayor who swam in the 'clean harbour' last year, obviously proud of his accomplishments doesn't seem to be prepared to take the fall, which although it won't solve the problem, will at least show he is a man of conviction and integrity.
There should be a full inquiry launched by a third party, at even more expense to find out who knew what when, where the responsibility lies, and what if anything can be done.
This is money that if it hadn't been lost to a doomed project could have been used for roads, bridges, hospitals, or other much needed work to the infrastructure of Halifax. Think about what we could have done....think about the number of deodorant blocks we could buy with $333 million.....
In the meantime, I am going to get some Halifax Harbour Souveneir Deodorant Blocks and Halifax Council Nose Plugs and start selling them on the waterfront...the tourists will love them! We can turn this around....
Tick, Tick, Boom !!
As a blogger, from time to time I get an invite to a show or play, or something else going on, in the hopes that I will review it....sometimes I just invite myself and review whatever it is....well tonight I was lucky enough to find myself in the front row of a Dartmouth Players live theatre performance called,tick, tick....Boom!
Sponsored by Patterson Law Directed by Tina Gallant, and starring three up and comers in musical theatre, Mikaela MacGillivray, Andrew Pelrine and Shane O'Regan, this three person play is enthralling to watch, and was a hit with the audience tonight, which was a full house, in it's fourth night!
Written by Jonathan Larsen, played by Shane O'Regan, tick, tick, Boom!! tells the story, through music and words, of a young musical playwrite, and his struggles to make it in a difficult business, while faced with the challenges of anyone who chooses a less than "safe" career. This is the story of one artist, but it could be story of so many, those who have risked it all for the big time, and those who haven't, and end up perhaps wishing they did. It struck a chord with me....and I am betting it will with you too.
18 year old Shane O'Regan is a bundle of talent, singer, actor, musician, a young man of many talents, who knows how to grab and audience and hold it tight, and he does, throughout the entire 90 minutes, not leaving the stage once. He is matched by the talent's of the lovely Mikaela MacGillivray, who plays two roles, Susan and Karessa, and plays them with distinction and flair, doing her own share of captivating her audience and no wonder. Mikaela has a voice to make you sit up and listen.
Not to be outdone by his stage partners, Andrew Pelrine lays down a solid performance as Michael, best friend of Jonathan, who helps him to see what he needs to see. Andrew has the look and sound of a true pro, and you have to keep reminding yourself, these are young people, otherwise, you might start believing you are watching a play on Broadway.
I cannot think of a better way to spend a summer evening than watching these three talented actors present a fabulous show, and as of this writing, there is still lots of time for you to see it! The show runs until August 9th, 2oo9, and at $15 a person, it might just be the best $15 you spend all summer!
You can get tickets at the door, and information from Dartmouth Players at 465-PLAY the show starts every night at 8:00 and there is weekend matinee!
Don't miss your chance to see these three talented young Nova Scotians on their way to the stardom!
