E-Newsletter January 2018

News

Community Grants Program 2018-2019:
The 2018-2019 Community Grants program is now open for applications. The Grants Program provides project specific awards to registered non-profit organizations and charities located in HRM. Deadlines for applications is March 31, 2018. For more information the Community Grants Program Guidebook and application form is available online. For assistance in completing an application please contact the Grants & Contributions Office at (902)490-7310 or email nonprofitgrants@halifax.ca.

Blue Mountain Birch Cove Purchase:
HRM has secured its first purchase of lands in the proposed Blue Mountain Birch Cove Park. The 197 acres contains Hobsons Lake, borders the provincial wilderness area, and backs onto Collins Road, providing the first true public access to the wilderness area. Public consultation on the new park is planned for the spring and HRM is continuing to pursue other acquisitions. I’m hopeful they’ll be more announcements in 2018.

Municipal Budget:
Each year the municipal operating and capital budgets are debated and approved by Regional Council. The municipal budget determines spending priorities and service delivery for residents. Regional Council is now in the midst of having public discussions surrounding the upcoming budget. Residents are encouraged to highlight their priorities for the upcoming year through the online Budget Allocator, which lets citizens share their thoughts on levels of taxation and where money should be spent.

You can watch or listen to budget presentations at Council meetings. Citizens also have the opportunity to speak directly to Regional Council for five minutes at these meetings on any budget related topic. For more information on the budget process visit Shape Your City.

Dartmouth South Academy Opens:
The brand new Dartmouth South Academy school opened for classes on Thursday, January 4, 2018. The Primary to Grade 8 school replaces Southdale-North Woodside Elementary and Prince Arthur Junior High, and also includes French immersion for Grades 7 and 8. I had the chance to tour the new school in December and I’m very impressed with the facility that the Province has built. I’m confident it will serve Dartmouth well. Congratulations to the parents who worked long and hard to raise additional funds to enhance the playground spaces.

I have heard from a few concerned residents about the traffic situation around Dartmouth South Academy during the morning drop-off, particularly on Milverton Road. I have young kids of my own and I know first hand that it can be a very hectic time of day for everyone. Milverton Road wasn’t designed to be a major drop-off area, it was meant to be the route for buses. Parking is permitted on the street, but please consider the safety of everyone and don’t block the street or buses. HRM Traffic is reviewing the situation to see if traffic control signage is needed. HRM will also be looking at building a sidewalk on Clyde Street (it’s in the draft budget for 2018) to minimize the potential danger from having kids walking in the road with traffic.

Thin Ice:
It was an unusually cold start to the winter that had our lakes frozen enough to get out the skates. The weather since has been less reliable and the ice has thinned back out. With any luck they’ll be another chance to enjoy the original Oval before the season is done. Before heading out on the ice, make sure it’s safe. The Canadian Red Cross recommends that ice be at least 15 centimetres thick for individual skating, and at least 20 centimetres thick for group skating. Avoid areas where streams flow into and out of the lakes, such as Banook by Findlay Park. Ice conditions can vary significantly where there are currents. HRM tests the ice throughout the winter months, and reports on the thickness will be available online here or by calling 902-490-3577. Residents are urged to always assess each situation and conditions before stepping out on one of our lakes. Enjoy the season but be safe.

Photo: Canoe Kayak Canada

Dartmouth to host 2018 Pan American Canoe Sprint Championships:
It’s going to be a busy September on Lake Banook! Canoe Kayak Canada and the Atlantic Division recently announced that Dartmouth will host the 2018 Pan American Canoe Sprint Championships, September 13 – 16th. About 250 athletes representing 20 countries, and an additional 120 national team support staff, are expected to participate in the championship. The event will also serve as a Paracanoe championship and a Pan American Games qualifier.

The new Sportsplex lobby will feature public art

Call for Submissions – Public Art Opportunity – Dartmouth Sportsplex:
HRM’s public art policy requires the municipality to set aside 1% of construction costs towards public art. This policy means that the new Sportsplex will also be getting a public art project as part of the renovation. The envisioned opportunity for art in the new Sportsplex is a large interior wall in the main lobby and as glazing on the many interior glass windows. The deadline for submissions is February 16, 2018. For complete details checkout the request for proposals.

Dartmouth Day Care Centre:
Dartmouth Day Care Centre is a not-for-profit society governed by a volunteer board of directors. They have been providing high-quality childcare to families and children in the East and Central Dartmouth areas for more than 40 years, currently providing care for close to 125 families in two locations, 28 Caledonia Road and 33 Crichton Avenue. The Centre is seeking new volunteer board members to join the organization. The board acts as an advisory board for the Executive Director and does not require knowledge of the child care sector, although it is an asset. Please contact Board Chairperson Kirk Yanofsky at kirk.yanofsky@gmail.com for more information.

Dartmouth Community Chest 50/50 Draw:
The Dartmouth Community Chest is a weekly 50/50 draw that gives players an opportunity to win cash, while supporting five local community service organizations: Cole Harbour Rural Heritage Society, Hope for Wildlife, MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, Special Olympics Dartmouth & The Take Action Society. For more information on where and how to play visit the website.

Council Updates

To keep you better informed about what is going on at Council, I’m writing a regular blog after council meetings. Each of my entries is about what I saw as noteworthy from a District 5 perspective and my views on the issues. We might not always agree, but I think it’s important to provide a record of how I voted and why.

Council Update January 16, 2018:
The plastic bag edition of Council. Council also considered the direction for a number of developments, held a public hearing on the Willow Tree project at the corner of Quinpool and Robie, approved a score clock for Dartmouth South Academy, and set the direction for a stormwater policy. Read about it here.

Events

North Woodside Community Centre Programs:
Registration for winter programs at the North Woodside Community Centre opened Thursday January 4, 2018. Patrons have the opportunity to register for programs online http://www.northwoodsidecc.com/programs.aspx or in person.

Colour Matters by Marley Johnson
Craig Gallery, Alderney Landing, 2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth
January 11 – 28
Marley Johnson says of his work “My paintings investigate the agency of colour through a vibrant, messy and precarious sensibility.” For information on gallery hours see http://www.alderneylanding.com/gallery/index.html

Conversation for Newcomers 
Saturdays 9:15 am – 11:15 am (recurring Saturday event)
Alderney Gate Public Library, 60 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth
Practice English, meet new friends, learn about local community & culture. For information on this and other programs available through the Halifax Public Libraries visit http://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/programs.html or call the library at (902) 490-5745

Paint Night at Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre
Thursday, January 25,  6:30 – 9:00 pm
Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre, 45 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth
Let your inner artist come to life! No painting experience necessary.  Paints, brushes, aprons, canvases and light refreshments provided. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $25 for members, $35 for non-members

Production – Stop Kiss
January 25 – February 10
Dartmouth Players, 33 Crichton Avenue, Dartmouth
Thought provoking and ultimately moving, STOP KISS reveals that love isn’t something you find, love is something that finds you. This Dartmouth Players production is directed by Kathyrn Reeves. Tickets $17 (adult) and $14 (senior/student) at ticketpro.ca, or call 1-888-311-9090.

Alderney Library Community Tea
Friday, January 26  10 – 11:30 am
Alderney Gate Public Library, 60 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth
Join Library staff, friends, and your community for a steaming cup of tea. Bring your crafty creations and spend the morning enjoying the beautiful harbour view. For information on this event and other programs available through the Halifax Public Libraries visit http://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/programs.html

Dartmouth North Debris Field Walk
Sunday January 28, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
St. Paul’s Cemetery, Geary Street
Join a group of community members as we follow the Narratives in Space + Time Society walk of Turtle Grove, Tuft’s Cove and Shannon Park, and their role as part of the Debris Field of the explosion in Halifax Harbour on December 6th, 1917. https://www.facebook.com/events/912689515565274/

Symphony Nova Scotia Presents Magnificent Mozart featuring Bernhard Gueller, Conductor and Luca Buratto, Piano
Sunday, January 28, 2018, 2:00 pm
Alderney Landing Theatre, 2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth
Symphony Nova Scotia once again salutes the world’s most iconic composer. Experience a delightful range of Mozart’s most famous works. Middle seats $46, side seats $41. To purchase tickets www.ticketpro.ca or 1-888-311-9090

Shining the Light: new works by Janso Isso
January 28-February 28, 2018
MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, 50 Queen Street, Dartmouth
Kurdish artist and Dartmouth resident Janso Isso is pleased to present a collection of his latest work in a show called “Shining the Light” at the MacPhee Centre. Gallery hours are 2:30 until 4 pm Monday-Friday, or by chance. To learn more about this unique artist, please check out his website www.jansoisso.ca. For more information on programs and events at the MacPhee Centre visit http://macpheecentre.ca/.

Free Movie Night in Downtown Dartmouth – Ground Hog Day
Thursday, February 1, 2018, doors open 7:00 pm, showtime 7:30
Alderney Landing Theatre, 2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth
Free screening of the 1993 classic film Ground Hog Day starring Bill Murray. Tickets are free and can be picked up at participating Downtown Dartmouth businesses. www.downtowndartmouth.ca

The Reversal of Peter Dawson
Alderney Landing Theatre, 2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth
Friday, February 2, 7:00 pm
Saturday, February 3, 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Sunday, February 4, 2:00 pm

Directed by Wanda Lauren Taylor. Presented by Stepping Stone in association with Ships Company Theatre and its Artistic Director, Natasha MacLellan. Tickets $15. To purchase tickets www.ticketpro.ca or 1-888-311-9090

Concert – VC2 (cello duo)
Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Woodlawn United Church, 54 Woodlawn Rd, Dartmouth
Dartmouth Community Concert Association, in collaboration with Debut Atlantic VC² present the innovative cello duo of Amahl Arulanandam and Bryan Holt, who captivate audiences through their performances of classical masterworks, unknown gems and boundary pushing music. See the Dartmouth Community Concert Association website for ticket information: http://dartmouthcommunityconcert.ca/ Email: info@dartmouthcommunityconcert.ca