News:
Sawmill River Project
Halifax Water hosted a meeting last week at the Findlay Community Centre to update the community on its plans for the Sawmill River project. If you missed the meeting, I did a summary earlier on what’s in store (available here). The daylighting project will be getting underway in the next few weeks and during construction, Ochterloney from Prince Albert Road to Crichton Avenue will be closed. Traffic will need to detour via Prince Albert Road or Crichton Avenue. Construction is expected to finish in December.
Dartmouth III
You may have already caught the story on CBC, but one of HRM’s old ferry’s, the Dartmouth III, has been sold. The ferry has been purchased by Toronto Island Transit Services for $100,000. If all goes according to plan, the Dartmouth III will enjoy a second life carrying passengers in the peak summer season back and forth from Downtown Toronto to the amusement park on Centre Island. Nice to see the ferry find a new home.
Shubie Park Steps
If you’re a regular at Shubie Park, you’ll notice a fair bit of work this summer. HRM is replacing the main bridge just up from the Fairbanks Centre, which will mean detours for some park users. Also, thanks to fundraising by the Canal Commission and a contribution from the capital budgets for District 5 and District 6, a new set of stairs and lookoff will be installed at the main entrance by the Fairbanks Centre. Shubie is a Regionally significant park and I’m glad to see HRM investing to keep it in good repair for everyone to enjoy. Details on the new steps here
Shubie Canal Video
Curious about that building in the Greenway Park by the intersection of Prince Alberto Road and Pleasant Street? It’s actually a replica of the Flume House that powered the marine railway in the 1860s. HRM is finalizing the landscaping around the Flume House right now and work should be complete this Fall. The Shubienacadie Canal Commission has completed a series of videos that explains how the Flume House and marine railway actually worked. You can check them out on youtube at the links below:
Dartmouth Splash pad
With summer heat comes the urge to hit the water. One notable gap in Dartmouth is a splashpad. There are splashpads in Halifax and in Sackville, but there aren’t any in Dartmouth. A citizens group is forming to try and change that. There is a great tradition in our community of collaborating with the municipality to make projects happen (the Skateboard Park, Kiwani’s Playground etc). I’m hoping this could be the start of another success. To get involved, you can follow them on Facebook here.
Neighbourhood Clean Ups
The winter months can take their toll on our neighbourhoods. If you or your organization are interested in coordinating a community clean up, the Clean Foundation can help. Clean provides a free cleanup kit including an information booklet, safety tips, advertising posters, garbage and recycling bags and a data card that you can use to keep track of what types of litter you find. Visit their website for more information.
Call Centre Hours Change
Starting this month, HRM’s 311 Customer Contact Call Centre will be changing its hours of regular operation. The new hours will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Residents can still obtain transit and garbage/recycling information by selecting the automated self-service options after hours. Service requests can also be submitted online here.
Municipal Public WiFi
Public WiFi service is now available at the Dartmouth Waterfront, Grand Parade at City Hall and the Halifax waterfront. Installation at the Alderney Gate Library is expected to begin later this summer. Bell Aliant is responsible for monitoring and responding to all questions and concerns regarding connectivity or access issues. Municipal Public WiFi has a 24/7/365 support desk available to all users. The toll-free number is 1-844-376-WIFI (or 1-844-376-9434).
New Municipal Website
The new Halifax.ca website has launched with an easier to use interface, improved accessibility, mobile-friendly design, improved search functions and improved navigation. New e-services have also been initiated including a tool for paying parking tickets online. Check out the new and improved website . With the update, a lot of old links are no longer valid. Staff are working to address the issue.
Green Bins Weekly Collection
Weekly green cart collection has begun! The summer collection schedule helps to fight odour and animal issues that can come with having organics sit for long periods in hot temperatures. You can find out your collection schedule here.
Halifax Regional Council Receives Community Spirit Award
The United Way Halifax CEO, Sara Napier, recently presented HRM Regional Council with the United Way’s 2017 Community Spirit Award. The Community Spirit Award goes to an individual or organization and it “pays tribute to extraordinary commitment and leadership.” HRM has been making efforts to allieviate poverty through measures like the low-income transit pass, the mobile food market, increased free recreational program and is working on initiatives on affordable housing (Centre Plan). HRM and the United Way have partnered on creating an overall poverty reduction strategy.
Meals on Wheels Volunteers
The Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre are looking for volunteers to help with deliveries for their meals on wheels program. Meals on Wheels provides three hot, nutritious lunches weekly to the homes of people who have difficulty preparing adequate meals for themselves. Deliveries take place Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at noontime. For more information contact the Meals on Wheels program coordinator.
MacPhee Centre Residency Opportunity
Dancers, actors, writers, artists, photographers, sculptors, musicians, poets, and anyone else who classifies themselves as a “creative professional” are invited to apply to the MacPhee Centre for a 4 month residency opportunity. You will have 24/7 access to their beautiful space in Downtown Dartmouth across from the Post Office, the opportunity to connect with a diverse audience of creatively driven youth, program facilitation opportunities and experience, grant writing and research mentorship, and exhibition space. The deadline to apply is July 16th, for more information see their website.
Council Update
To keep you better informed about what is going on at Council, I’m writing a regular blog after each council meeting. 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, June 20
A very big meeting where we covered rinks, a temporary stadium at the Wanderer’s Ground, procurement and crime in Dartmouth North. My write up here
Events
Brunch, Browse & Buskers: Flavours of Dartmouth
Saturdays July – August 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Portland Street
Join hundreds of locals and visitors in Downtown Dartmouth as the community works together to deliver a unique, delicious and entertaining experiences every Saturday throughout the summer. The first Brunch, Browse and Buskers “mini summer festival” will feature the Flavours of Dartmouth where you can enjoy music from Samba Nova, sample healthy food demos from local chefs, kids can participate in food related activities and restaurants will be offering food specials and deals. For more information see their facebook page.
Great American Song Book with Holly Arsenault
July 14th 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Alderney Gate
As part of the TD Halifax Jazz Festival, pianist Holly Arsenault will be stopping by Alderney Gate to play and discuss the many great classics from the Great American Song Book. Join Holly for this free event. For more information on the festival, see their website.
Dog Days of Dartmouth Pooch Party
July 15th 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ferry Terminal Park
Bring your fur babies for a free party in Ferry Terminal Park just for dogs and their families. There will be guest speakers discussing health and wellness, gourmet treat vendors, dog training demos and tricks and lots of contests games and prizes. See their facebook page for more information.
Tail Chase 5k Rescue Run
July 16th 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Shubie Park
The Tail Chase is a 5km run or walk at Shubie Park in support of local rescues. This year’s race is focusing on PAWSAbilities Rescue Society. You can walk solo or bring along your pet. For more details, see their website.
Author Lance Woolaver Featuring Maud Lewis: The Heart on the Door
July 18th 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Alderney Public Library, Helen Creighton Room
Maud Lewis was an inspirational Nova Scotian folk artist, famous for her colourful depictions of outdoor scenes and wildlife. Author Lance Woolaver will be performing a reading of his detailed biography Maud Lewis: The Heart on the Door at the Alderney Library this month. Make sure to stop by and hear from this fascinating and significant book.
Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre Paint Night
July 20th 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre
The Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre are hosting a paint night this month for $25 for members or $35 for non-members. They will be painting a colourful picture of a poppy under the instruction of a trained artist. Supplies and light refreshments will be provided. RSVP by calling 902-465-5578 or through email.
Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta
July 29 – August 1, 2017
Halifax Waterfront
This summer, the Halifax waterfront will transform as dozens of magnificent tall ships fill the harbour. These ships come from all around the world and are stopping in Halifax as part of an epic transatlantic 7,000nautical mile race. Be a part of this marquee event in the celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday by checking out the schedule of events and more information here.