🗞️ A phantom limb situation

Morning Halifax,

Do you ever do that thing where you’re watching a really good movie, but you simply must reach over and grab your phone to scroll through the drivel that you might have missed? And then as you’re scrolling, you’re like “put your phone down and pay attention because everything on here is stupid and you don’t even want to be doing this”. And then you do. But then you repeat that cycle every 6-8 minutes, annoy your friends and miss most of the movie? 

Well, have I got great news for you! It’s not that you have adult onset ADD and simply can’t pay attention (but maybe you do, in which case get that checked out because I’m not a real doctor)—it’s that you have an addiction!

A post-doctoral researcher in the University of Toronto’s psychology department led a 2023 global study that surveyed more than 50K people about their smartphone habits. And in a surprise to no one, they found that smart phone addiction is an emerging problem—especially for the youth who have never known a world without them.

One PhD student deleted Facebook a few years ago because she said it was like muscle memory, constantly having to check the app and then scroll through for hours. She said once the app was gone, she felt like it was very much “a phantom limb situation” where she kept thinking the app was still there and trying to tap on where it used to be.

Problematic smartphone use hasn’t been officially classified as an addiction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the reference book used by mental health professionals around the world. But it should be because the effects can be extremely detrimental to young people—causing them to lack social skills, bully and be bullied, become exposed to adult content way too early, spend less time with family—the list goes on.

But us elders aren’t immune either, so I challenge you to interact with at least three 3-dimensional people today and cut out one hour of watching raccoon reels. You can do it! 🦝 

With love and less blue light!

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌦️ 14°

Tomorrow: ☁️ 24°

Next Day: ☀️ 24°

7-day forecast

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

💨 Here is Halifax’s Air Quality Index and the smoke report.

FOOD + DRINK

Devour! goes live with Devour! Studios

Wolfville is famous for its Rockwellian-like blend of picturesque vineyards, charming country inns and restaurants. For the past 15 years each fall this bucolic town, and my ancestral home, has been brought to life by Devour! The Food Film Fest—the world’s largest celebration of food and film.              

Now, with the official launch of Devour! Studios, the community’s cultural and culinary identity takes a bold leap forward. Housed in a beautifully repurposed 24,000-square-foot apple warehouse in the heart of town, the space is set to become a beacon for chefs, artists, and food lovers year-round.             

The Coast’s Food and Drink contributor Mark DeWolf has more on Devour! Plus three more food festivals you can’t miss this month.

🤔 Need To Know

🇨🇦 Mark Carney says Canada will finally meet its NATO defence spending commitment this year as it confronts an alarming new world of threats—saying Canada will rapidly advance its military spending timeline to hit the NATO target of 2% of national GDP.

🚴 Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore is bringing forward a motion to council today that requests a pause on the construction of new bike lanes across HRM—he wants staff to provide a list of bike lane projects proposed in the four-year capital plan that could result in reduced vehicular traffic and assess the feasibility of alternative network solutions.

🚜 Nova Scotia's farming industry hasn't turned a profit in nearly a decade and last year lost more than $41M—a reflection of the economic challenges that are concerning industry leaders in the province.

🌿 Prohibition now open at 2712 Agricola! Smoking accessories, cigars, apparel, and more—everything to light the "high-life", all under one roof. @PROHIBITION on socials.*

*Sponsored Post

FASHION + CULTURE

From networking to runways: Halifax celebrates sustainable fashion all summer

As global eyes shift towards conscious consumption and climate-conscious choices, Halifax stands proudly at the forefront, not just adapting but trailblazing. 

This summer, the city will host a series of inspiring events celebrating sustainable business practices, local talent, and creative industries — all grounded in a long-standing ethos of making the most of what’s available.

The Coast’s resident fashionista Warren D’Silva has a rundown on the road to Halifax Fashion Week and all the fashion events coming this summer, including an event this Wednesday at the Halifax Central Library.

🗞️ In Other News

💉 For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Nova Scotians dying from influenza exceeds the number of COVID deaths—according to the province's latest respiratory watch report, 124 Nova Scotians have died from influenza during the 2024-25 respiratory season.

🌬️ Two leading environmental groups are giving a thumbs up to Nova Scotia’s ambitious plan to dramatically expand its fledgling offshore wind energy industry.

📦 Unifor says DHL Express Canada locked out workers just after midnight Sunday as the two sides failed to reach a contract deal—injecting more labour turmoil into the country's parcel delivery market.

🚨 Halifax police have charged a man with assault with a weapon and property damage after an incident in downtown Halifax on Friday—he allegedly started a fight with construction workers after trying to show them “sexually explicit” photos on his phone.

🚒 Halifax Councillor Janet Steele is bringing forward a motion to council today that would require staff to report back on an incident involving carbon monoxide exposure—on April 14 Halifax Fire and RCMP responded to carbon monoxide in Timberlea where four homes were evacuated overnight.

SPONSORED BY FEED NOVA SCOTIA

The draw is almost here!

Split the pot with us – 50/50 draw is almost here! Get your tickets now!

When you buy a Feed Nova Scotia 50/50 ticket, you’re helping to support the thousands of Nova Scotians accessing food banks, meal programs, and shelters every day, while also supporting advocacy and education efforts.

SPONSORED BY UNIVERSAL REALTY GROUP

🎓 Students! Want to save?

💥 Sign a new one-year lease at Ogilvie on the Park by August 1, 2025, and get 10% off!

🏫 Walk to Dal, SMU, King’s & more
🧺 Free laundry
🚍 Transit routes 4, 10, 29
🌿 South End living

👉 Book your personal tour today!

🗓️ Things To Do

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 Halifax Tides Soccer: Come cheer on the home team as they take on Ottawa Rapids FC at the Wanderers Grounds. | June 10 | 7pm | $37 |

🗓 Eat Make Share - A Taste of Immigration: Canada’s food is as diverse as its people. Discover the surprising histories behind popular Canadian dishes. Learn how individuals and communities express themselves through food and engage in diverse food traditions practiced in Canada through hands-on and multi-sensory activities. | May 10 - January 18 | 

🗓 Anchor City Rollers’ Cowboys vs Aliens Scrimmage: What is a scrimmage? It's a fun, low-stakes game of roller derby where the league (and close friends!) split into two teams to play each other. It's a great learning opportunity for all of our players and officials, but with all the hard-hitting action of a full-length roller derby bout. | June 12 | 6:30pm | pay what you can |

Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected].

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The Tropic Hope container ship leaves Halifax for West Palm Beach, FL at 6am.

➡️ The Acadian Desgagnes general cargo ship leaves Halifax for Pugwash at 8am.

➡️ The Gotland general cargo ship leaves Halifax for Villagarcia, Spain at 6pm.

🚢 The Oceana container ship arrives in Halifax from New York at 3:50pm.

🚢 The MSC Mexico V container ship arrives in Halifax from Mundra, India at 7:15pm.

🚢 The Mount Cook bulk carrier arrives in Halifax from Rotterdam, Netherlands at 8:10pm

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🦪 Check out the new oyster special at 2 Doors Down: freshly-shucked P.E.I. Raspberry Point oysters served with lobster oil, lemon and hot sauce. 

🍕 Pizza? Donair? Why choose? Grab the Donair Detroit Pizza at Rinaldo’s: Detroit-style crust, garlic butter, mozzarella, @randyspizza donair meat, tomato, onions, parsley, parm, donair sauce to dip.

👀 In Case You Missed It

💬 Last week, we reported that since Nova Scotia has the highest poverty rate in the country, it makes perfect sense that it’s also the province where people have the most difficulty being able to afford period products like tampons and pads. That’s why a local advocacy group called The Period Purse is launching a national campaign to bring awareness to the issue of period poverty in the Maritimes. So, we asked you a simple question: if men got their periods, would tampons, pads, cups—all period products—be free?  Without further ado, here are some of my favourite responses. You guys really are the best!

 👗 An evening of fashion and homemade desserts came to Fall River last Friday, as the Ubuntu Grannies geared up for their annual spring event. The fundraiser, featuring a fashion show and dessert service, supports grandmothers in Africa who are raising children orphaned by AIDS.  The Coast’s Warren D’Silva has more on these fashionable grannies.

That’s it!

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