🗞️ City council having a brat fall

Good morning!

Last week was tough, but just when I felt like the darkness was so all-consuming that I’d never see the light again, two of my favourite things have combined to bring me unadulterated joy: the musical Wicked and a massive corporate oopsie doopsie.

I’ve been a Wickedhead since 2003, when my queen Kristin Chenoweth blew everyone’s GD mind, and soon-to-be-released movie has reignited my fire. Just ask my fur-panted cat Marley—who has resigned herself to being held over my head while I belt out “If you can’t find me, look to the WESTERN skies!”—as she dies a little bit more inside.

@paw_sitive_vibes_nl

Flying Witch Cat on a Magic Broomstick! 🧙‍⬛✨ #WitchCat #MagicBroom #FlyingCat #HalloweenVibes #CuteAndSpooky #CatShorts #ViralCat #MagicalPets

(The above is a dramatization of the events that occurred in the Lawrence household and not actual footage.)

And now toymaker Mattel is apologizing profusely after accidentally printing the URL for a porn website on its packaging for its limited-edition Wicked dolls. The misprint began making the rounds on social media over the weekend as people started pointing out that the website printed on the packaging for the Glinda and Elphaba dolls did not direct to the official website of the movie adaptation—but to an 18-plus porn site!

Also, as I get older, I’m more into “Defying Gravity” than ever before (see what I did there?).

Have a great day!

– Julie

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌧️ 12°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 1°

Next Day: ☁️ 3°

7-day forecast

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

CITY COUNCIL

Halifax council considered being like ‘petulant children’ to the province

The regularly scheduled council meeting of Tuesday, October 1 flew a little bit under the radar, thanks to it happening during the municipal election campaign. 

But it was noteworthy as the final meeting of our 2020-elected council, held via Zoom in an unwanted tribute to the first meetings of their term, which were forced onto Zoom thanks to a raging global pandemic. 

This meeting was forced onto Zoom due to council chamber renovations. And some pretty hefty motions got passed in council’s digital chamber worth exploring in further detail, even though it’s been a month and an election since that meeting. 

There are also big changes coming to the city forced by the province, which should be a provincial election issue now that that campaign is upon us.

From public safety to provincial demands,The Coast’s City Hall reporter Matt Stickland has the full low down on this down low council meeting.

🤔 Need To Know

🇨🇦 Thousands of Maritimers turned out in wet weather Monday to remember those who have served, and continue to serve, in Canada's armed forces for Remembrance Day. The leaders of Nova Scotia's top political parties also paused their election campaigning for the day.

🧑‍🏫 Interested in learning French? Check out our wide range of courses at Université Sainte-Anne (online or in person)!*

📱 NDP candidate Tammy Jakeman—criticized by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs for “troubling” and “damaging” social media posts—is no longer running in the Nov 26 general election in the Eastern Passage district.

🥘 At Besharam Bar & Grill, "Besharam" means shameless. This reflects their bold, experimental approach to Indian cuisine and service. Their ambiance is contagious, inspiring guests to embrace boldness and celebrate life unapologetically.*

🎄 This year’s annual Tree for Boston comes from landowners in Antigonish County who have watched the spruce grow over 30 years—the Christmas tree, given yearly as a thank-you for sending supplies and help within hours of the 1917 explosion, will be from Hugh and Liz Ryan.

🎬 The 11th Annual Atlantic Jewish Film Festival runs November 21-24 in theatres and virtually. Supported by the HALIFAX Municipality’s Regional Event Grant, tickets start from $10—get your tickets here!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY CANADIAN MUSEUM OF IMMIGRATION AT PIER 21

Were there slave markets in Canada?

Enslaved people were sold at auctions in warehouses, wharves and city markets in Canada in the 18th century alongside fruits, vegetables and liquor. Uncover the original stories about slave markets in Halifax, and rest of Canada.

Explore A History Exposed: The Enslavement of Black People in Canada at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, a new myth-busting exhibition that reveals a history many Canadians don’t know about, and discover the experiences of enslaved Black people in Canada through individuals’ stories, historical records and objects.

The exhibition is created with guest curator Dr. Afua Cooper, in partnership with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia.

EDUCATION

Scenes from NSCAD student weekend on organizing and art

The student union of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, or SUNSCAD, had planned two days of teach-ins, art-making and discussions focused on student organizing for their art-college peers—to be hosted at their Granville Street Campus last weekend. Their booking to use NSCAD space Nov 2-3 was initially approved. 

Then, their university president refused the request.

NSCAD president Peggy Shannon wrote “I am denying the request to hold this event at NSCAD, and it must be moved off of our campuses. I do this also to ensure the safety and security of all our students, which this event does not support.”

The Coast’s Lauren Phillips has more on the two-day activism event that was a “great success”—despite the school's refusal to allow it on campus.

🗞️ In Other News

🌡️ As Nova Scotia politicians make their fall election promises, community advocate Julie Leggett is urging them to commit to helping people on income assistance stay cool with air conditioning during summer heat waves.

👀 A researcher studying the rise of extremism in Atlantic Canada warns Ku Klux Klan Halloween costumes are just one example of an insidious effort by far-right groups to normalize hateful attitudes.

🥪 Some Nova Scotia parents are concerned with the lack of accommodations in the provincial school lunch program—the program says “it cannot guarantee” meals will be free from allergens.

SPONSORED BY THE PORT OF HALIFAX

Craft NS Designer Craft Show

Explore the very best of local talent at the Craft Nova Scotia Designer Craft Show from November 15-17, 2024. Find one-of-a-kind treasures perfect for holiday gifting.

Friday, Nov 15:  12pm-7pm ($5 admission)
Saturday, Nov 16:  10am-5pm ($5 admission)
Sunday, Nov 17:  10am-4pm (Free admission)

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Why We Remember: The Storied Past of the RCN: The history of the Royal Canadian Navy is an integral thread that winds its way throughout the history of Canada. This special event explores how the Naval Museum of Halifax shares these important stories of courage, sacrifice and perseverance. | Nov 12 | 6:30pm | Free

🗓 Winter Moons Presented by Neptune Theatre: This dance theatre piece follows the teachings of L'nu (Mi'kmaw) fire keepers as they carry an ember through the winter season—the three moons of winter. Through legends, star stories and contemporary dance, this performance expresses the harsh realities of living off the land during a long-ago Mi'kma'ki winter. | Nov 12-24 | From $25

🗓 Celtic Thunder: Embark on a musical adventure with Celtic Thunder’s brand-new North American tour, Odyssey. This dynamic production promises a thrilling blend of tradition and innovation, weaving a rich tapestry of emotions and musical styles. | Nov 12 | 8pm | From $42.40

🗓 Gregorian—Pure Chants: The world’s most successful choir of all time brings the Pure Chants tour to Halifax. These eight classically trained English vocalists bring audiences to their feet with their covers of songs from the 13th century as well as songs written by Coldplay, Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon. | Nov 15 | 7:30pm | From $46

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🛳️➡️ The One Apus container ship arrives in Halifax from Colombo at 5:45am and leaves for New York at 11:30pm.

🛳️ The MSC Lisa container ship arrives in Halifax from Sines at 11:15am.

🛳️➡️ The BBC Regalia cargo ship arrives in Halifax from Shanghai at 12:20pm and leaves for Becancour at 8pm.

➡️ The AL Reem oil tanker leaves Halifax for Antwerp at 4pm.

🛳️ The MSC Annick container ship arrives in Halifax from Sines at 4:15pm.

🛳️ The H Mercury container ship arrives in Halifax from New York at 4:20pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🥗 Mix up your lunch (or dinner) routine with a signature bowl from Hungry Bowl. Keep it healthy with keto, Mexican, falafel, chicken shawarma—or mix and match to make it your own.

🐟 Check out the new fall menu at The Bicycle Thief and warm up with the Italian Seafood Stew: lobster, jumbo shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, halibut and salmon sautéed with San Marzano tomatoes, baby potatoes, garlic, fresh herbs, toasted garlic bread.

👀 In Case You Missed It

💜 We all know what happened in Nova Scotia on April 19 and 20, 2020. The events of those fateful days are etched into our collective consciousness; a stain on our very fabric. The truth, whether we like it or not, is that this attack—while horrifying—was not a case of one unhinged man going off the deep end one day, but the result of a systemic problem: of lack of care, understanding or accountability around gender-based violence. The Coast’s Julie Lawrence re-examines the circumstances leading up to April 19, 2020 and speaks with trauma therapist Kristina Fifield on why accountability is the key to ending gender-based violence.

🏘️ Housing is at the forefront of many people’s minds as the province faces a shortage while experiencing high rent and purchase prices. It’s no surprise, then, that the NSNDP, Liberals and the PC Party have all announced plans for housing as election day looms. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer covers the housing platforms of each political party and speculates on how effective they will be.

🚔 The Nova Scotia RCMP has now confirmed a man who killed his wife and then killed himself in Enfield last month was a retired Mountie who retired more than 10 years ago.

That’s it!

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