🗞️ Delicious fishes

Good morning Halifax,

As much as my job is to inform you—the public—I’m also here to give you something to ruminate over and talk about. Knowing what’s going on not just here in Halifax, but in the zeitgeist in general, forms the connective tissue for deeply bonding interactions. Like when you find another Bravo head and it feels like you’ve known each other for decades.

You don’t want to be at the dinner table and be the only one that doesn’t know what everyone’s talking about. So that’s where I come in!

And this week, it’s all about Sydney Sweeney and her controversial ad campaign with retailer American Eagle—in which she stares into the camera with her baby blues, and whispers: "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue."

The tagline of the ad hit us in the face with block letters—all caps so you know they mean it—SYDNEY SWEENEY HAS GREAT JEANS.

This isn’t the controversial version mentioned above—I couldn’t find it—but gives you a sense of the tone of the campaign:

@junedaysgram

What do we think? Is this subtle eugenics? #sydneysweeney #americaneagle #sydneysweeneyamericaneagle #jeans #genes

First of all, boobs and butts. The hypersexualized nature of the ad is…I would say, weird but not that shocking. It’s not exactly innovative, boobs have been selling beer forever, but there’s something unsettling about the femme-bot nature of her delivery. 

But remember jeans brands have been pushing the limits since Brooke Shields declared to Richard Avedon’s camera, in 1980: “You wanna know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.”  Although she was only 15 at the time and that’s a column for another day.

So sex aside, American Eagle’s creative choices have prompted some to say the ad campaign promotes eugenics—a discredited scientific theory popular among white supremacists that the human race could be improved by breeding out less desirable traits. 

Translation: The ad is saying Sydney Sweeney has “good genes/jeans” because of her very Aryan blue eyes and blonde hair.

For me, that’s a huge stretch and the outrage is linked to a play on words gone wrong. But again, that’s just MY opinion, although I did work in advertising for 10 years.  I think what adds colour to the controversy is that she is a known registered Republican in the state of Florida and the ad has been praised by Donald Trump. Put those two things together and it must be nefarious Nazi-propaganda, right?

Either way, even though the ad was pulled, American Eagle stock has gone up. So read into that as you will.

Love and light! 👖

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: ☀️ 27°

Tomorrow: ☀️ 29°

Next Day: ☀️ 27°

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

Hook, line and sinker: HRM’s best fish and chips?

There’s something beautifully simple, and endlessly debatable, about who makes the best fish and chips. Is it the freshness of fish, the batter or the combination of fish, fries and accompaniments like coleslaw and tartare sauce? I personally place the greatest on the former, although great home cut fries do have a way of swaying me and inciting fond childhood memories of afternoons eating Bud the Spud fries while sitting on the wall outside the old Halifax Public Library.       

 So, where’s the best fish and chips in HRM?

The Coast’s food and wine writer Mark DeWolf seeks to answer this very important question.

🤔 Need To Know

🚗 Nova Scotia is releasing a first-of-its-kind plan in Atlantic Canada that will see the province detail exactly the goals it and the municipalities have for transportation—the blueprint lays out multiple things the governments plan on doing over the next 20 years and beyond.

✈️ Air Canada flight attendants have voted in favour of strike action that could allow them to walk off the job as early as this month—here’s how that could affect your travel plans.

🌬️ Nova Scotia's environment minister says he believes his government can still reach its goal of having the province off coal and generating 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030—but it would require the help of offshore wind.

🥞 Don't miss out on the new interactive exhibition eat make share: a taste of immigration now open at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.*

🦈 Dive into Monsters of the Abyss, on now ‘til Sept 7! Explore prehistoric and modern aquatic predators. Don’t miss it!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY SEAPORT BEER + FIZZFEST

Halifax’s Ultimate Beer + Fizz Celebration

The Seaport Beer Festival returns August 14–16 to Halifax’s waterfront with 300+ craft beers, ciders, and fizzy favourites from local legends and global icons.

Now in its 16th year, this outdoor bash includes dedicated Bristol and Irish pavilions, live music, and gourmet eats that actually pair with your pour.

Sample hoppy IPAs, crisp lagers, and rich stouts against a stunning seaport backdrop. With four sessions, VIP perks, and over 100 non-alcoholic options, there’s something for every palate — even the sober curious.

This isn’t just a beer fest. It’s a toast to Halifax’s thriving craft scene.

Visit our website to get your tickets and raise a glass to the city’s most unforgettable beer experience.

ARTS + CULTURE

Nova Scotia artists with disabilities take centre stage at Pier 21

Artists with disabilities from across Nova Scotia will be in the spotlight this Saturday at the 13th Annual Art of Disability Festival, hosted by Independent Living Nova Scotia.      

Taking place at Pier 21 from 11am to 4pm, the free, family-friendly event aims to showcase the creative work and voices of artists living with disabilities. More than 35 artists are set to participate, presenting original pieces ranging from paintings and photography to jewelry, baked goods, and poetry.

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva spoke with program director Cameron Pye about what we can expect from the 13th annual edition of this unique festival.

🗞️ In Other News

💸 Agencies in Nova Scotia have issued 10 tickets worth more than $25K each to people allegedly violating burn restrictions so far this year amid dry conditions that have increased the risk of wildfires throughout the province.

🍫 While the trade war and U.S. tariffs are concerning for some industries, the chocolate sector is seeing advantages in Canada, and a well-known Nova Scotia-based company—Peace by Chocolate—is benefiting.

🏃‍♀️ An upcoming event in Halifax will allow participants to take part in challenging tasks, all while supporting the mental health of frontline workers—The Tema Foundation will host its inaugural “The Amazing Chase” event along the Halifax waterfront next month.

🚢 The federal government has contracted a Canadian firm to outfit the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class ships with a small fleet of aerial drones—Ottawa announced it has awarded two contracts to MDA Space for up to six advanced “uncrewed aircraft systems” for the Navy’s patrol frigates.

SPONSORED BY NORTH END BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Last Night Market of the Summer!

Join us at the last North by Night Market of the summer! On Friday, August 15th, from 7-10PM, The Local's back patio will come alive with laughter, music, delicious aromas, and unique local goods. Don't miss out on this night of local shopping and community celebration!

SPONSORED BY CRAFT NOVA SCOTIA

Craft Nova Scotia Presents Figments of the Imagination

Craft Nova Scotia proudly reopens the Mary E. Black Gallery with Figments of the Imagination—a bold ceramic showcase by NSCAD students and grads. Curated by Rachel de Condé, this forward-looking exhibition celebrates innovation, material mastery, and the vibrant future of contemporary craft in Nova Scotia. Exhibit ends August 12.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Áfàméfùnà Documentary Premiere: This feature-length documentary chronicles the journey and contributions of Nova Scotia’s Igbo community from the early 20th century to the present day. It blends archival footage, contemporary interviews, and original score to showcase Halifax as a place where multicultural stories flourish. There will be a red-carpet welcome, keynote remarks, première screening, Q&A, and live music. | Aug. 8 | 5pm | 

🗓 Art of Disability Festival: This event highlights the artistic talents of Nova Scotians living with disabilities. Vendors onsite will be showcasing and selling their paintings, books, cards, candles, baked goods, and much more! This festival strives to break down the barriers between art and accessibility and truly show the beauty of what people can offer in their own way. | Aug. 9 | 11am | 

🗓 Wines on the Waterfront: In partnership with Build Nova Scotia, Wines of Nova Scotia will be taking over a section of the Halifax Waterfront for Wines on the Waterfront. This free event allows those 19+ to sample and purchase wines from various Nova Scotia wineries, including Benjamin Bridge, Grand Pré Wines, Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards, Lost Bell Wines, Beausoleil Winery, Planters Ridge, Jost Vineyards, Mercator Vineyards, and Gaspereau Vineyards. | Aug. 9 | 11am | Free |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The Volga Maersk container ship leaves Halifax for Antwerp, Belgium at 3am.

🚢 The MSC Daisy container ship arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 5:45am.

🚢 The Nolhan Ava container ship arrives in Halifax from St. Pierre at 8:15am.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🌶️ Spice up your day at CHKN Chop with The Sweet Chili: fried chicken, sweet chili sauce, red onion, cilantro, lettuce, lime-aji mayo.

🦀 The Crab Ravioli at The Bicycle Thief is a dish worth savouring: delicate crab ravioli, rich mascarpone and a touch of limoncello.

👀 In Case You Missed It

💬 “Unlikeable. Irritating. Can’t stand her. She never shuts up. I wish she’d realize no one cares what she thinks.” These are just some of the comments I get about my writing. Regularly. Nothing pisses people off more than a woman with strong opinions. Nothing pisses off the establishment more than a woman with strong opinions. And nothing pisses off self-proclaimed thought leaders more than me. The Coast’s Liz LeClair explains why she can’t and won’t stop sharing her opinions in her latest op-ed piece.

🛍️ A local designer who turns discarded shopping bags into runway fashion is preparing for his debut at Halifax Fashion Week, with a bigger dream in mind: a museum dedicated to wearable art. Victor Agara, a Nigerian-born artist and founder of the emerging brand VOLLTEGA, has caught attention in Nova Scotia with his colourful and unconventional designs made from shopping bags from Sobeys, Walmart, Dollarama, and more. The Coast’s Warren D’Silva has more with this visionary artist.

That’s it!

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