🗞️ Foodie forecast

Morning Halifax,

The perfect job doesn’t exis…

Oh wait, nevermind, an animal sanctuary is opening a year-round “Cafe Catio” where you can just observe a real-life bobcat doing bobcat things all day, and I will be applying to work there immediately.

Jessie the Bobcat—a new permanent resident and “education team member” at Hope for Wildlife in Seaforth—will be the star of the show as guests are invited to come meet him and learn about one of the species of big cats in the region.

The catio that houses Jessie is a giant two-level enclosure around the cafe, with a viewing window so you can watch Jessie outside or from the comfort of your coffee. 

Founder of Hope for Wildlife Hope Swinimer added on her Facebook post “what better view is there than a bobcat?” and I mean—these are the big questions that really make you think.

Just look at that FACE!

Have a wild day!

– Julie

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌨️ -4°

Tomorrow: 🌨️ -2°

Next Day: 🌨️ 1°

7-day forecast

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

FOOD + DRINK

7 new Halifax restaurants, cafes and breweries to get you excited for 2025—plus, more on the move

There’s never a dull moment in Halifax’s food scene. Last year brought more that its share of dining headlines to our coastal city, from a trawler’s haul of new waterfront restaurants to the closures of Salty’s, El Chino and Birch & Anchor, to a Haligonian (once again) reaching the final of Top Chef Canada. And 2025 is shaping up to be another doozy.

From a spate of changes coming to Halifax’s Hydrostone neighbourhood to new openings on Quinpool, in Dartmouth and beyond, there’s enough food and drink news to keep your plate full for a long time—and as The Coast’s Martin Bauman reports, some of it’s right around the corner.

🤔 Need To Know

🇨🇦 Justin Trudeau announced his decision to resign as prime minister and the leader of the Liberal Party—ending rampant speculation and months of political turbulence. Parliament will be paused until March 24, buying the Liberals some time to find a new leader.

🚨 Halifax police are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing man—Hendrick Colpa, 61, went missing on Sunday after last being seen leaving his house on Lucknow Street around 11am.

✨ There are only a few days left to see the new “Winter Light Show” projected on the former Halifax Memorial Library in Downtown Halifax, running nightly until January 12.*

🚑 Police say an adult pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Dartmouth Monday morning, at the intersection of Victoria Road and Chappell Street.

🌼 Advanced Laser Hair Removal at Bloomfield Beauty Bar: Inclusive & effective. Free patch test and, for a limited time: 50% off your 1st session! Call (902) 402-8390.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY SUPPORT4CULTURE

A Look Back: NSMW 2024

From enjoying performances by our favorite Nova Scotia artists to engaging in insightful conversations with industry professionals, Nova Scotia Music Week was an unforgettable experience that we can't stop reminiscing about. Stay tuned for 2025 event updates!

ARTS + CULTURE

Every big show coming to Halifax (and beyond) in 2025

The New Year might have just arrived, but the lineup of shows coming to Halifax in 2025 is already jam-packed.

From a full slate of productions at the Neptune Theatre to visits from the likes of Avril Lavigne, Nelly and Alan Doyle, there’s plenty on offer for the months ahead. And The Coast is on top of it all.

We’ve got you covered with a guide to the major shows coming to town this year, from concerts to comedy acts to festivals and everything in between.

🗞️ In Other News

⚖️ The murder trial started Monday for a Halifax-area youth charged in the stabbing death last year of a 16-year-old boy—the 17-year-old accused pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder following the death on April 22 of Ahmad Maher Al Marrach.

💸 A Pictou County woman has plead guilty to stealing thousands of dollars from Nova Scotia premier Tim Houston's Pictou East riding association—Tara Cohoon was  previously a volunteer treasurer for the association.

👀 Lunenburg RCMP is investigating two deaths they are calling suspicious—on Sunday RCMP responded to a request to check on the wellbeing of two people at a home in Mahone Bay, where the responding officers found the remains of two deceased adults.

🧊 Ice has been steadily disappearing from the Gulf of St. Lawrence with record low levels recorded last winter—and federal officials say it could be gone altogether within 20 years in a “clear sign of global warming.”

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Halifax Live Comedy Club Presents Luke Lawrence: Stand-up comedian and writer Luke Lawrence has been entertaining audiences for years in Newfoundland, and now he’s bringing the laughs to Halifax! You may have seen him on Just For Laughs or seen him dropping in on the Best Kind Comedy Tour with the by's! | Jan 10 and 11 | 7pm | $26

🗓 East Coast IceJam: This is the largest elite-level hockey tournament in Atlantic Canada, showcasing local players to teams and scouts all over the country. The event hosts over 60 elite teams in the U15 Major, U16AAA and U18 Major levels, representing over 2,000 players, team staff and support personnel. | Jan 8-12

🗓 Watercolors on Tap: Discover the magic of this unique paint, sip and connect event—a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Sip on craft brews while connecting with fellow creatives and professionals in a relaxed setting all while exploring your creative side! | Jan 12 | 2pm

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢 The One Stork container ship arrives in Halifax from New York at 5:45am.

🚢➡️ The Tropic Hope container ship arrives in Halifax from Philipsburg at 8:15am and leaves for West Palm Beach at 11pm.

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sky container ship arrives in Halifax from Norfolk at 3:20pm and leaves for Liverpool at 11:30pm.

➡️ The East Coast oil tanker leaves Halifax for Saint John at 8pm.

➡️ The Ijsselborg general cargo ship leaves Halifax for Rotterdam at 11:55pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍸 There’s snow on the ground, so why not try the new Ski School cocktail at Black Sheep: Willing to Learn gin, Chartreuse, lime and mint.

🍋 Grab a slice of sunshine at The Bicycle Thief with the Amalfi Lemon Cheesecake: topped with Italian meringue, pomegranate marmellata with a graham cracker crust.

👀 In Case You Missed It

📷 The HRP are likely to get bodycams this year, as the Board of Police Commissioners has been working on implementing the cameras since 2021. The hold-up was a policy framework, which has now been created to the board’s satisfaction. It would take an unexpected turn of events for the cams not to get funding this year. For more on bodycams, The Coast’s Matt Stickland puts them under a lens to bring the debate into focus.   

🎤 Ahead of African Heritage Month this February, Mount Saint Vincent University is accepting nominations for the next presenter in its biannual Black and Indigenous Speaker Series. Until Jan 31, people are encouraged to submit their request using this form to invite a Black and/or Indigenous scholar to MSVU to share their work through an online presentation and conversation. The Coast’s Lauren Phillips has more on the nomination process.

That’s it!

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