🗞 It's Blue Monday

Good morning!

Not to be a downer but today is the saddest day of the year, statistically.

It’s Blue Monday: The third Monday of January, when the dust has settled on holiday decorations and the dreary reality of bills, routine and cold weather sets in. CTV spoke with registered social worker and psychotherapist Vera Cheng on ways we can prioritize our mental health through the darkness of winter and beyond.

– Alyssa

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: ⛅ 0°

Tomorrow: 🌨️ 1°

Next Day: 🌨️ -1°

7-day forecast

🚗 Driving today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

EDUCATION

NSCAD sends message to students: keep us out of it!

On Oct. 18, NSCAD's president Peggy Shannon emailed all students and faculty a statement against hate: "In the midst of a horrific escalation of violence in the Middle East that has resulted in many civilian deaths, I want to unequivocally condemn all forms of hate and discrimination."

The email went on to describe NSCAD as "a place where diversity thrives," a university with students who must be given "the confidence and latitude to respond to big issues through art and design." But Shannon's stated commitment to "open dialogue" would soon be tested.

Read the full story at The Coast.

🤔 Need to know

🌉 Would you pay $75 million for another 75 years? That’s how much the upcoming Macdonald Bridge makeover is going to cost, to prolong the bridge’s life 3 quarters of a century.  

🗳️ Check out the federal government’s new online disinformation tool, meant to help Canadians properly prepare for the 2025 elections.  

⚠️ Quaker has recalled a variety of products due to possible salmonella contamination.

🎮 Symphony Nova Scotia celebrates 40 years by bringing back the popular Video Games Live. A multi-sensory performance featuring music from your favourite digital games. Get tickets now!*

🧑‍🎨 Kids 5–11 learn about history's greatest artists by making art projects exploring different mediums, materials, and tools. Learn more about Mini Monets here.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY TASTE OF NOVA SCOTIA

Sip n' Shuck is back!

It’s time to Sip n’ Shuck your way through one of the most delicious culinary events in Nova Scotia!

Featuring oysters, seafood, and award-winning Nova Scotia wines, beer, cider, and spirits, Sip n’ Shuck brings together two outstanding Nova Scotian industries for an evening of celebration – er, shell-abration. Taking place on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Hotel Halifax, tickets for this delicious event are selling fast.

This is an all-inclusive event featuring Nova Scotia's world-renowned oysters and seafood paired with our award-winning wines, beers, spirits, ciders, and craft beverages. Get your tickets now!

Presented by Taste of Nova Scotia, Hotel Halifax, and the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia.

🗞️ In Other News

🚑 A 23-year-old woman is suffering from life-threatening injuries after being hit by a vehicle on Gottingen Street yesterday while crossing in a marked crosswalk.

🎓 Meet a Mount Saint Vincent University team working to help incarcerated individuals earn degrees. 

🪨 Geologists from Cape Breton University recently uncovered the fossilized tracks of a 320-million-year-old swamp animal. 

🍼 The cost of baby formula has increased so much that some Halifax-area pharmacies are keeping the infant food locked up.

🚨 The RCMP is investigating after a 28-year-old was found shot inside a West River Road motel in Picton Town last Thursday. 

🔌 Nova Scotia Power has released a post-Fiona plan that would see ratepayers covering a $24.6 million bill.

💨 Statistics Canada is reporting that more Canadians are turning away from alcohol and towards cannabis. 

🎭 Lord of the Rings actors Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd are taking the stage at Neptune Theatre in Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.

🩺 Meet Ian MacIntosh, the Nova Scotia man travelling to Annapolis, Maryland to access cancer medication that is not yet available here.

SPONSORED BY SUPPORT4CULTURE

Nova Scotia Gaming proudly supports NS Theatre

Support4Culture is a designated lottery program that supports arts, culture, and heritage in communities across Nova Scotia including events like Industry Nights at Neptune Theatre and the Highland Arts Theatre. Learn More.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Rock for Feed Nova Scotia: Join Lloyd’s Money, Mojo in the Middle and Mud Puppy for a night of rock at Gus’ Pub in support of Feed Nova Scotia | Jan. 19 | 8pm | $6 cover

🗓 The last 13 years of Halifax ReTales: Arthur Gaudreau, the brains behind Halifax ReTales, will be at the Woodlawn Public Library this week to discuss the retail blog’s 13-year history and to take questions. There will also be a live stream for those who can’t make it in person | Jan. 16 | 6:30pm | Free

Find more Halifax events in The Coast listings

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

New breakfast sammy: Next time you’re in the market for breakfast food, try Oxford Taproom’s new West Egger sandwich. It can be made both vegetarian-friendly and non-vegetarian-friendly:  A bagel stacked with egg, ham (if you want) and cheddar cheese, smothered in mayo and Dijon mustard. 

Menu addition alert! Luke’s Small Goods has added new sandwiches to its menu. Check out the full menu on its website.

🛍️ Shop Talk

A sad goodbye: Vaughn’s General Store has announced it’ll be closing its storefront on Agricola this month. 

Shop local: Check out Wednesdays on the Waterfront Market this week at Alderney Landing and shop from local food and craft vendors. 

Tool-it-up on Sundays: The Halifax Tool Library will now be open every Sunday from 9am to 4pm in addition to its regular hours.

👀 In Case You Missed It

• The Coast’s Matt Stickland argues it’s time for a change to the province’s capped assessment program—and digs into what else has been happening at HRM council.

• Hundreds of people gathered at the Halifax Forum over the weekend to celebrate Tamil Heritage Month.

• Feed Nova Scotia says not enough is being done to combat the cost-of-living crisis in the province.

• Check out this photo of Terry Fox on Robie Street back in 1980.

• Protesters blocked a section of the CN Rail line in Halifax on Friday for 97 minutes to represent the 97 days since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

That’s it!

Thanks for reading The Coast Daily today ❤️ 

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