🗞️ A renegade poem fights for survival

Good morning!

We talked about New Year’s resolutions here earlier in the month, and now that we’re halfway through January I thought maybe it was time to decide what my goals for the year are going to be.

While brainstorming, one of the things I landed on was wanting to try and get out more to explore the city I live in instead of falling into the “binge-watching Netflix all evening because I'm too tired from work” trap. For me that means trying out more local restaurants, shopping at more small businesses and finding hidden outdoor gems to explore.

My goal got me wondering if anyone else had any resolutions involving Halifax or even other neighborhoods across the province.

– Alyssa

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: ❄️ -4°

Tomorrow: ☀️ -4°

Next Day: ☁️ -5°

7-day forecast

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

SURVIVAL POETRY

In fenced-off Meagher Park, one renegade poem keeps surviving its removal

Look beyond the chain-link fence at the corner of Chebucto Road and Dublin Street, and a story emerges. It’s there, scrawled in permanent marker, on a plywood board that would be easy to miss, if not for the fact that it keeps disappearing—then coming back again, albeit in different forms. One day, it’s a pamphlet; another, nylon strands of red tent fabric woven through the fence’s chains. It’s a story, but it’s also a poem—and as of late, a battleground.

A memorial to Halifax’s unhoused population, Halifax poet laureate Sue Goyette’s poem has found a life of its own—and arrives amid another cold winter for those outdoors.

Read Martin Bauman’s full story and interview with Goyette at The Coast.

🤔 Need to know

🧊 The city will no longer be conducting ice thickness testing on lakes and ponds because climate change has impacted its feasibility. 

⛸️ The Emera Oval is now offering sensory-friendly skates every Monday from 4 to 5pm. 

🎭 "Stark raving sane." Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead opens on Friday, February 2 at Neptune Theatre. Tickets start at $44 fees & taxes incl. Book Today!*

🦠 Multiple children have died from Strep A as the Public Health Agency of Canada confirms it recorded the highest amount of cases ever in the country this year. 

🍷 Get your tickets for Sip n' Shuck at Hotel Halifax on January 25 – oysters and spirits and beers, oh my!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY SONIC CONCERTS

See Daniel Romano's Outfit tomorrow

Known for their high intensity live performances, indie rock band Daniel Romano's Outfit returns to the Marquee for a Friday night rock 'n' roll show on Jan. 19, with special guests Walrus and Carson McHone. Get advance price tickets today.

🗞️ In Other News

💵 As the need increases, Nova Scotia charities are having to get creative with new ways to raise money. 

😓 The deadline to pay back Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans, the $60,000 loans issued to small businesses as pandemic relief, is today and it's projected about 13,000 small businesses in Atlantic Canada will not be able to repay. 

👨‍⚖️ Nova Scotia teacher Robert Lee LeLievre, accused of taking $82,000 from the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, has been found guilty. 

👀 Lunenburg’s deputy mayor, Ed Halverson, has been terminated less than three months after being elected. This comes after his vocal disapproval of the council’s decision to rename Cornwallis Street to Queen Street. 

🐖 Discover the Lailo Farm Sanctuary, an animal sanctuary located in the Annapolis Valley taking in farm animals who need a home.  

🏒 19-year-old Cape Breton Eagles player Jacob Newcombe is preparing to take the ice for the first time since his non-Hodgkins Lymphoma diagnosis in July. 

🐦 A Dartmouth family has taken on a new winter task this year: Taking care of a Baltimore oriole who decided to stick around instead of migrating south for the winter. 

🥇 Shot put star Sarah Mitton talks to CBC about her road to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

🗓️ Things To Do: Weekend Planner

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

Thursday, January 18 

🗓️ The Bike Shed: The Ecology Action Centre has put together a day program for individuals over 50 who are looking to give back to the community. Members would spend a couple of hours a week repairing bikes that would then be donated to Mobile Outreach Street Health. An information session is being held this afternoon for those interested in joining | Jan. 18 | 1-2pm | Free

🗓️ Dry January Celebration: Raise a (non-alcoholic) toast to sobriety at the Steele Wheels Motor Museum to celebrate Dry January. There will be delicious ciders from local breweries and light snacks included | Jan. 18 | 7pm | $33.28

🗓️ HER Songs: Stop by New Scotland Brewing tonight for a writer’s round where you’ll get to enjoy raw tunes from local non-binary artists | Jan. 18 | 8:30pm | Free cover

Friday, January 19 

🗓️ Daniel Romano’s Outfit: Catch this Canadian indie rock band at the Marquee Ballroom on Friday for a genre-defying performance | Jan. 19 | 9pm | $34.20

🗓️ 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

🗓️ A night of improvisation: Doug Tielli and his band along with Nicola Miller and Nick D’Amato will be at Radstorm Friday for a night of improvisation and folk music | Jan 19 | 8pm | PWYC

Saturday, January 20 

🗓️ Comedy Night: Toronto comedians Kyle Patan, Maddy Kelly and Sam Burns will be at Good Robot Brewing Saturday for a pair of back-to-back shows | Jan. 20 | 7pm & 9pm | $17.31

🗓️ Winter Carnival: Enjoy some family-friendly fun at the Discovery Centre this weekend for its Winter Carnival. There will be science activities, carnival games, concessions, inflatables, face painting and more | Jan. 20 | 6-9pm | $28.75

🗓️ Hockey Night in Halifax: The Halifax Mooseheads take on the Sagueneens De Chicoutim at the Scotiabank Centre | Jan. 20 | 7pm | $25.25

🗓️ Halifax Contra Dance: Halifax Contra is holding a workshop where individuals of all levels can join and learn how to folk dance at the All Nations Church Hall. There will be live musicians to accompany all the dancing | Jan. 20 | 8pm | $15

Sunday, January 21

🗓️ Town Hall: The Bus Stop Theatre is holding an open mic Town Hall hosted by Kiana Josette and Duff Mardino, where artists of all mediums can drop by to talk about what they’re working on and find out what’s happening in the community | Jan. 21 | 6:30-9pm | Free

🗓️ Artisan Market: Check out the Sunday Artisan Market at Alderney Landing and shop from local makers and small businesses | Jan. 21 | 11am-3pm | Free admission

Find more Halifax events in The Coast listing

👀 In Case You Missed It

• Martin Bauman explores the potential impact the US-Houthi conflict will have on the Halifax Harbour in this week’s shipping report.

• A Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report shows that the country’s new dental plan doesn’t include almost 4.5 million uninsured Canadians. 

• Have a cat? Help Halifax cartoonist Kate Leth reach their goal of petting and documenting, by video and journaling, 100 cats.

That’s it!

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