🗞️ Moonstruck

Happy Friday the 13th,

Since it’s a superstitious day, I was hoping I’d stumble about something a little uncanny to share with you and I really thought I had hit the motherlode. That is until upon further investigation, when I realized I’m the dumbest editor to ever exist. I was just gonna let this go, but felt it was only fair that I share.

I read this headline from CBC that read—ah-hem—What a full moon has to do with reducing C-sections at a Halifax hospital.

Whaaaaa?!

I always knew there was something amiss with full moons and that they always make people just a little crazy, but THIS?! Moons can affect birth?! Without delay I launched over to the calendar to see what day the full moon will land in October to ensure that I can arrange my labour around it. I mean, I’d be crazy not to, right?

But then I read the actual article and much to my dismay, the prevention of C-sections has nothing to do with the actual moon, but is simply a strategy the IWK is using named after the lunar phase to try to deliver more newborns without unplanned caesarean sections.

The so-called “full moon circuit” is a series of labouring positions meant to result in shorter labour, less pain, less fetal distress and encourage more spontaneous vaginal births. Which—I guess—are still very good things. And maybe this is actually better because you don’t have to hold your baby in until the moon is actually full.

In any event, the IWK is planning to put together a "full moon challenge toolkit" for other Canadian hospitals in an effort to lower the rate of unplanned C-sections—which it said can put stress on the patient as well as staffing levels. Just be careful what you call it!

Yeah to IWK for innovation! Booo to CBC for tricking me with exciting astrological click bait.

Have a safe and restful weekend 🌝

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ 18°

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 19°

Next Day: ☁️ 15°

🚗 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.

NEWS

From pandemic panic to purpose: Halifax father breaks the silence on men's mental

When Kian Zarkechvari welcomed triplets during the height of the pandemic, he was met with fear, stress, and unanswered questions.

“It was unexpected,” Zarkechvari recalls. “Having three kids at the same time during the pandemic was crushing. It was stressful—financially, emotionally.”

Zarkechvari, a former infantry officer turned financial advisor, said nothing prepared him for the sense of isolation he felt in the hospital waiting room. “All the support was for women. I was looking for blogs online, and there was no support for soon-to-be fathers. Who do I talk to?”

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva spoke more with Zarkechvari about how he turned his overwhelming experience as a new father of triplets into a bestselling book and movement supporting fathers who struggle in silence.

🤔 Need To Know

👀 Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect in a series of break-ins in Bedford—between June 6 and 8, several homes on the 200 block of Waterfront Drive were broken into and had items stolen.

📱 There’s now a new way to get information from the HRM, as it phases out the use of a popular social media app—it has launched its official accounts on the platform Bluesky as it transitions away from using X, formerly known as Twitter.

📮 Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says she’s going to put Canada Post’s latest offers to unionized postal workers up for a vote in the hope of breaking a long-standing impasse between the parties.

🌮 Pro tip: Hit up The Pint before 5pm today — their Tequila & Lime Shrimp Tacos (aka the best bite on Argyle) are half price🔥 Fridays don’t get much better.*

🌟 Now renting at The Paramount! Located on South Park Street, enjoy upscale amenities, in-suite laundry, and walkable access to every Halifax summer event. Live central!*

*Sponsored Post

🗞️ In Other News

🚁 As the province gets set to replace its fleet of helicopters, the government is inviting Nova Scotians to help name them—those interested in submitting a suggestion can do so on the province’s website.

💸 Nova Scotia Power has received approval for $1.8M for a cyber security improvement project—dubbed the Next Generation Network Security Design project—just weeks after a ransomware attack affected the personal data of thousands of customers.

⚽ A new plan considers what a permanent soccer stadium could look like in downtown Halifax—but says using the same location as the current pop-up facility would bring compromises for the stadium and other nearby groups.

⚒️ Pleas are mounting for the Nova Scotia government to slow down its push for uranium development—following on the heels of Pictou County, three additional municipalities voted this week to ask the province to pause before granting any uranium exploration licences.

🏥 A legal expert says suing for medical malpractice can come with a long list of challenges—the comments come after a Nova Scotia woman says she was wrongly told she had terminal breast cancer just weeks after being told she had no traces of the disease.

🚔 RCMP say the investigation into the disappearance of two young children in Nova Scotia may take longer than they had “hoped” but they are considering all scenarios and now partnering with agencies from across the country.

🏒 The Halifax Mooseheads are asking Halifax regional council for up to $1.625 million to expand the training facility they lease at the RBC Centre in Dartmouth.

🗓️ Things To Do This Weekend

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

🗓 Eat Make Share - A Taste of Immigration: Canada’s food is as diverse as its people. Discover the surprising histories behind popular Canadian dishes. Learn how individuals and communities express themselves through food and engage in diverse food traditions practiced in Canada through hands-on and multi-sensory activities. | May 10 - January 18 | 

🗓 Eastern Shore Burger Fest: Last year was an epic celebration of burgers, community, and giving back—and this year, they’re turning up the heat. Let’s just say this will be a week to remember, with bigger flavours, bolder events, and all the small-town charm you know and love. | June 13- 22 | 

🗓 By the Pound Thrift Pop-Up: For ONE DAY ONLY By the Pound Thrift is popping up at Maritime Hall at the Halifax Forum where all clothes are $5.99/pound. | June 14 | 10am | $2 |

🗓 Special lecture - Journeys of Coffee and Cacao: Join a special lecture by Dr. Erika Koss who will explore the global migration of two beloved beans. Come learn about the ways that both coffee and cacao beans have taken global journeys of transformation to become the delectable beverages and treats we enjoy in Canada—and some of the human hands who make these treasured tastes possible. | June 14 | 1pm | Free |

🗓 Hosting and Improv Workshop: This workshop invites you to unleash your inner star, hone your improvisational skills, and learn the art of hosting — all through the fabulous, fierce lens of drag. Whether you’re looking to boost your stage presence, sharpen your comedic timing, or simply embrace your most dramatic self, this workshop will help you rock it. | June 14 | 1:30pm | $45 |

🗓 One Port City Day 2025: The event features vessel displays and exhibits from port partners, a family fun zone, mini train rides on CN’s Little Obie, live music, and bus tours of the PSA Halifax Atlantic Hub container terminal. The PIER (Port Innovation Engagement and Research) will also open its doors for all to explore the latest in port innovation and view exhibits from community members. | June 14 | 10am | Free |

🗓 The Underground - All Out ‘80s Edition: Welcome to an immersive live performance evening in the style of a speakeasy. The performers are a surprise until the last minute; the venue is a surprise until 24 hours in advance. | June 14 | 8:30pm | $45 |

🗓 Halifax Tides Soccer: Come cheer on the home team as they take on AFC Toronto at the Wanderers Grounds. | June 15 | 6:30pm | $26 |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢 The Zim Iberia container ship arrives in Halifax from Valencia, Spain at 5:20am.

➡️The CMA CGM Adams container ship leaves Halifax for New York at 10am.

➡️ The MSC Rowan container ship leaves Halifax for Montreal at 10:45am.

🚢 The Atlantic Sun container ship arrives in Halifax from Norfolk at 4:50pm.

➡️ The Nolhan Ava container ship leaves Halifax for Argentia at 6pm.

➡️ The Oceanex Sanderling container ship leaves Halifax for St. John’s at 6pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🐟 Dive into the Jerk Cod for lunch at Salt + Ash Beach House: made with couscous, kelp tartar sauce and sea buckthorn. 

🦐 Speaking of seafood, nothing beats Maritime Seafood Chowder at 2 Doors Down. It has a jam-packed version: mussels, haddock, shrimp, scallops, lobster, leek cream, baby potatoes, lobster oil.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🎤 Elyse Aeryn's new single is not just a song about romance, but an anthem to self-love. The Glace Bay native released “Unstoppable” ahead of her sophomore album, due out in October 2025. She’ll be bringing her country rock fun to the Marriott’s Patio Party on June 18, as well as the Coast2Coast Songwriters’ Night at The Carleton on Sept. 25.  The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer has more with Aeryn as she embarks on a nation-wide tour.

🎉 "This is a celebration of joy, of culture, and of connection. And now, more than ever, we need that," said Micah Lacson, president of the Filipino Cultural Society of Nova Scotia, as the community prepares for this year’s Philippine Fiesta Halifax. The Coast’s Warren D’Silva has more on how the Filipino community celebrates heritage with pride and resilience as the two-day festival emphasizes safety, mental health advocacy, and cultural connection.

✏️ Editor’s Note

There will be no Coast Daily on Monday, June 16. INSIDERS will receive their newsletter as usual on Saturday, June 14,

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