🗞️ No takesies-backsies

Good morning!

The petty bitch of the week award goes to…France! 

A French politician says the United States should return the Statue of Liberty and I am simply tickled by this demand.

Lady Liberty—full name "Liberty Enlightening the World" (same as mine)—was conceptualized by French anti-slavery activist Édouard de Laboulaye in 1865 to honour the centennial of the US Declaration of Independence and its friendship with France, whose support helped win the American Revolution.

At a recent party convention, Raphael Glucksmann—a member of European Parliament—told his colleagues that America should return the gift as the country no longer embodies or protects the values of democracy and freedom—adding “We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home.”

Shots. Fired.

BUT THEN, the White House press secretary declared that they would absolutely NOT be giving the statue back, saying that the French would do well to remember it’s only because of the United States of America that the “French are not speaking German right now.”

Oh, no she didn’t!

@catmilk11

Shocked the cat 😲😲😲#fyp #cute #cat

The Statue of Liberty would be hard for France to take back because it’s owned by the US government, according to UNESCO. It's also a national monument and major tourist attraction—drawing 3 million visitors in 2023 alone.

I remain optimistic that they’ll get all hopped up on Merlot and try anyways 🍷

Have a great day!

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ 10°

Tomorrow: ☁️ 7°

Next Day: 🌧️ 6°

7-day forecast

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

🤔 Need To Know

🚨 A ramp to the Macdonald bridge has reopened as police continue to investigate after a person was struck by a driver on Tuesday morning—a 27-year-old was taken to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

💸 The Nova Scotia provincial government is spending $400K on grants to address systemic hate, inequity and racism.

🚔 A 17-year-old from Dartmouth is facing a number of charges after evading police twice and driving dangerously on a Nova Scotia highway.

🎭 Don't miss out on this exclusive behind-the-scenes reading by Santiago Guzmán of his newest play, Long-Distance-Short at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.*

🎶 March is for Music! Get out of the house and enjoy FREE live music at local businesses around Downtown Halifax until March 23.*

☀️ Solar is a chance to win prizes worth up to $16,600! 5-month racking installation or you get paid! Save with the most trusted solar company.*

🍗 Hot take: Halifax's best Wing Wednesday is at The Pint on Argyle—50% off wings, 28 sauces, $4.50 all draught beer (Happy Hour 4-6 PM). Absolute no-brainer.*

*Sponsored Post

ARTS + CULTURE

FAT JULIET opening in fair Dartmouth, where we lay our scene

When Winnipeg native Stevey Hunter graduated from Dalhousie’s Fountain School of Performing Arts, they quickly became disillusioned by the options for roles available to them. So they did what any good creative does; they wrote one for themself.

“Going to theatre school as a plus size actor, I felt very put in a box about which roles I could play,” said Hunter in an interview with The Coast. “It was usually the side characters, the funny characters, and there was always this question of why do we always see ingenues of the same body type? The fact that I felt like I couldn’t access those characters became frustrating, and so I wanted to examine this very famous love story, but from a fat perspective.”

And thus, FAT JULIET was born: A modern re-telling of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet told entirely from Juliet’s point of view. The playful romp—set in Juliet’s very pink bedroom—takes an intimate look at how to love yourself first.

Julie Lawrence was at Eastern Front Theatre to talk to cast and crew as they put the finishing touches on the production before it opens on March 20.

SPONSORED BY HALIFAX BURGER BASH

Burgers, Beer and a Good Cause – April 3-12!

Get ready, Halifax! The Coast’s Halifax Burger Bash presented with Garrison Brewing is back, bringing you 150+ mouthwatering burger creations from April 3-12. Every bite supports Feed Nova Scotia, making it the tastiest way to give back. Whether you're a classic cheeseburger fan or crave something wild, there’s a burger (or five) with your name on it. Eat, enjoy, and do some good—one burger at a time. 

Check out the full lineup and start planning your feast today! 🍔

🗞️ In Other News

🏛️ The families of two young men who died outside Halifax bars have harsh criticisms for Nova Scotia legislators—saying they sat on potentially lifesaving rules for more than 10 years and now are poised to pass legislation that would wipe it out altogether.

🎓 Academics and students told a Nova Scotia legislature committee Tuesday that a bill giving the government more control over the province’s 10 universities is a case of overreach that could threaten academic freedoms.

🇨🇦 A Nova Scotia clothing brand built on strength and resilience is expanding its message to all of Canada—Mi’kma’ki Strong was designed to create more awareness and share a message where peace and friendship are honoured by the 1752 treaty.

🍷 A Halifax bar co-owner wants to bring in Ontario wine, but says the legislated process that forces them to go through the NSLC makes it impractical—it’s an example of how interprovincial trade barriers play out in real life.

SPONSORED BY VAUGHNCO ENTERTAINMENT

FOREVER SEGER - The Ultimate Seger Experience

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🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 LAST CHANCE - Neptune Theatre Presents The New Canadian Curling Club: Inspired by a local refugee resettlement program, a small town organizes a Learn-to-Curl class to welcome newcomers. However, when the organizer slips on the ice and breaks her hip, the rink’s ice maker and former champion curler is forced to step in as the head coach. What follows is an inspiring and hilarious story about a group of unlikely athletes who confront local prejudice and embrace their identity as "new Canadians." | Feb 25-March 23 | From $33 |

🗓 Board Room Trivia - Taylor Swift Edition: Calling all Swifties! Are you obsessed with all things Taylor Swift? We know that feeling all too well. Come out for Taylor Swift Trivia and put your knowledge to the test as the Board Game Cafe kicks off a new era of Swiftie fun. | March 19 | 6pm | $14 |

🗓 The Music Room Chamber Players Series Presents Dances with Winds: Music for winds and piano with an emphasis on movement and dance! From a charming work by Saint-Saëns, through a mediation on the work of Langston Hughes (with visits to Harlem jazz clubs and Paris cabarets) to the irresistible action of Connesson's ode to techno. Add to this some Messiaen birdsong and a multimedia piece for clarinet and video, and there will be plenty of action. | March 19 | 7:30pm | $35 |

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

SPONSORED BY PURPLE COW INTERNET

Looking for local options?

Purple Cow Internet keeps it simple. No tricks, no sudden rate increases—just fair pricing that hasn’t changed in six years. Locally owned, built for Atlantic Canadians, and here to keep internet affordable. Join the herd today and see what everyone is talking about.

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The Zim Asia container ship leaves Halifax for New York at 1am.

🚢➡️ The Box Endurance container ship arrives in Halifax from New York at 2:20am and leaves for Kingston, Jamaica at 11:45pm.

🚢➡️ The Zim Virginia container ship arrives in Halifax from Valencia, Spain at 5:20am and leaves for New York at 6pm.

➡️ The Acadian oil tanker leaves Halifax for Saint John at 3pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🌶️ Get something smoky, spicy and irresistible with the Boneless Chicken Tikka at The Can-Indian Kitchen, marinated in authentic Indian spices, grilled to perfection and served with refreshing mint chutney.

🐟 Experience Arctic Char like you’ve never had it before at Water Polo: ‘Nduja cream, mussels, braised leeks, Pernod.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🏛️ If you missed last Monday’s meeting of the Public Bills Committee meeting, it’s on YouTube for your viewing pleasure. This week, things picked back up with public presentations on Bill 12, also known as An Act Respecting Advanced Education and Research. The Coast spoke with Alexina St. Pierre Farrow, who represents 10,000 students in Nova Scotia, about the dangers of Bill 12.

🚨 A 21-year-old man has been charged with impaired driving following a crash in Dartmouth after he drove his vehicle into Sam’s Seafood & Grill restaurant on Saturday night.

That’s it!

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