🗞 Halifax’s plan for a strategic bankruptcy

PART 2

The saga of Otago Drive: Halifax’s plan for a strategic bankruptcy

Yesterday, Matt Strickland shared part 1 of his feature, The saga of Otago Drive, that uses second-person narration to turn a speed bump into a microcosm of Halifax, with a past that shapes the future, and a future that its leaders haven’t been able to face. In other words, it’s a really good piece of journalism that’s also an entertaining read.

Today we bring you part 2 of the feature. Here’s an excerpt:

According to city staff, the speed hump on Otago Drive was built in service of two of Halifax’s strategic priorities. One of these, says the email, “is a SAFE & ACCESSIBLE INTEGRATED MOBILITY NETWORK” per this definition: “A well-maintained network supports all ages and abilities by providing safe, flexible and barrier-free journeys throughout the region.”

There is no evidence you have found that demonstrates how a speed hump helps with any of these goals. You have found evidence that supports narrower streets achieving these goals, or streets with bike lanes achieving these goals, but you can’t find proof that streets with speed humps help achieve the city’s strategic goals.

Two weeks after receiving this email from city staff, you’ll watch a transportation advisory committee meeting that demonstrates just how much of this email is a lie about the reality on the streets of the HRM, but you don’t know this yet. Instead, you let your frustration guide you. You send an unprofessional email asking for the evidence to support that statement, as you can’t find any. “Staff aren’t available for an interview and they have provided the info they have available to answer the questions you’ve outlined in your emails,” writes a comms staff supervisor.

Read the full story at The Coast. 

Need to know

🏝️ The province has announced that Carters Beach will soon be a designated provincial park.

🩺 The province’s healthcare data has been updated on the Action for Health website and is available to the public.

💃 Live Art Dance presents choreographer Lydia Zimmer and the launch of her new dance company, Zimmerdans! Don’t miss their premier show, get your tickets TODAY!*

🚍 Halifax Transit will be free on December 1 and 2 after 6pm thanks to the sponsorship of the NSLC.

✨ Don’t miss the new Delightful Downtown holiday light projection show on the former Halifax Memorial Library building at Grafton Park. Running nightly from 5-11pm.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY NOVA SCOTIA COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN

Don't miss the NSCAD Makers' Market!

Holiday shopping just got easier with the highly anticipated NSCAD Winter Makers’ Market! This event is happening on Saturday, December 2nd, from 11AM to 5PM, at NSCAD's Port Campus, 1107 Marginal Rd. Support over 50 NSCAD students who will be showcasing and selling their original artworks, ceramics, jewelry and more.

This market is not only an opportunity to find one-of-a-kind pieces but also directly contribute to the growth and success of these local aspiring artists. The NSCAD Winter Makers’ Market is a platform for these students to showcase their skills, creativity, and dedication. And it's a chance for buyers to find the perfect gift for themselves, a family member, or that someone special.

On The Coast

SPONSORED BY TD HALIFAX JAZZ FESTIVAL

Halifax Jazz presents Evergreen Stage Series

Bundle up and join us at the Halifax Waterfront for this year's Evergreen Stage Series brought to you by the TD Halifax Jazz Festival.

In other news

💲 Nova Scotia’s rent prices are increasing faster than ever before with a rent inflation rate of 14.1%, the highest in Canada.

🚢 According to Canada’s top admiral, the Canadian Navy is at risk of not being able to perform even basic duties next year due to a lack of resources and being understaffed.

🏰 In the market for a new property? How about this $1 million castle for sale in Cape Breton? 

🚨 Halifax police are investigating after human remains were found in a forested area around Purcells Cove Road.

🐟 $5 million in salmon was lost at a Nova Scotia farm after equipment that filters carbon dioxide from holding tanks malfunctioned and failed.

🤝 The federal government has come to an agreement with Google regarding Bill C-18, the Online News Act. The tech monopolist is paying $100 million a year to publishers, and in return news sites including The Coast will still turn up in search results.

FOOD

Yeah Yeahs Pizza and 2 Crows Brewing are coming to Halifax’s west end—and sooner than you think

Josh Nordin can’t quite part with the VHS tapes. Nor, perhaps, the crayoned-over paper plates. If you set foot in Yeah Yeahs Pizza’s Barrington Street or Ochterloney Street shops over the past six years, chances are you aren’t ready to part with them, either. They’re part of the lore of the place—the literal walls, as they were. And when it comes to the Halifax mainstay (which Nordin co-owns) that has swept the Best Pizza Slice three years running in The Coast’s reader-selected Best of Halifax Awards, they’re like the cheese to a pepperoni pizza: It’s what lends Yeah Yeahs its warmth; its personality. And now, that special sauce is coming to Halifax’s west end—and better than ever.

It was just two weeks ago that Yeah Yeahs announced over Instagram that it would be moving into a shared taproom and pizza shop with 2 Crows Brewing on Oxford Street.

The Coast speaks to Nordin about the move and its serendipitous timing. 

🗓 Things to do

Looking for something to do over the next week? Check out these Coast picks:

Thursday, November 30

🗓️ Neptune Theatre’s A Christmas Carol: Neptune Theatre’s annual A Christmas Carol show premieres this week to kick of its 20th anniversary run. Grab your tickets and watch this Christmas classic come to life on stage. | Nov. 30-Dec. 30 | Tuesday to Friday 7:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 2pm & 7:30pm | $38-$75.

🗓️ Spontaneity Improv Co.: It’s time for Spontaneity Improv Co.’s November Showcase at The Bus Stop Theatre. | Nov. 30 | 7:30pm | $10-$20.

Friday, December 1

🗓️ Spring Garden Open Street: Spring Garden Road’s Open Street is happening this Friday. The street will be transformed into a winter wonderland with a holiday market, photo-ops and free hot chocolate stations. If you need to drive in, free parking will also be available at certain locations, check out the list here. | Dec. 1 | 5-9pm | Free.

🗓️ Meaghan Smith: Support Feed Nova Scotia and enjoy a night of music, treats and art at Meaghan Smith’s The Holiday Show at The Stage at St. Andrew’s. | Dec. 1-3 | 7pm | $35.

🗓️ Greek Fest To-Go Holiday Edition: It’s Greek Fest this weekend! Check out the menu here, place your order and pick it up at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Community Hall. | Dec. 1-3 | 3:30pm-6:45pm on Friday and Saturday and 11:30am-6:45pm on Sunday.

Saturday, December 2

🗓️ Climate Pop-Up event: Want to learn more on how to promote sustainability and climate action? Everyone Everday is hosting a climate pop-up at 2169 Gottingen Street led by three climate experts who will be sharing their knowledge. | Dec. 2 | 2-5pm | Free.

🗓️ Halifax International Wine Fest: Get ready to get your wine on at the Halifax International Wine Fest happening at the Halifax Seaport’s Pavillion 22 this weekend. Grab your friends and taste test more than 200 kinds of wine. This is a 19+ event. | Dec. 2 | $60-$85 | 2-5pm, 7-9pm.

🗓️ Winter Makers’ Market: NSCAD is holding a Winter Makers’ Market featuring 40 talented students as its vendors at its Port Campus. Stop by and shop from original artwork, photography, prints, ceramics and more while supporting local artists. | Dec. 2 | 11am-5pm | Free admission.

Sunday, December 3

🗓️ LEGO Holiday Exhibition: The Halifax Museum of Natural History has a special LEGO Holiday Exhibition happening featuring builds of nostalgic Halifax staples (like Woody the Christmas Tree) to celebrate 20 years of Bricks by the Sea. | until Jan. 6 | $4.05-$6.30.

🗓️ Metro Thrift Bus Pop-up: The Metro Thrift Bus will be set up outside of Jellies on Quinpool Road this weekend. Check out the newly opened Jellies Bar and shop from the Thirft Bus’s newest collection straight from Montreal. | Dec. 3 | 8pm-2am | Free admission.

🗓️ Japanese Holiday Market: A Japanese holiday market will be taking over the Halifax Brewery Market on Lower Water Street. Local vendors will be selling art, food and more, and Dalhousie’s Japanese Society will be hosting workshops. | Dec. 3 | noon to 3pm | Free admission.

Find more Halifax events in The Coast listings.