🗞️ Smoke 'em if you got 'em

Hello Halifax,

As Bayer’s Lake continues to burn and the rest of the province is at high risk, I’d like to know: Why aren’t golf courses considered “the woods”. I understand that there are some areas that are not woods, but have you seen most people golf?

Then I read that—rest assured—some (as in not all) golf courses in the province have made the very difficult and controversial decision to…ban smoking. Ummm…what?! So—to be clear—up until yesterday there have been huge swaths of woods where mostly rich people are just strolling around, chiefing cigs?

Both the Paragon Golf and Country Club in Kingston and Granite Springs Golf Club in Bayside—for example—have issued letters to guests warning of the ban. While the Paragon letter on its Facebook page simply says smoking is banned, the Granite Springs course will allow smokers to partake near a designated point near the cart washing station.

So, Ashburn Golf Course located right on the cusp of Bayer’s Lake currently has people just smoking away while searching for their shitty drive in the heavily wooded areas between holes. Does this not seem like a huge double-standard to anyone else?

I’ve seen whole deer just wander out of those woods before and mosey along the fairway, so don’t tell me this shouldn't count as woods, Tim “I probably just love golfing” Houston.

And now I can’t stop thinking about the amount of water those things are probably just drinking up too. I have heard anecdotally (aka from my dad’s boomer friends) that some courses have “cut back” on the amount of water they’re using to keep that grass on fleek, just like some are banning smoking. 

I’m truly confused—even more than usual. But I hope you have a wonderful day!

Love and light!

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ 28°

Tomorrow: ☀️ 26°

Next Day: ☀️ 25°

7-day forecast

🚗 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.

MUSIC

Everything you need to know about Nova Scotia Music Week 2025

It’s almost time again for Nova Scotia Music Week, an annual celebration of the province’s music community through awards, showcases, workshops and most importantly, connections. 

Just last week, Music Nova Scotia shared its third round of showcasing artists for the 2025 awards, taking place in Yarmouth from Thursday, Oct. 23 to Sunday, Oct. 26. Within the most recently announced lineup are some Halifax-area favourites, such as Customer Service, Good Dear Good, Mat Hughes and Rich Aucoin. Also performing are Leanne Hoffman, Alexander Gallant, and Loviet, along with many more.

As always, The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer has you covered so you don’t miss a note at the annual awards and artist showcase.

🤔 Need To Know

🔥 A wildfire burning near a Halifax business park remains out of control Wednesday, but officials say mist and fog are making for a short window of favourable firefighting conditions—there is a mandatory evacuation in place for all businesses in the plaza on the west side of Chain Lake Drive.

😮‍💨 According to Environment Canada, smoke is reducing air quality in the area and locations downwind, including downtown Halifax—those aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with existing illnesses or chronic health conditions, and those who work outdoors, are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.

🚰 The HRM says water and showers are being made available to people struggling with low water levels in their wells. Beginning immediately, until Sept. 10, people can pick up water on Wednesday and Sunday evenings between 6pm and 8pm at fire stations 39, 38, 50 and 56.

🦈 Dive into Monsters of the Abyss, on now ‘til Sept 7! Explore prehistoric and modern aquatic predators. Don’t miss it!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY CANADIAN MUSEUM OF IMMIGRATION AT PIER 21

Calling NS Cooks and Chefs!

Join the Perfect Pairings program, an opportunity to share your cultural food traditions and co-create a recipe. Celebrate diversity, connect through cooking, and showcase your heritage. Offered by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Apply today to be part of this unique culinary collaboration!

NEWS

Purple Day founder's cowboy boot dream becomes national collaboration

What started as a simple wish for a pair of purple cowboy boots has grown into a national collaboration supporting epilepsy awareness across Canada and beyond.

Cassidy Megan, founder of Purple Day, announced her partnership with Alberta Boot Company on Sunday, Aug 10. The company will be designing two custom pairs of cowboy boots. One pair is for Megan herself, while the other will be either auctioned off or turned into a line, depending on demand. Proceeds will go toward epilepsy awareness initiatives.

Purple Day, recognized annually on March 26 in more than 100 countries, was created by Megan in 2008 in Halifax. At the time, she was just eight years old and living with a new epilepsy diagnosis. She wanted to create a day for people like her to feel safe, supported and understood.

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva spoke with Megan about her boots on the ground initiative to increase epilepsy awareness.

🗞️ In Other News

✈️ The union representing Air Canada flight attendants says it has served the company with a 72-hour strike notice, while advising members the airline has issued its own plan to lock out employees early Saturday morning.

👩‍⚕️ The health critic for Nova Scotia's NDP is calling for more data to be released on the province's primary-care provider waitlist—Nova Scotia Health used to release a detailed report showing how many people were added and removed from the list each month, as well as where they were located in the province.

⛺ Homelessness is on the rise in Halifax, according to new data collected by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia—In 2022, there were 586 people without a proper home in the municipality and that number increased to 1,132 in 2024, marking a 93% increase in two years.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 EXTENDED! Neptune Theatre's Mamma Mia!: On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show. A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget! | Held over until Sept. 14 |

🗓 Alan Syliboy - From the Archives to the Easel: Critically acclaimed Indigenous Nova Scotian artist Alan Syliboy is set to present a compelling new exhibition that bridges decades of visual storytelling and artistic exploration. The show will feature a curated selection of Syliboy’s celebrated earlier works alongside a bold new series of paintings—offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the evolution of an iconic Mi’kmaq voice in Canadian art. | Aug. 7-29 |

🗓 Mills Halifax Fashion Week 2025: Mills Halifax Fashion Week returns with a powerful 2025 season celebrating Nova Scotia’s influence as a leader in sustainable fashion. Under the theme “Blueprint,” this year’s weeklong showcase highlights the province’s tradition of upcycling, conscious design, and innovation both locally and globally. Designers from Nova Scotia and international stages will share the runway, offering a diverse and dynamic look at the future of fashion. | Aug. 10-17 |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢 The APL Esplanade container ship arrives in Halifax from Colombo, Sri Lanka at 5:15am.

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sun container ship arrives in Halifax from Liverpool at 5:20am and leaves for New York at 12pm.

🚢➡️ The Liberty of the Seas cruise ship arrives in Halifax at 7:30am and leaves for Canadian seas at 6pm.

🚢➡️ The Bakkafoss container ship arrives in Halifax from Portland, ME at 8:15am and leaves for Argentia at 6pm.

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sea container ship arrives in Halifax from Norfolk at 1:50pm and leaves for Liverpool at 8:30pm.

🚢 The Nolhan Ava container ship arrives in Halifax from St. Pierre at 7:30am.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🧀 Embrace comfort food at its finest at Rinaldo’s with the Grilled Cheese Detroit with Creamy Tomato Soup: Detroit style crust topped with garlic butter, mozzarella, cheddar, American cheese, toasted with bread crumbs and served with creamy tomato soup to dip.

🫐 The croissant of the week at Two If By Sea is the Blue Ivy: ricotta, honey and blueberries topped with a lavender glaze.

👀 In Case You Missed It

💬 Tim Houston announced a “stay out of the woods” order  on Aug. 5, amid “tinder dry” conditions across the province. A total ban on open fires was brought in the week before, with both bans punishable by a $25,000 fine. But not everybody agrees with the need for a full ban. Media outlets are saying the province is divided on this one, but our readers certainly aren’t. We asked you whether you agreed with the ban and the results were overwhelmingly in favour of Houston’s order. Head over to The Coast to see the final poll results and our favourite reader responses.

👗 Lezlie Oler, the entrepreneur and former lawyer behind the Halifax-based boutique In a Box, is showcasing a refreshing approach to fashion this Thursday. The boutique will present an exclusive, atelier-style fashion show that will bring a classic flair to the runway; one outfit at a time, as models walk the runway, their names and each look will be called out, describing the piece and alternative ways to style it. Oler explains to The Coast’s Warren D’Silva why In an industry sometimes dominated with fleeting trends, she is committed to something different.

That’s it!

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