Ohhhh Halifax,

The world is scary right now, and not because of Halloween.

Donald Trump was in Madison Square Garden spewing hateful rhetoric, joined by speakers who called Puerto Rico a “floating pile of garbage” and insinuating that vice president Kamala Harris began her career as a “prostitute.”

And you might be thinking, well, that’s there not here—a mantra that certainly does help me sleep at night if I’m being honest. But then something happens that smacks you right in the face with the realization that the mayhem south of the border has a real and tangible impact on our little maritime bubble.

The North Sydney Fire Fighters Club is receiving backlash after attendees dressed up as the KKK to its Halloween party. They were even allowed to bring crosses inside with them. This video surfaced on X on Sunday, featuring the partygoers wearing the recognizable garb of the racist American white supremacist terrorist group.

For their part, the North End Sydney Fire Fighters Club issued a statement on Facebook saying… ”We made a mistake!” Yes, complete with wholly inappropriate and inadequate exclamation point.

The deputy fire chief, by way of explanation, also added “most times we think ah it is a costume without really thinking of the big picture or the past it represents.”

I’m not sure who he means by “we,” but I would like to formally announce that I am not included in it.

– Julie

Today: 🌤️ 8°

Tomorrow: ☁ 9°

Next Day: ☁ 9°

7-day forecast

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

Creative Nova Scotia’s annual awards show is set for this Sunday, Nov 3, and there’s a lot to celebrate.

Hosted by JUNO-nominated reggae singer Jah’Mila, this year’s awards are being held at Pier 21 and will showcase talents from across the creative spectrum with visual art exhibits and musical performances throughout. Heist has returned for the fifth year to produce the show, while musician Don Brownrigg has come on as guest programming director. The event is presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council.

This year will see a showcase and exhibit featuring Lou Sheppard, Krista Davis, Ivan Flores, Chad Comeau, Paulette Melanson and Ellen Gibling. Performances during the award show include a reading from Halifax Poet Laureate Anna Quon, a song from Mi’kmaq artist Alan Syliboy and even a performance from Jah’Mila.

The best part is? Tickets for the event are free.

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer speaks with Brownrigg and Heist’s artistic director Richie Wilcox about the upcoming awards show.

🍬 A recall has been issued for Haribo “Tangfastics” gummy candies due to pieces of wood—according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

🗳️ Nova Scotia’s Liberal leader Zach Churchill says he wants to bring accountability to government if he’s elected—along with a $250,000 fine for any party that doesn’t stick to the province’s fixed election date.

It can be hard to keep up with the bestseller list, or even your own #ToBeRead pile. At AfterWords, more than 50 authors will do the heavy lifting for you, from Heather O’Neill (The Capital of Dreams) to Tanya Talaga (The Knowing), from Sue Murtagh (We’re Not Rich) to Lisa Moore (Invisible Prisons), from Alex Pugsley (The Education of Aubrey McKee) to Anne Fleming (Curiosities)—all you have to do is be in the room, while these authors and many more read from their work and talk about the ideas that push them to the page.

Anyone who’s interested in books, stories, writing and ideas will be entertained and inspired at AfterWords. Easily. Learn More.

The film and television industry in Halifax continues to grow, and with that growth comes plenty of locally produced shows and films. Whether it be a dark, twisted thriller or a by-the-numbers sitcom, we all love to relax with our favourite snacks and call something up on the television, or grab a bag of popcorn and sit in the theatre.

While we all connect the stories they tell, actors are what makes our favourite movies and shows what they are—people who are able to shed themselves and become someone else in service to the artistic project they’re working on.

As the Best of Halifax Awards voting period comes to an end this Sunday, Nov 3, we’re wrapping up our nominee coverage with a few more lists to help you decide your vote. If you’re already feeling ready to cast, visit our voting page to make your selections. 

This time, The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over the nominations for the best television and film actor category.

🌻 A new therapeutic rooftop garden is going to be built at the IWK Health Centre to give patients and families a safe and accessible place to spend time in nature— the IWK foundation received a $1.5 million donation from the Miller family to build the garden.

⚖️ A pair of court decisions released last week by a Nova Scotia Supreme Court justice say that poorly worded legislation is making it tough for the courts to hand down convictions in cases where individuals are accused of distracted driving with a cellphone.

🩺 Many Canadians need a sick note for their employer or school if they are off due to medical reasons—a policy a group of doctors is trying to change, saying that they are an added burden to already burned-out physicians.

In Halifax's north end, the Italian Market serves as Atlantic Canada's largest Italian grocery store. For over 30 years, its shelves brim with imported delights, alongside a cafe, deli and pastry shop.

This November, students showing ID and this ad can enjoy 10% off. Vote for The Coast's Best International Grocer.

Don’t miss your chance to have your say in The Coast’s Best of Halifax Readers’ Choice Awards! Voting is now open, but it won’t be for long. You have until Nov 3 at midnight to vote or forever hold your peace.

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

🗓 Exhibition—East of East Atlantic Hip Hop Archive: This exhibition delves into the rich history of hip hop culture in the Atlantic Provinces dating back to the 1980s. Curated by founder Michael McGuire this exhibition will showcase a selection of digital and physical items from an archive of over 2,100 recordings, 400 posters and 9 hours of video, along with 850 CDs, 165 cassettes and 280 vinyl records. | Sept 21-Nov 23   

🗓 Halloween at the Fairview Farmers’ Market: With over 25 vendors, it’s the perfect time to pick up those last-minute goodies, plus they’re making it extra special for the little ones—dress up and trick or treat with the vendors! | Oct 31 | 4pm | Free

🗓 Trick or Treat Bar Crawl 2024: Introducing Halifax's FIRST Halloween bar crawl! Trick and treat your way through the hottest spots in Downtown Halifax along with your team. | Nov 1 | 9pm | $20

🗓 Christmas at the Forum: Back for its 46th year, this beloved event brings together an exciting and festive celebration of handmade crafts, local art and delicious food. As one of Canada's largest craft shows, this event has become a cherished holiday tradition in Halifax, attracting thousands of visitors each year. | Nov 1-3 | $12

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

➡️ The MSC Sena container ship leaves Halifax for London at 4:30am.

🛳️➡️ The MOL Experience container ship arrives in Halifax from Caucedo at 5:20am and leaves for Southampton at 5pm.

🛳️➡️ The MSC Michaela container ship arrives in Halifax from Colombo at 6:15am and leaves for New York at 6pm.

🛳️ The Algoscotia oil tanker arrives in Halifax from Sydney at 1:15pm.

🛳️ The Box Endurance container ship arrives in Halifax from New York at 3:20pm.

🥖 Make happy hour a little more fancy (and French!) at Café Lunette. Enjoy a pour of your favourite wine alongside a delectable plateau de charcuterie.

🍕 Last call for the Oktoberfest Pizza at Morris East: ricotta base, mild sausage, caramelized onions, kale, mozzarella, crispy shallots, sweet and spicy chili honey drizzle.

☑️ Premier Tim Houston just called a provincial election for Nov. 26, even as campaign signs for the just-finished municipal race litter roadsides around the city, and the threat of a federal election looms over prime minister Trudeau and the nation. But who really cares? That’s not a rhetorical question. Andy Fillmore became Halifax’s new mayor with the support of only 15.6% of eligible voters, a clear sign most Haligonians are disengaged from the democratic process. The Coast’s Kyle Shaw analyzes elections past and present to find an answer.

🪧 Iman Mannathukkaren has been an organizer with the student-led group School Strike 4 Climate Halifax since she was in Grade 10. Now in her first year at the University of King’s College, Mannathukkaren was testing megaphones at noon on Friday Oct 25 ahead of her third climate rally beginning that day at Victoria Park, in downtown Halifax. The Coast’s education reporter Lauren Phillips spoke with organizer Mannathukkaren about why she’s “still not tired of striking”—but is getting close.

💸 The province announced changes to rules around pensions—as of April 1 Nova Scotians aged 55 and up have a one-time option of taking out a lump sum of up to 50% of their funds when transferring to a life income fund.

🥾 A Nova Scotians woman considered marking her successful cancer treatment 70th birthday by hiking the Santiago El Camino in Europe, but then she discovered an option closer to home—the Island Walk on PEI.

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