SALT by SaltWire.com

salt

BY S A LT W I R E .COM

14

OUT ON THE ICE

Mussels make the ice a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ players, allies and hockey beginners WHO'S BEHIND SOBER CITY? I WHY ARE WE MAD ABOUT THE COMMONS? I WEEKLY CROSSWORD PUZZLES

THURSDAY, FEB. 13, 2020

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

2

THE PITCH

ASK YOUR NEIGHBOUR

Hello! Thank you for being a curious human who saw something new in the wild and picked up our new labour of love, SALT. Whether you’re flipping through these pages in a café or from the comfort of your favourite chair, we’re so thankful you gave us a chance.

First impressions count for a lot, so here we are putting our best foot forward in an attempt to reflect what the community has told us they want.

SALT by SaltWire.com is an urban weekly publication that shares news with meaning.

We’re here to deliver more local storytelling that connects the dots and answers “why does this matter?” When we asked the simple question: “What’s missing in media today?” we heard one sentiment on repeat, which was, “I want to feel hopeful about the city I’m trying so hard to love.”

Yes! More optimism, more solutions and a better understanding of the why behind the issues making headlines each day — what’s not to love?

To bring this concept to life, we’re starting with a razor-sharp editorial focus that aspires to provoke the kind of thought and action that betters our community. Reading it should leave you energized for change, for conversation, for action.

The goal is to catch you up quickly on the best stories from the last week and the bottom-line details of the most critical conversations shaping our world today. It’s a way to get engaged with what’s happening, without adding another engagement to your calendar. And through all of that, we want to leave you feeling energized, sometimes inspired and never filled with despair.

SALT is not a publication that talks at its readers, but rather, with. From day one, the SALT team will be in an active and ongoing conversation with the people who read it, constantly asking: does this work for you and how can we keep getting better?

SALT is here for the people of Halifax and how the storytelling in these pages evolves week over week will be done in direct consultation with you, the brave reader who saw something new on the rack and picked it up. The only cost to you is a cup of your favourite warm beverage and 20 minutes of screen-free, ping-free, message-free time. We hope you enjoy!

THROWBACK MAY 1986: Grade 5 student Jason Angle, left, and classmate Cindy Campbell, third left, from Central Spryfield School, look over some books being sent to the New Hampshire school of Christa McAuliffe, the teacher killed in the January 28, 1986 explosion of the space shuttle Challenger.

With them are teacher Ernestine MacDonald, second left, and Bea Luther, right, a Halifax representative of the Consulate General of the United States of America.

— The Chronicle Herald File Photo

WHAT’S GOING ON AT THE CORNER OF

OXFORD AND BAYERS?

THE SITE The 1.8-hectare property at the north end of Oxford Street at the intersection with Bayers Road used to be the RCMP’s Halifax-area headquarters.

The Mounties moved out a few years ago, and Canada Lands Company — the federal government’s real estate arm — took over. Canada Lands recently started demolishing the second of two buildings at the site to get it ready for sale.

THE PLAN Canada Lands creates development concepts for former government lands and then sells off the properties to developers.

It’s also handling Shannon Park in Dartmouth.

After public consultation on this site, it landed on a concept for up to 500 residential units in five buildings, ranging from four to 25 storeys in height.

THE PROBLEM The Centre Plan — the set of land-use planning documents approved by Halifax Regional Municipality’s council in the fall after years of delays — only allows six storey buildings on the site. There’s a special process available to a developer for big properties like this one, but it wouldn’t make much difference: only one extra storey.

WHAT’S NEXT Canada Lands’ senior director of real estate in Atlantic Canada, Chris Millier, says there are no plans to try to loosen the development rules before selling the property. Millier hopes to have it on the market by the summer.

Zane Woodford is a Halifax-based reporter for SALT and SaltWire.com

3

Thursday, February 13, 2020 • salt

inside

WANNA KNOW WHO’S BEEN ON THE TEAM SO FAR?

This is the start of something new.

And, with your help, we hope it will always stay new.

That’s because we see this publication as an ongoing, always-on conversation and collaboration with you. It’s an approach we baked into SALT from day one. So far, that’s included:

79 763 46 12 8

Alfred Burgesson HFX Collective @alfredburgesson @hfxcollective

Arthur Gaudreau Halifax Retales @halifaxretales

Dr. Ashley Margeson Cornerstone Naturopathic Inc. @drashleymargeson

Colette O’Hara SaltWire @coletteohara

Colleen Cosgrove SaltWire @cozgroove

Dave Culligan threesixfive Media Inc. @dave.culligan

Grant Ruffinengo HFX Collective @gruffinengo

Jenn Hoegg SaltWire @jennhoegg

Jennifer Crawford MasterChef Canada Winner @jennifer.e.crawford

Katelyn Bellefontaine Elegant Productions Planning & Design @elegantproduction

Katelyn Bourgoin Growth Strategist @katebourgoin

Michelle Leard SaltWire @michelle_leard

Mike Kennedy Systems thinking CPA @mikekennedyhfx

Razvan Luca Trampoline @razvan_luca

Zane Woodford SaltWire @zwoodford

ideas that the community suggested during concept development ratings of those ideas to help us figure out the best ones Haligonians who came together to dream up SALT’s initial prototype Halifax thought leaders who evaluated and tested prototypes versions tossed out during the feedback process

When you know better, you do better. So we hope you never stop telling us what you want to see more of or less of, how you’d like SALT to be different than or the same as. Lay it on us. You’re officially on the team.

Got a nugget of wisdom for us? How can we make SALT more meaningful for you? Text this code 499-353-377 to the phone number 728-55. You’ll be taken to a feedback tool where you can give us what you’ve got. Prefer snail mail or DMs? Find us @saltwire_network or saltwire.com Message and data rates may apply. You’ll receive responses to any messages you send, and up to 3 messages total to keep you up-to-date with this exchange. Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. For our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, go to https://terms.thoughtexchange.com

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

4

THIS WEEK IN HEADLINES 1 2

3 4

HONOURING NO. 2 CONSTRUCTION BATTALION: Ready to fight for their country, young men showed up at recruitment centres during the First World War, only to be turned away because of the colour of their skin. These men went on to make up the No. 2 Construction Battalion — also known as the Black Battalion — a non-combative unit. Douglas Ruck, whose father Senator Calvin Ruck wrote a book on the battalion, will be the one to share their story during a presentation at the Colchester Historeum in Truro.

Info: colchesterhistoreum.ca Source: Lynn Curwin, SaltWire’s Truro News BYLECTIONS FOR TWO RIDINGS SET FOR MARCH 10 Premier Stephen McNeil announced Feb. 6 that two byelections will be held March. In Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River, NDP MLA Lenore Zann (pictured), resigned her seat Sept. 12 to run for the Federal Liberals. The seat has been empty since.

Several candidates have registered for that riding, including: Ivan Drouin (Green); Allan Kennedy (Liberal); Kathleen Kevany (NDP); David Ritcey (PC) and Matthew Rushton (Independent) In Cape Breton Centre, NDP Tammy Martin announced in January her decision to leave politics for health reasons. So far only, only Liberal David Wilton is registered as a candidate.

Source: SaltWire’s The Chronicle Herald NALA WAS JUST TRYING TO GET SOME DOGGONE SUN In P.E.I., police had to tell Paul Buchanan three times that his dog, Nala, was sun-on the his home’s snow-topped roof. A sight none of the neighbour’s expected to see and consequently, had to photograph. Buchanan immediately called his wife, Cheryl Ramsay. Before her night shift, Ramsay was cleaning upstairs and cracked a window to enjoy the all-to-rare nice winter day. Nala found out the window could be pushed open and be used as a great way to get out and enjoy the sun on the roof.

“I never laughed so hard in my life,” said Ramsay. “You’d never believe it if you didn’t take pictures, but I guess the proof was there, you could see her paw prints.”

Source: Alison Jenkins, SaltWire’s Journal Pioneer

2020 EXPORTS TO CHINA HAMPERED BY CORONAVIRUS FEARS Nova Scotia’s exports to China ballooned to nearly a billion dollars last year.

Exports are up 25 per cent from $793 million in 2018 — well-beyond Nova Scotia’s $54 million in exports to China 10 years ago. But the viral outbreak has brought lobster exports to China “essentially to a halt” in just nine days, Stewart Lamont, managing director at Tangier Lobster on the Eastern Shore, Source: Brett Bundale, SaltWire

7903446

Thursday, February 13, 2020 • salt

5

Foodie’s dream 70+ RESTAURANTS AND 29 DAYS TO TRY THEM ALL HEADING OUT? DINE AROUND HIGHLIGHTS HALIFAX’S FOOD SCENE

STORY BY

}

Brandon Young

DATE NIGHT $20 lunch at Agricola Street Brasserie, 2540 Agricola St. (Tip: Sit at the bar for the people-watching and custom-to-order cocktails. If you want to talk flavour profiles and farm-to-table meals, these are your people.)

Press pause on your weight-loss resolutions, grab a few dollars and bring your appetite because we are about to EAT! The season of treat yourself begins now, and it’s brought to you by Dine Around, a month-long foodie event celebrating Halifax’s innovative culinary scene with specially-curated menus only available in February. In its third instalment, the event was launched by the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia as part of its Savour Food & Wine Festival. More than 70 restaurants are in — some of who will be donating to Feed Nova Scotia — so it’s going to be tough to avoid the pervasive temptation. Why not just give in?

Until Feb. 29 (that’s right — a extra day for Leap Year), the prices of appetizers, drinks and specialty meals at participating restaurants range from $10 to $50. Seafood specialties and comfort food to vegetarianfriendly and international cuisine, it’s the perfect time to discover the flavours of Halifax.

Geography shouldn’t deny you the opportunity to take a bite out of the delicious Haligonian culinary scene. If you know a far-away foodie, be sure to tell them about hotels offering discounted room rates during February, including Four Points, Marriott and The Lord Nelson.

Whether you’re a culinary savant, beverage buff or just someone looking to add a pinch of variety to the palette, February is for food.

LOCAL INGREDIENTS $30 two-course dinner at Edible Matters, 1345 Hammonds Plains Rd. (Tip: Taking transit? Hop on Route 213 from Mumford Terminal.)

HIDDEN GEM $20 lunch at Cafe Taiyaki 52, 2009 Brunswick St. (Tip: Prepare for the wind tunnel that is Brunswick Street and plan to shop Inkwell Modern Handmade Boutique & Letterpress Studio Inc., imbibe at 2 Crows Brewing Co. or throw an axe at HaliMac Axe Throwing.)

Want to know more?

Go to discoverhalifaxns.com/dinearound/ Brandon Young is a freelance writer with the SaltWire Network.

7903478

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

6

12 BUILDINGS, 1,500 HOMES AND THE TALLEST HARBOURSIDE BUILDING

New plans for Dartmouth development }

Zane Woodford

JUST TUNING IN?

The next phase of the King’s Wharf project in Dartmouth has been approved, including a controversial ramp over the train tracks and the tallest building on either side of the harbour.

Besides the ramp, there are concerns about sea level rise.

Construction is expected to start this year and the whole plan could be finished in seven to 10 years.

WHAT’S NEW?

At a meeting on Feb. 6, Halifax Regional Municipality’s Harbour East Marine Drive Community Council voted unanimously in favour of a new development agreement between the municipality and developer Francis Fares.

Dartmouth Coun. Sam Austin told reporters he felt the new design was a significant improvement over the 2008 development agreement.

WHAT’S THE PLAN?

• Fares can build more than a dozen buildings with up to 1,500 residential units and more than 27,000 square metres of commercial space in downtown Dartmouth next to the four existing King’s Wharf buildings.

• That’s the same density as before, but plans are updated for the current market.

• 1.5 km of new boardwalk and two public parks.

• The exact form of the buildings will be decided later.

• The tallest of the buildings, to be located at the end of the infilled point of King’s Wharf Place, is capped at 120 metres — equal to nearly 40 storeys.* The next tallest are two 24-storey buildings. * For comparison, Fenwick Tower is 32 storeys.

WHY ARE TRAINS A PROBLEM?

Eleven people spoke at the public hearing, many of them living in one of the four current King’s Wharf

We feel that the new vision for King’s Wharf, which is crafted with people, not cars, as first in mind, will dramatically increase vibrancy in the downtown and help combat expensive and unsustainable ex-urban sprawl” - King’s Wharf planner Sean Day

buildings. Their most common gripe? A second The property is built right on top of the harbour, access ramp. using infill. (Remember when hurricane Dorian’s storm King’s Wharf only has one way in and out and surge had the “Dartmouth” letters on the site floating?) that’s across train tracks. When a train stops on the tracks, access is blocked. In order to build even one WHAT’S NEXT? more residential unit on the site, Fares is required Fares said work on the next two buildings — a to build a secondary access for emergency vehicles 24-storey apartment building and a 12-storey that won’t be blocked by a train. The original plan condominium building — will start the next few was a spiral ramp over the tracks that allowed months. The ramp will need to be finished first. access for residents in vehicles.

Zane Woodford is a Halifax-based reporter for SaltWire.com The new plan is for a bridge over the tracks, zane.woodford@saltwire.com but residents won’t be permitted to drive over it, only walk or cycle.

One of the first to move in, current King’s Wharf resident Alex Handyside said he expected there Purchase one entrée and 2nd person’s entrée is FREE! to be a full second 2nd entrée must be equal or lesser in value. access point once the Payment by Credit or Debit. development was done.

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

King’s Wharf planner Sean Day argued this Dine in only. isn’t a development for Not valid for groups of 10 or more. cars. Fares told reporters Beverage purchase required. that his team tried every possible scenario before When you present this coupon. Expires February 16/2020. Maximum Value $29 landing on this access *Not valid February 14th ramp.

Others at the meeting brought up sea-level rise.

7900535

STORY BY

Thursday, February 13, 2020 • salt

7

NOVA SCOTIA KNO S BEER. NO NOVA VAWS SCOIT SCOTIA TIA The rest oWS f Canada reesBEER. ! NEER. ova Scotia’s top selling craft beer, Nine KNOWS KNO ITagS ITS B

Locks Dirty Blonde, is s omething special. We’re proud to have brought

The Th e me rest restt th res of eCanada of Canada Cana ana agrees! ag rees! es Nova Nova ov Scotia’s Scoti Sco co a’heat s top top selling se selli lling ng cr craf afrt t beer, bheer, bee Nine Nine ho broda nzagre em ed! al ina th e tia’ W Bee r, craft No Ar,me rican Style Locks cks D cks Dirty ty Bl Blonde, onde, isis s omething onde, omething hing special. spec spec We’re e’re proud e’re proud to have pro have br brought gh cate tegor y from m the Canadi dian Brewers Awards ds & Conferen ence. Cheers home the the b bronze medal in the Wheat Beer, r, North American Style totegor one whCanadian o’snadi s dian up ed rs usAwards dur aence ma ng category ca cate teeve goryyryfrom from fro ro m the the Ca Cana di anpo Brrtewe Brewe Aw Awar arin dsg&thes Confer Conf onfeeren en cezi ce. . Cheers C Che hefir heer erst s four years.

Brewers Conference. to everyone who’s s upported us during these amazing first four years.

ninelocksbrewing.ca ninelocksbrewing. ca ninelocksbrewing.ca ninelocksbrewing.

7905658

SUPER AUCTION APRIL 1, 2020 • HOMBURG CENTRE

Date & Time: Wednesday, April 1, 2020 @ 5:30pm • Place: Homburg Centre, Saint Mary's University Tickets: $99 each // $950 for table of 10 Purchase Tickets Online at www.smuhuskies.ca @smuhuskies

7905660

The 22nd Annual Huskies SUPER Auction is coming up so get your tickets now.

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

8

Smaller, closer and more social?

She partnered with Lululemon to offer free community classes, and developed her own app-based fitness class — HIIT with Hannah (highintensity interval training) before leaving her job to become a full-time fitness instructor. She opened Move East in November and is holding a grand opening on Saturday.

“What I love is having a room full of people that I can develop relationships with and get to know personally.”

It’s a cold January morning, and Natalie MacMillan doesn’t feel like going to the gym.

When she belonged to a big box gym downtown, the excuses piled up quickly: It’s inconvenient. It’s impersonal. It’s boring.

“I just never went,” says MacMillan, a university student in Halifax. “The 20-minute walk was a real barrier for me, and the classes weren’t great.”

Then she joined Move East, a new boutique gym in her neighbourhood, and the excuses stopped.

WHAT? The boutique fitness industry is booming in Atlantic Canada, with new small-scale gyms popping up across the region. The smaller studios emphasize group exercise and unique, specialized workouts often paired with carefully curated music playlists.

Although competition is tough as the market becomes increasingly saturated, each gym tends to hone-in on a particular niche – like kickboxing, cycling, Pilates or yoga.

WHY? Boutique gyms offer a lifestyle that values community. They’re tapping into the so-called experience economy, a term coined in a Harvard Business Review article more than 20 years ago but

STORY BY

}

SaltWire Network

increasingly used to describe millennial consumer trends.

“We know from the research that individuals are more likely to stick to exercise if they exercise with others as it creates a sense of accountability,” says Lori Dithurbide, an assistant professor in kinesiology and sport psychology at Dalhousie University.

She says smaller gyms may also provide members with a more personal approach and social atmosphere.

YES, BUT “A one-month membership ranges from roughly $120 to $180 at a small studio – about double the average of $60 to $75 charged by large chain gyms.

“We’re trying to be as inclusive as we can with our classes and our pricing,” says Sonny Wilson, who recently opened up IronMatrix with Leanne McDow in Spryfield and Dartmouth and offers multiple membership options.

“We want people to be there because they want to be there.”

Brett Bundale is a Halifax-based journalist with the SaltWire Network. A version of this article was originally published Jan. 23, 2020.

Spoil Yourself Pretty

Valentine’s Day In store specials on select styles & sizes 7905097

Hannah Kovacs is a former competitive soccer player who got her fitness certification while working at a desk job in Toronto.

WHO?

WHY BOUTIQUE WORKOUT LOCALES ARE DRAWING LOCALS

5486 Spring Garden Road, Halifax 902-422-0161 lilyslingerie@hotmail.com

Thursday, February 13, 2020 • salt

9 IS THERE A LOT OF PRESSURE TO WHAT CAN BUSINESSES SOCIALIZE IN ALCOHOLIC AND ORGANIZATIONS ENVIRONMENTS? DO TO ATTRACT PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WANT TO Yeah, definitely. Drinking is ingrained in our culture here, BE AROUND ALCOHOL?

Sober City Story by Chris Muise

SOCIAL SAVVY Q&A

so much so that I think a lot of people don’t even realize how huge it is. Growing up, there was always a beer in the fridge.

That’s just normal for households to have that.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOUR WEBSITE SUGGESTS FOR PEOPLE TO DO THAT DOESN’T INVOLVE ALCOHOL?

WHO’S BEHIND @SOBERCITYHFX? Weddings, New Year’s Eve, parties — all punctuated with some sort of booze. Many of us don’t even notice. But those maintaining sobriety? They notice. Lee-Anne Richardson has been sober for nearly six years and she has launched a platform to help the sober — and sober-curious — find fun things to do in this city.

WHAT IS SOBER CITY HALIFAX?

The one and only place to get information about where to go and what you do when you’re newly sober in Halifax.

It’s mostly geared toward people who are … sober for life; but also geared towards people who are sober-curious, or just dabble.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START THIS PROJECT?

I got sober. March 2, it’s going to be six years. For the first year of sobriety, all I really had access to was oneon-one counselling and AA (Alcoholics Anonymous).

After the meeting was over, I wanted to stick around and talk to people and make new friends that were sober, talk about our struggles.

It felt lonely because I also had to avoid going to certain places, avoid certain friend circles, in order to stay sober.

Enter to win

My next post that I’ve been working on is actually how to have a sober Valentine’s Day. … I do have some other blog posts on different things to do around the city. I did restaurant reviews for their drinks menus…

I’m in the research phase; I have to come up with a really good list of where people can go for a date night … for people like me who quit for good because they have an actual addiction, suggestions I would give those people are going to be different from people who just abstain for a few weeks

First off, write the nonalcoholic drink options on the menu. When someone is newly-sober, they might be nervous to ask that question in front of people and might be sort of like outing themselves.

And just offer more events that more sober.

WE HAVE ALL THIS What can people do to support their sober friends and family?

Know that the sober person may leave early. Sometimes it gets too overwhelming for a sober person to be at an event, especially when people start to get drunker and drunker.

Just be okay with that, because that's a huge source of guilt for sober people.

(Also), people started to just stop inviting me places if there was alcohol involved. I come to find out I was missing a lot of things because the organizer assumed that I wouldn't go because there's alcohol.

Don't make that decision for somebody. Let them make that decision.

Chris Muise is a freelance writer with SaltWire.

1000 Tool Prize!

$

CUNARD CENTRE HALIFAX

CUNARD CENTRE HALIFAX

2020

MARCH 6-8

MARCH 6-8

#RealHomeShow2020 @therealhomeshow @nshomebuilders

Connect with us and share your Real Home Show experience!

Scan QR Code for Mibile Coupon

Friday 12pm-6pm

Saturday 10am-6pm

Sunday 10am-4pm

Admission: $6 (Reg $7) Seniors 65+: $5 (Reg $6) Children under 12 admitted FREE when accompanied by an adult.

chbans.ca.ca • 902.450.5554

7903779

✁

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

10

Empowering young women to explore careers in science, engineering, trades, and technology

“Techsploration shows young girls they can do aything they put their hearts and minds to. It taught me to be confident in myself.”

Victoria Henneberry Pipefitter Apprentice, Level 2 Irving Shipbuilding – Shelburne Ship Repair

Victoria Henneberry is a pipefitting apprentice and alumnus of the Techsploration program. She’s an incredible example of what can happen when you have community support and encouragement at a young age.

“Techsploration has gone from being a grassroots organization to being able to expand nationally, which is huge. It’s a testament not only to our program model, but to Nova Scotia as a community.”

– Arylene Reycraft, Executive Director

Techsploration works mostly with schools in rural areas, working closely with teachers, sponsors and industry partners to encourage young women to explore science, engineering, trades, and technology. Industry role models serve as mentors to young women across Nova Scotia.

“When a young woman is provided with the support she needs, it really is lifechanging.”

7900525

11

Thursday, February 13, 2020 • salt

WHY ARE WE MAD ABOUT…

THE PARKING GARAGE ON THE HALIFAX COMMON JUST CATCHING UP? It’s green space versus parking and province versus city in this debate.

WHAT IS THE HALIFAX COMMON?

It’s not just the baseball diamonds, the skating oval and the skate park. Originally granted “to and for the use of the inhabitants of the Town of Halifax as Commons forever” by King George III in 1763, the Halifax Common stretched along Robie Street from Cunard Street to South Street — 95 hectares in total.

Over the years, the city sold some of the land for people to build on and gave up other sections for public uses (think schools, hospitals and a graveyard.)

The provincial government owns some of the land, including where Museum of Natural History and its parking lot are on Summer Street.

WHAT’S PROPOSED?

The provincial government is spending $2 billion to redevelop the QEII Hospital to update the aging building and make room for more beds. The plan?

A hospital parkade on Robie Street., near the emergency room, will be demolished.

What will replace the parking? The province says space in the museum’s parking lot, across the street from the QEII, as its preferred location for a sevenstorey, 900-spot, $29.5 million parking garage.

About 60 per cent of the land needed is provincial; the other 40 per cent belongs to the city.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

Coun. Waye Mason, whose district includes all Halifax Common lands south of Cogswell Street, is fighting the garage because it will displace the Bengal Lancers’ horse riding school’s paddock and encroach on the Wanderers Grounds’s driveway.

Mason argues the former Queen Elizabeth High School site at the corner of Robie Street and Bell Road or the former CBC site on Bell Road are better locations. Premier Stephen McNeil has accused Mason of misinforming constituents, sparking a war

of words — and tweets — between the two representatives.

Along with the parking garage, tender documents show plans for a power plant on the corner of Summer Street and Bell Road. That land, which is green space, belongs to the province. Labi Kousoulis, the Liberal MLA for the area, says no one uses that land.

Protesters hosted a picnic there in response.

Local advocacy group Friends of the Halifax Common says less than one third of the original Common land is still green space, and at least 20 per cent of the space is already being used for parking.

WHAT’S NEW?

Halifax regional council passed a motion Feb. 11 that could lead to a compromise. After a late-night meeting between municipal and provincial staff last week, they came up with an idea: to move the parking garage to the other side of Summer Street.

The municipality would narrow the street to give the province more land on the side of the hospital, making room for the parking garage and the power plant on that property, rather than next to the museum.

Whether the street would be reduced to a one-way and other details still have to be nailed down, and

STORY BY

}

Zane Woodford

Mason said it’s far from a done deal, but he’s optimistic. The request for proposals for the parkade’s design and construction closes March 5 and then the process of choosing the winning contractor could take months.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? If you’re mad or if you’re pro-parkade you can call or email your political representatives to tell

them. The premier’s and MLAs’ contact info can be found at nslegislature.ca/members/ profiles. The mayor’s and councillors’ info is at halifax.ca/city-hall/districts-councillors. You can also get involved with Friends of the Halifax Common at halifaxcommon.ca, and there’s a petition at bit.ly/2v0w9kn.

See the Common Master Plan at shapeyourcity.halifax.ca Have questions about the Commons or the hospital redevelopment project? Email us at salt@saltwire.com Zane Woodford is a Halifax-based journalist for SaltWire.com Zane.Woodford@saltwire.com

open ice

12

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

STORY BY

}

COLIN HOOD

WHAT IS MORE LIKELY - THAT EVERY PLAYER OF THOUSANDS IS STRAIGHT? OR THAT SOMETHING IN THE CULTURE OF HOCKEY MAKES THE PERCEIVED COST OF COMING OUT TOO GREAT? The NHL, and hockey at large, is just starting to reckon with the consequences of its culture. In Halifax, there is a league trying to create a space where there aren’t barriers to break.

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN The Halifax Mussels were conceived by Chuck Dauphinee in 2017 as a league that was not just tacitly, but explicitly open to LGBTQ+ players, allies and others who felt like outsiders to the hockey world “I myself am none of those letters, but I support all the values,” says current league chairman Scott Sears says.

He’s intent on carrying Dauphinee’s vision forward.

“Chuck supported a positive environment for beginners. To me, the values overlap. The bottom line

is that it’s hockey. Everybody loves hockey. And we just wanted a supportive environment where people could feel comfortable.”

At the best of times, hockey has a high barrier to entry. It requires much more equipment than basketball or soccer. You have to learn how to skate.

A lot of time and a lot of money invested just to walk into the rink. Add to that the anxiety of stepping into a room with 20 strangers.

“When we have a new person walk in the room, our captains engage them as soon as they walk in the dressing room. We introduce each other. We talk.

We joke with them,” says Sears. “It’s a really different bench on the Mussels bench. Our captains are not based on skill, they’re based on how they act, how they encourage other people.”

FINDING THEIR GAME Mussels players are linked by their love of hockey and their support for each other. How they come to the game, and what they do outside it doesn’t factor into that acceptance. Defenceman Mike Roy — who also plays a little left wing — is in his first season with the Mussels.

“The reason why I wanted to get involved is because it was a queer-friendly league,” says Roy. “I am queer myself, so it felt like a safe space to get into a new sport that I never really got a chance to play growing up.”

Roy remembers adolescent locker rooms with insecurity and awkwardness manifesting in jokes at the expense of others’ sexuality or physicality. In the Mussels, he has found an alternative.

Thursday, February 13, 2020 • salt

13 players and they’re just so happy to be there. They’re not ignored, and I think that’s very important as a beginner, to keep passing them the puck and giving them a chance.”

A CLEAN SHEET OF ICE Halifax Mussels runs off a core of 40 regulars with 160 signed up as spares. They started with a single ice time Saturday nights at Forum and added Thursday nights at Centennial. Sears, along with Kevin Schulz and the rest of the board, are hoping to add ice times and possibly bring in paid coaching.

Martin sees hope in the next generation.

“I think there’s a huge shift in the mentality of teenagers,” she says. “Right before the age of 18,

“Finding a league that centred the experiences of queer people, it seemed like the locker room culture would be a lot better. We have multiple locker rooms that we use every week, and you can sift in and out between them. So, if you’re female or nonbinary and you want space, you’re able to have it.”

Kendra Ann Martin, also on defence, grew up with hockey. Playing on women’s teams, she didn’t feel the sense of otherness that Roy encountered in the locker room. As an experienced player, her focus is on helping new skaters develop.

“There’s been other lesbians on the teams that I’ve played with before, so it wasn’t an issue,” says Martin.

“We’re all there to play a sport that we love, so there’s a lot of support that way. There’s a lot of new

says Roy. “People can feel accepted whether they have insecurities about their weight, their hair, who they’re dating, what they’re into.

“Wherever you identify on the gender or sexuality spectrum, you’re welcome there.”

Colin Hodd is a freelance writer based in Dartmouth.

WHY MUSSELS? The name and logo were chosen so the team could be identified with imagery that was clever, nonderogatory and gender neutral, as well as distinctly Maritimes-themed.

“We thought the name Mussels would give people the idea of building muscles as well as mussels in

“It’s a really different bench on the Mussels bench. Our captains are not based on skill, they’re based on how they act, how they encourage other people.” — Scott Sears when a teenager is trying to deal with their sexuality, that may be the time when they would back out of hockey because of the culture. Teens are now changing the way they look at sexuality and being more open.”

In the present, Roy says he believes the league’s strength is how open it is to a broader cross-section of the community than conventional beer leagues.

“I think that’s why something like the Mussels has been so welcomed and embraced by so many people,”

a shell, and it’s fitting because now our slogan is ‘Come out of your shell,’” Charles Dauphinee said last September.

“I felt there was something that was missing in a lot of adult sports; there wasn’t a lot of back-to-basics practices and stuff, which is why we started off with skill sessions covering skating, turning, edgework, all the way up to passing and shooting drills and goalie sessions,” Charles Dauphinee.

“We wanted to make sure people were ready enough to play, during the season we brought in guest athletes and coaches that I’ve worked with.”

“What we try to do as a team is make sure everyone gets in on the game play, and get chances to score a goal,” says Dauphinee.

Adapted from The Chronicle Herald reporter, Stephen Cooke.

GET INVOLVED instagram.com/hfxmussels/ halifaxmussels.weebly.com facebook.com/HFXMussels/

PHOTOS (from left): Kendra Ann Martin, Mike Roy and Scott Sears. Photos by Zane Woodford.

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

14

WHAT’S GOING ON FORTNIGHT

4

PUT THESE IN YOUR PHONE CALENDAR NOW SO YOU DON’T MISS OUT.

FEB 23 The Atlantic Jewish Film Festival Encore Presentation of Golda’s Balcony at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. 1:15 p.m. Buy your tickets in advance to save a bit. $14 adults, $12 students and seniors. $15 at the door. Info: ajfcc.ca FEB 27 The TD Halifax Jazz Festival celebrates African Heritage Month with its 4th annual concert at Halifax North Memorial Library – featuring: Yohvn Blvck. 7:30 p.m. Free Info: halifaxjazzfestival.ca/events FEB 28 The 17th Annual Savour Food and Wine Festival: Part 3 – Rare and Fine Wine Tasting at the Casino Nova Scotia Compass Room, Casino Nova Scotia. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets $119. 19 and over.

Info: savourfoodandwine.com FEB 28 TO MARCH 1 The Halifax Black Film Festival. Films, parties and panels. Various locations and prices.

Info: halifaxblackfilm.com

Feb 14-17

Feb 14

Feb 14

Feb 15-16

FRIDAY TO MONDAY Sackville Snow Days Festival Embrace the cold this February long weekend with the Sackville Snow Days Festival presented by the Sackville Business Association. Among the items on the agenda is snowshoeing at the Kinsmen Community Centre (71 First Lake Dr.) winter play day activities at Acadia Park ( 650 Sackville Dr.) and a chili taste off.

FRIDAY Jenn Grant at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium This P.E.I native’s soulful melodies make this the perfect addition to your Valentine’s Day plans. Come out and experience her live in Halifax at the intimate Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, 6101 University Ave. Tickets are $31.50 to $36.50

FRIDAY Willie Stratton Live at the New Scotland Brewing Co. Music Nova Scotia’s 2019 Entertainer of The Year, this mighty tall glass of water stands with one foot in the land of sing-songwriter ballads and the other in rippin’ honkytonk tunes. The New Scotland Brewing Co. (91 Alderney Dr.) welcomes Haligonian Stratton over to Dartmouth with open arms and empty stomachs for an evening of food, drink and foot-tapping good times.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY Symphony Nova Scotia Presents: Family Series — Black is Beautiful.

The annual African Heritage month performance is set for Saturday at the Black Cultural Centre in Cherry Brook (10 Cherry Brook Rd.) at 3 p.m. and then at 1:30 or 3 p.m. Sunday at the Canadian Immigration Museum at Pier 21 (1055 Marginal Rd.) Come hear the greats — like Duke Ellington, Whitney Houston, Chevalier St. Georges and Jimi Hendrix — remembered in true Symphony NS style. Free, but register online to secure a seat.

Info: sackvillebusiness.com/snowdays

Info: dal.ca/dept/arts-centre.html jenngrant.com

Info: newscotlandbrewing.ca

Info: symphonynovascotia.ca

Feb 20 THURSDAY Savour Food and Wine Festival: Food and Wine Show We’re a little province with a big appetite. Come immerse yourself in Nova Scotia’s diverse and expansive culinary scene next Thursday at Part 2 of the 17th annual Savour Food and Wine Festival. The evening will feature 70 of the best and brightest restaurants, wines and beverages our peninsula has to offer. Admission is $95 and you must be 19 or over. Halifax Convention Centre (1650 Argyle St.) from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Info: savourfoodandwine.com

Thursday, February 13, 2020 • salt

15

WHAT’S GOING ON Planning for Heritage Day?

4

family-friendly options in the HRM

1 SLIDE THROUGH AFRICVILLE What could be more fun that a sledding party? Africville will be hosting one for the whole family on the hill in Africville, complete with hot chocolate to warm up chilly bellies. The fun begins at 10 a.m. and goes until noon. While there, you can visit the replica of the community church that serves as a museum on the Africville site and view the displays. There will be a special announcement about the original church bell at 11 a.m. with a reception held afterwards.

2

3

ZATZMAN SPORTSPLEX Anniversary Celebration.

It’s been one year since the newly-renovated sportsplex opened and a Heritage Day party celebration is planned to mark the occasion. There will be a free family skate as well as bouncy castles in the gym. Make sure you grab a slice of cake while you’re there and check out Kitchen Door’s hot chocolate station (mmmm‌ marshmallows). It runs from 9 to 11 a.m.

Info: zatzmansportsplex.com

Info: africvillemuseum.org

VISIT A MUSEUM Out of town, the Museum of Industry in Stellarton is hosting the 800-square-foot travelling exhibit A Walk Through Africville. There will also be space for children to do paintings inspired by the exhibit and basket maker Clara Gough will show how baskets are woven in the distinctive Black Nova Scotian tradition. Visitors can weave a small woven paper craft to take home. Ross Farm in New Ross is also open. In HRM, the Museum of Natural History and Maritime Museum of the Atlantic are open with free admission.

Info: museum.novascotia.ca

4 MEET A FARMER Cole Harbour Place is hosting a special event to meet farmers across Nova Scotia. It will showcase some of the agricultural history of the province and feature some taste testing of smoothies and apple varieties and a chance to talk to farmers one-on-one. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A free skate (with hot chocolate) will run from 12 to 1 p.m.

Info: coleharbourplace.com

2for1

EntrĂŠe Offer! "vviĂ€ >ÂŤÂŤÂ?ˆiĂƒ ĂŒÂœ Ă€i`ÂˆĂŒ >Ă€` E iLÂˆĂŒ ÂŤĂ•Ă€VÂ…>Ăƒi œ˜Â?Þ° "vviĂ€ >ÂŤÂŤÂ?ˆiĂƒ ĂŒÂœ Ă€i`ÂˆĂŒ >Ă€` E iLÂˆĂŒ ÂŤĂ•Ă€VÂ…>Ăƒi œ˜Â?Þ°

"vviĂ€ >ÂŤÂŤÂ?ˆiĂƒ ĂŒÂœ Ă€i`ÂˆĂŒ >Ă€` E iLÂˆĂŒ ÂŤĂ•Ă€VÂ…>Ăƒi œ˜Â?Þ°

When you present this coupon. Maximum Value $30.00 *Ă•Ă€VÂ…>Ăƒi œ˜i iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€ji >ĂŒ > >ĂŒ Ă€i}Ă•Â?>Ă€ ÂŤĂ€ÂˆVi >˜` Ă“Â˜` , t *Ă•Ă€VÂ…>Ăƒi œ˜i iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€ji > Ă€i}Ă•Â?>Ă€ ÂŤĂ€ÂˆVi >˜` Ă“Â˜`ÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜Â˝Ăƒ ÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜Â˝Ăƒ iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€ji iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€ji ÂˆĂƒÂˆĂƒ , t

Purchase one entrĂŠe atÂ“Ă•ĂƒĂŒ a regular price and 2nd person’s Ă“Â˜` iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€ji Li i¾Õ>Â? ÂœĂ€ Â?iĂƒĂƒiĂ€ ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆÂ˜Ă›>Â?Ă•i° ˆ˜ œ˜Â?Þ° œ˜Â?Þ° entrĂŠe is FREE! Ă“Â˜` iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€ji Â“Ă•ĂƒĂŒ Li i¾Õ>Â? ÂœĂ€ Â?iĂƒĂƒiĂ€ Ă›>Â?Ă•i° ˆ˜i

ˆ˜i ˆ˜ 2nd entrĂŠe be equal or>Â˜Ăž lesser in value. in only. ÂœĂŒmust 6>Â?ˆ` ˆ˜ Vœ“Lˆ˜>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ ÂœĂŒÂ…iĂ€ `ÂˆĂƒVÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒĂƒ] ĂƒÂŤiVˆ>Â?Ăƒ Dine ÂœĂ€ ÂœĂŒ 6>Â?ˆ` ˆ˜ Vœ“Lˆ˜>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ ĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂœÂˆĂŒÂ… >Â˜Ăž ÂœĂŒÂ…iĂ€ `ÂˆĂƒVÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒĂƒ] ĂƒÂŤiVˆ>Â?Ăƒ ÂœĂ€ÂœvviĂ€ĂƒÂ° ÂœvviĂ€ĂƒÂ° *Ă•Ă€VÂ…>Ăƒi œ˜i iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€ji > Ă€i}Ă•Â?>Ă€ ÂŤĂ€ÂˆVi >˜` Ă“Â˜` ÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜Â˝Ăƒ iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€ji ÂˆĂƒĂ“ , t iĂ›iĂ€>}i ÂŤĂ•Ă€VÂ…>ĂƒiĂƒ Ă€iÂľĂ•ÂˆĂ€i` ĂŒÂœ Ă€iViÂˆĂ›i Ă“vÂœĂ€ vÂœĂ€ÂŁÂŁ Ă?ÂŤÂˆĂ€Ăž\ >˜° x]x]ÓäÓä Offer>ĂŒapplies to Credit Card & Debit purchase only.

Beverage iĂ›iĂ€>}i ÂŤĂ•Ă€VÂ…>ĂƒiĂƒ Ă€iÂľĂ•ÂˆĂ€i` ĂŒÂœ Ă€iViÂˆĂ›i Ă?ÂŤÂˆĂ€Ăž\ >˜° ÓäÓä purchases Ă“Â˜` iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€ji Â“Ă•ĂƒĂŒ Lito i¾Õ>Â? ÂœĂ€ Â?iĂƒĂƒiĂ€ ˆ˜ Ă›>Â?Ă•i°

ˆ˜i ˆ˜Feb. œ˜Â?Þ° 16, 2020 *Not valid February 14th required receive 2 for 1 Expiry: ÂœĂŒ 6>Â?ˆ` ˆ˜ Vœ“Lˆ˜>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ ĂœÂˆĂŒÂ… >Â˜Ăž ÂœĂŒÂ…iĂ€ `ÂˆĂƒVÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒĂƒ] ĂƒÂŤiVˆ>Â?Ăƒ ÂœĂ€ ÂœvviĂ€ĂƒÂ° iĂ›iĂ€>}i ÂŤĂ•Ă€VÂ…>ĂƒiĂƒ Ă€iÂľĂ•ÂˆĂ€i` ĂŒÂœ Ă€iViÂˆĂ›i902 Ă“ vÂœĂ€ 421 ÂŁ Ă?ÂŤÂˆĂ€Ăž\ x] ÓäÓä 6161 >˜° • MCKELVIES.COM

7905074

7900658

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

16

SSweetheart

Save Up To

50% OFF

SAVINGS S

Diamond

HEART PENDANTS FROM

$

YOUR CHOICE

9999

$

SAVE

50 0

$

was $149999 .10 ctw S/S

NOW

Square 1171180 Round 1163482

was $29999 .25 ctw S/S 1173998

SAVE

$

40 0

9 499

$

249 2

NOW

99

$

was $999 .50 ctw 10K WG 1154790

SAVE AVE

50

$

SAVE

200

$

499

NOW $

649

was 849 $

NOW

99

$ SAVE

500

$

999

was $1,399 .50 ctw 10K 0K WG W 1170708 08

.50 ctw 10K WG 1167203

SAVE

4 400

$

NO OW

NOW W $

SAVE

400

$

$

9999

9999

was $1,39 ,399 K YWG 10K Y 1169895

was $11,3399 10K WRG G 1162167

1 carat

1 carat

OF DIAMONDS

OF DIAMONDS

FIND A STORE NEAR YOU

crescentgold-diamonds.com/store-locator

Proudly Atlantic Canadian Owned & Operated 7905100

17

Thursday, February 13, 2020 • salt

MAN UP!

ACROSS 1 ___ Olay 6 National Park in Alberta 11 Brynner of “The King and I” 14 Stripe-legged African grazer 15 Love, in Longueuil 16 Olympic team in red, white and blue 17 Low piano part?

18 Tot’s Pops 19 Ring thing 20 Get off one’s chest, maybe 21 Stinking rich or stinking drunk 23 One of two choices 24 Much higher 26 Feeds the pigs 28 Stick in the barbecue 30 Wraps in Charmin, briefly 32 Put on the payroll

by Barbara Olson © ClassiCanadian Crosswords

35 “I ___ to tell you this, but ...”

36 N.Y. Mets’ div.

37 Take a piece off?

38 ___ Kosh B’Gosh 39 Lager lover’s waist material?

41 Shop-___ (suction tool brand) 42 Dull-as-dishwater type 44 Wander idly 45 Mrs. Mulroney 46 Cry before “and a bottle of rum” 47 Apocrypha bk.

48 Tartan-clad gal 49 Cartographer’s rights?

51 Bumped off, biblically 53 Psychic’s reading material, maybe 55 “It was my best attempt” 57 Some CFL positions 60 Thurman of “Pulp Fiction”

PUZZLE NO. 752

LEVEL: BEGINNER

61 Singer Buffy Sainte-___ 62 Susan Dey court series 64 French name 65 Does’ dears 66 Johnny Cash’s “___ Man” 67 “Keystone” figure 68 Just starting in 69 On a large scale, in Trump-speak HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line.

You already have a few numbers to get you started.

Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.

DOWN 1 Klutz’s utterance 2 Maker of the Micke desk 3 Nickname of Florence Nightengale 4 Gretel’s grandpa 5 Future mare

6 One who ruins it for everybody 7 Make ___ dash for 8 Bumps on a log, e.g.

9 What Pierre Trudeau famously claimed he said instead of the F word 10 Baby bass 11 It was flown at Sarajevo’s Olympics, 1984 12 Instruction manual target 13 Mary’s little ovine 22 Be a better bargainer 23 iPhone extras 25 Broke a fast 27 Leave out 28 Ostentatious 29 1990s Toyota model 31 Red ___ (Mountie jacket)

33 Vocal tests 34 Some fitness centres 39 Scroogian outbursts 40 Most full of bluster 43 Go hither and yon 45 1051, on monuments 50 Milkshake-drinker’s need 52 Toss the script 53 Safety pin rock genre 54 “Here ___, there...’ (kids’ song refrain) 56 Capital of Latvia 58 Tear a strip off, with “out” 59 Influence, as an opinion 61 ISP with a butterfly logo 63 “___ was saying, ...”

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

18

Man Up! O

14

2

I

3

L

4

O

O

K

A

P

P

E

D

A

S

A

17 20

28

S

29

Y

24

25

W A

P

I

T

H

A

T

E

O

S

H

W E

T

35 38 42 46

Y

53

P

60

43

R

5

54

A

E

A

L

M

U M A

N

9

F

10

Y

O

A

D

U

P

T

P

N

L

B

E

E

A

G

L

Y

22

30 36

39

S

T

55

E

D

26

S E

T

A

D

S

D

S

L

R

I

E

56

51

I

T

M A

R

I

E

S

T

A

G

S

N

E W A

T

61

E M

L

R G U E

G

E M P S

62

L

O

B 34

Y

R M

V

A

C

M

I

L

A

L

A

S

S

45

A

D

33

A

A

48 52

L

S

S

O

13

U

19 23

U

P

L

32

I

44

16

12

O R

37 40

Y

A

27

D

G

S

D

S

31

47 50

D

11

F

A

68

P

8

D

L

21

67

O

A

R

65

N O M

7

A M O U

18

O H O H O 49

B

15

I

64

K

6

F

I

41

N

57

F

63

58

B

59

S

A

L

I

S

A W A

B

I

G

66 69

A W L

Y

7905123

1

by Barbara Olson © ClassiCanadian Crosswords

Thursday, February 13, 2020 • salt

19

REDUCE, REUSE, REFINISH

Secondhand is second nature WHAT’S HOT

While Milway tries to avoid following trends in her store, she says the “hot trend” for 2020 is maximalism. “It’s really all about mixing metals and mixing your periods. Having Victorian with Maude, and retro and antique together,” she says.

“It works really well for the vintage community.” She wants people to consider buying second hand, especially locally.

WHO TO FOLLOW

instagram.com/thecuriocollective/ instagram.com/whattheseoldthings/ instagram.com/ladyluckvintageshop instagram.com/refound_inc/ instagram.com/dillydallyeats/

A VINTAGE COMMUNITY Last year, Milway teamed up with Melanie Huntley, owner of Lady Luck Vintage, to create the Curio Collective – an “only vintage” show. They had four shows in 2019. “It really pulled the local vintage community together,” says Milway “We’re all so different.” What makes What, These Old Things? unique is her own sense of style and taste. She tries to have something for everyone.

Milway says she tries to paint a picture of how an item can be used in the home and give the best service she can. “I’ve become friends with a lot of my buyers,” she says.

TOP TIP Milway’s biggest tip for people looking to get into vintage collecting and selling is to never drive past a yard sale and always walk into a thrift shop.

“Always be on the hunt,” she says.

Kim Gardiner is a Halifax-based freelance writer.

Nova Scotia Heritage Day Monday February 17th Don’t forget your 2 for 1

Open 12noon - 10pm Brunch noon - 3pm Bring in this coupon and receive

2 for 1 Entrée

*

On Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays Valid Until February 25th, 2020

5136 Prince St.

*Beverage purchase required with each meal. 2nd entrée must be of equal or greater value. Not valid for take out, delivery or for 12 at Noon menu items.

Visit our website: www.oldtriangle.com

7903735

Brigid Milway has always been interested in antiques. The Dartmouth woman loved shopping and sees vintage shopping as a “whole other world.” Six years ago, she turned her hobby into an online store, What, These Old Things? She also sells her items out of the ReFound Shop and Dilly Dally café. “When people say, ‘what do you sell?’ it’s hard to explain because I have such an eclectic taste,” she says. “Anything that speaks to me. I don’t really put myself in too small of a box.” She tries to avoid thrift shopping locally. Instead, she drives around to acquire items from as far away as Montreal, Massachusetts and California. She also has customers who sell some items to her.

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

SMOOTH

SKATING

BY PAT HEALEY

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO MAKE FIRST TRIP TO THE OVAL FUN If you’re heading out on one of these nice, wintry days to lace up your skates and hit the ice at the Emera Oval on Halifax’s North Commons, here’s what to consider: Check that the oval is open and not closed for maintenance or for practice session by a speedskating team. The schedule for open skate times is on the oval’s website.

Plan where you’ll park.

Among the parking options, if you’re not wary of a little walking, is the Canadian Tire parking lot at Quinpool Centre, the far side of the Commons also usually has open spots available with a little walk required and parking is available on Cornwallis Street.

Most regulars advise that you bring your own skates.

There are some available for rent at the oval, but there can be long lines; if you have your own skates you just get laced up and go skating.

Helmets are mandatory for kids under 12.

You can rent those, too.

Go early in the day. The later in the day, the worse the ice is, according to one user.

If you do need to rent skates or other gear, make sure to bring a piece of ID with you. You will get it back when you return the rented equipment.

If you own expensive boots or sneakers, leave them at home.

Bring a backpack!

This is very important for holding on to your personal items.

Never leave anything unattended on the benches at the oval.

Dress warmly.

The Commons can get a good cross wind and it’s chilly.

Now for a treat: after you’re finished skating, walk on down to grab yourself some yummy Beaver Tails.

Pat Healey is a freelance journalist based in Enfield.

7905111

20

Thursday, February 13, 2020 • salt

21

#stormchips gone stale?

Check out our top 5 snow-day stops to warm up and fill up Think dorm room Mr. Noodles, but make it good.

Actually. make it great.

Since 2017, Water and Bone Ramen has been serving North Enders Japanese cuisine with local flare that they require, nay — deserve. Hot, savoury and calorically dense — ramen is just what the doctor ordered on any stormy Halifax day.

HENRY HOUSE The Drawing Room One of Halifax’s better kept secrets is the Drawing Room, located upstairs of Henry House and open Friday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight. The perfect storm day hideaway! The bar has with a selection of brews on tap, traditional stick-to-yourribs English inspired plates and mostly importantly — a proper fireplace to curl up next to.

ELLE’S BISTRO Sleeping in on a storm day is encouraged. The perfect complement to the storm-day sleep in? All day breakfast, of course. We trust one spot to get the job done – Elle’s Bistro. The impressively extensive all-day breakfast menu is offered with exposed brick and a warmly-lit dining room that’s just dim enough to cater to any slow-riser.

THE OLD APOTHECARY BAKERY AND CAFÉ This cafe can boast some of the city’s best breads and baked goods and has definitely got you covered for your obligatory storm coffee and carbs. We recommend the upstairs seating with its high ceilings and ‘60s décor; it’s the ideal place to perch and wait out the storm.

HALI DELI Old World Delicatessen: Seeming pre-21st Century, this traditional, old-school deli is like a trip home, but the food is better. The menu is extensive and everything delicious, but we won’t lie, the storm day move is the smoked meat sandwich on rye.

DJ Daw is a Haligonian studying business at Acadia University.

7905056

WATER AND BONE RAMEN

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

22

CLEAN UP IN A 2020 HONDA

52 0 0

$

2020 Civic Sedan DX 6MT from **

$

Down Payment

Weekly Lease

500

$

PLUS GET A

CIVIC BONUS

$

*

Security Deposit

OR FINANCE WITH

90 DAYS

NO PAYMENT

¥

†

Driving towards a sustainable future at every turn:1 PIONEERING LOW EMISSIONS CVCC ENGINES SINCE 1974 VEHICLES HAVE MAINTAINED 90% RECYLABILITY SINCE 2004 THE PRESS OF A BUTTON HIGH-EFFICIENCY ECON MODE ZERO WASTE-T0-LANDFILL MANUFACTURING

7905103

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

All offers are from Honda Canada Finance Inc., O.A.C. During the initial 2020 model launch period dealer order/trade may be required. Offers only valid for residents of Atlantic Canada and at partic. ipating Honda dealers located in Atlantic Canada. During the initial 2019 model launch period dealer order/trade may be required. In the provinces of NB/ NS/ NL/ PEI: Prices and/or payments shown do not include PPSA lien registration fee of $63/$70.75/$70/$59 respectively and lien registering agents fee of $6.50/$6.50/$6.50/$6.50 respectively which are both due at time of delivery. Based on 60 month term. **Weekly leases based on new 2020 Civic Sedan DX 6MT (FC2E2LEX) for 60 month term, OAC. Weekly payments are $52 for 60 months for a total of 260 payments with $0 down payment and a total lease obligation of $13,520 plus taxes. Payments include $1,655 freight and PDI. $0 security deposit required. First weekly payment due at lease inception. Lease rate is 1.99% APR. 100,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. License, insurance, applicable taxes, PPSA and registration are extra. Option to purchase at lease end for $7,908, plus taxes. *$500 Honda Bonus lease or finance dollars available on any new in-stock 2020 Civic Sedan (excluding SI, 5D, 2D, type R), OAC. Must be leased/financed through Honda Canada Finance Inc. (HCFI) and delivered by March 2, 2020. Honda Bonus can be combined with lease or finance rates advertised by HCFI, on approved credit, and will be deducted from the negotiated vehicle price after taxes. Offer ends March 2, 2020 and is subject to change or cancellation without notice. ¥: No payments for 90 days (payment deferral) offer is available on any new and unregistered 2020 Honda Civic Sedans financed through Honda Financial Services (on approved credit), and delivered at a participating Honda dealer, between January 3 to February 29, 2020. Monthly payments are deferred for 90 days from the start of the finance contact, and the term of the contract will be extended accordingly. Applicable interest charges will not accrue during the first 60 days of the contract. After 60 days applicable interest will start to accrue, and no later than 90 days from the start of the contract the purchaser will begin to repay principal and applicable interest over the scheduled term of the contract. Offer ends 29 February 2020 and is subject to change or cancellation without notice. 1: Visit hondacanada.ca/environment for details. †: Best selling car based on annual sales by category in Canada as reported January, 2020. All offers and conditions for a limited time only and subject to change without notice. Errors and omissions excepted. See your Honda dealer for full details.

23

Thursday, February 13, 2020 • salt

Why the property tax cap

kinda stinks

It looks like the property tax cap is here to stay, at least for now. Here’s why that’s bad news if you’re a first-time home buyer or a renter.

STORY BY

}

SaltWire Network

Most households overpay. It systematically

WHAT’S THIS CAP THING? Property taxes are based on the value of a property determined by not-for-profit Property Valuation Services Corporation.

This is your assessment. The tax rate, typically expressed as a percentage or in cents per $100 in value, is multiplied by the value to determine the municipal tax bill due.

In Nova Scotia, assessments are capped at a rate based on inflation.

For example, the value of a home may increase five per cent, but the increase in its taxable value is capped at 1.67 per cent: the average annual change in the consumer price index in the province over the last decade.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A HOUSE IS SOLD? The cap is lifted, and the assessment jumps way up to reflect the true value, not the capped one. That may mean an increase of 10 per cent or more.

Here’s an example: two identical houses, side-by-side on the same street. One has been owned by the same family for decades, benefiting from the cap since the policy was introduced. The other house recently sold, so the cap was lifted.

The new owners are facing a property tax bill much higher than their neighbours — despite living in a matching house, on the same street, receiving the same services.

WHAT IF I’M RENTING? Renters don’t pay property tax directly, but their landlords do, and there’s no cap. Apartment buildings are saddled with higher taxes in areas with increasing property values, while long-time homeowners keep their bills low. It’s one factor adding to a housing affordability crisis in Halifax.

overcharges properties that are more likely to house lower-income households

SO WHY IS THERE A CAP? In the early 2000s, buyers were scooping up seaside properties in Nova Scotia, sending market values — and property tax bills — through the roof.

With people on the brink of losing family homesteads and waterfront farms, the provincial government put the cap on surging assessments in 2005, backdating the change to 2001.

While it has protected homeowners from sudden and dramatic increases to their property tax bill, municipal officials say the cap has unintended consequences: eroding tax fairness and housing affordability.

WHAT’S THE LATEST? The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities struck an allparty committee to examine the issue, proposing that the province eliminate the cap over 13 years.

The committee finished up last week, agreeing to disagree, but expects to set dates for further meetings.

This article is condensed from work by Brett Bundale and Francis Campbell that appeared on SaltWire.com Nov. 6, 2019, and Feb. 4, 2020, respectively.

What questions do you have about property taxes?

Email us at salt@saltwire.com

FO R CO N V E R S AT I O N

I

FO R ACT I O N

I

FO R C H A N G E

and directs the benefits disproportionately to areas where you have very high income, a very high likelihood that most of the people receiving those benefits don’t really require them.”

— Neil Lovitt, real estate consultant at Turner Drake & Partners

salt • Thursday, February 13, 2020

24

COME VISIT OUR NEWLY RENOVATED SHOWROOM

38

th

ANNIVERSARY

LakeCity Woodworkers has been supporting people with mental illness since 1982.

Today we are an award winning social enterprise that produces high quality, solid wood furniture for both residential and commercial purposes.

Thank you to our customers who have supported us over the years.

UP TO $1,000 $1,000 - $3,000 OVER $3,000

15% OFF! 20% OFF! 25% OFF!

SALE! ON ALL FEBRUARY

*CERTAIN CONDITIONS APPLY, PLEASE ASK RETAIL STAFF FOR DETAILS

www.lakecitywoodworkers.com l k it d k

7899715