February 1 marks the beginning of African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia. This is Canada’s oldest celebration of African Heritage, marking its 34th year this year. This years theme is “Educate, Unite, Celebrate Community.” This theme honours the legacy of community collaboration that has become the base for educating, promoting and celebrating this important part of Nova Scotia’s culture and heritage. It also creates awareness around the declaration by the United Nations of 2015 – 2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent — an opportunity to promote and advocate recognition, justice and development. I encourage you to explore one of the many events taking place across the region!

Public Hearings and Meetings

Halifax Common Master Plan – Public Engagement Workshop

Wednesday January 31 7:00pm | Citadel High School 1855 Trollope Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia

I’m on the Common! The municipality is planning for the future direction of the Halifax Common. How might the Common best serve the needs of people who live in the Halifax region? Share what you cherish about the public spaces on the Halifax Common and what you would like to see change. Join us at the second public meeting on Jan. 31 at the Spatz Theatre Atrium (entrance from 1855 Trollope St.) We will also be inviting input on improvements to the outdoor pool and aquatics area. Over the next 6 months there will be a range of opportunities for public input to inform improvements to the Halifax Common Plan, including: public meetings, conversations on the Common, social media, email, and online surveys. Learn more about the project and take the survey (closing Feb. 12): https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/halifax-common-master-plan?preview=true

Transit Priority for Robie Street and Young Street: Public Engagement Session

Thursday February 1 6pm – 8pm | Maritime Hall, Halifax Forum Windsor and Almon

Halifax is currently investigating corridor-level transit priority on Young Street and Robie Street as identified in the recently approved Integrated Mobility Plan. Staff and consultants will investigate opportunities to install transit priority measures along Robie Street and Young Street, and a functional design assignment is currently underway. The public is invited to this open house session where members of the public will be invited to review and provide feedback on the potential design options for Robie Street and Young Street. The information collected from these sessions will inform the identification of the preferred option(s) and functional design.

Public Information Meeting – Case 20928: 5720-5722 Inglis Street

Thursday February 15 7pm | Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Rd, Lindsay Children’s Room

Case 20928: Application by RHAD Architects requesting a development agreement for a property located at 5720-5722 Inglis Street, Halifax to allow for a 12-unit residential building on the same property as an existing heritage building. https://www.halifax.ca/business/planning-development/applications/case-20928-5720-5722-inglis-street-halifax

Community Events & Information

Public Gardens pond dredging

The pond will be dredged (dug out) during the winter of 2018. The winter was chosen to minimize the impact on park users and required park reinstatement. The scope of work would involve removing the water from the pond and removing the sludge from the pond bottom (typically 1 foot in depth). There will be temporary construction access of Sackville Street near the west corner of the pond. The temporary access would involve removing some fence panels. This location was selected along with staff from the Public Gardens to minimize the impact on the Public Gardens (trees, shrubs and other plants) and proposed winter maintenance.

Winter Parking Option

Indigo Parking and the NS Health Authority are offering a winter parking ban solution for those looking for a place to put your car. During an HRM overnight Snow Ban condition, what better way to show support for our hospitals and offer a parking solution for residents. All QEII hospital sites (VG, Halifax Infirmary sites) levy only $4 for such overnight public parking, with generous restrictions (enter lots after 430pm, exit before 8am the next day). This $4 maximum fee also applies 24 hrs on weekends and holidays. The Halifax Infirmary site even has this low fee in the underground heated garage under the Veterans’ Memorial Building.

Feelin’ Groovy: The Music of Simon & Garfunkel with Jim Witter

Friday February 2nd – Saturday February 4th, 7:30pm | Rebecca Cohn Auditorium

After last season’s hugely popular, sold-out “Piano Men” concerts, the golden-voiced Jim Witter returns to Symphony Nova Scotia! This time, Jim and his four-piece band relive the best of the ‘60s in a thrilling multimedia tribute to the timeless music of Simon and Garfunkel. Hear chart-topping hits like Mrs. Robinson,Scarborough Fair, Cecilia, The Sound of Silence, and many more in this immersive, spine-tingling salute to one of the world’s most beloved musical duos.

Dessert Gala: Inglis Street School Playground Project

Thursday February 8, 7:00pm | Inglis Street Elementary, 5985 Inglis St.

Enjoy an evening of fine dessert dining and live entertainment. This fundraising event at Inglis Street school for February 8 to kick off the Inglis Street School playground fund. It promises to be a “sweet” night of delicious desserts for auction. The fabulous guitarist George Hebrt will entertain and Deputy Mayor Mason will be the auctioneer. The items will be delicious desserts from bakeries and a few dessert makers. For instance Mary Muhammad, former owner of Mary’s Breadbasket (so think of to die for cinnamon rolls at the market back in the day) is donating a killer carrot cake. $10.00 per person/ $75.00 per table (up to 8). For reservations please call 902-421-6767 or e-mail parquet.maria@gmail.com

Chasing Trane Documentary Film

Saturday February 10th, 2:00pm-3:30pm | Halifax Central Library

African Heritage Month Free Screening! John Coltrane was an outside-the-box thinker with extraordinary talent. His boundary-shattering music continues to impact and influence people around the world. This smart, passionate, thought-provoking and uplifting documentary is for anyone who appreciates the power of music to entertain, inspire, and transform. Set against the social, political, and cultural landscape of the times, Chasing Trane brings Coltrane to life as a fully dimensional being, inviting the audience to engage with Coltrane the man and Coltrane the artist.

26th Halifax Scouting Group Pancake Supper

Tuesday Feb 13, 5:00-7:00pm | St. Agnes Church Hall, 6903 Mumford Rd

The 26th Halifax Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are hosting the annual Pancake Supper. It will be held on Shrove Tuesday, in the Parish Auditorium. The menu will consist of pancakes, sausages, cake and orange slices along with juice, tea or coffee. The pancake supper is a great opportunity to raise funds and bring families together, while being served by your youth and their Scouters. Any proceeds realized from this Pancake Supper go directly to 26th Halifax to support programming in Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Admission: $8 per adult/$4 per youth (under 12). Tickets at the door.

Help and more info

Call my office

Call our office for assistance with your municipal issues. Contact my Constituency Coordinator Melody Campbell by phone 902-490-2012 or email melody.campbell@halifax.ca or contact me directly. The best way to reach me is via email at my city email – waye.mason@halifax.ca or you can call my direct line at 902-490-8462.

311 – HRM’s Call Centre

HRM’s call centre is open 7 days/week from 7 am to 11 pm to respond to routine inquiries and complaints from HRM residents. Please use this service since it helps HRM keep track of issues that are of concern for residents (missed solid waste pickup, sidewalks not cleared, transit info or complaints, etc.) For more information please visit http://www.halifax.ca/311/

Regional Council Reports and Agendas

If you want to read reports coming to Regional Council (posted mid-day Friday prior to the Tuesday meeting) or to check the agenda please go to: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/regional-council

Halifax and West Community Council Reports and Agendas

Community Council meets on Tuesday evenings that alternate with Regional Council. Please check the webpage here for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations and times. https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/community-councils/halifax-west-community-council

Peninsula Planning Advisory Council Reports and Agendas

Peninsula Planning Advisory Committee meets once a month to discuss and provide feedback to council on planning proposals for the three districts on the peninsula. Please check the webpage for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations and times: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/h/halifax-peninsula-planning-advisory-committee