NEWS

No major update today, as I wanted to get this newsletter out before the end of the week. I hope you all had a restful holiday and happy New Years!

I did write a piece you may have missed that ran in the December 21 Community Herald. It is about upcoming recreation investments and plans. You can read it here.

JEM Volunteer Meetings

JEM Volunteer Meeting – Thursday January 28 | BMO Room Halifax Central Library 7:30

We continue to work on establishing a formal Joint Emergency Management (JEM) team. This is a community-based volunteer organization that works with HRM’s EMO. This is great way for involved citizens to educate friends, family and neighbours in preparedness for emergencies. JEM’s motto is “neighbours helping neighbours”. During emergencies, residents in affected communities need to be prepared to help themselves and to assist others. Come join us!

Upcoming meeting schedule – Halifax Central Library, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 28th – BMO Room

Wednesday, February 24th – Creative Lab Room

Wednesday, March 30th – Creative Lab Room

Wednesday, April 27th – Creative Lab Room

Wednesday, May 25th – Creative Lab Room

GRANT DEADLINE

HRM Event Grant applications are due Friday, January 29, at 12:00 noon

All event grant programs listed under the new event grant administrative orders, the Administrative Order on MLSER Grants, and the Administrative Order on Regional Event Grants, have a deadline of Friday, January 29, at 12:00 noon.

The Administrative Order on MLSER Grants, which governs the Municipality’s Tourism event grant programs, has 4 new programs:

Emerging Events;

Tourism Events;

Signature Events; and

Major Hosting

Events.The Administrative Order on Regional Event Grants, which governs the Municipality’s community and cultural event grant programs, has 4 new programs:

Community Celebrations;

Established Community Festivals;

Significant Anniversaries; and

Cultural Events & Showcases.

More detailed information on the new grant programs can be found online atwww.halifax.ca/events/grants. As well, staff have contacted the events who have received funding from the Municipality last year to communicate the new process and programs.

If you have any questions on the above information please contact Paul Forrest atforrestp@halifax.ca or 902 490 6979.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

District 7&8 PAC – Monday January 18th | location TBD

Case 18388 – Application by Mythos Development Ltd. to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy for Halifax and Land Use By-law for Halifax Peninsula to develop a multiple unit residential at 6395 and 6399 North Street, Halifax.

Halifax and West Community Council – Tuesday January 19 2016 6:30pm | City Hall

Public Hearings on Case 19695 – Development Agreement to Permit a Change in Use to a Non-Conforming Use at 1210/1222 Henry Street, Halifax and Case 19857: LUB Amendment (Schedule L) and Development Agreement for 3085-3077 Oxford Street and 6393-6387 Young Street, Halifax

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Concert to support Syrian Refugees – Friday, January 8th 2016 | The Seahorse

Celebrate Canada’s welcome to Syrian refugees and help bring a family to Nova Scotia. Halifriends of Refugees presents an evening of entertainment featuring Alana Yorke, Glory Glory, Kim Jarris, J-Bru, and Mardeen. The group has already raised two-thirds of its goal of $30,000 to bring one Syrian family to settle in Nova Scotia. Come help them reach their target! Tickets are $15, and all funds raised go towards Halifriends of Refugees.

Budget Consultation: Administration and Auditor General – January 13th

In Committee of the Whole, Regional Council will be debating the Administration and Auditor General Budgets. There is an opportunity for residents to address council for 5 minutes on the budget during this process. The meeting will be held Wed, Jan 13 from 9:30am to 2pm at City Hall. For more information, visit http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/cagenda.php

Hoist Halifax – Saturday, January 16th, 2016 | Volta Labs

Hoist is a new tech club for teens interested in coding, design, or entrepreneurship. If you’re aged 12-19 and have an interest in start-ups, come check it out! Seminars feature lessons on app basics, coding, programming, and features mini hackathons. Hoist is held on the third Saturday of every month. Free to attend!

2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships

January 18-24, 2016 | Scotiabank Centre

Halifax will play host to the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. The event will feature approximately 250 skaters in men’s, women’s, pair, and ice dance disciplines, competing in three levels: senior, junior, and novice. This is an excellent opportunity to see some of the best ice skaters in Canada compete! Tickets are available online at www.ticketatlantic.com, by phone at 1-877-425-1221 or at the Scotiabank Centre box office.

Halifax Cycling Coalition Feedback Session on Traffic Safety – January 21st

The Halifax Cycling Coalition and partners have created a list of ideas to make the rules of the road better for all road users and would like your feedback. On January 21st, 2016, from 6-9pm at the Halifax Central Library’s BMO Room join them to help rank the ideas, and add your own to the list. The draft amendments include feedback from Bicycle Nova Scotia, It’s More Than Buses, and Walk n Roll Halifax. The group hopes to present the final list to the Minister of Transportation in early February. RSVP here to be kept up-to-date and receive a draft of the ideas in advance https://cyclehalifax.ca/civi/?page=CiviCRM&q=civicrm/event/info&reset=1&id=35. Please note that this is a drop-in event, you can come and go at any time throughout the evening.

Newcomers Conversation Club – Fridays, 1pm | Captain William Spry Community Centre

Join people from around the world as they meet, socialize, and share their experiences. This is an excellent opportunity to meet some of your neighbors. Free for all to participate!