An early Christmas gift to Boston is on it's way from Nova Scotia. This year's tree is a 15-metre white spruce from North Alton owned by Gary and Roseann Misner. The 2010 Boston Tree was cut on Tuesday morning November 16th at 10 a.m . About 160 students from Wolfville School, New Minas Elementary and Kings County Academy attended and author Bruce Nunn read selections from Buddy the Bluenose Reindeer and The Boston Christmas Tree Adventure. The tree will serve as the focal point for the annual tree-lighting ceremony at the Boston Common on December 2. For more than 30 years, Nova Scotia has donated a giant evergreen each year to the people of Boston as a thank you for their assistance following the 1917 Halifax Explosion. The tree's journey to Boston can be followed on Twitter with @novascotialife.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
MERRY CHRISTMAS BOSTON
An early Christmas gift to Boston is on it's way from Nova Scotia. This year's tree is a 15-metre white spruce from North Alton owned by Gary and Roseann Misner. The 2010 Boston Tree was cut on Tuesday morning November 16th at 10 a.m . About 160 students from Wolfville School, New Minas Elementary and Kings County Academy attended and author Bruce Nunn read selections from Buddy the Bluenose Reindeer and The Boston Christmas Tree Adventure. The tree will serve as the focal point for the annual tree-lighting ceremony at the Boston Common on December 2. For more than 30 years, Nova Scotia has donated a giant evergreen each year to the people of Boston as a thank you for their assistance following the 1917 Halifax Explosion. The tree's journey to Boston can be followed on Twitter with @novascotialife.Storm Response
Some residents of the Port Medway Road were left stranded and their belongings destroyed by the more than 200 millimetres of rainfall that pounded the province.
Councillor John Croft says residents were never warned about adjustments to the dam and the rapid increase in water levels it would cause.
Mike Macleod of the Queens County Emergency Measures Organization says residents were not personally contacted about changes in conditions.
"Most of the people that do live in these areas have been through these events before, and they know. But it's certainly no excuse on behalf of Queens E-M-O that communications can't be improved," says Macleod.
Councillor Croft requested that Macleod submit a full report on storm response measures undertook during the recent storm.
Councillor John Croft says residents were never warned about adjustments to the dam and the rapid increase in water levels it would cause.
Mike Macleod of the Queens County Emergency Measures Organization says residents were not personally contacted about changes in conditions.
"Most of the people that do live in these areas have been through these events before, and they know. But it's certainly no excuse on behalf of Queens E-M-O that communications can't be improved," says Macleod.
Councillor Croft requested that Macleod submit a full report on storm response measures undertook during the recent storm.
Christmas Kettle Campaign Launched
The Salvation Army has launched its national 2010 Annual Christmas Campaign aimed at raising money to support dozens of social services programs. This year, the iconic Salvation Army Christmas kettles will appear on street corners across Canada and on Google Maps through the Army's online "Fill the Kettle" program. Visitors to http://www.fillthekettle.com/ will be able to track donations at nearly 2,000 kettles on-the-street nationwide. Using Google technology, donors will be able to locate and make a secure online donation directly to individual kettles in their community. The Salvation Army's annual Christmas Campaign has grown into one of Canada's most significant and recognizable annual charitable events. Last year, more than 18 million was raised in the kettles nationwide, an all time record. Liverpool Waterfront Protection
New legislation by the Region of Queens Municipality will keep big business away from the Liverpool waterfront.
Land on the north side of Henry Hensey Drive from Mill Brook, to the west side of the new tourist bureau, is now a designated greenspace.
Mayor John Leefe says the designation will help citizens protect the space from commercial development.
Leefe says after public consultation, the by-law may be amended to allow for a farmer's market on the property.
The recreational designation excludes the Privateer Landings Condos.
Land on the north side of Henry Hensey Drive from Mill Brook, to the west side of the new tourist bureau, is now a designated greenspace.
Mayor John Leefe says the designation will help citizens protect the space from commercial development.
Leefe says after public consultation, the by-law may be amended to allow for a farmer's market on the property.
The recreational designation excludes the Privateer Landings Condos.
Sand Dwellers, Species at Risk
Some sand dwelling creatures are slowly disappearing from the South Shore.
Sue Abbot of Bird Studies Canada says piping Plovers are at a species at risk as flooding, human recreation and development is damaging the creatures seaside habitats.
Abbott says the majority of the birds mate on South Shore beaches.
"This past year we had forty-nine pairs. Our population target is sixty pairs. So were just over ten pairs short of our target. It doesn't sound like alt but its actually quite a significant distance we have to go to reach our target," says Abbott.
Abbot says locals can protect piping plovers and their young by watching for signs, staying off the dry sand and keeping your dog on a leash.
You can also visit http://www.bsc-eoc.org/ if you'd like to get involved with local preservation efforts.
Cellphone Penalties Increase
The province is introducing stronger penalties for those who exhibit risky behaviour on our roads. Amendments introduced today (November 16th) to the Motor Vehicle Act will double fines for those caught using a hand-held cellphone while driving and the loss of four demerit points on a driver's record. A second amendment to the act will increase penalties for street racing or stunt driving. Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks says by increasing penalties for those who exhibit dangerous behaviour, the province is making our roads safer.Seniors Information Sessions
Information sessions for seniors on financial health and safety will be held in the Liverpool area next Monday, November 22nd. The session will teach seniors how to protect themselves from financial abuse- from telemarketing fraud to misspending of their money by well-meaning family and friends. Specific topics covered will include wills, power of attorney, internet fraud, property transfers, and grandparents' rights. It is one of more than 14 sessions being held across the province to launch It's in Your Hands: Legal Information for Seniors and Their Families, a free publication on financial abuse developed by the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging at Mount Saint Vincent University. The session which lasts about two hours will be held at the Chelsea Fire Hall, , 2667 Chelsea Road, Highway 210 from 10 am to noon. For more information on the publication and info session, please visit http://www.legalinfo.org/ or call 902-454-2198.
New Ross Arrest
A New Ross man earned his day in court, this weekend, after allegedly ramming a car and swinging a metal bar at a young man.Police say the suspect repeatedly smashed an East River youth's vehicle and then swung a metal bar at the youth in his driveway.
Lunenburg county RCMP arrested the accused on Sunday afternoon.
The man was subsequently released and will appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court on January 12.
Noise is a Nuisance
The Town of Bridgewater is hoping a noise by-law will keep the streets calm and quiet.
Mayor Carroll Publicover says determining what noise is a nuisance will protect landowners and tenants.
"People have the basic and inherent right, by law, to enjoy the peace and quiet of their property," says Publicover.
Publicover says the draft policy is being prepared for a first reading by council.
Mayor Carroll Publicover says determining what noise is a nuisance will protect landowners and tenants.
"People have the basic and inherent right, by law, to enjoy the peace and quiet of their property," says Publicover.
Publicover says the draft policy is being prepared for a first reading by council.
Demolition Drive
Residents of St. Margaret's Bay are opposing the proposed highway 103 connector road as the development might threaten homes and uproot Ingramport families.
The department is considering five possible locations.Of those five, one would reportedly require the expropriation of homes.
Resident Sean Kirby says the province is wasting twelve million dollars on the shortcut.
"Most people think there are simply better uses for the money especially at a time when the government faces a massive deficit and is hiking our taxes. And one of the better ways the money could be spent is on highway safety," says Kirby.
Kirby says accidents on the 103 are a constant reminder of the need to improve highway safety in the province.
According to the Department of Transportation, over 250 people died in accidents on Nova Scotia's highways in the past three years.
The department is considering five possible locations.Of those five, one would reportedly require the expropriation of homes.
Resident Sean Kirby says the province is wasting twelve million dollars on the shortcut.
"Most people think there are simply better uses for the money especially at a time when the government faces a massive deficit and is hiking our taxes. And one of the better ways the money could be spent is on highway safety," says Kirby.
Kirby says accidents on the 103 are a constant reminder of the need to improve highway safety in the province.
According to the Department of Transportation, over 250 people died in accidents on Nova Scotia's highways in the past three years.
SOUTH SHORE'S PIPING PLOVERS PEETERING OUT
Some sand dwelling creatures are slowly disappearing from the South Shore.
Sue Abbot of Bird Studies Canada says piping Plovers are at risk of being wiped out.
She says flooding, human recreation and development is damaging the creatures seaside habitats.
Abbott says the majority of the birds mate on South Shore beaches.
She says locals can protect the piping plovers and their young by watching for signs, staying off the dry sand and keeping your dog on a leash.
You can also visit "BSC-dash-EOC.org" if you'd like to get involved with local preservation efforts.
Sue Abbot of Bird Studies Canada says piping Plovers are at risk of being wiped out.
She says flooding, human recreation and development is damaging the creatures seaside habitats.
Abbott says the majority of the birds mate on South Shore beaches.
She says locals can protect the piping plovers and their young by watching for signs, staying off the dry sand and keeping your dog on a leash.
You can also visit "BSC-dash-EOC.org" if you'd like to get involved with local preservation efforts.
GREENSPACE DESIGNATION FOR LIVERPOOL WATERFRONT
New legislation by the Region of Queens Municipality will keep big business away from the Liverpool waterfront.
Land on the north side of Henry Hensey Drive from Mill Brook, to the west side of the new tourist bureau, is now a designated greenspace.
Mayor Jon Leefe says the designation will help citizens protect the space from commercial development.
He says after public consultation, the by-law may be amended to allow for a farmers market on the property.
The recreational designation excludes the Privateer Landings Condos.
Land on the north side of Henry Hensey Drive from Mill Brook, to the west side of the new tourist bureau, is now a designated greenspace.
Mayor Jon Leefe says the designation will help citizens protect the space from commercial development.
He says after public consultation, the by-law may be amended to allow for a farmers market on the property.
The recreational designation excludes the Privateer Landings Condos.