Get to Know Nova Scotia

• Catch a wave no matter what the season. You can surf year-round in Nova Scotia, a Top 10 surfer’s pick by Transworld Surf Magazine.
• One-hundred billion tonnes of seawater flow in and out of the Bay of Fundy daily -- more than the combined flow of all the freshwater rivers in the world.

2011 Canada Games Medal Design Unveiled

In February 2011, more than 1,000 young athletes will take home a memorable and unique souvenir of their accomplishment at the Canada Games in Nova Scotia: a gold, silver or bronze medal.

After a provincial competition the winning design, by Halifax university students Marlon Solis and Amber Whyley, was revealed last week. Both students came from outside of Canada to study in Nova Scotia and fell in love with the province. Solis was born in Indonesia, and Whyley is originally from the Bahamas.

The unveiling took place at Saint Mary's University, where the designers studied marketing together and where 122 medals will be awarded to Games athletes competing in judo and squash.

Games medalists can take pride in knowing that the medals were designed by two of their peers who, like them, competed to be the best. More than 90 design submissions were received in an open design competition.

Games medals will be produced by Charm Diamond Centres who also fabricated the medals for the 2003 Games in Bathurst, New Brunswick and the 2001 Games in London, Ontario.

Video: http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2010-08-16-medal/
Source: http://www.canadagames2011.ca/en/home/news/pressreleases/canadagamesreve...

An Artisan Distillery

Nova Scotia’s only vodka distillery located in a circa-1870's marine ironworks building in Lunenburg has been drawing crowds over this busy summer season, enticed by their unique apple-based alcohol.

The only distillery in Canada producing vodka from apples, Ironworks Distillery recognized the potential of producing a product with a distinctly Nova Scotian connection, utilizing the fresh, local products of nearby Annapolis Valley. The proprietors - “boomeranger” Lynne MacKay and her partner Pierre Guevremont - even took it one step further blending their apple-based vodka with locally grown cranberries!

The small artisan operation nestled in historic Lunenburg is another great example of the entrepreneurial spirit that long-time residents and newcomers foster throughout the province.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAavQPaYuWE
Source: http://thechronicleherald.ca/ArtsLife/1197532.html
Source: http://seaandbescene.com/2010/07/a-spirited-business-%E2%80%93-the-ironw...

RKO Steel Ltd. Expands

A Dartmouth company is increasing its competitive edge and creating 30 new jobs with support from the province's new manufacturing and processing investment credit.

RKO Steel Limited is the first company to receive the credit from the province for the purchase and installation of newer, more advanced technology which increases productivity.

RKO Steel is a locally owned and managed steel and metal fabrication company with a reputation for ensuring optimal efficiency of its operations. It processes more than 8,000 tonnes of steel each year and employs about 200 workers. Customers include Costco, Sobeys, Atlantic Superstore, Michelin and Marine Atlantic.

Source: http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20100817002

Halifax Pub Featured on New Food Network Series

In February 2009 filming for the new Food Network documentary series The Opener was coming to an end as Halifax’s Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub was getting set to open its doors. In early September you’ll have a chance to see what went on behind the scenes as an entrepreneur's dream became a reality.

TV cameras and celebrity chef and restaurant consultant David Adjey followed former Saint Mary’s football player Kyle Drake as he learned the ropes of running a successful pub. Chosen for its big budget and unlikely partnership with 46-year-old Irishman and hospitality veteran, Joe McGuinness, Durty Nelly’s development and opening looked to be a promising plot for the new one-hour series.

Tune into the Food Network Tuesday, September 7 at 9 pm ET/10pm AT to see the great story that takes place in the heart of Halifax.

For more information on Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub visit www.durtynellys.ca
Source: http://life.nationalpost.com/2010/06/01/food-network-fall-preview-david-...
The Opener trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csNh_-khisA

Potato Chip Maker Invests in Sustainability

Frito Lay Canada is investing more than $2-million to upgrade equipment at its New Minas potato chip plant. The province, through Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), is supporting the company with a five-year payroll rebate of up to $500,000.

Frito Lay is a major employer in the area with about 140 employees. 

 The New Minas plant was recently recognized as the first of its kind in Canada to send less than one per cent of its waste to landfills. This latest investment will further support the plant's environmental journey by reducing energy and water consumption during manufacturing while boosting efficiency and maintaining high-quality product standards.

Source: http://www.novascotiabusiness.com/en/home/newsevents/NewsReleases/FritoL...

NS Students’ Eco-film Goes to Ottawa

A Grade 5 class at Halifax’s Grosvenor Wentworth Park School is celebrating another victory for their short, silent, start-stop animation film about a town of feuding light bulbs.

“The Bright, the Bad and the Ugly” was originally made just over a year ago when teacher Andrew Stickings asked his students to make a film about energy conservation. Using start stop animation, a handcrafted set, light bulbs and miniature cowboys garb, students presented the story of a town of old vs. new-style light bulbs culminating in a noon-hour show down.

After winning an award at last year’s Atlantic Film Festival, Sticking submitted the film for consideration to the Ottawa International Animation Festival. The film beat out 70 entries from around the world and won one of five spots in the high-school aged category, a feat itself, considering that those spots are normally reserved for high-school student submissions.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7wRGR2xPhM
Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/movies/fifth-graders-make-the-c...

Students at Grosvenor Wentworth Park have also produced “Pier 21,” a film that explores the history of Pier 21 and immigration to Canada from the perspective of children. This award-winning film has also received international attention.

Motorcyclists Welcomed

We’re in the midst of prime motorcycle weather here in Nova Scotia and the sight of packs of riders is a familiar one on the province’s highways. It’s no coincidence that the licence plates on many of these touring motorcyclists are from out of the province, and out of the country.

Nova Scotia is a beautiful province, with thousands of kilometres of roads and scenic “trails’ that showcase the spectacular scenery that one naturally associates with our coast. In particular, the renowned Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island is a lure due to its winding highways and plentiful vistas.

“I think that for what the Cabot Trail has to offer as a motorcycle experience, it should be a mandatory visit for every biker on the continent to experience at least once in their lifetime,” says an enthusiastic Daniel Ross, an Antigonish entrepreneur and avid rider.

Inspired by the potential to attract more riders to the Cabot Trail, Daniel has set up http://cabottrailbiker.com, a hub of resources and a celebration of the two-wheeling tourist. Check out the site for testimonials, suggested routes, maps, accommodation and local business listings, and plan your trip today.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-08-15-canada-maritime-p...
Source: http://www.oleantimesherald.com/travel/article_359e0a5c-a670-11df-ac4c-0...

When considering all means of transportation it’s been a busy tourist season in Nova Scotia with statistics collected by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage confirming a four per cent increase in traffic for the month of June over last year. Overall, between January and June, 816,000 visitors were welcomed, this number is also up four per cent compared to 2009.

Tourism is an important contributor to Nova Scotia's economy. In 2008, the industry employed over 31,000 people and generated revenues of $1.82 billion.

Source: http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20100819002

New Glasgow Free Pardon Issued

The town of New Glasgow will continue to honour and celebrate the story of Mrs. Viola Irene Davis Desmond.

On August 16, Premier Darrell Dexter and Justice Minister Ross Landry presented the town with a copy of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy free pardon and Record of Conviction, for display in the New Glasgow Town Hall.

Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis attended an unveiling of a portrait of Mrs. Desmond, commissioned jointly with the town of New Glasgow.

The events took place as part of the New Glasgow Black Gala Homecoming celebrations which ran from August 13 to 20.

On April 15, the province granted an official apology and free pardon to the late Mrs. Desmond. This was the first time a free pardon has been posthumously granted in Canada.

"Viola Desmond was prosecuted not because she committed a crime, but simply because of her race. That is wrong," said Premier Dexter. "Her actions that day should be revered, for it took a strong person to stand up and do the right thing."

New Glasgow's week-long Black Gala Homecoming celebrations is held every five years to unite family and friends of New Glasgow's black community.

Source: http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20100816003
Source: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/08/16/ns-new-glasgow-cel...
Source: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/04/15/ns-desmond-apology...

Digital Books Expand Reach of Provincial Library System

The benefits of technology are far-reaching, making information and educational resources more accessible as traditional institutions implement new means of getting the word out, so to speak.

Library users across Nova Scotia can now borrow books online thanks to a new downloadable book collection supported by a $40,000 investment from the provincial library system.

"The ability to download books from home will make it much easier for Nova Scotians to enjoy reading and learning," said Education Minister Marilyn More. "Anyone with a public library card can access the new collection, and the audio books are of great value to library users who are blind and partially-sighted.

"HRM library users have been enjoying a downloadable collection since 2008, and making this service available provincewide supports our commitment to making life better for families in every region."

The start-up collection includes 646 audio book titles and 378 e-book titles on more than 70 subjects, fiction and non-fiction. Titles are available for both adults and young people.

While audio books and e-books are becoming more popular as mobile technology puts more power in smaller devices, they are also valuable for people with print disabilities including vision loss, learning disabilities, or a disability that prevents them from physically holding a book.

In addition, the Provincial Library has invested in more than 200 French-language titles for the start-up collection.

Source: http://www.resourceshelf.com/2010/08/11/canada-nova-scotia-libraries-ebo...
Source: http://www.canadaviews.ca/2010/08/10/new-downloadable-book-collection-fo...