Getting to Know Nova Scotia...

• Nova Scotia will host the first World Culinary Tourism Summit in
September 2010.
• More than 2,400 immigrants moved to Nova Scotia in 2009, a considerable increase over 1,474 in 2003 when the Nova Scotia Nominee Program began.

Facts About Nova Scotia

Recently, local film (super)star Ellen Page appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno to promote her latest role in the film Inception. Having talked enthusiastically of her home province and its capital city on previous late night appearances it was no surprise when Leno looked to Page for some fun facts about NS. Reluctant to talk about the Halifax Explosion she struggled to find facts to wow the late night host. The scene prompted us to ask - What facts would we like the world to know about Nova Scotia?

So keeping that in mind and being up for the challenge, Nova Scotia Come to life will be including a few choice facts about our province and our people in future issues of Friends of Nova Scotia. Keep an eye out for them. Pass them on. If you have a fun fact that you’d like to share with us, email them to novascotialife@gov.ns.ca, tweet them @novascotialife or visit our Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/novascotialife

Sources:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Columnists/1192788.html
http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/local/article/581838--whoops-jay-leno-ca...
http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/16/tonight-show-ellen-page/
http://www.ellenpages.com/

Nova Scotian Swims English Channel

Halifax’s Kristen Roe became the first Nova Scotian to successfully swim across the English Channel last week.

Ms. Roe did the swim to help raise $100,000 for the Nova Scotia Gambia Association and Stephen Lewis Foundation. She crossed the English Channel on July 22, arriving in Calais, France 17 hours after departing Dover Harbour in England.

Premier Darrell Dexter congratulated Ms. Roe on her accomplishment.

"To complete what is referred to as the Mount Everest of marathon swimming is a remarkable accomplishment by an outstanding Nova Scotian," said Premier Dexter. "We are all inspired by Kristen's drive and determination not only to swim the channel, but also to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS in Africa."

NS-Maine Sign Energy MOU

We’ve shared culture, heritage and a body of water, and now we formally share a vision for the future of energy in our region.

On July 12 Premier Darrell Dexter and Maine Governor John Baldacci signed a memorandum of understanding to share data on offshore wind and tidal power promising a collaborative approach to growth in this important sector.

Teaming up on research and development will hasten advances and save resources for both parties who have independently already begun the process of assessing the validity and sustainability of these environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional energy production.

A copy of the MOU can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/energy

Premier Dexter talks about the MOU and the importance of co-operation on energy within the region in his most recent podcast.

Sources:
http://www.examiner.com/x-58462-Portland-Environmental-News-Examiner~y20...
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9GU8GH00.htm

Find more information, photos and audio at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2010-07-12-premier.asp

NS-NB Talk Regional Energy Transmission

In other energy news, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick power companies are exploring the opportunity for a new 500 megawatt line that would more than double the electrical transmission capacity between the two provinces.

Premier Darrell Dexter, New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham, Nova Scotia Power CEO Rob Bennett, and NB Power CEO Gaetan Thomas announced the project recently in Fredericton.

"Historically, Nova Scotia was an energy island and now because of this project, the province will have a stronger grid that will allow more power to be imported and exported," said Premier Dexter. "That means that more jobs will be created that will strengthen and grow the economy, and businesses and Nova Scotians from one end of the province to the other will have stable energy prices which will result in more affordable power in the foreseeable future."

The proposed new regional transmission line would be between Colchester County and southern New Brunswick.

Talks between Emera and NB Power will also focus on enhancing the existing agreement between NB Power and Emera's Bayside Power electrical generation facility in Saint John that is fuelled by natural gas, and examining the potential for expansion.

Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/07/20/nb-nbpower-nova-sc...

Premier Profiled

Premier Darrell Dexter was profiled in the National Post last week in their “Meet Your Leaders” series which looks beyond our politics, policies or platforms, and in his case, revealed some of the most memorable moments from his time as premier of the province.

Source:
http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/07/21/meet-your-leaders-darrell-dexter...

NS Designer Bags

A pair of Nova Scotian sisters and their line of hand-crafted designer handbags are stirring up interest beyond the 25 retailers that carry their bags in the region.

The Michique line - named for designers Michelle Newcombe and Monique Delisle - has most recently caught the eye of American TV star Kelly Rippa who was given one during her and co-star Regis Philben’s recent stint filming Live with Regis and Kelly on location in Prince Edward Island. Photos can be seen on the I Love Michique Handbags page on Facebook.

The pair, who work from Sydney, unveiled a new line of fashionable clutches for their Summer 2010 line at a recent Nova Scotia Designer Craft Council show in Halifax. More information on Michique handbags can be found at www.michiqueonline.com

Source:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/ArtsLife/1193022.html

NS Firm Launches Industry Database

A Nova Scotia Come to life charter member recently announced the revamp of their online database which fully integrates projects, company information and search capabilities across the international mining industry.

MineSearch - developed by Metals Economics Group - is an extensive searchable online database of information on thousands of worldwide projects and companies. Based on more than 25 years of research and analysis, the service provides clients with the information needed for benchmarking, due diligence, identifying opportunities, tracking competitors, performing quick “what if” scenarios, and completing in-depth, detailed analysis.

“MEG continuously adds enhancements to our services as a direct result of feedback from clients and industry partners”, says Dominique di Gesu, MEG’s Chief Operating Officer. “This release continues to reflect MEG’s commitment to quality and responsiveness to client needs.”

The MineSearch client community includes the majority of large global mining companies, banks, investment and fund managers, as well as smaller mining companies focused on growth, service and equipment providers, governments, and consultants. MineSearch is available by subscription through Metals Economics Group. For more information, email sales@metalseconomics.com, or visit the MEG web site at www.metalseconomics.com.

Acadian Seaplants Win Marketing Award

On July 14 Acadian Seaplants received the prestigious 2010 International Agricultural Marketing Award from the North American Agricultural Marketing Officials (NAAMO) at its annual conference in Halifax.

NAAMO’s membership represents state and provincial agricultural marketing directors and senior agricultural planning and development personnel. The award recognizes Acadian Seaplants’ experience and success in marketing its agricultural, food and food chain products throughout 70 countries.

"A lot of people at Acadian Seaplants helped to establish this company's reputation as a world class market development and agricultural marketing enterprise, “ said Jean-Paul Deveau, president, Acadian Seaplants Limited. “ Because of their efforts we sell our food and agricultural products in over 70 countries around the world. The company is proud to share this honour with every employee that has helped advance our agricultural marketing objectives."

Incredible, Edible, Local

Pack your picnic basket with your favorite local food and head to one of Nova Scotia’s IncrEDIBLE picnics this summer.

The IncrEDBILE Picnics showcase locally grown food. They provide a food celebration that brings together communities, offer cooking ideas from local chefs, and inform people where they can buy local. Each picnic location will have a variety of family activities that include chefs, artisans, and entertainment.

People can bring their own picnic of local food, or they may purchase food and beverages from vendors on the site.

The following picnics take place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., all have rain locations. Dates and locations are:
Aug. 1 - Hants County Exhibition, Windsor
Aug. 8 - Downtown Civic Square, Truro
Aug. 15 - Noggins Corner Farm, Wolfville and Muir Murray Winery, Wolfville
Aug. 22 - Hubbards Farmers' Market, Hubbards; Mabou Community Centre, Mabou; Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers' Market, Musquodoboit Harbour; Annapolis Royal Farmers' and Traders' Market, Annapolis Royal.

The picnic at Alderney Landing, Dartmouth, on Aug. 22, will be held from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. and offers free shuttle service to the Clam Harbour Sand Castle Festival.

Select Nova Scotia, developed by the province, works to build partnerships with food producers, processors, retailers, food service and consumers and promote the sale and consumption of Nova Scotia grown and produced food.

For more information on the IncrEDIBLE Picnics go to www.selectnovascotia.ca/picnic.

NS Tourism Launches Latest Campaign at Abbey Road Studios

A historic recording studio in London, England served as the stage for Nova Scotia to launch its latest tourism marketing promotion today, on July 8. The province kicked off its sponsorship of the Jools Holland outdoor concert series at Abbey Road Studios, where the Beatles recorded.

Award-winning musician, Joel Plaskett, performed for travel media and guests at the iconic music studio. The reception featured a menu inspired by Taste of Nova Scotia to showcase the province's legendary hospitality.

"Nova Scotia is using creative marketing opportunities to reach our target tourism audiences," said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "Attracting visitors from potential growth markets, such as the United Kingdom, ensures our tourism industry continues to create good jobs and grow our economy."

More information on Nova Scotia's tourism marketing campaign and the Jools Holland concert series can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/tch/tourism/tourism-plan.aspx.

Source:
http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20100708011

Tourism Up From Last Year

Nova Scotia welcomed 614,100 visitors between January and May, up four per cent compared to the same time last year.

Room nights sold between January and May were up two per cent across the province compared to the same time period in 2009. Room nights sold in May remained unchanged.

"We're pleased to see an encouraging start to the tourism season, although it is still very early to speculate on the year as a whole," said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "Tourism is important to communities throughout Nova Scotia and we continue to work with our partners in the industry as they create good jobs to grow the economy."

Between January and May, domestic travel showed a growth of four per cent. Visits from Ontario were up five per cent and visitors from Atlantic Canada and Quebec increased by six per cent in each market compared to this time last year. Visits from Western Canada were down 19 per cent.

Visitors from the United States from January to May also increased by four per cent compared to last year, while overseas visitors were down by four per cent. Visitors from the United Kingdom are down slightly, with a two per cent decrease.

Source:
http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20100719001

Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/07/21/ns-tourism-increas...

The Word is Back on the Street

Word On The Street, Canada’s national book and magazine festival, is moving back to the street in downtown Halifax.

On Sunday September 26, Spring Garden Road’s Victoria Park will be transformed into a tented village celebrating literacy and reading. The event runs from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and admission is FREE.

“Returning to an outdoor venue and celebrating literacy in such a vibrant setting in downtown Halifax will help bring the festival to life. The event will offer visitors a diverse and open look at literacy and reading. We want every participant to find something exciting at the festival.” Past festivals have seen up to 30,000 people in attendance,” says Heather Fegan – Co-chair of the Board for The Word On The Street Halifax Festival.

After 10 years indoors, the Halifax society is returning to its roots and will once again be hosting the festival at an outdoor venue. Victoria Park is the perfect place with its central location and unique park features such as the fountain, trees, and pathways; and a statue of poet Robbie Burns.

For more information visit thewordonthestreet.ca/wots/halifax

Beerfest!

With a vibrant micro-brew industry that continues to grow in Nova Scotia there’s a lot to look forward to in the true celebration of all things brewed that will be the fourth annual Halifax Seaport BeerFest.

Beerfest - which runs August 13 and 14 - will once again welcome over 150 beers and ciders from the Maritimes and around the world to the historic Halifax Seaport with more than 4000 beer lovers expected to attend.

“We saw tremendous growth last year, experiencing our first session sell-out on Saturday evening," says festival co-chair, Bruce Mansour. “In addition to strong support among local beer
lovers, we've started getting tourists scheduling their trips around this event…and due to that
increased support and interest, we have added a new Friday evening session."

In addition to the many great local beers you'd expect, the festival is expanding their specialty
pavilion series which invites brewers from other regions to share their wares with a local audience.

"Maine and Ontario will now be joined by our first ever Quebec pavilion," says Mansour. "Seven
great microbreweries, including Charlevoix and À l'abri de la Tempête from Îles de la Madeleine
will be sampling."

Again this year Taste of Nova Scotia members will be onsite selling delicious local offerings. Scanway Catering, FID Resto and Eel Lake Oyster Farm are among those confirmed to sell beer-inspired creations to hungry festival goers.