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February 26, 2008
Second Notice of New Members:
The Clay Hut –
Pottery Painting Fun, Gerrish St, Windsor
Ciuin Massage Therapy, Barrington St, Halifax ciuin@ns.sympatico.ca
Truro Chamber president dies suddenly
West Hants Chamber of Commerce passes on condolences to
the family, friends and colleagues of Melody Lockhart, a
well-respected local businesswoman in the Truro area and
the president of the Truro and District Chamber of
Commerce. Lockhart, who was in her early 40's, is
believed died of “suspected natural causes” last weekend
while vacationing in Florida. She was awarded Business
Person of the Year a few years ago. “It’s quite a shock,
I still can’t believe it. It’s a tragedy,” Laurie
Jennings, a past president of the chamber and friend of
Lockhart, told the Truro Daily News. “She was a young
woman full of life, a wonderful person. She was always
very upbeat, energetic. She was never less than cheerful
and she didn’t have anything negative to say.” Jennings
was convinced Lockhart was an asset to not only the
chamber, but the town as well. “She was young and
independent ... always can do, will do attitude,” he
said. “She had all kinds of potential and was a person
who would have made a difference.”
(Source: release from Bill Denyar, President and CEO of
the Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce.)
West Hants and
Area News
Wheels turning at Mill Island
Construction on the widely-anticipated Mill Island
development in Windsor is due to start next week. The
project’s co-ordinator, Cathy Cox, says that over $9
million dollars worth of construction will see the first
floor retail section finished on May 15th and open for
business soon thereafter. “There will be lots of
activity going on here and it will be a great tax-base
for the Town of Windsor,” says Cox. The retail area
includes the bookstore, gallery, the pub and brewery and
will create over 150 jobs, she said. “But the
construction will see much more than 150 jobs initially
– many more jobs.” Titan Construction, based in Burnside
but owned by Annapolis Valley resident Ron Ernst, will
oversee the project. (Source: Avondale Media)
EA for FG
Fundy Gypsum applied for an environmental assessment
(EA) in preparation for an expansion they publicly
announced intentions of over two and a half years ago.
The expansion consists of a new mine footprint of
approximately 486 more hectares in the general area of
the Avondale, Belmont and Poplar Grove communities.
Department of Environment and Labour spokesperson
Jacqueline May acknowledged to E-News last Thursday that
Fundy Gypsum registered its EA and subsequent
announcements have been made in the local and provincial
media. May indicated the department knew of a notice the
company sent to the community directly before the
company officially filed, citing it was “highly unusual”
circumstances to do so. “Normally projects are announced
directly by the Department when documents are available
for public viewing and not before,” May said. The
project has sparked much controversy in West Hants and
across the province. In response to the application, the
Avon Peninsula Watershed Preservation Society
(http://www.apwps.ca)
released a statement saying they would be reviewing the
proposal closely for several reasons. “Of course, our
concerns include environmental issues, but this is also
about supporting sustainable economic development and
protecting things ordinary people invest and take pride
in.”
The 750+ page registration document is available online
here
at with additional viewing locations as follows:
• Fundy Gypsum Main Office, 669 Wentworth Road (8:30 am
– 4:30 pm, Mon. to Fri.)
• Windsor Library, 195 Albert Street (regular library
hours)
• Brooklyn Fire Hall (8:00 – 5:00, with the exception of
lunch hour, Mon. to Fri.)
• Municipality of the District of West Hants, 76 Morison
Dr. (8:30 am–4:30 pm, Mon-Fri.)
• Town of Hantsport Town Hall, Main Street (8:30 am –
4:30 pm)
• Clean Nova Scotia, 126 Portland Street, Dartmouth
• Ecology Action Centre, 2705 Fern Lane, Halifax
• Nova Scotia Environment and Labour, Regional Office,
Bedford
• Nova Scotia Environment and Labour, 5th Floor Library,
5151 Terminal Road, Halifax
The public is invited to submit written comments, on or
before March 6, 2008, to:
Environmental Assessment Branch
Nova Scotia Environment & Labour
P.O. Box 697, Halifax, NS, B3J 2T8
Or contact the Environmental Assessment Branch at (902)
424-3230, (902) 424-0503 (Fax), or e-mail at
EA@gov.ns.ca.
All comments, including contact information, will be
made available for public review in The
Library, Nova Scotia Environment & Labour, 5th floor,
Halifax Office, 5151 Terminal Road.
For more information, please see the Nova Scotia
Environmental Assessment website at
www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ea.
(Sources: Department of Environment and Labour, The
Hants Journal, ALLNovaScotia.com)
Sweet Taste of Success
Most wine-tasters will tell
you that wine quality is mainly a product of the
grapevines, not by the winemaker. For years, Mary and
Andrew Bennett of Avondale have worked hard to make
their vineyard a success. They worked year round with
patience and fortitude - first feeding the soil,
ensuring its nutrient-rich cradle produces the perfect
vines, nurturing them with the right recipe of sunlight
and drainage, and then plucking them just at that
precise moment when they are at their most ripe. Growing
grapes is a year round production that few would venture
to stick with year in, year out because of the
dedication it takes. “Yes, we’re very much looking
forward to a holiday,” says British-born Andrew in a
tired but satisfied way, as he muses about the pending
sale of the couple’s vineyard, due to close in March -
when you might just hear the sound of clinking glasses.
The variety of grapes they grow go mostly toward
producing Avondale Reisling. It’s a semi-sweet blend
made by Jost and well-known to the area’s residents and
available across Nova Scotia in NSLC stores. While now
into their seventies, they might be able to afford more
time to relax, but riding off into the sunset is not in
the Bennett’s plans. Andrew and Mary will be retained by
the new owner, a wealthy Miami businessman, to
participate in the new business which is shaping up to
be an up-scale resort unlike anything this area has ever
seen – chalets, a winery and a restaurant headed up by
celebrated and award-winning chef, Ray Bear of Halifax.
“It’s a development we’re very enthusiastic about,” says
Hugh MacNeil, long-time resident and friend of the
Bennett’s. “This is just the kind of business that fits
this area and will draw many more people to visit and
live here, supporting our halls, our churches, our
museum and really push our local economy in a very
sustainable way. We are really looking forward to
hearing more details and watching it flourish,” he said.
Last summer, members of the NS Environmental Network
held a retreat in the area which included a
well-received tour of the property. (Source: Avondale
Media)
Destination West Hants
Destination South West Nova Tourism Association General
Manager Madonna Spinazola is working very hard to regain
the financial support of the Municipality of the
District of West Hants. Last summer, the Municipality
opted not to support the expanded organization that
replaced the Evangeline Trail Tourism Association
(ETTA), citing that most of the Municipality fits into
neighbouring Central Nova Tourism Association (CNTA).
CNTA encompasses a large portion of Hants County,
Cumberland and Colchester counties. Warden Richard
Dauphinee said only a small section of the region along
the 101 corridor between Hantsport and Mt. Uniacke was
under the jurisdiction of DSWN. Dauphinee said. “What
they wanted from us financially and what we felt that we
were getting from the service, council decided not to go
with it at this time. We felt our information was
getting out through Central Nova.” ARHS Museum President
Butch Sheehy agrees. “We tried approaching the DSWN with
questions about membership and where their jurisdiction
was,” said Sheehy. “It was a little confusing on their
map, but as it turns out, our area was smack dab on the
border. “ Sheehy says his Board is pleased with the
decision to join the CNTA. “We saw instant benefits from
our museum’s membership fees,” he said. Both DSWN and
CNTA announced a memorandum of understanding in the fall
to join efforts to better promote the area, but Sheehy
said he is not clear as to what this means to the ARHS.
“Of course, we’d love to have membership with both and
have the best of both worlds. But as a volunteer
organization, we have to keep costs and administration
efforts to a minimum.” Sheehy added their budget can’t
often afford the promotional packages offered by the
tourism associations or the packages don’t apply because
the ARHS doesn’t offer accommodations. (Sources: ARHS,
Nova News Now)
Three cheers for Mermaid
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia continues to make history
as the Windsor-based company undertakes three
simultaneous tours on several continents. The
internationally-acclaimed family audiences troupe will
present ten performances of its delightful adaptation of
Sam McBratney’s GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU in Singapore
during the first week of March 2008, while two versions
of the company’s signature adaptation of Eric Carle’s
THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR will visit Japan and the
United States. Audiences in Tokyo and Memphis, for
example, will both see the show on March 25th. The
engagement will mark the eighth visit of the popular
production to Japan, while the show has been touring
continuously in the United States since 1999 and been
seen by more than a million spectators. The Spring 2008
tours include Japanese, English and Spanish-language
versions. The productions were directed by Jim Morrow,
the company’s Artistic Director and Production Designer.
Now in its thirty-sixth season, Mermaid Theatre’s unique
adaptations of children's literature have delighted more
close to four million young people on four continents.
The company ranks among North America's most respected
theatres for the young, and has won widespread
recognition for its impressive ambassadorial role for
Nova Scotia and for Canada. The company performs for
close to 200,000 spectators annually, and continues to
provide extraordinary personal and professional
opportunities for Atlantic Canada’s creative artists.
One of Canada’s most active touring organizations,
Mermaid has earned Export Excellence Awards from both
Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada (2001, 2005) in
recognition for contributions to culture and the
economy,
The company’s current roster of touring artists includes
Arianna Bardesono, Zach Fraser, Patti Neice, Jesse
MacLean, Suzy Crocker, Skye Perry, Mary Ellen MacLean,
John Allen MacLean, and Lisa Cochran.
http://www.mermaidtheatre.ns.ca.
Regional and
National Headlines
Budget 2008
The economic outlook for the United States has weakened
considerably since the fall and this has led to a
downgrading of growth forecasts for Canada. Federal
Finance Minister Flaherty has indicated the federal
budget, to be delivered Tuesday, February 26th, 2008, is
likely to sound a cautious note given the uncertainty
about economic prospects. Flaherty arrives in Halifax on
February 29 to address the Halifax Chamber of Commerce
at a luncheon that day. This will be one of the Federal
Finance Minister’s first addresses following the release
of the budget. The event takes place from 12 p.m.-1:30
p.m, but the venue is not yet confirmed. For more
information, please visit
http://www.halifaxchamber.com.
In the meantime:
Budget info by year
Canadian Economy Online
$6 Million Dollar Man
Ottawa is giving nearly $6 million to two post-secondary
schools in Nova Scotia for development projects aimed at
Vietnam and Ethiopia. Cabinet minister Peter MacKay
announced the funding is for Saint Mary's University and
the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro. The
agricultural college will receive $3 million to help
Ethiopian farmers produce local food and products, while
also focusing on commercializing agriculture in the
country. Saint Mary's University will receive $2.8
million for a project in Vietnam that aims to help
people make the transition from an economy based on
agriculture to one that can compete globally. The money
is coming from the Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA) through a program that funds Canadian
university projects in developing countries. (Source:
The Canadian Press, 2008)
March is Fraud Prevention Month
During the month of March, Fraud Prevention Forum
members raise awareness of the dangers of fraud, while
educating the public on how to "Recognize it. Report it.
and Stop it." The Forum, which is chaired by the
Competition Bureau, is a concerned group of private
sector firms, consumer and volunteer groups, and
government and law enforcement agencies committed to
fighting fraud aimed at consumers and businesses.
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca
PhoneBusters
To report incidence of telemarketing fraud, advanced fee
fraud and identity theft, call PhoneBusters at
1-888-495-8501
RCMP - RECOL
To report incidence of fraud online, go to Reporting
Economic Crime Online
www.recol.ca
Business Events
Calendar:
February 26th -- Anthony Robbins
Self-proclaimed Global leadership and Leap Year
born-guru appears with a slate of business authors at a
day-long show the Halifax Metro Centre to deliver
“Experience the Power Within” 8:30 am – 5:30 pm. Advance
Rate $169 plus GST, General Seating Rate $329
1-866-994-2555.
www.powerwithin.com
February 27th –
Post-Budget Breakfast: The Morning After
Prince George Hotel, Windsor Room. The 2008 Federal
Budget will be released on Tuesday, February 26th. The
morning after 2008 Federal Budget is released, the
Atlantic Provinces Economic Council will be hosting a
breakfast panel to review and comment on this budget.
APEC Members $45 Non-Members $55 For more information
about this event, Lise Brooks at
lise.brooks@apec-econ.ca
or 902-422-6516. The event’s agenda is online
here
Leap Year – February 29th – Flaherty Luncheon
In case you missed it above, Federal Finance Minister
Jim Flaherty arrives in on a Halifax post–budget tour.
12 p.m.-1:30 p.m, but the venue is not yet confirmed.
For more information, please visit
http://www.halifaxchamber.com
March 5, 2007 – Breakfast with the Premier & MLAs
Michelin, CIBC and the NS Chamber event, 7:30 until 9:00
am at The Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, Halifax
Ballroom A and B, 1919 Upper Water Street. Tickets are
$20.00 per person. Contact Maria at 895-6329 or
maria@nschamber.com
or Sarah at 895-6328 or
sarah@nschamber.ca
March 25-26: Growing
Opportunities Conference
Presented by Sean Wise, former producer of CBC's
Dragons' Den. The conference, which will address
challenges producers face selling goods in the local
market, will include a mix of local entrepreneurs and
individuals from across North America to help producers
and processors look at ways to increase the supply of
local goods to keep up with consumer demand. Cost is
$125, Holiday Inn Harbourview, Dartmouth. Information
and registration: www.gov.ns.ca/agri/bde.
On-going event: The Strategic Management in Small
Business Certificate Program
Hosted by: Acadia University Continuing and Distance
Education and the Acadia Centre for Social Business and
Entrepreneurship (ACSBE) This nine-module program will
provide the foundations necessary to establish an
entrepreneurial approach to decision making, improve
your innovative edge and increase productivity and
performance. The program will provide strategies for
retention and growth and participants will leave with a
well articulated strategy ready for implementation.
Course information click
here. For
online registration, go to
http://conted.acadiau.ca/pd/register.htm
or phone 902-585-1434
Chuckles:
Canada Post Office just recalled their newest stamps:
they had pictures of federal tax agents on them, and
people couldn't figure out which side to spit on.
E-News info:
E-News Deadline - Our next issue of WHCC E-News will be
published on March 11th. You are invited to submit your
business news, event or announcement by March 7th.
Every two weeks, E-News is distributed to - and read by
- over 200 local business contacts throughout the
Windsor-West Hants area. If your business has news or
events you would like to share with our readers but
can’t find the words, please call our Newsletter Editor,
Heather Desveaux on 790-4009 or email
info@whcc.ca
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