Second notice of a new membership:

Excel Driver Training Centers, Windsor
Licensed Driver Training
http://www.exceldrivertraining.ca

Christmas Social with Stable Country

Help celebrate the stable event Christians mark every year with another! Come and enjoy the tunes of Stable Country, this year’s musical guests at the WHCC Christmas social being held THIS Thursday, November 29th at the Brooklyn Fire Hall, from 6:00 – 10 pm. This event is free to all members, and you can grab this chance to meet some of our new members! Yummy snacks, soups and sarnies (sandwiches) will be provided. Bar opens at 6:30 pm. Three of our wise men – President Gordon Winstone, VP Richard Cole and fellow executive member Glyn Henningar - will be on hand to answer your WHCC questions. Don’t miss it – remember, networking means business, and when is there ever a better time than Christmas? Grinches are welcome too!

‘Tis the season

And local business is leading the way. In addition to the local events above, please check out our special Holiday Events Calendar below to get in the shopping spirit!

WHCC E-News Holiday Issue

Please take note that the WHCC E-News will publish only one issue in December on Tuesday, December 11th. You are invited to submit your business’ holiday open-house announcement or greeting by December 7th. Then we’re taking a short winter’s nap over the holiday season and resuming publication on January 8th, 2008.


West Hants and Area News

Digital Speedpro Signs

Speedpro Signs & Imaging, specializing in sign design and large format printing, is pleased to announce that it has recently introduced a new product – Digital Display Signage. Speedpro Nova Scotia now offers LCD digital display systems – professional advertising in which content and messages displayed on an electronic screen or digital sign can be changed without modification to the physical sign, typically with the goal of delivering a targeted message at a specific time. This product is ideal for clients who want to compliment their existing visual communications with the latest in technology. “This is a unique and exciting method of marketing and advertising we are offering,” says Charles Aubie, Director, Sales and Marketing. “Since we’ve always been a leader in visual communications, this service certainly falls within that scope. The product provides an appealing visual sign to promote products and services to allow our customers to improve communications with customers or employees.” For more information, please call Speedpro directly at 454-4646 or 1-877-277-9797.

Town Hall

On Tuesday, December 4th, at 7:00 pm, the Town of Windsor is inviting its taxpayers and residents to attend a Town Hall meeting for an overview of its business plan for fiscal year 2008-09; to an accountability session with Council and to a discussion forum on key matters affecting the Town.
 

Anyone wishing to make comments may do so at the Town Hall meeting or by forwarding a letter or message to the CAO, Town of Windsor, PO Box 158, 100 King Street, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 or email lcoutinho@town.windsor.ns.ca or by fax (902) 798.5679.

Provincial & Regional Issues:
 

NS Legislature resumes

The Tory government is pledging to partner with private companies to build new roads and public buildings, perhaps including hospitals. The government's throne speech, read Thursday by Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis, says the province needs public-private partnerships to overcome an $8 billion infrastructure deficit. The speech cited the Cobequid Pass and the East Coast Forensic Hospital as examples of how that can work. It’s a reversal of a decision made when the Conservatives were elected eight years ago in 1999, when they promised to end P3 contracts. Premier MacDonald, who said he is committed to upholding the Canada Health Act, also indicated that the private sector can play a greater role in health care. The government will "allow publicly funded, private facilities to play a clearly defined role in providing access to certain and proscribed health services." The province already works with private companies such as Emergency Health Services, without compromising universal access.
NDP Leader Darrell Dexter said he's concerned government will compromise universal health care. He said past P3 projects have cost taxpayers a lot more money, with dubious results. The throne speech promised to twin highways from Yarmouth to Sydney by 2020. Dexter said it's ridiculous for the government to make that kind of promise. "These guys aren't going to be around in 2020," Dexter said. "They'll be lucky to be around in 2008.” Liberal leader Stephen MacNeil accuses the Premier of emulating the Prime Minister. "Everything this premier has done has been mirroring Stephen Harper," Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil said. "This is the Mini Me, I guess, of Stephen Harper, here in Nova Scotia." MacNeil pointed to the fact that the speech spells out five government priorities, the same number Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced this fall. The speech briefly mentioned the government's bill to eliminate health-care strikes. Both the NDP and Liberals plan to vote against it.

Labour Rally

Approximately 500 unionized health-care workers and their supporters demonstrated against the health labour legislation at Province House last Thursday, the day the Legislature resumed. Janet Hazelton, president of the Nova Scotia Nurses Union, said nurses are over-worked and tired. "They're tired of all the work, tired of the overtime, tired of their vacations being cancelled, they're just tired. Instead of Rodney talking to us about how are we going to fix the fact that they're tired, how are we going to fix the fact that they're leaving this province and going elsewhere, he wants to talk about legislation to remove our rights,” Hazelton said. Union speakers said the issue could one day extend beyond health workers.

Environment and Labour Minister Mark Parent introduced the controversial labour legislation on Friday. It’s also been announced the Conservative government plan to reverse another decision made in 1999 and divorce the department of Environment and Labour into two single departments once more.

Uniting Tourism Associations

Destination South West Nova and Central Nova Tourism Association will be uniting to market the Bay of Fundy region jointly. Directors Joyce Mingo and Madonna Spinazola say they are joining to maximise their potential and will collaborate to avoid duplication of material. This measure will also hope to benefit the promotion of Avondale-Hants Shore area, including the Avon River Heritage Museum, which falls on the border of both the associations.

Springhill-Parrsboro Record sold to Transcontinental

Transcontinental Media announced on Friday that they have acquired the Springhill-Parrsboro Record from Advocate Media Inc. The Nova Scotia newspaper was established in 1929 and reaches 1,600 subscribers in Springhill. "We have been honoured to have had the opportunity to report on, participate in and sometimes challenge the community," said Advocate Media president Sean Murray in The Amherst Daily News. "While the decision to sell The Record was not an easy one, we firmly believe that its staff and the community will continue to advance in the long term with Transcontinental's presence." Advocate Media owns a number of weekly and monthly publications in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, including four members of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association. With the purchase of The Record, Transcontinental Media owns a total of 170 community publications across Canada. (Source: Canadian Community Newspapers Association)

Emerging Issues: Entrepren-elles

There’s no question women are making a positive impact on business and represent a growing economic force. Women-owned businesses are one of the fastest growing segments of the Canadian economy, contributing over $18 billion annually. Canada also has one of the highest rates in the world of female entrepreneurship. Now tallying over 800,000 in this country, the number of women-run enterprises is expected to climb to 1 million in 2010. Stats Canada estimates four out of every five of new businesses is being started by a woman.

This week we thought we’d ask local business women, including some of the area’s newest entrepreneurs, to share the best business advice they've ever received – and much from the men in their lives.

Val Lewis, Lavender Grange: “So many people have given me great advice, but I always remember my eldest son Rob telling me to stay positive. It’s so important during those times things aren’t going quite to plan. Looking at the positive is not always the easiest thing to do, and looking at things negatively is too easy.”

Wendy Creese, Reader’s Haven: “Always keep an eye on your bottom line because it can get away from you so easily, especially when you consider the cost of advertising these days. Learn to say no.”

Maggie Bell, Revival Decorating: “Father knows best. Something that my Dad always did that I do is to put away a little of your profits for a rainy day. Don’t take all your profits out of your business and pocket it, or think it’s going to last. Set some aside for when things aren’t going so well, because when you are in business, there are many peaks and valleys.”

Melanie Fiske, Melanie Fiske Reflexology & Fiske’s Horse Care Products: “It’s important to collect really good people around you, humble yourself to ask them questions, listening carefully to what they have to say and process it by using and listening to your own instinct. Ultimately it’s the best judge of all.”

Christmas Events Calendar

- Submit your event to info@whcc.ca today!

Wednesday, November 28 & 29th - Stuff your stockings locally

The West Hants Chamber of Commerce & Hants Regional Development Authority are pleased to present the 3rd Annual Christmas at the Windsor Mall, 80 Water Street, from 9 am to 4:30 pm Local vendors will be on-site to you to offer special local gifts one month before Christmas. Come and explore at the two day Christmas sale with handmade crafts, potpourri, jewelry, baked goods, and wreaths.

Windsor Library Christmas Events throughout December
from natural Christmas wreath-making to Wrapping Wednesdays – see the calendar online here.

Friday, November 30th – December 1st Last Stop Till Christmas
Quick As A Wink Theatre Society will present the jolly one-act comedy by Pat Cook followed by festive desserts and music by jazz combo “Easily Distracted” at the Falmouth Community Hall (corner of Falmouth Back Road and Dyke Road). Friday evening’s show starts at 7:30 pm, Saturday December 1st matinee at 2:30 pm, and a Saturday evening show at 7:30 pm. Doors open a half hour before the performance. General admission is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 10, to be paid at the door. For further information call 792-1455

Friday, November 30th – MacLean Sisters
Concert at the Windsor United Church 7pm. Admission is $10. Proceeds to the Hants Community Hospital Auxiliary.

Saturday, December 1st - Tax-Free Christmas Shopping
Reader’s Haven and Daniel’s Flowers in Avonian Place are teaming together to offer patrons tax-free shopping during their “Come to the Corner” promotion. Both shops will also be open each of the three Friday nights before Christmas.

Beginning Saturday, December 1st - - Love Lavender this Christmas
Lavender Grange shop in Scotch Village will be open each Saturday and Sunday from now until Christmas. The gift shop is newly stocked with gift bags and baskets for the lavender-lover in your family. 1166 Highway 236, Scotch Village http://www.lavendergrange.com

Sunday, December 2nd – West Hants Historical Christmas Tea & Home Tour
1 – 4 pm. Dessert and Tea 2 – 5 pm. $15 More info 798-5212

Sunday, December 2nd – NS Christmas Celebration Concert
7:00 pm Windsor United Church, 613 King Street. Performance by Clary Croft, Gordon Strobbe and Mango Carruthers. For tickets call 798-2667. $10

Thursday, December 6th – Hantsport Shopping Party Night & Santa Land
Includes Tree lighting ceremony starting at 6 – 9pm More info about this and other Christmas events in Hantsport is online at www.haba.ca

Saturday, December 8th – Four Seasons’ Orchestra Christmas Extravaganza
7 pm. With Conductor Roger Taylor and the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir directed by Bill Perot.  Fountain Centre, Kings Edgehill School. This year’s recipient of the Roger Taylor Medal for Musical Achievement will be awarded to Ronald MacKay by Lt. Governor of NS, the Honorable Mayann E. Francis. Tickets $10/ Seniors $8/Schoolagers $5/Children under 5 free. Tickets available at the door, Moes’ Music Sales, Windsor Home Hardware, and Dorian Hall Academy.

December 11th – Seniors Safety Program Annual Christmas Breakfast
8 – 11 am. Free to all seniors in West Hants. Hot breakfast will be served with an optional side of flu vaccine, which will also be available free to seniors. RCL#009 Windsor. 798-8380 seniorssafety@yahoo.ca

Links you can use:

Who’s Hiring: Windsor-West Hants Job Bank

Rural Voluntary and Charitable Funding Pathfinder

Automobile Protection Association

Chuckles:

Funny Business Secrets of Women:
- I know what Victoria's Secret is. The secret is that nobody older than 30 can fit into their stuff.
- The reason so few women are politicians is that it’s too much trouble to put
makeup on two faces.
- A woman has the last word in any dispute. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

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

E-News December Deadline - WHCC E-News will publish only one issue in December on Tuesday, December 11th. You are invited to submit your business’ holiday open-house announcement or greeting by December 7th.