George's Bank to Remain Drill-free

Amid concerns along the eastern seaboard over an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico the governments of Nova Scotia and Canada have extended a moratorium on offshore drilling in the George’s Bank fishing grounds until at least Dec. 31, 2015.

"We know that any decision on whether or not to lift the moratorium on Georges Bank could have significant economic and environmental impacts on the province, the country, and beyond," Premier Darrell Dexter said during the recent announcement. "It is critical that government understands these impacts before such a decision is made.

"We would want solid science and a full public review before making any decision to lift the moratorium. I have heard the public's concerns and I am confident that extending the moratorium will put people's minds at ease."

Read more at gov.ns.ca.

A.F. Theriault and Son

A commitment to growth and excellence is taking a home-grown company from Meteghan River to the boatbuilding big leagues.

Atlantic Canada's largest privately owned, family-run boatyard, A.F. Theriault and Son,(a charter member of Nova Scotia Come to life) is hoping to capitalize on increased government spending to propel its growth.

The province, through Nova Scotia Business Inc, has authorized $5 million in default guarantees to A.F. Theriault and Son Ltd., to allow the company to bid on government contracts this year that require performance, material and warranty bonding.

"This guarantee, and the support from NSBI, are a vital part of our growth strategy and will allow us to foster and channel our naturally competitive spirit," said Arthur Theriault, president, A.F. Theriault and Son.

The company received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the National Research Council in 2003 and the Laurier de la PME award in the processing category in 2009.

Watch a video featuring A.F. Theriault and Son's Gilles Theriault.

NSCC’s Green Wall

A living, breathing example of innovation is growing at Nova Scotia Community College’s (NSCC) Centre for the Built Environment at the Waterfront Campus in Dartmouth.

On May 13, NSCC president Dr. Joan McArthur-Blair helped students complete the first, permanent, exterior "living wall" east of Vancouver. 

"This living wall demonstrates the capacity of the Centre for the Built Environment to help Nova Scotians study the renewable energy and green technologies that are essential to our sustainable future," said Dr. McArthur-Blair.

Living walls combine the natural and built environments. They filter the air, create habitats and add vitality to a building’s design. In 2007, Centre for the Built Environment architects, Barrie & Langille, hired Sue Sirrs, owner of Outside! Planning and Design Studio, to study the feasibility of an exterior living wall that would thrive in a cold climate. Horticulture students and faculty from NSCC’s Kingstec Campus in Kentville helped to plan then design and build the living wall.

The 7,000 plants that make up NSCC’s living wall offer a variety of colours, textures, flowers and berries, providing a living piece of art that will change with the seasons.

Learn more about this and other exciting projects at nscc.ca. Check uot the living, breathing example of Nova Scotia innovation for yourself (video).

Pure Energy Partnership

Imagine charging your collection of handheld devices wirelessly. No more jumbled mess of cables or lamenting over lack of plugs. The future of such technology is creating opportunities for one Nova Scotian company.

Green innovator, Pure Energy Visions Inc. has been developing alkaline rechargeable battery technology and employing 35 people in Amherst for close to 20 years. The latest move for the company is an exciting new partnership with PureEnergy Solutions (formerly WildCharge); a partnership set to enhance product developments and position the company to take advantage of opportunities in the wireless market.

Early in 2009, Pure Energy Visions connected with WildCharge, a U.S. developer of wireless charging pads for hand-held devices. The WildCharge technology is compatible with hundreds of different mobile devices, like iPods and mp3 players. Not only does the pad eliminate the potential for tangled wires, it can charge up to five devices at the same time and save the trouble and cost of device-specific power adapters.

Read more at novascotiabusiness.com.

Planning a Meeting? Think Halifax Sociable

As previously reported in Friends of NS, the new blog at Halifax Sociable!  is the latest addition to Destination Halifax’s suite of online tools for planners, including a Request for Proposals, database of Halifax convention and meeting suppliers and capacity charts for venues in the greater Halifax Regional Municiaplity.

Visit Meeting and Conference blog today to view some reviews (video) of Halifax as a host city from industry planners who’ve learned from experience.

Forrest Walks Coast

A Nova Scotian woman has embarked on an 88 day journey that will take her - literally - around the entire coastline of the province.

From May 13 to August 8 Emily Forrest will be walking 2995 km of Nova Scotia coastline, covering approximately 40 km a day and stopping in over 88 communities!

While raising money and awareness of Nova Scotia’s Brigadoon Village, a non-profit organization that promotes opportunities for youth and children.

You can follow Emily’s walkabout on Twitter.

Learn more or support the cause.

Blue Nose Marathon Grows

A record number of runners are expected to take part in Halifax’s (Scotiabank) Blue Nose Marathon events scheduled for May 22 & 23.

Now in it’s 6th year, the weekend event encompasses a 4.2 km Youth Run, 5 & 10 km runs, a half (21.1 km) and full (42.2 km) marathon and is expected to attract close to 10,000 participants. Not bad for an event whose organizers weren’t certain anyone would show up for their inaugural run in 2004.

This year the race is expected to raise more than $250,000 for charity.

View the excellent promotional campaign (video) for the BNM online.

Surfer’s Access

While not Tahiti, Tavarua or Tofino, Nova Scotia’s expansive coast offers some excellent swells for surfers who prefer calm over crowds. Visitors and residents alike will now be able to access one of the province’s most reputable surf breaks without breaking the law. As reported in a recent issue of The Coast, the Halifax Regional Municipality paid just over $211,000 for a 9.2 acre plot of beachfront land in Cow Bay giving access to 1,000 feet of ocean frontage that was until now only accessible by trespassing.

While locals know the area as a place to catch long rides on quality waves, the beach has drawn surfers from BC, Hawaii, California and elsewhere. In addition to giving access to local and visiting surfers, HRM plans to enhance the site with boardwalks and a public park.

Mermaid Theatre in Montreal

Windosor-based Mermaid Theatre will stage 28 performances of the French-language adaptation of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourites in Montreal from May 19 to June 6. The show was adapted, directed and designed by Jim Morrow, with music by Steven Naylor, and narrated by Gordon Pinsent.

Learn more about Mermaid Theatre, their touring shows, dates and ticket information at mermaidtheatre.ns.ca.

Music NS Crosses the Pond in Search of Adventure

In an effort to raise the profile of Nova Scotian artists outside of North America, a contingent of acts recently embarked on a trade mission of sorts to the Great Escape Music Conference in Brighton, England. Organized by Music Nova Scotia, a trio of acts consisting of Joel Plaskett, Rich Aucoin and The Ghost Bees are representing some of the great talent from here and they are winning rave reviews. With gigs in London prior to the main showcase at the MNS Stage at Great Escape, and elsewhere in Europe following the showcase, the band of bands is sure to win over some new fans overseas.

Read more about this MNS trip.

Note: A fun highlight from the trip:

“Joel Plaskett takes a request for Come On Teacher last night at the Borderline in London. He says that he can't play the full version without the Emergency, so instead he performs an impromptu spoken word take on the song. Here's most of it.”

View other videos of J.P.’s Borderline Club performance.

World’s Oldest Hockey Stick

While some of the province’s hockey fans might be disappointed that local hero Sidney Crosby won’t be hoisting the Stanley Cup again this year, they can take pride in the fact that the world’s oldest hockey stick may well reside here.