Mark your calendar for the Fairview Family BBQ!
When: Saturday. August 7, 12 -4 pm
Rain Date: Sunday, August 8, 2010 12-4 pm.
Location: Centennial l Arena, Vimy Avenue
The Spryfield & District Business Commission held its Annual General Meeting, and I was the guest speaker. I would like to thank the Commission for all the work it does to help businesses thrive on the Herring Cove Road and surrounding area. My constituency, of course, extends up the Herring Cove Road to Punch Bowl Drive.
Congratulations to 402 graduates of Halifax West High School.
I attended the graduation ceremony at Exhibition Park, and was pleased to award the Eileen O'Connell Memorial Bursary to Jenny Huynh. I would also like to congratulate all graduates of J.L. Ilsley High School, who graduated later the same day. I was kindly invited to their ceremony as well, but unfortunately I was unable to attend as it conflicted with the rededication ceremony at Government House with Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Royal Canadian Navy's centenary celebrations were marked with a luncheon with Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgy at CFB Stadacona, which I attended, as well as an International Fleet Review. The "Celebration of Nova Scotia" event in the evening was a smashing success, and I, along with a number of other constituents, had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Her Majesty personally.
Yesterday, I attended a a recognition ceremony for of all the volunteers (about 150 volunteers in a school of 260 students) at Fairview Heights Elementary School.
There was also a special recognition for Shirley Locke. Her firm, Wellington West, established a scholarship in her honour at Halifax West.
COLTA (Chain of Lakes Trail Association) is looking for new members.
You can be kept informed on the development of the trail, status reports, and more importantly to be able to take ownership of this trail. As a member you also have a voice in how the trial is developed over time with special events, fitness stations, informative signage, parking, and beautification of the trail with gardens, shrubs and trees, etc.
For additional information please visit the website at www.halifax.ca/trails
You are invited attend and participate in the Annual General Meeting of the local trails group, Halifax North West Trails Association.
Thursday, March 25 at 7pm
St Peters Church Hall
3 Dakin Drive
March 25th the Legislature will resume sitting.
You can watch the sessions live on your computer from the Legislature website.
The Legislature session will also be televised in part on channel 10 (click here to see listings), and is live on LegTV (channel 95 on Eastlink digital cable).
Podcasts and an audio version of Question Period, the Public Accounts Committee, and the Budget are now available through the Legislature site and through iTunes. Click here for the iTunes and mp3 links.
Today I attended a mass in honour of St. Maroun at Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Fairview.
Information sessions for parents who want to learn more about primary French Immersion are being held this month. If you can't attend the session near to you, then you're welcome to attend one of the other sessions.
The deadline to register children for French immersion is March 1, 2010 for the 2010/2011 school year.
For more information, please contact Canadian Parents for French (cpf_hf_pen_mnso@yahoo.ca).
For the next few weeks I will be travelling around the province meeting with Nova Scotians to discuss the province's finances. For more information go to:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/finance/backtobalance/
To register for one of the Back to Balance Sessions go to:
https://www.gov.ns.ca/finance/backtobalance/register.htm

This year, Fairview Heights School and the Free Masons are selling Christmas trees.
"Christmas Trees for Kids"
165 Coronation Avenue
$5.00 from every tree goes to support children and families in the Fairview Heights school community, and supports the Breakfast Program.
Fairview Family Resource needs YOU!
Great opportunity to get involved in your community and make a difference. The Fairview Family Resource Centre/Parent ‘n Tot has openings for new board members. This dynamic and busy organization has been in operation for over 20 years providing services such as adult education, parenting support, child development programs, immigrant/refugee support and more! You can also visit the website at www.parentntot.com. The board meets once a month in the evenings from 7-9 pm excluding December, July and August. Please contact Cathy Walls at cathy.walls@iwk.nshealth.ca or call 219 - 4163.
Remember that, in addition to being vaccinated, there are many other ways to protect yourself from H1N1. These include:
View the complete Public Health Agency of Canada's H1N1 Flu Prevention Checklist by following this link: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/guide/pdf/h1n1_prevention_list-eng.pdf
Adults and children who are experiencing flu-like symptoms and wish to see a health care professional should visit the nearest Assessment Centre instead of going to hospital emergency departments. The Assessment Centres are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Please note: The Assessment Centres will not provide vaccinations for H1N1 flu.
Directions to Assessment Centre locations can be found at www.cdha.nshealth.ca or www.iwk.nshealth.ca.
*Flu-like symptoms are fever and/or cough, and one or more of the following: unusual tiredness, headache, muscle or joint aches, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea in children less than five years of age.
Information is changing frequently! The most up-to-date information about vaccines and Assessment Centres, as well as the most current H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccine Schedules, can be found online at www.cdha.nshealth.ca and www.iwk.nshealth.ca (Click on "H1N1 Updates").
If you have questions about H1N1 (e.g. vaccination clinics, assessment centres, visitor restrictions), please e-mail flu@cdha.nshealth.ca.
This Saturday, October 17th, the community around Abbott Drive is hosting a Yard Sale at the Calvin Presbyterian Church on Ashburn Avenue for "Neighbours for Refugees". The yard sale begins at 10am.
Neighbours for Refugees Poster
You can watch the current sitting of the Legislature live on your computer from the Legislature website.
The Legislature session will also be televised in part on channel 10 (click here to see listings), and is live on LegTV (channel 95 on Eastlink digital cable).
Podcasts and an audio version of Question Period, the Public Accounts Committee, and the Budget are now available through the Legislature site and through iTunes. Click here for the iTunes and mp3 links.
Listen to the Budget by clicking here.
Want to participate in decisions on financial, regulatory, business, or policy decisions in Nova Scotia? Apply to be on one of Nova Scotia's Agencies, Boards, or Commissions. Profiles for positions can be found at http://gov.ns.ca/exec_council/abc/.
The Fairview overpass forms part of the Northern boundary of the constituency.
This Fall, repairs to the bridge will cause some disruption to normal traffice routes. The repairs are required becuase their are safety issues with the bridge.
Click here for a Frequently Asked Questions page for the project.
Tonight I attended a meeting with Department of Transportation staff and Abbot Drive residents about the Highway 102 widening proposal.