The Eastern Shore Current

Government To "Insure No Significant Adverse Effects"

2012-01-27T16:45:00.015-04:00

Save the Eastern Shore - Group Opposed to Salmon Farms

In June of 2011, Nova Scotia's Fisheries and Aquaculture approved two new salmon aquaculture sites in the St. Mary's Bay, Digby, stating that the farms "will create good jobs in southwest Nova Scotia, while the license agreements will ensure protection for other marine industries and the coastal environment".

The media announcement went on to state that "the government will ensure there are no significant adverse effects of salmon farming on the marine environment and its associated fisheries, including the valuable lobster fishery".

Residents of the Eastern Shore who are opposed to the establishment of three proposed salmon farms might well question just how the government will guarantee 'no adverse effects' from the following threats to the lobster industry and the economy (not to mention the already decimated wild salmon population) as compiled on the Nova Scotia Salmon Association's website.

Dangers Presented by Aquaculture

General affects of aquaculture include:
loss of coastal habitat;
pesticide pollution;
greasy coatings on beach rocks;
waste deposits on tidal flats; and
increased present of algae in the water.
In Scotland, salmon farmers have been known to use a chemical delousing agent called dichlorpos to reduce infection of salmon by sea lice. Studies show that this chemical can kill oysters, mussels and other shellfish within 25 meters of the salmon cages where it is used.
It requires at least three kilograms of marine protein to produce a single kilogram of domestic salmon. Domestic salmon are fed by fish caught in the world's oceans. Fish used to feed domestic salmon includes:
Herring;
Mackerel;
Anchoveta;
Anchovy; and
Sardinella.
Concerns are currently being raised around the world about the affects of genetically modified foods on human beings. Salmon that are being raised in aquaculture farms today may fall into the category of genetically modified foods.
In 1997, approximately 300,000 Atlantic salmon were accidentally released into Puget Sound, British Columbia.
In Norway, it is estimated that as many as 1.3 million salmon escape from farms every year and one third of salmon spawning in coastal rivers in Norway are escaped domestic salmon.
Escaped domestic salmon compete with wild salmon for food and for spawning habitat. Studies from British Columbia demonstrate that domestic salmon have begun to spawn and colonize in areas formerly occupied by wild Pacific salmon.
In Norway studies indicate that there are areas where escaped domestic salmon have completely engulfed the historic range of wild salmon.
Interbreeding between wild and escaped domestic salmon can result in the creation of "bad genes". Fish with these types of inferior genes may lose the ability to spawn and survive. The fish may not know where to spawn or may try to spawn at the wrong time of the year.
Escaped domestic salmon can carry disease that is spread to wild salmon populations through mixing in the ocean and interbreeding. Diseases that have spread from domestic species to wild species include:
infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus;
bacterial kidney disease;
Whirling Disease;
Parasitic infections including Gyrodactilus; and
Infectious Salmon Anemia ("ISA").
Studies in Scotland have shown that if a river is less than three miles long and flows into the sea in an area where a salmon farm is located, the river's indigenous wild population will be dead."

Granted, the issuing of license-leases to operate finfish farms in the province include the following regulatory conditions:

- operating in a sustainable manner over the long term by following a code of containment for Atlantic salmon in marine net pens

- participating in the province's Environmental Monitoring Program audited by department staff and shared with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and which requires third-party monitoring and analysis of water samples

- submitting annual production and employment reports.

According to Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau, a significant (note the qualifier) breach of any of these, or one of the many other terms and conditions, could result in the cancellation of an aquaculture licence or lease.

Awww, gee. Bad fish farmers. And how will the government insure safety to the lobster industry once the damage is done? The truth is, they can't. 'Domestic' salmon and trout farms, with their promise of 'local jobs', is a political carrot, usually trotted out along with highway paving issues just before an election.

Once the damage is done, it's too late. "Insuring safety" is political rhetoric, one of those loose terms used to throw us off track. Note they didn't say they 'guarantee'.

The real question is, once the virus is out of the bag so to speak, what's to be done about the dead and dying wild salmon population along the Eastern Shore - and the disappearing lobster industry?

Those opposed have set up a website (Save the Eastern Shore) to alert residents of the proposed farms and a series of community discussions will take place to voice their concerns. In Sheet Harbour, the date is February 6th at the Lions Club, 6-9 pm.

http://savetheeasternshore.blogspot.com/

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The Eastern Shore Current is An eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

No More Quonsets - Urban Sprawl Impacts on Cole Harbour, Westphal

2011-11-17T14:16:00.011-04:00

A recent regional bylaw forbids the erection of new quonset huts in Cole Harbour and Westphal, two communities on the edge of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth's) urban sprawl. (Dartmouth HRM East Community Herald, November 14, 2011).

It seems the newly arrived commuter types enjoy the peacefulness of the country (not to mention lower cost housing) but they don't like the 6:00 am rooster wake up call, the baa-ing of spring lambs, the smell of new mown hay, or the 'hideousness' of the metal roofed farm storage quonsets on their prim, landscaped 'streets' -- streets that, incidentally used to be simply RR#1 or RR#2.

Do I sound cynical? I guess that's because I am. While I understand that the city has to grow and only has so many directions available that don't stop abruptly at the ocean's edge, the recent bylaw accentuates again the short sited vision (or lack thereof), that has city councillors like Lorelei Nicoll succumbing to a threat of "no votes" unless she 'gets rid of the quonset' during her campaign. Excuse me? And only four people complained?

But that's another matter. The point is, Regional Council okayed the bylaw, without giving much thought to the agricultural need for such storage buildings.

According to the Herald, a 'frustrated' Cole Harbour resident stated that he's not 'interested in viewing them [quonsets] from [his] picture window' and that they 'belong on farms, commercial areas or large bodies of land" . Oh, yes, that's right. Just like the one you obliterated when you built your tidy little landscaped bungalow lots? Got it. So, what was wrong with the 'unsightly premises' bylaw for this 'one' quonset?

Anyway, luckily for small, once rural businesses like Walker's Feed Store at the edge of Cole Harbour-burb, their quonsets are already built (thus grandfathered) and with any vision, they've invested in farm land 'beyond' the reach of the frenzied, latte drinking and texting burbanites who moved to the country to 'breathe fresh air', but don't want to have to actually um, look at it.

Tell you what. Let them have the commuterville burbs. Sell them your farm land (with a quonset), for a hefty price of course, and let them tear it down (or create another used furniture store or whatever). Who cares?

Then, you just take your money and run, don't walk a little further down the Eastern Shore, just beyond the reaches of yuppie councillors and metrosexuals (or whatever they're called now). And just sit back and wait. They'll be along again soon and you can make a tidy profit all over again!
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Where There's Muck, There's Money - Farmland is New Gold

2011-11-17T13:35:00.004-04:00

According to Reuter's, increasing numbers of investors are putting healthy chunks of their portfolios into soil, agriculture and arable farmland (Nov. 15, 2011). With 7 billion people now needing food on planet earth, these investors know that farmland is an excellent long-term investment.

Not only that, it has a finite supply, and with global warming, desertificaton and urban sprawl, land is getting scarcer all the time. Moreover, what sharp investors like George Soros know is that, with increasing food shortages imminent, their 'investment' can be rented out or tilled for food crops. And that, they say, is the new gold.

Note: While Soros and others are able to buy large tracts of arable farm land, they rarely do. More often, they buy shares in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ETF's make targeted investments in agriculture and related industries, and with a relatively small investment.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Walker's Feed is Pure Country on the City's Edge

2011-11-12T08:16:00.004-04:00

We discovered an excellent homegrown video on the Walkers Feed Store web site when we needed to look up their store's hours of operation. The Walkers, Dale and Pearl have been running the family business from a barn (replete with resident ducks) at 1397 Cole Harbour Road since 1983. In those days, say Dale and his son Craig, who is also owner/manager, Cole Harbour was still mostly farms.

Walkers has a bit of everything one would expect to find in a true country feed store, with a hefty dose of down home friendliness thrown in. Honey and farm fresh eggs, fruit trees, turkey poults, horse feed, bedding plants, landscaping shrubs, Christmas trees. What's your fancy? Just a chat? That's okay too at Walker's. It's a Cole Harbour tradition, as evidenced by the assortment of antique farm tools and old time photos that line the barn-board walls. By the way, Walker's Feed Store does close early on Saturday, at 1:00 in the afternoon, I think. Maybe that's a country custom too, but I'm sure the Walkers will tell you why if you pop in and ask them. Enjoy the video!

Walkers Feed Store, 1397 Cole Harbour Road, Dartmouth, NS 1-902-435-5561
*Photo of Craig Walker courtesy Walkers Feed.
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online.
Visit the website!

Heavy Rainfall Warning for Eastern Shore

2011-11-10T13:22:00.005-04:00

November 10, 2011 Canada weather office is predicting up to 100 ml of rain to fall in Halifax County, east of Porter's Lake. A low pressure system from the north will move toward the Maritimes tonight, absorbing moisture from tropical storm Sean. The heavy rainfall is currently forecast for mainland Nova Scotia with locally higher amounts possible along parts of the Atlantic coast. Rainfall is expected to continue through Friday.
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View from Quoddy Hill, Nova Scotia
The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Weird Days in November

2011-11-01T11:51:00.003-03:00

There is a 'day' to celebrate everything and November is no exception.

For example, November is Peanut Butter Lovers Month while November 3rd is "Sandwich Day" so I guess that takes care of the lunch boxes on the third, but there are even weirder November celebrations. November 3rd, for example is also "Housewife's Day". Are there still housewives in North America? November 2nd is "Look for Circles Day" and "Deviled Egg Day" while the 5th is Gunpowder Day and the 8th is "Marooned Without a Compass Day".

It gets even weirder; November 9th is "Chaos Never Dies Day" while the 19th is "Have a Bad Day Day" and the day after that, the 20th is "Absurdity Day".

Some days I like: November 13th is "World Kindness Day", 17th is "World Peace Day" and the 18th is simply "Beautiful Day". Some days I don't like at all like "Clean Your Refrigerator Day" on the 15th.

The 23rd is "Eat a Cranberry Day" - just one? and also "National Cashew Day". Why not combine them to make "National Fruit Cake Day"?

Of course, November has its significant days too. American Thanksgiving on the 24th is followed by Black Friday or "Buy Nothing Day". The 25th is also "You're Welcome Day". Some day makers have a real sense of humor.

Guy Fawkes Day on the 5th and of course, Remembrance/Veterans' Day on the 11th are well known, but don't forget to get on Facebook on the 21st for "World Hello Day". Be careful; the 21st is also "False Confession Day", whatever that means. I guess it means 'don't write anything you don't want the world to read' (day) or you might end up celebrating "Dunce Day" on the 8th the following year.

Actually, I guess that error could be corrected without waiting a year - "Make Your Own Head Day" is the 28th. I have no idea what that means exactly but I think it means you can at least change your Facebook profile pic to someone you don't resemble. Enjoy November - it's more fun than you might think.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Interpreting 11-11-11 (November 11, 2011)

2011-11-01T11:25:00.003-03:00

On November 11, 1911, the temperature suddenly dropped by 50 degrees, killing 300 people in the process.
Gamblers love the number eleven. Will Lady Luck smile on you on 11-11-11? Will there be an eclipse? Will the spirits bless or curse the earth? What freak storm, and other historic events might happen on this day? Read all about the significance of November 11, 2011 on this hub page that explores the significance of number 11 in "111111 - A Metaphysical Experiment"

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

The Story of Jerome, One of Nova Scotia's Great Unsolved Mysteries

2011-04-07T14:09:00.003-03:00

From Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia

"On August 22, 1863, Robert Bishop and William Eldridge were working in a field overlooking the Bay of Fundy. A small vessel was noticed to heave to and lower a boat, which was rowed towards the land. As the little craft approached the shore it was hidden from view by the high bank that rose abruptly from the beach."

Several days later, a young man from the village found a man lying on the beach in a very bad condition and ran to fetch the Eldridge brothers who rescued the unfortunate fellow. He had been left with his legs amputated and only a few biscuits and water to sustain him. Jerome, as he was later named, was cared for by various communities for some forty-three more years -- during which time he never spoke or revealed his identity. Jerome died on April 19th, 1912 and Titanic (Hwy 7 Disaster Links) had just sunk not far off the coast of Halifax. His death went unmentioned in the newspapers.

There have been many versions of the Jerome story unfold over the years, and slowly, as such mysteries do, Jerome is becoming legend.

The version on Canadian Mysteries written by R. Baden Powell is purported to be accurate -- and a debunking effort of the others, so to speak -- but the fact is that Jerome's origin and the circumstances that deposited him on a Nova Scotia beach over a hundred years ago, remain one of Nova Scotia's great unsolved mysteries.

The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Watt Section Wind Turbine Ready to Spin

2011-03-25T17:32:00.003-03:00

The latest addition to the Eastern Shore's renewable energy projects is a 1.5 MW mega-turbine erected in Watt Section, just east of Sheet Harbour. Read the complete article on Highway 7 Online.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

SNAP Dartmouth - Eastern Shore Pirates Association

2011-03-15T13:51:00.007-03:00

SNAP Dartmouth - Eastern Shore Pirates Association

Scroll down the above link page for some great photos by SNAP Dartmouth of our own Nova Scotia pirates in Jeddore. More on the official website @ http://www.novascotiapirates.ca

East Coast Pirate Festival Needs a Village to Pillage! 2011

It seems the Eastern Shore Pirates Association has to find a suitable venue before deciding the fate of this year's Pirates Festival. The originator and the steam behind the engine of the original pirates festival 5 years ago, Adrien Blanchette recently retired after selling Salmon River House. Salmon River House has been the venue for the Eastern Shore Pirates Festival for the last four years.

What isn't clear is, is the location up for grabs? Must it be located on the Eastern Shore?

If so, how about Ecum Secum or Marie Joseph? If not, how about Guysborough or Canso? After all, the website is http://www.novascotiapirates.ca. HRM will support a location in well, HRM. Will the Province kick in? Quick, check the grant deadlines. It takes money to make money.

Could it be Nova Scotia's only repertory festival, moving to a different village each year, wherever the town needs an economic boost? Instead of Where's Waldo?, the world will watch to see where the pirates pillage and plunder 'this year'. Of course, the townsfolk already know about the raid; they're in on it and have already set up " a turn of the century town", replete with Jolly Rogers flying, sabres rattling and panteloons pressed, ready and waiting!

A couple of things to remember, prerequisites for a pirate bash, in case any communities are considering it. The first is, you gotta have OCEAN! These fun-loving Nova Scotian buccaneers decorate and man their own pirate ships and have great cannon battles. Seems they like a lot of noise and yelling. The second thing you have to have is a place to raid, preferably with lots of parking. For example the town hall or a local inn is raidable - imagine all those pirates climbing up the balconies, swords at the ready. You also have to have a town groggin' place (even if it's a decorated beer tent) and you have to have a dignitary to be captured and kidnapped for ransom.

It also helps to have lots of pretty wenches to attract the likes of Captain Hook (or Captain Crunchy who frequents these local raids). Oh, and vittles of course. Lots of good home made pirate fare (fish??). Not only are all the visiting pirates going to be famished, so will everyone else who comes along. Family entertainment (kids love to dress up as Pirates of the Caribbean) in the daytime, party hearty at night. If you can offer a "pirate happening venue" for the fall, check the website and get in touch with Shane before April 10th, 2011. Otherwise, the Eastern Shore Pirates may raid the shore no more. How sad.
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online.
Visit the website!

What's Up at the Canada Games Skating Oval? 24 Hour Webcam Video

2011-02-20T11:35:00.000-04:00

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Hurricane Colin Getting "Better Organized"

2010-08-08T09:50:00.000-03:00

Tracking Hurricane Colin
"Canadian Hurricane and Tropical Storm Information, Watches and Warnings" Dispatch August 8th, 2010 12:59 am

While Hurricane Colin poses no immediate threat to land areas in the Maritimes, analysts say it is difficult to determine the epicentre of the storm and prevailing winds make Colin a bit unpredictable.

Colin is currently SW of Bermuda and is expected to impact the marine areas of Newfoundland on Monday and Tuesday.

Here are a few excerpts from this morning's dispatch, showing that the scientists reporting to us from Environment Canada's Hurricane Center write with a light touch...

In the "TECHNICAL DISCUSSION FOR METEOROLOGISTS" segment, this morning's dispatch states that " PERHAPS COLIN MAY BECOMING A LITTLE BETTER ORGANIZED".

Technical jargon, indeed ... :-)

3. PUBLIC WEATHER IMPACTS AND WARNINGS SUMMARY
NO IMPACTS TO CANADIAN LAND AREAS ARE EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
HOWEVER THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF RAIN OVER THE AVALON PENINSULA
OF NEWFOUNDLAND OVERNIGHT MONDAY INTO TUESDAY.

4. MARINE WEATHER IMPACTS AND WARNINGS SUMMARY
POSSIBLE WIND/WAVE IMPACTS OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN CANADIAN MARINE
DISTRICT MONDAY AND/OR TUESDAY. THERE REMAINS UNCERTAINTY IN THE
INTENSITY AND TRACK BUT GALES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE MONDAY/TUESDAY
TIMEFRAME OVER EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN WATERS OF THE MARITIMES AND
THE GRAND BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND.

5. TECHNICAL DISCUSSION FOR METEOROLOGISTS

A. ANALYSIS
THE CENTRE OF COLIN REMAINS DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT PRECISELY ON
IR SATELLITE IMAGERY. THE STORM REMAINS IN A RELATIVELY LOW SHEAR
ENVIRONMENT AND OVER WARM WATERS..29 DEGREES CELSIUS.. THE LAST
FEW IR IMAGES HAVE SHOWN ANOTHER BURST OF CONVECTION JUST SOUTH AND
EAST OF THE CIRCULATION CENTRE.. THUS PERHAPS INDICATING COLIN MAY
BECOMING A LITTLE BETTER ORGANIZED.

To subscribe to the Canadian Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watch Bulletins email notifications: http://mailman.ns.ec.gc.ca/listinfo/chc-ccpo-en

To visit the Canadian Hurricane Center website:

To view Colin in satellite imagery (push the 'play' button at the top):
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Please Eat the Easter Lilies!

2010-04-01T19:18:00.000-03:00

If you're looking for something to prepare for dinner next week and wondering what to make for dinner that's a bit different, why not eat the lilies you bought for your Easter dinner centerpiece?

Here's what you need to know about lilies, both Asiatic and Oriental, including whether all lilies are edible, which parts of the plant you can eat, and how to prepare them.

This article from the Trail Stop Country Market in Eastern Nova Scotia also offers up some pretty great sounding recipes, just to get you started.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

The Ghost of Matthew DaCosta

2010-02-18T15:54:00.003-04:00

So who is Matthew DaCosta and why does his ghost still haunt us?

February is Black History Month in most of North America, but here in Nova Scotia, there is a unique and fascinating story of some of our earliest settlers. In fact, several black explorers travelled our coast with Champlain long before there were any European settlements.

The rich tapestry of Black Nova Scotian history is spun from many threads weaving back and forth across the oceans for over 400 years - from the United States (British Loyalists) to Canada (the Underground Railroad) to the West Indies (Maroons-Jamaica) and back to Africa (Sierra Leone).

Some of the early settlers chose to stay here and they have enriched enriched our lives and our society in ways that are not celebrated enough. Over the centuries, they would become renowned leaders in the military, in politics, in education and religion. Others are remembered for their ability to excel in science, in sports and entertainment.

Historically, a few courageous souls are remembered for their accomplishments, yet, their descendants who remained here to try to eke out a living in spite of many hardships would encounter harsh treatment from the Nova Scotia government and her people. Their struggle continues.

Test your knowledge of Black History with a few little known facts:

1. Who is remembered to be one of the first black explorers (video) of what is now Nova Scotia?

2. What was his (or her) special skill and why was he or she invaluable to the expedition?

3. How many historic black communities or settlements are in Nova Scotia?

4. Which is considered the largest by population and geographic size? (This one's easy, so no help!)

5. Which established black community was destroyed by the Nova Scotian government?

6. Name a famous black Nova Scotian singer.

7. Which Queen of England was that country's first black queen?

8. Charlottetown, PEI was named after which black Queen of England? (This is 'not' a trick question. There were at least two).

9. When was slavery practiced in Nova Scotia?

10. How long did slavery last in Nova Scotia?

11. The first Victoria Cross ever awarded to a Canadian was bestowed on a black man, a Nova Scotian! Who was he and why did he receive this highest military honour?

12. What black Eastern Shore resident 'almost' won the Canadian Idol title in its 1st season ?

Sorry, no prizes if you got them all right... but, just look at how much you learned about black Nova Scotian history!
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Chinese New Year 2010: Year of the White Tiger

2010-02-14T09:13:00.009-04:00

Chinese New Year 2010

Year of the White Tiger

This coming Chinese New Year will officially start on February 14, 2010 - Valentines Day! (your free lucky element below).

So what does that mean for you? First of all, the 'white' refers to metal in the Chinese 5 element theory. Metal also relates to money, thus for many, the year of the White Tiger will bring good fortune. For others, the Snake and the Monkey, the Tiger's nemesis, for example, it will be a year of discord. Don't worry, we'll show you how to balance that and turn your luck around.

The Tiger symbolizes vitality, strength and bravery and 2010 will impart these attributes to you in various ways. Watch for it.

One of the traditions during Chinese New Year is the giving of red envelopes called “Ang Pow”. These Ang Pows are passed out during the Chinese New Year celebrations and almost always contain money, a good fortune gift for 'white' or metal years especially.

The envelopes contain a couple of dollars to several hundred, but always in an even number. Eight is the optimum luck number because the Chinese word also means 'wealth', so if you receive a red packet, don't be surprised to find $8 inside.

If you can, light a few fireworks tonight or during the next said to dispel bad luck and evil spirits and wear red clothing for the same reason, especially between today (February 14th) and March 1st which is the end of the Chinese New Year. How about those red knickers your loved one gave you as a joke for Valentine's Day. Get 'em on! It can't hurt.

Chinese astrology is an ancient and complex system of elements, signs and symbols, so we promised all you Snakes and Monkeys, and every one else a way to change your luck this year and beyond into the future. If you don't know your sign in Chinese Astrology, this easy to use free lucky element guide will show you that, plus a way to balance the unfavourable elements in your sign. You will also learn "three valuable secrets about yourself".

One is the Lucky Element from your Five Elements. The second one is The Rise and Fall Chart of Your Life. The last one is the Lucky Element Guide to help you to improve your luck in the rest of your life.

Here's what to do: Fill in your birth year, month, day and your gender. The hour, time zone, etc. is not so important, but do fill it in if you know it. Otherwise, don't worry about it. Click the submit button and get ready for good luck in 2010!
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Pirates Raid the Eastern Shore

2009-09-09T09:17:00.008-03:00

Calling all rogues, wenches and scurvy rats in general. Arrrrgh you ready?

The Eastern Shore Pirates are coming again for the 4th straight year. On Saturday, September 19th, the Jeddore area will be awash with grog and vittles as the scurvy Jeddore pirates take over the harbour with "Piratical Parades, Nautical Nonsense, Buxom Bobulations, Garrulous Groggin', Exciting Explosions, Wondrous Wenchin', Raucous Robberies, Cannon Fire, Musket Fire, Daring Dancin' and Flyin in the Face of all Authority and convention..."

So dig into your treasure trunk for the best pirate gear you can find and win prizes! Lots going on for the whole family, starting with the parade at 11:00 a.m. For more information, call Cap'n Crusty @ 1-800-565-3353 or check the website at : http://novascotiapirates.ca

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online.
Visit the Hwy#7 web portal!

Hurricane Watch

2009-08-17T12:06:00.007-03:00

Atlantic Canada Hurricane Season

Warm weather and hurricanes go hand in hand. Although Hurricane Floyd has now been downgraded, the 2009 Hurricane Season is upon us.

Environment Canada's "Hurricane Center" is urging us to be prepared. You can also check http://www.beprepared.ca
(72 Hour Kits) and subscribe to hurricane bulletins sent via RSS or email, but the Department warns that they may not be 100 % reliable.

Lots of great info on the site, with a summary of "notable Canadian cyclones". Remember 2003? It was one of the worst on record for major hurricanes. Find feature articles here on Hurricanes Isabel (September 3rd, 2003) and Juan (Sept. 29, 2003).

Juan, by the way, has been retired from the name list of hurricanes out of respect for the dead and the multi-billion dollar loss of property.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Eastern Shore Weather - 27 Degrees in the Shade!

2009-08-15T10:36:00.005-03:00

A magnificent day for a drive along the Eastern Shore. In fact, take the whole weekend - it's party time on the Shore!

In Sheet Harbour, it's the wind up weekend of the 31st Seaside Festival with an Art show this weekend and lots of events, church suppers, bbq's etc.

In Ecum Secum, there's a Community Bash with a flea market, bathtub races and fireworks. The Ecum Secumers know how to do it up! Sherbrooke Village always has something happening, as does Guysborough's Seacoast Vacations @ Desbarres Manor.

Upshore, the big event is the Clam Harbour Sandcastle Contest this Sunday, August 16th. Go early (I mean early) to get parking that isn't a mile away. They'll have a beach shuttle for highway parkers anyway. Don't forget your sunscreen. Food vendors (I think) but take a picnic lunch anyway for some old-fashioned family fun.

Speaking of weekend getaways, did you ever do the ABC Loop between Halifax and Antigonish?? If not, then you're missing one of the nicest drives in the province. You can do it in a day's drive, but why would you want to when you can take a real break away from all the hustle and bustle.

Okay, shameless plug - stop by and say hello @ The Trail Stop - we're about 1/2 way between Clam Harbour and Guysborough - Moser River, just east of the bridge and we're open 'til 8:00. Coffee's on! Also ice cold lemonade & chicken caesar salads for a cool bite to eat on a hot day -- along with all the fish& chip, burger & home fries rah, rah, of course.

Bring your appetites - these are big meals. Fresh eggs & wild blackberry jelly while supplies last!
Pics soon!
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online.

Visit the website!

NDP Sweeps Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore

2009-06-11T14:46:00.015-03:00

"Nova Scotia, look at you!!" - George Strombolopolous, The Hour, June 10th.

In an unprecedented and historic victory, Nova Scotia's party NDP swept to power in the Provincial elections held on June 9th, 2009.

For many residents living along Highway 7, an NDP win isn't a big surprise. Jim Boudreau and Sid Prest have been campaigning for years and have come close to tasting victory before.

Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore is still that long stretch of coastal highway that runs between Halifax and Cape Breton Island.

In political terms, however, the region is split down the middle at Newcombe's Brook. Of the two primary ridings, along the coast, the Guysborough-Sheet Harbour and the Eastern Shore to the west. The eastern half had swung NDP during the last provincials, losing only by a narrow margin.

In the last provincials, Jim Boudreau, NDP, a school teacher from Sherbrooke came in only a few votes less than Conservative Ron Chisholm. This time, Boudreau won with almost twice the number of votes as Chisholm.

To the west, Bill Dooks, a strong, well liked Conservative had held the position for several terms. Dooks has finally been defeated and will be replaced by S idney Pre st, NDP.

One of the Winning Issues for Darrell Dexter
Keeping Young People in Nova Scotia (Video)

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Summertime Dreamin' - Sheet Harbour

2009-04-26T20:18:00.005-03:00

Aah, boats at sunset in Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia.

This lovely pic was sent to us by David Vienneau of New Brunswick. Thanks, David!
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Meteor Showers Visible This Week

2009-04-22T13:32:00.005-03:00

Lyrid Meteor Showers Visible until April 25
(photo courtesy Farmers Almanac)

If the north-eastern sky clears up before Saturday, April 25th, early rising stargazers will get a treat this week, with the Lyrid meteor showers expected to be especially visible.

The Lyrids Meteor Shower isn’t the biggest annual meteor shower, but this year coincides with a new moon, meaning they’ll be brighter than in recent years. Lyrids are usually seen falling to earth at the rate of 10-20 an hour and many have tails.

The Lyrid shower is generally active from April 16 to 25, although some meteors are evident even outside those dates, said Dr. Robert Hawkes, physics and astronomy professor at Mount Allison University.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Edible Wild Plants of Eastern Canada

2009-04-22T12:12:00.014-03:00

If you've got a hankering for Wild Blueberry Tea, Fiddlehead Sauté or Apple & Rose Petal Pie, this is the book for you. Published in 2008, Marilyn Walker's "Wild Plants of Eastern Canada" contains a whole section on 'wild' recipes for foragers.

This is an excellent reference book for anyone who wants to identify, harvest and prepare wild plants for culinary and medicinal uses. Walker draws on historical and Aboriginal sources for over 60 wild plants found right here in Nova Scotia.

Here's the publisher's blurb:

"A comprehensive guide to the most common native plants of northeastern North America, including their culinary, medicinal, folk, and ecological uses. Explores the cultural history of wild plant use among Aboriginal - Mi'kmaq, Maliseet and Passamaquoddy - and non-Aboriginal - Black, Acadian, and Celtic - peoples. Contains easy-to-read profiles of sixty (60) plant species, each identified with an actual size leaf-print specimen and a realistic reproduction for i.d. (does not include cultivated plants, seaweeds, or trees). Includes nearly 60 contemporary recipes. A valuable reference to the plants of Eastern Canada and their many culinary, medicinal and ecological uses.

My one complaint, as with most such reference books is that the photos and illustrations are all in black and white (which aren't the colours - non-colours I guess - one normally looks for in the woods).

To Walker's credit, she has used the ancient technique of "leaf printing" for many of the illustrations, so they are "actual-size".

As lovely as the leaf prints are, I'd like to find a reference guide that has, not only colored photos or sketches, but seasonal pics as well (i.e. flowers, berries, roots, winter appearance, etc).

Currently Available at Chapters Indigo Online @ 34% off (see link below)

Wild Plants of Eastern Canada

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

HRDA or A Russian Teen Dating Service?

2009-04-20T14:34:00.003-03:00

Okay, wait a minute... what happened to our Halifax RDA? I just did a Google search for the Halifax Regional Development Agency. No problem, here's the link, says Google. Try it! I dare ya!
Don't worry, it's all text so not offensive. (awww!)

http://www.hrda.ns.ca

Yep, our beloved HRDA - the same steering committee that directs local small business owners to other relevant agencies - is now a Russian Teen Dating Service.

No wonder there's so little development going on along the Eastern Shore! Has anyone checked on Blue Water lately? Maybe they're now an escort service....

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Most Wicked City to Manufacturing Hub - Early Halifax

2009-04-04T14:19:00.007-03:00

According to Thomas Raddall (Warden of the North), Halifax in the late 1700's was reputed to be the most wicked town in North America for its large number of brothels and drinking houses.

By the 1800's, it had turned into one of the leading manufacturing centers in the country, with "iron and metal-works including a large rolling mill, various foundries, a number of machine shops and several engineering plants. Other manufacturing concerns included large sugar refineries in Halifax and Dartmouth, with 700-800 employees; an extensive cable, rope and twine factory in Dartmouth; a plant for the manufacture of railway cars; one of the largest clothing factories in the country; a cotton-goods factory; a large boot-and-shoe factory; a paint works; four breweries; a chocolate, coffee and spices factory; and an extensive manufactory of breads, biscuits and confectionery"

Interesting Points:

In the early 1900's, there were almost as many people living in Halifax County (10,632) as in the city (12,933). Of the former, 3,086 were farmers, 55 of whom were women (1888 census).

Nova Scotia Archives
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Chezzetcook Company Turning FOG Into Fuel

2009-04-04T13:13:00.007-03:00

Chezzetcook Company Turning FOG Into Fuel

Blue Bio was established in Head of Chezzetcook in 2007 to offer environmentally friendly solutions for businesses that have to deal with grease disposal.

FOG₂Fuel is BlueBio's first bioWaste-to-bioEnergy program and targets the fats, oil and grease waste generated by food service kitchens.

Under the program, FOG (fat, oil and grease) suppliers are paid 5¢ / liter for source-separated Waste Fryer Oil (WFO) kept free of other grease, kitchen wastes and water.

This provides an excellent feedstock for production of low-emissions, non-toxic and renewable bioDiesel fuel as an alternative to petroleum-based diesel fuel.

Other Blue Bio products and services include a solvent free washer degreaser for auto shops and machine shops and Grease-Gard, a natural grease trap solution for food service operations, and composters for solid waste.

The bio-fuel produced by Blue Bio processing is used as a No. 2 heating fuel and diesel engine fuel additive.
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BlueBio produces sustainable bioFuels for Nova Scotia
using source-separated bioWastes collected from restaurants in HRM

(In other words, used cooking Fat, Oil and Grease processing)

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!