Alex Maine's Blog » halifax

The Advisory Board

Alex — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 17:30:01 +0000

As many of you know, the Haliwards is my first international project. After the success of the inaugural year, I wanted to start to involve local people by the way of an Advisory Board. Here is a short and sweet look at the people who make up the 2010/2011 board. Though we have only been working together for a few weeks, I can safely say we are in for a good year!

My name is Cara Muise. I grew up in Sydney, NS but moved to Halifax for school. I’m pursuing a undergraduate degree in linguistic analysis. It’s an inter-university program, so you can find me bouncing back and forth between Dal, SMU and MSVU. When I’m not busy pouring coffee, I’m either running with my dog or curled up on my sofa with a book. I became interested in the Haliwards while chatting with the project’s director, Alex Maine, via Twitter. After reading about previous award winners and how they contributed to their communities, I was 100% sold. I try to volunteer as much as I possibly can (with groups like the Canadian Cancer Society, tutoring children/my peers, teaching religious education classes, helping palliative care patients and their families) so I understand how much time and effort the nominees are putting into their communities. More importantly, I understand the need to thank them, to tell them that their work hasn’t gone unnoticed, and remind them that they’re contributing to a better and brighter Halifax. As we at the Haliwards like to say, it’s time to say thank you! Here’s looking forward to an incredible 2011!

Hi everyone, I’m Maeghan Murphy. I’ve got a passion for two things: my studies and my city. Working with the Haliwards, I get the opportunity to pair both of these and I couldn’t be happier. Two years ago, I moved to Halifax to study Public Relations at Mount Saint Vincent University. I’ve been in awe of the perfect balance Halifax has – a big, beautiful city with a small town feel. Growing up in the booming metropolis of Sydney, Cape Breton, I definitely appreciate the small town feel. I became involved with the Haliwards after receiving the newsletter and reading that Alex was looking for board members. I crossed my fingers and hoped no one had already claimed the PR role. Luck was on my side – bring on the press releases! What really drew me into the project was the lack of rules that go along with nominations. As long as it’s extraordinary – it’s Haliwards approved. Behind every strong community is its people – here in Halifax, our people are of elite quality.

Let’s get celebrating!

My name is Alanna Langille and I was not only born, but also raised in Halifax. In my spare time, when I have “me time”, you can find me with my camera in hand. I love photography and it has become one of my favourite hobbies. I have recently graduated from Halifax West High School, class of 2010, and will be attending Dalhousie for Nursing in the fall. While in high school, I was an active member of Student Government and volunteered with various events as well as organized my own events which got the school and community actively involved. I was nominated and awarded a Haliward in 2010. The experience was amazing because not only did it make me realize what I had done had made a difference, but also that it did not go unnoticed by the community. The feeling that was behind being nominated for such a prestigious award was incredible. Being on the board this year for Haliwards is an honour and I look forward to giving back to my community.

Hi, my name is Angela Espejo, and I am a new nursing graduate of the University of Alberta. I grew up in Fort McMurray, AB, and currently work for Capital Health Halifax in acute care Psychiatric-Mental Health. At twenty-three years, I convocated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and decided to move to a new region of Canada to kick off my healthcare career! I moved to nurse in Halifax largely because my employer offers a transition program for new nurses; indeed, I’ve always found Atlantic Canada intriguing, and this area in particular. Now I’m here to discover Halifax firsthand! What better way to make Halifax home than to volunteer with an organization that is committed to the community, and gives citizens the opportunity to say thank you?! I believe that embracing and participating in the community truly enriches the lived experience of its members, and when I heard about the Haliwards, I just knew I had to get involved. I love to shop local, cook for friends, practice yoga, and sing. I feel so blessed to join a community that celebrates its members. As such, I’d like to extend a thank you for the warm welcome to Halifax, and an invitation for you to give back by recognizing those who make a difference in your community.

Hello everyone, I’m Megan Thain. I was born and raised here in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and have lived here for all 19 years of my life. I am currently enrolled in the Tourism Management program at the Nova Scotia Community College and I will be going into my second year of the program this upcoming fall. I am currently working two jobs. I work at the Empire Theatres in Dartmouth Crossing and have been working there since the building opening in June 2007! I am also currently working at the Delta Barrington Hotel in the House Keeping Dept. I have to do this job for my co op which is part of my course requirement for school but I am enjoying it. I really enjoy just being around people; It doesn’t take much to make me have fun. I’m often the type of person that people come to with their problems because people put a lot of trust in me and know that I’m always here to listen. Part of the reason I was interested in volunteering for the Haliwards project was because I’m one of those people that is always doing whatever I can to help out, and putting others before myself and I know how good it feels to have your hard work recognized and I want the people of Halifax to know that they are making a difference and that we all really appreciate their efforts.

Hello all! My name is Katie Radchuck and I was born and raised in Halifax. I traveled alot during my highschool years at the Halifax Grammar School since I was playing for the Junior Canadian National Soccer team. I moved to the USA to go to university at the University of Connecticut where I continued to play soccer as well as get my science degree in Physioneurobiology. I loved my time there but was excited to come back to Halifax where I have my family and many lifelong friends. I currently work as a mental health researcher for the SunLife Financial mental health team for the IWK. I also spend alot of my spare time volunteering for organizations and events I feel worthwhile to our community and the people who are a part of it. I was happy to be included as a track and field coach for the Special Olympics as well as spend my time as a committee member for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation helping create events to spread awareness and raise money. I am a proud Canadian and a very proud Haligonian. This is a phenomenal city to live in and I love the idea of the Haliwards as a way to celebrate anyone or anything! : ) in our community that make this such a wonderful place. Take a few seconds and recognize the people that have made a difference to you!

Head for a Cure @ Halifax West

Alex — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:01:02 +0000

As you all know two of this years awards are going to Halifax West High School. One of them to a teacher for her outstanding commitment to her students and the second to a group of students for raising the bar when it comes to community and charitable work. The four students that are receiving the award are currently working on a project called ‘Head for a Cure’. They have asked me if i would relay this information to you all, in the hope that you will support this great cause.

On behalf of the students of Halifax West High School, we, the volunteerism committee, are looking for support for our fight against cancer. Each year Halifax West holds a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society: Head for a Cure.

On April 14 2010, we will be hosting our 7th annual Head for a Cure, in our school gymnasium. This is where students, teachers and community members will donate their hair to make wigs and collect pledges to raise money for cancer research. The entire school will be present to cheer on the participants who put forth their efforts to raise as much money as possible for the fight against cancer.

In the past two years, Head for a Cure has raised an outstanding $20,000: more than any other high school in Nova Scotia. We would like to exceed expectations and reach our goal of 15,000 but ultimately we want to give hope to those affected by cancer. To do this, we need your help…

If you would like to make a donation to help us in our cause, the link below will lead you to our online donations website.

http://bit.ly/cPhwyW

We on behalf of Halifax West thank you in advance for your consideration.

The students have produced a video in aid of the project. Please give generously.

It’ll Look Good on Your Resume…

Alex — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:58:05 +0000

Some of you may have glanced at a tweet i posted several days ago and i couldn’t have been any more serious. Being in Canada has opened up a new market for me but no matter how much experience i have in the UK, i am still the new kid on the block. As many of you know since i arrived in Canada i have indulged myself in local events and tried to get a feel for what Halifax had to offer and what i could offer Halifax.

With the new year approaching it is becoming more and more apparent that i need some backup, therefor i am looking for an apprentice(s). As you all know my visa restricts me from offering/taking a paid position so this would be purely voluntary but it does have its perks.. but first let me break down what i am looking for:

- Someone between 19-25 who is interested/experienced in the events industry.
- Lives in Halifax or is able to commute with ease.
- Is able to dedicate at least several hours a week to the projects.
- Holds a valid passport. (Some travelling maybe involved)
- Must have a Cell.

In the UK i have always had a right hand person. Someone i can discuss upcoming issues and who is willing to give an honest opinion on situations and predicaments. Someone to shadow, to learn and to grow. This is a great way to get some experience. It doesn’t matter how many degrees you have these days everyone is looking for how much ‘work experience’ you have. You will be able to oversee some new projects in Halifax and to join ongoing projects in the UK.

One thing i am happy to provide to anyone who fulfills this role is a gleaming reference of which i will happily provide you for as many times as you need it. Its also a fact i wont be a visitor to Canada forever and one day if your the right person a position may come available for you.

So if you want to be in the co-pilot seat for some new and ongoing events, work with local singers and musicians. To meet and greet those in the industry and to watch this unfold this maybe the perfect opportunity for you.

Are you interested? Please email me a little about yourself and include links to social network profiles and your cell number. If you have a resume at hand please attach it to the email. I look forward to hearing from you. (Deadline 31st December)

Avoiding a train wreck.

Alex — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:15:11 +0000

When i first started work on the Haliwards here in Nova Scotia it really was new grounds for me. All the ideas and successes from England could be redesigned, remade and in theory reanimated. I really have not had the time to put my heart and soul into a project so i wanted to start with something simple but something that would make a good impact to the local community. Since the launch of the Haliwards project in June we have surpassed all kinds of numbers i could have hoped for. We received nearly ten times as many nominations as we did when we first did a similar project like this in the UK.

While i have every hope that City Hall will eventually catch up with us, the show must go on. I have decided to extend nominations until the end of the year which gives all you latecomers plenty of time to catch up and get your nomination in. The award winners will then be picked in the new year and the awards presented before the spring. I had thought long and hard about postponing it until the new year and i felt this was the best option. I could have easily just rustled up some pathetic certificates and plonked them on a desk, rambled on for ten minutes about who did what, but i really like to take time to think about these things.

Many of you know that the Haliwards was my way of testing the water. Apparently i should have just dipped my pinky in but in real British fashion i put my whole hand in and i am doing my best to avoid getting burnt. Many of you have expressed how much you like the idea of the Haliwards and because of this and obviously my stubbornness this project will go ahead as planned.

Tall Ships 2009: Videos

Alex — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:00:10 +0000

Over the weekend i used my iPhone to capture some of the ships at this years festival. For those of you who missed my tweets here is a list of all the videos i captured this weekend. They get better towards the end. I hope you all had a chance to see the ships this weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Current clip at the Tall Ships. http://tweetreel.com/?tsnay
Another quick look at the harbour. http://tweetreel.com/?dq5db
The Europa, Zone 1 #tallships. http://tweetreel.com/?q4gd8
Sagres #tallships http://tweetreel.com/?k88cr
Caledonia & US Coast Guard. #tallships http://tweetreel.com/?5q7a4
Zone 5 ~ #tallships http://tweetreel.com/?ph2tz
Amistad – Zone 5 #tallships http://tweetreel.com/?tts3x
HMCS Goose Bay #tallships http://tweetreel.com/?wtgkp
Picton Castle (1) #tallships http://tweetreel.com/?epfyw
Europa – Zone 1 #tallships http://tweetreel.com/?dyzb7
Picton Castle (2) #tallships http://tweetreel.com/?68567
The @Amistad has left Dartmouth. #tallships http://tweetreel.com/?qawmy
Parade of Sail – Sagres #tallships http://tweetreel.com/?cwp9n

Its something i would certinaly get involved with again. This is by far the most enjoyable event i have experienced in Canada so far. (Even if it does need a little tweaking)

Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival 2009 – Mini Guide

Alex — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:46:43 +0000

So this year will be the first Tall Ships festival I have ever witnessed and I have high hopes on what I am going to see. Aaron Legge the Chair of the Shoreside Operations Committee contacted me a few weeks ago and kindly offered me a position as Site Supervisor for Zone 5 (shown to the left). Even though, as you know I have been flooded with requests ever since I arrived but I just couldn’t turn down this opportunity. I will be located on the Dartmouth side of the harbour every afternoon from Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th so make sure you pop by and say hello. It’s a great chance to meet and greet and see some of the superb ships from around the world.

I have taken some time to bring together some information for the festival that i have found. All this information is subject to change and was last updated on the last week of June. (Internet sources). Below is a map showing the locations of all the ships. I searched high and low for this so i hope it will bring some excitement to you if you are planning on attending this years festival.

Division of Classes A,B,C and D
A - All square-rigged vessels and all other vessels over 40m length overall (LOA).
B - Traditional-rigged vessels with a LOA of less than 40m and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14m.
C - Modern-rigged with a LOA of less than 40m and with a LWL of at least 9.14m, with no spinnaker-like sails.
D - Modern-rigged with a LOA of less than 40m and with a LWL of at least 9.14m, carrying spinnaker-like sails.

Blue Nose: Post-Marathon

Alex — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:40:48 +0000

So that’s it! Blue Nose is done and dusted for another year. I was going to write a huge post about this weekend but then i thought to myself there are loads of articles out there already so i just wanted to share with you some great photographs that Tara took this weekend at the Youth Run.

I really hope that next year if i am still in the area i will be a lot more involved with the Marathon planning because i really enjoyed this weekend and i feel that there are so many ways the marathon could ‘better’ itself. A special congratulations to all the members of the committee of which whom made everything run smoothly and a pat on the back to all the hard working volunteers. A job well done!

Now begins my search for the next project.. any thoughts?

Blue Nose: Pre-Marathon

Alex — Sat, 16 May 2009 01:43:38 +0000

So it’s Friday night. The countdown clock on the Scotiabank Blue Nose site is nearly down to zero and everyone is getting prepared for a manic weekend. What normally for me would be a weekend of mass twittering its sadly not. My iPod is in for servicing so i have to rely on my partners laptop and texting.

This post is part of a 2-piece. I will be posting on Monday/Tuesday and that will be my Post-Marathon article. Now you know where i am coming from its time to fill in the gaps of what is coming your way this weekend.

DOCTORS NOVA SCOTIA YOUTH RUN
ROUTE & SCHEDULE | REGISTER | INTERACTIVE MAP

I will be arriving in Halifax around 9am and have a number of things to attend too. After this i will be located at the World Trade Convention Centre where i will spend most of the morning working with the Volunteer Team. If i get time to i hope to go out and watch the Youth Run. For the rest of the day i will be remain at the WTCC so if you want to come and say hello you are more than welcome too. Its always nice to meet new people from the area especially fellow twitterers.

Sunday is the busy day. I will be in Halifax from around 8am and will be in the city all day and all night. I have no idea whether i will be coming or going in regards to the races. All i know for sure is that i will be at the Post Part at the World trade Convention Centre which starts at 7pm so i hope you will be able to join us.

From myself and the Volunteer Committee enjoy your weekend.
I will be available on my cell if you need me 878-0083.

Blue Nose Marathon – Pre-Mixer Event

Alex — Sun, 03 May 2009 17:10:05 +0000

On the 11th of May the Blue Nose Marathon Pre-Mixer event will be taking place at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax. This event is for all volunteers of the Marathon.

The evening will consist of a few speeches from the organizers of the Marathon, other members of the committee and a few words from myself. Along with some light entertainment See it as a night to mingle with fellow volunteers.

A week or so ago i was contacted by the Marathon Volunteer Chair Amy Wodz who is organising the Pre-Mixer, i offered to give some of my time towards this little event and offer my experience in similar activities. The event starts at 5:30 and continues through till around 7 with speeches starting around 6. So i hope you can join us.

For those of you who are technically savvy, well we have some good news. I am hoping to introduce Twitter to this pre-mixer event so when discussing the Marathon online please use the new hash-tag #bluenose. Thats all folks. I look forward to meeting you all. Make sure you all come say hello.

Quick personal note, a special thanks to everyone who has wished me a Happy Birthday today. It’s not everyday you turn 21! Sad that i couldnt spend it with my family but lifes presses on. A special thanks to Tara for all her support recently. Shes a star ^^

AFTER EVENT POST HERE

Invites Welcome!

Alex — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:57:46 +0000

I was not planning on writing a post this evening but i thought i needed too. Since i arrived i have had multiple invitations to events in and around Halifax. (Feel very honoured) In between meeting people and general day to day life i never know if i am coming or going. So i am politely asking you to take a moment to fill out a small form. Like an invitation. (This is not as big headed as it seems, you should see my inbox!) I really enjoy attending peoples events. I especially enjoy blogging about them so expect me to write a post of two. Plus i will be armed with my camera! So expect a free editorial if its good. I am open to all kinds of things! I will even offer my support and experience if its needed. It doesn’t need to have a million dollar budget to satisfy me. Just have a can of Coca Cola waiting for me and i promise you i will enjoy me evening even if the title of performance was “Pensioner Peter Waffle – Slide-show of his trip to Sackville”.

I was planning on attending the Atlantic Book Awards this week but sadly due a prior engagement i am unable too. So i wish Marianne and the rest of the team a very successful event and send my sincere apologies that i cannot make it. Its looking like its going to me a nicely played out event so if you have the time make sure you go. Its free entry with a ‘pay-per-drink bar’

Well that pretty much sums it up. I look forward to your invitations. Expect a personal RSVP from me soon. Nothing worse than a automated: “Thanks for your invitation i will get back to you bla bla bla!” Before i forget! This is a little off topic but special thanks to all my new visitors. My stats say it all!