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.

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?

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.

SCOTIABANK FULL MARATHON
ROUTE & SCHEDULE | REGISTER | INTERACTIVE MAP

VOLKSWAGEN HALF MARATHON
ROUTE & SCHEDULE | REGISTER | INTERACTIVE MAP

THE CHRONICLE HERALD 10K RACE
ROUTE & SCHEDULE | REGISTER | INTERACTIVE MAP

BEN’S SMART 5K RUN -Walk
ROUTE & SCHEDULE | REGISTER | INTERACTIVE MAP

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.

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

For those of you living or visiting HRM this week you would have been made very aware of the most fierce fires that swept across parts of outer Halifax over the last few days. I have been watching lots of the news broadcasts and hearing all the news teams trying to point fingers at what caused the fires. Well i personally think that at this moment in time its not important.

Now is a time to be thankful to all the people who without thought of their own safety battled the fires to secure many of the other homes in the area. To all the volunteers who helped the families who were evacuated from their homes and to the officials who have worked alongside all the emergency services to make sure everything has worked to the best of its abilities. I take my hat off to Peter Kelly and his staff and all the staff of the HRM Emergency services.

I know this is out of my jurisdiction but back in the UK i work on community reward schemes and after watching crews fight two major fires in the last few years here i really hope that they get recognized for the work they are doing. Purely selfless and heroic work.

Short and sweet dont you think.

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!

I am searching for people aged 16-24 who enjoy performing and think they have a good singing voice. Now HRM is pretty big and everything is very spaced out (Well it is for someone who is from the UK). What i want is for people to send me demo tracks. Doesn’t matter how professional they are. Doesn’t matter if its something you have done with a PC mic and backing track or done in a studio. Send it to me! Then give it a week and see what happens. I will pop your tracks into my iTunes on to my iPod and then see what takes my fancy.

In my 5 years of Event Management i have listened/auditioned over 100 performers and i have seen some amazing talent in the British Isles. Now i am hoping that Canada is going to shine just like i am expecting it too.

You can send your track to im@srv.cc , if your email provider has issues with files larger than a few meg just pop it on rapidshare and include the link in your email. Make sure you also include a short bio in the email. your age, location. hobbies and interests. previous experience.  You can also include any online profiles you have like twitter and Facebook. It’s nice to know who i might me working with. Last but not least include a recent photograph once again just for curiosity purposes. Deadline is April 27th. Post any questions below using the form or to let me know you set me a track.

If this is your first visit to my blog read the about page, and my trip to nova scotia.

Don’t let me down. Thanks to the people who tweeted this. I appreciate it!