Shameless Self Promotion

Today and tomorrow I will be in Toronto with a team of kids from the Junior Achievement Company Program, in Halifax.  Wait, what, why?!  You may ask...well, because I've been volunteering with this company for the past 15 weeks and they've ROCKED MY WORLD!  And everyone elses!  But lets start from the beginning (a logical place, don't you think?)

Junior Achievement Company Program is basically a program that allows students to create their own company and their own product in 18 weeks.  They go from development to having a full executive team and staff to selling to shutting down their company.  In 18 weeks.  Intense, huh?

I got involved in JA because a friend of mine works for them.  She invited me to be part of it...and how could I say no to mentoring our future leaders!?!  I love it.  There are 4 of us, advisors.  And we have a group of 12 wonderful kids!  And smart? HOLY!  They have this amazaballs product called Texttens.  They are mittens, with removable thumbs so you can text and stay warm. Brilliant right?!

Shown with their school logo.

These kids are smart.  Like, smart smart smart! And they're passionate.  I'm so thankful I've been able to be a part of this group.Anyways...how we got to Toronto...They won the Pitch It! Competition!  Think Dragon's Den (or Shark Tank for the Americans in the room).  They did a regional Pitch It! (Dragon's Den) and provincial Pitch It! and they KILLED IT!  Their reward was Dinner with a Dragon.  So we're headed off to Toronto to meet Arlene Dickinson.  I'm PUMPED.  The kids are PUMPED! We're all just very excited and feel very lucky to be part of this program.  So that's where I'll be for the next two days with part of the Texttens team.  Will report back on sales and successes soon! (And stay turned for an indepth look at how the kids are doing, what their sales are, and all that fun stuff!)

And if you want a pair of Texttens..let me know! We only have 75 (ish) left and they're going fast!

Halifax Politics...you'll be hearing a lot about this in the future...

We have a municipal election coming up in October and you know what, Halifax?



WE DESERVE BETTER!!

That's right, Halifax.  We deserve better.  We deserve politicians that have a vision, not just go along with the status quo.  We deserve people with a drive, not just someone that is there for the ride.  We deserve diversity, not just the usual career politician.  We deserve change, not the same shit we've had time after time.  And I think we've got a glimmer of hope.  We're going to get there, Halifax.  I KNOW it.

Do you know how I know it? Because we are finally seeing some REAL candidates emerge for this election in October.  Today local blogger, commentator, musician and instructor Waye Mason announced he'll be running on Pennunisular Halifax in October.  THERE IS HOPE! 

Now, I'm not saying run out and vote for Waye - you vote for whoever you want - but what I am saying is we're not just stuck with the career Peter Kellys, or the well I'll vote for X because they've been there for so long.  We're not stuck with whackjobs or people who aren't serious...REAL candidates are emerging.  Waye is just one.  Mike Savage is another.  We have REAL options now Halifax.  So get out there, get involved, learn what your politicians platforms are and for Jebus' sake get your ass out there and VOTE.

What you need to know about...

Halifax, Nova Scotia!


I thought since I was going on vacation for a few days and abandoning you, dear reader, that I would give you some more information about where I'm from.  So here goes the basics, and not so basics, of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

This is Halifax, NS.  We're the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city on Canada's East Coast.  We have a population of 398,000 in the HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality) and account for almost 40% of Nova Scotia's total population.

We have several sightseeing attractions such as Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, the Halifax Citadel, our old town clock and our famous waterfront (we have the third deepest harbour in the WORLD!).

We also have several post secondary schools such as Dalhousie University, Saint Mary's University, Mount Saint Vincent University and Nova Scotia Community College (to name just a few!).  


We have 3 sister cities:

•   Hakodate, Japan. We both have star forts.
•  Campeche, Mexico We're both "a capital of a state" and is "a city of similar size to Halifax on or near the coast having rich historical tradition".
•  Norfolk, Virginia Our economies both "depends heavily on the presence of the Armed Forces, and both cities are very proud of their military history".

Halifax is a great city and a love the people here.  We're just as friendly as you'd imagine East Coast Canadians to be; we'll invite you over for a drink, to watch the hockey game or give you a lift if you need it.  We love tourists (even if they can't drive) and like to think we're a "big city".  We're really a small town feel in a growing city.  The economy is picking up, jobs are available, crime is low and we have frequent concerts on the Commons (KISS, The Black Eyed Peas, Paul McCartney...).  Halifax really is a great place to be!

For more information you can go to halifax.ca