ADEDA News

Grape Expectations
One of my many guilty pleasures is a venerable BBC sitcom called “The Last of the Summer Wine”, which due to my age and appreciation of British humour, has become a weekly favourite. Alas, BBC has pulled the plug this year on the irascible West Yorkshire seniors. So no more “summer wine”.

However, here in Annapolis Digby we’re celebrating the “first of the autumn wines” (now you know where I was going with that lead). Annapolis Highlands Vineyards in Bear River East introduced its new, and much awaited, “Highland Sass” last week. It’s been a great year for wineries in Nova Scotia, and especially for Annapolis Highlands. Just last week they added three more prestigious medals to their already growing list of national awards, with a gold and two silvers bestowed at the recent 2010 Atlantic Canadian Wine Competition. We ‘re proud to add that this is yet another successful business with which ADEDA has had the privilege to work over the past year – congratulations Brendan and Karen!

And Maybe with a Good Book or Old Movie...
If, on these fall evenings, you’ve a mind to relax with a glass of wine you could combine it with a read of Granville Centre author Joyce Grant Smith’s second book “Animal Talk”. It’s a charming collection of true animal stories that some early readers have compared to the James Herriot series (here we are back on BBC and in Yorkshire again). Copies are for sale at a number of locations. If old films are your thing, check out the 51,000 feet of archival film recently posted by the Nova Scotia Archives. This fascinating footage includes some spellbinding movie coverage set here in Annapolis Digby and trust me – it’s a must visit site. And if these suggestions aren’t enough, then remember that October is Library Card Month, and the Western Counties Regional Library is offering a wide range of programs, book sales and special displays.

Power Up Your Business. Invest. Innovate. Grow.
And to end as we began – with a focus on small business learning initiatives I wanted to let you know ASAP that small business owners and entrepreneurs in Digby and Annapolis Counties are invited to a “no charge Business Breakfast” designed to celebrate Small Business Week. The first will be on Thursday, October 21st, from 7:45 – 9:00 am at the Capitol Pub, 333 Main Street in Middleton ; and the second on Friday, October 22nd from 7:45 – 9:00 am at the Coastal Inn, 111 Warwick Street in Digby.

You can hear the success stories of those who have invested in growth; learn how your Regional Development Authority and CBDC’s can help you start or grow a business; and discover the potential Geographic Information Systems (GIS) holds for our economy and your business!

For more information or to make plans to attend contact ADEDA’s Dan Harvey at (902)526-4479 or dharvey@annapolisdigby.com.

P.S. You are subscribed to the mailing list using the following name: << Test First Name >> << Test Last Name >>. If this is incorrect or incomplete, please visit the "Update your profile" link at the bottom of this e-mail and make the necessary adjustments. Thanks



Till next week;

Peter

Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0

Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com

Destination SW Nova News

DSWNA Strategic Plan: Industry Online Survey
Important Dates:
DSWNA Strategic Plan: Industry Workshop Sessions:
October 19, 1:00pm, Best Western Hotel, Liverpool
October 20, 1:00pm, Rodd Grand Hotel, Yarmouth
October 21, 1:00pm, Pine View Inn (formerly Wandlyn Inn), Coldbrook
Roger Brooks Follow up Session
October 27, 1:30pm, Old Orchard Inn, Greenwich
DSWNA Fall Review
November 18, 2010, Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site of Canada
2010 Tourism Summit - The Power of Tourism, November 28-30, Halifax, Register with DSWNA by October 31st and save!
Award Nominations:
2010 Crystal Tourism Awards of Excellence- deadline October 15, 2010
Minister Paris Visits Region
Reports, Statistics & Studies
Visitor Information Centre Statistics, May, June, July, August
DSWNA website statistics - September 2010
Take the 2010 Canadian Tourism Sector Compensation Study
Provincial Facts & Figures
Seasonal Tourist Business Program - Taxation Survey
Funding Programs:
Small Business Internship Program
Inter-action: Canada's New Multiculturalism Grants and Contributions Program
Seasonal Tourism Business potential property tax savings
Translation Assistance Program
Resources & Opportunities
InTouch newsletter
Experience Nova Scotia: A Toolkit
Festivals & Events Submissions
Partner News:
Are you an Artist in Kings County? Feature your work in the Kentville Visitor Centre
Meetings & Events Calendar
Oak Island Resort & Spa assumes new identity
Congratulations to Winner of Choice Hotel Award!
Yarmouth & Acadian Shores Marketing Officer position
Festival Acadian de Clare named ABA top 100 events for 2011!
Vote Bay of Fundy - New 7 Wonders of Nature!
Vote for Black Loyalist Heritage Society: Aviva Community Fund

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Roger Brooks Follow up Session

Roger Brooks was back in Nova Scotia this past summer, this visit he assessed the Fundy Shore region (from Amherst through Economy) and the Wolfville/Grand Pré region (from Windsor to Kentville). He will be back in Nova Scotia on October 27th at 1:30pm at the Old Orchard Inn to present his findings. We are inviting all businesses, community groups, and community leaders to come out and hear Roger's findings and recommendations. Remember Roger looked at these regions from the visitor's perspective, this is how many of your visitors see you.

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2010 Tourism Summit - The Power of Tourism, November 28-30, Halifax


The 2010 Tourism Summit - The Power of Tourism is being held November 28th - 30th at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia!

Register with DSWNA by October 31st and pay only $305 + hst. Contact jbalser@dswna.com or call (902) 645-2307.

As the largest tourism industry conference in Canada, this annual event is attended by more than 500 delegates and includes a combination of high calibre keynote speakers, educational sessions and networking events.

The three day event culminates with the annual Crystal Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner, always an evening to remember.

Educational sessions will be interactive, provide timely information and best practices for operators.

This event would not be possible without our many industry partnerships. We would ask you to recognize our Summit Partners and support those companies that are investing in the tourism industry.

The annual Tourism Expo will take place on Monday, November 29th and showcase the latest products and services available. To view exhibitors please click here.



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Minister Paris visits region
On September 24th the Minister of Tourism, Percy Paris visited the Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley. He made a special stop at the visitor information centre in Kentville as the new Welcome Centre "demonstrates the type of partnership we need in this industry."





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Are you an artist in Kings County? Feature your work in the Kentville Visitor Centre
As a way to promote and showcase local talent, the Kentville Visitor Centre displays art by local artists. If you are interested in showing your work please contact Jeanette Joudrey at (902) 634-8844 or email jjoudrey@dswna.com.

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Festivals & Events Submissions
Destination Southwest Nova Association showcases the unique and exciting Festivals & Events the area offers to visitors. Promote your festival or event by filling out this online form! Please call: (902) 645-2307 or jbalser@dswna.com if you have any questions.

Also put your Festival or Event on novascotia.com, click here for their tutorial.

Support the Families of the RLJ

Blogger: check out the link in this post

Thank you all for supporting this cause
Posted by Syn Dee on Sep 30
Just wanted to thank everyone for joining and supporting this cause. If you haven't already please check out the web site: http://therlj.com

Contribute if you can. Whether it's a comment, picture, benefit info, information on the scallop fisherman, inviting others to join or monetary. It is all appreciated.

Thanks again.
Cindy Robinson

Spread the word. Every invitation counts:

Destination SW Nova News

Destination Southwest Nova is undergoing a Strategic Planning Process and invites your input!


At our AGM & Conference in May, we announced that the Association would be undertaking the development of a Strategic Plan. In June, Turizm Inc. was awarded the contract to develop our plan. As part of the process, input and feedback from you, our tourism industry stakeholders, is vital to our future success. We would like to invite you to participate in our upcoming workshops being held in October. During these workshops, hosted by Turizm Inc., you will be asked for your input about the current and future mandate and operations of DSWNA. We will be reviewing and discussing the activities and programs of the Association with other stakeholders in attendance along with the Board of Directors and staff. DSWNA is your Association and we hope you will attend the workshop nearest you and assist us as we determine what you need and how we can improve stakeholder satisfaction and relevance.

On behalf of the Board of Director's, Jeanette and our partners, I want to thank you in advance for your investment of time and contribution to our Strategic Planning process. We are looking forward to the discussions and know that together, we can achieve great results as a regional tourism and destination marketing organization.

Please register for one of the following workshops by contacting Jennifer Balser at (902) 645-2307 or email jbalser@dswna.com by Tuesday October 12th, 2010:



· Tuesday October 19th, 1:00pm-4:00pm, Best Western Liverpool

· Wednesday October 20th, 1:00pm-4:00pm, Rodd Grand Yarmouth

· Thursday October 21st, 1:00pm-4:00pm, Pine View Inn (formerly, Wandlyn Inn, Coldbrook)



Sincerely,



Donna Hatt

President DSWNA

ADEDA News

Tidal Power Already Fuelling Economic Potential
Recent reports in this newsletter - and throughout the mainstream media - of growing international interest in the tidal power potential of the Bay of Fundy are rapidly energizing economic conjecture in Annapolis Digby. And ADEDA has already been very actively working with the Town and Municipality of Digby to secure our geographical and workplace advantages in preparation for prospective business opportunities. ADEDA’s Managing Director said recently in a media interview that Digby was on the cusp of dramatic economic change and needed positioning and assistance quickly to take advantage of that latent potential.

ADEDA has already prepared a position paper that looks at, among other things, the expansion of our existing marine facilities to accommodate the projected capacity needed for the huge cranes and large buildings that would be required.

Meanwhile the local business community also heard plans for a more immediate marine related enterprise when the Digby and Area Board of Trade was briefed by Cooke Aquaculture of its plans for this area including further development of fish farms for salmon and processing facilities. The speakers outlined how currently their similar operations in other provinces are reaping benefits such as increased employment levels, new business development and service sector expansion.

Catch of the Week
However, in an innovative twist to our traditional fishery, it was equally wonderful to note that Atlantic Canada’s first Community Supported Fishery (CSF) was taking another step forward after a successful summer launch. The Off The Hook Cooperative, comprised of five bottom hook and line fishermen from Digby Neck and Islands, in partnership with the Ecology Action Centre, will begin weekly delivery of fresh, sustainably harvested haddock, hake and pollock to subscribing customers this week. The Annapolis Digby area already proudly and actively supports proponents of Community Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) and it’s great to see that another element of the sustainable community food movement is being made available as well.

Nature’s Playground
Meanwhile, back on “terra firma” an innovative new concept has been introduced in Bridgetown’s very popular Jubilee Park. An idea just a few months ago, local residents have marshalled volunteer labour and locally donated equipment and materials to create a “natural playground” that is proving extremely popular with young and old alike.

Keeping in Touch
If like many people you use social media to stay in touch with your regular sources of information and news, ADEDA is travelling with you. Our new communications feature is “Share ADEDA”, and you can access us using social media elements such as Face book, Twitter and YouTube. Just click on to our web site at www.annapolisdigby.com and slide over to the “Share ADEDA” box and click on your preferred icon.

Peter
ADEDA

Ladies' Day

...at the Digby Neck Fire Hall in Sandy Cove, Saturday October 2, '10. $5. admission *lunch included*! Fashion show, Tuppeware, candles, artwork, Mary Kay, Avon and much more! Come on out, gals!

Yarmouth Goes Wireless

NS: Downtown Yarmouth increases appeal by going wireless
By Tina Comeau, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Vanguard, September 27, 2010

[YARMOUTH, NS] — The idea had been tossed around for some time, but it’s only been recently that much of downtown Yarmouth has gone wireless.

The downtown and a few other town blocks have been wireless for about a month now. Members of the town’s technology committee, and the town itself, see the introduction of the wireless network much the same as other infrastructure aimed at improving the lives of citizens and businesses.

The boundaries of the wireless network stretch from Water Street to around Brunswick Street, and from the Yarmouth Justice Centre on south Main Street to around where the Wendy’s/Tim Hortons is located further north.

“You won’t be able to download huge musical torrents or movies or stuff that is going to take a huge amount of bandwidth, because it’s meant to be a public network,” explains councillor Neil MacKenzie, chair of the town’s Public Information Technology Advisory Committee.

But if you need access to the Internet you’ll have it he says, and hopefully it will also serve as a tool to keep visitors to the area here longer.

“It will allow people who come here as a destination or who are traveling through to have more access to things that might get them to stay here,” MacKenzie says. “If they want to know how much a hotel room is, they don’t have to get on the phone, they can query it. It they want to look at a bed and breakfast, they could look it up.”


While standing on Main Street, councillor Neil MacKenzie, chairman of the town’s technology committee, logs into the town’s wireless network. — Tina Comeau photo

The wireless network, which is called Fishnet, is a monitored network, meaning people get a 24-hour lease to use it once they’ve logged on. When that time frame expires they go through the logging process again for future access. After clicking into the network a splash page will come up, asking for an email address. Once you enter the email you can gain access.

MacKenzie says they also have the capability to boost the network if needed for use in conjunction with major events happening in the town. As it stands, MacKenzie says it is a good network.

“The speed is about a four-meg download speed, so it’s not a wimpy network,” he says.

The project had initially been budgeted for $20,000, but it cost just under $16,000 to install and implement.

Other small towns are also jumping on the wireless bandwagon, MacKenzie notes.

“It’s a trend,” he says. “It shows that Yarmouth is thinking out of the box a bit because technology and the Internet needs to be on everyone’s mind or we’re just going to get left behind.”