Friday, June 4, 2010

Bear River Music

Music Event June 13th at the Rebekah Music Hall


Listen to the Hupman Bros. at : http://www.myspace.com/thehupmanbrothers

Listen to Ari Hest at: http://www.myspace.com/arihest

Now! Come out and listen to their live music at the Rebekeh Music Hall

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 at 3:46 pm and is filed under Bear Rhythm Music Society, Bear River, Rebekah Music Hall, community event, music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Auditor General #2

NS: Auditor blasts government for deficiencies, policy of secrecy
By Staff, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Daily Business Buzz, June 2, 2010

[HALIFAX, NS] — Today, auditor general Jacques Lapointe released a five-chapter report covering audits completed in the fall of 2009 and winter 2010. In it, he cited some serious deficiencies in the operations of government, but his harshest criticism was directed at what he called “government’s pervasive policy of secrecy — consistently hiding information from the Office of the Auditor General.”

The government withheld more than 200 documents related to business loans and other financial assistance provided through Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) and the Industrial Expansion Fund (IEF), citing cabinet confidentiality and solicitor-client privilege.

In response, Lapointe denied an opinion on his audit of the operations of NSBI and the IEF, and pointed out that denial of an audit opinion is the most severe audit sanction available to him.

“We have no way of knowing whether these two financial entities — responsible for the distribution of millions of dollars of loans and other financial aid and incentives — have appropriate financial or program controls in place to protect the public funds they disburse or are operating in compliance with legislation, regulations and policies.”

A second audit covered in the report was hampered by the same restrictions on information, Lapointe said. The Department of Health, under instruction from the Executive Council Office, refused to provide information on budget requests related to mental health services.

The auditor general also said the Health Department is failing its legislative responsibility to monitor and evaluate the quality of mental health services across the province and has no plan to achieve compliance with its own mental health service standards.

His report concludes that the lack of effective oversight and the failure to comply with standards significantly increase the risk of creating a disjointed mental health care system that fails the people who need it most.

The Department of Health accepted all 19 recommendations the auditor general made to improve mental health care services. However, Lapointe said the government has a poor record in implementing his recommendations.

Of 82 recommended efficiencies and service improvements the auditor general made in his June 2007 report, the government has implemented just 27 per cent.

“This is the worst performance since we began tracking government response to our recommendations in 2002.”

The Department of Health figured prominently in that June 2007 report and was the subject of 48 recommendations of which 13 have been implemented, leaving 34, or 71 per cent, outstanding.

The June 2010 report included the results of an audit of the Environment Department’s management of contaminated sites across the province, and concluded that the risks associated with these sites are not being adequately managed to protect the public interest.

“The department is aware of sites that may pose a risk, but has taken no action to deal with them and it is aware of sites that have not been cleaned up that may pose an unacceptable risk to third parties, health or the environment. We made 17 recommendations to correct flaws and improve the management of environmental and health risks.”

The complete report and related documents are available online at www.oag-ns.ca .

Auditor General #1

NS: Province agrees to give auditor general more access
By Staff, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Daily Business Buzz, June 2, 2010

[HALIFAX, NS] — In response to the auditor general’s report released today, Finance Minister Graham Steele says the province plans to introduce legislation this fall that will provide the auditor general with more access to government documents protected by cabinet and solicitor-client privilege.

“Clearly, the government and the auditor general both want the same thing,” said Steele. “This is a complex issue that will take time to resolve. Discussions with the auditor general will continue this summer with the goal of introducing legislation in the fall. That legislation will allow the auditor general to access the documents he requires to complete his audits.”

Steele said the government wants to provide the access sought by the auditor general while, at the same time, putting in place protections that ensure the auditor general cannot be compelled to release cabinet documents and information protected by solicitor-client privilege to outside parties.

“We will ensure that the auditor general can effectively and efficiently carry out his duties under the act while at the same time protecting the ability of cabinet, departments and government agencies, boards and commissions to receive the best advice.”

The government plans to adopt a similar approach to other jurisdictions to ensure the auditor general has access to information. This will be accomplished through a limited waiver that extends cabinet and solicitor client privilege to the auditor general. This approach will ensure the auditor general is not compelled to release privileged documents.

These Boots are Made for Walking

Digby a stop on 3000-kilometre walk
Emily Forrest.
Published on May 27th, 2010
Emily Forrest plans to walk into Digby on June 1 as she makes her way around Nova Scotia’s 3,000-kilometre coastline of Nova Scotia this spring and summer.

Topics : Brigadoon , Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia , Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion , Nova Scotia , Nova Scotians , Sydney
The 88-day trek, which she calls Forrest Walkabout, is meant to raise awareness of Brigadoon, a camp for children with chronic illness, and also the Heart & Stroke Walkabout.

"I invite all Nova Scotians to join the www.walkaboutns.ca website, start logging their steps, and to arrange to meet and walk with me when I come to their area, joining me for as long or as short a distance as they like," Forrest said.

"I want to remind folks how essentially healthy and enjoyable walking in their communities can be."

Brigadoon is a not-for-profit, year-round residential camp facility being built in Nova Scotia for children and youth living with a chronic illness.

Heart and Stroke Walkabout is an initiative of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection, and the Ecology Action Centre to work towards a revitalized culture of walking in Nova Scotia.

"We are especially pleased that Emily will be promoting the Walkabout Program as she circumnavigates Nova Scotia and we feel that Emily's journey is a perfect opportunity to motivate more Nova Scotians to incorporate walking into their daily lives," says Melinda Norris, Walkabout project manager with the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Forrest will continue along Tourism Nova Scotia's Scenic Travelways, reaching Digby on June 1, Truro on June 12, and Sydney by July 16. For details on all daily walking routes, to contact Emily, for more information on the project or how to make a donation, Google ‘Forrest Walkabout’.

For information about Brigadoon, visit www.brigadoonvillage.org

Choral Festival

Choral festival soars to a closing note at St. Bernard
Malcolm Bradley conducts the 120-voice mass choir at the High Cs Festival choral concert in St. Bernard. Karla Kelly photo
Published on May 30th, 2010
Published on May 30th, 2010
By Karla Kelly FOR THE DIGBY COURIER NovaNewsNow.com

Topics : Saint Bernard Church , Summerside Community Choir , Dartmouth Community Singers , New York , Atlantic Canada , Berwick
The third annual High Cs and Digby Choral Festival ended on a high note May 23 with a choral concert featuring the mass choir of 120 singers at the acoustically renowned Saint Bernard Church in St. Bernard.

The concert also highlighted the choir Les Voix Dans L’Vent from Clare and the Summerside Community Choir from Prince Edward Island.

Malcolm Bradley, conductor of the Dartmouth Community Singers and Grace United Church Choir, was artistic director for the weekend festival, as well as conductor for the performance at St. Bernard.



View the gallery
Richard Probert, music director of the Sackets Vocal Arts Ensemble in New York, taught a master class in English diction in choral singing.

Festival director Richard Treleaven said the weekend was a great success and it was a pleasure listening to the concert Sunday night.

“Listening to a great concert with three choirs was a pleasure and bringing the mass choir together was a masterful feat on the part of the conductor,” said Treleaven.

The festival was not intended to be an all work and no play event for the choristers. - Festival director Richard Treleaven
“What was even more fun was watching the mass choir come together in the relaxed atmosphere we tried to create. The festival was not intended to be an all work and no play event for the choristers and I believe we were successful in accomplishing that.”

Monday, May 31, 2010

Bear River & Area Community Health ClinicClinic Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pmEmail: bear.riverclinic@ns.sympatico.caWebsite: bearriverandareaclinic.caPhone: 467-3611Fax: 467-3339
June 2010Acupuncture – Traditional Chinese Acupuncture by Joe Kubinec. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture by JoeKubinec is available on Wednesdays unless otherwise posted. This treatment is good for back pain,arthritis, menopause, headaches, insomnia, stop smoking and many other conditions. Appointments arebooked through the Clinic.

Audiology – Neil Hackett is in every other Friday to help with your hearing needs. Please call 1-866-299-2016 to book appointment.BodyTalk System –Jocelyn incorporates balancing techniques using muscle testing. Your body determineshealing priorities. Book appointments through the Clinic. For further information call Jocelyn at467-0771 or visit www.bodytalksystem.com

Counselling/Clinical Hypnotherapy – Gayle Allen is in once a month, beginning the 18thof this month, tohelp you with a great number of concerns. Call the Clinic to book appointments and for more info.You can also call Gayle for more info at 526-2850.

Electrolysis – Ronda Best is in once a month for all your hair removal needs. Call 1-902-791-0953 formore information or to book your appointment.Esthetics –Charlene Decker is in monthly for waxing, manicures and pedicures. To book an appointmentor for more information, call 1-902-362-2137.

Juniper House Outreach – Lori is available to see clients at our Clinic. Please call 245-4789 to book yourappointment.

Physician Services – Dr. Roy Harding is seeing patients by appointment only. Due to high patientnumbers, Dr. Harding has had to limit his practice to those he has already seen here at our Clinic.

Senior Services – Nurse Practitioner, Dianne Corbett, RN specializes in concerns specific to the elderly,such as memory loss, complicated medical conditions and poor coordination/balance. For moreinformation or to book an appointment, call the Clinic.

Note: Times and dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

You are invited…Ladies’ Prayer Meeting at theAdvent Christian ChurchThursdays at 10:30 amAll are welcome!Remember:If you have time to worry about ityou have time to pray about it

Relay for LifeJoin us at the Digby Baseball Diamond at 7:00 pmfor the Relay for Life 2010 events.Thanks to all who sponsored or donated to theB.R.A. CHiCs.We will be walking from 7 pm Friday night todaybreak Saturday morning.Luminaries will be lit at 10:00 pmBoard meetings are the first Tuesday of each month and are open to the public.Please note the Board does not meet in July and August.

NOTICE: The Board of Directors for the Bear River & Area Community Health Clinic is in need of newBoard Members. Please consider getting involved in decisions about our Community’s health!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Fire and Injury In Lequille on Friday

Blogger's Note: The Annapolis Choir's concert in Annapolis Royal Friday evening had extra accompaniment to the vocal performance. Many barely muted sirens and wails and the sound of lumbering heavy vehicles told of another event taking place in the area. It was worrisome, wondering what emergency was taking place nearby, and if anyone was in peril. Indeed there was.

Valley fire victim critically burned
Landlord lauded as hero for pulling man from blaze
By MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE Staff Reporter
Sun. May 30 - 4:53 AM


A Bell Aliant technician works Saturday to repair telephone service knocked out by a house fire at 94 Old Trunk 8 in Lequille, Annapolis County, on Friday night. All that remained of the home was a pile of burnt rubble. Reports say a man who was renting the home was pulled from the flames by the owner of the property, who lives nearby. (Bill Roberts )





A burn victim is in hospital in Halifax and his landlord is being praised for pulling him out of an Annapolis County house fire Friday evening.

The victim, who is in his early 60s, is in critical condition after sustaining injuries in the blaze that destroyed the home he was renting in Lequille, an RCMP spokesman said Saturday.

Const. Dale Guy said the man was saved by his landlord, and friend, who pulled him from harm’s way at risk to his own safety.

Television news identified the rescuer as Kevin Daniels.

The officer told CTV News the dramatic rescue occurred under harsh, frightening conditions.

It happened at about 7:30 p.m. in a house at 94 Old Trunk 8.

Guy said the rescuer "quickly ran maybe 150 feet (45 metres) to the burning structure, checked inside (and) found the victim lying on the floor. Through a hail of smoke and flame (he) went inside and pulled him" from the fully engulfed home.

Daniels made it out unharmed, CTV reported.

Neighbour, Janet Berry, said it didn’t take long for the home to burn.

"The whole house was engulfed in flames — there was black smoke everywhere," Berry told CTV.

She said "for (Daniels) to actually go in there and pull him out to safety was amazing."

Another neighbour, Joanne Nash, said she lives two doors away but was at work at the time of the fire.

"When I came home from work (Friday) night there were a few fire trucks still up there and that was after midnight," she told The Chronicle Herald.

Nash said the small, two-storey house was one of the older properties in the area.

"I knew what had happened before (returning home) because you could see the fire trucks going by from where I work, and then one of the nurses that came in said the house was on fire," Nash, who works at a nursing home, said.

Guy said the victim was taken to a local hospital and then transferred to the burn unit at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre. He said the man "has severe burns to the upper portion of his body."

The victim’s name hasn’t been released by police.

Nash said remnants of the gutted home are in a debris pile at the fire scene.

"When I went by it (Saturday) morning the house was still standing, but it was totally burnt. When I came back this evening, the house was down — somebody tore it right down today."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

( mlightstone@herald.ca)
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