Monday, January 30, 2012

Young Maskwa Paddler, Jakob Conrad Raises Money for The Gambia



Hi everyone:


I wanted to share this story about one of Maskwa's own paddlers.


Jakob Conrad is 10 years old and already thinking about ways that he can make a difference. For the second year in a row, Jakob’s Twoonies from Toubabs fundraising campaign will help fund lifesaving education and health initiatives in The Gambia. The campaign sells original

Valentine’s Day cards and all proceeds are donated to Nova Scotia-Gambia Association. “I learned that people there [in The Gambia, West Africa], have so little, but are so happy. And here we have so much, but always want more.” says Jakob, a Halifax native.

Twoonies For Toubabs started last year, when Jakob expressed his interest to visit the small West African country. His mother, Cathy Conrad, Acting Executive Director for NSGA at the time, knew that Jakob would come away from the experience with an enriched perspective on life. Twoonies from Toubabs was Jakob’s way of giving back.

‘Toubab” is a Gambian term for foreigners, and Jakob coined the name by himself. He started his campaign by selling Valentine’s Day cards and raised almost $3000.00 for the NSGA in 2011.


Jakob’s passion to raise money for health and education in The Gambia continues this year. Twoonies from Toubabs features six new Valentine’s Day cards at a cost of $2 each or 6 for $10. His goal is to raise $2000.00. Minuteman Press Halifax has generously donated the printing cost for all Valentine’s cards for the second year in row.


“The NSGA sincerely appreciates Jakob’s generosity. This money has gone such a long way to enhancing the education of so many youth across the country. I am so impressed that someone so young has such a big heart.” says Muhammed Ngallan, Executive Director of NSGA.


To hear Jakob talking about his first experience in The Gambia last year, along with photos from his trip, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYdU1qUT2T0.Visit the 2012 Twoonies for





Monday, January 9, 2012

Register Today For Marathon Skating at Hfx Oval

Marathon Skating International, the Halifax Regional Speed Skating Club, and the Halifax Regional Municipality are pleased to announce the return of the “Skate the Common” Marathon on February 18-19, 2012 at the Emera Oval on the Halifax Common. More 5K and 10K options, a 25K, and new this year, a triathlon and sledge racing!

The speed skating competition will be sanctioned by Speed Skate Nova Scotia, and the triathlon by Triathlon Nova Scotia. The 25K event will be included in the Marathon Skating International Points Series, with points accumulated by skaters counting towards their season standing for purposes of the Pierre Gagné Trophy.

Chip timing provided by MSI Sports Timing for the events on the oval.
Featured Events:
5K Big Ice Icebreaker Race 1 – skaters under 20
5K Big Ice Icebreaker Race 2 – skaters 20 and over
This event was so popular last year that we’ve had to divide it into two races. Registration will be capped at 60 skaters for each race. This introductory level event will appeal to skaters of all ages, with any type of skates. If you’ve been skating at the public skates at your local arena, you can do this distance – 12½ laps of the oval.

10K Hockey / Speed Skate Challenge Race 1 – skaters under 20
10K Hockey / Speed Skate Challenge Race 2 – skaters 20 and over
Hockey, ringette, figure and recreational skaters – are you known for your skating skills? Do you think you can go the distance? Take on the speed skaters in this 10 kilometre event – 25 laps of the oval! This event has also been divided into two races, with registration capped at 60 skaters for each race.

25K Big Ice Challenge
For the really serious skater, this one has 62½ laps of the oval, and is
a good test of your endurance and skating skills. Registration will be
capped at 70 skaters.

Tri-the-Oval Winter Triathlon
New this year! Individual or team triathlon – 5K Skate, 6K Bike, 4.2K Run on the Emera Oval and the Halifax Common. Details are available at this link. Registration will be capped at 80 participants.

3K Top Blade Sledge Race
New this year! For the sledge hockey players out there, come and
show your speed and endurance on the Big Ice. Registration will be
capped at 60 participants

Schedule
Friday, February 17, 2012
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Practice time on the oval
Saturday, February 18, 2012
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM

Check-in and assignment of timing chips for 5K Big Ice Icebreaker – Race 1
Warm up time on the oval
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM 5K Big Ice Icebreaker – Race 1
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM Check-in and assignment of timing chips for 5K Big Ice Icebreaker – Race 2
10:00 AM Medal ceremony for 5K Big Ice Icebreaker – Race 1
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM 5K Big Ice Icebreaker – Race 2
11:30 AM
Medal ceremony for 5K Big Ice Icebreaker – Race 2
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Check-in and assignment of timing chips for 25K Big Ice Challenge
Warm up time on the oval
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
25K Big Ice Challenge
4:00 PM
Medal ceremony for 25K Big Ice Challenge
Sunday, February 19, 2011
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Race kit pick up and assignment of timing chips for Tri-the-Oval Winter Triathlon
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Warm up time on the oval
8:30 AM
Race briefing
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Tri-the-Oval Winter Triathlon
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Check-in and assignment of timing chips for 10K Hockey / Speed Skate Challenge Race 1 – skaters under 20
10:30 AM
Awarding of prizes for Tri-the-Oval Winter Triathlon
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
10K Hockey / Speed Skate Challenge Race 1 – skaters under 20
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Check-in and assignment of timing chips for 10K Hockey / Speed Skate Challenge Race 2 – skaters 20 and over
12:30 PM
Medal ceremony for 10K Hockey / Speed Skate Challenge Race 1 – skaters under 20
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
10K Hockey / Speed Skate Challenge Race 2 – skaters 20 and over
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Check-in and assignment of timing chips for 3K Top Blade Sledge Race
2:30 PM
Medal ceremony for 10K Hockey / Speed Skate Challenge Race 2 – skaters 20 and over
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
3K Top Blade Sledge Race
4:00 PM
Medal ceremony for 3K Top Blade Sledge Race

Registration & Contact Info:
For information on the skating events, please contact Sheila McGinn.
For information on the triathlon, please contact Marie-Claude Grégoire.
For information on the sledge races, contact Francis Durand

Registration is available though the following links: http://www.atlanticchip.ca/events/details.php?show=869

5K, 10K, and 25K skating races and 3K sledge race
Tri-the-Oval Winter Triathlon
Fees:
5K Big Ice Icebreaker
$20
10K Hockey / Speed Skate Challenge
$20
25K Big Ice Challenge
$30
Tri-the-Oval Winter Triathlon
$25 individual / $50 team before Dec 31st
$35 individual / $70 team after December 31st
$40 individual / $80 team on race day
3K Top Blade Sledge Race
$15
Racing Rules - Marathon races: Slowest skaters will skate on the inside track of the oval, with all passing done on the outside. Helmets are required for skaters 12 and under, and are recommended for all skaters.

Triathlon:
SKATE: Helmets are mandatory. Helmets must be approved for multi-impacts and without ventilation holes (to protect from blades). Ski/snowboard helmet or hockey helmet are perfect. Bike helmets won't be accepted (we have a few extra helmets for those who don't have one). All types of skates accepted (figure skating, hockey, and speed skating). Slower skaters will skate on the inside of the Oval, faster skaters on the outside (marathon speed skating rule).
BIKE: Bike helmet mandatory (everyone will have to change helmets, as each protects in a different way). Mountain bikes only (no cyclocross bikes). Drafting allowed, passing on the left only, studded tires allowed. Bike tires have to be larger than 40 mm or 1.5 inch.
RUN: Studded/yaktrax-like, trail & regular running shoes allowed (but not track shoes), no snowshoes, no barefoot running, but 5-fingers accepted.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Area Close to Maskwa Up for Development

Cresco Holdings Limited is seeking approval of a development agreement pertaining to Sub Area 9 of the Bedford West Master Plan Area; a component of the Bedford West Secondary Planning Strategy (SPS). In 2006, Regional Council selected the Bedford West area to be one of the main urban growth areas in the Municipality for the next 25 years. The lands, illustrated on Map 1, encompass 38.4 acres (15.54 hectares) to the west of Highway 102, northeast of Kearney Lake Road and south and southeast of the new Highway 102 interchange at Larry Uteck Boulevard.

The development proposal integrates parks and open space with multi-unit dwellings as well as general commercial land uses. The proposed development agreement (Attachment A) reflects this mix of uses and includes terms pertaining to environmental protection, land development, parks and open space, the provision of municipal services and phasing. Further, the agreement is subject to capital cost contribution charges by the developer to the Municipality for transportation improvements and in the future, to Halifax Water for sewer and water improvements.

The joint public hearing will be held by North West Community Council and Chebucto Community Council on Monday, Jan 9, 2012 at 7pm at Keshen Goodman Library, 330 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. All oral and written submissions will be considered at that time.

A copy of the staff report may be obtained by calling Planning Services at 869-4260. You can also view the report on line athttp://www.halifax.ca/Commcoun/ccc/documents/111205ccc1011.pdf

Proposal

A mixture of multiple unit dwellings, general commercial, parkland and other open space uses are proposed. Plans illustrating key elements of the project such as municipal services, park dedications, trails and development phasing are found in Schedules B to Q of the development agreement (Attachment A).

The development is comprised of two key components: a general commercial area and two medium to high density residential areas:

General Commercial

Approximately 17.8 acres (7.2 ha) of the development is intended for general commercial purposes and will house a mix of highway and general commercial land uses. This is intended to house land uses that are more car oriented than in other commercial areas of Bedford West. Commercial land uses are permitted to a height of 50 ft (15.24m) and a maximum lot coverage of fifty percent.

Residential

The remaining lands which can be developed , which cover approximately 12.48 acres (5.05 ha), are intended to accommodate medium to high density residential development. The concept submitted is proposing approximately 324 dwelling units in three buildings. One building is proposed at six storeys, while the other two are proposed at twelve storeys.

Parkland and Open Space

Approximately 2.67 acres (1.08 ha) of the site is reserved specifically for parkland and another 5.7 acres (2.3 ha) is set aside as a conservation area. In addition to the land dedication, the developer is proposing the construction of a trail of approximately 728 feet (222 metres) in length to form a future connection to Sub Area 10 from the General Commercial area of Sub area.