Registration up and running on-line and news from Clayton Park MLA

Hi everyone:
Registration is up and running on the Maskwa home page or through the Registration links. Please click on the member option to register for basic Maskwa membership, paddling, swimming. To register for non-programs like Associate Membership (this is designed for one person at one address for after hour use and weekend only use at the club), day camp, kiddie kayak for non-members click on the non-member link. Any questions don't hesitate to call me at 443-0178 ext: 221.

I'm in the office most days from 9am-2pm. I'm back in tonight from 6pm-7:30pm.

In this blog I'm listing some of the news from Clayton-Park, MLA Diana Whalen

Greetings!
Spring is in the air and there are a lot of events coming up in our area. I hope you will find this e-newsletter interesting and please feel free to share it with your friends and contacts. 

Welcoming new Canadians at Rockingham School in May.

I have attended two wonderful Canadian Citizenship Ceremonies this month - one at Rockingham School and the other at the Canadian Games Centre. Both were very emotional for for all who participated. At Rockingham School each new Canadian was presented with a book of student poems and essays about being Canadian! 

The Legislature has just wrapped up. Power rate increases and education cuts at the Primary to Grade 12 level dominated our discussions. At my office I have a petition against the proposed power rate increases and I welcome you to drop by and sign it.  The online version of this petition has over 30,000 signatures to date!

If you know of an event you would like to have included in upcoming e-newsletters, please let my office know at 443-8318. 

I look forward to seeing you in the community!



Hike to Susies Lake with MLA Diana Whalen
The planned expansion of Bayers Lake Business Park is bringing the Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness back into the news. The expansion will lead to a proper parking lot and trail to Susies Lake but land that is currently forest will soon be part  of the shopping district.
Join MLA, Diana Whalen, on June 14th for an evening hike into the wilderness behind Bayers Lake and see the area for yourself. Susies Lake itself is truly beautiful! 

Susies Lake

The hike will be lead by members of the Halifax North West Trails Association. Please plan to join us and bring your family and friends. This is a great way to see part of the wilderness area, on our doorstep, that was protected by the province in 2009.
Date: Thursday June 14, 2012
Time: Meet at 6:30 p.m .
Where: Parking lot located on Susies Lake Crescent (off Chain Lake Drive - beside the Burger King)
Wear good footwear as this is a forest trail.  The walk will take about an hour and a half. I hope to see you there!


Important Public Meeting on the future of Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes
What: Public Meeting hosted by HRM Staff and the Chebucto Community Council to discuss the future of the BMBCL wilderness area.
Where: St. Peter's Church Hall (Kearney Lake Rd at the Bedford Highway)
When: Thursday, May 31st at 6:30 p.m.
It's  important to have a strong showing of support at the meeting to  illustrate that our community cares about this wilderness area and wants  to keep it in tact. I hope you, your friends and your neighbours can  join me.

Diversity Photography Contest
The FUSION Halifax Immigration & Diversity Action Team has launched a Diversity Photo Contest, with the theme "Express Yourself. Do It, Do.," open now until June 1, 2012. They want to know what diversity in HRM looks like through your eyes, and multicultural Clayton Park is a wonderful example of diversity in Halifax!

The top prize is $500, and the contest is open to residents of HRM. People of all ages and with all levels of photography skills are encouraged to participate.

For more information, please visit their website, and to submit your photo, email it to diversityphotocontest@fusionhalifax.ca.

Neighbourhood Clean Ups
On June 8th and 9th, Clean Nova Scotia will be coordinating the largest single cleanup in Nova Scotia - 'Clean Across Nova Scotia' is part of a larger movement which aims to tackle issues of litter and illegal dumping through an unprecedented global action known as "Let's do it!: World Cleanup 2012". The goal worldwide is to engage 300 million participants in 100 countries worldwide by September 2012, and Clean Nova Scotia is aiming for 25,000 participants across NS. Let's make Clayton Park a part of that!

For more information and to register a clean up in our area, please visit their website or contact my office.


Public Meeting on Prescription Drug Abuse
On May 26th a public meeting on prescription drug abuse in adolescents held from 1-3 p.m. at the Bedford Lion's Den, Lebrun Centre (36 Holland Avenue, Bedford). This is a very important issue as deaths relating to prescription drug abuse in young people is an increasing problem all across Nova Scotia.
Topics:Hear how prescription drug abuse has affected the lives of others
Talk about how this problem has affected your life
Discuss what action needs to be taken to prevent more unnecessary deaths
Learn how you can protect your children
Help shine a light on this critical issue
Speakers will include parents and siblings who lost loved ones to the dangerous combination of prescription pills and alcohol. 

North West Trails Association Kiosk at Canada Games Centre

The North West Trails Association is excited to announce the unveiling of a new kiosk in front of the Canada Games Centre. The kiosk will feature maps of trails in the area and will help our community get out and experience the beautiful trails we're lucky to have in the area.
To celebrate this accomplishment, the Trails Association will host a special "Kiosk Unveiling" at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 2nd. There will be refreshments followed by a short walk around the Mainland Common to show new improvements made to the Mainland Common Loop Trail. The group will be back to the kiosk site by noon.
For more information on the Trails Association and their summer hikes, beginning in June, please visit www.halifaxnorthwesttrails.ca.

Upcoming Community Events
African BBQ Fundraiser and Soccer Skills Competition
Join the African Diaspora Association of Nova Scotia, Soccafrique and Soccachique on Monday, May 21st (Victoria Day) at the Rockingham Community Centre (199 Bedford Highway) from 4-8 p.m. for a fundraising BBQ and soccer skills competition. Plates are $10. Try grilled tilapia, grilled chicken, veggie samosas, rice, stew and salad. For more information, call 404-3670 or email settlementservices@adamns.ca. All are welcome!

Rockingham School Spring FairÉcole Rockingham School will host their annual spring fun fair on Saturday, May 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 31 Tremont Drive. There will be games, a bouncy castle and a yard sale - all are welcome!

"Let's Talk #105" With Geoff ReganJoin Halifax West MP Geoff Regan for an open discussion at Rockingham United Church Hall (12 Flamingo Drive) on Saturday, May 26th. Open discussion from 10-11 a.m. followed by individual appointments from 11-12 p.m. Contact Geoff's office at 426-2217 or  geoff@geoffregan.ca for more information.

Mosaic Ministries Free Community DinnerMosaic Ministries is hosting a dinner of corned beef and cabbage, as well as coffee and tea, at the Fairview Salvation Army (50 Gesner Drive) on Saturday, May 26th at noon. All welcome!

Contact Information
Phone: 902-443-8318
Email: whalendc@gov.ns.ca
Website: www.dianawhalen.com

Dragon Boat Information

Hello Maskwa Members,

My name is Chris Haley. For those of you who do not know me I am a coach at Maskwa Aquatic Club as well as the Dragon Boat Program manager. I’m emailing you in regards to the up-coming 2012 dragon boat season right around the corner.

This program will provide paddlers of all levels the opportunity to participate in a fun activity that incorporates physical fitness in a social gathering type atmosphere. Paddlers young or old, members or non-members,  competitive or recreational are all welcome to enjoy this Maskwa Dragon Boat program.

 
The program will run from late May to late September, commencing on Wednesday May 30th  at 7pm. We are planning now to run 2 sessions a week (Wednesdays 7-8pm and Sundays 10-11 am). We are charging $8 per individual session, $60 for 10-session punch cards, or $125 for a full program membership.
 
This is our second year of the program, and we are hoping to see more members out on the water this season! Dragon Boating is an excellent way to stay in shape, meet some new people, and have fun! If you are interested in participating in this program it would be greatly appreciated if you could reply to this email expressing your interest.

If you have any questions in regards to the program do not hesitate to contact me at maskwadragonboat@landmark.ca or 835-3592.

Thanks and see you on the water!

Chris Haley, Manager

Maskwa Dragon Boat

Thank you Volunteers

Special thanks to the hard working volunteers who came to the club on Saturday to help lend a hand getting the grounds ready. Thanks to Ian, Karen and Jesse Scott, John Moore, Stephen MacMurray - huge thanks for getting the basketball net fixed, Jody Pace, Brian Jessop, and Mary and Nico Negulic. If I'm missing anyone, I do apologize.

Reminder this Saturday, May 12 from 9am-2pm Maskwa is hosting an Open House. Drop down to the club to register for 2012 summer programs. Coffee provided by Starbucks.

Tropical Twist & Shout Auction and Dance - this coming Sat night

Hi everyone:

Maskwa's new website is up at www.maskwa.ca (click refresh or the old site will still come up). Also our registration will be on-line next week and the great news is you can pay in installments and on-line.

I'm send this out as a reminder - great fundraiser for great cause. I've booked it and can't wait to get out for a change.

Tropical Twist & Shout- Auction and Dance - May 5, 2012

Q104’s Bob Powers will host the first-annual Tropical Twist & Shout -Auction and Dance Playground Fun-raiser . It’s a fun night-out with a tropical twist: Enjoy an entertaining evening complete with raffle, light appetizers, impressive silent auction, and live auction with auctioneer. Then dance into the sunset with DJ Bruce Johnson. Prizes include a family getaway to Atlantica Hotel and Marina Oak Island, a trip for two to Florida and much, much more! All proceeds from the event go to the Grosvenor-Wentworth Park School playground improvement project. Purchase your tickets or get more information by calling 401-6787, e-mailing egwps.playground@gmail.com or at the door. We’ll see you there!

Location: BMO Centre, Bedford

When: Saturday, May 5, 2012. Doors open at 7pm.

Tropical Twist & Shout Auction and Dance in support of Grosvenor-Wentworth Park Elementary

Hi everyone:
Grosvenor-Wentworth Park Elementary has organized this fun fundraiser to help raise much needed money for their new playground. It's a great night out, lots of prizes, silent auction and chance to win a trip to Florida. Really what more could you ask for!

Tropical Twist & Shout Auction and Dance,
Saturday, May 5th, 7pm, at the BMO Centre

We have put together an 'auction to remember' with loads of fun items including weekend getaways, camps for kids, fine dining, golf packages and more, a DJ and dance will follow. The evening will be hosted by Q104's Bob Powers and all proceeds support a great cause-a much needed new playground for our school and community at Grosvenor-Wentworth Park Elementary.

Please feel free to pass on the invite to anyone you know who enjoys a good auction or dance! Tickets are $20 and available at the school or from Amy McEvoy at egwps.playground@gmail.com or call me at 446-2528.

Thank you for your support!

2 Racing Kayaks for sale at Maskwa

Hi everyone:
Our new website will be up by next week and our new on-line registration will be up by the end of April.

Here are two racking kayaks for sale at the club:

Item: Kayakpro Aurum K-1 size M
Description: Orange and white, 3 years used, still in good condition. Good fast, first boat.
Cost: $1100 (includes boat cover)
Contact: ciarajerrett@eastlink.ca
457-3266

Item: Hody-Sport K-1 size M
Description: All carbon boat, really good construction. Good first boat.
Cost: $1200
Contact: Blair Jerrett bjerrett@eastlink.ca
457-3266