[caption id="attachment_9095" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Scouting plants on the Princess Path."]What is Swag? Walking. HALIFAX - Haligonians enjoyed a quick respite from the seemingly endless deluge this past weekend while participating in the city’s well-timed Jane’s Walk walking series.  Over 100 people came out to walk, talk and learn about their neighborhoods.  A variety of folks, young and old, shared stories, maps and anecdotes about the places we live and the paths we use to navigate ourselves around the city. Janet Barlow, coordinator of the Active and Safe Route to School project, kicked off the series with a walk to school in Clayton Park, a suburban development off the peninsula.  Parents from the nearby Park West Elementary joined some curious city folk for a stroll, as we meandered through the system of cul-de-sacs. Although most children live within walking distance, 25% of them are chauffeured to school, causing unnecessary traffic congestion and danger. Barlow, a treasure trove of information, showed us the paths that connect the dead-end streets meant to encourage pedestrianism.  Unfortunately, some of the residents have been successful in shutting down these paths to public usage.  What would Jane Jacobs say? Trouble arises when a neighbourhood is designed in such a way where there are no eyes on the street to collectively supervise the goings-on. Janet Barlow shows us the way to school.

HALIFAX - For over a year now, installations like these have been cropping up all over the city. A pop-up shop of sorts with only one item for sale: pieces of painted wood with 'Cruise Halifax' stamped on the back and timely messages on the front. The labelled messages usually reference a large-scale event in town and oftentimes draw on an emotion of civic pride, with a polite plea to purchase one of the artifacts. Along with the milkcrate, plaque or shopping cart that serve to display the various local crafts, is a donation receptacle. No salesperson or artist in sight. Does anyone have any information about the mastermind behind the artwork? Any theories? Have you ever purchased a piece? Spacing wants to know!

BUILT ENVIRONMENT PEI - West River Bridge closure hurting business [CBC] ST. JOHN'S - Controversial wharf partly demolished [CBC] HALIFAX - Convention centre won’t make city more vibrant, interesting [Chronicle Herald] FOOD FREDERICTON - Summer blossoms at the market [Daily Gleaner] NS - Former grocer urges chain stores to again accept local produce [Chronicle Herald] HALIFAX - New Halifax Farmers' Market set to open [CBC] COMMUNITY HALIFAX - Architecture for the people [Chronicle Herald] FREDERECTION - Zombies shuffle and moan through street [Daily Gleaner] ST. JOHN'S - Grappling with graffiti [Telegram] THE STREETS HRM - Speed-bump campaign hits roadblock [Chronicle Herald] MONCTON - Council debates downtown drive-thrus [Times Transcript] SAINT JOHN - ...

  Train-tripping is the more human way to travel.  The more romantic way to travel.   The more nostalgic way to travel.  The Khyber ICA, in cooperation with VIA Rail and the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, are launching MAKING TRACKS tonight at the VIA Rail train station.  Expect to see 14 pieces of video work inspired by the themes of locomotion, travel and trains themselves made by a mix of local and international artists .  If you can't make it down to the train station, you ...

BUILT ENVIRONMENT HALIFAX - Debate heats up on future of downtown Halifax [Metro] PEI - Historical colours rejected for restoration project [CBC] HALIFAX - Zoning problems with a Twist [Chronicle Herald] TRURO - Truro residents lose battle against 102-unit residential development  [Chronicle Herald] FREDERICTON - Council to decide if condos get green light [Daily Gleaner] HALIFAX - Roofing torch accident sparked Dal fire [Chronicle Herald]   TRANSPORTATION NS & NFLD - Truckers threaten ferry protest [CBC] NB - Bouctouche eyes transit link to Moncton [CBC] SAINT JOHN - Bridge repairs on schedule but negotiations in limbo [Telegraph Journal] ST-JOHN'S - Tender called for replacement ...

BUILT ENVIRONMENT ST. JOHN'S - Council splits on condo proposals [CBC] HALIFAX - Canada Games Centre going public soon [Metro] CHARLOTTETOWN - Green future planned for Charlottetown [CBC] TOURISM NFLD - N.L. to replace tourism signs [CBC] N.B. - Tourism ads yanked by N.B. government [CBC] SEWAGE IN THE HARBOUR CHARLOTTE TOWN - Sewage stops shellfishing again [CBC] ST. JOHN'S - St. John's residents upset with sewage smell [CBC] HALIFAX - Weather, stats may sink would-be harbour swimmers [CBC] COMMUNITY ST. JOHN'S - St. John's rolls ahead with cycling plan [CBC] HALIFAX - Mood hopeful at Africville reunion [Chronicle Herald] HALIFAX - Thousands celebrate ...

HALIFAX - On any given day, the Halifax Common is an open public space where people overlap. A place where our paths intersect. Last weekend the Common served that same function, but on a much greater scale. Mawio'mi Grand Chief Membertou 400 brought together over 6,000 people - including many Aboriginals from across Canada who travelled great distances to participate in the ceremonies. It was the largest powwow that had ever taken place in Atlantic Canada. ] The 4 day-long event included drumming and dancing competitions, a free Buffy Sainte-Marie concert, knowledge sharing, free food and the temporary installation of over 15 wigwams throughout the park. There were also a number of people who camped with their families on the North Common. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Mini tent-city on the Common!"][/caption]

photo by Alison Creba HALIFAX - For many cyclists in the city, the idea of biking over the MacDonald bridge en masse had always been a pipe dream.  Last Friday, Critical Mass made it happen.  With a mobile PA strapped to the back of a bike trailer, police escorts at either side and a high number of children in attendance, an estimated 200 people rode way across the bridge in a lane usually reserved for car traffic.   It was surreal. Many participants of May's Critical Mass ride expressed a similar concern; that they avoid cycling on the MacDonald bridge because they are either physically unable to do so or are afraid of the bikeway's challenging design.  Friday's ride brought cyclists of all skill levels together and strengthened important connections between members of the community, and between Halifax and Dartmouth.