As the rainy autumnal months, I feel I need to extend a big ol' thank you to The Coast. Not for its critique of city's infrastructure, reviews of art exhibitions or its annual Best of Halifax campaign (though I do very much appreciate those as well) but for its utility as an all-purpose shoe dryer. Being a student, I'm poor and don't have the money to replace my many-holed shoes. Because of The Coast's ubiquity around town, I'm able to completely dry my shoes near every night. Though I'd prefer to simply buy new shoes or even be able to find a job that works with the schedule I need to keep because of my field of study, our weekly arts paper's there for me in this time in my life. Sadly, I had to use the paper I usually save for thumbing through during the week along with the lone one I used to be able to distribute between both shoes because of its recently reduced content; I don't know what the future holds for you or your contributors, The Coast, but you'll always have a place in my heart as the paper that introduced me to Savage Love, made me laugh and cry with True Story, helped me find more great stuff to see at the AFF and kept my feet dry. —Penniless Acting Student

As the rainy autumnal months, I feel I need to extend a big ol' thank you to The Coast. Not for its critique of city's infrastructure, reviews of art exhibitions or its annual Best of Halifax campaign (though I do very much appreciate those as well) but for its utility as an all-purpose shoe dryer. Being a student, I'm poor and don't have the money to replace my many-holed shoes. Because of The Coast's ubiquity around town, I'm able to completely dry my shoes near every night. Though I'd prefer to simply buy new shoes or even be able to find a job that works with the schedule I need to keep because of my field of study, our weekly arts paper's there for me in this time in my life. Sadly, I had to use the paper I usually save for thumbing through during the week along with the lone one I used to be able to distribute between both shoes because of its recently reduced content; I don't know what the future holds for you or your contributors, The Coast, but you'll always have a place in my heart as the paper that introduced me to Savage Love, made me laugh and cry with True Story, helped me find more great stuff to see at the AFF and kept my feet dry. —Penniless Acting Student

Overheard on Gottingen on Saturday night: "It's not worth going there...all they have is rice-a-roni and Chef Boyardee type stuff." The man speaking these words was stepping into an expensive restaurant and he was referring to a new community-oriented shop that opened a few doors away. I was annoyed by what he said because it is simply not true and smacks of privilege and ignorance. This isn't a bitch, though, it's a message of love for a our city and a special street—Gottingen—that continues to be diverse, inclusive and satisfying on so many levels. We should all take time to explore its nooks and crannies, its businesses new and old. But we should also recognize that many of the community resources, services and people that have called the street home, for far longer than wealthy folks have been parking their SUVs by its curbs, are an important part of what makes it great. —Nighttime eavesdropper

I was having a rough day at work, and when I went to pay for my groceries my debit wouldn't work. As I set them aside to use the ATM you purchased them for me, and said it looked like I had a rough day. I want to pay it forward and say a big thank you!!! —VeryThankfulLady

Dear me,
You're an old girl, but still a flake and a coward. You are awkward and avoiding. But your heart is loyal, your smile is warm and genuine. You have a skill at getting a smile and a chuckle out of most in small talk situations, and you have a great sense of style. You need to learn to walk with your shoulders back, however. You have suffered a lifetime of abuse and neglect but you are past that. Do not exhibit your shame; stand tall. You are a survivor. Wipe the sorrow from your eyes. You are worthy of love. —Me

You painted a pretty little picture with your post. All sweet and sad wrapped up into one. I loved you too...though I'm going to paint another side of the same picture. You thought it was time for us to go our separate ways. Well, my dear...I'm thinking it was because I called you on your bullshit. Yes, we were lovers...for the first year, but then you started... you started to string me along; dangling your sex only to pull it back. You started to turn me into the shoulder and ear to yet another story of yet another boyfriend. I had no problem with them by the way; they made no difference to me. I'm patient, but after a year of that... and then over a coffee not that long ago, you did it again. That was strike three. And without stamping my foot, I called you on it. You see my dear... they were getting theirs, but I wasn't getting mine. Plain and simple. I got more to say if you want.... —spot on

I would love if people (in general) would stop being so goddamn shallow. Learn to like and love a person for who they are, not for what you see. Because when you're only using your eyes you aren't experiencing all the other things a well rounded human really is. Also how about acting and speaking with sincerity. If you like someone, tell them, or be receptive to them. Don't brush them off, or ignore them and then run to LTWWL to profess your attraction, that shit is soooooo lame. —no love anywhere for the simple and honest.

Two months ago, I stopped at a yard sale in the north end to buy a book about Tudor history. The woman who was having the yard sale kindly went inside after the enthusiastic conversation about our shared passion for medieval England's  history. This kind woman loaned me her books without a thought. I offered her my address and phone number, she said she trusted me. I have not forgotten you! I am just finishing the six wives of Henry VIII. I promise you, I will bring back your books, don't worry! :) —Tudor Lover

Yes, I hear you serenading your cat when I'm walking by your apartment door. You're not half bad. Guessing you're one of those crazy cat ladies, but the best kind. —More of a dog person but I get it ;)

To the girl who works at the basement where bargains are found that helped me figure out what colour the jackets I was looking at were and what scarf would go best with the one I finally picked - thanks for your help. You are a gem, were very helpful and funny - they are lucky to have you working for them. I'd love to buy you a milkshake sometime. —Sometimes dark blue looks like black.