Happy birthday, dear. You've allowed me to fall in love with Nova Scotia all over again through your nerdy trivia since the first day we met (ref: some Halifax Explosion Book). My PhD in Halifax CE credits are current thanks to you couriering issues of The Coast to the prairies. I love you to the moon and back. —Your Pint-Sized Tinderella

Eyes met eyes several times. Subtle smiles of attraction exchanged. Me, olive green dress coat. You, white ski jacket. Would have acted on the vibe but (you had no way of knowing) I was on my way to a family funeral. Not an appropriate time, obviously. Maybe the same time and place, next week, under more morally correct circumstances. Mumford terminal; 3/10, 12:30, #52. You made my day….week. —WorstPokerFaceEver

click to enlarge

The north end that I loved was a place where working class people had a chance to make a life, blue collar workers could live and raise families, and have a place that was safe and people looked out for each other your parents always knew what you were up to because everybody watched out for each other, and there was always the busy bodies that knew everything, now I know that it wasn't a paradise it did have its issues, what neighbourhood didn’t, it had a reputation for being tough and where trouble makers lived, but it was home.

As I look around today I see most of the old ways are going the way of the dodo as expected…and as they should everything changes, and maybe I do look at the north end with rose-coloured glassed, but I still can look around and see the things that made the north end a great place to live.

There are those that will agree with me and those that won’t and I accept that…but after almost 50 years of living and loving the north end I am getting ready to leave it…my north end is not gone but it soon will be, the things I loved about it are already going away and the new generations coming in are making it their own, as it should be, my wish is that they remember the foundations that the north end was built on the good and the bad, and embrace them and love their north end they way I love my north end. —Someone born and raised in the north end.

Was I slightly disappointed I didn't make my connection? Not after the most smiles I have ever seen on Halifax Transit. Yes, I am speaking of Syrian refugees. Strollers, hats, mitts, whatever...Smiles! Made me feel more proud to be a Canadian. —nice bus ride

Government should do its best to live within its means.

Hopefully now those in a position of authority will also make a determined effort to reform MLA pensions.  Since the chief criteria is affordability, and since the MLA pension plan would be considered by most Nova Scotianers to be unaffordable,  it is time to revisit this issue.  We now know that objective third party panels reviewing compensation issues in the public sector are no longer seen as necessary or legitimate so the work done by that previous panel can now be placed aside.

If MLAs were treated like ordinary public sector workers on their pensions it could result in a saving of millions which could be used to help provide funding for additional supports for disabled children in the educational system.  As a number of the senior people in the Government already have another public sector pension from other jobs that they have done, it should cause minimum economic distress. —Keep up the work guys

To the young guy working the cash at the VV in Bayers Lake last Friday: Not only are you tall, dark and handsome but more importantly, you seem kind and your smile and friendly service made my day.  The staff at this store are upbeat and friendly and make it a welcoming place to be, even when it's crowded and busy. —VV Groupie