Category: Updates

Angela Simmonds talks leaving politics with CBC’s Portia Clark [AUDIO]

Angela Simmonds & Portia Clark

[AUDIO] – Angela Simmonds was elected as a Liberal MLA in 2021 to represent the Preston riding. She left about halfway into her first term, after running for the leadership of the party. Now, she’s taking on a new challenge! Angela Simmonds talks with Portia about her journey.
Aired: July 5, 2023

Nova Scotia Black artist, historian hopes Secret Codes quilt exhibit inspires younger generations

The Secret Codes, African Nova Scotian Quilts - curated by: David Woods

An artist and Black historian says he hopes an exhibit of African Nova Scotian quilts inspires a new generation to take up “a dying craft in the Black community.”

David Woods is the curator of the exhibit titled The Secret Codes, which is currently on display at the Dalhousie Art Gallery in Halifax. The exhibit features works from over two dozen predominately African Nova Scotian painters and quilters.

While the exhibit runs until Aug. 6, the gallery will host other events for Emancipation Day on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. Those events will include a curator’s talk, a guided tour with Heather Cromwell of the Vale Quilters Association whose work is featured in the exhibit, and a “family quilts gathering” where people are invited to bring in their quilts to share stories about them.

Women with a Vision: North Preston mother continues annual celebration in honour of late daughter [VIDEOS]

Vivian Cain’s daughter, Latoya, died in 2020, but it’s her daughter’s memory that keeps Cain motivated to continue planning and organizing the annual North Preston Day Celebration. The event took place last Saturday, the 16th year for the celebration.

“It was so hard when she passed,” Cain said in an interview. “It’s still hard.”

“I worked hard because I didn’t want to think about her, and I just kept busy, busy, busy. That kept my mind so that I wouldn’t have to, you know, be crying and… It helped me.”

Truro council honours Dr. Lynn Jones for appointment to Order of Canada [VIDEO]

Dr. Lynn Jones with Truro Mayor Bill Mills

During a ceremony at Truro town council, Dr. Lynn Jones, who was recently appointed to the Order of Canada, said there are still issues to challenge and fight for in the community and province. Jones was honoured by the town of Truro during a council meeting Monday. She was one of 60 appointees to the Order of Canada in June.

Desmond Inquiry Final Report Delayed Again [AUDIO]

Three-picture Collage: Tim Houston, Lionel Desmond, Warren Zimmer

“The Nova Scotia government has dismissed the judge presiding over an inquiry that has spent much of the past five years investigated why Afghanistan war veteran Lionel Desmond killed three family members and himself in 2017.

Brad Johns, Nova Scotia’s attorney general, confirmed Tuesday he has asked the chief judge of the provincial court to assign a new judge to finish the work started by provincial court Judge Warren Zimmer, saying the province has waited long enough for Zimmer’s final report.” – City News

DJ R$ $mooth celebrates career as host of longest-running Black music radio show in Atlantic Canada [VIDEO]

Ryan "R$ Smooth" Somers gives the peace sign while broadcasting on the radio

The longest-running Black music radio show in Atlantic Canada recently celebrated its 25th year anniversary on the airwaves.

Ryan Somers, aka DJ R$ $mooth, has been hosting $mooth Groove$ on CKDU 88.1 FM since 1998. The show, which airs every Sunday from 5pm to 8pm, broadcasts out of the Student Union Building on the campus of Dalhousie University.

“I always think of the show as like a home base, like no matter what’s going on… most people can hear me that Sunday,”