SPRING FORWARDCHECK the batteries Put your clocks ahead  in your smoke alarm. 1 hour.

The African Nova Scotian Music Association (ANSMA) will be having its 21st Annual Awards Show & Gala on Saturday, March 2nd at 7 PM at the Spatz Theatre, in the Citadel High School, 1855 Trollope Street, Halifax. For more details , go to Twitter @ANSMA1

The Eastern Shore Musquodoboit Valley Community Health Board (ESMV-CHB) will be having a celebration event to acknowledge this year’s 16 recipients of their Community Wellness Fund awards. This will take place on Wednesday, March 6th from 6-8:30 PM at the Meagher’s Grant Community Hall, 4413 Hwy #357.

The nomination deadline for the Order of Nova Scotia (ONS) is on the third Friday of March (March 15th, 2019) The ONS recognizes Nova Scotians for outstanding contributions to their communities. NS citizens are encouraged to nominate or re-nominate someone they feel has made a significant contribution. Nomination forms are available at Access Nova Scotia Centres throughout the province. For more information, please call the NS Protocol Office—One Government Place, Barrington Level, 1700 Granville Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1X5. Telephone: 902-424-2467 Fax: 902-424-4309 or by E-mail: orderofnovascotia@gov. ns.ca or check ONS Website: https://novascotia.ca/iga/order.asp

Normally Open-Air Burning Season begins on March 15th. There is an on-line fire index map at: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/.

It will ensure everyone knows the risks of wildfire in all areas of the province each day. The map will show green, red, or yellow in each county to let us know if it is safe to burn, unsafe to burn, or safe with restrictions. The map and recorded phone message will be updated daily. Call Burn Safe toll-free

1-855-564-2876. These changes affect brush burning on domestic properties, such as rural residential lots, woodlots, fishing camps and cottage lots. But Commercial/Industrial brush burning still requires a permit from a DNR office. Be sure to follow all instructions, rules of conduct and be respectful of your neighbours when you want to burn. Be cognizant of those with any sensitivity to smoke. Please be very careful and burn safely.

Reminder that the 2019-2020 HRM Community Grants Program application deadline is March 31st. More details at: https://www.halifax.ca/business/doingbusiness-halifax/community-grants

Young women across the municipality are encouraged to apply for a spot in this summer’s unique all-girls first responder camp, being held July 7th–14th. Camp Courage is an eight-day female mentoring camp that brings together teens between the ages of 15–19, curious about a career as a firefighter, police officer, or paramedic. This  award-winning camp is held every second year and shows teens they too can excel in these male-dominated professions. While the oneof-a-kind camp shows girls what it takes to be a first responder, the ultimate goal is for the young women to develop a sense of empowerment and build the confidence to believe they can achieve any goal, career, or dream they desire. The camp is FREE but applicants must write an essay describing how they would improve a less fortunate person’s life, or their community. Camp Courage accepts 24 participants and applications are due on March 31st. For more information on the camp and how to apply, visit the Camp Courage website at www.campcourage.ca

HRM Park Planners have a concept plan to present to the public for final input on the Lake Echo District Park that encompasses the former Irving Gas station, the beach, Orenda Canoe Club and the Community Centre. The plan will be presented at an openhouse on Tuesday, March 19th from 6:30-8 PM at the Lake Echo Community Centre – 3168 Hwy #7. More info online at: https://www.halifax.ca/recreation/parks-trailsgardens/park-planning-projects/lake-echo-districtpark

The HRM Staff report dealing with Case #19800 which is a Rezoning Application by Kiann Management Limited for its 14.7 acres of property on the north side of Hwy #7, west from Parker Lane, Porters Lake from the RE (Rural Enterprise) Zone to CD-2 (C&D Materials Processing Facilities) Zone to allow for a Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Processing Facility will be coming forth to a HRM Harbour East Marine Drive Community Council (HEMDCC) on Thursday, April 4th at 6 PM at the Lake Echo Community Centre—3168 Hwy#7. For more details please refer to the HRM Planning: https://www.halifax.ca/business/planningdevelopment/applications/case-19800-highway-7parker-lane-porters-lake-pid or the HEMDCC Agenda Page at: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/community-councils/harbour-east-marinedrive-community-council

HRM requires all pet owners to license their dogs annually by April 1st. The licensing year runs from April 1st to March 31st.

Pet owners are required to apply for a license within 10 days of obtaining a dog. HRM also offers a “LIFE-TIME” registration that also requires your pet to have a micro-chip for easy identification purposes. There are discounted license prices for seniors, as well for any dog that has been spayed or neutered. There is no fee for Special Aid Personal Assistance Service Dogs. But there are rates for any dog that is deemed to be registered as ‘Dangerous”. You can license your dog or have its license renewed either in person at any HRM Customer Service Centre or at select veterinary clinics, or by mailing a completed licensing form with the correct payment to: HRM Dog Licensing, PO Box 1749, Halifax NS B3J 3A5 or for license renewals only with a credit card by calling the HRM Contact Centre at 311 or 1-800-835-6428 (NS toll-free). Pet owners found to be in violation of HRM By-Law A-700 licensing regulations may be issued a warning notice, or be issued a Summary Offense Ticket of $237.50 or greater; and/or could have their dog seized by Animal Services and face further prosecution in court. For more information: https://www.halifax.ca/home-property/animal-services/getting-a-dog-licence