Happy August! Long time, no see!

I do hope you’ll forgive my recent dereliction of duty as it pertains to my columnal (Is that even a word?) responsibilities here at Haligonia.ca.

As some of you already know, I started a new, non-journalism-related job a few months back and well … the learning curve has been somewhat steeper than I initially anticipated. Throw in a near relocation to St. John’s, Newfoundland, a cold-turkey Paxil abandonment and voila … total chaos (not to mention very little spare time to write).

But fear not, dear readers. It looks as though I’ll be sticking around Halifax a while longer and continuing with my columnal – okay, if it’s not a word it really should be – duties as they relate to Citizen at Large.

Speaking of moves, did you happen to catch CTV’s tribute to ten-year Fluff at 5 co-host Starr Dobson last week?

Starr, of course, has departed the long-running suppertime gabfest (and the network) to become the new President and CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia later this month.

Among those feting Starr on her final day on set were several of her past CTV colleagues, including her Fluff at 5 predecessor turned Steele Ford Lincoln pitchperson Nancy Regan, Paul Mennier, Jonathan Kay, Bill MacKay, MairiAnna Bachynsky, and Bill Jessome; former N.S. PremierJohn Hamm, the Pictou County doctor responsible for bring Alma’s most famous daughter into the world, and federal cabinet minister Peter MacKayalso sent televised well wishes.

Starr’s co-hosting duties opposite Bruce Frisko have since been handed over to Atlantic Canadian YouTube expert and former Breakfast Television star Maria Panopalis, whose Section Six shoes are now being filled by Ana Almeida, a former morning co-host at Halifax radio station 101.3 The Bounce

And in other news …

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS:

• Dartmouth is about to get a new watering hole as Ceilidh’s Pub prepares to open its doors later this month. Cape Breton native Roseanne MacKinnon tells me she hopes the bar – located at 245 Waverley Road – will bring back memories of fun kitchen parties she and others like her enjoyed growing up.
• Supplement King will be opening a new location – its 11th – across from the GoodLife Fitness location in Penhorn Plaza in early August.
• Martha’s Pizza II is preparing to open a location at 746 Bedford Highway.
• At last check, the Kempt Road McDonald’s, which was offering up gut-busting $2.99 Big Macs prior to its July 13 reno-related closure, is aiming to reopen for business on August 4.
• Halifax County Condominium Corporation 283 aka The Terrace, 647 Bedford Highway, has severed ties with Bob Daley-owned Concord Premier Property Management of Parkland Drive and will now be self-managed with the assistance of long-time superintendents and former Cheticamp residents Nancy and Milton Larade. A Terrace unit owned by newly minted CTV Fluff at 5 co-host Maria Panopalis is currently for sale.
• The 227 Bedford Highway building that previously housed One Stop Bridal is up for rent. A sign posted on the inside of the door a while back read, “Locks have been changed by owner.” OSB’s bridal shop paraphernalia, which remained inside for some time, was recently removed. The building is owned by 3011503 Nova Scotia Limited. N.S. Registry of Joint Stocks lists Meadowbrook Drive, Bedford dweller,Erin F. Cogan, and Richard W. MacDonald of Colin’s Road, Bedford as directors of that company.
• TD Canada Trust is preparing to open a brand-new branch in Upper Tantallon in June 2014.
• CIBC‘s new location, off Larry Uteck Boulevard, is scheduled to open September 30.

FUNDRAISER:

Swiss Chalet in Bedford will be holding a benefit dance and auction for 20-year restaurant employee Matt Ryan this Saturday, August 3 at 8 pm at Brewsters in the Mill Cove Plaza. According to a sign posted at the Bedford Place Mall, Matt “was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. All proceeds will be going to help the Ryan Family in their time of need.”

HOUSE OF WINDSOR ALERT:

Royal watchers who’ve can’t get enough of the hype surrounding the arrival of Prince George of Cambridge are invited to attend Delish Fine Foods’ celebration of the future king’s birth this Saturday at 5280 St. Margaret’s Bay Road in Upper Tantallon (next to the recently opened Royal Bank location) between 11 am and 2 pm. British ex-pat and Delish owner Denis Dineen was recently interviewed by Global Halifax’s Rebecca Lau about the royal birth and his plans for the party, which will include music by local musical wonders The Saunders Brothers.

It’s also worth noting that the Mahone Bay Settlers Museum is currently hosting an exhibit dedicated to the newborn prince at its Main Street HQ.

PASSINGS:

• Well-known Tradewinds Realty agent and one-time N.S. College of Art & Design registrar Elizabeth “Liz” Buell, on June 20.
• Malachi Jones, 83, retired Nova Scotia judge and father of championship curler and longtime CBC personality Colleen Jones, on June 27.
• Art Dechman, 89, long-time president and CEO of Acadia Road Builders and Acadia Construction, on July 30. Art’s second wife, Marie, was elected as a Progressive Conservative in Nova Scotia’s 1988 provincial election and held several N.S. cabinet posts until her political defeat in 1993.

SPOTTED:

• ALLNovaScotia.com’s Managing Editor Judy Myrden, at Halifax Seed, Friday July 12.
• Food Wolf czarina Natalie Chevarie, walking on Argyle Street, Saturday, July 13.
• CTV newsman Bruce Frisko, at the Argyle Bar & Grill, Saturday, July 20.
• Vogue Optical model Kevin Hull, at Menz Bar, Saturday, July 20.
• Fitness guru Matthew Ryan, fundraising at Menz Bar, Saturday, July 20.
• Jason Hollett, Acting Director of Climate Change, disembarking the passenger boat from George’s Island with his family, Sunday, July 21.
• Doctors Nova Scotia CEO Nancy McCready Williams, at Sears in the Halifax Shopping Centre, Monday July 29.
• CTV Atlantic gal Liz Rigney, cycling like crazy at Goodlife Fitness on Peakview Way, Bedford, Wednesday, July 31. (She was spotted at the nearby Sobeys soon after.)
• N.S. Education Minister Ramona Jennex and Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse, dining at the Hart & Thistle, Wednesday, July 31.

That’s it for now … see you soon! And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter,@CitizenWilliams!