Bulletin - July 2023
Options Open House
On Thursday July 14, the Options Program held their annual summer Open House celebrating participants, employer partners and referring agencies. The event featured guided tours throughout the office highlighting every aspect of the Options program, and the team members gave presentations about how they guide participants in the program throughout the year. While visitors toured the office, they could sample delicious treats served by Options participants. The highlight of the event was a lemonade stand that thoroughly refreshed visitors.
The event ran from 11:30 to 1:30 and was a huge success. We now wish the Options Team well as they embark on their August summer break. We can’t wait to see what the Options Program will do next!
2023 Rainbow Bagel Campaign
The third annual Rainbow Bagel Campaign has come to an end, but don’t worry, we already hope to be back again next year! Annual means every year, right?
This year we sold 472 packages of Rainbow Bagels! We sold them at store fronts like the Ampersand Cafe and partnered businesses like Pete’s Frootique. Jesse Nervais, founder of Dreadlocks and Kindness, also set up market stands throughout the city to sell these colorful bagels.
Stone Hearth Bakery partners with Dreadlocks and Kindness to make the rainbow bagels, and the campaign supports the Rainbow Refugees Association of Nova Scotia and The Youth Project. This year we raised $708 for these organizations. Big thank you to everyone in the community that supported this fundraiser.
Common Roots Urban Farm’s Community Events
BiHi - Community Snacks and Meals
Common Roots Urban Farm BiHi is giving back to the community this summer. Make sure you follow them on Instagram and Facebook to find out when their next events will be!
For the rest of summer, the BiHi location offers free coffee, tea and snacks every Tuesday morning. This started at the beginning of the summer, so it’s not too late to become a familiar face at these events, or stop by just to check it out! Make sure you take some time to walk around the plots to see what the community is growing.
The farm also hosts a series of Monthly Community Meals. The most recent was held on Thursday July 27, from 5:00 - 7:00. The event featured a complimentary vegetarian meal prepared by the Stone Hearth kitchen. We look forward to the next meal and encourage everyone to check out these community engagement events at the farm.
Woodside - Wednesday Markets
Common Roots Urban Farm Woodside has started up their Wednesday Markets again. Produce and bouquets grown right on the farm are available to purchase. There will be a new variety of products freshly grown every Wednesday.
The pop-up Market stand is located in front of 296 Pleasant Street, across from the Dartmouth General Hospital and will run from 3-5:30 PM every Wednesday until October. Stop by for some amazing, local produce. Make sure you check out their social media pages to stay up to date!
The farm’s socials!
Common Roots Instagram here.
BiHi Facebook Page here.
Woodside Facebook Page here.
Newcomer Women partnering with Cunard Learning Centre
The Cunard Learning Centre will partner with the Newcomer Woman Program for a new learning opportunity this August. Throughout the next four weeks newcomers that are interested in developing their english and math skills can take part. Classes run on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and during the week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Parvaneh who used to teach at Cunard, and was on the Newcomer Woman team, will be leading the program.
The classes are open to non-participants as well. We encourage any family members of our participants to attend these classes if they could use some extra help with english and math. If you know someone interested in participating in these lessons please reach out to the Newcomer Women program by email at newcomerwomen@mymetroworks.ca, or by phone at 902-706-3124.
Cool off with a Mox-Cow Mule at Ampersand
The Ampersand Café has a new drink creation. This beverage which we’re calling a Mox-Cow Mule is our barista's non-alcoholic take on a classic Moscow Mule.
Ingredients:
Ginger Beer
House-made Simple Syrup
Sparkling Water
Lime Wedges
Double check with the baristas for the full list of ingredients if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions. As temperatures reach a high this summer in Halifax, this drink is sure to help you beat the heat. Stop by the café to try this delicious new beverage!
