Yarmouth County Blogs

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The Fast Forward Blog is a companion blog to FASTforward ‘08 and is sponsored by FAST. The blog, like the conference series, aims to drive and deepen conversation about how today’s companies can use technology to place users in control of information, and is home to ongoing discussion about the user revolution. The blog, like the conference series, aims to drive and deepen conversation about how today’s companies can “Innovate, Accelerate and Dominate” and is home to ongoing discussion about the user revolution.

When Brian Hurlburt, of YarmouthCounty.com, was recently approached by Robert Paterson, who is a contributing author with FastForwdBlog.com, about being interviewed about the way YarmouthCounty.com has impacted the local Yarmouth County area Hurlburt jumped at the opportunity.

Robert Paterson’s  hope is that Social Software and online communications can and will help us to collectively address many of todays critical situations and it is from this aspect that he writes for FastForwdBlog.com.

It is also from this perspective and after having watched YarmouthCounty.com and the impact it is making in Yarmouth County and surrounding areas, and beyond, that Rob approached Hurlburt in this regard.

Paterson’s work is helping people in a few key areas discover how best to enable people to help each other rather than to rely on institutions. Recognizing this attitude permeating Hurlburt’s YarmouthCounty.com web presence has drawn Paterson’s discerning eye to Yarmouth County.

Paterson’s Fast Forward Blog Posts strive to tell about the pioneers that are putting it all on the line to change traditional institutions. Answering questions as to how we can find a way of democratizing the institutions that govern our world before they use our obedience to destroy it.

Paterson writes about the pioneers that are working to change the ways things are done. To impower local people and communities become the best that they can in developing systems that are really responsive to the needs of those communities they serve.

Seeing YarmouthCounty.com’s impact on the local community and recognizing Hurlburt’s ongoing commitment and pioneering spirit  is what has captured the interest of Robert Paterson and the FastForwdBlog.com and the focus on Yarmouth County.

Visit the FastForwdBlog.com on Monday March 31, 2008 for Paterson’s Blog Post regarding Yarmouth County and surrounding areas and the impact that is being made by Hurlburt and YarmouthCunty.com.

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For YarmouthCounty.com, this has been Brian Hurlburt, and I invite you to Make it a great day!

Sincerely,
Brian Hurlburt
customerservice@yarmouthcounty.com

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Helpful Links

FastForwdBlog.com

Paterson’s Fast Forward Blog Post:
What Will Drive The Change In Media? Measurement and Money

YarmouthCounty.com 

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Long considered the stepping stone of Nova Scotia, Yarmouth County is now home to the Stepping Stones; and this week the Justice Minister visited Yarmouth and addressed the local Chamber of Commerce to tell them how he is in support of the local program.

The  Stepping Stones Program helps young people in transition to become more self sufficient and more employable.

The Stepping Stones program, under supervision of Emma Halpern, recently held it’s first Graduation Ceremonies the end of February 2008. It was at that Graduation that 10 of the original 12 Stepping Stones participants graduated after the three month course in which they worked on resume building, interview, literacy, and life skills.

It is these skills that are seen as helping to build self esteem and leading participants to maintaining a more stable life.

The program gets to the root of the problems faced by youth in transition and addresses far more than resume building. It helps to build youth into fully functional community members that are equipped with the skills to survive, live, and thrive, in todays hectic and competitive world.

Limited funding for the recently graduated Stepping Stones program participants came in part from the Department of Community Services. Program organizers have been seeking more secure funding to ensure the program can continue to run and that a full-time coordinator for the program can be hired.

After this weeks visit by the Justice Minister to Yarmouth and the address he delivered to the local Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce it seems that those funds may be coming more available.

Seemingly recognizing the needs of the Stepping Stones program to better support youth who are willing to put in the work and improve themselves and become better community members the Minister of Justice left behind a check for $5000 and information that may lead to future funding possibilities.
The Justice Minister in his address referred to Stepping Stones no less than 5 times in his 30 minutes and it was a great opportunity for local politicians and Chamber of Commerce members to be made more aware of the Steppng Stones program, recent success stories, and perceived positvi benefits that will come from the continuance of the program in the future.

Nothing quite like having the Minister of Justice recommend your program to give it some traction in the local community.

After the meeting was over the Justice Minister privately presented the check for $5000.  While local community members including Yarmouth Town Mayor Charles Crosby and local MLA Richard Hurlburt seemed supportive.

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For YarmouthCounty.com, this has been Brian Hurlburt, and I invite you to Make it a great day!

Sincerely,
Brian Hurlburt
customerservice@yarmouthcounty.com

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Helpful Links

The Shire / Split Rock Learning Centre

YarmouthCounty.com 

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FUNDRAISER FOR The YARC Featuring TINPOT & Friends

SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 7:30
The local band TINPOT will be performing and hosting a fundraiser for Th’YARC, March 29th.

The four member group of talented young musicians has evolved from “just jamming” together on weekends to the recognition as one of the hottest up and coming bands in the community.

TINPOT made their unofficial debut at Th’YARC for the open mic Halloween special, THE MONSTER MUSIC MASH BASH.

Their young ages and lack of experience performing publicly didn’t prevent their unmistakable ability to entertain the audience, demonstrate their unquestionable talent, and make an impression on the Executive Director of Th’YARC. In fact, enough of an impression that they were invited to be the opening act for the legendary STAMPEDERS one month later.

They have since recorded a demo CD, been invited to perform at other events and are enjoying a rise in popularity and respect as gifted musicians  within the community.

In appreciation for the support TINPOT received from Th’YARC they will be hosting and performing in concert on Saturday March 29th 7:30 pm

Guest performers include Danny MacIsaac, Jamie Surette, and Alton Nickerson.

Adults $10
Students/Youth $5

General Seating

For more information call the Box Office at 742-8150

Box Office open Tuesday to Friday 10 am – 5 pm

www.yarcplayhouse.com

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Please Note: The YARC has a new Web Site URL:
http://www.yarcartscentre.com

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For YarmouthCounty.com, this has been Brian Hurlburt, and I invite you to Make it a great day!

Sincerely,
Brian Hurlburt
customerservice@yarmouthcounty.com

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Helpful Links

Th’ YARC

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For centuries we’ve been celebrating Easter and why should this year be any different!?

Ah, but it is different!

This is the first time I can remember Easter being celebrated this early in the year. That’s not to say that it’s the first time, nor even that it’s the first time I’ve experienced an Easter this early in the year. However it is the earliest I ever remember it being this early and the way I know that is that it’s the first time I ever remember Easter coming before my birthday which is 26 March (you guess the year!)

Easter today celebrates the death and resurrection of Christ, that which fulfills the Law, and that promises eternal; life for those that believe. The Bible teaches that whosoever will may come, that through the death of Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin for all who believe in Him, and His resurrection gave Him power over death and grants eternal life with Him to all who confess their sins and believe in Him as Lord and Saviour. Since that is the central message in and throughout the Bible it’s little wonder that Easter holds such an important part in the Christian life and Calendar.

Why then does the date change so?

According to The Easter Page — Traditions, History, and Dates of Easter the reason dates back to 325 AD. The Easter Page states, “Prior to A.D. 325, Easter was variously celebrated on different days of the week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In that year, the Council of Nicaea was convened by emperor Constantine. It issued the Easter Rule which states that Easter shall be celebrated on the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. However, a caveat must be introduced here. The “full moon” in the rule is the ecclesiastical full moon, which is defined as the fourteenth day of a tabular lunation, where day 1 corresponds to the ecclesiastical New Moon. It does not always occur on the same date as the astronomical full moon. The ecclesiastical “vernal equinox” is always on March 21. Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a Sunday between the dates of March 22 and April 25. “

“Why”, you might ask, “would such an important date on the Christian Calendar be tied so closely with the cycles of the Moon?”

Thanks for asking, I was hoping you would…

You see, according to the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, “Modern-day Easter is derived from two ancient traditions: one Judeo-Christian and the other Pagan. Both Christians and Pagans have celebrated death and resurrection themes following the Spring Equinox for millennia. Most religious historians believe that many elements of the Christian observance of Easter were derived from earlier Pagan celebrations.”

Perhaps another reason, or a supporting reason, for this is that in 325 AD the Church was growing and taking over many traditional worship places and other aspects of the Pagan world. If Christians were building their Churches and worshiping on Pagan sites then it only goes to figure they were also incorporating other traditions and customs that came at the time Pagans were being convirted to Christianity. One such occasion is Easter.

My somewhat unresolved questions are, “If it was only about 300 years after the death of Christ why did they not know, or celebrate, the specific date?” Why link it around a Pagan Festival? Why was it so tied to the Moon and lunar cycles as were other Pagan Festivals?
(I invite you to carry on that discussion via the “Comments Section” below)

Whatever the reasons, the fact remains that Easter, at least for the Christian Church, is the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection and what He has done for all of us past and present.

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For YarmouthCounty.com, this has been Brian Hurlburt, and I invite you to Make it a great day!

Sincerely,
Brian Hurlburt
customerservice@yarmouthcounty.com

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Helpful Links

The Easter Page — Traditions, History, and Dates of Easter

Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance

Kaboose.com: Fun Pages for the entire Family
Easter Bunny, Easter Basket Crafts, Coloring Pages, Spring Recipes and Easter Egg Hunt Ideas

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TH’YARC Presents OLIVER!

The musical adaptation of the much loved Dickens classic.

April 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 2008

Curtain 7:30 pm
Abandoned at an early age, Oliver (Luke Schrader) is forced to live in a workhouse, lorded over by the awful Mr. Bumble (Jim Rideout). Desperate yet determined, Oliver makes his escape to the streets of London where he is lured into the life of crime by the sinister Fagin (Gordon Rothwell).

With a cast of 65 and musical direction under Mark Palmer with the Yarmouth Orchestra, memorable songs will include, ” Consider Yourself” (Artful Dodger & Chorus), “Food Glorious Food” (Oliver & Chorus), ” Pick a Pocket or Two” (Fagin & Chorus) and “As Long as He Needs Me” (Nancy) Directed by Sandy Fevens

For tickets call the Box Office at 742-8150

Tuesday –Friday 10am to 5pm

Adults Regular $17.50
Students& Seniors 16.50
Members 16.00
Youth 14 & Under 12.00
EYEGO $5

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Please Note: The YARC has a new Web Site URL:
http://www.yarcartscentre.com

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For YarmouthCounty.com, this has been Brian Hurlburt, and I invite you to Make it a great day!

Sincerely,
Brian Hurlburt
customerservice@yarmouthcounty.com

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Helpful Links

Th’ YARC