And judging from the over 30 events registered as part of its upcoming Winter Guided Snowshoe Hike series, there will be a flurry of snowshoeing on trails from one end of Nova Scotia to the other this season.

“We’ve heard from retailers that snowshoe sales are up in the last year,” says Janet Barlow, Communications Coordinator with Hike Nova Scotia. “And we were overwhelmed with hike events from groups across the province this year. We began to see interest rise over the last two winters, but this year there’s been, well, an avalanche of interest.”

Hike Nova Scotia and its many partner groups offer a series of guided snowshoe hikes in January, February and March. The hikes, supported by Mountain Equipment Co-op, are meant to help get more people outside in winter and being active on our trails. The events are led by local folks and participants qualify to win “trail prizes.”

In addition to the guided snowshoe hikes, Hike NS pulled together a list of businesses and organizations where you can borrow, rent or buy snowshoes.

Find a complete list of over 30 Guided Snowshoe Hikes as well as the Where to Borrow, Rent or Buy Snowshoes guide at www.hikenovascotia.ca.

Hike Nova Scotia encourages and promotes hiking, walking and snowshoeing throughout Nova Scotia. Membership in Hike NS means keeping up-to-date on the latest hiking news and having a say in its many projects. Hike NS is supported by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.

For those with a real interest in hiking and snowshoeing, Hike NS will host its first Hiking and Snowshoeing Summit on January 28 in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site in Maitland Bridge.

We are excited to host what is known as the largest Minor Basketball Tournament for both boys and girls in the entire country. For five days, close to 1,200 players, ages 8-17 years old, from over 90 teams from around the Maritimes will be participating in this highly competitive tournament.

Since its inception in 1989, the Bedford Classic has welcomed players of all ages and provided an opportunity to compete against teams of similar ability. We will engage over 15 different facilities, 250 volunteers, 230 coaches, 74 officials and 4000 parents/spectators for this event over the five-day tournament.

Bedford Minor Basketball Association is one of the largest basketball clubs in the Province with 27 teams playing in the Halifax Metro Basketball Association. We are looking forward to hosting such a wonderful community based event once again this year.

We are able to put on this tournament at a very reasonable price because our parent volunteers do most of the work and we rely on the supportive businesses and organizations in the community to offset some of the costs of gym rentals, officials, trophies, and shirts etc.

We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us in providing such a worthwhile event. The success of minor sport and community events rely on the generosity of the corporate sector.

We can acknowledge your support & generosity by listing your company’s name in our tournament program, all print material as well as the BMBA web page. I have included the Bedford Classic Sponsorship package for your information/consideration.

On behalf of the many young players, organizing committee, volunteers and parents we thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

Should you wish to become a sponsor of the 2012 Bedford Classic please make contact with Brandon Rafuse – Tournament Chair, before January 27th, 2012 at brafuse@thunderselects.ca or 902-471-4023.

TITLE SPONSOR VALUE: $3000

- Company logo included on Bedford Classic Tournament T-shirt – 1000+ Shirts available to all participants during the tournament

- Full Back Cover Advertisement in Bedford Classic tournament program – Other options can include inside front/center/inside back page(s)

- Company logo included on all print material including tournament ads, signage, tournament passes, score sheets

- Company logo placed on BMBA webpage with URL link included

- Option for company banner to be placed at gyms and highlighted at Classic tournament Championship game(s)

- Two (2) announcements per half of each semi’s and final games – all levels, acknowledging support

- Regular announcements at half time of all games- all levels, acknowledging support

- Opportunity to present Player of the Game Awards, and tournament trophy at 1-2 division finals on Sunday March 4th

- Eight (8) Tournament Passes for all games/ All venues

PLATINUM LEVEL VALUE: $2000

- Inside back page ad in Bedford Classic Tournament program

- Company Logo included on all print material including tournament ads, signage, tournament passes, score sheets

- Company logo placed on BMBA webpage with URL link included

- Option for company banner to be placed at gyms and highlighted at Classic tournament Championship game(s)

- Regular announcements at half time of all games- all levels, acknowledging support

- Four (4) Bedford Classic Tournament Passes

GOLD LEVEL VALUE: $1000

- Full page ad in Bedford Classic Tournament program

- Company Logo included on all print material including tournament ads, signage, tournament passes, score sheets

- Company logo placed on BMBA webpage with URL link included

- Option for company banner to be placed at gyms and highlighted at Classic tournament Championship game(s)

- Regular announcements at half time of all games- all levels, acknowledging support

- Four (4) Bedford Classic Tournament Passes

SILVER LEVEL VALUE: $750

- Half page ad in Bedford Classic Tournament program

- Company logo placed on BMBA webpage with URL link included

- Two (2) Bedford Classic Tournament Passes

BRONZE LEVEL VALUE: $500

- 1/4 Page Ad in the Bedford Classic Tournament Program

- Company Logo on BMBA Web page with URL link included

- Two (2) Bedford Classic Tournament Passes

For sponsorship inquiries please contact:

Brandon Rafuse
Tournament Chair
brafuse@thunderselects.ca
902-471-4023

Artwork (Ad) Requirements:

All artwork can be forwarded to Brandon Rafuse via email and should be available in high resolution PDF with a minimum of 300 dpi to guarantee the finest quality.
Ads can be in black and white or full color.

Artwork (Ad) Deadline:

The deadline to receive all artwork is January 27th, 2012

at the OPEN HOUSE and 1st Anniversary of the Fall River Yoga Centre

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Everyone welcome!

Don’t know much about yoga? Come and investigate a little! Yoga demonstrations, door prizes, tour the centre, meet the teachers, satsang, snacks, cake and more!

Feed Nova Scotia donations accepted as early as November 26, 2011

www.fallriveryoga.com

Its Trans-Actions project will work with three high schools in the Halifax area to establish youth cycling leader clubs, which will tackle the challenge of increasing cycling and walking to school among their peers.

The Active & Safe Routes to School program was selected from hundreds of applications because it envisions walking, cycling or using other forms of active transportation as a popular and safe choice made by children, youth and their families for the trip to school and other places they go.

In the first of two grant cycles in 2011, The North Face awarded $125,000 Explore Fund grants to 52 projects helping more than 30,000 kids to connect to nature.

“We’re so pleased to have the support of the Explore Fund Grant,” says Janet Barlow, Active & Safe Routes to School Coordinator with the Ecology Action Centre. “Spending time outdoors is such an essential part of growing up. Through our Trans-Actions project, we hope to inspire more teens to get outside and be active by using active transportation such as walking and cycling.”

The Ecology Action Centre’s Active & Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) program was established in 2001 to increase active transportation among children and youth. Since it’s founding, the program has involved over 300 schools or groups across NS.

It offers a suite of innovative programming – including Walking School Buses, safety education, special events, School Travel Planning and more – to promote active transportation as a healthy lifestyle choice.

In addition, ASRTS has been able to advance its mandate exponentially with the support of several important partner organizations including the Nova Scotia Government, Green Communities Canada, Transport Canada as well as foundations, school boards, health boards and municipalities.

“First-hand experience is essential to ignite a passion for the outdoors, and that shouldn’t be limited by gender, race or income level,” said Ann Krcik, director of outdoor participation at The North Face. “At The North Face, we’re dedicated to providing everyone with the access to our natural playgrounds and the resources they need to get outside.”

The Trans-Actions: Youth Cycling Leader Clubs project is recruiting high schools this fall so it may launch in January 2012.

To learn more about Active & Safe Routes to School of the Ecology Action Centre and the Trans-Actions project visit www.saferoutesns.ca

To learn more about all of the Explore Fund grantees and to keep up on their progress visit www.planetexplore.com.

Tired of sitting on the sidelines and wishing you were a soccer player? Ever curious about what its like to be put through a real soccer practice?

Looking for an addition to your current fitness regimen? Well, do we have a program for you.

The Bedford Soccer Association is proud to be soliciting participants in a soccer mom boot camp!! Once a week, for an hour, you will practice like a high calibre soccer team. The focus will be on fitness, conditioning and soccer skills. We guarantee you will leave feeling tired, sweaty but a great workout indeed!!!

Imagine, in 10 short weeks, being able to go head to head with your soccer superstar!!!

Please contact: andrewandcheryl@eastlink.ca for more details!!!!

The Gerald St-Amand Memorial trophy for the winners of the Bedford 5k to Beat Lung Cancer was installed in the trophy case at the BMO Centre. From left to right: Mayor Peter Kelly, Paul St-Amand, Jean St-Amand (founder of the Bedford 5k to Beat Lung Cancer), Penny St-Amand and Councillor Tim Outhit.

What: FCM’s Green Municipal FundTM (GMF) announcement of funding for the BMO Centre four-pad ice arena complex

Who: Lloyd Hines, Warden of the District of Guysborough, Nova Scotia, and member of FCM’s National Board of Directors

Mayor Peter Kelly of the Halifax Regional Municipality

Where: BMO CENTRE
61 Gary Martin Drive
Bedford

When: November 3, 2011, 12:00 noon

Contact: Mayor Peter Kelly, Tel:902-490-4010

Do you know of a high school with a keen group of teens that are up for this challenge?

Please contact Active & Safe Routes to School at asrts@ecologyaction.ca for more information or to express interest in this project.

For Worlds River Day on September 25 there will be a guided walk along the Sackville River.

Meet at 10 a.m. beside True North Diner in Bedford (1658 Bedford Highway)

This year’s Guide will be Wil Brunner

See you there.

865-9238

Bedford Titans U16 Girls Tier 2 Soccer team had a fantastic summer. They won the Gold medal in both the CISL League Championships and the Provincial Championships - unbeaten in both with only one goal scored against them! Photo courtesy of Mark Thompson.