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Guest blogger Leanne Salyzyn is an insolvency counselor, licensed restructuring professional and trustee in bankruptcy. Post a comment or contact her on Twitter with your personal-finance questions.

This morning, en route to pick up a stranded co-worker as a result of the public transit strike, I pondered something. Why do so many citizens in Metro take public transit? I’m sure some base their rationale on environmental concerns. One less car polluting the air will someday help with our carbon footprint and maybe stop that ever increasing hole in the ozone.

For others perhaps, it’s a lifestyle choice.  They live near their workplace and having a car doesn’t make sense. It could be due to the health benefits of walking to and from work or even to the bus stop. There is a percentage of the population that for medical reasons take transit as they are unable to drive.  Many of us despise traffic and would probably prefer to leave the frustration of the merges and bumper to bumper traffic to someone else while engaging themselves in less stressful activity such as reading a book, listening to music or watching an eclectic mix of similar commuters.

But I bet if you polled most of the 96,000 Metro commuters, the decision to take transit is purely economic.  The cost of maintaining a vehicle vs  taking public transit is very significant.  So I crunched the numbers from the perspective of a Dartmouth resident working a full-time position in downtown  Halifax.

Cost of transit: Metro Transit adult pass: 70 per month=$840 annually

Cost of Owing a Vehicle:

Average car payment: $450 per month =$5,400 annually

Average MacPass cost: $1.40 per day x 5 days a week x52 weeks =$364 annually

Average Auto Insurance: $1,200 annually

Average Monthly Parking Downtown: $140 monthly =$1680 annually

Average Cost of Repairs: $1,200 annually

Average price of Gas: $90 week x52 weeks= $4,680 annually

Total Average Cost to maintain a vehicle annually:  $14,524

Vehicle costs such as gas, insurance and bridge passes are continuously rising while wages remain relatively unchanged.  The cost benefit of using public transit allows many consumers to redirect those proceeds to pay a mortgage on a home they could otherwise not afford or pay for a child’s university education or afford other lifestyle choices. For many Metro residents, however, it simply allows them to live within their means without incurring debt to supplement their income.

There are many of us who truly need a vehicle as condition of our employment.  For those that do not, perhaps  they should pause and consider if the vehicle is truly a need or simply another desire. And if a want, what would you do with the annual savings of $13,684 by taking the bus?  Can we afford not to take advantage of the savings?

I must have done something right recently to receive an invite to the Harbour City Bar & Grill’s VIP dinner to celebrate their new look and menu. Honestly, it’s treats like these that help a girl get through the long, sluggish month of January. On a chilly Thursday evening, my good friend Jessy and I took a break from our usual haunts to visit the newly revamped restaurant located on the ground floor of the Delta Halifax.

Immediately, we were whisked inside and delivered a glass of champagne (don’t mind if I do!) and led to the back room where appetizers were being prepared fresh on the spot. My favourite was definitely the Digby scallop with what seemed to be a hint of cinnamon, perched atop a dollop of creamy risotto. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that we had access to the whole menu that evening and could sample whatever our hearts desired.

The theme of Harbour City Bar & Grill is simple. They are featuring as many local ingredients as possible. Additionally, they have the most extensive Nova Scotia wine list in the city (every vineyard minus two at the moment). This isn’t a new concept but it’s one that I adore and think every restaurant should be embracing. Harbour City even sweetens the pot by offering a no corkage fee if you bring your own bottle of Nova Scotia wine. So, basically, if you have a bottle of Gaspereau or Grand Pre in your arsenal, just tote it along. I think that this is a no-fuss incentive to keep Haligonians thinking and drinking local.

The ambience at Harbour City is minimalistic but there are some great personal touches like a wall of bottled preserves and homegrown music playing in the background. Happily for us, we meet up with two other friends to sit with. Chef Les Stevens has created a tantalizing menu and I was torn, but Jessy and I decided to mix and match. For an appetizer, I ordered what I can only describe as the most decadent starter I’ve ever had – butter poached Nova Scotia lobster with a fresh herb emulsion, asparagus and brioche. It was divine. This could have been my dinner and I would have been perfectly content. Jessy ordered the oven-fired Ran-Cher goat cheese, a hefty offering of this creamy cheese with maple crusted pecans on a sour dough crust with rhubarb compote (equally delicious but hitting on different flavours). Luckily, we managed to gain a second wind for our mains. I truly felt I made a miraculous choice with my monkfish flavoured by a hint of fennel and complemented by lobster risotto. Meanwhile, Jessy’s Digby scallops were humungous, succulent and simply flavoured by a drizzle of honey. We had some debate about which scallops we preferred, the initial appetizers (with cinnamon) or the main dish, but both were tasty.

Truthfully, a hotel restaurant doesn’t always spring to mind when I think of dining out but Harbour City has really upped the stakes on fine local dining. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention coveting our friends’ dessert, Parade of Sail, which was an edible work of art in the shape of a chocolate and praline sailboat. My sampling revealed it to be full of rich cheesecakey goodness. I’d like to see a little more of an evolution with the décor, perhaps some local art adorning the walls but our dining experience was amazing and I would highly recommend checking out Harbour City’s succulent cuisine and welcoming atmosphere.

-Nicole

Butter Poached Nova Scotia Lobster

Monkfish with Lobster Risotto

Digby Scallops with Vanilla Saffron Risotto

Music blogger Megan Couture is back, reviewing the first day of the In the Dead of Winter festival.

Despite last night’s rain, I joined the crowd at Spatz Theatre for the third night of In The Dead of Winter. Tonight: Whitehorse and Martha Wainwright.

Whitehorse is married couple Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet, who decided that instead of each having solo careers, they would team up and re-tool their current tracks to suit a duo. A folksy but slightly twangy sound, their roots of country and folk blend well. The two are both incredibly talented, but performing as duo appears to still be a challenge. Melissa and Luke have beautiful voices, but when they sing together, McClelland would often overpower Doucet and throw off the balance. Another distraction came from the two trying to do too much music-wise. Many tracks called for McClelland to switch instruments and use different pedals, effects, etc to create the full sound they would have in studio. Usually I enjoy when one person plays many different instruments, but I found this distracting. Whitehorse would benefit greatly from another member to fill in the background effects when needed.

But it’s not all bad – like the moment Melissa thanked a little fan for making her a necklace, a small voice shouted “Hi Melissa!” from the crowd. How adorable! My favourite tracks were the few that Whitehorse performed with just two guitars and the two of them at one mic at the front of the stage. My absolute favourite song, “Emerald Isle”, was a smooth, romantic rendition, performed beautifully with two guitars and two voices in harmony. Whitehorse is at their best when their sound is simple. These two are a duo to watch; as once they hit their stride and find their balance, they’ll be on fire.

Then there’s Martha Wainwright.

Martha Wainwright is weird.

And honestly, I couldn’t pay her a greater compliment. From the musical Wainwright family, she stands on her own with her unique performance style. She would consult her set list, throw it on the floor, swear, forget what she was doing, swear more, talk to herself, ask us “Why are you all here?” and then maybe swear again. The crowd, myself included, was in stitches. I’m not sure if she’s aware, but Martha Wainwright is a comedic genius. And it’s also lovely to watch her perform. She has a great presence, with all of her stomping, high-kicking, moving and shaking. You cannot take your eyes off of her.

Her music is unusual, but I couldn’t ask for anything less from her. Her voice is powerful, strong and difficult to categorize. She sang a lovely new song about her young child, but before she did so, told us “If you hear ‘na-na-na’, it’s because I haven’t written words for that spot yet.”. The song was sweet and a little sad, but every time we heard ‘na-na-na’, the audience couldn’t help but laugh. It felt warm and intimate – like we were all in on one great joke together. There was no pretension or falseness in her music, just raw honesty. It was well appreciated by the audience. When she made a mistake, instead of glazing over it, she did what I would do, swear and start again. One song of her mother’s she performed, she stopped mid-song, determined to get the chords right. Not because she’s an amateur, but because she’s comfortable enough to stop and get it right. I’ve never seen anything like it in a live concert.

Wainwright is weird. Weird, wacky and wonderful. In a way that only a true performer can be.

In the Dead of Winter continues tonight. This is all the coverage you’ll see from me, but I recommend that you take off your Snuggie and slippers and take in one of the many shows.

Which shows did you see? Post a comment and share your reviews.

CORRECTION: Melissa McClelland’s last name was misspelled in an earlier version of this post.

January 25 to 28

This festival is an annual celebration of acoustic music, assembling a diverse group of acoustic musicians from around the region and across the continent. This year’s lineup includes Shawn Colvin, Martha Wainwright and Lennie Gallant. 483-6334, www.inthedeadofwinter.com

Hot events in Halifax this weekend, as suggested by readers. Know something good we overlooked? Post a comment and share the details.

Friday

• 7pm: Pre-Shrunk opens tonight at Argyle Fine Art on Barrington Street. The unique exhibition features 312 small-scale paintings.
• 8pm: The In the Dead of Winter music festival continues with a concert by Martha Wainwright at Spatz Theatre (Citadel High School.) Whitehorse opens.

Saturday

• 7pm: Basketball, with a chance of precipitation, as the Halifax Rainmen host the Summerside Storm at the Halifax Metro Centre.
• 7:30pm: Elvis impersonator Thane Dunn celebrates the King’s birthday with a concert at Cohn.

Sunday

• 2pm, 7:30pm: The Norm Foster comedy Mrs. Parliament’s Night Out, starring Sheila McCarthy, continues at Neptune Theatre.
• 8pm: Customer Appreciation Night at The Carleton. Pay-what-you-can cover charge for Belle Starr and Jay Smith.

Guest blogger Leanne Salyzyn is an insolvency counselor, licensed restructuring professional and trustee in bankruptcy. Post a comment or contact her on Twitter with your personal-finance questions

Unless you have been recently hiding under a rock, you’ve heard about the Bedford man arraigned last week on espionage charges.  Media are frothing at any personal information they can get their hands on. One piece of public information that has surfaced is that he filed for bankruptcy in 1998.

Unfortunately, society still regards filing for bankruptcy as a character flaw. If you can’t manage your money, what can you manage? A responsible person, we are told, should know how to manage their finances.  The years pass, bankruptcy levels rise and yet societal values remain somewhat unchanged.

With recent studies reporting Canadians spending $1.50 of every dollar earned, the face of bankruptcy is also changing. Let’s call them the “working poor.” The face of bankruptcy today is your neighbour, your co-worker, your child’s teacher, the hospital nurse even the bank employee. The list goes on and on. Debt affects everyone todays. We are quick to criticize people who seek bankruptcy protection however often the true causes of bankruptcy have nothing to do with over spending or poor money management. Illness, martial breakdown, a series of unfortunate events, reduced household income as a result of the death of a spouse, cession of child support, or even temporary job loss can cause a person who has been living just at their threshold to get behind the eight ball enough that they never recover.

Most people have already been to their banks requesting a consolidation of their debts and have been turned away for a multitude of reasons such as debt-ratio being too high, seasonal income, no co-signers or poor credit score. Many consumers resort to high-interest payday loan companies to bridge the gap.

The federal Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act affords an honest but unfortunate insolvent individual protection from creditors. Granted there are always a few bad apples that spoil the bunch, but very few people want to file for bankruptcy. It is usually out of necessity.

The fact that someone recognizes a debt problem and seeks assistance for their financial circumstances should not been seen as a sign of weakness but rather a sign of strength. It takes a much bigger person to admit to a debt problem than one to hide from it.

Music blogger Megan Couture is back, reviewing the first day of the In the Dead of Winter festival.

So I’ve been away from the blog for almost a month or so. No excuses here, other than that I was hibernating. I’m so glad to get the chance to cover In The Dead of Winter–a four-day acoustic music festival set in, well, the dead of winter. I think we can all agree that it’s nice to get out of the house.

This is my first time attending IDOW, and at the height of winter madness season, I think it’s just what the doctor ordered. Sometimes, you want to go and listen to music without having to scream, shove and sweat all over those around you. Sometimes, you just want to sit, listen and relax.

Last night the festival kicked off with Don Brownrigg and Shawn Colvin at the Rebecca Cohn.

Don Brownrigg is a native Newfoundlander that has called Halifax home for the better part of a decade. His music was simple but genuine; the best way to describe it would be John Mayer with a soul. You could tell that he was tickled to be there (And delighted to be opening for Colvin). His stripped-down, authentic sound fit the venue well. A personal favourite was a song he had written about his love/hate relationship with Halifax. As I’ve lost many friends to the siren call of other cities, I knew all too well what he was talking about. Brownrigg gained a quick rapport with the audience (He called it “jibber-jabbering,” I call it a rapport), including the hilarious moment when an audience member requested a song that he had already played. “Did you come in late?” Brownrigg deadpanned, and was met with silence. And laughs from everyone else. Small moments like this truly highlight the intimate nature of the festival.

After a short intermission, Shawn Colvin took the stage. What struck me as unique was the format of the show; she mixed only a few of her own tracks with many covers. I enjoyed the mix–to me, it was the ultimate relaxed show. She just played whatever she wanted to, like she wanted to share with all of us songs that inspired her. My favourite song of the night (and I was clearly not the only one) was a rousing, stirring version of “Acadian Driftwood” by The Band. This rendition was met with wild cheering and applause from the audience.

Now, I thought that the name Shawn Colvin named sounded familiar but I couldn’t remember why. But now I do–I’m sure you’ve heard “Sunny Came Home.” Think about it, yes, yes you have. Anyway if you haven’t I’m not sure what you’ve been up to – it’s very quintessential 90s and she performs it with an enthusiasm that I’m pleased to hear after what I’m sure has been many performances.

In addition to being a talented musician, Colvin is a delightful storyteller with a sharp wit. My personal favourite was Colvin explaining all of the weird and wacky opportunities that “Sunny Came Home” had allowed her, such as being on Sesame Street and The Simpsons. I’m a huge Simpsons fan and recall her turn as Christian rock singer Rachel Jordan. (Remember that, guys? Ned Flanders has a crush on her?) To my delight, she sang a snippet of the song from that episode. What fun!

After ending with a standing ovation, Colvin took the stage for a fabulous encore that included an acoustic version of “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley. It’s probably difficult to imagine an acoustic version, but trust me when I say it was lovely.

I’ll be heading to shows on Friday as well and recommend you do the same. So get out from under that blanket, Halifax. And cozy up to In The Dead of Winter.

Let’s face it. Sometimes being stylish can be a bit of a challenge in January. When we’re not trudging through fluffy snow, we’re combating slush and salt and the nuisance of reckless drivers spraying puddles haplessly. For the past two winters, I’ve considered buying some expensive winter boots. But time and time again, I come back to my tried and true Hunter wellies. Paired with thick socks or lining, they really stand up to Nova Scotia’s elements no matter what gets thrown at you. I bought mine on sale at Biscuit almost three years ago and I swear – I find an occasion to wear them every season of the year.

I was reminded of how simply adorable and practical they can be after lunching with my good friend Elizabeth this week. Elizabeth works in television and is an all around creative and inspiring type of friend to have. She looked put together and weather-ready (in a not-trying-too-hard kind of way). Black Hunters paired with a simple belted One Tooth jacket and a spring-inspired dress underneath with a flash of hot pink around the waist. Outside the restaurant, her demure look was accentuated by pops of red (her lovely locks and slouchy handbag) which was just enough to keep the outfit looking lively…

- Nicole

When I was a young boy, my Grandfather was a solid Tory. I don’t mean that he voted Tory and put up the occasional lawn sign; he had a giant portrait of John Diefenbaker hanging over his dining-room table. Think of the most committed Conservatives you know. Any photos of Stephen Harper hanging in their houses? I bet not. Gramp was that committed.

After he died, I was going through some old family papers and discovered, to my utter shock, that Gramp had once been a committed Liberal. He had raised funds, stumped for candidates and doubtless, somewhere, hung a portrait of Mackenzie King. How, I asked my Grandmother, could he have made the switch? She thought for a moment, and replied, “Oh, politicians are alike in more ways than they’re different.”

It’s a sad, cynical view. And one that MLA Howard Epstein did his best to substantiate yesterday.

Yesterday, provincial Auditor General Jacques Lapointe appeared before Legislature’s Public Accounts committee to discuss his latest report. In it, and in his subsequent remarks, he shared his view that his unethical for today’s governments to accumulate debt for future generations to deal with. “In effect, we are all poorer today because of government spending in the past,” he said.

For having the audacity to say what is clear to anyone with a spark of a conscience (it’s wrong to expect other people to pay your debts), the AG and his office earned a public tongue lashing from Epstein. “What you’ve treated us to is your personal views on government debt… I have to say to you that I find it highly problematic, not just that you’ve embarked upon this discussion but the way in which you have done it. I have found it not to be balanced, not to be sufficiently detailed, and not sufficiently researched,” Epstein said.

The scolding went on for 30 minutes over two “question” periods, which involved few actual questions. ”I have no questions for the Auditor except for an invitation for him to think clearly about the points I’m making,” Epstein said. At no point did he actual offer anything to refute the notion—he simply argued (at length) that Lapointe was out of line for taking the position.

So, what’s this have to do with my Grandfather? Well, consider the way the federal Conservative government under Stephen Harper has responded to criticism. A nuclear regulator, a watchdog of the RCMP, an ombudsmen for victims of crime, a liaison for military veterans and a senior Mountie who defended the long-gun registry, have all been openly chastened and hounded (or fired or reassigned) from their jobs for doing their jobs, and commenting on government policy when it wasn’t good for Canada.

When you look at how Epstein responded to Lapointe yesterday, it’s hard to see much difference from the way the Harper government responds to its critics. As my Grandfather would have seen, they’re alike in a lot of ways.

What do you think? Were Lapointe’s comments out of line? Was Epstein’s response appropriate? 

Guest blogger Ben Boudreau is the local community manager for Yelp.com, a website featuring restaurant reviews by ordinary diners. Once a week, he shares Halifax’s highlights.

Over the past few years, Halifax has really kicked it up a notch when it comes to world cuisine! Getting a great sushi roll isn’t as hard as it used to be, Vietnamese noodles are never far away, and Thai curries have changed the way we think about Friday night take-out. In order to help you get ahead of the curve, we’re going to run through a quick Introduction To Korean Cuisine course this week. Jal meokkesseumnida! Er…bon appétit!

Kicking things off with an expert, Kimberley M got her first taste of Korean food in its country of origin but happily heads to Seoul on Duke Street to get her local fix. She starts “off with some dumplings (Mulmandu),” that come “accompanied by miso soup, and the traditional side of kimchi”—spiced and fermented cabbage, for the unititated. Next up, fresh veggies, rice and an egg cook together in front of her to make “dolsot bibimbap in a stone bowl.” This Korean staple makes for a hearty, satisfying dish, perfect for first-timers. Just add some hot sauce, stir it up, and enjoy!

Another pro, Nick B, gets his fix at E-PIN Grill House – the perfect scene for a night of Korean barbecue. Here’s how it works: “At your table you have an electric grill, and the point of the experience is to cook at the table, turning dinner into a longer, slower, more social experience.” Choosing a combination meal for his party of three, “the table was filled for us with short ribs, teriyaki chicken, some beef, and a wide assortment of side dishes like Kimchi, potatoes, a couple of salads, and so on.” With all the ingredients for a feast, meat-eaters will love this interactive Korean way of dining.

Still scared? Don’t be. Just run over to Scotia Square and pay a visit to long-standing local favourite, Korea Garden Express. Both Lori M and Leslie F are quick to recommend their quick, affordable lunch combos as a great way to ease into the new cuisine. Leslie loves the “nice kick” of the spicy pork combo, while Lori never strays from the Seoul Chicken and Lemon Chicken dishes: “The Seoul Chicken has a kick of heat while the Lemon Chicken is tart (but in a good way).”

All set to navigate a whole new menu? Get even more edible expertise delivered straight to your mobile phone with Yelp’s free app! You’re just a finger-tap away from delicious new discoveries. Better yet, review a local love and you might just see your tips right here in our weekly round-up.