A by-law was passed last Tuesday, November 26, 2019 during the Happy Valley- Goose Bay town council meeting to ban the single–use of plastic bags.

The ban becomes effective in the New Year, Wednesday, January 1st, 2020.

The ban was unanimously passed, followed by an announcement by the Province earlier this year of banning the use of plastic bags and the banning of such bags in other Labrador communities.

The town conducted a research study earlier this year and said it found overwhelming support in favour of the by-law to ban single-use of plastic bags.

There are some Advent events going on this week here in Nain.

Tonight there will be an Advent Sleepover at the Jeremias Sillett Community Centre for ages 16-30 years.

Make sure to bring a stocking, pajamas and they would like no devices while at the sleepover.

It will be a night of games and watching movies.

Tomorrow, November 30th, there will be an Advent sale at the JS Community Centre at 12 noon. Admission is fee is $1.00. And a rummage sale, tables are available at a cost of $10.00 each, to reserve a table contact the Recreation Department at 922-2690 or 2691.

The money will be funded to support the Jens Haven Memorial School Huskies.

Another group, The Women of Worth (WOW) Group will also have their Advent sale at the JS Centre at 12 noon tomorrow.

Department of Health and Social Development offices are busy since Christmas is approaching fast.

We spoke to Sharon Edmunds who is the Team Leader for DHSD in Happy Valley Goose Bay.

She says their office is already decorated and for anyone who would like to go down and see.

Edmunds says they will be having Christmas events throughout December month.

Click here to hear more from Edmunds on what is planned for the DHSD in Goose Bay.

The Labrador RCMP district in Happy Valley-Goose Bay held their “Friends of Force Hollywood Night Charity Ball” in October.

We spoke with Joanne Rodgers who is the media contact for the RCMP.

She says on October 26th, 2019, Goose Bay RCMP held its annual Charity Ball.

This year’s event, themed “Hollywood Night”, raised an incredible $10,500.

Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP has been organizing the Friends of the Force Ball since 2004-2005.

It has become a popular event in the Labrador district that involves countless volunteer hours from RCMP employees as well as support from the community.

Many community groups donated and participated in the fundraiser.

On November 22nd, Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP presented seven community groups with the proceeds of this year’s ball.
They include:
• Peacock Primary School Kids Eat Smart Program
• Labrador Friendship Centre
• Hopedale Food Bank
• Crime Prevention/Salvation Army Christmas Dinner Campaign
• Ministerial Association Christmas Hampers Campaign
• École Boréale
• Our Lady Queen of Peace Middle School Kids Eat Smart Program

Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP thanks its community partners and attendees for their wonderful support to help make the Friends of the Force Ball a huge success

The annual Christmas tree lighting will be held in Nain this Sunday, December 1st, 2019.

Carla Pamak is the Chairperson for Ullapitsaijet steering committee.

She says the tree lighting will take place in front of the Nunatsiavut Government Building, starting at 6:30 pm.

Pamak says if the weather permits they will be serving hot chocolate and Timbits.

The Nain Brass Band will perform and there will be people singing carols.

Pamak says the Christmas tree is lighted on the First Advent Sunday, because it is the start of the Christmas season, and First Advent is celebrated on the north coast of Labrador.

She says it will remain lighted till Nalujuit Night on Monday, January 6th, 2020.

Pamak hopes the community will come out and witness the tree lighting and enjoy carol singing.

With many different community events happening in our community, The Nain Inuit Community Government is busy preparing and planning.

We spoke to Joe Dicker who is the AngajukKâk for the NICG.

He talks about the annual Advent tree lighting, which is taking place this Sunday on December 1st, 2019.

Other topics discussed were on the Community Enhancement program, an update about the Nain husky arena.

Click here to find out more about what AngajukKâk Dicker says about the updates.

The Students on Ice Expedition are still taking applications from youth who are interested in taking part in the 2020 Arctic Expedition.

Shirley Manh is one the Expedition Managers.

She says next year is a special year for the Expeditions because in 2020 it will be their 20th year celebrating the Students On Ice expedition.

Youth from Nunatsiavut and all around the world will take part.

This is for youth between the ages 14-22 years, and you do not need to be a student to apply.

She says there are three Students on Ice 2020 expedition scholarships for youth for Nunatsiavut youth this year.

The deadline is fast approaching which is tomorrow November 30th, 2019.

To find out more about this 2020 expedition with Students On Ice you can contact Jonathan Lidd by calling his cell which is: 1-873-355-1424 or you can also contact Megan Dicker.

The WOW group “Women of Worth” are back to swing of things in Nain.

Ivy Andrews is a WOW group member.

She says the members are back to their meetings and gettogethers for about a month.

Andrews is happy of the 15 ladies who take part even though the numbers varies sometimes.

She says any women who want to join may do so.

The meetings are held every Wednesday at 7:30 pm .

Andrews says the WOW group will hold their annual Advent sale this coming Saturday, November 30th at the Jeremias Sillett Community Centre at 12 noon.

She says the members will hold a fundraising event for a trip to Goose Bay further down the road.

The trip is planned for February of next year.

The Nain youth centre is now open during the day.

The Youth Centre is open from 8:30 am-12:00 pm and 1:00 pm-4:00 pm for youth ages 13-30 years.

Kim Oliver is the youth outreach worker with the Department of Health and Social Development.

She is there to help youth with their bank information, resumes, birth certificates and more.

Oliver adds there will also be a brunch this weekend on Saturday, November 30th for the addictions awareness week.

Stay tuned to our Teen Rockers show today to hear more on what Oliver has to say.

The SmartICE is a partnership between Memorial University, the Nunatsiavut Government, industry and the Government of Canada.

This program provides locally relevant information for sea-ice travel in two pilot communities such as Nain, Labrador and Pond Inlet, Nunavut.

We spoke with Rex Holwell Jr, who is the Northern Production Lead for SmartICE.

He says that there are four trainees that are employed; and this is their last week of training.

They have been working on the seventh smartbuoy.

Once it’s completed they will test the smartbuoys with two trainees.

Holwell will announce to the public when they are going to do the test.

One of our radio producers will be attending to witness the first launch.

He says the SmartICE will be looking for four new trainees this summer in June and July in the New Year.