WOMAN: Hello, how can I help you?

MAN: Well, I’m living in an apartment, and I’m always cold. I bought an extra heater, but it’s not helping. Someone suggested that the problem is the windows.

WOMAN: That could be. When you look closely at the windows, do you see double layers of glass, with some space between the layers, or is there just one sheet of glass?

MAN: Just one. And I have noticed that I’m especially cold when I stand in front of them. Even when the curtains are closed. I’ve even seen frost on them!

WOMAN: So they’re not double-paned. And probably old. Have you asked your landlord to replace them? MAN: That would be a waste of time.

WOMAN: Well, there are a few things I can suggest. First, you can caulk the edges.

MAN: I’m sorry?

WOMAN: Caulk is . . . like toothpaste, but thicker. It comes in a cardboard tube, and you use a special tool to squeeze it out...

MAN: Ah, I know what you mean. The tool works like a gun. You use it to squeeze the white stuff along the top, sides, and bottom of the window. It fills the crack between the wooden trim and the wall.

WOMAN: Exactly. Another solution is to put plastic over your windows. We have kits that include the plastic as well as tape that’s sticky on both sides.

MAN: Surely a thin sheet of plastic won’t do much good . . .

WOMAN: You’d be surprised. It’s not the plastic so much as the four inches of air you’ll trap between the glass and the plastic. It’s the air that acts as an insulator.

MAN: I’ll take the caulk, but not the kit. If I cover my windows with plastic, I won’t be able to open them.

WOMAN: That’s true. Another solution is to get some really good curtains. Specifically, thermal curtains.

MAN: What are thermal curtains?

WOMAN: They’re special curtains made with a layer of foam. The layer of foam acts as an insulator, keeping the warmth in and the cold out.

MAN: And you sell those curtains here?

WOMAN: We do have a few, but to be honest, you’d be better off going to the drapery store downtown. They have a good variety of fabrics, designs, and colours. I can give you the address.

MAN: I’d appreciate that. Thanks!

WOMAN: Hello. Can I help you find something?

MAN: Hi. Yeah, I need to buy a blender. I’d like to start making my own smoothies at home. I’ve tried using my food processor, but the result is just too lumpy. What do you recommend?

WOMAN: Well, we have lots of blenders to choose from. You’ll need to think about capacity, power, durability, and cost. Will you be making a smoothie just for yourself, or for several people?

MAN: It’s just for one, but I don’t want something that’s too small. I’d like to make a big smoothie. You know, something that’ll replace my breakfast and fill me up until lunchtime.

WOMAN: Okay. Now, what about ice? Do you plan to put ice into your smoothie? Some of these blenders are not really that good at crushing ice.

MAN: Yeah, I definitely want to be able to add ice to my drink. Maybe some fruit and berries, too, for flavour. Plus protein powder, which is why my wife and kids won’t touch it.

WOMAN: Some almonds are great in smoothies, too. Well, I think that narrows it down to these two blenders, the Smoothie Master and the Samurai. They’re very similar, but the Samurai is a little more powerful.

MAN: That name’s pretty cool. And with a name like that, of course it’s more powerful. What else can you tell me about it?

WOMAN: Well, it’s very easy to clean. It comes with a great little recipe book, and the website has lots of tips and useful information. Actually, this is the one I have, and I love it.

MAN: Okay, you’ve convinced me. I’ll take it. How long is the warranty?

WOMAN: It’s got a 2-year replacement warranty. That means if you have any problems with it, just bring it back in with the receipt, and we’ll replace it. After your warranty expires, you can get replacement parts here in our store, such as new blades

. MAN: That’s great. Thanks very much for your help. I can’t wait to get home and try it out!

WOMAN: Hello. We’d like some help, please. We just arrived and we’re wondering what to see here.

MAN: You’ve come to the right place. Halifax offers lots of exciting things to keep you busy. How long are you visiting for?

WOMAN: Well, our cruise ship just arrived this morning, and it leaves early tomorrow for Charlottetown. So just today.

MAN: OK then. You’ll want the main tourist highlights and recommendations for some good local food. One of Halifax’s most popular attractions is the Public Gardens. They are especially beautiful right now with the rhododendrons and azaleas. Take a look at this map. It’s just a short walk up Spring Garden Road, and on the way you’ll find charming boutiques and superb local crafts.

WOMAN: We have lots of lovely gardens in Florida. Is there something historic we should see?

MAN: Oh yes, there’s Citadel Hill right in the center of downtown. It has displays showing how the original settlers lived in the 1700s. At noon every day the soldiers set off a real canon, and you’ll see the changing of the guard, traditional uniforms, and even hear bagpipes.

WOMAN: That sounds like fun. We certainly don’t have live bagpipes back home! And what about along the waterfront? There must be something historic to explore there. Is that famous ship around? What’s it called? The Bluenose? Can we tour through that?

MAN: Unfortunately the Bluenose is being repaired just now, but there are other ships you can sail on around the harbour. Would you like tickets for the dinner and dance combo this evening on one of those sailing ships?

WOMAN: Well, we’ve actually had enough of being on the water with this cruise! I just wanted to see the real Bluenose since it’s so famous. It would be nice to eat on dry land for a change, so where would you suggest we get a typical Nova Scotian dinner?

MAN: Just next door is our best seafood restaurant with a traditional Nova Scotian menu. Be sure to try something with lobster, especially the fish chowder. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the baked Digby scallops with fiddleheads, and blueberry grunt for dessert.

WOMAN: We’ll try there, although I’m not sure about being adventurous since we’re back on the ship tomorrow! Thanks for all your help.

Despite financial troubles experienced by bike-sharing programs in Montreal and Toronto, Ottawa is planning to introduce a similar program. The program would enable people to rent a bike from a number of self-serve stations for short-term use. The city plans to subsidize the program with a $60,000 grant, which would fund the construction of ten solar-powered park-and-pay stations across the city. The grant would also fund the purchase of the bicycles themselves, which feature three speeds, comfortable seats, reflectors and lights, a luggage carrier, and a lock. Operating costs are expected to be covered by user fees.

It is hoped that the program will foster healthy transit alternatives by reducing the use of automobiles and their consequent pollution and parking problems. Opponents of the program aren’t convinced that user fees will be sufficient to cover operating costs: either they’ll be too high to afford or too low to cover expenses. At a recent city council meeting, one councillor argued that people should have to buy their own bikes, and the existing public transit system could use the budget to expand and improve its efficiency.

Sable Island, a remote island located 300 km southeast of Halifax, has long been romanticized in many Canadians’ minds as a place where wild horses run free. Brought to the Atlantic provinces by British and French colonists in the eighteenth century, these draft horses once served as farm animals, but were eventually abandoned on the island. Today, Parks Canada released a report suggesting that these famous horses may be in danger of extinction.

Parks Canada spokeswoman, Sheila McNeil, says that according to a recent study commissioned by the department of Species at Risk, there are a variety of factors that may lead to the horses’ extinction in the future. One concern is inbreeding, as these horses have become more susceptible to disease. Another concern is the extreme coastal weather, because the conditions can produce heavy snowfalls which will bury the horses’ food source. Each of these issues are more concerning because the horses’ population is so low. If anything were to cause their numbers to decrease further, they’re that much closer to extinction. McNeil reports that Parks Canada is reviewing the data and, as it stands, Parks Canada feels the horses should remain on the island.

Contrary to McNeil, Biologist Malcolm Watson argues that the horse population is higher than ever, and that these horses are ecologically intrusive to the island’s natural species. Watson believes they should be removed from the island. He says that the horses threaten plant and animal species by stomping on nests and destroying vegetation as they race around the island. He claims that because Sable Island is now a national park, the legislation requires it be kept pristine, and inhabited only by indigenous species. Therefore, since the horses are not native to Sable Island, Parks Canada has a duty to remove them in order to protect the fragile ecosystem. Moreover, he asserts that the horses are living in appalling conditions, and should be relocated and better cared for.

Nova Scotia resident, Janet Lowe, has heard this argument before and is not too worried. She remembers back in the 1960s when similar concerns were voiced and, at that time, the government ordered the horses be removed from the island. However, due to public outcry, the Prime Minister dropped the removal order and even put laws in place making it illegal for humans to interfere with the horse population. Lowe finds Watson’s argument hypocritical. She says that throughout history, humans have been the most invasive species on the planet, altering and destroying ecosystems for centuries. She thinks that the horses are a far less invasive species, and that the laws enacted in the 60s should be respected.