The team at AOL Halifax / InfoInterActive is doing a lot of interesting work, most notably on AOL's new VoIP service, TotalTalk (www.totaltalk.com), which launched in October.  With AOL InfoInteractive, it has many unique features such as a web-based dashboard that provides easy-to-use call management. With these new features AOL customers can now receive on-screen call alerts with call handling; call forwarding preferences; at-a-glance logs of incoming and outgoing calls; a frequently called number list; click-to-call features, and integration with address books.  For more information contact InforInterActive/AOL at mail@infointeractive.com or phone 832-1014.

"Coach and train your people to be high level performers - one at a time or in a corporate team.  The Dale Carnegie Business Group continues to offer classes in the Halifax area and throughout the Maritimes.  Seventy percent of the competencies required for an organization to execute its business strategy are people skills.  People who align and connect all the resources to support the business strategy, and who can implement initiatives, are those who will help accelerate the growth of your business.  Gina Peck, Dale Carnegie Business Group’s local coach in Halifax welcomes you to visit www.carnegie.ca.

Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association (MISA), a community?based organization that provides services and support for immigrants launched its web?based directory for immigrant?owned and operated businesses on Thursday, November 10. The web?based directory offers immigrant entrepreneurs the opportunity to market their organizations online and generate further awareness of the vibrant immigrant business community. Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Robert Fowler, Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs for Nova Scotia was in attendance as Claudette Legault, Executive Director of MISA introduced the directory. Guests were be offered a demonstration of how the directory works and the initiative's impact on the community.

Cheryl Newcombe has been named to the Board of Directors for HIAA. Nominated by Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), Cheryl is the Comptroller of Lighthouse Lumber Wholesalers Limited in Dartmouth, a position she has held since 2002. Cheryl is also on the Board of Beacon House and is the immediate past Chair of the Halifax Regional Water Commission.  Cheryl replaces Bernie Miller as the nominee from HRM. Bernie remains as a nominee of the Board itself, the position vacated by Jim Cowan when he was appointed to the Senate.  Although Jim is no longer a member of the Board, he continues in his role as Secretary to the Board.

HRA, Atlantic Canada’s leading human resources management and labour relations consulting firm is pleased to announce that Heidi Lusby has joined our Halifax consulting team. As a skilled human resource generalist, Heidi’s expertise includes: employee relations, performance management, recruitment, organizational change management, management coaching, and training and development.  During her career in both unionized and non-unionized Halifax operations, Heidi has provided counsel to executives, managers, front-line supervisors and employees on a wide range of human resource and labour relations issues. For more information on HRA and our consulting team please call us at 1-888-844-7811 or visit our website at www.hra.ca

For the sixth year in a row, JADE Communications Inc. has received a Gemstone Award from the Canadian Public Relations Society - this time a Jasper Award for Special Events.  PR professionals from across Canada recently recognized JADE for their role as event and marketing manager of the 2005 Discovery Awards for Science and Technology.  JADE thanks the Discovery Centre for providing such a wonderful project to work on.  Thanks go out to their suppliers as well to the great group of volunteers who sat on the steering and sub committees for all their support with this award- winning project! JADE is pleased to welcome to the team Judy Munro, BPR, as a Senior Public Relations Consultant. Judy has over 13 years of experience in the public relations and marketing communications fields.

Under the distinguished patronage of Nova Scotia's Lieutenant Governor and Premier, the 26th Annual Nova Scotia Leadership Prayer Breakfast will take place in the Port Royal Room of the World Trade and Convention Centre (Halifax) on Thursday April 20th 2006 from 7:30-9:15 a.m. (Doors open at 7:15 am) Modeled after similar events held in major cities in Canada and the U.S., the event, expected to draw in excess of 400 persons, will include scripture, prayer, uplifting music from Tiyaila Cain-Grant, as well an inspiring message from our distinguished guest: Dr. Jock Murray, formerly Dean of Medicine at Dalhousie University.  Plan now to attend, register EARLY by contacting cd39@ns.sympatico.ca. Deadline for registrations is April 18/06.

Newfound Networks, an innovative Halifax networking & communications technology company, and its president Vaughn Munden, is pleased to announce that its new easier to use free monthly networking e-newsletter is now available.  As well some industries including: retail, distribution, manufacturing, healthcare, etc can also have a personalized e-newsletter.   Its email and web format makes it easy to save for later reading, and forwarding to people who you know would also enjoy a free subscription.  For more info, visit www.newfoundnetworks.com/newsletter.html

Recently another exciting step for Saint Mary’s Sobey School of Business, unveiled its Center for Leadership Excellence, the only center of its kind in all of Atlantic Canada. The Center will offer consulting services in the areas of leadership and organization development.  It will also be a major information resource for business leaders and will be of direct benefit for businesses here in Atlantic Canada. Dr. Richard Allon is the Director of the Centre for Leadership Excellence and has been since June 2005.  Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's is home to one of Canada's leading business schools.

Pete’s Frootique was awarded the Gold Independent Grocer of the Year Award at Grocery Innovations Canada. Rivaling many independent stores across Canada, Pete’s Frootique took home the gold for a third year, with previous wins in 2003 and 1999. Pete’s Frootique, along with other independent grocers nationally are growing their customer base and developing original and creative retail solutions. Independent grocers as a group represent 20% of Canada's annual grocery retail sales or $13 billion, and together they are the single biggest customers for food distributors. For additional information contact:  Eileen Annand, Bedford Store Manager or Pete Luckett 902-835-4997

Ute Fiedler, (MEXyCAN Connection Consulting) was recently interviewed by the Chronicle Herald as part of a series of stories they are doing on trade missions. Ute facilitates workshops for companies and groups who want to become more culturally aware.  Her workshops teach businesses everything from cultural awareness; cultural sensitivity; cultural intelligence and competence.  Ute has been traveling the world since she left home in Germany as a teenager and came to a point where she wanted to combine her own life experiences with her business degrees and training. She says that learning about other cultures is universally recognized as a sign of respect.

The Abilities Foundation of Nova Scotia was awarded the first annual Ethics award for the not-for-profit section in the Maritime Provinces by the Better Business Bureau.  On November 3, 2005 at the BBB Annual Dinner (Halifax), the foundation received the award in competition with a number of other leading charitable organizations.