CAA Atlantic has announced that 9 hotels across Atlantic Canada have been awarded the Four Diamond rating. The CAA/AAA Four Diamond Rating is among CAA’s highest designations for hotels and restaurants. Two of the Four Diamond hotels are The Holman Grand Hotel, Charlottetown, (6th year), and Delta Prince Edward, Charlottetown, (4th yr). www.atlantic.caa.ca/4Diamond

Birds of PEI website (birdsofpei.info/) has expanded to include 230 PEI bird species. This independent website draws its information from the Field Checklist of Birds (8th Edition) 2014 for Prince Edward Island. The checklist was published by the PEI Dept of Agriculture and Forestry. Birds of PEI website includes info on bird feeding, bird watching, conservation, behaviors in birds, links, resources, and contact information.

Government of Canada will provide over $4.4 million to Venture for Canada for the Providing Work-Integrated Learning Opportunities for Students at Innovative Atlantic SMEs project, which will help 505 students in the business and entrepreneurial fields develop skills and gain valuable workplace experience in the Atlantic region. The Government of Canada is rolling out a $73 million Student Work
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The Alert Ready system already enhances public safety communications across Canada by delivering alerts through radio and TV, and now compatible mobile devices will receive their first test alert on May 9. There is no cost for wireless emergency alerts and not all mobile devices are compatible to receive them. In an emergency, PEI Public Safety will deliver messages through all appropriate available methods. www.alertready.ca

The Seniors Independence Initiative provides financial assistance for services such as light house keeping, meal preparation, grass cutting, snow removal and general maintenance. The program assists Islanders 65 and over living alone, or with a spouse, with a net household income of $22,133 or less for a single person, or $31,300 or less for a couple. Apply at www.princeedwardisland.ca... or
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A new lung cancer coordinator will help PEI develop its first screening program while educating Islanders about how to prevent the disease. A full-time lung cancer prevention and screening coordinator was hired in February to support lung cancer prevention and tobacco cessation, and to monitor evidence to support the development of a lung cancer screening program. Info: www.healthpei.ca/cancercare

The Cove Journal

by JoDee Samuelson

Nothing says spring like a lamb. Its little bleat declares: “I’m alive so let’s go!” A Swiss family in the Cove has a whole barn full of sheep, so I thought I’d visit them and get fully charged with a dose of spring lamb.

The Mäders’ new barn has a domed plastic roof and plenty of room inside. Fredy and Elsbeth and son Levi cut trees from their woods, milled
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Through its Business Development Program, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is providing a non-repayable contribution of $304,086 over two years to PEI Business Women’s Association (PEIBWA) to support women in PEI by providing business advisory services, access to resources and tools, professional and business skills development, networking opportunities and community outreach.

The inaugural Global Sports Impact (GSI) Canada Index launched recently with Montreal ranked as the top city in Canada. Charlottetown ranked 15th in the country overall, the smallest city in the Top 15, which primarily features major metropolitan centres. Charlottetown ranked the top sport-hosting city in Canada for a population of less than 50,000. canadiansporttourism.com

The Youth Futures Council advises provincial government on ways to enhance programs, policies, strategies and resources for youth. With the help of the Council, a number of youth-focused initiatives have begun or expanded, including: expansion of the Graduate Mentorship Program, supporting 275 young people with job placements; creation of the Career Connect program; and expansion of the Community
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