90-Year Old Granny Conquers the Tay. According to BBC Scotland, Gean Hodson of Linlithgow in West Lothian celebrated her 90th brithday by daring white water rapids on the River Tay. Seems her doctors advised against skydiving at her age. Ms. Hodson's feat raised 5000 pounds for a water pump for the children of Moldova.

Wanted. Archaeologist to work on an islanded Hebridean island chain. The National Trust for Scotland is seeking an archaelogist to work on the St. Kilda archipelago, says today's BBC.co.uk.

Last year the Gaelic Arts Agency organized St. Kilda Day, Latha Hort, as part of the 2009 Homecoming.

The islands were finally abandonned by its inhabitants in 1930

"Look to the Living, Love them and Hold on" (Scottish poet Douglas Dunn). The Edinburgh City of Literature Trust (says BBC.co.uk) will sponsor a five-and-a-half hour Carry a Poem campaign on Valentine's Day evening. This line will be projected onto the north face of Castle Rock. It will be one of five other poems shining throughout the city with 2 on City Chambers, 1 on Usher Hall, 1 on the National Library of Scotland and 1 at the foot of Leith Walk. It's intended to remind Edinburghers to keep poems in their hearts.

Winter Olympics. In Vancouver for the Olympics? Check out DRUM! as part of the arts and culture Olympiad. With musical director Doris Mason and a Maritime cast, DRUM! is a favourite down east. CelticLife's Alison Macquarrie is a Highland dancer in the show. If you see DRUM! let us know.

Sample DRUM! here!

Monday, February 15, 2010 - 7 pm

Atlantic Canada House, Granville Island
www.atlanticcanadahouse.com

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - 6:30 pm
BC Place Victory Ceremony
www.bcplacestadium.com

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 12:00pm and 5:30pm
David Lam Park, LiveCity Vancouver
www.livecityvancouver.ca/livecity-yaletown/

Friday, February 19, 2010 - 8 pm
Minoru Park Main Stage, Richmond O Zone
www.richmondozone.ca

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 7 pm
Surrey 2010 Celebration Site, Holland Park, Surrey
www.surrey2010.com

Manx Schoolgirl Japanese Sensation
A 14-year-old Isle of Man schoolgirl has become an internet celebrity after she posted videos online of herself dancing and singing to Japanese pop songs. Rebecca Flint, from Ramsey and known online as Beckii Cruel, has had millions of hits to her YouTube anime-style cartoon character performances. A Japanese publishing company has picked up on her fame and she is set to release her debut album on Wednesday. (BBC.co.uk)

Overweight Hedgehogs told to Diet
The Scottish SPCA has put 10 hedgehogs in its care on calorie-controlled diets to help them shed fat they put on during the recent cold snap.
Hedgehogs need to be able to roll into a ball for protection from predators and the worry is that, for some, the excess fat would prevent them from doing this.
Krystal Aitchison of the Scottish SPCA said: "We weigh them daily and make sure that they have enough food for their energy levels, but don't put on any more weight" (BBC.co.uk)

Robbie Burns Night at Stayner's in Halifax was a great success. Check our Facebook page to see the rest of the images. http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=41911136789&view=all

Halifax Farmers' Market. Join us at our table, shared with Snowflake Designs, every Saturday morning from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can browse our books on tartans and take part in draws for books and CDs. Hope to see you there!

10th Dan Black Belt. Scots pensioner George Kerr, 72, has been awarded a judo 10th Dan Black Belt, the highest rank one can hold. He is one of only seven 10th Dan's world-wide. http://news.bbc.co.uk/scotland.

Pope in Scotland. The Vatican has announced that Pope Benedict XVI will visit Scotland later this year, 450 years after the Scottish Reformation. Details will be released later.

Best Little Railway in the World. Scotland's West Highland railway line is world's best, says BBC Scotland. The line from Glasgow to Mallaig passes through some of the most breath-taking scenery. The trip is 164 miles long and runs by Loch Long, Loch Lomond, Loch Etive and Loch Eil.

Celtic Music. There should be an awesome show of Celtic music at the Old Triangle in Halifax with Cassie Anne & Maggie Jane MacDonald, Feb 13, 2-5.

International Gathering of the Clans 2011. Back by popular demand, the 2011 Gathering in Nova Scotia — running from July 1 to July 23, with fringe events on either side of those dates. Nothing confirmed as yet but stay tuned. And remember, there were 55,000 Scots or those of Scots ancestry at the Gathering last year in Edinburgh. Let's see if we can better that!