Welcome to the online Rendez-vous de la Baie newsletter! To start off the new year, we’ve decided to change the format from a pdf version to a blog, which will be easier to update, add multimedia information, and share!
LET’S SHARE OUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR!
The Clare Community Calendar is a free tool to promote events and activities in Clare. You will see a wide variety of events, including community events, general entertainment, leisure, tourism, festivals and cultural activities, as well as activities taking place at Université Sainte-Anne and at the Rendez-vous de la Baie.
This calendar is a free service to event organizers, and also serves as a planning tool to improve the coordination of events in Clare. Event organizers can add events by calling Réanne Flynn at 902-769-3655, or e-mail her at reception@municipality.clare.ns.ca
We strongly encourage you to link the Clare Community Calendar on your website, so that as many people as possible are aware of all of the great local activities happening in Clare. Thank you!
AU TRÉCARRÉ ART GALLERY
During January and February check out the ‘ART DE l’ESTAMPE’ (Art of Printmaking) exhibit at Le Trécarré, a collection of work from La Manivelle artists.
Click to see more photos
Click to watch a short video
CAFÉ NEWS
To start off 2013, café manager Elizabeth added a fresh lobster sandwich on homemade bread to the menu ($6.49). The sandwich is available on Thursday and Fridays, so why not drop in and give it a try!
For information on daily specials and special events, please “Like” the Rendez-vous de la Baie Facebook page 
or call the Café directly at 902-769-3674.
SPONSOR OF THE MONTH: DIGBY-CLARE CBDC
Contact: Brianne LeBlanc, 902-769-2916
Email: brianne.leblanc@cbdc.ca
Website: http://www.cbdc.ca/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/digbyclarecbdc
The Rendez-vous de la Baie is very pleased to annonce that the Digby-Clare CBDC is the sponsor of the month for January 2013. Their generous contribution provides everyone with free access to the Acadian Interpretive Centre museum halls.
At Digby-Clare CBDC, we assist in the creation of small businesses and in the expansion and modernization of existing businesses by providing financial and technical services to entrepreneurs:
• Financial assistance to a maximum of $150,000 is available in the form of loans, loan guarantees and equity financing to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs;
• Business counselling & advice is available to small businesses. We help businesses to succeed and therefore we give high priority to the advisory role of our mandate;
• Entrepreneurship development and training to individuals and small business owners/managers is available in many of our offices;
• Technical assistance usually takes the form of guidance and coaching, and sometimes advocating on behalf of our clients to other lending establishments or regulatory agencies.
One of the keys to our success is that investment decisions are made by an independent Board of Directors sensitive to the needs of the community. The directors are volunteers, generally business men and women, who believe in our communities and possess an outstanding commitment to making them a better place in which to live and work.
Access to the Acadian Interpretive Centre (Museum) at Rendez-vous de la Baie is now free of charge. New since 2012, the admission fees have been replaced by a Donation box, as well as a new Corporate Sponsorship Program.
For more information on the Corporate Sponsorship Program, please view the PDF. For a list of all sponsors from 2012, click here.
PARTNERSHIPS IN PROGRESS
2013 Programming The Rendez-vous de la Baie is in the process of developing its cultural programming for the 2013 season. Click to see images of some upcoming activities this season.
Guided tours Digby to Clare The Clare Tourism Department is creating a new partnership with Le Transport de Clare, to coordinate guided bus tours from Digby to Clare. This pilot project is expected to take place on Mondays during the summer season. Danny Blinn, VIC and Programming Manager, will lead these tours which will include several stops and experiences from Saint Bernard to Church Point. Danny will be returning to his position on April 8, 2013. We are really excited with the possibilities of this project, so stay tuned!
Survey Says? Some 65 tourism stakeholders from Clare responded to an online survey. On Jan. 10, Larry Peach, Clare Tourism Director, coordinated a presentation of the survey results and discussion of the implications for future tourism with a group of 17 participants. Click to download the pdf of the presentation.
Acadian Passport Congratulations to Jean LeBlanc of Belliveau Cove, the winner of the Grand Prize! Jean had visited all 8 sites during 2012 using his passport, which made him eligible for a draw to win prizes from each partner. 
The other winners were:
Deanna d’Entremont – Lower West Pubnico, NS
Joanne Gionet Landry – Caraquet, NB
George Boudreau – Boudreau-Ouest, NB
Danielle Cyr-Verte – Rouyn-Noranda, QUE
Marie-Pier McLaughlin – Moncton, NB
Alice Boudreau – Boudreau-Ouest, NB
The Passport partners pictured with new promotional banners, as well as holding the 2012 marketing award from the EDAC (Economic Development Association of Canada).
Contact:
Larry Peach 902-769-1234
Manager, Rendez-vous de la Baie
Tourism Director, Municipality of Clare
[ e-mail ]