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Jun 22–28, 2012 • Pass it on
Verb The
Deep Dark Woods Saskatoon Rockers Leave Their Comfort Zone Behind P9
New SK Security Program
Fish & Bird
Brave
Fringe Festival
Science, Technology Research Will Inform Disaster Strategies P2 Feisty Princess, Stunning Visuals Will Delight All P15
Victoria Five-Piece Talks Experimental, Post-Folk Fun P10 Annual Event Brings World-Class Productions To Regina P6 Photo: courtesy of Francis A. Willey
Section Local Page 2
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
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Safety, Security Program Coming To SK Science, Technology Research Will Help Inform Disaster Response Strategies Alex J MacPherson
Regina, SK — Emergency responders across the province and the country will soon reap the benefits of practical research conducted in Regina under a new federal program designed to lessen the effects of natural disasters. The Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) will focus on planning for and mitigating the results of natural disasters, serious accidents, crime and terrorism by linking science and technology research with policy, operations and intelligence. Part of the $43.5
million allocated to the program on providing technological support each year will pay for the Emergen- for organizations involved in safety cy Responder Test and Evaluation and security, including police, fire Establishment (ERTEE) in Regina. and ambulance. “It’s about providing a science “Part of that requires us to basiand technology capability, in cally test equipment that vendors this case testing are offering to and evaluation “Part of that requires us response entiof technologies, to … determine how best ties, but also to such that those to use that equipment…” evaluate and detechnologies can termine how best -Mark Williamson to use that equiphelp those that respond to events,” says Mark Wil- ment and those technologies in liamson, deputy director general of their daily business,” he explains. the Defence Research and Develop“If some of these things go ment Canada Centre for Security wrong, or if they’re used in the Science of ERTEE. wrong circumstances, it could Williamson says ERTEE will focus mean lives.” According to Williamson, research is focused on what he terms “vulnerability gaps,” and is more practical than academic-style research. He cites the testing of body armour, a system to deliver decontamination foam for fire departments, and a project dealing with inter-operability — “the ability for the tri-services [of] fire, police and ambulance to [use the] same radio communication system” — as examples of research that ERTEE will conduct. “Believe it or not,” he says of the communication testing, “that’s not an easy thing to do except in Hollywood.” Williamson says it’s important to note that ERTEE will focus not only on “big events,” but also on some
Photo: courtesy of Daniel Paquet
The ERTEE program will be based out of Regina of the more common occurrences “This annual federal investment members of the tri-services come of $43.5 million supports the develup against, including fires. opment of science and technology According to Defence Research capabilities to help prevent crises, and Development Canada, the CSSP, and enables a better response and and by extension ERTEE, builds recovery should an incident occur,” on lessons learned from previous Minister of National Defence Peter programs, including the Canadian MacKay said in a news release. Police Research Centre, the Public “This new program provides Security Technical Program, and the Canada a technological advantage Chemical, Biological, Radiological- to cope with disasters, minimizing Nuclear and Explosives Research as much as possible their impact and Technology Initiative. on the lives and livelihoods of CaWilliamson says a number of nadians. [The program] makes our factors, including the presence of communities more resilient in the the RCMP Depot and the research face of disaster,” he added. power of Innovation Place at the The ERTEE will be located on the University of Regina, caused De- second floor of a building on 11th fence Research and Development Avenue. Williamson expects that Canada to settle on Regina as the ERTEE will be operational in the fall. location for ERTEE. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Section Local Page 3
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
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Regina’s Recycling Plans Move Ahead
The Cost Of The Mandatory Program Estimated Between $110-$130 Per Household Alex J MacPherson
Regina, SK — Curbside recycling is coming to Regina. And it’s going to be compulsory. The city is planning a city-wide, mandatory curbside recycling program intended to keep paper, glass, plastic and tin out of the landfill. The Public Works Committee recently approved a plan to make “significant changes” to the city’s waste management bylaw, which paves the way for curbside recycling, an idea first approved by council in January 2011. Regina plans to launch the recycling program next summer. “I think that it’s up to us as caretakers of the environment to do
the best that we can to preserve director of environmental services, what we can, to try and make the says unlike garbage collection, landfill last longer, to be green,” which is paid for out of the general says councillor Sharron Bryce, who revenue fund, recycling will be a sits on the public user-pay service. works committee. “[I]t’s the total He expects “ W e ’r e g o - responsibility of citizens that the per ing to make sure and the city to move to household cost that we’re doing of recycling will the right thing,” the future…” probably end up -John Findura at the low end of agrees councillor John Findura. “Every city in Canada the spectrum — around $110. has mandatory recycling. It’s [about] “Once we get in closer, we will looking after our environment and figure things out,” Findura says of looking after our resources.” the eventual cost. “The adminisThe city has not confirmed how tration is working through all the much the program will cost, but aspects of how that’s going to look. estimates suggest each household Once we figure out the bylaw, we’ll could pay between $110 and $130 go from there.” per year. Derrick Bellows, the city’s A report submitted to the
committee indicates that the exact fee will be brought to council for approval “in early 2013.” The new curbside recycling service will provide every household with a cart similar to garbage collection carts, in which all recyclables can be mixed together, Bellows explains. The recycling initiative is part of Waste Plan Regina, a comprehensive overhaul of the city’s waste management strategy that began in 2008. Under the waste plan, back alley garbage bins will be replaced with roll-out bins and three enhanced garbage collection services. According to Bellows, the city will eventually collect household hazardous waste, yard waste including
Christmas trees, and bulky waste. Findura says the plan is a “work in progress,” and that “ultimately, it’s the total responsibility of citizens and the city to move to the future and to look up to the environment.” “We’ve been talking about this for years and going through lots of public consultation to get to the point where we are today,” Bryce adds. “It hopefully will go smoothly. With something new there are always some bumps in the road, but I think that people are expecting it and wanting it.” Earlier this year Saskatoon city council approved a similar mandatory curbside recycling program. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Section Global
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Post-Work Screen Time Hurts Adam Hawboldt
good for anyone,” says Brendan Barber, general secretary of the London, england — Work Trades Union Congress, according can be a real pain in the neck — to the BBC. especially if you take it home with “Overworked employees are not you. only unlikely to be O r at l eas t “[P]eople are putting performing well that’s the conclu- their health at risk by at work, the stress sion to which the continuing to work at an unmanageable Chartered Society workload causes of Physiotherapy home.” is also likely to be -Adam Hawboldt making them ill.” has come. After conducting a survey of And according to those who 2,010 office workers, the Society work for the UK-based society, simclaims that people are putting their ply switching off their devices after health at risk by continuing to work work should alleviate any negative at home using smartphones, tablets health symptoms. Less screen time, or laptops, causing poor posture, less of a chance to jeopardize your and back and neck pain. health “Excessive work levels are not Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Global At A Glance Super Milk — Scientists have created
a new type of milk using genetically modified cows. Researchers at the Inner Mongolia University bred a cow whose milk can be drank by lactose intolerant
people. This comes on the heels of a previous experiment where a cow was bred to produce milk high in omega 3 fatty acids, normally found in fish or nuts. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Darwin’s Theory Of Pop ‘Perfect’ Song Created Using Science Of Evolution Adam Hawboldt
London, england — If someone asked you to name the most perfect pop song ever written, what would your answer be? Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” or perhaps “Yesterday” by The Beatles? Rest easy knowing that no matter how you answered, you’d be wrong. That’s because researchers at the Imperial College, London claim to
have created the “perfect pop song” A computer program then picked by applying Darwin’s principle of the most popular clips, and paired natural selection to the music mak- them in a variety of combinations ing process. to produce new “offspring” loops. These scientists believe that, “That’s how natural selection much in the created all of life same way that “The result … sounds very on Earth, and if the strongest and much like The Who’s 1971 blind variation healthiest plants hit ‘Baba O’Riley.’” and selec tion and animals pass can do that, then -Adam Hawboldt w e r e c k o n e d on their genes to future generations, music evolves it should be able to make a pop as musicians copy the best aspect tune,” The Telegraph reports Profesof other artists’ works while getting sor Armand Leroi, co-author of the rid of less popular traits. study, as saying. “So we set up an To test this theory, the research experiment to explain it.” team combined a series of noises The result is a song that sounds into 100 eight-second loops. From very much like The Who’s 1971 hit there, they asked 7,000 Internet us- “Baba O’Riley.” ers to listen to and rate these loops. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Scientists Claim Time Will Freeze Adam Hawboldt
Bilbao, spain — A lot of people say that the older we get, the faster time seems to fly, but according to a group of Spanish scientists, time’s actually slowing down. Researchers at the University of the Basque Country and the University of Salamanca have put forth this radical new theory, and claim that not only is time slowing, it will one day stop completely. This mind-bending claim proposes that we’ve been fooled into thinking the universe is expanding.
Instead, the researchers say we’re gradually losing time, and as it continues to slow down, everything else will appear to happen faster and faster and faster until it disappears. “Everything will be frozen, like a snapshot of one instant, forever,” professor Jose Senovilla tells New Scientist. But there’s no need to worry. According to Senovilla and his team, this gradual slowing of time is not noticeable to humans, and time won’t halt for billions of years. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
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Feature
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Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Fringe Festival Celebrates Eight Years
Regina To Play Host To Numerous International Productions In Annual Event Sebastien Danger field
At this year’s Regina Fringe Festival, Murphy — a local playwright Regina, SK — A hundred years and story performer — will debut ago, nearly to the day, the dead- his one-man show, Relive! The Reliest tornado in gina Tornado. Canadian histo- “[W]e have more T h e R e g i na ry tore through performers this year than Fringe Festival, Regina. In its ever before.” now celebrating funneled wake, its eighth year, has -Jodi Sadowsky grown substanthousands were left homeless, hundreds of build- tially since its inception, bringing ings were wrecked, and 28 peo- quality, thought-provoking producple lost their lives. tions like Murphy’s from around the It was a monumental event in world to the Queen City. Regina’s history. An event that de“Every year, audience attenserves to be remembered. dance has increased,” says festival And that’s where Vincent Mur- producer Jodi Sadowsky. phy comes in. “This year we have added a new
venue at the MacKenzie Art Gallery, and we have more performers this year than ever before.” Along with Murphy, the 2012 Fringe Festival features four other local shows, a production from Lumsden, SK, as well as acting troupes from Portland, Oregon and Paris, France, to San Francisco and South Africa. “Our festival is registered with the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals, so these performers know that if you’re on there, you’re legit,” explains Sadowsky. “And word of mouth, that’s how a lot of these performers heard about us. It’s how we continue to grow.” And if you ask Murphy, this kind of growth and exposure is fantastic for our community. “It’s a wonderfully magical experience for the performer and the audience,” he says. “And I think we should do everything we can to promote this. That’s what the Fringe Festival does. It allows people to come out and see these live stage performances. It helps promote culture.” Promoting culture himself, Murphy paints a picture of Regina before the storm, provides a representation of the storm itself and the damage it caused, and then finally shifts to a picture of recovery in Relive! The Regina Tornado. And while the event, in and of itself, is quite tragic, don’t expect the play to be dour or depressing. “It’s not somber or grim,” explains Murphy. “Yes, there is a sense of loss and tragedy in the show. But there’s
Photo: courtesy of Regina Plains Museum Collection
The Regina tornado is one of the topics explored in Fringe productions.
also a sense of how this community banded together to support itself and its citizens. There are elements of the human condition where people have to laugh to survive, that’s incorporated in the show. It’s all a very realistic approach.” So realistic, in fact, that Murphy aims to take his audience back to the time of the tornado. “When I do these performances, they’re present moment,” says Murphy “You are there. When the characters speak, it’s in that time and place. We take you there to that day and that time.” To help do that, Murphy has made his show interactive, and will
be pulling audience members into the story as visitors to Regina in 1912 or members of the Board of Trade discussing the aftermath of the storm. “It’s really about the power of the imagination,” explains Murphy. “Everyone has it. I encourage people to bring that to this performance and, if they do, it’s a magical thing.” And that, in essence, is what the Regina Fringe Festival is all about — bringing the magic of stage to life. The Fringe Festival runs from July 4-8; see http://www.reginafringe.com/ for more details. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Offbeat
Page 7
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
One Jump, Four World Records Adam Hawboldt
Pizza Vending Machine
Appliance Makes, Bakes Pie In Three Minutes Adam Hawboldt
atlanta, ga — Ever have a late-night craving for pizza, but no place in town is open for delivery? If so, a solution may be on its way. A pizza vending machine, which was created in Italy, will soon be making its way to North America. And don’t get it twisted, this is no frozen pizza machine: the Let’s Pizza machine actually makes you your pizza from scratch, and bakes it as you watch. The pizza in the Let’s Pizza machine is created when you order it,
Sexy Teachers Stir Up Debate Adam Hawboldt
Beijing, china — Learning a second language just got a whole lot sexier. That’s because an online language school called has bucked convention (or ran with it, depending on your view) and has opted to have lingerie-clad models do the teaching, in an effort to make Mandarin more accessible. “If you go the textbook way with all these Chinese characters, it just makes you intimidated,” Kaoru Kikuchi, the architecture graduate behind the site tells The Telegraph. Some examples include a lesson titled “Spicy Girls, Spicy Food,” which teaches students cooking phrases while a model suggestively sucks on a lime and licks chocolate. Many Youku (China’s version of YouTube) commenters have lauded the site. Nevertheless, the move has naturally created some controversy. “We are vehemently opposed to … anything that objectifies women,” a representative from Hong Kong’s Women’s Foundation told the China Daily. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
directly from fresh ingredients. The America has decided to bring the dough is mixed and flattened in the device to the United States, where machine, before this contraption it will soon be found at “malls, airspreads the sauce, adds your choice ports, hospitals, restaurants, hoof cheese and toppings and then tels, supermarkets, universities, gas bakes the entire thing. stations, bus stations, etc,” Ronald And since the Rammers, the pizzas are thin “The pizza in the Let’s CEO of A1 Concrust, your pie Pizza machine is created cepts, says in an should only take when you order it…” interview with about a minute PizzaMarketplace. -Adam Hawboldt com. and a half to bake. Not only is it quick, but the Let’s Each pizza will be about ten and Pizza machine also holds enough a half inches and will retail for apingredients to make 200 pizzas. proximately $6 U.S. — though the Needless to say, they’ve been a price may change depending on hit overseas, so now the A1 Con- location. cepts distributing company in Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Medellin, colombia — Four Guinness World Records, one leap. That’s the feat wingsuit jumper Jhonathan Florez accomplished in airspace over Columbia. His jump, made from a plane at a cruising altitude of 37,265 feet, was from such a great height that Florez had to carry oxygen cylinders as he hit speeds up to 100 miles per hour. Lasting nine minutes and six seconds, Florez’s jump broke the
record for longest duration wingsuit jump, as well as the record for distance flown in a wingsuit — 17,520 miles. In that same vein, the jump set a record for the greatest horizontal distance flown in a wingsuit (16.315 miles), and, of course, at more than 37,000 feet, it was the highest wingsuit jump ever. “It was just an amazing feeling,” Florez tells The Telegraph. “It was great to break so many records.” Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Offbeat At A Glance rare blue lobster — A rare blue lob-
ster has been discovered in Maryland. Nicknamed Toby, the crustacean and his vivid blue shell occurs about every two million lobsters, thanks to a genetic
variation. Also rare: a yellow lobster (about one in 30 million oddity) and the albino lobster (one in 100 million oddity), according to the Lobster Institute. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Music
Page 8
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Saturday 23
Left English — This local indierock band takes strong melodies, combines them with solid pop-rock rhythms and adds some sweet lyrics to create a sound you’ll certainly dig. 8pm, The Artesian on 13. Tickets TBD.
(NEXT WEEK) JACK SEMPLE @ MCNALLY’S TAVERN — Feel like seeing a guitar
player who will knock your socks off? Look no further than Jack Semple. Born and raised on a farm north of Regina, Semple started his musical career in this city before leaving for Toronto in the ‘80s. He became lead guitarist for
Friday 22
Tucker Green w/guests — This indie rocker has big talent. He combines Americana guitar riffs with an alluring voice to create a feel good music that reminds you of Peter Yorn, Ryan Adams and Guster, to name a few. 8pm, The Artful Dodger Cafe & Music Emporium. $5 in advance; $10 at the door. Gary Lewis and the Playboys — Best known for their #1 single “This Diamond Ring,” this American fivepiece, which is fronted by the son of the late, great comedian Jerry Lewis, was huge in the ‘60s. So huge, in fact, Gary Lewis was the only artist of the decade to have his first seven singles reach the Top 10 on the Hot 100 chart. 8pm, Casino Regina. Tickets $ 25–30, available at the Show Lounge box office, online at www.casinoregina.com or by calling 565-3000. Rosie and the Riveters — This local quartet takes gospel music, jazz, and folk, twists it up and gives it to the audience through a compelling, seductive performance. 8pm, Creative City Centre. Tickets $15 at the door. Kate Reid — With alt-culture songs that will move you to laugh, think,
Photo: courtesy of Lewis Kelly
The Lincolns, then returned to Regina to pursue his solo career. Long story short, Semple is an incendiary guitar player, and absolute virtuoso of the art form. He’ll be playing McNally’s Tavern on June 29th. Cover is $5 at the door. -Adam Hawboldt. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
cry and clap, this award-winning musician from Alberta is well worth the price of admission. 8:30pm, The Exchange. Tickets $12 at the door. DJ Pat & DJ Kim — Local DJs spin top 40 hits every Friday night that are sure to get you on the dance floor. 9pm, Habano’s Martini & Cocktail Club. $5 at the door. Alain Lalonde — Come check out this dope local DJ/producer as he does his thing and spins the kind of sound that’ll make you wanna dance. 7pm, The Hookah Lounge. No cover. Albert — Appearing every Friday night, come listen to Albert as he does his spinning thing. 10pm, Pure Ultra Lounge. Cover $5. Sheila Deck — With a brand new album out, this local country artist is getting ready to take the world of contemporary country radio by storm. Stop by and check out her act. 9pm, The Pump Roadhouse. Tickets TBD. Tim Romanson — This multiinstrument performer is a singer/ songwriter from central Saskatchewan who plays a brand of outlaw country-rock that’s often accompanied by a damn dynamic fiddle show . 8pm, Whiskey Saloon. Cover $10.
Big Country Talent Revue — Come check out the winners of the 35th Annual Big Country Talent Show. 8pm, Casino Regina. Tickets $10, available at http://www.admission.com/event/CKRM-PRESENTSbillets/BCT0623. Proceeds go to the 620 CKRM Good Neighbour Fund. Ronnie Dunn — One half of the country super group Brooks and Dunn, this talented American singer/songwriter has branched out on his own. If you love good country, you won’t want to miss this one. 7:30pm, Conexus Arts Centre. Tickets $28–84.25, available at http://www. admission.com/event/RONNIEDUNN-billets/DUN0623 Itchy Stitches — In the mood for some in-your-face death metal/ thrash music? Come check out this local act. They’ll be joined by guests Autaric and Chronobot. 8pm, The Exchange. Tickets $10, available in advance at Vintage Vinyl and Madame Yes. DJ Noor — Born in Kuwait and exposed to the international club scene at a young age, this talented DJ knows how to rock a crowd. 7pm, The Hookah Lounge. Cover $5. Drewski — Doing what he does best, every Saturday night. Come on down and dance the night away with this local DJ. Pure Ultra Lounge. Cover $5. Sheila Deck — With a brand new album out, this local country artist is getting ready to take the world of contemporary country radio by storm. Stop by and check out her act. 9pm, The Pump Roadhouse. Tickets TBD.
Photo: courtesy of the artist
(NEXT WEEK) CHRIS HENDERSON @ WHISKEY SALOON — Six years ago,
crowned “Saskatchewan’s Next Big Thing.” With mellow songs like “Follow the Signs” or rollicking tunes like “I Miss the Old You,” he and his band are worth checking out. They’ll be playing Whiskey Saloon on July 5th; cover is $10. -Adam Hawboldt. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Show Lounge box office, online at www.casinoregina.com or by calling 565-3000.
Wednesday Night Folk — Featuring The Ben Winoski Project, latin-themed guitar and percussion tunes from this popular local act. 9pm, Bushwakker Brewpub. No cover.
this musician from Estevan won the 620 CKRM Big Country Talent Search. Since then, he’s been nominated for Saskatchewan Country Music Awards, rocked the Craven Country Jamboree and, in 2010, he and his band were
Tanya Davis w/ Proud Animal — Come join Halifax poet/musican Tanya Davis and Vancouver’s Proud Animals for a night of music and poetry and comedy-assisted learning. 7:30pm, Creative City Centre. Tickets $10 at the door.
Tuesday 26
Capitol 6 w/ Twin River & Guests — A psychedelic folk-rock band from Vancouver, this six piece has a sound that is awesomely hypnotic. 8pm, Artful Dodger Cafe & Music Emporium. Tickets TBD.
Thursday 28
PS Fresh — DJ Ageless started spinning in Montreal, DJ Drewski started in Saskatoon. They both landed in Regina and have come together to sling some bomb beats. 7pm, The Hookah Lounge. No cover.
Karaoke Tuesday — Famous live music venue offers its patrons a chance to share the stage. 8pm, McNally’s Tavern. No cover.
Jessica Moskaluke — A musician from Langenburg, Saskatchewan, this young woman is big on talent and stage presence. With edgy vocals and a stunning voice, Moskaluke has won fans from here to Nashville with her brand of country/ pop music. 8pm, Whiskey Saloon. Cover $5.
Wednesday 27
Want your show listed? Email layout@verbnews.com!
(COMING UP) K.D. LANG AND THE SISS BOOM BANG @ CONEXUS ARTS CENTRE
three more Grammys, to go along with her numerous Junos and the star she earned on Canada’s Walk of Fame. She, along with Siss Boom Bang, will be rocking Conexus on September 13th. Tickets are $73.75+ (www.livenation. com). -Adam Hawboldt. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Tim Romanson — This multi-instrument performer is singer/songwriter from central Saskatchewan who plays a brand of outlaw countryrock that’s often accompanied by a damn dynamic fiddle show. 8pm, Whiskey Saloon. Cover $10.
Monday 25
Monday Night Jazz — Featuring Uptown Jazz, Regina’s power jazz trio. 8pm, Bushwakker Brewpub. No cover. Saskatoon Rhythmaires Old Time Dance Party — Dust your dancing shoes off and get down here for a night of great music that’ll make your feet move. 7pm, Casino Regina. Tickets $10, available at the
— Kathryn Dawn Lang’s music career began in 1983, when she formed a Patsy Cline cover band; five years later she recorded “Crying” with music legend Roy Orbison, which earned the pair a Grammy. k.d. lang went on to win
Photo: courtesy of the artist
Arts One
Page 9
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Listening With The Deep Dark Woods
Photo: courtesy of the artist and Francis A. WIlley
Saskatoon Rockers Talk Experimentation, Leaving Their Comfort Zone Behind Alex J MacPherson
Regina, SK — The gulf between hearing and listening is enormous. It separates superficiality and authenticity, divides knowledge and understanding. And it’s what makes the Deep Dark Woods so good. Ryan Boldt, Burke Barlow, Geoff Hilhorst, Chris Mason and Lucas Goetz are the Deep Dark Woods, one of the most unassumingly talented bands ever to emerge from Saskatchewan. They play a blend of rock- and country-infused folk: sometimes gritty, sometimes soothing. Fusing Boldt’s expressive vocals to ragged guitars and soaring pedal steel lines, their songs have a cinematic quality. The secret? They know how to listen. “We hear the music,” muses Chris Mason, who plays bass in the group. “We know what we sound like, we’ve been playing together for six years. It’s tough to describe, I guess, but we don’t overthink it. Obviously we have a sense of experimentation, but if we all feel a song, if we all love a song, we just play it and try to make it natural.” “For us,” he continues, “it’s a really, really important thing to focus on. Instead of focusing on our own parts and making sure we do awesome things here and there, we’re listening to everyone else. I think it’s the best part about playing music with a group of guys.” Unlike many bands, the Deep Dark Woods operate as a single entity. They are individuals, of course, but they are also joined by a deeply compelling musical vision — five guys from Saskatoon sharing a single mind. This is apparent on The Place I Left Behind, the band’s fourth
record which was released last year The Place I Left Behind is the and recently nominated for three band’s best record to date. And Western Canadian Music Awards. while Mason agrees that being Entrenched in the folk tradition and able to record without financial adorned with elements of rock and and organizational problems gave alt-country, the record reflects the the album a leg up, it’s also a much band’s desire to more mature efpush the limits of “We hear the music. We fort, mainly bewhat can be done know what we sound cause Mason and with simple tools. like … but we don’t his bandmates “I’m fully conhave figured out vinced of this, and overthink it.” how to capture -Chris Mason the rawness and I think the other guys are too,” Mason explains, “but depth of a live performance on tape. we try to switch up the scenery. We “This isn’t across the board with try to record in a different city with all songs” Mason muses, “but the a different producer and a differ- first ten times you play a song there ent engineer each time. With this are always these magical moments album we rented a bunch of vintage where you’re like, ‘wow, it just felt guitars and vintage amps and all so amazing.’ It’s cool to think about these crazy pedals, just because capturing some of that when you’re we hadn’t done that in the studio in the studio, but when you get to before. When you bring in all these playing a song over 50 times or over factors that are brand new to you, 100 times, certain things become it … helps in creating a different very second-nature because you’re sounding album.” used to playing the song.”
Rather than debut new songs onstage, the band held off for weeks or even months. Many of the songs on the new record were unrehearsed going in, meaning the performances were more vibrant. “Sugar Mama” is a good example: overflowing with ragged fingerpicking licks played on four or five guitars, and brimming with chilling harmonies, the song sounds like it was played around a kitchen table at a house party. “One of the most important things is experimenting and getting out of your comfort zone,” Mason says. “It’s what makes a band grow. We’re doing that and in the process of doing that we find things just by screwing around.” And because the band almost never plays a song the same way twice, they’ve taken up the mantle of cataloguing their own work. Mason says the band agreed to start releasing high-quality
soundboard recordings of their live shows — which is good, because the Deep Dark Woods are the kind of band that shines onstage. “I always change it up,” Mason explains. “I try not to even remember the bass lines I play because that’s the one thing I love about live music. If I can go see a band two nights in a row and they play a certain song and I get something different from it each night — nothing is better than that in live music.” Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Event Info
Deep Dark Woods
Where: Moose Jaw FreedomFest (MJFreedomFest.ca) When: June 29 Cost: $125 pass / $45 day pass
Hierarchy Exhibit Explores High, Low Art Forms
ArtsSect &C
Alex J MacPherson
Regina, SK — Kyle Herranen knows there is nothing he can do to repair a massive injustice, but that hasn’t stopped him from trying. Herranen makes art that blurs the line dividing high and low forms, and his pieces are intended to challenge ideas about what is intellectually stimulating and what is merely useful. “There’s a system in place — curators, galleries, art writers — that has very clear lines as to what is high and what is low,” Herranen, who is 34, explains. High art, Herranen says, is dominated by painting and sculpture; craft occupies a lower tier, with ceramics at the top and woodwork and quilting at the bottom.
Photo: courtesy of the artist
“I once thought we may go there, but as I’ve matured and had more education, I realized we can never go there,” he muses. “It will never happen. Just to be accepted into the art world … it only ever goes to the people making high art.” The work in Herranen’s latest
exhibition, Hierarchy — which he describes as a hybrid form — mines the most familiar of influences: his father is a woodworker, his mother a quilter. Drawing on their practice yet conforming to neither, Herranen makes sculptures that hang on the wall, low-relief collections of textiles and wood overlaid with resin. “It’s a tough thing,” he says. “It rests in intention. My dad, who makes a kayak … everything that he makes touches people, but it’s
“When I make this work … I intend people to … think differently about the crafts.”
-Kyle Herranen always going to be on a different level than high art.” “But,” he continues, “I’m different than him. When I make this work and put it in the Dunlop Art Gallery, I intend people to go in there and think differently about the crafts.” This leaves the important question unanswered: why does Herranen feel compelled to take on the edifice he knows will never topple? “It doesn’t mean…I can’t change what people walking into the gallery will think," he explains. "It matters … enough for me to make the work.” Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Event Info
Elliott Brood
Where: Artful Dodger When: June 29 Cost: $12 advance @ ticketedge.ca, or $15 at the door
Fish & Bird
Where: Creative City Centre When: July 3 Cost: $10 at the door
Kyle Herranen Hierarchy
Where: Dunlop Art Gallery, Sherwood Village Branch When: Now ‘til August 9 Cost: Free! Want some coverage for your upcoming event? Email layout@verbnews.com ASAP!
Five Qs With Fish
Victoria Five-Piece On Experimen Alex J MacPherson
Taylor Ashton sings and plays banjo in Fish & Bird, a five-piece folk outfit from Victoria, British Columbia. Fish & Bird may present as a prototypical indie folk group, but don’t be fooled: Ashton, Adam IredaleGray, Ryan Boeur, Natalie Bohrn, and Ben Kelly are extremely talented musicians who thrive on odd time signatures, rapid instrumental passages and fiendishly complicated arrangements. Formed as a duo and later expanded to include Boeur, Bohrn and Kelley, Fish & Bird have released three records. Their latest, Every Whisper is a Shout Across the Void, is driven by influences as diverse as Radiohead and Old Crow Medicine Show. I caught up with Ashton to chat about labels, recording and pushing the envelope of banjo-playing. Alex J MacPherson: You use a lot of pop structures, but also plenty of experimental keys and time signatures. How do you describe your music? Taylor Ashton: That’s almost the hardest part, trying to describe it! Folk-pop works, but we’ve thrown a few different terms around, potential things that could describe
it. You can get into the trap where you have a bunch of words with hyphens in between and end up with a twenty-word-long genre distinction. We came up with postfolk recently, which I think is kind of cool. AJM: What do you mean, exactly? TA: I think it gives it the fact that we’re “That’s almos starting with the part, trying to folk idea or palette [our music].” — acoustic instruments. Visually onstage, when you look at us, and the sound of the instruments are definitely reminiscent of the folk conventions, and we’ve definitely got pop conventions in there. To me, it makes me think of something that comes after that, trying to take the folk thing and add whatever in. AJM: And that something is extremely sophisticated musicianship. You’re young, but it doesn’t show in your playing. TA: It comes from an interest in going deep into our instruments. A couple of the members of our band have gone to music school, and that’s sort of a big part of what’s exciting about playing music for us — getting into the minor details and keeping it interesting. It means
Culture tion Pages PH, PH PH PH–PH, ‘PH VerbNews.com
Pages 10, 11 Pages 10, Jun 22–28, ‘1211 VerbNews.com
Elliott Brood Talks Touring, Album Cycles, And Days Into Years Alex J MacPherson
sh & Bird Photo: courtesy of the artist
ntal, Post-Folk Fun
taking those kinds of turns and really working on it on a scale like that. AJM: For you, as a banjo player, is it about testing the limits of what can be done on that instrument? TA: That’s a big part of it. There are a lot of instrumentalists on the banjo even specifically that set a great example … for st the hardest me, [Béla Fleck and Jayme Stone], those o describe are the banjo players I like to listen to, and -Taylor Ashton I’m just interested to hear what kind of sounds you can get out of it. AJM: Let’s talk about the record. Can you talk a bit about recording it? TA: We recorded it in a couple of different chunks, and as we were recording it was around the same time we were more consciously making that transition to deciding that it was going to be this fivepiece format more consistently. While we were making the record, it’s almost like a picture of us deciding to do that. Some of the songs are a little older…some of them were arranged in the studio. Some of the songs it turned out we weren’t done writing them — we play them a lot differently now. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
something of a departure for the band. REGINA, SK — Elliott Brood is “It’s a natural kind of evolution,” more interested in playing music he explains. “Basically for this record than conforming to tradition. Be- we started playing the songs, and sides serving up a mind-altering rehearsing them together, and it mixture of folk and rock and punk, seemed like a lot of it needed more Mark Sasso, Casey Laforet and Ste- aggression and more volume. I had phen Pitkin are deeply committed always wanted a Telecaster Deluxe to touring, wherever and whenever but had always said I was the type they can. They see touring not as a of guitar player who didn’t deserve way to support a record, but as an an electric guitar.” end in itself. “It seems good,” he laughs. “We “We’ve been across the country haven’t gotten that Judas-type now, I think, over a dozen times,” Dylan thing.” says Laforet, who Days Into Years has little regard “[W]e go back to what was inspired by a for the conven- we always are, which is a visit to Étaples t i o n a l a l b u m touring band.” Military Cemecycle. tery, a sprawling -Casey Laforet white-on-green “You get all the initial reviews and press in the be- memorial on the north-west coast ginning,” he says of Days Into Years, of France. Laforet says the emo“and then we go back to what we tional weight required something always are, which is a touring band. beefier than an acoustic guitar. When people book bands they talk “I always compare everything about the album cycle, like ‘you’ve in music to Neil Young’s career,” he already toured on this record, so laughs. “Right now we’re in a Crazy you’ve got to put out another one Horse situation but we have songs before you tour again.’ But we’re that work in a Harvest situation. We the type of band that does two or have those quieter, country songs three times across Canada on one we will put out.” record.” This is the great thing about And Laforet is right: there is a Elliott Brood: Sasso, Laforet and lot of life left in Days Into Years, Pitkin can play a raucous show to a sprawling collection of heart- a bar overflowing with bodies and rending rock songs rooted in time beer, and then turn around and and distance and memory that is fill a seated theatre with tender,
Photo: courtesy of Vanessa Heins
wavering songs about love and loss. It may be unconventional, but
it works. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Food
Page 12
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
The mention of cranberries makes most people think of Thanksgiving, or at least turkey, but these tart berries are more than a holiday treat, and they are full of tangy facts about 5% of cranber■riesOnly are sold fresh; most are frozen, juiced or dried
cranberries bounce ■andRipe float because they contain natural air pockets
Cranberries grow on low, ■evergreen shrubs Most cranberries are wet ■picked, which means the
fields are flooded, the bushes agitated with a machine, then the berries float to the top for easy harvesting
It takes around 200 cran■berries to make one tin of cranberry sauce
Fresh Summer Treats At Bocados
Photos: Courtesy of Kendra Kuss
Cozy Indoor And Outdoor Dining Areas At Park Street Eatery Jessica Bickford
Summer is now upon us — or at least it is upon us most of the time, when it isn’t raining or too windy to go outside without
risking being sandblasted. rather tasty choices. Here in Regina that often means I started off with their Moroccan one of two things: enjoying a meal chicken salad — a perfect summer out on a patio, or heading inside for dish full of roasted red peppers, some food and a brief respite from goat cheese, dried cranberries, the blazing sumcherry tomatoes, mer heat that can “[T]he sauce was rich, cucumber, onion only be matched creamy and studded with and cashews, all by the blistering red peppers, adding … a in an herb vinaicold of our wingrette. bit of zip to the meal.” ters. T h e te n d e r -Jessica Bickford chicken had a Now is the perfect time to get all the enjoyment slightly sweet seasoning, while you can out of taking a meal out on the tangy smoothness of the goat the patio (before we are all forced cheese, the pop of the tomatoes, inside by the mosquitoes) and Bo- and the crunch of the cashews all cados not only has a great little combined with the tart dressing patio, but they also have a large to create a filling salad that looked dining room, a separate lounge for and tasted great. the grown ups, and a menu full of The braised short rib risotto was
next, and was very earthy looking, with a large piece of beef perched atop the spinach, bacon and mushroom risotto. Rich and delicious, the tender meat just fell apart under my fork. The risotto had a good caramelized flavour and the creamy rice provided an excellent backdrop for the taste of the short ribs; all in all, this was a very hearty and comforting sort of dish. Lastly I tried their shrimp and scallop pasta, which was served with an alfredo sauce on angel hair noodles. The pasta was delicate and the sauce was rich, creamy and studded with red peppers, adding crunch and a bit of zip to the meal. The shrimp were large, crisp and fresh and the scallops were very tender and sweet. This was a well balanced dish with just the right ratio of seafood to pasta to sauce. If you have young children, Bocados has a just-for-kids, make your own pizza night on Mondays, where the little ones can build their pie before it gets tossed in the oven. With their diverse menu (that has some changes coming soon), and great atmosphere, Bocados is a fun place to go with your friends or your family, whether you’re cosily ensconced inside or catching a few rays on the patio. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Bocados
Address: 2037 Park Street Hours: Monday - Wednesday — 11:00
am -11:00pm; Thursday - Saturday — 11:00 am - 12:00pm; Sunday — 11:00am - 10:00 pm Reservations: 522-3663
Opinion
Page 13
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Saskatchewan! Connected Has Got To Go
Free Wireless In Downtown Areas Is A Nice Idea, But It Doesn’t (And Can’t) Work The Editors of Verb
regina, sk — About half a decade ago, this forward-looking province of ours leapt headfirst into the free Internet age when they introduced Saskatchewan! Connected. As advertised, this service was designed to bring the Internet — free of charge — to “a coffee shop, business, restaurant, study hall, hotel lobby (even a park bench) near you!” Well, we’re sorry to tell you, but we as a province have been duped. You see, regardless of what the government tells you, Saskatchewan! Connected is not free, it doesn’t work and, ultimately, something has to be done about it. Don’t get us wrong: we realize that free, government-funded In-
“The connections are patchy … and loading websites [and] audio … takes far too long.”
-Verbs’s editors ternet in city centres is a seductive, 21st-century kind of idea. We don’t dispute that. What we do dispute, though, is the concept that it’s free. Sure, when we’re in downtown Regina we don’t have to pay a fee to use the Internet. But with a start-up cost of $1.3 million and an annual operating cost of $339,000 (all borne by us, the taxpayers), this wireless public Internet service hardly comes without a price tag. As David Seymour of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy once wrote in a policy paper: “Offering any service for free is an illusion.” What’s more, Seymour— in the same policy study, entitled Saskatchewan! Connected? — wrote that “the only way that [Saskatchewan! Connected] can work is if it doesn’t work technically.” And anyone who has seen the service’s sticker at, say, a café downtown and tried to connect knows just how much our public wireless system does NOT work. The connections are patchy, the service unreliable, and loading websites, audio and especially video takes far too long. In fact, Saskatchewan! Connected is so unreliable and inefficient that both the University of
Saskatchewan and the University of Regina, along with our main public libraries and many hotels and coffee shops in “wireless” zones, have opted to provide their own Internet services to clients instead of using this free public option. So why, you may ask yourself, is Saskatchewan! Connected so bad? Well, because it has to be. Think about it: if our government
set up free, reliable, working wireless in downtown cores, everyone would be using it — businesses, libraries, universities, residents. Private subscriptions would be abandoned wholesale, while bandwidth would continue to increase. And as Seymour put it: “the service would have to expand its bandwidth capacity until it had effectively nationalized Internet
provision in its areas of operation.” In short, the government has entered into a venture that doesn’t work and can’t work. It’s as simple as that: Saskatchewan! Connected is a waste of money, and we think it should go. Ideally, the federal government will open up the telecom industry to more players, which will increase competition and thus drive down
the prices of private internet access for people, but since we can’t do that at the provincial level we should simply scrap the program altogether. It’s the only sensible play for the government of Saskatchewan. If we truly want to be a 21st-century kind of province, this would be a solid step in the right direction. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Section Movies
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JunPH 22–28, PH–PH, ‘12 ‘PH VerbNews.com VerbNews.com
Abraham Lincoln Takes Itself Too Seriously
Alt-History Flick Had All The Promise Of Campy Fun, But Fails In The End Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Runtime: 105 Minutes Rated: 14A Adam Hawboldt Some things you probably know about Abraham Lincoln: he was the 16th president of the United States, he gave the Gettysburg Address and he was assassinated in a theatre by an actor named John Wilkes Booth.
Some things you may not know Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. about Abraham Lincoln: his mom, Based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s Nancy, was a distance relative of novel of the same name, Abraham actor Tom Hanks, Lincoln: Vampire he was the first “[T]his is a movie about Hunter chronicles American presi- Abe Lincoln slaying the life of Honest dent to have a vampires … There’s no Abe (played by beard while in Benjamin Walker). of f ice, and he need to be so serious.” Beginning -Adam Hawboldt with the loss of stalked, fought and kicked the ever-loving sh*t his mother in his youth (spoiler out of vampires. alert: vampires kill her), the film Okay, so maybe that last fact chronicles his marriage to Mary isn’t true. But if you can get past Todd (played by Mary Elizabeth the full-blown absurdity of the idea Winstead), his burgeoning career as for oh, say, an hour and 45 minutes, a lawyer and, finally, his Presidency then maybe — just maybe — you’ll during the Civil War. Along the way, like the newly released Abraham with the help of a his mentor Henry Sturges (Dominic Cooper), Abe kills countless vampires in a secret, ongoing war with the undead. And in certain respects, director Timur Bekmambetov’s film has a lot going for it. First, here are a lot of really cool set pieces (a fight atop a flaming train, the Battle of Gettysburg with vampires, a scene in which Honest Abe has a horse literally thrown at him, and more). Second, the acting is pretty darn good and the film, in and of itself, is visually appealing. Third, the vampires in this flick are neither love sick nor do they sparkle in sunlight. And finally, the premise of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter has all the makings for a wonderful and whacky B-movie. Too bad Bekmambetov and
Photo: courtesy of 20th Century Fox
co-producer Tim Burton didn’t get the memo, because therein lies the biggest problem with this film — it takes itself way too seriously. How serious? Well, at one point
I actually stopped for a moment and toyed with the idea that all the vampirism inherent in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter was a sly, backhanded symbol for the numerous horrors that have been committed in the name of America and freedom. Very meta, I know. And if it had’ve been something like Primer or Mulholland Dr., it’d be fine to have strange, deep metaphors swirling around in your head. But this is a movie about Abe Lincoln slaying vampires, for Pete’s sake. There’s no need to be so serious. What they should’ve done was go the Billy the Kid vs. Dracula route — make it as silly and as fun as possible. Instead, Bekamambetov takes a straight-faced approach to alternate history and, in doing so, sucks life out of the entire project. Going into this flick, I had high hopes. Vampires, Abe Lincoln, Bmovie camp … how could they mess it up? Apparently, very easily. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Section Movies
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JunPH 22–28, PH–PH, ‘12 ‘PH VerbNews.com VerbNews.com
Pixar’s Brave A Visually Stunning Treat
Photo: courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
Featuring One Feisty Princess, This Animated Flick Will Delight All Audiences Brave
Runtime: 93 Minutes Rated: G Adam Hawboldt There is no shortage of animated princesses out there in movieland. From Snow White to Ariel to Jasmine, women have long stood front and centre in the wild and lucrative world of animation. And Pixar’s new flick Brave adds to this esteemed pantheon of cartoon royalty with the introduction of Princess Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald). Like princesses before her, Merida is young, beautiful, wears a dress and, well, that’s about where the similarities end. Because unlike say, Princess Aurora, Merida kicks a tremendous amount of ass. She’s a sharp-shooting archer, a rough and tumble ball breaker and, wait for it … she has absolutely no time for princes or marriage or romantic love. Stop and think about that for a moment. A princess without a love interest. That’s kind of like a sports movie without clichés or a Tarantino flick without swearing.
It just isn’t done. Or should I say, “wasn’t” done, because Brave lives up to its name and bravely empowers its heroine without giving her a love-interested crutch. Kudos Pixar. And kudos for making such a visually stunning film. Set in the verdant wilds of Scotland, Brave is full of lush forests, rolling hills and images so sharp and real that at times it feels as though you could reach out and touch them. Take, for instance, Princess Merida’s hair. Remember how awesome a job Pixar did animating Rapunzel’s hair in Tangled? Well, what they
did with Merida’s leaves Rapunzel’s who — under the tutelage of her locks in the dust. father, King Fergus (Billy Connolly), Turning to the plot, I must admit, and much to the chagrin of her prim it was pretty darn good. Not great and proper mother, Queen Elinor like, say, Toy Story (Emma Thomp3. But it sure as “Brave takes us … to a … son) — grows up hell was leagues place in which swords and wild and strong better than Pixar’s spells and magical beings and fiercely inlast effort — Cars So all have a party to play.” dependent. 2. when Merida is -Adam Hawboldt pushed to enter With a trio of directors and quartet of writers, an arranged marriage, she does Brave takes us back to a familiar fairy what any good feminist hero would tale place, a place in which swords do. She flees to the woods, meets a and spells and magical beings all witch and has a wish granted that, have a part to play. inadvertently, turns her mother into So too does Princess Merida, a bear. From there the story lumbers
to its inevitable conclusion. But that’s fine. This is a kid’s movie after all. It doesn’t have to been unpredictable and shocking and profound. It does, however, in my humble opinion, need a villain. For me, that is the biggest problem with this movie: fairy tales need a bad guy/girl and, unfortunately, Brave doesn’t have one. And clocking in at only 93 minutes, it’s also a bit too short. But for the most part, Brave is an enjoyable, visually entertaining romp through the hills and dales of a magical, mythical world. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.
Texts
Page 16
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
This Week: Huge Warning Labels
Last week we asked what you thought about making cigarette packages’ warning labels even bigger, and here’s what you had to say. Next week’s topic: see page 13— what do you think about
On Topic If people that smoke don’t like the waning labels, THAN QUIT SMOKING!! You can’t cover up what will still happen if your an idiot who doesn’t care Bad smokers, naughty, dirty, gross smokers! Quick let’s make them feel even more guilty!! Its obviously working for the alcoholics and
our city’s free Internet service, Saskatchewan! Connected? Text FEEDBACK and your thoughts about the topic (or anything else) to 306– 881-VERB (8372) and you could see your text printed in next week’s issue!
it does to our health, and we are choosing to smoke anyways. Making pics bigger does nothin u see worse things on tv.
addicts! Ridiculous. Shaming smokers (or any addict) is on the same emotional level as sticking a dog’s nose in his own faces. He already feels sh*tty!
Labels: I smoke all the time and have laughed occasionally about how disgusting it looks.Everyone thinks “this will never happen to me” So what’s the point of labels
Bigger warning labels don’t really make any sence they’re supposed to shock us smokers with there scariness but let’s be serious. We’re not stupid, we know what
Taking away places for ppl to smoke won’t stop them. It’s like the new warnings on smoke packs. It won’t stop ppl from smoking. And to the person who said to ban smoking
in all public areas if u don’t like it. Stand away from it. And don’t be a whinny baby I recently quit smoking. One month today! I agree smokers should be more considerate it hurts those with damaged lungs but also Keep in mind how hard of a habit it is to quit. I’m still chewing this gross gum D: Government will never get rid of cigarettes bc they make to much bloody money off of ppl but feel the need to warn ppl? Nah moneys good for them pfft
Like tha smoking thing that you said on tha verb this
Off Topic Re: “Raunchy That’s My Boy An Unfunny Flop,” Movies page, June 15th issue
Hey good sandler article hahah why can’t he go back too the big daddy days! Damn Re: “Sask. To Reshuffle Child Welfare System,” Local page, June 8th issue
I have read the article SK to reshuffle child welfare. I was given the opportunity to deal with a social worker at the hospital and social services. Why is it allowed to send a new born to a known problem home
Texts verses adoption. Set up for more adoption to a caring home and less spaces will be required. The present government system in my opinion is not effective.
I don’t want poor people banned from downtown. You misunderstood me. I don’t agree with the practice of panhandling. How are we helping panhandlers by giving handouts? We need to put these people in touch with organizations that can help them. We are not progressing as a society if we just throw money at a problem mindlessly. The problems will only continue. By helping panhandlers to get help and putting them in touch with the proper organizations, we can get panhandlers to help themselves. By the way some panhandlers do carry cell phones. I have personally witnessed that. Panhandlers need to go to the
Page 17
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
organizations that will help them. Don’t solicit the general public. I’ll sooner give to an organization and realize the money is getting spent wisely instead of on alcohol or booze by the panhandler. That bug that I stepped on may have more going on in itself than the ignorance in your mind but I think you still have a right to life. It’s not a matter of when life starts. We know that a zygote matures into a human life. A bug does not ever mature to the same level. It’s a matter of ethics. If it is called murder when a human has matured, it should be classified as such at any stage throughout the pregnancy. It is NOT archaic thinking. It is wrong and you know it! A demogrpahic tsunami of aboriginal population growth is going to smash this society soon. Flat part of the curve is over. Keep up the stalling and excuses. Years of stalling and feet
dragging are going to exact a very very heavy price in a few short years. It may be too late to do anything about now anyway! Brace yourself! Too late! Too late! Here we go! Is the heavy nuclear industry dying dead? Has a technological lesson finally sunk in for Homo Sap? That would be something! So like when does this economic miracle of Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! for aboriginals start happening? We need 10000 jobs a year for the next 20 yrs in Sask! Its not happening this year! Its not happening next year! Its just not
going to happen ever! Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! for aboriginals is just a f**king fairy tale! I couldnt let you love me and pushed you away my health scares me enough the thought of you having to deal with it scared me even more Finished my part of the SAID application. Took a couple hours. Not sure I did it right. Hard to describe my disabilities in that limited format. Buearacrats! for the last week I had an bad abssose tooth, I am on antibiotics for the infection for a week then I have to get
that darn thing pulled, how great that will feel when the bad tooth is out, then i can eat again! Yay! YB Caught some Rider BS out of the corner of my ear “Coachable”. WTF does that mean? I’m sure Theron Fleury was “Coachable”! People often get into accidents because both drivers’ egos get in the way. What would the reaction have been if in the photo of artists had been 6 males one female signed goya The opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily Verb’s.
Nightlife
Page 18
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com
Friday @ Lancaster Venue
The Lancaster Taphouse on Friday, June 15th
Location
4529 Gordon Road
Playing on Arrival
Weezer’s “Buddy Holly”
Music Vibe
Indie, rock, classic, jazz and reggae
Popular Drinks
Caesars, made fresh with ginger and cucumber, or the Diablo Julep (Jim Beam Black bourbon and basil simple syrup over ice)
Food of Choice
Pretzels — baked fresh when you order
Coming Up
Music Festival June 21-24, featuring 18 different live bands
Photos courtesy of Klein Photography (feedback@verbnews.com)
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If you haven’t read Zora Neale Hurston’s masterpiece, this is how it begins: “Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board.” You may want to keep this in mind, dear Pisces. Remember: the future is always just out of reach, so if you want your wish floating on that ship to come true, you can either sit around and wait, or hop in the water and start swimming. More often than not, it’s the latter approach that works, so get chasing your dreams. Now.
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Pisces (Feb 20–Mar 20)
Scaramouche, star of a novel of the same name, “was born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.” Keep that in mind this week, dear Virgo. If you look around and see nothing but madness and chaos, just remember: it’s a wild world out there. And sadly, there’s not a lot you can do about it. Try to see the absurdity in it all. An ounce of laughter beats a pound of worry any day. Besides: don’t take life too seriously. Remember, no one gets out alive.
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Virgo (Aug 23–Sept 22)
In one of the greatest sports novels ever penned, Bang the Drum Slowly, author Mark Harris writes: “From here on in, I rag nobody.” Refusing to doubt anyone — that is excellent advice for you, dear Aquarius. Remember to consider how your words and actions can make the other person feel. And second, you’re better than that — it really is that simple. So if you have the urge to make fun of someone or treat them badly this week, cut them some slack.
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Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 19)
In 1953, L.P. Hartley penned one of the most profound first lines: “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there,” he wrote in The Go-Between. And he was right — partially. What he failed to take into account, though, is that our personal pasts are all very familiar and close to us. That is, if you are searching for answers, check your past. You may be surprised at how often solutions to current problems reside in previous lessons learned.
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Leo (Jul 23–Aug 22)
Don’t wait around for someone to tell you who to be or what to do next, dear Capricorn. You should never let other people dictate your actions. Remember: you’re your own person, and only have to answer to yourself. Whatever you decide to do, whoever you decide to be, is perfect — for you. That’s not to say others’ input doesn’t count, because it may influence you. But in the end it’s best to follow your gut, regardless of what people say.
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Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19)
Anyone who’s ever read Joseph Heller’s Catch 22 will remember the first line: “It was love at first sight.” And good news Cancer: you have a good chance of experiencing this phenomenon during the next few days. That said, it may not be with a person. You may see a pair of pants you just have to have or hear a song that pulls you out of your seat or watch a movie that’ll shoot to #1 like a bullet on your favourite list. Keep your eyes and mind wide open this week.
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Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 22)
“And the sh*t storm begins.” That’s the last line of Roberto Bolaño’s book, By Night in Chile. And to be honest, dear Sagittarius, this may set the tone for your week. You might find that things get a bit rocky for the next few days, and may even knock you off balance. But it ain’t no thing: if you get knocked down, get up and dust yourself off. The sh*t storm will soon pass, and favourable things will reveal themselves to you in the coming weeks.
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Sagittarius (Nov 23–Dec 21)
You may find this week a tad bit confusing, dear Gemini. Many things this week may go over your head and under your feet, but don’t fret. As the days progress, your confusion will abate and you’ll be back to your old, perceptive, in-control self in no time. Oh, and one more thing — should you find yourself confused and out of sorts over the next few days, don’t panic and don’t make a big deal of it. Instead, just go with the flow. The unexpected can be amazing.
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Gemini (May 21–Jun 20)
This is going to be a day-to-day kind of week, dear Scorpio, so don’t worry too much about making concrete, longterm plans. Instead, take time to focus on the passing present. If you live in the moment, good things will come. If they don’t, if you have a bad day or two, don’t get yourself down. “After all,” as Margaret Mitchell writes in Gone With the Wind, “tomorrow is another day.” Trust me, Scorpio: any good or bad things you experience will be temporary.
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Scorpio (Oct 24–Nov 22)
In his novel David Copperfield, Charles Dickens ponders whether the main character would be the hero of his own life or if that role would be held by something else. For you, dear Taurus, there should be no speculation. You are most certainly the hero of your life, so this week it’s time for you to act accordingly. Dare to do things, take risks — you may be surprised at what happens. Think carefully before you act but, above all else, make sure you act this week.
3 4 7 2 1 9 5 6 8
Taurus (Apr 20–May 20)
4 9 8 7 3 2 9 8 6 5 4 6 1 3 2 5 6 8 3
1 5 3 9 2 8 4 7 6
In The Wings of the Dove by Henry James, the author tells us, “We shall never be again as we were.” Wise words, dear Libra. We as people are constantly evolving and changing. You’re not exactly the same as you were 10 years ago, even though this week you may be tempted to revert to your old ways. If this desire comes along, resist. You are who you are, not who you were. And besides, something tells me you will experience positive change very soon. Just a hunch.
2 7 6 3 4 1 9 8 5
Libra (Sept 23–Oct 23)
8 9 4 7 6 5 3 2 1
“I am an invisible man,” wrote Ralph Ellison. Whether you’re a man or a woman makes no difference, dear Aries — at times we all feel invisible. Sometimes it’s a good thing because we just want to be left alone. Other times, though, it hurts, because we may want attention. This week you may have to deal with the latter scenario. And if you find yourself being ignored, the best course of action is to wait patiently and, when the time is right, people will take notice.
5 8 2 1 9 7 6 4 3
Aries (Mar 21–Apr 19)
4 3 1 6 5 2 8 9 7
Horoscopes
Jun 22–28, ‘12 VerbNews.com 7 6 9 4 8 3 1 5 2
Time Out
Page 19
Sudoku
Directions: Fill each box with a digit from 1-9, following these conditions: - Each row must contain every digit from 1-9 once and only once. - Each column must contain every digit from 1-9 once and only once. - Each of the nine 3x3 boxes must contain every digit from 1-9 once and only once.
1 4 2 8 7 5 4 7 9 6 2 1 5 7 1 9 3
6 9 1 4 5 3 2 1 8 2
2 3 7 4 2 6 3 7 5 9 6 1 7 1 8 9 6 3 9 5 7 4 8 5 8 4