Verb Issue R35 (July 6-12, 2012)

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Jul 6–12, 2012 • Pass it on

Grey Cup Set To Generate $123M

Game Will ‘Create Vibrancy’ In SK P2

Steve Brockley Band

Montreal Trio Does A Lot With A Little P10

Verb

Craven Country Jamboree Big-Name Stars Are Heading Our Way P6

The Amazing Spider-Man

Franchise Reboot Does Not Disappoint P15

� Fred Eaglesmith An Outlaw Rock Star, He Does What He Wants P9

Photo: courtesy of Kori Heppner

Section Local Page 2

Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com

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Grey Cup Set To Bring $123M To Province CFL Championship Game, Festivities Will ‘Create Vibrancy In Our Communities’ Alex J MacPherson

Regina, SK — The Grey Cup, which will be played in Regina next year, is poised to be one of the most lucrative events in the country. Recent estimates suggest the CFL’s championship game will generate $123 million for the province.

“Businesses benefit greatly by these types of events being held in our city and in our province,” says Larry Hiles, president and CEO of the Regina Regional Opportunities Commission (RROC). “That’s why we go after them — they create vibrancy in our communities, they

create great festivals and events. explains. “That comes from all the That’s both for people who come expenditures that are created as a here and people who live here. result of the Grey Cup being held They create economic impact in here. It looks at all the money that our region.” would come in from all the people Hiles says the estimate was that would come to Saskatchewan generated using in preparation for the Sport Tour- “[W]e probably have the the game.” ism Economic As- best Grey Cup festivities The assesssessment Model across the country.” ment also in(STEAM), develcludes the large -Larry Hiles number of partoped in 2002 by a group of Canadian organizations time and temporary jobs created including Sport Canada and the by the event, he says.

Canadian Tourism Commission.

Hiles says STEAM factors in “The number we’re talking about everything from the cost of new now includes the game and all the stadium seating to relatively small festivities for the whole week,” he expenditures on hotel rooms, taxis and beer. The model also accounts for money flowing out of the province, including expenditures where the supplier is elsewhere.

“These are all projections,” he says, noting that the $123 million estimate is not out of line with the economic impact of other Grey Cup games. The 2007 game in Toronto, which the Roughriders won, generated $124 million, he says; the 2011 game in Vancouver created $118 million in economic benefits.

“We have a slightly smaller seating capacity,” Hiles says, “but we probably have the best Grey Cup festivities across the country.

Smaller seating is offset by probably larger expenditures across that week.”

Interestingly, Hiles thinks the economic impact of the game would be diluted if the Roughriders were playing. If the Riders are in the Grey Cup, there may be fewer people come to the game because

Photo: courtesy of Jug Jones

Celebrating at the 2011 Grey Cup game there’s only one outside team com- percent), the Toronto International ing to the city, he says.

Film Festival (11 percent), and the A recent survey commissioned Stampede (10 percent).

by BMO Financial Group and conLaurie Grant, a spokesperson for ducted by Leger Marketing shows BMO Financial Group, said the surthat the football game is the most vey, which polled 1,576 Canadians important annual event in the aged 18 or older last June, found country. that the enthusiasm for Grey Cup The survey, which was intended in Saskatchewan and Manitoba was to evaluate the relative importance anomalously high: 35 percent, more of the Calgary Stampede, found than double the national average. that 13 percent of Canadian consid“That’s huge,” Grant says. “In the ered the Grey Cup the most impor- statistical world, that would be a tant. Other contenders included the phenomena.”

Canadian National Exhibition (12 Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Section Local Page 3

Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com

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Sask. Wages Eclipse National Average Photo: courtesy of Robert Galloway

Mining, Quarrying, Oil And Gas Extraction Had Highest Weekly Earnings Alex J MacPherson

Regina, SK — Saskatchewan workers are among the highestpaid in the country, according to a new report.

The province had the third-highest average weekly earnings in the country in April, recent data from Statistics Canada shows. With an average weekly wage of $912.78, a four percent increase over last year, Saskatchewan eclipsed the national average of $896.63 by almost two percent.

“Wages in Saskatchewan have surpassed what is happening on the national scene for more than nine straight months,” Economy Minister Bill Boyd said in a news

release. executive director labour market “It’s a good signal that our policy and program development economy is moving forward, and at Saskatchewan Ministry of the another good economic indicator Economy. to support steady growth into our “I do think that what we’re seefuture.” ing is the result of Across Cana- “Obviously when people growth of skilled da, only Alberta are making more money, jobs in all three and Newfound- that is good news.” jurisdictions,” he land and Labracontinues.

-Cam Broten dor had higher “We all have a average weekly wages. The for- strong appetite for resource develmer reached $1,073.25, the latter opment [and] we’re all competing $931.77. The lowest average weekly for highly-educated and skilled wage was Prince Edward Island’s workers: that, I think, is reflected — $751.36. in these numbers.”

“Newfoundland and Labrador In Saskatchewan, the highest has been strong for some time. And wages went to people working in Alberta, of course — no surprises mining, quarrying, and oil and gas there,” says Alastair MacFadden, extraction, who earned an average

of $1,900.75 each week.

The lowest wages were collected by people working in arts, entertainment and recreation ($461.08 per week) and accommodation and food services ($359.60 per week).

“Entry-level positions and lowerskilled positions do tend to pay lower wages, and wages are commensurate with skills typically,” explains MacFadden.

“For people to take full advantage of wage growth in Saskatchewan, they need to optimize their education so that they’re working at their highest capacity.”

“Obviously when people are making more money, that is good news,” says Cam Broten, opposition critic for advanced education,

employment, and immigration.

“I’m happy that many people in the province are able to make good money or are earning higher wages.”

Broten is pleased with the developments, but urges caution: “When people are making money, that’s a good thing, but it’s also important to take a look at the overall picture. We know that expenses have increased for many people, whether that’s home ownership or rent, for example, and it’s important that we as a society are making the necessary investments in that area of education so that we have the skills to be competitive over the long run.”

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Section Global

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Bubble Screen World’s Thinnest Adam Hawboldt

image the same way, but images should have different visual propertokyo, japan — What is the ties,” says Dr. Oyama. “For example, strangest way you ever watched a butterfly’s wings should be refleca movie? tive and a billiard ball should be No matter what you answer, this smooth, and our transparent screen story will probably beat it. That’s can change the reflection in real because an international research time to show different textures.” team has come up with a way to What’s more, if several bubble watch films on a screens are put soap bubble. “[I]f several bubble together, the re“It is common screens are put together, sult is a 3D/holoknowledge that the result is a 3D/ graph effect. The the surface of a bubbles are simisoap bubble is a holograph effect.” lar to the bubble -Yoichi Ochiai mixture children micro membrane.

It allows light to pass through and play with — only harder to burst. So displays the colour on its structure,” much so that objects can even pass lead researcher, Yoichi Ochiai from through the film without popping the University of Tokyo, wrote on the bubble. his blog.

The research team, which conUnlike normal screens, the sists of Japanese and American sci“soap bubble screen” varies in entists, say the new screen they transparency and reflectance. In developed is the world’s thinnest, layman’s terms, that means these and could also be useful for artists new screens can make different who want to make their work look images appear differently textured. and feel more realistic.

“Typical screens will show every Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

The Evolution Of ‘Cool’

Word Used To Be About Counter-Culture: Study Adam Hawboldt

rochester, ny — Once upon a time, long long ago, being cool meant being rebellious. It meant being tough, seeking thrills, marching to the beat of your own drummer.

Think James Dean. Think Jack Kerouac. Think Miles Davis.

Now stop and think about what

you find cool? Chances are none of Dar-Nimrod and his team deterthose names or traits listed above mined one of the first things that made the cut. That’s because, ac- makes a person cool is how physicording to a recently published cally attractive they are. study, the characteristics associAfter asking participants words ated with cool have changed sub- that describe cool, researchers from stantially over the that time and years.

“I was not prepared to time again words “I was not pre- find that coolness has lost like “hot,” “handpared to find that so much of its historical some,” “beautiful” coolness has lost and “sexy” were so much of its his- origins and meaning…” all associated with -Ilan Dar-Nimrod being cool. What’s torical origins and meaning — the very heavy counter- more, they found that a significant cultural, somewhat individualistic number of participants used words pose I associated with cool,” says that were associated with positive, Ilan Dar-Nimrod, the lead author of socially desirable traits to describe Coolness: An Empirical Investigation. cool, such as friendly and trendy.

“The much darker version of According to Dar-Nimrod, “The what coolness is still there, but it main thing is: Do I like this person? is not the main focus.”

Is this person nice to people, atSo what, pray tell, is the main tractive, confident and successful? focus nowadays? Well, after con- That’s cool today.” ducting three separate studies, Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Reversing Forgetfulness In Mice Adam Hawboldt

Heidelberg, germany — Worried about getting old and losing your memory?

Don’t be. A solution may be in the works.

A research team Germany’s University of Heidelberg has reversed forgetfulness in mice. The team discovered that by injecting the brains of elderly rodents with extra copies of a gene that makes an enzyme called DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt3a2), they could reverse the forgetting process.

Before administering the injection, the team presented a group

of old and young mice with a pair of objects. The next day the mice were presented with the same objects, but one had been moved to a new position.

The young mice remembered the objects’ original positions and spent more time investigating the one that had been moved. Conversely, the elderly mice spent the same amount of time on each.

When elderly mice were given the virus, however, they matched the young mice.

Currently, there is no drug available to boost levels of Dnmt3a2 in the human brain.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Global At A Glance seaweed toothpaste — After a group

of scientist at England’s Newcastle University added seaweed microbes to toothpaste and mouth wash, they discovered the beachy ingredient cleans

teeth and prevents tooth decay. Unlike traditional toothpaste, seaweed “can remove … bacteria from plaque,” explains Nick Jakubovics. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Section

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Feature

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Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Country Stars Grace Craven’s Main Stage

Annual Saskatchewan Music Festival Offers Live Acts, Brand New Dance Party Sebastien Dangerfield

Waylon Jennings, Charlie Pride, Emmylou Harris — they’ve all come to Regina, SK — The year is 1983. the Qu’appelle Valley to play the Under an ideal sun, a man in jamboree. thick dark glasses arrives at the Big “I’m not really sure how a priest Valley Jamboree, sleeves rolled up, and a nun were able to secure those guitar in hand. His name is Roy Orbi- type of acts,” admits Kim Blevins, son, and thanks to director of marFather Larre and “Each year, we try to get keting for the Sister Rhea (the the biggest and the best. Craven Country folk s who cre- That’s what we strive for.” Jamboree. ated the festival) “Maybe peo-Kim Blevins ple toured more he came here to Saskatchewan to do what he does back then, I don’t know. But they best — play music. were super fortunate to get a lot In the ensuing years, other coun- of those acts to come out to the try legends follow in Orbison’s foot- festival each year. Some of the steps: Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, names that went through there

were simply tremendous.”

And some things never change.

After a brief hiatus as a rock festival, the Big Valley Jamboree returned to its country roots, becoming the Craven Country Jamboree and, once again, began to lure the brightest stars of the country universe to Saskatchewan.

Since Craven was established in 2005, huge acts like Tim McGraw, Travis Tritt, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith and Taylor Swift have graced the main stage.

And this year is no different. With Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson and Eric Church headlining, the 2012 Craven Country Jamboree continues to carry a long-standing tradition of excellence.

“Each year, we try to get the biggest and the best,” says Blevins.

“That’s what we strive for.”

This year, however, organizers of the “World’s Greatest Country Music Festival” are also striving for something a little bit different.

That something is called the Circus Electronica, and it can be found at the saloon on the east end of Main Street.

“It’s kind of like a dance party,” explains Blevin.

“It will still use country music, but we also understand a lot of the patrons coming to our festival may not be true country music fans, they just come for the event. So we wanted to do something for them as well. So each night, in our smaller saloon, we’ll have DJs, a big light show and more. It’s just going to be a big party.”

The kind of party that provides

Photo: courtesy of the artist, Timothy Wildey, Marc Pajares, and the Craven Country Jamboree

Eric Church, Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson will be at Craven something new to the festival, to some of the best country talent something to keep Craven from out there. becoming stagnant. But don’t be “People who like country music mistaken — even though the Cir- tend to like all country music,” says cus Electronica is forward looking Blevins. “If they like new country, and inclusive, when push comes they tend to like the old stuff too. to shove the Craven Country Jam- I think that’s why we get such a big boree is a country music festival group out to the festival.” through and through.

This year the Craven Country That’s why, for four days every Jamboree runs from July 12th to 15th.

July, more than 20,000 fans from For the music schedule or ticket around the globe converge in the information, visit www. cravenQu’Appelle Valley, set up camp, tip countryjamboree.com their bottoms up and party down Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Offbeat

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Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Mermaids Not Real: U.S. Gov’t Adam Hawboldt

Zombie Theme Park Eyed

Entrepreneur Proposes Undead Fun In Detroit Adam Hawboldt

detroit, mi — Zombies are threatening to take over a section of Detroit.

Not real zombies, mind you. But if entrepreneur Mark Siwak has his way, a horde of zombie actors will be needed for Z World, the zombie apocalypse theme park he intends to build.

Years of economic turmoil and a steady population decline has left parts of the Motor City derelict and abandoned. But where most see an unfortunate eyesore, Siwak sees an opportunity.

An opportunity that would see customers paying to be chased, trying to hide in ghostly homes

and abandoned factories, while So far Siwak has raised more professional actors dressed up as than $2,000 through the fundraiszombies followed them in hot (or ing website IndieGoGo. not so hot) pursuit.

The theme park will cost an estiSiwak believes a horror theme mated $145,000. If the total amount p ark like this isn’t raised by Auwould breathe “The city can only have gust 10 th, all the s o m e m u c h - so many urban farms or monies raised will needed life into similar uses for vacant be returned to the the rundown donors. city, while creat- plots.”

And while sup-Mark Siwak port for Siwak’s ing hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs. initiative is growing (especially ”The city can only have so many among zombie lovers), the project urban farms or similar uses for va- is not without its detractors. cant plots,” Siwak tells CBS Detroit.

Curbed Detroit blogger Sarah Cox “While zombies are great, the thinks that the theme park sounds real neat thing about this project “a lot like all that fun we had during is the potential to inject some life the 1960s race riots.” into a forgotten neighbourhood.”

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Life-Sized Hot Wheels Track Has Loops, Jump Adam Hawboldt

los angeles, ca — Remember those old-school Hot Wheels tracks?

You know the ones. With their loop-the-loops and gap jumps, you’d put your toy car at one end, then send it hurtling through the bendy, curvy race track — rarely making it to the finish line.

Well, turns out race tracks like that aren’t just for kids anymore.

At the recent X Games extreme

Offbeat At A Glance giant crocodile — Talk about huge!

Weighing in at over a ton and measuring over six metres in length, the crocodile known as Lolong is one enormous creature. So enormous, in fact, that Guinness World Records has declared the reptile the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity in the world. Since being snagged, Lolong (who is believed to be responsible for numerous deaths, including a child) has become a star attraction at an ecotourism park in the Philippines. Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

sports event in Los Angeles, two daredevil drivers set a world record after doing a death-defying double loop, followed by a jump, on a lifesized Hot Wheels set.

The drivers were rally car driver Greg Tracy and stuntman Tanner Foust.

This daring duo reached speeds of 85 kilometres an hour as they entered, and successfully navigated, the 66-foot, 360-degree double loop that was based on the orange

plastic Hot Wheels toy set. After which both cars hit a jump before coming to a stop at the end of the course.

“That was absolutely the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” says Tracy.

As for Foust, he said the experience of about 7G’s of g-force while negotiating the loop-the-loop was intense. So much so that he had to make grunting noises to keep from blacking out.

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In an article posted on the agency’s website, the NOS said that “no silver spring, md — This just evidence of aquatic humanoids has in: mermaids are not real. ever been found.”

That’s the big news coming out The website goes on to say that: of America’s National Ocean Ser- “The belief in mermaids may have vice these days. arisen at the very The announce- “The NOS … released dawn of our spement comes a few their breaking news after cies. Magical femonths after Ani- receiving two inquiries male figures first mal Planet aired appear in cave a show about the from confused citizens…” paintings in the -Adam Hawboldt late Paleolithic half-human/halffish creatures entitled Mermaids: (Stone Age) period some 30,000 The Body Found. years ago.”

The NOS, which is part of the U.S. Interestingly, mermaid aren’t the Commerce Department, released only things being debunked lately. their breaking news after receiv- A month or so ago the U.S. Centres ing two inquiries from confused for Disease Control and Prevention citizens who had seen the show and declared there’s no evidence to couldn’t tell whether the creatures prove the existence of zombies. on the program were real or not.

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Music

Page 8

Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com 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. $5 cover.

Break Down — This local act plays all your favourite rock and roll covers. 10pm, McNally’s Tavern. $5 cover.

Drewski — Doing what he does best, every Saturday night. Come on down and dance the night away with this local DJ. Pure Ultra Lounge. $5 cover.

(Next Week) STEVE BROCKLEY BAND @ O’HANLON’S pub — After winning

over audiences in Montreal, this wildly talented folk trio is hitting the road again to show Canada what its been missing. Their songwriting is seductive, Brockley’s voice pulls you in, and the rhythm section (consisting of Kevin

Friday 6

Coyote, N.N., the Stunning Creatures — Three talented bands, one venue, one excellent price. You simply can’t go wrong with a show like this. 7:30pm, The Exchange. Tickets $8 at the door.

Halteras — Playing instrumental songs of the ‘60s along with originals, this local band always puts on a good show. 9pm, Gaslight Saloon.

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.

White Boy Slim — Drawing from a diverse set of influences, this local bluesman incorporates jazz, funk, world music, even hip hop, in his sound. 10pm, McNally’s Tavern. $5 cover.

Albert — Appearing every Friday night, come listen to Albert as he does his spinning thing. 10pm, Pure Ultra Lounge. $5 cover.

Photo: courtesy of Tristan Brand

Bertram on upright bass and Leon Power on drums/mandolin), well, let’s just say it’s borderline hypnotic. Folk music isn’t supposed to be this greasy or this darn good. The Steve Brockley Band will be playing O’Hanlon’s on July 13th. No cover. -Adam Hawboldt.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Wildfire — Fronted by local songstress Melissa Mannett, this country/ rock cover band plays songs that get toes tapping and dance floors packed. 9pm, The Pump Roadhouse.

Tickets TBD. Wonderland — Come join this local tribute band for a visually stimulating and energetic show as they play “one-hit wonders” from the ‘60s to the present. 9pm, The Sip. No cover if in attendance before 6pm.

Chris Henderson — Originally from Estevan, this talented country singer/songwriter has received numerous Saskatchewan Country Music Award nominations and, in 2010, was named “Saskatchewan’s Next Big Thing” in a contest sponsored

by Big Dog 92.7 in Regina. Come check him out. 8pm, The Whiskey Saloon. $10 cover.

Saturday 7

Whisk y Manner w/ Down Home Boys — This local acoustic six-piece is a collaborative, folky band that is made up of musicians who have all known each other since high school. They’ll be joined by the Down Home Boys. 8pm, The Exchange. Tickets $10 at the door.

Wildfire — Fronted by local songstress Melissa Mannett, this country/ rock cover band plays songs that get toes tapping and dance floors packed 9pm, The Pump Roadhouse.

Tickets TBD. Wonderland — Come join this local tribute band for a visually stimulating and energetic show as they play “one-hit wonders” from the ‘60s to the present. 9pm, The Sip. No cover if in attendance before 6pm.

Chris Henderson - Originally from Estevan, this talentedcountry singer/songwriter has received numerous Saskatchewan Country MusicAward nominations and, in 2010, was named “Saskatchewan’s Next Big Thing” in a contest sponsored by Big Dog 92.7 in Regina. Come check him out. 8pm, The Whiskey Saloon. $10 cover.

Sunday 8

Songwriter Sunday — Featuring Gabrille Papillon (Montreal), Corinna Rose (Montreal) and Christa Couture (Vancouver), this is an evening to sit down and listen to three acclaimed Canadian singer/songwriters. 7:30pm, Creative City Centre.

Tickets $10.

Monday 9

Monday Night Jazz — Featuring The Whole Half Steps, playing great jazz standards. 8pm, Bushwakker Brewpub. No cover.

Photo: courtesy of the artist

(Next Week) BLACK DRINK CRIER @ O’HANLON’S pub — Welcome to local

unique sound to work with Wensel.

The result is an act called Black Drink Crier, and with a down to earth, folky (almost country) sound, their album Porch Fire pays a fine homage to prairie life. They’ll be playing O’Hanlon’s on July 13th. No cover. -Adam Hawboldt.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

early ‘90s, this hard-hitting trio from Aberdeen, Washington is all kinds of good. After being influenced by punk acts such as The Stooges and Black Flag, the Melvins created a punk sound that was heavy and slow and sludgy. Now they’re back (minus one) and playing their “lighter” stuff. 8pm, The Exchange. Tickets $31.25, available at www.admission.com

Kelowna in 2000 and have been melting people’s faces ever since. They’ll be joined by Wretched and Oblivion’s Eye. 8pm, The Exchange. Tickets $15, available at www.ticketedge.ca

talent Cameron Wensel’s latest musical project. And what a project it is!

On the one hand you have Wensel’s self-assured vocal prowess and frank, telling lyrics. On the other, you have the Lazy MKs, who have put aside their own

Karaoke Tuesday — Famous live music venue offers its patrons a chance to share the stage. 8pm, McNally’s Tavern. No cover.

Wednesday 11

Wednesday Night Folk — Featuring Motes and Oates, a guitar and flute duo from British Columbia. 9pm, Bushwakker Brewpub. No cover.

Thursday 12

My Own Chaos — Mixing traditional metal with thrash and hard rock, this Vancouver band plays some heavy, awesome stuff. 9pm, Gaslight Saloon.

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.

Quick & Dirty & Friends — Come out and support this up-and-coming local band. 10pm, McNally’s Tavern.

Cover $5.

Trick Ryder — Come listen to all your favourite country and rock hits when Trick Ryder takes the stage. The Pump Roadhouse. Tickets TBD.

Three Inches of Blood — This heavy metal band was formed in

Want your show listed?

Email layout@verbnews.com!

(COMING UP) WYNONnA & the BIG NOISE @ CASINO REGINa — Five-time

albums go platinum on the strength of songs like “I Saw The Light” and “No One Else On Earth.” She’ll be playing Casino Regina on August 22nd; tickets are $70–75 (at Show Lounge box office, online at www.casinoregina.com or by calling 565-3000). -Adam Hawboldt.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Milk Music, These Estates, Technology — Milk Music delivers fantastic, 80’s style punk straight from Washington. They’ll be joined by local rockers These Estates and local synth-pop group Technology.

8pm, The Exchange. $10 at the door.

Tuesday 10

Fish and Bird w/ Kirby Criddle — In the middle of a 28-day tour, this five piece indie folk-rock outfit is making a stop in Regina. They’ll be joined by Kirby Criddle, an indie-folk songstress from Saskatoon. 7:30pm, Creative City Centre. Tickets $10.

Melvin’s Lite — Easily one of the most seminal bands of the late ‘80s/

Grammy winner Wynonna Judd first rose to fame in the ‘80s alongside her mother, Naomi, in the country duo The Judds. By the ‘90s the duo had disbanded and Wynona launched her solo career, which saw three of her

Photo: courtesy of the artist

Arts One

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Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Fred Eaglesmith Is An Outlaw Rock Star Photo: courtesy of eOne Music Canada, Rick Forgo and Glenn Myhr

From Touring To Recording To Playing, This Musician Does What He Wants Alex J MacPherson

regina, SK — Fred Eaglesmith has been told to shut the f**k up more times than he can count.

Instead of fighting back, he leans harder into his songs, scrubbing his guitar and singing as well as he possibly can. It works, it always works. Skeptics and hecklers leave the bar converts.

“I’m in pretty rough bars most nights,” Eaglesmith says over the telephone, wind gusting in the background.

“We get guys glaring at us. And we win them. We win the battle, and by the end of the night they’re buying CDs off us.”

Eaglesmith is a rock and roll musician, but he’ll never admit it. He calls himself a working man. And it’s true: he writes and records album after album of catchy, highly literate songs and then tours the snot out of them.

But here’s the thing: Eaglesmith is an outlaw.

He records when he feels like it, choosing most years to stay on the road. He says he is no different than a farmer or a coal miner — someone who exchanges goods and services for money.

Apparently, this is not done.

“I’ve been banned from the majority of folk festivals across Canada because I’m so controversial, because I’ve told them to go f**k themselves too many times,”

Eaglesmith admits, sounding un- explains. apologetic.

“It’s gotten to the point where “But I’ve done that because I’m technology is more important looking at that and going, ‘you are than the music, the songs. Guys not making a living here. I am!’ This will make bad songs sound good is my living.” with good technology, and I can’t “I don’t care how many fans [are overwhelm anybody. I can’t win at there],” he continues. “I’ll put on a that game. Then I started thinking good show for eight people. But maybe I can underwhelm everythis is the drill: I body. And it realneed to sell CDs “I’ve been banned from ly, really worked.” after the show the majority of folk Eaglesmith’s and I need to sell festivals … because I’m so minimalistic apt-shirts to keep proach may seem my band going controversial…” ridiculous given -Fred Eaglesmith t h e p o t e n t i a l down the road.

It’s part of the pay, and there’s noth- benefits of sophisticated recording wrong with that. It’s like I’m a ing techniques, but simplicity has farmer, come to the market, put on its rewards. a good display, and I sell my wares.”

6 Volts strips away adornments, And those wares are damn good. leaving nothing but the songs. From Certainly good enough that Eagle- “Katie,” one of the most endearingly smith has been able to write, record tender songs Eaglesmith has ever and tour for more than 30 years. He written, to the gritty tribute to the may not be rich, but he’s free from man in black, “Johnny Cash,” 6 Volts “criminal” record companies and achieves so much with very little. outside direction. His latest record, “I think it sounds like rock and 6 Volts, reflects this freedom. It is an roll,” Eaglesmith laughs. act of open rebellion.

“I think it sounds like the early Released last year, 6 Volts was ‘60s and late ‘50s records were recorded with the band clustered sounding. Part of it is after 35 takes around a single microphone and there’s a lot of tension with the a one-track reel-to-reel tape ma- band, with the producer. In the chine. Eaglesmith, who has used digital world — I’ve been there for digital technology in the past, elect- many years — that tension is maed to return to the basics because nipulated with a fader. They make he wanted the songs to shine. the train sound like it’s going to “It’s really hard to make records come off the tracks, but you know these days because everyone’s it’s not going to, somehow. On this wrapped up in technology,” he record, you’re not sure.”

Eaglesmith hasn’t been derailed yet. He plays more shows than just about anyone in the business, drawing crowds at “hipster town” clubs and small town dives alike.

And he can’t help but toss in a few colourful expletives.

“You know,” he muses, “the guys at the back of my club — if you’ve seen my show, you know I’m always telling them to shut the f**k up because those guys are in the back making noise when they’re not even interested in it. They’re interested in something else, not

what we’re interested in, which is good music, a good gig, and being civilized. And not being run by a bunch of barbarians who own record companies. That’s all we really want to do.”

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Event Info

Fred Eaglesmith’s Traveling Steam Show Where: Happy Nun Café, Forget, SK When: July 20 Cost: Sold Out

Talking Country With Local Singer Alex Runions

ArtsSect &C

Alex J MacPherson

Regina, SK. — Alex Runions is poised on the border between local success and mainstream popularity. He is hungry for success, yet he knows the road ahead is paved with uncertainty. But those twists and turns — the sad reality of life in a volatile industry — push him to work harder than ever before.

“It has its ups and downs,” Runions, who is 28, says of working as a country musician in Regina.

“For the most part, it’s great. We have a really good community here.

All the other songwriters, we’re all very supportive of one another. But when you get into the bigger markets, it’s pretty tough to break out.”

After a brief sojourn in rock and roll, Runions came back to country — the music he grew up singing — after finishing high school. never get to that point.”

He has spent the best part of the Runions is right. He is welllast decade creating a body of known in southern Saskatchewan, work that ranges between up- where his friendly attitude and blistempo, radio-friendly rockers and tering live performances are sure tender, heartfelt to draw a crowd. ballads. Talented “We have a really good But his desire and easygoing, community here. All the to move into the Runions and his other songwriters, we’re upper echelons band are buildof country music ing a career based all very supportive…” has forced him -Alex Runions to adopt a work on simple virtues: honesty and authenticity. schedule reminiscent of the Beatles’ “Authenticity in any aspect re- sojourn in Munich. He often plays ally shows through,” Runions says. four or five nights a week, and his “If you show up to a gig and band can churn out forty-five songs you’ve got a big head and a big before last call. By contrast, a mainego on you, people read that and stream country act — Tim McGraw, people don’t like that. We show up say, or Brad Paisley — will play 20 to every gig like anybody walking songs in 90 minutes. through the door. We’re not expect“It just evolved into this thing ing anything extra, and I hope we that I didn’t really think was going

Photo: courtesy of Strumline Photography

to happen,” he muses.

“I don’t think I ever looked at it that way, and in some ways I still don’t. It just sort of evolved: what’s the next step? I definitely want it, to have it as a career. I definitely want that but when you look at the grand scheme of things, it’s extremely huge — it’s really daunting.”

If anyone can pull it off, Runions can. His debut album was released in 2009 and became a catalyst of sorts, generating interest from big American labels. “Rollercoaster,” probably the best track on the record, has prompted him to consider writing with and for other artists.

Ultimately, he’s hopeful: “If you can have all the right things in place and a little bit of luck, then it’ll work out in your favour.”

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

5 Qs: Steve Brockl Montreal Three-Piece On Doing Alex J MacPherson Steve Brockley says as much with silence as he does with sound.

After forming the Steve Brockley Band in Montreal, the passionate songwriter set out to change the world with simple chords and heartfelt lyrics. Born from a rejection of guitar heroism — although he admits Hendrix and Page are still awesome — Brockley’s sound is filled out by Leon Power on drums and Kevin Bertram on bass. Evoking late nights and early mornings, the band’s charming blend of folk and pop is deeply expressive, as haunting as it is heart-rending. I caught up with Brockley to talk about the band’s as-yet untitled new record, musical minimalism, and whether he’s a secret jazz musician. (Hint: he’s not a secret jazz musician.)

Alex J MacPherson: Are you a secret jazz musician? Your music gave me the impression of a pretty sophisticated jazz background.

Steve Brockley: That hasn’t come up before. I suppose there are elements of jazz in it as far as the way the three of us play together, which is based mostly on listening to each other, which is a huge part of jazz. But I never got too into jazz. I always found that the melodies and music I heard in my head wasn’t quite as complex.

The structure of jazz can get kind of fancy and complex. I never got too fond of that. Most of my songs have three or four chords in them,

so in some ways it’s a lot unlike jazz.

AJM: That’s an interesting observation, your point about listening to each other and doing a lot with very little.

SB: I think the three of us guys, we all have the same kind of mentality when it comes to music, as far as we have a pretty ‘less is more’ kind of approach. We don’t like to overplay our parts or overplay our instruments, and I guess we feel like “[W]e feel like the space between between the n the notes is every bit every bit as im as important as the notes themselves. the notes them The most important thing is to try and play the song. I’ll write a song and we’ll try to get to the bottom of the song, and play it in a way that lets the song shine through.

AJM: When it comes to music, so many people play way too much. And it’s hard to sit back and not play, but you’re able to do it really comfortably, without sounding strained.

SB: I’d agree. There are definitely people out there who think that way … people might not necessarily have that strong of a song but then add all these things to it, to try and make it into something, build on top of it or add another part. Or just play more. When really, if you just have a good song … a good song can stand up on its own with just someone singing it by themselves. You don’t want to take away from that because you

Culture tion Pages PH, PH PH PH–PH, ‘PH VerbNews.com

Pages 10, 11 Pages 10, 11 Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Country Star Alan Jackson To Play Craven Country Jamboree Verb Staff

kley Band Photo: courtesy of Mike Shaver

A Lot With Little

can do too much.

AJM: What’s your songwriting process like?

SB: I don’t write tons and tons, like some people will be like, ‘I wrote five songs last week.’ I don’t have that high of an output. And a lot of people, they’ll write a lot of songs and they’ll throw a lot of them away, too. Usually I only finish the songs I actually keep. Sometimes I feel like I don’t give them e the space a chance to really develop. I’m pretty notes is when it mportant as self-critical comes to my songs, mselves.” and sometimes it -Steve Brockley would be an asset if I could let them live a little longer before I decided they were no good.

AJM: Your first album was recorded in Montreal, your forthcoming one in Vancouver. Does a Vancouver record sound different than a Montreal record?

SB: I don’t think it’s because of the location we did it; I think it’s because of the couple of years of playing together that we’ve had between the records and the songs that make the difference, not so much where we did it. I think that’s one of the things I like about the new record: it sounds like a band that plays together because we have played so many shows together. Sometimes you hear stuff that feels just like it was built, constructed in the studio, one track at a time.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Regina, SK. — Alan Jackson has been one of the biggest names in country music for more than 20 years, and he still refuses to let anything slow him down.

Jackson, who is 53, has released a slew of studio albums, a stack of greatest hits compilations, and more than 60 singles. He has astonished everyone by staying relevant in a ruthlessly fickle industry. His latest project, Thirty Miles West, is his 17th studio record, and it’s an apt demonstration of his constitutional inability to slow down. Even when his wife, Denise, was diagnosed with cancer. he explains. “If I write something “Of all the people to come up that’s that personal, I try to write with cancer, I’d never in a million them so they aren’t so obvious. years bet any money that Denise That song for Denise, ‘When I Saw would,” Jackson tells The Boot. “I You Leaving,’ if you don’t listen to thought I’d be gone long before it close, you’d think it was about her, so it was just a shock for both some guy’s wife or girlfriend leavof us.” ing them. You have to listen to it a Jackson, who has always made little bit to really understand what a point of chronicling the slice it’s about and that’s the way I like of America he to do it.” inhabits, be it “I don’t feel like I’ve tried And he would raucous fun on to change my style of know. Jackson is the banks of the writing to fit in…” one of a handful Chattahoochee of songwriters -Alan Jackson who have writor the devastating impact of cancer, says Thirty ten 20 or more number one hits.

Miles West was driven by his own But Jackson isn’t prepared to rest experiences and emotions. on his laurels just yet.

“I don’t feel like I’ve tried to Now that Denise is cancer-free, change my style of writing to fit in Jackson is taking Thirty Miles West with anything different,” he muses. — which is named for his home“I’m still writing about things that town, which is 30 miles west of the [are] going on in life. You just write Dixie Highway — out on the road. about things that happen. With this And that means Craven Country album I wrote a song about Denise Jamboree, by far the biggest coungoing through her cancer.” try music festival in Saskatchewan.

Jackson’s songs are peppered with references — some obvious, others not — to his home, his family and his emotions, but he says writing good songs is about finding a balance between personal and universal ideas.

“I’ve always tried to be careful,”

Event Info

Steve Brockley Where: O’Hanlon’s Pub When: July 13 Cost: No cover

Alan Jackson

Where: Craven Country Jamboree When: July 14 Cost: $179 before; $200 at the gate cravencountryjamboree.com

Alex Runions Where: Whiskey Saloon When: July 19 - 21 Cost: TBD

Want some coverage for your upcoming event? Email layout@verbnews.com ASAP!

Photo: courtesy of Russ Harrington

And there Jackson, who remains on the biggest men in country music, will take the stage once again.

“The older you are, I think you

realize what you enjoy and what you don’t need, what wears you out and what’s important,” he says.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Food

Page 12

Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Cilantro is a flavourful herb that people either love or hate, and it is prominent in Mexican, Asian, and Middle Eastern foods. Whether or not you are on the cilantro bandwagon, this herb is packed with facts.

Cilantro is actually the ■Spanish word for coriander term cilantro tends to ■referTheonly to the green, fresh

leaves and not the dried seeds often used in East Indian cooking

You can blame your parents ■if you don’t like the taste of

cilantro — genetics play a factor in whether you perceive a pleasant herby taste, or a soapy and rank one

La Cucaracha: A Taste Of Mexico

Photos: Courtesy of Kendra Kuss

Authentic Food, Made Fresh When You Order, At 13th Ave. Eatery Jessica Bickford

For quite some time now Regina has been lacking in the Mexican food department, especially if you want anything remotely authentic. But La Cucaracha is striving to bring the best of Mexican street food, made with time and care, to us.

La Cucaracha is open from about May to September, and owners Sarah Fowler Diaz and her husband

Fabian Diaz Bernal serve their food right out of their compact kitchen into your waiting hands. You can either take it home with you, or have a seat in their colourful garden, which has become a gathering place, to eat and enjoy the many charms of the Cathedral Village.

They have a small menu with everything made from scratch, including their daily soup (sopa del dia) which was a Mexican black bean when I visited.

The soup was very colourful and packed full of zucchini, celery, roasted corn, carrots, tomatoes and hearty beans. It had a good bit of spice and a hint of cilantro, making this a healthy, and delicious soup.

Everything at La Cucaracha is

made to order, and the contents tacos served on small, doubledof their deep freeze is nothing but up corn tortillas, just the way they ice for their aguas frescas. should be (which also makes them I tried the gluten-free). pineapple, but “The soup was … packed Mine were th e ir f lavour s full of zucchini, celery, filled with tinga vary depending roasted corn, carrots, de pollo, which on what fruit they was pulled chickhave. This cool, re- tomatoes and … beans.” en breast sea-Jessica Bickford soned with chofreshing and delectable drink is simply ice, water, rizo sausage in a tomato-chipotle and blended fresh fruit, making it sauce, and topped with a bit of sweet and satisfying. sour cream and cheese. This was Their super fresh guacamole absolutely fantastic, and definitely with totopos (tortilla chips) was worth checking out. up next, and the blend of fruity A big campechanos burrito folavocado, tangy tomato, cilantro, lowed shortly after, stuffed with a bit of onion and citrus was thick, steak and Mexican sausage, as well tasty and perfect to share. as rice, refried beans, and cheese.

After this came their traditional This was a hearty and cheesy creation only made better by the homemade salsa that added a mouthwatering spice along with some vinegary bite.

Last, but certainly not least, was a rajas de chile poblano quesadilla, which was bursting with melt-y cheese and delicious vegetables, such as maize, calabaza squash and poblano peppers.

The veggies were roasted to bring out an intense sweetness, with the peppers adding a bit of smokiness — incredibly tasty, and vegetarian to boot!

Because everything is cooked to order it can take a few minutes to prepare, so if you are in a rush just call ahead and they will have it ready when you arrive.

La Cucaracha offers authentic Mexican food, and their food is so fresh and flavourful you will be hooked just like I am, but depressed during the winter months when there isn’t a real taco in sight.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

La Cucaracha

Address: 2815 13th Avenue Hours: Monday - Saturday 1am - 8pm Contact: 757-MEXX (6399)

Opinion

Page 13

Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Our Civil Servants Just Can’t Stay Healthy It Must Be An Epidemic! Nearly 20,000 Federal Workers Call In Sick Every Day the Editors of Verb

SASKATOON, SK — Keeping Canada on its feet and running smoothly is no easy task.

Don’t believe us? Just ask anyone who works for the federal civil service. Day in and day out, from the crack of dawn ‘til the sun goes to bed, these good employees — the diplomats, the policy wonks, the

“[T]he rate of absenteeism among … civil servants is 250 percent higher than … the private sector…”

-Verb’s editors people who process your passports, etc., etc. — tirelessly work to make this country a better, more wonderful place to live.

But all that work must be exhausting, not to mention stressful.

So that’s why we think a rest is in order because apparently these civil jobs are so exhausting and so stressful that they’re causing our public servants to fall ill at an alarming rate.

How alarming? Well, according to a recently leaked Treasury Board report, around 19,500 federal civil servants phone in sick to work daily.

That’s right: nearly 20,000 people in the civil service fall ill. Every. Single.

Workday.

To put that into perspective, imagine if the entire population of Swift Current and about 75 percent of the people in Melville all came down with an illness, say, the flu, at the same time, on the same day, and simply couldn’t function.

Imagine that, and you’ll get an idea about how serious a problem this is.

It’s so serious, in fact, that the rate of absenteeism among federal civil servants is 250 percent higher than the average rate in the private sector, and nearly 200 percent greater than the rest of the public sector.

Not only is the health of our federal civil sector in jeopardy, but the amount of time these employees miss is costing taxpayers somewhere in the neighbourhood of $1 billion annually in lost wages.

It’s an epidemic, folks. And something has to be done.

Maybe it should become mandatory for federal civil servants to wash their hands at least once an hour. Or perhaps work places should be thoroughly sanitized

every morning before employees arrive and every evening after they leave.

Or what about giving civil servants mandatory nap time in the middle of the day to help boost their immune systems?

We don’t know the answer. What we do know, however, is this: federal civil servants are pretty darn lucky they get 15 paid sick days

a year.

Wait a second … 15 paid sick days per annum? Does that seem like a lot to you? It does to us. And, on second thought, so too does the $1 billion of taxpayer dollars being squandered every year.

So maybe we take back everything we just said. Maybe federal civil servants don’t need a rest. Maybe they don’t deserve sympathy for

their chronic illness nor applause for making this country so great.

And maybe, just maybe, those 19,500 workers who call in sick for

work everyday should simply put the phone down, suck it up and do their jobs. Just like the rest of us.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Section Movies

Page Page 14PH

Jul PH 6–12, PH–PH, ‘12 ‘PH VerbNews.com VerbNews.com

Where Do We Go Now? Well-Intentioned Uneven Plot Weakens Movie’s Potential In Exploration Of Religious Controversy Where Do We Go Now?

Runtime: 110 Minutes Rated: PG Adam Hawboldt Since time immemorial, women have been wondering how to make short-fused, testosterone-infused, wildly barbaric and mildly confused males put down their weapons and stop killing each other.

In 411 BC, Aristophanes sug- more impassioned, throw-it-at-thegested women withhold sex until wall-and-see-what-sticks approach. the boys behaved. It didn’t work.

The setting for Where Do We Go Now, oh, about 2,500 years later, Now? is a dusty, unnamed village another story-tellin middle-of-noer tries to tackle “Labaki is juxtaposing where Lebanon. (and is ultimately farce and tragedy, Half the inhabitbedeviled by) the without [melding] them ants are Chrissame problem. tians, the other Her name is Na- … together.” half Muslim.

-Adam Hawboldt dine Labaki and And for the her new film Where Do We Go Now? most part they get along. Unless, is, if nothing else, well-intentioned of course, when they’re not getting and ambitious. along. And one look at the village’s Whereas Aristophanes was con- cemetery — over-flowing with the tent with offering a single solution bodies of husbands, sons, brothto the age-old problem, director/ ers and lovers lost in the endless co-writer/actress Labaki takes a sectarian conflict — will tell you that peace doesn’t last very long.

Case in point: at one juncture in the movie, the TV news reports religious violence in the vicinity and the male folk go batsh*t crazy with scathing, sectarian hate.

This is when the village’s women decide to get involved.

To stem the tide of hostility and possible violence, they concoct scheme after scheme to calm their men down. The mayor’s wife (Yvonne Maalouf) fakes being possessed by the Virgin Mary; they destroy the village’s only TV; baked goods are spiked with hashish; a troupe of exotic dancers from the Ukraine are brought in to diffuse the problem. Nothing works.

The same can be said for the movie as a whole.

Yes, Where Do We Go Now? is timely and charming and quirky

Photo: courtesy of Les Films des Tournelles

and imaginative and ambitious.

Yes, it provides a fresh and welcome feminist perspective on an issue that’s predominantly male dominated. And yes, it’s important insofar as it is a microcosm of the global malaise in which Christians and Muslims create conflict out of

seemingly thin air.

But for all that, something just doesn’t feel right about Where Do We Go Now? And that’s mainly because, structurally, the movie is a ramshackle mess. It moves from tragedy to comedy to profundity to comedy, back to tragedy, then comedy again and tragedy. For the entire film, Labaki is juxtaposing farce and tragedy, without ever finding a way to meld them effortlessly together.

Sure, she’s confident in the film’s ever shifting tones, but confidence should never be confused with capability.

And ultimately, all the comedy seems to dilute the message Labaki seems desperate to make.

Yet for all that, Where Do We Go Now? is worth a watch. It’s the kind of big-hearted movie that is as conflicting and confusing as the situation in the Middle East itself.

A well-intentioned comedy with a pitch black core.

Where Do We Go Now? will be screened at Regina Public Library beginning on July 12th; please see http://www.reginalibrary.ca/ for more information Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Section Movies

Page Page 15PH

Jul PH 6–12, PH–PH, ‘12 ‘PH VerbNews.com VerbNews.com

Edgy Spider-Man Does Not Disappoint

Photo: courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Garfield Is Excellent As A Nerdy, Insecure Peter Parker In Franchise Reboot The Amazing Spider-Man

Runtime: 136 Minutes Rated: PG Adam Hawboldt Remember in 2005 when Christopher Nolan rebooted the Batman franchise with Batman Begins?

Remember how gritty and dark and well-acted that film was?

Well, The Amazing Spider-Man is nothing like that — for a couple of good reasons.

Reason one: early Spiderman, unlike early Batman, doesn’t exactly lend himself to gritty, visceral realism.

Reason two: The Amazing SpiderMan is not directed by Christopher Nolan (arguably one of the finest, most innovative directors working today.)

Reason three: Batman Begins was down. a fresh, new, original origins story, If it all sounds redundant, well, whereas the origin film for Spider- that’s because it is. man was done by Sam Raimi in, oh, But that’s not to say there’s noth2002. ing new here.

And the thing “Andrew Garfield is I mean, Mary is, most of the ma- instantly and wildly better Jane has been jor story points in than Tobey Maguire ever replaced by Gwen The Amazing SpiStacy (played ender-Man are the was…” dearing Emma -Adam Hawboldt Stone) as Spidey’s same as the first Raimi flick. You’ll see high-school love interest. And this time around twerp Peter Parker (played this time the villain isn’t the Green Goblin or around by Andrew Garfield) get Doctor Octopus or Venom — it’s bitten by a genetically enhanced The Lizard (Rhys Ifans). spider.

Oh, and The Amazing Spider-Man You’ll see Peter Parker learning was shot in 3D and the movie’s plot how to use his new Spidey powers. involves a (not overly necessary) You’ll see Peter Parker teach the backstory about Peter’s long-dead school bully a lesson and take to parents. the streets to fight crime and, at Yet, for the most part, all these the film’s climax, square off against changes are negligible. For the a super villain while cops and an most part, The Amazing Spider-Man assortment of New Yorkers watch feels a lot like a beat-for-beat replica in amazement. of the 2002 version.

Hell, just like the 2002 film, you’ll So does this mean it’s a bad even see Peter Parker kiss a girl movie? Not at all. In fact, a lot of (Emma Stone) while hanging upside people out there (myself included),

think that it’s better than Raimi’s Spider-Man. Andrew Garfield is instantly and wildly better than Tobey Maguire ever was as Peter Parker — partly because he seems to have a better grasp on the character and simply suits the role better and, in part, because this time around the script is better.

As Al Pacino quipped in Looking for Richard: “He can maneuver. He’s got room.”

And that, for the most part, comes from the fact that in the

reboot, Parker is a real teenager with real teenage problems and insecurities and angst.

Directed with emotion and grace by Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer), The Amazing Spider-Man (which is 3D, by the way) is a darker, more down-to-earth depiction of your friendly neighbourhood webslinger.

Still, it’s hard to shake the nagging feeling of déjà vu that tells you that you’ve seen all this somewhere before.

Feedback? Text it to 306-881-8372.

Texts

Page 16

Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com

This Week: Legalizing Euthanasia Last week we asked what you thought about legalizing euthanasia — here’s what you had to say Next week’s topic: see page 9 — what do you think about the epidemic sweeping public workers

On Topic Sometimes people just give up hope and wish to die. Legalizing euthanasia would help people who dont wish to suffer from debilitating injury, sickness etc. It’s a choice.

I hope that if something terrible ever happens to me I have the right to Nobody would argue your decision to put down a sick & suffering animal, yet dying, suffering humans aren’t allowed the same option.

That’s wrong and cruel. As free people we have the right to choose how we live, we should also have the right to choose how & when we die, dignity intact.

I find the subject

that is causing them to take so much sick time? 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! of euthanasia so convoluted. I support an individual’s right to choice, but things get murky when you consider people underage (just because they’re young doesn’t mean they suffer any less), or people that for whatever reason can’t articulate their desires clearly.

I absolutely support a person’s right to choose when and how to die. A difficult decision to make, to say the least, and of course hard for those around but people need to have empathy for how hard some people’s lives can be.

Finally! Someone brought up the issue.

The world is over populated and living conditions can get so bad. The right to choose makes us

human The mark of an advanced society is one that permits people to have autonomy over their lives. Absolutely someone should have the right to choose how and when they die. It gives them the dignity that every person deserves. I wish my grandma had had that right.

I think if u have an illness that leaves you immobilized and helpless you should have the right 2 choose 2 live or die.

No question about it

Off Topic Re: “Erasing Memories On Purpose,” Global page, June 29th issue

Erasing memories can rob us from learning from our experiences, for ex - our mistakes. I wouldn’t want to forget the grief i felt for a loved one…it means i cared. Emotions are what separate us from other animals. We shouldn’t lose that.

Re: “Erasing Memories On Purpose,” Global page, June 29th issue

I dont think people should have their memories erased.

Memories make people who they are. Unless its harming the person mentally i thik we should live with our memories.

Re: “Ancient Road,” Global page, June 29th issue

Interesting to hear the Romans built a road that survived 1800 yrs. They are probably in better shape than most of the roads in Saskatoon.

Drunks are so inconsiderate! They should realize that

their neighbors don’t want to hear them in the middle of the night and would like to get some sleep. Have some respect please!

If you don’t know what to do in a tornado! Go into a room with NO windows, take with you a flashlight and your cell phone. At least you will have light and contact to the outside if anything happens.

YB I Think it’s sick breeding genetically modified cows what’s next gm humans.

When will we get back to normality in this life? <Glen> Nearly 4 out of 10 drivers I see on my daily commute to work are on their phones while they drive… This new initiative to get the roads safer is a JOKE! I’d feel safer skydiving with no parachute at this point.

And for those of you driving company vehicles while texting or talking on your cell phones - I’m going to start reporting you to your bosses AND the police, so watch yourselves. the sask province needs the film tax credit. Our arts are dying and unless you farm or mine oil what’s left!?

You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.

To the filipino girl that worked at the pikelake store years ago I saw you at The Roots.I had the biggest crush on you.Your still beautiful

Ugh! I saw two dogs locked in a car in the middle of the day window cracked but barely. It is too hot to bring your animals with you, people!

Please please try to leave them somewhere where they will be comfortable and cool and have access to water. They will thank you for it!

Heard Estevan has the highest rent in the province how crazy is that? Something needs to get done to create enough housing for everyone there.

It’s a disaster and Wall doesn’t want to address it. But people needs to know.

Wise man say: Forgiveness is devine but never pay full price for a late pizza!

Happy fourth of July!

Its a lot like Canada day but with less hockey & flannel! Haley Klassen You think you’re so casual and in control but you have no F****** clue what you’re getting yourself into.

Please be careful. I care but you don’t want to listen to reason. Nothing will change if you don’t make it, so start being accountable.

Go Riders! Happy that last game wasn’t as embarrassing as the opener! Not convinced this luck is going to stay though!

When you hear the sound of thunder don’t you get too scared!

Just grab your thunder buddy and say these magic words: F*** you thunder!! You can’t get

Texts me thunder cause you just God’s farts!!!!

Roots were AMAZING! Drove up to see them and so worth it if you missed out tough sh*t. These guys are hip hop legends you gotta go next time QUESTLOOOOVE lol Saw funnel cloud today. So scared but didnt touch down and went away but what is up with this whether its terrible!!

To the person who texted in needing relationship advice what’s your prob? lol I gots tons of advice let us know whats up we could help maybe I hate when drivers stop to let people cross the street not at a crosswalk its so stupid just keep driving!

Whats upppppppp lol u guys are hot!

To the person who texted about their parents passing away ur in my prayers.

Losing loved ones is always hard even if you see it coming.

Saw video of a cop jamming with some dudes camping it was awesome. Always here how cops suck blah bla and yeah some of them do but this guy was amazin. Check it out he rocked it!

My little bro can eat a medium popcorn at the movies. Hes 6 lol Just saw a dude downton on a bike pedalling on only his back wheel for halfa block insane

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Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com

This hot cold storm repeat weather is bringin me down Smoking may be disgusting but its a personal choice. Don’t like it? Don’t be around people who do it. But don’t be all preachy telling everyone how gross it is. Some people genuinely like it so just relax. Hell grab a cig and chill its the best way to do it :) Just have to offload the judgemental attitude first.

Construction sux so hard. Takes forever to get anywhere right now Long weekend: hungover, burnt, dirty partying but so great.

You guys made the yearly FL getaway amazing KC, IP, RF, The toadster and Bus. Cant wait for the next one.

Beastie Boyzzzz u were the soundtrack to my teens f*** miss you Goin out tonight with ma girls been way 2 long but excited to all be together again. Summers great everyones home Looks like someone dumped a stolen bike in our parking lot Grey.

Called cops hope ur reunited with ur bike soon You can sell any crap at a garage sale some one will always by it.

People are often all too quick to turn and look away from someone in need. I think that it’s important to try and facilitate a better relationship between

those who have, and those who could maybe use a hand every now and then.

Compassion can carry you a long way.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADAAAAAAAAA! Lol great weekend to party red and white .

Ur lookin good for 145 best country in the world!

Miss you LT you know i’m sorry.

Quit throwin ur trash on the ground use a garbage can like a normal person god it looks so bad just lying there Got my tickets to go up and see Snoop next

week so pumped lol think 2pac will be there 2 gonna be sosick U can hate on me all u want but you now I am fine on my own and dont need u as a friend Real friends dont bakstab so get out of my life n i hope i never see u again We need more nude beaches round here just hate the tan lines u know :D Slurpee machine at 7 by my house broken 4 3 days im sufferin here Letting old people off the hook for racist behaviour is giving them a free pass just because they’re “old.”

Learn to adapt. By keeping quiet and not correcting them you are only adding to the problem Sweet jammers on a kid at the park neon yellow had a pair when i was young. When i have kids they’l be that cool i hope Mac n cheese on pizza best combo ever First year of university starting in fall hopeing to go to a toga party my goal.

The opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily Verb’s.

Nightlife

Page 18

Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com

Sunday @ The OUTside Club Venue

The OUTside Nightclub on Sunday, July 1st

Location

2070 Broad Street

Playing on Arrival

“California Gurls” by Katy Perry

Music Vibe

Club, pop, dance and techno

Regular Gigs

DJ Phun-knee-guy, DJ Ryan and DJ RyRy

Popular Drink

Cherry cheesecake shooters

Something New

Drag Queen Bingo July 29th, and Halloween in July on Friday the 13th

Photos courtesy of Klein Photography (feedback@verbnews.com)

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“Ignorance is the night of the mind,” said Confucius, “but a night without moon or star.” And without a light we all too often get lost on our journey, dear Pisces. Don’t let that happen to you.

To that extent, try to learn new things this week. What that should be is up to you. My advice? Look deep inside, admit honestly what it is you don’t know, then go out and learn about it. How you learn about them is up to you; what you learn from them could change your life.

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Pisces (Feb 20–Mar 20)

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential … these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” And, after all, that’s what life is all about, right Virgo?

So why not start striving a little faster, a little longer, for some personal excellence in the days and weeks ahead? It can’t hurt to try and better yourself, to try and succeed. In the long run — after the race of life is over — you’ll thank your lucky stars that you put in the work.

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Virgo (Aug 23–Sept 22)

Change: it’s the essence of everything, dear Aquarius. I know it, you know it and Confucius sure as hell knew it.

That’s why he once said, “They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.” To wit: if you want to be happy in the upcoming week, if you want to learn a thing or two in the upcoming days, be open and free to change. Sure, at first it might feel strange, but in due time everything will smooth itself out and you’ll be a better person for it.

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Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 19)

Does it ever seem that life is conspiring against you, dear Leo? No matter what you do or where you turn, everything seems so damn complex? If so, keep in mind this old Confucian saying: “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Simple indeed. In this world of material things, it’s very easy to lose sight of what it is that makes life worth living. Don’t let that happen to you, Leo. It would be a gross oversight on your behalf.

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Leo (Jul 23–Aug 22)

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“Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.” That’s some pretty deep and inspiring stuff right there, dear Capricorn. Try changing your perception of things in the next few days, search for the beauty in everything, because regardless of what you may think, it’s there. All you have to do is look for it with the right kind of eyes. And when you find it, look out! Not only will you feel good about yourself, but you’ll feel good about the world.

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Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19)

A wise man once advised to “choose the job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” That wise man was Confucius, and he was 100 percent right. No matter what you do, in the long run it’s always best to do what you love.

And while it can be difficult to change directions partway through, should you ever be presented with the opportunity to do something you’re passionate about, jump at it. The transition may be rocky, but it’ll be worth it in the end.

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Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 22)

Forgiveness and forgetfulness: the two are not mutually exclusive, dear Sagittarius. So this week, it would probably be best if you forgive and forget. If someone wrongs you, let it go. If someone has wronged you in the past, what better time to move on than right now?

Basically, it boils down to what Confucius said: “Things that are done, it is needless to speak about. Things that are past, it is needless to blame.” Don’t weight yourself down with unnecessary baggage.

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Sagittarius (Nov 23–Dec 21)

You may find yourself in a situation this week that will be uncomfortable or infuriating. If that happens, dear Gemini, stop for a minute and remember Confucius told us that “when anger rises, think of the consequences.” Seems logical enough, right? Right. So if you get upset, before you act our or say something you may later regret, consider how that will affect both you and the object of your ire. That said, don’t deny your feelings.

Just avoid acting hastily.

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Gemini (May 21–Jun 20)

“The superior (person) is modest in speech, but exceeds in actions.” Those are Confucius’ words, and they’re worth keeping in mind this week, dear Scorpio.

No one likes a braggart, so if you have the urge to toot your own proverbial horn, try to sit back and say nothing. If you’ve done good work, if you’ve put your all into it, people will stand up and take notice. No need to tell everyone something they already know. Actions, not words … that’s the motto.

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Scorpio (Oct 24–Nov 22)

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.” Those words, by the venerable Confucius, are ones to live by, dear Taurus. If, for some reason, life knocks you down in the coming days, don’t fret. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back into the game. We all fall, it’s a part of life. It’s what you do after you fall that will define you as a person and will either pave the path for you to succeed wildly or fail miserably. The choice is yours.

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Taurus (Apr 20–May 20)

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According to Confucius, “it doesn’t matter how slowly you go — so long as you do not stop.” Think about that for a second, dear Libra. In the week ahead you might not want to forget those words. If you’re tempted to give up on a task or say to hell with a dream of yours, don’t. Just keep plugging away. Rome wasn’t built in a day, after all. Oh, and slow and steady wins the ever-lengthening race. Yes, they’re all clichés, but phrases become clichés for a reason — they’re often true.

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Libra (Sept 23–Oct 23)

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Confucius says: “The cautious seldom err.” Keep that in mind as the next few days unfold, dear Aries. Some weeks are meant to be thrown to the wind and attacked without fear — after all, mistakes happen, and you know that. But you also know that at other times, you have to play things closer to your vest: this strategy might work best for you right now. Try to avoid making any big, rash decisions.

By playing things cautiously, you’ll lay a good foundation for the future.

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Aries (Mar 21–Apr 19)

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Horoscopes

Jul 6–12, ‘12 VerbNews.com 5 9 1 7 4 2 3 8 6

Time Out

Page 19

8

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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.

5 3 7 8 1 6 9 8 2 6 1 9 8 4 3

4 2 1

6 5 7

2 5 1 8 3 9 5 4 7 4 6 3 9 7 2