What's Up Yukon, April 22, 2005

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April 22nd, 2005 Issue #6 alis Audio Bore parkes’ S ylie reviews A tiful and u a e B CD Deranged

What’s Inside

All Northern. All Fun.

What’s Happening Yukon Slim..................2 The Editor’s Page..........3 Dining Fine.................4 Crane & Sheep Festival....5 Recipe.......................5 Attention Span.............6 Dog Show...................6 Beer Buzz...................7 Yukon Rainbow............7 Irish Descendents.........8 Cycle Canada...............9 Next Stage................ 10 Wild Gamer............... 11 What’s Happening....... 12 Keith Smarch............. 14

Arts and Culture Aboriginal Youth Society... 16 Rotary Music Festival... 16 Stage in Motion.......... 17 Watson Lake Festival... 18 Reel Yukon............... 19 Audio Borealis............ 20 From the Arts............ 21 Stuff of Art............... 21 Cool Threads............. 22 Live Words/New Songs. 22 Yukon Night Lights...... 23

Sports and Rec Sports North............. 24 Play Makers............... 25 Walkabout................ 26 Canada Games........... 27

Fannin’s sheep will be the stars of the Crane and Sheep Viewing Festival in Faro May 6 to 8.

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Photo: John Loehr

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2

April 22, 2005

Yukon Slim is a Legend in the Making W

hitehorse’s Brandon Isaak — or “Yukon Slim” as the rest of the world knows him — has been discovered.

It sounded like the plot of a made-for-television movie, but the blues performer really was jamming at an open microphone night in a blues bar in a rundown part of Paris, France when Joe Louis Walker came into the room.

“He’s one of the top performers in the world,” says Isaak from a corner table in his parent’s bar.

“I’m a follower of the blues and I’ve followed him for 15 years,” says Isaak who has played blues for, well, 15 years now. “He’s been playing since the 60s. He’s played with BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Muddy Waters, Magic Sam, Willie Dixon ... he’s been around.”

Isaak was in La Puse that night because it was his only night off from playing guitar and singing with Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne ... so, of course he found a blues bar to jam in. “(Walker) came in and heard me as I was jamming — there were a lot of Chicago people there — and he liked me and wanted to come hear us the next night.

“It’s pretty exciting, he has only the best guitar players and I’ve noticed that people’s careers take off when they perform with him ... they get records.”

Discovered in a Paris bar

After 15 years of playing the blues, Brandon Isaak has teamed up with a legend: Joe Louis Walker.

Photo: Mark Prins Walker has 23 albums out already and he wants to record another with Isaak. He will be part of a foursome – “I’m the only coloured one,” says the white, white Isaak – that includes Buddy Guy’s drummer and Luther Allison’s bass player.

“He’s all excited, so of course I’m all excited,” says Isaak, who will likely fly to San Francisco for the recording session.

Although this is big news, Isaak has worked too hard and proven to be too reliable to be consid-

ered “an overnight success”. He is a journeyman musician who can lend his voice and abilities with his Gibson ’49 es175 acoustic electric guitar that he bought from Robbie McKay. “I can do this the rest of my life,” he says. But if Isaak were to become that rarest of musicians — a blues legend from Canada — than this is what should happen at this stage.

The road began in Whitehorse as a musician who could play anything, anywhere. But it was

time to specialize. And blues “just felt good.

“People think it’s sad — crying over your woman — and that’s a part of it, but that’s life.

“Blues is a celebration of life.”

Isaak scoffs at the idea of being too young to play blues: “If you

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have life experience, if you’ve experienced extreme joy and heart break, you can play blues.”

Besides, he says, “I’ve backed up a 12-year-old and he was really good and had his heart in it.”

Isaak is a full-time musician while he books blues acts for the Discovery Bar from his Vancouver base. He moved there in 1991 “for the convenience of gigging.

“I was working and was comfortable in Whitehorse, but it’s a small pond.

“But I come back every couple of months, this is my home, I just pay rent in Vancouver.”

He’s done okay Outside. Isaak was up for a Juno when he performed with The Twisters a couple of years ago and they have won Best Blues Album of the Year at the Canadian Independent Music Awards.

One day, Isaac hopes to move back to Whitehorse and travel Outside for gigs.

Meanwhile, he co-owns a studio with his brother, Chris Isaac — “An incredible producer,” he gushes — and hopes his first solo will be produced there.

And it may be with Walker’s help: “He’ll come up, he’s cool like that.

“It’ll be nothing but great for the Yukon.”

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EDITOR’S PAGE

April 22, 2005

What’s Up, YUKON!

I’m Just Saying...

J

Reporting on the FUN SIDE from the INSIDE

An editorial by Darrell Hookey

ust the other day, I was commenting on the movie, Sin City. I said it was unfortunate that such creative ability was bestowed to juveniles.

Of course, I meant that the artistic use of lighting and the sharp writing were wasted on a story that involved blood, topless women and more blood.

But, I was told, not all juveniles are as immature as the producers of this film. I agree. And this is a point that is proven to me every day in this job.

This week I met Marcia Davidson. Instead of concentrating on her university courses and looking forward to a summer of fun, she and her boyfriend will be riding bikes across Canada to raise money for Ronald McDonald House.

I was also having dinner at Pasta Palace and was served

by Leena Tran, the gracious and attentive daughter of the owners. Her brother, Andy, can hardly wait until he turns 14 so that he can start working in the family-run restaurant.

These are not the children that hang out in front of the Elijah Smith Building on Main Street or along the sidewalks of Leisure On Lewes.

I was also struck at how many young people were on stage presenting Guys & Dolls. I recognized a few who were the sons and daughters of friends. I don’t recall any of these parents complaining at how much grief they were caused. These were all “good kids”.

All of these young people have one thing in common: They are passionate about something. They are working so hard at honing their skills, they don’t have time to get bored and get into trouble. Do they regret the time away from the television and hanging out? I doubt it.

If you need a dose of reassurance that “the kids are all right,” just go to the Rotary Music Festival on April 23, at the Yukon Arts Centre. You will see the musicians whom you will be enjoying 10 and 20 years from now. Indeed, there will be 1,200 youth involved in the week-long event and this is overwhelming proof that perhaps we worry too much about the upcoming generation.

To begin to raise emotionally healthy children, a parent must realize that people (all people, not just the young) will always get what they need. Children need love, if they don’t get love from their parents, they will get it from their peers; children need to be stimulated, if parents don’t give them opportunities, they may get stimulation from drugs; and they need to feel accepted ... and there are a lot of harmful ways to find acceptance among similarly disenfranchised youth.

Knowing this and using this information effectively is so complicated that it is sometimes useless.

We cannot be blind to the fact that too many of our youth do not have homes that nurture their passions nor give them opportunity to develop their interests. Sure, there are good people who try to step in and take care of their needs, but some of these youth just do not want the help or they do not trust the help because they have been disappointed in the past.

That’s why I am glad to see the Aboriginal Youth Society gather 30 members. These young people know what they need and they know how to get it safely. They are finding strength in their culture and in their language. They are finding trust in each other and they are preparing to represent themselves to the larger society that has not been able (or, perhaps, willing) to understand them on their terms.

I am going to make a promise to each of these 30 young people and to anyone else who joins them: I will not judge you based on my values. And I will respect you as much as you respect yourself.

It is a new world everybody.

Correction The Celebration of Swans is offered by the Department of Environment. Inaccurate information was provided.

3

All Northern. All Fun.

What’s Up, Yukon? #5 210 Lambert St. Whitehorse, YT Y1A 1Z4 Ph: 667-2910 Fax: 667-2913 Publisher/Sales Tammy Beese sales@whatsupyukon.com

Published by Beese Entertainment Publishing Bi-weekly Free Distribution

Design & Layout Dan Sokolowski

Editor Darrell Hookey editor@whatsupyukon.com

How Can I Make You Understand? It’s Huge!

It’s big.

That ain’t news, but, really, how can you explain the immensity, the bulkness, the hugeness of the Jeux du Canada Games Centre?

Every time I drive up Hamilton Boulevard and the mass of it peeks above the Alaska Highway and looms larger and larger, I am reminded of the scene from Star Wars — Episode 4, as our heroes are aboard the Millenium Falcon and looking for the lost planet of Alderon.

Luke Skywalker: “It’s heading for that small moon over there.”

Obi-Wan Kenobi: That’s no moon, it’s a space station.”

But let’s try to put this into perspective: The multiplex contains 5.6 million cubic feet of space. It’s no Death Star, but when you get into the millions, you know you are talking about something big.

But Wal-Mart is in the millions, too.

But it is only 1.6 million cubic feet.

That means you can fit three and a half Wal-Marts into the same space that the multiplex occupies.

That’s big.

But how does it compare to other recreational facilities? Stan McCowan Arena, for instance, is 800,000 cubic feet. The multiplex is seven times bigger.

And the Yukon Convention Centre, the pride of Barry Bellchambers, is 200,000 cubic feet. So you can fit 28 of them into the multiplex.

Remember all of the controversy over housing for the Canada Games athletes? You can fit seven athlete villages into the multiplex.

But these are huge numbers and difficult to comprehend. We all have refrigerators in our lives, right?

Did you know you can fit the con-

tents of 311,000 refrigerators into the multiplex?

And, the largest trunk space (in its class) belongs to the Volkswagen Touareg at 81.3 cubic feet. But you can fit that space 68,880 times into the multiplex.

But these are things. How many people can fit into the multiplex? If they were real estate agents, the answer would be 4,667. You see, Coldwell Banker has a building on 4th Avenue that is used by 20 agents and it is 24,000 cubic feet.

But that isn’t a fair test ... those real estate agents aren’t even trying. Compare that number to the 25 students that can fit into a 72-cubicfoot phone booth. If they tried just as hard, you can fit 1,944,444.4 real estate agents into the multiplex.

That’s big.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Bonjour!

I just wanted to express how happy the cultural sector of l’Association franco-yukonnaise was to take notice of Next Stage in the March 25 edition of What’s Up Yukon.

We are thrilled that our event caught your attention and we appreciate the coverage!

We are putting much effort into having more Anglophones attend our events in order to share our culture.

We are happy to read that our musical evening was appreciated by an individual not completely able to understand the language! It’s great to get that kind of feedback!

We have many activities programmed throughout the year and we hope to see more people from the whole community come and join us in the fun!

Merci!!!

Marie Ducharme Agente de développement culturel par intérim Acting Cultural Development Officer Association franco-yukonnaise If you are having fun, What’s Up Yukon will be there. – Ed.

To The Editor, Congratulations on launching your new publication, What’s Up Yukon. The paper is full of thoughtful and entertaining coverage of arts and cultural activities in the North and it is a welcome addition to our community. I hope the hard work and creative talent of your team pays off and that the venture is a success.

Yukon is endowed with a rich and vibrant cultural community that includes the arts, culinary traditions and sports and I am delighted to see our society portrayed so thoroughly in your publication.

I wish you all the best on your continued work in this field.

Elaine Taylor, Minister of Tourism and Culture Thank you. –Ed. Letters to the editor are welcome in this space. We reserve the right to edit for length, libel issues, grammar and spelling. We do not accept letters that do not concern the mandate of this magazine — arts, culture, entertainment, sports and recreation — and we will not accept a letter in lieu of a scrutinized press release. Please send your letters to editor@whatsupyukon.com or mail them to the address in our Masthead.

What’s Up, YUKON!

4

April 22, 2005

Perhaps They Should Call This ‘Spice Palace’ with Darrell Hookey

The more time you have to eat your meal, the more you will enjoy the genius of the spices.

O

nce again, my assumptions were proved wrong: I thought Pasta Palace’s claim to fame was its pasta.

Well, yeah, it does have a large selection of pasta dishes and it opened 12 years ago when there were no Pizza Huts and Boston Pizzas in town. But Pasta Palace is a restaurant that thrives on its ... spice rack.

At any one time, you will find three or four bowls in Henry Tran’s kitchen with various meats marinating in home-made mayonnaise and seasoned just right.

“I like herbs,” Tran says. “It makes the flavour and that’s important.”

And, in that same kitchen, there is nary a recipe book and Tran doesn’t cook from trial and error: “It’s all up here,” he says, pointing at his head. “I think it through.”

Coming from Viet Nam, Tran is accustomed to a totally different kind of pasta, but he trained under an Italian chef for four years and learned what works best here.

The genius of the spices was a recurrent theme Saturday night and I enjoyed a meal with my Lovely Dinner Companion (what the heck did you think LDC meant?).

Both of us had visited the Pasta Palace over lunch hours with our various friends and colleagues, but this was a first time we went for a dinner. So, it was the first time we could relax and not speed through a meal in order to be back to work in time.

We started with entrees that, at once, proved the gentle touch Tran had with his spice rack: The Brushetta was like air in my mouth that had the most delicate taste.

It was served cool, so it wasn’t

soggy, and the fresh basil and parmesan was appreciated all the more.

We also had the Antipasto Plate that was just fun. We could try the grilled chicken that was so tender I was tempted to order it as a main course. Tran said it was marinated just as long as the larger pieces for the meals.

“Ooh,” I mumbled around a piece of Italian Sausage. “That

packs a punch.” My LDC somehow understood that it was spicy and instantly speared her own piece: “I like that,” she said.

And she liked the egg plant, which is unusual because she doesn’t normally like it.

Along with artichoke hearts, spiced olives and marinated sundried tomatoes, there was a lot going on. We stared at the plate when we were done and played “Name That Spice” from the leftovers.

Before the main course, we had a salad with a light home-made dressing. “Customers buy this by the litre to take home,” said Tran’s wife, Lisa.

Since 70 percent of the meals served at Pasta Palace are pasta dishes, we decided to go with the flow and ordered two of the many varieties of pasta.

My LDC pointed at her Fettuccine, “That’s smoked salmon, that’s 10 times better right there.”

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There were also tomatoes, onions and artichoke hearts in a dill white wine garlic butter sauce. And there were little taste explosions from the tiny capers throughout.

My Seafood Linguine proved that the pasta was just a carrier for all of the great tastes Henry finessed onto the plate. And seeing the shrimp and mussels with their shells still on was just the flourish the meal needed.

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Tel. 393-3337 Behind TD Bank - 2112 2nd Avenue

This review is not meant to judge quality of food or service. It only describes the experience offered by the reviewed restaurant. The owners were informed in advance of the review and the meals were provided at no cost.

3 Whats COOKING Mmm…Delicious… Restaurant Listings

Bocelli’s Pizzeria 667-4838 Mama says,”Don’t sit around eating the greasy pizza, call Bocelli’s for authentic Italian cusine”. Bocelli’s features Skillfully prepared handtossed Pizza, baked pasta, awesome salads and much, much more. Call ahead for quick take out Open Tues–Sat 3–8pm The Cranberry Bistro 302 Wood Street Ethnic food from around the world.

Pannini sandwiches, whole wheat pizzas, Ethnic street food, vegetarian specials, delicious homemade pastries, organic gourmet coffees and teas.

Open Mon–Fri 9am–4pm The Cellar Steakhouse and Wine Bar 667-2572 Try our Tapas, or stop by after the show and enjoy our decadent deserts and specialty coffees.

Only the finest quality and service provided since 1967. Located in the Edgewater Hotel The Deli 667-7583 Join us for lunch Monday thru Friday.

Homemade soups, daily specials, deli sandwiches, and homemade sausages. Grab it to go or meet with a friend.

Try Us!

And it was delightful to see Henry’s family working with him.

His daughter, Leena, is a server and his son, Andy, washes dishes and helps with the cooking when possible.

His wife, Lisa, says her only job is to welcome guests and offer a smile.

It gives new meaning to, “A family restaurant”.

The Edge Bar & Grill located in the Edgewater Hotel Whitehorse’s best kept secret.

Excellent food. Excellent service.

Open holidays Java Connection 668-2196 Come & Enjoy the friendly atmosphere, and try our unique, made to order lunches, specialty coffees & snacks. Good times, good food, good value. Located in the heart of downtown. 3125 3rd Ave. Klondike Rib & Salmon BBQ 667-7554 Have you been waiting all winter for our Klondike Size Fish & Chips or some Fresh Sourdough Bread Pudding topped with our Yukon Jack Carmel Sauce??? Well…

Wait No More… We are starting our 2005 season this Mother’s Day, Sunday May 8 4pm–9pm

La Gourmandise Creperie & World Cuisine Exquisite dinners and decadent desserts. Spoil mom this Mother’s Day, Sunday May 8. For Reservations call 456-4127 Corner of Steel and Fourth Sanchez Cantina 668-5858 Savour the flavours of Mexico at Yukon’s only true Mexican restaurant. Ceviche, adobos, enchiladas, chile relleno, mole poblano, pollo en pipian, huauchinango a la Veracruzana pozole, and so much more. Call for reservations. Mon-Sat Lunch 11:30–3:30, Dinner 4:30–9:30 Pasta Palace 667-6888 Specializing in pasta, Ask about Henry’s daily specials, dine in or take out, open Mon–Sat Madtrapper Bistro 393-3337 Best soup in town, breakfast all day, and now we serve steak and Ribs. Call about our daily specials.

Sam N’ Andy’s Enjoy our warm friendly atmosphere.

We’re more than just Mexican food try out our other great menu selections.

Daily food and beverage specials. Kids always welcome. Open daily at 11am, Sundays at 4pm.

Sam’s Kitchen 668-4567 Western and Chinese Food 7am–9pm Located in the 202 Wolf’s Den Restaurant Try our schnitzels, cheese or meat fondues and raclettes. Come with friends, sit back and relax. For reservations call 393-3968 Westmark Whitehorse 393-9738 A Special Mothers Day Brunch at the Westmark Whitehorse Reservations highly recommended 10 AM – 2:30 PM Sunday, May 8th Deadline for May 6 issue Monday April 25 by 5pm

What’s Up, YUKON!

April 22, 2005

Sheep and Cranes Provide Entertainment FARO t’s kind of like a soap opera out there.”

This is the conclusion of PhD Researcher John Loehr, of the University of Finland, who comes to Faro each spring to study the Fannin’s sheep. To put a finer point on it, he is trying to prove his hypothesis that colour variation in thin-horned sheep is a sign of dominance.

While sitting on mountains surrounding Faro, he has watched third-rate sheep mature into the more dominant one only a year later. And he has watched other lower-ranked sheep get picked on all year, then pull a trick that gets him a ewe: “Well, here it’d be called rape,” says Loehr.

From May 6 to 8, the world will come to his “mountain” as the Town of Faro hosts its annual Crane and Sheep Viewing Festival.

Ryn Bunicich, community development co-ordinator for Faro, has helped put together three days of wild photography workshops, films, barbecues, music, spring

5

RECIPE From the kitchen of Pasta Palace

“I

PENNE 4 Servings

INGREDIENTS 250 grams dry penne pasta 4 tablespoons virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons chopped onion 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 2 fresh tomatoes (diced) 10 fresh mushrooms (sliced) 10 slices bacon 2 tablespoons chopped parsley 1 tablespoon salt 1⁄2 tablespoon pepper

Fannin’s sheep will be the stars of the Crane and Sheep Viewing Festival in Faro May 6 to 8. Photo: John Loehr birding tours and First Nation stories told around a campfire.

The most notable thing about the weekend is the credentials of those who will be leading the workshops and speaking to the audiences.

Pampering Yukoners is what we do Britany, Bretonnes, crepes

“And to think we were just here for desert made the experience all the more decadent” Review What’s Up Yukon

For Reservations Call 456-4127

Wild is Wonderful

When you’re talking fish Fresh & Wild Alaskan Halibut & King Salmon, Cod, Snapper, Tuna

& more Live Clams, Mussels, Oysters & Atlantic Lobster, Smoked Salmon & Jerky

Scott Herron is a northern ecosystem specialist for the Canadian Wildlife Service. He will be discussing sandhill cranes and explaining why Faro is an ideal setting. He says the Tintina Trench is a linear, low-level approach to the North.

He has counted 50,000 cranes in one 45-minute period before.

They travel 500 to 600 kilometres a day but will only land in Faro if the weather gets bad. There were 40,000 cranes at the airport in Faro when the weather was foul.

Also offering expertise to the festival is Dr. Jim Pojar, of the Yukon Chapter of CPAWs, Conservation Officer Kirby Meister and Regional Wildlife Biologist Todd Powell.

Herron says he has heard a “buzz” about the Crane and Sheep Viewing Festival. “I know people who went last year and they were impressed,” he says. “Faro is doing a great job.

“It’s a great idea.”

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Watch for news on our summer hours!

PREPARATION Bring 10 cups of water to a boil.

Pour in pasta and cook 5 to 7 minutes.

Drain.

Rinse with cold water for 2 minutes.

Let dry for 1 minute.

Mix with oil.

Set it aside.

Put 2 tablespoons virgin olive oil in a Teflon pan and heat.

Add garlic, onion and bacon and sauté for 1 minute until onion is soft and the garlic smells.

Add tomato, mushroom and heat for 1 minute.

Add pasta.

Season with salt, pepper and garnish with parsley.

Turn stove to medium heat and cook for 2 minutes.

Add 1 more tablespoon of virgin olive oil before taking off heat.

Put on a plate and cover it with fresh parmesan.

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“The True Northern Flavour” Trevor & Dona welcome welcome everyone to their 2005 re-opening MOTHER’S DAY, Sunday May 8. 4pm-9pm

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What’s Up, YUKON!

6

April 22, 2005

Our Rainbows Contain Shades of Mud Spring is the season of dirt

H

ooray, spring is here!

Awesome. The sun is back! Excellent. I’ve actually seen some people wearing shorts. It is time soak up the multitude of visual wonders that surround us and to delight in the optical cornucopia that is the Yukon spring.

Now, before we begin, it is important to exercise caution.

After a winter of whiteness, it is sometimes difficult to adjust to the world of colours that surround us in the springtime. Greens. Yellows. Purples. Reds.

Well, maybe if you push really hard on your eyelids and hold your thumbs there for a couple of minutes you’ll experience color like that. If you are looking outside, don’t look too hard for the color green that most people on the planet associate with the word “spring”. We do things differently around here.

Yukon schoolchildren, when asked to draw a picture of what they did on their March Break, usually reach first for the big, fat grey crayon. Then they grab all the different brown crayons they can find and ....Voila! Spring in the Yukon! Skilfully recreated in all the vibrant nuances of brown and grey.

When drawing my own pictures of Yukon spring, one of my favourite Yukon-coloured crayons from my jumbo box of Crayolas

with Chris McNutt is “Paper Bag”. I use that color when drawing the residue in the back seat of my car or the dried puddles in a parking lot. It also works well for drawing the grass on my lawn.

But it’s not all brown in the Yukon spring, so you better find your grey crayons as well. “Iron Lung” is a crayon I use when I’m drawing plastic bags that are melting out of snow banks in the ditch.

I need to add a touch of black along with “Iron Lung” when I’m

trying to capture the metallic glint of the rifle barrel I have stuffed in my mouth.

I know, that’s a little severe, the grass will start growing in another month and the leaves should be out before June. If we are lucky, everything will be on fire soon after that, and all the wonderful beige will be replaced by the stunning ash and charcoal tones that permeate the northern boreal forests in the summer months.

Even if nothing green appears, we can always count on our fungi friends, the mushrooms, to appear and fill the charred forests with their grey and brown glory. A mushroom is always the best part of a salad anyway, so why bother with the lettuce?

We are lucky to live in the monochromatic splendour of the Yukon where we never have to risk frying our optic nerves from too much colour. Too much colour will only increase the overall cheerfulness of your disposition and that will not help in our fight against the smoking bylaws, which at this time of year seems a little severe.

The whole territory is coloured like an ashtray. You might as well let the people smoke.

It’s a Dog Show ... Yukon Style

“T

hat’s like a beauty contest,” says Nancy Brady. “Nobody puts on airs, this is the Yukon.”

That would be the main difference between the upcoming obedience trials and the dog shows a person may see on television.

Brady, secretary of the Whitehorse Woofers Dog Club, says because the obedience trials are a United Kennel Club all-breed event, dogs don’t have to have pedigrees that prove they are pure.

“Like my two,” says Brady.

“They were rescued dogs I got from the shelter.”

Competitions will be basic for the novices and will include such things as heeling, sit and stay, down and stay and jumps. The more advanced “utility” dogs will try off-leash heeling and retrieving a scented article, in this case a dumbbell, from among several others.

There will be ribbons for High in Trial and High Aggregate Trial.

The Whitehorse Woofers Dog club promotes responsible dog

ownership while developing “a positive, happy relationship with our canine companions using positive, non-force training methods.

Dogs and handlers will be marked on ability as well as good sportsmanship and a happy attitude.

On April 30, the trials will begin at 1:00 p.m. and the next day it will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Brady says non-members are welcome: “The dogs have fun out there ... they have a good time.”

Information is available at 633-3817.

S

What’s Up, TONIGHT!

Capital Hotel Sundays–Wednesdays Live Music Apr. 24–27 Bull Moose from Montreal May 1–5 Joshua’s Habit from Edmonton Thursdays — 3JDJ spins Top Forty and Your Requests Fridays — DJ’s House Arrest and Synapse spin East and West Coast Hip-Hop with MC Dedicado Saturdays — DJKJ Brings you the best dance music period Student Specials 7–11 Every Night

98 Hotel We’ve got character. We’ve got the second oldest Liquor license in Canada.

We’ve got Fiddle Night with Joe Loutchan & company every Thursday.

Mama’s Pub & Grill Wednesday Wing Night Thursday Pint Night Friday Free “Happy Hour” Appies “Sexy Saturday” Slippery shooter Specials

202 Hotel April 21, 22, 23 and April 28, 29,30 Loose Enz: Chris & Kevin Moir, Tim Naylor, Neil Byblow Country and Rock Music Nightly Specials

Discovery Bar

Whitehorse

202 Hotel Airline Convenience Store Air North Backerei Kaffee Haus Backwater Lounge Better Bodies BMO Bocelli’s Pizza Boston Pizza Capital Hotel Chocolate Claim Cranberry Bistro Curves DeeJ’s Porter Creek Deli Discovery Bar Domino’s Pizza Edgewater Hotel Elijah Smith Building Esso Famous Video Food Fair High Country Inn Java Connection Kopper King

MacCaulay Lodge Mac’s Fireweed Mad Trapper Bistro Midnight Sun Coffee Shops Pasta Palace Peak Fitness Petro Canada McCrae Riverside Grocery Sam ‘n Andy’s Shoppers On Main Sport Yukon Subway On Main Super A Riverdale T&M Tags Tony’s Pizza Trails North Waterstone WGH Lobby Yukon Arts Centre Yukon Brewing Company Yukon College YTG Cafeteria Yukon Inn Yukon Liquor Store Yukon Tire Yukon Tourism

Watson Lake

Sign Post Temp & Gas Belvedere Hotel Petro Canada Gas Sears Outlet/ Judith’s Fashions

Dawson City

Maximilian’s Kiac Downtown Hotel Eldorado The Pit

Inuvik

Rexall Drugs North Mart News Stand Eskimo Hotel

Burwash Landing

Haines Junction

Carcross

Old Crow

Carmacks

Pelly Crossing

Resort

Montana Services

Madley’s General Store Northern Store

Casa Loma

Ross River

Happy Hours Mon-Fri 5-7 House Band: Yukon Jack

Talbot Arm Hotel

Ross River Dena Store Jakes Corner

Faro

Teslin

Westmark Whitehorse Lounge

Carmacks Hotel & Grocery Store

Destruction Bay Discovery Store

Selkirk Groceries

Nisutlin Trading Post

Mayo

Post Office

Atlin

Food Basket

Beaver Creek 1202 Motor Inn

April 21, 22, 23 and April 28, 29, 30 Dave Haddock, Paul Stevens, and Ed White Tuesdays Jam Night Wednesdays and Saturdays Karaoke Thursdays and Fridays Live Blues Entertainment

667-2910

Email: Tammy Beese sales@whatsupyukon.com

In the Westmark Lounge.

Every Friday night from: 5–6 PM — Free Appies 6–9 PM — A new Tapas menu every week and great live music

What’s Up, YUKON!

April 22, 2005

I

7

It’s the Attack of the Light Brigade

n 1999, Fred Eckhardt wrote about our Arctic Red beer in All About Beer Magazine. He wrote nice things, like “this is one fine brew” and “a very complex beer, amply hopped, but not so much that one can’t enjoy the malts” and “the effect develops smoothly with wonderful balance and a very satisfying caramel touch in the aftertaste”.

So, who is Fred Eckhardt? Eckhardt lives in Portland, Oregon, and writes books on beer (like The Essentials of Beer Styles) and writes articles for beer magazines (like All About Beer). And he’s a smart guy, enjoying our Arctic Red that much. Of course, this was just when it was ranked the Number One amber ale in the world ... it currently sits at Number Two. Not long after this, Eckhardt was given the task of writing about light beer. How did he begin?

“An article about light beer?

Would you ask a food writer to babble on about the benefits of Velveeta or Cheese Whiz, or extol the delights of Folger’s Crystals?

Would a music critic salute the beauty of Muzak? Is there a wine writer who will celebrate the joy of Thunderbird?”

You get the idea ... he was pretty thrilled about it. But, you know what, light beer accounts for 47 percent of the beer currently consumed in the United States. I know what you are going to say, it’s all light beer over there. Actually, in the U.S. alcohol content is normally given in ‘alcohol by weight’, while here in Canada we use ‘alcohol by volume’. Regular Canadian beer at 5.0 percent alcohol by weight is equal to 4.0 percent alcohol by volume. So, that U.S. beer that you scoff at might be the same as ours ... be careful.

So, nearly half of all U.S. beer consumed is a light beer. How about in Canada, you ask? The number currently stands at 17 percent. And in the Yukon? That number is 5 percent. Maybe Fred Eckhardt should move to the Yukon?

Well, given those figures, you might say that we are about as likely to make a light beer as to get new tanks made in China.

Well, the Chinese tanks are here and installed and making beer ... some of it Chilkoot Light, as a matter of fact.

Why would we do this? Well, a couple of reasons. As mentioned in a previous Beer Buzz, we sell a beer or two to tourists in the summer. Where do they come from?

According to border crossing statistics, they are about 80 percent from the U.S. What kind of beer will they be looking for? The data says, every other beer they buy will be a light beer.

And in March, Molson Coors Brewing Co. (yep, that’s what they are called now) unveiled plans to turn around its Canadian beer business by making Canadian beer drinkers more like Americans.

They are launching a new ad campaign aimed at nearly doubling sales of Coors Light in Canada.

They see that, over the past three years, Molson’s brands are down 5 percent while light beer sales have

Happy Hour Mon- Fri

grown 7 percent. Will that generate more interest in the light beer category ... we think it might.

Finally, we see an opportunity for a light draught beer. You can find some in the Yukon here and there.

But Chilkoot Light will be the only light draught beer with full-time availability in the Yukon. And there might just be a niche there.

Fair warning, though ... while light beers generally have little

colour and few dextrins (those unfermentable sugars that give beer its great flavour), we think Chilkoot Light still tastes pretty good. Not quite a Lead Dog Ale, mind you, but pretty good.

This story is provided by Yukon Brewing Company, an organization that is no lightweight in the battle for the hearts and minds of beer drinkers.

Stringing an Online Line

I

Practise safe text

nternet dating has rapidly become the “modern” way for singles to meet each other. It makes sense in our fast-paced, busy lives that there should be an equivalent fast food option to our love lives. This is true in both the straight and gay world.

night, this means there is a good chance they are (a) already in a relationship or (b) so in the closet that they only operate during vampire hours.

When writing a profile one should try and avoid using all the same catch phrases; it becomes

with Vanessa Willett

The process of online dating begins with posting a profile on one of the many websites available. In this profile one should be scrupulously honest in conveying oneself. Of course, this isn’t always the case. People will often paint a false portrait in the vain hope that somehow these discrepancies won’t be noted upon the first meeting.

One has to become somewhat adept at reading between the lines when reading these profiles.

Here are some guidelines: If someone insists they are not into head games this can be translated as meaning they are only interested in playing their head games; yours will not be tolerated. If they say they can only talk to you online at specific times, generally late at

boring. For example; the aforementioned “not into head games,” (is way over-used); “looking for my soul-mate,” (gag); “I love to laugh,” (well who doesn’t); and “I am totally honest,” (doubt that that is an honest statement).

The positive side of the Internet is you can meet a diverse number of people from across the country and around the world.

The Internet really has created a global village.

A reminder that G.A.L.A.’s Spring Thaw dance is going to be held at the Guild Hall on Saturday, April 30, at 9 p.m. We will be serving tropical blender drinks and we encourage people to wear their best (or worst) tropical attire.

Come and join us in getting rid of the winter blues.

Live Entertainment

Free Appies Every Friday

Sam McGee’s Bar & Grill Located in the 202 Hotel

4109 - 4th Avenue Whitehorse (867) 668-4545

206 Jarvis Street, Whitehorse Yt Phone:668-4567 Fax: 667-6154

Loose Enz • Chris and Kevin Moir • Tim Naylor • Neil Byblow Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays for the Month of April

What’s Up, YUKON!

8

One More Time This Year, Everybody is Irish “There are fans of Irish music everywhere.”

The Irish Descendents will be performing at the Yukon Convention Centre April 29 and 30 and again at the St. Elias Convention Centre May 1.

T

here is nothing in particular that makes the Irish Descendents believe they will find fans of Irish music in the Yukon.

Except, perhaps, the fact that, “There are fans of Irish music everywhere,” says Irish Descendent, Mike Hanrahan.

“It’s one of those universal styles that bring us together because it is based on having a good time.

“You don’t have to be in Dublin or Boston or even Newfoundland to find fans,” says Hanrahan, the group’s banjo-bouzouki-mandolin player.

“In my experience, most fans of Irish music hear it once and become fanatics.”

The Irish Descendents will be performing at the Yukon Convention Centre April 29 and 30. And, the next evening, on May 1, they will be at the St. Elias Convention Centre in Haines Junction.

Hanrahan says the band has never been to the Yukon and is looking forward to seeing the scenery and people. But he also hopes our spring is keeping pace with their home base in Newfoundland.

It was there that two bands merged to form the Irish Descendents in 1990. One year later, it released an album, Misty Morning Shore. After 1993’s Look To The Sea, the Descendents broke out with its Juno Award-winning Gypsies and Lovers in 1995. The band also won the 1996 East Coast Music Award for East Coast Music Entertainers of the Year and saw Look To The Sea turn gold.

Touring and more recording followed. The band played at Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations and was a guest of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.

Travelling to Ireland, the Irish press dubbed it, “the lost Celtic

tribe of Newfoundland” from “the land the Irish forgot”.

Now, with a new producer, the band is breaking into the United States market. An album, We Are The Irish Descendents, came out in January and Across The Water was released in March.

Hanrahan says the band’s stage show is a mixture of upbeat music that is meant for dancing and a few tender ballads. Then there is some comic relief thrown in for good measure.

“It’s good times music that tells of history, myth, circumstance, suffering and pride combined to give us hope.”

April 22, 2005

Hey there, Watson Lakers!

You are a kindred spirit of What’s Up Yukon.

You have a fun water slide, a fun sign forest, a fun Northern Lights Facility, a fun golf course and a fun lake front for waterskiing.

You are all about fun! We are all about fun!

Fun capital Extraordinaire? We say YES

Pick up your Free What’s Up Yukon At:

• Belevedere Hotel — Special Thanks to Pat Irving for helping organize our distribution points!

• Judith Fashions / Sears

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• Watson Lake Food & Gas Email Your Upcoming events to Darrell Hookey editor@whatsupyukon.com

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Tri-athletes, marathon runners and adventure athletes often down small packets of gel, providing a timely blast of energy. Why couldn’t this exact system work for daily consumption of vitamins and mInerals? Agel stands at the head of a supplement revolution — incredible convenience, incredible flavour, incredible results!

For more detailed information and our upcoming presentation schedule on call Derek Endress at 867-456-4923 or email us at derek.endress@gmail.com

An opportunity to get in on the ground floor...

What’s Up, YUKON!

April 22, 2005

Donations Mail: Cycle Canada for Ronald McDonald House 5 Williams Place, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 5R2 Email: Cyclecan4rmh@hotmail.com Website:www.cyclecanada4rmh.org

The Town of Faro’s Second Annual Crane & Sheep Viewing Festival

May 6, 7 and 8, 2005 DON’T MISS ONE OF NORTH AMERICA’S MOST SPECTACULAR MIGRATIONS! On the first weekend of May, the beautiful Pelly River Valley will echo with the trilling chorus of Y thousands of Sandhill Cranes. While on their way to nesting grounds in western Alaska and North-eastern Siberia, the birds funnel through the Yukon’s “Bird Highway”: the Tintina Trench. Join us to watch as they swoop, soar and ride thermals right over the Town of Faro.

Faro businesses are pleased to offer you all the conveniences, special festival packages on accommodations, and the secluded John Connolly RV Park has full services like hot showers, washrooms, water/power hook-ups dump-station etc. and is located close to the center of Town. The rate for overnight stay is only $5.00. No reservations can be made for the sites. Please register at arrival at the Campbell Region Interpretive Centre, which is conveniently located adjacent from the RV Park. Overflow sites are available.

USFWS

SUNDAY MAY 8TH IS MOTHER’S DAY. What better way to celebrate than to watch as thousands of future moms soar overhead on their way to nest?

This will be an experience your mom will not forget!

Faro’s Annual Crane & Sheep Viewing Festival 2005 Program Friday May 6th, 2005 7:00pm-11:00pm

7:00pm-8:30pm Yukon Science Institute Presents: COLOUR, ICE AND SHEEP: UNRAVELLING EVOLUTIONARY MYSTERIES. Fannin’s Sheep researcher John Loehr unlocks the secrets of the Fannin’s Sheep.

Location: Faro Recreation Centre 8:30pm-9:00pm FILM: MOUNTAIN SHEEP, LIFE ON THE EDGE Learn about the wild sheep species of North America.

Location: Faro Recreation Centre 9:15pm-11.00pm CRANE FILM: WINGED MIGRATION A documentary about migratory patterns of birds

by French director Jacques Perrin. This production was shot over the course of three years on all seven continents. You will be overloaded with breathtaking scenes and music.

Location: Faro Recreation Centre Saturday May 7th, 2005 9:00am-10:30pm 9:00am-12:00pm * WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP Fine tune your photography skills to “shoot” wildlife at its best with an experienced professional Photographer who will teach you some of the tips and tricks of successful photography.

Location: Faro Recreation Centre

Saturday (cont) 1:45pm-2:30pm CRANE & SHEEP VIEWING with Canadian Wildlife Services specialist Scott Herron and Fannin’s Sheep Researcher John Loehr Spot Faro’s Fannin’s Sheep roam the edges of Sheep Mountain while flocks of Sandhill Cranes migrate overhead. Scott Herron and John Loehr will answer all your questions.

Location: Faro Sheep Station 2:45pm-3:45pm REFRESHMENT BREAK AND FIRE PIT STORY TELLING Listen to catching stories that were past down through generations of the First Nation people that inhabited this area since thousands of years.

Location: Faro Arboretum 3:45pm-5:15pm ECOLOGY EXCURSION with Dr. Jim Pojar, CPAWS-Yukon Learn about the trees, plant communities, and lichens — why they grow where they do and how they form important habitat for wildlife species Location: start at the Faro Arboretum

Saturday (cont) 8:00pm-9:00pm TALKING CRANES with Canadian Wildlife Service’s Scott Herron & bird quiz with prizes “Sandhill Cranes. A celebration of Sandhill Cranes through literature, photography and art, with a focus on Sandhill Crane evolution, natural history, ecology, migration, conservation and cultural value”.

Location: Faro Recreation Centre 9:00pm-10:30pm: LOCAL PERFORMERS FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Watch and listen local performers entertain you and your family. You may even want to get your feet off the floor!

Location: Faro Recreation Centre Sunday May 8th, 2005 10:00am-12:00pm 9:00am-12:00pm SPRING BIRDING TOUR with birding experts Gerry & Mary Whitley Mary and Gerry Whitley are active members of the Yukon Bird Club. They will take you on a Spring Birding Tour and visit birding hotspots around Town.

Location: start at the Campbell Region Interpretive Centre

6:00pm-8:00pm WILD MEAT BBQ with local musician entertainment Get the taste of moose, caribou, bear and more……

Location: Faro Recreation Centre 12:00pm END OF FESTIVAL 7:00pm-10:30pm ANVIL RANGE ART SOCIETY EXHIBITION To learn more about cranes, please visit the & SILENT AUCTION International Crane Foundation’s website at www.

The local Art Society will display some of their amaz- savingscranes.org. ing artwork and you will get a chance to bid on it.

To learn more about the celebration of International Location: Faro Recreation Centre Migratory Bird Day, check out www.birdday.org.

BIRD & WILDLIFE WATCHING WORKSHOP AND EXCURSION with Conservation Officer Kirby Meister and Regional Wildlife Biologist Todd Powell Find the best places to watch birds and wildlife and learn about non-intrusive tactics to spot. Two seasoned wildlife specialists will take you on a technical and practical tour of the art watching bird and wildlife. l For more information please contact the Town of Faro by phone at 867-994-2728, Location: start at Faro Recreation Centre email at info@faroyukon.ca or visit our website @ www.faroyukon.ca.

Environment Canada Pacific and Yukon Region

Environnement Canada Région du Pacifique et du Yukon

9

Cycle Canada for Ronald McDonald House

R

onald McDonald House, in Vancouver, has been like a second home to Marcia Davidson.

It is not the second home anyone wants, but it was invaluable when Davidson was six years old and her brother, Bryce, was battling cancer. Living in Whitehorse, it was a place for the family to remain together during lengthy treatments in hospital: “We spent birthdays there and Christmases there; it was like a home away from home.”

Bryce was three at the time and he lost the battle at age six.

Today, Davidson is 21 and a student of University of Victoria. And she has found a way to give back to Ronald McDonald House.

In mid-May, she and her boyfriend, Fabio Scaldaferri, will dip a toe in the Pacific Ocean at Vancouver and then ride their bikes to the Atlantic. They expect it will take three months and Davidson won’t just dip her toe in the Atlantic, instead, “I will definitely jump in.”

It is a way for them to raise money for Ronald McDonald House at the same time as fulfilling a dream.

Davidson says she met a girl who took a similar trip a few years ago to raise money for a different cause. “I couldn’t think of anything else for three days,” she says today.

A year later, she met Scaldaferri and he told her about a bicycle trip across Canada he had to abandon because he couldn’t

sell his vehicle in enough time to finance it.

“For a trip of this magnitude, it had to be for a cause,” says Davidson. “I proposed the idea (of Ronald McDonald House) and he said, ‘Yeah, perfect’.

“That was our motivation.”

Davidson took a semester off from university and moved back to Whitehorse to organize the trip and to get into shape for it.

Scaldaferri is a tri-athlete and “is really good without really trying too hard,” says Davidson with a hint of jealousy. But she has been working out at Better Bodies with the free membership the business had given her.

The instructors have given her advice on nutrition and pedal stroke.

And she has been lifting weights for conditioning and endurance ... physical as well as mental.

She needs to be able to ride 120 kilometres a day. She knows she can do that, but can she do it the next day and the next?

The other task is raising money from corporate donors. Davidson has 100 letters to hand out and she hopes she can make her appeal stand out from all the others that businesses receive. At the same time, she needs to raise $7,000 for food, gear and shelter for along the way.

So what do the folks at Ronald McDonald House think?: “They are very, very excited,” said Davidson.

What’s Up Yukon will follow Cycle Canada for Ronald McDonald House in each issue.

Nina’s Numbers • Bookeeping • Computerized Accounting • Office management • Friendly Professional Service

Phone: 668-6237 Fax: 633-6445 Email: ninas@whtvcable.com

10

I

Yukon Women Do It Best

f you have never had the occasion to see one of the Yukon Women in Music’s presentations, you are missing an integral part of the Yukon music scene.

The YWIM regularly stage shows in local venues that highlight songwriters and musicians known and soon to be known.

Last Saturday, I was privileged to witness the performances of three of the Yukon’s finest on

I really enjoyed her set and look forward to hearing her again.

It never crossed my mind until Lara Lewis got behind her keyboard that most of the acts I’ve seen and reviewed have been guitar acts.

With a firm posture and a big smile on her face, Lewis showed that guitars are not the only game in town. Her repertoire included a stylistic mix of jazz, pop, blues

What’s Up, YUKON!

Watson Lake Music Festival Victoria Day Weekend May 20th to 22nd 2005

BIF NA

and even a saloon styling with her rendition of Tom Waits’, Dirt In The Ground.

During her set, she broke into an improvised version of “Name That Tune” with members of the audience.

It takes a lot of guts to perform originals in front of complete strangers who are out looking for a night of entertainment. What this evening showed me was a willingness of the audience to suspend judgement while letting the performer get on with her job and perform. The result is a vibrant scene that can only get better time as goes on.

I would like to propose to the Yukon Women In Music, collectively of course, that they get together and build a web page that could promote their good work to the world. Biographies of members and visiting artists could be posted, events could be promoted and samples of music could be made available for download. strangethingsdone@hotmail.com

featuring

KED

with Bill Polonsky

stage at The Backwater Lounge.

I got to the venue a bit late but was able to see most of Heather Loewens’ set.

Loewens alternated between acoustic and electric guitar as the song required. Other than one cover tune, she played exclusively original compositions. Her lyrics, heartfelt and often witty, were sung with a clear honest voice.

One of her songs, Black Widow Death Drive, was particularly amusing. It’s the kind of song that I wish I could have on a personal jukebox to play over and over.

Next on the stage was Kate Weekes. With songs that tell a story, this balladeer sings and plays guitar with conviction.

Though she has a strong voice, it contains an airy quality that hints at an underlying vulnerability. Her songs are strong on story and peppered with just enough lyrical hooks to tickle my ears.

Musically I heard references to classic 60’s folk, 30’s or 40’s popular styles and straight-ahead rock mixed together.

April 22, 2005

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Parent Advisory — Mature language and content (14+)

We want to know

For more info call Terry at (867) 536-7778 or Nancy at (867) 536-7366

What ’s UP

Email your upcoming events to editor@whatsupyukon.com

What’s Up, YUKON!

April 22, 2005

11

Here, There Be Pirates

Pirates: Live the Life has been resurrected

Q

uite a number of years ago, I remember sitting at my parent’s computer playing Pirates! by Sid Meier.

The ships were barely discernable as ships. A small ship, like a pinnace, was a small pointed oval while a frigate was a large pointed

the swords were three different lines on the screen; the thicker the line, the slower the sword could be swung but the more damage it would deal.

The sword fight scenes that followed had two stickmen face off with their thin, medium or thick

with Justin Lemphers

oval. The sails were oddly shaped: white, appendages that stuck out at bizarre angles. When the ships changed tack, they did not turn smoothly but made an instant transition of 30 degrees.

When the sword selection menu was presented for a sword fight,

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lines in hand. The combatants would then proceed to move in a succession of jerks and stutters until the superior fencer forced the loser to their knees.

I was captivated by it.

Over the years, I played Pirates less as more sophisticated games were developed. When I heard “Sea-dog Sid” was releasing a new Pirates title for the PC, I was thrilled. I picked up my copy just before Christmas and resumed my love of swashbuckling with eager

anticipation.

Pirates: Live The Life is everything the original Pirates was and more. The game allows people to play in any fashion they choose.

I could be a smuggler, carrying goods from port to port, or a blood thirsty pirate, hunted by all. I chose to play the role of an English mercenary for hire and did what I could to further Dutch interests in the 1600s.

The opening scenes are nicely, 3D rendered sequences, and give players a taste of the subtle, comic element evident in the game. My character, the hero (a fit young man, in a billowing, white shirt), faced down the domineering, ragged and ugly captain to win control of his first ship.

Of course from then on it made perfect sense that all barmaids were always exotic and busty and villains were always sneering, scarred, and thin. Best of all were the mayors or governors of ports.

They all spoke with grand and eloquent gestures, and spent most of their time waving their hands

Pirates: Live The Life is for those who like the adventure and romance of piracy on the open seas ... and in port. lazily in the air or eating grapes off of platters held by servants.

From the first port, I moved onto the open sea and was happy to find that I had the choice of sailing with either the classic top-down view, or a new crow’s nest view of what lay ahead of the ship. Sailing was incredibly easy to manage and the look and feel of the ship upon the waves was a joy.

Pirates: Live The Life has come a long way from the original title in many areas, but best of all is sound and music. When I sailed in

my royal sloop to attack a merchantman that was reported by a friendly bartender to be carrying a fortune in gold, I could hear the sound of the cannons and surf. Boarding the merchantmen was accompanied by a crash of splintering wood and the sword fight that followed not only moved smoothly, but also sounded great.

Anyone who enjoys the romance attached to being a pirate, privateer or merchant on the Caribbean is sure to love this game.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

12

April 22, 2005

? What ’s HAPPENING

WHITEHORSE Putting On The Glitz Hair show April 21 doors open 7:30 pm show starts 8:00pm, Yukon formal, silent auction, tickets $10 at Hougen Ticket Office or PCSS. Annual Ducks Unlimited Banquet and Auction April 23, 7:30 p.m. Info: 668-3825.

Celebration of Swans until April 24 at Swan Haven on Marsh Lake’s M’Clintock Bay. Lake Laberge Lions Trade Show April 29 – May 1 Mt. Mac Rec Centre, for more info call 668-7979 G.A.L.A’s Spring Thaw Dance April 30, 9 p.m., at the Guild Hall.

United Kennel Club Obedience Trials April 30, 1 p.m., and May 1, 10 a.m., at Hidden Valley School.

Hosted by Whitehorse Woofers Dog Club. Licensed all-breed and mixed breed. Info: 633-3817.

Main Designs Cut-a-thon May 1. All hair cuts $25 and will all be donated to Run For Mom. Appointments: 668-7322.

Tea and Bake Sale May 7, 1 p.m., at Golden Age Centre.

Run For Mom May 8 Mother’s Day 1pm run, walk, bike 6km start at Rotary Peace Park. For more info contact Val Pike 393-8784. Help support local breast health programs.

Cancer Relay For Life June 4 at 7pm & June 5 at 7am, Contact Jan McKenzie 668-6440 or email: jmckenzie@bc.cancer.ca Community Garden Sign-up and seed exchange Saturday April 23rd, 11am – 2pm. Second Opinion Society, 708 Black St. Call Joan 668-5774.

ONGOING EVENTS Bingo Saturdays starting at 9 a.m. at the Elk’s Hall.

Northern Fibres Guild meets second Tuesday of each month between September and June at 7:30 p.m. at TC Richards Building.

Pinetree Quilters meet first and third Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at United Church basement.

Learner of the Year Award nominations to be accepted until May 31 at Yukon Learn Society. Info: 668-6280 or 1-888-668-6280.

Bridge Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Golden Age Centre, Sport Yukon Complex.

Scottish Country Dancing Wednesdays 7-9:30 p.m. at Elijah Smith School gymnasium.

No experience or partner necessary. Info: Michele at 633-6081.

MEETINGS La Leche League Canada meets every second Saturday of the month at 11 a.m. at Yukon Family Services to offer breastfeeding information and support. Phone Suzanne at 668-5949 or Angela at 668-2262 for information.

Healing Circle every Wednesday evening 7 to 9 p.m. at Sport Yukon. Info at 393-2750.

Yukon Footbag Association AGM May 7, 5:30 p.m., at Tim Hortons’ downtown location. All are welcome.

Yukon Transportation Museum AGM April 27 7 p.m. at the museum.

Understanding the Super sized Generation April 27, at 7 p.m. at Westmark Hotel. Free RPAY presentation by Dr. Mark Tremblay that investigates the current childhood obesity epidemic in Canada. Info: 668-3010.

Downtown Residents Association Canvass for memberships. Each household is $5 for the year. Info: 667-7054.

Early French Immersion Night April 28, 7 p.m., for parents of children starting Kindergarten or Grade 1 in September, at Whitehorse Elementary School. Info: Richard Johnson at 667-8083.

FARO

HAINES JUNCTION

Annual Crane & Sheep Viewing Weekend May 6-8.

Youth Group Liard Hot Springs Trip leaves April 22 at 9 a.m. Available to those who have enough points.

Youth Weight Room Sessions Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m., at Rec Centre. Staff will assist with stretching and scheduling.

Focus on Faro Submission Deadline April 27. Info: Michelle at 994-3466.

Counteracting the Obesity Epidemic: Healthy Living Yukon-Style, RPAY’s annual conference April 28-29. Info and to register: 668-3010.

Live Words and Music April 30, 7 p.m., is the second annual writers’ festival featuring readings by five authors and music by Haines Junction’s singer/ songwriter Brenda Berezan. It is presented by the Society for Education and Culture. Info: 634-2726.

The Irish Descendants May 1, 8 p.m. Presented by The Society for Education and Culture. Info: 634-2726.

Coronary Health Improvement Project starts May 8, 6:30 p.m., at St. Elias Convention Centre. Sixteen sessions. Info: 634-4225.

Juneau’s Opera To Go — Don Pasquale May 15, 7 p.m. Presented by The Society for Education and Culture. Info: 634-2726.

TAGISH Tagish Treasures Wednesdays and Fridays, 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Seniors Stay Fit Classes Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

Stay Fit Thursdays at 7 p.m.

Coffee and Chat Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m.

WATSON LAKE Watson Lake Music Festival May 20 to 22. Features Bif Naked, gob, Sweatshop Union, War Party, Amoral Minority, Wayne Lavalee and Swamp Donkeys. Tickets: Hougens (536-7475) and Sandors (667-6171).

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STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARK PRINS

W

atching the students, the quiet intensity and strength in hands as they work the wood, one can see the future: It is a future of sustainable and valued careers of artists.

Tomorrow’s artists are being taught the skills to survive and grow in the world of today and thus giving hope to tomorrow.

Their teacher is Keith Wolf Smarch, a world class Yukon carver, who leads and teaches the carving component of this course with some assistance from Ken Anderson, a young up-and-coming Yukon carver. Teaching in traditional symbols and styles, Smarch mentors the next generation of carvers of the Yukon. With a mixture of intense four-day sessions at Sun Dog Retreat and part-time sessions at Dana Naye Ventures three times a week, carvers are mentored and directed as they carve their pieces.

Smarch teaches not just how to carve the symbols and clan images, Smarch teaches their history, how it is used and who can use these clan symbols. These stories are carried in an oral tradition and Smarch continues these traditions and histories as he teaches these students.

There is a quiet and easy camaraderie during the carving time in the classroom. Smarch takes time to do one-on-one with each of the carvers, assisting them on the difficult places in their piece, teaching the methods and techniques to bring that “look” to their individual pieces.

The wood chips pile on the floor while the shape of each mask grows and comes out of the wood. There is a soft mummer of Join us and support the fight against

BREAST CANCER

Sunday May 8, 2005 1 :00 PM Registration begins at 11:00 am Start Location Rotary Peace Park A 6 km walk.run to raise money to support Breast Health Programs for Yukon women.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with your family and friends by attending the 6th annual Run for Mom and help raise both the public awareness of breast cancer and funds for breast health programs for Yukon women.

voices as students share tools and ideas on their work, helping each other with their concepts.

Smarch brings a few of his own sculptures to show the students where his work is moving as he pushes the boundaries of traditional Tlingit art forms and into three-dimensional sculpture.

Handling and admiring Smarch’s sculptures, one can see the passion light up in the eyes of the student. And you can see the pride in their faces as their own works take shape and success is met.

The beaver fur, hand-made tools, wood chips along with the carvings in progress produce a chaos in the room that is at odds with the sharp edges and harsh light of standard conference room furniture and lighting. The blending of two societies — the corporate world of Dana Naye Ventures and the natural curves and primary colors of the carvers — gives an idea of what this course is trying to do: bring forward traditional skills in the framework of a modern world. The scent of the room reflects this mix of old and new, the scent of the tanned beaver fur, the soft edge of the green

April 22, 2005

What’s Up, YUKON!

April 22, 2005

birch of the carvers, the smell of smoke on the people who live in cabins with wood stoves, mixed with the modern smell of carpet and the harsh smell a modern office building.

Student carvers were in the typical youth clothing, from the buskin dress of mackinaw-checked shirts, Carhartts and boots, the hoodie crowd with the baggy pants and sport shoes … the usual cross section of Northerners who express themselves as they see fit. There is strong sense of selfexpression with these students; there is a certain strength that can be seen as the group strengthens their common identity.

As Smarch works with each student, non-verbal questions are asked and the master carver shows the student how to bring an aspect to life and how to make a specific shape and texture leap out of the wood. Students share ideas and methods as they work through the afternoon.

Smarch takes a tool in his hand and focuses on the subject. One can see that nothing else matters.

Each stroke is deliberate, carefully working small fragments of the wood away, exposing what his heart sees in the material.

15

The silent student watches carefully how Smarch carves and, when the piece is returned to the student, they immediately continue work-

ing the method they had just observed.

When Smarch talks about the carving, it is more about what the symbols mean, who may use them, how they are used and what they are used for. The teaching of carving is more about allowing the student to find within themselves that vision in the wood, the teaching is providing the tools to bring the vision forward to reality with the final creation of the carving.

The Yukon is learning to provide a structure for artists to make a living in their art, which in turn keeps the youth in the Yukon society contributing to both the cultural mosaics and the tax base of the Yukon.

Teaching youth at risk to make a living in the cultural community is a program in its second year, which is planting the seeds of the next cultural explosion in the Yukon. The territory has witnessed the phenomenal results of seed programs started over 20 years ago in the music industry, the same ideas are now being applied to the other cultural industries in the Yukon.

Teaching the skills to make a living from the art form — from the actual carving to how to manage the business of art — along with how to maintain their own personal lives, this course teaches the whole gamut of skills.

It is an art — a living ‚these youth will create with their hands and their hearts.

ARTS &forCULTURE Old Ways a New Society What’s Up, YUKON!

16

BY MARK PRINS

April 22, 2005

Aboriginal Youth Society is born

D

eath, drunkenness, addiction along with a lack of direction — for some aboriginal youth, this is the reality of their world. Death stalks their land snatching youth and continuing to destroy those caught by the lifestyle of addiction.

In Boardroom #2 at the Whitehorse Public Library, a group of aboriginal youth meets to plan to change their worlds. They call themselves The Aboriginal Youth Society and they hope their ideas will change the Yukon forever.

These youth want to make speaking their aboriginal languages sexy.

Some members’ decision is driven by their sisters who are addicted at age 12 and, at age 13, see the only way to end the pain is to take their life. Another has young children and refuses to allow what has happened in her life to happen to her children.

Yet another has seen his family lost to addiction and wants to build a world where children are safe and tools are available to youth to combat addictions and poor health.

These are Yukon youth speaking their minds about the worlds they live in and share with their families.

These youth have nothing but their minds and their vision, a vision of leading by example, a

The Aboriginal Youth Society has been formed to encourage youth to choose a healthier world. Back row, from left, Roxanne McGinty, Gordie McGinty, Desimond Davies, Krista Dawson, Matthew Cardinal and Jim Smarch. In front are Clarence Haryett and Dion Roberts. Photo: Mark Prins vision of non-judgmental inclusion, a vision of a society for youth, driven by youth with a structure built by youth. There will be difficulties and obstacles to overcome, but these people are determined to show there is another way to live and thrive in today’s society.

This meeting built a board of directors for a new aboriginal youth society. No one specific group was represented -- Southern and Northern Tutchone, Tr’ondek Hwech’in, Kwanlin Dun, Ta’an Kwach’an -- but all were bound by the commonality of a belief and vision that they can, and will, change their world and remove the barriers that aboriginal youth seem to find in society today.

Sex, glamour and fun lifestyles are the cultural tools used by the advertising world to sell their lifestyles and products. This group of youth plans to use the same tools to combat these influences in their lives.

They are not married to a building or looking to find a source

of funding to produce a physical space, their strength is in their ideas and their commitment to their culture, selves and their vision.

Where so many youth programs depend on a space, this society is driven by ideas and

the currency of their work is the ideas they hope to take out into society and upon the land.

Their ideas of reaching into their cultural heritage to help heal the ills of today are not a new idea ... having youth manage and bring the ideas forward

is new. These youth want to make speaking their aboriginal languages sexy, they want to make living a healthy lifestyle the attractive alternative, attracting youth to their lifestyle much the same way peer pressure can draw youth into an unhealthy lifestyle.

Spirituality for those from the western culture will find the vision and spirituality of aboriginal youth different from the western world. It is unfamiliar to many, some may simply discount this spirituality, yet this spiritual resurgence is what empowers these youth to try to change the world about them by themselves for themselves from within their society. With over 30 members on the rolls and a whole stack of ideas to work through, this society is quietly trying to change the world one life at a time and building to a future where the ills they see in their society today are no longer part of their lives.

Rotary Music Festival: That’s Entertainment

T

he stars of tomorrow will be on stage at the 37th Annual Rotary Music Festival.

That’s the message organizers are putting out as the final concerts have been tweaked to make them more entertaining.

Unlike previous years, there won’t be an award ceremony on the final evening, April 23. Instead, it will be entertainment only by “upcoming musicians, from enchanting piano soloists to lively jazz ensembles”. Stefan Voswinkel, a member of the Rotary Music Festival Committee, says only the winners and a few others will perform at the Yukon Arts Centre on that final night.

And, to keep things entertaining and less academic, the committee asked Pam Buckway to be the MC. “We want a broader audience,” says Voswinkel.

“Not just the parents.”

The pressure to put on an exciting show is on top of the crush of responsibility to usher 1,200 musicians through the adjudication process. Voswinkel says the entire event depends on “a huge volunteer effort” from ushers to ticket office personnel to back stage helpers to the secretaries that help the adjudicators keep things organized.

Still, the main purpose of the festival is to give the young musicians a chance to hear outside opinions of experts and to give them goals for the year.

Voswinkel says the adjudicators are teachers as well. He has even seen adjudicators join in with an ensemble with their own instrument: “It’s very hands on, but still structured.”

The junior concert begins April 23 at 6:00 p.m. and the seniors start at 8:30 p.m. at the Yukon Arts Centre.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

April 22, 2005

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A Groovy Murder Mystery Now on Stage

A

t a wedding celebration, somewhere in the 70s, one person lies dead. The culprits are many, 10 to be exact: The Panzerotti family, for instance includes the sophisticated and (quietly) calculating mother of the groom and a legitimate business man (the uncle), who could easily be mistaken for an Italian gangster. What about Baba-G, the supposedly spiritual guru (is marijuana really spiritual?) or the foxy and fun-loving maid of honour, Roxanne?

Well actually, they all seem to be equally saddened — and better off — by the death. If you saw Till Death Do Us Part in January at the McBride Museum, you’re in for some new surprise twists in its next incarnation. Till Death Do Us

Part: A Groovy Murder Mystery is moving to the Guild Hall — and you’ll get to boogie, 70s style of course, after the show.

The evening is most fun if you dress up in 70s duds, decide on a

This is an improvised, interactive play, which means there is no script and no memorized lines, only scenes off the top of the actors’ — and the audience’s — heads.

with Jude Wong

name for yourself, and go in character. If this sounds overwhelmingly terrifying, then performing theatrical improvisations probably isn’t for you, but that’s the great thing about being an audience member: How much you play is entirely up to you.

“Actors feed off of each other,” says co-creator and director Anthony Trombetta, “and new ideas can spur off of everything that happens.” As an actor, he says what’s fun about it is that, “you know that the audience knows that you don’t know what’s coming out of your mouth next.”

The actors try to out-do each other by putting their fellow actors on the spot, or causing them to laugh and fall out of character (this is known as corpsing). The audience is encouraged to interact with the actors and throw them some fast balls. No interaction is planned or pre-conceived. Well-formed characters are plugged into various settings, which depend heavily on actors and audience.

“There is a point A and a point B,” said Trombetta, “How we get there is different every night.”

This particular show only has one night to get where it’s going: Friday, April 29 at the Guild Hall. A dance follows for audience members in costume. Tickets are available the Guild Hall at 633-3550 or email antny@polarcom.com.

If you’re doing a show and you’d like it covered, email me at modmoves@yahoo.com.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

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April 22, 2005

Bif Naked Headlines Music Festival

BY BRENDA CORNELL WATSON LAKE uge concert spectacles are no longer restricted to the imagination or the TV screens of Yukon’s too-cool, under-35 crowd.

In downtown Watson Lake the air will snap with energy May 21. A showcase of stars has been assembled and Yukon youth will be gathering for the pop culture event of the summer.

The excitement will reach a fevered pitch as concert goers, flashing body jewelry and tattoos, board the fleet of buses hired to transport them to the outdoor venue, 5 kilometres from downtown on the east end of town. A few minutes later, buses will be unloaded and the lines will form to pass through tight but friendly security.

For many Yukon youth this will be a new experience. At first, the crowds and the music may be a bit overwhelming but the excitement and anticipation of this live experience will offer a lifetime memory.

Seven bands are in the lineup for the night. The live concert will start at 5:00 p.m. and go non-stop until after 1 a.m.

Early evening, the ground will thump as hundreds dance and the excitement builds for the headline acts. Darkness will creep in, the lighting will take on an eerie glow, early summer night chill will creep over the crowd unnoticed until one stops dancing long enough to grab a fresh water bottle. Suddenly, Bif Naked will be on the stage and the place will explode. Walls will rattle, the ground will shake, beer gardens and concessions will be deserted.

All attention will be focused on the stage. Whether it will be your first concert or your 100th, it will be a night to remember and it will be happening right here, at home in the Yukon Territory.

Building on the success of the 2004 event, Watson Lake Music Festival organizers have put together an entire family weekend. A Friday night family dance, featuring at least two bands from the Saturday night lineup, will kick off the weekend. Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a celebration in the downtown park including food, information and cultural displays, souvenir sales and autograph signings. Artists and crafts people are

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Watson Lake Open competition to round out the weekend.

Organizers are predicting attendance at the 2005 concert to double that of last year. Tickets have been available since April 5 and sales

In The Gallery Until May 15 Sobey Art Award National Tour Mark Porter: Give my people face Barbara Astman: Clementine part II Artist Talk Barbara Astman, April 27 12:00 noon

“Explore and Embrace A Special Wild Place” An Exhibition of Art April 16 - May 7 Hosted by the YAS on behalf of the Wildlife Viewing Program, celebrating Yukon Biodiversity Awareness Month, National Wildlife Week (April 10-16), and Celebration of Swans (April 16-April 24) Call for Submissions: Arts in the Park Arts in the Park is now accepting

The Magical Woods The works of Four Yukon Willow Wizards

VISUAL ART DEMONSTRATION applications for YAS, Arts in the Park, 2005.

Projects are to be completed over the course of one week, Mon.- Fri., in LePage Park. Accepted artists receive a stipend of $500.00.

Deadline for submissions: Sat., May 7th.

Arts in the Park runs May 24 to July 30

Artist Walk April 30 A nature walk with the willow wizards

Submission details available at the Yukon Art Society 305 Wood St., Whitehorse Ph: 667-4080 Email: yukonart@polarcom.com

In The Groto Opening April 28 7pm

The Yukon Art Society would like to thank our golden sponsors: YTG ArtsFund; Lotteries Yukon; City of Whitehorse; Whats Up, Yukon; and Polaris Remote

Flight 525

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Call your local travel agent or 867-668-2228 or 1-800-661-0407

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Classical Territory, presented by Whitehorse Concerts, May 15, 8 p.m., at the Yukon Arts Centre.

Yukon Film Society WATER WALKER FILM FESTIVAL May 18, at the Yukon Arts Centre.

DIRECT. SHOOT. CUT. starts April 27. It is a basic filmmaking course presented by the Yukon Film Society. Learn to shoot and edit your own short film. Info: 393-3456 or yukonfilmsociety@yknet.ca.

FINAL CUT EXPRESS FOR BEGIN-

software. Info: 393-3456 or yukonfilmsociety@yknet.ca.

Klondike Institute of Art & Culture

April 12 - May 7 Exhibit A KIAC/Yukon College Arts for Employment Student Exhibition April 28 Artist Talk: Barbara Astman 7 pm May 12- June 18 Crystal Mowry: New Works Opening reception May 12, 7pm Performing Arts:

AIR - SEA - LAND

From Sea to Sea to Sea, presented by the Whitehorse Community Choir, May 6-7, 8 p.m., at the Yukon Arts Centre.

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This article was provided by the Watson Lake Music Festival.

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have exceeded expectations. They are available at Sandors in Whitehorse, Hougens in Watson Lake and Backroads in Fort Nelson.

What ’s Up YUKON presents …

Info Mary Bradshaw, 667-8476

we’ve added

ights this spring!

invited to showcase their talents (call 536-7475 to book your table).

The main concert event starts at 5 p.m. at the Rodeo Grounds. Sunday afternoon, the skateboard park will be the venue for the 2nd Annual

April 25 Blue Monday An evening of Jazz for the family 7 pm Toddler Music Time Continues saturdays, 11 am Tel: 867.993.5005 Fax: 867.993.5838

Activities organized by the cultural sector of l’Association franco-yukonnaise April 22th Screening of a Radio Canada program featuring the local band “Soir de semaine”. 7 pm, Community hall of the Francophone Centre.

April 29th Community supper and improv match /Fundraiser for the new local theatre company Les Masques d’or Starts a at 5 pm, Community hall of the Francophone Centre.

May Art exhibition of works by Jean-François Bisson Opening May 5, Slide presentation followed by a discussion period (7pm to 9 pm) Gallery is open every Friday evenings during the Café-rencontre from 5 pm to 7:30 pm Community hall of the Francophone Centre For more information, contact Marie, 668-2663, ext 221 or mducharme@afy.yk.ca

More from the arts …

Rotary Music Festival April 23 at the Yukon Arts Centre. Juniors at 6 p.m. and Seniors at 8 p.m.

CBC Radio’s Madly Off In All Directions April 30, 8 p.m., at the Yukon Arts Centre.

BYTE Concert May 3, 7 p.m., at the Yukon Arts Centre.

Yukon Artists at Work Gallery Friday to Sunday noon to 5 p.m. in McCrae subdivision.

Peter Pan, presented by the Northern Lights School of Dance, May 12-13, 7 p.m., at the Yukon Arts Centre. Matinee May 14, 2 p.m.

Life Drawings Monday nights, 7 to 10 p.m. at the Wood Street Annex. Call before you show up at 633-2417.

What’s Up, YUKON!

April 22, 2005

19

Where There’s Smoke, There’s a Camera with Rod Jacob

W

hen brothers Doug and Greg Cote first talked about making a documentary on wildfire fighting in the Yukon, the rookie video directors never imagined they would win an award for their efforts.

But they did. In fact they won two awards for their documentary Where There’s Smoke: A Summer of Fire in the Klondike at the Dawson City International Short Film Festival late last month. They took home the first prize MITY (Made in the Yukon) Emerging Talent Award, and the second prize in the ZeD TV Peoples’ Choice Awards.

Greg, a former city cop who now owns a private investigation firm based in Kitchener, Ontario,

remembers vividly the motivation for shooting a documentary: “We’d both been doing our jobs for a number of years and were looking for a project to keep our minds fresh,” he said in a recent telephone interview from his office.

“We were looking for something out of the ordinary,” he said. And, as it turned out, the summer of 2004 was something definitely out of the ordinary for wild fire in the Klondike region.

The brothers were on a winter vacation together when the idea of making movies first came up.

“We were both having kind of funky winters a couple of years ago,” Doug, the forest firefighting half of the documentary duo,

A scene from Where There’s Smoke: A Summer of Fire in the Klondike. explained. “We hooked up to go skiing ... we were on our way to Red Mountain and Rossland and we just started talking about how there’s got to be more to life than just hanging and doing what we were doing and how it would be neat to make movies.

“I thought it would be a great idea to do a little piece on firefighting in the Yukon and more specifically out of Dawson City because it’s such a unique setting there,” Doug said. He also wanted to show the public what fighting forest fires was really like.

Doug came to the Yukon in the summer of 1994 and started fighting fires in the summer of 1995.

Last spring, Doug was preparing to go back to work in the northern firefighting zone, where three initial attack crews are based out of Dawson City. “At the beginning of the summer my plan was just to do a little story on the crews in Daw-

son and making Dawson the focus of the story,” he said. He started shooting in May as the crew began training, but as the Yukon spring turned to summer, the weather stayed hot and dry and the forest in the region turned into one gigantic tinderbox.

Greg was scheduled to fly up to the Yukon using points on a twoweek holiday in June to help with some of the face-to-face interviews with the firefighters who were working out of Dawson.

“It became evident as June moved along that we were in for a big summer,” he said. “Especially while Greg was there, things really heated up and we realized that maybe there was a different story taking place as things evolved and it just turned out to be the worst summer on record.”

Doug spent the summer using a micro-style video recorder his

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brother had used to capture surveillance footage for the latter’s private investigation firm. “I packed it around on my back and I could put it in my pocket and take it in the helicopters,” Doug said.

He even “velcroed” it to his fire fighting helmet at one point. “The hardest part of filming was that I was working at the time, so I had to fit in the shooting in the down time.”

It turned out to be a pretty tough summer on the fire lines.

Because job demands often made it impossible to pull out a camera, he missed some of the most spectacular shots of the burning forest. And he said the ferocity of the fires gave even a veteran of a decade of fighting wild fire reason to reconsider the power of the natural phenomenon.

Vernon and Doug used Final Cut Pro (a proprietary computer editing program) to cut the final, 18–minute version of Where There’s Fire for entry in the Dawson Film Fest. The original version ran 24 minutes, and Greg says he’s glad the documentary was cut shorter, as he feels it plays much better in the shorter version.

Greg adds that it’s with the editing software that the recent technical evolution filmmaking really hits home. He uses the example of the Hollywood film Cold Mountain, which he says was edited on a Mac computer with Final Cut Pro. Despite the success over their first documentary and their excitement about taking on new ideas, the two remain humble about their experience with the people of Dawson during the fiery summer season of 2004.

“For me, the film was for the people of Dawson,” Doug says.

What’s Up, YUKON!

20

April 22, 2005

Sparkes Flies From Your CD with David Gillmor

I

t’s an interesting coincidence when a name reflects what a person does. With a CD entitled Beautiful and Deranged, Aylie Sparkes does just that. The sparks fly when his hands hit the fret board of either a guitar, lap steel or a Dobro.

A blues based group of 14 songs leaps from the CD to the ear. This guy must be older than what he appears, because one would think he would have to be 100 years old to play with the kind of conviction that is heard on each one of these songs.

Recorded at Old Crow studio, Sparkes employs a number of Yukon stalwarts who just seem to be everywhere when it comes to recording. Paul Stephens (whom I call Mr. Smooth) provides rock solid bass, while Marc Paradis fills out the rhythm section with his endless bag of percussion tricks.

Others along for the ride are Annie Avery on piano, Jay Burr on valve trombone, Roger Gillies on nuked Wurlitzer and the grand master of Old Crow recording, Bob Hamilton, on backup vocals.

While some blues players can conjure up feelings of a sunny or rainy day, Sparkes is a tornado of blues.

These songs show a boundless energy that is not anger nor sorrow, but an incredible celebration of life.

Listen to the voice and you’ll know what I mean. While the guitar work can move back and forth in creating feelings, it’s the voice that brings home what life and being alive means. Almost all of the tunes are written by Sparkes and almost all are “in your face” tunes. Even his treatment of the classic I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry is given an edge that is rarely heard on any version of this tune.

Starting with a tune called Hellhounds, one is immediately captured and drawn in to Sparkes’ vision. Wing and a Prayer is a tune that I swear could reflect almost anybody in their journey of life.

Sometimes we feel we are right at the point of falling apart and the only way we can see salvation is on a wing and a prayer.

Aylie Sparkes o ffers a on Beautiful an “tornado of blues” d Deranged.

Sparkes gives us two instrumentals on this outing and both show a knowledge and understanding that music is the universal language. The first is called Joanne’s Reel and has echoes of other geographies and cultures.

In this tune, Sparkes not only shines with his own slide guitar, but he also showcases the other players. Paul Stephens’ frenetic bass work gets its own spotlight as does Marc Paradis and his percussive magic.

The second instrumental is titled Gypsy’s Lament and it really explores things in its seven-plus minutes. Hints of Eastern Europe

and the Middle East are woven into a simple but complex pattern.

It made me think of traveling and seeing how the rest of the world expresses itself musically. One tune that jumped out at me was Long Distance. This song had a feel of something that could have been written in the 1920s or 30s.

Unabashedly happy, one could not help but get caught up in the tone

and start smiling for no particular reason.

High Heeled Sneakers is one of the few tunes not penned by Sparkes. This is another tune that just makes one feel good to be alive. While not having heard the original, I venture the opinion that Sparkes’ version is as good or better than the original. His slide guitar once again comes screaming from the speaker to the ear.

And I mean screaming in a good sense. Problem is that a song that is so layered with good things it is hard to know where to begin. The drums seem to be played by more than one person. Also, while keeping an underlying steady beat, there is just an amazing amount of stuff going on. It reminded me of recent movies that are so visually opulent that one needs more than one viewing to take it all in. Once again the voice gives this song just the right kind of energy.

This CD was such a delight that I could write almost endlessly about it. Suffice to say that if you like blues-based tunes with guts and grit, this is the CD for you.

37th Annual Rotary Music Festival Final Concerts Come and enjoy some of our greatest upcoming musicians, from enchanting piano soloists to lively jazz ensembles.

Saturday April 23 Our MC: Pam Buckway v Junior Concert 6:00pm - 7:45pm v Senior Concert 8:30pm - 9:15pm Tickets available at Hougen’s Ticket Office or the Arts Centre Box Office: v Adults $10 for one concert or $15 for both concerts v Children & Seniors $7 for one concert or $10 for both concerts v Final Concert Performers $2 for each concert

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What’s Up, YUKON!

April 22, 2005

21

The Stuff of Art Artist in residence is getting to know you

DAWSON CITY he garbage man knows everything,” says Dawson City’s newest artist in residence.

And Catherine Beaudette wants to understand Dawsonites and tell their stories through her water colour paintings, so she has been visiting the town’s dump and anywhere else that “stuff” accumulates.

“One woman has a china cabinet and in the cabinet she has these cups that her father got in Burma.

And in there with them were these little bottles from the dump.”

These are the kinds of stories that fascinate Beaudette, an associate professor at the Ontario College of Art and Design. In 2000, she collected one item a day — anything that crossed her path — and put them into one of 365 Zip-lock bags.

“This other guy, I visited, goes up to the Dawson dump and he keeps everything and has old tins and tools, knives and old cans with vintage names on them — Vaseline, Bulman’s Diced Carrots — and has them next to a really old knife in an old leather sheaf and next to a Nova Scotia ’59 licence plate full of dirt and rust.

“T

“I look at these two piles and they speak of people’s dreams to me.”

This is not an exclusive idea.

People have always held onto seemingly worthless things that hold memories and stories within.

“A collection tells more about the collector,” says Beaudette, a decidedly “Aha” moment that makes her quest for garbage seem much more noble.

“I ask questions,” says Beaudette. “I try to let the objects speak and sometimes you have to take them out of context to lend them importance.”

Looking at the body of her work, you can see how she takes the simplest things and lets them float on the canvas without benefit of background or anything else to offer it scale — in size or otherwise.

There is more truth in those things because they linger long after the person is gone.

It is just one way Beaudette has gotten to know her new neighbours. She was able to add to the “fabric” by her chance arrival on the weekend of the Dawson City International Short Film Festival.

Many of the entries were from Dawson City.

“I love the dump.”

Catherine Beaudette is the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture’s artist in residence. She is getting to know Dawsonites by getting to know their stuff.

Then came her long walks at night and visits to Bear Creek where so much stuff is stored. And she has been knocking on doors and visiting the museum during off hours.

“I love to look at places through the objects,” says Beaudette. “Even the debris ... I love the dump.”

This picture she creates of Dawson City may become a “room”

in the body of work she calls, “A Museum Piece”.

Beaudette will be leaving May 10, but hopes to return with an exhibit.

Fire and Glass Houses and the Next Generation

A

bright Spring Dragon created by Christine Spinder and streamer-decked stars on sticks joined the procession leaving the parking lot of the S.S. Klondike for Yukon Educational Theatre’s annual Burning Away the Winter Blues festivities on the evening of March 21. Sculptor Philippe LeBlond’s Old Man Winter puppet sported a twig comb over across his wide blue scalp.

His nose curled like the Muppet Gonzo’s and his white balloon eyes were lit from behind with red traffic flares. His suit was set to inflate with a backpack fan. “I wanted to give him a heavy Neanderthal forehead,” said LeBlond, “but I was afraid I’d make him resemble someone.” LeBlond’s puppet could not wait to reach the bonfire, and burst into flames before he left the parking lot.

Devoted volunteer Paul Davis has attended the event for years with his fire extinguisher and safety gear. He leapt into action to save

the day. The puppet hands and head proceeded to their ceremonial doom with no further ado .....

Recently, I had the privilege of seeing Pam Van Kampen’s recent oil and bead paintings. You can see some of her stylized figures at the Yukon Gallery, but this body of work has yet to be shown. She’s

of her subject matter and themes.

Much of her work plays with dress and undress. What scares people more: a man in a military uniform with a gun, or a naked man? .....

Painter Janet Moore moved into the Ted Harrison Artists’ Retreat on April 1 (no fooling — I was washing the floors before I left

with Nicole Bauberger

sending out packages to public galleries. Areas painted with oils border acrylic-underpainted areas of beads glued closely together to depict masks or fabric with a jewel-like richness. Van Kampen explores mythology, psychology and the body in her work. By day she works as a physiotherapist at Whitehorse Hospital. Working with people and their bodies all the time deepens her understanding

that morning.) She regretted to inform me that she had not been in Italy, but hates doing commissions so was glad to report that she wasn’t doing any. Richly textured surfaces with skeletal suggestions of vessels will occupy her days out at the retreat in preparation for the show she’ll be sharing with ceramic artist Sam Dickie at the Yukon Arts Centre this coming fall ..... Work by students at

Golden Horn and Selkirk Elementary Schools in the After School Art Clubs led by Helen O’Connor and Meshell Melvin respectively is on display at the Kidz Gallery at the Yukon Arts Centre. It’s not just a hallway — you should check it out. Golden Horn students had paintings on canvas and prints on display. Memorable pieces include Kalyna Riis-Phillips’s tender moody cat and dog portrait, and a powerful minimalist abstraction of white lines and red and white dots on a black ground by an artist named Sarah. Selkirk students’ truly rich collages round out the show ..... At time of writing, maskmaker Harreson Tanner was just heading out of town to see his new granddaughter Kyla Patricia Graham ..... As the chair of the Yukon Artists @ Work, Tanner was crowing when the gallery was nominated last month as one of Travelocity.ca’s Local Secrets, Big Finds, as well as one of the “Editor’s Picks for North America.” The gallery will be featured

on their main webpage — publicity too good to buy. Check it out at www.travelocity.ca/localsecrets ..... Studio 204, the new artist-run gallery space behind the TD Bank, where the Back Alley Gallery used to be, is now open with work by some of its 11 members on the wall. Watch for the grand opening on May 5, at 7:30 p.m., opening a members’ show with “vertical” as its theme. The gallery will soon be taking submissions for juried shows from the art community at large ..... Jeanine Baker’s show, Glass Houses, will be opening at Zola’s Café Doré on Main Street on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. You may have noticed her fused glass and solar soldered work in the long table by the window ..... I will have an informal showing of some of my smaller pieces from my time out at the Ted Harrison Artists’ Retreat from January to March at the Cranberry Bistro until May 6.

Send your news to nbauberger@yahoo.com.

Till soon, Nicole.

What’s Up, YUKON!

22

April 22, 2005

Walking and Writing and Reading and Singing “One way to begin to reconcile the bigger difficulties inherent in contemporary society, is to re-learn the architecture of walking — hands clasped together behind the back, head slightly bowed, allowing yourself to be easily distracted, sidetracked if you will, by what first appears as inconsequential and meaningless.”

Gregory Heming, essayist and columnist

HAINES JUNCTION t seems an impossible task: To sum up a person’s life in 1,000 words. But that is what Heming will attempt to teach at the Second Annual Live Words and New Songs.

His two-hour course, Architecture of Walking — A Life Story in Under 1,000 words, will lead established writers through walking exercises: “Walking is a vehicle to the creative process,” says Heming. “You try to get the essen-

I

tial part, just as you can’t walk without breathing.”

There will be a dozen writers fanning out from the Kathleen Lake Shelter at Kluane National Park to give these new skills a test.

But they won’t all necessarily be seasoned writers. Heming says others wouldn’t find it over their heads.

This is just one component of a weekend of cultural events April 30 and May 1. Heming, the executive director of Society for Educa-

Sneak Peak From Across the Pond

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hew. London, Paris and Rome in 12 days. It started with 6:00 a.m. wake-up calls and then it was planes, trains, boats, subways, escalators and buses. We saw all the main sights, the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, Notre Dame, the Vatican, Pompeii, Seine River, Blue Grotto, The Louvre, The Coliseum and Piccadilly Circus. There were bus tours, walking tours, boat tours, line-

shoes held sleek lines in matt black and chocolate browns. Everyone was wearing dark trenches, in soft, thin leathers, cottons or denim, which were worn hanging loose and layered with colourful dress-shirts, dark neutral sweaters and paired with body conscious “new” jeans. Take note guys, the baggy pant is out. The men had a casual professional look that was wonderful to see. Although I rarely

with Leisa Gattie-Thurmer

ups, dirty streets, urine-smelling subways and beggars.

Daily there were continental breakfasts, expensive everything, clean hotels, hot showers and, oh, did I mention the 15 Yukoners and the 17 Americans all getting to know each other? We had sick kids, missing kids, cranky kids (some teachers as well), great kids, wonderful kids, disco night, boisterous dinners, late nights and lots and lots of laughing. But were we ever glad to get home.

The timing for the viewing of European fashion was perfect.

The weather was still too cool for our neighbours across the pond to abandon their winter gear, so I was able to observe the transition of the winter trends people were wearing, to the bright and sunny promise of the spring collection in the display windows. Fashions in London and Paris were remarkably similar and I made quick mental notes.

Women: Everyone had high heel, pointy, leather shoes or boots. Low slung, tight jeans, slightly boot-cut flared, paired with wool pea coats or colourful trenches cinched tight at the waist. There was an abundance of cleavage wrapped strategically in wispy layered fabrics and accented boldly with shiny, dangly earrings.

Men: Pointy, square-toed leather shoes with a slightly layered sole — not too chunky. The

saw a three-piece suit, I did see wonderful silk ties, in bold patterns, worn with equally bright shirts.

The common thread(s) that pulled all these different outfits together were the necks wrapped cosily in vibrant scarves, topped with the best haircuts I’ve ever seen.

The women’s spring collections in London and Paris were a bit of a surprise. I was a little saddened at the 70s trend for the

unfinished, unravelling hem. Hems were A-line, A-symmetrical or just plain crooked. The return of the hard bright colours that I wore in the 80s was equally worrisome: Hard, hot-pink or solid turquoise mini skirts in stiff, fitted cotton and very candy-cute colours for the younger crowd.

And did I mention the Bling?

Sequins, beadwork and glitz were applied to everything, including tank tops, hats, blouses, vests, blazers, dresses, sandals and shoes. Even children’s clothing sparkled. The glitz was fun and glamorous and hard to resist. So what did I buy? Scarves from the public markets, a sparkly belt for my daughter, British flag boxer shorts for my son and a lot of shiny jewellery for me.

What can I say, I like the Bling Bling.

tion and Culture, has invited five writers to read from their works on the first night.

Steven Galloway has written Finnie Walsh, an Amazon.com/ Books in Canada First Novel Award winner; and Ascension. He is coming up from his home in Vancouver, where he teaches creative writing at University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.

Andrew Pyper, a one-time Berton House resident, is coming from his home in Toronto. He was in the Yukon two years ago, as well, to research the soon-to-bereleased The Wildfire Season. His other novels — The Trade Mission and Lost Girls — have won awards and his articles have appeared in Maclean’s, Saturday Night, Toronto Life and The New Quarterly.

A third fiction writer, Gail Anderson-Dargatz, has received two major nods for her writing.

The Cure for Death by Lightning was short listed for the 1996 Giller Prize and The Miss Hereford Stories was short listed for the 1995 Leacock Medal for Humour.

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667-2179 108 Lambert Street

If you have fashion news that you would like to report or have reported on, drop me a line at: tomandleisa@yt.sympatico.ca Leisa Gattie-Thurmer is the executive director of the Yukon Apparel and Designers Association.

Its website address is www. yukondesigners.com .

There will also be a dramatist.

Joan McLeod has written several plays, the libretto for The Secret Garden and several scripts for CBC Television. Her many awards include a Governor General’s Award for Drama. She is an assistant professor of writing at the University of Victoria.

Julie Czerneda is a former biologist who has turned to science fiction writing and editing. She is the author of two ongoing series, The Trade Pact Universe and The Web Shifters, and a trilogy, Species Imperative.

Heming says the first evening will start with a reading from three of the writers and then music from Haines Junction’s Brenda Berezan — “She’s absolutely marvelous,” says Heming — and then two more readings and Berezan again.

On the evening of May 1, The Irish Descendents will be offering a concert at the St. Elias Convention Centre.

Information is available at 634-2726.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

April 22, 2005

23

Spend an Evening With an Astronomer with James Cackette

E

very once in a while an amateur astronomer gets to participate in something that is much larger than his passion for observing the skies.

My opportunity came in August 2004 when I wanted to recoat my big 14” Dobsobian mirror. I seemed to be having major difficulty in keeping the coating on the mirror surface. It did not matter what I did, the coatings just washed off and at $300 to $500 in coatings, including shipping, it really hurt financially (not to mention the down time of no observing).

I ended up talking to a fine gentleman by the name of Allan Ward at Moonward Coatings (email: moonward@isys.ca) in Ontario.

This very impressive and intelligent individual gave above and beyond the call of service and educated me in coatings and mirrors. What I learned from this master in one hour was 10 times more useful than what I had learned in 10 years.

He was kind enough to let me participate in an experimental program that tests pure 100 percent silver mirror coatings.

“WOW!” doesn’t really cover what I see now. The new pure silver

coatings were (excuse the pun) astronomical. I would like to take this time to share with you how I saw the deep sky.

The following is my Observer’s report to Allan Ward and the conditions to which I was viewing. I, myself, was absolutely blown away by the difference in the view. I have never before seen anything on any scope that would give me such amazing power and clarity.

It was like owning a brand new scope. I highly recommend any amateur astronomer, or anyone who owns a scope large or small, to call Moonward Coatings and see the difference.

Here is a rough field log of time, events and temperatures as the evening progressed on Aug. 22, 2004.

11:50 PM Awesome sky, crystal clear, no clouds. While doing an alignment ie: Telrad, WOW! Look at the color of stars. WOW! 11:55 PM Corona Borealis, Delphinus, Bootes, Andromeda, Draco Pegasus, Cygnus, Lyra, Hercules, Ursa Major, Cassiopeia, Perseus, Milky way. M-13 (Globular Cluster) in the Constellation Hercules with

12:30 AM M-57 (Ring Nebula) in the constellation Lyra 13 mm Nagler & 2X Barlow 215 Power, weak but big, can make out donut easy. M-57 with 35mm Panoptic 40 power, perfect donut much better without Barlow at this time. Alberio in Cygnus is awesome. Gold Blue never seen like that before.

Text Book Perfect Brocchi’s Cluster, Coat Hanger Cluster in 10x50 is perfect no haze.

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Andromeda Lacerta

Cygnus

Cassiopeia

12:50 AM Picked up M-27 Dumbbell Nebula in constellation Sagitta. 9mm Nagler & 2X Barlow 311 power. It is huge. Never seen it as big or so blue. Just can’t get enough of this colour view. Text Book Perfect Shot. 35mm Panoptic 40 power, amazing blue green.

1:10 AM NGC –869 & 884 Double Open Star cluster in the constellation persus. Amazing, perfect.

52mm Antares Erfle 27 power. Pin point stars, no smudges, looks like water on glass with diamonds.

Temp: 6°C Humidity : 31%

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Perseus

Cepheus

Lyra Draco

E

Camelopardalis

W

Lynx Gemini Saturn

Ursa Major

Corona Borealis

Leo Minor

Canes Venatici Serpens

Auriga

Ursa Minor

Hercules

Coma Berenices

Cancerr

Canis Minor

Leo

Moon

12:45 AM Veil Nebula in the constellation Cygnus with 35mm Panoptic 40 Power easy, amazing with 0III filter. Temp: 6°C Humidity: 30%

1:40 AM Andromeda & Companion Galaxies M-32 M-110 galaxy. Visible, just barley fits all three in

We don’t just rent high reach equipment…

N

35mm Panoptic 40 power resolved (STUNNING). M-13 with 13 mm & 2X Barlow 215 power thumbnail size. Lots of Resolve. Awesome Globular Cluster.

Sextans

Hydra

Jupiter Corvus

Crater

S

Above Whitehorse area April 23 the eyepiece 35mm Panoptic 40 power. Really cool meteorite – 2-3 sec tail. Fourth one tonight. Taurus low on horizon / Pleiades Star Cluster. Absolutely magical out.

Temp: 5°C Humidity: 31% 2:00 AM M-33 Pinwheel Galaxy in the constellation Triangulum, faint but there nice view with 35 mm Panoptic 40 power. Can make out three spiral arms very loose and open. Coffee & Smoke Break.

2:30 AM M-56 Globular in Lyra/Cygnus 9mm 155 Small but perfect, 9mm 2X Barlow, 311 power full pretty picture.

Cluster Power.

Nagler resolve

3:00 AM M-1Crab Nebula in the Constellation Taurus visible though just barley. 10° off horizon. No Northern Lights. Venus on climb.

Auriga Clusters stunning in 9mm Nagler 155 Power or 10 x 50 binoculars. Temp: 4°C Humidity: 32% 3:20 AM Venus just about above sky glow, stars from horizon to horizon. Gemini is up. Castro & Pollux, the twins are looking fine.

Will try photos of Venus. Parka Weather now BRRRRR. 4:00 AM Venus on film. New coatings just fine for planetary work, very exact edges, no smearing.

Camera iced over, oh well. Temp: 3°C Humidity: 34% 4:30 AM Good Morning indeed!

Still perfect sky. M-51bridged

galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major smeared because of low position in sky. Fairy rings in Cygnus, six double stars different colors and sizes. WOW — Epsilon Lyra is amazing. Daylight is a coming, time for me to go inside.

A most awesome evening.

The above is a sample of the type of observing log I do. Perhaps not too technical or scientific, but extremely effective in charting my outdoor adventures in the Yukon Night Skies. Hope you enjoy clear skies and great viewing.

April 21 Jupiter at its best for viewing. The Moon is nice and close in the morning hours.

April 22 Lyrid Meteor Shower is at its peak. Due to poor moonlit conditions, very few if any meteors will be viewed.

April 24 Full Moon 3:06 a.m.

Slight Eclipse of the moon will be visible from North America in early morning hours as the moon is setting.

April 26 Keep a close eye on Saturn. You will find this planet in the constellation Gemini just below the two brightest stars Castor and Pollux.

May 1 Last quarter moon.

May 8 New Moon.

SPORTS RECREATION The Alluring& Wall in Sports North What’s Up, YUKON!

24

April 22, 2005

The pride of Glenn Babala

The prelude to the short and busy fishing season is played out within the walls of Sports North.

Photo: Mark Prins

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t’s a big wall and it is busy ... but nicely organized. It’s scary and it is intimidating ... but compelling.

It’s the wall of lures at Sports North. And it is all the more compelling when you consider each item came from the pile of boxes on the floor and countless others piled to the roof in the otherwise large warehouse.

Sitting in the middle of that pile of boxes is Laurie Babala: “We check it off from the invoice, we mark it, put it back in the boxes and then take them out of the boxes to put them on the wall.”

Just a month earlier, that wall was full of hockey equipment.

Laurie’s husband, Glenn, has been orchestrating a careful ballet of sending out-of-season hockey equipment to the warehouse and taking an equal amount of in-season fishing equipment to the floor.

“When we first moved into this space, I thought, ‘Wow, this is incredible’,” he says today.

“But, three years later, it was too small.

“There were 18 skids of fishing tackle back there,” he says of this year’s load. It is still a number that amazes him, but he shakes off the thought to focus on just the very

next step. “We work in pieces: Reels then lures then weights then ... but then we have back orders that create havoc.”

Glenn takes great pride in his wall. He lines up the product like soldiers. Each hook is the same size as the one beside it and none are bent. It is not just back orders and the holes they create that bug Glenn, it can also be this year’s packaging of an item that is smaller than last year’s.

Regardless, it all gets lined up in an order that makes sense to him and only a handful of other sporting good savants.

“Why would I buy this lure and not that one?” I ask him (still not convinced he can keep track of all this).

Glenn picks the lure from its hook and holds it up so I can see his eyes while he explains: “This is hot in Little Atlin Lake.

“And this one,” (Glenn’s not done yet), “Does really, really well in Lake LaBerge.”

Just a little further down, there is a massive showing of “Northern

Lights” with his store’s name on the packaging. Glenn’s experience teamed up with his supplier’s expertise and now there is a swoosh of paint on the lures that change colour just as a grayling’s scales would change colour when it comes out of the water.

And he does really well with

different sizes that each comes in.

He bought today’s stock in September and, while he is gearing up for the fishing season, he is ordering hockey equipment.

Sports North began in 100 square feet of space in a bike shop owned by Laurie’s parents. “It was 25 years ago,” Laurie figures, “Our son is 26 and he was already born at the time.”

It was in a Quonset Hut in an alley behind the Coke plant and, today, the location is not much more glamorous.

But Glenn “loves” the location on Baxter Street, 20 metres from 4th Avenue because of the rent and because he doesn’t get the “lookers” that a Main Street business would get.

“Ninety eight percent of the people, who come in here, buy.” And tourists find him easily because of word-of-mouth advertising from Yukoners.

Having worked in full-line sporting good stores for nine or 10 years, Glenn knew the dangers of trying to carry everything for every sport. So he decided to spe-

“I believe in having lots of inventory and setting it up to look good.” the pixies: “We’ll sell lots and lots in a season,” he says, explaining that they are good for Sockeye and Coho ... that run in rivers ... rivers that have rocks ... rocks that catch the pixies. “People buy them by the case.”

The pile of boxes that surrounds Laurie is full of the pixies and it is only one of five orders.

“I believe in having lots of inventory and setting it up to look good,” says Glenn.

Still, this selection is tiny compared to 90 colours available to him from one supplier and the 12

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cialize in the winter with high-end hockey equipment and in the summer with mid to high-end fishing equipment.

It was actually the hockey that required some thought: “I love fishing,” he says. “We fish, but not as much as I’d like, but we are open six days a week.

“But we’ve left for Haines, Alaska on a Saturday night and returned on the Sunday.”

The alternative would be to hire staff, but Glenn and Laurie don’t want to do that. They can’t imagine teaching someone everything they would need to know.

And Glenn doubts anyone else can line up the wall in the way he would like.

He comes in at night now to fill the wall so that he can concentrate.

It’s a huge job setting up a store for fishing season and it has a very real deadline: April 29.

That is the day of his first sale and the beginning of an intense fourmonth season.

Premier Fitness Club

95 Lewes Blvd 668-4628 www.pkfitness.yk.ca Mon–Fri: 5am–10pm Weekends: 8am–8pm

What’s Up, YUKON!

April 22, 2005

Laying Some Fresh Tracks

What’s UP in SPORTS & FITNESS WHITEHORSE Archery Mondays and Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., at Christ the King Elementary School.

Info: Ron at 456-2009.

Law Day 5-KM Run/Walk April 22 at Law Courts. Info: Tom Ullyett 668-5844.

Ridge Run (Cross Country) 5 and 8 km April 24, Time TBA, at F.H. Collins Secondary School.

Info: Chris Locke at 456-2368.

First 5km Fun Run/Walk Event May 10, 6:30 p.m., F.H. Collins Secondary School. Info: Marg White at 633-5671.

Cancer Relay For Life June 4 7pm & June 5 7am Rotary Peace Park For more info contact Jan McKenzie 668-6440 or email jmckenzie@bc.cancer.ca Purebred Dog Walk Sundays at 2 p.m. at Shipyards Park if weather allows.

Table Tennis School Tournament April 24 at noon at Whitehorse Elementary School. Info: Dave Stockdale 668-3358.

Table Tennis Yukon Championships May 1 at noon at Whitehorse Elementary School. Info: Dave Stockdale.

Canada Winter Games 2007 Identification and Development Camp for hockey April 22-24 at Stan McCowan Arena. Info: 668-4236.

Yukon Amateur Hockey Association AGM April 23, 7-9 p.m., at High Country Inn. There will be an election of officers.

YMHA General Meeting April 23 7-9 p.m. at High Country Inn. VeloNorth Cycling Club Info: www.velonorth.ca .

April 21 at 7 p.m. rec event April 27 at 7 p.m. starting at Carcross Cutoff, road Event April 28 at 7 p.m. . rec event May 4, 6:15 p.m., at corner of 12th and Centennial, road event.

May 11, 6:30 p.m., beginner course mountain event at Chadburn Lake ski trails parking lot Judo Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:10- 7:30 p.m., at Wood Street Annex. Info: vic at 633-5814.

Orienteering Learn to “O” Workshop April 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Info: Barbara at 668-2306.

Polarettes Gymnastic Club Family Drop in Most Sundays 1:30-3pm.

Polarettes Yukon Championships Friday May 13 5-8:30pm & Saturday May 14 8:30-5pm for more info call 668-4794 Gentle Yoga. Tuesdays 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Above Alpine Bakery. No experience necessary.

Ashtanga Yoga. Tuesdays 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Above Alpine Bakery. Experience necessary.

Intermediate Yoga. Wednesdays 7:15 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Above Alpine Bakery. Claire @ 456-7897.

Yoga with Lillian Mondays and Fridays from 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. at Alpine Bakery. All levels, beginners welcome. Info: 334-1026.

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Youth Curling Club every Thursday, 3:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m., at Rec Centre Curling Rink for ages 6 to 12.

Adult Curling League every Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., for ages 13 and up.

28th Annual Carmacks Ridge Run May 6 at Tantalus School. Info: Cully Robinson at 863-5371.

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TAKHINI HOT SPRINGS Thursday & Fridays 4pm-10pm Sat & Sun 10am-10Pm

25

Snowboarding gains respectability

with George Maratos

W

hen Sue Deforest asked her older brother if she could borrow his new snowboard and head to the “V” in Riverdale, she had no idea that 13 years later she’d be the backbone of the sport in the territory.

“That was my first experience with snowboarding,” explains Deforest. “My Mom had bought my brother this cheap plastic snowboard from Sears and after several attempts he decided he wasn’t into it. So I asked him if I could use it and I guess you could say the rest is history.”

These days Deforest sits as sport chair of snowboarding for the 2007 Canada Winter Games.

The responsibility is just another to add to her lengthy snowboarding resume.

In 2000, upon completing her bachelor of science degree at the University of Victoria, Deforest immediately got involved with the Whitehorse snowboard scene, helping run the Fresh Tracks Snowboard Club.

“I missed the sport,” said Deforest.

Eventually Deforest became the head of the Snowboard Club, taking on the task of drawing up lesson plans, supervising kids at the Gymnastics Club (dry-land training) and organizing weekend sessions at Mount Sima.

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And she took club members to The Summit as a reward for their hard work all year.

In 2002, Deforest traveled to Greenland as assistant coach of the Yukon Snowboard Team competing at the Arctic Winter Games.

Sue Deforest has gone from snowboarding enthusiast to snowboarding booster.

Photo: George Maratos.

Two years later she made the trip again, this time to Fort McMurray as head coach for the 2004 edition of the games.

Both years, the athletes came home with medals.

“Dedicated,” says Deforest when asked how she thinks the athletes she coaches might describe her.

Whatever the adjective, one thing that is certain is the sport’s growing popularity.

These days, at Mount Sima, there are noticeable snowboard influences.

At the recent Simapalooza event held at the mountain, a slope style contest, organized by Deforest, was put on. Of the close to 40 competitors, just three were skiers.

“It’s definitely done a 180,” chuckles Deforest, when speaking about the growing interest of the sport. “When I first began, snowboarding was illegal at some mountains.”

While Mount Sima wasn’t one of those to ban the sport, Deforest estimates only 25 per cent of those at the hill were boarders.

Today, that number hovers around the 80 per cent mark.

“It’s awesome,” said Deforest. “I always thought there was potential for the sport to grow in the territory and that’s why I got involved. The kids always inspired me too. There’s a lot of energy in the youth and snowboarding is a great sport to feed that.”

The sport doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon either.

When Whitehorse hosts the Canada Winter games in 2007 it will mark the first time snowboarding has been a part of the event.

As the sport continues to grow Deforest says she does require some help.

This season she stepped down as coach of the Fresh Tracks Club as she felt with her commitment to the Canada Games there would not be the time.

Therefore, there is now a vacancy for the coaching spot and Deforest says it is a great opportunity.

“It’s very rewarding,” said Deforest. “The relationship I’ve developed with the younger snowboard community is great. It’s nice when a kid says, “Hi” to me on the slopes.”

Who knows? Maybe there is someone else out there with their brother’s cheap plastic snowboard from Sears.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

26

April 22, 2005

Not Everyone Tells Time the Same Way Pushing Martha to the limit

O

ne of the most important things to do before a hike is to know what you’re getting into. I always have a pretty good sense of where it is that I’m going, but apparently, I’m not always so good at relaying this information to others.

The Magnusson Trail on Grey Mountain offers beautiful walks over excellent and varied terrain, with options that can shorten or lengthen an outing as desired.

Easter weekend seemed a good time to check it out so we invited a friend along for the walk.

My wife’s friend, let’s call her Martha, asked, “How long will it take?”

Not having actually walked this trail in many years, I replied, “Probably an hour; maybe an hour and a half.” Martha thought that was long, but agreed to come anyway.

It was such a beautiful day that just strolling around the green trail would have been unconscionable.

So, after tackling the hill at the beginning and arriving at the first junction, I naturally led everyone off on the red trail, which is the

Map by Chris Wheeler

with Chris Wheeler

longest. Winter’s melting snow still covered the trail in an uneven mat. It didn’t seem a problem.

My son and I were ahead chatting about the latest game gear. “Dad, did you know that the DS has a touch screen, and you can play movies on the new PSP?” Before long, wrapped up in our conversation, we realized that my wife and Martha were nowhere to be seen.

Time to stop and wait...

About twenty minutes later they appeared and asked, “How much further?”

I guessed that we were about halfway. “Um, maybe forty minutes.” I said.

“Forty Minutes!” replied Martha. She was looking a little tense.

“If it’s much longer, I’m going to faint from low blood sugar. You’ll have to carry me out!” Martha has a great sense of humour.

“Don’t worry, I’ll let your husband know where I saw you last.”

Levity’s a good thing.

An hour and a half later, my son and I reached the end of the trail,

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hopped in the truck and began to wait. I was feeling fairly tired and, checking my watch, realized that the walk had been a good three hours. Oh oh.

“How do you feel?” I asked my son.

“Great!” He replied.

“Are you tired?” I asked.

“Not really,” he said. But then, what would you expect from a 13-year-old? My wife’s friend is closer to 50. I began to drive the truck up and down Grey Mountain Road paralleling the last kilometre of trail. Finally Martha’s dog appeared out of the trees walking towards the road. Soon after

came my wife helping her friend down the final hill. Martha looked a little unsteady so I got out of the truck to help. “How’s it going?” I asked.

“Well, other than not being able to walk, thanks to my hip and my knees, I’m fine,” she said. We bundled everyone in the vehicle then Martha looked at me and said, “An hour?”

“Well, I might have been a little off ... still, you made it! Your body will thank you for the exercise.”

“Oh, it’s already thanking me,” she said.

It’s a day later, and Martha just telephoned saying, “I’m never going to hike with you again.”

“In that case,” I replied, “could I hike with you?”

She thought for a minute and said, “No.” But I’m not at all convinced. chris@wheeler.ca

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In addition to the regular games we will be hosting

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What’s Up, YUKON!

April 22, 2005

27

Volleyball Prepares for the 2005 Canada Games

Lorne Sawula, a coach with the women’s national volleyball team, was in Whitehorse to help prepare players for the 2005 Canada Games in Regina.

Photos: Mark Prins

W

ith the excitement of the Canada Winter Games coming to Whitehorse in 2007, it is easy to overlook that there are summer games in Regina this August.

Volleyball Yukon started working toward those games five years ago, when Scott Shelton and Russ Tait developed an elite program to identify and develop the best players.

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Boys and girls teams, from each of the three Whitehorse high schools, were pitted against each other. The final tournament attracted 450 spectators who each paid $2 at the door.

After the volleyball season, the best players were brought together for Outside tournaments.

Last November, the boys team placed fifth of 20 teams in a tournament in Calgary. The girls placed ninth of 36 teams.

“The Canada Games are another step, though,” says Tait.

“A lot of them are from university teams.

“When we play against the big prairie teams, we have to modify our goals.”

Unfortunately, the Yukon is in a pool with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Tait says each of these teams will likely be in the final three.

Volleyball Yukon has also modi-

fied its goals: It isn’t looking at developing candidates for the national team, they just want the players to be in a good position to make their respective college and university teams.

Recently, Lorne Sawula, a coach with the women’s national team, came to Whitehorse to offer clinics.

“We have Level 3 coaches, but

there are always different ways of teaching,” says Tait.

“The kids appreciated the variety of drills and really enjoyed the clinics ... he runs a good practice.”

Sawula brought videos of the national teams practising.

The next tournament for the Canada Games team will be in Calgary again in mid-May.

My greatest sports moment ... ... would have been when I managed to play an entire Whitehorse Men’s Rec hockey game without falling down. Although not a glamorous memory, it was a painless one.

“Go Devils Go.” Jason Wilneff, Whitehorse

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What’s Up, YUKON!

28

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April 22, 2005