What's Up Yukon, May 6, 2005

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The Yu kon’s Firs GARDE t and Only NING S ECTION P ag e s 1 3 to 16

May 6th, 2005 Issue #7

What’s Inside What’s Happening

Peter Pan....................2 The Editor’s Page...........3 Dining Fine..................4 Recipe.......................5 April Wine...................5 Attention Span..............6 Restaurant Listing..........6 Beer Buzz....................7 What’s Happening..........8 Next Stage ................ 10 Senator’s Ball............. 10 Bar Listing................. 10 Wild Gamer................11 Yukon Rainbow............11

Gardening

Let’s Get Growing.........13 Planter’s Pride.............13 Avant-Gardener........... 14 Life on the Farm.......... 14 Ask the Experts........... 15 By the Moon............... 16

Arts and Culture

Quilters..........................17 Museum Day.....................17 Stage in Motion.................18 Audio Borealis...................19 Reel Yukon......................20 Youth Week.....................21 KIAC Artist.......................21 Middle East Dance..............22 Arts Listing......................22 Cool Threads....................23 From the Arts...................23

Sports and Rec

Tri-athlete.................

Run for Mom..............

Squash.....................

Play Makers...............

Sports Listing.............

Walkabout.................

Canada Games............

Waterwalker..............

Nicole Bauberger is Darwin, A Fish Out of Water. The inaugural production of L’Ark Theatre will tour schools during the first Nicole is Darwin, Fishthe Outpublic of half of Bauberger May and then performA for Water.

The inaugural production of L’Ark May 14 at the Wood Street Centre.

Theatre will tour schools during the first half PHOTO: MARK PRINS of May and then perform for the public May 14 at the Wood Street Centre.

Photo: Mark Prins

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What’s Up, YUKON!

2

May 6, 2005

Spring Recital Has Turned Into an Event

Rehearsals are under way as the Northern Lights School of Dance prepares for Peter Pan and Dancing Through Neverland, May 12 to 14, at the Yukon Arts Centre.

A

Prins funny thing happened Photo: a cou-Mark the school’s artistic director and ple of years ago: The North- principal, said it was noticed that ern Lights School of Dance not everyone in the audience was a presented Alice In Wonderland for parent or grandparent. its spring recital.

So, from May 12 to 14, Peter Pan The entire school got involved and Dancing Through Neverland and the kids had a blast. will be presented by the 300-plus The next year, Snow White was students and 25 volunteers at the presented and Deborah Lemaire, Yukon Arts Centre.

“Recitals, where 35 classes are doing a little piece each, could be tedious,” says Lemaire. “But the kids enjoy being a part of a production.”

There is already an annual production of The Nutcracker. Over five or six years, a piece or two was worked on until it all came together for the two-hour show. Dancers have to audition for the parts.

Peter Pan and Dancing Through Neverland will involve all the students from little ones, who will be led on stage, to three graduating students who will be featured after the play.

The “story ballet” will also include modern dance, jazz, tap and hip hop.

“There won’t be any break dancing, but we do have an alligator that comes out on a skateboard,” says Lemaire, sitting beside a pile of glow-in-the-dark swords and axes purchased from the Dollar Store.

The set will be sparse — just a big window, three beds (which become boulders in Neverland when they

are turned around), greenery (that was borrowed from the Music Arts and Drama program’s presentation of Little Shop of Horrors) and a ship’s mast — so that the focus will be on the dancers.

“Peter Pan (the play) is terrific,” says Lemaire. “You can have a lot of fun with the Lost boys and the pillow fights and all that.”

Unfortunately, Peter Pan won’t

be flying on cables. There is no one in the Yukon who is certified to operate the rigging. But lights and other tricks will give the illusion of flight.

Tickets are available at the Hougen Ticket Office and at the Yukon Arts Centre.

Performances begin at 7 p.m. on May 12 and 13. On May 14, it begins at 2 p.m.

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EDITOR’S PAGE

May 6, 2005

What’s Up, YUKON!

I’m Just Saying...

I

Reporting on the FUN SIDE from the INSIDE

An editorial by Darrell Hookey

have a confession to make: I do not know the definition of culture.

As the editor of a magazine that examines culture, this is like the manager of Dairy Queen admitting to not understanding the concept of ice cream.

Stumbling into this job four months ago, I thought I knew what culture was: It is the accumulated habits, attitudes and beliefs of a group of people that define for them their general behaviour and way of life; the total set of learned activities of a people.

Okay, I totally ripped that from Webster’s Dictionary. But who among us have a clear concept of culture? I talked to Gregory Heming, my colleague at the Yukon News who has studied our culture and written extensively on the subject, and he didn’t have a definition. So, now, I don’t feel so bad.

But it is my job to understand the definition of culture.

So, more than most of my non-Catholic friends, I watched the selection of a new Pope with fascination. Although religion is considered, by some definitions, as a component of a culture, Catholicism is such a far-reaching blueprint for social behaviour that it has to be considered a culture. Catholics have shared habits, attitudes and beliefs that define their way of life ... it meets Webster’s criteria exactly.

And here they were on television for all to see, using a system that is 2,000 years old to choose a man who would further shape their habits, attitudes and beliefs.

I am not Catholic and I do not share some of their values, but I have tremendous respect for a group that can hold its social order together for so long despite the changes that often whirl around it seemingly out of control.

Yet, at the same time, I am impressed with Mariano Abarca, a young man who is helping define his own culture that is mostly owned by the youth. He is a b-boy proponent and has impressive abilities in its signature dance style.

B-boying, or “break dancing” as many try to call it, has a style of dress and a manner of speech and core values that are friendly, appreciative and inclusive. As hard-edged bands try to co-opt the b-boy culture for their own purposes, Abarca and other followers stick to the values in their heart.

It was Abarca who started me on a voyage of discovery. I gave up on trying to understand the definition of culture and decided to explore it instead. The full-page story on b-boying, in the April 8th issue of What’s Up Yukon, was my first foray into the examination of sub cultures.

Yes, “sub cultures”. We are a complicated people who practise our right of free will to an extent unimagined by society even 100 years ago. Immigration, the embrace of basic human rights, parallel societies of aboriginal and non-aboriginal and unfettered, omnipresent media has set us off in many divergent paths. There is no common culture.

Canadians are a sum of our cultures. Some cultures are intolerant of other cultures, but we must at some level allow for that. It is an ongoing struggle that will only be understood by historians a thousand years from now.

Meanwhile, I will do my small part by examining each subculture. Mark Prins continued this quest with a story on the Aboriginal Youth Society in the last issue. This issue it is the culture of quilters. Next issue it will be a gay and lesbian dance at the Guild Hall.

But everyday I will have to make decisions: Is the tuba story, in our next issue, an entertainment story for the What’s Happening section, or does it belong in the Arts and Culture section? Tubas are played for our entertainment, but they are considered a highbrow instrument that is “cultured” — yet another definition of culture.

OK, I have to make a decision and this shall be my template for future decisions: If an activity promotes or furthers our understanding of society, it will be an Arts and Culture story. If an activity is intended for enjoyment only, that’s Entertainment.

My education will come as a relief to my publisher who once winced when I told her, “If you drink beer while you watch it, it’s entertainment; if you drink wine, it’s culture.”

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Northern Lights are Fake??

To My Esteemed Editor, I know I promised you a story on the gold nuggets discovered in the foundation of the Dempster Highway, but I regret it will be late.

And, no, it has nothing to do with that misunderstanding between the highway crews and myself. Although my sincere attempts to restore the road to its original condition was prolonged by their ridiculously high standards ... especially for a dirt road they jokingly call a highway.

The actual reason for my tardiness is an amazing discovery I have made in Dawson City. My report has, or has not, reached you at great peril. If you do not hear from me again, please be informed I am likely the prisoner of the Yukon Tourism Department and you, sadly, will be next unless you take extraordinary precautions.

You see, I have found out the Northern Lights are fake.

I have always assumed, along with everyone else, they are caused when solar wind is enhanced by an influx of high energy atomic particles and the excess electrons and protons penetrate the magnetosphere exciting the gas molecules causing them to emit electromagnetic radiation in the visible portion of the spectrum.

What fools we have been!

I began to learn the truth when I overheard a conversation in the Dawson City Hotel while I was washing the dishes (I’ll explain that unfortunate and regrettable confusion under separate cover). The Northern Lights have not been as spectacular as years previous and this was the topic of conversation at this table of Town Fathers (or should I say, “Town Parents” to be sensitive to the ambitions of our fairer sex?). I overheard Peter Jenkins to remark on this fascinating subject, and I quote, “Ottawa won’t like this, they will wonder what we are doing with the budget.”

My head reeled with dismay. What could this mean? I swooned and dropped a plate. The sound of Melmac hitting the floor and spiralling endlessly brought those at the table to the door of the kitchen just as I opened a window to refresh myself with a little air.

Instinct caused me to jump through the window even before I heard the cries of “Get him!”

I have since been living on scraps left out in wolf traps (remind me to show you the matching scars on my cheeks when we next meet). I move in the shadows, sleep in a hollowed out snow bank and survive by my wits. I will not

repair to safety until I get to the bottom of, what I call, the Mystery of the Northern Lights.

Your Intrepid Reporter, Conrad Jones Please don’t tell people you write for What’s Up Yukon. –Ed.

Mutual Appreciation To the Editor, Just wanted to let you know I think your new paper is great!

I love the scope/variety, the photos of the columnists, and especially the ENERGY I feel from the whole production.

I am the facilitator of the Healing Circle you have chosen to mention in your What’s Happening column. It is a joy to see it included there. This tells me that you appreciate the range of activities and services available in the Yukon.

My association with Yukon Wholistic Health Network is additionally warmed by your inclusion of the energy which is facilitated by the Healing Circle (which has been on-going in Whitehorse since 1992!).

Keep up the great work!

In loving spirit, Eleanor Velarde And we appreciate the care from your community. –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.

Correction The story on Keith Wolf Smarch, in our last issue, mis-characterized the involvement of Ken Anderson. It should have been reported that he taught the first half of the program. Incorrect information was received.

What’s Up, YUKON!

4

May 6, 2005

The Deli is Not Just for Sandwiches with Darrell Hookey

I

have only been peripherally aware that The Deli had fullcourse meals available for lunch.

But they sell 20 to 24 of these specials a day.

Being a guy, I have always headed to the back of the restaurant to order, what I call, a “Dagwood Bumstead Sandwich”. I know there are two meat cutters and a sausage maker in the basement because I can see the various meats laid out in the display case.

With different breads and veggies and spreads to choose from, my sandwiches are always different and always big.

But I always pass the other display cases that feature all kinds of other meals and I reproach myself for not giving them a try.

And, I am embarrassed to admit this, I didn’t know The Deli has daily specials even though there is always a sign in the window and another hanging from the ceiling inside.

So, since my LDC was out of town, I invited my friend and colleague to join me. He is a frequent visitor and knew all of the tricks: “I really like their Chef’s Salad because there is usually more meat in it than others.

“And wait until later before ordering the soup because it is

thicker near the bottom of the pot ... even though you risk having it sold out.

“And the meat loaf here is the best.”

Sandra Wohlfarth is the daughter-in-law of Ernst, the legendary and retired owner who still comes in once in a while to make sausages. She agrees that the soup sometimes sells out, but they keep tinkering with the quantities to ensure everyone gets what they want.

And they have a scientific way of knowing what isn’t liked: “When we scrape off the dishes, we know.”

We sat at the table my F&C picked out ... one of the two in front of the window: “It’s fun to watch people try to parallel park,” he said.

At each table there is a flower and a copy of What’s Up Yukon (which I had just spent the morning delivering around town and wasn’t interested in seeing again for a while).

It is this homey touch that Wohlfarth figures is the reason so many of her customers are men: “Some are in suits, some are covered in drywall dust and paint ... and they order our specials that are mostly meat and potato.

“We see the same faces every day. We know who is on the Atkins Diet and the South Beach Diet and we have a lot of vegetarians who come to a delicatessen for lunch, so we have vegetarian sandwiches.”

Today’s special was the Pork Loin Wellington. It was one, huge, piece of meat covered in a pastry that was only heavy on the bottom.

It came with a shredded carrot salad and oven-roasted potatoes that I originally thought were lightly spiced until it kicked in just a little later.

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he likes is the Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche.

So, there are two lessons here: Don’t just go directly to the back counter for sandwiches at The Deli. And, if you want to go to a restaurant that you have never tried before ... take a knowledgeable guide with you.

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.

Specializing in Pasta Dine In or Takeout Daily specials Fully licenced We’re in your neighbourhood for the best selection of Gourmet Pizza, Pasta, Salads, Sandwiches, Ribs.

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My F&C, being the old-hand at this restaurant – he knows all the servers by name and they all know him — ordered the Clam Chowder and Ham & Swiss Quiche. But he calls the quiche, “Egg Pie” because real men don’t eat quiche.

“I felt satisfied,” he said afterward. “It’s just a bowl of soup and a quiche but it fills you up.”

We had sat down at 1:00, so the clam chowder was thick (just as he knew it would be) and the quiche had just the right mixture of ham and cheese. The other one

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What’s Up, YUKON!

May 6, 2005

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5

April Wine Finally Comes to the Yukon

F

or 36 years, April Wine has provided Canadians with a roller coaster ride.

At first, the ride was the hard-rocking and softer sounds that filled the airwaves. Then, after 10 years, it was pride as international audiences gave the group gold and platinum records.

Hits, such as Roller and You Won’t Dance With Me, lured concert goers to stages that featured big hair and bigger explosions as the group toured with the rock and roll greats.

Today, it is a nostalgic ride that finally arrives in the Yukon as longtime fans cup an ear to favourite songs whenever an April Wine tune is broadcast.

But April Wine is not an oldies band ... it has just been around a long time.

Myles Goodwyn, the only original member from its Nova Scotia days, said the Whitehorse audience will hear new songs from the album it is now recording.

“But we’ll also play the songs people want to hear,” says Goodwyn in a telephone interview that included just as many questions

from him as he tried to figure out “The Yukon Sound” and the best place to hear it after the show.

The show has been a long time coming as Barry Bellchambers found a way to bring the group to his Yukon Convention Centre May 18. That’s a Wednesday, mid-week when April Wine will be between

much larger gigs on the weekends of a three-week tour.

Bellchambers says it helped bring the price for each ticket down to $35. It’s an artificially low price because he is competing with the subsidized Yukon Arts Centre.

“We’ll just have to be flexible,” he says.

RECIPE From the kitchen of The Deli

PORK LOIN WELLINGTON 4 Servings

INGREDIENTS 4 to 5 tablespoons oil or shortening 1 pork loin (2 to 2.5 pounds) 1 clove garlic Liverwurst or Pate Pepper 3 tablespoons butter 1 onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon mixed herbs 1 package puff pastry 1 egg PREPARATION Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heat oil or shortening in oven.

Rub over pork with cut piece of garlic.

Season with pepper and any herbs you like (we use Rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper).

Roast for 20 to 25 minutes.

Allow pork loin to cool. Reset oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for the pastry.

Melt butter.

Cook chopped onion five minutes, until soft.

Roll pastry thinly on floured board.

Shape to a size that will completely cover pork loin.

Lay cooled meat in centre of pastry.

Spread a layer of pate (we use our homemade liverwurst) and cover with the cooked onions.

Brush pastry edges with water.

Fold pastry over top and pinch together to make a pattern.

Fold pastry carefully over ends to seal.

Decorate with leaves made from leftover pastry.

Brush whole surface with beaten egg to glaze.

Cut a few small steam vents into top of pastry.

Bake 20 to 30 minutes until pastry is browned.

Cut in slices to serve.

It’sTime!

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What’s Up, YUKON!

6

A Pope By Any Other Name ... with Chris McNutt

A

nd now we have a new Pope.

After a time of mourning for the beloved Pope John Paul II, the Vatican, with great joy, celebration and a plume of white smoke, announced the appointment of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church — Pope Benedict XVI. As everyone knows, being the Pope is hard work, but a lot of fun.

You get to wear great clothes, the travel and benefits are awesome, the Vatican is a great home for entertaining and you get to choose your own name. In fact, that’s the first thing you do when you accept the job.

But just what name do you choose? There are no Vatican rules about choosing a name. It can be one of many, like Benedict XVI, or you can go with a complete original like Cher, which rarely ever happens. In the weeks leading up to Benedict XVI’s appointment, there was much speculation about what name the new Pope would choose in following the most popular Pope in history.

John Paul II was just the second of his namesake, and he directly followed the original, Pope John Paul I who reigned for a mere thirty-three days in 1978. When he donned the title, the name John Paul was still fresh. It was a 20th century original, just like the man himself.

Pope John Paul II rode around in the Pope-Mobile. He went to Moncton. He hung out with the Dalai Lama. He was the first Pope to have a website and live webcasts of his Easter Mass at St Peter’s Square. He was some crazy-kind of 21st century Supreme Pontiff, and one tough act to follow.

So what can we expect out of our new Pope? Well, with a name like Benedict XVI, the first impression is that he’s probably kind of old school. Maybe more Old Testament than most, perhaps a stickler for Fish on Fridays. The name Benedict does mean ‘blessed’ which definitely works with the position of Supreme Pontiff. It’s certainly better than Brian or Dave.

Throughout the reign of Christendom, certain Papal titles have been more popular than others and have had meanings associated with their names. There have been twenty-three Johns (named for the Apostle), fourteen Clements (Merciful), sixteen Gregorys (which means Greg in Latin), and thirteen Innocents (Pure) along with the previous fifteen Benedicts.

Of moderate popularity are the six Pauls, five Nicolases, four Felixes, three Sylvesters, two Theodores and one Zephyrinus. Just using the letter “S”, the options include Simplicius, Sisinnius, Severinus, Siricius, Silverius, Soter, and Symmachus.

I know it’s weird, but there has been only five Popes who have taken the name Sixtus. Since Sixtus the Fifth passed on in 1590, none of the subsequent 52 Popes have wanted to call themselves Sixtus the Sixth.

There was even one Pope Hilarius who reigned from 461–468. He was Italian and his first name was Totally.

All Northern.

All Fun. Watch for our next issue Friday, May 20

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May 6, 2005

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.

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 Madtrapper Bistro 393-3337 Best soup in town, breakfast all day, and now we serve steak and Ribs. Call about our daily specials.

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 11:303:30, 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 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 A Special Mothers Day Brunch at the Westmark Whitehorse Reservations highly recommended 10 AM - 2:30 PM Sunday, May 8th HAINES JUNCTION Cozy Corner Motel & Restaurant Home cooked meals with a cozy atmosphere and WOW...

What a view! Open year round phone 867-634-2511 Hoang’s Restaurant Kluane Park Inn Licensed dining room, featuring Chinese and Western Menu Open Year round 867-634-2225 Deadline for May 20 issue Monday, May 9 by 5pm

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What’s Up, YUKON!

May 6, 2005

I

7

What Your Father Never Told You About Beer

f beer to you is nothing more than just something to swill with pizza, you might want to skip this week’s column. Of course, to us, beer is more than how we pay the grocery bills. If it wasn’t, we would have left beer in the hands of the big brewers. We get kind of passionate about it, frankly speaking.

Since we think our beer is a bit different from the big guys, we thought it might be a good idea to describe how we taste beer so that we could draw that conclusion. We learned in Beer School

how to taste beer (yep, there is such a thing, the Siebel Institute in Chicago is where we went).

We were also told that we would never taste beer the same again, once we learned how. They were right.

So, here we go. First and foremost, you need to put all of your senses to work: your eyes to see the colour of the beer; your nose to smell the beer; your tongue to taste the beer and for mouth-feel; your ears to enjoy the sound of the bottle opening and pouring into the glass; and your sense of touch

to feel for the proper temperature of the beer.

Pour the beer down the center of a clean, room-temperature glass. PLEASE, use a glass and don’t drink out of the bottle. Like so many other things in life, beer should be seen to be appreciated and the brewer spent a lot of time and money to create that beautiful head.

Beer colour can range from pale yellow, to golden, to cop-

per, to amber, to red, to brown to chocolate to almost black.

The length of time roasting of the grain determines the colour of the beer. Flavour and mouthfeel can vary tremendously with beers of the same colour.

Many people consider clear, unclouded beer an indication of quality. This is not always true, as it takes chemicals to make the beer completely clear. A bit of haze is just fine.

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S’igedi Gifts & Things now carries a supply of quality, affordable wedding accessories. We have cake toppers, centre pieces, cake serving sets, champagne glasses, guest books and more.

Hold the beer up to your nose to savour the aroma of the beer. You may smell the floral aroma given from the hops or the sweetness from the malted grains. Smell can be used to discern problems with the beer — but we will save “problems” for another column.

Take a good mouthful, don’t dither and sip. Use all the taste buds on your tongue. Sweet is on the front; tart/sourness at the sides of the back; and bitterness at the center back. Beer that is well balanced gives equal billing to all areas of the tongue. Not all beer should be well balanced.

Some will be very tart, some very bitter and some very sweet. Feel the beer swirl over your tongue and around your mouth — it’s what we call mouth-feel. Depending on the style, this could be very light or will have a very full feel leaving a tongue coating.

Do not, ever, spit the beer out like it was wine. Please. Many of your taste buds are located down your tongue, and perception of the bitters require that you swallow. Plus, why wouldn’t you swallow?

Having said all of this, we must admit ... we have been seen swilling from the bottle or can, sometimes even with a pizza. But we highly recommend you try some different beers and really experience them. You may find in time that you, like us, will never taste beer the same again.

This column is provided by the Yukon Brewing Company, an organization that is more anal retentive than that irritating Alexander Keith guy.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

8

WHITEHORSE BYTE Film Night with shorts of the North and youth May 5, 7 p.m. at Hellaby Hall.

Double bill admission by donation Boys Night Out/Girls Night In May 5 at Whitehorse Youth Centre. Girls’ Photo contest, 7- 9:00 p.m.

FUNtastic Opening Party May 6, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Whitehorse Youth Centre.

Ages 12 -18.

Making Mini Dragons from Sculpey May 7, 5-9 p.m., at Whitehorse Youth Centre. It’s a free workshop.

Teen Night May 7 8-9:30 p.m. at Lions Aquatic Centre. Free admission.

Colour, Ice and Yukon Sheep: Unravelling Evolutionary Mysteries with John Loehr May 6, 7 p.m. at Faro Recreation Centre.

St Nikolai Orthodox Christian Mission Liturgy and Vespers on Saturday, May 7 10am to 7pm and Sunday May 8 10am at Maryhouse in Whitehorse Call John Or Sharon at 393-2615 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.

The Goldwing Road Riders Assoc invites all motorcyclist to take part in our annual show and shine at the Elijah Smith Building Sunday May 14 from 10am to 3pm.

Canadian Firearms Safety Course May 14th & 15th . Presented by the Whitehorse Rifle and Pistol Club. Phone 633-6263 or leave a message at 633-4003 Gardening Orientation Saturday May 14, 11am to 1pm at the community garden 7th and Ray. New gardeners welcome.

?

What’s

Gardening Workshop for wildlife May 14 Whitehorse with Tony Hill 11 to 12 pm at Yukon Gardens. Talk about and look at different plants that attract and support local wildlife.

4th Annual Senator’s Ball May 14, at the Yukon Convention Centre. Reception, dinner and dancing with music by Annie Avery Trio and Swinging Fish Nuggets.

Tickets $100 each and proceeds will go to the United Way. Info and tickets: Shane Fairman at 668-4405.

April Wine May 18, 6 p.m. for dinner and 8 p.m. for the concert, at the Yukon Arts Centre. Info: 456-2248.

Cancer Relay For Life June 4 at 7pm & June 5 at 7am, Contact Jan McKenzie 668-6440 or email: jmckenzie@bc.cancer.ca Yukon Bird Club May 5 Schwatka Lake Beginners Waterfowl Night. Learn about waterbird identification with Rene Carlson. Meet at the SS Klondike at 6:30 pm (about 2 hours) May 11 Shallow Bay Lake Laberge with Scott Herron. Bring rubber boots and dress warmly. Meet at Porter Creek Super A at 5:30pm (about 3 hours)

May 6, 2005

HAPPENING

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

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

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

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

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

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 6682262 for information.

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

Yukon Speed Skating Association AGM Monday May 16 7:30 pm at Centennial Motor. Everyone Welcome Contact Bruce at 393-8100

HAINES JUNCTION 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.

FARO Annual Crane & Sheep Viewing Weekend May 6-8.

Colour, Ice and Yukon Sheep: Unravelling Evolutionary Mysteries with John Loehr May 6, 7 p.m. at Faro Recreation Centre.

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

TAGISH

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society of Yukon May 24 7pm for more info call 393-4948

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

YACL AGM Tuesday, June 7, 7pm at the Whitehorse Public Library. Election of officers, Nicki Henry Award, annual reports followed by refreshments. Call 667-4606 for information

NFVIA AGM Tuesday May 17, 7pm Fireside rm Yukon Inn For more info call 456-2978 or nfvia@yknet.ca

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

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).

May 14 International Migratory Bird Day, Spring Migration Count. To participate call Cameron Eckert at 667-4630 May 16 Millennium Trail, along the banks of the Yukon River with Patti Nash and Jenny Trapnell. Meet at the Fish Ladder in Riverdale at 6:30 pm (approx. 2 hours) May 19 Mouth of McIntyre Creek. Lee Kubica will be your guide. Meet at Porter Creek Super A at 6:30 pm (approx 2 hours)

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May 6, 2005

9

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What’s Up, YUKON!

10

May 6, 2005

Emerging Bands Incite Riotous Dancing with Bill Polonsky

I

met Johnny Eden at the Backwater Lounge a few weeks back when I went to see his solo show.

My first impressions were of a serious songwriter capable of writing in a variety of styles and tempos with a blend of jazzy funk, rock, country and blues-folk.

His repertoire was eclectic to be sure, but not as eclectic as was his guitar, the soundboard plastered with stickers that, at a distance, looked like leopard spots.

He has been in the North since early this year playing shows around town and was hoping to play a few more gigs before he left the Yukon.

A group from YTG making merry highlighted the evening, dancing and enjoying the music well into the night.

This past Friday was perfect for the Groupes Emergent(s) Bands to perform. The night was warm and everyone involved was ready to shake off the last remaining vestiges of winter to participate in, what I hope will be, a regular venue for these and other new Yukon performers to showcase their talent.

Heather Loewen was first up on the stage. I talked about Loewen last issue when I saw her perform solo at The Backwater Lounge. This night, at The Boiler Room, she was backed up by a band that turned her music around and gave it an early 80s new wave feel: fresh and groovy.

Yes, I said “groovy”.

The mirror ball was in full spin tonight.

Senator’s Ball is a Hot Ticket

E

ven though it sells out every year, Shayne Fairman and Anne Kennedy are still worried about The Senator’s Ball for United Way. Fairman says it is always a challenge to squeeze in one more table at the 11th Hour ... yet he still worries.

He receives phone calls for months in advance from those wanting to make sure they get a ticket ... and yet Fairman worries.

Four years ago, Senator Ione Christensen was looking for a “Yukon-formal” event to host that would aid a charity. She approached the United Way and the rest was history.

In three years, $50,000 has been raised through ticket sales and silent auctions at the ball.

Kennedy says that amounts to 15 percent of the United Way’s income. And it all goes to its good works since there is already an operating grant in place.

Some of those ticket sales are from Christensen’s colleagues in

Pampering Northerners for 35 years

the Senate. They often spend a few days getting to know Yukoners and their issues.

Christensen also brings a Canadian flag that had flown from the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill for a day to be auctioned off.

“We’ve warned the purchasers that they need a really big flag pole,” says Fairman. “It’s huge.”

This year’s theme is secret, but the dinner will be filet of beef and the entertainment is provided

by The Annie Avery Trio and The Swinging Fish Nuggets.

Tickets and information are available from Fairman at 668-4405 (or 668-3710 by fax or sfairman@lawyukon.com by email).

The Senator’s Ball is May 14, at 6:00 p.m. at the Yukon Convention Centre: “It’s a new location this year,” says Kennedy. “It’s bigger and has a larger capacity.”

Fairman hangs his head and moans, “They are setting the bar higher for me.”

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Chris George’s trio played a short set to an expanding crowd of what at first view looked to be long-haired men and shorthaired women. George’s bluesy guitar filled the room as friends greeted each other with laughter and much kissing of cheeks.

As Kate Weekes and friends got up to play, The Boiler Room was reaching capacity. Seating became a premium and the conversations bilingual.

Her arrangements with this band really filled out the songs that I had previously heard her play solo. She really is a joy to listen to and I think she deserves support. She has a real knack as a songwriter and if she continues to write music of this calibre the rest of Canada will notice her.

When Soir de Semaine took the stage, the room erupted with dance. These local musicians take a traditional French-Canadian sound of acoustic guitar and accordion and give it a hard twist.

The unique appeal of their sound is a bottom end that is driven by a funk-rock bass and very heavy drumming. This combination of tone combined with great tunes and an exuberant stage presence

makes me want to see these guys in a larger venue with better sound and higher volume.

The term “tough act to follow” would be appropriate as Johnny Eden had the unenviable task of following Soir de Semaine.

He proved himself in spades as he stepped up to the mike and launched into some extreme riffing that kept his and the crowd’s mutual mojo working till late into the evening. strangethingsdone@hotmail.com

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Wednesday Wing Night Thursday Pint Night Friday Free “Happy Hour” Appies“Sexy Saturday” Slippery shooter Specials “the Lilting Banshees” on Sat May 7th.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

May 6, 2005

A

11

Games of Chance on the Open Seas

good friend of mine, Chance Sheffield, came up to Whitehorse a few weeks ago to visit. We spent a great evening, catching up on what was new in each other’s lives.

Sometime during the evening, Chance happened to mention what he did to pass his spare time at work. The columnist in me sat up

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and took notice at this point. It so happens, Chance is also Leading Seaman Sheffield and his place of work is the frigate H.M.C.S. Regina.

The Regina boasts a crew of approximately 230 personnel.

During trips out to sea, the crew do what they can to entertain themselves when they are off shift. And they seem to manage their entertainment very well indeed.

Sailors on the Regina all contribute to a “mess fund”. Each person pays $10 a month into the pool and the money is used to pay for anything the crew decides would suit them. From putting on barbeques to renting vans to tour in foreign ports, the fund pays for all the crew’s entertainment needs. One item that pops up all around the ship, paid for from the mess fund, is televisions.

Chance tells me that the junior crew members have TV’s “pretty much anyplace there is room enough to squeeze one in and strap it down.” The Junior Mess is the nerve centre of the sailors’ entertainment network. They have an enviable 48-inch LCD TV, with “every electronic device known to man” plugged into it. Flanking the

with Justin Lemphers

48-inch monster are three 24-inch flat screens.

While there is some demand for movies, most of the TV time is taken up with gaming. The crew bring their own laptops, games and game systems with them when they come on board. They find somewhere to strap them down and then the games begin.

Chance said in the last four months, a small sample of the games played on board were: Halo 2, Command and Conquer, Warcraft III, World of Warcraft, Motocross Mania 3 and Tiger Woods 2005.

As it has a tendency to do, the gaming often sparks friendly competition.

“Oh yeah, it’s all about bragging rights,” says Chance. When a friend of his brought Motocross Mania 3 on board, Chance was routinely low man on the scoreboard.

A few weeks later, Chance had improved to the point where he had the game mastered and, more importantly, he could outplay his

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friend. “I rubbed it in for all it was worth,” Chance says with a laugh.

I privately thought that Halo 2 would be at the top of the list but Chance said it only briefly reined as the choice game. Halo 2 was

quickly displaced by Tiger Woods 2005 and Tiger has been holding sway with no sign of losing ground.

Why Tiger? “Halo 2 was too easy, Buddy played it two days and had it finished. It ends. Tiger Woods keeps going and lets you play anyway you want.”

Since it comes with the recommendation of the Leading Seaman Sheffield, I will have to check out Tiger Woods 2005 for myself in my next column. Until then, play hard and keep an even keel.

Alaska: The Gay Frontier

I

was recently in Anchorage and decided to check out the local gay and lesbian scene there.

I met with a friend who steered me to several places where the community gathers. First, I was

floors, one which plays the techno music for the younger crowd and the other that plays older rock and roll for those of us who still remember the 70s. It has a nice friendly atmosphere and is a pop-

with Vanessa Willett

directed to the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage, which is run by an organization called Identity, a non-profit group that organizes all the pride events for the region. The center is open seven days a week from 3 to 9 p.m. It is a resource centre for the GLBT community. It is run completely from funds raised within the organization and provides a lending library, computer lab with internet access, a lounge with television and videos and educational resources. They are a friendly group and welcome visitors to come in and use the facility. Everything is provided free of charge.

I also checked out two of the local gay bars. The first one is called Mad Myrna’s. It has pool tables and two separate dance

ular spot with both the gay and straight community. The other gay bar is called The Raven and is very nondescript and not easy to find.

It is more of a lounge and is geared more towards an older clientele.

It also has pool tables as well as video gaming machines. It is very low key and a place to go if you want to have a quiet drink.

It is obvious that the gay and lesbian community is thriving in Alaska. Each summer they have a Pride Week with numerous events including a parade that attracts over 700 participants. I have talked with some local organizers and we may try and organize a campout where we get the Alaskan and Yukon gay communities together. I will have more about it in subsequent columns if it does come to fruition.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

May 6, 2005

13

Lawn Care is All in the Timing GROWING Let’s get

John Vander Kley

S

pring has finally sprung and soon everyone will be outside with rake in hand to clean up their yards and remove the old thatch from their lawns. It’s time to fertilize, right?

Wrong.

Think about waiting a couple more weeks. It is important that the lawn be dry and the soil under it thawed out. I always tell my customers that if you can sit on the grass without getting your bum wet then it is time to fertilize.

Another good indicator is if you can stick a shovel or pitch fork in the ground at least four inches.

Fertilizer on a wet lawn will burn the tops of the grass as the fertilizer sticks to the blades instead of dropping to the root zone. Fertilizing frozen ground and watering will likely only wash the fertilizer down the street or pool it up in the low spots. Fertilizer needs the warm temperatures to begin releasing properly, usually about 10-15 degrees Celsius.

To have a nice looking, healthy lawn you should fertilize at least three times per season and fertilize evenly with a good broadcast spreader.

It is important to understand what is in the fertilizer you use: Fertilizer is made up of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and potash (K).

The nitrogen gives your lawn the green colour, blade growth, phosphorus is for root development and potassium is for disease resistance and winter hardiness.

your lawn should only require about two inches of water per week. One good watering a week will promote deeper, hardier roots. To get an idea of how much water you are applying, place some measuring cups out on your lawn, turn on the water, and time how long it takes to get two inches in the cup.

If the temperature is up and the sun is out, your lawn may require a little more water. Watering in the evening or early morning is best so

that the water actually gets to the roots and is not evaporated by the hot sun and wind.

Some areas, such as under big trees, may require a little more water because, don’t forget, the tree is competing with the grass for water and nutrients. It’s a good idea to keep trees trimmed up away from the grass to let the water and light get to those areas.

Shady areas beside the house or fence may require less water as those areas may take longer to

dry out. Areas of lawn that are in the shade and over watered tend to grow moss and mushrooms and generally don’t thrive.

Well, here is to a good growing season, and just think, you only have to mow your grass about 24 more times this summer....Let’s get growing!

This column is courtesy of Adorna Flowers and Landscaping.

It’s an Honour to be a Florist on Mother’s Day

A The numbers you see on the bag of fertilizer is the N-P-K ratio.

Although the actual numbers vary from one brand to the other, the best ratio for grass in the spring is one with high nitrogen content. We usually use a 34-0-0 for a fast green up, however this promotes lots of growth and you may be mowing a fair bit for the first month. Some manufacturers add a slow release component to the nitrogen in the fertilizer blend that will slow down the release of nitrogen thereby making it last longer and slow the growth rate a bit.

Over watering your lawn creates a shallow weak root system.

Under normal weather conditions,

s she embarks on the busiest holiday of the year, Diana Poole is proudly preparing hundreds of exotic and stylish arrangements for delivery across the vast Yukon Territory.

Surrounded by buckets of fresh spring blossoms, Northern Elegance Floral and Home Décor’s accredited floral designer and manager of floristry is more than a florist.

Poole is a facilitator, an artist and a mentor. Overseeing her staff (sometimes up to 12 persons at one time) she ensures that flowers are ordered, prepared and designed to her very high expectations.

“The best part of being a florist,” says Poole “is working with nice fresh product while dealing with people and people’s lives.

There’s a certain intimacy in growing close to customers and getting to know a family. From their wedding day, to the birth of their children, to the passing of their parents, you get to be a special part of people’s lives.”

PRIDE Planter’s

Shari Morash

Arranging flowers most of her life, Poole is no stranger to the floral profession. From the time she was a young girl, growing up in her family’s gardens of Tarangua, New Zealand, she always dreamed of becoming a florist.

“My parents grew export and commercial cut flowers,” recalls Poole. “I was drawn to the prettier more artistic side of the business.” Poole studied floristry at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, New Zealand where she received a senior certification in floristry and a diploma of inter-floral procedures. Her workspace displays countless awards for her original and distinctive designs.

This week, in preparation for Mother’s Day festivities, she is surrounded by a myriad of flowers,

from chrysanthemums and carnations, to lisianthus and lilies.

“Mother’s Day is about honouring your Mother and showing your appreciation and respect.” says Poole. “My Mum gets Mother’s Day surprises throughout the year. One day a year isn’t enough Mother’s Day’s for my Mum.” For Poole, she has found joy in the ability to embellish life’s moments, with her personal touch and artistic creativity. Being a florist is about far more than just flowers. It’s about a passion to reach out and connect with others and to be a channel for expression. It completes the circle.

Shari Morash is a gardening enthusiast and an accredited designer. She is the owner and founder of Northern Elegance.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

14

May 6, 2005

It Takes Courage to be a Gardener ... and a Yukoner It takes courage to be first. nd there is no question that the first plants to protrude from the long Yukon winter are courageous plants.

Take for instance the Bergenia or “Bressingham Ruby”. The incredibly hardy Bergenia is always the first perennial to show its face in my garden. In early spring, short stems of magenta-pink flowers rise above the shiny foliage in a burst of pure energy. Turning deep green for the summer, this exceptional British selection has rich, deep, maroon winter colour.

Akin to the return of an old friend (in fact my Bergenia was a gift from a dear friend), I have always admired this particular perennial. Not only for its interesting flower and foliage, nor even the fact that it blooms for most of the summer, I admire it for being first. There is something to be said about being first, and this plant deserves my special attention. As we anticipate the days ahead, I think of all the other firsts of the

A

GARDENER Avant

Shari Morash

season. Seedlings are carefully hardened off to the outdoors.

Flowerbeds are rejuvenated and refreshed. Pots and containers are re-conditioned. Lawns are raked and repaired and re-seeded and the passionate pursuit of pruning begins.

This spring I encourage you to try something new such as branching out with new alternatives in organic gardening. Take pleasure in a natural pesticide free lawn.

Roll out the lawnmower, but why not try something less conventional this summer such as a powerless lawnmower, or experiment with “grass free” planting zones.

Why not create an “Outdoor Habitat”, a place to reflect, retreat and restore? Consider starting a compost pile this summer – it’s not that hard. How about natural beautiful bugs for pest control?

Look forward to valuable tips and tools of the trade in each column of The Avant-Gardener.

It has been a long and cold winter. We are all courageous for having a garden in the Yukon. This spring, I invite you to try something new in your garden. Like the Bergenia, embrace the season and new opportunities with courage.

As I write my first commemorative gardening column, I appreciate new beginnings, and welcome new challenges. I hope you enjoy reading The Avant-Gardener, and that you find this “green talk” to be educational, energizing and reflective.

Getting started is easy.... and rewarding!

Shari Morash is a gardening enthusiast and an accredited designer. She is the owner and founder of Northern Elegance.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Mood THE Life onFARM

H

ello, my name is Graham Rudge and I am a 13-year-old boy who lives on a farm.

Living on a farm has its advantages and its downfalls. One of its downfalls is it takes an awfully long time to walk to your neighbour’s house, which is why it’s nice to have an ATV ... and so far I’ve only crashed it once. One of its advantages is that you get to be home schooled. Home schooling is just that: Your home is your school. You get up around noon, do a couple of lessons and spend the rest of the day doing whatever you want to do (pretty cool, huh?). Sometimes though, you get a hard lesson and spend days getting it finished (big bummer). The only bad thing about not going to regular school is it is much harder to meet new friends the same age as I. But I do have more freedom to learn what I want.

Aurora Mountain Farm, the farm we live on, is reasonably big at around 160 acres. We have a wide variety of animals on our farm: We have four horses named Tat, Tutchi, Mack and Dawson.

We have a whole lot of goats (26

Graham Rudge

to be precise) so it would just be a waste of time to try and name them all. We have around 20 laying chickens and are in the process of ordering more. I thought that it was so cool that you could order chickens through the mail. Most of the chickens that we order will be meat birds (for eating). Along with the new birds, we will obtain five ducks. We only wanted two, but the supplier said two weren’t enough to keep them warm in the shipping crate. My mom read somewhere that ducks are very good at weeding gardens. The other reason is that my older sister, Claire, really wants them.

Supposedly, when your vegetables have reached a reasonable size, the ducks will not touch them ... they only eat small plants, such as baby weeds. It is also said they absolutely love chickweed.

Besides all of those other animals, we have two dogs. Chance is a rowdy family pup who loves chasing gophers (and so far, he hasn’t caught a single one). The other one is Orso, a big, mean guardian dog that protects the goats from anything and anyone that gets too close to the fence; sometimes this also includes my Mom and Dad, Tom and Simone Rudge.

We are making whatever preparations we can, we just have to hope that spring hurries so we can start working on the garden.

Until the next time.

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May 6, 2005

15

When Do We Get Started?

When should I start caring for my lawn?

If there is any snow remaining on your lawn, you should remove it now to prevent snow moulds.

Dead patches in the lawn are likely caused by snow mould, a common problem where winters are long.

Rake towards the centre of each patch and remove the dead material (dispose of it - don’t add it to your compost pile). If the infection

is not too extensive, the remaining healthy grass may fill in the dead patches, otherwise you will have to top dress with soil and reseed these areas.

Start watering only after the grass is growing and the ground is dry; established lawns should only be watered when the ground is dry, so that roots are encouraged to grow deeply in search of water.

For most locations, this would not

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be more than twice a week, even during dry spells. Mow once the grass is growing vigorously and allow the grass to remain a bit longer (about 1.5 inches) to help the lawn stay healthy and strong.

How do I choose a bedding plant that has the best chance of surviving in my garden?

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You should know the exposure and ground conditions of the location you will be planting in to choose plants with the best likelihood of survival. Is there morning sun, afternoon sun, sun all day long, or is it predominately shady? Is the location well-drained or does water drain slowly away? Is the

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location on a hill that catches every breeze, or in a low area that gathers cooler air and frost?

Choose plants which will tolerate the conditions you cannot change and then modify your soils and growing area to provide the best growing conditions possible.

Are there any tricks to keeping grass from creeping into my garden?

Using lawn edging will help, but remember that many tall, native grasses spread by rhizomes that can be deeper in the soil than the barrier, rendering it less than effective where these grasses occur. Using less invasive grass types such as turf-type perennial ryegrass for the lawns next to your garden beds is a good idea when you can plan ahead. Where grass creeps into your garden, use a lawn edging tool or square shovel regularly to dig out the roots, shaking the soil from them.

Grass roots can be composted, provided you spread them out to die before covering them with other compost materials.

This column is courtesy of Yukon Gardens, wishing you a pleasurable gardening season.

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Gardening by the Moon

BY NORMA MEASE here is nothing better than going out to your garden or greenhouse and picking your own produce.

Believe it or not, you can grow almost anything way up here in the Yukon. You may have to improvise in some cases but it’s worth the effort.

By now, most things should be started if they need to be ahead of time for transplanting later.

Most vegetables can be started from seed in the garden in May. Planting by the moon really works.

Crops that produce above ground such as broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce should be planted during the increasing of the moon.

T

Underground crops such as potatoes, carrots and turnips are planted after the full moon.

Here are some more tips: Blossom-end rot in tomatoes can be cured by adding calcium grit for chickens or even crushed egg shells. Save those coffee grounds as well to put in the row with radish seed to cut down on root maggots. Works for turnips, too.

As the days get longer and the snow finally disappears, just think about all the good things you can grow. Don’t think of it as work but enjoyable exercise. Even weeding is therapeutic and relaxing.

May 6, 2005

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What’s

ARTS & Art CULTURE Quilting is the of Friendship What’s Up, YUKON!

May 6, 2005

17

Members of Pinetree Quilters show off their latest projects in the basement of the United Church.

Photo: Mark Prins

T

hirty women sitting around a large table; kerosene lamps offering just enough light; lots of food; lots of kids; lots of companionship of homesteaders who spend most of the week alone on their farms.

This is the quaint picture many of us have of quilting bees.

Today, all of that has changed ... except for the companionship ... and the food.

On the first and third Monday nights of each month, and one Saturday, the members of the Pinetree Quilters gather in the basement of the United Church to share ideas and successes and friendship.

Quilting was a necessity 100 years ago. The layered blankets were just the thing for cold cabins and they could be made from old clothes and flour bags. Gathering the womenfolk got each of the quilts done in a timely fashion instead of one person losing weeks to the project.

Today, quilting is a creative outlet: “After my fourth child, I felt I needed something for my mental health,” says Karen Mills.

“It is something just for me; it’s not for the kids; it’s not for work.”

Karen Olito needs the relaxation of quilting. As a member of the RCMP, she is in a stressful position that is often under the spotlight: “You need extreme,” she says. “You go from the high profile to the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of quilting.”

Another “Karen”, Karen Leenders, is the chair of the Pine-

tree Quilters. She says she knows what quilting has to offer: “I come here for the companionship and inspiration ... friendship.”

Even though the tables are scattered throughout the large basement and each quilter is bent over their own project, there is a sense of community here. Food is shared and visiting is rampant.

And there is a large floor to spread quilts onto.

“That’s what’s nice about doing it here,” says Leenders. “We can lay it out on the floor and there are no kids and no dogs.”

Room to move isn’t the only thing that has changed from yesteryear: “There is this wonderful thing called 505 Spray Basting,” says Leenders. It helps keep things together before stitching the entire quilt together.

Technology has also improved the iconic sewing machine. It still looks the same from a distance, but when you get a closer look at Geana Hadley’s Bernina Virtuosa 153 (Quilter’s Edition) you will see the LCD screen and computer input port and u-shaped fluorescent bulb and knee lift to bring up the foot and 28 built-in stitches.

“It has a heavy motor and it pulls the fabric right through,” says Hadley.

Bear Paw Quilts carries these sewing machines and brings in a sales rep once a month to offer clinics on all of the functions and tricks.

These $3,000 machines are what Leenders calls, “guilt machines”. She says they are

bought by husbands who own 4-wheelers for themselves.

This line receives a laugh and it is repeated from table to table.

For what it is worth, Mills owns one of these, too.

Not Louise Legault. She is using a ’74 Singer because, “It works great and it hasn’t broken down so I use it.”

She admits to usually being the “odd man out” as she is working with black and grey fabrics while everyone else is working with

rainbow colours.

Diane Paquette first became a quilter when a friend invited her to a mystery retreat – a fun event that hides the look of the finished product until the very end – and she appreciated the chance to experiment and work with colour and cloth.

She has made 20 quilts in six years and uses a bag that would be the envy of any artisan ... or stamp collector ... or angler. It has zipped compart-

ments, Velcro everywhere and see-through compartments that fold one on top of each other forever.

But the technology just makes it easier. Imagination is involved to the nth degree. Each block of a quilt is a work of art. It could be as large as a king-size blanket or as small as the name tags each makes for themselves.

Anyone can join in by calling Leenders at 633-4995.

A Free Walk Through History

M

ay 21 will be the day Yukoners can be tourists in their own territory.

There will be 10 tourist attractions, all over the Yukon, offering free admission and activities to show off what is available here before the tourists overwhelm them.

Lisa Badenhorst is the marketing co-ordinator for the Yukon Historical & Museums Association.

She is careful to say, “territory”, because she hopes people from Whitehorse will visit Teslin and people from Faro will visit Dawson City and so on.

The occasion is International Museums Day that was created by the International Council of Museums in 1979. Whitehorse has taken part for a couple of years now and this will be the first Yukon-wide celebration.

The one thing Badenhorst can’t do is remove the word, “museum”,

from the equation: “People see ‘museums’ as being rather static,” she says. “We want people to know it is actually an interactive experience.”

A better term would be “Heritage Attractions” because it accepts a much wider range of experiences.

For instance, the Northern Lights Centre in Watson Lake will be showing Norma Waddington’s Yukon’s Aurora Borealis.

Danojà Zho, in Dawson City, has a hut that visitors are encouraged to walk through.

Also, the Dawson City Museum will be opening two new exhibits on May 21: “The Oldest Profession” and “Dogs”. For the latter, Badenhorst says people are encouraged to bring photos and stories of their own dogs.

Other free events, in Whitehorse, include rides on the Miles Canyon Historical Railway Soci-

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ety’s Whitehorse Waterfront Trolley and a there will be a draw for a free membership.

MacBride Museum, too, will be drawing for a free membership as well as items from the gift shop.

There will also be a scavenger hunt.

The Old Log Church will have a draw and scavenger hunt and the Yukon Transportation Museum will have a draw.

As well, the Beringia Interpretive Centre will be open to the public and the YHMA will be offering free walking tours starting from its location at Lepage Park in the Donnenworth House.

There will be free admission and activities planned for the Campbell Region Interpretive Centre in Faro, George Johnston Museum in Teslin and at the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Center.

What’s Up, YUKON!

18

May 6, 2005

Why Campfire Smoke Follows the Guilty One “Y

ou got something to hide?” asks Grandma Shorty.

A Northern Tutchone family story says that a person who is followed by campfire smoke is guilty.

Storyteller Sharon Shorty grew up around campfires — her father is Northern Tutchone. The family story that goes with the smoke was told to her by several of her elders and is the inspiration behind her new piece, Why Campfire Smoke Follows the Guilty One, a contemporary dance of a traditional Northern Tutchone.

The story begins with a family

that is starving. The father goes out hunting several times and falls in love with another woman. He feeds the woman, returning to his family with nothing. As he comes close to the fire, his wife notices that the smoke is following him.

It’s a story of love in a culture of arranged marriages, and violence in a time of mass starvation, when failing to feed one’s family may be murdering them.

“This story relates to society today in so many ways,” said Shorty. By melding mainstream forms of expression with tradi-

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tional storytelling, she hopes to make the story more accessible and relatable to a broader spectrum of people and cultures.

“Traditional stories,” she says, “didn’t have names until they began to be published.”

Shorty’s newly formed Yukon Campfire Collective will begin creating the piece this month on the original Tutchone lands — Carmacks, Yukon. Gathered around a campfire, of course, the group of two dance artists, one choreographer and a storyteller will hear the family story told by Shorty’s auntie, Gertie Tom. The piece will incorporate a studio recording by Tom telling the story in English and North-

ern Tutchone. There will also be a script by Shorty, a custommade musical sound track, choreography by nationally known choreographer Robin Poitras from Regina and performances by dance artists Andromeda Hunter of Whitehorse and Josephine Shorty of Vancouver.

For Josephine (Sharon’s niece), the project will include a choreographic mentorship with Hunter and Poitras. Founder and artistic director of New Dance Horizons, Poitras will also be offering a series of classes and workshops to Yukon dance students and First Nations youth.

Sharon met Poitras while completing a storytelling residency at

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the Regina Public Library; they were roommates. It was through this meeting that she began pondering the idea of telling her story through dance.

Having known Poitras and Hunter for a number of years, she has become intrigued by their creative processes in the genre of dance and curious about how dance could enhance the art of storytelling.

Considering this is Sharon’s first dance production and a new form of interdisciplinary storytelling for her, her approach to begin creating is really quite simple: “Is it going to work?”

Thankfully unique to most funded artistic endeavours, this one does not have a deadline.

There is no performance date laid in stone or confining possibilities that would cloud Sharon’s creativity. The sky is really the limit.

In that sky are possible venues like the Canada Summer Games 2005 in Regina, the Arctic Winter Games 2006 in Alaska, the Canada Winter Games 2007 here in Whitehorse, a Yukon tour to First Nations Cultural Centres and representing the Yukon at the Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver.

Funded by Culture Quest, Arts Fund and the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, the Yukon Campfire Collective will be fundraising to help cover the costs of production and touring.

First though, they will start by building a campfire. (‘Tis the season everyone, so burn safe, and if you’re guilty, think twice about starting a fire at all.)

To have your performing endeavours covered, email Jude at modmoves@yahoo.com.

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May 6, 2005

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19

Midnight Fool is Not for Mainstream Tastes

his week, let me introduce you to a midnight fool. His name is Johnny Eden and he is an interesting entity. The CD is entitled Midnight Fool and that is an apt name for this quirky collection of blues, almost folk with a hint of jazz and 60s rock.

For some artists, short and sweet is the way to go when composing. Not so for Eden. Fully half

Too Familiar. In this song, his vocal tricks go on a little too long and begin to lose effect. Lyrically, these songs also suffer from the same problem. While most of his songs have some clever lines, at times it almost seems like free association. There is a tendency to go on too long and the listener begins to switch his attention to the instruments.

musical inspiration, this bears a look and a listen.

Eden has been playing around town for the past few months and

you can still catch him if you look hard enough. This CD was not recorded in the Yukon and Eden is not a permanent resident of the

Yukon. I will say though, that he fits in well with the Yukon and I hope we become a regular stop on his tours and travels.

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of the tunes are over five minutes long, with the longest stretching to almost eight minutes. It may seem strange to comment on song length, but I think it says a lot about an artist. In the case of Eden, there is a fine line between exploring boundaries and self indulgence.

Luckily, Eden tends to stay on the explorer side of the fence.

While I cannot state with total certainty the influences that helped define and shape his sound, I would hazard a guess that he was attracted to the out of the ordinary, the fringe element, the “Bottom 40” one could say.

I found that his blues songs made me feel the happiest. The tunes with folksy or rock feels were more on the melancholy side. Eden’s voice is well suited to his blues songs and works fairly well with his other compositions.

However, he does get a little self indulgent with such tunes as All

Speaking of the instruments, this CD has some very fine guitarists and a solid rhythm section with Jeff Asselin on drums and Jason Bouchard on bass. Both of these musicians are very good at being the unobtrusive foundation that allows the others to let loose.

On the score of guitarists, this CD has four different contributors.

Two of them, Keith Glass and Jessamyn Greene, are credited with specific tracks, however the bulk of the guitar work is credited to Bill Barnes and Eden himself. The only trouble is that we are not told who does what on the other tracks. A minor quibble, but an important one to trivia buffs.

Eden does include a bonus track that is not listed in the liner notes.

This is a nice surprise and makes one feel that one got more for their money. So, while Eden may not be for all tastes, if you like to look outside the mainstream for

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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 SUNDAY thousands of Sandhill Cranes. While on their way to nesting grounds in western MAY 8TH IS MOTHER’S DAY. Alaska and North-eastern Siberia, the birds funnel through the Yukon’s “Bird What better way Highway”: the Tintina Trench. Join us to watch as they swoop, soar and ride to celebrate than to thermals right over the Town of Faro. watch as thousands

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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.

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.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

20

May 6, 2005

From Waydowntown to Wayupnorth with Rod Jacob

Gary Burns on the set of Northern Town.

PHOTO: MARTEN BERKMAN/CBC

C

algary film director Gary Burns had a cold when I finally got a chance to interview him on set at the 98 Hotel in downtown Whitehorse in the third week of March. Burns had been working long hours, directing the television series Northern Town for weeks. By the end of the series shoot, Burns looked tired. But he made time to talk between takes in a back room at the ’98.

Burns has attracted the most attention to his films with the comedy Waydowntown. The film, released in 2000, was shot on a low budget. It’s a satire on urban development and modernization.

The premise of the film is of a group of young employees who bet a month’s salary, winner takes all, on who can last the longest without going outside.

What was it like learning to make movies on set in a city even though you prefer your own style of getting a film shot?

It’s like that for everybody, really. Everybody’s got their own idiosyncrasies. They don’t really

teach you filmmaking at film school. I mean you make your own shorts ... but really I always find film school to be about film studies. I think just the actual practice of learning to craft film, that has your own sort of style, is just sort of hit and miss. You pick that up as you go. You learn more about making films by making big mistakes; that’s how you learn to make films. It’s just practice.

It’s like Canadian filmmaking, by definition, is “guerrilla filmmaking”. It’s like you’re not shooting on big sets like you typically

would in Hollywood.

It’s true, I think. Even with A Problem with Fear, which was my biggest movie, and we had 30 something days to shoot that film, and you are still scrambling to get your day. That’s most of the time, but not all the time. I don’t think ... (voice off from door: “Cast is here”) I’ve got to go, but after this there will be a setup, and we’ll have time...

You were talking about your interest in almost the social side of directing, the people skills side of directing. Does that relate to the kind of filmmaking we do in Canada — that kind of flying by the seat of the pants?

I can’t speak for anybody else, but for myself, I always used to be very nervous with actors because I had one year of drama at university, but that was it, and I was always saying to myself, “Oh I wish I’d had those other three years.”

I don’t really feel like I know the language of talking with actors.

But then I realized it’s nothing like theatre ... it’s completely different and it’s a lot more short-

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hand. There are situations where you know you have dinner with somebody and talk about the kind of character you think this person is, but generally I think on set, by that time the person you’ve cast has already shown you some-

thing on tape or something. The character is already drawn up to a great degree and then it’s just sort of fine tuning. I find I’m just looking for a certain kind of realism, I just need some looks, I just need a person to have certain mannerisms and not be too stiff ... you just give people things to do almost to get their minds off staring at each other and reading lines.

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May 6, 2005

BY CHRISTINE SPINDER n our quiet corner of the world, activities by youth can seem separated from the accomplishments of kids closer to the major networks. “Who’s watching?” some people ask, “way up here?”

The opportunity to stand up and be counted, cheered at, have your efforts taken seriously and included in the mix of the “real world” can be the go-ahead difference for anybody’s project – especially youth. With wired interchange and a new century sense of the call of the road, many Yukoners go to greatness ... and they start when they are young.

Youth Week, May 1 to 7, is seven days of paying attention to the good stuff of young life: Youth taking action, pursuing a small or grand dream whether for idealism or just plain fun and putting in the time and talent to create something they want to see in the world. How do you overcome isolation, too few non-school amuse-

I

What’s Up, YUKON!

Stand Up Youth Week ments, limited access to mentors and training or diverse networks of peer support? You dig in and do it your way with even more vigor, which this Youth Week’s events and showcases give testament to.

The week was kicked off on Monday with acoustic music, two dance troupes and the social justice club at the Elijah Smith Building on Main Street. Then, late in the afternoon, the Whitehorse Youth Centre held its grand opening at its new location on 6th Avenue.

On Tuesday night, at the Yukon Arts Centre, MegaBYTE produced a concert that included a 10 musical groups, one comedian, four writers and five visual artists. At the Whitehorse Youth Centre, there was a free Paint Your Dreams workshop.

On Wednesday, there was a Bake Off at the Whitehorse Youth Centre and free workshop.

Here are the rest of the events for this week. Mark your space, its

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Yukon Youth: Art of Youth Exhibition at Elijah Smith Hall. Visual artists of the MegaBYTE CD working in oil, digital, photography, collage, drawing, with special art from the Social Justice Club all week.

bring in their validated passes to BYTE for a grand prize draw at the end of the week.

Youth Ride Free. Whitehorse Transit gives its annual week-long (May 2 to 7) bus passes for youth. Available at BYTE, Whitehorse Youth Centre and Blue Feather. Youth

BYTE Film Night with shorts of the North and youth, at Hellaby Hall, 7 p.m. Double bill admission by donation.

THURSDAY MAY 5 ComMADedia del arte presents Dottore Faustus, Thursday, May 5 to Saturday, May 7, at 8 p.m., at Wood Street School. $5

21

Whitehorse Youth Centre, Boys Night out/Girls Night in. Girls’ Photo contest, 7:00 - 9:00.

FRIDAY MAY 6 Whitehorse Youth Centre FUNtastic Opening Party, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Ages 12 -18.

SATURDAY MAY 7 Youth Centre making mini dragons from Sculpey, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. It’s a free workshop.

Lions Aquatic Centre, Teen Night free admission, 8 – 9:30 p.m.

Artist Has Trouble Staying Between the Lines DAWSON CITY Crystal Mowry is a sculptor. But she doesn’t work in clay like you would expect because she just isn’t interested.

“I work in plastic, paper, balsam wood — the non-elitist materials— because they are closer to our everyday existence.”

The most recent Klondike Institute of Art and Culture artist in residence seeks to use the ordinary to depict the ordinary in a way that is “a little more fantastic,” she says.

Fantastic? “Out of the ordinary,” she says, grappling for a way to explain it. “Something that inspires wonder.”

Mowry will use an entire room to depict events and landscapes, crowds and even magazines.

“I once did a body of work on

dog shows ... one particular type of dog show.

“I work in a non-representational kind of way. I take one aspect — data ... something you don’t always see — and use those numbers to create something different.”

When she uses the word, “numbers”, she is talking about the overwhelming quantity that becomes “the story”.

The installation she is working on is for the main space in the Odd Gallery. “It doesn’t look like much right now,” says Mowry. “It looks like 1,800 bunches of paper and over 100 little plastic pieces.”

When it all comes together for the opening of the show May 12, the mass of little pieces will represent the parking lot of the West Edmonton Mall, Los Ange-

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les Airport and Angel Falls. Since most people haven’t been to these places, it will actually be “the places of myth”.

At the end of the day, it will stand to be an investigation of scale, tourism and wonder.

She will likely work on it right up until opening: “It’s a lot of labour, it’s tedious, it’s a boring laborious labour of cutting pieces of paper,” she says. “But I love that part.”

Rooms do not fit her art; rather, her art fits the room. She sees what she has to work with and she goes to work on it. Items will hang on walls and will be placed on the floor. “I like to work on the floor,” she says. “Because I like the idea of viewers walking through the art and around it.”

She is grateful for the chance to work in Dawson City because a studio comes with the deal. At home, in Guelph, her studio is one bedroom in a one-bedroom apartment she shares with her partner and a dog.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

22

May 6, 2005

Birth of Middle Eastern Dance Company in Far North

N

ita Collins sits on a mat in the centre of the dance studio at Leaping Feats Creative Danceworks and pretends to be an audience member.

Before her is a group of dancers who have all been her students.

But, tonight, they are members of Whitehorse’s newest dance company, Saba Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble.

They have been rehearsing every possible night to prepare for a show, Arabian Nights Northern Lights.

The light is flat, their dress is a mish mash of practice clothes with only a belt of coins and bells for the distinctive sound ... and yet the dance itself is mesmerizing.

Torsos undulate, hips and shoulders roll softly and hands move rhythmically to tell an elegant story.

It’s the confidence, it’s the fluidity of the movements and the obvious skill needed to grab a room and not let go.

“You are coming back from the

market and you are in a playful mood,” Collins tells the dancers.

“I don’t want to see any stern faces.” She then encourages them to steal fruits from each other’s baskets.

It is a piece called, Dere Dere, and choreographed to a very old traditional folk song from the Turkish region.

Other pieces originate from Egypt, Arabian Gulf, Lebanon and even North America.

Middle Eastern Dance is an ancient art form that is finding new appreciation. Collins’ school, Celebrations Bellydance!, received an Arts Fund grant that has become the envy of Middle Eastern dancers throughout North America and has been an encouraging sign of its acceptance.

The grant allowed workshops and shows to be held.

The students had been invited to several functions to perform and it was finally decided to become a dance company.

For Saba’s first show, Jalilah

Zamora has been invited to perform. She is an internationally recognized master instructor and has performed and taught all around the world.

She will be presenting an eighthour workshop. Collins travels each year to learn from the masters and this is an opportunity to bring one here for everybody’s benefit.

Tickets for the two shows are available at the Hougen Centre Ticket Office. The two performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

What’s Up YUKON presents …

In the YAS Gallery: 305 Wood St, Whitehorse Yukon Arts Centre Public Art Gallery:

March 17 - May 15 2005 Mark Porter:

A retrospective of a life’s work, this exhibit is a tribute to a well-known Yukon artist. Mark’s work has survived him to remind us of what a talented artist he was, poised to become a master of Northwest Coast Art.

Barbara Astman:

A photographic installation which celebrates the lives and spirit of Jewish orphans that arrived in Canada after WWII. Haunting photographs are projected onto the wall and floor using a variety of processes.

Sobey Art Award Exhibition:

The Sobey Art Foundation’s Sobey Art Award is Canada’s pre-eminent prize for a young Canadian artist. This exhibition presents the fresh and innovative works of the 2004 Sobey Art Award winner and finalists.

Grotto Gallery, Yukon Arts Centre: April 28 - May 27 2005 the magical woods An exhibit featuring the works of Four Yukon Willow Wizards unique combinations from: Frank Fry Shannon Olson Bob Atkinson Shiela Alexandrovich

Current exhibit: Continuing through May 7th “Explore and Embrace A Special Wild Place” Hosted by the YAS on behalf of the Wildlife Viewing May 11-28 Points of View Exhibition Submissions accepted from all northern artists. Entry fee is $10.00 per piece.

Entry Deadline: Saturday, May 7th, by 4:30 pm May 5 , 7:30 pm Opening of Studio Two-O-Four in partnership with YAS Artists will present: Vertical, an exhibition of the work by ten member artists.

Arts in the Park is looking for visual demonstration artists to submit proposals by Saturday, May 7th, 2005.

Artists must demonstrate their medium from 11-2 pm Monday - Friday and are paid an honorarium of $500.00. More details are available from the Yukon Art Society at yukonart@polarcom.com The 2005 Arts in the Park season is May 24 - July 29

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

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

Atlin Theatre presents A bad year for tomatoes. Comedy for the whole family May 6 & 7, at the Globe Theatre. Tickets at the door, Atlin Trading Post and the Food Basket.

ComMADedia del arte presents Dottore Faustus May 5-7, at 8 p.m., at Wood Street School.

BYTE Film Night with shorts of the North and youth May 5, 7 p.m. at Hellaby Hall. Double bill admission by donation Arabian Nights Northern Lights presented by Saba Middle Eastern Dance Troupe May 6-7, 7:30 p.m. at the Gold Rush Inn. Tickets: Hougen’s Ticket Office.

Art of Youth Exhibition until May 7 at Elijah Smith Hall. Visual artists of the MegaBYTE CD working in oil, digital, photography, collage, drawing, with special art from the Social Justice Club.

Klondike Institute of Art & Culture

Odd Gallery: April 12 - May 6 Exhibit A KIAC/Yukon College Arts for Employment Student Exhibition

May 12- June 18 Crystal Mowry: The Banal Sublime

Opening Reception & Artist Talk May 12, 7pm

Performing Arts: Toddler Music Time

Members of Saba Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble rehearse for its upcoming show, Arabian Nights Northern Lights at the Gold Rush Inn May 6 and 7.

Continues saturdays, 11 am through May 7 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

Band Concert, Yukon Arts Center Tuesday May 10th , 7pm. All-City Concert Band, Whitehorse Jr. Concert Band, Backwoods Brass, Offbeat Jazz band, etc. $3 YAC/Hougens 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.

Water Walker Film Festival May 18, at the Yukon Arts Centre.

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

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

NFVIA AGM Tuesday May 17, 7pm Fireside rm Yukon Inn For more info call 456-2978 or nfvia@yknet.ca Jazz Society of Yukon AGM Tuesday May 17, 7:30 at Whitehorse Public Library. Four Special Resolutions fro presentation. Further information email HYPERLINK “mailto:info@jazzyukon.ca” info@ jazzyukon.ca or call 633-3310

What’s Up, YUKON!

May 6, 2005

23

Art Ambassadors and Abstract Birds and Wonderful Willow with Nicole Bauberger

V

ickie Roche of the Bank of Montreal, let me know that Don Weir just brought a lot of his landscape paintings into the bank ..... Need a downtown office? Arts Underground, downstairs in the Hougen Centre, is interested in exchanging office space for some supervision of the area. Call 667-4080 ..... In early April, Yukon Artists @ Work watered sprouting diplomats. We hosted entry-level Foreign Affairs workers, learning about the Canada’s wideflung communities, before working all over the world ..... After the long weekend in May, YA@W will be open seven days a week, 12-5 p.m. But for those of you who prefer to buy art from your couch, the new YA@W website is up. Check it out, www.yaaw. com. Congrats to Frank Fry, custom

furniture maker and first member artist to sell work from the site .....

Polymer clay artist Lara Melnik also has a new website — www.laramelnik.com . It’s an online gallery rather than a store, a way to keep up with Melnik’s new developments in her work ..... Lillian Loponen is almost finished Where Dreams Begin, a 22.5 x 9 foot mural destined for the new Whitehorse Canada Winter Games Multiplex. In March, Loponen hosted a number of Arts and Employment students from KIAC to look at “an artist’s journey from rags to riches.... or is it riches to rags.” Loponen will head out to her Keno studio and small gallery sometime in May. There she welcomes visitors to Keno from around the world with storytelling and watercolour demonstrations .....

Keith Wolfe Smarch teaches Tlingit Art Courses Application Deadline: May 13, 2005 Registrations are limited

Bob Atkinson, Frank Fry, Sheila Alexandrovich and Shannon Olson opened a show called The Magical Woods in the Community Grotto at the Yukon Arts Centre on April 28. The show of works from wood and willow will continue till May 27 ..... Bela Simo is busy with his kiln and pouring some bronze, creating abstract birds he’s looking forward to showing ..... Don’t miss the grand opening of Studio 204,

May 5 at 7 p.m. ..... As for myself, a painting project with the Whitehorse Youth Centre will be unveiled in early May. I’ve also donned a different hat for this month — I’ll be performing in Darwin, A Fish out of Water, the inaugural production of L’Ark Theatre for young audiences. Literally a hat — I wear a fish-shaped puppet on my head, and my face becomes the puppet’s face. Beautiful puppets con-

structed by painter Jo de Beaudrap and a backdrop created by fabric artist Meshell Melvin ensure this will be a show worth seeing. We’ll be touring schools the first two weeks of May, with public performances on May 14 at the Wood Street Centre ...... Send me your news at nbauberger@yahoo.com. Till soon, Nicole

The Very Public Life of Linda Talbot

F

ormally trained as a pattern drafter with many years as a costumer, Whitehorse resident Linda Talbot has recently finished her most challenging job to date as the head costume designer for Tagish Lakes Film Inc. and its recently filmed project, Northern Town.

Talbot said although she had enough knowledge to get the complex costuming job done, she felt she really needed to be mentored by an experienced movie/television costumer to get it done right.

Having previously assisted Vancouver-based costumer, Derek Baskerville in the Robin Williams movie filmed last year in and around

with Leisa Gattie-Thurmer

Skagway, she had that connection to an experienced professional.

“I applied for funding through the CITTF (Cultural Industry Training Trust Fund) and was able to go down to Vancouver for three days of one-on-one with Derek. It was excellent.”

Baskerville helped Talbot make some of the most important connections in the industry. He intro-

Yukon College, Teslin Campus is accepting applications from potential students for Tlingit Art courses as follows: Tlingit Art for Beginners offered May 15 & 16. Participants will have the opportunity to create two pieces using Northern art motifs and traditional design techniques to draw/paint and cut/sew artwork from stroud cloth. Instruction cost $100, plus materials $50-$100/person. Cost includes entry pass to two cultural facilities and daily refreshments.

Tlingit Art for Artists, designed for practicing artists, offered May 20, 21, 22. Participants will have opportunity to create two pieces using stylized painting and appliqué techniques in cutting/sewing stroud cloth using local motifs. Instruction cost $130, plus materials $100/person. A demonstration in carving will be included as will be entry passes to two cultural facilities and daily refreshments.

Please note that only Tlingit citizens may use Tlingit clan symbols. All courses will take place off-campus at the Teslin Tlingit Training Centre.

For more information on Admission requirements, availability of accommodations, or registration, please contact: Birgit Martens Yukon College, Teslin Campus Box 161, Teslin YT Y0A 1B0 (867)-390-2650 Email: bmartens@yukoncollege.yk.ca

duced her to the major costume suppliers and resource companies in Vancouver. “They are amazing contacts. Thanks to Derek, I met some great people. They understood that I was new to this part of the industry and they were so helpful.”

Within her own department of costuming, she was very conscious about working as a team with her two support people, Lynn Fabio and Patty Nagano. “We each had our own jobs, but we also were able to quickly assist each other when it was needed.”

Developing relationships proved to be an important element in Talbot’s job. “We had to develop a working relationship with the art director, the set decorator and the props person. We also had to keep in touch with the budget people, who were very up to date and efficient with the budgets. I had to work with the production coordinator, who was running everything, including booking the flights. She was very impressed with Air North and thought they were unbelievably fantastic because they never said, ‘No’. She couldn’t say enough about the service of their company.” 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 .

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SPORTS & RECREATION Giving Sports a ‘Tri’ What’s Up, YUKON!

24

BY GEORGE MARATOS lasting memory of the 2002 Summer Olympics is of an exhausted Simon Whitfield surging to the finish line to capture the gold medal in triathlon for Canada.

Annie-Claude Gaudet hopes that seven years from now she can do the same.

The 28-year-old Whitehorse resident is hoping to make the Canadian National Triathlon team this summer.

A tall order, considering Gaudet does not even have five years of triathlon experience under her belt.

In fact Gaudet, a team-sport athlete for most of her life, had not even heard of triathlons until her now ex-boyfriend suggested she enter the Yukon Triathlon in 2001.

Despite her inexperience, Gaudet raced to a second-place finish.

She was immediately hooked.

The next year she returned and won the race, trimming four minutes off her previous result.

Since then she has continued to shave minutes off her time and now boasts 15 triathlons on her athletic resume.

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been successful in sport,” says Gaudet, speaking in between a workout at the gym and 90 min-

A

Becoming a tri-athlete gives Annie-Claude Gaudet a chance to see how strong she can become.

Photo: George Maratos

utes of cycling. “Therefore, the triathlon being three sports in one is a perfect fit.”

Triathlons begin with a 1.5-kilometre swim. Competitors then cycle 40 kilometres and cap it off with a 10-kilometre run.

For many, simply completing triathlons is a success.

Gaudet, however, has her sights set on higher goals.

“The Olympics (2012) is obvi-

My greatest sports moment ... ... was my first Kluane to Chilkat Bike Relay.

I was on a team named “Smack My Ass and Call Me Sally”. As a tribute to our team, we wore cycling shorts with a handprint on the right cheek.

After the race was over and we were on our way back to Whitehorse, we spotted a van of cyclists on the side of the highway. All of a sudden, this other team lines up on the side of the road and starts saluting us by smacking their behinds! We were thrilled!

Brigitte Parker, Whitehorse

ously something I would love,” said Gaudet. However, it’s not my prime focus. I just want to find out how strong I am and see what my body’s limits are. Challenge my body.”

Squash Tournament Marks End of Season

T

he squash season is coming to a close and, so, it is time for the annual Squash Yukon Squash Thaw.

The year-end tournament is for all players of all ages and will be held May 13 to 14 at the squash facility at Better Bodies Crosstraining Centre.

Marie Desmarais, an organizer, says sign-up sheets are at Better Bodies and the deadline is May 11.

The entry fee includes a draw for a $1,000 gift certificate at Icycle Sports and a steak sandwich dinner on the Saturday night.

Last year, eight or nine players from British Columbia took part.

May 6, 2005

And challenge she does.

Gaudet trains six times a week.

A typical day sees her up at just after five in the morning so that she can be in the pool by 6:15.

Following 90 minutes of lengths, she comes home for breakfast and on good days a power nap.

From there it is off to F.H. Collins Secondary School where she teaches French.

She then heads to the gym to either lift weights or run on the treadmill for 90 minutes, before completing her training with 90 minutes on the bike.

“I just love it,” replies Gaudet, when asked what motivates her to train so hard. “I want to get better and in order to do that you need to put on the mileage.”

“Sure, there a days when I am stressed, but once I complete my training it puts a smile on my face.”

Gaudet has also enlisted the help of a coach who provides her with tips on mental and physical preparation.

“In the triathlon you have to be strong in the head first and then physically,” said Gaudet.

Gaudet can’t help but pat herself on the back when speaking of her strict commitment to her coach’s orders.

“If she told me to train for 30 minutes, I would do 31,” laughs Gaudet. “Just to piss her off!”

Gaudet’s next scheduled race is the “Yu Kan Tri” Triathlon in Whitehorse this June, which is appetizer to her big race this August in Kelowna.

A race that, once complete, will inform her if she meets the national team criteria.

“I’m not scared because I have nothing to lose,” explains Gaudet when talking about the nationals and, potentially, 2012 Olympics.

“When I wake up in the morning, I always have to remember I’m doing this because I love it and it makes me feel good.”

Run For Mom on Mother’s Day

T

hey are more than three quarters of the way there, and the May 8 Run For Mom will get them even closer.

For the seventh year, volunteers and runners and walkers will gather at Rotary Peace Park to raise awareness and money for Breast Health Programs.

One necessary item, in particular, is a digital component of the mammography machine at the Whitehorse General Hospital.

It would allow an x-ray to be sent to a radiologist in Edmonton electronically and instantly, says Val Pike, the chair of the Run For Mom Organizing Committee.

It can take three weeks by mail.

This component costs $600,000 and, so far, $475,000 has been raised.

The run is held on Mother’s Day because, “Far too many of our

Moms have breast cancer,” says Pike.

There is no registration fee, but participants can take pledges or just show up and make a donation.

Pike says there have been as many as 1,000 runners and walkers and more. It depends on the weather, but they tend to get lots of participation because it is one of the first fun walks of spring.

People bring their families and their dogs.

“There is a lot of camaraderie in the group,” says Pike. “You see old friends after being holed up for the winter.”

It’s a good feeling in that group of walkers and runners as the community comes together for a good cause.

Registration starts at 11:00 a.m. and it begins at 1:00 p.m.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

May 6, 2005

What’s

UP in SPORTS &

FITNESS Drop in Most Sundays 1:30-3pm.

WHITEHORSE

Archery Mondays and Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., at Christ the King Elementary School. Info: Ron at 456-2009.

Polarettes Yukon Championships Friday May 13 5-8:30pm & Saturday May 14 8:30-5pm for more info call 668-4794

Yukon Wheelchair Recreation Association Meeting May 7, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Sport Yukon Building. New members welcome. Info: yukonwheelchair_association@yahoo.ca or message at 668-4236.

Squash Yukon Squash Thaw May 13-15 at Better Bodies. Deadline for registration is May 11, 6 p.m.

Info: Marie at 633-5245 #4.

Run for Mom May 8, registration at 11 a.m. and the 6-kilometre run at 1 p.m. Info: Val Pike at 393-8784 First 5km Fun Run/Walk Event May 10, 6:30 p.m., F.H. Collins Secondary School. Info: Marg White at 633-5671.

Haeckel Mountain Run May 28, 10 a.m. It will be 3 kilometres up Fish Lake Road and then 7.5 kilometres up the hill to the wind turbines.

KRF Fun Run Run/Walk Wednesday June 1, 12pm at Sport Yukon 4061 Fourth Ave. 2.5 or 5 km run or walk. Free: donations to the KRF. Register at Sport Yukon or call 668-4236. Draw Prizes!

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.

VeloNorth Cycling Club Info: www.velonorth.ca .

May 11, 6:30 p.m., beginner course mountain event at Chadburn Lake ski trails parking lot Giant Bicycle Auction May 14 viewing 10am to noon, Auction 12pm, old Kelly Douglas bdg, 17 burns rd (behind Airline Inn) All sales cash only. Proceeds go to Porter Creek School and Citizens on Patrol.

Judo Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:10- 7:30 p.m., at Wood Street Annex. Info: vic at 633-5814.

Polarettes Gymnastic Club Family

Cross Country Yukon AGM May 14 9am-12:30pm Alpine Bakery For more information & RSVP 633-8420 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.

Yukon Canoe and Kayak Club AGM May 25, 7-9 p.m., at the Sport Yukon Board Room.

Yukon Junior Association of Mushers AGM May 7, 5 p.m., at KM 7.8 Annie Lake Road. Pot luck supper to follow. Info: 633-6502.

Elder Active Rec AGM May 10, 9:30 a.m., at the Whitehorse Elk’s Lodge. Info: 667-2185 Walk to Cure Diabetes May 29, 1:30 p.m., at Rotary Peace Park. Registration for the 5-km walk begins at 11:30 a.m. Silent auction 1-3 p.m. Info and to volunteer: Araica at 393-6180 or Paula at 393-3008.

Yukon Speed Skating Association AGM Monday May 16 7:30 pm at Centennial Motor. Everyone Welcome Contact Bruce at 393-8100 Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay, Date changed to June 25. To register phone 633-2579 or email info@ kcibr.org. Web: www.kcibr.org

COMMUNITIES FARO

HAINES JUNCTION

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.

Peewee/Bantam Practices are now Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Fridays, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.

Peewees/Bantams vs. Females every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Phone Lee Drummond for info at 634-2192.

CARMACKS

DAWSON CITY

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

Henry Gulch Run May 21, 9:30 a.m. at the Gazebo. It is a 5-kilometre race around outlying streets. Info: Evelyn McDonald at 993-5281.

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Family Swim; Sunday 1:00-2:30pm 5-6pm Monday 12:00-1:00pm 6:30-8:00pm Tuesday – Thursday 12:00-1:00pm Friday 12:00-1:00pm 8-9:30pm Saturday 1:00-2:30

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

Tuesdays 6:00am Pacing 7:30am Tai Chi 12:10 ABT 5:30 Pacing 6:30 Boxing

25

The King and Queen of Diamonds

F

or George Arcand and Jean Poulin, there is no final out of the softball season.

While others begin to put away their gloves and cleats and get ready for winter come mid-September, Arcand and Poulin are instead thinking about next season.

As executive director and program coordinator of Softball Yukon, respectively, the two have little choice but to do so.

“We never stop,” explains Arcand, from his Softball Yukon office. “The biggest challenge in my position is raising enough money to make it happen and that’s year round. Then comes the start of the season and, for me, it’s getting the complex ready, the ball parks and the crews.”

“My title looks good on paper, said Arcand. “But I’m also the one who cuts the grass. I go from administering to jumping on the tractor and getting my hands dirty.”

Arcand is not complaining though as he has been involved

with George Maratos

with Softball Yukon since he came to Whitehorse in 1969. He began as player, then coach and now administrator.

He has seen the playing field go from a gravel bed at F.H. Collins Secondary School to the current complex in Takhini, said by many to be among the best in the country.

“It was something I could do and do reasonably well,” Arcand says, when describing his love of the game. “It’s fun, it’s great socially and it’s got all the elements. You’re outside and you can play as skilfully or recreationally as you want.”

Poulin is equally busy through her position as program coordinator.

In addition to helping Arcand raise funds, Poulin runs the Yukon minor softball program.

That means she is responsible for

all of the registration, coaches, volunteer recruitment and sponsors.

She also orders all the uniforms and ensures all the equipment is ready for play and up to the required safety standards.

Like Arcand, you can’t help but sense she enjoys what she does.

“I’ve played ball since the age of four and my whole family played, so it’s something I’m used to,” says Poulin of her softball-heavy schedule. “I know the enjoyment that I get out of it and hopefully I can pass some of that on to others involved.”

Arcand estimates that about 1,600 people reap the benefits of his and Poulin’s hard work each year and that is a big part of why they do it.

For Arcand it is also the challenge of hosting major tournaments like the Nationals and Western Canadians, as well as the local favourite Dustball championship.

“Watching 70 teams have a • Shuffleboards great weekend, there’s a great • Air Hockey, Fooseball & Billiards amount of satisfaction,” said • Poker Tables & Accessories Arcand.

• Pub Tables As for Poulin, she says her moti• Darts vation comes from that special www.waterstoneproducts.com look on a child’s face when they Unit #8 – 151 Industrial Rd win their first game or tie a team Tues-Fri 10-6; Sat 10-4 633-3183 they’d never even come close to beating before.

“When you see that appreciation from the kids and sometimes the parents, it’s nice knowing you supplied that sporting activity for Gelceuticals TM the kids,” smiles Poulin.

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What’s Up, YUKON!

26

May 6, 2005

This Trail Winds Through Time

T

empus fugit, Tempus edax rerum. Latin, the classic language of the Europeans, had expressions 2,000 years ago that indicated an appreciation for the relentless march of time and its ability to devour the world as it goes.

When we headed off on our Wolf Creek walk today, time’s ravages certainly weren’t on my mind.

It was a lovely sunny day and we had a couple of hours to enjoy.

Around us, however, the world was changing.

Today was the first day in months that I could feel the warmth of the

the other, a sturdy picnic table lay flattened, and such was the extent of fallen timber throughout the campground.

The trail that winds from the eastern end of the park to the Yukon River and back, offered more of the same. It wasn’t just big old trees that were down but smaller trees that one would think were young and flexible enough to survive the occasional storm.

Though wind and snow had done the damage, I couldn’t help but think that the agent of change was really time.

When we reached the bluff

with Chris Wheeler

sun on my face and the backs of my hands. Winter’s heavy snow pack was melting rapidly now, erasing the footprints of all the people and animals that had crossed it over the course of the last few months, and it was strangely bright in the campground. At first, I thought it was just the spring sun, but I quickly realized it had more to do with a lack of shade. We were amazed to note how many trees lay broken on the ground. Two of the park outhouses had been damaged on one side of the path, while on

overlooking the river, there was a breeze blowing. It wasn’t a hard, cold wind like those of the previous months, but a beautiful warm breeze that speaks of summer days ahead. Looking down, the river was completely open now, though still framed on both sides by thin ribbons of white; the last ice of the year. From our vantage point high on the bluff, you could just make out the fading footprints of a lone animal that had walked parallel to the river some days before. Shadowing that

Map by Chris Wheeler path was a single piece of copper wire hanging haphazardly from various branches along the bank.

This worn wire is all that remains of the telegraph line strung here a hundred years ago as part of a project to connect North America to Europe via Russia. It survives as a testament to a time when Morse code, tapped out by patient hands, kept people in touch over vast distance.

After enjoying our moment on

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the bluff over the Yukon River, we continued round the rest of the trail and back to our pickup truck for the ride home. You never know what you’ll find on even the most domestic of trails. As always, the Wolf Creek trails offered a quiet walk, a beautiful view and the

sounds of the creek. However, on this day, for me, they also offered a view of winter’s end and of change in general. Tempus fugit indeed. chris@wheeler.ca

PHOTO CAPTION Map by Chris Wheeler

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What’s Up, YUKON!

May 6, 2005

27

Will the Community Support Wheelchair Basketball?

T

he next few months will tell if the Yukon will field a wheelchair basketball team at the Canada Winter Games in 2007.

The decision involves a game of math that allows each team 15 points on the floor — .5 points for a quadriplegic and 4.5 for an abled athlete — and each has to be 24 years of age or younger.

Tyler Bradford, sports chair for wheelchair basketball for the Canada Winter Games, says there may not be enough age-eligible players.

On the one hand, it’s good that not so many Yukoners are disabled. But Ramesh Ferris, vice president of the Yukon Wheelchair Recreation Association, says he hopes that’s not because disabled athletes are forced to move from the Yukon because there are not enough facilities.

Regardless, it is a wait-and-see proposition now. The association will find out if the community will support a wheelchair basketball team.

The first step will be at 8:30 a.m. on May 7, when a meeting will be held at the Sport Yukon Building. The upcoming year will be discussed and people will be encouraged to become a board member.

Meanwhile, there will definitely be wheelchair basketball at the Canada Games ... with or without a Yukon team. Paul Zachau, the high-performance director of the Canada Wheelchair Basket-

ball Association, has visited and deemed Porter Creek Secondary School the best facility he has seen in years, says Bradford.

All of the major officials and classifiers will be sent to the Yukon to run the competition.

The local members will help with the volunteer activities, says Bradford. And they will run the test event to give the facilities a work out and to see if transportation will be an issue.

Bradford says it won’t be a problem as two passenger vans and a cargo van will be loaned to each team that attends.

Ferris says he and next year’s coach, Joel Macht, will travel to Edmonton on a YTG grant to observe the Canadian National Wheelchair Basketball Championships over the long weekend in May. There won’t be a Yukon team there since there is no league

here. Instead, each Monday, players drop in at Vanier Catholic Secondary School for fun.

Ferris says 18 to 23 players usually show up and use one of 15 sport wheelchairs that are available.

Disabled and abled players are encouraged to drop in. Ferris says it is great for “educational awareness”.

The rules are the same as conventional basketball, except players

Canada Game s in 94 Weeks can push the wheel twice before passing, shooting or dribbling.

And, he adds, “We have yet to see someone in a wheelchair slam dunk a ball.”

Waterwalker Film Festival Has a Message

R

on Bolt saw a pristine, gorgeously wild landscape ... and plunked a steel mill in the middle of it.

The landscape painter’s “high realism” approach to art, and his outrage at this very thing being contemplated, led to a piece he created while rafting the Snake River.

And Marten Berkman was there to capture the moment for his documentary that followed various artists while they explored the North’s hidden and endangered jewels. It was a project called, Three Rivers: Wild Waters, Sacred Places.

It will be shown May 18, at 7:00 p.m., at the Yukon Arts Centre as part of the Waterwalker Film Festival.

Each year, the Yukon Canoe and Kayak Club kicks off its season with the best films from the Canada’s Paddling Film Festival.

These are three days worth of

Ron Bolt sketching on the Snake River.

Marten Berkman © www.martenberkman.com

films that are juried down to three hours, says Mary-Jane Oliver, organizer of the local film festival and active volunteer with the club.

Berkman’s film was shown once

before, at the opening of Three Rivers, at the Yukon Arts Centre to complement the exhibition of works that resulted from the project.

Berkman also followed Jose

Mansilla-Mirandes, an iconographic landscapist; and Marlene Creates, a photographer and installation artist.

Other artists traveled the Wind River and Bonnet Plume. Berkman filmed them after the journeys and visited their studios.

Waterwalker was the first film festival he submitted his piece to and was “just delighted” to have it accepted.

It fits in with a variety of other films that showcases the excitement and majesty and challenge of rivers from around the world.

Bob Daffe, owner and operator of Tatshenshini Expediting, is another Yukoner who has a film submitted.

Tickets are for sale at the Hougen Ticket Office, Coast Mountain Sports, Kanoe People and Up North.

The price includes door prizes.

Proceeds of the evening will help support the club’s youth programs.

What’s Up, YUKON!

28

May 6, 2005

BBQ on patio

Mountain biking Hiking

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