The Scope Issue 88

thescope

THE SCOPE | free eVERY OTHER THURSDAY | august 27 - september 10, 2009 | Volume 4, Number 15 | Issue 88 | www.thescope.ca

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local a-z

green guide for

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tips, resources & information fo r newcomers and residents on

how to help save the plane from imminen t destruction t p

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HEADS &TALES

Capture the spirit of your pet with a beautiful painting by Nancy Squires.

Send photos of your pet to

nansquires@hotmail.com Prices start at $200 for 8×10 acrylic painting

(709) 437-1985

thescope

On the bus. Photo by Jared Reid (www.jreidstudios.com)

COVER ART

issue 88, vol 4, num 15, aug 27 - sep 10, 2009

E-mail: inbox@thescope.ca Online: www.thescope.ca Listings: listings@thescope.ca Mail: The Scope PO Box 1044, St. John’s, NL, A1C 5M3 Phone: 709-726-8466 Ad sales: 709-693-5028 Fax: 709-726-7682 Publisher/Listings Editor/Distro Manager: Bryhanna Greenough (publisher@thescope. ca) Editor: Elling Lien (editor@thescope.ca) Advertising Diva: Lesley Marie Reade (sales@thescope.ca) Distribution team: Barry Ross, Gary Sexton, Rachel Jean Harding, Bryhanna Greenough and Elling Lien Bottom Line Editor: Adam Clarke (adam@thescope.ca) Contributors: Shawn Hayward, Sydney Blackmore, Craig Francis Power, Adam Clarke, Jared Reid, Ryan Davis, David Keating, Patrick Canning, Kerri Breen, Michael Collins, Bryhanna Greenough, Andreae Prozesky, Bryan Melanson, Andrew Power, Jennifer Barrett, Andrew Wickens, Ray Denty, Ricky King, and Tara Fleming.

Also contributing: Dan Savage and Rob Brezsny.

The Scope is St. John’s arts and entertainment newspaper, published by Scope Media Inc. 15,000 copies of The Scope are printed fortnightly and distributed throughout the metro area. The Scope seeks to publish a newspaper that will entertain, inform, and foster cultural development in the St. John’s metropolitan area. The Scope claims absolutely no responsibility for you picking all morning classes. Free issues of The Scope are limited to one copy per reader. All rights reserved. © 2009 Proudly independent and locally owned. Founded in 2006.

LISTINGS

SECTIONS

18 Music 23 Movies 22 Community Events 25 On Stage 25 Visual Arts and Museums 26 Classifieds

4 City 5 Hot Ticket Calendar 6 Storefront 14 Food Nerd 20 Field Notes 22 Music Reviews 23 On Screen 21 DIY 24 100% Local Comics 24 Free Will Astrology 26 Savage Love

Cover illustration by Ricky King (with help from Elling Lien and NASA.)

children's books

inbox

we're

letter? i hardly know her The Scope welcomes comments on all aspects of city life and the paper’s performance. Web comments, e-mails, and smail may be edited for space and clarity.

E-mail: inbox@thescope.ca Many more comments online at thescope.ca

RE: 25 Greatest Works of Art Ever Made in NL

Not enough

Maybe if you asked 25 different people what their 25 favorites are, then we might start to walk onto the lawn of making a proper consideration.

Chuck Art (Jody Richardson) online at thescope.ca

24 or 25?

Okay. First of all, there are only 24 items in your list. Secondly,

I question your judgement in asserting that of “The 25 Greatest Works of Art Ever Made in Newfoundland and Labrador,” over half have been created in the past 10 years. A little shortsighted, no?

Matthew Hollett online at thescope.ca

24

Congratulations Matthew and thanks for playing along. I’ve left a space for readers to insert their own work into the list (ha ha.)

Craig Francis Power online at thescope.ca

Well done

Well done Craig Francis Power.

Gutsy and fascinating. I even agree with a couple of your choices.

Melba Toast online at thescope.ca

re: DIY—How to run for city council

Less than that

Any potential candidate reading this article could be deterred by the costs Simon estimates for running— anywhere from $7,000 to $50,000+ depending on the council position.

While spending this amount of money on a campaign may enhance your chance at success, it will not ensure electoral success.

In my first run at a council position I spent approximately $500 on my campaign. My result was 36% of the vote in a two-person race. If I had spent $5,000 I’m sure I would still have finished second.

It is time to look at the funding of campaigns and/or placing term limitations on council positions.

Lionel West online at thescope.ca

saying farewell

Thank you for your support over the 23 years we have been in business.

We will have a sale for the month of September, beginning on the first offering 25% off all books in the store and then jumping to 50% OFF on the 14th of the month.

2 Bates Hill • 739-9233

partying is such sweet sorrow august 13 - august 27, 2009

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city

A test batch of biofuel at the Marine Institute: the top layer is biofuel, and the bottom is glycerin byproduct. (Submitted photo.)

Grease lightning

Once only useful for grossing people out, fish guts may find a practical use and reduce the province’s dependency on fossil fuels.

Shawn Hayward wades into the idea.

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he fishing industry of this province has recovered little since 1992’s cod moratorium.

At the Marine Institute (MI), researchers hope to make the industry more profitable using material that’s usually sent to a land fill or dumped in the ocean.

Waste from fish processing includes the bone, entrails, and anything else that has no food value.

No food value, but potential energy value, because of the organic oils contained inside it.

If fish plants can use that oil to power their operation, they can save a lot of money, and reduce the waste they generate at the same time, according to Heather Manuel, director of Aquaculture and Seafood Development at MI. “A number of fish processors have said one of their biggest expenditures is fuel costs,” she says.

“They see this waste stream going out the door, with all this oil in it,

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august 13 - august 27, 2009

and they see their fuel costs rising.”

Waste matter must go through a complex process before it becomes something that can be burned to make electricity. It first has to be pressed and heated, bone and other impurities filtered away, and then it goes through transesterification, when a catalyst is added that creates a chemical reaction producing biofuel.

Glycerine and soap stock are byproducts in the reaction, but glycerine and most of the soap stock can be used for other industrial purposes, according to Manuel.

Glycerine, for example, is used to make explosives.

After transesterification, the biofuel can then be combined with fossil fuel to power a generator.

Because of inefficiencies in biofuel, it can’t be used on its own, and usually makes up between 5 and 20 per cent of a biofuel/ diesel mixture.

Even with fossil fuels added, biofuel reduces greenhouse gases, according to Manuel. She says biofuel produced from fish waste reduces the amount of heatabsorbing molecules released into the atmosphere by 13 to 74 per cent, depending on the ratio of diesel to biofuel.

The technology used will be both new and old. Manuel says they’ll use similar equipment that’s used for vegetable oil processing, but it must be modified to handle fish waste.

“It’s not quite a perfect fit with fish oils because the fish oils come from a number of different sources and they have to be handled differently,” she says.

Companies on the mainland have tried using sea life as biofuel to varying degrees of success. In 2007, Ocean Nutrition Canada (ONC) was using fish oil to produce biofuel for vehicles. Manuel says MI tried

to contact ONC when researching what other companies were doing.

“We’ve made attempts to find out about that process but haven’t been successful,” she says.

The Scope could not reach ONC as of deadline to learn if it was still selling biofuel.

LiveFuels Inc. of Texas recently announced the start of a pilot project that will raise fish for the sole purpose of turning them into biofuel.

While environmental bloggers have questioned the ethics of LiveFuels Inc., Manuel says the MI project shouldn’t share the same criticism.

“We’re not using animals just for fuel,” she says. “The animals are being harvested anyway for food processing. Rather than throwing it away, we’re making use of the raw material.”

The technology developed by MI will be made for the Newfoundland market. Manuel says MI’s goal is to design and build a mobile, easyto-use biofuel generator that can be sent to fish processors across the island. Because fish plants are spread over a large area, it would be impractical for each plant to send its oil to a central location, according to Manuel.

“We would have a mobile unit which they could take on a loan basis to use at their facility,” she says.

Individual fish plants also don’t produce a lot of fish waste, and only during certain times of the year.

Manuel says it wouldn’t be feasible for each plant to buy its own biofuel producing equipment.

The researchers have applied for a grant $1.5 million from the Atlantic Canadian Opportunities Agency (ACOA). The money will be used to build a 220-litre batch processing facility, and Manuel says they expect to hear back in the fall.

The fishery continues to be an important part of the provincial economy, despite the cod moratorium. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture’s most recent statistics show the province’s 143 fish plants produced one billion dollars worth of seafood in 2007, and employed 24,805 people.

Biofuel could make the industry more efficient, encouraging companies to employ people for longer periods, and possibly open up new plants.

“I think it will be of significant value,” says Manuel. “It will help them utilize a waste stream that will currently be discarded, so they’re not generating any value from it, and they may even have to pay disposal fees. It’s also helping them reduce their fuel costs.”

What do you think? Have your say online at

thescope.ca/city

Nooks&Crannies The seal tank

Ocean Sciences Centre, Logy Bay

Seaworld is great if you want to see animals do tricks, but to catch a glimpse of a real research facility, bike (or drive) to Logy Bay and Memorial University’s Ocean Sciences Centre, where you’ll see seals dive and splash and bask in the sun, and it’s absolutely free.

Take a right from Logy Bay Road onto Marine Drive, then another right onto Marine Lab Drive, and you’ll see a circular structure with water tanks and a scenic view of the ocean.

People used to be able to take guided tours inside the laboratory until it was cancelled for safety reasons. Now visitors are limited to seeing the tanks outside, where they can get about 10 feet away from the seals.

Danielle Nichols, the centre’s research marketing manager, says the educational component of the centre is important.

“People learn about local marine life,” she says. “They can learn about everything from the biology of the seals, to the training we do.”

Workers at the centre play games with the seals to keep them mentally stimulated. They also do memory tests on them to learn more about how seals think.

“They’re not pets,” says Nichols.

“They’re there for research. We want to know what they know.

Do they see in black and white?

Do they see in colour? Can they identify objects? So if they do they’re rewarded with a piece of fish.”

All five of the seals at the centre are harp seals. The oldest one, Babette, is 26 years old.

Each seal has a unique personality, according to Nichols.

Babette is the contrary one, and Lenny has a “fetish for rubber.”

“They’re quite intelligent, kind of like a cat,” she says.

The Ocean Sciences Centre is open to the public seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Sept. 7.

— Shawn Hayward Suggestion for a nook? nooks@thescope.ca

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

hottickets

Thursday

Saturday

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climate

drag

music/art

Former Environement Minister (and ex-Leader of the Opposition) presents Climate Change: Global Action for a Global Crisis.

Tickets are free, but registration is required. Call the Leslie Harris Centre at 737-8405 for more info.

Local drag performer Doris Anita Douche comes face to face with her Vancouver counterpart, Kristy Krunt, at Zone 216. No cover before midnight, five bucks after.

A new festival headlined

by Toronto’s Oh No Forest Fires! featuring tons of live music, dance, film, comedy, art exhibitions and a community art project all at the Rock House starting at 2pm and going till late.

Tickets are 10 to 15 bucks.

StĂŠphane Dion at Spencer Hall

Sunday, August 30 Halifax blues artist Erin Costelo at The Ship

Friday

Doris Meets her Match

Wallsaway Art & Music Festival

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on stage

books

on display

music

music

music/skating

Last chance to catch these historic theatre shows

by Mary Walsh and Rick Boland held at Commissariat House and Quidi Vidi Battery, respectively. Both shows end on Sunday, Aug 30. Ticket info at 743-6265.

Michael Crummey reads from his latest novel Galore set in Paradise Deep, the fantastical medieval world that was rural Newfoundland. The Ship. Starts at 7:30pm.

Every Wednesday from 6pm-9pm is free admission. Great chance to check out the new National Gallery exhibit Maurice Cullen and His Circle and the excellent look at NL identity, Republic, which ends Sep 13.

Curran releases her much anticipated new album Hunter, Hunter in the comfort of soft chairs! Starts at 8pm. For more info call 579-4424.

The Class War Kids return home from tour and celebrate their new CD. At Ships End, Megan Ellis, and Roundelay share the stage. It all starts at 10pm at Distortion. Five bucks to get in.

What happens when you need a show opener for the Busta Rhymes show at Mile One? Throw a contest for the opening slot.

Check out the contenders, or be a contender yourself yourself at the Rock House. Ten bucks.

Garden Party & Mutiny

Michael Crummey Book Launch

Free admission at The Rooms

Galore by Michael Crummey

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music/skating

music

on screen

Mad Props Skate Competition is a three day celebration of music and skating to launch a new skate board park. From Friday Sep 4 to Sunday Sep 6 at Rotary Paradise Youth Centre. Free of charge.

The Idlers (with mayoral candidate Mark Wilson) return home from tour in Alberta to get you moving to the ska and reggae sound. At The Breezeway on MUN campus.

The MUN Cinema Series returns with this story of a bomb disposal squad team leader in Iraq. The series continues with a hand-picked movie every Thursday night at Avalon Mall Empire Theatres.

Show start 7pm and cost is $9-$10. Passes available.

Skate Park Launch

Back to School Bash

The Hurt Locker

Amelia Curran at Holy Heart Theatre

Class War Kids CD release

One Mic Challenge

The Hurt Locker

august 13 - august 27, 2009

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storefront

buy local How much green can you afford to drop for planet Earth?

Eco-products are a billion dollar industry, they’re all over the place, ranging from the affordable (green) to the expensive (au vert). Save your carbon credits by checking out the city’s markets, stores and groceries which stock goods made by local companies and that are in-step with the environmental movement.

Below I have listed just a few.

Reusable products

They’re the ultimate investment.

Over time you’re spending less than you would to re-purchase disposable items. Ecowise is a popular St. John’s manufactured hempware label that started 12 years ago with just one product: the sydney blackmore Reusable sydney@thescope.ca Hemp Coffee Filter.

“It’s made from 100% hemp fabric,” explains company veteran Karen Power. “They’re easy to use and can be used again and again.”

Filters come in different sizes, ranging $5-$6 a pack and are found at Food For Thought and Auntie Crae’s. Other cool items include the Ecowise Hemp Water Bottle Carrier ($7.50) and customizable

storefront

Hemp Conference Bags that are great for carrying school books and groceries for $20 and up. www. ecowiseproducts.com

Got earwigs?

Bug Juice, an earwig killing product containing no poison or pesticide, is manufactured here by ex-exterminator Neville Button.

“As an applicator I’d be harassed by people in the neighbourhood who didn’t want to be exposed to chemicals. So I started doing the research and came up with an attractant for the bugs, a liquid recipe that I made myself.” The concoction is placed in a vat, and when the earwigs take a whiff, they crawl in and drown.

The treatments cost $39 a month and this pays for new batches of Bug Juice attractant and the emptying and refilling of the vat. For inquiries and orders contact 690-7385.

Blanket solution

The Whitakers in St. Philip’s use the wool from their Rushmere turkey and sheep farm to produce wool queen-sized blankets in all sorts of colours that’ll last a lifetime. For the farm owners, these blankets are a way to make use of the sheep byproduct that’s almost valueless in the province, explains Jill Whitaker.

Sarah Hansen of Real Soap!

Some Eco-Wise coffee filters

Bug Juice: natural earwig-catcher

“I think it’s just that people have gotten used to using synthetics and they’re less expensive.” Blankets are $135.00, plus tax and can be custom ordered through the Rushmere Farm at 895-3393.

wondering, propolis is the resin bees use to seal the hive.) Products range from $1.25-$18 and can be purchased online or at participating vendor locations found on their website at www.beenatural.ca.

Olivia Canela is an all-natural line of lip balms and massage oils free of artificial scents and dyes.

Creator Paula Mendonça posts new products and event information on the Facebook group, Olivia Canela and vends products each Saturday at the St John’s Farmer’s Market.

E-mail contact is oliviacanela@ hotmail.com.

Real Soap! is headed by sisters Marina Cole and Susan Hansen of Torbay, who make all-natural products to counter the harsh ingredients found in brand name ‘soap’.

“Ivory brand soap is technically not even a soap,” explains Marina, the suds specialist. “It’s called a synthetic detergent bar. It’s a bar of chemicals.”

Marina produces eight types of all-natural soaps by hand at $3 a piece. Other big sellers include their Multi-Purpose All-Natural Cleaner ($5 for 500ml bottle, $3 for refills) and Bag of Suds Laundry Shavings ($5 a bag per 500g), a collection of leftover soap pieces that make for excellent suds for your duds, especially for those with sensitive skin. Real Soap! also frequents

the Farmer’s Market and can be purchased at Food For Thought, the Tickle Trunk and Devon House.

Custom orders may be made by telephone at 437-6928.

Toiletries galore The Metro area is awash with all-natural and organic toiletries.

Tvål soap-makers produce a line of soaps, lip balms, creams and a deodorant made of certified organic ingredients, each for under $20.

The idea came from a fresh-faced Tvål intern named Elizabeth, who worked with staff members last fall to perfect the line’s products. www. tvalskincare.com Viola and Aubrey Goulding have been charming honey bees for over 20 years and sell beeswax products and edible honey through their ‘bzzz’ness, Bee Natural Paradise Farms. Customer favourites include the Beeswax Foot and Hand Creams, Furniture Wax and Bee Balm for Baby that the Gouldings created especially for their grandchild. Viola recommends a facial product called Honey Ointment that purifies skin with a special ingredient.

“I use bee propolis. It’s antioxidant, antibacterial, it’s fabulous.” (In case you’re

If you’re looking for more Earthfriendly resources, a great ecobusiness directory created by local activist Judie Squires is available at nlnatural.webs.com. So keep shopping around Planeteers! Even on a small budget, you can afford to live green in the city.

Send your fresh business news to storefront@thescope.ca

theindex recycling numbers

Number of used beverage containers collected at recycling depots in 20082009: 149 million (293 containers per person living in the province) Number of containers collected from schools in the province and recycled in 2008-2009: 14.4 million (199 containers for every student in the K-12 system) Amount of money schools raised in recycling refunds from those containers, including matching grants from MMSB: $1.4 million ($20 for every student in the K-12 system) Amount of hazardous waste the MMSB collected in 2008-2009: 120,000 litres Number of used tires diverted from the province’s landfills in 2008-2009: 340,000 Amount of waste dumped in Robin Hood Bay landfill in 2007-2008: 144,000 tonnes Total number of containers collected by curbside recycling in St. John’s: 0 (check back in 2010) Sources linked online at

thescope.ca/index

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cover

a to z green guide (for students and everybody else)

by richard kelly

G C a

lcohol

Check out the Newfoundland section in the liquor store for Auk Island and Rodrigues Wineries— both produce wines from local berries. I like the Strawberry Rhubarb wine. There are three microbreweries in St. John’s: Quidi Vidi, Storm (a bit harder to find, but worth the effort) and Yellowbelly (available only at the pub of the same name at 288 Water Street.)

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august 13 - august 27, 2009

B

ike

Biking on the city’s hills isn’t as tough as people say, and you could use some more muscles anyways. The city’s new 20 year cycling plan promises bike lanes, signs, and bike racks on Metrobuses within the year.

Don’t have a bike? If you’re a MUN student or employee, you might be able to score a bike from MUN BikeShare—www. munbikeshare.wordpress.com.

Bike with friends at the Critical Mass—Last Friday of every month, Colonial building on Military Road.

6pm.

ompost with worms

Even if you don’t have a back yard you can compost your food scraps by vermicomposting. Worms are fun to keep, they eat your garbage, and they don’t smell (I swear).

Sometimes they escape, but that’s just a useful sign that they’re unhappy. You can get Red Wrigglers from Trouter’s Special Worm Farm in Bay Bulls (334-3531), or a friend with a worm bin can share them with you. MUN Botanical Garden has lots of information: www.tinyurl.com/me5myb

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ump trail

Want to see what happens to your plastic shopping bags? Take a walk on the East Coast Trail Sugar Loaf Path starting from Quidi Vidi Village and see the plastic forest. It’s an eyeopener. http://thescope.ca/nooks/ the-plastic-forest/

E

lectricity is expensive and dirty

Up to 25% of our electricity in a given year is produced by burning oil (with the rest coming from hydro-electric and some from two new wind farms). So unplug your appliances when you’re not using them (they keep drawing power), change your light bulbs, and buy LED christmas lights.

F

reecycle

Looking for a wheel barrow? Want to give away some old VHS movies?

Need furniture? St. John’s Freecycle is a community of over 3000 people who don’t like to see anything go to the landfill, so they offer it up for free. Sign up to see what’s up for grabs at groups.yahoo.com/group/ stjohnsfreecycle

rowing your own food rules

We produce less than 10 per cent of our food in Newfoundland.

Anything you grow yourself hasn’t had to travel thousands of kilometres, and so it’s better for the environment.

There’s still plenty of time to grown some greens in a container outside this fall, or if you want to start a farm in your living room, call Jonathon at Grow Crazy for hydroponic supplies at 726-GROW, or online at growcrazy.ca. (They’re moving from 55 Stamps Lane to 140 Campbell Avenue by September 15.)

Also visit the Root Cellars Rock blog to share knowledge about local food: www.rootcellarsrock.ca.

H

arvest wild eats

We’re in the middle of mushroom season, so why not get out and search for some chanterelles in Pippy Park? But, uh, make sure you know what you’re looking for. A great resource is a book called Common Mushrooms of Newfoundland and Labrador by Andrus Voitk. Walk around Mundy Pond or Signal Hill for blueberries, blackberries and saskatoon berries, to name a few.

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nsulate your home

If you’re living in downtown St. John’s, be prepared to be freakin’ cold this winter! Pick up a blow-dry-on plastic window insulation kit and, if you have a furnace, get a programmable thermostat.

ava (fair trade)

K L

chemicals

lean without harsh

Save money and the environment by making your own non-toxic cleaners and detergents. tinyurl. com/yodpym

ocal is better

The average food travels 1500 to 2000 km, much of that by CO2-spewing truck, so buying things from closer to home just makes sense. Visit the Farmers’ Market for local veggies, meat, treats, and crafts.

Celebrate Eat Atlantic Day (www.eatatlantic.ca) on September 4 by pledging to eat only foods produced in Atlantic Canada for that day.

Keep food over the winter by bottling and freezing. foodsafety. psu.edu/canningguide.html

See www.tinyurl. com/ftstjohns for a map to fair trade coffee in NL put together by MUN Engineers Without Borders.

If enough people demand fair trade, it’ll be the only way for coffee companies to go.

august 13 - august 27, 2009

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Are you a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer or questioning youth? Looking to meet other queer folk? We offer social events and activities that you might be interested in!

Check out our Facebook page @ "LBGTQ Youth Group" St. John's Network or visit www.nlsexualhealthcentre.org

Sexual Health Questions? We Have Answers!

579-1009 or 1-877 NO MYTHS (666-9847) | 203 Merrymeeting Road, St. John's info@nlsexualhealthcentre.org

M

eat IS NOT HELPING YOU WITH YOUR environmental footprint AT ALL

Eat less meat—maybe even go vegetarian. You might get funny looks at a family dinner, but meat takes way more water, land, and energy than other sources of protein. Try going two meals a day without meat.

N

LEN newsletter

The NL Environment Network is a nonadvocacy organization that serves over 40 member groups across the province. They put out a weekly electrionic newsletter that will keep you up to date on local environmental issues: www.nlen.ca

O

utdoors

Get outside. Not only does it feel good, but it also makes you think about the fragility of the place we’re living. The East Coast Trail starts in St. John’s in two directions.

The Grand Concourse walking trail extends through St. John’s, Mount Pearl and Paradise. In the winter, Pippy Park even rents out snowshoes and cross country skis for its trails.

 thescope.ca

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august 13 - august 27, 2009

P

aper sucks

In fact, why aren’t you reading this paper online right now? For a complete how-to guide on how to kick the paper habit, check out Lifehacker’s Complete Guide to Going Paperless at tinyurl.com/ nopcg9

Q

uit chucking dangerous stuff in the regular garbage

Batteries and CFLs contain mercury and shouldn’t go into the regular landfill. The city accepts hazardous waste every Saturday at Robin Hood bay from 8am to 4pm. Check the city website at www.stjohns.ca for a list of accepted items.

Cell phones can finally be recycled too—find local drop off locations at www.recyclemycell.ca

R

ecycling (curbside)

Um, well, there isn’t any. At least until next year, when recyclable containers and paper will start being collected.

It’ll take one more year for them to start collecting organics. No joke. In the meantime, Atlantic Blue Recycling will pick up #1-#7 plastics, paper, glass and tin twice a month for about 20 bucks (726-2583 / www.atlanticbluerecycling.com)

Sandy’s are the old favourites. Sure, a big spider did crawl out of a pair of chords I was holding at a thrift store once, but that could happen anywhere. Trendy people sell to each other with websites like www. kijiji.ca or thescope.ca/classifieds.

S

V

hare rides

MUN students and staff can use MUN Rideshare to schedule daily carpooling or one time cross-island trips (www.mun.ca/projectgreen/ rideshare). If you’re not at MUN, try your office bulletin board or set up your own carpool Facebook group.

If you’re going out of town, use buses and bay taxis (Check out our Bay-Taxi Quick Reference guide on page 11.)

olunteer

Help clean up the shoreline with the fabulous folks at Ocean Net (www.oceannet.ca), build and repair the East Coast Trail (www. eastcoasttrail.com), lend a hand at a local community garden through the Community Garden Alliance (cga.stjohns@gmail.com). There are plenty of organizations who need your help, just start looking.

W

hat’s your water footprint?

Not only is your carbon footprint important, people are realizing that water is also important. And a lot of it is used to make things awesome.good.is/transparency/ web/trans0309walkthisway.html.

Conservation tip: catch extra water with buckets in the shower, then water you garden or flush the toilet with the grey water.

X

Vote in the municipal election in September

T can do

City politics may seem boring, but it shouldn’t be. When you spot a campaigning politician, ask ‘em about a green issue: Should we have water meters? Do they support community gardens? What kind of (sub)urban development should we have? The list of candidates will be posted on September 1st, and check the next issue of The Scope for more information. Make sure you’re on the voter’s list at www.stjohns.ca.

hink about our impact and what we

Read Climate Wars by Newfoundlander Gwynne Dyer and get scared to death of climate change (or listen to the podcast at www.gwynnedyer.com), then read Heat: How To Stop The World From Burning by George Monbiot and learn what we do to stop it.

U

se stuff again

Stop taking grocery bags. Turn worthless junk mail and receipts into one-sidegood notebooks. If you must buy, buy used... Value Village, Salvation Army, Previously Loved, and

Y Z

ell at your government officials

tell your representatives to do something to help the environment.

Newfoundland and Labrador is behind the times, so maybe raising your voice this time is a good idea.

kyotoplus.ca

ero time left

Tick, tock. www.

august 13 - august 27, 2009

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Internet Café

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bay taxi quick reference

2009

get outta town by shawn hayward. illustration by ricky king.

North-East Avalon

To get to Portugal Cove-St. Phillip’s, and therefore the Bell Island Ferry, you can take Conception Bay East Taxi (709-685-3121) or Cove Taxi (709-682-2386) The trip with either service will cost you about $20. Call ahead of time to book a spot and see how much baggage you can bring, because space depends on the number of passengers.

Southern Shore

If you’re looking to leave St. John’s for Ferryland and all points in between, you can hire Molloy’s Taxi (709-682-6679). It takes 25 bones to get to Trepassey, and less if you’re going somewhere along the way.

Renews, for example, costs $17 to get to, more than worth it if its replica of Our Lady of Lourdes grotto performs miracles like the original in France. The taxi leaves St. John’s around 4:30 p.m. and will pick you up at your door, pilgrim.

Argentia ferry

Bonavista

Both March’s (709-747-225) and Shirran’s (1-877-468-7741) will take you from St. John’s to Bonavista and Clarenville for $40, seven days a week. Marsh’s leaves St. John’s around 1-2 p.m. Bonavista was the site of the Cabot’s landing in North America, at least if you don’t ask someone from Cape Breton.

Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

To get to St. Pierre and Miquelon, Foote’s Taxi (1-800-866-1181) will get you to Fortune, though not in time to catch the ferry. The bus leaves St. John’s at 2:30 p.m., arriving in Fortune at 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you’re willing to stay overnight in Fortune you spend the next day in France.

South Coast

beautiful-yet-isolated south coast can be accomplished using R&E Transportation (709-753-7022), formerly Slaney’s Bus, which leaves St. John’s for Marystown seven days a week between 2:00-2:30 p.m. The trip to Marystown costs $45. If you just can’t leave your pet behind it’ll cost an extra $15 to take along, if it’s in a carrier.

Gros Morne

Gros Morne is awesome, as anyone who has been there will agree. If you want to be one of those people, Martin’s Taxi (709-453-2207) can help you out, if you can get to Corner Brook or Deer Lake that is.

The bus leaves Corner Brook at 4:30 p.m., arriving in Trout River at 6 p.m., at a price of $18 per person.

St. John’s to Port-AuxBasques

The old standby, DRL Coachlines, runs daily between Port au Basques and St. John’s. Check out www. drlgroup.com to find its complete schedule. Be nice to them, since the company has a near-monopoly on cross-province public transportation. Enjoy your trip!

Experiencing Newfoundland’s Andrew Wickens

Leaving the island via the Argentia ferry? Then consider Newhook’s Transportation (709-682-4877), because the driver’s sure to get you there in one piece, with 58 years experience! Jack Newhook has been

taxiing since 1951, when rock n’ roll was the Devil’s music and Joseph Stalin still terrorized the former U.S.S.R. He’ll take you to Argentia for $30, leaving St. John’s at 8 a.m., though trips to meet the ferry may vary. Best call ahead of time to make sure.

12 thescope

august 13 - august 27, 2009

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hear audio excerpts from this interview at thescope.ca

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thescope 13

foodnerd

how to become a locavore

(because "160.9344-kilometer diet aspirer" doesn't sound quite as good)

E

very year, about this time, I get carried away with a marvelously optimistic conviction that our little island, left to its own agricultural devices, just might be okay. The hills and paths are resplendent with wild fruit, the backyard gardens are tumbling over with zucchini, the woods are teeming with game, the farmers’ market tables are groaning under the weight of beets and andreae prozesky broccoli, dreae@thescope.ca the fields at Lester’s are waving with tall, beautiful corn.

At each meal I tally how many of my ingredients have come from somewhere on the island, and from the beginning of August until after Thanksgiving, I don’t do too badly.

foodnerd

14 thescope

august 13 - august 27, 2009

Veggies from local farms and city plots, foraged mushrooms, vacantlot berries, eggs and milk from local producers, a bit of fish, and some Spyglass butter get thrown together and we eat like kings. And every year I become more convinced that, with a little more planning and forethought, and a slightly bigger freezer, I could eat this way all year ‘round.

It’s not quite the 100-mile diet, but close.

Chances are you’ve heard of the 100-mile diet by now, but if not, here’s the gist: rather than buying just any old groceries from any old place, 100-mile-dieters dedicate their food dollars and their time to the acquisition of local produce.

The phrase was coined by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon, who spent a year eating nothing but food produced within a 100-mile radius

of their home in Vancouver. No Mexican mangoes, no Costa Rican pineapples, no olives, no chocolate, and nothing packaged up with shrink-wrap.

“Why on earth would anybody want to do that?” you may well ask.

Well, I can think of a bunch of reasons, but the quality of produce shipped from halfway around the world is reason enough, as far as I’m concerned. Limp greens, mealy tomatoes, and polystyreneflavoured strawberries have become the norm. We don’t know who grew them, or what sort of environments they came from, we just pick them up at the grocery store, pop them out of their plastic clamshells, give them a rinse and feed them to our families, pleased that we’ve managed to get our kids to choke down their five servings of fruit and veg a day, no matter what the ultimate cost.

What else? Well, how about the fossil fuel required to move produce from one side of the planet to the other, the chemical additives needed to keep fruit looking good for days and weeks on end, the conditions of the workers in the far-off countries that the fruit comes from, the lack of connection to the seasons when you buy the same produce all year round, the uneasy position of relying on imports when we live on an island… need I go on?

“100-mile diet” is just one term for this kind of thinking. The Slow Food movement is a similar phenomenon, encouraging people to celebrate local food traditions, to connect with farmers in their area, and to savour the production and the consumption of food rather than just stuffing something into their mouths and hurrying about their days. “Locavore” is another new term, describing someone who eats only food grown or produces within a certain radius of their community, usually 100 or 150 miles.

Catering to locavores is career ambition for Andrea Maunder, co-owner of Bacalao restaurant, where the “Nouvelle Newfoundland Cuisine” focuses on fresh local ingredients.

The foodstuffs aren’t 100% local, but as close as possible given the volume required to keep the kitchen running.

Maunder finds it ridiculous “that we need phrases like ‘100-mile diet’ and ‘slow foods movement,’ all this new terminology for stuff we should be doing anyway.”

She has a good point: up until about fifty years ago, the bulk of what Newfoundlanders ate was grown in backyard fields and on small farms. The idea of eating a potato from anything other than Newfoundland soil would have been laughable, and fruit like oranges would have been exotic Christmas treats rather than flavourless commodities, picked while green, shot through with food colouring, and shipped here in unimaginable numbers.

Local traditions carry a great deal of weight for Maunder.

“In the olden days, we canned,” she says. And that’s just what they do at the restaurant. During our interview, in fact, a slew of local veggies were being made into mustard pickles in the kitchen behind me.

To ensure a supply of local berries through the winter, Maunder and her staff freeze some and can the rest. The restaurant has four “dirty big freezers” full of local meat and produce, and, says Maunder,

if they ever get a line on moose meat, they’ll “sooner go out and buy another freezer than turn it down.”

Sounds wonderfully Nan-andPop-ish to me (aside from the buying-a-new-freezer part) but then Maunder has a very successful restaurant, so she can get away with it.

For those of us working on a smaller scale, a closet-sized deep-freeze and a home-canning kit are probably enough.

If you want to feast on local foods through the year, “you have to start in the summertime,” says Maunder.

“It takes planning and preparation.”

And I know that not everybody is a freelance food writer on a flexible schedule, or a restaurant owner.

But what about heading out to the farmer’s market or your favourite farm stand, buying as much broccoli as you can, and spending a weekend afternoon cutting it into spears, blanching it, packing it into bags, and stuffing it in the freezer?

Or picking rosehips on Signal Hill after the first frost, taking them home, and making jelly? How about calling up your great-aunt for advice on making piccalilli with the toolate-to-ripen tomatoes from your balcony tomato pots, or letting your “got-to-get-me-moose, b’y” uncle know that you’ll happily take some stew meat off his hands?

It doesn’t have to be all pickles and moose meat either, of course.

Beautiful scald cream (like clotted cream) is being made here, by

What’s your favourite local meal?

Note: these menus have not yet been tried, just dreamed up. If they inspire you, please leave a comment, send a photo, or share your recipe at thescope. ca.

1. Lamb sausages, dandelion or turnip greens sautéed in local butter, steamed and buttered potatoes, baked rhubarb with honey and scald cream 2. Roast corn, steamed fava beans, mussels steamed in Iceberg vodka with local garlic and shallots and finely–chopped parsley, clafouti-inspired custard made from local cream and eggs, sweetened with honey, and baked with local berries (merci à Martha Muzychka for that one) 3. Cream of chanterelle (wild mushroom) soup, layered casserole of local tomatoes and rainbow Swiss chard with homemade ricotta cheese, baked local apples stuffed with dried chuckley pears (Saskatoon berries) and honey, served with whipped cream 4. Moose pot roast with buttercup squash and kale, potato dumplings, homemade Greek-style yogurt with partridgeberry jam 5. Big ol’ boiled dinner, massive bowl of blueberries with full-fat milk (Okay, this particular menu has been tested and approved.)

Glenview’s Finest. There are delicate salad greens being produced seasonally by The Organic Farm and Seed To Spoon, and year-round by The Lettuce Farm (or you can grow your own in a plastic bin in a sunny window). There are juniper berries along the Signal Hill trail, and there is wild mint growing just about everywhere it’s wet.

The biggest difficulty with eating local around St. John’s is that the farmers and producers haven’t had much help in terms of networking and marketing. It takes a lot if legwork to find local farmers and, when you do, it’s not always clear what sort of farming they’re doing.

Maunder recalls looking for her locally-sourced produce: ”I’d find a listing for ‘Jonathan’s Farm,’ but I don’t know whether Jonathan raised carrots or emus.” The St. John’s Farmer’s Market has done a lot to connect area farmers with customers, but if you want to get some rabbit or bakeapples or wild mussels or a duck, you have to put your feelers out and ask around.

Often, though, asking around is all it takes. St. John’s, for all the availability of avocadoes in February, is still a small town, and if you ask a few people to spread the word that you like a bit of flipper pie in the spring, chances are there will be someone, or ten someones, hauling you to a flipper dinner at a church hall the first chance they get.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last few years, it’s that foodies like other foodies. If you want to build a network of locavores, even part-time locavores, the first step is announcing your intentions. That done, be prepared to swap some of your frozen blackberries for a chicken, or to paint someone’s fence for a feed of cod tongues. Blow your birthday money on dinner at a local-foods restaurant or market stand to show them that what they’re doing is important.

It’s how things have always worked, and how they should.

Foodies! Network online at

thescope.ca/foodnerd

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thescope 15

s a t a p Za Restaurant Mexicano

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Kitchen | Bar "Tea is liquid wisdom." ~ Anonymous

By the Sea

Down to Earth

Open 7 Days a Week Offering Affordable Lunches and Creative Menu Items Focusing on Local Seafood and Produce 310 Water Street • (709) 576 - AQUA www.aquarestaurant.ca

Customer-submitted restaurant reviews for St. John’s and metro area.

Be a wise student, drink Dragonwell for your all-nighters and Rooibos for your hangovers.

We accept the studentsaver card!

Our meals at Bacalao were excellent. They were featuring wild chanterelle mushrooms when we visited, so I had the soup and lambchops with a mushroom au jus and both were great. The lamb was some of the best I’ve ever eaten. My partner was equally impressed with his crab springrolls and halibut. Our server was so knowledgeable and the wine list was so complete, it was almost too much to take in. Pricey, yes, but absolutely worth it. (And I hadn’t had a peppermint nob since I was a kid, when I used to sneak them from my grandmother’s candy dish…)

(based on 3 reviews)

Avg rating

The Sprout 364 Duckworth Street, 579-5485

 Reviewed by hungryhungryhippo

Had the taco salad for the first time last night and it was really great.

Add a beer, share a dessert with a friend and it’s pretty much the most fun you can have with your pants on.

Avg rating

 (based on 32 reviews) Folly 5 Bates Hill, 738-0008

 Reviewed by Alice

I love this place! Great to relax on a friday evening on their deck with some food and drinks. Their martini’s are great, and I really enjoy their menu. Coffee is also great.

Avg rating

½ (based on 5 reviews)

Hungry Heart Café 142 Military Road, 738-6164

 Reviewed by Lark

So pleased to support local foods and a great organization. I had the curry chicken wrap and it was brimming with goodness! My partner had the quiche, which was also great, and we both had the soup of the day (squash, dill, and swiss cheese, I think) and we both enjoyed it. Took a super moist date square for the road. I’ve been recommending Hungry Heart to all my friends and we can’t wait to go back.

Avg rating

 (based on 5 reviews)

Disagree? Write your own damn review at

thescope.ca/Scoff

16 thescope

august 13 - august 27, 2009

music

“Hands on a Grain of Sand,” which one of the last songs that was written for the album.

As I write more I’m getting better at sticking with a point, and straying from metaphors, which young writers tend to stick with. I think I’m becoming a better writer, and as my harshest critic, I think that these two songs are proof that I’m becoming a better writer.

Following the release of Hunter, Hunter and the concert at Holy Heart Auditorium you’re back on the road across Canada, and then throughout the UK. How is life on the road as a solo artist?

Yeah, I Ieave the very next day. I am so tired. I just finished summer touring—living in airports and waking up forgetting where you are.

So yes, I’m tired. But I’ll get into the flow and go with it.

Am I still falling?

Since local singer-songwriter Amelia Curran’s album War Brides was re-released by the popular Canadian independent label Six-Shooter Records a year ago, she has managed to capture the attention of critics across Canada. With her new album, Hunter, Hunter she’s poised for even greater success. By John Feltham.

You are about to release your newest album, Hunter, Hunter, could you tell me a little about it?

It’s the only album I’ve ever recorded in St. John’s, which is special in and of itself. It took 20 months, three or four locations, including a couple nervous breakdowns. We recorded 20 songs, 12 of which made it to the album...

This is your fifth full length solo album but your first since being signed with Six Shooter Records. How has that changed the process of writing and recording?

That was part of some of the nervous breakdowns, I was nervous to follow-up War Brides—which became the little album that could.

It was intimidating to follow up something that people became so close to. And it was the first time I ever had to report to someone—but they’re great. They really let you do your own thing.

What about your decision to return to St. John’s to record Hunter, Hunter...?

It was necessary for me to come home. It was time, and making an album here was so exciting. To get to work with Sandy Morris, Jeff Panting, and The Once, George Morgan... it’s amazing, I’ve been watching most of these folks my whole life. To have people like that so willing to come into the studio was was very exciting.

I understand that the album was recorded in various places across the city, could you talk about some of the locations?

The old CBC building on Duckworth Road was my favourite. Another one was when Don Ellis was in the process of moving his studio, so we recorded on Mount Scio Road. It was the dead of winter and there was no running water. It was dark, it was cold, it was scary. We had space heaters humming along, but we would have to turn them off for the recording, and the instruments would go out of tune from the cold.

A lot of your music centers on the theme, “matters of the heart”... what’s the constant draw with the subject?

I’m a very emotional a person—a heart on legs. [laugh] A lot of these things are ways of expressing the things that are humiliating, but not necessarily sad. So many of the songs are sad, or at least sung as though they’re sad. Love songs and songs about lost love shouldn’t be downers.

But sadness is huge and you have to write about it.

So which gives you the most inspiration in song writing—the ‘highs’ or the ‘lows’?

Jim Cuddy once said, “Sadness is lingering so you can stew on it and get good writing, whereas happiness is fleeting and it’s hard to get a hold of it...” I’m paraphrasing here now,

but, I think it’s a great explanation of it.

A lot of my music is inspired by tearing away the layers and looking at how horrible we can be as people... and the humiliating things about being human. To be embarrassed is what really gets the pen moving, being wrong about love is the most humiliating thing ever. Drinking too much, making mistakes...

One track from the album, “The Mistress”, is such a no nonsense song that cuts straight to the point about the frivolities of love, but a lot of your other songs are rich in metaphor. Did you set out to write a straightto-the-point song like it is, or is it something that just happened?

I wrote that song in one day—but it was a long day with not enough food, too much coffee and too many cigarettes. I was at a friend’s house and he had to go to work. When I wrote it was actually twice as fast, with a different rhythm than how it ended up on the record. It was a very defensive narrative, unlike anything I had ever written before, and I don’t know if I would ever write like that before.

It’s a song that sort of occurred and fell into my head.

From your perspective, what other songs from the album do you like?

I really like “Ah Me.” I also like

Looking back now with your years of experience, and the point where you are in your career as a musician, do you have any advice for young singer / songwriters in the city?

I always go back to writing. I think you have to write all the time. If I’m writing a song and I get to the chorus and I already dislike it and I think that this isn’t the best I can do, finish it anyway. You’re never going to have one process. So writing is the most important thing. That said, I’m a fan of the musician that’s not always the writer, whatever you’re doing, you have to do it for millions of hours to get any good at it. From when you wake up to when you pass out, it has to be on on your mind and the tip of you tongue.

I’ve been doing this for a dozen years, which is not a long time, but I do feel old and tired. But years ago in the record industry, they would say that 12 years is an overnight success. So in some people’s eyes I’m at the beginning of my career.

But I have been putting in those hours.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I feel there’s a big storm coming at me. It’s like your diving from the high tower at the Aquarena and you think you’re going to hit the water, but you haven’t hit it yet and you’re think, “Am I still falling?” It’s when you realize you’re still falling and I’m thinking, is it time to hold my breath? I am very anxious to see what happens.

Hunter, Hunter will be available in stores on Tuesday, September 1. There will be a free, in-store performance at Fred’s Records that night at 7:30pm.

Amelia Curran will be performing at Holy Heart Auditorium with guests The Once on Thursday, September 3. Tickets are available at Fred’s Records and at the Holy Heart box office (55 Bonaventure Ave) or by phone at 579-4424.

For more music news, visit

thescope.ca/music

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thescope 17

music

Who needs a smoke machine when it's 99˚C on stage? Kujo at the Eastern Edge 24 Hour Art Marathon. Photo by Elling Lien.

Liberated from the sideman thing On their very first release, Victor Lewis and the guys from Kujo commit their set list to disc, and play the music they really love to play. By David Keating.

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18 thescope

august 13 - august 27, 2009

it all summer. This record was done entirely in my house, for no money. We just pooled our gear, our resources. And yeah, we just took our time, you know, had barbeques, drank beer... Never had anybody breathing down our neck, never had any hourly studio fees to pay.

And I think that recording approach really worked well with our overall aesthetic: doing what we want, relax and just let it happen organically kind of thing.”

While the guys in Kujo might never be accused of overreaching ambition, they’re sitting comfortably in a groove that suits their style.

“I think when people see us having a good time it’s kind of infectious. We design all the music so you can move to it. I don’t see the point of playing shows when you’re just going to stand up there in one spot and be self-conscious.”

With a little added discipline in arrangements, and the added bonus for fans of actually being able to hear the lyrics, the recording promises to capture the best of a Kujo live show, says Lewis.

With a recent name-drop in a widely-read article on St. John’s rock music in the Globe and Mail, the band is thinking further afield: Tour dates, the upcoming ECMAs... even trying to promote themselves to radio stations.

“Just out of curiosity, we’re going to try and do those normal band things and get off our ass a bit this year,” says Lewis. “I think our reasons for wanting people to hear it are pretty noble. We’re just having a great time doing this, and we’ve seen at shows first-hand that people are enjoying it. Why not let more people enjoy it?”

he four of us collectively, we’re basically what we consider to be the best rock and roll band…” says Victor Lewis in a mock-serious voice, cracking up his band mates Brad Power and Craig Follett. “... that we can be.”

It seems people who like rock and roll like Kujo. A lot. With fuzzheavy, screeching guitar riffs, a huge helping of fun, and a sense of humour, people can tell this is a bunch of veteran players doing this for the love of the music.

“I have a record collector’s attitude towards making music,” says singer and guitarist Lewis. “I make stuff that I would want to hear

myself... And with this record we just recorded, I’m genuinely happy with it. There are cool moments on it that I don’t think you really hear enough of. So that’s why we did it.”

The members of the band— Lewis, Power, Follett and Adam Cardwell—have collectively backed up groups and artists like Chris Kirby, Trailer Camp, and Cherie Pyne for years. But as Kujo, the four friends found an outlet to let loose on their own musical tastes.

“This is that band where we get to do what we want to do," says Lewis.

"We’re liberated from the sideman thing.”

So basically the way we did it, we just try to do everything that we think is cool personally… Brad and I like 60s garage rock. We like raw

stuff. We all have a love for blues and R&B—you know, soul from the 60s, stuff like that.”

On stage it’s a party atmosphere, but it’s a different kind of energy when the guys are not playing.

“The funny thing about this band is that we’re all so casual,” he says.

“We didn’t have any ambitions outside of enjoying the music and enjoying playing, so, we could have done this a long time ago.”

While it takes a certain amount of forethought and planning to round up the resources for a full-length recording, the guys in the band found their own way to make the self-titled album come together. It’s music for music lovers done at a musician’s pace.

“This record, we worked on

music listings

(10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Barry Kenny & Glen Harvey (8:30pm); Sons of Erin (11pm), Shamrock City Pub

Oh No Forest Fires (Toronto indie rock), The Subtitles (pop), The Ship

Damian Follett, Green Sleeves Pub DJ Fabian, Zone 216 DJ Mikey B, DJ Steve Murray, DJ Electro, $5 till

The Tequilla Rockingbirds (rock) Fat Cat Tim Dodge, 10:30pm, Trinity Pub Traditional Session: Graham Wells, Erin’s

Fred Jorgenson & Arthur O’Brien, Kelly’s Pub

Jerry Stamp (singer-songwriter), Dave Walsh, midnight, no cover, Bull & Barrel

MacLovin, Dusk Ultra Lounge Matthew Byrne (7pm); Middle Tickle

send us your show info

tion

Email: listings@thescope.ca Online: thescope.ca

The Insiders (acoustic) 10:30pm, Martini Bar The Reluctant Showmen (rock) 10pm,

Event listings are free. Hi-res photos are welcome and encouraged.

15,000 copies of The Scope are available at 300+ locations across St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Torbay and CBS.

Next deadline for listings: 5pm Sunday, September 7

(10:30pm), Shamrock City Pub

The Commie Ninjas (rock) 10pm, $5, Distor-

Pub

VDJ Fox, $5, Junctions

Conweay, Loft 709

SATURDAY, AUG 29

Funktastic Friday w/ DJs Leo van Ulden & Rob Taylor, 12am-5am, $5 (no cover before 1am), Spin

Honeymoon Suite (Ont classic rock) $20,

Tropical Thursdays: DJ Chamba, Turkey

Club One

Joe’s

Hypnosis: DJ T Jay, DJ Rasta Man, DJ Ola K,

Unlisted, Green Sleeves Pub

10pm, $5, Rock House

Kelly-Ann Evans Band (pop) 10:30pm,

FRIDAY, AUG 28

Martini Bar

Adam Baxter (tour fundraiser), Braveyard

Hunch (rock), CBTGs

Local Tough (rock), Colonel Craze & The MacLovin, Whalen’s Pub Redline, Trapper John’s Pub Roundelay (psych), AE Bridger (psych), Sur-

THURSDAY, AUG 27 Andrew Ledrew, Whalen’s Pub Cindy Doire Band, The Ship Classic Rock Thursday: Terry Mack, Jace

Kelly’s Pub

Steve Colburne, 6pm-9pm, Cafe Wedge-

Bob Macdonald, 6pm-10pm, The Republic Chris Hennessey (5pm); Fergus O’Byrne

That Time of the Month: Doris Meets

Craig Young (solo acoustic) no cover, Fat Cat

(8:15pm); The Masterless Men (11:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Blues Bar

Colin Harris, 9:30pm-12:30am, Lower Path

Dave Panting, Erin’s Pub Fergus O’Byrne (7pm); Acoustic Punters

D’arcy Broderick & Ron Kelly (5pm);

Bar

thescope.ca/music

1:30am, Liquid Night Club

All Request, Lottie’s Blackie O’Leary (5:30pm); Rob Cook (10pm),

Hardcack, no cover, Loft 709

For more music news, visit

Filthy Fridays: DJ Lex, Turkey Joe’s For Her Pleasure: DJ Mayeham & Scott

The Levee

(reunion), At Ships End (folk), Amy G Dala (rock), 10pm, Distortion

The Kujo CD release happens at The Ship on Sept. 5. The Subtitles are also on the bill. Online, visit myspace. com/kujotherockband

geon (prog), 10:30pm, The Levee wood her Match: Doris Anita Douche comes face to face with Vancouver drag performer Kristy Krunt, 11pm, no cover before 12am/$5, Zone 216

709, Club One Andrew Hitchen & Lucas, Trapper John’s Pub

Bass Kleph (Aus electro DJ/Producer), Physical Patrick, Dr Drake, 10pm, $15/$15+, Junctions Cape St Mary’s Performance Series: Featuring Kevin Major, Hayleigh McGrath, Ed Kavanagh, Cape St Mary’s Interpretation Centre

Dance League Saturday: Pasddy Greene, Loft 709

DJ Mikey B, DJ Steve Murray, DJ Electro, $5 till 1:30am, Liquid Night Club

Hugh Scott (4:30pm); Bob Taylor & Carl Peters (8pm); Sons of Erin (11pm), Shamrock City Pub

Jeff Lewis, Lottie’s Place Jerry Stamp (Bloodwork CD release & tour kickoff), Adam Baxter, 11pm, $5, Get Stuffed-190 Duckworth St

The Dana Parsons Project (rock), DJ

John Prine (country) Holy Heart Theatre-55 Bonaventure Ave 579-4424

OTG, Dusk Ultralounge

Kelly-Ann Evans Band (pop) 10:30pm,

Martini Bar

Nodda Clue, Green Sleeves Pub Rob Cook (4pm); Fergus O’Byrne (8pm); The Masterless Men (11:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Rob Cook, 10pm, Kelly’s Pub Roundelay (psych), The Wolves, Weapon (rock), 10:30pm, The Levee

Scott Conway, Whalen’s Pub Seamless Saturday: DJ Mike The Tailor,

Damian Follett, Green Sleeves Pub Dave White, 9:30pm, MexiCali Rosa’s DJ Diamond, no cover, Loft 709 Erin Costelo (Halifax blues), Black Molly (solo indie rock), Rose & Thistle

Hugh Scott (6:30pm); Anthony MacDonald & Ronnie Power, 10pm, Shamrock City Pub

Larry Foley & Patrick Moran, 9pm, O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

11pm-5am, $5 (no cover before 1am), Spin

Sean Hoyles, 10:30pm, Trinity Pub Sexual Saturdays: DJ Jaycee, Turkey Joe’s The Black Bags (rock), Kill Popoff (rock),

TUESDAY, SEPT 1

Local Tough (rock), 11pm, Distortion

Amelia curran, 7:30pm, Free, Fred’s Records Andrew Ledrew (solo acoustic rock)

The Dana Parsons Project (rock), DJ

9:30pm-1am, no cover, Fat Cat Blues Bar

OTG, Dusk Ultralounge

Chris Hennessey (5pm); Open Mic with Gary

The Tequilla Rockingbirds (rock), Fat Cat

Foley & Robert Moran(10pm); Rob Cook & Larry Foley (12am), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

VJ Eric & DJ Slayer, 11pm, $5/$7 after

Danielle Tobin, Andrew Mast & Friends,

Wednesday Night Flush: With host Derm Kean, 11pm, $5, Rose & Thistle

Wild Wednesdays: DJ Fox, Junctions

THURSDAY, SEPT 3 Amelia Curran (Hunter Hunter CD release), The Once (folk), 8pm, Holy Heart Theatre

Classic Rock Thursday: Terry Mack, Jace Hardcack, no cover, Loft 709

Dave Panting, Erin’s Pub Fergus O’Byrne (7pm); Acoustic Punters (10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Fred Jorgenson & Arthur O’Brien, Kelly’s Pub

Jerry Stamp, midnight, no cover, Bull & Barrel MacLovin, Dusk Ultra Lounge Matthew Byrne (7pm), Middle Tickle

1:30pm, Zone 216

CBTGs

(10:30pm), Shamrock City Pub

Wallsaway Art & Music Fest: Oh No

Dave White & Carl Peters, 10pm, Turkey

Metal Massacre: King Solomon, 10pm, $5,

Forest Fires! (Toronto indie rock), Mercy, the Sexton, The Subtitles, Matt Hornell & The Diamond Minds, The Mountains & The Trees, Ian Foster, Chris Kirby, The Mudflowers, Japan Batteries, The Sellouts; Dance by Tammy MacLeod, Meghan McCabe, Christina Penney, The Neighbourhood Strays; Comedy by Sherri Levesque; Community art project; Hosted by Darcy Fitzpatrick, 2pm3am, $10/$15, Rock House

SUNDAY, AUG 30 Acoustic A Go Go, 10pm, no cover, Distor-

Joe’s

Distortion

Hip Hop Tuesday: Paddy Greene & Shawn

Rockin’ Thursdays, The Levee Ron Hynes (folk) The Ship The Insiders (acoustic) 10:30pm, Martini Bar Trevor Kelly, Whalen’s Pub Tropical Thursdays: DJ Chamba, Turkey

Goldz, no cover, Loft 709

Hugh Scott (6:30pm), Connemara, 10pm, Shamrock City Pub

The Dardanelles (folk CD release) 8pm10pm, The Ship

Tuesdays with Whitty, 9pm, The Levee

Joe’s

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 2

FRIDAY, SEPT 4

Anthony McDonald, Erin’s Pub Blackie O’Leary (6:30pm); Arthur, Fred &

All Request, Lottie’s Blackie O’Leary (5:30pm); Rob Cook (10pm),

tion

Chris (10pm), Shamrock City Pub

Blackie O’Leary (5:30pm); Fred Jorgenson

DJ Fox, no cover, Junctions Epic Wednesdays: Adam Baxter, 10pm, $5,

Kelly’s Pub

Chris Henessey (5:30pm); Arthur O’Brien &

Distortion

Blue Eyed Blonde (cover rock) Club One Bob Macdonald, 6pm-10pm, The Republic Chris Hennessey (5pm); Fergus O’Byrne

Johnny Graham (9:30pm), Shamrock City Pub

Folk Night: Dave Penny & Friends, 9pm, $5,

(8:15pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Damian Follett, Green Sleeves Pub Erin Costelo (Halifax blues) The Ship John Prine (country) Holy Heart Theatre Retro Sunday: DJ Lex, Turkey Joe’s Song Session: Allan Byrne (7pm), Best Kind

The Ship

Class War Kids (CD release); Dave Whittys

Jamgrass: Boobie Browne, Alison Corbett &

B-day show with At Ships End (folk), Megan Ellis, Roundelay (psych), 10pm, $5, Distortion

(9:30pm), Kelly’s Pub

(10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

The Racket, George Street Beer Market Traditional Session: Graham Wells & Billy

Friends, CBTGs

Matt Byrne (7pm); The Bishops (10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Colin Harris, 9:30pm-12:30am, Lower Path Bar D’arcy Broderick & Ron Kelly (5pm);

Songwriter Showcase: John Feltham,

Barry Kenny & Glen Harvey (8:30pm); Sons of Erin(11pm), Shamrock City Pub

Steve Colbourne, Selina Boland, Terry Rielly Unstuffed, 9:30pm, no cover, The Levee

DJ Fabian, Zone 216 DJ Mikey B, DJ Steve Murray, DJ Electro, $5 till

Sutton, 4pm, Bridie Molloy’s

Tarahan, George Street Beer Market Wacky Wednesdays: Dave White, 10pm,

MONDAY, AUG 31

Wednesday Night Acoustic: The Hollow-

Filthy Fridays: DJ Lex, Turkey Joe’s For Her Pleasure: DJ Mayeham & Scott

bodies, no cover before 12am, Loft 709

Conweay, Loft 709

Turkey Joe’s

1:30am, Liquid Night Club

music venue

directory Anchorage Coffee House, 106 Water St, 726-0388 Arts & Culture Centre, Prince Philip Dr, 729-3900 The Attic, 2 George St, 579-9632 Bar None, 164 Water St, 579-2110 Bella Vista, 26 Torbay Rd, 753-2352 Big Ben’s, 55 Rowan St, 753-8212 Black Dog Pub, 318 Water St, 726-6015 Bull & Barrel, Holdsworth Court, 579-7077 Bull & Finch, Torbay Rd, 738-7007 The Breezeway, MUN Campus, 737-4743 Bridie Molloy’s, 5 George St, 576-5990 Brownings Pub, Hotel Mount Pearl, 364-7725 CBTG’s, Holdsworth Court, 722-2284 Christine’s Place, 210 Lemarchant Rd, 722-6400 Club One, George St, 753-7822 Crow’s Nest (Officer’s Club), 88 Water St (by War Memorial), 753-6927 D.F. Cook Recital Hall, Memorial University 737-4700 Corner Stone Sports Bar, 16 Queen St, 754-4263 Darnell’s Pub, 1570 Topsail Rd 782-2440 Distortion, Holdsworth Court, 738-8833 The Dock, 17 George St, 726-0353 Dusk ULTRA LOUNGE, George St Erin’s Pub, 186 Water St, 722-1916 Fat Cat Blues Bar, George St 739-5554 George Street Beer Market, George St, 753-7822 Georgetown Pub, 754-6151 Green sleeves PUB, 14 George St, 579-1070 The Grapevine, Water St, 754-8463 Grumpy Stump, Torbay Rd, 7532337 Holy Heart Theatre, 55 Bonaventure Ave, 579-4424 Junctions, 208 Water St, 5792557 Karaoke Kops Party Bar, 10 George St, 726-8202 Kelly’s Pub, 25 George St, 753-5300 Kruger’s Bar, 986 Conception Bay Hwy, Kelligrews The Last Drop, 193 Water St, 726-3767 THE LEVEE, Holdsworth Court Liquid NIGHT CLUB, 186B Water St, 754-5455 Loft 709, 371 Duckworth St 351-2183 Lottie’s Place, 3 George St, 754-3020 Lower Path Grill & Bar, 312 Water St 5791717 LSPU HAll, 3 Victoria St, 753-4531 Majestic Theatre, 390 Duckworth St Marg’s Place, Kelligrews Martini Bar (Above Peddler’s On George) 739-9180 Masonic Temple, 6 Cathedral St, 579-3023 Mickey Quinn’s, 120 New Gower St, 739-6404 Mile One Centre, 50 New Gower St, 576-7657 MUN MUSIC, 737-4455 Mrs Liddy’s, Torbay 437-6005 The Old Mill, 271 Brookfield Rd, 368-1334 O’Reilly’s Irish Pub, 15 George St, 722-3735 Peddler’s On George, George St, 739-9180 Peter Easton Pub, Cookstown Road Petro-Canada Hall, Memorial University Players Cue, 50 Commonwealth Ave-Mt Pearl 368-2500 Republic, Duckworth St, 753-1012 THE Rockhouse, George St, 579-6832 rose & Thistle, 208 Water St, 579-6662 Shamrock City Pub, 340 Water St, 758-5483 Ship Pub, 265 Duckworth St, 753-3870 Spin, 2 George St Sharky’s Pub, Manuels 834-5636 The Sprout, 364 Duckworth St, 579-5485 SS Meigle Lounge, Seal Cove 7441212 Stanley’s Pub, 26 Torbay Rd, 754-0930 Station Lounge, 7 Hutchings St Steller Club, Henry St, 753-8222 Stetson Lounge, 260 Water St, 753-8138 Sundance, George St, 753-7822 Tol's Time-Out Lounge, 74 Old Placentia Rd 745-8657 Topsail Breeze Tavern, Topsail 7810010 Trapper John’s PUB, 2 George St, 579-9630 Trinity Pub, George St, 579-5558 Trip in Lounge, Kelligrews 834-4002 victory tavern, 164 Water St, 738-2100 The Well, 14 George St 2nd level Green Sleeves Whalen’s Pub, 32 George St 722-4900 Whiskey On George, 15 George St, 579-9475 Zone 216, 216 Water St, 754-2492 Do you host live music or DJs at your spot? Joining our directory is free. E-mail: listings@ thescope.ca

Paul MacAusland Trio, 10:30pm, Martini Funktastic Friday w/ DJs Leo van Ulden & Rob Taylor, 12am-5am, $5 (no cover before 1am), Spin

Generation Lost, The Dock

Bar

Sandy Stokes, 10:30pm, Trinity Pub Steve Colburne, 6pm-9pm, Cafe Wedgewood

august 13 - august 27, 2009

thescope 19

Steve Green, Whalen’s Pub Stixx & Stones, 6pm-9pm, Dusk Ultra Lounge The Reluctant Showmen (rock), Overlay (rock), Dodgeband (alt), 10pm, The Levee

Traditional Session: Graham Wells, Erin’s Pub

Foley (12am), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Danielle Tobin, Andrew Mast & Friends, CBTGs

Dave White & Carl Peters, 10pm, Turkey Joe’s

Hip Hop Tuesday: Paddy Greene & Shawn Goldz, no cover, Loft 709

VDJ Fox, $5, Junctions

Hugh Scott (6:30pm), Connemara, 10pm, Shamrock City Pub

SATURDAY, SEPT 5

Tuesdays with Whitty, 9pm, The Levee

Blue Eyed Blonde (cover rock) Club One Dance League Saturday: Pasddy Greene,

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 9

Loft 709

DJ Mikey B, DJ Steve Murray, DJ Electro, $5 till 1:30am, Liquid Night Club

First Offence (punk), De-Mons (punk), The Dead of Winter, The Fawks, 10pm, $5, Distortion

Anthony McDonald, Erin’s Pub Blackie O’Leary (6:30pm); Arthur, Fred & Chris (10pm), Shamrock City Pub

Hugh Scott (4:30pm); Bob Taylor & Carl

DJ Fox, no cover, Junctions Epic Wednesdays: Adam Baxter, 10pm, $5,

Peters (8pm); Sons of Erin (11pm), Shamrock City Pub

Folk Night: The Superpickers, 9pm, $5, The

Distortion Ship

Jeff Lewis, Lottie’s Place Kujo (rock CD release), The Subtitles

Idlers, The Breezeway Jamgrass: Boobie Browne, Alison

(electro), The Ship

One Mic Challenge: Busta

FIND THE MOST GS up-TO-DATE LISTIN ONLINE AT

Rhymes Take Ova ‘09 contest for opening act, $10, Rock House

Paul MacAusland Trio,

thescope.ca

10:30pm, Martini Bar

Rick Lambe, Whalen’s Pub Rob Cook (4pm); Fergus O’Byrne

Corbett & Friends, CBTGs

Matt Byrne (7pm); The Bishops (10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Songwriter Showcase: John Feltham, Matt Cross & Guests, 9:30pm, no cover, The Levee

Tarahan, George Street Beer Market

(8pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Rob Cook, 10pm, Kelly’s Pub Seamless Saturday: DJ Mike The Tailor, 11pm-5am, $5 (no cover before 1am), Spin

Sexual Saturdays: DJ Jaycee, Turkey Joe’s Steve Edwards, 10:30pm, Trinity Pub The Living Daylights (rock), The Wolves, Smiley Ralph (alt), The Sellouts (rock), 10pm, The Levee

VJ Eric & DJ Slayer, 11pm, $5/$7 after 1:30pm, Zone 216

Wacky Wednesdays: Dave White, 10pm, Turkey Joe’s

Wednesday Night Acoustic: The Hollowbodies, no cover before 12am, Loft 709 Wednesday Night Flush: With host Derm Kean, 11pm, $5, Rose & Thistle

Wild Wednesdays: DJ Fox, Junctions

THURSDAY, SEPT 10 Classic Rock Thursday: Terry Mack, Jace Hardcack, no cover, Loft 709

SUNDAY, SEPT 6 Acoustic A Go Go, 10pm, no cover, Distortion

Blackie O’Leary (5:30pm); Fred Jorgenson (9:30pm), Kelly’s Pub

Chris Henessey (5:30pm); Arthur O’Brien & Johnny Graham (9:30pm), Shamrock City Pub

Drag Idol 7: Join us as we go in search of the next drag superstar. Panel of judges will have their say, but you vote and decide, 11pm, Zone 216

Maggie Meyer (singer-songwriter) The Ship Retro Sunday: DJ Lex, Turkey Joe’s Song Session: Allan Byrne (7pm), Best Kind (10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

The Racket, George Street Beer Market Traditional Session: Graham Wells & Billy Sutton, 4pm, Bridie Molloy’s

Dave Borins, Whalen’s Pub Dave Panting, Erin’s Pub Fergus O’Byrne (7pm); Acoustic Punters (10:30pm), O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

Fred Jorgenson & Arthur O’Brien, Kelly’s Pub

Jerry Stamp, midnight, no cover, Bull & Barrel MacLovin, Dusk Ultra Lounge Matthew Byrne (7pm), Middle Tickle (10:30pm), Shamrock City Pub

Rockin’ Thursdays, The Levee The Insiders (acoustic) 10:30pm, Martini Bar Scott Goudie, The Ship Tropical Thursdays: DJ Chamba, Turkey

Dave White, 9:30pm, MexiCali Rosa’s DJ Diamond, no cover, Loft 709 Hugh Scott (6:30pm); Anthony MacDonald & Ronnie Power, 10pm, Shamrock City Pub

Larry Foley & Patrick Moran, 9pm,

Friday Sep 4 - Sunday Sep 6 Mad Props Skate Comp: A three day celebration of music and skating as a launch of the new skate board park, free, Rotary Paradise Youth Centre

O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

TUESDAY, SEPT 8 Andrew Ledrew (solo acoustic rock) 9:30pm-1am, no cover, Fat Cat Blues Bar

Chris Hennessey (5pm); Open Mic with Gary Foley & Robert Moran(10pm); Rob Cook & Larry

local culture vulture music

arts

One sneaky person (or group of people) has found a creative way to promote local music history.

Using the name Found on a Pole, someone has been making packages documenting the punk and alternative scene from the mid ‘90s to the early 2000s and taping them to downtown telephone poles. The kits contain a CD-R with old concert footage, kerri breen kerri@thescope.ca and a mini-booklet of show flyers, plus a link to an e-mail address and a Flickr photo sharing account.

The project has been in the works since at least February, and this batch of packages appears to be the first in a series. Bee Traverse found hers (labelled 34 out of 50) on Duckworth Street.

“I thought it was really neat to see footage of bands that I had heard about but maybe only seen once or twice or not at all,” she says. Traverse, who is active in the music community in St. John’s, says though poster art is pretty fascinating, it is often poorly documented and archived.

“There are so many things that survive only in stories of the glory days.”

The person (or persons) behind Found on a Pole could not be contacted for an interview. Keep your eyes peeled to the poles for the second edition, though.

Some art forms happen to be more accessible or popular than others locally. That doesn’t mean all aren’t worthy of your attention, or so goes the philosophy behind Wallsaway, a mulidisciplinary arts festival designed to expose people to the city’s breadth of talent.

“I just wanted to put everything together so you can pay your one fee, have this one show and get a little bit of everything so that you’re seeing new things,” says ogranizer Meghan McCabe, who is performing as a dancer.

Wallsaway is set for Aug. 29 at the Rockhouse on George Street.

The event features a community art project, contemporary and belly dance performances, comedy, film and of course music. Toronto’s Oh No Forest Fires! is headlining the show, and a long list of locals, including Mercy, the Sexton, Chris Kirby, and Matt Hornell and the Diamond Minds, are backing them up.

“We’ve got a whole bunch of top local acts that are going on here in the city, starting with the Mountains and the Trees,” McCabe says. “It’s a really exciting, full lineup.”

McCabe says the goal is to eventually bring the festival outdoors, but she’s pleased with this year’s venue. The first Wallsaway was planned for last August in Quidi Vidi, but was cancelled due to lack of funding.

Tickets are $15 and are available through wallsaway.com.

Found: Our past Walls return

openmic

Irish Pub (10pm)

Wednesday: Chris Ryan & Ronnie Power at Shamrock City Pub (9:30pm); Rose & Thistle

Thursdays: Open Decks at Liquid Night Club; Rock House; Steven Green at Whiskey on George; Vance Clarke at West Side Charlie’sKenmount Rd

Saturdays: Old Country, Bluegrass, NF, Irish & Gospel at All Saints Parish Hall-CBS (2nd Saturday of month at 8pm) Sundays: Open Mic for Young Musicians at Shamrock City Pub (2pm); Natalie Noseworthy at Hava Java (8pm); Shawn Beresford at Fat Cat Blues Bar; Olde No 7 at The Levee (9pm)

Mondays: Grumpy Stump Tuesdays: Gary Foley & Rob Moran at O’Reilly’s

2 1 6 W at e r S t r e e t

hava sandwich august 13 - august 27, 2009

karaoke Mondays: Karoke Kops Party Bar (10pm) Tuesdays: Grumpy Stump; Karoke Kops Party

History on stage Rising Tide Theatre’s Season in the Bight Festival is equal parts entertainment and Newfoundland history primer. The company is presenting a bunch of new, commissioned works as well as some oldies but goodies that sound like they’re totally worth the drive out to Trinity. Among the premiere productions are works by Kevin Major, Paul Rowe, Des Walsh and Ruth Lawrence, and Dean Burry.

Some of the plays are adaptations of Newfoundland novels (such as Major’s No Man’s Land and Rowe’s The Silent Time). Many of the new works, such as Major’s Lead Me Home, which deals with the sinking of the S.S. Caribou in WWII, are based on Newfoundland history. Not to be confused with Major’s play, Berni Stapleton’s Play Me Home chronicles life in what was colloquially known as the San, where generations of Newfoundland tuberculosis sufferers were treated.

Season in the Bight runs until October. For more info check out risingtidetheatre.com Comment online at

thescope.ca/fieldnotes

Customer-submitted restaurant reviews for St. John’s and the metro area.

thescope.ca/Scoff

at 9:30pm; Darnell’s Pub; Karoke Kops Party Bar (10pm); Stanley’s Pub(10pm); Tol’s Time Out Lounge (6pm)

Sundays: Grumpy Stump; Tol’s Time Out Lounge (6pm)

Bar (10pm)

Wednesdays: Grumpy Stump; Karoke Kops

Find the most up-to-date listings at

Party Bar (10pm); Stanley’s Pub (10pm); Tol’s Time Out Lounge (9pm)

thescope.ca/events

Thursdays: Karoke Kops Party Bar (10pm); Tol’s Time Out Lounge (9pm); West Side CharliesTorbay Rd

Fridays: Brownings Pub-Hotel Mount Pearl at 9:30pm; Karoke Kops Party Bar (10pm); Stanley’s Pub (10pm); Tol’s Time Out Lounge (7pm); West Side Charlies-Paradise Saturdays: Brownings Pub-Hotel Mount Pearl

Scoff

20 thescope

theatre

Joe’s

allages

MONDAY, SEPT 7

fieldnotes

diy

Unlike in many capital cities, Metrobuses are rarely crowded, so you might not even have to sit next to someone you don’t know, if that up-closeand-personal aspect of public transit bothers you.

metrobus guide how to use our public transit system

By Kerri Breen Illustration by Tara Fleming

I

write to you from Toronto, the city whose 24-hour public transportation is the Wi-Fi to the St. John’s Metrobus’ dialup. As I’ve learned, the public transit grass is greener here, as in most metropolitan areas, but that doesn’t mean takin’ the bus in the city of legends is a total bust. In fact, with the right insider’s advice, you can make the most of our flawed public transportation service.

Here’s my guide to happy, efficient riding—especially useful for those new to town.

We’re special

There’s no shortage of complaints about Metrobus, and rightfully so. Buses are infrequent, even by standards of similarly sized cities, and service to communities such as Shea Heights is very limited.

But before you step on the bus, or even load up the Metrobus website, you have to understand with what difficulty these fine folks deliver the service.

There are many stumbling blocks in trying to create a cost effective public transportation system in any smaller city, but take a closer look at what we’re up against in particular: 1.) Service spanning two municipalities and three small communities 2.) Unforgiving geography.

3.) Roads that were established when city planning was a mere twinkle in someone’s eye.

4.) An overwhelmingly car-centric culture, which makes improving bus frequency less of a fiscal priority for our governments.

In 2006, the average weekday ridership was 14,815 people. If you think that’s low, that number is actually up from 2004’s 13,608. It’s kind of a chicken-and-egg situation: We avoid the bus because it sucks, and it sucks because we avoid it.

I don’t mean to imply that there aren’t ways Metrobus can be improved, but until a larger segment of the population opts to get on

and be moved, it’s reasonable to assume not much can change. In the meantime, here’s how you can ride most efficiently with what we have.

Good for something

The bus is especially good for trips to certain areas at certain times of the day, vague as that sounds. Most routes are generally on schedule in the morning if you need to get to work on time. But by suppertime, watch out, especially in the downtown area (where there’s perpetual construction as well) buses are frequently late.

Compared to a few years ago, access to box-store shopping areas such as Stavanger Drive and Kelsey Drive is a lot better. The Village Mall is the epicenter of Metrobus service because it’s the most logical connecting point for service to areas such as Mount Pearl, the Goulds and Kilbride, and Cowan Heights. The Avalon Mall, despite it being more hip with the kids, is not so special.

Access to institutes (MUN, CNA, etc) starts at 6:30 in the morning, but expect to wait an hour for many routes servicing the university (like Route 10) if you’re heading home after that night class. Most routes stop before or around midnight.

Rock House The

on George Street

Tricks of the trade

This is the state of affairs we’re dealing with: Of 24 buses on the road at around 4pm on a Tuesday, ten were running between four and ten minutes late

by Metrobus’ own record. Try to be patient. If you are frustrated with the service, call or send an e-mail. There’s a link to a feedback form at www.metrobus. com. Try to resist taking it out on the driver, for obvious reasons.

At the best of times, buses run no more frequently than once every twenty minutes or half an hour. Keep in mind that bus service at night—with about an hour between buses most of the time—is dicey no matter your destination. The more you know about Metrobus schedules, the better you can work around them.

The good part about there only being 23 routes is that it’s possible to commit some basic info to memory.

Metrobus’ website does not have an online route planner yet, but Metrobus assured one customer on its website that one is in the works as part of its Google Transit project.

There are some handy features already in place on the website.

Timetracker lets you know if your bus is off schedule, and you can chat live to someone from Metrobus about route information. You can also reload or purchase an M-card with rides through the site.

My last trick is to do your math and avoid getting duped into buying more bus rides than

L i v e

b a n d s

fri, sept 11th

you need. Remember, for an adult, a $70 monthly pass is only a good deal if you plan to ride more than 31 times. A semester pass (good for four months) means you need to ride at least 27 times per month to have any advantage over paying the cash fare, aside from convenience.

stone

rogues

Comment on this article online at

thescope.ca/diy

Newfoundland’s Traditional Music Store Specializing in Newfoundland CD’s and Instruments

Button Accordions • Bones Bodhrans • Spoons • Ugly Sticks Ukuleles • Tin Whistles Banjos • Harmonicas 278 Water Street • Ph: (709) 753-8135 E-mail: obriensmusic@nl.rogers.com

www.obriens.nf.ca

august 13 - august 27, 2009

thescope 21

events send us your event info Email: listings@thescope.ca Online: thescope.ca Event listings are free. Hi-res photos are welcome and encouraged.

15,000 copies of The Scope are available at 300+ locations across St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Torbay and CBS.

Next deadline for listings: 5pm Sunday, August 23

community events • lectures & forums • daytime music • kids & teens • meetings & classes

community events CLB Sunday Market: Flea market & craft fair, CLB Armoury-Harvey Rd (Sundays from 10am-4pm)

Mad Props Skate Comp: A three day celebration of music and skating as a launch of the new skate board park, free, Rotary Paradise Youth Centre (Fri Sep 4 - Sun Sep 6)

Wallsaway Art & Music Fest: Oh No

Teddy Bear Picnic: Hanlon Realty-Terry Reilly Teddy Bear Picnic: Food, face painting & fun, Bannerman Park (Sun Aug 30 from 1pm-3pm)

Thursdays at Cochrane (Restoration fundraiser) Time Out For Women group is selling made-to-order lunches, preserves & crafts, Cochrane St United Church-81 Cochrane St 722-3023 (Thu Aug 27 from 11:30am-2pm)

Open Mic for Young Musicians, Shamrock City Pub (Sundays at 2pm)

daytime music

Where in the Library is Nate the Great?: Each week the famous detective will

essary, Auntie Crae’s (Tuesdays at 12pm)

Jam Jams: Drum jam; jugglers & hula hoops welcome, free, Bannerman Park (Saturdays at 3pm/Sunday rain date)

Lunchtime Concert Series: Jim Payne & Fergus O’Byrne, free, Harbourside Park (Friday Aug 28)

Open Mic for Young Musicians, Shamrock City Pub (Sundays at 2pm)

The Great Casavant Organ: David Drinkell plays varied programs of sacred and secular works, free, Anglican Cathedral (Wednesdays at 1:15pm) Weaving the Wind: A Celtic harp recital by Ed Kavanagh, $7, Basilica Museum-200 Military Rd (Thu Aug 27 from 1pm-2pm) Young Performers: Open mic with Denielle Hann at O’Reilly’s Irish Pub (Sundays at 3pm)

kids& teens For the Love of Learning: Classes in world religion, philosophy, folklore, art, theatre, resume building plus computer & internet use.

Free lunch at 1pm. Free to youth aged 15-35, 99

Summer Safari: Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Ideal for children who love to go hiking, explore nature and can focus quietly on an activity for a period of time. Ages 5-10, MUN Botanical Garden-306 Mt Scio Rd 737-8590 (Thursdays & Fridays from 2:30pm-3:45pm until Sep 4)

find a new place to hide. Every time you find him, you can enter your name in a special prize draw, AC Hunter Children’s Library (Ends Aug 28)

Young Performers: Open mic with Denielle Hann, O’Reilly’s Irish Pub (Sundays at 3pm)

meetings& classes

clubs • groups • free classes & workshops Avalon Wesleyan Church: Weekly meet up in a casual atmosphere with coffee & contemporary music, free, Rabbittown Theatre-106 Freshwater Rd 576-6937 (Sundays at 10am) Beckett on Wine: Port tasting with local expert Tom Beckett, Newman Wine Vaults-436 Water St 739-7870 (Sundays at 6:30pm) Caregiver Conversations: A Support Group for Unpaid Caregivers, Community Room, Sobeys-Merrymeeting Rd 726-2370 (Every third Monday) Comic Jam: Get together with local comic artists to create, share, conspire & discuss. Bring your own drawing materials, 7pm, free, Hava Java (Last Monday of month) Community Garden Gathering: (Community Garden Alliance) Get your hands dirty & help out at the Rabbittown Community Garden.

Workshops too, 36 Graves St (Sunday from 12:30pm-2pm) Critical Mass: Group bicycle ride to celebrate cycling & to assert cyclists’ right to the road. Meet at Colonial Building, Bannerman Park (Fri Aug 28 at 6pm)

Flower Garden Tour: Take a leisurely stroll through the flower gardens & see what’s in bloom this week, Suitable for families, MUN Botanical Garden-306 Mt Scio Rd 737-8590 (Sundays at 12pm)

Food Not Bombs: Free vegan meal open to the public, Bannerman Park (Sun Aug 30 from 1pm-4pm)

Lynn Panting Dance Promoting the growth of creativity and self confidence, while cultivating musicality and body discipline, through movement.

lynnpantingdance.com

743.1137

Free Guided Walks: Unveil the memories

Gardens, Nature Trails, Family Programs, Gift Shop, Tea Room Open daily, May - November Located at 306 Mount Scio Road Telephone: 737-8590 www.mun.ca/botgarden

gwar???

week a new clue will be posted. Collect the clues, solve the mystery and enter to win a special prize, AC Hunter Children’s Library (Ends Aug 28)

Summer Reading Program: Get a kit that includes a poster, stickers & activity booklet/ reading log. The rest is up to you-sign out books, keep track in the reading log, visit the library to enter contests, come to a program, just keep reading, AC Hunter Library

Auntie Crae’s Band, free-no purchase nec-

musicreviews

Summer Reading Clue Corner: Each

Forest Fires! (Toronto indie rock), Mercy, the Sexton, The Subtitles, Matt Hornell & The Diamond Minds, The Mountains & The Trees, Ian Foster, Chris Kirby, The Mudflowers, Japan Batteries, The Sellouts; Dance by Tammy MacLeod, Meghan McCabe, Christina Penney, The Neighbourhood Strays; Comedy by Sherri Levesque; Community art project; Hosted by Darcy Fitzpatrick, $10/$15, Rock House (Sat Aug 29 from 2pm-3am)

St John’s Farmer’s Market: Support our local economy & celebrate community spirit, Lion’s Chalet-Newtown Rd (Saturdays from 9am-2pm)

Gower St (basement) 738-7911 (Weekdays 12pm6pm until Sep 4)

and meaning behind Bowring Park with historical photos, stories from the past and popular attractions. Meet on Bob Whelan Field opposite swimming pool 364-1531 (Sun Aug 23 at 10:30am & 2:30pm)

Georgestown AGM (Gerogetown Neighbourhood Assoc) All residents of Georgestown (the area bounded by Military Rd, Bonaventure Ave, Empire Ave & Monkstown Rd) are invited to attend, The Lantern-35 Barnes Rd (Tue Sep 8 at 7:30pm)

Green Drinks: An informal get together for those who work, volunteer or have an interest

Gwar Lust (Metal Blade Records)

Mount Eerie Wind Poem (P.W. Elverum & Sun, Ltd.)

Recently while watching the captivating YouTube infomercial for “The Tenth Annual Gathering of The Juggalos” (look it up, you won’t be disappointed) I came across the shocking news that Gwar still exists.

The last time I’d thought about Gwar was 1997 when my friend Trevor borrowed my Scumdogs of The Universe cassette and never gave it back. But Gwar never ever stopped and with the newly-released Lust in Space they mark their 15th official album. Has anything changed about Gwar in twenty years? Hell no. The polystyrene-covered masters of party thrash metal and juvenile gross-out humour still pound out the power violence and dick joke-obsessed lyrics with even more ferocity and freshness then I remembered them having. Can one go back in time to when one wanted nothing more then to be sprayed with fake blood and pummeled with foam hammers?

No, not really. But 14 year old boys will always exist, and so will Gwar.

Amen. —Patrick Canning

The first twelve seconds of Wind’s Poem opens with a punishing tsunami of guitar squall and blast beats, coated in a thick lo-fi crust.

Phil Elverum’s fragile, mumbling voice floats overtop, just barely audible against the feedback. The prolific songwriter Elverum has finally shed a lot of the gentle and overly-precious balladeering which had gotten stale over the last few years. Here, Elverum is finding the captivating balance between raw experimental ambition and listening accessibility, giving Mt Eerie their strongest album in many years. The pace throughout is glacially slow, with styles varying from dark ambient meditations to brutally grinding tracks like “The Hidden Stone” and “The Mouth of the Sky” that straddle the line halfway between underground Black Metal and Kevin Sheilds style shoegaze. Wind’s Poem is a rich and uncompromising album that is not intended for casual, unadventurous listeners. —Patrick Canning

in environment & conservation related issues, 7pm-9pm, no cover, The Ship (Last Wednesday of month)

fortable den with tea & beer available, free, A1C Gallery-8 Clift’s-Baird’s Cove 237-0427 (Thursdays at 7pm)

Hurling: Ongoing training at St Bon’s College (Sunday afternoons) & Bowring Park Tuesday evenings). Contact Brendan at alephmudra33@ yahoo.ca

Mall Walkers Club, Avalon Mall, 737-2333 (Thursdays at 8:45am)

Memorial University Orientation:

Overeaters Anonymous: Weekly meet-

barrens, boreal forest, or bog as you hike one of our nature trails with education staff, MUN Botanical Garden-306 Mt Scio Rd 737-8590 (Sundays at 10am)

ings in St John’s area, call 738-1742 for more info

Paper Trails Writing Group: Explore new perspectives of writing and story telling.

Fun, supportive and open to all, free, Dynamis Health Centre-95 Torbay Rd (Tuesdays at 7:30pm)

Path to Cape Hike (East Coast Trails) Moderate, free, for car pool & registration info call 745-2851 (Mon Sep 7 at 10am)

AFRO-CARIBBEAN TAKE-OUT

Quilting Demo: With Ann Breen, free, Craft

Roti, Jerk Chicken And Porkchops, Curry, Jollof Rice, Rice And Peas, Jamican Patty, Etc

RCMP Recruitment: Are you interested by

(ready in 10 mins)

Toya International Market, 107 Long’s Hill

Council-Devon House-59 Duckworth St 753-2749 (Wed Aug 26 from 3pm-5pm) a career in policing? The RCMP is hiring and will hold an entrance exam, RCMP Headquarters 7723626 (Thu Aug 27 at 5:30pm)

Saturday Morning Java Cruise: Longer group road bike ride at a medium pace, departs Coffee & Co- Water St (Sat Aug 29 at 9am)

Saturday Morning Subaru Ride: Great for beginners on road or mountain bikes. Distances of 30-60km, free, departs Capital Subaru on Elizabeth Ave (Sat Aug 29 at 9am) Seniors Bridging Cultures: Tea, guest speakers & conversation, Seniors Resource Centre 737-2333 (Thursdays at 2pm)

Seniors Friendship Club, Seniors Resource Centre 737-2333 (Fridays at 2pm)

august 13 - august 27, 2009

free, for car pool & registration info call 364-6233 (Sat Sep 5 at 10am)

Sunday Morning Nature Hike: Explore

Team Instrumar Ride: Fast group road bike ride, free, departs GJ Cahill Building (Thursdays at 6pm) The Pottle Centre: A social & recreation centre for consumers of mental health services.

New members welcome, 323 Hamilton Ave 753-2143 The Reach: Explore topics of faith through guest speakers & artists in relaxed setting. Short meditation on scriptures & singing, free/free will offering, St Thomas’ Church (Last Sunday of month at 7:30pm) The Rooms: Free admission, 9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 (Wednesdays 6pm-9pm) Trivia Night, Rose & Thistle (Tuesdays) Walk on Water: Get fit, meet people & learn the history of downtown, everyone welcome, free, Auntie Crae’s (Saturdays at 10am, rain or shine)

Women’s Accordion Circle: An informal environment for women of all ages to perform, experiment & share stories about making music with their accordions, Arts & Culture Centre-2nd Fl, Old Gallery 746-2399 (Mondays at 7:30pm)

Shambhala Meditation Group: Free

Send your community listings to listings@thescope.ca

meditation practice, Billy Rahal Clubhousebehind Elizabeth Towers 739-0270 (Wednesdays at 7:30pm & Sundays at 9:30am)

thescope.ca/community

Sketchy Doodlers: Drawing club in com-

22 thescope

Council Agenda at www.stjohns.ca (posted Friday afternoon), Public welcome, City Hall-Council Chambers, 4th fl (Mondays at 4:30pm)

Sugarloaf Hike (East Coast Trails) Moderate,

Permaculture Workshop: With Tony Brunetti, 11am, free, St John’s Farmer’s MarketLion’s Chalet-Newtown Rd (Sat Aug 29 at 11 am)

CALL 579-0999 • 697-3199

St John’s City Council Meeting: Refer to

New Student Orientation (Sep 7&8) and Housing Orientation (Sep 6-13) at various locations on the Memorial Campus. Check out www.mun.ca/ orientation for more info

ROTI & JERK FLAVAS …taste the islands mon…!

Spout Hike (East Coast Trails) Strenuous, free, for car pool & registration info call 745-5462 (Sun Aug 30 at 9am)

onscreen

lacking any over-arching narrative...

Just like high school!

A: I'll be more charitable and say that it gets one more thing right, albeit by accident. Edward is needy, awkward, and ultimately not worth anyone's time. That sounds like every high school crush to me.

high school flash backs

the teen years are when we discover who we are and how we fit into the world... such a shame that such a delicate and vital process occurs in a brutal dystopian microcosm of society called "high school." Adam Clarke and Michael Collins explore a few Hollywood visions and revisions of high school to see how aptly such films capture the experience. in Bella's clique had a haircut that looked like Megaman's helmet!

That made me laugh. Otherwise, the depiction of high school life was the most poorly-reasoned one in memory.

M: Let me get this straight. A shy, bookish introvert moves to an isolated small town. Immediately all the boys want to date her and all the girls want to be her friend? Yes. Exactly.

TWILIGHT Plot: Girl meets boy. Boy is vampire. Vampire isn't evil, just boring. They kiss.

Accurate? No. Enjoyable? Hahaha.

Michael: Let's say a few nice things before the savaging begins. Uh. The cinematography is good. I like the washed-out color palette. There are some neatly framed shots. Unfortunately, high school does not come with an editing suite. That's all I've got.

Adam: Kristen Stewart is a likeable actor. Oh, and the token Asian kid

A: Why is everyone so chipper at this high school? The supporting characters spout cutesie Grey's Anatomy-ish new-speak with clumsy references to Facebook, iPod playlists and Google. If this movie were made fifteen years ago, they'd all be talking about Pogs and the “uh-oh” noise ICQ makes.

M: We have smart, sensitive female protagonist—where is bitchy female antagonist? Pah! This high school is not up to code.

A: And what is up with vamp loveinterest, Edward Eunuch-Hands?

This is the dream man for legions of young women? A socially delayed Dracula who looks like Pee Wee Herman with two caterpillars taped to his face? When he and Bella have a tiff in the film, I half-expected him to say “please don't leave. I'm charmless and demanding”.

M: Twilight is accurate in one sense.

This movie is tedious, drawn-out, full of unremarkable characters,

M: I am sorry Adam Clarke. Until the mid-point, I think this movie is inspiring and awesome. The power of literature compels us to be charming eccentrics! School is a conformity factory except for English class, which is about being a free-thinker and all that jazz, man.

Carpe Diem! Except, uh, it's easy to seize the day when you're super wealthy and privileged. Unless your dad is a douche, I mean.

A: I'd prefer if the movie was about the Dad from That 70's Show getting teenagers to commit suicide through his disappointed sighs and passive-aggressiveness. You could call it Kurtwood Smith Hates Your Dreams.

M: Son, I've made a lot of sacrifices so you can grow up to be an unfulfilled emotional cripple like myself. It's a WASP tradition. Don't mess it up.

A: Each time someone said “seize the day”, I kept thinking “I could be doing laundry right now”.

DEAD POETS SOCIETY

M: Carpe Diem, don't carpe your dad's revolver. Anyway, I like this film. The homo-erotic tension is NIGH UNBEARABLE, which is totally unrealistic. But then, I didn't go to an all-boy's boarding school.

DANG.

Plot: Robin Williams is an

English teacher who tries to get close to his students. One student commits suicide because his dad (Robocop's Kurtwood Smith) tells him he can't act.

Robin Williams fired. Williams retaliates by standing on a desk.

Enjoyable? Debatable.

movies Wednesday Aug 19 at 7pm Escape Video Screening: 15 videos curated by Keagan McFadden, circulated by Winnipeg's VideoPool, Eastern Edge Gallery-72 Harbour Dr 739-1882

DAILY SHOWINGS

call For times and prices Avalon Mall’s Empire Studio 12 722-5775 Mount Pearl Shopping Centre Empire Cinemas 364-8527

District 9: Aliens have landed, but not in an attic! They’re in the titular district in South Africa where they’re treated like second class citizens.

Accurate? Sure.

Enjoyable? Very.

M: I love this one. The dialogue is snappy, and the pitch black comedy is refreshingly pre-Columbine.

We've got a war between a cynic and a nihilist. Both know the world is bullshit, but one wants to make it nicer, the other wants it dead.

A: But it has Winona Ryder in it.

M: I think "why can't you just be a friend? why do you have to be such a mega-bitch?" is the quintessential high-school question.

A: But...Winona Ryder!

M: If you're smart and socially savvy, you do need a cloak of irony or a shield of don't-give-a-shit to make it through high school unscathed.

Look past Winona Ryder and you've got a very sympathetic character in Veronica. Please look past Winona Ryder.

A: True. I circumvented my prejudice towards the simpering, angst-fawn that is Ryder and was rewarded. Even Christian Slater acquits himself well.

M: Christian Slater, your stupid face doesn't come near to making nihilism attractive. Remember, kids: teenaged boys who wear black coats and read Nietzche aren't cool, they're just arrogant and unloved!

A: Heathers may be the most accurate depiction of high school on film in terms of tone and atmosphere.

High school is claustrophobic, hellish and cruel. Aside from Veronica, everyone in the film is a caricature.

However, these caricatures accurately represent many of the mindless CHUDs I went to high school with. As for Martha Dumptruck...

Accurate? Only for super-rich kids.

A: I hate the Robin Williams Oscarbait performance. It's the same in nearly every drama he does, trying ever so hard to look thoughtful and deep, but always coming across as a parody of humanity. Williams plays stock film role #37-b (A Teacher Who Doesn't Play By The Rules) and he wants to whisper Latin in your ears and do a bad John Wayne impression so that you appreciate life. Revolting.

edy.

M: MARTHA DUMPTRUCK IS MY HERO. A: She's the troubled fat kid in all of us.

HEATHERS

Comment on this article online at

thescope.ca/onscreen

Plot: Two teenagers methodically kill their peers. It's a comPresumably, an alien Rosa Parks can help. (Avalon Mall)

Funny People: Judd Apatow’s new comedy asks us to believe that Adam Sandler is funny.

Sometimes suspension of disbelief is pushed beyond the brink, Judd. Pauly Shore, come back!

All is forgiven! (Mt Pearl) G-Force: Guinea pigs, known in the the animal kingdom as the hamster’s redheaded step-child, save the world from an evil billionaire.

Meanwhile, Will Arnett waits patiently for the Arrested Development movie to start filming.

(Avalon Mall) GI Joe: Pork chop sandwiches! Cobra Command is set to mess with Ripcord, Sgt Slaughter and other live-action cartoon characters. Body massages will be offered. Do you like baseball?

Beats...so...fresh! (Avalon Mall & Mt Pearl)

Goods - Die Hard Sell Hard: Do you yearn for more improv-based comedies that may or may not feature Will Ferrell? (Yes, he has a cameo). This Used Cars-ish Jeremy Piven vehicle is the film for you! (Avalon Mall)

Julie Julia: Julia Child was a gigantic, adorable

British superspy who cooked for PBS when she wasn’t gassing the Ruskies. Sadly, this film is about a blogger who admires Julia Child. Sigh.

(Mt Pearl)

Proposal: Macro from The Odyssey is forced to marry Miss Congeniality, so that she doesn’t get deported to the fasicstic Canadas. It’s the wackiest pickle this side of an unfilmed “Ned & Stacey” script. (Mt Pearl) The Hurt Locker: In this critically-acclaimed drama, we see the realities of modern Iraq through the eyes of a bomb disposal squad team leader. As opposed to the usual puppies and kittens that would suggest, things turn unexpectedly grim. (Avalon Mall) The Time Traveler’s Wife: A time-travelling man uses his extraordinary, mind-bending, super-awesome power to...pick up a woman. I s’pose we’d all get to that once we got bored... no, time machines are infinitely fun. Nevermind.

(Avalon Mall & Mt Pearl)

The Ugly Truth: Kids come a-runnin’ for the great taste of Katherine Heigl. Can she resist the charms of the swarthy erard Butler and his vibrating underoos? (Avalon Mall)

august 13 - august 27, 2009

thescope 23

100%localcomics

comic sans by Andrew Power

freewillastrology

rob brezsny accomodates your spirit  Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

I was listening to a sports talk show on the radio. The host had recently discovered Twitter, and was pleased with how many fans he had already accumulated. But he was not at all happy with the words “Twitter” or “tweet.” Too effeminate, he said. Not macho enough for a he-man like himself to use comfortably. In fact, he promised that he would never again refer to his Twitter messages as “tweets,” but would hereafter call them “spurts.” Instead of “Twitter,” he would say “Twister.” I encourage you to draw inspiration from his example, Virgo. You’re in an astrological phase when you can and should reconfigure anything that doesn’t suit your needs or accommodate your spirit, whether it’s the language you use, the environments you hang out in, or the processes you’re working on.

Happy birthday to Wesley Hodgson, Gillian Strong, and Jordan Young.

 Libra (September 23 – October 22)

werebears and only children by Jennifer Barrett

Years ago, a TV sitcom called The Andy Griffith Show ran for seven seasons on CBS. Its star, Any Griffith, played a mild-mannered sheriff in a small town in North Carolina. His sidekick was Barney Fife, a bumbling deputy with a sweet disposition. Shortly after he left the show, Griffith had a dream in which he thrashed and pummeled his co-star. When he asked his psychiatrist about the meaning of this dream violence, the shrink speculated that he was trying to kill off his old image.

I recommend that exact strategy to you now, Libra. Don’t actually wreak any reallife mayhem. Rather, see if you can have a dream or two in which you destroy a symbol of the life you’re ready to leave behind.

 Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) What life will you be living at noon on September 1, 2014? Who will you be? How thoroughly will your dreams have come true?

What kind of beauty and truth and love and justice will you be serving? Will you look back at the time between August 27 and September 21, 2009 and sigh, “If only I had initiated my Five Year Master Plan at that ripe astrological moment”? Or on September 1, 2014 will you instead be able to crow, “I can truly say that in these past five years I have become the president of my own life”?

 Sagittarius (Nov 22 – December 21)

Everybody cheer up by Bryan Melanson

If at some future time you sell your life story to a filmmaker who makes it into a feature film, it may have a lot to do with adventures that kick into high gear in the coming weeks.

The fun will start (I hope) when you decide not to merely lie back and be victimized by your signature pain any longer. This brave act will recalibrate the cosmic scales and shift the currents of destiny that flow through you. Soon you will be making progress in untangling a mystery that has eluded your insight for a long time. You will be able to uncover the guarded secrets of a source that has for some time been tweaking your personal power without your full awareness.

 Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

Ms. Quote by T.L. Fleming

 Pisces (February 19 – March 20) Close your eyes and imagine you’re in a meadow as rain falls. Inhale the aroma of the earth as the ground is soaked. Dwell in the midst of that scent for a while, allowing it to permeate your organs and nerves. Feel its life-giving energy circulating through you.

Give yourself to the memories it evokes. In my astrological opinion, experiences like this

august 13 - august 27, 2009

 Aries (March 21 – April 19) What I wish for you this week is that you won’t be satisfied with mediocre truths; that you’ll be a fussy perfectionist focused on cutting out waste, fraud, and delusion; that you’ll be itchy to know more about the unacknowledged games that are being played.

Frustration, I hope, will be your holy fuel.

Unsweetened lemonade, I trust, will be your rejuvenating drink. These are blessings, Aries, not curses! I pray that you’ll pick one of your scabs until it bleeds so the healing process can start over—the right way this time.

 Taurus (April 20 – May 20) What have you always wanted to yell from the pinnacle of the hill in the distance? This is the week to go there and yell it. What is that safe way of getting high that you’ve always wanted to try but never had the time for before? This is the week to try it. What is the alluring phenomenon that is always going on just outside the reach of your ordinary awareness—the seductive pull you have always somehow resisted? This is the time to dive in and explore it. (Thanks to John Averill for his inspiration in composing this horoscope. His tweets are at www.twitter.com/wiremesa.)

 Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden because of an incident involving an apple, right? Wrong. Many biblical scholars suspect the fruit in question was either a fig, grape, or pomegranate. I mention this, Gemini, because I think you’d be wise to review your own personal myth of exile. It’s time to question the story you have been telling yourself about how your paradise got lost. Evidence you discover in the coming days just might suggest that everything you’ve believed is at least half-wrong—that your origins are different from what you imagine.

And as for the forbidden fruit that supposedly led you astray: You may realize that it was actually a precious medicine.

In his book From Heaven to Earth: Spiritual Living in a Market-Oriented World, Aaron Zerah riffs on the Hebrew word  Cancer (June 21 – July 22) “nabal.” It describes someone who’s so staunchly concentrated Homework The coming week will be prime time to perform minor miracles on practical concerns that he Make up a story without trying too hard. You’ll becomes impractical. Please about an adventure probably have maximum don’t let this be your fate anyyou might go on success if you refrain from time soon, Capricorn. For the someday. Imagine all hoping and worrying about ultimate benefit of the bottom the details. Testify at line, disregard the bottom line for FreeWillAstrology.com achieving maximum success.

The cosmic currents will be likely a while. Fantasize like a teenage to bend and shape themselves poet. Be as whimsical as a mystic to accommodate your deeper needs if you clown. Be a sweet, fun-loving fool so you proceed on the assumption that they know, won’t turn into a sour, workaholic fool. better than your little ego does, what’s best for you. To get yourself in the proper frame  Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) of mind to do challenging tasks without A woman living in China’s Jilin province got expending strenuous effort, you might want married in a wedding gown with a train to check out this photo spread of people that was 1.4 miles long. Lin Rong’s dress practicing drunk yoga: www.tinyurl.com/ was decorated with 9,999 red silk roses and n5z533. took three months to sew. In the spirit of her record-breaking ritual, Aquarius I encourage you to be extravagant and imaginative as you celebrate a great union in the coming weeks. You have an astrological mandate to think big as you carry out a rite of passage that will lead to an upgrade in the role that collaboration and symbiosis play in your life.

24 thescope

are what you need most in the coming week.

Can you think of some others that would speak directly to your animal intelligence?

It’s a perfect time to please and excite the part of you that is a soft, warm creature.

 Leo (July 23 – August 22) Are you familiar with the phenomenon known as a fire whirl? It happens on rare occasions when a fire produces a tornado-like vortex that rises up vertically, spinning madly. It’s beautiful to behold but is not something you ever want to be close to. I bring this to your attention in the hope that you will not let yourself turn into the human equivalent of a fire whirl in the coming week. You’re not yet close to being one, but there are signs you’re headed that way. With just a modicum of adjustment, you can ensure that you’ll be more like a blaze in a fireplace or a wild but controlled bonfire on a beach—not a fire whirl.

on stage theatre • dance & burlesque spoken & written • comedy

theatre Garden Party (Cornerboys) An exploration

mic of local tales by local tellers w/ resident fabulist Dale Jarvis, $3, Crow’s Nest Officer’s Club (Thu Sep 10 at 7:30pm)

Wine & Words Reading Series (Flanker Press) Raoul Andersen and John Crellin will read from Mi’sel Joe: An Aboriginal Chief’s Journey.

Followed by Q&A and signing, $10, Newman Wine Vaults-436 Water St 739-7870 (Thu Aug 27 from 7:30pm-8:30pm)

Exploration: Marking the 100th anniversary of the 1909 expedition to the North Pole, this exhibition of archival records relates to the life and career of Captain Robert Abram (Bob) Bartlett, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

Downtown Charcoals by Peter Lewis: City-scape charcoals capture the colourful spirit of St John’s in black & white, Peter Lewis Gallery-5 Church Hill 722-6009

Exhibition: Paintings, drawings, prints &

comedy Coors Light New Talent Night,

sculptures by Gerald Squires, RCA., Esther Squires, George Horan, Julia Picard & Sharon Puddester, Gerald Squires Gallery-52 Prescott St 722-2207

Jean Claude Roy: New Paintings,

$5+/$7+/$11+, Yuk Yuk’s-193 Kenmount Rd 7269857 (Wednesdays at 8pm)

Emma Butler Gallery-111 George St W 739-7111 (Opening reception Thu Jul 30 from 5pm-7pm)

Stand Up Comedy: Special Concert Presen-

New Works: New mixed media

New Works: Landscapes, city-scapes & abstract works by 15 professional artists, Red Ochre Gallery-96 Duckworth St 726-6422

museums A Tour de Fort: Interpretive panels tell the story of Fort Townsend, the 18th century symbol of England’s domination over the fishery, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

thescope.ca

Admiralty House Muse-

um: 1915 navy wireless station now communications museum, 23 Old Placentia Rd-Mt Pearl 748-1124

of the colony of Newfoundland’s struggle for responsible government. Meet the Governor & haughty daughter, reformer & publisher Patrick Morris, the Archbishop, scullery maid & cook.

Written and Directed by MaryWalsh, Commissariat House-Kings Bridge Rd 743-6265 (Thu Aug 27-Sun Aug 30 at 4pm)

tationwith Debra DiGiovani, Sarah Walsh & Lisa Baker, Yuk Yuk’s-193 Kenmount Rd 726-9857 (Thu Aug 27 at 8pm $12+/$14+/$18+; Fri Aug 28 & Sat Aug 29 at 8pm & 10:30pm $18+/$20+/$24+ w/ dinner at 6pm $47.99-$53.99)

Mutiny (Cornerboys) The public learn the art of

Holdsworth Crt (Sundays at 8:30pm-10:30pm)

explores signs of NF identity 60 years after Confederation. Painting, photography, sculpture, installation & film combined with historic artifacts, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

Basilica: Church artifacts, furniture & library.

Find up-to-date listings online at

The Labrador Gallery: Work by resident artisan Albert Biles in soapstone, antler, whale bone, baleen & ivory, Wild Things-124 Water St

Boyle’s Historical Walking Tour,

soldiering when pressed into the regiment during this interactive historic play exploring United Irish Uprising of 1800. When their duties are done they sing, dance and plot to overthrow the Governor. Written & directed by Rick Boland, Quidi Vidi Battery-Cockholds Cove Rd 743-6265 (Thu Aug 27 at 7pm / Fri Aug 28-Sun Aug 30 at 2pm)

Our Celtic Spirit…Written in Crayon (Spirit of Newfoundland) A frazzled teacher and a less than ideal group of students discover what it means to be a Newfoundlander when they compete in a provincial cultural heritage fair competition in this musical comedy, $57.50+ (meal & show), Masonic Temple-6 Cathedral St 579-3023 (Thu Aug 27, Thu Sep 3 - Sun Sep 6)

Stucco In The 80’s (Spirit of Newfoundland) Big Hair, Big Shoulder Pads & Big Hits: A musical comedy review from the time when Madonna, Tina Turner & Dirty Dancing were all the rage.

Featuring Sheila Williams, Dana Parsons & Steve Power, $57.50+ (meal & show), Masonic Temple-6 Cathedral St 579-3023 (Fri Aug 28, Sat Aug 29, Tue Sep 1, Wed Sep 2)

performance &dance

Sunday Night Comedy, $2, The Levee-

thescope.ca/on-stage

on display galleries • museums

galleries OPENING 400: Juried group exhibition of contemporary craft that reflects the 400th anniversary of Cupids, Craft Council-59 Duckworth St 753-2749 (Opening reception on Sun Aug 30 from 2pm-4pm)

Breaking Point: Chainmaille-inspired

Fashion Fusion: Fashion showcase presented by Fashion Media Group/Decotech Inc, $12, Eclipse Building-2nd Fl 237-1206 (Sat Aug 29 at 4pm & 7pm)

creations that investigate our social links by Jason Holley, Craft Council-59 Duckworth St 753-2749 (Opening reception on Sun Aug 30 from 2pm-4pm)

Fishwives: A Tale of Lure and Lust: An interac-

Cape Spear: Will Gill’s video documents translucent “snowballs” made out of fibreglass and resin launched at Cape Spear with high intensity glow sticks, Eastern Edge Gallery-72 Harbour Dr 739-1882 (Opening reception on Sat Sep 5 at 3pm)

tive fashion show with new work from Heidi Wagner, Down by the Wharves, and Cara Winsor Hehir’s Swervy. The evening will also include music by Katie Fitzpatrick, Evelyn Osborne and Jill Porter and a special belly dance performance

by Lori Savory of Wild Lily Dance Studio. Hosted

by Cyril Butler and strutting tunes by DJ Benjy, Eastern Edge Gallery-72 Harbour Dr 739-1882 (Sat Aug 29 from 7pm-11pm)

Gimme your Gimmick (Illusion Studio & OhMaya Bellydance) A flight themed show showcasing local talent and featuring Toronto based burlesque, bellydance & flamenco performer Emmanuelle La Gitane. Line up includes Matt Sharpe (magician), Danielle Aubut (poi), OhMaya Bellydance Co, Bollywood Jig, $10, Eastern Edge Gallery-72 Harbour Dr 739-1882 (Fri Aug 28 at 7:30pm) Noise and Star Struck: Fashion shows & live concerts presented by Fashion Media Group/ Decotech Inc, $10 day-all ages/$20 night, Majestic Theatre 237-1206 (Sun Aug 30 at 3pm & 9pm)

Salsa, Tango & Latin Dance, $5, Bella Vista (Tuesdays at 7pm) Summer Sweet: Burlesque with Burly Q Babies, Fleur de Lys, Mirrabell & comedienne Sherri Levesque, $10, Martini Bar 765-8838 (Sat Aug 29 at 9pm)

Tango On The Edge: A social gathering to dance Argentine Tango, 8:30pm-10:30pm, $5, RCA Club-10 Bennett Ave (Thursdays)

Tricksters (Wonderbolt Circus) An enchanted world populated by Tricksters including aerialist Anahareo White-Malone, Oregon’s Josh Oliver on aerial straps, ringmaster Beni Malone, musical maestros George Morgan & Bill Brennan, The Gentlemen Jugglers & Alley Oop & strong woman Zinga Zuma. All ages, $15/$20/$25, MUN Reid Theatre 579-4424 (Matinees Thu Aug 27-Sat Aug 29 at 2pm)

spoken& written Book Launch (Doubleday) Galore by Michael Crummey, The Ship (Mon Aug 31 at 7:30pm)

St John’s Storytelling Circle: An open

Republic: Combining new with old, Republic

Transmission & Defence: Images of Signal Hill, The Heritage Shop Art Gallery-309 Water St, 2nd Fl 739-7994

LAST CHANCE 4: Jen Wilson’s Mysterious Guests, adresses the broad nature of the relationship between humans and animals; Karlie King’s work is primarily in clay but she also works in textile and film; Afshin Matlabi’s video piece is called “Terrorism,Democracy,Leisure” which is a commentary on the nature of the liberal democratice beliefs of Western society; Meaghan Haughian’s Tales in Between are a series of small scale drawings that look at intimate female spaces and experiences, A1C Gallery-8 Clift’s-Baird’s Cove 237-0427 (Ends Aug 30)

Annual Summer Show: Featuring artwork by more than 25 artists, Leyton Gallery-Clift’sBaird’s Cove 722-7177 (Ends Aug 29)

Fact and Fiction II: Sheila Coultas & Nancy Squires present the same content from two very different perspectives, Five Island Art Gallery-Tors Cove (Ends Sep 3)

MUN Botanical Garden: Trails, gift shop & tearoom, 306 Mt Scio Rd 737-8590 (Free first Friday of month)

FIND THE MOST GS up-TO-DATE LISTIN ONLINE AT

paintings & original prints, Christine Koch Studio-177 Water Street, by appt 576-0841

Hill’s 550 million year old geology & specimens of NF rocks, minerals & botanical park, 175 Signal Hill Rd 737-7880

Anglican Cathedral Tours: The story of the Great Fire, ancient burial ground & the gargoyle that overlooked John Cabot’s voyage in the 1400s, Anglican CathedralChurch Hill 726-5677 Listen for Basilica bells, newly installed, 200 Military Rd Starts at the Sheraton Hotel & finishes at the War Memorial. Must reserve 364-6845 (Tuesdays & Fridays at 9:50am)

Connections: This Place and Its Early Peoples: Polar bears on tundra, carnivorous plants in a bog, seabirds, sea mammals, sea life plus the people who made their lives here, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 Encountering Grenfell: A Life and Legacy: Providing medical care, education & skills in craft, agriculture & animal husbandry Wilfred Grenfell sought to improve conditions in NF, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 Hawthorne Cottage (National Historic Site of Canada) Experience the adventures of worldrenowned arctic explorer Captain Bob Bartlett at the 170+ year-old family home. Guided tours & exhibits, Brigus (709) 528-4004

Newman Wine Vaults: Built to age Newman’s Port wine, est. circa 1550. Interpretive panels, tour guides, wine making & storage related artifacts, by donation, 436 Water St 739-7870 Pouch Cove Museum: History of early settlement, inshore fishery, former Cape St. Francis lighthouse & Waterwitch shipwreck, free, 658 Main Road, Pouch Cove 335-2849

Railway Coastal Museum: St. John’s Dockyard exhibit of model ship hulls, shipbuilding, dockyard history plus the story of Newfoundland’s railway boat service & 1940’s train diorama, 495 Water St W 724-5929 Signal Hill National Historic Site: Military & communications history, meet Signalman, watch film, interactive exhibits, Visitor Centre 772-5367

Signal Hill Tattoo: Historical battle reenactment w/ musket & cannon fire, Signal Hill (Wed / Thu / Sat & Sun at 11am & 3pm)

St John’s Haunted Hike: Hike lasts an hour & a quarter and is suitable for ages 8+, $5, Anglican Cathedral steps (Every Sunday to Thursday at 9:30pm)

The Fluvarium: A panoramic water view under the surface of Nagle’s Hill Brook. Spot fish, insects & plants in natural habitat plus interactive exhibits, 5 Nagle’s Place 754-3474 Archival Mysteries: Where Is It? Featuring unidentified photographs from the archives which although are beautiful, remain a mystery in terms of their geographical location within NL, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

Find up-to-date listings online at

thescope.ca/on-display

Ice Age Mammals: See creatures that became extinct the last time the climate changed, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000

thescope.

Institute of Ocean Technology: Free tours of facility including world’s longest ice tank. Call 772-4366 to book, Arctic Avenue-MUN Campus (Ends Aug 28)

Johnson Geo Centre & Park: See Signal

Groundwork : Photographs from Terra Nova National Park - A solo exhibit by John Haney, Leyton Gallery-Clift’s-Baird’s Cove 722-7177 (Opening reception on Fri Sep 4 from 5pm-7pm) Introducing Two Artists: Textile works

by Hilary Rice & landscapes by Lucy Bause, Red Ochre Gallery-96 Duckworth St 726-6422

Maurice Cullen and His Circle: Comprising nearly forty oil paintings selected from the National Gallery’s permanent collection, this exhibition examines works by Maurice Cullen, alongside those of his contemporaries, James Wilson Maurice and William Brymner as well as Robert Pilot and AY Jackson, The Rooms-9 Bonaventure Ave 757-8000 (Opening reception with NGC curator Charles Hill on Fri Aug 28 at 7pm) Open Tuning (Wave Up): A kinetic sound installation by Stephen Kelly (NS) that translocates a remote ocean environment, in real-time, to an urban gallery space, Eastern Edge Gallery-72 Harbour Dr 739-1882 (Opening reception on Sat Sep 5 at 3pm)

Pouch Cove Open Studios: Area artists & artisans open their homes & studios to showcase paintings in oil, acrylic & watercolour, as well as sculptures, photographs, wood crafts & hooked mats, For map and locations: www.pouchcoveopenstudios.com (Sat Aug 29 & Sun Aug 30 from 12pm-5pm) Two Painters: Iakov Afanassiev and Louise Sutton, Leyton Gallery-Clift’s-Baird’s Cove 7227177 (Opening reception on Fri Sep 4 from 5pm-7pm)

Where My Brush Takes Me: Featuring work produced by Margaret Best’s art group, MUN Botanical Garden-306 Mt Scio Rd 737-8590 (Opening reception on Thu Sep 3 from 5pm-8pm)

ONGOING Artisan Gallery: Carvings, paintings & prints by various NL artisans, Heritage Shop-2nd Floor, 309 Water St Discovering Bartlett: An Archival

august 13 - august 27, 2009

thescope 25

thescope

classifieds To place an ad go to thescope.ca/classifieds

Housing Seeking mature, responsible, yet fun housemate. Fully furnished 4 BR house to share with just one other human and 2 cats. $470 month includes washer/ dryer, an off-street parking spot all to yourself, cute deck, wireless internet, heating, phone. I am a filmmaker/web designer and work from home, love laughing, discussions, dinners, downtown, films, music, art, peace and chips.

Available Sept. 1 or later... willing to wait.

Reply online at thescope.ca/classifieds

Old house needs new roomie: Female seeks clean, openminded, liberal male roomie. Smoking is fine, as is good, loud music. 5 min walk to Water St. Must be able to pay rent on a regular basis. And to share butter if female should run out. Reply online at thescope.ca/classifieds

Country in the City: Cozy 2 BR + ofice home available for rent in quiet west-end neighbourhood. Pets are welcome as long as they’re well cared for. Indoor smokers are not. The house is available Sept. 1st - May 1st, but I am somewhat flexible on the dates.

Reply online at thescope.ca

Musicians Looking for a 4 peice band to back a continuous Multi Artist Tribute Show: Rquired: Drummer, Keyboardist, Guitarist and Bassist to back Tributes featuring: Neil Diamond, Cher, Pat Benatar, Alice Cooper, Dr. Hook and Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin to mention a few. The performers who portray these artists, portray them exactly in appearance and vocals. Background vocals by the band are an asset. Contact Gary for more details.. starlegendscanada@gmail.com

Bulletin Board Men’s Peer Coaching Group: I’m starting a peer coaching group for men who are unsatisfied with their lives and want to take action to make things better. Not a 12-step or therapy group. Small fee to cover room rental. Private and confidential. For more info contact horsnell@hotmail.com Captain Blood’s Tantalizing Amateur Talents Shows! Local St. John’s Pirate Captain Billy Blood is seeking amateur talent for his upcoming talent/variety shows starting in September at a pending locale. If interested email bedlam@live.ca Also check out Captain Blood’s “RUM&RANTS” and “Bobbie’s Blogs” on Youtube!

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Place a classified in the print edition: All of our classifieds are placed through a self-serve system online. For $15 dollars, your 30word ad can be printed in the next edition.

To place an ad in the paper, go to thescope.ca, click “Free Online Classifieds,” then “Post a NEW Classified.” Fill out as much information as you like, then click "Post Classified."

On the next page click the “Upgrade to the Print Edition” button. You will be taken to the PayPal site—there you can pay by credit card or your PayPal account.

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Deadline for print: Monday before publication, 5pm

Refunds/cancellations: We do not offer any refunds for early cancellations of paid print classifieds or web upgrades.

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Little Annie Oakley has just arrived at our shelter. She was found in our shelter porch with no note or explanation as to why. She is approximately 9 weeks old (Beagle/Terrier Mix) and is FULL of life.

Drop by our shelter and visit with her today. She is sure to brighten even the dullest of days!

savagelove

dan savage gets some praise

T

here was a letter in your column recently that must have been painful for you to receive. I refer to the letter signed God Hates You. I’m sure you’re no stranger to hate mail, being an openly gay sex-advice columnist, but I hope you get fan mail too. But just in case: I wanted you to know that your column means a lot to me, and I love your bluntness, openness, and honesty. It is comforting to see a pragmatic, funny, and, for the most part, compassionate voice in print nowadays, especially when it comes to something that so many are as willfully ignorant about as sex.

You Do Good Work

A lot of people wrote in after reading GHY’s letter. Most wanted to reassure me that God does not, in fact, hate me. And most, like YDGW here, assumed that GHY’s letter must have hurt my feelings. I want to thank everyone for your kind words—and I mean that sincerely—but someone telling me that God hates me is about as hurtful as someone telling that the Blue Fairy thinks I look fat in these Dan Savage mail@savagelove.net jeans. (“Really?

She does? Thanks, I really needed to hear that—now I’m gonna go sit on the other side of the subway car and silently ask the Blue Fairy for fashion guidance, okay?”)

As for fan mail, YDGW, I get my fair share.

But I don’t typically run fan letters because I’ve found better ways to pleasure myself. I am, however, going to make an exception this week and run a few letters from satisfied Savage Love customers. Not because I like having sunshine blown up my ass—I prefer to have other things blown up my ass, thanks— but because we know GHY is out there reading, and I’m thinking letters from people who’ve found my advice useful will annoy him way more than letters from people who wanted to let me know that God loves me. So this one’s for you, GHY…

I

am a 21-year-old straight girl, and I wanted to thank you. Reading your column and listening to your podcast over the years has made my sex and love life so much better than it ever could have been without your fantastic advice. It gave me the courage to tell my partner about my interest in BDSM and to be really GGG when he shared his fantasies with me. I’ve recommended your column and podcast to friends having relationship and sex troubles, and they all come back to tell me how much your advice helped them. I wanted to thank you on behalf of shy girls everywhere who

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secretly want to be tied up and spanked.

Eternally Grateful

I

owe you a thank-you. Since I began reading your column over a year ago, I have realized my sexual desires are not perverse (and if they are, certainly nothing to be ashamed of) and began talking with my girlfriend about experimenting with them. As such, the two of us have moved on from anal-sex toys and are now about to embark on full-on pegging. She’s as excited about it as I am, and we wouldn’t have gotten to such a level of sexual satisfaction if not for the work you do. I’ll be thinking of you while my girlfriend bangs my hot ass!

A Devoted Reader

T

hanks for your advice about the “death grip” and the damage males can do when they grip themselves too tightly while masturbating.

I had that problem: At age 48, a lifetime of death grip left me incapable of coming during regular intercourse. I have never had an orgasm with a partner from intercourse or oral or anal sex (my orientation is hetero). I carefully followed your advice and lightened my touch and started using my left hand (I’m right-handed) to provide the lighter stimulation that you advised.

Any time I was tempted to revert to the death grip, I squeezed my thumb and index finger together, forming a ring without contracting it. This managed to fool my death-grip conditioning without increasing the pressure on my penis. It took a while, but now I’m able to come from lighter stimulation! Thank you!

Beautiful Orgasms Beat Odds

I

started reading your column toward the end of my sophomore year of high school, which was about a year after I started hooking up with girls. I was immediately drawn to it because your “moral code” is based on common sense. That, and it was about sex and I was a sophomore.

I tend to be insecure, and I tend to tell the wrong joke at the wrong time. The one area in my life where I’m not insecure, however, is in the bedroom, and it’s almost entirely thanks to your column. I’ll kick myself repeatedly for saying the wrong thing to a girl, but if I don’t perform to the best of my abilities one night, I can let it go. I’ve learned what my boundaries are and how to push them. I knew that not being 100 percent straight doesn’t make you bi or gay, so there was no identity crisis when I questioned my sexuality. Most importantly, I know how to ask and I know how to give.

wayne amminson 28 years of Real Estate experience E-mail

wamminson@sutton.com Phone

682-1897 custard

26 thescope

rico

august 13 - august 27, 2009

annie oakley

email: jasonkearsey@goldstonerealestate.com WEB: www.goldstonerealestate.com

Web

www.wamminson.com

Thanks, Dan. If politicians want to get serious about reducing the amount of abortions, teenage pregnancies, and divorces in this country, they should hire you to draw up a national sex-ed curriculum.

Grateful Straight Boy

T

hank you for saying some kind words about “conveniently located and economically priced sex workers” in your column. I agree that they deserve more gratitude and respect. In my case, I am a successful, decent-looking professional and a widower with three kids. I don’t have any trouble getting dates.

However, in my experience, dates either turn into relationships that I don’t have time for or long conversations that I don’t have time for about how I don’t have time for a relationship. So once every couple months or so, I see a professional. I don’t have to feel bad that I may not see her again, and I don’t get accused of misleading anyone. I would like to tell your readers that they shouldn’t feel bad if they are seeing pros. They should enjoy it for what it is, which is a great time with a pretty girl and well worth the money.

Prefers Sex Workers

I

had been reading your column for years, and each time you told someone to DTMFA—dump the motherfucker already!—I wondered why the people sending those sad letters needed your advice at all. Couldn’t they see that they were miserable? Then one day I had an epiphany and realized, while reading your column, that I could have authored one of those DTMFA letters.

It’s now three years since I dumped the motherfucker. I got a transfer within my company and started over in a new city. It was overwhelming. But this weekend, I was lying in bed with my new boyfriend and I was thinking about my life. It is so NICE to have someone who isn’t horrified that I like porn, someone who listens to my fantasies and likes to try new things. Someone who appreciates my cooking, doesn’t pout when I beat him at video games, and tells me I’m beautiful.

I want to thank you. I was in denial, and your column was my wake-up call. I’m happier now than I ever thought possible.

Content Lady In Toronto You’re welcome, one and all. Next week, back to the screaming, yelling, recriminations, freaks, fetishes, and fuckwits.

Listen to Dan Savage's podcast online at

thescope.ca/savagelove

Murray Premises • 739-8444 www.grandtime.ca Open Tuesday to Saturday