Volume 1, Issue 17 - July 30, 2014

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JULY 30-AUG. 12 2014 VOL. 01 ISSUE 17 URBANITENEWS.COM

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Examining the city’s vacant storefronts g Mexican done right P.05

g Break out P.08

Tara Watts releases Pale Blue Moon

Palenque moves beyond the taco

VIEWS ALTERNATIVE TRANSIT BROKEN IN WINDSOR Why are so many bike riders dissatisfied on city roads, bike lanes, paths and dedicated areas?

Why are so many drivers upset with bikes, e-bikes and other alternative methods of transportation?

Why is it in Windsor with hundreds of kilometres of alternative transportation trails, that so many people, on so many sides of the issue, are wanting something entirely different than what is being offered?

The answer is actually quite simple: residents don’t care and don’t demand it.

City council, lead by the mayor, sets its priorities based upon what residents demand.

There isn’t a shadow government that surreptitiously decides what initiatives the city will embark upon.

There are 10 members of council, lead by a mayor, who collectively decide upon what they think is best in the interests of their constituents. Up until this point, their constituents haven’t made it clear that bike paths and alternative methods of transit are a priority.

And while this column may appear to be a condemnation, there are many groups and initiatives to commend: the City of Windsor for expanding bike trails throughout the entire city and into the county; Essex County for expanding numerous trails through similar initiatives; Bike Friendly Windsor Essex, The Windsor Bicycling Committee and other community groups advocating bike interests; and, of course, the community members who are vocally demanding better bike and alternative transportation trails.

The crux of the issue is safety, and as it currently stands, biking in Windsor is downright dangerous. While many roads in the

THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JULY 30-AUG. 12 2014 » 2

city have dedicated bike paths, there are also many areas where bikes are legally required to drive on the road unsafely.

Driving on the road can be downright terrifying depending on where you are in the city and what the amount of traffic is.

What is required, not only in Windsor, but in all cities, is dedicated bike paths, separated by a physical barrier, which can provide protection to vulnerable bike riders.

While automobiles have to pass rigorous safety certifications to ensure that the body is structurally sound and airbags deploy efficiently and quickly, bikes are unprotected upon impact.

Simply put, cities need to do far more to protect bike riders. Aesthetically speaking, dedicated and separated bike paths can enhance a city and provide greenscaping spaces in urban centres.

Undoubtedly, there’s a large contingent of Windsorites who have observed that while either biking or walking down the riverfront, pedestrians and bike riders seem to ignore, whether willfully or otherwise, which trails are for which method of transportation.

It is as dangerous for bikes to venture out of bike paths onto pedestrian paths as it is for pedestrians to venture onto bike paths; one isn’t intended for the other. It’s time that bikers, pedestrians and Windsor Police Service start to address this very serious issue of public safety.

The way Windsor deals with bikes and alternative transit is broken and it’s time that we as residents demand better.

Until our politicians and council candidates understand that residents want better infrastructure for alternative transit it’ll never arrive.

— JON LIEDTKE

Publisher/Editor: Natasha Marar (natasha@urbanitenews.com) Managing Editor: Jon Liedtke (jon@urbanitenews.com) Art Director: Stephen Hargreaves Contributors: Jamie Greer, Dan Savage, Sean Previl, Jay Verspeelt, Clara Musca, Jenn McMullen, Nicholas V. Nedin, Dylan Ashton

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NEWS

THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JULY 30-AUG. 12 2014 » 3

Ready for business

Storefront vacancy down in Windsor BIAs Vacant storefronts still line streets in downtown Windsor, but figures show the a downwards trend » Photos Jay Verspeelt JAY VERSPEELT After years of a mounting race to the bottom, commercial vacancy appears to be on the decline and where it’s happening is surprising.

Diestelmann, Ford City BIA chair. “If we were to talk percentages, I’m going to say that [vacancy] has probably dropped by over 25 per cent (since 2012).”

13 per cent, with nine of its 68 surveyed shop fronts unused. By The Urbanite’s own estimate, that rate has dropped to 5.8 per cent or four units.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported last month that Windsor has the highest vacancy rate in the province at five per cent, but The Urbanite found storefront vacancy rates are dropping in eight of the city’s nine business improvement areas.

The Urbanite hit the streets to conduct its own count of vacant ground floor commercial units in the business districts. The 2014 estimates show a vacancy of 94 (22.6 per cent) Downtown; 23 (20.9 per cent) Via Italia; 25 (31.25 per cent) Ford City; four (eight per cent) Olde Riverside; six (15 per cent) Olde Sandwich Towne; 19 (16.2 per cent) Ottawa Street four (8.5 per cent) Pillette; 29 (17 per cent) Wyandotte Town Centre; and four (5.8 per cent) Walkerville. The total BIA ground level vacancy in 2014 to date is 13.6 per cent, down from the City of Windsor survey total of 20.7 per cent in 2012.

The largest of the BIAs in size and levy received is downtown with $545,000 in 2013, down from over $800,000 in 2012.

In 2012, the City of Windsor reported a DWBIA vacancy of 23.6 per cent, or 98 shops out of 415 surveyed.

A City of Windsor survey reveals that in 2007 the city had a total ground level commercial vacancy of 10.3 per cent, growing to 16.4 in 2010 and 18.5 in 2012. Among the city’s nine BIAs, that figure was 20.7 per cent.

“Starting back in 2007, we compiled an inventory citywide, all the commercial we could track down in the major areas of the city,” said Chris Aspila, project manager for the City of Windsor’s planning department. “The way the information was captured, there was literally staff walking down the street recording what was at each location. We didn’t have an inventory before that point.”

A survey of commercial vacancies in the city was conducted in 2012, but only looked at ground floor units. “If it’s hidden inside the building, we don’t know about it,” said Aspila.

The BIA vacancy rates were reported to be 98 (23.6 per cent) Downtown; 23 (20.9 per cent) Via Italia; 42 (52.5 per cent) Ford City; eight (16 per cent) Olde Riverside Towne Centre; 12 (30 per cent) Olde Sandwich Towne; 31 (26.5 per cent) Ottawa Street; eight (17 per cent) Pillette; 34 (20 per cent) Wyandotte Town Centre; and nine (13.2 per cent) Walkerville.

Hardest hit by vacancy was Ford City BIA. “Slowly, bit by bit, property owners have been fixing their rental units and so a lot of people are starting to see there’s a lot of value in the neighbourhood,” said Randy

By our estimation, Ford City has 25 vacancies, representing a decline of 22.5 per cent over 2012. And they’ve done the most with the least. The Ford City BIA receives the lowest annual levy from commercial property owners at $14,400.

In the last year, there have been many new businesses moving into Ford City. Most of which Diestelmann says have been artists attracted by low rent. Business like Standard Printing have moved in and Our Lady Rosary Church, which was vacant for seven years, was purchased. Diestelmann says there is a major business moving in mid-August, but wouldn’t specify.

“We’ve done a lot to clean up the neighbourhood; our crime statistics are very low, we have aggressive revitalization and renewal plans in place and blight mitigation in progress,” maintained Diestelmann.

Heading west, the Walkerville BIA enjoys the lowest vacancy rate in the city.

“Currently, to my knowledge, we have two (vacancies),” said Joan Charette, chair of the Walkerville and Ottawa Street BIAs. In 2012, Walkerville’s vacancy rate was

Debi Croucher, director of the DWBIA, said currently there are 69 available ground level units in the downtown, although our count shows the number to be 94.

“Since [2012], new businesses in the city centre include The Foundry, Rockefeller, Wedge Hair Salon, WFCU branch, Pho Maxim, EmoNe, Matryoshka, Carnivale, Tune Ups, House of Pong, Aquarium Windsor and more,” said Croucher.

Some of these businesses reflect a change in tenancy as opposed to a long-vacant unit being taken up.

“The Downtown Windsor BIA currently has a commercial rent subsidy program (up to $625 per month for one year) in place that utilizes rent subsidy to encourage up to eight businesses annually to fill previously unoccupied buildings with new commercial ventures,” Croucher added.

Some buildings throughout the city have long been vacant. Kerry Ippolito, a former member of the Ford City BIA, said at a 2013 BIA advisory committee meeting that some property owners are choosing to deliberately keep their buildings vacant as a tax writeoff.

“It’s hard to think of that as being a longterm incentive because you can only write it off for so long before the government says ‘wait a minute, you can’t do this anymore,’” said Cooke.

Cooke has never heard from his assessment staff that commercial tax writeoffs

are an endemic issue. However, he did say there is a vacancy credit. If a landlord has a tenant that leaves, they can apply for a vacancy credit through the City of Windsor, but he does not know how long that credit will last.

Because it’s staff intensive to do citywide assessments, the City of Windsor’s planning department is planning to review vacancies every two years.

Aspila said a citywide survey for 2014 was conducted, but could not say when the numbers would be released.

Approximate number of ground level commercial vacancies recorded by The Urbanite in 2014 versus City of Windsor in 2012 Downtown BIA 94 (22.6 per cent) / 98 (23.6 per cent) Via Italia BIA 23 (20.9 per cent) / 23 (20.9 per cent) Ford City BIA 25 (31.25 per cent) / 42 (52.5 per cent) Olde Riverside 4 (8 per cent) / 8 (16 per cent) Olde Sandwich Towne BIA 6 (15 per cent) / 12 (30 per cent) Ottawa BIA 19 (16.2 per cent) / 31 (26.5 per cent) Pillette BIA 4 (8.5 per cent) / 8 (17 per cent) Wyandotte Town Centre BIA 29 (17 per cent) / 34 (20 per cent) Walkerville BIA 4 (5.8 per cent) / 9 (13.2 per cent)

Q

Rose City Politics:

»Does Windsor suffer from poor transit infrastructure?

Windsor has a reputation as a “car town” due to the perception that its citizens would rather drive than use any other means of conveyance to get from one point to the other. Is this a clear “preference” manifesting itself as the result of a considered choice amongst a variety of options or is it the result of inadequate infrastructure and service rendering other modalities impractical leaving many residents with no other choice but to get in the car?

about the cost than we need to assess how it was priced out to begin with. Bike infrastructure has been an afterthought. It should be the focus of new development and treated as such in a budget. Why not divert cash in lieu parking revenue to improve transit or bicycling infrastructure? We need to invest more in public transit and bicycling infrastructure. Living and moving into the core will depend on a better transit system.

Rino Bortolin

Kieran McKenzie

Windsor needs a better public and well rounded transit system, which should include bicycle infrastructure as well as institutional change in the way we plan and deal with transit issues here in the city.

If you build it, they will come”... it was clearly true in Kinsella’s Field of Dreams (that was real right?) and it’s been proven over and over again that investing in safe cycling infrastructure (i.e. separated bike lanes) dramatically increases ridership.

To start, we have an underfunded and inadequate bus system. It needs more efficient routes, better use of technology and a better understanding of servicing the needs of customers. One example of that is adding 24-hour service to a few routes on weekends. Many downtown employees are left stranded on the weekend because of this lack of service. We also need to work with our surrounding municipalities to offer service to the entire county.

Better transit and bicycle infrastructure has to be a conscious and deliberate decision by council to move in a different direction. We focus so much on roads and cheap parking in this city that it only encourages and perpetuates the myth that everybody drives.

Council recently has deferred a proposal for separated bike lanes on Cabana Road. What should have been a no brainer of a decision has turned into a question of funding and value for dollar spent. If we are worried

Rino Bortolin

In fact, a recently released study from the National Institute for Transportations and Communities pretty much laid this whole question to rest. Their report, Lessons from the Green Lanes: Evaluating Protected Bike Lanes in the U.S., showed dramatic increases in ridership across several communities when safe cycling infrastructure was added into communities. Ridership was up across the board in every municipality investigated and as high as 171 per cent in one instance.

If people can ride to where they want to go safely … they will.

Windsor’s cycling infrastructure is actually much improved over the last number of years but, simply put, Windsor is not a safe place to ride your bike. I know this first hand from growing up in Windsor and (amazingly) dodging several near death experiences in my youth on my bike as a commuter.

Husband, father (of three), chef/co-owner Rino’s Kitchen & Ale House. Rino Bortolin is a passionate advocate for all things local especially local food. Bortolin’s community activism focuses on local municipal issues, having run for city council in 2010. He’s contributed on many local campaigns at all three levels of government.

There’s no question, however, that Windsor’s “car town” moniker is in some respects embedded in our culture — the challenges facing the auto industry in Canada aside, Windsor is still the automotive capital of Canada. We love our cars because we build them here and in large measure they built our economy.

But let’s face it, with the price of gas and insurance it’s basic economics that’s motivating people in this “car town” to consider other means of conveyance. The City of Windsor to its credit is responding to this demand and should continue to do so. Perhaps even more robustly “Moving forward.”

Paul Synnott Preference due to inadequate infrastructure definitely gets my vote. City council has recently moved to institute some improvements, but in my opinion, they’re a BandAid and not real permanent fixes. The reorganization that is taking place, merging the tunnel, airport and transit functions makes sense from a fiscal perspective. It does free up funds to reinvest in the bus service, but it’s not enough at this point. When someone from the Forest Glade area wants to travel to St. Clair College and their journey takes them upwards of one and a half hours, there’s something wrong.

Our bus service has been underfunded by city council for years, and for no just reason.

Windsor has the most municipally owned parking spaces in the entire province at the cheapest prices. We run our parking division on a break even basis instead of as a revenue stream. Providing cheap plentiful parking is subsidizing the car and hurting public

Kieran McKenzie

Political activist/organizer with a passion for social justice issues. A lifelong Windsor-Essex resident, Kieran McKenzie holds an honours BA in political science from the University of Windsor and has been campaigning in both elections and on issues since he could walk.

transit. A large portion of our parking assets should be sold to the private sector and the revenue invested in capital upgrades. The remainder should see fees rise to provide an increase in stable revenue targeted to Transit Windsor enhancements. People have no choice to drive when you provide poor or no service to the areas they need to reach, such as the industrial area serviced by the Walkerville 8 route.

How about an app for customer use? A decision, consultant, RFP, purchase project has been underway for over a year now with no end in sight. Is it really going to take the City of Windsor two years to deliver a smartphone app for its customers? If you want a glaring example of what’s wrong with Transit Windsor, the inability to deliver a solution in a reasonable time frame is a visible symptom of everything that’s wrong.

Regional transit also deserves a mention in the context of this issue. Both the city and county share the blame for failing to deliver a much needed regional system for Essex County. My hope is that the upcoming municipal election will deliver enough elected officials with the capability of shelving their posturing and egos long enough to do what’s right for the county as a whole. Regional transit should have been implemented 10 years ago. A lack of it hampers our livability let alone our competitive stance with other regions.

Catch the Rose City Politics crew in every issue of The Urbanite. Have a question?

Tweet us @urbanitenews or email info@ urbanitenews.com. You can also listen to Rose City Politics Wednesday’s at 8 p.m. on CJAM 99.1 FM.

Paul Synnott

Paul Synnott is a committed small ‘c’ conservative with libertarian influences, community activist and co-host of Rose City Politics. He has worked on many federal, provincial and municipal campaign in various aspects including campaign management. No dogs, cats or kids, his passion is politics and the City of Windsor.

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FOOD& DRINK

THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JULY 30-AUG. 12 2014 » 5

Palenque dishes out traditional Mexican fare JENN MCMULLAN If you haven’t already heard of it, wandering into the restaurant Palenque would be a little like finding a diamond in the rough or actual meat in your Taco Bell taco. The words Mexican food and healthy is not a combination people often put together, but it’s this stereotype that Palenque helps to break.

Located at 4736 Wyandotte St., chef and owner Francois Dominguez, along with his wife Patricia, strive to make fresh Mexican cuisine part of Windsorite’s palates. Francois, who was born and raised in Chiapas, Mexico, said many residents notion of Mexican food is a very closeminded Americanized version.

Patricia said Palenque gives diners authentic Mexican food through traditional cooking methods.

Palenque owner Francois Dominguez digs into his Mexican roots at his Windsor restaurant » Photos Jenn McMullan

“Everything [Francois] does he does with a passion, he loves what he does and he cares about the ingredients. He tries to bring that to your table and make sure that it’s something he would eat because it’s healthy not because it’s full of grease or full of cheese,” she said. “It’s about having consistency … so everything works when combined and it brings out a beautiful dish. I think that’s

where Francois is coming from when he’s trying to introduce more fine dining Mexican cuisine.”

“It’s not black and white, it’s not tacos and burritos, it’s extensive.

Mexican food is extensive,” she added.

The menu, which is inspired by traditional Mexican foods mixed with Francois’ own creations, uses fresh, local ingredients and products. Patricia said having everything made in house provides the flip side of the kind of experience you would receive at a franchise.

“It’s a benefit I think because we make everything fresh … so it gives you more of an option to kind of make it more to your liking, so you have a little bit more control.”

Must try items include Palenque’s house salad, featuring mixed greens with jicama, pomegranate and mango tossed with a homemade chilli cumin orange vinaigrette ($8); and Palenque Tacos, two seared flour tortillas, filled with chicken or steak, sautéed peppers and onions, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese and sour cream ($13).

Francois said at a young age his grandmother taught him the importance of healthy ingredients and ignited his love of cooking. One of his early memories of his grandmother was her advice when he told her what he wanted to do for a living.

“She said it doesn’t matter in life what you’re going to be, if you’re going to be a shoe maker be the best shoe maker, if you’re going to be a dish washer be the best dish washer.

When I told her I wanted to cook for life she said be the best chef in order to succeed.”

With this guidance, Francois left Mexico and at the age of 19 began his cooking career. He worked at the prestigious Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles, serving guests such as Michael Douglas, Jim Belushi and George Burns. From there he went on to work at the Sinai Medical Center and later at Maggiano’s in Denver. Eventually landing in Windsor, Francois used his nearly 20 years of experience to build his own restaurant. Going back to his roots the name Palenque derives from the ancient Maya city in his home state, allowing him the perfect recipes to bring a taste of his old home to his new one.

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BIGG WIGGLE ▪ MISS CONCEPTION DJ TRIIFECTA ▪ LIBERTY DEEP DOWN

Simple salsa trio Salsa is one of the most popular snack foods on earth but most people have never tried to make it at home. Here are a few ways to easily up the ante and create three amazingly distinct and delicious salsas that will wow the guests at your summer fiesta.

Ask a brewer...

What’s the deal with malt?

with brewmaster Paul Brady

What’s the deal with malt?

Malt is the basis of civilization, because beer was the beginning of civilization. When man started agriculture, it was mostly to grow barley and foodstuffs. Man started growing barley, through agriculture, to produce beer. ... That’s how cities were formed and civilizations were formed ... it all started with farming and the reason they started farming was to produce beer, or alcohol.

Malted barley is when they [farmers] take the grain itself, once it’s grown, and they germinate it. They get it wet, and they let it to sprout ever so slightly, and that’s because we’re trying to get certain enzymes that will help [through scarification: the conversion of sugar to starch] us later in the brewing process to start. Once it’s germinated they will kiln it. Depending upon how long they kiln the malt, which means cook or dry, determines how dark or colourful it gets.

Malt essentially is the backbone of the beer, it is what everything starts from ... we get our colour, main flavour profiles, head tension and foam stability as well [from malt].

Hops are meant to augment, accent or even counteract the malt. If you make a strong beer, you’re going to have residual sweetness left over from the malt, there’s certain sugars that the yeast can’t break down and turn into alcohol, so you have an extra sweetness with strong beers.

If you want to have a strong IPA, you then

counter it with hops to then balance it or to unbalance it and make it extra bitter. If you dont want to counteract it, you can make a Bock beer, a sweet beer, and that’s because the malt is the predominant flavour profile on that.

Does better barley produce better hops?

We use what is called 2-row barley, that’s our base malt, the basis of every [one] of our beers. 2-row is a particular strain of barley that grows with the kernels growing off the side of the stalk in two rows and it’s higher quality because the plant focuses on just those two rows and you get a larger, stronger, more nutrient rich kernel.

There’s also a base malt called 6-row, which sprouts off in six rows. The plant creates six kernels in each row and it becomes less robust. It’s a smaller kernel, it’s not as potent, but it’s cheaper and easier to manufacture.

The large breweries will use six-row.

We use 2-row because it’s a higher quality product to begin with and we feel we get a higher quality product at the end and most, if not all, craft brewers use two-row.

There are tons of brands of malt, you have to look at the grain belt in the North American territories. Our 2-row is Canadian based, and even when I brewed in Michigan, 80 per cent of the brewers were using Canadian 2-row malt.

Salsa Roja

A more traditional salsa with complex balance of heat, sweetness and bitterness.

1 dried ancho chili, diced 6 jalapeño peppers, roasted whole 4 serrano chilis, fresh, deseeded, finely chopped 1 large Spanish onion, finely diced 6 roma tomatoes, halved and roasted 1 tbsp cumin seed 2 cloves garlic, Crushed cilantro leaves, finely chopped, to taste 6 leaves Mexican Oregano 1 lime, juiced Salt and black pepper, to taste On your grill you want to char your jalapeños and tomatoes over high heat until their skin blisters. You also want to hand crush your tomatoes once they cool off. This will intensify the flavours of these components. In a saucepan on medium heat, add your dried anchos and cumin seed and allow them toast. Then add your onions and garlic allowing those to cook down and release their oils. Add your Mexican oregano, jalapeño and crushed tomatoes. Allow that all to cook down for about 25 minutes adding salt and black pepper as needed. Then take an immersion blender and blend the contents of the sauce pan into a paste, remove from heat and allow it too cool for 15 minutes. Add your diced serrano chilis, cilantro and lime juice stirring it all into the paste. Refrigerate and serve.

Herbed Salsa Fresca

A chunky take that is low on heat but high on flavour.

1.5 large vidalia or sweet onion, diced 1/2 inch cubes 3 roma tomatoes, diced 1/2 inch cubes 1 tbsp Avocado oil 2 tbsp White vinegar 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar 2 cloves garlic 6 leaves basil 6 leaves cinnamon basil 3 sprigs lemon thyme 2 limes, juiced 1 tbsp cumin powder salt, black pepper and cilantro, to taste In a large mixing bowl place your chopped onions and tomatoes. Toss those with the white and apple cider vinegar; this will take the caustic bite out of the raw onion. In a food processor or blender add your avocado oil, cilantro, garlic, basil, cinnamon basil, lemon thyme, lime juice and cumin powder.

Blend into a uniform paste. Add that paste to your mixing bowl and fold the herb paste into the mixture of onion and tomato.

Salsa Verde

A bright green salsa with brighter acidity and a subtle heat.

5 tomatillo, rough chopped 1 large vidalia onion, finely diced 2 jalapeño peppers, roasted whole and deseeded 2 serrano chilies, deseeded 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 tsp cumin 1 tbsp avocado oil cilantro, to taste 1 lime, juiced salt and black pepper, to taste In a saucepan on medium heat, sweat your onions first in the avocado oil, then add garlic, tomatillo, jalapeño, Serrano and and cumin. Allow these to simmer for about 15 minutes and really break down the tomatillo, which can be quite firm. Empty the contents of the saucepan into a food processor with the remaining ingredients and blend to an even consistency. I like to make this salsa relatively thick, but adding water can quickly thin the salsa to your preference.

» Words and photos Nicholas V. Nedin

Eat fresh

Seeking out Windsor-Essex’s best produce

What’s fresh in August?

NICHOLAS V. NEDIN

Sweet Corn

Knowing what is local and in season by going to your neighborhood supermarket is difficult with a plethora of imported fruits and veggies available year round.

What exactly is in season and can be found in Windsor and Essex County, and how can you know what you’re buying is at it’s peak freshness?

Rachel Trembley of Locally Germinated has a few great tips for those who want the best of the best over the next week.

“Field tomatoes, cucumbers (fresh eating and pickling) and string beans are all hitting their stride over the next week or so,” said Trembley.

There is also the concern of choosing the best possible produce. “How veggies look is one of the least important factors for gauging the quality of what is available,” said Trembley. “A lot of perfectly good produce goes to waste because it doesn’t look perfect.”

“Tomatoes, cucumbers and beans should all feel firm to the touch and lack wrinkles on their skin. Tomatoes should also never been refrigerated as their flavour will be negatively affected, while cucumbers and beans need immediate chilling to ensure their freshness,” she added.

George Bousaba of George’s Produce in Amherstburg has a slightly different local crop coming into its own, “Turnips, yellow plums, and summer squash will all be ready to sell in the next week or so,” said Bousaba adding, “When it comes to freshness, sometimes an overripe tomato is a good thing when you’re making a sauce those flavours are more intense even if the tomato is a bit soft.

Bousaba, noted that one of the biggest concerns coming from his customers is with the use of chemical pesticides.

“When a farmer can sell his produce locally it gives them a better chance of reducing their use of chemicals, because you don’t have to worry about the food travelling long distances and spoiling.”

Going to a farmer’s market or roadside stand is a great way to learn more about your local produce and the people who grow it. If you are in doubt, asking questions is a great way to get some tips on what to choose and how to prepare it, and if you play your cards right you may get some free samples.

What to look for: Green husks that are not dried out and good weight per ear. If any ears you grab feel considerably lighter put them back.

Where to find it: Pretty much anywhere at the moment.

Summer Squash

(zucchini, pattypan squash, crookneck squash) What to look for: Size doesn’t matter, and as long as the squash are firm they should yield lots of flavour.

Where to find it: Lee & Maria’s Market, Cindy’s Garden, George’s Produce, Locally Germinated, Brandner Farms and Mailloux’s Farm Fresh.

Yellow and Green Beans What to look for: Firm beans that if bent, snap and not just bend flaccidly. Blemishes don’t really matter unless they penetrate the flesh of the bean.

Where to find it: Pretty much anywhere in the area.

Eggplant What to look for: Smooth, shiny deep purple skin, and a firm but not too firm texture. Again, outside blemishes and woody growths are only cosmetic.

Where to find it: George’s Produce, Lee & Maria’s and Locally Germinated.

Okra What to look for: Vibrant green colour, firm but also a tiny bit rough on the outside. You also want to choose the smaller plants as they pack more flavour and less of the slime that some people dislike.

Where to find it: Locally Germinated.

Garlic What to look for: You want to look for garlic heads that seem bulky like the outside cloves are ready to be peeled off. Garlic that seems too dry is also an issue as garlic quality really suffers if the meat of the vegetable lacks the oils which carry flavour.

Where to find it: Pretty much anywhere in the area.

ARTS

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LA ROUX TROUBLE IN PARADISE UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA

» Photo Bree Gaudette

Watts up with Tara?

Windsor folk artist proud of roots CLARA MUSCA It’s been five years, but soulful songstress Tara Watts is breaking the silence with a new, anticipated album that brings collaborations and maturity to the Windsor folk artist’s work.

“I used to be really angry, which was reflected in my music and that was my way of expressing it,” said Watts about her first record, 2009’s About Love. “But this album is more hopeful and positive, mixed in with elements of nature and personal experience.”

Watts believes that her new album, Pale Blue Moon, is a tribute to the earth and all the good people in her life. “I grew up with Peter, Paul and Mary and the Beatles,” admitted Watts. “But I’m also mostly Irish so we went to a lot of Celtic festivals.”

Playing with notable acts the Locusts Have No King and Ron Leary, Watts finds that she was able to craft her own persona and sound throughout the years.

“When collaborating with artists, you contribute to them and they contribute to you,” said Watts. She feels she is now more comfortable and aware as an artist.

Pale Blue Moon was recorded in Cambridge with producer Andy Magoffin at the House of Miracles. He has produced Canadian acts the Great Lake Swimmers, the Constantines and Burning Hell.

“It’s a fantastic studio to work in, he was very open to my creative process,” said Watts.

She admits that the music industry can be very male-dominating, and her first album was about shaping herself as a female artist, but she said Pale Blue Moon is more about “pride of where I’m from [Windsor] and the arts and music that has come from this city.”

Album tracks “Pack My Bags,” “Jude’s Song,” and “Sweet Grass County” show a more upbeat side of Watts while sticking true to her folk-blues roots and deeply personal lyrics. The last track shares its name with the album title, speaks of birds, trees, leaves and “hold the one that you love the most.”

Despite the financial challenges of being a career musician, Watts believes that being a full-time musician is still possible.

“It’s not glamorous — it’s difficult but you have to be aggressive and resourceful,” said Watts. She admits that she was playing four to five nights a week while putting herself through school and living on her own.

She is potentially looking to head out east for the end of the summer.

Grammy Award-winning UK recording artist Elly Jackson, aka La Roux, has released her latest album Trouble in Paradise after five years of silence.

After the first album, La Roux, peaked at No. 2 on the UK Album Charts and was awarded the Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album, the bar has been set high with this latest release. There’s also added pressure for Jackson as she is the sole voice and creative director of the album given former producer Ben Langmaid’s departure in 2013.

The good news is she did not disappoint.

The singer who gave the world the hit “Bulletproof ” has returned with nine songs of a similar flavour of upbeat fun including “Uptight Downtown” and “Kiss and Not Tell.” The album gives a synthesized pop sound like its predecessor, albeit with a lighter feel.

Unlike La Roux where Jackson was still developing her sound and injecting more of her melancholy youth into it, Trouble in Paradise keeps that emotion but from a more mature standpoint. There is still a personal feel to each song, but many also take on a theme of observation such as “Cruel Sexuality,” which looks at being in love with someone who is also a danger to them.

The album gives various tales of the stages of love, from heartache to pure joy. It’s an enjoyable continuation of music from the talented musician.

— SEAN PREVIL

“I’m going to sit down and look at booking some shows,” said Watts, explaining that sometimes bigger shows have to be booked almost a year in advance.

Pale Blue Moon’s CD release party will be held Aug. 9 at The Capitol Theatre featuring the Ron Leary Sextet and Crissi Cochrane.

Tickets are $12 in advance from Phog Lounge, or $15 at the door.

scan with

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TARA WATTS PALE BLUE MOON S/R

It’s been five years since local songstress Tara Watts’ last album, 2009’s candid and intimate About Love. But that’s not too say Watts has sat languid for five years. She’s also a vital member of local roots rock giants The Locusts Have No King, performing at festivals and on the road.

But with Pale Blue Moon, Watts has transcended from being a songwriter inspired by her local peers to being a leader on the songwriting circuit. The person overseeing the process was Andy Maggofin, responsible for producing major releases for such indie darlings as Great Lakes Swimmers, The Hidden Cameras, The Constantines and The Burning Hell.

Working with Maggofin pulled Watts out of her comfort zone and the results are a beautiful journey. Instead of relying on local musicians, she’s joined by bassist J.J. Ipsen, Marshall Bureau and acclaimed Canadian guitarist David Celia. The album leaves the Windsor familiarity of sound without losing the very core of the storytelling, which is still distinctly Watt’s.

It’s hard to pick one song that stands out.

“Hello Sun” opens the song with a song that lyrically feels both like an anthem of desperation and hope. “Gentle Ol’ Soul” feels inspired by the years on the road with Locusts Have No King bandmate David Dubois, but not in the sense that it’s ripped off. “Met A Girl,” originally leaked as a video online several months ago, still holds up in the mix and “Barren Trees” brings Maggoflin’s trademark warmth to Watt’s somewhat dark songwriting creating perhaps the most beautifully haunting song on the album. “Pale Blue Moon,” the album’s closer, sounds like a song that Emmylou Harris should have written. Thankfully for Windsor’s sake, this is pure Watts.

While there’s no definite radio “single,” the album is a throwback to the days where every song matters in the journey of the album. For people entranced with the journey rather than the destination, and the adventures rather than than the treasure, this album is a must have. It’s a storytelling journal of one of Windsor’s finest songwriters and a true statement to not only living to tell the tale, but learning how to tell it.

— JAMIE GREER

THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JULY 30-AUG. 12 2014 » 09

the Windsor Scene w/Jamie Greer

FRED EAGLESMITH

County boasts new music festivals

Windsor punks Guitar Army release new EP; Kuato brings experimental sounds to Phog Lounge

KUATO

JAMIE GREER Windsor is booming with local festivals it seems, with such annual traditions as Fork & Cork, PhogPhest, Harvesting The FAM Festival and Windsor Pride tapping into the vast and diverse musical talent of the Windsor-Essex area. Add another one to your “must sees” — Aug. 2 and 3 is set for the first annual Pelee Island Music Festival (aka The Island Unplugged). While the weekend passes are sold out, there are still limited day passes for each day (for $30 each). Saturday, Aug. 2 features headliner Fred Eaglesmith sharing the stage with New Country Rehab, Ron Leary, Allison Brown, Kevin Echlin (of Heavy Suns) and more, while Sunday’s line-up is headlined

by Great Lake Swimmers as well as Harlan Pepper, The Vaudevillain, Tara Watts, James OL & The Villains and others. It’s a great way to experience the island with some amazing music as well. But that’s not the only new festival kicking off this coming month — the first annual Kingsville Folk Festival is Aug. 8 to 10 at Lakeside Park. It features such folk legends as Bruce Cockburn, Jane Siberry, Valdy and David Francey (amongst others), with local acts such as Allison Brown, The Oh Chays and Dale Butler on the bill. And speaking of Windsor Pride, they’re big annual kick-off show down at the Riverfront Festival Plaza, is happening on Friday, Aug. 8. Hosted

by The River 93.9 FM’s Dan MacDonald, “River Rock” is headlined by The Walkervilles, and features performances by the unquiet dead, The Blue Stones and Tara Watts.

The Dominion House Tavern (3140 Sandwich St.) throws another heavy showcase on Friday Aug. 2, featuring some great ambassadors of the music scene. Devilz By Definition are metal veterans, joined by jazz fusion metal upstarts Violent Vatican, buskerpunk folk favourites Thick As

Thieves and Southern metal stylists Terror Farmer. This is an all ages show, kicking off at 8 p.m. For only $5, it’s a steal for such a weighted line-up.

If you’re a fan of atmospheric melodic instrumental acts like Windsor’s What Seas What Shores or Bloemfontein, Halifax’s Kuato is playing at Phog Lounge (156 University Ave. W.) on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Gorgeous in it’s impassioned frailty, this band is right up Windsor’s alley.

If you’re a fan of 80s heavy metal — with its leather clothes, fist pumping and twin guitars — then check out Chicago’s Hessler.

Featuring 2012 X-Factor contestant Jessikill (a classically trained vocalist), Hessler has the frontwoman to unleash the power!

In their short existence they’ve shared the stage with Slash, Steel Panther, Skid Row, Ratt and LA Guns (although their sound is more reminiscent of Too Fast For Love Motley Crue or mid-70s Judas Priest) and now they’re taking time of touring for a stop at The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. W., below Pogos) on Wednesday, Aug. 6. They’re bringing tour mates Rusted from Montreal, with local support from Raven’s Revolution.

Guitar Army is set to launch their newest EP, Going To Detroit, with a release party at Abars on the River (7880 Riverside Dr. E.) on Saturday, Aug. 9. Guitar Army have been one of Windsor’s longest standing punk rawk bands, with roots to Windsor’s first punk wave in the late 70s. Featuring Dave Garant (The Hard Tops) on drums, Mike Fortier (The Tumours) on bass, Tim Garant on lead guitar, and fronted by local punk icon Dale ‘Elad’ D’Amore (of the legendary Spy’s), Guitar Army have a wealth of original material (including tunes from past projects like the aforementioned Spy’s,

as well as Magnificent Bastards) plus some fun covers thrown in (such as MC5 and the Stooges).

A week after Fred Eaglesmith plays the area, a longtime member of Eaglesmith’s band, guitarist Dan Walsh, arrives in Windsor. A dirty blues player, Walsh is clearly influenced by his time with Eaglesmith, with hints of Tom Waits (if Waits played Mississippi Blues). Currently on tour in support of last years Outta The Jam, he’s performing at The Dominion House on Saturday, Aug. 9, with a special opening performance by Salt of the Chief Cornerstone. The best part is it’s a free show.

Villains Beastro (256 Pellissier Ave.) presents a homecoming Saturday, Aug. 9 for two Windsor musicians who now reside in Toronto. Captain Hats (the alias of multiinstrumentalist Dave Silani) and Kelsi Jean return for a hometown performance, featuring Tony Coates and Bobby Sproat as local support. It’s a “pay what you can” event.

London’s Hindsight returns to Windsor with a show at The Windsor Beer Exchange (493 University Ave. W.) Saturday, Aug. 9, along with Hamilton’s Housing.

Intense groove driven pop rock, they show elements of 90s shoegaze mixed with the same decades’ post-grunge sound. Windsor pop punk band To The Strongest opens the show.

Grit Lounge is another upstart band starting to garner some local attention, although it’s a band peppered with scene veterans. Featuring vocalist/pianist Claudia DiNatale and vocalist/guitarist Chris McLean, along with three members of local prog rock faves Theory of Everything (bassist Eric ‘Kurty’ Pelotte, drummer Luke ‘Big Lou’ Pelotte and guitarist Gary Clark), their blend of 70’s rock sensibilities with prog rock structures is a welcomed addition to the local scene. They’re playing with Warren & The Wayward Jennys at Phog Lounge at 2 p.m. In the meantime, check out their video for “Hard Truth” on YouTube.

SAVAGE LOVE

THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JULY 30-AUG. 12 2014 » 10

» Taking

Advantage

Q:

I am wondering when the best time is to mention being in an open relationship to new girls. I’m a 27-year-old straight guy who’s been in an open relationship for six years. I often seek out extracurricular activities, but I am unsure of how to bring up my situation without doors closing. I wrote to a seduction blogger who often writes about open relationships, and his advice was to not mention it until I’ve had sex with the girl a few times and to not bring them to my apartment that I share with my girlfriend. This feels contrary to my nature, which is very straightforward, but is it perhaps the better method? Indeed, many of my “potentials” have been scared away when they learn of my relationship status. What are your thoughts on the matter?

Straightforward Honesty Offends Potentials

blogger says. Most single people up for fucking a new person not once, not twice, but a few times are seeking someone with longterm potential. There are lots of single people out there seeking sex for sex’s sake, of course, but a majority of sex-for-sex’s-sake types are hoping to leverage it into something more at some point. And most single people make the quite reasonable if not always accurate assumption that the people they’re fucking are also single—otherwise they wouldn’t be fucking them, right? If you neglect to inform the women you fuck that you’re not single (you’ve got a girlfriend) or emotionally available (you’re in an open relationship, not a poly one), you are knowingly taking advantage— and needlessly! There are plenty of women out there who are in open relationships and/or poly relationships, as well as women who are looking only for sex. And If your goal is to while you might have to work a maximize the amount little harder to find these women, of pussy in your life SHOP, you’ll have better sex with without any regard for the feelings a lot less drama—and you’ll spend of the women who happen to be fewer millennia in purgatory attached to those pussies, SHOP, burning off your sins. then you should definitely take the advice of the PUA (“pickup I’m a 30-year-old artist”) blogger. But that’s only if straight woman, and you wanna be a huge asshole who I’ve been with my male gets tons of pussy. If you wanna partner for four years. Here’s the be a decent dude who gets more thing that’s been bugging me: After than enough pussy—and “enough four years, the sex has gotten preis as good as a feast,” as Mary dictable. But it’s also gotten better Poppins says—then you’ll listen in the sense that I orgasm a much to me. greater percentage of the time, now Tell “potentials” after the third that he knows my body and what hang/date/whatever. Let them get I like. More orgasms for me are to know you a bit, then spill— great, but in the service of that, before fucking but after they’ve we’ve fallen into a “tried-and-true” made a small emotional investrut, which I don’t think is good. I ment in you. They’ll be more like- try to switch it up sometimes, and ly to reconsider prejudices they I surprised him with some sexy may have against guys in open lingerie last night… and I got selfrelationships after they’ve gotten conscious, started to worry about to know a semi-straightforward whether I’d get off, and then didn’t one and perhaps be less quick to come. I know he really likes it when slam the door.

I get off, but I don’t want for us to But unless it’s a clear case of have such a limited repertoire. My drunken-one-night-stand/NSA feeling is that I should not worry encounter, no lying by omission— about my orgasms and focus on no matter what the PUA/POS spice and variety, but I think that if

A:

Q:

we go too many times without me coming, it might be a downer for his boner, too. So which do we give preference to: variety or orgasms?

Rutting Or Undertaking Totally Interesting New Experiences?

three years, but I never made any advances. We did have a threesome with a girl in March—he was broken up with his girlfriend at the time—but it was all about the girl and nothing happened between us guys. He got back with his girlYour “tried-and-true” friend after that. Then last month, repertoire may feel like he and I had sex with each other. a bit of a rut, ROUWe had been drinking, he initiated TINE, but it’s a successful rut. You it, and neither of us came. It was both enjoy the sex you’re having, awkward, and we didn’t talk for a and you come way more often week. Then we bumped into each than you used to. There are worse other, and he came home with me problems—and all you need to and we had sex again. I came this solve your repertoire problem is time, but he drank too much and perspective and patience. couldn’t. Then three weeks ago, I You have two competing and initiated it and we did it again. conflicting interests: You want This time he came. The next day, to come regularly (because of he said that the “gay sex stuff ” course you do) and you get off had to stop. He said he felt like he consistently when you stick to was cheating on his girlfriend. I your routine, but you also want agreed. But later that same night, to shake up your routine and he started getting flirty with me try new things. But trying new and seemed to be on the verge of things—even something as lowinitiating again. The issue is, I still stakes as fucking in frillier under- want to sleep with him. Do you pants—makes it difficult for you think that he may have freaked out to come. My advice would be to about liking it too much? Could he relax and give yourself permission be developing feelings? I rarely see to not come when you’re trying him now, due to him hanging with something new. To stave off frus- his girlfriend all the time. I can tration and/or self-consciousness, tell that he has had sex with a guy ROUTINE, constantly remind before—it slid in pretty easy and he yourself that new things you both kept saying how good it felt. I’m so enjoy will be incorporated into confused on what to do! your routine. And when things Boys Easing Sex Tension Secretly that work for you both join the ranks of the tried-and-true, you’ll Maybe it would help be able to come while you’re doif you told your friend ing them. This is a problem that that you’re not havsolves itself. ing gay sex—you’re having hot, And remember: You don’t have sweaty bi sex, just without an to stop doing the shit that works accommodating/exonerating girl now. Let’s say you try something present. As for what to do… new on Wednesday night—new You might wanna look around kink, new locale, new hole—and for some other guy—maybe even you enjoy yourself but you don’t a gay one—who you can have come. So the next time you have a crush on and slide into. But sex, ROUTINE, stick to the I’m not going to push you to do already “tried-and-true” stuff that that, because it’s clear that you’ve gets you there consistently. got feelings for this guy and at the very least he’s got Feelings My best friend has a While Drunk for you. And while girlfriend of two years. I should probably scold you both They break up a lot, for fucking around behind his and he has slept with plenty of girlfriend’s back, BESTS, I have a other girls over the last two years. hunch that you’re a bunch of teenI’ve had a crush on him for about agers and/or very young adults.

A:

A:

Q:

So you’re getting a pass because this kind of bullshit is often a necessary and clarifying rite of passage for kids who are still figuring out who they are, what they want, and who they can and cannot trust. But I predict that this will end badly for all involved, and you will one day look back on the bi three-ways, the gay two-ways, and the way you once believed that “breaking up a lot” was evidence of a passion that could not be denied (when in actual fact it’s evidence of a couple of twats who cannot be endured) and be deeply, deeply embarrassed. But in the meantime, BESTS, enjoy sliding in.ing sexism and misogyny for us? Well, homophobes hate us because they perceive us to be like women—we’re effeminate, we’re cocksuckers, we’re penetrated.

Homophobia is misogyny’s little brother, and a less misogynistic world is going to be a less homophobic world. So if you won’t fight sexism and misogyny for the sake of your moms, sisters, nieces, and female friends—and there’s something wrong with you if you won’t do it for them—then do it for yourselves, boys.)

But I’m running your letter, OSW, and inviting women—stick a cork in it, menz—to jump into the comment thread and share your stories about men who’ve done the right thing. This is not meant to exonerate men of their responsibility to fight sexism and misogyny, or to minimize the problem because “not all men are like that,” but to give men who are reading concrete examples of what it looks like when a dude fights sexism and misogyny.

On the Savage Lovecast, hear Dan and YouTube sensation Arielle Scarcella go full lesbian: savagelovecast.com.

» BY DAN SAVAGE » MAIL@SAVAGELOVE.NET » @FAKEDANSAVAGE

EVENTS

FIND AND SUBMIT EVENTS AT Flo & Eddie w/ Chuck Negron, URBANITENEWS.COM/EVENTS Mark Farner, Gary Lewis & The Playboys and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels DTE Energy Music Theatre COMING UP (Clarkston, Mich.) | 7:30 p.m. | $15-$35 WEDNESDAY JULY 30

THE URBANITE » URBANITENEWS.COM » JULY 30-AUG. 12 2014 » 11 Comedy Quarry | 9 p.m. | $10 SATURDAY AUGUST 9

Open Stage w/ Andrew Macleod & Leigh Wallace Dominion House

WEEKLY

Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market Charles Clarke Square | 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Chicago & REO Speedwagon DTE Energy Music Theatre (Clarkston, Mich.) | 6:30 p.m. | $25-$99

Open Mic Surgery w/ James O-L Phog Lounge | doors 9 p.m.

Motown Throwdown w/ DJ Double A Phog Lounge

Thornetta Davis w/ Sun Messengers, The Gwenyth Haynes Trio & Live Trivia w/ Dan Walsh & Salt of Dragatis The Chief Cornerstone Magic Stick Lounge (Detroit) | 8 Dominion House p.m. | $15 ADV/$20 ATG Pure Detroit Fisher Building Tour Max Marshall & Derek Harrison Fisher Building (Detroit) | 11 a.m.

Taloola Cafe | 8 p.m.-9 p.m. & 1 p.m.

Julie Robinson Dominion House

Matt McClowry Comedy Quarry | 9 p.m. | $10

Bike for Lunch Riverfront Trail | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

SUNDAY AUGUST 3

Clinton St. John Phog Lounge THURSDAY JULY 31

Mick Foley Comedy Quarry | 7 p.m. | $25 Rock’N’Blues Fest DTE Energy Music Theatre (Clarkston, Mich.) | 7:30 p.m. | $15-$35 FRIDAY AUGUST 1 Max Marshall Phog Lounge Jamie Reaume Dominion House PHOX w/ J.E. Sunde Magic Stick Lounge (Detroit) | 8 p.m. | $10 ADV/$12 ATG

Ford City Market 1168 Drouillard Rd. | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market Charles Clarke Square | 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Kuato Phog Lounge

Brian Burke Quartet Phog Lounge Katie and Josh Pascoe Dominion House

Live Trivia (upstairs) Dominion House

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest Family Bowling Night Rosebowl Lanes | 7 p.m.

Thick as Thieves w/ Violent Vatican Dominion House

Bobby Vinton Caesars Windsor | 3 p.m. & 8 p.m. | $15+

d.i. July Phog Lounge | 8 a.m -5 p.m. | PWYC

Patrick Sweany Magic Stick Lounge (Detroit) | 8 p.m. | $8 ADV/$10 ATG

3rd Annual Community Cup youth soccer tournament Teutonia Club | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

FRIDAY AUGUST 8

Pure Detroit Fisher Building Tour Fisher Building (Detroit) | 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Drinks of Walkerville Walking Tour Canadian Club Brand Centre | 2 p.m. | $45

ROBOT SUMO Hackforge Summer Event for Kids and Teens Bridgeview Library | 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Bikes & Beers Cycling Tours WindsorEats | 1:30 p.m. | $60

Raw Power w/ Warton, Hellmouth, UDI, Final Assault & Nuke Magic Stick Lounge (Detroit) | 7 Motley Crue w/ guest Alice p.m. | $10 Cooper DTE Energy Music Theatre MONDAY AUGUST 4 (Clarkston, Mich.) | 6 p.m. | $25$125 Windsor Pride Fest Holiday Brunch Apollo: DJ Alyson Calagna w/ DJ The Squirrel Cage | 11 a.m. | $35 Josh Karmin & Sofonda Cox Riverfront Festival Plaza | 7 p.m.-9 TUESDAY AUGUST 5 p.m. | $6

Open Stage w/ Leigh Wallace and Tara Watts 89X Birthday Bash: Kings of Leon Dominion House DTE Energy Music Theatre (Clarkston, Mich.) | 7 p.m. | Windsor Pride Fest Flag Raising $29.50-$89 Ceremony City Hall Square | 10 a.m.-10:45 Len Wallace a.m.

Taloola Cafe | 8 p.m.-9 p.m.

Budweiser Made in America Matt McClowry Michigan Party w/ Chance the Comedy Quarry | 9 p.m. | $10 Rapper & Bad Rabbits The Fillmore (Detroit) | 7 p.m.

John Mellencamp Caesars Windsor | 9 p.m. | $45+ THURSDAY AUGUST 7 SATURDAY AUGUST 2

Family Fun Day Riverfront Festival Plaza | 12 p.m.5 p.m.

Screwtape Phog Lounge Mark Crampsie Dominion House

Olivia Conlon Taloola Cafe | 8 p.m.-9 p.m.

Kyle Bottom Comedy Quarry | 9 p.m. | $10

MONDAYS

TUESDAYS Open Stage Night w/ Andrew Macleod and Leigh Wallace Dominion House | 5 p.m.

V.O.M.I.T. (Vocal Open Mic Instrumental Talent) Villains Beastro Open Mic w/ Jamie Reaume The Manchester Pub Open Mic w/ Pat Robitaille The Willistead | 8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS Wacky Wexican Wednesdays w/ Dee Russ Dominion House | 5 p.m.

P.U.K.E. (People Using Karaoke Equipment) Villains Beastro The Groove Trio FM Lounge | 8 p.m.

Vice Aerial Phog Lounge | 10 p.m.

Dave Russell Dominion House Tavern THURSDAYS Celtic Night w/ Mark Crampsie Dominion House | 5 p.m.

Tara Watts CD Release w/ The Ron Leary Sextet & Crissi Cochrane The Capitol Theatre | 9 p.m. | $12 ADV/$15 ATG

Funk Junkies The Manchester Pub | 10 p.m.

SUNDAY AUGUST 10

FRIDAYS

Ford City Market 1168 Drouillard Rd. | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Crystal Head Fridays Level 3 Vodka Emporium | 10 p.m.

22nd Annual Windsor-Essex Pride Fest Parade Ouellette Avenue (downtown) | 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Loveless Fridays w/ Daniel Victor The Loop | 10 p.m.

Windsor-Essex Pride Day Riverfront Festival Plaza | 12 p.m.8 p.m. | $2 EPIC Wine Country 20th Annual Vintage Tasting Muscedere Vineyards | 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

Warren and the Wayward Jennys w/ Grit Lounge Phog Lounge | 2 p.m.

Wiz Khalifa w/ Young Jeezy, Tyga, Ty Dolla $ign & Rich Homie Quan DTE Energy Music Theatre (Clarkston, Mich.) | 6 p.m. | $27.50-$102.75 MONDAY AUGUST 11 Echo & the Bunnymen St. Andrew’s Hall | 7 p.m. | $29.50

River Rock Riverfront Festival Plaza | 7 p.m.-1 a.m.

Kyle Bottom TUESDAY AUGUST 12

Open Mic w/ Anderson FM Lounge | 10 p.m.

After Work Party

Rino’s Kitchen & Ale House | 7 p.m.

ONGOING Windsor Illustrators Art Show Milk Coffee Bar | until July 31 Exhibition: Derek Cerovski Rino’s Kitchen & Ale House | until July 31 David Thauberger: Road Trips & Other Diversions Art Gallery of Windsor | until Sept. 21 WE WON’T COMPETE Art Gallery of Windsor | until Sept. 21 Sunday Street Market Detroit Eastern Market (Detroit) | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | until Sept. 28

homemade soup decadent desserts citywide catering ...

25 Amy Croft Dr. St. Clair Shores Shopping Centre Lakeshore, Ontario

519.735.6900