Inlet Sound: The New Romantics on the Block

 When young indie crew Inlet Sound ventured to record in the cabins and churches of the Canadian Shield last spring, their escapist recording experience mimicked those of many veteran rockers before them who stole away from the pop of camera bulbs and city noise to achieve musical serenity. Only, Inlet

Red Potion – The New English Words Record

 With the new release Red Potion, English Words become slicker elixir-mixers. (Try saying that 10 times in a row with an alcohol-thickened tongue.) For whatever reasons, Canada’s East coast seems to continually nurture and produce some of the coolest Canadian bands around, whether Thrush Hermit, Eric’s Trip, Rose Cousins, Rich

Minky Worden Discusses the Unfinished Revolution: The Global Fight for Women’s Rights

 More needs to be done to reduce global gender discrimination and to bring women closer to equality with men. So said Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch, a leading NGO, as she recently addressed a large crowd at the Ottawa Writers Festival. Worden spoke at length

John Ralston Saul’s Dark Return to Fiction

 On October 28, Canadian author, essayist and public intellectual John Ralston Saul spoke to a full crowd at the Knox Presbyterian Church as part of the 2012 Ottawa Writers Festival fall line-up. Saul, who is known for his celebrated novels and essays, being twice elected as the President of PEN International, and

Putting the “Science” in “Science Fiction” – Scarecrow

 Scarecrow is a villain from the DC Comics universe who often fights Batman and his allies. Scarecrow had a PHD in psychology and was an expert in the study of fear before he decided to use his talents to commit crimes. His primary weapon is a fear toxin he created

“Hillbilly Pop” from The Strumbellas

 Hear ye! The Strumbellas are coming to Ottawa! Holy macaroni, I love this band! You  may not have heard of them yet, but believe me when I tell you, you will! Quirky and adrenaline-fueled, The Strumbellas' debut release My Father and the Hunter is a wonderfully full listening experience. Packed with

A Very Good Pinot Gets Even Better for a Few Weeks: Chanson 2010 Le Bourgogne

 This week, we'll swing on down to France and look at the signature red grape of Burgundy. Pinot Noir is a seemingly love-it or hate-it grape. Some dig the earthy, barnyard, almost musky scents of a good Pinot Noir can give off – others shy away, saying that the wine

Healthwise: Healthy Sleep Habits

 The crucial role of sleep in everyday functioning becomes ever more apparent when you are not getting enough rest. As a result of too many sleepless nights, you may battle headaches and chronic fatigue, feel greater irritability, struggle to concentrate and discover you have more difficulty problem-solving throughout the day.

Well, That’s The Kind of Life It’s Been — Lloyd Robertson at the Ottawa Writers Festival

 On October 26, Knox Presbyterian was filled with people excited to once again hear the familiar voice of former CTV News chief anchor Lloyd Robertson. Robertson appeared to do a talk about his impressive career as the longest-serving news anchor in Canadian and international history. Over his 59-year career in broadcasting, Robertson has

The Gospel of Nick Drake — Coming to a church near you

 British poet and singer-songwriter Nick Drake was not the kind of musician, admittedly, that I'd had much exposure to, or even had much knowledge of, when my appetite for music first kicked in. My exposure to Drake had always consisted primarily of other songwriters' mentions of him: people like Elvis

Ottawa Writers Festival Previews Deepa Mehta’s Midnight’s Children

 On October 24, the Ottawa Writers Festival hosted the Ottawa Premiere of Toronto-based Indian director Deepa Mehta’s new film, Midnight’s Children at the World Exchange Plaza. So many advance tickets bought that the Festival had to add an extra screening earlier in the afternoon to accommodate the excited viewers. The

Putting the “Science” into “Science Fiction” – Virtual Reality

 Virtual reality is a common fact of life in many works of science-fiction, allowing people to enter into a computer-generated world and interact with it as if the virtual world was just as authentic as the real one. The simulated worlds these virtual reality (or VR) systems create are often

Power Shift Returns to Ottawa

 Power Shift represents a series of annual youth summits on an international level.The first Power Shift was held in 2007 in Washington, D.C., where over 20,000 young Americans gathered together outside their nation’s capital to promote environmentalism and lobby for government action to combat global climate change. Since then, the

Healthwise: Are you treating the symptoms or the cause?

 I once knew a man who complained of chronic headaches. He managed his ailment with multiple daily doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen.  After months of suffering, he lamented the state of his health over lunch.  We questioned the fellow and came to identify the fact that he never drank water.

Lynn Miles – Songs of Love and Truth

 I was fortunate enough to attend a Lynn Miles show at Irene's Pub on Bank Street a few weeks ago. Irene’s Pub is an amazing live music venue. Alex Golota, the owner, recently finished some major renovations to the bar's performance area, and let me tell you, the sound and

A Most Appropriate Canadian Memorial

 By Benjamin Gillies Two years ago, the Government of Canada endorsed the creation of a new national monument to the victims of Communism, and a prominent location was selected for the structure in the Garden of the Provinces and Territories across from the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown

Pink Bubbles with a Cause: Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Rosé

 It’s October and that means that the colour pink is all the rage… it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and from football players’ shoes to towels, candles and Five Hour Energy drinks, everybody jumps on the “Breast Cancer Awareness” bandwagon by tinting their product pink. I’m a guy. I like wine and I

Community Mediation Ottawa – Solving Disputes!!

 Have you or someone you know had trouble with neighbours, parking, dogs, landlords, tenants, or within a volunteer organisation? Too often, disputes are dealt with by arguing, increased frustration, calling the police or Bylaw Services, or even a lawyer. These approaches can be costly, emotionally draining, and time-consuming. While these

Empire building, one city at a time

 Young Empires‘ highly anticipated album Wake All My Youth feels like it's been a long time coming – from the 1980s, in fact. Not that you can blame singer and keyboardist Matthew Vlahovich , bassist Jacob Palahnuk, guitarist Robert Aaron Ellingson, and drummer Taylor Hill, as they've been busy as hell. Touring and

Ottawa’s Absolutely Fabulous Fashion Week

 By Regan Harney I was one of the luckiest people around, last weekend; I got to attend Ottawa’s eighth fashion week. The festivities started on Friday evening at the elegant Sala San Marco on Preston Street. The main foyer was filled with beautiful, well-dressed people, but there was still a

Eye See You Series: Looking Good and Seeing Clearly

 Technologically advanced Crizal UV lenses offer the best protection on the market with E-SPF 25* and eliminate the five enemies of clear vision: glare, smudges, scratches, dust and water. Ask your optometrist for Crizal for your next lenses and experience truly clear vision. ABOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: MAN WITH

Ottawa Artist Crystal Beshara Excels in Detailed Realism

 MEET THE ARTIST at the opening January 10th, 7-10pm. Fine Artist & Illustrator Crystal Beshara learns to embrace her multiple artistic personalities in her newest solo exhibition FIGHT or FLIGHT at Orange Art Gallery, January 2013. It’s no wonder Crystal Beshara is feeling a little fearless. In 2011, she was

A Simple Pleasure: Portuguese Red

 Portugal is one of those region in the world that is the most misunderstood ... quite simply it's because the average consumer does not recognize the grape varieties on the label, that is if there is a grape variety listed on the label at all.  Portugal is known more for

9th Hour Theatre Company presents Agnes of God

 9th Hour is proud to share with audiences its fourth and final production of the 2012 season, Agnes of God, in the studio theatre at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, playing for a 12-performance run November 1-10. In this drama by John Pielmeier, a court psychiatrist, Doctor Martha Livingstone, is

Putting the “Science” into “Science Fiction” – Fusion Power

 The modern world runs on electricity and the demand for power continues to grow every year. As demand grows the non-renewable resources we rely on, mainly fossil fuels, are used at an accelerated rate while the production of renewable energy has not increased as quickly as people hoped. Scientists are