Coast-flavoured ice cream now at Dee Dee’s
Now in at Dee Dee’s Ice Cream (5668 Cornwallis Street, 407-6614), just a block and a half from The Coast office, is a limited edition Coast-flavoured ice cream: Propeller Porter and local rasberry/blackberry cheesecake. My bosses are such that they closed down the office, walked us over and bought us each a scoop or two.…
Quinpool Shoe Repair
I hope readers will indulge me for an old fashioned business plug. Earlier this month, I had finally worn a hole in the soles of my favourite shoes; the choice was between shelling out $150 or so for a replacement pair, or doing the environmentally friendly thing and get ting them re-soled. Thankfully, Halifax has…
Transfixed Goes Freewave
Divorce Records is currently running a series called Freewave, where you can download free EPs from various artists for a limited time. Donations are encouraged and will be shared among the artists. The most recent additions include J Fm, Double Vision Quest (Evan Cardwell from Secret Colours and Bad Vibrations) and Transfixed, featuring former PIG…
Get a Light, Please
It was nighttime on a poorly lit street. I was slowly pulling out of a street parking spot. You sped by on your bicycle and yelled at me for not noticing you (you then proceeded to run a red light – awesome). What do you expect to happen when you have NO LIGHTS anywhere on…
OZ
This is to the wicked witch of the east & west. They both worked with me and are upper management. They fired me for hearsay. I understand that your nether regions have not seen the light of day in an age, but don’t take that out on everyone else. You will both get what you…
Attached Much?
Yes, I work at one of the shitty call centres in this city. Yes, I want to off myself daily. I just wanted to tell every person that walks away from their computer to get help to take off your fucking headset first. We all know you are too dumb to answer the question you…
Snow in August!
Hey, I came up with a better slogan in 30 seconds than some gov’t hack did for probably tons of gov’t salary. Referring to the “After August 31st there will be no more snow in Canada” which is lame because the reality of the situation is that THERE WILL BE SNOW, and that’s all there…
Bike Rides
I love the last Friday of every month. This last one in particular ’cause you helped liberate my feet and I’ve been bare foot since. Well the shoes will have to go on at some point but until then…Thanks for the space in your basket and I’d love to be able to return the favour…
You Actually Exist!
I never thought that you were a real, living, feeling human being, but a hazy dream that I could barely remember. But no, you’re real, 100%. Everytime I feel as though you were just my imagination, just the person that I would love to love, you show up, I bump into you, you bump into…
Too Hip For My Money?
You: Hip north-end coffee shop with Interac Me: Under-caffeinated local with debit card I ordered a $2.50 specialty coffee. You told me minimum charge for debit was $3.00. I offered to tip you 50¢ to meet that minimum charge. You refused. I left. Good customer service! I walk four blocks out of my way at…
Security is Non-Existent
My boyfriend posted an ad for someone to buy his contract so he could take out one with a new company. The ad was answered and the phone call went smooth with the company rep saying, “Yes it’s been transferred, have a nice day”. Two weeks later we received a bill for the phone that…
Shoot the Paris Sight
To the one who has illusions of grandeur: the one who hides out in the library, you know who you are. So, you didn’t make it with your obsolete degree. We all have disappointments in life. Why take it out on others? There is nothing more vexing than an asshole talking down or trying to…
Pussy Storm Irene
I couldn’t believe the fucking media hype over this storm. CNN had 24 hour coverage, covering everything from sewage drenched reporters to some rogue waves. If they could have gotten an interview with said rogue wave, I might have stayed tuned. This hurricane didn’t blow as much as it sucked. —Yawn, Hope Hurricane Jose Has…
Rude Couponer
I had a lady come in my line at the grocery store with a coupon for some Advil. The coupon was for $6.00 off but the Advil was only $3.50. We are not allowed to give cash back for coupons so I put in the $3.50 and she says to me, “Can you please cross…
Show Some Respect
To my 17 year old punk neighbour: You come and go all evening long in your bumble bee car. Your subwoofers shake my house, and the speed limit is too fast for this street. Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to pound or cruise in your own hood? We have to put up with you…
Coffee Pot Seminars
To the group of ladies that sit around all day talking about the problems of others, you are truly lost souls. Sure, I may have violated my own values and screwed up, but for the most part, I measure my successes and achievement with a ‘rule stick’ forged out of my hopes, dreams, ethics and…
Crushed Aluminum Cans
I have a crusher and it works great, it allows me to fit about 8 to 10 times as many pop cans into the same bin. Unfortunately, no one in Nova Scotia will refund my deposit because they are too paranoid that some of the cans might be from the USA. Why can’t you just…
The Dog Symphony Orchestra
To the people who live on the street next to mine… PUT YOUR DOGS INSIDE! Do you know how annoying it is to wake up at 8:30 in the morning and hear the dog symphony orchestra barking up a storm for… hmmm let me think, over 45 FUCKING MINUTES! And your dogs aren’t just barking…
Balcony Twits
You should assume that at night people are trying to sleep, even on the weekend… with windows open in the summer, imagine that! So when you choose to sit on your balcony and have a chat after midnight until 5am, you are choosing to disturb your neighbours. Grow up, get your head out of your…
Still Hungry
Seriously, what is the point of eating corn? As far as I can tell it comes out the other end still intact. If you don’t break down and let me absorb some nutrients from you I’m gonna punch you in the face you yellow bastards! Same goes to you peanuts!! —Wholly Shit
Blinded by the Light
Who else here thinks that the Sun is too bright? I mean come on now! Tone it down a little asshole! Try and learn some manners from the Moon. —Dark Side of the Sun
If You’re Gonna Ride My Ass At Least Pull My Hair
To all the asshole motorists out there who tailgate me, funny thing about that is I can only go as fast as the vehicle in front of me. I guess you were never taught Newton’s little known 4th law of motion which states that “an object in motion cannot accelerate to a speed which is…
Rock Candy has all your blackwear
Online it’s known as Rock World East, but downtown the outlet is called Rock Candy Boutique (5189 Prince Street, 492-3930). In days past it might have been known, charitably or much less-so, as a head shop. It’s your Halifax source for all things metal music related, from belt-buckles to wallets to pendants to clocks. And,…
NovAfrican Designs, Artifacts & Cuisine opens on Gottingen
Zimbabwe-born Shelly Muchayi had been selling her imported African goods and food from the back of a van and at farmers markets since 2000, but people kept asking her if she had a store they could visit. Now, finally, she does: Opened August 24 at the former location of Good Food Emporium on Gottingen Street…
Music Nova Scotia Launches Mobile App
hello,guitarphone? hello? As someone who is deriving more and more enjoyment from my iPhone and the myriad gadgetry within, I’m pleased to see that other organizations around Halifax are doing the smartphone watusi (whatever, it’s Monday. I need to do some silly wordplay, all right? Some funnies.) Whether you like it or hate it, the…
Take Your Baked Goods and Shove Em
To a certain bakery in Bedford, you’re not as golden as you claim to be. First and foremost, a big FUCK YOU to the owners; I don’t know what has come over you both; you were both so pleasant to me in the beginning, always giving me hugs and always welcoming with open arms, and…
Snarky Music Store Hipster
Do me a favour. When I ask you when a certain artist’s album will be available, don’t give me a smart ass answer. Just because your taste in music isn’t the same as mine, doesn’t give you the right to not do your job. I purchase a CD, and politely ask you when the new…
Customer Service
So my internet has been down for three days, so I called the company’s consumer service line and end up wasting 45 minutes talking with some trained monkey who doesn’t even know how to solve the problem. Said monkey transfers me to another brain dead primate who knows just as little as the first. When…
LIKES
It was a dark and stormy night… No it wasn’t. I was on my way to the soccer field, by bus, when I got caught in a triangulation of “like” on the #1 bus. After a a hard day’s work I was on another bus and I called some teens on it. I just want…
AAA
YESSSS! I am so glad we talked about “us”, drunkenly, but so necessary. I feel infinitely better knowing that we understand each other as well as we do – even if other people misunderstand us all the time. I love you so much, and now you know exactly how, and I’m so excited for the…
Honest Haligonians
On Saturday night, I went out for the first time in a couple months. As the regular DD, I was so excited to get my drink on that I left my keys in my car door for almost 6 hours after that! I remember looking for my keys while considerably smashed – not looking to…
Breakfast Love
Hope you’re enjoying your omelet, I just wanted to let you know that I love you and that you mean the world to me Missy… Now look up from the paper and give me that smile that I love. —Lumberjack Husband
Ain’t No Mix
Who you think you are keep commin up here actin like you nows the place, be hittin on our women, we don’t want you here. You think you can mix a beat but that is shit you playin n sayin. Don’t be sayin you’re a ghetofile when your color dont even match us boys. Stick…
Friendly Smile
To the SUV mom at the grocery store today. The parking lot was very crowded and you left your cart blocking the only available space for my car. I had to get out of the car and move the cart, and you were still around so I gave you the evil eye. Thank you for…
STUPID OVAL IT’S AUGUST AND BEFORE 7AM
I wake up to the sounds of screeching wheels and smashing bangs thanks to the oval that takes up all the space in front of my house. A WARNING WOULD’VE BEEN NICE? Thanks for destroying my rest all week, HRM. —h8sk8
To My Big Brother
I came home drunk and you knew right away. So I ended up telling you I was drunk and that I smoke weed as you were rolling a joint with your friend. Stupid on me, of course you already knew. I asked for some and you said no, eventually you gave in. I’ve been wanting…
Pasty Girl at the Market
To the girl who sells the pasties at the market on Saturday morning: your voice is as sweet as honey and your beauty and infectious laugh catches my eye every weekend. Thanks for lighting up my day. —Cheese and Onion Pasty Guy
Why, oh, why must you suck me dry?
Alright. Listen up, woman. I love you to death. I’m pretty sure you’re the devil, or at the very least some sort of demon sent to fuck up my life because of some awful karma from a previous incarnation, but hey, I love your evil ass. The thing is… I’m broke as shit. You KNOW…
Love at First Sight
To the girl who wears a kilt and has one dreadlock in her hair… I think I love you. Your style and humour is so amazing and your perverted jokes get me sexually aroused. I hope to see you again soon on the bus. xoxo —The Stalker in da Back
If I Could Take That Cigarette Back, I Would
Dear Guitar-Playing, Hippie-Dancing, Smoke-Bumming Sidewalk Dweller: You’re free. I get it. You’re drifting, “maaaan”, you’re like Jack Kerouac on STEROIDS, minus the intelligence and literary talent or any other redeeming quality Jack Kerouac had. But listen the fuck up. I had the decency to give you a cigarette when you asked me. I even let…
Saved by a Soft Drink
With a #1 combo meal in one hand and a large iced tea in the other, using my knee to hold open the Coast newspaper box on Quinpool wasn’t a good idea. With slapstick precision, the door of the box slammed on my index finger. Yow! Fortunately, the half-litre of ice in the iced tea…
Restaurant Woes
There was a time and place that I used to remember when a chicken wing was not considered a delicacy. What is up with the reviews that are being given for what passes as food in downtown today? I do not want to eat a peanut butter hamburger, a damn donair, or 35 different chicken…
My Heart Doesn’t Have Eyes
We met one day for coffee and I thought you were cute in boyish way. Now here we are 6 months later and I miss you every minute you’re not with me. I thought you weren’t my type, but couldn’t have been more wrong. I love my night nurse. —Glad I Listened to My Heart
Glad You Liked My Corset
It simply made my day running into you on the commons. I haven’t been working much lately, so I haven’t been able to see you come into my work for a while. I hope you pop in, then maybe I can get your name! Continue being awesome, and always keep smiling… it’s brilliant. —Yeah, My…
W.T.F.
WTF is up with most online companies these days? Have you never heard of VERISIGN, PAYPAL, or E-CHECQUE? I tried to order something yesterday, from a nameless place, and they asked for a card number. No way do any of them get it, not after what happened to a friend of mine a couple months…
Things Are How They Should Be
I felt like I was on a roller coaster – then you came back to me – now things feel right again in my world – we are so awesome together – I love you. —You know who you are and you know who I am
Rocking Jam, Rocking Girl
To the girl with the grey headphones and Great Wave iPod skin, I was sitting next to you on the 2 last monday. I could see what you were listening to. It was jamming. Keep it up and rock on. Wish I could have spoken to you. Next time! —Guy in Arcade Fire T-shirt
Congrats!!!
Pumpkin Bum, congrats on your victory, you were no match for the competition, I can only hope I’m a match for you and will always compete to be. You are my Young Prince and to the victor go the spoils. —The First Lady of Rubber
All Dogs Go To Heaven
Friday will be a very sad day as we say goodbye to our beloved pet and family member, Margaret. I still remember bringing you home from the pet shop in the car and how you were so small. Dad couldn’t even be angry because you were so darn cute. You’ve always loved car rides, right…
Best Coach
My first trip to your store was at first nervous anticipation, but you made it so much fun and the best visit ever, your bags and shoes are the best, even though they’re so pricey, I love how you guys are so friendly and helpful, I will come back someday to purchase a lot more…
Charming Barista
To the brown-haired, glasses wearing boy working at a popular Spring Garden Rd coffee shop: You are super cute, I am super awkward. Sorry I gave lame answers when you were trying to talk to me. I was having a cranky morning but you made my day immensely better. —No Whip Frappuccino
To the Cutie I Hugged Goodbye
Thanks for walking me down Spring Garden! But, I’m sorry for jumping on the back of some random geezer’s motorcycle, but I was a little drunk. I realized how stupid I was the next day for bailing on a cute, sweet guy like you! Me no gusta! —Smarter When Sober
Weir Rockin’ 2011
A big “congratulations” to the organizers, coordinators, volunteers & talent of the Weir Rockin’ Concert 2011. An extra special “thank you” to the ladies & gents who have the shittiest job (all puns intended) that maintained the porta potties all evening. You made our constant visits to the crappers a pleasant experience. Thank you for…
To My Knight in Olive Drab
I am sooooo very very happy to have you back in your rightful position as my boyfriend! Feeling your arms around me at night, waking up next to you and making plans for our future make my heart swell to near bursting with happiness. I’m glad that the friends and fam have taken it so…
Here’s to Jack!
How can a man’s death (whom I’ve only met once) leave such a grievous emptiness in my soul? On the 22nd we toasted your contributions and vision. Lit a candle to represent your hope. Perhaps it’s the hope and dreams in me that you resonated with. To have a better Canada, one that I can…
Three Mezzos (and one piano)
One of the highlights of the summer for me is seeing the Halifax Summer Opera Workshop’s sensational productions, and I was really disappointed to miss them this year. However, all was not lost as I did get to see HSOW’s Artistic Producer and marvelous Mezzo Nina Scott-Stoddart in concert with singers Claire Mallin and Paula…
Screening Alert: Don’t Need You: The Herstory of Riot Grrrl
Tonight at 7pm, check out the documentary Don’t Need You: The Herstory of Riot Grrrl as part of the Zine Challenge Weekend, to be screened at the RSSC (5684 Roberts Street, 446-1788) in the Crow’s Nest. SEE: hardcore music in the 1990s! FEEL: rock, roll, rebellion! SMELL: lovely papery zines! And sweat!
Smiles & Beauty Skin Care opens in Historic Properties
A new business has opened in the Historic Properties. Smiles & Beauty Skin Care (1869 Upper Water Street, 404-4344) is run by Kristin O’Leary, who originally purchased a Quik Smiles Inc. franchise with her husband earlier this year but has since rebranded and gone indie. “We still offer safe, comfortable, and affordable professional teeth whitening,…
And Then There Was You
I realize that some of my dates may be jerks, and others are not. It is a lesson for me to know how to manipulate my life to be authentic, especially in terms of another person. I wish you could just stay near anyway. No matter what. I need to really be myself and time…
Susie’s turns three
Susie’s Shortbreads’ Dresden Row outlet (1589 Dresden Row, 406-7075) turns three years old tomorrow, and is celebrating from 11am-2pm. The first 60 customers will get a free gift, they’re playing cupcake bingo, giving up samples and will have a drawing, the lucky winner getting free cupcakes for six months. Deets at the store.
Dear Jack
Thanks for everything. You will be missed, and remembered. —Canada
A.J.B
You’ve given me butterflies for the past 7 years and I’m sure you will for the next 70. I can’t wait to start a life, a family with you and grow old with you. We’ve had our ups and downs but we always sort things out. I am so happy with you now, we’re opening…
Is That You Jesus?
Nah, it’s just another “greased up long-haired shirtless guy”. Every time I go through Bedford and proceed up Dartmouth Road, you know toward Magazine Hill, I see the same greased up shirtless guy. Surely you must own a shirt, but I guess you’re going for that whole “Tarzan thing.” Newsflash, it ain’t workin’ and the…
Making poor people poorer
Misdirecting marks like a carnival caller, the Department of Community Services announced new regulations this month that will revoke the right for income assistance recipients to appeal for essential health items under special needs funding—providing examples such as hot tubs, medical marijuana, swimming lessons, and gym memberships as items that will no longer be covered.…
Menu Fallacies
I really hate it when I go to a restaurant, read the menu, make my food choice based on what the menu says, and then receive something that isn’t what the menu specified. This happens in many different ways, but one way is with onions in bruschetta. I happen to dislike all raw onions except…
To The Tourists At Our Lovely Beach
Thanks for coming to Halifax. Really. It was great to watch your hell-child run across the beach throwing massive stones at birds (including injured ones). Once he scared of all the birds in one inlet of the beach you let him move onto the next one. Because most people who visit parks to enjoy nature…
Tolerate This!
This is for all you spineless pinheads that think being tolerant is the next holy fucking grail! No, this doesn’t include those that tolerate folks that are different because of sexuality or religion etc. This is for those mindless folks that don’t know how to stand up for ANYTHING and call it tolerance. I am…
Your All-Ages/House Show Weekend
Vixens Some nice-lookin’ shows this weekend, and you don’t need an ID to get into ’em. Let’s take a closer look, shall we? Yes. Tonight – punk house show! Head over to the Purple House (5426 North St.) and check out Tied Down, Polina (both from St. John’s NFLD), Burnt Church, Vixens (home from tour,…
Spray Paint My Flipped Bird!
Thank you, SET neighbour, for spray painting your car next to my vegetable garden. My fifty+ tomato plants, the chives and basil to go with them, and other ripening veggies are all now toast. It’s not like I depend on my garden to eat or anything. Oh wait, I do. —No Soup For Me
The Unvarnished Truth
Thanks to The Coast for giving a chance for us to read about what really happened aboard the Tahrir Boat to Gaza —from a Halifax Jew who went. I know you’ll get a lot of flack from Jews who uncritically support Israel, but Miles Howe’s cover story (Aug. 18) was a breath of fresh air.…
To UBC Lady
Hey, you’re going to UBC, but before you did, you gave away all your stuff. Spread it on the front lawn and floored everyone who passed by with your generosity. Thank You. —Yoga Mat Guy
Mind Your Breeding Business
Stop asking me why I don’t want kids, better yet stop trying to convince me how to live my life and why your way is better.It’s none of your business. I would never have the gall to ask someone why they decided to have kids, even if I would not have done the same in…
What’s wrong: Lights on at Government House
Who’s responsible? Christopher McCreery, the lieutenant governor’s lieutenant, 424-7001. Remarks: Nova Scotia is committed to huge reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and yet in the middle of the day, for over a week, the lights outside Government House were left on. McCreery was on vacation, so maybe he’s the one who hits the light switch;…
Correction: Deadly Hearts Show Is at 4pm Sunday
In an article on the Deadly Heart’s EP release on Sunday August 28 at Gus’ Pub, I said the start time was at 2pm. This is incorrect – it’s actually at 4pm. Sorry! I’m a dumbass. Carry on.
Put Your GD Dog On A Leash
Just read online about a little jack russell terrier that was mauled to death in Dartmouth. Second time something like this has happened in the last few months. I could not imagine what this little dog had to go through and it’s poor owner having to watch their beloved pet being ripped to shreds. For…
WTF
So you tell me the other day that you are leaving us. Us being myself (your fiance) and our three month old baby girl. You tell me you still love me, that you are attracted to me but that you have become resentful of family life and must leave. I believe that you are depressed,…
Over The Top Praise Does Harm
He wasn’t the kindest or the bravest or the most caring. I know kinder, braver and more caring people. He did what he could and we should praise him for that. Anything else just undermines his achievements and denigrates us all. —Honour him as a human being not as a demi-god
Fire Lanes Are For Fires and Emergencies
To the incosiderate A##H@^E who willingly and blantently blocked the fire lane so he could pay a bill which will take hours if not days to process. F U even as you were told not to and that someone had actually died near or on the very spot you parked, you proceeded and left your…
Yay For Korean Breakfasts In Halifax!
We’re so glad there is a restaurant with awesome Korean breakfasts in the West End now! It was nice to have a healthy, tasty breakfast and it brought back so many great memories of our time in Korea! Mashissoyo! —Former ESL Teacher
Being Pregnant Doesn’t Mean Life Stops
Just because you are pregnant, does not mean that you need to be a pretentious twat. Your aren’t the first woman to be pregnant. The world doesn’t revolves around you. —Annoyed
Coffee Businesses Abuse Terms Organic and Fair Trade
The roaster that supplies them is not certified organic, but by some stretch of their imagination and public trust, they feel that they can call their product organic. Similarly some coffee purveyors would like you to think that “direct trade” is comparable to “fair trade.” It isn’t because there is no independent, 3rd party oversight.…
Drugs Are Bad Mmmmmkay?
Walking down Hollis Street I noticed graffiti on a light poll- “Tweak”….please Halifax don’t be effin’ stupid….this is the Devil’s shit….I know it’s here…been here for awhile…but for shitsake…things are bad enough…mmmkay? —Don’t be dumb
Atlantic Film Festival line-up announced
Roller Town, Cloudburst, Charlie Zone and Afghan Luke are among the Nova Scotia pictures showing at this year’s Atlantic Film Festival, running from September 15 to 24. Picnicface fans will be cartwheeling with joy at this announcement. The comedy troupe’s Roller Town, a broad satire on disco-era roller-boogie movies, will open the fest in its…
Sunshine now!
Two weeks ago, mayor Peter Kelly called to order the agendized 6pm meeting of the city council…at 3:15pm. Nearly the entire meeting was finished before it was scheduled to begin, so any member of the public who wanted to attend the meeting and had checked the meeting time to do so was shit out of…
Deadly Hearts on fire
It’s perfect that The Deadly Hearts are having their album release on a Sunday at 4pm. The band makes the type of music that’s evocative of the Sunday afternoon country matinees that used to happen at Gus’ Pub. It’s music that should appeal to the older VLT crowd as well as the youngsters who come…
Fall Music Preview
SEPTEMBER Ria Mae Under Your Skin (independent) Moody and melancholy, Ria Mae is trying to “break and mend your heart.” August 30 Double Vision Quest Double Vision Quest (Divorce) Freewave free digital release from ex-Secret Colours will please the most discerning palates. September 1 JFM JFM (Divorce) Part of the triple-whammy of Freewave digital releases.…
Feed nourishes
Tonia Di Risio’s video installation Feed began as a practical approach to problem solving. She wanted to collect some of her grandmother’s traditional Italian recipes, but it wasn’t as simple as making a phone call or sending an email: “My grandmother’s not the type who writes down a recipe. English is not her first language…
Halifax Waterfront gets spiked
Next week, Haligonians won’t have to skip town to get to the beach—the beach is coming to us. A whopping 2,000 tonnes of sand will be dumped on the Halifax Waterfront, burying the Salter Street parking lot and transforming the hunk of pavement into world-class beach volleyball courts. Thanks to Derek Martin (president of Sports…
Ama-zine race
A deadline can be a scary thing, but sometimes it’s what it takes to get shit done. So you…yeah you, this is your opportunity to finally make that zine you’ve been dreaming about all summer. Celebrating six years of the Anchor Archive Zine Library is the sixth annual 24-Hour Zine Challenge, when the Roberts Street…
Our Idiot Brother is easygoing
This Paul Rudd vehicle is like a movie soufflé, light and sweet and easy to dig into despite its lack of nutritious substance. Rudd plays Ned, a shaggy stoner whose good heart and unfiltered honesty lands him first in jail as the movie begins. Once free again, these same qualities upset the personal and professional…
Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark lighter than it should be
Horror fans, beware: Troy Nixley’s re-invention of the 1973 TV movie won’t have you burrowing your face in the shoulder the person next to you. Little Sally (Bailee Madison), is sent to live with her dad (Guy Pearce) and his girlfriend (Katie Holmes), architectural conservationists, in their current project, a spooky mansion in Rhode Island.…
Royale treatment
Koo-E Nami Royale Grill is a large restaurant on Dresden Row that specializes in Korean food. Its claim to fame is the cooktop in the centre of each table that gives diners the opportunity to grill their own meals. When we arrive on a Saturday evening, there are only a few occupied tables. An empty…
Riveting drama on Another Earth
The lone special effect in this not-quite-sci-fi film from rookie director Mike Cahill is, as the title suggests, a second Earth, an orb that hangs in the sky inviting, admonishing and absorbing the projections of the characters below. It’s also a classic Macguffin, because *Another Earth* isn’t about life on a mirror-image planet but rather…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! VIRGO (August 23-September 22) In August 2009, 120 scientists and their helpers staged a BioBlitz in Yellowstone National Park. Their goal was to find as many new species as they could in one day. To their surprise and delight, they located more than 1,200, including beetles, worms, lichens and fungi that had never…
Cliche-ridden Columbiana
Zoe Saldana stars as a revenge-minded assassin in Olivier Megaton’s action thriller, which takes a simple, A-grade premise and makes a hash of it with B-level execution. After a tense opening sequence in which a young, resourceful Colombian girl watches her parents get killed by a rival crime boss, we catch up with her in…
Young blood
The whole family tells a version of the same story. She was either six or seven, her Dad thinks; they sent her to her room “for something” her mother doesn’t remember; from outside her door they listened to her sing a song about being sad that she doesn’t know the precise lyrics to. But the…
Selina Martin dances in the dark
It’s been five years since Selina Martin’s visited the Maritimes and a lot’s happened since then. This time she’s heading eastward for the Halifax Urban Folk Festival and she’s bringing her new band, Selina Martin Triage, and a new record. Released last year Disaster Fantasies is an interesting blend of dark subject matter and danceable…
Furry schmurry: “Bark at his bf”
Q I’m unemployed in Oregon and trying to come up with rent money. My wife and I would like your opinion on the legality of selling my teenage son’s sweaty gym clothes online. It sounds rather skeezy, I realize, and I’m only half-joking here. If we had a non-sexual website with pictures that weren’t necessarily…
Time is key for The Key Frames
When it came to their debut album, time wasn’t an issue for Toronto’s The Key Frames. “We made a choice early that we wanted to be meticulous and give the songs their full due, even if it cost us more money and more time,” says guitarist Rob Webster. “As up-and-comers that’s not an easy call…
Changing our Act
Headlines don’t scream about it, but it’s a significant force in determining our fate. It’s the asexual, non-violent, uncelebrated five-year review of the Nova Scotia Environment Act. Let’s dance! Yes, it’s a standard bureaucratic operation, legislated within the act itself, but the current review illuminates some problems with attempting to legislate sustainability in a madly…
