The Manitoba Metis Foundation held a great fundraising event recently at Hotel the York. It was like a buds and spud event. The food was good and the entertainment by various Metis and Aboriginal entertainers were great. Sierra Noble was there playing the instrument she knows so well. Everytime I hear her she sound better and better as well as Percy Tuesday, an old hand at Country.

The Immigrant Women's Association of Manitoba Inc. held a successful picnic at the Assiniboine Park to encourage immigrant and refugee women and their supporters to take a break and have fun with their children and grandchildren. IWAM provided free hotdog, chips and dips, fruits and provided games for the children. It was a beautiful day and everyone had a fabulous time. Here are some pictures from the event

Milt Stegall has made Manitoba by blasting away the records the CFL Touchdown. Winnipeggers routed for this player and gentleman. Here is the cutest picture of a little Chase Stegall, two year old son of Milt playing in his father's big shoes that made the front page of the Winnipeg Free Press.

Happenings in Winnipeg

Shout out to the women who were honoured at the recent Provincial Council of Women Fundraising Event. The honoured women were: Donna Blight, Beverley Goodwin, Elisabeth Fleming, Barbara Kendel, Monica Singh and Shirley Walker. These women come from all background from professional careers to professional volunteer. It was nice to see Babs Friesen there for this event which was held at the Assinboine Parks Conservatory's within the luscious tropical garden.
The evening was fun and upbeat and was refreshingly light - no heavy speeches just snacks, a little talk and more mingling. There were lots of door prizes and rainbow
auction items as well.

Wally Larson and Maiko Watson at the Assiniboine Park
Warren Hill at Assiniboine Park
Portage Place
The Forks Hot Dog Stand
Sea monster created out of sand on display at the Forksmarket
Susan volunteer Goodwill Ambassador
Come to Winnipeg

The talk of the town is the heatwave. People are feeling the heat but they are quick to say it's better than the alternative - old man winter. Yesterday was humid beyond belief. I stepped out of my office and it was like Whoa I've just stepped into an oven. Yesterday evening was beautiful. There was a nice breeze if you were under the shade of a nice tree. It's also a business bonanza for the airconditioning people are there were oodles of call to repair ac units that are being worked to the max. Those of us who do not have ac have to just put up with the heat. Here is a tip to create your own ac unit. Wet your body including your hair and lie or sit in front of a fan. It cools you down quickly. You can also wet a towel and lie on it and let the fan bathe you with a nice cool air. In Sudan and the desert of Africa I hear people would wet the sand and lie on it to sleep. These do not leave a bad footprint on our enviroment and they are quite nifty. Take a walk to the Forks and have a snooze under one of those trees by the river. Check out the Forks Railway car where people like Susan (in the picture) are glad to welcome and show you around. That's pretty cool too.
Have a hot one.

Leafletter

Game show 'Price' is right for Carey - USATODAY.com

Leafletter

Canada’s Black Heart - New York Times

Quebec and Vermont Towns Bond Over a Sleepy Border - New York Times

Maiko Watson is performing tonight July 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lyrics Theatre at Assiniboine Park. This performance is part of the commitment for winning the $25,000 from Cool Jazz Winnipeg. Watson will be joined by the two other winners and each will sing two songs. Watson said that her songs will be her original creations.
See you there folks

Grand Designs
By: Melissa Martin
The Folk Festival is over, but this weekend offers another chance to get your summer music jam on. And it comes courtesy of one of Winnipeg’s best known musicians.

Rhymester and actor Odario Williams (better known as one-third of hip-hop trio Mood Ruff) is gearing up to release the debut album from his new project, Grand Analog, at the Pyramid on Friday.

Though the Grand Analog project started as an experiment, big buzz (including the single Around This Town being named the download of the week on MySpace) has convinced Williams to push it into the foreground.

“I’ve put everything else on hold,” he says. “I’ve been doing some voiceover and DJ work to pay the bills, I’ve been working various kids’ programs to pay the bills. But when a kid comes up to me and says, ‘hey, are you that Mood Ruff guy?’ I say,. ‘no kid, take this Grand Analog sticker.’”

Williams is joking about that last bit… he’s happy to say his Ruff cohorts are supportive of his new venture… but his passion for Grand Analog is perfectly serious.

Though the project features his return to the mic, this isn’t a retread of the same hip-hop territory Ruff farmed for years. Envisioned as a Williams-led artist collective, the group stacks sizzling guitar riffs and dusty, dirty samples over sauntering dub and reggae beats.

Add Williams’ hooky vocals to the mix, and you’ve got a sexy summer album that’s still rich with substance: tunes like the bouncy Touch Your Toes and Around This Town score equally with patio partiers and music critics.

“They say the new generation is going to change careers several times in their life,” Williams says. “Well, I’m just going to change sounds every few years.”

Though the sound is a big departure, Williams says it just felt like the right time to take a chance. “Mood Ruff just became this staple in Winnipeg,” Williams says from Toronto. “That was a good thing, and I wanted to force my way into a new direction. I’m not afraid of putting everything away.”

You can almost put your wallet away to check out the gig: the Friday night CD release, which features Ruff’s buddies in Shadez and the retro-heavy spins of DJ Co-op, is only five bucks.

Donald Trump is the talk of the town. Everyone has an opinion. I have not come across one person that is sympathetic to the man. It's as if they blame him for being born rich and privileged. I am however sympathetic to Mr. Black. He can only be whom he was raised to be. He was raised with a silver or gold spoon in his mouth and have accustomed himself to an even higher standard of living. Then he has gone and received the honourable title of Lordships which then exacts more of his finances in order to keep up with the Joneses and a lifestyle befitting a Lord. with the downward swing of the print media, he had to begin cutting corners to live in the way he is accustomed to. He probably saw the company as his and did not actually believe he was stealing anything from anybody. An honest mistake, isn't it?

AlterNet: An Interview with the Wizard of Wikipedia

Live Earth on MSN: The Concerts For A Climate In Crisis

July 11, 2007
WINNIPEG WINS COMMUTER CHALLENGE

Winnipeg, Manitoba has won the 2007 Commuter challenge. There were 21 communities in Manitoba that participated totally close to 5,000 participants. Provincial government employees also upped their numbers from last year and got moving.
Now let's see if we can keep up the good word. This challenge should not end with the end of the competition but it is hoped that people will do whatever they can to leave fewer carbon footprints on our home, this planet. The challenge is actually to raise awareness of the importance of creating a safe, convenient, friendly and healthy environment that makes alternative forms of transportation an option for everyone.
Congratulations fellow Manitobans, we have done it again. We are just fabulous and we care about our environment. As for me I continue to walk and ride and use my car less.

Gala Reception to Celebrate Women's Contribution

On July 11, 2007, The Provincial Council of Women of Winnipeg held a fashionable, casual event to honour six women: Donna Blight, Elizabeth Flemming, Beverley godwin, Barbara Kendel, Monica Singh and Shirley walker - who have contributed over and above to the work of the Council. The women were given statuettes of a golden women similar to the Oscar. Some federate members were also honoured. These were Manitoba Childcare Association, and the Manitoba Dental Hygienists Association. It was a fun event held at the Assiniboine Parks's Conservatory surrounded by lush tropical plants and flowers. The interior was decorated with beautiful paintings.
At the beginning the women were ushered to their seats at the front to the sound of the bagpipe played by a young woman. There were door prizes and yours truly won one of them - a beautiful handbag with the the logo of - a beaded footlong keyring and a gift certificate for a turkey worth $25.00 - not bad eh.
The Provincial Council of Women was founded in 1949 to advocate for the betterment of Manitobans, especially for women and their families. They have done a splendid job over the years and is one of the more respected organizations in Manitoba.
Picturs will be forthcoming.

AlterNet: Blogs: Video: Are You "Without Prejudice"? [VIDEO]

10 great places to get in tune, be outdoors

By Kathy Baruffi, USA TODAY
Pack your picnic baskets and feast on the sound of live music under the summer sky. Tom Clynes, author of Music Festivals From Bach to Blues, shares his list of outdoor festivals with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.
Newport Folk Festival

Newport, R.I.

"Pete Seeger threw a fit backstage one year at Newport when Bob Dylan shocked folk purists by playing an electric guitar," Clynes says. "Nowadays, the festival is unabashedly pop-oriented, bringing in high-profile acts." Among performers expected at this year's event, Aug. 3-5, are Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and the Allman Brothers. "On Saturday and Sunday, the shows are in a picturesque park overlooking Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor." 401-847-3700; newportfolk.com

Tanglewood

Lenox, Mass.

The summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra is in the heart of the Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts, "one of the America's greenest concert venues," Clynes says. The BSO opens its season there tonight with Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Also on the Tanglewood calendar this summer: chamber and choral music as well as musical theater, jazz and a Festival of Contemporary Music. "Most concerts are performed in the Music Shed, which dates back to 1938 and accommodates 5,000 under cover (plus more on the lawn)," Clynes says. 413-637-5165;tanglewood.org

Aspen Music Festival

Aspen, Colo.

"Where else but Aspen could you mountain-bike in the morning, hike to a mountainside for an afternoon concert, descend for a great dinner, then enjoy an evening concert in an acoustically perfect hall?" Clynes asks. This summer's festival, which runs until Aug. 19, features more than 350 musical events. "Many concerts are performed outdoors, reinforcing the concept that music is in many ways an element of nature. Catch one of the festival's concerts on the lawn and you'll see children playing, dogs romping and couples drinking wine and smooching." 970-925-9042; aspenmusicfestival.com

Santa Fe Opera Festival

Santa Fe

"Each summer, a mix of seasoned opera stars and debuting soloists perform in Santa Fe's beautiful open-air theater, which blends seamlessly with high desert scenery," Clynes says. Tailgating before performances is particularly popular in what's billed as "the most beautiful parking lot in the world." This summer's productions include Puccini's La Bohème and Mozart's Cosi FanTutte. "Opera lovers also can attend special picnics, preview suppers and after-opera waltzes with music by the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra." The festival runs until Aug. 25. 800-280-4654; santafeopera.org

San Francisco Blues Festival

San Francisco

"A friendly atmosphere, imaginative bookings and awesome views of San Francisco Bay draw thousands to the country's longest continuously running blues festival, from Sept. 28-30 this year," Clynes says. "The festival features a laudably eclectic mix of urban and rural, acoustic and electric — plus blues offshoots like zydeco and R&B. The Great Meadow location sports one of the city's best views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin hills and the city itself." 415-979-5588; sfblues.com

Vancouver Folk Music Festival

British Columbia

"Year after year, Vancouver's Folk Music Festival manages to present one of the world's most eclectic and interactive showcases of traditional and contemporary folk and roots music from around the world," Clynes says. "In addition to traditional singers and songwriters, expect to see and hear exotic drumming, down-home blues and a feast of other musical treasures. Jericho Beach Park is packed with seven stages of music, plus storytelling, poetry, guitar workshops and food stands." This year's dates: July 13-15. 800-883-3655; thefestival.bc.ca

Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance

Trumansburg, N.Y.

"Four days and nights of African, zydeco, old-time Appalachian and rock bring the Finger Lakes region roaring into summer," Clynes says. "With four stages and lots of room for dancing, the event has managed to maintain a volunteer-based, grass-roots feel while pulling in the top rank of musicians from several genres. A laid-back, dance-till-dawn mentality prevails among the thousands who attend." This year's dates are July 19-22. 607-387-5098; grassrootsfest.org

Quebec City Summer Festival

Quebec

"Nearly 350 presentations transform the stunning fortified Old City into a musical performance ground with three big outdoor stages and seven smaller stages," Clynes says. Showcased: "an astounding range" of musicians and other performing artists from 35 countries. "Plus, the streets and parks of the Old City are constantly hopping with buskers, jugglers, acrobats and people having a great time." The festival runs through July 15. 888-992-5200; infofestival.com

Summerfest

Milwaukee

"With music sounding continuously from 11 stages, this huge festival is an explosion of American and world music styles," Clynes says. "National and local acts spill sounds along the Lake Michigan shoreline, while audiences happily eat and dance all around the sprawling 75-acre site." The 11-day event, which opened June 28, continues through this weekend. It also includes a children's theater and play area, exhibitions and 45 local food vendors. 414-273-2680; summerfest.com

Kaslo Jazz Etc. Summer Music Festival

Kaslo, British Columbia

"Big mountains, small village, floating stage — the vibe of Kaslo is intimately amazing," Clynes says. "With pristine wilderness as a backdrop, the musicians are perched on the edge of Kootenay Lake while onlookers swim around the stage, dance in the sand or recline on blankets laid in a natural, green amphitheater. Booths offer ethnic food and a beer garden. There's no restriction on BYO picnics, so plenty of checkered quilts and tablecloths dot the ground." Dates are Aug. 3-5. 250-353-7577; kaslojazzfest.com

Every year we get people drowning in the waters around Winnipeg. This year the first set of casualities is a father and son who were out fishing near Lockport. The son allegedly slipped off a rock and the father dived to get him and they were both gone. The currents beneath these seeming still water are deadly and people around here know this but accidents happen. It is pretty sad.
I think sometimes we do not give the water the respect it deserves. We have to be so careful and children must be taught that respect too. Must be kept close to adult folks and not run off to play or perhaps fishing sites have to be better planned or selected.
This is the talk of the town and everybody has all kinds of theories about it - this is the way we mourn I suppose. It is a sad day.

Porn Pizza has just been introduced to Winnipeg by a local entrepreneur. You get porno photos with your pizza order and have to show ID so as not to expose children to this. The fact is that children will be exposed to this smut. All they have to do is to have an older friend to do it for them.
This is the problem with capitalist democracy with no moral value. In fact after a while capitalism is the cause of the deterioration of society. With pornography available at one's fingertip on the internet, the movies and in magazines why on earth would there be the need to make this kind of selling of people especially women more available. When is enough enough. When do we reach satiation point with these things. Is it ethical to use any kind of gimmick to sell a product. Is it all the marketing mix? Something is wrong with that.
I think selling porn pizza should be illegal. It starts with pizza then it will be taking a client to the person's house with pizza. These clientele who wants this kind of stimulation demands more and more and only one knows where it will end up.
In this society we are more reactive than proactive. We wait for a victim and then call for a bad or restriction on a practice. That is foolish.
We are becoming more society-sick and just don't know how to be happy and contented. Like thos greedy for money, we are always hunting for more excitement failing to realize it is all within us and nothing is realy outside of us that can make us excited. Poor sick people and someone is making a living off of it.

'Racist' Lima restaurant closed
By Dan Collyns
BBC News, Lima

A popular restaurant in Lima has been temporarily closed down after several complaints that people with darker skin were refused entry.
The Café del Mar in Miraflores, a wealthy district of the Peruvian capital, is the first restaurant to be shut for alleged discrimination.

It will be closed for 60 days and was fined about $70,000 (£35,000).

Campaigners hope this is a first step in tackling Peru's deep divisions along racial and economic lines.

Officials from Peru's consumer protection agency and the municipality of Miraflores sealed the doors and placed signs on the entrances.

'Symbolic sanction'

For many human rights campaigners the closure is an important step in combating Peru's racial and economic discrimination.

Wilfredo Ardito is one of them: "This is a symbolic sanction. It is the first time happily that this practice in this terrible act of racial selection of the customer has been closed and we consider that this is the first step."

"Racism is something permanent in our society but it's terrible that even a place open to the public is practising this kind of situation," he said.

The Peruvian government only began imposing fines for discrimination in 2004 but a bill which passed through Congress some months ago reinforces existing legislation with jail sentences for those convicted of racial discrimination.

For centuries the white elite in Peru has held onto wealth and power despite the majority of the population being of indigenous or mixed descent.

But now there is more social mobility in Peruvian society and it seems the government of President Alan Garcia realises that Peru's social and economic inequality is hindering its development.

Story from BBC NEWS: