UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

VOLUME 48 | ISSUE NO. 8 | JULY 26 | 2007

“The Greatest Show on Earth” entertainment, page 6 Illustration: Paul Baker/the Gauntlet editorial and letters July 26 2007 Editor-in-Chief: Chris Tait 220-7752 [email protected] Emergency Medical Services are essential, silly! News Editor: Katy Anderson 220-4318 [email protected]

ity paramedics went on up striking and knowingly put lives Entertainment: Ryan Pike 220-4376 and off strike this week as at risk over a pay agreement. [email protected] Ca result of frustrated nego- Th ere is plenty of room in the Sports: Amanda Hu 220-4376 tiations with city hall, prompting circle of blame, though, and the [email protected] an emergency plan that might union isn’t necessarily in the cen- Opinions: Ændrew Rininsland 220-4376 have made the ambulances less ter of it. [email protected] than legal. While many emergency work- Features: Jon Roe 220-4376 While both parties came to ers are under essential [email protected] an agreement on most points, services by the Public Service Photography: Geoff MacIntosh 220-4376 a rift remains on the issue of Labour Relations Act, paramed- [email protected] salary increases. The Canadian ics are not. Because of constant Production: Christian Louden 220-4376 Union of Public Employees Local demand, essential services are not [email protected]

 argues paramedics should permitted to strike outright. Imagine Illustrations: Paul Baker 220-4376 receive comparative wages and what would happen if the Calgary [email protected] wage increases with other city ser- Police Service could suddenly decide News Assistant: Sara Hanson 220-4318 vices, while the city doesn’t want to to go on strike for a week. [email protected] increase taxes. Th ere is no excuse for EMS not to Business Manager: Evelyn Cone 220-7380 In this time skyrocketing costs of be considered an essential service. [email protected] living, unions are stirring themselves Th e legislation to raise our medical Advertising Manager: John Harbidge 220-7751 [email protected] into action and, for the most part, emergency workers to the same level Illustration by Gina Freeman they’re in the right. At the same time, of responsibility police and border Graphic Artist: Ken Clarke 220-7755 though, stressing the system in an security professionals should have have EMTs continue work, it’s hard vices agreements are paid fairly well [email protected] unnecessarily dangerous—possi- been implemented years ago. Many to believe the replacement workers (certainly better than paramedics are Network Manager: Ben Li bly even deadly—way is absolutely other health care professionals are would be able to cover the demand. now, as the CUPE is quick to point Contributors unacceptable. classified as essential as well, so Th is leaves the rest of the work up out) and off er job security. Th e city Daniel Pagan • Medha Subramani • Gina Freeman It’s really quite simple: with fewer it seems a stretch the people who to the other “essential” emergency would no longer have to scramble to Dale Miller • Stephanie Mamayson • John McDonald Golden Spatula vehicles available to safely transport provide them with patients should services, namely police (who already set up illegal ambulances, either. Stephanie Mamayson, for a mad-awesome review. casualties to medical centres, there be left out. Th ey are an important deal with most  calls) and fi re. Both sides in this dispute are very Honorable mention to John McDonald for ordering pizza before everyone was starving and Dale Miller’s zombie. is a higher likelihood of complica- part of the system and their absence Th e essential services, therefore, are much to blame for the current and Furor Arma Ministrat tions arising in a patient’s condition is illogical. already taking on the workload, ugly state of affairs. Hopefully Room 319, MacEwan Students’ Centre University of Calgary as a result of improper and delayed According to the CUPE website, making the paramedics’ exclusion when everything’s sorted, though, 2500 University Drive, NW care. EMS responds to roughly  per from this classifi cation even more neither party will have to deal with Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 General inquires: 220-7750 CUPE  president Bruce Robb cent of all emergency calls. With absurd. the blame of a death resulting from http://gauntlet.ucalgary.ca commented this week that in order over  paramedics off the job, Th e move to make EMS essential, negatively aff ected emergency medi- The Gauntlet is the official student newspaper of the University of Calgary, published most Thursdays throughout the year by the Gauntlet Publications Society, an autonomous, incorporated body. Membership in for the city’s ambulances to qualify one quarter of all emergency calls though it would strip the union of cal service. the society is open to undergraduate students at the U of C, but all members of the university community are encouraged to contribute. Opinions contained herein are those of individual writers, and do not necessarily legally, they would have to be oper- are left for someone else to deal its right to strike, would likely represent the views of the entire Gauntlet staff. Editorials are chosen by a majority of the editorial board. The Gauntlet is a forum open to all U of C students but may refuse any submission judged to be racist, sexist, homophobic, libelous, or containing attacks of a strictly personal nature. We reserve the right to edit for brevity. ated by at least one paramedic. with. In today’s human resources improve workers’ treatment any- Chris Tait Grievances regarding the Gauntlet follow a three-step process which requires written decisions from the Editor, the GPS Board of Directors, and the Ombudsboard. The complete Grievance Policy is online at: http://gauntlet.ucalgary.ca. The Knowing this, the union still wound market, even with the city’s plan to way. Workers under essential ser- Editor-in-Chief Gauntlet is printed on recycled paper and uses last horcrux-based ink. We urge you to recycle/not spoil the Gauntlet. GAUNTLET JUNE 26.07 3 news Editor: Katy Anderson—[email protected] Kids take over campus! Calgary and area gifted kids participate in challenging summer camp Katy Anderson model where kids are separated according News Editor to their ability instead of their age. His ideal curriculum would be diff erentiated enough to he University of Calgary hosted a accomadate a person ºat a grade three math meeting of some of the brightest level and a grade  English level. Tminds around Calgary last week. It Th ere is contention about how much intel- wasn’t a professional or research convention, lectual ability can be attributed to genetics it was a summer camp for gift ed kids grades and how much can be attributed to environ- two through nine. ment. Pyryte believes it is about  per cent Th e U of C’s Centre for Gift ed Education of each. Two parenting habits he advocated held it’s th annual SUCCESS Summer Camp to develop a child’s “gift edness” were pro- July –. Th e centre is the only one of its kind moting in them a wide range of vocabulary in Canada and has a mandate for research, at an early age and taking children to places professional development, parental support, like museums. community service and instructional programs. Cecile Todesco has two daughters aged Th e camp is meant to challenge its participants  and  in this year’s SUCCESS program. and promote belonging by bringing bright kids Although unsure if her daughters gift edness into contact with each other. should be attributed to “nature or nurture”she In Alberta gifted kids are identified as said possible factors were she had never done special needs students because of the unique drugs, had always provided them with lots of challenges they face. If their talents are not opportunities and bought mainly educational properly nurtured they risk drop-out rates toys as they were growing up. between – per cent. Once they get turned Todesco’s youngest daughter Hayley is in off of applying themselves they refuse to do the gift ed program at Hillhurst School and things and they don’t develop the skills that Katy Anderson/the Gauntlet SUCCESS is the second summer educational are necessary according to centre director This kid is smarter than you are. Yep. You’re going nowhere. program she’s attended this year, compared Micheal Pyryte. to the fi ve she participated in last year. Hayley Gift ed students are most commonly identi- as gift ed are identifi ed because their parents go against the best interest of children.” said she was attending this camp so she had fi ed by IQ scores because they are the most have had the resources to pay for the psy- A high school teacher who took his mas- something to do. measurable, but Pyryte said that gift edness chological testing which could range from ters in gift ed education was leading a session “I still don’t know what I want to be when I can come in a wide range of talents including ,–,.” for the program. He requested to remain grow up and its really annoying when adults general intellectual ability, creative thinking, Although the U of C’s SUCCESS camp unnamed but, like Pyryte, advocated for the go up to you and they’re like, ‘What do you social skills, or musical, artistic or kinesthetic charges a fee of , fees are subsidized for benefi ts of testing for all students. want to be when you grow up?’ and you don’t ability. students who can’t aff ord it. “Ideally we would be able to provide testing know and they’re like ‘Awww, that sucks,’” To prevent gifted children from going Pyryte believes all students learn at diff erent for any and every child in order to be able to said Hayley. through school without the needed support rates and an education system that provided help him or her to his or her best advantage,” Hayley does know she wants to see a solar Pyryte suggested schools implement group opportunities for the individual interests of he said. “Our problem is we don’t have such or lunar eclipse, read a “whole bunch of stuff ” IQ tests. each child to be met and challenged would resources and it’s very expensive. Th ere [are] and that she defi nitely does not want to be a “Right now at the [Calgary Board of benefi t all students, not just the gift ed. a great many students who fall through the mathematician. Education] the only students that are iden- “Th e education system’s typical curriculum system. Ideally we would be able to provide “[Th e camp was] really fun,” she said. “I tifi ed as gift ed are those who are tested by a is judged in minutes of how you should teach for everyone as a potential basketball player learned a lot. I didn’t know what came fi rst in psychologist and make a qualifying score,” something as opposed to what you should a basketball team and et ceteras.” history so I fi gured a whole lot of that stuff out. he said. “Many of the kids that are identifi ed know,” he said. “So [it has] some policies that Th e instructor advocated for an educational And I made a few friends along the way.” Development threatens Bow River Sara Hanson supply is only going to increase,” of decisions to make water our pri- of the fi rst three-year time frame News Assistant said Swaan. “[Water quality levels] ority, rather than oil and gas,” he within the ten-year implementation now are the writing on the wall for said. “People know their life-blood of the strategy. Alberta is oft en recognized for the future.” is water, not oil and gas.” its booming oil and gas industry, In the government’s recent report, While Van Marck did not state Visit http://www.waterforlife.gov.ab.ca/awc/ index.html to provide feedback about the Water for but praises for the most important the Bow River rated “fair,” said Bow any specifi c initiatives the govern- Life program natural resource of all will have to River Basin Council executive direc- ment is taking to protect Alberta’s wait. tor Mark Bennett, who explained river systems from the oil and gas According to the government of the quality of the Bow’s water this industry, she noted Water for Life— Teach English Alberta’s – Measuring Up year is a signifi cant change from past the Alberta government’s strategy Report, released Th u., Jun. , only years. Although Bennett recognized for sustainable water initiatives—is Overseas two of Alberta’s six river systems heavy rainfall as a contributing fac- currently being updated and will were rated “good” to “excellent” on tor, he also noted the eff ects of the address how industry impacts the the province’s river quality index rainstorms may not have been as environment. Van Marck also noted for the – year. Although the signifi cant two to three hundred all Albertans are currently able to Old Man, Bow, Red Deer and North years ago, prior to the heavy devel- provide feedback on the strategy’s Intensive 60-Hour Program courtesy David Swann Saskatchewan river systems did not opment which now lines the Bow website. Classroom Management Techniques meet the target water quality levels, Swann wants the Bow clean. River’s banks. “A lot of Albertans have some Detailed Lesson Planning Alberta Environmental spokesper- “Th e government has cited the really fantastic ideas so it’s really Comprehensive Teaching Materials son Cara Van Marck explained it to be concerned about.” rainstorms of  as a factor, but important they get their two cents Internationally Recognized Certificate is common for the quality of river Liberal environmental critic it’s only one,” said Bennett. “Any in,” she said. water to be low following periods of David Swaan agreed that excess development that has led to a change Swaan also encouraged Albertans Teacher Placement Service heavy rainfall, such as those which rainfall is a factor contributing to from natural conditions could have to share their water concerns with Money Back Guarantee Included triggered fl ooding throughout the water quality, but stressed other had some impact.” their MLA, or directly with the pre- Thousands of Satisfied Students province in . She noted higher man-made factors need to be In addition to keeping devel- mier, as he believes the Water for water levels from the heavy rainfall examined. Among these factors, opment projects away from river Life Program would benefi t from cause increased runoff of debris into Swaan noted development projects, banks, Swaan stressed runoff from citizen’s involvment. river water. specifi cally in the Calgary area, as a oil and gas companies located near “[Th e strategy] has been going for “These results are not sur- major contributor to the Bow River’s Alberta’s watersheds needs to be four years now, but it does not seem 1-800-779-1779 / 780-428-8700 prising or alarming,” said Van decreasing water quality. closely monitored. to be working,” he said. www.oxfordseminars.com Marck. “This is not anything “Th e degradation of our water “We have to review these kinds Th e renewal plan marks the end 4 JULY 26.07 GAUNTLET NEWS U of C prof to teach at Oprah’s school for girls

Medha Subramani us and the University of Calgary.” Gauntlet News Murray’s passion and focus are based on a method of movement analysis called the prah-crazy university-goers can now Laban method, which is quite pedestrian, not be excited about a new link between requiring much technical knowledge. She said Othe media mogul’s social work and she plans on utilizing this “developmental” the University of Calgary. method in South Africa, as it helps foster Aft er watching a TV special on the Oprah many positive and healthy patterns. Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in “It allows people to produce little produc- March, U of C dance professor Shirley Murray tions in dance that they never thought they wrote a letter to Oprah. She’s now packing her were capable of,” she said. “[It helps foster] bags to lead some creative dance workshops self confi dence, a bit more self knowledge, with the Academy’s girls, who mainly came trust in respectful social interaction because from impoverished backgrounds. you’re working cooperatively with people “Aft er  years in the profession, you think to make something happen, and it helps in you’ve peaked,” said Murray. “Th en an oppor- developing problem solving.” Daniel Pagan/the Gauntlet tunity comes along like this and you think, Murray stressed that her contribution will ‘Holy mackarel! I’m just starting again!’” help in the Academy pursue it’s goal, which Murray will head to South Africa in September to teach dance. Murray’s four decades at the U of C has is to produce a signifi cant female presence been fi lled with numerous accolades includ- in all aspects of the South African culture, “To me, the main way in which the univer- year education student Jackie Luff . ing teaching excellence awards from the City such as the arts, business and professions. sity and our faculty will benefi t is having her Luft also emphasized Murray’s extreme of Calgary, the faculty of kinesiology, the However, she does admit she may face little as a positive ambassador,” said Giles. “I would motivation, constant approachability and Students’ Union and a nomination for the hesitation at fi rst. be very surprised if we’re not contacted by helpfulness, as well as her passion and hard president’s teaching excellence award. On top “I’m anticipating perhaps a shyness or a people from the places she visits with further work. of founding Dance and Child International, bit of a fear because they’re not sure what questions and with similar opportunities for Second-year education student Stephanie Murray also held the prestigious title of head I’m going to do or what I’m going to ask of signifi cant international involvement for our Mathieson, felt that Murray’s eff ective teach- choreographer for the opening ceremonies them since they haven’t worked in a creative students.” ing style would make a positive impact on the in the  Olympic games. environment before,” she said. “I’m anticipat- Giles asserted that Murray would be a great girls of the academy. “She’s one of the faculty members that ing light bulbs going off .” spokesperson for the U of C, due to her remark- “She has an ability to empower many I consistently hear only positive reports Both Murray and Giles also anticipate able knowledge, positive outlook, and pride in of the people that she teaches,” said about and when we meet with alumni the that the trip will not only increase cultural what the university has to off er. Mathieson. “She does this by not only iden- same thing happens,” said faculty of kine- awareness, but may open up possibilities In addition to her boss, Murray also had rave tifying their strengths and abilities, but helps seology dean Wayne Giles. “She’s a very for teaching practicum opportunities and reviews from the other side of her desk. the students to own their positive attri- impressive person and we’re very pleased student exchanges between the U of C and “One thing that I really want to get across butes. She leads by example and believes to have her make this trip on behalf local universities in South Africa. is what a passionate soul she is,” said second- in her students.” Cartoonist showcased at Nickel Arts Museum Katy Anderson well-known renaissance painter or Jul.  to Sep. . Soop was a political “I think cartoonists are artists and vidual circumstances aff ecting any News Editor even a collection of ancient artifacts, cartoonist, a journalist and helped they refl ect society in the same way kind of event that took place at the it’s a showcase of the life and work found the Kainai News, an aboriginal that art does,” said Native Centre reserve,” said Divine. “People were Th e University of Calgary’s Nickel of cartoonist Everett Soop. newspaper in southern Alberta and director Shawna Cunningham. getting stereotypic, inaccurate and Arts Museum’s new exhibit isn’t a The Soop exhibit runs from one of the fi rst in Canada. “What’s unique about Everett’s negative impressions of aboriginal work is it refl ected not just society culture.” but it’s got a historic aspect to it Divine believed that Soop used that refl ected some of the impor- humor to point out social ills and tant political issues facing aboriginal to suggest things needed to be people in that time.” changed. From the time of his Th e Kainai News focused on a youth Soop lived with muscular range of local issues within the dystrophy. As his disease progressed reserve and around southern Soop focused less on journalism and Alberta as well as looking at national became more of an activist in the issues such as the Indian Act, the aboriginal disabilities community Whitepaper and Bill C-. Exhibit and was awarded a Meritorious curator Heather Divine explained Service Medal posthumously the Kainai News was not only a in . vehicle for communicating the truth “Everett Soop cannot be under- to both native and non-native people stood unless you understood his but to provide a native perspective community, his family and also on issues. his disability,” said Divine. “A “Up to the time of the s any- lot of his cartoons and a lot of the thing that native people read about anger that comes out in his satire themselves was generally written by is also in response to his struggles a non-native person who may or with his disability and being a may not have understood their native person with a disability.” culture, their heritage or the indi- See Cartoonist, page  GAUNTLET NEWS JULY 26.07 5 Homeless shelter Cartoonist, cont’d from page 4 announced for winter Cunningham believes the Kainai was very controversial in that News was instrumental in the history he was very honest in a satirical of Aboriginal journalism in Canada way about aboriginal gover- Shelter will house 460 people in the S.E. and still sets the standard for today’s nance. He challenged the whole Aboriginal media. Cunningham is concept of journalism, aboriginal Chris Tait happy to see many small newspapers people and challenged the status Editor-In-Chief popping up regionally but would quo. He was highly creative and like to see an aboriginal paper go his comics received national rec- he City of Calgary and the national. ognition.” Mustard Seed teamed up and “[Kainai News] presented some Soop is the only Aboriginal art- Tannounced a new shelter very community-based read- ist whose work is shown in the project to be built in the Foothills ing material,” she said. “Everett Canadian Caricature Museum. industrial park Tue., Jul. . Th e shelter, which will be located in a warehouse at  th St. S.E., was approved for renovations to prepare for the upcoming winter, when the weather can prove deadly for the city’s homeless. Last year, the empty th Ave. Brick building was converted into a temporary emergency shelter, accommodating  during particu- larly cold parts of the winter season. With that location demolished for road widening, a new shelter was needed to address the needs of a growing number of homeless John McDonald/the Gauntlet Calgarians. The new shelter was designed for  and the plans This warehouse will replace the Brick on 16th as an emergency aim at including a kitchen and homeless shelter this winter. recreational services. “It’s better,” said Alderman Druh University of Calgary’s department fi nd nearby work. Alderman Joe Ferrel about the new location. “I’ve of social work believed many cases Ceci explained this was one reason got four homeless shelters in my in the U.S. have served as a warn- for the choice of location, despite ward, permanent ones. Th e Brick ing against segregated low-income initial safety-related concerns from was the fi ft h. It was a little close communities and approved of the the companies in the area. to the core, but it functioned very shelter as a short-term solution. “Someone has done a survey and well.” “I think it’s an extremely impor- found that there’s probably a third Th e Mustard Seed’s report recom- tant idea that the city spread out its of potential users of this shelter that mended the city pay for the transit services to homeless people to other will work in the area surrounding fares to transport prospective areas of the city,” she said. “To draw the shelter,” he said. “Th e mayor said clients to the shelter because of its all of the homeless into a very small ‘You know, I drove around and there separation from the core, where area of the downtown core does not were a lot of help wanted signs,’ so much of homeless population is serve the homeless well, nor does it he felt confi dent the area would be Daniel Pagan/the Gauntlet situated. serve the rest of the city well.” a good location for introducing a While transportation to the site Th e area in which the shelter will shelter.” may initially be problematic for be located is mostly zoned for light Th e shelter will be open for six In addition to being a cartoonist and a journalist, Soop was an homeless found in the downtown industrial development, making it months in the winter season, from activist for Aboriginals with disablities. Soop was diagnosed with core, both experts and aldermen possible for some at the shelter to November to April. muscular dystrophy as a teen. agree that the shelter’s separation is generally benefi cial. Dr. Jeannette Waegamakers Schiff from the LSAT MCAT GMAT GRE Preparation Seminars Complete 30-Hour Seminars Proven Test-Taking Strategies Personalized Professional Instruction Comprehensive Study Materials Simulated Practice Exams Free Repeat Policy Personal Tutoring Available Thousands of Satisfied Students Oxford Seminars 1-800-779-1779 / 780-428-8700 www.oxfordseminars.com 6 JULY 26 07 GAUNTLET entertainment

courtesy 20th Century Fox TheSimpsonsMovie “Well, it’s a pay cut, but what the hey. It the university’s fun-loving dean. Th e entire Lisa: “I get the idea.” sounds like fun.” episode parodies college comedies like Animal Homer: “‘I’m married to the sea.’ ‘I don’t filmpreview –Smithers recruits Jose Canseco House and showcases just how unqualifi ed wanna kill you, but I will…’” Homer is to be a nuclear safety inspector. –Homer explains rejection to Lisa Ryan Pike “Marge vs. the Monorail” Th e highlights include Homer hitting a man Entertainment Editor Conan O’Brien with his car as a prank, Homer sharing a case “Bart Sells His Soul” 8 Jan. ,  of malt liquor with a pig and Scratchy fi nally Greg Daniels n December , , an animated Mr. Burns gets fi ned ,, by the getting even with Itchy. 3 Oct. ,  short from the Tracey Ullman Show town for dumping nuclear waste and the Homer: “Actually, I’ve been working on a Bart sells his soul to Milhouse for fi ve dol- Odebuted as a half-hour animated sit- town is swindled into investing the money plan. During the exam, I’ll hide under some lars, then discovers his dog doesn’t recognize com following three seasons as a recurring in a monorail (despite Lisa’s protests that coats and hope that somehow everything will him, automatic doors don’t open for him and feature on the program. Featuring the adven- the town’s too small for one). Homer gets work out.” that he can’t laugh anymore. Desperate to get tures of dim-witted nuclear technician Homer the job as the train’s conductor, prompting Nerd: “Or, with our help, you can cram like his soul back, Bart discovers that Milhouse Simpson, his wife Marge and their children a worried Marge to investigate the venture. you’ve never crammed before.” sold his soul to the comic book store for Alf Bart, Lisa and Maggie, the Simpsons became One of two writing credits for late night mag- Homer: “Whatever. Either way is good.” pogs. Th e humour is a bit dated (pogs), but a huge hit. Nearly two decades later, the nate Conan O’Brien, this episode features a Bart’s frantic search for his soul is surprisingly world’s favourite animated family is primed fantastic musical number extolling the virtues “Who Shot Mr. Burns (Parts  & )” touching. In the B-plot, Moe changes his bar to make the leap to the big screen Fri., Jul. . of the monorail and great voice acting by the Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein into a family restaurant, only to discover that To prepare you, the reader, for the release of late Phil Hartman. Plus, Star Trek’s Leonard 5 May  and Sept. ,  he hates children. the Simpsons Movie, we have compiled a list Nimoy shows up for the monorail’s dedica- When Springfi eld Elementary strikes oil “If you like good food, good fun and a whole of the best Simpsons episodes of all-time. tion ceremony. and Mr. Burns drills it out from underneath lot of crazy crap on the walls, then come on “…and let me say, ‘May the force be with them, the entire town is gunning for him. down to Uncle Moe’s Family Feedbag.” “Burns Verkaufen der Kraft werk” you!’” Soon after, Burns is shot in town square –Moe’s sales pitch written by Jon Vitti “Do you even know who I am?” aft er blocking out the sun and everyone is a 10 Dec. ,  “I think I do. Weren’t you one of the Little suspect. Arguably the peak of the Simpsons’ “pringfi eld (or How I Learned to Stop A bored Mr. Burns sells the power plant Rascals?” popularity, the two-part cap-off to Season  Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)” to German investors, then scrambles to buy –Mayor Quimby and Leonard Nimoy spoofs the popular Dallas “Who shot J.R.?” 2 Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein; Dec ,  it back when he discovers that nobody fears dedicate the monorail mystery. Th e mystery itself kept fans guessing To bail out the town’s struggling economy, him anymore. Th e episode features one of the all summer and the show actually produced Springfi eld legalizes gambling and Mr. Burns three-or-four dozen times Homer gets fi red “You Only Move Twice” several alternate endings to ensure nobody promptly opens a casino. Homer becomes a from his job (only to get it back by the end John Swartzwelder leaked the identity of the real shooter. blackjack dealer, Marge develops a gambling of the episode), Mr. Burns’ less-than-stellar 7 Nov. ,  “People, take it easy. We’re all upset about problem, Mr. Burns slowly turns into Howard business acumen and joke upon joke at the Homer gets a job with Hank Scorpio’s Mr. Burns’ plan to, uh, block out our sun. It Hughes and Bart opens his own casino in his expense of Germany. Above all else, though, Globex Corporation and moves the family is time for decisive action. I have here a polite treehouse. the episode is remembered for Homer’s “Land to Cypress Creek. Homer turns out to actually but fi rm letter to Mr. Burns’ underlings, who “Th ings just aren’t as happy as they used of Chocolate” fantasy sequence. be great at his job, although the rest of the with some cajoling, will pass it along to him to be down here at the unemployment offi ce. Homer: “Oh, I’m sorry. We were talking family is miserable and Homer’s new boss or at least give him the gist of it.” Joblessness is no longer just for philosophy about chocolate?” (voiced by Albert Brooks) turns out to be –Mayor Quimby addressing the town majors. Useful people are starting to feel the German: “Th at was ten minutes ago!” a super-villain hellbent on taking over the pinch.” east coast. Th e result is a glorious -minute “I Love Lisa” –Kent Brockman, reporting on Springfi eld’s “Homer at the Bat” parody of the Bond fi lms and a brief glimpse Frank Mula dismal economy John Swartzwelder at what Homer’s life would be like if he were 4 Feb. ,  9 Feb. ,  at all competent. Lisa feels bad for lonely Ralph Wiggum on “Last Exit to Springfi eld” Mr. Burns makes a million-dollar bet “For the first time in my life, I’m actu- Valentine’s Day and gives him a valentine out Mark Kirkland with a rival power plant over a soft ball game ally good at my job. My team is way ahead of pity. Unfortunately, this causes him to fall in 1 Mar. ,  and—aft er discovering most of his suggestions of the weather machine and germ warfare love with her. When her subtle hints to Ralph When Homer discovers that the new have been dead for decades—assigns Smithers divisions.” that she’s not interested fall on deaf ears, Lisa union deal doesn’t include a dental plan, he to hire “good, living players” to work at the –Homer describes his job must take drastic action. Th is was one of the leads the power plant workers in a strike to power plant and play on the team as ringers. fi rst episodes to expand on the supporting cast, avoid paying for Lisa’s braces. Th e result is Th e show has done gratuitous guest casting “Homer Goes to College” giving Ralph Wiggum a chance to shine on Homer negotiating with Mr. Burns, followed before, but never have so many big names Conan O’Brien a large stage and opening up a whole fi eld of by a drug-induced fantasy sequence and an made fun of themselves in such a great way. 6 Oct. ,  characters for the writers to centre episodes episode that Entertainment Weekly named Th e show-closing “Talkin’ Soft ball” song is Aft er failing a routine inspection, Homer is around in the years following. the show’s best ever. also quite spectacular. forced by Mr. Burns to enroll in Springfi eld Homer: “I’ve heard ’em all. ‘I like you as a “Lisa needs braces!’ “Dental plan!” “Lisa “I get , to play one game?” University to avoid losing his job. Once there, friend.’ ‘I think we should see other people.’ ‘I needs braces!’ “Dental plan!” “Th at’s right Mr. Canseco.” Homer befriends some nerds and feuds with don’t speak English…’” –Homer’s train of thought GAUNTLET ENTERTAINMENT JULY 26.07 7 VanGaalen has his eyes on the Prize Calgary artist nominated for prestigeous ChadVanGaalen the best full-length Canadian album nervous energy but it wasn’t neces- and that festival kind of proved it,” as synthetic beats mastered by his based solely on creative quality — sarily positive.” says VanGaalen. “We are a city and homemade machines. He is also musicinterview and while VanGaalen is honoured, While VanGaalen may have had we can do whatever we want. It’s eagerly anticipating a new addition he is ironically fairly unimpressed higher expectations for his Sub-Pop just up to the people to embrace it to his personal life, as his girlfriend Sara Hanson with the album that attracted the debut, local fans obviously enjoy instead of dissing it. But, everybody is pregnant with a baby girl. News Assistant prestigious nomination. what Skelliconnection has to off er, loves to hate it too—it’s like the evil “Th e baby will give me an excuse “Everyone works diff erently and I as they fl ocked to VanGaalen’s Sled step-dad or something. It’s a weird to have somebody to show off to,” ometimes, the qualities we just kind of shot myself in the foot as Island performance. VanGaalen city, but every city is weird.” exclaims VanGaalen. “I just want dislike most about ourselves far as how I work,” says VanGaalen. says he enjoyed bringing his one- Whether he is playing around her to take over the world with Salso happen to be the quali- “I don’t necessary think Infi niheart man band to Grace United Church, with homemade synthesizers and positive energy. I’ve been painting a ties that everyone else loves us for. is the best album in the world either, where the altar-turned-stage drum machines, experimenting lot of rainbows lately for her room. Th is strange human phenomenon but what made it work and stand allowed him to create a storybook with orchestral music or working I just want to fi ll it up with colours holds true for local musician and out was the fact that it was totally setting complete with a homemade on a new psychedelic animation, so she can trip out all the time.” songwriter Chad VanGaalen, who naïve and I wasn’t doing it for any elephant, as well as giant red and VanGaalen seems quite content Rainbows and newborns—these has been recording his unique pop other reason than to see if I could white cones spun by a couple of old with his life in Calgary. Just a year sound like the perfect ingredients sounds in his bedroom for over a do it. Skelliconnection was more like, record players. Overall, VanGaalen aft er Skelliconnection was released to add to VanGaalen’s growing decade. ‘I’m on Sub-Pop and they’re going is impressed with the exposure Sled he has already fi nished two new pastiche of imaginative noises In , VanGaalen was signed to show this to the rest of the world Island provided for Calgary’s up- albums, but this time around, he and heartfelt lyrics that make his by Sub-Pop Records from the now.’ I was just trying to get over and-coming artists, such as Jane is taking his time to perfect them music a well-deserved Polaris Music United States, which released feeling insane about having stuff Vain and the Dark Matter, who before fans get to hear what has Prize nominee. his second album Skelliconnection. criticized. Being an artist who is opened for Cat Power. been going on inside his head. The Polaris Music Prize will be awarded Sep. 24 Th at album was recently nominated hyper-critical of other stuff , it was “Everyone gets down on Calgary, VanGaalen’s future discography in Toronto. Also nominated are the , for the Polaris Music Prize—an coming off of me onto the record but when it comes down to it, it will likely include more instru- , the Dears, Julie Doiron, Feist, Junior Boys, Miracle Fortress, award established in  to honour in a bad way, so it was kind of like doesn’t really matter where you are mental, symphonic pieces, as well Emergency and Patrick Watson. Learning tolerence from intolerance Newest Adam Sandler fl ick mocks gay marriage while endorsing it Chuck&Larry Larry probably won’t be collecting couple is forced to improvise and that foster prejudice and discord, I Now Pronounce You Chuck awards any time soon. take their well-intentioned charade falsely hoping that the end will and Larry may not have the big filmreview Chuck Levine (Adam Sandler) to the next level. justify the means. A bright spot budget special eff ects of its other and Larry Valentine (Kevin James) Sandler’s usual posse reprises is that Kevin James—much like summer counterparts but its cheesy are two Brooklyn fi refi ghters and their accustomed roles as second- his role in the recent Will Smith easy way of tying up all the loose Stephanie Mamayson best friends that would do any- ary characters, this time playing fel- vehicle Hitch—manages to play ends into a “happily ever after” Gauntlet Entertainment thing for each other. Family man low fi refi ghters who act as a Greek another endearing chubby man is as outlandish as wizards and Larry is a widower having a hard chorus, mirroring the ignorant who is only trying to take care of robots. Th is fi lm is wrought with he Cannes Film Festival has time letting go and Chuck is Mr. and homophobic general popula- his kids in spite of bureaucratic the predictable gags and clichéd come and gone and golden February, a playboy enjoying the tion. Th row in a surly boss (Dan red tape. It’s a shame that, like in jokes one oft en anticipates from a TOscar has been put away single life. When an unfortunate Aykroyd), an exaggerated ethnic Hitch, James is relegated to sidekick Happy Madison production. Yet in until next spring. With the masses technicality prevents Larry from stereotype (Rob Schneider) and a status while Sandler gets paid to its own backwards way, Chuck and taking refuge in air conditioned naming his children as his pen- hot, leggy lawyer who bonds with grope Jessica Biel. Nevertheless, Larry still manages to pull morals cineplexes, summer movie mania sion beneficiaries, he sees only the presumably-gay Chuck (Jessica the recent insurgence of a more out of the story, preaching about is going full tilt. Films released dur- one logical conclusion: domes- Biel), and the comedic formula is mature age in comedy may mean tolerance and sticking together as ing this season tend to weigh light tic partnership. Since Chuck is complete. That likely equation Sandler and Co.’s cheap “pull my the true mark of a family. on complex story lines and deep, indebted to Larry for saving his makes for watered-down humor fi nger” tricks have gone the way of I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is now compelling characters, instead life, he has no choice but to agree. and expected chuckles. the horse and carriage. playing in theatres. going for visceral entertainment In Larry’s mind the plan seems While this movie tries to make and obvious amusement. These simple enough, but when an over- some headway into creating a expectations are fortunate since eager and nosy investigator (Steve more understanding society, it I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Buscemi) starts to poke around, the does so using the very stereotypes

courtesy Universal Pictures/Getty Images Adam Sandler and Kevin James politely leer at Jessica Biel, who appreciates their restraint. 8 JULY 26.07 GAUNTLET ENTERTAINMENT Four days of sun, fun and folk Calgary’s annual summer tradition celebrates 28 years CalgaryFolkMusic festivalpreview

Ryan Pike Entertainment Editor

t seems so long ago that the Calgary Folk Club partnered Iwith the Alberta government to present what was then called the Traveling Folk Festival and Goodtime Medicine Show to commemorate the province’s th birthday. Th at festival quickly became an annual event and  installments later, the Calgary Folk Music Festival stands as one of Calgary’s cultural landmarks. Every summer, Prince’s Island Park is transformed into a musi- cal paradise for four days. The transformation isn’t magical, however, but rather a result of hundreds of tireless hours poured in by organizers before the fi rst guitar is strummed. For the past Dale Miller/the Gauntlet decade, the Herculean task of con- structing the event from scratch has A good time is had by all at the Calgary Folk Music Festival. belonged to festival artistic director Kerry Clarke. “Eight of the -plus artists are the same,” says Clarke. “Th is year up ourselves,” says Clarke. “We’re “It probably takes about seven from around Calgary, but [more we have a focus on old-time music trying to be better every year. We’re to eight months to program the are] also from throughout Alberta,” and New Orleans. One year we had keeping an eye on musical trends festival,” says Clarke. “It takes says Clarke. “At least half of the a French program, another year we because we want to be relevant. I from September to June, with the line-up is Canadian. About  per looked at spoken word. We look like to say we’re music of the past, heavy booking done in January and cent of the remainder are typically at what audiences liked and didn’t the present and the future.” February. We have just under  from the United States and the rest like and adjust.” Th is year’s festival continues this separate shows happening in just are from throughout the world. Aft er nearly three decades, the tradition, promising four days of under  hours over the week- Basically, we’re looking for a real Calgary Folk Music Festival has musical revelry featuring such end.” mix of artists from a whole bunch gained notoriety not only through- diverse acts as Chumbawumba, Aft er choosing a festival focus, of diff erent genres.” out Canada, but also around the City and Colour, Don McLean, Clarke looks at bringing in compel- Th e challenge for festival orga- world. All four-day festival passes Neko Case, Final Fantasy and Great ling headline acts as well as unique nizers is building upon past suc- were sold out well in advance of Big Sea. Th e only danger of Folk fare from Alberta and the rest of cesses without falling into the trap the fi rst performance, with a few Festival disappointment comes the musical world. This year’s of becoming repetitive. Constantly daily passes left at press time. While from the weather, so audiences installment features musicians refocusing the festival on diff erent Clarke and the rest of the organizers are advised to dress for anything. from eight Canadian provinces aspects of folk music each year is appreciate the attention, they don’t and seven countries—includ- Clarke’s way of keeping things feel any added pressure. The 28th annual Calgary Folk Music Festival takes place July 26–29 at Prince’s Island Park. Check out ing acts from as far as Tuva and fresh, yet familiar. “We’re not really pressured, but I calgaryfolkfest.com for full daily schedules. Afghanistan. “We don’t want every year to be suppose we’re always trying to one- Don’t forget to bring a tarp.