EXPLORING WINNIPEG in OUR ANNUAL URBAN ISSUE Your Members of the Legislative Assembly Continue To

/31 2011 / 03 volume 65

STATE OF THE CITY EXPLORING WINNIPEG IN OUR ANNUAL URBAN ISSUE Your MeMbers of the LegisLative asseMbLY Continue to

greg selinger MLA for st. bonifAce preMier of MAnitobA Work hard 237-9247 for Manitoba [email protected] students dave jennifer peter chomiak howard bjornson MLA for KiLdonAn MLA for fort rouge MLA for giMLi 334-5060 946-0272 642-4977 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

theresa kerri flor oswald irvin-ross marcelino MLA for seine riVer MLA for fort gArry MLA for weLLington 255-7840 475-9433 788-0800 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

daryl nancy doug reid allan martindale MLA for trAnsconA MLA for st. VitAL MLA for burrows 222-0040 237-8771 589-3769 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

jim andrew bonnie rondeau swan korzeniowski MLA for AssiniboiA MLA for Minto MLA for st. JAMes 888-7722 783-9860 889-8073 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] the Urban Issue 03 www.uniter.ca March 31, 2011 The Uniter

Dread or alive

The other day I posted on The Uniter’s Facebook page, pieces dedicated to each issue, each written by someone asking readers to list things they thought would improve from the community - will shed new light on these topics. Winnipeg. The feature at the centre of the paper explores Winni- “A cleaner, more happening, vibrant, colourful downtown peg’s North End, with an emphasis on the many positive as- with things happening past 6 p.m.,” one person wrote. pects of that community that we don’t always hear about. “Bike lanes that don’t suck,” someone added. And two other features look at urbanism and the arts The third person that posted left perhaps the most poi- in Winnipeg. The first is an epistolary dialogue between gnant comment: urban bloggers Robert Galston and Walter Krawec, and the “Campaigns/programs/anything to improve a sense of second is a dialogue between artists Kier-La Janisse and pride instead of the dread that seems to exist about our Michael Petkau Falk. city.” Ultimately, this issue is a celebration of what Winnipeg It’s not an original concept, but it rings true: love/hate is and could be. is the best way to describe how many Winnipeggers feel No one’s denying that sometimes this is a terrible place about their city. to live. But there’s a movement of people who aren’t con- The Uniter’s fourth annual urban issue once again has tent to simply complain about the way things are, but who us exploring that concept. The following issue looks at are making strides to change this place for the better. what’s working well in the city, but also, what’s not working As Petkau Falk notes, we’re in a pretty great position go- so well. ing forward. The first three pages explore transit, crime and poverty It is possible for us to turn our dread to pride. in Winnipeg. These aren’t groundbreaking topics, but we hope our in- Aaron Epp clusion of many different voices - there are two comments Managing editor

the Urban Issue 04 the Urban Issue The Uniter March 31, 2011 www.Uniter.ca Transit in Winnipeg

JORDAN JANISSE Progress on securing funding for operating budget basically held the a complete rapid transit system in line on funding the city's current Winnipeg is at a virtual stand-still Rapid transit on hold until phase one on-street transit services. while the city continues to delay Russ Wyatt, city councillor for the second phase of the South- Transcona, voted in favour of mak- west Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) cor- of BRT is completed, says councillor ing LRT the city's preferred rapid ridor in favour of a light rail transit transit method in July of last year. (LRT) system that has yet to mate- Securing funding at a stand-still He now feels that the mayor has rialize. not moved swiftly enough to secure The first phase of BRT involves due to the mayor's much publi- watch for a couple of years to see “People can live in the suburbs funding for an LRT system, which a 3.6 kilometre line that will link cized commitment to LRT, which how the first leg works and make a and that's fine, they can drive and would require provincial and fed- Queen Elizabeth Way at the Forks would see electric-powered railcars decision (based on that).” that's fine,” said Steeves, a staunch eral funds. and Jubilee Avenue at Pembina along city streets. The mayor wants to convert the LRT supporter. “The mayor made a very strong Highway, alleviating traffic conges- “We're going to do the first stage current BRT corridor to light rail “But ... a transit culture has to push to go to LRT last year and I tion in areas like Confusion Cor- (of BRT) and see what the first and turned down $130 million in grow in this city.” think the expectation of the public ner. The first phase is slated for stage looks like,” said Gord Steeves, infrastructure-stimulus funding The city's 2011 capital budget, is that he will do something a lot completion before next year. city councillor for St. Vital and for the second phase last year, say- which includes funding for the sooner than a few more years,” said The second phase of the BRT a member of the city's executive ing that he would rather see money city's new and long-term infra- Wyatt. line, which would extend the corri- policy committee, suggesting that from the Building Canada Fund structure and other assets, did not Ethan Cabel dor by six kilometres to the Univer- rapid transit is on hold. dedicated to road and bridge infra- include any new funding for rapid sity of Manitoba, has been delayed “I think people ... are going to structure. transit. Additionally, the city's 2011 A more liveable Winnipeg Car convenience stifles effective public transit Paul Hesse sit corridor. That means pathways where Volunteer cyclists can zip along at good speeds, to afford personal vehicles or expensive daily and without having to mix with traffic or Joe Wasylycia-Leis monthly parking rates (or don’t want to waste time with pedestrians. Volunteer moving their cars every hour on the street). I've lived in many cities. Of all those Rapid transit will, of course, also It also reflects the fact that students are bound cities, Winnipeg currently has the worst increase the speed of transit. By moving by a certain necessity. Regardless whether it takes transit system. transit onto dedicated corridors, tran- While listening to CBC Radio Winnipeg recently, one hour and three buses, they must still make it Whether in Paris, Hamburg, Ottawa, sit will get out of traffic and away from I heard a story regarding the potential increase of to school. Montreal or Toronto, I was always able traffic lights. downtown parking fees. As a whole, though, Winnipeg has a high to enjoy using transit and could live That means transit that moves faster The “for” argument was captured with an advo- amount of downtown parking relative to its popu- without a car. Winnipeg seems to con- than cars. In Ottawa, I could get to the cate who stated that “Winnipeg needs to start act- lation. Those who work and shop downtown find spire against those who want better airport from downtown faster by tran- ing like a big city,” and pointed out that it is not car use convenient. transportation options. sit than by taxi or car. On transit ways, uncommon to pay four or five dollars an hour or Indeed, increasing the cost of parking has a role Winnipeg's current approach to tran- there are no red lights and no traffic even $20 or $30 a day to park in some of Canada’s to play in curbing automobile dependence and sit is symptomatic of a greater problem: jams. larger urban centres. making our downtown more environmentally a tendency to resist change. What about the cost? In larger cities, there is a distinct supply and sustainable, but only when coupled with a strong Winnipeg could have a better tran- Former Winnipeg mayor Glen Mur- demand relationship between downtown parking commitment to developing a more comprehen- sit system. It could have a more urban, ray and I were recently speaking about and public transit. The amount of available park- sive public transit system. liveable, dense feel to it. It could have rapid transit. He said that when he first ing space is drastically less than what is needed to As a medium-small, low-density city, Winni- a more vibrant downtown – one that proposed rapid transit during his time accommodate the ever-growing number of people peg is faced with a public transit dilemma. Our isn't filled with gravel-bedded surface as mayor, the increased property taxes seeking access to downtown. population is spread comparatively thin over our parking lots. from the Fort Rouge Yards develop- As a result, a premium price is charged for park- metropolitan area, meaning that the development Winnipeg can be a more attractive, ment alone would have offset the cost ing spaces, and those not willing to pay, or those of a transit system that would even come close to proud and liveable city. of the first stage of rapid transit. who know they will probably never find a spot matching the convenience of personal automobile One of the reasons I helped found In other words, if you wanted to pay even if they were able to pay, join those without use is a significant challenge. the Winnipeg Rapid Transit Coalition off the construction of rapid transit in cars on public transit. Consequently, “convenient” is the last noun was to create positive momentum for 20 years, the increased property taxes The sheer number of people who depend on used to describe Winnipeg Transit. Weekend rev- Winnipeg. Rapid transit is the start of would make those payments for you. public transit in Canada’s larger cities require their ellers walk or cab home wondering why transit something great – it is the start of a So, the real question is: why is rapid municipal governments to provide fast, effective service ends an hour before the bars close. more liveable Winnipeg. transit taking so long in Winnipeg? and reliable public transportation systems. Parking Suburbanites in Lindenwoods or Southdale With rapid transit comes densifica- We're building 3.7 km right now. Why is a luxury, practical public transit is the norm. must plan their commute around buses that pass tion around the rapid transit stations. not more? The University of Winnipeg certainly exempli- with the rarity of near-Earth comets. That means new apartments, condos Virtually every Canadian city from fies this logic, as I learned while completing a proj- If Winnipeg is going to start acting like a big and townhouses within an easy walk of Halifax to Vancouver has invested in ect for the U of W geography program. city, we will need a more comprehensive public the permanent, rapid transit stations. rapid transit. Why does Winnipeg keep The project aimed to map the pattern of Win- transportation system. This is already beginning with the lagging behind? nipeg Transit usage generated by students travel- However, this goal requires a great deal of polit- announcement of the re-development It's time to get Winnipeg moving. ing to the U of W. ical will and leadership, which, as evidenced by of the Fort Rouge Yards, which will cre- And it's time to move Winnipeg for- One hundred and forty students were asked to the repeated stalling of rapid transit plans at City ate about 1,000 new transit-oriented ward, both in terms of transportation identify their usual mode of transportation and, if Hall over the last six years, our current adminis- housing units (Fort Rouge Station). and in terms of the type of city we they took the bus, which routes they used. tration lacks. Another new development has been want. Half of all respondents reported public tran- Hiking downtown parking has to go hand-in- proposed for a parking lot by the Win- sit as their primary means of getting to school, hand with improved public transit. nipeg Winter Club (across from Hark- Paul Hesse is the former chair of the and the map generated from the data indicated a ness Station). Winnipeg Rapid Transit Coalition. fairly even distribution of usage across almost all Joe Wasylycia-Leis is a fourth year human geogra- The rapid transit plan also calls for Visit www.winnipegtransit.com/en/ of Winnipeg’s bus routes. phy and politics student at the University of Win- dedicated cycling paths beside the tran- rapid-transit. This reflects the fact that students are less able nipeg. the Urban Issue 05 www.uniter.ca March 31, 2011 The Uniter Crime in Winnipeg

CINDY TITUS Though the media and police pub- of the same year, the site switched to lic relations officers work hard to maps that showed where in the city inform Winnipeggers of crime Crime in the media, crime in real life specific instances of crime occur. incidents, there is still a handful of However, in an effort to protect information that never reaches the victims, the site does not publish public. Free Press reporter and CrimeStat representative on crime exact crime occurrence locations – Gabrielle Giroday, Winnipeg transparency in Winnipeg only approximate locations. Free Press crime and police reporter, Giroday believes it is important says that with so many instances of for reporters to approach crime crime, there is no way the media were considered criminal. Giro- ourselves about what type of crime about crime. reporting with open minds. can report every occurrence. day explains that only a fraction of is likely to occur,” she said. “(Before CrimeStat existed) “I don’t think you should step “If you were to pick up every sin- these are mentioned in the media. When the media is not enough, the public would obtain informa- into an interview knowing exactly gle website, newspaper, radio sta- “Are we reporting on all the organizations like Winnipeg tion on crime through the media, what (you) are going to get out of tion and compare their crime cov- domestic violence charges that go CrimeStat, a government-run web- as well as (through) various levels it because that shuts out areas for erage to the amount of calls police to short court every day? No,” she site dedicated to reporting crime of government and crime statistics learning,” she said. “I’ve been in receive, I am not convinced that said. “We will report on some of statistics, work to improve police organizations,” she said. interviews for 45 minutes where, the amounts would match up,” she them, but not all of them.” accountability and crime transpar- According to its website, when at the last minute, you learn some- said. Despite this, Giroday contends ency. CrimeStat first launched in Feb- thing that blows everything else out For example, according to the that public access to crime infor- Terry Kolbuck, public infor- ruary 2007, the site offered public of the water.” 2009 Police Service Annual Report, mation is crucial. mation assistant for Winnipeg access to statistical charts on homi- Chris Hunter 17,119 events for police service were “We have to get a full picture of Police Service, says the website cide, robbery, sexual assault, vehicle reported. Of these events, 2,133 what uses officers’ time and educate has changed the way people think theft and break and enter. In March Perception of crime far from reality Police forced to play too large a role in mental health services Brittany Thiessen as the inner city does not necessarily mean Volunteer Staff that these communities are more violent. Although urban areas are often char- Nicole Chammartin on mental health, representing just 4.8 per cent acterized by high rates of poverty, unem- Volunteer (or $197 per person) of the total health budget. Intentionally or not, the media sensation- ployment rates, substance abuse issues and At that time, Manitoba was ranked exactly alizes violent and rare criminal offences domestic conflict/violence – all contrib- in the middle of the pack with 4.9 per cent of committed against strangers. uting factors to crime – recent statistics Why it appears that increasing numbers of per- funding going towards mental health ($219 per Gang violence, random shootings and from Winnipeg CrimeStat indicate there sons with mental illness come into contact with person). stabbings, homicides, robberies and seri- is less crime in these areas than one might the law has little to do with actual criminal- Subsequently, a problem affecting 20 per ous sexual offences are the most com- expect there to be, given the emphasis on ity and much to do with the type of society we cent of the population is getting less than five monly reported on crime events. The geo- violent crime by the media. have created. per cent of the funding needed. graphic areas where these types of crimes In Winnipeg’s downtown area (com- 2010 estimates from the Correctional Service I understand the frustration of our police, are most likely to occur and thus be paring the years 2009-2010 and 2010- of Canada suggest that as many as 42 per cent who consistently seem baffled by the fact that reported on are in inner-city neighbour- 2011), many offences decreased, including of people incarcerated in federal prisons are they have become a critical part of the mental hoods. break and enters, homicides and shoot- experiencing some sort of mental illness. health system in Winnipeg. As a result, the general public tends to ings. In all of Canada, there is only one facility in In talking with the mental health liaison for hold the perception that violent crimes Motor vehicle thefts saw a substantial the federal system dedicated to persons with the Winnipeg Police, I was told a far too com- are increasing throughout the inner city decrease of 44 per cent, largely as a result mental illness, and only males are treated. mon story. or the broader attitude that crime in gen- of the Winnipeg Auto Theft Suppression The 2008 Report to the Standing Commit- A few months ago, police were trying to help eral is increasing. Unfortunately, media Strategy operated by the Winnipeg Police tee on Public Safety and National Security on a young woman who was threatening suicide representation of crime usually fails to Service. the use of tasers cited shortcomings in mental on a Winnipeg bridge. They brought her to a coincide with actual crime statistics. Furthermore, this suppression strategy health and addiction training and services as local hospital for help. One week later, they In the latest crime rate information has helped cut Winnipeg’s car theft rate a major concern when it comes to police offi- were called to the same bridge, where the young from Statistics Canada, it was found that by 70 per cent since 2005. cers. woman was once again trying to commit sui- both the crime rate and the seriousness of While sexual assaults increased by 32 The result is that our police are dealing with cide. crime decreased in 2009. The volume of per cent, the overall crime rate in down- mental-illness-related issues in our streets, with As someone who has seen the changes that crime fell three per cent and was 17 per town Winnipeg declined by 13 per cent varying levels of preparation. good services can make in the life of someone cent lower than a decade ago, and the during the comparison years. The mental health liaison for the Winnipeg with mental illness, it is heartbreaking for me to severity of crime declined four per cent Similar trends in crime were observed Police estimates that three to four calls received look at all of our collective waitlists and think, and was 22 per cent lower than in 1999. when examining the rates of crime city- per day are related to a mental health issue. “One day...” A drop in crime rates has been a consis- wide. A number of factors have led to this. Change is a long, slow process. We, as a city, tent pattern throughout the past decade. Overall, there were 37 per cent fewer The first is the deinstitutionalization that has province and nation, have to admit that we However, a poll published last January shootings and 36 per cent fewer motor occurred over the last 40 years, which moved have a role here. by Angus Reid about Canadians’ percep- vehicle thefts. The homicide rates gener- people with mental illness into the commu- Politicians fund what we tell them we want, tions about crime found that the fear of ally remained stable. nity, where, except in extreme circumstances, what we demand. Real change is in all of our crime among citizens was increasing. The general public tends to overesti- they belong and experience much higher lev- hands. More people perceived their commu- mate the proportion of violent crime rela- els of recovery. It is important to reject stigmas and acknowl- nities to be unsafe, and about 50 per cent tive to actual crime rates. Unfortunately, there has never been appro- edge that people with mental health issues are of respondents believed that the preva- Overall, public perception does not priate funding of community support systems not separate from us. lence and severity of violent crimes were correspond to actual levels of crime in to meet the needs of persons with mental ill- Ultimately, we need to tell our levels of gov- steadily rising. Winnipeg. ness. ernment that this is something that we under- There is clearly a disconnect between It is estimated at this time that one in five stand and value. perceptions of crime and the actual crime Brittany Thiessen is the communications persons in Manitoba has some sort of mental statistics. officer for the University of Winnipeg health issue. Nicole Chammartin is the executive director of The fact that more crime tends to occur Criminal Justice Students' Association. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry reported the Canadian Mental Health Association, Win- in areas of concentrated disadvantage such that in 2003-2004, Canada spent $6.6 billion nipeg Region. Visit www.cmhawpg.mb.ca. 06 the Urban Issue The Uniter March 31, 2011 www.Uniter.ca Poverty in Winnipeg

KIMBERLY TRIEU Boarded up signs and broken win- Eadie said that one problem for dows line the once vibrant Selkirk existing businesses is that there is Avenue in the heart of Winnipeg’s The age of poverty on Selkirk Avenue no parking available on the ave- North End. nue and people don’t want to use Retail stores replaced by not-for- Payday loan stores a problem, says city councillor the side streets because they are not profit agencies, banks replaced by seen as safe. payday loan stores and a dangerous He said that something needs reputation are often seen as the per- were not there anymore,” he said. lem,” said Eadie, who is also the feed, bills to pay.” to be facilitated to get people from petrators of poverty in the neigh- With banks absent from the ave- chair of the Selkirk Avenue B.I.Z. But some other business owners outside the area shopping on Sel- bourhood. nue, there are a number of pay- Some business owners on Selkirk feel that the area’s poverty is perpet- kirk. Ross Eadie, city councillor for day loan stores, including Money agree with Eadie. uated by the availability of cheap “The second worst thing to look the Mynarski ward, grew up in the Mart, where residents can cash “It sort of takes advantage of the late night liquor at Major’s hotel. at next to boarded up buildings on area and said that over time the their cheques and do their financial people. If a guy has a $100 cheque “Closing the hotel is a stepping Selkirk would be a giant parking people with successful businesses in transactions. to cash, you don’t charge him $10 stone to getting more business lot,” he said. the area moved away. “The Money Mart takes a big or $15 for Christ’s sake,” said Jim down here,” said Russell Meier, Lauren Parsons “The banks moved out of there portion of the little money these Major, owner of the Merchant’s owner of The Donut House on Sel- because the people who use banks people do have, which is a big prob- Hotel. “The guy has a family to kirk Avenue. Recognizing women’s poverty Food bank usage shows scope

Erin Vosters already occurring in Winnipeg: community of poverty in the city Volunteer Staff organizations that can step in to fill the gaps left by government. imum wage (affecting the poor and working Many of these organizations were founded Nick Ternette poor) fall far below minimum standards of In Winnipeg, and elsewhere, women face and are maintained by women. They pro- Volunteer Staff living wages. poverty more often than men do. vide services that range from child-minding, Overall welfare rates have not increased The Canadian Centre for Policy Alterna- to financial service education, to healing pro- since 1992, in spite of inflation. In fact, a tives has found that close to 19 per cent of grams centred on aboriginal teachings. One of the more concerning adages that rings single employable person receives $481 per Canadian adult women are low-income, and In this way, organizations such as the true in our city today is “the rich are getting month. The amount of welfare for shelter is that 56 per cent of families with children West Central Women’s Resource Centre richer and the poor are getting poorer.” less than half of what is required. headed by sole-support mothers live in pov- (WCWRC), in Winnipeg’s West End, take A telling example of this is the visible People dip into their food budget to pay erty. a grassroots approach and work within an growth in the usage of food banks in Win- for rent, clothing and school supplies. This According to the United Nations Plat- empowerment-based framework to help nipeg. leaves them in need of services like Winni- form for Action Committee, 70 per cent of community members cope with poverty. Winnipeg Harvest currently serves more peg Harvest. those living in absolute poverty worldwide They simultaneously work to decolo- than 48,000 people, over half of which are There have been reports in media over the are women. nize the inner city by creating safer spaces under the age of 18. years about people abusing Winnipeg Har- Women’s poverty has multiple causes. On for Indigenous women and their families by According to David Northcott, execu- vest – that the food they are given is not average, women still earn just 72 cents for interpreting the issues communities face and tive director of Winnipeg Harvest, there has being used properly. every dollar a man earns. developing responses to these issues through been a 21 per cent jump in food bank usage Consequently, there has been some talk In addition, women do more unpaid an aboriginal lens. in Manitoba over the past year. that Winnipeg Harvest should apply “means labour than men do. In Canada, women do The work that neighbourhood organiza- It is important to remember that Winni- testing” to those who apply for food. an estimated two thirds of unpaid caregiving tions do is an important kind of activism. peg continues to be the child poverty capi- But who are we to tell people how to use work. With limited resources, women’s centres and tal of Canada, in large part due to our large, the food Harvest gives them? We don’t make Because of rising education costs, it is diffi- neighbourhood renewal corporations subvert poor aboriginal population. More than 17 moral judgements, and if someone requests cult for all low-income people to access edu- the Canadian colonial context and work to per cent of children (nearly one in five) live food, we assume it is because they need it. cation; because women often bear the burden limit the negative effects of poverty in wom- in poverty. After all, it’s not an easy thing to do to ask of childcare, they have an additional barrier en’s lives. One of the more disturbing arguments for food when you can’t put enough on your to accessing education. Women are essen- To complement the work these organiza- concerning the use of food banks and pov- own table. tially punished for being mothers. tions do, women’s poverty must be kept in erty rates comes from the policy analysts According to Northcott, “Winnipeg Har- Racism and sexism are factors as well. the mainstream consciousness. from the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, vest offers the attraction of hope and other Immigrant and refugee women who have We need to continue to lobby for policy a group that receives a lot of press in Win- services to families, including employ- been educated elsewhere may lose their qual- change that positively affects women’s lives, nipeg. ment training, counselling and income tax ifications and face an expensive, time-con- while also supporting community organiza- They suggest that overall poverty rates in returns. We do so to reduce food bank use suming process to regain them. tions and families that work on a grassroots Canada are going down, not up – from 14.8 by enhancing people’s strength and indepen- Women often do “pink collar” work, level to decrease poverty. per cent in 1993 to 9.4 per cent in 1998. dence.” such as childcare and secretarial work, that is This May, Winnipeg’s FemRev Collective But, as Northcott says, “This flies in the Empowering low income people—what ascribed a lower value than typically mascu- will host the 2nd RebELLEs Pan-Canadian face of the reality we see every day at Win- a concept! line work like construction. This pay dispar- Young Feminist Gathering, where we will nipeg Harvest and the 320 neighbourhood Winnipeg Harvest would love to be able ity is the direct result of a sexist ideology that engage with issues of poverty, its roots in cap- agencies that Harvest works with.” to close its doors. However, until all levels values masculinity over femininity, and thus italism and ongoing colonialism in Canada. Even if overall poverty rates are dropping, of government make poverty a priority issue “men’s work” over “women’s work.” Rather than waiting on the government there are other factors that impact families on their agendas, the rich will continue to There are a number of places we can look to decide to change our lives, we can con- and poverty. get richer and the poor will continue to get for solutions. tinue to work to change them from the bot- For example, people who are chroni- poorer. One is government; we can push for pol- tom up. cally ill often require special diets that cost icy change that addresses feminized poverty more money – costs that are not taken into Nick Ternette is an activist, freelance writer and works to change it from the roots up. Erin Vosters is a former University of Winni- account by the government. and broadcaster who volunteers with Winni- Another solution is something that is peg student and FemRev Collective member. We also know that both welfare and min- peg Harvest. the Urban Issue 07 www.uniter.ca March 31, 2011 The Uniter Cover Image Letters "Fair at The Forks" BY BRYAN SCOTT Readers respond Posters reflect the activity in their neighbour- in the evenings. They meet a friend for coffee, go Bryan Scott is a Winnipeg-based hood. The rather sleepy neighbourhood of Wol- on date at a restaurant, bring their child to piano graphic designer and photographer. Re: “Stopping problematic poster placement” seley is made to seem more vibrant and alive by lessons or browse the stacks of a used bookstore. View more of his work and buy his book at (March 17, page 5) all the posters along its streets. Even in cities with densely populated down- www.winnipeglovehate.com. In the past month, I've been to Toronto, towns and a good transit system, many people I am very disappointed how this article speaks Montreal, Seattle, Portland and Austin. Each of arrive by car and park on the street when they Bryan's work also appears on pages 3, 10 and 14 of this issue. for the entire West End, yet only expresses one these cities is covered in posters – a sign of the do these activities.” viewpoint. The West End is so vibrant and cultural activities housed within its framework Now, I know he must know this, but he didn’t diverse, as the posters will tell you, and this is of bars, galleries, stores and homes. make the next point between this—busy down- just supporting the West End BIZ's view. Posters are not a blight on the West End. towns and the fact that, yes, people do still drive UNITER STAFF They are essential to fostering a vibrant neigh- in them—and the fact that they often have the Jamil Mahmood bourhood, and they should be celebrated and most militant and hawkish parking enforcement Managing Editor via www.uniter.ca encouraged. around. Aaron Epp » [email protected] Should I see three parking attendants actively Business Manager Advocating the use of Facebook and Twitter over Mike Petkau Falk checking tickets in windshields within 20 min- Geoffrey Brown » [email protected] real-world communication is another example of via www.uniter.ca utes of walking along College Street in Toronto a backwards sense of what makes a community. on a Wednesday evening? PRODUCTION MANAGER Posters don't make a neighbourhood ugly: life- Re: “Another year, another election” (March Maybe not… but I do regularly. And they’re Ayame Ulrich [email protected] » less streets make a neighbourhood ugly. I think 24, page 6) there for good reason—finding on-street park- copy and style editor the use of public space as a medium for commu- ing around busy commercial strips is hard, and Britt Embry » [email protected] nication should be encouraged. Oh Uniter, why do you even bother re-writ- without enforcement, next to impossible. Photo editor ing the same article every time the University of While I agree with what Galston is saying Cindy Titus » [email protected] Tom Keenan Winnipeg Students’ Association holds an elec- about Winnipeg, I think he may have misled via www.uniter.ca tion? You should have a boilerplate so you can people not as experienced with healthier down- news assignment editor just insert the names of the current chief elec- towns that they are unregulated parking free-for- Andrew McMonagle » [email protected] Gloria Cardwell-Hoeppner's comments are a tions commissioner and president. alls. They’re not at all. news production editor sad reflection of Winnipeg's Old Guard (Cen- But where Stefano Grande has it wrong is that Kristy Rydz » [email protected] treVenture, the various BIZs, etc.) who still Matt Molnar Winnipeg has a healthy downtown. It doesn’t. believe that sterilization of the urban environ- via www.uniter.ca Only in those types of downtowns should arts and culture editor ment will somehow revitalize tired neighbour- strict parking regulations exist. Matt Preprost » [email protected] hoods. Re: “Why downtown Winnipeg needs on- comments editor Posters are a sign of life. They are a sign of street parking” (March 24, page 9) Nick Weigeldt Andrew Tod » [email protected] communication within the community. They Toronto, Ont. via www.uniter.ca listings co-ordinator can be artistic expressions. They can be pleas for Robert Galston writes, “In a healthy downtown, J.P. Perron » [email protected] assistance. They can sell, find or purchase. people visit for countless small, casual purposes Campus beat reporter Karlene Ooto-Stubbs » [email protected] send your letters to [email protected] beat reporter Ethan Cabel » [email protected] beat reporter ONLINE EXCLUSIVES Lauren Parsons » [email protected] Beat reporter "Tensions mount at UWSA annual Chris Hunter » [email protected] The Uniter is hiring general meeting" By Karlene Ooto-Stubbs culture reporter Catherine van Reenen » [email protected] News assignment editor, news production editor, campus reporter, two beat "Students call U of W operating hours 'ridiculous'" reporters, arts and culture editor, culture reporter, comments editor, listings By Ethan Cabel CONTRIBUTORS: coordinator and photo editor wanted. "Comedian Darcy Michael: Keeping the Aranda Adams, Nicole Chammartin, laughs going" By Justin Luschinski Robert Galston, Bev Greenberg, Chris Visit www.uniter.ca/jobs for details. "Fashion Streeter" Hannah, Paul Hesse, Jordan Janisse, By Cindy Titus Kier-La Janisse, Walter Krawec, Plus reviews of CDs by Abstract Justin Luschinski, Jordan Miller, Mike Artform, The Republic of Champions, Petkau Falk, Bryan Scott, Sara Shyiak, This is the last issue of The Uniter summer issues. Rebel Yell and Mother Mother. Aaron Snider, Samuel Swanson, Nick for the semester. The first is on newsstands Thursday, May 26, Ternette, Brittany Thiessen, Kimberly and the second is on newsstands Wednesday, Only at www.uniter.ca Stay tuned to www.uniter.ca for federal elec- June 29. Trieu, Lisa Varga, Erin Vosters, Joe tion coverage and other updates in the coming Questions? Concerns? Statements? Outbursts? Wasylycia-Leis, J. Williamez weeks. Also, be sure to check out The Uniter's two Email [email protected]

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Check us out on Facebook too at www.tinyurl.com/TheUniter the Urban Issue 09 www.uniter.ca March 31, 2011 The Uniter Axworthy’s expansions garner applause and criticism

ELLICE AVE. THE AnX OPENING 2011

MCFEETORS HALL OPENED 2009 YOUNG ST. & RICHARDSON COLLEGE BUHLER CENTRE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND OPENED 2010 SCIENCE COMPLEX BALMORAL ST. OPENING LATE 2011

SPENCE ST. SHERBROOK ST.

PORTAGE AVE. MEMORIAL BLVD. FURBY ST.

Ayame Ulrich Mark Golden, a professor of classics at the five times the applications of people coming “I’m not really worried,” said Jonasson. Businesses to be U of W, has seen the university change a lot from other places ... because people want to “We’ve been around for three years – people positively affected, since he began working here in 1970, but not come here and do work in the newest science know what we do and people like what we always for the better. facility in the country.” do. ... There’s a certain crowd that will stick “Lloyd is tremendously effective in the here and a certain crowd that will go there.” experts say, while Business as usual sense that he’s been able to do things the (pre- Gloria Cardwell-Hoeppner, executive some question quality vious U of W presidents) wanted,” Golden With the opening of the AnX in the old director of the West End BIZ, shares Jonas- said. “These are very important things; on the Greyhound station on Portage Avenue in son’s feelings. of education after other hand, there’s part of what the univer- the coming months, there will be many new “The expansion at the U of W is great sity does in terms of building housing for stu- facilities for students and area residents. because it brings in more people, more stu- university’s growth dents that we don’t have the money to do ... A new bookstore, medical clinic and tav- dents living the in area, working in the area, and it should be done by the federal govern- ern will occupy the space, across the street frequenting the businesses,” she said. “It adds ment. A lot is left to us to do.” from a new Stella’s Cafe and Bakery location to the safety of the area, property values go Karlene Ooto-Stubbs Golden is worried that the expansion of in the Buhler Centre. up and it’s a totally spin-off effect.” Campus Beat Reporter the university has taken focus away from the Concerns have been raised about the academic quality of the institution. future of the student-run Soma Café, as the University of Winnipeg Students’ Associa- In 2004, Lloyd Axworthy, former federal cab- tion (UWSA) tried to cease its operations for inet minister and creator of the University of “The expansion at the the upcoming year. Winnipeg’s Institute for Urban Studies, took U of W is great because The café has been losing money since it the position of president and vice-chancellor it brings in more people, opened three years ago, and the addition of at the U of W. new food and beverage facilities on campus Since then, U of W property space has more students living the in has been seen as the final nail in their cof- more than doubled, adding to the university’s area, working in the area, fin, according to some current members of monopoly of the downtown core and busi- frequenting the businesses. the UWSA executive. ness community. Other businesses in the area, like Homer’s Taking on Winnipeg’s crumbling down- It adds to the safety of the Restaurant and the Lo Pub and Bistro, have town, Axworthy believes that with the expan- area, property values go up seen increased traffic in the past few years sion of the university and his knowledge of and it’s a totally spin-off from more students on campus. urban development, the area is on the verge “I don’t think it will take business away, I of some major changes. effect.” think it’ll be business for everybody. ... (Stu- “When I came here, I really inherited a – Gloria Cardwell-Hoeppner, executive director, dents) are going to eat on campus and on strategic plan in which the university had to West End BIZ Ellice and it will be more busy,” said George substantially upgrade its facilities and, sec- Katsabanis, owner of Homer’s. ondly, accommodate student growth from While Katsabanis has operated his restau- 6,000 to 9,000 students,” said Axworthy, “At the same time we built this new res- rant for 32 years and knows what it’s like to now working on the June opening of the idence ... the acquisitions budget for the have a lot of competition, the Lo Pub has Richardson College for the Environment and library was cut to one quarter of what it was owned the bar scene in the area with no Science Complex. a few years ago,” added Golden. direct competitors. This strategic plan included the transfor- Axworthy believes the expansion will help When the new bar opens in the AnX, Lo mation of traffic-heavy Spence Street into increase the attractiveness of the university. Pub manager Jack Jonasson could see some a pedestrian mall, as well as a new theatre “I think it’s enhanced the (academic) value of his clientele favouring the new space, but building and science complex. substantially,” he said. “We’re getting four or isn’t concerned.

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CUP_SURVEY.indb 4 11-03-21 10:53 PM 10 the Urban Issue The Uniter March 31, 2011 www.Uniter.ca Downtown dialogue Two urban writers exchange thoughts about what Winnipeg is and could be

Robert Galston and Walter Krawec

It is common knowledge that a greater pace. downtown Winnipeg requires What's disconcerting is that it revitalization. seems the prevailing vision is a con- From debates in city coun- tinued reliance on micromanag- cil to everyday chatter, everyone ing major-scaled development and can seem to pinpoint something providing lots of parking. completely wrong with the city’s This has gone on downtown for centre. some 40 years, and it seems that Some of the most reiterated current plans seem to follow this complaints include a lack of peo- pattern. ple after 5 p.m., crime, inade- If there is work to be done, it quate and expensive housing, should begin with looking at how and anti-pedestrian design. successful downtown districts work That there are problems with and grow organically. downtown Winnipeg is irrefut- Very little attention has been able. paid to the context and texture of The problem, decades in the development downtown, how it making, seems to be how to solve contributes or detracts from the them. public realm. Some of the best informa- We should ensure that develop- tion on Winnipeg’s urban and ment is not only mixed-use, but civic issues can be gained from has a humane scale and is oriented the city’s impressive number of to the sidewalk. thought-provoking urban blog- The failure to do that is best gers. exemplified in the blocks between The Uniter asked two of the Broadway and Ellice Avenue. best, Robert Galston and Wal- More than just vast parking ter Krawec, to discuss with each lots, most of the buildings there other the quirks, blunders and are completely incompatible with glimmers of hope that mark dynamic pedestrian and business downtown Winnipeg today. environments. What follows is a dialogue The tragic part is that so much between two of Winnipeg’s of this deplorable condition came respected urban thinkers about as a result of several generations of the state of the downtown today. visionary urban renewal attempts. These blocks do not suffer from a lack of major attractions, a strong workforce or places to park (and Dear Robert, this was true even in the bad old days of the 1990s). There aren’t many issues in this city Maybe after nearly half a cen- that have consumed more ink than tury of trying to beat the suburbs at the state of downtown Winnipeg. their own game by creating major Hand-wringing over Winnipeg’s attractions and lots of parking, we urban core has been a constant over could try something else. the past five decades, and promises to cure what ails downtown are a Rob part of every civic election. But for all the discussion, debate Hi Robert, and promises, what has actually changed? You've touched on one of the major To answer that question, it is flaws of the well-intentioned, but useful to look back to the mid to so far unsuccessful, attempts at late 1990s, an economically lacklus- downtown revitalization over the tre period when downtown Winni- years. peg was at a low point. For about as long as there have During those years, the last been attempts at improving the pretenses of downtown as a retail city's central business district, the hub for the city were shaken off as BRYAN SCOTT answers (at least as far as local pol- Eaton’s closed for good in 1999. iticians are concerned) typically lie In addition, many retailers on in monolithic megaprojects, which Portage Avenue and in downtown generally receive public money in malls were replaced with vacant one form or another. spaces and “For Lease” signs, a As long as the focus remains on The Civic Centre, the Centen- reflection of diminishing traffic in nial Centre, the Convention Cen- the area. monumentally scaled megaprojects, the tre, the MTS Centre (have I missed The corporate presence, while any centres?) and Portage Place are still significant, was slowly declin- many smaller projects essential to a perhaps the most obvious exam- ing as head offices and district ples. offices were lost to other cities. successful downtown will continue to be Plus, they are about as far as you Federal Industries Ltd., United overlooked. can get from the stately old brick Grain Growers, the big banks – edifices of the Exchange District, there seemed to be no end. which have arguably been much To top it off, residential neigh- more successful in drawing a crowd bourhoods near downtown were downtown. becoming distressed as low prop- What has really eluded the City erty values and rising crime trans- many signs of progress in down- smaller projects such as the adap- or the emergence of cohesive pre- of Winnipeg is a way to encourage formed areas like West Broadway town Winnipeg. tive re-use of heritage buildings, cincts to draw people in. There is the fine-grained development of and the West End from tidy work- As any look at the array of pro- particularly within the Exchange still a lot of work to be done. smaller projects to go between all ing class communities into rela- motional materials will tell you, the District. of the monoliths. tively menacing places. last 15 years have seen many impor- But for all the press releases, Walter For all the energy directed If it looks like I’m overstating the tant projects take shape down- project announcements and rib- towards expensive, high-profile problems of the 1990s, it’s impor- town. bon cutting ceremonies, some- Hey Walter, downtown revitalization projects, tant to remember that downtown Most Winnipeggers are well thing is still missing. there doesn't seem to be nearly as Winnipeg’s trajectory appeared acquainted with the big-ticket While we have some impressive I tend to wince when I read that much interest in the policy instru- quite ominous and there was a developments like the MTS Cen- new buildings and some wonder- there is “still a lot of work to be ments at the city's disposal which sense that things had to change tre, Manitoba Hydro Place, Red fully restored heritage buildings, done” downtown, only because it might encourage smaller develop- quickly before they reached a point River College and the Canadian many of them stand in isolation. seems to imply that meaningful ments – the kinds of projects that of no return. Museum of Human Rights. We haven’t seen much in the way work has been done already and can be built and operated by local Since those days, we’ve seen There have also been many of downtown population growth that it simply must be continued at businesspeople. the Urban Issue 11 www.uniter.ca March 31, 2011 The Uniter

CINDY TITUS Walter Krawec (left) and Robert Galston (right) meet for coffee at the Winnipeg Free Press News Cafe on McDermot Avenue.

Now, I have to give credit where doing anything with their proper- Dear Robert, on monumentally scaled mega- which will further increase the via- it's due. The downtown zoning ties downtown. projects, the many smaller projects bility of investing downtown. bylaw passed in 2004 was specifi- Small investors see building There have been some small devel- essential to a successful downtown This may have more to do with cally aimed at easing the regulatory downtown as too complicated and opment projects that have sprouted will continue to be overlooked. getting out of the way than playing burden. costly, and as being the govern- in unlikely parts of downtown over a leading role. But one bylaw is only part of the ment’s “job” anyway. the past decade. The challenge is Walter The unfortunate part is that it answer. You’re right about the downtown to stimulate more of them, in suf- seems the political engine driving What about detailed design zoning bylaw. What is important ficiently close proximity that they Hey Walter, the current wave of “revitalization” requirements that specify appropri- about it is that it officially recog- lead to a critical mass of people and downtown – City Council and ate types of development – exactly nizes that density and urban forms activity. The small projects you listed dem- myriad revitalization agencies – is the humanely scaled, sidewalk-ori- are acceptable in downtown Win- For example, the Maxim Bak- onstrate the tricky and sometimes not concerned with making down- ented designs you mentioned? nipeg. ery & Pastry on Alexander Avenue frustrating aspect of small, privately town livable, walkable or economi- Frontage levies for commercial Infill development is going to be added a street-front retail destina- led developments in Winnipeg. cally dynamic. properties that reward density (and complicated and expensive com- tion to a desolate block in China- They have been too few and far I hope that in the coming years, discourage surface parking)? pared to building in the suburbs. town. between (geographically speaking), citizens demand an end to these Increased tax increment financ- Land costs more, and elevators and The Pullan Kammerloch and it is impossible to predict where self-serving megaproject schemes. ing activity? steel construction is required for Frohlinger offices on Ken- they will go, or to properly coordi- Without a new way of thinking Even if these specific ideas don't anything taller than four stories, so nedy Street filled a gap in the nate where they ought to go. that values density, a strong sense pass with the city, there are other any needless regulatory barrier that streetscape. But they are still small steps in of place and scale, and a dynamic zoning and tax policy tweaks that can be removed is essential. Unfortunately, these types of the right direction. entrepreneurial climate, we would could encourage more (and better) City Council does have a down- developments have proven to be While we have been talking just be condemning ourselves to downtown development. town design review committee, but the exception. They are outnum- mostly about new construction, it’s another 40 years in the hamster as anyone that has walked down bered by massive projects that more important to remember that old wheel of downtown revitalization. Walter Main Street in the last couple of often sit like closed fortresses on buildings are much more econom- years knows, design standards are the street and, of course, vacant lots ical for small enterprises, and they Rob Hi Walter, very selectively applied. that remain vacant for decades. play a crucial role in making dis- Not every building need repli- It would be a bold statement tricts successful. Robert Galston is a University of Small-scale projects don’t make for cate the Exchange District; con- if one of the many government- Governments should do as Winnipeg student who writes about big headlines, and are more suscep- temporary architectural styles can owned parking lots downtown were much as possible to ensure small, urban issues at http://riseandsprawl. tible to the ups and downs of the be built on a humane scale and subdivided, as you suggested, and urban projects occur with greater tumblr.com. Walter Krawec is a market. But, they are ultimately possess a relationship to the street, opened up to developers willing to frequency, either through the re- graduate of the University of Win- the right thing to do. too. I’ve seen this in infill projects build small projects appropriate for use of old buildings or the con- nipeg and University of Manito- One of the consequences of in New York and Chicago. an urban area (and not ones that struction of new ones. ba’s joint Master of Public Admin- decades of focusing on public and belong on Pembina Highway). Eventually, some kind of con- istration program. He blogs about major private developers is that it Rob But as long as the focus remains centration or pattern emerges, urban issues at www.onemancom- has inhibited small owners from mittee.com.

Without a new way of thinking that values density, a strong sense of place and scale, and a dynamic entrepreneurial climate, we would just be condemning ourselves to another 40 years in the hamster wheel of downtown revitalization. 12 the Urban Issue The Uniter March 31, 2011 www.Uniter.ca

Exploring the North End

From Main Street to McPhillips Street, from Dufferin Avenue to Mountain Avenue, Winni- hotels you’ve heard are dangerous and won’t go into; intoxicated people crossing the peg’s North End is one of the most culturally, economically and architecturally diverse street at the pace of a belligerent snail. areas of the city. But that’s just one stretch of the North End and, unfortunately, the most visible one. Unfortunately, it suffers from a bad image, largely due to the small sections of it that In most news reports, you will hear of fighting in theN orth End, of domestic disputes, have visible deterioration due to poverty and a lack of upkeep. of gang violence, of underage prostitution. You may wonder, why do people live there? If you drive up Main Street, north of Higgins Avenue, you will see some undeni- For our annual urban issue, The Uniter decided to investigate the North End, high- ably unattractive aspects of the city – large buildings gone vacant for years; strings of lighting some of the many positive aspects of the community.

The no-vote zone from the democratic process and politicians failing to use appropriate strategies to engage the commu- Basement-level voter turnout in Winnipeg’s North nity’s residents. End indicator of poverty, poor political tactics, ex- pert says “One of the standard correlations in political science says that the lower the income, the lower the voter Voter turnout in Winnipeg’s North End has ranked turnout in the constituency or riding,” said Silver. among the lowest in elections of all levels of gov- “The poverty that is here in the North End has been ernment for years. here from the post-war period – for the last 50 years Voter Turnout in Manitoba: An Ecological Analysis, and more. Different political parties, different gov- a 2011 report from the Manitoba Centre for Policy ernments have come and gone. Some are a little Research, says that the majority of North End pro- better than others in what they do for people in the vincial ridings (including Burrows, Point Douglas, the North End, but none of them are actually committed Maples and Minto) only saw between 40-50 per cent to solving the problems that exist here and people voter turnouts in the 2007 provincial election. are aware of that.” In the 2010 civic election, it was a similar story with Silver sees politicians’ lack of commitment and their two of the city’s polling stations with the worst turn- cookie-cutter strategies for reaching out to voters outs located in North End wards. Mynarski’s Children as hindering potential gains in a community that is of the Earth High School saw 16.44 per cent of voters more welcoming to gatherings like feasts than door- cast a ballot and Point Douglas’s Freight House Com- knocking to discuss issues. munity Centre had a turnout of only 17.08 per cent. “I think that if political parties were to really try to For Jim Silver, the director of urban and inner-city learn how to connect with people in the heart of the studies for the University of Winnipeg, these consis- North End, they would find that there is political tently low numbers at the polls can be explained by interest,” he noted.

a trio of reasons: sustained poverty, a large aborigi- Kristy Rydz nal population who have historically been excluded

CINDY TITUS the Urban Issue 13 www.uniter.ca March 31, 2011 The Uniter

The wrong side of the tracks panies a sense of undesirability, which leads to low rents and less affluent tenants. How architecture and urban planning influence the North End Such a space would be quite accessible to immigrants, which might account for As social behaviour is directly related to geography, the behaviour of the North the North End’s immigration history. End populace is related to neighbourhood boundaries, street plans and lot size. “A sense of relative undesirability generates low rents, which attract relatively Mark Kingwell, renowned Canadian public intellectual and professor of philos- less affluent tenants, which in theN orth American contexts usually means immi- ophy at University of Toronto, contends that cities and neighbourhoods can be grants,” he said. thought of as negotiations with surrounding geography. Kingwell adds that when a space is isolated in the manner of the North End, “All cities are negotiations with their physical sites,” he said via email. “Rivers, physical movement becomes difficult. Small lot sizes are adopted because isola- gorges, shorelines, mountains – they all create the special conditions of possi- tion accompanies a sense of land scarcity. bility of any city.” Eventually, infrastructure is added to the space and there is no longer a need to Kingwell explained that when part of a city is physically isolated, a neighbour- move outside the boundaries. LAUREN PARSONS hood boundary is created. However, neighbourhoods can be both naturally and Physical space, says Kingwell, also influences crime. artificially bound. The North End is artificially bound by railway tracks. “When it comes to crime, built forms and street plan can play a significant role North End residents stick to- “The North End negotiates its physical site with both natural and artificial bar- in raising or lowering rates,” he said, “Crime rates are lowest in neighbourhoods gether despite negative outside riers,” he said. “In any city ... this would create an instant neighbourhood, and with strong community identity. ... But there can be countervailing influences, probably one with both a highly developed sense of identity and a narrative of especially poverty.” perceptions disadvantage or neglect.” Chris Hunter Most people who live outside of the North End have per- Kingwell contends that an isolated neighbourhood – like the North End – accom- ceptions of violence and intimidation about the people who live in the community. But for the people who actually live there, it’s a different story. “All my friends and family live in the neighbourhood, and Community strategy needed Over four years ago, the police had a community offi- they look out for me,” said Wallace Scott, a North End cer stationed in the Lord Selkirk Park housing devel- resident. to build bridges between resi- opment, which went a long way in repairing issues of trust, according to Young. Scott moved to the North End from the Berens River First dents and the police Nation reserve 10 years ago and said he was welcomed “There's a high reluctance for residents to report any Winnipeg's city council recently approved its with open arms by his family, who were already living kind of ... crime in the community ... because of retal- 2011 operating budget, a spending blueprint that in the area. iation,” she said. increased funding for the Winnipeg Police Service “My friends and family, everybody is a brother or a sis- (WPS) by $12.2 million and committed to adding 32 “(When we had an officer in the development) res- ter to me,” he said. “I haven’t been in any greater family new police officers toward the goal of 58 new offi- idents often felt safe just putting a note under his in anywhere else I’ve lived.” door, letting him know what was going on.” cers. Evelyn Abbott, 19, has lived in the North End her entire But some members of the North End commu- Young believes that the most effective strategy for life and said that there is always a negative reaction nity believe that no amount of additional funding the North End, and Lord Selkirk Park in particular, is when she tells people where she lives because of the can address the fundamental distrust that exists to have police patrolling the area regularly rather area’s reputation. between residents of the neighbourhood and the than simply walking around the peripheral areas of the many housing developments. According to a September 2010 analysis by CBC, the Winnipeg police. North End’s William Whyte community had the high- “It doesn't matter how many police officers we have,” She would also like to see plainclothes police offi- est incidences of reported crime in the past two years said Carolyn Young, the executive director of Mani- cers operating out of the community or the Lord Sel- including shootings, break and enters and robberies. doo Gi Miini Gonaan, a revitalization project for Point kirk Park Resource Centre. Residents in the area need someone they can have coffee with, someone who “It has a bad reputation, but the perception is so much Douglas that includes the Lord Selkirk Park Resource worse than the reality,” she said. Centre. will actively listen to their concerns about crime, she said. Abbott said that there are disturbances in the neigh- “Until they (the police) have a community-based “As long as there's no trust, nothing is going to hap- bourhood every once in a while, but they always call strategy and philosophy and start working on build- their neighbours to make sure everyone is okay. ing trust in the community ... they're not going to be pen,” she noted. able to have any relationship with the community.” Ethan Cabel “It’s a good community, we stick together,” she said. Lauren Parsons JORDAN JANISSE/UNITER ARCHIVES 14 the Urban Issue The Uniter March 31, 2011 www.Uniter.ca State of the arts Two artists exchange thoughts about Winnipeg’s arts scene

Kier-La Janisse and MICHAEL Petkau Falk

The Uniter asked Kier-La Janisse peg once a month is great – you'll and Michael Petkau Falk to dis- get the support you want and need. cuss the arts in Winnipeg – what’s But if I wanted to program films working well, and what could be three nights a week, there would be improved. no way to sustain it, because the A former Winnipegger, Janisse same 60 people are just not going now lives in Montreal where she to give me their money three times operates a film screening venue a week. No one can afford that. called Blue Sunshine. While in So, if I wanted to be an ongo- Winnipeg, Janisse booked live ing operating business with obscure music events at Into the Music film screenings, I had to go some- and started Big Smash! Produc- where with a more established film- tions, a non-profit organization going audience. that promotes and exhibits Cana- At my place in Montreal, we dian and international film and have some problems with the video art. city, local bureaucracy, advertising No stranger to Winnipeg’s restrictions, etc. that hurt us finan- music scene, Michael Petkau Falk cially, but the audiences themselves is the artistic director at the West are solid. End Cultural Centre (WECC) I don't think I'd be able to get and singer-guitarist in art-rock that many people out on a regular four-piece Les Jupes. He also runs basis in Winnipeg. Head in the Sand, a record label But Mike – music is a differ- collective that includes Royal ent beast than film. What are your Canoe and The Liptonians. experiences with trying to build up What follows is a series of audiences? Do you feel the WECC emails Janisse and Petkau Falk benefits from having a long history exchanged this past week. and built-in audience behind it, or is it still always a struggle to get people out?

Dear Mike, Kier-La

There is definitely a strong, thriv- Hey Kier-La, ing arts community in Winnipeg that is not only internally support- The audience-development conver- ive, but also very supported by local sation one is an important one for funding bodies. music too. The Winnipeg Arts Council staff The WECC itself is unique is so approachable and actually because it has spent almost 25 years involved with the community that building a dedicated and loyal fan it's really quite special. They actu- base. ally go to arts events of their own That makes some things eas- volition! ier as a programmer – I know that You really feel that the support certain artists will always sell 200- from them is tangible, not just 300 tickets and can use that to help some floating bureaucracy mak- support some of the more “fringe” ing decisions on whether or not to shows that I want to present. And fund you with no concept of your it means that our dedicated team of actual impact in the community. 150-plus volunteers helps spread the

So there is a support system BRYAN SCOTT word and get excited about shows. there for sure, on many levels – the I do sometimes wish for your funders support the artists, the art- freedom to present whatever I want ists support other artists. at the WECC and have people join The only problem with it is that me for this ride. it is very incestuous, and you do get "Winnipeg is considered a dead market, But the music industry is very the sense that you're just tapping much that – an industry – and most the same small audience over and so they didn't even want to waste the five booking agents won't even consider over again—at least, for the niche- sending an artist to Winnipeg if it type programming I do. minutes it will take to talk to you on the won't be worth their while. I always really enjoyed the local This is where the Folk Festival arts community, so that is not why phone." has such a large opportunity and I left Winnipeg. It's just that the responsibility to Winnipeg audi- stuff I program is not going to do – Kier-La Janisse ences – to use its muscle to expand gangbusters on a regular basis with- our collective musical conscious- out casting a wider net. ness. Programming events in Winni- From an artist's standpoint, the Urban Issue 15 www.uniter.ca March 31, 2011 The Uniter

Manitoba Film & Music and Man- and distributors. They just thought itoba Music do an exceptional job any opportunity to make money of helping fund albums, tours, was good, and didn't have those showcases, etc. preconceived notions about Win- Once acts get to a certain level nipeg being a lame city for film and are showcasing nationally and audiences. internationally they also act as a And truly, while Winnipeg nur- lobbyist and industry-wrangler, tures a lot of artists, those artists which is helpful since there is very don't tend to support art unless little actual music industry in Win- they made it or their friends made nipeg – the labels, distributors, it. booking agents and publicists we I know this is partially because want to be working with are mostly they are busy creating their own in Toronto, Chicago, Montreal and art, but you have to be careful not New York. to stay inside a vacuum. Not living there means that I'd be surprised if more than a introductions need to be made. handful of members of the Winni- This is, after all, an industry built peg Film Group actually go to the on relationships. Cinematheque once a month. I've often described Winnipeg's There are people who watch musical fanbase as “conservative,” films and people who make films and by that I mean “safe.” Being a – and the people who make films small Canadian city as isolated as need to be watching more films, we are means we aren't introduced because sometimes it's painfully to new music nearly as quick as our obvious that they are a decade big-city friends. behind the times. It’s also a city of extremes where That said, this isolationism cre- both folk and punk have long been ates a regional aesthetic which has the standard, without a lot of inter- served Winnipeg well in the out- est in the grey areas in between. side world – so who am I to crit- As a musician who falls into nei- icize? ther camp, I've long felt that there is a limited audience for me here Kier-La – and that's part of the reason I CINDY TITUS/UNITER ARCHIVES moved to Montreal in 2005. Dear Kier-La There was a time when I resented Winnipeg's tastes, but have since Jack Jonasson at the Lo Pub is doing realized that there is a big, big world exactly what has been needed here out there, and you make your own since the Blue Note closed—build- opportunities. ing a place that people just want to It doesn't really matter where hang out at, that also hosts events. you live so long as you're going to It’s a place that fosters the scene. where you need to be to build an There should be five to 10 other audience. places like it around downtown/ As a presenter, my hands are tied Osborne/Exchange. by Winnipeg's size and culture. If One thing that concerns me is we were two million people instead that there isn't a culture of explo- of 700,000, I could have more free- ration among audiences here. Peo- dom in presenting some of the art- ple don't like to take risks. People ists I really wish I could present. want to be guaranteed exactly what As it stands, the best I can do they expect, and often expectations is jump on any chance to present are pretty low. something that may help expand This is largely why I'm so excited our collective musical appreciation. about what we're doing with Head In The Sand. Mike I feel that with Royal Canoe, The Liptonians and Les Jupes, Winni- Hi Mike, peg finally has three bands that are willing to take risks, excited about I remember when I lived in Winni- trying new musical ideas, demand- peg and I would talk about bands I ing a really high quality of work wanted to bring in, people would of themselves, and will be able to look at me with blank expressions – eventually find a home in the pan- it's OK to not be familiar with the theon of cool shit that’s happening band, Winnipeg is pretty isolated elsewhere in the world. after all – but you would just hope When Jesse (Warkentin) was you could get to a point where peo- leaving Les Jupes and we had to ple would trust you, and get excited find another keyboard player, I was about stuff because they trust you. worried. Luckily, we found Kelly As for my freedom, sure I have (Beaton Smith), who is the perfect it, but I also live in complete pov- fit. erty. And I probably will continue But in Montreal there are 30 peo- to do so for the rest of my life – ple who could step in and take over and it's not that I don't want to be that role without blinking – people more mainstream – I really try! I who know synths, understand dif- just can't figure it out! ferent types of gear and are on top If I could figure out how to of their shit musically. play something that will make me It’s a higher-level musical culture money so that I could then fund built on training, experimentation all my weirdo projects, I would do and risks, and that’s why we've seen it in a second. I would gladly sell so many bands blow up from Mon- out for a night to turn that income treal. around into support for indepen- Here, the people who are into dent unknowns. more out-there music often aren't So, I don't really have that safety COURTESY KILLBEAT very good musicians, and they're not net that the WECC has, in the Top photo: Last year, Kier-La Janisse moved to Montreal, where there's a bigger audience for the films she enjoys programming. Above: supported in growth because Win- sense that you know you can get an Michael Petkau Falk (centre) with two of his Les Jupes bandmates. nipeg doesn't support weird music audience out for certain artists and and the government-funded people that'll pay the bills. at the top don't understand it. As for bookers not wanting to As a result, they're not encour- deal with booking bands in Winni- aged to get better, and it becomes peg unless they totally think it will "I've often described Winnipeg's musical this sad cycle of Winnipeg's poten- be worth their while, it's the same fanbase as 'conservative,' and by that I tial innovators not being given with films – most films, even if they the right kind of mentorship and have a Canadian theatrical release, mean 'safe.' Being a small Canadian city opportunities and eventually just skip over Winnipeg. fading out of the picture. And if they give you the film, as isolated as we are means we aren't We need musicians who are pas- they send a DVD, whereas every- sionate about artistic innovation one else gets a 35mm print. introduced to new music nearly as quick and willing to dedicate their life It's considered a dead market, so to it while having the supports in they didn't even want to waste the as our big-city friends." place to help foster their careers. five minutes it will take to talk to you on the phone. – Michael Petkau Falk Mike A lot of times that's why I ended up dealing with foreign directors Continued on page 19 16 the Urban Issue The Uniter March 31, 2011 www.Uniter.ca Grassroots growing As the Winnipeg Folk Festival continues to grow, organizers are looking for ways to keep its tradition Catherine van Reenen Culture Reporter

How can you not love an event with drum circles? The Winnipeg Folk Festival started out in 1974 as a small three-day music festival held at Birds Hill Park with 22,000 attendees. It has since grown into an important Winni- peg tradition and a year-round arts organization offering events as well as education and outreach programs. Folk Fest now welcomes 70,000 attendees and contributes significantly to Winnipeg’s economy each year, but with the increasing expansion and popularity of the festival, organizers must find new ways to accommodate its growth. “The event has become something that people plan for and plan to attend every year to spend time with friends and family,” said Margaret Koshinsky, marketing and communications manager for the Winnipeg Folk Festival. “Our primary audience comes for the experience. They expect the music to be great and they're coming regardless; they buy Brian Goldschmied Part of a multi-phase plan to upgrade the Winnipeg Folk Festival includes better sight lines for audiences to see performers. (tickets) before the line-up is announced.” A campaign started in 2010 called Stag- ing the Future has been organized as a long- maintaining the experience of the event. friendly dish soap. festival, ... but we police it in a passive way term solution proposing a three-phase plan Carolyn Basha, director of the Staging A green bike ride to Birds Hill Park was that may not be visible,” she said. to allow for Folk Fest's expansion. the Future campaign, explains that signing first coordinated last year and will become The Winnipeg Folk Festival is a valuable Koshinsky says the plan is currently in the a long-term lease with Birds Hill Park was an annual event in order to lower the festi- asset not only to Winnipeg's community, process of being re-phased, due to various key to making the necessary improvements val’s environmental impact. Participants are but to its economy as well. Tourism Winni- factors such as weather, construction time for the sustainability of the festival, allowing rewarded with priority entrance to the camp- peg estimates that the festival has a $14.1 mil- and funding, but that the goal is to increase organizers to more efficiently improve path- ground, giving festival-goers more initiative lion impact on Winnipeg's GDP and gener- capacity and maintain experience. ways, navigation and safety at the site. to leave their cars parked. ates $25 million in economic activity, while “We want (people) to feel that it is not a “Overarching all of the changes and “We’re still holding on to our environmen- creating 244 jobs in Manitoba. crowded event,” she said of the plans for new improvements is (the importance of) doing tal values in a very strong way,” said Basha. “The mission hasn't changed since the stages and creating better sight lines to the it in a way that will respect the natural quali- The festival is often associated with party- first event and I would say philosophically it stage for audiences. ties of the site,” said Basha. ing and drug use, but Koshinsky says that, hasn't changed, but certainly the festival has An attendance cap was implemented once The festival has a 400-person environ- according to their research, most people who grown from the grassroots initiative,” said organizers realized the Birds Hill Park site ment crew that takes care of recycling and make this association have never actually Koshinsky. had reached its capacity. Campground passes composting, while food vendors use reusable attended the festival. sell out earlier each year, but are necessary to plates, compostable beverage cups and lake- “We absolutely have a zero tolerance at the

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1 888 2 DONATE the Urban Issue 17 www.uniter.ca March 31, 2011 The Uniter 'We need more Winnipeggers buying local art' The challenges and triumphs of running an art gallery Jordan Miller Volunteer

When I opened cre8ery in 2006, I imagined an arts centre where patrons could browse our galleries, take in artist demos and see where artists work each day. The concept was to launch weekly and bi- weekly exhibitions, have artist studio spaces open to the public, and host workshops in our a classroom studio providing jobs for artists. Artists could sell out of their studio and benefit through a shared marketing support system established by cre8ery. The concept is popular: we have 70 artists on a waiting list to exhibit in our gallery and another 28 wanting one of our studios. However, more galleries and studios are needed in the Exchange District and we need more Winnipeggers buying local art to keep our galleries open. Finding patrons to purchase local art has always been our biggest challenge. At the cre8ery, we see mostly lookers, as few can afford the luxury of an artwork pur- Cindy Titus chase or recognize the value of art beyond it More Winnipeggers need to buy local art, not only to keep existing independent galleries alive, but to create opportunities for new galleries and open space for more matching their couch. artists, says Jordan Miller. Because of this, I can’t afford to pay hired staff, despite needing them to effectively run my business to the extent I feel is crucial. some galleries even refer patrons to other gal- is increasing our rent with our new lease, shops, restaurants and organizations like First I’m fortunate to have various volunteers, leries. But a show that doesn't sell is harmful after making significant improvements to his Fridays and the In Plain View studio tours. an intern from the University of Winnipeg to an artist's career, not just the gallery. building. And though I’ve had less time to build my and a lot of community support. Volunteers Sadly, too many people purchase art from This hardship may eventually cause cre- career as a visual artist because I’ve poured so are trained and usually move on to a paying across the border or overseas. It would be 8ery to move. To absorb the impact of the much into cre8ery, I have benefited in other job elsewhere. This can be costly, but every great if there were a tax break for people who increase, we are hosting our first fundraiser, ways. I’ve started to build a career as an art day I appreciate them and recognize that I buy local to encourage and support our com- Strength By Numbers, on April 15. consultant and a guest speaker. can no longer continue to run cre8ery with- munity of artists. Still, I have witnessed many positive Without the challenges I’ve faced with cre- out assistance. Over the past five years, heat, water, gar- changes in the Exchange District since open- 8ery, I would not be where I am today. How do we fix this? bage disposal and rent have increased steadily. ing my first gallery here in 2002. The area is Galleries need to work together to make As the years continue, cre8ery will become cleaner, safer and more people are visiting Jordan Miller is the director of cre8ery at 125 sales – we are a tightly knit community and even less affordable as our building’s owner with the help of an increase of funky vintage Adelaide St. Visit www. cre8ery.com. A five-point plan for Winnipeg One man’s bold vision for our civic future to pay a seven per cent Civic Stupidity Tax. including cyclists, will be ticketed. Chris Hannah Any muscle, street rod or classic vehi- Volunteer cle traffic found on that section of Por- Point 3 tage Avenue before or after those hours Property tax reduction for any home or will be impounded and compacted in Point 1 business owner that converts a reasonable por- a public trash compacting at Polo tion of their useless lawn or rooftop into either Park the following Sunday Winnipeg city councillor, MLA and MP a community vegetable garden or a dunk-tank afternoon. Families are salaries should be capped at the wage of the for councillors that vote in favour of selling off welcome. lowest-paid citizen in their respective ridings public utilities to private interests. to provide committed public servants with a Chris Hannah is factual understanding of what life is like on the front man for the bottom rungs of their constituency's eco- Point 4 Propagandhi. In nomic ladder. This provides the added bonus A bylaw prohibiting the return of an NHL 2007, he was voted of creating at least 50 new jobs as we witness a franchise to Winnipeg, unless it is placed in the second worst mass exodus of self-interested goofs from the the Northeast Division. Canadian of all- city's political landscape. time in a poll conducted by Point 5 Canada’s History Point 2 Portage Avenue – from Omand's Creek to Magazine. Elective – and paid – full-day seminars for Fort Street – is to be closed to all non-muscle, all citizens on the history and legacy of residen- non-street rod, non-classic vehicle traffic every tial schools. Citizens who opt out are obliged Sunday from 7 p.m. until midnight. Violators, Mandy Malazdrewich 18 the Urban Issue The Uniter March 31, 2011 www.Uniter.ca

MUSIC LISTINGS Ozzy's; THE F-HOLES and BRASH BUNNIES BURLESQUE at the COSMO BAKER at the Pyramid; BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, Centre on May 20. Park Theatre; BEN SURES releasing an album at the Times PUTESCENCE, WOLBACHIA, OF HUMAN BONDAGE and ANTI- MERZBOW performs at the Royal Albert Arms on May 22. THURSDAY, MARCH 31 to WEDNES- Change(d); Grippin' Grain at the Royal Albert Arms; and CAN- KATHERA at the Royal Albert Arms; IAN LA RUE and ULTRA- DAY, APRIL 6 TOR DUST holding an album release with TRIUNFO DO GATO MEGA at the Lo Pub; KID KOALA with MAGNUM K.I. at the West ANVIL brings the metal to the Royal Albert Arms on May 24. and AUOH at the Lo Pub. End Cultural Centre; and THE PERPETRATORS and THE BOT- On Thursday, the GREAT SABATINI, CANIFORM, DEADEN, EGYP- TLE ROCKETS at the Times Change(d). TIMBER TIMBRE plays the Park Theatre on May 26. TIAN ARTSTRIKE and WHITE DOG are playing at the Death On Saturday, April 9, MIKE PETKAU and the CURTIS NOWOSAD TRIO team up at Aqua Books; DEL BARBER and JENN GRANT On Saturday, April 23, Bass Invaders returns to the Zoo and HAYES CARLL is performing at the West End Cultural Cen- Trap; ANDY WHITE and STEPHEN FEARING perform at the tre on May 29. West End Cultural Centre; THE UGLY BROTHERS, THE PINK play at the Park Theatre; the Zoo has a Kurt Cobain Trib- MATT EPP & AMORIAN ASSEMBLY launch an album at the SLIPS, ALL ON RED, THE THRASHERS and THE TERRIBLES play ute; a Dance-A-Thon is happening at the Red River EX featur- West End Cultural Centre. WYNTON MARSALIS performs at the Centennial Concert Hall ing MAGNUM K.I., SONS OF YORK, O.C.D, DUST RHINOS, SAVAN- at the Royal Albert Arms; PARADIGM BRASS are doing the JOHN MELLENCAMP is performing at the Centennial Concert on June 14. NAH RAE BOYKO and more; FIRE & SMOKE and THE EMPTY Nu Sounds Series at the Park Theatre; THE RURAL ALBERTA Hall on Monday, April 25, while HOLY GRAIL and CAULDRON STANDARDS play at the Times Change(d); the STEREOS play BRIAN WILSON performs Gershwin songs and some of his ADVANTAGE are rolling into the Pyramid Cabaret; and INGRID get all medieval at the Royal Albert Arms. own at the Pantages Playhouse on June 22. GATIN will shoot a music video and perform at the Times at the Garrick; ROB WADDELL releases an album at the Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club with VANESSA KUZINA Change(d); CRYSTAL PRECIOUS, CYCLIST, MAMA CUTSWORTH THE SHANTYTOWN FUNDRAISER CONCERT happens Tues- PINK MARTINI plays at the Centennial Concert Hall on June and DEMETRA PENNER. and MISS LA MUSE are at the Lo Pub; and THE REAL MCKEN- day, April 26 at the Academy, featuring ZOPPA, FRIESO, THE 25. ZIES are joined by LES SEXY at the Royal Albert Arms. HUMAN CREATURES and EMILY HAJER. On Friday, April 1, THE NOBLE THIEFS play at Cavern; DRUGS, THE BLACK KEYS turn the MTS Centre into a garage on July ROCK LAKE and THE MEMORIAL FUND play at the Lo Pub; ONYX is ripping it up at the Pyramid Cabaret on Sunday, The PIXIES are playing at the Centennial Concert Hall on 2. REBEL YELL releases the album Social Studies with the April 10 and HELEN WHITE is performing in Eckhardt-Gra- April 26 and 27, with IMAGINARY CITIES opening. From July 6 to July 10, the WINNIPEG FOLK FESTIVAL at Birds REPUBLIC OF CHAMPIONS at the Pyramid; THE DUNCE QUAG- matté Hall. THURSDAY, APRIL 28 to WEDNES- Hill Park will have performances by BLUE RODEO, TEGAN MIRE, THE PINK SLIPS and BABYSHAKERS are rocking the BIG JOHN BATES and REVEREND DEADEYE are entertaining at DAY, MAY 4 & SARA, TOOTS & THE MAYTALS, LITTLE FEET, K.D. LANG & Standard; LES SEXY and THE THRASHERS are at Ozzy's Night- the Pyramid Cabaret on Monday, April 11. THE SISS BOOM BANG, THE JAYHAWKS, M. WARD, THE DEL club; and the Audio Phools! dance party hits the Osborne SCOTT NOLAN is releasing his new album at the Park The- MCCOURY BAND with THE PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, Village Zoo. ALANA LEVANDOSKI plays at Aqua Books on Tuesday, April 12. atre on April 28. CARACOL, THE TOM FUN ORCHESTRA, TRAMPLED BY TURTLES, On Saturday, April 2, BRAIDS join DEPARTURES and SO HOLY On Wednesday, April 13, DESTROYER and WAR ON DRUGS play On Friday, April 29, Listen Local-Grow Global 2 takes place THE BE GOOD TANYAS, THE FUNKY METERS, CARAVAN PALACE, HEADCASE at the Royal Albert Arms; JACKSON BROWNE is at the West End Cultural Centre, and TOKYO POLICE CLUB and at the West End Cultural Centre featuring performances by a special TRIBUTE TO BILL MONROE and locals OH MY DAR- bringing his solo acoustic tour to the Centennial Concert SAID THE WHALE are at the Pyramid Cabaret. FLO, CROOKED BROTHERS and RWANDAN DANCERS; JPOD, The LING, SCOTT NOLAN, DJs HUNNICUTT and MAMA CUTSWORTH, Hall; VOICE OF BOOM is doing a reunion show at the Pyra- The Manitoba Opera performs THE MAGIC FLUTE on April 9, Beat Chef, spins at the Osborne Village Zoo; and MAD YOUNG TWILIGHT HOTEL, CROOKED BROTHERS, IMAGINARY CITIES and mid Cabaret; CAMERATA NOVA perform their Directions Con- 12 and 15. DARLINGS, NEW RESISTANCE and ABSTRACT THE ARTIST are much, much more. cert at the Thunderbird House; KAZZOSHAY, IN TRANSFORMA- at Ozzy's. TION and BLACK OPTIC play at the Zoo on Osborne while the THURSDAY, APRIL 14 to WEDNES- Black & Blue Ball takes place at Ozzy's downstairs; SMOKY DAY, APRIL 20 Saturday, April 30, has EYAM, DAMASCUS, OUT OF RUINS and TIGER is performing at the Creedence Clearwater Tribute SCARLET HALO at the Osborne Village Zoo; GEOFF BERNER at the Times Change(d); THE KNUCKLEDRAGGERS, LES SEXY On Thursday, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra performs and JASON WEBLEY squeezing boxes at the West End; and and THE ANIMALISTICS play at the Cavern; M. COCCINEL, TOM CHARLIE CHAPLIN's Modern Times at the Centennial Con- BALANCED RECORDS at SITE (Studios in the Exchange). cert Hall. KEENAN and VELA play at the Lo Pub; JOHNNY RIVERBOAT, On Tuesday, May 3, OLD MAN LUEDECKE and LADIES OF THE FOUR PINTS SHY and STEVE BASHAM play at VP Nights; and Friday, April 15 has California's DEATH ANGEL, BESIEGED, CANYON perform at the Park Theatre. THE BOKONONISTS, LITTLE HOUSE and THE BLISTERS are at MALUM FATUM and ZOMBIE ASSAULT at the Zoo; IAN LA RUE, the Death Trap. YOZA and NOVA at the Lo Pub; THE SMITHFITS at the Royal THURSDAY, MAY 5 to WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 On Sunday, April 3, The LUYAS play at the Lo Pub, CAMER- Albert Arms; AMBER EPP at the West End Cultural Centre; ATA NOVA perform their Directions Concert at the Thunder- and MORE THAN A HAND, VELA and IRREVERSIBLE at Ozzy's. On May 5, BILL MEDLEY of the RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS per- bird House and Violinist JASPER WOOD is at the Winnipeg On Saturday, April 16, RECORD STORE DAY is happening at forms at the McPhillips Station Casino; and CANCER BATS Art Gallery. your favourite music suppliers with various performances; and WASTER are playing at the West End Cultural Centre. BRUCE COCKBURN performs at the Burton Cummings The- STEVE BELL and his band are joined by the WSO at the Cen- IAN LA RUE and SALINAS are at the Lo Pub on Friday, May 6. atre on April 5, while the FLATLINERS, KIDS ON FIRE, DAN- tennial Concert Hall; FLYING FOX & THE HUNTER-GATHERERS are at the West End Cultural Centre releasing their debut IN TRANSFORMATION performs at the Pyramid on Satur- GER CAT and LIVING WITH LIONS are at the Park Theatre; and day, May 7. THE AUTUMN PORTRAIT, GREG REKUS and GREG ARCADE play full-length; Supernova's 'Peg Sessions Battle of the Bands at the Lo Pub. takes place at the Zoo; DJ DEKO-ZE is spinning at Pure Night- On May 9, ARCHITECTS, DEAD & DIVINE, CITY FALL, THE ALL club; A BROKEN SUMMER releases their album at the Park NIGHT and COUNTERPARTS play at the West End Cultural On Wednesday, April 6, MOTHER MOTHER plays at the Burton Theatre with The ALL NIGHT. Centre. Cummings Theatre and WOODPIGEON is at the Lo Pub. There is a KNUT HAUGSOEN tribute and CD release at the BILLY OCEAN is entertaining at the McPhillips Station Casino THURSDAY, APRIL 7 to WEDNESDAY, Winnipeg Art Gallery on Monday, April 18. on May 11. APRIL 13 DUZHEKNEW and COUSINS entertain at the Lo Pub on Tues- FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY and VARDENSPHERE TECH NINE are On Thursday, April 7, THE ALL NIGHT, THE PERFECT TREND, day, April 19. playing at the Pyramid Cabaret on Monday, May 16. FOREVER I and A BROKEN SUMMER play at the Park Theatre GREG REKUS plays at Pyramid on April 20. while SMOKY TIGER plays at the Times Change(d). UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, April 8, has CLASSIFIED at the Garrick; HAWKSLEY THURSDAY, APRIL 21 to WEDNES- NEON INDIAN is performing at the Pyramid Cabaret on May WORKMAN at the West End Cultural Centre; PSYCHOSEX- DAY, APRIL 27 20. UAL 5 at the Zoo; JARHEAD, MORTALIS and ANTIKATHERA at Thursday, April 21 has the ROOTS IN FLUENTS at the Zoo; SHARON JONES and the DAP-KINGS are playing the Garrick

www.uniter.ca the Urban Issue 19 www.uniter.ca March 31, 2011 The Uniter Winnipeg’s one-hit wonders They were supposed to be the next big thing. Where did they go?

Catherine van Reenen of boy bands, but McMaster and Culture Reporter James stood out with their lack of frosted tips and catchy yet genuine love songs. Neil Young, The Weakerthans and Their self-titled debut album The Guess Who are just a few of went gold in Canada with hits like Winnipeg’s successful musical tal- Thank You, Love Wins Everytime, ents – so maybe that's why Winni- Sweet Sensation and I Understand, peggers are so often convinced that and the duo opened for Christina they’ve birthed the next big musi- Aguilera and 'N Sync. cal act. Unfortunately, McMaster and The following are a few of James never made beautiful music the musicians and songs that we together again, but both of them thought were going to get added to have continued pursuing their the list of Winnipeg music legends, respective careers. and then disappeared into a world Rob James made it to the final of post-mainstream oblivion. seven contestants on Canadian Idol in 2006, and Luke McMaster Remy Shand is still making music for his solo career and has written and pro- Rock Steady, Take A Message (2002) duced songs for other artists, like Rihanna and Nick Lachey. After proving that the Prairies have soul in 2002 with his album The Jet Set Satellite Way I Feel and hits like Rock Steady and Take a Message, Shand was Baby, Cool Your Jets, Best Way to Die awarded the Juno for Best R&B/ (2000) Soul Recording and was nomi- nated for four Grammies. The boys of Jet Set Satellite Aranda Adams We all fell in love with Remy's quenched our thirst for something magazine called Rue Morgue. ous magazines and appeared in Bill that Winnipeggers felt like they weird hat and impossibly high- a little more rock ‘n’ roll that all the Maher's documentary Religulous to were part of the cultural movement, pitched vocals, but shortly after other poppy boy bands couldn't Tal Bachman talk about his experiences as a for- too. The popularity of the single announcing that he was record- quite achieve – granted, it's hard to mer member of the Jesus Christ won the Crash Test Dummies the ing a new album in 2003, he seem- play an instrument while perform- She's So High (1999) Church of Latter-Day Saints, but Juno for Group of the Year, but ingly disappeared off the face of the ing choreographed dance moves. his post-mainstream music career their subsequent release God Shuf- planet. Best Way to Die and Baby, Cool Randy Bachman's kid sweetly sere- has not been very active. According fled His Feet was more popular in Perhaps his disappearance is due Your Jets perfected the generic angst naded us with a song about a nor- to his blog, he's married, has kids the U.S. than in Canada. to personal problems over the past sound and are considered under- mal guy not having a chance with and plays rugby, though. The band has now released a few years: he divorced his wife in rated gems – but only by Canadi- a hii-ee-iii-igh class girl that accom- total of nine albums, including a 2009 and his mother Lana Shand ans. panied one of the most memora- Crash Test Dummies Christmas album and last year's (who owned clothing store Vin- After leaving their label in 2003, ble music videos for any Canadian release Oooh La-La!, but their suc- tage Glory in the Exchange District Jet Set Satellite released two inde- kid who grew up staring at Much Superman Song (1991) cess level is stagnant. The Dummies with her husband) died of cancer in pendent albums, Vegas in 2005 and Music every night. are still touring this year, so it looks 2010. End of an Era in 2008, but no one Tal's hit single She's So High Twenty years ago, a startlingly deep, like there's a good chunk of hard- ever really knew they existed. reached number one on Canadian baritone voice crawled out of Win- core fans that are still willing to pay McMaster and James According to the band's Face- radio and was a top 10 hit in the nipeg's woodwork and told us just to see them and will never admit book page, each member is cur- U.S. He released a second album in how superior Superman is to Tar- that these guys only had one hugely Thank You (2000) rently working on solo projects and 2004, but it was not greeted with zan. successful song. vocalist Trevor Tuminski is now the the same enthusiasm as his debut. The Crash Test Dummies The year 2000 brought about a blur associate editor of a horror culture Tal has since written for vari- sounded close enough to grunge State of the arts Continued from page 15

and visiting artists – which is inte- My hope is that more dialogue Hey Mike, gral to Winnipeg's artistic develop- will continue to grow between Win- ment. nipeg artists of different disciplines I actually think there are a ton of tal- So there is hope—as long as you and that we can collectively build on ented people in Winnipeg who will can stomach the winter! our natural strengths. take risks for their own art, and I There are lots of signs of life and think the local community is totally Kier-La an overarching quality of work rarely supportive of them when they do – found in a city this size. but those risk takers and innovative Hey Kier-La, While I think there is definitely voices tend to leave. room for artistic broadening of LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEK: CURTIS NOWOSAD Matthew Rankin and Daniel Bar- I totally agree that there are lots of the local music scene, perhaps the row come to mind, from the film/ risk takers in Winnipeg. Our visual answers lie in looking deeper into Make way for the smooth jazz drums of Curtis Nowosad, whose modesty video side of things, but even they arts, theatre and literary circles are what makes the rest of the Winnipeg does little to distract from his success. are drawn back to Winnipeg again filled with artists who bravely make arts community tick. “I’m just another musician on the scene,” said Nowosad during a phone and again because of the support both challenging and relevant art. But the common thread that I see interview. that exists there. It really is unique. It’s primarily the music scene that throughout is an understanding of For just another musician, Nowosad has already proved his worth all So without that support, Win- my critique is aimed at, where devel- our history, commitment to ongo- over Canada, performing in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg and other nipeg would be shit out of luck. opment and funding support has ing support for all arts and pride in cities. Instead, artists there are given a life- been primarily focused towards mar- being a Winnipeg artist. The 22-year-old student is one assignment away from his music degree line. And I think there are more ketability rather than artistic devel- And that puts us in a pretty great from the University of Manitoba and is preparing for life post-graduation. resources for curators and presenters opment. position going forward. “I want to just keep trying to get better at playing, tour more, get now too, which helps keep the life- I'm constantly amazed at the qual- involved with more recording and touring projects,” he said. blood pumping, because it allows for ity of work coming from our galler- Mike A recent string of gigs at Aqua Books has seen Nowosad and his trio interplay between Winnipeg artists ies, theatres and authors. collaborating with a variety of other Winnipeg musicians, including Steve Bell and Vanessa Kuzina. This weekend, Nowosad’s trio will perform with Michael Petkau Falk of Les Jupes. Nowosad said he’s stoked to perform with Petkau Falk. “It’s an unlikely combination with the man who invented unlikely com- The Uniter online binations,” he said. “I am super excited to play with Mike first and fore- most.” Nowosad says the great part about jazz is combining personalities to cre- Website: www.uniter.ca ate something new every time. “Jazz allows me to fully express myself because it’s an improvised music. Facebook: www.tinyurl.com/TheUniter There’s a certain amount of freedom in it and a strong sense of community,” he said, adding that everyone has a good time playing and interpreting the music together. Twitter: @TheUniter “You have to be completely open with what’s going to happen,” he said. Catch The Curtis Nowosad Trio with Michael Petkau Falk on Friday, YouTube: www.youtube.com/TheUniter204 April 9 at 8 p.m. at Aqua Books (274 Garry St.). – Sara Shyiak 20 Arts & Culture The Uniter March 31, 2011 www.Uniter.ca LISTINGS Arts & Culture FILM On Thursday, April 7, Aqua Books hosts read- Manitoba Museum until Sunday, April 17 and Comedy night with SCOOTS MCTAVISH goes VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ings by nominees for the MARGARET LAURENCE admission is free. down every Thursday at Shannon's Irish Pub. ANOTHER YEAR plays at Cinematheque until AWARD FOR FICTION. TUNE IN is the West End Cultural Centre's free DYLAN MINER'S PROVISIONAL exhibition will be COMMUNITY EVENTS March 31. The CALL FOR ENTRIES for the Chandler Award at the Urban Shaman Gallery until April 23. after-school music lesson program for local neighbourhood youth. It has become so popu- THE GIMLI FILM FESTIVAL is accepting submis- for Student Religion Writer of the Year dead- Winnipeg Afro-Aboriginal Cross Cultural Asso- THE NORMAN ART GROUP will be holding their lar that they are in need of more guitars. If you sions until April 1. Submissions may be fiction, line is May 2. Visit www.RNA.org for more infor- ciation will hold their SECOND ANNIVERSARY 32nd annual ART SHOW & SALE on April 30 from have an underused guitar that you would con- documentary, animation or experimental. A mation. PARTY at the West End Cultural Centre on 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and May 1 from noon to 4 sider donating, they have a room full of kids short film must be less than 60 minutes long. Thursday, April 7. Prairie Fire Press and McNally Robinson Book- p.m. at George Waters Middle School. every Tuesday and Thursday that will appreci- Films must be completed after Jan. 1, 2009. sellers present the 2011 ANNUAL WRITING CON- ate and benefit from it. Please contact jason@ Plug In ICA will be hosting the exhibition CLOSE Law Day 2011 marks the 29TH ANNIVERSARY OF TESTS. Cash Prizes. Deadline is November 30. wecc.ca or visit www.wecc.ca. The CANNES LIONS COMMERCIALS return to the ENCOUNTERS: THE NEXT 500 YEARS until May 8. THE CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREE- Winnipeg Art Gallery on April 1 and 2. For full contest rules check out www.prai- DOMS, and will feature an open house at the The NEEDS Centre is seeking volunteer class- riefire.ca. The Manitoba Museum is proud to host TITANIC: Winnipeg Law Courts, 408 York Ave. on Sunday, room assistants, activity assistants, mentors The University of Winnipeg Department of The- THE MANITOBA CONNECTION exhibition, which April 17 from noon to 3:30 p.m. and homework helpers for immigrant and ref- atre and Film invites submissions for its 9TH GALLERIES & MUSEUMS will run until Sept. 5. ANNUAL UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG STUDENT The University of Winnipeg ANNUAL SPRING ugee youth aged 6 – 18. Programs run Mon- FILM FESTIVAL. Submission forms are available Plug In ICA will hold their ANNUAL GENERAL The deadline for the WINNIPEG ARTS COUNCIL'S POWWOW takes place on April 15 at 1 p.m. in the day through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. year round. on the University of Winnipeg campus at the MEETING on Thursday, March 31 at 6 p.m. INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANT PROGRAMS is Sept. 6. Duckworth Centre. Contact Sheila at [email protected] or UWSA Info Booth (Main Floor, Centennial Hall) 940-1279 for more information. The Winnipeg Art Gallery is becoming a menag- FIRST FRIDAYS in the Exchange has the gal- Have a great idea that would encourage your and the office of the Department of Theatre erie of sorts with a new exhibition, BESTIAL leries, cafés and small businesses open their community to become a better place? Submit Nominations for the 28th annual VOLUNTEER and Film (Room 3T03) or on the web at theatre. ENCOUNTERS, which will have a free public doors to visitors the first Friday of every month it to Tiber River Naturals' TIBER REVOLUTION AWARDS are open. The Gala Awards Dinner is on uwinnipeg.ca. The deadline is April 4. opening at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 31. It con- from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. CHALLENGE and you could win – and make a dif- Wednesday, April 27. Visit www.volunteermani- Cinematheque will screen THE MOUNTAIN THIEF tinues until June 12. ference in your community. Prizes include a toba.ca for more details. from April 1 to 7, UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN THEATRE, DANCE & COMEDY Tiber Pamper Package, fitness boot camps and At 4 p.m on Saturday, April 2, Plug In ICA will REACHING ACROSS BORDERS raises funds for RECALL HIS PAST LIVES and A MAN WITHIN from scrumptious product. Email [email protected] mark the passing of former Winnipeg art- women's literacy, small business development April 8 to 14, SOUNDTRACKER from April 15 to AMRINDER GILL is performing at the Centennial or call 474-2333 for more details. ist Gordon Lebredt and launch the publication and for student scholarships in a small com- 21, MODRA and THE TOPP TWINS: UNTOUCHABLE Concert Hall on Friday, April 1. 7:30 p.m. GORDON LEBREDT: NONWORKS 1975–2008, co- The WINNIPEG LABOUR CHOIR is looking for new munity in Africa. We have been working with GIRLS from April 22 to 28. published by Plug In Editions and the Centre for THE WINNIPEG COMEDY FESTIVAL runs from members to join a small core of like-minded, this community for the past eight years. If you On Saturday, April 16, the Winnipeg Film Group Contemporary Canadian Art, and distributed by April 1 to April 9. For a list of performers, show- enthusiastic singers. Through music and drama, would like more information, please contact will honour Larrry Desrochers and his contribu- Art Metropole. times and tickets visit www.winnipegcomedy- their goal is to educate others about working Marilyn Joyal at [email protected] or 255-4556. tion to Winnipeg filmmaking and the arts. 7:30 festival.com. conditions, labour history and social justice. The Outworks Gallery presents THAW from April The HUMANITARIAN ISSUES PROGRAM of the p.m. at Cinematheque. There are no auditions or tryouts. Meet every 1 to April 9. The 11th annual FESTIVAL OF FOOLS takes place Canadian Red Cross seeks youth volunteers Wednesday at Sargent Park School from 7:30 to PLASTIC PAPER is an international festival of at the Forks Market until April 2. ages 15 to 25 to work on campaigns and events Gallery 1C03 presents Robert Kelly's MINUTIA 9:30 p.m. in the music room. For further details animated, illustrated and puppet film that will around themes such as children in conflict, until Saturday, April 2. Theatre Projects Manitoba is performing The contact Lynn McLean at 772-2072. celebrate its second edition from May 4 to May MOONLIGHT SONATA OF BEETHOVEN BLATZ from refugee and migrant issues and international 7 at the Park Theatre. H2OOHHH, an art exhibition by RODNEY S. April 7 to April 17. ON CAMPUS development. For more information, email BRAUN, will be at Pixels 2.1 Gallery, 217 McDer- [email protected] or call 982-6731. WNDX, Winnipeg’s Festival of Film and Video Art, mot Ave., until Saturday, April 9. CALENDAR GIRLS by Tim Firth will be on stage Gallery 1C03 presents Robert Kelly's MINUTIA is seeking new Canadian and international films CKUW 95.9 FM is seeking volunteers for the at the MTC's John Hirsch Theatre until Satur- until Saturday, April 2. and videos for their next edition, to be held Aceartinc will host MY LIFE WITH PAMELA day, April 9. music and news departments, and hosts for Sept. 29 to Oct. 2. Submission deadline is May 13 ANDERSON AND OTHER WORK by KRISTIN NEL- UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG DOWNTOWN VOCAL programs. Email [email protected]. and forms are available at www.wndx.org. Sunday night open mic comedy is at the Cav- SON until April 9. JAZZ CHOIR meet every Sunday at 12:30 to 2:30 THE WEST BROADWAY YOUTH OUTREACH CENTRE ern, featuring JOHN B. DUFF. p.m. in Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall and have con- COSMOMANIA: THE INCREDIBLE SPACE ADVEN- is always looking for more volunteers to help LITERATURE certs at the end of each semester. TURE examines the past 50 years of space Every Tuesday night, head down to the King's with a variety of programs including sports, JONATHAN GARFINKEL and DANIELLA PON- exploration – from Sputnik, the first satellite, Head Pub for a free comedy performance. You can find updates for current job oppor- tutoring and other programs to benefit inner- TICELLI read at Aqua Books on Wednesday, and the first human flight byY uri Gagarin on The open mic comedy night at the Standard tunities at the university by going to this link: city youth. Call 774-0451 or stop by 222 Furby St. April 6. April 12, 1961 to the present-day International is hosted by MIKE GREEN and happens every http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/hr-ss-pos-vac. to offer your skills. Space Station. The exhibition will be up at the Thursday at 8:30 p.m.

Announcement Annual Meeting of the Membership Mouseland Press Inc.

7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2011 Room 1L06, The University of Winnipeg

1. Welcome and Introductions 9. Nomination of Chair 2. Approval of Agenda a) Michael Rac 3. Approval of Previous Meeting’s Minutes 10. Election of Chair 4. Managing Editor and Business Manager Reports 11. Setting of Initial Board of Directors Meeting 5. Approval of 2011-2012 Budget 12. Presentation to Outgoing Board Members 6. By-Law Changes 13. Adjournment 7. Nomination of New Board of Directors All Uniter staff, contributors and past members are wel- a) Robert Galston come to attend. If you have contributed to three or more b) Sara McGregor c) Peter Ives issues of The Uniter during the 2010/2011 school year, you d) Karmen Wells are automatically a member of Mouseland Press Inc. and 8. Election of New Board Members have voting rights at this meeting.

"Like" The Uniter on Facebook. Visit www.tinyurl.com/TheUniter to find our page. Arts & Culture 21 www.uniter.ca March 31, 2011 The Uniter Covered in chocolate, oozing with flavour A roundup of the top places to fix your sweet-tooth cravings

CINDY TITUS JORDAN JANISSE Left: Premium chocolate raspberry cheesecake from Dessert Sinsations. Right: Cheesecake from Baked Expectations. Bottom: Crepes from Kawaii Crepe.

Sara Shyiak for celiacs, vegans and diabetics. The dessert a large menu. Everything about this place screams fla- Volunteer Staff options are rotated every day so you’ll always Kawaii has a tasty menu with sweet and vour, from the whipped flavourful icing to have a fresh batch of choices. savoury options for the stuffing of your the colourful sprinkles. The creativity behind The turnover at Sinsations is fast and effi- crepes. They have everything from a break- the vast list of flavours is untouched and the From treats smothered in chocolate to coffee cient. You’ll be enjoying your food with your fast crepe, to a spinach crepe to, my favou- presentation is ideal. specials oozing with flavour, Winnipeg has closest friends and the rest of the café too rite, the dessert crepe. The Cupcake Corner is all about quality. several great dessert cafés. because it’s busy and loud, but the hustle and Drink options include various coffees and Every single cupcake in their display case was There is nothing better after a long day of bustle can make for a great place to socialize. pops, freshly squeezed orange juice, bubble baked fresh that morning, no exceptions. summer classes than grabbing a slice of some- tea and a cold smoothie-like drink, the Choc- Prices are about average for this type of thing delectable. Baked Expectations olate Temptation. sweet – regular cupcakes are $3 for one, $27 Instead of dropping your cash at a Star- 161 Osborne St. Must try: the s’more crepe. Ooey gooey for a dozen and mini cupcakes sell for $1.75 bucks or another chain store, send some sup- You’re not really a Winnipeger if you’ve melted marshmallows, thick layers of Nutella each or $16 for a dozen. port in the way of local business owners. never ventured into the Village to this sweet and bite-sized graham crackers all wrapped A trick if you’re looking to save: go early Just a hop, skip and a jump away from the treat hot spot. up in a warm crepe will have you ordering in the day. They usually have day old, dis- University of Winnipeg, you’ll find Dessert Baked Expectations has a full menu of two. count cupcakes that still taste delicious and Sinsations, Baked Expectations and Kawaii cheesecake, tortes, cakes and a few other del- Compared to other dessert café spots, save your wallet. Crepe bursting at the seams with great food icacies. They offer a full meal menu, alcohol, Kawaii is dirt cheap. You won’t pay over $6.95 The staff at the Cupcake Corner are happy and friendly atmosphere. hot drinks and even some cold ones. for a crepe and many of their menu items are and helpful. They’re eager to make sure you Baked is a little more affordable with cap- as low as $3.95. Drinks are all under $4.50, have a good experience and are anything but Dessert Sinsations puccinos, lattés and other hot drinks ring- most are around $2. pushy salespeople. 505 St. Mary Ave. ing in at $3.95 for a regular cup and $4.50 for The atmosphere at Kawaii is fun and bub- This cupcake nook has no seating and Right behind the Winnipeg Art Gallery is their larger size. A slice of anything they have bly, from the staff, the cutesy crepe names to no drink menu. So grab a milk to go at the a diner filled with twinkling lights and deca- will never cost you more than $7.50 and they the bright coloured decoration. Shell nearby and find a place to savour your dent desserts. are one of the few places you can still buy a Kawaii offers a gluten-free crepe for celiacs goods. This dessert café offers a variety of tortes, Jones soda. and a multigrain one for the health nuts. You cakes, cookies, dainties, as well as entrees, If you like chocolate chip cookies and have can also make your own crepe combo with appetizers, sandwiches and a bar of wines, never had the Tia Maria Torte, I encourage any of their ingredients. beers, liqueurs and specialty coffees. you to hit Osborne right now because it is The coffee menu is delicious; the cara- melt-in-your-mouth good. The Oreo cookie Cupcake Corner mel latté I had was the perfect accompani- cheesecake will fill any cake lover’s mouth 439 Stradbrook Ave. ment to any dessert, particularly the delecta- with joy. Who knew there could be so many differ- ble zebra brownie. They have many tea and Vegans, celiacs and diabetics have to be ent flavours of cupcakes? The bakers at Cup- coffee options as well as a low fat latté. careful here as there are no desserts marked cake Corner sure did. The prices are a little steep for students, especially for them. The Cupcake Corner is exactly that –a and Dessert Sinsations posts that they reserve bakery filled with cupcakes in all different the right to charge a minimum of $8 per per- Kawaii Crepe flavours. From chocolate cake with peanut son. Cappuccinos, hot chocolate and lattés 201-99 Osborne St. butter icing to red velvet with vanilla icing are $4 or more for a cup. Slices of cake are at A newer addition to the downtown des- and everything in between: mint, strawberry, least $8 and so are slices of pie. sert-café family is Kawaii Crepe. For a place coconut in mini cupcakes, regular cupcakes, Dessert Sinsations has alternative options that offers only crepes to eat, they sure have giant cupcakes and specialty cakes. JORDAN JANISSE Burrito del Rio serves convenient, quick Mexican cuisine in the Village

Samuel Swanson burrito, described as “roast chicken marinated in a citrus Volunteer staff achiote sauce,” along with a bottled orange Jarrito, a Mexi- can soda and a chicken quesadilla. The taste of both the burrito and the soda were both very Burrito del Rio subtle. There are options of hot salsas and sauces, so it is suit- 433 River Ave. able for spicy eaters as well as amigos with sensitive palates. The very friendly employees put your burrito together Just off Osborne, hidden behind the Gas Station Theatre, in the Subway-famous format where, after you choose your Burrito del Rio greets you with neon words on a sign, read- food, they walk you from one end of the sneeze guard to ing: “Tacos – Burritos – Cerveja” – which is great because the other, asking what kind of beans you want, and whether the restaurant lets you know it has a liquor licence as you you’d like rice, corn, cilantro, peppers, sauces, etc. walk by, but keeps the secret from those without elemen- My burrito fell apart as I was eating it, as is the nature of tary Spanish. burritos, so be sure to snag a fork if you’re grabbing food to The food menu consists of various burritos ($7 to $11), go. tacos ($3), quesadillas ($8) and the naked burrito, which Burrito del Rio is appropriate for all demographics and scraps the tortilla and places the burrito fillings in a bowl during my 30 minutes there, I saw many different people ($7 to $8). getting take-out and eating in. Inside, Burrito del Rio is decorated with myriad cliché Beside me sat a Mexican family who spoke Spanish. That Mexican images on one wall that leads up to a fake roof made it feel authentic, but I’m not sure that happens often. inside the place – with scrapwood shingles to give the visitor I liked them better than the cheating girlfriends, anyway. the low-income Mexican neighbourhood feel. One would be best advised to avoid Burrito del Rio at It’s loud inside, and sound has a way of bouncing off peak hours as it is very small, in a much-walked area, near the red walls and Mexican posters. It’s not a good place for the corner of Osborne and River. secrets/gossip for this reason. As long as you’re not bothered by the sound of many peo- At a nearby table, I could quite clearly comprendo a con- ple talking in a small room, it’s a fine stop for quick Mexican versation being had by two girls about cheating on their cuisine and cervejas at a reasonable price. boyfriends. If you don’t like noise and people, order to go. LISA VARGA I had a mediano (as opposed to grandé) Pollo Achiote 22 Arts & Culture The Uniter March 31, 2011 www.Uniter.ca

AWARDS & FINANCIAL AID The Awards and Financial Aid staff of the University of Winnipeg provides the student body with current information on award opportunities. This information is updated weekly.

THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG AWARDS: philosophy and classical archaeology are eligible. Applicants must be less than 28 · 6-8 week long Spring/Summer session – 6 credit hour minimum years of age on Jan. 1 of the year of application. The main criteria are academic · 9 weeks or longer Spring/Summer session – 9 credit hour minimum http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/services-awards achievement, professional promise and an appropriate undergraduate preparation. For more information or application procedures and form, please visit their You must maintain the appropriate minimum course load for your study period in Graduate & Professional Studies Application Expenses Bursary website: http://cac-scec.ca/eng/desmond_conacher.html. order to retain your student assistance eligibility. The purpose of this bursary fund is to provide some assistance to students with Deadline: April 11, 2011 Registration at Another Post-Secondary Institution respect to the high costs associated with applying to graduate and professional Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC) Bursary If, in addition to University of Winnipeg courses, you are registered and taking schools. Application forms are available from the Awards & Financial Aid Office in courses elsewhere during the academic year for credit towards your University of Student Services, Mezzanine-Graham Hall or on our website. Students may apply The BIAC Bursary Program is intended to assist students living with an acquired Winnipeg degree, you must present proof of registration to the Awards & Financial any time during the Fall/Winter academic year, provided that funding is available brain injury to pursue educational opportunities in English or French post- Aid Office before your student assistance document can be authorized and for this bursary. Applications will be evaluated on a first-come, first-serve basis. secondary institutions or apprenticeship/trades programs. Two bursaries of $2,000 released to you. each will be awarded for each school year: one for studies in English and one in AWARDS OFFERED BY EXTERNAL AGENCIES AND ORGANI- French. To be eligible for a BIAC Bursary, you must: Fee Payment ZATIONS: * be a full-time student or be eligible to attend a Canadian post-secondary Your fees will be deducted from the student assistance document when it is C.A.S.C. Scholarships institution in a recognized program leading to a degree, certificate or diploma or electronically approved by the University. Government Student Aid is used first to recognized apprenticeship/trades programs meet educational costs. All overdue fees and emergency loans as well as fees for The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) is calling for applications for the the current study period will be deducted from the student aid document. If your three Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation (CASC) scholarships: * have sustained an acquired brain injury student assistance does not cover your required fee payment, you will have to Alexander Fraser Laidlaw Fellowship – The Laidlaw Award, valued at $1,000, is avail- * be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident or Protected Person, within the make payment on your own by the fee payment deadline. Credits for scholarships able to graduate students only. The award is based on the applicant's academic meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. you may be receiving will be used to reduce the amount of fees deducted from the record, as well as on the importance of the proposed research activities to the Please note that receiving a bursary may affect your eligibility for other forms student aid document. development of the co-op movement in Canada or abroad. of provincial financial assistance. If you wish to be considered for a bursary, you Fee Deferral Amy and Tim Dauphinee Scholarship – The award, currently valued at $3,000, is must complete the entire BIAC application form available on their website http:// available to graduate students only. The award will be based on the applicants' biac-aclc.ca, or from the Awards & Financial Aid office, Room 0GM05, Mezzanine The Awards & Financial Aid Office can defer your fees if you have applied for academic records and on the importance of the proposed research activities to the of Graham Hall. Information provided on your application will be shared with the Government Student Aid but have not received your confirmed assistance development of the co-op movement in Canada or abroad. Selection Committee panel in order to determine your eligibility. document by the fee payment deadline. Please refer to the Important Dates & Deadlines section. Lemaire Co-operative Studies Award – Available to both undergraduate and Deadline: April 30, 2011 · Fee deferral means that your registration will not be cancelled because of your graduate students, the Lemaire awards are intended to encourage students Manitoba Theatre Centre Scholarships to undertake studies which will help them contribute to the development of failure to pay by the deadline. co-operatives in Canada or elsewhere. Eligible candidates will have been involved Award funding is for full-time students attending accredited theatre schools, or · However, you will be charged the late payment fee unless you have submitted with co-operatives, must demonstrate reasonable knowledge and understanding university theatre programs, who intend to pursue a career in theatre. Eligible your Student Aid application in sufficient time for it to be processed by the of co-op principles and their application, and be able to indicate how the proposed students are Canadian citizens or landed immigrants and residents of Manitoba, payment deadline. studies will contribute to the co-op movement. Full-time or part-time students, tak- or have been residents of Manitoba for a significant period of their lives, who ing full – or partial-credit courses at any university or university-equivalent college are enrolled full-time in accredited theatre training programs. NOTE: Part-time If your name is on the Awards & Financial Office fee deferral list but you withdraw are eligible to apply. Eligible candidates must take a minimum of one course about students and students enrolled in faculties of education, or programs of other from university courses, you will be responsible for the fees you owe until your co-operatives. The bursaries will be awarded in multiples of $1,000 to a maximum artistic disciplines are NOT eligible. Application forms are available from the actual date of withdrawal. of $3,000. The amount of the awards will be proportional to the significance and Awards & Financial Aid office, Room 0GM05, Mezzanine of Graham Hall or from their If you are out of funds before your next disbursement of Government Student Aid contribution of the studies to the advancement of co-operatives. website: www.mtc.mb.ca. occurs, you can arrange for bridge financing from the university in the form of an For all three scholarships, applicants must either undertake studies at Canadian Deadline: May 2, 2011 emergency loan. Please call 786-9984 for an appointment. universities or university-equivalent colleges (regardless of citizenship) or be Ca- Martin Moser Society for Theological Studies Bursaries DID YOU KNOW ... That Manitoba Student Aid staff can be on campus on Fridays nadian citizens or landed immigrants studying at such institutions outside Canada. from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. To meet with them, you need to set up an appointment To be eligible to receive the award, recipients must undertake their proposed study Two bursaries of $1500 are being offered to students enrolled in a graduate or time. Come to student services and book an appointment, or phone 786-9458 or within one calendar year of the fellowship being awarded. Application forms are undergraduate degree in theology or ministry. The applicant must be of Christian 789-1420. available from their website www.coopscanada.coop/en/orphan/CASC-Scholarships. denomination enrolled or accepted in a recognized Canadian theological school DID YOU KNOW ... You can check the status of your student aid application, find with plans to exercise his/her ministry in Canada. For application forms and Deadline: March 31, 2011 out what documentation is still outstanding, update your address information and instructions, please visit the Awards & Financial Aid office, Room 0GM05, Mezzanine much more online? Go to www.manitobastudentaid.ca and then to MySAO to log of Graham Hall. For inquiries, email: [email protected]. Canadian Japanese-Mennonite Scholarship into your existing account. Deadline: May 13, 2011 The scholarship was created as a tangible symbol of cooperation between Cana- DID YOU KNOW ... If you are a student who has had past Government Student dian Japanese and Canadian Mennonites, subsequent to a formal apology that was John Gyles Education Awards Loans and are currently a full-time student but do not have a student loan this offered to Canadian Japanese by MCC Canada on behalf of Canadian Mennonites. year, please fill out a Schedule 2 document to remain in non-payment status. It is intended to assist the protection of minority and human rights in Canada, and The John Gyles Education Awards of up to $3,000 are available each year to Please come to Student Services in Graham Hall, where front counter staff can help to reduce the potential for abuse of cultural minorities such as that suffered by post-secondary students enrolled in any area studying in either Canada or the you with this form. Japanese Canadians during World War II. The $2,000 scholarship is awarded to a United States who are full Canadian or American citizens. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is student who is enrolled in a graduate degree program, a Canadian citizen studying required, and criteria other than strictly academic ability and financial need will REPAYING YOUR STUDENT LOAN(S) at a university in Canada, and is engaged in research that will assist the protection be considered in the selection process. Applications and information are available There will be a National Student Loan representative at the University of of minority or human rights in Canada. To obtain an application package or for online at www.johngyleseducationcenter.com, or the Awards & Financial Aid office, Winnipeg on Monday, March 28 in Room 4M3760 – 4th Floor, Manitoba Hall more information visit their website: http://canada.mcc.org/scholarships, or the Room 0GM05, Mezzanine of Graham Hall. Awards & Financial Aid office, Room 0GM05 – Mezzanine of Graham Hall. from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. providing an information session on repaying your Deadline: June 1, 2011 government student loans. It is open to the public and no registration is Deadline: April 1, 2011 required. Manitoba Arts Council Student Bursary Program Retail as a Career Scholarship Program Are you graduating or leaving school? Then it's time to take charge of your This program provides support for Manitoba students of the arts (crafts, dance, finances! Your government student loan(s) may come from the federal government Retail Council of Canada, in partnership with industry sponsors, will award more film/video, music, theatre, visual art, writing, arts journalism or arts administra- and or your provincial/territorial government. This means you could have more than $75,000 in scholarships and benefits to students entering or currently tion) engaged in full-time, long-term study at a post-secondary institution in than one loan to pay back. enrolled in a business, marketing or retail-related program at a Canadian post- Canada or abroad, and who intend to pursue a career in the art form. Applicants secondary institution. must be registered for a full program for six months or more. Application forms The National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC) will send your Consolidation and guidelines are available from their website: http://artscouncil.mb.ca/2010/03/ Agreement by mail before you are required to start making payments. The Agree- Students who receive the scholarships will not only benefit from financial ment sets the terms for the repayment of your Canada Student Loan; this is the assistance for their post-secondary education, but will also attend STORE 2011 student-bursary-program/ or the Awards & Financial Aid office, Room 0GM05, Mezzanine of Graham Hall. federal portion of your loan. You'll have to make a number of decisions, including in Toronto where they will have the opportunity to engage with the brightest the type of interest rate and how long you'll take to repay your loan. Depending on professionals in the Canadian retail industry. A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded Deadline: June 1, 2011 your situation, you might also receive another Consolidation Agreement by mail by Interac Association to the top Retail as a Career Scholarship applicant, whose for your provincial or territorial student loan. name will not be disclosed until STORE 2011. This year, 26 scholarships are available MANITOBA STUDENT AID PROGRAM (MSAP): and one $5,000 Interac Scholarship in addition to twenty-five (25) $1,000 Industry- Application for the 2011 Spring/Summer session is now open. Students can apply You don't have to make any payments on your student loan(s) for the first six Sponsored Scholarships. To be considered for one of the scholarships applicants online at www.manitobastudentaid.ca. months after you leave school; however, interest will be added to your Canada must meet the following criteria: Student Loan during these six months. *New to the Student Aid program are a series of grants and bursaries: * Enrolled full-time or part-time at a Canadian college or university in Fall 2011. * Canada Student Grant for Students from Low-income Families Helping you repay your loan * Pursuing a retail, business or marketing-related program. * Canada Student Grant for Students from Middle-income Families Missing payments can have serious and long-term consequences. Contact the * Currently working part-time or full-time within the retail industry. * Canada Student Grant for Students with Dependents NSLSC before you miss a payment. The federal government can provide you with a For application forms and instructions, please visit their website: www.retaileduca- * Rural/Northern Bursary number of options, such as the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Visit CanLearn.ca tion.ca. to use the Repayment Assistance Estimator to see if you qualify. These grants are the first money students will receive in their financial aid Deadline: April 1, 2011 packages, before any loans are awarded. Many students may, in fact, receive the Stay connected! majority of their financial assistance in the form of grants. Girl Guides of Canada Scholarships Sign up for an online NSLSC account on CanLearn.ca and ensure that the NSLSC has Be sure to apply early and to submit all requested documentation as soon as your up-to-date contact information. The National Scholarship Program is one of the ways that Girl Guides of possible to ensure that you receive all the grant funds for which you are eligible. Canada-Guides du Canada (GGC) recognizes girl and adult members who embody For information on your student loan(s), contact the NSLSC at 1-888-815-4514 (TTY the mission and values of the organization. This program supports our “registered Confirmation of Enrollment & Release of Government Student 1-888-815-4556). members” who continue in guiding while they pursue their education/training at a Aid Documents For information on your provincial student loan(s), contact your provincial student recognized post-secondary institution. Scholarships are conditional on acceptance financial aid office. For a complete list, visit www.canlearn.ca/eng/main/help/ to/or continuation of a full-time program at a recognized post-secondary institu- Approximately 3 weeks before classes begin, the Manitoba Student Aid Program contact/cao.shtml. tion of the applicant’s choice. A scholarship will only be awarded when Girl Guides (MSAP) will begin printing official assistance documents for students whose MSAP of Canada-Guides du Canada has been notified of this acceptance. Visit www. documentation and university course registration are in order. MSAP will mail OTHER AWARD WEBSITES: girlguides.ca/scholarships for criteria and application forms. the documents to students at the addresses they have provided on their MSAP applications. The document you receive will have been electronically approved by Canada Student Loan program & other important information on finances and Deadline: April 1, 2011 the Awards & Financial Aid Office. It will indicate the fees you owe to the University budgeting: www.canlearn.ca. Manitoba Round Table for Sustainable Development Scholar- of Winnipeg. These fees will be deducted from your student aid. Surfing for dollars? Try www.studentawards.com and www.scholarshipscanada.com. ship · If the document is a Canada Student Financial Assistance document, you The Sustainable Development Scholarship assists post-secondary students who should take it to an approved Canada Solutions to puzzle from March 24, 2011 and the puzzle from this issue. pursue studies or undertake research that embraces the spirit and principles Post outlet for forwarding to the of sustainable development. The scholarship is open to students in any field of National Student Loan Centre. study offered at an approved Manitoba post-secondary institution who will be attending full-time (60% or higher course load) in the 2011-2012 academic year and · If the document is a Manitoba Student have a GPA of at least 3.5. These scholarships are not available to employees of Aid document, you should forward the Province of Manitoba or their spouses, common-law partners or dependants. it to the MSAP Loan Administration The scholarship consists of two single, non-renewable awards of $1,000 for an Department. undergraduate or college student. Application forms are available from the follow- The National Student Loan Centre ing website: http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/susresmb/scholarship/apply.html, or the MSAP Loan Administration or from the Awards & Financial Aid office, Room 0GM05, Mezzanine of Graham Hall. Department will process the document, Deadline: April 1, 2011 transferring the fee payment portion directly to the university and Desmond Conacher Scholarship depositing any additional balance to your account. Instructions on these This scholarship is offered in memory of Desmond Conacher, formerly Professor processes will be included in your of Classics at Trinity College, Toronto, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and student aid document package. Honorary President of the Classical Association of Canada. Its purpose is to assist and encourage a young scholar entering graduate studies in classics. The Course Load scholarship is administered by the Classical Association of Canada through its Awards Committee. One award of $2,500 is offered each year. Applicants must be The minimum course load for which Canadian students (citizens or permanent residents) intending to enter the first you must register to be eligible for any year of graduate studies in a classics or similar program at a Canadian university. form of government student assistance Specializations within the general area of classics such as ancient history, ancient is 60% of the maximum course load required for your study period: Arts & Culture 23 www.uniter.ca March 31, 2011 The Uniter Crossword Puzzle 25 Good Solutions to this week’s crossword are included in this week's issue. & Evil Across 60- Fertilize an animal 62- Presidential battleground state 1- Head and shoulders sculpture 63- Silk cotton 5- Milan's La ___ 64- Netman Nastase 10- Hang-up 65- Auth. unknown 14- Draft classification 66- Habituate 15- Histological stain 67- Seemingly forever 16- Abound with J.Williamez 17- Sleep disorder Down 19- Pearl Mosque city 20- Computer availability 1- Additional pay This week, J transforms 21- Half-pike 2- Not appropriate 23- Science of bodies at rest 3- Simmons rival 25- Muzzle 4- Roman historian into a grumpy old man 26- Absolute 5- Chosen As some of you might know, new words 28- More spine-tingling 6- Cedar Rapids college have been added to the Oxford English 31- Drinks (as a cat) 7- Cairo cobras Dictionary. This is done every year to 34- Part of Q.E.D. 8- Does a Daffy Duck impression make sure that the English language itself 36- Not o'er 9- Whatever person actually aligns with how the majority of 37- Author Umberto 10- Height people use the language. 38- Apprised 11- Bargain I’m generally ambivalent when it comes 40- ___ kwon do 12- Dynamic beginning bestcrosswords.com to the addition of new words. It doesn’t 41- Palpitate 13- Fed bother me if the new words happen to be 43- Biblical birthright seller 18- Drop 35- Autocratic Russian rulers 53- Take hold ones that I don’t use, because there are a 44- Second letter of the Greek alphabet 22- Very much 38- Bahamanian island 54- Forest makeup buttload of words in the English language 45- Foursome 24- Open a tennis match 39- Continental inhabitant 55- Portico that I don’t use. 47- Diamond flaw? 27- Bluffer's ploy 42- Speech 56- "All the Way" lyricist Sammy I’m sure there is even one which would 49- Aspect 29- Coup d'___ 44- Chocolate chewy cake 57- Capital city of Western Samoa have encapsulated the meaning I had in 51- One playing alone 30- Greek fertility goddess, flightless bird 46- Portray 61- Baseball stat mind for my last sentence far better than 55- Vision in dim light 31- Riga resident 48- Designer Cassini “buttload,” but it’s too late now. 58- Tin alloy 32- Dull pain 50- Stopwatch-holder 59- Anklebones 33- Case 52- Author Calvino Maybe I’ve got this all wrong. Maybe I should embrace the dumbing down of our language.

However, when I saw the list of new words being added this year, I did become a little perturbed. Included in the list of this year’s inductees: OMG, LOL, IMHO and even BFF. My problem with these new “words” does not stem from the fact that I don’t 95 use them. Nor does it stem from the fact that I had to actually look up what IMHO stands for because I’ve never even seen it $ used before, never mind enough to war- rant making it a new word. My problem with these words is that they are not pronounced using the same phonetic system we apply to other words. OMG, for example, is not pronounced like it looks, but rather more like “Oh Em Gee.” Granted, there are already many acronyms in the dictionary, at least some other such as “AIDS” have the common decency to be pronounceable. What happens next year when the new batch of hip, new acronyms are added to the dictionary and one of them includes 29 an “H?” Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that next year’s acronyms include the instant classic, HDW (short for “hot dog water”), $tudent pricing as in “OMG, who the H drank all the HDW?” The problem arises when you consider the following: what the hell is the dictionary going to write beside it as a pronuncia- tion guide? “Aitch Dee Double You”? I’ve got a better idea. Instead of letting 12-year-olds on Twitter dictate the boundaries of our language, why don’t we get off our asses and teach them how to speak it in the first place. For just $29.95, walk in with your taxes, walk out with your refund. Instantly. If kids these days had even an ounce of You’ll also get a free SPC Card to save big at your favourite retailers.* the work ethic that made our forefathers so great, then maybe they wouldn’t be too goddamn lazy to type out the words “oh my god.” maximum The way things have been going, we’re ** conforming the English language to fit we make taxes easy the way most people misuse it, instead of refund actually teaching people not to misuse it free SPC Card in the first place. Who knows? Maybe I’ve got this all wrong. Maybe I should embrace the Follow us on Twitter and Facebook hrblock.ca dumbing down of our language. Maybe if we all get together and try to convince as many people as possible to say © 2011 H&R Block Canada, Inc. *$29.95 valid for regular student tax preparation only. Cash back service included. To qualify for student pricing, student must present either (i) a T2202a “axe” instead “ask,” then we can change documenting 4 or more months of full-time attendance at a college or university during 2010 or (ii) a valid high school identification card. Expires December 31, 2011. Valid only at participating H&R Block locations in Canada. SPC Card offers valid from 08/01/10 to 07/31/11 at participating locations in Canada only. For Cardholder only. Offers may vary, restrictions may apply. Usage that too. may be restricted when used in conjunction with any other offer or retailer loyalty card discounts. Cannot be used towards the purchase of gift cards or certificates. **If H&R Block makes any I axe you, would that really be that error in the preparation of your tax return that costs you any interest or penalties on additional taxes due, although we do not assume the liability for the additional taxes, we will reimburse you for the interest and penalties. bad? This article was dictated but not read by J. Williamez.

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