AltWeeklies Wire
Bloody but Unbowed: Clint Eastwood's 'Invictus'new
The two things Invictus has going for it are the use of Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) as its central character and its underdog sports story. Americans like against-all-odds athletic tales. Even so, I think it may be something of a hard sell. Hoosiers this isn’t.
Decade in Review: Top 10 Advancements that Shaped the 2000s and Beyondnew
The innovation of the decade came in 2002, when Research in Motion released the almighty BlackBerry, the world’s first real smartphone. That opened the gate for Apple’s dazzling iPhone, which is nearly ubiquitous at decade’s end, and Google’s Android, poised to take over the market.
NOW Magazine |
Joshua Errett |
12-11-2009 |
Tech
Diet for Climate Change: Eating in the Spirit of Copenhagennew
You may not be able to get to Denmark for the climate talks, but you do have a chance to change a few food habits: It starts with avoiding red meat, processed cereals and tin cans and shopping local.
NOW Magazine |
Wayne Roberts |
12-11-2009 |
Food+Drink
Even after a Scandal, Nursing Home Employees Don't Know how to Handle Abuse Allegationsnew
An October survey of a Bristol, Va. nursing home's staff obtained by the Scene (prompted in part by a sexual-abuse complaint lodged in September) found that most of its employees don't even know they are required by law to report abuse allegations to the state.
Nashville Scene |
Brantley Hargrove |
12-11-2009 |
Crime & Justice
How We Americans Spent Ourselves Into Ruin but Saved the Worldnew
Something is very wrong with the unselective manner in which folks on the other side have allowed the neocons to define the argument. It is an unfortunate habit of the left to assume that any vocal and assertive appreciation of the American contribution to human civilization must be fascist.
Metro Silicon Valley |
David Brin |
12-11-2009 |
Economy
Sex Workers Say Recent Violence Against Them Shows They are More at Risk Than Evernew
The problem, according to Anna Louise Crago, is obvious. Having been kicked out of their stomping grounds around the traditional red light district, streetwalkers have moved to all four corners of Montreal; the scattering of prostitutes has placed them in considerable danger.
Montreal Mirror |
Patrick Lejtenyi |
12-11-2009 |
Sex
Neo-mod Brit Brats the Arctic Monkeys are Slowing Down, Growing Up and Branching Outnew
A crusty British music scribe whose name I am unable to recall recently theorized that no one likes the Arctic Monkeys—until they actually listen to one of their records. But as soon as they were built up as the saviors of British rock music, they were knocked down.
Montreal Mirror |
Erik Leijon |
12-11-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The World Rightly Sees Canada as the Villain at the Copenhagen Climate Change Talksnew
as the Canadian government tries to block climate change agreements to protect tar sands development, we're seen as the bad guy. Or, as British journalist George Monbiot writes, an "immediate threat to the global effort to sustain a peaceful and stable world."
The Coast, Halifax's Weekly |
Bruce Wark |
12-11-2009 |
Environment
La Strada Feel at Home North of the Border, Cozying Up with New Pals Hey Rosettanew
La Strada's music is the kind usually molded by cold winters and small communities. It's an indie-rock fuelled by group harmonies, violin and cello. La Strada finally made it to Canada earlier this fall, opening up for Cuff the Duke.
The Coast, Halifax's Weekly |
Mike Landry |
12-11-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
New Ballet Ensemble Brings Dance to a Diverse Cross-section of Memphis Youthnew
Katie Smythe has delicate features that belie her toughness as an instructor. "We're only supposed to rehearse until 5 p.m. today," she says. "It's already after 4 p.m. and everybody's tired and looking a little pale. Before we do anything else, I think we all need to do an African warm-up."
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Davis |
12-11-2009 |
Performance
Eric Blowtorch: The Jamaican Connectionnew
A prolific recording artist always willing to share the microphone with guest stars, Eric Blowtorch’s musical endeavors have been more a vocation in the traditional sense than a career. He has reached a new height on his latest album with his band the Welders, The Alphabet.
Shepherd Express |
David Luhrssen |
12-11-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Latino Arts Inc. Shines Light on 'Cuban Artists’ Books and Prints'new
The Ediciones Vigia, a small, independent press operating in Cuba, supports artists to produce handmade books despite limited resources and harsh conditions. It has became a symbol for the light that could illuminate Cuban culture during political and economic upheaval.
Shepherd Express |
Peggy Sue Dunigan |
12-11-2009 |
Art
An American Primitive Guitarist Looks Back on a Bittersweet Journeynew
In the late '90s, Glenn Jones' band Cul de Sac recorded an album with John Fahey. As a high school student, Jones had become obsessed with the legendary guitarist after his art teacher introduced him to one of Fahey's early albums.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
12-10-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Army's Much-hyped Repair Job for Wounded Soldiers Doesn't Pass Inspectionnew
Two years later, the Warrior Transition Unit appears less a shining success than a public-relations smokescreen, behind which the Army continues breaking its promise to care for wounded soldiers.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Anthony Lane |
12-10-2009 |
War
You May Think the Idea of Box Sets is Passé... Until You See These Releasesnew
Given file-sharing and the growing number of digital-download Web sites, both legal and otherwise, owning a bunch of music by one artist on several CDs in a cardboard box (no matter how cool the graphics and extras) is so old-school.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-10-2009 |
Reviews
