Vote for Meeeeee!!!!

Still got that awful post-civic election taint on your fingers? Feeling guilty that you DIDN’T EVEN VOTE? Hate your new-but-mostly-old-because-there’s-no-point-in-voting-so-no-one-did pro-business, developer-friendly, government-hatin' city council?

Here’s your chance to exercise your franchise in a more meaningful way. The Aviva Fund has been holding votes over teh internets to determine which of hundreds of local projects it will be supporting through its community foundation. There are a few vote worthy ideas afloat around these parts – like Prairies Unplugged and Learning Through Hip Hop, which I hear is dragging down my fave idea, the revamp of the Loggies Building into a cultural mecca.

So vote already. Get your friends, kids, classmates, cat, whoever – it takes a second to sign up, and you can vote once per day from each computer. Time’s a wastin'! Just two days left. (Pssst: Vote Loggies!)

Photo: Myek O'Shea

Funding Coming for Regina's Recreation Infrastructure

Went to a press conference at the YMCA today. It was organized to announce infrastructure funding for recreation infrastructure in Regina. Money will be coming from the federal government to the tune of $1,523,666 with a matching amount coming from the provincial government.

Projects to be seeing some of this cash include the downtown YMCA which will have it's reception area and men's locker room rebuilt; improvements to the Broad Street pedestrian bridge and trail; upgrades to the accessible playground at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre and to Candy Cane Park; the installation of artificial turf, lighting and a multi-purpose support facility for Leibel Field.

Additional funds for these projects will be coming from the City of Regina ($3,000,000 for Leibel Field), the Wascana Centre Authority ($563,668 split between the Broad Street pedestrian improvements and the parks) and the YMCA ($666,754 for their facility improvements).

The total amount of infrastructure funding coming from all sources is $5,777,754.

Making the announcement were MP Andrew Scheer, MLA Bill Hutchinson and Regina mayor Pat Fiacco.

It's hard to find something grumpy and critical to say about the announcement. (Not that I feel obliged to say something grumpy every time the Conservatives fork out some cash.) Regina's rec infrastructure is in serious need of support and I think I can safely say I'm a fan of money going into making the city more walkable and more accessible. Mind you, it would be nice to see some of the cash coming from the Conservative's Economic Action Plan eventually make its way towards Regina's similarly under-funded arts infrastructure. Or -- and this is an even bigger priority -- some support for our crumbling rental housing market would also be welcome.

Beyond that, all in all, a good news event for Regina.

On a personal note, I brought my daughter along to the Y to witness all this. It was her first press conference. I don't think she enjoyed it very much.

Friday Afternoon Kitty!

Here's what one critic had to say about last week's Friday Afternoon Kitty:

"Terrible! It was terrible, terrible, terrible! And It's not just me who thinks that. I know four people who hated it: a three-year-old, a six-year-old, a 43-year-old and however old I am."

Well I guess that proves Benny Hill bombs across demographics. Would not have guessed.

Hopefully this week's cute kitty will be more pleasing to everyone, whether they're three or 43. (Warning: this cartoon contains violence, gore, murder, naughty language and adult toilet situations, and three-year-olds should not watch it under any circumstances.)



Detective Mittens -The Crime Solving Cat
by vegetaananas

Plenty more awfulness at FilmCow, including some merch if you want to support the creators who give this stuff to the alterwebs without any guarantee they'll make any money doing it.

SUPERMAN MAKES YOU SMART!

While anyone who peruses this blog on a regular basis is clearly aware that the stern, stoic and no-nonsense journalist-types you'll find around here have no use for meaningless diversions such as comic books (shut up, peanut gallery...), we may just have to re-evaluate our position--because apparently, they can make your kids s-m-r-t (Telegraph). So if you'll excuse me, I think I'll take the rest of the day off to get educated.

Shorter Warren Kinsella

Keep Calm! All Is Well!

Six In The Morning

1 TAXPAYER'S FED CALLS FOUL ON TAX-FREE SMOKES In a cascading collision of unintended ironies The CTF whines about taxes that aren't being paid at First Nations gas bars from their comfy tax-basher offices located on land that belonged to indiginous peoples until European immigrants negotiated for said land in exchange for treaty rights such as tax-free status. Jebus Christmas. (CBC)

2 SOMETHING UP? Conservative MP Andrew Scheer is in Regina and (I quote from the press release) "will make an announcement that will benefit Regina and help stimulate the local economy." It wouldn't be something big and good-newsy on a Friday afternoon before the weekend, would it? We'll send someone to the YMCA press con and report back before Friday beer.

3 MUNICIPALITIES MEET Sask association meets in Regina to discuss rats, gophers and...Round-Up Ready Canola? Does Monsanto know their evil little GMO seeds are being besmirched by SARM? (Leader-Post)

4 ABORTION ACCESS ISSUES IN SASKATOON? Complaints that the de facto 12-week deadline is too early a date to draw the line. (The StarPhoenix)

5 OKAY, OKAY, WE DID IT Under threat of spousal deportation, Falcon's folks agree to plead guilty in the "Balloon Boy" hoax. (Toronto Star)

6 KHADR CASE IN COURT TODAY Read all about it. (CBC)

Pick of the Day: Wintergreen

Wintergreen isn't like most craft shows that are held in Regina. To begin with, before a craftperson can participate their work has to be juried by the Saskatchewan Craft Council to ensure it meets certain standards in terms of technical expertise, innovative design and quality materials. The pottery, jewelery, clothing, furniture and other products on display are not made with the help of a handy-dandy kit. They're all unique, hand-made creations by Saskatchewan artisans.

For over 30 years now, Wintergreen's been giving people from Regina and the surrounding area a great opportunity to kick-start their Christmas shopping by picking up special gifts for special people in their lives.

Opening today at Conexus Arts Centre, Wintergreen runs Saturday and Sunday as well. To get you in the mood, here's video of a Japanese potter in action. (YouTube)