Let the Games Begin

Not exactly a surprise, but still lamentable. (CBC)

FNUC saved?

Possibly. Prairie dog has learned that the FSIN is considering a deal where First Nations University of Canada will remain open, academically independent, but more of its non-academic responsibilities taken over by the University of Regina.

Given that (a) academics have never been the problem at FNU, (b) the fight within the FSIN has always been control over the money, (c) the FSIN people currently controlling the money at FNU brought the institution to its current crisis, this is a very positive development.

Sarah Mills has more here.

http://www.newstalk980.com/story/20100211/29231

Regina Has A New Shuttle Bus To Wal-Mart

Weird. (City website)

Pick of the Day: Another Mixed Bag

There's a few things going on today. At Chapters, University of Regina poli-sci prof David Webster explores the dark side of Canadian foreign policy in a Coffeehouse Controversies talk titled The Peacekeeper Myth. When I spoke with Webster recently, he had this to say about our increasingly hawkish nature as a country: "If there is an American military-industrial complex, then as with so many other things there's a Canadian branch plant."

At the Exchange, Grassroots Regina are presenting Spring Breakup backed-up by John Wort Hannam (pictured). This is another gig, I think, that's partly tied to the Cultural Olympiad in Vancouver. Here's video of the former, a rising folk duo consisting of Kim Barlow and Mathias Korn, discussing their musical partnership and perhaps more although they're kind of coy about it (YouTube).

For anyone who feels like getting dressed up, there's a Champagne & Chiffon fashion fundraiser with proceeds to the Heart & Stroke Foundation at the MacKenzie Art Gallery. The gallery's got some new shows up too, including a Daphne Odjig retrospective and sculptural installation by Joan Scaglione. Check them out if you get a chance.

Finally, until Feb. 13, Regina Little Theatre is presenting the culinary comedy The Kitchen Witches at the Performing Arts Centre. It's about two long-time hosts of rival TV cooking shows who, with their careers circling the crapper, team up to co-host a show in a last ditch effort to scale the heights that this man did so many years ago. (YouTube)