Local trees & c.

Obama's Nobel Peace Prize - Glenn Greenwald

Beyond Afghanistan, Obama continues to preside over another war -- in Iraq: remember that? -- where no meaningful withdrawal has occurred. He uttered not a peep of opposition to the Israeli massacre of Gazan civilians at the beginning of this year (using American weapons), one which a U.N. investigator just found constituted war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity. The changed tone to Iran notwithstanding, his administration frequently emphasizes that it is preserving the option to bomb that country, too -- which could be a third war against a Muslim country fought simultaneously under his watch. He's worked tirelessly to protect his country not only from accountability -- but also transparency -- for the last eight years of war crimes, almost certainly violating America's treaty obligations in the process. And he is currently presiding over an expansion of the legal black hole at Bagram while aggressively demanding the right to abduct people from around the world, ship them there, and then imprison them indefinitely with no rights of any kind...

WFMU's Beware of the Blog: Lux and Ivy's Favorites (mp3s)





This interview is essential for truly understanding the mythos of The Cramps. Yes, The Cramps made amazing music, and amazing contributions to the history of music, but to really get a good idea of where they are coming from, is to listen to the music that inspired them. If you think its all crazy rockabilly, you're wrong...

Calling Planet Earth (TSP radio 02/05/08)

Sun Ra, non-stop selections from Live at the Horseshoe Tavern Toronto 1978

BCCLA Files Lawsuit Against City For Violation of Charter Rights



So the billion dollar security budget is not intended at all to protect the population in Vancouver, whether housed or homeless. It is intended to protect an elite group of people who are spending two weeks in Vancouver and Whistler.

a modernist Boston Terrier on Flickr

Scar Stuff: Richard Taylor "Nightmare", "Horror", "Terror", "Fright" (Major/ Random Records, 1962)

Mr Taylor's sketchy profile claims him as "one of the newest sought after 'thriller' actors on the scene today", with producers allegedly finding "his sinister voice mystifying and full of suspense, and in direct contrast to his handsome appearance". Now this all may well be true, but what really strikes me in his delivery is the breathy, manic and nearly unhinged quality he gives these readings. In the best parts (like when the character is all worked up), there's a real sense of low-budget madness coming across -- kinda like the archetypical creep in the cellar was awarded a recording contract or something....

local & Tsawassen trees & c.

searchable LIFE - Google Books

No War on the Moon!

And now, once again, there are plans to bomb the Moon. This time the unilateral strike is aimed at the Moon’s South Pole and the payload will be delivered by the LCROSS (Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite) spacecraft; the excuse given is that this is an effort to find water deep under lunar surface. The craft was launched in late June and is currently orbiting the Earth until it finds its target; if all goes according to plan, the M-Day bombing will be 8 October 2009...

from Donato Mancini,  "Candles in the Wind" at ditch

It took me some time to realise that Marilyn Monroe, Lady Di, and Tuk, the last polar bear, were all 36 years old at the time of their deaths. Obviously, I had found a perfect basis for a series of poems. 6 years later, I would be further along with the series (aiming for 36 Candles, of course) except for the severe difficulty of the form, and the other strict constraints including, crucially, that I have sincere feelings for the subject of the tribute...

check out UNDER THE SUN, Vancouver artist Roy Arden's amazing new blog...

an oldish essay of mine on RA's Fragments...

farewell
Chris Connor

Arcady Auto Court

Located at the corner of the Old Chemainus Road and the highway across from Coronation Mall is the Arcady Auto Court. Back in the mid thirties Dr. Hannington developed the piece of property as tourist attraction and campground. The name comes from Arcady, “a region in ancient Greece in the Peloponnesus. Its inhabitants, relatively isolated from the rest of the known civilized world, proverbially lived a simple, pastoral life”.

It quickly became a popular attraction with Victoria residents who would come up by train for the day to play on the beach or to enjoy the teahouse. The teahouse was located in the large building visible from the highway. For longer stays, a number of the cabins could be rented.

The Arcady was also known for its beach and the proximity to the estuary of the creek. Dr Hannington and a partner are reported to have had a pond built on the present site of the Safeway. Apparently, the pond was stocked with fish and they planned to rent small boats for fishing.

In the late 30’s the cabins became home to many young couples who moved to Ladysmith to take jobs with Comox Logging and Railroad. For some this would be their first home in Canada as they had just immigrated; they would live in one of the cabins until they could build up a nest egg to purchase their own home. With its year-round residents and vacationers, the site was home to many a good party. Island residents would come here for their summer holidays and it was popular as well with tourists travelling up and down the Island.

In 1956, Marge and Herman Anderson purchased the site and raised their family. It was a great site for kids to grow up on as they had access to the ocean, green space and the creek. Marge continued to rent out the cabins up until her passing in 2004.

A few years ago the site was purchased by Marge’s granddaughter and well-known actress Pam Anderson. Pam in partnership with the Courtnall brothers (Russ and Geoff) of hockey fame, are developing the property into it’s next stage of evolution. Already many of the old cabins have been moved to Coombs and preserved for further use. Plans call for the protection of the significant trees on the site and preserving as much green space as practical. It is reported that a total of 83 units out of an allowable 112 will be built, the land coverage will only be 33 per cent of the site rather than the possible 60 per cent allowed. This means there will be 17,000 sq. m. of construction although the site allows for 30,0000 sq. m. of construction. The units will be built on the larger size of about 1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft. Plans also include rebuilding the wharf/marina that was once there.

While it’s a shame to lose this bit of heritage, it’s exciting to know that the site will once again be filled with people enjoying this special place. ¨

Clare Singleton

Arcady Auto Court, Ladysmith