Calgary’s story singer, Regina church’s fate unknown, Toronto polar bear moves to Winnipeg.
Calgary singer-songwriter J.R. Shore
If you haven’t already familiarized yourself with the name J.R. Shore, I highly recommend you do so. Shore will be releasing his new album, State Theatre, along with a live show this Sunday at Calgary’s Ironwood Stage and Grill. His history-laden songwriting is definitely worth a listen.
State Theatre got its name when Shore and band mate Garth Kennedy took a road trip though Texas and came across the dilapidated theatre along the Mexican border that they figured must have sat empty near a quarter of a century. Shore is inspired by history and old stories that he feels need to be told, which serves as the inspiration for his latest album. Rather than telling his own personal tales through song, he unmasks the trials and tribulations of other historical figures. The stories in Shore’s new album include all-star ballplayer Charlie Grant, who played in the Negro league, as well Canadian Cree Chief Poundmaker, whose 1885 attempts at keeping peace are a prairie legend.
“If you look at all of the stories that capture my attention, my imagination, I think there’s certainly the notion of sort of romantic injustice. As a Canadian I identify with a story about Poundmaker and feel compelled to learn more about that,” says Shore.
Poundmaker/J.R. Shore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PqHIz4qsA0
Mural by Saskatchewan artist Wilf Perreault at Canadian Martyrs Church
The fate of Canadian Martyrs Church (CMC) and its beautiful interior artwork may require more than just a little faith. The CMC is one of many that has seen a dwindling in attendance numbers and the Regina archdiocese is worried about the costs – repairs, taxes, insurance, and utilities – to maintain such churches.
A group of parishioners who are quite concerned about the community losing the CMC met earlier this week to discuss ways they might be able to save it and its stained glass art. Meghan Perrault, daughter of the CMC’s artist, Wilf Perreault, has fond memories as a child in the church and would hate to see it torn down.
“It’s kind of a hidden gem here,” she said. “I want this building to be saved … I’d be devastated if it was gone.”
Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2013/01/17/sk-church-with-murals-1301.html
Toronto’s Hudson the polar bear is moving to Winnipeg
The Toronto Zoo’s Hudson the polar bear will soon be making the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg his new digs, as he moves into the International Polar Bear Conservation Centre later this month. Hudson is the youngest of three cubs and has made the headlines once before as he was the only one to survive after mama bear rejected and did harm to his two siblings.
He’ll be the first bear to set his paws in the new centre that aims to manage threatened or endangered animals that call accredited zoos, aquariums, and other facilities their homes. While he will currently be the resident bachelor, caretakers hope that he will contribute to the Species Survival Plan breeding program in the future. Hudson will be a part of the Journey to Churchill exhibit, which is set to open in Winnipeg in 2014. Toronto’s Hudson fans are encouraged to visit him and say goodbye up until January 27th, as he will be heading to his new home the week after.
“It’s a little sad that he’s going, because I have a bond with him, but he’s going to a better place. He has more potential there,” said Lynda Bongelli, a zookeeper who has taken care of him since he was born.
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Chadd Cawson is an intern at Spectator Tribune. Follow him at: @ChaddCawson
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