My Columns
Brandon Sun, May 6, 2013: I have been quite dismayed by one
particular idea that has been presented as part of the discussion about
bullying in our society.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, April 8, 2013: We can learn much about empathy in
both the private and public spheres. And about dealing with the
concerns raised by Manitoba’s proposed anti-bullying legislation.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, March 11, 2013: Recent news reports highlight deep
divisions both among Christian churches and also with the wider society.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, February 4, 2013: In today’s uncertain economic
times, the question lurks: Will Canada and other countries slide into
another recession? But a bigger question is usually left unasked .
. .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, January 7, 2013: Recently I have been exchanging ideas for “Top Ten” books with friends and family . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, December 10, 2012: The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
invites reflection: not only on the monarch and history, but
also . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, November 12, 2012: November is Domestic
Violence Prevention Month. But I wonder: do we as a society simply
accept and manage this violence? Could we not work to really prevent
domestic violence?
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the full column
Brandon Sun, October 15, 2012: Co-operatives, along
with non-profit organizations, are sometimes described as the "social
economy" of our free enterprise society. The social economy provides an
important complement, partner, and alternative . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, September 10, 2012: Tomorrow is Tuesday,
Sept. 11. Which of course is a reminder of the horrific Tuesday of the
terrorist attacks 11 years ago. The anniversary is a time to reflect on
how . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, July 30, 2012: I have a hunch that
prostitution is a lot more common than we care to let on. Just take a
look at prostitution in the history of Brandon. And a scandal that
erupted in the Brandon police department 100 years ago this summer.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, July 2, 2012: Celebrating the glories of
the past is easy. But what about remembering the dark
side of our past, including some pages we might like to
forget?
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the full column
Brandon Sun, June 4, 2012: U.S. President Barack Obama
created a bit of a stir recently with his coming out in favour of gay
marriage. The controversy also provides a beautiful follow-up to . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, April 30, 2012: The stage is almost set
for the upcoming U.S. election. Mitt Romney is poised to clinch the
Republican nomination, and so has a good chance of being elected
president. Because Romney is a Mormon . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, April 2, 2012: I am a super Internet enthusiast.
So I approached with much interest the recent book
The Shallows: What the Internet
is Doing to Our Brains.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, March 5, 2012: With the U.S. election year
underway, the state of our southern neighbour invites a closer look.
One great way is to dip into Mark Steyn’s new bestselling book
After America: Get Ready for
Armageddon.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, January 30, 2012: Retracing history can be
enlightening and entertaining. So, it is an informative pleasure to
note a new book about the Palliser Expedition that explored the
Prairies a century and a half ago.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, January 2, 2012: Perhaps the most common
New Year’s resolution is to lose weight. You’d think that would be a
great idea. But our quest to lose weight is a big mistake: for
ourselves, for our health, and for our . .
.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, December 5, 2011: What a rush of new
media in the past few decades! As technology advances, I often think:
What would Marshall McLuhan . .
.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, November 21, 2011: The Occupy Wall Street
protest may be fading. But there is an opportunity this Friday for
anyone to reflect on . .
.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, November 7, 2011: So the Harper government
is going to build up the memory of the War of 1812 during that war’s
upcoming bicentennial? I’m all for learning more about our history. But
this government applies too much simple thinking to both the .
.
.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, October 24, 2011: I had a great time researching
and
guiding a historic downtown walking tour in July, part of “Doors Open
Brandon.” It is an excellent way to . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, September 26, 2011: We are in the 21st century,
aren’t we? Because you would never know it from the current Manitoba
election campaign.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, September 13, 2011: To chat with funeral
celebrant
Lawrence McInnes is to explore the changing ways we recognize and
remember life and death. The funeral celebrant is a . . .
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the full column
September 5, 2011: A review of the book by Timothy Ferriss,
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5,
Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, August 15, 2011: My wife and I attended a
Marquis
Project meeting recently and heard about the most wonderful things at
the Onanole School. That moving presentation prompts me to . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, July 18, 2011: Is Canadian history really that
boring? I’m thinking more now about that after
reading a new book by John Ralston Saul titled
Louis-Hippolyte
LaFontaine and Robert Baldwin.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, June 19, 2011: Here is my second suggested
three-kilometre Brandon historical walking tour. Take a short stroll
and get to know some of our city and its citizens of bygone years.
Start at the corner of First Street and . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, May 22, 2011: What about the issues that were
too controversial to be discussed during the recent election?
Here
are six examples. Some suggestions are too right wing even for the
Conservatives. Or too left wing even for the NDP. Or too radical even
for the Greens. Or too mundane even for the Liberals.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, April 24, 2011: One wag has already dubbed this
the
“Seinfeld Election,” because it is supposedly about nothing. But we
could be in the midst of a watershed event for our political parties
and for our democracy.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, April 10, 2011: A bizarre idea occurred to me
thinking about the Prime Minister and the election: Stephen Harper is
the new Pierre Trudeau.Yet, that seems absurd. How can the somber
Harper compare with the sexy Trudeau?
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the full column
Brandon Sun, March 27, 2011: The death penalty – the issue
just won’t go away!
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the full column
Brandon Sun, February 27, 2011: Technological and
generational
change has been on my mind this month. Prompting these thoughts are the
revolutions in North Africa, a new book about Baby Boomers, and a talk
in Brandon by Gwynne Dyer.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, February 13, 2011: It’s great to have next
weekend
as a long one in the middle of the winter, eh? But what about taking a
moment to consider Louis Riel, the namesake of the new Manitoba holiday?
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the full column
Brandon Sun, January 30, 2011: Evolution or creation? Science
or
religion? We had such an interesting time a year ago with this topic
that I can’t resist . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, January 2, 2011: A great way to reflect on what
one year can be is the new book
A Year of Living Generously:
Dispatches From the Front Lines of Philanthropy. Author
Lawrence Scanlan reports on . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, December 5, 2010: How many of us remember that a
world renowned naturalist, wildlife illustrator, and co-founder of the
Boy Scouts once lived in Western Manitoba? Fortunately, a wonderful new
book can help reacquaint us:
Ernest Thompson Seton: The Life
and Legacy of an Artist and Conservationist.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, November 7, 2010: Are Islam and the West engaged
in
a “clash of civilizations”? Can Islam change to incorporate the
equality of women?
Such questions involve all of us as global citizens. So of
special interest is the new book
Nomad,
by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, October 24, 2010: Canada’s chattering classes
are
all riled up now over the impending start of the right-wing Sun TV News
Channel. But if Sun News, dubbed Fox News North, can wake up the
“lamestream” media . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, October 10, 2010: “What! I have to pay more
taxes?”
I hear this lament as I work as a tax preparer part time during the
income tax season. Clients are shocked if . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, September 13, 2010: Dealing with long-standing
racial issues is the subject of a new book
that, although from the U.S., can shed light on Canada. Reading the
book is also a reminder of how differently Americans are . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, August 8, 2010: Brandon history fascinating?
Yes, it
is. And we can get to know it by looking around us. Some of the past is
recognized . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, July 3, 2010: Every two weeks for the last three
years, Yann Martel has sent a book – with an accompanying letter – to
Stephen Harper.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, June 12, 2010: Take a stroll along our city
streets and become acquainted with some ghosts – spirits and memories
of Brandon’s past. Here is a three-kilometre walking tour of Brandon
real-life dramas:
Start at the corner of . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, May 8, 2010: You might think that your
income tax return is just a way to report your income and figure out
the taxes you owe. Or – better yet – calculate the size of your refund.
But a tax return tells a lot more . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, April 24, 2010: Two recent books
illuminate the historical backdrops, current issues, and future
questions about food. There is plenty here for us to digest as
consumers, cooks, and citizens.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, March 13, 2010: Despite the gains made in
advancing women’s rights, many cultural and religious customs haven’t
caught up with . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, February 13, 2010: Should we care what
happens to Afghan detainees? After all, weren’t these Taliban fighters
just recently trying to kill Canadian soldiers? And isn’t
criticizing
the Afghan mission showing a lack of support for our troops?
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the full column
Brandon Sun, January 16, 2010: Who wants to pay more
taxes? No one, of course. But some tax changes are good. Like the HST
(harmonized sales tax) for Manitoba. But both the NDP and Conservatives
are against . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, December 29, 2009: Evolution? Creation?
There have been interesting letters to the editor in response to my
last column about the evolution / creation . . .
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the full column
Read
the letters to the editor
Brandon Sun, November 14, 2009: “Evolution is a theory.
Creation is a fact.”
So said a bumper sticker on a car in front of me on Rosser Avenue
recently . . .
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the full column
Read
the letters to the editor
Brandon Sun, November 7, 2009: (Part Two of Two.)
Any day, not just Remembrance Day, is a time to notice again
the
war memorials in our communities. These often-overlooked links to our
past invite reflection on citizenship, war, and peace.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, October 17, 2009: (Part One of Two.)
What happens when a
great world event slams into the lives of ordinary citizens? One answer
can be discovered by visiting our community war memorials.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, September 19, 2009: Fred
McGuinness is the consummate storyteller. And he encourages others to
tell their stories, too.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, August 22, 2009: Ever since Barack Obama
burst onto the American political scene, a question has been: Could we
have a leader like that in Canada – a Prime Minster Barack
Obama?
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the full column
Brandon Sun, July 25, 2009: Can just six words sum up a life?
That is the premise of an Internet challenge that resulted in thousands
of submissions and recently the publication of a book . .
.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, June 27, 2009: The recent General Motors bailout
got
me thinking again about the dearth of good ideas in our
Parliament . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, May 30, 2009: It's great to see that the Brandon
school board is planning a handout describing different religions. The
descriptions would be distributed to each Grade 5 student, along with
a . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, May 2, 2009: Why are some people much more
successful than others? This is the question Malcolm Gladwell explores
in his new bestselling book
Outliers: The Story of Success
. . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, April 4, 2009: Deaths of our soldiers in
Afghanistan remind us of the serious nature of Canada’s mission there.
We don’t pay enough attention, however, to the fact our Afghan mission
is entangled with the global “War on Drugs” . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, March 7, 2009: International Women's Day
is tomorrow, so this is an ideal time to review the new biography
Nellie
McClung. Written by Charlotte Gray, it reminds us again of
the
importance of McClung, whose roots were in Westman . .
.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, February 21, 2009: With the release of the huge
federal budget deficit, I see two familiar trends as the Conservatives
and Liberals square off against each other. I also have one .
.
.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, February 7, 2009: “My fellow citizens,” begins
the
new U.S. President, Barack Obama. His inaugural address marks not only
his new job, but also a new level of discourse about . .
.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, January 10, 2009: Recent news items about
restrictions on
shopping for liquor in Manitoba reveal yet again our society’s
hypocrisy about alcohol and drug use. Plus the failure of our "War on
Drugs" . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, December 13, 2008: Don’t read this column. At
least not right away.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, November 15, 2008: “Buy Nothing Day” challenges us to stop
spending for one day.
Stepping
Lightly: Simplicity for People and the Planet, a new book
by Manitoba author Mark Burch, invites us to consider living more
simply all the time.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, October 4, 2008: Is it responsible to vote for a
“fringe” party? This time in Brandon-Souris, the question is especially
appropriate, for two reasons. One . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, September 20, 2008: How delicious to have
elections going on in the U.S. and Canada at the same time! A great
time to compare and contrast not only electoral processes, but also
. .
.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, August 23, 2008: Money now being contributed to
Canada’s political parties shows a huge shift underway. As well, new
rules invite ordinary citizens to get more . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, July 26, 2008: A recent trip to England and
France left my wife and me with many wonderful memories. Plus thoughts
about citizenship, technology, and . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, June 14, 2008: Three great resources bring to
life the stories buried in our
local cemeteries.
Gossip
in the Graveyard,
What Lies Beneath,
and
Every Stone
a Story all
inform, inspire, and invite us to . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, May 31, 2008: Brandon City Council recently
adopted a new recycling program. But why was not one word said about
the existing blue bag program – which the City had claimed
would save
money, reduce pollution, and lower greenhouse gases?
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the full column
Brandon Sun, May 3, 2008:
Wikinomics
derives
its name and inspiration from “wiki,” which is open source software
that anyone can . . .
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the full column
April 7, 2008: Well, what did we learn from the recent
plebiscite? Yes, I’m going to take another kick at . .
.
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the full column
Brandon Sun, March 8, 2008: I can’t resist getting into the
casino debate. Call it an urge, a curiosity, a desire to take a risk.
Just don’t call it an . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, February 9, 2008: This time of year, many of us
are thinking more about money . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, January 12, 2008: Regardless of who is elected
American President this November, their current political
campaign offers a fascinating glimpse into the future. And not just the
future for the U.S., but for . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, December 15, 2007: I thought I would end this
year’s columns with some reflections on the future. Reflections
prompted by looking back at the birth of Brandon 125 years
ago . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, November 17, 2007: Do you ever look at the
Brandon Crime Stoppers feature in the Sunday Brandon Sun? The crimes
profiled – from armed robbery to vandalism – make for
uncomfortable . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, October 14, 2007: Participating in three events
in the last few weeks was enjoyable and meaningful for me. It was also
a reminder of . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, September 29, 2007: . . . The life
story of Harold Gray is one of 42 obituaries of everyday people in a
new book by Colorado newspaper reporter Jim Sheeler.
Obit:
Inspiring Stories of Ordinary People Who Led Extraordinary
Lives is a . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, August 26, 2007: “Ask not what your country can
do for you,” U.S. President John F. Kennedy famously said in 1961, “ask
what you can do for your country.” Nowadays, somewhat regrettably, we
are more likely to ask . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, July 12, 2007: (Part Three of Three.)
. . . Another concern 150 years ago was environmental. . .
. John Palliser and his company observed the countryside at
close hand as they travelled by canoe, foot, horseback, snowshoe, and
dog sled . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, July 5, 2007: (Part Two of Three.) .
. . Globalization was already a major dynamic for the
Prairies 150 years ago. The fur trade had brought Europeans to the
Prairies and also drawn the First Nations people into the global
economy . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, June 28, 2007: (Part One of Three.) .
. . John Palliser led
an Expedition that travelled through the Prairies 150 years ago. To
mark this sesquicentennial . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, June 29, 2007: Begin in 1882 as a tiny
settlement - mostly of tents. Reach 2007 as a bustling contemporary
city. Quite the journey for Brandon! Yet even in the earliest
years, the inhabitants of Brandon were surprisingly impacted
by . . .
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Brandon Sun, June 10, 2007: Once Upon A
Time: It all started one Sunday when my wife noticed an item
in the Brandon Sun: there was going to be an open casting call for a
movie . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, June 3, 2007: Apples, beets, carrots . . .
radishes, squash, tomatoes . . . zucchini. This is an alphabet sampling
of the delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables that are
available to the Community Shared Agriculture participants .
. .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, May 3, 2007: The time is last Thursday evening.
I am enjoying a coffee break at Scarlatti’s Cappuccino Bar on Rosser
Avenue. The coffee is delicious and . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, April 8, 2007: I recently had an anti-theft
immobilizer installed in our vehicle. So naturally I read with interest
the news reports from Winnipeg about stolen cars being used there to
run down . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, March 15, 2007: Two recent books provide
fascinating reading about how the Internet is changing our world. These
are
The Long Tail
and
Wikinomics.
The author of
The Long
Tail:
Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More
is Chris
Anderson, the . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, January 7, 2007: Volunteering is important to
the vitality and sustainability of many community efforts: from
hospitals and other large institutions to the smallest programs.
Overall, in Canada . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, December 31, 2006: (Part Two of Two.)
According to a recent Statistics Canada survey, almost
everyone gives to a non-profit program or group during the year. Here
are some tips on getting the most of your donations at income tax time.
Read
the full column
Brandon Sun, December 28, 2006: (Part One of Two.)
The vast majority of Canadians donate money to the 160,000
charitable and other non-profit organizations in the country. Totaling
about $9 billion, these donations . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, November 23, 2006: What? Spend an entire day
buying nothing? The very idea challenges us, shocks us even, especially
at this time of year. Buy Nothing Day was started in 1992 by Adbusters,
a . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, November 5, 2006: (Part Two of Two.)
Read
the full column
Brandon Sun, November 2, 2006: (Part One of Two.)
The way that income taxes are collected provides an
interesting snapshot of how our society works and changes.
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the full column
October 31, 2006: The municipal
elections last week showed a few things about where we are at as a
city. We got national publicity, but what else happened?
Read the full column
Brandon Sun, October 8, 2006: October features a number of
events that remind us of sustainability issues. There are opportunities
for insight, information, and involvement.
Read
the full column
Brandon Sun, August 31, 2006: (Part Two of Two.)
Electronic sources, especially the Internet, deliver much
more news to us than we used to get. Are we getting better news? Are we
"getting" the news we do receive?
Read
the full column
Brandon Sun, July 30, 2006: (Part One of Two.) How
we get the news has a lot to do with sustainable communities: what we
know about what's happening, diversity of viewpoints, and ideas of
options for the future. Of course . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, June 25, 2006: My wife and I recently spent a
few days visiting friends in Calgary. Calgary is remarkable not only
for the hustle and bustle, but also for the numbers of Westman youth
there. I returned to Brandon thinking . . .
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the full column
Brandon Sun, May 25, 2006.
Brandon Sun, April 23, 2006. (Part Two of Two.)
Brandon Sun, April 20, 2006. (Part One of Two.)
Brandon Sun, March 26, 2006.
Brandon Sun, February 23, 2006.
Brandon Sun, January 26, 2006.
Brandon Sun, December 15, 2005.
Brandon Sun, September 29, 2005. (Part Two
of Two.)
Brandon Sun, September 15, 2005. (Part One
of Two.)
Brandon Sun, August 18, 2005.
Brandon Sun, April 14, 2005.
Brandon Sun, October 7, 2004.
Brandon Sun, May 13, 2004.
Brandon Sun, February 5, 2004.
