Take Refuge:
Colour and Light in
the Canadian Shield

JULY 2010

“Almost anything you will do seems insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.”

It was these few words that moved Claus Zindel to create an illustrated book, Refuge for the Soul — a photographic report about Sand Lake. In his heart, this beautiful wilderness lake became “home” for him many years ago and he hopes it will remain so for many years to come.

He remembers the moment when he passed under the CNR bridge near Minaki for the first time. It was 1976, and although he was not a fan of graffiti, he noticed the words “Minaki is beautiful” spray-painted on the wall. More than beautiful, it is the jewel of Ontario delights — at least for those who have eyes for it and understand its singular beauty. Delights such as the peaceful silence of the small village of Minaki, the gate to picturesque Sand Lake and the kindness of the people who live there. With this book, Claus thanks his Canadian friends by illustrating the beauty that surrounds them.

About the Author

Claus Zindel was born in Lage, Germany in 1944. His favourite hobbies have always been photography and painting. Despite feeling more like an artist than a businessman, he studied business management and along with his brother Frank, successfully ran his father’s textile company. This partnership made it possible for him to spend more time vacationing than a businessman can normally afford.

Accepting an invitation from his friend Otto Weidle to spend time in the Canadian wilderness in 1976, Claus fell hopelessly in love with the country. It was the beginning of a wonderful relationship that has never ended. Living in and with nature has enriched his life beyond expectation and fulfilled his dream of a simple cottage life. Even after spending more than 30 years vacationing in the area, Claus still enthusiastically looks forward to a few months annual reprieve on his island at Sand Lake.

Claus Zindel and his wife Monique live in Ahlen, a small community in Münsterland, Germany. This is his first book.

THERE IS NOTHING
ORDINARY ABOUT
THIS RAG

June 2010

Maple Leaf Rag is a dynamic, jazz-infused riff on Canadian culture. With rhythm and edge, Kaie Kellough’s verbal soundscape explores belonging, dislocation and relocation, and national identity from a black Canadian perspective. This collection of poems is both written word and musical score — a dictated dub replete with references to African Canadian and African American culture (current and dated), Canadian history and politics, and characters ranging from dancers to piano players to boxers.

Kaie Kellough spells out the 21st century inheritance of multiple movements: the engaged pedigree of dub poetry, the identity politics-infused lyric, and the advancement of a so-called “spoken word” that bends—synesthetically—back to the page in concrete form. It is our luck that Kellough’s remarkable book-length experiment in form and social criticism occurs on this terrain. And it is a challenge that Canada, the black diaspora, and all followers of progressive poetics must meet. “News that stays new”? Kellough’s verse is New School that will stay New School.”

— Wayde Compton

These classy poems spring into motion like a jazzy urban pop-up book with its own musical score. Their craftsmanship recalls an age when attention to detail was an artisan’s signature, imagery fully-awake and precise by smooth linguistic sleight-of-hand. How supplely Kellough’s poems reflect the contours of the cultural landscapes they inhabit will be well borne out by time. Read these poems aloud—or better yet, go hear Kaie read them.”

— Catherine Kidd

Maple Leaf Rag is available through the publisher, Arbeiter Ring Publishing (ARP). Arbeiter Ring Publishing (ARP) was founded in 1996 by musician John K. Samson and writer/editor Todd Scarth in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. Our mandate is to publish a dynamic combination of cultural, fiction, and non-fiction titles with an emphasis on progressive political analysis of contemporary issues, or what the Winnipeg Free Press described as “left-wing politics with a rock-and-roll attitude.”

HISTORY IN THE
MAKING AT
FORT GIBRALTAR

AUGUST 2010

Originally built at the Forks of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers in 1810, Fort Gibraltar was a North West Company fur trade post that also helped control the pemmican trade. The Festival du Voyageur inc rebuilt today’s Fort on the east side of the Red River in 1978.

During the summer, Fort Gibraltar is a historical site featuring colorful characters living to the beat of 1815. In February, the Fort is featured as the heart of the annual winter festivities of Festival du Voyageur. Fort Gibraltar is accessible to all and offers entertainment to the entire family, from the very young to the young at heart. The Fort is also an ideal place to host business meetings, private functions and even weddings. See the website recently built by Relish…

JOIN A
UNIQUE PROJECT
FOR PEACE

June 2010

This year’s Negev Gala will go towards a unique project. The Alexander River is a polluted cross-border river which flows down from the Samarian hills on the Palestinian side to its estuary at the Mediterranean Sea in Emek Hefer on the Israeli side. The Alexander River Restoration Administration, in which the JNF plays a leading role, is the only current example of its kind involving cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians on environmental issues, with results which are visible on the ground.

This cooperation has been ongoing since 1995, even during the most difficult and tense times in the Middle East. Ecology, which knows no political borders, has become a unique bridge between people. The creation of a Constructed Wetland along the banks of the stream is the next stage in this distinct cooperation between neighbours from Tul Karem and Emek Hefer.

The area needs to be rehabilitated for future generations.
Last year, more than $420,000 was contributed towards water development projects in Israel thanks to the success of the Jewish National Fund’s 2009 Negev Gala Concert.

The JNF is recognized by the United Nations as a Non-Government Organization and is one of the leading environmental organizations in the world. Your contributions will help to ensure that the JNF can continue its work of research and development into leading-edge water conservation technologies.

GET YOURSELF A
T-SHIRT –  FIT
FOR THE PARTY

MAY 2010

In classic Manitoba style, come to a fun-filled party with great music, prizes and traditional favourites such as kielbasa, cubes of cheese, pickles, Kub Bread and Old Dutch potato chips.

Winnipeg’s World’s Largest Social will take place on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

Tickets are only $15 each, so everyone can join in on the fun, drink out of plastic cups, dance to classic rock and party with 3,000 people to help raise money for charity. You won’t want to miss it!

Many ways to
plan your visit
to Manitoba Museum

APRIL 2010

There is always something new to discover at The Manitoba Museum. With three exciting venues, each and every visit can be a new adventure. The new website is now launched and features a visitor planner, interactive map, comprehensive collections & research database and much more!

Around since 1875,
it’s time for
a reintroduction…

APRIL 2010

As Red River Mutual undergoes an ambitious transformation of their business processes, services and the way they interact with their clients…a fresh brand was needed to reflect these changes and the spirit of the company’s future.

RESEARCH LIFE
GETS GOLD
PRIX D’EXCELLENCE

APRIL 2010

Research Life, a publication of the University of Manitoba, was awarded gold for Best Magazine in the Doctoral/Medical Institution Category for the 2010 CCAE PRIX D’EXCELLENCE awards program. The annual awards program of CCAE recognizes outstanding achievements in alumni affairs, public affairs, development, student recruitment and overall institutional advancement.

The Manitoba Writers’ Guild (MWG) and the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers (AMBP) announced the 2010 Manitoba Book Awards shortlists today. Winners will be announced at the Manitoba Book Awards gala, on Sunday, April 25, 2010, at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain (CCFM), 340 boulevard Provencher. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Neil Besner, Vice President and former Dean of Arts of the University of Winnipeg.

Shortlisted are, Best Illustrated Book of the Year Award, A Memory of Sky by Jim Shilliday, design by Relish Design Studio, published by Great Plains Publications and Manuela Dias Book Design of the Year Award, Rats of Las Vegas by Lisa Pasold, design by Relish Design Studio, published by Great Plains Publications.

Since the event’s inception in 1989, during which a single award (the McNally Robinson Book Award) was presented, The Manitoba Book Awards (formerly the Manitoba Writing and Publishing Awards) has grown to feature 13 categories. Nominees and winners are selected by jurors drawn from across Manitoba and Canada.

The Manitoba Writers’ Guild formed in 1981 to promote writing throughout Manitoba, and remains committed to providing personal and professional support to writers at any level in their careers, and enhancing the province’s literary community. The Association of Manitoba Book Publishers represents 14 Manitoban publishing houses, which publish over 100 books each year in English, French, and Cree. Many of these books are written by Manitoban authors or feature Manitoban stories.

The award administrators gratefully acknowledge the support of McNally Robinson Booksellers, Aqua Books, Friesens the Province of Manitoba; the Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism; the Winnipeg Arts Council; and the Manitoba Arts Council.

and super happy

about that?

We are! For a bunch of misfit, out-of-shape paper pushers – 11th place is a awesome place to be amongst 38 teams – many seasoned rowers. The proceeds of this years festival got to HSC Foundation – and we are super happy about that too.