Chris Milk made a neat interactive music video that uses HTML5 and Google maps to make a custom music video about the place you grew up in.

My hometown happens to be Lethbridge, so it’s pretty boring.

The Wilderness Downtown (via BoingBoing)

Lethbridge Alberta was first known as “The Coal Banks”. The main industry in the early days of Lethbridge Alberta was coal, first discovered by Nicholas Sheran and then capitalized by the Galt Family. Coalbanks was renamed “Lethbridge” in 1906 when the Canadian Pacific Railroad was building track across Souther Alberta. They build the longest and tallest steel trestle bridge in the world across the coulees in Lethbridge Alberta and it was completed in 1909, still holding its records to this day. Lethbridge Alberta is a beautiful place when the snow melts in the summer because Lethbridge Alberta is founded on the banks of the Oldman River that snakes through Lethbridge on its way across southern Alberta. Lethbridge Alberta is now known more as a party town and its main industry is food processing. However, there may be oil around Lethbridge Alberta and this town may one day, boom again. Wait and see. Lethbridge Alberta is full of surprises. I verily enjoy the city of Lethbridge, Alberta. I invite you to have a look at Lethbridge Alberta yourself and learn more about Lethbridge Alberta from this song I wrote about Lethbridge Alberta.

If you’ve ever wondered what a Lethbridge cab driver gets to see, hear and smell in this spotless city of ours, check out Taxiguy’s blog. He’s got all sorts of stories and videos, ranging from hookers to pregnant teenaged moms. A very interesting side of Lethbridge most of us know nothing about!

Lethbridge Taxi Driver

But not really. This is a rant about my experience of taking L.A. Transit or whatever it’s now called – let’s say the bus – about a month ago. I felt like being green (more than just in the face) and adventurous; and because it was the middle of the summer, I wouldn’t have to freeze my derriere off waiting for one!

There were some issues I had before even stepping onto a bus, like how the stops don’t have schedules posted on them. Although the Ride Guide is available online as a PDF, and in print in some undisclosed locations, it is confusing! @chuchiface would agree

Now I’ve been told by Kim Siever, who has been taking the bus for about 12 years, that the city is developing an app or Google mashup that will give iPhone/Android/mobile users the ability to plan their routes much easier, I have no idea how far that is off. A little behind the times, Lethbridge.

So I had my university-aged sister explain the route I needed to take, which was actually quite simple to get to the college. Though it meant a lot of patience and just sitting. Good thing I brought a book. It took over an HOUR to get from Columbia Blvd. to the college, and I didn’t even have to switch buses! I could have been halfway to Calgary had I drove.

Route 12 basically takes the opposite the direction I needed to go and galavants around the westside before it stops at the university terminal. If only there were a complimentary route like it that went the opposite direction, it would shave off a lot of time. Or if I just rode my non-existent bike to the U of L…

I don’t understand how or why they picked their routes, but in the summer some stops only run every 30 minutes instead of the usual 15. More waiting around until I could take my return trip from the college terminal. And I totally forgot to pay the $2.25 fare on the way back. Take that!

Basically, this just re-enforced how much I like to drive. Too bad those Tesla Roadsters cost so much! There actually is a blue one that rides around town, by the way. I don’t want to take the bus again anytime soon. Sorry.

Check out his photography, including more of the storm, on his Flickr photostream.

The pub is only about a month old, so it smells of fresh paint rather than booze or anything else. Although it seems to be lacking some charm, I think given enough time it will grow into its skin.

The great thing about it is some of the drinks they have on tap – Kilkenny, Harp, Guinnes and Strongbow. Since we went on a Tuesday, it was a dollar off draft. Their menu also sounds really, really good, but a little on the pricey side. I was able to sample a deep-fried dill pickle and some beer-battered onion rings. Tasted great.

McGuinty’s also has a couple dart boards, which I am awful at playing. At least I wasn’t the only one to put a hole in the wall! But after a little coaching by a fellow that was playing next to us, my game improved (slightly). Now I’m not sure if he was drunk or just Irish, but he was a friendly sort and apparently taught folks to play darts. So thanks, whoever you are.

Long story short, the verdict is that I like it. I’m interested in seeing the Lethbridge Fire Dept Piping Band there in a couple of days.

Though, I’m not sure how the club hoppers and pub drunkards will relate, but I’m sure the amount of stabbings will probably stay the same.

McGuinty’s Irish Pub (via Facebook)

What I do know: she’s got that well-dressed, smart girl with glasses look down. And I like it. Sorry there’s only one photo this time around!

Occupation?
General Studies Instructor & NIT Coordinator/Advisor at Lethbridge College

Where’d your outfit come from?
I bought the dress from Joanne at Edit. The brand of the dress is “Individual for iclothing co.”

The boots are from “Spring.”

Style influences?
Different environments often inspire a new direction of style. My style influences come from the streets of various places I have traveled. When I come home I am motivated to create a new outfit, it’s like taking on a new challenge, where I have to fit someone else’s look into my own style. The key is to make it so that this new look is an expression of my own unique personality and nobody else’s. Style is truly an expressive form of art.

With this particular outfit I was inspired by the juxtaposition of a dressy yet casual look with the incorporation of a classic fitting dress that makes a statement all on its own, and raw boots with a little funky edge!

Something about me?
I am a huge fan of clothes and quotes. Sometimes a well presented outfit can have the same effect as a well stated quote! There is much power in what we see…

Whoop-Up Days officially kicks of tomorrow with a parade that only old people, kids and those actually participating in the parade can attend…because the rest of us SOBs are at work. I’m sure Shaw TV will recap it over and over again, however. So here’s what’s happening:

Hey, anyone else want to hop the fence to get into the midway? I hear there are some totally smokin’ carnies this year. And by that I mean they probably go through 3 packs a day.

Whoop-Up Days

Oh, and does anyone remember this?

I’d like to focus on copyright today, something many of us are not familiar with. After reading the Boing Boing article, “Canadian Prime Minister promises to enact a Canadian DMCA in six weeks,” It became clear that our Conservative minority government didn’t learn any lessons from the mass outcry against bill C-61 two years ago.

The Tories have shown — yet again — their utter contempt for public opinion and Canadian culture and small business…

I find it upsetting that the Conservatives are pushing this bill so quickly to undermine Canadian citizens, yet again. And you wonder why there’s a Pirate Party.

Rewind back to 2008, I sent a letter to Rick Casson regarding the introduction of Bill C-61. I received a reply, which was only a formulated response. It became clear that he was not, and still probably is not, interested in addressing the concerns of myself as a constituent, in typical Conservative fashion. For those interested, you can read my letter sent 2 years ago, as well as his response. I plan on sending yet another letter this time around.

Sent:

June 16, 2008

Mr. Rick Casson
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Sir,

I’m a constituent who has been following recent developments in Canadian copyright law. I’m concerned that the Copyright bill presented by the government on June 12th goes too far in outlawing the lawful use of copyrighted material, and does not take into account the needs of consumers and Canada’s creative community who are exploiting the potential of digital technology. I’m disappointed that this bill adopts an American approach to digital copyright laws, instead of crafting a Canadian approach.

Canada’s copyright laws need to advance Canada’s interests. This means copyright laws that respect ordinary consumer practices, such as unlocking cell phones and copying the contents of purchased DVDs for use in video iPods. The current bill outlaws these practices. This means copyright that facilitates the work of Canadian creators, such as documentary filmmakers, who instead find that this bill outlaws the use DVDs as source materials for their films. This means we find made-in-Canada solutions to the challenges of file-sharing, such as consideration of the P2P proposal of the Songwriters Association of Canada. Instead, this bill paves the road to importing the consumer file-sharing lawsuit strategy that has failed so spectacularly in the United States. Canada deserves better.

Please ensure that this bill really is made for Canadians by allowing all Canadian stakeholders a say in its final contents. That means meaningful consultation in the coming months, and opening up Canada’s copyright policy to more than just the special interests that lobbied behind the scenes for this law. As my MP, I urge you to represent my interests in the copyright debate.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Ruzek

Received:

July 4, 2008

Dear Constituent,

Thank you for your recent correspondence concerning Bill C-61.

The Government of Canada introduced Bill C-61, (An Act to Amend the Copyright Act) on June 12, 2008. The proposed legislation is a made-in-Canada approach that balances the needs of Canadian consumers and copyright owners, promoting culture, innovation and competition in the digital age.

What does Bill C-61 mean to Canadians? Specifically, it includes measures that would:

Expressly allow you to record TV shows for later viewing; copy legally purchased music onto other devices, such as MP3 players or cell phones; make back-up copies of legally purchased books, newspapers, videocassettes and photographs onto devices you own; and limit the “statutory damages” a court could award for all private use copyright infringements
Implement new rights and protections for copyright holders, tailored to the Internet, to encourage participation in the online economy, as well as stronger legal remedies to address internet piracy
Clarify the roles and responsibilities of Internet Service Providers related to the copyright content flowing over their network facilities
Provide photographers with the same rights as other creators
What Bill C-61 does not do: It would not empower border agents to seize your iPod or laptop at border crossings, contrary to recent public speculation.

Bill C-61 is not a mirror image of U.S. copyright laws. Our Bill is made-in-Canada with different exceptions for educators, consumers and others and brings us into line with more than 60 countries including Japan, France, Germany and Australia

For more information, please visit the Copyright Reform Process website at www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/crp-prda.nsf/en/home

Thank you for sharing your views on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Rick Casson, MP – Lethbridge.

Chair-Committee on National Defence
Canadian Chair-Permanent Joint Board on Defence

255 8th Street South
Lethbridge, AB. T1J 4Y1
Phone: 403-320-0070
Fax: 403-380-4026
Email: casson@rickcasson.com

There’s one beverage that, if the weather here was ever pleasant, I could see myself enjoying outside on a patio today: the daiquiri. Did you know that it was Ernest Hemingway’s favourite drink? He’s the author who wrote “The Old Man and the Sea”; his magnum opus after a 10-year writer’s block.

Maybe because I’m an anime geek and that I have Ponyo on my mind, but I am enamoured with the idea of living next the the sea, with its salty breezes and lighthouses. So unlike Lethbridge, with its man-made lakes full of weeds and dead fish.

I know this is a weak segue to my next thought, but I just thought it important to note that The Lighthouse is my favourite restaurant at the moment! From the artful presentation, the freshness of their seafood and generally reasonable price (all unlike O-Sho’s), I’ve been on a big sushi & sashimi kick. I even had the pleasure to enjoy some of the more “expensive” tuna sashimi on the house this past weekend. So delicious.

So I guess that goes to say that I wish it were hot outside, the trees blooming, with me lounging outside enjoying fresh sashimi and a daiquiri. That outlook looks bleak.

Occupation?
Paul-Incredibly Stylish Person!

Where’d your outfit come from?
Vintage jean jacket, Naked an Famous Jeans (Edit), J. Lindberg t-shirt (Leo Boutique), H by Hudson boots (Gravity Pope), Missy Industry necklace (Edit).

Style influences?
Friends, people on the street, my family.

Something about me?
I’m a huge fan of comfortable and durable clothing & I LOVE shoes!

One more photo after the jump!

So just because Henotic is closing shop, that doesn’t mean that live music in Lethbridge is dead. That’s why I am giving away 2 tickets ($30 value) to my faithful readers! You have up to 3 chances to win, and it’s easy!

1. “Like” Lethbian Love on Facebook and post about the best band you’ve ever seen play in Lethbridge.
2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet this: “I entered to win 2 free tickets for Mammoth Cave Fest from @lethbianlove! So can you: http://digg.com/u1Uz4N”
3. Comment on this post and tell us your best memory/thing you liked about Henotic.

You can enter in one or all 3 ways!

UPDATE: Thanks to all who entered, the winner has been notified!

cIneMAGINE, Alberta’s French Film Festival, will be held at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod from April 30th – May 2nd, 2010.

While it’s no Iron Man 2, it sounds cool nonetheless!

Upcycling is the conversion of items that have outlived their commercial usefulness into new things that are functional or beautiful, or both

Facebook event page

So yes, this is it. After Mammoth Cave Fest on May 2nd Henotic will be closing it’s doors forever.

I’m not really sure how to put all this into words right now but I’ll give it a shot. If it sounds like babble please try to decipher as best as possible.

It’s been an amazing year and a half, one of the most amazing 1.5 annums that I’ve ever had. I’ve met some of the most beautiful people and seen and heard some of the most beautiful music. It really doesn’t get any better than that. Henotic to me was everything that I had in my head when I set out to make this all happen. It was pretty much exacactly how I had envisioned it. Artists, musicians and the people that needed all of it in their lives all coming together to make something great. My vision was to give everyone a place where thay could share thier ideas, music and everything in between and to always make people feel that anything they wanted to contribute was welcome. And no matter what, whoever you wanted to be, whoever you where or are, that you were always accepted into our door with no questions asked. I really think that we succeeded in that.

When I share my vision I have to make clear that a key part of the vision was you. Henotic would never be anything near what it was with out all of you. Every single person that came through the doors made it what it was, and thats why it was so beautiful to me.

Saying that, one of the biggest regrets I have in closing is that will be gone for the people that love it. I’m sorry. I feel like I let you down. But rest assured, I don’t think that my time in this city is done. My passion is music, it always has been. I love putting on shows and events and above all, blowing peoples minds. If the future permits, I hope to do that again.

So why are we closing might be your biggest question. Thats a tough one. There are many reasons. Money is always tight but its not the biggest. I feel like my time is with Henotic is done. Its taken a toll on my health, my family life, and of course my mind. I’m ready to move on and I can assure you that I am completely fine with that. I know that I have a lot to offer the world and that makes me happier than anything.

I can’t close off this message without thanking everyone close to me that have been just as big a part of Henotic being what it is as I was. All my staff. Mel, my chef and closest friend of course. Amanda, Todd, Steven, MJ, and all the awesome individuals that are to many to list that have been there from the start. I know I’ll forget someone but you know I love you. My friends, the best that I’ve ever met. I won’t list you because you are many and I don’t want to piss anyone off by missing them. My Mom, my Dad. Of course all of the artists that have contributed to our walls at one time or another, starting with the Burning Ground Studios. All of the amazing bands that have come through our doors. Touring bands are a breed unto themselves and deserve our respect for doing what they do. All that local bands. This city kicks fucking ass (pardon mon francais) and they are some of the best in the country. Be proud of them. They also deserve it. To the person reading this, thank you. Most of all I want to thank my son Caden for always keeping me grounded and showing me that the things that I might think are hugely important and I stress about, sometimes arent really that important at all. (Maisey you did a really good job in showing me that too, thank you.)

So thats it, thats all I got. Support local music. Support local art. And if you don’t want to eat all of your food out of a bag heated in a microwave when you go to a restaurant or listen to canned music everytime you go out. Support small business in this city. They need it.

Jason

Thanks, Jason and Henotic, for bringing some great bands for Lethbridge. You gave us a kickass alternative to The Slice, and lots of memories too!

Occupation?
Sarah, soon to be graduated Stage Managing/Costume Designing Student!

Where’d your outfit come from?
Shirt & Broach: Value Village Shoes: Catholic Charities Skirt: I MADE IT!!! Belt: Joanne’s

Style influences?
Marc Jacobs, Zooey Deschanel, Audrey Tatou, Nylon Mag. I love the many of the fashion eras, specifically the forties and fifties!

Something about me?
I love finding clothing that no one else has and putting my own spin on
it. My favorite and first place I go to in thrift stores is the jewellery case, I like to think I am great at finding beauty in the obscure and random. I also LOVE making my own clothes, as clothing is the way I try to express myself. Also, I am a natural red head.

More photos after the jump!

One reason I like her is that she always looks great, even when I am sober. This past Sunday I had my camera on hand and asked if she’d oblige to be featured on the blog. So here we go:

Occupation?
Student/Bartender/Waitress

Where’d your outfit come from?
100% Winners

Style influences?
Myself! I like to be comfortable, and if I find a piece I think is interesting I find a way to make it work. I am a big fan of layers. I don’t really have one style… I do what I want.

Something about me?
I can hyper extend my elbows and spread all of my toes.

More photos after the jump!

This is the second time around for Mammoth Cave Fest. Tell us about it.
Last year was a pretty important one as far as the Lethbridge music community – studios opening left and right, local bands popping up left and right and getting signed (latest – Fist City who got picked up by Cleveland, Ohio’s Deadbeat Records, a great/storied punk rawk label), so we decided to celebrate last may by holding a giant party – Mammoth Cave Fest. That was such an astonishing success that we knew then and there that we would make it into a yearly event.

This year, we decided to team up with friends we made in Calgary (Sled Island) and Edmonton (Aaron Levin, who runs the weirdcanada.com website and who shared a common vision with his Wyrd Fest in Edmonton that was held last fall and which featured Myelin Sheaths and The Moby Dicks). Last November (post Wyrd Fest I), Aaron and I decided we should try and combine our two festivals, helping to both offset the costs and to help lure touring bands to come to Alberta (with the promise of three nights in a row of full houses). We got Sled Island’s Zak Pashak on board to help with Calgary and we spent the next few months assembling some of Canada’s very best fringe music acts.

What kind of bands should we expect this time around?
To the average music listener, the lineup isn’t going to be ringing any bells really – most of the bands we picked are obscure at best. Save for Calgary-based headliner Women, a band who hit international success in 2008 with their s/t debut, and who are critical darling from both the mainstream and underground taste-makers alike. The rest of the bands on the touring festival represent the current best-of-the-best in the Canadian underground.

We’ve got three bands from the current crop of Vancouver avant-garde weirdos – Shearing Pinx, Nu Sensae and Myths; Cosmetics, another Vancouver band who were recently signed but chic Brooklyn, NY label Captured Tracks; Two Montreal psychedelic rock/folk bands Grand Trine and Oman Ra II, both of which I think Lethbridge music fans are going to lose their minds over.

My own label – Mammoth Cave Recording Co. has a 7″ compilation of the current upcrop of rock ‘n roll upstarts (10 bands playing 1 minute songs about Alberta), most of those bands are playing the travelling festival in various capacities – The Famines, Myelin Sheaths, Fist City, The Moby Dicks, Topless Mongos, Radians – all of which will be playing the Lethbridge show. Two local favourites who sell out every show they play here on their own – Calgary’s Sharp Ends and Edmonton’s The Wicked Awesomes are making the trek. Plus, we squeezed two more Edmonton favourites – heavy 70′s rockers KRANG and scuzz-pop band JAZZ.

We get there and we don’t even begin to touch the level of amazing Lethbridge bands coming to celebrate our only local fringe music festival – Richard Amery, Austrian, Jessie Northie and the Dandelions, Deathspot Radio, Crossings, To and End, Moheeba, Square Waves, Bonnaventure James, Skulltrain to Helltown, Sleepyhead, Amelia Earhart, Chief Mountain. I’m really excited for debut performances from Shipbreaker (Robin from local scene icons The Darby and Joan Club) as well as Zoo Company. Finally, Jeff VandenElzen, formerly of Lethbridge’s favourite 90′s band JiL, will be playing a rare-solo set of amazing space-rock instrumentals.

When, where and how much?
Mammoth Cave Fest II happens on Sunday, May 2 from noon to midnight at Henotic. We are utilizing their dual stage setup – noisier stuff upstairs in the GCBC and everything else downstairs on the main-Henotic stage. We’ve been advertising it as 30 bands, but it is actually closer to 35. We have done this many bands before and it is actually perfect – a seamless back and forth in that when one band is playing upstairs, the band downstairs is set up, etc.

There are 100 tickets available at $15. Second 100 are $25. After that, we are sold out of tickets and you can try your luck at the door.

Limited, Advance Tickets will be available at:

• Blueprint – 519 4 Avenue South
• Henotic – 402 2 Avenue South

Also online using PayPal (we can ship the tickets for free or hold them at the door)
http://mammothcave.bigcartel.com/product/mammoth-cave-fest-ticket

This is a surefire sellout and one of the most epic events of the year. Thirty-plus bands going for 12 hours – all for $15.

Drinks & Laughs. Scenery & Family
Many people think that Lethbridge is a dreary windy hole of a town, I tend to agree but there is places that make this town worth wild. Living here most of my life I am ashamed to say I don’t know this town as well as I should, but it is getting easier by reading blogs from my cousin and my brothers friend. Hopefully this year I can get out more and experience what this town has to offer, whether it’s just going for a walk or seeing a show at a local bar. For now I will share with you two of my favourite places to relax, enjoy some drinks and love life.

Backstreet West
There is nothing quite like a small, close bar that I can go and sip back on some draft guinness. Ask anyone who has been there and I am pretty sure they will agree Backstreet is a great place to be. The atmosphere is pleasing I never feel cramped in or annoyed with other people there. It is always cool to see how many regulars they have there and the different crowds that come in throughout the day. A good selection of beer is another positive and their house beer is cheap and not too shabby. The food is excellent, of course their butter is the Jaime Sandwich which if you have not tried yet, what are you waiting for? The waitresses are cute and always nice and who could complain about that. So if your craving a drink or some food head on over and you’ll be glad you did.

My Parents Backyard
This one is a little more personal and very few people have actually been in this area of Lethbridge. If you have been there consider yourself lucky because my father has built himself a little slice of paradise. Tall trees surround the fence line giving the much needed privacy from the neighbours, and in the summer the green looks amazing. The very open area is awesome and as kids we have played catch, hacky sack, and even built a mini chip and putt 2 hole course. The garden next to the patio contains many flowers my mom plants and a tree that blooms only for a coupe days out of the year but when it does it is stunning. The patio itself is big with a table for supper, fire pit, BBQ, and a small table for lounging. Recently my dad has put in buffalo grass which adds a more wild life touch and looks different and great. This place is great and I will try to get some pictures next time I am over there.

Well that’s it for today hopefully this inspires you to take a closer look at the city around you and find your own special place. Good day.

Damian Warszawski is a Lethbian who like to blog and spin records. He regularly posts his top 7 weekly music countdown and writes about music, video games, clothing, photos, experiences and pretty much anything that pops into his head.

In that six degrees of separation, I met Lynol.

Lynol was introduced to me through Paul (who will be profiled in My Style in a couple of weeks), and I couldn’t stop staring; amazing style. When Lynol came in for the shoot, it turns out that he knew Jaime (our photographer), and the story doesn’t end there.

I could go on…but instead you need to see for yourself:

Occupation?
Lynol Lui Photographer/Post-Production

Where’d your outfit come from?
Chimala denims, Vintage boots, T-Shirt by Custom Made, Tailored Jacket by Unconditional, glasses and ring bought in a market.

Style influences?
I like to look at latest editorials from such magazines like: i-D, Dazed, Numero, Arena, 125… designers/stylists, friends, blogs and fashion week.

Something about me?
I still have a teddy bear that sits on my bed.

Photos by Jaime Vedres

So who am I to turn down one of my fans? I needed new photos for my Plenty of Fish profile anyways. Check out all of the dashing photos of me on their blog. Great work, thanks David!

Wax Mannequin was born in the smoke and industry of Hamilton; a damaged, underdog town; a perfect breeding ground for strange, variant things. Incorporating folk, scrappy prog-metal and a tireless creative ethic, Wax infused his local influences with road-broken experience to forge something unsettlingly new.

Hear Some Evil tour (via Facebook)

One more (live) video after the jump!

Occupation?
Student and amateur fashion blogger.

Where’d your outfit come from?
Dress – Aritzia, tights – Target, shoes – Urban Outfitters, bag – EDIT Vintage Finds.

Style influences?
My main influences are people on the street and many fashion bloggers that I look to for advice. Others would include Mia Wasikowska, Carey Mulligan or Zooey Deschanel.

Something about me?
I love to shop vintage and accessorize a lot with my outfits. My style is very different from people my age but I am perfectly fine with that because I get to show my real personality. I have a fashion blog that you can check out HERE!

Photos by Jaime Vedres