It's that time of year again...long nights, bright lights, and lots of snarkilicious snowy diary goodness. Pour yourself something warm and get ready for some tasty diaries. This week's offerings range from whytwolf's serious reflections on progressivism, race and class to CanadianBill's acclaimed guide to Canada for American readers...and a plea for wedding advice from Kossack HarveyMilk And there's more: Beautiful scenic Flin Flon! The all-singing, all-dancing edition of our Caption Contest! And of course...the Pootie that stole Christmas!
It's all here in your weekly News from the North...
Cross-posted at The Next Agenda, a Dkos-style blog for progressive Canadian politics.
Political Analysis
The (Canadian) West is...Out? by whytwolf asks whether or not the Canadian West has been played for a sap by Harper and his Cons. Gee...a neocon playing faux cowboy? Whodathunkit?
Speaking of Conservative disasters, does the phrase "a caucus that could meet in a phone booth" have any meaning for you? Check out the Worst.Campaigns.Ever.(2006 Edition) from displacedyankeedemocrat, the diary looks at campaigns in the US, but globally. Guess who wins in the Global category? I'll give you a hint...1993.
The Canadian Invasion
Once in a while, Americans take notice of Canada with a puzzling paranoia. Who will protect us from (gulp) canada? by redglare is a snarkilicious look at the pressing problem of invasion from Canada over the Great Lakes. Anti-Canadian Coast Guard exercises? You can't make this stuff up.
But not to worry–you can get the inside scoop on the Canadian menace.Canada- Essential Info For Informed Democrats from CanadianBill gives us a snarkailicious and hilarious CAN 101 for the Daily Kos set. Highly recommended for lines like:
God Save The Queen: This song is often sung in Canada. Contrary to what you may think though, it has nothing to do with Gay Rights.
Pointless Puppy Pic
Do you really have room for that new puppy? Unfortunately, a lot of people get pets over the holidays who don't really know what to do with them. Come January, those Christmas puppies and kittens often end up in the local shelter. You can learn more from the ASPCA(American) or the SPCA International(Canada and Europe). If you have a little bit of giving left in you, a few dollars, a bag of food, or some pet dishes would be greatly appreciated by your local shelter this winter.
The Personal is Political
Perceptions: Race, Class and Progressives by whytwolf gives one Canadian's perspective on the champagne socialist and "latte liberal" labeling that the right likes to slap on progressive politics. The diarist's personal experiences as a person of mixed-race descent from the poorest region of Canada gives the diary special interest.
And speaking of personal...pondering a wedding in Canada, HarveyMilk addressesAmerica the Beautiful/Need Advice, asking Dkos readers for a little counsel on a Great White (North) Wedding.
Science and Environment
Sorry, Bing Crosby. Sorry, Elvis. According to Brass Tacks, it will be A Green Christmas for 80% of Canadians. And this is no joke-- check out the sobering stats about Canada's warming winters.
But now, some good news. Diabetes cured by monstersofid gives us a quick look at the recent breakthrough by Canadian scientists that could eradicate this scourge from the world.
Caption Contest
I just can't get enough of these Three Amigos pictures, particularly the ones that look like something from one of the minor works of Busby Berkeley.
Featured Canadian Community: Flin Flon, Manitoba
Located right on the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border, Flin Flon has to be one of the most colourfully-named cities in Canada. About 6,000 people live on the Manitoba side of the divide and about 250 on the Saskatchewan side. Noted for its fishing and skiing, Flin Flon is also home to the Flin Flon Bombers hockey team and is the birthplace of hockey legend Bobby Clarke.
About the Name (From Wikipedia):
The town's name is taken from the lead character in a paperback novel, The Sunless City by J.E. Preston Muddock. A prospector named Tom Creighton found the book in the wilderness. The story is about a man named Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin, who piloted a submarine through a bottomless lake. Upon passing through a hole lined with gold, he found a strange underground world. When Tom Creighton discovered a rich vein of almost pure copper, he thought of the book and called it Flin Flon's mine, mercifully shortening the name.
One of the town's landmarks is its statue of Flintabbety Flonatin, aka, "Flinty." It was designed by cartoonist Al Capp of "Li'l Abner" fame, and featured on a special $3.00 coin— legal tender in Flin Flon 2003-2004.
Local Media
It's easy to check the Flin Flon Weather Update(hint: dress warmly!) For a more in-depth Flin Flon update, there's
Arctic Radio and the streaming sound of CFAR 590. You can even call in and play Battleship with host Jeff Kendall. Tune in at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm for the Trader's Post and check out the bargains from other listeners looking to sell their stuff. And naturally you wouldn't want to miss Saturday's Rotary Radio Bingo (you'll need to pick up a playing card at Gateway Convenience & Gas Bar, Johnny's Confectionary & Coffee Shop, Northern Lights Manor, Eddie's Family Foods, Indian Metis Friendship Centre, the Legion Jubilee Residence, or any number of other convenient Flin Flon locations.
Local Po(in)t of Interest
(From Wikipedia):
Flin Flon gained international notoriety in 2002 when the Government of Canada awarded a four-year contract to a Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-based company for the production of medicinal marijuana...Prairie Plant Systems, based in Saskatoon, has used an inactive underground copper/zinc drift owned by the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company to produce approximately 400 kilograms of medicinal marijuana annually. The entire operation is several hundred metres under Flin Flon for security and climate control reasons.
The Trout Festival
Since the pot fields aren't exactly open to tourism, you're more likely to want to take advantage of Flin Flon's skiing or fishing–there's especially great fishing at Baker's Narrows provincial park just south of Flin Flon. The fishing is so good, in fact, that the City of Flin Flon hosts an annual Trout Festival. Highlights include:
Month Long Fishing Derby - featuring thousands of dollars in cash and prizes and includes categories for various species of fish
Two-Day Leo Lavoie Trout Tournament - held father's day weekend on Lake Athapap, with cash and prizes awarded
Main Street Days - fun on Flin Flon's Main Street, coordinated by the Business Builders Association. Featuring Free Bannock Brunch, Free Pancake Breakfast, Live Stage Entertainment, Food/Game/Product Booths, Clowns and Carnival Rides, Sidewalk Sales, Old Car Rally, Shower of Savings Event and Flea Market etc.
Trout Festival Golf Tournament - hosted by Kelly McLaren's Pro Shop, held at Phantom Lake Golf Course - includes steak dinner and prizes
Annual Fish Fry - a HUGE social at the Whitney Forum - always popular with over a thousand in attendance. Highlighted by a well known popular live band with lots of food and drink available.
Beaver Lake Day - a family day hosted in beautiful Denare Beach by the Denare Beach Recreation Board - just a 15 minute drive from Flin Flon. Featuring Pancake Breakfast, Games (Bingo, horseshoes, canoe races, various kids games), Stage Entertainment and Food Booths.
Queen Mermaid Pageant - contestants are showcased throughout the festival and at special events like Talent Night and The Queen Mermaid Showcase.
And with that bit of trouty goodness, I leave you with this week's News From the North! Don't forget to add any other Canadian-themes diaries in the comments, and please give us your caption ideas or other Canadiana comments! If you need a more regular fix of progressive Canadian politics, stop by The Next Agenda. May your holidays be merry and bright!