Misty’s place is in our hearts
The weight of Misty, our 20-year-old cat, curled up on my lap, has never been felt more. She loves the fact that I work from […]
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The largest planet, the closest galaxy, and Comet Hartley 2
October is an amazing month for amateur astronomers. Summer constellations like Cygnus, Lyra, Hercules are slowly sinking into the horizon, and winter constellations like Andromeda,
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Dear Mister Ed
‘you mind that old sayin’ about how evry body I know is nuts ‘scept you and me, and I aint so sure about you? Thats
The Signs Point to Spring
The pussy willows are out! Willows are one of the first plants to show any signs of life in the spring. Even with mounds of
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Fit ‘n’ Healthy: Vitamin Daylight
We have been hearing a lot lately about the importance of Vitamin D. Even the childhood bone disease, Rickets, is being seen again due to
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Fine French Dining on the Edge of the Wilderness
Ragout d’elk et sa sauce veloutée au chocolat noir. I was not surprised the menu was in French. After all, my hostess, Christiane Champeval, was
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A New Year and a New You
Don’t leave things to the last minute. All too often, I get clients coming in two or three weeks before a trip or an event,
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Pass the popcorn! It’s the Health Care debate!
I can explain why I find it so fascinating: I don’t play online games, I don’t watch sports and I don’t read fiction. Why would
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Judo Is In a Building Year
I was 12 years old. I was facing a young girl, about my age, with a whole lot more experience in Judo than I had.
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Has Anyone Died From Being Uncomfortable?
The dictionary defines “comfort” as being at ease … so “uncomfortable” is a lack of ease. That doesn’t sound too bad. There are worse things
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Our Olympic contribution
The Yukon’s cultural contribution to the Vancouver Winter Olympics is all coming together. On Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Yukon Arts Centre, audiences will see
Our Olympic contribution Read More »
Comics Can’t Take a Joke
There’s been a bit of drama going on in the comedy world I now live in. A certain headlining comic was caught red-handed (mouthed?) stealing
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The First Sign of Spring Arrives in the Mail
Spring starts when seed catalogues arrive. At least it does for me. I receive about four or five every year. This doesn’t include the online
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Disappearing Skies and Planetary Photons
The clock is ticking, soon the Yukon Night Skies will disappear, and sunlight will dominate. It seems like only yesterday that you had to rush
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Dear Mister Ed
Ihope that little Easter rabbit done you and yers proud this year, Darrol. As fer me I got no complantes on that score, but I
Fit ‘n’ Healthy: Eat Food (Simple, eh?)
Are you one of the millions of North Americans in search of the “perfect” diet? Have you tried Atkins, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, the Cabbage
Fit ‘n’ Healthy: Eat Food (Simple, eh?) Read More »
A Ringed Giant and the God of War
As the month of February begins, many people resort to moving indoors and miss one of the greatest light shows ever to be seen. The
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We are all Pamela Anderson
I feel sorry for the screeners who work for airport security. And it’s not just because they are forever in a no-win situation, where every
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Dear Mister Ed
D’you mind that old sayin’ about how evry body I know is nuts ‘scept you and me, and I aint so sure about you? Thats
Dear Mister Ed
D’you ever have times when it feels like yer ice fishin’ in a gold fish bowl? If you dont step lite, somethinks gonna get busted
Just how far does friendship go? As far as it takes.
Darcy Laliberty is living proof that friendship goes as far as it takes. The Yukon Brewing Company sales rep is organizing the Jessica Frotten Mobility
Just how far does friendship go? As far as it takes. Read More »
Pelican Alarm Clock
The daybreak cacophony of squawks and splashes sounded like it was inches away from our tent. We had just spent our first night on the
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Dear Mister Ed
Seein’ how yer a big shot newspaper guy, I was kinda hopin’ you cud fill me in on Whats Up with the Youcon? The way
Dear Mister Ed
So hows yer Janwary goin’, now its almost gone? Dont know about you, but evry New Years I get to ponderin’ on what happens to
Spring Forth Into Your Garden
Most gardeners await the spring season with the greatest of anticipation. We watch patiently for those first bulbs and perennials to spring forth into our
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A Northern City That Works
Sunday, January 10, I was sitting in front of our propane fireplace, watching Meet The Press, while my fiancée was surfing the Net on her
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The ‘Love Apple’ Needs Love
With the snow so deep, it seems impossible that spring will ever arrive. Gardeners, however, take things into their own hands and start seedlings in
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Dashing Through the Snow with Rocky’s Rides
The sleigh creaks as it rounds a turn, and a harness jingles merrily. The sleigh glides over a trail carved into snow of the gently
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Daniel and Matthew
In the queer community, gays and lesbians fall along a spectrum that makes them “identifiable” as a gay person. Lesbians can be anything from very
Daniel and Matthew Read More »
Two Chilean Reds and One Surprise Ending
Sometimes you set out to explore one thing, and end up discovering something completely different. Such was the case, recently, and I wanted to share
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Mystery in the April Night Skies
It is Friday night, and everyone is waiting for a great northern light show. The night skies are clear, and we are ready. After several
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Coffee with a Little Dubbing
Yukoners love their coffee. Any weekday morning at 10, you can guarantee we are ordering our special Bean North blend, a double-double from Tim Hortons
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Making ourselves at ‘Home’ Hardware
It all started with one sink … It was a very nice sink for the bathroom that would have felt neglected, if a bat hroom
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Dear Mister Ed
Been spendin’ a lot of time in the out of doors of late. Its the ownly way a feller can get away from Eva and
The Wonderful World Of Online Dating
The fast-paced world we live in means that not only do we have online banking and shopping, but we also have online dating. The old
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The Hunt for Little Green Fuzzes is On!
March is one of the most active months for Yukon amateur astronomers. And, this year, we have a visitor making our observing sessions all the
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The Blahs Get a Good Exorcise
Man, could I ever have used a Rendezvous this year. The past month was a particularly dark sinkhole of a time for yours truly, and
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The Nationals are a Win-Win-Win-Win…
In less than two weeks, Whitehorse will be hosting the 2010 Haywood Nationals, the Canadian cross country ski championships. As I said in my last
The Nationals are a Win-Win-Win-Win… Read More »
Perfect Skies = Perfect Viewing
Where are the Northern Lights? The answer as far as I can tell is two-fold. First, we have been pummelled with atrocious weather and, second,
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Dear Mister Ed
I sure hope you can read this, Darrol. My writin’ hand is a mite bit shakey and my head feels like I been kicked by
Dear Mister Ed
Fer what its worth, life kinda got back to normal here abouts once Eva got home from her big Olympickal advenchur. She spent the first
Fit ‘n’ Healthy: If Things Aren’t Going By Plan, It’s Because There Was No Plan
Did you know that 70 per cent of people who start an exercise program drop out within the first two to three months? If you
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Speaking Truth to James Cameron
I’ve been hiding from most people these days. Not from the usual retreat into my hermitage as I’m generally wont to do – oh no.
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Burps, pizzas, ‘Hug Bugs’ and Charlotte Diamond
In Charlotte Diamond’s 25 years as a children’s entertainer, she knows a few things about entertaining children. She knows that modern children need to move
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Dear Mister Ed
When folks talk about the wilds of Brutish Columbya, I always figgered they meant somewheres out in the bush. Turns out they mean Robinson Street
Fit ‘n’ Healthy: One Thing = A New You
This week I am encouraging you to tackle your fears head on. I have talked in the past about the idea of stepping out of
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Manure Tea and Mud
One of the main spring tasks is to clean out the barn. On our barn we have two four-foot doors at each end to help
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Travelling hearts
What is it that keeps a heart going? Well, aside from the obvious flesh-and-blood answers, it’s spirit … spirit that lives on when loved ones
The Personal, Political Kate Reid
Kate Reid is on a house tour of the Yukon. Reid, a self-described dyke folk artist, is on this grass roots concert tour put on
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Cool-Weather Container Combos
Like most gardeners, I await the first planting of my outdoor urns and containers with anxious anticipation. For early season plantscaping, I look for unique
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Fit ‘n’ Healthy: Baby Relies On You To Be Healthy
Today, I have some healthy eating tips for those new mothers who may be looking at eating enough calories to nurse a baby, but still
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How could you ever thank me?
I have a tip, that is going to change your life. It is a game changer, it is revolutionary, you will wonder how you survived
How could you ever thank me? Read More »
Food = Culture?
If food defines a culture, I shudder to think about the people defined by Guerrero Negro’s demon street food from hell. We’d pulled into town
Gardening is About Community
”Gardening is about community” is part of a phrase that caught my eye in an e-mail I received today. And I agree. I didn’t learn
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Cleaning out my desk …
It’s time for Spring Cleaning. But what is a guy to do, when he isn’t a pack rat and he keeps his few belongings well-organized?
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A friend in the house
I’ve discovered that if you want to meet some terrific people, just advertise your house for sale. Immediately, people start phoning you to ask to
A friend in the house Read More »
Editorial: You can’t ‘own’ a podium
In 1992, I watched the Blue Jays play at SkyDome. This was the season they would win their first World Series and the stadium was
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A Good Garden Starts From the Ground Up
With spring just around the corner, even some non-gardeners are planning on planting a garden. I am thinking specifically of my niece, Shauna, who for
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Dear Mister Ed
Well Darrol, I reckon you allready drug out yer short pants and yer Greatfull Dead tee-shirts now you finely got dubble digits wetherwise. The innerweb
Northern Migrants
Spring is near, with a sure indication being the en route and soon-to-depart migrants of the North. The first to arrive are the fair-weather Northerns,
Where the Chickens Roam
With the warmer weather we have been having, my thoughts turn to spring. I am wondering if this year I will be able to get
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Dear Mister Ed
How does that old sayin’ go about it bein’ a bad wind that dont blow some good for some body some wheres? I aint talkin’
The Tics of Our Clocks
Recently, I came across something particularly interesting while engaged in my usual morning “Face-stalking”. For those not familiar with the term, it refers to one
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Ready, Set, Sew your Seeds!
As the spring days become longer and the sun starts to shine, now is a perfect time to think about planting seeds for summer’s bounty.
Ready, Set, Sew your Seeds! Read More »
A compelling case for cross-country
Each of us can be excused for overstating that which we are passionate about. But there was something in Mike Gladish’s tone that suggested he
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Gay-Friendly Countries Get Gay Tourist Dollars
Vacation planning has been on my mind lately; mainly how to escape from the Yukon this winter to warmer climes. I have been inspired by
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The Surprising Emergence of Normal
There has been a lot of emphasis among gay advocates lately to show that gay families are healthy and normal and that children raised in
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Play Makers: Slo-Pitch is Serious Stuff in the North
Pin-striped baseball pants being worn at the slo-pitch AGM. That’s when I knew for sure that when it comes to slo-pitch, Yukoners are die-hard. No
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Garden Design With Ornamental Grasses
In their natural form, grasses add excitement and curiosity to any garden setting. With the slightest breeze, senses illuminate with the swaying motion of the
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Dear Mister Ed
I reckon you dont hang out that much with old timers Darroll, leastwise not yet. But yer clock is tickin’ like the rest of us.
Live long and prosper
I just read about a report by Dr. Ephrem Cheng that clearly proves that the longer we work, the sooner we die. Boeing Aerospace was
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Arizona is lovely this time of the year
By the time you read this, I will sitting on my brother’s back deck where it is 40 degrees in the shade. My fiancé and
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Be Your Own Hero: The Yukon Roller Girls
Community. Empowerment. Democracy. Roller derby? Believe it. One of the best things about trying out different activities for this column, is that I often meet
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Invasive Plant Species Affecting The Yukon
The concern surrounding the rapid spread of invasive plant species is one that is felt across the country. Fortunately, most of the invasive plants causing
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Is It Cool to be Gay?
I have been having Facebook discussions with several people lately over the whole bi-curious issue, if we can in fact call it an issue. In
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Walking is a good skill to have
Daisy and I received a very nice gift last month: it’s a book on walking. Hmmm, you know, I’ve always felt that my Mom and
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Outdoor Water Features For Your Garden
Everyone loves the tranquil calming nature of an outdoor water feature. Whether it be the splash of a water fountain or the soothing serenity of
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More and More Fun on Whitehorse Trails
It is amazing what is popping up on Whitehorse trails these days. This week’s Sunday ride leader was my friend, Rick. As well as being
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Plants Are Popping Up Everywhere
It’s up! In my garden there are all sorts of little sprouting plants, most of which we planted. This year we were able to get
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Unleash the Ladybugs
Last week, I spotted a ladybug while visiting a garden in Dawson City. It was rather exciting to see a ladybug that far North and,
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Give Away Your Bike
You should give away your bike … I’m talking about your old one – the one that is sitting unused in your shed or garage
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Maintain Your Greenhouse Well
Understanding good greenhouse techniques encourages healthy plant growth and, as the growing season is well on its way, it would be a good time to
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Statue Goes To Pot
In 1981, when we purchased our property that overlooks the Yukon River, I spent days working on building our cabin, and evenings meandering around the
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Celebrating parks
“This is a celebration of all kinds of parks,” says Hillarie Zimmermann, external relations manager with Parks Canada. “Territorial parks, city parks, community parks …
Dear Mr Ed
Darroll, Darroll, Darroll. What in the name of Sam Heck have you went and done now? You cudda tipped me over with a fether when
Mr Ed
I reckon I need a hard hat, Darrol. Last week Eva goes and puts up a bunch of plastic thingy-ma-jigs all over the place that
Out and Away: The Camping is the Food!
No recipes here. Too little space, too many ideas and I don’t think I have ever cooked the same thing twice
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You can’t buy happiness … but you can rent it
These days, whenever I drive past Home Hardware, I throw my head back and laugh. You see, I am now a renter. Yup, most of
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Fall’s Bittersweet Song
Fall is a bittersweet season. The mountainside is absolutely glorious with the sun shining off the golds and reds. The days are still warm enough
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Pride Week Celebrated in Film
The queer community in the Yukon is full of creative and innovative people doing interesting projects in the areas of the arts and business. One
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Preschoolers get their own festival
With the Atlin Arts and Music Festival taking the summer off, to re-tool and re-tune and re-fresh, Atlin residents may have suspected the second weekend
Preschoolers get their own festival Read More »
Three deadly letters
“Three letters that will change your life forever: ALS. “And that’s what it does,” says Donald C Watt, world-class snow carver and walk coordinator for
Three deadly letters Read More »
Shredding the Trees is Within Her Comfort Zone
I tend to mow the grass around the barn areas as green feed for all of the animals. This not only gives them the greens
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In praise of AGMs
Recently, in my other life as a volunteer, I have been exposed to the inner workings of boards of directors and societies and such things.
Local Comic Battles for Whitehorse on CBC’s The Debaters
Watch out, Whitehorse — you’re going to have to defend your place in Northern society. CBC Radio’s The Debaters is set to take the stage
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A Pre-Harvest Harvest
Whenever the beginning of August rolls around, I think more of harvesting the fruits of my gardening than the actual gardening. And harvesting has been
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Comet Hartley and Starfest
We are back from an astronomical holiday and raring to go. It is great to be back in such dark Yukon skies with no light
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Know Your Tomato
Did you know that banana peels and eggshells help to make your tomatoes grow? When buried in the bottom of a planter or spread around
Dear Mister Ed
The four of us was at the table chewin’ on the fat the other day the way folks do after a good feed and a
Fit ‘n’ Healthy: Are those toning shoes worth all that hype?
You’ve seen the commercials, the girl with the legs that go on for miles and that perky butt. She says, all you have to do
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