Walking with Abel: Journeys with the Nomads of the African Savannah

 Author: Anna Badkhen Riverhead Books, New York, 2015 Reviewed by Don MacLean Anna Badkhen’s wonderful book Walking with Abel: Journeys with the Nomads of the African Savannah documents her journeys with members of the nomadic Fulani, perhaps the largest group of nomads living today. The Mali-based Fulani migrate across the

Beguiled by Belugas and Charlevoix’s Charm – Part 1

 Photos courtesy of Charlevoix tourism. The colours of autumn are once again upon us, and while many flock to Gatineau Park for a taste of the glory, a short drive east will truly get you away from the fray of life. In about the same time it takes to drive to

The Journey of ‘Five Crooked Lines’

 Finger Eleven has made a bold return to the Canadian music scene with the release of their sixth studio album, Five Crooked Lines. For the new record’s launch, the band has lined up a full summer tour across North America which includes a stop in Ottawa on August 13. Five Crooked

Understanding Communication

 By Professor Stephen A. Stuart Photo Credit: Ryan McGuire Philip Glass, arguably the most influential composer of the late 20th century, started his career with a question, “Where does music come from?” He spent the next six decades of his life trying to answer that question and, over the years

The Two Travellers

 There were two travellers Who walked along a path one day The first was a dreamer The other a capitalist they say The dreamer watched the rainbow Where melodious songbirds fly Their symphony a command performance A ballet in the sky The capitalist saw no beauty Or value along his

Apple Picking Season

 The falling rain Slowly starts to gain On the colored leaves Dangling in the trees It’s autumn in the country As insects flee nature’s bounty For Jack Frost will waste them too Before the night is through The leaves desert the trees Submitting to the breeze And begin their journey

Venture into the Mind of Experts with OSFAS

 With our busy day-to-day lives, it’s not too often we get the chance to sit back and engage in something new. If you have a passion for arts and sciences, here’s your chance to discover new information at the upcoming presentations from the Ottawa Society for the Arts and Sciences (OSFAS).

Native Man Celebrates Sobriety with Art

 Donnell Taylor of the Constance Lake First Nation paints to seek wisdom of his ancestors to deal with his addiction. On April 1, 2014, Donnell Taylor set his foot on Ottawa soil. A native man from the Constance Lake First Nation was continuing his "good journey," which started back in

Take Me Back to Coles Notes before Take Me Back to Jefferson

 Photo Credit: Katherine Fleitas Before you head to the NAC for its latest production, Take Me Back to Jefferson, do yourself a favour and dig out your high school English class copy of As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner, or at least your Coles Notes version if you still have

4 Misconceptions That Won’t Help When You Hit the Slopes this Season

 Common Errors to Avoid from Sought-After Instructor & Keynote Speaker Chalky White As the season gets underway and skiers of all levels journey to the snow-capped mountains, chances are that a great many of them will do some things that won’t help their cause, says world-class ski instructor Chalky White.

A Song to Play, A Story to Tell

 Music has always been a part of Steve Bell’s life. His mother was a singer, songwriter and piano player and his father also fostered the family’s passion and love for music. “I have almost no memories of not being involved in music,” Bell says. “It’s always been a part of the

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame: Why Does it Matter?

 You don’t need to be a sports fan to appreciate Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary. In fact, in some ways, the less you focus on the statistics and sports trivia, the more you will take away. Take in the spirit of achieving goals, overcoming obstacles and let yourself

Music Meets Medicine: Allison’s Brain

 Robert McMechan and his wife Allison Woyiwada recently released Allison’s Brain, a book they wrote together. It is the story of Allison’s medical journey, from diagnosis to recovery. Woyiwada was diagnosed with a large brain aneurysm in 2011. In a surgery that followed, the aneurysm was clipped. After the procedure,

Documentary Screening: Walking the Camino

 Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago, the extraordinary award-winning documentary by director and producer Lydia B. Smith, is here at Ottawa’s Mayfair Theatre and ByTowne Cinema for a limited run. This cinematic masterpiece captures the trials and tribulations of a group of modern pilgrims who challenge themselves to trek