The Living Edens: Arctic Oasis: Canada's Southhampton Island

My son and I picked up this PBS dvd from our local library on a whim and I'm glad we did. It was a fascinating look into Inuit life with breathtaking filming; very visually stunning with an engaging storyline.

My son gives this episode 4.5 stars out of 5.

Here's the PBS plot summary:

There is an Eden in one of Earth's most brutally unforgiving realms. Along the shores of Southampton Island in northern Hudson Bay, a survival story has played out for centuries. Only a hardy group of animal and human souls have learned to live within this frigid and dark arctic world. Noah Kadlak, of Inuit ancestry knows how to live in the arctic environment and survive. Now he has decided the time is right to take his eldest son, 12-year-old Logan, on an extended hunting trip. The trip offers him a chance to introduce the boy to traditional Inuit skills of living off the land.

In the early spring Noah and Logan make the long trip by skidoo and sled. Father and son journey across the frozen ocean. They sleep in igloos, eat fish they catch from under frozen lakes and traverse a landscape that is defined by a horizon of ice and sky. It is a trip that is no longer readily made by the Inuit, but it is still ingrained in their souls.

The trip is an arduous one. With wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour, and air temperatures reaching 20 below zero, it takes a tremendous amount of effort to build their camp, take care of their sleds, and secure their equipment each night. They journey to a source of perpetual open water, an arctic oasis for man and animal alike in a land of frozen snow and ice.

After doing a quick Google search, I found that this episode has a "Featured Program" page full of extra information and more beautiful pictures. The special features includes going on an arctic adventure, learning a bit of history, checking out the map, exploring the arctic animals and flora, as well as a look at the filming of the episode, teacher's lesson plans, and extra resources.

NOVA scienceNOW: "The Science of Picky Eaters"

Today I came across a NOVA scienceNOW episode entitled The Science of Picky Eaters. Wouldn't you know it? Apparently genes do help determine food tastes ;-)

I recommend checking it out if you are interested in such things, it's not too long (just under 13 minutes). The whole show that includes this segment can be found here. And then, feel free to browse the NOVA scienceNOW website for more episodes to watch online!

Update: Please note you may not be able to browse the episodes, in Canada. I keep coming up with no access due to rights restrictions. I'm really annoyed by this. The link, which I got from an American blog site, still seems to allow viewing of The Science of Picky Eaters. So, this post is still valid.

Winter Light: Star Party --- March 5, Elk Island National Park

A copy and paste from my email reminders....

Look up, way up: Star Party

March 5, 2011
4-10 pm   
Elk Island National Park

The stars of this festival are... the stars! There is so much to see in space, and just as much to do back on Earth at the Star Party, Saturday March 5 at Elk Island National Park.

Map of Star Party at Elk Island National Park - click here 

The highlight of this event is the Astotin Lake Star Field, where avid astronomers from the Royal Astronomical Society share their telescopes and expertise to help you view the solar system, faraway galaxies and interesting space oddities. Elk Island National Park is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, a special area of night sky conservation that allows for observation of the stars with or without a scope.

Inside the theatre, tents and tipis, the Star Party offers a wealth of intriguing star lore, talks, and presentations by respected scientists, artists, and aboriginal knowledge keepers. This year’s Star Party features local and national guests, including well-known wilderness astronomer and television host Peter McMahon, internationally recognized nightscape photographer Yuichi Takasaka, and artist and educator Kathleen Houston. Closer to home, Star Party hosts local ‘stars’ of sky observation and research, Dr. Warren Finlay, Dr. Erin Hauck-Walton, and Parks Canada sky expert Matt Davis. Traditional knowledge and culture is presented by Betty Lafferty, Walter Quinn, Ben Moses, Sherryl Sewepagaham and special guest and ‘star’ elder, Francis Alexis.

Mill Creek Adventure Walk: Raven's Nest-- Feb 25 and 26!

Another copy and paste from my email updates on the Winter Light Festivals, this looks like an amazing event:

Mill Creek Adventure Walk: Raven's Nest

February 25-26, 2011  
Friday and Saturday 4-10 pm   
Mill Creek Park
Lantern parades at 6:30 and 9 pm nightly
The woods come alive with mysterious lights, sound and characters for Mill Creek Adventure Walk: Raven's Nest. The adventure walk takes place Friday and Saturday night in Mill Creek Park, running north and south between 82 Avenue and 92 Avenue, on the west side of the creek.

This new Winter Light art walk is conceived and created by artists Memi von Gaza and Dylan Toymaker, creators of the hugely popular Baba Yaga Trail Adventure. They have teamed up to transform Mill Creek into a series of magical realms, animating a story of light and hope. This is Winter Light's second event in Mill Creek, the first being the Light Meadow in 2009.

The people of Raven's Nest are gathered at Underbridge, a place of fire and flickering lights, ruled by the eccentric Raven King (Dave Clarke). He keeps his people safe, but fearful of what lays beyond the boundaries of his camp. Along the path, the Magpie people roam, free to travel,  encouraging people to explore magical worlds: the Light Camp where the Lantern Makers (Ryan Halun, Talia Morrissey) live; and the Shimmering Grove, where the Aurora people (Dylan Toymaker) make music and light dance amid the trees.

A Trip to the Muttart Conservatory!

Love in the Feature Pyramid ;-)

Yesterday we went to the Muttart Conservatory. We enjoyed strolling through the four glass pyramids, each supporting different plants: arid, temperate, and tropical zones, with the fourth pyramid being a changing themed pyramid. Right now the Feature Pyramid sports tons of brightly coloured flowers and several heart shaped arrangements.

We noticed several signs of spring, especially in the Temperate pyramid. I suppose spring comes early indoors ;-)

The Temperate Pyramid also features one of my favourite plants, the Wollemi Pine tree.  Apparently this pine was thought to be extinct and only know from fossil records until a man rappelled into a valley in Australia and found a living grove! About 15 years ago, in Sydney, they thought to reproduce this plant, for conservation, and send plants to various parts of the world. Canada got 6 plants with one going to the Muttart! It had been in quarantine for two years since it came growing in Australian soil. Then it had it's debut in a very informative display in the Feature Pyramid in 2009. And, like I said, it's final home is in the Temperate Pyramid!

Or Make a Wish (no coins)

My son's favourites are the Tropical and Temperate Pyramids followed closely by the Arid and Feature Pyramids. Overall, it's a lovely place to visit and sit. We ended up sitting in the Feature Pyramid listening to the classical music playing overhead while we snuggled and read through a guide book to prehistoric life.

Temperate Pyramid, A Pond with Fish

Signs of Spring in the Temperate Pyramid

More Signs of Spring in the Temperate Pyramid

Wollemi Pine with Cones

Arid Pyramid

Tropical Pyramid

Who's hiding in the Tropical Pyramid?

Lovely Water Feature in the Tropical Pyramid

STEP OUTSIDE! WINTER LIGHT

Illuminations on the Square: Saturday, January 29, 2011

This is quite late, but it looks like a BLAST! Happening tomorrow (Saturday).

Copied and pasted from my email:
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Illuminations Lights up the Square TOMORROW

Saturday January 29, 2011
4-10 pm
Churchill Square
FREE!

If you've walked by Churchill Square this week you might have noticed that the Circus is in town! Circus Orange and the Winter Light team have been in full force preparing for Illuminations, happening this Saturday from 4 to 10 pm.

The past week has seen a giant Tricycle blowing off test flames, the installation of a 50-foot high crane above City Hall, and an amazing on-site crew testing the nuts and bolts for custom-built spectacle theatre: rigging, pyro, fire crew, lights, and sound.

Ice on Whyte: Jan 13- 23, 2011

The following is cut and pasted from my email notice of the event!
--------------------------------------------------------------- 

Sliiide on into Ice on Whyte

iceonwhyte.ca

January 13-23

Monday-Friday 2 pm-10 pm,
Saturday-Sunday 10 am-10 pm

Festival Park, 85 Avenue and 104 Street

$5/$2.50 kids

Old Strathcona comes shimmering to life with Ice on Whyte!

The 8th annual Ice on Whyte showcases an International Ice Carving Competition with artists from China, Holland, Russia, Armenia, and across Canada.

Ice on Whyte 2011 has a Chinese theme with ice and snow carvers coming from Edmonton’s sister city of Harbin, China. Nine Chinese artists will collaborate with their Canadian counterparts to create a fantasy-filled park that will include a Giant Ice Dragon Slide, an Ice Pagoda, a Great Wall, a Children's Play area and much more.

Warm up with a hot beverage available by donation in the YESS Cafe (in support of the Youth Emergency Shelter Society), then check out the action at the EIA Entertainment Stage with Chinese cultural performances and live blues, jazz, and folk music. Or take the mic yourself with Frozen Friday Karaoke!

Deep Freeze For Sure

I am no keener and the weather on Saturday, not to mention the horrible roads, almost kept me indoors. However, we needed to venture out on an unrelated errand and, so, dropped by the festival. And I am shocked at the amount of people out on such a day! No, I'm not saying it was packed by any means (except the indoor venues and those selling food ;-), yet it was quite decently well attended.

Caged Beasts on the Ave

We wandered around, listened to a spot of music briefly at The Carrot, saw wild caged animals performing some odd ritualistic activity with sticks, caught the end of the Mummer's act, all before checking out the intense music and good food in the main hall. There were ice sculptures diligently at work and ice bars not yet in service. A photo op castle was a hit with many, but nothing beat that dragon sculpted ice slide for the kids! Curling, skating, tobogganing, warming up around the many fire stations! Tipi, free samples from Burt's Bees, Farmer's Market (we bought our eggs!) and Artisan Market. ...and more :)

Ice Bar not in Service

Sculpting Away

Free Wagon Rides

Borrow a Sled and Have Fun!

Are You Cold?

Not Just For the Little Kids ;-)

Backside of the 'castle' wall. Photo Op Anyone?

Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival Jan 8-9!

This weekend Alberta Avenue hosts the third (I think) annual winter festival: Deep Freeze. And I must say it gets better and bigger each year. So, bundle up and come on down for some fun! Oh, and feel free to bring scarf/mitt/hat donations as all Winter Light Festivals have collectors for these times somewhere on site!

Complete program and schedule:  deepfreezefest.ca