FFWD Weekly
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by FFWD StaffCruise O Matic
Next to rock ‘n’ roll, nothing has come to symbolize the ’50s in America more than the automobile. Whether it was the ’57 Chevy or a ’55 Thunderbird, car culture epitomized ’50s post-war wealth and freedom.
Compiled by Tokyo collector Yasutoshi Ikuta, Cruise O Matic (Chronicle Books) is an impressive collection of automobile advertising gathered from popular periodicals such as Life, The Saturday Evening Post, Look and Holiday. Obviously, the book will delight car fanatics, but from a cultural standpoint, it is also filled with an overwhelming sense of optimism that will captivate those who need an escape from our hectic cell phone era. While the car has evolved into a symbol of urbanization, this collection reflects a simpler, more carefree attitude where almost every advertisement pictures car owners and their families in a country setting. Whether out for a leisurely drive or just visiting the tennis club, the car opened the road to the idyllic suburban life.
For car collectors or pop culture fanatics, Cruise O Matic is a delightful Sunday drive through the past.
Calgary Humane Society on the Web
Pets seeking owners: Dogs, cats and creatures of all shapes, sizes and colours want to meet caring people to share life, love and happiness. Likes include walks, playing, curling up on the couch and eating. Dislikes include being left alone for long periods or being abandoned by those not ready for a serious relationship.
Anyone seriously considering becoming a pet owner should pay a visit to the Calgary Humane Society on the Web. The site includes photos and information on dozens of animals, young and mature, looking for new homes – from the one-year-old female German shepherd cross with heartbreaking brown eyes (described as a "really sweet girl") and the trio of dobermans (Rocky, Molly and Muff), to the three-year-old brown tabby ("shy but nice") and the leftover bunnies from Easter. You can browse through the photos and bios until you find a match, or search for exactly what you want.
For over 76 years the Calgary Humane Society has provided homeless animals with shelter, medical attention and a chance for a better life. Almost 13,000 abandoned, lost or homeless animals will come through the doors each year, and the majority will find new homes.
Find out more about the society and find yourself a buddy.
Free Stuff
Win a double pass to the Calgary premiere of The Virgin Suicides on Wednesday, May 17 at Eau Claire Cinemas. Sofia Coppola’s first film stars Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett and James Woods. To win, visit the Fast Forward web site at www.greatwest.ca/ffwd. As a bonus, the first 15 people to enter will get a copy of the soundtrack by French electronica group AIR. Winners will be notified on Monday, May 15.
Attention songwriters: Fast Forward and CBC Radio One want to give you a chance to perform live on The Key of A. In addition, three of your songs could be added to the CBC P2K Compilation CD. See ad for details.
Stephen King’s tale of Misery, adapted for the stage by Simon Moore, is coming to Pleiades Theatre from May 13 to June 18. To win tickets to this twisted thriller, drop by the Fast Forward office with a food bank donation.
Win a VIP package full of goodies and surprises from the Roxbury Cocktail Bar & Supper Club. To win, phone the Fast Forward office between 9 a.m. and noon on Friday and tell us what happens at the Roxbury on Sunday nights at 8 p.m.
You could win a night's stay at The Banff Centre and tickets to JAZZ: the fire of creation, at The Banff Arts Festival. But you'll have to wait to check out next week's issue of Fast Forward to get the details on how to enter.
(Free stuff can be picked up on Friday unless otherwise noted. There will be one item per person, and only those who have not won in the past four weeks, excluding movie passes, are eligible. Office hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.)
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