HIV rates among young women rising
Gender inequality and denial contribute to risky practices
By Amy Steele

Swinging not indecent, rules Supreme Court and other stories
By Amy Steele

WEB WATCH

Same old, same old
Plans for positivity, sleep and less MySpace
By Courtney Thompson

VIEWPOINT

Real men don’t pull out
George Bush renews his commitment to finish the job he started in Iraq
By David Bright

ELECTION

Election gets entertaining online
Disgruntled liberals and general derision make the campaign lively
By Jeremy Klaszus

FOOD

Princess Pie Hole’s journey
One year of eating my way through Calgary
By Janet McMahen

BOOZE

Bring on the cool
Mynt is preparing to chill out with its second annual Ice Lounge
By Roberta McDonald

BOOKS

Memoirs of a ghost
Book reveals prolific career as phantom pen
By Bryn Evans

It’s better than you think
Local publisher’s latest crop of sci-fi is a cut above
By Bryn Evans

RODEO

Shhh… it’s a Conspiracy
David Hoffos and Denise Clarke plot mystery and illusion at Rodeo
By Wes LaFortune

In virgin territory
Former Israeli dancer sows her creative seeds at the Rodeo
By Jocelyn Grosse

Sizzling side project
The Arcade Fire members get their neo-classical kicks as The Bell Orchestre
By Mark Hamilton

Meat, murder and accordions
Grotesque-loving Cowgirl Opera sticks it to Chekhov on the Prairies
By Jeff Kubik

COVER STORY

Decision 05
Top Albums of 2005
By FFWD writers

MUSIC

2005 – the year of suck
A brief compendium of touchstones, peaks and valleys of pop culture
By Derek McEwen

Bang your head
Heavy metal makes a welcome return
By Brandon Tenold

Monster artistic talent
Michael Daines’s unique rock-poster style graces this issue’s cover
By Kirsten Kosloski

In loving tribute
Cover band BC/DC recharge your new year
By Peter Hemminger

Blowing a few fuses
800 Prospect are loud and proud
by Keith Carman

Keeping the home fires burning
Shecky Forme ignites the Magic Fire for crowd-pleasing performance
By Leslie Birdfly

CD REVIEWS

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CD Reviews:
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VISUAL ARTS

This ain’t not shit-kickin’ art
Calgary’s ongoing artistic sophistication belies cowboy stereotypes
By Wes LaFortune

FILM

Return of the kindly dork
The Ringer is a surprisingly sweet comedy with a positive message and lots of laughs
By Bryn Evans

VIDEO VULTURE

Beasts and breasts
Bigfoot cavorts with naked women in The Beauties and the Beast
By John Tebbutt

VIDEO

Is anybody listening?
DVD commen tary puts a new spin on watching your favourite movies
By Andrew Aitkenhead

MY MESSY BEDROOM

Sexual peaks
It’s a designer ottoman mom, really!
By Josey Vogels