Schools too commercialized, says report
Use of private money to fund public education is on the rise
By Amy Steele

Calligraphy, panda bears and propaganda
Chinese state-run network seeks broadcasting licence in Canada
by Steve Magusiak

New Beltline plan caps number of bars among other stories
by Amy Steele

LETTERS

Guardian Angels are lawless bullies
by David Wilson

People should support, not criticize, Angels
by Cody Rilling

VIEWPOINT

Harper opts for U.S. anti-crime approach
Plan calls for expensive and ineffective measures to battle artificial crisis
by Reuel S. Amdur

BOOKS

Women, monks and a rabbi or two
A little out of style, but Longing is classic Cohen nonetheless
reviewed by Lachlan MacKintosh

Who are you calling Cockeyed?
Ryan Knighton’s memoir details his 15-year descent into blindness
by Bryn Evans

COMEDY

Cherry picking
Clark Robertson dons the grandiose persona of the loud Canadian sports icon
by Stephen W. Smith

Catching up with Mike Tod
by Stephen W. Smith

FESTIVAL

Kristofferson and Son Volt top fest feast
Calgary Folk Music Festival offers fans eclectic musical talent
by Mary-Lynn Wardle

Jazz Festival Calgary called off
by Steve Magusiak

MUSIC

Life after Tournament
The Constantines work a new kind of 9 to 5 to make a living
by Laura Glick

Collide-a-Scope
Local technocrats Tetrix prepare to launch
by Christine Leonard

The Neckers want you to pucker up, buttercup
Rock ‘n’ rollers offer eleven messy new smooches on Love and Infection
by Aubrey McInnis

Ready for his return
Resident piano man Ryan Luchuck breaks out of the Ben Folds mould
by Liz Brown

A scorching good time at Coachella
Local writer hits the road and gets the lowdown on desert music festival
by Peter Hemminger

CD REVIEWS

Good Christian soldier keeps marching on
CD Reviews:
Danielson’s Ships
reviewed by Mark Hamilton
Islands’ Return to the Sea
reviewed by Mark Hamilton
Sam Roberts’ Chemical City
reviewed by Ashley Ingoldsby
Mobb Deep’s Blood Money
reviewed by Red Eye
Gus Black’s Autumn Days
reviewed by Carla Ciccone

SUMMER GUIDE

Two full moons at a time
Cool off with a skinny dip on a hot night
by Mary-Lynn Wardle

Kiteboarding an addictive sport
A new way to catch some big air this summer season
by Kevin Rosmanitz

Bust out those mad mini-golf skills
Pebble Beach tests even the most tenacious of mini-golf champions
by Shawn Hoult

GyPSy road trip
PDA acts as personal tour guide
by Wes LaFortune

Gettin’ outta Dodge
Quirky day trips offer unique view of Alberta
by Laura Glick

Pick your own produce at the source
Small agriculture and market gardens could be the future of farming
by Jane McCullough

Herbivores are taking over the barbie
Enjoy something other than the bland veggie burger this summer
by Larua Glick

Rock the plank
by Jane McCullough

Citrus + aminoethanesulfonic acid = flavour!
Dare to enter the heart-exploding world of the ever-popular energy drink
by Wes LaFortune

Hot off the press
New and upcoming reads for this summer
by Bryn Evans

The noise of summer blockbusters
As the temperature rises, Hollywood turns up the heat at the Cineplex
by Jason Lewis

Make the most of the sunshine
Fast Forward’s Calgary and area Summer Guide forecasts a busy season
by me, Kari Watson

Homemade inisect repellant an alternative to deet
by Steve Magusiak

VISUAL ARTS

Documentation at its best
People of the Blood moves beyond stereotypes
By Wes LaFortune

THEATRE

Ninja Hamlet, puppets and The Little Prince
This year’s children’s festival the most innovative and international yet
by Jeff Kubik, Melanie Little & Pearl Meyer

FILM

Victoria Day anime
Otafest 2006 brings hours of great animation
by John Tebbutt

Jumping off the page
New film bridges the book-to-screen gap
by Thea Bowering

Celebrity-voiced cartoon misses the point
Over the Hedge makes a flimsy case for a slower and healthier way of life
by Joanne Huffa

Little Red Riding Hood becomes the wolf
Would-be victim flips the script in tense and thrilling Hard Candy
by Matthew Currie Holmes

King of the sea
Poseidon is a wonderfully predictable pressure cooker
by Jason Lewis

VIDEO VULTURE

Panties, panties, panties
Underwear? More like under everywhere in these anime features
By John Tebbutt

MY MESSY BEDROOM

Soul connection?
Perfect partner or just a blast from the past?
By Josey Vogels