Drop that needle, I say! Drop it...

One of my least favorite high school memories is the time I got carded by a mustachioed bouncer at Times Night Club (across from Eaton's). I must've been 17 at the time and probably looked 12. I had my cousin's ID but Mr. Moustache wouldn't buy it (my real driver's license was clearly visible in my open wallet), so I skulked out. The thing I hate about telling this story is admitting that I ever tried to get in to Times. I blame peer pressure.

Anyway, all that to say I am soooo glad that today in Winnipeg there are much better ways to pass a Saturday night. Case in point: Drop The Needle. This new monthly party series is the brainchild of two Winnipeg D-I-Y divas. Artist Kerri-Lynn Reeves and DJ Mama Cutsworth (a.k.a. Sarah Michaelson) want to give crafters and music fans the chance to D-I-T.

The inaugural party is this Saturday, January 30 at the Lo Pub (330 Kennedy Street). The action kicks off at 8 p.m., with a knitting skills workshop led by artist Kristin Nelson. After that, you can work on your own project while DJ Co-op provides your crafting soundtrack.

According to Sarah, the whole idea is to give creative Winnipeggers an excuse to get out. "Folks from the prairies know that you need to pass the frosty winters with creativity; unfortunately, that usually means hiding away for eight months and knitting in front of the TV every night. Drop The Needle provides crafter types a social environment in which to cultivate handcrafted skills like knitting, embroidery, beading, collage and origami, with a live, hand-spun soundtrack from Winnipeg’s best DJs."

There will be lamps so you can actually see what you're doing, and yes, there will be dancing! Admission is 5 bucks and you are guaranteed to have much more fun than you ever had at Times.

In the spirit of Oseola McCarty

We Cheaperthans are big fans of frugality, but just to be clear, by frugality we do not mean stinginess. Oseola McCarty was frugal, but she wasn't stingy. If you haven't heard her story yet, you've got to check it out. She was a washerwoman in Mississipi who saved her whole life, and donated $150,000 to an endowment fund at her local university so poor students wouldn't have to work as hard as she did. Amazing.

Also amazing: the amount of money individual Canadians have donated to the Haitian relief effort - $82 million. The aid agencies encourage cash donations as the quickest and most effective way to help. If you're like me, and feel the need to do something in addition to donating money, you can also put together a relief kit for the Mennonite Central Committee. The relief kits include basics like toothbrushes, towels, soap and bandages. Fill up a bag and deliver it to an MCC drop-off location by February 28.

And heck, if you're a crafter (or a hoarder) in a giving mood, another organization to keep in mind is Arts Junktion. They collect art supplies for schools. So rather than dumping your stash of fabric and buttons in the landfill, box it up and take it to their new location at 312b William Avenue.

McNally is back from the brink

That was quick. McNally has emerged from bankruptcy protection in one piece. Well, two pieces - the Grant Park and Saskatoon stores. Time to run over and pick up the current issue of Canadian Dimension. As I discovered from Winnipeg O' My Heart, the Jan./Feb. issue is dedicated to our favorite city. A few of the articles are available online, including one that takes a crack at answering that eternal question of "exactly how a city like this — with its flotillas of mosquitos, its blistering cold, its malignant racism — ever managed to turn itself into a cultural product sought out by the wider world."

Of course Guy Maddin gets a mention, which brought to mind a Letter From Winnipeg that Guy wrote for CBC.ca a few years ago - also worth a read, especially for those expat Winnipeggers nostalgic for a stroll down Corydon.

Getting my Tar-zhay hopes up

It's sad, but I get a rush of retail adrenaline every time I hear a favorite U.S. chain might hop across the 49th parallel. This morning I came across the headline Target is coming to Canada. (I should make that the name of my blog, I bet I would get a zillion hits.) Sadly the story doesn't offer the concrete detail I was anticipating. For example, I would have liked to read that Target is opening an outlet in the old Safeway space at Polo Park. Or even that Target is starting to ship to Canada. Instead, all it says is that Target is considering opening stores in Canada three years from now. (While I'm complaining, let me also note that the writer used the irritating cliché "untimely death" which makes you wonder whether there is such a thing as a "timely death.") Anyway, I guess I will return to Plan A: booking a hotel in Grand Forks.

Winnipeg stuff to getsy on Etsy

As you can tell, I'm a big fan of online shopping -- it appeals to my penchant for multitasking. Right now for example the (new!) washing machine is laundering, the baby is sleeping, the Roomba is Roomba-ing and I'm blogging. Four gerunds at once, very satisfying.

That's why I love Etsy. At naptime, I'm checking out the craft porn, and discovering new DIY project ideas. I'm also using the shop local feature to support local talent (and save on shipping!). Here are some of my favorite Winnipeg Etsy-ers:

Kiddlebug - creations for kids How can you not like this little doll ($35 USD), especially when you find out her name is Halle and she loves riding her bike and does not like dog kisses? Kiddlebug also makes pillowcases and onesies. And she takes custom orders, so you can order a doll that looks like someone you know. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Cutest wedding gift ever!


Tigers and Dragons I grew up watching and listening to my mom and lola and nanan during their regular mah-jongg sessions, so I couldn't resist these necklaces with mah-jongg tile pendants. I got one for my BFF, my sister, mom, and tita - each with a different symbol. Just $15 USD, chump change for a serious player.


Heavens Earth I'm a sucker for small-scale art, like this painting on canvas from Heavens Earth. Only $30 USD! The artist, Serena Wilson Stubson, also sells prints for $12 USD.


The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe More places should make and sell chocolate brown onesies ($16 USD), especially with blue bird appliques. The white ones are serviceable, but they aren't very forgiving of squash spills. Or avocado mush. Or any food of color.


COGnitive Creations There's something intriguing about the hardware jewelry by this Winnipeg library worker. It's literate, inventive, and a tiny bit ominous. Part Jules Verne, part Stephenie Meyer, part J.K. Rowling. Each piece looks like it's made for a particular person - possibly someone you know. (The Emulating Robot Artful Hardware Locket Pendant - $85 USD)

Marathon 1981 This little critter ($36 USD) reminds me of the woodland characters in Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox. (You should see the movie if you haven't already - it's beautiful to look at, and funny). Marathon 1981 makes prairie dogs, barn owls, monsterrabbits and walruses as well.

Jill Zurzolo So much better than a Bratz doll. This little rice bag doll is named Emeline ($30 USD). She loves making tree forts and playing in mud puddles. You can tell she's made by a mom - she is baby proof and washable!

H & M may or may not be coming to town

Two different stories about H & M caught my attention today. The first was a radio update on the trendy retailer's plans to set up shop in Winnipeg. I'd heard there would soon be an H & M at Polo Park, and was excited about the prospect of picking up more made-in-Romania short-sleeved blouses and casual blazers. (They have some awesome baby clothes and maternity wear as well). Alas, today's CBC story says it's not a done deal. According to the H & M spokeswoman: "We can't really confirm or deny an opening."

You can't blame her for being a little wiggly with the media. H & M was scrambling last week to deal with a major fashion faux pas. A New York Times story suggested the store was deliberately razoring unsold clothes and trashing them. After the story was published, people Twittered in outrage, and H & M announced it will stop destroying new clothing and donate unsold merchandise to charity instead.

Good plan in theory but in practice maybe not the best solution. H & M can be Hit & Miss. For example: this season's floral-print short shorts and lime-striped elastic-waisted miniskirts? Charities might want to take a pass.

Free Wintertainment

It's -42 degrees with the wind chill. Everything is closed. A perfect day to stay inside and watch some free Winnipeg-made programming.

Less Than Kind: I have a soft spot for this sitcom, not just because "One Great City!" is the theme song, and not just because it uses the iconic Confusion Corner traffic sign as its logo. It presents a world populated by characters who are all flawed and funny and likeably unlikeable, against a backdrop of Winnipeg in all her slushy working-class beauty. Episode 7 is a personal fave - where else in prime time would you hear a Jewish teenager make a speech in Tagalog? Season Two launches soon - so this is a good time to catch up on Season One episodes - all available for free online!

The Big Snit: Even if you haven't watched this nine-minute animation by Richard Condie in 25 years, I bet you can still quote lines from it. "Stop shakin' yer eyes!" Definitely worth watching again.

Souvenirs: Filmmaker Paula Kelly created these three short films during a stint as artist-in-residence at the City of Winnipeg Archives. I especially like Waiting for the Parade for its shots of girls doing cartwheels on sapling-lined streets.

The Weakerthans videos: Start with Our Retired Explorer - for a taste of Manitoba's big chill without leaving your cosy living room. Don't know which is cuter, John K. Samson's handlebar moustache or the stuffed penguin.

Archie and His Friends: Do you remember rushing home from school to watch Uncle Bob and Archie Wood at lunchtime? Those were the days, before Treehouse on Demand, PVRs and ADD.

My Winnipeg trailer: A two-minute taste of Guy Maddin's weirdly wonderful homage to Winnipeg.