Contrarian is pleased to report, after a recent sojourn in Bayfield, Antigonish County, that Jim Nunn seems to be thriving in his newfound role as gentleman farmer. It's the best thing I ever did in my life. They send me a cheque every month, and I Don't Do A Single Thing for them. I should have done it years ago. We voiced admiration at the ripeness of the tomatoes on his windowsill. You should see my burpless cucumbers. They're huge. But it was dark and cold, and we gave the garden tour a pass. As for politics, Nunn thinks Harper is poised to beat...

22 September, 2009

Contrarian reader John Hugh Edwards has noticed a linguistic quirk of recent origin: For some time I've been meaning to mention how people being interviewed begin answers with, "So...

22 September, 2009

OK, it's not really trompe-l'œil. It's an actual, three-dimensional lamp standard at 6th Avenue and Cambie Street, Vancouver. The Cossette ad agency wrapped the pole in brown vinyl, affixing an out-sized carafe at the top and a giant cup at the bottom. The result: an eye-catching ad for McDonald's coffee giveaway promotion. Don't try this in Halifax, where it's illegal to advertise on poles, except for the anatomically correct poles city fathers (and mothers!) set aside for that purpose. Hattip: Bessy N. ...

22 September, 2009

When German aid workers proposed a basic income support program in Otjivero, an impoverished, disease-ridden, hard-drinking village in Namibia, critics scoffed.  "They'll just drink more," one predicted. But a year into the program, which distributes $100 Namibian (roughly $14.15 Canadian) per month to each of Otjivero's 961 residents, school attendance has soared, public health improved, and crime dropped. Spiegel Online International reports: The basic income scheme doesn't work like charity, but like a constitutional right. Under the plan, every citizen, rich or poor, would be entitled to it starting at birth. There would be no poverty test, no conditions and, therefore,...

20 September, 2009

Thirty-nine years ago last night, Jimi Hendrix died in a London, England, apartment. He was 27 years old. Halifax bluesman Roger Howse honored the anniversary with an all-Hendrix third set at Bearly’s House of Blues & Ribs on Barrington Street. Contrarian friend Richard Stephenson writes: A fixture at Bearly’s over the last decade, the Roger Howse Band draws praise for the power of its music and the precision of Roger's guitar work. About 12:30 this morning, following a longer than usual break, the band returned to the stage and, without fanfare, charged headlong into a ninety-minute set featuring nine Hendrix songs....

19 September, 2009
Contrarian's praise for Barry Zwicker's blunt response to opponents of his company's 30-megawatt wind farm on Digby Neck drew fire from two of those opponents. Dan Mills argues that citizens confronted with unwanted developments should not be faulted for lacking the smooth communications chops of a professional developer
15 September, 2009

Above, a rock outcropping with natural bridge lies just off the western shore of Port Hood Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Below, a little-known artifact from the annals of engineering in Nova Scotia. Fifty-one years ago, the Department of Highways built a causeway to connect Port Hood Island with Cape Breton at the village of Port Hood. Three days after the fixed link opened, a storm washed it away. The structure was never rebuilt, but its remnants, known as The Breakwater, remain plainly visible today. Contrarian thanks Skipper David Smith....

12 September, 2009

Cliff White responds: I heard that interview on CBC and I agree with your assessment of his presentation. Ah, but ah Mr. Contrarian, I fear your own experience has prejudiced your judgment somewhat. I don't know why, for instance, you target  eco-narcissists and project opponents with the faults you identify. In my experience these characteristics are generally exhibited by both sides in these disputes. There are usually people on both sides who adopt a more reason and evidence-based approach. In addition, again in my experience, it is often the citizen non-professionals who do much deeper research on the topic at hand and often...

11 September, 2009

- Carol Kennedy photo Cape Breton's Fall colors peak between the first and second weekends of October, and this year foliage tourists have four worthy festivals to chose from. The Hike the Highlands festival offers 23 guided hikes in a variety of distances, difficulties, and locations around the Cabot Trail from September 11 to 20. The festival also features workshops on nature photography, GPS, and geocaching, together with various social and musical events. The first annual inaugural Cabot Trail Writers' Festival in North River, October 2 to 4, features readings and workshops by authors Donna Morrissey (Kit's Law & What They Wanted),  Douglas...

09 September, 2009
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