New backpacks. New outfits. New binders. Freshly sharpened pencils. It’s back-to-school time, and a change is in the air. Unlike the Victoria Day weekend, which ushers in a more relaxed season, Labour Day weekend is summer’s last hurrah: the last big party before It’s time to buckle down and get serious. Yet although it heralds… Read more »
Sustained triple-digit temperatures, no rain, and the resulting death of my azaleas and tomato plants have led me to appreciate water a little more this summer. That’s why, when I came across National Geographic‘s Water Footprint Calculator, I was intrigued. I’d had to break out the sprinkler system to keep my lawn alive, so I… Read more »
Ahhhhh, August in your favourite provincial or national park. The sky is cloudless, the wind still. The air, shimmering with a late summer haze, hangs with a brooding silence that speaks of the distant coming of fall. Birds sing, and the ground cover rustles as busy little animals scurry on their errands, invisible to all… Read more »
Recently, a media frenzy erupted around the inappropriate firing of a US Department of Agriculture employee. Shirley Sherrod was forced to resign after an edited video clip posted online appeared to show her use of racial discrimination. Later, however, it was discovered that the online clip was missing a critical segment?information which gave context to… Read more »
?Friendship is like a violin; the music may stop now and then, but the strings will last forever.? Author Unknown Late July is usually moving month in our community. Often, we’re the ones heading from home and comfort on a new and exciting adventure to set up a new home in a strange city. This… Read more »
In an ideal world, the guilty are guilty and the innocent are not. But in real life, It’s not always that simple. What if you felt that you had no other choice than to take responsibility for a crime you didn’t commit? According to allegations in a recent lawsuit, That’s exactly what happened to Ontario… Read more »
On family vacations, I’d always far preferred the beach to the mountains. However, time chips away at even one’s most deeply-held prejudices. My years in Alaska began quietly entrenching in the corner of my mind the utter beauty of the rugged terrain. It wasn’t merely the stunning vistas that changed me, although they did their… Read more »
Student: Donna Alden-Bugden AU graduate Donna Alden-Bugden graduated from Athabasca’s Master of Nursing (NP) program in June 2003, but the nurse practitioner?and fan of distance learning?is still furthering her educational dream. Here, she speaks about why she chose AU; how she stays motivated while juggling family, work, and school; and what makes it all worthwhile…. Read more »
Last week, we started our celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday (April 23) a little early by reviewing several classic film renditions of his plays. For those who find the traditional language and theatrical style of the original plays difficult to watch however, there are still ways to enjoy the rich Shakespearean tradition on film. In fact,… Read more »
Many films, both older movies and modern productions, look to classic literature for inspiration. However, few authors have had more influence on the movie industry than William Shakespeare. Because his plays explore the complexities of human relationships, they have transitioned well to the world of cinema. In fact, since the dawn of the movie age,… Read more »