Prince William & Kate...slyly join mile-high club! Whirlwind tour delights residents of Great White North!

There was a raucous cheer or two, a lot of pomp and circumstance, and - on occasion - a heartfelt moment when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge touched down in Ottawa day-before-yesterday for a whirlwind 10-day tour.


What was this?

Kate Middleton was caught alighting from the chartered jet without a fanciful hat atop her pretty head!

Off with it, eh?

Meanwhile, it didn't escape the keen eye of Royal-watchers that Her Highness was not outfitted in the chic ensemble she donned to catch her flight out of Heathrow.

Uh-huh!

Gossips whispered and speculated - but it was crystal clear to moi - that Wills and Kate must have slid between-the-sheets on the journey across the big pond - and in the process - slyly snatched up the golden opportunity to become members of the exclusive (elusive) mile-high club!

Indeed!

On the heels of their arrival in Ontario, the Prince wowed the swarming masses (who turned out in full-force) when he elected to address the Nation in both Official languages, English and French respectively.

How politically correct!

Then, the charming Royal - not only took a poke at his broken French - but promised to "work" on the subtle nuances required to master the romantic language.

"It will improve as we go on," he chuckled.

Not to worry, Wills; after all, the die-hard Quebecois may be fussy about "getting the language right" - but - your bold-faced attempt to make a legit effort to speak it obviously put you in the Frenchie's good stead.
"He just sounded so cute and adorable with his English accent. He did pretty good," one Canuck gushed from the sidelines in a crush that spread several feet deep.

First stop for the cuddly lovebirds?

The Royals visited the National War Memorial where they solemnly and respectfully placed wreaths on the sacred tomb.

Shortly thereafter, the handsome twosome trotted off to meet-and-greet with the Prime Minister - Stephen Harper - and his better-half (lovely wife Laureen).

Over the past couple of days the newly-crowned "Duke and Duchess of Cambridge"also participated in a glut of Canada Day celebrations which included a formal Citizenship Ceremony where each of 'em passed out miniature flags to beaming immigrants boasting full legal status in the country (July 1st).

After a much-anticipated trip to Prince Edward Island (where they displayed their culinary skills at a shin-dig or two) the Prince and Kate are expected to attend the opening ceremonies for the ever-popular Calgary Stampede (in the Province of Alberta).

Judging by the news reports spewing out over International media outlets, the Canadian hosts were awestruck by the mere presence of the delightful Royals in their midst.

So much so, in fact, that the Government whipped up a personal flag for the Prince to wave from inside the confines of the Royal Limousine.

The last time such an honor was bestowed on a member of the Royal family was decades ago when Queen E 2 (Will's grandmother) received the nod.

Is that kind-of-like getting a key to the city?

I trust that Prince William (and Kate, too, if she is not a tea-totler) will chug-a-lug a Molson's ale (or two) during the course of his celebrated trip across the country.

A Canadian brewskie?

Nothing like it, dudes.

Cheers!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Happy Canada Day...to all my fellow Canucks! Chug-a-lug, eh?

Justin Bieber...touts Canada's Health Care system! Greatest country in world!

 

When folks hear that I am from Canada, they shake their heads in disbelief.

"You have free Health care in your country. Why are you residing in the United States?"

True, the benefits in my native land are enviable, without doubt.

Even the "Bieb" - Pop Star Justin Bieber - brags about the country's medical system.

For example, in a recent Rolling Stone interview, Bieber was inclined to plug the Great White North.

"Here (in the U.S.) your whole life you're broke because of medical bills," he uttered up with a tinge of noticeable frustration.

Then, in the blink of a pretty eye, he touted his homeland.

"Canada is the best country in the world."

A naive perspective - but one which rings true - for the most part.

Until you make it in America - you'll remain a nobody essentially - unable to savor the spoils of International success.

Just remind Bieber, so he knows how fortunate he is - and, where his bread is buttered - eh?

Later!

http://www.thetattler.biz



Canada's great bounty!

Vancouver Art Scene...circa 1970's! Talented Jack Shadbolt, Bau-Xi Gallery, & moi!

Jack Shadbolt & Butterfly

In my youth, I toiled away in my studio in Vancouver, determined to become the next Pablo Picasso.

Like the master of the canvas, I was also an abstract expressionist, keen on texture, heavily built-up surfaces, and prone to utilize unusual materials to effect the visuals I was attempting to bring to life on the canvasses.

A scrap of corrugated cardboard discarded in the trash might catch my eye and end up as the focal point in one of my passionate creations.

In the early days, the major gallery scene was in Gastown before it shifted up to the lower Granville Street area.

Back in 1972, I was part of a successful group show which featured a handful of promising of artists, which was installed at the Galerie Allen.

On that occasion, I received my first professional art review by local critic Joan Lowndes.

Ytte Allen - the director &  owner of the boutique-style gallery - was a tall pretty woman determined to single-handed turn the sleepy little seaside town into a major International art scene.

But, it was a tough row to hoe.

With a potent glass or two of vintage wine coursing her over-sexed veins - without warning - she would transform into a dragon lady who often cornered locals and business owners with a bit of arm-twisting if necessary to push sales.

Her approach - even if the rendering was a mere lithograph - was that the coveted purchase was an investment for the future.

The well-heeled Vancouver crowd turned out for the openings to see and be seen, sip on a sherry and snack on crackers and imported cheese - even chat up other art-lovers - while the paintings remained a pretty backdrop that were often glanced over but rarely taken too seriously as cultural must-haves.

Yes, in those heady days of the burgeoning art scene on the West Coast, the sales were slow-going.

If Ms. Allen landed a sale of a Dali print or two, that was considered a coup.

The elite on the West Coast admitted they didn’t know much about Art, but knew what they liked!

Where have I heard that one before?

At that time, it infuriated me that buyers would spring for a Robert Davidson canvas, but pass on an important American painter like Jim Dine or Rothko.

Davidson’s paintings - which consisted of a labyrinth of trippy images which favored a dark palette - reminded me of what a stoned hippie might dredge up when wiped out on a potent joint or pungent rock of hashish.

Hideous.

There’s nothing worse than an art collector with a lot of  moolah and no taste!

Shortly after I unveiled a one-man exhibition at Galerie Allen (1974) - and local Arts Patron Rosemary Poll (a lovely woman) signed on as a silent partner more-or-less - I ended up parting ways with the emotional Dane after she urged me to “paint on the right side of the paper.”

At the time, I was experimenting with the idea of “transparency”, and created a couple of unique pieces that were to be framed in such a way as to allow the art work to viewed from both sides.

The notion was wild and un-artist-like to Allen.

She was in for a rude awakening - and forced to eat crow - when I pointed out that a couple of her darlings in the art world experimented with major works along the same lines, too.

About that time, I submitted a couple of paintings to a City Commission set up to hire a handful of artists to create pieces to be housed in Government buildings around the lower mainland.

Jack Shadbolt - who was married to Doris (the well-respected director of the Vancouver Art Gallery at the time) was one of the established artists selected to judge the works.

Shadbolt, who was a mainstay at the Bau-xi Gallery (a prestigious outlet for artists I pined to be part of), was also a teacher for many years in the Vancouver area.

Over the decades, Mr. Shadbolt experimented with various styles of painting - but it was not until he developed the metamorphosis series - that I came to appreciate his creative efforts.

Mr. Shadbolt was clever (as my artist pal Les might grumble in passing), prone to be influenced by other popular artists (he often copied or borrowed bits and pieces from their styles), and often took the safe road which ended up stifling his creative potential.

In spite of that, Shadbolt became one of Vancouver’s top celebrated artists.

Needless to say, I expected a little professional jealousy when he surveyed my own work for a potential commission, and was pleasantly surprised - when he elected instead - to give my original painterly style a nod.

On the heels of that decision, I delivered up four major art works, that were summarily installed in the corridors of power in City buildings around the lower mainland.

Doris Shadbolt, was a generous woman, who often included me in multi-media shows at the gallery (which I was thankful for since I was just starting out).when the opportunity arose.

For a brief stint after that period, I resided in NYC (yes, the Big Apple), and returned home quite inspired.

In 1974, I crossed paths with Art Collectors - Audrey & Nelson Skalbania - who generously funded a one-man exhibition for me at the Contemporary Royale Gallery.

The series of paintings were coined from the subways of the underground in Manhattan.

Post:  03/03/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/03/nelson-skalbaniawheeler-dealer-with.html

A profile appeared in the Vancouver Sun.

Unfortunately, I hung up my brushes - and packed away my paints - when I moved to California to pursue an acting career in Hollywood.

To this day, I often toy with the idea of setting up shop once again, and turning out a series of new paintings.

About two years ago, I framed a dozen or so small pieces with that in mind, but before they saw the light of day the whole lot was stolen by employees at Kitsilano storage facility.

I expect years from now, if they turn up in private or public collections, I shall have to make a legal bid to recover the pieces which were some of my finest creations to date at that time.

Over the past couple of years, my “canvasses” tend to be those mixed-media posts that I daily design and publish on my Tattler and Pop Culture web sites.

The medium, after all, allows me to express myself in a myriad of ways that I could never hope to accomplish on a lone canvas.

Indeed, the rich media - and multi-faceted software - has allowed me to project dynamic visual lay-outs that have delighted and entertained the teaming masses cruising to my web pages for the past three years or so.

For a short while, I maintained an online gallery, and may be inspired to take up the task once again once I get cracking in the studio again.

What will materialize on the canvas at that time remains a total mystery to me.

But, when the moment of inspiration arises - watch out - I’ll be painting up a storm that Picasso would be envious of.

Vancouver Art Gallery

(reference to Georgia St. location)

http://www.thetattler.biz

Happy Canada Day...eh? Fellow Canucks...

Olympics...protesters disrupt Vancouver Streets! Schwarzenegger hands-off torch...

Budget cruncher hands off Olympic Torch

True to form, protesters in Vancouver took to the streets - one thousand strong - to underscore their displeasure about the folly of the cost of the Olympics (and its impact on the environment) at a time when financial straits are hurting a lot of Canadians around the country.

As I noted in a post earlier this week, opponents to the games were gearing up for a full frontal attack to be launched on the day of the opening ceremonies.

Post:  02/08/2010

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/02/winter-olympicsprotests-in-vancouver.html

They did not disappoint!

The rag-tag posse of disgruntled protesters swept through downtown Vancouver yesterday chanting catchy slogans.

"We ain't got no tickets!"

"Homes not games!"

Although they were well organized (and nimble on their feet) the men in blue were out in full force, too, and managed to hold the upstarts back without any disruption at the commencement of the Olympic celebration.

It was one of the biggest organized rallies ever in Canada against the world games.

The protest was described as an "action against capitalism & colonization".

"There's never been an Olympian protest like this. This is a first," said Chris Shaw, a spokesperson for 2010 Watch who participated in the landmark event.

The main thrust of their protest pertained to cost.

According to the group - Canadian citizens are taking it on the chin and bearing the brunt of the multi-million-dollar games - which will ultimately only profit land developers and corporate sponsors for the Olympics.

In one tense moment, a masked man clad in black dashed forward with an anarchist flag to taunt police, but was quickly pushed back.

A spirited bank of Canucks - in opposition to the anti-Olympics protesters - sauntered into the melee as well sporting their own brand of patriotism.

Wearing banners with the red maple leaf etched boldly on their face, they proceeded to shout down the party-poopers.

"They say protest! We say party!"

The protesters managed to get their message out, nonetheless.

In fevered speeches, organizers denounced Canada's failure to sign treaties with the aboriginal First Nations, cutbacks in funding for education and the arts, and development of tar sands oil in Alberta.

The arts issue inspired another chant.

"With glowing hearts, we Kill the arts!"

Some grumbled to anyone within earshot that their children would be payng for the Olympic folly for decades to come.

Earlier in the day, protestors managed to disrupt the carring of the torch ceremony twice, by blocking the streets along the celebrated route.

Meanwhile, in an upscale part of town, Governor Schwarzenegger managed to hand off the torch to the Canadians to uproarous applause.

Guess the the protestors were worried that if the tried to interfere that he'd terminate them!

Like Arnold, I'll be back.

Olympic Logo symbol of dirty politics & injustice

http://www.julianayrs.com

Calgary...most attractive Canadian city! Cowboys, picturesque mountains & oil, dudes...

Hee Haw!

A rugged town in Alberta has been a best-kept secret for years.

But, the prize-winning bull is out of the barn on parade, now!

According to the Conference Board of Canada, Calgary is the most attractive city to migrants.

If you hang a turn due south of Edmonton  - and trot about two-hundred miles along the sprawling range  - you'll eventually breeze into Canada's third-largest populated city between Toronto (north of Buffalo) and Vancouver (partners in crime with Seattle to the south).

To outdoors enthusiasts, cow town is best-known (and loved) for winter sports.

The oil industry fuels the economy, while agriculture, tourism, and high-tech industries trail behind.

The Conference Board relied on  seven categories to get a fix on the stats.


Society, the economy, environment, education, innovation, and housing were vital factors they mulled over in order to rustle up their decision.

Top contenders for the coveted nod in the race for top grade "A" ratings were Waterloo, Ottawa, Vancouver, St. John's & Richmond Hill.

Vancouver (affectionately nick-named Hongcouver by the locals) is a stunning city; consequently, I was surprised to find the West Coast beach city a low-ball fourth on the list.

Although Richmond Hill is pretty swanky (every social climber's wet dream) I prefer stately Rosedale (and its old-world charm) and the Bridal Path (North of the city) to set my own sights on.

Vancouver West Coast gem!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Barack Obama...touches down in my "homeland". Anti-American sentiment once real...

Barack Obama flew into Ottawa to meet with the Prime Minister - and according to news reports - was given a hearty welcome by a posse of high-spirited Canucks!

One reveller manipulated the wording on a tag from a well-known Beer Commercial popular above the border to get a message across.

"Yes we CANada!"

By the way, our Canadian ale packs a bigger wallop than those pi**y American brands.

Hope you chug-a-lugged one, Barack!

A local bakery one-upped, though, by serving commemorative "Obama Tails" - a version of the beaver-tail fried-dough pastry - topped with a maple-syrup flavored frosting in the shape of an Obama "O".


There was time when my fellow countrymen may have shaken their fists - or given the "finger" to a U.S. President - on the heels of which they may have angrily shouted:

"Yankee Go Home!"

Having been raised in the great white north - in the suburbs of Toronto - I have always been keenly aware of the anti-American sentiments that run deep in the Canadian psyche.

Years ago, Canadians felt that the U.S. was gobbling up the country.

In fact, I recall a joke from my youth, that said it all:

"America drinks Canada Dry."

Many Canadians didn't much like living in the shadow of a major super power, either.

On occasion, when disputes arose over fishing territory, the price of lumber, or an outbreak of mad cow disease on a wild outreach at a cattle farm in Calgary, it was fists across than border.

When I was a kid, I recall that adults were particularly put off - by what they perceived - as a vulgar respect for the almighty dollar in America.

Why, the U.S. mint even etched a handful of sacred symbols on the greenback - an all-seeing eye in a pyramid, the awesome image of an eagle, even mystical symbols - then crowned 'em with an uplifting spiritual message.

In God We Trust."

Even so, Canadians were ever wary of their neighbors to the south.

At one point, the Canadian Government became troubled by the fact that the airwaves over Canadian space, were being dominated by broadcasts of trite sitcoms and fluffy action-adventure dramas from below the border.

To shore up the Canadian identity (ha!) the CRTC implemented stringent requirements that a portion of shows broadcast daily must contain Canadian Content.



In Vancouver, CKVU circumvented that little hurdle by broadcasting a two-hour live show - packed with local celebrities, National News, and endless dog & pony shows - to meet their staggering quota.






Local on air personalities like Pia Shandel (who later married into the wealthy Southam Family), and Laurier La Pierre (who?), saw their stars rise in Hollywood North!



And, don't get me started about run-a-way production and greedy producers in Tinsel Town struggling to keep a stranglehold on the whole pie!

Shortly after landing on Canuck turf, Obama thanked supporters who trekked stateside during the elections last fall to work on his campaign.

I expect the folks he was referring to - in part consisted of a handful of "snowbirds" - retirees who migrate south each year to escape the bitter-cold winters.

After all, for half-of-the-year, this sector of Canadian Society is inclined to be mindful of the way Uncle Sam is running things during the duration of their cozy stay at their properties in Florida and other states in that region of the country.

Of course, Barack was probably singling out a number of draft dodgers, no doubt, who took flight to escape the draft during the Vietnam War and tricky Dick's rein of terror.

Most, have since become legal residents of Canada since.

The Government sponsored an amnesty program a couple of decades ago - much like the one the U.S. Government implemented in 1986 - to resolve the long-standing issue of illegal aliens within Canadian borders.

As to the current war?

Although I was residing in the U.S. when the Iraq War broke out, I felt very proud of my countrymen - and Government - when the decision was made not to go full-throttle and get involved in the "Imperialist Occupation" of that Nation.

Likewise, I gave my full support when Canada refused to become part of the "Star Wars" fiasco many years ago.

To some, Barack is probably a bit of an oddity.

Yes, Prime Minister Trudeau opened the "immigration" door wide a couple of decades ago.

And, today - because of it - Canada is a multi-cultural Nation.

But, when I was a boy, things were quite different north of the border.

I was raised in an all-white neighborhood, and attended district schools that were - likewise - entirely Caucasian in make-up.

The balance of race wasn't planned that way - truth of the matter is - there weren't many blacks residing in Canada during that era.

In fact, it wasn't until I attended Humberside High in the West End of Toronto as a teen, that I came into contact with a multitude of students with multi-cultural backgrounds.

In fact, one of my first new friends at Humberside - Shaheen - was a lively boy with dancing eyes - who hailed from India!

For the most part, Canadians are a generous kind-hearted people.

But, if you're an American visiting one of the major cities - Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver - you'll probably notice right-off-the-bat that Canucks are bit reserved and that they mind their own business.

Years ago, when I first moved to New York City, I always withdrew like a shrinking violet when strangers on the street - and die-hard New Yorkers in general - would get right up in-my-face.

And, ask frank questions, that would be considered rude in Canada.

Questions like - "How much rent do you pay" - are strictly verboten.

I guess it's a carry-over from the English Empire.

Politeness, giving people space, respecting privacy - yup - all Canadian traits.

Gosh, in view of that, I can't help but wonder.

How well did Barack and Harper get along?

Obama, if there were tense moments, don't blame yourself!

Harper is quite a conservative - an old-stuffed shirt - if you ask me.

Yes, time we had some young blood in politics in Ottawa.

Justin Trudeau, are you interested in carrying the torch?

http://www.julianayrs.com