Uptown Magazine - March 11/10
Water Conservation Challenge
Although Sam Katz and Winnipeg city council may be confused about water conservation (read: giving homeowners who install a dual-flush toilet a $60 credit on their bills while, at the same time, encouraging some taxpayers to let their water run 24 hours a day during the winter to prevent freezing pipes and help the city avoid huge infrastructure replacement costs), Kevin Freedman understands exactly what it’s all about. Last June, the 28-year-old Winnipegger decided to drastically reduce his water consumption to 25 litres a day as a way to raise awareness about the issue. This March, Freedman, along with a few other concerned Canadians, is once again cutting back the water he uses on a daily basis to raise awareness about local and global water issues. Considering Canadians are some of the highest per-capita water users on the planet, gobbling up over 350 litres of water a day (65% of which is used in the bathroom), even the most diehard environmentalist can probably learn a few things from this challenge. While it might be too late to join in this month, you can still sponsor/pledge your support to Freedman or, better yet, take a long, hard look at water use in your home, identify where you can cut curb your over-consumption and make some changes to your lifestyle. March 22 is World Water Day.
Quick Hits
MP3 of the Week: Hole - Skinny Bitch
Set for release April 27, Nobody’s Daughter is Courtney Love’s first album under the Hole moniker in 12 years. Ditching her former band, Love is now backed by Shawn Dailey on bass, Micko Larkin on guitar and Jack Irons on drums in the studio. Love co-wrote some of the album with Linda Perry and Billy Corgan - both of whom no longer want to be associated with the unpredictable singer. In recent months Love has fought for the custody of her daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, in court, denied rumors of continuing drug use, struggled with recording her album and allowed her personal problems to once again overshadow her music. Love needs to learn to let her music speak for itself. Skinny Bitch is available for free download after offering up an email address.
Video of the Week: Them Crooked Vultures Live
With no Canadian dates on the horizon, this concert, shot exclusively for PBS’ Austin City Limits, might be as close as you’re going to get to Them Crooked Vultures, a new high-profile project by John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age). Featuring material from its self-titled debut, TCV proves that not all supergroups are bad. Almost makes you forget about disasters such as Chickenfoot, Zwan and Velvet Revolver.
