#Rons Barbery Coast

[gokinjeespot]

off the rack #1129

Monday, September 24, 2018

 Hello all you off the rackers. How's it going eh? I've been away the last couple of weeks on a trip out west. We landed in Victoria, BC on September 6 and did a road trip visiting Duncan, Comox and Tofino. Had a wonderful reunion with my childhood friend from the Glebe in Comox who I haven't seen in nearly 25 years. Time in Tofino was spent walking the beaches and enjoying all sorts of culinary delights. If you've never been to Vancouver Island you should go just for the drive through the mountains. We could see a glacier from the air B&B in Tofino that we stayed in. Penny and I spent an extra couple of days in Vancouver before returning to Ottawa where we had a lovely dinner with some Comicshop alumni from the 1980s. Thanks to Brent, Colleen, Keith, Louise and Scooter for showing up and catching up.

 A tornado touched down in our area on Friday, September 21. The power at the house went out at 7 PM and we didn't get it back until 11 AM on Saturday. No damage in our neighbourhood but others were heavily damaged. Our new fence held up excellently, thanks to Keith Astley. We were very lucky to only be inconvenienced a little. I feel for the folks who lost their houses and businesses. I had to drive around on the weekend and was glad to see most people being patient and courteous at the intersections where the traffic lights were not working. I did see a few anal pores who thought that the rules didn't apply to them and made other drivers hesitate and thus slow the whole process down even more.

 This may very well be the last off the rack that I write. Comet Comics is closing down it's current location and moving its subscription service to a used book store up the street. I will be out of a job and will not be able to borrow comic books to read anymore. Thanks to Brent at The Comicshop in Vancouver, I found out that I started to write for the newsletter back in 1986 with an editorial and then writing the Newswatch section. My first off the rack was in 1994 and I have been doing it weekly since then with only a few breaks. I love sharing my thoughts about the comics that I read but it sometimes feels like I'm doing an unpaid job too. Thanks to Ron Van Leeuwen at The Silver Snail and Heather MacDonald at Comet Comics for allowing me to enjoy my comic book hobby gratis. I wish you all the best. Thanks to the folks that read my musings and the comments you've shared with me. You guys take care, okay?

 Cover #1 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) David Mack (art) Zu Orzu (colours) Carlos M. Mangual (letters). Things start off at a comic con where we meet Max Field, comic book artist. It looked to me that this was going to be about comic book covers like the reprints in the back of the book of the ones David Mack has done, but then we meet a super fan of Max's with very deep pockets. Her name is Julia. The story gets a lot more interesting when Julia shows up at a con in London, England and tells Max what her job is. David Mack's art is very distinctive but I didn't guess that this was drawn by him until I got to some painted panels later. This is an intriguing new book and I would put it on my "must read" list.

 The Immortal Hulk #6/LGY #723 - Al Ewing (writer) Lee Garbett (art) Paul Mounts (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). I am very impressed with the writing. It's sophisticated and thought provoking. The new military organisation set up to handle the Hulk is creepy and eerie. This issue sets up a big fight between the Hulk and the Avengers so it looks like next issue will be a smashing good time.

 The Dreaming #1 - Simon Spurrier (writer) Bilquis Evely (art) Mat Lopes (colours) Simon Bowland (letters). The Sandman is AWOL, the Dreaming is crumbling and its denizens don't know what to do. Lucien the librarian is in charge but he seems overwhelmed by the chaos around him. Meanwhile, new character Dora is hopping about between dreams and we get a glimpse of her true self. There is so much that is intriguing about this new Vertigo series based on Neil Gaiman's creations that I think Sandman fans will be pleased.

 Return of Wolverine #1 - Charles Soule (writer) Steve McNiven (pencils) Jay Leisten (inks) Laura Martin (colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). I consider myself to be a pretty good artist spotter. I can flip open a comic book and tell you who drew it but this time I was fooled and thought that Barry Windsor-Smith did the art for this issue. I still enjoyed the visual feast featuring Logan's return to the racks. Some fans might not be satisfied with no real explanation of how Logan came back to life and starts fighting the bad guys but I just accepted that he's here and has a mission to save the world. His foes are formidable and he starts off wearing the old familiar yellow and blue costume but changes by the last page to a more contemporary one. As much as I liked this getting a running start I do hope they tell us how Wolverine gets resurrected down the line.

 The Immortal Hulk #5/LGY #722 - Al Ewing (writer) Joe Bennett (pencils) Ruy Jose (inks) Paul Mounts (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). I had a feeling I was missing something when I was reading #6 yesterday. This book is hitting the racks every two weeks and I didn't get a chance to read this issue before leaving on my trip to Vancouver Island two weeks ago. I'm glad I did because it explains the mysterious reflection that Bruce sees in the mirror in #6. I thought it was Major Talbot or the Leader with a normal sized head but it's not. Here we have the Hulk fighting Sasquatch and saving Walter Langkowski from himself. This issue also emphasises the fact that this new Hulk isn't just a mindless monster. I really like that this Hulk can have a regular conversation.

 Adventures of the Super Sons #2 - Peter J. Tomasi (writer) Carlo Barberi (pencils) Art Thibert (inks) Protobunker (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). How are a green Kryptonite weakened Superboy and a bound Robin going to defeat the Gang of young super villains? They get help, that's how. The last page made me smile because it uses a classic twist from the days of "The Death of Superman". This is a fun book.

 Avengers #7/LGY #697 - Jason Aaron (writer) Sara Pichelli (pencils) Sara Pichelli & Elisabetta D'Amico (inks) Justin Ponsor (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). It's the origin story of the very first Ghost Rider plus a super villain that Wolverine fans will recognise. This issue is a nice segue to…

 Avengers #8/LGY #698 - Jason Aaron (writer) David Marquez (art) Justin Ponsor (colours) VC's Cory Petit (letters). The current Ghost Rider, Roberto Reyes, arrives at the new Avengers headquarters and is officially made a member. The new HQ at the North Pole is very cool and pure comic book plausible. After a quick tour the team gets a global alert that Roxxon is up to no good and the battle cry is uttered. It's off to the southern seas and a confrontation with an old ally. Imperius Rex!

 Batman #54 - Tom King (writer) Matt Wagner (art) Tomeu Morey (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). Dick Grayson sticks around after Batman and Catwoman's break up to help Bruce get through it. It's a good excuse to remind us of their partnership. I loved how Dick's humour contrasted with Bruce's dour demeanour. Matt's art was a bonus for me.

 Batman #55 - Tom King (writer) Tony S. Daniel (pencils) Tony S. Daniel & Danny Miki (inks) Tomeu Morey (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). The Dynamic Duo continues to keep Gotham City safe while a one-armed stranger arrives to go about an unknown mission. That mission is revealed in the shocking last page. This incident may just top the Killing Joke.

 Pearl #2 - Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Michael Gaydos (art & colours) Josh Reed (letters). When the first caption of the first page reads "years ago" you know it's origin story time. This story about a Yakuza tattoo artist/assassin is very different from Brian Michael Bendis's super hero stuff for DC. His work on Superman doesn't engage me like this book, Cover, and Scarlet do. I think it's because he's got to write the Man of Steel to appeal to younger readers too. Maybe I've outgrown Superman.

 West Coast Avengers #2/LGY #104 - Kelly Thompson (writer) Stefano Caselli (art) Triona Farrell (colours) VC's Joe Caramagna (letters). This is a little more sophisticated than the Adventures of the Super Sons but it's still a lot of fun. I especially like Stefano Caselli's facial expressions. The B.R.O.D.O.K. AKA Bio-Robotic Organism Designed Overwhelmingly for Kissing is an upgrade from the super villain M.O.D.O.K. AKA Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing, but he's still not nice.

 Thor #5/LGY #711 - Jason Aaron (writer) Christian Ward (art & colours) VC's Joe Sabino (letters). We take a break from the present and travel to the far flung future to see if Old Thor can save the universe from dying. He meets an old friend who turns out to be not so friendly. The amalgam of Wolverine and the Phoenix Force is cool but wait until you see the huge mash up on the last page as the villain is revealed. This guy makes Thanos look like Forbush Man.

[wichitawingnuts]

Back and Forth With Southern Teams

AlyCats Makes A Stop in the West

An 8 game stretch on the road, really made the Wingnuts appreciate being home, or at least that is the guess. The Wingnuts took a 4-0 lead in the early part of the game. However the AlyCats would mount a comeback versus Sheldon Jones. Jones went 5 innings giving up 3. Chan Ho Park would let the Cats tie it up at 4. Then Jack Lamabe followed suit with allowing the tying run after Rookie Brett Barberie scored on the single by Ben Davis. In the 10th this same combo would help the Wingnuts walk it off. Nuts win 6-5 in 10.

Rookie Mike Sirotka earned his first win, by going 7.2 only allowing an unearned run across. Sirotka struck out 6 batters.On the way to defeating the AlyCats, 3-1. Andy Fox provided most of the with a HR and a run scoring double.

The last game before heading out on the road again for 6 games and the Cats struck first. The Cats score 2 runs off of Scott Erickson, but he would settle down and finish the game going 7IP with 6k's. Ben Davis cleared the base in the 4th to take the lead with a triple, and later would add a run via the long ball. Wichita was left excited with a 7-2 win.

Back on the Road, Destination Fayetteville

Plenty of run support was given to AJ Burnett, who picked up the win after allowing 5 runs, 3 earned. Burnett would thank Jim Spencer, Jim Russell, & Hubie Brooks combined 3 HR and 9 RBI's. Nuts win 11-6.

Against the southpaw of the Flibbertigibets, the Nuts produce 12 hits. This would be the support needed for Clay Kirby to get to the 6th with 5K's and score a victory. Rookie Russ Swan pitched 2 1/3 for his first save. Lee Handley was looking almost like his normal self, going 3 for 5, scoring 2 runs and bringing in one. Wichita takes it 6-2.

It appears as if the Wingnuts were going to head to San Jose with another series sweep after 2 productive innings of baseball against another Fayetteville lefty. Scoring 6 runs total it seemed like this on was in the bag. But Flibbertigibets came back against Sheldon Jones and knocked in 5 runs on his watch. Chan Ho Park did even worse gave up another 4 runs. Jim Corsi took the lost and the blown save in an inning of work. Nuts lose 10-9. Not to be lost in the mix Jim Spencer went 3/5 with 2 HR, and Ron Oester made his first start going 1/3 with a home run of his own.

In the next recap the Wingnuts continue on the road, meeting up with the Bees in San Jose. Host the east coast New York Bankees, when the Nuts rerturn back home.

[thereviewsarein]

The Canadian Country Music Association Awards took over Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre on Sunday night for a celebration of excellence.

From start to finish the night’s show put a bright spotlight on the outstanding talent in the genre, but it shined especially bright on the women of Canadian country music. From the opening moments of the show, with Jess Moskaluke, Kira Isabella, and Madeline Merlo paying tribute to host and legend, Shania Twain, it was on, and it continued throughout the show.

During the CCMA Awards show (and the Saturday night gala) the men of Canadian country music were also celebrated with awards, cheers, and praise. Dallas Smith took home his first Male Artist of the Year award, The Washboard Union added a Group of the Year award to their Roots Artist of the Year honour, and Brett Kissel took home his fifth Interactive Artist of the Year award.

But it was the women that captured the attention and admiration of the Hamilton audience, and viewers across Canada and around the world. Live performances including the Shania tribute, Jessica Mitchell’s Heart Of Glass, Lindsay Ell’s Criminal, Meghan Patrick’s Walls Come Down, and a medley of Terri Clark hits to celebrate her induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame were all highlights. These women showed everyone that we are in the middle of a resurgence, that they deserve the spotlight, and that they are ready, willing, and able to take the next steps in their careers, and in support of each other.

In her acceptance speech for her second consecutive Female Artist of the Year award, Meghan Patrick told the world “To all the girls: we are killin’ it this year. And I feel like we’ve bonded this year, and I’m so proud of all of you, and this is for all of us!”, we couldn’t agree more.

The spotlight and recognition of Canadian women continued and proved Meghan right when Jess Moskaluke won Album of the Year for Past The Past. The award joins Moskaluke’s Juno for her last album, Kiss Me Quiet, and her three Female Artist of the Year awards (2014, 2015, 2016) in recognizing her incredible talent and hard work in her career so far.

But that wasn’t all.

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The Fans’ Choice Award was up for grabs with 10 nominees (Gord Bamford, Dean Brody, Chad Brownlee, Tim Hicks, High Valley, James Barker Band, Brett Kissel, Jess Moskaluke, Dallas Smith, Shania Twain) who all have great fanbases and deserve to be recognized. However, there could only be one winner, and when all the votes were counted, the award went to Shania Twain!

It marked the fourth time that queen Shania took home the CCMA Fans’ Choice title (1996, 1998, 1999) and it was a great moment in an amazing evening.

The atmosphere inside the arena was more concert than award show, which was perfect. It was also the result of a well put together program that featured some of the hottest stars in Canada (we loved the performances by Dallas Smith & Terri Clark, Brett Kissel with Serena Ryder, The Washboard Union, The Reklaws, James Barker Band and more) – plus a bonus appearance and performance from international country star, Keith Urban. The energy, cheers, and volume from the fans in the seats and in front of the stage were a great indication of the support that the genre enjoys coast to coast. If you haven’t been to a country show in Canada, we implore you to do so. Soon.

We can’t wait to see how the country fans in Calgary plan on topping this show and weekend in 2019!

Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners at the 2018 Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Check out photos from the show, the full list of winners from the 2018 CCMAs, and performance videos from CBC Music’s YouTube channel.

Photos from the 2018 Canadian Country Music Awards

Jess Moskaluke, Kira Isabella & Madeline Merlo

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Keith Urban

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James Barker Band

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Meghan Patrick

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Paul Brandt, Jess Moskaluke, High Valley, The Hunter Brothers

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Lindsay Ell

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Dallas Smith and Terri Clark

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The Reklaws

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The Washboard Union

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Brett Kissel & Serena Ryder

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Terri Clark, Jessica Mitchell, Meghan Patrick & Suzy Bogguss

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Jessica Mitchell

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Mason Ramsey

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Tim Hicks, Tebey & Madeline Merlo

2018 CCMA Award Winners

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2018 CCMA Award Presenters

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2018 Canadian Country Music Association Award Winners

Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award 🏆 Shania Twain Ford Album of the Year 🏆 Past the Past – Jess Moskaluke Female Artist of the Year 🏆 Meghan Patrick Male Artist of the Year 🏆 Dallas Smith Group or Duo of the Year 🏆 The Washboard Union Roots Artist or Group of the Year 🏆 The Washboard Union SiriusXM Rising Star 🏆 The Reklaws Single of the Year 🏆 Chills – James Barker Band Video of the Year 🏆 Sky Stays This Blue – Dallas Smith Songwriter(s) of the Year 🏆 Alexander Black, Aaron Goodvin, Cathy Gravitt: “Lonely Drum” (performed by Aaron Goodvin) Interactive Artist or Group of the Year 🏆 Brett Kissel Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year 🏆 Chills – James Barker Band Bass Player of the Year 🏆 Travis Switzer Drummer of the Year 🏆 Ben Bradley Fiddle Player of the Year 🏆 Tyler Vollrath Guitar Player of the Year 🏆 Matt McKay Keyboard Player of the Year 🏆 Bart McKay Specialty Instrument Player of the Year 🏆 Shane Guse (mandolin) Steel Guitar Player of the Year 🏆 Mitch Jay Music Director of the Year (Large Market) 🏆 Amanda Kingsland, CKBY-FM, Ottawa, Ont. Music Director of the Year (Medium/Small Market) 🏆 Paul Ferguson, CHCQ-FM, Belleville, Ont. Booking Agency of the Year 🏆 The Feldman Agency Country Club of the Year 🏆 Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall, Calgary, Alta. Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year 🏆 Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Cavendish, P.E.I. Country Music Program or Special of the Year 🏆 Jess Moskaluke: Home Movie (Corus Entertainment) Management Company of the Year 🏆 Invictus Entertainment Group Music Publishing Company of the Year 🏆 ole Record Company of the Year 🏆 Warner Music Canada Industry Person of the Year 🏆 Steve Coady, vice president, radio promotions, Warner Music Canada Creative Directors of the Year 🏆 Design Team: Antoine Moonen (Mediavandals), Photography: Delaney Royer (Past the Past, Jess Moskaluke) Recording Studio of the Year 🏆 Bart McKay Productions, Saskatoon, Sask. Record Producer of the Year 🏆 Jeff Dalziel (What We’re Made Of, The Washboard Union) Retailer of the Year 🏆 Spotify Canada Inc. Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year 🏆 Jim Cressman, Invictus Entertainment Group Video Director of the Year 🏆 Stephano Barberis

2018 Canadian Country Music Awards Performances

2018 Canadian Country Music Association Awards Winners and Recap! The Canadian Country Music Association Awards took over Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre on Sunday night for a celebration of excellence.