SLOAN TRIBUTE

Well, okay NOT a Sloan tribute CD but a tribute to Jay Ferguson of the 
band. Alas, upon first hearing of this project I thought it would be a 
bunch of people proclaiming their l-u-v for the fellow which would be 
tres cool, but it's just one brave, lookin' at life through teenybopper 
eyes, Canuck lass. Info and chance to hear a few songs here:

http://www.justfriends.ca/maughams/music.htm?music/jay/center

RALPH's "digs"

Auditeer Ralph Alphonso, his wife Alison, and their abode were profiled 
recently in the Westender weekly free paper. The "my digs" column 
profiles people's living space, what they paid/rent for'em, how they've 
improved on it, fave part of neighbourhood and so on, with pics of the 
happy couple. Wanna see? go to www.westender.com click on "lifestyles" 
and scroll down to my digs.

BUDDY THE CAT r.i.p.

Some people just aren't ever supposed to die (television's Mr. Rogers 
comes to mind) and Buddy the "boss" and advertising star of Red Cat 
record shop in Vancouver was one of these types of icons. Buddy passed 
away last monday.

He was surely the largest cat I'd ever seen in person. He was pretty 
friendly, tho a bit aloof and large enough (lookit that nose fer 
goodness sake!) that you would perhaps hesitate before putting your hand 
out to pet him. I went with treating him like a dog and would let him 
sniff my hand before making any 'sudden moves' to touch. A lovely cat 
who liked his naps.

Red Cat already had this wonderful collection of Buddy shots as a member 
of the NY Dolls, the Pretenders, Elvis Costello, old bluesmen, and more. 
A wizard a true star:  http://www.redcat.ca/buddy.html

KIM MITCHELL rah rah rawk

I made a vow to myself that I'd catch Kim Mitchell live when next he 
came to Vancouver (like clockwork once yearly in the summer). By far my 
fave Cdn musician (Max Webster anyone?) and only a somewhat "guilty 
pleasure" due to his most unfortunate choice of attire (which surely 
he's toned down?!).

Anyhoo, Kim is coming but not to play at the good old Commodore but a 
bar in suburban Surrey (apparently co-owned by Colin James). A bit of 
sleuthing on my part detects Kim is playing in Chilliwack a town 1.5 
hours from Van, a few days before. If the lousy weather clears I just 
might ride my bike there and catch that gig, do some thrift store 
shopping and enjoy the fresh air. And hey, the show is half the price of 
the big city (although the local gig includes another Canuck oldie, 
blues guy David Wilcox).

It's been a very odd summer here in Vancouver. In a word: tepid. The sun 
pops out in the late afternoon and it can really heat up or it's grey 
and drizzly all day. You know yer in trouble when you have to visit 
Seattle for some nice weather <har!>.

regards, Judith