Peter Simpson
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Word herder, writer, editor, years in journalism and then craft brewing. 2016 Irving Chair of Journalism, St. Thomas University.
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Articles by Peter Simpson
A future without the NBA in Portland
Saturday October 12, 2030. Portlanders wake up to a lovely Fall morning. The leaves will be in the early stages of their seasonal change. The aroma of freshly ground and brewing coffee will fill the kitchen. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Stumptown or maybe 40 LBS. Perhaps they’ll take their steaming cup of coffee and take a short walk in the garden, or in the neighborhood, before sitting down to read the morning news.
Why is Restore resorting to offence archaeology?
Share Topics Free Speech Identity Politics Politics UK Want unlimited, ad-free access? Become a spiked supporter. When a party that was born exclusively through online momentum, by people who largely made their name online, starts attacking a public figure who has almost no previous online presence for his online posting, it’s fair to say something very strange is going on.
A sweet comeback — Edible Maritimes and Edible Newfoundland & Labrador
words by Peter Simpson / photos by Stacy Morris A sweet comeback Translation by Georgette LeBlanc Chuck Gallison fills a bottle with mead Search for “mead” online, and one of the first questions the algorithm suggests is, “Is mead beer or wine?” The answer—oddly enough, for a drink long known as “honey wine” and produced at a “brewery” near Charlottetown, P.E.I.—is neither.
The Jail Blazers and Rip City Runs….Deep?
Last weekend, I watched the Netflix sports documentary Untold: Jail Blazers. I knew almost every story about this era and was very interested to see what made the documentary, and what didn’t. Overall, I thought it was well done even though it really only focused on four people: Damon Stoudamire, Rasheed Wallace, Bonzi Wells, and Bob Whitsitt.
Peter Simpson - HSToday
Peter Simpson is a 33-year law enforcement veteran specializing in criminal investigation, intelligence, crisis management, and public affairs. In July 2022, Simpson was appointed Chief District Attorney Investigator at the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. Before joining the DA’s Office, Simpson served 29 years at the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) as a Police Officer and Detective, retiring as a Sergeant in the Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU).
Accident or assassination? The Torbay death that sparked a spy story
A young Army major’s fatal fall from a submarine gangplank in Torquay harbour in 1955 should have been the start and end of a tragic accident — until a self-declared spy arrived at his widow’s door insisting it was murder. A new podcast, Codename Badger, follows the lies, secrets and long fallout from Torbay to the far corners of the world, writes Peter Simpson.
Everybody to Kenmure Street to open Glasgow Film Festival
It's one of the most iconic images of the past decade – an immigration detention van on a tenemented southside street, completely encircled by hundreds of everyday Glaswegians. Everybody to Kenmure Street, a new documentary telling the story behind those images, will kick off this year's Glasgow Film Festival. Everybody to Kenmure Street documents the spontaneous community action against a Home Office deportation raid on the eponymous Pollokshields street on 13 May 2021.
Everyone likes perogies
Ottawa’s best perogies, from traditional to dessert, are at the House of Targ in Old Ottawa South. Photo: Peter Simpson Everyone likes perogies By Peter Simpson The best perogies in Ottawa are the child of Ukrainian heritage and a grandmother in New Brunswick. “I’ve had a few ideas that were based on stuff my grandmother used to make when I was a little kid that I loved,” says Sammy Sutton, who’s from Moncton, N.B. and is the chef and chief perogi wizard at House of Targ on Bank Street.
Dawn House School marks 50 years of changing young lives with celebratory summer fair
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Rideau Pines Farms supplies restaurants with fresh, local veggies
Matt Vandenberg with his Texas heeler dog, Jimi Hendrix, at the greenhouse where Rideau Pines Farms starts its growing season. Photo: Peter Simpson Rideau Pines Farms supplies restaurants with fresh, local veggies By Peter Simpson Before the snow melts, before spring has sprung, Matt Vandenberg is putting seeds into soil.
Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace: Tools You Can Use
A new toolkit offers supports for improving working conditions and practices in health-care operations. Subscribe to Catalyst Subscribe to get our magazine delivered right to your inbox Name(Required) First Last It starts with learning. A free course on dismantling structural stigma in health care... When one size does not fit all. A look at Waypoint’s approach to structured... A long-time nurse reaches out to other health professionals to foster an open dialogue...
Dear Colin, Dear Ron: Selected Letters of Colin McCahon and Ron O'Reilly by Peter Simpson
Books of eminent artists and writers’ letters appear to be a thriving genre. Artists’ Letters: Leonardo da Vinci to David Hockney, edited by Michael Bird, came out in 2019. The Letters of Vincent van Gogh – one of the first art books I bought sixty years ago – has been through many editions. The Luck of Friendship: The Letters of Tennessee Williams and James Laughlin (2018), joins seven others in the Laughlin-and-writer-friends series. Closer to home there’s Frances Hodgkins Letters (ed.
Peter Simpson on New Zealand Poetry
Poetry New Zealand poetry in the 1980s The art of poetry is alive and well in New Zealand in the 1980s. In spite of the economic recession which has decimated literary journals and made the publication of poetry more than ever a dubious commercial proposition, in terms of both quality and quantity New Zealand poetry has probably never been stronger. There are a number of factors contributing to this situation.
Art from Kinngait on display
Having Some Tea, by Annie Pootoogook, one of the works by the late artist that can now be seen in locations in central Ottawa. (Photo: City of Ottawa) Editor’s note: Due to unpredictable public-health restrictions, please contact galleries in advance to check whether exhibition dates have changed. Annie Pootoogook was an unassuming figure on the streets of Ottawa — quiet, small and without pretence — yet the mark she left on Canadian art is indelible.
Secondary school pupils are skipping breakfast - with consequences for their health and learning
I taught teenagers economics for almost 40 years until my retirement a few years ago. When I started teaching in the 1970s, I used to refer to the last period on a Friday afternoon as the “graveyard slot”. It was hard to get any work out of the students, who just wanted to go home for the weekend. By the time I retired, things had changed. There were now five “graveyard slots” on the weekly timetable. They occurred daily, and all were the period before the mid-morning break.
Secondary school pupils are skipping breakfast - with consequences for their health and learning
I taught teenagers economics for almost 40 years until my retirement a few years ago. When I started teaching in the 1970s, I used to refer to the last period on a Friday afternoon as the “graveyard slot”. It was hard to get any work out of the students, who just wanted to go home for the weekend. By the time I retired, things had changed. There were now five “graveyard slots” on the weekly timetable. They occurred daily, and all were the period before the mid-morning break.
Long knives and a silent symphony
Editor’s note: All dates and times are tentative, as pandemic public health rules evolve. Please contact galleries before visiting to learn of any changes. A dry, federal compendium is the launching point for Laure Bourgault’s “canadas” at AXENÉO7 in Gatineau. (Photo: aure Bourgault) Concurrent exhibitions at AXENÉO7 may challenge a viewer’s sense of how Canada looks, and how it is governed. The exhibitions, which run Nov. 3 to Dec.
Portraits of Canada
Visitors will virtually be swimming in the paintings of Vincent van Gogh in this immersive digital production by Montreal’s Normal Studios, and presented by RBC and Ottawa Bluesfest at Lansdowne Park. (Photo: Beyond van gogh) Note: Given the continuing uncertainty of public-health lockdowns, be sure to check with museums and galleries before visiting, as dates listed here could change.
Diplomat Magazine
Portraits of Canada Note: Given the continuing uncertainty of public-health lockdowns, be sure to check with museums and galleries before visiting, as dates listed here could change.
Diplomat Magazine
Photography: The new art of diplomacy If a picture is worth a thousand words, what power does that give an ambassador with an entire gallery to draw upon?
Diplomat Magazine
All Articles Photography: The new art of diplomacy If a picture is worth a thousand words, what power does that give an ambassador with an entire gallery to The flavour-packed skin of grapes and why it matters Most wine grapes’ characteristics and colour come from the skins.
Ottawa’s Frances Boyle up for major writing awards for first short story collection
Ottawa writer Frances Boyle’s first collection of short stories has been shortlisted for two awards in this pandemic year. Such success is a rare thing and worth acknowledging. To that end she answered some questions about her collection and her journey as a writer. Tell me a little bit about yourself. I grew up on the prairies, mostly in Regina, spent a few years in Montreal for university, then more than a decade in Vancouver before settling In Ottawa.
This spring: Rembrandt, Earthly art and Egyptian Queens
Rembrandt’s Heroine from the Old Testament (1632/33, oil on canvas) is coming to the big summer show at the National Gallery of Canada. (Photo: National Gallery of Canada) Editor’s note: given the continuing uncertainty of public-health lockdowns, before visiting be sure to check with museums and galleries as dates listed here could change.
Ottawa’s new poet laureates step onto the stage
Meet Ottawa’s new poets laureate. Albert Dumont is a poet, storyteller, and an Algonquin Traditional Teacher who will be the English laureate. Dumont has published five books of poetry and short stories and two children’s books, written in three languages. His most recent book, Sitting by the Rapids (2018), is a meditation on the healing power of poetry.
Philip Chiu replaces Dutcher in Chamberfest concert series
Ottawa Chamberfest is heading into spring with seven more livestreamed concerts including one important change. The talented Canadian pianist Philip Chiu will now perform March 22 instead of Jeremy Dutcher, whose appearance has been cancelled because of travel difficulties. The fest also is offering a new way to put together a package of concerts with a flexible pass options for the remainder of the series. For more information: chamberfest.com.
Songs for Murdered Sisters film to be aired Feb. 19. Don’t miss it
I can’t think of a more horrific act of hate and misogyny than the one that occurred in the Ottawa Valley on Sept. 22, 2015. On that day three women were hunted and murdered by a hate-filled man who does not deserve to be named — ever again. He is in jail, but the memories of his victims — Carol Culleton, 66, Anastasia Kuzyk, 36, and Nathalie Warmerdam, 48 — live on as a blessing to their families. Nathalie Warmenden was one of three women murdered on Sept.22, 2015.
Pandemic art can be a salve in troubled times
The Outsiders (mixed media, 2009) by Ron Noganosh, from Shelter in Place at the Ottawa Art Gallery. (Photo: Collection of The Ottawa Art Gallery) What strange things the pandemic makes us do. Even the simple act of looking ahead to exhibitions in local galleries becomes tricky, as, at time of writing, it’s not even certain that galleries will be open to the public when the intended opening dates arrive. In other cases, the precise dates were still to be set.
Third time is charming: Big Bang is back at the NAC
On Feb. 13 and 14, the Big Bang festival returns to the National Arts Centre for the third year. This time, however COVID rules require that the festival be a virtual experience. But that’s OK, there’s lots for the family to enjoy from mini concerts, online radio, interactive dance parties, a podcast and playlists. The programming is free and available online @ bigbangfestival.ca. Programming is intended for ages 5 10 12 and beyond.
Jeremy Dutcher, Alain Lefèvre on bill for eight Chamberfest winter concerts
Ottawa Chamberfest is offering a gift of music to warm up this bleak winter. The second half of the 2020-21 concert series starts on Jan. 16 with the Montreal baroque quartet Pallade Musica and continues with seven more concerts that will include artists such as Jeremy Dutcher, Alain Lefèvre and the Ironwood String Quartet. All eight concerts will be livestreamed. There will also be limited seating inside the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre as pandemic restrictions allow.
Libraries to take an e-book club national in 2021
More than 600 public libraries across Canada will be taking part in a first-ever national e-book club when the new year begins. The book Canadians will be asked to read from jan. 1 to Jan. 31 is Vi by Kim Thuy. The participating libraries, representing more than 85 per cent of all public libraries in Canada including the Ottawa Public Library, will offer free, unlimited access to the novel in eBook and eAudiobook formats across different platforms.
Artspeak sucks, and that's putting it in plain language
Author of the article: Peter Simpson - The Big Beat Publishing date: Aug 22, 2014 • • 3 minute read A screen grab of Amy Poehler satirizing the pretentious language of the contemporary art world, from a TV ad by Old Navy. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through our links on this page. Article content A piercing satire of the “artspeak” that plagues the contemporary art world came this week from an unlikely source — Old Navy, the clothing company.
NAC English Theatre to partner with Montreal’s Black Theatre Workshop
This is a brave and important step taken by the NAC’s English Theatre. Here is some of the announcement: The National Arts Centre English Theatre, in partnership with Black Theatre Workshop, today announced an unprecedented shared curation model for the national stage.
Natasha Gauthier review: Ehnes plays Beethoven concerto with natural nobility
By Natasha Gauthier After weeks of exciting, inclusive truly diverse programming, NACO can be forgiven for presenting one ultra-traditional, all-Beethoven concert. Especially with the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birthday coming up on Dec. 16. Saturday night’s livestream featured two works from Beethoven’s “heroic” period: the Violin Concerto, written in 1806, and the Seventh Symphony, composed six years later.
Natasha Gauthier review: A little Woke music from NACO
By Natasha Gauthier In her video introduction to her 2008 piece What Keeps Me Awake, Puerto Rican composer Angélica Negrón describes how the New York classical music establishment made people like her feel unwelcome. She describes the piece as a kind of exorcism for the negative thoughts haunting her sleep at the time, especially about finding her place as a Latina composer of large symphonic works.
Natasha Gauthier reviews: In person and an out of body musical experience
By Natasha Gauthier I’m not going to lie: sitting in a concert hall for the first time in eight months was weird. Maybe not as weird as Jonas Kaufmann’s new cover of Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You, released earlier this week, which sounds like the operatic tenor was blindfolded, drugged and locked in a recording studio for an hour with a Salvation Army band, a case of tequila, and a lot of pot.
Natasha Gauthier Review: NACO finds great Solace in a return to performance
By Natasha Gauthier After a COVID-induced absence of almost eight months, the National Arts Centre Orchestra returned to Southam Hall Saturday night for the first in a series of weekly livecast concerts. Many things have changed since the orchestra’s last performance in March. The hall seats were empty. Musicians sat at least two metres apart from each other. Everyone, including conductor Alexander Shelley, wore black face masks.
Review: NACO finds great Solace in a return to performance
After a COVID-induced absence of almost eight months, the National Arts Centre Orchestra returned to Southam Hall Saturday night for the first in a series of weekly livecast concerts. Many things have changed since the orchestra’s last performance in March. The hall seats were empty. Musicians sat at least two metres apart from each other. Everyone, including conductor Alexander Shelley, wore black face masks.
Making something of 2020’s ‘manic muddle‘
Michael Harrington’s show of new work takes place at Galerie St-Laurent + Hill Nov. 12 to Dec. 1. His work is fitting for COVID lockdowns, he says, as it addresses ”alienation, loneliness and the marginal male type.“ (Photo: photo courtesy of Michael Harrington) Editor’s note: Make sure to call a gallery before heading out, in case a COVID flare-up has forced the closing of location.
Chamberfest: Cheng2Duo gives Beethoven a Lift
COVID-19 has forced many changes on the performing arts — some devastating some imaginative. Necessity being the mother of invention as Aesop said. Musicians have been hosting concerts on front porches. Some have been standing up in front of a row of cars in drive-in theatres and others have been out standing in a field.
Frances Itani’s latest offers stories of sorrow and sunshine
In this grim year, we are all getting a lesson in sorrow from the loss of our freedoms and the loss of loved ones. We are mourning almost 9,200 souls taken by the COVID-19 plague. Yes we are learning much about grief. Into this black and white time comes the latest novel from Ottawa’s Frances Itani. The Company We Keep follows six people (and an African Grey parrot named Rico) through their own journeys with loss.
PETER SIMPSON: Civil rights pioneers, including a white Canadian, were seared by the fire of hate | The Chronicle Herald
PETER SIMPSON Two American civil rights icons who received from President Barack Obama the highest American civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, passed away hours apart on July 17. Congressman John Lewis, 80, and Rev. C.T. Vivian, 95, both participated in the legendary Freedom Rides, which were initiated to pressure the U.S. federal government to enforce a 1960 Supreme Court decision that declared segregated interstate bus travel to be unconstitutional.
PETER SIMPSON: Civil rights pioneers, including a white Canadian, were seared by the fire of hate | SaltWire
PETER SIMPSON Two American civil rights icons who received from President Barack Obama the highest American civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, passed away hours apart on July 17. Congressman John Lewis, 80, and Rev. C.T. Vivian, 95, both participated in the legendary Freedom Rides, which were initiated to pressure the U.S. federal government to enforce a 1960 Supreme Court decision that declared segregated interstate bus travel to be unconstitutional.
Leadership and negative capability
Our aim in this article is to explore and explain the concept of 'negative capability', in the context of the current resurgence of interest in organizational leadership. We suggest that negative capability can create an intermediate space that enables one to continue to think in difficult situations.
Spring in Ottawa spells nature on the arts scene
This photo of a beaver sculpture by Russell Yuristy is on display at the Ottawa Art Gallery, in his show The Inside of Elephants and All Kinds of Things. (Photo: National Capital Commission) Editor’s note: At press time, many public places were closed. Check with galleries before heading out. It’s spring, and art about nature and its wild creatures is blooming all over Ottawa.
Time to touch the art
You usually hear “please don’t touch the art,” but, in this case, please do. Press that button. Open that hatch. Spin that goat’s arse. Your interaction is essential to Tim desClouds’ new works. As with the political situations and circumstances that desClouds is commenting upon, the art’s potential can’t be achieved without your hands-on effort. Political systems are not passive. DesClouds’ exhibition, at St-Laurent + Hill Gallery, is titled Fires That Burn In My Neck in the Woods.
Get ‘woke’ with the art of Awakening
How, one might ask of an art exhibition about environmental responsibility that has travelled the world, did all that art get around? With previous stops in Toronto, New York, Geneva and Bonn, the exhibition Awakening, now in Ottawa, must have travelled on carbon dioxide-spewing jets. Given the exhibition’s theme of environmental sustainability, isn’t that at best awkward, and at worst hypocritical?
Angelina McCormick reveals still life and silence with her camera
I live in the noisy heart of downtown Ottawa, and once, while visiting my parents in their comparatively rural home, I discovered how oppressive an innocent silence can be. Late one night I smoked a cigar in their garage. It was January and there was an acoustic-dampening blanket of soft snow on the ground. The neighbourhood seemed to be asleep and the nearby ocean was frozen quiet.
Art from the home front revealed at Canadian War Museum
Official war artists have been following Canadian forces for more than a century, and that’s a long time to create expectations on what that art will be. As a result, even slight variations stand out to varying degrees. The latest exhibition at the Canadian War Museum is from the Canadian Forces Artists Program Group 8.
Ottawa Art Gallery slides into the career of Russell Yuristy
To start, a short, sweet story: “Russell Yuristy was the first contemporary artist I knew,” recalls Alexandra Badzak, who grew up playing on Duck Boat, built by Yuristy beside the South Saskatchewan River in 1972. “Here was a piece of contemporary public art that I was not only able to touch, but one that engaged my imagination and encouraged me to climb and slide down.
For the coral: Sarah Hatton presents tip of climate change spear
Sarah Hatton grew up in Barbados and considered herself to be “somewhat of an expert” on the coral reefs that surround the Caribbean island. Then, years later, she read her daughter’s Grade 6 science fair project titled Why is the Coral Dying? “The current scientific facts of the matter totally floored me,” says Hatton, who lives in Chelsea, Quebec these days. “The accelerating death of the reefs are the bellwether for a kind of change that is irreversible and devastating.
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