I Heart Edmonton

Saskatoon-born author Alexis Kienlen shines a spotlight on local human rights activist Gurcharan Singh Bhatia


BY PAULA E. KIRMAN


GURCHARAN Singh Bhatia may not be a household name, but he is a known figure to many people in Edmonton's social justice community. Truth, Love, Non-Violence is the biography of this fascinating man, from his origins in India to his immigration to Canada and his involvement in working towards a society of equality and human rights for all. 


Written in a conversational style, author Alexis Kienlen spent countless hours interviewing Bhatia, his family, and associates. While mostly a positive look at his life and accomplishments, Kienlen by no means comes across as a sycophant. In particular, she explores numerous failed business ventures as well as observations from those with whom he has worked on projects who, while obviously fond of him, offer some criticisms as to the way he becomes driven in his passions. 


I should probably offer a disclosure …

The third annual Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo will take over the Edmonton Expo Centre later this month, and has invited many famous names to take part

I HEART EDMONTON

THE 3-day Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo (a.k.a. the Edmonton Expo) is the City of Champion's greatest pop culture convention with a year two attendance of 25,000 people. Going into our year three show we'll be creating another out-of-this-world event with comic book artists, vendors, media guests, and of course, lots and lots of cosplay!

The Expo, which will take place at the Edmonton Expo Centre (7515-118 Avenue) from September 26 to 28, will feature appearances by some of your favourite television and movie stars, including Alice Cooper, Dean Cain, Noah Wyle (ER), Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal), Amy Acker (Angel), Rachel Skarsten (The Vow), Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. (The Walking Dead), and The Big Bang Theory's Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar. For a full list of the celebrity guests, click HERE! 



I…

Established local poet and writer Alice Major explores how we occupy our space and time on earth in her collection of poetry The Occupied World.

BY PAULA E. KIRMAN


SOME people have drinking buddies. I have writing buddies. We critique each other's work. Actually, I have drinking buddies also, but I digress. One of my writing buddies recently handed me a copy of Alice Major's poetry collection The Occupied World. 


Major is well known on Edmonton's poetry circuit. She was the city's first Poet Laureate and is a familiar face at the annual Edmonton Poetry Festival in April. Published in 2006, The Occupied World is a clear presentation of why Major is so well regarded. Her language and imagery is at once familiar and other worldly, juxtaposing the local and familiar with other times and places. 


Through her words, Major begins with the theme of building a city, using the framework of rituals used in Roman times to sanctify the ground before occupation of the city cou…