Features
Moving south (i.e., from the north end to the south end)
By ARTHUR CHAPMAN We did it – making a change we thought we’d never do. We moved south.
My wife (Jo-Ann) and I both grew up in Garden City. After getting married we lived in The Maples for five years, before buying a home in Seven Oaks Crossing (near the Seven Oaks Hospital), where we resided for 28 years. We loved it there, having moved on to a street with lots of girls for our daughter to play with, not to mention friends of our own.
But our daughter has been on her own for more than ten years. Jo-Ann and I both have had health issues that made us realize we wouldn’t be able to climb stairs to the second floor forever. Having had to clear out our parents’ residences on relatively short notice, we were determined not to repeat that experience. So, even before we decided to move – let alone where – we began to downsize.
But where to go? We didn’t want another house. Nor did we want a condo, not wanting to pay condo fees and property taxes, and worrying about being hit for building repairs. (Three months after moving into my parents’ condo, the new owners had to pay $15,000.)
If only we could find a condo-style apartment we could rent. To be sure, there are condo owners who rent out their units, but what if they change their minds when the lease expires?
Then, in 2020, we were at a “break-the-fast” dinner at Jo-Ann’s cousin’s condo and she told us about the Taylor Claire apartments being built on – you guessed it: Taylor Avenue. She and her husband were moving there, and she showed us a promotional brochure. It sounded perfect.
Long story short: less than one week later we put down a deposit and, since last April, we’ve been happily residing here.
But let’s get back to this “north to south” thing.
Years ago I read a “moving to Winnipeg” type of publication that described the cultures of the different neighbourhoods. Garden City was at the time a predominantly Eastern European area (i.e., Jewish and Ukrainian) whose families had initially settled in the North End, and who took pride in still living “north.”.According to this magazine, we Garden City folk were proud of our “anti-snob snobbishness”.
But at times it was a mystery as to whether living in Garden City made you a “northender.” I took pride in the term until one summer at BB Camp when a fellow camper, who both lived near and attended St. John’s High School, said “Chapman, Garden City is not the North End.” And, someone else said “you’re a Garden City liberal. You drive down Main Street with the car doors locked”. That wasn’t fair – sometimes I’d forget to lock the doors.
From 1981-83 I worked for a community paper in The Pas. (Talk about being a “north”ender.) While there I got to meet the late Eugene Kostyra, Minister of Practically Everything in Howard Pawley’s NDP government. He was a St. John’s High School dropout, became a journeyman electrician and union activist before entering politics. Who was more qualified to judge North End bona fides?
“So where are you from?” he asked.
“Winnipeg,” I answered.
“But what part?” he asked
“Garden City,” I said
“So, you’re a northender! ” he said.
I explained how I wasn’t sure if Garden City residents could use that term. Yes you can, he replied. SO THERE!
Anyway, when we told other “northenders” we were moving south, some would say, tongue-in-cheek (I think), “you’re not going to become like them, are you?” And when we got here, a neighbour, River Heights born and raised, asked if living south felt different to us, like moving to another city. Seriously?
Construction delays meant we couldn’t move into our apartment right away so, after selling our house, we rented a condo in St. Vital for over a year, and that did feel like a different city. I never expected there to be bilingual store announcements at the local liquor store, or that I could practise my French with the cashiers.
And, who knew you could find so many halal restaurants there, and a large Hindu temple on St. Anne’s Road? An,d I was amazed when I volunteered to deliver yahrtzeit candles for Yom Hashoah to St. Vital members of Congregation Etz Chaim -and there were five members living there.
So, why “south?” It wasn’t a great “why can’t I live south?” obsession. It was about finding accommodation that matched our needs. I spent plenty of time in River Heights and Tuxedo growing up, notably from USY programs. It was hardly foreign territory to me. It had a high concentration of Jewish residents then, and more now.
Garden City, conversely, had changed. The days of getting classic North End Deli – Simon’s, Oscar’s, Garry’s – are long gone. What was once a predominantly Jewish and Ukrainian area is now heavily Filipino and East Indian, and as I’d drive by Garden City Collegiate I’d silently hope the students’ memories of that school and neighbourhood would be as positive as mine. Being gastronomically adventurous, I will say the new Garden City and environs provides great new experiences. The Punjab Sweet Shop on Mandalay serves, in my opinion, Winnipeg’s best samosas – probably the biggest. The Asian food take out at the Save-on Foods on McPhillips is incredible. There is (or was) a terrific sushi place in the strip mall outside the McPhillips Street Superstore.
Jo-Ann accused me of being obsessed with food, as I would tell everyone how much I was looking forward to going to Meyer’s, Bernstein’s and the Falafel Place. Truth be told, I’ve only been to Meyer’s, and only once, but trust me, that will change.
But moving south wasn’t about ethnicity or restaurants. Much of it has to do with convenience. Garden City seemed further removed from everything. Though there’s a wide array of supermarkets and a Walmart and Home Depot, shopping options are limited, and there aren’t a lot of good restaurants. The Garden City Shopping Centre no longer has major department stores. (It does have a huge, fascinating Filipino supermarket.) There’s no Costco, let alone IKEA.
Congregation Etz Chaim is moving to Wilkes. I’m within walking distance of McNally Robinson. We find that we’re closer to just about everything.
There are, of course, pluses and minuses. Driving home after work from downtown to Seven Oaks Crossing usually took about 20-25 minutes. Traffic coming this way seems much heavier and slower.
Despite this, I like living here. But for the record, deep down I still think of myself as a northender – and I don’t apologize for it.
Features
Can Multi-Generational Trips Avoid Transit Burnout
A multi-generational trip can bring children, parents and grandparents together, but frequent transfers can quickly drain the group’s energy. Long station walks, tightly timed connections and heavy bags often create more tension than the attractions themselves.
The best defence against transit burnout is a schedule shaped around the group’s real abilities. Families should discuss mobility, sleep routines and personal priorities before booking. Expectations need to be clear before everyone leaves home. Once those needs are visible, the itinerary can leave room for both shared experiences and individual breaks.
Pacing Itineraries for Varied Energy Levels
Start with one main activity each day, then treat everything else as optional. A museum visit at 10 a.m. followed by lunch and a free afternoon will usually work better than three timed attractions spread across a city. Younger children may need a nap, grandparents might welcome a quiet café and teenagers could want time to explore nearby shops.
Travel days deserve even less structure. If a train arrives at noon, avoid booking a guided tour for 1:30 p.m. Delays, station exits and the trip to the accommodation can easily consume that margin. Choose a flexible afternoon activity such as a public garden, waterfront walk or neighbourhood market. Anyone who feels tired can return early without causing the group to miss a reservation.
Build recovery periods into longer trips as well. After two busy sightseeing days, schedule a slower morning or a full day without tickets. The practical advice in this guide to a multi-generational road trip also supports involving the whole family in the planning process. Ask each traveller to name one priority and one activity they’re comfortable skipping.
A shared digital calendar can keep the plan visible, but a printed one-page schedule helps family members who prefer paper. Mark fixed bookings, walking times and rest periods clearly. When everyone knows which parts are flexible, a change feels like an expected adjustment instead of a disappointment.
Reducing Gear Hassles on Transfer Days
Pack so each adult can manage their own essential items without depending on the strongest person in the group. One wheeled case and one small day bag per traveller is a useful limit for many city trips. Children can carry a light backpack containing a sweater, snack and activity, though an adult should still have space to take it if needed.
Keep medicine, identification, chargers and one change of clothing in personal bags. Checked luggage, hotel rooms or vehicle compartments may not be available when those items are needed. A small packing cube for each family member also makes short stays easier because nobody has to unpack an entire case to find socks.
Temporary storage can solve the awkward gap between accommodation checkout and an evening departure. For example, families passing through central Edinburgh can reserve Edinburgh Waverley luggage storage through an online booking network. This allows travellers to spend their final hours visiting a nearby attraction or having lunch without pulling suitcases over uneven streets.
Assign transfer-day roles before leaving the hotel. One adult can hold tickets and confirm the platform, another can count bags and a third can stay with children or anyone who walks more slowly. Avoid changing those roles halfway through a crowded station unless necessary.
Before each transfer, check the route from the platform to the next transport connection. A ten-minute walk on a map may involve stairs, busy crossings or a large station concourse. That detail determines how much time the family actually needs.
Accessible Stops Near Major Attractions
Choose rest stops before anyone becomes exhausted. Look for cafés, libraries, public gardens and indoor seating within a short distance of the main attraction. A planned 30-minute break can prevent a rushed search for washrooms or chairs when someone is already uncomfortable.
Accessibility information should come directly from the attraction or local transit operator. Check for step-free entrances, elevators, accessible washrooms and seating inside exhibits. If a family member uses a mobility aid, call ahead to ask where taxis or accessible vehicles may drop passengers. Photos on mapping services can also reveal steep approaches and cobblestones that a standard route description may overlook.
Keep the group’s walking radius realistic. A kilometre may feel easy at home, yet it becomes harder after several hours in a gallery or while supervising young children. Consider a simple hub plan: visit one major site, eat within two blocks and select a nearby park or smaller attraction for the afternoon. This reduces repeated boarding, waiting and transfers.
Weather matters too. Heat, cold and rain can change a manageable route into a tiring one. Carry water and sun protection during warm months, then identify an indoor backup before leaving the accommodation. On wet days, pick attractions connected by a direct transit route and avoid schedules that require multiple changes.
Finally, agree on a regrouping point in case the party separates. Choose a specific entrance, ticket desk or café instead of saying “outside.” Give older children and adults a card containing the accommodation address and one family contact number.
Creating Meaningful Shared Memories Together
Shared memories often come from participation, not from covering the longest list of landmarks. Invite family members to take turns selecting a meal, photo stop or short activity. A grandparent might choose a historic neighbourhood, a child could pick an aquarium exhibit and an adult sibling may arrange a family portrait. That balance gives everyone some ownership of the trip.
Families also use shared travel to pass along stories and strengthen connections across generations. RBC Wealth Management’s discussion of multi-generational travel legacies highlights how experiences can support family bonds and shared values. You can bring that idea into an ordinary holiday by asking relatives about previous visits, childhood trips or family traditions connected to a place.
Keep memory-making simple. Ask one person each day to record three details: something funny, something unexpected and something the group learned. Children can collect ticket stubs or draw a favourite sight, while adults add captions to a shared photo album. Guidance on creating lasting travel memories also emphasizes the value of experiences that family members can remember together.
Allow smaller groups to split up without guilt. Two relatives may enjoy a long gallery visit while others rest at the accommodation. Everyone can reunite over dinner and exchange stories, giving the day a shared ending without demanding identical energy levels.
Before heading home, choose one photo together and ask each person to describe what happened around it. Years later, those details will matter more than the number of attractions checked off the schedule. A trip that leaves space for conversation, rest and unplanned discoveries has a much better chance of being remembered for the family time, not the tiring transfers.
Features
Why Teachers Are Exploring Sound Buttons for Classroom Activities
A single correct-answer chime can make a shy student sit up a little straighter. Teachers notice moments like that. Small sounds change how a room feels, and how a room feels shapes how students learn.
That is why more teachers are exploring sound buttons. One tap plays a drum roll before a quiz answer, applause for a finished project, or a ding to start a new task. The tools are free, quick to use, and fit almost any subject. They give teachers a fresh way to keep students curious and involved.
What Is Drawing Teachers to Sound Buttons?
Teachers are always looking for simple ways to keep students engaged. Many classroom tools take time to set up, need training, or cost money. Sound buttons avoid all three. A teacher can open a page, tap a sound, and see the whole class react.
Students also respond to sound almost instantly. A sudden drum roll grabs attention faster than a spoken reminder. A cheerful sound rewards effort without stopping the lesson. These quick reactions make sound buttons feel useful from day one.
Flexibility adds to the appeal. The same set of sounds works for a morning math quiz and an afternoon story. Teachers can match each sound to the activity’s mood.
How Do Sound Buttons Change the Feel of Classroom Activities?
Many classroom activities follow a familiar routine. Students answer, the teacher responds, and the lesson moves on. Adding sound breaks that pattern in a positive way. Used by teachers in a variety of classroom activities, SoundButtonsLab.com is a free soundboard offering sound buttons for classroom activities and sound effects for children’s pronunciation training. The site notes, “A simple sound can change how a whole class responds to an ordinary moment in the lesson.”
That change often shows up in student energy. A drum roll before an answer makes everyone lean in and wait. A cheer after a correct response turns one student’s win into a shared moment. Even quiet students tend to join in when the activity feels like a game.
Sound also adds structure. When each sound means something specific, students learn the routine quickly. A ding can mean start, and a chime can mean stop. That predictability helps lessons run smoothly with fewer reminders.
What Does Research Say About Game-Like Learning?
Adding game elements to lessons is more than a fun trick. A meta-analysis by Michael Sailer and Lisa Homner reviewed studies on gamification in learning. They found small but positive effects on students’ learning, motivation, and behavior.
Sound buttons bring several game elements into a classroom at once. They add suspense, instant feedback, and moments of celebration. A quiz with a drum roll and a correct-answer chime feels closer to a game show than a test. When students enjoy the format, they are more willing to practice and try again after mistakes.
Which Classroom Activities Work Best With Sound Buttons?
Sound buttons fit nearly any lesson, but some activities benefit the most. These four are easy places to start:
Quiz Games
Quizzes become exciting with a drum roll before each answer and a chime for correct ones. Teams can compete for points while the sounds keep energy high. Students often ask for review games once sounds become part of the routine. Keeping the wrong-answer sounds gentle so no one feels embarrassed.
Reading and Pronunciation Practice
Teachers can record words or sounds on buttons for students to hear again and again. Kids tap, listen, and repeat until the pronunciation feels natural. Hearing the same clear model every time helps them notice small differences. A cheering sound rewards each new word they master.
Transitions and Routines
Moving between activities can waste valuable class time. A short ding can signal clean-up time, and another sound can mark the start of a new task. Students learn these cues quickly and respond without repeated instructions. Smooth transitions leave more time for learning.
Celebrations and Rewards
Applause or kids cheering can mark a finished project or a goal reached. These sounds make effort feel noticed and valued. Save big celebrations for real milestones, so they keep their meaning. A small reward sound can still mark everyday wins.
How Do Sound Buttons Help Different Kinds of Learners?
Every class includes students with different strengths and comfort levels. Some speak up easily, while others hold back. Sound buttons give quieter students a low-pressure way to join in.
Engagement matters for every learner. A review by Jennifer Fredricks, Phyllis Blumenfeld, and Alison Paris described engagement as behavioral, emotional, and cognitive. Students who feel involved are more likely to stay focused and keep trying. Sound buttons touch all three areas. Students act on cues, enjoy each sound, and think ahead to the next question.
How Can Teachers Get Started Without Overdoing It?
Start small. One or two sounds used well beat a dozen used randomly. Try these simple steps:
- Pick one sound for attention and one for celebration.
- Explain what each sound means before using it.
- Preview every sound to make sure it fits the age group.
- Keep the volume comfortable for the whole room.
Once students know the routine, add new sounds slowly. Let students suggest favorites now and then to keep things fresh. A thoughtful start keeps sound buttons fun for months instead of days.
Features
Every Rick Owens Sneaker You Should Know: A Complete Ranking
I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time thinking about Rick Owens sneakers. Comparing soles in browser tabs at 2 AM, reading forum debates about leather quality across seasons. But it’s turned me into the person friends text when they want to know which pair to buy first — so at least it’s a useful obsession.
The thing about Rick Owens eu clothing is that sneakers are secretly the gateway. People see the draped jackets on the runway and assume that’s where Rick starts. For most of us, it starts with a pair of shoes that looked unlike anything else on the shelf. Here’s my ranking of every major silhouette.
Ramones: The Gateway That Started It All
If Rick Owens sneakers have a mascot, it’s the Ramones. Named after the punk band — these are Rick’s take on the classic high-top. Chunky rubber sole, waxed cotton laces, a toe cap that sits more forward than a typical Converse shape. The most recognizable silhouette in the entire lineup.
I recommend these as a first purchase to everyone. Easiest to style, most forgiving in proportion, and they age beautifully. Mainline leather runs $700–900. DRKSHDW canvas sits closer to $400–500 and works just as well daily.
Geobaskets: The Statement Maker
Take the Ramones, crank the volume up, and you get Geobaskets. Higher shaft, thicker sole, more visual weight. The proportions are deliberately aggressive — they look like they belong in a sci-fi film, and that’s the point.
Geobaskets are not a beginner shoe. The shaft height changes how your pants sit. They demand confidence. But if you’ve already got a couple of pieces from the Rick Owens collection and want to commit harder — this is the move. Leather pairs run $1,000+ and they’re worth it to the right person.
Abstract: The Low-Top That Actually Works
Rick’s low-top game was uneven until the Abstracts landed. These take the Ramones DNA — the sole shape, the toe box — and drop it to ankle height. Clean, sharp, unexpectedly versatile. I wear mine with cropped trousers in summer and they look as intentional as any designer shoe I own.
The Abstract solved a real problem: what do you wear when it’s too hot for Geobaskets but you still want that Rick silhouette? This. Browse the EU store during warmer months and you’ll see these sell fast.
Megalaced Runner: Where Rick Meets Athletic
When Rick started putting out runner-style sneakers, purists lost their minds. But the Megalaced Runner works because it doesn’t pretend to be a performance shoe. It takes the runner shape and twists it — exaggerated sole, dramatic lacing, materials that belong on a runway, not a track. The pick for someone who lives in sneakers but wants to graduate beyond Nike into something with more design weight.
Fogachine: The Platform Statement
The Fogachine is for people who’ve seen every other Rick sneaker and thought — “not enough.” The stacked platform sole is massive, borderline architectural. Closer to wearable sculpture than traditional footwear. I’ve tried them on and they’re surprisingly comfortable, but they require a very specific wardrobe commitment. If your closet is already deep into Rick Owens, they’re a natural endpoint.
Sizing and Mainline vs DRKSHDW
Rick Owens sneakers run about a full size large. A US 10 in Nike translates to roughly a 43 in Rick, maybe 42 depending on the model. Ramones and Geobaskets are the most generous. If you’re ordering from the official Rick Owens EU site, their size charts are reliable.
Every model comes in two tiers. Mainline is premium leather, made in Italy. DRKSHDW is the diffusion line — canvas, waxed cotton, denim — same silhouette, roughly half the cost. What nobody tells beginners: DRKSHDW is not a downgrade. Canvas Ramones develop a worn-in character that leather doesn’t replicate. If you shop Rick Owens online and see DRKSHDW — you’re not settling, you’re choosing.
Which One Should You Buy First?
Ramones. Always Ramones. DRKSHDW to start smart, mainline leather to start with a grail. Every other model builds on what the Ramones established. Once you own a pair, everything else in the Rick Owens EU clothing catalog makes more sense.
After that, the path is personal. Geobaskets for drama. Abstracts for warm weather. Megalaced Runners if you live in sneakers. Fogachines if you want to tower. Once you put on your first pair, regular sneakers start looking flat — that’s what twenty years of perfecting a sole shape does.
