y - April 1, 1578. moting rets of ' Pikes mmer- , Thad t with: ut the life on me to id ex- me re- y, es- joke. come before ed to rsome emko, itarist mmer band’s d the band B the iverse Pes of ecep- hmid mM mu- their f the that Writ- hat a tray. vheras — Bea- mous This Week in History: March 27 — April 9 Sharron G. Uhler reports in The World Book Encyclope- dia (Toronto: World Book, Inc., 1988), Vol. 1, p. 576, that Charlemagne was born on April 2, 742. William Harvey was born on Harvey discov- ered that blood circulates (Ulher, vol.1, p. 576). Sharron G. Uhler reports in The World Book Encyclope- dia (Toronto: World book, Inc. , 1988), vol. 13, p. 195, that Louis XVII of France was born on March 27, 1785. According to Joseph Nathan Kane in Famous First Facts, Muzik Revue 3rd ed. (New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1964), p.650, Nathaniel Briggs received a wash- ing machine patent on March 28, 1797. The discoverer of X rays, Wil- helm Roentgen, was born on March 27, 1845 (Uhler, p.195) On April 1, 1862, Captain ‘Samuel Morey received a patent for his internal combustion engine (Kane, p. 238-9). Gabor S. Boritt writes about the American Civil War ( 1861- 5) in The World Book Ency- clopedia (Toronto: World Book, Inc., 1988), vol.4, p.614-635. General Robert E. Lee surren- dered the main Confederate army to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865 (p.633). by Shelli Wheaton elling. Each new city they experi- ence has its own different flavour, and drawing on these experiences in their touring creates for the Pikes’ unique songwriting oppor- tunities. _ In comparing “Secreta of the Alibi” with the Pikes’ first album, “Big Blue Sky,” Schmid explains that the band is a lot more hap- pier with the sound of the second album. Schmid says that the ap- proach toward “Secrets of the Al- ibi” was different in that the band recorded tracks live in the studio with all four band members. “Big Blue Sky” was recorded individu- ally. Schmid says the band gen- erally felt this was “too clinical, too precise” and that the sound they most desired for the North- ern Pikes was more loose, freer and improvised. When the album is heard all the instruments are listened to collectively as a band, and that’s the way it should be recorded, Schmid says. The Northern Pikes began their current tour in August of 88 in promotion of “Secrets of == Thursday, April 6, 1989 == the Alibi.” Schmid says that ba- The passed the British North Amer- ica Act on March 29, 1867 (Ulher, British Parliament p.195). This Act united Nova Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Quebec into the Dominion of Canada F. Patrick Fitzgerald and Claus-M. Naske reported in The World Book Encyclopedia (Toronto: World Book, Inc., 1988), vol.1, p.305, that the United States bought Alaska from Russia on March 30, ' 1867. Americans paid $7,200,000 for this area. On March 30, 1870, the United States pro- claimed Amendment 15 of its Constitution. This amendment prohibited denying any one the right to vote on the basis ‘of race or color. (Ulher, p.195). | Robert Edwin Peary’s expedi- tion reached the North Pole on April 6, 1909 (Kane, p.217). The Seattle | (Washing- ton) Metropolitans won the Stan- ley cup on March 27, 1917 (Kane, p.294). the Metropolitans beat out the Montreal Canadiens in four games to become the first American hockey team to win the Stanley cup. On April 6, 1917, the United States of America declared war sically each member lives out of their van. In their dedication to touring, they have become acus- tomed to travelling light. They also must take special care in looking after their health while they’re on the road as well. But all the discipline seems to be worth it for the Pikes because of their love for travelling, meeting new people, and of course, per- forming their own music. Schmid says it all becomes worthwhile when the band can generate its own special impact on the au- dience. He says seeing someone sing along to one of their songs is especially rewarding, because it involves knowing that the North-. . ern Pikes have touched a part of that person’s life. “Big Blue Sky” went gold in December 1987, and “Secrets of the Alibi” is only copies away from equalling that feat. Plans are already in the works for a third album, and will hopefully be released in January. Their tour will be wrapping up in Au- gust, and recording should begin sometime in September. Schmid says the band is quite excited about the new album because it ‘will be a little different for the Pikes. Schmid said the Pikes really enjoyed performing on the Island and that they hope to be back again, perhaps to promote their third album, and maybe even in Charlottetown. Nor for the age old question: Why collect comics? the reasons are varied from person to per- son. Some like the covers, some like the inside art, some like the writer, and some like the invest- ment. Investment? Not a word associated with Super-—hero sto- ries, but it’s true. I’ve even heard of a brokerage style organization helping clients invest wisely in comics. Why? Personally, I dislike buying ten of one issue just incase it’s price shoots up, but I understand some of the motivation. I do get excited when something I like and own goes up in price, how- ever, I rarely sell these issues, so what they’re worth matters little, I find prices very subjective, very regional in nature. When I try to value my collection I find a few different sources of data and, gen- eraliy, they all differ. So, why collect? I don’t think one answer will do. I collect for several reasons: I like the diver- / DAS / ny) on Germany (Kane, p.664). On March 29, 1927, Ma- jor Henry O’Neil de Hane Seg- rave drove his car, the “Mystery Sunbeam”, at Daytona Beach, Florida. On that day, the “Mys- tery Sunbeam” became the first car to go over 200 miles per hour (Kane, p.53). (The “Mystery Sunbeam” really shone that day!) Simon M. Evans and Shan- non Patrick Ryan report in The World Book Encyclo- pedia (Toronto: World Book, Inc., 1988), vol.14, p.381, that Newfoundland became the tenth province of Canada on March 31, 1949. The first space cabin simula- tor was tested from March 31 to April 1, 1956 (Kane, p.567) Dave Nightingale reports in The World Book Encyclope- dia (Toronto: World Book, Inc., 1988), vol.1, p.3, that Henry Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs’on April 8, 1974, Malcolm Gorrill eye 1 ) vt btn \ sion from my reality, I enjoy well done art, I like the people I’be met since I started, and the list goes on... Some things I don’t like about collecting are: people who own every comic worth col- lecting, the prices I have to pay for every issue (especially back- stock), and the ratty state some comics I want are in. Finally I place great value on linking every issue I own. If I buy something I don’t enjoy, I don’t feel very attached to it. In fact, I have few issues that I value enough to never sell. My princi- ple enjoyment lies in finding the comic, rather than keeping it. So I don’t feel obligated to be a pack-rat. Those are some of the reasons I collect comics. to find more of my motives ask my therapist! (Just kidding!) Remember always that when choosing between buying a comic and eating, a super-hero isn’t al- ways a sandwich. Page 9