Julie Penner
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julespenner.bsky.social
Julie Penner
@julespenner.bsky.social
1.8K followers 470 following 1.1K posts
Musician, mother, arts worker. I play violin with Do Make Say Think, Broken Social Scene, JP Hoe, etc. Made radio/podcasts with The Vinyl Cafe and William Prince. I tend to post about Winnipeg, biking, urbanism, and politics.

https://linktr.ee/JuliePenner
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julespenner.bsky.social
Julie Penner @julespenner.bsky.social · Nov 15
My son’s band “We’re Only Here For The Snacks” is on the front of the Globe and Mail Arts Section! Thrilling.

Their album “Missed Our Stop” is out Nov. 21 and release party is at the WECC on Nov. 23.
olybackstrom.bsky.social Oly Backstrom @olybackstrom.bsky.social · Nov 15
This is a great story - young folk finding joy in writing, performing and sharing music, bucking against the screentime. And Winnipeg’s We’re Only Here For The Snacks is featured! @julespenner.bsky.social
Globe and Mail gift article
A garage band revival? Maybe the kids are all right
Tired of their smartphones, looking for connection and spurred on by Gen X parents, youngsters across the country are getting the band back together
www.theglobeandmail.com
julespenner.bsky.social
Touché.
In an email, Theissen wrote there are Indigenous supports in place in the division, including cultural learning, which can be direct towards Theo. “But that’s not what I meant when I said that the school needs more Indigenous education. I meant the other students need more Indigenous education, not Theo, because Theo knows a lot about being Indigenous…” she said.
February 18, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Reposted by Julie Penner
jenn-allen.bsky.social
Friend is at City Hall right now, where security told them to remove their jacket because a patch that says "we carry another world in our hearts" is "propaganda."
akohan.bsky.social Andrew Kohan @akohan.bsky.social · 17h
At city hall this morning. They won’t let me take pictures inside today. So this is the rally before I walked in.
Large rally outside city hall
February 17, 2026 at 4:10 PM
julespenner.bsky.social
Wow, incredible writing by Jesse Jackson. Relevant today.
jodyrosen.bsky.social Jody Rosen @jodyrosen.bsky.social · 14h
I voted Jesse Jackson in the 88 Dem primary—my first vote ever. My grandmother, Jewish NYC FDR Dem stalwart, voted JJ in 84 & 88. Said they were the best votes she'd cast since 1944. She was upset about Jesse's "Hymietown" gaffe, but wept at his beautiful apology in '84 convention speech. What a man
February 17, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
gbbranstetter.bsky.social
Today I'm remembering the courage of Jesse Jackson across his life, including the 1984 DNC when he called for the Party to support the inclusion of queer people in their coalition at a time both parties and the public were indifferent to our suffering and opposed to our equality.
February 17, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
diplomatofnight.com
Despite *hundreds, if not thousands* of videos of IDF soldiers looting homes and institutions in Gaza and Lebanon, only *one criminal case* was put forward by Israeli military prosecutors on the issue.

And it was closed yesterday with a plea bargain.
למרות מקרים שתועדו, רק אישום אחד הוגש על ביזה במלחמה – והוא נגמר בהסדר
אף על פי שמקרי ביזה בעזה ובלבנון תועדו ופורסמו ברשתות החברתיות, הפרקליטות לא איתרה חשודים ולא נקטה נגדם צעדי ענישה. באישום היחיד שהוגש נגד חייל מילואים, הופחת סעיף העבירה ועונשו יהיה 60 ימי מאסר בשל מ...
www.haaretz.co.il
February 17, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
krassenstein.bsky.social
Jesse Jackson appeared on Sesame Street in 1973.

During his appearance, he led a group of children in reciting his well-known poem “I Am Somebody,” a message focused on self-worth and empowerment

The segment became one of the most memorable celebrity appearances from the early seasons of the show.
February 17, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
brenttoderian.bsky.social
I often think about how so many cities are AGONIZING over the idea of turning a single street, or even a block, into a people-place and pedestrian stroll, while thriving communities like Gràcia in Barcelona are filled with networks of pedestrian streets and squares with no cars, or “tamed” cars.
Tight central Barcelona pedestrian street with limited car access Barcelona public space/square connecting several pedestrian streets in a walking quarter Pedestrian street with a mid-block urban movie cinema Walkable pedestrian street filled with the people in central Barcelona, Spain
February 17, 2026 at 3:32 AM
Reposted by Julie Penner
rdassaly.bsky.social
Over the past couple years, a common refrain among Canadian authors who didn't support the Giller Prize boycott was that the campaign had a point, but was unlikely to 'make a difference.'

Scotiabank had a $368-million (US) stake in Elbit at the end of 2022. Now it's $0.
February 17, 2026 at 4:10 AM
julespenner.bsky.social
Billy Steinberg wrote the hits to my pre-teen youth.
February 16, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
bowiesongs.bsky.social
RIP Robert Duvall: as central to American film as anyone in his generation
Duvall as Boo Radley Duvall as Tom Hagen in The Godfather Duvall as Kilgore in Apocalypse Now Duvall as Mac Sledge in Tender Mercies
February 16, 2026 at 6:24 PM
julespenner.bsky.social
No thanks, we’re good!
February 16, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
stateofthecity.bsky.social
Winnipeg, MB. Just in my inbox via Councillor Duncan's office, so I thought I would post for those who've been following this issue, given timelines & delegations tomorrow.
February 16, 2026 at 4:34 PM
julespenner.bsky.social
I felt kind of sick listening to this interview, but Gisèle Pelicot was so compelling and honest that I had to hear the whole thing.
nytimes.com The New York Times @nytimes.com · 2d
Gisèle Pelicot was drugged and raped repeatedly by her husband, Dominique Pelicot — who also invited dozens of men into their bedroom to rape Pelicot.

In a candid and emotional interview, Pelicot opened up about the trial that shocked the world. nyti.ms/3Og9cCh
Gisèle Pelicot, on her then-husband, who drugged her and invited dozens of men
to rape her for nearly 10 years: “I only knew a kind
and caring man.
Which is terrifying.”
February 16, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Reposted by Julie Penner
purlgurly.bsky.social
That observation reminded me of this story that I heard Michael Sheen tell on a podcast, about the best acting advice he was ever given:
What is the best advice you've been given for a speech? "I don't think I've ever been given advice about giving speeches, but the best advice I was ever given about acting was by another actor, Fiona Shaw. I was doing a play called Look Back In Anger at the National Theatre. I'd already done the play once before somewhere else and I thought I was pretty darn great at it. I started giving the performances at the National and the next day I came into the theatre and I saw her coming up to me and I thought, 'She's going to say how great I was in this play.' She came up and she said, 'It was very good, very good, but just be careful you don't enjoy yourself too much.' And she was absolutely right. Now, that's not to say you shouldn't enjoy doing what you're doing and put everything into it, but don't enjoy your self too much. There's no room for that, no time for that. You've got to be present, in the moment, connecting with people. But don't be standing there going, 'Oh, I really did that very well. Oooh, I got that laugh! I'm so funny!' None of that. No time for it. Do that in the bar afterwards."
February 15, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
jimsdouglas.bsky.social
Statscan has an annotated chart of Canadian fertility since 1920, highlighting changes and reasonable explanations. And Max Roser comes to similar conclusions:

ourworldindata.org/global-ferti...

www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/91f00...
Canadian fertility rate since 1920.
February 13, 2026 at 4:19 AM
Reposted by Julie Penner
joelhs.bsky.social
This Marco Rubio speech is just unabashed blood and soil nationalism, but also, it's incredibly weird to use, as your example of the supposed artistic heritage of European Christendom, the Rolling Stones, of all bands, who cribbed their entire style from Black American music.
"It was here in Europe where the ideas that planted the seeds of liberty that changed the world were born. It was here in Europe where the world – which gave the world the rule of law, the universities, and the scientific revolution. It was this continent that produced the genius of Mozart and Beethoven, of Dante and Shakespeare, of Michelangelo and Da Vinci, of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. And this is the place where the vaulted ceilings of the Sistine Chapel and the towering spires of the great cathedral in Cologne, they testify not just to the greatness of our past or to a faith in God that inspired these marvels. They foreshadow the wonders that await us in our future. But only if we are unapologetic in our heritage and proud of this common inheritance can we together begin the work of envisioning and shaping our economic and our political future."
February 15, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Reposted by Julie Penner
dylanreid.bsky.social
Noticed when Denmark took the lead over USA in ice hockey they showed a brief flash of someone waving the Greenland flag. Some serious political undercurrents in that game, and Denmark amazingly gave them a scare.
February 15, 2026 at 2:51 AM
julespenner.bsky.social
I played this Ron Leary song on a Vinyl Cafe Valentine’s Day show many years ago, and it often comes to mind on this day.
Sweet Valentine
YouTube video by Ron Leary - Topic
youtu.be
February 14, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
jessmarindavis.bsky.social
I give the RCMP a lot of shit, but credit where credit is due -- this is some excellent emergency active shooter response that almost certainly saved lives, at great risk to their own.

vancouversun.com/news/canada/...
‘Heroes, quite frankly’: Mounties drew the Tumbler Ridge shooter's fire away from students toward themselves
RCMP officers responded in 120 seconds. Their goal: to get a shooter to stop firing at civilians and start engaging with police.
vancouversun.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
crindivisible.bsky.social
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 2:37 AM
julespenner.bsky.social
Important info in here.
February 14, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
bekkaleigh.bsky.social
Quick note that we all held hands because a local First Nations Elder asked us to do so during the prayer song and following prayer.

Like, this wasn’t spontaneous, it was a specific request and they graciously complied.

The mayor and community have also been asking for non-partisan responses.
broadwaybabyto.bsky.social Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 4d
When there’s a mass shooting in the US, Trump rushes to blame the left.

He stokes fear & division and rarely says anything about the victims.

In Canada, all party leaders went to pay their respects in Tumbler Ridge.

They held hands, placed flowers & showed unity.

That’s how it should be done.
Photo of Canadian party leaders at tumbler ridge. PM Mark Carney is in the Center and they’re all holding hands
February 14, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
akohan.bsky.social
Hey I’m just some guy, though. Let’s ask some experts
Protest bylaw goes too far NEIL MCARTHUR, ARTHUR SCHAFER AND R.J. LEYLAND (sic) FROM Minneapolis, to Tehran, to Bangla-desh, people are taking to the streets to protest against perceived injustices. Peaceful protest is a critically important line of defence against the unjust actions of governments. Incredibly, here in Winnipeg, some members of our city council want to put strict limits on that essential right. The proposed safe access to vulnerable infrastructure bylaw, if passed, would be the most draconian law of its kind in Canada. Canadian courts treat protest not just as a form of expression, but one that is especially valuable. This is because it is essential to political participation and democratic accountability. Another is freedom of association. The Charter protects the right to gather physically for a shared peaceful and expressive purpose, as part of this right to associate freely. In Canada, our Charter does allow governments to impose limits on our rights, but only when the limits are demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. Winnipeg's proposed bylaw clearly fails this test. It fails because it works against the very ideals on which our free, democratic society is founded. Neil McArthur, Arthur Schafer and R.J. Leyland (sic) are all professors in the department of philosophy at the University of Manitoba.
February 14, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
mikehixenbaugh.com
On Thanksgiving, the immigrant children held at the Dilley detention center gathered in the gym for what they thought was a holiday feast.

The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.

But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
On Nov. 16, a mental health counselor recorded in Kamilla’s medical records that her mother reported the girl had lost her appetite after being “served food that contained worms.” A week later, the couple said, children were told to gather in the gym for what they believed would be a Thanksgiving celebration. Excitement spread as families saw tables set with turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, they said. The children waited expectantly. But when a parent asked when the celebration would begin, Oksana said, staff told them the holiday meal was for employees, not detainees. The children, she said, watched despondently as the feast was packed away.
February 13, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Julie Penner
radosh.bsky.social
Anyway I don't know if AOC is the candidate we need (indeed this is going to require more than one magical candidate) but at least she gets the big picture and I will take this over Newsom posting "trump has a small peepee" any day www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
“I think this is a moment where we are seeing our presidential administration tear apart the transatlantic partnership, rip up every democratic norm, and … really calling into question, as was mentioned by Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum, the rules based order that we have, or, question mark, do we have?” She lays out her pitch for the need to address hypocrisies in the international order: “But that does not mean that the majority of Americans are ready to walk away from a rules-based order and that we’re ready to walk away from our commitment to democracy. I think what we identify is that in a rules-based order, hypocrisy is vulnerability. And so I think what we are seeking is a return to a rules-based order that eliminates the hypocrisies … when, too often, in the West, we’d look the other way for inconvenient populations to act out these paradoxes, whether it is kidnapping a foreign head of state, whether it is threatening our allies to colonise Greenland, whether it is looking the other way in a genocide. Hypocrisies are our vulnerabilities and they threaten democracies. And so I think many of us are here to say we are here and we are ready for the next chapter, not to have the world turn to isolation, but to deepen our partnership on greater and increase commitment to integrity to our values.”
February 13, 2026 at 6:50 PM