Liz Spetz Arsenic and Old DNA

297-8804
NASA’s Astrobiology Institute announced last week the discovery of a strange bacteria that
can use arsenic as one of its nutrients. This represents a somewhat different life form from
ours. We have six major elements essential for life: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen,
phosphorus and sulphur. The bacteria the researchers found is able to continue to grow after
substituting arsenic for phosphorus, which are chemically similar. Not exactly alien life but
certainly a life form more adaptable than ours.
Interestingly, this bacteria was not found on another planet or asteroid. It was discovered in
Mono Lake, California. The area was specifically tested because of its high arsenic levels.
The lake is replete with tufa formations that re-submerge into briny water. It’s worth getting
a look at this place on YouTube because it is a cradle of the existence of new life. Rather
nasty and not exactly a Garden of Eden.
The implications of this discovery are somewhat remote for most of us. New creatures
won’t be moving into the neighbourhood soon and competing to buy up real estate. Nor will
we have a new type of player for the NHL. However, there are some points about this that
MLS #386650
are worth considering. The main one being that we’re not the one and only unique life type
www.REALTOR.ca in the universe. Other things are equally possible from beginning to end. The creative im-
pulse wasn’t limited to us.
In his marvellous book, Wonderful Life, Jay Gould discussed some varied life forms that
preceded us. Amazing examples of these are abundant in the Burgess Shale deposits located
in the Rockies in British Columbia not far from here. All of these shared our same slate of
essential elements. Many existed, thrived and, ultimately, failed. In this context we could
see ourselves as another passing freak show along the road of Life; the beneficiaries of
Great December chance and opportunity. Of course, we’re a little different than most common bacteria or
Films!! lower life forms. We appear to be at the top of the pecking order and can make intelligent
choices about our world and our continued existence. We’ve been granted a unique opportu-
10th—Inception nity to craft life for ourselves.
I think the idea is that we shouldn’t take anything for granted. We haven’t been around all
17th—The A-Team that long in the scheme of things and we could just as easily be replaced. Our continued
enjoyment of dominance in this world is a factor of our decision making and extended good
Saturday 18th Matinee fortune. It’s not an matter of perpetual entitlement. Arsenic-based life won’t challenge us
1:30 pm soon but it ought to make us stop for a moment and think about our relative position in com-
parison to capacity of Life to adapt over the millennia with or without us. JK
Shrek: Forever After

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Admission Price
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Suggestions for movies are
welcome. Please contact:
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www.trexcentre.ca
(306)295-4009
Trailers now available on
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web site
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Movie Synopsis on pg. 4
Big Bucks for a Good Cause
The Cypress Hotel
and Brian Vansandt
are pleased to present a cheque to the Come check out our NEW menu
Eastend Memorial Hall
for NEW soups daily
$1,270!! Breakfast all day EVERY day
These are fundraising proceeds raised as Eat in or Take out
part of an ongoing effort by the
Cypress Hotel. Home-style cooking and
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To date the Cypress Hotel has provided
OPEN EVERY SINGLE DAY
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Madhatter’s
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& Eastend Arts Council—Jan. 3
Gifts
Only 3 weeks till Christmas
Its all about the wine this week.
We have 90 wines in stock
for the wine drinker
on your gift list.
We have a great selection
of wine accessories:
glasses, thermometers, corkscrews,
holders, chillers and aerators.
Come in Friday Dec. 11th
From 2 till 5 pm
and taste the difference a wine
aerator makes.
Snacks and wine info available
Hours: 8:30– 6 Mon thru Fri.
9:00—6:00 Sat
334 Red Coat Drive
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“Christmas
is a season
for remembering
with love
the people in our lives
who mean a lot....
and all the year –round
the happiness
they’ve brought.”
Charlie’s Christmas Concert “#24 “
Christmas Memories
Last year I had the pleasure of working
with Charlie on his 23rd. and last concert.
We spoke of how important the concert
was, as it was his way of giving something
back to the community that was so special
to him.
The Christmas Concert became a very
special tradition of Eastend. Due to sev-
eral requests I have undertaken to co-
ordinate “Charlie’s Christmas Concert”
#24. The Clay Centre Ladies have gra-
ciously offered to continue assisting with
the intermission treats and as accountants.
If you are interested in entertaining, or can
assist with the lighting/sound system,
stage set up, hall set up, decorating etc.
please contact:
Deb Giverhaug/
Charlie’s Christmas Concert
Box 87, Eastend.
(306) 295-3565
(306) 295-7892
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanking you in advance.
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
Call Us for All
Memorial Hall Board—Jan. 10
Your Insurance ECT&EDA—Dec. 7
Needs Kinsmen– Dec. ??
Historical Museum— Feb. 8
• Have you done any renovating? K-40—Dec 1
• Added any machinery, bins? CWL—Dec 1
Friends of the Museum &
Call to see that you’re properly insured T.rex Discovery Centre—Dec. 9
RM of White Valley— Dec. 9
SHOP LOCAL TOWN COUNCIL— Dec. 8
Clay Centre Comm Club—Dec. 21
Get Bonnie working for you School Comm Council—Dec. 21
Chamber of Commerce—Dec. 15
EASTEND AGENCIES Fire Dept. — Dec. 7 & 21
104 Maple Avenue North. Eastend, Sask. Eastend Swimming Pool— ??
295-3655 Prairie Pearls— Dec. 29 ?
RW Institute—Dec. 8
TOPS MEET - Health Centre Quiet Room,
Thursdays @ 5:15 p.m.
AA—Monday’s @ 8:00p.m. at Henry’s Place
BINGO—Mondays at 7:00 in the Rink!
Lighting of the Alanon– Health Centre Quiet Room
Tuesdays .
Valley
Monday
Dec 6th
7 pm
at the
Credit Union DECEMBER DATES FOR
PHYSICIAN CLINICS IN EASTEND
“Lets show some community SHERRY HORNUNG RN(NP) NOT IN DEC 6—10
spirit. Turn on your
RN(NP) SERVICES AVAILABLE DEC. 13, 16, 20,
Christmas that night” 23, 29 AND 30
Sleigh rides PHYSICIAN— DEC. 8, 15, 21, 22 AND 29
Hot chocolate and cookies
To book an appointment Phone 295-4184
at the rink Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.
Skate with Santa There will be no Lab Facilities at the
7:30 at the Rink Eastend Wolf Willow Health Centre
on Fridays
Put on by the Eastend
Chamber of Commerce
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BlogSpot is provided by slg. This week
Controlling portfolio risk while poten-
it features photos of the recent heavy
tially increasing investment returns is frost.
essential to the success of your invest-
ment plan. It takes just the right ingredi-
ents to make a proper mix.
Ravenscrag Anglican Church
Talk to us about a complimentary re-
view of your current plan and discover
Sunday December 12th
the advantages of our sophisticated di-
1:00 pm
versification strategy.
Laurel Schuett Join us for a service of
Consultant Holy Communion
laurel.schuett@investorsgroup.com
(306) 295-4060 Celebrant: Father Dick Kennedy
The Plan
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 Jack’s Café
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The T.Rex
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Needs Your
Help!

WE’RE NUMBER 13!!!

We are in the running to receive a
$100,000 grant from the Pepsi Re-
fresh Project. But in order to get it
we need You!
All you have to do is go to
www.refresheverything.ca
and find us in the Arts & Culture
section under the $100,000 cate-
gory.

With this money we plan on bring-

ing two full dinosaur skeletons to
our galleries!
Contact: Laurel Schuett
Remember to Consultant
vote everyday!
and tell your friends! laurel.schuett@investorsgroup.com
Also, outside Canada! (306) 295-4060

Movie Synopsis;
Inception
Smart, innovative and
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FROSTY ICING

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