Fifteen cars powered only by the sun cruised across the finish line of the North American Solar Challenge at the University of Calgary amid cheering fans from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. Averaging speeds of around 60 kilometres per hour, U of C's Schulich I crossed the finish line in sixth place Tuesday after the 3,800 kilometre journey from Dallas, Texas.

Some students may experience a small hitch in their plans next summer, forced to take some time off instead of studying.

First- and second-year chemistry courses may no longer be offered during the spring and summer semesters. University of Calgary chemistry department head Dr. Brian Keay looked over past Universal Student Ratings of Instruction and long answer survey questions and saw a disturbing trend.

A University of Calgary associate professor made international waves for his work in Afghanistan. Dr. Lorne Jaques is most known for his work with hopeful students through a United Nations program, but is now stepping down as senior director of University of Calgary Global--a program that organizes the international presence of the university.

New Alberta liquor regulations will soon see Den patrons paying more for pitchers of beer Thursday nights.

The provincial government has put an end to the era of incredibly cheap pitchers at the Den. Thursday night jugs will now cost $9.75, according to tentative prices posted by the Students' Union on Facebook, up from the price of $8 per jug and $7 in 2006. The new regulations, including minimum drink prices and limits to happy hour specials, will take effect Aug. 1.

The Alberta government created the regulations to "make provincial drinking establishments safer for staff and patrons," according to a news release.

In the wake of the closing of McNally Robinson, the Calgary literary scene may be in for some hard times. B House Publications, the city's newest publisher, however, is looking like a bright light at the end of the tunnel. At the launch of his new play Writer's Block, prominent local playright Eugene Stickland began the night with an introduction of B House and the young, hard working people behind it.

Unabashed pop music often gets a bad rap. If an album isn't agonizingly serious or spends its time navel-gazing about society's foibles, it's not important. If it's not important, then it's immediately dismissed. If that's the case, Vancougar's Canadian Tuxedo will never be liked by the dour kids with frowns pasted on their faces--it's obviously meant for their friends partying in jean jackets.

Broken Social Scene could be dubbed the million-member band. Their roster seems to grow by the day, as do the amount of projects stamped with "Broken Social Scene presents." Brendan Canning, one of the founding members of the BSS monstrosity, is now trying his hand at a solo effort--BSS presents it, of course--with decidedly mixed results.

Ice Cream Spiritual, the sophomore album from Baltimore lunatics Ponytail, is a sticky-sweet concoction of madness that's only two steps from going absolutely nuclear. Building upon the foundation of energetic, experimental noise punk that bands such as the Mae Shi and No Age have laid down, the group takes off running like children trying to chase after the ice cream man's truck of delights.

Munich outfit the Notwist have been known for their indie rock rumblings since their inception in 1989. The group has wavered between heavy punk, ambient indie pop and electronica without fail, establishing themselves in every genre they venture into.