blogTO | Posts by Kari

blogTO | Posts by Kari http://www.blogto.com/ Toronto blog Copyright 2008 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:49:36 PDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Hells Bells! Toronto Gets Ready to Set World Record
Back in the fall of 2003, German Professor Jorg Karger gathered together 503 people on bikes to set the Guinness World Record for number of bike bells simultaneously ringing. Saturday at noon in Yonge-Dundas Square, environmentalist/children's entertainer Chris McKhool will mute the professor's bell forever. Hopefully.

McKhool's record-breaking attempt will aim to raise awareness for environmental issues (aren't we all aware by now?) It will also be a hell of a sight, to be sure. Plus, McKhool will be able to fulfill his life-long dream of cracking a record.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/environment/2008/05/hells_bells_toronto_gets_ready_to_set_world_record http://www.blogto.com/environment/2008/05/hells_bells_toronto_gets_ready_to_set_world_record Environment Fri, 23 May 2008 10:45:00 PDT Environment Kari 2008-05-23T10:45:00 Attention All Cyclists: Dandyhorse Has (almost) Arrived
The Toronto Cyclists Union has been around for a few months now, quietly gaining momentum, volunteers, clout and starting in July, they'll offer a tri-annual magazine for Toronto cyclists named Dandyhorse.

Last September, urban visionary Dave Meslin put out a call for volunteers, and over 70 bicycle advocates gathered to participate in the conception of Dandyhorse. Nine months of gestation have now passed, and Meslin and his crew are ready to release their first edition.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/attention_all_cyclists_dandyhorse_has_almost_arrived http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/attention_all_cyclists_dandyhorse_has_almost_arrived City Wed, 14 May 2008 15:52:06 PDT City Kari 2008-05-14T15:52:06 Toronto's Literary Events: May 13th - 19th, 2008
Literary events in Toronto happen on weekdays only this time around, but check the end of this post for a special request I'm sending out to all of the Bookmark This readers!

Tuesday, May 13th:

House of Anansi Press invites you to celebrate the launch of My Life As a Dame: The Personal and the Political in the Writings of Christina McCall (edited by Stephen Clarkson). McCall was part of an illustrious group of writers including Pierre Berton, Robert Fulford, June Callwood, Peter Gzowski, and Peter C. Newman, that graced the pages of Maclean's Magazine in the mid-50s. She is considered not only one of the best political writers of her generation, but a pioneer for women in journalism and one of Canada's most brilliant minds. The evening is hosted by Michael Enright. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Katie Densmore at intern@anansi.ca.
Alumni Hall, Victoria College. 5:30pm. Free.

What if there were movies made the same way as suits, custom fitted, each one tailored for one person? Some of the brightest stars from Toronto's fringe film and video scene -- including Midi Onodera, Jubal Brown, Su Rynard and Richard Fung -- will show dazzling and mysterious short films, and then discuss the genesis of their projects with Mike Hoolboom, editor of the collection Practical Dreamers: Conversations with Movie Artists. A This Is Not A Reading Series event.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. 7:30pm (doors 7pm). Free.

Ger ready for the Artbardy Har Har: an evening of comedic poetry hosted by Valentino Assenza and featuring Jeff Cottrill, Arianna Pozuoli, Mike Bryant, Myna Wallin, David Clink, and Luciano Iacobelli. Open mic readers are encouraged to bust out their most hilarious material!
Clinton's. 8pm. Free (donations accepted).

]]> http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/05/torontos_literary_events_may_13th_19th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/05/torontos_literary_events_may_13th_19th_2008 Books & Lit Tue, 13 May 2008 09:50:00 PDT Books & Lit Kari 2008-05-13T09:50:00 Toronto's Literary Events: May 6th - 12th, 2008
This week's literary events in Toronto feature a birthday celebration (the IV Lounge Reading Series marks it's tenth year) and the beginning of Asian Heritage Month.

Tuesday, May 6th:

Acclaimed Sci-Fi writer and editor Nalo Hopkinson will read from her latest book, The New Moon's Arms. Set on a fictional Caribbean island, this magical-realist novel combines politics, family, humour and the supernatural in the story of a woman named Calamity whose hot flashes give her the power to recover lost objects. Q&A to follow. Part of this year's Canada Council Heritage Series, presented by the Toronto Public Library.
Eatonville Branch. 7pm. Free.

Join author Jan Wong as she reads from her latest book Beijing Confidential: A Tale of Comrades Lost and Found. The work is an intriguing emotional journey into the past and a penetrating analysis of the "new" Beijing. Question and answer to follow. Call 416-395-5639 to register. Part of the TPL's Asian Heritage Month celebration.
North York Central Library Auditorium. 7pm. Free.

Come out and join the Warriors Clan! Meet "Erin Hunter", the authors of the popular "Warriors" series, as they reads from the latest book The Power of Three: Outcast. Enthusiasts should check out www.warriorcats.com to watch the amazing Warriors video, find out your Warriors name and clan, and download Warriors iron-ons to create your own t-shirts!
Indigo Yonge & Eglinton. 7pm. Free.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/05/torontos_literary_events_may_6th_12th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/05/torontos_literary_events_may_6th_12th_2008 Books & Lit Tue, 06 May 2008 09:51:03 PDT Books & Lit Kari 2008-05-06T09:51:03 Walk Walk Walk, the Jane Jacobs Way
Despite the cool temps and the threat of rain this weekend, the planned Jane's Walk will proceed as planned! Jane Jacobs will be duly celebrated with free walking tours through various neighbourhoods in the city. Jane's Walk was started up last year by a group of her peers and friends, as a way to honour her legacy and ensure our memory of this ground-breaking activist remains fresh. Jacobs died from a stroke on April 25th, 2006, at the age of 89, in Toronto Western Hospital.

For those of you who don't know (shame on you!), Jane Jacobs was a vocal urbanist, whose ideas centred on promoting community-based progress in our cities. She penned a now-infamous book in the early 60s entitled The Death and Life of Great American Cities, where she emphasized the importance of localized, mixed-use buildings that promote sustainable, community living. Her efforts were most visible here in Toronto when she played a large part in the cessation of the proposed Spadina Expressway in 1971, which would've carved an ass-fault through the centre of our city along Cedarvale Ravine.

More...

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/04/walk_walk_walk_the_jane_jacobs_way http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/04/walk_walk_walk_the_jane_jacobs_way City Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:19:11 PDT City Kari 2008-04-30T17:19:11 Toronto's Literary Events: April 29th - May 5th, 2008
Welcome to this week's summary of literary events happening in Toronto.

Tuesday, April 29th:

FREE SPEECH returns with another fabulous line-up of Parkdale/High Park-based wordsmiths. Novelist Michael Winter, playwright Claudia Dey and comedian Katie Crown will be featured this month, along with country crooner Justin Rutledge. Hosted and curated by Johan Hultqvist.
Tinto. 7pm (arrive early, as seats are limited!) Free.

Author Jim Munroe (author of An Opening Act of Unspeakable Evil) moderates a panel of three up-and-coming local writers - Emily Pohl-Weary (Strange Times at Western High), Paul Hong (Your Love is Murder, or the Case of the Mangled Pie) and Kristyn Dunnion (Big Big Sky) on how and why to get started writing Science Fiction, mysteries and other genre fiction. Q&A to follow. Part of the TPL's Canada Council Heritage Series.
Eatonville Branch. 7pm. Free.

Experienced independent investor, Gail Bebee, discusses her new book, No Hype - The Straight Goods on Investing Your Money, the book she couldn't find when she decided to take control of her investments. Ms. Bebee completed the Canadian Securities Course with honours and is a member of the Tycoon's Investment Club. Question and answer to follow. Call 416-395-5639 to register.
North York Central Library Auditorium. 7pm. Free.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/04/torontos_literary_events_april_29th_may_5th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/04/torontos_literary_events_april_29th_may_5th_2008 Books & Lit Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:00:00 PDT Books & Lit Kari 2008-04-29T10:00:00 Cleaning Green on Earth Day in Toronto
Happy Earth Day everyone! With the growing concern for our environment, and the persuasion of some highly influential public figures, "going green" is foremost in many people's minds. Today is a good day to starting acting on those little flickers of conscience you keep having.

One of the ways you can do your part is to adjust your spring-cleaning routine. We've all heard of the chemical scare concerning the bisphenol-A content in our water containers, baby bottles, etc. But what about the chemicals under your sink? Many of the traditional cleaning solutions contain high levels of toxins, which contribute to the declining health of our planet (think run-off into our water systems, aerosols, petroleum-based products, etc.).

The next obvious question to ask is how these products affect our own health. Chronic asthma and other respiratory problems can escalate when aggravated by household chemicals. Same goes for skin conditions reactant to air borne chemicals. And the fumes! The fumes do much more than making an oven scrub a "flying good time".

]]> http://www.blogto.com/environment/2008/04/cleaning_green_on_earth_day_in_toronto http://www.blogto.com/environment/2008/04/cleaning_green_on_earth_day_in_toronto Environment Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:37:09 PDT Environment Kari 2008-04-22T16:37:09 Toronto's Literary Events: April 22nd - 28th, 2008
Here's a summary of this week's literary events in Toronto, including this year's Canada Council Heritage Series, which features some of Canada's best science fiction and fantasy authors.

Tuesday, April 22nd:

Michael Eric Dyson, one of the most influential Black American authors, speaks about Martin Luther King's legacy 40 years after his death. The author of 16 books, including Debating Race, Holler if You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur and Why I Love Black Women, Dyson is making a rare Toronto appearance to talk about the "Promised Land" King spoke of in his final speech. Presented by A Different Booklist & The Centre for Urban Schooling.
University of Toronto, Earth Sciences Auditorium. 6:30pm. Free.

Kelley Armstrong, the author of the wildly popular Otherworld series, will read from her latest novel, Personal Demon, the sexy, action-packed story of a half-demon tabloid journalist and her adventures in crime. Also catch a sneak preview of her next novel, The Summoning. Q&A to follow. Part of this week's ongoing Canada Council Heritage Series, presented by the Toronto Public Library.
Eatonville Branch. 7pm. Free.

Join us as world renowned authors Jhumpa Lahiri, author of Unaccustomed Earth, and Michael Ondaatje, author of Divisadero, take the stage to present their latest books. Lewis DeSoto hosts. Part of the International Readings at Harbourfront series.
Harbourfront Centre Brigantine Room. 7:30pm. $8.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/04/torontos_literary_events_april_22nd_28th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/04/torontos_literary_events_april_22nd_28th_2008 Books & Lit Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:00:00 PDT Books & Lit Kari 2008-04-22T10:00:00 Toronto's Literary Events: April 15th - 21st, 2008
National Poetry Month continues, with a multitude of readings going on across the nation (across the continent really, it's the Academy of American Poets month to celebrate, too).

Tuesday, April 15th:

Rick Blechta will give a lecture entitled "It's Not Whodunnit, it's Howhedunnit!", where he dishes the dirt behind the creation of his new crime novel, A Case of You. This is Rick's new library program for fans as opposed to aspiring writers.
Runnymede Branch. 7-9pm. Free.

Johanna Skibsrud, author of Late Nights With Wild Cowboys, and Karen Houle, author of During, are reading tonight at the Draft Reading Series. Also appearing are Kate Marshall Flaherty and Catherine Graham.
Soma Restaurant & Lounge. 8pm. $5 (includes a copy of DRAFT).

The Art Bar Poetry Reading Series presents Paul Wilson, Elizabeth Rhett Woods and The PoetiKs.
Clinton's. 8pm. Free (donations accepted).

Come out for the Coffeehouse Cabaret Open Stage featuring music, spoken word, and comedy. Hosted by Shawn Sage.
Renaissance Cafe. Sign up is at 8:30pm, show starts at 9pm. Free.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/04/torontos_literary_events_april_15th_21st_2008 http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/04/torontos_literary_events_april_15th_21st_2008 Books & Lit Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:00:00 PDT Books & Lit Kari 2008-04-15T10:00:00 Toronto's Literary Events: April 8th- 14th, 2008
LOTS of stuff going on this week, with continuing events celebrating National Poetry Month, and a TINARS-a-thon.

Tuesday, April 8th:

Celebrate the launch of Roman Dress and the Fabrics of Roman Culture, a creative non-fiction volume edited by Jonathan Edmondson and Alison Keith, investigating the social symbolism and cultural poetics of dress in the ancient Roman world in the period from 200 BCE to 400 CE.
Trinity College, Provost Lodge. 6-8pm.

Join Indigo for an on stage interview with author and U of T business prof Richard Florida about his latest book, Who's Your City. Book signing to follow.
Indigo Bay & Bloor. 7pm. Free.

How do we learn to identify the "fun" in family dysfunction? At the Canadian launch of her much celebrated memoir, House Rules, author Rachel Sontag will have a spirited on-stage conversation about overcoming a decidedly zany, traumatic upbringing with Damian Rogers, Arts & Lifestyle Editor at EYE Weekly. A TINARS event.
Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar. 7:30pm (doors 7pm). Free.

More...

]]> http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/04/torontos_literary_events_april_8th_14th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/04/torontos_literary_events_april_8th_14th_2008 Books & Lit Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:00:00 PDT Books & Lit Kari 2008-04-08T10:00:00 Toronto's Literary Events: April 1st - 7th, 2008
If you love poetry, then listen up, man.
April is National Poetry Month.
Readings, workshops, parties and slams.
...
Dammit! There's nothing that rhymes with month.

Tuesday, April 1st:

Throughout the month of April, The League of Canadian Poets will be featuring several renowned poets, as part of this year's National Poetry Month. Come out for the official launch, a meet and mingle reception with poetry readings, a question and answer session moderated by Martin Levin, as well as the announcement of the shortlist for the Gerald Lampert Award and the Pat Lowther Award. Canada's Poet Laureate John Steffler, as well as other notable poets, will be reading.
Ben McNally Books. RIGHT NOW! It started at 9am. Free.

Are you ready to kick off your penny loafers and rock out to a book? Celebrated author Ibi Kaslik will perform a musical piece based on The Angel Riots, her highly anticipated new novel about the fleeting nature of indie rock stardom in Canada. Also performing is Apostle of Hustle. Senior Editor of EYE WEEKLY, Stuart Berman, hosts this TINARS event.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. 7pm. Free.

Celebrate the launch of Stan Dragland's newest novel, The Drowned Lands. It tells the coming-of-age story of three young friends, set in a small Ontario town in the early 1900s.
Supermarket. 7:30pm. Free.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/04/torontos_literary_events_april_1st_7th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/04/torontos_literary_events_april_1st_7th_2008 Books & Lit Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:00:00 PDT Books & Lit Kari 2008-04-01T10:00:00 Toronto's Literary Events: March 25th - 31st, 2008
Some really great historically/politically motivated works are being launched this week, including William Dalrymple's book The Last Mughal: The Eclipse of a Dynasty, 1857, and Daoud Hari's memoir The Translator. And for the not-so-serious (young adult) reader, this weekend marks the annual Ad Astra conference, featuring sci-fi writers like husband-wife duo Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta.

Tuesday, March 25th:

Java Knights presents a public forum with five guest appearances from Toronto's gay and lesbian community. Jeffrey Round, Todd Klinck, Donald D'Haene, Pat Capponi and Debra Anderson will all be reading from their books, which will be followed by a moderated panel discussion and audience questions. Author's books will be available for purchase and signing afterwards. This will be the first gay Book Slam in the world!
Gladstone Hotel Art Bar. 7-9pm. Free.

Jeff Latosik, Pier Giorgio Di Cicco (Toronto's Poet Laureate) and Ariel Platt are reading at tonight's Art Bar Poetry Series.
Clinton's. 8pm. Free (voluntary donations appreciated).

The West End reading series/cabaret FREE SPEECH proudly showcases the prose, poetry, spoken word, comedy, storytelling and songwriting of Parkdale-High Park based writers and performers. The March installment features novelist Ray Robertson, poet Karen Solie and actor/writer Maev Beaty. Songwriter of the month is guitar wiz Andy Sheppard. As usual, FREE SPEECH is hosted by Johan Hultqvist.
Tinto. 7pm. Free.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/03/torontos_literary_events_march_25th_31st_2008 http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/03/torontos_literary_events_march_25th_31st_2008 Books & Lit Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:00:00 PDT Books & Lit Kari 2008-03-25T10:00:00 Toronto's Literary Events: March 18th - 24th, 2008
A slow week this week... but still, there are a couple neat things to check out, like Ray Robertson on Jack Kerouac, and the launch of Paul Quarrington's new novel at the Gladstone.

Tuesday, March 18th:

Clara Blackwood (author of Subway Medusa), Rudy Fearon (Noise In My Mind) and Maureen Hynes are reading at tonight's Art Bar Poetry Series.
Clinton's. 8pm. Free (voluntary donations appreciated).

Check out the Coffeehouse Cabaret Open Stage featuring music, spoken word, and comedy, with host Shawn Sage.
Renaissance Cafe. 8:30pm. Free.

The Plasticine Poetry Series presents David Harry Bateman, Yehuda Fisher, Molly Peacock, Elana Wolff, plus an open mic session. Hosted by Cathy Petch.
The Central. 8pm. PWYC.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/03/torontos_literary_events_march_18th_24th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/03/torontos_literary_events_march_18th_24th_2008 Books & Lit Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:00:00 PDT Books & Lit Kari 2008-03-18T10:00:00 Toronto's Literary Events: March 11th - 17th, 2008
The Toronto Public Library has an extensive March Break kids program running this week. Storytellers, magicians, puppet shows, music and animals... oh my! Be sure to check out the schedule for details.

Tuesday, March 11th:

Tightrope Books' Myna Wallin (A Thousand Profane Pieces) will be interviewing Stacey May Fowles (Be Good) this afternoon on CKLN's "In Other Words". This weekly show explores all things literary, from small press to large print, and gives you a sense of the people and the passion behind the words you read and hear.
88.1FM on your tuner's dial, or listen live online at www.ckln.fm. 2pm.

Actress Valerie Bertinelli talks about and signs copies of Losing It, her frank memoir that touches on everything from her complicated family life to her acting career, and her lifelong battle with weight.
Indigo Manulife. 7pm. Free.

Tonight is Open Stage Night at the Art Bar Poetry Reading Series. Sign-up starts at 7:30pm, and each person is allowed to perform one poem (but bring more if you like, in case there's extra time!) Hosted by Stephen Humphrey.
Clinton's. 7:30pm. Free.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/03/torontos_literary_events_march_11th_17th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/03/torontos_literary_events_march_11th_17th_2008 Books & Lit Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:00:00 PDT Books & Lit Kari 2008-03-11T10:00:00 Bookmark This: March 4th to 10th, 2008 Three things of note this week. One: the Poets Laureate have inundated the area! Two: U of T presents the latest art festival in Toronto, and Three: Dan Misener strikes again.

Tuesday, March 4th:

To celebrate the release of her latest work Mistress Of The Sun (a tale of Louise de la Vallière, consort to Sun King Louis XIV), novelist Sandra Gulland will model an elaborate seventeenth century-style gown designed by Susan Dicks and then peel it off layer by layer, while being interviewed by Nathalie Atkinson of The National Post. A This Is Not A Reading Series event.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. 7pm. Free.

Acclaimed author Linda McQuaig presents her most recent book, Holding the Bully's Coat, which exposes Canada's role in Afghanistan and in the US empire. Following the program, Linda will be available for a book-signing (books will be for sale throughout the evening). Others speakers include representatives from the Afghan community in Toronto and the Canadian Peace Alliance.
Steelworkers' Hall. 7-9pm. $5 or PWYC.

Lyn Hamilton and Rick Blechta will be reading in the last of a six-part series featuring Canada's top crime writers, presented in association with Crime Writers of Canada.
Casa Loma. 7:30pm. $12.

The Art Bar Poetry Reading Series welcomes Robert Boates, John Allemang and Bill Howell to the stage tonight.
Clinton's. 8pm. Free.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/03/bookmark_this_march_4th_to_10th_2008 http://www.blogto.com/books_lit/2008/03/bookmark_this_march_4th_to_10th_2008 Books & Lit Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:20:00 PST Books & Lit Kari 2008-03-04T09:20:00