TOM THOMSON TOPS GIFT LIST THIS SEASON

The Late Great Canadian Artist Is Inspiration For Christmas Gift List At The McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Klienburg, Ontario.

The West Wind -  Tom Thomson

Tom Thomson cup

During his brief, but brilliant career, Tom Thomson was profoundly influenced by the Canadian landscape and his influence on Canadian art has become invaluable; it is astonishing to know that Thomson’s patron, Dr. McCallum, would receive sketches from the artist with a request to try and sell them for $10 or $15 each! Bargain gift hunting these days for Thomson originals may prove somewhat challenging, but don’t fret or frown—the McMichael Gallery Shop has plenty of Tom Thomson gifts for all your friends and family this season!

A Treasury of Tom Thomson, $24.95, paperback, 160 pages with 62 colour illustrations. (Douglas & McIntyre, October 2011). Art historian Joan Murray has constructed a beautiful, intimate treasury of Thomson´s “best paintings,” as chosen by these artist friends and later major collectors, and has written an insightful commentary on each one. Knowing the story that lies behind Thomson´s great works helps us to view these paintings with new insight and appreciation. We understand what makes these works special.

Northern Light: The Enduring Mystery of Tom Thomson and the Woman Who Loved Him, by author Roy MacGregor, $22.00, softcover, 356 pages. (Random House Canada, 2011). MacGregor breaks new ground, re-examining the mysteries of Thomson's life, loves and violent death in the definitive non-fiction account. As Roy MacGregor's richly detailed Northern Light reveals, not much is as it seems when it comes to Tom Thomson, the most iconic of Canadian painters. Philandering deadbeat or visionary artist and gentleman, victim of accidental drowning or deliberate murder, the man's myth has grown to obscure the real view—and the answers to the mysteries are finally revealed in these pages.

The West Wind, Giclee Reproduction, $200.00, 18.5 x 21.25 inches, unframed, or
The Jack Pine, large reproduction, $25.00, 16 x 20 inches, unframed. Two of Thomson's most popular paintings are currently on tour in the highly acclaimed European exhibition Painting Canada: Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, organized by Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, England. Giclee reproductions are a unique method of fine art reproduction. Using archival dye based inks, and archival watercolour papers, they are properly matched, and will last from 50-200 years. Image quality, sharpness, and colour saturation, place Giclee reproductions in a league of their own.

Right in the first room you are faced by two of the most totemic and radical images...Tom Thomson's Jack Pine and The West Wind from 1916, are set against the water and hills of Algonquin Park, the brash and windy wilderness he made his own.
 -- The Independent, London, UK

Wildflowers Silk Scarf, $40.00
Tom Thomson painted Wildflowers as an oil on board in 1915 and it is now a part of the McMichael’s permanent collection, gifted by Mr. R.A. Laidlaw. Designed with the Wildflowers image, these beautiful 100% silk scarves come in two different styles, with a yellow or green border. The scarf is a magnificent article of Thomson art, sized at 34 x 35 inches (88 x 85 cm). Dryclean only.

McMichael Membership with McIntosh® Tom Thomson Campfire Set of Mugs. Give the gift of a McMichael Membership and receive 25% off a McIntosh® Tom Thomson Campfire Set of Mugs to top off your gift...or treat yourself! With the purchase of an Individual Membership, receive a McIntosh® Tom Thomson Set of 2 Campfire Mugs for only $18 ($25 retail value). With the purchase of a Family Membership, receive a McIntosh® Tom Thomson Set of 4 Campfire Mugs for only $30 ($40 retail value). Presented in a keepsake box, each mug is four inches high and holds 360ml and is microwave and dishwasher safe. These special Gift Memberships may be purchased in person at the Gallery Shop or by calling 905.893.1121 ext 2207. For details, please email us at membership@mcmichael.com or visit www.mcmichael.com.

The McMichael Gallery Shop has a wonderful selection of gifts for everyone on your list. To place your order, call 905.893.1121 or toll free 1.888.213.1121, ext. 2237, or shop online anytime, day or night, for art reproductions, books, exhibition merchandise, placemats, calendars, and more at www.mcmichael.com.

About the McMichael Canadian Art Collection

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of more than 5,500 artworks, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, First Nations and Inuit artists. The gallery is located on Islington Avenue, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in Kleinburg, and is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors/students and $30 for families. There is a $5 fee for parking. For more information about the gallery, visit www.mcmichael.com.

For further information or to receive High Res images, contact:

Stephen Weir, Publicist
Gallery: 905.893.1121 ext. 2529
Toronto Office: 416.489.5868
Cell: 416.801.3101
sweir@mcmichael.com

Media Alert for upcoming Steel Pan Church Service in Mississauga

Media Welcome to Cover/Attend: THE CHRISTMAS OFFERING A religous celebration of Christmas Featuring: Choir, Steel Pan Orchestra, Dancers, and the KCM Praise Team WHEN: Friday December 9, 2011. 6.30 pm. Pre-show beings. 7.30- 9.00pm Christmas Offering Begins featuring Worship in Steel (steel pan orchestra) Sunday December 11, 2011 5.30 pm Pre-show beings. 6.30- 8.30pm Christmas Offering Begins featuring Ron Kenoly, Worship in Steel (steel pan orchestra)

Where: Kingdom Covenant Centre #20-1224 Dundas Street East Mississauga, ON Admission: Free. An offering will be collected For More Information www.patfrancis.org ISSUED FOR THE CHURCH BY: Stephen Weir Stephen Weir & Associates | stephen@stephenweir.com or sweir5492@rogers.com 2482 Yonge Street, Unit 45032, Toronto, ONT. CANADA. M4P 3E3 Tel: 416-489-5868 www.stephenweir.com

Post Script to Story About Stephen Job Devices That Have Changed How PR is done!

. Cue the Bike Helmet Camera/I-Pod .

My son Andrew and I took in the Toronto premier of My Week With Marilyn this evening at the Varsity Theatre. Big event. Too many invites sent out, so many people with tickets were turned away. We were two of the lucky ones - and paid for our luck by sitting in the neck craning front row. Our tickets were thanks to McMichael Canadian Art Collection Marilyn Monroe curator Chris Finn. He had assisted with the promotion of the movie by Alliance Films. Always interesting to watch other PR people work their events. At the end of the film the evening's publicist set up director Simon Curtis outside the theatre for a quick interview with a social media reporter. Have no idea who the fellow was, but, he didn't seem to feel silly (nor did Simon Curtis) conducting the interview with his camera/I-Pod mounted on his bike helmet! Photo by Andrew Weir.

Pizza Gets Social With The Media At The Mad Italian

TWEET WHILE YOU EAT

On Thursday evening (November 3rd) Social media practioners were invited to sample the new Zazzu Pizza Cone at the Mad Italian Gelato Bar on College Street in Toronto.
It was an all male turn-out for the event. Eight tweeters, bloggers and facebookers showed up to sample the new food.

Pictured:

Owner Eli Turkienicz,the man who has purchased the cone making technology and has brought the ZAZZU Hot Cone to Toronto (on left), stands with his cone chef and his business manager, as they deliver a meatball cone and a pepperoni cone to a reporter/blogger for Snap Magazine.

The cone has been available in Toronto for just a month. " The product was first launched in Europe. We purchased the special baking ovens from a manufacturer in Italy, where the products is already very popular," said Turkienicz. " What we have found a bit of a shock is that the cone is a huge hit in Brazil!"

The Mad Italian makes the crispy Zazzu dough in its Bayview cafe (1581 Bayview), and then bakes them on site in specially designed cone stands. The cooking process takes 5-10 minutes. At the Social Media Night bloggers got to try the eight different fillings that the cones come in (pepperoni, vegetarian, margherita, meatball, eggplant parmignana, spinach & ricotta, turkey & pesto and procuitto & mushroom).

OTM magazine writer Andrew Weir finishes off a pizza cone

The Zazzu Hot Cone is improving on a long standing style of casual pizza eating in Toronto's Italian restuarant and club district. For decades clubbers have purchsed pizza slices, and curled them into cone shapes and ate the food as they walked down College Street. Of course, more often than not there was a painful slide-off of the pizza pie slice into the palm of your hand. Problem Solved!

Tweet before you eat. Craigg Slowly (ThatTDotGuy) had 200 followers check out his tweeted pictures of a Cone before he actually took a bite!

Now with the Zazzu Pizza Cone, because it is cooked in the cone shape, there is no slippage at all. They are great on the go, for lunch or after pubbing or clubbing. The Mad Italian is a modern, clean restaurant, so you can eat the cone sitting down (while you tweet) or while you are strolling the College Street track!

Owner Eli Turkienicz - photo by Andrew Weir

The Zazzu Cone baking oven - photo by Andrew Weir

SPECIAL INVITATION TO: FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT BLOGGERS

HAVE YOU TRIED TORONTO'S NEW PIZZA IN A CONE YET?
Find out why everyone is talking about the city's most innovative fresh taste sensation

the mad ITALIAN Gelato Bar
589 College Street

invites you to an

OPEN HOUSE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3
5 pm to 7 pm

Food bloggers are invited to drop by The Mad Italian Gelato Bar, 589 College Street on your way home from work this Thursday evening to sample ZAZZU Hot Cones, Toronto's FIRST pizza in a cone. Similar products have hit the streets of Italy, Brazil and New York City and are finally here!

Meet The Mad Italian owner, Eli Turkienicz who will explain the inspiration and development behind ZAZZU Hot Cones. Watch how each hot cone is individually made using The Mad Italian's exclusive crispy pizza dough recipe, and then baked in specially designed cone stands. Try the original pizza sauce and your choice of toppings. Now available in 8 delicious varieties, ZAZZU Hot Cones are taking the slide off of pizza pie slices, and putting flavour and warmth in the palm of your hand. Great on the go, for lunch, after pubbing or clubbing, or anytime you want an easy to eat, hearty snack made from fresh ingredients.

The Mad Italian Gelato Bar, 589 College St. south side between Clinton and Manning. Parking 2 blocks West. News releases and images will be provided at the restaurant. For more information visit www.maditalian.ca
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To register your attendance please contact:
Linda Crane 905-257-6033 cell 416-727-0112 cranepr@cogeco.ca
*Please bring this invitation with you

The Roots of Talk Radio Begin On The Trinity College Book Sale Media Table.

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Free Speech. Talk Radio and the BBC.
Broadcasting Book published in 1933 talks about talk radio

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You don’t hear about it on radio or TV, but the University of Toronto’s four fall book sales make the city, at least in October the best place to purchase used books in the country. The annual fundraising sales staged by the supporters of Trinity, St Michaels, Victoria and New Colleges, are despite the line-ups, not to be missed events.
College Auditoriums are filled with books. Most are non-fiction. Most are hard-cover. Inexpensive. Collectable. Treasured. And, best yet, erudite (I hid some crime books from view until check out time just to escape the dunning glances of hundreds of better educated shoppers).
You don’t know what you are going to find. This year, at the Trinity Sale, I picked up a signed copy of the letters of Stephen Leacock, a First Edition 1930s Nero Wolf crime novel and the booklet, 100 Years Ottawa and the Valley, published by Renfrew historian Harry J. Walker and the Ottawa Journal. I bought a copy from Harry in 1967 for a $1 but lost it in a house fire. This copy, complete with a coffee cup stain on the cover was just four dollars.
Not all of my buy were studied purchases. I bought a $2 book on the history of Broadcasting written only 11-years after the BBC went on the air! It was a toonie I was glad I spent – it is fascinating to see how Talk Radio began and how the world’s view of radio has changed so much since 1933.
The first edition book, Broadcasting, was written by Hilda Matheson for the Home University Library of Modern Knowledge in London, England. Matheson (1888 to 1940) was the BBC’s first director of talks and helped shape talk radio. She is credited with founding radio journalism and the notion of quality radio and was responsible for bringing many key thinkers of the day to the microphone, including George Bernard Shaw and Vita Sackville-West (who, according to the BBC, later became her lover.)

“To some people, probably, this latest means of contact between man and man (public radio) still seems deplorable, mechanical and unreal. It is all part, they feel, of a modernization and vulgarization upon which they would fain turn their backs.”
Opposition to talk radio came from all quarters, including historian and novelist H.G. Wells who clashed on air with Matheson about censorship, free speech and the usefulness of radio. Although he would later embrace the medium, he saw the technology as providing the government with a raucous intolerable loudspeaker.
When the book was published, the BBC had already launched a fledging television service. TV sets were scarce, programming slight and broadcast quality sketchy at best, so radio was still king. In 1933 a live-radio interview in the evening would be listened to by over 12-million people in England alone.
Hilda Matheson called it Educational Radio … we know it today as Talk Radio. The concept that people talk about issues and ideas that are shaping the issues of the day got its start through the direction of Matheson.
It is fascinating to see how the “mother” of broadcast gab equated talk radio with free speech. Although Talk Radio has matured and evolved these days, 78 -years later her opinions still have merit!
“The future for adult education (talk radio) in broadcasting seems promising, given two conditions,” wrote Matheson in her book Broadcasting.
“Educational series (talk radio shows) need to use a new way of presentation as much as any other form of broadcast; one dull, dead, formal talk undoes the good of dozens of living talks; there is in fact no excuse for a bad talk, and every justification for a good one.
“In so far as educational talks can conform to the inescapable requirement of all programmes - that they shall be interesting - without lowering in any way their intrinsic quality and standard, their influence will reach its high-water mark. The other condition is the spirit in which broadcasting authorities face the problems of free speech. “
“New ideas will always appear revolutionary, and those who are responsible for them cranks or worse,” she continued. “An impression of left-wing bias is always liable to be created by any agency, which voices unfamiliar views; it does not follow that the ideas themselves are of the left.”
“In practice, they usually hail from every point of the compass. How is the inevitable fear they provoke to be reconciled with the spirit of open-minded enquiry, which is inseparable from all education, from any search after truth?
“The experience of England and America shows that by choosing responsible speakers (on-air hosts) accustomed to fair-minded discussion and free from reproach as narrow propagandists, an open forum can be maintained with success and without offence. Whatever may be the case with political broadcasting, education can afford to make no compromise with free thought. “

Defining love is a complicated thing - but three Charles Taylor finalists are up to the task

This Saturday Night at IFOA - the Topic is Love!

James Chatto

Over the past six years I have escorted all of the shortlisted authors for the Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction to media interviews. History. Travel. Murder. Biography. Revolution. Time. Family. Art. Canada's top non-fiction authors have explored it all in their highly respected books.
Interviews are easy when the book topics are fact based. straight ahead questions lead to straight ahead answers. When it comes to love it is all a bit different. Love is not definable, at least not to most writers.
This weekend, three experts are going to give it their best. James Chatto. Elizabeth Abbott and John Terpestra.

James Chatto is an articulate writer who made a name for himself in the pages of Toronto Life where he wrote about wine and dining for years. I met him when his book Greek for Love, was nominated for the Charles Taylor Prize. It is a book about love, love between James and his wife as they escape from the hustle and bustle of Toronto in the sixties and seventies, and move to rural Greece. It is also the story of love and sorrow as their young son slowly dies from illness in what should have been their home in Eden.
Elizabeth Abbott was nominated for her book Sugar, which has little to do with love beyond issues of greed and sugar corporation's love of money. However, Linda Crane and myself assisted her with the promotion of her next book A History of Marriage. In this GG nominated book Abbott takes a clinical view towards love, especially when it involves marriage. Her History of Marriage points out that in the not to distant past love had very little to do with marriage at all.
John Terpestra, a Hamilton based poet talks about many types of love - the love he has for his wife and the love that three dying brothers (his wife's nephews)as they come to grips with death in his nominated book The Boys, or, Waiting For the Electrician's Daughter.
I sent out a Canadian News Wire release about the evening, with CBC host Mary Ito. I have printed it below because it gives the nuts and bolts of the evening. If you are media please drop me a note if you wish to cover this unique Idea City type discussion about Love.


Charles Taylor Prize Celebrates Love at IFOA
TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2011 /CNW/ -

Words of Love
Featuring Prize finalists from the past ten years: Elizabeth Abbott, James Chatto & John Terpstra. Moderator: CBC Fresh Air host Mary Ito

WHAT:

Round Table discussion about "love" with past nominees for
The Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction
at International Festival Of Authors (IFOA)
Regular: $18. Members: $15. Students/Youth: FREE. Purchase tickets at the door or at:
http://www.readings.org/?q=ifoa/charles_taylor_prize_words_of_love
WHEN:
Saturday, October 22, 2011
5pm to 6pm
WHERE:
Toronto's Harbourfront Centre
York Quay - Lakeside Terrace
WHO: * Elizabeth Abbott is a writer and historian. Dr. Abbott's latest book is A History of Marriage, nominated for a Governor General's Literary Award; and A History of Celibacy, which won a Governor General's Award for Translation in 2002. She received a nomination for the Charles Taylor Prize in 2009 for her book Sugar: A Bittersweet History
* James Chatto is an award-winning food, wine and travel writer whose work has appeared in leading magazines and newspapers throughout Canada, England and the United States. His book The Greek for Love was nominated for the 2006 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction.
* John Terpstra is a Hamilton based author and poet. His poetry book Disarmament, was shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award for Poetry. His book The Boys, or, Waiting For the Electrician's Daughter, was shortlisted for the Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction in 2006.
The moderator is CBC Fresh Air host Mary Ito.
WHY: The Charles Taylor Prize is the country's most prestigious literary non-fiction award. Since 2000, the Prize has been a major driving force behind the recognition and growth of Canadian non-fiction.
At the annual International Festival Of Authors, The Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction presents a conversation on writing about the elusive, fraught and romantic world of love with authors Elizabeth Abbott, James Chatto and John Terpstra. The CBC's Mary Ito moderates. This event is part of CBC Day, where Canada's national broadcaster, the CBC, lends members of its radio and television team to host, moderate or interview at Festival events.
The Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction is presented by the Charles Taylor Foundation with the support of its partners: Ben McNally Books, CNW Group, Event Source, Indigo Books and Music, Le Meridien King Edward Hotel, Quill & Quire, The Globe and Mail, and Windfields Farm.
For more information: www.thecharlestaylorprize.ca

For further information:
Media are requested to confirm their attendance with Stephen Weir & Associates:



Stephen Weir: 416-489-5868 cell: 416-801-3101 stephen@stephenweir.com
Linda Crane: 905-257-6033 cell: 416-727-0112 cranepr@cogeco.ca