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Dear John
Why the toilet is hub of literary activity By Naoko Asano At the intersection of public and private space is that muddy area known as the public bathroom. This space accommodates the performance of a very private biological function but is also an open gathering place for strangers. Because of this weird convergence of public and private, public bathrooms are particularly well suited to a unique form of art: graffiti. It’s the stuff found scrawled all over the stall or elsewhere on bathroom walls — confessional rants, political diatribes, jokes, gibberish, doodles, phone numbers — and after a quick survey of the public bathrooms in cafés, restaurants and bars along…
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Kids Book Reviews – by kids!
Great summer reads recommended by Wilkinson Public School students. By Keisha Mair In an age of electronic distractions, finding people who love to read books, especially among the young, seems increasingly rare. But a recent visit to Wilkinson Public School, an elementary school in the Danforth neighbourhood, revealed that modern bibliophiles are alive and well. We sat down with three students, Meleah, Anthony, and Ailie to discuss their most recent reads. Meleah is in grade five and the others are in grade six. All three are active in sports; Meleah is a fan of volleyball and swimming; Ailie, figure skating and soccer, and Anthony is an avid hockey player who…
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Canine Cuisine
For pet’s sake: doesn’t your dog deserve to eat organic too? By Christina Vecchiato News reports from The Canadian Press have shown that commercial dog food can contain additives, chemicals, and other unhealthy ingredients that may negatively affect your pet’s health. Preparing homemade dog food ensures that you know what is going into your pet’s food. It’s also relatively inexpensive and fun to make. Try this recipe and you’ll be convinced. Ingredients 4 cups of rice (brown or white) 4 cups of chicken broth 4 cups of water 1 large bunch of parsley 8 large carrots 1/4 head of cabbage 1 head of broccoli 2 celery stalks 1 pound each…
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The Capitalization of Death
How the funeral industry profits from grief By Cynthia Lessard “I think we should make a guest list,” my mother said. We were sitting in our customary seats next to each other, she on the faded sofa and I on the matching loveseat, separated by a coffee table where we usually place our drinks. “You girls will be there obviously. Colleen, Shar, Peggy. I don’t know about Phil. My brother Terry definitely not…” “A guest list?” I asked. “Should I hire a bouncer too?” We laughed, both fans of black humour. The event we were planning was her funeral. My mother (my best friend) was diagnosed with stage two breast…
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Keeping it Wheel: Life in the Bike Lane
By Rachel Horner Cycling in Toronto has exploded as the choice alternative to motorized transit. Although getting around by bike has always been the perfect compliment to an eco-friendly, economical, and healthy lifestyle, it is only since the wild fluctuation of gas prices that motorists have sat up and taken notice of the bicycle and the increasing number of cyclists on the city’s roads. When I was a child, I’d spend every waking moment on my bike. When puberty struck, the bicycle became a source of social awkwardness and a hindrance to looking cool. The echoes of the taunts about my helmet haunted me from bike rack to door step.…
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The Jon Dore Magazine Interview
By Jason Rhyno Aside from his wonderfully wicked humour, what we love about Jon Dore is that he has fully staffed The Jon Dore Television Show with his friends and fellow comedians. The award-winning, Gemini-nominated show is equal parts satirical shock and sheer honesty, and the fact that he makes a point of hiring and working with his friends is, to steal a line from Jon, “rad to the boner.” Did you study comedy? I took a kindergarten stand-up comedy class when I was five. I did a TV Broadcasting course at Algonquin College in Ottawa. That’s around the same time I started doing stand-up. How old are you now?…
