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Life Eruptions: Full Interview
A Closer Look at Mary Stanik and Her Novel Life Erupted By Rebecca Taylor Life can often take unexpected turns. Jenn Bergquist, protagonist of Mary Stanik’s Life Erupted, is no exception—there are quite a few twists and turns along the way in her story. Her life is turned upside down when she meets Bianca Fiona, a new patient at the medical centre where Jenn works. Jenn embarks on a journey at Bianca’s request, but little does Jenn know that this adventure will change everything from her views on family to her outlook on life. I took the opportunity to talk with Mary Stanik about her book and about life’s many trials.
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Life Erupted
Review of the Debut Novel by Mary Stanik By Rebecca Taylor I must admit I was skeptical at first about reading Life Erupted by Mary Stanik. I have read many self-published books before, and to be honest, it is often self-evident that they are self-published. However, this book was different. The idea for the book, the way it was written, and the way everything in the novel flowed together was like a book that was published by a major publishing house. There were some line-editing errors, but there are grammatical oversights in novels that are printed by major publishers, if we are being perfectly honest. But despite the occasional error,…
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Old-World Pizza on the Danforth
Review of Pizzeria Libretto By Anoja Muthucumaru I have the good luck of reporting a taste bud-altering encounter with pizza at Pizzeria Libretto. Pizzeria Libretto is an Italian inspired restaurant that opened on the Danforth November 2011. The atmosphere is friendly with an air of laid-back sophistication. The restaurant is packed with regulars like local families, professionals, and students, so seating is limited. The open kitchen anchors the dinning area with two Naples-made wood burning stoves at the back. The centre of the pizzeria is packed with seating and comfortable red booths at the far right. There is an espresso and wine bar to the left.
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Healthy Thoughts
A Year of Mental Health Awareness By Carolyn McKeown Mental health issues have suddenly stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight throughout this past year. Illnesses including anxiety, depression, bipolar disease, and schizophrenia are no longer marginalized and are slowly being recognized as serious forms of sicknesses. Because of recent current events, from disturbing murders to the fateful suicide of Canada’s 15-year-old, Amanda Todd, mental illness is finally receiving the attention it has so badly required. The significance of having and understanding healthy mental development cannot be overstated. Many people recognize the importance of maintaining a sound mind, but few understand how critical mental and emotional problems are,…
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Stay and Play!
Oaks ‘N Acorns: A Hangout for Parents and Kids By Amanda Kirsten Grant Located right between Coxwell and Woodbine subways stations and across from a park, Oaks ‘N Acorns Activity Centre is in a prime location for parents and children to gather together for fun and relaxation. Owners Winnie and Nicole wanted to create a safe and fun environment where parents in the Danforth area could come together. Oaks ‘N Acorns offers 6–12 week long courses for children newborn to seven years old. Each course—be it dance, art workshops, or baking classes—is taught by a professional instructor. The space offers lots of sitting, so parents can hang out together and…
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People Love El Pipil!
25 Years of Spectacular Style, Sales, and Smiles By Kaavya Sivakumaran The arrival of spring means two important things: sunshine and toasty temperatures are creeping up on us, and it’s the perfect excuse to make some fashionable additions to our warm-weather wardrobes. “Yellow will be in during the fall season,” says Betsy Papachristou, owner of El Pipil, a chic and charming women’s boutique at Danforth and Broadview. The Danforth became home to El Pipil when a relative of a relative of Betsy’s opened the store 25 years ago. After 18 years of owning it herself and developing a relationship with the area and its residents, she says, “we have a…
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Penne Puttanesca
Get Spicy With This Delicious Pasta Recipe! By Christina Guidoccio I love Penne Puttanesca. I remember my Nonna making it for me when I was young. I developed a real taste for it and recently embarked on some kind of quest to find the perfect recipe. Most recipes I’ve found are lacking in the general flavor and spiciness that makes this recipe what it’s supposed to be. So I decided to make my own! This recipe isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’re not into spice, you’ve come to the wrong place. The spice can be scaled up (brave!) or down (boo!) according to taste. Habanero peppers are spicy little devils,…
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Grrrl Power!
Kate Nash Brings Her New Sound to Toronto By Natasha Tsakiris She’s sugar and spice, and not playing nice anymore! No longer a hot and bothered redheaded mess, Kate Nash is electric fire, coming back full-throttle with her third album Girl Talk. The young British singer-songwriter played to a full house Friday night at the legendary Horseshoe Tavern, where she revealed a new look and a new sound. Showing a darker version of her usual bubbly, 50s pinup-girl demeanor, Nash has dropped the piano and picked up the guitar along with a tough-girl attitude, releasing her inner punk-rock chick in the vein of Courtney Love. On Girl Talk, Nash is…
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Canoeing on the Danforth
Photo of the Week
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Art On The Danforth
Artisans at Work: New Gallery and Studio Space By Amanada Kirsten Grant With its floor-to-ceiling art displays, custom-made jewellery case, and welcoming atmosphere, you would never guess Artisans at Work only opened two months ago. Already Tara Shelton and Lorraine Cheng have gathered together unique, local artists to display their work in the gallery. For more than ten years, Tara Shelton has been searching for a place on the Danforth to not only showcase her own jewellery but also bring together members of the community to share their arts and passions. When she finally found the place she had been looking for, Tara invited the Danforth community to join her…
