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Literary elite gather in honour of Canadian authors for the 26th annual Writers’ Trust Gala

Writers’ Trust executive director Don Oravec and author Margaret Atwood (Image: Tom Sandler)

Forty-three of Canada’s most distinguished authors were invited to share an evening with over 400 guests last night, raising $190,000 for the Writers’ Trust of Canada. Members of the literary elite like Margaret Atwood, Lawrence Hill, Karen Connelly, Michael Lista and Jane Urquhart were presented with white medals alongside more unexpected authors, such as Fashion Television host Jeanne Beker, politician Michael Ignatieff, celebrity chef Mark McEwan, Hockey Night in Canada’s Ron MacLean and Dragons’ Den’s Kevin O’Leary. Authors were scattered throughout the space, each seated at a roundtable of paying guests—every attendee received an autographed book from their table’s author. “We’re trying to expose writers to an audience. If people meet the author, they’re more likely to not only buy the book, but also to become fans of the author,” explained executive director Don Oravec. Proceeds from the night went towards Berton House, a writers’ retreat residence, and the Woodcock Fund, an emergency fund for writers. Check out the scene in a gallery after the jump.

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The Goods

Sweet Charity

November 11, 2011 | 5:04 pm

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Gallery: We picked eight notables who could make a difference this Movember

November has unofficially become Movember, which means that brothers, sons, fathers, husbands and lovers have taken to growing whatever semblance of a moustache they can to become “mos.” For one month, the 1970s male escort look will become ubiquitous, and some will like it and others won’t, but it’s all in the name of charity—donations raised by participants go to Prostate Cancer Canada. We thought we’d call on some of the most talked about Toronto notables (who could make a big difference with their wallets) this Movember, and we’ve taken it upon ourselves to mock up just what that might look like. Check out Rachel McAdams, Margaret Atwood, Rob Ford, Suzanne Rogers, Justin Bieber (we know he isn’t exactly a Toronto notable, but we thought it would be fun) and more in a gallery after the jump, and if you like what you see, get the look using Torontoist’s very helpful grooming tips on how not to look like a jerk this Movember (it is our belief that everyone will want the “McAdams”).

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The Hype

To-Do List

November 2, 2011 | 3:05 pm

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The Weekender: Don Giovanni, Literary Death Match and six other events on our to-do list

Phillip Addis as Don Giovanni, giant pumpkins at the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair, Matthew Good

1. LITERARY DEATH MATCH TORONTO
In this singularly silly lit event, four authors (Grace O’Connell, Carolyn Black, Rebecca Rosenblum and Dani Couture this time around) give readings of their best pieces of writing. After each reading, the panel of judges (poet Ryan Kamstra, comedian Lindy Zucker and National Post books editor Mark Medley) offer up American Idol–esque commentary (more Paula than Simon) before narrowing the field to two finalists, who compete in a madcap showdown (last time involved throwing cupcakes at a poster of Margaret Atwood). November 6. $10. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., 416-531-4635, literarydeathmatch.com.

2. THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL WINTER FAIR
Even the hippest Torontonian could use a little rodeo in their lives now and again. The annual fair is back in town, with its gigantic horses, veggies of unusual proportion, craft shopping and the ever-popular SuperDogs. We do have one small beef with this longtime Toronto tradition: why does it have to be called the winter fair? For the record, it’s still fall, and we’re not nearly ready for winter yet. November 4 to 13. $22. Ricoh Coliseum, 100 Princes’ Blvd., 416-263-3400, royalfair.org.

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The Informer

The New Normal

October 21, 2011 | 4:30 pm

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Occupy Toronto Wish List: seven Toronto celebrities we hope to see at some point at St. James Park

Occupy Wall Street marked its one-month anniversary on Monday, and over the course of the last 30-odd days it’s attracted some big name supporters—Kanye West and Russell Simmons were spotted checking out the scene at Liberty Square and Zuccotti Park, as were Mark Ruffalo, Penn Badgley, George Clooney, Alec Baldwin, Susan Sarandon, Michael Moore, Tim Robbins and Mike Myers, just to name a few. Here at Occupy Toronto, we’ve witnessed a single star commingling with the 99 per cent: Rachel McAdams. Since the Toronto protest is still relatively new, we thought we’d put out a call to a few of our favourite local celebs to help give the campers in St. James Park a little extra exposure. See the slideshow of who made our celebrity wish list, after the jump.

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The Informer

Gravy Train Wreck

October 17, 2011 | 5:20 pm

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Will freshly proposed library cuts spark the triumphant return of Margaret Atwood?

At the end of last week, Toronto Public Library staff proposed a host of cuts as part of an effort to meet Rob Ford’s demands for slashed budgets (we’re not even going to bother making efficiency jokes anymore). Ford backed away from outright library closures amidst widespread public outcry last month, but it’s likely that the new proposed cuts could generate just as much opposition.

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The Informer

Ford Focus

October 11, 2011 | 5:45 pm

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Sue-Ann Levy finds new and creative ways to bash unions, Margaret Atwood

Mayor Rob Ford’s personal stenographer Toronto Sun columnist Sue-Ann Levy believes that Tim Hudak only has himself—and not Rob Ford—to blame for his monumental meltdown in last week’s provincial election. According to Levy, Hudak’s failure to embrace Toronto’s diverse population, his inability to convince voters he could reign in spending (and lower the HST) and his anti-gay campaign flyers contributed to his loss more than Ford ever did. Hmmm. A conservative politician who appears to reject Toronto’s diversity while also being decried by many as homophobic? That doesn’t sound a touch familiar, does it? Of course, Levy’s too busy ripping on unions and Margaret Atwood to tackle that question. Read the entire story [Toronto Sun] »

The Informer

Quibbling Rivalries

September 21, 2011 | 4:44 pm

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Margaret Atwood meets Doug Ford in person; universe refuses to explode

If you’re tired of reading stories about big idea man Doug Ford and literary nobody Margaret Atwood, you can thank Councillor Michael Thompson for writing what should be the final chapter on their public spat when he introduced the pair to one another at a party earlier this week. According to Thompson, “They were warm and charming and relaxed together.” Atwood took to Twitter to register her excitement in the form of a just-intelligible tweet where she channels her inner pre-teen to eerie effect: “T-pals, UnBLeevAbul! I just met D. Ford! At a NotTimmies Arts Party! (He knows what I look like now! :D) Sez #librarieswill not be cut! :D” Thank you, Councillor Thompson. Thank you. See the entire story, including an unforgettable photo [Toronto Star] »

The Hype

Shelf Life

September 20, 2011 | 1:55 pm

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New Toronto Review of Books reviews Twitter, among other things

The London Review of Books touts itself as having “stood up for the tradition of the literary and intellectual essay in English.” The New York Review of Books is a space where “the most interesting and qualified minds of our time…discuss current books and issues in depth.” Launching today, the Toronto Review of Books is an online quarterly which “aims to combine the miscellany of blogging with the editorial rigour of traditional print media.” In the inaugural edition: a pair of podcasts hosted by CBC Radio’s David Michael Lamb, poetry by an Icelandic MP and sundry pieces discussing art, film, books (Android Karenina is reviewed), mean reviews, restaurants and, um, Twitter in Toronto. In her opening letter, editor Jessica Duffin Wolfe writes that the site “is here to reaffirm the value of talking about books” in an age of potential library cuts and ignorant cracks about Margaret Atwood. But the site’s mandate goes beyond mere books to “writing code for a beautiful website, or crafting an enthralling meme.” Colour us optimistic but not quite sold yet. Check out the website »

The Informer

Gravy Train Wreck

September 19, 2011 | 5:35 pm

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Likely suffering from a case of the Mondays, Rob Ford chooses the path of least resistance

A man with a (possible) case of the Mondays (Image: Phil Marion from the Torontolife.com Flickr pool)

Library lovers can rest a little easier, at least for now. The Globe and Mail reported this morning that library closures and cutting 2,000 subsidized daycare spaces are off the table as ways of addressing the city’s budget shortfall. The news comes following what was likely one of the worst weeks thus far for the Rob Ford administration: polls revealed his support is drastically dwindling among the city’s taxpayers citizens and his grand plans for the waterfront took a steady beating.

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The Informer

Gravy Train Wreck

September 14, 2011 | 5:12 pm

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Libraries win out over lower taxes—at least, according to the relative popularity of Toronto’s duelling essay contests

If the city’s competing essay competitions are any indication, there may just be a new kind of barometer for public opinion on city services and taxes. It turns out the Toronto Taxpayers Coalition’s “Lower taxes are good for Toronto because…” contest attracted only about half as many submissions as the Toronto Public Library Workers Union’s “My Library Matters to Me” contest. While the taxpayers coalition offered lunch with Doug Ford as the grand prize, the library workers union enticed entrants with a date with Margaret Atwood. Of course, we’re sure that didn’t skew the results at all (but not really). Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »

The Informer

Ford Focus

September 7, 2011 | 6:15 pm

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Twitter doesn’t like Rob Ford (and we’re guessing he doesn’t love Twitter either)

The Toronto Star is reporting that jabs at Rob Ford on Twitter and other social media sites rose significantly in the wake of his Pride Parade snub, his bizarre comments on graffiti and his brother’s recent spat with Margaret Atwood. In other words, the Star is telling us something we’ve known for a long time: the Internet doesn’t like Rob Ford, especially when he makes polarizing decisions or says, you know, crazy things (although it did show up for his Ford Fest barbecue this weekend). One political science professor told the Star that the numbers support the belief that Ford’s honeymoon period is over, and although Ford’s actual approval rating (not his Twitter approval rating) has dropped since April, we’re not sure the news of the “honeymoon” ever reached the social networking site (but, really, a honeymoon with legions of micro-bloggers who hate your guts doesn’t sound like a very nice trip anyway). Of course, we’re also guessing that Ford probably doesn’t care. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »

The Informer

Ford Focus

September 1, 2011 | 3:55 pm

1 Comment

Police chief versus mayor: Bill Blair takes on Rob Ford over budget cuts

Every city department is being forced to reckon with major budget cuts—just as Rob Ford instructed earlier this year. Most departments don’t have the public profile or sufficient respect from taxpayers to make a stink about the cuts—unless they have, say, Margaret Atwood in their corner—but the police sure do. Chief of Police Bill Blair has been warning for months now that the budget constraints his department’s facing could lead to close to 1,000 officers and staff getting axed, and as of yesterday he’s no longer being discreet about it.

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The Informer

Ford Focus

August 30, 2011 | 3:30 pm

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Duelling Toronto essay contests pit lunch with Doug Ford against a date with Margaret Atwood

Not to be outdone by the library-loving elite and the Toronto Public Library Workers Union’s “My Library Matters to Me” contest—in which entrants vie to win a “literary-themed outing” with Margaret Atwood (amongst other notable Canadian authors)—the Toronto Taxpayers Coalition is offering lunch with Doug Ford (or Toronto Sun columnist Sue-Ann Levy) as the grand prize in a contest of its own. In the right-wing advocacy group’s challenge, entrants must respond to the statement “Lower taxes are good for Toronto because…” while in the library workers union’s version contestants express their love of the city’s public libraries. Of course, despite the two contests having a near-identical format, similar prizes, and deadlines just a day apart, the coalition insists its competition isn’t a response to the library union’s (uh, right). Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »

The Informer

Quibbling Rivalries

August 29, 2011 | 5:38 pm

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Sun columnist to Margaret Atwood: stay out of the debate on Toronto’s finances (or be labelled a dog)

In most recent column, Toronto Sun columnist Sue-Ann Levy says that unless Margaret Atwood has a solution to balance the city’s books, she should stay out of the debate. Although Levy spends a fair bit of time with her foot in her mouth, we can appreciate her desire for constructive ideas in the ongoing debate on the state of Toronto’s finances (although that’s a pretty generous reading of her words). But we also have to question Levy’s sincerity. After all, she’s given Atwood the nickname “La Poodle” (she insists she’s “affectionately” bestowed the moniker onto the “prolific” author). Our question to Ms. Levy: should you really be giving people communication advice when you compare them to a dog? Read the entire story [Toronto Sun] »

The Informer

Ford Focus

August 26, 2011 | 2:33 pm

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Doug Ford and Margaret Atwood go at it again—but nobody gets called stupid this time

She doesn’t think Doug Ford is stupid (Image: Marco Secchi/ Getty Images Entertainment/ Getty Images)

Yesterday, at a fundraiser for the Toronto Public Library union, the ongoing hostilities between Doug Ford and Margaret Atwood reached something of a détente: Atwood said Doug and brother Rob Ford are not, in fact, stupid, and Councillor Ford, for his part, said that he appreciates her saying that.

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