Dear Silo, you’ve probably heard me talk about my daughter Hannah in the past. She has been called many things: “The future of social media”, “Eco-Warrior”, “Changemaker” and “Activist”. At 10 years old, she is all of these things. And now, she can add Free The Children’s “We Day” speaker to the list. There will be nine We Days across Canada this school year, plus two in the United States. And the first U.K. We Day will happen in London next spring. [More on what “We Day” is all about below CP]
She created her blog, www.CallMeHannah.ca , at 9 years old, with the goal of sharing her growing knowledge and concern for the environment. Having always loved animals, Hannah made the connection between animals and the effects of environmental destruction on their habitats and lives. Hannah has become an engaged global citizen seeking to further her own understanding of her connection to and responsibility to the world. Believing that even the little things that we do add up to make a difference, her journey and discovery meet her call to action through her blog.
Issues that Hannah has written about in the past year include eco-friendly living, fair trade, bullying, clean water and child labour. She seeks inspiration and motivation from those who have come before her and regularly features the stories of her role models on her blog.
Not limiting herself to her laptop, Hannah has put her words into actions. She organized a shoreline cleanup in her community, was a WWF Earth Hour Team Captain 2013 and spoke at the WWFs Earth Hour event in Toronto, was the official “on the ground eco-blogger” for the JUNO Awards and launched We Create Change. Her impassioned speech at two local schools motivated her peers to collect 97,500 pennies for Free The Children’s clean water projects. An effective communicator, Hannah is comfortable and confident on both sides of the camera or in front of a crowd. She has honed her skills as an interviewer through conducting interviews with Craig Kielburger, Spencer West and Severn Suzuki. Hannah has appeared on CanadaAM, The Marilyn Dennis Show, APP Central, CBC’s Fresh Air and The George Stroumboulopoulos Show. She has been featured in a spotlight from Chickadee Magazine and named as a Champion of the Earth in Owl Magazine and was the youngest team captain for The WWF’s Earth Hour in 2013. As you can see, I am very proud of my daughter and her efforts to improve the world we live in. Her current focus is on We Day.
“We Day is a room that can transform people, where messages about bullying and social issues can resonate and a place where students can find people just like them,” said Free The Children ambassador Demi Lovato. “Growing up I was forced to deal with many personal struggles and I craved a space where I not only belonged but felt powerful enough to make a difference. To me, that‘s what We Day does – it brings people together in a day of celebration for world change, showing them they aren‘t alone in their journey and that it is cool to care. And I am so grateful to be a part of that.”
“As kids, we face different pressures all the time,” said Austin Mahone, Award-Winning American pop singer. “You‘ve got to surround yourself with positive people in your life, and that‘s what We Day does. It brings people together to celebrate the difference we can make for each other. I‘m so excited to be a part of it for the first time this year!”
We Day is a stadium-sized educational event and a movement of young people leading local and global change. We Day is tied to the year-long program, We Act, which supports students and educators with free educational resources, student-led campaigns and support materials to help turn the event‘s inspiration into sustained activation. Since 2007, youth involved in the We Act program have raised $37 million dollars for over 1000 local and global causes and logged more than 9.6 million volunteer hours.
“I had the opportunity this past summer to participate with Free The Children‘s communities in Kenya, and see first-hand the lasting impact that youth in North America are making through their charitable work,” said Joe Jonas from the Grammy® nominated, multi-platinum band the Jonas Brothers. “I understand what it means to these communities to have access to clean water and an education and I was thrilled to get involved by committing to help build two schools overseas with Free The Children. It may seem like a simple assignment to make one local and one global commitment, but these efforts fundamentally impact the lives of people around the world.” Eric Halper.
Free The Children is an international charity and educational partner. Founded in 1995 by international activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children believes in a world where young people are free to achieve their fullest potential, and empowers youth to remove barriers that prevent them from being active local and global citizens. The organization‘s domestic programs—which includes We Day, Free The Children‘s signature youth empowerment event—educate, engage and empower 1.7 million young people across North America, the UK and around the world to become engaged global citizens. Its international projects have brought more than 650 schools and school rooms to youth and provided clean water and sanitation, health care and food security to one million people around the world, freeing children and their families from the cycle of poverty.
The organization has received the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child, the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, and has formed successful partnerships with leading school boards and Oprah’s Angel Network. For more information, visit www.freethechildren.com.
Ontario’s ruling Liberals want to ban Teen Tanning but need support to pass the legislation.
“PCs and NDP Threaten to Stall Youth Tanning Bed Ban” (Queen’s Park) One day after calling on the government to fast-track Bill 30, legislation to ban youth access to tanning beds, the PCs and NDP are threatening procedural tricks to stall the bill in the Ontario Legislature.
“When the House returns next month, our government will move a programming motion in the Legislature in order to quickly pass this life-saving bill into law by the end of September,” said Liberal MPP Deb Matthews. “The PCs and NDP have already pledged to support Bill 30 – it’s concerning to hear the opposition parties might play procedural games to prevent this vital legislation from passing.”
Matthews was referring to published media reports that indicate both opposition parties are backtracking from a commitment to fast-track the tanning bed ban:
· NDP Health Critic France Gelinas said Thursday the Government should pass the legislation “fast, very fast…[Ontario Liberals] controls the calendar.” (Toronto Sun, August 22, 2013). Today, Gelinas said the Liberals “are not in control” and “can’t simply push legislation through the house without getting agreement from the two opposition parties.” (Toronto Sun, August 23, 2013).
· The PCs said Thursday “We support the legislation” and called for a time allocation motion to secure speedy passage (Toronto Sun, August 22, 2013). The same day, the PCs wouldn’t confirm if they will follow through on their pledge to fast-track the Bill (Globeandmail.com, August 22, 2013).
“It’s time to put an end to the procedural games blocking our efforts to pass new tanning legislation so we can prevent skin cancer among young Ontarians. MPP France Gelinas has been unclear on whether or not she will support our efforts to fast-track this legislation. I would like a clear answer from Ms. Gelinas – yes or no – will her party help us get this bill passed before the end of September? All MPPs have a shared responsibility to make the legislature work so we can help to keep young people safe,” stated Matthews.
The proposed legislation would prevent skin cancer among youth and create awareness potential harm by prohibiting the sale of tanning services to youth under 18. It ould also require that tanning bed operators request identification from anyone who appears under25 years old.
Last spring, the opposition blocked progress on Bill 30, Skin Cancer Prevention Act(Tanning Beds), 2013 by needlessly extending debate on three other bills for more than55 hours – far more than required. By running out the clock debating the Local Food Act, the Air Ambulance Amendment Act & Co-op Housing legislation, the opposition prevented this important tanning bed legislation from moving forward.
Ottawa, ON – Green Party leader and Guelph candidate Mike Schreiner called for the complete protection of prime farmland in Ontario.
“We can’t eat subdivisions, quarries or pipelines,” said Schreiner while attending the Association Municipalities of Ontario Conference
in Ottawa.
“The Ontario government must stop destroying prime farmland before it’s too late.” Only five percent of Ontario’s land mass is suitable for growing food. Less than 0.5% is prime farmland. Yet Ontario is losing approximately 126,000 acres of farmland each year to development.
“People are tired of the Liberal’s bait and switch government that says one thing and does another. The government’s local food act is meaningless if the Liberals fail to protect prime farmland,” added Schreiner. “There will be no local food if the province continues to lose farmland at a rate equal to the size of Toronto each year.”
The Green Party is pushing the government to protect prime farmland from development in the new Provincial Policy Statement, which is currently under review. Schreiner is the only political leader to sign the Food and Water First pledge to protect farmland and source water regions. He has challenged other political leaders to sign the pledge.
“Good soil is priceless and must be protected. It is a shame no Liberal, NDP or PC MPP has taken a simple pledge to put food and water first in Ontario,” said GPO deputy leader Kevin O’Donnell. “The Greens will always put food and water first before developers, quarries and pipelines.” CP
Big rise in per acre value in only 12months. We’re not sure why but Norfolk County and Haldimand County farmland values are missing from this chart and we were unable to find those stats anywhere on the RE/MAX farm realty site.
Dear Silo, Dave and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for a successful 6th annual horse fundraising open house event which was held on July 13, 2013. It was a great success again this year reaching our goal of $20,000.
The volunteers did a great job and worked very hard; without their dedication the rescue would not be possible.
A special thank you to all who attended, it was overwhelming to see the support for our cause. Many commented on how much enjoyment they had spending the afternoon on the farm. There was something for everyone including a garage sale, tack sale, BBQ, bake sale, pony rides, face painting and prize table. The petting zoo was a hit with Cashew and Peanut, the mini donkeys being the favourite!
We would also like to thank our event sponsors for providing items and supplies; we are very grateful for your donations.
Lastly, we want to thank you- the media for the continued coverage of Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue’s ongoing operations; it is the public awareness that bring us all together to make a difference.
The proceeds from our event will help with the ongoing care and expenses of over 60 horses, building 4 new paddocks, vaccinating over 60 horses at a cost of $6000 and purchasing much needed hay for the winter. It is this annual event that allows us the opportunity to continue our mission to help horses in need.
Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue has been humbled by the generosity of so many people that have been touched by our rescue efforts. In the past six years, thanks to the overwhelming aid from the public, Dave and I have been able to build a quarantine area for new arrivals; a new barn addition with 5 stalls; fatten up hungry bodies; heal wounds; attend to feet and health issues; and most importantly nurture over 180 lost souls.
We could not do this without help.
This has been an amazing team effort between the Public, Volunteers and generous Community Partners.
“Rock n roll is not about happy, happy, happy, everything’s okay” Alice Cooper. In this YouTube video, filmed last year – the icon himself explains that today’s generation of rock fans and rock industries are missing something. Perhaps it’s the lack of meat in their diet says Alice, as if this that prevents their ability to “get the blood pumping”. Have new bands that are being qualified and labeled as “rock n roll” anemic?
What’s at stake here is categorization. Mr. Cooper uses Mumford and Sons and the Lumineers as prime examples of today’s rock and roll misfits. Simply put- he asks why the industry has labeled these bands as Rock and roll artists and that’s a question worth contemplating but take note, it’s not a criticism of the bands’ songwriting abilities and musicianship.
From an historical consumer point of view, the pop music condition has always seemed to me to have been one of extremes. Either you follow the pack in terms of ‘what’s popular’ and listen to what’s on the hit list or you’re a lone wolf and seek out new bands and artists that are not as popular as the industry-promoted talent.
To categorize listeners like this today however would be a mistake because the World Wide Web and digital technologies have rewritten the rules. Access to all types of music has never been more available and an offshoot of this is a vast, untamed sea of variety and choice. YouTube further strengthens the notion of schizophrenic listening and lifestyle because nothing is really ‘in’ anymore. Everything that has been labeled as ‘good’ or ‘cool’ in the past is still considered ‘good’ or ‘cool’ in the now- there does not appear to be mainstream rebellion against former generations music. I think this is the point that Alice Cooper is also making. He is old enough and wise enough to understand the phrase “not your father’s music”.
Let’s think about the qualitative issue of seeking out music. Before the internet, you had to seek out – borrow, beg and steal music that was more than a few years old. Major music department stores were in effect cultural libraries. Rural teenagers might have planned a trip to Toronto’s Sam the Record Man [RIP] for months in excited anticipation of finding records that mattered to them; records that were spoken of in hushed tones or discovered on late night distant radio. We’re talking about an experience. Today you only need to wait for the computer search to deliver the goods. As long as you have access to the internet you can purchase anything.
Alice Cooper really wants the Rock Music categorization to reflect the “rebelliousness” that it once did.
Back to Alice- Perhaps then it’s this sea change that has nauseated the old stage troubadour. Alice Cooper really has a grievance for categorization. It’s not that he doesn’t like Mumford and Sons and it’s not that he doesn’t acknowledge their posits, it’s just…..he can’t understand why they are considered a Rock and Roll band. He has a good point. Perhaps the reason why bands like Mumford and Sons and the Lumineers are now fit into those spots is that the industry has said so. After all, they control the distribution and marketing and they want to grow their product and if we consider contemporary rock and roll bands that have the rebelliousness and the anti-socialism that energized the previous generations of rock- there aren’t many. Those that are left, perhaps a throwback to the 1990’s or beyond are aging quickly and if it’s hard to imagine who today’s generation of rockers are, what can we expect in another twenty years?
Comments-
Nathaniel A. Walrus Alice makes some great points here, recognizing the talent of some of these dainty acoustic rock bands… But they don’t have the spirit of rock and roll. The Edge radio played pearl jams new tune today, and it was the first new song in months that doesnt feature a synthesizer. What is happening to rock and roll? Hopefully Dead End Sessions can be a part of the salvation.
Rob Lamothe He’s sure got a lot of rules for what a ‘rocker’ is supposed to be. I love Alice. Saw him in a restaurant once in Los Angeles. He was there with his Mom, which I thought was cool. But the coolest thing ever is when Alice tells Wayne and Garth about the history of Milwaukee. Classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5FT3IGXtAk Wayne’s World (8/10) Movie CLIP – Alice’s History Lesson (1992) HD
Adam Platsko We’re not Worthy!!!! We’re not Worthy!!!!
Nathaniel A. Walrus Does this guy know how to party or what! via mobile
Jack Nicholson, playing The Joker in the 1989 Tim Burton film Batman, said “I don’t know if it’s art, but I LIKE IT!” Looking at artist Sarah Smith’s ersatz ceramic food sculptures I am convinced this work is incredibly effective art. And I like that. A lot.
Part of Smith’s inspiration comes from the cultural differences found when it comes to food preparation and presentation. From her experiences, European’s tend to favor and appreciate food that not only tastes good but looks just as good to match. In the discipline known as culinary arts, the appearance of food is intrinsically linked with the skill of the chef and also with the intended effect on the consumer. In other words, form effects function. Strong components in any art form, Sarah Smith has applied this notion to fake food, emphasizing and reminding the viewer that strong physical reactions can be manipulated through visual presentation.
Throughout time, food has been linked with human emotion and health. Consider this: Apples are associated with our health and death. The “perfect” apple and the “poison” apple. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Symbiosis of food and the human body. Cucumber slices and orange slices are a remedy for tired eyes and worry lines. Black eyes are healed with a raw steak. Aromatherapy consisting on some level as ‘concentrated scents of food’ (coconut, vanilla, bananas….attempts to create a strong physical reaction such as calming through an associated mental- visual representation. But why is that and is this what Smith is asking us with her food? How do we feel when we see a raw pork chop?
So it’s connections like this that demand we consider Smith’s artistic motivation. Her work exists on many levels. Is it hyper-realism? Surrealism? Pop-art? I believe it is all of those things and more. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.
The very first handcrafted mock-up of GI Joe, the original 12″ tall Real American Hero and simply the most prized collectible there could be for generations of men, crossed the block at Heritage Auctions on Aug. 10, 2013 as the centerpiece of the company’s Entertainment and Music Memorabilia event. It carried a starting bid of $125,000+ usd.
“There are few more hallowed pop culture artifacts that could come up for auction than this,” said Ed Jaster, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions. “Ten years ago when we sold this piece at Heritage it realized slightly over $200,000, which we believe it may bring or exceed again. To help make sure that it finds a new steward, however, we’ve joined with the consignor and placed what we feel is a conservative $125,000+ estimate on it.”
Also being offered in the auction are the prototype for the first G.I. Joe dressed in an Air Force uniform (Palitoy/Hasbro, 1964) and an early production model G.I. Joe Navy Talking Action Figurine (Hasbro Circa 1967), both formerly from the collection of G.I. Joe creator Don Levine, and both estimated at $12,500+.
Early production model G.I. Joe Navy Talking Action Figurine (Hasbro Circa 1967)
G.I. Joe First Dressed Air Force Prototype Action Figure”The two rare Joes, while not as historically important as the prototype, both mark important evolutions in the toy,” said Jaster. “Not only do you have GI Joe branching out into the other U.S. Military branches, these also represent the broadening of the character that would lead to the entire world of G.I. Joe characters that exists today.”
The prototype, carefully constructed of hand-shaped and shaved plastic, hand-crafted metal, and hand-sewn fabric, was the brainchild of Don Levine, Creative Director at Hasbro in the mid-1960s, who developed an idea first proffered by licensing guru Stan Weston, that little boys would play with a doll as much as little girls would — it simply had to be the right doll, and it had to be called an “action figure.”
“In 1964, Hasbro’s proposed 12″ GI Joe toy line flew in the face of conventional wisdom,” said GI Joe expert Mark Bellomo. “The company defied a nation of traditionally-minded consumers who considered poseable dolls a product expressly made for girls. Hasbro saw an opening and invented their GI Joe line, marketing him as a ‘Moveable Fighting Man.’ The rest is history.”
G.I. Joe Navy Original Talking Action Figurine Adopting the roles of Action Marine, Action Pilot, Action Sailor, and Action Soldier, GI Joe became the central figure in countless backyard adventures. Thanks to Hasbro, boys could now commandeer a strike force of realistic, 12″ tall, fully-articulated GI Joe action figures, all of them descendent from this single example.
The prototype is crafted and consists of a plastic body with wire-spring joints, a hand-painted plastic head that was created by pulling a temporary mold from a carved wooden original and a completely hand-sewn uniform of olive-drab fatigues and requisite four-pocketed field jacket with a set of hand-stitched, superbly-detailed three-tiered chevrons worn on each shoulder, reflecting the rank of E-5 [sergeant].
The GI Joe brand has rightly been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame (ca. 2004), and this irreplaceable iconic artifact exists as one of the most important cultural touchstones on the planet. The toy is about to celebrate its’ 50th anniversary and has seen an upsurge of popularity in recent years with a variety of licensed toy properties, television programs and movies. CP
Professor Maxim Voronov during The Silo’s exclusive Skype interview- “the Ontario industry needs to consider the construction of a “meta-image” for Ontario wine, an overarching “meaning structure,” including, perhaps, environmental sustainability, that will resonate with both domestic and international consumers, backed up by the consistently reproducible quality of the product.”
Maxim Voronov is Associate Professor of Strategic Management at the Goodman School of Business, Brock University, and is also a Fellow of the Cold Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), one of the principle academic research engines currently informing the Ontario wine industry; helping it find its rightful and deserved place in the global marketplace.
Oenology (pr. Een-ology) comes from the Greek root oinos, and essentially means “the study or science of winemaking.” Professor Voronov, along with fellow Brock colleagues Dirk De Clercq and Narongsak Thongpapanl, and with Bob Hinings of the University of Alberta School of Business, recently completed a 6 year study of the Ontario wine industry and its strategic positioning in relation to its international, and often more established competitors.
In an exclusive interview with The Silo via Skype, Professor Voronov outlined the overall methodology of his study. He and his colleagues conducted interviews with various stakeholders in the Ontario wine industry, including makers and growers, LCBO executives, wine critics, and they surveyed press coverage, websites, and over 250 restaurateurs regarding their attitudes toward Ontario wine. Their conclusions: the Ontario wine industry needs to adopt a two-fold focus in order to hold their own in a competitive global market. There are 3 distinct growing regions or “appellations” in Ontario (otherwise known as DVA’s or Designated Viticultural Areas). They are the Niagara Peninsula, our largest and arguably most “storied” region, Prince Edward County to the east, and the Lake Erie North Shore appellation to the south-west, beneficiary of the greatest number of heat-units per growing season, including Pelee Island and, hopefully soon, our own, relatively new “South Coast” growing region. But in spite of these localized differentiations, cautions Voronov, ultimately our industry represents a cool-climate production zone by international standards and needs to focus on grape varietals that can consistently and reliably perform in a somewhat unreliable climate.
Appellations of Ontario Origin. image: vqaontario.com
The second area of focus needs to be the conscious practice of exporting the best of Ontario fine wines to the “tastemaking” markets of the wine world, like New York and London. Commercial and critical success in these regions will not only cement Ontario’s legitimate place in the global wine industry, but also enhance the attractiveness of Ontario fine wines in our own, domestic market, somewhat akin to the phenomenon of the Canadian actor or musician who labours away in relative obscurity for years, until finally being “discovered” by some international authority and emerging as a hometown hero. A recent effort on this front was the “Rediscover Canadian Wines” trade and media tasting event at the Canadian Embassy in Trafalgar Square, London, England. Supported by Wine Country Ontario, in partnership with Foreign Affair and International Trade Canada, The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Canadian High Commission in London, this was a major wine happening. Our own CCOVI hosted and organized the wine submissions for the screening process.
About 100 Canadian wines were chosen for the high profile tasting. On May 16th, the day of the event, world renowned wine expert Jancis Robinson, author of The Oxford Companion to Wine, now in its third edition, tweeted: “Today’s Canadian tasting in London shd have dispelled a few prejudices” (@JancisRobinson). Still, Ontario remains one of the most open marketplaces in the world, which means that domestic wines must compete with a vast array of both new and established global brands without necessarily enjoying a home advantage. Ontario does not currently export significantly to other markets, and local wineries are caught in a kind of dilemma: that of establishing conformity with old-world traditions in a “New Age” of Ontario fine-winemaking, while at the same time trying to assert their distinctiveness in the context of international trade.
A word here on price-point. Many Ontario consumers who would otherwise like to support the local industry wonder why they should pay more for an Ontario wine than a proven, reliable import. A good question. According to Voronov there is a simple answer: economies of scale. The greater number of product units generated, the lower the overall cost per unit to the consumer. Comparatively, most Ontario wineries are small and have to contend with fickle climates. Ontario simply cannot compete on a unit cost basis with international wineries boasting thousands of acres of land in relatively stable climates. And in a global industry currently fascinated with big, bold red wines—which flourish primarily in warm growing regions—Voronov believes Ontario needs to unapologetically embrace its cool-climate status and focus on light to medium-bodied reds which can be consistently and confidently produced, wines like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and the Baco-Noir hybrid so successfully expressed by Niagara’s Henry of Pelham.
A notable exception came up in the April 27th edition of Vintages Magazine, where Norfolk County’s own Burning Kiln Winery’s “Strip Room Merlot/Cabernet Franc” was identified and praised as an “Ontario appassimento.” Burning Kiln is one of a number of Norfolk County Wineries to receive the VQA (Vintner’s Quality Assurance) stamp of approval. The VQA designation, similar to the AOC and DOC systems in France and Italy respectively, provides assurance that the consumer is purchasing quality “wines of origin” that have met strict guidelines for excellence (www.vqaontario.com). Now back to appassimento. The method is an ancient one and involves drying harvested grapes to the point of shriveling, in order to concentrate the fruit sugars and therefore the overall boldness and complexity of the wine. Italian Amarone is well known appassimento, but it exists in very elite class, with retail prices starting in the $40-$60 range and up.
A fitting metaphor? The Bunch of Grapes by William Adolphe Bouguereau 1868 in the style of Neoclassicism. CP
Coming in at $24.95 a bottle, Burning Kiln’s Strip Room appassimento is a bargain and may well be worth trying as a new, local expression of an ancient technique. There is debate over whether, in the long term, appassimento can be seen as an answer to Ontario’s problem producing bolder reds. According to Professor Voronov, we need to concentrate on what we do best, including aromatic whites like Riesling and Chardonnay, grapes whose character actually benefit from ample day to night temperature fluctuations and generally cooler conditions. An interesting side note: Australia, with its warm climate, has had little success in producing a Riesling of note. According to celebrated wine critic Ian D’agata, Director of the International Wine Academy in Rome: “Once wine lovers the world over realize that Ontario and parts of BC are some of the few viticultural areas in the world with the potential for truly memorable pinot noir, and that Canada is already one of the three or four best countries in the world for riesling, with more than adequate chardonnay, pinot gris and more, Canadian wines will become increasingly sought after.” As an example, Cave Springs Estates Riesling, of the Beamsville Bench Niagara sub-appellation, has gained a reputation as one of the world’s finest dry Rieslings. In the opinion of Voronov et. al, the Ontario industry as a whole needs to have a conversation about its identity, its image—its “symbolic value in the aggregate.”
Symbolic value refers to a sense of “specialness” above and beyond what is simply contained in the bottle. There are several recognized ways to create symbolic value for any experience-based product, one of which is called “rhetorical history.” Interestingly, big multinationals like Kellogg’s and IBM have begun to employ “corporate historians,” people with a knack for selectively engaging the “facts” in order to create value-laden narratives for the benefit of their brands. In other words, Ontario wineries need to tell compelling stories about their products: the generations of family who have worked the land, the continued utilization and restoration of historic buildings, connections to old-world practices and techniques, and meaningful innovations based on their particular terroir (which I will come back to shortly). Again, Burning Kiln asserts itself as a savvy business in this respect. It turns out that tobacco kilns maximize air flow and provide a perfect drying environment for the appassimento style. In this way, the winery can embrace its history of tobacco production on the land while at the same time profiting from historic structures (the kilns, not to mention the attractive main building, which is a repurposed pack barn) to create a novel, local innovation tied to a centuries-old Greek and Italian wine tradition.
This brings us back around to the concept of terrior [April 2011 https://www.thesilo.ca/terroir-what-this-means-to-local-wine-and-cheese-by-scott-jensen/ CP] —I promised I’dreturn. Literally the word means “land,” but in the wine industry, terroir is an essential part of the story of any wine or wine region. It refers to the set of special characteristics that the geography, geology, soil conditions and climate of a particular place, interacting with plant genetics, add to agricultural products such as wine, coffee, chocolate, etc. You can visit the website of virtually any global winery and find a detailed discussion of its particular, and therefore inherently “special,” terroir. But put aside for a moment the individual soil characteristics of the various Ontario wine regions, dating back to glacial histories—which do indeed influence the personalities of individual wines—and consider the overarching and, according to Voronov and associates, critical variable of cold and often fluctuating climate conditions.
And then consider a very interesting case study and global success story: New Zealand. New Zealand, as a cool-climate wine region, is producing some respectable reds like Pinot Noir and Syrah, a mellower version of the now famous Australian Shiraz (same varietal, different spelling). But the vintners of New Zealand, overall, seem to have consciously and intentionally hitched their wagons to the production of aromatic whites like Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and, most especially, Sauvignon Blanc. Now, I am no certified sommelier, but I can say that my experience of Kim Crawford’s Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, one of the region’s leading and critically acclaimed exponents of the varietal, stands as an utterly distinct expression of the grape compared to European examples. Its full-mouth, fruity and floral character completely sets it apart from traditional European Sauvignon Blancs. It is absolutely worth the extra few dollars. It is unique, distinct: “special.” New Zealand has embraced its uniqueness, and, this point is instructive—so has the rest of the world. Because New Zealand, unlike Ontario, exports its wines prodigiously. The Ontario Wine industry could take a few pointers here.
Symbolic value, in the end, won’t mean much if the wine in the bottle doesn’t live up to its constructed narrative, no matter how enticing. Ontario’s climate, on the whole, lends itself to the production of some respectable light to medium- bodied reds, but, like New Zealand, our terroir, on the whole, is most amenable to producing exceptional aromatic whites. The Prince Edward County appellation, not to mention being uncommonly picturesque, is Ontario’s coldest wine region, with a shorter growing season and colder winters than Niagara, yet it still produces wines of both national and international distinction. According to Montreal Gazette wine critic Bill Zacharkiw, much like New Zealand, “PEC’s greatest strength, aside from its limestone soils, is that it seems to have accepted who it is and is comfortable with that.” In his six year study, Voronov found what he considers an over-emphasis on the part of Ontario wineries with conformity to “old-world” traditions, and not enough emphasis on our distinctiveness, our specialness—on what we and only we can do given the particularities of our unique terroir. For Voronov, the Ontario industry needs to consider the construction of a “meta-image” for Ontario wine, an overarching “meaning structure,” including, perhaps, environmental sustainability, that will resonate with both domestic and international consumers, backed up by the consistently reproducible quality of the product.
Think about it: wouldn’t it be great to see a day when more Ontario consumers pick up a bottle of locally produced wine and say, “Ya, this is worth the extra few bucks.” For the Silo, Alan Gibson.
“Whenever you offer the highest-graded copy of one of the top comics in the hobby you can bank on fierce bidding,” said Barry Sandoval, Director of Comics Operations for Heritage Auctions. “This auction is an ideal hunting ground for elite collectors and the 9.2 grade example of Batman #1 represents the quality offered throughout the entire event.”
A landmark edition in the halls of American pop culture, Batman #1 features the first appearances of both the Joker and Catwoman, among the very few comic book villains to have attained true “household name” status. It is expected to reach $500,000+.
A worthy follow up to such an iconic comic book is Frank Miller’s iconic original cover art to The Dark Knight Returns #2, which also is expected to bring $500,000+. The instantly recognizable image of Batman, crippled with rage, is one of several pieces of original art from the groundbreaking Dark Knight series offered by Heritage in the last year.
“For fans of Modern comics, this drawing is where everything really begins,” said Todd Hignite, Vice President at Heritage Auctions. “This moment defines Miller’s Dark Knight, and the modern day perception of Batman, like no other drawing. The only one that comes close, perhaps, is the iconic Splash page from Dark Knight #3, featuring both Batman and Carrie Kelley (Robin), which we sold two years ago for $448,125.”
Among the high-grade examples of the most coveted comic books ever produced comes a near pristine copy of an increasingly popular comic book, Avengers #1 — in stunning 9.4 grade — is expected to realize $175,000+; a 9.4 grade copy of Tales of Suspense #39, the first appearance of Iron Man, which is expected to bring $100,000+; a rare, 9.0 grade copy of Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #1 may fetch $30,000+ as the finest copy in a remarkable run that also includes a 9.4 grade of issue #2 and a 9.2 grade of issue #3 from the series, both of which are the highest-graded copies.
A collector’s pick of high-grade examples continues as the only 9.8 grade copy of Marvel Spotlight #5, the first appearance of Ghost Rider, is expected to realize $25,000+.
In addition to the dramatic cover from Dark Knight #2, the auction’s offering of original art includes a remarkable movie poster painted by Frank Frazetta for The Night They Raided Minsky’s. Frazetta usually worked in much smaller sizes, making this 38-inch by 28-1/2-inch poster from 1968 an extreme rarity expected to bring $150,000+.
Perhaps two of the most anticipated lots link to The King of Comics himself, Jack Kirby, to a covert Iranian rescue operation as depicted in the Academy Award-wining film Argo [ See a nod to Canada’s connection in Ben Affleck’s acceptance speech below CP].
The film tells the story of how the CIA used a fake movie production crew to conceal a daring rescue mission of six Americans held in Iran. The “movie within a movie” was at one time a genuine project titled “Lord of Light,” based on the novel by Roger Zelazny. Producer Barry Geller commissioned Jack Kirby to create a set of concept drawings for the film, but the project stalled and was mostly forgotten, until the CIA used it in their top-secret mission. Two of Kirby’s original oversized concept scene drawings for the project — “Pavilions of Joy” and “Planetary Control Room (Interior)” — remain testaments to his signature style and are expected to bring $10,000+ each.
The 10 foot tall ( 3.048 m) work in progress Robocop statue. image: freep.com
In the 1987 the Dutch auteur film maker Paul Verhoeven created a movie unlike any other. He called it Robocop and I’m old enough to remember watching this dark comedy sci-fi masterpiece when it was brand spanking new.
This film and its sequel (humbly titled: Robocop 2) continue to resonate and influence today’s art and culture. Sometime this year or perhaps next, in the real-world city of Detroit a ten-foot tall Officer Murphy (aka Robocop himself) statue will be unveiled- 26 years after Verhoeven chose Detroit as the setting for a near future city on the brink of disaster due to the privatization of that city’s police force and its resulting corporate mismanagement.
It seems OCP, Detroit’s police force, have no choice but to create a half-man half-machine cyborg in hopes of not only a public relations coup but with an eye on a bright future of profitable policing. Enter the complicated messages stitched into Robocop.
Film like all media, has been used as a political statement before but perhaps Robocop did this unintentionally. It’s a sci-fi movie first and foremost but the personal message exists too: THIS MIGHT HAPPEN. “Dead or alive….you’re coming with me.” CP
The trendy and kitschy Owl. images/photos: Charity Blaine
Blog writers are like Indie music that’s about to become “cool”, or rather, they are the people that enjoy the Indie music before it’s “cool”, in fact, they are most likely part of the reason it eventually becomes popular. Only it’s not just music. It’s everything. Lifestyle bloggers like EVERYTHING before it’s cool. Therefore, I, as a blog reader, know about everything cool before it is cool. I, am a blog world hipster, and I’m only partly ashamed to admit it.
To clarify, it’s not just the blogs themselves that set the trends; it’s also the only shops where bloggers sell their handmade goods, such as etsy.com. Years ago, I remember searching for kitschy little polymer clay earrings shaped like foods at etsy, today, when I no longer want them, they are available for a fraction of the price at popular stores such as Clare’s and Arden’s, although truthfully, they do look cheaper. The handmade versions look more like real food than the store bought versions. You should never believe anything that doesn’t come with proof, so here are three substantial examples of bloggers, not retailers, setting the trends.
1) Owls. I really hate owls. I don’t think they’re cute. I don’t understand the obsession at all, but so many places these days sell things adorned with owls. Don’t get me wrong, I realize that owls were popular years ago, but this is a reference to the current owl obsession. Forever21.com and http://verified.codes/Forever-21sells more than a dozen owl accessories so does Clare’s. Where did I first see an obsession with owls? In the blog world, for example, blogger Elycia Watson (loveelycia.com) from Hamilton, Ontario posted regularly about owls more than three years ago. All the blogs I initially read as a blogger were full of owls.
2) Geometric Shapes. Bloggers love chevrons, triangles, lines, squares, any simple shape that can be coloured pink or gold. This isn’t the best example, but two years ago, the Sidney Crosby of blogs, A Beautiful Mess, did a ‘do- it –yourself’ project “making a geometric mobile”. It’s a clothes hanger with dangling wire triangles wrapped in yarn, basic and geometric. Most of the bedding at Urban Outfitters these days is adorned with chevrons and triangles. This also points to the ‘do- it- yourself’ trend. These crafty women have been doing it yourself way before pinterest made it popular. To sound even more hipster, I remember when pinterest first started, in those days, there were no weight loss schemes or a surplus of one direction photos, it really was mostly crafts and home décor, and bloggers used it to find inspiration for new blog posts. I love pinterest, so thanks again bloggers for being cool before it was cool.
3) Since I’ve already given four substantial examples I don’t really need a number 3, but just in case you still doubt, take a look at Faux Deer Head for your wall. Flipping through a home décor magazine lately, I found a photo of a plaster deer head, in the style of the mounted, taxidermy deer head that hunters would have on their walls. Currently, even Home Hardware sells them. Bloggers have been doing this for years. They even use old piñata heads. They give the deer head hats and jewelery. The Dainty Squid was one of the first places I really remember seeing this phenomenon. Kayla found a plastic deer head more than 3 years ago, plopped a wig on its head and called it beautiful.
So the conclusion is- if you really want to be ahead of the wave, read blogs, small, crafty, lifestyle blogs. By the time any of that stuff hits the mainstream, you’ll be really sick of it and you can officially embrace your inner hipster and tell everyone, while sporting an ironic moustache, that you liked all those things, including ironic moustaches, before they were cool. For the Silo, Charity Blaine.
A group of Malawi farmers. image: ruralpovertyportal.org
Like many of us, he has a vision of a better world – one where babies are born healthy no matter where they live. One where farmers in Malawi earn enough to support their families. One where land is being reforested to support communities and protect the environment. One where everyone has access to affordable, lifesaving medicine.
What makes President Clinton different is his uncanny ability to bring together people from all walks of life and help them see that a better world isn’t just a nice idea. It’s really, actually achievable.
Of course, President Clinton can’t do it alone – and that’s why he needs people like me and you! If you’re someone who finds his vision as infectious as I do, please donate to the Clinton Foundation today and get your gift matched, dollar for dollar, before this opportunity ends June 27.
I may not be an expert on these issues. But I recognize life-changing work when I see it. The bottom line is that Clinton Foundation programs improve lives in measurable, lasting ways.
President Bill Clinton and Goldie Hawn.
If you’re a farmer in Malawi, for example, the size and health of your crop has a huge impact on how much money you can make for your family and whether you can feed your community. The Clinton Foundation is giving farmers the tools to revolutionize their crop yields, from good fertilizer and seeds to training on up-to-date farming techniques. 21,000 farmers have participated already – and they’ve since become five times more profitable.
That’s 21,000 farmers who can now ensure that their families always have enough to eat, even in times of drought. They can send their children to school. They can really invest in their communities.
And that’s just one program, in one area. In reality, the Clinton Foundation is improving lives and changing communities all over the world! Isn’t that something you want to be a part of?
President Clinton is personally matching all gifts that you make between now and June 27.
Toronto, ON – A group of artists is setting out on a ten-day poetry and music tour by canoe down the Grand River in southwestern Ontario. For the fourth year running, the group, calling itself Fish Quill Poetry Boat, will be paddling from Elora to the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and performing their work in cafés, arts centres, and heritage sites along the way. Fish Quill Poetry Boat in 2013 is comprised of poets David Seymour, Gillian Savigny, Leigh Kotsilidis, Linda Besner, and Stewart Cole, with London musician Grey Kingdom.
Fish Quill Poetry Boat will kick off the tour with a performance in Toronto on June 13th at 8pm at the TRANZAC Club. Scheduled stops for Fish Quill Poetry Boat are the Elora’s Beaver House on June 15th, West Montrose Kissing Bridge on June 16th, Waterloo’s Words Worth Books on June 17th, Cambridge’s Wired Up Pugs Café on June 19th, Paris’ Cedar House Martini Bar & Grill on June 20th, Brantford’s Station Coffee House & Gallery on June 21st, and Six Nation’s Chiefswood National Historic Site on June 23rd. With the exception of Toronto (8pm) and Elora (2pm) all performances are at 7pm. Cambridge’s performance has a $10 cover charge, and all other performances are free.
One notable stop on the tour is Chiefswood National Historic Site on June 23rd. Chiefswood is the only surviving pre-Confederation Native mansion in Ontario, and is the birthplace and childhood home of celebrated writer and performer
Tekahionwake, E. Pauline Johnson, best known for her iconic canoeing poem, “The Song My Paddle Sings.” The year 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of Pauline Johnson’s birth. Curator Karen Dearlove says, “We believe that the Fish Quill Poetry Tour is a great way to feature contemporary poetry and creativity at a site known historically for fostering literary creative dreams.” Fish Quill Poetry Boat will be sharing the stage at Chiefswood with local Six Nations writers and performers.
Fish Quill Poetry Boat is in its fourth year, and canoes are once again being lent free of charge by Paris-based outdoor adventure company Treks in the Wild. “A very cool idea,” says Andy Tonkin, canoeing guide and co-owner of Treks in the Wild, who will be coming along for the ride. The Grand River Conservation Authority and rare Charitable Research Reserve also sponsor the tour and will be giving presentations at select venues.
This year Fish Quill Poetry Boat has also put together an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. You can watch a video of Leigh Kotsilidis and Linda Besner explaining how the tour works-
As a reward for contributions made, donors to the campaign can receive perks, such an anthology of past and present Fish Quill Poetry Boat participants. So far, that’s fifty poets and musicians! CP
Strength in numbers- windchime made from collection of lost keys
When searching for your true identity in life, who you are as a person, it can be beneficial to figure out who you are NOT, as well.
You’re probably not perfect, because face it, none of us are. But being PERFECT may not even really be possible. Being PERFECT may not be what we want in life. Don’t we just want to be who we are? Don’t we just want to be seen as individuals, and valued members of earth? But if we can’t see who we are, how can we expect others to?
Finding ourselves isn’t just as simple as waking up one day and realizing who we are. It takes time. It could even take a LIFEtime. But if you are dedicated to the task, eventually when you look in the mirror your image will be clear. It’s almost like trying to find a lost set of keys, you know that at the moment you don’t know where there are, but eventually they have to show up. And once they do, you will be able to drive your car wherever you would like. In other words, once you find yourself and are comfortable in your own skin, and your own mind, you will be able to take control of your life, and go in any and every direction that you’ve always wanted to.
Now that being said, LOSING yourself again is always a possibility. Be honest, you’ve lost your keys more than once, that’s for sure. When our situation changes, we have to change and adapt, but knowing the core of who we are can help us quickly reign our true being back in.
Often, if not always, we want everything to be perfect. We want love, we want peace, we want a successful career, but hitting rock bottom can be the best antidote for finding yourself. When you feel like you’re in the dark, and nothing seems even remotely right, and you feel all alone, you only have yourself to talk to. You have an opportunity to peer deep into your soul, and pull out the contents that have never seen the light of day. In your darkest hour, you may find the light that will guide you for the rest of your years.
As Tom Cochrane once said, “Life’s like a road that you travel on/ When one day’s here and the next day gone.” All you have to do, is find those keys, and drive that car. For the Silo, Brent “B-FLIX” Flicks.
Ontario is taking steps to provide vulnerable consumers with protection against unfair business practices of some companies that offer debt settlement services.
As part of the province’s continuing commitment to strengthen consumer protection, the Ontario government intends to introduce legislation that, if passed, would impose new rules for debt settlement services, including:
Banning companies from charging upfront fees for debt settlement services.
Limiting the total amount of fees consumers are charged.
Requiring clear, easy to understand contracts.
Establishing a 10-day cooling-off period, providing consumers more time to consider their agreements.
Allowing the licenses of non-compliant companies to be revoked.
These proposed reforms would help protect the rights of consumers and are part of the new Ontario government’s commitment to building a strong economy and a fair, safe and informed marketplace.
QUOTES
“Ontario consumers need to have confidence that they’re getting what they pay for when purchasing debt settlement services. We’re going to introduce legislation that would protect some of our most vulnerable consumers from being taken advantage of, at a time when they need the most help.”
— Tracy MacCharles, Minister of Consumer Services MPP Pickering-Scarborough-East
“Ontarians work hard for their money. Why just give it away to a company that is going to take your up-front fee but not actually settle with your creditors? I’m pleased the Ontario government is strengthening protections for consumers looking for help from debt settlement companies”
— Gail Vaz-Oxlade, financial writer and host of “Til Debt Do Us Part”
QUICK FACTS
Ontario is joining other provinces like Alberta and Manitoba that regulated companies offering debt settlement services.
There are currently 22 companies and 38 credit counselling providers offering debt settlement services in Ontario.
The average consumer debt in Ontario is more than $25,000 per person.
LEARN MORE
Read more about how the Ontario government protects consumers who use companies that offer debt settlement services. www.sse.on.gov.ca
Like a column of ants- “Today, in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, the average commute time is 82 minutes a day. Gridlock is a major issue affecting our province’s productivity.” Ontario Premier Wynne image: us.123rf.com
Where investing in transit can take us…….The first subway line in Toronto opened in 1954, the year after I was born. I still remember riding the subway with my grandmother as a little girl. I was wearing my white gloves because it was a special occasion. Everyone was so excited, so proud.
Today, in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, the average commute time is 82 minutes a day. Gridlock is a major issue affecting our province’s productivity.
This is not just an issue of commute times for people in one region. Congestion in the GTHA hurts farmers who want to move food through the region quickly, truck drivers trying to get to the US border, tourists trying to visit and countless families who want to move from one side of the city to the other, without getting stuck in endless traffic.
Fixing transportation infrastructure will improve our lifestyle and our economy. It will also have a positive impact on our tourism, our natural environment and on the health of the millions of people who call this region home.
That’s why I know we have to move forward on this conversation.
But I don’t want anyone to think that transit or the GTHA is getting unfair attention or disproportionate investment.
And so it’s important to note that for the past 20 years, transit investment in Ontario has lagged well behind the funding we have put into the province’s road network, our bridges and underpasses.
That part of our transportation puzzle has received hundreds of millions a year; and in the past nine years, billions.
In contrast, there have been several years in that time period when the provincial government’s capital expenditure on transit was exactly zero.
There is a pressing need for change. That is not up for debate.
But when I listen to the rhetoric around transportation investment, I believe some politicians have made a short-sighted decision to avoid real solutions.
I know improving our daily commute is not about scoring political points. It’s about ensuring Ontario’s success. And that is my core responsibility as the Premier of this province.
People are ready to get moving. But to develop real momentum we have to change the way we talk about these investments.
We need to bring excitement back to the discussion of transportation infrastructure, and where it can take us, our children and grandchildren.
We have to talk about what we DO want. We want every part of this province to move quickly, safely and efficiently so that we can all benefit.
When it comes down to it, transportation investments will need tens of billions of dollars over the next twenty years. Our whole provincial budget each year is about $125B.
And our spending on programs including education and health care is already tightly constrained, the lowest of any province.
We need to find dedicated revenue for these projects, because the money cannot be found elsewhere.
I believe that any new funds must be directly tied to a measurable result. People need to know what they are paying for; they need to see where the money is going.
Whether the need is for new transit in the GTHA, light-rail lines in Ottawa, bridge repairs in Kenora or highway refurbishing in Huron County, we need to get this done.
We need to get Ontario moving.
So I will keep talking about what we can achieve for this great province. I will focus on the positive impact we can make through smart, fair investment.
But I need your help. Let’s tap into the desire for a safer drives, a better commute, cleaner air, a stronger economy. I know the will is there. I know the support exists. And progress will be made.
Together we can get this done. Premier Kathleen Wynne
There’s a strong correlation between the growth of a law firm and the strength of its culture, according to a new survey published in February’s ABA Journal.
The most successful mid-sized firms are those that put a high value on their culture – how they do business and the written and unwritten rules for behavior, according to the survey conducted by TAGLaw and the Center for the Study of the Legal Profession.
“Firms in which everyone plays by the rules and values dictated by the leadership are more successful in part because, whether they realize it or not, they’re branding themselves,” says Hillel L. Presser, Esq., MBA, author of a new book, “The Lawyers Law of Attraction: Marketing Outside the Box But Inside the Law,” (www.lawyermarketingllc.com).
Branding – developing a unique, distinctive and consistent image — is vital for any lawyer hoping to stand out from the competition, Presser says.
It’s even more important to distinguish oneself in today’s post-Recession economy. Demand for legal services, revenues and rates have all dropped significantly since the Recession began in December 2007, according to a 2013 advisory by Hildebrandt Consulting and Citi Bank.
“The compound annual growth rate for revenues in the legal market was 9.8 percent leading into the Recession. From 2008 to 2012, it was 0.8 percent,” Presser says. So how does a law firm – or an individual lawyer – develop a brand?
“In a firm, if you have a strong culture, start by giving it a closer look. What values define your culture? What rules govern interactions with clients? Do you have a collaborative team approach or independent individualistic lawyers?” he asks. “All of these answers will help you define your brand.”
If you’re an individual lawyer, you are your brand. Your personality, your look, how you present your practice all contribute to your brand identity. To build a successful, strong brand, you need to be sure these things convey what you want them to – and more important, appeal to your market.
Presser offers these tips for building your brand:
• Identify your personality, your specialty and your target market: These form the basis of your brand and it’s important for all three to work well together. Presser defines his personality as “an innovator and educator who’s very social and very serious about financial protection.” His specialty is asset protection, and his target audience is all individuals with money, property or other assets that are not secured in the best way.
• Decide what will appeal to that target audience: If you already have clients, look for what they have in common – it will say a lot about what they value and, hence, what appeals to them. Everything from the clothes they wear to the cars they drive to the information they share about themselves offer clues to what they value. Maybe it’s reliability. Non-conformity. Social status. Solid quality. Is that who you are? If so, make sure it’s reflected in your brand.
• Think about what makes you different from your competition. From soda companies to athletic apparel manufacturers, every industry includes rivals selling the same products. Through branding, they distinguish themselves to appeal to their target audience – to set themselves apart. What makes you different from other divorce, criminal defense or corporate attorneys? How does that fit in with your personality, specialty and target market?
• Look for ways to incorporate your personality into your practice.Everything from the furnishings in your office to the clothes you wear to your business card and website should incorporate the personality and values you want to convey. If the tone of the copy on your website is casual and light-hearted and you want your brand to say old-fashioned hard work and reliability, you need to have the copy rewritten.
Your brand will be the foundation for your marketing, so take the time necessary to ensure all of the elements work in harmony, Presser says.
“You don’t have to be everything to everyone – you can’t be,” he says. “So focus on your niche audience and what’s important to them as well as what’s important to you. It will make you more successful both in setting yourself apart and attracting the types of clients you want to attract.”
About Hillel L. Presser, Esq., MBA
Hillel L. Presser is the owner of Lawyer Marketing LLC, a company dedicated to helping lawyers effectively market their practices. He’s also the founder of The Presser Law Firm, P.A., representing individuals and businesses in establishing comprehensive asset protection plans. He is a graduate of Syracuse University’s School of Management and Nova Southeastern University’s law school, and serves on Nova’s President’s Advisory Council. He also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations for his professional athlete clients. He is a former adjunct faculty member of law at Lynn University. For the Silo, Ginny Grimsley.
Dear Silo, you probably know Kraft Dinner — the easy-to-make, tasty, comfort food in the blue box. It’s one of the most popular grocery items in Canada — some actually call it Canada’s national dish.
But there’s a troubling reason why Kraft Dinner is bright orange when it’s ready to eat. Kraft uses chemical colouring that serves no purpose for flavoring or nutrition. This chemical — labelled as Tartrazine or Yellow 5 — has been linked by experts to serious health issues like asthma, skin rashes, and hyperactivity in children.
And while those chemicals are not used in other countries, Kraft Dinner sold in Canada and the United States still includes it just to make the food a brighter colour.
We are two women who work to educate others about the benefits of eating real food and avoiding unnecessary chemicals. Although we stopped buying Kraft Dinner when we found about the risks of artificial colouring, we know that it’s a staple for millions of families around the world — many of whom can’t afford to buy other, more expensive products.
Okay so it might take an extra 10 secs, but it’s a good idea to read the ingredients in all the food you pick up. Case in point- yellow5 or Tartrazine
We’re asking that Kraft remove this chemical from KD because it can eliminate a potential health hazard while not changing the taste of the food at all. Kraft doesn’t use these chemicals in the United Kingdom due to wide health concerns, so we know it’s possible to do the same in the Canada. And as one of the largest food companies in the world, Kraft could set a precedent for other companies to do the same.
Petitions on Change.org have forced companies to remove ingredients before — including huge companies like Gatorade, Starbucks, and Tide — and we think we can add Kraft to that list with our petition.
“We presented the Pittman-Krause Dot Cent nine years ago and are now ready to help write a new chapter for this famous coin,” said Warren Tucker, Vice President of World Coins at Heritage. “It’s being offered as part of the excellent Nikita Collection of Canadian Coins, where it went after Heritage auctioned it off from The Chet Krause Collection in 2004.”
The George V 1936 Dot Cent, KM28, MS63 Red PCGS, Ex: John Jay Pittman Collection, as it is known by its full name, is far and away the most famous of the three known Dot cents, having been stolen from the Pittman home in 1964 and later returned (with scratches in the right obverse field) in an envelope with other coins.
While the Dot Cent is the star of the auction, collectors will find international numismatic treasures from all over the world, and from across the epochs, to satisfy most every collecting taste.
“Our CICF auction has become quite an extraordinary event, with a broad range of numismatic interests, in a relatively short amount of time,” said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Vice President of International Numismatics at Heritage, “due to the hard work of the team at Heritage, the foresight of our consignors and the enthusiasm of collectors. From Goetz medal dies, to Ancients, European, Latin America and beyond, this auction offers more than 5,800 lots that will appeal to every taste in the hobby.”
Dear Silo, We have as of late been inundated with all the bad news about the “ Idle No More “ protests by the aboriginals and how disgusting it is, and counterproductive it is and all the finger pointing that is going on, and who’s right and who’s wrong and how dare theses people disrupt our way of life.
These people have a legitimate road to hoe with their issues and have had for years now. They were the originators of this country, had at one time a huge empire here that stretched across the country and ran their affairs according to their laws. While I do not condone some of the acts that have been done it’s not hard to see why they have done so to make or stress their point. I mean is it not hard to envision that if you had been put on reserves and given second class status and had issues would you not also rail against what you felt was wrong for you and your people.
Ms. Spence may have squandered money in an incorrect fashion and may have played fast and loose with taxpayers dollars and if so well that’s just dead wrong. But who amongst us recalls that sordid affair over the “Gomery Commission “ into the now infamous “Sponsorship scandal “ which in itself was riveting stuff and played out daily in the papers and tv broadcasts across the nation. And who can forget that utterly bumbling scenario with the Prime Minister blathering on about “ golf balls “ and trying to bamboozle the taxpayers with his charm and chutzpa and everyone seeing right through that like he was the “Emperor with no clothes “ eh????
The point is there is a legitimate beef here and yes has to be corrected and things sorted out. There is no difference between this and the Gomery deal both were wrong and a travesty of the use of tax payers money and have to be corrected. Perhaps if there were better checks and balances put into place maybe this would not have happened. If the tax payers of this country want better representation for their tax dollars then maybe they should use the right to protest for better use of tax money as after all this is about tax dollars and its use or misuse. We live in a democracy and what is going on here is democratically correct and must be respected fully regardless of the warts and bumps of the system and all its flaws. Wryter
KELOWNA, B.C. – The Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA) as the representative voice for Canada’s professional salon sector, responds to the Ontario government’s introduction of a “teen ban” on UV light exposure.
“Ontario’s professional salon sector is disappointed that this legislation was brought forward. JCTA salons have long instituted standards which restrict access for youth, unfortunately due to the actions of a few bad apples within our industry who do not share the JCTA’s commitment to client protection, the government has felt the need to respond.” said Doug McNabb, JCTA President. http://tanresponsibly.ca/find-a-salon/
image: thefrisky.com
Professional salons, which comprise the JCTA’s membership, already mandate professional control over UV light exposure, age-based restrictions and the continuing education of salon workers. As a result, teenagers currently make up between 2 to 5% of salon sales. http://tanresponsibly.ca/professional-standards/
People who visit JCTA salons are by and large educated adults who look to patronize an establishment that cares as much about their health as they do- that’s why they don’t mind paying a few dollars more for top notch service. Additionally that is why teens have never been a significant market for us. All too often they refuse to take the long term steps needed to build a tan safely and as a result visit non-professional salons which do not limit exposure. Today we see the result of that.
Moving forward, the JCTA is eager to work with government to ensure that regulations under the act do not impose unnecessary red tape on small businesses, who continue to struggle in a difficult economic environment.
“The JCTA is not opposed to the age based restriction – we currently have one in our professional standards. Our only concern at this point is to ensure that regulations under the act get it right and do not add unnecessary red tape to small businesses.” said Doug McNabb, JCTA President. Ontario’s indoor tanning sector currently comprises over 1000 small salons, operating in every corner of the province. Together these providers (mostly female operators) employ thousands of workers and generate millions of tax dollars for the province.
To Ontarians following this story all I can say is be smart about your choices. http://tanresponsibly.ca/ As an adult tanner you should only visit a professional salon – one that has a current JCTA sticker in the window – and never ever use a self-serve bed. Trained and industry certified operators controlling the equipment is one of the best ways for you to minimize risk.
This simplified diagram shows the spectrum of light. Tanning beds use UV ultra-violet light. At extreme frequencies, UV light can destroy cellular tissue- the JCTA represents professional tanning salons in Canada and works to ensuring safety for all users. The recent move by the Canadian government to ban “teen tanning” is has upset the JCTA.
The Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA) is a national non-profit organization created to increase understanding of the professional tanning industry’s scientifically supported position that regular moderate ultra-violet exposure from sunshine or sunbed in a non-burning fashion is part of a responsible lifestyle that recognizes both the inherent benefits and the manageable risks associated with ultraviolet light exposure. For the Silo, Steven Gilroy Executive Director JCTA
Supplemental- It is difficult to contextualize the full story of tanning beds especially in terms of any possible associated health risks. Studies can show no health risk, little health risk, moderate health risk and severe health risk. These studies are greatly variable and depending on the subjects age, gender, health and tanning frequency and although the technology is the same for tanning salons, conditions and equipment can vary. The JCTA works towards ensuring safety standards are met by members. Check with your tanning salon to ensure that they are JCTA members in good standing.
Life imitates art….space is beginning to be serviced by private companies just as Ian Fleming suggested it would in Moonraker. Who can forget Drax and his fleet of private spaceshuttles? CP
Drax :-: “First there was the dream, now there is reality. Here in the untainted cradle of the heavens will be created a new super race, a race of perfect physical specimens. You have been selected as its progenitors, like gods your offspring will return to Earth and shape it in their image. You have all served in public capacities in my terrestrial empire. Your seed like yourselves will pay deference to the ultimate dynasty which I alone have created. From their first day on Earth they will be able top look up and know that there is law and order in the heavens.” Hugo Drax Villain Moonraker
There are no legally mandated requirements for GMO labelling in Canada. That means you might be eating genetically modified organisms and not know about it. These labels are being used by some Canadian producers to differentiate their products from GMO’s.
It is worth noting that South of the border an important proposition was recently defeated. Proposition 37 as it was named, was a vote given to residents of California, for mandatory labelling of genetically modified food products. Given the distance between here and California you may wonder, what is the relevance?
Since 1996, 81 genetically modified organisms have been approved for market in Canada, and there is currently no requirement on labelling.
GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms that have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This relatively new science allows DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
In order to understand both sides of the GMO argument it is important to consider that these organisms were first engineered to increase plant yields and reduce the use of insecticides. With the growing world population it is also key to consider the benefits of higher crop yields and plants that contain higher amounts of vitamins and minerals for use in third world countries. Genetically modified foods can be found worldwide, there are varying levels of acceptance ranging from approval, mandatory labelling, to complete ban on foods.
Some of the inherent dangers of GMO foods include exploring the long term effects these foods are having on the individuals consuming them. Over the past few years GMOs have come under fire due to negative research. These studies have linked consumption of GMOs to increase in food allergies, sterility, organ and digestive system damage.
With wheat and apples up next for introduction as Canada’s next GMO foods, long term studies will help to contribute to learning more about GMO affects on health. Until then perhaps knowledge can be considered as power, mandatory labelling would allow consumers to make an informed choice. As consumers we can support campaigns that focus on mandatory labelling of GMO foods such as the NonGMO Project. Additional ways to avoid GMO foods include:
1. Choosing organic products, or ones that have been given the NonGMO symbol
2. Plant a garden at home using heritage seeds, not subjected to genetic modification
3. Drink lots of filtered water to help your body to continually detoxify
4. Eat locally grown foods that are GMO free
5. Choose pastured meats that are not fed GMO grains For the Silo, Ashley Beeton.
References:
1. Yum, H.Y., Lee, S.Y., Lee, K.E., Sohn, M.H., Kim, K.E. 2005. Genetically modified and wild soybeans: an immunologic comparison. Allergy and Asthma Proc 26, 210–6.
2. Verma, C., Nanda, S., Singh, R.K. 2011. A Review on Impacts of Genetically Modified Food on Human Health. The Open Nutraceuticals Journal, 4, 3-11
3. Health Canada. Frequently Asked Questions: Biotechnology and Genetically Modified Foods. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/gmf-agm/index-eng.php. Accessed 3 December 2012.
TORONTO- Five years ago, a Group of provincial Masonry experts selected its top masonry heritage buildings in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge region in conjunction with the North Waterloo Region Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. These buildings that define Kitchener-Waterloo (K-W) and Cambridge are known for their distinctive beauty, history and longevity.
The Walper Hotel- stopping point for Lady Gaga and in the past Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis Armstrong. photo: Nick Stanley
With an enduring presence that shapes the landscapes on which they were built, these heritage buildings were selected by industry experts as the finest examples of masonry design in the tri-cities of southern Ontario. “Heritage buildings made of brick, block or stone are the longest lasting and most architecturally significant designs in any community,“ says Jack Prazeres, President of MasonryWorx. “Landmarks like these move people with their iconic beauty.”
Prazeres went on to say, “Often built with locally quarried stone and clay for brick, many of these buildings not only define their communities through their design but also their material – they are true reflections of the geography on which they stand.”
The yellow-hued brick for example is a hallmark of this region that creates a sense of place like no other part of Ontario. The yellow-coloured brick comes from calcium rich clay mixed with limestone from the Niagara escarpment.
“Although none of our top masonry heritage buildings used the yellow brick, because in the past it was not considered as high quality as red brick, the yellow brick deserves honourable mention for the regional distinctiveness it has created,” Prazeres says. “There is no doubt however that this regional brick has stood the test of time and has helped define Waterloo Region.”
Jack Prazeres, President of MasonryWorx- photo courtesy Ministry of Citizenship
The criteria used to choose the top buildings included: durability, aesthetic appeal, craftsmanship, and the best use of masonry products in their architectural design.
After a panel discussion by masonry professionals working with brick, block and stone, MasonryWorx selected the following five Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge buildings to honour for their masonry heritage value:
Galt Collegiate Institute – This Cambridge landmark was founded in 1852, when it was known as the Galt Grammar School, a highly reputable private school for boys. Today, the symmetrical building designed in the Scottish Baronial style houses a public secondary school. The building, which is constructed from fossilized limestone quarried from on-site riverbanks, underwent several additions between 1859 and 1923.
Gore Mutual Insurance Company head office — The 1935 Neoclassical Revival head office of the historic Gore Mutual Insurance Company in Cambridge features impressive exterior fieldstone walls and a beautiful interior finished in at least four types of marble and locally supplied granite. Stunning features of marble and fieldstone also grace the 1955 addition to the building.
Wilfrid Laurier University, Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work– First known as St. Jerome’s College, the two buildings on this property in Kitchener were built in 1907 and 1909. The buildings are handsome and well-preserved examples of Neo-Classical architecture. The features of the 1907 Duke St. building include the monumental central pavilion with pediment, coupled columns, front entrance, window openings and brickwork. Features of the 1909 College St. building include the brickwork and window openings.
Walper Hotel – A parade of notable guests from Eleanor Roosevelt and Louis Armstrong to Pierre Trudeau and Lady Gaga have dined and slept at this hotel at King and Queen Streets in Kitchener. Established in 1893, the building cost just $75,000 to build. Guests could have a room, three meals a day, a pitcher of water, gas lamp lighting, a spot to hitch their horse and use of one of the hotel’s common area bathrooms for just $4.50 per week. With its delicate brickwork over the arched windows and elegant cornices, it is the city’s best example of hotel architecture.
Wissler-Cascaden House The simple Mennonite Georgian style popular with Pennsylvanian settlers inspired the design of his two-storey house in Waterloo. It was built in 1842 by John Wissler, a pioneer from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He helped establish the hamlet of Lexington thanks to his tannery and the many businesses and trades that sprouted up to support it. The current owners have given a great deal of time, effort and care to the extensive restoration of the house which portrays a faithful representation of early Waterloo. For the Silo, Vickie Fagan.
The Georgian Style: Constructed in 1842, Waterloo’s Wissler-Cascaden House.
Supplemental- MasonryWorx is the trade association of brick, block and stone masonry industry professionals. Its membership includes product manufacturers, suppliers and skilled professionals from across Ontario, and the organization is committed to providing home buyers, homeowners, architects, engineers, builders and government leaders with accurate, timely information about the use and benefits of brick, block and stone products.
BRANTFORD, ON –– The Woodland Cultural Centre is proud to announce the launch of their first exhibit for 2013, “Spirit of Community: People and Neighbourhoods”. This all-new exhibit will officially open Monday January 21st, 2013.
Exploring the heart of Six Nations, this exciting exhibit examines the community, people, places and landscape that make it so unique. Featured in this exhibit are some of the finest examples from Woodland’s historical photography archive, as well as contemporary works by artists Anthony Henhawk Jr, Patricia Hess, Brenda Mitten, and Shelley Niro. The contemporary and historical material work together to create an engaging look at the Six Nations community.
An historical council house photograh from the Woodland historical photography collection.
“Understanding the roots of a community is so important to understanding it as a whole”, said Janis Monture, Executive Director of the Woodland Cultural Centre. “With the help of these amazing artists, I feel that we’ve been able to create a comprehensive portrait of Six Nations and its people.”
Running until March 31st, 2013, “Spirit of Community: People and Neighbourhoods” will officially open Monday January 21st, 2013 upon the opening of the museum. All visitors are invited to learn the history, and experience the culture of Six Nations.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Cultural Centre has been an integral cultural and educational centre within the Brantford and Six Nations communities. Its goal is to protect, promote, interpret, and present the history, language, intellect and cultural heritage of the Anishinaabe and Onkwehon:we people. Providing several permanent and short-term exhibits, the Woodland Cultural Centre also focuses on language and cultural preservation that includes several special events such as arts and crafts workshops, Snowsnake tournaments, and much more.
According to reports, deranged “Joker” killer James Holmes (in this July 2012 courtroom photo courtesy of thesun.co.uk) still believed that he was the fictional comic book and film character The Joker.
“Insane” has a clear meaning when we can look at it next to “sane” in the real world. Unfortunately, that has become more and more difficult to do, says Mike Bartos, former chief of staff at an American state psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane.
“It’s not just because the media rely so much now on bizarre behavior to entertain their audiences,” says Bartos, author of “BASH” – Bay Area State Hospital – (www.mikebartos.com), a fast-paced tongue-in-cheek novel that stems from his decades of experience as a mentalhealth-care professional.
“Take a look at what have become the ‘normal’ problems in modern America – some of them could be textbook examples of psychological dysfunction.”
Case – or rather, cases – in point:
• Obesity epidemic: Denial, compulsion, addiction and sublimation are just a few mechanisms at work in the psychology of a largely obese population. Sublimation is the mature defense activity perpetrated when socially unacceptable impulses, such as sexuality, are redirected, in this case to the consumption of salty, fatty and sugary food. With more than two thirds of the U.S. population and almost two thirds of the Canadian population [http://tinyurl.com/78o9z66 CP] either overweight or obese, there is nothing sane about this health crisis.
• Banking: The financial crisis that changed the world in 2008 can be largely owed to a cluster of “too big to fail” U.S. banks and their employees who thought they could continuously repackage terrible debt loans. Meanwhile, unqualified customers snatched up properties they couldn’t afford. This was an undiagnosed mega-scale gambling addiction. Many in the financial world knew it simply could not be sustained but the players continued to ante up.
• Climate change: Denial, denial, denial. The raw data from objective scientists overwhelmingly tells us man is largely responsible for warming global temperatures, yet we continue to use fossil fuels and to fill landfills with methane-producing waste. It’s a classic case; we completely ignore symptoms and evidence to maintain the status quo.
What the Bradley Report had to say about Rush Limbaugh’s much-publicized addiction to oxycontin
• A drugged nation: Marijuana, a natural relaxant, is outlawed in most states while tobacco and alcohol – responsible for incalculable violence and sickness, as well as tens of thousands of accidents and deaths each year – are lucrative and legal vice industries. Meanwhile, some pharmaceutical companies and physicians encourage substance abuse and chemical dependency by promoting pills to ease the inevitable emotional and physical pains that come with life.
“Many of my psychiatric patients suffered from addiction to both legal and illegal drugs. Sometimes it was hard to tell which came first, the addiction or the other mental health issues,” Bartos says.
“The legal or illegal status of certain drugs seems to be completely arbitrary — much like the behavior of a patient suffering psychosis,” he says.
photo: usrecallnews.com
• Spoiled-brat adults: Narcissistic Personality Disorder isn’t only now accepted in society, it’s widely encouraged and celebrated, Bartos says. Reckless driving and road-rage are just two examples in which individuals are so self-absorbed, they believe their time and sense of entitlement are more important than the lives and safety of others. Throw on top of that our obsession with plastic surgery, need for constant attention on social media, and pre-occupation with consumer brands and we have pandemic megalomania.
• War: America [with on again -off again support from allies such as Canada,England and NATO allies CP] has been at war for 10 years now, and leaders cannot say with any precision what the US is doing with its current campaign in Afghanistan, nor what was accomplished with the last one in Iraq. It’s as if government leaders have a masochistic, sociopathic relationship with one percent of the U.S. population – the military, and their families. Young men are shipped off in the prime of their health, and often return physically or mentally damaged, if they come back at all.
“Is this sane?” Bartos asks.
Mike Bartos is currently in private psychiatric practice in the San Francisco Bay Area where he lives with his wife Jody. He has several decades of experience in the mental health field, including serving as chief of staff at a state hospital for mentally ill patients convicted of violent crimes, where he focused on forensic psychiatry. Bartos is a former radio show host and newspaper columnist. For the Silo, Ginny Grimsley.
Spacewar! Videogames Blast Off looks at the first 50 years of video games through the lens of Spacewar!, the first digital video game, its development, and the culture from which it sprang. In addition to a model of the original PDP-1 (Programmed Data Processor-1) computer running a playable simulation of Spacewar!, the exhibition presents 20 playable video games ranging in platform (arcade, console, handheld, PC), genre (shooters, platformers, action, arcade) and developer (commercial, independent, experimental). From Computer Space to Portal, the exhibition draws connections and contrasts between these games and Spacewar!, signaling the latter’s central place in the development of video games as a cultural form.
Spacewar! was created by a group of students and researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1961, conceived of as a demonstration for the new Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-1 computer. The game premiered at the 1962 Science Open House at MIT, and was later shared and modified at computer labs around the United States. This “computer toy” influenced untold technological advances and gave rise to the cultural phenomenon now known as video games. Among other things, Spacewar! set the template for the game development industry and its relationship to technology, established shooting as a core game mechanic, and inspired space and science fiction themes for future games.
This exhibition was organized by guest curator John Sharp.
Full game list (subject to change):
Spacewar! (1961–62), PDP-1 model
Computer Space (1971), arcade
Space Wars (1977), arcade
Space Invaders(1978), arcade
Asteroids (1979), arcade
Battlezone (1980), arcade
Defender (1980), arcade
Missile Command (1980), arcade
Tempest (1981), arcade
Planet Zeon (1982), Tomytronic
Yars’ Revenge (1982), Atari Video Computer System
Star Wars (1983), arcade
Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991), Game Boy
Galaxy Force II (1988), arcade
Galaga ‘91 (1991), Game Gear
Star Fox (1993), Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Vertical Force (1995), Virtual Boy
Portal (2007), PS3
Osmos (2009), iPad
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010), Wii
Child of Eden (2011), Xbox 360
Each paid visitor will receive four complimentary arcade tokens (maximum ten per party). Additional tokens may be purchased in the gallery. Recommended for ages 8+. Support for Spacewar! Video Games Blast Off was provided by the Entertainment Software Association. Thanks to moving image for this article. http://www.movingimage.us/exhibitions/2012/12/15/detail/spacewar-video-games-blast-off/
Post featured image from Guild Wars 2 courtesy of wallpaperhi.com Is this art? The concept behind computer wallpaper certainly has an artistic focus. Many users view their desktops throughout the day and using stills from a videogame reminds me of the 19th century practice of scrapbooking. When today’s users ‘cut and paste’ images that they choose and arrange and modify, these stills become a decorative treatment. CP
Disney’s Michael Eisner, George Lucas and Mickey Mouse at the 1987 opening of Star Tours. Photo: Associated Press
The recent news of Disney’s acquisition of Star Wars was met with both trepidation and cautious optimism. For those from my generation and older (that would be the 40+ crowd) the release of the first three episodes in the Star Wars universe weren’t exactly over the moon with how it all unfolded. We all knew the basic plot points of how we got to a New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, but the inclusion of some surprise extras (Jar Jar anyone?) left many of us shaking our heads.
Before you start thinking this is going to be yet another bashing of Episodes I, II, and III let me say that the films are not as bad as most people say they are. Sure, the acting is a bit stiff but it’s made up of all of the stuff that we loved the first time around: interesting characters, worlds we had never been to before, space ships and amazing special effects. After spending a good amount of time in my own Star Wars room in my home contemplating what went wrong, I came up with the following conclusions.
When the first Star Wars came out, I wasn’t even quite six years old. I vaguely remember seeing it, but it wasn’t until The Empire Strikes Back came out that I really fell in love with the world. I was almost nine, and turned nine during the time of its release. In fact, I remember seeing the film 13 times that summer of 1980. The only other thing I remember from that summer was the release of the song Funkytown which will forever (for me) be associated with the film.
Looking in the rear view mirror, it doesn’t seem that long ago (30 years seems like a short time somehow) but it was definitely a different world back then. I was able to take the bus by myself to downtown Brantford to see the film at the Capitol Theatre (now replaced with the beautiful Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts). It was also a time when seeing films at the theater was something that lasted for weeks and months because fewer films were produced and home video releases were a relatively new thing. For a child, the time between the episodes seemed pretty much like an eternity.
There was little coverage of the Star Wars universe on television at the time. The film may have been mentioned periodically as breaking box office records, but the only ability to return to the universe outside of the theater was to save up your allowance and get your hands on as many action figures as you could. There were never enough funds to buy everything there was, either. It seemed like Kenner released new figures every week and the ships – oh the ships – they were just to die for.
Just a small part of Syd’s Star Wars collection.
I asked for a Millenium Falcon for Christmas in 1980. It was the coolest and best toy there was, but my parents could not afford it – or they couldn’t find it. So instead, I got the “put it together yourself” model version of the Millenium Falcon. Although it wasn’t really what I had wanted (you could not put your figures inside and play with them) I did end up spending a lot of time with it. Paint, stickers, and a cool battery operated light at the back that lit the whole thing up better than the Christmas tree made this a toy I grew to enjoy over time. In fact, it’s one of the few things that I cannot find from my childhood – I am not sure whatever happened to it but fortunately the rest of my Star Wars toys are intact and can be enjoyed anytime.
The key here is time. As a child, I spent a lot of my time in the Star Wars universe, even when I wasn’t in the theater. I used to tie a string from our tree to the neighbours railing and have Luke and his friends escape from the Stormtroopers and the evil Darth Vader in the nick of time, over and over again. It didn’t matter that we couldn’t afford those ships, I built my own from cardboard. I used pop cases as the base and made egg cartons into seats. I painted control panels and lights onto cardboard pieces that I fitted into the ships. I played out my own scenarios in these contraptions of my own imagination and created adventures that even George Lucas hasn’t thought of yet.
That is why Episodes I, II, and III – released at first when I had not quite reached my 28th birthday – would never capture my imagination, my mind, or my heart in quite the same way. Sure, I saw Episode I a number of times when it first came out and then bought the DVD (and the VHS, and now the Blu-ray) and I’ve seen it a few times since 1999. However, I did not build ships and think about the movie during over 75% of my free time. Life, bills, and a million other things were crowding my inner child. While Episode I was a fun (albeit short) trip back into that Star Wars universe, there was absolutely no way it was going to be as good or as fulfilling as the universe was the first time around.
With Disney at the helm, I hold cautious optimism that I can once again be transformed into being a child with a huge imagination and a roomful of action figures and cardboard boxes. Even if it is for only two hours, there is nothing that will ever replace or come close to my memories with Luke, Han, Leia and Darth from the 80’s. Star Wars helped shape the person I am today and there is nothing that will ever change that. Not even a new Princess in the Castle. For the Silo, Syd Bolton.
