When Ford Canada said they had a car they wanted Marion Ross (aka Mrs. C from Happy Days) to drive while she was in Toronto, I don't think anyone expected it to be a hip little roaster.  But that's exactly what she got: a supped up, detailed and fully loaded Ford Fiesta.Both she and her Lost in Yonkers co-star David Eisner have been driving it around town for the past few weeks and when I asked them for first impressions, they unanimously said "fun!"As it turns out, David's wife drive a Ford Edge and he says the interiors are almost  identical.  "It... More »

I was in Ottawa for Race Weekend and decided, in between running, to take in some exhibits at the city's diverse museums.  I could tell you how wonderful the Van Gogh exhibit at the National Gallery of Canada was, but I'm pretty sure you'd be able to figure that one out on your own. The real question is how was Sex: A Tell All Exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Science and Technology? From the outset, with the beanbag chairs laid out (pun intended) for you to watch a video of conception and gestation, you know this isn't going to be... More »

People always ask if I have any suggestions for looking better in pictures.  As it happens, I do!  Here are a few quick tips to help you avoid having to click the "untag" button next time a camera rolls around.DO: RELAX.  I know, I know, easier said than done.  But it's true: if you can relax, you'll look better.  If that means shaking it out or taking yoga breaths, do it.WEAR A BIT MORE MAKE-UP than you normally would.  I don't mean to go out looking like Kabuki Theatre, but a bit more powder, blush and mascara than normal will... More »

So Raven-Symone, the cute kid from The Cosby Show and star of Disney shows like The Cheetah Girls and That's So Raven, came out and social media went wild.  And not in a good way.It also happened to be #NOH8 Day in support of gay marriage and equality in the United States.  So I find it particularly sad in this day and age to see a reaction so hate filled and, frankly, mean. Am I being naïve or is this strictly because being gay is about sex?  We don't see two people in love, we see two people having sex.  And that... More »

"It was awesome!" That was the response from my friend's 11-year-old daughter coming out of Dancap's production of West Side Story, now playing in Toronto. I'd debated bringing my 9-year-old daughter with me to opening night.  Yes, the songs in this modern adaptation of Romeo & Juliet are phenomenal; it's a bright, energetic production with enthusiastic choreography and some powerful performances.  But it's also dark and violent, with some very serious issues and themes. And it got me thinking about what a great teaching opportunity theatre can be. The week before, my daughter and I had watched South Pacific.  When we... More »

If I could ask for one thing this Mother's Day, it's that everything you would have spent on your wife, mom, girlfriend, partner or yourself be instead donated to the moms at Ronald McDonald House. Because, and let's be honest, I don't need more flowers, or a trip to the spa or yet another gift certificate for LuluLemon. In fact, I don't need anything except to realize and appreciate that those women, the ones who really sacrifice everything, are the ones who deserve to be feted.  They're the ones who truly need a break and right now the only place they... More »

Maurice Sendak died today of complications from a stroke.  He was 83.  I cannot imagine my childhood without the bizarreness of In The Night Kitchen or the comfort of my children's childhood without an episode of Little Bear.  And then of course, there is the perennial favourite, Where The Wild Things Are.Thank you Mr. Sendak for your creativity, imagination and above all, your books.Do you have a favourite Sendak story or memory?... More »

A tweet went out that got my attention and I immediately forwarded it on.  It said "tweet #MolsonM_Art and you help paint a mural and we donate $1 to the arts in Canada...cheers"   To me, it seemed like a no-brainer.  Corporate marketing helping the arts.  But then I thought about it for a moment and immediately asked "Where's the mural going to be & who's painting it?" While I didn't get a personal response, I did get a press release: Molson M is asking art enthusiasts everywhere to tweet using #MolsonM_Art  over the next four weeks, and with each tweet, Molson M... More »

There are advantages to being a Canadian.  One of them, for me anyway, is being able to speak French.  And while I use the term "speak French" very loosely, it has come in handy. For example, when interviewing a talented and handsome young dancer from French Guyana, it helped to put him at ease, especially at the end of a long day of media calls.  When he can speak freely in his mother langues, the exuberance of his performances and passions are far more forthcoming. The downfall is that my vocab can only take me so far before the interview... More »

When I sat down with the incredible cast of Little Mosque on the Prairie to talk about the series finale, I didn't realize how much I'd throw things off, or what a diverse discussion we'd have, when I brought up an article Deb McGrath (Mayor Popowicz) had posted on Facebook the previous evening. Can we talk about the posting you put up yesterday? Deb: I was crying when I read that.  They're trying to pass a bill in Kansas that if you are a young mother and your doctor finds out that you've got a severely disable or deformed child and... More »