Rob Ford: Serially Scandalous

The Economist has such a way with words.   In their article on How harmful is crack cocaine?, The Economist describes Rob Ford as "Toronto's serially scandalous major". Sigh. What a way for Toronto to be (in)famous.  The article includes a reference to a study* comparing the relative harm caused by different drugs.

So, Rob Ford hits both #1 and #3 on the list.  I love this photo from cbc.ca.

One third of Torontonians still support this moron.  Wonder what drug they're consuming?

* "Drug harms in the UK: a multi-criteria decision analysis", by David Nutt, Leslie King and Lawrence Phillips, on behalf of the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs. The Lancet.

Urban Redesign and the Arts

Recently, I went to a friend's art exhibit at the Artscape Wychwood Barns, a multi-purpose, not-for-profit community centre, housed in a series of renovated streetcar maintenance barns built between 1913 and 1921.  Not only did I greatly enjoy her artwork, but I was introduced to a wonderful little corner of Toronto.

The site had lain unused for decades before it was redeveloped by Artscape over a period of eight years, with the help of many supporters.  It now contains affordable studio and living space for 12 organizations, 15 artist studios, and 26 artist familiers, as well as space that can be rented for occasions like my friend's art exhibit.  As a result of community and environmental involvement, this was the first heritage building in Toronto to receive LEED designation.

I understand from their web site that there was neighbourhood opposition to this development - isn't there always?  But from what I could see, this was a little gem hidden in my city.

TEDx

Like TED.com, the TEDx concept was developed to increase access to Ideas Worth Spreading. And like TED.com, it's been wildly successful, with hundreds of TEDx events planned and held.

What's unique about TEDxIB@York on November 11, 2010 is the fact that half the 400-500 attendees will be drawn from the 3,000 schools around the world running the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. This IB program for the last two years of high school develops graduates who are 'citizens of the world'. TEDsters have remarked in the past how nice it would be to have more young people at TED; this is a great opportunity to mingle with a fascinating group of bright, engaged, young people.

The York School, which runs the IB program, is where this idea originated, and they will host an enriching and enjoyable York Day program for the students the day before TEDx. IB schools can also participate via livestreaming of the event.

The venue will be the Ontario Science Centre, which has a perfect auditorium - room for almost 500 people yet with an intimate feel because of how close the seats are to the stage. It also means that our after-party can be staged among the exhibits at the Centre. Such a stimulating environment for our party makes me nostalgic for those TED parties at the Monterey. Aah....

We are just starting to recruit speakers, and I'll post as we confirm them. As Program Chair, I'm already buzzed about the program that's shaping up. Stay tuned.

Hot Docs

The next few posts will feature reviews of films from Hot Docs, Toronto's documentary film festival, the largest documentary film festival in North America. Hot Docs is my second gluttony of brain food for the year, along with TED.

The films are shown at a number of theatres clustered around Bloor and University Avenues in downtown Toronto and you can take in movies from late morning until the late night shows at midnight. With diligence and stamina, you could probably take in 6 movies in a day. I'm not doing more than four in one day. Yesterday, my first day, I saw three great movies, and grabbed a traditional hot dog from the street vendor in front of the Royal Ontario Museum as I dashed between two theatres.

Stay tuned for some reviews.