As family vacations are in full swing, road trips planned and taken, and fall travel upon us, I’d like to point out the Lonely Planet Responsible Travel section.
Lonely Planet Responsible Travel
Lonely Planet Responsible Travel is about encouraging travellers to think about things like carbon emisions before they travel.
Lonely Planet, for example, recently launched a carbon emissions scheme for offsetting staff and authors flights, and they’ve included a Climate Change blurb in all Lonely Planet guidebooks. Code Green is another example of Lonely Planet’s commitment to responsible travel.
Here’s the keyword term to learn for 2006: START (Sustainable Travel And Responsible Tourism), Lonely Planet’s name for these activities.
Check out the Lonely Planet website to read more about START, Lonely Planet founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler’s thoughts on responsible travel, as well as travel tips, the real cost of your next flight, what Lonely Planet is doing to reduce waste in the production and distribution of their books, and The Lonely Planet Foundation, through which Lonely Planet commits 5% of their annual profit to charity partners around the globe.
Blackstock’s Collections: The Drawings of an Artistic Savant is reviewed today on Drawn.ca, one of my favourite sites about illustration, art, cartooning and drawing.
Blackstock’s Collections: The Drawings of an Artistic Savant is a wonderful collection of Blackstock’s drawings. He creates visual lists of everything from tropical fruits to German fighter planes. Browsing through the book reminded me of drawings I made in my childhood, ever fascinated with cataloguing and classifying the seemingly mudane. (quote from Drawn.ca)
Listen to Inkstuds today with host Robin McConnel.
Inkstuds is a radio show about comic books. They had a great line up for July, which featured Fred Grisolm and Jamie Deegaley, creators of Filth, Hole, Hatesong and more; Peter Bagge, creator of Hate, Apocalypse Nerd, neat stuff and more; a retrospective on Krazy Kat with special guest Jeet Heer; AND TODAY Gareth Gaudin, creator of Magic Teeth Comics--he’s doing a comic everyday for the rest of his life.
Listen Thursday (today) at 2 pm PST on C.I.T.R. 101.9 FM
Visit http://www.citr.ca/
Or listen to the podcast version of the Inkstuds radio show available on
http://www.crowncommission.com/inkstuds
Helaine Becker recently won the Ontario Library Association’s Silver Birch Award for Boredom Blasters.
Helaine also garnered another honour for her title Are You Psychic, which was nominated for the Information Book Award from the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada.
Scrapbooks by Design is a very cool Canadian company. The Scrapbooks by Design store first opened in Toronto in 2003, and their website allows you to order online, but it also lets scrapbookers post examples of their scrapbook layouts. I think this is a fantastic idea.
The sample shown here is from the gallery and shows one half of a two-page layout. The little word tiles are from Magnetic Poetry (distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books).
Flavours of Canada presents: The World’s Longest Barbecue 2006 Edition
5514 kilometres, 6 time zones, 33 million guests
Saturday, August 5 @ 6 p.m.
http://www.flavoursofcanada.ca
This is a call to action…an open invitation to all Canadians everywhere on earth to head to their grills at 6 p.m. Saturday August 5, 2006 and create the largest food event in the nation’s history.
Let’s celebrate our land, its ingredients and each other.
To join the party log on to http://www.flavoursofcanada.ca
Register by telling us your story; your menu and some of the special ingredients that we can claim as our own.
Cool door prizes will be awarded for the most authentic Canadian BBQ menus.
Prizes include:
BBQ Best Cookbook Special and hard cover Everyday Favourites (Canadian Living Magazine).
10 copies of the new edition of Anita Stewart’s book, Flavours of Canada: A Celebration of the Finest Regional Foods (Raincoast Books).
GRAND PRIZE is a Weber Genesis Silver C gas grill valued at $850. ( http://www.weber.com )
Log on, sign up and spread the word.
The time: 6 p.m. no matter what time zone you’re in!
The date: Saturday, August 5
The location: Wherever you are ... on a beach or in a northern forest; in your backyard, beside the pool, aboard a fishing boat or on your balcony ... it makes no difference. Just wave the flag while you’re cooking Canadian.
Party on!
For more information visit: http://www.flavoursofcanada.ca
Or contact Anita Stewart: http://www.anitastewart.ca
Anita Stewart is the author of Flavours of Canada (published by Raincoast Books.
The Canadian Edition of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is available in paperback tomorrow, July 25.
About the book
It is the middle of the summer, but there is an unseasonal mist pressing against the windowpanes. Harry Potter is waiting nervously in his bedroom at the Durselys’ house in Privet Drive for a visit from Professor Dumbledore himself. One of the last times he saw the Headmaster was in a fierce one-to-one duel with Lord Voldemort, and Harry can’t quite believe that Professor Dumbledore will actually appear at the Dursleys’ of all places. Why is the Professor coming to visit him now? What is it that cannot wait until Harry returns to Hogwarts in a few weeks’ time? Harry’s sixth year at Hogwarts has already got off to an unusual start, as the worlds of Muggle and magic start to intertwine ...
Reviews
“... book six has all the magical whizbangery and sorcerous goings-on you could want ...There are enough loose ends to keep us all guessing until the final volume of the saga appears.” --Toronto Star
“... the time you take working through this sixth and next-to-last book in J.K. Rowling’s remarkable series will be well spent.” --Edmonton Journal
“The pace is tight, the content multi-layered with the author packing a myriad minor plots to enhance the overall read.” --Vancouver Sun
“Here we go again ... 608 pages of missing your stop and making lame excuses not to go out. It’s every bit as heartbreaking and terrifying as you’re secretly hoping. The best Potter yet? Could be.” --Heat magazine
July 19, 2006 article on MarketWatch.com by Frank Barnako, “Why Anthony Bourdain cooked up podcasts”
Link to Article: “Almost 3,000 miles from the book capital of the world, a small Canadian company is using the Internet to compete with the industry’s giants ..."
July 21, 2006 article in the Tyee on must-read books on the Middle East—includes Palestine by Joe Sacco (Fantagraphics)
Link to article, “What to Read While the Cradle Burns”: “Far from dry policy prescriptions, these compelling narratives stand apart from myriad other books in the field by relating the human story behind the headlines and focusing on fundamental issues that rarely make the news ..."
July 20, 3 Drawn & Quarterly books are shortlisted for the Canadian cartooning award.
Link to Quill and Quire article: In the best book category Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle, Wimbledon Green by Seth and Paul Moves Out by Michel Rabagliati join Dragonslippers: This Is What an Abusive Relationship Looks Like by Rosalind B. Penfold (Penguin Canada) and Scott Pilgrim Volume 2 by Bryan Lee O’Malley (Oni Press).
July 19: The Art of Superman Returns give-away on Jack FM
For info visit: www.m2omedia.com and scroll down to THE ART OF SUPERMAN RETURNS
“This is a must-have for true Superman fans. Daniel Wallace’s The Art of Superman Returns features exclusive interviews and background detail alongside photos, sketches, storyboards and production art covering everything from the iconic ‘S’ logo and Metropolis, to the Fortress of Solitude and beyond!
July 18: ELLE’s best books “From serious to sexy and everywhere in between, here are some hot summer reads” by Kat Tancock.
Link to the article: Featured books include Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow by Faiza Guene (Harcourt), “... for a taste of what has been called the Bridget Jones of the Paris suburbs, pick up Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow by French writer Faiza Guene ...” and A Year in Japan by Kate T. Williamson (Princeton Architectural Press), “... Once you’ve browsed through her selections of Japanese cultural tidbits, from the wide selection of beautiful washcloths to illustrations of plum, apple and cherry blossoms, you’ll come away with a deeper appreciation of Japanese culture—not to mention a gorgeous book to brighten your coffee table."
July 17: New York City: 4th Edition (Lonely Planet) by Beth Greenfield & Robert Reid reviewed on the BookLoons website. Link to the article:“There’s a certain quality to travel guides, an element that makes these types of books informative and instructional, but rarely entertaining. Lonely Planet’s New York City guide breaks that mold. It is as full as charm, energy, and engaging, provocative attitude as the inhabitants of New York themselves.”
Flavours of Canada presents: The World’s Longest Barbecue 2006 Edition
5514 kilometres, 6 time zones, 33 million guests
From the Flavours of Canada press release:
Wherever they live on earth Canadians are being challenged to log on, register, then head to their grills on Saturday August 5 at 6 p.m. to create The World’s Longest Barbecue—one of the largest food events in Canada, if not globally. They are then asked to spread the word.
Barbecue creator and culinary activist, Anita Stewart says: “The World’s Longest Barbecue was, and is, a pride-filled grass roots celebration of our extraordinary agricultural bounty. It gives Canadians a chance to barbecue Canadian food and quaff Canadian beverages – usually of the frosty sort and share their stories.”
It’s all about Canada! Support Canadian agriculturalists. Cook Canadian on August 5.
Registered participants have an opportunity to win dozens of cookbooks and a grand prize of a Weber Silver C gas grill valued at $850. Selections will be based on the most interesting example of a Canadian menu and a random draw.
For more information visit: http://www.flavoursofcanada.ca
Or contact Anita Stewart: http://www.anitastewart.ca
Anita Stewart is the author of Flavours of Canada (published by Raincoast Books.
ALL ABOARD THE DINOTRAIN by Deb Lund, illustrated by Howard Fine (Harcourt, Inc., 0-15-205237-2, $19.95 cloth)
They stoke the boiler, stow the luggage, and when hills are steep, they even get out and push. That’s right, the thrill-seeking, daredevil dinosaurs from DINOSAILORS are back, and now they’re riding a train. But this train is more like a roller coaster—up, down, and faster and faster, until they realize the brakes are out! Laughs and thrills abound in this hilarious rhyming read-aloud tale.
HOW TO BE A GOOD DOG by Gail Page (Bloomsbury USA, 1-58234-683-6, $19.95 cloth)
Bobo isn’t a bad dog—he’s just having a little trouble remembering how to be good. When Bobo’s owner, Mrs. Birdhead, finally has enough of Bobo’s antics, she banishes him to the doghouse. Oddly enough, it’s the silent Cat who misses him the most and it’s Cat’s patience and can-do attitude that save the day.
TRUST ME MUM by Angela McAllister, illustrated by Ross Collins (Bloomsbury U.K., 0-7475-7301-8, $24.95 cloth)
A mother’s fears are put to rest after her son returns home safely from a trip to the shops with the correct change (and the cheese!). TRUST ME MUM is a reassuring book for both mother and child. It gently addresses a child’s need for independence and the maturity that helps him figure out things for himself.
LOOKING AFTER LITTLE ELLIE by Dosh Archer, illustrated by Mike Archer (Bloomsbury UK, 0-7475-7929-6, $14.95 paperback)
Helping and sharing are explored in an original way in this clever picture book by a popular husband-and-wife team. A family of mice agrees to help out a neighbour and baby-sit Little Ellie. Imagine their surprise when Little Ellie turns out to be a baby elephant! She needs so much food, so many games and a lot of rest, and even her tears are huge. The mice, though run off their feet, cope admirably—proving they are true friends.
I CAN DO IT by Jana Novotny Hunter, illustrated by Lucy Richards (Frances Lincoln, 1-84507-127-1, $19.95 cloth)
Preschoolers will learn the importance of their actions as they follow along with Little Guinea Pig’s first day at nursery school. He finds himself doing lots of different things. He can be careful when he is building his bricks. He can be loud when it is music time. Through easily accessible text and sweet illustrations, young children will realize that sometimes we can be fast, noisy or strong.
OVERBOARD by Sarah Weeks, illustrated by Sam Williams (Harcourt Inc., 0-15-205046-9, $17.95 cloth)
Sweet little baby bunny is as cute as can be, but turn your back for just one minute and—uh-oh—he’s throwing everything overboard! The peachy peaches are going overboard! Squeaky, leaky rubber ducky? He’s overboard! So are the jammies and the diapers and everything else within reach. And when it’s finally time to settle down for bedtime, the baby bunny has one last surprise! Sarah Weeks’ charming rhythmic text and Sam Williams’ sweet, appealing illustrations have come together in a book that mischievous toddlers will want to read again and again.
Raincoast Books and the Anthony Bourdain podcasts were featured yesterday in Frank Barnako’s Internet Daily column.
Read the article here.
Mr. Barnako and I had a very interesting conversation earlier in the day about Anthony Bourdain, Raincoast’s online program and how podcasts fit into the mix.
Here’s one of my quotes from the article: “I don’t see the Raincoast podcasts as a replacement to mainstream media,” she [Monique Trottier] continued. “I see them as an augmentation to the existing book coverage on radio, TV, and print. More people are gravitating online after hearing a book recommendation from a friend, or listening to a radio interview with the author, or seeing a TV spot. I want to make sure they can find what they’re looking for, including the extras like a podcast, a chapter excerpt, an interview with the author.”
What I love about the Bourdain podcasts is that intimacy you get listening into his private conversations vs. hearing him speak at an author event.
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the 3-Part Podcast: Anthony Bourdain Uncensored, have a listen.
Part Three: Not All Nasty Bits
And thank you again to Frank Barnako for his fine article on Anthony Bourdain and the Raincoast podcasts.
Raincoast Books—Podcast Edition 7—The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain
The Nasty Bits: Collected Varietal Cuts, Useable Trim, Scraps, and Bones by Anthony Bourdain
LISTEN NOW (23.4 MB, MP3 Runs: 16:10)
This is the final installment of Raincoast’s 3-part podcast series with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, the best selling author of Kitchen Confidential and The Nasty Bits, and host of the TV show No Reservations.
On June 12, 2006, Anthony Bourdain spent a day in Vancouver doing media interviews and bookstore appearances to talk about his new book The Nasty Bits.
He wore a lapel microphone during the entire day, allowing Raincoast Books and At Large Media to record Bourdain’s casual conversation with fans, private moments in the car, and regular interview style questions.
..........
In Part Three—Not All Nasty Bits Anthony Bourdain talks about:
- What chefs have in common
- Whether he misses day to day restaurant work
- and what he’s afraid of.
Bourdain also discusses:
- Work ethic
- The Omelette of Truth
- Human nature
- Advice for the fast foodie
- Pub food
- Tattoos
- How he started writing
- and what he’s working on next.
LISTEN NOW (23.4 MB, MP3 Runs: 16:10)
..........
The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain (Bloomsbury USA, 1-58234-451-5).
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books.
From the Georgia Straight Views Blog, “Anthony Bourdain has no reservations in Beirut.”
Bourdain and his Travel Channel film crew for “No Reservations” are currently stuck in Beirut. They flew in Sunday to film for the show but now, due to the assault on the city, are holed up at the Moevenpick Hotel waiting for evacuation instructions.
There’s a discussion forum off the Travel Channel website, which includes updates from Bourdain regarding the situation. Follow the “Talk About It!” links from the Bourdain site:
http://travel.discovery.com/fansites/bourdain/bourdain.html
In other Bourdain news, part 3 of his insider look at cooking and kitchens will be available tomorrow on the Raincoast website and from iTunes:
http://www.raincoast.com/podcast/index.html
The final segment of the 3-part Anthony Bourdain podcast goes live tomorrow.
While you’re waiting, enter the Abebooks contest to win a signed copy of Anthony Bourdain’s latest book The Nasty Bits.
Here’s the link to the contest and you can read the Abebooks’ interview with Anthony Bourdain as well.
Stay tuned for the podcast:
http://www.raincoast.com/podcast/index.html
This Saturday’s Globe and Mail reported that later this month hundreds of people--many related to Metis leader Louis Riel--will reunite in Winnipeg to mark the 200th anniversary of his grandparents’ arrival in the West.
The bicentennial celebration starts July 28 at the dock near the St. Boniface Cathedral with the re-enactment of the arrival by birchbark canoe of Riel’s grandparents, Jean-Baptiste and Marie-Anne Lagimodiere.
The Lagimodieres played a key role in the development of Canada, as did their famous and infamous grandson Louis Riel.
In 2003, critically acclaimed graphic novelist Chester Brown published the comic-strip biography of Louis Riel with Drawn and Quarterly Publications.
Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography is a compelling and meticulous retelling of the charismatic 19th-century Metis leader, regarded by some as a martyr and by others as a treacherous murderer.
The Globe and Mail says, “if you love to read a gripping story, if you are awed by the talent of an artist, then look no further: Chester Brown’s Louis Riel is comix history in the making, and with it, history never looked so good.”
Raincoast podcasts are available from iTunes by searching for "Raincoast" or the RSS feed is available from Feedburner at 
Check out our NEWEST Podcast for Clancy with the Puck, a hilarious tale of hockey hubris.