Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

. NEW BOOK, NEW WILDLIFE EXHIBITION FOR ONTARIO WILDLIFE ARTIST GEORGE McLEAN Toronto Sun photographer Andy Donato (right) chats to artist George McLean (left) at the Toronto launch of George McLean: The Living Landscape . The book, written by Virginia Eichhorn, Tom Smart and Adam Duncan Harris , was launched at the Ben McNally Bookstore in downtown Toronto. . McLean is one of Canada’s finest wildlife artist. His technical prowess, his affinity for his subject matter, and his densely layered depictions of the natural world emerge directly from his intense interest in wildlife. Now in his seventies, his passion for the creatures and the habitat that surrounds him is as intense as it ever was, as is his desire to share his passion with others through his art. In this new book, Tom Thomson Gallery curator Virginia Eichhorn, examines the development of McLean’s art and trace his varied influences, casting his work in the light of early 20th-century artists Carl Rungius , Bruno Liljefor

. On New Hampshire's Retro Route # 3 (from New Hampshire's Maple Gazette ) Who says you can't turn back the hands of time? It can if you take a motor trip to New Hampshire. The State's Route 3 Retro Tour shows you how to drive back in time. The 133 miles of gorgeous byways between Tilton and Pittsburg contain a treasure chest of affordable, 1950's and 1960's-era, owner-operated motels, motor courts and attractions. Route 3 is situated between Lake Winnipesaukee and the northern border of New Hampshire. This was the main north-south travel route for vacation and business travellers alike during the 1950's and 1960's. Attractions still abound along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, in both Weirs Beach and Meredith's abundant shopping areas, where New Hampshire's Route 3 Retro Tour begins. It is surprising how much of the 50s has survived. The 104 Diner -- the last Worcester (railroad) Lunch Car to be built in America -- is a must stop. So is Chut

. Leaving the Vampire Rules Behind Will Condo Owners Flex their electoral muscle this October? Edited Version Of This Story To Appear In Torontoist October 25 By Stephen Weir When it comes to talking politics in most condo buildings, Vampire rules are in effect … no politician can cross the threshold unless invited in and best that they come after dark. Hundreds of thousands of voters in the GTA keep their crypts in condominiums – is this the October that a stake is driven through the heart of the condo group apathy towards all things political, and this block of voters takes its rightful place in the sunlight? Some high profile city candidates including both mayoral and city council seat seekers, wonder and worry whether 2010 is the year that condo owners exercise their franchise. A fledging condo association has flagged civic issues that condo owners should take an interest in, and a veteran NDP MPP has once again introduced a private member’s bill that, in effect, will create a c

. Sidebar: Voting by the numbers. Councillor Mihevcfeels that condo residents tend to not take as much of interest in local politics as people who live in houses and apartment buildings. MPP Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina) agrees that Toronto’s condo culture works against residents – owners and renters alike – to get involved in civic politics, but feels that it is changing. “This is one of the things that come out of that culture of living in a condo, it was sold as ‘you live in your unit, you go away for a holiday, and here is your key’. You lock the door and you are gone, you don’t have to worry about a thing. The point of a condo living in the beginning of the boom was that you don’t have to talk to anyone. You don’t have to be part of a community, “explained Marchese. “The culture of it was based on the idea that you have got things you want to do in life and your condominium offers you an opportunity to do just that, and it gives you the privacy you are looking for. That is

Photos of Stephen Weir by Janine, Halifax underwater shark wrangler and photographer at Stuart Cove, Nassau Dive #1 Wreck of the port royal and bacardii reef Stuart cove Depth 109 ft Buddy – some guy from texas In; 3,100 LBS 32% NITROX OUT 100 lbs Stops 4 minutes computer on setting for air and it NEVER went into decompression Worst dive since the time maria got lost in the dam in peterborough. Lost my camera, flooded. O-rings. I was stressed. Checked out a wreck. Govt gun ship, now an artificial reef. Covered in small fish. Quite a colony of groupers there. Lion fish abound. Stuart Cover says he has a licence to trap the lionfish but he says he has lost the battle. Got the resident photographer to take a picture of me inside the wreck with a lion fish. Lost my buddy. Instructor from texas. He was wearing earphones and listening to music. Found him as he was going over to the wall. It started at 100 feet. \he said let’s take a look but since \i only had 1,000 lbs by th

. HOW IS IT BUILT? Construction company using concrete, and lots of it, to give Marilyn Monroe curves that will stand the test of time. Toronto Star September 18th feature story (Condo Section: http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/realestate/article/861508--mississauga-condos-absolutely-brilliant ) By Stephen Weir Long after the world has forgotten Marilyn Monroe, two well endowed condos will still be twisting the years away in downtown Mississauga. Curvaceous. Shockingly new. Absolute Buildings 4 and 5 are being built to last for the next century and beyond. While their growing shapes are unconventional (Absolute 4 been dubbed the Marilyn Monroe because of its curves while Absolute 5 will sport a masculine big butt profile) it is the traditional application of concrete, and lots of it, that will make these buildings an eye-catching monument in time. The 50 and 56 story condominiums have been under construction for over three years. Now, as the structures begin to tower over the nearby City Ha

. Condo Trivia By Stephen Weir Mississsauga's startling new condominium project. Story appeared in September 18, 2010 Toronto Star. Factoids only on website. Main feature appeared in print. FACTOIDS • Absolute 4 (Marilyn Monroe) has a rotation of 207 degrees from the base to the top. • Absolute 5 has a rotation of 200 degrees from the base to the top. • Absolute 4 (Marilyn Monroe) will reach 56 storeys. Each level has 9ft ceilings except the penthouse levels which will have 10ft ceilings • Marilyn Monroe has 428 suites; her shorter companion will have more … 453 in total. • Marilyn Monroe’s largest suite will be 3,500 sq feet, her smallest will be 545 sq ft • Marilyn Monroe will have 6 penthouse units, 100 21/2 -bedroom suites, 217 2-bedroom suites and only 28 1-bedroom units. There will be no bachelor units. • Amount of concrete that has been poured: 4400 cubic meters • Amount of concrete still to be poured: 1500 cubic meters • Absolute 4 and 5 share a common garage. There will be