Legal Beagle


*Please note, “Legal Beagle” articles are general legal guidelines and are not meant to replace legal counsel. Please see your local Paralegal, or Lawyer for detailed case-by-case information.

Am I liable when I host a party?

With the wonderful holidays at our doorstep many of us are planning on hosting parties. Also with hosting parties, most will serve some type of alcohol. The question therefore that you should be asking is this: If I provide alcohol at a party at my home and someone gets into a car accident because of it, am I legally responsible?

The answer to this question is Yes, you are "legally responsible." While answers to these kinds of questions often vary from one jurisdiction to another, as a rule of thumb, anytime you provide alcohol to anyone you accept some responsibility for what can happen. The degree of your responsibility will most likely weigh heavily on the amount of alcohol you provided to the individual in question, and the degree to which the individual was intoxicated, or impaired as a result of the alcohol you provided, and what steps you took to prevent the person, or party from not driving while under the influence of alcohol.

The question of age is an entirely different issue. Providing alcohol to a minor is a separate offence, however if a you provide alcohol to a minor who is not held to the same standard of self restraint as an adult, their actions will most likely come back on you. An adult is expected to know when to drive or not if they are intoxicated, but the law has typically become very strict on this subject. The intoxicated person loses the capacity to make sound judgment, and while this does not absolve them of all wrong doing, most judges will place some degree, if not all, of the blame on the person who serves the alcohol, hence you, the host.

Many bars have been shut down because of deaths related to automobile accidents which occurred after a patron has left. The Bar tender, as well as the servers (waiters / waitresses) have been held liable when they fail to "cut off" a patron, or serve a person who arrives at their establishment already intoxicated. Homeowners who provide alcohol to their guests are often held to the same level of accountability.

As you stated in the above question, "and someone gets into a car accident because of it . . ." There is the catch. If they get into an accident because of the alcohol you served them, then you are responsible. They will most likely be judged as having been too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle, thus, the person who provided them with the alcohol, served them to a point of being dangerous. If you serve alcohol in your home, you have the responsibility to ensure that your guests do not leave and drive while drunk. Take their keys, provide a ride, call a taxi or call the police. Even if you do not know they will drive, the possibility that they might drive places the burdon of public safety, at least partially, upon you. Simply put: YOUR PARTY--YOUR PROBLEM!

Everyone wants the party to be a good time - an opportunity for you and your guests to unwind. However, when alcohol is involved, things can get out of hand. The risks of death and injury rise sharply with your guests' level of intoxication. Did you know that alcohol is involved in about 42% of fatal traffic crashes and that alcohol-related crashes are the leading killer of Canadians under 40.

The risks are not limited to driving. A large percentage of pedestrian, fire, drowning, boating, and snowmobile deaths involve alcohol. In fact, alcohol-related falls put more people in the hospital, for more days, than impaired driving. If you hold a party at your home and someone gets hurt, you can be sued!

You can be held liable for deaths and injuries on two separate bases. First, you can be sued as a provider for serving alcohol to intoxicated guests who later injure themselves or others.

Second, if the event is on your property or a property under your control, you may be sued as an occupier.

Provider liability does not prevent you from being a gracious host in serving alcohol. Rather, it means that you cannot continue to serve guests who are becoming, or who are already, intoxicated.

With respect to hosting events, all occupiers are required to take reasonable steps to prevent injuries from occurring on their property. Your liability as an occupier is separate from your liability as a provider. Therefore, you can incur liability as an occupier even if you do not serve a single drop of alcohol. Simply allowing alcohol-related events on your property gives rise to some legal responsibility.

Being Sued As A Provider Of Alcohol

Bars and other licensed establishments have been held civilly liable as alcohol providers for the injuries their intoxicated patrons suffered or caused, either on or off the premises. Liability has been imposed even though the staff had no actual knowledge of the patron's intoxication, or had not served the patron all (or even most) of the alcohol causing his or her intoxication. Licensed establishments have been held accountable when they served alcohol to a patron who they knew or ought to have known was intoxicated.

Unfortunately, the legislation and the cases do not provide a definition of intoxication for civil liability purposes. Some courts appear to equate intoxication with a minimum blood-alcohol level of .08% - the level at which it becomes a criminal offence to drive. However, licensed establishments have not been held liable as providers simply because they served a patron to just above the .08% level or because they unwittingly served an intoxicated patron a single drink.

Almost all of the successful suits involve patrons who were served even though they were visibly intoxicated or had already been served very large quantities of alcohol. In most of these cases, the patron was about double the .08% level or more. The Supreme Court of Canada recently suggested that provider liability requires over service plus some other risk factor, such as obvious impairment or knowledge that the patron plans to drive.

Like licensed establishments, social hosts have been held liable for serving intoxicated guests. You do not need to have a liquor licence or permit to be held accountable. The courts have yet to decide whether the principles of provider liability will be modified in social host situations.

Professor Solomon, MADD Canada's Director of Legal Policy and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario, has argued that liability for serving the intoxicated should be the same for private social hosts as it is for commercial licensed establishments. After all, it is an offence under almost all of the provincial liquor laws for anyone to serve or provide alcohol to a person who is already intoxicated. The risks are identical whether the intoxicated person drives home from a bar or from a house. Finally, social hosts typically are in a better position to control their guests' behaviour than licensed establishments that often have no knowledge of, or relationship with, their patrons.

Being Sued As An Occupier

More alcohol-related suits have been based on occupiers' liability than on provider liability. An "occupier" is any person who has control over property with the power to admit or exclude others. You may be an occupier as a homeowner hosting a party, as an officer of a service club running a social, or as the renter of a hall for your daughter's graduation party.

The law requires occupiers to take reasonable steps to protect all entrants, including the intoxicated. As the following cases illustrate, an occupier must ensure that the premises are reasonably safe in terms of the physical condition, the people who are allowed to enter and remain, and the activities that are permitted to occur.

Liability For The Condition Of The Premises

The owner of a resort was held liable after a guest, whose blood-alcohol level was about five times the legal limit for driving, fell to his death from a second-story balcony door. The owner had moved a coffee table in front of the door and had warned the guests to keep it locked because the balcony had not been completed. Nevertheless, in the court's view, it was foreseeable that guests would get intoxicated and open the door for ventilation. By failing to barricade the door, the owner breached his obligation to ensure that the physical condition of the premises was reasonably safe. The guest was found 65% contributory negligent for his own death, but the owner's 35% share of liability still amounted to $250,000.

Liability For The Conduct Of The Entrants

A municipal conservation authority was held liable for over $200,000 in damages after rowdy youths assaulted the McGinty family. The authority, which had advertised the park as a quiet family campground, largely ignored the McGintys' complaints about the youths' noisy party. Two members of the McGinty family were attacked when they responded to screams for help from the party. Despite previous incidents with the group that summer and a violent confrontation earlier that evening, the staff had not ejected the youths or taken any other steps to safeguard the other campers. The court stated that the police should have been called earlier in the evening and the advertised "quiet time" should have been strictly enforced. The court concluded that the conservation authority had negligently failed to protect the McGintys.

Liability For Activities On The Premises

Stringer broke his neck diving from a second-story bedroom window into the Ashley’s' shallow swimming pool. Stringer and several of the other guests had dove or jumped into the pool between 10 and 22 times without incident. Mrs. Ashley had warned Stringer, who had at least 6 drinks at the party, not to dive. Nevertheless, the jury decided that she should have told Stringer to leave, stopped the party or called for help to dissuade Stringer. Furthermore, Mr. Ashley should have assisted his wife by asking Stringer to leave, locking the door to the room or otherwise preventing further diving. The Ashley’s were held responsible for only 40% of Stringer's total losses because of his contributory negligence. Their share of liability amounted to over $2,000,000.

Expanding Liability And The "Quick Fix"

While the exact scope of a social host's liability may be unclear, the trend has been to expand liability. It is safe to say that any social host who gives his or her intoxicated guests alcohol or who ignores their safety is courting legal grief. Remember, social host liability is as much an issue at weddings, office parties, golf tournaments, and informal street parties as it is in private homes.

Most of the measures proposed to reduce the risks of being sued focus on impaired driving, such as designated driver programs. While impaired driving poses the greatest risk of death, you must not be lulled into a false sense of security. You should not ignore other precautions or over serve your non-driving guests. First, you may be held liable as a provider if they leave your property and drown, get run over or fall over a stair railing. Second, you may be held liable as both a provider and as an occupier if they walk into your clear glass door, start a fight with another guest or fracture their skull diving into your pool.

You need to consider a number of strategies to ensure that you address the full range of your risks. With a little common sense, an attentive host who adopts even basic precautions can dramatically reduce his or her risks of being successfully sued.

What You Can Do

As you have read, you have potential liability where alcohol is involved. However, you also have sweeping authority to control who comes onto your property and what happens while they are there. Consider the following –

Planning:

Adequate preparation can avoid many of the tragedies that produce lawsuits.

Use care in hosting events. If there have been previous problems with a particular event or guest, have you taken steps to avoid a re-occurrence?

Large events, such as company parties and school graduations, require careful planning and clear policies. Depending on the size of the event, consider using an experienced manager, and trained servers and security staff.

Do not combine alcohol with potentially dangerous activities, such as boating, snowmobiling, skiing, or swimming. If this is not possible, ensure that alcohol is only available after the physical activities are completed.

Check the premises for potential hazards. Since drinking affects judgement and co-ordination, a normally safe condition may endanger an intoxicated guest. Even minor changes, such as locking the gate to the pool or placing a decal on a clear glass door, can reduce your risks.

Serving:

Your risks increase with your guests' level of intoxication. Adopt serving practices that minimize intoxication.

Do not make drinking the focus of your party. Do not permit drinking competitions or other practices that promote intoxication.

Make food available. Guests who have eaten absorb alcohol more slowly than those who have not, thereby lowering their peak blood-alcohol level.

Serve drinks to your guests, rather than offering a self-service bar. A self-service bar may encourage heavy consumption and make it more difficult for you to keep track of your guests' drinking.

Offer your guests non-alcohol and low-alcohol drinks.

Do not encourage intoxication by serving double shots, extra-strong mixed drinks or extra-strength beer.

Stop serving alcohol long before you expect the party to break up. It is simply not smart to serve people alcohol immediately before they get behind the wheel of their car or otherwise try to get home.

Supervising:

Despite your efforts, a guest may become intoxicated. You need to think about how you will respond.

Be attentive to your guests' behaviour and appearance. Be prepared to have a friendly word with a guest who is becoming intoxicated.

Do not serve alcohol to a guest who is already intoxicated. Such conduct only increases the risks of a mishap and your chances of being sued. A guest may be significantly impaired and at risk well before they appear drunk.

Arrange for a guest who may be intoxicated to be taken home safely or to stay the night. Friends don't let friends drive home drunk.

Remember that an intoxicated guest may be at considerable risk even if he or she is not driving home.

Being a good host means protecting your guests, yourself and others, as well as having a good time. The steps you take to protect your guests will reduce your likelihood of being sued. Your exposure to legal grief is largely in your hands.

If you drink... don't drive!

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the December Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM check out

www.mainstreetmagazine.net

For The Boys


GIFTS

WHAT MEN WANT-- WHAT WOMEN HATE

Gifts For Men

It’s that time of year once again where men all across Canada are biting their nails wondering what they're going to get for Christmas from their wives or girlfriends. A tie? New socks? Pots and pans? A jar filled with air? Oh better yet, that silly sweater- oh wait she bought two so we can match! God only knows what we will unwrap, only to paste that happy smile and say the words she wants to hear- I LOVE it honey!

This year, ladies can you please- pretty please-give us the gift we want? Just because were men, doesn’t mean that we are going to jump up and down at the sight of a new cordless drill.

There is no such thing as the "perfect" gift. Every man is different, with unique tastes and preferences. A carpenter might prefer a new set of tools, a working professional might appreciate a new stylish wallet, while an outdoors man might rejoice at a three-day getaway. The important thing is that your gift demonstrates that you actually put some thought into it -- according to our hobbies and interests (minus the porn).

Here are some gift ideas for women to consider.

DVD COLLECTIONS

Come on ladies, you know what movies are our favourites, the key here is what movies WE like, you know, James Bond, The Spranos, a little Godfather...

GADGETS

The cool kind, like an iPad, surround sound system, kick ass large screen T.V....

TICKETS

Especially sports, but a ticket for our favourite concert would be very cool...

COLOGNE

We like to smell good!

CLOTHES

Admittedly there are lots of men out there that do not like to shop. However, if you have a guy that loves to shop I would recommend a gift certificate to his favourite men’s store.

BONUS

All-Inclusive

For the really good "boy" all year long why not treat him to a combination of dinner, a DVD collection, a DVD player, surround sound AND tickets to his favourite team, and cap it off with a night of magic lovemaking!

Worst Gifts For Her

How Not to Ruin Your Marriage This Holiday Season-You may just be surprised to discover that despite her smiles on Christmas morning she may just be dreading opening those gifts. Hey- does anyone see a reoccurring theme here? More pasted smiles, more declarations of loving something you secretly loath.

So let's be honest here shall we, men, we DO NOT want:

COOKWARE AND GADGETS

We want you to see us a bit of a more romantic light. As your friend, your lover, and your companion, not as the scullery maid!

AUTOMATIC CAR STARTERS

While the man in their life may be giving the car starter with the good intention of seeing the love of his life has a warm car to get into that is not the message we get. The message we receive is that you don't want to be bothered being gentlemanly and cleaning off our cars and starting them. That you would rather linger in a nice warm house and send us off to work in the frigid cold. Unreasonable I know, but again we want our presents to have a bit more romance.

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

There is only ever one reason that is ever acceptable as a gift: she has written a story that you have secretly sent to the magazine and it has been published. Then you may present the magazine as gift but only that one magazine not an entire subscription. Even then you might want to hedge your bets by marking the page and including a note along the lines of "To the most beautiful and talented woman in the world."

FOOTY PAJAMAS

A man should never, ever, buy his wife that kind of bedroom wear, even if she sleeps in them 24/7. If you are buying her sleep attire then buy her something with lace, and that is elegant and beautiful. Buy her something that says you desire her and you can think of some interesting ways to keep her warm at night. Don't tell her to cover herself from head to foot when she is in bed with you!

WRINKLE CREAM

I know, I know, but yes, at times, men CAN be that stupid! Buying the women in your life wrinkle cream will make them feel about the same as your would to receive Rogaine as a gift. Keep that in mind when your hand reaches for those attractive little baskets on those shelves at the local Walmart.

IT'S SMPLE—REALLY

While every woman on your shopping list appreciates the time and effort you spend picking out a gift just for her, they really do prefer a gift that tells them that you find them attractive, fun, and that you enjoy being with them.

Happy Holidays Everyone

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the December Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM check out www.mainstreetmagazine.net

Christmas Gift Ideas to Make

Pretty Handmade Recipe Book

Recipe Book Instruc

tions

1 Cut a 5x7-inch piece of decorative paper. Use adhesive to attach the

decorative paper t

o the chipboard cover.

2 Use a corner rounder to round the corners of the pages, including the cover.

3 Place an adhesive label on the front of your cover.

4 Trim the flaps off 4x6-inch envelopes. You will need one envelope per page. The envelopes will keep different-size recipe cards together neatly.

5 Use adhesive to attach one env

elope to the front of each chipboard page.

6 Punch a hole in the upper left-hand corner of each page, including the cover, using a small paper punch. Punch the hole in the same place on each page.

7 Stack the pages together with the cover on top, and insert a screw post (available at crafts stores) through the hole and screw on the backing.


Monogram Wall Art

Create a decorative monogram to give as a handcrafted Christmas present. Paint a wood letter a neutral color and decorate with buttons, ribbons, and other embellishments, customized to the recipient's taste and style.

Perfect For: A tween, teen, or college-age student; the family babysitter

Make It Say Christmas: Use a last initial and decorate with Christmas embellishments for the whole family to enjoy.







Painted Mouse Pad

Turn a plain cork tile into a creative mouse pad. Stamp an image onto paper and enlarge it with a copier. Cut out the shape; use it as a template to cut the cork tile. Choose laser-cut paper and place it over the cork. Use a foam brush and acrylic paint to fill in the negative spaces. Carefully lift the laser-cut paper before the paint dries. When dry, spray the entire surface with a protective sealant.

Perfect For: A tech-savvy friend, your cubicle buddy

Make It Say Christmas: Use Christmas-motif laser cut paper to fashion the painted design.



Knit a Toy Fido Will Love

If your dog loves to play catch or tug-of-war, you don't have to settle for a store-bought toy with this knitted favourite.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Measurements: Length = approx 10 inches. Circumference at widest part = approx 6 1/2 inches.

What You Need

Yarns

Lion Brand Cotton (Art. 760)100% cotton; 5 oz. (142 g); 236 yds. (215 m); worsted weight

· 1 ball #186 Maize (A)

· 1 ball #153 Black (B)

· 1 ball #112 Poppy Red (C)

NOTE: You'll need only a few yards each of colors B and C for the stripes. Omit B and C if you want to make a solid-color toy.

Needles and Extras

· Size 4 double-pointed needles (dpns)

· Stitch marker

· Washable batting

· Blunt-end yarn needle

Gauge

21 sts and 27 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in St st (knit all rounds).

TAKE TIME TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

NOTE: Using small needles with worsted weight yarn keeps the batting from showing through.

Instructions

With A, cast on 30 sts. Divide evenly on 3 needles.

Rnd 1: Knit. Place marker at end of rnd. Rep Rnd 1 for 12 rnds. Drop A.

Next 2 rnds: With B, knit. Drop B.

Next 4 rnds: With A, knit. Drop A.

Next 2 rnds: With C, knit. Drop C.

Next 10 rnds: With A, cont knitting in St st for 10 rnds or until piece measures desired length of wide end.

Dec rnd: With A, *k1, k2tog; rep from * to end of rnd -- 20 sts. Cont knitting in St st until middle section measures 3 inches or desired length of middle section.

Inc rnd: *K2, M1 (see Make 1 directions, page 66); rep from * to end of rnd -- 30 sts.

Continue knitting in St st for 10 rnds or to match length from the second stripe to the center. Drop A.

Next 2 rnds: With C, knit. Drop C.

Next 4 rnds: With A,

knit. Drop A.

Next 2 rnds: With B, knit. Drop B.

Next 13 rnds: With A, continue knitting in St st for 13 rnds or until section matches the length of the first wide end. Remove marker.

Bind off.

Finishing

Sew one end tog. Cut and fold batting into a roll to fit inside the knitted tube. Add additional batting inside the wide ends. Sew the other end tog.

The Write Stuff

Create custom stationery for a friend by embellishing an unfinished wooden box and plain-Jane note cards with rib

bon and buttons. Attach the ribbon and buttons with double-sided tape or hot glue. Line the inside of the box with brightly colored paper.





© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the December Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM check out www.mainstreetmagazine.net

Frugal Family Fun Activities for Christmas

By Rachel Keller

Often in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we neglect the most important people in our lives: our family. This Christmas, take time to remember the real reason for the season while having fun with your family. Here are some great ideas to get you started.

1. Attend a Christmas play or performance, such as "A Christmas Carol," "The Nutcracker," or "The Messiah." Even if you are unable to attend a performance, you may be able to watch it at home in front of a cozy fire. Serve homemade popcorn and have fun

2. Watch some old movies, such as "It's a Wonderful Life" or "The Sound of Music."

3. Begin a giant jigsaw puzzle on December 1 and try to finish it by New Year's Day. This is an excellent way for families to have fun together and learn some important skills. Even young children can help find border pieces or sort by colors.

4. Collect your children's old crayons. Peel and place into Christmas candy molds. Place in pans of hot water to melt, or if the molds are heat resistant, melt at low setting in the microwave or oven. Cool and let your children create Christmas cards and pictures for others with their "new crayons."

5. Make your own wrapping paper on white tissue paper or brown paper bags using commercial stamps or a design cut onto a potato. Children love to stamp, but they may want to paint or color, too.

6. Have a birthday party for Jesus. This could be a family activity or you may want to have a real birthday party with your children's friends.

7. Read Christmas stories each night before bed. The stories can be above a child's reading level if you read them out loud.

8. Read the Christmas story from the Bible or from a children's book and act it out.

9. Obtain Bible flash cards or felt Bible characters to tell the Christmas story.

10. Let your children use the Bible flash cards and figures to tell the story. Most children seem to enjoy telling stories using visual aids.

11. After your children become familiar with the Christmas story, take them to a retirement center or a shut-in and let them tell the story. Both the teller and the hearers will be blessed!

12. Christmas is a lonely time for shut-ins, widows, and residents at a nursing home. Take time to share yourself with them.

13. Memorize the first part of Luke 2 and recite together as a family.

14. Go Christmas carolling. Afterward, enjoy hot chocolate and Christmas cookies.

15. Make homemade Christmas ornaments and decorations.

16. Make homemade Christmas cookies and candy and give them out to neighbours.

17. Sponsor an underprivileged child or buy Christmas gifts for children of prisoners (Angel Tree Project). Have your children get involved in selecting the gifts. One of our best Christmases was the year we decided to celebrate simply and buy gifts for a needy family.

18. Study how other cultures and countries celebrate Christmas. Try incorporating a foreign tradition into your celebration.

19. Begin a Christmas journal. Record your family events. In future years, you can reminisce about past holiday seasons.

20. Put together a Christmas photo scrap book. Include pictures as well as favourite cards and letters.

21. Make an Advent candle. Purchase an eight-inch candle. Paint 25 green-and-red horizontal stripes around the candle (using non-flammable, non-toxic acrylic paints). Starting on December 1, burn one stripe each night.

22. Make an Advent calendar.

23. Organize a living nativity scene.

24. This idea comes from A Mother's Manual for Holiday Survival by Kathy Peel and Judie Byrd (published by Focus on the Family). Host a Friendship Stew dinner party. Have each guest bring an item for your stew. Start cooking as soon as the guests arrive. Serve "Snowballs" for dessert.

Friendship Stew

2 pounds ground beef

4 one-pound cans Italian-style crushed tomatoes

2 medium white or yellow onions

4 large potatoes

1 one-pound can yellow corn

1 one-pound can green beans

1 8 1/4 ounce can sliced carrots

2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp. Crushed oregano

1 6-ounce frozen green peas

Brown the ground beef and drain. Place canned tomatoes in a four-quart stock pot. Peel and coarsely chop onions & potatoes. Add to tomatoes. Add beef and remaining ingredients, except the peas. Bring the stew to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer slowly for 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Add peas and cook five minuets longer. Serve with bread. Serves about 8. You can make this stew by leaving out any one of the ingredients, except the tomatoes.

Snowballs

Shape any flavour of ice cream into two-to three-inch balls, quickly rolling each in coconut. Place balls on a cookie sheet and freeze. To serve, place one or two balls in a bowl. (If desired, you can put chocolate syrup in the bowl first.)

"The best Christmas gift of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up with one another."

Author of quotation unknown


© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the December Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM check out www.mainstreetmagazine.net

A Novel Idea


The Life and Times of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum

What a Wonderful Treat for Christmas!!!
Review by Craig T Chase

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (Hardcover)
This book has a rather peculiar history. Originally published in 1902, two years after Baum's success with The Wizard of Oz, the first printing contained 20 color illustrations. In the second printing, eight of the color illustrations were left out, replaced by numerous black and white marginal illustrations. So you can imagine the delight of Oz fans when they discover this lovely edition in full color readily available after so many years of black and white reprints of the original edition.
The book is in three sections: "Youth", "Manhood", and "Old Age". Santa was discovered as an infant abandoned in the Forest of Burzee. The nymphs, fairies and elves adopted him and under the tutelage of Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World, Claus is bought up to appreciate and understand that all living things are sacred and deserve respect. In the "Manhood" section Baum tells the reader how Claus began making toys and delivering them to the world. He had his problems though. The Awgwas, who are evil creatures and can't tolerate happiness, continue to plague Claus first by intercepting his toys during delivery and then kidnapping Claus himself. "Old Age" describes the immortals' decision to take certain actions so that Claus can continue to give to the world.
Numerous questions are answered here:
What is the reason for hanging stockings?
How and why did Santa enlist the help of reindeer?
Why does he slide down the chimney?
As in the Wizard of Oz a good number of the characters here are Baum's own creations. You'll meet the knooks and the ryls, for example. You'll also meet the Gnome King who is rather benign here, but, by the end of Ozma of Oz, becomes the arch enemy of that fairy kingdom.
Michael Hague's illustrations are glorious. In the "Illustrator's Note" he states that the illustrations took three times longer than he expected. Well, it certainly shows. This was a labour of love. The pictures are in two varieties, full color and two colors. The endpapers show a snowy day in the woods, a small creature trudging through it with a sack on its back. This is indeed one of Mr. Hague's finest moments. I wish I could give this book a 10, 5 for the story and 5 for the pictures.

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises
As seen in the December Issue of Main Street Magazine.
Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM check out
www.mainstreetmagazine.net

A Little Inspiration

The Dew Drop
By: Peter Hughes

As the sun rose, a dew drop became aware of its surroundings. There it sat on a leaf; catching the sunlight and throwing it back out. Proud of its simple beauty, it was very content. Around it were other dew drops, some on the same leaf and some on other leaves round about. The dew drop was sure that it was the best, the most special dew drop of them all.
Ah, it was good to be a dew drop.
The wind rose and the plant began to shake, tipping the leaf. Terror gripped the dew drop as gravity pulled it towards the edge of the leaf, towards the unknown. Why? Why was this happening? Things were comfortable. Things were safe. Why did they have to change? Why? Why?
The dew drop reached the edge of the leaf. It was terrified, certain that it would be smashed into a thousand pieces below, sure that this was the end. The day had only just begun and the end had come so quickly. It seemed so unfair. It seemed so meaningless. It tried desperately to do whatever it could to cling to the leaf, but it was no use.
Finally, it let go, surrendering to the pull of gravity. Down, down it fell. Below there seemed to be a mirror. A reflection of itself seemed to be coming up to meet the dew drop. Closer and closer they came together until finally...
And then the fear transformed into deep joy as the tiny dew drop merged with the vastness that was the pond. Now the dew drop was no more, but it was not destroyed.
It had become one with the whole.


Pete is the father of Erin and Lottie, a writer, a part-time juggler, a conduit of love and a bit of a poser when it comes to photographs. He enjoys hopping (left leg); overuse of the word 'absolutely' and waking up, thinking it is time to go to work, then realising it is Sunday.


© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises
As seen in the November Issue of Main Street Magazine.
Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM check out
www.mainstreetmagazine.net

THE BIG EVENT

Celebrating Robin Barker's 50 Years in Hair
&
CD Launch of: WHAT ARE THE CHILDREN WORTH?

All words and music by Robin Barker
With an All-Star Live Band & Over 40 Models
Monday, November 15th at 8pm
Revival - TORONTO
All proceeds donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation

TORONTO - Robin Barker has been in the business of hairdressing for 50 years and is not only a master hairdresser, but a photographer and songwriter and at the age of 70 an avid exercise and golf-fanatic!

Quoted by Hair magazine as "the hottest designer in Canada" Robin Barker started his career in London in the sixties and was managing a salon within two years. He immigrated to Canada and became the head stylist of Caruso's Toronto salon and opened his own salon in 1971. During his career he has received many accolades and been featured in fashion pages and every major trade magazine in the world from Vogue to Italian Vogue. Known as "the Make-Over King", Robin was the stylist who gave Moses Znaimer, the co-founder of City TV, the idea for what has now become 'City Line' and hosted /produced his own television show called 'WOW! You Look So Good!'.

Although hairdressing has always been the forefront of his career, much of Robin's time has been charity driven. Robin has been involved with the Sick Kids Hospital Telethon and was also the motivational force to promote the Parkinson's Cut-A-Thon event nationally. For 20 years Robin was the chairman and founder of the Scissors Open, the Gus Caruso Memorial Golf Tournament, which was charity driven on behalf of the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Robin has produced a CD of his own original songs with all proceeds donated to The Stephen Lewis Foundation for children affected by AIDS in East Africa and as G.H.D. President in 1984; he is very proud of being the first in the beauty and fashion world to organize a show to raise money for AIDS - specifically, the AIDS Committee of Toronto, before "Fashion Cares."

The Stephen Lewis Foundation supports community-based organizations working to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Since 2003, they have funded more than 300 projects in 15 countries. These grassroots groups are the lifeline for their communities: they provide counseling and education about HIV prevention, care and treatment; distribute food, medication and other necessities; reach the sick and vulnerable through home-based health care; help orphans and vulnerable children access education and work through their grief; and support grandmothers caring for their orphaned grandchildren.

The musicians on the album were hand picked by Robin, mainly from the
Toronto jazz, R&B and pop community, and include; arranger and pianist
Waylen Miki, Juno Award winner Christopher Plock, Maple Blues Award winner Mike Ferfolia, Juno Award winner Brandi Disterheft (bass), U of T graduate Sam Mclellen (bass), Toronto's multi-talented musician Kenny Munshaw, Tony Quarrington (guitar), William Sperandei (flugelhorn and trumpet), Nathan Dell-Vandenberg (trombone), Kevin Clark (trumpet), Jerome Godboo (harmonica), the unforgettable Great Bob Scott (drums) and vocalists Liberty Silver, DK, Dave Statham, Elise LeGrow, De La Funk, Alex Pangman, Sarah Daye, Julie Michels, Sophia Perlman, Chloe Charles and Alpha Galates.

Robin Barker Hair'Sociates is located in Yorkville, Toronto. In 2009, Robin opened a "Signature Salon" at the glorious 240-room Rousseau Resort and Spa Marriott Hotel in Minett Muskoka, and will soon be opening two "Signature Salons" just outside of Toronto.

What's next? He intends to write a humorous autobiography- the names will be changed to protect the not-so-innocent.

For information visit www.robinbarker.ca
The Revival Club - 783 College St
Tickets: $35 advance $45 at door (includes FREE CD)
416 -960-5545 1-800-960-5545 info@robinbarker.ca

MEDIA CONTACT: For an advanced copy of the album / interviews contact
Cat Fawcett - Cat*PR www.catpr.ca cat@catpr.ca 647 895 4310