Tag: Paul J. Youngman

Newsletter 41

Newsletter 41

Hello all. Welcome! I want to share with you 5 things that interested me this week and might bring you some revelation, and perhaps even enjoyment.

1. This week Toronto announced an initiative that fast tracks the building of modular housing for homeless people. The COVID-19 Pandemic has hit the homeless hard. Well done city of Toronto. The city of Vancouver B.C started the modular trend back in 2019. I took a virtual tour of Naomi Place one of the facilities Toronto has modelled their initiative on.

2. When COVID-19 began in mid-March and Ontario started cancellations, I took in a live show. Chieko Kojima and Ten Ten by Nagata Shachu Japanese Taiko and Music Group, I had not planned to write about it, but I did. I put together a report on the show using my pen name and it has now been published in Toronto Music Report.

The group Chieko Kojima and Ten Ten has kindly shared their performance on line and this week I had the pleasure of revisiting their fantastic performance.

3. As one of my American friends put it; from hoarding toilet paper to civil war in 3 months. Any suggestions from my Canadian friends? After my 21 second pause, I would just like to point out that this is a very good reason why everyone should get out and vote — in all the elections.

Reading Helps

Reading is helpful and so very important, from Eula Biss who puts it well in her New York Times featured article “White Debt” to this excellent resource on how to be an ally. Six things you can do to be a stronger ally.

4. Eye candy for this week has been the stimulating art of Degas, The Dancers, and watching ballet that is reminiscent of these troubling times. Revelations by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

The Ailey All Access site gives you permission to watch special performances for free. I took in the Robert Battle’s “The Hunt”.

5. This week I have been reading George Selden and his wonderful, award-winning book The Cricket in Times Square. This is a book for all ages, although it was written for children age 6 – 9. The illustrations by Garth Williams are fantastic.

Over the last few months, I have been working on a young adult book, for ages 9 to 90. The young characters I have created are training deep in the woods. They train in martial arts and are guided by a bear of a teacher who pushes them to the maximum. After class, the students listen to stories that high light martial arts virtue.

Thanks for reading, if you think someone you know would like my newsletter please share it with them. If you’re looking for a great children’s book, check out my book, Samba on a Snowy Day.

Please consider a contribution to our next book project by buying me a coffee, swing by Ko-fi.com. Every coffee really helps out during these times.

Don’t forget to check out my youtube channel. Get my weekly newsletter in your inbox, no spam I promise.

Tags Paul J. Youngman, Toronto Music Report

Book Launch Party

Newsletter 28

Newsletter 28

Hello all and welcome. In this weeks newsletter I look forward to spring as we get to set clocks ahead by an hour. I reminisce about Dr. Seuss, A.A Milne and E.H. Shepard. And I prepare for my official book launch of Samba on a Snowy Day. Here are five things I thought you might find interesting.

1. March 2, 2020 is Dr. Seuss’s birthday, he would have been 116 years old. CBC Books has complied a list of 60 facts you might not know about the children’s author. I especially like this one, “Seuss was voted “Least Likely to Succeed” by his classmates at Dartmouth.” And did you know he was a sculptor, check out some of his awesome art.

2. Haru Matsuri – spring festival at Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (J.C.C.C.) where I spent time this week enjoying performances of Jodo, Iaido, Kenjutsu, Japanese dance,

Sumie-é and a Chado tea ceremony. All making me believe that spring is just around the corner.

Another sure sign of spring- daylight savings time starts this Sunday, 3:00 AM remember spring ahead. We lose one hour, where did this ridiculous idea spring from, pun intended, it seems this is an energy saving initiative. I believe it is loosing steam and it’s only a matter of time until we Ontarian’s pull a Yukon.

3. I am preparing for the official book launch of Samba on a Snowy Day. You’re all invited, we have a limited amount of space though so make sure to reserve by going to Eventbrite to get your free ticket. Your way of assuring entrance for this fun party, featuring book reading meet and greet and even a Samba show, not the dog – dancers.

4. The Royal Ontario Museum is going to host a Winnie The Pooh exhibition just in time for spring break. A.A.Milne author of Winnie The Pooh, and E.H Shepard the illustrator. “Winnie-the Pooh brings to life the story behind the creative partnership of author A.A. Milne and illustrator E.H. Shepard. Finally, have your own Heritage Minute and find out how a black bear from White River, Ontario, inspired the honey-loving, yellow-furred bear of very little brain in this exhibition exclusively at the ROM”. I love this quote, borrowed from the ROM.

5. I’ve been listening to Branford Marsalis this week and it just so happens he is in town, a sold out show at Koerner Hall on Saturday. Who knows, I may get tickets to review the show as I did back in 2012. So far though that’s not happening. Marsalis and the quartet are in nearby Kingston at the Isabel Bader Theatre March 6th and tickets are available if you happen to be looking for some musical inspiration. The singer who has captivated me this week, Snoh Aalegra: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert a wonderful voice reminding me a little of Alicia Keys.

Don’t forget to check out my book promo, available only for another week. If you are searching for your next favourite story? Look no further! This group of bestselling authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of new books. Available for free, my book Samba on a Snowy Day is included.

Thanks for reading. If you like what you’ve read forward this to someone you think will enjoy it. Remember to check out my book, Samba on a Snowy Day available at your favourite book store. A fun children’s book for children to read to adults or the other way around. I hope to see you at my book launch where you’ll get to hear me read the book out loud. Check out my blog, follow the link, sign in. Get the weekly newsletter in your inbox, no spam I promise.

Tags A.A.Milne, Branford Marsalis, E.H. Shepard, Isabel Bader Theatre, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Latin Jazz Network, Paul J. Youngman, Royal Ontario Museum, Snoh Aalegra

Books Free E-Book illustrators New Year Reading

Newsletter 19

Newsletter 20/20

My first newsletter this year and I am offering you all a free gift. Happy New Year! In this weeks newsletter I let you know about five things that interested me and I thought may be of interest to you too.

1. Happy New Year to all, 2020 – and my prediction, I see a free E-Book in your Epiphany stocking. A book for the children in all of us, my book, Samba on a Snowy Day for you, or for your children. I have joined a group of children’s book authors and we are sharing our books. Follow the link Children’s Books Give Away and get my book, it’s yours – as simple as that.

2. I was asked to recommend books as a part of my author platform at BookBub. My recommended books, Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) The Cat in the Hat and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. I shared my recommendations on my social media Facebook page. In this day and age of algorithms wouldn’t you know that by the next day I had this popping up on my Facebook page.

The algorithm worked I found out something that actually interested me and off I went to the Liss Gallery to check out the exhibit, the cat behind the hat. As a keepsake I picked up this beautiful coffee table book The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss. The exhibit at the Liss Gallery is excellent and I highly recommend it.

3. New years and resolutions, I’m sure the gyms and fitness places will be filling up with folks jumping on the resolution band wagon. Nothing wrong with that and I wish all those folks well. Resolution: a firm decision to do or not to do something. Goal: the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result. I have decided that for year 2020 I will be setting goals, there is a difference. Resolution is so final. I resolve to quit smoking by such and such a time. This resolution plan almost never works, you have set the bar too high. When you don’t reach your desired goal you get frustrated and likely give up. At least that’s what happened to me all those years ago when I tried to quit smoking. This year I have set goals in specific areas of my life. A financial goal, a health and wellness goal, a relationship goal, a spiritual goal and a personal goal.

4. My favourite moments of 2019, finding a new dojo to practice and teach at, Shingikan Dojo. Connecting with old and new friends and spending quality time with family. Time spent surrounded by nature, up north in Gravenhurst, living off the land, exploring and swimming everyday. Continuing to pursue my dreams of writing and teaching martial arts and last but certainly not least, being with the one I love, Nina; Wife, partner, mother of our children and my best friend.

5. On the topic of love, I have been entertained recently by a show on Primevideo – Modern Love, it is an excellent show. I have only viewed the first three episodes, great story lines and wonderful acting in each of the episodes. And for your listening pleasure a little Wayne Shorter, Emanon. Wayne Shorter is one of my favourite musicians and someone whose performance I have been fortunate to have witnessed. I have also written about his performances on a couple of occasions under my pen name Paul J. Youngman, check out my take on his Toronto performance at Toronto Music Report.

Thanks for reading. If you like what you’ve read forward this to someone you think will enjoy it. Remember to check out my book, Samba on a Snowy Day available at your favourite book store. A fun children’s book for children to read to adults or the other way around. Check out my blog, follow the link, sign in. Get the weekly newsletter in your inbox, no spam I promise.

Tags Dr. Suess, Emanon, Gravenhurst, Liss Gallery, Modern Love, Paul J. Youngman, Shingikan Dojo, Toronto Music Report, Wayne Shorter