Our autumn issue is rolling off the press, and even before the whole run has been printed, we’re picking up copies to put in the mail for our subscribers. It’s important to us that our subscribers get each issue before anyone else does. It’s the least we can do to show you that we value your support.

     With most advertisers choosing to carry the magazine in their facilities, many people are picking up free copies from them. In addition, we send copies out by Canada Post to selected postal routes in order to introduce more people to our magazine. We try to vary the routes with each issue so that we get the broadest reach possible.

     So what we offer subscribers is the convenience of having every issue of Escarpment Views delivered directly to you, as well as getting first crack at the stories and photos.

     We thank you for your support and hope you’ll continue to help fund our efforts. It means a great deal to us, because people who pay to get a magazine are obviously very interested in it. It’s like a vote of confidence that encourages us to work hard to bring you fascinating material. And with everyone’s subscription fees added up, it helps to cover our printing and mailing costs. You may think that you’re not doing much individually, but we value every single one of you. Some of you have even been generous enough to give subscriptions as gifts. We could not ask for more.

     If, however, you do want to do even more, you can help us shape the magazine by sending us your response to each issue, as well as your ideas and photos for future issues. We look forward to hearing from you and having you help strengthen this large Escarpment community.   

Tags: magazine publishing, subscriber benefits | Click here to add a comment »

     Yikes! I’m just back from giving an interview at Erin Radio to Erin Montgomery on her show, Erin Eye Opener.

     I think I sounded awkward, and I know that I made some mistakes. It was a real conversation as you might have with anyone, with throat clearings and mispronounced words and lost trains of thought. Very unlike writing for publication, where you try to craft each sentence so that it’s perfect. And even different from blogging, which is supposed to be like keeping a diary, but in reality is more restrained and deliberate.

     Erin Montgomery is energetic, extroverted and enthusiastic, just what you need in someone on an early morning show.

     We talked about the magazine and what’s coming up in the fall issue. I know my way around that topic, but what stumped me was what music I wanted to have played. I’m pretty out of touch with current music, so all I could think of on the spot was Amy Winehouse and Bruce Springsteen. I missed my opportunity to promote Canadian and local talent like The Arrogant Worms, Sarah Harmer, Bruce Cockburn and Leonard Cohen. Argh. Well, maybe some other time.

     And it looks like there’ll be another time. I think I’ll be doing another segment about the fall issue in September. And while Erin Radio can only be heard over the radio in a small local area at 101.5 FM, it is streamed via the Internet at www.erinradio.ca .

     We’ll also try to get these segments added to this website so anyone can hear them any time. I think these would be podcasts? New territory for me. Anyway, it looks like Erin Radio is forcing me to learn and do more. Always a good thing.

     So thanks, Erin, for making the radio interview a gentle, easy experience. The rest of you, which do you prefer: radio, TV, magazines or Internet – and why?

Tags: arts & entertainment | Click here to view 1 comment, or to add your own comment »

     One of the books I’m reviewing for the fall issue is Deer World, essentially a photo album by Dave Taylor. What amazes me about this book is that some of the photos of wild deer were taken in a park called Riverwood, which is 150 acres along the Credit River within the City of Mississauga.

     I thought Mississauga was completely developed in the very worst method of urban design, with six-lane highways cutting through suburban housing developments, hostile to pedestrians and bicyclists. To learn that there is a natural park where deer, foxes, martens and other wildlife can thrive, is astonishing.

     This hidden treasure is a secret that deserves to be celebrated widely. I have lived near Mississauga all my life and never heard of Riverwood. I am happy to point people to finding out more about it here.

     Am I the only person who doesn’t know about Riverwood? What do you know about it?

Tags: Gloria's Picks, nature | Click here to add a comment »