I’M A TORONTO-BASED freelance journalist and write for a variety of newspapers, magazines and online publications.
I’ve worked for Canadian Business magazine, was editor of Metro Vancouver Business Examiner and a reporter for the Surrey Leader. Currently I write about real estate and development and personal finance for the Toronto Star, among other publications (more here).
Launched in April 2009, road to starrdom offers my musings on current events, pop culture and the media’s role in it all.
Recent Posts
Architect instructed: 'Give me something different' (January 28, 2012)
Architect Richard Witt knew he’d designed a great condo when a community meeting for the project ended with him receiving a round of applause.
Living down by the river (January 28, 2012)
David Wex has been so impressed with what’s happening at Underpass Park that the developer recently threw a party there to show it off.
The value of good karma (January 28, 2012)
Karma condo's charity/marketing campaign generated a great deal of interest in the project and raised over $15,000 for three local charities.
Nice guys really do finish first (January 21, 2012)
A gutsy approach to business — tempered by humility and community mindedness — has served Charles Mady well.
Toronto embraces Shangri-La living (January 14, 2012)
If the rip-roaring success of condo sales at Shangri-La Toronto can serve as any indication, this city appears to have embraced the new arrival with open arms.
New townhomes on the ‘Block’ (January 14, 2012)
The success of this redesigned townhouse project is a testament to the demand in the city for at-grade contemporary housing.
Lago takes full advantage of Lake Ontario views (January 7, 2012)
Lovely vistas are a big selling point for Lago Condos, Monarch’s latest project at its Waterview master-planned community in Humber Bay.
Merton townhouses have a custom home feel (January 7, 2012)
It’s a cold morning, but Sarit Chandaria, principal of Tibro Developments, offers a warm grin and firm handshake as he welcomes me to The Merton.
Highrise sales set records in 2011, but what lies ahead? (December 31, 2011)
It was the best year on record for highrise sales. According to RealNet Canada, 27,224 condos were sold between January and November.
Bond, The Bond, coming soon to downtown T.O. (December 3, 2011)
In conceiving of a design for The Bond, a condo to be built at John and Adelaide, architect Charles Gane figured the best approach was to keep it simple.
Picasso: A sculpture on the city skyline (November 25, 2011)
Architect Stephen Teeple has designed a tower composed of “suspended solids” — white cubic forms that float on the building’s dark-grey core.
Ten York will link downtown with the waterfront (November 25, 2011)
Ten York, the proposed 75-storey condo unveiled earlier this week by Tridel and Build Toronto, is poised to become one of the city’s most iconic new towers.
Ion to benefit from new Humber River hospital (November 25, 2011)
Ion Condos, to rise just down the road from where Humber River Regional Hospital’s new acute-care facility will be built, looks like a healthy real estate proposition.
Bringing condo life to an established neighbourhood (November 5, 2011)
Tarek Sobhi felt that Eglinton Ave. near Bathurst St. was in need of a nice new condo project, having not seen any multi-family development for decades.
Counting out loud (December 2011)
Women started outnumbering men as law school grads a decade ago, but no one knows how they’re faring in the profession. It’s time for law firms to go public.
4th annual Precedent Student Supplement (September 2011)
How to be a kick-ass young lawyer — in your practice, after hours and in your community.
Stars and lawyers mingle at CCLA party (June 2011)
The stars were out in Toronto for a Canadian Civil Liberties Association gala.
Best Practices: Estée Garfin (June 2011)
For Children's Aid Society lawyer, the job brings mixed emotions.
Financial Freedom: 50-somethings (December 2011)
It’s an all-too familiar scene: A guy in his mid-50s shoots out of bed at 3 a.m., sweating buckets, deep in the throes of a serious “Oh crap!” moment.
Financial Freedom: 40-somethings (October/November 2011)
So you’ve hit the big 4-0. Your glory days aren’t necessarily behind you, but things aren’t as carefree anymore.
Financial Freedom: 30-somethings (September 2011)
You’re in your 30s and you still know how to live the good life, but the realities of adulthood have set in.
Financial Freedom: 20-somethings (July/August 2011)
A bit of planning and saving in your fancy-free 20s could mean a plump nest egg and stopping work sooner.
The new retirement (May/June 2011)
Retirement isn't what it used to be. How do different generations envision their post-working years?
Keys to a healthy, long-lasting roof (December 2, 2011)
There’s nothing more important to the well-being of your house than a properly functioning roof.
Household insurance and weather damage (August 19, 2011)
Simply purchasing a policy doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be sheltered from the potential financial fallout after a storm hits.
Six mistakes that can sink a small business (May 5, 2011)
The list of potential missteps that can threaten the viability of a small business is a long one.
Sex and the loyalty program (March 31, 2011)
When it comes to rewards programs, chicks like to play the field while guys prefer to settle down
What you need to know about breaking a lease (March 22, 2011)
If you do need to leave a rental unit before the end of your tenancy agreement, it can be costly.
Colleges worried about CSC funding cuts (September 16, 2011)
Ontario schools see great value in the relationships they've formed with the Construction Sector Council.
Project owners fear loss of sector council data (September 14, 2011)
The federal government's decision to phase out core funding to the Construction Sector Council has raised concerns among owners.
Justin Trudeau: The world is watching Canada (October 2010)
Our abundant natural resources, educated workforce and diverse population position Canada to be a global leader, Liberal MP Justin Trudeau says.
