Editor’s Notes

Happy February Readers,

This month finds us in the deep freeze and what better way to take the chill off than with the poems of our three fine contributors this month. Former Bywords editor, Jesse Ferguson joins two Bywordian alumnae, Kathryn Hunt and Lynne Alsford.

This month a big thank you to those of you who participated in Bywords Warms the Night IV, our benefit for the Cornerstone Women's Shelter. Thanks to your generosity we received close to $200 in cash, bus tickets, coupons as well as much needed items. Chapters was packed, we had people sitting on the floor and leaning against the walls. Lindsay Ferguson outdid herself with her musical performance and our readers did a fantastic job too. To read more about the event, please go to Catherine Carroll's article in the Local Scene section.

With all of this cold, it's often difficult to coax oneself out from beneath warm blankets to attend literary events, yet it's worth the effort to put on another layer and roll out the door. Go hear Oni the Haitian Sensation at one of the many Chapters locations this month as she celebrates Black History Month with her book Ghettoscracy. Listen to the sultry tones of Mélissa Laveaux at the Dusty Owl, who'll be hooting at the Electric Gallery this month. Check out the performances at Synaesthesia 3, David Emery's third gathering of art, music, theatre and poetry. For more steamy literary pursuits, click on Events.

And lastly a word on arts funding. At this point, we're all worried that the new mayor will pull the plug on a much needed 2.5 million dollar investment. Let's hope the council will vote to ensure this investment is made. I don't need to preach to you all, you're already converted. As Bruce Cockburn sings, "waiting for a miracle." Let's hope for less chilling news.

Thanks to our selection committee this February:

Kelly Clarke, Marcus McCann, Megan McGrath, Kemisha Newman, Sarah Ruffolo, Victoria Vernell, and Betty Warrington-Kearsley

If you have comments, left over chocolate valentine hearts or extra sweaters, e-mail me at editor@bywords.ca, or stop by and chat with me at a reading. I'm always happy to engage in long literary conversations over tea and crumpets by a roaring fire.

Amanda Earl