ON ON1

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2010

TORONTO STAR

L7

LIVING

Mayor Ford politely declines meeting

FLAT STANLEY from L1

You dont have to compete, he tells me, a note of teacher-like disapproval in his tone. I brush the comment aside of course I have to compete and ask him what to do. Things that we think are ordinary and mundane are fascinating elsewhere, he offers. Yes, but what can I do with Flat Stanley in Toronto that no one else has? Hmm, he said. Being at a newspaper, that would be a cool thing. Of course! Being at a newspaper isnt always cool. But harnessing the Toronto Stars access to awesome events and people? Great idea. With that, we tucked Stan the man into a bubble-wrapped envelope and sent him off. He started his tour of Toronto by becoming a fashionisto. Flat Stanley was one of the first in the world to try on looks designed by Paris fashion house Lanvin for the H&M clothing store, shrugging off quizzical glances while posing with dresses and in shoes at the labels Toronto preview. Stan had a grand tour of the Air Canada Centre and checked out the Maple Leafs dressing room during a game against the Sabres. A few nights later, he was back at the ACC to see the Raptors play the Warriors. Both home teams lost, but Flat Stanley wasnt disappointed. It wouldnt have been an authentic Toronto experience otherwise. In one fantastic weekend, Stanley met chefs Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay was at the Carlu for the Chefs Challenge, a benefit for Mount Sinai Hospital. Oliver, who was checking out an event at the Stops Green Barn, greeted Flat Stanley like an old friend. Poppy its one of her favourites, he said of his 8-year-old daughters love for the book. Finally, Stan jetted off to the Big Apple, where he toured Times Square, visited the Algonquin Hotel, took the subway to Harlem and hung out with reporters at the New York Times newsroom, where he had his pic snapped outside executive editor Bill Kellers office. By the time he came back to Toronto, I had the rest of his trip planned, starting with another Hubert-inspired idea. Its amazing what a door-opener Flat Stanley is, he told me. Ive got into places flashing my Flat Stanley that most people dont get to go to. Hes like a backstage pass. The idea of getting tricky appealed to me. I decided we had to try and meet Mayor Rob Ford, who currently refuses to speak to Star reporters. With Stan in tow, I scurried around City Hall for a couple of days in a row, trying to finagle a run-in during Fords first week as mayor. I left a peppy phone message. I sent an adorable email. I smiled brightly at Fords assistant. I used phrases like little cousin and for the kids and educational. In the end, Mayor Ford politely turned me down. Flashing Flat Stanley did, however, convince a City Hall employee to let me into council chambers, where Stan and I staged an impromptu photo shoot on the mayors throne. One Saturday morning before daybreak, Stan and I hustled to the Stars Santa Claus Fund toy warehouse and spent half a day delivering gifts for children in need. For Stanleys Toronto finale, a view of the city skyline seemed appropriate. Hubert suggested the CN tower, but I said no way. Everyone and their grandma has been there. I decided a better view, and a more true-toToronto experience, could only come from a tower crane, which is a crane on top of a building. Bonus: Josh loves cranes, buildings and anything construction or destruction related. Enter Chad Martin, a 24-year-old crane operator who kindly volunteered to take Flat Stanley to work one cold sunny day at the eight-storey building going up at George Brown Colleges new waterfront campus at Queens Quay and Jarvis St.

COLIN MCCONNELL / TORONTO STAR

Chef Jamie Oliver, who was visiting Toronto checking out an event at the Stops Green Barn, greets Flat Stanley like an old friend.

From the 85-metre-tall crane, Stan enjoyed a spectacular view of the city and helped do about 100 lifts of concrete in a 12-hour shift. Martin figured that added up to more than 100,000 kilograms. He didnt get much of a lunch that day, Martin warned me. No matter. I tucked a tuckered-out Flat Stanley into his envelope and sent him back to Cape Breton for some much-needed relaxation. I may have drained the poor little dude in my efforts to give him a whirlwind tour of Toronto. But hell recover. And when he does, Im fairly confident his adventure stories will impress Josh and his Grade 3 pals. Sweden, Australia and Singapore are going down.

AMY DEMPSEY / TORONTO STAR

Flat Stanley takes Mayor Rob Fords seat in council chambers.

WENDY GILLIS / TORONTO STAR

Flat Stanley volunteers for Santa Claus Fund with Star reporter Amy Dempsey.

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