Elizabeth Manley, Profile, Good Times, January 2010
Liona Boyd , Profile, Good Times, December 2009
“Canada’s Knight of the Ice”, Profile, Jean Beliveau, Good Times, November 2009
“Talk Like a Professional”, Canadian Insurance Magazine, October 2009.
How to create conversation with a purpose, for “Industry Ambassadors”
“His Father’s Son”, Profile, Dan Hill, Good Times, September 2009
“The Rat Pack”, Wings, Sunwing In-Flight Magazine, Summer-Fall 2009
“Inside “The Peg” – Stuff you don’t know about Winnipeg”
www.takeoffeh.com
“The Storyteller”, Profile, Stuart Maclean,Good Times, May 2009
Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, Profile, Good Times, June, 2009
Mayor Hazel McCallion, Profile, Good Times, May, 2009
“Captain Canada”, Profile, Ian Millar, Good Times, January 2009
“Canada’s Man in Black", Profile, Stompin’ Tom Connors, Good Times, December 2008
“William Shatner’s Universe”, Profile, William Shatner, Good Times, October 2008
“The Final Flights of the Air Farce”, Profile, The Royal Canadian Air Farce, Good Times, September 2008
Ben Heppner, Profile, Good Times, August 2009
"The Man Who Studies Canadians", Michael Adams, from Environics pollster to revealing best selling author/analyst, July/August 2008.
"Roberta Bondar: Onward and Upward", profile of Canada's celebrated astronaut/photographer/speaker, Good Times, June 2008.
"It's an Ice Life", Pierre McGuire, TSN's provocative hockey commentator, Profile, Good Times; magazine, May 2008.
"They probably think this book is about them" -- Globe and Mail "Books", review of "Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon and the Journey of a Generation", May 31, 2008.
"Wendy Mesley asks the tough questions", profile of popular CBC journalist, Good Times; magazine, April 2008.
"Being Oscar", Eric Peterson of "Corner Gas", Profile, Good Times; magazine, March 2008.
Profile, Anne Murray, Good Times; magazine, December 2007.
"The Gentle World of Alexander McCall Smith", prolific author of "The Number One Ladies Detective Agency" series and more, Profile, Good Times; magazine, November 2007.
"Lynn Johnston: The View at 60", the creator of "For Better or For Worse" takes stock on a milestone birthday. Good Times;, October 2007.
Daniel Germain, Profile of the onetime tough-guy founder of the Quebec's Breakfast Clubs, a grassroots charity makes difference to school kids.Good Times;, September, 2007.
Profile: Sheila McCarthy, “Little Mosque – Big Hit”, an on-set visit with one of Canada’s favourite actors as she enjoys the camaraderie and momentum of a surprise hit TV series, “Little Mosque on the Prairie”, Good Times, July/August 2007.
“The little singer-songwriter who could…until he couldn’t”,
Books, The Globe and Mail; a review of a new biography on Steve Goodman, the man who gave us “The City of New Orleans” and peerless live performances.
Profile: Robert Munsch, “The Man Who Makes Funny Noises”, the world’s best selling writer for children at home in Guelph. Good Times, June 2007
Profile: Colin Mochrie, “It’s Colin’s Line Now”, “It’s Colin’s Line Now”, The beloved comic improviser from “Whose Line Is It Anyway”. Good Times, May 2007.
Profile: Veronica Tennant, “Living with Passion”, the much honoured prima ballerina and film maker, Good Times, April 2007
Profile: Dr. Marla Shapiro, “Canada’s Doctor”, the brilliant life and cancer survival of television’s Dr. Marla, Good Times, March 2007
Profile: Mary Walsh, “An Inferno of Wit”, Newfoundland’s great comic princess, Good Times, February 2007
Profile: Ron Joyce, “The Other Man Behind Tim Hortons”. Legendary businessman. Good Times, January 2007
"All l There Was, Was More Than Enough". The Globe and Mail, Books. May 2006, A tribute to vocal great Peggy Lee via a review of her life and career and a recent biography called "Fever"
"Sniff, Sniff: Are Your Allergies Getting Worse?", Good Times Magazine, June 2006. Recent evidence suggests that as our air quality declines, seasonal allergies worsen due to air condition and longer growing seasons.
"Their Sweet Life in the Vineyard: Canada's Wines", Good Times Magazine, June 2006. A Salute to Canada's Wines via profiles of 3 Canadians, Donald Ziraldo, industry leader and chairman of Inniskilin Wines, Ben Stewart of Kelowna's Quail's Gate Winery, and Sandra Marynissen of Niagara-on-the-Lake's Marynissen Estate Wines.
"Mr. And Mrs. Feore: On and Off Stage in Stratford", Good Times Magazine, May 2006. Canada's great actor, Colm Feore ("Trudeau", "Glenn Gould") and his choreographer-director wife Donna sit down in Stratford as they prepare "Oliver!" together and Colm readies "Coriolanus" and "Don Juan"
"Searching for Your Good Health: Researching MedInfo Online", Good Times Magazine, April 2006. Can you rely on medical information you source on-line? Sometimes yes. Sometimes absolutely not!
"Lois Lane is feeling super", Good Times Magazine, March 2006. A profile of Margot Kidder, a Canadian actor who's seen it all - from the Academy Awards to state functions (with Trudeau) to the hell of bi-polar disorder.
"Where Do You Start With Prostate Cancer", Good Times Magazine. "Don't Get Scared, Get Tested" that's the motto many men are learning about prostate cancer; we hear a number of voices, especially high-profile Toronto newsman and prostate cancer survivor, Mark Dailey of CITY-TV.
"Pat Quinn: Canada's Coach", Good Times Magazine, February 2006. An off-ice visit with the Coach of Canada's Olympic Hockey team and (then) the Toronto Maple Leafs on a life of hard work, success and Irish grit.
"Terry Evanshen: The Man Who Lost Himself", Good Times Magazine, November 2005. Prior to the hit CTV biographical movie, the Evanshen family talk about their lives since a horrid car crash robbed Terry, a former football all-star, of his memory and nearly his life.
"Norman Jewison: A life well-lived, films well-made", Good Times Magazine, September 2005. The thoughts and personal history of Canada's most successful film director - from his east-end Toronto childhood to early struggles to triumphs like 'In the Heat of the Night" "Moonstruck", and "The Hurricane".
"He Did It His Way - and The Mob's", Globe and Mail Books, June 2005. Frank Sinatra - mob-connected? British authors Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swan prove it beyond doubt, but the relentless negativity becomes too much in this disheartening biography and expose'.
"The Beatles: from lads, to legends, to victims of success", Globe and Mail Books, May 2005. Revisiting the incredible rise and bitter fall of the world's top pop group as reflected in Tony Bramwell's Magical Mystery Tours, by one of their Liverpool pals and longtime associates.
"Paul Anka: His Way", Good Times Magazine, June 2005. The original "Lonely Boy" from Ottawa has been an international star since his teens; he remains a major figure in entertainment due to passion for his work, for self-promotion and for total control.
"Rod Beattie: Making a Big Impression", Good Times Magazine, May 2005. A profile of the scholarly Canadian actor whose one-man performances have created a hugely successful and slyly thought-provoking series - the Walt Wingfield plays.
"They Make the World Better", Good Times Magazine, April 2005. In the aftermath of the South Asian tsunami, snapshot profiles of the Canadian leaders of The Canadian Red Cross, Oxfam, Unicef and Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders.
"A Canadian Legend: Back Singing Songs That Are Real", "Good Times Magazine, March 2005. How folk icon Murray McLauchlan's desire to sing his songs was reborn after a routine medical procedure turned into a near-fatal hospital disaster.
"Sheila Copps: What's In Her Future", Good Times Magazine, February 2005. Is one of Canada's most colorful and controversial politicians really planning on sailing away for good?"
"Look Out Old Bobby Is Back", Globe and Mail, December '04. Review in "Books" of new biographies and the current fascination with doomed, gifted singing star, Bobby Darin.
"Star Search" (I Was Looking in All the Wrong Places): Reader's Digest, Canada, November 2004. An abridged version of the original essay in April '04's Globe and Mail.
"Walter Gretzky: Winning the fight against stroke", Good Times Magazine, September '04. Canada's most famous hockey dad has become an inspirational figure for another reason - as Canada's best-known stroke survivor. This story won a Gold Medal from a National Magazine Awards Jury. <<read excerpt>>
"Choose Your Words Carefully, Somebody Might Be Listening", Globe and Mail, June '04. Does taking some care with words make a difference in the working world? Absolutely, says this essay for the Globe's 'Careers' section. <<read excerpt>>
"Ronnie Hawkins: In the Promised Land", Good Times Magazine, July '04. The legendary rocker from Arkansas who lit up Toronto's Yonge Street returns from a health threat for one more run at 'the big time'.
"Shirley Douglas: Making a Difference", Good Times Magazine, May '04. Profile of actor-activist, her dramatic life, from stage and screen triumphs to her crusade to preserve her father's, Tommy Douglas', legacy, Canadian medicare.
"Looking For Stars In All The Wrong Places", Globe and Mail, April '04. Popular essay on the "Facts and Arguments" page retraces the writer's adventures searching the streets of Hollywood for a taxi and an honest man.
"For Lovin' Him', Globe and Mail, September '03. A tribute CD by top Canadian music stars turns into a get well card for master singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot following his illness. At the launch Lightfoot appears to say 'thanks'.
"The Silver Fox: Happy at Last", Good Times Magazine, April '03. A profile and appreciation of the veteran Hollywood Canadian who became a major comic star after 50, "The Naked Gun"'s Lt. Frank Drebin, Leslie Nielsen.
"Beating the drummers", Globe and Mail, February '03. A look at the weird world and the 'apparently higher mortality rate' of drummers - painters with the percussive pallette, the butt of countless jokes told by musicians everywhere.
"He Never Saw the Light", Globe and Mail, December 31, 02. Fifty years after the lurid and tragic early death of country music's greatest star, we still ask "who was Hank Williams?" <<read excerpt>>
"A concept whose time has come - again", Globe and Mail, October '02. 'The pretensious concept album of the seventies crashed and burned when punk rock came along, Peter Feniak writes. But it seems to be making a comeback."
"Punk with a folk soul", Globe and Mail, April 2002. A visit with British music icon, Billy Bragg. On tour with a new album, with his band, The Blokes, and an undimmed commitment to social activism.
"Cheez, he looks familiar", Globe and Mail, November 2001. Who is Canada's Everyman? It may be actor David Huband, whose commercials - from Cheeze Whiz to Reese's Pieces - have made him almost famous.
"Still tuneful after all these years", Globe and Mail, November 2001. Bumped aside by changing tastes and burned out, singer-songwriter Ray Materick quit music entirely, became a woodworker, then rediscovered his passion for song.
"Murray McLauchlan: Back from the Brink", Globe and Mail, May 2001. After near-death from a botched medical procedure, and a five year absence from the stage, one of Canada's most popular singer-songwriters returns to performing.
"Still Red-Hot for the Blues", Globe and Mail, April 2001. Catching up with Maria Muldaur, the hippy thrush of 'Midnight at the Oasis' is now a much-respected veteran and a certified blues star.
"A Fiddler Crosses Over", Globe and Mail, March 2001. Mark O'Connor's journey from Nashville fiddler & session king to a classical Grammy with Yo-Yo Ma.
"We are Still Contenders, A Pair of Happy-Enders", Globe and Mail, February 2001. Cowboy singer, Gary Fjelgaard and folk icon, Valdy, two much-loved Canadian musical veterans team up to take on Canada's blue highways as a duo.
The Second City, Backstage at the World's Greatest Comedy Theater, Sourcebooks, Napierville, Illinois, 2000. PF contributing interviewer and writer on Second City in Canada and SCTVto this 'definitive' coffee table book.
"Remembering Stan Rogers", Globe and Mail, July 2000. 17 years after his sudden death at 33, a new musical production focuses attention on a great Canadian songwriter, Stan Rogers.
"You Can Take the Man out of Glasgow but…", Globe and Mail, May 2000
The great Scots comic, Billy Connolly takes a break from his new dramatic film career for a two week tour of Canada; a chance to look back on a "brilliant" life.
"Blues Patriarch Enjoys Being Living Legend", Globe and Mail, April 2000. An interview with and an appreciation of John Lee Hooker, last of the southern blues giants and "the great poet of the blues" on the eve of a seven country tour at age 83.
"Dino Lives Again", Globe and Mail, February 2000. New CD releases augment interest in the mysterious megastar; 'The songs of old smoky-voice Dean Martin are hits with a new generation fascinated by his retro-suave'.
"The Return of Jesse Winchester", Globe and Mail, September '99. A new album shows a splendid return-to-form by the long-absent singer-songwriter/Memphis native/long-time Quebecois/famous US draft evader.
"Look out, old Bobby's back!", Globe and Mail, December 98. 25 years on, rediscovering the amazing life and meteoric career of the controversial, multi-talented, confoundingBobby Darin
"Lennie Gallant picks up steam", Globe and Mail, June 98. Getting to know the pride of Rustico, PEI, whose career as a singer-songwriter gained momentum with multiple wins at the East Coast Music Awards.
"The Rankins are back", Globe and Mail, May 98. Cape Breton's gifted musical ambassadors return after a lengthy absence with new conviction and energy.
"Please remember me as I was", Globe and Mail, April 98. Somewhere in California, reclusive, legendary 50's pin-up queen Bettie Page turns 75 amid new 'revelations' and ever-growing fan interest worldwide.
"Clayton-Thomas sings the blues", Globe and Mail, December 97. David Clayton-Thomas, the leader of Blood, Sweat and Tears on Toronto's Yonge Street Strip -- the way it was -- on hard-won lessons, and his adolescence spent in prison.
"Guitar-making's True Grit", Globe and Mail, November 97. A profile of multi-talent Grit Laskin, winner of the 1997 Saidye Bronfman Award for crafts; creator of extraordinary hand-built guitars.
"Ken Kesey Hits the Road Again", Globe and Mail, August 1997. Drinks, memories, and sleight of hand with the long-famous author during a reunion tour of the Merry Pranksters.
"What a short, odd trip it is...", Globe and Mail, May 1997. A walk through Cleveland's now-famous "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum"; a skeptical report on the new installation on the 'psychedelic era'.
"Ron Hynes Faces the Gale", Globe and Mail, April 1997. Profile of Newfoundland's great songwriter; a new album and his latest quest for national notice beyond 'Sonny's Dream'.
"One of these 25,000 days...", Globe and Mail, December 1996. Profile of Ian Thomas, veteran Canadian rocker- songwriter, and his bandThe Boomers.
"Celebrating a Spectacular CBC Failure", Globe and Mail, September 1996. A Reappraisal of Canada's legendary and widely-dismissed late night talk show "90 Minutes Live with Peter Gzowski".
"Jim Morrison: Rider on the Storm", Globe and Mail, July 1996. Thirty years after the death of the controversial rock singer, reconciliation and reward are as much a part of the legend as rebellion and rage.
"Pamela Morgan On Her Own", Globe and Mail, July 1996. A solo career begins at 38 for the distinctive voice of one of Newfoundland's best loved and longest running musical acts, the Celtic pioneers, Figgy Duff.
"When We Wasn't Fab", Mojo, April 1996. The Klaatu story (see Nov. 95) written for the leading British rock magazine.
"Rock 'n Roll and Wheatfield Soul", Globe and Mail, February 1996. The Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature's multi-media exhibit, "Get Back" recreates the glory days of Neil Young, Randy Bachman, The Guess Who andearly rock in Winnipeg -- "Canada's Liverpool".
"The Band Beatlemania Made; then Crushed", Globe and Mail, Nov. 1995. Three Canadian musicians known only by group name, "Klaatu" issue a record in the mid 70's. Their world changed forever when a popular myth emerged that they were The Beatles reunited.
"Shirley Eikhard...Happy at Last", Globe and Mail, August 1995. One-time child sweetheart of song survives stagefright, mismanagement, and loneliness to become million selling songwriter.
"Goin' Down the Road to Nowhere", Globe and Mail, July 7, 1995. 25 Years later where is the "great Canadian movie"? what happened to the gifted people who made 'Goin Down the Road'?' A bittersweet legacy.
"The Musical Journey of Laura Smith", Globe and Mail, June 8, 1995. The late arrival of the praised new singer-songwriter from Halifax.
"Scott Young: A Writer's Life", Globe and Mail, January 2, 1995. Reviewing a remarkable childhood and career with the legendary Canadian writer at his farm near Omemee, Ont.
"With a Lot of Help from his Friends", Globe and Mail, December 7, 1994. The story of Tom Jackson's annual Huron Carole benefit concerts; and the tough tale of how the actor/singer rescued the concerts and himself.
"King of the Mouth Organ/Top of the Pops at 80", Globe and Mail, September 24, 1994. Larry Adler's hit album of Gershwin songs features his rock-star friends and comes 45 years after the anti-Communist blacklist sent him from American stardom into exile in Britain.
"The Little Angels Who Could", Globe and Mail, July 9, 1994. Are Raphael's putti on posters and greeting cards all that remains of our knowledge of the Renaissance or of the power of angels?
"Fiddling With the Past", Globe and Mail, April 20, 1994. 25 years after banishment by snobbish culture mavens, Don Messer, the Hall of Fame maritime fiddler has a measure of revenge.
"Irish Soul", Saturday Night, February 1994. From Central Manitoba to Stratford, to County Clare, Ireland, to the world stage, the rise of Loreena McKennitt. Short List Award, Globe and Mail.
"Life Is a Highway", Toronto Star Weekend, August 29, 1992. The lure of the open road -- from Steinbeck and Kerouac to "Thelma and Louise", exploring one of the most potent symbols in our culture.
"Noof's Way", Toronto Star Weekend, August 29, 1992. How Rick Neufeld, one of Canada's top folksingers, fell out of the business and then back in -- as a man who drives the totally-equipped tour-bus for the stars.
"Simply Red: Beloved Clown Returns", Toronto Star Weekend, May 16, 1992. The long, strange life of master comedian Red Skelton, still touring at 83.
"Seductive World of Show Biz for Kids", Toronto Star Weekend, February 1992. Your kid on camera? It sounds a lot easier than it is. What they're looking for, plus the short career of my youngest son, retired at 15 months.
"Lee Oswald Never Killed Anybody": Garrison' Toronto Star Weekend, December 28, 1991. Reminiscence and excerpts from an interview with legendary conspiracy theorist and former New Orleans D.A. Jim Garrison.
"JFK Movie May Let Sun Shine on Camelot Again", Toronto Star Weekend, December 28, 1991. A retracing of the arc of the Kennedy mystique, its ascension, decline, debasement, and possible rehabilitation.
"There...goessssss Johnny!", Toronto Saturday Weekend, November 2, 1991. The first lengthy appreciation in the Canadian press, six months before the end of Johnny Carson's reign at "The Tonight Show", features interviews with Lorne Michaels, David Steinberg.
"Rock Anthem All-Time Champ", Toronto Star Weekend, September 7, 1991. Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven", remains "top rock song of all time".
"Livin' Large and Havin' Fun", Toronto Star Weekend, August 17, 1991. Winnipeg whiz kids, Chip and Pepper, take on NBC, L.A., veer out of control.
"Splendid Isolation Breeds Talent in the Peg", Toronto Star Weekend, August 17, 1991. What makes Winnipeg make people who have such talent?
"Air It! Pump It!: Worshipping the Running Shoe", Toronto Star Weekend, June 29, 1991. A history of the sneaker. Currently anthologized Junior High Readers in the U.S.
"Collecting Dreams: The Enduring Passion for Sports Cards", Toronto Star Weekend, May 21, 1991. Past and present personal experience brought to bear on the boom in sports cards and sports memorabilia.
"Lights, camera…fashion", Toronto Life Fashion. The writer's personal experiences as he is groomed and dressed for his network television show, CTV's Lifetime.
"The Helen Morgan Story", Today Magazine, May 24, 1980. The life story of the first torch singer and great star of Showboat, born in the CN Roundhouse in Toronto in 1900.
Also,
Current:
Book Reviews, The Globe and Mail, "Books" weekend insert.
Performance Reviews, The Globe and Mail, Arts section
1976-1980 Feature series for Winnipeg Free Press: profiles of expatriates in Toronto including:
Larry Zolf...Peter Herrndorf...James Lorimer...Danny Finkleman...Dianne Heatherington..Sherisse Laurence in Toronto...also Graham Shaw and the Sincere Serenaders in L.A.
Plus features for Inland Magazine (a Manitoba monthly) and The City, a monthly produced by the Toronto Star in the late 70's.
Poetry published in University collections. More.
For more on these and other published works, contact <<pfeniak@rogers.com>>
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