Episode Update

Ordering wine in a restaurant can be a daunting experience. Citizen Talin to the rescue. Our consumer columnist will join guest host Karen Gordon on Sunday's show with everything that you need to know about choosing a vino that's both pleasing to the palate and affordable.

Victoria Day weekend is the traditional start to gardening season. If you're looking for some "green thumb" advice, you're in luck!, Expert gardener Marjorie Harris will join guest host Karen Gordon on Saturday's Fresh Air.

People from all over Ontario will flock to provincial parks this weekend. But some are more interested in having a good time than in becoming one with nature. Outdoors author Kevin Callan will offer his thoughts on making the most of your wilderness experience when he joins guest host Karen Gordon on Saturday's Fresh Air.

And Rob Rainford is a man who's Born To Grill. That's the name of his latest cookbook. And Rob will join guest host Karen Gordon this coming weekend on Fresh Air. If you're thinking about tossing some burgers on the barbie, tune in to hear what a master griller has to say.

Musician Don Breithaupt IS Monkey House. He's the keyboard player, vocalist, songwriter, producer, arranger and who knows what else. Don's latest Monkey House release is an album called Headquarters. And, after hearing it, you might notice that Don's more than a little familiar with the music of Steely Dan. That's OK because he's also written a book about the reclusive duo's best known album, Aja. Don will join Mary to talk about his music and much more this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

You know HER from her role as Mayor Popowicz on CBC TV's Little Mosque On The Prairie. You know him from his improv antics on Whose Line Is It Anyway. Their names are Debra McGrath and Colin Mochrie. But what you might NOT know is that they're married. Debra and Colin will talk about that---and much more---when they're Mary Ito's guests this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

The Sunday Salon returns to Fresh Air this coming---wait for it---Sunday. Historian Margaret MacMillan, journalist Ron Graham and restaurateur Roberto Martella will be Mary Ito's guests. And the topics will be...whaver Mary pulls out of the Sunday Salon idea bowl. Anything can happen...but you're assured of plenty of lively conversation and clever banter.

THAT got your attention, didn't it? Well, Fresh Air's book panel---Becky Toyne and Erin Balser---have been thinking about the astounding popularity of a "daring" new novel called Fifty Shades Of Grey. They want to share their reflections on the merits of books that push the limits when it comes to sex. And they'll do it this coming weekend with Mary Ito.

The Titanic sank 100 years ago. But we're still talking about it today. The question is...why?
Toronto author Hugh Brewster has some theories. He's written a number of books about that ill-fated voyage. He'll be Mary's guest on Sunday's show.

It's a fine line to draw. When do you put down the tools on your DIY project and call in the professionals? Contractor Jorge Rodrigues has some thoughts to share on this subject. And he'll bring them to the Fresh Air studio when he joins Mary Ito this coming weekend.

Author Robert J. Sawyer has a brand new science fiction thriller. It's called Triggers.
But it's not way-out-there sci-fi. It's all about issues and social commentary...packed in a highly entertaining package. And Robert will join Mary Ito this coming Saturday to talk about it.

The success of the (mostly) silent movie The Artist has reawakened interest in this film genre. And it's prompted Thom Ernst, host of TVO's Saturday Night At The Movies , to choose some classic silent films that we should all see. Thom will reveal his list when he joins guest host Karen Gordon this coming Saturday on Fresh Air .

And much, much more. His name is Johnny Reid. And he's nominated for a 2012 Juno Award for Single of the Year. He's also performing at CBC TV's broadcast of The Genie Awards. So he's a busy guy. But Johnny is making time for a visit with Mary Ito this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

Fresh Air's consumer columnist, Talin Vartanian, AKA Citizen Talin, returns this coming weekend. Her topic---those social buying websites. Are they offering good value for the investment? Talin has investigated...and she'll share her findings with Mary Ito.

Marjorie Harris knows gardens. She's written a bunch of books about them. And she's no slouch when it comes to creating them, too. Now, she's come up with a book that tells YOU how to make your OWN garden...and not break the bank doing it. The book is called THRIFTY: GARDENING FROM THE GROUND UP. And Majorie will be Mary Ito's guest this coming weekend.

It's an odd name for an album. But Wendy Landis chose Mumble as the name for HER new CD. And she had a good reason. She'll share it when she joins Mary on Sunday's show. You'll also hear a couple of songs from the album. That's in the 0730-0800 segment of the show.

Andrew Westoll spent two years conducting research for his book The Chimps Of Fauna Sanctuary. It was time well spent as the book has just been named winner of the Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction. And Andrew will be Mary's guest on Saturday's Fresh Air.

And much, much more. His name is Johnny Reid. And he's nominated for a 2012 Juno Award for Single of the Year. He's also performing at CBC TV's broadcast of The Genie Awards. So he's a busy guy. But Johnny is making time for a visit with Mary Ito this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

You probably know Sonja Smits as an actor. After all, she's starred in Street Legal, Traders and The Eleventh Hour. And that's just on television---it doesn't begin to cover her stage and film credits. But did you know that she also a "player" in the food and spirits biz?
Sonja reveals all...this coming weekend.

DK Ibomeka gets around. The Toronto singer/songwriter has several European tours to his credit. He's also played major jazz festivals both in North America and abroad. DK is currently living in New York City where he's studying with a jazz mentor. And he's just released his latest album. It's called Ocean and DK will join Mary ito to talk about both it and his new "home" this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

Monkey Majik is a Japanese pop band that's 50% Canadian---two of the four members are from Ottawa. DK Ibomeka is a Toronto musician who was originally going to be a doctor but who's now studing wth a jazz mentor in New York City. What do they have in common? They'll both be on Fresh Air this coming weekend.

He's Terry O'Reilly---advertising guru. You know him as the host of the long-running CBC Radio One programme The Age Of Persuasion. But that was then. This is now...and Terry's new show is called Under The Influence. He'll be Mary's guest this coming weekend to explain why we've left the era of overt one-way messaging and entered a new world order of two-way dialogue.

Emma-Lee is both. And she's very good at each of her vocations. But which came first? Emma-Lee will explain when she joins Mary Ito this coming weekend on Fresh Air. She'll also talk about her new album, Backseat Heroine.

It's the final season for CBC-TV's Little Mosque On The Prairie. Actor Zaib Shaikh has starred in the ground-breaking sit-com from Day One. Zaib will join Mary Ito this weekend to talk about the impact of the programme on viewers...as well as on his own career.

Fresh Air will welcome two Shannons to the show his coming weekend...but they'll tackle two entirely different topics. Singer Shannon Butcher will talk about balancing her music career with her new role as a mother. And architecture contributor Shannon Kyles will explore another aspect of Ontario's architectural heritage. That's on the January 21/22 editions of Fresh Air.

Fresh Air will be taking some time off for the rest of the holiday period. But Mary Ito and the Fresh Air gang will be back on the airwaves on first full weekend in January. Until then, we wish all of our many listeners the very best of the season and the very best in 2012. We'll talk with you again on January the 7th.

Join guest host Karen Gordon for a special Christmas Eve edition of Fresh Air this coming Saturday. You'll hear LOTS of seasonal music...and there may even be a surprise or two!

Peterborough author Charles Foran has received both acclaim and awards---plenty of the latter!---for his biography of Mordecai Richler. Charles will be Mary Ito's guest on Sunday's show---he'll join her in the final half hour.

More and more people are turning to gift cards when they're looking for a gift. And that's especially true during the holiday shopping season. Fresh Air consumer columnist, Citizen Talin, will examine the pros and cons of "gift carding" when she joins Mary this coming Saturday.

It's not The Wizard Of Oz as YOU might know it. It's another of Ross Petty's Wickedly Wacky Family Musicals---a Christmas tradition. And among its stars are Jessica Holmes and Dan Chameroy. They'll join Mary Ito this coming weekend to talk about their roles...and what kinds of craziness they'll get up to on stage.

Many of us are exposed to music on a daily basis and it affects us to a greater or lesser degree. But for some people, music can literally change their lives. Barry Shiffman is a violinist and associate dean of The Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Matthew Brown is a singer, dancer and actor who's a graduate of the Dixon Hall School of Music, also in Toronto. They'll join Mary on Sunday's show in the final half hour to talk about music's transformative powers.

Fresh Air's World Music columnist is a fan of Mali musician Basskeou Kouyate. And Basskeou Kouyate is a fan of the ngoni. It's the musical instrument that Basskeou plays...and he's given it new prominence. But he did it by breaking all the rules about how it's supposed to be played. Reuben will explain when he joins Mary Ito on this coming Saturday's show.

...with Chris McKhool. He's the leader of The Sultans Of String. And his musical conglomeration has just unveiled a new album called...Move. Chris always has a story or two to tell...and he'll join Mary to share a few of them on Sunday's show.

And his name is Steven Page. The former-Barenaked Lady has teamed up with Andrew Burashko and the classically-inclined Art Of Time Ensemble to create a musical extravaganza called The Songbook 6. Both Steven and Andrew will join Mary to talk about their pop-meets-classical collaboration.

That's the name of The Sultans Of String's newest album. And band leader Chris McKhool is ALWAYS on the move. So it's an apt title. Chris will find a few minutes to sit down and chat with Mary Ito this coming weekend.

Dr. Mike Evans---Fresh Air's "Your Health" contributor---will join guest host Karen Gordon this coming Sunday. His topic: using the (somewhat controversial) HPV vaccine to prevent cancer in young men. It's happening in the United States. There's a move to make it happen here. And we'll hear Doctor Mike's take on the pros and cons.

Roger Mooking WAS a musician---in the R&B group Bass is Base. But then he changed careers and became a chef. And he's a darned good one, too! Now he's got a new book out that offers a multicultural palatte of recipes. And Roger Mooking will join guest host Karen Gordon this weekend on Fresh Air.

He's a musician who's also a doctor. She's the mother of a young man who took his own life. Their shared goal is to improve the lives of people dealing with mental illness. And they're doing it with a special event called Put Up Your Dukes---a musical and educating evening in support of the Centre for Mental Health and Addiction. Dr. Ken Harrison and Bobbi Lewin will elaborate when they join Mary Ito this weekend.

Her name is Debra Di Giovanni. She was named Best Female Stand Up Comedian at the recent Canadian Comedy Awards. And she'll be Mary Ito's guest this coming weekend on Fresh Air. And, yes...she really DOES have a cat.

Citizen Talin is Fresh Air's consumer columnist. She tackles the topics that matter to you.
Most recently, Talin talked about writing letters of complaint and how that can pay off. This coming Saturday, Talin will tell us about your options if a letter doesn't pay dividends.

Don Ferguson of the Royal Canadian Air Farce will be Mary's guest in the last half hour of Sunday's show. Don's co-author of Air Farce: 40 Years of Flying by the Seat of Our Pants. He'll take us behind the scenes and offer some surprising revelations. Maclean's writer Anne Kingston will also be on the show to talk about her recent article titled: How To Stay Married.

And she's proud of it! Treasa Levasseur's new album is called Broad. She'll tell Mary Ito WHY when she comes into the Fresh Air studio in the last half hour of Saturday's show.
And author Elizabeth Abbott will also drop by to talk about her book Sugar-A Bittersweet Story. It may change the way you think about sweet stuff.

Author Shane Peacock had an idea. What, he wondered, was Sherlock Holmes like BEFORE he grew up? The result is a series of books for young adults about the YOUNG Sherlock Holmes. It's quite elementary, dear...well, Watson wasn't on the scene yet, but that doesn't stop Sherlock from solving some dastardly crimes. And Shane will be Mary's guest this coming weekend.

You know Arlene Dickinson as the "nice" dragon on CBC Television's Dragon's Den. She's also the author of a new book called Persuasion. It details how persuasion can be a reliable business tactic when used correctly. Arlene will elaborate when she joins Mary Ito on Sunday's show in the final half hour. Also dropping by the show is Steve Patterson, host of CBC's The Debaters. Steve's also hosting a Just For Laughs tour AND The Canadian Comedy Awards. He still finds time to poke fun at himself...as you'll hear in the last part of Saturday's show.

Fresh Air's Your Health columnist---Dr. Mike Evans---will be here on Sunday's show to talk about cold and flu season. You can catch him in the final half hour. Also joining Mary Ito will be author Edmund De Waal to talk about his book The Hare With Amber Eyes...and Matthew Mendelsohn from the Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation to talk about how Ontarians don't really feel all that strongly ABOUT their home province.

You want to make your hard-earned dollars go farther, right? Alison Griffiths can show you how. Alison writes the Me and My Money column in The Toronto Star. She'll be Mary's guest in the final part of Saturday's show. And how would you like to give your Thanksgiving menu a shake-up? Try a recipe from the new Canadian Living cookbook The International Collection: Home Cooked Meals from Around the World. Annabelle Waugh from Canadian Living will be on hand to elaborate.

Musician and songwriter Marc Jordan will be Mary Ito's very special guest this coming Saturday. He'll perform live in the Fresh Air studio in the last hour of the show. It's all part of CBC Radio's celebration of Culture Days and the CBC's 75th Anniversary. We've saved a front row seat for YOU...so be sure to tune in.

There's a right way...and a wrong way to complain. Citizen Talin favours the former. And she knows HOW to do it. Talin Vartanian will join Mary Ito on Saturday to educate all of us.

Kids of all ages are back at school And that means plenty of time spent with teachers.
But what makes for a good interaction between teacher and student? Mary Ito will talk with a couple of award-winning professors who may have the answer. That's this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

Comedian and self-described "affable subversive" Ron James will be Mary's guest on Sunday's show. He may be the hardest-working man in Canadian show business, between his one-man live tours and his CBC Television show. Ron will sit still long enough to reflect on his career after the eight-thirty news.

Terry O'Reilly---host of CBC Radio's The Age Of Persuasion---will join Mary on Saturday. His topic: the changing multicultural face of advertising. Catch Terry's well-informed take
on the topic after the eight o'clock news.

He's just won ANOTHER Gemini Award for his show . And Rick Mercer starts his ninth season on CBC Television this coming Tuesday. So what better time to have him join Mary Ito to talk about those wild and crazy things that he gets up to each week? Rick "rants" on Fresh Air in the last half hour of this Saturday's show.

They have a potentially fatal illness and yet they have hope. Our house doctor, Dr. Mike Evans, will join Mary Ito on Fresh Air to talk about how it is that people find hope in the darkest hours of cancer.

Also this weekend, we're heading to the drive-in. Paul Peterson of the Mustang Drive-In movie theatre in Picton is our guest. Our music columnist Mark Rheaume will also be by. And if you're heading off to university with your child, be sure to listen to Mary's conversation with Alyson Fryer of The Cookbook Store. Join us for all that and more on Fresh Air.

They come in person, by mail and on the phone. They're appeals from a variety of charities for donations. How should you respond---who deserves your hard-earned dollars? That's what Fresh Air's consumer columnist, Citizen Talin, will explore when she joins Mary Ito this coming weekend.

Designated Reader Becky Toyne will join Mary Ito this coming weekend. Becky has chosen three books to talk about---two that are hot off the printing presses and one that has a connection to recent current events. If you're looking for a "hot" read...have a listen to Becky's recommendations.

You know him as Colm Wilkinson. Yes, he was Phantom Of The Opera. He was also the original Jean Valjean in Les Mis. But did you know that he's called Toronto home for many years. Now he's performing two very special concerts in his adopted homeown. And Colm Wilkinson will be Mary's special guest this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

Master chef Rob Rainford has one. He knows his way around a barbeque. And since this is prime grilling season, he'll swing by the Fresh Air studio to share some of his secrets with Mary. That's in the final half hour of Sunday's show.

It's Caribbean Carnival time in Toronto. That means people are in an "islands" mood. And the Carnival's marquee event is the Grand Parade. Chris Alexander is the main man at the Caribbean Carnival. He'll join Mary on Saturday in the last half hour of the show.

Wondering what's going to be on Fresh Air next weekend? Stay tuned. All will be revealed shortly.
And keep an eye on our Facebook page for regular updates on what's happening in Fresh Air Land.
Look for us at Fresh Air on Facebook.

Thinking about watching a classic film from a classy director? Think about this: Forbidden Desires: The Films of Alfred Hitchcock and Brian De Palma. That's Kevin Courrier's latest "obsession". The film critic and lecturer believes both Hitchcock and De Palma use voyeurism as a dramatic strategy...but in different ways and for different reasons. Kevin will join Mary this weekend to elaborate.

That's what Kingston's The Abrams Brothers call their style of music. It's their attempt to make bluegrass more accessible...and it seems to be working. Just ask the members of the rock band Coldplay. John and James Abrams will elaborate when they join guest host Karen Gordon on Sunday's show

The Indycar circus is coming to Toronto. The big race happens this coming Sunday. And local driver James Hinchcliffe will be on the grid. It's his rookie season...but he's already making a name for himself. James will take time out from turning hot laps to be Mary's guest on Saturday's show.

Summer may be in the air...but Mark Rheaume's isn't taking a vacation. Our man on the Ontario Music Beat will be here on Sunday to profile four new "locally-grown" albums. Check in after the 7:30 news to hear what Mark has "harvested" for your aural amusement.

It's called culinary tourism...and it's coming to a community in Ontario near you. In fact,there's even a new guide that tells you WHERE to go. It's prepared by the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance...and Rebecca LeHeup from the Alliance will join Mary this coming weekend to elaborate. It's a tasty way to travel!

Father and daughter actors Robert and Ruby Joy are playing dad and daughter roles on stage in Barrie's Theatre By The Bay 's production of The Tempest. They'll join Mary on Sunday's show to talk about the appeal of William Shakespeare...and what it's like to act together for the first time.

Mike Ford has something in common with Etienne Brule. Mike's a contemporary singer-songwriter who decided to explore his Franco-Ontarian heritage. That's when he discovered that he shared something special with the 18th century French explorer.
Mike will explain---in words and songs---on an upcoming Fresh Air.

Father's Day is fast approaching...and so is a visit from film guy Thom Ernst. He's put together a list of his favourite movies about dads...and he'll share them this coming Saturday when he joins Mary Ito.

Fiona Reid is no ordinary actor. She's starred in television, film...and, especially, on the stage. Fiona's latest role is in Toute Comme Elle at Toronto's Bluma Appel Theatre---it's part of the city's Luminato Festival. And Fiona Reid will be Mary Ito's guest this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

David Ben is both a magician and a student of magic's history. His latest show is called Natural Magick and it's part of Toronto's Luminato Festival. David will be Mary's guest on Sunday to talk about the evolution of magic and how it fits into today's information-oriented world.

Fresh Air's Your Health columnist, Dr. Mike Evans, will join Mary this coming weekend to talk about the pros---and the possible cons---of getting an annual physical check-up.

Kurt Swinghammer is a multi-disciplinarian. He's a musician...and he's also an artist. His tribute to another artist---landscape painter and Group of Seven contemporary Tom Thomson---takes the form of both a CD and a DVD. Kurt will join Mary Ito to elaborate on this coming weekend's Fresh Air.

Thunder Bay musician Shy-Anne Hovorka has a passion for her craft. She shares that passion with First Nations young people across Northern Ontario. And by doing so, she's changing their lives for the better. Hear Shy-Anne's story when she joins Mary Ito on Sunday's Fresh Air.

It's a holiday weekend...and there's a new website that tells you where to go if you're looking for a wide range of events and activities in Ontario. It's called Summer Fun Guide dot ca. And co-founder Elisa Palter will join Mary Ito on Saturday to tell her why it's needed.

Kurt Swinghammer is a multi-disciplinarian. He's a musician...and he's also an artist. His tribute to another artist---landscape painter and Group of Seven contemporary Tom Thomson---takes the form of both a CD and a DVD. Kurt will join Mary Ito to elaborate on this coming weekend's Fresh Air.

Dominic Mancuso is a musical man of the world. In fact, his most recent album won a Juno Award in the World Music category. Dominic will bring his musical talents to Fresh Air on Sunday. He's headlining a concert at the Lulaworld Festival in Toronto and preparing to release his new CD. Dominic will elaborate...and preview the new album.

Songwriter extraordinare Marc Jordan has penned hits for Rod Stewart, Josh Groban and Cher. He's also co-founder of a concert series that features musicians talking about their best songs before playing them. Marc will take the stage for the latest installment of Bluebird North in Toronto on Saturday...but first he'll join Mary Ito to share the inspiration for some of his hits.

Kurt Swinghammer is a multi-disciplinarian. He's a musician...and he's also an artist. His tribute to another artist---landscape painter and Group of Seven contemporary Tom Thomson---takes the form of both a CD and a DVD. Kurt will join Mary Ito to elaborate on this coming weekend's Fresh Air.

Fresh Air's Designated Reader has been busy...reading. Becky Toyne is her name. And she'll be here this coming weekend to talk about three books that Becky believes are worth YOUR reading time.

Michael Kaeshammer went for simplicity with the title of his new album: Kaeshammer. Kind of says it all. But Michael will open up about the
album and his new musical directions when he joins Mary Ito on this weekend's
Fresh Air.

Her real name is Suzie Ungerlieder...but you know her as singer/songwriter Oh Susanna.
She has a new album called Soon The Birds. And Suzie will join Mary Ito this coming weekend to talk about her musical alter-ego...and her equally musical family.

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your house. That makes spring a good time to take stock of the damage...and plan repairs. Ace renovator Jorge Rodrigues will join guest host Karen Gordon on Sunday to highlight potential trouble areas and recommend fixes.

Hollywood lost an iconic director last weekend when Sidney Lumet passed away. His memorable movies include 12 Angry Men, Network and Murder On The Orient Express. This Saturday, TVO's Saturday Night At the Movies' Thom Ernst will join guest host Karen Gordon to talk about Sidney Lumet's best films.

Ontario is rich in food producers...and local food production is receiving more and more attention. But is this just a fad...or have Ontario consumers truly embraced the concept of the 100-mile diet and all its implications? Journalist Nicola Ross has explored the phenomenon...and she'll join guest host Karen Gordon to discuss it this coming Sunday on Fresh Air.

Sorry, Leafs and Sens fans. No playoffs for your favourite teams. It's a sad time for people such as Kevin Shea and Rick Wharton. They cheer the Maple Leafs and the Senators, respectively. And they'll commiserate when they join guest host Karen Gordon on Sunday's show.

Ontario has a wealth of fascinating art deco architecture. You just have to know where to look for it. Cue Shannon Kyles. She's historical architecture editor at Arabella magazine.
And she'll join Mary this Saturday to talk about the importance of art deco design on the Ontario landscape.

Michael Kaeshammer went for simplicity with the title of his new album. Kaeshammer. Kind of says it all. But Michael will open up about the
album and his new musical directions when he joins Mary Ito on this weekend's
Fresh Air.

...doesn't ALWAYS stay in that city. Matt Dusk went there to record his latest album...and it's a live, swingin' affair. You can hear for yourself this coming weekend. That's when Fresh Air's favourite crooner will join Mary Ito to talk about the recording and spin a few tracks from it.

Fresh Air listeners first met Kai Black and David Carroll when they decided to enter the Boston Marathon in 2008. We followed their trials and tribulations as they prepared...and then talked with them after they (barely) managed to survive that gruelling race. Now, Kai and David are at it again. They're taking part in this Sunday's Around The Bay road race in Hamilton. Guest host Karen Gordon will chat with Kai and David as they try to keep warm at the starting line.

He's an acclaimed and award-winning environmentalist, author and broadcaster. He's David Suzuki...long-time host of CBC Television's The Nature Of Things.
His show is turning 50...and David's turning 75....which is a good time for reflection. David Suzuki will join Mary on Sunday in the final half hour to talk about his life...and the lessons that he's learned.

Layah Jane's latest album is called Honey. And it's filled with some sweet-sounding tracks. But there's more to this musician than catchy hooks and hummable melodies. She's got a serious side that extends far beyond her music. Layah Jane will be Mary Ito's guest this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day...Loreena McKennitt will join Mary Ito to talk about her latest musical project. It marks a return to her earliest inspiration---traditional Irish and Scottish music. The album is called The Wind That Shakes The Barley...and Loreena will talk about its origins, as well as the unusual site that she chose to record it. That's this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

No...not the kind that you eat. This is the iconic pop group from the 1990s...and THAT Wild Strawberries is back. Actually, Roberta Carter-Harrison and her husband, Ken Harrison, never really went away. They just took time off to have a family...among other things. Now, they've embarked on a new musical project---a song cycle based on Go Train stations. Roberta and Ken will reveal all when they join Mary Ito on Sunday in the final half hour of the show.

James Bartleman became the first Native Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario in 2002 after a distinguished career of more than 35 years in the Canadian foreign service. He's since written several acclaimed non-fiction books. Now he's written his first novel. As Long as the River Flows is the story of one First Nation woman who gives up her daughter to try and find her son while also coming to terms with her past. James Bartleman will be Mary's special guest this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

It's been three years since Melanie Doane's last album....but the wait is over. Her new CD is called The Emerald City. It's a return to her pop roots...with some intriguing musical flourishes. And Melanie will be Mary Ito's guest this coming weekend on Fresh Air.

Krystin Pellerin co-stars on CBC TV's The Republic Of Doyle. But she's no stranger to treading the boards. In fact she has roles in three plays at Toronto's Soulpepper Theatre this season. And Krystin will drop by the Fresh Air studio this coming weekend to talk about performing for both the camera and a live audience.

Steve Bauer is no stranger to the world of cycling. He's an Olympic silver medalist in bike racing...and the only Canadian to lead multiple stages of the Tour de France. Now he's running Canada's first continenal professional cycle racing team. And he'll join guest host Karen Gordon this coming weekend to talk about his on-going passion for cycling.

World Music columnist, Reuben Maan, has been absent from the Fresh Air air-waves for the past three months. That's because he's been exploring South America. Reuben will join Mary this coming weekend to talk about his travels and play some of the musicians that he encountered.

Canada Reads is swinging into high gear. It's the tenth anniversary of this popular book-a-thon. But how many people have read EVERY nominated book in each year of the event? Mary Ito will talk with two readers who've done just that...on this coming weekend's Fresh Air.