Taral Wayne (born Wayne MacDonald), a Canadian artist in both science fiction and furry fandoms, passed away last week at age 72. (October 12, 1951 - July 31, 2024.)

I had the opportunity to hang out with Taral many times from about 1994-2001 until I moved away, after which I sadly let myself become more distant. If you were a friend or colleague of Taral's, even if you're not in furry fandom, please feel free to post a comment or personal memory here!

Taral Wayne was a resident of Toronto and discovered science fiction fandom in the early 1970s. Within the next ten years he was an active participant, lending his artistic talents to zine culture. He was also a member of the proto-furry APA, Vootie.

If you live in Ontario, you probably haven't heard of Marc Scott - but you've probably seen him if you watched children's shows on TVOntario, the province's educational broadcaster (similar to PBS). He used to perform as the costumed character known as "Polkaroo", a polka-dotted kangaroo on the station's preschool TV series Polka-Dot Door from 1985 to 1993, and on later series such as Polka-Dot Shorts (1993-2001) and on Gisèle's Big Backyard (2001-2007).

His name has recently returned to the limelight - in a less than flattering way - after he attracted the attention of his former employer. He's received a cease-and-desist order and might face a potential lawsuit for creating and wearing an "unauthorized parody" of Polkaroo, named "Tokaroo", a red-eyed and brown-furred marijuana-smoking marsupial he created in celebration of Canada legalizing Marijuana on October 17, 2018.

Earlier today, Pachi the Porcupine was revealed as the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games mascot, in front of thousands of children at the annual Kids CBC Day in Toronto. CBC featured the mascot in action on their Toronto evening news.

Of the six finalists, Pachi was also most-liked by the public, in the online voting contest that gathered over 33,000 votes, according to the official press release. The voting contest results contributed 10% to the final score, along with other criteria including "embodies the spirit and values of the competition" and "has 'strong kid appeal'".

Organizers received 4130 submissions for the mascot, which was narrowed down to 108 in review before selecting the six finalists.

The "Pachi Pals" – Grade 8 students Paige, Fiona, Michelle, and Jenny, from Markham, Ontario, part of the Greater Toronto Area – designed the porcupine as a class project.

Correction (July 20): 33,000 was the number of votes received for all six finalist designs, not just for the winning entry as I initially reported.

The 2015 Pan American Games are running an online vote until May 5 to choose their mascot. The six finalists, selected from 4,130 entries, are:

1) a Maple-leaf headed beaver	2) a moose	3) a multi-colour owl
4) a porcupine with multi-color quills	5) a raccoon	6) twins wearing hats

See more: Original finalist designs, prior to conversion to Pan Am colours and style by illustrator/animator James Caswell of Sheridan College.

Toronto-based furry convention Furnal Equinox has released its January 2013 newsletter. Preregistration remains open for the 2013 convention, though it will close on February 18.

The convention has also released Meet the Fuzz, the first in a series of promotional videos profiling Furries in Uniform and featuring a selection of Toronto-area cast and crew.

Toronto-based furry convention Furnal Equinox has released its December 2012 newsletter.

Though early bird preregistration for the convention has now ended, registration remains open, starting at $40 Canadian. Applications are also open for the convention's inaugural Art Show, and staff are seeking panel facilitators.

Toronto-based furry convention Furnal Equinox has released its November 2012 newsletter.

Early bird preregistration for the convention concludes in only a few days, on November 30.

Toronto-based furry convention Furnal Equinox has released its October 2012 newsletter.

Registration for the 2013 convention has begun, with a new Supersponsor tier on offer. Applications to the convention's Dealers Den and the inaugural Art Show are also open.

Canadian convention Furnal Equinox held its third edition on the weekend of March 16–18 in Toronto.

The 2012 convention attracted over 630 attendees over three days, a 40% increase over 2011, and maintained its status as Canada's largest furry convention by attendance.

Toronto-based furry convention Furnal Equinox has released its March 2012 newsletter, with updates on the published schedule, restaurant discounts, and volunteers.

The convention starts this week at the Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Airport. Full memberships will be available at the door starting from $45 Canadian.

Toronto-based furry convention Furnal Equinox has released its February 2012 newsletter, with details of sponsor benefits, DJ schedules and interviews with its guests of honour.

There are only two weeks remaining to preregister for the convention. The deadline is Sunday, March 4; memberships start at $40 Canadian.

The Steam Whistle Brewery, in Toronto, Canada, is hosting an exhibition of "a series of anthropomorphic illustrations".

Entitled Menagerie, the art show features the work of nineteen local artists, who explore "the idea of anthropomorphism as a form of self-extension".

The exhibition, featuring images of a number of different species, runs until February 26. Entry is free.

Toronto-based furry convention Furnal Equinox has released its first newsletter of 2012.

The convention is actively seeking contributions from attendees in the last 50 days before the convention, including conbook submissions, panelists and volunteers.

Just in time for Christmas, Toronto-based furry convention Furnal Equinox has released its December 2011 newsletter.

A convention-sponsored Christmas potluck took place December 17, attracting more than 75 attendees and raising over $500 for the convention's charity, the Mississauga Humane Society. Early bird pre-registrations closed November 30; dealers tables are now sold out. The con also continues to search for conbook submissions, volunteers, panelists and DJs.

Toronto-based furry convention Furnal Equinox has released its November 2011 newsletter.

Early bird registration and submissions for the Infurnally Yours Video Competition close on November 30. The convention also seeks conbook submissions, panelists and volunteers.