Attention News Editors:

Gingerbread City Created by GTA Architectural Firms

    Extraordinary gingerbread creations to be auctioned to benefit the
    Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund

    TORONTO, Nov. 24 /CNW/ - The Toronto Star and seven GTA architectural
firms have come together to create Gingerbread City, a collection of seven
truly unique gingerbread houses. The seven firms were approached by the
Toronto Star to build the gingerbread creations, which will be put up for
auction on Sunday, November 26. All proceeds will go to the Toronto Star Santa
Claus Fund.
    The participating architectural firms are: SMC Alsop Mercer Studio; PLANT
Architect Inc.; Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc.; Moriyama & Teshima
Architects; 3rd Uncle design inc.; Johnson Chou Inc.; Kuwabara Payne McKenna
Blumberg Architects.
    "To refer to any of these creations as a gingerbread house really does
not do them justice," said Patricia Hluchy, Sunday Features Editor, Toronto
Star. "We contacted seven of the most exciting architectural firms in GTA and
each one readily agreed to build a Gingerbread 'house' to benefit the Santa
Claus Fund. They loved the challenge and the charitable aspect of the
project."
    Watch for the details of the work and creativity that inspired these
creations in the Sunday Star and online at www.thestar.com/gingerbread this
weekend.
    Photos of the gingerbread houses will be featured in a two-page article
in the Sunday Star. In addition, the creations will also be unveiled on
Sunday, November 26th in the window of William Ashley at 55 Bloor Street West.
The gingerbread creations will be on display until Monday, December 20th when
successful bidders will be welcome to pick them up and take them home.
    The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund was established in 1906. 101 years
later, the generosity of Toronto Star readers continues to make Christmas a
little bit happier for 45,000 less fortunate children living throughout the
GTA, Ajax-Pickering, Mississauga and Brampton. The 2006 Toronto Star Santa
Claus Fund fundraising goal is $1.4 million, which will provide holiday gift
boxes to 45,000 needy children. Every cent of the donations received goes to
cover the cost of the gifts. The Toronto Star covers all administrative costs
associated with the charity.
    To participate in the auction, please visit www.stardreamdays.com to
place a bid.

    About the Toronto Star and thestar.com

    Founded in 1892, the Toronto Star is Canada's largest daily newspaper,
with more than 2.7 million readers each week. The Toronto Star is a division
of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, which is a subsidiary of Torstar
Corporation. The Toronto Star's Website, thestar.com, with approximately   
2.5 million unique users per month, has been online since 1996 and is an
outstanding site for local, continuously updated news, blogs and information.

    About William Ashley

    William Ashley is North America's largest tableware and gift specialty
retailer, and operates the largest wedding registry service in Canada. Since
1947, the company has provided unrivalled services and knowledgeable
assistants to help customers create a perfect table setting. Fulfilling its
mandate for premium quality service and products, William Ashley was the first
store in North America to introduce a computerized bridal registry.

For further information: Don Blair, Manager of Communications, Toronto
Star, (416) 869-4890