What our writers love this week

Canadians

In honor of the upcoming Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., we devote an entire edition of The Short List to people and things we love from north of the border.

You wouldn't believe how many prominent artists and entertainers hail from Canada until you start looking: Everyone from "24's" Keifer Sutherland to moviemaker-of-the-moment James Cameron.

We can't begin to cite them all, but here are a few of our personal favorites, along with a recommended sample of their work — either one we consider their best, or something new and exciting.

This list will only get better if you add your favorites. Find this article at www.seattletimes.com (search "Short List") and add your comments.

Authors

Robertson Davies, "What's Bred in the Bone" (1985)

Alice Munro, "The View from Castle Rock" (2006)

Alistair MacLeod, "No Great Mischief" (1999)

L.M. Montgomery, "Anne of Green Gables" (1908)

Moviemakers

Atom Egoyan, director, "The Sweet Hereafter" (1997)

Brendan Fraser, actor, currently in "Extraordinary Measures"

Eugene Levy, actor, "Best In Show" (2000)

Guy Maddin, writer and director, "My Winnipeg" (2007) plays Feb. 5-8 at Pacific Cinémathèque in Vancouver, B.C. (www.cinematheque.bc.ca)

Ellen Page, actress, "Juno" (2007)

Musicians

Jann Arden, "Living Under June" (1993)

k.d. lang, "Hymns of the 49th Parallel" (2004)

Born Ruffians, "Say It" (due this spring)

Plants & Animals, "La La Land" (due in April)

Neil Young, "Live at the Fillmore East," vinyl (2008).

TV personalities

Dan Aykroyd (also a film actor, writer and producer), "Saturday Night Live."

Phil Hartman, "News Radio" (watch it at www.hulu.com/newsradio).

Fine and performing artists

James Ehnes, violinist, plays Strauss with Seattle Symphony Feb. 4, 6 (www.seattlesymphony.org).

Robert Lepage, theater genius, "The Blue Dragon" opens Feb. 2 in Vancouver (see p. H2).

Bill Reid, Haida carver and artist; visit the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coastal Art in Vancouver (see p. H6).

Architects

Arthur Erickson, University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology (see p. H6)

Moshe Safdie, Vancouver Library Square (see p. H5)

Compiled by Misha Berson, Stephanie Clary, Mary Ann Gwinn, Kristin Jackson, Lynn Jacobson, Doug Knoop, Moira Macdonald, Michael Upchurch and Jonathan Zwickel.