Toronto real estate developer Murray Frum donated Bernini’s 1650 sculpture Corpus, valued at $50 million, to the Art Gallery of Ontario. After two years of intrigue, poker-faced negotiating and scholarly sleuthing, the Art Gallery of Ontario has landed a spectacular prize: a full-length, life-size crucifixion sculpture by the Italian Old Master Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
The Sculpture, called Corpus by Bernini, considered the Greatest Sculpture of 17th Century is valued at $50 millions at current market, was a gift from the Frum family of Toronto, who already donated 80 pieces of primitive African sculptures to AGO.
For full articles on this subject go to:
http://www.thestar.com/artsentertainment/article/169997
A reprint from thestar.com below, has proven that anonymous tips on crimes (on progress, committed or in planning stages) really work without inconviencing the tipsters and putting their safety in compromise by identifying or revealing their identities.
January 11, 2007 -John DuncansonStaff reporter
When Crime Stoppers was launched more than 20 years ago, people were suspicious of the police promise not to reveal a tipster's identity or make them testify.
Today, whether it's a call from a payphone or home phone to the now familiar number, 416-222-TIPS, people may still be skeptical but the phone lines are always busy.
"It's a constant sell," said Det. Larry Straver, co-ordinator of the Toronto Crime Stoppers program. "Sometimes we spend 10 minutes just talking about the program before we get into the information."
Today, whether it's a call from a payphone or home phone to the now familiar number, 416-222-TIPS, people may still be skeptical but the phone lines are always busy.
"It's a constant sell," said Det. Larry Straver, co-ordinator of the Toronto Crime Stoppers program. "Sometimes we spend 10 minutes just talking about the program before we get into the information."
The three things tipsters are told is that they will not be recorded – Crime Stoppers' phones don't have call display – and they won't have to testify.
There are rewards, too. Each month, Crime Stoppers approves between $4,000 and $6,000 for tipsters.
Police have readily accepted the tipline as part of the investigative process that officers often rely on when trying to solve crimes, especially tough ones like homicides. The program took in 6,876 tips last year that led to the clearing of 616 cases. Police made 530 arrests and laid 2,994 charges. Officers also recovered $3.3 million in property and more than $23 million in drugs last year. The figures were released yesterday as police and politicians kicked off Crime Stoppers Month at a ceremony at Toronto police headquarters.
Since its introduction in 1984, police said they have made more than 8,000 arrests and cleared almost 13,000 cases based on caller's tips. In 2007, the program is going to expand into TV ads aimed at generating even more tips.
