60 Years since Camelot Ended

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Edward Brain
Prsident and Mrs. Kennedy (copyright Walt Cisco, Dallas Morning News)

Today marks the 60th Anniversary of the JFK Assassination.  On this day in 1963, while riding through Dallas, Texas, U.S. President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed by Lee Harvey Oswald.  Many people still remember where they were when they heard the news of his assassination.

The official report of the assassination, the Warren Commission, stated that Lee Harvey Oswald acted on his own on November 22, 1963 when he shot and killed the President, and also concluded that Jack Ruby acted on his own when he shot Oswald two days later.

Continue reading →
Posted in General | 1 Comment

507 Long Branch Streetcar Returns

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Edward Brain

On November 19th, 2023 the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) restored all day streetcar service to Long Branch Loop after streetcar service was suspended since January 2021 due to work at the King-Queen-Queensway-Roncesvalles (KQQR) intersection.

At the same time, the TTC announced that service between Long Branch Loop and Humber Loop would operate separate from the rest of the 501 Queen line, but also would be renamed the ‘507 Long Branch’. The 507 Long Branch ran as a separate line, between Long Branch Loop and Humber Loop for many years before being merged into the 501 Queen line in the mid-1990’s.

I ventured out on the first day of service to get some pictures and videos:

Continue reading →
Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Remembrance Day 2023

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Edward Brain

Today, November 11th 2023, we mark Remembrance Day in Canada and the sacrifices made by our military during the many conflicts Canada has been involved in.

Canadians have a long tradition of joining its allies in conflicts when required and to successfully fight in many difficult situations in order that we all may enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy today.

Continue reading →
Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Statue of Queen Elizabeth II Unveiled

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Edward Brain

A new statue of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II have been unveiled at Queen’s Park in Toronto, Ontario – the home of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario – on November 7th, 2023.

The statue waas originally planned to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Her Majesty’s ascension as Queen of Canada, which occurred in 2022. Issues over funding the statue delayed the installation of the statue.

Present at the ceremony were Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Premier Doug Ford, Speaker Ted Arnott, and Chief R. Donald Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

Continue reading →
Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Streetcar Service Returns to Humber Loop

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Edward Brain

For the first time in two years and ten months, or since January 2021, the TTC has resumed streetcar service on their 501 Queen line as far west as Humber Loop on October 29th, 2023.

The service was suspended as work occurred at the King-Queen-Queensway-Roncesvalles (KQQR) intersection and the surrounding area.

Now that work is completed there, service has resumed to Humber Loop all day, every day. Service west of Humber Loop continues to see shuttle bus service all day until November 19th when all day streetcar service resumes. However, 508 Lakeshore streetcars will operate all the way to Long Branch Loop during rush hours starting October 30th, 2023.

Here are some pictures from the first day of service to Humber Loop:

Continue reading →
Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All-Star Cast Succeed in Fidelio at the COC

Posted on October 14, 2023 by Edward Brain

I attended the October 14th, 2023 performance of Ludwig van Beethoven‘s only opera, Fidelio, at the Canadian Opera Company (C.O.C.)

The production, by Matthew Ozawa, is presented in a modern day prison. The set is a large cuve placed on a turntable, so that it could be moved to show different scenes within the prison. The production seemed to work well to demonstrate the story and to show off that tyranny and corruption still exists today and that we cannot deny this.

The production stars Miina-Liisa Värelä (Leonore), Clay Hilley (Florestan), Dimitry Ivashchenko (Rocco), Johannes Martin Kränzle (Don Pizarro), Anna-Sophie Neher (Marzelline), Josh Lovell (Jaquino), Sava Vemić (Don Fernando), Wesley Harrison (First Prisoner), and Alex Halliday (Second Prisoner.)

Continue reading →
Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Edward Brain

As this is the second Monday in October, I would like to wish everyone in Canada a Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving traditionally marks the end of the harvest season in Canada and has been celebrated in Canada since 1879 and the date varied each year until 1957.

Let’s discuss the history of Thanksgiving in Canada:

Continue reading →
Posted in General | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Labour Day 2023 beside Mimico Harbour

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Edward Brain

On Labour Day 2023, I went for a walk in Humber Bay Promenade Park, which runs besides Mimico Harbour.

It was a warm afternoon thanks to an early September heat wave but a pleasant time nonetheless.

The walk included seeing The Snowbirds performing in the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Airshow.

Continue reading →
Posted in General | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

2023 Warriors’ Day Parade at the CNE

Posted on August 20, 2023 by Edward Brain

On August 19th, 2023 the Warriors’ Day Parade took place at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE.) This was the 102nd anniversary of the Warriors’ Day Parade.

Members of 32 Brigade (including the 48th Highlanders, the Toronto Scottish (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Own), and the Royal Regiment of Canada) were joined by Royal Canadian Legion bands, the Toronto Police, Halton Regional Police, Peel Police, and others.

Here are some pictures and videos from the parade:

Continue reading →
Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Former Ontario Lieutenant-Governor James Bartleman Passes Away at 83

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Edward Brain

James Bartleman, the former Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, has passed away at the age of 83.

Mr. Bartleman was the lieutenant Governor General of Ontario who was of First Nations descent, being a member of the Chippewas of Mnjikaning First Nation.

Continue reading →
Posted in Obituaries | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment