Remembrance Day 2015

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Edward Brain

Remembrance Day 2014 003 (1024x768)Today, November 11th 2015, 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 the military when required and to successfully fight in many difficult situations in order that we all may enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy today.

So, if you are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in Canada, please thank a veteran.

As an appropriate remembrance for all the sacrifices, here is “In Flanders Fields“, the poem written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae: Continue reading →

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Tannhäuser a Success

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Edward Brain

The Metropolitan Opera broadcast a performance of their current run of Tannhäuser as part of their Live in HD series on October 31st.

The performance starred Johan Botha as the knight Tannhäuser, Eva-Maria Westbroek as Elisabeth, Michelle DeYoung as Venus, Peter Mattei as Wolfram von Escenbach, Günther Groissböck as the Landgrave of Thuringia, Ying Fang as the Young Shepherd, Noah Baetge as Walther von der Vogelweide, Ryan McKinny as Biterolf, Adam Klein as Heinrich der Schreiber, and Ricardo Lugo as Reinmar von Zweter.

The production was conducted by Artistic Director James Levine.  The production team was Otto Schenk (Director), Günther  Schneider-Siemssen (Set Designer), Patricia Zipprodt (Costume Designer), Gil Wechsler (Lighting Director), and Norbert Vesak (Choreographer.) Continue reading →

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Bridge of Spies: A Movie Worth Seeing

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Edward Brain
U-2 with fictitious NASA markings to support C...

U-2 with fictitious NASA markings to support CIA cover story for pilot Gary Powers, shot down over Soviet Union. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The movie Bridge of Spies, about lawyer turned negotiator James B. Donovan, and three prisoners during the Cold War is a movie not to miss.

The movie tells of how James Donovan is hired to defend Rudolf Abel on a charge of working as a Soviet spy.  As the case moves through trial and up to the Supreme Court, an American spy plane is shot down over the USSR, and an American student is arrested by the East German Government while trying to escape East Berlin while the Berlin Wall is completed.

In the end, it is up to James Donovan to negotiate the exchange of Rudolf Abel and American pilot Francis Gary Powers, officially without the consent of the American Government.  He ends up negotiating the release of both Powers and student Frederic Pryor in exchange for Abel. Continue reading →

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Maureen O’Hara has Passed Away

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Edward Brain
Maureen O'Hara in a screenshot from the traile...

Maureen O’Hara in a screenshot from the trailer for the film The Black Swan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The legendary actress Maureen O’Hara passed away on October 24th, 2015 of natural causes.  She was 95 years old.

Miss O’Hara was born in Ranelagh, County Dublin, Ireland on August 17th, 1920.  She would marry three times: to George H. Brown (1939-1941), Will Price (1941-1953), and Charles F. Blair, Jr. (1968-1978).

Miss O’Hara first became known after her appearances in the 1939 movies Jamaica Inn (directed by Alfred Hitchcock), and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (alongside Charles Laughton.)  Her career was further cemented with her Academy Award nominated role in Miracle on 34th Street in 1947. Continue reading →

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Canada’s 42nd Federal General Election

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Edward Brain
Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill

On Monday October 19th, 2015, the Dominion of Canada conducted its 42nd Federal General Election in the history of the Dominion.

The election saw an increase in the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) being elected – 338 members, up 30 from the 308 that were elected in 2011.  A party that receives 170 seats in this election would win a Majority Government.

The election saw the Prime Minister, Stephan Harper, try and win four straight elections for the first time since 1979.  Only Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald has ever won four straight elections as the leader of a political party (1878, 1882, 1887, and 1891.) Continue reading →

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Toronto Starts first Post-season Appearance in 22 Years

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Edward Brain
Darren Oliver pitching in the 7th inning for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Blue Jays on the field at SkyDome!

The Toronto Blue Jays start their quest for their first World Series title in 22 years with their first appearance in the post-season on October 8th, 2015 with the first game of the American League Divisional Series (ALDS) at home against the Texas Rangers.

The best of five series sees Games 1, 2, and 5 (#5 if necessary) will be played in Toronto with Games 3 and 4 being played in Arlington, Texas.

The Blue Jays roster consists of the following players: Continue reading →

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Condominium Owners Protest Raises Questions

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Edward Brain

The CBC has an interesting article on-line: Etobicoke condo owners demand ‘justice’ after fee increase

I want to discuss this issue as it raises some questions.

Firstly, the article does not state why an Administrator was called in in the first place.  Usually this only happens when the condominium is poorly run by the elected Board of Directors.  So there are more than likely a lot of issues. Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth II Sets New Record

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Edward Brain
Queen Elizabeth's Statute

Queen Elizabeth’s Statute

September 9th, 2015 will go down as the day Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest reigning Monarch in the history of Canada and 15 other realms.  Her Majesty’s reign surpasses the reign of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years and 216 days.

Her Majesty ascended the throne of Canada on February 6th, 1952 when her father, King George VI, passed away. Continue reading →

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94th Warriors’ Day Parade

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Edward Brain

On Saturday August 22nd, Toronto celebrated the 94th Warriors’ Day Parade at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).  This year’s Warriors’ Day Parade also commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The Parade started at 10:30 a.m. at the Princes’ Gate, at the east end of the CNE grounds, and continued past the Direct Energy Centre, before turning south and ended just east BMO Field.

The parade also gave us a chance to thank our veterans and current members of the Canadian Forces. Continue reading →

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2015 CNE is Underway

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Edward Brain
Canadian National Exhibition poster, Toronto, ...

Canadian National Exhibition poster, Toronto, 1919. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, August 21st, 2015, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) opened for the 2015 season.  The CNE runs until Labour Day, September 7th.

The Buildings are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the grounds remain open until midnight.  The Midway operates from 11 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, and from 10 a.m. until midnight on weekends.

Labour Day sees reduced hours, with the buildings closing at 7 p.m., and the grounds and Midway at 9 p.m.

The grounds and gates officially open at 10 a.m., although people are usually allowed to enter a little earlier.

Admission to the CNE is $18 for General Admission (14-64 years old), $15 for Seniors (65+), and $15 for Children 5-13.  A Family rate is $52 (either 2 adults and 2 kids or 1 adult and 3 kids).  Prices include HST.

For the Midway, an unlimited pass costs $40.  4 Coupons are available for $5, 22 Coupons for $22, and 55 coupons for $55. Continue reading →

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