2014 Stanley Cup Finals

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Edward Brain

We are now set for the finals of the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs with the New York Rangers (Champions of the Eastern Conference) vs. the Los Angeles Kings (Champions of the Western Conference.)

The Rangers are making their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals since 1994, when they on the Stanley Cup after a 54 year drought.  The Kings are making their second appearance in the finals in the last three years.  They won the Cup back in 2012 and this is their third appearance in the finals since joining the league in 1967. Continue reading →

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Happy Victoria Day

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Edward Brain
Queen of United Kingdom (as well as Canada, Au...

Queen of United Kingdom (as well as Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth realms) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, May 19th 2014, is Victoria Day in Canada.  This is a public holiday for most of us.

While many consider Victoria Day to be the ‘unofficial’ start of summer, it is actually to celebrate the first Monarch of the Dominion of Canada, Queen Victoria whose birthday was May 24th.  It is also the official Canadian birthday of our current Monarch Queen Elizabeth II (whose actually birthday is in April.)

Queen Victoria was born on May 24th, 1819 and would come to the throne of the United Kingdom on June 20th, 1837 when she ascended the throne on the death of her uncle King William IV.  At the time Canada was still made up of several British colonies, so she was reigning over parts of Canada in her capacity of Queen of the United Kingdom. Continue reading →

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2014 NHL Conference Finals

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Edward Brain

The NHL’s Eastern and Western Conference Semi-finals have now concluded and we are ready for the Conference Finals to begin tonight.

This is the first time since the 1979 playoffs that three Original Six teams have qualified for the Conference finals.  Two of those three teams, Montreal and New York, were involved and would meet up for Stanley Cup.  This year those two teams face off for the

As such, let’s take a look at the match-ups: Continue reading →

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Farley Mowat Passes Away

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Edward Brain

Famed author, and World War II veteran, Farley Mowat has passed away at the tender age of 92.

Farley Mowat was commissioned into the Canadian Army during the Second World War, serving on the front lines including in Italy.  He began his military career as a Second Lieutenant, eventually raising to the rank of Captain.  He was provided with an honorary discharge as the end of the war, but had been offered a promotion to the rank of Major if he remained in the army, which he decided not to accept. Continue reading →

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2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs 2nd Round

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Edward Brain

We have now finished the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs and have seen eight teams eliminated from postseason action.

Tonight, the Conference Semi-Finals in the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs with the Montreal Canadiens hosting the defending Eastern Conference Champions the Boston Bruins.

Let’s take a look at the match-ups: Continue reading →

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The Last Confession in Review

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Edward Brain

Last night I attended a performance of Roger Crane’s The Last Confession starring David Suchet as Cardinal Benelli.  The performance also starred Sam Perks (Father Lorenzi), Phillip Craig (the Confessor), David Ferry (Monsignor Magee), Richard O’Callaghan (Cardinal Albino Luciani/Pope John Paul I), Nigel Bennett (Cardinal Villot), Stuart Milligan (Bishop Marcinkus), Donald Douglas (Pope Paul VI), and Bernard Lloyd (Cardinal Felici.)

The production is directed by Jonathan Church, the set designer is William Dudley, the lighting director is Peter Mumford, and the costume designer is Fotini Dimoli. Continue reading →

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2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round One

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Edward Brain

The 2013-2014 NHL regular season has come to an end.  16 of the 30 teams have qualified for the playoffs.

The following match-ups are now set: Continue reading →

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Hercules at the Canadian Opera

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Edward Brain

Director Peter Sellars, whose Tristan und Isolde for the COC last season was a huge success, has returned to Toronto for a production of Handel’s Hercules.  The production stars Eric Owens as Hercules, Alice Coote as Dejanira (Hercules’ wife), Richard Croft as Hyllus (their son), Lucy Crowe as Iole, David Daniels as Lichas, and was conducted by Harry Bicket.

The singing in this production is simply wonderful.  Alice Coote was simply wonderful as Dejanira.  Eric Owen’s Hercules was moving (especially during Hercules’ death scene where Owens had to sing on his back) and made it obvious how few lines the character really has as I really wanted to hear more from him. Continue reading →

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Mickey Rooney Dies at 93

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Edward Brain
English: Studio publicity portrait of Mickey R...

English: Studio publicity portrait of Mickey Rooney. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It has been announced that legendary actor Mickey Rooney has passed away at the age of 93.   The cause of death was not immediately mentioned, but it has been reported by the BBC that he was ill for some time before his death.

Mr. Rooney appeared in a large number of movies over his career, including 16 movies about Andy Hardy.

Mr. Rooney was a famous child actor, but continued this into his adult life, continuing in movies and television.   He was one of the last four actors living who had starred in silent films. Continue reading →

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Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day Roster

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Edward Brain

As the Toronto Blue Jays prepare to open their 2014 season in Tampa against the Tampa Bay Rays, their opening day 25 man roster breaks down as follows:

Starters Continue reading →

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