30 Years of ‘A Christmas Story’

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Edward Brain
The front of the house where A Christmas Story...

The front of the house where A Christmas Story was filmed, in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland’s west side. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This week the movie A Christmas Story celebrates 30 years since its premiere in November 1983.  The movie was directed by the late Bob Clark, and starred Peter Billingsley (Raphie), Jean Shepherd (voice overs as an adult Raphie), Darren McGavin (the father), Melinda Dillon (the mother), Ian Petrella (Randy), Scott Schwartz (Flick), R.D. Robb (Schwartz), Zack Ward (Scut Farkus), Yano Anaya (Grover Dill), and Tedde Moore (Miss Shields.)

The movie is based on Jean Shepherd’s In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash.  The movie was c0-produced and co-written by Bob Clark with help from René Dupont and Gary Goth (Co-Producers), and Jean Shepherd and Leigh Brown (Co-Writers.) Continue reading →

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The 101st Grey Cup

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Edward Brain

The Grey Cup game has now been set.  We will see the Hamilton Tiger-Cats play the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina on November 24th for the greatest title in football.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats made it to the Grey Cup thanks to a 19-16 overtime win over the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Division Semi-Final and then a 36-24 come from behind victory over the East Division Champions the Toronto Argonauts. Continue reading →

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History of the Vanier Cup

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Edward Brain

Prior to the 49th Vanier Cup game between the Calgary Dinos and the Laval Rouge et Or in Quebec City on November 23rd, I’d like to discuss the history of the Vanier Cup.

The Vanier Cup is the top title of the University football in Canada.   It was created in 1965 and named after George Vanier, the 19th Governor General of Canada.  For the first two years it the game was played by two teams who were invited to play, but since 1967 it has been the top title in Canadian University football.   While it was originally called the Canadian College Bowl, the cup was named after Mr. Vanier, and the game’s name was officially changed to the Vanier Cup in 1982. Continue reading →

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CFL Division Finals

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Edward Brain

We are now officially on the road to the Grey Cup.  On Sunday we see the Hamilton Tiger-Cats take on the Toronto Argonauts in the East Division Final, while in the West Division Final its the Calgary Stampeders at home to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Let’s take a look at the two matches: Continue reading →

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Blue Jays Announce Spring Training Schedule

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Edward Brain

The Toronto Blue Jays have announced their spring training schedule for the Grapefruit League season.

The preseason starts on February 26th in Clearwater, Florida against the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Blue Jays Grapefruit League home opener is the next day, February 27th, in a rematch against the Phillies. Continue reading →

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Maple Leaf Gardens

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Edward Brain

Today, Maple Leaf Gardens (‘the Gardens’) turns 82 years old.  It opened November 12th, 1931 as the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs ice hockey team.  The Maple Leafs would go on to win the Stanley Cup in their first season at the Gardens.  The Gardens was designated a heritage building in 1991, and as a National Historic Site in 2007.

The Gardens would serve as the home of the Maple Leafs until February 1999, and was also the home to the Toronto Marboros (1931-89), the Toronto Huskies of the Basketball Association of America (1946-47), the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association (1974-76), Buffalo Braves of the National Basketball Association (1971-75), the Toronto Raptors (1997-99) of the National Basketball Association, the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors of the Ontario Hockey League (1997-2000), and the Toronto Rock (1999-2000) just to name a few. Continue reading →

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Remembrance Day

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Edward Brain

Today, we remember all our troops, past and present, especially those who were killed in action.

Canada’s military has a long history of being involved in war, and in peacekeeping operations.  We have served in the American Revolution and War of 1812 before Confederation, and since Confederation in the Boer War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Bosnia, Suez Crisis, Cyprus, Afghanistan,  etc.

Our military has long fought gallantry under difficult situations.  As such, I would like to thank all our military personnel for their service, and may we remember the sacrifices of all our military personnel.  Lest We Forget.

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Why the Mayor of Toronto Should Resign

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Edward Brain

At this point, with all the controversies that Mayor Rob Ford has had to deal with, I personally believe that it is time for him to resign as Mayor of Toronto.  The whole issue with his use of crack cocaine, which started back in May has done nothing but embarrass the city.

Mr. Ford recently made the following announcement with regards to his admission of using illegal drugs: Continue reading →

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Should Some Senators Resign?

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Edward Brain

The Senate is under scrutiny as it looks into whether or not it should suspend three of its members – namely Senators Patrick Brazeau (Quebec), Mike Duffy (P.E.I.), and Pamela Wallin (Saskatchewan).

I would state that it is time that the Senate step down and show that it respect the taxpayers of this country and suspend these three Senators without pay for their actions.  If the Senate takes too long to make a decision, or refuses to take action, it would make the Senate look worse then it does at the moment. Continue reading →

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‘I Love Lucy’ Live on Stage Review

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Edward Brain

Last night I attended the last performance of ‘I Love Lucy’ Live on Stage at the Royal Alexandra Theatre (‘Royal Alex’) starring Sirena Irwin (Lucy), Bill Mendieta (Ricky), Kevin Remington (Fred), and Joanna Daniels (Ethel.)

This is essentially a play within a play as those of us in the audience are representing the real audiences that went to watch I Love Lucy being recorded at Desilu.  In the play, we ‘watch’ as two episodes of the show are ‘filmed’ – in this case the episodes The Benefit and Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined.  We watch this all proceed, just like the live audiences 60 years ago did, as these episodes are recorded.  We have a host from Desilu come out to welcome us to Desilu Studios for the recording and who explains what is going on during the filming.  Continue reading →

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