Neighbourhood Art

Episode 43 of This Is Toronto is now available!

This latest edition features MABELLEarts, an organization that uses art to bring residents of the diverse Mabelle community in Etobicoke together.

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Jan. 28, 2011

- ER

Re. Sportsnet Radio Fan 590

It's no longer The Fan 590. It's now Sportsnet Radio Fan 590.

Seriously?! Really?! Are you kidding me?!

Whatever happened to the idea of Keep it simple, Stupid? Fan 590 was simple and easy to remember. It - forgive the cliche - rolled off the tongue. This new "brand" is a mouthful and completely takes away The Fan's local identity.

To be fair, Rogers isn't the first media conglomerate that's using a uniformed/cookie-cutter approach with all its stations. But putting it under the Sportsnet banner takes away the station's character.

Sure, the programs on Fan Toronto are different than Fan Calgary. But now there's nothing that establishes it as a Toronto sports station. It's just the radio-arm of Sportsnet.

I will still listen to the station, but I'm very disappointed. I will grin and bear it; the same way I grin and bare going to the Skydome and seeing the giant "Rogers Centre" sign.

- ER

Re. Sir John A. Macdonald

A very HAPPY and BELATED Birthday to Sir John A. Macdonald!

Yesterday, Sir John turned 196 years young. The man's had a very accomplished life.

- First Prime Minister of Canada
- Father of Confederation
- Built a railway across the nation
- Social Drinker
- Blue Jays Infielder

You know, I was thinking - Canadians should get the day off in honour of Sir John's birthday.

Who's with me?

- ER

Re. Snooki and Linden MacIntyre

I have felt tempted to read Snooki's novel, A Shore Thing. Up until Saturday, I have successfully resisted this temptation.

But then, Linden MacIntyre - CBC Journalist (The Fifth Estate), Giller Prize winner - convinced me to pick up this book.

Just listen to these excerpts - as read by MacIntyre - and tell me if I'm wrong.

- ER

Re. The Manning Pout

I've written about Peyton Manning before. So what I'm about to say shouldn't be a surprise:

There's something about seeing Peyton Manning lose that makes me smile.

Is that a terrible thing to say?

- ER

WJC Final: Russia 5 Canada 3

The collapse is complete.

The blunder in Buffalo.

From Russia with puck.

No explanation needed. Canada took their foot off the gas.

Look at the bright side: Canada gets a nice, shiny silver medal.

And remember, it's just a hockey game and it's a beautiful planet.

- ER

Athletes of the Year

Myself and several writers from TheGoodPoint.com packed ourselves into a small room - with no heat or electricity - and came up with...

The Good Point's 2010 Athletes of the Year!

Our selections are a collective winner. It's true.

- ER

More Good News

Episode 42 of This Is Toronto is now available!

This latest edition revisits Good News Toronto, a not-for-profit newspaper that features inspirational stories and celebrates everyday heroes.

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Jan. 14, 2010

Happy New Year!

- ER

Help me remember a certain 80s cartoon

I can't remember the name of this cartoon I use to watch.

It's from the 80s. Had three heroes; all soldiers. One wore a green uniform, the other blue and the other yellow. They all had different modes of transportation; jet pack for one, motorcycle for the other, etc. I think they all had animals on the front of their uniforms.

Any ideas?

- ER

Holiday Hockey Hullabaloo

For your Christmas/Holiday reading pleasure, I give you another installment of Zamboni Ramblings.

The latest targets:

- The National Hockey League Players' Association; aka the NHLPA
- The IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships
- Bruce F***ing Boudreau
- Calgary Teddy Bears

Let the bodies hit the floor.

- ER

Dirty Bit

And now......my latest guilty pleasure.

Please don't hate me.

- ER

Re. Guitar Chords

There is nothing on this planet that I despise more than the F-Major chord.

That is one tough chord. I keep getting dead strings. And I'm pushing down as hard as I can.

In a perfect world, I wouldn't have to worry about F-Major. However, the chord is apparently used in many songs.

Any tips?

- ER

Complain Away!

Episode 41 of This Is Toronto is now available!

Harbourfront Centre's World Stage is forming a Complaints Choir. Anyone can participate, whether it's complaining, singing or doing both.

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Dec. 31, 2010

- ER

Dealing with the Mob

And now, a short story written by yours truly.

It was inspired by a certain coach of a certain hockey team that plays in a certain Canadian city.

Hope you like it.

- ER

Taking a cheap shot at the Minnesota Vikings

The Metrodome is a lot like the Vikings' defense. It has a big hole in it.

Hiyo!

- ER

For those who live in Thornhill, Ont.

The Thornhill Community Centre will be closed from now until Monday, Dec. 13. The building will re-open at noon. Tell your friends.

- ER

One Night in Bangkok

And now...a classic!



- ER

Re. Marcum for Lawrie

I was very disappointed when I found out Shaun Marcum was traded to Milwaukee. I liked the guy. He was a good quality starter and a solid mentor for the rest of the rotation. He's a warrior; coming back from Tommy John surgery is not an easy thing to do.

The trade certainly coincides with AA's M/O: The younger, the better. I hope the pressure of being a Canadian playing for the Blue Jays doesn't get to Lawrie. Hate to see him become another Corey Koskie.

With all this in mind, here's what Toronto's lineup could look like next year:

1B - Lind
2B - Lawrie
3B - Hill
SS - Escobar
LF - Davis
CF - Wells
RF - Bautista
C - Arencibia
DH - Snider

Starters: Romero, Cecil, Morrow, Mills, Drabek

Bullpen: Camp, Purcey, Zep, Jannsen, Roenicke, Villaneueva, Carlson

Bench: McDonald, Molina, McCoy, Mastroianni

There can be some modifications here and there. There's also a few players in the minors who could find a spot on the main roster. Time will tell...

- ER

Border Patrol

Episode 40 of This Is Toronto is now available!

This latest edition features the Border Patrol Reading Series, a unique literary event that celebrates the longest undefended border in the world.

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Dec. 17, 2010

- ER

NHL Epic Fail

The new format for the NHL All-Star Game is an absolute farce!

Fortunately, I can fix the all-star game and I offer my services for free (for now).

Here's how.

Pay attention, NHL. Are you listening?!

- ER