Joanne's Journal: July 12, 2012

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

JOANNE'S JOURNAL
Edition No. 8

QUOTE OF THE DAY

There are as many kinds of beauty as there are habitual ways of seeking happiness.
- Charles Baudelaire, French poet and critic 
From What is Romanticism?

ON THIS DAY

On this day, 50 years ago, The Rolling Stones played their first gig.  The performance took place on July 12, 1962 at London's Marquee Jazz Club.  On that night, the band consisted of Mick Jagger on vocals, guitarists Keith Richards and Brian Jones and bassist Dick Taylor.  Some fans say that Tony Chapman, The Rolling Stones' early drummer, played the drums  In his 2102 memoir, however, Keith Richards claims that it was Mick Avery, a friend.  Half a century later, only Jagger and Richards remain of the original group.

Brian Jones developed a severe drug abuse problem and left The Rolling Stones in June of 1969.  He was replaced by Mick Taylor.  Less than a month later, Jones drowned in his swimming pool at Cotchford Farm and died at Hartfield, Sussex, England.  He was 27 years old at the time of his death.

Dick Taylor, the original bass guitarist. left the group to become an art student.  He formed a new band, The Pretty Things, in September of 1963.  Dick is now 69 years old and resides on the Isle of Wight, England.  As for Tony Chapman, he formed his own group called The Preachers which included Peter Frampton.  He later played drums in The Herd, also with Frampton, who was only 16 when he joined the group in 1966.  Mick Avery went on to become the drummer for The Kinks.


ROSES AND THORNS

ROSE:
TO: Canadian TV handyman and contractor Mike Holmes for leading the project to rebuild the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground in Toronto's High Park.  The playground was destroyed by arsonists in March.  Take a bow, Mike.  Kudos to the many volunteers who have been helping him.

THORNS:  
TO: The Conservative government of Canada for a 20 per cent cut to the Youth Justice Services Funding Program.  This community-based program diverts young people from the court system by offering much-needed services to youths on probation.  It seems, however, that the Harper government would rather have these youths commit more serious crimes down the line.  Well, at least Stephen Harper will be able to fill all those new prisons on which he's spent so much of our tax dollars.  Why can't conservatives understand that it is more important to be preventive and pro-active than to spend even more money later on.  Repeat after me, conservatives everywhere: AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.  There's a lot of truth in that old adage.

TO:  Mitt Romney, the man who will be the Republican candidate for President of the United States.  In a speech to the NAACP, the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States, Romney referred to President Obama's health care initiative as "Obamacare."  He knows quite well that "Obamacare" is a pejorative term.  It is absolutely derogatory and it did not go over well with the audience.  Not surprisingly, they booed him because most African-Americans support the president's health care plan.

The correct term for Obama's health care bill is the Affordable Care Act.  Here are two facts for Mr. Romney and his fellow Republicans to consider:

1.  In 2011, provisions in the Affordable Care Act helped approximately 86 million Americans access free preventive services such as cancer screenings, flu shots and wellness exams.  People have been assisted and money has been saved.  Repeat after me, conservatives everywhere: AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.

2.  President Obama's health care bill is very similar to the one introduced by a certain Mitt Romney when he was governor of Massachusetts.


RIDDLE ME THIS

What kind of case can not be carried?

ANSWER

A staircase



SPORTS

Baseball

Well, the All-Star break is over and the rest of the season begins.  The Toronto Blue Jays have a record of 43-43 at the break.. They are .500 as usual.  I realize they lost three of their starting pitchers to injuries in a short period.  The Blue Jays, however, would not be in this predicament if they had acquired a decent starting picture before the season began.  They insisted that their starting pitching was good enough.  That was the party line.  Yet before the season started, there were far too many questions surrounding the rotation.  The state of  Dustin McGowan's health was uncertain and Kyle Drabek was a gamble.  The hard-luck McGowan has been on the disabled list all season and suffers from right shoulder inflammation.  He is scheduled to visit a doctor in Dallas to determine whether he has a blood clot.  As for Drabek, he underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on June 19th.  Until his injury, his performance had improved, but he was still inconsistent.  The 24-year-old was far from outstanding and could go no further than six innings.

Although the Blue Jays could not have foreseen losing three starters, but they should have expected at least one of them to go down.  The rotation seemed very weak if anything happened to Ricky Romero or Branden Morrow.  Unfortunately, it did happen to Morrow.  General Manager Alex Anthopoulos's failure to acquire a proven starting picture has cost the Blue Jays dearly.  Don't get me wrong.  A.A. has acquired a good number of fine prospects and he has improved the team's scouting.  The Blue Jays have the potential for a great future.  It's about time, however, that Alex focused on the present.  His team needs to contend as soon as possible.  It's been almost 19 years since the Blue Jays have appeared in post season play.  The players and the fans are tired of .500.  As Jose Bautista said, he's not getting any younger.  Make your move, Alex!!!

Here's another reason the Jays have had me scratching my head this season.  Why did Adam Lind bat fourth in the batting order for so long?  He hits poorly against left-handed pitchers.  A clean-up hitter should be able to hit well against both righties and lefties.

Most pleasant surprises of the season so far:

* Catcher Jeff Mathis:   His hitting has been much better than expected.

* The play of Colby Rasmus and Edwin Encarnacion.

Biggest disappointments of the season so far.

The performance of ace Ricky Romero has to be the biggest disappointment so far.  He did not step up when the team needed him most.  Reliever Francisco Cordero's play has been another big disappointment this year.


Basketball

Many people in Toronto and across Canada, including myself, are disappointed that Steve Nash did not choose to sign with the Raptors and play for a team in his home country.  He would have been the toast of the town in T.O.  It's too bad and it's also a Catch-22.  If the Raptors had appeared to be contenders, Nash might have joined them.  If, however, Nash had become a Raptor, he might have led them to the playoffs.


- Joanne

Chicago, Navy Pier and Harry Caray's Bar & Grill

. 

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2012


Here I am in Chicago.  Yesterday I went to Navy Pier and I would like to share some pictures that I took there and at other places in the city.  As a baseball fan, I just had to have supper at Harry Caray's.  On my arrival here on Friday, the Windy City was engulfed in one of the most severe heat waves I have ever experienced in my life.  It was one gigantic furnace (The current record-breaking heat wave in North America and the flooding in Russia are just more proof of  man-made climate change).

On Friday evening, I went to a baseball game at U.S. Cellular Field (What a terrible corportate name!).  Unfortunately, my beloved Toronto Blue Jays lost to the Chicago White Sox by a score of 4-2.  On Saturday, I went to the museum area.  It was a long ride and traffic was slow due to a Tim McGraw concert at Soldier Field.

I have to say that Chicago really is my kind of town.  It is an amazingly well-planned city and its waterfront is magnificent.  It's a people city too.  There is no problem getting around Chicago without a car.  All the city's major attractions are accessible by public transportation.  An employee of the Chicago Transit Authority informed me that the system is open 24 hours a day. 

Shedd Aquarium

Inside Harry's restaurant

Famous statue of Harry with pictures of celebrities posing beside it 

- Joanne

Help Save Horse Racing in Ontario

Although horse racing is referred to as "the sport of kings," it is not elitist.  It is enjoyed by people from all walks of life and a wide variety of cultures around the world.  Sadly, here in Ontario, the horse racing industry is facing a grave threat to its very existence.  It is not an exaggeration to say that the industry will not survive unless decisive measures are taken immediately.  Even the crown jewel of Canadian racing, the Queen's Plate, faces an uncertain future.

This has all come about because the Ontario government has senselessly and arbitrarily decided to end the slots at-racetrack  program.  It was a senseless and reckless move on the part of the government because the program returns $1.1 billion dollars of yearly revenue to the province with absolutely  no government risk or investment.  The slots agreement is scheduled to end on March 31, 2013, after which Woodbine will be deprived of half of its revenues.  Yes, you read that correctly - 50 per cent of its revenues!

On June 21st, just days before the 153rd running of the historic Queen's Plate, Nick Eaves, president and CEO of the Woodbine Entertainment Group, addressed the seriousness of the crisis.  When questioned, Eaves agreed that the 2012 Queen's Plate had a chance to be the last one.  He said, "It could be,  We hope not."  He then added, "It's going to depend on whether we can find an operating model for the first of April (2013) that allows us to continue in business.  If we can't, then this is the last Queen's Plate."

It would be a tragedy if horse racing goes bankrupt in Ontario as it did in Quebec.  After 137 years of operation, Blue Bonnets Raceway in Montreal closed down in October of 2009.  The good news for Quebec racing fans, however, is that the Quebec Jockey Club is attempting to revive the sport in the province.  A new racetrack will be opening in Trois-Rivieres (between Montreal and Quebec City.)  The refurbished Hippodrome Tros-Rivieres, will host ten races this fall.  The next goal is to build a racetrack in the Montreal area within five years.

Here in Ontario, horse racing is facing some sobering realities.  The venerable Fort Erie Racetrack will be closing down after this year.  What a blow to the citizens of the town of Fort Erie! How devastating to the people who will lose their jobs.   We have already lost the Greenwood Racetrack.  Woodbine and Mohawk could be next.

Horse racing fans, let your voices be heard!  Don't sit back and be passive about this.  Don't allow our sport to die in the province of Ontario.  Bombard your MPP with emails.  Let Finance Minister Dwight Duncan know where you stand.  Remind them of some undeniable facts:

* According to an economic study prepared by the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) in November of 2011, there are 31, 441 jobs sustained by the horse racing industry in Ontario.  When part-time and casual employment are factored in, the industry employs up to 60,000 jobs in this province.  The government's actions may result in these dedicated people being deprived of  both their livelihood and their participation in the sport they love.

* As Woodbine Sports and Entertainment has pointed out, Ontario's horse racing and breeding industry contributes $4.5 billion to the province's gross domestic product.

To support horse racing in Ontario, click on the link below to go to the Value 4 Money website.  It was launched by the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association and it contains factual information about the OLG Slots at Racetrack Program.  It shares specifics about the industry's economic impact and value to Ontario's rural economy and provides concerned citizens with the tools to engage the Government of Ontario  by email.

Value 4 Money

For additional information, contact Sue Leslie, President, Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association by phone at 416-679-0741 or online at ohria@ohria.com.


- Joanne

Summer Quiz

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2012

For those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere, summer has officially arrived.   Yesterday,June 20, we reached the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.  To celebrate, Number 16 presents a ten-question quiz all about summer. Sit back, relax and test your knowledge.   It's summertime and the livin' is easy!

SUMMER QUIZ


1.  What year was the Summer of Love?

A.  1968

B.  1967

C.  1969

D.  1966

E.  1970



2.  Back in 1966, The Lovin' Spoonful had a big hit with a song titled "Summer in the City."  What is the first line of the song?

A.  Hot dogs, summer in the city

B.  Hot days, summer in the city

C.  Hot town, summer in the city

D.  Hot times, summer in the city

E.  Hot sun, summer in the city



3.  Who wrote the beautiful poem Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?

A.  William Wordsworth

B.  John Donne

C.  Alfred. Lord Tennyson

D.  William Shakespeare

E.  John Keats



4.  What is  known as "The Year Without a Summer?"

A.  "The Year Without a Summer" refers to 1816 in which there were extreme summer climate abnormalities and global temperatures decreased considerably.

B.  The Year Without a Summer is the title of a novel by Sinclair Lewis.

C.  "The Year Without a Summer" is a 1956 song that was sung by Patti Page.

D.  The Year Without a Summer is the title of a film directed by Howard Hawks.

E.  "The Year Without a Summer" refers to 1994, the year of a major league baseball strike which culminated in the cancellation of the World Series.



5.  Who sang the following lyrics?

In the summertime when the weather is hot
You can stretch right up and touch the sky
When the weather's fine
You got women, you got women on your mind

A.  Eric Burden and the Animals

B.  The Hollies

C.  Bertie Higgins

D.  Mungo Jerry

E.  The Kinks


6.  What is the name of the 1955 film in which Katharine Hepburn plays a lonely American woman who finds romance with an Italian man during her summer vacation in Venice?

A.  One Summer in Venice

B.  Summertime

C.  Italian Vacation

D.  Sweet Summer

E.  Summer of Romance



7.  Fill in the blank to complete this quote:

The way to ensure summer in _________ is to have it framed and glazed in a comfortable room.

A.  Russia

B.  Newfoundland

C.  Greenland

D.  Alaska

E.  England



8.  Who had a hit song with "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" in 1963?

A.  Perry Como

B.  Frank Sinatra

C.  Sam Cooke

D.  Nat "King" Cole

E.  Andy Williams



9.  In the Bryan Adams song, "Summer of '69," what did the singer buy at the five-and-dime?

A.  He bought his first real six-string guitar.

B.  He bought ice cream for his friends.

C.  He didn't have any money to buy anything.

D.  He bought his first baseball glove

E.  He bought some cool shades.



10.  What is the title of a book written by Bette Greene about a 12-year-old American Jewish girl who befriends an escaped German POW during World War II?

A.  Summer Friends

B.  Summer POW

C.  Summer of My German Soldier

D.  A Summer Tale

E.  My Summer Ally


ANSWERS

1.  B

The "Summer of Love" refers to the summer of 1967 when thousands of flower children from around the world flocked to the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco.


2.  C

The first line of  "Summer in the City" is "Hot town, summer in the city."  The song was co-written by Lovin' Spoonful lead vocalist John Sebastian, his younger brother Mark Sebastian, and Lovin' Spoonful guitarist Steve Boone.  It appeared on the album Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of 1966.

The lyrics to Summer in the City come from a poem that Mark Sebastian submitted to a literary magazine when he attended Blair Academy, a private secondary boarding school in Warren County, New Jersey.


3.  D

Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day is Sonnet 18 of William Shakespeare's 154 sonnets.  In this sonnet, the speaker compares his beloved to the summer season and reaches the conclusion that his beloved is superior in beauty and loveliness.


4.  A

The year 1816 is known to historians and scientists as the "Year Without a Summer" or "Eighteen Hundred and Froze to Death."  In many parts of the world, there was snow in summer. Crops were destroyed due to a lack of sunlight and there was disease and starvation across the Northern Hemisphere.  Global temperatures fell by about 0.4 - 0.7 degrees C (0.7 - 1.3 F).  In New England, there was snow in early June.  Low temperatures and an abundance of rain resulted in crop failures in Britain.

Thees climatic anomalies were caused by two major factors: a historic low in solar activity and an explosive type of volcanic eruption.  On April 10, 1815, Mount Tambora in Indonesia (then known as the Dutch East Indies) erupted.  This volcanic disaster killed thousands of people and spewing prodigious amounts of ash into the atmosphere.  The dust in the atmosphere blocked sunlight from passing through, creating unseasonably cold temperatures.


5.  D

The British rock band Mungo Jerry had a huge hit with "In the Summertime."  It was their first single and it was released in May of 1970.  The song topped the U.K. Singles Chart for seven weeks and reached number one in over 26 countries worldwide.  Singer-songwriter and guitarist Ray Dorset founded the group.


6.  B

Hepburn and Brazzi in Summertime

The film Summertime, Katharine Hepburn played the role of Jane Hudson, an elementary school teacher from Akron, Ohio.  Jane saves enough money to fulfill her dream of spending her summer vacation in Venice.  During her trip overseas, she meets Renato de Rossi, the owner of an antiques store.  Jane and Renato, played by Italian actor Rossano Brazzi, have a bittersweet romance.


7.  E

Horace Walpole

In a letter to Rev. William Cole, May 28, 1774,  the English writer and statesman, Horace Walpole (1717-1797), wrote:  "The way to ensure summer in England is to have it framed and glazed in a comfortable room."


8.  D

Nat "King" had a hit with "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" in 1963.  It reached number 6 on the Billboard charts that year.  Here are the lyrics to the first verse.

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy day of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer

To list to Nat "KIng" Cole singing "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer," click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoLogdbVS3U


9. A

Here is the first verse of "Summer of '69."

I got my first real six-string guitar 
Bought it at the five-and-dime
Played it till my fingers bled
Was the summer of '69

Canadian rocker Brian Adams recorded "Summer of '69" on his fourth studio album, Reckless, which was released in 1984.  Adams and his former songwriting partner, fellow British Columbian Jim Vallance, wrote the song.


10.  C

Bette Greene's novel, Summer of My German Soldier, was first published in 1973.  It tells the story of a young Jewish girl, Patty Bergen, who lives in Arkansas during World War II.  Patty befriends an escaped German prisoner of war named Anton.

In 1978, "Summer of My German Solder" was turned into a television movie starring Kristy McNichol in the role of Patty and Bruce Dawson as Anton.


- Joanne

Toronto Confidential: June 11, 2012

                                                  @ http://www.aviewoncities.com

TORONTO CONFIDENTIAL
Issue No. 2

We all claim to be citizens of the world, but you people who live in a city like Toronto, you truly are those citizens.  You have so many ethnic groups here and you know them all so well.  All you have to do is turn the corner to make contact with another part of the universe.  To be able to foster a deep understanding of people and work with that understanding to achieve a common cultural , economic and spiritual good : that is the dream of most people.  And you have that dream here in Toronto. 
- Yo-Yo Ma, famed cellist,
as quoted in the Toronto Star, May 26, 2012


DISASTROUS WEEKEND FOR T.O.
I was away from Toronto for about five days, from May 30th to June 3rd.  During that time, I was visiting relatives in Quebec City.  While I was in that beautiful, historical city, the new from home was very  disconcerting.  First I learned that there was a flood at Union Station.and that the station had to be closed down temporarily.  Then I heard that there was a shooting at the Eaton Centre.  On Saturday, June 2, a man was killed and six people were injured when a man opened fire at the Urban Eatery, a recently-opened food court in the huge downtown mall.  The Urban Eatery is modern and airy.  It made its debut last September after a $48 million renovation.  It contains 24 restaurants and seats 900 people.  I have eaten there a few times myself.

One of the six people wounded in the attack, a 22-year-old man, died of his injuries today.  The accused gunman, Christopher Husbands, was known to police and he gave himself up.  He was targeting the murder victim and he was under house arrest.  Obviously he shouldn't have had a gun in his possession and he shouldn't have had electronic monitoring.

For a city of its size (over 2.6 million people), Toronto is relatively safe.  In 2011, the number of homicides in the City of Toronto was 45, the lowest number since 1986 when there were 37 murders.  In 2010, the city recorded 61 homicides.  The deadliest years were 2007 and 1991. There were 86 homicides during those two years, the most Toronto has ever recorded.

The sad part about the incident, aside from the shootings themselves, is that it's damaging to Toronto's image and to the sense of security of its citizens.  We can't live in fear, however.  We can't lock ourselves up in our homes.

NOTE:  While visiting Quebec City, I rode the buses a few times.  I couldn't help but notice that their buses were much cleaner than our TTC buses.  There were no candy wrappers and newspapers strewn on the seats and on the floor.  I also did not observe people eating on the Quebec City buses.

PLASTIC BAGS BANNED IN TORONTO
Much to the chagrin of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, plastic bags will be banned in Toronto.  The ban, scheduled to  take effect on January 1, 2013, is one of the largest of its kind in North America.  It even includes compostable and biodegradale bags.  Cities such as Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, San Francisco, California and Fort McMurray, Alberts all have similar bans, but none of those municipalities is as populous as Toronto.

What began as a debate at City Hall on abolishing the five-cent fee on plastic bags, backfired on the controversial mayor.  At first, everything appeared to be going Ford's way.  At his urging, Toronto council decided to scrap the nickel fee.  Then something quite unforeseen happened.  Councillor David Shiner, a member of Ford's executive team, unexpectedly put forth a motion prohibiting retailers from distributing or selling any plastic shopping bags.  To the delight of environmentalists, council approved Shiner's motion.by a vote of 24-20.

Mayor Ford said that he expects the ban to undergo a legal challenge and he blamed the city's taxpayers for council's vote to ban plastic bags.  In a radio interview, he told AM 640 host John Oakley that he wants "people to get engaged in municipal politics, and find out who their councillor is and know how they vote."

Neil Young

FEATURED TORONTO-BORN PERSONALITY
Neil Percival Young was born in Toronto General Hospital on November 12, 1945.  The influential singer-songwriter is the son of the late Scott Young, a well known Canadian writer and sports journalist.  Neil began performing solo in Canada in 1960.  He relocated to California in 1966 and co-founded the folk rock band Buffalo Springfield.

In 1969, Neil Young became the fourth member of Crosby, Stills and Nash.  He has also enjoyed a very successful solo career and he has been twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a solo artist in 1995 and as a member of Buffalo Springfield in 1997.  On December 30, 2009, Young became an Officer of the Order of Canada.


DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that Ernest Hemingway's first child was born in Toronto.  Between 1920 and 1924, the great  author worked as a correspondent for the Toronto Star newspaper.  While Hemingway was writing for the Star in 1923 and 1924, he and his first wife, Hadley Richardson, lived in an apartment building at 1597-1599 Bathurst.Street. Their son, John Hadley Nicanor "Jack" Hemingway was born at Toronto's Wellesley Hospital on October 10, 1923.

The Bathurst Street building is now known as ''The Hemingway" in honour of Ernest Hemingway.  It is a Forest Hill condominium.   Below is a photo of The Hemingway.

Ernest Hemingway did not say many positive things about Toronto or Canada.  You have put that in the context of the times, however.  During the 1920s, Toronto was very staid and conservative.  It was not an very entertaining city back then.  For an adventurous man like Hemingway, it was rather boring.  If Hemingway were alive today, he'd see a very different place.  An influx of immigration has transformed Toronto into a very lively metropolis.

- Joanne

Tribute to the Everly Brothers

SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012

The Everly Brothers are the most important duo in rock.  The enduring influence of their close, expressive harmonies is evident in the work of British Invasion bands like the Beatles and the Hollies, and folk-oriented acts such as Simon and Garfunkel, not to mention countless other artists.  

- Rolling Stone Magazine

Don and Phil Everly are known for their unique sound, underscored by their close vocal harmonies and steel-string guitar playing.  Their music can be characterized as an elegant blending of folk/country music with rock 'n' roll.  Art Garfunkel described the Everly Brothers as "Kentucky guys with beautiful, perfect-pitch harmonies  and great diction."  "All those vowel and consonants," he said, "those s's and t's, every one of them killed me."

Isaac Donald Everly was born Muhlenberg County, Kentucky on February 1, 1937.  His brother, Philip Everly, was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 19, 1939.  Their parents, Ike and Margaret Everly, were country/folk musicians.  In 1945, the family moved to Shennadoah, Iowa where Ike found employment at radio station KMA.performing 3 times a week.

Ike Everly, an accomplished guitarist, fostered a love of music in his sons.  He encouraged them to sing and he instructed them in the art of guitar playing.  When they were eight and six years old, young Don and Phil appeared with their parents on Ike's radio show.   KMA listeners knew the boys as "Little Donnie" and "Baby Boy Phil."  Margaret often sang with Ike and the boys to complete a four-part harmony and by 1950, the radio program was titled The Everly Family Show.

In 1952, the Everly family moved their show to another radio staion in Evansville, Indiana.  They only stayed there for a year, however.  Times were changing and radio stations were turning away from live programming because it was less expensive to play recordings.  In order to find work, the Everlys were forced to travel from town to town, performing at county fairs, political gatherings and revivals.   In September of 1953, they packed up their car and settled in Knoxville, Tennessee where a station hired them to sing for $90 a week.

When Don and Phil grew older, they left the family act behind and transformed themselves into a duo.  Guitarist and record producer Chet Atkins was a big fan of the brothers and he provided them with enormous support in the early days of their career.  Atkins, an acquaintance of Ike, secured a six-month contract for Don and Phil with Columbia Records.  In November of 1955, the brothers had their one and only recording session with Columbia.  The two songs they released, "Keep A' Lovin' Me" and "The Sun Keeps Shining" failed miserably and Columbia dropped them from its label. Nevertheless, fame and fortune lay just around the corner for the teenage duo.

Although Columbia lost interest in Don and Phil, Chet Atkins continued to lend his support to the brothers. He got them signed as songwriters with Acuff-Rose Music, the largest publishing company in Nashville.  It   was Wesley Rose (the Rose in Auff-Rose) who introduced them to producer Archie Bleyer of Cadence Records.  Bleyer was seeking country talent and he signed the duo.to a contract.

In 1957, the Everly Brothers released a single on the Cadence label.  The name of the song was "Bye Bye Love," a tune composed by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, a husband and wife team.  "Bye Bye Love" resonated with teenagers and it was a tremendous hit.  It had a 22-week run on the Billboard chart, reaching as high as Number 2.  The song had been rejected by many other music groups but it became the Everly Brothers' first million-seller.

Due to the popularity of "Bye Bye Love," the Everlys were able to taste stardom for the first time. On May 11, 1957, their longtime dream of performing on the Grand Ole Opry came true.  They received a rousing ovation from the crowd in Nashville.and more success lay ahead for the brothers.

Don and Phil reached the top of the pop charts with their next single, also composed by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant.  "Wake Up Little Susie" told the tale of a teenage couple who sneaked home late at night after falling asleep at a drive-in movie.  It was their second million-seller and it remained Number 1 for four weeks.  After recording "Wake Up Little Susie,"  the Everlys embarked on concert tour of 78 cities that ran from September 6 to November 24, 1957.  The blockbuster tour was tagged "The Biggest Show of Stars for '57" and it included such rock 'n' roll luminaries as Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Fats Domino, Paul Anka, The Drifters and Buddy Holly and The Crickets.

From 1957 to 1959, the Everlys churned out hit after hit.  They racked up six top ten hits on the American country charts and seven on the pop charts.  Two other songs written by the Bryants reached the top of the pop charts during those years: "All I Have To Do Is Dream" and "Bird Dog." As the 1960s began, however, a whiff of change was in the air.

The Everly Brothers left Cadence Records in 1960 over a disagreement concerning  royalties. They then signed a lucrative ten-year contract with Warner Brothers Records.  "Cathy's Clown," their first single under their new label, was an overwhelming success. That song, written by Don and Phil,, was their biggest selling single and it sold eight million copies worldwide.  The duo also scored hits with "When Will I Be Loved," (written by Phil Evely)  "Walk Right Back" (written by Sonny Curtis) and "Ebony Eyes." (written by Don and Phil).

In November of 1961, Don and Phil Everly enlisted with the Marine Corps Reserve. During their six months in the Corps., they had a hit record with "Crying in the Rain."  Their military obligations, however, prevented them from promoting the song with tours and club dates.  They were released from their service with the Marines on May 24, 1962. and their career began to slow down.  Their final top ten hit was 1962's "That's Old Fashioned."

On February 13, 1962, while in the Marine Corps., Don married his second wife, film and television actress Venetia Stevenson.  The ceremony took place in the chapel at Camp Pendleton, California and the groom wore his Marine dress uniform.  Only five days after the wedding, the Everly Brothers turned up in New York and made an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show wearing their uniforms.  In November of that year, Don collapsed on stage while rehearsing for a tour in Britain and Phil was left to finish the tour on his own.

On January 12, 1963, Phil married Jacqueline Alice Ertel, stepdaughter of Archie Bleyer of Cadence Records and daughter of  Bleyer's wife Janet Ertel.  Janet, who died in 1988, was an original member of The Cordettes, a popular quartet of female singers whose biggest hit was "Mr. Sandman."  Phil's marriage to Jackie Ertel lasted until 1970 and produced three children.

By the time of the British Invasion in 1964,.the Evely Brother's heyday was well over.  Beset by personal problems and a demanding performance schedule, their popularity declined sharply.  Don and Phil were also plagued with drug abuse problems.  They were both addicted to methamphetamine (speed) for a time.  In 1963, a troubled Don suffered a nervous breakdown. During this horribly dark period in his life, he attempted suicide.  He was hospitalized and later underwent electroshock treatments.

Don Everly and Venetia Stevenson divorced in 1970.  They had three children: Erin Invicta (born November 8, 1965), a former actress and model, daughter Stacey, an artist, and son Edan (born 1968), a musician. On April 28, 1990, Erin wed Axl Rose, lead vocalist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, in Las Vegas. Their short-lived marriage was annulled in 1991.  Erin claimed it was a nightmare of physical and emotional abuse.

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, there was a growing discord between Don and Phil Everly. Their differences came to a head in 1973.  During a concert at Knott's Berry Farm near Los Angeles, an irate Phil smashed his guitar and stormed off stage.  He was furious because the show had to be stopped midway through the concert, allegedly due to Don's drunkenness.  Don later declared that the Everly Brothers had split and that they had "died ten years ago."  For the next decade, the brothers performed solo and their careers stagnated.

Don and Phil reconciled in September of 1983, after the funeral of their father Ike.  They reunited as a singing duo, toured together.and recorded some albums.  Ten months after their reconciliation, the Everly Brothers gave a highly publicized reunion concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England.  The concert was videotaped and televised on the Home Box Office cable network.  In 2003 and 2004, the Everly Brothers joined Simon and Garfunkel on their "Old Friends reunion tour.  They had previously sung background harmony on the title track of Paul Simon's Graceland album.

Don is now 75 years old and Phil is 73. They perform occasionally although they claim to be retired. Phil owns a musical instrument accessories company called Everly Music Comany.  The company manufactures guitar and bass strings designed by Phil and his eldest son Jason.

To watch a video of the Everly Brothers singing "All I Have to Do is Dream:" and "Cathy's Clown," click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKn6h2x5IcY

END NOTES  

* Phil Everly was a pall bearer at Buddy Holly's funeral in February of 1959.  In September of 2011, Phil attended the ceremonial unveiling of Buddy Holly's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

* Don has been married four times and Phil has been married three times.  Don's first marriage was to Mary Sue Ingraham in 1957.  They had one child and divorced in 1961. His second was to Venetia Stevenson and his third marriage was to Karen Prettyman on May 6, 1975.  Don is currently married to Adela Garza, whom he met in a musician's bar in Nashville, Tennessee.  They wed in 1997.

* Phil's children are Jason (from his first marriage to Jackie Ertel) and Christopher (from his second marriage to Patricia Mickey which ended in divorce in 1978).  Phil has been married to Patrice Arnold since August 23, 1999).

* Axl Rose wrote his 1988 hit "Sweet Child O' Mine" for his then-girlfriend Erin Everly.

* The Beatles used "Cathy's Clown as the framework for the vocal arrangement of "Please Please Me."

* Rolling Stone Magazine ranked the Everly Brothers 33rd on their 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Times.

* Don and Phil Everly are featured on a an  album by Don's son, Edan Everly.  The album, Songs From Bikini Atoll, was released in 2010.

* In 1986, the Every Brothers were included among the first ten artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.


EDITOR'S NOTE (August 30, 2013):  Last evening, I saw Don's son, Edan Everly, on stage with Frankie Avalon at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.  Edan, a singer and guitarist, and Frankie performed three Everly Brothers songs.  The songs were "Bye Bye Love," All I I Have To Do Is Dream" and "Wake Up Little Susie."

EDITOR'S UPDATE (January 4, 2014):  Phil Everly passed away on January 3, 2014 in Burbank, California due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  He was 74 years old at the time of his death.

EDITOR'S UPDATE (August 22, 2021):  Don Everly died on August 21, 2021 at the age of  84.  


- Joanne

The 2012 Canadian loonies and toonies: What a mess for vending machine users!

MONDAY, MAY 28, 2012

The Royal Canadian Mint is penny wise and pound foolish.  Oops, sorry!  The Canadian penny is on the way out.  That's another story, though.  The focus of this piece is the 2012 one dollar coin (commonly known as the "loonie") and the two dollar coin (commonly known as the "toonie").  With the intention of saving money, the Mint has produced lighter coins.  According to the Canadian government's official newspaper,the Canada Gazette, the new coins will save an estimated $16 million dollars a year. That's not chicken fodder.  It's a sizable sum, but it comes at a tremendous cost to the vending machine industry and a terrible inconvenience to the public.

The 2012 coins are lighter and cheaper to produce because they are composed of multi-ply plated steel.  The problem is that vending machines have to be adjusted to accept this difference in weight because they are sensitive to even the slightest change in a coin.  It will be extremely expensive to reprogram so many machines across the country.  The Canada Gazette estimated that there would be a one-time cost of $40 million to the vending industry. Remember that that is only an estimate.  The real cost could be much greater.  No wonder vending machine operators are so upset!  Welcome to their nightmare!

Expect many vending businesses to lobby the government for compensation.  Who knows how much that will cost taxpayers if the lobbyists are successful!  That's not the end of this mess either.  Contrary to what the Canada Gazette says, it's not really just a one-shot deal for the vending industry.  Vending machines will also have to be adjusted in November when the new $20 polymer bill is introduced and again when new $5 and $10 bills arrive in 2013.

The Canadian public is also paying the price for the government's decision to produce lighter coins,  Canadians were not given fair warning that this was going to happen.  It was just foisted upon them with very little publicity.  Many did not understand why the parking meter was not accepting their coins.  When I tried to purchase a newspaper from a newspaper box, I discovered that all my loonies were of the 2012 variety and could not be used.

Don't get me wrong.  The lightness of the new currency is most welcome.  A surfeit of heavy coinage in a purse or wallet is burdensome.  That was one of the reasons that I was not too pleased when the one dollar bill was replaced by a one dollar coin in 1987 (Yes, folks, it's been 25 years since the introduction of the loonie).

When the loonie made its debut, I argued that it would debase the value of a dollar.  Coins are thrown in drawers and left in pockets, I maintained, while bills, on the other hand, are tucked safely in wallets.  My other concern was that vending machine prices would increase.  Yet I realized that the introduction of a one dollar coin was inevitable because the government needed to save money and coins last longer than bank notes.

A quarter of a century later, my opinion on that matter has not changed.  I do admit, however, to a grudging affection for the loonie.  It's so purely Canadian.  What other country would nickname its one dollar currency a "loonie?"   The loon design, however, happened by accident.  The original design on the one dollar coin was intended to be the traditional Voyageur canoe.  Somehow, on the way to the Mint in Winnipeg, the dies were lost.  To avoid future counterfeiting, the Voyageur dies were discarded and replaced with a loon.

- Joanne

Stress Relief

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012

Being in control of your life and having realistic expectations about day-to-day challenges are the keys to stress management, which is perhaps the most important ingredient to living a happy, healthy and rewarding life.

- Marilu Henner, (born April 6, 1952, American actress, producer and author)


I also think stress is related to control.  When you're in charge of your life, you tend not to care about losing  control of things that don't really matter like traffic jams.

- Marilu Henner


Are you overworked and dog tired?  Are you feeling stressed from the demands of your job or from family responsibilities and financial burdens?  Need to get out of the rat race - at least temporarily?  Here's a suggestion from Number 16,  It won't solve all your problems but it will provide you with some relief from stress.  It is absolutely free and it has no harmful side effects or undesirable consequences.  Just click the following link.  Then get ready to sit back and relax for two minutes.  Take your hands off your computer keyboard and mouse.  Calm yourself!

http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/


The Do Nothing For 2 minutes website was created by British entrepreneur Alex Tew and developer Ben Dowling.  Tew, who also created the Million Dollar Homepage, stated his reasons for creating the Do Nothing For 2 Minutes page:

I had been thinking how we spend every waking minute of the day with access to an unlimited supply of information.  I also read somewhere that there is evidence that our brains are being re-wired by the Internet because we get a little dopamine kick every time we check our e-mail or Twitter or Facebook and there's a new update.  So we're all developing a bit of ADD, which is probably not great in terms of being productive.


- Joanne

Toronto Confidential: May 15, 2012

        

                                                   @ http://www.aviewoncities.com

TORONTO CONFIDENTIAL
Issue No. 1
               
Welcome to Toronto Confidential, a new feature on Number 16 where there will be insights and comments on life in Toronto.   If you are looking  for news and trivia about T.O,, this is for you.  

TTC DISORGANIZED DURING SUBWAY SHUTDOWN
I am a strong supporter of public transit and I use the TTC frequently.  Every month I purchase a Metropass.  That is why I become dismayed when I witness the TTC's shortcomings.  I bring them to the public's attention so that the TTC will rectify its problems and provide better service.

Last Tuesday, May 9th, there was a subway shutdown between the Islington and Jane stations due to a passenger injury. Subway patrons were told that there would be shuttle buses arriving to take us to our destination.  I heard this announcement at the Islington station and it occurred just after 5 p.m., at the peak of rush hour.  What ensued was pandemonium.

There were no signs instructing passengers where to get the shuttle buses.  There were no TTC employees directing people.  I finally asked a TTC employee where we should go to get a shuttle bus and he told us to go outside the station.  By this time, the crowd of confused subway riders had become larger.  The station was filling up rapidly.

We all went outside to the street to find a shuttle bus.  After waiting there for a short time, someone called out that the shuttle buses were arriving inside the station at a bus bay.  The crowd quickly headed back to the station.  The bus bay was so crowded that I could barely move. I felt really claustrophobic and I couldn't wait to get out of the station.

This is the second time I have experienced such disorganization at the Islington station.  I realize that accidents and delays happen, but why doesn't the TTC get employees to the scene immediately when people need direction, especially during rush hour?

* I really wish the TTC would stop referring to its patrons or passengers as "customers."  "Customers" is a misnomer because The Toronto Transit Commission is a public system.  The people of Toronto and Ontario pay taxes and taxes to operate it.  We are not customers.  How can we be customers when we ourselves own the system and support it?  This is not nitpicking,  Language matters!  Speaking of language, have you noticed that the automated voice on the TTC public address system, exhorts riders to "stand clear of doors?"  What ever happened to the definite article as in "the doors?"  

PICASSO EXHIBIT IN TORONTO
Attention art lovers!  The Art Gallery of Ontario is presenting a major exhibition of Picasso works until August 26, 2012.  It is called  Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris.  If you live in Toronto or if you plan to visit this summer, this is a great opportunity feast your eyes on the works of a great artist.

The exhibit consists of more than 150 highlights from the vast collection of the Musee National Picasso which is undergoing major renovations.  Toronto is the final stop and the only Canadian venue on a tour that has included Madrid, Abu  Dhabi, Tokyo, Helsinki, Moscow and St. Petersburg, Seattle, Richmond, San Francisco and Sydney.


NUMBER 16'S 
3 SIMPLE, AFFORDABLE JOYS OF TORONTO
Walk in High Park: What a great place to have a picnic or a pleasant walk.  Enjoy all four seasons there. Gaze at the geese and swans on Grenadier Pond.

Enjoy a baseball game at Christie Pits:  Pack a lunch and sit on the hill as you watch the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Intercounty Baseball League.  There is no admission charge.

Take the ferry to the Toronto Islands.  Ride your bike or just explore the islands.  Take a walk on the boardwalk or lie on the beach.

Christopher Plummer

FEATURED TORONTO-BORN PERSONALITY
Acclaimed actor Christopher Plummer was born in Toronto on December 13, 1929.  He was raised in the Montreal area (Senneville, Quebec) and is a great-grandson of Canadian Prime Minister Sir John Abbott through his mother, Isabella Mary Plummer (nee Abbott).  Known for his portrayal of Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Plummer is also recognized for his magnificent theatre performances, particularly in Shakespearean roles.  He has also played John Barrymore in a one-man stage show on the life and times of the famed actor.

For his role in the film Beginnings, Plummer won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.  At the age of 82, he became the oldest actor ever to receive an Oscar.

DID YOU KNOW?
Toronto's City Hall was once located in the current St. Lawrence Market building.  From 1845 until 1899, the seat of City Council Chamber was located on the second floor of the Market.  It is now the City's Market Gallery.  There are old historical photographs of Toronto there and you can view the old Mayor's chair.  If you are interested in the city's history, it is well worth seeing.

- Joanne

The Great Willie Mays

SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2012

Maybe I was born to play baseball.  Maybe I truly was.   

- Willie Mays

The Say Hey Kid turns 81 years old today.  Born William Howard Mays, Jr. on May 6, 1931 in Westfield, Alabama, near Birmingham, Willie Mays was the son of a steelworker.  His father, Willie Sr.(known as "Cat" Mays because of his quickness), played centre field in the local semi-pro Birmingham industrial league.  His mother, Annie Satterwhite, had been a high school track star. With such an athletic background, young Willie took to baseball with ease.  By the time he was 13, he was playing on a semi-professional team called the Gray Sox.

Willie's professional career began in 1947 when he played briefly for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos in Tennessee while school was out for the summer.  He returned to Alabama and joined the Birmingham Black Barons, the local Negro League franchise.

In 1947, while Willie Mays was playing centre field for the Black Barons, Jackie Robinson succeeded in breaking baseball's colour barrier.  After Robinson's success, major league scouts attended Negro League games in search of gifted African-American players.  One such scout for the New York Giants noticed Willie at a Black Barons game.  He provided an enthusiastic report on Mays to the Giants organization.  As a result, the New York Giants signed Willie as an amateur free agent in 1950.  He was offered a $4,000 bonus and $250 a month salary to play for their minor league team, the Trenton Giants of Trenton, New Jersey.

Willie played his very first major league game on May 25, 1951.  The 20-year-old was  batting a sizzling .477 for the Giants' AAA affiliate, the Minneapolis Millers, when he was called up to the Big Show.  Giants manager Leo Durocher asked him if he could hit .250 for the team and the up-and-coming centre fielder told Durocher that he was capable of doing so.  Was he ever right!

Willie Mays more than exceeded expectations during his first season in the majors.  His batting average was  .274.  He slugged 20 home runs and knocked in 68 RBIs.  In addition, Willie was chosen the National League's Rookie of the Year in 1951 and the Giants appeared in the 1951 World Series.

Here is how Durocher described his talented young player:

He could do the five things you have to do to be a superstar: hit, hit with power, run, throw and field.  And he had that other ingredient that turns a superstar into a super superstar.  He lit up the room when he came in.  He was a joy to be around.

In 1952, with the United States involved in the Korean War, Willie Mays was drafted by the U.S. Army He missed most of the 1952 season and the entire 1953 season due to military service. When he returned to the Giants in 1954, Mays was on fire!  He led the league with a robust .345 batting average, hammered 41 home runs and was chosen as the National League Most Valuable Player.  The biggest impression he made, however, was in the 1954 World Series in which the New York Giants faced the Cleveland Indians.

In Game One of that '54 Series at the Polo Grounds in New York, Willie Mays made one of the the most memorable plays in major league baseball history. His  incredible feat of athleticism, immortalized as "The Catch," was an off-the-shoulder running catch of a Vince Wertz fly ball.  With his back turned away from the infield, Mays nabbed Wertz's long drive near the outfield wall..  It was the eighth inning and the game was tied 2-2 with Cleveland runners on first and second base..  Willie's catch preserved the 2-2  tie and the contest went into extra innings.  The Giants scored three runs in the tenth inning to win the game 5-2.  New York then defeated Cleveland in the next three games, sweeping the Series four games straight.

To watch a video of Willie's famous catch (September 29, 1954), click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUK9lG-7HTc

During the 1955, 1956 and 1957 seasons in New York, Willie Mays continued to perform well.  In 1956, he slammed 36 homers and stole 40 bases.  In 1957, he was awarded the first of his 12 consecutive Gold Gloves.  After the '57 season, the New York Giants moved west to San Francisco.and Mays began a new chapter of his career in California.  He spent over 14 years in the City by The Bay and became a fixture there.

Willie finished his first season in San Francisco with a career-high .357 batting average and he was named team captain before the start of the 1960 season.  With Mays leading the charge, the Giants captured the National League pennant in 1962.  They were defeated 4 games to 3 in the World Series, however, by the New York Yankees

The 1965 season was a memorable one for Willie Mays.  He won his second MVP award and hit a career-high 52 home runs.  On September 13, 1965, Willie hit his 500th major league home run.  Four years later, he reached another milestone in his career when he smashed his 600th homer off San Diego Padres pitcher Mike Corkins in September of 1969.

During his time with the San Francisco Giants, Willie became close friends with teammate Bobby Bonds.  He became the godfather of Bobby's son, Barry Bond, who was disgraced in a well-publicized steroids scandal.   Bobby died on August 23, 2003 at the age of 57 of complications from lung cancer and a brain tumor.

In May of 1972, 41-year-old Willie Mays was traded to the New York Mets for pitcher Charlie Williams and $50,000.  Mays played a season and a half  (133 games) for the Mets and finished his career in the Big Apple.  He retired after the 1973 campaign and the Mets hounoured him with a Willie Mays Night on September 25th, 1973- but it was not over yet!  The New York Mets, under manager Yogi Berra,  made it to the World Series that year.  Their American League opponents were the Oakland Athletics.

The 1973 October Classic was Willie's fourth as a major league player.  The others were 1951 and 1954 (with the New York Giants) and 1962 (with the San Francisco Giants).  The 42-year-old slugger recorded the final hit of his career in Game 2 of the '73 World Series but the Oakand A's went on to prevail over the Met in seven games.  Willie Mays made his final major league appearance in that Series.

As any baseball fan knows, baseball is a game of statistics and Willie Mays had some very impressive ones.  Willie ended his career with 660 home runs and a lifetime batting average of .302.  In 22 major league seasons, he collected 1,903 RBIs and 3,283 hits.  He hit more than 50 home runs in both the 1955 and 1965 seasons.

Mays was criticized for continuing to play when he was over the age of 40 and clearly past his prime.  In defending his decision to keep on playing, he said, "You know, a lot of people said when I was 40, I should quit, but I don't think so.  You should play as long as you can and as long as you enjoy the game.  In '73, I wasn't enjoying the game, so I quit in May.  I retired, and they wouldn't let me retire.  So I finished up in the World Series.  But I say to players: Play as long as you can, because you only have one chance."

Willie Mays is one of the greatest baseball players of all time.  He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility, with 95% of the votes cast.   During his career, he amassed 12 Gold Gloves, participated in four World Series and played in 24 All-Star games.  Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams once said, "They invented the All-Star Game for Willie Mays."

Happy Birthday, Willie Mays!  You were born to play baseball.  You truly were.


END NOTES

* Willie Mays has been married twice.  He wed Margherite Chapman on February 14, 1956 and they adopted a son, Michael, born in 1959.  The couple divorced in the early 1960s and Willie married Mae Louise Allen on November 27, 1971.

* No one knows exactly how Willie acquired his nickname, the "Say Hey Kid."  "Say Hey" was apparently a phrase he used to attract the attention of someone whose name he did not know.  According to one story, sports journalist Jimmy Cannon came up with the nickname because when Mays first arrived in the big leagues, he was not familiar with everyone's name.  Willie was quoted as saying, "You see a guy, you say, 'Hey man.  Say hey, man.  Ted was the 'Splinter.'  Joe was 'Joltin' Joe.'  Stan was 'The Man.'  I guess I hit a few home runs, and they said there goes the "Say Hey Kid.'"  According to another story, Barney Kremenko of the New York Journal heard Willie call out, "'Say Who, 'Say What,' 'Say Where,' 'Say Hey.'" and dubbed him "The Say Hey Kid" in 1951.

* Willie Mays bats right and throws right.  Baseball Reference.com lists his height at 5 '10'".

*  It's interesting to note that Willie Mays failed to hit a home run in any of the four World Series in which he played.  He won only one World Series ring (the 1954 Series against Cleveland).

*  Willie was in the on-deck circle when Bobby Thomson hit "the shot heard 'round the world" on October 3, 1951.  With Thomson's home run, the Giants defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers to win the National League pennant.  The Giants went on to the World Series but were defeated 4 games to 2 by the New York Yankees.  In Game One of the '51, Willie Mays was part of the first all-black outfield in major league baseball history.  That outfield was comprised of Willie, Hall of Famer Monte Irvin and Hank Thomspson.

* The San Francisco Giants retired Mays' number 24.  The address of their stadium, AT&T Park, is 24 Willie Mays Plaza.  A huge statue of the centre fielder stands in front of the main entrance of the ballpark.

* On February 10, 2010, Willie Mays appeared on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart.


- Joanne

Joanne's Journal: May 4, 2012

FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012

JOANNE'S JOURNAL
Edition No. 7

Quote of the Day

One would need to be already wise, in order to love wisdom.

- Friedrich von Schiller (1759-1805), German dramatist and poet
From On the Aesthetic of Man [1795]

The subject for today's musings is wisdom.  Wisdom is the cornerstone of philosophical thought and the word "philosophy" is derived from the Greek word "philosophos" meaning lover of wisdom. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the first known use of term "philosopher" occurred in the 14th century.

Since owls are associated with wisdom, it is only fitting that the link between owls and wisdom goes back at least to ancient Greece, the home of great ancient philosophers such as Socrates and Plato.  The theme of the helpful, prophetic and wise owl occurs in Aesop's Fables and in Greek mythology and folklore.  For example, Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom for whom the city of Athens was named, was so impressed with the owl's stately appearance that she honoured the nocturnal creature by making it her favourite bird.

For your enjoyment and edification, Number 16 presents some further quotes on wisdom.  Let's begin with this gem (pun intended) from the Hebrew Bible (Job 28:18).

No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. 

We shall return to ancient Greece with this astute observation from the playwright Euripides.  He points out that wisdom and cleverness are not exactly the same.  Wisdom, he reminds us, requires much more than a quick wit, intelligence and cunning.  One can be clever but unwise.  That's why some of the cleverest people make some poor choices.

Mere cleverness is not wisdom.

- Euripides (c.485-c. 406 B.C.), Greek dramatist
From Bacchae

ROSES AND THORNS

ROSES
TO: Margaret McCain, philanthropist and former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, for donating $10 million to Toronto's Centre  for Addiction and Mental Health.  McCain, the widow of New Brunswick food mogul Wallace McCain, stated that the money will be used to create the Margaret and Wallace McCain  Centre for Child, Youth and Family Mental Health.  Bravo!  I hope it inspires some other exceedingly wealthy citizens to make similar donations.

TO:  The Toronto Transit Commission for finally renovating and cleaning up its subway washrooms.  They were an absolute, filthy disgrace, especially the one at Yonge and Bloor.  It's about time that more attention is being paid to keeping them clean.  Why did it take the TTC so long, though?  We sure could use some more public washrooms on the subway lines too.

THORNS
TO: Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, for pandering to the extreme right-wing, anti-immigrant and xenophobic elements in his country. Sarkozy hope to gain their support in his bid for re-election.  His opportunistic bid to court the far-right, however, doesn't seem to be paying off.  In fact, it appears to have backfired on him. His chances of holding on to power in France's run-off election on Sunday, May 6 are fading.  Although Socialist Francois Holland's lead in the polls is narrowing, Sarkozy's actions have cost him the support of Centrist Framcois Bayrou who will vote for Hollande.  Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen also refuses to endorse Sarkozy and intends to cast a blank ballot.

TO: The Canadian government for giving such speedy approval to Conrad Black's application for a one-year temporary resident permit.  Although Prime Minister Stephen Harper denies that the former media baron was given special treatment, there is the  perception is that he was treated differently than others due to his wealth and his ties to Conservatives in high places. Although Conrad Black is not a violent criminal, he has been convicted of fraud and obstruction of justice.  The United States is deporting him now that he has completed his time in a Florida prison.  With much fanfare, he renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2001 in order to accept a British peerage.

The Montreal-born Black has made some highly derogatory comments about the country of his birth.  Now he is eager to return to Canada and talks of the possibility of regaining his Canadian passport.  He should be treated the same as anyone else who has renounced Canadian citizenship.  Conrad Black is the perfect example of a clever person who lacks wisdom.

Baseball

How about those Baltimore Orioles?  It's still early in the season but the O's have really impressed under the stewardship of Buck Showalter who recently won his 1,000th game as manager.

When is Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell going to take Adam Lind out of  the fourth spot in the batting order?  Edwin Encarnacion is hitting like a house on fire.  He should be in that fourth spot right now. He is hitting .320 with 9 home runs.  Adam Lind, on the other hand, is hitting .193 with one home run.  It just does not make sense for Lind to remain in the cleanup spot.  He provides little protection for Jose Bautista and his record against left-handed pitchers is so bad that Farrell hasn't even been putting him in the lineup when the Blue Jays face a left-handed starting pitcher.  My intention is not to pick on Adam Lind.  He has worked hard to develop into a decent defensive first baseman and I respect him for that.  Yet he is a detriment to the team when he bats fourth.

Hockey

I'm really not a big supporter of any of the teams remaining in the NHL playoffs.  Wouldn't it be strange, though,, if the Phoenix Coyotes should happen to win the Stanley Cup?.  NHL Commissioner for Life, Gary Bettman, would have to present hockey's Holy Grail to a team owned by the National Hockey League.  How long can the Coyotes remain in limbo when a beautiful new arena is being built for them in Quebec City?

- Joanne