IPOV

2021-01-15T13:49:00.000-05:00

One of these days

2021-01-11T10:41:00.003-05:00

Covid will no longer be such a threat to the world. In the meantime, we all must do our part not to spread the disease. I am unable to understand those people who claim it is hoax. The entire world is affected. Everyone must do their part in subduing this menace.

I am returning to this blog after several years of inactivity. Like many of us in Ontario. I am in lockdown. Keep safe everyone.

HAPPY 75TH, ART

2012-10-29T14:14:00.001-04:00

My friend Art Benjamin of London, Ont., turned 75, Oct. 31. His children surprised him with a gift that has left him smiling still. They arranged to fund the Art Benjamin Children's Library in his synagogue. Nothing could have pleased him more--not even 500 pounds of licorice allsorts!
Happy Birthday, Art.

ANTI MUSLIM 'MOVIE'

2012-09-17T19:40:00.000-04:00

I watched a few seconds of this infamous movie about Muhammad that has so angered the Muslim world. What a piece of unadulterated crap.
I erased it. Suppose Jesus had been the subject. Christians would have been angered and disgusted, but they would simply have hit the delete button. They understand our freedom of speech. Many Muslims, on the other hand, simply can't get their heads around the concept of degrading a holy person and not being held accountable.
If this film had been produced in Canada, I suspect that our anti-hate laws could have been brought into play.

I AM A VICTIM OF ONLINE FRAUD!

2012-09-06T12:33:00.000-04:00

When friends notified me that I had been beaten up and robbed while in Spain and needed money, I was stunned. I was still at home in Ontario. I had been the victim of an online fraud. Somehow, the crooks had obtained my email password. Rogers, my service provider, was obliging and helped me reset it. The crooks had also taken my accounts list or address book, too.

Advice to all: Protect your email account password. The Rogers technician advises not to agree when a Windows account asks if you want it to remember your password. Should a virus enter your computer, it can easily access the remembered passwords. Passwords are a nuisance sometimes when you must enter them and you are in a hurry, but they are necessary and should be carefully protected. Banks, she said, never ask to remember passwords .

MELANOMA SKIN CANCER TARGETED

2012-08-15T13:48:00.001-04:00

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, yet to the average person it cannot be distinguished from an innocent skin tag or other sometimes ugly blemish on the skin. As a result, patients don't bother to show it to their doctors. It can metastasize (spread). It is deadly and responsible for 79% of skin-cancer related deaths.
Western University scientists in London, Ontario, have identified a protein called Pannexin (Panx1). It appears in normal levels on the surface of healthy skin cells, but with melanoma it is over-produced to a pathological level.
Silvia Penuela and Dale Laird are the researchers behind this discovery. They say that if the level of Panx 1 is reduced, the afflicted cell becomes more normal.
"We think this over-production of Panx 1 enables the melanoma to become very aggressive. The cells have these extra Panx 1 channels and they can leave the primary tumor and invade other tissues," explains Laird, a professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Canada Research Chair in Gap Junctions and Disease. "And when you find a protein that is highly up-regulated in a disease cell such as melanoma, the question becomes, is there therapeutic value in targeting a drug to that protein to reduce its production or block its function? Would that be an effective treatment?"

They now plan to correlate their discovery to patient samples using the human melanoma bank through the collaboration with Dr. Muriel Brackstone and other clinicians at the London Health Sciences Centre, to see if this is a cancer marker. "If a melanoma lesion has a lot of this protein, it might be a tool for prognosis. And because it is on the skin, it would be more accessible for treatment." And treatment might be something as simple as a cream to use on melanoma lesions.
This research will be published in the Aug. 17 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE, TOO

2012-08-03T19:18:00.003-04:00

The inhumane conditions at the East-Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre, long under public scrutiny thanks to the London Free Press, will continue to be kept out of public sight. The excuse?
“Disclosure of information from this investigation would impact security matters that might endanger both staff and inmates,” officials claimed, according to the newspaper.
“Furthermore, depending on the nature of the investigation, human resource or health matters may also be involved. As such, the ministry does not release this type of information for any internal investigation it performs within its correctional facilities.”
Just because these prisoners are in jail does not mean their treatment and living conditions should be kept as a secret of the ministry. Some men are forced to stay three to a cell, even if it means one must sleep on the floor. To my mind, this is beginning to sound like a prison in Afghanistan, but without the torture. The public pays for prisons and should surely have a say in how our money is spent. After the various government debacles in eHealth and the Ornge fiasco, how are we to know that money for prisons isn’t being skimmed into some fat cat’s bank account?
I am not suggesting that prisoners should be living in country club conditions, just that they are treated fairly.

BREAST CANCER RESEARCH SHOWS PROMISE

2012-08-01T19:00:00.001-04:00

Research has identified a promising new therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancer. The tests are early and have only been done on mice. Western University scientists, led by Lynne-Marie Postovit of Western's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry say the study shows tremendous promise in the mouse models.
Postovit discovered high levels of a protein called Nodal in aggressive breast cancer tumors. It encourages vascularization in tumors, providing nutrients and oxygen to help them grow and spread throughout the body.
"In addition, we have shown that if we can target this embryonic protein, we can cause the blood vessels to collapse within the tumor, leading to decreased oxygen levels and tumor cell death. When tumors lack oxygen and nutrients they become what we call necrotic," she said.
The study was reported in the online journal Cancer Research.
More information and a background video featuring Dr. Postovit can be found here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9VbzhQQcVo

WHY BAN HANDGUNS?

2012-07-24T16:39:00.001-04:00

With all of the attention that is being paid to the massacre in Colorado, Canadians are crying out for a ban on handguns.
Such a ban is not needed in this country. Handguns are strictly regulated from coast to coast (firearms are controlled by a federal law). And to buy a gun legally is one of the most onerous an on-going procedures you can imagine. If you are not legally entitled to use one such as police officers, that pretty well leaves you as a member of a gun club. A permit is required in order to buy the gun which must be maintained in your home in a locked case. You are under rigorous controls, too, even when carrying it to a club meeting.
No. What we require is tougher border controls because the illegal weapons come here from the U.S. But how to make border inspections even more exacting than they now are is a tough one? That is the question.

WHERE IS MEDIA RESPECT FOR CHILDREN?

2012-07-03T16:29:00.000-04:00

I cringe whenever I read or hear the media referring to a child by his or her surname. Case in point: Tori Stafford, the eight-year-old girl from Woodstock, Ont. who was sexually molested and then murdered.In media reports she had been identified by first and last name at the beginning of the story, but thereafter it was just Stafford, as in "Stafford's killer....'
It seems to make no difference to the age of the child; it could even be a baby!
This practice is not called for in The Canadian Press Stylebook. Under Names, Nicknames, Initials: "First names are used on second reference for children under 18 except in sports stories..."

HOW TO LOWER YOUR RISK OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

2012-06-29T13:28:00.001-04:00

Where in blazes did I put my car keys? Most of us have asked that question at one time or another. And most of us have wondered if such forgetfulness is a sign that we're on the slippery slope to Alzheimer's Disease. Even if you do find them in the refrigerator, that doesn't necessarily equal an indicator. But if you forget what the car keys are used for--that is reason to worry.
One of the most frightening diseases in the world--and for good reason--is A.D. It is increasing at an alarming rate. The costs of dealing with it are enormous. We don't yet know what causes it, let alone be on the verge of finding a cure. However, there are practices you can perform that may slow its advance. Exercise is one. Walking, jogging, sports, anything that keeps your blood flowing briskly to the brain. Reading, crossword and other puzzles, social activities, these are excellent methods of keeping your brain stimulated.
While there is no cure in sight, your doctor can prescribe drugs that may slow its advance.
Scientists the world over are studying the disease, looking for a cure or its cause. Right here in London at the Robarts Research Institute, scientists are already making progress in finding the cause. Once the cause can be established, a cure is much more likely. Robarts has a giant "scanner" made specifically to enble scientists to look into the brain as never before. At one time, the only true assessment of the disease was made after death when the brain of a patient could be examined. The scanner provides images of the brain that enables scientists to provide an accurate assessment.
This enables pharmaceutical firms to produce trial treatments that can be assessed within six month.
For more information on A.D. click on Alzheimers Society of London & Middlesex

HELP FOR DIABETICS

2012-06-28T21:14:00.001-04:00

There is something that can be done to assist us diabetics--Type 1 and Type 2. I am not suggesting that a cure for this nasty disease is awaiting someone's beck and call. But our local grocery stores could make life much simpler for us when we go shopping.
Today, we must search up and down the aisles, searching for, say, food and beverages that have no sugar added.
Wouldn't it be a help if, under a large sign saying, "DIABETIC FOODS" we would be able to find these products without having to search up and down the aisles, peering at the contents labels?
Wouldn't it also be helpful if, say, packaged cookies and other baked goods were arranged according to their carbohydrate, fibre or sugar contents?
The grocer could offer specials from time to time perhaps with a dietician on hand to answer our questions. Pamphlets and coupons could be offered, too, along with listings of useful websites.
I don't understand why this isn't already available. The next time you go shopping, tell the store manager that this is what you'd like to see in his or her store.

PAPER WILL SOON BE REPLACED

2011-05-19T22:37:00.004-04:00

CHANGES IN PUBLISHING

As a person who has spent his working life in publishing--most of it with Maclean Hunter Publishing in Toronto--the increasing encroachment of hand-held "devices" on the printed word causes me to shake my head in disbelieve. It is not just someone's fanciful idea that people won't some day be reading paper newspapers and books, it is already happening. It is now possible to read your daily newspaper on an electronic 'reader', or for that matter a book.
.. Hundreds can be stored in a tablet-sized device that you can carry in your pocket or purse. Some iphones can also be used as ereaders. Public libraries offer patrons ebooks. You don't have to be concerned with returning them by the due date, either. They simply become inactive when it arrives.
It takes some practice to become familiar and comfortable reading from these screens, but it can be done. No more will you have to worry about non-delivery of your morning newspaper (as has been a problem here in London with the London Free Press this past winter). It is just a matter of time when it will be commonplace to see people reading the paper or a book in an ebook while riding to work on a public transport vehicle.

Rogers Communications has sold 15 of its trade publications to Glacier Media
a publishing firm in B.C. These "books" as they were called during my time in the business were part of the original deal when Rogers bought Maclean Hunter several years ago. If you'd like to read about this news, click on:
http://www.mastheadonline.com/news/2011/20110518782.shtml

WHEN OHIP HITS HOME!

2011-02-25T12:11:00.003-05:00

My 84-year-old friend, having fallen at the communal mail box and then again when he fell backward in his garage was rushed to University Hospital in London yesterday afternoon. Although the ambulance rushed, the rushing all stopped once he arrived at the hospital. There were eight ambulances there at the same time waiting for their patients to be admitted. Once he was taken to the emergency department, he began receiving care, but still had to wait for a doctor. This was not the doctors' or nurses' fault. They were being run off their feet. My friend's x-rays revealed that he suffered from a broken knee and arm.
He was to have been given a room as soon as one was available last night. But he was still in the emergency department at noon today. His broken arm is now black and blue, his nose might also have been broken and his knee is causing severe pain. He is receiving pain-killers and care, but that is not the point. Why doesn't he have a room by now?
A nurse in the triage department told me last night that this problem had intensified since the St. Joseph's Urgent Care Centre had been forced to reduce its operating hours.
A homemade sign in the triage emergency area last night read: "Feb. 24, 2011, Average Waiting Time for non-life threatening injuries/illness is now 4.5 hours. Than you for your patience, ER Staff."
There are many reasons for this to have happened. And it is happening to others right now. Who to blame? The Ontario Liberal Government is calling the shots these days. I am asking Deb Matthews, our local MPP to read this blog as well as the MPPs of the Conservative and NDP. And for extra measure, I'll ask Premier Dalton McGuinty. I will report to you on this blog once I receive a response or even if I don't.--Irvine Brace

JAZZ IS DYING?

2011-02-15T20:14:00.007-05:00

NOT WITH THESE YOUNG MUSICIANS!

The paint almost peeled off the walls of the venerable Mocha Shrine on Colborne St. in London, Sunday, as 17 feisty members of UWO’s Jazz Ensemble blew, strummed, drummed and fingered their instruments. “This is powerful music,” a friend seated next to me noted.

Bruce Smith, director, enjoyed himself as much as the audience did as he encouraged his young musicians, frequently calling for solos and then applauding and naming the musician. Of course, members of the London Jazz Society already knew that applauding a well-played solo was de rigueur.

The variety and number of brass instruments were spectacular to us London Jazz Society members. We are normally treated to a sextet or even an octet, and sometimes an even smaller group. There were trumpets, saxophones (one of them a bass), a piano keyboard, drums, stand-up bass, trombones and guitars.These are talented young musicians, some of whom are completing degrees in other fields such as business and engineering. One young lady who is an accomplished saxophonist has auditioned for the Canadian Youth Concert Band. Although you can see her picture here, I am unable to tell you her name, or for that matter the names of any of the Ensemble. This is UWO policy. Why they keep their students hidden in this way escapes me. It’s not as if they were engaged in immoral or illegal activities. Go figure!


Bruce Smith

Among the pieces they played: The Dorian Way and Arf by Phil Nimmons, The Waltz I Blew for You by Rob McConnell and Collage #3 by Gordon Delamont. “These are Canadian pieces,” says Smith, “and will be played at the Collegiate Jazz Festival at Notre Dame University in Indiana in March.”

They also will play March 22 at the Paul Davenport Theatre at UWO. Additional information, click on:UWO Jazz Ensemble

The London Jazz Society began raising scholarship funds to honour the Society’s first president, Doris Jackson, following her death in 1994. The fund has grown due to donations and now has a balance of more than $130,000, says current president Al Burton. The money is administered by the Faculty of Music, University of Western Ontario. This year two students of its Jazz Ensemble received $1,000 each. They are Cameron Bereznick and Joanne Venturanza. Next year $1,000 will be awarded to five students.--Irvine Brace

ISABELLE IS LOST

2011-02-05T23:11:00.000-05:00

She is a tiny, frail lady in her late 80s. But this was not an encounter with some down-and-out bag lady shuffling along Horton St. Isabelle is seated with two other ladies at a nursing home dining table awaiting her evening meal. Neatly groomed, gray hair fashionably coiffed, she looked up at me with plaintive eyes and said, "I am lost."
People who have Alzheimer's Disease and its related dementias are truly lost. Their whole world is becoming more strange and unfamiliar. The number of people suffering from this disease is growing rapidly. Science has only a rather vague idea of what causes it and so far there is no cure.
I am raising this subject as an introduction to what caregivers should know. First, money does not buy one's way into a nursing home in Ontario. No one can be admitted to one without the consent of the Community Care Access Centre. Regulations are strict. An assessment is made by CCA social workers to determine what the sufferer requires. This could be home visitations, advice or applying for admittance to a nursing home. In the latter case, there likely will be a lengthy wait for an opening in one.
The point of this message is to warn people who might think that mom or dad can simply be dropped off at the nearest nursing home. They are in for a surprise.
Next time, I will provide more details of just what is needed and that includes the caregiver (spouse or children.) There is a a difference between a nursing home and a retirement home, too.
If you have questions that you would like answered in this blog, email me at I.Brace@Rogers.com

EGYPT'S DAY OF ANGER SHOWN ON TV

2011-01-29T21:38:00.002-05:00

I watched the Day of Anger, Friday, on Aljazeera TV network. This relatively unknown news service (for North Americans), filmed and commented directly from its studio and office in Cairo. This would be something like filming from your own upstairs bedroom while a battle was clashing on the street below.

Its staff continued their work even though police were in the building to force the various news media there to stop transmitting. This was happening just before the Friday Prayers were to take place. The commentator described how, even in this dangerous confrontation between Egyptian people and the dreaded police, a truce was held while prayers were given in the street.

At times, Aljazeera cameras retreated inside their studio when the police were on the street outside to avoid becoming a target or to attract their attention.

It took courage to continue filming and commenting when all hell was breaking just outside their door. At one point rioters attempted to push a large police truck over the bridge railing and into the Nile River. They settled for torching it.

During all this, Aljazeera aired reports and visuals from its staff in other Egyptian cities. Meanwhile, Egyptian state TV showed a scene of utter tranquility. Using a split screen, Aljazeera showed what their cameras were seeing, comparing it with the state TV images.

I have subscribed to this locally available TV for several months now. It provides a different viewpoint compared with American, Canadian and other Western news networks. Rogers Cable has it available in London on channel 176. I am sure other providers offer it too at nominal cost.--Irvine Brace Click here for more info

ELECTRIC CARS AT DETROIT AUTO SHOW

2011-01-26T16:53:00.007-05:00

The Detroit Auto Show, formally known as the North American International Auto Show, took place this month. I joined a group from the Canadian Auto Workers Union which had chartered a bus from London to Detroit and back.
The show this year had the old sparkle and zest for the first time since the economic slow-down. I checked out the electric vehicles, full electricity powered and hybrids. Almost every manufacturer had one kind or the other. In the lower level, visitors could ride in them. It was astounding to see these cars sliding silently along the indoor track, with only the sound of tires being heard.
Let's take a quick look some of the electrics
America Venturi. Little information was available from this company, but by clicking on the link below, you'll be able to see a video. More information


America Venturi.

BYD Auto Co. of China displayed an all-electric e6, a hybrid F3DM, and announced news of an all-electric passenger bus and electric taxis.The e6 has a top speed of 140km/hour and an urban range of 300km. A home charge can be done in six hours.The F3DM is a sleek family hybrid car. Its top speed is 150km/h and range is 60km. These cars will be available in the U.S. (not Canada, though) in 2012. Click here for More information

The All-Electric e6 from BYD, China.

Ford Hybrids. The company says its all-electric vehicles will feature liquid-cooled, high-voltage lithium-ion batteries, targeted up to 100 miles per full charge.The all-electric vehicles such as Focus Electric and its plug-in hybrids can be charged at home to improve mpgs. Five new electric vehicles will be brought to market by 2012. Here are a couple of examples: 2011 Fusion + Hybrid: 41mpg. It operates in electric mode up to 47mph. Four engines are available: 2.5L 4-cylinder, 3.OL V6, 3.5L V6 or 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain. Escape Hybrid is an SUV that provides up to 34mpg city, 31mpg. highway. Its battery pack supplies energy to drive 100% in electric mode up to 44mph. It also comes with 4-wheel drive. Click here for More information And from Ford, even the luxurious Lincoln comes in a hybrid model. The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid provides up to 41 mpg. That amounts to 700 city miles to one tank of gas, says the company. It is powered by a 2.5L 1-4 Atkinson-cycle engine, electric traction motor and battery pack and recharges itself during braking. Click here for More information

Ford 2011 Fusion + Hybrid.

General Motors proudly introduced its Volt, an attractively designed sedan that can stylishly let you commute for about $1.50 per day. Its battery has been tested for such things as corrosion and hot- and cold-weather.As a result, the 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack has a 100,000 mile/8-year warranty. Its small, quiet on-board gas generator creates electricity to power the car as it is driven up to 375 miles on battery and gas power. According to GMC, lithium-ion cells outperform nickel metal hydride cells (found in many of today's hybrids) in terms of life cycle. A liquid thermal cooling and heating system keeps the battery at a comfortable temperature as it is being used and discharged. The battery charges in about 10 hours, depending on climate, on a standard 120-volt line or in as little as four hours on a dedicated 240-volt line. Click here for More information

GMC's Chevy Volt.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Engine 2.4L 14 horsepower 206, EPA Estimates 34/40, gas engine horsepower/torque 166/154, battery type lithium polymer. All-electric mode produces speed of up to 74mph. Hybrid engine is 2.4L Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder. Six-speed automatic transmission. Net horsepower is 206 at 6000 rpm. Click here for More information:

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

KIA Motors. Displayed its Optima Hybrid "smarter system." To help recharge the battery, the car uses regenerative braking to capture energy that would normally be lost to heat. The air conditioner is powered by a separate and small electric motor. Other features: a lighter, more powerful lithium battery, reduced engine friction. Click here for More information:

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid. If Porsche is into electrics, surely every motor company in the world will soon follow. This machine sports a V6 engine plus a 47-hp full hybrid system that produce a total output of 380 horse power and maximum torque of 428 lb.-ft. Top speed is 150mph and acceleration of 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. EPA estimate (mpg city/hwy) 16/24. It has front engine all-wheel drive. Click here for more information

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid.

Tesla Model S all-electrics are made in Fremont, California.The Model S will go from 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds and 300 miles per charge (different models will offer 160 or 230 miles per charge.) The car has been designed around the battery to achieve structural rigidity, increase efficiency, enhance aerodynamic qualities and lower the centre of gravity. Space traditionally used to house a gasoline engine is used for luggage. More information

Tesla Model S

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle. Based on the 3rd generation Prius, the Prius PHV combines the proven practicality of Hybrid Synergy Drive® with compact, lightweight lithium-ion batteries to extend its fully electric driving range. Electric-only driving is about 13 miles plus an anticipated 50 MPG-rated hybrid driving that eliminates range anxiety.Full recharging from a standard 110V household electric outlet in 3 hours. Toyota has additional hybrids. More information

Toyota Prius.

MY VISIT TO EAST BERLIN

2011-01-15T21:10:00.003-05:00


Looking into East Berlin not far from famous Checkpoint Charlie. I visited East Berlin in 1963, not too long after the infamous Berlin Wall had been constructed. I wanted to make an appointment to visit an East German camera manufacturer. Attempting to place a telephone call from my hotel in West Berlin, I was informed by the operator that my call, instead of just reaching across the Wall, a distance of about a mile or so, would have to go long distance via the West German city of Hamburg! I decided to take a taxi to Checkpoint Charlie. That was as far as the driver would take me. I left the cab and walked the dozen or so eerie yards to the East German customs inspection office. I watched in amazement as armed border guards peered into each car headed for the West, even to shoving an upward-facing mirror mounted on the wheels and single axle of a decrepit baby carriage beneath each vehicle. When I approached the pedestrian entrance a quite friendly guard asked me: "Kommen-sie mit auto?" Inside, though, the friendliness vanished. A guard in a green uniform with breeks (pants that tighten to leggings below the knees) took my passport and disappeared into a back room. I wasn't the only person sitting there waiting. A guard came out of the room several minutes later and began calling the owners of each passport by officiously barking out the number of each passport--in German. Since my Canadian passport cover was distinctly different from the others in his hand, I just waiting until he held mine up. After carefully questioning me in English to ensure that I wasn't a spy or someone who was bringing no good to the GDR (German Democratic Republic), I was permitted to walk into the "East." It was a rather strange feeling. I knew that I could return whenever I chose, but for East Germans, this made about as much sense as flying to the moon (something that had not yet been accomplished.) Many had tried running the gamut through the open space in an attempt to somehow climb over the wall before they could be shot. Only a few of them made it. I took a taxi to the camera manufacturer's address and then began a very interesting sales pitch about why they should advertise to the Canadian market. The two men carefully paged through our magazine that I had brought, speaking to one another in German. Whenever they saw an ad from a German camera manufacturer, they kept saying, "Vest," referring of course to one of their competitors on the other side of the Wall. My mission was modestly successful. The exchange rate between Canadian dollars and GDR Deutsch marks made even a small advertisement almost prohibitively expensive. A taxi returned me to Checkpoint Charlie and after briefly showing my passport, I was permitted to walk back through the "no man's land" and into the freedom of West Berlin. Even after such a short visit, I was pleased and not a little relieved that I had left the GDR.--Irvine Brace. I.Brace@Rogers.com

NEW SONG FROM ONTARIO

2011-01-08T14:40:00.006-05:00

We never seem to learn of musical talent that hides in the hills, dales and small towns of Eastern Ontario. Towns such as Trent River, Havelock, Marmora, Madoc--towns that the rest of Canada or even Ontario probably have never even heard of. And musicians such as Curly Taylor, Jim Ellis, Chester McCann and Gary Brace. These are just a few of them.
Curly, a 71-year-old retiree from Madoc, devotes much of his free time to the country music scene. Much of it aids local charities, such as the Campbellford hospital, which through the Lions Club, a CT scan was provided. This music does not go to waste. Not only does it please the ears and feet of area residents, but also is performed for local churches and other charities.

Curly's latest song is Old Man in the Nursing Home. He sings and plays rhythm, Jim Ellis plays bass guitar and Chester McCann steel guitar, with Gary Brace handling the narration. All in all, it's pretty darn good, especially considering that it was recorded in a friend's home studio. You can listen to this song by clicking on :
http://a2acanada.com/irv/track1.wma

Curly has recently written another song, Clifford, about a wounded war veteran who having lost his arms in battle, now plays guitar with his toes. He is well-known in the U.S. and is said to have played for the President and vets of the U.S. and Canada.
His album, Born to Sing, contains 14 songs. If you'd like to order his album or Old Man in the Nursing Home or Clifford, call him at 613-473-4376 or via mail at box 398, Madoc, ON K0K 2K0.--Irvine Brace

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FOOD AND MORE

2010-12-26T16:58:00.059-05:00

We hear so much information about what we should and shouldn't eat--much of it is nonsense. However, the Federal Government has provided a website that helps you understand food labels, travel, vehicle recalls, just about everything you need to know.. Just click on the URL address below.

.Your Key to Useful Government Information

Note:

I am sure there are additional useful addresses that we all could use. Just email them to me and I will pass them on:

ipov.irvspointofview@gmail.com

AND NOW, LET'S RETURN TO NORMAL
Well, the Big Day has passed for another year. It will soon be time to Pay the Piper--your credit card. It is very easy to run up a debt with these small pieces of plastic. Many of us will have gone away past the debt safety point and plunged into a debt that can increase in leaps and bounds if it is not paid off when due. With the exorbitant interest rates that can be applied to credit card debt balances, it can be nearly impossible to escape back to a clean balance sheet.
Just do your best to pay it off as quickly as possible.

This is not to say that credit cards should be banished. They can be extremely useful. I know of at least two small business that charge all expenses to a card, but pay it off immediately when it comes due. One of the difficulties with credit cards is they make buying so effortless. Just tender your card and the item before you can be yours.--Irvine Brace

How to Keep Safe in a Snowstorm

2010-12-19T21:22:00.002-05:00

Those of us who live in southwestern Ontario remember the snowstorm that swept from Sarnia as far as Highways 402 and west on 401. One man lost his life after gaining shelter in a farm home but later deciding he could walk to work. This was especially unfortunate because he had the choice of remaining safely indoors.
Other motorists had stepped into their warm automobiles with no thought of carrying emergency supplies: candles and matches/lighter, snacks, water, warm clothes, cellphones, a full tank of gas and a small shovel. Ontario Provincial Police stated that some motorists drove around highway barriers and headed into the jaws of the storm just up ahead.
Unless a lighted home or business can be seen a short distance up the road, motorists should remain in their cars until help arrives. There they can remain sheltered from the wintry blasts, keep from freezing, and nibble on snacks.
But one never knows just how difficult things can be in a snow storm. A friend and I found out first-hand, even though it wasn't snowing. Driving along a country road just north of Ilderton, our car crept off the road on the left shoulder and stopped mired in snow. The shoulders of the road were difficult to see. The stopped car was at an angle. Seated in the passenger side, I found it nearly impossible to push the door open. The weight of the door and the force of gravity were more than I could cope with. But I finally made it out onto the road. Snow on the driver's side was against his door. He could not open it. And if he had been alone in the car, it would have been doubtful that he could have escaped.
Now, the point of this tale is to warn drivers at this time of the year--even on a day in which no snow is falling and visibility is reasonable--be prepared. Luckily, I had brought my cellphone and a call to the Canadian Automobile Assn. soon brought a tow truck. The driver knew what he was doing and in no time winched us onto the road. Before that, a woman had driven up. "I saw you from my house across the fields, put two shovels, and a bucket of sand and salt in the car and came here to see what I could do." We explained that the CAA was already on the way and thanked her for offering to help.
Country people help one another, even extending it to two city dudes stuck in the ditch. And don't forget to join CAA.--Irvine Brace

Diabetes is a Major Threat to Canadians

2010-11-25T15:06:00.020-05:00

One in nine Canadians has diabetes. Many more may have it and don't even know it. You can have it in two '"flavours": Type One and Type Two. Type One usually knocks on your door much earlier in life while Type Two usually comes calling later. I say usually because there is no fixed and fast rule. If you suspect you may have the disease ask your doctor to send you to a blood lab for a test.
Having recently been diagnosed with Type Two, I have some advice for you. First, as I mentioned earlier, talk with your doctor. If he/she confirms that you have it, he will make an appointment for you at St. Joseph's Diabetes Education Centre here in London. I can't praise the services provided by this organization enough. You will be booked for three appointments. A nurse will describe the disease and explain how to keep it in check. You will learn about diet. I was surprised to learn that carbohydrates are among the worst foods that diabetics can eat. Carbs quickly turn into sugar. A dietitian will provide a custom diet. You will learn how much to eat of all foods. Another surprise for me: you must have a morning, afternoon and bedtime snack. Your blood sugar must be maintained at safe levels at all times. The bedtime snack is the most important because if during the night your blood sugar drops to a low level, the sugar stored in your liver supplies what is needed--and that is not a good thing.
Here are some observations about diabetes: It can affect your eyes. In fact, an ophthalmologist or an optometrist can detect warning signs during an eye exam. Left unattended, high sugar can also damage your arteries. Your limbs, especially at finger and toe tips can be very slow to heal if they have been damaged by a cut or bruise. In extreme cases, amputations are required.
Diabetics must take special care of their feet because they may lose normal sensations. One can step on a sharp tack, for example, in the home and not feel it. It's best to wear footwear at all times--even indoors.
The Canadian Diabetes Assn.
Since the discovery of insulin in 1922 in London, huge strides have been made in understanding diabetes. Annually, the Canadian Diabetes Association funds millions of dollars for research on prevention, treatment and management of the disease. Click on their website below and just see how many projects they are providing: Canadian Diabetes Assn.

LONDON JAZZ HOT STUFF

2010-11-15T12:33:00.014-05:00

One of the best gigs ever performed for the London Jazz Society nearly brought the rafters down in London's Mocha Shrine Centre yesterday (Nov. 14 ). A sold-out performance featured "The Tribute to Benny Goodman Sextet." Benny Goodman fans could have closed their eyes and felt they were listening to that master of the licorice stick himself.
Members enjoyed nearly two hours of Gooodman's music: Fidgety Feet, Bernie's Tune, Honeysuckle Rose, These Foolish Things, Just One of Those Things, Handful of Keys, Slipped Disc, Runnin' Wild, Everybody Loves My Baby, The World is Waiting for the Sunrise (written by Canadian Ernie Seitz in collaboration with Gene Lockhart), Avalon, After You've Gone, Airmail Special, Moonglow, Stardust, 7 Come 11, Flying Home, Rachael's Dream, Memories of You, Liza, China Boy, Goodbye, I Got Rhythm.
Ross Wooldridge leads the band and was the "Benny Goodman" of the group, helped along by the excellent performances of Don Thompson, vibes; Danny McErlain, piano; Jesse Barksdale, guitar; Chris Banks, bass; Glenn Anderson, drums.
Wooldridge and this group specialize in the music of Benny Goodman Sextet/Quartet/Trio. Under his leadership, the group performs recreation/interpretations by Goodman's small groups from 1935-1961. In some instances, he says, "I arrange in the style of the sextet as I imagine he would have done had he recorded them. This gives us a chance to delve into the best music from the various iterations of his group, since over the years the membership of Benny's small groups changed. He recorded with many different people, notably Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson, Gene Krupa, Red Norvo, Slam Stewart, Charlie Christian, Mel Powell and others."
For information about the London Jazz Society: 519-433-4789. www.londonjazzsociety.ca
Next gig: Dec. 5, features jazz pianist Ken Varley and his trio. Non-members welcome: $15. Doors open at 1 p.m., Mocha Shrine Centre, 468 Colborne St.--Irvine Brace

Remembrance Day

2010-11-11T14:55:00.000-05:00

Some 30,000 visitors thronged to Parliament Hill today. Parents and grandparents attended along with their children and grandchildren. At least one widow was there with her child. The little girl was crying. The chaplain of the Canadian forces offered a prayer of thanksgiving to the men and women who had saved us from the tyranny of Nazi Germany, those long gone from the first World War, the Merchant Navy, our Blue Beret Peacekeepers, the Korean war veterans and those who serve in Afghanistan. A rabbi not only prayed for our veterans but he also included a touching prayer on behalf of all our cultures and religions.
The numbers of our veterans are dwindling. Those of the second World War who are still with us appear to be "Old." I remember when, not too long ago, they were vibrant and full of piss and vinegar. Now we are seeing much younger men and women joining the ranks at this auspicious occasion.
Canada has never gone to war to take the land and possessions of our foes. We have only swung into action to combat an evil regime that was threatening not only the peace of Canada but for other countries as well.
I would like to point out to our newer immigrants that we are not a war-like nation. We only go to war when all else fails. But then our armed forces go at the job fiercely and professionally (albeit, frequently without the latest in weapons and armament.)
This always is a touching ceremony. It brings tears to my eyes as I watch the sometimes shaky old-timers and especially so when the Ottawa Children's Choir sings O' Canada.
Our new governor-general affably chatted with the vets and visitors. The bands played, the veterans marched followed by cadet corps. The artillery guns fired a 21-gun salute, fighter jets flew past including a WW2 Spitfire and a Mustang. The CBC's Peter Mansbridge and his guest, historian Jack Granatstein, didn't talk so much that you couldn't hear what was happening as the bands played and the marchers marched.
And finally, as usual, the visitors placed their bright red poppies on the tomb of the unknown soldier.--Irvine Brace