Highlight of Pyeongchang's 2018 Olympic Winter Games

Canada sent the largest contingent ever to Olympic Winter Games!

And were richly rewarded placing 3^rd in nations represented

after closely tailing the power-countries of Norway and Germany!

Alone and Golden, On Top of The World

(wrote Lori Ewing, a sports journalist)

Canadians, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir became the most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history ~ after their ice-dancing 'free skate.' They sang along to parts of their breath-taking Moulin Rouge program as they whirled around the Olympic ice. Caught up in the magnificence, they were 'alone in their own world' ~ Canada went along for the ride! A partnership, 20 years in the making, Virtue and Moir penned their own thrilling ending by capturing the Gold Medal.

“It's an overwhelming feeling because it is something we envisioned for so many years,” Virtue said about their center-ice hug at the program's end. “I couldn't help but think about the 20 years we've spent working for this moment ~ and the incredible team of people behind us.”

Coaches Patrice Lauzon and wife, Marie-France Dubreuil from Montreal agreed.

“They're a once-in-a-generation talent, that you seldom see.”

Moments before they step on the ice for their 'free dance'

and as they've done every skate for years, they've hugged for a half minute...

eyes closed...Virtue's head resting on Moir's shoulder...

(“It helps us focus,” they said, “and melds our emotions

to the 'telling of the story.')

Dressed in a skin-tight backless red dress, with a high jewelled neck, Virtue played the role of Nicole Kidman. Moir, in a mostly sheer black shirt made a great love-struck Ewan McGregor. And together they dazzled the Gangneung Arena crowd with their passionate skate to “Moulin Rouge” ~ a movie they'd seen together when Virtue was 11 and Moir was 13. They had wanted to skate to it ever since!

Their personal-best score of 122.40 for the 'free skate'

and a world-record combined score of 206.07 points

carried them past French rivals and silver medalists whose total score was 205.28.

(I'm certain Moulin Rouge will become their 'signature performance)

The Gold was their fifth career Olympic medal (breaking a tie with a previous Russian pair).

Since they first melted hearts when they were Gold in Vancouver Olympics 8 years ago, Virtue and Moir have 'pushed the ice-dance envelope' with their athleticism, lifts, footwork and in addtition have made sensuality practically a required element in the sometimes stuffy world of ice-dance. They had the crowd roaring with another gorgeous, soaring lift that had Virtue bending backwards...her arms reaching to the rafters victoriously...her blades balancing on Moir's thighs!

They certainly took 'chemistry' to a new level!

Virtue was just 7 and Moir 9 when they were paired together by Moir's aunt...

it's a partnership, in the London, Ontario area, that kept growing with their love of skating.

Canada's longest-tenured team, credits those 2 decades and their legitimate desire to skate together...

for their uncanny ability to 'tell a story on ice.'

Moir, in the post-skate news conference stated,

“I would never even think about skating with someone else!”

Virtue comments, “We're very proud of our business relationship and it's been very special for 20 years,

“What They Said” from the Canadian Press

Kristie Yamaguichi (retired American skater): “A dance event with roller coaster emotions. Congratulations to Virtue/Moir on an awe-inspiring skate and history made.”

Dick Button (retired American skater): “ Your skate will be an iconic Olympic skating moment.”

Elvis Stojko (retired Canadian skater): Congratulations, you two!”

Arlene Dickinson (Canadian business woman and star in CBC's Dragon Den): “Tessa and Scott are what pure joy looks like. Magnificent!'

They skated for Canada: Always Their Dream!

“Sometimes, you will never know the true value of a moment,

until it becomes a memory!” (Unknown Author)

Behind the Scenes ~ According to Tessa Virtue

“We put ourselves out there and we're the only ones on the ice! But it takes a 'village' ~ we need to be surrounded by the right people...we learned to utilize the members of our team better...so we know we can rely on them...reach out for support...and approve things in a more scientific way.

Their choreographers vary from David Wilson and Sam Chouinard to our husband and wife coaches

(Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon) plus several other technicians.”

Surprise at the Games!

Hamilton, Ontario's “Arkells” (a Juno-winning rock band and favoured musicians of both Tessa and Scott, arrived at the Olympic Village to pay tribute to their special fans.) The Arkells played an unplanned 90-minute concert set at “Canada House” on Saturday evening in Pyeongchang before more than 600 people, including most of the Canadian athletes participating in the Games.

The band was introduced by Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir and were joined onstage by other well-known Olympians including silver-medal women's hockey team. Justine Dufour-La Poine (a silver-medal freestyle skier) came up to sing Stevie Wonder's 'Signed Sealed Delivered'. The band closed with its latest Juno nominated hit, “Knocking at the Door” which was adopted as the unofficial theme song of the Canadian team soon after the Olympics opened.

The Arkells were unexpectedly invited to South Korea the previous week, arriving as guests of the Canadian Olympic Committee...and without instruments...and no definite plans to perform. The COC managed to find enough gear to allow it to stage this impromptu concert...and put them up in a hotel 10 minutes from the Olympic Village.

Little things done and given may seem nothing, but they give peace

like those meadow flowers which individually seem odourless

but altogether, perfume the air. (Georges Bernanos)

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...February 26, 2018

All comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com

Winter Games ~ 2018

These Winter Games officially known as The XXIII Olympic Games ~ are more commonly known as PyeongChang 2018 ~ is an ongoing international multi-sport event ~ hosted by the 'county of PyeongChang, South Korea.' Selected as the 'host city' in 2011, it marks the first time that South Korea has hosted the Winter Olympics ~ and the second Olympics held in the country ~ the first being the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, the capital City of the Republic of South Korea.

These Games feature 102 events (the most ever) in 15 sports disciplines including 'new this year' :

Big Air Snowboarding...Mass Start Speed Skating...Mixed Doubles Curling...Mixed Team Alpine Skiing to the Winter Olympic program. A total of 2,952 athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees are slated to compete ~ including the debut of Ecuador, Kosovo, Malaysia, Nigeria and Singapore. In after 2 years of 'high-level-talks,' North Korea agreed to participate in the Games.

The two countries marched together during the Opening Ceremony

and agreed to field a unified women's hockey team.

Mascots for the Games: Soohorang (a white tiger) and Bandabi (an Asiatic Black Bear)

were unveiled on 2 June, 2016.

Luge: Sledding on Ice at 145 km/h

(Born and raised on a farm, my knowledge of sleds were for tobogganing, which we had and used frequently; we also had sleighs for child-play and for being horse-drawn by 1 or 2 horses.)

Luges? I'd not heard of them until tuned in to Olympic Games a few years ago!

A black and white photo by The Canadian Press published today, shows an action-drama photo:

Sam Edney of Canada competes in Run 3 of the men's singles luge event on Sunday.

This overhead 'shot' shows Sam, wearing a #25 bib and laying flat on his back while speeding his luge;

fans in the foreground cheer him on with flags and upraised arms!

Edney finished 6^th in his Olympic farewell race.

Victor Mather, from The New York Times writes about this race:

One of the most appealing things about luge is its name. Luge. It's like a sled whooshing down an icy track (it's actually a Swiss term for a small sled.) Luge feels familiar ~ it's like when you leapt onto your Flexible Flyer and steered down the hill with your feet. Only, these sleds weigh 23 kilograms and can hit speeds of 145 km/h. And then, there's the doubles luge. Is that one person just lying on top of the other person as they race down the icy track? Yeah, pretty much.

They've been lugeing in the Olympics since 1964. A lot of people remember back in the 1970's when some lugers wore conehead-style-helmets to gain an aerodynamic advantage (which are no longer allowed.) The start of the race is vital. The lugers push off with their hands as they sit facing forward on the sled and try to get going as speedily possible, aided by gloves that have spikes to grip the ice and propel the sled forward. They steer with their calves as they shoot around corners of the course.

(It causes me to wonder how when laying on their back(s) they see where they are going???)

It can be a dangerous sport. In 2010 in Vancouver, the day before the Olympian competition began, Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia flew off the track in a training run

and crashed into a steel beam. Sadly, he was killed.

Luge added a new event in 2010: the team relay! Each country sends one man, one woman and one men's double down the course, one after another. As each reaches the finish , they reach up and slap a board, which opens a gate to send the next racer down the icy track.

The total time of all 3 runs determines winners.

What They Said...(Compiled by The Canadian Press)

“I'm on the podium and I probably shouldn't even be here. So, I'm pretty stoked!”

Regina snowboarder Mark McMorris, on winning a bronze medal in 'slopestyle' less than a year after suffering multiple injuries in a crash in British Columbia.

I said to myself, “Listen, Max. You fell 2 straight times. You can't fall on your 3^rd final run! I had a lot of pressure and my heart was beating really fast before starting on the course. Talking to myself, “I've been snowboarding since I was 9 years old; it was already a victory that I was here at the Olympic Games.” Canadian snowboarder, Max Parrot on his silver-medal winning in 3^rd in slopestyle run.

(Best score of 3 runs determines the athelete's given score.)

“You just don't get too many shots at an Olympic medal, let alone an Olympic Gold Medal. I believe Canada has a great chance. We're a 'skating country...the choreographers...the coaches...the skaters that have come from our country are second to none.” Canadian ice dancer, Scott Moir...with chances for gold in the figure skating team event ~ which he and Tessa Virtue won!

“I crossed that finish line knowing that no matter what happened next, this was it! This was the best run I could put down at the right moment and now it's the judges' decision. If I could do something that I could be proud of, and knowing that I did everything I could, no matter what the medal is.” Canadian freestyle skier, Justine Dufour-Lapointe on winning silver in the women's moguls.

“That perfect race where you get into a flow and just fly to the finish ~ it doesn't always happen, but I made the most out of it ~ and I gave everything of myself. I'm really proud to be on the podium and it's a really big reward for my whole team.” Canadian speed-skater, Ted-Jan Bloemen finishing 2^nd in the men's 5,000 metres behind Dutch legend, Sven Kramer.

“Sixth place at the Olympics is still something to be really proud of ~ it's just not exactly what I was hoping for.” Luger Sam Edney, who raced his last Olympic men's singles race. His 6^th place is Canada's best-ever result in the event.

Alex Gough of Calgary ~

leads Canada's 8 lugers into the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea

where the country seeks its first Olympic Medal in the sport ~

and Gough is Canada's most decorated luge athlete

with 25 World Cup medals and 2 World Championship Bronze in women's singles.

Canada's team certainly has the depth of talent and experience

to 'battle for the top of the medal table'

and win more Winter Games medals than ever before.

We head into the Games, probably with our strongest team ever,”

said. Own the Platform chief executive officer, Anne Merklinger.

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...February 12, 2018

Comments appreciated: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com

"Around the Bay Road Race" History

The Story of the Stones: written by Paul Wilson and published in The Hamilton Spectator.

In Wiltshire, England, there is Stonehenge, a puzzling circle of 83 prehistoric standing stones.

In Hamilton, Canada, there are the nearly ancient dark-granite standing stones

of North America's oldest foot race.

The 'Around the Bay Road Race' is this Sunday, March 25. Thousands will run the coarse and most won't notice the three surviving mile markers erected when the race was young.

On a bitter Christamas Day, 1894, 13 men dressed in white shorts and numbered shirts

set out from Billy Carroll's Cigar Store on James Street North,

with citizens on bikes, horses and in buggies charging along behind.

The Hamilton Herald newspaper sponsored the run in the early years. The course is an even 30 km today, but in the beginning it was 19 miles, 168 yards. And they measured out the race in rock-solid fashion. Granite markers were produced, each about six feet tall, with the Herald name and the mile number engraved on each. They looked like cemetery stones, fashioned to the last an eternity.

But that was not to be.

In the mid-1920's, the race disappeared for a decade or so. Maybe, it was those years that the markers fell. The Spectator carried a short item December of 1954: “(Hamilton Beach) Police Chief, Howard Nickling has recovered many old Herald stones placed to mark the distance across the Beach from the Herald office when the marathon races were run around Hamilton Bay. They have been taken with others to the Beach Commission office to keep as part of the history of the Beach.”

Scott Howley wonders what happened to those stones that landed at the Beach Commission. But he does know the story of how one race marker on the Beach got liberated. It is the 5-Mile Herald marker.

In the beginning, it may have been along Woodward Avenue. But somehow, it ended up as a parking curb in the lot at Dynes Tavern, a Beach landmark built in 1847. The marker, discovered in the late 1980's, the tavern eventually mounted the stone out front of the establishment. On the evening of July 18, 2007, a band of heritage freedom fighters showed up at the Dynes with a Bobcat and spirited that stone to safety. The marker sat in more than one backyard on the beach, under tarps, for several years. And in the spring of 2011, the people themselves mounted the stone at the edge of Beach Boulevard, across from Hamilton Beach Convenience.

And now in Aldershot, ultra marathoner Les Michalak and others in the Burlington Runners Club plan to showcase the Herald Mile 15 stone in a granderway. It stands at the interstection of Plains Road West, near Spring Gardens Road. But it's partly hidden by overgrown vegetation. Through GoFundMe, the club has just started to raise money to move the stone closer to the street and add a bench, a plaque and some public art.

The final known survivor, the Herald Mile 17 stands just south of the High Level Bridge. Behind a chain link fence, it needs a plaque to tell its story. How about getting that done for next year, the 125^th anniversary of when those first sturdy souls set off to beat the bay?

Benefits of Long Distance Running and Marathons

The half-marathon (13.1 miles) is one of the fastest growing race distances with new races popping up all over the world. Reasons to give the distance a try:

You'll stay motivated to run.

You'll burn a lot of calories.

You'll experience lots of health benefits.

Yoy'll have a lifetime of bragging rights.

You'll discover new running partners.

You're less likely to get injured than if you travel for a full marathon.

It's not as time-consuming as training for a marathon.

You'll meet other runners.

You can support a 'cause.'

You'll get a medal and a shirt.

You can travel to new destinations.

Around the Bay Race Just Around the Corner

(excerpts from Carmela Fragomeni 's writing in the Hamilton Spectator)

“Our harbinger of Spring attracts thousands of runners and cheering spectators

happens Sunday, starting at 9:30 a.m. on York Boulevard at Bay Street North.

The Around the Bay is a 30-kilometre Hamilton-Burlington course that is 12 km shorter than a marathon. It follows the outline of Burlington Bay/Hamilton Harbour and goes through north and east Hamilton to Beach Boulevard into Burlington and along North Shore Boulevard back into Hamilton.

It is perhaps one of the most scenic races to run!”

Race director, Anna Lewis says, “It is the oldest race inNorth America, beginning three years before the Boston Marathon, the first marathon on the continent. The Around the Bay Race is a great race to train for local and far marathoners.

“The Around the Bay Race is iconic because of its rich traditions.

It's a celebrated and momentous community event with family and friends cheering on the personal triuimphs of loved ones who paricipate in the run, while fundraising for a good cause.

“The race dates back to 1894 and attracts participants ranging from fundraisers and challenge-lovers to elite and Olympic athletes. The top purse for each of the men's and women's winners is $4,000.

“For the past 14 years, the race has also been associated with fundraising for St.Joseph''s Healthcare,which asks participants to raise pledges for theorganization that includes St. Joseph's hospital inHamlton. St. Joe's has raised $3.3 million since it became associated with the race.

“The money raised goes to support the organization's greatest needs that year. It could go to patient care or equipment purchases, for example.

.

This year, there are about 8,500 runners registered so far.

But we expect another 300 to 400 to register on Friday and Saturday

at the free Health and Fitness Expo at First Ontario Place.

On page A6 of The Hamilton Spectator's March 21 `

issue

is a beautifully coloured map depicting the race course

bordering Hamilton Harbour, along the Beach Strip and around Burlington Bay.

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...March 21, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com

Winter's Forecast and Predictions

Part of Canada's appeal is its 'Four Seasons' ~ winter, spring, summer and fall (autumn) that offer changing landscapes...temperatures...climate...and accordingly, travel costs.

Facts About Canadian Weather

• As far as countries go, Canada is much the coolest; vying Russia as the coldest nation in the world.
• The lowest temperature ever recorded in Canada and North America was the village of Snag inYukon (February 3, 1947)
• More Canadian die each year from exposure to extreme cold temperatures, than from other natural events.
• Get the shovel(s) out! The greatest single-day-snowfall recorded was February 1, 1999 when Tahtsa, British Columbia was blasted with nearly a metre and a half of the white stuff.
• Canada's coldest city? A tie between Saskatoon and Regina (-50 degrees C) on Feb. 1, 1893.
• Canada can deliver a wide range of temperatures from cold winter nights to hot summer days.
• There's a saying in Canada that if you don't like the weathr, wait 5 minutes. In Pincher Creek, Alberta, the mercury soared from -19 degrees C to 22 degrees C in one hour.
• The Grand Banks off Newfoundland is considered the foggiest place in the world.
• One big wave on September 11, 1995, the QE2 ocean liner was caught in Hurricane Luis (off Newfoundland's coast) and hit by a 30-metre wave!
• Canadians invented the UV Index ~ a measure of the intensity of the sun's ultraviolet radiation in the sunburn spectrum. The sun's rays can do more damage to skin, eyes and immune systems
• which is now forecast in 48 locations across Canada.

Mark Twain's Observation:

“Climate is what we expect; weather is what we get!”

“Father Winter”

"Old Man Winter, "colour-cartooned by MacKay in the Spectator's January 27^th issue

portrays his view overlooking Hamilton's snow-topped buildings, snowy streets

and a freighter stranded in Lake Ontario's icy waters awaiting entry

to the Bay's mini-ice-burg islands ~ the sky, a cobalt blue!

Below this striking cartoon is Paul Benedetti's Winter opinion:

Baby, It's (too) Cold Outside!

“OK, it's official ~ I am against winter. I can tolerate November because I know December is coming and I can tolerate December because I know Christmas is coming. But once that's done, you're simply facing months of chilling wind...bitter cold...and darkness...and that's at home. Outside, it's horrible! The sub-zero temperatures in January, February and even March are awful and anyone who says they enjoy them, is deluded ~ or Norwegian.

“I hate cold weather! No one can tell me that cold weather is a good thing.

Human life began in Africa for obvious reasons: it's nice and hot there.

You can sleep outside and walk around nude most of the year.

“Contrast that with Canada where standing outside naked in January would cut your life short by approximately 68.5 years and 42 seconds, not to mention creating quite a stir with the neighbours. No humans were designed to exist in cold environments, hence the invention of the tuque. Even highly attractive people, once they don the tuque, look like a member of The Three Stooges ~ especially me!

“Outdoor winter sports are stupid: skating, take it to Florida to an indoor rink. Like a good Canadian parent, I used to bundle up the kids in snowsuits and tuques and trundle over to Churchill Park where a local firefighter, with a large hose, would make an ice rink for the neighbourhood. We would sit them on a bench in sub-zero temperatures and I would wedge their skates on their frozen feet with my frozen fingers. After lacing up 3 pairs of skates, plus my own, we headed onto the ice for recreational skating or what I liked to call 'falling down' ~ the kids did all right, though. After 6 or 7 minutes of this torture, they would demand that we go home for hot chololate. Adults love winter activities? Most I know, can't wait to get on a plane for the nearest tropical island! The rest are skiers.

(The foregoing are excerpts from Benedetti's writing...a frequent contributor to the Spec.)

Dear Paul (if I were to write to him) I'd Comment:

“I love our Canada's Four Seasons: the varieties of soft greens in early Spring ~ the aromas of lilacs, irises and summer roses ~ Jack Frost's palette of colours on deciduous trees. I was a skier for many years ~ thus this winter season presented, thanks to Mother Nature, that wonderful, crispy snow-scape of beauty, challenge and unfathomable excitement to arrive at a ski center in Ontario or south of the border, was unparalleled to any other sport.

Teachers, we four were, as we met Saturdays at 6 a.m.

stacking our skis and poles on Marnie's rooftop rack...

packing our boots and paraphernalia in the trunk,

then piled into her yellow Volkswagen...anxious to arrive at Blue Mountain in Collingwood or a ski resort close to Barrie, or points south to Holiday Valley, not far from Buffalo (for the day or weekend). Regardless of the weather,we just had to get there...even following the snowplow occasionally.

“Always, a 'buzz in the air' we'd arrive at the ski resort before the lifts opened'

have a cup of hot coffee, don our boots and tuques then head to the slopes!

Often the lift operators threw a blanket on the cold metal seats...we'd ride through the snow-laden pines to the top of the runs...then select our slope according to its degree of difficulty ~ and WHEE!

So exhilarating it was to swish through the frosty air and master the slopes and bumps to the tow line.

A pleasant surprise at Holiday Valley was an available lunch 'on one of the slopes'

with soups, hot biscuits, sandwiches, hotdogs off an open grill and hot or cold drinks

Simply ski right up to the table...and enjoy!

Extremely Cold Days

The coldest ski day ever, in Ontario was a day with my teenage son at Horseshoe Valley, near Barrie.

The wind unbearable...the air several degrees below zero...snow blown off some of the slopes exposing ice...the chill most penetrating! Following a hot lunch, we tempted the slopes again, but at 2 p.m. we called it a day, returning for hot chocolate at the inn and stowing our equipment in the car.

At Gray Rocks in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, Shirley and I and my son

spent a ski-week of instruction end of January.

Although mighty cold like Arctic air, the morning and afternoon ski instructors were great...the meals superb...accommodation A-1. It was bitingly cold; the lift operators' noses were running like little streams of icicles...their beards covered with frost...and wore heavy mitts as they loaded us on chair lifts. On each chair a blanket was provided which we returned on the empty chair as it coasted to the bottom. Due to the cold, my goggles clouded badly which resulted in a few tumbles.

Fortunately, a gentleman in my class bought me new snow-goggles next morning.

I was So Grateful...treating him to a beer the next afternoon at the fireside bar.

Scripted by Merle Baird-Kerr...January 28, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com

Epidemic Continuance

'Epidemic' is described as a wide-spread condition, situation, disease ~

affecting many in an area at once or spread in various places throughout the world.

The 'can of worms' has been opened ~ and unknown how long this disease will permeate our society!

I praise those women who had/have the courage to speak of their 'uncalled-for assaults.' It's not my intention to continue writing about the ongoing details; I list only a few of the already culprits being charged. Still there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of women and men in 'out-of the-spotlight positions, whose lives have been threatened by unwanted and uninvited sexual attention.

There will be more...and the list endless!

This is only 'the tip of the ice-burg!'

Trump Lawyer Brokered $130,000 Payment to Porn Star to prevent her from publically discussing an alleged sexual encounter with Trump, according to a report Friday in the Wall Street Journal. Trump met Stephanie Clifford (named Stormy Daniels in films) at a golf event in 2006 ~ a year after his marriage to his wife, Melania. Clifford began talking with ABC News in the fall of 2016 for a story involving an alleged relationship with Trump, but reached a $130,000 deal a month before the election, which prevented her from 'going public.' Trump's long-time attorney, Michael Cohen arranged for the payment through Clifford's lawyer, Keith Davidson, the Journal reported. Trump denies any such relationship with Clifford. Just days before the 2016 election, the Journal published a story stating that the National Enquierer ~ run by David Pecker, a fervid supporter of Trump ~ had paid $150,000 to silence former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal about a sexual relationship she allegedly had with Trump a decade ago. (Published by The Associated Press)

Franco Reportedly 'Hiding Out' After Being Accused of Sexually Inappropriate Behaviour. James Franco is being accused by 5 women. The actor skipped the Critics' Choice Awards on Thursday ~ where he won the award for Best Actor in “The Disaster Artist', The ceremony took place just hours after the L.A. Times published the stories of the five women. (New York Daily News)

Daniel Lipton Accused of 'Serious Sexual Assault' by Women from Hamilton 30 Years Ago: A sexual assault arrest warrant has been issued for a former artistic director of Opera Hamilton and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Once a high profile member of the Hamilton music scene, the warrant was issued nearly a year ago ~ in February 2017, while the maestro was artistic director at Opera Tampa in Florida ~ yet police have not arrested Lipton and do not currenlty know where he lives.

Lipton, now 76, left Opera Tampa suddenly six months ago

with a year still remaining in his contract. (The Associated Press)

Joshua Boyle, a Former Afghanistan Hostage has made a brief appearance in an Ottawa court on a string of assault charges. Boyle was arrested by Ottawa police around the start of the new year and faces 15 charges, including eight counts of assault, two of unlawful confinement and one count of causing someone to take a noxious 'thing' ~ an antidepressant. (The Canadian Press)

Albert Schultz Resigns Amid Sex Assault Allegations: The renowned co-founder of one of Canada's leading theater companies resigned just days after four actresses alleged in lawsuits that he sexually had harassed them with impunity for years. In a statement, the board of directors of Toronto's 'Soulpepper Theatre Company' which previously said it had relieved artistic director, Albert Schultz, of his responsibilities pending an investigation, and had accepted his resignation effective immediately.

Peter Martins to Retire from NYC Ballet: After accusations of sexual harassment and physical and verbal abuse, Peter Martins, the powerful leader of the New York City Ballet has decided to retire. Five City Ballet dancers came forward to describe verbal and physical abuse as far back as 1993. “I have denied that I have engaged in any such misconduct,” said Martins, 71,”and believe I'll be vindicated.”

Tom Ashbrook Facing Misconduct Allegations: The host of one of National Public Radio's most successful programs, Tom Ashbrook was placed on leave amid allegations that he subjected nearly a dozen subordinates to 'creepy' sex talk and unwanted advances. Ashbrook's “On Point' show allegedly made at least 11 young male and female co-workers uncomfortable with lengthy sex rants; he allegedly also subjected the staffers to unwanted hugs, back or neck rubs. (reported from New York)

McNabb, Davis Join List of former NFL Stars Suspended: Donovan McNabb and Eric Davis, former National Football League players who host shows on ESPN Radio, were suspended by the network as the fallout continued from a lawsuit claiming sexual harassment and assault. NFL Network also suspended analysts Marshall Faulk, Heath Evans and Ike Taylor 'pending investigation,' in response to the suit. Eric Weinberger, president of the Bill Simmons Media Group and a former NFL Network executive, was suspended by the media group as a result of allegation made about him in the lawsuit.

Famed Conductor Accused of Sexual Misconduct: Three opera singers and a classical musician in the United States say that world-renowned conductor, Charles Dutoit, who had a 25-year run with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, sexually assaulted them ~ physically restraining them, forcing his body against theirs , sometimes thrusting his tongue into their mouths, and in one case sticking one of their hands down his pants. In separate interviews with The Associated Press, the accusers provided detailed accounts of incidents they say occurred between 1985 and 2010 in a moving car, the two-time Grammy winner's hotel suite, his dressing rooom, an elevator and the darkness of backstage.

In a long, distinguished career, he travelled the globe as a guest conductor. Four women stated that the Swiss born conductor either lured them to a private place to discuss or practise music, or simply seized a moment alone to'make his move.' The women said they resisted him and escaped. The women said they never filed formal complaints because they were young and Dutoit was the maestro, but they felt inspired to come forward now by all the women speaking out about sexual misconduct by powerful men in other industries and by the Metropolitan Opera suspending conductor James Levine earlier, after misconduct accusations surfaced. (published by The Associated Press)

The Biggest Hollywood Story of the Year!

Reported by Mark Kennedy in New York: The Associated Press names Weinstein Accusers as its Entertainer of the Year. Arguably the biggest thing that came from Hollywood this year wasn't a movie or a TV show. It had heroines and villains, but no script. And it went virile despite having no big publicity behind it. The women who initially spoke out against sexual misconduct in Hollywood this past fall, inspired millions to tell their own stories of harassment and illegality on social media have been named The Associated Press Entertainer of the Year, voted by members of the news co-operative and AP entertainment reporters. The wave of sexual misconduct allegations that have streteched across the country to fell prominent TV figures, chefs, journalists, entertainers, politicians and publishers was also named the top news story of 2017 in an SP poll.

The Hamiton Spectator featured in its December 22 issue

colour photos of 12 women assaulted by Harvey Weinstein.

Merle Baird-Kerr...January 7, 2018

To comment: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com

March's Notable Days

This third month clearly reminds me of Sousa's band music...the delightful 'March of the Penguins'...and the adage that 'if March comes in as a lamb, it exits as a lion'!

And it is this time of year when Mother Nature makes a seasonal transition.

Be of Good Faith: “No Winter Lasts Forever”

and that no Spring skips its turn. (Hal Borland)

Or perhaps you believe as Charles Dickens: “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold; when it is summer in the light and winter in the shade.”

According to my March calendar's colour photo of Yellow Warblers:

Medium-sized, they they are found throughout most of Canada during their breeding season in overgrown fields, pastures as well as in wet thickets and areas of regrowth. Yellow warblers migrate to Central America and northern South America for the winter months. Named for their striking yellow colour, some suggest they are the brightest yellow of North American wood-warblers.

March 1 is Movie Night in our complex's Common Room at 7 p.m.

Scheduled is “Defiance” starring Daniel Craig.

March 8 celebrates International Women's Day: the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a 'call to action' for acending gender parity.

March 11 is change to 'Daylight Saving Time' for Canada (except Saskatchewan) beginning Sunday at 2:00 a.m. Whereby local clocks are turned forward one hour. There will be much more light in the evening for farm operators and city-dwellers.

March 15: “Movie Night at 7 p.m.in the Common Room ~ Salmon Fishing in the Yemin`

Never iron a 4-leaf clover because you 'don' want to press your luck!

March 17: St. Patrick's Day ~ also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration of this saint honouring the foremost patron saint of Ireland. It's also the day when I'm another year younger and another year wiser!

March 20 marks the First Day of Spring which no longer falls on March21. Now the vernal equinox for the Northern Hemisphere) comes at 2:15 p.m. Enjoy the Spring Equinox facts, folklore and photos

March 22, World Water Day focuses attention on the importance of universal access to clean water, to sanitation (washing) facilities in developing countries. The day focuses also on advocating for the sustainable management of fresh water resouces.

March 25: Palm Sunday when many Christians in Canada remember Jesus Christ's triuimphant entry into Jerusalem which marks the beginning of Holy Week ~ being the Sunday before Easter Sunday.

March 25: “Around the Bay Race in Hamilton is a 30 km. And 5 km. length. It is the oldest race on the continent. The first race was in 1894 ~ 3 years before the Boston Marathon. In 2005, The Around the Bay Race partnered with St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation and for the first time, became a fund-raising event.

March 30 is Good Friday and when Passover begins.

March's History

Since March was the first month of the New Year in ancient Rome, some historians believed the Romans named March after Mars ~ the Roman God of War. According to the Julian and Gregorian calendars, March is the third month.

Aquamarine is the modern birthstone for the month of March.

Aquamarine is a variety of beryl which is the same gemstone family

as the emeralds and morganite.

Bloodstone is sometimes considered an alternate birthstone

since it is the zodiac stone for Aries (those born March 21-April 20)

Special People Born in March

Vincent van Gogh ~ March 30, 1853 (painter)

Albert Einstein ~ March 14, 1879 (German scientist)

William Shatner ~ March 22, 1931 (Canadian actor)

Elton John ~ March 25, 1947 (American musician and singer)

Mariah Carey ~ March 27, 1940 (musician)

Jessica Biel ~ March 3, 1982) (actress)

Justin Bieber ~ March 1, 1994 (Canadian singer/songwriter)

Eric Clapton ~ British musician

May Good Luck be with you wherever you go

and your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.

A Weird Conjecture (?)

Have you ever noticed?

Especially, after watching Olympic Games broadcasters...regular television pesonalities...and friends with whom you are having coffee: how greatly they 'talk with their hands'! This habit I've noticed for years (as perhaps you have). It was definitely noticeable how persons' hands, seem to aid the 'teller' in telling his story (they most surely must believe). But what is so characteristic these days is that not only does media coverage display this type of 'body language' it has become an everyday-type of habit which I find disconcerting! Picture this:

What we see are 'claws' which I find unsightly!

Instead of keeping their fingers together intact with their hand(s), many display fingers totally outspread, along with the thumb giving the hand, often a distracting gesture...

and with these integers (or whatever they're called) they draw attention to these claw-like hand positions...waving before you or in front of the cameraman or televsion screen.

To me, hands are beautiful and should increase ~ rather than decrease their presentation.

These hand displays strongly remind us, how truly we belong to the 'animal world'!

Best solution? Sit on your hands until habit is broken!

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...March 1, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com

Pandora's Box ~ Part 2

Renee Zellweger's Comments re Sexual Harrassment

“The women who have spoken about their abuse are brave and heroic and although I didn't have a personal experience like this in multiple films with Harvey Weinstein, I unfortunately cannot say I'm surprised. This culture has always existed, not just in Hollywood, but across the world. And many men in positions of power have gotten away with it for far too long. We cannot blame the victims here.

A lot of these women are young ~ just starting out in their respective fields, and have absolutely no way to stand up to a man with so much influence, much greater than theirs. If they speak up, they are shut down...and that could be the end of their career.

This is all a positive step forward in changing that culture...

and these young women need to know that they have a 'support system'

should anything like this happen to them.”

Former NFL, CFL star Moon Denies Sexual Harassment Claims, writes Adam Kilgore, published in The Washington Post. “Famed quarterback, Warren Moon denied claims made against him in a lawsuit by a California woman who worked at the sports marketing agency he led, according to a statement released by a lawyer representing him. The lawsuit, filed in California by Moon's executive assistant at Sport 1 Marketing, alleged that Moon required the plaintiff, Wendy Haskell, to wear thong underwear and sleep in his bed on work trips, among other accusations.” Mr. Moon contends these claims are meritlesss and he has every intention to vigorously defend himself in court.”

“Moon, 61, had served as an analyst on the Seattle Seahawks' radio network.

Moon requested and received a 'temporary' leave of absence from the network.

“Moon hired Haskell, 32, in July. She frequently travelled with Moon for speaking engagements, charity events and other meetings, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges Moon committed sexual battery by grabbing Haskell's crotch during a trip to Seattle this year. The suit also accuses Moon of pulling off the woman's bathing suit after slipping a drug into her drink during a separate trip to Mexico in October. Moon insisted she would lose her job if she did not comply...and that his former assistant 'accepted the same arrangement,' the lawsuit claims.

“Moon retired after a 17-year NFL career in 2001 as one of the most prolific passers in league history after winning 5 Grey Cups and 2 Grey Cup MVP awards with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. Though he won the 1989 Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his charity and on-field excellence, his career was also pockmarked with scandals involving women.

In May, 1995, a Vikings cheerleader sued Moon and accused him of sexual harassment,

alleging that he offered her cash for sex. The case was settled out-of-court within days.

Metropolitan Conductor Denies Sex Allegations: “James Levine denied allegations of sexual misconduct made against him. In a statement to The New York Times, Levine called the accusations unfounded and stated that anyone who truly know him will attest that he is not an oppressor or an aggressor. The opera suspended Levine on Sunday after the Times published accounts from 3 of the accusers who say Levine sexually abused them when they were teenagers. A 4^th accuser later came forward. The conductor says he wants to continue working at the Met ~ and that his fervent hope is that, in time, people will come to understand the truth.”

NYC Ballet Chief Accused of Harassment Takes Leave: Peter Martins, the influential leader of the New York City Ballet for 3 decades, has taken a 'leave of absence' pending an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment. The company confirmed that 71-year-old Martins was granted a temporary leave from the company and the affiliated School of American Ballet until an independent investigation concluded...following an anonymous letter accusing Martins of past sexual harassment. The Washington Post reported that a former City Ballet dancer, Kelly Boal, had accused Martins of grabbing and shaking her in a violent way during a 1989 confrontation.

'X-Men' Director, Accused of Sexual Assault in Lawsuit: Bryan Singer, who directed “Superman Returns” and several “X-Men movies , was accused in a lawsuit Thursday of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy at a party more than a decade ago. In the lawsuit, Cesar Sanchez-Guzman said he met Singer for the first time at the the 2003 party, which took place on a yacht in Seattle, when he offered to give him a tour of the boat. While showing him the Master Bedroom, according to the lawsuit, Singer shut the door behind him and demanded sex from Sanchez-Guzman. After he refused, the lawsuit says, Singer pushed him on the bed and sexually assaulted him.

(Tis said, Taking risks is OK ~ but you must be prudent!)

“Later, Bryan Singer approached Cesar and told him that he was a producer in Hollywood and that he could help Cesar get into acting as long as Cesar never said anything about the incident. He then told Cesar that no one would believe him if he ever reported it...and that he could hire people who are capable of ruining someone's reputation. Singer, categorically denies these allegations.

Singer was fired in recent days from directing 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

In 2014, another man, Michael Egan, accused Singer of drugging him

when he was a minor in1999. Egan, later dropped the lawsuit.

(the foregoing 3 incidents were reported through “Wire Services”)

Charlie Sheen Sues Tabloid Over Assault Allegations: Charlie Sheen is suing the National Enquirer, saying that the magizine defamed him by alleging he sexually assaulted teen actor Corey Haim. In papers filed Friday in Los Angeles, Sheen called the tabloids allegations ridiculous and disgusting.

The Enquirer's November 8^th edition includes a quote from actor Dominick Brascia, saying he was in his mid-teens and Sheen around 20, Sheen and Haim (who died in 2010), both appeared in the 1986 release “Lucas.” Brascia told the Enquirer that the assault came during the film's production. Sheen is seeking unspecified damages. (Published December 12 by News Services)

Maura Judkis and Emily Heil wrote December 12^th that celebrity chef, Mario Batali has taken leave from his restaurants and co-hosting duties on ABC's “The Chew” after the website 'Eater' reported Monday that 4 women, all unnamed, have accused Batali of sexual harassment. One woman described 2 instances where Batali made inappropriate and unwelcome physical contact witrh her, while the others alleged that Batali groped their breasts and buttocks at industry parties. Three of them worked for him, while the fourth works in the industry.

Batali has stepped away from operations of his empire of 26 restaurants

worldwide which he co-owns with restauranteur Joe Bastianich.

He apologized in a statement to Eater saying, “I apologize to the people I have mistreated and hurt. Although the identities of most of the individuals mentioned in these stories, have not been revealed to me, much of the behaviour described, does in fact.”

The Food Network has stated, “Matters like this we take very seriously

and we are putting relaunch plans for 'Molto Mario' on hold.

News reports over the years show that his restaurants, were a place where sexual comments and behaviour went unpunished. Employees at Babbo, Batali's Italian restaurant in New York, have been the source of several complaints.

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...December 12, 2017

To comment: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com