Scamming Aunt Mildred
I’m still reeling from the news. The national press reported a few days ago that the mighty Internet retailer Amazon.com has patented a system for surreptitiously returning unwanted gifts. The system is being referred to as “Aunt Mildred.” According to Amazon, gift recipients have the option to “convert all gifts from Aunt Mildred” before delivery—in […]
Tell me a story
It started, several years ago, with the birth of a very close friend’s first child. What started? Well, my storybook buying spree. I had it all planned. I’d started with one of my favourites, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, and then head off to see what the shelves of Books & Co. had to […]
Christmas letters
Every year, at Christmas time, we receive a couple of letters from friends. Snail mail letters. Sounds nice, right? Snail mail letters from friends. But, ya know the kind I’m talking about – the dreaded, preachy, braggy Christmas newsletters on festive stationery. These letters aren’t in any way, shape or form, personal. Just fluffy lists […]
Christmas wines
With Lili’s Christmas dinner, I recommend this new addition to the Varietals grown in the County by Keint-He Winery & Vineyards. I refer to their 2007 Pinot Meunier for $40. This varietal is not yet readily known here but stands proud to produce super wines. Pinot Meunier is better known in the production of champagne, […]
2010 in review
The year is almost finished The Christmas bells will chime Let’s mosey ’round the year that’s past And put our thoughts to rhyme Six horses in the race for mayor For five it would be curtains And who should canter into first But our own Peter Mertens In the cutthroat world of donuts He played […]
Ultimate fighting
Just plain wrong Last weekend patrons filled the Bell Centre in Montreal to watch the latest Canadian chapter in the ultimate fighting experience. It was entitled UFC 124, indicating that one of the sponsoring organizations had promoted one hundred and twenty-three previous experiences. For a certain segment of society, these are cool events. There is […]
The list
I guess lots of folks are busy getting every little thing ready for the holidays and I’m sure, in the back of your minds, the Christmas gift list is slowly being replaced by the resolutions for the New Year list. Me, too. I try not to think about “A New Year, a New You,” but […]
Aaah, Christmas cookies…
Let’s examine the subject of wine as a commodity. In the early Neolithic centers the wine producers would transport wine to the markets in reed boats covered by animal hides, down the river. Accompanying the precious cargo of wine would be a donkey, to carry their exchange goods home, as the reed boats were unable […]
Goodbye to the Grand Old Girl
DukeDome closes It is never easy to say goodbye. But like an old pair of sneakers, the Wellington and District Community Centre on Niles Street is tired, and weary, and the time has come to bid farewell. That occasion will be this coming Friday night for the Wellington Dukes. They will take the ice at […]
Yes, Virginia
December. It’s here. It’s cold outside. The snow decided to tough it out. The parades are done and the lists are made and the parking lots at the shopping centres are full. The Sally Ann bells are ringing (maybe even at the Eaton Centre) and the CAS Angels are on the tree. The Food Bank […]