We found several examples of this mushroom today, this one being the largest. Gills are unattached. There is no ring and no vulva. The stalk seems to have an extension going below the surface of the ground.
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Lactarius deliciosus?
I was out in some unfamiliar forests today with my brother Salvelinas. We found only one sample of this mushroom, in a pine forest. It looks like it could be the edible Lactarius deliciosus.
UPDATE: Salvelinas says it is likely not Lactarius deliciosus because the mushroom we found doesn’t stain green. He suggests it is more likely Lactarius thyinos, also an edible.
Slime
I’m no expert on slime molds, so don’t be asking me to identify this one. It’s very striking, isn’t it?
Esteban “Steve” Jordan RIP
Conjunto great Steve Jordan has died at 71. Steve Jordan was one fantastic squeezebox player, and a huge figure in the conjunto world. He turned that music on its head, making it jazzy, adding effects, creating a personal vision within a traditional music.
You can hear some of his music by going to this NPR profile.
It’s that song again…
It seems as if every time I tune the radio to CBC Radio 2, I hear a song called Warhol’s Portrait of Gretzky by Hawksley Workman. Considering how much different music is made in Canada every year, it’s remarkable that I would hear this one particular song so many times. I don’t have anything against the song really, nor against Mr. Workman for that matter. I guess I have a neutral opinion about it. It’s just weird that the CBC plays it so much.
They seem to have a curious formula, if you want to call it that, over there. They really push a handful of tunes by Canadian performers and mix those in with recognizable and successful pop classics. I’m happy they’re giving airplay to Canadian performers. It just seems weird that a small number of performers seem to get a lot of play.
I don’t know if my observation holds true across all the shows on the station. Mostly my listening is confined to the afternoon programming once I get home from work and Molly Johnson’s show weekend mornings.
Has anyone else picked up on this?
Nice Sweaters and a Jug of Punch
When I was a kid, I used to have a scratchy old record by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. I listened to the record until it was unplayable. Tuffy P and I had a chance to see the late Tommy Makem play a few years ago, and he played all those songs. I haven’t thought about those guys in quite a while, but after seeing Ramblin’ Jack last night, I thought about some of the characters who were part of that NY folk seen back in the early 60s. Here’s a taste of The Clancy’s and Tommy Makem, just because…..
No G in Ramblin’
Ramblin’ Jack Elliott pointed out last night at Hugh’s Room that there’s no G in his name. It’s a apostrophe. He also pointed out that he doesn’t like being photographed while he’s playing, and especially not if there’s a flash involved. He said it causes him to forget the words to songs he’s known for 50 years. That didn’t stop the guy in front of me from shooting as much video of the show as he could manage. For him, enjoying the show just wasn’t going to be enough.
Usually, when we go out to see a musician perform, we expect that we’re going to see a set show. The musician works up a bunch of songs and travels around playing more or less the same set list every night. Not so with Jack Elliott. He did come on stage with a set list, written on a piece of cardboard, and a couple times during the show, he put on his sun glasses and tried to read what was on the list, but mostly a Ramblin’ Jack Elliott show is a stream of story and song that more or less seems to guide itself.
When he played Death Don’t Have no Mercy in this Land, it brought back memories of my youth, when I found a record by Reverend Gary Davis featuring that tune and played it over and over until every note resonated with me. Death never takes a vacation in this land. He comes to your house and he won’t stay long. Look in the bed you’ll find your mother gone. Death never takes a vacation in this land.
Elliott is in his late 70s now, and the years show, but he’s still got a lot of story and song to share. Some of those stories, I’ve heard before in one form or another. They change of course. I recall my father telling me about story telling. Son, never let facts get in the way of a good story. We heard about Cesar, the husky/Australian Shepard mix dog who was Mr. Elliott’s road manager, and we heard how Ramblin’ Jack would let Cesar drive when he needed to go in the back of the camper for a nap. Cesar must have been one special road manager.
Last night, we heard Arthritis Blues, Diamond Joe, Old Shep, and more, and for an encore Ramblin Jack played one of his few musical compositions, 912 Greens, a long story-song about a road trip from New York to New Orleans back in 1953, with Frank Hamiliton and Guy Carawan. Fantastic.
Jack Elliott knows a lot of songs, a lot of people and a lot of stories. He’s a link to so much American roots music and musical history. How many people can talk first hand about hanging out with Woody Guthrie? He has a way of making a song his own, and extracting as much emotional life from a song as possible. It’s a tremendously inspiring thing to watch. There aren’t many people like Ramblin’ Jack around these days. What a terrific experience to attend one of his shows!
Another Ward 6 Profile
Yesterday’s Ward 6 Profile led to the lowest hit count this blog has received since its inception. Are you folks trying to tell me something? Nonetheless, I’m going to sally forth with this because I think its important.
Today’s profile features Pastor Wendell Brereton, the second candidate to respond to my questions.
I’ll have a third profile featuring Jem Cain soon.
So, here are the questions and Pastor Brereton’s answers
1. Why Ward 6? Do you have some history in this area? Please tell my readers a little about your background.
I grew up next door in Ward 13 in the Swansea Mews at Windermere and Queensway. I am a Canadian Citizen of Caribbean origins. I was raised by a single mother who was able to motivate me towards graduating High school and receiving a basketball Scholarship to an American University. I graduated with an accounting degree and played briefly in the NBA. I returned back to Toronto after university and worked in the Accounting field before becoming a police officer with the Ontario Provincial Police. I served over 12 years in this capacity being decorated by the Commisionner for bravery in 2002. I retired on a disability allotment in 2006 due to injuries suffered in a severe car accident while on duty in response to an emergency. I am currently the chair of a corporation that is focused on youth programs for at risk and autistic children. I am an ordained Christian Reverend of 4 churches two of which are located in the United States of America and two of which are in Toronto. I am currently the senior Pastor of a church in the Regent Park area. I have worked in the community as an activist for social reform for 18 years. I am a father of five children and a husband and pet owner.
2. What are your top 3 priorities for our neighbourhood?
1/ Economic development, ensuring that businesses in the Ward are sustainable and the Ward is attractive to new business. Respecting our tax payers and causing transparency in city hall especially in government spending.
2/ Ensuring the crime rate of Ward 6 continually declines by a tiered effort of police presence, youth programs, and job creation in the private sector.
3/ Transportation express routes to ensure the residents of the Ward can rapidly get into the down-town core in peak hours.
3. This year, we’ve experienced a large number of break-ins in Longbranch. Can you influence change and improvement in this area?
I will do a target study of what type of criminal we see in the area. I regularly consult with security companies in this capacity. This way we will be able to target what we are able to do to maintain a crime free Ward. Is police presence an issue, unemployment an issue, lack of programs or is it crime from out of the area. I will do an assessment myself of the criminal element and the vulnerable sectors of the Ward for free. I will hit the ground running with real solutions how to cause criminals to know Ward 6 is the last place in Toronto to attempt any form or criminal behaviour. My relationship with the Chief of Police and other local law enforcement officers carries weight now and will carry even more weight as a Councillman for Ward 6.
4. What is your position on the proposal to run a dedicated TTC LRT line through our community? Do you have alternative ideas?
I believe that we should be very careful about transportation construction that might cause a greater determent to the struggling business community. I do believe an express bus in peak hours is advisable inorder to avoid the Humber loop delays. Our listening tour in the coming weeks will allow us to hear from you and see what you want.
5. Do you think we have adequate community consultation currently in our area? If not, how would you improve this?
My first role as the Councillor of Ward 6 will be to form a diverse accountability committee. A committee of Ward 6 residents of various backgrounds which will speak to the plethora of concerns and be able to give me advise and insight as to the totality and continuity of real issues in our Ward.
6. What is good development and what is bad development? Ward 6 is an unusual treasure in the city. What should be preserved and what should be changed?
Bad development is capital and infrastructure development that punishes the business owner. Good development is development that creates jobs, develops our amazing lake-shore, improves the liveability, and revitalizes both buildings and people.
We need to maintain the affordable housing in our Ward. We need to encourage restaurants and water sport recreational businesses. We also need a face-lift of certain storefronts. Continuing developing recreation and parks and identifying if the Ward wants to increase its bike lanes are a focus of my bid for Ward 6 Council chair.
7. Who do you support for mayor?
We have endorsed Rob Ford for Mayor.
8. We’ve seen councillors spend their office budgets on all sorts of creative things from French lessons to retirement parties, and we’ve seen others spend nothing at all. What is appropriate in your view? How will you be accountable as a councillor?
My councillor budget is first for the proper administration of the office of my Ward 6 constituents. You will know my expenditures because you will see that what my office spends money on is for you.
9 Our City Council has been dysfunctional for a number of years. The behaviour of councillors has often been childish at best. How will you contribute to improvement in this area?
A fragmented city council is the sign of a fragmented city. We need to reach across the table and cooperate with each other and support the Mayor who the residents of the city of Toronto votes into office. I will be the voice of reform and a bridge maker in city hall. I will stand up for my constituents and not allow corruption in municipal government.
10. What are the top 3 reasons why we should vote for you for Ward 6 Councillor?
1. I am the one councillor who has the portfolio of neighbourhood policing, business acumen, and community programming for at risk and vulnerable persons especially our elderly community. I can make connections with community youth, community leaders and professional athletes to make sure our youth are motivated to succeed.
2. I have the negotiation and partnership skills to make city hall work and invite private investors and development to our ward. I will work with the mayor to make sure you are heard at City Hall. The taxpayer is my number one concern. Your homes, your businesses your families must be safe, successful and prospering. I will make sure big business and small business alike thrives in Ward 6.
3. I will be side by side with you in any issue, answering my phone calls meeting with constituents and solving problems as they arise. I have lived at every economic level and understand the concerns of all socio economic income levels. I will not hide from you I will be an active member of Ward 6. Ward 6 we will be the envy of the city in my first term, we will be the template of transformational success. We will be the apple of Toronto’s eye. Residents of Ward 6 elect Wendell Brereton for Councillor on October 25 2010 help is on the Way
Ward 6 profiles
Those of you who don’t live in my neighbourhood will likely not be so interested in this post, so I invite you to explore some of the excellent blogs on my sidebar.
We have a municipal election upcoming in Toronto, so I asked the three registered candidates for the councillor’s gig in my ward 10 questions by email. The first to respond was Michael Laxer. Even though I had sent him the questions in the late evening, he responded with the following answers very quickly, in around an hour. Full marks go to Michael for responsiveness. Here’s what Michael had to say:
1. Why Ward 6? Do you have some history in this area? Please tell my readers a little about your background.
I live, do business and work in Ward 6 everyday. My family and I owned Used Book Paradise at 30th St. from 2001-2009 and then moved it to New Toronto where we operate as Community Roots Books Movies & Art. I live around the corner from my business and my children go to Second St. School. This is my neighbourhood, which I know and love, and I want to represent it and advocate for it.
2. What are your top 3 priorities for our neighbourhood?
My top three priorities for this neighbourhood are increased public transit, greater access to FREE public services for children and adults, and working to ensure that the city services we, as citizens and taxpayers, pay for remain in public hands and are no longer cut the way they have been in the past.
3. This year, we’ve experienced a large number of break-ins in Longbranch. Can you influence change and improvement in this area?
As your city councillor I will advocate for the reopening of 21 division and the implementation of a foot-patrol community based policing strategy on Lake Shore Blvd and other major strips.
4. What is your position on the proposal to run a dedicated TTC LRT line through our community? Do you have alternative ideas?
I support, in full, the Transit City plan adopted by council.
5. Do you think we have adequate community consultation currently in our area? If not, how would you improve this?
I feel that all too often the level of consultation depends on the willingness of the local councillor to engage in it. I personally support the enhancement and creation of local consultative bodies that will play an advisory role to council, but ultimately we hold elections in a democracy to decide these issues. Thus I favour term limits for all council members including the mayor and proportional civic voting.
6. What is good development and waht is bad development? Ward 6 is an unusual treasure in the city. What should be preserved and what should be changed?
Etobicoke Lakeshore is home to the city’s finest waterfront public parks and spaces. Nowhere else in Toronto can you experience Lake Ontario as you can here. It is essential that this heritage be maintained and preserved and that neither development nor unnecessary changes be made to these parks. One clear and essential component in this struggle is to fight for the elimination of the Ontario Municipal Board. However, it is essential that we not oppose necessary development and that we consider the long term positive benefits of growth in our community.
7. Who do you support for mayor?
Joe Pantalone.
8. We’ve seen councillors spend their office budgets on all sorts of creative things from French lessons to retirement parties, and we’ve seen others spend nothing at all. What is appropriate in your view? How will you be accountable as a councillor?
We elect councillors to represent and SERVE us. A councillor who spends nothing is, by definition, a do nothing councillor, and the only one who does so also still works for his father’s business! I favour opening an office on Lake Shore Blvd. if elected, with a full time staff to help, everyday, to meet the concerns of citizens when and as needed. This costs money, but it gives representation.
I will say that too often publicly funded events and works are seized as an opportunity for councillors to self-promote on the public dime. Publicly funded events should not be an opportunity for city councillors to advertise their eventual re-election campaigns.
Our councillors need to know what their cuts to services or programs mean to the average citizen. The most direct way to do this is by indexing the salaries of city councillors to reflect the wage made by the average Torontonian. No more, no less.
Many other “perks” of office need review. If council is all too regularly prepared to take away the “perks” that we ourselves pay for as citizens, through the cuts or placing of user fees on city programmes and city services, then they should not themselves be granted perks the ordinary citizen funds but is not privy to, beyond those needed to serve the public.
9. Our City Council has been dysfunctional for a number of years. The behaviour of councillors has often been childish at best. How will you contribute to improvement in this area?
Democracy often appears dysfunctional and I do not believe that people should all strive for consensus. We are entitled to disagree and, as we have been elected by voters we need to continue to advocate for that for which we were elected, not to try to get along with everyone in the hopes of one day being a Liberal or Tory cabinet minister. Ultimately, if you want change then we need to elect new people!
10. What are the top 3 reasons why we should vote for you for Ward 6 Councillor?
My desire to preserve and expand public services, public transit and civic democracy, all of which we pay for, and is our right, as citizens and taxpayers.
Thank you very much Michael for participating and for your prompt and direct answers to my questions. Tomorrow, I’ll be posting the answers sent to me by the second candidate to respond, Pastor Wendell Brereton. So far, I have not heard back from the third candidate, Jem Cain, but I’m still hopeful that I’ll receive a response. At a later date, I’ll offer up some commentary on the answers set forth by the candidates.
If Ward 6 readers have additional questions, feel free to pose them in the comments section here. I expect the candidates will monitor those. One of the reasons I’m creating these Ward 6 profile posts is to encourage people in my neighbourhood to get involved, find out what the candidates think, and to get out and vote in October.
Alf Hågedal
Check out Mr. Hågedal’s super funky accordion, which seems to be a combination of chromatic button accordion and piano accordion. What an interesting machine.
27th Street 