May 15, 2010
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Nothing’s Impossible

I’m listening to the new CD by soul master Solomon Burke. This music is produced by the late Willie Mitchell, who died in January of this year. What a great partnership.

The combination of Burke’s magical voice, gospel organ, lush strings and punchy soul horns is hard to resist. Canadian music fans will recognize one of the songs for sure – You Needed Me was recorded by Anne Murray in 1978. The song was written by Nashville songwriter Randy Goodrum. It turns out it’s a perfect soul vehicle for Burke, who is at his best throughout these sessions.

Some readers will say, how typical, Anchovy hears new music in a 40 year old genre and thinks it’s the best thing since sliced bread. Let me say though, there is no accordion on the whole recording, OK (there is some pretty sexy organ Hammond Organ though!). This one is going to get a lot of play around Anchovy World Headquarters. Tuffy P loves it too.

May 14, 2010
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Resting Comfortably

Ellie Mae was spayed today. As a mature dog and a big dog, this is a bigger deal than with a pup. She came through it fine though, and is resting comfortably. Meanwhile, Tuffy P has had a sinus infection and a bad cold for over a week now. Of course I’ve picked it up and I’m on my second day of sore throat. I’ve been lethargic and at least a little cranky all day.

May 14, 2010
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Jigs ‘n reels from Newfoundland

Mighty fine accordion. That player’s name is Jamie Spurvey and he sure can cook.

Here’s a nice Scottish piece adapted by a Newfoundland player

Here’s the Fogo Island Accordion Group

And here’s one more featuring Jamie Spurvey again, with Gordon Cormier.

May 13, 2010
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University Ave bike lanes defeated

Readers of this blog know that I support building a great network of bike lanes in Toronto, a network that enhances the city without creating traffic chaos. I thought the idea of bike lanes on University Ave was destined for disaster. Let’s run the bike lanes on smaller downtown streets and emphasize cars on the main arteries. The experiment isn’t going to happen though – at least not for a while – because the idea has been defeated at City Council.

What’s interesting about this particular vote is that the motion was defeated because Councillor Paula Fletcher pressed the wrong button. You just can’t make this stuff up. Not only do we have to worry that our Councillors take positions that are good for the city, it seems we also have to worry that they manage to work out how to vote for the position they support.

I’ve mentioned before in this space that I think the more new Councillors we get at City Hall after the next election, the healthier it will be for Toronto.  Am I being too sweeping here? If so, tell me which Councillors you think should be returned to office and why. I’m open for an education on this.

A recent comment  suggested we need a smaller council. Yesterday, 28 votes were cast for the bike lane motion, but we have 44 Councillors + the Mayor. Where were the missing 16 Councillors? Perhaps attendance at Council should be taken and published in the newspapers? I don’t know if it is normal for there to be so many Councillors missing, but if it is, I have to agree that it’s time to have a serious look at the size of Council.

May 12, 2010
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1000 Bikes

We’re getting a bike share program here in Toronto. The Council vote was 33-8. 1,000 bikes will be available, at 80 parking spots around the city. There will be a cost, but it’s not unreasonable – about $80 per year, $30 per month or 5 bucks a day. I’m a bit surprised the private sector hasn’t become involved. Imagine the advertising potential if your company were the sole sponsor of the program and it was because of you that bikes were available at say a buck a day. In any case, I think the program is a great idea for locals and tourists alike. The bikes should be on the road next May.

May 11, 2010
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Cast Iron

It occurred to me at some point that we have one of those rare kitchens that does not have a microwave. I’m curious how many of you out there are also microwave-less? I’m not anti-microwave, and I’ve been known to use the one at work to zap up my lunch from time to time. It’s just that we prefer other ways to cook and heat stuff. I suppose if we had one we’d have popcorn more often, but that’s about it.

I have one cast iron pan which I’ve had for many many years. I found it in my dad’s garage. He had used it for camping and left it in there to rust. I cleaned it up and slowly seasoned it over time. These days I use it quite a lot. In fact, it might be my favourite kitchen tool. Tonight I added a splash of olive oil, and while that heated up, I chopped an onion and some garlic. I added some smoked paprika, salt, pepper and a pinch of scotch bonnet chiles that I dry myself. I let the onions, garlic and spices cook for a while, and tossed in a chopped up red pepper and a chicken breast cut into a few chunks. All this is best done while drinking half, OK, two-thirds of a beer. The rest of the beer goes into the pan along with a splash of Indonesian soy sauce. Oh, there’s some mushrooms. Better add them too. I cooked the whole business until the liquid became a sauce and then enjoyed a quick, easy and tasty supper, with enough left over for lunch tomorrow.

I think my second favourite kitchen tool is the Dutch oven. We have a couple of these…an oval shaped yellow one and a round orange one (much like the one my mom had when I was growing up). I use these for braising and for soups and fish stew and for when my cast iron pan just isn’t quite big enough. I love the way braised food makes the whole house smell fantastic.

May 10, 2010
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Would you vote for this guy?

Veteran Toronto City Councillor Howard Moscoe has a knack for getting in the news when he feels like it. This morning I heard about his latest stunt, a sarcastic motion asking the Toronto Star’s advice on Councillor’s salaries:

“This week the pre-election ritual of reviewing Councillors’ salaries began in earnest. Prior to this election the issue, like the trillium, blossomed every three years but now with a four-year term this ugly plant has morphed into a weed that always bears bitter fruit,” it begins.

It goes on: “I know that managing a daily newspaper is far more important than managing the 9.2 billion corporation called the City of Toronto but the wisdom of important people like the Star Editorial Board ought to be given the weight it deserves.”

This came on the heels of a statement made by Mr. Moscoe about secret parking ticket exemptions. I’d like some of the that free parking action.

I am becoming more convinced each day that the more new City Councillors elected in October, the better off the City of Toronto will be.