Danny's Whole Hog outlet was a steady business of carnivores; nearby Andrew and Paula Debenham were handing out pamphlets and explaining their First Aid Training Centre concept to a surprisingly receptive audience; down the block at 120 Osborne, Fabutan, bless em, was handing out free sunscreen and advocating responsible tanning.
Northbound, outside of Noir, I bumped into Councillor Jenny Gerbasi navigating the sea of celebrants at River and Osborne. Not only got as voicer for the Nighthawk on CJOB, I confirmed her appearance on TGCTS next Monday. The water utility proposal will get a full working over that day.
South of Stradbrook, Vintage in the Village gave me a copy of Captain Canuck, the Winnipeg comic book from 1975, to give away on Kick-FM next Tuesday. One of my mentors in broadcasting, Howard Mandshein of CITI-FM, showered me with praise for my work in the talk realm, and introduced me to Kevin Donnelly of the MTS Centre who books in all the fabulous top-line music acts. Kevin graciously said a few words for broadcast later on CJOB.
The feature attraction at the Zoo stage, was Derek Miller, and he followed up his electric performance the night before with an amazing exhibition of jazz, rock, and rock-a-billy infused blues. He is the best act in the country right now.
That night at 9.30 PM on CJOB, the thrill of my sportscasting career was achieved when Canada's Greatest Athlete, Gene Kiniski, proved wrestling has no script when the former world champeen pontificated at length about this country, where it has been and where it is headed. So much for asking about Don Leo Jonathon and Verne Gagne.
Strong on the issue of low-cost education for all, Gene also explained his surprising role in the flag debate and proclamation of a national anthem.
In a 1956-ish national CBC telecast of the bouts from Toronto, the former footballer from Edmonton decried that a country so vast and strong should stand at attention for a flag and anthem of another nation (the Union Jack and God Save the Queen). Liberal cabinet ministers Robert Winters and Lester Pearson seized upon the outcry and Kiniski had influenced the national psyche.
After a day off the airwaves, I will return to CJOB tonight with a roster of fine guests and features, including Sean Crawford of MacDonald Youth Services; Brandon Sun managing editor James O'Connor; the latest installment of "keep your eye on the ball" -- the WRHA's attempt to divert public focus onto the salaries paid to life-saving emergency room doctors, rather than on the executive's own unjustified pay raises; a special look at the 4th of July festivities down south with special correspondent Tina G from L.A.; and another edition of Today in History with Professor Levinski.
We've already made news by cross-pollinating public affairs between both shows - check out what Policy Frog has to say about the spat between Mayor Katz and the MGEU, that started on campus radio and got ratcheted up on the AM band.
Don't forget to check out the CJOB archives to hear what you may have missed from my Nighthawk stint thus far; and I will return to double duty on Monday with TGCTS at 4 PM on 92.9 Kick-FM,
and at 9 PM Monday on the CJOB Nighthawk, I'll be joined by Progressive Conservative leader Hugh McFadyen.
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