Today could be the day that the Toronto Blue Jays win the American League East Championship. It would be the first time since 1993 (what a party). It will take only a Jays win and a New York Yankee loss for this to happen. Toronto still sits ahead of the Kansas City Royals (AL West) in the race for No. 1 spot in the American League, a desirable prize that would ensure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Though the clubs own the same record, the Blue Jays hold the tiebreaker. SportsNet 

Canadian tenor Michael Burgess has died at the age of 70 after a long battle with cancer. Burgess is celebrated for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables” in more than 1,000 performances at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on King Street W.  He was also known to sports fans for his inspiring renderings of “O Canada”. Mr. Burgess died at a Toronto hospice Monday surrounded by members of his family. In a statement theatre impresario David Mirvish said Burgess “created the role of Jean Valjean in ‘Les Miserables,’ which was one of the first international blockbusters to have its own production in Canada with a local cast, instead of a touring version.” Burgess was born in Regina.

It was predictable perhaps but it told viewers what was on the mind of the three major party leaders about Canada’s foreign policy. CP24

 The party leaders will try to out point each other on foreign affairs tonight in another important but untelevised debate. The  meeting may be seen live however at the CPAC link here. CPAC will stream the debate live beginning at 7 p.m. CPAC live stream of leaders debate

Ritchies Auctioneers is staging a preview and auction of items to go on the block tonight. This is happening at vintage couturier Rewind at 598 Mt. Pleasant Rd. The items include luxury and designer items such as vintage fashion, watches, handbags and jewelry from luxury brands. Viewing continues until 7 p.m. at which time the auction begins.

Well done report from CBC about the fine conditions for supermoon gazing in Winnipeg. Nice crowd as well.

At the NASA link is the news from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. NASA is still somewhat cautious. Television is making it sound like you can buy a bottle of Aquafina anywhere on the Red Planet. But it is promising and important of course.

Susan Pigg

The reliable Susan Pigg writes in detail and with a certain drama about the development which will sweep away large parts of old Yonge Street between the waterfront and Eglinton Ave. How well we know it. Perhaps she can next turn her skills to a rendering of what awaits Eglinton Ave East. Toronto Star 

The oak forest of Moore Park is seeing a bumper crop of acorns. As the Massachusetts website Mass Audubon says: “Fall is the time for nuts and no nut is more noticeable than the acorn.” How true, say Moore Park residents who while cherishing their trees have been subjected to a three-week hail of the tough little nuts. Oaks produce their acorns in a boom or bust cycle. The cycle is normally 2 to 5 years. This is a boom-boom year in the South Bayview enclave below Moore Ave. All of which may be for many people about as much information on oak trees as they wish to know. Except that the boom years are known as mast years. Mass Audubon