The Bulldog

Hillary through the years: the old pictures are fun

U.S. presidential campaigns seem to eat the world. They go on forever. Hillary Clinton will try again at the age of 68 to become president. If she is nominated and ends up running against a Bush (Jeb) it will be quite a statement about name-recognition. Here is a content-light but amusing photo history of Ms Clinton and Bill. Check out the 60s hippies.

Belief in organic food like religion — you need faith

It is a dilemma faced daily by food shoppers in Canada and U.S — is organic food really safer or just more expensive? According to the 2012 U.S. Census of Agriculture purchases of organic food have hit a plateau as consumers struggle with the pricing. They no doubt like the idea —  as stated by the U.S. National Organic Program — that  “synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used in growing organic foods”  But is this useful information or just scary talk? There are lots of things that cannot be used in the growing of food. Canada doesn’t permit nor condone the use of sewage sludge in agriculture or the entry of such products. The picture in the U.S appears to suggest that despite the availability of organic food, consumers are increasingly hard-pressed to accept the added expense and sales have gone flat. A pint of berries cannot be justified at $3.99 rather than $2.99 because they left out the sewage sludge. But that dubious proposition is put before shoppers daily. Supporters of organic say the benefits have not been communicated well enough to consumers. Still, evidence that non-organic food is threatening seems hard to find. Who died or got ill from buying non-organic food?

Jordan Spieth wins Masters and becomes future of pro golf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCG1bUTl4lU&w=500&h=280

Jordan Spieth has served notice that he si the future of golf a record-breaking first major victory at the Masters on Sunday. The 21-year-old became the second-youngest player to win at Augusta, behind only Tigers Woods in 1997 and just the fifth man to lead the prestigious tournament from start to finish. The American went into Sunday’s final round with a four-shot lead, extended that by one after his opening nine holes, and at the next beat Phil Mickelson’s Masters record of 26 birdies for the week.

Grade 1 teacher converts classroom to stand-up desks

Rural Saskatchewan teacher Justin Sauer has converted his classroom to stand up desks at Delisle Elementary School south of Saskatoon. There are no chairs in the classroom for young students but the kids don’t seem to mind. They get to sit sometimes — like when they read or work on the computer. But the lectures are on two feet. Their teacher was looking into methods to rehabilitate his own injuries and came across studies showing the benefits of standing, and thought he’d try it in his class.

Hockey fans fill Lea room to see Bower and Palmateer

cards

A treasured picture with Johnny Bower and Mike Palmateer

Hockey fans and collectors filed into the William Lea room Sunday to attend the Toronto Card Show.  At one point, the lineup to get an autograph from Mike Palmateer and/or Johnny Bower spilled out the west door. Here we see a fan who looks to be a rose between two old hockey thorns (at least to the opposing teams). Does anyone know if Johnny Bower ever guessed when he first settled between the pipes in 1943 that he would live on to become an autograph-signing sensation to legions of fans. Bower, 91, was known as the Great Wall of China for his capacity to block the puck.

New storefront of Hopson Grace tabletop on Yonge St.

Hopson Grace

A photo from our sister blog Yonge and Roxborough News shows the newly-finished frontage of the Hopson Grace stores at the corner of Yonge St. and  Macpherson Ave. This is the project of Andrea Hopson, a former vice president of Tiffany’s in Canada and her business partner Martha Grace McKinn, It is dedicated to what is generally known in such circles as tabletop, the lovely things we put out to make dining just right.  The new firm says Hopson Grace will focus on entertaining with a highly curated merchandise offering of largely exclusive tabletop designs from around the globe. “We will extend an elevated customer experience as we encourage Torontonians and Canadians to come back to the table. Hopson Grace plans to open in the early Spring of 2015.

Bower, Palmateer in Lea Room at Leaside arena today

There will be a lot of hockey card shuffling and exchanging of memorabilia at today’s Toronto Card Show in the William Lea Room at the Leaside Arena. This is a recurring event and always draws a lot of guys eager to buy and sell their card. An added feature today will be the appearance for photos and  signings of former Leaf stalwarts Mike Palmateer and Johnny Bower.This takes place between 12.30 and 2 p.m. but the show opens at 10 a.m.  Toronto Card Show.

Demented flyer told player “You’re all here to kill me”

It’s a story you’ve seen on television but Oliver Minatel, the pro soccer player for the Ottawa Fury, does not seem to have been in any serious danger from the demented person who wanted to strangle him with his earphone cord. Still, it  must have been shocking.  The man blithered “You’re all here to kill me.” Earlier, just before the Air Canada Jazz flight to Atlanta left Pearson yesterday this man was pulled aside and questioned. We don’t know what that was about but security sensed something. Minatel, 22. said he was sleeping when a man jumped on him and choked him with a headphone cord. “He just jumped on me,” Minatel told CNN reporter Paula Newton, who was also on the plane and recorded the aftermath of the incident. During her interview with Minatel, other passengers could be seen in the background repeatedly telling the man to remain seated and put his seat belt on.

Public health warning if you had juice at the Big Carrot

A long-time organic food retailer and juice bar on Danforth Ave. is under scrutiny tonight from Toronto Public Health Department over an a case of hepatitis A on the staff. The public health and the store are warning customers about a possible risk of infection. In a news release Saturday they said that while the risk is low, those who consumed juice at the Big Carrot, located at 348 Danforth Avenue, between March 17 and April 2, 2015 could have contracted the liver disease virus. “Toronto Public Health is asking anyone who consumed organic fresh juice at the organic juice bar during these dates to monitor for signs and symptoms, practice thorough hand washing and contact their health care provider if concerned,” the release stated. Symptoms of hepatitis A can begin 15 to 50 days after becoming infected and include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea/ vomiting, dark urine, stomach pains and jaundice. Officials say the vaccine for the virus is most effective if you receive it within 14 days of exposure. Toronto Public Health says it will be holding a free hepatitis A vaccine clinic from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on April 12 at the East York Civic Centre, located at 850 Coxwell Avenue, for anyone who may have been exposed to the virus at the organic juice bar.