CHUM building has been sold

I was saddened to learn that the CHUM building on Yonge near St. Clair has been sold to developer Aspen Ridge Homes for $21 million. Well, progress is progress and AM radio hasn't been a viable medium since Peter Frampton made his guitar talk. Tearing down that building is just another blow like when the took down the Sam The Record Man store.

Growing up in Toronto I had so many memories around CHUM. I remember getting my first transistor radio in the early 60s and immediately tuning in to 1050. I used to collect the CHUM charts and felt like I knew each DJ intimately. I remember the angst when Al Boliska quit and was replaced by "Jungle" Jay Nelson from Buffalo. There was John Spragge, Mike Darow, Bob McAdorey, Dave Johnson and Bob Laine.

It's all so sad.

I've had enough of her too

I understand that Sienna Miller is suing another tabloid for taking pictures of her topless? Has she just discovered the paparazzi? If you don’t want people taking pictures of your boobs, stop prancing around naked in public places.

As rare as a solar eclipse

Well it it isn't Anna Kournikova... and she appears to be doing something. Playing some sport... oh, tennis! Anna Kournikova plays tennis?! When did this happen? Is she any good at it?

Martha go and get the kids they have to see this.

They are still looking for suckers to buy Bills tickets in Toronto

The Buffalo Bills scheduled games in Toronto are raking in the revenue although there are still plenty of seats available for the eight-game package. Ticket sales to date reportedly have amassed nearly $9 million per game, nearly triple the standard take for the Bills' home games in Orchard Park.

Yes, it seems there are plenty of suckers buying overpriced NFL tickets in Toronto. It must be spare cash in the pockets of sports fans since the Leafs didn't make the playoffs.

There are between 6.000 and 8,000 tickets remain for the Bills' preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 14. Don't expect to find any cheap seats because they are all gone. There is nothing available below $255 dollars a seat, but plenty of seats priced from $255 to $575. So obviously organizers aren't too concerned since they've made their money. Oh, and so has Ralph Wilson who was paid $78 million to send the Bills over to Toronto 8 times in the next 5 seasons.

Rogers needs to sell tickets at an average ticket price above $200 and seems to be doing it. By comparison, the NFL's New England Patriots had the league's highest average ticket price last season at $91. Buffalo has the NFL's lowest average ticket price at just $51.

So Toronto NFL fans, what are you doing? At these prices you can take a comfy charter into Buffalo to see the Bills and have plenty left over for a hotdog and a couple of beers.

How would you liked to be named J.J. Putz?

Well you would be looking at a lifetime of tasteless, bad jokes.

Sunscreen OK At Yankee Stadium

Apparently, the authorities at Yankee Stadium search everyone and confiscate potential terrorist items -- such as sunscreen. But now they've relented: Sunscreen no longer blocked by Yankees.

Team officials admit rules were "too stringent" and are now allowing sunblock to be brought into New York's Yankee Stadium.

The change came after fans howled when they were forced to dump their sunscreen at the gate if it was in containers holding more than three ounces. The Yankees said the prohibition was necessary to prevent possible terrorists from concealing liquid explosives that could be brought into the stadium, The New York Post reported Wednesday.

"The Yankees' management will do whatever it takes to maximize profit under the guise of security," retired police officer Chester Hicks said to the newspaper. Sunscreen inside the stadium sells at an inflated price of $5 an ounce.

Save our Starbucks

Oh brother! Someone has created a website called Save our Starbucks that is dedicated to providing Starbucks customers with a place to tell the world how important the Starbucks location is. There is also a dumbass petition on the site.

Yes folks, this has nothing to do with people starving in Darfur, it has nothing to do with millions dying of AIDS in Africa, it has nothing to do with earthquake victims. It's about some corporate giant that expanded too fast due to arrogance. And some people are sad about that.

Enough Already!

Every time there is a picture of Britney Spears smoking in front of her kids, the media goes crazy and suggest that her kids should be taken away from her. Now I'm one of the last persons to defend Britney but there are a lot better reasons to take away those kids. So get over it because there are many parents who smoke in front of their kids. That doesn't make you a bad parent. It's not like she is lighting one up and handing it to Sean or blowing smoke rings in his face. There is just a little too much moralizing for me on this one.

Due to popular demand....

...new Allison Stokke pictures.





...and a video

What's wrong with the name Alice?

Some parents have been branded abusers because of the bizarre names of their children.

Family Court Judge Rob Murfitt stated his concerns in a written decision after a custody hearing in New Plymouth revealed a couple had named their child Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii.

He was so disturbed at the effect on the nine-year-old that he ordered her temporarily placed under court guardianship so a suitable name could be chosen. "It makes a fool of the child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap," he said.

The girl, who had not had her birth officially registered in NZ, had not revealed her name to her friends. The judge was stopped talking yesterday by Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier.

Cool Ad

25th Anniversary of the George Brett Pine Tar Incident

Today is the 25th anniversary of Brett's famous meltdown at Yankee Stadium, an arm-flailing, eye-bulging tirade that came after he hit a homer, then was called out for having pine tar too far up the handle of his bat.


The Royals protested the call and it was later overturned. The Royals and Yankees finished the game weeks later and Kansas City won 5-4, with Brett's home run providing the winning margin.

I do not condone this type of exploitative violence

What actor provides the best return on the dollar?

Forbes magazine compiled the Ultimate Star Payback list by looking at the stars' last three films that opened wide in at least 1,000 theaters before 2008 and were made in the last five years.

You would think the top rated actor would be someone like the highly paid, highly bankable Will Smith — who reliably led the July Fourth weekend with a $66 million debut for "Hancock". But he ranked 21st with a gross income return of $5.64 for every dollar spent on the big-budget superstar.

It was Vince Vaughn who was rated first by raking in $14.73 of gross income for studios for every dollar he was paid for "The Break-up," "Wedding Crashers" and "Dodgeball."

"That's because until recently his salary was relatively low, and the films he was in, like `Wedding Crashers' and `The Break-up,' had modest budgets yet did extremely well at the box office worldwide ($285 million and $205 million, respectively)," Forbes said.

Tobey Maguire ranked No. 2 on the list, with a gross income return of $13.44 for each dollar of his pay for the "Spider-Man" sequels and "Seabiscuit." Julia Roberts was in third place with a gross income return of $13.19.

Brad Pitt ranked fourth with $12.73, followed by Naomi Watts and Matt Damon ($12.16 each), George Clooney ($11.56), Jennifer Aniston ($10.48), Hugh Jackman ($9.90) and Ben Stiller ($9.50).

This guy is charged with a double murder

Police say he gunned down two men outside a grocery store...and then bragged about it. But William Torres may have shared his secret with the wrong guy.

So when they arrested this mean dude, did the cops suggest he wear his Lion King slippers to jail or was that his own idea?

Presidential Campaigns Slammed by Satirical Magazine Covers

...but everyone forgets to laugh.

The Office Cubicle is 40 Years Old

It appears that the office cubicle is 40 years old this month, Well the expert on cubicle life is Dilbert so here are some gems from Scott Adams.

One Hit Wonders - New Wave Edition

Devo - Whip It (1980)



A Flock of Seagulls - I Ran (1982)

He might have pushed himself a little too hard

Competitor stumbling and crawling his way across the finish line at the New York Triathlon.

Cat Fight on the Racing Oval

After watching this altercation between Danica Patrick and Milka Duno, some people might suggest this is why you don't allow women to race. I'm not one of those people. I always enjoy a good cat fight!

Mug Shot of the Week

Kids stay away from meth!

Worst Political Ad Ever

Republican Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota wants to remind voters that he was instrumental in bring the NHL back to the state.



His opponent in the race is famous political satirist and SNL writer Al Franken. Al has done his share of poking fun at politicians so it's no surprise that he countered with the following political ad.

Blue Jay beer guy

Since 2001, 62 year old Wayne McMahon better known as the Beer Guy has been a fixture in the 100 level of Rogers Stadium. His signature "Ice, cooooooold, beeeeeer" line made him a Blue Jays fan favourite.

Well no more.

McMahon was fired by Aramark - the American company that operates the concessions at the Rogers Centre. McMahon struck out with the company policy that requires identification for any customer who appears to be under 30. He didn't card a so-called mystery shopper — people used by a company to measure service — who turned out to be 22.

He said he was devastated to lose his job.

The man has a cult-like following. About 15,000 people have joined a Facebook group calling for his reinstatement. But the company refuses to reverse its decision. He had passed every previous mystery shopper test.

So McMahon is suing although he doesn't expect that it will get him his job back. Kind of sad.

This gal loves to dance

More of her here.

Blue Jay Prospect Travis Snider wins Eastern League Home Run Derby

Travis Snider was the Blue Jays first round pick (14th overall) in the 2006 draft. He is a power hitting outfielder/first baseman. Something the Jays desparately need. Right now he is playing AA for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and just 20 years old. He recently won the Eastern League HR Derby. He is likely 2 or 3 years away but there is a glimmer of hope out there.

The sleepy bandits

Police say a trail of pillows and backpacks led to two sleeping men who were arrested after a department store break-in. Kyle Burress, 25, and Allen Pierce, 27, have been charged with second-degree burglary.

Police followed a trail of cardboard and items from storage containers in a locked area behind the store that led to the two men. One was sleeping in a stolen hammock and the other on a pile of stolen pillows.

Police photographed the men before waking and arresting them.

And yes alcohol was involved.

Wow! Racy CFL Cheerleader Photos

This story took a little while to work its way East. Seems the Winnipeg Blue Bomber dance team coach had to resign because of racy photos of some of the girls were posted online. They are actually old photos (at least 3 years old) and the girls aren't Blue Bomber cheerleaders anymore. Not sure why the coach had to resign unless she had known about it.

The photos are your typical silly pics that should never see the light of day but in the Facebook era no such luck. The bare butt in front of the Peace Tower is in poor taste but public standards have taken a dive in recent years.

U.S. Election Update

Hulk Hogan's daughter Brooke was recently asked about who she would be voting for in the presidential election. I really think her views are worth repeating:

"You know what? I am actually not that much into voting. I think it’s kinda crazy that a woman is running, because I think that women deal with a lot of emotions and menopause and PMS and stuff. Like, I’m so moody all the time, I know I couldn’t be able to run a country, ‘cause I’d be crying one day and yelling at people the next day, ya know?"

Can't wait to hear her view on global warming.

Batman fights crime and makes $$$

The Dark Knight has made approximately twelvteen bajillion dollars this past weekend.

Magic man Christopher Nolan scored a big win, beating down the incredibly underwhelming Spiderman 3 for the largest ever opening weekend. Nice job Chris!

I wanted to go see it but the lineups were worse than the iPhone lineups outside the Rogers stores. I'll try to see it nice week.

Who is Jodie Marsh?

I don't know who this women is. But most men would likely agree that she has quite the fashion sense. On the other hand, women probably think she looks like a trashy whore. Hey it's summer and probably hot where she lives.

Can anyone out there figure out Mats Sundin?

I have heard hundreds of opinions on the mindset of Mats Sundin. Everyone professes to know what he is thinking - fans, media, my barber. I have to admit I have no clue. This guessing game has gone on for years and in most cases all the "experts" have been dead wrong.

For years people insisted that they knew that Mats Sundin:

• hated playing under a microscope of the media here
• wanted out of Toronto
• wanted to play with Alfredsson in Ottawa, Naslund in Vancouver or all the Swedes in Detroit
• hated Pat Quinn and various Leaf coaches and executives
• didn't like certain players in the Leaf dressing room

All these theories were likely wrong because Sundin never asked to be traded and kept re-signing with the Leafs.

As he got older he insisted that he was going to decide on a year-to-year basis whether to play again. No one believed him. He insisted that he would like to finish his career in Toronto. No one believed him. When the Leafs tanked this winter and fans decided the team would be better off trading him, he insisted he didn't want to be a rental player. No one believed him. Now we are half way through the summer and Sundin hasn't signed anywhere because he isn't sure he wants to play anymore. No one believes him.

So has Sundin been dishonest about his career at any point in the last 15 years? In the sidebar I have a Mats Sundin poll. Tell me what you believe.

So when does the Maple Leaf youth movement start?

Excuse me but maybe I misunderstood. When Cliff Fletcher suggested that the Leafs would be rebuilding with youth, I thought that meant the likes of Justin Pogge, Robbie Earl, Jeremy Williams, Brent Aubin, John Mitchell, Dale Mitchell, Darryl Boyce, Ben Ondrus, Kris Newbury, Alex Foster and Jay Harrison would have a good shot at seeing if they could develop into NHLers. Instead Fletcher has been picking up players from other teams' rosters - mostly 3rd or 4th liners. Add in the expensive free agents signed and the kids have no where to play. The only rookies for this coming season appear to be Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski and neither played for the Marlies this past season.

Many people thought it was odd to see the Leafs trade a 5th draft pick to grab Ryan Hollweg from the Rangers. A 5th round draft pick is a long shot to make the NHL but what is disturbing for me is that fact that the Leafs history is filled with traded picks for marginal players. Hollweg is strictly a 4th line enforcer. But Kris Newbury had a 101 penalty minutes in 54 games with the Marlies and seemed capable of filling the enforcer role without the loss of a draft pick.

The impression I am getting is that the Marlies do not have any talent that can help the Leafs. In other words, the Marlies are stocked mostly with career minor leaguers and not NHL prospects. So where are the Leafs of the future to come from as Fletcher continues to deal away draft picks? The Leafs traded away four 2nd and 3rd round picks in 2008, 2009 and 2010 in addition to two 5th round picks. Meanwhile the Leafs have not picked up a single draft pick in an exchange and have about 10 players best suited for 3rd or 4th line duty.

Will the 1936 Berlin Olympics be repeated in Beijing?

The 1936 Berlin Olympic Games had been handed to Berlin before the Nazis came to power but now it was the perfect opportunity for Hitler to demonstrate to the world, how efficient the Nazi Germany was. It was also the perfect opportunity for the Nazis to prove to the world the reality of the Master Race. The Berlin Olympic Games gave the Nazis an opportunity to show off to the world as 49 countries were competing bringing with them their assorted media.

Now I'm not suggesting that China is like Nazi Germany. However, China despite economic liberalization, remains a police state. The country suffers from an inferiority complex and intends on using the Games to show the world that it is a major power in the 21st century.

But the rest of the world is uneasy about how the Olympic planning has been going and there has been repeated warnings from International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge over commitments that haven't been met.

Beijing pollution is a serious problem. So much so that there is concern that some endurance events (eg, the Marathon) cannot be safely run. In response, half of Beijing's 3.3 million vehicles will be pulled off the roads and many polluting factories will be shuttered. No one knows for sure if these measures will be enough.

Peddlers have been told to clear off the streets, and unsightly restaurants have been closed, many of them arbitrarily. Far more sinister, dissidents have been thrown in jail for the duration of the Olympics. The Chinese are paranoid about a possible terrorist attack during the Games. There are several hundred thousand security police assigned to the Olympics. Police in bulletproof vests and with bomb-sniffing dogs prowl roadways. New postal rules prohibit the mailing not only of explosives, but any pastes, electronics and "unidentifiable metal objects."

The bodies are piling up in Toronto this week

Toronto Police are on scene of a triple murder after three men were found dead in a car early this morning in the west end of the city. This brings the number of homicides for the week up to six.

There were also three non-fatal shootings this weekend that wounded another four people.

These three victims brings the number of homicides this year in Toronto to 35 compared to 41 at the same time last year.

Hmm. I thought I read this week that Toronto was the safest city in Canada.

Mug Shot of the Week

I hope Frank made bail.

Woman tries to kill mice, shoots self

I bet this happens all the time...but probably only after alcohol has been consumed.

A Potter Valley woman wounded herself and a man while attempting to kill mice with a .44-caliber Magnum revolver, The woman, Debra Due, 43, had drawn the gun from a holster under her left arm, intending to shoot mice scurrying across the floor of a small travel trailer The revolver instead slipped from her hand and fired as it struck the floor. The bullet went through the woman's right kneecap, then hit keys hanging on the belt loop of a 42-year-old man in the trailer. The bullet glanced off the keys and tore a hole in the man's pants. The mice escaped the shooting unharmed.

The woman won't face criminal charges, authorities. "There's insufficient criminal intent," Chief Deputy District Attorney Jill Ravitch. "Sometimes incredibly stupid things don't amount to criminal acts."