Berlin 36 -Canadian Premiere - Toronto Jewish Film Festival

I attended the 18th annual Toronto Jewish Film festival yesterday. From its humble roots it has spread across four venues around Toronto, with excellent attendance at all of them. As an avid athlete I was intrigued to learn about the true story of a famed Jewish High Jumper named Gretel Bergmann in the Olympics of 1936. This story is the exciting tale of a young woman's determination not to be outdone by the unethical and ruthless strategies of Nazi sports authority. She was recruited by the Nazis in order to avoid an American boycott of the games. It goes on to show the power of friendship and how a boy with effeminate nature was recruited by the Nazis to beat Gretel and show the superiority of the Aryan. However Marie supports Gretel by purposely losing the medal, to defy the Nazi methods of evil. One of the most touching parts is the after movie interview with the real Gretel, a distinguished looking senior now living in New York.

This is a movie that all athletes should see. Sports is designed to cut across all races and religions and in this story shows the heart of a true Olympian.

Toronto Jewish Film Festival, has the highest quality and thought provoking films out there.

Don't miss it.

The Adventure Guy

Grossman's Tavern Sunday Night Jam

I have been venturing out to test my blues harp skills in various live music Jams around Toronto. The classic jam of all must be Grossman's Tavern on Spadina and College in downtown Toronto. When you enter this establishement you can feel the throw back thirty years or more. In fact the musicians that play in this jam have been doing it consistently now for 30 years or more every Sunday! They still smile, are warm and engaging and are still enjoying their craft.

I ventured on stage this past weekend to be pleasantly enchanted with the band leader http://www.brian/ Cober.com who wears many hats. Not only does he play slide guitar and sing well, but on occasion as on this past Sunday acts as bouncer throwing undesireables onto the street in a gentle and polite way. Furthermore he manages the in between set music and all the talent up on stage.

For those new musicians ready for a taste of live jamming Grossmans is still the place to go. However, best invite some friends to hear you as the crowd is somewhat sparse but very encouraging and friendly. The acoustic jam is at 4:30 in the afternoon, The electric jam starts at approximately 9:30 pm.

Rock On.

The Adventure Guy.

Key West Florida

I recently ventured to the southernmost point of the United States, to Key West Florida. I was impressed with the vibrant retail core and the plethora of entertainment, and boating excursions to experience. I was however not very impressed with the snorkeling in the coral reef which is the world's 3rd largest. Unfortunately the reef is 80% dead, and they fail to tell you that before you pay your money to go dive it. There are a few nice fish, but not the same contrast as I saw in Cuba just 90 miles further south. American industrialization has claimed another world wonder.

Nonetheless, Key West is worth the visit if not just to drive the series of bridges and roads originally buildt by one of America's greatest industrialist Henry Flagler. Flagler built the railway to connect the keys to the mainland and also to try to capture the shipping business generating from the new Panama Canal at that time. It is an exciting story of grit and determination.

Take your time doing the 120 mile drive and check out Key Largo and Islamisbad. Watch out for the local drivers as they are not very good. I got rear ended on my way back from Key West.

Happy trails.


The Adventure Guy