First off, I am sure we all wish Mayor Bob Kilger a full recovery and maybe it will even be a speedy one. We will send good thoughts!

What is this I am hearing about a "french only" health clinic in town? When I first heard it - I didnt believe it. More importantly, where is it coming from? Going all the way back to my youth (a long time ago) in all the locker rooms and schools I attended, the french-english thing simply wasn't in play. Hell, I even learned to speak "locker room" french. When I was travelling in Nice and Morroco, I needed it a couple of times to get by. I have heard there was some tough times 30 or 40 years ago, but nobody tried to make their language exclusive. I can tell you from a personal point of view, I have never felt like an outsider among my friends. As I sit here now and actually think about it, I realize a huge percentage of my friends in this town are of a french background. That clinic thing is just nuts. Grow up people!

My info is that the Real Estate in town is hotter than ever and some of it is generated by developers - so much so that some are stockpiling materials to protect themselves. Take a look at the SOLD signs everywhere. Another sign the city is on a roll as shown by the already announced building plans by major employers.

Off to Boston in a week or so for a Fenway experience with my brother -brother-in-law and Lenny Courier to see the Jays. They are fun to watch but they are not ready yet. They remind me of the Jays of the late 80s and they didnt win until 92-93.

Speaking of being in the US, I have been over there a few times recently - golf courses - pubs - restaurants and a few stores and something that jumps out at me big time is how much they understand the concept of "customer service". They make very very clear how much they appreciate your business. We have a ways to go.

RANTS This probably doesn't really qualify as a "rant" but I feel a need to comment on the passing of Jack Layton. As some may know I consider myself a disenfranchised small "C" conservative, but always liked Jack's presence and style.

My senior daughter is a strong NDP supporter (she ran provincially in BC) and we have great political dissussions as you can guess. I love her for her commitment and finding as I get older and realize there is no such thing as "socialism" (or FREE enterprise), I don't disagree as much. I now believe we have to look after each more and well-managed taxes is not a bad thing. That is a subject for another day.

When a state funeral was annonced for Jack, I thought it was a bit over the top but I was simply wrong (again) or maybe another sign of how politically savy PM Harper is.

You will never convince me that all the people lined up in Ottawa and the huge crowds in Toronto were all NDP supporters.

A spin off I hope will be the end of the Bloc and all they stand for. I also hope his message to upgrade the "Tone & Flavour" of debate will come to pass. Like him or not he "brought it" his whole life.

One last point - as a prostate survivor, I am pleased at the attention he brought to the disease and maybe the guys out there will finally get the tests. They saved my life!

Keep smiling