On the CBC tomorrow · Friday December 14, 2007 by colin newell
Listen for us on CBC’s North by Northwest Saturday morning December 15, 2007 just after the 7:00AM (PST) News.
Head over to cbc.ca
and pick your Radio One audio stream – lower right column on the cbc.ca website or…
For the radio-one stream click here
Lisa's Biscotti · Wednesday December 12, 2007 by colin newell
Interestingly, I get e-mail.
Lately more from my blog… which surprises me. Anyway – I recently got a request for more Biscotti recipes. Not sure why, but here is my favorite. From Lisa. My younger sister.
3/4 Cup Whole Almonds
1/2 Cup Almond Paste
3 Eggs
3/4 Cup Sugar
2 Teaspoons Grated Lemon Zest
1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract
1 2/3 Cup Flour
1/3 Cup Corn Starch
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
Place nuts in a shallow pan and bake in a pre-heated 350 (F) oven for 8 to 10 minutes – or until golden brown. Let cool.
In a mixing bowl beat almond paste with a wire whisk until creamy.
Beat in eggs. Gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
Add lemon zest and almond extract.
In a bowl combine the flour, corn starch, baking powder and salt.
Add to the egg mixture, mixing until blended.
Cut nuts into halves or thirds and fold in. With a spatula spread the soft dough on a greased and floured baking sheet, forming 2 strips about 14 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide, spacing them at least 2 inches apart.
Bake in the middle of a preheated 350 (F) Oven for 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a drying rack. Let cool 5 minutes.
Place on a cutting board. With a sharp serrated knife slice diagonally at 45 degrees – about 1/2 inch thick. Lay the slices on a baking sheet and return to a 325 (F) oven for about 10 minutes, turning them once to dry slightly.
Makes about 4 dozen mandible stressing biscotti
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CBC On the Island - Food bank day 2007 - On the CBC #2 · Friday December 7, 2007 by colin newell
Talking food banks with Ian McFarland
A long time hero of mine, Ian McFarland, was on the radio this morning. Ian worked at CBC’s Radio Canada International in the seventies and eighties – and I was a big fan of his programs.
At 13 years of age and glued to an old tube-type shortwave set, it was a joy to bring in radio stations from around the World – but not as much fun as hearing the voice of Canada coming in over the crackling airwaves.
Enough about me.
Ian and his wife Mary retired to Duncan around ten years ago and that is where we connected – and we have been friends ever since.
Ian’s work with the Duncan food bank has been an inspiration to me. Although retired, Ian works tirelessly to help those who need it the most – at the Duncan food bank; coordinating activities, shopping for groceries, cooking, and stocking the shelves.
Let’s let Ian tell his story to Gregor Craigie of CBC On The Island.Talking food banks with Ian McFarland
It is tough being Santa · Wednesday December 5, 2007 by colin newell
Consider the life of the Red Elf in the year 2007.
Saint Nick’s white gloved hands are always visible and he buys liability insurance, for good measure. He never asks where children live and he has no political stripe.
The man in the red suit endures criminal background checks like everyone else… and if you are Santa, don’t even try to get on an Airplane in North American air space – his instincts for being pilot are simply too strong.
Today’s Santa is poked, prodded and shaped to fit the 21st century. It’s no longer enough to show up at the mall, laugh merrily and balance children on his lap.
In shopping malls across Canada, Santa Claus is watching his back. Todays Santa is politically ignorant… neutral. Santa does not curse and is always Holly Jolly.
One would hope if there’s anyone in this world you can trust, it’s Santa. In 2007, however, Santa is verified by Verisign, MasterCard, EBay and Visa first.
Liability insurance, underwritten from the North Pole, spares Santa from unwarranted litigious grief. And with the question… “Is there Lead in this train-set Santa?” Santa had better answer correctly!
Imagine: A child is walking by and trips – not even near you – and gets hurt – Santa is sued as an attractive nuisance.
Santa shares the same choreographer as Madonna: each word and hand movement is tightly regulated. Tricks of the trade are passed down from Santa to Santa at places like The International University of Santa Claus.
Curriculum includes how to hold children correctly, managing tough conversations and proper care of hair, beard and hygiene.
Santa must never, ever make promises he can’t keep.
But what of the average pre-teen or tween? I picture a 9 year old whose Blackberry incessantly rings during recess… In the guise of Santa I approach with the caution of a seasoned alligator wrestler.
Hello. Excuse me young person… I ask. “Uhm – I am currently skyping, podcasting and social networking here Mister!” as I ask a supervised question – teachers and parents look on… The blackberry chirps again… “Excuse me”, the youngster says… “I have to take this…”
But what of the children?
In my day, lead was an active and prominent ingredient in virtually every toy. And Santa was more like Hulk Hogan than Mister Rogers. Any 300 pound man in a frilly red suit was meant to be scary – it built character and caution into the young ones.
But what of the children?
