Some random notes today.
You remember Kevin Wallace — the marathon cyclist who runs Gears cycling shop in Port Credit and completed the brutal Race Across America (RAAM) of 4900 kms. from San Diego to Atlantic City in June. Completing was an accomplishment in itself as the riders slept about one hour a day for each of the 10 days the torture test took.
Well, Wallace hopes to have a movie deal soon. He’s talking to producer Carolynne King, who did The Walter Gretzky Story and Deeply, starring Kirsten Durst... pre-Spidey kissing.
“If it happens, it will be the story of me and my mother,” said Wallace, on hand to lend moral support when Darrell Fox was in town recently to promote the Terry Fox runs in September. “RAAM was a sacrificial ride,” said Wallace who admitted he’s still recovering psychology from the experience.
Kevin, who began his bike shop in what seemed like a closet on Clarkson Rd. N, south of the railway lines, reveres his relationship with his mother. Her death from breast cancer has informed his life and his will ever since, helping him to establish the Betty Wallace Women’s Health Centre and inspiring the annual Gears 24-hour spin at the Hershey Centre.
Lots of material there for a five-hanky special.
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Where, oh where, did somebody come up with the dim idea to move the Farmers’ Market at Square One this summer?
It had operated wonderfully well in the nether townships of the parking lot north of the mall near the Wal-Mart until this year, when it was shipped closer to City Hall and confined to a much-smaller area that leads to traffic tie-ups and frayed nerves.
You can’t cruise up and down the rows like you used to and the farmers are grumbling that sales are down. How about some down-to-earth common sense here trumping corporate strategic goals? In other words, put it back where it belongs.
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Peter Appleyard really seemed to be enjoying his birthday gig Saturday night outside the Central Library. He was obviously feeling nostalgic and told some tales of the old days between songs.
Growing up in the thrall of Lionel Hampton on vibes in the Benny Goodman Band, and then getting to replace Hamps in 1972 was beyond imagination, he said.
At one gig shortly after Appleyard joined Goodman, they were playing the Round Table Club behind the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. Johnny Carson was dancing with the 1940s musical star Gloria DeHaven.
The band played Satin Doll. Carson approached Appleyard after the number and asked what it was. “Good,” said Carson upon confirming it was the Billy Strayhorn-Johnny Mercer classic. “I just won $100. Gloria thought it was Hot Toddy.”
Appleyard was then asked to come to the table and confirm the song’s title. When DeHaven asked what song it was, the puckish Appleyard replied Hot Toddy.
Carson didn’t hold a grudge though. He invited Appleyard on The Tonight Show shortly thereafter. Not only that, Appleyard explained. But a few months later DeHaven booked him to accompany her on a tour.
Now that’s the way to work a joke.