Montreal International Jazz Fest 2015

This Friday June 26th will be the start of the 36th edition of the Montreal International Jazz Festival in the heart of downtown Montreal. Over the years this event has become a must for locals and now is a must for jazz enthusiasts from around the world.  

As usual, expect thousands of people to pass through the festival especially for the free outdoor shows which on these hot summer nights are always a treat and on July 5th there will be a tribute to one of the greatest jazzmen of all-time, BB King. 

Checl out the website for more details for this years festival.

Montreal Jazz Festival

Switch Pitching

So what do you do when you are hitting and the pitcher throws from both sides? The Boston Red Sox hitters found that out earlier this month when they faced Oakland A's switch pitcher Pat Venditte.

Four Brown Girls Web Launch

On Friday, I was invited to the website launch for Montreal's newest outlet for women of colour to share and encourage and tell their stories called Four Brown Girls. 

FBG as the name would entail is headed by four women who have created this network of professionals to address the needs of black women but also inspire entrepreneurship and well-being within that community through events such as networking and through their new website that launched with this event on Friday. 

I'm happy to say I know two of the four founders and I know how extremely hard they have prepared their company to reach this point where the word is now getting out about the good things they have to offer the community that is not readily available in our city. The ladies at FBG are always looking for other women of colour willing to tell their story and contribute to the growing movement they have started now through their website blog. 

And of yes, Friday's event was held at Kyozon Bar & Cuisine on Crescent Street in downtown Montreal. One of the newer spots on Crescent in the heart of the entertainment district. A great place for a professional opening. 

Check out FBG on these social media outlets.

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

FIFA Women's World Cup 2015

The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup has started here in Canada and after a couple days the games have been very exciting to watch. Obviously, watching the home team Canadians is the priority but the Americans will also be ones to watch as will defending Champions Japan and young up and coming teams like Nigeria.

The Nigerian Super Falcons played Monday against the Swedish team which is a veteran team and one of the top European sides in the World Cup. Nigeria after dropping 2 goals down managed to tie the game at 2 before giving up another Swedish goal to fall behind 3-2 until the 87' when the Nigerians tied the game in dramatic fashion to earn the tie. The result is huge for Nigeria with 2 more group games to go including a game against the Americans that might determine if they go through to the Round of 16. 

The Nigerians owned much of Monday's match against Sweden. Only more clinical finishing and a better defensive structure stopped them from really upsetting the Europeans. 

The Americans for their part got by Australia 3-1.

As for the host Canadians, they looked a bit shaky for much of the game but a late penalty goal by All-World player Christine Sinclair gave Canada a shoulder shrugging 1-0 victory. 

Food Truck Friday

This Friday food trucks will congregate for the 2nd time this year at the Esplanade at Olympic Stadium for what I call Food Truck Friday. This event has quickly become a better reason to say TGIF on the first Fridays of each month as that is when this event happens. Over 35 food trucks plus entertainment and hopefully some warm weather as well should make this a great way to start the summer season. 

If you cannot make the Friday event you can find out where your favourite food trucks will be during the month by clicking here.

Food Truck Friday on the Olympic Stadium esplanade is from 4pm to 10pm. 

Food Truck Friday @ Olympic Stadium Esplanade

Sepp Blatter Resigns as FIFA Boss

By The Canadian Press

FIFA president Sepp Blatter will resign from soccer's governing body amid a widening corruption scandal and has promised to call for fresh elections to choose a successor.

Blatter, 79 was re-elected to a fifth term Friday, two days after a corruption crisis erupted and seven soccer officials were arrested in Zurich ahead of the FIFA congress.

"This mandate does not seem to be supported by everybody in the world of football," Blatter said Tuesday at a hastily arranged news conference. "FIFA needs a profound restructuring."

Elections are expected to take place sometime between December and March.

"I will continue to exercise my function (until the new election)," said Blatter, who looked strained and serious.

Three days earlier, Blatter was defiant and feisty in the same room when fending off questions about FIFA's battered reputation and the chance U.S. federal agencies could seek his arrest.

Blatter said he reached the decision after he had "thoroughly considered my presidency and ... the last 40 years in my life."

Photo by BBC Sports

Canadian men's coach Benito Floro had little to say about Blatter's resignation.

"I do not have any opinion because this is not my matter," the Spanish native said on a conference call to announce Canada's roster for its upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Dominica. "I don't understand the situation.

"My only desire is that FIFA work correctly and nothing more. But I don't control this situation."

Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani was not immediately available. Canada did not vote for Blatter at last week's FIFA Congress, saying change was needed in the way the game of soccer was governed.

Blatter joined FIFA in 1975 as technical director for development projects, was promoted to general secretary in 1981 and spent 17 years as right-hand man to Joao Havelange of Brazil before being elected to lead world soccer.

The new election will be overseen by Domenico Scala, chairman of FIFA's audit and compliance committee.

Scala gave a statement immediately after Blatter in which he praised a decision that was "difficult and courageous in the current circumstances."

"This is the most responsible way to ensure an orderly transition," Scala said.

Julio Franco: 5 decade baseball player

Here's a look at former Major League star Julio Franco by Vice Sports.