Moose FM CFXN 106.3 - North Bay

For those of you who don’t know me….I love tennis. Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching my favourite tennis player of all time, Rafael Nadal; win his fifth French Open title. The match was even more exciting because he played against Robin Soderling, who beat Rafa out last year in the fourth round. Now I’m all about getting excited for the Stanley Cup, and think it’s fun to head up to my favourite watering hole to eat nachos, drink beer and watch a game. However, for ME, there is no sport more exhilarating to watch than tennis, and the final of a Grand Slam tennis tournament (if you’re not aware, they are, in order, The Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and The U.S. Open) can be super exciting.

Do I play tennis? No. I took lessens when I was 12, but that was the end of my career. My family can’t even remember what kick started my love of the sport. I am the youngest of five children, and the ONLY one not enthralled by NFL football (just picked a team two years ago because the pressure became too much to bear…the San Diego Chargers, fyi), hockey or boxing. I just love tennis. I'm so hard core.

I usually book my holidays around Wimbledon and attend the Rogers Cup in Toronto every two years to see the men in action. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Tommy Haas, Tommy Robredo and Carlos Moya over the years. This year I’m hoping for another Nadal sighting (from my courtside seats, I might add), but to be able to watch the great Roger Federer play would be unbelievable. And, just for the record, I AM a Roger Federer fan. Just because I love Nadal does not automatically mean I hate Federer. He’s the greatest player of all time, everyone knows that. But some of my favourite tennis matches of all time have been between these two giants. The rivalry is fantastic, awe inspiring. Wimbledon 2007, Wimbledon 2008, any French Open they’ve played against each other (aside from 2008 when Roger got the spank-down), and more recently, the finals of the Madrid Open where my Rafa once again prevailed.

What’s your ultimate sports final fantasy that you could attend? For all four of my siblings it’s the Superbowl….for me….it’s the men’s final at Wimbledon between Rafa and Roger, if I could choose the players, of course.

Wow…I’ve gone on long enough I think. But if you love tennis as much as I do, then you get it :)

Do you know who your local members of parliament are? Anthony Rota is the Nipissing and Timiskaming District MP and Monique Smith is the MPP for Nipissing.

Of course it’s important for me to know who these two people because of my job. But even if I didn’t work in radio I’d know their names AND contact information. It’s because I will email or call my member of parliament whenever I feel passionately about a public issue. I think it’s very important for people to make their voice heard via their MP and/or MPP. For example, recently I emailed Anthony Rota to ask him to support the federal government’s proposed changes to the federal pardon system. I sent the email after finding out that Karla Homolka will be eligible for a federal pardon this year. In the past, I have emailed my MP and MPP in Burlington and Toronto over a number of issues, most of them related to crimes against children.

You should know that you can always take an extra step further than venting frustration about local or provincial or federal issues around the water cooler. Always remember that your member of parliament is there to act as YOUR VOICE. So, whatever the issue is, if you feel strongly enough about something and want something done, call or email or write to your member of parliament.

If you are looking for an ecological vacation to help along the gulf coast you can check out these volunteer organizations.

The National Audubon Society is recruiting volunteers in the fight to save "ecologically sensitive areas." Visit their website to fill out a volunteer registration form.

OilSpillVolunteers.com also provides the opportunity sign up and assist with the cleanup.

While their website says volunteers are not yet needed, Mobile Baykeeper is urging anyone who is interested to call their office at 251-433-4229 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tomorrow morning ( April 13) Lee Oscar will be on the show.  Lee is famous for Lee Oscar harmonicas and a founding member of the band War – Low Rider, "Spill the Wine", "The Cisco Kid" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?"

He will be joined by David Rotundo – They are playing 100 Georges Tuesday night.