FRANKIE’S FAVOURITE EATERIES 

Pubs. Who actually rates pubs?

Apparently, there’s an Irish kid named Jamie Harmin who’s made a name for himself doing exactly that.

Wait a minute… I actually met him at Durty Nelly’s in Halifax. I can’t even remember if I ever wrote about Halifax, but if you’re ever there on a Sunday, do yourself a favour and stop into Durty Nelly’s. It’s an absolute blast.

Now, back to Toronto.

We seem to have an endless supply of pubs. I imagine that’s partly because we have such a large population with roots in the UK and Ireland. Maybe that’s the reason. Maybe it’s not. Either way, we’ve got pubs… lots of them.

Truth be told, I’m not really a pub guy.

I’m a wings guy. And somewhere along the way, wings officially became pub food.

This week, a friend (and customer) asked if I wanted to grab lunch. We hadn’t caught up in a while, the timing worked, so why not? He suggested Fionn MacCool’s in Markham. We all know the brand. I have no idea how many locations there are: 20? More? Less? If you’re from the GTA, you’ve probably been to one.

I’m almost embarrassed to admit this…

I didn’t order a beer.

Instead, I ordered the Shepherd’s Pie.

Actually, I wasn’t going to. I was leaning toward something healthier (yes, I’m trying… we’ll see how long that lasts). But my buddy ordered it first and said, “Trust me, it's good, I've had it". 

I’m glad I listened.

The mashed potato on top was light and pillowy with just the right amount of crisp. Underneath was a rich, savoury filling that tasted like someone actually cared while making it. And on the side? Those little English pastry cups…

What are those things called again?

Whatever they’re called… they disappeared pretty quickly.

The whole meal was outstanding. In fact, I was so impressed that I asked if it was all made in-house.

It was.

I’m sure every server secretly groans when they see me coming because I ask the same two questions almost every time:

“Is this made fresh in-house or is it frozen?”

And…

“Where are you from?”

My kids roll their eyes every single time.

As for Toronto pubs, there are a few that have always stood out to me. Bryden’s is a favourite. Gabby’s still makes some of my favourite wings. King Taps isn’t really a pub, but their pizza deserves a mention.

Like I said, I’m not much of a pub guy.

But if Fionn MacCool’s is any indication, pub food has come a long way from the days of frozen appetizers and average burgers. The Shepherd’s Pie was excellent, everything tasted fresh, and it was far better than I remembered from years ago.

Maybe it’s time I started rating pubs too.

Have a great weekend everyone!

TECH SPOTLIGHT

One of the biggest entertainment deals in recent memory has encountered a plot twist. A U.S. judge has temporarily paused the proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery after a coalition of 12 state attorneys general challenged the deal over competition concerns.

If approved, the merger would bring a lot of familiar entertainment names under one roof. Think Paramount+ and HBO Max, movie studios, and major television networks including CBS, MTV, CNN, and HBO. Essentially, your streaming subscriptions may still be separate, but the companies behind them could become much more closely related.

Opponents argue that combining two entertainment giants could mean less competition, potentially affecting movie theatres, television distributors, filmmakers, and ultimately viewers. The entertainment industry has already undergone years of consolidation, so critics are questioning whether making another media super-company is really the sequel anyone asked for.

Paramount, however, strongly disagrees. The company argues that the merger would actually strengthen competition, benefit consumers and creators, and help it become a more formidable rival to streaming heavyweights like Netflix.

For now, the judge has ordered a 14-day pause, but the states could seek an additional delay as the legal battle continues. Paramount had hoped to close the transaction by September, meaning this temporary roadblock could complicate that timeline.

So, Hollywood’s latest blockbuster isn't playing in theatres—it's happening in a courtroom. Whether this $110 billion crossover gets renewed for a full season or cancelled before the premiere remains to be seen. 🎬🍿⚖️

Check it out!

On The Scene “Party of The Week”

Here is your backstage access to the 3rd Annual Couture for a Cause: Yorkville Fashion Show Benefiting CAMH - shots 📸 by George Pimentel. 

REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT

You look at this one and you think 2mil? No way, but the beauty is in the lot. People who really have an eye can walk into a house. Put 300 to 500k into it and fetch an extra Mil. There is a skill to that. Do you have it. Check out this one on Ellis, a part of the city that I personally love. 

Check it out!

Rare offering! Lifestyle and location come together to present this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! This spacious 4-level backsplit in prestigious Edenbridge-Humber Valley offers 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and an incredibly functional layout. Far larger than it appears, this home offers exceptional lifestyle opportunities for growing families, downsizers, and anyone seeking a neighborhood cherished by families for generations. Situated on a fabulous private lot backing directly onto a beautiful park, this property offers incredible privacy, stunning greenery, and even CN Tower views on a clear day.

The backyard is truly an oasis-complete with inground heated pool, large entertaining deck, mature landscaping, and plenty of outdoor space to enjoy the seasons with family and friends. Inside, the home is bright, spacious, practical, and inviting, with large, picturesque windows that let natural light stream in all day. The main floor features an open-concept living and dining room, hardwood floors under broadloom, and a family-size eat-in kitchen. The large recreational/family room includes a cozy wood-burning fireplace and a walk-out to the backyard, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The light-filled basement features above-grade windows, abundant storage, and flexible living space.

Meticulously cared for by its owners, this home offers warmth, functionality and outstanding long-term potential in one of Etobicoke's most sought-after communities. It's perfect for families looking for move-in-ready comfort and functionality - enjoy the home as it is for years to come and, if desired, gradually customize the space to reflect your own style/evolving needs. One of the home's most special features is its connection to nature and community. Step through the backyard gate to enjoy acres of open green space featuring tennis courts, a playground, and an outdoor skating rink that comes alive each winter.

Check it out!

This is the one you have been waiting for, this superb modern new build is absolute top quality, luxury throughout, nothing like your average spec build, it was custom crafted for the owners, designed by Richard Wengle, this modern gem is the pinnacle of design and quality. Boasting over 6,100 sq.ft of high functioning space, great Feng Shui, this home strikes the perfect balance and harmony, fostering positive energy, peace and prosperity. This flawless home is perfectly situated in prime Willowdale West, close to all the wonderful shops and restaurants along Yonge St, Subway, & Hwy 401.

The main floor is everything you have been looking for, a generous foyer, cozy living room with an adjacent formal dining room, a dream main floor office, Butler’s pantry & convenient mud room with an abundance of storage, topped off with the enormous gourmet kitchen with breakfast nook and oversized family room overlooking the rear gardens.The 2nd floor delivers 3 large bedrooms each with ensuite baths, convenient laundry, and the sumptuous primary suite with a dream walk-in closet, spa inspired ensuite bathroom with oversized shower and large soaker tub, gas fireplace and second discreet office space, ideal for a private sanctuary away from the living area, or for the family when both spouses need a home office.

The lower level has it all, large bedroom with ensuite bath, dedicated home gym, custom wine cellar, oversized recreation area perfect for home theatre with wet bar, an abundance of storage, 2nd laundry area, (appliances not included), all drenched in natural light due to the large walk out and southern exposure.

Check it out!

WORD OF THE WEEK

Comely

What It Means

Comely is an adjective with an old-fashioned and literary feel that describes someone or something that has a pleasing appearance, or that is pretty or attractive.

FRANKIE’S SONG OF THE WEEK

This is such a great Saturday night party song or sing in the car kinda song. 

I8MPS.COM

100 WEEKS OF POSITIVE MESSAGES

Frankie did 100 days of positive messages 3 years ago. He wanted to center them around mental health and positivity. We will post them each week for 100 weeks.

"If you need it, make sure you ask for it.

Like I mentioned in a previous post, most people who have real mental health issues will never ask for help.

So, if you spot some irregularities in people, you need to offer help.

Little things really go a long way.

Trust me when I say, nobody wants the embarrassment of being labeled "crazy" but it is nothing be be ashamed about.

There are many, many examples of great people over centuries who were labeled completely crazy during their lives but were later celebrated for their brilliance.

Your friend who is being difficult could be just that.

I am in a very good place, so, thank you to all of you who check up on me. I am on no meds for years and I use all my little tools of naps, walks, laughter, exercise, positive thinking, work, sports, leisure and a strong belief that storms will pass to calm my brain.

But, so many people I talk to are not. Many people are really struggling and I believe that we have become the loneliest generation ever.

I love technology but unfortunately it has made us hide, it has made us fat and it has made us stupid.

Use technology to your advantage. Don't let it control

you.

Get out in the world, talk to a friend and stop hiding behind your phones.

Help where you can and don't forget to ask for help when you need it.”

OTHER POSH THINGS

CLING! at the Monnaie de Paris: Where Comics, Coins and Capitalism Collide

Who knew money could be this much fun?

From Smurfs collecting sarsaparilla instead of riches to Scrooge McDuck swimming through mountains of gold coins, CLING! La bande dessinée parle cash at the Monnaie de Paris proves that money has always been one of the greatest characters in comic books.
This wonderfully inventive exhibition explores how artists have used wealth, greed, luck and ambition to tell stories for generations—and it's far more thought-provoking than you might expect. Set inside France's historic mint, the exhibition couldn't have found a more appropriate home. As you wander through the galleries, you'll discover more than 250 original comic artworks featuring some of the world's most beloved characters. Tintin searches for treasure, the Daltons dream up their next bank robbery, Lucky Luke keeps law and order in the Wild West, Batman battles crime in Gotham, while the Smurfs remind us that happiness doesn't necessarily come from money at all. And yes, Scrooge McDuck is here too, proudly guarding his legendary fortune. The exhibition is cleverly divided into themes rather than timelines, introducing visitors to adventurers, billionaires, gamblers, counterfeiters, thieves and dreamers. Along the way, it asks surprisingly modern questions. Why are we fascinated by people who have enormous fortunes? Why do comic books so often make us root for the lovable outlaw? And what does money actually represent—security, freedom, power... or simply another adventure waiting to happen? One highlight is the playful interactive section where visitors can sit down for a game of Monopoly, reminding us that our obsession with getting rich doesn't stop when we close a comic book. It's a nostalgic touch that ties perfectly into the exhibition's message: whether in fiction or around the family dining table, money has always shaped the stories we tell.

What makes CLING! so enjoyable is its balance of humour and insight. It celebrates the colourful worlds of comics while quietly encouraging us to think about our own relationship with wealth, success and value. Whether you grew up reading The Smurfs, Tintin, Lucky Luke or American superheroes, there's a good chance you'll leave with both a smile on your face and a few questions in your head. It's clever, nostalgic, visually rich and refreshingly different—exactly the kind of exhibition that reminds you that Paris always finds a way to make even the subject of money feel like art.

TRIVIA

Category: Canada Edition!

🧠A Weekly Dose of Psychology You Didn’t Know You Needed 🧠

Hi everyone! I’m Maya, I hold an Honours Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science and Psychology (basically, I can analyze both a crime scene and your overly complicated coffee order). I’m also a Master of Arts candidate in Counselling Psychology, which means I spend a lot of time thinking about how the human brain works, and why it sometimes does the exact opposite of what we want it to do.

Psych Fact #51: Your brain is more likely to solve a problem after you stop thinking about it.

Ever spent ages trying to remember someone's name or solve a problem, only for the answer to pop into your head while you're showering, driving, or brushing your teeth?

That's because your brain doesn't completely stop working on a problem just because you've stopped consciously thinking about it.

Psychologists call this the incubation effect. While you're busy doing something else, your brain continues processing information in the background, making connections you weren't able to see while you were intensely focused.

In fact, taking a break often improves problem-solving more than staring at the problem for another hour. That's one reason so many people have their best ideas while walking, cooking dinner, or lying in bed just before falling asleep.

So the next time you're completely stuck, don't assume your brain has given up. It might just be asking for a coffee break.

Sometimes the smartest thing you can do... is stop trying so hard.

“UNTUCKED” GOLF TOURNAMENT 2026

We have few foursomes left at the "untucked" golf tournament this year. If you would like more details or a spot check out the website @ www.untuckedgolf.com 

CHRIS’ CORNER

Still Plenty of Starts at Canadian Open

My initial gut reaction to the several top players withdrawing from the Canadian Open tennis tournament was of utter disappointment.

The men are playing in Montreal and the women are in Toronto this year. For those who aren’t aware, the men and women alternate between those two cities every year.

On the men’s side, absences include Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Bublik, and Jesper de Jong.

The women will be missing Karolina Muchová, Victoria Mboko, Jasmine Paolini, Hailey Baptiste, Emma Raducanu, and Dayana Yastremska.

That is a lot of the top players not competing in the Masters 1000 tournament. The nine Masters 1000 events are considered to be just a small step down from the four Grand Slams.

So, seeing that list of those missing I was a little perturbed. Knowing so many are injured made it a little better.

Realizing how many amazing stars of the sport are still going to be serving up some great tennis starting on August 4 took my frustrations away.

I take offense as a Canadian when top athletes don’t come to our events … that includes the Canadian Open in golf.

But, that would be unfair to the many athletes who love to visit and put on a show in our great nation.

That’s when I did a mental list on my head – and on this week’s podcast – about who will still be there.

Most of the Top 10 on both sides, plus most of Top 30, and a bunch of fan favourites.

Notable players confirming their attendance include Felix Auger-Alissime, Alexei Zverev, Flavio Cobolli, Coco Gauff, Jessica Regular, Aryna Sabalenka, and on and on.

So, though the headlines leading into the tournament were about who was missing it, the players coming will still make the tournament worth going to see … or even just watching on TV.

By Chris Occhiuzzi

For more articles, and podcasts, visit: www.patreon.com/therealchrisoshow

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS

WEATHER THIS WEEK

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Maintaining the momentum is important when it comes to life and business.”

-SFD

NEED A TENT?

If you're looking for a wedding tent or corporate party tent this summer or fall. Make sure to follow up with my little brother and www.thetentrenters.com ask for David. 

CONTRIBUTIONS

If you would like to contribute to the newsletter, please contact us. Our NL goes out to over 10k business owners, friends, and other professionals in my network. We would love to have people from different walks of life, and we won't judge your writing. If you would like us to keep your articles anonymous, we can do so as well. Also, if you enjoy the newsletter and want to contribute $, please donate to www.camh.ca anytime on our behalf AND please have your friends subscribe, it will mean the world to us. 

Thank you

- Frankie

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Super Frankie is lazy. He loves technology because it makes life simpler. Technology is spawned from ideas that make life easier. He is the founder of Busys.ca which is a company that sells/leases and services printers, laptops, document management software, copiers, IT services, and phone systems throughout North America and Europe.

LET’S CONNECT

*These articles, jokes, and stories are written by individuals handpicked by SFD for their unique way of thinking and writing. While SFD appreciates their styles, he does not necessarily endorse their opinions. This newsletter is designed to bring a smile to your face. If you prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please feel free to unsubscribe. You will be missed.