Daybreak Again: February 11/12, 2012

It's been 100 years since the publication of Stephen Leacock's classic, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town and on February 12, that little town springs to life on CBC TV. However, instead of a straight adaptation of the original, this version weaves the drama of Stephen Leacock's real life in with that of his characters. The film features an all-star cast including Colin Mochrie, Sean Cullen, Gordon Pinsent, and Alberta's Jill Hennessey, who plays Stephen Leackock's mother. She spoke with Russell about the role, her life and her music career.

She has the Best Recipes Ever and every day on CBC Television, Kary Osmond tells her viewers about them.  Her show is seen daily at 3pm and when it comes to cooking for Valentine's Day, she knows that when someone special make an extra effort in the kitchen, it can make for a memorable occasion. Russell Bowers spoke with Kary Osmond about her most memorable Valentine's Day meal and he got some ideas about these special meals.

Saturday, Feb 11 is Hockey Day in Canada and CBC will be broadcasting from Charlottetown as part of the annual celebration of the game. HNIC's Cassie Campbell-Pascall, joined Russell to talk about Hockey Day, her campaign as a "Role Mother" and she also shared her insights on the Edmonton Oilers & Calgary Flames leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline on February 27.

Music plays a big part of Hockey Day and one of the songs on the broadcast is from cowboy singer, Tim Hus. From the foothills of Alberta, his style is a cross of Stompin Tom Connors and Ian Tyson. Tim brought his guitar into the Daybreak Studio to get started with a song.

He's just joined that ever-growing, ever-changing rank of Canadian that moves from one part of the country to live and work in another part of Canada. Steven Bowers was born in Newfoundland, then moved to establish his music career in the Maritimes. In January, he and his wife relocated to Edmonton to set up a musical and career base.  Steven's latest CD is called Beothuk Words and he came by the Daybreak studio to play a couple of tracks for Russell. In addition, the two members of the Bowers clan trying to sort out if, or how, they are related.

In their 86-year existence as a basketball team, they have never won an NBA Championship however, the Harlem Globetrotters is one of the most famous teams in the world. They have a winning streak against their sole opponent, the Washington Generals, that goes back to 1971. The team of course, is not really about winning or losing. The Globetrotters are about fun and entertaining a crowd and on February 15, they'll be in Calgary to play at the Saddledome and in Edmonton at the Expo Centre on April 18. One of the veterans on the club is Buckets Blakes, who not only plays but spends time working with youth to share his love of sports. Buckets Blakes joined Russell in the Daybreak Studio.

Many of us welcome pets into our home as companionship but for some animals, they end up in homes that are less than ideal. Indeed in some cases, cats and dogs end up abandoned. Phil Hansen is a cellist with the Calgary Philharmonic and a cat fancier so he's decided to bring his considerable talents to a charity event on February 14. Phil's Cafe will be a fundraiser to raise awareness about adopting cats who need a new home and Phil dropped by Daybreak to chat about it.