Shows/MikeStafford

Friday, May 24th: The “Warn Range”

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:50:00 GMT

10:00 Trying to Help When It’s Not Wanted

Mark Towhey was fired as Mayor Rob Ford's chief of staff because he told Ford to "go away and get help," a source close to the mayor's office has told CBC News. Callers share their experiences with friends or family that, while they may not have wanted to admit it, needed help during a tough time.

10:30 The “Warn Range”

Toronto Coun. Paul Ainslie announced Thursday he had received a warning under the Highway Traffic Act during a police R.I.D.E. spot check in early May and, as a result, was asked to surrender his licence for three days.

11:00 Tricking the Tots?

At the McDonald's annual shareholders meeting in Chicago Thursday, Hannah Robertson told CEO Don Thompson, "It would be nice if you stopped trying to trick kids into wanting to eat your food all the time." Hannah and her mother, who is a blogger and calls herself a “nutritional activist”, were part of a contingent from a watchdog group. Thompson explained how he takes his children to McDonald’s sometimes, but as a parent, he ultimately decides how often they munch on those delicious fries. Who’s more to blame here, fast food companies or parents?

12:00 Fast & Furious Friday: Sometimes Life Hands You Lemons

When you get a brand new vehicle, you expect it to function perfectly. But sometimes, life hands you lemons! When that happens, it’s time to make lemonade. How do you make things right with a problem car? Mike and callers discussed on today’s “Fast & Furious Friday”.

12:50 LISTENER EMAIL A HAPPY ENDING!!!

Thursday, May 23rd: Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:47:00 GMT

10:00 Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Ontarians report that they value their wealth more than the average Canadian, but more than a third of households in the province say they're left strapped for cash after paying essential bills each month, says a new survey. What's your situation? Do you find yourself watching your account drain?

11:00 Junk Mail: Yay or Nay?

So says Canada Post in a direct pitch to Canadians to take down their “no flyers” signs, arguing that they are missing out on coupons, catalogues and community notices. Addressed to Occupant, letters from Amanda Maltby, Canada Post’s chief privacy officer and general manager of compliance began arriving this week in some residents’ mailboxes across the country. Maltby notes that these customers are in Canada Post’s Consumers’ Choice database of those who have declined unaddressed mail. She argues this type of mail “can save you money and keep you connected with your local community.” Has junk mail ever been useful to you?

12:00 Pet Owner Lawsuit

A Toronto paralegal is suing a vet hospital for allegedly giving her dog vaccinations without her consent and causing his death. Penteado raised her shepherd crossbreed from a puppy, kept him 11 years, and made the gut-wrenching decision to put him down two years ago. She is now suing Rosedale Animal Hospital, its operators and two of its veterinarians in small claims court for $25,000, the maximum allowed. Should Penteado be awarded compensation for pain & suffering.

Wednesday, May 22nd: Nay to Casino, Nay to Woodbine

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:10:00 GMT

10:00 Nay to Casino, Nay to Woodbine

Spectators burst out cheering Tuesday as city council voted overwhelmingly to reject a new casino in Toronto and to oppose expanded gaming facilities at Woodbine Racetrack. The 38-6 vote ended a bitter, year-long debate that fuelled inter-city bickering, divided Toronto council and prompted a slew of major casino players to swoop in with glitzy promises. In the end, it was the province’s refusal to meet Mayor Rob Ford’s revenue-sharing demands that sapped the last bit of strength from pro-casino forces.

11:00 Selfish, Abnormal or Immature?

Non-parents hear these slurs all they time: They are selfish, abnormal, immature, destined to die alone in a stairwell. Is there anything wrong with not wanting to reproduce?

12:00 Beer of Choice

Thanks to hipsters, the price of cheap beer like Pabst Blue Ribbon is on the rise. A recent study by Restaurant Sciences found that low-cost beers like Budweiser, Miller Light and Coors Light are going up thanks to the rise in popularity of Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)-- favorite among the community of bearded men in skinny jeans.

12:50 LISTENER EMAIL!!!

Tuesday, May 21st: International Day of Families! Yay?

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:53:00 GMT

10:00 International Day of Families! Yay?

A Nova Scotia school is causing controversy after deciding to stop celebrating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, instead opting to recognize the International Day of Families instead. The Dartmouth elementary school said it is aiming to celebrate diversity and inclusivity while avoiding making children who are part of non-traditional families feel left out. Is there anything wrong with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day?

10:40 Driving Them Here, There and Everywhere

Fewer Canadian kids are commuting by walking or biking as a new report reveals a marked decline among young people using active modes of transportation. Children who use active transport for commutes to and from school can accumulate up to 45 additional minutes daily of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity compared to kids travelling by car, train or bus.

11:00 Track & Save!

Drivers who brag they're better behind the wheel than fellow motorists could soon get their chance to test their bravado. Technology is allowing motorists to see exactly how good they really are and the insurance industry is keen to see such devices allowed in Alberta. The province is currently studying if and when such technology - termed telematics - should be green-lighted. It is already in place in Quebec and the insurance industry believes it is just a matter of time before all provinces follow that lead. Would you like one of these devices on your vehicle?

12:00 It’s “No Limit Junk Day”!

It's "No Limit Junk Day" in Peel today, where you can leave your unwanted junk curbside for the Garbage Guys to pick up. Except a lot of it ends up getting hauled away by "garbage pickers". Wife reports that a lot of our junk has been removed by curbsiders today! Have you witnessed this phenomenon? 5 Minutes after you leave something curbside, it's gone? Are you a "garbage picker"?

12:50 LISTENER EMAIL!!!

Friday, May 17th: Turn Off YOUR PHONE!!!!

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:10:00 GMT

10:00 Cancer Alternatives

At the age of three, Brianica Kirsch was diagnosed with brain cancer. Her parents, desperate to find alternative measures for their daughter who had undergone surgeries and chemotherapy, turned to Dr. Christine Daniel, who offered an herbal supplement with a success rate she claimed was between 60 and 80 per cent. Brianica’s parents spent thousands of dollars on the herbal product before she died. Federal prosecutors are asking that Dr. Daniel be sentenced to 27 years in prison for crimes they deem cruel, despicable and heinous.

11:00 Turn Off YOUR PHONE!!!!

Annoying cellphone users beware: Don't mess with Kevin Williamson. The National Review writer is being hailed on the Web as a mini-hero after he exacted vengeance on an annoying theatergoer who wouldn't stop using her cellphone during a live performance. His final act: He snatched the phone from the theatergoer's hands and threw it across the theater.

12:00 Fast & Furious Friday: Are You Driving a Chick Car?

A simple question on today’s Fast & Furious segment: what makes a car a “chick car”?

12:50 LISTENER EMAIL & A HAPPY ENDING!!!

Thursday, May 16th: Fee For Everything When You Fly

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:02:00 GMT

10:00 Utility Bills: When The Tables Are Turned!

Ed Van Geutselaar suspected his city water meter was faulty when it said his small Cambridge home was using water at a ridiculously fast rate. City staff, he says, disagreed. They wanted $50-$85 to come check his meter. But then, on April 17, things changed. Van Geutselaar says his water usage slowed to a trickle since he started monitoring. “Now, they’re panicking to get out here.” Only now, Van Geutselaar doesn’t want city staff to come. They offered to waive the fee. He doesn’t care. They are not welcome.

11:00 Fee For Everything When You Fly

It’s no secret that airlines are charging more and more for different services, whether it’s early seat selection or checking a bag. So it wasn’t surprising to learn this week that U.S. airlines collected more than $6 billion last year from baggage and reservation change fees alone, on total revenues of nearly $160 billion. Do you mind paying fees for the extras that you get to choose, so long as the cost of the seat is as cheap as possible?

12:00 Binge Watching

Breaking Bad is returning to television this fall with the last few episodes of the series. Mike is about to “Binge Watch” the series from the very beginning in order to get caught up. What series is the best for binge watching?

12:50 LISTENER EMAIL!!!

Wednesday, May 15th: Get Your Hands Dirty!

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:40:00 GMT

10:00 Get Your Hands Dirty!

The Canadian oil and gas industry’s faltering reputation is hurting its ability to attract the country’s youth despite the promise of six-figure salaries. But is there more to it than just the Boomerang Generation’s negative opinion of the oil industry? Are the trades too dirty, the work too hard and far from mom and dad’s safe and comfortable basement?

11:00 Front of the Line

In a culture that outsources everything, it was inevitable some well-heeled Americans would find a way of skipping the tedium of lining up to get into a Disney attraction — especially during the recent Spring Break. Wealthy mothers from Manhattan are hiring disabled people, who pose as family members, to get onto rides and other attractions at Disney World, the New York Daily News reports. The hired helpers — given the fancy name of “tour concierge” — are obtained through Dream Tours, a company that helps organize vacations for people with special needs. If all parties involved are okay with this arrangement, is there really a problem with this method?

12:00 There’s a Degree For That?

Were you the type of college student who preferred to hide in your dorm room blasting Metallica instead of studying? Did you skip class to travel to a Black Sabbath show? Or sleep through mathematics after a late night of headbanging? For some students at a UK college, watching and listening to heavy metal will be studying, because the university has just launched a degree in heavy metal music. Callers told Mike about those courses and classes in university, college, and high school that were a breeze.

12:50 LISTENER EMAIL!!!

Tuesday, May 14th: The Customer Isn’t Always Right!

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:59:00 GMT

10:00 Tim Bosma Found

An Ontario man who has been missing for more than a week has been found dead, police announced. Hamilton Police Chief Glenn De Caire announced the death of Tim Bosma, a 32-year-old father, on Tuesday. He said burned human remains were located and police are convinced they are Mr. Bosma’s. Will this news change the way you conduct sales and purchases via online services like Facebook, kijiji and craigslist?

11:00 The Customer Isn’t Always Right!

The TTC is defending one of its bus drivers on Monday following a video posted online in which the driver refuses to let a woman exit the rear door of the bus even though she repeatedly tells him she feels ill. Protocol meant that the driver couldn’t open the doors until he reached his stop. Sometimes, the customer ISN’T right!

12:00 Go West!

Fortunately, for today’s crop of Alberta students who are seeking summer or part-time jobs, there are plenty of openings up for grabs. Although the national youth unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at about 14.5 per cent — leading some critics to call it a crisis — the outlook in Alberta is far more rosy. Economists say the comparable rate in Wild Rose country is about eight per cent. GTA youth could head West to grab some of these jobs, but how many loogans do you think would actually do that? What did you do to make a quick buck in the summer when you were younger?

12:50 LISTENER EMAIL!!!

Monday, May 13th: Hard Hit to Hockey

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:59:00 GMT

10:00 Hard Hit to Hockey

Nova Scotia has become the second province to ban body checking at all levels of peewee hockey, in an effort to reduce injuries for younger players. Hockey Nova Scotia passed the motion banning body checking on Sunday. The ban will come into effect at the beginning of the 2013-2014 season. The decision comes as momentum grows to make the game safer for adolescents who, doctors say, are suffering high rates of hockey-related head injuries. Is it time for a full-out ban on hitting in youth hockey?

11:00 Seasonal Assault on Your Body

Mike’s been hit hard today by spring allergies. He’s suffering from a full assault: itchy eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, etc. Have you been suffering through a stronger than normal spring as well? What are you doing to fight allergies?

12:00 Changing Social Norms

Massive lawsuits targeting people who illegally download copyrighted content are common in the U.S., where people have been stuck with hefty fines and out-of-court settlements. Now there’s an attempt to bring that to Canada. At the center of the effort is Canipre, the only anti-piracy enforcement firm that provides forensic services to copyright-holders in Canada. They hope to change Canada’s acceptance of downloading music and movies without paying. But do you think lawsuits will stop the pirating from continuing on a large scale?

12:50 LISTENER EMAIL!!!

Friday, May 10th: Crossing the Line For Your Liquor

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:52:00 GMT

10:00 Crossing the Line For Your Liquor

With the real threat of a strike by LCBO workers before the long weekend, the provincial agency is strongly suggesting drinkers stock up before next Friday’s strike or lockout deadline. Are you going to stock up, or will you cross the picket line to get your precious alcohol?

11:00 Engaging Jeff Bliss

A Duncanville, Texas school district says it is looking into a cell phone video-gone-viral of a student telling off his teacher about her poor teaching skills. The video shows a teen, apparently told to leave the classroom, lecturing the teacher for being ineffective and "reading packets" as he makes his way out the door. Do you support pupil Jeff Bliss’ rant?

12:00 Fast & Furious Friday: End Times for Manual Transmission?

Peter Cheney writes here in The Globe & Mail: “I have seen a sign that the End of Days may be upon us: the option list for Porsche’s new 911 GT3 and Turbo does not include a manual transmission. And Jaguar’s just-released F-Type sports car? Automatic only. The Four Horsemen can’t be far behind.” Considering how automatic transmission is far superior to any human working a stick, is there any reason for somebody to drive a manual transmission vehicle?

12:50 LISTENER EMAIL & A HAPPY ENDING!!!