Features
Danny Finkleman – more than just “Finkleman’s 45’s”
By GERRY POSNER
And then there is Danny Finkleman. For many of us that grew up in the 50s and 60s – when we think of the 1970s and 80s the name Dan Finkleman comes to mind as someone who carved out a career stemming from his curiosity and interest in music. I know – as I was with him for a chunk of his journey.
Dan Finkleman was a product of the South End – 359 Niagara Street to be precise, the son of Sid (of Finkleman Optometrists, if you can go back that far) and Dorothy Finkleman, and brother to another well known ex-Winnipegger: Ken Finkleman.
Dan exuded colour even as a kid and that same personality still reigns today. After Kelvin High School, he graduated from the University of Manitoba law school – more out of an obligation to his parents than anything, since the legal world was never in the deck of cards for Dan.
It was one of those chance moments at a party when a Winnipeg CBC radio producer with whom Dan was acquainted, Heather Robertson, suggested he find interesting people to interview for local radio. He began with the well-known Winnipeg artist Esther Warkov and from that emerged a series of free lance interviews.
Before you could say Danny Finkleman, he had a one-hour show on a different topic every week. A popular national CBC radio show by the name of “Matinee” picked it up and ran segments. That was in late 1968, and soon Finkleman was asked to move to Toronto. It was not long before Finkleman was doing interviews for a show recognized as one of the premier radio shows in the country: “ This Country In The Morning “ hosted by the late Peter Gzowski. Dan was no longer thinking about torts and contracts.
In the early 1970s Dan had his own time Saturday morning time slot from 10:0 AM to 11:30 with what was called “The Danny Finkleman Show”, which contained interviews and other characters whom Dan invited as regular participants. This show had a wide following, although if you were at synagogue that morning, you missed it.
In 1982 Dan joined “Sunday Morning” on CBC, doing short five to seven minute features. Still, with all of that behind him, Dan was only warming up, as he was soon asked to host a regular two-hour Saturday evening radio show on CBC.
Iin 1985 he aired the very first show of what would eventually became a 20-year run. Many readers will no doubt recall that show:“ Finkleman’s 45’s.” Dan had a huge listening audience waiting to hear songs from yesteyear, his introductions to those songs, and Dan’s signature rants on subjects of every kind, including his profound distaste for email!
In radioland, 20 years is an eternity. It is hard to fathom just how successful this show was, but one clue was the huge fan base it acquired, eventually culminating in a Dan Finkleman Fan Club – which still has members to this day.
Still, when Dan gave it up, he was ready to move on. He reinvented himself in a new career that lasted as long as his radio career, becoming a stockbroker at Canaccord Capital in Toronto.
Now, not many people could make that kind of a switch. But what Dan had going for him was his innate curiosity and an interest in the stock market.
He never looked back. Dan retired a few years ago, but not before he introduced one of his three children, Sam Finkleman, into the business. Dan and his wife Kristen have three children and three grandchildren.
The thing about Dan Finkleman is what you see is what you get. He is the same guy he was in Grade 6 hanging around Queenston School – just with a little less hair. He is also the same guy who used to sing in a quartette with Danny Klass, Irving Tessler and me, known as the “Lo- Notes”.
He likes to return to his Winnipeg days and roots so that my lunches in Toronto with Dan tend to focus on our glorious past. When Dan read the article on Toppers in the JP&N, he reflected on his own AZA days with Winnipeg 38s and his buddies from the time: Sid Robinovitch, Morley Hollenberg, Charles Smithen, Earl Goodman, Richard Rosenblat, Brian Rosner, Lenny Steingarten, Danny Klass, Fred Wintrobe, Ken Arenson and Gerry Schwartz.
And. when he’s not reflecting on his early times in Winnipeg, he is happy to be at home stretched out on his La-Z-Boy – dog at his side. But of course, if you listened to “Finkleman’s 45’s” you already knew that fact about Dan Finkleman. He was – and remains a true Winnipeg personality.
Features
The Popularity of Simpler Slot Games in 2026: Review From Casino Online CrazyTower Experts
Online casinos now fill their libraries with numerous video slots that have dozens of functions, long bonus rounds, complex mechanics, and so on. Interestingly, despite this huge range of modern options, many Canadian visitors at sites like Casino Online CrazyTower here https://crazytower.com/ca/ no longer want complicated gameplay that requires constant attention and long explanations.
Simpler slots now attract a wider audience because they save time and create faster sessions. So, let’s figure out why this change happened and reasons for the popularity of simpler machines.
Why Many Players Are Returning to Basic Gameplay
Modern websites like Casino Online CrazyTower pushed complex video slots for years, but many people now prefer classic formats again. Simple gameplay has fewer interruptions and is simpler in terms of budgeting, which is important when you gamble for fun.
These are a few potential reasons explain why simpler slots became popular again in 2026:
- Faster rounds. Symbols appear quickly, and rounds continue without long animations or extended bonus sequences.
- Easier controls. Most classic slots have simple menus and familiar layouts that don’t confuse new visitors.
- Smaller feature lists. Simple slots usually have standard wilds, scatters, and multipliers instead of dozens of random mechanics.
- Better session flow. People spend more time on gameplay instead of reading explanations about symbols and special functions.
- Lower visual pressure. Simpler slots use calmer designs and shorter effects that don’t overload attention.
Classic gameplay also suits mobile devices better because shorter rounds work well on smaller screens. Plus, many visitors now prefer games that start instantly and explain their mechanics within seconds.
Features That Make Simpler Slots Appealing
Simple machines at Casino Online CrazyTower and similar websites continue to attract attention because they have a high gameplay speed. Many classic titles also replicate older casino machines that people already know from physical casinos.
However, these aren’t the only factors that attract gamblers. So, check out this list:
- Short bonus rounds. Free spins and multipliers finish quickly instead of interrupting gameplay for several minutes.
- Common and standard paylines. Traditional layouts help people understand payouts without long explanations.
- Faster loading times. Simpler graphics reduce waiting time on phones, tablets, and older computers.
- Stable gameplay pace. Long cutscenes and constant pop-up notifications don’t interrupt the session.
- Traditional themes. Fruit symbols, bars, sevens, and classic casino designs still attract large audiences.
- Smaller menus. Important information appears immediately without complicated tabs or hidden sections.
Modern video slots often contain too many mechanics in a single game. Developers now combine expanding reels, random modifiers, mission systems, tournaments, and multiple bonus levels in one title. Many visitors lose interest because gameplay turns repetitive and overloaded with constant interruptions.
Compare this to a session when you get results immediately and aren’t interrupted. These still have free spins and even mini risk games, but not as loaded as innovative titles.
Conclusion
Simple slots usually create better replay value because people understand the mechanics immediately. Common and standard gameplay doesn’t cause frustration and allows faster decisions during casino sessions.
Many classic slots also function better during short breaks because rounds finish quickly without long bonus interruptions. That’s why simpler slots became popular again at many casinos, including Casino Online CrazyTower and such.
Features
Football: Which team from Israel could we see in the European Cup next year?
With Europe’s club competitions heading into another summer of drama, Israeli football is on the table. The domestic season is done, trophies picked up and now a new batch of clubs can now try their luck against continental competition.
What are the prospects of these teams in Europe next year and who are they? It all starts with Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s title, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s cup win and the competition of the best Israel football teams against each other, as fans look to Champions League on Wincomparator to see what teams are in contention.
How Israel’s clubs qualify for Europe: The 2026-2027 spots
Qualification to join the European elite hinges on the 2025-26 Israeli Premier League table and the Israel State Cup. Israel will have one Champions League spot, one Europa League spot, and two Europa Conference League spots in 2026-27.
That means the league winner gets into the Champions League, the State Cup winner goes on to Europa League qualifying. The next eligible league’s finishers take the Conference League slots. It’s a good model as it provides a tangible reward for consistency at home, while at the same time demonstrating the importance of each playoff game. A top three finish can help a club’s summer, bring in better players and provide fans with a European tour before the next season’s start.
The Champion’s quest: Israel’s hope for the Champions League
Meet the 2025-26 Premier League winner: Hapoel Be’er Sheva
Hapoel Be’er Sheva have qualified for Israel’s Champions League after their Israeli Premier League title win with 79 points scored in 36 games. Ran Kozuch’s side closed the gap on the three-point lead but also showed significant strength in the attacking phase to secure a win in a crucial championship round with Beitar Jerusalem.
Their challenge also comes as their reward. Hapoel Be’er Sheva are only expected to begin in the second round of the Champions League, not the league round. To get to the main competition they need to pass through the first round of the other national champions in two-legged ties, and their seeding, fitness and sharpness in early-season competition could be a game breaker.
While the club has experience in Europe and a rabid Turner Stadium following, the path is tough. It takes one bad outing to wipe out a year’s worth of work. However, as long as the bedrock remains the same and they are able to put some depth into the team, the champions have the balance to fight.
Battling in the Conference League: Israel’s other European contenders
The State Cup winner and league runners-up
Maccabi Tel Aviv go to Europe after the Israel State Cup final 2-1 win against Hapoel Be’er Sheva at Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem. That win denied Be’er Sheva a home double, and also meant that Maccabi got into the Europa League qualifying, where they were put in the second qualifying round thanks to access-list rebalancing.
The Conference League qualifiers are Beitar Jerusalem who finished second in the league with 76 points, and Hapoel Tel Aviv who finished fourth with 60 points. The importance of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s cup victory lies in the fact that it unlocked the rest of the way in the league. Beitar’s season was particularly impressive as they scored 78 goals and lost just four matches. On the other hand, Hapoel Tel Aviv managed to remain above Maccabi Haifa in the final table standing, earning them a well-deserved European berth.
The Europa Conference League is no consolation prize for these clubs. It’s a realistic platform. Although there are still a few hurdles to navigate, Israeli sides consider this competition to be the most realistic one for European football in the autumn.
A look at past successes and future hopes
This group has reason for belief, based on recent history. Israeli teams can make significant nights in Europe, and Maccabi Haifa did just that, when they made it into the Champions League group stage in 2022-23, and then impressively took out Juventus 2-0 in Haifa.
There is significant monetary and sporting worth in qualification. A UEFA cup can make a difference to a club, as can better attendance, TV coverage and recruitment opportunities. The early storylines will be the draw for Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Champions League, as well as Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa league and the two Conference League routes — Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv. They all have tricky paths to follow, but all four provide Israeli football with a realistic European presence next summer.
Features
At one time one entire block of McAdam Ave. was almost totally Jewish
This story originally appeared in a November 2014 issue of The Jewish Post & News:
1994 McAdam Ave. reunion (names inside story)By GERRY POSNER (This story first appeared in November 2014.)
Once upon a time when life was simpler and gentler, there was a street in the north end of Winnipeg which was like all other streets in the city except in one significant way. Everyone, but for one family, living on McAdam east of Main Street was Jewish.
