By NORMAN SHABEL A fundamental question people grapple with at all stages of life is: what brings me purpose and meaning?
From a young age, one answer stood out to me: writing fiction.  By the time I was in my twenties I had drafted several novels. Eventually, I penned 7 plays and 8 novels. Putting stories on paper then bringing them out into the world has always brought an unparalleled level of meaning to everyday life.  

But knowing what brings meaning is just one side of the equation. Finding ways to engage in meaningful activities amid life’s multiple constraints is another altogether. When I was just starting out, I was extremely busy building a career as a plaintiff’s attorney and prosecutor and raising a family.  I often squeezed writing in while I was hunched over my desk waiting for a jury verdict to come in.  Today, life is calmer and yet, there are always constraints. I no longer have the adrenaline of youth. My family has grown to include grandchildren.Traveling to see them, as well as to spend time with the many other people I care about, keeps me busier than I anticipated. There’s always something.

So, I have found a new way to keep the meaning of writing alive. That is, focusing my energy on sharing the stories I wrote in the past. In many respects, this has proven to be the most meaningful part of my writing journey. 

Why?
First, my inspiration for writing was initially sparked by seeing the prejudices and injustices that riddle our legal system while I was practicing law.  These include judges’ and juries’ unconscious biases.  There are also hidden agendas that guide the decision-making process, and alliances between judges and defense lawyers, mayors, police and others in power.  All of this can shape what a jury hears in a case, therefore greatly influencing the outcome – and justice.  In writing legal thrillers, I wanted to show this to the world.  And I did.

For example, my novel Four Women is about four elderly women struggling to retain their homes in Miami despite greedy builders attempting to remove them to make a profit.  The protagonist — their lawyer — also represents a young father who fell into a vat of boiling sulfuric acid at the factory where he worked. He couldn’t sue his employer for negligence because the workers’ compensation laws in Florida favor the employer.  Both situations reflect incidents that, as a lawyer, I saw time and again.

These issues are still prominent in our legal system today, and I am still just as passionate about telling the world all about these behind-the-scenes forces.  Sharing my books allows me to do so.  Knowing that readers will learn from them, becoming more aware as citizens and empowered to take action to fight such injustices wherever they can brings me a tremendous sense of fulfillment.

Perhaps more importantly, I am deeply gratified to share the legacy of the real-life people — women in particular — who inspired many of the characters in my fiction. For example, my mother, Jeannette, who emigrated from Poland, married at 14 and raised four children alone after my father was severely injured in a work accident. Her personal struggles as a welfare recipient inspired her to fight for the rights of others in New York’s welfare system. My Aunt Helen, too, had a formidable spirit, fighting for tenant rights in Coney Island after witnessing landlord neglect.  Aspects of their stories are woven into various novels and plays I have written, including Four Women.  It is immensely gratifying that by sharing my books, I am keeping their legacies alive. 

So if you have found something that brings you meaning — whether a hobby, a cause, a learning experience or a creative endeavor — but fear that life’s constraints will hold you back from engaging in it, I invite you to shift your perspective.  The imperatives of reality never go away; they merely evolve.  Instead of abandoning meaningful pursuits or giving up before you start, you can adapt them. For example:
Break them down into a series of smaller steps and take them one step at a time.  
Focus on the process and the parts of it that you enjoy instead of the end goal.
Remind yourself why the activity brings you meaning and continue nurturing the aspects most closely related to this.  

In my case, the ability to share my stories has always been a key ingredient of the meaning writing brings me.  Today, I consider it a privilege to be able to focus on this aspect one hundred percent.

Norman Shabel is the author of eight novels, praised by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano as “terrific, fast-paced reads about the dark side of law enforcement and the judiciary.”  Many of his stories are inspired by his 55-year career as a plaintiff’s attorney and prosecutor, where he witnessed injustice and oppression on a daily basis; others draw on his experiences of Jewish family life and his astute observations of its unique, often hilarious, dynamics.  His novels include The Aleph Bet Conspiracy, Four Women and The Badger Game.  Also a prolific playwright, Shabel has written seven plays, three of which have been produced off-broadway in New York City, Philadelphia and Florida to rave reviews. Among them are A Class Act, Marty’s Back in Town, and Are the Lights Still on in Paris?  Born in Brooklyn, NY, Norman is retired from law and splits his time between New Jersey and Florida. He finds much joy spending time with his adult children, and his grandchildren.
 To learn more about Norman Shabel please visit https://normanshabel.net/

Canada, or ‘The Great White North’ as it is known, is the second-largest country in the world, just behind Russia, but it is vastly empty due to the long winters it endures. With a population of just over 38 million people, Canada has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. Gambling is only legal in Canada if offered through licensed facilities. Most provinces require gamblers to be 19 (like in Ontario, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan). In Manitoba, Alberta, and Quebec, gamblers can legally gamble at 18.

How does a variety of notable events, festivals, tournaments, and shows sound in this beautiful country like Canada? Casinos in this country offer a vast range of experiences, ranging from glitzy entertainment shows to high-stakes poker tournaments. In this article, we will examine the stats, records, and monetary figures that characterize the casino scene.

World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOP)

Over the last 20 years the poker sense has grown exponentially worldwide. From something that was done un a shady casino to be plasters in ESPN and the prize pool off millions of dollars Canada is not foreign of that. The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOP) has become a major highlight in Canada’s casino calendar. The event features numerous stops across Canadian cities, with each stop offering a variety of poker tournaments. Tournaments have been hosted in over 15 different cities including Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal with total prize pools exceeding CAD 25 million.

Marc-André Ladouceur from Quebec added to his impressive record by winning his third WSOP Circuit ring. After completely dominating a field of 1,800 players, he brought home CAD 210,000. Kristen Bicknell, a three-time WSOP bracelet winner, made headlines at another event when she secured her second WSOP Circuit title, earning CAD 180,000. These victories are a testament to the important level of competition and skill present in Canadian poker and show the talent that these hometown favorites have when it comes to playing poker.

The Great Canadian Casino Fest

British Columbia is one of the most beautiful provinces of Canada, it has stunning views and amazing cities like Vancouver. So that to do after a long day in the outdoors, well various casinos throughout British Columbia, the Great Canadian Casino Fest is a month-long celebration of culture, entertainment, and gaming. Over 50,000 people attended the edition of 2023; the host casinos earned CAD 15 million in revenue. A variety of gourmet dining experiences with the best chefs in Canada, live music performances from great bands, and several gaming tournaments of all types of games from Blackjack to Poker that have a combined prize pools exceeding CAD 5 million were all part of the festival.

The highlights of the 2023 Great Canadian Casino Fest were a special blackjack tournament with a prize pool of CAD 500,000. The tournament attracted 400 players, with the winner taking home CAD 150,000 which is a nice payday for any person. Another major draw was the series of slot machine tournaments, with total prizes reaching CAD 1 million.

Toronto’s Casino Entertainment Shows

Toronto is the biggest city in the ‘Great White North,’ with a population of almost 3 million people. It offers numerous activities, from watching the NBA team, the Toronto Raptors, at the Scotiabank Arena to seeing the MLB team, the Blue Jays, at the Rogers Centre. Toronto is the place for you. And if you enjoy gaming this beautiful, has you covered. Toronto’s casinos are famous for providing world-class entertainment. Over 200,000 people attended over 100 live performances at Casino Woodbine in 2023, which included comedy shows and concerts. The success these casinos have had brings also increase revenue for local businesses like hotels, restaurants, and other businesses who have benefited from the increased foot traffic. And when you are back at your hotel or in the road Ontario Online Casinos gives you large option of places you can play.

Canada is a lovely country with a lot of things to do. Even though it is quite cold most of the year, its people are warm, making it even more beautiful. A variety of experiences and this sense of community make the country an exceptional destination for both residents and visitors. In addition to gaming, the country’s casinos provide unforgettable experiences that exemplify the best of what Canada has to offer: hospitality, safety, and a vibrant cultural setting. Canada’s casino events truly provide a unique combination of excitement and enrichment, which makes it a wonderful choice for those seeking both entertainment and pleasure. These events, from the glitz and glamour of high-stakes games to the soulful sounds of jazz festivals, offer a unique blend of excitement and enrichment.

By BILL MARANTZ

‘Lord, when all my work is done, bless my life and grant me one old friend.’ – Roger Miller

Not all definitions are created equal. There are “old friends” and there are people you’ve known for a long time, and still play bridge with, once a week. But a picture is worth a thousand definitions. The photo you are looking at, taken at Clear Lake, shortly after Brenda and I were married, speaks louder than words. Brenda is in the front row, with Morley Singer on the right; the back row (from L to R) Irving “Itz” Levin, George Yee, and Larry “Lala” and Sandra Kussin.

I don’t believe I have to point out who “doesn’t quite fit.”

Lala’s (new) wife was a nice enough girl, but my angel was “just one of the boys.” We were a “band of brothers” and Brenda was our sister. I don’t recall what Itz was doing at the time I shot this picture, but my other old friends were still in medical school. Morley was the first to receive his degree because George and Lala flunked first year. Neither had a great deal of time to study. When Lala, whose middle-age father was recovering from a heart attack, wasn’t in class he was drawing beer in his father’s Exchange District hotel; and George, who grew up on Henry Ave. – without the proverbial “pot,” was a “bouncer” in his Ukrainian mother’s cafe, just across the street.

Still, they didn’t do too badly. George, who required financial assistance to attend medical school, ended up donating two million dollars to his alma matter to establish The George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, and Lala was one-time President of the Los Angeles Radiological Society. Morley, who moved to San Francisco, also did pretty well but I didn’t realize he was a medical superstar until I read his obit. Apparently, he was the internal medicine pioneer who was largely responsible for today’s “Intensive Care Unit.”

But none of my old friends ever changed. This was virtually the last time we all got together but, over they years, I would occasionally take a trip to Toronto, Windsor, Los Angeles or San Francisco and the years would melt away. We’d pick up right where we left off. But that was then; this is now. With the exception of Lala and Sandra, we are parted forever. Occasionally, I phone Lala, but he’s hard of hearing and I’m not a really a phone person. So the only “band brother” left is the old geezer in the bathroom mirror, the most important member having departed over a year ago.

So I talk to her picture.

And cry.