issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:27 PM Page 1
TAKE ONE - IT’S FREE!
Local See ker The We s t
E n d Community paper
Chicken chic at Chef Ramsay’s newest culinary hang-out al
DO YOU know your LOCAL Businesses?
Vo l u m e 2 , I s s u e 1 6 , A u g 1 9 , 2 0 1 1
h nt e s Ei am r B s: oto h P
This Issue: *Briefly Bram sounds off on Bell *Graif on straight shooter Tevan *Last Call Sol and his gas problems *Day Travel: Grosse Ile and the Irish Memorial *Challenging puzzles
In the end, the sprinklers won out over the “chicken chic” focus of this story. The re-imagined Laurier Barbecue, now named Laurier Gordon Ramsay, celebrated its resurgence on August 9 with a jampacked, scalding-hot VIP soiree, featuring the star-ofhonour, celebrity chef and co-owner, Gordon Ramsay, his local business partner Danielle Lord, other luminaries and a bevy of fawning, passionate foodies. It was certainly a night to be remembered, particularly Chef Ramsay’s entrance about an hour in, accompanied by Mayor Gerald Tremblay (quite fitting, actually, since his goose is increasingly cooked with every passing month) and others. The Chef is quite suave in person and on this evening, exchanging his white working jacket for a fashionable suit, he looked amazing. Grabbed by a senior as he squeezed past the photo-taking, autograph-hunting throng of well-wishers, after she kissed him on both cheeks he stated, quite unabashedly, “Darling, you look fabulous!” Turned out (from what I understand) that she was the mother of one of the producers of his hit show Hell’s Kitchen, but the chef certainly seemed genuine nonetheless. Genuine, too, is what the cuisine appears to be, a step up from the establishment’s basic but historic chicken dishes, including pot pie, that have been standards here for eons. On this evening, we were treated to tiny-but-delectable “amuses bouches” and smaller portions of some of the newer staples, such as scrumptious, melt-in-yourmouth pork medallions, the fabulous house poutine and something involving pulled beef that had me salivating for cow long afterwards. Oh yes… and their housecreated potato chips are simply to die for.
Cont. p4
issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:27 PM Page 2
Though my ears ring, I can’t hear them sing
Briefly Bram * Briefly Bram *
My ears are still ringing as I write this, but the only smile on my face is because of a musician named Travis Barker and not the concert I saw last evening at Centre Bell. Having come back after midnight from what was likely THE poorest amplified show in my personal history, I’d like to say more, but I’m too upset at the venue and impresario Evenko (formerly Gillett Entertainment) for organizing this tripe. When tickets were announced for the show, featuring My Chemical Romance – one of the few latter-day bands that I admire and respect – and pop punk headliners Blink 182 – I knew I had to go. MCR is responsible for the scintillating hit theme album Welcome to the Black Parade several years back and I had driven four hours to Albany to see them back then… and immediately four hours back, as the show had been cancelled by the time I got there due to the food poisoning of the performers. And being a drummer once upon a time, I gravitate toward the best of ‘em and there aren’t many better anywhere than power drummer and musical contortionist Barker. Now, I have seen hundreds of live concerts since the age of 15, when I slept outside the Montreal Forum to grab a ticket to see the Stones in July 1972 (for $8, with Martha Reeves and the Vandallas and Stevie Wonder as opening acts!). I KNOW good sound when I hear it and, baby, last night’s show… how should I put this?... sucked. And I have figured out the problem. Today’s generation of music buffs is SO used to “screamo” music, where lyrics really don’t matter a hoot, that organizers don’t have to spend an extra dime on a good sound system. And let me tell you, the Bell Centre likely spent no more than a nickel on its sound system last night, as I and my group could hardly make out a proper syllable for MCR and Manchester Orchestra, the forgettable opening act before them. The sound for Blink was slightly better, as they appear to have set up their own speakers on stage, but not enough to make me fully appreciate the final leg of the show. What I DID adore, however, was the energy these professionals put into it, as vocalists/guitarists Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus set up expertly for Barker’s delirious drumming.
hour performance at Centre Bell where you could hear Don Henley’s every word as they performed the ultimate rendition of Boys of Summer and every other hit in their repertoire, all for $100. Now THAT was a show! A friend of mine saw Paul McCartney a few weeks ago at this same venue and told me that the sound was as bad as it was yesterday. Evenko: Sir Paul, Travis and the lads, and music fans everywhere, deserve far better. As you age, your memories are often all you have (if you are lucky) and I’d like my memories of your concerts in this still-new millennium to be of classic music and lyrics… not this high-pitched screech in my ear caused by the feedback from the useless noise you are ultimately responsible for. Yeah, I know you will tell me the bands also have a say, but I pay you, not them, for the privilege of actually hearing them. Milestone on the horizon This paper will be celebrating its first anniversary in mid-September and I’d love to quote some readers regarding what they have liked most during our debut year. Please e-mail your comments to bram@thelocalseeker.com and I’ll publish the best of ‘em.
Eschew the energy drinks – watching Barker is all you need do if you want to feel alive. He is so unbelievable I was sure an immortal robot was perched at his drum kit. Barker survived a 2008 plane crash and fire that ultimately took the life of his good friend, David Michael Goldstein (DJ AM), so there may be something to the cyborg notion. When Barker capped his performance with a drum solo right before the final song, he and his kit hanging over the audience suspended by a mechanical arm, this could only have been sci-fi percussion for the ages. So thanks for that, Travis, because my alternate memory will forever be of a horrid mélange of sound mixing that left me with worse tinnitus than usual… and feeling ultimately ripped off. I paid good money for this gig, man, $60 after taxes… not what many bands bring in, true, but this would have even been obscene at $20. You know, I hear this is pretty endemic in the business today and I can only assume it’s because no one complains, so organizers can get away with it. The last time I went to see a band I REALLY felt gave me my money’s worth was The Police, at the Bell Centre on their notorious final tour a few summers ago. I still wear the tee-shirt proudly. Prior to that, Eagles gave a more-than-memorable three-
The Local Seeker, West End Montreal Edition Volume 2, Number 16, Aug 19 2011 Founded by Julia Lucio and Mai-Liis Renaud 2010 Published by Local Seeker Media Group, Cornwall, Ontario The Local Seeker does not accept responsibility for errors, misprints or inaccuracies published within. The opinions and statements of our columnists are not to be presumed as the statements and opinions of The Local Seeker. Managing Editor: Bram Eisenthal
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
ICED CAPPUCCINO
SOFT ICE CREAM
iced chai latte m i l k s h a k e s homemade juices (mango, soursop tamarind, guava)
ICED LATTE hibiscus iced tea
and more ! ! ! 20% off in Mon-Fri any of7:00 these Opening hours: a.m. tobeverages 9:00 p.m by showing this add. Valid until April 10th, 09. Sat- Sun from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
OUR CONTACT INFORMATION Free Classifieds and Advertising: 514-975-7745 EMAIL: bram@thelocalseeker.com westend.thelocalseeker.com Mailing Address: 327 2nd Street E. Cornwall, On. K6H 1Y8
Creative Design: Julia Lucio
AUG 19 (pg. 2)
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com
issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:27 PM Page 3
Take me to your litre When did the gas shafting begin? When they introduced the metric system to Canadians. Can you imagine the uproar if they had raised the price forty-five cents a gallon at a time? But 10 cents a litre back then wouldn’t sound as bad.
Do you need small renovation, painting and cleaning services?
It is no secret that the petroleum industry raises prices whenever they choose to and needs no reason to do so. The governments look the other way because they tax sales at the pump. The municipal government wants to raise taxes on gasoline even higher, in order to raise money for infrastructure repairs - instead of getting those that roll the biggest trucks along our highways to pay higher taxes they want the working man to do so.
Selling your home and require a thorough clean-up?
Spring cleaning? Yard work? Light fixtures changed or installed? Pick ups or deliveries with our small van?
The handy man can! Call Ralph, at 514 -912-1685 Or email me at alexdookes@hotmail.com
ABRA ELECTRONICS INC
514-731-0117 www.abra-electronics.com Store Hours Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30
Last Call with Sol - Sol Boxenbaum
Renovations of any kind?
But let’s get back to the real culprits: Petrocan, Shell Oil, and Imperial Esso. The price for crude oil is $80 U.S per barrel after being over $110 U.S. in May. That means the cost of a litre has been reduced by 25% and we received a reduction of 10% over that same time period. The oil industry has shown time after time that they organize amongst themselves, where a simple phone call sends all the station operators running out to change the price. As I said in the last issue, an independent commission needs to be established to approve or disapprove each application for a price change. It is never as pressing as now that it is done immediately. There is a web site on the Internet, with the URL http://www.essencemontreal.com, where you can log on 24 hours a day and find the lowest and highest gas prices on and off the island. If you register to receive their newsletter, you will be notified early in the day when gas prices are about to be raised by day’s end. It is always accurate. By mid to late afternoon the price will rise, first at Petrocan (our government) then at Shell and Esso. By the end of the day, all will have raised their pump price except for Ultramar, which is usually good till late at night or possibly the next morning. Once the villains raise their pump price everyone rushes to Ultramar to fill up at the old price. The next day when all prices are equal we forget that it was Ultramar that gave us a break and return to those that shafted us and forgive and forget until next time. Last issue I promised a solution and here it is. Boycott all gas stations except for Ultramar and the independent stations (Calex, Canadian Tire, Cosco, etc.) Let the operators of Petrocan, Shell, and Imperial Esso raise their price as high as they like and then sit and twiddle their thumbs while we all buy our gas elsewhere till the price comes down to where it legitimately should be. I really would appreciate hearing some comments. I know you’re out there. It’s closing time.
5580 Cote de Liesse - Montreal - H4P 1A9 Corner Devonshire Everything in Electronics, components and much more We are a leading North America-wide reseller, but our store is located right here in Montreal. Everything available at wholesale price
P.S. - Condolences to the family of the late Ted Tevan ED. NOTE: I have been calling for a boycott of the most offensive gas stations for several years now in Briefly Bram and this has simply fallen on deaf ears. I am willing to allow this paper to serve as an information source for such a move anytime readers are willing to act. But if you are going to sit around and likewise twiddle your thumbs, cursing without effect, why waste your and my time? Till then, I will run comments to Sol’s column if you send them. Where’s that team spirit? For more, please visit www.lastcallwithsol.com
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
• Largest Selection of
Electronic Hobby Kits in Canada • USB and HDMI cable starting at $5.99 • Remote Control Helicopter only $44.99 • Test instruments-MultimetersChemicals-Chemistry-Biology
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
AUG 19 (pg. 3)
Sol Boxenbaum (CEO) VIVA CONSULTING (514) 486-6226
SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND... IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS
Computer Doctor. Are you having problems with your computer? I can restore it to excellent health. Contact Darren at (514) 267-3953 – Affordable rates! Art lessons and workshops: drawing,painting, ink, bead, speedy blockprinting, origami. For information call 514-487-2970 or email indrasingh234@gmail.com
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com
issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:27 PM Page 4
Chicken chic at Chef Ramsay’s newest culinary hang-out (continued from cover)
I had been hoping for an interview with Ramsay, even a mini version, but I had been prepared by publicist Kristin Gable of Cossette Communications, who stressed that an interview would likely not be possible. It was no wonder. Ramsay was quickly located at the back of the restaurant atop a platform, where throngs of diaphoretic media and well-wishers had him cornered. I and my little paper didn’t have a chance. But I had been promised that Ramsay would reply to three simple questions (including one really good one asking him to explain why being a chef is such a passionate pursuit) I had e-mailed the day prior. The pictures you see here were taken by me as he was engaged in an interview with CJAD radio. The next day, however, I received this standard response from Ramsay via Gable to my questions, intended to suffice for all three:
Cover Stor y
“I love Montreal and its vibrant culinary tradition. Laurier Gordon Ramsay fills a niche by providing the perfect casual dining experience, with everything from rotisserie chicken that has been popular for 75 years to, of course, poutine. The dessert menu will also be the best of the old and new. This restaurant is truly unique, and I am very excited.” After being sloughed off this way, I wondered if Chef Ramsay has ever been happy to receive undercooked chicken or burnt tartlettes from one of his Hell’s Kitchen chefs. I still had Lord to interview personally, however, and I was actually more excited about bringing you the POV of the local partner… till the darned sprinklers went off the following evening, leaving Lord with one hell of a kitchen and overall facility to clean up, this was going to be a very different story. Undaunted, though, I decided to nonetheless give you some insight into this city’s major event of the week. It’s not every day that someone the calibre of a Gordon Ramsay visits a city with internationally renown for its cuisine, although my personal favourite celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain, has been here to film segments for his TV show, No Reservations. Bourdain has not yet bought into his own place here, though. Some trivia I learned in culinary school is appropriate here: Any idea what the classic chef jacket is patterned after? Well, the cooks who slaved over hot stoves to feed Napolean’s armies didn’t get much respect from the other soldiers, it seems. So, because he ran a pretty tight ship, the ‘Little General’ clad them in jackets that resembled military uniforms and demanded that the same respect shown to him by his soldiers be shown to his chefs. The custom has apparently stuck, as today’s chefs are treated with an absolute, military-like respect by their staffs and students. Just ask the people who work for Chef Ramsay.
Fun with Words
Corey was furious when his steak arrived too rare. "Waiter," he shouted, "Didn't you hear me say 'well done'?" "I can't thank you enough, sir," replied the waiter. "We hardly ever get compliments here.”
Laurier Gordon Ramsay 381 Laurier W. Montreal H2V 2K3 514-273-3671
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
AUG 19 (pg. 4)
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com
issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:27 PM Page 5
Whole Grain Roll by Caryn Roll
Texture a major element when it comes to our favourite foods You ever wonder what makes people love certain foods while others hate that same item? Naturally, you might assume it’s all about taste. What tastes good to one person might taste terrible to another. But what if there is something else at play here? Consider texture and how food feels in the mouth: Sometimes this is referred to as “mouthfeel.” Texture plays a huge role in how we consume food. For example, some people prepare their pasta “al dente” while others prefer it softer. Many people like to munch on raw broccoli and some will only eat their broccoli cooked. Kids are often all about texture. Parents never clue in about this and thus label their little one picky eaters. Similarly, as people age, anatomy changes or illness compromises swallowing. What was once easy to eat becomes a challenge. To help them, it could be as simple as changing the texture of the foods they eat. Likes and dislikes can easily be attributed to texture. Many people hate fish. If you probe them you will find out it has to do with how the fish feels in their mouth. I have seen the same thing with nut butters, pickles, quinoa and even mustard. One client insists that mustard feels like tiny little sand pieces in his mouth. Some people describe milk as slimy. Interesting choice of words, once again pointing to a texture issue. As a dietitian, there is nothing I can really do to help someone “like” a texture. Simply recognizing this is often very helpful for the person. When a parent understands that their child is adverse to a food because of the texture, perhaps they can serve the same food prepared or cooked differently. For seniors, offering soft foods more often could do the trick. It’s important for seniors to meet their nutrient and caloric needs. It’s also important to make sure they are safe when they are eating, so they don’t choke or aspirate food, which could lead to pneumonia. You see, eating is not just about flavour. There are so many other factors we need to consider when preparing and enjoying a delicious meal. Caryn J. Roll P.Dt. (514.817.0135) Twitter: @MTRLnutrition Join me on Facebook www.montrealnutrition.com
ASSISTANCE
HELP
En retard à produire vos déclarations de revenus? Vous avez quelques années à rattraper? Nous pouvons vous aider! Appelez-nous aujourd’hui!
Late with your tax returns? Behind by a few years? We can help! Call Today!
514.461.3006
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
514-975-7745 514-975-7745 514-975-7745
This bit of space could be yours! Call us today to enquire about our amazing advertising offers. 514-975-7745 514-975-7745 514-975-7745
AUG 19 (pg. 5)
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com
issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:27 PM Page 6
Irish remember 19th century ancestors at historic
Grosse Ile By Bram Eisenthal Photos: Bram Eisenthal GROSSE ILE, QUEBEC: You don’t need to be Irish to visit this tiny island, located in the Isle-aux-Grues archipelago on the St. Lawrence River. But if you’re searching for an intriguing story, high drama, emotional highs and lows and a truly memorable excursion, however, it certainly doesn’t hurt. For here, in the early-to-mid 19th century, the hopes and dreams of hundreds of thousands of refugees from all over Europe – many of them Irish - were
either realized…. or scuttled by disease so ravaging, they spread it to neighbouring Quebec City and as far as Montreal, killing up to a third of their populations. On Le Coudrier, the sight-seeing ship that takes you from the Port of Quebec directly to Grosse Ile and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada, you can try to suspend your disbelief and imagine you’re an Irish immigrant, escaping the Great Famine, navigating these very waters and arriving on Canada’s shores.
Thoughts of sanctuary and refuge certainly reigned supreme, if you didn’t perish from disease during the tortuous two-month journey. For these seafarers, Grosse Ile was the portal to Canada, a quarantine station from 1832 until 1937. In 1847, the Great Famine reached its peak and Irish émigrés flooded this tiny landmass, just 1.5 miles long by 2600 feet wide. Incredibly, 398 ships were inspected here that season. The scene must have resembled a ceaseless funeral procession, as those sick and dying from typhus arrived from Liverpool in England, Glasgow in Scotland and Bremen in Germany, as well as the Irish ports of Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Sligo and Belfast. Le Coudrier’s passenger compliment early this morning is majority Irish, a group of 36 New Yorkers hailing from the Emerald and Irish American Club of Westchester and Putnam Counties. They have come to pay lasting tribute. “I feel a deep sense of tragedy and I am trying to visualize how these people made it over here,” said John Mulvihill, the leader of the group. Born in County Kerry, Ireland, a onetime worker with the Dingle Railway, he came to the U.S. in 1957. John first heard of Grosse Ile in a televised documentary and touring the site has become a major goal for him since. “Grosse Ile is very unique spot and I am very anxious to arrive there. I am sure that more than a few tears will be shed.”
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
AUG 19 (pg. 6)
The most striking thing when you first reach the island is its placid atmosphere. Set in a lush natural setting, Grosse Ile is home to many species of rare flora, as well as deer and other wildlife. On the surface a seeming paradise, pleasant thoughts are suddenly dashed when you learn more than 7500 bodies are buried here. A good part of Grosse Ile is, in effect, a mass grave. Yet its history and the sheer magnitude of the humanity which flooded its shores makes it one of the more interesting venues in this region and, indeed, anywhere. The buildings that dot the landscape here are remarkable leftovers of a bygone era, many of them original structures. Upon landing at the island’s western dock, you will be facing several large, historically-relevant buildings: the hotels section (also known as the “healthy section”) on the left, where people with varying degrees of financial means could pay for some peace and privacy – there were once first, second and third class hotels, in fact - as well as the small yellow vaccination house farther up on the right, and the Disinfection Building immediately in front of you. Save the latter for the end of your visit, if you can, as it’s the most fitting way to terminate the experience. If you’re Irish, you’ll likely be eager to reach the island’s major landmark, the huge Celtic cross that can be seen on your approach by boat. Erected in 1909 by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), at a cost of approximately $12,000, to remind pilgrims of the suffering their ancestors endured, it’s quite breathtaking no matter what your religion. The view of the SaintLawrence River from here is quite spectacular. Be forewarned,
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com
issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:27 PM Page 7
however, that there is some uphill climbing involved and the path is not wheelchair-friendly. Remember to stay on paths island-wide, as pockets of poison ivy are quite abundant in non-marked areas. To reach the cross, you’ll pass the Irish Memorial, a sorrowful reminder of the citizens of many nations who never made it beyond Grosse Ile. The memorial portion was designed by Quebec artisans to resemble an ancient burial mound, incorporating clear lucite panels engraved with the names of all the deceased buried on Grosse Ile. Simple white crosses are situated over the mass graves of some 6000 individuals, while another 1500 bodies are buried elsewhere, in two smaller cemeteries. This is the most spiritual sector of the island and, if tears are to be shed, this is likely the spot. Behind the crosses, where there once stood a hospital, check out the pretty view of Cholera Bay. The cholera victims of 1832 (the typhus epidemic struck the 1847 group) were buried nearby, according to the tenets of the “miasma theory,” so that the bad humors were not carried farther afield by air. A legend states that bodies were found floating in this bay, and also that some victims were buried in the bottom of the bay during low tide.
For those into architecture and history, however, moving farther east via the facility’s tour tram will take you to a veritable gold mine of sites. At the center is the village of Saint-Luc de Grosse Ile, where the staff and workforce lived, schooled their children, attended church, shopped and pretty much carried on normal lives. Two spiritual centers, the Anglican Saint - John the Evangelist, dating to 1877 and currently undergoing restoration, and the Catholic SaintLuc de Grosse Ile p a r i s h church, used from 1874 until the 1960s and in l o v e l y condition, a r e landmarks w o r t h visiting. G u a r d t o w e r s s t a n d testament, however, to the fact this sector was separated from the rest of the island, so that the ill did not mingle with the healthy. Original concrete sidewalks still stand, in fairly perfect condition, and following them towards the river will take you to the remains of the wharf used by the “sick” arrivals, not too far from the building housing the dual-duty ambulance and hearse. Foreboding, indeed. The eastern part of the island, the sick sector, saw much suffering. One cannot avoid being deeply affected by this knowledge. The route passing the 1912 residence of the island’s Dr. Coté, the Public Works officer’s house and other buildings, brings you to the island’s oldest structure, the Lazaretto, the
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
AUG 19 (pg. 7)
long green and white quarantine center. As horrifying a place as this must have been, its more recent usage was darker still. During the mid-1940s, chickens were kept here by the American, British and Canadian military establishment, for a top-secret purpose. The eggs were used by scientists for research into anthrax. In the early 1950s, military biological research continued here. Despite the mental imagery this evokes, it’s perfectly safe to tour the site today and 30,000 people do so annually. End your tour by visiting the Disinfection Building, right by the west end dock. Hi-tech head sets will assist you in experiencing
exactly what new arrivals did upon disembarking from their ships, realistic sound effects and all. The actual disinfection process, which occurred while the clothes were being scorched in the huge steamers still here today, must have been quite something. A hot shower, clean clothes, a card stamped “Bathed and Personal Effects Disinfected,” and you were on your way. Unfortunately, on this island, at least, Irish eyes were not always smiling. For many, this was the beginning of a new life in Canada and perhaps the United States. For others, Cholera Bay was the last thing they would ever see. In their memory, a visit to Grosse Ile is the most fitting tribute of all. If You Go:
1, or a most comfortable trip in their economy coaches. For reservations, VIA be reached at 514-989-2626 or over the Internet at www.viarail.ca An excellent accommodation in Quebec is Hotel Royal William (360 Charest Street East), a fashionable, comfortable boutique hotel located near virtually every major attraction the city has to offer – it’s a 45 minute walk or $5 taxi ride to Old Quebec. In addition to nicely appointed, modern, completely-soundproofed rooms, many with jacuzzi tubs and all featuring ergonomic chairs and high-speed cable Internet jacks, there are two Internet terminals, offered free of charge to guests, in the downstairs library. The most fitting touch is Le SainteVictoire, the hotel’s bistro restaurant. The cuisine here is delicious and not loftily-priced and breakfast, served as either healthy or classic, is included in the room rate. Call 1-888-541-0405 - for reservations or visit their excellent site at www.royalwilliam.com Transportation direct from Quebec City to Grosse Ile is handled by Le Coudrier, a comfortable tour line that offers various sightseeing cruises and a 2 ¼ hour trip to Grosse Ile. The daytrip includes the guided tour on the island and the return to Quebec. Call 418-692-0107 for information while in Quebec City, or 888-600-5554, no charge, outside the city. Or, if you choose to rent a car, drive 45 minutes to the pretty waterfront town of Berthier-surMere and take the 45-minute trip to Grosse Ile on board the Croisieres Lachance, a modern, professional and fully-equipped father-and-son cruise ship line, which offers its own special packages. Contact them at 418-259-2140, 888-476-7734, or on the Internet at www.croisiereslachance.qc.ca Grosse Ile and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada is open to the public from April through October. To speak to one of the island’s knowledgeable Parcs Canada employees, contact them at 418-2488888. Their website is located at: http://www.parcscanada.gc.ca
From anywhere in the country, Via Rail Canada offers luxurious seating and dining in their first class car, Via
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com
issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:28 PM Page 8
Spotlight on Sports by Paul Graif
Ted Tevan: Homage to a real straight arrow Ted Tevan’s passing has brought memories of my childhood flooding back. I will never forget those nights in the mid-to-late 1970’s, staying up way past my bedtime to listen to his show, “the event,” as Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Irvin told me earlier this week. Those bleary-eyed mornings at elementary school when my friends and I would stand around in the schoolyard at recess the next day: “Did you hear Tevan machine gun that guy last night? It was awesome. He was such a mooch.” I always marveled at a couple of my friends who managed to stay up late enough to listen to it all. We had an informal competition between us: Who could get past his producer, McGaritty, and actually get on air with Ted to talk sports? I even had my parents call so that I wouldn’t sound like a kid. And if we did get on air, the goal then was hardly to be called a “straight arrow.” We wanted to get machine gunned off the radio. We wanted to hear Ted say “You’re gone… 790-0741” or “You’re banned for a year.” Irvin was right. Tevan’s show wasn’t about the statistics or the plays on the field, it was about him. Thirty years later, we don’t remember who was on first base on some random summer night when the Expos turned a game-ending double play to win it. We think back to the man behind the microphone who turned that game we had just listened to, featuring Dave and Duke, into something far greater than just a game.
Get SEEN, not LOST! In The Local Seeker With us, your ad stands out! It’s not lost on a page with a thousand other ads! We guarantee that you will get prime placement, every time. Our advertisers always come first!
We needed to hear how Tevan was friends with the players. We wanted to hear how he handled all the callers, who, like us, aspired to be shot down, aspired to be humiliated by this man who was larger than life. Fast forward 15 years to 1994. I was just breaking into mainstream radio and producing and reporting for the Mitch Melnick Show on CIQC and I was lucky enough to break the story of the end of the NHL referees strike one day. I remember going live on radio stations across the country with the news. For five decades, family But it wasn’t until I returned to the studio to file my reports that I was really put to the test. Ted Tevan was on air that night. business OTA has been He wanted me to guest on his show. I had finally secured the here, serving Montrealers biggest badge of honour among my elementary school friends - I was going on the radio with Ted Tevan as an equal! from the West End and
We’ve been on watch for expert 50 great years! We provide service in:
Before going on, Ted told me he was proud of me. I beamed. But that night I learned a big lesson. It wasn’t about the news that I had broken. It was all about the show. Years later the only people who remember that I broke that story are related to me, but everyone who listened to the radio in Montreal in the 1970s and ‘80s knew who Ted Tevan was. What many didn’t know was that he was kind and generous. He and I stayed in touch over the years: We last spoke about four months ago and he told me that I was doing a great job on TV and radio. To hear that kind of praise from the man who knew how to put on an event like no other meant the world to me. Ted Tevan was a pioneer who affected far more careers than just mine. I am honoured to have known him, to have worked with him and to have learned from him. Ted, you were a straight arrow.
beyond.
• Quality watch and clock repairs • Battery replacement (best prices around) • Custom work, done on the premises
Plus we sell watches, bands and leather straps (from France) AND Jewellery, including the wildly At OTA, our honesty and integrity are surpassed only by our commitment. We save you time, money and worry. OT A Watc hmaker & Jewellery C o * F ounded in 1 9 6 1 6 8 6 5 Sherbrooke Street W. by Mathias Woronc hak (c orner Mayfair)
5 1 4 -4 8 4 -3 8 4 7
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
AUG 19 (pg. 8)
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com
issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:28 PM Page 9
The art of doing nothing
Yoga U - Chantalle Kudsi
It is August, and with the excitement and heat of midsummer behind us, we start to mellow.This period of the year is a pleasurable time for many of us, a time of slowing down, relaxing with loved ones and simply "being."
6710 St Jacques, Montreal, Qc, H4B 1V8
Doing nothing can be a deeply restorative activity. Yet for a mind that organizes through duality, making sense of the world with such concepts as "something" vs. "nothing," it can be quite scary to embrace nothingness and embody it fully. If we do, will we fall into the abyss of nothingness? Will we become empty, lonely, sad, depressed and dull? I invite you to explore the possibility that doing nothing--when done consciously, with awareness--can involve all of our attention and be a safe, compelling and satisfying experience. The following exercise cultivates steadfastness and loyalty to oneself, patience and trust. It also attunes us, introducing our energetic body to the universal laws of nature. The Moon Mudra A mudra refers to hand gestures and finger positions. The meaning of mudra is "that which brings peace." 1. Sit in a comfortable position with shoulders down and relaxed, spine tall and head centred. Tuck the chin slightly in and down. 2. Place both hands on your lap, palms up. 3. With the right hand, gently touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger. Do not press; the softer and more subtle the touch, the better. Let the other three fingers rest open and extended, yet relaxed. 4. With the left hand, gently touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger. Again, do not press but keep the contact very subtle. The remaining fingers stay extended, yet relaxed. 5. Close your eyes and let your thoughts rest. 6. Breathe in and out through the nostrils and hold the hand mudra for five minutes, before gently releasing your hand positions and opening your eyes. Ask yourself: Was this experience full and perfect? What effect did the moon mudra have on my body and mind?
Chantalle Kudsi is a yoga and meditation teacher in the West-End. She can be reached at chantsomething@yahoo.ca
"The best Portuguese chicken around." Sol Boxenbaum Last Call with Sol
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
AUG 19 (pg. 9)
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com
Achieving Artists
issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:28 PM Page 10
La Semaine des Arts/NDG Arts Week, August 19 – 28 In 2010, artists G. Scott MacLeod, filmmaker John McKay and musician Roger Haughey organized an arts festival to illustrate the unique and creative pulse of Montreal's largest borough. This ‘grass-roots’ and community driven initiative, NDG Arts Weekend, surprised everyone who participated, spectators and organizers alike. The festival proved to be a way for our borough to communicate socially and culturally with the greater métropole de Montréal. Historically, NDG has been a diverse borough with a rich multicultural background and history, accompanied by an artistic diversity that should been seen, heard and tasted. The NDG Arts Weekend was an opportunity for the borough to celebrate that often-ignored richesse. This year the festival has expanded. Discover the rich array of art and culture that NDG has to offer at the second edition of NDG Arts Week, which takes place from August 19-28. This nine-day festival celebrates the abundance of creativity and spirit found in the West End. This year, the festival is partnering with the NDG Food Depot to mark their 25th anniversary. “During the recession of the ‘80s, I went to the food depot and was grateful that it was available to me,” says G. Scott MacLeod, Art Walk & Festival coordinator. “That experience taught me that hard times and hunger can fall on anyone.” The Food Depot distributes over 600 food baskets per week and offers a variety of support and skill building programs. “Co- creating art and beauty around us is a great way to overcome ‘poverty of spirit,’ ” says Fiona Keats, director of the Food Depot. “We need to nourish our bellies as well as our spirits to be healthy. Community art projects are a natural and fun way to break the social isolation that so often accompanies urban living.”
Eye Spy by Linda Rutenberg
The Beauty of the Ordinary Most people take pictures on special occasions such as vacations, parties or graduations. Have you ever considered the idea of photographing the everyday? Some of the best photos are taken when dad is asleep on the living room couch or Mom is making those special cookies you like in the kitchen. Everything is worthy of a photo but we tend to ignore the things we are familiar with and simply deem them as boring. The way to get around this is to have your camera on hand all the time. I have a large SLR type camera and it is heavy so I generally use it for my outings and projects, but I have a small Canon that is in my purse at all times. I call it my visual journal and I use to photograph everything that strikes me as interesting. Your eye needs exercises just like the rest of your body and your need to be looking for photos at all times in order to keep it sharp. You can put the camera on program mode and just keep it ready to shoot whatever attracts your eye. A beautiful shadow, light reflected on a window, the kids playing in the pool in the backyard, or even images of your local grocer will all make wonderful photos that will give you insight into the unique life that you live.
Although all the Arts NDG Week events are free, donations may be made in support of the NDG Food Depot’s programs. Keep an eye on these festival highlights: Aug. 19, Launch Party – At Coop la Maison Verte Aug. 19 -28, Dine For the Depot - A campaign, which celebrates the culinary arts featuring 20 local restaurants Aug. 20, Depot Block Party - Community mural launch, art activities, BBQ, and Live Music- Bring your dancing shoes! Aug. 21, Craft Fair - At the Coop la Maison Verte Aug. 21 – 27, Youth Art – Programming for children Aug. 25, Street Vibes – Head & Hands present’s NDG’s vibrant urban music scene Aug. 26, Off the Wall Film Festival – Short films by local directors screened in Girouard Park Aug. 27, Art Walk - Live painting by over 50 artists on Sherbrooke between Melrose and Wilson Aug. 28, Country En Ville – Country and folk festival in Girouard Park Everyone is welcome. Please check out the program for the full list of events - Also available online at: http://www.cooplamaisonverte.com/artsndg/ Join our Facebook site at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lasemaine-des-ARTS-NDG-ARTS-week/192246127461950?sk=info
Many people find it more difficult to find worthy subjects for photographs in the places they are familiar with and usually that is because we do not really LOOK as we go about our routines. There are many treasures to be found so just open your eyes and be ready to shoot. Linda offers workshops for intermediate and advanced photographers… you can check out the schedule on her website, www.lindarutenberg.com, or call 514- 739-0511.
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
AUG 19 (pg. 10)
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com
vISIT US ONLINE AT WESTEND.THELOCALSEEKER.COM JOIN US ON FACEBOOK... THE LOCAL SEEKER LOCAL SEEKER ON TWITTER
issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:28 PM Page 11
Solution to Crossword
Hope you have enjoyed this issue of the Local Seeker. Our next issue will come out on Sept 2, 2011.
Bes t, Bra m
Deadline Friday, Aug 26, 2011, 12 noon
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
AUG 19 (pg. 11)
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com
issue16_Layout 1 8/18/2011 2:28 PM Page 12
THE LOCAL SEEKER,
AUG 19 (pg. 12)
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com