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TAKE ONE - We’re different!

Local See ker The We s t

E n d Community paper

DO YOU know your LOCAL Musicians ?

Vo l u m e 2 , I s s u e 1 8 , S e p t 1 6 , 2 0 1 1

Montreal’s own renowned piano man never ceases to amaze I love jazz. I was 17 when my then-girlfriend and I would go to Café Mojo, this unbelievable little no-nonsense jazz club on Parc where you sat on cushions, ate cornbread with honey and drank various teas in a prematurely smoke-free environment while owner Sayyd Abdul AlKhabyyr and his sons played jazz like nobody’s business. A drummer, I would enviously play my Buddy Rich LPs and dream that I had my own big band. I discovered Miles Davis in my twenties and Kind of Blue became a theme song of sorts. I was officially a jazz junkie.

First Anniversary Issue Remembering Elmhurst Dairy: Ice Cream Dreams Montreal actress Anne Bedian

So, it’s no wonder that as I sat back against the pillows on Oliver Jones’s couch as I interviewed him in his West End Montreal apartment, I was floating on cloud nine.

While he isn’t anything special to himself – “I’m hardly a star, I’m just a working musician,” he tells me matter-of-factly – he is certainly jazz royalty to me. And after meeting him when I did an interview for a Briefly Bram column several years ago, we stayed in touch, thus enabling me to ask if he would gift me with his image and story on this first anniversary cover. I’m listening to his most recent CD, Second Time Around, as I write this… very much in the groove and feeling very, very mellow, man.

Seen our new Property Seeker section yet?

Story and photos - Bram D. Eisenthal

cont. p4

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One year and counting…. thanks to you all!

Briefly Bram * Briefly Bram *

Anniversaries are weird. On one hand, why do we mark them? Broken down to their basic essences, they don’t mean much. What’s a year in the overall scheme of things? Twelve months, so many weeks, minutes… so what? Time doesn’t really mean much, if you never do anything important with it. How many lives fly by, only to mark what exactly? How many marriages last 10, 20, 30 years or more, only to fail eventually because they were marked by nothing but deceit, jealousy, brutality, anything but love? Is a lifetime or a marriage wasted worth marking at all?

In this instance, however, my celebration of the first anniversary of this paper is a good thing. I started on a whim and didn’t expect much. In fact, I didn’t really expect that it would last. Most papers have a large team getting the work done and, at the very least, backers with deep pockets. Not so The Local Seeker. My pockets have developed holes in them more than once this past year.

It all started in July 2010 when my good friend, Cornwall-based (former Montrealer) Julia Martin Lucio showed me a paper she and her business partner, Mai-Liis Renaud, were doing there. The Local Finder, it was called at the time, and I was really impressed. I emailed Julia: “Hey, why can’t I do this in Montreal?” And a paper was born, the name of both papers changed to The Local Seeker for legal reasons, debuting in Montreal on September 15, 2010. Looking back, 26 issues later, it has been a hell of a year. The paper is still small, still not printed in quantities that allow enough people to receive it and still with a lot of room for growth. But it IS! This is my life’s passion and I devote almost every moment of my spare time, as well as many sleepless nights, toward bringing it to you. Despite the challenges, the hardships and the immense amount of work required to enable the Seeker to grow, I plan to continue. I am driven… I have no choice.

There are certain people that must be thanked, because without them this paper would never have made it this far. First, to Julia and Mai-Liis, thanks for the incentive, the hard work, the encouragement and for hanging in. This isn’t exactly a money-making machine, at least not yet, so a lot of faith is required twice a month. Yours matches mine and I’m sure at times it’s not easy for you.

Our advertisers are also key to the survival of this paper and I appreciate each and every one of you, from the very first advertisers to back us, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and his Chabad centre on Monkland and Pasquale Massa of QualitiFruits, who grabbed the first back page, to Abra Electronics, which hasn’t missed an issue, to every advertiser no matter how large or small. I must personally single out Jack Rothenberg for his monthly page, because someone as key to Montreal’s business scene certainly doesn’t NEED The Local Seeker.

For some reason, however, he likes us, he really likes us!

Next, to the amazing stable of columnists who have stuck with me for the long haul, I also owe you all a sincere debt of thanks. To entertainment critic and lecturer Shlomo Schwartzberg, sports columnist Paul Graif, dietician Caryn Roll, book guru Andreas Kessaris and photographer Linda Rutenberg, who have been with me since the start, thank you. To Hollywood director Steven Goldmann, who honed his dreams in our West End, yoga professional Chantalle Kudsi, who undoubtedly thinks of her next column every time she twists herself into a pretzel, and Sol Boxenbaum, media’s last angry, intelligent and straight-to-the-point man, you have been part of this more recently, but that is our good fortune. You enhance The Local Seeker, each and every one of you.

intern Laura Brohman); “Jung Journalist” Jarred Coxford, personal trainer Jordan Davidovit, young renovations genius Shayne Lonn, talented, budding feature-writer Jacqueline Treminio, cartoonist Sheldon Cohen… thanks to you, too. You are welcome here anytime.

To my cover personalities, thanks for sitting still and humouring me during our interviews. I hope I made you sound as good as you made me by gifting me with great material. This issue’s Oliver Jones doesn’t need me to make him sound good, but he certainly jazzed up our pages, helping us celebrate in style. And, by the way, Mr. Jones, Esq., the hippest cat around, turned 77 on September 11. Happy Birthday!

I also want to praise my newest advertiser, star real estate agent Anita Benabou Rosenblat, for helping us get our new real estate section, The Property Seeker, off the ground. Here’s to your wisdom and hard work, Anita… may we all benefit from your commitment.

And a big meow of gratitude to our Seeker mascot, Chikis the cat. She can grace our pages whenever she feels like it… kinda the kitty way, isn’t it? I owe you some catnip and a tickle, me thinks!

Finally, to you, our readers, thanks for welcoming us into your hearts and for your loyalty. I know you have other community papers to enjoy, which is why we strive to make ours different than the rest. I hope the result is very much to your liking.

Another word on Sol and CJAD A few weeks ago, Sol Boxenbaum was informed by CJAD that they would not consider having him on their airwaves again because they were not considering changing their lineup. A short while later, they announced that veteran DJ and announcer Aaron Rand would be taking over their afternoon drive – from 3-7 p.m. – which would necessitate a major number of changes. I was toying with the idea of calling for a boycott of CJAD in this paper and I emailed CJAD’s program director, Chris Bury, regarding that. I then decided not to use this paper as an instrument of that boycott, but to allow readers and Sol’s many supporters, to come up with their own methods of protest. The easiest thing to do would be to simply stop listening, but there are far more proactive methods. You’re an intelligent group, so I will leave the means up to you. Just remember that, by doing nothing, you become nothing more than complainers… something our society is far too full of. Want to effect change? DO something about it! And that includes CJAD’s advertisers. If you feel that seniors are being neglected by CJAD – shafted is more like it – you have the right to pass that sentiment on to your sales rep BEFORE you sign the next contract. Radio is all about ratings, which is all about dollars and cents. Nothing else matters, when it comes down to it. By the way, Astral Media, which owns CJAD, also owns CHOM, where two years ago they did nothing (that I know of ) to reprimand their program director after he permitted just 15 seconds of silence at 11 a.m. on Remembrance Day. Does this sound like an owner that values our seniors? I really don’t think so. Sorry, but I gave you the wrong contact e-mail for CJAD Program Director Chris Bury last time. It's cbury@radio.astral.com.

And to those who write every now and then or who have contributed in the past: The Junior de Montreal hockey team (written by capable

The Local Seeker, West End Montreal Edition Volume 2, Number 18, September 16 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,

Creative Design: Julia Lucio

SEPT 16 (pg. 2)

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 The Property Seeker A regular feature of The Local Seeker West End Montreal Edition Professional Consultant - Anita Benabou Rozenblat

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Media overkill

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There are times when I am embarrassed to be part of the media. This is one of those times. Ten years ago today we, the people of the free world, were attacked by terrorists in what was inarguably the most horrific peacetime disaster ever. Hundreds died and the death toll would have been greater if not for the courage of the passengers on another flight that would have crashed in Washington, DC.

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Renovations of any kind?

What is the point in reliving those days 10 years ago when people searched for their family members, some of whom had perished in the rubble of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and some who had leaped to their deaths? Why are we giving pride and “bragging rights” to the perpetrators? But sensationalism sells newspapers and we know how much help some newspapers need today in order to exist.

The Saturday edition of the Montreal Gazette had all of page 1, most of page 4, columns on pages B1,B2 and B3 of the Extra section, page C1 of the Business section, page 1 of the Sports section and pages 1 and 4 of the Culture section, devoted to the anniversary. Are you beginning to see my point? The Sunday New York Times had only a 10-page supplement. That is the difference between classy journalism and exploiting a bad situation. It would be nice if, once in a while, The Gazette focused on good news instead of focusing on earthquakes, tsunamis and other disasters for weeks on end. Lest I be accused of having a grudge against The Gazette, may I add that the Journal de Montreal, La Presse , The National Post, the Globe and Mail and all the television networks in Canada and the USA were equally obnoxious in their coverage of the 10th anniversary.

Speaking of 10th anniversaries, Saturday, September 3 marked 10 years since my last cigarette. Want to become a non-smoker like me?

Write me and I’ll tell you how.

Throw away the key Every time I hear of people being convicted of sex crimes where children are involved, I am more convinced that there is no punishment severe enough to deter those people. We lock them up in an effort to protect society from them but there is nothing we can do to cure them. You can keep them caged for a certain length of time but eventually they will be released and they will re-offend. Most recently, police in BC were looking for a man who is suspected of kidnapping a 3-year old boy. The boy has since been found, but the suspect, who is still on the loose, has a record dating back to 1980 for kidnapping and sexual assault. He served two years in prison at the time. Is it any wonder that he continues to re-offend? If I were Minister of Justice, I would introduce a bill that would give life in prison with no chance of parole for any and all pedophiles or kidnappers of children. I say this at the risk of offending some of my rightwing conservative acquaintances who will cry how offended they are that we are housing prisoners at the expense of their tax dollars. To them I say, “So be offended.”

It’s closing time.

Keep those cards and letters coming.

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THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 16 (pg. 3)

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Montreal’s own renowned piano man never ceases to amaze (continued from cover)

Cover Stor y

Oliver Jones, jazz pianist extraordinaire, is a celebrity, it seems, in the minds of everyone BUT himself and it’s no small wonder. He is not only incredibly gracious, ego-free and extraordinarily generous, he has led a storied musical life. Born in Montreal (Jones turned 77 this past September 11), he was raised here, lived in Florida during the heady early sixties when being black in America was both exciting and terrifying, resided in Puerto Rico after Cuba’s twin political crises made that nation a hot entertainment destination, and then returned to us.

Montreal was a great place back then, both as a residential town for the black community and as a musical town, Jones told me. “Well, I was born here in 1934 and did all my schooling here, including studying at the McGill Conservatory in 1951. There was no segregation at the university level at that time, although most black families took it for granted that their children would go to work rather than going to school when they were old enough. There were simply no funds for that.”

Jones met Charlie Biddle – the late and very beloved jazz bassist whose name later adorned Biddles, the live jazz and lively ribs spot on Aylmer – in 1950 and a close friendship ensued, cemented until Biddle’s passing in 2003. Jones stressed again how Montreal was a jazz haven in the good old days. “So many musicians who came here in the 1940s and 1950s stayed and raised families because of the lack of racism,” he said. “And you had black clubs that couldn’t be surpassed, like Rockhead’s Paradise and the St. Michel, both downtown. Many blacks lived in St. Henri, a large percentage of them working on the rails, including handling porter duties.

“Rockhead’s (Rufus N. Rockhead, Proprietor) also had the distinction of being the first black club in Canada to have a liquor license.”

St. Henri is where another lifelong friendship was cemented, that of Oliver Jones to Oscar Peterson, a legendary jazz pianist and composer who was more Jones’s soulmate than anything else. “We lived 12 doors from one another, … and I got to see him do so well from the time he was 14 years old onward. His passing (in 2007) left monumental shoes to fill.”

When Jones left Montreal after his marriage in 1958, he had some truly amazing experiences. Living in Miami during the racially-turbulent early 1960s, for instance, he truly “felt” black for what may have been the first time. “There were signs on the beach there, stating “’No niggers, Jews or dogs,’ in that order,” he said. “And because most accommodations were not open to blacks, we stayed at a Jewish-owned residence called Hampton House, where all the other ‘undesirables’ stayed. They held a golf tournament there every year and many black stars came back to the place where they had lived once upon a time.

“But as far as cool neighbours, there was one guy living right upstairs from me, name of Cassius Clay (later known as Mohammed Ali), who was so quiet… until the media showed up and then he became a different person. He had an amazing build and a big motorcycle, I remember. I would go to watch him spar at the gym nearby sometimes.” Jones’s third cousin, the late “K.O.” Joe Pyle, was a onetime Canadian welterweight champion.

From 1964 – 1970, Jones resided in Puerto Rico (“after all the gambling moved there from Cuba” ), where he did some film work, including working as an extra on the film Che, about the life and times of Cuban exile and revolutionary Che Guevara. Other entertainment work included writing one of the theme songs for the long-running Las Vegas hit show, Siegfried & Roy. His subsequent return to his most beloved Montreal has, however, made him a very content man. “For the past few years, I lived on Mariette in NDG and I have since moved elsewhere in the West End.” Jones’s musical legacy has garnered him three Juno awards, 10 Felix awards, but no Grammies. Does that matter to him at all, I asked? “Well, yes, to a degree,” he admitted. “I am (almost) 77 and it would be nice…” Jones is extremely excited, however, that he has two auditoriums named after him in the north end of the city and that young people are thrilled to meet him when he visits their schools, such as a not-long-ago appearance at the West End’s Coronation School. He is equally unexcited that current Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is such a musical grinch – “there’s no musical appreciation whatsoever from that corner” - and that he has such apparent disdain for the arts in general. “When the Liberals were in power, I was always invited to play at events like the G-8 Conference in Vancouver, and at other events in front of presidents, prime ministers and kings. Since the Conservatives appeared on the scene… nothing.”

Now sitting at his Yamaha Baby Grand piano, looking as serene as he could possibly be, Jones told me what makes him happiest. “Growing up in Montreal, I experienced something I rarely found anywhere else, that special eclectic mix of cultures. I missed that and now that I am back again, I see it all around me. That’s good, the way it should be, because we can all learn so much from one another.”

Oliver Jones’s next CD, featuring live concert music recorded in Switzerland with Oscar Peterson 20 years ago, including the famous Hymn to Freedom, will be out sometime this fall.

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SEPT 16 (pg. 4)

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Coach Trestman has Als on a calm, even keel

Spotlight on Sports by Paul Graif

There has been a lot of hand -wringing around the Montreal Alouettes in the last few months.

Hard to believe, especially after two straight Grey Cup championships, but the team and franchise have looked to be in disarray at times (at least when compared with their own lofty standards).

Larry Smith was fired as team President just before the Grey Cup win and he was replaced by Ray Lalonde, who himself was let go as the Canadiens Marketing Director a few months earlier.

On the field, Anthony Calvillo got hurt early on and it was clear that no one is capable of stepping in and filling even one of his shoes. Then, three of the Als’ five starting defensive backs went down to long-term injuries. Montreal suffered two losses in which their defence was a porous as a submarine with screen doors, including a blow-out in Hamilton on Labour Day. Even worse was that Montreal was totally undisciplined, as they were penalized for nearly 200 yards. That’s unheard of for a Marc Trestman-coached team. There is a reason that the Als have been to the Grey Cup in all three of the seasons Trestman has been head coach. He has figured out a way to be both a players’ coach and a disciplinarian when needed. He is the rare leader who is both liked and respected. It’s hard to believe that Trestman hasn’t been snapped up as a head coach in the NFL: After all, he has years of experience there as an assistant.

Despite all of the problems, Trestman has never panicked. And since any organization and team takes its cues and identity from its leader, the Als have remained calm. In Trestman they trust. And that trust paid off in Sunday’s 43-13 pasting of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at home. Montreal played a precision game on both sides of the ball and, more importantly, they were barely penalized.

Three years ago I was on hand in St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu as Trestman was running his first practice as Als’ new head coach. He stunned everyone on the field when he barked at his team to line up for the national anthem.

He made his team stand at attention, helmets off, tucked under their right arms and to “respect the flag.” Watch the Als line up along the sideline during the national anthem before every game - they don’t ever need to be reminded. They exhibit a team that is disciplined and focused. I believe that the coach was telling his team something very important that day. His message? ‘I’m the boss here, but if you are respectful I will show you respect in return.’ I have spoken with several players on Montreal’s roster over the years about that day and most have said it had a deep impact on them and their relationship with the coach.

So when the Als go through a rough spot in a long season, there really is no reason to worry. With General Manager Jim Popp constantly restocking the roster with talent and Trestman at the helm, Montreal is sure to come through any hiccup with flying colours.

(ED. NOTE: I love the Als and their winning-but-respectful swagger, but they REALLY need to prepare for the day… not very far off… when Calvillo needs to be replaced. WHY are they not having him mentor a young quarterback as he was likewise mentored by Tracy Ham into becoming arguably the finest QB in CFL history? What are they waiting for? If Adrian Jamal McPherson is that guy, they certainly aren’t playing him that way… yet).

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 16 (pg. 5)

Kith

Starring at our

special Supper Club, Saturday, September 17, starting at 7 p.m.

Great sounds, terrific food, at Grillades Portugaises!

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Photo: Gordon Beck, The Gazette, 2008

Nostalgic about Elmhurst Dairy Ice-cream dreams

by Bram D. Eisenthal The Local Seeker Growing up in NDG at a time when ice-cream was just available at Steinberg’s in very basic vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, Neapolitan, maple walnut, butterscotch ripple and (if I was really lucky), pistachio and orange, you often needed to look around if you wanted that extra special fix. Sure, there were always the Space Bars at the neighbourhood Cantor’s and Dairy Queen on Sherbrooke, just east of Cavendish, wasn’t far when we all hopped into my dad’s Comet. But for authentic Sealtest ice-cream in a plethora of flavours, 15 or so, we West Enders were also lucky to have a heavenly spot that aficionados flocked to by the thousands, especially during the hot summer months.

In Ville St. Laurent, they had St. Aubin, but in the West End, from 1878 on thanks to its founder, Thomas Trenholme, we had Elmhurst Dairy.

WOW, thinking back, can’t ya just taste it, that luscious, sweet, creamy cold confection dripping with nostalgia?

Remember how you would line up for what seemed like hours outside, awaiting entrance into the hallowed dairy bar where they scooped your treat for you? Sure, you were impatient standing in line, but you were also likely mesmerized by the two large cow heads mounted on the wall outside…

Elsie and Elmer, is what their names apparently were.

Well, Elmhurst Dairy is no more, Sealtest closing the dairy in 1978 and eventually selling the building to Parmalat Canada, which took over dairy operations in There is still great ice-cream to be had in Montreal nowadays, along with much greater variety – yet to access the broadest possible spectrum of flavours, you need to go to the U.S. and shop there – but we all still yearn for the good old days.

I developed the yearning to write this

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

feature when I heard that those iconic cow heads were stored someplace on the grounds of Parmalat’s West End edifice, where Elmhurst Dairy once stood. There is a good urban exploring site on the Web where there are images shot of the two cow heads, stored in the basement of the Eventide

has installed a high fence along the backyards on Brock, which I believe most of the residents see as the lesser of two evils: a huge wall in their yards versus the light and noise.”

remember most, along with Orange Julep and, since I later spent time as a resident of Cartierville, Belmont Park, of course. I remember how creamy the Sealtest ice-cream there was, compared to the others.”

Wishing to convey how special Elmhurst was to locals, I started querying West End residents regarding their memories, starting with Mayor Masella.

I then cheated a bit and sent an urgent Facebook plea to the alumni of my Wagar High School graduating class of 1974. Many reside in Toronto or elsewhere now, but here is what they came up with…

“The relationship I had as a kid was that the Elmhurst Dairy was the treat my dad lavished upon us on special weekends in the summer,” added Masella. “I distinctly remember driving back from our country place on Sunday afternoons. We would always drive back along the 2-20 as it was called back then. When my Dad was in the right mood, he would sometimes stop at the Dairy Queen on IlePerrot. If he didn’t stop there, we knew we had a chance for Elmhurst Dairy. As we got close, you knew things were looking up if he got off at 1st Avenue in Ville St-Pierre, rather than staying on St-Jacques to Photos: Bram Eisenthal

Home building that was later taken over by the Salvation Army and now sits abandoned, boarded up next door to Parmalat. The site is found at http://neath.wordpress.com/2008/09/1 7/elmhurst-dairy-cow-heads/ I then obtained further information regarding Parmalat’s icy relationship with its closest West End neighbour, outside of Montreal. I spoke with Montreal West’s (NDG-born and raised) Mayor Beny Masella, who recalled some of the problems between his town and Parmalat.

“Things instantly became more heated when Parmalat announced their plans to expand their distribution centre,” Masella told me. “The new centre extends back from the Eventide and backs along our homes on Brock South, which has increased noise and light pollution for our residents. These residents see the lights flooding the Parmalat yard and hear the trucks backing in and out of the loading docks. This has had a hugely detrimental effect on the MoWest residents’ enjoyment of their homes.

Cavendish and heading right home. I also distinctly remember having to rush to eat the cones because they would melt so quickly in the summer sun.”

Renowned jazz pianist Oliver Jones, who grew up in nearby Saint-Henri: “We would head straight up St. Jacques and that route took us right to Elmhurst Dairy,” Jones recalled. “If we were lucky, my dad would take us there. It’s one of several places I

Marla Gottlieb: “I remember walking out of the car, hand-in-hand with my father and mother, twitching with excitement as I saw the cow in front of the building. Nothing could have been more exciting. On one of those trips, just as I walked outside the building, my ice-cream fell out of my cone. I cried, as this was the ultimate tragedy. The nice people working there gave me another ice cream and cone. Ahh, memories of childhood. I sure wish adult problems could be solved so easily.”

Don Leslie: We refer to it as the Sealtest Dairy. I remember their triple ice cream had three cups side-by-side on one cone, not like today when it is three scoops piled on top of each either. I think one of the cows on the building was Bessie, but not sure of the other one. Great place to go on a hot summer night, usually with a lineup out to the street.

Marilyn Biber: “When my father used to ask my sister and I if we wanted to go to "the cows," we knew we were getting ice cream. As kids, we never even knew it by any other name!”

Ellyn Bresinger: “I also remember going to ‘the cows.’ Sometimes we would go in our pyjamas - what an outing! We loved it.”

Felice Flegg: “I also remember going to the ‘cow place’ for ice cream and waiting in line. Even when my kids were young and there was no ice cream counter, every time we passed by we had to stop and say hello to Mabel and

“Because the site sits entirely in the NDG-CDN borough, the Town of Montreal West has not been able to intervene effectively to further protect our residents. For their part, Parmalat

SEPT 16 (pg. 6)

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issue18_Layout 1 9/15/2011 12:36 PM Page 7

Bessie. How disappointed we all were when they took the cows down.”

Geoffrey Ungar: I remember my parents taking me and my sisters there on warm summer evenings and sitting on top of the back seat (we had a convertible) enjoying our ice creams.

Debra Merowitz: “I remember driving my bike over the Montreal West tracks to go to Elmhurst Dairy... what an adventure!”

Susan Saskin: “The cows, the lines - it was such a treat to go!”

Heidi Kaplan remembers it in very succinct detail: “I remember Elmhurst very well, because my parents took us there quite often. I can still recall the two huge cows that graced their billboard - I used to get so excited

when I saw them as my dad's car pulled into the parking spaces underneath them. If only s o m e heritageenlightened individual would have been able to save the giant bovines and left them to be enjoyed by all of us boomers who still pass by the Ault (Sealtest) dairy location today.

“You would walk up a couple of wide stairs into the dairy bar which was divided into two areas,” Kaplan continued. “There were black and white chequered tiles on the floor, and the dairy bar area was black and white as well. It wasn't air conditioned in

Whole Grain Roll by Caryn Roll

What exactly does a dietician do?

When I first started nutrition school at McGill’s MacDonald College, I thought dieticians just helped people with their diets in a general kind of a way.

Most people don’t really know the vastness of this wonderful profession.

It turns out dieticians do many things. One of them is working in the foodservice sector. You need a trained dietician to run and oversee an institutional kitchen like those found in hospitals, long term care facilities and schools. These places must serve healthy food that meets the nutritional needs of their clients. On the other hand, a large company that has a cafeteria does not necessarily need to hire a dietician. Their cafeteria is for convenience and for profit. Health needs of employees do not have to be a consideration.

there and it often felt as warm inside as it was outside where lots of families would be gathered eating their melting ice creams.

“As you can tell, I have very fond memories of that place, and every time I drive past it (which is quite often - since my senior parents still live in CSL). I think about how magical that place was.”

Rena Friedman Washer: “I remember the grape ice cream. I still talk about it...is Elmhurst Dairy still there?”

Karen Cohen (now a resident of Arizona): “I remember loving the cow on the roof. Was that Elmhurst?”

While some people apparently remember it differently, they all still remember it nonetheless. And the cows have a lot to do with Elmhurst’s undeniable charm, a magical spell unbroken to this very day.

How about Parmalat’s management liberating those two cow heads, huh? If anything warrants sharing with latter-day West End residents and THEIR children, it’s something that’s a true legacy from our childhood. Let’s get MOO-ving on that, Parmalat!

You can reach Parmalat Canada at 7470 St. Jacques W., 514-484-8401.

Clinical dieticians are responsible for direct patient care. Some dieticians specialize in renal care and help patients who are on dialysis. Other hospital based dieticians create enteral and parental diets, which means they focus on tube-feeding, either through the gastric system or through the veins. I’ve worked with dieticians who specialize in meal plans for patients with transplants, diets for mental health patients and diets for dysphagia (swallowing problems).

Community dieticians work on policy and programs specifically intended for special populations like new mothers or senior shutins. There are also private communications companies that hire dieticians for media work, for blogs and for printed consumer documents. Pharmaceutical companies use dieticians as reps to sell products to doctors and other dieticians. These products are generally supplement-based.

Other dieticians build private practices and typically see clients who want to lose weight, need to lower cholesterol levels, are newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetics and have many other health concerns. There are dieticians who only do sports nutrition and others who focus on clients with severe eating disorders. Some private dieticians like to do home visits and help clients make over their refrigerators and pantries.

Dieticians also do workshops and lectures on specific topics depending on their target audience. Others love to do supermarket tours, a fun and informative way to teach a group of people about healthful eating.

As you can see, dieticians don’t just do “weight loss.” *Cannot be combined with any other offer, valid until November 2, 2011

Caryn J. Roll P.Dt. (514.817.0135) Twitter: @MTRLnutrition Join me on Facebook www.montrealnutrition.com

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 16 (pg. 7)

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issue18_Layout 1 9/15/2011 12:36 PM Page 8

!

For over 20 years, Cote Saint-Luc’s QualitiFruits has been serving the West End – and beyond – throughout all the seasons. We are proud to have earned our renown as a major vendor to the Jewish community, during the holidays and year-round.

While we make no claims that we sell kosher products, we DO sell many foods that are customary around many Jewish family dinner tables.

These include our popular:

•Holiday Brisket •Chopped Liver •Matzah Ball Soup •Gefilte Fish •Latkes (both potato and sweet potato)

From ou

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SEPT 16 (pg. 8)

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issue18_Layout 1 9/15/2011 12:36 PM Page 9

The freshest selection of fruits and vegetables, too...

And many other products - new and enhanced – displayed in our take-out food counter.

We also carry the fine line of healthful Dr. Joe’s Prepared Foods

our staff to you all, a Happy and Healthy New Year!

QualitiFruits 5818 Westminster Ave. (corner Mackle Rd. , near the CP yards) 514-481-7341 THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 16 (pg. 9)

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Letters From L a L a L and - Steven Goldman

issue18_Layout 1 9/15/2011 12:36 PM Page 10

regularly talk about time as that thing that disappears, amazed at how long it takes to get a project off the ground and funded.

I am continually struck by how time flies as we get older. I can’t believe how quickly time has flown and how my buddy Bram, the publisher of this here weekly, is celebrating his anniversary putting out this collection of news, editorials, stories and ads. Time really does fly. The cliché is true.

Out here in Hollywood, I have learned that there is a completely different clock. It does take into consideration that years are made up of months, weeks made up of days and days made up of hours and minutes. People do use their calendars and Blackberries and iPhones to schedule their lives, it all seems to be the same as the real world, but in fact there is a subtle difference. We in the business of trying to get movies or television shows made

Time is measured in emails, meetings, phone calls and negotiations.

Everyone says they want things to happen fast, quick and easy and nothing ever goes that way. I am always happily surprised when I read or hear of a friend who has finally got a greenlight, finally actually had money deposited in the bank. I can’t help but imagine all the wasted time, all the useless BS they had to shovel through to get there.

The other day I needed to check on the date that I first started to communicate with a major studio executive about a project that we’ve been discussing. This is a project that this executive said he wanted to make so I had stopped trying to sell it to any rival studio. We have had an enjoyable journey looking to put together the right team for the project - but with only a verbal commitment. To my amazement this October will be a year and I have no idea where the time went. It seems like we had only just started to interview writers... this is development time, a completely different

time standard based in both PST and EST timezones but completely not beholden to them.

Development time is slave to the rhythms of film festivals, what’s hot, what’s not, copy-cats, executive travel, their workload, their making decisions that are fear- based, their making decisions based on not wanting to fail - you name it. In small and rarefied instances, for the crème de la crème, the clock moves fast and furious because of originality, art and, most importantly, whether the creator is someone of note with a track record that really attracts money, advertisers and viewers. At the rarest of times, saying yes might be the wiser thing to do, but for the most part in Hollywood, “no” is the default answer. Guys in my shoes have learned we would simply like a quick “no”, but it rarely happens because time doesn’t pass the same way on the exec side of the desk. They just shrug and say “that’s development time.” In the future I hope to write about PRODUCTION time, which is a completely different animal.

Oh well... might as well write another column for my pal Bram in the meantime. He pays the same.

Happy Anniversary, buddy!

Steven Goldmann is a Hollywood director born and raised in Montreal’s West End. His very personal insights into La La Land are found exclusively in The Local Seeker.

What does THIS mean to YOUR business?

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vISIT US ONLINE AT WESTEND.THELOCALSEEKER.COM JOIN US ON FACEBOOK... THE LOCAL SEEKER LOCAL SEEKER ON TWITTER

Fun with Words

We’ve been on watch for expert 50 great years! We provide service in: For five decades, family business OTA has been here, serving Montrealers from the West End and beyond.

Birthday Chikis!

• 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,

SEPT 16 (pg. 11)

Our Seeker mascot, Chikis, turned up randomly (as cats are wont to do), to share our anniversary celebrations. Welcome back, Chikis... great little hat!

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issue18_Layout 1 9/15/2011 12:36 PM Page 12

BUY or SELL your HOME in the

Property See ker

The We s t

E n d real estate section

A n i t a B e n a b o u R o ze n b l a t

Mortgage Matters

Keeping your credit score up

Home Sweet Home -

Issue 1

It often amazes me when I talk to new or existing clients t h a t either have never checked their credit or don’t know what their credit score is. There are two major companies that Canadians deal with regarding credit bureaus: Equifax and Trans Union. Most lenders put more weight on Equifax, but it is important to monitor both scores. People only worry about their credit once they find out there is a problem, which is the wrong approach. I will also go into what is considered a good credit score, what factors affect your score and what you can do to improve it.

It is important to check your credit at least every 6-9 months depending on how reliant you are on credit. The bureaus report what they are told by your creditors and have seen personally how their mistakes can make the difference between getting a mortgage/loan and being refused. Identity theft, where people have their bank accounts/credit cards compromised, can also be a big problem. If you wait too long, it can become increasingly difficult to reverse the damage.

For a high-ratio insured mortgage (loan to values between 5-15%) with CMHC/Genworth, a credit score of 620 is generally the minimum allowable credit score. A score of 650 is considered “good” and anything above 680 is considered “above average.” An important factor to keep in mind

Should I have a home inspection done before selling my home?

I've had the unfortunate experience of seeing many homes fail the inspection test.For those unfamiliar with the term "Inspection," it can be a very intimidating and truly frightening experience. No need to panic – Just take care of your home as you would take care of yourself and there should be smooth sailing ahead.

Here's some information you should know:A home inspection is a visual examination of the property to determine the overall condition of the home. In the process, the inspector should be checking all major components (roofs, ceilings, walls, floors, foundations, crawl spaces, attics, retaining walls, etc.) and systems (electrical, heating, plumbing, drainage, exterior

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

is that if you are buying a home with your partner, you will likely BOTH need the minimum credit score or the loan will be refused. If you need an unsecured line of credit, want to finance, computers, furniture, electronics, or need a car financed, you need to have a solid credit score.

There are two types of credit. You have your credit cards/credit lines that revolve each month with different balances. If you don’t pay at least the minimum balance on time, the creditor will start reporting the amount of months you are late. The more months you are late, the worse your score gets. If you have, for example, a car lease of $400/month, and that payment comes in late, it will worsen your score faster. This is because you have the ability to budget for that exact payment, therefore making it worse if you cannot pay it at the end of the month. If you have late mortgage payments, or even

something as small as a Bell collection of $114, settle it. The fight isn’t worth it.

To improve your score, obviously you have to pay all of your bills on time. Try to get by with 1-2 credit cards so you can better manage your finances. Also, keep your balances below 65-70% of the limit.

When you go above that, your score goes down because it is perceived that you need this credit to finance your everyday life. This may not be the case, but it might be wise to shift a balance to another card if you see that you are too high on one of them.

Jason Zuckerman www.mortgageratesmontreal.com ‘The mortgage broker with the best rate...in your interest’ 5005 Jean Talon West, bur. 115 Montreal, Québec, H4P-1W7 Tél. : (514) 771-1352 Fax : (514) 666-9166 Em@il: jzuckerman@hypotheca.ca

weather proofing, etc.).

The results of the inspection should be provided to the purchaser in written form, in detail, generally within 24 hours of the inspection. A pre-purchase home inspection can add peace of mind and make a difficult decision much easier. It may indicate that the home needs major structural repairs which can be factored into your buying decision. A home inspection helps remove a number of unknowns and increases the likelihood of a successful purchase.

If you do consider having an inspection prior to the sell of your home, the costs are painless, some inspections can run you as little as $350 with a full report. It’s something to consider but not mandatory.

Whomever you choose to handle this important task, may your home inspections lead to a great selling or buying experience!

SEPT 16 (pg. 12)

PROPERTY SEEKER SECTION

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issue18_Layout 1 9/15/2011 12:37 PM Page 13

Home Fixins

by Eric Klein

Fall in Montreal – Is your home winter-proof yet?

Fall is falling upon us fairly quickly, as we p l a n a n d prepare for along indoor hibernation. We need to properly close and store allexterior projects and products, as well as to prepare the interior tobe safe, warm and comfortable. Here are some of the projects you musthave on your to do list: Basement walls and floor should be checked for dampness… keep yourdehumidifier clean.

Bleed all hot water radiators prior to use.

Check chimney for obstructions, such as nests, and for loose or missing mortar.

Sweep ashes from the fireplace.

Clean and/or replace filters as needed. Clean dryer vent, airconditioner, stove hood and room fans.

Clear leaves from eaves troughs and roofs and test downspouts toensure proper drainage.

Cover outside of air conditioning units or remove from windows and store.

Check door weather-stripping and window sealant and replace as required.

Drain and store outdoor hoses.

Close valve to outdoor house connection anddrain the hose bib.

Vacuum electric baseboard heaters, so they are dust-free prior to first use.

Replace removable screens with storm windows.

Roofs, vent perimeters, skylights, and chimneys should be checked for leaks.

Sump pump and line check ascertain that there are no obstructions or visible leaks.

Have furnace or heating system serviced by a qualified company.

Keep heating and cooling vents clear and free of furniture and draperies.

Look for cracks and holes in house siding and replace caulk if necessary.

Common credit myths about buying a home (ARA) - Whether your annual earnings range well into six figures or are on the more modest end of national salary averages, you know you'll probably need credit to buy a home. While you likely know how important credit is to your home-buying plans, you may not be aware of the truth behind some common credit myths.

Myth: As long as you know your credit score, you don't need to look at your credit report before applying for a mortgage.

Truth: A lender will certainly look at your credit report, so you should know what's on it before they do. Errors may occur on a credit report, and if there are any negative marks on your credit history you'll want to know about them - and address them - before a lender asks.

Pick up the next issue to unveil the next myth

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 16 (pg. 13)

PROPERTY SEEKER SECTION

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issue18_Layout 1 9/15/2011 12:37 PM Page 14

Introducing Montreal’s rising star, Anne Bedian

by Bram D. Eisenthal Local Seeker Exclusive “I’m Anne Nahabedian and I’d like to talk to you about becoming my publicist,” the young woman said when she called, a few years after we worked together on some god-awful movie-of-the-week. I met with her and even though she didn’t have a cent to pay me, I figured it was worth the risk, that Anne had a bright future ahead of her. The Armenian Montrealer was hard-working and determined. She had actually been the youngest member of a Canadian naval destroyer’s crew, when she served on board the since-decommissioned HMCS Nipigon.

For two years, I was listed on her website as her publicist and for two years I tried to get her covered by the local print and electronic media. Not surprisingly, without the “star power” that media craves, we didn’t have a prayer. Guts and determination aren’t important to jaded entertainment editors.

Finally seeing the writing on the crumbling Montreal walls, Anne ultimately moved to New York, sharing a room with another young actress hoping to make it, and we lost touch. Using a professional career publicist by then, she was advised to change her name, so she did: Anne Bedian. And Anne started picking up some nice starring roles on some “pretty, pretty, pretty” hot shows, including Lost.

Then, most recently, she won a coveted part on one of my favourite shows, starring opposite Larry David on a 2011 episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm called “Palestinian Chicken,” portraying Shara, a Palestinian woman who sleeps with Larry after he takes sides against his Jewish brethren during an altercation. It was a hysterically-funny episode, but the strongest emotion I felt watching it was pride in Anne’s work, one of those “I knew her when” moments.

I caught up with Anne last week and emailed her some questions, which she graciously answered.

Q: So where were you born and what part of town, schools, etc?

A: I was born in Montreal, raised in the New Bordeaux/Cartierville district near the Armenian community, where I attended mostly Armenian Pre-K / kindergarten and elementary schools. 2/ What possessed you to get into film and how did you start?

The earliest calling I can remember is at 12, but I never actively pursued it till I was out of the military and studying at Concordia University. I started taking classes in Meisner Technique and eventually got a small agency to represent me. After a year and a half, I finally became an ACTRA member.

Q: What about serving in the navy?

A: I joined the Navy quite young, before my 18th birthday. I made that decision pretty quick, once I visited the recruiting centre downtown on Ste-Catherine St., while on my way to see my mom who was studying fashion design at LaSalle College. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I had just graduated from high school and was not sure what I was going to do in college. The whole prospect of going off to boot camp and learning a trade previously closed off to women was very exciting to me.

Q: First break-through role (and which movie did we work on together)?

A: My first speaking role was on the TV series The Hunger, on which David Bowie (Season II) was the host. I also remember Anthony Michael Hall was the guest star that episode. I think we met on Artificial Lies, an MOW with Jack Wagner and Daphne Zuniga. I had a small supporting role of a girl named Sarah, who was in a mental institution.

Q: I tried for TWO years to get you written up, to no avail... is it harder for a Canadian to get exposure? Is it because of the lack of a star system here?

A: I think Canadians are more interested on other Canadians working abroad.

Once you start working on noteworthy shows out here in the US, it is much

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 16 (pg. 14)

easier to get exposure.

Q: So, are you still in NYC? And how is that going? Is it harder/easier to be there? What roles have been your most important to date?

A: I left NYC in November of 2005 and have been living in Los Angeles since.

I prefer the West Coast for both work and lifestyle. In NYC, I was lucky to get to work with Vincent D'onofrio on Law & Order Criminal Intent. It was my first job there. But there is definitely more work out here (LA). My role on Lost was pretty amazing and made me more confident on being able to book work out here. I also had worked on a pilot for HBO with JJ Abrams which, unfortunately, did not get picked up. Another exciting one was The Closer, a two-part season finale that Kevin Bacon was directing... I was more nervous about meeting him at the call back than the actual audition. And of course, there’s Curb Your Enthusiasm with Larry David, a great role where I got to venture into comedy, which is rare for me.

Q: Any Armenian projects for you? Do you find yourself type-cast at all culturally, because of your appearance?

A: I will be doing a play this year in Armenian which I am looking forward to. It would be both my first play and Armenian-speaking role. As far as type-casting, I am able to play a wide range of ethnicities just not Middle American "white," so to speak. But I have played Greek, Armenian, Middle Eastern, non-descript brunette, etc.

Q: Now tell us as much as you can about the Curb experience, please?

A: Curb was a great experience as it was not only my first 30 minute sitcomtype show but also, since there is no script, we improvise. The call back on that role was a little terrifying, as Larry auditions the actors himself so I had to go in and improv with him to get the part. Larry is Larry – LOL - pretty much the same guy on the show. He doesn't do the "stop and chat" in life just like he doesn't like to do it in character for the show. The whole cast was great to work with, from Bob Einstein to Susie Essman to Jeff Garlin.

Q: What about future projects?

A: Right now I just finished shooting Combat Hospital in Toronto for ABC/Global. It was great to come back and work in Canada after all these years. We are hopeful for a second season as it is doing well, especially in Canada.

Good luck, Anne! We're proud of you!

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Everybody go OM What is the sound of the universe manifesting? According to many traditions, matter comes into this world though its antecedent -- sound. In yoga, that sound is OM, and if you have attended a yoga class, it is likely you have heard the teacher chant this mantra.

Or, have you not attended a yoga class because it might include OM? This primordial sound is said to contain, within it, the entire world of form. It is the "seed sound" that symbolizes all possibility. A vibration that continues to exist in all things, OM represents within us the perfect union of body, mind and spirit.

Yoga U - Chantalle Kudsi

The chant is actually broken down into A-U-M and can be felt in three distinct areas of the body. As with all else in yoga, it is through the body that we penetrate through to other dimensions of being.

Chanting OM This chant is effective in clearing the mental, physical and energetic fields. It can be used as button" "reset a anytime of day. It is be to important when uninhibited chanting OM. This is not a performance in singing. The sound must emanate from deep within the core of your being and flow freely. It is intensified when we direct our chant to a higher purpose, such as our higher self or someone in need of healing or peace. It is also strengthened through connection to earth below and sky above.

1. Sit upright in a comfortable position.

You may wish to close your eyes.

2. Inhale and exhale deeply through the nostrils a few times to settle.

3. Take a deep breath in, preparing to chant the entire A-U-M sound in one outbreath.

4. Upon exhaling, first release an Ahhh sound from the base of your spine/lower abdomen/navel area. Allow the sound to move up your body. As it reaches into the chest area/heart centre, transition to Uhhh. Let the sound move upward still, and as it reaches your throat and head area, transition to Mmmm, until the sound naturally dissolves into silence at the end of your exhalation.

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of The Local Seeker and we are already working on our next issue, out September 30.

5. Repeat twice more.

Deadline

6. Add hands in prayer position (optional) by placing palms together, the back of your thumbs resting against the centre of your breastbone, fingers pointing upward. This allows you to gather your body into a peaceful and humble gesture of union at the heart, and for the vibration of the OM chant to be felt through your hands.

Chantalle Kudsi is a yoga and meditation teacher in the West-End. She loves to chant OM and can be reached at chantsomething@yahoo.ca

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 16 (pg. 15)

Friday, September 23.

Coming up next time:

Best, Bram

Cummings Centre for Jewish Seniors has programs for everyone.... AND Local puts out fashionable man's shoe line....

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SEPT 16 (pg. 16)

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