Local Seeker, West End Montreal, Issue 19

issue19_Layout 1 9/29/2011 4:34 PM Page 1

TAKE ONE - We’re different!

Local See ker The We s t

E n d Community paper

To know him is to love him, but even if you don’t really KNOW Sherif Farag, you have most likely encountered him. As retail’s Renaissance man, he has dressed many of this city’s males at one time or another. The following will enable you to spend some time in Sherif’s shoes… if you do exactly as recommended.

I first encountered the West End-raised teen – who came to Canada at age 12 - when I was 15.

He came to me as a package deal with the other NDGers I befriended who attended Monkland High, although I was at Wagar. I met this great group of guys and have been friends with them all ever since. As for Sherif, when he left Monkland and got his own place by 18, he forever cemented his place as a hero to the rest of us.

He was also working before anyone else our age knew the meaning of the word, outside of our part-time, extracurricular weekend jobs. “After high school, I took a year of psych and management courses at McGill at night, while working at Royal Trust in their accounting department. I realized that I hated sitting in a cubicle, but that I hated office politics even more. “ He changed his day job to work at a Goodyear car center as an assistant manager, marking his first retail sales experience. Leaving school, something he “regrets to this very day,” he also developed a lasting love for cars and racing, spending a while in the car business and even racing them professionally (as in paid for same), starting in karts and the SCCA sports series and retiring after racing in the Canadian 911 Turbo Cup series.

Story and photos: Bram D. Eisenthal

Briefly Bram on Palestinian statehood Schwartzberg on Spielberg Business Banter - Conservart relocates on Monkland

If Astaire was alive, he’d be wearing retail veteran’s shoes

This issue:

DO YOU know your LOCAL Businesses?

Vo l u m e 2 , I s s u e 1 9 , S e p t 3 0 , 2 0 1 1

cont. p4

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Palestinian grab for statehood juxtaposed against the High Holy Days

Briefly Bram * Briefly Bram *

It’s not always easy coming up with an editorial topic for Briefly Bram since I started my own paper. In previous years, this column was always a defacto feature article of sorts, devoted to telling you about a local business or event, sometimes coupled with a rant or two. In the year since The Local Seeker debuted, I have plenty of room to write features elsewhere, so Briefly Bram is something of a quarterback, a guide, for the rest of the paper. But on occasion I still editorialize, as I am about to do.

The Jewish High Holy Days are structured so that you have ample opportunity to reflect on the past year. Whether you are religious or simply spiritual, you tend to do that. On some occasions, international events force you to face your lives as Jews, even as some secular community members try to ignore that. In October 1973, many Jews worldwide had such an awakening, as Egypt and Syria attacked Israel without provocation and in a stealthy manner, during the High Holy Days that year. Most of Israel’s military was deep in prayer and then-Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir was asleep at the wheel, as were her commanding generals and advisors.

I am therefore extremely wary that the current Palestinian attempt to grab statehood is occurring right before Rosh Hashanah and, subsequently, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. I realize this effort corresponds with the convening of the UN General Assembly in New York and has nothing at all to do with the High Holy Days, but still, please permit me a few moments of nervousness. My mother was in Israel as that 1973 war broke out and for a few days, it looked very, very dire for Israel, and my father and I were very worried about my mother’s safety.

This recent Palestinian push for statehood makes me no less nervous.

The Palestinians have acted like complete, warring savages ever since the latest Two State Solution was bandied about after hencedeceased Yasser Arafat took over as head of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza and the West Bank. Two Intefadahs later, Israel’s handing over to Arafat and Company the territory of Gaza (in exchange for a promised peace) - and their ensuing utilization of that territory to launch attacks against Israel ever since- the war of attrition launched

by Lebanon and dozens of Palestinian suicide bombings, kidnappings and such… and the recent rise of Islamic extremism in the Arab world, which has permeated even an Egypt that has been a solid if not always a forthcoming peace partner of Israel’s since the late 1970s… who can blame me for being doubtful about ultimate Palestinian goals? Jewish blood is cheap, it seems, as far as the rest of the world is concerned. Only Israel among the nations has no right to defend its people.

University for a much-publicized speech downtown and Montreal’s SWAT snipers were on surrounding rooftops, just in case. As we all waited for Netanyahu’s arrival, hundreds of students of Palestinian and other Arab descent, along with students representing a viciously anti-Israel student council, launched a violent protest. I witnessed clearly Arabic students kicking and spitting on people waiting in line to enter the Hall Building, many of these people senior citizens, before we were all herded inside by police and security guards. The windows of the building were smashed and after that, tear gas was used to disperse the hostile mob, gas that we all inhaled liberally while packed inside the auditorium. It was quite terrifying – Netanyahu wisely didn’t show, but later attended a press conference at a downtown hotel organized by the late Israel (Issie) Asper, the Winnipeg-based owner of Canwest, that I also attended.

I finally submit to you as Evidence C a discussion I had in the West Bank that I will also never forget. In the summer of 2000, Arafat returned home to the “territories” like a conquering hero from Yemen, where he and the PLO had been holed up after he was evicted from Lebanon as a violent thug (not a freedom fighter at all… a murderous thug…. big difference, you know) in 1982. I was in Israel at the time, the seventh of eight trips to the Jewish State that I have made since 1981, most of them as a member of the media… and I was in the West Bank interviewing locals. I stopped into Saco Brothers, without a doubt THE finest souvenir shop I had ever been to during my visits to Israel and Egypt. I spoke to the owner, a Palestinian Christian, and he confided in me, tearfully, regarding his terror at Arafat’s return. “Our business is finished and when Arafat gets here we will have to move to Israel, where the Jews will be much more welcoming to us than the Muslims,” he admitted. I never discovered what happened to him, or to his shop, but I imagine the store, at least, is long gone.

And, as the High Holy Days of the year 5772 descend, I pray to God that I will someday never have to face the horrid, unacceptable reality that the State of Israel is gone… at least not in my lifetime. Reminds me of a joke I heard that is not particularly funny, actually, where the punch line involves God admitting, when asked when there would be peace between Israel and the Palestinians: “Not in my lifetime.”

To everyone who values true, lasting peace above all else, whatever your religion or cultural background, on the occasion of the Hebrew High Holy Days, I wish you a lifetime of goodness and health.

–Bram Eisenthal, Publisher and Editor

If you think I am being needlessly paranoid, I raise these following issues: First, I will never forget the courageous, unprecedented actions of Israel Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who, despite the shock of his government and citizens, offered Arafat much more than an olive branch when he handed him the outline of the Mother of All Peace Treaties, following a Camp David negotiating summit in 2000. This treaty had it all, including the demanded Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem, yet Arafat rejected it, admitting that his life would be forfeit if he signed on the dotted line.

The Local Seeker, West End Montreal’s most unique community paper, extends to the Montreal Jewish community a

Sweet and Healthy New Year 5772 That’s over five millennia of thriving as one of the most unique cultural/religious communities on the planet… and wishes for over five millennia more!

Then, in the summer of 2002 came a local, very personal event I will never forget. You can read my report for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on-line at http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/18465/ netanyahu-speech-canceled-this-time-in-montreal/. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to arrive at Concordia

The Local Seeker, West End Montreal Edition Volume 2, Number 19, September 30 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 30 (pg. 2)

L’Shana Tova Umetukah!

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The problem with politics is that it employs politicians

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Why must politicians always follow party lines instead of evaluating issues on their own merits? Bipartisanship allows governments to compromise on issues instead of opposing them and creating gridlocks. Case in point: The Conservative government tabled a bill to crack down on sexual predators, serious violent and property crimes, sexual assault, human trafficking, arson, breaking-andentering, child luring and kidnapping. Justice Minister Rob Nicholson intends to include measures in this Omnibus Crime Bill which will protect children from sexual offenders by setting mandatory minimum sentences.

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Renovations of any kind?

Indeed, the Young Offenders Act, in my opinion, needs to be overhauled. Street gangs have no respect for the laws as they are Teflon-coated and gangs can get away with anything. Nicholson says, “Canadians want and deserve to feel safe in their homes and their communities.” The opposition has vowed to oppose the bill, citing data from Statistics Canada, another bureaucracy we could exist without, stating that crime rates are actually going down in Canada. That data should really impress someone who has been the victim of a criminal act. Tell the parents of a missing child that, according to Statistics Canada, crime rates are down. NDP Justice Critic Joe Comartin is of the opinion that the bill ought to focus on prevention instead of incarceration. I believe there is great potential in prevention if a wouldbe perpetrator feared the risk of incarceration.

Then there are organizations such as the John Howard Society, which raises the issue of the rights of offenders. Rights? A prisoner who has been convicted of child molestation (ED. NOTE: How about murderers?

Serial rapists and similar delightful individuals?) should have rights? As mentioned in my previous column they should be kept in prison for the rest of their lifetime, thus protecting society. Comartin then reminds us that it costs $108,000 per year to keep an inmate in prison.

How much did it cost so far to find Randall Hopley, allegedly the person who kidnapped 3-year old Kienan Hebert from his family home in Sparwood, B.C.? How much will it cost to prosecute Hopley and return him to prison, where he should have been in the first place… instead of in the community where he could re-offend?

Despite the fact that our opposition parties are going to oppose the bill, the Conservatives no longer need the opposition’s support because of their Commons majority. Rest assured, however, that the opposition will devise ways to delay the inevitable while nobody bothers to calculate how much it costs per day to run Parliament. I would like to remind proponents of the rights of offenders that victims have rights too. The victims of sexual assault often experience post traumatic stress syndrome throughout their lifetimes, while the offender is free to re-offend. I value your opinions, so let’s hear them.

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SEPT 30 (pg. 3)

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If Astaire was alive, he’d be wearing retail veteran’s shoes (continued from cover)

Cover Stor y

Then… one unforgettable, fateful meeting: “I met a client who saw a talent in me and offered me a job in retail clothing. I took a chance, never having sold for or managed a clothing store before and, within the first week, I came to life. I also realized quickly that it’s not even the product but the psychology of the sale that matters, that the sales field is about interpersonal communication and rapport between the sales professional and client.”

Over the decades, Sherif, now in his mid-fifties, has developed a reputation for professionalism and a knack for selling toward his clients’ needs, not simply to grab their hard-earned cash. Walk downtown with him on any given evening, as I have often done, and count how often he is stopped by smiling current and former clients who have never forgotten the experience. It can often be annoying for his friends, because you never make it as long as a block without this celebrity salesman being recognized. So far, the suggestion to sport a false Groucho Marx eyeglass-and-moustache apparatus has been denied. But this really isn’t about Sherif, or “the art of selling” – even though CBC shot an award-winning short in 1995 with that title, based on his legendary expertise. It’s about shoes, Luca Vero Shoes, to be more specific.

“My interest in shoes comes strictly from all the pain I have suffered for 25 years, standing uncomfortably 12-14 hours daily, as well as the many hours I spent racing cars, where both pursuits contributed to a serious deterioration of my spine and affected my posture. No matter which shoes I would try, I had no relief at all up to five years ago. No matter what podiatrists or chiropractors would do for me, nothing worked. I had to minimize my pain somehow if I wanted to stay in this business.

“By chance I met a shoe designer while on vacation in Puerto Rico, and, despite knowing nothing at all about manufacturing men's shoes, I commissioned him five years ago to design an internal comfort system to see if it would benefit my situation. I am still refining that system and I’m happy to reveal that my pain is down 60-70 percent. I have also learned much about men's shoes and the project is a huge success on a local basis.”

By perusing the Luca Vero website, you will learn all about the comfort systems that make at least one pair of Sherif’s shoes a necessity if you spend a lot of time on your feet. In reality, we all do. I own several pairs and I can attest to both their comfort and durability. Sherif learned early on that most shoes are made to appear fashionable, not to be kind to your dogs (that’s “feet” in old-school parlance, kiddies). “Most men perceive that leather soles cannot be endured for long periods of time, that they are considerably more expensive than rubber-soled shoes and such,” he stated. “But in reality leather soles are far superior, being natural, allowing your feet to breathe and also lasting a lot longer. They are also a lot lighter.” I mean, really, can you see Fred Astaire whirling Ginger Rogers around on his rubber or synthetic soles? Talk about clumsy!

While the Luca Vero line is eminently stylish, it is Sherif’s orthopaedic insert that has clients coming back repeatedly.

“As I run a small shoe business, I am its best test subject, forever tuning and perfecting the product and adapting it to my clients’ needs. I can take it much bigger eventually, possibly nationally and internationally, but I want to do it right and not become super commercial. I use top quality South American and European leathers and my shoes are made in Brazil, in a family-run factory that caters to large lines such as Geox and Calvin Klein”

Fun with Words

Sherif attributes any of his lifetime successes to a challenging family life – including his parents’ divorce when he was young, a paralyzing illness that had his mother virtually comatose and looked after by his younger brother in Toronto for over 20 years - and, of course, his leaving home at 18 and looking after himself ever since.

“Nothing has ever come easy to me… I certainly was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth,” Sherif said. “But with Luca Vero, good friends and a very supportive wife behind me, I now have a chance to jump skyward in shoes of gold… comfortable ones, at that.”

You can check out Luca Vero Shoes at www.lucavero.com

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 30 (pg. 4)

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com

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Entertainment Entre Nous - Shlomo Schwartzberg

Spielberg rules!

What’s for dinner...

As he approaches his 65th birthday in December, filmmaker Steven Spielberg shows no signs of slowing down. He’s executive producer of the anticipated new science fiction television series Terra Nova and has directed two movies: War Horse, an adaptation of a children’s tale and The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn, a 3D adaptation of the famous Belgian comicbooks about an intrepid adventurer, both coming out this Christmas. That’s in addition to all the films produced by him, including Cowboys & Aliens and this past summer’s Super 8, JJ Abrams’ SF movie, which played like an outtake of Spielberg’s E.T: The Extraterrestrial, crossed with his Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Abrams isn’t the first filmmaker to be so influenced by Spielberg: Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future) and Joe Dante (Gremlins) are two other directors who owe inspiration to the man (not so surprisingly, he produced many of their movies, including the aforementioned ones). But except for Brian De Palma (Carrie, Casualties of War), I’d be hard-pressed to think of one major moviemaker who gets as little respect as Spielberg does from the critical establishment.

Most critics still persist in labelling Spielberg as a childish filmmaker, even though many of his most recent movies, including Schindler's List and Munich, are decidedly adult in nature and tone. Others overlook the sheer brilliance of his direction - check out the perfectly orchestrated opening musical number of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom to see what I mean. Mostly, though, because so much of his subject matter is admittedly family-oriented and because of his prevalent sentimental streak, they tend to dismiss him as a lightweight. I disagree. Spielberg has his weaknesses – that sentimental streak I just mentioned – but in his range, sheer technical abilities and eye for stories that touch an emotional chord, there’s no one like him. The list of movies directed by him that stand out from the mediocre pack is almost legion, beginning with his classic TV movie Duel and proceeding through The Sugarland Express, Jaws, Close Encounters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, A.I.: Artificial Intelligence and Munich.

Truth be told, he remains one of the most important directors making movies today and judging by his forthcoming titles, the bio-pic Lincoln and his adaptation of the classic SF novel Robopocalypse, I’m sure that will be the case for many years to come.

Veteran film critic Shlomo Schwartzberg comes to you exclusively through the pages of The Local Seeker. He will be teaching an eight week course called The Paradox of Director Steven Spielberg at Ryerson University's Life Institute, beginning on October 14. The course will look at why Spielberg doesn't get the respect he deserves and why, despite that state of affairs, he matters so much.

(ED. NOTE: I recently read Robopocalyse, found it to be a scintillatingly-brilliant book and cannot think of a better person to helm this thinking person’s s.f. barnburner than Steven Spielberg. Good call, Shlo!)

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 30 (pg. 5)

Pasta meets sauce: secrets to the perfect pairing

(ARA) - "What's for dinner?" It's the question everyone loves to ask, and when the answer is "pasta," kids and parents alike are excited to share the table, counting down the minutes until it's time to eat.

Pairing the right pasta shape with the right sauce can be a supermarket stumper. Of course, if your children are fans of certain shapes or sizes, you'll know those varieties will bring fun to the table. But did you know that some pasta sauces cater to specific styles of pasta better than others?

Long cuts: Spaghetti cuts are a traditional family favorite, and these long and thin strands pair well with just about any kind of lighter sauce. Tease your family's taste buds by combining spaghetti, or the thinner angel hair, with new sauce recipes from Barilla that bring Italian authenticity right to your dinner table.

These sauces are all-natural, with vegetables sauteed in imported olive oil instead of water, and diced tomatoes instead of tomato puree. Some favorite recipes include traditional spaghetti with marinara and carbonara. For more robust, thicker pasta sauces like primavera, consider a flatter noodle such as fettuccine or linguine.

Short cuts: Shorter pasta shapes have plenty of twists, turns and grooves for the sauce to better hug these styles. Sauces with vegetables and fragrant spices are best captured in shorter pastas like rigatoni, penne or shells to perfectly blend all the flavors in every bite. If your family enjoys a bit of spice, try combining Barilla's Arrabbiata Spicy Marinara sauce with penne to capture the tomato, garlic and parsley flavors with the spicy peppers. It's a very colorful meal, both in flavors and appearance.

Oven/baking cuts: Cuts like manicotti and wavy lasagne are best used for baking in the oven and are traditionally paired with simpler sauces, such as a marinara or sauces flavored by mild herbs. They are the perfect pastas to combine with the new Barilla Toscana (Tuscan Herb) sauce, made with sauteed tomatoes, carrots and celery with garlic infused oil blended with oregano and marjoram. The aroma of this dish will have neighbors knocking on your door in hopes of joining you for dinner.

Barilla's new thicker, richer sauce recipes were designed to perfectly hug every forkful of pasta. Join in the hugging celebration by submitting your own perfect hug photo to the Barilla Facebook page at Facebook.com/BarillaUS. Enter your perfect group hug, everyday hug or unique hug photo by Oct. 10 to win a trip for four to Italy. Visit the Facebook page for more information.

T

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issue19_Layout 1 9/29/2011 4:35 PM Page 6

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

Give yourself some actually, please don’t!

Home Sweet Home -

Issue 1

I get a lot of questions about credit card/credit line debt from my clients. One thing a lot of people don’t realize is that there are ways to not only make debt more manageable, but also to cut back unnecessary spending in the first place. I work with a company that takes hundreds of calls a week from people who cannot even keep up with their minimum monthly payments. I take it to heart when people call me trying to refinance when there is simply no equity or when they ask for an unsecured personal loan.

Sometimes I wonder why they are called credit cards as opposed to debt cards.

One piece of advice I try with my clients is suggesting that, for one month, they use only cash or Interac for all their purchases. Studies show that you spend a lot less when you

credit...

have to pay in cash.

Psychologically, if you have to pull $200 from your pocket as opposed to swiping your credit card, you are less likely to make those unnecessary impulse purchases. Another excellent way to cut back spending is to take note of all of your purchases for a month.

You will start differentiating between your spending “wants” and your spending “needs.” If you need a pair of shoes, pay for them in cash... but if you find yourself eating at restaurants for six meals a week at $15 per meal, you could be spending almost $400 per month on food. For a couple, this could work out to about $10,000 per year!

Another excellent strategy is perhaps the most difficult for people, but it is very effective. As an example, I had a friend who had about $4000 worth of credit card debt. To some people this amount is very little, to others, it is enormous. It depends on how much you earn and how much of your debt you can pay down each month. She was paying 18% interest, which is quite reasonable considering some cards are 2024%. She called and negotiated

Market Value

market" for a few weeks or months.

On the pro side, if the sale is handled by an agent, you might get your high asking price.

“Market value” is a tricky number, because comparable-sales data do not always provide a good guide to a home's value. Nearby homes that have sold in the past six months or so may be quite different from yours in appearance or condition and there may be too few recent sales to get a proper valuation.

Selling a house is not, however, the same as a dealer selling cars or McDonald's selling Big Macs, because the home seller needs only one buyer to be successful. It's possible that someone will find your home so perfect that it justifies their paying a premium price.

That being said, you won't have much chance of getting a premium price on a cookie-cutter condo if identical units have sold for less. As a seller, you have a right to ask for whatever price you want, which you can later drop if no one bites. You may get lucky, but asking for too much involves a number of risks, even if you're just "testing the

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

her rate down to 12%. Although this may not seem like much, in actual dollar figures, she is saving 23$ per month. For those of you with debts in the $40,000 range, at the same interest rate, you would save 230$ per month. As long as you pay your bills and maintain your credit rating, you are in a strong position to negotiate. It is your responsibility to pay your balances but remember that you can shift balances to competitors’ credit cards. This threat will usually push your creditor to negotiate the interest rate down with you.

Another idea is to go to your bank and ask for an unsecured line of credit. When I was young, I qualified for a small line of credit which was helpful in lowering my interest payments significantly. I received an interest rate of Prime (3.00%) +2.99% = 5.99%. Once you shift your credit card balance over to a line of credit, it

should enable you to pay off your debts monthly, much faster since your interest rate will be 2/3 – ¾ lower.

At the end of the day, it is all about mindset, lifestyle and not living beyond your means. Please remember that just because you see a lot of people paying $600/month for their fancy BMW, it doesn’t mean that they can really afford it. In fact, many people have issues buying/refinancing homes because of these monstrous car payments... trust me, I’ve seen it!

Think about that the next time you’re in the parking lot and your Honda is jammed between the Jaguar and the Mercedes.

Jason Zuckerman Hypotheca Mortgage Brokers (514) 771-1352 /1-800- 206-1350 jzuckerman@hypotheca.ca

And there HAVE been cases of a house selling above market value, so don’t ever give up hope. Next time, we will look at some of the tricks of the trade that really make a difference when selling your house for a price you can live with, or an undervalued deal that will leave you feeling frustrated and disappointed.

SEPT 30 (pg. 6)

PROPERTY SEEKER SECTION www.westend.thelocalseeker.com

issue19_Layout 1 9/29/2011 4:35 PM Page 7

Secrets to texturing walls and ceilings without the work (ARA) -When it comes to home decorating, texturing can do for your walls what a good coat of wax can do for your car's finish - hide a host of flaws. Poorly patched holes, uneven sheetrock, ugly wallpaper and even multiple layers of peeling paint can all be hidden beneath a beautiful layer of texture.

Texture's beauty, versatility at covering imperfections, and ease of application have made it a longloved technique of do-ityourselfers. There's a texturing technique to fit virtually every budget, decorating theme and level of expertise. Here are some tips for adding a textured look to your home decor: * Keep it simple. You don't have to do anything complicated, difficult or even particularly timeconsuming to achieve a good textured effect. In fact, the easier the process, the more you will enjoy it and that enjoyment will show through in your work. * When working by hand with a trowel, roller or paint brush, you can use your favorite paint and any color you choose. Simply mix your paint of choice with regular drywall joint compound. Or, if you want to be cautious with color, you can apply the joint compound first, then paint over the completed texture once it has dried. * The range of textures is virtually endless. Popcorn (most often used for ceilings), knock down and orange peel are among the three most popular, and simple, textures.

Knock down and orange peel textures mimic the appearance of plaster or stucco on an interior wall. * Nearly anything can be used to put the texture in the compound from commonly used items like sponges and paint trowels to whisk brooms and even window squeegees. The texture is limited only by your imagination.

How to keep your new attic from being an energy-efficiency drain (ARA) -The attic accounts for a tremendous amount of lost energy. This space can reach up to 165 degrees in summer months. When this heat makes its way into the rest of the building, energy efficiency drops and cooling costs rise. While building a new home, a radiant barrier is a proactive solution to energy loss, reducing monthly cooling costs in the process.

Consider adding a radiant barrier Radiant barriers can help reduce summer heat gain and hold in heat during the winter months. An independent study in 2010 by ConSol indicated that radiant barrier sheathing is one of the top three energy-efficient technologies in new home construction in terms of performance, cost and return on investment.

The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes radiant barriers as a way to lower cooling energy usage during the summer. Correctly installed, the foil surface of the radiant barrier sheathing can block up to 97 percent of the radiant heat in the roof panel from entering your attic. This can lower the attic temperature by as much as 30 degrees and reduce cooling costs by up to 17 percent. A cooler attic will benefit your attic-installed air handling system and in some cases reduce the tonnage required in an HVAC system.

A year-long study performed by SGS U.S. Testing Company in the foothills of North Carolina of two side-by-side structures with and without radiant barrier sheathing shows that a radiant barrier can also help prevent attic heat loss during the winter, reducing energy costs by up to 5 percent. So no matter what time of year, a radiant barrier can help you save.

How to choose the right radiant barrier When building a new home, talk to your contractor about adding a radiant barrier into your roof system. There are a number of radiant barriers available, but not all of these products are the same. One critical factor to keep in mind is how quickly the radiant barrier dries from potential moisture during the construction process.

In order to make sure your contractor is using a radiant barrier that has been manufactured to help prevent moisture issues, it's important to understand just how a radiant barrier is made. Radiant barrier sheathing typically consists of a structural OSB (oriented strand board) panel with a layer of aluminum adhered to the surface. Some radiant barrier panel manufacturers purchase foil materials that comes pre-perforated. This may not necessarily allow the panel to breathe, because the perforations do not extend into the wood fiber of the panel. An added challenge is that the adhesive used to apply the radiant barrier to the substrate can fill in the perforations, decreasing the ability of moisture in the panel to escape.

One product on the market, LP(R) TechShield(R) Radiant Barrier Sheathing, addresses the issue of moisture through the use of the patented VaporVents(TM) technology. This product features incisions that penetrate past the foil and glue and into the wood fiber, allowing the panels to breathe and moisture to escape.

"Tests show that VaporVents technology allows the panel to dry almost as efficiently as OSB sheathing without a radiant barrier, while other products that use pre-perforated foil showed a significant amount of moisture, in some cases more than 30 percent, still in the panel after 80 days of drying. Wood needs to stay under 19 percent moisture to avoid structural issues," says David Drew, OSB technical sales manager for LP Building Products.

Understanding the options In an effort to reduce attic temperatures, your builder may recommend spray-foam insulation to seal the attic and create conditioned space for the HVAC equipment. While this can be an effective method with the right amount of foam, it can also be costly.

"Oakridge National Laboratory recently released a study showing that a roof system composed of cool roof shingles and radiant barrier roof sheathing can provide the same efficiency as a roof-applied spray-foam insulated attic at a substantially lower cost," Drew says.

When building a new home, a radiant barrier is an effective, smart way to achieve greater energy efficiency.

However, not all radiant barrier products are created equal. Choosing the right radiant barrier brand can help protect against future hassles and costs associated with moisture damage.

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: Checking your credit score is a hassle, and it can't really help you manage your credit in the long run.

Truth: Websites like FreeCreditScore.com make it easy to check your credit score. Keep in mind that lenders use a variety of scores when evaluating credit worthiness, and the one you obtain online will vary from what a lender might see. Still, any score can be a valuable educational tool that helps you better understand how lenders view your credit.

FreeCreditScore.com's Credit Score Center can help you understand how your score is calculated, which factors impact it and the best time to apply for credit.

Pick up the next issue to unveil the next myth

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 30 (pg. 7)

PROPERTY SEEKER SECTION

www.westend.thelocalseeker.com

Business Banter - Bram Eisenthal

issue19_Layout 1 9/29/2011 4:35 PM Page 8

Conservart becomes pioneering entity at Monkland Village, Phase II The expression “getting framed” has somewhat of a negative connotation, as it generally refers to being set up for the purpose of making you look bad. There are times, however, when framing can make you look extremely good, and, in 1993, two young employees of the Monkland Villagebased framing shop Conservart, purchased the business from founder George Schwartz, who had opened in 1986 on the corner of Oxford.

Vanessa Zorbas and Sylvain Fournier maintained the popular and very successful store in the heart of the Village - at 5649 Monkland - ever since. But they realized that in order to continue, for various reasons, they needed to change their business’s “chi” a bit, so they moved. And where they moved is a bit of a “No Man’s Land” on Monkland, almost as far west as you can go without running into residential housing.

“We simply felt it was an appropriate time for a change,” said Fournier recently, as he was setting up in the new digs. “After 18 years of successfully learning the craft, gaining experience and establishing a solid clientele, it became natural to consider a change that would create something completely our own from every possible perspective. We learned from a true business master – we are in touch with George to this very day – and now we have flown from the original nest.”

Zorbas and Fournier, who each have their own strengths and play off one another wonderfully as business partners, located this charming little commercial building at 6160 Monkland, corner Beaconsfield. “We felt we could do something really nice with the space and that it would allow us to set up our selling area, production and storage facilities perfectly. In early June, we rolled up our sleeves and braced ourselves for a long, hot, hard-working summer and, just on time, we were ready by September 1. It’s an incredibly satisfying feeling and we are quite proud of what we have achieved. We think the new Conservart makes a very nice addition to Monkland’s west end.”

The new spot is as far from the hustle and bustle – and lack of parking – as you can find farther east. “We bring a new breeze to a quieter part of Monkland, where the honking of cars is replaced by the sound of birds whistling,” Fournier added. “We also look better than we ever have. We have made the most of our space to create an attractive showroom, where we display beautiful framed samples on every wall and well-lit photo frames on shelving units. Take a drive by at night and you will see a pretty s p e c t a c u l a r window… that’s We provide expert what we have been told. service in:

We’ve been on watch for 50 great years!

“Our clients will benefit from a rejuvenated spirit, in a peaceful and creative environment where you can take your time choosing the perfect framing without worrying about how much time is left in the parking meter.”

Conservart’s services include framing, laminating, restoration and delivery. Vanessa and Sylvain are the sole owners and employees, so clients know their cherished artwork is in safe, reliable hands and that every step of the framing process is handled by the people who care the most.

The Local Seeker has been dealing with this business for almost 20 years and we can attest to their absolute care and professionalism. We’ve been framed here countless times, with no negative consequences.

You can contact Conservart at 514-485-3543.

For five decades, family business OTA has been here, serving Montrealers from the West End and 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,

SEPT 30 (pg. 8)

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com

issue19_Layout 1 9/29/2011 4:35 PM Page 9

The Local Seeker’s Fall Anniversary Contest 2011 To celebrate our first anniversary, The Local Seeker will give away a gorgeous, 12” x 18” limited edition black and white photograph of our Sept. 16 anniversary issue’s cover personality, renowned jazz pianist Oliver Jones.

The photo is signed in silver Sharpie by photographer Bram Eisenthal and Oliver Jones himself!

To win, be the first to answer this simple skilltesting question:

Which two jazz legends did Jones closely befriend, friendships that endured until their deaths?

(Hint: Both have had local landmarks named after them)

Submit your reply by e-mail to superscribe@sympatico.ca. Please enclose your name, which we will publish should you win, and your contact information, which we will not.

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 30 (pg. 9)

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com

issue19_Layout 1 9/29/2011 4:35 PM Page 10

*Cannot be combined with any other offer, valid until November 2, 2011

The University of the Streets Café organizes public conversations in cafés and community spaces across Montreal. The program is free and open to participants of all ages, all backgrounds, and all levels of education. http://univcafe.concordia.ca 4 OCT • Tuesday/Mardi Decriminalizing Prostitution: How do we begin to understand the issues?

La décriminalisation de la prostitution: les enjeux, sont-ils compris?

7 to 9 pm • 19h à 21h Guest • Invitée: Karen Herland Moderator • Modératrice: Alex Megelas Venue • Lieu: Le Dépanneur Café, 206, Bernard Ouest (@ De l'Esplanade)

This bit of space could be yours!

Call us today to enquire about our amazing advertising offers.

514-975-7745 514-975-7745

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 30 (pg. 10)

Kith

Starring at our

special Supper Club, Saturday, October 8, starting at 7 p.m.

Great sounds, terrific food, at Grillades Portugaises!

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

issue19_Layout 1 9/29/2011 4:35 PM Page 11

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of The Local Seeker and we are already working on our next issue, out October 14.

Deadline Friday, October 7.

Coming up next time:

Best, Bram THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 30 (pg. 11)

(Our pre-Halloween issue) -Spooky, fun, cent-imental shopping at this local party shop -Now that frost is on the pumpkin, wrap your outdoor plants -Some fright-filled hot spots at which to fête Samhain … and much more!

All in preparation for our exclusive, annual Local Shrieker

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com

issue19_Layout 1 9/29/2011 4:35 PM Page 12

THE LOCAL SEEKER,

SEPT 30 (pg. 12)

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 www.westend.thelocalseeker.com