Local Seeker West-End Issue 7

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Issue 7, April 1, 2011

Savvy Zuckerman a master of the “M” word I have known Jason Zuckerman for about a decade now, since he was a young guy learning his way around the facts and figures of financing home purchases. He’s still a young guy, but now in his early thirties, he’s the sort of mortgage broker I certainly wish had been around when I was buying my first and only home to date.

He’s that good and the reassurance and confidence he provides are worth their weight in gold.

Most people are aware these days what a mortgage broker can do for you. They find the best rates and, most importantly, give you solid advice for your standard purchases, refinances, debt consolidations, mortgage transfers and private loans. They can finance residential condos/homes, rentals, secondary homes, multi-unit and commercial properties. They don't just work on behalf of one bank. They work with multiple financial institutions to find you exactly the mortgage product that works best.

Although you may think that all mortgage brokers are the same, they are not. Meet a few and you will know instantly what sets them apart.

Inside, Jason has helped A Local Seeker Month ly Exclusive! numerous clients The Montreal debut of who have gone to their banks or Last Call With Sol other mortgage in print! P. 9 brokers, only to be turned away.

He knows how to structure your mortgage in unconventional ways that get the job done.

Continued p.2

At The Local Seeker, there IS no colour barrier

Savvy Zuckerman a master of the “M” word (Continued from cover)

I received an interesting email following distribution of our March 4 issue, featuring a smiling George Grant of Somerled’s Anancy restaurant on the cover. “You finally broke the colour barrier!” was the message subject and the person proceeded to ask me what took so long. Well, let’s address this issue, shall we?

“I have a background in psychology, which helps in my field,” Jason told me. “I ‘get’ people who are emotionally burdened, sometimes crying in my office because they have been refused by their banks and have nowhere else to turn. Issues with finances and debt create a very heavy burden, which affect people physically and emotionally."

“The background in psychology for mortgage financing is similar to a doctor who not only can cure his patient but has bedside manners to help the patient and family get through the ordeal. What is funny is that I was always passionate about psychology, and was never passionate about financing, and yet here I am helping people with my knowledge of financing and my ability to use my background to understand the human aspect of what people are going through.”

Generally, people often go to see Jason when they fall on hard times in their business and their bank, with whom they had a relationship for 20 years, turns them down for a loan. "I have successfully obtained mortgages for clients who have credit scores below 500, whether they are salaried or self-employed, with little or no income proof needed. I recently refinanced a client for whom I cut their payment in half. That will save them almost $50,000 dollars over the course of the next three years.

"I have such a deep sense of fulfillment when I save a client who is about to lose their house because they can't afford to pay their property tax arrears."

Jason helps people who have mortgages of all types and sizes use the equity in their home to pay off unnecessary debts at significantly lower interest rates.

Take, for example John and Lisa, who have a home worth $420,000 and a mortgage of $240,000, a credit line of $15,000 at 7%, and three credit cards totalling $35,000 of debt. When you are making your minimum payments on credit cards, did you know that almost 90% of your payment gets applied to your interest and not your principal? At that rate, $35,000 of debt could take 25-30 years to pay off!!

“It would seem like common sense, but most people allow credit to linger,” Jason stated. “People don't realize that just being close to your limit can lower your credit score. My solution? Consolidate your existing mortgage with the $50,000 of debt, and acquire a new mortgage of $290,000 at a much lower rate.”

What this does is not only lower your monthly financial commitments, but it organizes your multiple payments into one easy payment and either decreases the interest rate you are paying on your debt and/or gets you extra money to do some renovations.

“And forget about just paying off those credit card minimums that don't dent your principal, since refinancing will relieve those burdensome situations by paying off the debts at a fraction of the interest that you would have paid had the loan been unsecured against anything. It will also give your credit score a much needed boost.”

Sage commentary? If you need advice in this area, he’s one of the wisest brokers around. You can check out Jason Zuckerman on the Web at www.mortgageratesmontreal.com, contact him at (514) 771-1352 or email him at jzuckerman@hypotheca.ca.

The Local Seeker, West End Montreal Edition Volume 2, Number 7, April 1 2011 Founded by Julia Lucio and Mai-Liis Renaud 2010 Published by Local Seeker Media Group, Cornwall, Ontario Contents copyright 2011, The Local Seeker West End Montreal Edition Managing Editor - Bram Eisenthal bram@thelocalseeker.com • 514-975-7745 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.

THE LOCAL SEEkER (pg. 2)

Briefly Bram * Briefly Bram * Briefly Bram

To summarize his work succinctly, he helps people get mortgages. But his SPECIFIC niche is getting mortgages for people who have been refused by their bank because of one or a combination of these factors: poor credit; little or no declared income; self-employment; too much debt.

First, let me state that at no time EVER have I chosen a subject that was determined by the race of a person… unless, of course, I have written the piece for a specific market. Second, the fact I am Jewish and white means that I likely move in either or both of these latter circles more often than not… and this translates into my knowing more related people. So, when I am wracking my brain trying to come up with an interesting personality for you to read about, often at the last second, my thoughts gravitate toward people I am most familiar with. While I have been privileged to have met some incredible people from Montreal’s black community, I can’t say that this is a circle I am overly familiar with. And I was really pleased that I finally featured a member of this community on my cover, made all the better because George Grant happens to be an amazing man.

Sometimes I get so fixated on giving readers a good product, I fail to notice that my male profiles outnumber my female ones 10-1, or that almost every personality has been white. I am pretty colour blind when choosing a cover feature, because all I care about is HAVING a cover! I think a large, empty white space might be cool in its Zen-ness, but will be hard to justify to both readers and advertisers afterwards.

So, here’s the deal: help me. If you know an entrepreneur who is interesting, hard-working and has something to say, tell me about them or have them contact me. Colour, religion, sexual persuasion, tattoo status… none of that matters, not one iota. The cover’s the thing. And one last thing: When distributing the last issue, I encountered a woman picking up copies of the free community papers spread out at a local pharmacy and I invited her to “please take this one.” She was black and when she saw the cover, a huge smile played across her lips. “I’m taking a few for my friends,” she stated proudly, grabbing five or six copies. Thanks for that, Madam.

Seeker Sol I am thrilled and proud to announce that, starting this issue, Sol Boxenbaum, the affable, bright, humble and informative media maven who graced the airwaves at CJAD once upon a time, hosting Last Call with Sol, is a columnist at The Local Seeker! Yup…. I’ll pinch you, you aren’t dreaming. Sol has been itching to reconnect with his fans since losing his overnight spot to Coast to Coast (which, frankly, I’ve become very bored with) and he’s baaaaaaccckkkk! CJAD's loss and very much our gain. Welcome, Sol. We look forward to reading you. This issue also marks the debut of our new Musical Musings column, where musicians (mostly local), will tell us about the craft from their unique perspective.

First up, veteran NDG musician and teacher Jeffrey May. Second location for Raffi great news for car owners I was very pleased to break the news last issue about Raffi Abikian’s new second location, following the incredible success of Raffi Shell at the corner of Guelph and Westminster in Cote Saint-Luc. The 50-year old Abikian is something of a boy wonder (well, he WAS much closer to boyhood when he started in the late 1980s), as anyone who has brought their vehicle to his service station and garage cab attest. But the place was getting SO infested with cars that he wisely decided to open a location in Montreal West, to be co-operated with partner George Soulahian. Raffi & Son will have it all: repair shop, body shop, comfortable seating, big-screen TV, shuttle service, courtesy cars… I challenge you to find another business in that genre so thoroughly complete. The best news is that you will be able to save actual cash soon, when you have a tire change and balance done at the new location, simply by mentioning The Local Seeker. It’s Raffi and George’s way of thanking you for patronizing the new business.

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Give & Take

Reports of the death of the Compact Disc, as Mark Twain said about his premature obituary, have been greatly exaggerated.

So far, at least, virtually very artist of note is still releasing their music on CD, as well as in download form and often on vinyl, too. Here are some reviews of recent CDs you might want to purchase.

Alternative country queen Lucinda Williams has released some terrific albums that have straddled rock and country, including her 1998 masterpiece Car Wheels on Gravel Road. Her tenth studio album Blessed finds her in a mellow mood, recently married to her manager Tom Overby and reportedly happy with her life. The twelve songs on Blessed therefore are relatively milder in tone than some of her angry, painful songs like “Joy” and “Changed the Locks.” But make no mistake, they’re not sappy tunes, either. “Born to Be Loved” and title tune “Blessed” still pack an emotional punch, with Williams’s Southern tinged, earthy vocals as gripping as always in an album that’s more consistent and pleasing than Sweet Honey and West, her most recent efforts.

Portland, Oregon band The Decemberists impressed with 2006’s The Crane Wife, a powerful conceptual album inspired by both a Japanese folk tale and The Tempest. After the disappointing, and to my mind incoherent, rock opera The Hazards of Love (2009), they’re back with a rockier album The king is Dead. Tunes like “Down by the Water" evoke John Mellencamp and even The Band in a disc that successfully melds Americana and straight ahead rock and roll.

A world music disc worth checking out is Cartagena! This exciting, rollicking collection of Cumbia songs from Colombia, circa 1962-72, displaying the cream of the crop of one of Latin America’s zippiest musical genres. Also of note, Afrocubism, which combines the music of Cuba with that of Mali, in a terrific sonic experiment that highlights the best of both musical worlds. This musical mix was what The Buena Vista Social Club (1997) was originally supposed to be but the African musicians weren’t able to make it to Cuba at the time.

And finally, if you’re a Frank Zappa fan, give a listen to his scintillating, live three-disc set Hammersmith Odeon, recorded at the venerable British venue in 1978. You’ll have to order it from the late musician’s website:www.zappa.com, but it’s well worth the $48 and shipping and handling cost.

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THE LOCAL SEEkER (pg. 3)

Read On! - Andreas Kessaris

Entertainment Entre Nous - Shlomo Schwartzberg

Recent CDs run the gamut

I have always had a fascination with children’s literature. Everyone thinks they can write a book for kids because the language is “simple” and the themes are obvious. But if they were to see the effort Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel put into just one of his books, they would think otherwise.

He filled his office bulletin boards with little cards and drawings and would spend months rearranging them until they were just right. He understood that children are more perceptive than most people think and always know if you are talking down to them.

I look back at Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad series with a special fondness. Frog and Toad are Friends was the first book I ever read on my own. It made me laugh and taught me the true meaning of friendship and trust.

One of the reasons I often find children’s lit depressing is because my Greek immigrant parents were never functionally literate in English, so I was never read to - or with - as a child. I also felt an affinity with the main character because they often learned a lesson the hard way, just as I had to: My parents basically made no serious attempt to teach me any morality, leaving me to distinguish right and wrong on my own, usually with disastrous consequences… but I digress.

But of all children’s books, The Giving Tree, written and illustrated

by Shel Silverstein (Trivia Time -True or False: Shel Silverstein wrote the hit Johnny Cash song A Boy Named Sue. Answer below) is by far the most powerful and touching. The timeless tale of a tree that altruistically gives everything it has for the happiness of a boy as he grows into an old man still hits all the right emotional buttons.

That is why a book called The Taking Tree: A selfish parody (written by someone who calls themselves “Shrill Travesty” and illustrated

by Lucy Ruth Cummins) made me laugh harder than any book I have read in a long time. The Taking Tree makes light of a generous tree that is constantly put-upon by a selfish, annoying kid who grows up to be an even more annoying adult, with hilarious results.

With reference to my column of a few weeks ago entitled Jerome David, I strongly recommend the book J.D. Salinger: A Life by kenneth Slawenski. It is a well-written, thoroughly-researched treat for any Salinger fan. Also, be sure to check out Slawenski’s website deadcaulfields.com.

Read On! www.essaysbyandreas.com Trivia Answer: True. He originally wrote and published it as a poem.

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Free ads must be for non-commercial, used and second hand items only. Garage sales are free.

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Letters From L a L a L and - Steven Goldmann

In various parts of the earth sea creatures start to wash up on shores - turtles, squids, dolphins. In Rio, people are swimming and begin to disappear. No bodies - a mystery.

Police are flummoxed. Beaches are closed. Panic begins to set in. Then one guy - who is working at the Copacabana Palace outside on the beach, sees a giant jelly fish attack only it looks strangely like water. He runs to the police and explains what he saw.

The “best script of all time,” or Viva Aquaviva, Baby!

When I was going to NYU for FILM PRODUCTION there was a poster of a chimpanzee sitting at a typewriter with the words, “WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO IS DIRECT” emblazoned on it. There are many variations of this poster, most inspired by The Infinite Monkey Theorem that, given infinite time, a hypothetical chimpanzee typing at random

would eventually produce one of Shakespeare's plays...usually it’s HAMLET. Recently, I met the mayor of a small but wealthy Brazilian town visiting Hollywood. As is frequently the case, it was not long before he was telling me about this great idea for a movie he had. Here was this powerful mayor with an enormous tax base fueled by petrol dollars and what he really wanted to do was write and direct! He called his movie AQUAVIVA! An Ecological Disaster Monster Movie. Here is what he pitched me: I took notes!!!

Eliminate clutter and hassle go paperless with your taxes

Scientists are called in. They find remnants of jelly fish. People begin to gather at the beach to see the giant jelly fish at it again. WE MEET OUR HERO - a marine biologist. The marine biologist goes down into the bay of Rio to search for some clues. He finds the giant jelly fish.

When he turns to leave the giant jelly fish, named Aquaviva, starts to follow him - and it actually leaves the water as a giant clear blob.

Unknowingly it absorbs everything that is in its way. We see the people decomposing in it. A Big Battles occurs! But Aquaviva has an acid toxin it uses to kill, as well as to protect itself. The toxin burns through things. Like mercury, anytime it is blown apart, Aquaviva comes back together. The marine biologist tries to figure out why this is happening.

Now, there are many Aquavivas hence, an invasion of jellyfish. In order to survive, the Aquaviva race keeps protein, the humans inside them, in air pockets, like a squirrel keeps nuts in its cheeks. The marine biologist’s family gets eaten before his eyes. He decides to risk death by letting himself be ingested to save his family. Once inside all hope is lost. If he blows up, the jelly acid will burn everyone. Brazil will parish.

What is Aquaviva feeding on?? Why is this happening? Is this caused by the residue of fossil fuels? How to kill it?

These questions must be answered! How can the marine biologist save the world and the creatures?

The Mayor never told me the answers or how it ended. Only that he was sure it would be a hit.

He asked if I would write the script for him. No offer of compensation, but simply for the honour.

I smiled and thought of a chimp I knew.

(ED. NOTE: I almost wet myself laughing. And THIS is why we need our man in Hollywood… good work, Steve!)

Steven Goldmann is a Montrealraised Hollywood director

Fun With Words

(ARA) – Last year, 100 million Americans chose to file their taxes in what the IRS deems the safest, fastest and easiest way to submit returns - electronically. If you’re thinking about making the switch to e-filing your taxes, it’s never been easier to do so.

If you’re looking to ditch the piles of paper while safely securing your refund faster than ever, here’s a guide for making the switch to paperless filing: * Select your program. Visit the IRS website to see what type of software is available for e-filing. * Protect your computer. Install anti-virus software on your computer to make sure your information is never compromised. * Shred paper documents you don’t need. The best way to ensure sensitive paper documents are completely destroyed is to use a cross-cut shredder. The Staples MiniMate and 12-Sheet High-Speed cross-cut shredders are both affordable options for home use. * While most tax-related documents can be stored electronically, there will always be some paper documents, like receipts and W-2 forms that you’ll need to hold on to. Consider using sleek organizational supplies like the Arc customizable notebook system from M by Staples which allows you to keep documents organized in one notebook for tax time and throughout the year.

For more information on products, technology and services, visit www.staples.com.

THE LOCAL SEEkER (pg. 4)

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THE LOCAL SEEkER (pg. 5)

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Nos Amours back in Montreal!

Well, just for the day, maybe… but over 600 fans, several representing The Local Seeker included, were allowed to dream a bit as the 1994 Expos, “the best team in baseball” before their season died due to the infamous strike late that summer, made a vivid and memorable appearance. At its seventh annual Sports Celebrity Breakfast, Snowdon’s Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors not only feted that celebrated team, but also Honouree Mark Routtenberg, its former Limited Partner devoted to keeping them in Montreal. In the process, the centre raised $175,000 to assist seniors in crisis. In attendance from the 1994 Expos was general manager kevin Malone, beloved manager Felipe Alou, pitchers John Wetteland, Mel Rojas and Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez, fielders Marquis Grissom, Cliff Floyd and Rondell White and trainer Ron McClain. Former owner Claude Brochu was also on hand. All graciously signed autographs and most made comments, with Alou stating in earnest he hoped there would be a major league team back in Montreal “before I die.” He also knighted that 1994 group “the best team I have ever managed.” Also on hand were several Alouettes players and members of the front office, members of the Impact and many of the Montreal professional sports media, as well as rapper Annakin Slayd, whose YouTube video commemorating the Expos cleared the mass-media fences. The Montreal Canadiens, then mired in a nasty three-game shutout streak, declined to send anyone. Mike Wagen was chairman and Mordon “Cookie” Lazarus co-chairman.

Seen in a local paper's "readers sales" section.

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Sitting around waiting for VIPs to pose with, the former Expos had lots of time to catch up. Top row, far left: ace relief pitcher John Wetteland watches Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez sign autographs, as general manager Kevin Malone, trainer Ron McClain and outfielder Rondell White share a chuckle. Bottom row: Relief pitcher Mel Rojas deep in thought as onetime player and legendary skipper Felipe Alou debates with centerfielder Marquis Grissom. Outfielder Cliff Floyd, far right, mugs for the camera (Photo: Bram Eisenthal)

Reason for sale:- No longer required.

Got married last weekend.

Wife knows everything.

Martinez thrilled the crowd by putting on the cap of the first team he won the Cy Young with

THE LOCAL SEEkER (pg. 6)

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You're engaged! Now what? The top five wedding planning questions to answer first (ARA) - Holiday season is engagement season. But after he pops the question and she says "yes," the reality of wedding planning sets in - and that feeling of joyful romance can fade as quickly as Christmas lights on an overloaded circuit.

Here are the top five questions you will need to answer to make your wedding planning journey a pleasant experience.

"After Valentine's Day, the holidays are the most popular time of year for couples to become engaged," says wedding planning expert Raymond Miller of My Wedding Reception Ideas.com, a leading online resource for brides seeking unique wedding favors, decorations, and gifts.

"Many brides-to-be who get engaged over the holidays will begin their planning efforts in the first months of the new year.

Knowing where to start can be overwhelming."

Brides should begin their planning by answering five basic questions, Miller advises.

1. What is our budget?

"Funding your wedding can be one of the most expensive undertakings you'll tackle in your life together as a couple," Miller says. "Many couples only spend more on buying a house or car, or funding their children's college educations."

Setting - and sticking to - a budget for your wedding is an essential step toward starting your married life on a sound financial footing. Determine where your funding will come from - if your parents can help or if you'll be paying on your own - and decide how much you can afford to spend without going into debt.

2. What season works?

Virtually as soon as you announce you're engaged, people start asking what the wedding date will be. To make answering that question as simple as possible, start by considering in what season you would like to be married. Would you prefer a spring ceremony? Or do you dream of a holiday wedding? By narrowing down the season, and selecting it well in advance, you'll be able to secure a date that will work for everyone.

3. Where do we want to get married and have our reception?

Will you have a destination wedding? Or do you want to keep it local? While wedding planning is usually most successful when done well in advance, if you're interested in a destination wedding, planning far ahead is essential.

Popular destinations book quickly in prime wedding seasons and you may find venues in the destination of your choice are booked a year or more in advance.

4. What kind of venue do you want?

Do you dream of a big wedding? Or saying your "I do's" in a beautiful natural setting? Perhaps you want your reception to be in a grand hotel. Knowing the type of venue you desire will help you refine your options and choose a specific location down the road.

5. Who do you want to officiate?

Is it important to you to be married by your own minister? Or are you OK with a justice of the peace? Do you fantasize about being joined in marriage by a ship's captain? Or does your mother have her heart set on seeing you married by the rabbi who was there at your bat or bar mitzvah? Just as popular venues book quickly, favorite officiants also have their dance cards fill fast for popular wedding seasons. As soon as you know who you would like to officiate at your wedding, it might pay to approach him or her and find out about future availability.

"Of course there are many, many things to consider when planning a wedding," Miller says. "But these five points are the basics you must address and everything else about your wedding will be planned around your answers to these questions. Once you've made these initial decisions, it will be easier to refine your options and decide exactly what will make your wedding wonderful, memorable and perfect for you."

For more wedding planning and wedding reception ideas visit www.MyWeddingReceptionIdeas.com.

THE LOCAL SEEkER (pg. 7)

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Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is the perfect example of ignorant network executives being paid to do nothing but – extremely ironic in this case - destroy. Whether you are a fan of the series of films depicting the takeover of our planet by a cybernetic killing organization called Skynet, or not, this now-defunct television series, which was murdered in 2009 after two seasons of blundered scheduling and a lengthy hiatus, is nothing short of brilliant in every way.The plot follows mom Sarah Connor as she mentors, protects and rescues her son, John Connor, in our time period, while flash-forwards depict the period in 2027 where he rules as the leader of the human resistance against the cyborg-run Skynet.

Watching the 31-episode series on the two DVD box-sets, one gets the same satisfaction and thrill as watching any of the other amazing but shortlived series that have been all-too-hastily relegated to the junk heap of premature cancellation. I include Rome, Enterprise, Carnivale and certainly Firefly in that list. They are all excellent, leave you wanting more, but were cancelled because their network execs didn’t know what to do with them.

In the case of the Terminator TV series (as was the case with Caprica, another excellent sci-fi show cancelled very recently), FOX executives really blew a golden opportunity for a serious ratings winner that could have lasted seven years or more. The supreme irony here is that Fox was the network that allowed The X-Files, one of my favourite genre shows of all time, to continue at least three years beyond its peak as a quality show.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is THAT good, featuring heart-pounding action, intelligent plotlines and acting that is far and beyond among the best ever by an ensemble cast. The series featured British actress Lena Headey as (the non-accented) Sarah Connor, Thomas Dekker as John and Summer Glau (the pretty young actress and career ballerina who was also outstanding in Firefly and its feature film, Serenity) as Cameron, a reprogrammed Terminator from the future sent back to help protect John. It also featured Brian Austin Green (David in the original Beverly Hills 90210) as Derek Reese, brother of John’s father Kyle Reese, a future fighter for the resistance also sent back to protect John Connor. When he made his initial appearance on TSCC several shows in, my first thought was “Oh no!” but Green delivers convincingly on all counts: in fact, he is one of the strongest components of the show. Other starring actors, most notably Richard T. Jones, as FBI agent Ellison, and Shirley Manson (yes, the Scottish lead singer of the terrific alternative band, Garbage) and Garret Dillahunt as evil cyborgs Catherine Weaver and Cromartie respectively, are equally outstanding.

As I watch the last few episodes of this amazing series, I feel disheartened that there will be no more. That is the magic of DVD, however, bringing great movies and series of the past to the attention of new audiences while allowing appreciative fans to watch their beloved ones over and over and over again.

THE LOCAL SEEkER (pg. 8)

Jeff May

Hollywood is a strange beast. Zillions of projects are dreamt up, scripted and then transformed into screen gems, only to be ripped apart by a cold, calculating monster more than a collection of sentient beings. Television has become the epitome of this emotionless creature, taking many brilliant projects and setting them up for failure, using surgical tools of death such as Pre-emption, Hiatus, Time Slot Shifting, Ratings and, ultimately, Cancellation. Many superb shows have died due to illogical mishandling by network executives with no apparent sense of quality versus garbage.

Musical Musings -

Video Vegetable - by Carrot

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles one of the better cancelled series on DVD

The Universal Language of Music I recently took a trip to Cuba, just to get away for a week - something that many folks from Canada seem to be doing lately - so I said to my wife: "How about it?"

When most people go on vacation, the last thing they want to think about is their work. After all, isn't work something we want a break from? What does one do, however, if one's work is to play, and specifically to play music?

As one friend of mine so succinctly put it: "Ha! Jeffrey, some parts of you never go on vacation!"

Being a multi-instrumentalist, it was easy to pack a couple of flutes in my bag, and, being the opposite of shy, I took a flute along with me and joined in whenever and wherever I heard music being played.

Perhaps I am part Cuban, because, in each circumstance, it felt to me as though we had all been doing this together for a thousand years. Well, Ok, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but it certainly didn't feel as though we had just met! All thanks to the glorious and wonderful gift of this universal language that we know as "MUSIC."

What other language offers the possibility of instant recognition and the chance to spontaneously communicate across all social and cultural barriers? With music, there simply are no barriers to cross. My fellow Cuban musicians seemed as much a part of my normal day-to-day experience as my fellow Canadian musicians.

At the hotel, there was a nightly show – a mix of music and dance. It didn’t take long for the word to get out that one of the Canadian guests had a bamboo flute. Before I knew it, I had been asked (well, told, actually) to participate in that evening’s performance. I easily agreed, not quite knowing what I would play, and not particularly wanting to be up there on stage alone with a bamboo flute!

I showed up a bit before ‘ShowTime’ where all the dancers and musicians were hanging out, and it didn’t take long for me to hook up with a musician named Vincente, who was more than willing to accompany me on conga drums. The piece was a great success and, as luck would have it, my wife managed to film the whole thing.

I can’t think of a better way to enjoy a vacation!

Jeffrey May www.jeffmaymusic.com Jeff May is a well-known resident of the West End, as well as a veteran music teacher and accomplished musician.

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Last Call with Sol - Sol Boxenbaum

It has been a long year without you It has been a year since I was silenced by a radio station, without having had the opportunity to say good-bye to my listening audience. Now I am back with a column: Last Call With Sol (print edition). And the future looks bright for all of us at this paper.

As with my radio show, my audience will determine the topics. I know a little bit about a lot of things and a lot about a few things. If you were a listener to my show, you know that I go out of my way to be politically incorrect. I have no ‘sacred cows.’ I will talk about almost anything. Write and give me your opinions, questions, or comments.

I am also president and CEO of Viva Consulting (1998), a non-profit organization monitoring legalized gambling in Canada. I have presented papers on the dangers of gambling at major International conferences, the most notable being in Halifax, NS (2004), sharing the speaker’s platform with Ralph Nader. I have served as consultant and expert witness in court cases (QC, ON), and am involved in other legal cases across Canada and the U.S. My principal work is promoting awareness of the dangers of problem gambling, and assisting in developing prevention awareness programs. I also do referrals and counseling for those with (or affected by others with) addictive behaviours.

However, in this column I want to hear about what most concerns you. I am always ready to listen. I promise to bring your issues to the attention of all the readers of The Local Seeker. In the coming months, I plan to address many different subjects. Tell me what you are interested in, what you care about, what you wish discussed. I promise you that I, and The Local Seeker, will see that your concerns get public attention!

Talk to me . . . . . oh, and before I forget, this column is dedicated to the memory of John Rossy. Rest well, my friend.

ASSISTANCE

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Come hear former police crime scene photographer/technician Harold Rosenberg tell you about one of the more shocking periods of his life – and a crime that shocked the entire community.

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Quebec Travel - Jacqueline Treminio

graduate unsure about his or her future career and prospects.

Annual events for university students great way to see the Eastern Townships Remember the 1967 film The Graduate? Well, in a few months, I will be feeling like the main protagonist Benjamin Braddock (portrayed famously by a young Dustin Hoffman). No, dear reader, this won’t be a case of life imitating art. No one will be persuading me to invest in plastics (we all know now how harmful plastics are to the environment), there will be no Mrs. Robinson trying to seduce me and to my greatest chagrin, Simon and Garfunkle will not be providing the musical score to my life. What I mean is, in June of this year, I will be receiving my bachelor’s degree from Concordia University and I, like so many other graduates in my shoes, including Braddock, will become just another disorientated

On March 18-20 past, I participated in the Discovery Days in Richmond, located in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. For youth looking for work opportunities outside the city limits of Montreal, the Englishspeaking community of the Estrie region has created the Make Way for Y O U t h Discovery D a y s initiative.

Discovery Days is an allexpenses p a i d weekend (you read this right, FREE lodging, food and bus fare) of fun-filled activities and Townships sightseeing for graduates or soon-to-be graduates between the ages of 18-35. It provides a great opportunity to network and meet local employers, as well as to discover the endless possibilities that are available in the

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Estrie region.

Our weekend began with a meetand-greet supper at Siboire, a microbrewery with a scrumptious smoked salmon pizza located next door to the Sherbrooke bus station.

Our guide for the weekend was the Migrant Agent in charge of organizing the Discovery D a y s activities, the charming and energetic Sheila Quinn.

The group consisted of 14 attendees from Montreal a n d Sherbrooke.

We lodged at Motel de la Gare, a popular train station during R i c h m o n d ’s b y g o n e railway days.

On Saturday, we had brunch at Resto-Café Banc de Marguerite, a two-floor restored brick house with delicious food. The brunch was proceeded by a visit to the J. Armand Bombardier Museum in Valcourt, dedicated to the life of the

IRVING SCHOK,

Skidoo creator. The day ended with a show in Richmond featuring StPatrick’s Day festivities, including a foot stomping Celtic concert by Crowfoot, a multi-talented band with Irish and English influences.

On Sunday, we experienced the delight of attending the St-Patrick’s Day Parade in Richmond, the second largest such parade in Quebec (the first being Montreal).

Before I knew it, it was time to head home.

I highly encourage those wanting to explore their options outside of Montreal to attend these memorable Discovery Days. It is a great opportunity to discover the endless possibilities in the Townships by visiting local businesses, discovering the historical surroundings and making new friends along the way.

Interested in attending Make Way for YOUth? Contact Sheila Quinn, the Make Way for YOUth/Desjardins Migration Agent at (819) 566-5717 (Tollfree: 1-866-566-5717) or by email at mwfy@townshippers.qc.ca.

The next Discovery Days event is later this year…. Quinn will happily assist you in reserving your spot.

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Find us on Facebook: look for the Local Seeker, west-end edition Follow us on twitter: search for the Local Seeker We’d love to hear from you... Email your comments to bram@thelocalseeker.com

I hope you have enjoyed this issue.

We are working on our next issue of 2011, and it will be out April 14th

Bes t, Bra m

Deadline for next issue: Friday April 7th 12:00 noon

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O:

Full Service Real Estate Brokers Anna (Pedicelli) Duncan and Judy Loeu at 514-773-1496 6168 Saraguay St. W. Pierrefonds- Roxboro (Montréal) MLS ID#: 8341418 Price $1,032,000.00

122 Bousquet St. , Mont Tremblant MLS ID#: 8451054 Price $975,000.00

6476 1ere St. , Rosemont/La Petite-Patrie (Montréal) MLS ID#: 8406491 Price $189,000.00

229-231 Terzi St. , Piedmont MLS ID#: 8447754 Price $389,000.00

3534-3536 de la Côte-des-Neiges St. , Ville-Marie (Montréal) MLS ID#: 8419306 Price $695,000.00

196 Churchill Blvd.

Greenfield Park (Longueuil) MLS ID#: 8476065 Rent $1,200.00

1515 des QuatreSaisons St. , Sainte-Adèle MLS ID#: 8437118 Price $859,000.00

252B Rue de Springfield Greenfield Park MLS ID#: 8476145 Rent $1,250.00

anna@londonogroup.com judy@londonogroup.com •

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