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Vani’s competitive edge birthed creative hangout Studio BBG West Ender Nadia Vani’s artistic talents first came to my attention when I visited a friend’s home several years ago and she was hosting one of Vani’s jewelry parties. You know the ones where a hostess sells off jewelry created by some popular designer living in New York, or impersonal gold baubles… Tupperware… lingerie…. pretty much anything goes these days. The only difference that particular evening was that Vani was the designer and her stuff was gorgeous. She sold lots of it and the women in attendance were raving about her creations all night long. It was a veritable Bauble Babble Fest. Vani’s story is quite special, actually, starting with the fact she isn’t a crafty person, geneticallyspeaking. “Well, my sister is the artist in the family, a painter, but I never had much interest in creativity growing up,” she admitted during an interview in Montreal West’s Studio BBG, which has become a rather spectacular success in just under two years. The moniker stands for Beautiful Beads and Gifts. The youthful mother and wife started work life in marketing and personal training, while taking night courses in management at McGill. Then she challenged herself once again by taking continuing education courses in computer tech support at John Abbot College. Her life then took a 180-degree turn. “It was January 2008 and I was working at a mom and pop e g business when I broke pa 6 1 t some happy news to my Firs issue! n 2011 bosses. I was pregnant.” tio .8 c e l e E e on p u q i Un featur
More on p.2
When politics rears its misshapen head and we simply can’t ignore it
The gracious employers did what any kind, decent people would do: They fired Nadia. “Rather than get down on myself, though, I accepted another challenge. I had seen the custom jewelry done by some women and I wasn’t at all impressed with the quality, knowing I could do better. I marched down to the Bead Emporium in Westmount and started spending hundreds of dollars there every few days. And I started organizing jewelry parties, fundraisers and other events. It was my way of staying focused and businessminded.” Nadia was indeed busy and, when a suitably-impressed client asked to carry her jewelry, it appeared to be a sign that she had achieved success. One day, parked in her hometown of Montreal West, she noticed a building across the street “and I fell in love with the natural lighting at that spot. I checked it out and it was the ideal place to give various classes, as well as to start a retail business.” Studio BBG was born. Today, Nadia boasts a mailing list over 950 strong, a popular Facebook page and all sorts of cool courses and events that have made her studio one of the town’s more happening venues. “My valued assistants and I organize workshops for people of all ages and daycare classes, where the children learn all sorts of artistic endeavours, in addition to beading, like painting and scrapbooking. One Friday evening per month, a group of fun-loving ladies meets there for Beading Martini Nights, where they learn craft-work and indulge in pina coladas, strawberry daiquiris and margueritas, everything except martinis, actually. Still, no one seems to be complaining. Another themed evening consisted of women being given manicures, massages, reflexology and astrological readings, with extremely satisfied clients vowing to return for more. “I like to support women in business, usually locals,” Nadia stated. “They’ve been very supportive of me, so why not?” She also rents out studio space: So far, Tuesday mornings are reserved for painting classes given by a local female artist. But before you see BBG as simply an overindulgent girl’s club, relax, boys, you’re invited to have fun, too. “Men are certainly invited to participate and not necessarily as part of a couple,” Nadia said invitingly. “We actually celebrated our first boy’s birthday party here three weeks ago, with six boys aged 5 years of age, and they had a blast. Pictures were taken and they created a photo frame, learning about the visual arts through their creation.” Not long ago, another birthday party featured three generations of the same family at one table. It’s not unusual to find the 18-month to 70-year demographic frequenting the place. As if unleashing your artistic muse isn’t enough, you can also shop here till you drop. Beads of every stunning variety are for sale, but you can also buy Ganz, Mistura, LimLim and Isabelle Chouinard beauty products and accessories, Swarovski crystal jewelry and Pandora-styled bracelets and charms. Suffice to say that the mom-and-pop grinch couple really did THIS entrepreneur a huge favour! Studio BBG is located at 30 Milner, Suite 201 (corner Westminster, with a nocharge municipal parking lot across the street, around the corner from Patisserie de la Gare) and you can reach Nadia at 514-564-3481 or by email at info@studiobbg.com. Her website is at www.studiobbg.com.
The Local Seeker, West End Montreal Edition Volume 2, Number 8, 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
Vani’s competitive edge birthed creative hangout Studio BBG (Continued from cover)
When I started this paper in September, 2010, 17 issues ago, I planned to keep it apolitical in every way. There are enough community papers in our neighborhoods reporting on council meetings and complaining about the miseries handed to them by their local politicians. For the most part, I have maintained that promise to self. I want you to leave these pages feeling good, not all riled up and ready to shoot someone… symbolically-speaking, that is. Fostering reader rage is not the goal of The Local Seeker, which I hope will always remain your feel-good publication MOST of the time. Last issue marked the debut here of Last Call With Sol, featuring wellknown commentator Sol Boxenbaum spouting off on a variety of subjects. I will not prevent Sol from discussing whatever he wishes, political or not, because I respect him tremendously and I know his fans enjoy his honesty and candid comments. In this issue, however, I have deviated from my chosen path slightly and tried to give you a unique political perspective regarding our federal election candidates. Like it or not – and, believe me, do not count me in among the few souls who is actually HAPPY we are in the midst of an election campaign (a few comprised mainly of candidates who do not hail from the Progressive Conservatives, their handlers, supporters, wives and mothers) – we need politicians in Ottawa representing us. Can’t escape it, no matter our beliefs. So, I think you will agree that our take on the campaign is quite a unique one. Kudos to my Local Seeker mates in Cornwall for coming up with this concept during a municipal campaign in their town last year. I wish I had thought of it myself, but I did not. In the next issue, I will pull the curtain down on the campaign as far as The Local Seeker is concerned by giving you my take on the best party as I see it. I’m not a genius politically and don’t know much more than you do, but I have handled communications for two candidates during one federal and one provincial campaign… so I am savvy enough to comment. I am sure I will not change anyone’s mind, but I still feel a need to give you my point of view for what it’s worth. Welcome to our new advertisers Meanwhile, back to Seeker business, we welcome two new longerterm advertisers to our pages. Raffi & Son, which appeared on our cover two issues ago, will be illustrating why they are one of the better places in the West End to buy cars or repair them both mechanically and body-wise if you need expert assistance. And then there is the Mariposa Café, one of THE more exciting food and entertainment venues in the area as far as I am concerned. The food here is only inspired and themed monthly, but they brew excellent java, sell incredible baked goods and feature the finest in local amateur-driven music available. It won’t cost you more than a delectable meal and tip-in-the-hat to let them entertain you, either. Congrats to entrepreneur and musician Viktor Labelle for opening this establishment almost a year ago. Ya did good!
A good beading is sometimes well-intentioned Finally, on to our cover story: When NDG’s Nadia Vani started her beading business a few short years ago, I was already sufficiently impressed. I had attended a home jewelery sale 2-3 years ago at a friend’s place and found Nadia’s work to be quite magnificent. She then decided to open Montreal West’s BBG, a shop open to the public where you can purchase all manner of beading supplies AND where she gives workshops to people of all ages and sexes. We welcome Nadia to the cover of The Local Seeker and encourage the patronage of our readers.
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Spring has almost sprung: Do you need small renovation, painting and cleaning services? Selling your home and require a thorough clean-up? Renovations of any kind? Spring cleaning? Yard work? Light fixtures changed or installed? Pick ups or deliveries with our small van?
The handy man can! Call Ralph, at 514-926-6026 Or email me at hobbylobby1423@hotmail.com
Last Call with Sol - Sol Boxenbaum
Consumer Protection: An Oxymoron What is the point in running full-page ads in newspapers that scream “no money down, no interest, no payments until 2013” and then putting restrictions at the bottom of the page in letters so small that NASA telescopes are required in order to read them? Now, car dealerships have added a new dimension to this situation by putting the fine print on the side of the page, so that not only do you require super-human eyesight but also the dexterity of a Cirque du Soleil performer to read “price does not include delivery, freight, preparation, taxes; may not be actual picture of model offered.” The point, my friends, is to deceive us. As my friend Gino from Ville Emard says, “The big print giveth, while the fine print taketh away.” Why doesn’t the Office of Consumer Protection put an end to this practice? I believe there ought to be legislation prohibiting the use of fine print in advertising. Until then, I recommend consumers boycott any merchants who run misleading advertising. In the same vein, with the cost of ingredients constantly on the rise, manufacturers of food products have found themselves forced to continuously raise retail prices. An alternative to that is to reduce the size. That’s a trick that was used by the chocolate bar manufacturers many years ago after bars went from 10 cents to more than a dollar. They began to shrink the size of the candy until packaging became impossible. Today, because we have given up standard weights as we knew them (20 ounces, 28 ounces etc.), comparing prices of shelf items has become difficult. This is another example of how the switch to metric weights allows us to get shafted by the retailers. Very often the size that is “on sale” costs more than the larger sizes available. And speaking of supermarket tactics, how come when they come up with a “new improved” version of a product, they continue to offer the “old and not as good” version at the same price instead of removing it from the shelf? It’s closing time!
ABRA ELECTRONICS INC
514-731-0117 www.abra-electronics.com Store Hours Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30
5580 Cote de Liesse - Montreal - H4P 1A9 Corner Devonshire Everything in Electronics, components and much more We are a leading North America-wide reseller, but our store is located right here in Montreal. Everything available at wholesale price OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
• USB and HDMI cable starting at $5.99 • Unique gifts-Remote Control Helicopter only $44.99 • Test instrumentsMultimeters-ChemicalsChemistry-Biology • Huge selection of Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Hobby Kits (See a demo of our fabulous helicopter)
THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 3)
(ED. NOTE – Sounds like it SHOULD be closing time for stores that indulge in these misleading practises.) To reach Sol, email him at talkradiolive@gmail.com or write to him at 80 Hillside Avenue, Suite 304, Westmount, Quebec H3Z 1V9.
Seek and you shall find... in our Classifieds MOVING SALE Complete set of apartment furniture, like new. Must sell. Call 514-484-5339 day or night and leave a message. WORK WANTED Looking for various household jobs, including garden work. For more information, please call Alain at 514-489-9882 or 514-578-8084. WANTED Seeking students aged 18 and up wishing to earn extra summer cash working in the great outdoors: Rate $10/hr. Also looking for students experienced in electrical work who can install air conditioners and electrical heaters, also at $10/hr. Students with knowledge of basic carpentry also sought. Call Mr. Patel at 514-862-0096.
Rules and Guidelines for FREE ads All free classifieds ads are to be called in or texted at 514-688-7888, put on our facebook group wall (The local seeker - West End Montreal Edition) or emailed at bram@thelocalseeker.com. All ads must be 25 words or less. If they are longer, the local seeker can edit them as seen fit. Free ads must be for non-commercial, used and second hand items only. Garage sales are free.
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Achieving Artists - by Delilah Pringle
Expressions of life experience and perceptions through art This “Modern Venus,” which is inspired by Botticelli’s Venus, represents how beauty is interpreted in our times. I imagine that our equivalent would be a fashion model. In order for a woman in our society to be accepted as “perfect,” she would have to be tall, thin and sexy. These are represented as crosses women have to bear. One girl had some of the right criteria, but wasn’t tall enough so she was hung by her cross. The other tried to make herself so thin, she was buried by hers. The sexy clothing represents how women are victims of fashion, whereas the Botticelli Venus was beautiful exactly as she was created. Art has always been a part of my life. My Grandmother was a painter, my father was a musician and model ship builder, my mother dabbled in dancing and crafts. Our home was always full of artists and, as a child, my creativity was encouraged. I never fully appreciated my talent because everyone in my family was talented in some way and it all came so easily to me, especially drawing and dancing. I dabbled with fashion illustration and pencil drawing as a young
A Little bit of Political Humour...
adult, but it was only when I was introduced to oil painting that my love for art really took off. I studied art history in the UK and took oil painting lessons in Kiev. I also had the opportunity to travel and visit art museums in England, France, Belgium, Kiev, Moscow, Georgia, Spain and Africa. These experiences opened my eyes and mind to many different forms of art and expression and continues to affect my creativity. Through art I have discovered that I can express things that I would have difficulty expressing in other ways. In dance, I can express my inner self and how music makes me feel. In painting, I can express ideas about my life and how I see things. I always have specific ideas about what I wish to convey in my paintings and I am happy to explain the thinking that inspired it, but I am also very curious about what my paintings inspire in others, even if their interpretation is completely different from mine. Delilah Pringle is a West End artist. Her work can be viewed on the walls of Kokkino’s, at 5673 Sherbrooke St. W. in NDG
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Fun With Words
A bus filled with Ottawa politicians was driving through the Lanark County countryside one day, on the campaign trail in 2011. The bus driver, caught up in the beautiful scenery, loses control and crashes into the ditch. A farmer living nearby hears the horrible crash and rushes out to discover the wreckage. Finding the Ottawa politicians, he buries them. That day, the Mounties come to the farm to question the man. "So you buried all those politicians?" asked an Officer. "Were they all dead?" The Lanark farmer answered, "Some said they weren't, but you know how politicians lie."
Smart old farmer....
THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 4)
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THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 5)
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Spotlight on Sports by Paul Graif
Spring reigns supreme because of sports, led by Lord Stanley’s grail The sun is shining. Most of the snow has melted. The birds are chirping. This is my favourite time of the year. As a sports fan does it get any better? Let’s see: March Madness, the NCAA basketball tournament, kicked things off last month. The NHL playoffs are getting under way and the Masters just wrapped up. These sporting events announce the arrival of spring. Unfortunately baseball’s debut used to overshadow almost all of these events for me, but since the departure of our beloved Expos, it barely registers with me anymore and I suspect this is the case with you as well. I have spent the last few days reflecting on how lucky I am as a sports broadcaster and writer. I have had the opportunity to attend all of these events - the Masters is the only one I have yet to see up close, but I have already booked my ticket for Augusta in 2012. I just returned from Houston where I saw the Final 4. It’s an event that I live for. This year’s edition was the 8th Final 4 I have attended - and while the final game between Butler and the champion Uconn Huskies left a lot to be desired, I have no complaints. On the off-day, we bought tickets for the Houston Open golf tournament and were able to get up and close with the likes of Phil Mickelson, Aaron Baddeley and Canadian David Hearn, who finished in the top 10. I even felt a slight pull towards baseball while down in Texas. I went on a tour of Minute Maid ballpark with my 11-year old nephew. Unfortunately he’s a Mets fan. I guess I can’t fault him… he lives in New York and at least he doesn’t like the Evil Empire (NY Yankees). If that’s not celebrating spring fever, then I don’t know what is. But who am I kidding? All of those sporting events still don’t measure up to the excitement and unpredictability of the NHL playoffs. Who would have thought the struggling Montreal Canadiens would have gone on their remarkable playoff run a year ago? And this year’s playoffs are shaping up to be just as unpredictable. There doesn’t appear to be a clear-cut favourite in either conference. Montreal struggles to put the puck in the net, but they have arguably the best goalie in the league this season with Carey Price and several playoff tested veterans who know what it takes to win in the Second Season. The Washington Capitals remade themselves after last season’s playoff debacle against the Habs, but they remain suspect in goal, as do the Philadelphia Flyers. In the West, Detroit is always tough but they don’t have a playoff goalie, nor do the defending champion Blackhawks. The Bruins look solid, but can Tim Thomas shake his post-season blues?
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It seems that this year’s Cup is a wide open affair. So many predictions and the reasons why teams will win or lose are out there, but this is sports and we watch them because anything can, and often does, happen. It’s the main reason why I love spring best.
THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 6)
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Wedding Bells
The colour of love: Customizing your wedding with colour (ARA)--White will probably never lose its place in a wedding, but a growing number of brides are turning to colour to help personalize their special day. From a pop of colour on a white or ivory wedding gown, to entire themes that carry throughout the flowers, decor, favors and accessories, you can use colour to set the mood for guests or make a statement about your personal style. "Brides are embracing colour as another way to customize their weddings," says Ray Miller of My Wedding Reception Ideas.com, a leading online resource for brides seeking unique wedding favors, wedding decorations and wedding supplies. "Customizing with colour offers brides such a range of creativity. They can choose colours that honor their heritage, evoke the atmosphere of a specific place, or celebrate a memory or experience that is special to the wedding couple." If you'll be saying your "I do's" in 2011, Miller offers some advice for using colour to help create the wedding of your dreams. Tips for choosing a colour "When it comes to choosing colours for your wedding - whether it's for accessories, table linens, bridesmaid gowns or even a wedding gown accent - the only unbreakable rule should be that you must love the colours you choose," Miller says. Keep in mind, however, that different colours will create different moods and not all colours will feel like a good fit for your wedding depending upon where and when you have it. For example, if your goal is to create a wedding that captures the fresh, innocent aura of spring, vibrant red table linens and ice-blue bridesmaids' gowns will be in conflict with that atmosphere. "Certain colours are traditionally associated with each season," Miller notes. "If you're emphasizing a seasonal effect, keep in mind the colours that the natural world wears during that season." Colours that will be popular this spring and summer include hot pink, apple green, celadon, pine green, clementine orange and yellow. Heading into fall, look for amber, chestnut, dark tangerine and brick red. Winter weddings will sport colours ranging from Santa's suit red and Christmas tree green to oyster gray, ice blue and pale purple. Carrying it through Once you've chosen your wedding colours, you'll need to think about how you'll use them - in both the ceremony and reception. Your creativity will serve you well here. Your wedding colours can be used in virtually every aspect of your big day, from the bridal bouquet and decor in the ceremony location, to table linens and accessories for the reception. Accessory collections are an easy way to carry your chosen colour throughout the wedding. For example, at My Wedding Reception Ideas.com, you'll find accessory collections cataloged by colour. These collections allow you to continue your colour theme - whether it's a traditional shell pink, a rich royal purple or even camouflage - with colour-specific accessories such as flower girl baskets, ring bearer pillows, guestbooks and garters. What's more, you can customize table linens and even guest favors using your chosen colours. Wedding gowns and colour For decades in America, white and ivory have reigned when it comes to wedding gowns. However, the colour trend that began last year with pops of colour appearing on bridal fashion runways has continued in 2011. This year, brides have more options than ever if they're looking to use colour to make a personal statement with their wedding gown. From gowns that feature beading and crystals in sparkling hues, to floral accents that capture a season's signature colours, and even bodices or skirts in contrasting colours, bridal gowns in 2011 are going colourful. If you've already chosen a traditional white or ivory gown, you can still dress it up with your wedding colour. A simple sash or floral accent that matches your colour theme will look great against the pure, fresh background of white. And if you haven't yet chosen a gown, you may just discover one with a touch of colour that can become the colour theme for your entire wedding.
THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 7)
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Video Vegetable - by Carrot
Election 2011 by Bram D. Eisenthal
Scarcity of words offered to West End’s election candidates
The Local Seeker believes that political campaigners already give us more than enough rhetoric, so we wanted to offer them all an opportunity during this campaign to lay it on the table, if you will, using as few words as possible. Each candidate was allowed just three words to dazzle us with personal traits we should admire most, as well as a 20-word platform.
The candidates from the major parties – Liberal, PC, NDP, BQ and Green Party - in each West End riding were all contacted. If they do not appear, it is because they were apparently not interested in contributing (or never saw the offer), although NDP incumbent Thomas Mulcair DID personally call to say that he is “simply not a 20-word sort of guy.” Fair enough.
We sincerely thank those candidates who did contribute. I should also point out that West End offices representing the Bloc Quebecois were emailed our request - in English - and that we naively assumed a federal election was exactly the venue for banter in either official language. For the record, we would gladly have published their candidates’ comments in their mother tongues, but none were forthcoming. This was apparently an intentional, concerted sleight. Mount Royal candidate Gabriel Dumais was emailed personally a second time and chose to ignore the attempt. Talk about petty politics.
Outremont, which features some areas crossing over into our West End, was, surprisingly, the riding least interested in participating. Props to the PC’s Rudolphe Husny for breaking the shutout. We also invited the Green Party’s West End candidates to contribute quite close to deadline, both individually and via their national office, and three of the four candidates responded. NDG-Lachine’s Green Party candidate, Jessica Gal, was the most impressive of all in the succinct utilization of her platform word limit. Bottom line: Do words really matter? What do YOU think?
Notre Dame de Grace - Lachine Incumbent Trustworthy
Honest
Community
Did
Proactive
Dedicated
Environment
Not
Pragmatic
Security
Reply
Experienced Platform: Liberals understand the real needs of working Canadians and we are the only credible alternative to the Harper regime.
Platform: Protecting jobs and families along with keeping the community safe are my priorities. A strong voice for Montreal in government.
Marlene Jennings
Matthew Conway
Mount Royal
Platform: Isabelle's main interests are the environment and matters such as our healthcare system, public safety, public transit and government accountability.
Isabelle Morin
The candidate did not reply to our email
Gabrielle Ladouceur-Despins
Incumbent
Trustworthy
Integrity
Integrity
Democratic
Experience
Dedicated
Cooperative
Achievement
Empathetic
Meadowbook protected; Turcot greened; Prévention NDG funded; green retrofits tax credited; Empress resurrected; housing subsidized; schools bilingualized; seniors, immigrants resourced.
Jessica Gal
THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 8)
Platform: Leader for 30 years, an accomplished Parliamentarian with a record of achievement for you. For Mount Royal. For Canada.
Irwin Cotler
Platform: Bring local experience to the national stage! The Conservatives lowered your taxes and made Canada the pride of the G7.
Saulie Zajdel
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Hardworking
Did
Green
Determined
Not
Future
Uniter
Reply
Now
Platform: Increased healthcare funding (more doctors, shorter wait-times), jobcreating business incentives, green tax credits, humane immigration policies, fortifying seniors’ benefits.
The candidate did not reply to our email
Jeff Itcush
Gabriel Dumais
Platform: Stimulating Green Economics through taxing "bads" not "goods," while investing in Green industries, creating jobs, caring for health and environment.
Outremont
Brian Sarwer-Foner
Incumbent Declined
Did
Visionary
Did
Comment
Not
Empathetic
Not
Reply
Respectful
Reply
The candidate chose not to comment
Thomas Mulcair
The candidate did not reply to our email
Martin Cauchon
Platform: We aim to lighten the fiscal burden for average families, help the elderly, create jobs and growth, help small businesses.
Rodolphe Husny
The candidate did not reply to our email
Élise Daoust
Incumbent Did
Did
Honourable
Not
Not
Tenacious
Reply
Reply
Dedicated
The candidate did not reply to our email
Westmount Ville-Marie
The candidate did not reply to our email
Marc Garneau
Francois Pilon
True
Did
Justice
Canadian
Not
Foresight
Leadership
Reply
Transparency
Platform: You can count on me and Jack Layton to work with others to tackle the problems we face in Westmount-Ville-Marie.
The candidate did not reply to our email
Joanne Corbeil
Véronique Roy
THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 9)
Platform: Greens want: A competitive economy, efficient and innovative; vibrant communities and strong social programs; and a return to real democracy.
Andrew Carkner
Platform: Riding to be represented in government with commitment to the stability of the economy and the security of the nation.
Neil Drabkin
Why Should I Vote? The truth of the matter is simple: When you do not vote, you let others speak for you.
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THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 10)
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Whole Grain Roll by Caryn Roll
the revives Spring enjoyment of fresh, l o c a l l y - g r o w n p r o d u ce Spring is finally here and I can’t wait to start planting my vegetable garden. But, before that happens, I need to plan it properly. Last year was my first attempt at gardening. I haphazardly planted hither and dither and didn’t really consider what I was doing. I went to the market and chose vegetables that I like to eat and then I planted the little shrubs all over my backyard. Some grew well, some did not and many got eaten by the CSL groundhog. This year I have a plan. First I will clear an area that spends all day in the sun. I will get the dirt ready, too. I will fertilize it and add better earth. I will need proper sticks to tie the vines when they grow. I will also need to weed regularly. Finally, I will put some wire around the garden so my friend Nesbitt (we named him) doesn’t have a feast. Of course the fun part is still going to the farmer’s market with the kids and choosing the plants. I bought too many last year. It didn’t cost me much and, even though it yielded only one quarter of what I intended, we still had a nice harvest of tomatoes, herbs and Swiss chard. With a little bit of effort at the beginning of the season and periodic weed-pulling throughout the summer you, too, can enjoy delicious organic vegetables! If you don’t have a garden or are unable to plant and tend to one, you could still enjoy tasty organic fresh fruits and vegetables. They can be delivered to your door or to a depot in your neighbourhood, straight from the farmer’s market. This type of service is becoming more and more popular. Jardin de la Montagne (http://www.jardindelamontagne.com/) and Jardin des Anges (http://www.jardindesanges.com/) are two farms that deliver to the West End. Remember, fresh fruits and vegetables are best eaten inseason. There are several farmer’s markets around Montreal where you can pick up fresh produce as soon as it is harvested. The biggest ones are the Jean Talon Market and the Atwater Market. You can always freeze fresh summer produce, to be eaten later during the winter months.
Caryn J. Roll P.Dt. (514.817.0135) Twitter: @MTRLnutrition Join me on Facebook www.montrealnutrition.com
Welcome spring, hello winter clean up (ARA) – Spring not only ushers in a welcome relief from the cold temperatures, but a slew of winter clean-up projects — begging the question, “Are you ready to host all of those summer barbecues that are just around the corner?” The best way to prepare for household repairs is to assemble a first-aid repair kit for your house. Gorilla Glue — This product is 100 percent waterproof and perfect for fixing anything from a broken chair leg to a broken flower pot. If you’ve never used polyurethane glue before, be careful because it expands as it cures. Gorilla Tape — The toughest duct tape you will ever meet, Gorilla Tape has a strong fabric backing and three times the adhesive of other duct tapes. Visit www.gorillatough.com for more information. Simple tools — Why is it that you can never find a hammer when you need one? Keep duplicates of tools in your kit, and you won’t have to run around looking for them. Cordless drill and variety of high quality screws — Tighten up exposed screws on things like your deck, wood railings, etc. before they become a safety hazard. With your first-aid repair kit assembled, you are ready to tackle all of your winter repair projects.
THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 11)
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Anna (Pedicelli) Duncan
Anna
and (Duncan) Judy Loeu
O: 514-937-1717 - C:
Full Service Real Estate Brokers at 514-773-1496 9480 Boul. Gouin O. Pierrefonds-Roxboro Montréal MLS ID#: 8519850 Price $515,000.00
332 Comte St. LaSalle Montréal MLS ID#: 8523844 Rent $595.00
4400 Ch. de Chambly Saint-Hubert Longueuil MLS ID#: 8519562 Price $689,000.00
330B Comte St. LaSalle Montréal MLS ID#: 8523854 Rent $1,430.00
3810 Rue St-Patrick #2B
330A Rue Comte LaSalle Montréal
Le Sud-Ouest Montréal MLS ID#: 8519749 Rent $1,550.00
MLS ID#: 8523825 Price $565.00
444 Av. Édouard-Charles
3810 Rue St-Patrick #2E
Outremont Montréal
Le Sud-Ouest Montréal MLS ID#: 8519744 Rent $1,850.00
MLS ID#: 8514579 Price $859,000.00
anna@londonogroup.com judy@londonogroup.com •
THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 12)
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Eye Spy by Linda Rutenberg
The Rainy Days of April
IRVING SCHOK,
Finally, the snow is melting and the days are getting longer, however, it is also the rainy season. Believe it or not, this is the perfect time to get out and take really special photos. Most photo enthusiasts wait for perfectly sunny days and think that this is the only time to take pictures. In actual fact, some of the best images are taken in inclement weather. Wet streets, dark tree trunks and huge puddles provide you with really interesting subject matter. The light is dramatic and artistic. All you need is a way to protect your equipment. Good rubber boots, a nice big raincoat and a simple clear plastic bag to pull over your camera is all you need. Take the bag, cut off the corners and put your strap through the holes. Then you can compose your picture and pull up the bag when you are ready to shoot. There are also rain covers available on the Internet.
Real Estate Broker
Give yourself a challenge. Get yourself ready and go out for an hour to shoot. If you are not sure what to photograph pretend you are doing an assignment for an article that shows all the aspects of rain. Once you are out, look for anything that says rain to you. What does it change? How do things look different? And, finally, what makes you realize that it is raining? You could start indoors before you go outside. Try raindrops on the windows, patterns on the road and puddles in the driveway. Then get into the car if you have one and have look at what the drops do on the windshield. Downtown lights and signs look impressionistic. If you a r e
Mariposa… le café
B.com
Cell: (514) 264-6048 Email: Irving.schok@century21.ca
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vision
Featured Property: Lasalle Duplex $514,000
5434 Cote Saint-Luc Road Montreal H3X 2C5 514-439-3190 mariposacafe@gmail.com proprietor:Victor Labelle
walking around, have a look at the wet tree trunks, umbrellas, or the shiny surfaces of things. If you don’t want to be bothered adjusting your exposure for each shot then use Program mode. As an alternative, try experimenting with the depth of field. Put part of the picture out of focus by using large openings and the Aperture mode.
Thursday nights are "Blues n' Ribs" with acoustic open mic at 7:30pm
April rains can provide wonderful photographs… So get out and shoot!
Come see, taste and listen: Themed monthly dinners, specials from $12-$15 accompanying entertainment by local musicians.
PS - If you are interested in one of Linda’s upcoming workshops, please send an inquiry to linda@lindarutenberg.com. The first one, Spring Tune Up, takes place on April 16, this weekend. Only two places are still available. Contact Linda for information on her future workshops.
Start your weekends with our nourishing breakfasts and terrific java.
Get SEEN, not LOST! In The Local Seeker
Salads, sandwiches and beverages available all day. Terrific homebaked goods to eat in or take out anytime.
With us, your ad stands out! It’s not lost on a page with a thousand other ads! We guarantee that you will get prime placement, every time. Our advertisers always come first!
This month’s musicians include: April 15th "Maurice Charland Jazz trio" April 16th "Kim Adams & House Cats April 22nd"Kyra Shaughnessey Trio April 23rd "Will Riley, on piano April 29th "Di Nero", sax & guitar April 30th "Strawn & Moon"
HOURS:
Thursdays 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. - Fridays 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. - Sundays 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CALL US TODAY
514-975-7745
Mariposa...le café..."Ndg's Best Kept Secret"...shhhh!
THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 13)
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A ginger ale tale by Bram D. Eisenthal When my late father raised me, there were certain Montreal moments that were markedly special beyond all else: Trips to Belmont
What’s worse is how badly they treated their newest version of ginger ale, when they added “green tea flavanoids” to it a couple of years back. I first tried Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale while traveling in Southern Ontario and fell in love with it. Upon my return to Montreal, the only place that stocked it was Phamaprix and there was NO marketing to support the product. It lasted a year tops before they pulled it from the few shops that carried it and Canada Dry has ignored all my inquiries into the matter, as if this was some sort of soda pop cover-up. Not one of their finer moments. National pride can still be reclaimed, as well as Quebec nationalist pride, with the knowledge that a very tasty and unique brand of ginger ale has been produced in our very own Eastern Townships since 1896 (a great year for ginger ale, apparently). Started by John Henry Bryant – who owned Sherbrooke’s Silver Springs Brewery with Seth Nutter – Bull’s Head Ginger Ale was based on the drink that originally made the rounds in Belfast, Bryant’s home town, and in fact was thus named because Bryant’s wife found him to be quite stubborn. The drink, which is of the darker, golden variety rather than the pale dry type, is richer and lingers longer on the palate, yet isn’t overly sweet as are some other brands.
Park and Expo 67; going downtown with him to the rag trade’s Dress Town at Phillips Square to meet his sweat shop work buddies, after eating at the original Dunn’s deli located next door; sharing a Steinberg Old Fashioned Apple Pie with him; standing in long ice-cream lineups at NDG’s Elmhurst Dairy; scarfing down his exquisite salami and eggs and matzah fry; and sipping gallons upon gallons of ginger ale. My father was a ginger ale junkie and he passed that trait on to me. Not sure what it is about ginger ale. Maybe it’s simply a matter of taste. I mean, as was the case with most kids of that era, I liked most soft drinks and we had no idea how bad for you they were. Who would dare ruin a kid’s day by expounding upon the dangers of drinking too much Eskimo soft drink, for instance? That now-defunct Montreal-produced delight featured a spectrum of fancy flavours like banana, spruce beer and (yummy) grape, as well as sinfully sweet cream soda, nectar and root beer. Eskimo’s ginger ale was also amazing, as is the plethora of product produced by today’s manufacturers. My theory is that it’s all in the bubbles. Ginger ale HAS to have more of those than other soft drinks, because drink it too fast and you’ll certainly cough, hiccup or burp more than with the others. It’s also the ginger, however… a sublime flavour for those of us who enjoy it. It is also supposed to be medicinal, curing nausea amongst other things. That’s what ginger ale pioneers such as John McLaughlin likely had in mind (medicinal ingredients were prominent in many soft drinks early on, including quinine in tonic water and, of course, cocaine in the original Coca Cola) when he invented the “modern” version of Canada Dry ginger ale in 1907, basing his concoction on the drink first attributed to the Irish in the mid-1800s. In 1890, pharmacist McLaughlin opened a carbonated water plant in Toronto, selling his liquid to local drugstores for creating libations involving fruit juices and other flavourings and even concocting his own McLaughlin Belfast Style Ginger Ale. He later refined the beverage, lightened the colour and, by 1922, trademarked it as The Champagne of Ginger Ales that we know today. What’s most ironic is that, as we proudly sip Canada Dry, it has been owned by the Texas-based Dr. Pepper/Snapple company since 2008.
THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 14)
To learn more about Bull’s Head, I contacted Dominic Pearson, the president of the company located in Richmond, Quebec. Pearson first became acquainted with the beverage at a young age. “I was a fan of Bull's Head when I was a kid. Bull's Head is very symbolic in the Eastern Townships and has been enjoyed from generation to generation for 115 years. For this reason, when I heard that Bull's Head was for sale, I spoke with my brother Carl and my friend Charles about this opportunity. The owner of Abenakis Mineral Water, which we also own now, first informed me that Bull's Head was for sale. We wanted to continue that history.” Pearson and his partners (the company’s fifth ownership group) felt it was important to keep Bull’s Head in Quebec rather than to sell out, although, while staying local, they are working hard at increasing their market share in Montreal AND are also planning to expand their territory to Ontario and New England. “Bull’s Head seems to be more popular with English-speaking people, so Montreal is a good target for us,” he told me. “We receive calls and e-mails from Montreal all the time.” They already sell some corporate merchandise such as tee-shirts and aficionados are asking for novelty items including caps, belts and stickers, so they are planning to make those available shortly. I thought I’d ask the owner to describe the Bull’s Head experience. “The taste is unique. Not too sweet, very fizzy, refreshing with a special ginger and caramel taste. No other soft drink can be compared with Bull's Head, but for the sake of comparison to Canada Dry, you will see that it is very different. Bull's Head appears less sweet and higher in quality. Our ginger ale is also creamier and the taste stays in your mouth longer.” Just like ginger ale after all these years, Bull’s Head appears to stubbornly be around to stay. I’m sure dad would approve. For more information on Bull’s Head, visit their website at www.bulls-head.com
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I hope you have enjoyed this issue. We are working on our next issue of 2011, and it will be out April 29th
Bes t, Bra m
Deadline for next issue: Friday April 22 12:00 noon
THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 15)
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THE LOCAL SEEKER (pg. 16)
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