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Vol. 25 No. 12
Bogdan Calita Courtier immobilier / Real Estate Broker Profusion Immobilier Inc. Real Estate Agency
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Lyric Theatre Singers' Candlelight Christmas concert held at the Loyola Chapel
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Samuel de Champlain Bridge lights
By Bonnie Wurst mtltimes.ca
It took over a year for workers to strategically set up the system and now, after a short period of testing, the new Samuel de Champlain Bridge lights are permanently switched on. Although it can light up in an impressive array of colours, the basic theme will be a blank, white display with 'architectural lighting' being used in the evenings.The lighting sys-
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ported seeing a mix of blue, green and orange colours lighting it up from the edges of the structure's roadbed. It will not be a show like the lights installed on the Jacques Cartier Bridge for Montreal's 375th anniversary with a new light display every hour. The lights on the Jacques Cartier are composed of 2,800 light tubes and projectors and were de-
signed by the Moment Factory. Although the Federal Government paid for it, the cost for the colourful anniversary gift was $39.5 million.The price tag for the lights on the new Champlain Bridge is not known, as it was included in the overall cost to build and maintain it and no details have been offered. The bridge was built by a public-private partnership at
a cost of $4.2-billion to date.The final cost has to be determined by lawyers for both the Federal government and Signature on the St. Lawrence, the consortium of companies (including SNC-Lavalin), that built the bridge - due to penalty fees that may be applied, as the original deadline for the project of December 2018 was not met.
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tem is made up of more than 7800 individually controllable LED luminaires. Centrally controlled, it will display programmable themes with adjustable colors, intensity and duration and even themes associated with major events could be made possible. Drivers, who had the opportunity to recently cross the bridge while the system was being tested, re-
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Bogdan Calita Courtier immobilier / Real Estate Broker Profusion Immobilier Inc. Real Estate Agency
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Jacob Tourigny passing inspires 24h Tremblant
ily and friends’ team “Jacob Strong” will be participating in this year’s edition. They are grateful for all and any support they can receive. If you want to support Jacob’s team, or the organisation as a whole, please donate here. All profits go to funding medical and social organizations with the ultimate goal of seeing all children flourish and lead healthy lives. https://participant.24htre mblant.com/eng/2413/ja cob-strong
Little brother Elliot Tourigny, mother Karine Mainville and Jacob Tourigny stories like these do not happen again. “I’m proud to show what my son Jacob wanted to accomplish, and we are here to help him cross the finish line. It’s Jacob’s legacy,” says Karine. To celebrate his life and raise awareness in his honour, Jacob’s fam-
11 Critical home inspection traps to be aware of weeks before listing your home for sale
Jacob Tourigny, Elliot Tourigny Jacob Tourigny was a passionate downhill skier. He was first exposed to the 24h Tremblant in the winter of 2018 and seemed compelled by the cause it supported. Jacob always wanted to give back to others; he found that cancer is a very sad disease that must be fought. Inspired, Jacob suddenly asked his mother if he could start his own team next year to raise awareness for the disease. Little did he know at age 11 that he would not make it to • November 30, 2019
the event’s next edition. Jacob lost his own battle with leukemia just over one week after his diagnosis this past February. But the story doesn’t stop there. A few weeks after attending the 24h Tremblant last year, Jacob happened to visit the Charles-Bruneau Foundation with his classmates for a school project.There, he meets the founder, who tells the class about his own son’s story and sheds light on his battle with the disease. Proud to al-
ready know the Foundation through the 24h Tremblant, Jacob returns from this meeting even more motivated and determined to make a difference. Now, his family and friends are participating in 24h Tremblant in his honour and are looking to raise support where they can to help realize Jacob’s objective. His mother, Karine Mainville, has recently broken her silence on her son’s death to drive funding to the PierreBruneau Foundation, so
MONTREAL - According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the eleven most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale. Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn
prospective buyers away altogether. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre- inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for, and knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones. To help home sellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, a free report entitled "11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved. To order a FREE Special Report, visit: www.montrealinspectionpitfalls.com Get your free special report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.
This report is courtesy of Group Sarroino Real estate broker(s) Kw Prestige Real estate Agency. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright ©2016
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November 30, 2019 •
he holiday season is just around the corner and, as usual, the Montreal artistic scene has plenty of events celebrating the occasion. One of the many shows that we have had the opportunity to follow for the last few years is the Lyric Theatre Singers' Candlelight Christmas. One aspect to underline about this annual event, is its diversity, both, in the variety of rhythms and styles –jazz, classical, pop, Broadway themes– as well as in terms of the origins of the musical items. In the past editions of this show we have had the occasion to enjoy seasonal music from Africa, Europe, Latin America, and of course North America, and not all are celebrations of Christmas since yearend is also an occasion for festivities from other communities such as the Jewish and African. We should see what new themes, besides the expected Christmas traditional songs this company will present for this season. “Our annual concerts are the perfect vehicle for sharing the holiday spirit; a celebration of great seasonal music, accessible—and enjoyable—to all, regardless
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• November 30, 2019
The beautiful Loyola Chapel is the venue for the concerts
Candlelight Christmas A musical tradition
of age or beliefs," says Bob Bachelor, Lyric Theatre Singers Founder and Artistic Director. The title chosen for the concerts is not just a
metaphorical reference to the season, as Bachelor explains: "The fact that we have actual candlelight to enhance both the beauty of Loy-
ola Chapel and our singing is always a plus. The moment when we ask the audience to light their candles as we sing never fails to move
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both Singers and patrons alike. It's truly magical!" The forty voices of the choral group are supported by a strong
musical ensemble. The instrumentalists are Sheila Hannigan on cello, Tim Malloch on flute, Robin Best playing the harp, and Peter Colantonio on both percussion and keyboards, the pianist is Chad Linsley. The Candlelight Christmas concerts by The Lyric Theatre Singers will take place on Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6 at 8 p.m., on Saturday, December 7 at 4 p.m., and on Sunday, December 8 at 1:30 p.m. All the presentations will be held at the Loyola Chapel, Concordia University, located at 7141 Sherbrooke Street West. Bus 105 (from Vendome Metro Station). $6 Campus Parking adjacent to the chapel. This venue is wheelchair accessible. Donations of non-perishable goods and/or money for The Depot / Le Dépôt will be gratefully accepted at all four performances. For detailed information and to buy tickets online visit: www.thelyrictheatre.ca
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Bonsai | Penjing The Collections of the Montreal Botanical Garden
"A bonsai is a living being that you must not only preserve, but also strengthen, by giving it the most beautiful appearance and form possible. These goals cannot be achieved without attentive care." - Hatsuji Kato, Bonsai | Penjing: The Collections of the Montreal Botanical Garden
greenhouses spanning seventy-five hectares. Why not shake off the snow and cold outside and take a stroll through thematic greenhouses that stay open year-round? The Montreal Botanical Garden is also home to cultural pavilions, offers educational programs, and hosts special events throughout the year. The bonsai and penjing collections are arguably the crown jewels of the Montreal Botanical Garden.These miniature trees (bonsai) and small-scale landscapes (penjing a.k.a. penzai) variously comprise the Japanese bonsai created By Deborah Rankin by leading Japanese masters and Chinese mtltimes.ca penjing inspired by ost people 15th-century Ming dydon't associate nasty gardens. These the Montreal unique collections were Botanical Gar- initially displayed at the den with winter. They Vélodrome in 1980 as think of the vast gar- part of the Floralies Inden's flowers blooming ternationales de Monin May, stately trees that tréal horticultural cool and provide shade exposition. After the in the dead heat of July, Velodrome exhibition and bees still on the closed most of the wing pollinating its miniature trees and abundant flowers in late landscapes were doAugust through the fall. nated to the Montreal However, visitors to the Botanical Garden. Jardin Botanique de The Montreal BotaniMontréal can take in its cal Garden recently manifold plants in all published a book that seasons in themed gar- traces the history of the dens and exhibition origins of the bonsai
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and penjing, their esthetic evolution, and spiritual significance.The Bonsai | Penjing: The Collections of the Montreal Botanical Garden (in English) is richly illustrated with elegant colorful photographs and contains extensive text, making this much more than just another coffee-table book. To the uninitiated, the contorted trees known as bonsai may appear to be genetically dwarfed. In fact, they are natural specimens kept small by means of various complex, finely honed techniques. The cultivation of the bonsai and penjing is a spiritual practice for those who master the art. So says the book's author and science historian Danielle Ouellett. A mathematician by training, Ouellett says that to come back to the image of the trees is to enter into a "gallerie de meditation" ( m e d i t a t i o n gallery/meditative state). "La viellese de l'arbre" (the aging of the tree/an old tree) represents wisdom she says, a truism in both Eastern and Western traditions. The book also tells the story of the Montreal Botanical Garden's emergence by the 1990s as a member of a
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distinctive group of major North American gardens housing these miniature trees and tray plants. Pierre Bourke the 40th Mayor of Montreal (1994-2001) was the Director of the Montreal Botanical Garden (1980-1994). A horticultural engineer, he was instrumental in bringing the bonsai and penjing collections to Montreal through diplomatic channels and the relationships he formed with the mayors of cities in China and Japan.
Ouellett opines that there has never been "un tel beau livre" (such a beautiful book) on the bonsai and penjing, widely regarded as living, constantly evolving works of art. Bonsai | Penjing: The Collections of the Montreal Botanical Garden is by the same token, a fascinating history of the odyssey of these unique creations from one side of the globe to the other and a testament to the vision that made the journey possible.
Answer is online Saturday, November 30thpage 25 November 30, 2019 •
The Sikh community supports Sun Youth for a 32nd year O n November 17, the Sikh community of Montreal through its Gurudwara Sahib Quebec Temple invited representatives of the media to the celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th birthday, Sunday November 17th at 11:45 am. This marked the 32nd consecutive year that the Montreal congregation donated to Sun Youth Organization. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of the Sikh religion, taught that sharing with the less fortunate in our society was everyone’s duty. To underline this, members of the Gurudwara Sahib Quebec, located at 2183 Wellington in Pointe-Saint-Charles, chose to once again support two charity organizations: Sun Youth and Share the Warmth.
"We invite the community to stay for a while after the service and enjoy our traditional vegetarian lunch called Langar; the tradition that was started by Guru Nanak to express the ideals of equality and, to remind us to practise the ethics of sharing, of inclusiveness and, oneness of all humankind," says Jagdish Singh Sidhu, General Secretary of Gurudwara Sahib Quebec. “Sharing says ‘I am here for you’ and is a first step towards building bridges. We want to send the message generally that we are here, we have the same values as anybody else,” said Taran Jeet Singh, a congregation member. The support of the Gurudwara Temple is all the more important to Sun Youth during this time of year, since this is
Sun Youth’s François Turgeon accepts symbolic food basket donation by members of the Gurudwara Sahib Quebec Temple the time when everyone should be able to share a little bit of the Holiday season spirit.
With economic uncertainty still having an impact of the lives of many, the support to-
wards Sun Youth is crucial to a lot of people in the Greater Montreal community, not only for
the Holidays but yearround. “It’s a chain of giving, it’s a chain of help and kindness. During Christmas time, we help over 5,000 people with food and shelter, and during the year we give out 27,000 baskets and we are able to do that because of help from organizations like the Gurudwara Temple,” says Francois Turgeon, Sun Youth assistant coordinator present at the event, who was handed a cheque of $4000 by the Temple. Sun Youth wishes to warmly thank the members of the Montreal Sikh community for their constant support over the last thirty two years. Together, we are confident that we will be able to spread some Holiday cheer to those in need or struck by a tragedy.
Legault likes concept of Amazon 'Quebec' for Nationalist shoppers
By Bonnie Wurst mtltimes.ca another concept that would take it one step further - an Amazon 'Quebec' for Nationalist shoppers. Last Wednesday November 20th, he said he had concerns over the absence of 'made-in-Quebec products on the Amazon site' as only American products are available on it. “We have the products. We have customers who are nationalists, who like to buy • November 30, 2019
tomers across Quebec. The Greater Montreal area has a talented workforce and we are committed to providing the area with great job opportunities that have comprehensive pay and benefits,” said the VicePresident of Amazon Canada Alexandre Gagnon in a press release.Whether Amazon would consider moving forward with of a 'Made In Quebec' version of their online business remains to be seen.
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Quebecois, so perhaps it’s time we started to look closely at having such a structure,” he told reporters. Pierre Fitzgibbon, Quebec's Economy Minister said he felt such a platform 'would better serve nationalist shoppers in the province' after they both attended a meeting with Amazon Canada officials and that 'the government might invest in such a platform if it allowed Quebec suppliers to gain more presence on Amazon… we’re inno-
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West Island's first Cannabis store to open in Pte-Claire By: Bonnie Wurst - mtltimes.ca he SQDC (Société québécoise du cannabis) will be opening the first West Island cannabis store in PointeClaire next year. A lease was signed for a location on Sources Blvd., where the Bourbon Street West bar used to be and is scheduled to be open by March 31st 2020. The opening of the new location will bring the total number of SQDC stores in Montreal to five.All SQDC stores need to be at least 250 metres away from any from schools, CEGEPS, universities and daycare centres and they chose the location as it satisfies the legal requirements for the establishment and is easily accessible.The other stores open so far in the city include locations on l’Acadie Boulevard, Queen Mary Road, Saint-Hubert Street and Sainte-Catherine Street West. Last year the SQDC was in contact with John Belvedere, the Mayor of Pointe-Claire, and they discussed the potential of a location in the municipality. Pointe-Claire met the zoning requirements and they felt there was a viable market.
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Belvedere has promised the city would watch the store carefully once it has opened. Pointe-Claire's By-Law PC-2888, concerning the 'Consumption of alcohol and cannabis in all public places in the city' is quite clear; it is forbidden to consume cannabis (as with alcohol) on sidewalks, bicycle paths, pedestrian trails, parks and in all outdoor aquatic and sports facilities, including municipal buildings'. Penalties for a first offence range from $500 to $1,500 and from $1,000 to $3,000 for a repeat offence. The PointeClaire store will be set up like all the other locations and will be selling cannabis products in the form of dried flowers, grounded, pre-rolled, oils, capsules and an oral spray with a maximum 30 grams allowed per transaction. You can refer to the city's by-law in full at: https://www.pointeclaire.ca/content/uploads/2018/10/P C-2888-Consommation-dacool-etcannabis-espaces-publics-EN.pdf
November 30, 2019 •
• November 30, 2019
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Top wines for the holiday paty circuit he holiday season is upon us You've been invited to lots of parties. Anxious that it might cost you a fortune on wine? No need to worry. Read on for lots of great party wines for less than $20 Here is the eternal problem - you have a budget of $20 per bottle,
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Happy Holiday’s from everyone at the Montreal Times would you bring? I personally would chose a Pinot Noir; Nonetheless, if you want a slightly By Marco Giovanetti bolder red, look in Spain, Portugal, South Africa and Italy. mtltimes.ca Suggested wines for yet you don't want to ar- your holiday parties. rive with undrinkable Sparkling stuff. With a bit of savvy Pata Negra shopping, the two goals Cava Brut, are quite possible. SAQ # For me party wines are 13637799, a totally different ball $14.35 game from gastronomical Fresh wines that I would want with a to savor at the table with m e d i u m good food. They need to a r o m a t i c be nice, but not serious. i n t e n s i t y They should be delicious reminiscent and easy to drink and they of lemon brioche and must not require neces- apple.On the palate, this sarily food to be en- Cava is light with a joyed.Finally, they should medium size bubble and be affordable. persistent finale. SugIf you lack any knowl- gested food pairing: edge whatsoever about Smoked salmon appetizer what to bring, here are a dip few styles that are foodMasi Agrifriendly, versatile, and cola Moddrink well with or withello out food.The key is to seProsecco, lect wines that can be SAQ # flexible with almost any 13572729, food and not to weighthy. $16.95 Sparkling Wines - Bubbles are ideal for holiday parDry and ties. Obviously, they set crisp with the tone for a toast with aromas of and they evoke celebra- candied pear and lemon tion, but what really zest. On the palate, remakes them shine is their freshing and ample with flexibility as food-pairing lots of floral nuances. Sugwines. If you don't want to gested food pairing: Cuspend your hard earned cumber rolls. $$$ for Champagne, look Whites: for similar dry or "brut" Cademusa styles from around the Pinot Griworld. gio CatarRefreshing whites - ratto Terre Favour white wines with Siciliane higher acidity, like Picpoul 2017, SAQ: de Pinet from France, 13862451, Gavi from Italy, or Sauvi$11.00 gnon Blanc from different regions. Consider acidity Pretty aroas the mouth-watering el- mas of ement in wine that green apple, lemon with a cleanses your palate for hint of white nectarines. the next bite. On the mouth, juicy and Light to Medium Reds - fresh with simple yet honThere is a time and place est flavors. Suggested food for a bold and powerful pairings: Bruschetta, Sushi wine such as a Cabernet or mini fish tacos. Sauvignon, However,if Cono Sur Organic your host is serving sushi Chardonnay 2017. SAQ or salmon tartare, what # 13728885, $15.85 10
Good quality for the price point. Nose reminiscent of macerated tropical fruits. On the palate, the wine displays a medium acidity with a creamy texture complemented by a refreshing yet generous finale. Suggested food pairing: Mini crab cakes Wingara Deakin Estate Chardonnay 2017. SAQ # 13692510, $11.00 Round and creamy with soft nuances of tangerine and white nectarine. Refreshing with a long finale. Suggested food pairing: Smoked salmon deviled eggs Two Oceans Sauvignon blanc 2017. SAQ # 1096730 $10.60
Fresh and creamy with flavors of lime zest and almond cream. Medium finale. Suggested food pairing: Bacon wrapped scallops. Reds: Enoitalia Lignum Vitis Frappato Shiraz 2017. SAQ 13590450 $17.45 Fresh with aromas that
brings to mind ripe raspberries with a hint of pepper. Medium body with soft tannins and persistent finale that brings to mind menthol and confit violets. Suggested food pairing: Grilled spicy chicken wings Two Oceans Shiraz 2017. SAQ 10529910 $10.60 Medium to full body with ripe cranberr y and black fruit tones. On the palate, fruit forward with alluring flavours of mocha and smoke in the finale. Suggested food pairing: Mini beef burgers. Douglas Green Bellingham Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. SAQ 12383248 $10.35 On the nose jammy black fruit with hints of red bell pepper and roasted herbs. Rich and structured with firm tan-
nins and surprisingly long finale. Suggested food pairing:Taquitos with salsa. Dornier The Pirate Of Cocoa Hill 2016. SAQ # 10679361, $13.95 Vintage t a s t e d 2015. Aromas of b l a c k b e rries, dark chocolate and cumin with a hint of black pepper as well. Hearty with a medium to long finale. Suggested food pairing: Spicy beef satay skewers Antu Grenache Syrah Carignan 2015. SAQ 12882856 $19.95 Ripe and intense aromas of raspberries and strawberries complemented by hints of vanilla and cedar. On the palate, persistent and long with complex earthy flavours. Suggested food pairing: Italian meatballs.
A reliable white year after tear that displays notes of fresh grapefruit, yellow plum notes with hints of fresh cut grass and apple. Medium body with a good acidity with delicious citrus flavours. Suggested food pairing: Shrimp Salad appetizers Fleur Du Cap Chardonnay 2017. SAQ # 00340406, $13.40 Aromas of citrus fruits, green tea and vanilla bean.
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November 30, 2019 •
inter has arrived at Tr e m b l a n t and this Friday marks the start of its 2019-20 ski season. Skiers and riders are invited to take advantage of exceptional snow conditions on 17 trails, with linkups from the summit to the north and south side bases. Slopeside, snow conditions are owed to 200 hours of snowmaking combined with 76 cm of natural snow. The Progression terrain park will be open with a number of features, including medium and large jumps. Please view the Trail Report for the latest updates. Owing to a $16M+ investment to further boost its skier, rider and guest experiences, Tremblant is once again unveiling new onmountain and pedestrian village upgrades and attractions. These include enhanced snowmaking on Versant Soleil, a new on-mountain mobile food canteen called Le Nomade, and new as well, an exhilarating waterplay complex known as waterplay complex known as Brind’O Aquaclub. Of note too, a number of pedestrian village hotel establishments and businesses are also showcasing major reno-
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Tremblant rolls out white carpet Over 76cm of natural snow vations. Opening Day Activities Unveiling new upgrades and attractions that enhance this winter’s on-mountain experience, opening day activities will be held with members of the mountain and pedes-
trian village teams: • 8:00 am: Red carpet rollout at the base of the gondola, with a percussion band adding to the already upbeat mood • Maiden appearance of mobile canteen Le Nomade
• Partners Red Bull and the Sugga, Van Houtte, Smart Wool and Clif bars will also be in attendance to mark the momentous moment A Few Upcoming December Events 24h Tremblant – December 6 to 8: Participants
in the ski, walk and run events meet up for a 24-hour relay race to raise money and provide assistance to sick and underprivileged children; El Rigleto – December 14: Kids ages 6 and under are invited to at-
tend a snowboard training event hosted by Burton Tremblant; Super Demo Days – December 14: The biggest names in the ski and snowboard industries gather at the base of the mountain, offering free try-outs of their latest equipment; Holiday Season Celebrations – From December 25 to January 3: Between 2 and 6 pm, three themes are sure to further brighten the already lively Place Saint-Bernard: Our Traditions, Snow Magig and Winter Fun. Every day, families can join participatory workshops and enjoy interactive musical entertainment, while a DJ and some friendly characters are sure to further boost the fun factor. Neon New Year’s Eve – December 31: Ring in the New Year in grand style with Tremblant’s Torchlight Parade followed by a Neon New Year’s Eve Party on Place Saint-Bernard � magically revamped into a startlight disco! 2020 celebrations also include fireworks and later, a mountain of fun is expected to be had in the pedestrian village bars.
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• November 30, 2019
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November 30, 2019 •
What is going on in Montreal he Centaur Theatre invites you to start your Christmas holiday season on a hilarious, fast-paced, ribald note with their latest production “Little Dickens”, in which its run has recently been ex-
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By Stuart Nulman mtltimes.ca tended to December 21. Once again, master puppeteer Ronnie Burkett and his always edgy Daisy Theatre marionette troupe has taken over the Centaur stage in a production that is loosely-based on the classic novella “A Christmas Carol”, and would certainly make Charles Dickens blush. This time, the Daisy Theatre’s favorite overdramatic diva Esme Massengill assumes the role of the Ebenzer Scrooge character, who insists that her always popular stage revue will have a performance on Christmas Day, much to the chagrin of her meek, yet always loyal assistant Bob Cratchit. And on the evening of Christmas Eve, Esme is visited by the three Christmas spirits, two of whom are just as flamboyant as she is. And through this spiritual journey, Esme learns the true meaning of Christmas, redemption dress and all.
Thanks to Burkett’s manic energy (not to mention that he performs the show as a solo, controlling all of his outrageously crafted puppets, quickly shifting from one character voice to another without breaking his rhythm) and his skills as a no-holds-barred improviser, “Little Dickens” is a Yuletide laugh riot of a show. And judged by the constant raucous laughter from the audience (and the selected audience members who were good sports when they helped Burkett as surprise cast members, including the ghost of Christmas future … boney pointing finger and all), this outrageously entertaining show should be an annual Christmas tradition for the Centaur, all nicely wrapped up in one of Esme’s loud redemption dresses. And by the way, don’t miss the always-popular elfin Schnitzel, as he steals the show (and the audience’s heart) in the role of the always-adored Tiny Tim. Fore more information about “Little Dickens”, or to purchase tickets, go to www.centaurtheatre.com *** Another stage production that should not be missed is the national touring company of the smash Broadway musical “Come From Away”, which is taking place at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier of Place des Arts until December 1. Based on a true story, “Come From Story” tells how the small town of Gander, Newfoundland and its nearly 7000 inhabitants
opened their arms and their hearts to the nearly 7000 people who were travelling in a total of 38 airplanes and were suddenly diverted to land in Gander in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Through powerfully entertaining songs, fast-paced mini episodes that flowed smoothly, a lot of laughs and emotional moments, not to mention a dash of Newfoundland expressions, quirks and traditions, “Come From Away” is a highly entertaining and life-affirming musical that attests to the power of humanity and community in the face of an unspeakable tragedy. The ensemble cast members (which includes James Earl Jones II, the son of the legendary film and stage actor) are superb, as they manage to shift from one character to another -- accents included – so effectively throughout the course of the show. And the soundtrack that’s mostly made up of traditional eastern Canadian music will constantly have your feet tapping. “Come From Away” is a definite must-see that will make you proud to be a Canadian and want to be an Islander at the same time. *** This week officially wraps up Family Stories Month; and one book that families are paying attention to is the novel “L’albatros et la mesange” by local author Dominique Demers, who throughout her career has written over 70 books for children, teenagers and young adults. And earlier this month, this
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award-winning author won her very first Governor General’s Award (in the Youth Literature – Text category) for this book. “I was a finalist for this award five previous times, and if I received it 25 years ago, I wouldn’t have felt so happy about it,” said Ms. Demers during a recent phone interview. “When I was a journalist, I interviewed a lot of people who have won the Governor-General’s Award, and they knew how important this award was. And now it’s fun to say that I got the award, because it means a lot to me.” “L’albatros et la mesange” deals with two young people. JeanBaptiste is 17 years old and from a religious Catholic family who is trying to win a scholarship to study birds in the Mont Megantic area, but his family thinks he is too young to get this scholarship. He then meets a young girl from the local daycare centre who comes to his home to babysit his younger siblings. She is from a non-religious family and her parents are divorced. She is carefree, happy and into sports, yet she recently emerged from an abusive relationship. The end result is that these two opposite characters fall in love. “This is a very special, personal book for me. It shows how a friendship develops between two people who have a lot in common, yet they have tons of differences, and shows how they become better people as a result,” she added. Ms. Demers, who previously worked as a
journalist for 15 years (including a stint as the literary critic for Le Devoir), also strongly advocates for better school libraries and for children, teenagers and young adults to read more printed books. “These days, there are many students who don’t know how to become a reader because they are in front of screens so much, which means less time and less concentration. And when you don’t have the time to read a book, you don’t have time to dream, and that’s becoming a dangerous situation,” she said. “A book is still as book, and books are the main thing where a child’s sense of imagination can be liberated, and we need imagination from our youth to help find solutions to many of today’s problems.” *** Award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter Cat Jahnke will be in concert on December 7, 8 p.m., at the Rivers Edge Community Church, located at 5567 Cote St. Antoine. Originally from Manitoba, Jahnke has built a loyal following over the past 10 years thanks to her angelic voice, powerful stage presence, as well as competing in international musical competitions, as well as her five full length albums and several EP records.Tickets for the show are $25 each, in which a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Montreal Chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association; the cause has a personal aspect for Cat, in which her latest album “The Boy, The Girl, The Wolf” ex-
amines her own struggles with depression and mental health. Tickets can be purchased through evenbrite.ca or at the door. *** If you are a book lover and love to give books as gifts during the holiday season, then don’t miss the 5th anniversary edition of the Holiday Pop-Up Book Fair on November 30 and December 1 in the atrium of the McConnell Building of Concordia University, which is located at 1400 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West. Organized by the Association of EnglishLanguage Publishers of Quebec and Quebec Writers Federation, the Holiday Pop-Up Book Fair will feature kiosks with Montreal area publishers who will sell hundreds of new titles; book signings with such local authors as Megan Gail Coles, Gail Scott, Edeet Ravel and Mark Abley; a wine and cheese party with Scotiabank Giller Prize winner Sean Michaels; a panel discussion on how to get published in Quebec; live book readings; a panel discussion on how authors Amy Fish, Allan Globensky and Alison Rowley put together their respective, which will then become the subject of a comedy show performed by the members of the Montreal Improv troupe; and a Kids’ Book Nook sponsored by Livres Babar. Admission to the fair is free; business hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.
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great stories and seen how much better the quality of life for seniors can be if they are supported in their homes, I was surprised reading the article in the Gazette earlier this month saying “province pushes to move seniors out of hospital” The plan is, as the article outlined, to inject $16 million for homecare and support in the homes. How can that be a bad move? The slant in the article was not about the seniors at all. It was to free up beds. Most people I have worked with over the years have desperately wanted to go home. So often they have been told “you cannot go home” and have had to By Donna Byrne spend many days, weeks and even months sitting mtltimes.ca in a chair, often restrained, the beginning; it is where waiting for the next meal. we start. "There is noth- With proper support in ing like staying at home the home many do not for real comfort." - Jane have to be there to wait Austen. When you are for another residence… tired, run-down, sad, .They can stay there. If lonely or sick… is there even one half of the $984 anything better than stay- for each day in hospital ing at home? There is was spent on home supsomething about the walls port, frail patients could of your own home; they be at home. For many seem to just reach down seniors help can be proand give you a big hug, and vided for as little as tell you that everything is $60.00-$120.00 per day. going to be all right. More often, people can “Home is where the stay home with support heart is.” This all may costing as little as sound corny or like old $200.00/ week and less if clichés but are they not the need is to assess and true? It is not surprising follow without a lot of then that moving from physical care needs.To me, what we have thought of it is a no brainer. Let me as home for 40 years, is stay home! The longer we often very difficult to even keep people in the hospicontemplate let alone re- tal the faster they lose many abilities to function ally do. We at Health Access independently. Hospitals Home and Nursing Care are confusing places to be have been providing home even for the young and care for thousands of strong. Nights turn to people for the past 17 days and bells ring, mayears. We have worked chines beep and people with people who, with walk into your room at all some support, have been hours. Who wouldn’t be able to stay home safely confused? If there is a real move and happily in their own environment. Because we toward better funding and have witnessed so many coordination of home "Home is where one starts from." -T. S. Eliot. Home is our starting point. Most of our first experiences happen at home. First laugh. First steps. First words. In our homes we build relationships and skills that will deeply affect us for the rest of our lives. Home is
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care why can’t this be an option? If the province just uses the plan to save money and cut funding, I understand the concern. As we age though there may have to be some planning for extra care and help around the house. Some of the cost for these additional needs usually have to be absorbed by the family or the senior themselves. Families may help with some of the difficult tasks for their parents or hire people to do so. I think it is unrealistic to think that the “Government will look after us for all of our care”. However if they do inject funds and eliminate the waiting list and provide a reasonable amount of hours of care for those going home, it can work to supplement what the families have to do. The plan for discharge from the hospital has to start the day of admission so that the eight hospital days can be used to assess needs prior to a last minute panic. As seniors age this can be an ongoing process. It should not be a surprise that certain adjustments need to be made in the home. I know that changes may not be easy but the alternative is worse. The access to care and follow up using technology is far behind in Quebec. The remote teaching and monitoring used in our studies with McGill clearly demonstrated that we can keep costs down and provide better care helping people manage their health, if only there was the will to do so. The need for changes to our health care/ sick care system is now! The years of “same old, same old” has resulted in the desperate situation we find ourselves in today. Contact me: donna@ashcanada.com See ad below. November 30, 2019 •
• November 30, 2019
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Montreal Chimney Sweeping - Can I still use my chimney? By Ryan Dohnalek Montreal Times
ou're as lucky as lucky can be to see a chimney inspector & sweeper yearly! 'Tis the season to have your chimney swept and maintained, as the cold weather
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rolls into town. Everyone who heats with oil, gas or wood has a chimney. Yearly maintenance ensures the good working condition of your appliance and keeps your houshold safe. Get your chimney sweep today! Can I use my chim-
ney? We hear this a lot. For those living in the city of Montreal the short answer is that you now need an low emission fireplace insert. These inserts still burn wood, and are designed to heat the house. Residents of Montreal can still use
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their old fireplace in the case of emergency, or a blackout of 3 hours or more. Please call Montreal Chimneys for more information and a free estimate for EPA certified low emissions fireplace insert. For those who live in a de-merged city, you can still use your fireplace or wood stove as usual, whenever you want to! Chimney sweeping is a historic profession which many think has gone extinct, however having your chimney cleaned and inspected is still important as ever. Some common issues including animal nesting, soot build up, deteriorating brickwork & water damage can all be fixed by a chimney sweep. We spoke to Valerie Adams of Montreal Chimneys, the only fe-
male chimney specialist in the region, about the fate of her profession: "Wherever you live, chimney maintenance is still necessary to keep your home safe. Small repairs can make a big difference before damage gets worse and more expensive." Says Valerie, who has over 15 years of experience, she goes on to explain, "If you are not going to use your fireplace we can seal the chimney flue with insulation and a metal crown to prevent cold drafts, and water infiltration. It will help to save on heating bills. Later, if you choose to upgrade we can easily re-open the crown and install a wood burning appliance that conforms to the new regulation. It is important to get a professional to check the condition of your
chimney yearly. Go outside and look up at your chimney. If you see bricks crumbling you should get that repaired before winter. A chimney crown and cap are also very important." Valerie is a popular chimney sweep servicing the island of Montreal and surrounding areas. Customers agree that her attention to detail, professionalism and cleanliness sets her apart from other companies. Montreal Chimneys includes a visual inspection with each chimney sweep and a free estimate for repairs. To contact Montreal Chimneys please see ad below or their website:. montrealchimneys.com 438-345-6687 montrealchimneys@gma il.com You're as lucky as lucky can be to see a chimney inspector & sweeper yearly!
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November 30, 2019 •
Sponsored
The coconut bashing continues By Martha Shannon mtltimes.ca
I
was shocked, well, not really, when the trouncing of coconut oil hit a high this week on Marketplace. It was bound to happen. Any billion-dollar industry such as coconut would increase the competitors' angst and ire. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when Marketplace did the final editing. Even knowing how incredible coconut is, I was fascinated at how easily one might be swayed by the brilliance of an editor’s skill. The coconut lovers who ‘made the cut’ appeared shocked by the evidence against coconut. The editing was cleverly done. I wonder how many who truly know the value of this life sustaining fruit, ended up on the cutting floor. The professionals out there who know the value of coconut were not interviewed. Last year, when the trouncing started, I wrote an article called ‘We Say YES to Coconut’. After the power of Marketplace, it deserves reprinting. Coconut. Miraculous. Superior. A Life Saver. Back in the 50’s there was a huge campaign against coconut, claiming it was an unhealthy saturated fat contributing to heart disease and other ailments. No thanks to the American doctor, Ancel Keys, who docu-
mented this misinformation, we all stopped eating coconut. In the 80’s, the ‘disparagement’ on coconut was further documented. We were told to eat a low-fat diet free of saturated fats. Unfortunately, coconut was still erroneously lumped in with ALL saturated fats. Instead, recommended were polyunsaturated fats such as margarine and other oils. We continued to not eat coconut. This ‘trend’ has led many to be overweight, obese and unhealthy. We listened to this bad advice for over 50 years. And then suddenly, this new century, coconut became a good thing. Studies showed that this saturated fat was actually a miracle food, healthy, sustaining and prolonging our life. People started eating coconut and using it cosmetically on the skin.And loving it. We re-read studies showing its benefits. Maybe, just maybe, we had been misled all those years. Research in 1981 by Dr. Ian Prior showed that Polynesians who consumed high amounts of coconut in their diet had normal levels of cholesterol and low incidence of heart disease. In 1987, Dr. Rodolfo Florentino confirmed that the Bicolanos of the Philippines had the highest consumption of coconut and the lowest incidence of heart and cardiovascular disease. Pacific Island countries ( Nauru and Micronesia,) aban-
doned their coconut-based traditional diet in favor of the US diet of canned meats and other processed foods, soybean oil and margarine, have become the most obese in the world. Coconut IS A GOOD FOOD. So why, now, in 2018 is coconut getting a bad rap again? The fact is that coconut, a medium chain fatty acid, not a long chain one like the other saturated fats, is probably one of the best foods on the planet. Why the attack on coconut? Perhaps, this anti-coconut campaign is a ploy to draw our attention elsewhere. Notably and cleverly towards canola oil? Canola Oil. GMO. Monsanto. Canadian fields are abound with canola. You can choose whether or not you wish to consume canola. But do not displace your coconut. Coconut has been around for millennia, tested and true. Don’t listen to the disparagement. Continue to consume coconut. Buy natural skin care with coconut. Wear pure coconut on your skin. Cherish the coconut. We use coconut oil in many of our products. Proudly. We stand behind our products. We give great customer service. Visit us at natural.ca. Subscribe to our newsletter. Visit our store: ‘La Boutique Earth to Body’, 89 Lucerne, Pointe Claire, QC H9R 2V1. info@natural.ca
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17
Movie review - By: Sergio Martinez
KNIVES OUT A whodunit with an ironic touch hose who love a good story where crime, suspense, and unexpected twists combine entertainingly and beautifully will undoubtedly be delighted with this movie. Directed by Rian Johnson with a select cast that includes Daniel Craig, as a private
T
detective. Christopher Plummer, as the famous writer and patriarch who has summoned his family to give them a piece of important information. With the addition of Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Michael Shannon, among others, the film takes us to an incisive incursion into the different sus-
pects who could have committed the crime. The film starts when Marta (Ana de Armas), who works for the famous writer Harlam Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), is asked to go to the residence. The renowned man has been found dead. From that moment on, with a po-
QUEEN & SLIM: The unleashing of fate
"I believe in destiny," says at one point Slim, the black man (Daniel Kaluuya) who that night was on a first date with Queen (Jody TurnerSmith). He would hope that the encounter would end up with a more fortunate outcome. But no: "You'll go to your home, I'll go to mine" says the woman while Slim is driving her back to her place. "No sex" she would remark. Destiny however had something else for the couple: a minor infraction causes a police offi-
cer to ask Slim to pull over, after a few moment it is clear that the officer (Sturgeon Simpson) is just trying to find some excuse to arrest the black man. An incident would occur, the officer who happens to be a racist, shoot at the woman causing a superficial injury in her leg. A fight ensues and, unintentionally, the black man kills the officer. What follows is a long journey through various states, the couple would count on the help and even the support of fel-
low blacks, but the police are also following their steps very attentively. "Queen & Slim" directed by Melina Matsoukas and written by Lena Waithe, featuring a mostly black cast, is a well-conceived drama although at times is a bit slow. The story makes a good point and a critical commentary on the current racial situation in the U.S., in particular the relationship between police forces and blacks. Running time: 132 min
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lice officer (LaKeith Stanfield) who is not very sure about where to start investigating, and a private detective (Daniel Craig) acting too intrusively for the taste of the family, a series of personal issues affecting each of the writer's relatives come into the open. Marta, the only
person in the household who is not related to the dead, would also be a suspect. Like a good thriller, the movie teases the spectator with the many twists of the story, at each turn, forcing the rethinking of one's own perception of the events. Elements of class distinction and en-
titlement are also touched in a way that in the end, leave us with a sense of irony about the so-called privileged class. "Knives Out" is excellent entertainment, a good sample of an oldfashioned crime story in the best tradition of film noir. I highly recommend it. Running time: 130 min.
Across 1. Bohemian, e.g. 5. Foreshadow 10. Beat 14. Calcite rock 15. Kind of force 16. Deplaned 17. Hoagie, e.g. 20. "What's Happening!!" character 21. Grand 22. 1965 Ursula Andress film 23. Delineate 26. Fertilizer ingredient 28. Common contraction 31. Some deer 33. B & B 34. Creamy dessert 40. The "B" in N.B. 41. "Arabian Nights" menace 42. "___ cost you!" 43. Basic 48. Blinking light, maybe 49. Jewish month 50. Cow, maybe 51. Zoroastrian 54. Nile wader 56. ___ system 57. Hot 61. Didn't walk 65. Cooking style
69. As a result 70. Doozie 71. Dance 72. Dither 73. Mesh 74. With understanding Down 1. Bustle 2.Vermeer's "Woman With a ___" 3. A long way off 4. Care for 5. Dr. J's first pro league 6. Mantel piece 7. Surge 8. Bryce Canyon locale 9. City near Sparks 10. Aviary sound 11. Elite 12. Corner 13. Aromatic solvent 18. Foreword 19. "Beats me!" 24. Rank above maj. 25. Got wind of 27. Indigenous Canadian 28. Part of a nuclear arsenal, for short 29. Biblical pronoun 30. Lady of Lisbon 32. Ore remover
33. "___ Not There," 2007 film 35. Sea monster of myth 36. Dangerous bacteria 37. Greek promenade 38. Knocked off, in a way 39. If not 44. All excited 45. ___ Doubt, rock band 46. It has a certain ring to it 47. Excuse 51. Glazier's items 52. Scrub 53. Cheek cosmetic 55. Bar offering 58. Skin products maker 59. Swift fly 60. Oenologist's interest 62. Municipality in France 63. Organic compound 64. Buck 66. Word 67. Nod, maybe 68. Adaptable truck, for short Please see answers on-line Saturday edition Page 25 ,November 30th, 2019 edition: www.mtltimes.ca
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Book review
Always Look On the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle
hen you think of Eric Idle, what q u i c k ly comes to mind is his years as a member of the legendary British comedy team Monty Python.With his hard-to-miss nasal
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By Stuart Nulman mtltimes.ca voice and pointy face, Idle made his presence felt in a bunch of classic, oftenrecited Python sketches, such as “Nudge Nudge, Wink Wink”, “Spam” and the Australian Bruces. And as a solo act, Idle has distinguished himself even further, with his cult classic spoof of the Beatles “The Rutles”, his performance in a modern dress version of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado”, the hit 1990 comedy movie “Nuns on the Run”, and as the creator of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy “Spamalot”. As well, Idle has deftly
applied his comedic talents as a singer-songwriter, responsible for putting together many of Monty Python’s bestloved ditties. However, the one song that Idle will forever be associated with is “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”. What began as a quick solution to end the Python’s 1979 movie “Life of Brian” on a positive, upbeat note (while the title character and many of his followers are meeting their fates by crucifixion) is now a song that has worldwide cult status, and is always performed by Idle to close out any live performance he does (it’s even one of the most requested funeral songs in Britain). So when Idle decided to recount his life story in book form, it was only fitting that he choose his best remembered song for the title of his recently published autobiography (or “sortabiography”, as he puts it in his inimitable, self-deprecating manner). Idle was born in 1942 in County Durham, England as Eric Idle (“We couldn’t afford a second name,” he glibly writes). He experienced personal tragedy early in life; at the age of three, his father, who served with the RAF since 1941 as part of a bomber crew and survived the entire war, was
killed in a road accident in 1945, as he was riding in a truck on his way home for Christmas (he actually died on Christmas Eve). At the age of seven, Idle was placed in a boarding school called the Royal Orphanage (or “Ophny”, as he and his classmates referred to it as). And the chapter that deals with his time as a schoolboy at the “Ophny” during the highly austere post-war period in Britain almost reads like something out of a Charles Dickens novel. However, with show business in his blood (his great-grandfather was a music hall manager and circus ringmaster), Idle entered Cambridge University in the mid-1960s and immediately joined the legendary Footlights Club, and soon began to write and perform in several of the club’s popular comedy revues, following in the footsteps of such memorable predecessors Jonathan Miller, Peter Cook, Graham Chapman and John Cleese. He even served a term as President of the Footlights Club, where he successfully fought for the right for women to join the club. However, it was in 1969 that he landed with the comedy troupe that he will forever be associated
with: Monty Python. And it’s his years with Python that takes up the majority of Idle’s very entertaining memoir. Through his wealth of anecdotes, Idle recounts every aspect of what made Python such unforgettable comedy legends, and his role in that development, from the unorthodox writing sessions; to the creation of some of the group’s best known sketches and songs; to the soggy, distasteful conditions of filming “Holy Grail” in
Scotland (where they also had the use of one castle, and used every inch of it for all of their castle scenes); to the controversy surrounding “Life of Brian”; the overwhelming popularity they had in the U.S. as of the mid-70s; and the number of Python reunion tours, which climaxed on a grand scale during their series of final live shows at the O2 in London during the summer of 2014. And there is a sizeable local angle to Monty
Python’s rising fame during the 70s, as Idle gives Canadian fans their due towards the group gaining cult status in North America. “The Canadians were nuts about Python. They had been watching the TV show since very early on, and there had been mass protests outside CBC when they tried to take it off the air.These fans were crazy,” he writes in the book. More can be seen on our website: www.mtltimes.ca
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ontreal is known to have some of the lowest rents across Canada and at the same time the province of Quebec has the lowest rate of people who own their own homes. As rents are going up and property prices are breaking records, the decision of whether to rent or buy in Montreal is a tough one. The choice you make will likely be decided by 2 factors and account for 50% financial and 50% lifestyle.
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By Eleni (Helen) Akrivos
mtltimes.ca For many, if they find a low enough rent, and still have money leftover to invest they choose to rent. For others, renting a place that suits their lifestyle may be as costly if not more than owning a home. Millennials I speak to tell me their main challenge is affordability. With prices in Montreal increasing in the past 2 years, along with tightening of the mortgage rules, coming up with a decent down payment and qualifying for the mortgage is challenging for many millennials. I have met baby boomers who also struggle with the debate of renting versus buying, however they usually have a bit more disposable income and will decide based on their lifestyle needs.
• November 30, 2019
Is it the right time to rent or buy in Montreal? Let’s look at both sides of the debate from a financial and lifestyle point of view and not necessarily from an investment point of view as many articles tend to focus on. Owning a home in Montreal: Pros of Ownership: - Forces you to save money by building “equity” in your home - When you sell the home, there is a sizeable TAX-FREE GAIN - Value of homes tend to increase over time. - The asset (property) can act as a means of providing lower interest loans (if needed, such as refinancing to pay higher interest debts or a Home Equity Line of Credit for major renovations.)
- Many feel they need the stability of owning, not being evicted or having to “move” every year. - Some feel that building wealth is secondary to the emotional security of owning a home in a nice neighborhood near good schools. - Many have been raised within their family’s culture to seek out home ownership as a building foundation to their overall success. (Their parents want them to buy a house and may even help them to do so, because it is important in their culture). - Once you start a family and have children, owning your own home seems to be easier than finding a 3bedroom home to rent with a yard.
Cons of Ownership: - Out of pocket expenses such as the one-time Transfer Taxes - Out of pocket expenses such as closing costs when purchasing - Out of pocket expenses for municipal and school taxes (yearly) - Out of pocket expenses for cost of maintenance and repairs (about 1-3% of the value of the home yearly). - Costs of breaking your mortgage early if selling - Added responsibility of managing and maintaining the property over time. - Mortgage payments may fluctuate depending on interest rates and market Renting in Montreal: - If you are disciplined enough, you can use after
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tax income to invest in the stock market, which some say yield higher returns than real estate. - You do not have the extra responsibility of maintenance and managing of building repairs. - You have a bit more freedom and can travel around more whether for work or pleasure. - Monthly costs could be more stable - No out of pocket extra expenses such as yearly tax bill Cons of Renting: - Culturally speaking, it may not offer a very stable type of living situation - Rising cost of rents may make it unaffordable at one point - A tenant can be evicted and take on the stress and
cost of moving more often - Many tenants in large cities are evicted to allow for renovations or shortterm rentals. - Rising cost of RENTS are a valid concern in large cities - Shortage of quality affordable units is becoming an issue as less people can afford to buy. If you can afford to carry a mortgage and home ownership expenses and do not mind the responsibility, then in the long run, I believe that owning your own home offers more benefits both financially and lifestyle wise. I may be very biased since I was raised in a family that truly valued homeownership and am truly passionate about everyone owning their own home! It may not be your dream home, but with a little sacrifice you can be a homeowner. Helen Akrivos is a Montreal real estate expert who is passionate about educating and inspiring everyone to succeed in real estate! She holds a Chartered real estate broker license and is President of North East Realties agency in Montreal. As a lecturer in the Residential Real Estate Program at College Lasalle, Co-Host of “The Real Estate Show” on CJAD AM800 radio and contributor to the MTL Times newspaper, Helen shares her stories of real estate success to help as many people as possible! E-mail your comments to eleni@nordestimmobilier.ca
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