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Vol. 26 No. 01
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A new push for Montreal’s latest public transit addition.
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Toronto, unlike Montreal, never abandoned the tram, now modern and comfortable vehicles complement the subway system
A new push for the tram project
From time to time, as works going on require tearing up the asphalt of some streets—like our beleaguered Ste. Catherine—some rusted rails, just a short distance from the surface, suddenly reappear. They are remnants of a bygone era when streetcars were the primary means of public transportation in the city. Around the world, especially in North America, the tramway was removed from the streets, replaced by the diesel bus. Half-century later, the tramway is rediscovered—it is a far more environment-friendly vehicle and more efficient too. Of course, with all the infrastructure gone—rails, poles for the electric wires, substations—reestablishing a few tramway lines, let alone a whole network, is a costly proposition. However, just before the pandemic, Montreal was pondering the possibility of reintroducing this means of transportation. A projected line to Lachine was part of a new deal involving funding from both the federal and provincial governments. Quebec City had already advanced its plans for a tram. Toronto, for its part, never abandoned that means of transportation and it just finished replacing its fleet of 1980s streetcars for larger ones (built by Montreal-based Bombardier). A report in La Presse just two weeks ago quoted a study conducted by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal that concluded that tramways in Montreal and Longueuil would facilitate commuting by workers. In point four of its list of sug• October 3, 2020
By Sergio Martinez mtltimes.ca
gested actions by governments, the Chamber proposes to "Accelerate the launch of public transit projects under the Québec Infrastructure Plan by prioritizing projects that improve service in underserved economic hubs." According to the La Presse piece, those public transit projects envisioned by the Chamber included the extension of the blue line of the metro to Anjou and tramway lines in Montreal and Longueuil. In the case of the South Shore city—an east-to-west corridor—the idea was launched in February by Mayor Sylvie Parent. Still, it doesn't have Quebec approval yet. The study on transit needs was conducted before the pandemic, and therefore doesn't consider the effects working from home has had on the need to commute downtown. However, it is also true that any recovery plan for Montreal must consider www.mtltimes.ca
some kind of revitalization for the city centre. Different scenarios must then be envisioned for the area. Assuming office work is not going to be as before the pandemic, in that case, downtown could be relaunched as a hub for entertainment and culture, or as a mostly residential zone. Whatever its future, the area will need an efficient public transit, and tramways could certainly do the trick. Until now, all is projected lines, but none of them officially endorsed yet. Studies have not been conducted on them either, although a general perception makes them potentially feasible. Besides the already mentioned Lachine line, other possible tram routes are Notre Dame East all the way to Pointe-aux-Trembles, Park Avenue, Côte des Neiges, and the axis Ste. Catherine-De Maisonneuve as a surface alternative to line green of the metro. Some people would like to have a tram line on Mount Royal. In the east, North-south arteries such as Pie-IX and Papineau would be good candidates to have streetcars.They are both wide enough to allow for a dedicated lane as Toronto did with is successful Spadina line. When the pandemic is over, and economic recovery becomes urgent, it would undoubtedly be comforting that after all, something good came of it: a better transit. 3
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October 3, 2020 •
Judd Apatow, Chelsea Handler and Kevin Hart added to Just For Laughs digital fest line-up With Just For Laughs' inaugural digital festival a mere couple of weeks away (October 9 and 10, to be exact), a whole new slate of talent and shows have just been added to the line-up, which will give comedy fans an unprecedented digital comedy experience. Organizers have put together a format that will give spectators an easy way to hop from one show or presentation to another through whatever digital device they have, and in the comfort of their own home. There will be a number of virtual comedy rooms that will run festival programming simultaneously starting on October 9 at 5:15 p.m. EDT and October 10 starting at 6 p.m. EDT. As well, each JFL show will remain on its website through video on demand through October 11 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. And best of all, the festival is 100% free of charge. It all begins on October 9 with a special one-on-one conversation with two giants of today's comedy world: Judd Apatow and Kevin Hart. Both of them will discuss anything and everything comedy, especially the creative process that has become part of their respective comedy empires. This will take place in every virtual comedy room of the festival. Comedian, best selling author and talk show host Chelsea Handler will share with viewers stories about her life, career, family and personal therapy sessions on October 10 in a live, unscripted and no-holds-barred hour as part of the "Conversations with Funny People" series, which will be presented by HBO Max. Other programs that will be part of this series are to feature Jimmy Carr, Noel Fielding, Ronny Chieng, Hannah Gadsby, DeAnne Smith, Jo Koy, Kenya Barris, Sarah Cooper, Amber Ruffin & Jeremy Hagel,Titus Burgess,Trixie Mattel and Nicole Byer. • October 3, 2020
By Stuart Nulman mtltimes.ca Just For Laughs veteran Gina Yashere will deliver the festival's moderated keynote address on October 9.This event will be have another JFL veteran, comedian Wanda Sykes, to serve as its moderator. Howie Mandel, who has been a festival favourite since 1998, will now add "armchair psychologist" to his impressive career resume. On October 10, he will bring his comedy couch for a special virtual show called "Comedy Sessions". Mandel will chat with a number of popular American comics, who will relate to him how they used comedy as a means of confronting past and present life circumstances, tragedies and adversity. Writer/director Steve Byrne discusses his upcoming movie "The Opening Act" on October 10 with some of its cast, as well as comics Cedric the Entertainer, Jimmy O. Yang, Anjelah Johnson and Roy Wood, Jr., who will share their past experiences of breaking in to the stand-up comedy scene. As well, Kevin Hart's worldwide comedy brands Laugh Out Loud (LOL) and LOL X, is a co-presenter at the Just For Laughs feswww.mtltimes.ca
tival for the first time with a specially curated line-up of comedy programming that will celebrate "Comedy in Colour".This will include two showcase of stand-up comedy with established and up-and-coming comedians hosted by Godfrey and Affion Crockett; a panel discussion on the current state and future of the live comedy business that is being hosted by LOL President Jeff Clanagan; a special screening of Owen Smith's popular comedy talk series "Notebooks"; a live taping of comedian Earthquake's SiriusXM Laugh Out Loud show "Quake's House"; and the presentation of a filmed version of another SiriusXM Laugh Out Loud radio show hosted by Kevin Hart and the Plastic Cup Boyz called "Straight from the Hart". Finally, three longtime Just For Laughs stalwarts are going the virtual route for the very first time this year. The Eat My Shorts film competition will feature 13 original comedy film shorts, in which the top three films judged by Alonzo Bodden Jeremey Garelick and Nisha Ganatra will receive awards for their efforts. New Faces: Creators will showcase a selection of up-andcoming digital comedy creators chosen from hundreds of applicants. And last, but certainly not least, comedian Andy Kindler will deliver his always eagerly anticipated "State of the Industry Address". For the 25th anniversary edition of the address, it will be open to the public for the first time and Kindler will present it live from his own home. To join in the virtual fun and laughter on October 9 and 10, just tune into: www.hahaha.com/en/2020festival The 2020 Just For Laughs Festival is presented by La Capitale Insurance and Financial Services, in collaboration with Loto-Quebec. 5
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Quebec data shows 635 schools have reported Covid-19 cases Since schools started to reopen in late August, many parents, teachers and staff have been concerned about the potential spread of the Covid-19 virus. Their concerns might be justified. Quebec released data that shows 635 schools have reported at least one confirmed case - and 512 of those schools are now dealing with active cases. They include pre-school, elementary, high school (public and private), as well as vocational and adult education centres. The majority of cases to date among students and staff are in the public sector with 1,364 cases and the private sector at 276 - for a total of 1,640 confirmed cases of the virus. Of those cases, there are presently 1,043 active cases, with the province reporting 597 students and staff who have recovered and are back in school. Despite the advice from some health specialists, as well as the apprehensions of parents, teachers and staff - Quebec refuses to make the wearing of facemasks mandatory in the classrooms. At a news conference on September 29th, Doctor Horacio Arruda, the Public
By Bonnie Wurst mtltimes.ca Health Director and Assistant Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Health and Social Services for the province, said that he 'finds wearing a mask during a long day difficult' and is 'happy to remove it when sitting alone' in his office. He said that 'making a child wear a mask, while seated for the whole school day, would be worse and affect their ability to learn'. Arruda also said that 'a more useful option is to get students to respect the distancing rules outside the classroom or when they enter the building and limit the time of exposure to each other'. "We are following the situation www.mtltimes.ca
day by day,” he said. “I’m not telling you we won’t make changes on this. But for the moment, there is no change. There is a hypothesis. If there’s a big transmission in schools that we think we can prevent with some measures, we will add them. But actually, that’s not the case.” This goes against medical experts who said last week that making masks mandatory in (all areas) of the schools seems 'prudent as the number of schools with at least one case of COVID-19 has climbed to more than 600'. Despite new studies showing the Covid-19 virus can spread farther than two metres, especially in indoor places - Quebec students from Grade 5 through high school only have to wear facemasks when they are outside the classroom, circulating in common areas of the school and on school buses. However, they are allowed to remove their masks when seated in the classroom.The Province of Ontario on the other hand, has made face masks mandatory, at all times, for students in Grades 4 through 12. October 3, 2020 •
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City of Montreal to freeze taxes in 2021 for homeowners and businesses As Mayor Plante stated in a press conference today, the people of Montreal have been touched hard by the COVID-19 crisis and deserve a break. 'I'm very excited to announce that the property tax for residents and merchants falling under the centre city will be frozen for 2021', she wrote on her Facebook page afterwards. 'Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been mobilized to help Montrealers through this unprecedented crisis, while ensuring sound management of the city's fiBy Bonnie Wurst nances.This freeze of taxes is in addition to mtltimes.ca the other measures already put in place by our administration to make the metropolis The news will be welcome by many as come out of this even stronger and more they face even more challenges with the resilient'.
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city now under Covid-19 Red Alert. “We wanted to give a little bit of relief to Montrealers… unfortunately, it is not over, so we are trying to give them a break with this tax freeze.” Plante said at the conference. When asked about the demerged municipalities and if they will also be freezing the agglomeration taxes, Executive Committee Chairman Benoit Dorais answered, "We cannot freeze the taxes for the demerged municipalities… but we are working hard with our finance department that the 'cote par' (rating) will be the lowest possible." Montreal is expected to have a deficit of between $109 million and $129 million and will be presenting their full financial update at a city council meeting on October 19th.
October 3, 2020 •
Could Wonder Woman empower women and girls? “This whole issue of taking a cartoon figure who is clad in a bustier, with cleavage, highcut shorts — a sort of muscled version of a Barbie — and saying ‘This is what represents gender equality’ is incredible. It’s culturally insensitive. It’s insulting.” Those were the words of Shazia Z. Rafi, after learning that Wonder Woman was named Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Woman and Girls by the United Nations. Ms. Rafi previously worked at the U.N. and is now managing director of the consulting firm Global Parliamentary Services. Wonder Woman: 75 years appearing on comic books There were some voices in support of the U.N. move, though, although not surprising:“stories — even comic book stories — can inspire, teach and reveal injustices” said Diane Nelson, president of DC Entertainment (the company that produces the Wonder Woman comic book). Among those attending the ceremony at the Economic and Social Council chamber last week, were Patty Jenkins, director of the upcoming Wonder Woman movie, and star Gal Gadot who will play the role of the superheroine, as well as actress Lynda Carter, who played Wonder Woman in the 1970s TV series. Carter, who according to a news report “gave a moving speech about how Wonder Woman embodies the inner strength of every woman, was the only one to acknowledge the protesters in her remarks, saying ‘Please embrace her. To all those who don’t think it’s a good idea, stand up and be counted.'” Gael Gadot who plays the iconic female character on the upcoming movie and Lynda Carter, who played the role in the 1970s TV series Of course, it is not hard to find some suspicious coincidences in this appointment: Wonder Woman is celebrating her 75th anniversary, and Warner Bros. is releasing a movie featuring the superheroine soon.The connection between the international or• October 3, 2020
By Sergio Martinez mtltimes.ca
ganization and some big entertainment corporations is also becoming more prevalent these days: just this past March, the U.N. named Red, the leader of the Angry Birds mobile game characters, as an envoy to tackle climate change. That campaign is in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment. But those that defend the appointment have also argued that Honorary Ambassadors—unlike Goodwill Ambassador such as Nicole Kidman and Anna Hathaway—could be fictional characters. They point to some precedents: Winnie the Pooh was Honorary Ambassador of Friendship in 1998, and Tinker Bell Honorary Ambassador of Green in 2009. Too sexy to be a U.N. Honorary Ambassador? And who is Wonder Woman after all? Consulting the Toon Encyclopedia online one can read “In 1940, psychiatrist William Moulton Marston began serving on a board of consultants for the company that eventually became DC Comics (now DC Entertainment). Concerned that the male-dominated superhero world seemed to teach an unbalanced set of values to its youthful readership, he approached publisher Max Gaines with an idea for a character who would embody the feminine aspects of heroism. The result was an 8page insert in the 8th issue of All Star Comics (December 1941), introducing www.mtltimes.ca
Wonder Woman. She wasn’t quite the first superhero woman in comics (that honour could belong to Invisible Scarlet O’Neil, The Woman in Red or any of several others), but she was certainly the most successful.” Like Superman and other superheroes she also has some sort of mythical origin. After the crashing of an American pilot on Paradise Island, home of the Amazons, the legendary female warriors, Diane, the local princess, fell in love with him and accompanied the pilot to his world where she became a dedicated crime-fighting superheroine. Gael Gadot as Wonder Woman As the publishing business became more concentrated in a few publishing houses, so did the various superheroes originated during the late 1930s and the 1950s, which made Wonder Woman sometimes partner with Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern and others. At the end of the 1940s, she became a member of the Justice Society of America (JSA) predecessor of the Justice League of America (JLA). Despite her notable fighting qualities, the creators of the group of superheroes were not totally ready to move Wonder Woman from a more traditionally feminine role, so she was the JSA’s secretary… Wonder Woman had two TV shows in the 1970s, the most successful featuring Lynda Carter. Warner Bros. is now preparing the release of the movie for June 2, 2017, with Israeli-born Gal Gadot in the title role. This actress, model and former Miss Israel already made a brief appearance as Wonder Woman in the recent “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Of course, the question would still be around by then: is she a suitable ambassador for women and girls in their aspiration for equality and fairness in this male-dominated world? 9
Peanuts worldwide launches global "Take Care With Peanuts"
Initiative as Charles Schulz's beloved comic strip celebrates its 70th anniversary Drawing inspiration directly from Charles Schulz's beloved comic strips, Peanuts Worldwide announces a new multi-year initiative, TAKE CARE WITH PEANUTS, a campaign of caring that reminds all of us to be good global citizens. The initiative launches on October 2, 2020, as Peanuts celebrates its 70th Anniversary. Tools of the Happiness Trade, PeanutsStyle: At The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney, Australia, patient Bella Conciatore celebrates the new Snoopy and Woodstock mural she helped paint, which will hang in the hospital as a gift from Peanuts Worldwide and the nonprofit Foundation for Hospital Art. The mural is one of 70 being donated to hospitals worldwide as part of the global “Take Care With Peanuts” initiative, launched October 2 in conjunction with the 70th Anniversary of Peanuts. (CNW Group/Peanuts Worldwide) TAKE CARE WITH PEANUTS features three vital messages—Take Care of Yourself (focused on physical and mental wellness),Take Care of Each Other (community and philanthropy), and Take Care of the Earth (nature and sustainability)—that inspire a major worldwide philanthropic endeavor, among other components. "TAKE CARE WITH PEANUTS is an initiative after my own heart, as it celebrates all the themes that my husband featured regularly in his comic strip," says Jeanne Schulz, widow of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz. "Sparky shared messages of taking care of each other and respecting nature 10
for years—he was always a man ahead of his time!" PHILANTHROPY: TAKING CARE WORLDWIDE Philanthropic projects will be a key component of the initiative, starting with the TAKE CARE WITH PEANUTS Hospital Mural Program, a global collaboration between Peanuts Worldwide and the nonprofit Foundation for Hospital Art (FFHA). As part of FFHA's mission to bring joyful art to hospitals around the world, Peanuts is donating 70 Snoopy-and-Woodstock murals to hospitals on six continents. Among the international participating cities are Beijing, Bogotá, Cape Town, Paris, Seoul, Sydney, and Toronto (to name a few), along with 12 U.S. cities. The program debuted on October 1 at One Brooklyn Health at Brookdale Hospital in New York, and at CHOC Children's Hospital in Orange, California. A combination of volunteers, hospital staff, and patients at both hospitals joined together to paint the 49" x 56" murals, which feature an easy-to-follow template creating a cheerful image of Snoopy and Woodstock enjoying a hearty laugh atop Snoopy's redroofed doghouse. Each hospital around the world will feature the same mural, creating a global bond of community and caring. The Foundation for Hospital Art project is just the beginning of a multi-year philanthropic enterprise, with charity partners in each Peanuts Worldwide territory joining the TAKE CARE WITH PEANUTS initiative. www.mtltimes.ca
SOCIAL MESSAGING VIDEOS: ANIMATED STORIES OF CARING Original 1-minute animated videos featuring the Peanuts characters will highlight TAKE CARE themes throughout the initiative. The videos kick off on October 13 with Charlie Brown's sister Sally singing an original song, "Take Care." Starting in February 2021, ten original videos will be released each year, all dubbed into 10 languages. LESSON PLANS: TEACHING KIDS TO TAKE CARE Starting November 2020 on peanuts.com, teachers and parents can download free standards-based lesson plans in 11 languages from the curriculum experts at Young Minds Inspired (YMI). Designed for students ages 4–11, the lesson plans will feature the Peanuts characters and TAKE CARE themes will helping kids sharpen their STEM, Language Arts, and Social Studies skills. APPLE TV+: TAKING CARE WITH "THE SNOOPY SHOW" A new Apple Original series, "The Snoopy Show," will debut globally February 5, 2021 on Apple TV+. Starring Snoopy and his many personas, one-third of the episodes will feature TAKE CARE WITH PEANUTS themes. "The Snoopy Show" is produced by WildBrain. The Peanuts characters and related intellectual property are 41% owned by WildBrain Ltd. (TSX: WILD), 39% owned by Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and 20% owned by family of Charles M. Schulz. October 3, 2020 •
Time Out Market Montréal update - Montreal restaurants adapt to COVID-19
• October 3, 2020
dependent local restaurants and businesses through initiatives such as Time Out’s Love Local Campaign. Laurent Ruffier-Lanche, General Manager of Time Out Market Montréal, said:“We encourage the Montréal community to support local businesses that are able to
remain open through take-out and delivery. Our Time Out Market chefs and restaurateurs are amongst the best of the city, and many of our restaurateurs offer home deliveries and gift cards. Now is the time to support the beloved staples in our community.”
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Due to the recent government regulations put in place on Monday, September 28th, 2020, Time Out Market Montréal will now be offering delivery and takeout only as indoor dining is temporarily unavailable, effective as of Thursday, October 1st. Dining in will be closed for as long as required to fully support local efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. To comply with the latest public health regulations, Time Out Market Montréal’s concessionaires will offer their exquisite dishes through takeout and delivery only. For takeout, guests can pre-order via the Time Out Market app ahead of arrival at the Market or in person with the Market staff. The Time Out Market app can be downloaded for free on the App Store and Google Play. Should diners prefer a delivery option, they can order their favourite dishes quickly and conveniently through the DoorDash app.The locally renowned chefs and concepts offering takeout and delivery include: • Il Miglio • Le Red Tiger • Moleskine • Marusan • Paul Toussaint • Signé Local All delivery and takeout options have been developed with full compliance of Public Health recommendations. The Market team will continue to closely monitor and evaluate the situation and will reopen indoor dining based on government regulations and our guest requests. As the community works hard to support local business, Time Out Market Montreal and Time Out Montreal continue to uplift in-
514-781-0556
billthepoolman@hotmail.com www.poolcarespecialist.ca www.mtltimes.ca
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October 3, 2020 •
Book Reviews - mtltimes.ca
Chelsea's New Beginning by Daniel Keith Austin and Melissa Nettleship
By Stuart Nulman mtltimes.ca A new dog -- or any other type of pet for that matter -- is always viewed as welcome addition to whatever family picks them to be an integral part of that family. However, that kind of happiness depends upon the pet's new owners, who are willing to live up to the new responsibilities that goes with owning a new pet, as well as show the right amount of love and affection that it deserves. But what if the owner(s) are not willing to live up to that part of the bargain? How does it affect that dog, cat, bird or fish? That's what the team of Daniel Keith Austin and Melissa Nettleship explore in their new children's book "Chelsea's New Beginning". The story centres around a certain Golden Retriever puppy who lives with her mom and six siblings. One day, the puppies are given to new owners. Our canine heroine goes to a home as a birthday present by the couple to their teenage son (whom gives it the name of "Sedona"). However, the relationship between pet and owner is a difficult one from the start. The teen frequently ignores Sedona, and doesn't return any displays of affection when Sedona tries to be affectionate; actually he prefers to play his video games than a game of catch with his new puppy. This compels the parents to bring Sedona to an animal shelter. Although she is well taken care of by the shelter's personnel, she misses living in an actual home setting. One day, a young man named Nathan visits the shelter, looking for a new pet. He chooses Sedona (and changes her name to Chelsea) and takes her to his large home and introduces Chelsea to his menagerie of pets that includes a number of cats and two other dogs, including a rather territorial Ger• October 3, 2020
man Shepherd named Rocky, to see if she will get along with them before Nathan makes his final decision to have Chelsea live with him and his other pets in happiness for good. This delightful -- and sometimes touching -- book gives kids a new perspective of the relationship between pets and their owners by shifting the point of view from the human to the pet, to show that pets www.mtltimes.ca
have feelings and emotions, and can be affected by the actions and attitudes of their owners-to-be whether they be good or bad. And with Ms. Nettleship's bright, colourful, soft-toned illustrations accompanying the text, the book makes a fine primer to children about what it's like to own a pet and how important love can be to its well-being.(Lulu Publishing Services, $23) 13
Montreal and Quebec City to be upgraded to Red Alert this week Although details of the measures are not yet known, Christian Dubé, Quebec's Health Minister, announced that Montreal and areas of Quebec City will be upgraded to Red Alert this week. Red Alert is the highest level of the Quebec's Regional Alert System. During an interview on RadioCanada's Tout le monde en parle talk show, Dubé confirmed the two regions will be upgraded 'in the coming days'. The announcement came after 896 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the province on Sunday September 27th, the highest singleday count since May 6th, when 1036 new cases were reported. “I think we’ve reached that point,” he said. "Montreal and Quebec City are the hardest hit areas at the moment.They're very close to the red… we're there and we have to act because people are expecting us to be transparent… the message is going to be to stay at home." He repeated his call for Quebecers to cancel any plans they had for the next 28 days and to not socialize. Concerning the measures that would be into place under the Level-4 Red Alert, Dubé said the he had 'the difficult task of finding a balance in order to allow children to continue to go to school, for people to continue working and for certain businesses to remain open'. Jean-Francois
Roberge, Quebec's Minister of Education already said on September 18th that schools in the province would remain 'mostly' open during a second wave of the pandemic - even in Covid 'Red Alert' areas, that 'only certain schools would need to close their doors' and then 'only temporarily' in the regions that are under the 'Red Alert' designation. Dubé did not confirm if bars would again have to close, but did suggest it, "When I
tell you that we are going to make difficult decisions, it is a very difficult one. It was okay to keep the bars open a month, two months ago. But right now, we need to make an effort…" He then explained that they are 'working on finalizing those details over the coming hours' and that 'the priorities' would also be 'allowing people to work, maintaining a minimum of commerce', as well as 'containing outbreaks and protecting hospitals'.
Investing in your health By Joanna Wright Montreal Times
oon after my father’s death, my family began the arduous task of sorting through his financial affairs. While doing so, we discovered that he had left us with a generous amount of money through his life insurance plan. Through my grief, something kept making me shake my head, as I rolled those two little words around in my brain. Life insurance? How ironic. He was dead. There was no insurance of “life” for my father in this long term investment. The only thing that was certain is that he wouldn’t be the one reaping the benefits. Then a strange emotion began to emerge. Regret. Why hadn’t he invested in his health with this money while he was still alive? Perhaps we could have enjoyed a few more good years to share together? Did he really think I’d rather have this money than have him here beside me? I recount this story often to groups of seniors who fail to see the importance of investing in their health.
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Whether it be a personal fitness trainer, a recumbent exercise bike or a gym membership, I explain to them that, in the end, we will all pay for our health in one way or another. But being proactive and staying healthy is much cheaper in the long run and much more fun. Consider the statistics. As a senior, if you are no longer able to live independently, the average cost of an assisted care living facility is approximately $1800 to $5000 a month. Most seniors who find themselves in this predicament can no longer perform the basic tasks of taking care of themselves due to weak muscles, low energy endurance, arthritic bones, or balance issues. In contrast, a good treadmill might set you back $1000. A qualified trainer $65 an hour. A gym membership $100 a month. There is no comparison. As a trainer who specializes in working with seniors, I have perfected the fine art of targeting the exact exercise movements that will give my clients the tools to stay afloat. I once trained a 90 year old woman in her own
condo until she ultimately had to accept the fact that she needed more care. She lamented to me, “I guess I failed.”. On the contrary. She had worked hard to give herself 4 more years of living HER way. Sleeping when she wanted, eating what she wanted, DOING what she wanted. I call that a success. Looking back, I wish my father had invested not for us...but for him. I miss him. He crossed his fingers and hoped for good health while diligently planning financially for his demise. I can’t help my dad anymore. But my passion and my goal as an older adult fitness trainer is to motivate, educate and guide other seniors to invest in their health today, so that their families are able to love them for as long as possible! Joanne Wright is the co owner of Age in Motion, In Home Fitness and Mobility services
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October 3, 2020 •
Book Reviews - mtltimes.ca
Creature Feature by Steven Paul Leiva A popular local TV horror movie show hostess during the height of the Kennedy administration leaves the major metropolitan centre where she works for greener career pastures in New York. On the way east, she decides to pay a brief visit to her
By Stuart Nulman mtltimes.ca hometown that's the epitome of typical small town America at that time. However, she realizes that something strange is going on not only with her family, but with practically every other humble citizen of that hamlet.A strange something that could lead to an apocalyptic something. This is not an episode of The Twilight Zone, but a new novel called Creature Feature. Written by veteran writer, blogger and lifelong baby boom pop culture maven Steven Paul Leiva, Creature Feature is indeed a novel that is a fond flashback to the Twilight Zone (minus Rod Serling), and those type of black and white graphic novel-type stories that many teens read in such pulp-type magazines as "Creepy" and "Eerie" during the 60s and 70s. The story takes place in 1962, and centres around Kathy Anderson, who hosts a horror movie TV show called "Vivacia's House of Horrors" under the guise of Vivacia, the Vampire Woman for a local TV station in Chicago. Kathy has garnered quite the following as Vivacia for her baby boomer viewers who get their daily fill of movies featuring Frankenstein's monster, Dracula, the Mummy and the Wolf Man. But that is not enough for our young heroine. A serious, Actors Studio-trained actress from the beginning, Kathy believes that there must be more to success and fame in show business than dressing up as a vampire, playing old monster movies and plugging products for a local TV market. So Kathy turns in her Vivacia costume, packs up her car and heads east to New York City, in pursuit of a much more distinguished acting career on the Broadway stage. On her way, she stops to pay a visit to her birthplace of Placidville, Illinois. But somehow, Kathy finds out that something is not quite right. She sees it in the cold, robotic behaviour of her parents, then the townsfolk, and especially Mac, the recently new arrival who is now the town's mayor. But it is up Gerald, the rather geeky • October 3, 2020
brother of Kathy's best friend who got kicked out of MIT for his dissertation about interdimensional television, to give her the cold hard truth about what's going on in Placidville. Actually, it's slowly being invaded by aliens like something straight out of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", and have plans for the total conquest of the town. And strangely enough, these invaders worship Kathy's onscreen persona of Vivacia. Would Kathy be willing to don her Vivacia costume for one final time for the sake of her birthplace before these strange creatures hold their convention, where they will demand a rebuilt America and comfy couches?!? Creature Feature is almost like our worst nightmares from watching all those late show horror movies on TV during our youth coming to life. Leiva has such a vivid imagination -- not to mention a vast knowledge of the baby boomer world -- and it shows up on every page of this book. Inspired by all those movies, comic books www.mtltimes.ca
and late shows, Leiva gives the reader such a roller coaster ride of a read that would certainly belong in pages of "Amazing Stories" magazine, but taken to a whole new level. And even the scenes with the proliferation of the creatures on the streets of Placidville has a tinge of timeliness to today's headlines that it will have you guessing what the parallels are (but rest assured, it doesn't deal with an imminent Communist invasion that will have you rushing to your nearby fallout shelter). So if you spent your formative years collecting Aurora monster plastic model kits, was an avid reader of those EC Tales from the Crypt comic books, watched The Outer Limits on TV or checked out the latest monster movies at your local theatre every Saturday, then Creature Feature is the book for you, especially with Halloween less than a month away. But I would strongly advise to stay away from Placidville. (Magpie Press, $15) (CUE: closing theme from The Twilight Zone). 15
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October 3, 2020 •
The Wow Factor - Neem Salve
By Tara Palov Montreal Times
"This Neem Salve is a LIFESAVER." Says Sabina, one of our valued customers. It saved her from a recurring rash on her face. She is one of many that have fallen in love with our salve. "Your neem salve has changed my life. No more breakouts." Says J.Smitty from Ontario. We hear...
• October 3, 2020
"Phenomenal" Or simply just, "Wow." Personally, I cannot get enough of the smell. Call me weird because not everyone loves the earthy natural scent of neem, and I didn't always. Perhaps it's an acquired sense, but after running out of xcream for my dry hands (these 20 seconds washes have that tendency), I started dipping into the salve, and YUM. It's deca-
dent! I keep them all over the house, sometimes just to smell, but don't tell anyone because this may be a strange habit. It's definitely not the scent that makes the Neem Salve a best seller with our customers, it's the magical, fantastical transformative properties! Originally, we recommended this salve for the feet, because it's wonderful for stubborn foot is-
sues, but people are not only lathering it all over their bodies, but their faces too! It's clearing up breakouts, and causing beautiful glows all over town. Another thing we love hearing from you is, "WOW,You guys, really actually are natural!" Almost surprised, because so many companies advertise as "natural" and sneak in a long long list of unwanted chemicals. But you know not to fall
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for that hype, that's why you've fallen for us. (We love you too.) Our Neem Salve has... SIMPLE INGREDIENTS ONLY: Neem Oil, Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Beeswax,White Grapefruit oil, Lavender, Lemonseed Extract Nothing more! When you have a skin issue, no matter what it is, no matter how mysterious... Hit the Neem Salve. PS. Please read the tes-
timonials. Our customers speak loud and clear. Five stars down the line. This salve is "WOW". We stand behind our products. We give great customer service.Visit us at natural.ca. Subscribe to our newsletter. Please take note of our opening hours: ‘La Boutique Earth to Body’, 89 Lucerne, Pointe Claire, QC H9R 2V1) Email info@natural.ca Store is Open: Tues,Wed,Thurs: 10-4
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October 3, 2020 •
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October 3, 2020 •
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