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RESTAURANT REVIEW O.NOIR and Robin des Bois by Stuart Woods p. 1 Poker Conquers the Internet WINE Trends for the New Year by Carola Price p. 9 THEATRE Living Shadows: A Story of by Ashley Cotter-Cairns, aka Father Ashley Mary Pickford by Kristine Berey p. 4 of the Church of Texas Holdem BOOK REVIEW Griffin’s Babyproof and Perry’s Dark Assassin A glance at the schedule of the cable sports channels will tell you how by C. McKenzie p. 3 popular poker has become in recent years. Internet qualifiers have risen MOVIES The Good Shepherd by David from nowhere to instant fortune and fame in the big Las Vegas tourna - Price and Catherine McKenzie p. 10 ments. Millions of players around the world log on to play poker every PRACTICAL POINTS Tech Trends p. 14 day from the comfort of their home or office. TOWNSHIPS CALENDAR pp. 14-15 But before the advent of internet gambling, if you wanted to play HEALTH Weight Loss poker, chances are you’d either be facing a long drive to an out-of- by Dr. Virginia Heese p. 6 province casino, or looking for an underground, home-based game. DRIVING A Cautionary Tale for Real world poker is not illegal in Montreal – certainly not when played Snowbirds by Jordan W. Charness p. 12 amongst friends who are not charging people to play – but it’s not REAL ESTATE licensed here either, so the Casino de Montréal doesn’t offer it. The Secret Life of Selling Agents There are no laws forbidding, or even seeming to forbid, Canadians by Barry Schreiber p. 11 from playing online poker. Some months ago, an act Eastern Townships Real Estate p. 15 passed in the US seemed to ban online gambling. In continued on page 8 Before the internet, gamblers used playing cards to play poker. Restaurant Review Maternally Yours New Restaurant Leaves Customers in the Dark Things for Kids to Play With: but Robin Hood Hits His Mark Food, Music and Snow by Stuart Woods by Annika Melanson With its curtained exterior and licentious slogan (“It’s better in the dark”), you’d be The holidays are over. If you are anything like me, you have overspent and over-in - forgiven for mistaking O.NOIR, a new restaurant on St. Catherine St. at Guy, for a dulged. The aftermath of it all can be a little anti-climactic, so here are some fun massage parlour. things to do with the kids during the cold (warm?) month of January in Montreal. A notice posted in the front window explains that O.NOIR is the only restaurant in Through the grapevine, I got wind of a new child-friendly restaurant with a play Canada with a “dark” dining room, where diners can’t see the tips of their noses, let area and all sorts of activities and ateliers (workshops) on site called Kavaloo . Kavaloo alone what they’re eating. continued on page 7 opened last summer and is owned by Anne Pelletier and Luc continued on page 5 2 – Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007

Happenings Vivva Montreal’s guide to what’s on around the island.

Community Events Dame de Bon Secours Cathedral, ឣ Shane Philips , self-described “sultan Maison de la Culture Côte-des-Neiges, ឣ Films That Transform . The McGill 400 St. Paul St. East. Tickets and of soul,” is in town after a European 5290 Cote des Neiges. For medical faculty’s ongoing film series information, 514.634.1244 or www. tour and a spot at last year’s information call 514.872.6889. features Doing Time, Doing Vipassana , boreades.com. January 25 at 8 pm. International Jazz Festival. Presented Exposition opens January 25 . which documents the inside of India’s ឣ In collaboration with the Conserva- by local impresarios Global NTT. Dance largest prison and the changes toire de musique de Montréal, the Tickets are $8. Jello Bar, 151 Ontario brought about there with the intro- piano-duo Murray-Ouellet performs East. Tickets and information at www. ឣ Inspired by the oeuvre of German duction of Vipassana meditation. a programme of chamber music globalntt.com. January 18 at 10 pm. Dada artist Hannah Höch, Ce qu’il Tickets are $10, $5 for students and featuring Ravel, Rachmaninov and ឣ A tribute to the Irish of St. Columban, en reste is choreographer Louise seniors. Moyse Hall, 853 Sherbrooke Poulenc. Admission is free. Chapelle Quebec , featuring music, dance and Bédard ’s second work in a series St. West. January 16 at 7 pm . historique du Bon-Pasteur, 100 lore. Music by celtic band Tüna. exploring the experiences of female Sherbrooke St. East. For information Tickets are $30, $25 for children and artists from foreign cultures. Free. Music call 514.872.5338. January 27 at 8 pm. seniors. The Oscar Peterson Concert Saydie Bronfman Centre for the Arts, ឣ Matt Mays . Hirsute Halifax rocker ឣ SMCQ presents a tribute to Steve Hall, 7141 Sherbrooke St. West. 5170 Cote St. Catherine. Tickets and plays Cabaret Juste Pour Rire, 2111 Reich, the “giant of minimalism.” For tickets and information call information call 514.739.2301 or go to St. Laurent. Tickets are $15.50, Tickets are $20. Spectrum. For tickets 514.457.1353 or go to www.stcolumban- www.lbdanse.org. January 13 at 8 pm. available at Cheap Thrills or at go to www.ticketpro.com January 30 irish.com. January 27 at 8 pm. ឣ Speed is choreographer Suzanne www.admission.com. January 18. at 8 pm. Theatre Miller ’s duo for dancers that plays on ឣ Baroque music ensemble Les ឣ International Guitar Night 2007 the themes of movement and speed. Boréades teams up with the Franz unites the world’s finest acoustic ឣ Centaur Theatre presents the 10th Tickets are free. Maison de la culture Joseph String Quartet to perform a guitarists to perform their latest works Annual Wildside Theatre Festival . NDG, 3755 rue Botrel. Tickets and programme of concertos written and exchange ideas on stage. Tickets Centaur Theatre, 453 St. Francis information 514.872.2157. January 30 during the often neglected pre- are $26. Theatre Outremont, 1248 Xavier. Tickets are $15, $10 for at 8 pm. Classical period. The performance will Bernard West. For information and students and seniors and $40 for a At the New Forum (Bell Centre) be recorded and aired at a later date tickets call 514.495.9944 or go to festival pass. For tickets and inform- on the CBC. Tickets are $25, $20 for www.ticketpro.ca. January 30 at ation call 514.288.3161 or go to www. For tickets and information go to seniors and $12 for students. Notre 7:30 pm. centaurtheatre.com. January 9 to 20. www.bellcentre.ca or call 514.790.1245 Art January 13 Jean-Pierre Ferland January 23 Rock Star Supernova ឣ Quebec artist Geneviève Chevalier ’s January 27 Snoop Dogg new installation is a meditation on January 31 Justin Timberlake NDG’s not-so-distant agrarian past, February 5 Billy Talent when apple orchards and melon February 14 to 16 Gregory Charles patches dotted the landscape. Maison February 19 Barenaked Ladies de la culture NDG, 3755 Botrel. Free February 21 Gipsy Kings entry. Information 514.872.2157. February 23 Jonas Vernissage January 11 at 5 pm. February 24 Rod Stewart ឣ Painter Zhu Lan is inspired by the March 28 Christina Aguilera written characters of his mother April 5 Nelly Furtado tongue – Chinese – in a series of Send your Happenings ideas to abstract paintings. Admission is free. [email protected] So you want to self- publish a book? Most self-publishers end up unhappy. • Flawed end-product • Inadequate editing • Too much inventory • Unrealistic expectations At Price-Patterson, we’ll tell you what you’ll get and you’ll get what you pay for. Now you won’t have to wait for the Price-Patterson Ltd. Montreal Gazette ’s Wednesday ‘Driving’ section to read the advice of one of www.pricepatterson.com Montreal’s most prominent lawyers. 514.935.4537 A V IVVA CITY GUIDE Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007 – 3

trating than entertaining. This frustration Monk, now working for Book Review stems mostly from the fact that Griffin the river police, witnesses never seems to delve deeply enough into the apparent suicide of two any of the characters’ motivations, so that ex-lovers off a bridge. How - in the end, they aren’t believable. For ex - ever, Monk soon learns ample, Claudia doesn’t dislike kids, but that the woman’s father Two for the Money, doesn’t want any for essentially unex - had also recently commit - plainable reasons, such as they don’t really ted suicide, and that she Not the Reader fit into her life. Maybe there are a lot of was not the type of person to have taken people out there who don’t have kids for her own life. She was in fact in the middle by Catherine McKenzie are blissfully happy, until this reason, but wouldn’t it have been of investigating the reasons behind her fa - their best friends (people more interesting – wouldn’t the character ther’s death, which she believed were re - Babyproof have been more complex – if she simply lated to his concerns about the safety of by Emily Griffin they always thought were equally against procreat - hated everything about kids? London’s underground sewer systems. Dark Assassin ing) announce that they More troubling was the lightness with This book follows the pattern of the by Anne Perry are having a baby. Sud - which Griffin treats the very real problems most recent Monk books. Monk gets a Some of you may remember my fairly denly, Claudia’s husband, that many couples go through when one case that he has difficulty cracking. His positive review of Emily Griffin’s first two Ben, amends his stance. person decides they want kids and the wife, Hester, somehow comes into contact, books, Something Borrowed and Something Now he wants a baby, and other doesn’t. This must be a heart- quite independently, with persons related Blue . Unfortunately, I cannot be so posi - he wants one badly. This about-face leads wrenching experience: do you leave a per - to Monk’s case, and decides to investigate tive about Griffin’s latest offering, Baby- to the quick demise of their relationship, son you love simply because they won’t for herself. She keeps this from Monk for proof . and the rest of the book is taken up with give you one thing that you want, given a while, and when her involvement comes Claudia’s struggle to re-establish her fu - how important that thing seems to you? out, Monk is both angry at her and grate - A Good Start ture without the man she loves. Instead of really exploring this, Claudia’s ful for the insights she provides. They The premise of Babyproof follows from reaction to Ben’s reversal on this issue is work together to solve the crime and right the name, and is a good one. Claudia, a A Bit of Fluff essentially reduced to the Seinfeldian con - some social injustice. cept of “WE HAD A PAC T!”; and the char - successful book editor in her thirties who It all sounds like the makings of a good Nothing to See Here, Folks has never wanted to have children, meets read. And, on a beach-reading level, this acters in this book are about as deep as a good-looking, smart counterpart who book is good: it is light and fast and ties Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer. It is difficult to pinpoint why exactly this well-worn path was so uninteresting to me also has no desire for parenthood. They everything together in a neat little bow at A Predictable End quickly fall in love and get married. They the end. But I found this book more frus - this go around. I confess that I own, and While of course this book had to have a have enjoyed, all of Perry’s previous nov - romantic ending, I found it to be a com - els, including the 20 or so in her other plete cop-out. Without giving too much long-standing series involving Inspector away, I can only say that it seems as if Grif - Pitt. In the end, I have come to the con - fin’s imagination is not strong enough to clusion that it is exactly because the path is conjure up a realistic woman who is firm so well worn. There is nothing new here. in her desire not to have kids, no matter Not in the way Monk and Hester interact, what the consequence. So in the end, this not in the details of the case, not even in is a safe commercial venture for Griffin, the latest injustice that Perry has un - but it doesn’t show us anything new or earthed in Victorian England. In short, I that we couldn’t have imagined ourselves. found the book boring. Perry ought to For hopeless romantics only. have wound this series up two books ago when Monk finally discovers what he had ɀ Distributed by Canada Post to 22,000 residential and business addresses in Westmount and A Monk’s Tale eastern NDG (H3Y, H3Z and H4A) and 1,300 business addresses in Knowlton, Sutton, Magog, been doing the night he lost his memory, North Hatley and Ayer’s Cliff. Bonus for next three issues: 3,700 business addresses in down - I was equally disappointed with Anne and concentrated on her new series set town Montreal (H3H, H3G and H3A). Perry’s latest offering, Dark Assassin . This during World War I. For Monk die-hards ɀ 600 copies distributed to over 45 waiting-room drops in Westmount, eastern NDG and book is the latest in the Monk series, and only. downtown Montreal. the usual cast of characters is in place. Catherine McKenzie is a Montreal lawyer. ɀ Monthly. Distribution begins on the last Tuesday of the month, except the January edition (second Tuesday in January). We understand that some people do not want to get Vivva Montreal in their mailbox. If this is the case, Canada Post advises that you place a sticker on your mailbox that says, ‘No ad mail.’ Chers Westmount concitoyens et concitoyennes qui ne veulent pas recevoir Vivva Montreal chez eux: nous ne sommes Park United pas capable de bloquer une adresse individuelle. Il faut mettre une étiquette prés de votre fente à lettres qui lit « Pas de média-poste ». Church 4695 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W 310 Victoria #105 Editor: David Price 514.935.4537 corner Lansdowne Westmount, QC H3Z 2M9 Assistant editor: (514) 937-1146 Fax: 514.935.9241 Stuart Woods 514.223.3578 Weekly Saturday Hospitality Corner Gift Shop [email protected] Design: Studio Melrose Service Montreal General Hospital Vivva Montreal is a provisional Check out back issues of Vivva affiliate member of the 4:30 p.m. 1650 Cedar Avenue Entrance (6th Floor) Montreal at www.vivvamontreal.com. Advertising sales: Quebec Community Newspapers Association. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. Annika Melanson 514.223.3567 Don’t like to get up early? Coffee Shop, Catering Service and Gift Shop Vivva Montreal is published by Sherbrooke-Valois Inc. – Locally owned, operated and staffed. Busy during the day? 514.934.1934x43026 Come relax and enjoy [email protected] worship & warm All profits are donated to patient care Vivva Montreal is distributed by: fellowship at WPUC. at the MGH. 4 – Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007 Theatre: Tracey Power Shines as Mary Pickford Silent Screen Star Celebrated In One-Woman Show by Kristine Berey books at the Mary Pickford Institute. In Living Shadows , Pickford recalls a interested in every aspect of filmmaking “While researching her life I couldn’t meeting with Wilder, where she tells him and learned from everyone around her. It When Living Shadows: A Story of Mary help but become completely lost in her the story of her life. was during some “fun” with her first di - Pickford premiered in Montreal last sum - world to the point where I actually felt like “I wanted to capture the mood of silent rector, D. W. Griffiths, that they thought of mer, CBC Montreal called it the best show I was a part of it. It is amazing how close film,” says Power. “The scenes that are in moving the big heavy box that was the at the Fringe Festival and the Montreal you can feel to someone even though you the past are like a silent movie with title camera closer to the stage, and experi - Mirror predicted the production’s life to be have never met her.” cards at the top of the scene. The move - menting with filming at various distances. “guaranteed to extend well beyond the Power approached director, documen - ment is slightly heightened in comparison Reactions to the resulting close-up, or “a fringe circuit.” Now, as winner of the tarist and colleague Brian Dooley , know - to the rest of the play. Silent film actors big disjointed head,” were varied, and in - 2006 Off the Main award, the show re - ing that he would understand her desire could not rely on words to tell the story, so cluded objections on the grounds that “it turns as part of the Centaur Theatre ’s 10th to tell this story. “I was intrigued by both their eyes, hands and bodies had to be would scare pregnant ladies.” Wildside Festival. the subject and the theatrical potential, not much more expressive.” Power’s perform - Audiences will have a chance to enter to mention Tracey’s tireless enthusiasm ance, partnering words, music and move - From Camera to Sound and revel in the vanished world of Mary and curiosity for this silent screen icon,” ment in this homage to Pickford, has been She and cameraman Billy Bitzer came Pickford – actor, film producer, feminist, Dooley said. Before the project, Dooley hailed by critics as both stellar and lumi - up with what would become standard Hollywood pioneer and Canadian. knew only the “broad strokes” about Pick - nous. practice in shooting silent films: aiming “In our history, we tend not to celebrate ford: “Silent screen star, founder of United the camera into the light with reflected our heroes and heroines very well,” says Artists and, ironically, ‘America’s Sweet Pickford and Chaplin United as Artists light in front of the subject, providing a Gordon McCall , artistic director of the Heart .’ The amount of research material At the height of her career, Pickford was surreal glow without blackening out the Centaur Theatre, which will host the five was daunting and illuminated much; earning up to $350,000 a year, as much as face. Pickford also infused the hopelessly independent productions taking part in Mary Pickford, I quickly learned, was at her colleague and friend Charlie Chaplin . gloomy script of The Poor Little Rich Girl the festival. “Often historical figures that one time the most famous woman in the She and her husband, Douglas Fairbanks , with humour and refused to prance broke ground are forgotten. It’s very excit - world.” ruled Hollywood for nearly 14 years, both around “like chickens without heads” as ing to see a young theatre artist take on in the public’s imagination as the most directed, at a time when it was unheard of this artistic icon and cinematic heroine A Play about Movies popular couple in the world and econom - for an actress to challenge a director. and do it with such flair.” The story of Pickford’s career is also the ically as founders, with director D. W. Grif - Financially and creatively, she always in - Writer/performer Tracey Power ’s con - story of how film evolved, as an art and as fiths and Charlie Chaplin, of United Art- sisted on being treated as an equal to men, nection to Pickford was immediate. “On an industry, from the silent one-reel “flick - ists, a company that allowed them artistic prompting Samuel Goldwyn to remark, “It the internet ... I came across Canadian ers” of 1909 to the beginnings of lavish and financial control over the films they often took longer to make one of Mary’s women in history. One paragraph and that productions with sound and colour by the made. contracts than to make Mary’s pictures.” was it,” Power said. “I was drawn to the de - mid-1930s. The roles that made America fall in love As the era of silent film came and went termination and strength of Mary Pickford The play begins at the premiere of Sun - with Pickford and catapulted her to inter - within one generation, Pickford had to not only to survive, but to then become a set Boulevard , a film about an aging silent national celebrity are the young girls with deal with the world as it changed around major player in the art of motion pictures. screen star refusing to fade away. Al - the golden curls featured in films like Re - her. As she made her way into the talkies, Her love and dedication to that art was though we remember Gloria Swanson ’s becca of Sunnybrook Farm , Pollyanna and even though she won an Oscar for her without limits.” superb performance in the eerily tragic The Poor Little Rich Girl . These child-char - adult role in Coquette , the world no longer Power’s research took her from libraries role, director Billy Wilder had actually of - acters, often coming from disadvantaged seemed interested. At one point she to Los Angeles, where she gained access fered it first to Pickford. She declined for backgrounds, were vulnerable, but feisty, wanted to burn her work for fear of being to Pickford’s personal letters and scrap - lack of creative control of the storyline. as they overcame adversity against all odds laughed at. and gave Americans something to hope “Living Shadows resonates with fulfilled for and something to smile about. “Make dreams that haunt and entrap,” Dooley them laugh, make them cry, and back to says. “Mary Pickford’s life was complex: laughter. What do people go to the theatre filled with dogged pursuit, a need for sur - for? An emotional exercise,” Pickford said. vival, tragedy and a haunting realization that our successes can prove a crushing A Canadian Background Story burden. Not only is Mary Pickford a part Pickford’s performance in these roles of Canadian cultural history, but her pio - rang true because to some degree she was neering spirit and contribution to the art playing herself. Pickford began perform - of movie-making make her an important ing in a Toronto theatre as a child, out of part of film history around the world.” financial necessity. By the time she turned Living Shadows: A Story of Mary 10, she was the main breadwinner of her Pickford plays at the Centaur Theatre single-parent family. She had to develop on January 11, 13, 16 at 7 pm . January an iron discipline and an awesome sense 17 at 9 pm . January 20 at 3 pm. of responsibility – qualities that guided her For more information about the throughout her life. Her father had died 10th Annual Wildside Festival call when she was 4 years old and in many 514.288.3161. ways, she felt she never had a childhood. During her years in cinema, she became Kristine Berey is a Montreal-based writer. Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007 – 5

MATERNALLY... continued from page 1 These activities include arts & crafts, pup - pet theatre, dance, singing and story - Doumeau, who came up with the concept telling. There are six to eight children per of “the social liberation of a family with group. For those who would like a break young children” (they are parents them - from parent duty, you can leave your 6- to selves, of course!). Kavaloo is geared to - 36-month-old to be supervised for a maxi - wards families with children ages 6 mum of two and a half hours. Every week, months to 7 years and hosts two dining Kavaloo offers a range of activities and rooms, both airy and bright – one for workshops. To receive their list of weekly adults and one for families where little activities and events, e-mail info@ ones can have fun in an adjacent play kavaloo.com. Birthday packages are also room with a slide, play structure and a available. Kavaloo is open from Tuesday to pool of balls. There is also a little house in Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm. Kavaloo, 1298 the dining room with toys. High chairs as Van Horne (corner of Outremont Avenue), well as booster seats are available. The 514.270.7715, www.kavaloo.com. walls are decorated with bright, colourful paintings and what I liked the most is that Snow Forts the whole wall facing the street is a win - The Canadian Centre for Architecture is dow. Airy and bright! having a Sunday outdoor activity for fami - The menu is French and very health- lies on January 14 and 21 called My Snow conscious. The “Junior Menu” includes a City . Families are invited to build forts, choice of quiche, ham or chicken served caves, houses and castles in Baile Park to with vegetables, rice and cheese sprinkles create an imaginative snow city. Wear your for $4.50. A variety of purees, such as car - snowsuits and enjoy a hot cup of hot choc- rot and salmon or squash with tomato and olate afterwards. This workshop is offered chicken, are available for babies for $3.25, at 10:25 am and at 2 pm and lasts two and are made with spring water and no hours. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 added salt or fat. The menu is coded to for children. This activity is suitable for alert parents to dishes that may contain al - children ages 5 to 12. In the event of bad lergy-triggering foods: “O” for foods that weather an indoor workshop will be of - contain eggs, “G” for gluten, “N” for fered. Reservations are required. Canadian nuts… you get the idea. After the children Centre for Architecture, 1920 Baile Street, have finished eating, a damp facecloth is 514.939.7026, www.cca.qc.ca/familypro - brought over so that you can wash your gram. child’s face and hands. They have certainly thought of everything! Music and Food I sampled a delicious tomato and goat For 33 years, Place des Arts and Jeunes- cheese quiche served with a salad and ses Musicales du Canada have been thoroughly enjoyed it. The desserts were presenting an eight-part musical enter - also very tempting: fresh fruit with yogurt, tainment series to families called Sons milk chocolate tart, lemon tart, several et Brioches (translation: sounds and fruit mousses and all sorts of different pastries!). Families are invited to ar- homemade fruit purees for little ones. rive early, have a cup of coffee or juice, Everything is simple, fresh and tasty. And munch on pastries and then listen to (2 adults, 2 children). Reservations are the snow or skating will always be re - very affordable. a concert. recommended. Sons et Brioches , Place des membered as a special time. Happy New Apart from all of this great food, activi - My daughter Amel and I went to the De - Arts, 514.842.2112, www.pda.qc.ca. Year! ties are offered for children ages 6 to 36 cember concert and really enjoyed it. We Annika Melanson is the author of months accompanied by an adult and for arrived early as we were told that there is More Parenting Info The Montreal Pocket Parent children aged 3 to 7 years unaccompanied. always a lineup for the brioches and only I have recently discovered a wonderful, and Le Bottin des Bambins . the first 500 spectators will have access to free and informative website for Mont- the food. Amel, who is 4, enjoyed the con - real mummies: www.mummieslist.com . GINETTE & JEFF STEELE cert, but I wouldn’t recommend it for Through this website, mummies receive younger audiences simply because I don’t information on activities and events for ba - think that they would sit through it. The bies and children and also get discounts at Yummy show lasts an hour and is presented in kid-related businesses in Montreal. This is French (even if your little one doesn’t un - also a great place to swap tips and re - in my derstand French, they will surely enjoy the sources with other Montreal mothers. An - international language of music!). drea Rich is the founder of Mummieslist Tummy The next concert, which will be pre - and a mother herself. She has managed to sented on January 28 is Skarazula . A trio recruit 300 mothers and the list is grow - Milkman – Ho me Deli ve ry will sing in different languages and play ing. Check it out! unusual musical instruments and Last but not least, enjoy some one-on- – creating a lifetime of good eat - Lactantia dairy products melodies inspired by medieval times. one time with your little ones. Between ing habits from your baby’s first Doors open at 10:20 am so you can check work, keeping the house tidy and getting Organic & soy milk also available your coats and have a bite. The show be - meals on the table while desperately trying bite. A complete book and DVD. 450 829-3852 gins at 11 am at the Piano Noble at the to remain sane, it is easy to forget that the Chapters • Indigo Salle Wilfred-Pelletier. Admission is $8 most important thing is spending time Coles • Kidlink Happily in service since 1979 per person and $25 for the family package with your child. An afternoon playing in 6 – Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007

meal and keep your metabolism in high You have many wonderful options for Country Doctor gear. Some folks think that skipping meals dining out in this city. Don’t let your is a good way to reduce your daily caloric weight management goals be derailed by intake – absolutely not! Eating regular restaurant foods. Consider eating only half meals and snacks can help reduce crav - of what is served to you – restaurant por - Winning the Weight War ings and lower your tendency to overeat tions can be gargantuan. Take half home later. Whatever you do, don’t skip break - and enjoy it the next day. You may also fast. It is of key importance to kick start want to share your main meal with a By Dr. Virginia Heese by turning on the television, picking up al - your metabolism after your overnight fast. friend, or have an appetizer as your meal. most any newspaper, or doing even the Your body needs fuel to help burn off extra Try requesting a lunch-size portion – It’s that lovely time of year again. We’ve most cursory of internet searches, there weight. Make sure the fuel you choose is many restaurants are willing to accommo - all come through a stressful holiday sea - are a plethora of different diets available. high quality and nutrient-dense. date your needs. Never be shy to substitute son, rife with high expectations, high bills, Common sense dictates, though, that if Get familiar with food labels, portion lower calorie side dishes like salad, baked and quite possibly higher numbers on the there were any one diet that worked safely size, and the calorie and fat content of potatoes or soup for french fries. bathroom scale. The holiday season is a and effectively, everyone would be on it! your usual diet. Try using a salad plate for classic time to pack on a few pounds, but The very fact that there are so many dif - dinner to help keep your portion sizes And Yes: Exercis e! here are a few tips to help melt them away ferent options available means, sadly, that under control. Be particularly wary of any Last, but certainly not least, don’t dis - and even get a jump on some of your New there is no one easy answer, and that none food labeled “fat free”; remember that fat count the many benefits of adding more Year’s resolutions. of these specialized diets works especially free does NOT mean calorie free. Reduce exercise to your routine. Exercise helps well. The danger of fad diets lies in the fact your intake of empty calories, and limit you lose weight faster than with diet alone Professional Help Helps that they often focus on eating particular your intake of sweets. Don’t try to elimi - and can also help with stress-relief, boost All right, time for a shameless – but im - foods in limited quantities. Many result in nate sweets altogether, though – telling your immune system, and increase your portant – plug for my colleagues. I do the rapid loss of water weight, which re - yourself you can’t have a certain food may energy overall. Again, consult with your HIGHLY recommend a check-up with bounds right back when you resume your only make you crave it more! Moderation, health professional about the kinds of ac - your family practitioner for a detailed and regular eating habits. Of even greater con - as always, is the key to success. tivities that are best for you. individual review of your health history, a cern is that omitting certain foods can lead Remember that weight loss can be very physical exam, and possibly even some to missing out on vital nutrients that your Look Out for Liquids slow going. Don’t hesitate to consult a pro - general screening for underlying condi - body needs to work at its optimum. The Be aware that beverages can make a big fessional to help you achieve your goals. tions that may predispose you to weight simple, boring and undeniable truth is difference. Alcohol and regular soda have Most importantly, stay motivated and be gain (and make it just that much harder that true weight loss can only be achieved calories that can quickly add up. A 12- patient. Weight gain didn’t happen over- for you to lose unwanted poundage!). This when your body burns off more calories ounce can of soda pop can contain be - night and neither will permanent weight kind of evaluation would be useful to as - than you consume in a day. The further, tween 9 to 12 teaspoons of sugar. Switch loss. Keep some of these dieting tips in sess your individual need to lose weight – unglamorous truth of the matter is that to low-calorie flavored water, regular water mind and watch their effects add up and and help you set some safe and appropri - the key to any healthy diet is variety and or nonfat milk. your holiday weight come off. ate goals for yourself. To boot, people are adequate nutrient intake. Slow, but steady I’m a big fan of keeping a food and ex - Dr. Virginia Heese is a Canadian and generally more successful at losing weight and safe, changes in your diet are the best ercise journal. Be honest! This will help American Board-certified family physician – and KEEPING it off – when they have way to make those extra pounds go away you to actually see what you are consum - and a graduate of McGill University. She the continued monitoring and support of for good. ing daily and may reveal some easily currently resides in Vermont. She cannot trained health professionals. changeable bad eating habits. Remember stress enough that the general advice Eat Often … but Right as you review your journal that small but supplied above should not, and cannot, Why Fads Fail I recommend eating small but frequent consistent changes in food choices are replace the individualized advice and care First off, let me address the weighty meals – this will help you feel full, reduce most effective at encouraging permanent of your own family physician. issue of popular or fad diets. As is obvious the likelihood of overeating at your next weight loss. Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007 – 7

RESTAURANT... continued from page 1 my hand firmly on her shoulder and was flavour or of allowing for the sensuous ex - an epiphany about the importance of thusly conducted to the table, the server ploration of aroma and texture. Instead, no strong community on a recent trip to The concept behind the restaurant orig - shouting “ Attention !” to warn of our ap - concession was made to the unique plight Africa. inated in Zurich, where a sightless pastor proach. of the sightless diners. We were served “It’s a cliché,” Servay admitted, “but for blindfolded his guests before supper. His The immediate darkness was unsettling mediocre food at rickety tables, to a sound - all the problems in Africa, you don’t see intentions were to heighten the sensual and eerily tactile, the visual equivalent of track of tinny new-age techno and the the kind of misery we have here. That’s be - appeal of the food and to share, if only for deafening silence. It was only by locating a servers’ disconcerting volleys of “ Atten - cause there’s a sense of community, a a few hours, the experience of blindness. dimly glowing exit sign – the only lighted tion !” sense that you’re never alone.” The idea has spawned successful restau - object in the room – that I oriented myself When I lost my napkin and began wip - When she got back to Canada, Servay rants in London, Paris and Moscow. during the meal. ing my mouth with the next best thing quit her job as a media executive and ask- Though unaffiliated with its European (the tablecloth) – after having eaten most ed herself what work would benefit others. counterparts, O.NOIR has been booked Robbed Blind of the meal with the only implements Her answer – an upscale restaurant on St. solid since it opened in September. The restaurant does not serve soup, I could trust in the dark (my hands) – I Laurent – is not the most obvious one, but What remains to be seen is whether the which has the potential to scald. Instead, realized the evening had veered into bed - for Servay, it was a way of making volun - restaurant’s novel concept is more than our meal commenced unostentatiously teerism accessible for people intimidated just a fad. with a warmed ciabatta bun that we ate be - by front-line outreach. fore the entrees in order to eliminate clut - The idea – making charitable work liter - Dark Dining ter and confusion on the table. Where to go: ally palatable – is especially appropriate in The restaurant is split between the My first “surprise” was a mess of flaked a province where per capita donations to pitch-dark dining room and a dimly lit lobster wrapped in a wet noodle (lobster O.NOIR Restaurant charity are half the Canadian average. But waiting area where diners stash their valu - ravioli, I guessed correctly). The dish was 1631 St. Catherine St. West good ideas won’t cook a casserole. The served in a dousing of tomato sauce that 514.937.9727 proof, as they say, is in the pudding. tasted unmistakably of burned garlic. My www.onoir.com companion’s carpaccio was in worse Open for dinner seven nights a week. High-End Comfort Food shape: thin, semi-frozen slices of beef en - First service: 5:45 pm Robin des Bois’s menu was conceived crusted with ice crystals, topped by a gluti - Second service: 9 pm by Toqué! alumna Miriam Pelletier – one nous mayonnaise-based sauce. Unthawed, of a minority of staff that draws a salary – the meat was leathery, flavourless – a Robin des Bois and features high-end, French-inspired shock to our denfenseless palates. 4403 St. Laurent comfort food – what an elegant gourmand The “surprise” main was a charred filet 514.288.1010 might have on hand for solitary meals. mignon in gravy served beside lukewarm, www.robindesbois.ca The venison was the envy of the table, machine-whipped potatoes, cooked carrots Monday to Friday: 8 am to 10 pm cooked beet-red and served atop a turnip and asparagus. (Apparently, temperature Saturday and Sunday: 6 pm to 10 pm puree, Swiss chard control was a serious problem in the kitch- and a carrot, split continued on page 12 en.) My companion’s sun-dried tomato All you will see of the restaurant. risotto was the evening’s success, if only lam. A large party hollering into the void at ables in metal gym lockers and consult the for its comforting, uncomplicated bland - my left made conversation impossible. My menu. When I arrived for the 9 pm seat - ness. companion was unimpressed with the Alpenhaus ing on a recent Friday night, the ante- My disappointment with the meal, physical set-up, after reaching for a glass chamber was swarming with expectant though not unexpected, was unexpectedly of water and brushing up against our A touch of Switzerland diners, as two sighted hostesses worked severe. The dismaying feeling of having neighbour – whose table, it turned out, in Montreal – their way through the crowd taking orders. been had was amplified by the “surprise” was pushed flush against our own. The The menu – a conservative, Italian-in - dessert – a $7 add-on to an already expen - pièce de résistance ? An announcement by not to be missed. spired affair in two courses – is a manda - sive meal – that turned out to be an unin - one of our fellow diners requesting the Alpenhaus is located between down - large group to stop throwing food. Not the tory table d’hôte with an eyebrow-raising spired orb of chocolate tartufo. town Montreal and Westmount in restaurant’s fault, but they did set the average price of $30. I opted for the “chef’s Shaughnessy Village. The restaurant re - surprise” menu, which takes the tradi - Bedlam stage… cently celebrated its 39th anniversary. tional chef’s tasting menu to playful ex - The experience confirmed my worst In the end, O.NOIR failed on two ac - tremes, requiring the diner to guess what fears about fad restaurants. For all the counts: in showing a base amount of care Alpenhaus is a romantic restaurant that he’s eating. brashness of its concept, O.NOIR failed to in the kitchen and in plausibly represent - offers authentic fondues, as well as other After a brief delay, a woman in dark sun - meet basic expectations of food quality and ing the experience of the blind. Overpay - excellent European dishes. glasses – one of the visually impaired customer care. A poorly conceived restau - ing for mishandled, wedding-calibre food is not a worthwhile culinary experience; 1279 St. Marc servers who works in the darkened inte - rant is not improved by turning out the just west of downtown rior – appeared from behind a thick velvet lights. nor is it, I hope, a regular experience of the curtain and introduced herself as our wait - The dark should have been a way of ex - blind. 514 935-2285 ress and “guide.” I was instructed to place perimenting with the vivid contrast of www.restaurantalpenhaus.com Good News Story After rough handling at O.NOIR, I was wary of any restaurant purporting to offer La Maison de Kum Mon a novel dining experience. So it was with Szechuan Cuisine apprehension that I made a reservation at Robin des Bois, a restaurant unique in that Restaurant Authentic Cantonese it pairs fine dining with charity. Staffed mostly by volunteers, Robin des 6565 Côte des Neiges Bois donates 100% of its profits to local FREE DEL IVE RY: charities. The restaurant is the brainchild of Judy 51 4733-602 9/1067 Servay, a first-time restauranteur who had 8 – Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007

POKER ... continued from page 1 anytime, anyplace, anywhere. • Shallow learning curve. Poker tools fact, it’s still not illegal in the majority of showing you live odds for your hand, the the 50 states (see below for legal re - pot value and more are readily available, sources). helping new players come to grips with (To see this writer’s foray into the gam - this complex game. Try taking a how-to- bling industry see advertisement on p. 11.) play-poker book to a real-world poker room and see what reaction you get! What is Internet Poker? Poker hosting companies provide their Some Poker Terms members access to virtual poker rooms. Pocket pair: any two cards in your hand There, for play money or real cash, people that are paired. The best are aces, which from around the world can sit and face count high and low in most poker games. one another at games like Texas Holdem, All-in: every chip you have is in the cur - Stud or Omaha poker, or in poker tourna - rent pot. Nobody can make you bet any ments. more. You will always see the hand out to There are several advantages to playing the end. poker online, rather than at a real table: Board: the community cards in shared • A lack of experience will not be readily games like Texas Holdem. Five cards are apparent. New players can fumble chips dealt in the centre. The first three are the and cards, blink, sweat, blush or let slip flop, the next is the turn and the last is the any number of other giveaway clues river. (known as “poker tells”) about the Calling station: an inexperienced, weak strength or weakness of their hand. player who calls too often and plays far too • You can play more hands. Online sites many hands. Full Tilt Poker is typical of internet poker hosting sites. deal hands more rapidly than a human Shark: a player who is aggressive and ex - dealer. You can also sit down to as many perienced, who preys on the inexperienced unique username and password. You’ll than it was the day before the act passed. as four tables at a time on most sites, so “fish” in a poker school. now have the option to play for free Read the article by Allyn Jaffrey Shulman you’ll see many more hands per hour against other human players forever, if you at http://cardplayer.com/poker_law/arti - than at a live game. How Do Poker Sites Work? so choose, or deposit cash into your ac - cle/1446 • Convenience. Poker is available 24/7 on Begin by downloading your chosen count and begin playing for real money. the internet, which means you can play poker site’s software, then sign up using a Your cash balance will be reflected in the cashier screen of your poker account. Poker resources In each hand dealt for real money, the I hope this brief introduction to internet poker site acts as dealer, banker and poker has whetted your appetite. Want manager. The dealer holds onto the pot to find out more about any aspect of the until it’s finished, when he pushes the game? Visit these websites, or feel free cash to the winning player. A percentage, to write me for advice anytime: ashley@ known as “the rake”, is deducted from church-of-texas-holdem.com. each pot. This is how poker sites make We are passionate about meeting their profits. Poker Tracker Assuming all goes well, you may cash Software that stores your hand history your wealth management needs. out your poker chips at any stage. The and provides you with stats about how stack of chips on the table will be con - profitable various combinations and verted back to real dollars in your poker plays are for you. www.pokertracker.com We succeed when you do. cashier screen. These can be withdrawn from the poker site any time you wish. Poker Odds Calculator To learn more about our personalized Poker tournaments work differently. This doesn’t work in real time, but it’s investment management approach Everybody starts with a set amount of a very powerful tool to help new players chips – the “buy-in” – which costs a dollar- get a grip on the math of Texas Holdem. value. Everybody’s buy-ins are pooled to - www.cardplayer.com/tools_tips Visit our web site: www.3macs.com gether to form the prize fund, which is or contact us: then shared among the top few finishers. Gambler’s Bookshop John H. Bridgman Nobody may cash in until the tournament Simply the best selection of books ends. about gambling of all kinds. Director & Portfolio Manager This way, a relatively small buy-in can www.gamblersbook.com [email protected] give you a shot at a large prize. (This is how internet qualifiers raised the $10,000 United Poker Forum Robert A. McKenzie, C.A., CFA stake for the World Series of Poker main A great place to chat to other poker Director & Portfolio Manager event in Las Vegas.) players, ask their opinion of poker situ - [email protected] The Unlawful Internet Gambling ations, tournament play and more. Enforcement Act www.unitedpokerforum.com MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier Inc. (514) 394-3000 Space does not allow me to examine this The Church of Texas Holdem in detail. However, an excellent article by a Probably the funniest internet poker Member of Bourse de Montréal & Toronto Stock Exchange, legal specialist has saved me the trouble! website. But I would say that… Investment Dealers Association of Canada & CIPF. The upshot is that no new law was created www.church-of-texas-holdem.com and gambling is no more illegal in the US Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007 – 9

world today. Remember: eat, drink and be dark chocolate and plum in the mouth, Wine merry. this medium-bodied red does nicely when you have a need to be patriotic. It is read - Wines for 2007 ily available and can keep in the cellar for 17/20 Nino Franco, Prosecco up to three years. di Valdobbiadene DOC, Italy Carola Price is a sommelier, chef and New Year’s Resolutions SAQ# 00349662 $18.45 co -author of the bestselling Montreal A delicate sparkling with hints of from Bread to Wine. She is a member by Carola Price surprise. Steer clear of any port and head pear and grapefruit in the nose, and of the Canadian Association of Professional to the Alentejo and the Douro for easy crisp green apple and almond in the Sommeliers and The International I can safely assume that the resolutions throat-coating wines with supple tannins. mouth. Use it at brunch, as well as Sommelier Guild. She can be reached at that we made a few days ago, with swelled Wines to drink this year include Pedras Do with smoked salmon appetizers before [email protected]. egos during a boisterous evening full of li - Monte and Cortez de Cima . dinner. bation, have already been broken. Perhaps 19/20 Osoyoos Larose, No Ice, No Wine hangover cures take away head-throbbing Okanagan Valley, Canada and well-meant resolve? This global warming thing may be a real SAQ#10293169 $39.00 Vivva So with this first article of the year, what threat to Canada’s lead in a specialized This is a Bordeaux/Okanagan col - do I re-resolve? I will drink more! I will eat wine market. To date, no grapes have been laboration and what a great job more! I will learn more! And, for me, it is picked for our famous ice wine. If the they’ve done. I will warn you that it Your all career building. (Nice work, if you can temperatures don’t start dropping, this is not likely to be readily available, get it.) As a sommelier and wine writer, may be the first time that ice wine will not but if you see some, snap it up. The price these are the experiences that I need. But be available to sell. What a dilemma we tag is not in my usual range but the thick Business ! it won’t be easy: the finer the food, the face. I like not wearing boots on the streets rich black fruit and subtle cedar and earthy greater the disappointment when eating of Montreal in January, but the sweet component in the mouth, with all the body Vivva Montreal offers local and not- everyday concoctions with Grandma and nectar in a glass by a roaring fire after ski - expected of a good quality Bordeaux, is so -local advertisers access to a great the kids. It may turn out to be the other ing on a blustery March day is almost the enough for me to buy several bottles for demographic: Westmount and eastern way around, however, with a need for good only thing that keeps me from moving to the cellar in the hopes of drinking in five NDG. Our content is well written and old home cooking because my palate is the embracing warmth of the Caribbean years. covers topics that people like to follow: constantly bombarded with foie gras and and shunning ice in all its forms. The 17/20 Tannat, Don Pasquale wine, books, movies, restaurants, cook- truffle oil. Who knows how the year will most sought-after ice wines are made by Reserve, Uruguay ing, television and much more. In the pan out, but I will rage on in search of Inniskillin and Jackson Triggs from the SAQ#10299122 $12.70 last six months, we’ve grown from an great wines at fair prices as well as news Niagara region in Ontario. Everyone pray Hone your decanting skills for all idea to a monthly staple: come grow and events in the wine world. Welcome to for cold and maybe the industry won’t to see. This baby needs some aera - your business with ours! 2007! have a complete meltdown this year. tion and a wide bottomed decanter • Content that people read. will do nicely. On the mouth it has a • Advertisements that people notice. Italian Bubbles Global Glut Continues thick black cherry and plum flavour with • Distribution to 22,000+ addresses, After all the bottles of bubbly consumed In 2005, over 430 million bottles of some pepper and cedar components. It plus 45+ waiting room drops . this past holiday, it is becoming apparent wine were turned into fuel and cleaning has a smooth finish, but there is alcohol that Prosecco is on its way to becoming the agents in France alone! In California, there present all the way down the throat. Well • Locally owned, written and operated. world’s most purchased sparkling wine. is so much wine produced and not enough matched with grilled beef, short ribs and Edition June 06 December 06 Italy creates this fresh sparkler in the re - buyers to purchase it, that it is also being roasted vegetable lasagna with gorgonzola, Pages 12 16 gion of Veneto from a 400-year-old tradi - turned into something we couldn’t possi - this is wine for winter eating. Waiting Room Drops 0 48 tion. The top areas to seek out are Valdob - bly put in our glasses. The number of vine - 17/20 Merlot, Mission Hill Five Events pages 12 biadene and Cartizze DOCs. Keep in mind yards that are being dug up shows me that Vineyards, Okanagan Valley, Articles 8 14 that Prosecco is best enjoyed up to a year a wine glut may be the best thing for all of Canada SAQ#00496109 $15.05 from the vintage. Although it can be cel - us. Thinning out to a respectable bunch of This is a good everyday wine for Eight issues under our belt: lared for two years, it really keeps the quality producers at great prices is what chili, stroganoff, cassoulet or roast- freshness and acidity well in the short we wine professionals are looking for. ed chicken with a rosemary and a proven , but fresh , term. At best, Quebec will see a dozen la - As for the general public, I think you porcini rub. With loads of black - advertising vehicle. bels this year, so the ones to seek out for prefer not paying upwards of a hundred berry and cherry in the nose and a hint of sampling are Nino Franco and Astoria . dollars a bottle for good quality wine any - more. Sure there are the egos that only buy Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot top quality Bordeaux and Burgundy at Furniture tailored to your taste and budget The love affair with all things Spanish, staggeringly high prices, but for most of We custom-make sofas, love seats, armchairs as well as things Portuguese, continues us the time has come to be more informed this year, which introduces still wine made when making wine choices. There are so and ottomans in your choice of our fabrics. from the glorious grapes of Port. Not only many great wine countries making so ROBERT ALLEN WAVERLY ® are the Spanish and Portuguese offerings many affordable wines. Why pay that kind OSBORNE & LITTLE ® at an all-time high at the SAQ, but the of money for something so fleeting? Re - C OLEF AX price-to-quality ratio can be where the love member, friends, we only rent food and AND FOWLER of these wines begins. drink. Although the memory may last for - We have 20 years of home decorating While exploring Spain, forget Rioja this ever, the question may be whether it was service specializing in sl ipcovers, year. Look to the newer regions like Ju - worth the price paid. upholstery, draperies, bedspreads Monday – Friday: milla , Valdepenas and Yecla . Amazing So happy drinking and all the best for and duvet covers. K 9:30 am – 5:30 pm So furnish your home Saturday by fruity and stronger reds and rosés are this new year. May you learn something in KaOthryn Osborne appointment only. at Kathryn Osborn e’s. DESIGN D’INT ÉRIEUR INC. coming from these areas and can match every bottle and walk away wanting more. 1357 avenue Greene, 2 e étage, Westmount, Québec H3Z 2A5 with everything in your fridge. Portugal I will be here to keep you aware of the Tél.: (514) 931-1357 • Fax: (514) 931-0101 • www.kathrynosbornedesign.com may be new to you and will be a welcome changes and the excitement of the wine 10 – Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007 Movie Review: The Bad Shepherd

He Said … She Said … And They Agreed

He Said: fessor will be asked to “tie his shoes.” All that is missing from this gem are The Good Shepherd is Robert De Niro ’s secret handshakes and a backyard movie about the birth of the CIA from its treefort. Did the early CIA use code - beginnings as World War II’s OSS until words? I am sure they did, but I am the early 1960s, as told through the eyes also sure that it didn’t sound like recy - of one agent/spymaster (Edward Wilson/ cled John le Carré scripts when its Matt Damon ). agents did so. Their words had a seri - Oh, was this bad! It is interesting that ous context that The Good Shepherd filmmakers can make unreal worlds real does not provide or make believable to (think the initial Star Wars movies, or Star us. As if bad dialogue weren’t enough, Trek with the Next Generation cast, or even there are lots and lots of fedoras, the Harry Potter films), but can also make trenchcoats and briefcases, just so we the real world (or at least a story based on know we’re in a spy movie. Damon acts and Jolie is in the movie, too. actual events) seem ridiculous. How did (2) Bad acting and casting . I would have The Good Shepherd do this? preferred to be watching an Angelina ment of the spy’s friendless and per - spy movies. A spy is always alone; he can (1) Hackneyed, decoder-ring dialogue . The Jolie spy movie with gadgets and kung haps amoral life in a general sense? trust no one. A spy will always be betrayed CIA is planning the Bay of Pigs inva - fu fighting, but what her 21st century (“Get out while you still can,” young by those who are also spies (in this case, sion, so we hear agents telling one an - sexiness and moxy were doing shoe - Wilson is told, in a nod to Godfather: several times). A man with a British accent other “to bring their dancing shoes” for horned into this movie (as the daugh - Part III .) Or is it a psychological exam - might seduce you for a while, but he is the Havana nightclubs and/or “a bath- ter of an east coast, establishment sen - ination of Edward Wilson and the con - probably evil. Don’t trust any woman who ing suit.” A Latin American leader has ator!) is beyond me. sequences of his emotional repression? throws herself at you for no apparent rea - been removed from office, so – of (3) Mish-mash of messages and themes . (He is trapped in an unhappy marriage son: there is always some kind of trap in course – “the doctor is not accepting Is the movie opposed to what the CIA and his love-starved son is undone by that. Your Russian counterpart will be ob - any more patients” as a result of “mal - actually did in the 1950s and 1960s his search for affection. An American sessed with you, but slightly in love with practice.” An agent who posed as an ac - (e.g. toppling governments in South Remains of the Day ?) Or, even more tan - you, too (or was that just respect?), so you ademic is on his way out, so the pro - America)? Or is the movie an indict - talizing, is The Good Shepherd an attack can count on him to do what you want on American WASP-ocracy and elit - when you really need him to, etc.… ism? (Wilson is a traditional Yale man who becomes a member of the Skull What Makes A Bad Movie? and Bones secret society. He is re - As I was watching this movie, I was re - cruited into an OSS that is off limits to minded of my reaction to what I call “the “negroes, Jews and Catholics” – ironi - desert movie” (The English Patient ). That cally at the bidding of Franklin Roo - movie was beautifully shot, acted and writ - sevelt, a man who did more to disband ten, and yet I was looking at my watch America’s WASP-ocracy than anyone after 45 minutes. What had gone wrong? else. He later goes on to say that Ital - The answer for that movie was editing: ians, Irish, Jews and blacks are “just there was none. This movie also demon - visiting” the United Sates of America.) strates that you can shake good actors, Who knows what De Niro wanted to script, cinematography and direction to - say? The film lurches from one theme gether and still come out all wrong. The to the next without really examining cause in this instance: bad writing and any of them in any detail or engaging some bad casting (Jolie in particular). us on their merits/demerits. So why is this movie getting raves from The CIA is a great subject for a movie. the critics? (For example, The New Yorker Maybe this train wreck will inspire some is hailing it as “One of the most impres - other filmmaker to tell its story. sive movies ever made about espionage.”) Is it just that critics are in love with all She Said things De Niro? Are David and I out to lunch? Although this movie was long enough I think there has been such a dearth of to eat four or five boxes of popcorn, I am good movies this year that critics are starv - giving it two boxes for essentially the same ing to have something positive to say. reasons listed above by David. The extra Where is this year’s Brokeback Mountain , box of popcorn goes to Matt Damon, who or Walk the Line , or Capote ? Does this film is the only bright light in this slow, slightly stand up to those? Not by a long shot. For confusing and self-aware exposé. my money (or yours) you would be better Yes, this movie is long, and boring, and off renting the much better, but less self- doesn’t really tell us anything we haven’t serious, Spy Game from 2001, starring already gleaned from dozens of previous Robert Redford and Brad Pitt . Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007 – 11

working closely with buyers. And they are has several years of experience, and also Real Estate often great negotiators and “closers” be - has a strong marketing background. With cause they bring the client to the table and these credentials you will probably find the help negotiate the sale. Often, when some - agent that has all the experience you need one buys a property, he’ll use that selling and who can give you the personal service, The Secret Life of “Selling” Agents agent again as his listing agent when he time and advertising exposure for your wants to sell. It’s probably a very good property to make it stand out. Don’t worry, choice because that agent has demon - this type of agent undoubtedly also has the A “selling” agent could be the 4) typical personality you will be working strated most of the traits necessary to per - experience of listing properties. ideal agent to sell your property … with. form admirably as a listing agent. Here are Of course, as a selling agent turned if you only knew who they are Both the listing and the selling agents some more reasons: “TOP” listing agent, he can now advertise are defined by the roles they play. Some - 1) It’s likely that a selling agent doesn’t his successes. After a few years of self-pro - and how to find them! times, both agents are one and the same, have a huge catalogue of listings, so he motion, he’ll be a top listing agent … prob - by Barry Schreiber but not generally. Most properties are sold can afford to advertise your property in ably the #1 agent in lower Westmount, or through the involvement of both. So, let’s as many ways as it takes and so can fea - perhaps western NDG, or Montreal east of We all know what list - look at the typical profiles: ture your home. Top listing agents, on Guy. And then he’ll be just another top list - ing agents do. They sell the other hand, may have 20 or more ing agent without a secret life, but with a your property, right? Typical Profile of a Top Listing Agent listings and that means significant ad - team of assistants! But if you call me, I’ll Their “SOLD” signs say You can detect a top listing agent simply vertising costs, hence the use of small find you another selling agent. In fact, I so and their ads show all by the fact that they usually advertise their photos and simultaneously advertising know one quite intimately that I’d recom - the listings they’ve sold . long catalogue of listings and their ads many listings. mend right now … and what a sense of hu - But that’s only half true. proclaim that they are among the top 2) A selling agent should have the time to mour! The majority of the time, the sale could agents in their brokerage. These agents give you and your property his personal Barry Schreiber is a marketing specialist not have happened without the collabora - tend to become less personally involved attention because without a plethora of and affiliated real estate agent with Sutton tion of another agent who represents the with clients because they have so many listings, you can expect this agent to be Centre-Ouest. If you have a question for buyer and is known as the selling agent . (I properties to sell. They often have a team personally available at your open houses him, he can be reached at 515.781.2425 always thought they should be called buy - of assistants to help them. The top listing and client visits. Top listing agents, on and [email protected]. ing agents, but they’re not.) agent undoubtedly has pressure in having the other hand, tend to have a team of Few people know who these top selling to deal with many vendors and a con - assistants who often act in their place. real estate agents are, or, for that matter, tracted timeframe to sell a property. But 3) A selling agent may very well be hun - Real Estate Agents of what they do – because no matter how the fact is he will have hundreds of selling grier and more motivated to show what many properties they sell and how suc - agents with clients who visit his listings to he can do. Westmount & NDG! cessful they are, they are not permitted by help sell the properties; and if he loses a 4) Finally, given the typical profile of the Forget the old stand-bys. In the Quebec real estate laws to take public property or two, he has a long list and selling agent, this type of agent should newspaper world, content drives credit for their sales, unless the listing more signing up based upon his/her rep - have the energy and enthusiasm you’re agent agrees to allow them. (And what list - utation. looking for. readership – and the value of your ing agent in his right mind would allow But how do you find a top selling agent advertisement! his competition to take such credit?) Typical Profile of a Top Selling Agent if, as I’ve said, they generally can’t adver - Your ad could be here: in a content-rich So, the selling agent remains relatively Typically, a top selling agent will have tise the properties they’ve sold? Well, newspaper, on a real estate page. unknown, often living a successful, but few listings, but mainly work with buyers. sometimes they will advertise the fact that Please call us! unintentionally secret life. Why is this im - To work with buyers, one needs a lot of they work with buyers, but many new portant? Because understanding the skill energy, persistence, and the ability to lis - agents do this and they might not have the 514.223.3567 sets of these two different kinds of agents ten well to their needs and preferences. It experience of the top selling agents that I can make a huge difference in the: takes all of these personality components am writing about. 1) time it takes to sell your property; to trudge out with buyers week after week, 2) amount of advertising exposure you can month after month, with no contractual Finding “Agent Right” expect; assurance that the buyer will not turn One way to locate a top selling agent is 3) personal customer service you may re - around and use another agent to buy a to call a broker in your area and ask for an ceive and; property. Selling agents also tend to like agent that generally works with buyers,

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RESTAURANT... continued from page 7 That’s not to say the evening was with - Driving: Rentals in The Rain out faults (and neither am I charitable down the middle with part of the green enough to overlook them). My biggest stalk intact. complaint wasn’t with the food, but the The black boudin – not to be confused cooler-than-usual room temperature. This with white boudin, which is similar to ter - was so pronounced that the red wine was A Cautionary Tale for Snowbirds rine – is really the French version of blood served unpalatably chilled. pudding: rich, dense and nutty, with a by Jordan W. Charness car , since it was fully open and could not somewhat offensive appearance. Food is Not the Only Story be locked. The cod cakes were mild-mannered: two The audacity of allowing anyone to walk My friend Peter and his wife Mary went The three-paragraph rental agreement pucks of shredded fish and potatoes, pleas - in off the street, don an apron and get to on vacation to Grand Turk Island, which is said nothing about insurance for contents antly rounded out by a mound of fresh work lends the experience a theatrical flair. the capital of the Turks and Caicos. It and although the islanders were probably salad and diced beets. A light meal, per - I was so intrigued by the apparent good measures about seven miles long, by only honest, Peter wasn’t entirely sure about haps better suited to lunchtime than din - cheer of the volunteers – who number as one or one and a half miles wide. De - the boatloads of tourists. (In any case, no ner. many as 22 per day and up to eight per pending on who you speak to, it has a full- insurance would cover items that were shift – that on a recent Monday night I time live-in population of about 2,500 or taken from an unlocked, open-to-the-air Good Samaritan went to the restaurant’s website and vol - 3,100 people. It is, however, blessed with a vehicle. Peter would be fully responsible On the surface there is nothing to dis - unteered to work in the kitchen. beautiful tropical climate and friendly res - for any theft that occurred.) He decided tinguish Robin des Bois – with its dim, After four hours meting out ingredients, idents. candle-lit interior and sparse yet appealing helping to clean a serving station and decor – from a number of other low-key, clearing the odd table – with only a bowl A Fun Idea casually elegant Plateau eateries. But by of dahl soup to show for it – I wondered To make it more fun, Peter de - carefully attending to the details – the heir - how over 1,600 volunteers had been en - cided to rent a four-wheel-drive loom veggies, which in the summer are ticed into this demanding occupation. For vehicle that came with a roll bar , raised in the backyard garden; the unpre - me, it was the desire to step out of my but no roof or windows. It seemed tentious pre-meal “tastings” designed to everyday life, however briefly, into some - like a great idea at the time. whet the appetite; the homemade, super- thing bigger. Peter was asked to sign a rental sweet desserts, like potato-and-sugar Stuart Woods is the assistant receipt that didn’t say much about doughnuts – Robin des Bois attains the re - editor of Vivva Montreal . insurance and said even less finement of equilibrium: a restaurant about the terms of the rental. He comfortable in its own skin. rented the car from an agency lo - cated on the beach that consisted A nice looking vehicle, with a few hitches. of a chair next to some scooters and Jeeps. The owner of the vehicles asked that the safest thing to do would be to him to pay $100 up front, and he was told carry the five snorkelling kits as well as the that he could leave the car anywhere on three swim bags while they toured the is - the island. He was told to throw the keys land’s 200-year-old jail. on the floor and give the owner a call to tell him where to pick it up. Mother Nature Intervenes While this may work on Grand Turk, I About an hour before they were to re - would not suggest that you do it anywhere turn the vehicle, the skies opened up with else. Legally, you’re responsible for a vehi - a drenching downpour and thunderstorm. cle that you have rented and even your Since they had no windows or roof, Peter’s own insurance company will refuse to family and the car were thoroughly soak- cover a theft claim made by someone who ed. Ordinarily, Peter would be responsible left the keys on the floor in a car that was for water damage caused to the interior of open to the world. the car. However, since this rental did not include either windows or a roof, Peter A Special Situation was blameless. The rental guy found the In this particular case, the owner ex - sight of Peter’s bedraggled and wet family plained to Peter that since everyone on the quite funny, and they all had a good laugh. island would recognize these rental cars, Jordan W. Charness is the managing no one would take his. Besides, the island partner of Charness, Charness & Charness. had only one paved road and a few dirt He brings a wealth of legal knowledge ones. Where could the thief take the car? perfected in almost 20 years of giving legal Peter was pretty safe in relying on the advice live on Montreal’s top radio stations. owner’s instructions and if he were ever ‘This sweeping portrait of the St. Lawrence … is overdue. ... He writes a weekly column in The sued for a disappearing car, he could cer - Gazette entitled “Steering You Right”. The text is crisp, well -organized and tells you everything tainly raise the special circumstances as a “Rentals in the Rain” is an excerpt from defense. you need to know about the St. Lawrence...’ his recent book Steering You Right: Nothing is ever as simple as it seems to Greatest Stories and is used – J. D. Gravenor in the Montreal Gazette (June 30, 2006) be. Peter and Mary loaded the kids and by permission. their swim bags into the car along with the snorkels, masks and fins they had rented This column is of a general nature and Now in store s! from the same guy on the beach. When may not be applicable in all situations and they got to their first stop, it occurred to jurisdictions. If you need legal advice, Peter that he couldn’t leave anything in the please consult a lawyer. Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007 – 13

“One more thing. It would be useful to I called Nadine. It was late and I was Spotlight on Montreal Fiction: have a list of the members of the firm and afraid she might have left for the day, but their specializations.” she replied on the second ring. “I’ll have my secretary fax you that in the “How’s my favourite criminal lawyer?” morning, and I’ll write you that check.... “Tired. I don’t suppose you’re calling Could you call me a cab?” with an offer of a drink and dinner?” Robert Michael McKenzie I reached for the phone on the corner of “Nope. I’m working. Maurice Abrams Dupont’s desk and phoned for a taxi while just hired Dupont to investigate the death Abrams made out his cheque. I gave him of his son, Danny. I have to grab dinner Former Dawson mathematics professor you about the troubles with Cormier has my card with the fax number for my office, here and head over to their place to talk to Robert McKenzie has just published his me all disturbed. Yes, I will have another and he wrote down the address for his his widow.” first novel, The First Thing We Do – a small one.” son’s house in Hampstead. He rose slowly “Well, I couldn’t go anyway. I’m work - Charles Dupont mystery. Two subsequent Retrieving his glass, I went to the bar. from his chair, extending his hand to ing, too. I was just going to order in be - Charles Dupont mysteries, Two in the Dupont remained there as Abrams con - Dupont. cause I have a case to prepare for tomor - Blues and Three in the Canal, are scheduled tinued: “I’m used to dealing with people who row. Are you going to Hernando’s for spring and fall 2007. Here is a sneak “I wanted to retire five years ago, but are in trouble, Monsieur Dupont. Now it’s tonight?” peek: there was so much turmoil in the office I my turn. I certainly hope you are able to “Yup, but I don’t know when I’ll get was afraid of what would happen to the discover something.” He turned to leave there. Probably after 9:00. Did you know CHAPTER 2 (Part 2) firm without me. Cormier wouldn’t lis - any of the people in Abrams’ firm?” Abrams continued, “The financial set- ten to any of the others since he’s been a “When I was in the prosecutor’s of - up really galled Cormier. He was the top partner longer than any of them. Do you fice I encountered most of the criminal lawyer in billings for the firm but made remember what the late premier said lawyers including Danny Abrams and less money than the preferred partners. about the relationship between the René Cormier.” I’m the only survivor of the original four. French and English?” “I remember you talking about Mulholland’s partnership passed on to his “Like scorpions in a bottle.” Cormier before. If you can meet me son Jamie, who is the managing partner “That was us. Scorpions in a bottle.” later, I’d like to know more about these now, but Franklin and Herscovits had no “What about the other partners?” people, especially Danny.” children in the firm. So it came down to asked Dupont, as he wandered back to “And I thought you were interested Jamie and me, and I was going to retire his desk and handed Abrams his drink. only in me.” and leave my preferred partnership to “Would any of them have a motive for “I am. I am. Outside of work.” Danny.” killing Danny?” “OK, I’ll try to make it if I get enough “Did Cormier get along with the other Abrams thought for a minute. “I can’t done.” members of your firm on a day to day say really. Danny didn’t get along well We said goodbye and I headed for the basis?” asked Dupont. with a couple of them, and there was the dining room where Johnny was enter - Abrams frowned. “He didn’t. He started animosity of some because he was my ing with a plate of noodles in one hand making an issue of language soon after he son. They knew he would be a preferred and the Thai style beef in the other. The became a partner. Staff meetings were al - partner when I left, and some felt he did - beef was intensely aromatic and I could ways in English and he thought they n’t merit it. But to kill him for that!” He tell just from the smell that it would be should be in French. Back then, we were shrugged and held his palms upwards. fiery. He returned to the kitchen to cook eight English and two French speaking “Mr. Abrams, I’ll take your case,” said another dish while Dupont and I started lawyers. All the English speakers spoke Dupont, “but there are some conditions. eating. He had brought out three bottles French perfectly, but that didn’t mean we First, I need a retainer.” He mentioned of Saint Ambroise beer, his current had to speak French in our own offices.” an amount in five figures. “If I arrive at favourite microbrew. A few minutes He paused and finished his drink. “So the same conclusion as the police then later Johnny arrived with a plate of we told him he could speak in French at the retainer will be returned less ex - shrimp and joined us at the table, the meetings if he wanted, and that satisfied penses. Is that agreed?” usual practice unless Dupont had com - him for a while. We kept expanding, hir - “Yes.” pany, and I didn’t count as that. ing more francophone members so that by “Second, I need to meet with all the Johnny explained how the shrimp the time Bill 101 was passed, we had more partners in the firm and do not intend to was cooked. “This is the dish that I than fifty people working in the office chase after them. Please arrange to have make special for you, Gerry. It’s called including secretaries, clerks and so on. them here at 8:00 pm tomorrow. Third, I the room and seemed to wobble a bit, but ‘Lemony Shrimp’ or in Thai, ‘Goong Pla’. Cormier thought it was our obligation, would like to place an ad in the local news - righted himself and headed for the door. The shrimp are broiled, then tossed with under the law, to have French as the work - papers to find out if anyone saw the killer The cab arrived and I offered to help this sauce.” ing language in the office, to apply for one either waiting for your son or scouting the him down the long flight of stairs to the “What’s in the sauce?” I asked. of those damnable francisation certifi - location. We should offer a reward of at street, but he assured me he was alright. “Many things, garlic, chilies, lemon cates.” He slammed his fist on the side- least $10,000.” When I returned to the office, Johnny was juice, lemon grass, fish sauce, Maggi table where his glass was sitting and “Certainly.” standing there talking to Dupont. “Is it sauce, the kitchen sink.” nearly toppled it. “I told him that we were “Of course, you’re sitting shiva for time to cook?” The shrimp had a complex lemon flavor going to get one of those certificates when Danny this week. Could Gerry come by “Yes!” Dupont and I both replied. with a spicy afterbite. hell froze over, that I was prepared to fight tonight?” “A few minutes then,” Johnny said, as “My compliments, Johnny,” I said. a Supreme Court case on it. That shut him I made a face at Dupont. He knew damn he left for the kitchen. Dupont seconded my praise; Johnny up temporarily, but it’s still a source of fric - well it was the one night of the week I “You know you’ll have to do most of the bobbed his head in acknowledgement. tion.” minded working: the Monday night jam work on this one,” said Dupont. During dinner I discussed my program Dupont rose and went to the bar to re - session at Hernando’s was something I “What else is new?” I said. for the evening and following morning plenish his drink. “May I offer you another rarely missed. He gave me a look. “I have to talk to with Dupont. Before I left for Abrams’ drink, Mr. Abrams?” Abrams replied, “Of course. I’ll give you Johnny about dinner for tomorrow.” house he gave me the copy for the ad I was Abrams thought about it a second. “It’s the address. You’ll be welcome after 7:00 “I’ll join you in a minute,” I said, “as to place in the suburban papers the next been a terrible four days and now, telling pm.” soon as I make a phone call.” day. 14 – Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007 Practical Points Townships Calendar Hot Tech Trends for 2007 Winter Warmth by Nexus ample of a Wiki is Wikipedia (www.wiki Unseasonably warm temperatures this Jay Peak pedia.org). This is an online encyclopedia winter have hampered the ski season and Happy NU Year to all of our readers! www.jaypeakresort.com that is actually edited and maintained on - allowed at least one Quebec golf resort to This issue I would like to discuss some of 1.800.451.4449 – 802.988.2611 line. Wikis are currently used by geeks to remain open into the new year. the hot technology that you’ll see over the Adult day pass: $59 organize groups or clubs. However, they Last week The Gazette reported that coming year: Open runs: 37/76 are quite simple to use so are great for any - golfers at the International 2000 Golf & Voice Over IP (VOIP) one wanting an easy way to organize and Country Club in St. Bernard de Lacolle Ski Bromont collaborate amongst several people. You were still booking green times as temper - www.skibromont.com This is becoming a real player in the can start your own Wiki by going to the fol - atures remained steadily above zero, add- 1.866.BROMONT marketplace. Vonage is making particular lowing website: www.pbwiki.com. ing that the resort would stay open until Adult day pass: $52 strides in user-friendliness and call qual - the snow stays on the ground. Open runs: 22/104 ity. If you are paying too much for long dis - HomePlugs tance and have contacts in North America Mont Orford A HomePlug is a power line communi - The View from the Mountain or the rest of the world, check out Vonage www.orford.com – 1.866.ORFORD1 cation device that allows you to network That didn’t stop Ken Rourkefrew of (www.vonage.com) for some great deals. Adult day pass: $45 through your standard AC power outlet. Owl’s Head from putting a brave face on All you need is a high-speed internet con - Open runs: 12/56 This technology is ideal for small offices the situation, describing balmy tempera - nection, a VOIP adapter and a regular ana - and homes where it can be difficult and ex - tures and rainfall as a “hiccup” in the ski Owl’s Head log phone to get going. pensive to run your own wiring through season. “All things considered we’re hold - 1.800.363.3342 – www.owlshead.com IP PBX the walls. With the HomePlug, you simply ing up well. What we do have open is in Adult day pass: $37 use the building’s existing wiring. This excellent shape,” he said, adding that Open run 12/44 Companies used to have to pay a large will allow you to connect various devices Owl’s Head takes advantage of its altitude sum of money just to buy a PBX (i.e. a Mont St. Bruno such as printers, desktops, TVs, etc. to make snow at every opportunity. hardware switch that allows multiple ex - 450.653.3441 – HomePlug will be complementary and in Last December was the warmest on tensions into an office: “Dial 1 for sales, www.montsaintbruno.com some cases augment current wi-fi (wire - record in the Townships, with an average dial 2 for tech support” etc.). Now all of Adult day pass: $33 less) setups. temperature of -2°C, 6°C above the norm. this can be done with software, which Open runs: 10/14 For more information about hot new Snowfall amounts were less than a third makes it considerably more cost effective, tech items for 2007 check out: www. that in past years. Mont Sutton especially for small companies. What’s nufrontier.ca/hottechtrend2007.html www.montsutton.com also great is that you can expand to up to The Big Picture 1.866.538.2545 (snow report) 100 lines in some cases, whereas before With over 10 years of technical experience “It’s normal for temperatures to change Adult day pass: $48 you were limited by the hardware. working for medium-sized and from cold to mild,” said Environment Open runs: 8/53 multinational corporations, Nexus helps Canada meteorologist Guy Héroux, stress - Wiki individuals working from home and small Montjoye ing the variability of the Quebec climate. This is a tool that allows for collabora - offices. Email your technical questions to 819.842.2447 – www.montjoye.qc.ca But with the effects of El Niño expected to tion between members online. You can him at [email protected] or visit Adult day pass: $27 hit by mid-January, it’s likely that warmer- add to a Wiki, edit a Wiki, etc. The best ex - www.nufrontier.ca. Open runs: 3/17 than-average temperatures will continue. For updated information about Eastern Mont Shefford Mystery Series for Montrealers Townships’ ski mountain conditions con - 450.777.0909 – www.montshefford.com sult the resources at right. Adult day pass: $34 The Caitlin Donovan Series Information is up to date as of January 3, Closed until further notice 2007. All information as of January 3, 2007. Boulangerie Owl’s Bread Since 1994 in Mansonville. Now in Magog . 2 locations to serve you A European touch in the Eastern Townships Traditional French bakery: bread with no fat or sugar. Homemade products: jams, smoked salmon, foie gras and pâtés. Brome Lake Duck specialities 2 restaurants, 2 different concepts. 1 rul e: excellence 299 A Principale – Mansonville – 450 292 3088 428 Principale O – Magog –819 847 1987 www.owlsbread.com Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007 – 15

The Eastern Townships by Eastern Townships Events month and season! $12.95

Movies Books, 264 Knowlton Rd. For information the winter, features a lecture about the life Theatre Lac Brome screens Geraldine’s call 450.242.2242. January 13 at 1 pm . of Captain John Savage , an Empire Loyal - ist who led the settlement of Shefford, and Fortune , a comedy about how the prize Lecture Series money of a TV game show brings excite - Sydney Fisher , who, under Sir Wilfrid ment and chaos to the life of a woman liv - Historian Jim Manson ’s inaugural lec - Laurier, fought to protect the autonomy of ing in small-town New Brunswick. Loosely ture in the Winter Lecture Series concerns the educational system in Brome. Pre - based on Michel Tremblay’s play Les Belles the life and times of George Baker , a Con - sented by The Brome County Historical Soeurs . Tickets are $7, $5 for members. servative MP from Brome who gave his Society. Admission is free. Old Court Arts Knowlton, 9 Mount Echo Rd. Call life serving the country during World War House, 15 St. Paul Rd. For information call Available locally at Westmount Stationery & Hogg Hardware 450.242.2270 for more information. Jan - I. The series, which continues throughout 450.243.6782. January 6, 13 & 20 at 1 pm . Also: Chapters • Indigo • Renaud-Bray • Coles uary 7 at 5 pm . Theatre Lac Brome screens Deepa Mehta’s Water , the controversial and highly regarded film about Hindu child widows. Tickets are $7, $5 for members. Arts Knowlton, 9 Mount Echo Rd. Call 450.242.2270 for more information. Jan - uary 7 at 5 pm . Books Meet Gazette columnist Bill Brownstein, promoting his new book, Schwartz’s He - brew Delicatessen: The Story , about the his - tory and lore of Canada’s most famous smoked meat sandwich. Staff from the deli will be on hand with free nosh. Mazel A great book that encapsulates Tov! Admission is free. Brome Lake the Townships

MOONRISE SCENE – The moon in the garden through INVEST IN KNOWLTON One of the best downtown DABBLING IN ANTIQUES offers a wonderful lifestyle KNOWLTON the trees and on the reflecting ponds creates an locations on a corner lot making this attractive reno - in this charming village home in Knowlton. With the inspirational scene. Just one of the charms of this very vated century building with its stone façade a real perfect setting, walking distance to the town centre, 3 Victoria affordable and well-maintained two-bedroom home on stand-out in the village. Fully rented with a two-level this vintage house has two outbuildings on a large lot, the outskirts of the village of Knowlton. $169,000. gallery and two modern apartments, it will make you a and the bonus of an acquired right to sell antiques. A 450 242-2000 proud and happy owner. plan for 2007! $250,000. Fax: 450 243-0914 [email protected] Eastern Townships Living by Lois Hardacker Chartered Real Estate Agent

QUINTESSENTIAL COUNTRY ESTATE 150 acres off GET OUT OF THE CITY and come home to a quiet CONDO TO STEAL Here’s a great deal for you in TWO MINUTES FROM THE AUTOROUTE and you’re the beaten path between Bromont and Brome Lake. neighbourhood in Knowlton, near Brome Lake. Live on Knowlton! This is a two-bedroom condo with a wood- home in Foster. The perfect country retreat in the heart This 1865 farm has a story and a place in the history one level with an enormous master bedroom and its burning fireplace, upper level for luminosity and a of the ski region and featuring a x-country trail across books of Brome County. Impeccably restored and ex - garden exit, refreshed décor and exterior finish, fire - breezy balcony. What also makes it really special is the the road. Well-renovated with a fireplace, wood floors, panded brick home, charming small barn, great view, place, two guest rooms tucked in the peak. Wide lot, inside parking garage, a secure building with intercom yummy kitchen and a lower level ready for you to finish. private lake, enchanted woodland. private landscaped grounds. $349,000. and, of course, the price. $150,000. $189,000. 16 – Vivva MONTREAL – January 2007

TRUST. REACH. RESULTS.

BRIAN, TIMOTHY, JOAN M cGUIGAN AGENTS IMMOBILIER AGRÉES / CHARTERED REAL ESTATE AGENTS

D L O S m Westmount Walk to Greene Ave and downtown from Westmount This house is filled with exceptional design and quality renovations – creations of the owner/architect. The brick

o this elegant 4-storey stone beauty with preserved archi - and stone terrace and landscaping offer incredible privacy in the midst of the desirable Victoria Village. Three levels of front tectural details. Expansive entertainment area, walk-out to bay windows facing south, a professionally finished basement/office accessible by way of private entrance at street level, c terrace with panoramic views of Montreal. Asking spacious rooms, new hardwood floors, a wood fireplace and ornate mantle are just a few of the gems this house has to offer. . $1,500,000 A beautiful gourmet kitchen plus dinette opens onto a secluded back terrace, garden and park. Asking $995,000 Virtual tour: www.mcguiganpepin.com/571213 n i p e P n

a D E C U

g D E i R

u Westmount Spectacular, 6-bedroom family home, load- Westmount Beautiful Victorian townhouse facing Stay- Downtown Situated at the back of a quiet courtyard ed with architectural details and quality renovations. nor Park. Three bedrooms, plus two bedrooms in base - in a prime downtown Montreal location, this house has Deluxe eat-in kitchen/family room/office. Beautifully fin - ment, parking, garden. Walk to Atwater and Westmount potential for renovators. With 4 bedrooms, plus two in G ished basement. Absolute move-in. Asking $1,525,000 Square. Asking $570,000 the basement, house is bright with windows on 3 sides.

c Virtual tour: www.mcguiganpepin.com/571408 Virtual tour: www.mcguiganpepin.com/571163 Asking $599,000 M . w w w LD O S Y LL A N IO IT D N O C Nun’s Island Lovely condo in Jardin de l’Archipel. 1465 The Canal One bedroom condo, corner unit, walk to At - La Mauricie Pristine heritage property with 2 private square feet offering wonderful views of the river. 3 bed - water Market, metro. Pleasant view of park. Garage, air pollution-free lakes, surrounded by over 100 acres of nat - rooms, 2 baths, garage, central air. Offers. Asking conditioned. Asking $189,000 ural woodland. Less than 2 hours from Montreal and Que - $259,000 bec City. Includes vintage log cabins. Asking $880,000

514-937-8383 Wishing you a world of peace and happiness now and throughout the New Year.