Help Generations help kids generationsfoundation.com 514-933-8585 MAY 2011 VOL.XXVN O 7 EXTRA EXTRA Read all about it Sue Smith: before you vote! Mom scores Our election picks p. 2 a home run McKenty’s predictions 5 p. 4 p.

Cotler’s concerns p. 7

Senior-centric vows p. 12

Greener pastures p. 23

Voluntourists deserve a tax break p. 26

Rodriguez: I owe it all to Eisenkraft p. 28

Sex and the City of New York p. 31

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For a stress free adopted by the party promises substantial im- His main opponent, Martin Cauchon, a minister transaction... provements in social policies, pensions, a broad under Jean Chrétien, is seeking a comeback, but a CALL ME! package to boost aid for post-secondary education vote for Mulcair will help build the NDP so it can and more support for culture. The Conservatives recuperate progressive voters who park their ballot are committed to spending that could reach with the Bloc Québécois. 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In Outremont, New Democrat Thomas Mulcair, In Lachine-Lac St. Louis, Francis Scarpaleggia, first elected in a 2007 by-election, has proven to be first elected in 2004, is facing a challenge from Larry Smith, a lawyer, former Alouette football DELUXE BUS TOURS 2011 club president and onetime publisher of The Gazette. Scarpaleggia, Liberal water critic, has been effective as a constituency advocate and deserves Burlington VT May 7 $38 Great shopping: Macy’s, T.J. Maxx, Kohl’s, Price Chopper, & Farmers Market. re-election. 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For FREE information Rainer Schmalhaus rschmalhaus@ lakeviewmemorial.ca 514 606-9426 2 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES Activism, feminism and Trudeaumania speeches. The hall was so packed we Hear Me Roar couldn’t see very well, so I went to the back of the room and sat next to a Thérèse Bourque nice-looking young man. After a few Lambert polite exchanges, he introduced him- self as Peter Mansbridge, on one of his first assignments as a journalist. How lucky can I be ? I was in awe of Trudeau’s ability to “Bonjour, good morning,” my fa- switch from flawless English to ther said to me many, many years French with such agility, and with his ago.“Remember to vote today. All of- passion for Canada. Love for my fices close at 3pm and there is no rea- country was already in my soul and son not to go. By the way, you will his ardour rekindled mine. vote for Mr. Duplessis — otherwise I attended La Soirée des Yvettes au you will cancel out my vote.” Forum during the fameux référen- I was taken aback. There was no dum. This event and the result are way that anyone, not even my father, marked in my memory because should tell me whom to vote for. I politician and feminist Lise Payette’s was going to act like a mature person remarks sparked such an outcry, and and cast my own vote for the very I became such a strong activist. Alas! first time. I had read that the suffrage The split over the vote forged hurt movement was started in Manitoba and resentment within my family by Dr. Emily Stowe in 1878. But in that remains unhealed even today. Quebec, women were only allowed Later on in my life, our provincial to vote after April 25, 1940. party asked me to work for them, I I never told my father that I can- suppose because I am fluently bilin- celled out his vote that day. gual. After the party came into Politics has always been part of my power, I worked as an administrative life. After I married, we moved to secretary and political attaché for Beaurepaire and I joined my party’s one of their ministers. association. I was very active during I am so lucky to live in this won- the Trudeaumania era. My good derful country called Canada, with friend and I, wearing Trudeau paper its great beauty, freedom and many dresses with photos of him in front rights. and back, went door to door to intro- Voting, of course, is one of them. duce our candidate. It was easy to get On May 2, my friend will pick me people excited about him although he up, and with my wheeler I will gladly had not been in politics before. vote for the party of my choice as I We tried to attend every rally. We have always done. travelled to Ottawa to hear one of his How lucky can I be? ########################### # Montérégie Vineyards, July 9, 2011 # # Visit to four vineyards in the area, with # # wine samplings at each vineyard # # Dinner (produced from the area), $85 pp # # Luncheon cruise in the heart # # Engelbert in Turning Stone of Thousand Islands, July 30, 2011 # # June 19-21, 2011, 3 Days, 2 Nights 3-hour cruise through Thousand Islands # from 12:30-3:30 pm, Entertainment # $15 meal credit Breakfast buffet # at Season’s Harvest on board, Free time in Kingston $85 pp # # $385 pp double, $535 pp single Las Vegas, November 12-18, 2011 # Casino du Mont-Tremblant 5 Days, 4 Nights # # July 6-7, 2011 Return Airfare from with # # Lodging at the Hilton Homewood Suites Air Canada, direct flights # # $10 slot credit 4 nights at the Imperial Palace # # $149 per person double $885 pp double, $999 pp single # For information and to reserve please contact Danielle McCartney 514 794-7884 or 450 691-5555

www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 3 THE SENIOR TIMES Polls are little more than crystal balls in the leadup to May 2 Writing about a federal election a the English debate, but the question have been translated into seats, giv- few days before the poll is as risky remains: To what extent are Canadi- ing the Liberals 53 and the NDP 48. as Rollerblading on the autoroute, Pit Stop ans really engaged in this campaign? This will probably give the NDP at especially in this election, where the There is a little non-scientific evi- least two seats in Quebec—Out- polls have been all over the map. Neil McKenty dence that I can throw in the pot remont and Gatineau. Not only that. The Quebec polls here. On my blog, where much of the The poll shows the Bloc running in have the parties so topsy-turvy that material is political, Canadian and second place in Quebec, at 27 per it’s hard to give them much credence. he was in contempt of Parliament; fi- American, an astonishing phenome- cent, slightly behind the NDP. Ac- Perhaps we should not be surprised nally, the opposition parties ganged non emerged: During the campaign, cording to the number crunchers, that an election that started in such up and voted Harper out of office. there has been much greater re- this would give the Bloc only four a muddle was ending in a muddle. Harper visited the governor-gen- sponse to my American political seats in Quebec. And the Conserva- This was the election that nobody eral, the writ was dropped and we posts than to my Canadian ones. tives are leading the poll with 43 per wanted. Conservative leader Stephen were off to the races. Harper stood There is one issue I’ve blogged cent, enough to win 201 seats, a solid Harper didn’t want it because he his ground and argued that Canada about that I’ve never seen discussed majority. Harper is so happy with wasn’t sure he could get a majority, has the best economy in the world – elsewhere. The “birthers” in the U.S. these results that he is pretty much and a majority is all he has ever which, in many ways, it has. In the don’t believe President Barack keeping his mouth shut. Gilles wanted. Liberal leader Michael Ig- early days, Ignatieff got good notices. Obama was born there and say he’s Duceppe was so devastated that on natieff didn’t want an election be- He said Liberals had better things to not a real American. Our Conserva- Easter weekend he resurrected cause his brain trust told him the do with money than to give it to cor- tive Party has spent millions to prove Jacques Parizeau. party wasn’t ready. porations in the form of tax cuts. that Ignatieff is not a real Canadian, I would not be surprised if the Despite his positive attitude in public, Layton kept chirping away about the saying he has spent too much time in NDP and the Liberals will come in NDP leader Jack Layton didn’t fancy NDP’s social safety network and that other countries and foreign universi- with about 50 seats each. This will an election so soon, as he was recover- more voters, especially in Quebec, ties and does not understand Canada mean Ignatieff’s days as Liberal ing from cancer and a hip injury. Bloc liked his message. Duceppe went from the grass roots up. This shows leader are numbered. (Keep your Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe’s back to his old mantra about the that parties on both sides of the bor- eyes on Dominic LeBlanc from the team told him the Bloc’s polls were be- Bloc looking after Quebec’s interests. der have their share of nutters. Maritimes.) And a triumphant Lay- ginning to trend down and Duceppe It was beginning to sound tired. As I write this, a few days remain. ton can hand off to at a wanted more time to fix them. Then came the debates. No game- The polls have been showing a strong time of his choosing. Then events (“Events, dear boy, changer there. No one threw a resurgence for the NDP. But the As for Harper and Duceppe: The events,” as British prime minister knockout punch. No one fell flat on question here is whether this grow- Conservatives will not soar so high Harold MacMillan once called them) his face. I expect the winner on ing popularity can be translated into and the Bloc will not sink so low as took over in Ottawa. Conservative points was Jack Layton, not only for winning seats. To do so, the NDP the poll suggests. After losing seats, I MP Bev Oda lied to Parliament; his policies but also for his optimism. vote must be concentrated enough to doubt Duceppe will want to stick Speaker Peter Milliken told Harper Four million sets of eyeballs watched win more ridings. around to lead a seventh campaign An Ipsos Reid poll showed the for the Bloc. NDP at 25 per cent and the Liberals I expect Harper will win his major- at 21 per cent, the first time in 20 ity. He will be around a lot longer years the NDP has been ahead of the than many want. Liberals in the polls. These numbers Comment at NeilMcKenty.com. INCONTINENCEPRODUCTS GREAT PRICES VAST CHOICES Ask about Delivery Service HOME or SENIOR RESIDENCE

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since 1986 FUNERAL HOME Celebrating our 25th anniversary year! A family business since 1958 Publisher & Managing Editor Barbara Moser Production & Design Albe rt Cormier Assistant Editor Krist ine Berey Web Design Scot t Philip Assignment and Copy Editor Ha yley Juhl Printing Hebdo Litho Journalists Kristine Berey, Melani Litwack, C.J. Phone 514-484-5033 MacNaughton, Juan Rodriguez, Byron Toben Fax 514-484 -8254 560 Lakeshore Dr. Office Manager The lma Gearey E-mail [email protected] Dorval 514-631-1511 Sales Manager Jacquie Soloway-Cons Website theseniortimes.com 2125 Notre-Dame Advertising Jodie Alter, Gloria Beigleman, Front Page Photo John Mahoney Lachine 514-639-1511 Julie Cardinal Shirley Cohen, Sandra Schachter To subscribe ($29) call 514-484-5033 Published by Publications Newborn Inc. Contents copyright ©2011. All rights reserved. Legal Deposit: National Library of Canada No. D368087 Dépot légal Bibliothèque Nationale du Québec, 1993. Although every caution is taken by Publications Newborn Inc. to moni tor advertising in the THE SENIOR TIMES, claims made by advertisers are not necessarily endorsed by Publications Newborn Inc. May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com 4 THE SENIOR TIMES Smith rocks the broadcast boat Exciting Day Outings $25 ! Home pick-up. See you soon!

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Irwin Block or the ups and downs of the Habs, Special to The Senior Times she is knowledgeable and sounds natural. When Sue Smith was a McGill Uni- The daughter of an Air Canada pilot, versity undergraduate, her major Smith grew up in the West Island and was political science, her passion while at McGill, recalls doing “a ton of theatre. theatre,” including an improvisational Not just any theatre, but improv, soap opera with the Players Theatre at where thinking on your feet and midnight on Fridays. quickly coming up with quips and “We all had our own characters and spur-of-the-moment statements is the audience would throw situations INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS key. Little did Smith know that the at us. Really fun.” WHY PAY MORE? BUY DIRECT & SAVE knowledge and skills developed then She also performed as a jazz singer would serve her well in the broad- at weddings, earning extra money to DISCREET, CONVENIENT, AFFORDABLE casting career she has developed so help pay for university, and taught successfully. sailing in the summers, but her first Though she has worked extensively job after graduating was at the Cen- Briefs Free in television here and in England, taur Theatre, playing in the musical P rotective underwear ery many of us became aware of Smith Fire, the life of Jerry Lee Lewis. She Bladder cont rol pads deliv while listening to Homerun, the played a stripper and a church lady. Washcloths CBC’s afternoon program on the air “I rapidly realized it was very diffi- Underpads at 104.7 FM from 3 to 6 p.m., which cult to break into theatre, and I was Specialty sizing she began hosting this fall. better at being myself than portray- Disc reet packaging “Let’s rock the boat!” Smith said in ing a character.” YOU RING, a recent remote broadcast session at In the late 1980s Smith decided to And mo rree WE’LL BRING! Place Ville Marie. look into media work, which was Smith has a way of moving the hardly a given, since she had no for- YOU TRIED THE REST show ahead with a rare combination mal training, never went to journal- of humour and analytical rigour. ism school or gained experience in NOW BUY THE BEST She’s good at small talk as she light- college media. ens up discussion of road conditions She got her feet in the door with a or the weather. When it comes to an job at Champlain Productions, then interview about uprisings in the on Ogilvy and home to CFCF-TV 514.914.1096 Arab world, natural disasters in and radio. www.medpo rium.ca 1.800.604.1096 Japan or Haiti, the rise of our dollar Continued on Page 6

Happy Mother’s Day! Heimish Atmosphere - Attentive & Caring Staff Independent & Assisted Living Within a Supportive Environment Synagogue & Kosher Kitchen - Full Social Activities Program Make Manoir King David Your Home 5555 Trent, Côte St. Luc, tel: 514-486-1157 • www.manoirkingdavid.com www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 5 THE SENIOR TIMES Smith covered all her media bases before scoring CBC’s Homerun Continued from Page 5 was Shannon O’Smith and that a thing together, and I did this wonder- cause I wanted to be home with the She interviewed game-show con- temp agency had sent me because ful story about the organist at the kids, which I really enjoy. But I was testants, kept her ears open, and was Sue Smith was ill. Then the weather Forum, an elderly piano teacher from worried that by the time I was ready hired as traffic reporter on the Aaron job came up and I was hired.” the South Shore, and this was her out- to go back to work, no one would Rand show on CFCF 600. When a CBC job opened up, Smith let. I put the story on the air, and I got want me. “He said, ‘Send me your CV,’ and I was hired to do traffic on Daybreak the job and did it for more than three “It was always a scramble, but luck- said,‘I don’t have a CV.’ I gave him with then-host Jon Kalina. years, first as its own show then as ily my mother was there.” my mother’s phone number, and he When CBC TV started City Beat, part of Newswatch—ordinary people Smith has her own take as a media said, ‘Okay, we’ll give you a chance’.” she applied, was asked for a demo doing interesting things.” professional on what she loves about That’s when her acting experience tape, and had to reply,“I don’t have a The Smith career arc then took an working in public broadcasting. came into play. demo tape.” abrupt change. “The CBC has a real commitment “On St. Patrick’s Day, I pretended I “They gave me a week to put some- “I met my husband, Dr. Mark Ware, to the truth, to balance, and it’s rig- who works today at the MUHC Pain orous. I work with really special peo- Centre and carries out studies on ple, we are very careful about medicinal marijuana. upholding journalistic standards. “I met him at a Halloween party in “Our show is Montreal music, November 1991. He was in Barbados Montreal content, what people are at the time. In June 1992, I sold my talking about.” car, got rid of my fabulous apartment There is also a commitment to in N.D.G., and we ended up travel- telling stories you might not hear ling in Africa. elsewhere. “We went to Congo to see moun- Her working day starts at home in tain gorillas, then toured Lake Victo- Pointe Claire, where she reads local ria, visiting Tanzania and Kenya, newspapers, in print and online, and Uganda and Burundi.” then takes part in a telephone They travelled in the Middle East, hookup with the show’s staff about then moved to London so he could the day’s lineup. finish his internship. Smith could not “I drive my kids to school, grocery find work, so she went back to school shop, do laundry, cook dinner, have and got a certificate to teach English my meeting on the phone, and go to as a second language. work.” Eventually she was hired as a pro- The pace of the show can be in- Guaranteed lifetime income as ducer of entertainment stories at tense, with breaking news, a host of early as age 55. Worldwide Television News, but then contributors walking in and out of All the growth moved to Kingston, Jamaica, so Ware the studio, and Smith reading text potential of the market. could complete his medical intern- messages almost as soon as they ship. They stayed for four years. She come in. Your income is protected from continued to produce for WTN, often “My desk in the studio is a little market downturns. focusing on environmental issues, and oasis of calm. It can be frenetic out completed an M.A. in international there, but to a certain extent I am relations, with a thesis on sovereignty shielded from that. The guests can be ASK ME ABOUT INCOMEPLUS and the drug trade in the Caribbean. nervous, but I try to make it a calm FROM MANULIFE INVESTMENTS. Her travels and formal studies are and a nice place to be.” much in evidence when Smith sets Once a guest is in, Smith says she will For more information, please contact: aside the lighter side of her person- often set aside the scripted questions. Mr. Elie Assaf ality to conduct interviews on “In my head, I know where I am Phone: 514-744-9724 weighty topics in the news. going, I know what I want to get Cell: 514-952-3543 They returned to Montreal with Email: [email protected] from the subject.” sons Gabriel and Dominic. Juliette Smith says she’s thrilled to be where Paid for in part by Manulife Investments. was born the day before 9/11. she is professionally, because Home- After a stint with Global TV,she re- run is “a real snapshot of your city, sumed work at the CBC. what’s happening today, tonight, to- How does a woman with three young morrow.” Any amount that is allocated to a segregated fund is invested at the risk of the contractholder and may increase or decrease in value. Exceeding the withdrawal thresholds may have a negative impact on future income payments. The lifetime income becomes available on kids and a busy husband building a ca- Marshall McLuhan called radio a January 1st of the year the annuitant or the younger of the annuitant and the Joint Life (if applicable) turns age 55. Other conditions may reer manage to advance her own? hot medium, compared with the apply. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company is the issuer of the Manulife GIF Select insurance contract which offers the IncomePlus Series and the guarantor of any guarantee provisions therein. Manulife, Manulife Investments, the Manulife Investments For Your Future “It’s hard. As any working mother cool of TV, and Smith revels in it. logo, GIF Select IncomePlus and the Block Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and by its affiliates under license. will tell you, balance is very difficult. “I just love the intimacy, that feeling I did not look for full-time work be- of really connecting with listeners.”

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A case in point is a private mem- Cotler says he asked for comprehensive sanctions Mailboxes, Master key systems, Security grills ber’s bill Cotler introduced in 2009, called the Iran to be adopted to hold the officials involved in each Residential, commercial Accountability Act, calling on Canada to deal with of these threats accountable, but the government Sales, installation, service what he calls a fourfold threat—nuclear,terrorist,in- acted on the nuclear threat only. “The European 6010 Sherbrooke St. W. (bet. Hampton & Belgrave) citement to genocide and human rights violations— Parliament sanctioned Iranian leaders who’ve been Cell: 514 952-8891 • Tel. & Fax: 514 481-8891 emanating from Mahmoud Ahmanidejad’s Iran. involved in the domestic oppression of the Iranian “The bill sets forth the threats and the remedies people. Canada has not yet done so.” Cotler de- to combat each of the threats. I said to the govern- plores the fact that while Iran has a record of tor- Loving Care Nursing Home ment, this isn’t a partisan matter, we all realize that ture, executions and massive repression of its own For autonomous people Iran is a threat to international peace and security, people, at the United Nations Israel has more reso- Middle East peace and security, a threat to Israel lutions against it than any other country. • Loving & caring environment • Beautiful atmosphere Happy Another example Cotler cited was the inspiring • Personal attention Mother’s speech Harper gave at the Inter-Parliamentary Con- • Private & semi-private rooms Day! ference for Combating Antisemitism, which Cotler • Activities • Nutritious meals • Well situated chaired. “The prime minister gave a great speech, • Safe & non-smoking environment NDG's Best Kept Secret... which went viral,” Cotler said. “The conference unanimously adopted the Ottawa protocol to com- Call Elaine 514-344-8496 bat anti-Semitism—130 parliamentarians from 50 APARTMENTS FOR RENT countries across the world adopted this protocol.We now want to get governments to endorse it,” ex- DORVAL plained Cotler, who works on this issue interna- A bright, clean 4½ in an extremely well maintained tionally. “The prime minister who gave a great elevator building, heated. 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It didn’t tell us.” OPTOMETRISTS Since 1956 RENOVATED APARTMENTS! Granite Lacroix Inc. Dr. H. Bergman is well- Manufacturing monuments for three generations known for his thorough Senior friendly building! eye exam and personal ap- Our craftsmen are well-known for the ability and proach. N 11/2, 41/2, 51/2 care they take to personalize your monument. • Laboratory on Site • Great Choice N 24 hour doorman Our Services • Personalized Service N Security cameras • Delivery across Quebec New low vision aids now • Engraving, cleaning, restorations Harold available perfect for people di- N • Porcelain photos and ornaments agnosed with AMD/glaucoma Outdoor pool, sauna Bergman • Free consultation in your home & Associates Discount N Indoor parking available • Interior and exterior showroom OPEN to all our N Appliances / dishwasher • Member of the Association des Détaillants 10 % Senior Clients MON. –FRI. de Monuments du Québec 9 AM – 6 PM Valid until May 31th, 2011 1735 boul. des Laurentides,Vimont, Laval 514-488-6391 514-481-2912 (450) 669-7467 5510 Monkland (at Girouard) Villa Maria www.granitelacroix.com 8 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES Monograms? Your initial instinct might be right AGINGANDMEMORY sense of humour: desk fans (You’re fantastic, or I’m your fan), crumb sweepers (Thanks for being Smart Shopping there to help pick up the pieces), salt and pepper SENIORADULT Sandra Phillips shakers (You’re a mover and a shaker). Lettering can be done in Russian, Hungarian, PARTICIPANTS Vietnamese, Hebrew and Yiddish, and ask about How can you pick a special gift for Mother’s Day the hatch style of inscriptions, which is very (or grads, or weddings) that the recipient knows elegant. There are also plaques, awards, trophies, NEEDED was chosen just for them? Nothing says special like pens, nameplates, lamination, framing and family For a study assessing spatial memory having an item personalized or monogrammed. trees, or bring in objects bought elsewhere. You can choose any words (“I love you Mom”) 5795 Victoria at Bourret. 514-344-9959, and even images (a bird, flower), not necessarily plaqueimpact.com. Ages: initials or names. It shows that you had to do your Creations Personelles/Centre de la Gravure is 60 to 75 years old, homework just to find a place that monograms, part of a national chain with more than 120 loca- and to choose something that you were fairly cer- tions that specialize in engraving, glass etching, right-handed tain they would like. Also, these days everyone embroidery and key cutting. The personalized Not currently on medication for mood, or sleep. seems to be wearing just about every designer gifts (90 cents a letter or $1 on glass) include No history of mental illness, neurological illness, name on their clothes—why not their own? frames, baby banks, first tooth and first curl gifts, or stroke. People might think this involves just bathrobes or BBQ tool sets, albums, gavels, hip flasks, mugs, towels, but you’d be surprised at all the hard and lighters, ID bracelets, wine glasses, knives and even Participation includes 1 to 3 visits soft things you can get monogrammed or engraved. embroidered baby and wedding blankets. Monogrammes Plus has a showroom full of A cool idea is to place a photo inside crystal. If to the laboratory of Dr. Veronique Bohbot things you can personalize—bathrobes, cosmetic you’d like a ring or watch engraved, or a nameplate at the Douglas Institute. bags, aprons, teddy bears, T-shirts, caps, towels, for work, they can do that for you, too. Fairview Visits will entail spatial memory tasks cushions, or something you’ve bought elsewhere. Pointe Claire. 514-695-3636, thingsengraved.ca. in virtual environments on a computer Call 514-695-8647 for an appointment. Are there any negative implications of giving as well as cognitive tasks. Plaque Impact has lots of heart-shaped items for monogrammed gifts? Since you know your mom Financial compensation will be offered. moms or weddings, from keychains with crystals (or the grad, or bride and groom) fairly well, you’d to a lucite glass heart, jewelry boxes with hearts, or have to be somewhat confident that they want it, If interested, please call a pocket mirror with a heart. You might like the since there’s no returning this sort of item. Kyoko Konishi at idea of Mom drinking her coffee every morning Also, if it is an item to be worn or used outside in a mug that has a personal greeting from you. the house, the person would have to be comfort- 514-761-6131 ext.3408 Their ideas for words to engrave show a great able having their initials or name exposed.

www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 9 THE SENIOR TIMES FREE EVALUATION! is is the time of cellular division, Baby Boomers! when gardeners are godlike Thinking about selling your p roper ty and m oving to a rental or reti rement complex? I can help! C.J. MacNaughton those pop bottles. Even when they’re not absolutely necessary, they are a Stress free and worry free service! I am proud Come February, pre-spring fever great kindness and your plants will of my 10 years of excellence in real estate. sets in. If you’re a gardener, you thank you with higher yields. With you, for you! Honest and courteous services! know what I mean. You can still order seeds from one Na tasha and her m other Guaranteed! It’s time to drool over seed-com- of Quebec and western ’s Natasha Laurin 514 996 2894 Yaaelel PPinin to 514 924 2646 pany catalogs, review last year’s notes many fine organic seed companies. nlaurin@sut ton.com yael@londonog rou p.com and ponder just how many potatoes Look some of them up before you A dynamic team of real estate brokers at your se rvice 2 4/7 Groupe Sut ton Cent re Ouest can grow in a burlap bag on the bal- waltz into a big-box store to buy cony. By late April, spring fever turns treated seeds. A great place to start is into full-blown madness. Many of the resource list at Seeds of Diversity, the babies are sprouting—a re- seeds.ca. minder, along with the crocuses, that There is some bad news. The cardi- spring is in the air. nal rule for pruning is: If it flowers Ah springtime! The earth is full of late, doesn’t flower and doesn’t run promise and, in my case, compost. sap, prune in your mittens. Now that For many gardeners, this is the most we’re mitten-free, if you’ve not special time—more so than the glo- pruned your ornamental trees ries of harvest. This cellular division (maples excepted, of course), late- is as close as most of us get to being blooming shrubs, many broadleaved a god ... or a botanist. Every day our evergreens, and roses, you missed the Working hours: Languages: French, English hands, like deus ex machina, pinch a best window. You might need to go Monday to Friday little here, water a little there and easy for the year. That said, this is 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Intensive courses, 40 hours: $250 then magically, the sprouts have gardening, many plants are forgiving For additional information and Mondays to Thursdays grown just that little bit more. It’s in- a complete list of our offerings, toxicating. please visit our web site May 1 to May 30 - 6:00 to 8:30 pm In just a few weeks’ time, well-es- The squirrels got or contact us. June 1 to June 21 - 9:00 am to 12:20 pm tablished seedlings will be ready to six watermelons. 10% discount for 60+ ATWATER plant outside. Canadian wisdom ad- We humans got one. Registration online available vises waiting till Victoria Day. You www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/ctd can cheat wisdom, though, with cloches and cold frames, glass or and I choose to have faith in them. I plastic windbreaks that protect ten- break the cardinal rule, especially der seedlings—a mini-greenhouse, with roses. I have been forgiven really. For many years, I had a few many times. gorgeous Victorian cloches—they No amount of cloches and care will were made of heavy clear glass help if you don’t have decent soil. If shaped like bells to be placed over the you didn’t do it in the fall, now is the plants. An abundant modern-day time to amend it. version (not to mention free, if you Sandy soil, clay or loam; the best don’t mind rifling through the amendment is compost. neighbour’s recycling) might be a I don’t fertilize at all. Ever. A couple clear plastic pop bottle or milk jug of inches of compost takes care of it. with one end lopped off and placed My preferred M.O. would be a com- over a cucumber plant or some such poster, but I don’t have the space. In- creature. Push it into the soil just stead, I buy compost from Compost enough to be stable and you’ll have a Montréal, a company that collects protective berth that will give you a kitchen scrap and diverts it from few extra weeks in the ground. landfill. If you are a client, you get a In Montreal, that extra time can free dump of compost in the spring. buy you beds of colourful annuals Otherwise, you can buy it. Store- without springing for flats at the gar- bought bags of mushroom, manure den centre, or buy you watermelons or sea life are all just fine. If you know by August. We did a small, reliable a cattle farmer or a zookeeper, even watermelon cultivar called Blacktail better—well-rotted manure is out- Mountain last year—prolific and de- standing. Triple mix is all right if it’s licious but mostly for the squirrels. all you can get, but lay off on top soil They got six watermelons. We hu- and straight-up peat. mans got one. Your pop bottles will Peat is a wonder to use—acidic and even let you sow notoriously tender absorbent. I love it, but I’ve given it beasts like basil a bit early. up, as gardeners’ zeal, including my If you’re concerned that it’s too late own, has caused widespread deple- for seeds, don’t be. A very few long- tion of peat bogs. Why try to emulate season vegetables and annuals might nature if you’re destroying it else- be off the list, but many prefer to be where? sown directly into their beds. Root My first rule of gardening is, like vegetables are a great example. They the Buddha’s: Do no harm. That said, can go straight in now, and crack out go forth and multiply. 10 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES Innovation, experimentation are Victoriaville festival buzzwords Irwin Block * Improvising pianist Paul Plimley Special to The Senior Times returns from Vancouver for a solo concert May 20, 1pm. VICTORIAVILLE – The celebration * Electric guitarist Nels Cline im- of new, innovative and experimen- provises with special effects as Nor- tal music known as Victo is back, man Wisdom paints on a constantly and the lineup should draw fans evolving canvas May 20, 8pm. from across North America to this * The cream of Montreal improv quiet town halfway between Drum- musicians—including Jean Derome, mondville and Quebec City. Lori Freedman, and Tom Walsh— The full title is Festival interna- join forces in the Ratchet Orchestra tionale de musique actuelle de Victo- May 21, 3pm. riaville—the 27th edition of this * German saxophonist Peter Brötz- premiere showcase of free jazz, elec- mann in a trio May 21, 10pm. tro-acoustic, avant-rock, Noise and * U.S. saxophonist Anthony Brax- you-name-it genres, and it starts May ton, with trumpeter Taylor Ho 19 with 20 concerts over four days. Bynum and guitarist Mary Halvor- This year’s lineup, according to artis- son in a septet May 21, 10pm. tic director Michelle Levasseur,reflects * Saxophonist Peter Brötzmann a return to the festival’s roots, with solo May 22, 1pm. more international artists than last * Dutch viola player Ig Henneman year’s more Quebec-focused roster. leads her euro-improv sextet with Attractive package deals—$107 for clarinetist Lori Freedman and pianist hotel, double occupancy, breakfast, Marilyn Lerner May 22, 8pm. and two evening shows—are avail- General info: 888-758-9451 able. It’s the highlight of my spring. Package info: 866-969-0533 Here are some highlights: Ticket info: 819-752-7912 * The Ex & Brass Unbound unites the Dutch avant-punk group with At right, images from the jazzy-blowers Ken Vandermark and Victoriaville festival program Mats Gustafson (saxophones), Wal- covers and t-shirts through ter Wierbos (trombone), Roy Paci the years (clockwise from top):

(trumpet) May 19, 10pm. 1989, 2000, 2006, 2003. Photos courtesy of Festival internationale de musique actuelle de Victoriaville

www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 11 THE SENIOR TIMES A glance at what each federal party is promising Canadian seniors Liberal Party Conservative Party Bloc Québécois Green Party

I Gradual increase in the I Increase the guaranteed I Gradually double the I Increase guaranteed in- I Enhance CPP by dou- defined benefits of Canada income supplement benefits Canada and Quebec pension come supplement by a mini- bling target income replace- Pension Plan. by up to $600 for singles and plans. mum of $110 a month. ment rate to 50% of income. I A new, voluntary pen- $840 for couples. I Amend bankruptcy leg- I Make those over 65 qual- I Increase GIS by 25%. sion supplement, the secure I Amend the Criminal islation so pensioners and ify automatically for GIS. I Ensure secure pensions. retirement option, allowing Code to add vulnerability be- those on long-term disability I Increase family income I Stop elder abuse. an additional five to 10 per cause of age as an aggravat- become priority creditors. allowable under GIS. I Creation of a stranded cent of pay to be put into a ing factor when sentencing I Add $700 million annu- I Measures to encourage pension agency So workers secure retirement fund those who commit crimes ally to the guaranteed in- phased retirement. can transfer pension into the backed by the CPP, with the against seniors. come supplement. CPP if an employer goes same limits as RRSPs. I Prohibit federally regu- I Amend the Criminal bankrupt. I A $700-million annual lated employers from setting Code to increase penalties on I Greater protection for increase in the guaranteed a mandatory retirement age. those who prey on seniors. those on long-term disability income supplement. if the insurer goes bankrupt. Afro-Canadian voices come through loud and clear Tickling the ivories Music lovers are invited to the In- Everybody up. Off the couch. conference where participants sit and ternational Musical Competition, Since Mama Done Got Off the listen to panelists, Since Mama Done where 24 pianists from around the Couch is an interactive conference Got Off the Couch encourages dis- world will compete this month. discussing the evolution of Afro- cussion through panel and Q&A ses- Canada has the most entrants, with Canadian theatre. sions as well as workshops and meet four—including one from Quebec. Guests include such acclaimed and greets. Radio-Canada will be broadcasting artists as Amiri Baraka (aka LeRoi Since Mama Done Got Off the the coverage on its website for those Jones, Dutchman), George Boyd (Wade Couch is presented by the Black The- unable to attend the competition. in the Water) and George Elliott Clarke atre Workshop and Concordia Uni- Quarter-final, May 24-26; semi- (Whylah Falls), exploring how the versity. final, May 27-28; final May 31-June Canadian voice was shaped by Amer- May 27, 28. $40-$50. 514-932-1104 1; gala concert and awards ceremony Photo: David Sasaki Amiri Baraka addresses a Malcom X ican and Caribbean influences. x 226, boxoffice@blacktheatrework June 3. $5-$10 per session, packages Festival in California in 2007. Rather than simply attending a shop.ca. available. concoursmontreal.ca.

A STRONG ECONOMY = ON MAY 2, THE CHOICE IS CLEAR $ 300,000,000 TO HELP SENIORS

3 Supporting family caregivers 3 Increasing the Age Credit 3 Spliting your pension income for tax purposes MAURICE AGOP RODOLPHE BROSSARD EVEREKLIAN HUSNY 3 Better housing for low-income seniors Brossard-Laprairie Pierrefonds-Dollard Outremont www.mauricebrossard.ca www.goagop.ca www.rodolphe.ca 3 Top-up benefit to the Guaranteed Income Supplement 3 Increasing the amount GIS recipients can earn HERE FOR 3 $ 500 in Adult Fitness Tax Credit SENIORS

SVETLANA JIMMY SAULIE LITVIN YU ZAJDEL Saint-Laurent - Cartierville LaSalle - Émard Mont-Royal www.svetlana2011.ca www.jimmyyu.com www.sauliezajdel.ca Authorised by the official agents of Maurice Brossard, Agop Evereklian, Rodolphe Hu sny, Svetlana Litvin, Jimmy Yu and Saulie ajdel 12 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES Mothers and children shouldn’t expect if they don’t respect When you were a child,your mother always exercised his financial obliga- vide support. The judge refused to (and father) had a duty to act for you, Legal Ease tions. Her attitude toward him bor- override the obligation as there was fight for you,manage everything for dered on ingratitude and given the no provision in the law on which he you, keep you safe, support you, su- Joyce Blond circumstances, the judge refused her could base himself to accept such a pervise and educate you. Frank request to obtain support from him. defense. Failure of the parent to prop- She had authority over you.You had B.A., B.C.L., LL.M. A child’s right to parental support erly care for and provide a healthy a duty to respect her. When the child can continue into adulthood. His home for the child was not consid- reaches adulthood, what changes? By refusing to communicate with her, duty of respect lasts a lifetime and ered a justifiable reason for refusing What are her obligations toward you he had failed to exercise that obliga- the courts have used ingratitude as a the support. Unworthiness was not a and you toward her? You still have an tion and she therefore had no obliga- reason to refuse or reduce the sup- defense to a request for support by a obligation to respect her and, if there tion to contribute toward his needs. port it orders the parent to pay. An parent to a child. In another case, is need, you may have an obligation In a similar case, a 19-year-old stu- adult child may also have a financial however, support was refused where to support her. She may have an obli- dent left his mother’s house before obligation toward his parent. There the parent had been violent and gation to contribute toward your graduation on the ground that she are cases where the courts have or- made life a living hell for the child. support, as well. In either case, it is was too strict. He moved in with a dered a child to pay support to a par- Our law creates an obligation of sup- real need that will be considered relative. He refused to communicate ent or to house and feed the parent port between parents and children rather than the standard of living to- with his mother and asked the courts in fulfillment of that obligation. In and between spouses; it does not pro- ward which either of you may aspire. to order her to pay support while he one such instance, a mother had vide for mutual support between sib- However, as an adult, your duty to worked toward a diploma. The wasted a lump sum granted at the lings or between other members of an respect your parents and their obli- mother had sufficient revenue to time of her divorce. The judge held extended family.The legal system does gation to contribute toward your ex- contribute to her son’s income. How- she was capable of working but could not concern itself with love, but we penses may be intertwined! ever, the judge considered his behav- not be left destitute and ordered her know that parents and children often Oscar Wilde said:“Children begin by iour toward her deplorable and in children to support her for a limited support each other, not because the loving their parents, after a time they violation of his obligation to show time so that she could find a job. law requires them to, but out of love. judge them, rarely,if ever, do they for- her respect. Consequently, the In another case, the children used And that’s what Mother’s Day is all give them.”Now, more than a century amount she was ordered to give was the behaviour of a parent toward about—an expression of love for later,when we look at the case law, this minimal and would be annulled at them as grounds for refusing to pro- one’s mother. quote seems to apply both ways. such time as her son ceased pursuing Recently, a judge of the Superior his studies on a full-time basis. Court of Quebec said a mother no In one case, a university student longer needed to help support her took the separation of her parents 20-year-old son, a student with badly and unilaterally severed all re- whom she had had no contact for lations with her father. When she more than six years. The judge took claimed support from both parents, into account the son’s real needs the judge held that, although her be- rather than the standard of living to haviour toward her father might have which he aspired and said that al- been understandable for a certain though it is true the mother had an period of time following the separa- obligation of support toward her son, tion, it no longer was. Her father had he had a moral obligation toward her. made an effort to reconcile and had

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www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 13 THE SENIOR TIMES Politicians can be great patchkers, but it’s best left to making coffee Patchke: (patsh-keh) Yiddish for best. Coffee is best with pi.” Reubens but, once inspired, adapted fooling around or making a mess of 3.Tobrew the coffee,I use a Neapoli- freely. things, often used in the negative, as tan coffee maker.I boil the water,mak- Politicians can also be excellent in: Don’t patchke with this recipe. Flavour Guy ing sure to remove it patchkers. Jack Layton Well, I am a patchker. If there were Barry Lazar from the heat at 200F, strikes me as a patchke a Patchkes Anonymous, I’d be their more than that and the guy. Stephen Harper, not poster boy. “It’s been three weeks coffee is bitter.I pour the so much. Montreal Mayor since my last patchke ...” dark roast with hints of chocolate, water into one compart- Gérald Tremblay seems to For example, this is how I make hazelnut, 25-year-old cognac and ment and ground coffee be continually making a coffee: berri-berri.” Since I am a patchker, I goes in another above patchke. 1. I spend a half hour at a specialty buy two kinds of beans and do the that. I invert the coffee Back in the kitchen, store deciding which beans to buy: blending myself. maker and the coffee patchke rules. Each dish I Columbian, Sumatran, dark roast, 2. I grind them at home, always drips through. It can make can be improved. Photo: CSant, Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia CSant, Photo: mild. The more elaborate the de- shifting the grinding wheel minimally take a while before I get I grind at home And who knows precisely scription, the better: “Harvested at above or below the previous setting, to drink it. and use a Neapolitan what is in it? Certainly not dawn by Micronesian women using searching for that perfect abrasion: Here is how my wife coffee maker. me. So, if you come to my only the index and ring fingers of the “See, the grinder recommends I set it makes coffee: house for dinner, don’t ask right hand. A succulent, morbidly at 3.2, but I find that 3.14159 works 1. Buy a large container of Maxwell for the recipe. Unless you, of course, House all-purpose grind. plan to patchke. 2. Boil water. A simple, great steak Ea tCooki es.Los eWeigh t. 3. Make coffee. Ask your butcher for a well- Anyone can do that! trimmed bavette or flank steak. Get TM It’sThatSi mple What she does not realize is that the a larger portion than you will want patchker aspires not merely to make to eat. This makes great steak sand- something better, but to personalize wiches the next day. Rub the meat Smart For Life is the best of all the cookie diets! Mostly organic heart healthy it. Great taste is a by-product of pro- with salt and pepper and whatever and the most protein, which means the most appetite suppression! Lose 10-15 found inspiration. Anyone can fol- herbs and spices you like—this is pounds per month. We have delicious cookies, plus banana, and cranberry low a recipe, but the patchker The Patchke Factor—I like finely muffins, and granola. Also our special amazing tasting hunger-control drinks! understands that a recipe only indi- chopped garlic; others add thyme Get Healthy! Get Fit! Get Smart for Life! cates the right direction and requires oregano chili flakes, etc. Rub both 6525 Decarie Blvd. 514-489-8840 constant adaptation, as in “The sides with olive oil. Cover the plate * Res ult s m ay v ar y. Happy Mother’s Day from Smart for life! recipe calls for onions but I use shal- and leave it on the counter for an lots and just a dash of truffle oil.” hour or overnight in the refrigerator. Think of a patchker as the kitchen Make sure it is at room temperature GPS, constantly recalculating. before you cook it. Patchke also implies that there are Cook on a very hot grill for about too many things to do, as in this three minutes a side. Leave it on a Wikipedian example: I wanted to warm platter for five minutes before make candied orange peel, but to be serving. totally honest, this recipe is sort of a Advanced patchking: Heat a pita “patchke” already, what with all the over the grill while the steak is rest- zesting and juicing and orange-sugar ing. Slather the warm pita with garlic glazing, so I scrapped that ambition. mayo (add crushed garlic and a ta- Clearly, this person is not a blespoon of olive oil to a half cup of patchker. A true patchker would mayonnaise and maybe some finely consider more zesting, maybe grape- chopped parsley or a little cayenne or fruit and orange; and, if one citrus is Dijon mustard or .... you get the good, why not three? idea) and mix well. Patchking guarantees the unique- Spread some on the pita and put ness of a dish. I might start with the the steak on top. Joy of Cooking or Second Helpings, Barry Lazar is the flavourguy. You even as Picasso, an obvious a master can reach him at flavourguy@these- of patchke, studied Rembrandt and niortimes.com

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Hungry? There’s an app for that. Created by the people behind Gourmet and Bon Appetit magazines, Epicurious.com has an app that provides not just the recipes—it gives you a shopping list as well. The website features articles and dishes to please the most discerning palate. Chow.com is the go-to site for foodies every- where. Whether it’s a video showing you how to use string to trim a rack of lamb (just like the butcher!) or a recipe for lemon ricotta pancakes, there’s a wealth of kitchen tricks at your fingertips. They’ll even show you how to open a beer bottle

with a carabiner. Spivack Stuart Photo: Not sure where to eat while on vacation? Look- Mmmm. Nothing says trailer-park entrée like good old ing for a particular type of restaurant or ingredi- mac’n’cheese with a side of fries. ent? Hop over to the boards at companion site Chowhound.com, where members will be happy suggest the perfect dining adventure. to point you in the right restaurant direction or Need to stretch those leftovers? Looking for the perfect trailer-park entrée? Senior’s Special Come on over to the place where “gourmet” is a before 7pm bad word—a trashy eats blog (http://trashy- Happy Mother’s eats.livejournal.com). Unabashedly low brow, the Day to all our community revels in being “lusciously low rent.” Grand Mothers & Mothers Happy Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers! FREE & EASY PARKING WE DELIVER Mother’s Day TABLE D’HÔTE: 2 FOR RESTAURANT to all Mothers including Soup or Salad $ * and Main Course (Choice of 12) tea or coffee 28 Grand Mothers! 5625 Decarie 514-737-CASA (2272) SOUVLAKI www.casalinga.ca A warm Greek experience

A taste of Portugal at your doorstep FREE & EASY PARKING WE Mon–Sat:DELIVER noon–10 pm • Sun: 4 pm–10 pm FREE & EASY PARKING WINE AT THE $ WE 0 D0 ELIVER 2 TABLE D’HOTE FOR 2 PEOPLE AT 25148. 227-0505 • 514 227-0606 PRICE OF $ 00 2 TABLE D’HOTE FOR 2 PEOPLE AT 28. TUSCANY GRILL including So+up $ 7or Salad 6544 Somerled including Soup or Salad Healthy & FreshMain Italian Course (Ch Cuisineoice of 12) tea or co ffee Main CouVraslied u(Cnthil o Mica erc ho f1 512) tea or co ffee Happy562 Mothers5 Decarie, M Day!ontVraelaid l unti5l M14a -r7c3h 71-5 CASA (2272) Sun. - Thurs. See our specials and win a discount by going to ww w.casalinga.ca SPECIAL 5625 Decarie, Mont real 514-737-CASA (2272) 11 am - 11 pm MENU See our s2pecials $ and win a discount by going to ww w.casalinga.ca Fri. - Sat. Sun.-Thurs. FOR 11 am - midnight 4 pm - 10 pm 25 Catering available for every occasion! ◆◆◆◆ Happy Mother’s Day Charcoal grilled meats & seafood 10% Discount on take out orders à la carte menu Dining room • Take-out service • Catering 5525 Cote St-Luc Rd, C.S.L. to all Mothers & 1970 Graham, 514-484-7525 Grandmothers! Mount-Royal with this coupon from the FOR TAKEOUT 514.504.5110 & RESERVATIONS: (corner Kindersley) à la carte menu. Dinning Room only. 5365 des Jockeys www.galogrill.ca 10% Discount Not valid on holidays. Expires May 31/11. 514-731-6455 Decarie & Jean Talon

All Moms, Grandmoms & Bubbys celebrate Mother’s Day the La Belle’s way with complimentary flowers & sumptuous specials. Full Breakfast starting at $4.25 5:30 am to 2:00 pm Daily Early Bird Special Breakfast Mon. - Fri. $3.95 5:30 am to 9:00 am Always Enjoy our Daily Specials THE BEST IN TOWN 6752 ST. JACQUES W. 514-481-8114

16 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES Happy Cod Mother’s Day! Peter’s Cape Uncle Pete Happy Mother’s and the gang Day are waiting for you! to all our Mothers Happy Mother’s Day! 9595 & plus Grandmothers taxes 160 Ste. Anne, St. Anne-de-Bellevue (514) 457-0081 ww w.pete rsc apecod.com

JTruly ardi nAuthentic Asea Asiann Ga Tasterden • Szechuan • Dimsum • Thai • Sushi Happy Mother’s Day! Fine Mediterranean Cuisine New Sensation in N.D.G. ALL YOU CAN EAT 95 WOOD CHARCOAL GRILL Sunday - Thursday $22. 95 All Natural P roducts Friday - Saturday $25. Dining Room Only Able to c reate meals tailo red to all types of diets No artificial food or colourings FREE DELIVERY Monday - Thursday Our beautiful terrace À la Minute Cuisine Table d’Hôte 11:30 am - 2:30 pm will soon be open. Lunch & Dinner 5 pm - 10 pm Pasta, Veal, Friday - Saturday Happy Mother’s Day Saturday & Sunday Lamb, Chicken, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm to all Mothers Brunch Reservations: 514-487-8868 5 pm - 11 pm and Grand Mothers Rib Steak, Salmon & Sole 10 AM- 2 PM Sunday 5828 Sherbrooke St. W. (corner Regent) 11:30 am - 2:30 pm 6290 Somerled Closed Monday Reservations: www.aseangarden.ca 5 pm - 10 pm Tues. - Wed. 11 AM – 9 PM co rner Madison Thurs. - Fri. - Sat. - Sun. 10 AM – 10 PM 514-482-0777 Buffet Maharaja “Haute Indian Cuisine” at its finest. Winner of the "Consumers’ Choice Award" for 13 consecutive years, 1997-2010.

Seniors’ Days 60 years + Hala l Wednesdays 25% off THRE E NEW Happy 514. 934.0655 Mother’s Day! CHICKEN BROCHETTES 1481 René -Lévesque Blvd. W. FLAVOURS TERRASSE IS NOW OPEN! TH AI BROCHETTE

QUEBEC BROCHETTE

10% INDIAN BROCHETTE discount for Seniors MEDITERRANEANCUISINE&LOUNGE Happy LUNCH SPECIAL Mother’s Day! starting from $ ROOM AVAILABLE FOR PARTIES8.95 LASALLE • 8520 NEWMAN BLVD. Seniors 10% off at noon. Private Open 7 days - 11 am to midnight nd GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE RESE RVATIO N 514- 595-3535 reception area (60 people) 2 floor SC ORE S.CA 4337 Saint John’s Blvd., D.D.O. Offers valid for a lim ited time in partic ipa ting Scores rot isseries. 514-626-6455 www.sequoiarestaurant.ca Scores and the Scores logo are registered trad emarks of PDM Royalties Lim ited Partnershi p us ed under licence. ©2011 Imvescor Restaurant Group Inc. All rights reserved. www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 17 THE SENIOR TIMES FFRASERRASE-R HICKSONHICKSON “S“Specialpecial Deellivery”ivery” Websites take you behind the curtain Melani Litwack Want the latest Hollywood gossip? FFREEREE SSERVICEERVICE to thethe HHOMEOME -BBOUOUNDND The Watch With Kristin section at The Fra ser-Hickson L ibrar y con ti nues to offer i ts “specia l Ever wondered why that sitcom actor Eonline.com is where I go when I de li very” outreach ser vi ce to the ho meboun d. We offer hard- looks familiar? Want to know what want hints (known as “spoilers”) and sof t-cover boo ks in la rge p rint and reg ular pr int; boo ks o n the next Hugh Grant movie will be? about my favourite TV shows. tape and CD ; a nd DVD s. A visit to imdb.com, the Internet Captions make for a lot of laughs at The re is space ava ilable for up to 80 new customer s. You Movie Database, can answer all these roflrazzi.com. Partnered with ican- co uld be of grea t help if yo u wo uld pass on this message to questions and more. We visit this hascheezburger.com (home of the anyone w it hin the ND G and Mon tre al West a re as who might li ke th is s erv ice . website so often we turned it into a infamous LOLcats), the site features verb: “I’m just going to IMDb that pictures of various celebs with text For more i nfor mat ion, phone episode.” Favourite features include a pasted on them. Isab el a t 514-48 9-5301 trivia section, soundtrack info and The language is seldom clean and filming locations. off-colour jokes abound, but it still You can search for movies, actors, makes for some hilarious viewing. TV shows and even crew members Pictures are rated by other members (just in case you were wondering who and you have the option of making the lighting specialist was on Titanic). your own.

MoreMore thanthan 5050 CommunityCommunity LeadeLeadersrs Alexandrine Vé ronique Séba stien Annie Josiane Godin B louin, ap. Hébert, ap. Tremblay, ap. Bou cha rd, ap. Mar tel- Via u, ap. SupportSupport MartinMartin CCauauchchonon inin Outremont!Outremont!

“We, the undersigned, urge the residents of Outremont Poin te-Clai re (South West One) NEED A to vote for Martin Cauchon T 514.695.2098 Candidate of the ” Pier refonds HEAR ING (Pier refonds medi cal Cent re) T 514.684.8460 #218 Alain Stanké France Chrétien Desmarais Michel Chrétien Alex Werzberger Monica and David Berger Hudson AID ? Francis Fox (Hudson Medi cent re) André Bureau Gérard Henri Nadir Moukheiber T 514.695.2098 Aurèle Lacroix Gilbert Rozon Nicole and François Guilbert Baljit S. Chadha Paul Wilson Vil le Saint-Lau rent Hubert Colas (P lein-Ciel Clinic) Bashir Hussain Isabelle Marcoux Peter Duncan T 514.331.9559 Bernard Amyot James de la Paz Phyllis and John Rae Bernard Colas Pierre Jeanniot Ahuntsic Jean-Louis Roux T 514.331.9559 Carolina Gallo Laflêche Joey Basmaji Rahman Esmaili Charles Lapointe Julie Hardy Raymond Gameau Mont réal E st Christian Martin Kimon Valaskakis Raymond Setlakwe T 514.256.6565 Claire et Lam Chan Tho Réjeanne Wilson Rosemont Claude Léger Laurence Wilson René Malo T 514.256.6565 cliniqueaud iti ve.com Daniel Lalonde Lucie Pépin Richard Laramée Eli Woghgemuth Marc-André Fabien Strattons Stevens Elvira de Sousa Michael Banks Uzman Zey

ON MAY 2nd, WELCOME HOME! VOTE MARTIN CAUCHON! Residential Assisted Living for Seniors The Montclair Residence

• All-inclusive Meals + Care • Certified Caregivers, Nursing Staff • Up to 3 hrs of care daily • Exercise Program RENTAL APARTMEN TS • Tea Time, Activities • Visiting Physician 4760 C ôte des Neiges Road CALL NOW: 514- 737-9075 Certified by Quebec Provincial Government and Bachelor starting at $775 teaching center for McGill University & CEGEP 1 bedroom starting at $865 The Salvation Army Montclair Residence Located in proximity to many hospitals such as the Montreal General, Jewish General, and St-Mary's. is property has a caring and attentive For further information, please call on-site sta€ who are concerned with the well being of residents Vicky Stewart 514-481 -5638 (710) Ask about our special move-in bonus! 4413 Montclair Ave., Montreal (NDG) H4B 2J4 Owned and operated by The Salvation Army Email us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.caprent.com 18 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES Food, milk and an afternoon of bowling keep volunteers on their toes

Generations Share the Warmth Here at Sun Youth Natalie Bercovici Judy Stevens Nicolas Carpentier

I recall as a child in grade school eyeing the milk It’s time for Share the Warmth’s Table of Hope, Last month, SunYouth organized an event for its bottles over in the corner of the classroom as I where you can taste the finest from Montreal’s regular volunteers: an afternoon of bowling. waited with dire thirst for the moment to savour culinary community. After a delicious buffet and dessert, the many a bottle of soothing and refreshing milk. The event takes place at the Fairmont Queen Sun Youth volunteers took on the alleys of Darling I often did not have any patience to sit down to Elizabeth Hotel and features entertainment, a Bowling in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, all hoping to eat breakfast, as food was not a priority for me. I silent auction and prize table, plus an after-hours bowl a 300 game. No one managed to reach that was the last of four children and my mother was an nightclub. score, but these volunteers are all winners! excellent self-taught cook by the time I was born, Monday, May 9, at 6:30 pm (patron’s cocktail Sun Youth would not have become what it is so no one starved in our family. Food was readily 5pm). Tickets are $125, general admission, and without their involvement. available. I simply did not feel like eating early in $200 including the patron’s cocktail party). Visit It would never have existed had it not been for the morning. Once or twice, I fainted at my desk! tableofhope.ca or call 514-933-5599 for informa- co-founders Earl De La Perralle and Sid Stevens, As a mother and grandmother, I am ecstatic to tion or to buy tickets. who, in 1954, used their spare time to create a be part of the Generations Foundation family, an Next up is the Sam Pelc Scholarship Awards cel- handwritten newspaper to raise profits for organ- organization dedicated to “equalling the playing ebration on Friday, June 3. izing sports activities and purchasing equipment field” to ensure that children are eating a proper So far, we have 34 scholarship students and will for youth in their neighbourhood. breakfast or a hot lunch at school along with a be welcoming 10 new students into the program. “The success of Sun Youth Organization, and generous portion of milk. Concerned individuals Each student receives $500 a year for educational many other organizations, hinges on the support are astonished to learn that even in Montreal, chil- needs. we receive from volunteers,”Stevens says.“It’s im- dren are going to school hungry. These students will receive funding for each of possible to put a dollar figure on the amount of Due to difficult economic times, the “nouveau their high school years as long as they keep their time that volunteers contribute every year.” pauvre” or the middle-class are experiencing grades at an acceptable level. The best way to ensure these volunteers stay on problems not apparent at first glance. A meal sup- All students receive the award after graduating board is to take good care of them. This was the plied by Generations Foundation may be the only Grade 6. A contract is signed between the parent, ultimate goal of the bowling activity. In addition one of the day because access to government student and Share the Warmth in which all par- to door prizes and gifts for the best bowlers, they sponsored meals are limited. ties agree that the student will go for tutoring if had the afternoon off, a well-deserved reward for generationsfoundation.com, 514-933-8585. his or her grades slip. all their hard work!

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www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 19 THE SENIOR TIMES Beware: your pension might not be sufficient Companies prefer defined contribution plans be- FA friendlyoyer homey Valiquette environment for seniors 1534 Valiquette cause employers aren’t required to pay fixed bene- Verdun Financial Fitnes fits when investments perform poorly, as is the case with defined benefit plans. This shifts risk from the Happy Mother’s Day to all Deborah Leahy employer to the employee. For example, those who our Moms & GrandMoms! choose a growth option that invests largely in equi- • 24 hour Supervised Care • Doctor Visits ties could suffer if the stock market has a few down • Well-balanced Meals • Social Activities We all want financial security when we retire, years immediately before they retire. • Rooms • Outdoor Garden Activities and many Canadians are counting on employer Even defined benefit plans have risks. Many of Dian 514-768-0739 pension plans to provide that security. But these plans are underfunded and could fail to meet there’s a growing possibility that your pension obligations to employees. This can be because of won’t provide the income you need. poor investment returns or the employer’s inabil- There is a trend toward defined contribution ity to make contributions. pension plans. These are registered pension plans How can you protect yourself from the possibil- that specify the employee and employer contribu- ity of less pension income than you’ll need? The tions, but not the amount the employee will re- best strategy is to have other sources of income. ceive at retirement. Payout amounts from these Registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs): If plans are based on the returns earned by their in- you belong to a pension plan, your yearly RRSP vestments. If the investments perform well, you contribution room will be reduced by a pension could have more income than you expect; if they adjustment. However, you may still be able to underperform, you could be left short. build considerable RRSP wealth before retirement. Defined benefit pension plans are different from That wealth can provide additional income. defined contribution plans. In a defined benefit Tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs): Consider plan, the employee knows, in advance, how much taking advantage of TFSAs, which can provide you will be paid out at retirement, and contributions are with tax-free income during retirement. Every based on the employee’s salary and length of serv- Canadian age 18 or older can contribute up to ice. Defined benefit plans were once the norm in $5,000 per year. Canada. However, most new pension plans are of Non-registered investments: If you have used the defined contribution type, and many existing your available RRSP and TFSA contribution defined benefit plans are being converted. room, consider holding your investments in a tax- Members of defined contribution plans can usu- able investment account. Although your invest- ally choose how to invest their contributions. Par- ment income is taxable, capital gains and ticipants are provided with tax-sheltered options dividends from certain Canadian companies may ranging from conservative to higher growth. Their provide you with some tax advantages. Remem- contributions are pooled with those of other plan ber, however, that dividends can be increased, de- members and invested by professionals. creased or eliminated at any point without notice. Consult with your financial adviser to deter- mine whether your pension will provide the re- tirement income you need. Weekend brunch from 10am to 3pm Deborah Leahy is an investment adviser with Lynda Pitt-Taylor BSW info 514-439-3190 Edward Jones, specializing in assisting seniors. Geriatric consultant - Seniors’ accommodations - Home care - Respite care - Case management Tel: 514-939-7247 Fax: 514-939-2699 - Alzheimer’s expertise E C T N N I O N C O S Free initial consultation JOYCE BLOND FRANK B.A., B.C.L., LL.M. Avocat-Attorney 514-369-2185 S S E R R V I O 877-878-6676 I C N E S F O R S E connections servicesfor seniors.com Family and Elder Law

1310 Greene Ave. Suite 660 Men and Women Westmount with Type 2 Diabetes Would you like to … The McGill University Health Centre is recruiting men HOME and women with type 2 diabetes for the study of blood TECHNOLOGY • VISIT your GRAND- glucose levels and the state of protein in the body. CHILDREN in another city, Annual Resource Directory HANDYMAN by “live” video, on your IF YOU ARE: & Répertoire des ressources DENIS KANDEL (a senior) computer or television? • < 65 years of age with type 2 diabetes • Have no other major health problems 514-447-9063 or • Enjoy movies & TV • Are willing to stay at the Clinical Investigation www.KandelTech.ca programs WHENEVER you wish to watch them Unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital for 7 days Pleased to help with your … (often commercial-free) • COMPUTER, LAPTOP, Principal Investigator: Réjeanne Gougeon, PhD PRINTER, CAMERA etc. on your TELEVISION, McGill Nutrition and Food Science Centre • SOUND, TELEVISION, WEB-TV, NOT your computer? Royal Victoria Hospital NETFLIX TM • Watch conveniently Length of study: 12 days • NETWORK & Wi-FiTM from any source: For more information please contact Video phone (SkypeTM) regular TV, your the Research Coordinators, Connie Nardolillo • PROGRAM and WEBSITE computer, DVD player, or Cherise Labonté at 514-843-1665 Installation, etc. or your old VCR? 20 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES Writs and hustings and exploring the lex of electile dysfunctionality The writ was dropped March 26,and Another word that only appears to the OED, the original sense of to paraphrase Lady Bracknell in The during an election is “hustings,” and Tory,“In the 17th century, [was] one Importance of Being Earnest: “To as we know, candidates are prone to of the dispossessed Irish, who be- drop one writ may be regarded as The Word Nerd hitting them during campaigns. The came outlaws, subsisting by plunder- unfortunate, to drop two in five Howard Richler Canadian Oxford Dictionary defines ing and killing the English settlers years looks like carelessness.” “hustings” as “The political cam- and soldiers.”Lest you find this anti- Actually,no writ is dropped; writs of paigning leading up to an election, Irish, you can take small comfort election are issued, and the sense of suppose that the term has something e.g., canvassing votes and making from knowing that the OED points drop is idiomatic, as in “drop a line.” to do with the verb “to ride,”but such speeches.” The word was originally out that within a decade the word’s Another dropped item is your bal- is not the case. Until 1974, Yorkshire rendered in the singular and literally banditry label was extended to other lot, and when you cast it, you are et- was divided for administrative pur- means “house thing,” but “thing” races, such as Scottish Highlanders. ymologically dropping the ball, as we poses into three ridings and the key originally had the sense of “meeting” It quickly became a term to refer to borrowed the word from the Italian word here is “three.”The word riding or “assembly,” and these council any Irish Papist and by the middle of ballotta, “little ball.” In days of yore, came into English in the 15th century meetings would be called by a lord or the 17th century, the word was often people often voted by dropping little from Old Norse thrithjungr, “third king and attended by his particular used by British commentators as a balls into a receptacle. The first OED part” and was originally rendered in “house.” Over time, “husting” ac- synonym for “bandit.” Through a citation of the word in 1561 states: English as “trithing.” quired other specific meanings, such process of major political flip-flop- “Boxes into whiche if he wyll, he may Just as “riding” is not connected to as a court of law in the Guildhall in ping over the years, this term origi- let fall his ballot, that no man can “ride,” the word candidate is not re- London and a platform on which nally referring to brigands came to perceiue hym.” Related to “ballot” is lated to the candid nature of those candidates stood to address the elec- refer to those who vigorously sup- the idea that since a white ball often seeking office. If candidates were ety- torate. In the 20th century, “hus- ported the crown. meant a “yes” vote and a black ball mologically correct, they would wear tings” has come to refer to the Now that you’re lexically prepared, designated a “no” vote, the term white clothes,as the word derives from general hullabaloo created during an don’t neglect to follow the dropping blackball came to refer to exclusion the Latin candidatus, “dressed in election campaign. of the writ and vote for the candidate from a club in the late 18th century. white.”In ancient Rome it was the cus- By the way, if you happen to believe in your riding by dropping the ball Only in Canada is an electoral dis- tom for those standing for election in that politicians are crooks, it might for the party who might be Tory, but trict referred to as a riding, but we the Senate to don white togas, proba- be because you somehow intuited hopefully doesn’t harbour bandits. have to look to Yorkshire, England, for bly in an attempt to convince the pop- that etymologically the word “Tory” Richler’s latest book is Strange Bed- the word’s provenance. One would ulace they were as pure as snow. is associated with thievery. According fellows: The Private Lives of Words. Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. (Don’t forget Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8)

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www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 21 THE SENIOR TIMES Quebec on top for affordability The years between 2000 and 2010 mark the most dramatic increase in the median price of single family Real Estate dwellings in Quebec compared to Realities A great place to live, in a perfect location the 1980s and 1990s. Daniel Smyth The median price of homes in Que- bec increased by 122 per cent, but in cities, prices increased by 159 per dwelling is becoming less important cent (Quebec City), 133 per cent in the total Montreal market. Going (Montreal) and 131 per cent back to the year 2000, homes repre- (Gatineau). Increases were somewhat sented about 43 per cent of the total less inSherbrooke, 117 per cent; number of sales transactions in Saguenay, 111 per cent; Trois Riv- Montreal. By the year 2010, this pro- • Prof ess ional hea lth ca re pers onn el 24 hou rs per day ières, 96 per cent; Shawinigan, 74 per portion reduced to 31 per cent. • Sta te-of-t he- art sm oke alarm and sprinkler system cent; and Baie-Comeau, 40 per cent. Condominiums in 2010 represented • Spa cious mai n l oun ges and attr act ive outd oor pat io Tocompare decades in Quebec, one the largest percentage of total sale must utilize the average sale price. transactions in Montreal, comprising • Lar ge el egant di ni ng room an d b ar For example, in the 1980s, prices in- 45 per cent of the market. The plex • Clo se to shoppi ng, lib rar y an d r ecr eat ion creased by 107 per cent and during market has changed little. In 2000, • All-i nclus ive se rvices fr om $ 1850 pe r m onth the 1990s, prices grew by only 10 per plex sales represented 27 per cent of cent. It is interesting to see that infla- the market, but in 2010, plex sales re- tion was highest in the 1980s at 77 duced to 23 per cent of the market. per cent, but considerably less (21 First-quarter results for 2011 are in, per cent) in the 1990s. Inflation and and even more change has taken average price are obviously related. place. Condos, single-family dwellings Affordability is based on property and plexes represented 52 per cent, 24 prices, income and interest rates. per cent and 23 per cent, respectively, For an appointment to view, please call According to the Desjardins afford- of the total sale transactions. They ability index, a home in 2010 is only show an expected outcome toward a 514 .93 7.39 43 slightly less affordable than in 2000. dominant Montreal condo market. Mano ir Westmo unt I nc. However, a home was more afford- In part, this demand is based on 4646 Sher broo ke Str eet West , W est mount able in 2010 than 20 years ago. first-time buyers and boomers or The average price increase between their children, who have downsized 2000 and 2010 was 123 per cent but already or looking to downsize in the in this decade it has been more com- next while. First time buyers do not mon for families to have two in- have the equity or cash to afford sin- Pre-plan your comes, the demographics increased gle-family dwellings to the same ex- own funeral! and interest rates remained relatively tent that they do for condos; an low compared to previous decades. attractive first property would natu- Complete funeral services at Inflation in this decade, at 21 per rally be a condo. The average sale the most competitive prices. cent, was offset by these factors. Mar- price of a single-family dwelling in www.complexefunerairefortin.ca Patrick Fortin President ket conditions remained tighter and Montreal in 2010 was $426,173 vs. a SERVICES OFFERED: favoured the seller more than the condo at $283,970. • Government-issued Death Certificates NOW OPEN: buyer, thus supporting higher aver- A minimum down payment on the • Quebec Pension Plan Survivors’ Benefit • Canada Pension Plan cancellation age price increases. condo ($14,198) is about two-thirds • Medicare card returned to Government The increase in the average sale of a single-family dwelling ($21,309). • Declaration of death to Government price of a single family dwelling in Considering a monthly budget, a • Funeral service with ashes in the church provinces like Alberta (140 per cent), condo makes more sense vs. a home. of your choice • Delivery of ashes to place of burial Saskatchewan (160 per cent) and The monthly payment for the condo • Traditional viewings and burials Manitoba (153 per cent) has left ($1,458 per month) would be ap- • Viewing rooms New Funeral Complex and Quebec far behind. But at the same proximately 50 per cent less than the • Chapels cremation garden in the Laurentians time, property values in Quebec have home ($2,188 per month). PRE-PLANNING 2480 Curé Labelle Blvd, Prévost been able to catch up, as it were, to As children leave and a large house • Pay in installments – no interest or other fees those in Ontario (86 per cent). Over- becomes more work, convenience • Your money is always placed in a trust account all, Quebec remains one of the most and peace of mind are more desir- • Avoid difficult decisions and expenses for your loved ones affordable provinces in Canada. able. This situation has also increased • Have your wishes and choices respected Of interest is that the single family the demand for condos. Direct Cremation starting at 895$, service with ashes at church starting at 1295$

Montreal, North Shore and South Shore ...... 514 386-9771 Tea in the 19th century Rambunctious rhyme St-Jérôme and Ste-Adèle ...... 450 432-8485 Nineteenth-century physician and Not Julius Caesar! is a tragicomic Ste-Agathe ...... 819 324-0440 American Anti-Slavery Society agent tapestry of rhyme, romance and Mont-Tremblant and St-Jovite ...... 819 681-7086 Sarah Parker Remond visits the rambunctious ruminations. Also Lachute ...... 450 566-0999 Coloured Women’s Club of Mon- full-frontal nudity and Shakespeare. Trois-Rivières ...... 819 375-8007 Louiseville ...... 819 228-6420 treal in the person of Vivian Papson. The Dawson Theatre Collective play Valleyfield, Hemmingford and Huntingdon ...... 1 888 443-3237 Papson brings her one-woman act to by Vishesh Abeyratne, Alice Abracen L’Épiphanie ...... 450 588-0899 the Spring Hat Tea May 15, 3-6pm. and Danielle Szydlowski runs May 4- L’Assomption ...... 450 589-9911 6767 Côte des Neiges. $25 in advance, 6 at 2000 Atwater. $7-12. 514-463- Everywhere in Quebec $30 at the door. 514-488-3284, 9842, [email protected] Call today for a pre-planning appointment! [email protected] Proceeds aid a village in Malawi. 22 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES Greens interested in more than biological diversity, candidate Gal says Kristine Berey CIDA staff has told NGOs to remove program with realistic, concrete solu- the words‘gender equality’ from their tions with respect to seniors, elimi- Whatever their political leanings proposal if they want a chance at nating poverty,employment, housing, many people, women in particular, funding.” In the same article, Caplan health and the environment. were disappointed that Elizabeth quotes the head of the Canadian May was excluded from the debates May’s voice was missing from the Council for International Co-opera- on the ground that the Greens have televised leaders’ debates. tion, Gerry Barr.“What we’re experi- no seat in Parliament.Yet, Gal says, in Afterward, May commented on encing here is punishment politics. terms of the popular vote, the Greens what she called “orphan issues” that Speak out against government policy are very healthy. “Nearly one million had no place during the candidates’ and risk losing your funding.” in 2008 voted Green. Compared with heated confrontation. Gal cites examples including former the Bloc Québécois, we got a similar The Senior Times asked 36-year- RCMP Chief Supt. Martin Cheliak, number of votes. They received 40 old Jessica Gal, Green Party candi- director of the Canada Firearms Pro- seats because they are concentrated in

date for N.D.G.-Lachine, what some gram and adamant supporter of the one area. This is why when the deci- Photo: of these issues were. gun registry who was removed shortly sion was made to exclude May, we say The Green’s Gal says the Harper “It’s inexcusable not to address cli- before the vote on this issue. Linda that doesn’t hold up.” government is silencing many voices. mate change in this campaign,” Gal Keen, chair of the Canadian Nuclear said in a televised interview.“It’s such Safety Commission, was fired after a serious threat to our well-being and speaking out about the safety of the WILL YO U H AVE THE R ET IR EME NT security.”Gal says The Green Party is Chalk River facility, Gal said. the only one that continues to make A three-page list of individuals or OF YOUR DREAMS? climate change a priority while it organizations defunded or termi- seems to have fallen off the agenda of nated by the Harper government in- You are invited... other parties. cludes Richard Colvin of Foreign Gal says she is concerned with the Affairs, Yves Côté, ombudsman for Whether you are living in retirement, seeming intention of the Harper gov- the Department of National Defence nearing retirement, or just beginning to Deborah Leahy ernment to silence the voices of those and the Canadian Forces, Paul think about retiring, identifying your Financial Advisor retirement dreams is the first step with Edward Jones who work in the public interest. Kennedy, chair of the RCMP Police towards achieving them! “Many civil society organizations Complaints Commission, and several that are working in areas of women’s social justice organizations. Join us for this free seminar on issues, indigenous, multicultural is- According to the list, compiled by sues and human rights are being de- former MP Dennis Gruending, the LIVING IN RETIREMENT. Kit Racette funded. The public must realize this mandate of the Status of Women has Mindfulness Therapist has been going on—the Harper gov- been changed to exclude “gender What are your dreams for retirement? ernment has been defunding hard- equality and political justice” and it What do you really want to do with the freedom from work? won rights in this country.” must ban all advocacy, policy research Will you be able to pay for your dreams? A June 2011 Globe and Mail article and lobbying, while Marie Stopes In- When: Wednesday June 1, 2011 at 7 p.m. by Gerald Caplan echoes Gal’s warn- ternational, a maternal health agency, ing:“The Canadian International De- has received a promise of “condi- Where: Clinique PsySante, 3943 St Jean Blvd, Suite 201, Dollard Des Ormeaux velopment Agency has cut funds to tional” funding if it avoids any and all RSVP: Deborah Leahy 514-684-4600 [email protected] projects in Pakistan and Kenya that connection with abortion. Your reservation before May 27 would be appreciated. were explicitly dedicated to gender Gal says the Greens are not a “one- REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED equality.In fact, hard as it is to believe, issue party” and have put together a

The War Amps From Generation to Generation

A philosophy of amputees helping amputees has been the hallmark of The War Amps Chloe is a member of The War Amps since it was founded in 1918. CHAMP Program for child amputees. RENTAL APARTMEN TS The War Amps continues to meet the needs of its war amputee members, and also operates programs such as the CHAMP Program for child amputees. CHAMP provides amputee children across Canada with financial Lanthier Royal – Pointe-Claire assistance for artificial limbs, regional seminars, peer support, 321 Lanthier, Suite 106 resources and so much more. Through CHAMP, the Association’s tradition of amputees CALL NOW: 514-418-0113 helping amputees continues. ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED IN YOUR RENT! For more information about leaving a bequest to The War Amps, please contact: 2 bedrooms starting at $1309 3 bedrooms starting at $1539 - only a few left! The War Amps     s PLANNEDGIVING WARAMPSCA s WARAMPSCA Many amenities, wonderful views, minutes to lac St-Louis & Beaconsfield Charitable Registration No. 13196 9628 RR0001 The War Amps is funded solely through donations to its Key Tag and Address Label Service, and does not receive government grants. Email us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.caprent.com www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 23 THE SENIOR TIMES WHAT’S HAPPENING St. Gabriel’s Parish • May 20 & 21 SpiritArt Horse Apr. 28 - May 29 Flea market. Fri. 9am-8pm, Sat. 9am-4pm. BlueEVENTS Metropolis • until May 1 Art by Deirdre McCay. Galerie de la Ville, 12001 2157 Centre, Point St. Charles. 13th Montreal International Literary Festival. de Salaberry. Call for hours 514-684-1012 x 298 99 Viger W. 514-937-2538 (BLEU). St. Kevin’s Church • Sun. May 29 West End Quilters Guild • April 30 & May 1 Flea market. 9am-4pm 5600 Côte des Neiges. VE Day Celebration • Sun. May 8 Quilt show. Sat. 10am–5pm & Sun. 10am-3pm, St. 2pm Veteran’s Park, Côte St. Luc. 514-485-6823 Ignatius of Loyola Church, 4455 West Broadway. St. Charles Parish • June 3 & 4 Flea market. Fri. 9am-7pm. Sat. 9am-4pm. Evening of Poetry, Prose & Music • Wed. May 11 Beaconsfield Quilters’ Guild Show • May 13-15 2115 Centre, Point St. Charles 514-932-5335 7pm. 350 Victoria. $5. 514-488-9558 Fri. 7-9pm, Sat. 10am-5pm & Sun. 10 am-3pm. 21111 Lakeshore, beaconsfieldquiltersguild.org St. Paul’s Anglican Church • Sat. June 4 Stranger in a Fresh Green World • May 20-22 Garage and bake sale 8:30am-12:30pm. Donations Weekend retreat for poetic souls with Shelley A. welcome. 377 44th Ave. Lachine. 514-634-1965 Leedahl. 498, boul. d’Youville, Île Saint-Bernard CentreBAZAARS Greene • Sat. May 7 Châteauguay. $260 for QWF members; $285 for Indoor garage sale, 10am-3pm. Tables for rent, non-members – single room (shared bath) & six $20; spaces limited. Spring cleaning? Donate to ShaareCLUBS Zedek Men’s Club • Sun. May 1 meals included. 514-933-0878 or [email protected] Centre Greene! 1090 Greene. Yom Hashoah Commemoration program with 514-931-6202 or visit centregreen.org Tom Strasser. Service at 8:45am, breakfast & lec- Poetry and prose reading • Thurs. May 26 ture 9:30. 5305 Rosedale. 514-484-1122 7pm. 3625 Aylmer. $5. 514-845-2600

MOVERS & SHAKERS To reserve your spot call: 514-484-5033 HARRISON RÉNOVATIONS Construction ROOFING Renovation SHINGLE EXPERT SERVICES IN PAVING MAINTENANCE Landscaping Serving the West Island SERVICES D’ENTRETIEN DE PAVAGE Free Estimate REPAIRS & SEALERS RENOVATIONS FOR Robin Brain, prop. All Work Guaranteed ASPHALT & UNI-STONE PO Box 46052 and Insured T 514.502.2546 Pointe-Claire QC Manny • 514-991-9075 F 514.695.0254 H9R 5R4 Piano for sale 514-538-3999 www.impermaseal.com [email protected] R.B.Q. 5588-1478-01 514-488-9003

Grimaldi P. ENOS Electronique V-Plus Electronics Renovation / Construction MOVING Antenna, Satellite, Home Theatre • Local & Long Distance All Interior & Exterior renovations Installation and Repairs, • Packing & Storage Montreal Brickwork Masonry specializes that your house needs TV Wall Mounting and Connections RBQ #5623-0238-01FREE • Canada: Montreal, Toronto, in masonry restoration and repair projects. Calgary, Vancouver Xplornet Internet Systems Brick, bloc, stone, window sill, lintel, water- FREE ESTIMATE • USA: Boston, New York, Emerich Papp proofing, pointing, parging and chimney repair. Special prices for Apartment Bldgs Washington, Savannah, Miami Tel: 450-458-5637 Quality workmanship - Good practice - Safety Call Sam 514.641.5750 Pierre Enos Cell: 514-497-4921 Seniors 5% off with coupon, free estimate. www.grimaldiconstruction.com Tel 450-458-4857 Cell 514-386-1278 [email protected] 514-882-2703

I N Elder Home Services Couvreur Roofing C DDO RBQ#8359-345957 CTS Plumbing R.D. ROOFING Roof Replacement, Plumbing & heating 20 years Repair & Maintenance serving • Free Written Estimate Master plumber since 1980 West Island • All Work Guaranteed Reasonable rates • Tar & Gravel QUALITY RENOVATIONS: Bathroom & kitchen • Attic Ventilation • Free Estimate PLASTER AND PAINTING DO IT RIGHT renovations • Residential & Commercial MOLDINGS AND CERAMICS THE FIRST TIME Bonded & • Work Guaranteed BASEMENTS, BATHROOMS, DECKS 514-421-1336 Insured 514-912-2298 Raymond Daigneault FREE ESTIMATES Email: [email protected] www.ctsrenovation.com RBQ #8229-9587-06 514-452-5577 Peter: 514-502-4893

WWG ELITE FENCE & DECK CONSTRUCTION MOVING MANUFACTURER MOVING SERVICE DE DÉMÉNAGEMENT L. VALENTINO Custom Design Moving & Storage Professional Movers PLUMBING Sales • Installation • Repairs Make the right move Free boxes with reservation Cedar • Pressure-Treated RBQ #8315806344 Family operated Chain Link • PVC etc… Unplugging Drains SENIORS 10% OFF References available • Reliable • Affordable with coupon Free Estimates • Seniors Discount Licensed & insured Emergency Response Toll Free: 1-877-266-0022 • Local & long distance 24 hours 514-799-6266 www.wwginc.com 514-735-8148 514-258-4091 24 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES INMAY Wine Tasting and Silent Auction • Wed. May 11 Cummings Centre • Mon. May 16 Warm Hands Knitting Project needs help meeting Sarto-Desnoyers Community Centre. 7pm. Neurologist Michel Aubé speaks on migraines. their goal of 600 knitted children’s scarves by June. 1335 Lakeshore. $85. 514-694-5850 7:30pm. 5700 Westbury. $15 member, $20 non- Contact Allison Cobrin 514-345-2645 x 309 member. 514-342-1234 x 7201 LIBRARIES Atwater Library • 514-935-7344 COMMUNITY BRIEFS Apr. 29 & 30 Book Sale. Fri. 6-8pm, Sat. 10am-2pm AMI-QUEBEC offers tele-support groups for Live Acoustic Music • Thurs/Fri/Sat. 7pm 10pm Thurs. May 5 Filmmaker Louise Abbott presents caregivers of mentally ill. Call 1-866-396-2433. No cover charge • Dinner served from 6pm Eeyou Istchee: Land of the Cree. 12:30pm. 5434 Côte St-Luc Rd • 514-439-3190 Beaconsfield Seniors meet Weds. 10:30am-3:30pm, Beaconsfield Library • 514-428-4460 303 Beaconsfield till mid-May. 514-697-3873 Mon. May 8, 2pm-4pm, meet artist Rhonda Rakof- sky, whose exhibit continues until May 29. West Island Citizen Advocacy matches volun- teers and people with disabilities. 514-694-5850 Healthy Women PERFORMING ARTS The McGill University Health Centre is recruiting Un Voyage d'Amour • Sat. April 30 Volunteer West Island and John Abbott students healthy women for a study of metabolic responses to meals. Opera da Camera presents pieces from opera & host bingo for seniors Fridays 1-3pm, 1 de l’Église, CANDIDATE PROFILE Broadway. 7:30pm. $15. Mountainside United Ste. Anne de Bellevue. 514-457-5445 x 228 • women of 55 years of age and older Church, 4000 The Boulevard, 514-227-0805 • normalweight • ex-smoker Bring your treasures to Temple • non-vegetarian Swing Station at TOHU • Sat. April 30 Length of study: Two 3-day stays Multidisciplinary Theatre a Tempo brings in the INVESTIGATORS Ever wondered what your Judaica is worth? : Stéphanie Chevalier, PhD and clowns, singers, musicians and swingers at 2pm & Have it appraised by Kerry Shrives, Judaica De- ErrolB. Marliss,MD 7pm. 2345 Jarry E. $20 514-376-8648 McGill Nutrition and Food Science Centre, partment director at Boston’s Skinner Inc. The MUHC-RoyalVictoria Hospital event takes place at Temple Emanu-El-Beth For more information: Voices for Hope: Bella Broadway • May 7 & 8 Sholom Tuesday, May 10 at 7:30pm. Please contact Research Coordinators Proceeds to Grandmothers to Grandmothers. 514-843-1665 A maximum of 50 items will be appraised so re- Connie Nardolillo or Chandra Snarr at 3pm. Cedar Park United, 204 Lakeview, Pointe- serve your evaluation spot as early as possible (be- Claire. $20/$12. 514-630-4636, 514-695-1970 fore May 3). Appraisal fee is $18 a person for an evaluation of up to 3 pieces. General admission is Mtl. Jubilation Gospel Choir • Thurs. May 19 free. Refreshments will be served. Daphnée Louis Singers benefiting the Trevor W. 4100 Sherbrooke W. 514-937-3575 Payne Fund. 8pm. Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, 7141 Sherbrooke W. $50. 514- 934-1934 x 23622 SALE! Montreal West Operatic Society • May 20 & 21 AMPLIFIED PHONES! Trial by Jury & The Best of Gilbert and Sullivan. Fri. 7:30pm, Sat. 2pm and 7:30pm. 5723 Parc. Up to 50% off Packages available. Call for prices: 514-990-8813 Big numbers! Big sound! Better understanding! TempleLECTURES Emanu-El-Beth Sholom • Wed. May 4 Historian Frank Chalk on Western response to the And many, many aids crises in Rwanda and Kosovo, 7pm. 4100 Sher- to help you see better. Home Maintenance brooke. $5. 514-937-3575 If you are away, I will feed your pets, water the plants, pick up the 5645 Côte des Neiges mail. Window-washing, bathroom renovation or simply changing a (Free parking at rear) 514 344-3988Côte des Neiges Congregation Beth Ora • Wed. May 11 toilet seat. Get ready for Spring. The Concierge prepares your home www.ultravisionmontreal.com Former Israeli ambassador Yehuda Avner. 7:30pm. for each season. He can refer you to excellent electricians and 2600 Badeaux St., St. Laurent. $410. plumbers. From roof to foundation, the Concierge is the answer. 514-748-6559 SEULEMENT/ONLY N.D.G. & WESTMOUNT

Jewish General Hospital Healthy Men Lady Dav is I ns tit ute fo r Med ica l Resea rch The McGill University Health Centre is seeking Project on Memory and Language healthy men for a study of protein metabolism. Volun teer s are nee ded fo r an i mpo rt an t study of IF YOU ARE: memory a nd la nguage f un ct ion in seni or s. • normal weight and over 55 yrs This r esea rch is b ei ng condu cte d by Dr. Howa rd Chertkow • ex-smoker and free of other serious illnesses Each vo lun tee r will r ece ive an eva lua ti on of his or her l anguage and memory , along wit h a blood t es t. Principal Investigator: Stéphanie Chevalier RD, PhD Co-Investigator: Errol Marliss, MD We are l ook ing fo r peop le a ged 65 a nd up . McGill Nutrition and Food Science Centre Volun teer s will be pai d fo r t heir ti me a nd Royal Victoria Hospital tr ave l expenses .

Length of study: 2 days If you are interested in participa ting, call For more information, please contact Shelley Solomon at 340 -8260 , local 5129 the Research Coordinator: for further details. Connie Nardolillo at (514) 843-1665 www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 25 THE SENIOR TIMES A peace corps of voluntourists could be generated, if there were tax breaks With the elections capturing a great a pen and spade) onto the breast deal of our attention, I’ve come up Roads pocket with the initials CSSA: Cana- with one innovative idea that re- Scholar dian Seniors Serving Abroad. tirees should urge their representa- I suspected that an advanced tives to support. This idea applies to Mark Google search would unveil pro- active retirees who want to devote Medicoff grams for retirees, enabling us to their life skills to export the philan- deduct a portion of our expenses thropic spirit of Canada abroad more active retirees want to travel to from our income taxes. My first through voluntourism. other parts of the world to act as landing site was Seniors Canada, but These are the active retirees who goodwill ambassadors … a kind of it only carried such information want to connect with people else- Canadian peace corps of seniors. about traveling abroad as border where in the world and provide them There is no dearth of volunteer pro- services and tax laws for retirees. with a helping hand. You may know grams anywhere in the world.A quick I continued my search at the Cana- the type of senior I’m addressing, Web search reveals such programs as dian International Development people who—at their own ex- helping to protect the environment reputation that made us proud, Agency, CIDA, and turned up some pense—gather medical supplies, lap- in the rain forest or combatting made us feel safe to festoon our worthwhile programs, but none in- tops, eyeglasses and other items, and poverty in Africa. knapsacks and carry on with our volving seniors. schlep them in overweight suitcases Other retirees, like teachers, nutri- bright red Canadian Maple Leaf. That discovery led me to this to another part of the world, where tionists, engineers, doctors, nurses Now senior travelers think twice. thought: CIDA and Seniors Canada they spend their entire “vacation” and mechanics can share their skills A tax break would not only add should get together for a chat, since a serving the local community. in a great many places. purpose to our retirement years, it number of CIDA programs evoke a A 2007 Canadian government But we need a tax break to do it. would shore up Canada’s lagging sta- potentially strong synergy between study profiling seniors reported that A place to stay is the smallest part tus abroad. We would act like mobile volunteering and retirees. One en- as baby boomers turn 65, there will of the cost; getting there the largest. billboards, proudly heralding that gaging project, for example, twins be almost 8 million of us—close to This where our newly elected gov- “Canada cares.” Canadian students in grades 6 21 per cent of the Canadian popula- ernment can help us out. Tax credits We would wear durable uniforms through 8 with their counterparts in tion. Stats are showing that seniors for seniors should be instituted to for hot or cold weather. We would some needy country, but allows for are computer savvy, financially bet- help defray the cost of voluntourism emblazon Canadian flags on the back no senior contribution potential. ter off, more educated than at any and be made available for projects of our jackets, just like the Red Cross In the years to come, our politicians time in the past and, most impor- approved by External Affairs. workers, so that our peaceful inten- will have to realize that seniors are tantly, more active. Let’s face it, Canada’s record in the tions would be visible to all. more of a natural resource and less That’s a big workforce to tap into international community has been And, with pride, we would attach a of a public liability than they believe. for overseas voluntourism. More and suffering. We once had the kind of crest of arms (perhaps a crisscross of Our contribution can be substantial.

Kids helping kids

Orphans in Malawi will benefit from a St. Columba concert series that will raise funds for care programs in the small African country. Saturday, May 7, 7pm. 11 Rodney, Pointe-Claire. Freewill donation. Information: 514-364-3027 or 514-697-8015.

26 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES It’s fine to go Dutch on your royal tour of our colourful capital city sprinkled with pistachio and grape- TravelSmart fruit pieces. Planet Desserts are wild de-construc- Sandra Phillips tions—the one called Breakfast was best: financier cake, banana ice and Stan Posner cream, strawberry, amaranth and yo- gurt. He flash-freezes ice cream using There is no reason fly all the way to liquid nitrogen so that it produces Orlando if you want to see a prince smaller ice crystals, leading to a or princess. Go to the other“O”: Ot- smoother, silkier ice cream. tawa! (ottawatourism.ca). And if After all the action downtown, you you do, you may get to see a real might want to head to Ottawa’s Sili- prince and princess. con Valley in Kanata for some R&R at On Canada Day, we will be hosting the Brookstreet (brookstreet.com), a the very newly married royal couple four-diamond hotel and restaurant Prince William and his wife, Kate. with an uber-modern and“green”en- But even before then, you can enjoy Photo: Glenn Posner vironment that will please both him, Take time to stop and smell the tulips with your little princess. the colourful gifts of another royal. her and even your pet. The Au Natu- In 1945, Princess Juliana of the munity groups will provide enter- teriyaki sauce and served with an- ral Spa’s there for rejuvenation and Netherlands sent 100,000 tulip bulbs tainment and food. There’s a fun cient grains. You can end with pampering (even a couple’s massage in thanks for the safe haven the city zone for families, and tulip-themed yummy desserts like peanut butter suite), or you can exercise in the Flex provided the Dutch royal family dur- workshops. All of the tulip displays and chocolate tart or lemon pie with Fitness Studio (35 machines) or the ing the Second World War and for are free, but you can buy a “Tulip coconut whipped cream. 15-metre indoor saltwater pool with the role Canadian troops played in Passport” that would allow you ac- Oprah liked Zen enough to air The its children’s wading pool. liberating Holland. cess to some fee-based events and for Restaurant Adventures of Caroline The golf course, the Marshes, cov- While here, she gave birth to local attractions, museums and and Dave on OWN-TV Canada. The ers 20 hectares and was designed by Princess Margriet Francisca, the only restaurants. 13-episode TV series followed the Robert Rent Jones Sr. and Jr. And if royal baby ever born in North Amer- For casual dining nearby, try the path of the owners when they all that wasn’t enough for a getaway, ica. To ensure the baby’s Dutch citi- Sante Restaurant & Art Gallery, opened ZenKitchen (http://on.fb. Scotiabank Place, the Ottawa Sena- zenship, the Canadian government which has an Asian-inspired menu me/hQVJ3T). tors’ home and an entertainment temporarily ceded a room at the Ot- with Pho Vietnamese soup, Bali For a romantic or special dinner, venue is down the street—and horse- tawa Civic Hospital to the Nether- spring rolls, pad thai, green curry head to dreamy Courtyard Restau- back riding is nearby, too. If you lands. So on January 19, 1943, the with chicken, Indonesian beef and rant, which has been nestled in a show them your Scotiabank Place flag of the Netherlands flew on Par- always a couple of vegetarian op- courtyard near the Byward Market tickets, you can get 15 per cent off liament’s Peace Tower, and Princess tions. If you catch them on the right for 30 years. The wooden beams and your room rate. Margriet was born a Dutch citizen day, they stage lunch-time fashion old romantic limestone walls har- You will dine like a prime minister on Dutch soil in Canada. shows. 45 Rideau, 2nd floor, 613- bour the tales of when this 1837 at their Perspectives Restaurant, with The first gift was in the fall of 1945, 241-7113, santerestaurant.com building was a tavern, hotel, garrison, its natural birch-tree dividers. Some and a gift has arrived every fall since. Carnivores might convert once geological department and civil lunch items are so popular that they In recent years, that’s meant 10,000 they try ZenKitchen. They make emergency centre. 21 George. 613- can’t take them off the menu: tom ka from the Dutch royal family and gourmet vegan food taste wonderful, 241-1516, courtyardrestaurant.com gai soup with coconut broth, shrimp, 10,000 from the Dutch Bulb Grow- using local organic ingredients—no Chef Michael Hay is using new- chicken and mushrooms or the Rib- ers’ Association. So this gift begat the engineered foods, no chemical addi- fangled molecular gastronomy tech- wich, a pulled-pork tower with bat- Canadian Tulip Festival, being held tives, no eggs, dairy, fish or animal niques combined with the tered tomatoes, and then there’s crab this year from May 6-23, where you products. 634 Somerset W., 613-233- knowledge of classic cooking to offer cakes with papaya, mango, coconut can immerse yourself in gorgeous 6404, zenkitchen.ca plates with separate intense tastes so and cherry pepper glaze. photo ops among more than one You can start with arancini—fried that you can combine them in your Cool idea—they offer you a Smart million tulips. Commissioners Park butternut squash risotto balls or mouth in different ways. Yes, there Cellar smart pad to choose your near Dow’s Lake is one of the main salad rolls in peanut butter sauce or might be chocolate and coconut wines. Even cooler—notice the art- venues where 300,000 blossoms are vegetables flambéed with a chipotle- soup, but you’ll find foie gras, too. work throughout the hotel, which concentrated. tulipfestival.ca tequila sauce. Main courses might be He takes 48 hours to braise short was created by Canterbury High At the other site, Major’s Hill Park ravioli stuffed with pesto-cheese in a ribs and then pairs them with cauli- School students. If you need them, (near Parliament) on May 6-8 and smoky tomato sauce or panko- flower coulis, or makes crispy duck there’s Breathe Easy rooms that fol- May 13-23, embassies and local com- crusted seitan covered in a cranberry breast, duck confit and fingerlings low strict hypoallergenic guidelines. ANALLNEW MUSICAL! STARRING THEODORE BIKEL BASED ON THE WORKS OF TED ALLAN

PRODUCTION SPONSOR WITHMUSIC, LYRICS & ORCHESTRATIONS BY ELANKUNIN ® MUSICAL ADAPTATION BY BRYNA WASSERMAN

Box Of ce: 514.739.7944 | WWW.SEGALCENTRE.ORG 5170 ch. de la Côte-Ste-Catherine MAY 1 - 23, 2011 www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 27 THE SENIOR TIMES Truths we’re telling you Suits and overalls: Byron Toben Juan Rodriguez

Lies My Father Told Me, at the Segal Centre,scores Location, location, location: Whenever I go down- a theatrical quintuple! town to the office, I pass three places that gave me It’s got star power. Theodore Bikel, still powerful much of my musical education during the 1960s. at 85,folk singer and star of Broadway and TV,heads These locales—on Bleury, Stanley and Sher- the cast in the role of Zaida, the grandfather. He’s brooke—housed the coffeehouses started by Gary joined by singer and actor Patsy Gallant. Eisenkraft, one of Montreal’s quintessential char- It’s got story power. Written by Ted Allan, best acters during that era when music, and the city, known for his biography of Norman Bethune, this exploded with vibrancy. They never fail to con- short story about a young boy’s coming of age in jure incandescent youthful memories. 1920s Jewish immigrant Montreal grew into a Yid- Eisenkraft was tall and slim, with lanky hair and a dish theatre production here in 1984, earned a large nose upon which he perched his trademark Golden Globe in English for the film version, then granny glasses. He had a gift of the gab and owned returned to Montreal as a Yiddish musical in 2005. two custom-made three-piece pinstripe suits (blue It’s got music power. A revised score by Segal and grey) for occasions when he turned on the

Centre resident composer and lyricist Elan Kunin Photo courtesy of Centaur Theatre charm, including a goofy laugh. lives up to his work on Fiddler On The Roof, The durings its Vancouver run, Ruby Slipper Theatre Otherwise, he often wore overalls. Great Houdini, On Second Avenue and Old heads east to stage this Daniel MacIvor play. Ruby He had dropped out of high school at 15, traveling Wicked Songs. stalwarts Diane Brown and Colleen Wheeler dis- to the U.S. South to join the civil rights movement, It’s got visual power. Jon C. Dinning, fresh from play humour and share their insights despite the eventually playing guitar for folklorist Jean Ritchie his design triumph for Schwartz’s the Musical at trials of life. and gigging at campuses and clubs. In 1964, at the the Centaur, adds to his myriad imaginative sets A Beautiful View continues at the Centaur until age of 19, he opened The Fifth Amendment, a sec- over the years at the Segal. May 22. 514-288-3161. ond-floor space on Bleury. It’s got directorial power. Artistic director Bryna While Beautiful contains some incidental music With his contacts from the folk circuit, he pre- Wasserman provides the guiding intelligence she and a fine song, Beethoven Lives Upstairs immerses sented such notables as blind gospel singer Rev.Gary brought to such shows as The Jazz Singer, Pirates of you in such harmonics as the Moonlight Sonata. Davis, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee (the most Penzance and The Golden Land. A Wasserman In this Geordie Theatre production, the eccentric famous folk-blues duo of the time, who spiced their show always has great choreography, here abetted Mr.B. moves in as an upstairs boarder and the life of act with put-downs of each other), the alluring by Jim White. the young boy downstairs is turned upside down. Buffy Ste. Marie, bluegrass fiends the Greenbriar Lies My Father Told Me continues at the Segal The cast includes faves Leni Parker and Lucinda Boys and New Lost City Ramblers,rousing locals the Centre until May 23. 514-739-7944. Davis. Mountain City Four and Kate & Anna McGarrigle, While Lies dazzles with 25 actors, the Centaur’s Beethoven Lives Upstairs continues at the Centaur and handsomely moody John Hammond Jr., son of A Beautiful View delights with only two. Lauded until May 22. 514-485-9810. the legendary Columbia producer who signed up Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Bob Dylan, among Happy others. Eisenkraft was the first anglo entrepreneur ReLive Mother’s Day! in the city of deux solitudes to present rising chan- We move seniors $ sonniers like Claude Gauthier and Tex Lecor. He also promised poetry readings and “at least Placing, Downsizing, Moving e St-Jacques one evening of classical music a week,” according W Decorating, House Staging OFF3 Lave-auto à la main Hand Car Wash peak to the first Gazette piece to bear the byline of Nick s ur Eco-friendly Turn-key Moving Service For the regular and special yo ge! car wash with this coupon Auf der Maur, before Auf der Maur became a gua Rodica Liveanu, B.Sc. Cannot be joined with other discounts. columnist, city councilor and notorious boule- lan Exp. 05-31-11 514.242.3420 vardier. “All this has required a lot of effort, and [email protected] • www.WeMoveSeniors.org WEDNESDAYS: Gary is optimistic of eventual success. ‘It will all Special for seniors turn out to be worth the sweat,’ he says. ‘Folk & women in regular and special car wash 6085 Upper Lachine music is a great expression of our heritage, and it Over 30 years experience at your service 514-488-0815 promotes the fraternity and understanding of dif- ferent cultures’.” BARBIERIG However, the times they were a-changin’. Folk music was overtaken by rock’n’roll, thanks to the AUDIOPROTHÉSISTES Beatles, Stones, et al, and so Gary opened a small DIGITALHEARINGAID(S) semi-basement club on Stanley called The Pene- NOWPAIDBYMEDICARE lope. Here the Sidetrack, a rock-blues group from Come in and discover what a digital hearing Boston, held court with a sound both boisterous aid can do for you! and “authentic” (authenticity being a major buzz- • Assistive Listening Devices word in those idealistic times). • Audiometric Exam Continued on Page 29 • Ear Protectors • Hearing Aid Repairs Happy Mother’s Day! – All Makes Illustration not Inspecta PRO • Invisible Hearing Aids covered by medicare SPECIAL: Limited time offer Come in for your Residential Inspections COMPLIMENTARY 3 months for only $99 GIL LARIN HEARINGTEST Certified Inspector 1396 St. Catherine W. Suite 404 (Corner Bishop) House calls available Call for details T. 514.944.1977 • 877.533.5302 • F. 610.300.5065 514 866-1687 [email protected] • www.inspectapro.net 28 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES Folk-rock club pioneer had gift of the gab and ear for superstars some put-down, the ice crystals that versely run amok,free-form absurdities formed on his mustache seemed to never before seen in rock. make him merely mortal. Our jaws dropped, wondering what “It was 20 degrees below zero,” he was next. hyperbolized in a 1993 Playboy in- He took me to breakfasts at the terview. “We walked from our hotel Swiss Hut, where he lampooned the to the club, and the snot had literally eggs and bacon as resembling a plas- frozen in our noses by the time we tic Warhol artwork, complained of got to work. The wind instruments the cold, and longed to go back to got so cold that if you tried to play warm L.A. (His wife, Gail, was along them, your lips and fingers would for the gig, four months away from freeze to them.” giving birth to Moon Unit, their first Zappa took to me, probably because child.) He talked about how Freak I was not into drugs and alcohol then. Out! was the first “underground” Also, I vouched for him at the Banque record sold in Los Angeles super- National across the street after tellers markets, and about outlasting the frightened by his extreme mien—long Beatles (he did). unruly black hair falling over a raccoon “Revolution,”he said, “is a fad.” coat—refused to cash his paycheques. When I summoned up the nerve to Photo courtesy of Harriet Eisenkraft He had ferocious dark brown eyes, a show Zappa some clippings and Eisenkraft helped Juan Rodriguez get an up close and personal musical education. laugh that was almost always a sarcas- copies of Pop-See-Cul, he dutifully tic sneer, and he wore construction said,“Keep up the good work.”Made Continued from Page 28 Gary to move his club to larger quar- boots and marched like a man on a my day—well, maybe my life. With fans packed in like sardines, ters, on Sherbrooke at Bleury, which mission (like Groucho Marx). And I owe this up-close-and- the atmosphere dimly lit and sweaty, he called The New Penelope. The The Mothers’degenerate Dada act in- personal musical education to Gary we intensely absorbed harmonica club featured moveable bleacher seat- cluded throwing stuff—from food to Eisenkraft. He eventually moved to bleats, booming bass lines and blues ing concocted by the famous designer rubber chickens—at each other and the the U.S., setting up a farm in north- guitar riffs. Other rising stars of folk- François Dallegret, not to mention a audience,lasciviously pawing an inflat- ern California (pot country). rock appeared, including a young real box office by the entrance and able doll,and getting creative with a can He died in December 2004 of heart Gordon Lightfoot, whose personality spacious dressing rooms. It was here of CoolWhip.All the while Zappa con- disease, at 59. His younger sister Har- was so truculent that even nonchalant that I became Gary’s“gofer”(running ducted the Mothers with swift, assured riett showed me a recent photo of Eisenkraft rolled his eyes and bit the errands, designing handouts). arm waving, sudden stabs of a finger, him, still wearing overalls and a bullet. For Gary,“That’s what you get Back then, acts played one- or two- the curl of a pinkie—classicism per- goofy smile. for lovin’ me” had a double meaning. week stands; we got to know them By this time, 1966, I was well into and they got to know the city. publishing a little “underground” Leonard Cohen would drop by dur- magazine called Pop-See-Cul. (The ing Joni Mitchell’s stand; she had a counterculture was riddled with such dewy blonde freshness and Cohen cute names.) Eisenkraft had been an was obviously enchanted, sometimes advertiser since the first edition. Gary leaving the club with her. figured the magazine could dovetail Others who performed there in our nicely with his club, so he finagled a summer of love included the Paul THE CLSC RENÉ- CASSIN MEDI CAL CLINIC deal with Pierre Péladeau’s newly Butterfield Blues Band, with a hurri- formed Quebecor printing company, cane sound and great guitar from AND TEST CENTRE H AVE M OVED! which needed business other than its Elvin Bishop; the James Cotton Blues Located on the ground floor of the Cavendish Mall nascent tabloid Journal de Montréal. Band, the real funky deal; Tim He promised a run of 4,000 copies Hardin (author of If I Were A Car- 5800 Cavendish Boulevard (we had rarely produced more than penter), who painfully sweated (Main entrance via Mackle at north-west end of the mall or 500, collated by hand), with 64 pages through sets and disappeared be- through the corridor across from Pharmaprix) (our top was 32), professional type- tween them (probably to search for setting (!) and distribution through- heroin at the nearby Swiss Hut, a ri- out the city and the world. otous log-cabin-styled joint favoured OPENING HOUR SERVICES Well, Gary made a lot of promises, by separatists, lefties, country music Medical clinic Intake, Reception and two out of three ain’t bad. The fans, bikers, poets, painters, McGill Mon.-Fri.: 8am to 8pm Health Education Centre copies lay bound and dormant in the students, lost and searching souls, Sat., Sun. and holidays: 8am to 4pm Medical Services hall of an apartment he shared with freaks, journalists, gadflies and drug Nursing Services his girlfriend, a 19th-century high- dealers); Lightfoot, growing more Test centre Nutrition Services Psychosocial Services ceilinged sunlit place adjoining Holt- confident and imperious; and the Mon.-Fri.: 7:30am to 9:30am Youth Clinic Renfrew. Still, the magazine made it, transfixing Jesse Winchester, a newly Sat. and Sun.: 8am to 10am Test Centre sort of, into the movies, as Gary’s pad arrived draft-evader from the south, Holidays: closed was used as a location for Don Owen’s armed with brilliant songs and a Vaccination kooky counterculture film The Ernie tremulous stage presence (he called 514-484-7878 Game, released by the NFB in 1967, it “treading water”). with some music by Leonard Cohen The act that made the biggest im- (whom Gary graciously introduced to pression on me was Frank Zappa’s a thrilled yours truly). There, in a lin- Mothers of Invention, who opened gering goodbye scene looking down The New Penelope on January 7, the hall, is the apparently immovable 1967, with a two-week stand in the pile of Pop-See-Culs. middle of a cold snap. Although ww w.cssscavendish.qc.ca Success on Stanley emboldened Zappa had a reputation for the fear- www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 29 THE SENIOR TIMES 30 May 2011 www.theseniortimes.com THE SENIOR TIMES Photos: Hayley Juhl New York is great in spring, when trees are considering blooming and the heat of summer hasn’t started to cook the alley garbage into retch-inducting piles of stink. I left my bra at Coyote Ugly*, and other stimulating tales of New York Hayley Juhl Good Beer * 422 E. 9th St. The best way to handle New York is facebook.com/goodbeernyc to give in to it. Have a plan, sure, if Museum of Sex * 233 5th Ave. you feel you must, but keep it loose. museumofsex.com Start walking. Wiggle your way to Olde Good Things architectural your destination. Stop to look at the salvage * 124 W. 24th St. graffiti. Take a picture of the great ogtstore.com store names—the pun is alive and Eataly NYC Italian grocery * well in America. 200 5th Ave., eatalyny.com I’ve described New York City as Coyote Ugly * 153 1st Ave. overstimulating before, so in the coyoteuglysaloon.com spring, when it’s the barest bit less so, you take your stimulation where you can, perhaps with a trip to the Mu- brew that left an intriguing bacon af- seum of Sex. It’s within walking dis- tertaste. tance of the East Village (where I stay And then—“Coyote Ugly,” I said, with friend Ami Hall when I’m in even though Ami had warned me town) because everything in Man- The barmaid at Coyote Ugly dances on the bar, just like in the 2000 movie. that its heyday was firmly in the ’90s, hattan is within walking distance. just before the film starring Piper I love the Lower East Side, with its Good Beer wasn’t our only stop. We warning us the museum would close Perado and John Goodman bombed wrought-iron fire escapes, corner- found a vintage shop—truly, truly in about 40 minutes and maybe we at theatres across the continent. store psychics, restos and bars repre- vintage, with frilly chartreuse dresses wanted to see the rest of the place? There were bras hanging from senting every country, culture and from the ’70s and banded sweatshirts Not much time—what should we pipes in the bar; the barmaid was taste. I love it in the spring, when the from the ’80s—a place that sold ar- see? “Well, there’s the comics,” he cute and perky. trees are considering blooming and chitectural details; a diner that served said, “you know, if you don’t like the We sat at a booth and I watched the crazy heat of summer hasn’t chicken fried steak and green beans porn.” If we don’t like the porn? Be- baseball, sipping Pabst and not started to cook the alley garbage into on a TV-dinner-style plate; and a cause we’ve spent more than half an thinking about whether my feet retch-inducing piles of stink. gargantuan Italian grocery where the hour in this one room … would explode when I took my cow- We got to the museum late because old tiled ceiling was as interesting as We headed up the stairs to the boy boots off later that night. We we don’t walk in straight lines and we the thousands of items for sale. robot exhibit, where a diorama were almost done our pitcher when never rush. It took us a while to leave And so it was dusk when we bought showed steampunky ’bots inside and the barmaid, moved by some myste- the apartment since it was nigh-on our tickets and ambled into the den outside a porno theatre, tools well in rious cue or her own boredom, I beer o’clock and we knew a cold of iniquity. hand. We touched the silicone love suppose, hopped up on the bar and drink would fuel us for the hike up- The Museum of Sex doesn’t ease dolls, giggled a little, exclaimed over started to dance. town. And then, along the way, we you into things. The first room is a the falling-out-of-love artwork and “Omigod, she’s going to hit her were distracted by Good Beer. We tribute to sex on screen and the The Nudie Artist: Burlesque Revived. head on the ceiling,” I gasped, spent an incredible amount of time soundtrack is damp with passion. I could have spent hours more in the alarmed. She was bouncing quite browsing the mostly local, mostly or- There are screens everywhere. Comics Stripped section, which laid vigorously. ganic bottles and nearly ruining a It’s hard to read the panels; your out the evolution of nudity and sex- “She’s going to kill herself!” video podcast being produced in the eyes are attracted to the platform uality in comics. But there wasn’t Dancing and danger, all in one. back: “Okay, so what you’re saying is where the first porn film, made in the time, and we were spent. Plus the bounce. It ain’t the Cirque, it’s got a front-end bitter and a back- early part of the last century, is pro- What does one do after an evening but it was a great end to our day of end sweet … umn, can you move a jected, or to the small screen where of sex, when a nap isn’t an option? moderate stimulation. little so you’re not right in front of strangers record just their faces as First a stop at Good Beer for a * I didn’t actually leave my bra at the camera?” Front end bitter, back they reach the little death. growler to take home—a large Coyote Ugly. I was too shy. Maybe next end sweet. I’ve got friends like that. Eventually a staffer approached us, brown jug we had filled with a smoky time. www.theseniortimes.com May 2011 31 THE SENIOR TIMES BEST MANAGED COMPANIES