March 9, 2012 Vol. 40* cvn No. 3 Serving the Glebe community since 1973 Issue no. 435 FREE Languages of Life founder awarded Diamond Jubilee medal PHOTO: SOO HUM Languages of Life founder, Bryna Monson, wearing her Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal celebrates her award with friends, family and colleagues at a reception given in her honour at the Heart and Crown Pub. By Patrick Darvasi as founder of Languages of Life, Bryna Monson is an outstanding example captured above in a rare moment of stillness, Bryna Monson easily commands of how vision, determination and a whole lot of care can make a big differ- the space and attention of all her friends, family and colleagues that have gath- ence. since 1979, Bryna’s not-for-profit agency has offered translation and ered at a favourite haunt of the irrepressible force behind Languages of Life inc. interpretation services that benefit people who don’t speak English or French. rightfully, they are there to celebrate the award winning accomplishments of this the agency’s clientele includes the healthcare sector, social services, law en- slight but animated woman, who has overcome so many odds in a determined forcement and insurance. if it were not for Languages of Life, the communica- effort to serve her community. to those who have known her, it should come as tion barrier that isolates many local residents from the canadian system would no surprise that she figured among those stellar individuals who, at rideau Hall be much tougher to overcome. Bryna shares a couple of examples that illus- on February 6, were awarded the Queen Elizabeth ii Diamond Jubilee medal by trate this point: “in one case, we had a Polish man whose legs were frozen Governor General David Johnston, for having made a significant contribution to and he needed to have them amputated but he did not understand the doctors. their province, territory, region or community. continued on page 3 WHAT’S INSIDE Tell Us What You Think and Shop Locally on Us! Abbotsford . 2 GNAG . 15 Art . 20-23 Glebe History . 10 Your chance to WIN one of two gift cards Books . 33-34,36 Grapevine . .38-39 from Capital Home Hardware Business . 18-19 Letters . .6-7 or Metro McKeen Glebe Councillor’s Report 16 Music . .24-25 Complete the reader survey on page 5 Editorial . 4 Readers Survey . 5 or fill it out online at Film . 26 Schools . .29-30 www.glebereport.ca GCA . 9 Sports . 31 by March 30, 2012 APRIL 13 ISSUE EDITORIAL DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 23 ADVERTISING DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28 For Mark Your Calendars, see page 4. *see page 4 for explanation of cvn. 2 Glebe Report March 9, 2012 NEWS NEWS Glebe Report March 9, 2012 3 A peek into The Boutique Declutter just in time Languages of Life Founder Awarded Diamond Jubilee Medal By JULiE irEton for spring continued from page 1 Dorothy Martyn starts every day well before sunrise. she isn’t a baker or an early morning runner. she arrives at the Glebe centre’s long-term care home at 6 o’clock to help out dementia patients. and all her work is as a volunteer. “i give them a cup of tea and a cuddle, whatever is needed,” Martyn says. But her day doesn’t end there. almost every day, after helping out in the long-term care home all morning, she walks the short path over to abbotsford House, a community centre for adults 55+, to volunteer in the Boutique. “the Glebe centre is busy, my work at abbotsford is relaxing.” this little shop on the main floor at abbotsford features good quality, second-hand clothing, jewelry and shoes for women. at the Boutique, you can often pick up a complete outfit for less than $10. “Everything is donated. i all the money goes back into abbotsford programs,” she says. Martyn doesn’t S manage the little store all on her own; there is a team of devoted volunteers in- NOT JUST FOR cluding Marie-claude côté, who helps out once a week. “she’s great. i always STUDENTS an Hill tell her she’d do well at Holt renfrew,” laughs Martyn. “and she’s very gifted G rick Darva T with people.” : Me côté says she sort of fell into her volunteer role at the Boutique by accident. : Pa hoto P Save 10% off your next she was wandering through the shop one day and she asked Martyn if she hoto had ever considered matching the outfits with some of the jewelry lying in a Left to right: Melissa Doorbar, Glynis Doorbar and Marcia Pfotenhauer Bryna Monson is always on call at Languages of Life. P basket on the counter. “she asked me if i’d like to volunteer in the Boutique,” By GLynis DoorBar G Adventures Trip remembers côté and i said no. But then she told me i could have carte blanche We sent an interpreter who was able to break the news to him and be there to do whatever i want in the shop. i discovered i like to sell! of course there are a few people who thrive on muddle and mess for creativ- before and after the surgery. in another case, a lady from rwanda was lost for Visit Travel CUTS to learn about new and different so now côté sorts clothes, sets up displays, prices items and then sells the ity. But the rest of us can get a little overwhelmed by collected memorabilia. three hours in Gatineau. she was visiting her daughter and had no identifica- bargains. she says she could actually work at it full time, there’s so much to Worse still, it accumulates an inordinate amount of dust! if you work from tion in her purse. We were fortunate to know someone who spoke her dialect ways to experience your next adventure. do. “We have high quality items such as cashmere, wool, silk. there are sweat- home, i’m sure you can relate. and, after another hour, through a church member that recognized her, they ers, skirts, pants, scarves, night gowns, and shoes.” côté says. a lot of the stuff in my own china cabinet is inherited. When we keep all were able to return her to her daughter’s home. saying that she was frightened From time to time people bring in donations in bags from estates. if the these hand-me-downs, we are really just babysitting someone else’s stuff – but is very mild. our interpreter was able to assist her and ease her anxiety.” Everyone’s got a story to tell - let us help you find yours. for whom? it’s funny how we feel obligated to take care of these inherited Languages of Life maintains regular business hours, but Bryna is on call women receive more clothing than they can handle, it gets donated to the sal- Visit us for more details. Exclusive discount for bookings vation army. côté and Martyn say some seniors who come to the Boutique figurines and cups and saucers – which of course our own offspring wouldn’t 24/7. Emergencies can happen at any moment. Bryna quickly locates neutral are on fixed incomes and appreciate being able to get clothes that are new-to- be seen dead displaying in their ultrachic homes. Unfortunately, there is an and confidential interpreters and sends them out to where communication is made with the Glebe location only. them, but not expensive. côté says she likes when she can help a woman with emotional attachment to some of them – chips and all. What we need is some- needed. she is at the centre of a network that includes more than 400 interpret- an outfit that’s a bargain. one who has no emotional attachment to help us choose what to keep, and ers and translators, covering over 100 languages and dialects. Each language “it’s very fulfilling to go toa bbotsford,” says côté. “i’ve been lucky in life organize our clutter or trash it. From now until May is a great time to make a worker has signed a confidentiality agreement. the protocol also involves 740 Bank Street start and think of the Great Glebe Garage sale! identifying the name of the person-in-need so as to make sure that the inter- so it feels good to give back. i know that it helps.” For Dorothy Martyn, the 613.565.3555 Boutique gives nice variety to her very busy volunteering schedule. “the de- one of my friends told me that they have finally got rid of some unwanted preter is not a relative, friend or neighbour. mentia patients become part of my family. When they pass away i have a hard wedding presents, one of which was an ugly vase that had been in their cup- although Languages of Life has achieved great local success, the ascent has facebook.com/tcuts | twitter @travelcuts time. i like my volunteer time. and when you enjoy something, it’s not a job.” board for 40 years. When i asked what took them so long she said – well, the not been easy. the agency does not receive any government funding. instead travelcuts.com abbotsford’s Boutique is open Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. relative who gave it to them had just died, so now she won’t know and we it relies on donations from family, friends and companies. it also holds annual won’t feel guilty. i bet there are lots of people with unused wedding presents in * Offer valid for departures until Dec 31, 2012.