Edgewood Florist: - Ville de Montréal Ouest
Transcription
Edgewood Florist: - Ville de Montréal Ouest
November-December, 2012, Vol. 40, No. 9 photo: Maurice Krystal Montreal West Viewspaper Remembrance Day 2012 The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, blue skies and Montreal West was there – young and old – to honor those who have fought or are fighting for our freedom and peace in Canada and the world. Thank you for your participation. Edgewood Florist: now in Montreal West by Maurice Krystal INDEX Environmentally yours . . . .14 Community Centre . . . .16-17 CRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Curling Club . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . .9, 12 MW Horticultural Society . . . . .2 MW Operatic Society . . . . .4 News from the pews . . . .12-13 Réunion du Conseil . . . . .19 Rotary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Schools . . . . . . . .6-8, 10, 11 Scouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Town Council Report . . . .18 Vôtre en environnement . . . .15 West End Quilters’ Guild . . . . .2 For 56 years Edgewood Florist was a Côte Saint-Luc landmark. On July 10, after six weeks of renovations, the new Edgewood set up shop in our town on Milton. Located in the industrial sector of MoWest, it is in the dark glassed building you see when you take the first right on Avon before taking the overpass to Ville St Pierre. The street running parallel to the tracks is Milton. What strikes you first is the 24-foot high ceiling. The second thing is the small greenhouse built inside this structure and the large refrigerator unit where certain cut flowers are stored. There is also a comfortable consultation area where clients can see what different arrange- ments can be made to suit individual needs and tastes. Though it seemed fairly quiet when I was there, it can get hectic around the holiday periods such as Passover and Easter, followed by the Jewish High Holidays, Valentine and Mother’s Day and finally Christmas In 1956, Dirk Van Egmond and Hank Broekhuizen purchased some land and an existing nursery from Pierre Sarazin. Prior to Pierre Sarazin, there were a number of previous owners, but it was originally owned by the Gougeon family who ran farms in much of Côte SaintLuc at the turn of the century. The two Dutchmen met in a Montreal social club. In the Netherlands Dirk’s father was continued on page 16 12th Annual Steve and Rob Michelin Memorial Hockey Tournament Thursday December 27 Legion Rink Once again, we will pack all our tournament fun into one day of incredibly exciting fastpaced hockey. Six teams will battle it out in a series of round-robin games. The team with the best record will be crowned champion. The first game will be at 10 am with continuous play all day long. The tournament party will be held Thursday night at the Curling Club where we will raise our glasses to a great day and a great event. The tournament is held in memory of twin brothers, Steve and Rob Michelin. Steve died in August 2001 at the age of 37 from complications relating to a series of strokes. In June 2004, Rob died at age 40 from cystic fibrosis. Since its inception in December 2001, the tournament has raised more than $340,000 for local charities. Every year, more than 100 players and volunteers take part in the tournament which has become an important event on the MoWest calendar. We welcome everyone to come and watch the games. BANQ – Fonds Conrad Poirier 2 Participate If you are interested in participating or helping out (volunteer or donate), please contact Chris Kearney at [email protected] or Andy Michelin at [email protected]. November Program Manager Chris Rasytinis and members of the CRA’s youth hockey league have committed to growing moustaches for the entire month of November to help raise awareness about men’s health. To find out more and support the cause, please visit mobro.co/chrisrasytinis. Santa’s Breakfast Breakfast with Santa will be held on Sunday, December 16 and will benefit the CRA hockey program. Come with the whole family for a fun-filled morning of breakfast, photos with Santa, arts and MoWest photographer Conrad Poirier (1912-1968) captured these photos of Santa’s arrival on Westminster Ave. in 1949. The parade wound through the Town and ended in the parking lot opposite the United Church, where Santa handed out candies to the children. crafts, Captain Catalyst and sleigh rides. Big events like this are made successful by all of the wonderful volunteers. To find out how you and your family can lend a hand to make this year’s breakfast the best ever, please call 484-6186. We encourage hockey and non-hockey residents of MoWest and Hampstead to come out and support our local minor hockey association. More information will be available on the CRA website: mwcrasports.ca. Holiday hockey party Soccer uniforms should be washed and returned to the CRA office ASAP. Uniforms not been returned by December 31 will be deemed bought by the participant and deposit cheque will be processed. They can be dropped off during office hours (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 4 to 7 pm). For inquiries regarding CRA programming, Chris Rasytinis is reachable by email or phone at: crasytinis@ mtlwestcra.ca or 485-8598. Reminder: soccer uniforms We are very excited to announce that the CRA and the Montreal West/ Hampstead Minor Hockey Asso-ciation are having a holiday hockey party at the MoWest arena on December 16. All of our single letter teams, from Novice to Midget, will be playing games all day from 10 am to 10 pm. Sponsors will be providing refreshments for the kids and a canteen will be set up in the lobby offering refreshments for spectators. The Informer Is published nine times a year (usually) on the second-to-last weekend the month except June, July and December. Out-of-town subscriptions: $15 per year. Typesetting by Informer staff, printing by King Press. Extra copies available at Town Hall and both libraries. Funded, in part, by the Town of Montreal West. 10 Westminster North www.montreal-west.ca/en/the-informer/ Montreal West, Quebec H4X 1Y9 The Informer’s role is to provide MWesters with information about their Town and its citizens in order to foster the small-town, close-knit atmosphere that makes Montreal West a special place in which to live. ISSN: 084741X EXECUTIVE BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jeannette Brooker - Chair Rick Lavell - Treasurer Jane Williams - Secretary Heather Baylis Véronique Belzil-Boucher René Boucher Jeanne Ragbir Heather Baylis 489-7022 LAYOUT DESIGNER Julia Ross [email protected] AD MANAGER Susan Reeves 312-3682 [email protected] DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Rhonda Schwartz 482-0227 RATES (camera-ready art): 1/6 page $45 1/12 page $25 Prof. card $125 per year Classifieds: 25-50 words $10 25 words or less $6 ISSUE EDITOR: Heather Baylis LAYOUT DESIGNER: Julia Ross TASK FORCE Axel Brinck René Boucher Jeannette Brooker Lise McVey Maryl Murphy Rose Marie Smith and those we omitted inadvertently NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE January 6 Congratulations to our OPAM 2012 winner Leia and Stanley Reinblatt of 217 Ballantyne Avenue North have received an award in the residential category of Opération patrimoine architectural de Montréal (OPAM) 2012, for exemplary preservation of their residence’s original architectural features. Furthermore, their home has been nominated as one of the top five houses in the ‘Maison coup-de-coeur’ contest, in which Montrealers can select their favourite heritage home and can win a prize in the process. The nomination further supports Montreal West’s reputation for rich architectural heritage and the Town will continue to encourage the type of dedication for preservation that has been demonstrated by Leia and Stanley. Reinblatt. Congratulations! Here is the official photo and blurb in OPAM 2012’s publications: 3 Informerly yours Prof. Laurie Hendren of 240 Percival Avenue was recently elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. This is the country’s highest academic honour. Laurie is a professor of computer science at McGill University and also serves as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science. She was honoured for her contributions to compilers where she is recognized as a world leader in the area and for her unforgettable laugh. She is a Fellow of the ACM and holds a Canada Research Chair. She moved to Montreal West in 1998 just after the ice storm and has been active in the community, being a founding member of the local women’s ice hockey team. She has given up hockey for music and plays the bassoon for the 306 Wing band that practises at Royal West Academy. Congratulations, Laurie. Bridge 217 Ballantyne Avenue N. This magnificent residence was built in 1913 as per the design of Wadsworth and Henderson Architects, well known for their work on various CP hotels. Its brick cladding windows, dormers and exposed rafters are all original and well-maintained. The front door, transom and entrance canopy have all been reconstituted as they were upon original construction. Getting names wrong! In the last issue of The Informer, we ran a photo and a caption of the wedding of Andrew Dolan and Becky Hamilton. Unfortunately, we had Becky’s mom Francie married to Peter instead of her real husband, Paul. Apologies to Francie and Paul. Day Ladies branch will be hosting their last luncheon bridge for this year on December 5 at 12:30. Price for non-members is $7. If you are interested in putting in a table, please contact Cathy at 366-4584 or [email protected]. West End Quilters’ Guild West End Quilters’ Guild have had a very busy start to their season. We have had some mini-workshops; a visit to Courtepointe Claire, a wonderful quilt shop in Laval; spent a very pleasant Saturday working on our raffle quilt for our 2014 quilt show and on some quilts to donate to “Quilts of Valour” which is an organization that donates quilts to our returning servicemen and women. If anyone is interested in more information about our group, please email Mary at [email protected] or phone at 486-8979 or visit our blog at www.wequilters.blogspot.com. Send your congratulations, condolences, good news and whatever you want to crow about to: [email protected] or call Heather at 489-7022. TEL: 514 806-3056 FAX: 514 484-4467 Email: [email protected] 4 “And the music keeps on ....” MW Horticultural Society is happy to announce that Dawn and Bob from Smith Bros. Florists will once again demonstrate the art of making festive flower arrangements for the holidays. As previous participants know, this is a truly entertaining evening. Dawn has a wealth of knowledge of the flower shop industry, and she has a sense of humour! A lot can be learned from simply watching Dawn and Bob at work, and their beautiful arrangements will be raffled at the end of the meeting. Come early if you want a good seat and stay late if you want some excellent refreshments. This event will take place on Wednesday, December 19, at 7:30 pm, at the Town Hall. Everyone is welcome. Nonmembers pay $5 at the door or $15 for the evening and 2013 membership combined. January meeting Horticultural Society will welcome Christopher Buddle, insect expert and Professor at the McGill School of Environment. He will talk on Bugs in the Garden – What’s Eating What and What to Do About it. This presentation takes place at the Town Hall on Monday, January 21 at 7:30 pm. Again, everyone is welcome, and non-members pay $5. Christmas gift Membership to the Horticultural Society is still only $15 a year and could make a very nice gift at this time of year. Membership provides admission to interesting monthly presentations as well as the spring garden show. Memberships and guest memberships can be purchased at any of the monthly meetings or by contacting Membership Chairman, Philippa Vikander at 489-3293. This is going to be an exciting period for all MW musicians and music lovers. Rehearsals are going very well for our December 10 concert (8 pm at MW Presbyterian). The concert will begin with the first movement of the 3rd Sonata for Cello and Piano by Ludwig van Beethoven and other gems of the cello-piano repertoire with Zhou Fang as the featured cellist and Earl Wilson at the piano. The choir will round out the first half with a lovely group of seasonal music set by John Rutter. Mezzo Soprano Erica Martin will open the second half and the choir will complete the concert with an extended group of beautiful seasonal music. Please contact the church office, mornings at 484-7913 or Earl Wilson at 486-9338 for tickets ($15 and $10 for 12 and under) or at the door. This will be an outstanding concert that you and all your friends will enjoy. The music for the worship services through Advent and Christmas has been developed with a wonderful tradition of reverent and musical services during this important time in the Church year. Many of the musicians that you have enjoyed listening to over the years have agreed to join with us again: Yubin Kim, Zhou Fang, Mike Cartile, Felix del Trediciv, Matthew Russell, amongst others. They appreciate joining in the services with you and sharing their musical gifts for all of our benefit. On behalf of MW Presbyterian Church and choir, I would like to wish you all a reverent, peaceful Advent and Christmas season with just enough “awe and wonder” to help us remember the real importance and joy of this time we live. Musically yours, Earl Wilson b.mus., m.mus. Montreal West Operatic Society The Montreal West Operatic Society presents A Night of Stars: a gala performance showcasing 23 of its brightest stars, offering you a selection of songs from Baroque to Broadway. December 1 (19:30) Victoria Hall, Westmount. Tickets: 990-8813 or [email protected]. Refreshments served. Carolling in MoWest MWOS will be carolling along the streets of MoWest on Monday, December 17. Once again, we will be collecting donations for the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation. Please help us raise money for this worthy cause. MWOS – Great Music, Good Cause – since 1939. www.mwos.org Shop for the arts The MoWest Operatic Society will be partnering with Dix Milles Villages, Monkland, for a week-long fundraiser. During the week of December 2-8, shop for fair-trade goods and gifts at 5675 Monkland Avenue. If you mention MWOS, 15% of your purchase price will be donated by the store to MWOS. Pirates and seafarers It is not often that pirates and seafarers have an amicable get-together, but that’s exactly what happened recently at the Windsor Hotel. The occasion was the 150th anniversary party for the Seafarers’ Mission. Their benign ‘pirate’ guests were singers from the MoWest Operatic Society who are putting on Pirates of Penzance in the spring. Soloists offered a few hints of the coming A Night of Stars as well as pieces from Pirates, Gondoliers and HMS Pinafore. The thoroughly nautical medley ended with a rousing chorus of Hail! Poetry, the unofficial anthem of Gilbert and Sullivan companies. It was a beautiful musical experience and a hint of great things to come. For more information: www.mwos.org. Groupe Sutton Centre-Ouest Inc. 514-575-2419 [email protected] Mary Wilson Courtier immobilier résidentiel 5 MWCC 100 years of curling! In 1912, Mayor James Ballantyne and a group of friends opened the Montreal West Bowling and Curling Club. The club opened at 17 Ainslie with two sheets of natural ice for curling and a lawn bowling green. Along with James Ballantyne, some other familiar names have been club presidents: W. Trenholme, J.D. Doherty and John Wilson Bedbrook. Natural ice limited the length of the curling season. In the 1920s, curling clubs studied the feasibility of investing in modern ice refrigeration equipment. In 1930, three sheets of artificial ice were installed at the club, extending the curling season. In 1964, fire destroyed the original club house and ice shed. A year later, it reopened at the same location with major improvements – a modern club house with a comfortable lounge and bar, a dining hall and a well equipped kitchen, four sheets of artificial ice and an underground garage. Today, the curling club has 300 members who enjoy curling, bridge, carpet bowling and numerous social events. To kick off the club’s centennial celebrations, there was a “white glove” dinner on Saturday, November 3. During the cocktail hour, guests were entertained by the NDG jazz quartet No More Blues followed by an elegant dinner in the club’s dining room. Oyster Party Our annual Oyster party was a big success. All the usual shuckers showed up and every-one had a fun time and quite a bit of money was raised. Below is a list of Rotary donation over the past fiscal year ending on June 30: • Aarohi Medical Clinic, India $1,500 • Canadian Youth to Armenia $2,000 • Chez Doris $2,000 • Montclair Seniors’ Residence $2,000 • MW Community Serv. (Canada Day) $2,000 • MW Greenhouse Committee $1,500 • MW United Church (Christmas dinners) $500 • NDG Food Depot $2,500 • Old Brewery Mission $1,000 • Paroise St. Thomas Aquinas (Peru Rotary medical clinic) $5,000 • Polio Plus $1,000 • Rotary Club of Kololo Kampala Uganda (heifers for women) $2,000 • Rotary Club of Old Montreal (Rotaract) $334 • Rotary Foundation Canada $5,000 • Royal West Academy $ 600 • Salvation Army $ 100 • Ste-Justine Hospital Foundation $1,000 Don’t miss Bowzer and Blue! On Saturday, December 1, you are invited to enjoy an evening of laughter with Bowser and Blue. Everyone (members and non-members) is invited to attend. Tickets are $50/person. Please call the club at 486-5831 to purchase your tickets. Christmas gifts? Wondering what to get someone for Christmas? A curling membership is a great gift! The second half of the curling season begins January 7 and continues until the end of April; plenty of time to learn this fun sport and sweep the winter months away! For more information, visit the club’s website (mtlwestcurl.org) or call the club at 486-5831. Michael Brooker BMI Kontrols • • • • Rotary Club Community Service Award Over the past 18 months our club has honoured three community members with the Paul Harris Fellowship for exemplary community service. Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary and the fellowship is named in his honour. The three community members so far honoured are Janet King, Ann MacKay and Joan Foster and their names were submitted by Town residents wanting them to be so honoured. To continue this community service award we invite you to submit names of other community members along with a brief resumé of their exemplary community service. Please submit any names and resumés for consideration to me by e-mail at [email protected]. Join us for lunch Our club meets at noon every Thursday at the Town Hall for lunch. We often have very interesting guest speakers. Come check us out sometime. For further information please contact Doug Yeats at [email protected] or by phone 486-5373. Total: $30,034 from Doug Yeats BUDNING PHARMACY Weigh what you want Change your thinking... Change your weight Individual courses Group courses at Vanier College BIG ENOUGH TO SERVE YOU SMALL ENOUGH TO KNOW YOU Tel.: (514) 481-8583 Fax: (514) 481-5428 72 Curzon Street [email protected] Montreal West, QC H4X 1H9 Google Michael Brooker Montreal West 40 WESTMINSTER NORTH MONTREAL WEST (514) 481-5665 - FREE DELIVERY www.groupeproxim.ca - PHOTO PROCESSING JANE F. LEE, B.Sc., D.D.S. - GREETING CARDS & STAMPS Chirurgien Dentiste - Dental Surgeon MON to FRI: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm SATURDAY: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 63 WESTMINSTER N MONTREAL WEST H4X 1Y8 - PRESCRIPTION SERVICES * NEW PET HEALTH SECTION * SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER: 369-0255 [email protected] 6 Elizabeth Ballantyne School Beginning of our intramural program pions!), where he has been an assistant coach for the last 15 years. Both Tyler Eccleston-See and Denis Pouliezos are cycle 3 students who are looking forward to take part in what might be a very exciting season. As hockey is only one component of this program, basketball is always another favourite and is the first unit to kick things off. This is a great way to explore different games, develop good sportsmanship and discover the hidden athlete living inside you. Later in the year, Newcomb ball is introduced; a very high energy game, played much like volleyball, responsible for keeping many at the edge of their seats. Finally, once the snow is gone and the grass is green again, a few weeks of soft ball in the field makes for a great way to meet the spring. With all this and the countless valuable resources at hand, intramural sports at EBS offer something for everyone. Multicultural music concert Tyler (left) and Denis (right) with Stephane Fortin sporting his championship ring Now with colder weather well upon us, Elisabeth Ballantyne remains a hotbed of lunch hour activities for its students. Our resident P.E. teacher, Stéphane Fortin embraces this opportunity to encourage keeping active by introducing the start of our intramural program. Mr. Fortin has been teaching at EBS for more than 23 years and has always put an emphasis on the importance of an active, healthy life style. In his time here, he has opened the gym to all cycle 3 students and invited them to take part in Theopiste (Theo) Hondzoglou bur.: (514) 483-5800 fax: (514) 483-2699 mobile: (514) 898-3821 [email protected] Groupe Sutton – Centre-Ouest Inc. 5800, avenue Monkland Montreal, QC, H4A 1G1 various sports under his supervision; teams are formed and compete against one another, ultimately, to a final position where the winning team faces off against staff members. Students v. staff games are always seat-fillers and parents and friends are welcome to watch their kids in action, but what really gets everyone’s attention is the launch of the floor hockey season, and why not? Mr. Fortin has been living and breathing hockey since his early years and when he’s not teaching at EBS, he’s working with the McGill Redmen (who just last year became national cham- Elisabeth Ballantyne has many different students from many different parts of the world and has benefited from a sharing of cultures and there is no better way to do this then by coming together with music. Mr. Radu has been working tirelessly with all students in putting together a multicultural music concert with different songs in several languages. Cycle 2 and cycle 3 students have been practicing long and hard on their recorders and no ensemble would be complete without a solid beat from cycle 1 on percussion. Please come and enjoy our fine musicians at the school on December 20. 7 Edinburgh School I am graduating from Edinburgh in seven months, keeping all the good memories I had and would like to share with you one of them: my Grade 5 French teacher, Mme Geneviève. Mme Geneviève started off wanting to be a translator, but then realized this was something she really didn’t want to do and decided to be a teacher. For one year, she moved to the UK to help teanagers in Sec 2 to talk in French. She came back to Montreal and finished four years of Bac French Second Language. She taught French to immigrant kids in kindergarten to Grade 1, to those who couldn’t speak one word in French! Later she got her diploma and was hired by the EMSB. Mme Geneviève’s first work at Edinburgh was for two weeks as a resource teacher. Then she had two babies (she called one Arthur, he is four years old now, and the other Edgar, he is two years old), so of course she didn’t work. This year Mme Geneviève has two Grade 5 classes – of 20 and 21 kids. Her favourite thing about Ebinburgh? – The team of teachers. She says that everbody works together and cooperates. Her favourite subjects are French, history and geography. She takes a lot of time talking about Quebec and telling Quebec tales. Now Grade 5ers are learning to write their own tales - it’s their first year of the Storytelling Contest! Last month was packed with exciting events. For Halloween, a haunted house was created by the two Grade 2 classes. The other grades visited throughout the day. Rumour has it, there were zombies inside, scaring the visitors! Black garbage bags hanging from strings served as “tunnels” going through the rooms. In November, we talked about remembrance and peace, with the whole school gathering for the traditional Remembrance Ceremony. On November 8, the Book Fair took place, as well as Grade 6 Bake Sale. For all the cookies, brownies, cakes and goodies sold, we raised over $650.This was the first fundraiser for the graduation trip – this year Ottawa is the chosen destination. On November 22, the Home and School held this year’s first movie night – we watched Brave. Open House Wednesday November 28 Mark this date in your calendar! Call us to schedule a visit at 486-0981. We have three times for appointments: 8:30 am, 10 am or 12:45 pm. Parents will attend a presentation with the Principal, Home and School, PSA, to be followed with a guided tour of the school in small groups. We will look at the gym, library and some of the classrooms. Our goal is to give our future students a really good feel of what our school is about. photo: Sasha Ross From our student journalist by Sasha Ross who visited Grade 5, talked with Mme. Geneviève and took pictures Joel Rahman Real Estate Broker 514-771-5922 Simply the Best Burger Talk of the Town • Thank you 58 Westminster Ave N. Montreal West Call me for a free market analysis of your property. 8 l’École des Amis-du-monde Un milieu scolaire enrichissant et inspirant Quand diversité rime avec richesse Madame Lina Fortin et son équipe nous annoncent le lancement d’un projet rassembleur célébrant la diversité de notre milieu scolaire pluriethnique. « Écrire à la manière de Laïla Héloua » est un projet de rédaction réunissant des élèves du préscolaire et de la 4e année autour de la production de petites créations littéraires. Les enfants participeront en tant qu’auteurs et illustrateurs et seront guidés dans leurs apprentissages par madame Héloua, une auteure de littérature jeunesse bien connue. Cette dernière amènera nos élèves à la découverte des plaisirs de la table en parcourant avec eux ses propres albums de la collection Mandarine et Kiwi. Ces savoureux petits livres orchestrent leurs histoires autour de thèmes associés à l’alimentation et instruisent les enfants sur l’origine des aliments. Les histoires sont couronnées par une recette délicieuse et simple à réaliser par les jeunes lecteurs. FOR THE BEST SERVICE IN TOWN POUR LE MEILLEUR SERVICE EN VILLE N.D.G. & Montreal West Real Estate Agency Agence immobilière Les animations que madame Héloua fera dans nos classes aborderont la richesse de notre monde pluraliste à travers la diversité culinaire qui s’offre à nous de nos jours. En plus de travailler à la rédaction et à l’illustration des albums, les enfants participeront à de belles activités autour du thème de l’alimentation. De nombreux acteurs du milieu scolaire, incluant les parents, seront appelés à RICK ISABELLE DAVID LAVELL PAPINEAU DOUBT . . À mon école, on s’amuse tous les jours! Plusieurs activités sont maintenant en marche afin de divertir les élèves après l’école et sur l’heure du midi. Les mardis en fin d’après-midi, les élèves inscrits participent à des cours de hip hop, de karaté, d’arts plastiques ou de loisirs scientifiques. Ces activités parascolaires sont animées en collaboration avec ÉducAction. Le midi, des équipes de soccer et de mini basket sont dirigées par nos spéciallistes d’éducation physique. Notre spécialiste de musique a aussi lancé une chorale pour mettre en valeur les belles voix de nos élèves. Un projet d’animation dans la cour d’école se met également en branle. Nous souhaitons à tous des célébrations de fin d’année remplies d’amour et de joie. Revenez-nous reposés pour une année 2013 remplie de nouveaux défis à relever! Par Brigitte Rivard, maman d’Auréliane (groupe 401) Alexandre Kelemen, B.A. Econ. Financial Security Advisor René Boucher Real Estate Brokers . Courtiers immobiliers office: 514 483-5800 www.rickandisabelle.com 1-800-260-1445 prendre part à ce projet délicieusement emballant. C’est dans le cadre du chantier « Vivre ensemble en français », lancé le 5 novembre dernier par la Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys (CSMB) que notre nouveau projet littéraire voit le jour. La CSMB entreprend un travail de deux ans qu’elle décrit comme « un vaste chantier de réflexion et d’action », dont l’objectif est de soutenir ses communautés éducatives dans l’intégration des élèves de toutes origines à notre société francophone. Les projets mis de l’avant dans le cadre de « Vivre ensemble en français » visent à promouvoir le français tout en valorisant la richesse de notre milieu cosmopolite seront réalisés grâce au soutien de trois organismes-partenaires de la CSMB : Vision Diversité, l’Institut du Nouveau Monde et le Centre d’intervention pédagogique en contexte de diversité. 1800 McGill College, Suite 1100 Office: 514-931-4242 ext. 2323 Cell: 514-572-9470 [email protected] A division of London Life Insurance Company RB Traduction Montréal-Ouest Révision de texte Québec Translation (514) 482-3486 Text revision [email protected] Hours / Heures Monday - Thursday / lundi - jeudi : 9 h 00 - 12 h 00; 13 h 30 - 18 h 00 Friday / vendredi : 9 h 00 - 12 h 00; 13 h 30 - 17 h 00 Saturday / samedi : 13 h 00 - 16 h 00 Many thanks A big thank you to those who attended our fundraising concert in honour of George Holland. We managed to raise over $1000! Your continued support is greatly appreciated. Ever wonder what it would be like to sleep over in the library! Well, now you can find out (sort of) with our Stuffie Sleepover. Children are invited to come in on November 30 from 4:30-5:30 to read some bedtime stories with their stuffies and then write them a note in case they WESTMINSTER FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTRE Est.1954 Friendly, knowledgeable and experienced personal service, in Montreal West since 1998. Committed to addressing your insurance needs by providing a comprehensive range of products & services: Residential s Automobile s Recreational vehicles Boats s Commercial property s Liability CONTACT: (514) 481-1134 Jason Demers x224 s Belinda Herder x223 www.rccoull.com Since 1987, we’ve been helping families and businesses reach & maintain financial independence while protecting them against untimely risks such as disabilities, critical illnesses or loss of life. Please visit www.allfinancial.ca for a complete list of the personalized services available to you. CONTACT: Philippe Labrecque, B.Com Financial Security Advisor (514) 624-1555 x226 s [email protected] 68-72 Westminster North Service disponible en français get lonely in the middle of the night! Then we tuck the stuffies in for a cozy night’s sleep in the library. The next morning you will be able to log on to our Facebook page and see what kind of mischief the stuffies get into once they’re left alone! Registration is free for library members, but register in advance because space is limited. If you enjoyed Spooky Tales then you’ll love our Holiday Stories, taking place December 15 from 1-2. Come in for stories, a craft and a small snack, all in the spirit of the holidays! The cost is $2 per child and advance registration is required. Are you still looking for a great gift for your mother, grandmother, aunt or another special woman in your life? Come to the library to buy a copy of My Grandmother Always Wore One by Diane MacLeod Shink. A day planner that celebrates the history of aprons in words and pictures; a portion of the proceeds go to the library. Used book sale Come to our annual used book sale on November 29 from 9 am - 7 pm, where we sell books, CDs and movies for children of all ages. Everything is priced between 50 cents and $1. Does your child need help becoming a research superstar? Call the library to inquire about a one-hour private session on online research skills, focusing on safe, effective research. Sessions cost $10 and are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The library is still seeking donations of Lego pieces for a club we hope to run this winter. Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated! La Chorale Musicanto The new community children’s choir, under the direction of Mme Johanne Poirier-Ledoux (Mme Jojo) is working hard preparing for the holiday season. Weekly practices mean that the children are almost ready for our concert – Nos mélodies des fêtes. The show comprises 11 songs, sung in French and in English, accompanied by a live band. We invite you to come out and see the children perform on Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30 pm at MW United Church. Tickets are $10 each, $5 for children under 11. Contact: [email protected] to reserve your tickets or you can buy them at the door. We are also looking forward to performing during the MoWest’s tree lighting ceremony and at the seniors’ dinner at the Town Hall. For those children wishing to join us for our winter session, we will have an information and registration session at Edinburgh School on January 9 from 6:30-7:30 pm. All children aged 9 to 16 are invited to participate. Practices for Edinburgh students are Wednesdays from 2:25-4 pm and for all others on Wednesdays from 6:30-8 pm. Practice sessions are held at Edinburgh School. If your child is not sure whether or not he wants to participate, we encourage you to come to the holiday concert on December 11 to see what it is all about. For further information, contact Heather Miller at [email protected]. New books Of course we have plenty of great new books here! Young boys will love Elizabeth Singer Hunt’s new series Secret Agent Jack Stalwart about an ordinary kid who becomes a secret agent. If you loved Raina Telgemeier’s Smile you will love her latest book, Drama, another graphic novel. Once Upon a Toad is the latest by Heather Vogel Frederick, author of the Mother Daughter Book Club series. This book tells the story of Cat, a young girl who is forced to move in with her father and evil stepmother, then starts spewing toads! Stephen Coull B. Comm. Courtier en Assurances de Dommages Broker in Damage Insurance 68 Westminster Ave. N. 514-481-1134 www.rccoull.com Holiday closure The library will close for the holidays at 5 pm on December 21 and will be reopening on January 7. For complete hours and details on programs running in the new year please check our website, our Facebook page or come pick up a brochure at the library. Groupe Sutton Centre-Ouest Inc. 514-575-2419 [email protected] Mary Wilson Courtier immobilier résidentiel 9 10 Nursery Schools MW Scout Group www.mwsg.ca Jardin d’enfants Curzon Even on those blustery days that autumn has given us, the Owls, Pussycats and Piggywigs at Jardin d’enfants Curzon are warm, cozy and happily busy in their classrooms. Nathalie, Nina and Pat have planned for December to be a bustling workshop of holiday anticipation. Bells, candles, reindeer, Santa, dreydls, trees, lights, menorahs, etc. will ring in the Chanumas season... that’s Chanukah + Christmas at Curzon! The annual Chanumas show and party will be a chance for the Owls and Pussycats and their families to celebrate together before the holiday break. And, rumour has it, that even Santa himself may find time to join the party for a little visit! Mini Curzon’s Piggywigs will also have their own “mini” Chanumas celebration! Linda and Kelly are so proud of how much their two-year-old Piggywigs have learned and grown, individually and as a group of friends! Mini Curzon classroom is a cozy, safe haven of love and laughter on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings! A big THANK YOU to the families, friends, alumni and neighbours who supported Curzon’s annual auction! As a non-profit, cooperative pre-school, Curzon relies on fundraising efforts in order to keep tuition reasonable for their exceptional programs. February’s Informer will list all those businesses and individuals whose generous contributions and donations are so greatly appreciated! If you are interested in learning more about our incredible school, please visit our website at www.curzonpreschool.com or contact our registrar, Susy, at 993-2242 or [email protected]. Back Row (L to R): Katherine Lund (Leader), Dani Waldman (Leader), Joshua Manascu, Doug Conover (Leader), Daniel Arrien, Beth Foster (Mother), Lesley Coles (Leader). Front Row: Caleb Foster, Alex Halin, Mihai Neagu-Lund, Mathew Paterson-Cormier, Liam Massey, Julianne Woo On November 11, the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts participated in Montreal West’s Remembrance Day Parade and ceremony at the cenotaph. In doing so, we paid tribute to our fallen soldiers and living veterans and continued to uphold the tradition of remembrance in the next generation. October was a busy month for the scouts; two major outings got us out into the fresh air. Two of our scouts have written their impressions: Camping at Tamaracouta The weekend of the October 3, 11 scouts and 3 leaders, along with a large amount of gear, set off for two days of camping at Tamaracouta Scout Reserve. Despite cold conditions and multiple equipment failures, we managed to survive. Because we forgot the water containers, we had to use small kettles to hold water. This made getting water harder than ever. However, all the patrols pooled their resources and we managed to make getting water a less difficult chore. The temperature hovered around the zero mark and both fingers and toes got cold, but we were told to “Run up a hill” if we complained, so pretty much nobody whined. During the night nobody was cold thanks to good sleeping bags and body heat trapped in the tent. We spent the majority of our time clearing a campsite and the paths surrounding it, but we managed to squeeze a scouting activity into our busy schedule. We created a ten-foot tall tower out of spars lashed together with twine. Despite general disinterest in the project, a few scouts worked on it and managed to finish it. The tower is still standing in the fort Chesterfield campsite where you can see it today. from Caleb Foster, 3rd year Scout Zip lining! On October 27, the MW Scouts went to Arbraska, a high ropes course which focused mainly on high up obstacles and zip lining. The trip lasted a couple of hours, from about 11 in the morning to four. Starting out with some easy obstacles, such as thick ropes to cross and short zip lines, it got progressively harder and more exciting, culminating in an extremely long zip lining course, the longest of which stretched over the length of two football fields. The courses really tested your determination and your coordination, and I had a fantastic time. Many of the obstacles were very difficult towards the end but by working hard at them they could be accomplished. We had a great time and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone. from Joshua Manascu, 3rd year Scout 11 Girl Guides of Canada / Guides du Canada Nursery Schools Little Red Playhouse / Coco’s Place The CBC recently ran a piece on the Girl Guides of Canada, suggesting that the organization is making changes to respond to a recent dip in enrolment. As a newcomer to the Guiding world, I find it surprising that changes are needed. In my experience, the leadership comprises a dedicated group of women who volunteer their precious time to help our girls grow and thrive in today’s society. They encourage girls to be confident, thoughtful and self-motivated. They take the time to help girls appreciate nature, be involved in their community and learn to work together. The MoWest Girl Guides is a thriving organization, as is evidenced by the smiles on the girls faces and their sense of belonging. Sparks The Sparks recently made their own cookies. They learned about the history and the differences between Halloween and the Dia de Los Muertos through games and crafts. They have also made cards for the veterans at St Anne’s for Remembrance Day. Brownies The Brownies planted tulip bulbs and had a wonderful bicycle rodeo where they learned all about bike safety. They are collecting toys and ornaments for the NDG Food Bank. The girls will also roll pennies to help in the purchase of turkeys for the MW United Church’s Christmas dinners. The Brownies will also be making crafts for Meals-on-Wheels recipients. Guides The Guides have been busy too. They made birthday boxes full of food and birthday fixings for the NDG Food Bank. They are also being very crafty while recycling by turning old shirts into tote bags. All of the girls (Sparks, Brownies, Guides and Pathfinders) were part of the Remembrance Day parade on November 11 in remembering our fallen heroes. They also had a sleep over at the church followed by a fantastic trip to the science centre. Living in today’s society, I feel lucky to have an organization like the Girl Guides of Canada to help girls find their way, make great friends and have fun learning new skills along the way. from Jennifer Morris At the Little Red Playhouse, we like to come up with little tricks to help us remember the day of the week, the month… or pretty much anything! (en français aussi!). In “No!-No!-No!vember” we popped around like poppies and made beautiful, bright poppy fields. We talked about what it meant to be brave and have courage. With the chillier weather and need for winter coats, we discussed how some animals have their own fur coats. We love talking about hibernation at the LRP! We tracked paw prints on bear hunts, froze food in ice cubes during science experiments, made pinecone bird feeders and more! We even brought our teddies and made them bear caves as we wore our coziest pj’s for our teddy bear picnic. From our chapeaux down to our bottes (with a foulard in between!) we are so good at getting ourselves dressed. December is one of our favourite months as we look forward to our holiday concert sing-a-long and maybe even a visit from “you know who!” We provide a balanced curriculum that cultivates a love of learning and encourages empathic social interactions. Daily activities from 7:30 am until 4 pm make us flexible. Get to know that Little Red school in your neighbourhood! For more info contact us at 486-4032 or take a peek at www.littleredplayhouse.com. For our unique integration program visit www.cocosplace.ca. From our LRP family to yours we wish you a healthy, happy holiday season full of love and laughter. Exams are around the corner! And so are we! Canadian History Study French Skills English Mathematics Science Step up to PDec. Homework Program Individual coaching in all academic areas. Consultants: Birdie Goodman and Elaine Wisenthal-Milech :HVWPLQVWHU1RUWK0RQWUHDO:HVW4&+;< SGHFRQVXOWDQWV#YLGHRWURQFD www.pdec.ca 12 News from the Pews 45 Westminster South 481-7441 Hours Monday - Thursday 10 - 12, 2 - 4, 7 - 9 New books We have all the Scotiabank Giller prize books. Fiction Gregory, Philippa The Kingmaker’s Daughter Grisham, John The Racketeer Koontz, Dean Odd Apocalypse Morton, Kate The Secret Keeper Munro, Alice Dear Life Mysteries Cornwell, Patricia The Bone Bed McDermid, Val The Retribution Rankin, Ian Standing in Another Man’s Grave Reichs, Kathy Bones are Forever Verdon, John Let the Devil Sleep Non-fiction Hitchens, Christopher Mortality Mercer, Rick A Country Worth Ranting About Robertson, Lloyd The Kind of Life it’s Been Rosebottom, Betty Sunday Soup Simmons, Sylvie I’m Your Man (Leonard Cohen) DVDs The Closer – Season 7, Mad Men – Season 5, Moonrise Kingdom, Boardwalk Empire – Season 2 MW Presbyterian St. Ignatius of Loyola It just seems like yesterday that I was writing about Christmas preparations at our church, but, a whole year has gone by. Once again, we are preparing for a happy and festive season. The St. Ignatius of Loyola Youth Group was very successful in their recent fundraiser for Fr. Victor’s former school in Tanzania; their hotdogs went down well with parishioners and they raised over $1,100. The funds are on their way to the school and they intend to purchase at least one computer. Congratulations to the Youth Group and many thanks to all those who supported their fundraising effort. Another event that took place recently was the All Saints party, the Faith First Parents hosted the party which was attended by over 200 people. As a nod to Halloween, the Youth Group organized a haunted house, it was a scream …literally! Thanks to the Faith First Parents and Youth Group, everyone had fun. The weather has turned colder and the shops are full of Christmas decorations. Our minds are focused on the celebration of the birth of Christ. To help us anticipate His birth we are holding a Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 23 at 7 pm. This will be the third year that we hold this celebration; it has proven to be popular and a beautiful way to pause for reflection amidst the “busyness” of the pre-Christmas rush. Please mark your calendars. Pope Benedict has designated this year, running from October 2012 until October 2013, as “The Year of Faith”. It has been 50 years since the convening of the Second Vatican Council and 20 years since the new Catechism of the Catholic Church. We will be marking this Holy Year with various events, talks and discussions. Please watch the Parish Bulletin for details. Have a blessed Advent season. Youth Group A new “youth group” has been formed. Its first activity will be a bowling outing, including lunch, after church on Sunday, November 25. The “young-atheart” segment of the congregation were also invited – no doubt to show the young-uns how it’s done! French course Professor Gilbert, who teaches French at the Little Burgundy Employment Centre, has offered to conduct a French conversational class at MWPC starting in the New Year. Likely Fridays at 4 pm. This will be open to the community. Cost to be based on the number of participants. For information, please call the church office at 484-7913, weekday mornings. Roof repair turkey raffle Three lucky people will each win a turkey on White Gift Sunday, December 2. Tickets ($5 each or 3 for $10) are available at the church office (484-7913) or call Janet Dimock, 484-2783. You don’t have to be a church member or even attend church on that Sunday, to be a winner. Ongoing Our weekly Sunday service and Sunday school at 10:30 am. A social hour follows. You are welcome to any and all services and events. from Janet Dimock Electronics 13 News from the Pews MW United St. Philip’s ...the brick one Thank you to all who came out to support this year’s edition of our Christmas Bazaar. The day was a success, both financially and in terms of fun and fellowship. December 1 is the NDG Food Depot’s annual neighborhood food drive. Beginning at 9 am, we will be receiving, sorting and packing the food in our Memorial Hall and storing the canned goods in the basement for distribution to Food Depot clients later in the spring. Collectors, including several teams from St. Philip’s, will be going door to door. But if you miss them, donations to the Food Depot can be dropped off at St. Philip’s on any Sunday morning or weekdays between 9 and noon. Our Tuesday night Advent series will be entitled “Watch and Pray,” we will start at 7:30 pm with worship in the style of Taïzé, followed by discussion and prastice of a different form of meditative prayer each week. The series begins December 4. Our annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols will take place on Sunday, December 16 at 4 pm. Our organist and choir director, Hugh Cawker, will be leaving at the end of the year because of added responsibilities at Marianopolis. We will pay tribute to Hugh at the reception following Lessons and Carols. Our Christmas services will be the same as in prior years. At 5 pm will be our service for children, and the young at heart, featuring an interactive telling of the Christmas story as the children help in setting up the Christmas Crèche. At 11 pm we will have our traditional service of Holy Eucharist and, at 10 am on Christmas morning, we will have another Eucharist with carols. The first phase of the work to restore the church tower began at the end of October. Work has been financed by generous donations from members and friends as well as by a small grant from the Anglican Foundation. Look for a special fundraiser early in the New Year as we start the second phase of work, the restoration of the exterior stones and mortar. What warms you in winter? Is it candles casting their glow in a room? Getting together with friends and neighbours? Good fellowship? The warm laughter and gentle understanding that comes from watching children perform? Singing together or hearing new variations on old familiar themes? Hearing a familiar story from a new slant? Sharing good meals? All of this happens at MWUC in December. We begin with our Fireside Dinner (turkey et al) at 5:30 pm on December 2 (advance reservations SVP). December 9 is the pageant presented with spirit and spontaneity by our Sunday school. December 16 is our choral service with its seasonal words and music. December 23 is a worship service with extra carols. All of which brings us to Christmas Eve with the family service at 5:30 pm and the Communion service at 10:30 pm. Then Christmas morning, it is time to deliver turkey dinners to those who are housebound in our community, as inspired by Joan and Bill Foster. Some traditions are too special to mess with.... January – the great leveller Life returns to something approaching normal when January arrives, doesn’t it? By then, we are ready for some reflective space, a simpler lifestyle. Our meaningful connections carry us along as we continue to come together with good folk, perhaps adding some winter sport for good measure. And to enhance our sense of peace, we have a Labyrinth Walk on Sunday, January, 27, 2-4 pm. Join us then, on Sundays at 10 am, call us at 481-3210 or visit our new website at www.mwuc.org. Wishing you and yours the peace and promise of the season. from MWUC and Susan Upham Dr. Mark Santaguida, O.D. McConomy Collard Eustace docteur en optométrie / optometrist • examen de la vue • eye exams • lunettes • glasses • verres de contact • contact lenses • consultation laser • laser consultation 514 481- 4791 INC. mceavocats.com tel. 514.866.4666 fax 514.866.4667 43a av. Westminster Ave. N. Mtl West,QC H4X 1Y8 Donna Nicholson 481-3406 35 years ++ Let my Experience Work for You Serving the Montreal West area in the buying and selling of homes. For an informal rendez-vous, please call. 481-3406 labrossemichaels.com 14 Environmentally yours gs Greetin Season’s st e the b and all w Year! e N in the Marché de fleurs Westminster 3696888 33 Westminster N. A Professional Ad in There’s a lot of talk about salt these days, causing high blood pressure, doing a number on our arteries. But salt doesn’t just wreak havoc with our internal arteries; it’s no good for our road arteries either – or our gardens or our watersheds or our pet’s paws. And applying too much salt can leave stains on our walkways, carpets and floors when tracked in on footwear. So, although rock salt may seem like an inexpensive purchase, think of the damage it can do to your property and the larger environment. But what are we to do? Before long we’ll be slip-sliding through another full-blown winter, so let’s look at the alternatives. Alternatives to salt costs only $125 per year Interested? Call the Ad Manager: Susan Reeves 312-3682 [email protected] Visit us on the web http://www.bonder.com/ LIBRAIRIE BONDER INC. BONDER BOOKSTORE INC. 52 Westminster Avenue N. Montreal West, Quebec H4X 1Z2 Tel: (514) 484-7131 Fax: (514) 484-3745 E-mail: [email protected] CALL FOR ANY BOOK IN PRINT Catherine Gardner Real estate broker Courtier immobilier Groupe Sutton Centre-Ouest Inc. 514-793-5608 [email protected] The first course of action should be: provide traction. Eco Traction is a local product, sold in Canadian Tire, Home Dépôt and Métro stores which uses a volcanic mineral for traction and contains no salt or salt compounds. It acts as a sponge, absorbing water from the surface snow and settling into ice. In the spring, you can sweep up the remaining compound and sprinkle it over your lawn. It can also be reused for other applications such as absorbing household odours, or moisture in damp basements. Get-a-Grip is another alternative. It’s a sand mix that can be used at all temperatures, it contains no salt. And of course there’s ordinary sand and gravel mixes that can be widely purchased and do the job quite nicely, especially on sidewalks and driveways. You might complain that these alter- natives are a bit messy when tracked into the house but, in my house, we always remove our shoes and boots, so that’s rarely a problem. De-icers If you’re looking for a de-icer, remember, the job of these products is to loosen ice from below to make it easier to shovel or plow. Don’t pile on the deicer thinking you’ll remove the ice completely. You won’t. I don’t suggest using rock salt at all, but if you do, please only use it at the recommended application rate which is a handful per square metre. “Eco salts” are a de-icer alternative you’ll see in stores, but read the labels carefully. Many contain chloride compounds that are still a threat to local water systems. As alternatives, they should be used sparingly. Eco Solutions, for instance, is a local company that makes “organic melt”. It contains chlorides, so isn’t ideal, but is better than rock salt. Calcium chloride requires a thinner application than rock salt and will treat about three square metres per handful. And one final thing to look out for: if you do use a salt product, choose wisely. Sodium chloride (NaCl) may contain cyanide, and potassium chloride must be kept away from landscape plants. We all want a safe winter season. I’m pitching for one that looks to the safety of our plants and pets, our water supply and road structures. So steer clear of salt if you can. Elizabeth Ulin Councillor for Recreation and Culture Chair, Environmental Action Committee 15 Vôtre en environnement On parle beaucoup du fait que le sel augmente la pression artérielle. Mais le sel fait plus que nuire aux artères de notre corps; il nuit aussi à nos artères routières ainsi qu’à nos jardins, à nos bassins versants et aux pattes de nos animaux domestiques. Puis, le fait de mettre trop de sel peut laisser des tâches sur nos allées piétonnières, nos tapis et nos planchers lorsqu’il est ramené sur nos chaussures. Le gros sel ne coûte peut-être pas cher, mais pensez aux dommages qu’il cause à votre propriété et à l’environnement. Mais que faire? Puisque l’hiver va bientôt faire son entrée dans notre vie, voyons un peu les solutions de remplacement. D’autres solutions La première action à entreprendre devrait consister à procurer une bonne traction. « Eco Traction » est un produit local, vendu chez Canadian Tire, Home Dépôt et Métro et fabriqué à partir de minéraux volcaniques ne contenant aucun sel ou composé salin. Il agit comme une éponge, en absorbant l’eau de surface de la neige en voie de se transformer en glace. Au printemps, vous n’avez qu’à balayer les restes du composé et le répandre sur votre terrain. Une autre solution, c’est « Get-a-Grip », un mélange de sable ne contenant pas de sel et capable d’agir à n’importe quelle température. Et bien sûr, il y a les mélanges ordinaires de sable et de gravier qu’on peut acheter n’importe où et qui fonctionnent très bien, surtout sur les trottoirs et les entrées de garage. On peut trouver que ces options sont un peu salissantes lorsqu’on les ramène dans la maison, mais chez moi, nous enlevons toujours nos bottes et nos souliers ce qui élimine pratiquement le problème. Cherchez un déglaçant Si vous cherchez un déglaçant, rappelez-vous que ce produit devrait détacher la glace du sol pour la rendre plus facile à pelleter ou à gratter. N’exagérez pas les quantités de déglaçant dans l’espoir d’enlever complètement la glace. Cela ne marchera pas. Je ne vous recommande pas du tout d’utiliser le gros sel, mais si vous le faites, utilisez-le strictement selon les quantités indiquées, soit une poignée au mètre carré. Les « Éco sels » peuvent remplacer les déglaçants. Vous les trouverez en magasin, mais lisez attentivement les étiquettes. Plusieurs contiennent des composés de chlorure qui eux aussi posent problème pour les réseaux d’aqueduc locaux. Cette solution doit être utilisée avec modération. « Eco Solutions », par exemple, est une entreprise locale qui fabrique un « fondant organique ». Il contient du chlorure ce qui n’est pas idéal, mais préférable au gros sel. On utilise moins de chlorure de calcium que de gros sel; une poignée couvre une surface de trois mètres carrés. Enfin une dernière chose à surveiller : si vous décidez d’utiliser un produit salin, choisissez sagement. Le chlorure de sodium (NaCl) contient parfois du cyanure et il faut éviter de mettre du chlorure de potassium en contact avec les plantes de votre aménagement paysager. Nous souhaitons tous vivre une saison hivernale sécuritaire. Moi j’en veux une qui soit sécuritaire pour nos plantes et nos animaux domestiques, nos réserves d’eau et notre réseau routier. Évitez donc le sel autant que possible. Elizabeth Ulin Conseillère Loisirs et culture Présidente, Comité d’action environnementale centre-ouest inc. 485-1351 214A Promenade Ronald Drive THE MOVER INC. Since 1932 Why choose just anyone... when you can move with UNITED “THE PERFECT MOVERS” agence immobilière Whether buying or selling, we are there for you every step of the way Call the father-daughter team that will make the difference ERICH ZOLTAN KOS SIMONA KOS, B.A. COURTIER IMMOBILIER AGRÉÉ (514) 483-6240 [email protected] 141A Westminster In a day when personal service seems like a chapter from history, you’ll be pleased with Meldrum’s genuine concern. Call us. We’ll make a helpful house call... right away. • CANADA • UNITED STATES • STORAGE • LOCAL • OVERSEAS COURTIER IMMOBILIER (514) 297-1813 [email protected] French, English, German, Hungarian and Romanian 481-1122 6645 SHERBROOKE ST. W. 16 Edgewood Florist continued from page 1 involved in growing tulips, so he came by his green thumb quite honestly. The importance of location to attract walk by business has diminished as the florist business evolves. Today 80% of Edgewood’s sales are conducted through the telephone and Internet. There is parking space provided right in front for those who want to see and smell the variety of arrangements offered. The flower business has changed a lot since Edgewood was founded. It started as being primarily a small grower and retailer. Over the years big growers built big greenhouses and, in this day and age, it is difficult to be both a grower and retailer. Flower sales are also in flux for a variety of reasons. Tougher economic times hit luxuries first. There is that fourletter phrase that in the obits that is every florist’s nightmare… in lieu of flowers. And yet Corinne Van Egmond notes that there are signs of a positive trend also. There are more community gardens each year, a dramatic increase in rooftop gardens and an increased appreciation to the benefits of growing flowers with vegetables, especially as pesticides lose favour. Dirk’s two children, Corinne and Murray, have taken charge of running Edgewood Florist, though Dirk, now 88, drops by every so often. Murray says he did have other goals growing up, such as becoming a professional scuba diver and mechanical engineer, but he is happy to be following in his father’s footsteps and working with the family. He feels he complements his sister. He tends to look at the big picture and Corinne has a better eye for the details. The move to MoWest is close enough, only five minutes by car, to serve a loyal clientele. It’s near highways for deliveries and the space is big enough to expand towards a full service florist. They have always admired the Town’s sense of community. A wide variety of flowers, arrangements, pots, and vases are available. Only the odd time an unusual request is made that is impossible to fill, such as the man who wanted a dozen dead roses delivered. “It goes against the florist code,” said Corinne. Her favourite flower is the Gloriosa, from the lily family. She loves its delicate beauty and various shades of deep pink. Murray loves the tulip. No other flower comes in such a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. Corinne lives with her family in Kirkland, and her daughter, Jessica, works in the reception area, making her the third generation to work at Edgewood. Murray lives in Pointe Claire with his wife Heidi and his sons Zachary (12) and Eddie (9). Edgewood Florist 9063 Milton Tel: 484-2333 Fax: 484-3726 Email: info@calledgewood MW 50+ Club Outings and events for December 4 Breakfast Club: Nothing Else to Do: The Fenian Raids, 1866 - 1870, Speaker: Bruno Stenson 6 Trip to the Marché de Noël in Joliette 8 Upper Canada Playhouse and Alight at Night Hours: Monday to Friday, 8h30-17h30 Saturday, 8h30-16h 10 Réveillon-style lunch and Yankee Swap NOVA Foot Clinics 14 Christmas dinner December 12 & 19 January 9 & 23 17 Movie matinée: The Polar Express 18 Bridge by appointment only. 484-6186 January 8 Honesty Integrity Hardworking Enthusiastic Soup’s on: Two months in northern Uganda, Speaker: Aaron GluckThaler 11 Movie matinée: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 14 Diners’ Club: Breakfast at Tiffany’s 23 IMAX: Rocky Mountain Express 24 Members’ winter meeting 29 Bridge 17 Community Centre Attention winter registration is on for all the adult and fitness programs. Classes available are stretching (morning and evenings), cardio barre, chair fit, ball fitness classes, drumming and dance fitness, yogalates and new jump sport trampoline. For more info or to sign up, call the Community Centre at 484-6186 or visit our website montreal-west.ca or facebook.com/montreal-west. Winter Break Pick Up Hockey and Free Skating December 28, 29, 30 Free Skate: 12:30 pm 10 & under Pick Up Hockey: 2 pm 11 to 14 Pick Up Hockey: 3:30 pm 15 & up Pick Up Hockey: 5 pm Free Skate: 6:30 pm Music and Movement 6-18 months and 18-36 months Wednesday, 9:30 am and 10:15 am Community Centre Songs with fine and gross motor activities using various instruments. Winter session starts January 9 for 12 weeks Cost: Residents: $105; Non-residents: $125 Parents and Tots 1-3 years Tuesday and/or Thursday, 9:30-11 am Davies Park Chalet Socialize and play. Activities include games, crafts and songs. Please bring a snack. Winter session starts January 8 for 12 weeks Cost: Residents: $120 / $192; Nonresidents: $132 / $210 Bilingual Playgroup 2-4 years Monday to Friday, 9 am - noon Community Centre An introduction to English and French through play, crafts and stories. Small class size. Winter session starts January 7 for 12 weeks. Cost: 1x: $135 R/$145 NR, 2x: $218 R/$228 NR, 3x: $278 R/$288 NR, 4x: $348 R/$358 NR, 5x: $398 R/$408 NR Chess 6 years and up Friday, 4-5:30 pm Community Centre Various brain games and chess. Animator: Steve Rosenstein Winter session starts January 11 for 12 weeks. Cost: R: $75 NR: $90 Ballet and Pre-Ballet Saturday 4-5 years: 9:30-10:15 am 6-8 years: 10:30-11:30 am 9-11 years: 11:45 am - 12:45 pm Town Hall To teach the basics of ballet in a fun, non-competitive environment and provides the child with endless health benefits, helps to improve poster and gain flexibility. Winter session starts January 12 for 12 weeks. Cost: R: $80 / NR: $90 Red Cross Babysitting 11 years and up Saturday, 9:30 am - 4 pm Community Centre Learn the skills required to carry out babysitting duties. Winter session starts January 26 or February 23. Cost: R: $50/NR: $62. March Break Madness 5 to 12 years old Monday March 4 to Friday March 8 Prices and details will be available soon. Check our website for updates. w! Ne Jump Sport Fit Are you looking for something new and exciting to add to your fitness routine? This maybe the workout for you! Jump Sport class uses a mini-trampoline and is a fun, exhilarating, total-body workout and is for all ages. The classes will be held at the Town Hall on: When: Mondays, 4:30 pm/5:30 pm Ages: 10-12 years/13-15 years Cost: $90 When: Wednesday, 8:30 am/7:45 pm Cost: $97 If you have any questions, please call Paula at 485-8930. Stephen Coull B. Comm. Courtier en Assurances de Dommages Broker in Damage Insurance 68 Westminster Ave. N. 514-481-1134 www.rccoull.com Dr. Michael J. Wexel Chiropractor Neck Pain Headaches & Migraines Stiffness Sports Related Injuries Wellness & Preventative Care Low Back Pain Muscle Pain Numbness & Tingling Nutritional Counseling CSST & SAAQ ECOLE DE CONTUITE 773-7246 18 Westminster N., Suite 110 DRIVING SCHOOL 24 heures de théorie / 15 heures de leçons de conduite 24 hours of theory / 15 hours of driving lessons 18 Westminster, #10, Montréal-Ouest Call For An Appointment Today So You Can Feel Better Tomorrow. 18 Town Council Report: October by Carol Foster Once again, dark rumours have been swirling through our pleasant little Town. This time, they were travelling by widely circulated e-mails and initiated by just one resident who has described himself as an “engineer with over 30 years of experience in the public sector” and who was aggressively questioning the method in which contracts have been awarded for work on MW streets. The unsubstantiated criticism and the innuendos prompted the Mayor to publish, in the previous issue of The Informer, an explanation of the contractawarding process, mandated by provincial law, which is followed by Council. A large group of people crowding into the Music Room to attend the October meeting, were offered coffee and homebaked goodies by a group of residents determined to try and reduce some of the hostility this situation had created. The room fell completely silent as Mayor Masella began his opening remarks. He spoke emotionally of the personal ordeal he has experienced as his integrity was being questioned and stated firmly that there was “no basis, imagined, contrived or otherwise” for any of the defamatory allegations made by his accuser. The agenda then moved on to happier topics. Congratulations were offered to Barbara Farina for receiving a Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Award for her work with disabled children and to Demetrios Georgiou for his permanent appointment to Public Security Lieutenant. It was also noted that an out-of-court settlement has been reached with Burger de Ville. Councillor Tasker-Brown announced that a traffic-monitoring device has finally been received and will enable the implementation of the new TrafficCalming Policy. Work continues on the revisions to the animal bylaws which will shortly go back to Council for approval. Scammers purporting to collect donations for “The Montreal West Handicapped Association” (which does not exist) have been active in the Town. Residents were advised to use caution. Councillor Ulin cheerfully reported that the air quality in the arena continues to improve. Plans are under way for the Remembrance Day ceremony, a flu vaccine clinic, Art etc. and Santa’s Breakfast. Councillor Mazzone expressed his personal view denouncing the recent attacks on the Mayor and himself and thanked all those who have demonstrated their support. Councillor McKenzie stated that the infrastructure work on Brock North is proceeding on schedule, more trees continue to be planted, equipment is being readied for snow removal and a new, very skilled foreman, Emmanuel Fundaro, has been hired ensuring the Town will now have to depend less on outside expertise. Public consultation has been held to discuss the new bylaw concerning The Site Planning and Architectural Integration Program, and Council adopted this bylaw with one abstention by Councillor TaskerBrown who had asked for the inclusion of provisions that would encourage the creation of permeable surfaces. Question period Question period was unexpectedly subdued given the rumours which had prompted such an unusually large attendance. No Council meeting escapes a discussion about dogs, traffic, crumbling sidewalks and the protocol surrounding blue boxes, and this meeting was no exception. In addition to the usual topics, issues were raised about trees being cut down without a permit, asphalt deteriorating on the Strathearn parking lot, street safety in the Town for Halloween and a damaged street sign on Brock North. A dog-owning resident asked for more clarification concerning what the revisions to the animal bylaw would contain and was told that Council had not yet received the recommendations but they were expected to clarify the current practice of permitting dogs to exercise offleash in certain areas at specific times. The Mayor and his accuser, Asher Waldman, held a brief, but heated, exchange during which no new informa- tion was added to the ongoing controversy. It was suggested by one resident that if Mr. Waldman still had questions concerning contract awarding, he should take them to the police or to the Charbonneau Commission instead of harassing people in the Town. This suggestion elicited some applause from the room. Several residents wondered if, given the current circumstances regarding the entire construction industry in the province, it might be wise to delay any further infrastructure work in the Town until the dust from the Charbonneau Commission settles. The Mayor explained that the current work is required to be completed in 2012 or else the government grant will be forfeited. When asked where else Canbec, the construction company seen most often in Montreal West, does work, the Mayor replied he does not know, but the rules are clear that the work must always be given to the lowest bidder for the job or else no contract is to be awarded at all, and this is the process that has been followed in the Town. Rick Lavell then stood up and quietly read a letter of firm support for the Mayor and the Council members which was followed by sustained applause and the meeting was adjourned. Dr. Michael J. Wexel Chiropractor / Chiropracticien Tel: 773-7246 E-mail: [email protected] 18 Westminster N., Suite 110 Montreal West, QC H4X 1Y8 19 Réunion ordinaire du Conseil : octobre par Carol Foster traduction par René Boucher Encore une fois, de sombres rumeurs ont circulé dans notre plaisante petite ville. Cette fois, elles circulaient par des courriels largement distribués et émanant d’un unique résidant qui s’est présenté comme un « ingénieur ayant plus de 30 années d’expérience du secteur public » et qui questionnait, de façon agressive, la méthode utilisée pour l’octroi des contrats de travaux dans les rues de Montréal-Ouest. Les dénonciations non corroborées et les insinuations ont amené le maire à publier dans l’édition précédente de The Informer une explication du processus d’attribution des contrats dicté par la loi provinciale et mis en application par le Conseil. Une cohorte de résidants souhaitant atténuer l’hostilité que la situation avait créée offrait café et gâteries maison à l’important groupe de personnes s’entassant dans la salle de musique pour assister à la réunion du Conseil. Un silence total régnait alors que le maire Masella a ouvert l’assemblée. Il a parlé avec grande émotion de l’épreuve personnelle qu’il avait vécue alors qu’on attaquait son intégrité et il affirma fermement qu’il n’y avait « aucun fondement, imaginé, fabriqué ou autre » au soutien des allégations diffamatoires que faisait son accusateur. L’ordre du jour s’est ensuite poursuivi sur une note plus heureuse. On a félicité Mme Barbara Farina qui a reçu un prix du Jubilée de la reine Élizabeth pour son travail auprès des enfants handicapés, ainsi que Demetrios Georgiou pour sa nomination permanente comme lieutenant de la Sécurité publique. On a aussi noté le règlement hors cour conclu avec Burger de Ville. La conseillère Tasker-Brown a annoncé que l’on avait finalement reçu l’appareil de surveillance de la circulation qui permettra la mise en application de la nouvelle politique d’apaisement de la circulation. Le travail se poursuit sur la révision de la réglementation concernant les animaux qui sera prochainement acheminée au Conseil pour approbation. Des escrocs prétendent recueillir des fonds pour « l’Association des handicapés de Montréal-Ouest », laquelle n’existe pas. La conseillère recommande aux résidants de faire preuve de prudence. La conseillère Ulin a rapporté avec plaisir que la qualité de l’air à l’aréna continue de s’améliorer. Les plans vont bon train pour la cérémonie du jour du Souvenir, une clinique antigrippe, Art etc. et le déjeuner avec le Père Noël. Le conseiller Mazzone a exprimé son opinion personnelle en dénonçant les récentes attaques visant le maire et luimême et a remercié tous ceux qui les ont appuyés. Le conseiller McKenzie a indiqué que les travaux d’infrastructure sur Brock Nord avançaient comme prévu, on continue à planter d’autres arbres, on prépare les équipements pour le déneigement et un nouveau contremaître de grande expérience, Emmanuel Fundaro a été recruté, garantissant que dorénavant, la Ville dépendra moins d’expertise de l’extérieur. Une consultation publique sur le nouveau règlement touchant le Plan d’implantation et d’intégration architectural a eu lieu et le Conseil a adopté ce règlement avec l’abstention de la conseillère Tasker-Brown qui avait demandé d’inclure des dispositions qui inciteraient la création de surfaces perméables. struction dans la province, s’il ne serait pas sage de retarder tout travail d’infrastructure dans la ville jusqu’à ce que la poussière soulevée par la commission Charbonneau soit retombée. Le maire a expliqué que les travaux en cours doivent être exécutés en 2012, à défaut de quoi l’octroi gouvernemental sera perdu. On demande au maire où, à part Montréal-Ouest, Canbec, l’entrepreneur le plus souvent vu en ville, exécute des travaux. Le maire réplique qu’il l’ignore, mais les règles sont claires : le travail doit toujours être donné au plus bas soumissionnaire ou le contrat n’est donné personne, et c’est là la procédure que la Ville a suivie. Rick Lavell s’est ensuite levé et a calmement fait lecture d’une lettre d’appui ferme au maire et aux membres du Conseil; des applaudissements soutenus ont suivi et la réunion a été levée. Période de questions Contre toute attente, compte tenu des rumeurs qui avaient attiré une assistance aussi nombreuse, la période de questions a été calme. Aucune réunion du Conseil digne de ce nom ne saurait éviter les chiens, la circulation, les trottoirs qui s’effritent et la procédure concernant les boîtes bleues, et celle-ci ne faisait pas exception. En plus des sujets habituels, des points ont été soulevés concernant la coupe d’arbres sans permis, l’asphalte qui se détériore dans le stationnement Strathearn, la sécurité dans les rues de la ville pour l’Halloween et une plaque de rue abimée sur Brock Nord. Une propriétaire de chien a demandé des éclaircissements sur ce que la révision du règlement sur les animaux contiendrait; on lui a répondu que le Conseil n’avait pas encore reçu les recommandations, mais que l’on s’attendait à ce qu’elles clarifient la pratique actuelle qui permet de laisser les chiens courir en liberté à certains endroits et à des temps donnés. Le maire et son accusateur, Asher Waldman, ont eu un échange court, mais animé, au cours duquel rien de neuf n’est ressorti. Un résidant a suggéré que si M. Waldman avait encore des questions concernant l’attribution des contrats, il devrait en référer à la police ou à la commission Charbonneau plutôt que de harceler les gens de la ville. Cette suggestion s'est mérité les applaudissements de l’assistance. Plusieurs résidants se demandaient, compte tenu des circonstances actuelles de l’ensemble de l’industrie de la con- DR. SUSAN MCDONALD Dentist • Dentiste 73 WESTMINSTER N. MONTREAL WEST H4X 1Y8 486-4411 20 COMING EVENTS Please call the Editor: Heather at 489-7022 e-mail: [email protected] Next deadline: January 6 N OV E M B E R Sun 25 Labyrinth Walk, Wadsworth Hall. MW United. 2-4 pm. Mon 26 Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 8 pm. Thu 29 Compte de taxe d'eau est exigible / water tax bill is due. Curzon Pre-School Live Auction. Over $10,000 in items; easy holiday shopping! Curling Club. Tickets $5 at the door. 7 pm. DECEMBER Sat 1 The Montreal West Operatic Society presents A Night of Stars. Victoria Hall. Tickets: 990-8813. 7:30 pm. Sat 1 Food Drive bag collection. NDG Food Depot. St. Philip’s. 9 am - 2 pm. Bowser and Blue. Curling Club. $50/person. Tickets: 486-5831. Festivals of lessons and carols. St. Philip’s. 4 pm. Sun 2 White Gift Sunday. St. Philip’s. White Gift Sunday. MW Presbyterian. 10:30 am. Tue 4 Much Ado About Nothing. Royal West Academy auditorium. 7 pm. Continues on Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets: $10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 students. Dinner theatre Friday, December 7: dinner at 6:30, production at 7:30, tickets: $25 and must be reserved Watch and Pray, Taïzé worship and meditation. St. Philip’s. 7:30 pm. Wed 5 Bridge. MW Curling Club, Day Ladies branch. Please see page 3. 12:30 pm. Sun 9 Christmas pageant. MW United. 10 am. Christmas Communion. MW Presbyterian. 10:30 am. Children’s Christmas party and pageant. St. Ignatius of Loyola. Parish Hall. All are welcome to attend! Noon. Mon 10 December concert. MW Presbyterian. 8 pm. Tue 11 Holiday concert by La Chorale Musicanto. MW United Church. Tickets: $10 (adults), $5 (children 11 and under); contact Rusty (966-0881). 7:30 pm. Fri 14 Tree lighting. Town Hall. 6:45 pm. Sun 16 Choral service. MW United. 10 am. Santa’s breakfast. Info on tickets and volunteering please call 484-6186. Holiday free skating party. Music and fun for all! 1-2:20 pm. Mon 17 MWOS will be carolling along the streets of MoWest, collecting donations for the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation. Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 8 pm. Wed 19 MW Horticultural Society presents Dawn Smith's Christmas floral arrangement demonstration. Non-members, $5. Town Hall, 7:30pm. Sun 23 Christmas family service. MW Presbyterian. 10:30 am. Service of carols and lessons. St. Ignatius of Loyola. 7 pm. Mon 24 Christmas Eve Mass. St. Ignatius of Loyola. 4:30 pm and 7 pm. Children’s Christmas Eve service. St. Philip’s. 5 pm. Christmas Eve service. MW Presbyterian. 5 pm. Christmas Eve Communion service. MW United 10:30 pm. Festival Holy Eucharist (Midnight Mass). St. Philip’s. 11 pm. Tue 25 Christmas Day Mass. St. Ignatius of Loyola. 10 am only. Family service. MW United. 5:30 pm. Wed 28 Author Roch Carrier will read his classic story The Hockey Sweater. Royal West Academy. To order tickets: royalwestacademy.com/foundation. J A N UA RY Tue 1 Garbage Bowl. RWA field. 2 pm Wed 9 La Chorale Musicanto registration and information meeting for the January to May session. Edinburgh School. Information contact Heather at [email protected]. 7:30 pm. Mon 21 MW Horticultural Society presents Christopher Buddle on Bugs in the Garden. Everyone welcome. Non-members, $5. Town Hall. 7:30 pm. Tree lighting Friday, December 14 Town Hall 6:45 pm: singing around the tree with La Chorale Musicanto 7 pm: refreshments will be served in the Music Room and a sing-a-long with Sam and Kent. Santa’s Breakfast Sunday, December 16 Town Hall 7:30 am - 12:30 pm Includes: breakfast, photo with Santa, arts and crafts, face painting, Captain Catalyst (10 am - noon), sleigh rides (9 am - noon). Reservations for 8 am, 9 am, 10 am or 11 am. Tickets in advance: adult, $13; child, $10. At the door: adult, $15; child, $12. Tickets available at the Community Centre, cash only and no refunds. To benefit CRA hockey program. INFO: 484-6186 Classifieds F OR S ALE : Yamaha YTS23 tenor saxophone student model, excellent condition; Dawson first choice health science textbooks: chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, algebra, calculus; winter tires: Bridgestone Blizzak 195/70/R14. Call 827-3026 or email [email protected]. P IANO ACCORDION : Iorio Accorgan 120 bass, with reeds and electronics, F series, model S-3, professional level. Excellent condition, very recent upgrade. Magnificent sound. Available with or without Yamaha amplifier and/or Leslie rotary amplifier. A one-of-a-kind instrument. Reasonably priced at $1,800. Can be seen/tried in MoWest. Ray at 484-3873.
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