Mayor, 2 Councillors - Westmount Independent

Mayor District 1 District 3Peter Trent Patrick Martin Victor DruryAcclaimed: mayor, 2 councillorsOther election news• Philip Cutler, Claire Kruyt join Tim Price in District 2 race.• Nicholas Smith moves to District 4 against Kathleen Duncan.• Michael Osterland challenges Nicole Forbes in District 6.• More candidate profiles: Young, Samiotis and Cutler, p. 8 and 9.Nominations have closed, see fullelection summary, p. 11.WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENTWeekly. Vol. 3 No. 10a We are WestmountOctober 6-7, 2009InsideWestmount Page p. 10Civic Alert by Don Wedge p. 5Bought and Sold p. 20Parenting by Sophie Tarnowska p. 22Social Notes by Veronica Redgrave p. 30Underdog p. 32First council of ‘the new city of Westmount’ wraps upSwansong meeting packed with businessBy Laureen SweeneyCouncil’s mandate wound down October1 with a last hurrah. The unusualThursday night meeting became a mix ofoutstanding business items and tributes toWestmount’s outgoing mayor, KarinMarks, and the three retiring councillors:George Bowser, Guy Charette and TomThompson.But it took the city’s retired directorgeneral to put into perspective the uniquerole the council had played in reconstitutingthe city after the “dark years” ofmerger with Montreal.“This council should take great pride inbeing the first of the new city of Westmount,”said Bruce St. Louis, speaking asone of many who took to the microphoneat the start of the meeting.He went on to say that most Westmountershad never witnessed theirmayor at her best – leading 15 demergedcities at meetings of the agglomerationcouncil. “That is where you shone,” he toldMarks.Council’s own swansong included itsadoption of the sustainable developmentplan (p. 3) – one of its priorities – and initialadoption of a parks master plan (p. 8).Both came so late in the game, they weresubmitted as “guidelines” for the newcouncil.Another parting “gift” included apparentlabour peace with the announcementof a last-minute settlement of a new whitecollar7 ½-year labour contract approvedunder a strike threat and accepted in principleby the union.And council also approved not one, buttwo long lists of building permits so thatconstruction projects would not be held upover the election period and the new council’sfirst meeting November 16.Other business included certain financialstatements and year-end forecasts requiredto be deposited by law at this timeof year showing a potential surplus ofsome $900,000 for 2009.There was also the longoutstanding appointmentcontinued on p. 6of Marianne Zalzal as director of PublicWorks, the city’s largest department. SheMartin Rouleau proudly partners withChristopher Gardiner, bringing enhanced abilityand expertise to you!

2 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Martin Rouleau proudly partners with Christopher Gardiner,bringing enhanced ability and expertise to you!INTRODUCINGWESTMOUNTWESTMOUNT25 DE RAMEZAY __________ $3,295,000452 STRATHCONA ________ $1,295,000WESTMOUNTPOINTE ST-CHARLESWESTMOUNT2716 ST-CHARLES __________ $599,000 168 HILLSIDE _____________ $595,000WESTMOUNT586 CLAREMONT ____________ $6,500 53 FORDEN _________________ $5,200WESTMOUNTCONDOSDOWNTOWN1455 SHERBROOKE W., #3203 _ $2,250,000DOWNTOWN1227 SHERBROOKE W., #52 _ $1,499,000OLD MLT ADJ.DOWNTOWN4454 DE LA GAUCHETIÈRE O # PH2 _ $1,000,000 + TAXESINTRODUCINGOLD MONTREAL432 ST-FRANCOIS XAVIER ____ $698,000DOWNTOWNOLD MONTREALPLATEAU MT-ROYALHOMES600 ARGYLE ________________________________________________ $1,995,000SOLDRENTALRENTALSOLD2380 PIERRE DUPUY, #804 ______________________________________ $1,279,000650 NOTRE-DAME O # 1601 _ $1,249,000DOWNTOWN1227 SHERBROOKE #43 ______ $649,000CITE DU HAVREWESTMOUNTWESTMOUNT62 BELVEDERE ROAD _________________________________________ $3,250,0003255 CEDAR ________________________________________________ $2,400,000WESTMOUNT3249 CEDAR ________________________________________________ $1,350,000WESTMOUNT651 BELMONT ______________________________________________ $1,585,000INTRODUCINGWESTMOUNT167 EDGEHILL ______________________________________________ $1,499,000LEASEDINTRODUCINGINTRODUCINGCITE DU HAVREOLD MONTREALRENTAL – $3,950/mth1000 DE LA COMMUNE #616 _____________________________________ $800,000WESTMOUNTRENTAL – $4,200/mth307 ELM ____________________________________________________ $795,00068 ST-NORBERT, #PH6 _________________________________________ $599,000445 VIGER W.,PH-1109 ____________________________________ $575,000+TAXES2380 PIERRE-DUPUY, #204 ____ $484,000406 DES PINS O., #75 ________ $279,000

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 3Council appoints 22-year veteran to key postZalzal named Public Works chiefBy Laureen SweeneyShe’s now official. After serving morethan a year in an interim capacity, MarianneZalzal was appointed as Westmount’sdirector of Public Works and cityengineer at the city council meeting October1.She has fulfilled many of the managerialresponsibilities since the retirement in2006 of Fred Caluori and his eventual replacementby Jacques Lahaie, who camefrom outside the city and stayed less thantwo years. Zalzal also heads the city’s administrativetraffic committee.In introducing her at the council meeting,Marks said that while many residentshad spoken with Zalzal by phone, theynow had the opportunity to meet her inperson.“[She] works to solve problems with anopen mind, a positive outlook and an eyeto correct procedures at all times,” Markssaid in reading a message from absentcouncillor George Bowser, the PublicWorks commissioner.Zalzal’s knowledge of local traffic issuesand various networks and operationswill be invaluable, he stated.A civil engineer, Zalzal graduated fromConcordia in 1984. She was hired by Caluoriin 1987 while she was working for asmall contractor involved with the pulpand paper industry. “I was looking for astable job I could build on,” she told theIndependent. “That’s the type of person Iam.”Within two years, she was appointed tosenior engineer and built a career whileraising two daughters.Interestingly, she explains, she startedout at university in business, but foundherself among too many students. “Iwanted to be in a profession where therewere fewer people – and even fewerwomen so I could feel I was making a differencerather than being lost in a largenumber. I needed more of a challenge.”And that is exactly what Westmount’sPublic Works has provided. “It’s a greatplace to work because you touch on everyaspect, large and small, from garbage toroad work, sewers, parks, public relations,traffic and a variety of other areas. It’snever the same thing twice.”In her career, Zalzal has earned a reputationfor attending to detail and respondingto citizen concerns.Marianne Zalzal thanks council.Among future challenges facing her department,she says, is playing catch-upafter the merger years with major streetwork and repairs as the budget and variousinfrastructure grants permit. “We’realso paying attention to smaller things likethe maintenance of parks, the painting ofpoles and replacement of railings – thingsthat show pride of place. Small things do amake a difference.”In terms of the city’s focus on sustainability,she explains that at Public Works,“we’ve always been sustainable in thatwe’re careful to make choices based ondurability and that, in itself, is sustainable.”Sustainability plan for 2010 submittedResidents’ priorities addedafter public consultationBy Laureen SweeneyThe city’s action plan for sustainabledevelopment was modified to include severalcitizen priorities for 2010 before beingsubmitted by the outgoing council at itsmeeting October 1.The additions arose from a publicmeeting September 10 at which council’spriorities had been short-listed for actionnext year from among some 200 suggestionsin a comprehensive plan prepared byJoshua Wolfe, the city’s sustainable developmentcoordinator.The additional citizen priorities includedthose dealing with alternative energypilot projects, discouraging the use ofdiesel and gas-powered equipment, pilotprojects for kitchen waste collection inapartment buildings, and providing“ample bicycle parking.”“I’m very excited by this,” said MayorKarin Marks, pointing out that participationby residents had been increasing withevery consultation meeting on sustainability.“It’s not our plan, but your plan.”Councillor John de Castell, environmentcommissioner, presented a councilresolution stating that the 2010 priority actionsbe implemented, subject to the availabilityof resources and that progress inimplementing the entire plan be reviewedperiodically and reported on publicly.For a full list of the original priorities,see the Independent, September 1, p. 8.Brian GansNotaryTitle Attorneybriangans@briangans.com4060 St. Catherine WestSuite 620Westmount, QC H3Z 2Z3Tel: 514 488-9556Fax: 514 488-4571

4 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009WeeklyPresstime: Monday at 10:30 amEditor: David PriceDeputy editor: Kristin McNeillChief reporter: Laureen SweeneyLetters & Comments:We welcome your letters, but reservethe right to choose and edit them.Please check your letter carefully.We may be unable to make subsequentlysubmitted changes. If you do makeamendments, please “redline” theminstead of resending the whole letter.Please email any letter and comments toindie@westmountindependent.com.Every letter of supporthelps us with advertisers!Library triumphsAt the October 1 prize-giving ceremony at the library, from left: Wendy Wayling, Catherine Swift, GayleWhite and Helen Jay – the library team, with Mayor Karin Marks.Municipal electionsummary, p. 11WESTMOUNTINDEPENDENTWe are Westmount.The Westmount Public Library’s lawnbowling team won the Mayor’s Cup thisyear. The city’s employees’ intramuralevent was scheduled to take place over twodays, but the second half of the tournamentwas cancelled. As a result, the tourneyended up being decided by September17’s prelims. As the only team to win bothits games, the library foursome was declaredthe winner.How Can We Help You?Content and lettersKristin McNeill: 514.223.3578indie@westmountindependent.comAdvertising & SalesArleen Candiotti: 514.223.3567advertising@westmountindependent.comAccountingBeth Hudson: 514.223.6138office@westmountindependent.comAudited by13,780 copiesOwned and published by:Sherbrooke-Valois Inc., 310 Victoria Ave., #105, Westmount, QC H3Z 2M9Fax: 514.935.9241Editor’s notesFrom Wilson to WedgeIt has been several decades since Westmounthad a chief of Westmount police, butstation 12 commander Michel Wilson isgoing to give local historians pause whenthey come to describe his role. He is notjust a Montreal policeman stationed inWestmount.Wilson’s precinct extends from Westmountto Côte des Neiges and Guy, but heis often seen at municipal events and citycouncil meetings. Wilson is a formercommanding officer of Montreal’s SWATteam. Many people with his experienceand in his position would ignore the quieterpart of their new territory and certainlyits semi-ceremonial events.Here’s a concrete example of how Wilsondoesn’t.Early on October 1, Wilson was heardto say that he wouldn’t be attending citycouncil that evening. He had a prior familyobligation. Then he heard that it wouldbe Mayor Karin Marks’ final council. Washe in fact at council to extend his bestBy Kristin McNeillAn agreement in principle was reachedbetween the city and its white collar workersSeptember 28 for a seven and a halfyear collective agreement, it was announcedat the city council meeting October1.Council authorized the signing of theagreement, conditional on its acceptanceby the union at its general assembly October7. The city’s global offer had beenagreed to in principle by the union September28 following more than two yearsof negotiations. It is retroactive to July 1,2006.According to the city’s chief negotiator,Alan Kulaga, Human Resources director,several items have been ironed out, pavingthe way for the union to present the offerto its white-collar members at its generalassembly meeting.In terms of the details of the offer “Atthe request of the union, they have askedwishes in person? Yes.By the way, do you know that the policechief sends the mayor an email describingevery serious offence in Westmount?(Previous city administrations and localstationpolice chiefs have had similararrangements.) Are crime and policingmunicipal responsibilities? No, but Marksfeels that she should be aware of events incase residents mention it in conversationwith her, “It is about a sense of security.”I am on record as a Don Wedge fan,but I am hardly unbiased. I thought formerdirector general Bruce St. Louis gaveDon a wonderful tribute in the midst ofhis October 1 remarks praising MayorMarks. He pointed out that some ofMarks’ best work was at the agglom meetings,which were mostly “seen by no onein the room, except Don.”Don Wedge: working in the background,no last name required.DPAgreement in principle reachedwith white collar unionus to keep this confidential until such timeas they have had the chance to meet with[and present it to] the white collar employees.”This is Westmount’s first post-mergeragreement with the white collars, explainedKulaga. “… At the time the city ofWestmount was re-born as a new municipalityin January 2006, the demerger legislationand the provincial laws providedthat for any contract that expired morethan six months after that date, the expirybecomes June 30, 2006.”Detailed negotiations with Westmount’swhite collar workers have takenplace over the last few weeks and “therewere other, what I could call pretty intensivemeetings, which took place in Mayand June 2009,” Kulaga said.The labour group includes administrativesupport staff, library workers and publicsafety officers. They belong to theisland-wide CUPE local 429 of white-collarworkers.Letters to the Editor on the arena, p. 24-25;on non-arena subjects, p. 26.

Civic AlertThe Lulham Report: Other arenas cost lessBy Don WedgeA survey by a Westmountcouncillor of arena-poolprojects built in Canadashowed our $36-million renewalproposal is almosttwice as costly as similarschemes elsewhere.It “alarmed” its author,Councillor Cynthia Lulham, who has sincevoted against the local plan, and now intendsto present her finished report to thenew council.While acknowledging the “wonderful”achievement of Mayor Karin Marks in obtaining$20 million in government grants,she feels that Westmount should still attemptto reduce the cost. “What is makingour project so expensive is the undergroundparking and all the pilings thathave to be sunk in the soil base of the presentsite.”Lulham was convinced by her survey toquestion the existing plans, to join councillorsPatrick Martin and Kathleen Duncanin voting against them and also toinvestigate Martin’s Westmount AthleticGrounds (WAG) proposals or other alternatives.Reported to councilAt the August 4 council meeting, Lulhammentioned her research findings (IndependentAugust 11, p. 15). She had senta written report to Mayor Marks and theother council members on July 29.She highlighted six arena examples, althoughher research covered more than 60projects. In addition to the cost difference,those designs often include features thatmany Westmounters crave. For example,in several locations, seniors are specificallycatered to.For about $20 million, LaSalle, a suburbof Windsor, Ontario, built the Volmercomplex, consisting of two NHL rinks, anindoor 2,000 sq. m. leisure pool, seniors’centre and an exercise room.Not all are big-spending projects. TheMeredith Sports Centre in Chelsea, Quebec,will cost less than $10 million. It includesone NHL rink plus a double gymand a community centre.Most of the projects are substantiallyfunded by government grants. An exceptionis the $34-million Lakeshore Lionscomplex in Etobicoke, Ontario, which ison a different scale. Comparable in cost toWestmount’s latest design, it includes oneOlympic and three NHL-size rinks, plusother facilities (including communitymeeting rooms).NHL and schoolsHowever, the Lions service club hassupport from both the Toronto MapleLeafs, whose NHL and American HockeyLeague teams practise there, and the localschools authority.Also, the Etobicoke Dolphins women’shockey team has found a permanenthome there. The Olympic-size rink will beSix new arenasName Location Cost (M) FacilitiesVolmer Complex Lasalle, Ont. $20 2 NHL rinks + indoor leisure pool,fitness centre, seniors’ centre,concession areaAppleby Ice Centre Burlington, Ont. $8.6 2 NHL rinks – originally budgetedat $14.8 million.McKinney Centre Whitby, Ont. $12.5 2 NHL rinks + 1 boardless (figureskating) with sound room, youthactivity room, playground, tenniscourts, skate board park.Paris Twin Pad Paris, Ont. $22.5 2 NHL rinks, 12 dressing rooms.Meredith Centre Chelsea, Qc. $9.8 1 NHL rink + double gym,community centre.Lakeshore Lions Arena Etobicoke, Ont. $33.6 1 Olympic, 3 NHL rinks, 1,000seats + restaurant, meeting rooms.used by Hockey Canada to train the nationalteam. It opened on September 16,on schedule, 18 months after groundbreaking.The importance of preparation wasstressed by Terry Fink, director of Cultureand Recreation for LaSalle. In a letter toLulham, he recommended going to see facilitiesand “not be afraid to travel beyondyour province to see the best.”LaSalle officials went to westernprovinces to collect information on “facilitydevelopment and energy technology,”he said. “Please come and see the VolmerComplex.”In addition to the arena and associatedfacilities, the LaSalle complex stands on a189-acre site that also has 26 soccerpitches. It is described as a place where“arts, culture and sports intersect alongthe concourse, in meeting areas and alongthe trails and park areas.”In April, Fink went to Lakeshore, anotherWindsor suburb envisaging replacingits aging arena, to discuss the lessonslearned in LaSalle. “It is a strong attractionfor new residents, as well as a source ofWESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 5pride for locals,” he claimed. “It has had amajor economic impact.”Hockey, skating and seniors groupshad been supportive throughout, but oppositionto the cost surfaced, he reported.“We spent a lot of time consulting withuser groups, and a strong council stuckwith the vision.” It replaced a “very tiredfacility built in 1967.”Now in its second year, the director admittedthat the Volmer fitness centreshould be larger, and more communitymeeting space and a gymnasium areneeded. Also, the seniors’ centre shouldhave been on the main floor, rather thanthe second. The design envisaged that, ultimately,a 250-metre pool, a third rink anda gym would be added.Fractured populaceLulham’s survey strengthens the casefor those who want to cut back on the costand the $18-million ceiling voted by councilas Westmount’s maximum. The newcouncil may face a big dilemma in meetingthe deadline necessary to qualify forthe grant, while doing the due diligenceand public consultations required to getclose to community consensus on what iscurrently a very fractured populace.“I don’t want to endanger the grant, butI understand the concern of people whowant a lot more studies – an engineeringevaluation, the demographic forecast andtraffic impacts. We must build for the next50 years, not the next five.”Citizen activist Don Wedge’s email addressis dwedge@sympatico.caElectronic IndependentsavailableEnjoy the Indie at supper timeon Tuesdays!Sign up by writing us:indie@westmountindependent.com.IT’S TIME TO TAKE ACTION !Make sure you don’t outlive your savings.Re-assess your financial situation today.Get back on track. Call for an independent review.PWL is an independent wealth management boutiquedelivering unbiased advice to individuals and families.Anthony S. Layton, MBA, CIMPresident and Portfolio Manager215 Redfern Ave., Suite 200Westmount, QC H3Z 3L5514 875-7566 x 224PortfolioManagementRetirement &Estate PlanningTax Planning &PreparationIncome & AssetProtectionwww.pwlcapital.com/anthonylayton

6 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009We all need electricity!Busy final councilMaster ElectriciansServing Westmountfor over 60 yearsSpecialized in renovationsfor older homesGenerator installationsFast and reliable serviceTel: 514-481-01255800 St. Jacques W.Le corporationdes maîtres électriciensdu QuébecElectronic IndependentsavailableEnjoy the Indie at supper timeon Tuesdays!Sign up by writing us:indie@westmountindependent.com.Do good for yourself.Do good for others.continued from p.1had been serving for more than a year asthe interim head.In addition, Ann Renaud was named asthe mayor’s executive assistant.Marks fêted for milestonesDuring the tributes that precededagenda items, former mayors May Cutlerand Peter Trent (now mayor-elect) bothspoke of Marks’ achievements.Trent singled out her “legacy” as bringinghome the $20-million infrastructuregrant for the arena project. “I don’t thinkanyone could have done that – and withmy ego, that’s hard to admit,” he saidlaughing. Marks effusively credited thegovernment grant to the “inside” efforts ofWestmount’s MNA Jacques Chagnon“and others.”Several ex-councillors who had servedwith Marks expressed their recollectionsand appreciation of her 18 years of serviceas a councillor and mayor.“I’ve done it for one reason only,” saidMarks, in her own personal summary:“the Westmount community that I reallydo care for.” She considered it “an honourand a treat” to serve.Other citizens, includingJean-Pierre Picard (the newpresident of the WestmountMunicipal Association), andBarbara Moore and Jenny Pattonof the Healthy City Projectadded their gratitude.A surprise gift to Markscame from Victoria Leblanc ofthe Visual Arts Centre, who actsas curator of the Gallery at VictoriaHall. She presented Markswith a gift certificate for one ofthe centre’s courses. She notedwith humour that Marks shouldhurry up to get started in orderthe catch up with CouncillorThompson who is already plyinghis creative talents at thecentre.Local police commanderMichel Wilson thanked all ofcouncil for his first experiencewith politicians in that role. Hesingled out their “sensitivity tocitizens.”When Marks brought downthe gavel for the last time afterthe two-hour meeting, residentsMayor Karin Marks occupies the mayor’s chair for the lastwho still remained in the councilchamber were invited to cel-storage during the merger years.meeting of the council. The chair was symbolically put intoebrate the last session with ataste of wine and cheese. Thetalk inevitably turned to the upcomingelections.For more details on ourmemberships and programs,visit your nearest Y centreor ymcaquebec.org.Westmount Y centre4585 Sherbrooke St. W(corner Arlington)514 931-8046Mayor Karin Marks receives a round of applause from councilors, from left: Kathleen Duncan, NicoleForbes, Cynthia Lulham and John de Castell. (Patrick Martin and Tom Thompson, not shown.)

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8 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Council adopts master planParks need $2.2 million of workBy Laureen SweeneyA year-long study of Westmount’s parksand green spaces concludes they are in“satisfactory condition” but require improvementsestimated at $2,248,200.The master plan prepared by landscapearchitects Marc Fauteux and Associates,was adopted by the outgoing city councilat its meeting October 1 “as a guide for futureadministrations” when planning parkchanges.Good living comes withage. Why not retire in perfectelegance and ultimate comfort?Our caring staff willtend to all your needs 24hours every single day.Please call us regarding ouraffordable rentals:TIRE STORAGEBESTSERVICEAWARDAuto Sales and Care ExpertsTop Dollar Paid for Your CarThe plan was submitted for review bythe next council, said Councillor CynthiaLulham in presenting the motion.While it would not be available publiclyuntil tabled by the new council, an executivesummary was available for scrutiny atthe meeting.Interestingly, one of the observationswas that most of the parks had reached thesaturation point “so that new facilities cannotbe added without seriously harmingthe integrity of the parks and the characterof their landscape.”It was not known what implicationsthis might have on plans for arena renewal.But Mayor Karin Marks later toldthe Independent that what to do with the report’srecommendations would be up tothe new council. That was one reason itstabling had been left in their hands.Tracing the historical evolution, landscapingand heritage value of the variousgreen spaces, the $60,000 study was undertakento provide an overall frameworkfor restoring and improving the park network.The 250 pages are written in French butthe executive summary was translated intoEnglish.Observations highlight how “Westmount’sparks have always contributedsubstantially to the sporting culture thatcharacterizes the Westmount community.”They also mention the continuinghorticultural culture.Improvements suggested includechanges to correct “flaws in the design andorganization of several parks that don’tseem to be part of an overall integratedplan.” A variety of styles and plants cansometimes make it difficult to identify“what we like to showcase.”Among the objectives is to promotesustainable landscaping best practices, includingreduction of the impact frommaintenance and fostering biodiversity.TIME TO CHANGE YOUR TIRES☛ Call before the rush!SERVICE D’AUTO WESTMOUNTWESTMOUNT AUTO SERVICE Inc.4780 Sherbrooke West corner GrosvenorAUTO REPAIR EXPERTSAsk for DAVIDTel.: 514 933-8556514 932-1554☛District 2: Philip Cutler – athlete, political newcomerFamiliar name, new ideasBy Laureen SweeneyCutler: It’s a name synonymous inWestmount with entering election raceslate in the game. But when Philip Cutlerfiled his nomination papers for District 2 aday before the deadline, it was with a passionand vigor reminiscentof Westmount’s firstwoman mayor – his grandmother,May Cutler.Philip, 20, a McGill studentand avid athlete, knewhe was forcing an electionin the ward against TimPrice. But he appeared firedup by the challenge and potentialfor the responsibilitiesit could entail.“My decision may comeas a surprise to many people,”he said. “But I lovethis community. I’ve lived in Westmountmy entire life. I assume I will continue tobe here for the rest of it. I’ve been thinkingabout running for council for a while, andI decided if I were going to do it, it wouldbe because I was taking it seriously.”Was his grandmother an inspiration?“Absolutely,” he said. “I don’t rememberher being mayor because I was born in October1988 when she was in office, butshe’s always been an example for me as apolitically-oriented person. I thought,‘Why couldn’t I be like her?’“She’s very passionate about politics,and it entices you to get involved. I spoketo her today about my decision and shesaid: ‘Great idea.’ And that’s good enoughfor me.”And while Philip Cutler shares the passion,he says he has new ideas he hopes tobring to the community and solutions forsome of the concerns in District 2, wherehe lives on Westmount Ave.One, he says, is the need for BIXI bicyclestands in Westmount, especially atMarianopolis to reduce parking and trafficcongestion around the CEGEP. “Thereshould be stands at Marianopolis likethere are outside all the universities. Theywould be very beneficial and offer an alternativemeans of transportation for studentsand staff.”Living across the street from the college,he says, “I know there is no parkingon Westmount Ave. because it’s all takenup by students who don’t have parkingstickers. The regulations are enforced butthere needs to be much more enforcement.It seems we should be trying to findother solutions.”Cutler also has insider insight into thePhilip Cutlerarena project. Having grown up playingsoccer, football and hockey, he is now inhis fourth year in Westmount’s Senior Ahockey league, which he would like to seeexpanded to inter-city play.“As an athlete, I’ve been following theissue of the artificial turf in WestmountPark and now the arena renewalproject. I bring to theissue the point of view ofresidents who use the arenaevery day rather than thosewho have an opinion on itbut are not active users.”He says that “what wasbuilt before was great for thetime but is no longer sufficient.I’ve never heard acomplaint about the qualityof the ice. But the lockerrooms are too small and theone full-size rink does notprovide enough ice time.“I believe that a new arena could be agood source of revenue for the city.”Cutler, who attended Roslyn School andSelwyn House, went to John Abbott Collegein St. Anne de Bellevue because of itsfootball and played on the CEGEP’s team.He went on to study in the human environmentprogram at Concordia Universitywhere he played on the Stingers footballteam. This fall, he switched into educationat McGill.Cutler’s family has an interesting historyin Westmount where his great grandfather,William Henry Ebbitt, began apolice career before joining the Montrealforce. Ebbitt’s daughter May, book publisherand future mayor, moved to Westmountafter marrying activist and labourlawyer Philip Cutler. They raised their foursons on The Boulevard, and it is in Westmountwhere May founded and ran theaward-winning Tundra Books before sellingthe business.Phil Cutler’s father, Adam, is a semi-retiredreal estate developer. His mother, Marina,owns Avenue Art. And through theirown businesses, he says, he has come toappreciate the needs of Westmount’s commercialpopulation.As a university student, Cutler explains,he has the time to devote to being a councillor.“I’ve been playing on football andhockey teams while studying and havelearned the value of time management. Iwas always good at that.”He also has a group of enthusiasticworkers, he says, “who are just as passionateas I am. We’ve starting to go doorto-door.”Cutler is acting as his own officialagent.

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 9District 7: Mavis Young – researcher, co-founder of Save the Park!Running on transparencyBy Laureen SweeneyTransparency and responsiveness aretwo key pillars of Mavis Young’s electioncampaign in District 7, where Cynthia Lulhamis seeking a fifth term.Young, who was motivatedby her fight against artificialturf for the playingfields in Westmount Parktwo years ago, says she wantsto change what she calls a“cavalier attitude in whichresidents are consulted bycouncil after basic decisionsare made.”She also feels the city haspaid only lip-service to complaintsconcerning district issuessuch as increasedtraffic, parking and the bikepath.“I want a seat on council because I wantto change the way the council works,” sheexplains. “It has to change because we allpay the price.”Young, who has forged a career as amedical researcher with the World HealthOrganization (WHO), the Jewish GeneralHospital and the MUHC, is a regulatoryaffairs project manager with HealthCanada.She holds a master’s degree in immunologyand an MBA in finance. Shelives on Melville Ave., where she raisedthree young children after the loss of herhusband.Young says she has “a vested interest”in protecting Westmount Park from furtherencroachment. It’s where she used tocoach soccer for her daughter, “and wewere a winning team,” she adds proudly.As a co-founder of Save the Park!, it wasthe plastic grass issue that brought her tothis point. “That’s when my idea of possiblyrunning for council began germinating.It had a positive outcome in bringingpeople together in the neighbourhood. Weneed consultation before decisions aretaken rather than the other way around.”Tracing her own penchant for “freethinking”to her Scottish genes, she’s callingfor a council environment in whichcouncillors “are not afraid to voice an opinionin public,” she says. “Speaking withone voice has a cost to it.”Young also advocates fiscal responsibilityby preventing the hiring of expensiveconsultants until residents are heard. Shealso wants public access to in-cameravotes, and evidence-based decision making.“I want to read a spreadsheet to seewhy there is not enough space at the currentarena.”Her position on the arena project, shesays, is to “consider refurbishing the spacewe have because the present site is limitedin scope.” She’s not against looking at theWestmount Athletic Grounds (WAG) andsays that regardless of conditionsattached to the infrastructuregrant, “we’veall been around longenough to know thesethings can be negotiated.”Swimming and tennisare important activities toWestmounters, she says,and she believes theyshould be given greaterpriority.“There’s never been aproper needs assessment.How many people woulduse an indoor pool? This isthe kind of planning the municipalityshould be doing.”Young was born in the Scottish town ofArbroath, near Carnoustie and St. Andrew’s– both of golfing fame. She spentearly schooling in various parts of Englandas her engineer father took on variousprojects.The family settled in Montreal whereYoung graduated from Trafalgar Schooland, in turn, sent her own daughter.She taught lab and immunology techniqueswith the WHO in Lausanne andSao Paulo before obtaining her master’sdegree at the University of Montreal in1973.She then pursued arthritis research atthe Lady Davis Research Institute of theJewish General, where she worked whileraising her children.Elected to the JGH board of directors asa representative of all staff excluding doctorsand nurses, “that was the most wonderfultraining I could have had,” she says.“The directors were all people who ranvery efficient, calm meetings where everyonehad their say, made decisions andmoved on.”In 1997, Young worked in HIV clinicaltrials at the Montreal Chest Hospital – “avery dynamic, positive atmosphere drivenby a team approach.”Eight years later, she moved into regulatoryaffairs at Health Canada in the areaof blood supply and control.While Young’s office is in Ottawa, sheconducts much of her work from homeand “I can adjust my work week to meetcommitments here.”Her official agent is Patrick Barnard.Mavis YoungDistrict 8: Theodora Samiotis – communicator, volunteerPresenting a new voiceBy Laureen SweeneyShe’s presenting herself as a new voiceon city council for District 8, where Johnde Castell is seeking a fourth mandate.But the world of politics is nothing newto communications professionalTheodora Samiotis, an eightyearresident of Westmount. Her18-year career includes work onParliament Hill, a Quebec referendumand three federal campaigns.“With the experience of corporatemodels, an understandingof public policy and civicengagement, I’m ready to hit theground running,” she says.A varied background in communicationsenables her to appreciatethe need fortransparency on council, she explains.“We need to be more communicativeand provide greater engagement at thefront end of the process. The stakeholdersneed to be informed.”As well, she adds, “I bring values of integrityand inclusiveness and a differentperspective as the mother of a young child.I feel I represent families who choose tolive here. I also have older parents, and amcognizant of the challenges facing peopleas they live longer.”Among the most compelling issues ofDistrict 8, Samiotis identifies noise reduction,trains, health and safety and protectionof heritage and parks, including theWestmount Athletic Grounds (WAG).With regard to the arena project and thepossible consideration of the WAG as asite, she says: “For me, what we have inthe WAG is a wonderful green space in anotherwise dense area, and it is importantfor us to preserve it.”A resident of Dorchester Blvd. at BruceAve., Samiotis and her husband – Bombardierexecutive Michael McAdoo – choseto move to Westmount eight years agowhen they acquired their category 1 heritagehome built in 1895. They spent fiveyears restoring the house for which theywon a Montreal heritage award in 2006.Samiotis is planning to teach a communicationscourse at Concordia’s Schoolof Community and Public Affairs in January.This is where, as a student, her passionfor civic engagement was born.Latterly, as a board member of theShield of Athena, she has devoted a largeamount of volunteer time to the organizationthat is dedicated to helping victims ofdomestic violence. “We have just launcheda major campaign on sexual assault in 15languages that is geared to women of variouscultural backgrounds.”Of Greek origin herself, Samiotis wasraised in Park Extension and St. Laurent.She attended Vanier College before graduatingfrom Concordia in 1990 with an artsdegree in communications.This launched herinto starter jobs withthe Jazz Festival andthe Hellenic Congressof Quebec until shelanded her first careerposition with CommunicationsMECA. Sheworked successively onfederal campaigns forformer federal Montreal-areaMP EleniBakopanos.In Ottawa, sheworked as a legislative assistant on the Hillfrom 1994 to 1998 during the referendum,“when every vote counted,” she recalls.“This strengthened my belief in civic engagement.”One incident at that time stood out, shesays. “A whole group of Westmounterscame over to our Yes riding in the EastEnd to take the No message door-to-door.That was my first interaction with Westmountvolunteers.”Starting in 1998, Samiotis worked asQuebec regional assistant to then Defenceminister Art Eggleton. In 2000 came anopportunity for her to experience the corporateworld as director of communicationsand public affairs for Wyethpharmaceuticals in Toronto and Montreal.Two years ago, Samiotis spent 16months in Mexico while her husband wasworking in Queretaro, a UNESCO heritagesite north of Mexico City.Her official agent is Karl Moore, a residentof Greene Ave.Theodora SamiotisElectronicIndependentsavailableEnjoy the Indie at supper timeon Tuesdays!Sign up by writing us:indie@westmountindependent.com.

10 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009

At Second GlanceThe arena-pool design:a question of sustainabilityBy Heather BlackOn October 1, city counciladopted a ”Sustainable DevelopmentAction Plan”.The question is: Does thenew arena-pool design reflectthese recommendations?Green technologiesIn the document’s “Nature and Biodiversity”section, council plans to “look intoinstalling beehives and/or vegetation onthe roofs of public buildings” (point B).But the new design’s roofs are a rustbrownmetal. Although Lemay architectsRobert Hamilton and Michel Lauzon suggestgreenery on the flat areas, the resultwould be an odd, two-tone roof.A flat-roof design with vegetation couldbe combined with the lighter wall and windowtreatment of the new design. The irregularshape windows – conceived by thearchitects to reflect branched forest trees –work if cedar or birch are planted to reinforcethe visual association.Another alternative would be to replacethe top-heavy roof with a lighter-lookingdesign and solar tiles – also suggested inthe report (“Energy,” point C). That solutionwould reflect the Olmsted park philosophy.And it would also complement the existingbuildings and Westmount ParkChurch in particular. Unfortunately, thearchitect’s white 3-D projections, illustratingthe neigbourhood, did not indicate themix of colours and materials.Pedestrian-safe parkIn the plan’s section “Public Health”,council intends to “make sure streets andparks are safe for pedestrians” (point B).However the layout has two arenas separatedby a narrow walk/stairway to LansdowneAve. And on Academy Rd., thetennis courts are replaced by a pool building.At the September unveiling, residentsnoted that safety is compromised as bothareas are hidden from the neighbouringresidents’ view. As many already avoid thiscorner – and teenage taunts – those concernsare justified.A compromise, T-shape solution of tworinks in one building was proposed by residentsPeter Weldon and John Fretz. Thisdesign reflects an earlier Lemay solutionthat left the tennis courts intact and issafer for residents, bike riders andpark/arena users.Citizen healthAlso explained in the plan’s “PublicHealth” section, the city intends to: “workwith responsible agencies to install asound barrier along the expressway andrail line” (point E). If – as CouncillorPatrick Martin suggests – the arena is builton the Westmount Athletic Grounds(WAG), the facility could serve as a soundbarrier, according to Councillor CynthiaLulham.And if constructed elsewhere at a reducedcost, the arena could be greener orlarger. Fredericton is now constructing anOlympic- and NHL-size facility for $20.6million.The existing facility could then be refurbishedas an exercise-pool area as requestedby some seniors. In thedocument, council plans to “evaluate longtermrecreation and health-promotionneeds in light of demographic trends”(point A).Need for reviewAfter Mayor Karin Marks’ impressivefeat of securing $20 million in governmentfunds – Fredericton was initiallypromised $2 million – it would be unthinkableto block the project. Yet the newdesign does not reflect the environmentalrecommendations.The priority for the next council is to increasethe environmental friendliness ofthe building. Another is to establish an advisorycommittee of local architects toshepherd the project to a “wow” conclusion.Westmount citizens – and perhapscouncil – demand no less.Heather Black is a Westmountcommunications designer. Contact her atblackheajea@gmail.com.ElectronicIndependentsavailableEnjoy the Indie at supper timeon Tuesdays!Sign up by writing us:indie@westmountindependent.com.By Laureen SweeneyWestmount’s new council began shapingup October 2 with the election by acclamationof Peter Trent as mayor, and twoof eight councillors.Last minute nomination filings and aswitching of districts changed the electoralscene, forcing elections in wards 2, 4, 5, 6,7 and 8.At the close of nominations, councillorsacclaimed were incumbent Patrick Martin(District 1) and newcomer Victor Drury(District 3). Only Martin, an outspokencouncillor, remained unopposed from theoutgoing council.Interestingly, all districts south of Sherbrookeare facing elections, where the impactfrom the proposed arena/pool project,the Ville Marie Expressway (Turcot) reconstructionand the MUHC at the GlenYards have all been listed as issues of concernin candidates’ platforms.Due to his acclamation, Trent may takepower before the election, but he must besworn in.On the ballotCandidates’ names as listed by MarioGerbeau, city clerk and returning officer,are (in alphabetical order):WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 11Nomination resultsannounced October 1The following is a list of profiles doneor planned by the Independent of sittingcouncillors and challengers. They can allDistrict 2: Philip Cutler, Claire MullinsKruyt and Timothy Price.District 4: Kathleen Warner Duncan(incumbent) and Nicholas Smith.District 5: Georges Hébert, Gary Ikeman,Douglas Leahey and René Pelletier.District 6: Nicole Forbes (incumbent)and Michael Osterland.District 7: Cynthia Lulham (incumbent)and Mavis Young.District 8: John de Castell (incumbent)and Theodora Samiotis.City clerk Mario Gerbeau, returning officer, readsnomination results.From the archives, in the pipelinebe accessed on our website, www.westmountindependent.com.Just click on the“Archives” tab under Recent Editions.District Candidate Status ProfileMayor Peter Trent Acclaimed August 11, p. 1 (news story)1 Patrick Martin Acclaimed March 17, p. 142 Tim Price Challenger September 15, p. 6Philip Cutler Challenger This issue, p. 8Claire Mullins Kruyt Challenger Planned3 Victor Drury Acclaimed September 15, p. 64 Kathleen Duncan Incumbent March 31, p. 18Nicholas Smith Challenger September 29, p. 65 Gary Ikeman Challenger September 1, p. 1Georges Hébert Challenger September 15, p. 7Douglas Leahey Challenger September 15, p. 7René Pelletier Challenger September 26, p. 66 Nicole Forbes Incumbent October 14, 2008, p. 18Michael Osterland Challenger Planned7 Cynthia Lulham Incumbent February 16, p. 14Mavis Young Challenger This issue, p. 98 John de Castell Incumbent Declined by subjectTheodora Samiotis Challenger This issue, p. 9Retiring council members are Karin Marks (mayor), Tom Thompson (District 2), GuyCharette (District 3) and George Bowser (District 5).

12 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Living SustainablyCycling safely, Part 1By Eve Aspinall,Member of the Healthy City ProjectOne of the goals for Westmount’s sustainabledevelopment is the reduction ofgreenhouse gas emissions. Cycling producesnone, provides good exercise andpromotes a healthy life style. However cyclingcan be dangerous, even deadly.The headline of an editorial in a recentnewspaper screamed “People are going todie” and focused on scofflaw cyclists, thetragedies they have caused and the recommendedclosure of bike paths in downtownMontreal. It did not take into accountthe numerous responsible cyclists who donot cause accidents but nevertheless riskbecoming victims.In Europe and Asia, where cycling hasbeen a principal mode of transportationfor generations, cycling is much safer formany reasons – rules of the road are understoodand observed by cars, cyclists andpedestrians. For the last century in NorthAmerica the automobile has been the kingof the road. Cars have been promoted fortheir power, speed and image of superiority.Pedestrians beware!The emergence of a large cohort of bicyclessharing the road has created enormousproblems. The car culture has toadapt to this change. Pedestrians, alreadywary of cars must now watch out also forcyclists, and in turn, the cyclists mustwatch out for cars and pedestrians.People resist change, particularly entrenchedhabits and feelings of entitlement,but change is imperative. It will notbe easy and will take time. Right now, awar is raging, with drivers, cyclists, andpedestrians blaming one another. What istotally lacking is respect for the rights ofothers, common courtesy and patience.Too many people are preoccupied bydeadlines, distracted by cell phones oripods, or annoyed by various obstacles intheir path. These conditions lead to unsafedrivers and cyclists, primarily speedingbut also failing to observe stop signs,switching lanes and making unsafe turns.Pedestrians take shortcuts too. They stepoff the curb, jay walk, cross the bike pathwithout looking, and amble slowly acrossbusy streets. Frequently cyclists encounterpeople walking or jogging, pushingstrollers or wheelchairs along paths clearlydesignated for cyclists. This is dangerousfor both groups.The greatest menace is speeding particularlycyclists. They cannot stop on adime to avoid a collision with a person ora car and they are more vulnerable than acar. The reckless behaviour of both cyclistsand cars inflames the ire of all those involvedand casts a shadow on the majoritywho act responsibly. Cyclists are in perilfrom motorists who veer into bicyclelanes, turn across a bike path without regardto oncoming bike traffic or come tooclose.Clearly the situation has to be remedied.Certainly better education is essential.At present, cyclists bear noidentification, nor do they require any registration.It is unclear whether the highwaycode or the criminal code isenforceable because of the lack of registration.Public Security is not mandated tointervene when they see moving violationsor bikers in Westmount not wearing helmets.There is an urgent need to re-evaluateour highway code and ensure that the lawsare enforceable. If cyclists are not identifiable,should their bicycles be licensed?Busy place doesn’t faze ducksOpinionChange attitudes, curbcyclists’ speed with gatesBy Stan GrossmanI am a cyclist, automobile driver andpedestrian. Conflicts and confrontationsarise between these groups for several reasons.Self-centrism, absence of civility, ignorancegenerally and of regulations, impatienceand anti-social misbehaviour lead tomishaps and conflicts.Regardless of who possesses the rightof-way,motorists must give way to cyclistsand pedestrians, who should be wary ofthe bigger autos. Cyclists should give wayto pedestrians.Attitudes of drivers and walkers areoften skewed. Most cyclists are decent,courteous and law-abiding.Our politicos and public employees arenot blameless because they enact rulesand provide services that lack logicaljudgement. In Dickens’ Oliver Twist, Mr.Bumble proclaims that the law is an ass.In Montreal:• Bicycles are regulated in similar mannerto autos;• Technically, cyclists must come to a totalstop at stop signs (ridiculous!);• Along the de Maisonneuve bike path inWestmount and at many corners, the trafficlight system provides nothing for bikesafety.Insofar as pedestrians are concerned,they should stay on walking paths throughWestmount Park.Most of all, many cyclists must changetheir attitudes. They must stay on the bikepaths and roads; they must slow down atstop signs and stop at red lights.Bike paths should not be speedways;potential harm can befall wheelchair usersand small children by errant bikers. Howmuch time can be saved going to a destinationif prudence is not employed? Verylittle.On many occasions I have advocated atcity council meetings to have slow-downgates or roundabouts installed in WestmountPark. There are children and otherstrollers who wander about, especially insummer. So far, all that has been accomplishedis the erecting of posts, stop andinfo signs at two crossings.Many cyclists still race through at fullspeed. Why are our elected officials andcity employees so unwilling to implementthe only solution to slow down the violatorswho forever disregard signs and trafficlights?One proposed solution for park safetyis to close the de Maisonneuve paththrough the park by circumvention. Howillogical. This would just take away roadwidth space from Melville Ave., St. CatherineSt. and other routes.Bicycling is here to stay and is growingin popularity. It benefits personal healthand the environment. There is muchroom for social accommodation for all:auto drivers, cyclists, walkers and wheelchairusers.Stan Grossman is a de Maisonneuve Blvd.resident.October at the Art GalleriesThree ducks were out for a stroll on October4 where the bike path passes nearthe northeast corner of Westmount Park’sjunior tennis courts. The area is an epicentreof several Westmount controversies:the busy bike path crosses apedestrian path at that point, the city’sfenced-in soccer fields are located to thesoutheast – and the rejuvenated pool isnow proposed to replace the courts. Theducks had no comment on any of thesematters.Galerie de Bellefeuille – Jim Dine: Exhibitcontinues to Oct. 7. James Lahey,vernissage: Oct. 8 at 5:30 pm. Exhibit continuesto Oct. 19. 1367 Greene Ave.,514.933.4406.Galerie D‘Este – Women artists: Exhibitcontinues to Oct. 11. Ángel Mateo Charris,vernissage: Oct. 31 at 2 pm. Exhibitcontinues to Nov. 29. 1329 Greene Ave.,514.846.1515.Galerie V. Trimont – Rita Briansky: Exhibitcontinues to Oct. 18. 4259 St. CatherineSt., 514.658.7214.Gallery at Victoria Hall – Laura Santini:Exhibit from Oct. 15 to Nov. 7. 4626 SherbrookeSt., 514.989.5226.Han Art – Alice Burton: Exhibit continuesto Oct 17. 4209 St. Catherine St.,514.876.9278.McClure Gallery - Visual Arts Centre –Lise-Hélène Larin, vernissage: Oct. 8 at6 pm. Exhibit continues to Oct. 31. 350Victoria Ave., 514.488.9558.Parisian Laundry – BCL: Exhibit continesto Nov. 21. 3550 St. Antoine,514.989.1056.West End Gallery – Upcoming exhibit:Jewish painters 1935-1980. 1358 GreeneAve., 514.933.4314.

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 13Ville de WestmountCity of Westmount ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡

14 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Patricia ForbesCurling club appointsfirst woman presidentBy Kristin McNeillThe oldest active athletic club in NorthAmerica, the RoyalMontreal CurlingClub, starts its seasonunder a new tradition.For the first time inthe club’s 202 years, ithas a woman president.Meet PatriciaForbes of Westmount.Forbes, a pediatricianat the MontrealChildren’s Hospital,accepted a leadershiprole at the curling clublast year, when shebegan a three-yearstint, starting out asvice president. Hercurrent role as president,which lasts forone year, started thisMay and is in fullswing with the start ofFOOT DISCOMFORT ?Find expertise, answers &comfort at Foot Solutions.Our custom molded inserts,therapeutic & specialty shoesfit your unique needs:• Flat feet • Diabetes • SportsInjuries •• Arthritis • Uneven Leg Length •• Heel Pain • Achilles Tendonitis •• High Arches • Gait Problems •* Recognized by le Ministère de la Santéet Services Sociaux* Wide selection of comfort and stylishEuropean shoes in all sizes and widths* Onsite Orthoprothesist andcustom orthotic fabricationFREEFOOTANALYSIS368 Victoria AvenueWestmount514-564-FOOT (3668)www.footsolutions.com/montrealthe curling season. In the third year, shewill act as past president, as is custom.“I think it’s a bit special,” Forbes said.“I don’t feel thatI’ve had a barrier toovercome. In myprofessional life, Ihave always beenaccepted, and myOut-going president of Royal Mount RoyalCurling Club (RMCC) Louis Gascon presents theRMCC President Pin to the first woman to holdthat office in the club’s history, Patricia Forbes.Photo: RMCCcompetence hasbeen the thing thathas put me in positions.”In terms ofthe curling club,she said “I don’tthink they lookedspecifically at awoman, but whothey thought mightdo a good job. Myname happened tobe up there, and Ihappened to be awoman, so the timewas right.”In 1997, Forbesbecame a memberof the club andstarted curling. It was also the year that theclub’s board decided to invite women tojoin the men’s league – which has ice timein the evening – and also opened up theoption of participating in other competitiveevents. Forbes and Westmounter JoanMcCrimmon were the first two women tocurl with the men in the evening.Busy at her day job, Forbes said shewanted to be able to play in the evenings,and as she had never curled before, shepractised hard.Forbes, who has lived in Westmountsince 1965, curls twice a week in theevenings and weekends. She walks everywhere.How does she make the time foreverything? “I have given up skiing,” shereplied.A ladies branch, a separate organizationwith its own board, continues to existtoday, with ice time available during theday. The club is also a haven for social activitiessuch as bridge, Wednesday luncheswith speakers and social evenings.Two ‘girls’ join evening leagueJoining the club in 1994, Colin Spenceris one of the oldest active members of theclub at age 88. Of Forbes, Spencer said“She is a delightful person. Ten years ago,there were two girls who wanted to jointhe club. As the times changed, there wereOn the shelveswomen who were working and couldn’tcurl during the daytime. Pat Forbes andJoan McCrimmon were the first ones, andI have often thought who could be betterrepresentatives to persuade the membershipthat this was the right thing to do?”He said the two women “fit in” and werewelcomed to the group.On the naming of a woman as president,Spencer remarked “It’s very positive.There is no reason anybody should not bepresident of the club. Of course, there aresome people who didn’t like it. But we’reall delighted we have Pat Forbes.”Forbes’ vision for the year is to “haveAmong the new arrivals at the WestmountPublic Library:Adults – Body parts...Bits of Me are Falling Apart: DarkThoughts from the Middle Years by WilliamLeith – A hilarious and moving memoir ofLeith’s mid-life meltdown and the ensuinginvestigation into the aging process.Carrying the Hear: Exploring the WorldsWithin Us by F. González-Crussi – Forfans of medical discoveries and curiosities,González – Crussi blends interesting storiesabout misconceptions about the bodythroughout history with his own views.Adult French – Best-selling novels, intranslationLe cercle littéraire des amateurs d’épluchuresde patates by Mary Ann Shafferand Annie Barrows – Set in 1946, and presentedas an exchange of letters between aLondon-based writer and residents of theIsland of Guernsey who send war stories,this book is about daily life during the Germanoccupation. There is a host of quirkycharacters and many references to literaturein this novel.Le jeu de l’ange by Carlos Ruiz Zafon –The much anticipated follow up to L’ombredu vent is having a huge success inSpain. Like Zafon’s previous novel, thisone is set in Barcelona; it features an unsuccessfulwriter who is offered a greatdeal of money by a mysterious editor andis soon engulfed in a murderous intrigue.DVDsCassandra’s Dream – When gamblingdebts and an expensive courtship placeworking-class brothers in a financial bind,a rich uncle offers to help them out in exchangefor committing murder.Waltz with Bashir – Over 20 years ago,Ari served in the chaotic war in Lebanon.Now he and his fellow Israeli veterans sufferfrom lost memories and strange, surrealdreams. What hidden truths do theirnightmares mask? Ari’s quest for the truthleads to his most troubling secret.Picture books for childrenSplat le Chat by Rob Scotton – It’sSplat’s first day of school and he is veryworried that he won’t fit in. When he decidesto bring his friend Harry the mouseto school, all of the other cats start to chasehim! Will Splat ever make any newfriends?Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse by MeghanMcCarthy – Seabiscuit was the grandsonof one of the greatest racehorses of alltime, but he didn’t like running, onlysleeping and eating. Still, his new ownertook a chance and let him run against thetop rated horse for the race of the century!Magazines“Sex and the married man: How HelenGurley Brown inspired a generation ofhome-wreckers, and brought down JohnEdwards” by Caitlin Flanagan in The Atlantic,September 2009, p. 79.“Who needs Harvard? Free onlinecourses, wiki universities, facebook-styletutoring networks – American higher educationis being transformed by a cadre ofweb-savvy edupunks” by Anya Kamenetzin Fast Company, September 2009, p. 84.“Qui nourrira les Québécois? Les terresagricoles québécoises sont déjà dévoréespar des autoroutes, des mégacentres commerciaux,des développements immobilierset des terrains de golf...Maintenant,ce sont les Chinois qui veulent lesacheter!” by Nicolas Mesly in Commerce,September 2009, p. 29.ReferenceOcean An Illustrated Atlas by Sylvia A.Earle.2010 Poets’ Market.good governance – make sure the club isrunning smoothly, that we increase ourmembership, and that our membership ishappy with the curling and other activitieswe have planned.”“The club has to evolve with custom, sowe may have to rethink separating theladies’ branch from the main branch.”Between 40 to 50 Westmounters are activecurling members in the regularleague, plus others members of the ladiesbranch. The Mount Royal Curling Club islocated on de Maisonneuve, just west ofGuy.

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 15

16 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009The three founding members of the Stand Up, Stand Out committee, from left, Lyndsay Mann, EdenGlickman, Cathy Hughes, and their first recruit Ayssa D'Allmen.MAZDA A GABRIELGX 2010Purchasestarting at15 995 $*$14950 *GETTHE MAX. FOR YOUR EXCHANGE !4 WINTER TIRES INCLUDED Standing up and outWestmount’s Vanguard is raisingsocial issues and its own imageBy Kristin McNeillAt Vanguard School, a new committeehas been formed by students to combatmisconceptions about their school and toengage in community activism. In fact, itwas during a history exam last June thatstudents started to talk about a social issuescommittee. A debate about whetherwater is a human right was the catalyst.“Stand Up, Stand Out”, started by LindsayMann, Cathy Hughes, Eden Glickmanand with now with first recruit AlyssaD’Allmen, numbers about 10 studentsfrom grades 10 and 11, and is what historyteacher Linda Handiak describes as “a socialjustice committee in the hope of promotinga more positive presence in thecommunity.”The impetus to start the group camefrom what members perceived as a lack ofunderstanding about Vanguard. “They discoveredeither people didn’t know Vanguardor they only knew it as the ‘schoolthat helps kids with learning disabilities.’They want to be able to show they are notdisabled, [and] they are able in many waysand can give help, too.”“The reason we started this is becausewe wanted to change our image,” explainedgrade 11 student Mann. “For example,a lot of people don’t know ourschool or put us down, or [think] thatlearning disabilities mean we can’t do anything.This committee should give ourschool a better image, help the communityand show leadership.”According to Glickman, grade 11, “thethree main areas we want to target are theenvironment, human rights, especially forchildren who are defenceless, and animalrights.”So far the group, has attended ConcordiaUniversity’s “Apathy is Boring” workshopthat teaches young people aboutdemocracy, the political process and communityinvolvement. Participation in theTD Great Canadian Shoreline Clean Up isscheduled for the spring. In the meantime,the Vanguard committee is also organizingvolunteer missions to a select listof organizations, as well as hosting awareness-raisingcampaigns at their school.Currently, they are collecting books forthe KidzSafe Foundation, preparing WaterCanpetitions for the right to accessclean drinking water, and are planningone volunteer day per semester whengroups will be sent out to soup kitchensand animal shelters, or to work with kids.Hughes, a grade 11 student, said “Wewant to do a fair trade coffee house... Weneed to be aware of what we buy andwhether some kid somewhere is slavingover it or is getting hurt making it.”Though Vanguard’s mandate is to servechildren who have learning disabilities orwho have up to a two-year learning delayin key subjects, the students write thesame ministry exams and use the sametextbooks as other students.Handiak explained some of their frustrationcomes from the misconceptionthat kids with learning disabilities will endup in less interesting, lower-functioningvocational jobs or “that they are aimingvery low at what they want to do later on.”The other frustration is the misconceptionthe school is for kids with behaviouralissues. Handiak said the start of this committeeand the volunteering objectives areone way to show that in fact “their behaviouris very good.”Officially called Vanguard InterculturalHigh School, Vanguard is located on MetcalfeAve. below St. Catherine and is oneof three schools in the Vanguard Quebecschool network.STUDENT REBATE UP TO $500

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 17CREATING JOBSTODAYCanada’s Economic Action Planis building for the future.Enhancing infrastructureacross Canada.Through our Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canadaand its partners at all levels of government are investing in world-classinfrastructure, creating new jobs today in communities from coastto coast to coast, and ensuring project start-ups in record time.FIND OUT ABOUT PROJECTS IN YOUR COMMUNITYactionplan.gc.ca1 800 O-Canada

18 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 19

20 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Bought & Sold: Real estate transferred since July 13, 2009Address Price Evaluation Buyer Seller Date46 Forden Crescent $3,000,000 $2,300,000 Fiducie Forden Crescent Eve-Daniéle Veilleux & BernardAllaire 28-Aug3289 Cedar Ave. $2,900,000 $2,250,000 Thi Quoc Anh Nguyen Kamal Mekhael 3-Aug3 Murray Ave. $2,400,000 $2,300,000 Johanne Klein Kathy Silverstein 21-Aug455 Roslyn Ave. $2,212,500 $1,749,000 Jeannot Blanchet & Lise Couture Catherine D’Amour 13-Jul40 Summit Crescent $2,175,000 $1,540,000 Magdy Mekhael Jean Charton 25-Aug608 Carleton Ave. $1,535,000 $1,139,400 Dario Mazzarello & Marina Martelli Karen Radford & Jason Grelowski 25-Aug642 Belmont Ave. $1,500,000 $1,078,600 Kuo Hsien Tsai & Li Chi Chen Abraham Stark 14-Jul20 Aberdeen Ave. $1,500,000 $1,228,900 Scott Jones & Sophie Dutil Charles Kotler 14-Jul447 Prince Albert Ave. $1,295,000 $850,000 Françoise Lonergan & Rajiv Das Anna Liverant 16-Jul673 Grosvenor Ave. $1,275,000 $850,000 Louise Tanguay Panagiota Kalfantis 22-Jul405 Clarke Ave. $1,180,000 $1,198,800 Linda Rosenbloom Terry Stein 30-Jul634 Murray Hill Ave. $1,175,000 $800,000 Marc & Gillian Lustig Nathalie Haccoun 17-Aug79 Rosemount Crescent $1,175,000 $972,200 Mohamed El Shafei & Enas Ahmed Robert Carbone & Carmen Montague 27-Aug478 – 480 Mountain Ave. $1,090,500 $920,000 Kathy & Stephen Silverstein Michael Chaimberg 26-Aug60 Aberdeen Ave. $1,090,000 $928,600 Nathalie Haccoun Marcel Behr & Nadia Giannetti 20-Aug723 Upper Belmont $1,075,000 $904,100 Sophie Savoy & Louis Crevier Heather Mackenzie 17-Aug530 Argyle Ave. $1,070,000 $1,215,200 Michal Kuzmicki Angèle Martineau 25-Aug3200 The Boulevard $1,000,000 $1,599,000 David & Sian Matthew David Carroll & Cynthia Blum 20-Jul19 Willow Ave. $1,000,000 $500,000 Mariana Toro Carla Lancit 18-Aug431 Mount Stephen Ave. $970,000 $667,000 Marc Garneau & Pamela Soame Alexandra Wilson 20-Jul594 Lansdowne Ave. $905,000 $773,600 Richard Ouellette Bernice Pedvis 5-Aug436 Wood Ave. $900,000 $773,000 Lucy Fellows Marc Garneau & Pamela Soame 16-Jul43 Holton Ave. $890,000 $895,900 Samira Sakhia & Virginie Lamotte Olivier Benrubi & Marion Kaestle 26-AugREMAXWESTMOUNTINC.continued on p. 28Outstanding Results 1330 Greene AvenueWestmount514 933-6781CHARTERED REAL ESTATE BROKERindependently owned and operatedHomes featured on p.39Ron BenvenisteDanielle CohenJoanne De SeveLillian EngelsJoyce FaughnanLucette Hivon5673 Monkland AvenueN.D.G.514 482-3347Esti JedeikinTania KalecheffSylvie LafreniereAnne Marie LarueDominique RollandName:Member since:McGuigan Pepin Inc. October 1, 2006Joan & Jill Prévost June 20, 2007Brian Dutch September 5, 2007Marie Sicotte March 19, 2008Christina Miller April 16, 2008Bunny Berke May 20, 2008Joyce Faughnan August 26, 2008Christopher Gardiner August 26, 2008Tania Kalecheff September 9, 2008Martin Rouleau December 2, 2008Albert Sayegh May 27, 2009Marie-Yvonne Paint June 9, 2009

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 21COVEY HILL CH.Unique! Unique! Unique! 72 Acres, your personal golf course and much more for the countryside and golf aficionado! Quiet New Yorkborder town a mere 60 minutes south of Montreal featuring a solid stone cottage plus garages and fun activities for the whole family.You will fall in love at first sight! Photos and details at www.mcguiganpepin.com/8209475 Asking $475,000CLARKE ST.Charming pied à terre, steps to amenities as Greene Ave.,Westmount Square, Atwater metro & Montreal Children’sHopsital. One bedroom, first floor, high ceilings, A/C, doormanand concierge on premises. Asking $189,000ROSLYN AVE.Great opportunity to renovate this detached brick COACH HOUSEset amongst Roslyn’s grand residences. 3 bedrooms plus, 3full bathrooms, big spaces, high ceilings, fireplace. Parking,garden! Very unique property. Asking $785,000SOLDSTE CATHERINE W.Westmount Park Towers, the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation, the Towers offers you a unique architectural concept, viewson Westmount Park, in a setting just moments from Victoria and Greene ave. 2 bdrms, 2 bthrms, high ceilings, spacious gallery-stylehallway, tall windows, garage, pool, exercise room and 24-hr security! Asking $549,000DU CENTRE ST.Looking for a lifestyle change? Live steps to Charlevoix metro, Atwater market and fun on the Canal. This 1000+ sf LOFT in historic Sherwillbuilding features brick walls, wood beams, huge windows, a separate bedroom, double mezzanine and parking. Asking $289,000ST LAURENT BVD‘Place de la Croix’ Rachel-Julien construction 2003. Luxuriouscondo loft partially furnished, in the heart of Petite Italie, nearby the metro, restaurants and all the boutiques of St-Laurent.Modern bathroom and kitchen with high quality accessories.Wood floor, A/C.Asking $1,500/mo

22 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Westmount ParentingMotherhood, autumn and the need for informationBy Sophie TarnowskaI’m the first to admit thatI’ve always been bored bywhat I call “MummyChats.”I can only discuss mychild’s sleeping patterns,soccer schedule or latesttantrum in the aisles atMetro so long before myeyes glaze over and I start looking acrossthe intersection towards the SAQ.I think this means I am either an excellentmother who doesn’t need any adviceand knows it all (please stop laughing)or that I am lacking some basic motherlyinformation-gathering instinct.The point is that I’ve been humbled.I’m a working mother who was blessed bythe CPE (Centres de la Petite Enfance)gods to have earned my daughter a place atdaycare, which allowed me to work fulldays without having to worry about whereshe was. Enter the phenomenon known asBack To School.This fall, my daughter started kindergartenat a French private school (the sameone I attended for nine years and haveonly recently recovered from), and the ensuingupheaval has given me new compassionfor the hunted, exhausted look Iused to notice in many of my friends’ eyesevery September.I wish I’d listened more closely, so thatI might have anticipated the toll that sendingmy child to “real” school has taken onme. All of a sudden, I’m faced with shorterschool hours that require daycare thatcosts more than the school itself; weird vacationschedules that mean I may neveragain benefit from an Air Canada seat sale;packing healthy lunches every day at anhour when I am barely able to speak; andsigning up for endless afterschool activities.Oh. The. Pressure.So I am now one of them – the womenwho wander our neighbourhood exchangingwhat I now know to be essential advicefor Staying Sane Despite September. You’llknow us by our chipped fingernails, wornaway under calluses caused by sewing,sticking and ironing labels onto every penciland Kleenex that might make their wayto our children’s schools.You’ll know us by the Machiavellianstrategy sessions you might have overheardin August, during which mothersplot out their plan of attack on the Westmountarena to sign their kids up for afterschoolactivities. Westmount registrationdays are like a cross between religious pilgrimage– requiring fervent devotion, sensiblefootwear, and yes, praying – and thekind of desire and slightly rabid focus I’veonly witnessed at a 70-percent off designershoe sale at Holt Renfrew.I’ve heard of women sending their nanniessix hours ahead of sign-up time justto stake their claim in line, and it’s commonknowledge that having a boy whowants to play hockey means a much morecompetitive line-up than having a girl whowants to do hip hop. You’ll know us alsoby the pained look on our faces at the supermarket,as we consider buying thoseoverly-packaged snacks marketed to kids.Treating MumAnd finally, after all this is achieved,you’ll know us by the resulting impulse totreat ourselves to something fabulous, justfor the endorphin rush. This splurge willreflect not only a brain addled by sleeplessness,but also a desire to return to atime when we were not yet responsibleadults – like silver leggings from AmericanApparel that were clearly designedwith a 12-year-old transvestite in mind, oryet another leather jacket that we’ll haveexactly two opportunities to wear beforethe deep freeze sets in.So please, if you spot a silver leggingwearing,leather-jacket sporting, unhealthysnack-buying 30-something wanderingdown the street mumbling to herself, bekind. That’s me – the enlightened version.DR.IAN BRADLEYClinical and Industrial PsychologistExecutive Coaching and PsychologicalSolutions to workplace problems4115 Sherbrooke West, Suite 410Westmount, Qc514 867-4807 – ianfbradley.com

New consignment store opensfor pre-owned ‘home couture’By Erin StropesWestmount resident Marcy Katz has apassion for décor and, when she noticedthat Montreal’s home decoratingscene was missingthe kind of luxury consignmentmodel she had seenin Europe and the US duringher retail travels, shestepped in to fill the void.Galerie M (8160 DevonshireRd.) is a consignmentstore that mixes new, preownedand antique piecesin its 5,000-sq. ft. showroomin the Town of MountRoyal. The space opened tothe public on August 31and has already attracted aclientele from all over thecity. The stock changes continually,coming in fromboutique hotels and showroomoverstock as well asprivate homes.Homeowners who are moving or redecoratingcan send pictures of pieces forsale to the gallery, or make an appointmentfor a home visit. If a piece is acceptedfor consignment, the store workswith the seller to decide on a price, whichis divided 50/50 uponsale of the item. The consignmentperiod is 90days, and the seller andstore agree in advance ona discounting plan to encouragesales during thatperiod. Sellers are responsiblefor movingtheir items into the showroom.“Our focus is affordableluxury,” said Katz,“and there’s somethingfor everyone, from a mahoganydining table to antiqueserving pieces.” In atime when getting a gooddeal is great news, andenvironmental consciousnessis leading consumersto look for pre-owned itemsinstead of buying new ones, Galerie Mmay be an idea whose time has come.Marcy KatzWESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 23Shop Westmount!40% OffClothing & Shawls...4875A Sherbrooke St. W. (514) 488-0444 Sharyn Scott on ConsignmentWomen’s and Men’sQuality, gently used clothing,shoes, handbags and jewellery4925 Sherbrooke St. West (at Prince Albert)(514) 484-6507Tango MartiniChinese Antiques & Collectibles“Clearance Sale”from 20% off ...4500 St. Catherine St. W.,Westmount514.937.6034tangomartiniantiques.comSince1977For info. on elōs hair removalon all skin and hair colorwww.lisaanella.comPREVENT CHILD ABUSEYou can help by donating any typeof BOOKS to KidzSafe Foundationto fund educational programs for kids.Call for pick-up 514.702.4930Please write to us!WE’VE MOVED!New Fall Collection5175B Sherbrooke West corner Marlowe514-482-4702For consideration, letters to the editor must identify them as “for publication” and have authors’customary first and last names, and street names, all of which will be published. Please alsoinclude contact information (for follow-up purposes only). We do not publish letters regardingconsumer complaints or inter-neighbour disputes. Letters will be edited for length, content andstyle. Please check your letter carefully. We may be unable to make subsequently submittedchanges. If you do make amendments, please “redline” them instead of resending the wholeletter.HAIR STYLING FOR MEN514.484.59874970 Sherbrooke Street WestTAO RestaurantFine AsianCuisineLunch Special from $6.95514.369.1122374 Victoria near SherbrookeM.A.D. CateringFood from my kitchen to yourtable. Dinner parties, cocktailparties, luncheons, microwavedinners and more! Please call514 586 1248 or visit the websiteat www.madcatering.comCertified Custom Framer on Site318A Victoria Ave. • 514.369.2633Dresses.322 Victoria Ave.(at de Maisonneuve)514 369-4799www.astripruggerdesign.comCENTRE VISUEL WESTMOUNT4966 rue Sherbrooke O. 514.486.4703Everything for your eyesSTANISLAV PONOMARENKO, optometrist• Complete eye examination• Glasses & contact lenses• Large choice of frames• Screening for eye diseases• Glaucoma & cataract examsWe accept prescriptions

24 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Money should go toroads and PSOsIn Larry Klepper’s “back-asswords” letterto the editor (September 22), he says itthe way it is in regards to the proposedarena/pool development plan and wastefulpast expenditures on poorly thoughtoutprojects (e.g. the artificial turf plan inWestmount Park). He should, in fact, becredited with exposing the outrage andthen abandonment of the artificial turfplan.Currently, it appears to many thatMayor Karin Marks wants to leave a monumentto herself. Between herself and thecity of Westmount, they have their prioritiesbackwards. What appears to most isthat council and Marks are bent on squanderingenormous sums of governmentfunding and taxpayers’ money to replaceexisting recreational facilities that currentlysatisfy community needs (otherthan required refurbishment) instead ofbetter budgeting and using their availablemonies to pay for needed road work (e.g.Summit Circle) and better compensateour civil servants (including the Public Securityagents) with whom they have recentlybeen disputing salary increases andwell-deserved pay hikes.The existing pool, fountain wading andrink facilities are not overcrowded andleave a minor environmental imprint onthe last remaining natural green spaceavailable in lower Westmount. Councilshould follow the principles laid out andmanaged by its own building council topreserve and maintain the image of our“green” city and dismiss this project infavour of one supported by existing demographicsand more responsible accounting,governance for taxpayers’ needs anddollars.Michael Besner, Oakland Ave.Two sites for arena/poolThe following is the basis of an alternativeconcept for proceeding with thearena/pool renewal project, subject to afavourable outcome of its cost/benefitanalysis by the newly elected city council:Refurbish, but do not replace, the existingarena facility. Surely, the cost of refurbishmentcan only be a fraction of the cost fordemolishing the facility and replacing itstwo existing skating rinks.If supported by a re-examination of thecommunity’s present and future needs,proceed with the construction of an NHLsizedhockey rink and/or an indoor swimmingpool located on the WestmountAthletic Grounds (WAG), south of WestmountHigh.Letters to the Editor – ArenaThis concept offers the followingsalient advantages over the architecturalproject presented at Victoria Hall on September26:• Westmount’s hockey teams, skaters andswimmers would not lose a year’s use ofthe arena/pool facilities while they werebeing demolished and replaced;• The end result could be significantly lesscostly with three skating rinks rather thantwo, and possibly both indoor and outdoorswimming pools, depending on whetherthe present outdoor pool continued to remainin use;• Having two facilities in different areas ofthe city would reduce traffic density andparking problems.The architectural plan presented at VictoriaHall showed three separate structures,so the alternative concept ofoperating two more widely separated facilitiesshould not significantly impactcosts of operation, maintenance andstaffing.The presentation also highlighted thedifficulties of locating the planned new facilityon backfilled land; including theneed for many support piles that contributesignificantly to the cost of constructionand to vibration problems thatcould possibly damage neighbouringbuildings when the piles are being driven.The level surface at the WAG seems bettersuited to support the weight of construction.John Dorey, Victoria Ave.Bury the rinksAt the September 26 meeting at VictoriaHall, I asked if the architects had consideredthe possibility and the advantages ofburying the two skating rinks underground.There are an enormous numberof advantages in pursuing the concept ofburying the buildings.1. Having lived nearby and used thepark for more than 30 years, I am impressedby the extent to which it has gottenover-utilized and even crowded,especially on weekends. Extending the naturalportion of the park in the southwestcorner would be beneficial in that regard.It would also help satisfy those who feelthe original Olmsted concept of a naturalrather than a man-made environmentshould prevail in a park.2. Despite all the jargon that was usedby the architects to explain how the buildingswere to be integrated into the immediateenvironment, the elevations provedotherwise. There is absolutely no traditionin Westmount for a metal roof that wasshown on the elevated portions. Even if agreen roof were to be considered in itsplace, is it not preferable to allow the parkto continue over the top of the buildingsto maintain the environmental integrity ofthe park?Sufficient natural lighting could be providedto the rinks with skylights.3. Everyone is willing to consider sustainabilityand conservation of energy. It ismuch in fashion, yet there is little evidenceof it in the proposal. Burying the two rinkswould go a long way in that direction. Thearea where these buildings are to be locatedis known to contain landfill, and pilingwill be necessary. Excavating landfill isfairly straightforward and not that great anexpense as was suggested in the flippantanswer that I was given. If anything, therewill be less depth to pile. Undergroundbuildings are known to be the most economicin terms of conserving energy. Lessenergy would be needed to heat or cool thebuilding and geothermal sources could bemore easily harnessed to do that.4. Finally, I would not suggest that welook a gift horse in the mouth. If $20 million(about half the cost) is available fromthe federal and provincial governments,then it would be worthwhile to reconsiderthe basics as soon as possible so as to notlose out on that subsidy. Still, there aremany who will find that even an expenditureof this amount is high. Given thedepth of landfill in the area, it would befeasible to stack one rink over the otherand achieve significant levels of economy.Morris Charney, Architect,Melbourne Ave.Lansdowne exit ‘adisaster’The revised plan for the arena/poolproject revealed at the September 26 meetingat Victoria Hall has several seriousflaws, as voiced by many attendees.By far, the most serious is the proposedlocation for the main pedestrian entranceand drop-off, combined with the parkinggarage entrance/exit at the curve on LansdowneAve., which is already clogged withcars stopping for the dog run. Also, parkingis presently permitted on the sameside from St. Catherine up to de Maisonneuve– absolutely essential for tenantsand guests of the large apartments on thewest side.This plan is horribly ill-conceived andsurely a recipe for disaster! St. Catherinejust south of this point is the widest in itsentire 32-km length. Cars speed headingnorth from the Glen tunnel to catch thegreen light and the same heading south,often with near misses. Additionally, thereis an existing traffic light at de Maisonneuveand Lansdowne.Is a third traffic light planned for thegarage access which could make things alot safer but that would result in THREEtraffic lights within one block? Just imaginethe resulting gridlock...hardly an idealsolution.Surely the only safe solution is to haveall entrances and exits elsewhere and avoidthe heavy traffic and dangers that are alltoo present already on lower Lansdowne.David Asch, Lansdowne Ave.$35M for hockey players?On September 26, quite a number ofpeople met at Victoria Hall to watch a slidepresentation of our proposed new arena.What we learned was that for about $35million, hockey players would be able toskate 12 months a year. Visitors wouldhave a 90-car garage, which would exit directlyonto an already very busy LansdowneAve. The dog run would bemaintained. The junior tennis courtswould disappear.The rest of us would have access to anoutdoor pool available for about threemonths a year.Is this really what we want to spend somuch money on?Roslyn Walker, Lansdowne Ave.More imagination neededto find arena locationThe consultation on the arena complexwas enlightening for me. As I listened tothe hockey enthusiasts – young and old –I became persuaded that they may indeedneed two rinks, and that I will not mindpaying some additional taxes to accommodatethem. As I listened to the objectionsto the current design, I became moresure than ever that constructing thoserinks in Westmount Park is completely inappropriate.Very striking at the meeting were questionsabout the mandate that the city gaveitself (and the architects) for this project.For example, was the sustainability of theadjacent neighbourhoods given as muchpriority as athletic services? It seems not.Recently, the city took the liberty of expandingthe project mandate to allowbuilding on the tennis courts, a major encroachmenton the park. A member of theNational Association for Olmsted Parksvoiced disbelief at the industrial incursionsinto the pastoral space. The depth ofthe city’s investigations was also calledinto question. As the project grew in scale,were other locationssuch as the West-continued on next page

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 25continued from previous pagemount end of the Glen Yards reallyprobed? It seems not.I was struck by something else: thatthere was no three-dimensional model.Architects’ renderings and elevations hideas much as they reveal to individuals whoare not accustomed to interpreting them.As it is now, my eye does not “read” thepool as a structure, and the arena is justbeyond the edge of my peripheral vision.The new project design places a longbuilding with a dark angled roof where thepool is now, completely altering the characterof the park.Finally, I was convinced by the argumentsabout noise in the park: the mechanicalnoise generated by the buildingand, even more important, the noise that arelocated pool would create for individualsand gatherings using the now peacefulSerpentine. These are crucial questionsraised by this expanded design.I left the meeting believing that two arenasis a reasonable idea, and that we mustimmediately apply our efforts and imaginationsto finding the right location forthem.Audrey Bean, Somerville Ave.Swimming is moreinclusiveAfter the clear cutting below SummitPark and the expensive attempt to installartificial turf in Westmount Park, I findthis “on-the-way-out-the-door” administrationleaving the city with a Jean Drapeau“fait accompli” type of incursion intoWestmount Park with the “rabbit out ofthe hat” unveiling of their latest hockeyarenas and swimming pavilion plans.This outgoing administration is promotingnew facilities that would have footprintstwo-and-a-half times the existingfacilities and would require the presenthard surface tennis courts to be placed inanother part of Westmount Park. Imaginewhat the future state of Westmount Parkwould be like if this 250-percent increasein recreational building mass goes ahead,if the tennis courts find a new locationsuch as next to the wading pool at Melvilleand Sherbrooke, and if the artificial turfsurfaces had actually been installed fromthe new location of the pool to Melville.This stewardship of Westmount Parkverges on being environmentally criminal.Consider one design aspect this administrationhanded the architects: an accessroad and 90 underground parkingspaces. How does this fit into the sustainablecommunity idea for Westmount? It iscommonly accepted that each undergroundparking stall costs $50,000. Do weneed to spend $4.5 million dollars onhockey players, on healthy athletes, so theycan park underground?Westmount hockey programs are predominantlymale and the Westmount populationis about 50 percent female. Thispart of our population has been locked outof any consideration in this “the greatestdevelopment expenditure in the history ofWestmount.” Over the last year, it came upover and over again at the Victoria Hallround table discussions that what is trulyneeded is not a second hockey rink forsenior hockey but a year-round swimmingfacility for the entire Westmount community.Somehow this administration hasshown a great deafness to that request.And how can young swimmers in Westmountnot be given the facility they needfor early training, in the hopes of makinga Canadian international swim or divingteam?I think the solution to an over-sized, illconceivedproject is to build a year-roundswimming facility in the present locationof the swimming pool. It should also berequired that this new facility attain aLEED Gold rating, as is required for allnew construction in the city of Montreal.Aiming for Silver is not acceptable. Weshould also consider the possibility ofbeing able to open its roof to the sky duringthe summer months.The existing hockey arena is structurallysound. There is no reason to have asecond NHL-size rink. We do not have anNHL franchise. Instead renovate the existinghockey arena to a LEED Silver ratingto at least match what is now requiredof such renovations for the city of Montreal.If after an independent study of needs,it is found that Westmount is an exceptionto the rule of one hockey arena for a populationof its size, why not build the tworequired hockey rinks, one stacked on topof the other, in the footprint of the presenthockey arena? One rink would be completelybelow ground taking the place ofthe underground parking. If two rinks arerequired, then this solution makes moresense then wasting money on undergroundparking.Roger Jochym, Lewis Ave.Lansdowne needs a breakNo to entrances and exits on LansdowneAve. Excessive and fast traffic is alreadya danger to residents. No to tradingtennis courts for more hockey space. NoAt the arena project meeting, September 26, Victoria Hall.to losing green space as the noisy andsmelly dog run is moved closer to Lansdowneresidences.Yes to moving the arena/pool project toa location where residents are not affected,i.e. behind Westmount High. Yes to usingthe existing footprint to build newarena/pool complex – often more is less.We already endure the negative effectsof Westmount municipal garage trafficand Royal Montreal Regiment traffic.Enough.Trudy Asch, Lansdowne Ave.Still unansweredquestionsThe overline of September 29’s p. 1story “Arena meeting reveals many unansweredquestions” points to the dilemmafacing Westmount in the wake of thepromised financing for the outgoing administration’sarena/pool project. Two optionsnow face this city: one bad, and theother reasonably good.The bad choice would be to blindly continuewith an ill-conceived plan that willdamage a whole neighbourhood, compromiseWestmount Park, and greatly weakenthis city financially. Those who have followedthe evolution of this exercise haveseen a steady rise in estimates: $20 million,$25 million, $35 million plus. The$35.9-million figure now presented excludesextremely high costs intrinsic to theproject – such as management fees –andhence is deeply misleading. The best estimateis that this present project will escalateto at least $50 million. But even withthe strictest discipline – utterly lacking sofar – the city will find it impossible to meetits projected 150 percent increase of thecurrent arena/pool footprint for only $18million of its own money that Westmountsays is its spending limit.Let’s face the truth: the arena/pool projecthas been distorted from the beginning,partly because no genuine attempt wasever made to respond to the need for icesurfaces without building an ugly superplex.The good choice is to start with the basicsand use the $20 million as a way to dothis job properly. There are many engineersand architects in Westmount whohave an intimate understanding and appreciationof the park and the neighbourhood.Their opinions should be listenedto. A back-to-basics approach need not imitatethe confused rush to the money,which has coloured the project so far. Withbetter planning and foresight we can envisagea solution more suitable to the scaleand character of the surroundings. And,above all, we can achieve, not a monstrosity,but a project that meets with widespreadapproval, rather than alienating alarge number of citizens.Patrick Barnard, Melville Ave.

26 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Letters to the Editor –Non-arenaCleaner streets onceupon a timeMr. Trent:There was a time when Westmount’sstreets were cleaner than those of Montreal.Alas, no longer!Give us cause to be proud once more.Thank you for coming back.Nota bene: Yes, small details do matter.Chris Feise, Chesterfield Ave.At election time, onlyCanadians areWestmountersI follow with interest your reports onthe municipal elections, and I believe votingis important.What many may not realize is that accordingto Quebec law, not every adultWestmounter has the right to vote in municipalelections. Section 47 of the act respectingelections and referendums inThings that makeyou go hmmmmm….When: Friday, September 25, noon.Where: Grassy area between Tupperand Dorchester.What: This green space on the southside of Tupper St. just west of Atwaterhas a sign saying it is private property. Isthis Westmount’s only private park?If you see, hear or witness something interesting,bizarre, humourous, sad, maddeningor outrageous, send us your story. Allpersons involved will remain anonymous,but places and times should be clearly stated.municipalities (R.S.Q., E-2.2 47) gives theright to vote in municipal elections only toadult Canadian citizens who satisfy one oftwo conditions: (1) having been domiciledin the territory of the municipality and, forat least six months, in Quebec; or (2) havingbeen, for at least 12 months, the ownerof an immovable or the occupant of a businessestablishment in the municipalityand liable to tax.The municipal list of electors does notextend that right to landed immigrants orlong-term residents. Those who are not inpossession of Canadian citizenship are excludedfrom voting (and, presumably)standing as candidates in municipal elections,even if they have been domiciled,owned property, resided, had businessesand paid taxes in the city for many years.By comparison, if you have Canadiancitizenship, according to the public noticeconcerning the revision of the municipallist of electors, a 13-month right of ownershipof an immovable suffices.Nanette Neuwahl, Prince Albert Ave.Copoli’s renovationscompleteCopoli’s Restaurant(4458 St. Catherine St.) isback in the pizza andburger business afterbeing closed for renovationsin June and July. Therestaurant has undergonea full renovation.Proxim-Murielle Cadieuxgetting spruced upThe Proxim-MurielleCadieux pharmacy acrossthe street (4451 St. CatherineSt.) has been underconstruction all summer, with new windowsgoing in, and work on the foundationand roof. The pharmacy is open, andwill remain so for the duration of the renovations,which will continue through thefall.Sac Wich, a European conceptHungry Westmounters who find themselvesnear Alexis Nihon might want tocheck out a new European-concept restaurantthat has popped up on Atwater.Sac Wich (1500 Atwater) straddles theline between a takeout place and restaurant.Orders are assembled on the spot,passed through a brick oven, and ready inminutes. But the inviting bistro chairs,screened terrace, wi-fi, and three flatscreenTVs (yes, you can watch Habs games here)definitely encourage lingering. The restaurantalso has a liquor license and sells importedbeer and cute little mini-bottles ofwine.Sandwiches are made with all fresh ingredientson ciabatta rolls. The menu isRetail Watchby Erin StropesCopoli’s Restaurantvegetarian-friendly and features everythingfrom roast beef and chicken tosalmon and Portobello mushrooms.Sac Wich prides itself on being studentfriendly,with a 15 percent student discountthat lets students pick up many ofthe trios (drink and soup or salad) forunder $10.Proxim-Murielle Cadieux Sac WichDominic Morabito

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 27Try our 2 new delicious flavours,Citrus Joy and Redberry kiss!StirredyogourtMade LocallyNo sugar substitutesGelatin-FreeHealthy IngredientsMontreal’slocal dairyproduct linesince 1928!www.liberte.qc.ca

28 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Bought and sold cont’d.continued from p.20Address Price Evaluation Buyer Seller Date303 Grosvenor Ave. $890,000 $513,900 Brigitte Signori & Dany Vachon Ronald Vigneault & Bruce Walker 28-Aug4480 de Maisonneuve Blvd. $885,000 $796,000 Gideon Zelermyer & Michelle Rosenhek Eric Fafard & Kathryn Markwich 19-Aug30 Windsor Ave. $875,000 $633,300 William Tiller & Judith Patterson Donna Hinchcliff 21-Jul4467-69 de Maisonneuve Blvd. $875,000 $678,400 Angela Sorbara & Jean Lalonde Magali Querini & Michael Dadoun 18-Aug786 Upper Lansdowne Ave. $845,000 $866,700 Vincenzo D’Angelo & Bhavna Khanna Mark Bercuvitz 4-Aug479 Argyle Ave. $780,000 $652,500 Brian Lewis & Camille Gueymard Francyne Morin 14-Aug16 Thornhill Ave. $775,000 $722,800 Nadia Nour & Yves Caron Daniel Tingley 24-Aug481 Argyle Ave. $765,000 $919,500 Mark-Olivier McNulty & Stéphanie Gougoux Gilbert Ayoub & Arlene Turner 25-Aug4725 de Maisonneuve Blvd. $738,000 $665,000 Nicola Delaney & Jonathan Elkins Rena Okada & Andrew Phillips 11-Aug4 Springfield Ave. $646,000 Not available Alexander Zhai & Joanna Mok Eric Blouin 3-Aug111 Lewis Ave. $478,500 $481,500 Donald Lovell William Gomez de la Pena 16-Jul470 Wood Ave. $471,000 $391,600 Rui De Sousa & Cecilia Flores Lucy Fellowes 3-Aug5 York St. $418,000 $571,000 Daniel Mitchell & Kathryn Garforth Samira Sakhia & Virginie Lamotte 31-Aug295 Victoria Ave., # 303 $269,000 $215,400 Diane Trainor Tony Sutton 14-Aug691 Grosvenor Ave. $238,625 $871,700 Thomas Robitaille Véronique Girod 10-AugPlease write to us!For consideration, letters to the editor must identify them as “for publication” and have authors’ customary first and last names, andstreet names, all of which will be published. Please also include contact information (for follow-up purposes only). We do not publishletters regarding consumer complaints or inter-neighbour disputes. Letters will be edited for length, content and style. Please checkyour letter carefully. We may be unable to make subsequently submitted changes. If you do make amendments, please “redline”them instead of resending the whole letter.

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 29Colourfully YoursGreta says freshen upfor the fall seasonBy Greta Von Schmedlapp,muse to Aurélien GuilloryI do hope that you enjoyed alovely start to the autumn,my design dears. The lastweeks of September almostcompensated for the lostweeks of summer in Juneand July.Despite the rainymonths, one pleasant anduplifting surprise that happened in Julywas the repainting of Aurel’s design studiowith the new AURA by BenjaminMoore. He had used this new latex-basedformulation for several clients recently.Several of the professional painters whowork for his clients were skeptical aboutlatex paint in general as they always believedthat oil-based or alkyd paint wasmore durable. In time, some of themcame around.Now, my dears, you must know that domesticpaint production in oil base withVOCs is ceasing this year. (These are theVolatile Organic Compounds – thosesmelly toxic odours that give peopleheadaches.) Aurel discovered, usingAURA, that he could cover the previouscolour of pale grey-mauve in one coat oftheir colour “Dijon” (a rich ochre Frenchmustard – not the hot dog shade!) withtouch-ups and no primer between the twocolours! The studio is 12 by 16 ft., andused only one gallon – instead of two. Unsureat the beginning, he ended uppleased that it resulted in a perfect backgroundfor his antique French day bed andEnglish burled desk.Aurel’s experienceI must comment on Aurel’s experience.I am a home renovator myself, both hereand back in my lovely Vienna, and I thinkthe painters based their prices on the timerequired for a job, and were not really interestedin a speedy finish. If quality andrichness of colour is more important thanspeed, this new formula wins easily. Whenyou have speed and no odour, as well asrich colour that covers in maximum twocoats, the new generation of painters willhave to quote a firm price for the job. Theonly variable will be the condition of thewalls, rather than the coverage of the differentcolours and other types of paintquality. The labour for painting is alwaysmore costly that the paint, so always usethe best you can find. Aurel has seen manysubstitutes when he specifies a specificcolour and the painter has created it witha cheaper brand.Remember my dears, colour and lightare the fastest and cheapest ways tochange your décor. More trends: grey isthe new beige. I believe that we need thecooler neutral now, and Aurel often uses awarm, organic type of grey. We see somany people who have moved into thenew place, and plan to paint “soon,” andAurel is called in to create a colour schemefor them several years later! How can youlive in a place with unpleasant colourswhen now that painting trauma is practicallypainless with water clean-up and noodour?Westmounters’ secretI must now tell all of you readers aboutthe secret that many Westmounters whoshop at Hogg Hardware may not know:paint specialist Wilder Wall. What a perfectname! He is very knowledgeable andpersonable and is writing a secret historyof colour horror tales he has seen in hisyears of service to Westmounters. Are youin one of the chapters?Enough for now, my design fiends.Next time, I will tell you about Aurel’s experiencewith chromotherapy at the BainultraConference in Quebec City. TheChâteau Bonne Entente has now the vonSchmedlapp Golden Seal of Approval fortheir martinis! Big hugs from your designsleuth, Greta.PS: Aurelien’s email is aurelien@colorsbyaurelien.comEarn extra income!Be your own boss!Take extra holidays!Are you interested inlearning about becomingan entrepreneur?Free report and teleseminarwith response to the ad.“It’s possible to have freedom,flexibility, and a GREAT income!”email: montreal@myarbonne.ca

30 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Social Notes from Westmount and beyondWestmounters ride for cancerBy Veronica RedgraveOn September 11, LanceArmstrong rode to raisefunds for the Cedars CancerInstitute at the McGillUniversity Health Centre(MUHC). The second annual“Cedars Tour deLance” invited cyclists toraise $25,000 each to ride along withLance Armstrong at Mont Tremblant forthe 100-km trek. For the second year in arow, Westmounter Dr. David Fleiszer, asurgical oncologist at the MUHC, claimedthe yellow jersey as the top fundraiser,raising just under $80,000 for his participation!Unlike last year’s drizzle, the day wasdazzling. Later in the evening, tired buthappy pedal-pushers joined 300 casual butchic guests for the inaugural “Cedars CancerHeroes Night with Lance ArmstrongAndré and Louise Courey Nadeau (co-chair) with WestmountersLeonard (co-chair) and Sandy Schlemm. (Co-chair RogerBeauchemin was busy during our photo op!)Rosemary Hoppenheim with Westmounters Micki Morton andAnna Vineberg.and Friends”, at the newCasino de Mont Tremblant.Westmounter LeonardSchlemm co-chaired theevent with Roger Beaucheminand Louise CoureyNadeau.Hosts were MutsumiTakahashi, Sophie Grégoire(there with hubby JustinTrudeau), Caroline Rhea,and Tour de France commentatorsPhil Liggett andLouis Bertrand. The eveningfeatured Star Académie’sMarie-Élaine Thibert; acapella sensation NaturallySeven; Rufus and MarthaWainwright and Kate Mc-Garrigle. Guests includedPhyllis and John Rae, chairman of theMUHC’s The Best Care for Life Campaign;Philippe and Nannette de GaspéBeaubien (in the bestthigh-high boots ever!),Rosemary and Mel Hoppenheim,Claire AnneStroll, Sean O’Donnell ofHotel Quintessence, TerryDiab Peterfy, Sam Pelc,and Daniel Bissonnette ofMont Tremblant’s Casino.Westmounters includedStephen Bronfmanand ClaudineBlondin Bronfman, Annaand Michael Vineberg,Chantal and GregChamandy, andDaphnéand Jeff Shamie, executivedirector, Cedar’s CancerInstitute.Among those honouredwere Jean Béliveau, KateMcGarrigle, Alexia and AnthonyCalvillo, Sarah Cookand Saku Koivu, who wasabsent but was representedby his oncologist Blair Whittemore.Sponsors were Tremblant,Intrawest, HotelQuintessence, Casino deMont Tremblant, Évasionand the Mansfield AthleticClub. Riding for that clubwere Stéphane Quintal, Sandraand Leonard Schlemm,Jean Pierre Le Gresley, StevePrud’Homme and Canadiancycling champ Annick IsabelleMarcoux.Marc Iacovelli, Romero Britto, Lance Armstrong and WestmounterChantal Chamandy.As the sun set beautifully over calm waters,all were in awe of the enchantedevening.Westmounter Stephen Bronfman and SteveCourey.Westmounters Dr. David Fleiszer and JeffShamie, executive director of Cedars CancerInstitute, surround Phil Liggett.

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 31Wednesday, October 7The Diggers and Weeders Garden Clubpresents a special lecture by GrahamRankin, director and chief horticulturist ofthe Aberglasnay restored 15th century gardenin Wales. At the Mountainside Church(corner of Westmount Blvd and LansdowneAve.) at 7:30 pm. Cost: $20, incl.coffee. Tickets at door. Info: 514.933.2112.Thursday, October 8Historian Aaron Krishtalka discusses theways current concepts of time have beentransformed by evolutionary biology, 12:30pm at the Atwater Library. Free; donationsspecialized in design and custom made furnitureCall for appointment 514-739-8838silvano.f.gatti@gmail.comComin’ Upinvited.Tuesday, October 13The Sisterhood of Congregation ShaarHashomayim starts their first annual SisterhoodJewish Film Festival, Oct. 13through Oct. 15. Jewish-content filmshighlight different themes spanning variouscountries at 7:30 pm at the Shaar (425Metcalfe Ave.). Series subscription: $20, or$8 per film. Reservations required514.937.9474, #139.Wednesday, October 14• University Women’s Club of Montrealpresents “Celebrating the “Famous Five”with guest speaker Miriam Tees. Cocktailsstart at 6 pm at the Atwater Club (3505 AtwaterAve.). Event includes dinner andcash bar. Cost: $32.65 for non-memberswho must pay by cheque. Reserve fordinner before Oct. 9: 514.935.2431. Info:www.uwcm.com.• Revision of electors’ list takes place at cityCentre Greene (1090 Green Ave. Info:514.931.6202 or www.centregreene.org)• Ongoing Tuesdays and Thursdays: TumblingTots playgroup from 9:30-11:00am.Cost: $3.50/child per morning.• Ongoing Wednesdays: Tai Chi-basedMovement and Stretch from 11 am to 12pm.• After-school program: Spaces remain.Gym and park time, homework hour andsnack. Ages 5-12. Cost: $195 per month(discounts available). Full or part time,Always Onhall (4333 Sherbrooke St.) from Oct. 14 to16, from 1 to 9 pm; and Oct. 17 and 18,from 10 am to 5:30 pm.Thursday, October 15Laura Santini’s sculptures at The Galleryat Victroia Hall until November 7. Galleryhours are Monday to Friday, 10 am to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.Saturday, October 17• St. Matthias’ Church annual fall rummagesale, from 10 am to 1 pm, in thelower hall entrance (131 Côte St. AntoineRd., corner Metcalfe.) Household goods,clothes, toys, linens, books, appliances.Info: 514.933.4295.• Household Hazardous Waste Collection,9 am to 5 pm, Westmount Public Library.Monday, October 19• Meet the candidates evening at VictoriaHall, 7 pm.ped. days options.• Thursdays: Ballroom dance classes forpeople with stage 1 or 2 Parkinson’s, at 2pm. Must bring an able-bodied partner.For info or to register, phone Ellen Rubinat 514.484.2016. No drop-ins.Contactivity Centre for Seniors (4695 deMaisonneuve, corner Lansdowne)• The centre is looking for chess playersfor its Tuesday morning chess group. Info:514.932.2326.Quebec ClassifiedsAntiquesABRACADABRA turn your hidden treasuresinto ready cash. Internationalbuyer wants to purchase your antiques,paintings, china, crystal, gold, silverware,jewellery, rare books, sports,movies, postcards, coins, stamps,records. 514-501-9072.Business OpportunitiesHEALTHIER COFFEE! Healthier-CoffeeMarketing Co. expanding in Canadianprovinces seeking MLM speakers andtrainers with a proven track record ofsuccess. 905-469-8667. www.CoffeeMillion.com.Business ServicesFOR ALL YOUR IT NEEDS – Nerd On Site‘Your nerds are 100% local... though theymay call on expertise from nerds aroundthe globe’ 1-877-696-3737. www.nerdsonsite.com.Career TrainingMARITIME DRILLING SCHOOLS entryleveltraining for land and offshore oilrigs.Excellent wages, benefits and opportunitiesto travel the world. Oct 12-Oct 31/09. Nov 9- Nov 28/09. Contact: 1-866-807-3960, www.mdslimited.ca.MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION RATED #2for at-home jobs. Achieve your goal.Work from home! Start your MedicalTranscription training today. ContactCanScribe at 1-800-466-1535, www.canscribe.com,info@canscribe.com.CompanionsTired of investing in relationships thatnever seem to go anywhere? MistyRiver Introductions has people interestedin finding partners for life. Quebec’straditional matchmaker. (514) 879-0573 www.mistyriverintros.com.Financial ServicesDEBT CONSOLIDATION PROGRAM.Helping Canadians repay debts, reduceor eliminate interest, regardless of yourcredit. Steady Income? You may qualifyfor instant help. Considering Bankruptcy?Call 1-877-220-3328 FREE ConsultationGovernment Approved, BBBMember.FINANCIAL PROBLEMS? Drowning indebt! Stop the harassment. Bankruptcymight not be the answer. Together let’sfind a solution – Free Consultation. BillHafner – Trustee in Bankruptcy. 514-983-8700.$500$LOAN SERVICE, by phone, nocredit refused, quick and easy, payableover 6 or 12 installments. Toll Free: 1-877-776-1660.For SaleThe Quebec Community NewspapersAssociation can place your ad into 26weekly papers throughout Quebec –just $160. Book 10 weeks within a 6month period and receive the 11th weekfree! One phone call does it all! CallMarnie at QCNA 514-453-6300. Visit:www.qcna.org. 10 weeks within a 6month period and receive the 11th weekfree.A FREE TELEPHONE SERVICE – Get yourfirst month free. Bad credit, don’t sweatit. No deposits, no credit checks. CallFreedom Phone Lines today toll free 1-866-884-7464.SAWMILLS from only $3,495.00- Convertyour logs to valuable lumber withyour own Norwood portable bandsawmill. Log skidders also available.www.norwoodsawmills.ca/400t – FREEInformation: 1-800-566-6899 Ext. 400 OT.#1 high speed internet $18.95/month.Absolutely no ports are blocked. Unlimiteddownloading. 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Meet usat: www.mysticalconnections.ca.Real Estate –Apartment for Sale5 1/2 – METRO VIAU LUXURY, 1st FLOORAPT, Sunny & A1 Building. Near OlympicStadium, Biodome, Parks, Hospitals,Buses & Metro. Available immediate.www.support-experts.com. Tel: 514-326-9697.Vacation/TravelDISCOUNT TIMESHARES – 60-80% offretail! Worldwide locations! Call for freeinfo pack! 1-800-731-8046 – www.holidaygroup.com/sc.Local ClassifiedsEntertaining Musical Duo for house partiesand other occasions please call forinformation: (514) 939-0584.Psychological support. Relational/familialdifficulties, depression, selfknowledge.Last year doctoral student.40$/hour. Call 514-764-0542 or e-mailjulien.leroux@usherbrooke.ca.Rosa Housekeeping Services providesyou with a complete staff of housekeepers.We use biodegradable cleaningproducts. Our rates are $15 per hour.Please call 514-481-7241.

32 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009UnderdogToby, freshly abandoned...at the Underdog GalleryBy Alexandra Brown, Grade 11, ECSThe Underdog Club exists togive hopeless dogs a littlehope – to allow them to believethat they will neveragain be abandoned. Forone owner though, it seemed like the perfectplace to do the exact opposite.After eight years of being one of themost faithful companions anyone couldask for, Toby was left at the gallery forsomeone else to take care of. Gentle as amouse, it doesn’t take much for this olddoggy to be happy, but for some reason, itsLa collecte automnaledes feuillesPour améliorer la propreté des ruesen automne, la Ville de Westmountoffre un service de collecte des feuillespar les équipes de la Ville, en borduredes rues.Pour vous débarrasser de vos feuilles etautres résidus de jardins, utilisez dessacs COMPOSTABLES ou des sacsen PAPIER destinés à cette fin.Déposez vos sacs en bordure dutrottoir avant 7 h du lundi au vendredi.Les feuilles tassées en vrac en borduredu trottoir NE SERONT PAS RAMASSÉES.Calendrier de collecteOctobre et novembreDu lundi au vendredi, au besoinSi vos sacs sont préparés correctementmais ne sont pas ramassés dans les troisjours ouvrables, veuillez composerle 514 989-5311.Tache goudronneuseEn raison du nombre élevé de maladiesaffectant les arbres dans notre région,les résidents sont priés de sedébarrasser des feuilles contaminéesUNIQUEMENT lors de la collecte desfeuilles mortes et de NE PAS les ajouterau compostage domestique.WestmountService des travaux publicsPublic Works Departmentmere existence was too much for its pastcaretaker.This dog was dumped one morningwith no explanation and not even a toy –and to make matters worse, there isn’tmuch going for him in terms of looks.People love cute new things but he doesn’treally fit into this category.Though fantastic with kids and othersin general, Toby’s size and age tend to turnpeople off. His muzzle might be turninggrey, but there are not many dogs who leta four year-old ride them like a horse withoutso much as a flinch. He’s put up withthat, and now he is putting up with beingStratégie verteWestmountGreen StrategyAutumn Leaf CollectionIn order to keep streets cleanerthroughout autumn, the City ofWestmount offers curbside collectionof leaves by city crews.Use either COMPOSTABLE orPAPER garden waste bags to disposeof leaves and other garden waste.Place your bags behind the sidewalkby 7:00 a.m., Monday to Friday.Leaves piled loose behind the sidewalkWILL NOT BE PICKED UP.Collection ScheduleOctober and NovemberMonday to Friday, as neededIf your bags are properly prepared,but are not picked up after 3 consecutiveworking days, please contact usat 514 989-5311.Tar Spot FungusDue to high levels of diseaseaffecting trees in the region, residentsshould dispose of contaminatedleaves in the fall leaf collection ONLY.Contaminated leaves should NOT beadded to domestic composters.Info : 514 989-5390www.westmount.orgabandoned.He doesn’t require specialattention and has one of thekindest personalities you’ll everencounter. There’s no reasonwhy he was thrown out likegarbage other than the fact thatpeople aren’t always so kind.His owner wasn’t comingback. I knew that, the rescueshelter representative knewthat, everyone in the galleryknew that. But, the big blackdog sitting for six hours staringout the window seemed totallyunaware.The Underdog Club existswith one goal: to help dogs. Sostop by this weekend and checkout Toby for yourself.To find out more about Tobyand dogs like him visit The UnderdogClub Gallery (4922Sherbrooke St., between PrinceAlbert and Clarement), openevery Saturday and Sunday.Visit www.underdogclub.orgor call Sophie’s Dog Adoptions514.523.5052.Underdog Club Gallery to stay open weekendsAfter what was intended to be a one- month gig, the first ever homeless doggallery is extending its operations and will remain open on weekends as long asit can afford to.Please visit the dogs, pick up a print or just stop in with your kids if you reallywant to make their day.We will be open from 11 am to 7 pm every weekend through October. Anysupport will be greatly appreciated – as these dogs need nothing more than achance to be seen, to look good and to prove how worthy they truly are. To everyonewho made this first month as amazing as it was, thank you. From us, butmostly from the dogs.Fern Breslaw, director and founder of the Underdog Club.OKKathryn OsborneDESIGN D’INTÉRIEUR INC.TobyFurniture tailored to your taste and budgetWe custom-make sofas, love seats, armchairsand ottomans in your choice of our fabrics.ROBERT ALLEN WAVERLY®OSBORNE & LITTLEC O L E F A XA N D F O W L E RWe have 20 years of home decoratingservice specializing in slipcovers,upholstery, draperies, bedspreadsand duvet covers.So furnish your homeat Kathryn Osborne’s.Monday – Friday:9:30 am – 5:30 pmSaturday byappointment only.1357 avenue Greene, 2 e étage, Westmount, Québec H3Z 2A5Tél.: (514) 931-1357 • Fax: (514) 931-0101 • www.kathrynosbornedesign.com®

Bridge for Bright BrainsTable feeling& how to use itBy George RetekDuring the bidding, West hesitated 10to 15 seconds before passing each time athis turn to bid during the 2009 CanadianBridge Championships. After the first twotricks, it was obvious that he held sevenClubs.Would he have passed if he also had themissing King of Diamonds or Queen ofSpades? Not likely.Here is the deal:North♠ A K x♥ A J xx♦ A Q xx♣ xxWestEast♠ xx♠ Q 9 xxx♥ –♥ 10 xxx♦ J xxx♦ K xx♣ A Q xxxxx♣ KSouth♠ J 10 x♥ K Q 9 8 x♦ xx♣ J 10 xSouth played in four Hearts, West ledthe Ace of Clubs followed by the Queenand one more Club, ruffed by the Ace ofHearts. East discarded two Spades, butwas helpless to the coming end play. Forthe last five cards, had he tried to keep fourSpades, his King of Diamonds would fallunder the Ace. If he kept three Diamonds,the Queen of Spades would drop. Whenhe kept three Spades and two Diamonds,then the third Spade forced him to play aDiamond to the AQ.In the actual play, Steve Mackay ofToronto brilliantly discarded his Queen ofSpades, hoping that his partner had theJack, but to no avail.Sound barrier lease renewedWestmount city council voted October1 to renew the lease of the CP Rail landthat it uses for the Abbott Ave. sound barrier.The renewed lease runs until December2014 and is $xx per year.The sound barrier itself has seen betterdays. At least two of its see-through panelshave shattered and one other tagged withgraffiti. Council members speculate thatthe shattering was caused by rocks thatElectronicIndependentsavailableEnjoy the Indie at supper timeon Tuesdays!Sign up by writing us:indie@westmountindependent.com.mischief-makers put on the tracks to bepropelled into the barrier by passingtrains. In addition, cleaning graffiti fromthe far side of the barrier is difficult due tosafety concerns.Campbell Cohen WorsoffAvocatsBarristers and SolicitorsESTATE LITIGATIONWILLS AND ESTATESINSURANCE CLAIMSWESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 33215 Redfern, suite 118Westmount, QC H3Z 3L5Tel: 514 937-9445 Fax 514 937-2580mworsoff@canadavisa.comRemaxTremblant Inc.785 rue de St-Jovite, Mont-Tremblant (Qc)1-866-425-8648 –info@remaxtremblant.comKonrad Kubiak Chartered real estate agentLa Minerve «Lakefront» Luxurious property with allamenities, gourmet kitchen, cathedral ceiling, geo thermy, fullair conditioning, garages, pro fessional landscaping, 30 min.from Tremblant. A must see. $1,375,000Ste-Agathe-des-Monts / Lake Des Sables « Lakefront »Exceptional location on the lake Des Sables, south westexposure, private and easy access, 6 bdrms, minutes fromdown town Ste-Agathe, all services! $2,450,000Mount Ste-Agathe / Lake Des Sables «Lakefront» One ofa kind! Mount Ste-Agathe of 72 acres including 5 buildablelots on the water front of Lac des Sables. Destined for a privatedomaine, residential development or recreo-touristique devel -op ment (confirmed by zoning)! $2,500,000

34 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Jane L.CharronInteriors(514) 862-1223Please visit my websitewww.janelcharron.com➡Workers tried unsuccessfully on Sept -ember 24 to remove the Notre Dame de laGarde statue on top of the Dawson Collegebuilding, but finally succeeded the next day(pictured here). The Madonna-and-childstatue needs to be refurbished.5 MINUTESERVICE• Personalized Service• Luxury Cars at RegularRates on Request• 100% guaranteedAirport Reservations• Pick-Up & Deliverywww.atlastaxi.qc.ca24HSecond time lucky556 LansdowneBuilt in 1975, this semi-detached property has onlyhad one owner. Situated in mid-level, it has a sideentrance giving a sense of extra space upon entry.Large LR with OFP, sliding door to patio & garden.Bright cross hall, dining room, eat-in kitchen. Pdwrmupstairs. 4 brs (2 large) and 2 bath rooms. Base mentrec room has OFP, maid’s room, bathroom, storage,door to 2-car garage. Roof under warranty. Awonderful house. $969,000.JANE ALLAN – 514 762-9481Affiliated real estate agent – Sutton Centre O.

RE/MAX WESTMOUNT INC.CHARTERED REAL ESTATE BROKER independently owned and operated5673 Monkland Avenue514 482-3347e-mail: remax-westmount@remax-quebec.comOutstanding Results WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009 – 351330 Greene Avenue514 933-6781www.remax-quebec.com/westmountWestmount RentalsSherbrooke St. – Upper Duplex – $2300 p.m.Greene Ave. –Apartments – $1500–2000 p.m.Duplex or apartment – big budget/small budgetfor all your real estate needs – call me,Ican always be reached.Opportunity! 3 bedroom, 2-bath apartmentwith garage. Views! Asking $895,000.Anne-Marie Larue • 514-483-2177Marline DatusI am pleased toinform you thatI have joinedRE/MAX Westmountand look forwardto being of serviceto you.514-608-6436marlyn.datus@sympatico.cawww.marlinedatus.comWestmount CondoContemporary High-rise ‘Ritz 1’ 3 bdrms, 2baths, 2 garages, balcony! Asking $435,000.3036Le BoulevardWestmount Adj.Multi-level 3 bedroom, 3 bath townhousewith hardwood floors, family room withcathedral ceiling, 2 fireplaces, roof top terrace,central A/C, garden area, and 2 cargarage. Offered at $649,000Ron Benveniste & Esti Jedeikin514-933-6781Danielle Cohen514-770-8611NDG – Detached cottage on quiet street inMonkland Village. 3+1 bedrooms, newkitchen, oak floors, parking, fireplace. Extralarge private garden. $469,000WESTMOUNT ADJ – Large Lambert-builtfamily home on Vendôme. Woodwork, ren -ovated kitchen & bathrooms, fin. base ment.In-ground pool, garage, park ing. $875,000À votreécoute,depuis25 ansOLD MONTREAL313 Place D’Youville, 3,000 SF loft & 660 SFprivate Terrase; 2 + 1 bdrm, 2 bath, $799,000514.935.9582Service efficace pour vosprojets immobiliersEfficient service for yourreal estate needsDominiqueRolland514-923-1848dominique.rolland@videotron.caHAMPSTEAD NORTH6803 Abraham De Sola, 2 Bdrm, 2 bath, cornerunit condo, Southwest exposure, $379,126490 Argyle Ave.Circa 1873. One-of-a-kind 3-storeycorner townhouse. Inundated withlight and views, 3 + 2 bdrms andgarden. Garage and parking.Now $949,000.LucettteHivonAffiliated Real Estate Agentreal relationships ✽ real results✽Thinking of buying or selling?Personal service is justaphone call away!lillianengelsAffiliated Real Estate Agent514 943 1309Westmount Condo200 Lansdowne #706/806. Spectacular. 3 bedrooms plus den, recently updated, 2 garages,A/C, pool, 24-hr doorman, views! MLS: 8200480. $895,000.Joyce Faughnan • 514-933-6781TANIA KALECHEFF Selling fine homes in Westmount and adjacent areas since 1981514-488-1049 • 514-933-6781finehomes@kalecheff.comwww.kalecheff.com200 Lansdowne Apt. 107/207. Ground-floor private entrance. 3 bedroom, 2-storeytownhouse, 2 garages, A/C, indoor pool, 24-hr doorman. MLS: 8217044. $825,000.Joyce Faughnan • 514-933-6781Participating agentWESTMOUNT

36 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009BRIAN DUTCHRespectedRecommended ResultsI WILL...My Commitment To You• I will... give you an honest, well researched assessmentof your property in today’s marketplace to help you makea well informed decision.• I will... show you all the properties I’ve sold in Westmount andprovide you with extensive references from satisfied clients.• I will... take the time and effort to “stage” your home to haveit showing its best, and achieve top dollar.• I will... give you personalized attention and take care ofyou from start to finish.• I will... always be instantly available via my Blackberry.• I will... market your home on the MLS, my website, and in news -print with a well crafted, detailed description. Multiple bright,clear, quality photos of your home will be personally taken by me.• I will... be present for all showings and take an active,informative role in representing your home.• I will... keep you informed of market trends, sales,and feedback from visits.• I will... have access to a network of expert resources24/7 before, during and after the sale.• I won’t... exaggerate or lie in order to getyour business.• I won’t... try to impress you with meaninglessawards in order to prove to you that I am a highlyqualified professional with 25 years experience.• I won’t... just stick a “For Sale” sign in front ofyour door and wait for something to happen.• I won’t... pass you off to an assistant.I WON’T...• I won’t... have you wait until I am paged in orderto speak with me.• I won’t... do a brief dull description, nor will I useor neglect to update out of season photos.• I won’t... be unavailable or send an assistant.• I won’t... disappear and reappear just beforethe listing expires in order to have you renew.• I won’t... be wondering what to do next.ANOTHER JUST LISTED!ANOTHER JUST SOLD!#1#9#38Westmount – 84 Belvedere Rd.Urban sophistication – modern design. Totally renovated in 2008.Exquisite kitchen and bathrooms. Comfort, every luxury and viewsin a country setting, yet minutes to downtown.RE/MAXWestmount2008**individualin Quebec2008 †out of3,409 agentsin Canada2008 †out of15,573 agentsWestmount – 707 Victoria Ave.Beautifully proportioned, classicly elegant 3 bdr. Westmount home.Stunning details.$845,000WWW.BRIANDUTCH.COM514 386 2902Affiliated Real Estate AgentRE/MAX WESTMOUNT Inc. Chartered Real Estate – Broker/Independently owned & operated†RE/MAX International year end standings for all of 2008.