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WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENTWeekly. Vol. 4 No. 2a We are <strong>Westmount</strong>February 2-3, 2010City budget $86 million in 2010, environment a priorityCllr. Price: ‘Serious concerns’ if agglo hikes continueInsideProfile Stuart Webster p. 17Bought and Sold p. 18Comin’ Up p. 22Examiner turns 75 – a retrospectiveBy Isaac Olson, p. 14By Laureen SweeneyThe word “sustainability” took on newsignificance with the adoption January 25of <strong>Westmount</strong>’s $86.3-million budget.On the one hand, the city council underlinedits sustainable development priorityby creating a special fund for newenvironmental programs such as bikepaths, dark skies or other citizen requests.On the other, the city’s financial sustainabilitywas questioned by finance commissionerTim Price in light of theincreased tax bite being gobbled up by agglomerationcosts for island-wide services.These leave <strong>Westmount</strong> taxpayersshouldering a 7.5-percent increase as partof an overall 8.5-percent tax hike.“We cannot sustain significant increasesin future budgets without seriousconsequences,” Councillor Price warned.The average tax bill facing homeownersthis year is $11,022 compared with lastyear’s $10,184, an increase of 8.2 percentor $838 largely because of escalating agglomerationcosts (see story January 26, p.1).Calculated on new property valuationsphased in this year, <strong>Westmount</strong>’s tax ratesper $100 of valuation are: $1.08 for singlefamily dwellings and residential buildingswith five units or less; $1.23 for apartmentbuildings with six or more units; and$4.08 for non-residential buildings.The impact on individual taxpayers –both residential and commercial – willonly be known as they start opening thetax bills that were to becontinued on p. 3Roads, bike stands, upgrades all in the planCity adopts $9.4 million in capital worksBy Laureen SweeneyGet ready for a summer of another bigdig.City council adopted a $9.4-million capitalworks budget that allocates the lion’sshare of $4.4 million to the reconstructionof five streets, along with $3.2 million forwater and sewer work at several locations.A separate $1.9-million capital worksbudget was also adopted for Hydro <strong>Westmount</strong>,mostly for improving the electricalnetwork.A breakdown of the $9.4-millionbudget includes upgrades to informationtechnology at a cost of $357,000, work oncity buildings totalling $405,000 and thepurchase of five new heavy vehicles andcars for $443,000.New playground equipment and otherfeatures for parks are expected to add$275,000. Almost half of this amount isset aside for projects to be determinedunder the Parks Master Plan. This planhas yet to be adopted by the current council.A list of miscellaneous items for$335,000 includes the purchase of bicycleracks and park recycling containers as wellas work to protect the cenotaph, repairs topublic steps and replacement of railings.Of the $4.4 million allocontinuedon p. 5Christopher Gardiner AdvantageProfessionalism. Integrity. Results. Resources.Be part of our results – time to make your moveTel.: 514-933-5800 Cell: 514-704-1270chris@chrisgardiner.cagoogle: christopher gardiner suttonwww.suttonquebec.com City councillor Tim Price


2 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010Christopher Gardiner AdvantageProfessionalism. Integrity. Results. Resources.Be part of our results – time to make your moveTel.: 514-933-5800 Cell: 514-704-1270chris@chrisgardiner.cagoogle christopher gardiner suttonMartin Rouleau www.suttonquebec.comproudly partners with Christopher Gardiner,HOMESWESTMOUNT3255 CEDAR AV. _________________ 2,400,000$WESTMOUNTINTRODUCING348 WOOD AV. _________________ 1,525,000$WESTMOUNT167 EDGEHILL ROAD ____________ 1,499,000$WESTMOUNT4350 WESTMOUNT AV. __________ $1,495,000$WESTMOUNT452 STRATHCONA ______________ $1,295,000$HAMPSTEAD17 ELLERDALE ROAD ____________ 1,229,000$WESTMOUNT550 LANSDOWNE ________________ 825,000$WESTMOUNTRENTAL – $3,600/mth3036 LE BOULEVARD ______________ 649,000$INTRODUCINGCONDOSCITE DU HAVRE2380 PIERRE DUPUY #804 _________ 1,279,000$WESTMOUNT1 WOOD AV, #201 _______________ 1,149,000$DOWNTOWN454 DE LA GAUCHETIERE PH 2 __ 995,000$ +TAXESDOWNTOWN1321 SHERBROOKE O D91 __________ 829,000$INTRODUCINGDOWNTOWN3450 REDPATH #6 ________________ 499,000$DOWNTOWN1455 SHERBROOKE # 1805 __________ 495,000$DOWNTOWN1455 SHERBROOKE # 1909 __________ 329,000$SOLDWESTMOUNTWESTMOUNTRENTAL586 CLAREMONT AV. _______________ 5,900$OLD MONTREAL ADJ.WESTMOUNTDOWNTOWNDOWNTOWN651 BELMONT AV. _________ 1,585,000$650 NOTRE DAME O #1601 ___ 1,249,000$4386 DE MAISONNEUVE ____ 1,245,000$68 ST-NORBERT PH 6 ________ 595,000$406 DES PINS #75 ___________ 279,000$


Budget meeting attracts fewcontinued from p.1sent out by January 31.Taxes are to be paid in two installments:March 1 and June 1.For this year, Price explained, “the cityhas raised local spending 1.9 percent topreserve the current level of services.“We refuse to subsidize the agglomerationby reducing your local services,” hetold a typically small budget-presentationaudience that included only four local residentsaside from journalists and city staff.Preparation of the city’s budget hadbeen held up this year by the delayedpreparation of the agglomeration budget,which had only been provided to the cityDecember 18. Unlike the last few years,the new council decided against holding apublic budget consultation session a coupleof weeks before adoption.Henny Blom, a resident of SpringfieldAve., asked if there were a way to find outsooner where taxes were going to in theagglomeration.Mayor Peter Trent said the agglo budgetwas so massive that “no one can possiblygo through it in a weekend,” the time thathad been allotted. Montreal and agglospending was out of control, he said. “Thistrain has no brakes and it’s going downhillfaster and faster.”In the mayor’s letter accompanying taxbills, Trent stated that: “It is perhaps noteworthyto point out that, had we not demergedand had we therefore remained inthe city of Montreal, we would still havebeen saddled with the same regional (island-wide)cost increases. At least as an independentcity, we are in complete chargeof local spending.”The city also adopted a three-year capitalworks budget for 2010-2012 in the respectiveamounts of $9.4 million, $11.7million and $10 million. It also phased inanother $500,000 for this year in its payas-you-gofunding for these projects fromElectronic<strong>Independent</strong>savailableEnjoy the Indie at supper timeon Tuesdays!Sign up by writing us:office@westmountindependent.com.the operating budget for a total this year of$3 million.This year’s capital works budget forHydro <strong>Westmount</strong> was also adopted in theamount of $1.9 million.In order to cover the city’s operatingbudget of $86.3 million, including the newsustainability fund, the city is counting on$13.9 million from sources other than thegeneral property tax.This includes $1 million of the anticipatedsurplus from last year’s budget and$1.3 million of profit from Hydro <strong>Westmount</strong>to offset some of the tax load requiredfrom property owners. Some of theother revenues include parking, courtfines and welcome tax.This leaves taxpayers to make up 84percent of the required revenue, a total of$72.4 million. This is an increase of $5.7million over last year or 8.5 percent.By adding $200,000 to last year’sbudget of $153,500 for sustainability, atotal of amount $344,700 has been setaside for this priority. Last year’s seedmoney paid for public consultations,preparation of the action plan and the hiringof a sustainability coordinator, explainedcity director general DuncanCampbell.“The idea is to have a dedicated sourceof funding for projects that come alongrather than having the money spreadaround within different departmentalbudgets.”While no new programs have been earmarkedfor the fund this year, he said, themoney has been set aside for possible actionon bike paths, dark skies or some ofthe many requests from citizens. See storyon capital works budget, p. 1.A rare Opportunity to owna3-room apartment in<strong>Westmount</strong> SquareMore amenities than anybuilding in Montreal:magnificent entrance, 24-hr.concierges, concourse ofrestaurants and shops, under -ground access to the Metro.etc. No need to go out in badweather. Ideal for any one withlimited mobility or wanting todownsize to upscale qualityof life. $325,000www.westmountsquare.ca514-867-3545Campbell Cohen WorsoffAvocatsBarristers and SolicitorsESTATE LITIGATIONWILLS AND ESTATESINSURANCE CLAIMS215 Redfern, suite 118<strong>Westmount</strong>, QC H3Z 3L5Tel: 514 937-9445 Fax 514 937-2580mworsoff@canadavisa.comWESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010 – 3Volunteering at Paralympics in styleBy Martin C. BarryWhen Alexandra Doroshenko gets tothe Winter Paralympics in British Columbiathis March, she’ll be making a patrioticstatement with her Canadian flag shoes.The 22-year-old shoe salesclerk at PrettyBallerinas and Concordia University studenthad a longtime dream of taking partin the Olympics. The opportunity to helpout at the Paralympics gave her a chance tofulfill that goal.The Paralympics are a multi-sport eventfor athletes with physical and visual disabilitiesincluding amputations, blindnessand cerebral palsy. They are held everyfour years, following the Olympic Games.Doroshenko has no disabilities but isgoing as a volunteer.“It’s kind of like an honour to go,” shetold the <strong>Independent</strong>. “It’s an experience ofa lifetime to be part of something that big.I’m really excited to be part of it.”Doroshenko’s job at the Paralympics,which take place from March 12 – 21, willbe that of a load zone attendant – she isn’tsure what it entails yet – at one of the VancouverWinter Olympics’ main stagingareas, Whistler Olympic Park.Doroshenko is paying for transportationto get there, however, the Paralympicorganization is picking up the tab for hermeals. As for lodging, she will be stayingwith friends.As an added perk, she gets to keep thenavy blue tuque and uniform she’ll bewearing. As to the shoes, they’re a specialmodel of ballet-style flats that prominentlyfeature the Canadian flag.In recent weeks, the slippers haveproven so popular among local shoppers,according to the shop’s manager, that theywere nearly sold out in the third week ofJanuary. Based in Europe, Pretty Ballerinashas only two outlets in North America.The Spanish company’s Canadian flagslippers are sold only at the store in <strong>Westmount</strong>for $200 a pair.Alexandra Doroshenko of Pretty Ballerinas isgoing as a volunteer to the 2010 WinterParalympics in Vancouver. She’ll be wearing apair of those shoes, which were made especially byPretty Ballerinas to commemorate the 2010Vancouver Winter Games.The ultimate Polish/EuropeanBakery & DelicatessenFamous PONKIdonutsbaked fresh on premises6/ $ 4 .50 or12/ $ 8 .00 $ 6 .00with this adMore Specialties:• European Cold cuts• Imported Cheese• Pierogis – homemade• Pastries & cakes• Grain Breads, sunflower,olive, coriander, flax & more5499 Sherbrooke St. W.corner Girouard514.483.1042Open 7 days a weekTo see our full line of specialties visit:www.wawelpastryshop.com


4 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010Letters to the EditorMaking do withwhat we haveJohn Baldoni, a well known author andleadership consultant, recently wrote inthe online Harvard Business Review blogon “The Importance of Resourcefulness”.A few points of interest:1. “The recession is forcing us to makedo with what we have” and “being resourcefulis now a necessary skill.”2. “Resourcefulness is about optimizingwhat you have to work with” and“making old things work better.”3. “What’s important is the realizationthat you can do more with less.”What resourcefulness is not about isbuilding a mega sports palace and increasingthe city debt to around $60 millionfrom $38.7 million – just to have asecond full-size hockey rink with elevators,snack bar and other luxury amenities, etc.What resourcefulness is not about is trafficcongestion and air pollution, and it iscertainly not about encroaching one inchinto our already very limited green spaceswith an imposing out-of-place modern cementand glass structure against the backdrop,a few yards away, of a 100-year-oldVictorian church.What resourcefulness is about is simpleeconomical renovation of the existinghockey arena without any addition up,around or down. Those who will try andtell fellow citizens that it is just as costly toWeeklyPresstime: Monday at 10:30 amPublisher and editor: David PriceDeputy editor: Kristin McNeillChief reporter: Laureen SweeneyProofreader: Stella MindorffWESTMOUNTINDEPENDENTLetters & Comments:We welcome your letters, but reserve the rightto choose and edit them.Please check your letter carefully.We may be unable to make subsequentlysubmitted changes. If you do makeamendments, please “redline” them instead ofresending the whole letter. Please email anyletter and comments toindie@westmountindependent.com.Every letter of support helps us with advertisers!We are <strong>Westmount</strong>.renovate as to tear down and build a newsports and ice palace should go tell this tothe hundreds of <strong>Westmount</strong> citizens whomust apply for permits every year just torenovate their homes.A resourceful nation is a strong nation,and the citizens of <strong>Westmount</strong> should expectno less from their elected officials particularlyduring difficult economic times.Larry Klepper, St. Catherine St.Circle should be broken iI’d like to endorse the idea that thenorth side of Summit Circle be closed totraffic, except for bicycles and pedestrians.This would not only enhance the Summit,but it would be in keeping with the need todiscourage the use of cars and allow forthe expansion of the forest. Thank you,Patrick Martin, for supporting this. Goodluck in convincing your colleagues thatthis is the right thing to do.Allan and Sally Aitken,St. Catherine St.Circle should be broken III would like to register my great enthusiasmfor Councillor Patrick Martin’s suggestionto consider permanently closingthe north side of the roadway of SummitCircle. I have lived on Sunnyside Ave. forover 30 years and one of the many activitiesthat my wife and I have enjoyed overthe years here is walking right aroundHow 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 by13,789 copiesOwned and published by:Sherbrooke-Valois Inc., 310 Victoria Ave., #105, <strong>Westmount</strong>, QC H3Z 2M9Fax: 514.935.9241<strong>Westmount</strong> Summit.The best part of this walk is probablythe north side, where we enjoy the naturalsetting and splendid views of the northpart of Montreal, from St. Joseph’s Oratoryand Université de Montréal to MountRoyal itself. Even if there is a separate pathfor pedestrians, this path is not easily usablein winter, so one often has to sharethe road with vehicles. But even in summer,the beauty would certainly be enhancedif the road were reverted to naturalwoods and vegetation.The slight inconvenience to a few localresidents caused by removing this sectionof the road would surely be surpassed by alarger number of citizens, including theselocal residents, who would enjoy walkingor cycling here, without the disturbanceand safety issues of having cars pass by.Also, this is 2010, when we should beconsidering reducing car traffic and roads,not spending millions repairing old onesand making new ones. <strong>Westmount</strong> Summitis already an island gem in the city;why not enhance it by converting thisnorth road back to its original naturalstate, with only small paths for people toenjoy walking and cycling?Tony Moffat, Sunnyside Ave.Taking aim at gunsI disagree with columnist GeorgeBowser’s view on gun control registry andbelieve that the message sent by <strong>Westmount</strong>to oppose the private member’s billC-391 put forward in parliament was fullyjustified.How could he forget the tragedy thatoccurred within our city when a madmanattacked students? I was at Dawson thatday; I heard the shots fired two floorsbelow my classroom. The range of emotionsI went through following this attackwere horrific. I deeply sympathize withwhat the victims and families experiencedand still carry to this day. Recognizing thatit is essential to condemn gun violence, Iam firmly behind the actions of formermayor May Cutler and current MayorPeter Trent and their councils. Not speakingout would be an insult to the victims ofthe Dawson, École Polytechique, and Concordiashootings.Mr. Bowser argues that the effort requiredto register a gun in Canada is unjustified.However the gun registry acts asa safeguard and aid to law enforcementagencies. It is not coincidence that prior tothe registry there were over 1,400 deathsdue to firearms in Canada in 1991 whilein 2007 that number had been reduced toclose to 800 deaths.Why reverse our policy? In reality, weshould be going in the other direction ashas the United Kingdom, home of parliamentarydemocracy, where more strictgun control laws have had a significant effecton preventing gun-related deaths, inthe order of 10 times lower than that ofCanada. Instead Mr. Bowser seems to besupporting the impasse in the UnitedStates where any thought of saving livesthrough gun control is ambushed by theNRA. I believe we should be restrictingguns to specific locations such as shootingand hunting clubs. Perhaps this takesaway from the “ease” of such activities, butit will save more innocent lives.Tomas Jochym-O’Connor, Lewis Ave.Snow days can be funSnow days used to be days to bakebrownies and cookies, and simmer soupand stews. Nowadays, it’s a chance to catchup with friends and shop on the internet!Not all bad!Signed a senior citizen.PS: Keep up the good work on yournewspaper. Even the paper is superior !Beverley Hutchison, Kitchener Ave.<strong>Westmount</strong> forHaiti, part IIFootwear shopFoot Solutions (368 Victoria Ave.) isasking the public to drop off “gently-used”shoes for the people of Haiti. The inititiativeis being carried out on behalf ofSoles4Souls, an international charity thatdonates shoes to those in need.Elementary school raises almost $3KThe Priory reported on January 26 thatin the first week of fundraising the schoolcollected $2,448.84 for the earthquake reliefeffort in Haiti. Money raised for its initiative“Hugs for Haiti” will be matched bythe federal government.CorrectionA reader brought to our attention thatthe jazz ensemble mentioned in “Carnivalfeatures three days of winter fun” (January26, p. 1, 7), is a trio of FACE graduateswho are attending various CEGEPs, not atrio from Dawson College, as was the informationprovided by organizers.


What you can do about those agglo taxesCivic AlertDon WedgeThe tax rate jolt – 8.2 percent averageincrease for homeowners – is mostly dueto the agglo costs. Again the finger pointsto Big Montreal and the ease with which itappears to soak the suburbs. Are we doingenough to change the arrangement?We have to learn to speak out againstthese financial abuses. The reality is thatall Montrealers are subject to them, notjust those in the suburbs. As Mayor PeterTrent explained to resident Henny Blom atlast week’s budget presentation, agglocosts are based on property values and, becausethe average <strong>Westmount</strong> propertyhas a higher valuation than its Montrealequivalent, it bears a bigger share of anyincrease.In the end, the only people who can removethese excesses that Montreal placeson the suburbs are Jean Charest and theQuebec Liberals. Have we put enoughpressure on them? One of Mayor KarinMarks’ great achievements was to haveQuebec recognize the injustice we sufferedin the original demerged organization.She obtained some relief, but we werestill left with most of the pain. Trent is nowfeeling his way in the agglo arena. But heshould be supported by taxpayer outrage.Where is a tout <strong>Westmount</strong> pressureCapital Workslists 5 streetscontinued from p.1cated to the reconstruction of five streets,government infrastructure subsidies areexpected to defray $339,300 of the cost.Streets slated for reconstruction are: Aberdeen(<strong>Westmount</strong> Ave. to The Boulevard);Elm Ave. (Sherbrooke to Holton);Prince Albert Ave. (St. Catherine to deMaisonneuve), Winchester Ave. and MurrayAve.The city expects to recoup some $2.3million of the $3.2 million of work on thesewer and water network through moreinfrastructure subsidies.The city also adopted capital worksbudgets for 2011 for $11.7 million and2012 for $10 million, though those areonly preliminary budgets at this point, anddo not include the arena/pool project.that surfaced with such notable issues asartificial turf or a new arena including anindoor pool? Recently we have heard a lotabout biking in winter or fencing in dogswhich jump out of their assigned space.But nothing about the extortionate costincreases of the police and fire servicesthat are controlled – or not – by Big Montreal.Complain downtownAdmittedly, it is not convenient to takecomplaints to the agglo council. The settingis considerably more formal than ourcouncil chamber and so more preparationis necessary. Nevertheless, Big Mayor GeraldTremblay needs to hear from ordinarytaxpayers.It can be done. Turf campaigner PatrickBarnard has been participating there in recentquestion periods on behalf of theGreen Coalition. In the past, Tom Thompson,Maureen Kiely and Kathleen Duncanrepresenting the WMA, as well as the lateNeill Currie from the former Seniors of<strong>Westmount</strong> Action Group (SWAG),among others, have made the trek downtownto put local views before the regionalbody of the day.But the real problem lies with JeanCharest and the Liberal government whodid not keep the pledges to reconstitutethe cities. He must be told that the problemof Quebec’s biggest and most importantcity has to be solved by thegovernment.The regional organization of yesteryear,the Montreal Urban Community (MUC),was balanced between centre city and sub-Summit Circleclosure on booksfor 2011The closure of Summit Circle fromcivic number 15 to Oakland is among a listof 11 road projects contemplated for nextyear, according to the city’s 2011 capitalworks budget. The project, should it proceed,is budgeted at $500,000.Next year’s capital works budget wastabled by city council as part of a three-yearplan adopted during the budget meetingJanuary 25.The plan to catch up with outstandingroad work is estimated at $5.7 million.Streets on the list for reconstruction inwhole or part are Elm, Prince Albert,Prospect, Windsor, Stayner, Belmont Crescent,Upper Roslyn, Belfrage, Burton andHolton.urbs. Charest’s broken demerger promisehas destroyed this and left the reconstitutedcities without weight.Nevertheless, their role as a benevolentcritic is important. In the Big City, the oppositionopposes for its own sake – or justpolitical expediency – and is unlikely tohelp Montreal out of its difficulties. Reasonedarguments coming from the suburbscould eventually improve things.Devastating reportThe report prepared last month byTrent, Dorval mayor Edgar Rouleau andBruce St. Louis on the deficiencies in theMontreal budget process is devastating. Itexposes the faulty management and directionof the city, at least on the scale of thealleged contracting scams or the inflatedwater meter contract.For instance, the public transit budgetcovers its $40-million deficit by showingincome from an unknown source. It is asthough the STM is expecting a guardianangel to arrive with a big cheque. Suchevents are rare. It probably means demandingeven more subsidies from propertytaxes.The Trent-Rouleau recommendationsare a manual for Tremblay and his colleaguesto include among the needed reformsfor the ailing Big City. I hopeCharest and his ministers will take themseriously, too, and build them into theirpart of the ultimate Montreal solution.There has to be serious internal, constructivecriticism; this can only comeElectronic <strong>Independent</strong>savailableEnjoy the Indie at supper timeon Tuesdays!Sign up by writing us:office@westmountindependent.com.WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010 – 5from the well-run suburbs. All are bringingin their 2010 local budgets with onlyinflationary increase or less.The core city is badly out of tune. Itdoesn’t work. We must do everything wecan to show residents of Big Montreal thatthere is a better way, and convince theCharest government to promote the essentialreform legislation.Citizen activist Don Wedge’s email addressis dwedge@sympatico.ca.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:Animals are <strong>Westmount</strong>ers, too!We are planning an Animal Tribute section, for publication the week of February 8. If youwould like to remember or celebrate your pet, and help local rescue organizations at thesame time, here’s how:For a space this size, please send us(1) text and photos to office@westmountindependent.com – before Friday, February 5 and(2) $25, by cheque (to Sherbrooke-Valois Inc. 310 Victoria #105, H3Z 2M9) or VISA (leaveyour VISA number at 514.223.6138)Up to three photos (of one or more animals), plus text (maximum: 25 words), can fit in thisspace. You will see a proof.ALL money raised will go to The Underdog Club and Gerdy’s Rescues & Adoptions. No taxreceipts will be issued. The <strong>Independent</strong> ’s records for this fundraiser will be open to publicinspection for one month after the issue.


6 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010<strong>Westmount</strong>ers attend star-studded ski soiréeSocial Notesfrom <strong>Westmount</strong>and BeyondVeronica RedgraveEarlier this winter, the Hôtel le Crystalhosted a ski party celebrating an importantfundraiser. Mont Tremblant’s 24-Hour Skiraises money for the Charles BruneauFoundation. December’s event generated$1,510,912 to help sick and less privilegedchildren.Elizabeth Glimenaki, the Crystal’s directorof marketing, not only took part inthe 24-hour ski but, out of 1,900 racers,also raised the most money by an individual– $18,299. Her fellow skiers on theWomen on Top team came in fourth, raising$42,000 in less that two months.The Crystal cocktail attracted gorgeousQuebec stars Virginie Coossa and CarolineNéron, along with singing sensationJonathan Roy, son of Patrick Roy (yes, thehockey player). Jonathan performed severalsongs from his new release, to thesighing delight of the packed room.Recently, the hotel continued fundraisingactivities. The five-star property hostedthe CHOM Morning Team live, donatingthe station’s fee to the Canadian CommunicationsFoundation. A free breakfast wasoffered to passersby, with warm croissantsmuch enjoyed by all.The live broadcast attracted more thanjust the folks on their way to work downtown.A fire truck pulled up, creating amoment’s panic. Not to worry. Threehandsome, hunky (!) firefighters stoppedby simply to bid adieu to Kim Rossi, whoselast day with the radio station was the charitybroadcast at the Crystal.PS: Please help HaitiQuebec celebs Marie Denise Pelletier,Stephan Moccio, Benoît Sarrasin,assisted by Alain Labonté, are asking individualsto go to www.leger.org andpurchase their song “Pour que leshommes se souviennent”. Until the endof February, the entire $20 goes directlyto the Léger Foundation’s constructionprojects in Haiti.Elizabeth Glimenaki, stars Jonathan Roy and Virginie Coossa, and Michele Piuze.Stylist Denis Lemieux and<strong>Westmount</strong>er Bhavna Khanna.<strong>Westmount</strong>er Mose Persico and Kathryn Authier.


WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010 – 7BUNNY BERKE #1 RE/MAX WESTMOUNT INC. *Thank you for your ongoing support!! 2010 promises to beavery exciting year! Please let me know how I can help you.Just Listed – Fabulous Re-development OpportunityVal des Lacs – 20 ch. Graham $1,750,000 – 31 ch. Graham $1,075,000RENTEDCONDSOLDRENTED<strong>Westmount</strong> – 449 Claremont$3995/mo<strong>Westmount</strong> – 2 Burton$529,000Downtown – 441Av.du Président-Kennedy, #1402$2100/mo*2009<strong>Westmount</strong> – 413 Roslynplease call for price detailsEsterel – 82 Ch. Dupuisplease call for price details<strong>Westmount</strong> – 3302 Cedar Ave.please call for price details


8 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010When the Bell Rings: <strong>Westmount</strong> Students Speak UpPresented by Philip Cutler andMichelle WarnerWe asked to hear from students wholive or go to school in <strong>Westmount</strong> to answerto the question What do you look forwardto most in winter? Here are whatsome students had to say.Forget stressful week“I look forward to hockey most; everyweekend going to Wood Park for eighthours and just playing hockey withfriends, family or random people – shinnyhockey or playing a tournament, whatever.I have some friends who live down thestreet, and on the weekends we want to getto the rink so quickly that our phone callslast like three seconds, and then we areplaying and forget all about our long, hard,stressful week at school.”– Jason Miller, grade 8, Selwyn HouseSchool.Read Classics“What I look forward to the most inwinter is the first time I am able to sit bythe fire, read a classic novel and sip slowlyon hot apple cider.”– Chloé Harrison-Steward, grade 9,Miss Edgar’s and Miss Cramp’s School.Hot cocoa and snowball“What I look forward to the most inwinter are the holidays, which I lovespending with my family. I also look forwardto my birthday, which I love spendingwith my friends. Winter sports, likegoing skating, and hot cocoa are always agreat way to spend a winter’s day. All ofthese things are what I look forward to themost in winter!”– Clarissa D’Amico-Mazza, grade 5, St.George’s Elementary School.“This winter I am going to go skiingand have snowball fights with my friend.Another thing that I will do is get lots ofrest!”– Grace-Arianne Pilon, Secondary 1,Vanguard Intercultural High School.Too cold“I really don’t have anything to look forwardto. It’s way too cold in Montreal, andI end up putting on tons of clothes only tobe freezing cold whenever I go out. I can’tplay any of the sports I like, and winter isthe time of year that the school decidesthat it’s okay to give you three hours ofhomework per night. So I guess the thingI look forward to the most is the end.”– George Perlman, grade 8, SelwynHouse School.Snowboarding“I am looking forward to snowboardingagain this year because I have been doingit for four years now. I can’t wait to go backthis year. I usually go to St. Sauveur withmy sister and her boyfriend. I am a competitiveswimmer, so it allows me to takemy mind off of swimming.”– Patrick Lécuyer, Secondary 1, VanguardIntercultural High School.Learn to love it“In my opinion, winter is the best seasonof the year. It’s a time of family,warmth (ironically), skiing and hockey.Ah, Christmas, what a great time of year!You really do feel at home when yourmother is yelling throughout the house,stressed because of the upcoming parties.Learn to love it! Skiing is definitely myfavourite pastime and what would winterbe without the late-night hockey practices?”– Michael Kounadis, grade 8, SelwynHouse School.This week’s questionSend your answer to this week’s question,along with your name, grade, andschool to whenthebellrings@ymail.com.The deadline is Saturday, February 6 atnoon.This week’s question: How do you planto support the 2010 Canadian Olympicteam?


WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010 – 9Novice A Wings catching on as the season progressesOff-SidelNoah SidelThe term “topsy-turvy” might be thebest way to describe the Novice A <strong>Westmount</strong>Wings’ season so far. With a 5-7-0record to date, including wins as impressiveas 6-0 and 7-0 and losses by scores like7-0 and 9-2, the Wings are what you couldcall a work in progress.But the key is that the kids are learningand growing together.“At the beginning of the year, the coachingstaff promised only to make the kidsbetter players, and we have been able to dothat for everyone so far,” coach EdwardHarvey said. “We also had made a pointthat the novice team from <strong>Westmount</strong>rarely does well in the standings but by theend of the year we would be competitive.“We have actually managed to accomplishthat as we are in the middle of thepack in the league.”Indeed, the measure of success forNovice season isn’t wins and losses, ratherit’s as simple as the old line – what mattersis how you play the game, and ofcourse, that the kids have a good time.“The most fun for me has been beingpart of a team and being named assistantcaptain. I like my teammates, and we playwell together,” defenceman William Molson,7, said. “My favourite part of playinghockey is scoring goals –I’m a defenceman and I amvery happy to have 12 goalsthis year! I also like makingnew friends and talkinghockey with them.”It’s just that kind of attitudethat has sparked theWings as of late.“I think our team’sbiggest strength is the kids’enthusiasm and the totallack of egos. The kids are allwilling to try hard andlearn,” Harvey explained,adding that moving forwardhe, and his coaching crewwill work on developing theteam aspect of the game.“We probably need to improveon team play in thesecond half of the year be-cause most of the kids’ individual skillshave improved enough to allow progressionto team skills,” he said. “This is greatbecause most kids this age are still worryingabout how to pass the puck and skate.”The progress has been evident as oflate.The Wings opened the season with<strong>Westmount</strong> defenceman William Molson with the puck in theWings’ 6-2 win over the Verdun Avalanche, weekend of January 23.Photo: Eric Bindmanthree straight lopsided defeats, losing 7-0to the St. Laurent Sonics, 6-2 to the Devils,and 7-0 to the LaSalle Lions. <strong>Westmount</strong>then registered its first win of the year inits fourth game – a 3-2 victory over theTMR Diables, before falling to the LaSalleJaguars.Then the results of all their hard workbegan paying off with a pair of shutoutwins: 6-0 over the Verdun Ambassadeursand 7-0 over the <strong>Westmount</strong>/HampsteadKnights.continued on p. 22EXCELLENT VALUE335 Penn Rd, Beaconsfield – Asking $369,0004 Bedroom raised LEEMAN construction. Largeliving room, dining room & family room. Large2 car garage. Quiet street in sought afterBeacon Hill. Inground pool, beautifullandscaping. MLS # 8281156Barbara BaudinetChartered Real Estate Agentwww.barbarabaudinet.com – Royal LePage GlobalMobile: 514-825-9890


10 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010Greta gets ‘framed’A special guest at <strong>Westmount</strong> Rotary lunchColourfully YoursGreta VonSchmedlapp,muse to AurélienGuilloryHello my dear design fiends! Welcometo the new decade!I promised you, dear readers, that Iwould talk about framing in the new year,and I was reminded about my promise atthe marvelous AGO – the Art Gallery ofOntario. If you need an excuse to visitMontreal’s rival, this is it. Though the crystallineexcrescence of the “modernization”of the Royal Ontario Museum makes iffairly unwelcoming (it’s as if aliens haveinoculated the building with their spores!),the famous Canadian architect FrankGehry has added a much-needed dose ofelegance and warmth with his interventionof sweeping curves of glass and warmDouglas fir beams and floors.One of the artists, Kent Monkman, offersthe viewer giant, spectacular paintingsin the Old Masters style. I’ll leave you todiscover more but can offer this as ateaser: the elegance of his paintings are expertlybalanced and enhanced by the classicalframing.Monkman is a living Canadian artist,but his work carries with it lots of classicalreferences. This brings me to one of themajor precepts of good framing: the selectionof the frame must respect the styleand mood of the art. I always ask myclients to visit their favourite art gallery ormuseum to learn about effective framing.Too often the frame overpowers the art;one doesn’t want to see the frame first –the art is paramount. Conversely, Aureland I sometimes see a good piece of artlooking cramped in a tiny-sized framewith no matting. A larger mat with theright colour will allow it to breathe.Here’s a tip: Make sure the frame relatesto the size and style of the art, andhave a theme to give a grouping of piecessome cohesiveness. Aurel and I have oftennoticed a grouping of pieces showing adisparate mood, subject, and techniqueshung together on a wall.On another occasion, Aurel and I hadalmost completed the refreshing of a livingroom and foyer on Sunnyside, whenwe were stalled by not havcontinuedon p. 23Andy Durso (director, secretary and past president of the Rotary Club of <strong>Westmount</strong>), left, presents AldoCipriani with a picture of him holding the Grey Cup. The cup was brought to the club by LaurieBennett, vice president, Business Operations for the Alouettes. At right, Jim Griffin, past president ofthe Rotary Club of <strong>Westmount</strong>, looks on with a gift from the Rotary club behind his back.Aldo Cipriani and his wife Carmenwere special guests of the Rotary Club of<strong>Westmount</strong>’s lunch January 27 at VictoriaHall.This was a reversal of roles. For morethan 23 years, Cipriani has supported theRotary Club by organising the hall andtidying up after the club’s weekly meetingand luncheon.The Rotary club past president AndyDurso announced that Cipriani was retiringat the end of January after 25 yearswith the city of <strong>Westmount</strong>, including 23years dedicated to Victoria Hall. Dursothanked Cipriani for his commitment andenthusiasm and presented him with aframed photograph of him proudlycradling the Grey Cup. The photographwas signed by many of the Alouette footballplayers, members of the victory team.Jim Griffin (past president of Rotary) presentedCipriani with a card and cheque.Glasses were raised in a toast to Cipriani,who thanked the club for inviting himand his wife to the lunch. “It is an honourto be associated with <strong>Westmount</strong> Rotary”he said.Other guests included Hélène Mitko,executive assistant, Community Events.“Nobody knows Victoria Hall better thanAldo. When people come in for visits, hegives them the grand tour as though itwere a museum. Accurate dates, famouspeople from the past, the year of the greatfire, restoration, etc.” she said.Mitko went on to explain that Ciprianiis easy to find in the sprawling antiquity ofVictoria Hall. He whistles while he works.Whether it’s his wonderful coffee or hismeticulous inventory management, Ciprianihas been a respected and an importantcontributor to the workings of VictoriaHall for a quarter of a century, according toMitko. He has handled the repairs in allfour corners of the building and has nevercomplained, despite a few challenging ailments.“He will be missed dearly! Thank youAldo!” she added. See also “Aldo retiresfrom Victoria Hall”, January 26, p. 3.Animals are <strong>Westmount</strong>ers, too!We are planning an Animal Tribute section, for publication the week of February 8. If youwould like to remember or celebrate your pet, and help local rescue organizations at thesame time, here’s how:For a space this size, please send us(1) text and photos to office@westmountindependent.com – before Friday, February 5 and(2) $25, by cheque (to Sherbrooke-Valois Inc. 310 Victoria #105, H3Z 2M9) or VISA (leaveyour VISA number at 514.223.6138)Up to three photos (of one or more animals), plus text (maximum: 25 words), can fit in thisspace. You will see a proof.ALL money raised will go to The Underdog Club and Gerdy’s Rescues & Adoptions. No taxreceipts will be issued. The <strong>Independent</strong> ’s records for this fundraiser will be open to publicinspection for one month after the issue.


WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010 – 11&+4,56,0$ /,..(4 +$46(4(' ($. 56$6( *(06


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14 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010Examiner turns 75 years old: a look atBy Isaac OlsonFounded with “serving Canada’swealthiest market” in mind, The <strong>Westmount</strong>Examiner first went to press 75years ago – on February 1, 1935 – and,since its birth, the weekly newspaper hasmanaged to not only survive infancy duringthe Great Depression, but to survive alifetime in the face of roller-coasterchanges.Now owned by Transcontinental Inc.,Canada’s largest printing firm, the 75-yearoldExaminer perseveres despite fiercecompetition.When scrolling through the <strong>Westmount</strong>Public Library’s complete collectionof Examiners, there’s no doubt thepublication has seen serious change undera series of owners, ranging from thehockey-playing founder Hugh E. Mc-Cormick to the unforgettably iconic JohnSancton who, with the help of his sons,turned the newspaper into a powerfulcommunity voice.In the beginningBy the time McCormick launched theExaminer, he was no rookie. In fact, hehad been busy sharpening his publishingexperience for 10 years with NDG’s TheMonitor — a now Transcontinental-owned,online-only publication that the buddingpublisher first funded with money earnedplaying hockey as a practice goalie for theMontreal Maroons and Canadiens.“The big thing about McCormick, isthat he was a hands-on guy,” recounts RedFisher, a well-known Montreal Gazettesports columnist who attributes his 67-years-and-counting career to McCormick.“He didn’t have a whole lot of moneywhen he started. As a matter fact, he hadvery little.”Along with NDG’s paper, McCormickalso owned the presently defunct VerdunGuardian and Transcontinental-owned St.Laurent News, which has since switched itslanguage of publication to French. Hemoved what was simply called “The Examiner”from Parc Extension to <strong>Westmount</strong>after realizing the market potential.The first issue was a full-sized, eightcolumnnewspaper that sold for two cents.Headed by a photo depicting coastal Texasblanketed with frozen cattle carcasses, thefront page was packed with 18 separate articles.The two lead stories were about thelocal Rotary club and, of course, <strong>Westmount</strong>’snewest newspaper.According to the article, company policywas to “tell the news, to attack, to defend,to praise, to teach and to advertiselegitimate businesses.”It also states:“Long a city of importance in Canada,it is the opinion of the right-thinking majorityof residents that the city needed anewspaper of its own, a journal in which<strong>Westmount</strong> news and commentary wouldreceive primary consideration ...”Inside, the dense formatcontinues with subjectsranging from funerals andcar repair, to short storiesand opinion pieces. The “Inthe women’s domain” pageserved up recipes, fashionadvice and even some gossip.The locally-focused newspaper,however, didn’t actuallyhave offices in<strong>Westmount</strong> for more thanthree decades.an ink stamp.Looking back, she remembers her fatheras a generous, modest man who tookcare of family members in need and wasvery involved in the community. “I thinkmy first time at the Forum, I was threemonths old. Or so I was told.”From just $100 in capital in the beginning,her father managed to build a thrivingbusiness and establish long-livedcommunity newspapers but, Taylor said,“growing up, you don’t realize how importantthese things are.”Taylor will never forget when, back inthe ’40s, her father dove into a pool to rescuea little girl while wearing his suit andtie. “He came up with his pipe still in hismouth.”Mother of four, Taylor now lives inBurlington, Ontario. One of her sons, JayMoulton, lives in <strong>Westmount</strong> onGrosvenor Ave.Fisher’s career began with McCormickWhile attending Sir George WilliamsCollege (which has since merged with LoyolaCollege to form Concordia) back in1943, Fisher said he noticed an advertisementin The Monitor calling for studentsto cover sports. Fisher, who had aspired tobe a sports writer since his preteens, gaveMcCormick a call.“He immediately said ‘You’re hired’and I said ‘How much do you pay?’ Hesaid, ‘Nothing.’ I said, ‘I’ll take it.’ That’show it started, with me writing aboutGeorge Williams athletes.”Fisher went on to first be sports editorfor The Monitor, with articles occasionallyshowing up in The Verdun Guardian andthe Examiner.Fisher remembers McCormick as askilled, dedicated businessman who, alwayswith a tobacco pipe in his fist, managedto build a successful publishing andnewspaper company from the ground up.“The best part of it is he was an allaroundreally good guy,” said Fisher.The Sanctons move inAs revellers rang in 1957, McCormick’sMonitor Publishing was bought by agroup led by William Aitken, nephew ofthe first baron Beaverbrook – an infamousCanadian-British businessman, politicianand writer who was known as “LordBeaverbrook” to some and “Max” to others.This is where John W. Sancton’s storybegins.As a 17-year-old Stanstead College student,John (“J. W.” to his employees) wrotea front-page article for the MontrealGazette about a fire at his Eastern Townshipsschool. Upon graduating fromNDG’s West Hill High School, the articleplayed a key role in landing a full-time jobat what was then called the SherbrookeDaily Record.Two decades after that Stanstead report,John was working for Lord Beaverbrook inEngland. Once the British group set itssights on McCormick’s business, Johnwas packing up his young family and movinghome to take Monitor Publishing’sreins. By that point, he already had a thickcurriculum vitae that included city editorof the Gazette, owner of the Stanstead Journaland editor of Fredericton’s The DailyGleaner.Hugh E. McCormick.Photo courtesy of Joan Taylor (née McCormick).McCormick’s daughterremembersBorn on June 9, 1934,Joan (McCormick) Taylorwas barely eight months oldwhen her father moved theExaminer and now, 75 yearslater, she still has warmmemories of visiting his office.He would fire up theLinotype machine to make a“type slug” with her nameon it so she could use it asJohn (J. W.) Sancton and Laureen Sweeney, 1983.


community journalism in <strong>Westmount</strong>John’s name appears for the first timealongside McCormick’s in the January 11,1957 edition of the Examiner. John is listedas the publisher and McCormick as thepresident — two titles that were eventuallycoupled under John’s name.In his long career, John won awardsand recognition but, perhaps one of hismore controversial and innovative moveswas to regularly publish every <strong>Westmount</strong>real estate transaction.Going independentJohn’s relationship with the Examinerwas destined to be more than just management.Monitor Publishing had begun closingor selling off its newspapers to focus onother aspects of its business, somethingJohn, a journalist at heart, wasn’t particularlypartial to, said son Don Sancton.When the opportunity came for John totake ownership of the Examiner in 1968,he didn’t have to be asked twice.John moved the business into 4630 St.Catherine St. and set up shop. Son TedSancton joined him full-time in 1972, firstin ad sales and later as head of the layoutand typesetting department. There was aa coffin-sized darkroom equipped with atoilet. Aside from its cramped quarters,the converted bathroom was a convenientplace to develop film, recalls Ted with asmile.Moving the newspaper’s offices into<strong>Westmount</strong> allowed the Examiner to trulybecome part of the community, said Don.Examining the FilesFor the paper’s 35th anniversary, JohnTed and Don Sancton at the Examiner’s Christmas party (1991).commissioned Don to write “Examiningthe Files.”Don would leaf through older editions,writing blurbs about the news of the weekfrom 35, 25, 15 and 5 years prior, eventuallygoing through every edition.“By looking through all the old issues, Ireally got up to speed on a lot of background,histories and names of people,”said Don.After working summers as a reporter orwhere he was needed for $1.75 an hour,Don joined the paper full-time in 1975 asnews editor and bookkeeper alongside hisfather and brother.‘Modern’ technologyIt was at that time, Ted remembers, thathis father brought in a computer to managethe company’s classified advertisingcooperative, Weekly Adservice.The PDP-8/e computer system hadeight kilobytes of memory and four eightinchfloppy disc drives.When personal computers were eventuallyinstalled in the office, Ted said hisfather wrote customized programs tomanage the company’s subscription list(the Examiner was still a paid publication).Laureen Sweeney, who signed on at theExaminer in 1979, was chief reporter whenthose PCs replaced typewriters. She hadspent the day downtown covering a courtcase. When she came back to write the articlewith little time to spare, the surprisedreporter had to learn how to use her newcomputer right on the spot.Like computers, printers have evolvedover the years as well. John was a pioneerin the field of typeset printing, explainedTed, because he was constantlyexploring new technologies.Advancements did come,but, in the meantime, theSanctons penned in Frenchaccents by hand becausethere were no accented lettersin the early typesettingdays.Making use of thetools at handTed said that at times hisfather wouldn’t even botherdrafting editorials on histypewriter. At the StansteadJournal, he would simply sitdown at the Linotype machineand punch it out onthe spot.“The Linotype machinewas basically a typewriterwith a blast furnace attachedto it because it was setting each letter inlead as it went along,” said Ted. “Therewas no backspacing then.”Now things are very different, said Tedwhile siting at his desk furnished with twoflat-screen monitors and a powerful Macintoshcomputer used to facilitate StudioMelrose, his current business. Among hisclients is the <strong>Westmount</strong> <strong>Independent</strong>,which he helps with layout and design.Sweeney looks backSweeney, now the <strong>Independent</strong>’s chiefreporter, started working for John shortlybefore the Montreal Star, where she hadbeen employed, folded in 1979. She stayeduntil 1994.“I was there during what I call the Examiner’sheyday,” said Sweeney.“[John’s] view was: You don’t writedown to <strong>Westmount</strong>ers. It’s a largely professional,well-educated community withhigh expectations and high demand for accuracyin what was going on around themand in their tax bills.”Sweeney said she truly enjoyed workingfor the newspaper because it was focusedon the very community she livedand grew up in. She also enjoyed workingfor John.“He expected results. Good results. Buthe was always quick to acknowledge a jobwell done.”Cogeco buys the ExaminerIn 1989, the Sancton family sold to CogecoInc., a communications and cablecompany that seemed to be buying all thearea newspapers at the time. A year shy of70, John was mostly retired, but Don stuckaround as editor and publisher. It was atime both Ted and Don look back on withouttoo much emotion.It ensured their father would have theretirement he deserved, said Don, notingthere were very few family-owned newspapersleft anywhere.“My father was very pragmatic aboutthe move,” said Ted. “The timing wasgood. Plus, we were paid pretty well for it,so that was kind of nice. It was my downpaymenton a house.”Don was ultimately let go in 1992 —the year after Sweeney won a national investigativejournalism award for her coverageof an uncollected tax scandal.David Goldberg, former editor of TheMonitor and current editor of The NDGFree Press (whose parent company is thesame as the <strong>Independent</strong>’s), rememberswriting police and fire reports for the Examinerin the mid ’90s. He remembers thehigh degree of respect <strong>Westmount</strong>ers hadfor the publication.WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010 – 15With the exception of their short-livedcompeting newspaper called The <strong>Westmount</strong>Experience (1994), the Sanctonswere out of the Examiner’s picture whenGoldberg came on the scene. (It was competitionfrom the Experience that led Cogecoto make the Examiner a freecirculationpaper.) Bernie O’Neill was theExaminer’s editor at the time.“The Examiner really was a beloved institution,”said Goldberg. “It was <strong>Westmount</strong>’sBible when I was writing forthem. My, how times have changed.”Transcontinental takes chargeTranscontinental first appears in themasthead on December 5, 1996. The company,which rakes in about $2.4 billion inrevenue a year, manages at least 60 Quebec-basedweeklies — 22 of which are onMontreal island.After a decade working for the Examinerand other Transcontinental-ownednewspapers, Martin Barry, whose bylinehas appeared around the region, recentlysigned on with the <strong>Independent</strong> as a freelancereporter.He made the switch less than a monthago, motivated by the 75-year-old newspaper’srecent decline.“I don’t anticipate thecontinued on p.16Three views oncommunity journalism“Leading residents of the district wereapproached and without exception expressedthe opinion that it was time, infact well past time, that <strong>Westmount</strong>possessed a full size, dependable, independentnewspaper of its own.”– Front-page article of the first <strong>Westmount</strong>Examiner (February 1, 1935)“[McCormick] wanted the best weekliespossible. He had a standard for hisnewspapers and his printing business.It had to be top drawer and obviouslyhis products were high quality becausehe had a terrific business going.”– Red Fisher, Examiner/Monitor sportsreporter & editor (1943 to 1954)Working for a community newspaperis, at times, like “tiptoeing through thetulips.” With dailies, reporters are inand out of a situation, sometimes neverseeing their source again, but communityjournalists are expected to fully explorewhat are often multi-sidedstories. “That’s what life is. It’s notblack and white.”– Laureen Sweeney, Examiner’s chiefreporter (1979 to 1994)


16 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010Examiner keeps changingSINCE 1937CONSIGNMENT INVITATION&ARTAPPRAISALCLINICFriday, February 5th, Noon–5 p.m.Saturday, February 6th, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.EVENT LOCATIONChateau Versailles1659 Sherbrooke St. W., Suite #220Montreal, PQ H3H 1E3RSVP appreciated—drop-in welcome.Jeffrey Walker will be conducting anappraisal clinic on fine Canadian &International paintings and silver for clientswho have a view to consigning propertyto Walker’s Important international artauction which will be held on June 2nd.If you are unable to transport property tothe hotel please call to arrange aconfidential visit at your home. Montrealcontact telephone number: 1.613.868.0893or e-mail jeff@walkersauctions.comARTISTS OF PARTICULAR INTERESTFrederic BantingFrederick BarnjumHenri BeauAndré BielerLeon BellefleurPaul-Émile BorduasSamuel BorensteinFranklin BrownellWilliam BrymnerJack BushFranklin CarmichaelPaul CaronEmily CarrA.J. CassonF.S. CoburnAlexander ColvilleStanley CosgroveMaurice CullenJ.P. DallaireN. De GrandmaisonJ. De TonnacourBerthe Des ClayesW.P. EwenMarc-Aurèle FortinC.A. GagnonLauren HarrisFrank HennesseyPrudence HewardRandolph HewtonEdwin HolgateE.J. HughesA.Y. JacksonF.H. JohnstonJ.Y. JohnstoneC. KrieghoffWillien KurelekMolly Lamb BobakJ.P. LemieuxArthur LismerJohn LittleMabel LockerbyJohn LymanJ.E.H. MacDonaldJ.W.G. MacDonaldALBERT ROBINSONCACOUNA, PQ1927Sold at Walker’s for $264,500www.walkersauctions.comJean McEwanY. McKague HousserPegi McLeodHelen McNicollDavid MilneGuido MolinariJ.W. MorriceKathleen MorrisRita MountLaura MuntzPaul PeelRobert PilotJoseph PlaskettJ.P. RiopelleG. RobertsSarah RobertsonAlbert RobinsonA.D. RozaireAnne SavageTom ThomsonF. VarleyHoratio Walker81 Auriga Drive, Suite 18, OTTAWA, ON K2E 7Y5, Toll-free: 1-866-224-5814continued from p.15Examiner coming back up,” said Barry. “Idon’t think anybody else does.”However, Barry’s time at the Examinerhasn’t left a bad taste in his mouth. Thelocal operation of the Examiner had nothingto do with its decline, according toBarry, who said Transcontinental is theproblem.Barry still remembers walking into theExaminer’s office after a few years with TheSuburban. He asked if there was any workavailable and, sure enough, he was put onthe roster. In the decade’s time since, hecovered <strong>Westmount</strong>’s merger, demergerand everything else in between.Barry appreciates the 10 years he spentworking with then editor Wayne Larsen.(After a staff shuffle last month, Larsen isnow the sole “journalist” on the paper’smasthead. No editor is listed.)“We didn’t get in each other’s hair verymuch and that’s a long time for two peopleto be working together,” said Barry. “Weworked together very successfully.”Examiner moves, moves backGoldberg became The Monitor’s editorin 1999 and started sharing office spacewith the Examiner on Victoria Ave. in2002.He will probably never forget the dayTranscontinental officials surprised himand Larsen with big news in February of2007.“They told us on a Thursday that on thefollowing Monday the <strong>Westmount</strong> officeswere closing and we would all be movingto LaSalle,” said Goldberg. “There was ahuge firestorm. People were threateningto pull ads. There was even talk the citywas going to pull ads. A lot of people werevery upset.”Under Transcontinental’s regional director,Louis Mercier, the company miscalculatedthe public’s demand forexcellence in English media, recountsGoldberg, describing the conglomerate asa bottom-line-focused company.Move Statue of Liberty?“You don’t move The <strong>Westmount</strong> Examinerout of <strong>Westmount</strong>,” said Goldberg.“That’s like moving the Statue of Libertyout of the New York Harbor. Certainthings have to stay in certain places.”Larsen appeared as a guest speaker at a<strong>Westmount</strong> Municipal Association meetingsoon after the move and, rather thanholding a pleasant discussion about communityjournalism, the editor was stronglychallenged by residents concerned aboutlocal coverage.The move to LaSalle spurred thenmayor Karin Marks, former mayor MayCutler and other <strong>Westmount</strong> residents toaction. Complaints poured in to Transcontinental,so the company re-opened a<strong>Westmount</strong> office.Price asked to start newspaperGoldberg described the move as “thebeginning of the paper’s downfall,” becauseit gave David Price an opening tostart the <strong>Independent</strong>. However, Price clarified,the real catalyst was calls from peoplelike Cutler asking him to start a newlocally grown newspaper.Once his father moved the Examiner’soffices to <strong>Westmount</strong>, Don Sancton saidthe city’s demand for a strong communitynewspaper grew into a tradition.His father set the standard, Don said,which is something, he believes, the <strong>Independent</strong>carries on to this day.While it’s necessary to be aware ofwhat’s going on in the world at large, hecontinued, people’s day-to-day lives are directlyimpacted by decisions taken at amunicipal level.Community journalism provides aforum that can greatly influence those decisions,he said.“The Examiner suffers from being asmall part of a large business,” said DonSancton, discussing the newspaper as it istoday. “Certainly the type of communityjournalism that my father believed in reallycan’t survive in that environment.”John and Don Sancton had an amazingability to wear many hats and they bothwere very motivated, said Sweeney. Shesees that same drive and talent in Price —a man who is carrying on the Sanctons’ visionof community journalism.Maybe the fact that Price worked for theExaminer, albeit briefly, was a sign ofthings to come. As a high school student,Price spent a few evenings conducting aphone survey for the paper during the contentiousGallery-Cutler mayoral race of1987.Transcontinental: No commentInterviewed by email, Denis Therrien,publisher of the Examiner, was asked tocomment on the Examiner’s anniversary,whether Transcontinental has succeededin reaching out to <strong>Westmount</strong> anglophonesand if the Examiner will ultimatelyfollow the Monitor’s path to becoming anonline-only publication. He was offered aphone interview as well.Therrien stated he “will not be able tocontribute” to the article.


<strong>Westmount</strong> Profile: Stuart WebsterPlanning his own outdoor homeBy Laureen SweeneyLike the shoemaker’s children who gowithout shoes, garden designer andlandscape architect Stuart Websterhas no garden. Yet, that is.But when he does, “it will be magnificent,”promises his wife and businesspartner, Claire.“Actually,” he adds in his typically relaxedmanner, “she threatened to go to anotherlandscape architect if I didn’t do ourown garden this year!”But, he explains, he’s been too busybuilding a business that bears his name asStuartWebsterDesign. He’s also been convertingto a family home the duplex he andClaire acquired seven years ago on deMaisonneuve near Roslyn.In a little over 10 years, Webster hascreated the landscape and maintenancebusiness that sprouted from a high-endgarden store he had developed in Ogilvy’sbasement.It now provides a wide range of gardenservices involving 60 to 65 employees duringthe garden season and has transformedmany back yards in <strong>Westmount</strong>into garden oases. “I can drive up anddown the streets and find my gardens onalmost every one,” he says.Word of mouthIt’s fitting that Webster’s designs firstcaught on in <strong>Westmount</strong>, largely throughword of mouth. Many <strong>Westmount</strong>ers wentthrough Selwyn House with him. Someknew him as a neighbour and still othershave served with him in various non-profitorganizations such as the MAB/MackayCentre Rehabilitation Centre, where he isnow a member of the board.“I have a comfort level in the community,”he explains. “Business and friends,they’re all the same.”His gardens are now in many otherplaces in town as well as on the southshore, in the Laurentians and the EasternTownships. That’s where his roots are.“I spent my first years in Massawippi,where my mother still has a wonderfulgarden,” he says. “Most of my childhoodphotos show me with a cow, or in the grassor woods. My father was trained as an architect,and when I was in university I figuredout I could combine my parents’passions along with my own fascinationwith nature.”When the young Stuart started school,the family moved into town settling eventuallyon Trafalgar Ave. bordering theBronfman property at 15 Belvedere Rd. Atthe time, boys were being newly admittedto kindergarten at The Study – a brief experiment– and “I’m one of the very fewOld Boys!” he points out.At Selwyn House, he was captain of thesquash and badminton teams and initiatedthe school’s big brother program. Ongraduation in 1989, he received the RedpathHerald Award for selfless devotion tothe school and its values.Took up photographyWebster took up art photography duringa year at Upper Canada College inToronto. At Princeton, he helped both therowing and squash teams win nationalchampionships before obtaining his BA inart history in 1994.And one of the highlights of his life, hesays, was displaying his design work at thevenerable Chelsea Flower Show during ayear in England at the Inchbal School ofDesign.“When I returned home in the latesummer of 1995, it was shortly before theOctober referendum,” he recalls. “I was ayoung anglophone looking for work inMontreal without a lot of hope.” That’swhat led him to start up the garden outletat Ogilvy’s, which he spent five years managingwhile starting up the landscape business.Despite the British influences in hislife, Webster has developed a garden styleinfluenced more by the control and ornamentationof Italian gardens, their use ofwater, and a mix of greens and neutrals.“The biggest change in my style since Ifirst started out is my shift to more of thestructural side of a garden – the use ofrocks and different materials and creatingthe garden as an extension of the home tobe enjoyed for as long as possible – evenwith the use of outdoor heating.”With that thought, Webster looks outover his snow-filled backyard. It’s typicalof the rather congested neighbourhood,measuring about 45 by 50 feet, including adouble garage.“I’m planning to convert the garageinto an outdoor living room, which is achallenge in itself because of the need toprovide car access – at least in theory – accordingto <strong>Westmount</strong>’s regulations.”Interestingly, he bought the house froma former client who initially hired him to“fix up” the backyard. “It was one of myfirst creations,” he says, though theredoesn’t seem to be much about it that helikes today!WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010 – 17Stuart and Claire Webster with family: Julia (left), Matthew with London the dog, and Siena.Among his plans for the garden is a“living” wall. “One of the things that exciteme in the short and medium term is gettinginto vertical gardening,” he explains.And in the long term?“My bigger vision is to have a corporateheadquarters that combines research andEach day at The Study is carefully designedto give our girls a better understanding ofthe world of tomorrow. Now, more than ever,your daughter’s future begins at The Study.teaching – something unique and specialin Quebec and Canada in terms of designand landscaping.”Also, he adds, he feels destined to dosomething bigger for humanity. “I believein giving back,” he says.The worldneedsmeTHE WORLD NEEDSGREAT WOMENFOR A PERSONAL TOUR OF OUR SCHOOLPLEASE CALL PATTIE EDWARDS, DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS,AT 514.935.9352 EXT 229An independent school for girls (K to 11)offering a fully bilingual experience3233 The Boulevard, <strong>Westmount</strong> thestudy.qc.ca


18 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010Bought & Sold: Real estate transferred since November 30, 2009Address Price Evaluation Buyer Seller DateP 4720 (Glen Yards) $6,836,789 n/a McGill University Health Center Corp. D’Hébergement du QC 16-Dec4455 Montrose Ave. $2,350,000 $1,877,300 Alexander Grach & Natalia Lisochkina Marc Terfloth 2-Dec50 Aberdeen Ave. $1,815,000 $1,941,200 Paul Harasymowycz & Nataliya Khrushch Jeff Ward & Dorothy Moore 15-Jan65 Belvedere Road $1,810,000 $1,809,900 Maria Paolucci Vivian Nguyen 2-Dec29 Bellevue Ave. $1,800,000 $1,215,100 José Leroux & Valérie Morin Marta Cavallo 12-JanP 4720 (Glen Yards) $1,709,197 n/a McGill University Health Center Corp. D’Hébergement du Quebec 16-Dec800 Lexington Ave. $1,700,000 $972,800 Phillip Marcovitch & Sandra Hutchinson 6309348 Canada Inc. 6-Jan6 Hudson Ave. $1,630,000 $1,622,800 Frédérick Charette Frances MacKay 4-Dec3223 The Boulevard $1,385,000 $1,000,000 Mustapha El Alaoui H. Walker-Gooderham & Worts Ltd. 21-Jan499 Mount Pleasant Ave. $1,375,000 $1,301,800 Maria-Athena Paradissis Ginette Lamont 7-Jan771 Upper Belmont Ave. $1,350,000 $941,900 Joanne & Robert Mainville David Rolph 30-Nov521 Lansdowne Ave. $1,350,000 $1,152,800 Simon Dupéré Dominic Côté & Guy Fortin 7-Dec3217 The Boulevard $1,275,000 $1,000,000 Naim Otaky & Joanne Sitko Antonella Argento 30-Nov377,379, & 381 Clarke Ave. $1,250,000 $960,300 9212-7620 Quebec Inc. C. Campbell & G. Hionis 30-Nov20 Arlington Ave. $1,219,600 $744,300 Jay Sala & Eugenia Cukier Scott Jones 12-Jan710 Upper Roslyn Ave. $1,155,000 $819,500 Nicole Pragai James Yunker & Suzanne Zadeh 7-Jan468 Mountain Ave. $1,150,000 $1,008,900 Estate of L. Balit & A.M.Duchesneau Timon Deichmann & Mary Gallery 14-Jan35 Church Hill Ave. $1,105,000 $1,490,100 Olymbec Dev’p. Inc. & Constr. Olymbec Inc. Frances Samuels & Michael Schaffer 13-Jan490 Argyle Ave. $935,000 $971,000 Samar & Tanios Corbani Mireille Lamarre 2-Dec509A Claremont Ave. $895,000 $638,100 Michel Mezrahi & Odile Martinez Succession J. Lupovich/feu A.Besrier 18-Jan707 Victoria Ave. $790,000 $745,800 Jason Retter & Lindsay Hollinger Daryl Gibson & Mary Philpott 5-Jan127 Arlington Ave. $753,000 $628,400 Matthew Baer & Alexandra Rubin Estate of Robert Williams 15-Jan4 & 6 Windsor Ave. $744,000 $404,500 K. Howes & Rebecca Lee Barbara Buchanan 1-Dec485 Grosvenor Ave. $723,000 $563,800 Thomas Brillu & Delphine Valentin Sophie Demarquette 18-Dec2 Prospect St. $720,000 $521,400 Kirsten Johnson Gregory Barlow & Lisa Angeloni 29-Dec4700 St. Catherine St. # 605 $683,000 $707,400 Cynthia Campbell & Geracimos Hionis Arlene Miller 11-DecBéatriceBAUDINETAffiliated Real Et Estate t AgentC. 514.912.1482www.baudinet.ca579GROSVENORBeautifully renovated 4 bdrms, 3 Baths, Fireplace, A/C,garden, marble finishes. Large skylights, high ceilings.Immediate occupancy. Asking $1,349,0006030CAVENDISHcontinued on p. 21HÉRITAGECOURTIER IMMOBILIER AGRÉÉFRANCHISÉ INDÉPENDANT ET AUTONOMEDIAMOND AWARD WINNER for 2009(awarded to the top 3% of Royal Lepage Realtors in Canada)Luxurious and elegant condo at “Le Bristol”, 2 bdrms,2 bath, large balcony, many services. ImmediateOccupancy. Asking $345,000Great Prices & Listings OnFlorida Beach Condos/HomesDebra Baer www.debrabaer.netformer Montreal LawyerNow Top Real Estate Producerin Florida (English & Francais)Call 954.816-3341Integrity &ExpertiseWorkingfor you!CharlesPearoPh.D.cpearo@yahoo.comB. 934-1818C. 704-1063HERITAGEChartered Real Estate Broker


WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010 – 19BELMONT AVE.Living on the Park! A sun-filled jewel of a home. Spacious main floor opens to big garden and KindEdward park. Bright gr. level fin. Bsmt /w 2 offices/bedrms, bthrm. Formerly owned by LeonardCohen. A must-see. Asking $1,595,000CLARKE AVE.Charming pied à terre, steps to amenities as Greene Ave.,<strong>Westmount</strong> Square, Atwater metro & Montreal Children’sHospital. One bedroom, first floor, high ceilings, A/C, doormanand concierge on premises. Asking $175,000 COVEY HILL CH.Unique! Unique! Unique! Your personal golf course and much more for the countryside and golf aficionado! Quiet New York border towna mere 60 minutes south of Montreal featuring a solid stone cottage plus garages and fun activities for the whole family. You will fall inlove at first sight! Photos and details at www.mcguiganpepin.com/8209475 Asking $475,000SOLDST. HUBERTA magnificent, spacious & bright 1,700 sq.ft. condo located ontop floor on the most desirable street in the Plateau. Windowson three sides; Top quality appliances included; 2 parkingspots included in the back. Beautiful hard wood floorsthroughout. Asking $499,000CASTELLO DI CASOLEFive-star luxury resort & residence club. Restored Casali farmhouse villas, each with its own glass-tiled infinity pool. Located in Tuscanhills near Florence, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Sold in fractional ownership. Please call broker for more information.


20 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – October 6-7, 2009Gearing up for the Canadian Ski MarathonShop <strong>Westmount</strong>!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 & CollectiblesSpecialized custommadejewellery4500 St. Catherine St. W.,<strong>Westmount</strong>514.937.6034tangomartiniantiques.comChris Blanchard, former member of the Canadian cross-country skiing Senior National Team, showssome equipment skiiers will be taking along on the Canadian Ski Marathon.Silver JewelleryClothing &accessories4879 Sherbrooke W. 514 486-8852Certified Custom Framer on Site318A Victoria Ave. • 514.369.2633Dresses.322 Victoria Ave.(at de Maisonneuve)514 369-4799www.astripruggerdesign.com Everything for your eyesSTANISLAV PONOMARENKO, optometrist•Complete eye examination•Glasses & contact lenses•Large choice of frames•Screening for eye diseases•Glaucoma & cataract examsWe accept prescriptionsWE’VE MOVED!KANGOL 50% Off5175B Sherbrooke West corner Marlowe514-482-4702 HAIR STYLING FOR MEN514.484.59874970 Sherbrooke Street WestTAO RestaurantFine AsianCuisineLunch Special from $7.25514.369.1122374 Victoria near SherbrookeBy Martin C. BarryFor those who have had the pleasure ofparticipating in the annual Canadian SkiMarathon (CSM), an enduring memory isthe sight of the long double-tracked trail ofskiers, headlamps aglow in the earlymorning darkness, as they start an eventbilled as North America’s longest and oldestNordic ski tour.“It’s absolute magical,” said Anna Johansson,executive director of CentreGreene, which held an evening informationsession January 28 for <strong>Westmount</strong>erswishing to participate in this year’smarathon on February 13 and 14.This will be the first year that Johannssonand her sister Lisa will attempt tocomplete the CSM’s elite Gold category.They’ll be trying to ski the entire 160 kilometresin two days while carrying a 5-kg.backback and sleeping outdoors overnight.Space still available in some ofContactivity’scourses for seniorsLine DancingFridays 1:30-2:30Bridge at 3 levelson Weds. 2-hour classes(no beginners’this term, though)also in Fall Prevention: twiceweekly commitment, no tuitioncall 932-2326 for infoThey’ve done the Bronze once and the Silvertwice. Those categories are less demandingand provide participants withindoor accommodation.“This will be my first experience doingthe marathon,” said <strong>Westmount</strong>er KristaLeitham, adding that she’s been gettinginto shape. “I’ve done my own version oftraining on my own time. I’m totally greenabout this sort of thing, but I’ve got greatpeople to motivate me.”Chris Blanchard, who competed incross-country skiing for Canada at the1998 Olympic Winter Games in Japan,was on hand to provide tips for thosegoing for the Gold category for the firsttime, or attempting one of the lesser levelsof difficulty. Blanchard first skied in theCSM at 6 years old and he’s taken part inevery CSM during the past decade.Started in 1967, the CSM takes place inthe lower Laurentians of Quebec betweenLachute and Gatineau. There is anovernight stop in Montebello. The event isdivided into five sections each day, with anaverage of 16 kms per section, at the endof which skiers have access to food stations,first aid and toilets. Unlike mostcross-country ski marathons, there are nowinners or losers in the CSM.Registration is open to anyone of anyage or ability, and participation is open toindividuals or teams. Participants selecttheir level of challenge and can ski the distancedesired (as little as 12 kms) withouthaving to complete the entire 160 kms.More information about the CSM canbe found at www.csm-mcs.com.


More bought & soldcontinued from p.18A guilt-free life with a Jack RussellWESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010 – 21Address Price Evaluation Buyer Seller Date140 & 142 Irvine Ave. $670,000 $252,600 Carole Garcia Michael Rezek & Evelyn Couture 14-Jan485 Roslyn Ave. $670,000 $631,900 Abraham Stark & Frédérique Schmitt Shirley Elkin 15-Jan512 Prince Albert (portion) $625,000 $411,500 Lorraine Baker Jean Ostiguy 12-Jan108 Blenheim Place $530,000 $517,400 Markus Lehmann Estate of D. Dryden, G. Andrew Tait, G.R. Tait 10-Dec3117 St. Antoine St. $453,000 $478,400 Elisa Wong Megan Smalley & Janita Maden 23-Dec10 York Ave. # 201 $382,000 $328,900 Maya & Brian Kenny Sergey Dulin 1-Dec3171 St. Antoine St. $300,000 $235,600 Eric Lamoureux & Annie Vincelette Daniel Sandler 16-DecEdwin, the gentlemanBy: Jessica GhersiUnderdogRoll this paper up and hit yourself onthe nose with it. You’ve been bad. Youscreened phone calls that weren’t yours.Or threw out a full plate of food. Or tookan excessively long shower. Or killedsomeone. You did one of those things. Butdon’t worry. There is still hope for you. It’sOKKathryn OsborneDESIGN D’INTÉRIEUR INC.chewing on a pig ear at Kiko Dog Rescueand goes by the name of Bogart.Bogart is a Jack Russell mix and he’slike the last kid to get picked for a team.He’s been waiting to be adopted for twowhole years. That’s 14 dog years if youwant to be really dramatic about it. And Iobviously do. Can you imagine what itmust be like for this little guy, watchinghis pals come and go, month after monthafter month? It’s time for this 9-year-old toget his big break. And you’re just the personto do it.Get some karma pointsRemember, you need all the goodkarma points you can get and Bogartcomes with a life-time supply. All you’llhave to do is love him. And also care forand pick up after him, of course.So think about it. Seriously. Close youreyes right now and imagine your life withlittle Bogie. Imagine playing fetch with hisfavourite toy. And cuddling with him onthe couch. Now pick up the phone. CallSusan at 514.569.2228 and tell her you’reready to become a better person.Or visit us at underdogclub.org. LittleBogie needs you. And you need him. Andyou also love those extra-long showers.Furniture tailored to your t aste 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 RBogartWe 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, <strong>Westmount</strong>, Québec H3Z 2A5Tél.: (514) 931-1357 • Fax: (514) 931-0101 • www.kathrynosbornedesign.com®9 LivesLyzanneEdwin is a very handsome gentlemancat; you could practically picture him witha red bow tie.This distinguished grey and white domesticshorthair is between 2 and 3 yearsold, very healthy, vaccinated and neutered.He was left behind in an apartment whenhis previous owner moved away, so a familywithout a plan to abandon is reallyneeded for him.Edwin is loyal, affectionate and devoted.With all his 14-pound might, he is as cuddlyas can be.If you would like to know more aboutEdwin, please contact Gerdy’s Rescue andAdoptions at 514.203.9180 or email herinfo@gerdysrescue.org.Your neighbour,LyzanneArtwork by Laura S. CohendetP.S. A great fundraising idea comingsoon! All families in the neighbourhoodcan participate in the animal tribute sec-February at the Art GalleriesGalerie de BellefeuilleHunt Slonem: paintings. Exhibit continuesto February 10.Wolf Kahn: paintings. Vernissage: February13 at 1 pm. Exhibit continues to February24.Mark Lang: paintings. Vernissage: February27 at 1 pm. Exhibit continues toMarch 10.1367 Greene, 514.933.4406Gallery at Victoria HallBruce Roberts: painting. Exhibit continuesto Feb. 6.Diana Bruno, Richard Lock andtion which will be presented in the February9 issue of the Indie. It’s really easy:Send in or drop off a photograph of youranimal or animals (be it a cat, dog, ferret,gerbil, rabbit, etc.) to the <strong>Independent</strong> withyour reference information and $25, orcall with your Visa number. The Indie willpresent a collage of neighbourhood petswith a special section for those in ourmemories. All proceeds will benefit theUnderdog Club and Gerdy’s Rescues andAdoptions. Yes, it’s good to see our ownpets on the page for a change! I am sendingin photos of all my animals to helpthose without a home.EdwinJaroslava Miler: photographs. Exhibit February18 to March 13.4626 Sherbrooke, 514.989.5226McClure Gallery – Visual Arts CentreSimon Bossé, Kristin Eiriksdottir, JimHolyoak and Patrick McEown: “Horrorvacui”. Vernissage: Thursday, February 4at 6 pm. Exhibit continues to February 27.350 Victoria, 514.488.9558Parisian LaundryRick Leong: “I Am Nature”; and DavidArmstrong-Six: “The Dry Salvages”. Exhibitcontinues to February 20.3550 St. Antoine, 514.989.1056.


22 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010Comin’ UpNovice A WingsThursday February 4• <strong>Westmount</strong>’s Winter Carnival, Feb. 4 –Feb. 6. Tobogganing, skating, casinoevening and more. For details, seewww.westmount.org.• Local Sherlock Holmes club’s bi-monthlymeeting. All potential sleuths invited, optionalquiz on “The Adventure of CharlesAugustus Milverton”. <strong>Westmount</strong> Library,6:30 pm. Info: 514.935.9581.• <strong>Westmount</strong> Winter Carnival seniors’lunch at Contactivity Centre, 12:30 pm.BBQ chicken and homemade strawberry/rhubarb pies, door prizes, live entertainment.Reserve: 514.932.2326.• The Atwater Library Lunchtime seriespresents Muslim Harji with an illustratedtalk on Africa, “Cycling Odyssey fromCairo to Capetown: A Journey AcrossAfrica in Search of Hope”, 12:30 pm. Freeadmission, donations invited. Info: TanyaMayhew 514.935.7344.Saturday February 6Fundraising bake sale and Cat & KittenAdoption Day, held by Moustache Rescueat Naturalanimal & Pawtisserie (4932BSherbrooke St. W.), from 10:30 am to 4:30pm. Proceeds go to help rescued animals.Sunday February 7• Mountainside United Church (4000 TheBoulevard) hosts “Organ Extravaganza”with Philippe Bélanger, titular organist ofSt. Joseph’s Oratory and MountainsideUnited’s Hammond B-3 organ virtuoso,Vanessa Rodrigues, 3 pm. Cost: $15; $12for students and seniors. Tickets at door.Info: 514.486.1165.• Lydia Lockett & Leslie Alston performjazz poetry at London Bus Café, 6pm. Jamsession to follow. 4126 St.-Catherine St.Tuesday February 9Sisterhood of Congregation ShaarHashomayim presents a screening of“Phyllis and Harold”, winner of the WorldJewish Film Festival 2009, followed byQ&As with Laurie Betito. Cost: $10. Reserve:514.937.9471, #139.• The <strong>Westmount</strong> Horticultural Societypresents Joelle Lapalme, coordinator ofconservation activities for Les amis de lamontagne on “Protecting Mount RoyalBio-Diversity: What can you do?” at the<strong>Westmount</strong> Public Library, 7 to 9 pm.Cost: $5. All welcome.Thursday February 11Seniors homemade lunch and movie atContactivity Centre, 1 pm. Reserve:514.932.2326.Tuesday February 16Pancake Breakfast for Dinner at CentreGreene, 6 pm. Cost: $5; $3 for 5 years andunder. Buy tickets in advance at the CentreGreene office (1090 Greene Ave.)continued from p.9The Wings then fell 8-1 to Lac St. Louis,notched yet another shutout win – thistime 1-0 over Côte St. Luc, and then lost 7-2 to St. Laurent.Finally, a 9-2 loss to the Maroons and a6-2 win over the Verdun Avalanche ledthem to their current record and eighthplace in the standings.“No doubt [our improvement] in largepart is due to the help the team is receiving– I would like to thank the large array ofvolunteers and coaches that has made thisteam run as well as it has,” Harvey said.“The best part of coaching kids at thislevel is seeing this development happen.It’s very rewarding.”Electronic <strong>Independent</strong>s availableEnjoy the Indie at supper timeon Tuesdays! Sign up by writing us:office@westmountindependent.com.<strong>Westmount</strong> for SaleThe <strong>Independent</strong> has been notified of the following sales at <strong>Westmount</strong> shops. This service isoffered free to <strong>Westmount</strong> retailers (maximum: 200 characters). Email to office@ westmountindependent.com by Friday at noon. Retailers must reconfirm every week.•Boutique MocassiniShoe Store & Accessories (1230 Greene Ave.): fall-winter 2009-10, 50% off most shoes and winter boots. For a limited time, no taxes on already reduceditems.PREVENT CHILD ABUSEYou can help by donating any typeof BOOKS to KidzSafe Foundationto fund educational programs for kids.Call for pick-up 514.702.4930Dog Walking & Pet SittingService. Reasonable and competitiverates. Daily, weekly andduring your vacations. Call usat 514-272-6635.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.Career TrainingMARITIME DRILLING SCHOOLS entryleveltraining for land and offshore oilrigs.Excellent wages, benefits and opportunitiesto travel the world. March 1– 20th 2010, March 29 – April 17th 2010.Contact: 1-866-807-3960, www.mdslimited.ca.CompanionsMisty River Introductions can make thisyears Valentine’s Day something to remember.(514) 879-0573 www.mistyriverintros.com.EmploymentOpportunitiesA DISCONNECTED PHONE? Cheap telephonereconnect with long distance andinternet options. Low monthly rates, fastconnections, special discounts – Callnow! 1-877-336-2274 Phone Factory;www.phonefactory.ca.Financial Services$$NEED MONEY $$Have RRSP or lockedin pension plan from an ex-employer(LIRA) or (LIF) 3 easy ways to help. 1-866-976-7336.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. www.moneyprovider.com.DEBT 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.For SaleThe Quebec Community NewspapersAssociation can place your ad into 25weekly 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.#1 high speed internet $18.95/month.Absolutely no ports are blocked. Unlimiteddownloading. Up to 5Mps downloadand 800Kbps upload. Order today atwww.acanac.ca or call toll free 1-866-281-3538.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.FUTURE STEEL BUILDINGS durable, dependable,pre-engineered, all-steelstructures. Custom made to suit yourneeds and requirements. Factory directaffordable prices. Call 1-800-668-5111ext. 170 for free brochure.Norwood SAWMILLS – LumberMate-Pro handles logs 34” diameter, millsboards 28” wide. Automated quick-cycle-sawingincreases efficiency up to40%. www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT – FREE Information: 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT.BIDET BIFFY KIT. No more paper! Rinsekit for private parts, WoW! Check thisout at www.hygienegreen.ca. 514-497-9395.HOT TUB (SPA) Covers. Best Price, BestQuality. All Shapes & Colours Available.Call 1-866-652-6837. www.thecoverguy.ca.A safe, proven ‘Restless Leg Syndrome’and ‘Leg Cramps’ cure that always givesyou instant relief. www.allcalm.com 1-800-765-8660.HealthMAKE YOUR RESOLUTION a reality!And, your first 15lbs are free. Look great.Feel great. Lose weight. Guaranteed.Call Herbal Magic 1-800-926-4363. Limitedtime offer.Help Wanted#1 IN PARDONS. Remove your criminalrecord. Express Pardons offers theFASTEST pardons, LOWEST prices, andit’s GUARANTEED. BBB Accredited.FREE Consultation Toll-free 1-866-416-6772, www.ExpressPardons.com.PersonalsDATING SERVICE. Long term / shortterm relationships, free calls! 1-877-297-9883. Exchange voice messages, voicemailboxes 1-888-534-6984. Live adult casualconversations 1 on 1, 1-866-311-9640, meet on chat lines. Local singleladies 1-877-804-5381 (18+).*PAST *PRESENT *FUTURE * #1 Psychics!*1-877-478-4410* Credit Cards /deposit or phone 1-900-783-3800 $3.19min (18+). For a psychic NOW! Meet usat: www.mysticalconnections.ca.ServicesCRIMINAL RECORD? We can help! TheNational Pardon Centre is RCMP accredited.For better price and betterservice visit: www.nationalpardon.org.Call 514-842-2411 or 1-866-242-2411.Vacation/TravelMYRTLE BEACH CANAM DAYS! Oceanfrontluxury 1-8 bedroom beach homes& condos. $200 gas credit on anyweekly rental amount above $800! Callfor details. Free brochure. 1-866-689-2671 or www.northmyrtlebeachtravel.com.Local Classifiedswww.AquaExpert.caQuality Aquarium Servicing(514) 220-9474


More of Colourfully Yourscontinued from p.10ing anything decorative to display over themain seating area. We asked if there wereany paintings or prints hiding in the upstairsclosets. The timid answer was thatthere was only an old sketchbook ofRoman ruins, the works of a great uncleduring a trip to Italy. We leafed throughthe pencil drawings and discovered wecould plan a grouping of three rows ofsketches. Aurel used a lovely French bluematting that reflected the same blue in theINTRODUCING I EXCLUSIVEPersian carpet and drapery fabric, andused a glossy mahogany frame that harmonizedwith the antique bookcase. Thebudget was spared and the display had theside benefit of many a conversation pieceof Uncle Edgar’s early travels.There are so many ways to present familymementos. In another home Aurel andI found a super collection of lacey infants’clothing and had shadow boxes made todisplay the lace mounted on a backgroundof deep green velour. The forest green contrastedbeautifully with the ivory lace, andsothebysrealty.caare on the market and awonderful opportunity tolive at one of <strong>Westmount</strong>’sPremiere addresses. Elegantand spacious 2,550 sq. ft.condo offering south westviews of the city from itstwo balconies. Features 2+1bedrooms, eat-in kitchen,large living/dining roomplus den and garage. Pres -tigious full service buildingoffering superior conven -ience, amenities and level ofservice. Steps to downtownand trendy Greene Avenue.Offered at $1,395,000gave great drama to a small guest room.We painted all walls in Benjamin Moore’sAF-480 Boreal Forest. Off-white is not theanswer to small rooms, by the way. Weused a pale yellow for the ceiling, and theroom looked cozy.We will return with some more framingrules along with discussions of whatconstitutes a “well-hung wall” in a futurearticle. Do keep us up to date with yourcomments.Hugs from your Greta von Schmedlapp.WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010 – 23NEALY BEAUTECARING FOR MEN & WOMEN SINCE 1990Valentine’sSweetheart Special:25% OFFFACIALSGift CertificatesAvailable514.482.9616KNOWLTONELEGANCECompletely renovated, nothing to do but move intoa home customized by one of Canada’s leadinginterior designers, well proportioned bright rooms,private back garden with pool side pavillion,stoneretaining walls, close to village centre $639,000.Diana Timmins aia, Les Immeubles Coldbrook,450-242-1166, 450-531-3094Water, dance, and personalized skin care:This is Nealy’s prescription for perfect skin at any age.Let her reveal your best complexion from her boutique clinic.* Customized facials* Permanent make-up* Laser hair removal*Photorejuvenation*Microdermabrasion* Massotherapy2040 Decarie Blvd. #001 (at de Maisonneuve. Free parking.)DIANE OLIVERAffiliated real estate agent514.893.9872doliver@sothebysrealty.caLONDRES I NEW YORK I VANCOUVER I MONTRÉAL I PARIS I MIAMI I VENICE290 Place d’Youville, Old Montreal 514.287.7434Chartered real estate broker I <strong>Independent</strong>ly owned & operatedNealy Chea , Certified!Esthetician!


24 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – February 2-3, 2010BRIAN DUTCHRespectedRecommended ResultsWhat really counts when you’re lookingfor a great agent to sell your home?“Experience”“Brian delivered expert knowledge,experience, and understanding of whatit takes to sell a home. All this with acharm ing touch, allowing us the calmof knowing that all would go well.”“Knowledgeable”“When we first called you, we knewthat you were experienced,knowledgeable and active. We quicklycame to realize that you were also veryenergetic, had many contacts, and werealways available-via cell phone or inperson discuss matters in a very positiveway, listening to us as well as offeringgood advice.”“Professionalism”“Brian handled both the sale ofour home and the purchase of ournew house with the utmostprofessionalism, grace and savvy.”“Diligent”“Thank your for you diligent and highlyprofessional effort in facilitating ourability to identify the perfect home in<strong>Westmount</strong>. Our connecting with youand your deep knowledge of the pulseof the neighbourhood immediatelyconnected us with the sight homes inour price point with the features wewere seeking.”“Prepared”“Brian has all of the attributes of aperson who gets the job done well.He is professional, prepared, effective,knows his business and alwaysconducts himself in a mannerwhich is courteous and pleasantto deal with.”“After salesservice”I think what impressed me the most isyour willingness to assist us in ourmove long after the sale. Be assured thatshould we require the services of a realestate agent in the future, you will beour first call.”So, what are you looking for?RECENTLY RE-LISTED RECENTLY RE-LISTED ANOTHER JUST LISTED! ANOTHER JUST LISTED!<strong>Westmount</strong>, 466 Argyle Ave.$585,000.Fabulous 3 bdr + den upper duplex condo. Garage + parking.<strong>Westmount</strong>, 175 Cote St. Antoine$1,395,000.Modern, det 4 br home. A/C. 2 car garage.Golden Square Mile, 2 Chelsea Place$1,425,000.Urban living at it’s best! Downtown’s most distinguished address.Golden Square Mile,1523 Summerhill Ave.$2,495,000A showpiece! Spectacularly restored/rebuilt heritage home.WWW.BRIANDUTCH.COM514 386 2902Affiliated Real Estate Agent RE/MAX WESTMOUNT Inc. Chartered Real Estate – Broker/<strong>Independent</strong>ly owned & operated

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