Elaine Wisenthal Milech and Birdie Goodman: PDec

Montreal West Viewspaper
January-February 2012, Vol. 40, No. 1
Elaine Wisenthal Milech and Birdie Goodman:
PDec - Personalized Design Educational Consultants
by Maurice Krystal
Birdie (“only my father
called
me
Roberta”)
Goodman was born in the
Pittsburg area and earned a
B.Ed. at West Virginia
University. She began her
educator ’s vocation in
Montreal teaching high
school
English
and
History.Her career included
teaching and administration
positions from pre-school to
high school levels. It was
teaching at a private high
school in Côte Saint-Luc
where she met Elaine.
Wherever her career took
Birdie, she was always interested in developing programs
for students who struggled
academically.
Elaine Wisenthal Milech
is a second generation
Montrealer who obtained
a B.Sc. and B.Ed. from
McGill and a Masters from
Concordia. In her career, she
both sides of the fence, as
well as being parents has
enabled Elaine and Birdie to
cover every facet of education. PDec provides professional development for educators, mentoring for administrators and teachers, and
advisors to parents. They
have given numerous workshops to all three groups.
Most important part
of the equation
Elaine Wisenthal Milech and Birdie Goodman
held positions as a Math
teacher and administrator.
Teaching is her first love and
she insisted, even after taking
on the role of an administrator, that she keep one class
to keep in mind what the
classroom teacher daily faced.
Elaine welcomed teachers
into her office to discuss their
challenges in the classroom.
This experience, being on
Students are the most
important part of the education equation. Because
everyone learns differently, it
is the responsibility of the
school to figure out how to
motivate each student to succeed. Birdie and Elaine are
insistent that PDec is not a
tutorial service, which
implies often a quick fix.
They prefer to find the root of
the problem and build a student’s confidence. They
continued on page 15
copyright: BANQ - Fonds Conrad Poirier
Index
1937 on Westminster Ave, approximately from in front of where Budning’s Pharmacy is
today. Notice the streetcar tracks and the horse. To discover more photos and the MoWester
to took them, please see Harold Rosenberg’s article on page 19.
Art etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-19
Community Centre . . . . . .16
CRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Fran Goodman Pellatt . . . . .4
Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
IODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6, 9
Mary Mysak . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
MW Operatic Society . . . . . .5
News from the pews . . .14-15
Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-11
Scouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Town Council Report . . . . .20
Réunion du Conseil . . . . . .22
2
... Informerly yours ... Informerly yours ... Informerly yours ... Informerly yours ...
RWA Science Fair 2012
Over 300 students have been busy
putting together proposals and getting
research and experiments started for the
Science Fair slated for February 24.
If you would like to come and see the
projects, the public viewing hours are 12:30 pm and 6:30-8:30 pm at Royal West
Academy.
The judging takes place the morning
of the fair: from 9:30 am - noon. If you
are interested in becoming a volunteer
judge, please contact us. In addition, if
you, a company or perhaps someone you
know would like to make a donation to
acknowledge the exceptional projects,
please contact Ann MacKay,
Coordinator RWA Science Fair 2012 at
[email protected].
Congratulations ...
Volunteers needed!
to Timothy Adams of Campbell Ave
who was chosen to be a flag bearer for
the hockey match between the Montreal
Canadiens and the Boston Bruins on
November 21 at the Bell Centre. This
will be an experience he will never
forget! Timothy plays Atom CC hockey
for our West Luc Kings.
The NDG Senior Citizens’ Council is
holding its annual Income Tax Clinic for
low-income Seniors (55+) who are residents of Montreal West and NDG. We are
looking for volunteers to complete
simple tax forms. Training will be provided.
The free clinic will be held during the
day for four days beginning Monday
March 19; however, we also need people
to complete the forms at other flexible
times for those unable to attend the
clinic.
Please contact Susan Munro at NDG
Senior Citizens’ Council at 487-1311 if
you are interested in volunteering.
MW Scouting Group
100th
Anniversary Dinner
Join us to celebrate 100 years of
Scouting in Montreal West. The
MoWest Scout Group invites all present and former members to a special
dinner at the Town Hall on Sunday,
February 19 from 5 pm until 8 pm.
Please circulate this information.
We are looking for old photos.
RSVP [email protected]
Send your congratulations,
condolences, good news
and whatever you want to
crow about to:
montrealwestinformer@
gmail.com or call Heather
at 489-7022.
Anna Hansen, MBE
For those of you who remember
Bistro 31 and Jay Garland’s great
restaurant on Westminster, you might
remember a blonde New Zealand
accented waitress Anna Hansen – the
daughter of Bill Foster of Strathearn
Ave. Jay kindly gave Anna a job as she
was passing through Montreal for a
season – the rest, as they say, is history.
Armed with a letter of recommendation from Bistro 31, Anna moved to
London, England and began working in
the restaurant industry there. Now, many
years later, Anna is proprietor and chef at
The Modern Pantry in Clerkenwell, has
been written up in the 2009 cookbook
COCO as one of the best 100 contemporary chefs from around the world, published her own cookbook The Modern
Pantry in 2011 and on December 31 made
the Queen’s Honor List as a Member of
the Order of the British Empire for services to the restaurant industry.
There is one proud former boss on
Nelson and one very proud Dad on
Strathearn.
The Informer Is published nine times a year (usually) on the second-to-last weekend the
month except June, July and December. Out-of-town subscriptions: $15 per year.
Typesetting by Informer staff, printing by King Press. Extra copies available at Town Hall
and both libraries. Funded, in part, by the Town of Montreal West.
10 Westminster North
www.montreal-west.ca/en/the-informer/
Montreal West, Quebec
H4X 1Y9
The Informer’s role is to provide MWesters
with information about their Town and its
citizens in order to foster the small-town,
close-knit atmosphere that makes Montreal
West a special place in which to live.
ISSN: 084741X
EXECUTIVE BOARD
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jeannette Brooker - Chair
Rick Lavell - Treasurer
Jane Williams - Secretary
Heather Baylis
Véronique Belzil-Boucher
René Boucher
Fran Goodman Pellatt
Anya Orzechowska
Jeanne Ragbir
Heather Baylis 489-7022
LAYOUT DESIGNER
Julia Ross [email protected]
AD MANAGER
Susan Reeves 312-3682
[email protected]
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Rhonda Schwartz 482-0227
RATES
(camera-ready art):
1/6 page $45
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Prof. card $125 per year
Classifieds:
25-50 words $10
25 words or less $6
ISSUE EDITOR: Heather Baylis
LAYOUT DESIGNER: Julia Ross
TASK FORCE
Axel Brinck
René Boucher
Pauline Ducharme Maryl Murphy
Jeanne Ragbir
Lydia Shuster
Rose Marie Smith Randi Weitzner
and those we omitted inadvertently
NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE
February 8
3
December 25th Community Christmas Meal
You would think that a huge accident
and an operation would be enough to pass
on making stuffing for the MoWest
Community Christmas Meal that takes
place December 25 – not so for Sue Smith
of Ballantyne Ave.
The weatherman was kind to wheelchairs on December 24 and all saw Sue
helping out along with many others so that
231 members of our NDG and Montreal
West communities in could receive a traditional turkey dinner delivered, at noon, on
December 25. This community event, in
its 23rd year, brings together so many to
bring joy to those who for whatever reason
are unable go out on Christmas Day.
The MW United Church members
helped by the Horticultural Society,
Montreal Westward Rotary, the Westward
Girl Guides, Mini Curzon, the MW
Scouts and many friends and neighbors
see that 20 turkeys are cooked and
carved, 100 pounds of potatoes peeled
and mashed, 20 loaves of bread magically turn into tasty stuffing, and the
finest sweets are baked.
Then, on Christmas Day, 34 families
deliver these meals along with cards and
presents and sing carols.
It is always unclear who benefits more
– the volunteers or the recipients – a true
mark of a successful occasion. Thank
you all who had a part in this community
event.
from Joan Foster
The MW Horticultural Society is
thrilled to have award-winning landscape
designer, Stuart Webster, as our guest
speaker in February. Stuart developed a
garden store in Ogilvy’s basement a little
over ten years ago and has gone on to
build a landscape and maintenance business that provides a wide range of services. Come to hear him talk about his
interesting career path, his influences,
challenges and his current projects.
Spend a wintry evening where it’s
toasty and warm and focused on summer.
Refreshments served; everyone welcome
(non-members: $5). Meeting: Monday,
February 20 at 7:30 pm at the Town Hall.
Membership fees for 2012 are due; for
only $15 you can attend all our meetings
– and you will receive advance information on coming speakers. Pay your membership at the February meeting or send
fee to Philippa Vikander, 3495
Trenholme, Montreal, H4B 1X8.
Historical tid bit
Pat Mann found this excerpt from
the minutes of the January 6, 1925
Town Commission:
“Chief Henry Hunter reported that
the privilege extended to the men of
the Montreal Tramways Company to
use the [fire] station lavatory had been
withdrawn, owing to empty beer bottles being deposited in the toilet by the
Tramways men. Commissioner Harry
Aird promised to get the Chief to
report the matter directly to the
Company and to inform them that, if
the practice was discontinued, the ban
would be removed.”
If you want to meet
the nicest people...
...who just happen to be the clients of
our local Meals-on-Wheels, then you
should volunteer to deliver the delicious
home-cooked meals prepared by the
Meals-on-Wheels cooks.
If you have just two hours for a couple
of weeks during the year, your help would
be greatly appreciated.
MW Meals-on-Wheels is a volunteer
program that delivers hot, nutritious
meals to housebound people in the community. We operate out of the MW
United Church.
from Audrey Moroney
489-8919
Donna Nicholson
481-3406
35 years ++
Let my Experience Work for You
Serving the Montreal West area
in the buying and selling of homes.
For an informal rendez-vous,
please call.
481-3406
4
in memoriam
Mary Mysak
January 5, 1935 – December 8, 2011
ling, learning new cultures and meeting
new people. Before coming to Canada,
Mary lived and worked in France, Israel,
Kenya and Australia. She continued to
travel widely with Lawrence; they have
lived and travelled in Switzerland, Italy,
Japan, Tunisia, Ukraine, Turkey and
Sweden. Together they sailed in the
Labrador Sea and explored Baffin Island in
2009 and, this past November, they were
sailing a catamaran in the Caribbean Sea
off the island of Antigua.
She studied photography at Dawson
College and often exhibited at Art Etc.;
she volunteered for The Informer, the
Library (member of the Board) and
Meals-on-Wheels. Her other interests and
hobbies included the piano, artistic pottery, bridge, cinema, McGill Women
Associates’ Book Group, the MW
Horticultural Society and 50+ Club.
Since 2004, Mary especially loved her
time in the country, at their cottage in the
foothills of the Mount Sutton range.
Long-time resident Mary Mysak
There she enjoyed the great outdoors and
passed away peacefully just short of her
spent much time with her loving family
77th birthday. She leaves behind her
and friends.
loving husband, Lawrence, son Paul,
Mary fought and beat cancer in 1990
daughter Claire (Dennis), grandson Neil,
and, in 1999, she went on to achieve her
sister Wendy (David) John and sister-ingoal of an honours BA in Asian Religions
law Helen Osoba as well as other family
from McGill, after starting in 1973 at UBC.
across Canada, in England and Australia.
Mary was a scholar throughout her life.
Mary emigrated from England to
In view of her love of reading, other
Canada (Vancouver) in 1972 after
cultures and academic work, an undermeeting Lawrence on safari in Morocco
graduate scholarship will be established
(it is rumoured that she stopped to help
in her name in the Faculty of Religious
when his camel had a flat). She arrived
Studies at McGill University. Donations
with hope, love and determination and,
(made payable to McGill University) may
with these, she built a full, happy and
be sent to Development and Alumni
successful life.
Relations, Donation and Record Services,
Mary had such a thirst for knowledge.
McGill University, 1555 Peel Street, 9th
She was a voracious reader, loved travelFloor, Montreal, Quebec H3A 3L8.
We are now pleased to offer
Montreal West residents
Home and Auto Insurance
Please call: 514 487 3770
Denis de Chazal Insurance Brokers Inc.
Cabinet en assurance de dommages / Firm in Damage Insurance
16 Westminster North,
Suite 301
Frances Goodman
Pellatt
The Informer says a sad farewell to
one of its own, Frances Goodman
Pellatt, of Crestwood, who succumbed
to cancer on January 7.
Fran had long been involved with The
Informer as a member of the Board of
Directors and part of the editing team and
began writing the Informerly Yours column
in 2001, as part of the Fran and Jeanne
duo. Her contribution to the column, which
we did for seven years, was invaluable. She
had a way with words, a flare for language,
which changed even the most mundane
news into an entertaining piece. She was a
professional newsperson, interested in the
lives of fellow MoWesters and would scout
the neighbourhood, camera in hand,
seeking news. She believed in community
and shared news and photos of weddings,
births and activities of her own family.
Over the years, as we worked, I discovered the warm, loving, capable and
thoughtful person that Fran was. The love
and devotion that she felt for her family
were evident when she chatted about
what was happening in her life. She was
generous with her time and skills, always
ready to help those in need.
She was a caring and devoted mother
to Karyn (Benjamin), Jordan (Gillian)
and Jarrad (Stephanie) and a loving wife
to Ralph. She also leaves to mourn six
cherished grandchildren, her beloved twin
sister Rosalind her two brothers Ned and
Jeff and their spouses, several nieces and
nephews and many, many friends.
Fran’s activities in The Informer
family showed but a small part of the
woman that she was, as she was involved
in the wider Jewish community with her
writing. What a loss her untimely death
is to us all.
Goodbye Fran, along with your family
and friends we at The Informer will certainly miss you.
from Jeanne Ragbir
Montreal West
Operatic
Society
The evening of December 19 might have been
one to forget. Soggy winds,
howling rain squalls and icy puddles conspired to drown any Christmas spirit in
the streets of Montreal West. Yet, it was
not so, in fact, quite the opposite and all
thanks to the generous spirits of Montreal
West townspeople.
Let us explain:
Members of the MW Operatic Society
hit selected streets of the Town on
December 19, carolling door to door.
“Our goal was to raise as much money as
possible for the Montreal Children’s
Hospital (the MWOS charity) while carolling, as we do every year,” explained
chorister Elena Cerrolaza.
This year, MWOS sent out flyers
inviting Mo-Westers to make donations
in person, online, by mail or even by
phone with a pick-up service.
“Our neighbours were incredibly generous,” enthused Rod MacLeod, a longtime member of MWOS and MoWester
from birth. “We were able to raise more
than $1200 in just three hours!” said
MWOS treasurer and singer, Andrew
Macdougall. “The outpouring of generosity included dog-walkers running up
to us with a fistful of bills, having missed
us on our tour. Another generous soul,
finding he was short of cash, went off to
the nearest bank machine and returned
with a $60 donation! Despite the economic downturn, the citizens of Montreal
West were more generous than ever
before, by my reckoning.”
Over the years, the MW Operatic
Society has been able to contribute more
than $100,000 to the MCHF through its
carolling events and other activities.
This, in large part, is due to the open
hearts and wallets of our community.
No to be missed!
If you missed the carolling at
Christmas, you can catch up on good
music in a good cause at our shows:
Hail! Unity (January 27 at 8 pm) at St.
George’s Anglican Church (1101 Stanley
Street) and Offenbach’s outrageous
Orpheus in The Underworld in May.
Anyone interested in supporting
MoWest’s very own operatic troupe is
invited to visit the MWOS website
www.mwos.org and come to a show!
from Shelagh Glover and
Kerry McKeown
5
Artists portray
Montreal West
The winter 2012 edition of the Artists’
Showcase features some familiar subject
matter as local artists focus on the Town
itself. Don’t miss this unique exhibit,
including Canada Day collages by Alex
Brzezinski, etchings on the theme
Montreal West: Welcome Home by
Annette Wolfstein Joseph, photos of
gardens and porches by Janice Hamilton
and pottery emblazoned with the Town’s
iconic clock tower, by Sheila Caplan.
The show will be on view at the Town
Hall (upstairs, in the music room and in
the front hall display case) until May.
Meanwhile, paintings, photos and
sculptures by several MoWest artists are
brightening the walls of the constituency
office of our member of Parliament,
Isabelle Morin. They will be on loan
there until mid-March.
Looking ahead
Teachers and parents take note: the
summer showcase will feature our annual
exhibit of children’s artwork. More
details will follow. For more information
about the Artists Showcase, go to the
Montreal West website under “culture”.
You may also contact Elizabeth Ulin at
[email protected], 486-1081.
Thanks
for another
wonderful year!
ART etc. 2011 was a great success! It
was one of our largest shows; more booths
than we have had in several years and,
with many new artisans, there was a large
variety of items offered for sale. If you did
not visit us or have missed a couple of
years, we encourage you to come next
November and support this community
event.
Everyone on the ART etc. Committee
would like to thank the following people
who made an enormous contribution to
the success of our show.
We would like to thank all the artisans
who participated in our show. Their welcoming booths and tempting items provided our many visitors with holiday
shopping solutions and ideas. We would
also like to thank Joyce Teiber and all
the members of the Horticultural Society
who once again organized and staffed the
very popular Floral Café. Thanks also to
the EMSB Senior Chorale and their conductor, Patricia Abbott, for their wonderful performances during our Friday
night vernissage. Special thanks to Paula
Cordeau and the fantastic caretakers,
Bruce Thicke, Frank Agostinelli and
Adam Ferguson for their patience and
invaluable assistance – we could not put
on the show without them. Very special
thanks to our amazing Floor Manager,
Barbara Farrell, all of our enthusiastic
volunteers who staffed the door prize
table and to our young waitstaff who
every year make sure our vernissage is
such a success.
ART etc. is a show that is run by volunteers to support community based artisans (a large percentage are from
MoWest or NDG). We hold it in a local
building (Town Hall) and offer
fundraising opportunities to other local
community-based groups.
We are currently beginning to plan for
the 2012 edition and will be holding our
annual Artisan Jury very soon. Check out
our ad in the next issue of The Informer.
If you would like more information
about our show or how to be in the show,
please contact the ART etc. Committee at
[email protected] or you
can visit us on our facebook page: Art
Etc Montreal West.
from Cate Gregory
ART etc. Committee
6
Letter
Here’s to a great season!
45 Westminster South
481-7441
Hours
Monday - Thursday
10 - 12, 2 - 4, 7 - 9
New books
Fiction
Edugyan, Esi
McKay, Ami
Roberts, Nora
See, Lisa
Silva, Daniel
Half Blood Blues
The Virgin Cure
The Next Always
Dreams of Joy
Portrait of a Spy
Mysteries
Saturday, October 22 marked the
end of yet another wonderful soccer
season. Our diverse group of MoWest
“soccer stars” came together a few
years ago and the activity has grown in
popularity ever since. The majority of
players in the group are parents,
coaches and referees from the CRA
soccer league. Special thanks go to Pat
Summers for granting access to the
field for our Tuesday evening matches.
As highlighted in a separate article
to The Informer [Ed note: letter entitled “Quel est le futur du parc
Hodgson?”, June 2011], our group
believes the time has come for the
Town to recognize the need to keep
Hodgson Field properly maintained
and lit during the summer season to
ensure players safety. As home base to
the Town’s summer day camp and
soccer leagues, Montreal West must
continue to improve on its sports and
recreational infrastructure to keep the
spirit of sport alive in the Town.
This adult soccer activity is a
friendly, co-ed, gathering of
MoWesters who wish to participate in
playing the world’s beautiful game.
If you would like to join us next
season, please send us an email at
[email protected] so we can
add you to the mailing list.
From Ralph Karawani
and Tanya Nasehoglu
42 Banstead
Beaton, M.C.
As the Pig Turns
Cornwell, Patricia
Red Mist
Evanovitch, Janet
Explosive Eighteen
James, P.D. Death Comes To Pemberley
Lindsay, Jeff
Double Dexter
Perry, Anne
Acceptable Loss
Non-fiction
DeGeneres, Ellen Seriously… I’m Kidding
Ferguson, Niall
Civilization
Gopnik, Adam
Winter
Kahneman, Daniel Thinking Fast & Slow
Massie, Robert
Catherine the Great
Oliver, Jamie
Meals in Minutes
DVDs
The Help, Water for Elephants, Judge
John Deed, Republic of Doyle, Crazy
Stupid Love
Dr. Michael J. Wexel
Chiropractor / Chiropracticien
Tel: 773-7246
E-mail: [email protected]
Simply the Best Burger
Talk of the Town • Thank you
58 Westminster Ave N.
Montreal West
18 Westminster N., Suite 110
Montreal West, QC H4X 1Y8
5765, av Monkland
Montreal, QC, H4A 1E8
Sandra Roscanu
Affiliated Real Estate Agent
Bur: (514) 481-0241
7
11th Annual
Hockey Tournament
After last year’s 10th anniversary
tournament, there was some doubt
whether enthusiasm for this year’s tournament might wane. To make sure that
wouldn’t happen we shortened the event
to a one-day affair in which six teams
would play a 3-game round robin. Andy
also gratefully handed over most of the
organizing to Chris Kearney who
worked his typical organizational magic
to make sure that things would run
without a hitch.
In the opening game, Team Degano,
aka the Momentis Rangers, posted a 4 to 0
shut-out over the Michelin Family Team,
aka the Funkins Flyers. The game was
closer than the score as both goalies,
Andrew Viera for the Rangers and Ryan
French for the Flyers, made spectacular
saves to keeps things scoreless through the
first half. Davide Degano’s first of two
goals to start the second half proved the
difference and two late goals, one by wily
old veteran Bob Bechard sealed the deal.
Game 2
The second game pitted the young
buck RSM Richter Lightning against the
Headset.com Sharks, a dangerous mix of
young and old. The game featured great
offense and great goaltending. Cameron
Maag scored a pair for the Sharks while
Graham Cunningham added a single.
Goal scorers for the Lightning were Matt
Bishara, Zack Brezinski and Dave
Hurley, whose goal just before the final
buzzer secured the 3-all tie.
In the third game, Rocket Ryan
Emery scored a hat trick and Scott “Big
Mac” MacKenzie added a pair to lead
Team Emery, aka the IMK Devils, to a 5
to 2 victory over the MIC Bruins.
Game 4 saw another tie, this one a 2all affair between the Flyers and the
Lightning. After Zack Brezinski scored
his second of the tournament, Slamming
Sam McCoubrey converted a brilliant
pass from Brian “Boots” Mendelson to
tie the game at one. Dave Hurley scored
to give the Lightning the lead only to
have “Boots” tie the score on an incredible individual effort.
2011 Champions – Momentis Rangers
Standing (from left to right): Curtis Noble, Adriano Vissa, Bernard Bechard, Mike Barrett,
Davide Degano, Aldo Conti, Alex Barrett, Stefano Degano, Kneeling (from left to right, middle
row): Daniel Wilson, Andrew Viera, Felix Gauthier, Daniele Degano, Rob Breger, Bob
Bechard, Front Row – Injured Player Coach Mauro Degano receiving the coveted trophy from
Andy Michelin.
Game 5 was a nail biter as the Devils
squeaked by the Sharks by a 3 to 2 score.
Incredibly, Big Mac scored again for the
Devils while Rocket Ryan and Sean
Tilley also scored. For the Sharks,
Cameron Maag scored his third of the
tournament and Christophe Lavoie
scored his first.
Game 6
In game 6, the powerful Rangers used
a balanced attack, 5 separate goal scorers
including the Big Guy, Curtis Noble and
Alex “My Dad’s not the only guy in
our family who can play hockey”
Barrett who had 3 assists to keep his
goal company, to beat the Bruins 5 to 2.
Scoring for the Bruins were the perennial
all star Mike Ballard Jr. and the 2004
Tournament MVP Claude Bourbonniere
who returned to play after several years
on the sidelines.
Game 7 was all about pride. The
Flyers carried a 3 to 1 lead into the last 2
minutes only to have the Sharks score
two short-handed goals to tie the game.
The last minute heroes for the Sharks
were Alex Cunningham who scored on
a breakaway and Tim Maag who jumped
into the slot and rifled a wrist shot off the
post and in.
Game 8
Game 8 ended up being the
Championship Game as the undefeated
Rangers and Devils faced off. The
Rangers built an early 3 to 0 lead only to
see the Devils chip away, fighting back
to score 2 goals. Stefano Degano’s slap
shot made it 4 to 2 and that goal proved
to be the winner as the never-give-up
Devils scored a third goal and battled
hard right to the end.
The final game of the tournament
ended in still another tie as a seesaw
battle between the Bruins and Lightning
ended at 4-all.
With the games all done and the victors crowned, we relocated to the Curling
Club for the tournament party to eat,
drink, hang out and listen to fantastic
music from Denis Ducharme and Gary
White. Raffle prizes were handed out,
auction prizes were purchased and we
toasted another incredible Tournament.
Great success!
The 11th edition of the Steve and Rob
Michelin Hockey Tournament was a great
success. The hockey was the best ever,
the one day format worked flawlessly
and we raised just under $20,000 pushing
our 11-year total to almost $370,000.
Thanks extended
Thanks to everyone who made this
happen – players, their families, referees,
scorekeepers, Arena guys, the Town and
everyone who contributed to our event. I
would like to extend a very special
thanks to Chris Kearney. Without Chris,
there would have been no tournament
this year, which means that he’s already
signed up to lead the charge next year!
8
... Nursery schools ... Nursery schools ...
Santa’s Breakfast
Santa Claus appeared early once
again this year, when he visited a breakfast held in his honor at the Town Hall.
Sunday morning, December 11, was
filled with much joy and merriment, as
Santa had his picture taken with the children and adults alike! This year’s edition
was a departure from past years as the
event was organized for the benefit of the
CRA hockey program. Over 35 CRA
parent and player volunteers (from
MoWest and Hampstead) along with ten
dedicated Town employees, worked
together to wait tables, serve food, wash
dishes and clean up.
The event served over 300 people and
featured, apart from Santa, face painting,
crafts, beading and of course a horsedrawn sleigh ride (well, given the state of
our winter, it was a wagon ride). Guests
included families from all over the city
such as Westmount, Beaconsfield and the
South Shore. A true testament that our
Town still knows how to put on a party!
Thanks to Councillor Elizabeth Ulin
and Paula Cordeau for organizing the
event, to Mrs. Yoo, Snowdon Bakery and
Delisnax for their donations and a very
special thanks to Joe Pagano from IGA
for donating most of the food.
We raised close to $3000 that will go
directly to the hockey program to provide
more training for our volunteer coaches
and added resources for our nearly 400
minor league players. Happy New Year
to all!
Scott MacKenzie
CRA President
Kathleen Weil
MNA for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
and Montreal West
Minister of Immigration and
Cultural Communities
5252 de Maisonneuve Blvd West
Suite 210, Montréal, Qc, H4A 3S5
Tel.: 514-489-7581
Top Beauté
Nails / Stylist / Esthetician
Pedicure, Manicure, Artificial Nails, Airbrush
Hair Styling, Perms, Colour, Highlights, Barber
Facial, Make-up, Eyelash Extension, Waxing
55 Westminster North 484-0118
Jardin d’enfants Curzon
Creative Pre-School
Little Red Playhouse
Coco’s Place
Even if ... “the weather outside is
frightful,” at Curzon it’s “so delightful!”
Happy New Year from all of us at
Curzon! After a wonderful holiday break,
it was exciting to return to the routine of
friends, learning, fun and sharing. In no
time, our classroom was alive again with
children’s art. January’s theme of l’hiver
lent to lots of snow activities... snowmen,
snowflakes, spelling and reading SNOW,
shaving cream snow painting, snow
Playdough and even playing with snow
in our classroom! Our winter carnival
was a fun way to celebrate snow as our
front yard was transformed into a winter
playground!
This month, love is in the air! The
Owls & Pussycats are busy preparing for
Valentine’s Day and our party. As is our
Curzon tradition, each child will decorate
a huge envelope to hang in our Valentine
Post Office. The envelopes will collect
oodles of special cards from all of our
friends. And, it’s not only fun to get all
these valentines; making cards and delivering them to each envelope is pretty
exciting too!
The Mini Curzon Piggywigs had a
wonderful return after the holiday break!
The beginning of January was busy-busy
with a “penguins and polar bears” theme.
And, of course, now in February,
Valentine’s Day will be a great celebration of all the love that keeps the
Piggywigs so warm and cozy during their
three days a week at school!
Registration for Curzon’s 2012-13
school year is coming up soon! For more
information, please contact our registrar,
Kate, at 507-4992.
January and February are months of
reflection. Come September, what will
you do with your little people who are
about to turn three, or your little ones
that are outgrowing daycare? Are you
starting to think that they require a more
enriched setting to get ready for kindergarten? At the Little Red Playhouse, we
have started to register 3- to 6-year-olds
for our summer camp program and are
already registering children for
September. We will have limited space
for September though, so contact us for a
visit at 486-4032.
Last month, The Gazette ran an article
that detailed a plan being rolled out by
the Ministry of Education. They are
hiring kindergarten teachers to evaluate
the skills of 5-year-olds currently in
kindergarten. This has prompted calls
and registration as many parents are reevaluating whether their children will be
ready to start elementary school. Our
Pre-K program rivals those of the elite,
private schools. Your child can enjoy a
first rate preparatory and make great
friends along the way at The Little Red
Playhouse. www.littleredplayhouse.com
Summer camp
Summer camp is starting to fill up
too! Two week blocks from mid-June to
mid-August. Your children will enjoy
their summer and you get to watch them
grow as they experience that every
moment can be a learning moment
through play! Please contact Sharon
McCarry at 994-5018 with questions
about either program or about our program offered through Coco’s Place.
9
... Edinburgh School ... Edinburgh School ...
Both old and new year full of activity
The 2011 holiday
season was celebrated in many
ways.
Kindergarten
and Cycle 1 students were treated to
several special presentations. The Grade 3 students with Mme Veronique prepared
illustrated books and read them to fellow
students. The stories all revolved around
Les aventures du Père Noël. Poor Santa
was abducted by pirates, locked in a cage
and chased by robbers and more.
The Grade 4s with Mme Geneviève
prepared and presented a short play titled
Noël en prend pour son rhume!*. Parents
were also invited to listen and watch. We
were all astonished at the level of creativity and the amount of hard work done
by the students and their teachers.
All the students were treated to La
Chorale Edinburgh’s concert Nos
mélodies des fêtes. All enjoyed a fabulous mix of classics and current tunes
sung not only in French and English, but
also Italian, Hebrew and Spanish.
Congratulations to all the participants,
including the parents and staff who lent
their voices to a couple of numbers and
especially to Mme
Jojo, the choir director.
The true meaning of
the season was brought
home to everyone
during our Festival of
Lights. Lead by M.
Ivan, our Spiritual
Animator, the celebration reminded students
of the light within all of
us – which we must
share by helping others.
Teachers enjoyed a
holiday luncheon provided by many volunteer parents. Moroccan
chicken, Indian samosas, quinoa salads, tiramisu and many other delicacies were
greatly appreciated on the last day of
school. Meanwhile many classes celebrated with pajama parties although the
Grade 6s opted instead for formalwear practising for graduation, perhaps?
2012 is off to a busy start!
Several lunchtime activities are under
way. Kindergarten chess continues while
Cycle 1 tries their hands at magic and
craft and beading fun. Grade 3 will be
exploring the world of nature, a new
activity being presented by the Redpath
Museum. Sharks, volcanoes, and human
evolution are just some of the interesting
topics to be covered.
Our annual Junior Concert, led by
music teacher David Eves will take place
January 30. Students from Kindergarten
to Grade 2 as well as the school band
will participate. The gym is guaranteed to
be standing-room-only!
from Tanya Radhakrishna
*Translation: In case you were wondering, this is a French expression
roughly meaning “Christmas was over
the top/too much!”
JANE F. LEE, B.Sc., D.D.S.
Chirurgien Dentiste - Dental Surgeon
63 WESTMINSTER N
MONTREAL WEST
H4X 1Y8
Palmtop / laptop specialists since 1986
Wireless Pentium-M notebooks
$299+
Virus removal and repairs
369-0255
37 Westminster Ave. N.
514-487-9293
Richard Eckerlin We environmentally recycle old and
President
broken laptop/notebook computers.
Winterlude stories
Join us for a special Saturday program
of stories with a chilly twist, hot chocolate and cookies and who knows what
else! Ages 3 and up, Saturday, February
18 at 1 pm, for about 45 minutes. Cost:
$2 per child. Registration: at the library
(open now) so we know how many to
prepare for.
Lots of new books appearing on the
shelves; remember to check our catalogue via the website to see what’s new.
For early readers
Join our favourite Mr. Putter (Cynthia
Rylant) in Mr. Putter and Tabby Clear
the Decks.
Two other great picture books: Anna
Hibiscus’ Song, by Atinuke, illustrated
by Lauren Tobia, a wonderful story
about happiness and what makes this
very special little girl happy.
I Want My Hat Back, Jon Klassen: a
search for a hat is almost aborted, but not
quite!
For middle grade readers
Water Balloon, by Audrey Vernick, a
story of friendship and changing friendships; of families and changes; of early
adolescence and more, a great read!
The Chronicles of Harris Burdick, 14
amazing authors Tell the Tales by Chris
Van Allsburg. Is there any author more
mysterious than Harris Burdick? Since
Chris Van Allsburg first published The
Mysteries of Harris Burdick, with its
intriguing pictures, countless children
have written their own stories to match
the illustrations. Now, there is this wonderful book in which some the best children’s authors have spun their tales!
For older readers:
This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth
Oppel, subtitled The Apprenticeship of
Victor Frankenstein, this newest presentation from this award-winning author is
a great mix of science, history and horror,
already destined to become a movie.
For those who have finished all the
Hunger Games books, you might want to
try the James Patterson series – Witch &
Wizard.
Finally, from Canada’s Deborah Ellis:
No Ordinary Day, a dip into the world of
leprosy. As usual, Deborah manages to
blend a wonderful story with reality,
without becoming sentimental – a can’tput-it-down sort of book!
Come in to see us!
10
HMS
Victory
Chapter
In 2011, members logged
at least 2,920 volunteer hours
of service to those in need at
many different levels and
locations.
We also assembled and
delivered to Auberge Transition 32 personal property bags
containing the little “personal
stuff” that a woman leaving in
a hurry does not have when
she arrives at a shelter. Irene,
who is in charge of Auberge
Transition, calls these toiletry
bags “gold” that makes their
recipients feel more comfortable. We have to thank especially the members of the
carpet bowling group at the
MW Curling Club for their
substantial contributions.
Most of the other items
arrive in the front porch of
131 Wolseley Avenue North
as anonymous donations. The
wool, sewing supplies, etc.
are delivered to the Northern
Quebec Module, aka Nunavik
House, on behalf of IODE.
Come to our meeting
The 68th Annual General
Meeting of HMS Victory
Chapter will take place at the
Community Centre at 2 pm
on Monday, February 6.
Women wishing to attend
should call Janet King at
481-6523 to express their
interest.
... l’École de la Mosaïque ... l’École de la Mosaïque ...
Bonne année du Dragon à tous!
Quand l’amitié
n’a plus de frontières
S’il est vrai que l’année du
dragon amène la prospérité,
nous nous enrichirons certainement en 2012! Et cette
richesse provient des liens
d’amitié tissés entre les
élèves de notre école et ceux
de l’école primaire du
Chemin Wuning de Shangaï.
Dans le cadre de la Semaine
de la Chine qui vient de se
terminer, quarante-trois
élèves chinois sont venus visiter les établissements de la
CSMB et y donner des concerts de musique traditionnelle chinoise. La direction,
les employés et les parents
d’élèves de l’école de la
Mosaïque ont hébergé avec
grande générosité vingt-trois
petits Chinois de cette délégation et les vingt autres
enfants furent logés dans des
familles des écoles Guy
Drummond et Saint-Germain
d’Outremont. L’expérience a
plu autant aux élèves de
Chine qu’à ceux du Québec,
comme le démontrent ces
témoignages :
« Ce fut un grand plaisir
d’accueillir des filles de
Shangaï dans notre maison.
Elles sont maintenant mes
grandes amies, un peu
comme mes cousines. J’ai
très hâte d’aller les visiter
dans leur école au printemps! » - Auréliane
Fréchette (salle 17)
« Je trouve les chinois très
gentils. J’ai beaucoup aimé
recevoir chez moi mes amies
de Chine et j’étais très
heureuse de leur montrer ma
ville. Je n’en revenais pas de
voir à quel point mes amis
avaient du talent et de la
patience pour faire de si
beaux spectacles! » Hannah Lee Poy-Paxman
(salle 14)
« Ce projet me permet de
découvrir la culture chinoise
et cela m’apporte beaucoup
de bonheur. J’espère pouvoir
aller en Chine pour que
ce rêve devienne réalité. Les
chinoises sont vraiment très
gentilles, je suis très contente de m’être fait de nouvelles amies! » - Sarah
Miko (salle 26)
“I am very happy about
my visit. I love Canada and I
love snow!” - Joy (invitée
chinoise d’Auréliane)
“I was so glad to enjoy the
winter and the snow. I also
liked the visit at the sugar
shack!” - Annie (invitée chinoise d’Auréliane)’
“I really enjoyed my stay
and I liked: milk, the snow,
potato chips, our visits and
the people that I met.” - Sally
(invitée chinoise d’Hannah)
“I liked the snow, the
Cheerios and the Canada
flags, but I did not like chinese food cooked the canadian way.” - Lilly (invitée
chinoise d’Hannah)
Les jeunes chinois de dix à
douze ans ont donné quatre
spectacles durant leur séjour.
Plusieurs de nos élèves ont eu
la chance de voir et d’entendre ces splendides prestations et d’apprécier des
instruments qu’ils n’avaient
jamais entendu auparavant :
dizi, yanggin, gaohu, pipa et
sheng. Merci à nos nouveaux
amis d’être venus nous visiter, nous avons bien hâte de
vous retrouver chez vous
dans quelques semaines!
À la découverte de nouveaux
horizons professionnels
Le 31 janvier prochain,
l’école accueillera une foire
de métiers professionnels
organisée par la Commission
Scolaire
Marguerite
Bourgeois. Cette foire sera
l’occasion pour les élèves et
leurs parents de découvrir l’univers des métiers. Venez en
grands nombre!
Par Brigitte Rivard
For the love of Beads!
PARTIES
• For girls and boys ages 4 & up
• Beading, scrapbooking, arts & crafts and more
• At our Studio or the location of your choice
Marché de Fleurs
Westminster
33 Westminster N.
369-6888
WORKSHOPS
• Krafty Kids
• Adults workshop available
514.564.3481
30 Milner #201
Mtl. West, QC H4X 1J1
[email protected]
www.studiobbg.com
Bead & Gift Boutique
Facebook - BBG Studio
11
... EBS ... Elizabeth Ballantyne School ... EBS ...
Welcome back!
EBS students
had a very exciting
welcome back to
school
special
event. It was a “Luv
2 Groove” dance day.
Julia G came to spend half an hour with
each class teaching them a hip hop dance.
Julia was extremely high energy and all
the children were totally involved. A
school-wide gathering for the last hour of
the day allowed each class to demonstrate
the dance they had learned. Superb! Julia
ended the amazing day by teaching the
whole school “The Hustle” and then
doing a spectacular dance performance
herself! Wow! Welcome back to school!
Congratulations to grade 5 student,
Abiola Olaniyan, for winning the EBS
spelling bee for the 3rd year in a row. He
will be representing EBS at the regional
CanSpell Bee.
This year as part of EBS’s new extracurricular program, chess is being
offered at lunch, taught by chess masters
from the Math ’n Chess League. The
program has proven very popular and
many new chess fans have been born!
In December, EBS took part in its first
chess tournament, an island-wide event
held at College Bréboeuf. Each team
played five rounds. Despite being
matched against a higher-ranked opponent in each round, the EBS team registered one win, one loss and three draws,
earning a very respectable 2.5 points of a
maximum of 5. The team was composed
of Jonathan Khashper, Noya Paz,
Ryan Rebelo and Max Wu-Blouin.
They enjoyed the tournament and gained
valuable experience for future events.
Congratulations to them!
Catherine Gardner
Real estate broker
Courtier immobilier
Groupe Sutton
Centre-Ouest Inc.
514-793-5608
[email protected]
EBS chess team: Ryan Rebelo, Jonathan Khashper, Max Wu-Blouin, Noya Paz
Chess and spelling bee are only some
of the activities offered by EBS’s fabled
Quest Program: an enrichment program
funded by The Home & School
Association. It is open to all students and
is designed to complement the day to day
school activities.
Each class has the opportunity to participate weekly in Quest. Kindergarten
children have been learning to work with
playing cards. The students have become
quite adept at sorting and ranking and are
beginning to play games of snap and
memory games.
Cycle 1 students are introduced to science, which is not part of the regular curriculum. This fall they were concentrating on living things which they
learned how to classify into their groups
and are now going on to study plants
with an experiment: growing a plant of
their own during the holidays. It was so
exciting watching the seed open, and the
roots and stem take off!
Cycles 2 and 3 receive enriched social
studies. They are learning about the first
Canadians and researching the lives of
the early peoples who came to settle
Canada. Stories and puzzles and information through the Smart Board have
helped to see exhibits from museums in
faraway places.
Tuesdays after school, it’s drama club.
Look for the senior group’s production of
The Jungle Book, coming soon!
12
... MW Scout Group ... www.mwsg.ca ...
prises activities in the area of
home and community.
Kub Kar Rally
Cub report
On December 14, the Cubs
visited the Montclair
Residence and Catherine
Booth Hospital. Many residents had gathered in the
recreation room and we sang
carols and other Christmas
songs for them. Several residents sang along and the
smiles on their faces showed
that they appreciated seeing
the youth. We wished them a
Merry Christmas and went to
the other side of the building,
which is the Catherine Booth
Hospital. As most of the
patients are bed-ridden, we
walked slowly up and down
all the hallways singing. Here
we were also very well
received. We were served
juice and cookies and left
behind Christmas cards that
we had made at our last regular meeting.
We have completed
working on the Green Star –
most Cubs, especially those
who were at fall camp where
we did some of the work,
have earned their star. From
now until the spring, we shall
be working towards earning
the Blue Star, which com-
Our annual Kub Kar Rally
was held on January 10. The
Cubs, with some adult help,
spent a lot of time over the
holidays turning a block of
wood into a racing car which
was then raced down a track
powered by gravity. This
year, we have a brand new
track, the result of many
hours of work by Gerry
Thompson, Sam Woo and
David Roy. We can now race
four cars at a time down a
smooth track and the finish is
judged electronically.
The
winners
were
Guillaume Bélair (First
Place Champion), Andrew
Ironfield (Second), Max
Sinclair (Third), Mihai
Neagu-Lund (Fourth), Eric
Roy (Fifth), Matthew Doré
(Sixth) and Patrick MacEachen (Seventh). The
winner of the Best Design
Trophy, as selected by anonymous, independent judges,
was Robert Wein.
Congratulations to all the
manufacturers and racers for
a job well done.
Scout Report
In December, the Scouts
continued outdoor activities
with a day of geocaching on
Mont Royal. Geocaching is a
sort of treasure hunt for the
technologically savvy. It is a
global scavenger hunt, in
which participants use GPS
devices to find caches that
have been hidden all over the
BOUCHERIE Aliments MARCHIGIANI
w
e
N
n
io
t
ca
o
l
world. Caches usually contain a log book and a number
of trinkets which can be
traded.
Also in December, several
of the Scouts took up an
extraordinary initiative and
planned a fundraising BBQ,
after which our group was
able to make a sizable donation towards cancer research.
It continued the trend of
Samaritanism we like to see
in our youth who also participated in an annual food drive
for the NDG Food Bank.
We have a winter camp at
Tamaracouta planned and,
despite the mild winter we’ve
had so far, we’ll get to experience it under completely different conditions from those
we experienced a couple of
months ago at fall camp.
Theopiste (Theo)
Hondzoglou
1715 Thierry St.
LaSalle, Quebec, H8N 1H6
489-6819
Italian gourmet specialties
Master butcher
Home made sausage, porchetta
B.B.Q. spareribs and sauces
Épicerie gourmande italienne
Maître boucher
Coupes spécialisées
Saucisse ~ charcuterie maison
Porchetta ~ rôtisserie
bur.: (514) 483-5800
fax: (514) 483-2699
mobile: (514) 898-3821
[email protected]
Groupe Sutton – Centre Ouest Inc.
5800, avenue Monkland
Montreal, QC, H4A 1G1
13
...Girl Guides of Canada... Guides du Canada...
Service projects before the
Christmas holidays had the
girls doing a lot for other
people, while having fun.
Guides, learning to knit,
made (with some assistance
from relatives and friends)
enough (or more or less or
almost) squares for three
small blankets which are destined for the shelter. A wider
perspective on making gifts
for a shelter is part of a program that empowers girls to
resist violence against
women, to promote healthy
relationships. The Guides and
their families also collected
food and books for the NDG
Food Bank.
Brownies and Sparks
The Guides’ little sisters,
Brownies and Sparks,
achieved (with assistance
from Jonathan and Tim
Halliday and Lorraine
Purves) the remarkable feat
of counting and rolling 7,250
pennies which bought four
turkeys for the MW United
Church’s
Community
Christmas Meal. We had
paper rollers, so one was
loaded up with 50 coins and,
using kitchen scales, the girls
made sure that all the others
contained the correct amount.
This activity ties in to a math
challenge badge and with the
Key to STEM (Science,
Technology, Education and
Mathematics) which is just
one part of the Brownie program.
We
also
cut
out
snowflakes, the Brownies
made cookies, snickerdoodles
and ginger, which were packaged into 24 brightly
coloured gift bags along with
a recycled Christmas card for
Visit us on the web
http://www.bonder.com/
LIBRAIRIE BONDER INC.
BONDER BOOKSTORE INC.
52 Westminster Avenue N.
Montreal West, Quebec
H4X 1Z2
Tel: (514) 484-7131
Fax: (514) 484-3745
E-mail: [email protected]
CALL FOR ANY BOOK IN PRINT
clients of Meals-on-Wheels.
We were amazed at how the
girls worked away without
asking for anything for themselves. There is a badge for
Brownies called Community
Counts which the girls will
receive after a few more
meetings.
Join us for the fun
There is still room for
more leaders and girls at the
junior levels. Since some
leaders will be moving on or
retiring in May, now would be
the best time to start the
preparation for leadership in
September. Mothers, cousins,
aunts or grandmothers are
welcome, on a regular or
occasional basis. To visit and
find out how much fun it is to
lead such a great group of
girls, please call Janet King
at 481-6523 to explore possibilities.
from Brown Owl Janet King
14
FOR THE BEST SERVICE IN TOWN
POUR LE MEILLEUR SERVICE EN VILLE
... News from the Pews ...
N.D.G. & Montreal West
THE MOVER INC.
Why choose just
anyone... when you
can move with UNITED
“THE PERFECT MOVERS”
Real Estate Agency
Agence immobilière
RICK ISABELLE DAVID
LAVELL PAPINEAU DOUBT
.
Since 1932
.
Real Estate Brokers . Courtiers immobiliers
In a day when personal service
seems like a chapter from history,
you’ll be pleased with Meldrum’s
genuine concern. Call us. We’ll make
a helpful house call... right away.
• CANADA • UNITED STATES • STORAGE •
LOCAL • OVERSEAS
office: 514 483-5800
www.rickandisabelle.com
1-800-260-1445
MW United
Church
the brick one
...On Christmas Day in the mor-ning...
Under Joan and Bill Foster’s able
direction – with 20 turkeys, 100 lbs. of
potatoes, 16 bakers, 20 families to prepare, 34 families to deliver– 231 scrumptious Christmas dinners were delivered at
noon on Christmas Day to those who are
house-bound in our vicinity. Any leftovers were taken to St. Ignatius of
Loyola where they offer a Christmas
dinner for those who can make their way
there. One way or another we care for
and about each other. Thanks to the
Rotary Club for their helpful donation.
So to all those volunteers, your efforts
were appreciated as always... and God
se-end you a Happy New Year.
If you get this in time...
481-1122
6645 SHERBROOKE ST. W.
DR. HEATHER FOX B.S ., D.D.S.
C
Dentist
16 Westminster N. #315
Tel: 487-4577
Fax: 487-8376
Leave it to us!
Trustworthy, reliable and there to help
people manage their busy lifestyles.
Some of our services offered include:
• Running errands
• Organizing and paying bills
• House sitting
• Pick up and delivery service
• Wait service: waiting at your home for service or
repair personnel
Please feel free to contact us with special requests.
514 448-2602
Dr. Michael J. Wexel
Chiropractor
Neck Pain
Headaches & Migraines
Stiffness
Sports Related Injuries
Wellness & Preventative Care
Low Back Pain
Muscle Pain
Numbness & Tingling
Nutritional Counseling
CSST & SAAQ
773-7246
18 Westminster N., Suite 110
Call For An Appointment Today So You Can Feel Better Tomorrow.
...you will be aware of the Sunday
Afternoon Labyrinth Walk, 2-4:30,
January 29. If not, the next walk will be
on Shrove Tuesday in the evening. We
will be there between 7 and 9 pm, right
after your pancakes. After ten years of
Ash Wednesday walks with all the other
things that happen in the building on a
Wednesday, we have decided to opt for
the quieter Tuesday evening as a prelude
to Lent. So if some quiet contemplative
time suits you to begin Lent, come
ahead. If all that matters is to have some
uninterrupted time to yourself, come
ahead also. Bring your slippers or walk
in your socks. No charge, as always.
So how do we know how are we doing
from year to year?
Sunday February 19 (at lunch after
church) will be our congregational
meeting when all the groups and committees report on their past year’s activities, as well as approve the budget for
next year. It is a time to take the pulse, as
it were, of the church’s endeavours. We
are about more than just Sunday mornings. Checking in with each other is a
way of keeping the train on the track– a
healthy process.
Things are going well. We continue to
be open at 10 am Sunday mornings for
sure. We would love to see you then.
Call us at 482-3210 or visit
www.mwuc.org. Keep cozy in the meantime.
from Susan Upham
15
... News from the Pews ... News from the Pews ...
St. Philip’s
Church
Congratulations to Hugh Cawker and
the choir for a job well done on the
annual service of lessons and carols. The
music was wonderful, the church was
nearly full and Christmas cheer
abounded.
Thanks also to all who participated in
and contributed to the NDG Food
Depot’s holiday food drive. Six teams
from St. Philip’s took part in the door-todoor collection, while back at the church
hall another large crew, assisted by volunteers from the Montreal Westward
Rotary, the Food Depot, St-Ignatius’
youth group, Loyola High, St. Georges’
School and others did the packing and
sorting in record time.
170 cases of canned goods are being
stored in the church basement until they
are needed at the Food Depot some time
in the spring.
Christmas Eve saw a number of past
members returning from Ontario and
elsewhere. The interactive children’s service was once again a hit with the children of all ages. Thank you to Shan
Wharf and her crew for the beautiful
flowers and decorations.
Looking forward,
the calendar remains full
On Sunday, February 19, we will
enjoy a pot-luck lunch after the 10 am
Eucharist. On Sunday, March 11, the
Men’s fellowship will host their annual
mid-lent pancake brunch. Tickets will be
available in late February. Also in the
planning stages are a repeat of our popular community coffee house night and a
wine and cheese social.
MW Presbyterian Church
Welcome to the New Year. Our
Christmas season was a joyous one. Our
friends from Tyndale St-Georges helped
us put up Christmas decorations and then
all we “workers” enjoyed a delicious
dinner together. Organist Earl Wilson
and our choir and guest musicians provided excellent and inspirational music
for our Christmas services.
As I write this, we are looking forward to welcoming many of you to our
Martin Luther King service and dinner;
thank you, in advance, for your continued support.
Our chili dinner will be held on
Tuesday, February 21 at 6 pm. This is
always a very happy event and a great
time to relax with your friends and
neighbours. Tickets will be on sale in the
coming weeks. For further information,
please call Janet Dimock at 484-2783.
Prayers answered
In the last issue, we asked for your
prayers for a successful outcome of our
search for a new minister. We are
delighted to report that Reverend
Andrew (Drew) Burnand has accepted
the call. His first Service, as our
Minister, was on Sunday, January 15.
Rev. Burnand comes to us from Red
Deer, Alberta and is looking forward to
meeting our many friends in the MoWest
and surrounding communities.
Reverend Burnand will be inducted on
Sunday, January 29 at 3 pm. A reception
will follow in the church hall. Plan to
attend this happy occasion and meet our
new minister.
Farewell but not goodbye
Without the love, devotion and guidance of Dr. John Simms, our little church
wouldn’t be here today. As many of you
know, the Montreal Presbytery told us, in
August, 2004, that we would have to
close. However, Presbytery subsequently
granted us an extension of two years
which then stretched into seven years. Dr.
Simms offered to help so Presbytery
appointed him as Stated Supply. He and
his wife Lillian have given us their undivided support during this time.
Words of thanks seem inadequate, but
we know that we speak not only for our
congregation but also for the community
at large as we express our deep gratitude
to John and Lillian, Lorraine, Monique
and Andrew Simms for all they have
done for MWPC.
A “farewell but not goodbye” reception will be held in the near future to
honour Dr. Simms. We will keep you
informed.
Meanwhile, please plan to join us at
our special events and on Sundays, at 10
am, for our services.
from Janet Dimock
Dr. John Drummond
Dental Surgeon • Chirugien dentiste
484-0521
12 Brock Ave. North
Montreal West, Quebec H4X 2E9
Lenten study group
Our student minister, Donald
Boisvert, will be leading the Lenten
study group, on Tuesday evenings from 8
to 9 pm beginning February 28.
Dr. Mark Santaguida, O.D.
docteur en optométrie / optometrist
• examen de la vue • eye exams
• lunettes
• glasses
• verres de contact • contact lenses
• consultation laser • laser consultation
514 481- 4791
43a av. Westminster Ave. N. Mtl West,QC H4X 1Y8
Honesty
Integrity
Hardworking
Enthusiastic
16
.... Community Centre ...
MW
50+
Club
7
Outings and events
for February
13
14
23
28
Movie Matinée: Becoming
Jane
Soup’s On: Bruno Stenson:
Transportation in the 19th
century
The Cow Patti Theatre
Company presents Boeing
Boeing by Marc Camoletti
Diners’ Club: Mr. Ma
Bridge – new teams are welcome.
Overnight trips
Shaw and Stratford Theatre Duo:
June 11-17
Atlantic City: September 10-14
Southern Italy & Sicily:
October 18-29
484-6186
Family Snow Day at
Hodgson Field
Sunday, February 12
Free activities include:
Horse-drawn wagon rides from 12-3
pm
Outdoor skating and activities 12-3
pm (weather permitting)
Face Painting 1-3 pm
Music and more.
Submit your CV at the John A.
Simms Commu nity Centre, 8
Westminster S., via fax at 485-08596
or email at [email protected] to the attention of Chris
Kearney, Recreation Coordinator.
Followed by Kid Mercury Magic
Show 3:30 at the Town Hall.
March Break Madness
Many exciting activities are being
planned for the week of March 5-9.
Registration will begin February 2:
Monday, Olympic Stadium Fun Day;
Tuesday, Ceramic Studio; Wednesday,
Verdun Circus School; Thursday, Tubing
at Mont Avila; Friday, Sugaring Off. For
more information, please call 484-6186.
Cost (if registration by February 10) for
the week:
Residents: $185 or $50/day
Non-residents $195 or $60/day
Registration as of February 13, please
add $15 to the weekly cost and $5 to the
daily cost.
Pool Manager
May 21 - September 3
Assistant Pool Managers
May 21- September 3
Head Swim Team Coach
May 21- September 3
Pool Office Manager
P/T; June 4 - August 17
Day Camp Section Heads
(June 4 - Aug 17)
LIT & Junior Leader (camp)
(June 4 – Aug 17)
Lifeguards
May 25 - September 3
Wading Pool Attendants
June - August
Outdoor Skating Rinks
The Town has two outdoor rink facilities (a hockey rink at Rugby Park and a
hockey rink and skating rink at Hodgson
Field outside the Arena). Both are now
operational and ready to go! Lights are
on in the parks until 10 pm!
Check the Town Facebook page
www.facebook.com/montrealwest for ice
condition updates.
NOVA Foot
Clinics
Summer Employment
Day Camp Counsellors
June 25 - August 17
Community Centre Counsellors
FT & PT
June 25- August 17
Pool Gate Attendants
May 28 - September 3
February 8 & 22
By appointment only.
Please call: 484-6186.
Tibia
Fibula
Tibialis anterior
Soleus
Cuneiform
Tendon from
gastrocnemius
Talus
Flexor digitorum longus
(extends under foot,
dividing into four tendons)
Calcaneus
Distal phalanges
Abductor hallucis and
flexor hallucis brevis
Navicular
Winter 2012 session
Come play bridge
The session may have started, but
it’s never too late to sign up for programs! We have a wide array of programs that cater to different age
groups, schedules and interests!
Call the Community Centre for
more info: 484-6186.
The Day Ladies of the MW Curling
Club host luncheon during the winter.
Cost is $7 for non-members and $5
for members. Bridges will be
February 8 and March 28. Please call
Sandra Jones at 489-0261.
17
... Looking back ... Looking back ...
The photography pioneer
of Ballantyne North
Conrad Poirier is an unfamiliar name to most people; however; at the Quebec Archives (BANQ), he is considered a
legend in Quebec photojournalism. More than 23,000 of his
photos are stored there, including some of the most iconic
images of Quebec from the 1930s through the 1950s.
Conrad Poirier was born
in 1912 to Arthur Poirier, a
publisher, and his wife,
Yvonne de Saint-Dizier, and
lived his entire life at 151
Ballantyne Ave, North.
In 1932, Poirier began
taking pictures as a hobby,
using his friends and neighbours as subjects. Gradually
his pastime developed into a
passion and, by 1937, he was
working professionally as a
freelance photojournalist. His
clients included La Presse,
The Gazette, La Patrie, Le
Samedi, Montreal Standard
and La Revue Populaire.
Poirier was one of the first
Quebec photographers to specialize in “street photography,” a type of documentary photography that features
subjects in candid situations
within public places such as
streets, sporting events,
demonstrations and other settings. He worked almost
exclusively with a large,
single-shot view camera,
developing techniques that
allowed him to shoot quickly.
Life in MoWest
chronicled
Poirier chronicled life and
landmarks in Montreal West
and throughout the Montreal
region. He photographed kids
at play on the streets and, in
later years, photographed
their weddings. Merchants
used his services, as did
schools, churches and hospitals. Parents hired him to
photograph their children’s
birthday parties.
He did photo features with
titles such as Wartime
Housing, Fun with a Clothes-
Self portrait, 1939
line, The Perfect Wife (or
Husband) and Teaching Your
Dog New Tricks. All sports,
from matches at the MW
Tennis Club to Montreal
Canadiens games, were
fodder for his camera.
Montreal West residents frequently acted as models in
these photos.
In film, too
Poirier worked out of his
home, where he had a darkroom and studio. He also held
slide shows and experimental
film shows in his attic, which
he transformed into a theatre,
with rows of chairs and a
wind-up gramophone for
music. He posted invitations
on telephone poles in the
area. Former MoWest resident Ruth Rowland (neé
Schnebly), 96, attended some
of the presentations. She also
acted in one of his films.
“Connie (Conrad) asked
me to be in one of his movies
in the 1930’s,” says Rowland.
“He filmed me on the steps of
the Presbyterian Church as a
car, driven by Lawrence
MacGregor (of 111 Brock
N.), drove up, and I was
snatched off the steps and
hauled into the car. The film
was called The Great Bride
Mystery. It was fun. I never
saw the movie, though.”
Conrad Poirier died on
January 12, 1968, age 55. He
was survived by his sisters
Lillian (Paul Chunick of
Langley, B.C.) and Gladys
(A. Luck).
Conrad Poirier photo collection is at: www.banq.qc.ca.
All photos courtesy of BANQ
– Fonds Conrad Poirier.
Accident at Western (now Avon) and Westminster Avenues, 1940
February 1, 1939. Town workers shovelling snow
at Westminster, corner Nelson
All photos copyright of BANQ – Fonds Conrad Poirier
by Harold Rosenberg
151 Ballantyne N., 1937
Girls knitting at MW High School for the Red Cross, 1939
18
Expenses / Dépenses
Conseil / Council
Administration
Sécurité publique / Public Security
Travaux publics / Public Works
Hygiène du milieu / Environmental Health
Inspection et permis / Building Inspection
Planification urbaine/ Urban Planning
Loisirs, culture et parcs
Recreation, culture and parks1
Dépenses en capital à même les revenus
Expenditures out of revenues
Remboursement de déficit / Repayment of Deficit
Service de la dette / Debt Charges
Quote part Agglomération
Agglomeration Remittance
TOTAL - DÉPENSES / EXPENSES
Par objet / by Type
2011
121,360
1,125,083
417,599
2,301,623
618,793
97,041
50,000
2012
125,466
1,213,842
500,833
2,515,887
656,886
102,897
5,000
% total
0.89%
8.59%
3.54%
17.81%
4.65%
0.73%
0.04%
851,812
1,873,540
13.26%
169,452
100,000
2,051,933
150,692
0
1,966,061
1.07%
0.00%
13.92%
4,854,477
13,759,173
5,017,899 35.51%
14,129,003 100.00%
2011
2012
% total
Salaires et bénéfices / Salaries and Benefits
3,896,115
3,975,730 28.14%
Service de la dette / Debt Charges
2,051,933
1,966,061 13.92%
Déchêts et recyclage / Sanitary Removal and Recycling 183,748
203,730
1.44%
Déneigement / Snow Removal
374,325
425,000
3.01%
Subventions / Grants
148,125
151,450
1.07%
Immobilisations / Capital Expenses
171,103
150,692
1.07%
Assurance / Insurance
102,660
107,785
0.76%
Honoraires professionnels and techniques
Professional and Technical Fees
584,450
619,851
4.39%
Location, entretien et réparation
Rental, Maintenance and Repair
160,829
176,915
1.25%
Equipement et fournitures / Materials and Supplies 841,708
1,067,560
7.56%
Eau / Water
20,000
100,000
0.71%
Remboursement du déficit 2007 / Deficit Payment 100,000
0
0.00%
Autres / Other
64,700
63,722
0.45%
Quote part CMM / Remittance
105,000
102,608
0.73%
Quote part Agglomération / Remittance
4,854,477
5,017,899 35.51%
13,759,173
14,129,003 100.00%
Loisirs, culture et parcs / Recreation, culture and parks
Dépenses en capital à même les revenus / Capital expenditures out of revenues
BUDNING PHARMACY
BIG ENOUGH TO SERVE YOU SMALL ENOUGH TO KNOW YOU
40 WESTMINSTER NORTH
MONTREAL WEST
- PRESCRIPTION SERVICES
(514) 481-5665
- FREE DELIVERY
www.groupeproxim.ca
- PHOTO PROCESSING
- GREETING CARDS & STAMPS
MON to FRI: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
SATURDAY: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
* NEW PET HEALTH SECTION *
SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER:
[email protected]
Commentaire
sur le budget
There will be an increase in taxes for
2012, but it will be the smallest in the
Town’s history since the demerger.
Our budgetary process was such that,
wherever possible and without jeopardizing the quality of services to which
you are accustomed, Town Council
looked for every opportunity to reduce
expenditures.
The overall total tax increase for the
average value of a residential home will
be 1.89%, a blended percentage of a
1.15% increase in the local tax rate (vs.
2.47% in 2011) and a 3.01% increase in
the agglomeration tax rate (vs. 2.25%).
We need to step back a moment and
consider the following: the agglomeration tax rate for 2012 is larger than last
year’s; our labour collective agreement
has fixed salary increases effective in
2012 and the provincial sales tax (PST)
increased to 9.5%. Notwithstanding all of
these increased costs, we managed to
reduce our local tax rate increase (vs.
2011) by 53% and our overall tax
increase in Montreal West by 20%.
I believe that all of Council has certainly become greater sensitized to the
fact that this budget represents your
money and that we are simply stewards
of the Town’s treasury.
Il faut souligner quelques faits importants. Notre quote-part envers le Conseil
d’agglomération représente 35,51 % de
notre budget total. Nous allons continuer
d’investir dans nos infrastructures; les
priorités seront établies selon les orientations du gouvernement provincial dans le
cadre des programmes qu’il met à la disposition de la municipalité. Ainsi, les projets retenus par le Conseil et les montants
afférents seront connus et annoncés au fur
et à mesure des années. Enfin, je vous
rappelle que le programme triennal d’immobilisation est un outil de planification à
partir d’orientations générales et que la
décision d’investir ou non dans un projet
donné est conditionnelle à la capacité de
la Ville à payer et à l’obtention de subventions. Enfin, la dette totale de notre
ville est d’environ 17 830 512 $ (elle était
de 17 872 000 $ à la fin de 2010).
Comme l’an dernier, les résidents ne
recevront qu’un seul compte de taxes
foncières qui comprend les services
fournis par la Ville de Montréal-Ouest
ainsi que les services régionaux fournis
par le Conseil d’agglomération et le
Conseil métropolitain de Montréal.
Dino Mazzone
Councillor, Administration & Buildings
Conseiller, Administration et bâtiments
Revenues / Revenus
Taxes
2011
2012
Résidentiel / Residential
$ 10,524,648 $ 10,806,621
Lot vacant / Vacant Lots
18,987
13,156
Non résidentiel / Non-residential
1,062,831
1,065,892
Taxe Eau / Water Tax
452,000
463,000
CMM / MMC
105,000
102,608
Droits sur mutation / Duties on Transfers
400,000
420,000
Reçus au lieu de taxes / Payment in Lieu of Taxes
248,255
250,655
12,811,721
13,121,932
% Total
76.5%
0.1%
7.5%
.3%
0.7%
3.0%
1.8%
92.9%
Autres/ Other
Loisirs et Culture / Recreation and Culture
Contraventions / Tickets
Stationnement et permis / Parking and Permits
Compensation TVQ / PST Recovery
Intérêts / Interest
Intérêts à recevoir sur subvention
Interest Receivable on Grants
Remboursement salaire CRA / Salary Recovery
Autres
399,500
150,000
69,600
111,800
53,000
426,800
110,000
72,000
198,200
61,000
3.0%
0.8%
0.5%
1.4%
0.4%
108,552
32,000
23,000
947,452
88,771
0
50,300
1,007,071
0.6%
0.0%
0.4%
7.1%
REVENUS TOTAUX / TOTAL REVENUES 13,759,173
14,129,003
100.0
Comparaison du compte de taxe
Taxation Comparison
Résidentiel / Residential
Résidence valeur moyenne / Average value residence
Rôle 2011- 2013 Roll: $525 000
Valeur imposable / Taxable Value
Taux / Rate (/100$ d’évaluation / valuation)
CMM (/100$ d’évaluation / valuation)
$
Augmentation relative à 2011 / Increase over 2011
% Augmentation / Increase
2011
462,772
7,199.04
9.51
7,268.55
137.63
1.89%
2012
$ 492,950
7,338.74
67.46
7,406.18
[The “roll value” is the total value of the property as determined by the evaluation department of the City of Montreal.
The “taxable value” is the value upon which the tax bills are based and takes into account the gradual “phase-in” of the new
roll. The taxable value increases incrementally each year, until the final year of the roll (in this case 2013) when the taxable
value is the full value as indicated on the roll.]
Taux de taxes / Tax Rates
Taxe foncière générale / General Property Tax
Immeuble 6 logements + / 6 Units or More
Immeubles non résidentiels/Non-residential
Lots vacants / Vacant Lots
CMM / MMC
2011
Local
Agglo
0.9241
0.6315
0.9241
0.6315
2.6712
2.1880
1.8482
1.2630
0.0150
Marie-Antoinette Del Peschio
Royal LePage Groupe Newton
Real Estate Broker
Bur 514-481-0241
The after school program focuses on
students and runs from 3-7 pm.
Elementary and high school students
are accepted.
After snacking in the kitchen (the
office tries to be a structured home), student agendas are checked and organizational skills and problem solving strategies are individually developed to each
student’s needs. University students aid
Elaine and Birdie in this process. Most
students come with their own laptops or
they use the ones in the office.
Both Birdie and Elaine feel it is getting
more difficult for parents to help their
children with their homework. Many
don’t know how much to give and when
to pull away. PDec works closely with the
school the student attends, even working
with the student during school hours if
needed. The student either comes to the
office or someone is sent to the school.
This is the third year of PDec’s existence. In mid-November the office moved
from Westmount to Montreal West. The
majority of students come from CSL,
Westmount, NDG and MoWest, but some
come from as far as DDO.
Birdie lives in CSL where she raised
her three children and a dog. This year
she became a proud grandmother of a
grandson. Elaine has lived in MoWest for
the past 28 years, soon after marrying. It
is the community where she raised her
three children and since they have
moved, attending universities outside
Quebec, she has now adopted an Airedale
terrier from a shelter. Both enjoy the
warmth and sense of community of our
village-like Town.
For further information:
Telephone: 903-3165
Email: [email protected]
Address: 67 Westminster N.
BMI Kontrols
514.894.9929
Agence immobilière
continued from page 1
Michael Brooker
Courtier immobilier Real Estate Broker
[email protected]
www.tdelpeschio.com
2012
Local
Agglo
0.8781
0.6107
0.8781
0.6107
2.4929
2.0569
1.7562
1.2213
0.0137
PDec - Personalized
Design Educational
Consultants
•
•
•
•
Weigh what you want
Change your thinking... Change your weight
Individual courses
Group courses at Vanier College
Tel.: (514) 481-8583
Fax: (514) 481-5428
72 Curzon Street
[email protected]
Montreal West, QC H4X 1H9
Google Michael Brooker Montreal West
Stephen Coull B. Comm.
Courtier en Assurances de Dommages
Broker in Damage Insurance
68 Westminster Ave. N.
514-481-1134
www.rccoull.com
19
20
... Town Council Report ... November and Decemeber ... Town Council Report ...
by Carol Foster
November meeting
A grant has been
approved and is expected to
amount to total $50,000 which
will cover approximately 90% of the cost
of a study on greenhouse gas emissions.
Councillor Tasker-Brown reviewed,
once again, the regulations concerning
leaf blowers and snow removal by private contractors. (Anyone still unaware
of these policies should contact the Town
Hall for this information since the regulations will be strictly enforced.) She
added that the Traffic and Safety
Committee has reviewed plans for a proposed daycare on Milner and has passed
the file to PAC.
Councillor Ulin reported there are
seven newly qualified babysitters available, all having passed a course given by
the Community Centre; 168 residents
and Town employees have been vaccinated, boards are up on Hodgson Field
awaiting freezing temperatures. Ulin
gave special thanks to Joan Foster for
Question period
The first resident to speak vigorously
debated the validity of being charged a
fee of $100 to close and reopen the water
supply to her home while a plumber
repaired a leaky valve. Councillor
McKenzie explained that this charge was
part of the Town’s tariff bylaw and was
basically a user fee. The resident pointed
out that her taxes have more than doubled since she first moved to the Town
and she feels a fee of this amount for
such a simple task is excessive and the
bylaw should be revisited.
Mayor Masella assured her the Town
is doing everything it can to keep local
taxes down and noted that the tariff
bylaw is reviewed annually. Council has
heard her complaint, but no promises can
be made.
A question was asked about the maintenance, usefulness and expense of the
wireless Internet service provided by the
Town. It was mentioned that there may
be more economical ways to supply the
same service. The Mayor promised to
review this.
Traffic on Westminster continues to
be a subject of concern and, once again,
the Mayor pointed out that moving traffic
violations must be reported to Station 9.
The traffic-calming measures currently
being used on Brock and Ballantyne are
not feasible on Westminster as they
would prevent the 162 bus from using
that part of its route.
The last questioner wondered if a reciprocal arrangement could be made for
the use of the new Côte Saint-Luc
Aquatic Centre. Councillor Ulin said she
will investigate this possibility and the
meeting was then adjourned.
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23618 (08/2011)
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2
her assistance in arranging the
Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Two new bylaws have been adopted
by the Town. The first sets out a Code of
Ethics and Good Conduct for elected
municipal officers. The second attempts
to ensure peace and public order by the
prohibition of fights or any physical violence in public places. This bylaw was
requested of all municipalities on the
Island by the police to legally allow
police intervention.
23618 (08/2011)
The Mayor opened the December
meeting of Council by focusing briefly
on the reasons for the 3.1% increase in
the City of Montreal’s budget and the
resulting impact on the Town’s newly
announced 2012 budget.
Grants for the celebration of Canada
Day and the Fête nationale have been
applied for and the Town’s annual grants
to community organizations (Children’s
Library, $75,450; Adult Library, $59,500;
The Informer, $15,000; Community
Services Council, $1,000; Town
Historian (David Watson), $500) were
reviewed.
Councillor Tasker-Brown explained
that the 2012 budget includes allowances
for additional traffic-calming measures
as well as improvements to sidewalks.
Councillor Ulin reported that the
seven merchants now involved in the
composting program are producing compost equivalent to the amount produced
by 230 families. Santa’s breakfast raised
$3,000 for the hockey program.
Councillor Mazzone reviewed the
Town’s 2012 budget which had been presented at a special meeting earlier in the
evening. He emphasized that the 1.89%
increase in property taxes (based on an
average property value of $492,950) and
which includes the increase in the
agglomeration tax rate, was the smallest
in the Town’s history since the demerger.
This increase, compared to last year’s
2.38% puts the Town in very good
standing on the Island. Mr. Mazzone
stated his goal is to aim for a zero per
cent increase in the 2013 budget.
Following the announcement of action
to be taken on several bylaws, a quite
remarkable question period began. A
group of faces not usually seen at
Council meetings indicated a collective
and significant issue was to be presented.
Question period
The owner of the popular Little
Learners Daycare on Ronald Drive
explained this group’s concern. It was
felt that the Town had not considered the
logistical and safety ramifications before
issuing a permit for a second daycare to
open its door on the same street. Traffic
problems abound on Ronald Drive. Cars
use it as a shortcut to the highway, Uturns are frequent, cars idle illegally and
parking is extremely limited. Snow
clearing is often problematic. Drop-off
and pick-up times at the daycare add to
the congestion on the narrow street and
safety is a constant worry. In addition,
there is only one small park nearby
which cannot accommodate, by law, the
expected increase in the number of children using it.
Parents, neighbours and daycare staff
all took turns at the microphone to support this point of view and the discussion
TM
23618 (08/2011)
continued on next page
Public Security news
... Town Council Report ...
that followed was heated.
The Councillors responded by
pointing out that the current bylaws give
the new owner the legal right to open this
daycare and safety officers can review
the situation once it is operational. The
Mayor added that some of the traffic
problems cited are long-standing ones
and many have been addressed.
These responses did little to satisfy
the group who felt the bylaw should be
revised and that Ronald Drive concerns
were too often ignored. Finally a longtime resident of the street succinctly outlined the evolution of the area over a
long period of time from strictly residential to the addition of industrial and business establishments which has resulted in
many of the current problems. He made
several very innovative suggestions of
how some of these problems could be
addressed.
Council welcomed his intervention.
Tasker Brown issued a warm invitation
for him to bring his list of major issues
and recommendations to a meeting of the
Traffic and Safety Committee. The tension in the room subsided. Council was
thanked for listening to the problems and
residents were sincerely encouraged by
Council to attend the public meetings
where their problems can be heard and
addressed.
It was a long and, at times, a very
emotional meeting. It was also an
example of residents and Council members hammering out differences and
coming to constructive conclusions.
Interestingly, the newly presented
budget for 2012 elicited no questions and
the meeting was adjourned.
GROUPE NEWTON
Jacqueline
Gilbert-Green
Agence immobilière/Real Estate Agency
514-481-7003
Office 514-481-0241
Award Winning Broker
DR. SUSAN MCDONALD
Dentist • Dentiste
73 WESTMINSTER N.
MONTREAL WEST
H4X 1Y8
486-4411
According to the
Société de Police de
la Ville de Montréal
(SPVM)’s annual
summary report for
the Town, crime incidents reported have
increased. In total, 65 crimes were
reported, compared to 51 in 2010. There
were more thefts with violence and break
and entries, while thefts in and of cars
and sexual aggressions were down.
The Police also issued more tickets for
moving violations rising from 621 in
2010 to 829. Our local police at Station 9
are responsible for a large territory
(MoWest, Hampstead and Côte SaintLuc), so officers are sent where there is
the greatest need. Therefore, I strongly
urge residents to report crimes. For
crimes in progress, call 911; for all
others, call Station 9 directly at 2800109. Please use the MW Public Security
dispatch number (630-1234) for noncriminal public security events such as
municipal bylaw infractions (noise, vandalism, etc.).
Electronics
We can all contribute to making
MoWest a safer community by doing our
part to prevent crime. Simple actions
such as locking cars and homes, storing
valuables out of sight, following the rules
of the road and reporting unusual activity
can make a difference. Thank you for
your cooperation.
The Town budget for 2012 was
adopted on December 19 and I am
pleased to announce a few important initiatives that will make the Town safer and
improve quality of life for residents.
They are the installation of eight speed
humps on Ballantyne and Brock North,
the construction of traffic calming measures at a second Westminster intersection (TBA) in addition to the curb extensions at Nelson and Westminster and,
finally, the replacement of some of the
worst sidewalks to make our streets safer
for pedestrians. For questions on any
public security matter, please contact Pat
Mann at [email protected].
All the best for 2012!
Julie Tasker-Brown
Councillor, Public Security
21
22
... Réunion ordinaire du Conseil ... novembre décembre ... Réunion ordinaire ...
par Carol Foster
traduction par René Boucher
Réunion de novembre
La conseillère Tasker-Brown a,
encore une fois, passé en revue la réglementation sur les souffleuses à feuilles et
le déblaiement de la neige par les entrepreneurs privés. (Quiconque ne serait
toujours pas au courant de ces politiques
devrait s’informer à l’Hôtel de Ville,
puisque les règlements seront appliqués
rigoureusement.) Elle a ajouté que le
Comité sur la circulation et la sécurité
(CCS) avait examiné les plans pour une
garderie sur Milner et transmis le dossier
au CCU.
La conseillère Ulin a rapporté qu’il y
a sept gardiennes nouvellement qualifiées, ayant suivi le cours dispensé par le
Centre communautaire; 168 résidants et
employés de la Ville ont été vaccinés
contre la grippe; les bandes sont installées au parc Hodgson et attendent les
températures froides. Mme Ulin a
remercié Joan Foster de façon particulière pour son aide à l’organisation des
cérémonies du jour du Souvenir.
La Ville a adopté deux nouveaux
règlements. Le premier instaure le Code
d’éthique et de déontologie des élus
municipaux. Le second vise la paix et
l’ordre public en interdisant les batailles
et la violence physique dans les endroits
publics. Le service de police a demandé à
toutes les municipalités de l’île de passer
ce règlement pour lui permettre d’intervenir en toute légalité.
Période de questions
La première intervenante a vigoureusement débattu de la validité des frais
de 100 $ qu’elle doit assumer pour la fermeture et la réouverture de l’arrivée
d’eau à sa maison lorsqu’un plombier
réparait une valve défectueuse. Le conseiller McKenzie a expliqué que ces frais
sont conformes au règlement sur les tarifs
et sont en quelque sorte des frais d’utilisation. La résidante a fait remarquer que
ses impôts fonciers avaient plus que
doublé depuis son arrivée dans la ville;
elle considère un tel montant comme
excessif pour une tâche aussi simple et
que le règlement devrait être revu.
Le maire Masella l’a assurée que la
Ville fait tout ce qu’elle peut pour limiter
les taxes et a fait remarquer que le règlement en question est révisé annuellement. Le Conseil prend note de sa
plainte, mais ne fait aucune promesse.
On a posé une question sur l’entretien,
l’utilité et les coûts du service Internet
sans fil que la Ville fournit. On a men-
tionné qu’il y aurait peut-être des façons
plus économiques d’offrir le même service. Le maire a promis d’examiner la
question.
La circulation sur Westminster continue d’inquiéter, et de nouveau, le Maire
a indiqué qu’on doit signaler les infractions de circulation au Poste 9. Les
mesures d’apaisement actuellement en
vigueur sur Brock et Ballantyne ne sont
pas réalisables sur Westminster, car elles
empêcheraient le passage des autobus sur
ce tronçon du circuit 162.
Le dernier intervenant se demandait si
une entente réciproque serait possible
visant l’utilisation du centre aquatique de
Côte Saint-Luc. La conseillère Ulin a
répondu qu’elle fouillerait cette possibilité, après quoi on a levé la séance.
Réunion de décembre
Le maire a ouvert la séance de
décembre du Conseil en faisant le point
brièvement sur les raisons de l’augmentation de 3,1 % du budget de Montréal et
ses impacts sur le budget 2012 de la Ville
nouvellement dévoilé.
La Ville a demandé des subventions
pour les célébrations de la fête du Canada
et de la Fête nationale et a procédé à la
révision des subsides annuels aux organismes communautaires (Bibliothèque des
jeunes, 75 450 $; Bibliothèque pour
adultes, 59 000 $; The Informer, 15 000
$; Conseil des services communautaires,
1000 $; historien de la Ville [David
Watson], 500 $).
La conseillère Tasker-Brown a expliqué que le budget 2012 comprend des
allocations pour des mesures additionnelles d’apaisement de la circulation ainsi
que l’amélioration de certains trottoirs.
La conseillère Ulin a rapporté que les
sept marchands qui participent actuellement au programme de compostage produisent une quantité de compost qui
équivaut à ce que génèrent 230 familles.
Le déjeuner du Père Noël a récolté 3000
$ pour le programme de hockey.
Le conseiller Mazzone a révisé le
budget 2012 de la Ville qu’il avait
présenté à une réunion spéciale plus tôt
dans la soirée. Il a soutenu que l’augmentation de 1,89 % de l’impôt foncier
(basée sur la valeur moyenne d’une propriété de 492 950 $) et comprenant l’augmentation du taux de la taxe d’agglomération était la plus petite de l’histoire de la Ville depuis la reconstitution.
Cette augmentation, comparée aux 2,38
% de l’an dernier, place Montréal-Ouest
en très bonne position sur l’ensemble de
l’île. M. Mazzone a déclaré que son but
est une augmentation de zéro pour cent
pour le budget 2013.
Une période de questions assez remarquable a suivi l’annonce d’actions à venir
sur plusieurs règlements. Un groupe de
visages qui ne sont généralement pas vus
aux réunions du Conseil présageait la
présentation d’un problème collectif
important.
Période de questions
La propriétaire de la populaire
garderie Les petits débutants/Little
Learners Daycare de la promenade
Ronald a expliqué les inquiétudes du
groupe. On croit que la Ville n’a pas considéré les ramifications de logistique et
de sécurité avant d’accorder un permis
pour une deuxième garderie sur cette rue.
Les problèmes de circulation abondent
sur la promenade Ronald. Les automobilistes l’empruntent pour accéder à l’autoroute, les virages en U sont chose
courante, les moteurs des voitures tournent illégalement au ralenti et le stationnement est extrêmement limité. Le
déblaiement de la neige cause souvent
des difficultés. Le dépôt et la cueillette
des enfants à la garderie ajoutent à la
congestion sur cette rue étroite et la sécusuite en page suivante
Nouvelles de la
sécurité publique
... Réunion ordinaire ...
rité est un souci constant. De plus, il n’y
a qu’un petit parc à proximité qui, selon
le règlement, ne peut accommoder l’augmentation attendue du nombre d’enfants
qui l’utiliseront.
Parents, voisins et personnel de la
garderie se sont succédé au micro pour
appuyer ce point de vue et une discussion animée s’en est suivi.
Les conseillers ont répondu en faisant
remarquer que les règlements actuels
donnent le droit légal au nouveau propriétaire d’ouvrir cette garderie et les responsables de la sécurité pourront garder
la situation à l’œil lorsque la garderie sera
en activité. Le maire ajouta que certains
des problèmes de circulation mentionnés
datent de longtemps et qu’on s’est déjà
penché sur plusieurs d’entre eux.
Ces réponses n’ont pas satisfait le
groupe; on estime que le règlement
devrait être révisé et que les préoccupations de prom. Ronald sont trop souvent
écartées. Finalement, un résidant de
longue date de cette rue a succinctement
exposé l’évolution de ce secteur sur une
longue période, de strictement résidentielle à l’ajout d’établissements industriels et d’affaires, ce qui a eu pour
résultat plusieurs des problèmes actuels.
Il a fait plusieurs suggestions novatrices
quant à la manière de traiter certaines de
ces difficultés.
Le Conseil a bien accueilli son intervention. Mme Tasker-Brown lui a lancé
une chaleureuse invitation à apporter sa
liste de difficultés importantes et de
recommandations à une réunion du
Comité sur la circulation et la sécurité.
La tension dans la salle a diminué. On a
remercié le Conseil d’avoir écouté les
doléances et le Conseil a encouragé les
résidants à se présenter aux réunions
publiques où l’on pourra entendre et
traiter leurs plaintes.
Ce fut une réunion longue et parfois
chargée d’émotions. Ce fut aussi un
exemple de résidants et des membres du
Conseil qui aplanissent leurs différends
et parviennent à des conclusions constructives.
Chose intéressante, le budget 2012
fraichement présenté n’a suscité aucune
question et la séance a été levée.
Selon le rapport
sommaire annuel du
Service de police de
la ville de Montréal
(SPVM), le nombre de crimes rapportés
a augmenté dans notre ville. Au total, 65
crimes ont été rapportés comparativement à 51 en 2010. Il y a eu davantage de
vols avec violence et d’introductions
avec effraction alors que les vols d’automobiles ou dans des voitures et les agressions sexuelles ont diminué.
Les policiers ont aussi émis davantage
de contraventions pour des infractions de
circulation, de 621 en 2010 à 829 en
2011. Le poste de quartier 9 couvre un
territoire important (Montréal-Ouest,
Hampstead et Côte-Saint-Luc) et les
agents sont dépêchés aux endroits où les
besoins sont les plus grands. Par conséquent, j’invite fortement nos résidants
à signaler les crimes dont ils sont
témoins. Pour les crimes en cours, communiquez avec le 911; pour tous les
autres crimes, communiquer directement
avec le PDQ 9 au 280-0109. Veuillez
utiliser le numéro de répartition de la
sécurité publique de M-O (630-1234)
pour tout incident non criminel comme
une infraction à un règlement municipal
(bruit, vandalisme, etc.).
Nous pouvons tous contribuer à faire
Julie Tasker-Brown
Conseillère, Sécurité publique
centre-ouest inc.
agence immobilière
Whether buying or selling,
we are there for you
every step of the way
Call the father-daughter team
that will make the difference
ERICH ZOLTAN KOS
SIMONA KOS, B.A.
COURTIER IMMOBILIER AGRÉÉ
COURTIER IMMOBILIER
(514) 483-6240
[email protected]
(514) 297-1813
[email protected]
French, English, German, Hungarian and Romanian
René Boucher
labrossemichaels.com
de M-O une communauté plus sécuritaire
en collaborant à la prévention du crime.
Des actions simples, verrouiller les
voitures et les maisons, ne pas laisser des
objets de valeur à la vue, respecter les
règles de la circulation et rapporter les
activités inhabituelles peuvent faire une
différence. Merci de votre coopération.
Le budget 2012 de la Ville a été
adopté le 19 décembre et je suis heureuse
d’annoncer quelques initiatives importantes qui rendront la ville plus sécuritaire et amélioreront la qualité de vie des
résidants. Il s’agit de l’installation de huit
ralentisseurs (dos d’âne allongés) sur
Ballantyne et Brock Nord, de la construction de mesures d’apaisement de la
circulation à une deuxième intersection
sur Westminster (dont l’annonce aura
lieu bientôt) en plus d’avancées de bordures de trottoir à Nelson et Westminster
puis, enfin, du remplacement de certains
trottoirs en mauvais état afin de rendre
nos rues plus sécuritaires pour les piétons. Pour toute question en matière
de sécurité publique, prière de communiquer avec Patrick Mann à
[email protected].
Nos meilleurs vœux pour 2012!
RB
Traduction
Montréal-Ouest
Révision de texte
Québec
Translation
(514) 482-3486
Text revision
[email protected]
ANITA CONIDARIS
Consultation in
Decorating
and the ideal colour
palette for your home
Design d’intérieur
44 Easton Ave.
Montreal West
485-4639
23
Please call the Editor: Heather at 489-7022
e-mail: [email protected]
Next deadline: February 8
JAN
Sun 29
Mon 30
FEB
Sun 12
Sun 19
Mon 20
Tue 28
Family Snow Day. Hodgson Field 12-3 pm.
Fellowship pot-luck lunch. St. Philp’s Church. 11:30 am.
MW Horticultural Society presents landscape architect, Stuart
Webster, on his career and current projects. Town Hall, 7:30 pm.
Chili dinner. MW Presbyterian. 6 pm.
Evening Labyrinth Walk. MW United Church, Wadsworth Hall. 7-9 pm.
Ash Wednesday service. St. Philp’s Church. 7:30 pm.
Municipal taxes due (first installment)
Échéance : Taxes municipales (premier versement)
Vernissage featuring MW artists. Office of MP Isabelle Morin.
Please confirm your presence before February 20 (639-4497). 5-7 pm.
vernissage d'une exposition d'artistes de M-O au bureau de la
députée Isabelle Morin. S.V.P., confirmer votre présence avant le
20 février (639-4497). 17 h 00 à 19 h
RWA Science Fair. Public viewing: 1-2:30 and 6:30-8:30 pm.
Annual vestry meeting. St. Philp’s Church. 11:30 am.
Royal West Academy presents the original musical production
Lucinda at 7:30 pm in the auditorium. Continues on Wednesday
and Thursday. Tickets are $15 adults; $10 seniors and students.
Dinner theatre on Friday, March 2: dinner at 6 pm, play at 7:30.
Tickets: $25; must be reserved in advance: 489-8454, Mrs.
Westlake. You will not want to miss this original production with
lots of nostalgic music premiering at Royal West!
Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 8 pm.
Lenten study begins. St. Philp’s Church. 8 pm.
MAR
Mon 5
Sun 11
March Break Madness. Please see page 16.
Pancake brunch. Tickets: 481-4871. St. Philp’s Church.
Tue 21
Wed 22
Thu 23
jeu 23
Wed 24
Sun 26
Tue 27
Photo: Janice Hamilton
Afernoon Labyrinth Walk. MW United Church. 2-4:30 pm.
Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 8 pm.
Classifieds
K IND AND C OMPASSIONATE
C AREGIVER AVAILABLE for
Seniors: Reliable, young
woman with experience and
lots of patience will provide
personalized care as required,
companionship, grocery
shopping, run errands and
accompany to appointments.
Available part-time or fulltime, flexible hours, with a
valid driver ’s licence if
needed. References available.
Call Debbie at 487-0052.
Schedule of
regular
Town Council
meetings
January
February
March
April
May
June
August
September
October
November
December
30
27
26
30
28
26
27
24
29
26
17
janvier
février
mars
avril
mai
juin
août
septembre
octobre
novembre
décembre
Below:
Contrasts: Two of the
photographs on display at
the Artists’ Showcase at the
Town Hall
Photo: Alex Brezenski
COMING EVENTS
24