Local Herald, Issue 1

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T H E

Local Herald West End’s Community Paper

Vo l u m e 3 , I s s u e 1 ,

Jan 13, 2012 Affordable Web Design Solutions

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Story and cover photo Bram D. Eisenthal

Boxer Lucia Larcinese: Passion and determination her mantra From the moment I first spied Lucia a few years ago, working out at my local gym with a determined gait and attitude, I knew she was a winner.

Then I heard her amazing story and I have since learned to respect her, as well as calling her my friend. Larcinese is her family name and she’s an Italian stallion, all right. Like any thoroughbred, however, she won’t ever give up… in her case, certainly not without a fight.

The 39-year old West End resident, who toils full-time as a nurse and union rep at Westmount One, discovered her love of boxing in 2002, after training with kickboxing champion Conrad Pla at Tri-Star gym.

One thing led to another and she segued into Olympic boxing, which led to her turning pro and having a dozen pro bouts on her card since her early thirties. Her record isn’t the subject of this story, however, and she admits it hasn’t necessarily been a dream ride.

cont. p4

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Love of what you do best is ever ything this New Year, really

Bram Eisenthal – The Local Seeker

I bid you welcome to the first issue of The Local Herald, which replaces The Local Seeker as the West End’s most unique community paper. In homage to our former moniker, I am retiring the title of my column, Briefly Bram, which I have been penning for various papers the past 20 years or so. From this time forth, my column will be known as The Local Seeker.

We changed the paper’s name, by the way, to make it a bit less confusing for those who thought we were aligned with a cult, or questioned what we were seeking. And we also pay homage to a defunct West End paper that ruled with excellent journalism and creativity from 1989 – 1991, starting as The Hampstead Herald. Hope you enjoy us as much as we enjoy bringing this to you…. Take one, we’re different! As for the choice of this issue’s cover profile, it’s no coincidence that I chose the West End’s premiere professional female pugilist, Lucia Larcinese. Her passion and fighting spirit inspires us, as well.

I am writing this just before New Year’s Eve, after watching a documentary on the late George Harrison, former Beatle and undoubtedly one of the most spiritual and talented men of his time. Quiet during the heyday of his band, someone who blended into the scenery, it becomes more and more obvious over time how essential George was to the success of his bandmates, Paul, John and Ringo.

George spent most of his life celebrating the Lord, without foisting his beliefs on others, and he truly shined on every single day until his death, when wife Olivia states on screen that he “lit the room” as his soul departed his body. On the advent of this New Year, that is what I wish for us all: A celebration of the things that unite us, rather than a focus on what divides us. I often meditate on my work as a writer, spurred on by the talents that God has given me. And I find it remarkable that I derive so much joy from the act of writing that I am saddened when I do anything else. It’s really not about money for me, because writing gives me such inner peace and happiness regardless of the financial rewards I receive. If I based my writing on how much I earned from it, I’d quit this very second.

Happy New Year to you all. And thanks to George Harrison, wherever his essence may reside currently, for reminding me that the appreciation of what I do is the most important aspect of my life. “My sweet Lord” is much more than three words of a song… it is everything, really.

A final word on Sol’s last call Sol Boxenbaum’s final column for us last issue, on Dec. 9, was probably his most controversial. And he echoed what many people have stated and certainly felt since the days when the Parti Quebecois began ruling in the 1970s: Yup, Sol compared the separatist movement to the Nazis. Nothing riles Quebec nationalists more than that analogy, but if you examine their anti-English policies and compare them to the way the Nazis ruled in the early days of their so-called “Thousand Year Reich” in the 1930s, well, the proof is in the pudding. No one – and I believe I can speak for Sol on this is saying that separatists are ruthless murderers and torturers hell-bent on wiping out a segment of humanity, as the Nazis attempted to do to the Jews. As for the English language, however, that is exactly what they have tried to do, eradicate the English language, as if it is some deadly, spreading virus. They are still hell-bent on accomplishing that very thing, in 2012!

You know, this debate is getting really long in the tooth. This is not the Middle East, where deep, religious hatreds lasting for thousands of years continue unabated. This is latter-day Quebec, a province of Canada in a country that is working just fine, thanks. And our two majority peoples, the French and English, get along just fine, too. Don’t fall into the separatist trap that causes a divisive rift where none exists.

To politicians, all I can say is remember who put you into office and, certainly, who can just as easily take you out. The tag-line for the excellent anarchist film V for Vendetta says it exquisitely: “People should not be afraid of their governments: Governments should be afraid of their people.”

‘Nuff said.

The paper you are holding in your hands is a celebration of creativity, my creativity and also that of the contributors who submit to this paper regularly with the same joy, in what is essentially a “leap of faith.” In my case, that is what helps me survive to write another day… the love of what I do. In fact, I am writing this at 6:00 a.m. on a weekday, just before I leave for my day job. If writing was work to me, believe me, I’d be doing anything BUT this column before departing for the office. And that, my friends, is what sets The Local Herald apart from many of the other community papers out there, some of which fail miserably on every scale other than their ability to bring in the bacon. One or two of these vehicles are nothing BUT ad vehicles gussied up as papers, the quality of their material so horrid that I wish there was a law under which to charge them.

So what I wish for us all this coming year is the realization, no matter how small, that joy in some aspect of our lives can achieve inner peace. It’s a hard, nasty world out there and we all have a right to be supremely riled.

Try not to give in to the ugly emotion of hate and replace that with love and positivity as often as possible. If you can discover which acts make you happiest, revel in them in abundance and try to exorcize some of that anger, as deserving as it may be.

The Local Herald West End Montreal Edition Volume 3, Number 1, December 9, 2011 Founded by Julia Lucio and Mai-Liis Renaud 2010 Published by Local Seeker Media Group, Cornwall, Ontario The Local Herald does not accept responsibility for errors, misprints or inaccuracies published within. The opinions and statements of our columnists are not to be presumed as the statements and opinions of The Local Seeker.

Managing Editor: Bram Eisenthal

THE LOCAL HERALD,

Creative Design: Julia Lucio

JAN 13 (pg. 2)

OUR CONTACT INFORMATION Free Classifieds and Advertising: 514-975-7745 EMAIL: bram@localheraldmontreal.com localheraldmontreal.com Mailing Address: 327 2nd Street E. Cornwall, On. K6H 1Y8 The Property Seeker A regular feature of The Local Herald West End Montreal Edition Professional Consultant - Anita Benabou Rozenblat

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Spiritual Seedlings - Father John Walsh

The economic vision. We need meaning in our lives. It is Max that Kalinowicz meaning gives direction to our lives. hangover Photo Credit The economic hangover from Christmas is born from the myth of “buy now, pay later.” The best remedy for any hangover is to avoid what caused it.

Another myth is that even when accumulated debts are beyond reach, we are living within our means. The hangover is more compounded and the headache becomes intolerable when the credit card is maxed out and that is spelt “broke.”

Success means becoming a better human being. Jeremy Rifkin, in his tome The Empathic Civilization – The Race To Global Consciousness In A World In Crisis, reminds us that, as children, we learn where we came from, that we have one and only life, that life is fragile and vulnerable and that one day we are going to die. He labels it our existential journey. To see life as fragile and vulnerable means that every moment is precious. Life is not easy - it is tough and the odds are not always on our side. We empathize with others when we feel their struggle and share each other’s desire to do their best. True happiness lies in a life where we have both the whiff of death and the innate desire to celebrate life.

Broke means bankrupt. Europe could fail and whole countries are bankrupt, broke.

As a society we are bankrupt not only of money but of ideas. We have abandoned the idea that money is the means to live a productive life, a life where people grow holistically: intellectually; physically; psychologically and spiritually. We have abandoned the idea that people can share the goods produced and that economic domination can be arrested. We have abandoned the idea that we are all equal and deserve respect of our dignity as human beings.

Our solidarity is expressed in our compassion. Think about it: There is no empathy in heaven because there is no mortality, there is no suffering. Empathy is grounded in the acknowledgement of death and the celebration of life. We need to cheer for and encourage each other. Empathy stretches our sensibility to cohere in larger social units. To empathize is to civilize – to civilize is to empathize. We can be compassionate. We can civilize the world. It begins when we avoid the economic hangover. It is better to give than to receive.

Try it… you’ll like it! And you will be amazed What are the major changes we can bring at how it changes the world. to our lifestyle? We need to develop a new

Letters From La La Land - Steven Goldman

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Working for Oprah proved to be the best medicine Well I’m out of work again. The hunt begins a-new. When you are working on a show or a film, time just seems to fly by... And fly it did!

I have spent the last few months working on a new show called Real Life: The Musical for Oprah’s OWN Network. I have to say I went into it not knowing what to expect and really expected nothing. I just knew I had never done anything like it - I love a challenge - and that is what I got.

No one has ever really made a show quite like this - it is quite original - and we had to figure a lot of things out on the fly. I had to be on my ‘A’ game while at the same time battling the lingering side effects of cancer treatment and more. These are not two things that usually go together well. Getting the proverbial “plenty of rest” was simply not an option for me, though I really needed to get some. When you need to work to survive...well you do what you must. I had no choice, I have a family to take care of. I had no time to be sick.

As stressful as the situation was for me both professionally and physically, I was so lucky to be surrounded by one of the greatest crews I have ever had the opportunity to work with. They made my life easier on every front. I know people always say things like that, but I mean it. There was a spirit on this show. There was a lot of love.

I think everyone believed we were doing good work, telling good stories, laughing, crying and making some special television. I felt at home. They became my second family and week by week I got better.

So much so, that people that did not know I was sick still saw a change in me!

Sadly, I can’t really talk about the show which premiers in June in the US, as it’s all hush hush, but the title alone should give you a clue that there will be musical numbers mixed with real life stories. What I can talk a little about is the technical challenge I faced. I had to be able to film a full blown musical number that was created on the day (by a most talented choreographer) in about 90 minutes, make it look huge, tell the emotional story and have time to make sure to capture climactic moment for each episode... And let me tell you, these climactic moments are special, heartfelt and surprising.

I had to draw on every tool in my director kit... and along the way I learned something about myself.

Working is the best medicine for me. My doctor agrees. He calls me a bull.

And so the hunt begins anew...

Steven Goldmann is a Hollywood director born and raised in Montreal’s West End. His very personal insights into La La Land are found exclusively in The Local Seeker.

THE LOCAL HERALD,

JAN 13 (pg. 3)

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Cover Stor y

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Boxer Lucia Larcinese: Passion and determination her mantra (continued from cover) “I’ve won some fights, certainly, but my record has been a bit of a disaster,” she admitted. “But that record includes two fights with women in their hometowns of Philly and Las Vegas. To beat someone in their town requires a knockout, or at least a severe beating… nothing else will suffice.”

From virtually the get-go, Grant Brothers Boxing – the West Island fighter’s shrine that is now part of the new Monster Gym mega-complex at 2101 Trans-Canada Hwy. in Dorval (tel: 514-421-1459, www.grantbrothersboxing.com) – has been Lucia’s second home. “It’s a tremendous place, filled with motivation and perspiration,” she told me. “And I am proud to say that (pro boxing legend) Otis Grant has been my trainer, something for which I am extremely thankful.”

different had she been a man. “Oh, absolutely, 100 percent,” he replied. “If she had been a guy she would be so much farther ahead. She is our only female client and, in Quebec in general, women boxers face an unbelievable uphill battle. She never quit, though, even attending training camp in Nevada and bonding with the American female pro boxers there. Heart is her middle name.”

I wanted to know whether he felt Lucia would be suited for training other woman after she retires in a year, 40 being the age when you’ve gotta hang them up for good in this sport. She already has one trainee and admitted that she’d be happy to train many more in her lifetime. “Lucia would be an excellent trainer,” Grant stated. “She knows the technical aspect and with any luck (and a sport that’s less of a boys’ club), she’d be a lot farther ahead.

“If I can give an honest appraisal of her career, I’d say that she trains harder than many others, but that once she signs a contract, she gets nervous.

Just let your training do the talking in the ring, is the advice I would give anyone looking to get into boxing.”

It also hasn’t hurt that Lucia has had good friend Abe Pervin in her corner. Now 92, Cote SaintLuc’s Pervin has been training young boxers since the 1940s and has given Lucia the benefit of his experience throughout her career.

While Lucia admits her frustration at not being permitted the shot she feels she has worked for and deserves, she hasn’t given up on her dream just yet. “What would I like most? I’d like to win a title on my 40th birthday!”

That’s on July 10th this coming summer, folks. I wouldn’t bet against her.

Drop into the Grant’s gym and your eyes will open in wonder, as fighters both amateur and professional beat the stuffing out of various bags and, of course, one another. On the day I took the cover photo that accompanies this story, I met Librado Andrade, who occasionally trains here and who lost a fight last year to Montreal-based world champion Lucien Bute. You realize very quickly that these are not simply the musclebound types you encounter at your local gym, but serious athletes who are one-man wrecking crews.

So, regarding the foxy female fury named Lucia, I asked Otis Grant what he first saw in her. “She first came to me through a shared family friend, who was sent to me by (gaming and entertainment lawyer) Mordon "Cookie" Lazarus,” Grant said.

“She wasn’t that experienced, but I saw she had a real passion for it and wanted to try, so I took her on. She was very, very driven and determined and, from my own career, I know there really IS no substitution for hard work and she was more than willing… I liked all of those qualities a lot.”

I asked him if her career would have been

Whole Grain Roll by Caryn Roll

A cookbook for every occasion!

In today’s rushed world it’s hard to find the time to do anything, let alone shop. Online shopping is a wonderful timesaver and nothing is more fun than receiving a package in the mail!

My favourite website for purchasing gifts for family and friends is www.amazon.ca. I love getting books for my peeps. I especially love giving and getting cookbooks. Cookbooks inspire healthy eating with wholesome ingredients.

Today’s cookbooks are filled with beautiful pictures and easy recipes, as opposed to the old days where there was hardly a picture in sight, no nutrition info and no guarantee the recipe would even come out. These days, there are a myriad of books out there on every

THE LOCAL HERALD,

cooking topic like gluten-free, Glycaemic Index for diabetes care, country cooking, part-time vegetarian, ethnic meals and many, many more.

The popularity of The Food Network in Canada and the USA has lead to many celebrity chef cookbooks. My all time favourite chef is Michael Smith. I love his cookbooks because he encourages creativity

by NOT using full-fledged recipes! Chef Smith’s “recipes” are starting points and he wants his readers to take his instructions into different directions.

Another popular trend is restaurants that publish cookbooks. For instance, owners of the popular Toronto resto, Fresh, have written several wonderful cookbooks based on their vegan recipes. Look for Ruth Tal and Jennifer Houston.

For kosher cooking, nothing beats Norene

JAN 13 (pg. 4)

Gilletz. I am still trying to locate a Sephardic kosher cookbook that can explain how to make a perfect salad cuite.

The aspiring chef MUST possess a copy of Joy of Cooking. Every recipe you would ever want to create is found in this cookbook. I often crossreference other recipes to JOC, just to make sure I understand what I am doing. If you are looking for more of a general all-around cookbook, check out the selections by Canadian Living. These recipes are known to be tested until perfect.

Finally, a local nutritionist, Catherine Lefebvre, has compiled a book filled with recipes from foodie bloggers. The idea was to collect vegetarian style recipes that would appeal to meat eaters. The book is called Carnivores Infideles - look for a recipe submitted by yours truly!

Caryn J. Roll P.Dt. (514.817.0135) Twitter: @MTRLnutrition Join me on Facebook www.montrealnutrition.com

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Business Banter

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Inspired Teaching at Yoga Gym Montreal

by Chantalle Kudsi When was the last time you stepped into an oasis right here in the West End of the city? An intimate yoga studio, where you can rejuvenate body and soul under the guidance of an authentic teacher, with personalized attention? Step into Yoga Gym, located on Pare just west of Decarie, and enter a world of Spirit-Fitness. Centrally-located with lots of free parking, the studio offers one-on-one Yoga Therapy, group Yoga classes and group Meditation classes, as well as Pilates. All of the teachers at the studio are experienced and knowledgeable, offering every student care and guidance. When I sat down to talk with founder and director Joanne Nowa, I was greeted by a gentle waft of incense, burning candles, and the call of chanting playing softly on a CD. Joanne has been practicing yoga and meditation since the age of 13. She lived in India for 13 years, studying Eastern philosophies and the arts of Yoga and Meditation, in the country where these practices find their roots. A certified Yoga Therapist, Meditation Therapist, Yoga Instructor, Holistic Fitness Coach and Holistic Nutritional and Weight Loss Consultant, Joanne opened Yoga Gym in Montreal in 2006.

well as mindfulness. So even as they are doing their postures, I really make sure that they also reinforce the knowledge of mindfulness which is very, very present in their breath [and], to the here and now… carrying that same principle not only on their mat, but being able to live it, moment-to-moment.

Q: What is your advice for people who, albeit curious, are tentative to set foot here?

A: For those who have never done Yoga before or who are seeking a therapy for either a physical or mental condition, I suggest they come for a private Yoga Therapy consultation. Yoga Therapy is done one-onone, customizing a program that is unique for each client. It uses the techniques and practices of Yoga, such as postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation. It's helpful for conditions such as anxiety, depression, addictions, lower back problems and digestive disorders, to name a few. People new to Yoga, who want to work on flexibility and become familiar with the postures and practices, could also benefit from starting with a Yoga Therapy session. When they feel ready, they could then join any of the group sessions being offered at the studio.

Q: How would you describe the atmosphere you have created here?

Q: What is some of the feedback you have received?

A: Well, I definitely love coming here every morning. It's a very intimate, quiet, tranquil space. There are some beautiful saris on the walls, giving it a bit of an Indian touch. When people walk in, they feel they can actually close the door and leave the world behind them. It's a feeling of being in one’s own space. This is what I wanted to realize, the concept of people being able to come somewhere and really experience an atmosphere where they want to meditate, where they want to practice, where they really feel an inner connection. I really believe this space provides that kind of peaceful atmosphere.

Q: What sort of people come to Yoga Gym? A: Professionals, homemakers, students...People of all fitness levels and age groups. People who are really open and want to find a connection to themselves. A very important part of why this studio, I feel, is special, is that it really integrates the mind, body and spirit, as

THE LOCAL HERALD,

JAN 13 (pg. 5)

When I started Yoga and Meditation, it just completed everything.

Physically, I felt better. Through the practice you absolutely feel stronger, more flexible and also more relaxed, calmer. And it gave me an open portal to a deeper meaning. I really do believe that's what they feel, as well - they have actually expressed to me that the Yoga has really brought great meaning to their lives… not only in the physical sense, but in every aspect, and it has affected everything they do.

Joanne Nowa's studio, Yoga Gym, is located at 5475 Pare St., (514) 9281981. Further information can be found at www.yogagymmontreal.ca. In addition to teaching, Joanne has developed a Meditation CD available for purchase through her studio. Also available are Yoga Gym Gift Cards and essential oils prepared by Joanne that address specific conditions of students and clients.

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Habs’ ‘second season’ full of questions2: Will Pierre Gauthier survive the season as the Canadiens general Manager?

In my view there are three big questions surrounding the Montreal Canadiens.

1: Will Randy Cunneyworth still be the coach of the team when the 2012/2013 season rolls around?

2: Will Pierre Gauthier survive the season as the Canadiens general Manager?

3: And, most importantly, will Andrei Markov return to play this season?

Protests over language? Really? The signs outside the Bell Centre on Saturday should have read: “Just Win Baby!” or “Gagne,” if you prefer. If Cunneyworth had been perfect as a head coach, do you honestly think there would be a protest over the language he speaks?

Good on Randy, he’s trying to learn French, and that’s all that should matter.

Meanwhile, Pierre Gauthier, what have you done for the Canadiens? You let Alex Auld go as the backup to Carey Price, yet signed the smaller and inferior Peter Budaj for more money. You allowed Jeff Halpern to walk, when he was one of your best penalty killers and defensive players, not to mention an excellent presence in the room. But who are we kidding, those moves pale in comparison to re-signing Andrei Markov to a three-year, $18.5 million contract. The sutures hadn’t even come out of his knee and you got his name to paper. This is a defenseman who has had two major reconstructions on his knee in the last 18 months, and has spent his career battling one injury or another. Yes, Markov is terrific when healthy. But when is he EVER healthy? And why pay him so much for so long? It’s not like the Canadiens can now go out and trade for another defenseman to fill the void until Markov’s possible return. Yet Gauthier somehow managed to do that, trading away the expiring contract of Jaroslav Spacek for Tomas Kaberle. Kaberle will cost the Canadiens at least $4.25 million in each of the next two seasons. How has he worked out so far? The power-play, previously simply struggling, is now the worst in the NHL. Speaking of Markov’s return, Pierre, great job handling that fiasco! First you told everyone that Markov would be back at the beginning of the season, then in early December. Then Markov goes on a road trip and everyone thinks his return is imminent. But wait, he disappears and no one says a word for three days.

Pierre, you have created a situation where everyone, media, fans and even his teammates, couldn’t wait for Markov’s return to the line-up. He was built up as some kind of Habs’ saviour, with expectations that everything would be alright with the Canadiens once #79 was on the ice again. Pierre, this may be the worst deal since the Toronto Maple Leafs took Mike Komisarek off our hands a couple of years ago. Remember how Markov made him look good?

Markov’s knee is being held together with titanium screws and will never be the same again. I had a knee reconstruction seven years ago and, while I’m not in the shape of a professional athlete, I know that you always “feel” that knee, no matter what. As we learned following Markov’s first operation, six months was too soon to come back on new knee ligaments. Now a successful arthroscopic procedure has Markov out for 4-6 weeks. Want to bet it will be the full six weeks, if not longer?

So, if Markov does return to health, and let’s not keep our fingers crossed anymore, then he can certainly help Cunneyworth and Gauthier keep their jobs.

Gauthier will be next to go in the summer, while Markov, his medical team, and Kaberle and his fat contract, have two years after that.

Fun with words

Spotlight on Sports by Paul Graif

I think it’s obvious that number 3 should also read: If yes, then the above questions become nul and void.

THE LOCAL HERALD,

JAN 13 (pg. 6)

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First click with Rick My good friend Bram asked me if I would like to do a column in the publication he takes great pride in and I agreed to become part of your lives.

I suppose my introduction will be just that, getting to know me. Then we can start with how photography inspires me, how I can make a difference in the world around me with my images, how I balance commercial work with my fine art work…

I was barely a decade old when my father brought home the Time-Life series of photography books. From the second I opened up that first silverand-black-bound square format masterpiece, my life changed. The images took me away and I became enthralled by the beauty of the art of photography. For years, I lay in bed and slowly turned the pages of each volume as I was introduced to the visions of Robert Frank, Alfred Eisenstadt, Gary Winogrand, Diane Arbus, Edward Steichen, Ernst Haas… in short, I was hooked.

The first camera I had was this amazingly modern-looking, white plastic Polaroid Swinger that my dad bought me when I was 8-years old in 1970.

It still sits on my shelf with one of the first images I pulled out from the back of that magical, instant camera (a monument taken out the bus window on a school field trip to Ottawa). I quickly realized that this passion was severely restricted by my father’s realization that the packets of film - combined with my desire to explore – presented somewhat of a serious financial obligation. And how much film could I afford at eight years old, anyhow? So sadly I think I only shot a few boxes of film. But the magic had now sank its hooks deeper inside of me. I was on my own.

a monument taken out the bus window on a school field trip to Ottawa

P

Photopheliac,

by Ricky Friedlander

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In my next column I will talk about my full circle from film, to digital, and back to film (Lomography) again, my use of old Kodak Brownie box cameras, and the famous plastic Holgas I use more than my fancy, digital SLRs.

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THE LOCAL HERALD,

JAN 13 (pg. 7)

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BUY or SELL your HOME in the

Property See ker

The We s t

Issue 1

E n d real estate section

Pre-approve yourself to avoid disappointment

Mortgage Matters

I hope all of you are rested and recharged from all those big holiday meals, vacation, and New Year's plans. It is time to get motivated as a fresh start is upon us!! Rates are still at an all-time low for 5 and 10 year terms. Most banks have already guaranteed their rates through until the end of July to motivate people to pre-approve themselves for new purchases. What this means is that you can verify how much "home can you afford". Many people don't realize how much they can spend on their home based on their down payment, family income, and existing liabilities.

Often, this can lead to real estate agents wasting their time showing people homes they cannot afford. It also leads to emotional difficulties because people often end up disappointed when they realize they can't afford the home of their dreams.

THE LOCAL HERALD,

Solution

T

ASSISTANCE

A X HELP

En retard à produire vos déclarations de revenus? Vous avez quelques années à rattraper? Nous pouvons vous aider!

Appelez-nous aujourd’hui!

Late with your tax returns?

Behind by a few years?

We can help!

Call Today!

514.461.3006

By pre-approving yourself, or at least speaking to a mortgage broker to discuss your financial situation, you are educating yourself beforehand to avoid any unnecessary expectations or disappointments.

Jason Zuckerman www.mortgageratesmontreal.com Hypotheca Mortgage Brokers (514) 771-1352 /1-800- 206-1350 jzuckerman@hypotheca.ca

JAN 13 (pg. 8)

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issue1_Layout 1 1/12/2012 1:19 PM Page 9

Home Sweet Home -

A n i t a B e n a b o u R o ze n b l a t

Should I buy or sell first If you are planning on selling your home and buying another, which should you do first? If you sell first, you'll be under time pressure to find another house quickly -- and may end up settling for less than you wanted, overpaying, or stuffing yourself and all your possessions into a hotel room until you can buy a new place. But, if you buy first, you'll have to scramble to sell your old house -- a particular problem if you need to get top dollar on your old house in order to make the down payment on the new one. And owning two houses at once is no treat either, even if it's for a short time. You'll have to worry about two mortgages -- in the unlikely event that a lender is even willing to offer you a mortgage for a second house before you've sold the first -- as well as twice the maintenance, and the security issues around leaving one house empty.

Here are some ways to minimize the financial and psychological downsides of selling one house while buying another:

ask the seller to make your purchase contract contingent upon your selling your current home. A seller having a hard time finding a buyer is likely to accept this contingency, even though it means waiting for you to find a buyer. Be ready to give the seller plausible reasons why your home will likely sell quickly. In case no seller is willing to accept this contingency, however, at least make sure you can arrange financing.

Talk to a mortgage broker about what you'll qualify for. Then be ready to act quickly to put your first home on the market after going ahead with buying a second one. There's a lot you can do ahead of time: Taking care of maintenance issues, going through files for the appliance manuals and other documents you'll give the buyer, choosing a real estate agent and possibly a home stager, and so forth.

Strategies in a Seller's Market In a hot market, selling your house will likely be easier than buying a new one. To make sure you don't end up house-less, you may want to start by looking for a house to buy,

Take the Housing Market's Temperature

then line up enough cash, using the strategies described below, to tide you over during the presumably short period where you own two houses at once.

Before putting your house on the market or committing to buying a new one, investigate the prices of houses in the areas where you'll be selling and buying. In order to figure out how to sell high and buy low, you'll need a realistic idea of how much comparable houses are going for. Also, focus on whether the local real estate market is "hot" (favours sellers) or "cold" (favours buyers). Since you're both a buyer and a seller, you'll need to protect yourself in your weaker role while making the most of your stronger role.

If you can't swing such an arrangement, however, you can negotiate with your house's buyer to have the sales contract include a provision making the closing contingent upon your finding and closing on a new house. Although few buyers will agree to an open-ended period, some will be so eager to buy your house that they'll agree to delay their closing until YOU close on a new house or until a certain number of days pass, whichever comes first. Also be sure to fully research the market before you sell, so that you'll be an efficient buyer, able to offer the right price on attractive terms.

Strategies in a Buyer's Market When the market is cold, you're in a stronger position as a buyer than as a seller. You've got your pick of lots of houses for sale, at reasonable prices. But you may have trouble selling yours. To protect yourself, you might start by buying a second house, but

Single Family Homes

Townhouses Townhousses

Anita Benabou Rozenblat www.anitabenabou.com

Semi-Detached Semi-D Detached Homes Ho

Condos

Signature Modelss | Custom B Built uiilt H Homes omes | Sin Single Family Lots Adjacent to the Cavendish Mall, just minutes from downtown.

The Dubelle Developments LtĂŠe.

THE LOCAL HERALD,

JAN 13 (pg. 9)

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CUISINE JAMAICAINE AUTHENTIQUE

CUISINE JAMAICAINE AUTHENTIQUE

www.anancyrestaurant.com LIVRAISON GRATUITE FREE DELIVERY

2

Jerk chicken/ Poulet Jerk . . . . . . . . .9.95$ Jerk chicken/ Poulet Jerk . . . . . . . 11.95$

Curried chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.95$ Cari de poulet

boneless/sans os

3 Fried chicken Poulet frit

4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.95$

5

6

Curry goat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95$ Cari de chèvre

7

Oxtail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95$ Queue de boeuf

8

Jerk Pork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.95$ Porc Jerk

WOOFED by: Allan Berbrier

Stewed chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.95$ Ragout de Poulet

Rum BBQ pork ribs . . . . . . . . 9.95$ Côtes levées de porc BBQ au Rhum

8265 Taschereau, Brossard

6587 Somerled Av. NDG

514 450 Tous les prix sont sujets à changement sans préavis. / All prices are subject to change without notice.

1

HEURES DE LIVRAISON DELIVERY HOURS 7 JOURS À PARTIR DE 16H30 7 DAYS FROM 4:30 PM

Bring home a taste of the carribean islands! Emmenez le goût des antilles chez vous!

LIVRAISON GRATUITE FREE DELIVERY

10

9 Red Snapper . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.95$ Vivaneau rouge

11

King fish Thazard

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.95$

12

Ackee & Saltfish. . . . . . . . . . . 12.95$ Ackee et morue

13

Creole or curry shrimp . . . 11.95$ Crevettes créoles ou au cari

14

Jerk chicken wrap. . . . . . . . . . 8.95$ Jerk wrap poulet

Roties : Vegetarian / Végétarien 6.50$

Chicken / Poulet 7.50$ Goat / Chèvre 8.50$

MEALS ARE SERVED WITH RICE & PEAS OR WHITE RICE, SOUP AND SALAD EXCEPT #13+14 LES REPAS SONT SERVIS AVEC RIZ AUX POIS OU RIZ BLANC, SOUPE ET SALADE SAUF #13+14

BOISSONS / DRINKS

EXTRAS Fried dumplings (3)

2.00 $

Festivals (3) Beef patty / Pâté au boeuf Fried plantains / Plantain frit Sweet potato fries

2.00 $ 2.00 $ 2.00 $ 2.95 $

Dumplings frit (3)

Frites de patate douce

Mango-carrot / Mangue-carotte Strawberry-banana / Fraise-banane Ting / Malta Pineapple-coconut / Ananas-noix de coco Kola champagne, Ginger Beer Pineapple / Ananas Pepsi, coke , 7 up

2.25 $ 2.25 $ 2.25 $ 2.25 $ 1.75 $ 1.75 $ 1.50 $

44 84 63 •• 28 67 27 97

NUZE

NOTE: We ran out of space our final issue of 2011, so we now present our esteemed pet columnist’s final column of last year, albeit a little late. If YOU have pet nuze to include in this column, contact Allan Berbrier, at mtl96@aol.com

DECEMBER 2 QUEBEC ANIMAUX sponsored La Guignolée de Noël pour Animaux at the ÉPICERIE ANIMAL VERT (1910 Gauthier St. 514-543-VERT(8378) www.animalvert.com) Collected were all types of food, treats, blankets & toys for cats, dogs, rabbits, etc. These precious items will be given to any registered rescue organizations that needs them.

DECEMBER 3 To thank all their loyal and supporting clients, CENTRE SPAWS hosted a free photo session with a professional pet photographer, Louise, (www.focuscanin.ca). Everyone received a free 5”x7” picture, as well as a numeric copy by e-mail. Happy Holidays from the SPAWs team.

DECEMBER 18 CENTRE SPAWS hosted an ADOPTION DAY for PAWS FOR LIFE. On hand were the best dogs in town! Many homeless dogs were present & available for their fur-ever homes and this was also an opportunity to chat with other animal lovers and help us save one animal at a time.

Don't shop..... ADOPT!!!

THE LOCAL HERALD,

JAN 13 (pg. 10)

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Epicurean Eatz with Evelyne Budkewitsch

Restaurant Anancy We are truly pampered by all the wonderful little restaurants in our part of town. Many of these places provide wonderful opportunities to take your taste buds on an ethnic food trip. A great place to start is Restaurant Anancy, which serves Caribbean food leaning heavily on Jamaican specialties. Great news: This place is a bring-your-own-wine (BYOB) establishment, always a great way to save a few bucks when dining out.

So what should one expect from a Caribbean and Jamaican menu? The answer is a little bit of everything, as the cuisine of the Caribbean islands is a fusion of indigenous, African, British, Indian, Asian and Chinese.

Seafood is predominant, of course, as well as chicken, meats and tropical fruits. Usually a main dish is served with a side of rice and peas, and perhaps a delicious slice or two of fried plantains.

The variety of entrees at Restaurant Anancy is rather extensive compared to most Caribbean restaurants. If you want to try a truly traditional dish go for the curry goat, oxtail stew with lima beans, brown stew chicken, ackee and salt fish (Jamaica’s national dish), and the most famous jerk chicken or pork. Jerk is the word used to describe the dryrub or marinated hot spice mix. Spice mix recipes vary from one household to the other on the islands but the most commonly-used spices are allspice, cloves, cinnamon, scallions, nutmeg, thyme, garlic, salt and lots of Scotch bonnet peppers.

There is also a nice selection of appetizers at excellent prices. Order a few and share. Make sure to order a glass of fruity and fragrant sorrel, a drink made from the Roselle plant, more commonly know as a hibiscus plant. If you prefer a drink with more kick go for the non-alcoholic homemade ginger beer. As far as desserts go, the options are pretty standard except for the coconut custard and tropical ice creams, depending on availability.

Anancy Restaurant 6587 Somerled Avenue Montreal, Quebec H4V 1T1 514-486-2629 For lots of recipes, ethnic food discoveries and Montreal restaurant reviews please visit my blog at http://www.cheapethniceatz.com

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of The Local Herald

We are working on our next issue and it will be out on January 27,2012

"The best Portuguese chicken around."

Sol Boxenbaum Last Call with Sol

THE LOCAL HERALD,

JAN 13 (pg. 11)

Deadline Friday, January 20 , t s e B 5pm m a Br The Local Herald West End Montreal’s most unique community paper.

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Quote as of January 9th, 2012 THE LOCAL HERALD,

JAN 13 (pg. 12)

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