local herald, issue 1

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Boxer Lucia Larcinese:

Passion and determination

her mantra

From the moment I first spied Lucia afew years ago, working out at my localgym with a determined gait andattitude, I knew she was a winner.Then I heard her amazing story and Ihave since learned to respect her, aswell as calling her my friend. Larcineseis her family name and she’s an Italianstallion, all right. Like anythoroughbred, however, she won’t evergive up… in her case, certainly notwithout a fight.

The 39-year old West End resident,who toils full-time as a nurse andunion rep at Westmount One,discovered her love of boxing in 2002,after training with kickboxingchampion Conrad Pla at Tri-Star gym.One thing led to another and shesegued into Olympic boxing, which ledto her turning pro and having a dozenpro bouts on her card since her earlythirties. Her record isn’t the subject ofthis story, however, and she admits ithasn’t necessarily been a dream ride.

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Happy New Year to you all. And thanks to George Harrison, wherever hisessence may reside currently, for reminding me that the appreciation ofwhat I do is the most important aspect of my life. “My sweet Lord” is muchmore 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 hismost controversial. And he echoed what many people have stated andcertainly felt since the days when the Parti Quebecois began ruling in the1970s: Yup, Sol compared the separatist movement to the Nazis. Nothingriles Quebec nationalists more than that analogy, but if you examine theiranti-English policies and compare them to the way the Nazis ruled in theearly days of their so-called “Thousand Year Reich” in the 1930s, well, theproof 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 onwiping out a segment of humanity, as the Nazis attempted to do to theJews. As for the English language, however, that is exactly what they havetried to do, eradicate the English language, as if it is some deadly,spreading virus. They are still hell-bent on accomplishing that very thing, in2012!

You know, this debate is getting really long in the tooth. This is not theMiddle East, where deep, religious hatreds lasting for thousands of yearscontinue unabated. This is latter-day Quebec, a province of Canada in acountry that is working just fine, thanks. And our two majority peoples, theFrench and English, get along just fine, too. Don’t fall into the separatisttrap 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 excellentanarchist film V for Vendetta says it exquisitely:

“People should not be afraid of their governments: Governments should beafraid of their people.”

‘Nuff said.

THE LOCAL HERALD, JAN 13 (pg. 2) FREE CLASSIFIED ADS: 514-975-7745 localheraldmontreal.com

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The Local Herald West End Montreal EditionVolume 3, Number 1, December 9, 2011Founded by Julia Lucio and Mai-Liis Renaud 2010Published 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.

I bid you welcome to the first issue of The Local Herald,which replaces The Local Seeker as the West End’smost unique community paper. In homage to ourformer moniker, I am retiring the title of my column,Briefly Bram, which I have been penning for variouspapers 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 makeit 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 adefunct West End paper that ruled with excellent journalism and creativityfrom 1989 – 1991, starting as The Hampstead Herald. Hope you enjoy us asmuch as we enjoy bringing this to you…. Take one, we’re different! As forthe choice of this issue’s cover profile, it’s no coincidence that I chose theWest End’s premiere professional female pugilist, Lucia Larcinese. Herpassion and fighting spirit inspires us, as well.

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

George spent most of his life celebrating the Lord, without foisting hisbeliefs 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 departedhis body. On the advent of this New Year, that is what I wish for us all: Acelebration of the things that unite us, rather than a focus on what dividesus. I often meditate on my work as a writer, spurred on by the talents thatGod has given me. And I find it remarkable that I derive so much joy fromthe act of writing that I am saddened when I do anything else. It’s really notabout money for me, because writing gives me such inner peace andhappiness regardless of the financial rewards I receive. If I based my writingon how much I earned from it, I’d quit this very second.

The paper you are holding in your hands is a celebration of creativity, mycreativity and also that of the contributors who submit to this paperregularly with the same joy, in what is essentially a “leap of faith.” In mycase, that is what helps me survive to write another day… the love of whatI do. In fact, I am writing this at 6:00 a.m. on a weekday, just before I leavefor my day job. If writing was work to me, believe me, I’d be doing anythingBUT this column before departing for the office. And that, my friends, iswhat sets The Local Herald apart from many of the other communitypapers out there, some of which fail miserably on every scale other thantheir ability to bring in the bacon. One or two of these vehicles are nothingBUT ad vehicles gussied up as papers, the quality of their material so horridthat 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 howsmall, that joy in some aspect of our lives can achieve inner peace. It’s ahard, 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 loveand positivity as often as possible. If you can discover which acts make youhappiest, revel in them in abundance and try to exorcize some of thatanger, as deserving as it may be.

Managing Editor: Bram Eisenthal Creative Design: Julia Lucio

OUR CONTACT INFORMATIONFree Classifieds and Advertising: 514-975-7745

EMAIL: [email protected]

Mailing Address: 327 2nd Street E. Cornwall, On. K6H 1Y8

The Property Seeker

A regular feature of The Local Herald West End Montreal EditionProfessional Consultant - Anita Benabou Rozenblat

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

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The economichangover The economichangover fromChristmas is born fromthe myth of “buy now,pay later.” The bestremedy for anyhangover is to avoidwhat caused it.Another myth is that

even when accumulateddebts are beyond reach, we are livingwithin our means. The hangover is morecompounded and the headache becomesintolerable when the credit card is maxedout and that is spelt “broke.”

Broke means bankrupt. Europe could failand whole countries are bankrupt, broke.As a society we are bankrupt not only ofmoney but of ideas. We have abandonedthe idea that money is the means to live aproductive life, a life where people growholistically: intellectually; physically;psychologically and spiritually. We haveabandoned the idea that people can sharethe goods produced and that economicdomination can be arrested. We haveabandoned the idea that we are all equaland deserve respect of our dignity ashuman beings.

What are the major changes we can bringto our lifestyle? We need to develop a new

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vision. We need meaning in our lives. It ismeaning that gives direction to our lives.Success means becoming a better humanbeing. Jeremy Rifkin, in his tome TheEmpathic Civilization – The Race To GlobalConsciousness In A World In Crisis, remindsus that, as children, we learn where we camefrom, that we have one and only life, that lifeis fragile and vulnerable and that one day weare going to die. He labels it our existentialjourney. To see life as fragile and vulnerablemeans that every moment is precious. Life isnot easy - it is tough and the odds are notalways on our side. We empathize withothers when we feel their struggle and shareeach other’s desire to do their best. Truehappiness lies in a life where we have boththe whiff of death and the innate desire tocelebrate life.

Our solidarity is expressed in ourcompassion. Think about it: There is noempathy in heaven because there is nomortality, there is no suffering. Empathy isgrounded in the acknowledgement of deathand the celebration of life. We need to cheerfor and encourage each other. Empathystretches our sensibility to cohere in largersocial units. To empathize is to civilize – tocivilize is to empathize. We can becompassionate. We can civilize the world. Itbegins when we avoid the economichangover. It is better to give than to receive.Try it… you’ll like it! And you will be amazedat how it changes the world.

Working forOprah proved to

be the best medicine

Well I’m out of work again. The hunt beginsa-new. When you are working on a show ora film, time just seems to fly by... And fly itdid!

I have spent the last few months working ona new show called Real Life: The Musical forOprah’s OWN Network. I have to say I wentinto it not knowing what to expect andreally expected nothing. I just knew I hadnever done anything like it - I love achallenge - 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 ofcancer treatment and more. These are not two things that usually gotogether well. Getting the proverbial “plenty of rest” was simply notan option for me, though I really needed to get some. When youneed 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 andphysically, I was so lucky to be surrounded by one of the greatestcrews I have ever had the opportunity to work with. They made mylife 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 goodstories, laughing, crying and making some special television. I felt athome. 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 achange in me!

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

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

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

And so the hunt begins anew...

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

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Boxer Lucia Larcinese:Passion and determinationher mantra (continued from cover)“I’ve won some fights, certainly, but my record hasbeen a bit of a disaster,” she admitted. “But thatrecord includes two fights with women in theirhometowns of Philly and Las Vegas. To beatsomeone in their town requires a knockout, or atleast 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 ofthe new Monster Gym mega-complex at 2101Trans-Canada Hwy. in Dorval (tel: 514-421-1459,www.grantbrothersboxing.com) – has beenLucia’s second home. “It’s a tremendous place,filled with motivation and perspiration,” she toldme. “And I am proud to say that (pro boxinglegend) Otis Grant has been my trainer,something for which I am extremely thankful.”

Drop into the Grant’s gym and your eyes will openin wonder, as fighters both amateur andprofessional beat the stuffing out of various bagsand, of course, one another. On the day I took thecover photo that accompanies this story, I metLibrado Andrade, who occasionally trains hereand who lost a fight last year to Montreal-basedworld champion Lucien Bute. You realize veryquickly that these are not simply the muscle-bound types you encounter at your local gym,but serious athletes who are one-man wreckingcrews.

So, regarding the foxy female fury named Lucia, Iasked Otis Grant what he first saw in her. “She firstcame to me through a shared family friend, whowas sent to me by (gaming and entertainmentlawyer) Mordon "Cookie" Lazarus,” Grant said.“She wasn’t that experienced, but I saw she had areal passion for it and wanted to try, so I took heron. She was very, very driven and determinedand, from my own career, I know there really IS nosubstitution for hard work and she was more thanwilling… I liked all of those qualities a lot.”

I asked him if her career would have been

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different had she been a man. “Oh, absolutely,100 percent,” he replied. “If she had been a guyshe would be so much farther ahead. She is ouronly female client and, in Quebec in general,women boxers face an unbelievable uphillbattle. She never quit, though, even attendingtraining camp in Nevada and bonding with theAmerican female pro boxers there. Heart is hermiddle name.”

I wanted to know whether he felt Lucia would besuited for training other woman after she retiresin a year, 40 being the age when you’ve gottahang them up for good in this sport. She alreadyhas one trainee and admitted that she’d behappy to train many more in her lifetime. “Luciawould be an excellent trainer,” Grant stated. “Sheknows the technical aspect and with any luck(and a sport that’s less of a boys’ club), she’d be alot farther ahead.

“If I can give an honest appraisal of her career, I’dsay that she trains harder than many others, butthat once she signs a contract, she gets nervous.Just let your training do the talking in the ring, isthe advice I would give anyone looking to getinto boxing.”

It also hasn’t hurt that Lucia has had good friendAbe Pervin in her corner. Now 92, Cote Saint-Luc’s Pervin has been training young boxerssince the 1940s and has given Lucia the benefitof his experience throughout her career.

While Lucia admits her frustration at not beingpermitted the shot she feels she has worked forand deserves, she hasn’t given up on her dreamjust yet. “What would I like most? I’d like to win atitle on my 40th birthday!”

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

A cookbook forevery occasion!

In today’s rushed world it’s hardto find the time to do anything,let alone shop. Onlineshopping is a wonderful time-

saver and nothing is more fun thanreceiving a package in the mail!

My favourite website for purchasing gifts forfamily and friends is www.amazon.ca. I lovegetting books for my peeps. I especially lovegiving and getting cookbooks. Cookbooksinspire healthy eating with wholesomeingredients.

Today’s cookbooks are filled with beautifulpictures and easy recipes, as opposed to theold days where there was hardly a picture insight, no nutrition info and no guarantee therecipe would even come out. These days, thereare a myriad of books out there on every

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

The popularity of The Food Network inCanada and the USA has lead to manycelebrity chef cookbooks. My all timefavourite chef is Michael Smith. I love hiscookbooks because he encourages creativityby NOT using full-fledged recipes! ChefSmith’s “recipes” are starting points and hewants his readers to take his instructions intodifferent directions.

Another popular trend is restaurants thatpublish cookbooks. For instance, owners ofthe popular Toronto resto, Fresh, have writtenseveral wonderful cookbooks based on theirvegan recipes. Look for Ruth Tal and JenniferHouston.

For kosher cooking, nothing beats Norene

Gilletz. I am still trying to locate a Sephardickosher cookbook that can explain how to makea perfect salad cuite.

The aspiring chef MUST possess a copy of Joy ofCooking. Every recipe you would ever want tocreate is found in this cookbook. I often cross-reference other recipes to JOC, just to makesure I understand what I am doing. If you arelooking for more of a general all-aroundcookbook, check out the selections byCanadian Living. These recipes are known to betested until perfect.

Finally, a local nutritionist, Catherine Lefebvre,has compiled a book filled with recipes fromfoodie bloggers. The idea was to collectvegetarian style recipes that would appeal tomeat eaters. The book is called CarnivoresInfideles - look for a recipe submitted by yourstruly!

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

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by Chantalle Kudsi

When was the last time you stepped into an oasis right here in theWest End of the city? An intimate yoga studio, where you canrejuvenate body and soul under the guidance of an authentic teacher,with personalized attention? Step into Yoga Gym, located on Pare justwest of Decarie, and enter a world of Spirit-Fitness. Centrally-locatedwith lots of free parking, the studio offers one-on-one Yoga Therapy,group Yoga classes and group Meditation classes, as well as Pilates. Allof the teachers at the studio are experienced and knowledgeable,offering every student care and guidance. When I sat down to talk withfounder and director Joanne Nowa, I was greeted by a gentle waft ofincense, burning candles, and the call of chanting playing softly on aCD. Joanne has been practicing yoga and meditation since the age of13. She lived in India for 13 years, studying Eastern philosophies andthe arts of Yoga and Meditation, in the country where these practicesfind their roots. A certified Yoga Therapist, Meditation Therapist, YogaInstructor, Holistic Fitness Coach and Holistic Nutritional and WeightLoss Consultant, Joanne opened Yoga Gym in Montreal in 2006.

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

A: Well, I definitely love coming here every morning. It's a veryintimate, quiet, tranquil space. There are some beautiful saris on thewalls, giving it a bit of an Indian touch. When people walk in, they feelthey can actually close the door and leave the world behind them. It'sa 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 reallyexperience an atmosphere where they want to meditate, where theywant to practice, where they really feel an inner connection. I reallybelieve 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 levelsand age groups. People who are really open and want to find aconnection to themselves. A very important part of why this studio, Ifeel, is special, is that it really integrates the mind, body and spirit, as

well as mindfulness. So even as they are doing their postures, I reallymake sure that they also reinforce the knowledge of mindfulnesswhich 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 tolive it, moment-to-moment.

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

A: For those who have never done Yoga before or who are seeking atherapy for either a physical or mental condition, I suggest they comefor a private Yoga Therapy consultation. Yoga Therapy is done one-on-one, customizing a program that is unique for each client. It uses thetechniques 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 flexibilityand become familiar with the postures and practices, could alsobenefit from starting with a Yoga Therapy session. When they feelready, they could then join any of the group sessions being offered atthe studio.

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

When I started Yoga and Meditation, it just completed everything.Physically, I felt better. Through the practice you absolutely feelstronger, more flexible and also more relaxed, calmer. And it gave mean open portal to a deeper meaning. I really do believe that's whatthey feel, as well - they have actually expressed to me that the Yogahas really brought great meaning to their lives… not only in thephysical sense, but in every aspect, and it has affected everything theydo.

Joanne Nowa's studio, Yoga Gym, is located at 5475 Pare St., (514) 928-1981. Further information can be found at www.yogagymmontreal.ca. Inaddition to teaching, Joanne has developed a Meditation CD available forpurchase through her studio. Also available are Yoga Gym Gift Cards andessential oils prepared by Joanne that address specific conditions ofstudents and clients.

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Habs’ ‘second season’ full of questions2: Will Pierre Gauthier survive theseason 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?

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

Protests over language? Really? The signs outside the Bell Centre on Saturday should have read: “Just Win Baby!” or “Gagne,” if youprefer. 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 PeterBudaj 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 excellentpresence 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 sutureshadn’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 18months, 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 muchfor 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 somehowmanaged 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 ofthe 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 inearly 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 assome 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 worstdeal 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 inthe 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 comeback 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.

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First click with RickMy good friend Bram asked me if I would like to do a column in thepublication he takes great pride in and I agreed to become part of yourlives.

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

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

The first camera I had was this amazingly modern-looking, white plasticPolaroid 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 theback of that magical, instant camera (a monument taken out the buswindow on a school field trip to Ottawa). I quickly realized that thispassion was severely restricted by my father’s realization that the packetsof film - combined with my desire to explore – presented somewhat of aserious financial obligation. And how much film could I afford at eightyears old, anyhow? So sadly I think I only shot a few boxes of film. But themagic had now sank its hooks deeper inside of me. I was on my own.

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

514-756-8687 http://montrealphotographytour.com/ www.friedlanderphotography.com

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

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I s s u e 1

BUY or SELL your HOME in the

Property Seeker

I hope all ofyou arerested andrechargedfrom allthose big

holiday meals, vacation, andNew Year's plans. It is time toget motivated as a fresh startis upon us!! Rates are still atan all-time low for 5 and 10year terms. Most banks havealready guaranteed theirrates through until the end ofJuly to motivate people topre-approve themselves fornew purchases. What thismeans is that you can verifyhow much "home can you

afford". Many people don't realizehow much they can spend on theirhome based on their downpayment, family income, andexisting liabilities.

Often, this can lead to real estateagents wasting their time showingpeople homes they cannot afford. Italso leads to emotional difficultiesbecause people often end updisappointed when they realize theycan't afford the home of theirdreams.

The West End real estate section

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By pre-approving yourself, or atleast speaking to a mortgagebroker to discuss your financialsituation, you are educatingyourself beforehand to avoid anyunnecessary expectations ordisappointments.

Jason Zuckerman

www.mortgageratesmontreal.com

Hypotheca Mortgage Brokers

(514) 771-1352 /1-800- 206-1350

[email protected]

Solution

Late with your tax returns?

Behind by a few years?

We can help!

Call Today!

En retard à produire vos déclarations derevenus? Vous avez quelques années àrattraper? Nous pouvons vous aider!

Appelez-nous aujourd’hui!

514.461.3006

ASSISTANCE

T XAH E L P

Pre-approve yourself to avoid disappointment

issue1_Layout 1 1/12/2012 1:19 PM


If you are planning on selling your home andbuying another, which should you do first? Ifyou sell first, you'll be under time pressure tofind another house quickly -- and may end upsettling for less than you wanted, overpaying,or stuffing yourself and all your possessionsinto a hotel room until you can buy a new

place. But, if you buy first, you'll have to scramble to sell yourold house -- a particular problem if you need to get top dollar onyour old house in order to make the down payment on the newone. And owning two houses at once is no treat either, even if it'sfor a short time. You'll have to worry about two mortgages -- inthe unlikely event that a lender is even willing to offer you amortgage for a second house before you've sold the first -- aswell as twice the maintenance, and the security issues aroundleaving one house empty.

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

Take the Housing Market's Temperature

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

Strategies in a Buyer's Market

When the market is cold, you're in a stronger position as a buyerthan as a seller. You've got your pick of lots of houses for sale, atreasonable prices. But you may have trouble selling yours. Toprotect yourself, you might start by buying a second house, but

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task the seller to make your purchase contract contingent upon yourselling your current home. A seller having a hard time finding a buyer islikely to accept this contingency, even though it means waiting for youto find a buyer. Be ready to give the seller plausible reasons why yourhome will likely sell quickly. In case no seller is willing to accept thiscontingency, however, at least make sure you can arrange financing.Talk to a mortgage broker about what you'll qualify for. Then be ready toact quickly to put your first home on the market after going ahead withbuying a second one. There's a lot you can do ahead of time: Taking careof maintenance issues, going through files for the appliance manualsand other documents you'll give the buyer, choosing a real estate agentand 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 anew one. To make sure you don't end up house-less, you may want tostart by looking for a house to buy,

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

If you can't swing such an arrangement, however, you can negotiatewith your house's buyer to have the sales contract include a provisionmaking the closing contingent upon your finding and closing on a newhouse. Although few buyers will agree to an open-ended period, somewill be so eager to buy your house that they'll agree to delay theirclosing until YOU close on a new house or until a certain number of dayspass, whichever comes first. Also be sure to fully research the marketbefore you sell, so that you'll be an efficient buyer, able to offer the rightprice on attractive terms.

Anita Benabou Rozenblatwww.anitabenabou.com

Signature Models | Custom Built Homes | Single Family LotsAdjacent to the Cavendish Mall, just minutes from downtown.

Single Family Homes Townhouses Semi-Detached Homes Condos

s | Custom BBuiiilllt HHHomes | Sin

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The Dubelle Developments Ltée.

Should I buy or sell first

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Jerk chicken/ Poulet Jerk . . . . . . . . .9.95$Jerk chicken/ Poulet Jerk . . . . . . .11.95$boneless/sans os

Fried chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9.95$Poulet frit

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

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

1

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

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

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

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

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CUISINE JAMAICAINE AUTHENTIQUECUISINE JAMAICAINE AUTHENTIQUE

www.anancyrestaurant.com

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LIVRAISON GRATUITE FREE DELIVERY

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

Ackee & Salt�sh . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95$Ackee et morue

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

King �sh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.95$Thazard

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

Roties : Vegetarian / Végétarien 6.50$

Chicken / Poulet 7.50$ Goat / Chèvre 8.50$

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

BOISSONS / DRINKSMango-carrot / Mangue-carotte 2.25 $Strawberry-banana / Fraise-banane 2.25 $Ting / Malta 2.25 $Pineapple-coconut / Ananas-noix de coco 2.25 $Kola champagne, Ginger Beer 1.75 $Pineapple / Ananas 1.75 $Pepsi, coke , 7 up 1.50 $

EXTRASFried dumplings (3) 2.00 $Dumplings frit (3)Festivals (3) 2.00 $Beef patty / Pâté au boeuf 2.00 $Fried plantains / Plantain frit 2.00 $Sweet potato fries 2.95 $Frites de patate douce

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CUISINE JAMAICAINE AUTHENTIQUECUISINE JAMAICAINE AUTHENTIQUE

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LIVRAISON GRATUITE FREE DELIVERY

WOOFED by: Allan Berbrier

NOTE: We ran out of space our final issue of 2011,so we now present our esteemed pet columnist’sfinal column of last year, albeit a little late. If YOUhave pet nuze to include in this column, contactAllan Berbrier, at [email protected]

DECEMBER 2

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

DECEMBER 3

To thank all their loyal and supporting clients, CENTRESPAWS hosted a free photo session with a professionalpet photographer, Louise, (www.focuscanin.ca). Everyonereceived a free 5”x7” picture, as well as a numeric copy bye-mail. Happy Holidays from the SPAWs team.

DECEMBER 18

CENTRE SPAWS hosted an ADOPTION DAY for PAWSFOR LIFE. On hand were the best dogs in town! Manyhomeless dogs were present & available for their fur-everhomes and this was also an opportunity to chat with otheranimal lovers and help us save one animal at a time.

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

NUZE


issue1_Layout 1 1/12/2012 1:19 PM


We hope you have enjoyedthis issue of

The Local Herald

We are working on our

next issue and it will be

out on

January 27,2012

Deadline

Friday, January 20

5pm

The Local HeraldWest End Montreal’s most unique

community paper.

"The best

Portuguese

chicken around."

Sol Boxenbaum

Last Call with Sol

Best,

Bram

Restaurant Anancy We are truly pampered by all the wonderful littlerestaurants in our part of town. Many of these placesprovide wonderful opportunities to take your tastebuds on an ethnic food trip. A great place to start isRestaurant Anancy, which serves Caribbean foodleaning 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 whendining out.

So what should one expect from a Caribbean and Jamaican menu? Theanswer is a little bit of everything, as the cuisine of the Caribbean islandsis a fusion of indigenous, African, British, Indian, Asian and Chinese.Seafood is predominant, of course, as well as chicken, meats and tropicalfruits. Usually a main dish is served with a side of rice and peas, andperhaps a delicious slice or two of fried plantains.

The variety of entrees at Restaurant Anancy is rather extensivecompared to most Caribbean restaurants. If you want to try a trulytraditional dish go for the curry goat, oxtail stew with lima beans, brownstew chicken, ackee and salt fish (Jamaica’s national dish), and the mostfamous jerk chicken or pork. Jerk is the word used to describe the dry-rub or marinated hot spice mix. Spice mix recipes vary from onehousehold to the other on the islands but the most commonly-usedspices 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 afew and share. Make sure to order a glass of fruity and fragrant sorrel, adrink made from the Roselle plant, more commonly know as a hibiscusplant. If you prefer a drink with more kick go for the non-alcoholichomemade ginger beer. As far as desserts go, the options are prettystandard 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 reviewsplease visit my blog at http://www.cheapethniceatz.com

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Quote as of January 9th, 2012

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