MikeCohen.ca

New owners again for the Delly Boys

The Famous Delly Boys Restaurant has changed ownership for the second time in three years. In the spring of 2007 original owners Guido (Chico ) and Sonny Broccoli sold the business to Sam Koniaris, and two partners. The Broccoli brothers stayed on for a while to ease the transition while Sam in particular made a special effort to get to know the clientele and maintain the tradition of Cöte Saint-Luc’s oldest restaurant. It is the same age as me – 47 – established in 1962.

Sam and company made some visible changes, adding a delicious-looking glass dessert display case, large flat screen television, the Interac payment option and a new glossy takeout menu. . All of the items we have grown to love remained: smoked meat and other deli delights, club rolls, their famous party sandwiches, pizza burgers, chicken, veal, fish, steak, ribs, pasta and salads.

As of January, the Famous Delly Boys are in new hands. Tahir Lifanov, his brother Kharson and their mother Fatima have purchased the restaurant. Tahir is the front man, having begun working there himself only a few months ago. He is personable and already familiar with their regulars. Of course many of the folks who have been dining at this spot for decades are enjoying their winter in Florida and will only be back in late March.

Many years ago, when the Cavendish Mall was looking for a anchor restaurant to replace Pumperniks, there were talks to move the Delly Boys from their Westminster Avenue strip mall location. It seems that someone in the Mall ownership group was not in favor of this (clearly not a good decision). Instead, Chilis, Sternz Rhapsody and then Jakes set up shop and failed. The Mall has not had an established restaurant since then. There is no telling if they ever will, given the fact they will soon demolish at least 40 percent of the property in order to make way for a housing development. The Delly Boys would have been an excellent fit.

As for Chico and Sonny, I am told they have resurfaced at another restaurant in the West End.

Famous Delly Boys is located at 5509 Westminster. The phone number is 514-484-8555.

New JPPS $7 A DAY FACILITY GRAND OPENING

 

The Jewish People's and Peretz Schools (JPPS) $7 a day daycare has opened a beautiful, brand new facility on Westminster Avenue. Businessman Jack Vincelli took care of the construction and is the happy landlord. Director Randi Zuker (pictured with us above) and her team held a grand opening Dec. 7. Members of city council and Mayor Anthony Housefather were in attendance. Congratulations to all on a fabulous looking venue.

The tragedy of Hila Zohar

I attended the funeral of Hila Zohar (pictured below), the beautiful four year old girl who drowned tragically this week at  Parkhaven Pool. Councillors Mitchell Brownstein and Dida Berku were there, as were some city staff. Our hearts break for the family. Hila passed away the day before and there was no notice in the newspaper. Nonetheless, Paperman and Sons was nearly full with mourners. Most of those people on hand did not know the Zohar family. A neighbour of mine was among that group. As he looked at the crowd leaving the funeral home he remarked , "What an incredible community this is to provide this kind of support to the family." 

The Canadian Writers Society and their CSL connection

Welcome aboard to the Canadian Writers  Society. Coordinators Rosalie Avigdor (of Cöte Saint-Luc)  and Joseph Mannella are now connected to our Parks and Recreation Department. Beginning this fall the  group will be meeting once a month on Thursday evenings (8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.) in Chalet Number One of Pierre Elliot Trudeau Park (6975 Mackle Road). The official starting date will be announced soon.
 
The Society welcomes anyone interested in furthering their knowledge of the art of putting one’s imagination onto a written page, from unpublished writers to published authors, from doctors to lawyers to merchants to chiefs, from youngsters to oldsters and anyone in between. Yearly membership is only  $25. Plans include holding writing courses, special events, and evenings to exercise the imagination in all of us. There will also be lectures open to the public.

Check their website out at www.canadianwriterssociety.com  or email canadianwriterssociety@hotmail.com.

A wonderful Spring Fair in CSL

The second annual Côte Saint-Luc Spring Fair took place on Sunday, May 24 at and around Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park on Mackle Rd. This extraordinary event included the Côte Saint-Luc Garage Sale, Emergency Services Day, the Public Works Fair, and EcoAction Day. By combining four popular events, we have created a destination for people of all ages to spend an hour or two. As our mayor so correctly points out, "An event like the Spring Fair helps create a sense of community and provides the residents of Côte Saint-Luc with a memorable experience."

 Police Station 9 Commander Sylvain Bissonnette, Councillor Cohen and CSL Public Security Chief Michel Martel.

There were 60 tables at the Garage Sale, all of which sold out soon after becoming available. This took place at the covered Confederation Annex building. District 2 resident Erwin Luden, for one, barely had anything left to sell at his station when I visited near closing time.

Emergency Services Day took place at the parking lot of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park and featured emergency vehicles for kids to climb into. Kids and adults were also able to speak to police officers, fire fighters, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) lifesavers, Public Security constables, Volunteer Citizens on Patrol (VCOP) and other members of the safety services. At one point during the day EMS instructors demonstrated how to stop someone from choking by performing the Heimlich manoeuvre. One VCOP on hand was District 2 resident Jason Balinksky and his trusted German Shepherd Ginny.

VCOP and District 2 resident Jason Balinsky and his dog Ginny kept watch at the Public Works Fair.

The Public Works Fair took place next to the Public Works Building and featured barbecue food, inflatable games for kids, arts and crafts, and more. Donations were being accepted for the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Finally, EcoAction Day took place next to the Public Works Building. Visitors learned about recycling and curb-side compost collection, received free garden compost, and were able to drop off household hazardous waste. Kids learned about composting and how to make a zero-waste lunch.

Mother Nature was most cooperative once again this year. The weather could not have been nicer.

A Successful Blood Donor Clinic in CSL

 Laura Trihas from the Parks and Recreation Department gives the gift of life as Councillor Cohen looks on with volunteers Morty Randolph and Cheryl Nashen.

Congratulations to Councillor Ruth Kovac, the staff at the Parks and Recreation Department and our numerous volunteers for another successful Côte Saint-Luc Blood Donor Clinic. It was held on May 5 at the City Gymnasium and we collected 132 pints of blood, surpassing our objective of 125. Thanks as well to members of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Volunteer Citizens on Patrol (VCOPs) for their contributions throughout the day. Legendary broadcaster Dick Irvin even dropped by as a special guest during the day. His special lady friend is Terri Druick, whom for years was our assistant director of Parks and Recreation. When I visited I was happy to chat with Morty Randolph. I go back 30 plus years with Morty, when he was an active volunteer in the local minor baseball and hockey programs. He moved away from Côte Saint-Luc when his kids grew up, but recently returned. In addition, he also had heart bypass surgery – a life changing moment which has him thinking much more about his health. When he heard about the Blood Donor Clinic he knew he had to give a hand.

Intercommunity Relations Committee Meeting of Dec. 2, 2008

 

Seated front row: Councillor Mitchell Brownstein; Rabbi Moise Ohana, spiritual leader, Congregation Or Hahayim; Councillor Mike Cohen, Intercommunity Relations Committee Chair; Councillor Allan J. Levine

Standing left to right: Arnold Rosner, Canadian Magen David Adom for Israel; Sharon Bitensky, B’nai Brith Canada; David Smajovits, JPPS-Bialik; Momy Bouzaglou, president, Congregation Or Hahayim; Sheldon Weinstein, executive director, Beth Zion Congregation; Roger Dahan, executive director, Congregation Or Hahayim; Ruth Najman, Agence Ometz; Brita Brown, CSSS Cavendish; Claire Valiquette,  CSSS Cavendish;  Joseph Panunto, St. Richard’s Parish; Armand Moyal, Congregation Kol Yehuda; Tye Hunt, Assistant Waste, Environment and Safety Technician for the City of Côte Saint-Luc; Rabbi Yehuda Benoliel, Cong. Juive Francophone Chouva Israel.

Côte Saint-Luc Intercommunity Relations Committee
Meeting of Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Congregation Sépharade Or Hahayim
5700 avenue Einstein
  

Attendance : Councillor Mike Cohen (Chair),  Councillor Mitchell Brownstein, Councillor Allan J. Levine,  Rabbi Moïse Ohana (spiritual leader, Congregation Or Hahayim), Momy Bouzaglou          (president, Congregation Or Hahayim),  Roger Dahan (executive director, Congregation Or Hahayim) Arnold Rosner (Canadian Magen David Adom for Israel),  Sharon Bitensky (B’nai Brith Canada), David Smajovits (JPPS-Bialik), Sheldon Weinstein ( executive director, Beth Zion Congregation),   Ruth Najman (Agence Ometz), Brita Brown ( CSSS Cavendish),  Claire Valiquette (CSSS Cavendish), Joseph Panunto ( St. Richard’s Parish), Armand Moyal  (Congregation Kol Yehuda), Tye Hunt, (Assistant Waste, Environment and Safety Technician for the City of Côte Saint-Luc),  Rabbi Yehuda Benoliel, ( Cong. Juive Francophone Chouva Israel), Howard Magonet (Federation CJA)

1. Introductions

Councillor Cohen welcomed all to the meeting and thanked Rabbi Ohana and the administration of Or Hahayim for hosting this meeting. He noted that this committee meets twice a year, bringing together representatives from community organizations and institutions operating within the city. Past meetings have been hosted by the Maimonides Geriatric Centre,  Beth Zion Congregation and CSSS Cavendish. This body represents an excellent opportunity to gain new contacts, learn more about initiatives being taken by the city and share information. Councillor Brownstein  represents District 7, where Or Hahayim is situated. He credited Rabbi Ohana for inspiring the creation of this committee, noting that the rabbi had suggested meetings with  councillors and community leaders would be a plus. Councillor Cohen took this idea and ran with it upon his election three years ago.  Councillor Brownstein said that he has had an excellent and longstanding relationship with Or Hahayim since he was first elected in 1990.
Everyone around the table was given an opportunity to introduce themselves.

2. Words of Welcome from Rabbi Ohana

Rabbi Ohana gave everyone on hand a copy of a beautiful agenda book prepared by his synagogue and Nahar Shalom Congregation in Hampstead.  He expressed his appreciation for the work being done by the mayor and city council and for the cooperation always shown with his synagogue.  The quality of Jewish life in Côte Saint-Luc, he said, is wonderful.  Rabbi Ohana explained that he was born in Morocco and came to Montreal via City University of New York to become principal of École Maimonide in Côte Saint-Luc. He eventually assumed the pulpit at an expanding Or Hahayim, which is now 30 years old and has a  membership of about 400 families – mainly Sephardic and French speaking.

3. Update on Côte Saint-Luc issues

Councillor Levine provided a brief update on the Cavendish Mall dossier  and previewed the February winter carnival while Councillor Brownstein spoke about the new double left turn on Cavendish and Fleet, the new collective agreement the city will sign with its workers and  positive developments that continue to occur three years post demerger from the city of Montreal. Darryl Levine spoke about the new street signs that will soon be up across the city.

4. Brown Bin Lecture Circuit

Tye Hunt, Assistant Waste, Environment and Safety Technician for   Côte Saint-Luc, gave a  much appreciated overview of the city’s new brown bin project and volunteered to come speak to any organization.  There was some interest in the room for him, in fact, to come to do that. Tye’s presentation also solicited  a number of good questions.

5. Ometz - The Good Food Box

Ruth Najman from Agence Ometz, which caters to many new Jewish immigrants residing in Côte Saint-Luc, spoke about a program called The Good Food Box  -   a food security program that has been serving the Notre-Dame-de-Grace community since September 2003 and   became a regional program in 2007. The idea arose from a conference held in March 2002 where a number of community groups from the area agreed that a collective food-buying program would be the next logical step to address food security and make healthy food more accessible in the area.  Moisson Montreal coordinates the regional Good Food Box program in collaboration with an advisory committee made up of Aliment’Action & CLSC – St-Michel, the NDG Food Depot & TCSA, Federation CJA, TCSA – Côte-des-Neiges, La Table CIGAL & Rencontre cuisine 25– Centre-Sud, Table de quartier du Nord-Ouest de Montréal – Pierrefonds, La Corbeille – Bordeaux-Cartieville, SESAME – Mercier-Est. Ruth now overseas the Federation CJA part of the operation. She explained how environmentally friendly this program is. For example, damage to the environment from transporting food over long distances is greatly diminished by buying locally. According to one study conducted in Arizona, if only one tenth of their food was produced locally, hundreds of thousands of gallons of fossil fuel would be saved and carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by millions of pounds. She put out a call for someone from Côte Saint-Luc to be willing to help out and serve as a depot for the program. She  was connected with Tye Hunt who will invite her to a meeting of the Eco Action Committee. Tye believes there would be support on that committee for the initiative.

6. Update from organizations on activities of interest

St. Richard’s Parish  has turned 45 and is undergoing significant renovations. They also have a new priest, Father Lou Curelli. Mr. Panunto expressed interest in hosting a future meeting.

Copies of the new CSSS Cavendish magazine were circulated. The CSSS Cavendish is in mourning following  the murder of one of its doctors, Michael Moss, in Mumbai. Next May the CSSS Cavendish plans to hold a health forum and it wishes to involve the city.

Sheldon Weinstein recently assumed his post at Beth Zion, after retiring as principal of Herzliah St. Laurent. He noted that Beth Zion has a large scale renovation underway at its banquet hall and roof. Rabbi Ira  Ebbin, who hosted a meeting with this group last year, will be formally installed at a ceremony May 3.

Arnold Rosner of Magen David Adom for Israel expressed interest in working with the city in its May blood donor clinic.  In Israel, this is part of its mandate.

Rabbi Benoliel spoke about his congregation on Parkhaven, noting it attracts a lot of youth. He asked that the city consider organizing more programs for religious Jews, such as  possible special swim times at the pool. Armand Moyal said that his small congregation on Baily Road has 30 families.

David Smajovits said that the Bialik facility on Kildare continues to expand. Phase 1 of the expansion added a fourth floor, which will soon house the JPPS-Bialik head office, currently located at Decarie Square. Phase 2 will involve an athletics and performing arts facility.

Sharon Bitensky noted that B’nai Brith recently relocated from Decarie Square to the Côte Saint-Luc Shopping Centre.  She asked for assistance from the French speaking educators in the room to help in Operation Thank You in which students write letters to Canadian soldiers overseas. She also spoke about a group she runs for 40 to 50 new families from Argentina and Latin America. These people reside in Côte Saint-Luc and once a month they convene for meetings. She is always seeking guest speakers and later spoke to Tye Hunt about doing so.

7. Tour of the facility

Once again Councillor Cohen thanked Rabbi Ohana for hosting this meeting. The  rabbi then took everyone for a tour of the beautiful facility.

 
 

District Council Meeting on Public Safety

Pictured left to right: Councillor Glenn J. Nashen, Mayor Anthony Housefather, Audrey Miette of EMS, Chief Michel Martel, Sergeant France Denault, Councillor Mike Cohen. Seated are VCOPs Lewis Cohen and Susie Schwartz.

 

 

The following is a summary of my District Council meeting on Public Safety.

 

DISTRICT 2 COUNCIL MEETING

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008

Côte Saint-Luc City Hall Council Chamber

1. INTRODUCTION

More than 50 people were in attendance from District 2 and other parts of the community. This meeting was co-chaired by District 2 Councillor Mike Cohen and District 6 Councillor Glenn J. Nashen. Councillor Cohen noted that he has been holding these type of meetings for his constituents on a twice a year basis since his election three years ago. In this case, since the theme was Public Safety, he asked Councillor Nashen to join him. Not only does Councillor Nashen oversee the Public Safety portfolio, he also has several decades of hands on experience with the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and was the creator of the successful new Volunteer Citizens on Patrol (VCOP) program. Councillor Cohen thanked Montreal Police Station 9 Sergeant France Denault, Public Security Chief Michel Martel, Mayor Anthony Housefather, VCOP representatives Lewis Cohen and Susie Schwartz and Audrey Miette of EMS for agreeing to take part in this most comprehensive meeting.

Councillor Nashen introduced himself to the audience, noting that he first got involved with the city through EMS (then known as Emergency Medical Organization or EMO) 30 years ago when he was in high school. He was first elected to council in 1990. Over the years he has also worked as an emergency medical technician with the Quebec ambulance system. EMS has been his greatest passion. When he was elected he brought up the professionalism of the organization by insisting that a full-time staff director be hired. "Saving EMS," he said, "has been a crowning achievement for me just as being part of the committee to demerge Côte Saint-Luc from Montreal was.

 

2. MAYOR HOUSEFATHER

Mayor Housefather expressed great pride in the excellent quality of emergency services we are able to deliver in Côte Saint-Luc. He noted that when he was elected mayor he decided to empower members of council with portfolios. In the case of Councillor Nashen, Public Safety was a natural. And he credited Councillor Nashen for investigating an existing VCOP program he saw in Florida and having it emulated here. The mayor stated that we are the only community on the island of Montreal with a VCOP force. He then moved on to Neighbourhood Police Station 9 and recalled how just a few years ago the central Police headquarters was looking at ways to save money. One of the proposals was to close Police Station 9, which serves Côte Saint-Luc, Hampstead and Montreal West. Through the hard work of the three councils and commentary from the Police themselves, we were able to save Police Station 9, which has given us the closest thing to our own police force since the days when municipalities actually did have their own. "Côte Saint-Luc residents have taken a real liking to Police Station 9 and we feel safe," stated the mayor. The mayor then went on to describe how lucky we were as well to save our EMS. When the forced mergers took place the city of Montreal signed a collective agreement with the Fire Department which would prevented EMS from responding to Priority One emergency calls. EMS has saved many lives because of its Priority One status. The passage of Bill 22 by the Quebec government allowed EMS to remain intact and for us to keep the service in perpetuity. Turning to Public Security, the mayor said our department is one of the nest on the island. He credited Chief Martel, a former Montreal police officer, for bringing order to the city and making sure bylaws are enforced.

The mayor took questions from the floor. One gentleman complained that Rosedale Avenue, near Merton, is being used as a speedway. Motorists, he said, are not paying attention to the stop sign. The gentleman wanted traffic enforced because this is a school zone. He was corrected that this is not a school zone. However, Sergeant Denault took note of the situation. The mayor added that the Quebec government will soon be lowering the maximum speed on streets like this from 50 to 40 km per hour. Councillor Nashen recommended to anyone who sees a speeding vehicle to mark down their license number. "Often," he said, "you will find out these are people who live on your own street." There was also a question as to whether the city would consider buying defibrillators for condo apartment buildings. Councillor Nashen began by saying the city already owns four very sophisticated defibrillators and a number of other smaller/simple models. These are not particularly expensive, he said, and condo apartments should purchase them on their own. There was also a question about whether it should be mandatory for pools in private buildings to have lifeguards. Councillor Nashen said that would be difficult to insist upon. But he did say that each pool is inspected once a year by the city and that there must be a key behind a glass pane in case someone needs to get through the secure door to help someone. Security in the building usually has cameras to watch the pool. And there is also a dedicated phone required on the premises. A resident of Rembrandt Avenue asked for the city to place lights leading to a passageway that leads to the Cavendish circle. The resident was explained that this is private property that does not belong to the city, but rather the Villas de Merrrimac town house complex. Therefore we cannot do as he wishes. We will, however, bring this subject up again with the condo administration.

3. PUBLIC SECURITY

Chief Martel began his presentation by going over some frequently asked questions. Do not put your garbage out the night before pickup, he said. It attracts wild animals, especially skunks and raccoons – even foxes. He also urged residents not to feed these animals. Regarding parking violations he reminded everyone about bylaw 66, which says not to park in a fire lane. This is for emergency vehicles only. "When we see a car parked in a fire lane we wait three minutes for the person to come back or else we enforce the bylaw," he said. Turning to school zones and pedestrian crosswalks, he said his department enforces this bylaw very strictly. Drop off zones, he said, should be exactly that. At schools let your children off and then move on. On the subject of requesting permission to park your car on the street overnight, these requests should go directly to his department. If there is a shiva at someone’s residence or apartment, concessions can be made. Short-term overnight parking requests of three days or less can be made directly with the Public Security dispatcher. For more days than that, you need to call Chief Martel’s office directly. "My goal," he said, "is to work hand in hand with the police, EMS and the VCOPs. With the police I have an especially good relationship with Commander Sylvain Bissonnette, Sergeant Denault and Officer Alain St. Marseille of the Traffic Division.

4. SERGEANT DENAULT

Sergeant Denault said she has been working at the Côte Saint-Luc based Station 9 for three years now. She expressed her delight in working with our Public Security and VCOPs. "In Côte Saint-Luc you are lucky because you have more eyes," she remarked.

Lately there have been a lot of breaking and entering incidents in the area, especially in Hampstead. "If this increases a lot it could impact upon Côte Saint-Luc," she said. "We are doing a lot of patrols and have plain clothed police officers involved."

Sergeant Denault said that one should always take note if they see something suspicious going on at a neighbour’s house. Call the police if you have any concerns. Perpetrators usually try to get in through a back entrance. She also gave warnings to the elderly who frequent the Cavendish Mall where there have been incidents of purse snatching of late. Children as young as 13 are being identified as perpetrators. Most recently an 85 year old woman fell to the ground after being jumped by two 13 year olds. They stole her purse and the fall broke her hip. "Keep your purse close to you and do not carry too much cash," she recommended. Touching upon traffic, she recognized the congestion problems on Kildare coming from Bialik, Councillor Cohen acknowledged the problems, but stated that (A) the school has nearly 1,000 students (B) the situation has actually improved in recent years due to the cooperation he has received from the school administration and the establishment of student traffic safety committees.

5. VCOPS

Councillor Nashen proudly repeated that we are the only municipality in Quebec to have a VCOP program. He introduced Lewis Cohen, one of the VCOP volunteers, to say a few words. Mr. Cohen said that there are two VCOP vehicles which patrol the city looking for anything out of the ordinary. This could be a garage door mistakenly left open or a dog off a leash. VCOPs are not police nor public security officers. Therefore if they see something which requires one of those two departments to respond they are alerted. The VCOPs carry radios in each car, which are connected to the city dispatch centre. There are 75 volunteers and more are welcome to call and sign up for the training program. Many members are retirees. Two leasing companies –Toyota Montréal Nord and Claireview Leasing- have provided vehicles free of charge.

6. EMS

Councillor Nashen spoke about EMS as the only service of its kind in Quebec, with some 70 devoted volunteers. EMS is available 24/7, 365 days a year. He introduced Audrey Miette, a city employee in dispatch, but an EMS volunteer. She spoke glowingly about both the experience the training she went through. EMS responds to an incredible 3,300 calls a year.

7. QUESTIONS

The floor was opened to questions. One lady wanted to know if parking tickets can be handed out if a car parks illegally on private property, such as a condo driveway. Chief Martel responded in the affirmative. There were complaints about gridlock on Kildare Road due to the Bialik traffic. It was explained that this is a very difficult problem to resolve completely and that it is obviously most difficult at morning dropoff and afternoon pickup times. Councillor Cohen said he has obtained good cooperation from the police in undertaking occasional stakeouts to hand out tickets to Bialik parents who do not abide by traffic regulations. Are the painted white lines on Kildare Road, near the entrance to the police parking lot, indicators that no cars are to idle there waiting for the light to turn? We promised to look into this. There was also some concern expressed about homeless cats congregating near Mount Sinai Hospital and Maimonides Geriatric Centre. Shelley Schecter asked that Public Security and the VCOPs be on the lookout for stray cats which her group of volunteers works towards trapping, vaccinating, deworming and neutering as a way to control the cat population.

 

 

Maison Fleuries- Winners from District 2 and Tribute to Andrew Fabian

Côte Saint-Luc announced the winners and runners up in the 2008 Maisons Fleuries home garden contest November 3 at the Bernard Lang Civic Centre.There were a number of winners from District 2. In the Duplex and Townhouse category, Peter and Bonnie Solti of Cambridge Court East won for the latter. In the Apartment/Condominium Buildings category, Le Bellagio at 5840 Marc Chagall finished in first place followed by La Marquise, at 5845 Marc Chagall. Moving to the Elite category for Duplex and Townhouses, Richard and Angeline Lawrence of 5681 Merrimac were one of six winners. In another Town House Elite competiton, the Lawrence's came in third place.

The well attended ceremony in the council chamber featured a touching moment when it was announced that the second place finisher in the Single Family and Semi-Detached Homes section were Andrew and Eva Fabian of Korczak Crescent. Andrew, a repeat winner of this prize, sadly passed away a week before the ceremomy. His wife and children had just finished sitting shiva that day and they were in attendance as a fitting tribute to Andrew, who took huge pride in his flower garden. When he was too weak to maintain it, he hired a gardner. Pictures were taken each week and brought to the hospital where he would give instructions on how to make further improvements. To his family and friends, I extend my deepest sympathies.

Côte Saint-Luc Senior Social Club

I was delighted, in my capacity as acting mayor, to preside over the installation luncheon of the Côte Saint-Luc Senior Social Club recently at the Monkland Grill Restaurant. Open to residents 55 years and over, the Côte Saint-Luc Senior Social Club meets every Wednesday afternoon for stimulating and informative programs. Interesting and relaxing day trips are planned. Activities include guest speakers, fitness and bridge, beginner bridge, Mah Jong and line dancing instructions. Bridge is played every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon and is open to all members. I had the honour of swearing in the new president, Barbara Akerman, who takes over from the wonderful Eva Silverman. Barbara is the mother-in-law of N.D.G. Liberal MNA Russell Copeman, who was on hand for the luncheon. Pictured here are Barbara Akerman and Eva Silverman up front. In the back, left to right, are: Loretta Anisef of Parks and Recreation, Councillor Glenn J. Nashen, City Manager Ken Lerner, Russell Copeman, myself, Councillor Mitchell Brownstein and Councillor Dida Berku.