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Major dance competition coming to CSL Saturday, September 24

Excitement is building in the City of Côte Saint-Luc for the prestigious sixth annual La Relance 2011 competition on Saturday, September 24 (1 p.m. to 11 p.m).  Mayor Anthony Housefather and members of city council are thrilled that Danse Sport Québec chose the Côte Saint-Luc Gymnasium to hold  this large scale event. 

Here is an example of the kind of excitement you can expect:

 

More than 500 people are expected to be in attendance to watch  latin (cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and jive)  and standard  (waltz, tango, foxtrot, Viennese  waltz and the  quick step) ballroom dance routines, featuring competitors from Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and even Vermont. There will also be championship rounds in the youth, adult and senior categories, with competitors ranging from the age of 11 to 60 plus.  Jean-Francois Rousseau, the president of Danse Sport Québec, will be on the dance floor as well with his wife and dance partner Nathalie Ladouceur (pictured below).  The couple practice and train with many of the stars who have performed on the recent edition of So You Think You Can Dance Canada.  They are the 10 Dances  Quebec Senior 1 champions.

Danny Arbour (pictured at the bottom), who was a top 10 finalist in the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada and season two top two finalist Vincent Desjardins,  will be in attendance as will  other past competitors from the hit CTV show and perhaps even some surprise guests.

 “The Quebec Danse Sport Federation is an organization which brings together amateur dancers in this province,” Rousseau explains. “Our goal is to promote dance. All of the people who work with us do so on a volunteer basis.

 

“Our competitions,” he continued, “can be compared to figure skating as all of the couples  in each category perform together at the same time on the dance floor. Judges must deliberate at the same time. Our music is not decided in advance. We only know the type of dance that will be required. We are very excited to be be holding this competition in Côte St-Luc puisque as the people there have been very nice and accomodating and  the facility is nice."

Francois Pruneau (right), who made this season's SYTYCDC Top 10, has been part of this competition tin the past.

Tickets cost $35 for adults and $15 for children.  Côte St-Luc residents who show their Fun Cards will benefit from a reduced rate of  $15  for adults and $5 for teenagers and children 16 years and younger . For more information go to www.dansesportquebec.com  or call 514-418-TANGo (8264).

 

 

U2 loud and clear in Côte Saint-Luc

An extraordinary thing has occurred in Côte Saint-Luc. With the former Blue Bonnets Raceway located just across the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks andjust steps away from the Decarie Square section of our city, residents and visitors have been enjoying great  audio from the world's top rock band.

Many people are congregating near Decarie Square, where you can even see the stage.  In District 2 of the city, Marc Chagall Avenue has been the place to be. Check this amazing photo taken by  aircam.ca. A gentleman pulled his car up near the snow dump on Marc Chagall and took out a giant blimp-like stricture from his trailer.  Lifting it up 500 feet in the air like a kite, he snapped pictures through a video screen  which many people gathered around to view.

If you need to hire someone for aerial shots,  call Patrick Fernandez at 514-247-2266 or email info@aircam.ca.

 

An outstanding Canada Day in CSL

Does anyone do Canada Day better than the City of Côte Saint-Luc? As a member of city council and co-chair of this year’s event with Councillor Allan J.  Levine, I am obviously a bit biased. But I believe that this July 1st we really outdid ourselves.

By the time the fireworks lit up the sky towards 10 p.m. there were thousands of people crowding Pierre Elliott Trudeau  Park. Allan and I saw  it fitting this year to honour our Canadian troops overseas, particularly in Afghanistan. Thanks to Harold Cammy of our Parks and Recreation Department and Howard Liebman of Mount Royal Liberal MP Irwin Cotler’s office for securing Lt. Col. Pierre Sasseville (with Allan J. Levine and I left) who joined us on stage. His remarks really touched everyone and set the tone for the singing of our national anthem by Alex Cohen and the fireworks.

We opened things up at 1 p.m. by opening the pedal boats and the inflatable and kids zone to the public. One of things I always worry about when we start the process of many, many hours of work in the winter is what the weather will be like on July 1st. It is a real downer when this big day arrives and it rains. Well we fortunately did not have to worry about this for the last two years. Weather conditions could not have been nicer.

Once again this year we hosted a Canadian citizenship ceremony (right). Retired Judge Barbara Seal presided over the ceremony, chaired by Councillor Mitchell Brownstein, during which 36 new citizens from 20 countries were sworn in. It is such an appropriate way for us to begin this event. As the new citizens arrived, they were serenaded by the musical group Rafi’s Accordion. Côte Saint-Luc resident Rafi Zeira heads this new group, which later set up at the entrance of the park and welcomed people as they walked in.

CJAD Radio’s Dan Laxer (below with his daughter) served as our emcee once again. Dan grew up in CSL, moved to NDG when he got married, but has now returned to our community.

After the citizenship ceremony he invited Mayor Anthony Housefather, Quebec Liberal MNA for D’Arcy McGee Lawrence Bergman, Marc Leiter from the Federal  Mount Royal Liberal Association and Councillors Glenn J. Nashen and Ruth Kovac to the stage for our Human Rights Walkway induction ceremony. This year’s inductee was Aung San Suu Kyi, a Burmese opposition politician and the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. In the 1990 general election, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won 59 percent of the national votes and 81 percent of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained under house arrest before the elections. She remained under house arrest in Burma for almost 15 of the 21 years from 20 July 1989 until her release on November 13, 2010. Canada has made her an honourary citizen. While Kyi was unable to join us, some local members of the Burmese community were. She also recorded a special message for us, which was played over the loud speaker.

 

There was something for everyone at this Canada Day: a model airplane show exhibit put on by the  Model Aeronautics Association of Canada, games for kids, delicious cupcakes sponsored by Scotia Bank  (right) on Westminster Avenue, the presence of the Montreal Police horses, a roaving magician, a children’s train, information kiosk for our CSL Cat  Committee and  Eco Action and some great music.  Michelle Heisler (Dan Laxer’s wife) brought us the wonderful  Magilla singers. The Baratanga Drum Circle were a big  hit.  But then  came the big players: Fresh Entertainment and the Director’s Showband. Wow! 

Fresh, the outfit created by Côte Saint-Lucer Mike Goldfarb just a few years ago, added a new dimension to our event. Their deejays and on stage animators got the youngsters in the crowd up to dance in very significant numbers (see below) and spread  the electricity throughout the entire park. As for the Directors, who were seen in the Golden Globe winning motion picture Barney’s Version (they were the band that played at Barney’s second wedding). I knew they were good, but their three sets really blew everyone away. Lead singers Tony Picciuto and Randi Katz (below) head a group which sizzles on stage. They play such a wide variety of music, from some oldies to the latest hits. The Directors energized our audience and many  in the crowd were begging for their business card to try and hire them for a future occasion.

 
It was an absolutely great night. A special thanks to event coordinator Brad Horner, veteran Parks and Recreation staffer Harold Cammy and the rest of David Taveroff’s wonderful staff. Our Public Security and Volunteer Citizens on Patrol were there all day and kept everything in check. The Public Works Department had all of the right equipment in place.

Indeed, I have never been prouder to be a Canadian and a Côte Saint-Lucer! Now on to some other big events: our Seniors Golf Open July 12 and the ceremonial opening of our new Aquatic and Community Centre.

 Rafi's Accordion was a hit with youngsters who got a chance to try out their equipment.

Here is a look at the fireworks courtesy of Glenn J. Nashen

 

 

The Directors Showband and FRESH Entertainment to anchor CSL Canada Day

As the co-chair with Councillor Allan J. Levine of the 2011 Canada Day festivities at Pierre Elliott Trudeau  Park in Côte Saint-Luc on Friday, July 1 I am thrilled to announce that we have secured  the services of two of the city’s hottest musical entities: The Directors Showband  from the Golden Globe Award winning motion picture Barney’s Version and FRESH Entertainment

The Directors  are an electrifying, unparalleled and highly entertaining 11-piece Show band led by vocalists Tony Picciuto (Tenor) and Randi Katz (Alto, Soprano). Accompanied by guitar, bass, drums, two keyboards, trumpet, two saxophones and a disc jockey, The Directors have captivated audiences all throughout Canada and the United States. Their set list provides a wide variety of Top 40, 70's, 80's, 90's, R&B, soul, funk, Motown, Dance, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Disco, Standards, Rock n’ Roll, Tangos, Cha-Chas, Captivating Duets, and Classic Ballads. Italian, French, Hebrew, and Spanish repertoires provided.

See their impressive video:

 

FRESH Entertainment is owned and operated by Côte Saint-Luc native Mike Goldfarb. His team of deejays, animators and dancers will really get the crowd going this Canada Day with exciting contests and great music.

Dan Laxer of CJAD will be back as emcee. Stay tuned for many more details to come. We have a great team from the Parks and Recreation Department, including Director David Taveroff, Harold Cammy and Brad Horner. They are working hard to carry out the many wishes of the co-chairs and members of council.

 

Sun. May 15: CSL Spring Fair Postponed; Garage Sale goes rain or shine

With a non-stop forecast of heavy rain, the City of Côte Saint-Luc has postponed its annual Spring Fair of Sunday, May 15. The Public Works Carnival and Public Safety Day display will now move  to Sunday, May 22. However, the popular garage sale under the covered Confederation Annex of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park is still on. Here are the details.

Ranee Lee gives blood donor clinic a boost

Canadian jazz vocalist Ranee Lee  met donors at the annual Côte Saint-Luc blood donor clinic, which took place on  April 27 at the municipal Gymnasium. 

Only three percent of Quebecers who are eligible to donate blood actually give this gift of life. That number is too low, especially as the need in hospitals is so great. There were 89 donors this year, not a bad figure considering the fact the gym is in the middle of a construction zone (for our new $18 million Aquatic and Community Centre) and on this day the Canadiens were facing the Boston Bruins in game seven of their opening playoff round.

I want to thank Ranee Lee (at the right with myself and a blood donor)  for accepting my invitation, event coordinators Regine Banon and Darryl Levine, the staff of the Parks and Recreation Department and all of the volunteers.  Everyone on hand was thrilled to meet the charming local jazz legend.  Lee won a Juno Award in 2010 for her album Ranee Lee Lives Upstairs. We hope to possibly have her perform at a Côte Saint-Luc event in the future.

For more information about giving blood go to the  Hema Quebec website.  

Legendary jazz great Ranee Lee to attend CSL Blood Donor Clinic

Canadian jazz vocalist Ranee Lee will meet donors at the annual Côte Saint-Luc blood donor clinic, which takes place on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 from 1:15 pm to 8 pm at the municipal Gymnasium at 7500 Mackle Rd. 

“We’re issuing a challenge this year to regular blood donors to bring someone who has never given before,” said Councillor Ruth Kovac, a long-time blood donor who is the chairperson of the event. “Only 3 percent of Quebecers who are eligible to donate blood actually give this gift of life. That number is too low, especially as the need in hospitals is so great.” 

Special guest Ranee Lee will meet donors from 2 pm to 3:30 pm. Lee won a Juno Award in 2010 for her album Ranee Lee Lives Upstairs. She lives in Montreal. 

I have always been a big fan of Ranee.  Many years ago I did a series of stories on her son Darryl Henegan, a champion kickboxer. Ranee and I connected at CJAD a few times in the past year. She is a lovely person and when I asked if she would  visit our Blood Donor Clinic she graciously agreed.

Here she is on stage:

 

Anyone who is at least 18 years old and in good health can donate blood once every 56 days, which is six times per year. Review the donor qualifications at www.hema-quebec.qc.ca or call 1-800-343-4264. 

The four most common blood types are 0 blood (46 percent), A blood (42 percent), B blood (9 percent) and AB blood (3 percent). 

Maisons Fleuries Contest Shows City Beauty

The Côte Saint-Luc City Hall  Council Chamber was filled to capacity on Monday November 1  for the annual Maisons Fleuries garden beautification contest  awards evening.  The city awards prizes to residents who create attractive green spaces with blossoming trees, flowers and shrubs. A panel of judges views the gardens and selects the winners and runners up based on various categories.

Councillors Allan J. Levine, Sam Goldbloom and former councillor Harold Greenspon co-chaired the contest and officiated at the ceremony. Director of Parks and Recreation David Taveroff was the master of ceremonies while the magnificent Edwin Brownell provided entertainment.

There were a number of award winners from District 2. Ilan Ramon Crescent neighbours Daniel J. Cohen and his wife Bonnie Roiter and Frank Palucci and his wife Sandra Cambone  came in first and second place respectively for single family and semi-detached homes in District 2. Bonnie and Frank are pictured below with me.  Le Rothchild on Mackle Road came in tops for highrise condos. The superb Seniors Garden, located off the parking lot of the Cavendish Mall, won an award and  president Sava Todorovic and his wife Martha received a well deserved special recognition award.

I wish to salute all of our property owners who took the time to present such beautiful gardens. We know how much work it can be to create and maintain a garden and this contest our the city’s way of recognizing those efforts.

Residents were able to enter for consideration the garden of their single-family home, duplex or townhouse. All apartment buildings, commercial establishments and public buildings were automatically entered in the contest and were judged separately.  Judges assessed front gardens according to the cleanliness of the property, the appearance of plants and flowers and general landscaping.

The chairpersons of the Maisons Fleuries contest are Councillor Sam Goldbloom, Councillor Allan J. Levine and Harold Greenspon.

 

Another successful Spring Fair in CSL

The third annual Côte Saint-Luc Spring Fair  took place on Sunday, May 16 at and around Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park on Mackle Rd. And the weather could not have been nicer.

The Spring Fair included the Mega Garage Sale, Public Safety Day, the Public Works Carnival, and Eco-Action Day.

The Mega Garage Sale took  place at the covered Confederation Annex building at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park and featured  people selling items at 60 tables. To  the right UI share a moment with Police Station 9 Commander Sylvain Bissonnette, Public safety Director Jordy Reichson and Public Security Manager Michel Martel.

Public Safety 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, and other members of the safety services. The Montreal police  verified car seat installations and bicycle helmets. Also, the blood service agency Héma Quebec had a a booth for people to check their blood type. There were even some old street signs for sale.  Below I am trying to coax former Sir Walter Scott Avenue resident Arlene Smilovitch to buy this one.

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

EcoAction Day took place next to the Public Works Building. Visitors  learned about recycling and curb-side compost collection, and receive free garden compost. Kids  learned about composting and how to make a zero-waste lunch.

Below, Councillor Glenn J. Nashen and family.

A successful 2010 CSL Winter Carnival

The 2010 Côte Saint-Luc Winter Carnival  was a big success,  featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, taffy on the snow, a pancake breakfast, outdoor hockey tournament and much more at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park and the Samuel Moskovitch Arena over the Valentine’s Day Weekend. In fact, the fun continues on Saturday evening, February 20  (7:30 p.m.) at the Côte Saint-Luc Gymnasium (7500 Mackle Road) with the second annual “Dance to the Oldies But Goodies,” with music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Tickets are $18 (in advance only). Call 514-485-6806 for details.

Congratulations to our Parks and Recreation staff and event co-chairs, Councillors Mitchell Brownstein and Allan J. Levine.  

The fun all began on Friday, February 12 with the beginning of the Peewee ‘A' invitational outdoor hockey tournament. Eight teams from various communities  participated.   On Saturday, February 13, there was a  special public skating session at the Samuel Moskovitch Arena., with all proceeds from the entrance fees going to Manoir Ronald McDonald (

(www.rmhc.ca). The latter, located in Côte des Neiges,  offers an affordable and comforting home away from home for families who have a child hospitalized for a serious sickness in a Montreal hospital.  

On Sunday, February 14, a hot pancake breakfast was served in Chalet 1 of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park.

The breakfast was sponsored by McDonald's franchisee Pierre Brunet.  I had a chance to chat with our most beautiful police officer, Station 9’s Marie Christine Nobert, who is always on hand for our events to lend a hand. Over the course of the afternoon children got to enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, balloons, hot chocolate, cider, taffy on snow, inflatable activities, horse-drawn carriage rides and skating on Centennial Lake.  Luc Carnival, the event mascot, was busy making the rounds.

I also had a chance to view the magnificent figure skating club exhibition and take part in the presentation of trophies.

Following this we had the pleasure of presenting a cheque of $3,000 to  Le Manoir Ronald McDonald de Montréal, increasing the figure of $2,500 from last year.

Public skating was free of charge from for one hour and that was followed by   the Youth Hockey all-star game...

 

Event sponsors included The Suburban, Domino's Pizza, IGA Pagano, Qualitifruits and Infusion Catering.

 

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