For those seeking easy recipes for Passover - an early March course

Cooking for Passover is no easy task. With the first Seder set for April 14, master chef Lili Yesovitch has an offer many folks may not want to refuse:  a Passover baking class at Shaare Zedek Congregation  (5305 Rosedale Avenue) in NDG on Wednesday, March 5 (7:30 p.m.).  The cost is $18 per person and there will be samples, demonstrations and a recipe booklet handed out.  

"So many people hate Passover food,  but I have managed to adapt many  'regular' recipes to conform to Passover rules and make interesting and delicious cakes and candies," Lili says, noting that the program will double as a fundraiser for the Shaare Zedek Sisterhood. 

Reservations and payment  are required by Friday, February 28. You can call  514-484-1122514-484-1122, ext. 101 or 104. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

Lili at work.

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Head of CRITIQ urges Liberals and CAQ to collaborate in next election

The president of CRITIQ (Canadian Rights in Quebec) is already getting the ball rolling in advance of a provincial election call. Gary Shapiro shared with me a letter he sent off today to Liberal leader Philippe Couillard and CAQ leader Francois Legault, providing what he sees as a possible solution to prevent a Parti-Québecois majority government.

 

Gary Shapiro

"Instead of the Quebec Liberal Party  and the CAQ splitting votes and enabling the PQ to win a majority government, can't the two of you split up the contested ridings, do not run candidates against each other, and promise each other cabinet posts in the minority government?" Shapiro asks. "The goal is not to let Marois form a majority. If you really cared about Quebec you would do what is best for the province, not for your party. Besides this is also what is best for your parties
 

"Do what is best for Québec. Otherwise we are all lost!"

While it is highly unlikely either leader would agree to this, it is not a crazy idea. It is all about survival.

Life after CJAD: Claude Beaulieu and Sheldon Fried seek new challenges

I caught up with Claude Beaulieu and Sheldon Fried recently, two longtime CJAD staffers who were let go when the Bell Media takeover set in last fall. Beaulieu originally joined CJAD in October 1983, hired by the legendary Gord Sinclair.  He is now trying to make a living as a freelance writer and being his own boss. 

Claude Beaulieu

“I am past disappointment,” says Beaulieu. “My dismissal from CJAD is behind me, and  I am now looking ahead.  I'm seizing the opportunity that's been handed me to turn a corner and I've decided to do something new.  Actually, writing is something old. I've taken a few writing jobs already and  I am thoroughly enjoying it.  While I do miss talking to the audience, in particular to those of The Suburban's readers who moonlight as CJAD listeners, I can attest that there is indeed life after radio.”

 Here is Claude's Linked In infomercial: "Claude is a freelance copywriter and translator with vast experience as a reporter in the electronic media. A strong communicator noted for attention to detail and exemplary command of written English, Claude was a witness to many of the major political and other events that shaped the Montreal, Quebec and Canada of today. His broad experience, talent and professionalism make him a valuable resource for your written communication needs."



As for Sheldon Fried,  a master operator for decades at CJAD,  he is also moving on. “On Monday mornings I am taking French courses,” he shares. “On Tuesdays and Thursdays I go to workshops through La Passerelle, which caters to people ages 40 on up to help them get back into the job market. In May I will be going to McGill University in the evenings and will be taking Human Resources Management. One thing I can definitely say

Sheldon Fried

is that I was very fortunate in working with the best people in the business, the legends and the new up and coming people. This was a passion and something I always dreamed of doing since I was a student in high school and at least I know in my mind that I have accomplished this and that no one can take away the wonderful memories.”

If you are looking for a truly bilingual copywriter or a great voice, Claude can be found here on Linked In. Sheldon is happily reachable via  his Facebook page.

Chez Nick to the rescue: in pursuit of an all-day breakfast

It has now been exactly five years since Serre Picasso Restaurant on St. Jacques Street West in NDG closed its doors and there has truly been no appropriate successor. The building remains intact, the old restaurant locale empty as can be and Les Amazones gentleman's club clearly still attracting customers. Noted businessman Peter Sergakis owns the facility and when it shut down he assured me it would be brought back to life. That never happened of course.

Picasso had a vast menu and it was open 24 hours a day. What people appreciated most was the fact you could order a breakfast whenever you wanted - and a pretty good one at that. I among those people who actually likes to have some eggs over easy, toast and a few sides on a weekend evening. We have a countless number of  breakfast spots across the island, from Cora and Ben and Florentine to Allô Mon Coco.  But they all close in the afternoon.

So where do you go for an all-day breakfast?  The closest Denny's is at the Flying J Plaza in Lancaster, just past the Quebec-Ontario border. That is not such a distance for people on the West Island.

Rob Callard

I wish to thank owner Rob Callard and his team at the legendary Restaurant Chez Nick on Greene Avenue in Westmount. They do serve breakfast until they close each evening. On Saturdays, for instance, if you are headed downtown and can get there before the kitchen closes at 6:45 p.m. they will make you some eggs, pancakes, French toast, hash browns and whatever else you want. I have come to appreciate this experience before heading to the Cineplex Forum theatres for a movie or anywhere else in the downtown area. We also grabbed breakfast there just over a month ago on our way to a performance at the Place des Arts.

The Famous Delly Boy's in Côte Saint-Luc will also serve you breakfast every night until closing.  I thought Tiffany's on Decarie would be a natural for this, but such is not the case. The same for Dunn's Famous, Nickels Deli and St. Viateur Bagel Café.

How about a Denny's in the old Picasso? So what if they'd have to call it Denis!

Facing off against Bernard Drainville

Where did the day go?

Wearing my hat as communications and marketing specialist for the English Montreal School Board, I left first thing Wednesday morning for Quebec City where at 5 p.m. we were slated to present our brief on draft Bill 60 - the so-called Charter of Values - to a Parliamentary Committee.

The EMSB has been outspoken from the start about this xenophobic piece of legislation, insisting that we will not force any of our employees who wear a hijab, kippa or large religious symbol to remove it or face whatever unknown consequences the government has in mind. We drafted this brief, which prompted the media and the Minister Responsible for Democratic Institutions Bernard Drainville to accuse us of encouraging civil disobedience. Well that was kind of putting words in our mouth.

Drainville shakes hands with EMSB reps.

In Quebec City our delegation met in advance, held a well attended afternoon press conference and then made our presentation. Drainville was so aggressive in his questioning to our three stellar reps - Chairman Angela Mancini, Vice-Chair Sylvia Lo Bianco and Commissioner Patricia Lattanzio - that Liberal MNA Laurent Lessard had to intervene and tell the Minister that this was not a cross -examination.

While the brief's originality already accuses the government of encouraging bullying, our presentation went one better by emphasizing how Article 37 of the Education Act stipulates schools must respect the freedom of conscience and religion of students. "Which law are we supposed to disobey?" Lattanzio asked rhetorically.

See our latest press release for more.

Where this mess is all headed is anyone's guess.  Odds are the PQ will call a snap election in the next two weeks. Thanks to the  the ineffectiveness of Liberal leader in Philippe Couillard, the PQ is poised to win a majority and then what? They won't need opposition party support to pass anything. This includes the charter.

Via this entire charter debate the EMSB has come to represent more than just a school board- but the English community at large. We should all be very proud.

Marketing coordinator for Hockey Experts earns unique trip to Winter Olympic Games in Sochi

When Canadian Tire Corporation and its family of companies, including  FGL Sports , Sports Experts  and Hockey Experts  put the call out to employees last fall to send in video submissions showing their skills as potential reporters to cover the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Chomedey’s very own Michelle Pellerin put her thinking cap on.

 

Michelle Pellerin

Pellerin, who serves as the marketing coordinator for Hockey Experts, had a connection to Quebec Olympian in cross country skiing Alex Harvey. Using these contacts she reached him and arranged for a skype video interview. “It was 15 minutes, he was very sweet and I sent it in,” she told me last week. “In October the president of our branch came into the office and made the announcement that I was the winner for Quebec. I completely freaked out. I still can’t quite believe it.”

The selection committee was impressed with her creativity, personality, bilingualism and knowledge of sports.  Pellerin is, in fact,  an avid skier and a big fan of alpine ski racer Erik Guay. She  boards her plane for Sochi today and will spend a week  with three colleagues:  two from Toronto and one from Calgary. The employees will create unique content for Canadian Tire and Sports Experts’ social media platforms and an employee website, as well as capture photos and videos of their unique Olympic moments. She will have the opportunity to attend different sporting events and interview Canadian athletes, coaches and fans while experiencing Russian culture first hand. She will have access to Canada House, where she will be able to mingle with athletes and their families in a casual and relaxed environment.

“I had a test run in Ottawa recently when I attended the announcement for the flag bearer,” Pellerin says. “I interviewed Hailey Wickenheiser, Joannie Rochette and Jean-Luc Brassard.”

After graduating from both the Université du Québec à Montréal and the UniversitéPanthéon Assas (Paris II), Pellerin went straight to work in the tourism industry, with her last job in commercial marketing for Air France. Following her time there, she joined the FGL Sports family. She focuses her attention  on a multitude of projects, from social media content for the national brand, in-store visual materials to coordinating online campaigns with a number of key suppliers

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P.F. Chang's Canada announces elaborate Chinese New Year contest

P.F. Chang’s Canada has launched an in-store Discover Your Fortune campaign to provide their guests with good fortune in celebration of the Chinese New Year.
 

“Even in Canada, it is important for us to offer our guests the opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year, as part of delivering an authentic experience.” explained Michael Aronovici, president and CEO of Interaction Restaurants L.P.   “We are encouraging our
guests to try new items from our extensive menu.”

During the 15 day Chinese New Year period, guests will receive a randomly selected "Good Luck"  envelope to discover their fortune. Giveaway items include, but are not limited to, delicious Oolong Marinated Sea Bass, famous Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps, signature Banana Spring Rolls, lucky $88 ‘Be Our Guest’ cards and even Lunch for Six. 

After receiving their gifts, guests will be encouraged to share their good fortune online as part of the social #ShareYourFortune campaign. Both the in-store and online campaigns are centered on the good fortune stemming from Chinese tradition. All guests will be invited to return  to use their certificate in the six  weeks after the promotion period. Each store is giving away over $30,000  in promotional value.
 

There are three P.F. Chang's in Canada: one in Montreal, one in Laval and one in Toronto. Expansion is coming.