Croque ta Vie… a Gratonic Goodie!

              

Gluten and dairy-free health treats

reviewed by Nancy Snipper

Forget about the power bars and all those commercially attractively packaged foods that tell you no fat and really low in carbs. Who knows where the truth lies. Well, it lies in this sensational new snack product: Croque ta Vie.

What a great snack this foodie find is. The product is energizing and best of all, it’s gluten and dairy-free – created by a mother inspired by her children to create a fine foodie munchie that is 100% healthy.

They come in bars and bite-size bits.

Made by marathon runner, Sophie Pelletier-Roy in her Mirabel “kitchen”, Croque ta Vie makes granola bars and cereals from natural and organic ingredients with 10-12g of protein. They come in seven great flavours, including apple, chocolate, ginger, and more!

Enpowering and energizing for all ages. Gratonic is putting pure health in a delicious way into your body. I know, I couldn’t get enough of them when I tasted them at the press conference for Festival de Nouveau Cinema in Montreal.

You can go to croquetavie.com or on Facebook to see more information about the product.

Techniques Auto Verdun Inc.

The Garage with heart and a whole lot more! 

 by Nancy Snipper

Techniques Auto Verdun Inc.

In this day and age, it’s so difficult to find a garage that can fix your car from head to toe, and make you feel happy – even lucky that you nailed the best car doctor in town.   I’m talking about a very special garage: Techniques Auto Verdun Inc in Montreal, Quebec.

APA approved and owned by the Trinidadian-Canadian Dickson family of East-Indian descent, the garage is stocked with men whose smiles are as genuine and warm as the level of excellence of the work they do. These fellows have been repairing cars and doing superb body work for ten years, and they love what they do. They have two class-one mechanics working in the garage – a rarity to find such high qualifications these days. A team of family members work darn hard to get it right with your car and they always succeed. Their resident mechanic, veteran Claude Laneuville whom everyone calls the “yoda master" of mechanics has been with the garage for 40 years; he stayed on when the Dicksons bought it.

One stop shopping  that is so convenient

You’re never just a number at Techniques Auto Verdun. As Alan, the manager said, “We care so much about cars, as much we care about their owners – and that’s a lot”. In fact, when I brought my car in to fix the rust on both sides of the car at each door bottom, Alan was so committed into   getting rid of it. Karim – his body man – works on the aesthetics of cars, and this guy is amazing. Alan called me over to show me the job Karim did on my Hyundai, Elantra. I couldn’t believe it Wow!

What I loved was watching their enthusiasm and pride that made me know they strive for perfection to get an immaculate end result. They were as excited as I was. And boy, they produce results!

On the interior of the driver’s door, Karin had taken the panel off working to the bone sanding to ensure all rust was completely gone – rust that one can’t see unless that indoor panel is removed.

These guys are my car heroes!  

Can you believe it, but Alan actually walked over to my street where my car was parked before he even started the job - just to take a look. Now that’s a first. He spoke to me about why it was rusting and how to stop it further and possible options.

Being a single woman, I’ve been taken by poor workmanship and gouged where inflated costs to get my car fixed backed me into a corner to concede.

That didn’t happen with me here. I was astounded by their respect and reassurance. I could see they really stand by their word and workmanship.

 They’re honest and their integrity was obvious

They went the extra mile and then some. They even fixed the lopsided gas tank cover and touched up all the small areas that marked my car that was now approaching 10 years of age.  With their passion and incomparable expertise, they turned my car into a spanking slick-looking white car. No wonder, they are experts on high-end cars, such as jaguars and crème de la crème collector models, and though mine is a mere “commoner”, it didn’t matter to them. They took so much care in making it look like a high-end beauty. Plus it was ready in two days!!!

The price was so reasonable, especially since I know how expensive body work can run. I wanted to stay and chat, even hug them, for they truly rescued me. I knew where I would be heading in the event of any future car calamity.

“Thank you, Alan, Karim and the gang of great guys at Techniques Auto Verdun!”

Here is the garage’s address: 640 avenue Gordon, Verdun, QC H4G 2R9.

The phone number is (514) 751-2525.

Their email is: groupexotika@hotmail.com

Our Vets Have Been Voided!

by Nancy Snipper

In Canada’s fields the souls now fall

of those who risked their lives for all.

And now these vets are left behind

with other heroes of great heart and mind.

No gathering place to call their own,

All they get is to suffer alone.

Can’t be with others to share those times

Where bravery and fear were their only life-line.

To war they went, now home they die

Not by the enemy but by the Harper cry.

So cold of heart, so bleak of mind

A leader whose only care

is to kill their pride.

It’s so unfair.

Is this the way to thank them all?

Bleed them dry and take their dough

Oh Steven Harper, you reap what you sow.

“Oh Canada, our home and native land,

True patriot love”  

(in a song, but not for man!!)

{Written in response to Canada’s closing veteran offices}

{Écrit en réponse au  fermeture des bureaux vétéran par le Canada}

Lettre de la Fondation Cole à la Commission des institutions sur la loi 60

 

17 décembre 2013

Madame Valérie Roy

Secrétaire suppléante de la Commission des institutions

Édifice Pamphile-Le May

1035, rue des Parlementaires

3e étage, bureau 3.15

Québec (Québec) G1A 1A3

Objet : Projet de loi n^o 60

Madame,

La Fondation Cole, une fondation familiale privée de Montréal, souhaite vous présenter les commentaires suivants à propos du projet de loi n^o 60.

Nous croyons sincèrement qu’il n’y a aucun problème ni aucune crise à résoudre.

La séparation de l’Église et de l’État de même que l’égalité des hommes et des femmes sont actuellement garanties par les chartes des droits et libertés provinciale et fédérale.

Le Québec accueille des immigrants de toutes les cultures depuis des siècles. Tous les citoyens du Québec, sauf les membres des Premières Nations, sont des immigrants ou des descendants d’immigrants.

Selon l’une des politiques du système d’éducation du Québec, la diversité constitue une plateforme clé pour inculquer les valeurs qui aideront « à maintenir des relations interculturelles harmonieuses et à rejeter toute forme d’exclusion ». Cette politique permet le port de symboles et de vêtements religieux dans les écoles, que ce soit par les élèves, les enseignants ou le personnel.

Les mesures qui dénigrent les différences culturelles et excluent les minorités ne servent à rien et alimentent l’aliénation et les divisions sociales plutôt que la cohésion au sein de notre société.

La commission Bouchard-Taylor a traité avec créativité et réalisme de la question des

« accommodements raisonnables », qui faisait déjà l’objet de débats à l’échelle provinciale. Depuis la publication du rapport, les problèmes liés au code vestimentaire et aux relations entre les communautés culturelles ont été réglés de manière positive par les directions ou autorités compétentes. La Commission des droits de la personne du Québec rapporte que moins de 1 % des cas qu’elle traite concernent les accommodements raisonnables.

En conséquence, nous exhortons le gouvernement à retirer ce projet de loi, lequel tente de s’attaquer à un problème qui, en réalité, n’existe pas.

407, av. Clarke, Westmount (Québec) H3Y 3C3
Tél. : 514 938-9428 • Courriel : barrycole@videotron.ca

- 2 -

La commission Bouchard-Taylor a mentionné qu’il y avait encore beaucoup à faire pour améliorer l’accueil et les accommodements offerts aux minorités visibles et aux diverses communautés culturelles par les communautés francophones et anglophones du Québec.

La Fondation Cole a décidé d’aborder cette question en faisant notamment appel aux arts, en particulier au théâtre et à la littérature, pour aider tous les citoyens à élargir leurs horizons culturels et sociaux. Pour ce faire, nous avons financé la production, la traduction et la création de pièces qui présentent les réalités de diverses communautés culturelles à des auditoires francophones et anglophones afin d’ouvrir leurs perspectives sur les préoccupations des communautés culturelles, tout en évitant les confrontations, et de susciter compréhension, tolérance et respect à leur égard.

Au cours des 6 dernières années, nous avons financé l’écriture de 21 pièces, la traduction de 30 pièces ainsi que la production de 62 pièces et de 5 ateliers de théâtre pour le public montréalais. Certaines de ces productions ont effectué des tournées en province, dans le reste du Canada et même aux États-Unis, en Europe et en Amérique du Sud. Les subventions ont été accordées à des compagnies de théâtre professionnelles pour adultes et pour enfants.

Nous avons également financé les visites au Québec de 115 auteurs provenant de 30 pays différents à l’occasion du Festival littéraire international de Montréal Metropolis Bleu.

Dans le cadre de ces programmes, nous nous engageons à soutenir les politiques et les pratiques du gouvernement du Québec relatives à l’immigration et à l’éducation et à favoriser l’intégration de tous les citoyens au sein de notre société multiethnique où la diversité est acceptée, valorisée et comprise.

Jusqu’à maintenant, notre contribution financière dans ces secteurs de la culture québécoise s’élève à 1,25 million de dollars.

Le projet de loi n^o 60 va à l’encontre de l’harmonie sociale et culturelle du Québec que nous soutenons dans le cadre de nos programmes.

C’est pourquoi nous vous demandons de retirer ce projet de loi.
Veuillez recevoir, Madame Roy, mes salutations distinguées.

Barry Cole

Directeur général et président du conseil

Cliquer ici pour le communique du Fondation Cole sur   

Click here for press release of the Cole Foundation on

 « Conversations interculturelles – Intercultural Conversations »

« Encourager le dialogue théâtral entre les diverses communautés culturelles de Montréal »

 "Encourage theatrical dialogue between the various cultural communities in Montreal”

Cavos Bay Hotel

Ikarian Paradise?  Not quite

by Nancy Snipper

 I’m sitting on the stunning white terrace of Cavos Bay Hotel on the island of Ikaria, spellbound by the breathtaking view before me. Entrancing as Circe herself, the hypnotic turquoise Aegean waters lovingly lap against the rocks; they are beckoning me into the great beyond where sea and sky merge in a mesmerizing palate of endless beauty.  It was my first evening at the hotel. The sunset was exquisite, as was the sunrise which I witnessed… for the wrong reason (more about that later).  

This natural beauty continues on within Cavos Bay located in Armenistis village where restaurants seem to spill into the sea. A splendid array of fantastic sandy beaches - Livadi, Messakti and Nas stretch along the island’s northern side - all within the vicinity of Armenistis. 

Various ascending  hiking paths cut into Ikaria’s spectacular Atheras  mountain chain (over 1,500 meters high) where pine forests, lunar landscapes of incredible formations and the island’s unique 17^th-century, primitive slate houses  appear, built into covert mountain sides to escape pirate attacks. From Cavos Bay, the port of entry for one such hike is only ten minutes away. The hotel’s front desk can direct you or you can buy a map at the village supermarket. 

But many vacationers just to want stay put, relax on the balcony off their rooms or dive into the swimming pool which overlooks the sea.   I was impressed by the gleaming white lobby spacious enough to sail a boat. The complex offers 65 rooms. 

I had booked four days as a journalist – compliments of the hotel – the son of the owner did not ask to see my journalist credentials – though I offered; nor was I asked to show my passport. That often happens in Greece. 

But all that changed the next morning.  Although my room was functionally comfy and the balcony vista inspiring,  I woke up at about 5:30 itching like crazy.  Mosquito bites they were not. I spied a suspicious looking tiny black bug moving on my bed sheet and there were lots of tiny ants on the floor. 

I saw that beautiful sunset that Despina, the owner, had mentioned, but it wasn’t that I wanted to talk to her about.  I informed her that I needed to change my room, showing her my bites.    She was very kind and supported my request to wash my clothes for which I would pay (I feared the critters may have retreated into them, as they were on the other twin bed, but bagged. Despina assured me she would wash them herself, but she declined entering my room to see what was going on. 

I went out for three hours, but upon my return my bag of clothes were still sitting in the hotel office.

I was then asked by the front desk receptionist in charge of rooms to produce my passport and my journalist credentials. I was told by the daughter that they were not acceptable as there was no ‘agency‘ listed. The fact she was given four freelance journalist publication press credentials for which  I write one upon which was clearly written “Media Canada”  did nothing to change her mood or mind.  Finally,  I pulled out my contract  from a rather important editor in Canada.  They weren’t interested. 

What really confounded me was the previous evening  I had of my own volition volunteered to show much of my writing to Despina  who had told me that the hotel was half full.

Now suddenly I was told my room was needed and that I could take another room. Oh Joy!  But the room proved to be dismally hot and the view was non-existent. 

I elected to stay in the buggy room; I would brave it for one more night. I saw Despina again, but she totally ignored me.  She sat at the bar with two guests – her back turned to me.

I am writing this not to vet, but to express my deep disappointment - not so much over the room, but the turn-coat uncaring attitude of Cavos Bay’s owners ,  save for the son who was obviously  trusting and  witty.  I never saw him again though. 

 As for the others, their appalling reaction did not match the hotel’s awesome setting nor the care and humanity I have always experienced - for which Greeks are renown - during the forty years I have been writing about this country. 

Footnote:  I am not saying this hotel has a bug issue;  I can only speak about the room I stayed in. 

But they certainly have an attitude problem.  

 

Also posted on SMR Cultureplus.