Apple in Your Eye

According to a CBC News item, the U.S. Treasury Department reported that Washington now has a total operating balance of only US$73.768-billion. Compare that to Apple's current cash reserve of US$75.876-billion. What's wrong with this picture? .......... Apple has more cash than Uncle Sam

For the first time, I'm participating in James' "Weekend Reflections". Hope this works!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OTHER WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.


NOTE
I will be taking a leave of absence for a short while. However, I do intend to drop by and post comments on your blogs from time to time. I've met some really nice folks in the CDP community and have had lots of fun. I know I will miss you all. Good-bye for now, and keep on blogging! :-)

Vintage Nash Metropolitan - 1958

By current standards, the Nash Metropolitan is a subcompact car.

Shopping on St. Catherine Street (downtown Montreal) was extra fun this past weekend. It was our annual "largest sidewalk sale in Canada" event. In addition to all the different stalls selling everything from batteries to expensive fashions, there were other activities such as this exhibition of vintage automobiles. The one that really caught my eye was this Nash Metropolitan, a 1958 model. It was sold in the United States and Canada from 1954–1962 and was designed as an economical transportation alternative... marketed as a "commuter/shopping car". What a beauty!

Do you fancy yourself driving this?

Montreal - Domtar Garden - Michel Saulnier - Update

" Through its blend of material, verticality and iconography, this work evokes an Aboriginal totem pole. A totem was an animal or plant, which the First nations of the West Coast considered to be the ancestor and protector of the clan. In this case, the totem is viewed as the protector of the forest resource for future generations. With its upwardly spiralling movement, this "never-ending pole" is intended to convey the idea of renewal and sustainability.

The bear is the symbol of wisdom and the healing arts among Aboriginal cultures. For North Americans, the bear is a mythical animal par excellence. Its presence on this symbolic location serves as a reminder to be respectful of ecosystems in order to conserve and protect the forest and biodiversity. " *

* Source: plaque accompanying the Echo sculpture by Michel Saulnier.

Apparently, the Domtar Garden was created to showcase the elements of both the boreal forest and our local mixed forest. And supposedly, Jack pine, black spruce, white birch, sugar maples, northern hackberry, serviceberry and red-osier dogwood specimens are planted here. But due to the lack of signage, a visitor would not recognize the raison d'etre of this garden... nor readily name one of the specimens mentioned. It was only after I got home and googled the garden that I discovered this bit of information. I am truly disappointed with the management of this project. I think a repeat visit is in order.

Montreal - Domtar Garden - Michel Saulnier

Michel Saulnier's  "Echo" sculpture.
Does it look like a totem pole of teddy bears?

The building in the background is the "Caron Building". It was built in 1923 when commercial skyscrapers' height was limited to 10 floors or 130 feet maximum.

A Downtown Oasis.

This space used to be an old city parking lot. In 2002, the Domtar Paper Company purchased it and collaborated with the City of Montreal to create this green space. Its downtown location provides an ideal respite from the hustle and bustle and it is greatly appreciated by the lunch crowd.

Carifiesta Montreal - Escort on Horseback

8 mounted patrol officers were present at the parade.

(Montreal's cavalry unit consists of 10 officers and 11 horses.)

Invaluable in crowd control situations... events or demonstrations.
BTW, they are available for hire for private events!

Bringing up the rear of the Carifiesta Montreal Parade were eight "Mounted Patrol Officers" of the "Service de police de la Ville de Montreal".

If you look close enough, you'd swear that even these well trained horses had a certain swing in their step when they heard the Carifiesta music.

Carifiesta Montreal - Best Costumes

There was no shortage of flamboyance!

Here are my top 3 picks.

First Prize

First Prize Close-up

Second Prize

Third Prize

Out of the half dozen or so of "be-dazzled & be-glittered" costumes that caught my eye, I've chosen these three to highlight. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Which one of these costumes is your favorite?

Carifiesta Montreal 2011 Parade

The Carifiesta Montreal is a 3 day celebration filled with Caribbean events & festivities. Last Saturday, for its 36th edition, the Carifiesta parade took over the streets of downtown Montreal. There was a procession of 9 floats decorated with the colors of the countries being represented. In addition, there was traditional dance, live bands that played West-Indian and Afro-Caribbean music and flamboyant costumes worn by the Carifiesta masqueraders. These enthusiastic dancers were coming back from their warm-up and were just about to join the parade and enjoy their moment in the sun.

Montreal Then and Now: Dominion Square

 Dominion Square, Montreal 1915.
The building with the dome is the Windsor Hotel.

This is my photo of the print of the original photograph, part of
"Pieces of Pictures" exhibition on McGill College Ave. The original
by Wm. Notman & Son. is housed in the McCord Museum.

Dominion Square, Montreal July 5, 2011.
 The Boer War Memorial by George W. Hill is dedicated to the 

Montrealers who fought alongside the British during the Boer War.

Dominion Square and Windsor Hotel, Montreal, QC, ca. 1890

 By Wm. Notman & Son.

The domed southwest wing of the Windsor Hotel

was totally destroyed in a fire in 1957.

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Then and Now: The Windsor Hotel------> CLICK HERE

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Photo Exhibition - Pieces of Pictures

Photographs of Montreal by Canadian

"Wm Notman & Son". (from 19th Century to 1920's)

Currently on display on McGill College Avenue.

William Notman (March 8, 1826 – November 25, 1891) was a Canadian photographer and businessman. When he died, management of the studio "Wm Notman & Son" was left to his son William McFarlane Notman, an experienced photographer in his own right. The original photographs are currently housed in the McCord Museum.

La Belle Province

Popular Hot Dog and Fries Restaurant / Franchise

Je me souviens

For those of you who are interested, here is an example of the silliness of Quebec politics. The Quebec licence plate used to say "La Belle Province" which means "The Beautiful Province", until the separatist party came into power in 1976. Shortly afterward, in a frenzy to remove the provincial connotation, the motto was changed to "Je me souviens" which means "I remember". Oddly enough, nobody knows what we're supposed to remember. And that's the truth!

Currently, La Belle Province is Quebec's most popular hot dog and fries restaurant franchise.

A Final Spotlight on the Canada Day Parade

Javanese Gamelan of Slendro Tuning Scale

Javanese Gamelan of Slendro Tuning Scale

What's a gamelan ?
It is a musical ensemble from Indonesia, the most popular being from Bali or Java. In traditional Indonesian thinking, the gamelan is sacred and is believed to have supernatural powers. It is only played at certain occasions such as ritual ceremonies, special community celebrations, shadow puppet shows and for the royal family.

Well, you can't believe how excited I was when I heard that a gamelan would be appearing in the Canada Day Parade! But sure enough, there it was, passing right in front of me on an open-air float with several beds of shiny bronze "gong-chimes" and a variety of cymbals, metallophones and drums. An ensemble of 9 musicians produced a mesmerizing and enchanting melody that repeated itself over and over until the drummer gave a signal to change. As the music faded away down the street, it reminded me that this is what Canada is all about... We're a nation of diverse cultures blending and sharing each other's traditions. And, that's why this parade is so meaningful.

Smiles All Around

Afghani Dance Troupe
 

Hungary
 

Les Eclairs de Quebec / Marching Band
 

Afghani Dancer & Panama Carnival Costume

Panama
 

Vintage Ford

Unidentified South American Band

Great Smiles

Here are the highlights from the photos taken at the Canada Day Parade. These photos may feature a marching band, a dance troupe, flashy costumes, silly props or onlookers, but they all have one thing in common. Somewhere in each photo there is a smile. Click on the photo to enlarge and look for it. My favorite highlight of the day will be revealed tomorrow.

Canada Day Parade 2011 - Montreal

In my opinion, Montreal really knows how to throw a party! This year's Canada Day Parade was no exception. There were close to 50,000 in attendance with strong representation from many of the city's ethnic communities. No need for big bands or flashy floats, this latter-day "coureur de bois" helped to set the mood. His comical antics, banjo music and unforgettable canoe costume were highlights of the event for all the kids. They had a great time!

In the coming days, I will be posting a few more photos of other participants in the parade. Stay tuned.

Hector Guimard - Montreal Metro Square Victoria

Square Victoria Metro Station / Saint Antoine Entrance
Restored and Re-inaugurated in September 2003

A Touch of Gay Paree

This is an authentic Art Nouveau Parisian metro entrance portico from the Paris Métro System. It was given to Montreal in 1967 by the French to commemorate the collaboration of Canadian and French engineers in building our metro system. This cast-iron entrance portico is truly a gem and an important example of the Art Nouveau style. We're very proud to have this because it is also the only authentic Hector Guimard entrance in use on a metro station, anywhere in the world outside Paris. So, whenever you're in town, be sure to check it out! One more reason to visit Montreal? I hope so.

Colour My World

We're five days into the summer and all we've had is rain. Here are the blossoms of three Japanese Tree Peonies from my garden. They provide a much needed blast of colour and fragrance. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks to Petula Clark for inspiring me. Please Click Here.

Place Jean Paul Riopelle: La Joute Fountain

Stage 1: Fountain is engaged.

Stage 2: Outer ring of shooting mist.

Finale: A ring of fire.

Cost: Free of charge
Duration: Approx. 30 minutes
Showtime: Starts on the half hour, every hour, 7-11 p.m.

Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle: La Joute Fountain

Though technically lying outside the limits of the historic district, Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle is just a short walk north of Old Montreal and is well worth the trip. The square is home to a public art work, "La Joute", completed in 1969 by the Québec artist Jean-Paul Riopelle (1923–2002). It is a sculpted fountain, and in the summer, every hour on the hour from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. it comes alive with water jets, mist and flame. For the reveal, please stay tuned...

MMFA Sculpture Garden: Antony Gormley

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts's sculpture garden, which dates back to 2002, has one of the city's largest collection of public art. Over twenty works are highlighted in this outdoor garden, accessible to the public on Du Musée Avenue and Sherbrooke Streets. This piece is titled "Building VI". Every time I pass by, it reminds me of the line "Beam me up, Scotty" from Star Trek!

Artist: Antony Gormley (Born in 1950)
Artwork titled ‘Building VI’ (2003)
Stainless steel blocks
Located outside the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on Avenue du Musee, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Bell Rates: Montreal Payphones

Payphones are still commonplace throughout Montreal -- not as common as they once were, but you can still generally find one when you need it.

Rates for local calls made from Bell public payphones:
1946 to 1952 ------> 5¢
1952 to 1974 ------>10¢
1974 to 1981 ------>20¢
1981 to 2007 ------>25¢
2007 to Present --->50¢

A tenfold climb in six decades!

Canadian Artist - Joe Fafard's Claudia

Hold the calls. Claudia is on her lunch break!

This serene cow makes her home in the sculpture garden of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on Sherbrooke Street. Her creator is Joe Fafard whose art is heavily influenced by his Saskatchewan surroundings, and includes life-size bronzes of cows, horses and pigs.