From Fine Scotch To Espresso

As the old adage goes, “When life hands you lemons, make … err … coffee”. If there is a positive element to the current pandemic, it’s that it has caused many of us to be creative and adapt to very different circumstances. That’s what one downtown Montreal bar owner has decided to do. Natasha Geoffrion-Greenslade

Movies Without Popcorn

While the government of Canada warns people not to travel during the upcoming spring break, threatening strict quarantine measures upon returning to the country, the government of Quebec is attempting to provide some activities for kids during the week-long March break. What can reopen, beginning this Friday, are movie theatres. However, the selling of food

Closed Bars Having An Adverse Effect On My Health

I used to be a runner. Every weekday morning, before work, for about twenty years I could be found jogging around my neighbourhood. I was fanatical about doing it. Not about going longer or faster, but doing it without fail – in all kinds of weather. They’d say things like “If I don’t see you

A Micro View of COVID’s Burden On Hospitals

In the immediate aftermath of the 2020 year-end holiday season, the COVID-19 statistics in Quebec continue to be at alarmingly high levels. Both the number of infections and the number of deaths attributed to the virus rise every day. It would appear more folks went a visitin’ during the festive season than are admitting it;

Irresponsible To Reopen Elementary Schools

As predicted, in an effort to stem the rapid spread of the anticipated second wave of COVID-19, Quebec announced a ‘shock treatment’ lockdown yesterday . The lockdown comes with a new twist – a curfew. In the original lockdown people could come and go – outside – at will. Starting this Saturday a curfew will

Essentially, Essential Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, rumour has it that the Premiere of Quebec will, at a five o’clock news conference today, announce a severe new lockdown for the province. The kicker: it is also rumoured that this new lockdown will include a curfew. The plan seems to be that from 8:00

Traffic Reporters – Please Don’t Forget Downtown

At this time of a normal year I often feel sorry for radio traffic reporters. During most holiday seasons there is significantly less traffic volume, leading to traffic reporters trying to fill-in the couple of minutes allotted them, four times an hour. Add to these annual year-end doldrums the current pandemic lockdown, and the streets

That Law’s Not For Me

It snowed last night. The first accumulation of snow, not just a few scattered flakes, but not a storm either. Just a nice, if sloppy, welcome back to winter. The temperature has now gone up above freezing, and it is very slushy. But in the wee hours of the morning the snow fell and stayed,

Final Nail In Pub’s Coffin

Anyone who knows me or reads this blog will be familiar with my more than passing love of bars and pubs. From my late teens (okay, perhaps my mid-teens) I have felt at home in these once smoky establishments. As a younger man my preference was night-time forays to Montreal’s many drinking places. But with

Montreal’s Griffintown

Once again my wife and I ventured out from our COVID-19 confinement – rest assured we remained in our large hamster ball, wore masks, and maintained proper social distancing. We decided to stroll – or roll – through the part of Montreal known as Griffintown. Griffintown (once known affectionately by residents as The Griff) was