Sho-Dan is Showing Up for Montrealers! | Montreal Tips Community

Sho-Dan sushi restaurant has been a downtown favourite for locals, tourists and business travelers for many years. It’s upscale, but still inviting and has a great atmosphere for a fun night out or a romantic evening for two.

It’s vegetarian friendly, accommodates groups through private rooms, and the creative menu can only be described as a work of art. Delicious, delicious art. Now this Montreal fixture is really stepping up for Montrealers by participating in two key events happening this Fall: YES Montreal – Tune Into YES13 YES was founded in the mid-90’s in response to the flow of young, aspiring and English-speaking Quebecers leaving the province for better career and business opportunities. Their goal is to help English-speaking Quebecers find gainful employment in-province, build and expand meaningful careers, and even start or grow their own Quebec-based businesses. Their annual Tune Into YES event is a benefit and silent auction to raise funds for this incredible nonprofit organization. The event is always a lot of fun and this year’s is looking especially exciting with live circus performances from the amazing Le Monastère, as well as complementary wine and beer, and delicious bites from local restaurants including Sho-Dan. Sho-Dan will be donating a selection of their famous and scrumptious dishes to the event to support the cause and make for a truly unforgettable evening. MTLàTABLE – Local chef, local ingredients, local awesomeness For the first time ever, Sho-Dan will be participating in the annual and eagerly awaited MTLàTABLE. If you love food (who doesn’t?) you have to love MTLàTABLE. With 150 restaurants throughout the city participating, you can sample just about everything the city has to offer. Every participating restaurant offers a table d’hôte at a flat rate of $23, $33 or $43 (a select few have brunch offerings at $17). These are all high end restaurants where a typical evening out would cost much more, so the event offers a unique opportunity to sample the menus without breaking the bank.

Presse conference Montréal à Table.

Because of that, the event is extremely popular so reservations are a must. This year, Sho-Dan is offering an impressive menu at just $33. The three course menu is built around local ingredients and features halibut marinated in maple syrup and miso, shrimp tempura with ginger and lime, gyoza (everyone’s favourite), salmon tartar with fruit, mochi ice cream and so much more. Sho-Dan is located in the heart of Montreal’s downtown on Metcalfe between Sherbooke and de Maisonneuve.

October 15, 2019/by T Riman

Causes, Education, Entrepreneurs

Y4Y Quebec Helps English-Speaking Youth Thrive!

In 2018, Le Journal de Montreal commissioned a poll that revealed some discouraging figures about English-speaking Quebec youth. According to that poll, about 60% of respondents were considering leaving Quebec due to tensions between the anglophone and francophone communities. That’s bad news for the Quebec economy at a time of record low unemployment rates, when finding top talent is more challenging than ever. Especially since many of the anglophones leaving the province, or considering leaving, are well educated, bilingual young people – people who could potentially fill some of those gaps in the labour market. Y4Y (youth for youth) Quebec is a provincial non-profit youth network aimed at English-speaking Quebecers between the ages of 16 to 30. Their mission is to address the issues and concerns facing anglophone youth in the province, and build a sense of community and belonging among them. Through this mission, Y4Y hopes to help this demographic reach their fullest potential within the province, so that they ultimately decide to stay in Quebec.

So, what of bilingualism and support of the French language? Through their own research, Y4Y has found that anglophone youth are actually big supporters of bilingualism, with over 90% of poll respondents saying they believed that learning both English and French is important to Quebec youth. Over 50% expressed an interest in improving their French proficiency, and several more expressed confidence in their current French-language skills. With such interest in learning French and, in many cases, existing bilingualism, why do so many anglophone youth consider leaving? Both Le Journal’s poll and Y4Y’s research uncovered a disconnect with Quebec society. The Journal respondents claimed tensions between the anglophone and francophone communities to be concerning, while over 80% of Y4Y respondents expressed a moderate to non-existent attachment to Quebec society. This disconnect is what Y4Y is working to remedy.

Through their work, they hope to inspire English-speaking youth to build the confidence to begin taking on more leadership roles throughout the province. Despite the tensions (or perceived tensions), many Quebec youth of both communities want the same thing: a vibrant, dynamic society with strong leadership, a healthy economy and a growing labour market, where francophone language and culture are celebrated, and learning both languages is accessible to all. Bridging the gap between the communities is how this becomes possible, and it is organizations like Y4Y that are leading the effort. If you would like to know more about Y4Y, join the network, or otherwise get involved, visit their website or drop by their offices at 5964 avenue Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. “Y4Y is now offering internships on an ongoing basis for cegep and university students in communications, marketing, political science, social sciences, and related fields. Please send your CV and a brief letter of intent to info@y4yquebec.org with the subject heading “Request for Internship” ?

Founder | Marketer | Speaker | Best Selling Author | University Instructor With a passion for exploration and sharing new discoveries, I founded Montrealtips.com, with proceeds going to the UN Refugee Agency, Montreal Children’s Hospital and other causes. I am also involved with NGOs & charities in Canada & worldwide. Tarek on Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter

April 29, 2019/by T Riman

Author, Causes, Entrepreneurs, Woman Entrepreneurs

Corrie Sirota | Grief, Loss and Bereavement Specialist

Someone Died – Now What?

If the title of this post caught you off guard, you should know that it’s actually the title of a profoundly helpful book written by Grief, Loss and Bereavement Specialist, Corrie Sirota. Someone Died – Now What?: A Personal and Professional Perspective on Coping with Grief and Loss is described as “a GPS for grieving”, and that’s exactly what it is. Though death can happen in an instant, the impact for those left behind can be enduring. Even in cases of expected and planned for loss – following illness or at the end of a long life – there can be a sense among family and loved ones of… Now what?

How do you move forward?
How do you experience the present?
How do you support those around you who are grieving?
What do you need to do in the moment?
What do you do with overwhelming sadness, anger, guilt or even numbness?
What can you expect in the immediate and distant future?
How do you create a new normal for yourself and your family?

One thing Corrie knows for sure, is that people experiencing loss often want (and need) direct answers to questions like this. They need guidance from someone with both personal and professional experience and knowledge to help them navigate what can be an overwhelming experience. Corrie holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Loss and Bereavement. She is also a licensed psychotherapist, facilitates a number of support groups, and has been supporting people in an official capacity since 1994.

But that’s just the official part. On a personal level, Corrie seems uniquely suited to help people through this process. Her unending optimism, deep sense of compassion, and enduring hope mesh perfectly with her professionalism and practicality, giving readers the reassurance that they are in capable hands. Neither Corrie, nor her book, offer “quick fixes”. Instead, Corrie takes a strength-based approach, helping people work through their experience, building their own strength and recognizing or rediscovering their own abilities and balance in life. Most of all, she knows that everyone’s experience of loss and bereavement is unique. She knows that you have it within you to work through your experience, and she will be your guide to do so. Corrie’s insightful, inspiring, helpful and hopeful book is an incredible gift to yourself or someone you love who is experiencing loss or bereavement. Corrie also has a wonderful Facebook page that shares helpful resources and powerful messages to help you see loss and grief through a new perspective.

MELISSA DAWN : Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be | Corporate and Leadership Coach | Best-Selling Author | Speaker I am Founder of CEO of Your Life, an organization helping individuals and businesses get clear on where they are, where they want to be and what they need to do to get there. Read more on Melissa

February 2, 2019/by Melissa Dawn

Causes, Entrepreneurs

Lianas Senior Transition Support

SPOTLIGHT: Lianas Senior Transition Support If you have a senior loved one, or if you are a senior yourself, you know that this phase of life has the potential to be a wonderful experience, in many ways.

Unfortunately, it also has the potential to be challenging, discouraging, frustrating, even frightening.

And when it comes to moving into a retirement home or downsizing living arrangements, you also know that there is a lot more to consider than simply packing up and moving house. Depending on your family circumstances, you may need to coordinate realtors, notaries, lawyers, and/or a variety of administrative and support services. You may want to compare and tour a range of retirement homes. You may need to consider in-home care or assistance, changing health or medical needs, and even work through the emotional or psychological struggles that can come with this life phase, for all family members.

With all that to consider… where do you even begin??

Well, you can start with Lianas Services.

Lianas Services is an organization specializing in senior transition support. They help families with everything from determining and finding the right living arrangements (be that a retirement community, downsized home, or even your current home, with extra support), to packing up and moving, to working through paperwork, to coping with any stress or feelings of vulnerability, and everything in between. The truth is, there are so many options, opportunities and services available to seniors. But, with so much out there, it can feel incredibly overwhelming to both seniors and their families. Often, people put off the transition because of this sense of overwhelm. That can leave seniors isolated, unsupported and, most importantly, not fully enjoying all the opportunities available to them, or not getting the care that they truly deserve. In many cases, seniors put off this transition because they (understandably) value their independence. But many of the services available can help them maintain, or get back, their independence and autonomy, so they can live life the way they truly want. Lianas provides and facilitates access to a variety of services. You are matched with a Lianas Senior Advisor who does all the legwork of:

Finding the services that are right for you;
Coordinating appointments;
Meeting with service providers;
Arranging tours of retirement homes;
Communicating with you and your family throughout the process;
Following up with service providers and companies;
Even supporting you on a personal level by answering all your questions, listening to your concerns and needs, and truly putting the happiness and care of your family first.

The services of a Senior Advisor are provided at ABSOLUTELY NO COST to seniors and their families. Additionally, Lianas’ Senior Transition Specialist, Stefanie Cadou, is also a residential real estate broker with Royal Lepage who specializes in helping families with all aspects of senior transitions including the sale of the home or condo, packing up and moving. These services are provided at a fee, to be determined based on the needs of the client.

The people at Lianas are true professionals. The founder and president, Matt Del Vecchio, is a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (if his name sounds familiar, it might be because he is also the host of CJAD’s weekly radio show, “Life Unrehearsed”), and the incredible staff of Authorized Senior Advisors come from a range of professional backgrounds to uniquely meet the needs of the families who come to them. If you, or someone you love, is entering into this phase of life, the Lianas Services team is the perfect guide to help you and your family experience this transition fully supported, with expert advice, knowledge and resources on your side. Check out Lianas Services and be sure to watch and read testimonials from happy families.

Founder | Marketer | Speaker | Best Selling Author | University Instructor With a passion for exploration and sharing new discoveries, I founded Montrealtips.com, with proceeds going to the UN Refugee Agency, Montreal Children’s Hospital and other causes. I am also involved with NGOs & charities in Canada & worldwide. Tarek on Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter

February 2, 2019/by T Riman

Causes

Camp Erin Creates a Safe Space for Children’s Grief

Camp Erin® Montreal

SPOTLIGHT: Camp Erin Creates a Safe Space for Children’s Grief

Montreal Tips | Cause of the Month | January 2019

Children experience grief differently from adults and often struggle to cope with feelings they don’t understand and can’t articulate. It can be an immensely helpful and healing experience to spend time with other children who are also working through grief, and guided by adults who understand their unique experience.

Camp Erin® Montreal

Camp Erin is the largest network of free bereavement camps in North America, and is open to children aged 6 – 17 who have experienced the loss of a loved one. This incredible camp gifts children with the opportunity to laugh, cry, grieve and celebrate. It allows them to accept that it is okay to be sad and okay to be happy. It is a space where they can be children among other children who also have loss in their hearts; to experience, together, that their own lives can move forward with joy, fun and all the typical childhood activities, while celebrating and honouring their memories of their lost loved one. You can learn a bit more about what they do and what the camp is like for children in their video. The camp is led by grief professionals and trained volunteers, including the camp’s Clinical Director, Corrie Sirota. Corrie specializes in the areas of loss and bereavement, parenting, relationships, stress management and self esteem. She is also the author of the incredibly insightful and supportive book, Someone Died… Now What? A Personal and Professional Perspective on Coping With Grief and Loss. Having experienced the loss of her own brother at a young age, helping children through painful loss is a purpose dear to her heart. Camp Erin has a staff to camper ratio of 2:1 to ensure every child receives the attention and care they need. It takes place over a weekend and is now scheduled for August 9 – August 11, 2019. The deadline for camper registration is June 30, 2019.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this amazing initiative, check out Camp Erin details here. Camp Erin is completely free to campers and is very grateful for any donations that help them offer this unique, caring and compassionate experience to grieving children.

MELISSA DAWN : Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be | Corporate and Leadership Coach | Best-Selling Author | Speaker I am Founder of CEO of Your Life, an organization helping individuals and businesses get clear on where they are, where they want to be and what they need to do to get there. Read more on Melissa

January 22, 2019/by Melissa Dawn