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* PER PERSON By P.A.Sévigny The Suburban When compared to all the other measures taken to stop Montreal's various street gangs in their tracks, west end city and school authorities are beginning to recognize how NDG's Ricardo André and his wife, Caroline Orchard, are making a big difference in NDG's "South-Side." With little more than a lot of heart, a passion for young lives and the special kind of education bought and paid for after spending most of your life on the street, both André and Orchard are out on the street telling anyone who will listen how they do have a choice and the gangs aren't the only road out of the 'hood. "There's no way anyone can talk down

for a family, until the end of October

6 * THE SUBURBAN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2010

NEWS & ANALYSIS

NDG's Big Step program is taking it to the streets

to these kids," said André. "The only reason they're listening to us is because they know we're coming from [what] is essentially the same place they come from." As a graphic artist, André is working hard to produce an interactive series of comic strips in which the reader has the choice of possible outcomes to a given situation. Within the context of the story's narrative, André makes the effort to have his drawings reflect urban street life as it is seen, felt and heard on the streets of downtown Montreal. Apart from contemporary hip-hop fashion, (especially on the girls,) André's "Broken Mirror" series reflects Montreal's own particular street patois and the multiethnic diversity which defines street life in the city's downtown core. Born in Longueuil, André spent most of his early years in Montreal before his mother decided to move to the United States. As a young teenager in New York City, he began to draw and, as he later told The Suburban, "he never quit." After an accident forced him to come back to Canada for medical treatment, he noticed how much the city changed Family mid-season passport (4 people) * Price per person to purchase a family mid-season passport. Taxes extra. Certain conditions apply. A 2010 Season passport is valid for admission at most Six Flags properties. while he was away. While the city's street gangs were just beginning to establish themselves, André knew it would be only a matter of time before they would begin to take their place in the city's criminal underworld. "Let's face it," said Orchard. "It's all about power and money. Even if you've got nothing else going for you, just one per cent of your total drug sales (retail) can add up to a lot of money." As the daughter of a professional criminal, Orchard spent most of her life near assorted criminal elements before a strung-out crack addict used a rock in a sock to break her jaw and several teeth when she refused to hand him over some money for another fix. Before meeting André, she found work and took a nursing degree after which the two decided they owed it to their community to do what they could for other young people who were trying to figure out what to do with their lives. "It's always small stuff at the beginning," said André. "But before you know it, the gang becomes your life after which you're soon up to your neck in big trouble." n

Verdun's new island golf course

By P.A.Sévigny The Suburban As of last week, anyone on Nuns' Island who hears a loud "Fore!" knows it doesn't necessarily mean someone is urgently calling for four more beers. Last Saturday, after years of hard work and assiduous planning, local city promoter Pierre Émond finally opened his nine-hole Nuns' Island golf course to the public. Apart from the fact Émond still must build his clubhouse and other amenities, first reports say the new 24.3 hectare site is a success. While its original design takes full advantage of all the property's natural attributes, the new course manages to provide an interesting and challenging game only minutes away from downtown Montreal. On opening day, there were line-ups at the first tee as foursomes were kept waiting for their chance to play the course after which many of the duffers all agreed the course was both a challenge and a pleasure to play on. While the property belongs to the Verdun borough, Émond holds a 40-year lease in which the borough's immediate concerns about the local environment are all clearly spelled out for future reference and possible consultation. As it takes at least a generation (30 years) before any golf course comes into its own, Émond has plenty of time to build upon his already solid foundation. While tents and trailers presently provide the working infrastructure for the club, Émond is planning to build a proper clubhouse for next year. He is also hoping to use solar power for his electric golf carts and, as stipulated in his lease, the local promoter is hoping the Nuns' Island golf course will become a bright and shining light for future, ecologically conscious, golf course design. But, as any serious golfer knows, it's still expensive to spend your day on the links trying to place a little rubber ball into a tiny cup not much bigger than your average beer can. As Westmount's Ron Walker put it, "You can spend your summer playing golf or you can spend your winter skiing but only the rich can do both." n IT'S SCREAMING AWESOME laronde.com

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