Author: Steven Hoffer

OFF THE BOARD: My beef with Schwartz’s

For 21 years I did the best I could to remain kosher as my parents raised me. The tradition was, and still is, a cornerstone of my dietary identity. But the allure of Montreal’s most renowned non-kosher Hebrew delicatessen – so famous that it appears as a landmark on Google Maps – was too much to resist.

Irwin leads the way as Martlets march past smaller Sherbrooke

Going into Sunday afternoon’s match-up against the visiting Sherbrooke Vert et Or, Head Coach Rachel Beliveau stressed the importance of establishing a presence at the middle of the net as early as possible. Clearly, her players were listening. Sophomore middle Kaiva Mateus opened up the scoring in the first set with a thunderous solo block, and the McGill women’s volleyball team shut down the Sherbrooke offence en route to a convincing straight-set victory at Love Competition Hall.

POP RHETORIC: Tyra’s people

If I could do a case study on some of the alarming hypocrisy that characterizes media today, I would centre it on supermodel-turned-media mogul Tyra Banks. She truly embodies the modern rule of television: anyone willing to forego dignity, self-awareness, and all ironic detachments can potentially earn about $30 million a year.

10 gadgets to look for in 2010

1 USB 3.0 Ever since they were first invented in 2000, USB ports have always been basically the same. That is, until USB 3.0 drives were released. Early models include the Seagate BlackArmor PS110, which transfers data to your computer three times faster than the USB 2.

Easy paninis

In Italy, “panino” just means sandwich, usually made up of pretty basic ingredients. On this side of the Atlantic, however, the name conjures up images of crusty bread, melting cheese and piles of meat, something that seems complicated and gourmet, but doesn’t have to be.

The classic champagne cocktail

Happy hour is a typical part of family life at my childhood best friend’s house, and her mother is an elegant woman who drinks her five’o’clock champagne cocktail religiously. Often sipped by leading ladies in classic black and white films – Bette Davis once famously said, “there comes a time in every woman’s life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne” – this sophisticated drink is a delicious relic of old Hollywood.

McGill student lights up the Olympic Games

Most footage of the Olympic Torch Relay showcases celebrity athletes or political figures dutifully passing the Olympic flame in front of hundreds of cameras. While Olympians may be the only ones allowed to light the cauldron at the opening ceremonies, the Torch Relay consists of over 12,000 torchbearers, most of them non-athletes.

Culinary alchemy for incompetents

After a gruelling day on campus, coming home to a kitchen filled with random food items that don’t seem to relate to one another can be incredibly infuriating. In this situation, many revert to take-out or perhaps to pasta for the fifth night in a row. But even the barest of fridges or pantries can contain the basics for just about any meal.

Montreal and the Aerospace Industry

Like most sectors in today’s economy, the aerospace industry has suffered enormous losses over the past 18 months. Unlike its competitors, Montreal’s aerospace industry is heavily focussed on the production and distribution of regional jets. However, in the current economic climate, Canada’s primary aerospace hub will need to switch gears to a more environmentally friendly, more interconnected, and most of all, more innovative market.

Radio CKUT launches monthly showcase for McGill artists

Getting your band heard when you’re first starting out is rarely an easy feat, even in a musical city like Montreal. Getting your band heard by your peers at McGill can be even harder, which is why Radio CKUT is launching Thursdays (A)Live, a free showcase of McGill bands playing every third Thursday of the month at Gert’s.

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