Ted’s Hobby Shop has been a fixture on the West Island since 1958. Love their slogan regarding kids, “they have stuff to do, rather that stuff to have”. Their merchandise is a mixture of arts and crafts and toys which use brain power. So if you’re looking for board games, card games or jigsaw puzzles ( now featuring Wrebbit 3D ones for you puzzle aficionados),  science kits or model rockets, start here. But then think about:

– plastic model kits of cars, planes, boats, tanks, sci-fi vehicles from Star Trek, Star Wars, BattleStar Galactica
– scrapbooking and beading supplies
– plasticine, polymer clay (for jewelry and bead-making) and air dry clay
– general arts and crafts supplies like paint, paint by numbers and paint for models
– lots of radio-controlled airplanes, helicopters and cars
– airbrushes – for painting and air design

If you’re looking for a good selection of die cast airplanes, look no further. 80’s nostalgia buffs can pick up SNL’s Mr. Bill and some Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots. And just what every household needs – a remote-controlled rat or pigs that fly – they’re both sold here!

Smart Shoppers know that there are always display tables out front for discounted items

Location: 291 St. Jean Blvd. Pointe Claire QC H9R 3J1
Corner: Douglas-Shand
Tel: 514-697-1810
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-9, Sat 9-5, Sun 12-5
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/10YeUUB
Email: info@tedshobbyshop.com

La Cuisine’s commercial grade facilities are designed to be flexible and accessible for many kinds of cooking, dining or party events. They can be utilized for anything from taking cooking classes on how to use a knife or Indonesian cooking to hosting a wedding.

Cooking classes and instructional courses are offered in international cusines and techniques. You can register for one course, or get a discount if you choose a few, including: Thai, Laotian, Mexican, Caribbean, Cajun, Creole, Southern US, Nuevo Latino, French and Italian. Hard-to-find yet so informative courses can be taken here as well: smoking and BBQing, oysters, sausage making, soups, sauces, knife skills, cake-making and in decent weather – field trips. The classes include generous tastings and lots of interaction with their chefs.

To be convenient for all levels of the market, the space has been set up with multiple stations, each with Garland ranges and fryers, Blodgett convection ovens, Hobart mixers, slicers and food processors. They allow for flexible scheduling and independent work at all hours of the day. For chefs who need them, smokers, sous-vide, proofers and induction elements and more are also available.

The facilities are spacious and accommodating, with the flexibility to play host to any event or occasion, be they cocktail parties, corporate receptions, product launches, tastings, exhibits or fundraising events. Their space offers up services and equipment tailored to the demands of caterers, food trucks and small batch chefs, as well as event planners, promoters and community initiatives.

How’s this for original – they offer business incubator services, helping you bring your culinary art to the market, from production and research through marketing and branding, to sales and distribution.

The goal at La Cuisine is to share the art of cooking and the love of food with the people of Montreal.

Next Class Info:

Cajun & Creole Cuisine:
March 26th from 7pm to 9pm

MENU:

* Shrimp Etouffee

* Jambalaya

* Gumbo

Join Chef Michael Minorgan one of the pioneers of Cajun cuisine in Montreal when he opened ‘La Louisiane’ restaurant in 1991, as he explores the bold and intoxicating flavors of this delicious southern cuisine. He will be demonstrating local favorites.

$60.00 Special introductory offer : Bring a friend along free of charge.

Sign up prior to March 26th at info@lacuisine514.ca or telephone: 514 316-3606

Cuisine Cajun & Creole
Le 26 mars de 19 à 21 heures

Au menu:

* Gumbo

* Jambalaya

* Crevettes à l’étouffée

Joignez-vous au chef Michael Minorgan, l’un des pionniers de la cuisine cajun à Montréal depuis l’ouverture de son restaurant La Louisiane en 1991, alors qu’il explorera les saveurs audacieuses et enivrantes des spécialités de cette délicieuse cuisine du Sud américain.

60$ Offre spéciale d’introduction: amenez un ami gratuitement.

Inscrivez-vous avant le 15 mars au: info@lacuisine514.ca ou par téléphone au: 514-316-3606.

Location: 5475 Royalmount Ave. Town of Mont-Royal QC H4P 1J3
Corner: Chemin Devonshire
Telephone: 514-316-3606
www.lacuisine514.ca
Emails: info@lacuisine514.ca or minorgan@yahoo.ca

For nearly two generations, Club Organic has been a company which has encouraged organic farming. In continuing to buy organic, you can help Club Organic support the work and effort of those who believe  in saving the planet for future generations. Products sold are certified by Ecocert Canada, an international regulatory network.

You can shop without a membership, but for a subscription of $30 a year, you can receive discounts that can help you save money.

 Throughout the year, they offer practical workshops to learn how to successfully grow sprouts and  seedlings.  The courses (maximum 12 people) given by the knowledgeable Mrs. Edith Bergeron  useful whether you live in the city or country.

After the workshops, Club Organic Club offers a 10% discount on your purchases related products germination.

Cost: $60  You can buy a gift certificates for the course in the store. It’s a  great gift for the health of someone you care about.

Location: 4341 Frontenac St. Montreal QC H2H 2M4
corner: Marie-Anne
Tel: 514-523-0223
Hours: Mon-Wed 9:30-6, Thurs & Fri 9:30-8, Sat 9:30-5 , Sunday 12-5
www.epiceriebiologique.ca / Facebook http://on.fb.me/ZhuoFZ

For a “green” gift, why not buy something that has been re-cycled rather than using up the Earth’s resources? Often items made a long time ago were made better and will last longer.

You can have fun reminiscing and buying if you head to a REAL flea market. This one only has collectibles – not new jeans and undies. There are friendly people in the booths at Marche aux Puces St. Michel where the building has upgraded significantly and is filled with 100 stalls and 2 floors.

The second-hand items and collectibles like housewares, lamps, kitchenware, guitars and amps, 60’s retro, vintage radios/sound equipment, records, jewelry (restringing necklaces) and lots of furniture are so interesting to browse through.

Location: 7707 Shelley St. at St. Michel Blvd., side entrance of 3250 Boul. Cremazie
Phone: 514-691-1062
Hours: Open all year, Fri – Sun 9-5

Marnau Adaptive Products will be an exhibitor at the 3rd Annual Montreal Special Needs Fair. Marnau will be showcasing various adaptive products and services which can make your daily tasks just a little easier.

For people with disabilities, parents, family members and caregivers, this is a chance to meet face-to-face with transition services, support groups, therapy providers,  financial resources, local needs schools and programs and to try adaptive devices.

Location:  at Ruby Foods Hotel, 7655 Boul. Decarie
Date: Oct 24
Time: 10-8
www.marnau.ca

On Friday morning on CJAD 800AM, you can listen to  me  on the radio (or Internet) on the Andrew Carter Show. We’ll be talking about back-to-school shopping.

Location: CJAD 800AM
Time: 8:10 am
Date: Fri Aug 23
www.cjad.com

At Bummis they cheerfully give demonstrations on how to easily use and care for cloth diapers. Starter kits, beginning at $185, are really popular, and include 24 organic cotton diapers, six waterproof diaper wraps, flushable liners, fleece liners, a hanging diaper pail, and samples of bum balm and cloth diaper friendly detergent.

They manufacture many products as well, including a UPF 50 + Sun Line, swim diapers, potty pants and their own line of cloth diapers and accessories. Look for “seconds” too. This is Bummis 26th year in business: They were the first in Montreal to start manufacturing diapers and are still going strong distributing all over the world.

Focusing on sustainable parenting, you can expect to find toys and other products made of recycled plastic, locally made natural skincare products, and hand-made/fair trade bonding dolls.

Bummis also promotes attachment parenting so there’s a wide array of baby carriers from the Ergo Baby to Sakura bloom as well as products for nursing like their Bummis breastfeeding pillows, Bravado bras and pads, Lilla P origami tops and many Medela breastfeeding products.

They also offer workshops on babywearing, cloth diapers, baby CPR and knitting in addition to bi-monthly sessions with a certified lactation consultant.

LocationA: 4302 St-Laurent St. Montreal QC H2W 1Z3
corner: Marie-Anne
Hours     Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5
www.boutiquebummis.com

Hi smart shoppers! All of your Mom’s have to shop, so why not give them the tool to save money all year round? There is no reason to waste time shopping for price when the job has already been done by me in my book, Smart Shopping Montreal, now in its 14th edition.

Shopping local is what the book is all about – so stay green and help a Montreal family business at the same time. Those with less time for shopping will enjoy sitting in a comfy chair with the book,  calling stores to ask questions in advance.

Save time by planning instead of  cruising expensive malls or wasting earths’ resources by having online orders shipped here. By saving a minimum of 20% on most purchases, you are in effect gaining a pay raise – as you will have more disposable income.

http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/index.php?p=buy

Relax in a comfy chair and watch easy-to-follow steps in a DVD on how parents can become good coaches, motivate their children and provide them with learning methods, a sense of discipline and effective study skills (good timing now just before exam time). Parents will learn how to help their children develop as independent learners, achieve higher grades and become more successful students:

– Become disciplined and better organized
– Avoid procrastination and distractions
– Master memorizing
– Communicate effectively
– Anticipate and solve problems
– Resolve conflict

You can start changing things easily by ordering the DVD “Unleashing Your Child’s Potential” which comes with  an accompanying workbook that goes with the DVD to make it even more effective as a learning tool.. It has been designed by Improving Study Skills  an excellent organization with a 35-year track record for helping children and parents succeed.

Tel: 514-497-9895  or 514-482-3819

Parks Canada and Mountain Equipment Co-op will hold its “Learn to Camp” event on June 16 and 17 where you can enjoy a unique opportunity to camp on a genuine historic site on the shores of the Lachine Canal.  Parks Canada is trying to help people living in urban regions to discover camping and outdoor activities, and to connect with nature.

Just a few steps from the Atwater Market on Îlot Charlevoix, the banks of the Lachine Canal National Historic Site will be transformed into a campground. The site will feature activities throughout the weekend: rabaska canoe or cycling Canal experiences, children’s activities. A series of FREE Montreal Folk Festival concerts will be offered featuring Kevin Parent, Plants and Animals, Les Sœurs Boulay, Rob Lutes, Notre Dame de Grass, and many others.

Information: www.parkscanada.gc.ca/lachinecanal
Tel: 514-283-6054 or 1-888-773-8888
Reservations:  514-524-9225 or www.festivalfolkmontreal.com
Dates: June 16 & 17