The JRC Toys mega toy warehouse sale has been going on for 2 months already. You better get over there now in order to score incredible deals on name brand toys at fabulous prices. This Toy Holiday Sale goes on until Christmas eve..

JRC Toys has amazing deals on the hottest toys at discounts of up to 70% off. You can get a head start on your holiday toy list starting now. Shop often as new items appear every week.

Get some incredible savings on some of the biggest brand names toys including:  Vtech, Nickelodeon Slime, New Bright- Radio Control, Marvel, Melissa & Doug, Crayola, Play-Doh, Star Wars, Playmobil, Fisher Price, K’nex, CAT, Rawlings, Kidoozie, Laser Pegs, Nickelodeon Coloring Books and NHL.

They are now open every day, Monday – Friday till 8pm and weekends 10-5. They accept debit, Visa Mastercard, but no cheques. There will be no exchanges or refunds, as all sales are final.

Head here for the best prices on the most recognizable brand name toys.

Location: 5589 Royalmount
corner: Chemin Devonshire
Metro: Station de la Savanne
Tel: 514-342-6979
Times: Mon – Fri 10-8, Sat & Sun 10-5
jrctoys.com
email: info@jrctoys.com

Though we got “lucky” because it snowed early this year and thus hopefully many of you got in line to change to your winter tires. I’m reminding you that Quebec changed the date for when you must have your snow tires on. Now it is December 1st but most of us have still have Dec 15th stuck in our heads.

I like to mention Talon Tire because it is one of the few tire shops which has been approved by the consumer watchdog organization, the Automobile Protection Association. The shop is an independent tire dealer which has been in business since 1971, and specialize in quality tires for passenger cars, SUV’s, vans and light trucks. 

Jay at Talon Tire taught me that the state of your tires is one of the things that might save your life in a quick stop situation. Since this is quick stop season, or skidding or spinning season, make sure the ones on your car are the best you can have.

They are not just order takers – their staff has knowledge of a wide range of tire applications, and monitors the latest technological developments and trends in tire manufacturing. They can answer and questions about tires to help you make the right choice.

Some of the good reasons to buy your tires from them:

– Wheels are fastened on your car by first hand-threading the nuts and then hand-torquing them to manufacturer’s specifications. When needed, you will be able to remove the wheels without frustration – No warped brake rotors or stripped threads or marred wheels.

– Even if they install only one tire, they check and adjust all your tire pressures.

– Their repairs on flats are permanent and safe, since they use only quality chemical patches applied from the inside of the tire. Repairs done from the outside, without inspecting for internal damage, are only temporary, and can result in an eventual blowout.

– Their tire and wheel balancing is state-of-the-art. It’s so uniquely accurate that consumers residing several hundred kilometers away go there to resolve their vibration complaints and leave with a smooth comfortable ride.

– Your “Mag” wheels are safe with them, as they use only the highest quality nylon-coated balancing weights. They won’t change the plastic finish of your wheels or cause corrosion like regular lead weights.

Special tires can be bought here too. Talon Tire sponsors and supports grass roots Motorsports in Canada, and offer a wide range of competition tires. To help keep a cherished classic car on the road they stock over 20 sizes of hard-to-find vintage tires.

– There is no commission, so their staff won’t propose a more profitable tire when it’s not the right choice.
– There are no hidden extras in their price.
– Their road hazard guarantee provides a replacement tire based on the price you paid, and NOT on a higher suggested retail price which increases every year with inflation.

They offer a two month or 1,500 mile / 2,000 kilometer free trial period for every tire that they recommend for your car and driving needs. If you don’t like them, they’ll refund you 100% of the purchase price.

Talon Tire makes buying the right set of tires easy.

Location: 2607 Diab St. Ville St-Laurent, QC H4S 1E7
corner: rue Bois Franc
Tel: 514-337-0833
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-6
http://www.talontire.com/

Un Poyo Rojo translates as “a red rooster,” but the actors in this performance dance/act more like strutting peacocks. “It” takes place in an empty locker room with only two actors and very little dialogue. The “it” is hard to pin down. Is it dance? acrobatics? a play?

The physical comedy is a “pas de deux” where the deux are two men who act out this seductive battle of the dance. The moves run the gamut from wrestling to physical comedy and play out a courtship ritual with only body noises, facial expressions and a radio for the sound effects.

Un Poyo Rojo was developed in Argentina. Luciano Rosso trained in five kinds of dance while Alfonso Baron was famous in sports.  If you want to see more of Russo, you can check out his YouTube channel. Both men are remarkable in their performances and precision timing.

There’s plenty of testosterone, sweat and two sometimes silly performers showing off in a game of seduction where communication is conducted by a highly physical acrobatic dance and athletic competition. Expect every form of movement: martial arts, acrobatics,  mime, clowning and even body percussion.

It is worth coming to the Centaur Theatre to catch the fabulous physical virtuosity of dance, sport and sexuality in Un Poyo Rojo.

Location: Centaur Theatre, 453  St. Francois Xavier
Phone: 514-288-3161 or 514-288-3161
Dates: Sept 24-29
www.centaurtheatre.com

You’ll be spending more time indoors soon, so it’s time to re-fresh some decor. Window treatments really make a big splash and can really update the look of your home. Verti Store makes shopping easy because you don’t even have to leave the house. You can take advantage of their completely free and no obligation shop-at-home service. For the same pricing as in store, you can shop in the comfort of your own home with the help of their decorating consultants. 

With dozens of possibilities (check out www.lesdeliceslafrenaie.com), it would be impossible not to find a cake you’d love to eat at Les Delices La Frenaie. There are five locations – east, west, south and Laval, so they’re easy to get to wherever you live. They have been a fixture in St-Leonard for years. Drop in to any one and you can discover so many new treats it will be hard to choose.

Come here for: Bacio, Key Lime Cheesecake (15 others), Frutti di bosco, Dulce de Leche, Orange or Walnut pound cake (16 others), Limoncello, Heavenly Berry and Milky Way in 8″ or 10″ sizes (this can serve about 20). Some can be ordered 36 hours in advance for more than 20 people.

One of Sandra’s favorites is the understatedly named, Fruitcake. Imagine a Strawberry Shortcake made with an assortment of fresh fruit. It is light, whipped creamy, and not overly sweet.

The best deal is the apple, lemon, chocolate chip, or cinnamon marble cakes. I really like the amaretti biscotti. Trays of pizza (tomato, white, all dressed and vegetarian) can be ordered.

If you’re planning a gathering, why not treat your guests with one of Les Delices La Frenaie‘s drool-worthy, decadent cakes. Their delicious desserts are a sure thing to impress the sweet teeth of all dinner party guests.

Locations:  8405  Lafrenaie at Jarry (514-324-8039); Rosemere, 199F Cure-Labelle (450-430-4222); 58A boul. Brunswick (514-542-4242) at boul. des Sources; 51 Westminster Ave N, Montreal-West (514-312-2253); 1276 Dollard, LaSalle (514- 363-8776); 8245 boul Taschereau, suite B12 Brossard (450-462-4000).
Regular Hours: Mon-Fri 6-5, Sat 6-2
www.lesdeliceslafrenaie.com

Nova West Island runs Thrift Shops for NOVA which is having a half price sale at their 4 locations this weekend. The shops fund their charitable foundation which offers home palliative care and cancer support groups and runs 2 adult day centers for the elderly, all without government funding.

The 4 stores help raise money for their great cause. You can scoop up second-hand clothing for the family nicely hung on racks, or look for shoes, purses and hats.

“Green” shopping by recycling is a planet saving idea: there’s home knick-knacks, china, glassware, jewellery,and books. The sale even includes furniture at the Beaconsfield store.

Locations: (biggest) 43 Ste-Anne, St-Anne-de-Bellevue (514-457-1642); 2750 boul. St-Charles, Kirkland (514-697-6692); furniture (and knickknacks), 449 boul. Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield (514-694-8417) (books only); 321 St-Jean, Plaza Pointe Claire, Pointe-Claire (514-694-8457)
Dates: Sept 14 & 15
Hours: 10-4
www.thriftshopsfornova.com
fb boutiques d’occasion pour Nova/Thrift shops for Nova

When the start of the school year is just around the corner, that means that it’s time to stock up on the essentials, for your college bound kids. If you’ve got a lot to buy, but don’t want to break the bank, Liquideco offers one-stop shopping for all of your dorm room needs at warehouse pricing.

Even if you are not setting up a college dorm, you can take advantage of Liquideco’s fab sale where you can save 80% off the necessities to spruce up your home or their home away from home. Freshen up the beds with new comforter and sheets sets $43 Twin, $50 Double, $60 Queen, $70 King. Blackout curtains ensure a good night’s sleep starting at $25.

Stock up on sale items: 2-pc twin quilted coverlet with pillow cover only $27, twin sheet sets starting at $11 , assorted cushions starting at $3, curtain panels starting at $5, or pillow protectors (standard size) 2 for $12 or mattress protectors ($16), bathroom accessories starting at ($4), and kitchen accessories starting at ($1).

Show the coupon for an extra 15% off at the cash if you spend at least $50.
Free parking available. All taxes are included in the prices. Cash only.

Location: 8566 Boul. Pie-IX –  Click for map 
corner: Boul. Robert
Dates: Aug 23 -24, 2019
Times: Fri 10-6, Sat 8-3
www.liquideco.com

Q: My daughter has been looking for privacy to cover the rails on her balcony. We checked all the hardware stores and a couple of pool places and can’t find anything. We see them on balconies. Have you any answers for her.  Thank you.

A : C&M Textiles is always your go to place for any kind of fabric for home or fashion. They do have nylon fabrics for balcony railing:  7500 Hubert 514-  272-0247, 514-272-4740

Lascan used to be open to the public, (9001 Elmslie, Lasalle 514-366-2800) and they still sell all kinds of canvas and fabric for tents, awnings, tarps, etc. They are outdoor fabrics so they should be good for your project. You can call them and see who they sell to.

In the past, Ardene has been the go-to shop in malls for inexpensive accessories and then it branched out into inexpensive clothing.

So at their huge warehouse sale, you can find
– for $5 – dresses, denim shorts, sweaters, sweatpants, PJ sets, and even boots
– for $4 – handbags, tops, t-shirts, shorts, skirts
– for $3 – fashion tops, swimwear, leggings, PJ pants, bras, sandals, heels, wedges, and even sneakers
– for $2 – hats, beach bags, tank tops, scarves, winter knits (ugh in this heat?), flats, slippers
– for $1 – makeup,  belts, flip-flops, straw hats, leg & arm warmers

You can buy with cast, Interac, Visa or Mastercard.

Location: (the old Loblaws) 300 ave St-Croix, Ville St-Laurent H4N 3K4
corner: Maisonneuve
Hours: Wed-Fri 10-9, Sat & Sun 10-5
Dates: til July 28
Metro: du College
www.ardene-warehouse-sale.ca

Strut over to Cote St-Luc to catch an over-the-top performance of Cabaret by the Cote St-Luc Dramatic Society. As artistic director, Anisa Cameron remarked, This play is “an important piece which is relevant today.”

The plot is based on a novel by Christopher Isherwood and playwright Joe Masteroff’s story, and centers around a nightclub, the Kit Kat Klub, in 1930’s Berlin. While the fun life reigns inside, the Nazi uprising swirls outside. A performer at the club starts a relationship with an American writer who wants to write a book and has shown up in Berlin looking for a room. The star of the show, though, hands down, is the zealous Master of Ceremonies who commands all the action.

You must get over to see Craig Dalley’s performance as this Emcee. His suave, sexy, funny performance and professional stage presence carries the show. It is rare to give a top shout out to a Choreographer, but Alexa Gourd’s sensual, evocative, electric choreography allows the strong cast to strut the stage with an air of insouciance – and as precise as if they were on Broadway.

It’s fun to see the musicians playing, since even they are having a great time. Benjamin Kwong, Musical Director, is smiling and jiving through the whole show. The score and sound effects are right on. Loved it that John Kovac, playing Herr Schultz (really well!), is back in the theatre after 40 years. It’s never too late to return to your passions, and isn’t it wonderful that community theatre is here for us – especially one as good as this one.

Producer (and Mayor of CSL) Mitchell Brownstein pointed out that “in the theatre we can learn about people who are different, and that different people count.” Also that “we must be vigilant” and that the play “sends out a message of hope in the world if you try to make a difference, and that individuals can make a difference.”

He mentioned the Holocaust Education exhibit in the Cote St-Luc library during the play’s run. It refers to Righteous Gentiles, diplomats of many countries, who saved countless Jewish lives. The exhibit is a joint effort of the Montreal Holocaust Museum and Israeli Foreign Affairs led by Consul General of Israel for Quebec, David Levy.

Production Manager Jordana Dobski noted that the play (unlike the movie) makes the story of the boarding house owner, Fraulein Schneider, and her relationship to the Jewish fruit vendor a major plot line. Dobski says, this “un-acceptance of the others” is a lesson learned, and should be respected today.

So a shout out goes to teachers and schools out there who are reading this. The Cote St-Luc Dramatic Society is opening their doors during the day on Fridays for Matinees for students to witness and learn from Cabaret (14+ suggested).

So many lines in the show give warnings about things which are still happening today (think Bill 21?):

“One can no longer dismiss the Nazis” “They will take nothing away.” “Why can’t they leave as alone?” “Live and let live.” “What does politics have to do with us?”

The strong takeaway is that you have to make choices when you see injustice. What would you do?

Location: Cote St-Luc Library, 5801 Cavendish Blvd, Côte Saint-Luc, Harold Greenspon Auditorium
Dates: May 30-June 16
Price: regular admission $35, students and seniors $28
www.csldramaticsociety.com