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

Q: My husband is looking for a tailor that can take his measurements and show him a selection of materials and create custom-made suits for him.

A: The Tailored Man is a Hong Kong Tailor who  has been coming to Montreal for about 3 decades, about 4 times a year. He makes appointments in 3 hotels. When you meet, he takes measurements, shows selections of fabrics which turn into custom-made suits (and shirts)

Then in the future, you can just e-mail and order shirts or suits. You can find more here on my Smart Shopping Montreal web site:  http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=287

It’s officially the last week of summer before our fall routines set in, so why not enjoy a little shopping time at Raffinalla’s Summer Sale. Lucky you, because Raffinalla (Le Groupe Raffinati), the well-known well-made Montreal label is having an end of season sale.

Save big on Spring & Summer Fashions.  Summer & Fall samples and overstock (all sizes available), #PerfectFitPant also available in plus & petite sizes, Comfort Fit Leggings, sportswear, coats, belts & scarves.

Each product from the Raffinalla line is conceived, cut, sewn, tested and inspected in the brand’s headquarters – it doesn’t get more local than that. Raffinalla carefully chooses fabrics imported from all over the world.

It is quite satisfying when you can buy these masterly constructed and designed garments on sale. Women love the timelessness of their designs, so they can keep collecting pieces to build wardrobes.

Head out and take advantage of this end of season sale offering quality stylish apparel at fantastic savings.

Location: 9200 Meilleur, suite 400
corner: Chabanel
Phone: 514-327-4477, 514-979-4764
Dates: Tues – Fri, Aug 28-31, 2018
Hours: 10-5
Private appointments welcome.
Metro: Station Cremazie, Bus 146
raffinalla.com

The South Shore University Women’s Club will be holding their 44th Annual Book Sale. All funds from this sale will provide scholarships for women pursuing higher education.

This is a good moment to clear your shelves and cupboards of unwanted books and give them to a good cause. It’s also a great time to start a library or find inexpensive summer reading. There are thousands of books to choose from in English and French. They’re nearly new and used.

Location: St. Barnabas Church, 95 Lorne Ave, Saint Lambert J4P 2G7
Phone: 450- 672-9315
Dates and Times: Wed-Fri Aug 15 -Aug 17: 5-9, Sat Aug 18: 9-3
www.ssuwc.ca

You’ve got boxes  or shelves of books (or CD’s or vinyl) and don’t know what to do with them. You don’t have the heart to throw them out.  There are places you can donate them, and one is McGill University. Every Fall, McGill University has a gi-normous book fair to raise money for projects in the school. This year it will be held on Oct 16-18.

If you have books, CD’s or vinyl in good condition, they want them and need them. And if you are in the West Island and don’t want to fight the orange cones to get downtown, you can easily drop them off nearby. You can call or e-mail to find out where.

Tel: 514-421-0804
e-mail: bookfair.alumni@mcgill.ca
Dates of Fair: Oct 16-18