Real estate agents quiver when they hear that Mr. Charney is doing the house inspection, because they’re afraid he’s too thorough. His findings have lost some sales, but some vendors are willing to negotiate about the necessary repairs.

This Harvard graduate is an architect with 42 yrs experience, and can work across N.A. He provides an estimate of what it would cost to put the house into a good state of repair, including  photos of the defects and how to fix them.

At $200 per hour, a typical inspection runs $2,500 for 15+ hours, including a well illustrated narrative report. It’s money very well spent for one of the largest investments most people will ever make.

Tel: 514-937-5100
www.morrischarney.com

This make-up specialist, well-known in the TV industry, is an expert in the business. If you just want natural enhancement in your make-up application or wowy celebrity glamour, she’s done it all.

For special events, weddings, grads or anytime her (very fair) basic fee is for a 4-5 hour session; however, she can transform about 7 or 8 females in that time from ordinary to extraordinary.

Tel: 514-824-0650

Comfort and Protection Plus has just started selling the Unique Wellness brief here. It’s very different from the regular pharmacy brand in that it has three ultra thin layers of material allowing it to hold 2,600 ml of liquid discharge.

The brief does not get soaking wet as you might imagine because of the patented construction technique (Incontek) which was developed actually by NASA for the astronauts while in space. The Wellness Brief’s unique layering takes the wetness away from your body, and it also protects you from embarrassing odors. All of the moisture is retained away from the skin in a separate layer and what is actually against the skin feels dry.

The design and materials have had wonderful success on the U.S. Space Station where they are known as Maximum Absorbency Garments. The technology is known as InconTek and features triple layers of absorption, making it perfect for overnight usage, bowel movements or wear for extended time periods. The side tabs are re-fastenable and the leg design is comfortable yet snug for added leak protection.

The advantages of the brief are as follows:

- You only have to change a maximum three times per 24 hour period which allows you more freedom to go about and enjoy your day. If there is a care giver involved there is less work required to look after the individual.

- It has a wetness indicator telling you when it is time to change.

- From a cost point of view, while one Unique Wellness brief is a little more expensive than one mass market brand, at the end of the day if you only have to use three briefs compared to seven to ten and then an overnight brief, then you are saving a considerable amount of money.

- The prices include delivery direct to your home in the Greater Montreal area: including South and North shores, Laval, Repentigny, Hudson etc. They are not available in retail stores. This brief has never been available in Quebec and they are the exclusive distributors.

- Comfort and Protection Plus offers a no hassle re-order system whereby, if you want, they will automatically set up a rotating delivery schedule every 21-30 days depending on the level of incontinence of the individual. This means you will never be out of briefs and you will never have to call in a panic to re-order. If you are an adult child looking after an elderly parent this feature should ease your mind and give you less to worry about.

- The carton is generic and does not mention what is actually included in the box rendering their service discreet and professional.

CAPP is also the exclusive Canadian distributor of Kleinert’s which is a line of incontinence products, made by a US manufacturer, in existence since 1869 – over 143 years! Kleinert’s is a proud supplier to the Department of Veterans Affairs in the US and its system of VA hospitals.

The patented disposable Safe & Dry system of Ultra Thin Gel Pads, when used in conjunction with their 100% cotton washable waterproof brief, is designed for people with light to moderate incontinence and is a very affordable solution. The Safe & Dry Ultra Thin Absorbent Gel Pad is both extra wide and long and absorbs 330 cc of liquid and is very easily changed

100% cotton briefs are treated with the patented process of Fabrapel, a hypo allergenic finish which provides water and stain repellency, and retards odours while establishing comfort and confidence. The brief is comfortable, quiet and does not create heat as do vinyl or plastic pants.

These products are available in Canada for the first time and are not available in retail stores.

www.ComfortAndProtectionPlus.com
info@comfortandprotectionplus.com
Phone :  514-819-8088

Who wouldn’t want more space in their kitchen, bedroom, or office? While you’re stuck in in the winter, it’s a good time to go through this renovation if you’ve been considering it.

Arrange Spaces started when a couple of partners who had experience in the custom storage industry, went out on their own to make a better quality product (look at their shelf edges and shelf hardware) at a fair price and to create satisfied customers. They offer free on-site evaluations for refreshes to closets, kitchens, mud rooms, offices, laundry rooms or garages.

They can show you 3D computer images which let you visualize the space in its new configuration. You can visit their showrooms to try out the organizers: pull-out baskets, pull out shelves, belt and tie racks, jewelry drawers, valet rods which allow you to prepare the next day’s clothing, laundry hampers that can be used to pre-sort clothes or store the dry-cleaning.

In garages, sports equipment and gardening tools are organized on an adjustable slat wall system and work benches of any size can be fitted. They offer custom cabinets in 20 colors and in any size to maximize your wall space for storage.

Murphy beds are sold and they can make any room have two personalities: by day, it may be your office or playroom and then by night, it comes down into a comfortable bed with a coil mattress for your guests. It’s a good space saver solution for condos as well. If you need them, they also have a big selection of custom closet doors.

Location: 5633 Ch. Saint-Francois, Ville St. Laurent QC H4S 1W6
Corner: rue Donahue
Phone     514-339-1111
www.arrangespaces.com Facebook http://on.fb.me/zmaWYG
info@arrangespaces.com

As we get down to the wire and frantic-ness sets in, it is a lot easier if you just go to one store, preferably a locally family owned one (keep the money here in town) where great customer service is the rule.

I’ll mention 3 places, Kidlink for award winning toys, JRC for discount toys,  and then Le Panier for gifts for the adults (unless they want some of these cool toys!).

Kidlink, 5604 Monkland Ave. NDG   corner: Oxford   Tel: 514-482-4188   Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5

1- Spooner Board ($55 for children, $65 for adults) – If you’ve ever thought you’d like to try skateboarding but were afraid of the risks, the Spooner Board is a safe way to do all those tricks right in your living room. There are no wheels but you can spin, flip, pirouette and more. It doesn’t scratch wooden floors and is great for kids or adults. You can watch videos on YouTube to learn different kinds of tricks. This is one of the the #1 sellers this year.

2 - Mind Flex ($99.99) – Okay I’m going to admit that I don’t believe this works but it must as they are selling tons of them. This is a futuristic toy which started out in science museums. You put on a pair of headsets and just concentrate. Your brainwaves are “read” and can levitate a ball which you try to move through an obstacle course. Kids can somehow make this move faster than adults who have no faith it will work.

3 - Ukloo ($14.99) – This card game was invented by a Mom whose kids didn’t like to read. It teaches kids to read using a treasure hunt series of cards. It takes about 10 min. to set it up in the house. The child has to “read” each card in order to find the next one. This game won lots of awards.

4 – Ice Cream mugs (9.99) – These come as penguin or polar bear cups where you put in ice and salt and then your flavor (chocolate milk, orange juice, lemonade). Then you close the top and shake shake shake for about 10 min (this way you burn up the calories you will consume) and voila – instant ice cream.

5 – Speaker Creation ($15.99) – A local company has developed this toy. There is a boy or girl model and it’s for kids 8 and up. You take a assembled speaker (which has really decent quality) and put it into a white cardboard box which you then decorate and personalize. You can hook up an iPod to it. ($15.99)

6 – 6-in-one Solar Kit ($19.99) – A no battery toy, imagine that. For kids who like to build, this bunch of parts can be made into a solar windmill, plane, airboat, etc. Adults might even enjoy this one.

7 – Lamaze Northern Lights Soother ($44.99) – Move over Ocean Wonders. This musical toy also soothes baby to sleep while hanging on the crib however this one you can load with YOUR songs. Baby activates it with a touch and shuts it off with another touch.

8 – Got Milk? ($3.99/6) – The fastest chocolate milk in the world. You place a straw which is filled with tiny flavor balls into your milk, and as you suck, it becomes chocolate milk – or strawberry or banana or vanilla, or cookies and cream.

JRC Toys,   5589 Royalmount at Devonshire, Snowdon    Tel: 514-342-6979    Hours:    www.jrctoys.com

Monster High dolls: Deuce Gorgon and Cleo de Nil -  Reg. $44.99   JRC: $24.99

Crayola Cars Color Fillz model magic, press and fill art project -  Reg: $12.99 each  or  JRC:  2/$10

Barbie Laptop Computer for learning letters, numbers, shapes, music, Spanish -  Reg: $49.99 or  JRC $29.99

Mr. Potato Head‘s whole family – Reg $29.99,  JRC $19.99

Leap Frog Tag reading system with pointer and book – Reg. $ 58.999  JRC $29.99

Transformer Optimus Prime -  Reg $59.99   JRC $39.99

Bakugan 2 player game Battle Brawls – Reg. 39.99  JRC  $19.99

Alex Rub a dub Car Wash bath toy Reg. 32.99   JRC  $19.99

Fairy Box sticky mosaics makes a jewelry box  Reg $16.99  JRC $9.99

Air Hogs remote controlled Zero gravity Nano car climbs walls, goes upside down –   Reg $34.99   JRC $19.99

Le Panier, 200 Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire   Tel: 514-695-7038    www.lepanier.com

1 – Singing Justin Beaver plush toy $39.99) – Squeeze his toe and he starts “Baby, baby, baby….”

2 – Chocolates filled with ice wine ($9.99) – A Canadian flavored treat

3 – Pook toque-sock hat ($19.99) – A cute way to stay warm in winter

4 – Dog tie ($10.99) – Got to get them ready for the holiday galas

5 – Crayon Necklace ($9.99) – Kids can wear it wherever they go and have an instant activity

6 – Corksicle ($24.99) – If you want to chill white wine quickly – just keep this in your freezer and after you uncork the bottle, slide the Corksicle in, and the wine stays chilled through your meal.

7 – Turkey Timer ($16.99) – No more guessing when the turkey is done, just stick this into the bird and when it’s ready, it pops up.

8 – Scarf with jewelry magnet ($29.99) – You don’t need to know the secrets of knotting your scarf  “just so”. Slip the scarf around your neck, click the jeweled magnet and voila!

9 – Whiskey rocks ($23.99) – Don’t want watered down whiskey? Just keep these in your freezer and drop them into your drink to keep it chilled.

10 – That 70′s mix candies (11.99) – Whatever era you grew up in 50′s, 60′s 70′s, 80′s, there’s a box of nostalgic candy for you.

11 – Fishing pole BBQ lighter ($19.99) – A cute way to start up the grill

12 – Red-neck wine glass ($14.99) – A mason jar attached to a wine glass stem. People smile when they see it.

And if that wasn’t red-neck enough for you…

13 – Red rear flap longjohn PJ’s – These come in all sizes for the family – from kids to Daddy

Iegor is holding auctions coming up next week. On Monday there is one for fine wines, Tuesday, there will be one for Canadian, Inuit and International art and then on Wednesday for antiques, art objects, naturalia, Charles Sucsan collection and Quebec ceramists.

Viewing started Nov 11th and continues to the day of auction from noon-5.  Even If you can’t make it there,  these auctions will be held simultaneously on location and LIVE on www.iegor.net

Their experts can  assess your property in the following departments:  Canadian and International art , antiques, fine vintage wines, fashion and jewelry, 20th century design, art of Asia, India, Africa, Oceania and South America, rare books, scrolls and collectibles.

For important collections you may schedule an appointment on site or at your residence by calling for an appointment.

Location: Hotel, des Encans, 872, rue du Couvent
Montreal: 514- 344-4081
Dates and times: Mon Nov 14: 7:30pm- fine wines
Tues: Nov15: 7:30pm – Canadian, Inuit and International art
Wed Nov 16: 7:30pm – antiques, art objects, naturalia, Charles Sucsan collection and Quebec ceramists
Viewing: til date of auction 12-5

Palm Beach: T (561) 651-7200
Paris : 33 (0) 6 74 02 59 92
info@iegor.net - www.iegor.net

If you or your kids have a song in your heart and would like to learn to play an instrument, why not take a look at the West Island West Island Music Academy? They are having an Open House on August 20th and 27th. In the flyer below, there is a coupon for a free 30-minute trial lesson.

Barbara Ovadia has devoted her career to the field of Music Education over the past 35 years.  She has worked as a Music Specialist at several local elementary schools. Besides that she founded and directed Broadway Theater, a local children’s theater group for 10 years.

Joel Ovadia. the Musical Director has spent the past 10 years teaching guitar, piano, bass and drums to students of all ages. He graduated from Vanier College and Concordia University with degrees in Music. Joel also worked for several summers at McGill University’s Garage Band Camp, taking the groups on tour throughout Quebec and has appeared on several independent releases as a guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, producer and engineer.

So between the two of them, they have covered the gamut from rock band to show tunes and can teach you the kind of music that you might want to learn.

Location: 61 Place Frontenac, Pointe-Claire
Tel: 514-505-6606 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 514-505-6606 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Fax: 514-375-1054
Dates and Times  of Open House: Aug 20 & 27: 10-5
info@westislandmusicacademy.com
www.westislandmusicacademy.com

Iegor  is holding auctions  coming up next week. On Monday, there will be one for fine vintage wines and then on Tuesday for fine art and antiques.  Wednesday is for Pre-Columbian Art and some discoveries.

Viewing starts tomorrow.  If you have something you think might be valuable, they will have free appraisal days too on Sat Apr 9-Mon Apr 11. Even If you can’t make it there,  these auctions will be held simultaneously on location and LIVE on www.iegor.net

Monday April 11th: 7:30pm
Fine vintage wines under the authority of the SAQ

Tuesday April 12th: 7:30pm
Fine Art, Antiques, Objets d’Art, Asian Art & Design

Wednesday April 13th: 7:30pm
Discovery Sale  & Pre-Columbian Art

VIEWING
From Friday April 8th to the day of the auction, from noon to 5pm

FREE APPRAISAL DAYS:  Sat Apr 9th, Sun Apr 10th and Mon Apr 11th
Time: 10- 5

Their experts can  assess your property in the following departments:  Canadian and International art , antiques, fine vintage wines, fashion and jewelry, 20th century design, art of Asia, India, Africa, Oceania and South America, rare books, scrolls and collectibles.

For important collections you may schedule an appointment on site or at your residence by calling for an appointment.

Location: Hotel, des Encans, 872, rue du Couvent
Montreal: 514- 344-4081
Palm Beach: T (561) 651-7200
Paris : 33 (0) 6 74 02 59 92
info@iegor.net – www.iegor.net

It’s so cold outside that Cafe Gourmet has decided to warm your insides with a deal. If you order 1.5 kg of your favorite coffee blend, they will include a bag of delicious Dutch hot chocolate for FREE.  Their coffee special of the moment: Burundi AA is $24 kg. (reg $34 kg)

This company can deliver to you its trendy coffee beans in over 40 kinds (like Yrgacheffe from Ethiopia, Italian espresso, Jamaican Blue Mountain, Hawaiian Kona, Costa Rican, Moka Java, Panamanian, etc.) and also pure Swiss water process decaf. fair trade

You can also add to your order a wide selection of tea leaves: estate, white, green leaf or herbal. Also available are gourmet goodies ( jams, dips, balsamic vinegars, extra virgin olive oils), since they stock them for their custom gift baskets for all occasions.

If you order over a kilo of coffee, you get free delivery on the Island, or you can pick up your order. Ask about the fund raising program for your school or organization using coffee and hot chocolate.

Phone: 514-369-0368
www.cafegourmet.ca
Dates: til end of Feb