Improve Your Family Photos With These Ten Simple Picture Taking Tips

 Filed under: Family, Education — webmaster @ Nov 24th, 2007

Do you dream of taking wonderful photos that people will gush over? It’s easier than you think. By applying some basic techniques that anyone can learn you’ll see a dramatic improvement in your photo taking ability.

Here is a short video from a professional photographer that shows you 10 simple tips you can encorporate into your picture taking activities.


You may still need a professional at some point to take that special formal portrait or family holiday photo. Use our interactive Google map to locate Professional Photo Studios on the West Island.


 Stimulate Your Child’s Love of Reading.

 Filed under: Shopping, Education — webmaster @ Nov 14th, 2007


Photography: A Love of Reading

Although it may not necessarily be on the top of a child’s wish list, helping to nurture a love of books and reading can turn out to be a priceless gift that will bring a lifetime of joy to someone.

For ideas of interesting books your children may enjoy, Teachers First has put together a categorized list of 100 Best Books For Children. The National Education Association also put together some top 100 lists. Check out the list of top 100 children’s books as ranked by Kids and by Teachers.

With the holiday season fast approaching, time will very shortly be at a premium.

Shopping online ( even if only to browse and do some initial research ) is a time efficient way to knock off items from your shopping list. Most online bookstores provide powerful search engines to make your selection easier, have books categorized by age and interest and even offer a quick look inside to give you an idea of how appropriate a book may be.

Here are a few classic book series that all children like to get you started:

If you’re more of a tactile shopper don’t forget to take a look at our Location of West Island Book Stores map.

Are there any books your children loved reading or enjoyed when you read to them? Share your experience by leaving us a comment and giving other parents some great ideas.


 Montreal Schools Holding Open Houses

 Filed under: Event, Education — webmaster @ Sep 21st, 2007


Photography: Private Schools

Here are schools holding an Open House for 2007 (view map):

The Study

Thursday October 4th, 2007 9:00 a.m. - noon, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

3233 The Boulevard
Westmount, Quebec
514 935-9352 x 229
Website: The Study

Villa Maria

October 14th, 2007 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

4245 Decarie Blvd.
Montreal, Quebec
514 484-4950
Website: Villa Maria

Centennial Academy

Thursday September 27th, 2007 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

3641 Prud’homme Ave.
Montreal, Quebec
514 486-5533
Website: Centennial Academy

Trafalgar School for Girls

September 29th, 2007 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

3495 Simpson Street
Montreal, Quebec
514 935-2644
Website: Trafalgar

West Island College

October 3d, 2007 7:30 pm

851 Tecumseh
Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec
514 683-4660
Website: West Island College

Miss Edgar’s and Miss Cramp’s School

October 4th, 2007 9:00 am - 11:30 am and 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm

525 Mount Pleasant Avenue
Westmount, Quebec
514 935-6357
Website: Miss Edgar’s and Miss Cramp’s

Kuper Academy

October 3d, 2007 9:00 am - 11:00 am and 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

2975 Edmond
Kirkland, Quebec
Website: Kuper Academy

Sacred Heart School

September 29th, 2007 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

3635 Atwater
Montreal, Quebec
514 937-2845
Website: Sacred Heart

Loyola High School

Saturday, September 29th, 2007 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

7272 Sherbrooke St. West
Montreal, Quebec
514 486-1101
Website: Loyola High School

The Priory School

Sunday October 21st 2007 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Tuesday October 23d, 2007 9:30 am - 11:30 am

3120 The Boulevard
Montreal, Quebec
514 935-5966
Website: The Priory

Lower Canada College

Saturday September 29th, 2007 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wednesday Ocober 10th, 2007 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

4090 Royal Avenue
Montreal, Quebec
514 482-0951
Website: Lower Canada College

Selwyn House

Wednesday October 3d, 2007 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

95 Cote St. Antoine
Westmount, Quebec
514 931-2775
Website: Selwyn House

Alexander von Humboldt School

Friday October 12th, 2007 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

216 Victoria
Baie d’Urfe, Quebec
514 457-2886
Website: Alexander von Humboldt

Emmanuel Christian School

October 23d, 2007 7:30 pm

4698 St. Jean Boulevard
Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec
514 696-6430
Website: Emmanuel Christian School

Akiva School

November 6th, 2007

450 Kensington Avenue
Westmount, Quebec
514 939-2432
Website: Akiva School

Jewish People’s Schools and Peretz Schools

Tuesday October 16th, 2007 9:00 am - 11:00 am

5170 Van Horne Avenue
Montreal, Quebec
514 731-3673
Website: JPPS

United Talmud Torah - Herzliah School

Ocober 9th, 2007 7:00pm - 9:00 pm

4840 St Kevin
Montreal, Quebec
514 739-2294
Website: UTT - Herzliah

Academie Marie-Claire

Sunday September 30th, 2007 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

18190 Elkas Blvd.
Kirkland, Quebec
514 697-9995
Website: Marie-Claire

Queen of Angels Academy

Sunday September 30th, 2007 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

100 Bouchard Blvd.
Dorval, Quebec
514 636-0900 x268
Website: Queen of Angels

Vincent Massey Collegiate

Wednesday October 10t, 2007 1:30 pm - 9:00 pm

5925 27th Avenue
Montreal, Quebec
514 374-1999
Website: Vincent Massey

Sedbergh

Saturday November 3d, 2007 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Montebello, Quebec
877 423-5523
Website: Sedbergh

St. George’s High School

Tuesday October 2nd 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

3100 The Boulevard
Montreal, Quebec
514 937-9289
Website: St. Georges High School

St. George’s Elementary

Wednesday October 24th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Thursday October 25th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

3685 The Boulevard
Montreal, Quebec
514 937-9289
Website: St. Georges Elementary School

Kell’s Academy (Secondary)

Wednesday October 24th 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

6865 De Maisonneuve W.
Montreal, Quebec
514 485-8565
Website: Kells Academy

Kell’s Academy (Elementary)

Wednesday October 24th 9:00 am - 11:30 am

2290 Cavendish Blvd.
Montreal, Quebec
514 485-8565
Website: Kells Academy

Royal West Academy

Tuesday October 2nd, 2007 7:p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

189 Easton Avenue
Montreal West, Quebec
Website: Royal West Academy


 Is Your Child Book Smart or Life Smart?

 Filed under: Education — webmaster @ Jul 3rd, 2007

Life skills your child may not be getting from school.


Photography: Intelligence

Did you ever notice that it’s not always the smartest students that end up being the most successful in life? Although there is no doubt that schools are capable of providing a strong academic foundation there are many areas they simply do not cover adaquately nor should they.

The self-help site Zen Habits has compiled a list of 27 life skills your children need to increase their chances of success in life.

Some key areas covered in the list are:

  • Financial Management Skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Motivation, Procrastination and Passion
  • Counterbalancing Competitiveness
  • Organization Skills
  • Household Management
  • Setting A Life Purpose

Have your children been taught these skills in school? Have they learned them at home? Do they even need them?

You can read the complete list of critical life skills at Zen Habits and decide for yourself.