Rake&Co. Feedhttp://www.cloudraker.comTurbulent Media RSS Builder v1.0http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specificationFri, 24 May 2013 15:48:25 EDT60Rake&Co is now a print magazine

Volume 1 of Rake&Co. is available for purchase! This 120-page bilingual magazine is inspired by the cultural, commercial and social goings on in Montreal. Inside, we look at new boutiques, evolving districts, local artists, curious new businesses and much more. Order your copy here.


]]>http://www.rakeandco.com/en/stories/204/rake-amp-co-is-now-a-print-magazineWed, 23 Jan 2013 10:47:12 ESTalnaumowiczmpdaiglehttp://www.rakeandco.com/en/stories/204/rake-amp-co-is-now-a-print-magazineMetropolitan Munchies

Hone your Google map skills and iron them bibs! Our city is revisiting the 1947 bylaw that restricts street food vendors to federal-provincial property and festivals. The food trucks are revving up their engines, busting out choice produce and servin’ up some fresh street food. If all goes well, there will be a lot more people staggering around clutching at recyclable take-out ware, licked clean in fits of tuck truck euphoria.  

Food trucks like Lucky’s and Pas d’cochon dans mon salon are setting the bar high… Montreal appears to be well on her way to joining the ranks of cities with vibrant and unique street food scenes. For a taste of what’s to come and what’s already been brought:


Since May 2012, the good people at Lucky’s have been serving up delicious sandwiches and gourmet poutines with epicurean zeal. From market fresh produce, Lucky’s concocts a menu reflecting the seasons. For a taste of summer, try their lobster sandwich with homemade mayo, fresh basil, and lime! If seafood isn’t your thing, the rest of the menu reads like a BBQ’ers dream. We got a hankering for their pulled pork and spiced rum BBQ sandwich…


Brought to you by four expert cuisiniers from La salle à manger, Pas d’cochon dans mon salon invites you to experience the rapture of their fare. Working from whole animals to ensure quality and inimitable freshness, they use as much of the beast as they possibly can, alongside the best seasonal Quebec produce. Enjoy slow food BBQ (smoked meat, pork, grilled fish), or lighter nosh like oysters, beef Carpaccio, and tartar of the day.


~

1. Have you started dreaming and scheming for a tastier future without the old bylaw, or do you have doubts that significant change will come for Montreal’s nascent street food scene?

- Valérie Impala (Lucky’s Truck) -

As the proud owner of a food truck, I’m definitely hoping to see a change in regulations: for my business, but also to meet the growing demand for street food. Montreal is a culinary city with a voracious appetite for good cuisine. You see food trucks in most other major cities, so why not here? Though I still hold some reservations, I get the feeling that change is coming. I think the city is starting to show its best sides and street food has a place in that flourishing. One thing’s certain - the demand is there. We see it each time we hit the streets with the Lucky’s truck, and especially at Food Truck events such as at 1st Fridays at Parc Olympique!

- Julien Hébert (Pas d’cochon dans mon salon) -

Doubts? None whatsoever! We can't find one good reason not to have street food in Montreal. We truly believe that street eats can be introduced in a really positive way to Montreal and Montrealers. As for whether we’ve started dreaming yet, the answer is yes!! We are dreamers, and if we weren't we wouldn’t have started this company in the first place!

2. What do you make of the arguments for the old bylaw that claim street vendors pose a competitive threat to established eateries and fall-short on hygiene?

- V.I. -

If we return to 1947 and the original context in which these laws were drawn up, then sure, they make sense. However, I don’t think they are still valid. For one, food trucks are subject to the same rules and regulations as restaurants. We have to obtain the same license in order to operate and our production kitchens have to comply with the same regulatory standards. As for competition, I think food trucks are responding to a different demand, occupying space where restaurants can’t open their doors, I’m thinking of parks, large public spaces, etc. We have no desire to set up shop right in front of the entrances to existing restaurants. That wouldn’t be good for anyone! Not for us or for local, established businesses!

- J.H. -

With MAPAQ* already in place, the hygiene protocol for food trucks is exactly the same as it is for restaurants. My feeling is that if it’s good enough for the one, then it's good enough for the other. As for the competition argument, we live in a capitalist liberal society where competition is supposed to be a good thing. It's supposed to deliver the best products at the best prices, so I don’t see why it should be any different for the restaurant business. In any event, you’re not ever going to see a good and popular restaurant close just because there's a food truck 3 blocks away. As for the not-so-good and not-so-popular restaurants, do we want to keep them that badly?

*) MAPAQ is the “Ministère de l’Agriculture, Pêcheries et Alimentations du Québec” (Quebec Ministry of agriculture, fisheries, and food). The ministry’s mission is to support the provision of quality food in Quebec and to promote the development of the bio-food sector from a sustainable development perspective, for the well-being of Quebec society.

3. What currently out-of-bounds places does your tuck truck long to visit, and why?

- J.H. -

We would like to park the truck near metro stations for people who are hungry and in a rush after work, as well as near CEGEPs and universities to cater to those who like good food and don't have a lot of money. It would also be great to be in or around big parks, such as Parc Lafontaine or Parc Maisonneuve, and in some more remote locations such as Clock Tower Beach* and Parc Lachine!


4. What happens when winter hits? Can food trucks be insulated or would business be seasonal?

- V.I. -

Come winter, there are all sorts of outdoor events that food trucks can participate in depending on their facilities and whether they’re insulated or not. Also, through the ARRQ (Association of street food restauranteurs of Québec) we’re organizing indoor street food events similar in spirit to "First Fridays" at Parc Olympique. We’re working on what to do with the winter season. Either way, we have to keep in mind that everything does slow down from January to February given the conditions of our climate.

- J.H. -

This is the biggest question mark so far. We think that we can serve food from the truck/trailer all year round, but we don't know whether there will be too much snow in the streets to park, and whether people will want to go outside to order and eat food. It's definitely the biggest challenge for a new street food company to overcome. As for us at Pas d’cochon more specifically - we all work full time in a restaurant (La Salle à Manger) so we’re crazy busy all summer, but thankfully won’t have to worry about our financial security when the winter arrives.

5.You already use Twitter and Facebook to keep your fans informed about upcoming events and locations. Describe what for you would be the perfect app to connect people with your food truck.

- V.I. -

Social networks are the best showcases for our storefronts. We take care to maintain a strong online presence, to discuss and meet with people who follow us - just as we do when they come see the truck. It’s a great tool to take advantage of and it’s free! We’ve created an association, the ARRQ (Association of street food restaurateurs of Québec). Eventually, we’ll have a website and an app for smart phones. We hope to provide a platform for people to interact with us, follow us and the location of food trucks in real time. There will be an interactive city map, as well as a snapshot of each truck and their food supply…

- J.H. -

Like the street food itself, apps already exist in many cities around the world. The perfect App would be a mix between Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare. The app would tell people where all the food trucks are in Montreal, which one is the closest, what kind of food they’re serving, their schedule, and a small section for comments and pictures. Last but not least, the app has to be light, free, and user friendly!

6. What could you bring to the city’s streets that our bellies have never experienced before? 

- V.I. - 

Just to have food trucks in Montreal is a novelty. Montreal is a city well known for its gastronomy, reputed for the quality and variety of its restaurants. We want to bring just that to the streets. And bring it with the same craftsmanship. 

Still, to talk directly to the chef as you eat fresh delectable food is quite a different experience than that at a restaurant! There’s something inimitable about it. There’s the feeling that you’re at a small gathering amongst friends and strangers. That’s Montreal street food. It's fresh, it’s carefully sourced, it feels like home, and it’s not junk food or pre-packaged. 

- J.H. -

Cheap, diverse, healthy food made out of local and seasonal produce served up by owners of a small start-up company who know the city… The experience of a moving restaurant that can tantalize your taste buds in exciting locations from your backyard to the Côte-des-Neiges cemetery!


{ Amen }

]]>http://www.therake.co/en/stories/186/metropolitan-munchiesFri, 20 Jul 2012 11:04:44 EDTjkonowepoirierifexahttp://www.therake.co/en/stories/186/metropolitan-munchiesHanging out with The Ringleaders

It’s kinda fun to watch how we find occasions to hang out. Heather’s softball team “The Ringleaders” is a great example of creating as many excuses as possible to get together with friends. Originally a soccer league, it spun off into softball last season and during the winter months becomes a bowling league. We tease Heather a lot about her love of these team sports around the office (she wears her Blue Jays jersey to work at least twice a week), but once we actually got a glimpse of one of the games, we were utterly charmed by this awesome group of folks who gather, kids and dogs in tow, to swing bats, throw back a few beers and cheer each other on. We also stopped laughing at Heather because most of her friends look like they could beat us up.]]>http://www.therake.co/en/watch/182/hanging-out-with-the-ringleadersWed, 11 Jul 2012 15:31:41 EDTbflorincbrownhttp://www.therake.co/en/watch/182/hanging-out-with-the-ringleadersKavanagh Vintage

There’s a lot of excitement these days about reclaimed objects and all things vintage, but what’s happened to antique stores in the midst of all this? Kavanagh Vintage is a wonderfully curated shop in Montreal’s west end (NDG) inspired by the vintage markets in Camden Town. Beau Kavanagh and partner Sarah journey high and low hunting for memorable pieces - whether vintage jewelry is your thing or a Hughes & Owen drafting table, every inch of this place is worth the visit.

1. Are people buying antiques to value them as antiques, or to appropriate the old and recycle it into something new?

There’s definitely a trend towards recycling and reclaiming objects. It’s become a badge of honour for many people to reclaim something they’ve found. It goes along with the mindset many of making do without breaking the bank and seeing who can be the craftiest creating or reinventing something.

We live in a very consumer driven market where the message is constantly “buy, buy, buy!”: if it’s broken, just go out and replace it. In recent years, we’ve seen a backlash against stores like Ikea. People are tired of buying stuff that falls apart. There’s certainly the perception that if furniture from the 1950s has lasted this long, it tends to last. We have stuff that’s 200 years old in here, still usable and functional.

There’s room for nostalgia too: a lot of people want what they had when they were growing up. They come in to Kavanagh and they see a set of teak chairs that was in their parents or their grandparents house growing up.

2. How do people integrate the old with the new?

People now tend towards accent pieces. Just as with wardrobes, when you have a lovely broach accenting a blazer, in decorating we see a lovingly chosen piece as the accent for a room. The shift towards accent pieces marks a decisive change in buying habits and is the reason why many stores along Notre-Dame are now going under. [Beau’s] father, Leo Kavanagh, was a dealer for over 30 years. When business was booming people were decorating their entire house to look like the 1800s or another given period. ‘Modern’ and mid-century modern remain in that vein: enthusiasts will usually deck out their entire house.

For the most part though, tastes in antiques have changed: you buy one or two pieces that make the room and then go around them with your other effects. Imagine that you find a massive gild frame- it’s old, it looks good, it’s got character, it jumps out off the wall. It’s awesome no matter what you do with it: put it over a sofa, in the dining room, even leaning up against a wall. But there won’t be an entire room of gild! Most people wouldn’t accompany the frame with gild sconces, a giant chandelier, etc.

3. Where do you find the treasures that fill your the store?

Backroads.

You have to be able to walk up to a complete stranger and say, “Hey, is there anything in that barn you have for sale?” One of the most important aspects of the business has to be people skills because if you’re not approachable, you can’t approach people. This is also the interesting part you meet people and get to listen to a story about where a given piece came from.

Hoarder’s houses.

We went to this one house that still had dust on everything from when they used coal fires to heat the house.

The usual haunts.

We go to auctions, estate sales, and we never miss a good garage sale! Now that we’ve been here for 3 years people know about us and where to come if they have things to trade or sell. We’ll also run into buildings that are falling down or have been condemned to see what may be salvaged.

4. Leo Kavanagh told me a great story about salvaging cherubs and carvings from the condemned Monkland Theater. Have you had similar success?

When we were living in Saint Henri they tore down a church to build condos. They were supposed to keep the church standing and incorporate it into the development because it was a historical monument but during the construction process the developers accidentally knocked the church down. One day, walking to the metro we noticed these giant mosaics leaning against the crumbled foundations of the church. A guy was standing there, so we asked him they were going to do with the mosaics and he told us they were throwing them out. We immediately said we would take them. He thought about this and told us he wanted something for them. We offered him $40. He agreed and asked for the money. When we told him we’d go take out some cash and be right back. He just looked at us and said, ‘too late’, taking his sledgehammer to the mosaics right there in front of us.

So yes, we do try and sometimes we do succeed, but other times these things are done fast and we’re unable to salvage anything!

5. In what ways has Montreal shaped your business?

Montreal is a cool mistress. It’s tough.

It’s hard to be respected in Montreal when you haven’t been respected outside of Montreal. We’ve started to get more recognition elsewhere and people are beginning to take notice here. It’s like musicians: you’re nobody until you’re somebody somewhere else- and then everybody is like ‘they’re from Montreal!’

Montreal’s an interesting place. Montrealers are smart: they know that if they hold out for garage sale season they might find what they’re looking for. Much of what we sell can seem expensive, but then people see the same piece in a magazine for thousands of dollars more. There’s this idea that antique dealers and vintage retailers get stuff for free or at the Salvation Army. Sometimes that’s the case, but we’re also travelling around to estate sales, auctions, to people’s houses and interacting with people who know what they have. Everybody thinks that we go in saying, ‘oh, that’s only worth $5, I’ll take it!’. Whether the owners are hoarders or crazy, they know what they’ve got: “Hey, I saw this on Ebay for 400 bucks!” Except, wait a minute: that’s the value after someone has fixed it up and put it in their online store, where they’re trying to make a living just as we are.

It can be hard to buy and sell, to negotiate these preconceptions. Sill, people come in to Kavanagh and love the store. While we do business with collectors, for the most part, we have a young audience. It’s hard because we understand and we’re not rich either! We try to be fair and sometimes it takes a bit longer to move bigger items. That’s Montreal to me.

6. Do you think that shows like the Antique Road Show and American/Canadian Pickers have had an impact on people’s expectations?

Absolutely, it’s like that expression: “a little bit of education is a dangerous thing”, because people end up think that everything they come across is gold and they can be really obstinate when you have to tell them it’s not.

People watch these shows and think, “these guys are going into barns in the middle of nowhere and picking up a rusty old coat hanger and selling it for $125.” When you look at it more closely though you realize that (a.) it’s television and (b.) they’re trying to push what the market is selling whether it’s old industrial, or ‘farm fresh’, or looks like it came out of a factory. To sell at the price the show suggests is next to impossible. You’re going to end up sitting on it!

7. As the second generation to take up the hunt, what lessons were learned?

You can ask any of the top antique dealers in town, Leo Kavanagh is still known for having one of the best eye’s in the city! He taught me how easy it is to get caught up in things. It’s the type of business where you’re constantly moving money in order to acquire more pieces. A lot of the time you’re buying with excitement and all the heart that goes into it… whether you have a client lined up for it or not, can be a different story!

8. How has the Internet changed the antique industry?

The Internet has changed the game with greater access to information and by giving us a storefront on the world. Dealers used to gather research from books and had a comparatively limited amount of information at their disposal. Now we have a Web’s worth of information at our fingertips, where before we only had access to one small part of it- Montreal. Back in the day, you couldn’t sell in New York, Chicago, or Japan. Unless the client came to you, you would buy and sell in your location.

The Internet has also had a visible impact on the industry: a lot of stores have closed as people sell straight out of their homes. Most dealers now have a warehouse or a giant out-building somewhere where they store their wares and fix them up to sell to clients or via online stores.

9. Where would you like to see Kavanagh in 10 years?

We would love to have a warehouse where people can shop and where everything has its own section: a lighting section, an architectural room, etc. We’d also like the whole process of running the shop to be more streamlined. We’re still new at the game and pick up tips from other entrepreneurs who have been exactly where we are in terms of running a small shop. Hopefully, in ten years we won’t be so small anymore!

Ultimately, we enjoy the treasure hunting aspect of vintage and antiques more than the retail side of things and we hope to be able to broaden our base and travel farther for our goodies. At this point we’re kind of tethered to a smaller area, as we have to come back to the shop to sell the stuff we find.

And there’s always stuff to find!


{The final word}
 

Leo: When I got out of the business people said to me, there’s nothing left out there: “It’s all been bought, there are no more antiques left”. Well, you just got to seek ‘em out. Everyday somebody’s finding some treasure somewhere. Under earth, or unlocked, or in a vault… and you just watch as the definition of treasure changes.]]>http://www.therake.co/en/stories/181/kavanagh-vintageFri, 15 Jun 2012 11:58:29 EDTjkonowifexahttp://www.therake.co/en/stories/181/kavanagh-vintageEdible Landscapes: Lufa Farms on Urban AgricultureLufa peppers

The world's very first commercial rooftop farm sits atop an office building smack in the middle of downtown Montreal. Lufa Farms is a 31,000 square-foot greenhouse that grows over 40 varieties of produce year-round. But this is about a lot more than a farm in the sky, it's a potentially game-changing prototype for urban agriculture. The story has an alluring moral too: that urban farming is both possible and profitable. We chatted with Yourianne Plante, Communication Officer at Lufa Farms, about what this can mean for us all.

1. Why rooftops and not backyards?

Industrial roofs are "lost space" and ideal sites to practice responsible farming on a commercial scale. During the winter, we derive half of our total heating from the building below as well as from the heat of the city. Come summer, the greenhouse mitigates the urban “heat island effect”, which refers to the difference in temperature observed between urban and rural zones. Much like a green roof, our greenhouse also helps cool the building below, lowering its cooling requirements! 

Our greenhouse uses half the energy of other conventional systems and “will receive over half a million dollars in free energy every single year simply from the sun”.

2. Food security is an issue that is on the policy agendas of many countries, not least in developing areas. What does food security mean to you?

Food security is at the heart of our mission and is our raison d’être. In this day and age, we often do not know where our food is coming from or how it has been produced. We know our teachers, our politicians, our doctor, but most of us don’t know our farmers. That is, we don’t know the people responsible for feeding us! Lufa Farms exists to recreate that direct link between producer and consumer. We want people to share in the knowledge of where their food comes from and how it is grown.

3. What role has technology played in facilitating and improving urban growing conditions at Lufa Farms?

Technology has helped Lufa Farms achieve its mission to produce and distribute amazing fresh food almost every step of the way. There were 4 years of technological development leading up to the beginning of construction in September 2010: “we had to develop our own patent pending water circulation systems (which harvest rainwater and recirculate nutrient-rich water), policultures (growing systems that allow us to grow multicrops in the same greenhouse), and microclimate management software.”*

Lufa Farms now integrates many innovations aimed at improving growing conditions in a controlled environment. Among them, energy curtains, bio-controls for pests, closed circuit rainwater collection, and the precise control of microclimates to accommodate over forty varieties of plants!

On an innovative front, we are also an incubator of agricultural technology pertaining to farming methods, the use of bio-controls, multiple growing environments, etc., while we harness technology to make the distribution of food more efficient too. For example, our customers will soon be able to choose exactly what they want as the contents of their carts from a range of produce grown in our greenhouse!

*) Joining Yourianne is the voice of Mohamed Hage, the founding president of Lufa Farms. Quoted text has been drawn from Hage’s Ted Talk at l’Université de Montréal (TEDxUdeM). We’ve included the amazing 12 min. video at the end of this interview.

4. Have you noticed trends in demand for Lufa baskets since you began distributing in 2011? 

Yes, and we’re very proud that the trend points to an increase! We started with 100 baskets in April 2011 and a year on we’re near capacity delivering 1,000 baskets each week. Direct distribution allows us to be attentive to our customers who rate the contents of their basket every week on Survey Monkey. Our customers also send us their comments by email, Facebook, and Twitter. If we put too many hot peppers in our baskets, we’ll know about it quickly! ?

5. In addition to being an amazing business, Lufa Farms is also in an important sense a ‘grassroots’ model promoting sustainable food sourcing in an urban context. How might economic and social policies be adapted to better serve the food security needs of the public?

This is a particularly important issue as evinced by the current Public Consultation on Urban Agriculture in Montreal*. Now that Lufa Farms has shown that it’s possible (and profitable!) to produce food on a commercial scale in the city, we should consider how best to support these type of projects. Public policies to undergird urban agriculture and food security still need to be created. One idea would be to design tax credits as well as other incentives for this sector. 

There are also important challenges facing urban agriculture. For one, Lufa Farms (and the advancement of urban agriculture on a commercial scale) is engaged in a struggle for recognition: to be recognized as a "real" agricultural producer. As it stands, we do not have the right to the same privileges as conventional farmers (finance, insurance etc.). La Financière agricole even refused to help us because they felt our project was too "innovative".

*) Inspiration and information (in French) on urban agriculture in Montreal.

What about our education system, what role could it play to further knowledge of basic food and nutritional care?

The development of urban farms represents an incredible educational potential. The children and families who visited Lufa Farms last year came away with new perspective, were delighted and inspired. Why not have classes come garden at Lufa Farms and learn about agriculture, only a few metro stops from their school? Now imagine if the greenhouse was built directly on their school roof!

6. Are you familiar with Concordia and UQAM’s initiatives in urban farming? Thoughts?

They’re superb initiatives that educate and sensitize not only students, but also the workers and the community of Montreal. The educational work done by these two groups (and several others like GTAU) is quite exceptional and extremely valuable. We believe this work should be better recognized and supported by the City of Montreal.

7. It seems to me that there are increasingly volatile seasonal changes, with early warm weather followed by a return of frost, as well as late frosts. Could greenhouses mitigate some of those risks?

We believe there are many advantages to urban agriculture in greenhouses: they facilitate growing during the winter months, and make cultivation without herbicides or pesticides more simple as there are fewer insects to control for. Moreover, because we grow produce in a controlled environment it’s possible to create several microclimates for all 40 varieties of plants. We estimate that our yields are up to 10 times more productive than in conventional farming.

8. Why are hydroponic methods not considered “organic”?

In Quebec, when farming methods are above ground, so not in the earth, it is difficult to obtain organic certification. Yet, our rooftop farming methods allow us to use a fraction of the water and nutrients otherwise required through our closed circuit irrigation system.

9. Urban agriculture initiatives appear to be a great way to address problems of population growth and diminishing arable land. Still, should we not be concerned about air pollution in our food or pollution levels in urban rainwater? 

Following one year of production, we haven’t noticed any effect of urban pollution on our plants. With 31,000 square feet of cultivation, the plants are constantly purifying the air. In fact, there is actually an advantage to being in the city where carbon dioxide levels are higher, since the latter is essential for plants to grow. As for rainwater from the aqueduct, it is filtered and recirculated. This also means that our greenhouse has no impact on water quality in the city. 

10. Lufa Farms talks about how producers select growing methods and foods that are more likely to travel well (endure transportation and handling) and thus, most of the produce we buy from afield at our grocers has a particular ‘DNA’: it is produce grown for consumption through traditional food distribution channels. In growing and delivering locally, Lufa farms is able to actually change the criteria for selecting what to grow. What sorts of choices are involved in this?

For example, there are over 500 varieties of tomatoes that can be cultivated in a greenhouse, yet we only find a dozen at Metro or IGA. Since we aren’t facing the constraints of long-distance transportation and refrigeration, we are able to select what we grow with two criteria in mind: their great taste and nutritional value!

11. Have you found there is interest out there to replicate the Lufa rooftop farm? Residential/commercial?  

Yes, and especially on a commercial scale. To be profitable, our next greenhouses have to be a minimum of 40,000 square feet. Luckily there is no shortage of huge industrial flat roofs in North America!

12. What advice do you have for people interested in their own urban farm?  (Take a peak at the Rake’s Potted Farms project!)  

All you need to grow your own food is the corner of a balcony, a sunny windowsill, and a little patience. To be sure, Lufa Farms is not a garden we can all hope to create, what with its 40 varieties of vegetables and freshly harvested produce 365 days a year! Still, whether you’re biting into a fresh tomato, picked on a morning in the middle of January from our greenhouses, or in July from your very own initiative- pure joy.

{ Ends }

Curious to hear more about Lufa Farms? Check out this awesome Ted Talk by the farm’s founding president, the eloquent Mohamed Hage. It will blow your mind and get you thinking about edible landscapes: how they can transform our cityscapes to provide us and our families with yummier, more nutritious foods that are responsibly sourced.

]]>http://www.therake.co/en/stories/179/edible-landscapes-lufa-farms-on-urban-agricultureThu, 07 Jun 2012 15:15:08 EDTjkonowcbrownepoirierifexahttp://www.therake.co/en/stories/179/edible-landscapes-lufa-farms-on-urban-agricultureThe Potted Farm: Year Two.

Last year, we launched the Potted Farm with a lovely how-to video demonstrating just how easy it is to grow your own tomatoes with limited space. This year, we thought it would be fun to try to re-invent the “pot” in said “potted farm”. Don’t get any funny ideas, we mean the container. 

Most SAQs (liquor stores, for those of you who live elsewhere) sell their empty wooden wine crates at a very reasonable cost ($3-$5) and all the proceeds go to a local charity. They are really great looking objects and these days are being used for tons of artful DIY projects. 

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when it comes to planting in crates: drainage and rot-proofing. The first thing you’ll want to do after procuring these eco-friendly and civically responsible items is drill holes in the bottom so the water you will feed your plants can go somewhere. It really is easy and can be done with a basic drill. 


Next seal your wood or your boxes will decay pretty quickly. We think it’s always important to choose non-toxic materials, but in this case it is vital as you will be growing food in these so the last thing you want are chemicals seeping into your meals! 


Once the sealant has dried, you are good to go. Pick up soil from a local merchant that has the right mix of nutrients for growing food. If you want to add an extra splash of fun to your little potted farm (or have trouble identifying greens and herbs!) cover one side with chalkboard paint and mark each box with a wax pencil. 


We opted to create a herb farm for the project which includes mint, rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage and dill. We also created a planter for arugula which is a surprisingly easy lettuce to grow! 


Of course, all the usual growing tips are advised: make sure you have the sunlight required, water according to instructions and above all, enjoy. There is little quite so satisfying as eating from your own (tiny) plot of land! (This neat idea was first spotted on a wonderful blog called LLH Designs!)


]]>http://www.therake.co/en/make/178/the-potted-farm-year-twoMon, 14 May 2012 14:27:45 EDThttp://www.therake.co/en/make/178/the-potted-farm-year-twoPretty Painted Utensil ProjectMake: Painted Utensil Project

Most of us have some wooden spoons lying in a drawer somewhere in the kitchen. So when we saw this simple DIY project online we couldn’t resist injecting fun into everyday objects and making them an accent piece both at the table and around the kitchen.

Once you’ve located your wooden utensils, you’ll need:
  • Masking tape
  • Sandpaper
  • Acrylic paint
  • Paint brushes
  • Non-toxic shellac (this is important because even though you won’t be putting the painted bits directly in your food, you wouldn’t want to cook with toxic materials).

The instructions are beyond simple.

Tape the utensils to delineate the cut off point for your colour. Sand down the ends to be sure the paint absorbs properly. Re-tape once the sanding is done to avoid jagged lines. Apply 2-3 coats of colour and let dry. Spray with a coat of shellac (in a well ventilated room) and let dry. Admire your seemingly brand-new kitchen accents with awe and wonder!

We opted for a classic black and white. Then we got funky with some neon pink (which is all the rage these days) and we tried a nice silver because so many of our appliances are stainless steel now, we thought it would provide nice tie-in!

One last note: always wash your new tools by hand, it’ll make the paint last longer!

]]>http://www.therake.co/en/make/175/pretty-painted-utensil-projectMon, 16 Apr 2012 09:38:39 EDTcbrownepoirierifexahttp://www.therake.co/en/make/175/pretty-painted-utensil-projectTables from reclaimed materials.

A glance around our office space is all it takes to see that we are huge fans of repurposed materials. We are located in an area of Montreal that was once known as the Fur and Diamond District and while there are still some jewelry and fur companies in the building (we prefer not to discuss the latter, it upsets Toni Brown, our office pooch), most of the spaces have been converted to working loft spaces much like our own. One of the perks of overhauling the office was finding old materials that could be rendered functional in our daily lives. Our coffee table in the reception area is in fact a (very heavy) steel door from a diamond safe: 


All our desks are made of doors from the building as well, we simply attached Ikea legs to them. 

But our most dramatic pieces were created from reclaimed Quebec barn wood. Our very own Thane did the designs and commissioned a carpenter to build them. They provide really eye-catching statement pieces both in our main boardroom and in the kitchen. 


We have even been tinkering with the idea of selling these on a made-to-order basis for enthusiastic reclaimed wood lovers such as you. Tell us, would you like a custom table such as these for your home or office?

]]>http://www.therake.co/en/make/173/tables-from-reclaimed-materialsFri, 23 Mar 2012 11:48:32 EDTtcalderifexacbrownthirdhttp://www.therake.co/en/make/173/tables-from-reclaimed-materialsMake: A new series on The Rake

It’s pretty well documented that many of us are re-thinking our relationship with the things we buy these days. We’re more enthusiastic about purchasing local goods, we rather willingly pay a premium for organic and asking about the provenance of items has become common practice. As a result, many of us are taking things into our own hands and learning how to make the things that occupy our lives, ourselves. From building bookshelves, to growing our own tomatoes to creating foods from scratch that we once wouldn’t think twice about buying pre-made. Convenience, it seems, it being trumped by a growing desire to feel connected to the things we consume and in the process lighten the load on our environment and safeguard our health. We will be sharing our own exploits into the world of homemade, with projects big and small that we hope will inspire. We kick off our series with a very simple recipe for something many of us eat most mornings. It’s delicious, easy and totally customizable to your personal taste. We hope you enjoy Tony’s Terrifically Tasty Granola. And do stay tuned for future articles that will involve reclaimed wood, saws, drills and possible 911 calls.

Here's what it takes:
  • 3 cups of oats
  • 1 3/4 cups of nuts (I use pecans, almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds, but you can use whatever you like)
  • 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tbsp canola oil
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • a handfull of dark chocolate chips
  • a bunch of sliced up dates

Preheat oven to 325F.

Crush the nuts and mix with oats, salt and cinnamon.
In a separate bowl mix honey, syrup and canola oil then stir into everything else. 
Spread onto a baking sheet evenly and toss into the oven (middle rack). Parchment paper will keep the granola from sticking to the pan. 


Bake for 30-40 minutes, check every 10 minutes, and when it turns golden brown and your home smells awesome you'll know it's ready.


Let it cool, then add chocolate chips and dates. You can also try it with cranberries, raisins or dried fruit. 


Serve with yogurt and fresh fruits. Put in mouth.
]]>http://www.therake.co/en/make/169/make-a-new-series-on-the-rakeTue, 06 Mar 2012 13:46:57 ESTthirdcbrownhttp://www.therake.co/en/make/169/make-a-new-series-on-the-rakeMy Favorite Things - New York City

We all have a personal version of New York City. Its jumble of cultures, the diversity of its neighbourhoods and its rich history make it a place that is unique to every person who visits or lives there. So inevitably, if you were to ask someone what is THE quintessentially "New York" thing, you'd get an array of answers. For some, the essence of the city can be found at a neighbourhood restaurant on the corner of some back street, while others might choose a boutique, a walk, a park, an attitude, a graffiti covered wall, a doorway... 

This is the little challenge I gave to CloudRaker’s creative team during our recent trip to the Big Apple. With a wink to Coltrane's classic, I asked the team to share their "favorite things" in the city. This is a pilot experiment; the idea is to extend this exercise using different "groups" of people, whether they come from the world of advertising, music, art or sport, in hopes of discovering and experiencing a city through the eyes of these diverse personalities.
]]>http://www.therake.co/en/watch/165/my-favorite-things-new-york-cityThu, 26 Jan 2012 12:35:04 ESThbrodiebflorinhttp://www.therake.co/en/watch/165/my-favorite-things-new-york-cityGetaway to Saguenay

Saguenay is near Rimouski, right? No, wait, is it in Abitibi? I heard there are [insert any number of your choice over four] girls for every guy! Hey, I know [insert name], you must know her; she’s from the Lac! Your accent is so cute! (aka I didn’t understand a word of what you just said...) 

Get the Google map here:


Let’s just take a moment and get some things straight. The Saguenay is part of the 02 administrative region (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean), which, in area, is the third largest in Quebec. Saguenay itself comprises approximately 144,000 people. So no, I probably don't know your friend's friend, especially if she is from the Lac, since she could be one of its 130,000 inhabitants who are divided into different cities and villages. Saguenay is urban and looks like a suburb of Montreal. The Lac is composed of some cities, but is mostly rural. So being from Saguenay does not mean that I’m from the Lac, which I’m not. Though I will admit that Lac-Saint-Jean is very close to my heart. 

To help you better understand this often-misunderstood region, and as a favour to you Montrealers looking for your next out-of-town getaway, I have decided to share my Saguenay with you, my vision of the place that raised me. 

First things first, get yourself a car, because travelling to Saguenay without one is really not practical at all. Whether you opt to go via Highway 20 or 40, you will drive though Quebec City (quick note: Highway 20 is a much nicer drive). Once you arrive in Quebec, hit the 175 North and confront the wilds of the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve head-on. The reserve is an untamed place where moose run rampant. I am, of course, exaggerating (a little). After a short 5 hours on the road you’ll find yourself in The Saguenay! And then the real fun begins. 



Jonquière

Named after Jacques-Pierre de Taffanel de la Jonquière, Governor of New France, Jonquière is the most westerly city in Saguenay. It’s also the last city you’ll reach before taking the highway to Lac-Saint-Jean (to say “take the highway”, is a precise enough direction for a Saguenéen, being as there is only one). The region saw rapid development due to the growth in industry and the opening of factories, which essentially divided it into three sectors; Jonquière has its Cegep, Kenogami its pulp mill and Arvida its aluminium smelting plant. 


Start your day in Jonquière on the right foot and head to Boulangerie Pâtisseries Mergeay (2149, rue Saint-Dominique). Take your pick of their delicious breads, divine chocolates or decadent cakes, they’re all hand-made in the Belgian bakers’ tradition, so you really can’t go wrong. To accompany your purchase of choice, get yourself a Mont-Jacob from Fromagerie Blackburn de Jonquière, I’m pretty sure this place actually can’t stop winning awards. It’s that good. 

Continue on in the same direction to the Parc de la Rivière-aux-Sables. Leave your car and walk around to really take in the scenery. Then get back in your car, or, for the more in-shape among us, walk up to the summit of Mont-Jacob (to be clear, we are not talking about the cheese here) to enjoy the panoramic view of Jonquière. By this point you will have definitely noticed a prominent building called the National Exhibition Centre. Don’t be shy - stop in for a gander. You will be treated to carefully-curated exhibitions but the magnificent architecture of the building itself is worth the visit alone. 


It must be about time for lunch! You should make a reservation and head over to Moutarde Bistro. This brand-new restaurant celebrates the flavours of the Arvida region and seats 30 in its cozy dining room. 

To take full advantage of the relaxed pace of life in the region, let the afternoon pass by leisurely over a coffee at ICI le café Klimt (2434, rue St-Dominique). The café will keep you happy with its supply of delicious coffees, teas, delectable cookies and divine whipped cream. The owner, Pierre, makes you feel right at home and offers a great selection of second-hand books and board games. Challenge yourself to a trivia quiz or just chat with Pierre. Either way, the time will just pleasantly slip by. 
*Special mention has to go out to the descriptions that are provided for the products, each and every one is amazingly well-researched and creative. 


The next suggestion combines 5 à 7 and dinner. The culinary school Aux fruits de ma passion invites you to share a drink, and, as if you needed another excuse to show up, join a cooking class! Not only will you learn cooking tips but you’ll also be invited to stay and enjoy the dishes you so expertly prepared amongst friends in a lovely bistro atmosphere. Not a bad idea right? 


After a gluttonous feast, start (and finish) your night at the famous local brewery, the Voie Maltée. The beers are brewed on site and are absolutely delicious. And, as a plus for those rookie Saguenéens, now’s the time to give some of the local slang a shot: ‘Une Gigonne s.v.p! Ah peut-être une St-Do en fin de compte…’ 

Finally for the most important stop of the day. It's time for a visit, just a few doors away, to the P’tit St-Do (2477, rue St-Dominique), where you can meet famous local “Pauline.” (It is of course, possible that she actually won’t be there. I mean, just because she’s an institution does not mean she doesn’t have the right to a day off now and again.) Make sure to try her poutine anyway; she would give you the same advice herself. If she is around, stop for a while and have a little chat, she’ll love it. 
*If you know what’s good for you you'll order the BBQ poutine - although some people who will remain nameless prefer the Hot Chicken poutine. Yes, I judge them for it. 


Chicoutimi 

The city of Chicoutimi was originally called eshko-Timiou in Montagnais, which roughly translates to “go where it’s deep”. This is where you can catch your first glimpse of the legendary Fjord du Saguenay, which stretches all the way to Tadoussac (yep, that’s the place where you see the whales). Chicoutimi is the largest city in the Saguenay, (and also the most posh) it has a university (UQAC) and a college. There may be a tiny bit of a rivalry between people from Jonquière and those from Chicoutimi. I’ll just go ahead and say it. According to some, (namely people from Chicoutimi), the Jonquiérois are gigons (another colourful bit of local slang meaning ‘crude’), but according to others, (guess who?) the Chicoutimiens are snobs. To be fair, I do have friends from Chicoutimi and they really aren’t all bad.

Start off your day in the city with a brunch at Café Cambio located on what locals refer to as The Main (the rue Racine). The café is a micro-roaster and a cooperative that strives to make culture accessible in the region and also brings fair trade products to Saguenéens. They are committed to sustainable development, and use it as a framework for all their projects. The atmosphere is always relaxed and the staff are really friendly, so basically, they're just like all Saguenéens. 


Choice #1: Nature Lovers Itinerary

After brunch, take a stroll along the path that follows the Saguenay River to check out the Old Port of Chicoutimi. Then you’ll have to get your car and head up to Chicoutimi-Nord to Ste-Anne’s cross to truly take in the panoramic views of Chicoutimi. 

If the feeling strikes, continue on until St-Fulgence to see where the salty waters of the St. Lawrence and the fresh waters of the Lac-St-Jean meet. This is where you’ll find ‘les batures’ a protected environment that is home to several animal species, especially birds. If you are visiting the area during the winter months, don’t miss your chance to enjoy some ice fishing, a favorite pastime for locals. Tip: the smallest fishing huts throw the biggest parties. 

Choice #2: Culture Lovers Itinerary

If you are interested in contemporary art, stay on rue Racine until you reach the Sequence Gallery, a local artist-run centre. The space serves as a gallery space for exhibits and studio for creating, distributing and producing art. You'll notice right away that the aesthetics of the gallery are heavily influenced by photography and that the pieces displayed reflect a mix of old and new technologies. 

Stay on The Main, passing the famous “petite maison blanche”, eventually arriving at the Gallery Le Lobe, which is another artist-run centre. Over the years the gallery has welcomed more than 100 artists-in-residence, most of whom are nationally and internationally-reknowned. 

If you think that you can only find delicious sushi in a big city you have obviously never visited Temaki Sushi Bar, located right in the heart of downtown Chicoutimi. All of their products are fresh, perfectly seasoned and absolutely delicious. Put down the menu and let the chef recommend his selections for the day. I promise you, it will be the best decision that you make all weekend. You do have to taste their sushi pizza though, which, believe it or not, is as delicious as it sounds. Keep yourself hydrated with a glass of one their delicious wines, which are privately imported, or maybe a saké served warm or cold, or you could even get yourself a beer. 
Two tips: 
#1 : Make a reservation. 
#2 : If you are in a group of 4 or more, reserve the private “Japanese” room. You'lll definitely have a memorable evening. 

If you are not the sushi type, Bistrot la vielle garde might be your cup of tea. They serve up delicious dishes in their homely bistro all of which are prepared with love. What’s more, Merlin is a genius with wine; you will not be disappointed with his selection, plus he’s as friendly as can be! If you need your food in a hurry, there is a counter with ready-to-eat foods: homemade and regional products that would be the perfect accompaniment to a nice glass of wine or a refreshing beer. 

To help you digest, head to Bar à pitons in the youth hostel located in the Price House. Enjoy one of their Soirées Jazz and Scotch, Pastis and Pétanque, or just take in a show by a local band. Be warned, I can't promise you'll remember your night once they're done with you. The space is run by the Coop Verte whose mission is: "to bring to life the regional culture to visitors from around the world and for local residents alike by offering diverse and accessible cultural activities." You may also be able to catch a show at Coop Le Sous Bois, which is managed by Café Cambio. 

La Baie & L’Anse Saint-Jean 

La Baie is located in the Baie des Ha! Ha! in the Saguenay River. Be sure to make the detour and really take your time to appreciate the scenery; it's around here that the Fjord becomes even more breathtaking. 


Before continuing on, make another mandatory detour at the Fromagerie Boivin to enjoy some of that cheese that goes “sqwish-sqwish” when its hot from the oven. Imagine for one minute a poutine made with this cheese. It's so good, it's ridiculous. Come to think of it, you’ve already tasted this miracle poutine, Pauline made it for you back in Jonquière!

Continue onwards through St-Felix and Petit Saguenay to finally arrive at L’Anse-Saint-Jean. It's a long, winding road, but the scenery that surrounds it makes is totally worth it. 

Summertime: take a cruise or kayak to admire the mountains of the famous Fjord from up close. 

Wintertime: skiing enthusiasts will appreciate Mount Édouard, the highest peak in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, with a vertical drop of 450 feet and 32 slopes with over 3 km of trails. Plus, there's an amazing view of the Fjord from the chairlift. 

Open year-round, Édouard-les-bains, a Nordic spa resort complex, will tend to your peace of mind. You will be charmed by the tranquility of this retreat in the woods. And I quote: “It enjoys a wonderful panorama amongst trees from the summit to the valley. It is an enchanting site that inspires relaxation and rejuvenation.” How can you not be tempted? 

Eventually, if you really want to, you will have to find your way home but know that the Saguenéens would welcome you with open arms if ever you decided to stay a while. 

Whether or not you decide to extend your stay, I hope that I have sparked your interest in visiting this enchanting region.
]]>http://www.therake.co/en/visit/160/getaway-to-saguenayFri, 06 Jan 2012 10:15:00 ESTepoirierhttp://www.therake.co/en/visit/160/getaway-to-saguenayIntroducing Sans Simon. A font by The Rake.

Do you know Simon Roy? The former Raker and current CloudFriend is not only the most fantastic guy, but has the most exquisite handwriting imaginable. While working here, he kept a very beautiful, well-structured and organized notebook, which we actually passed around the office in utter amazement (and with complete disregard for his privacy). Then I thought, wouldn't it be cool if we created a font, a faithful replica of his handwriting, so that we could all have penmanship like Simon Roy? And that's exactly what we did. We present to you our very first, full-charactered font: the aptly named 'Sans Simon'. Simon's gift is now our gift to you, and it's a free download. Enjoy! 

Download the 'Sans Simon' font in TrueType format here.
]]>http://www.therake.co/en/stories/161/introducing-sans-simon-a-font-by-the-rakeWed, 04 Jan 2012 09:36:48 ESTelamhttp://www.therake.co/en/stories/161/introducing-sans-simon-a-font-by-the-rakeCloudRaker won two Boomerangs at this year's gala! http://www.therake.co/en/propaganda/159/cloudraker-won-two-boomerangs-at-this-years-galaTue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 ESThttp://www.therake.co/en/propaganda/159/cloudraker-won-two-boomerangs-at-this-years-gala11 questions with Daddy Mojo

1. Where did the idea for this business come from? 

It all started when I saw an artifact of an old depression-era instrumental online. It was a functional piece of art and I found that completely fascinating. I thought to myself ‘Wow, musicians back then didn’t have money and they were so limited in terms of resources that they had to create their own instruments!’ So I tried to build one in my painting studio, and that’s how I got started. The second instrument I created was done for my guitar teacher, in exchange for a couple of guitar lessons. He loved old Blues, ragtime music, and Jug bands who created upright basses with washbasins, broom handles, etc. It slowly took off from there, a passion that transformed itself-despite myself-into a business. 

2. Why did you veer towards a career in guitar making after completing your Fine Arts studies? 

The decision was, in a way, made for me. I always assumed that I’d eventually go back to my painting career. However, once I began building these instruments, I realized this work allowed me to interact with people and vendors (musicians and music stores) in ways that artists rarely experience. Artists tend to live a hermit-like existence. Most of your interactions are with gallery owners who sell and represent your work. You don’t know exactly where your work ends up; you get a check from time to time for a painting you sold but the entire transaction is somewhat anonymous. With this line of work, however, musicians can come to the studio and we can build an instrument together, as a collaboration. I love this type of customized work. Although I don’t paint anymore, I am still involved in the artistic field. We work with silk-screening techniques on some of the instruments, we also sculpt metal and wood and tie it to music. 

3. Why did you choose to build guitars out of cigar boxes? Do they suit every musical style? 

It’s a humble instrument with a simple construction. So much so, that anyone with basic crafting skills could attempt to make one at home. We started out very simply but as orders started to come, we experimented with more complex techniques. Seeing as the cigar box contains a relatively small sound box, it emits a sound that is somewhat nasally and is often associate with older types of music. But we’ve had heavy metal and jazz musicians stop by the studio as well! You can experiment, add pedals or play with different amplifiers and all of a sudden, you find yourselves with a completely different sound. It’s always surprising because you’re used to playing the instrument in a certain way and then someone approaches it completely differently. You realize that, with some tuning, the instrument can be adapted to any guitar player’s style. 

4. How did you business grow? 

I would build two or three guitars per week and sell them on eBay, writing short stories about each piece to give them personality. Little by little, I managed to be able to pay my rent at home from the sale of the guitars. In 2006, Playboy Magazine approached me about writing an article on the instruments. I created a website so that their readers could come directly to me with inquiries, and all of a sudden about one hundred orders trickled in. I found an affordable space (I had been working out of my kitchen until then), got a good friend of mine to help construct the instruments and we purchased some basic machinery. We estimated that it would take us about three months to fill these orders after which we would go back to our careers. However, we realized that we loved working together and that we wanted to continue pursuing this venture. To increase visibility, we placed a few ads in some music magazines who in turn wrote up some nice reviews on our instruments, and all of a sudden our business was getting international attention. So this part-time, short-term business turned into a full-time gig. 

5. Has the arrival of new media influenced the evolution and visibility of your work? 

Yes! Although I was resistant at first, we now have a Facebook page that we use actively. It’s extraordinary because customers will leave testimonials on our page and discuss their purchases with other customers. It has allowed us to create a community around our products. The page is where we share studio pictures, discuss instruments that are in the process of being built, concerts that we’ve attended or things that inspire us at the moment. Our clients really appreciate these daily updates. It’s a starting point for many customer relationships: we connect with them there then direct them to our website where they’ll find all of our instrument's specifications. 

6. Several international celebrities have purchased your guitars. How did they hear about you? 

Most of the time, we’re the ones who approach them. When you’re just starting out, it’s can be beneficial to reach out to musicians you look up to and respect and that are visiting your city, especially those who might be interested in this type of instrument. You’ve got nothing to lose! We also typically approach musicians whose style is best suited for these types of guitars. This summer I offered one of my guitars to The Edge (of U2) and at first he wouldn’t accept it. We met by chance as he was in our building for a photo shoot and he got sort of uncomfortable I think when we offered him an instrument he had shown a particular interest in...his words were: oh no I can't accept it, this is too much".. Ultimately, we share a similar passion though and the questions he had about the instrument were the same as those asked by any other musician. He called the next day to say that he wanted to buy a second one. 

7. What motivates you to continue to work in such a niche market? 

The key motivating factor remains a love for what I do every day. It’s true that we work in a very niche market but we’re always looking to expand, to collaborate, and to grow. In fact, I learned of an incredible project just last week. I met with a man who, instead of cutting down trees to make instruments and furniture, started dragging up wood from old trees that have fallen into the St-Lawrence River and settled at the bottom of its currents. Some have been there for over one hundred years and the water prevents the wood from rotting therefore keeping it intact. It’s a very stable wood and I love the idea of working with a material that has so much history; that has a soul. What’s also interesting is that when water spends a significant amount of time underwater, its pigment is altered, giving it a purplish hue that is uncommon for maple, which is usually white. I’m happy to announce that we’ll be creating a line of guitars with his wood. 

8. How do your products evolve? Do you have plans to add to your range of products? 

Guitar making has existed for over 200 years so it’s fair to say that we’re working with an old technology. We’ve added some new techniques including silk-screening, and sometimes we use car paint on our instruments in order to get brighter colors. I would love to launch a line of electric guitars in the near future. The idea of actually designing and drawing out an original body shapes for an instrument, something we can’t do with cigar box guitars, really appeals to us. It would tie in an illustrative component and allow us to find fluid forms and match them with a wood. We are also planning to launch a guitar tube amplifier with an art deco-inspired look that pays homage to amplifier from that era. But we’re not cutting our ties with cigar boxes! I think that we have an antique aesthetic and people appreciate more traditional methods, things that are made by hand, unique, high-quality and durable. None of our guitars are produced in a series and that’s how people like it. 

9. With the rise of new technologies, electric and electronic instruments, what do you think the future holds for guitar making? How will you adapt?

New technologies will always influence guitar makers. Now we have guitars with synthesizers and guitars with integrated effects, which is interesting but the sound has a manufactured quality to it that, for me, lacks charm. It is, however, important to find ways of being innovative within a traditional art form. guitar making is very old-school: walk into any guitar maker’s studio and you’ll see a guy sitting there in overalls, knife and hammer in hand, as he chisels away. But I also know some builders who are mixing engineering with traditional techniques to produce truly unique guitars. So I think that there’s a future for both traditional guitar makers and those who are looking to innovate. Regardless of what direction they take, I think that they can easily adapt. 

10. You use cigar boxes and breathe new life into them when you transform them into guitars. Do you use any other unique materials? 

At first, everything was recycled or refurbished. I used old canvas frames to make the guitar necks, the cigar boxes were completely transformed and the nuts were made of screws that I used to fasten the guitar strings to. Over time, the business grew and the product became more streamlined, our clients expected higher quality furnishings. For me, however, the idea of creating instruments out of old wood found on riverbeds is ideal. As a guitar maker who works with wood on a daily basis, it’s impossible not to think about the ecological repercussions. Woods like ebony, often used for fingerboards and head plates of its deep hue, are endangered and thus very expensive and rare. More and more builders are working with local woods so there is no need to have them shipped from overseas. Except for Rosewood, currently all of the wood I use is local. 

11. If you could make the world better in one way, what would it be? 

I feel like my work already allows me to contribute in my own small way. Some mornings I wake up to find an email in my inbox with a picture of someone’s nephew with a note that reads “thank you for bringing the gift of music into our home.” I get emails like this on a pretty regular basis! Often in our day to day of running a business, we don’t realize that we’ve sent instruments all over the world and that they have a positive impact on people’s lives. We’ve also donated cigar boxes and wood to schools and from time to time run workshops with children. We've also worked with a school that aids children with disabilities through music therapy. Music can definitely be used as a therapy and spending time building guitars is also therapeutic...it's a very zen-like activity I find. I would love to try similar workshops in impoverished neighborhoods one day. After all, this is where these instruments were born.”
]]>http://www.therake.co/en/watch/157/11-questions-with-daddy-mojoMon, 05 Dec 2011 10:15:47 ESTepoirierifexahttp://www.therake.co/en/watch/157/11-questions-with-daddy-mojoCloudRaker is a finalist for Marketing Magazine's Agency of the Year. http://www.therake.co/en/propaganda/158/cloudraker-is-a-finalist-for-marketing-magazines-agency-of-the-yearFri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 ESThttp://www.therake.co/en/propaganda/158/cloudraker-is-a-finalist-for-marketing-magazines-agency-of-the-yearDawn Sessions: Cover of 'Your Ex-Lover Is Dead' by Stars

As soon as the sun meets the clouds, Montreal comes to life and the hustle and bustle doesn't end until the sunlight disappears into the horizon line once again. Between these two transitions, our city falls nearly silent for a few brief hours and some pretty magical things can happen when a busy urban centre turns down the volume. That's how Dawn Sessions came to be. The idea was simple: give the city a soundtrack at a time of day when it doesn't have one. We approached some of our talented Montreal musician friends and asked them to choose a great Montreal song of their choice and cover it acoustically, at dawn. Our first Dawn Session is a cover of Stars' Your Ex-Lover Is Dead filmed at 4:30AM in Parc de la Cité du Havre, a hidden gem that offers spectacular views of the city. Vocals by Martine Groulx of Camaromance and Edmund Lam of Hexes & Ohs and violin by Améline Chauvette-Groulx. The park birds were not planned but we sure are glad they stuck around. And a special thanks to Richmond Lam and Heidi Donnelly who also helped bring this first Dawn Session to life.]]>http://www.therake.co/en/watch/149/dawn-sessions-cover-of-your-ex-lover-is-dead-by-starsWed, 19 Oct 2011 10:38:53 EDTcbrownelambflorinmebesthttp://www.therake.co/en/watch/149/dawn-sessions-cover-of-your-ex-lover-is-dead-by-starsGimme Five!

We are super pleased to announce that you can now purchase a High Five Poster of your own! Inspired by our unabashed love of mutual congratulation and all ‘round nerdiness, we wanted to share a little of the joy with you. It’s a great big black and white piece designed by Edmund and written by Aleks that we think would look great at your work office or your home office. They are 27.5 x 39.25 inches, which is awesome because they fit an IKEA frame so you don’t have to spend a bunch of money on custom if you don’t want to! 

You can swing by the office to pick yours up-and have refreshment and at chat while you’re here-or we can ship it to you if you live outside the city. 

$50 tax included (plus shipping) 

For inquiries call Isabelle at 514 499-0005 or reach us at generalstore@cloudraker.com
]]>http://www.therake.co/en/stories/137/gimme-fiveThu, 11 Aug 2011 17:07:25 EDTelamcbrownhttp://www.therake.co/en/stories/137/gimme-fiveMy Ottawa by Marie-Eve

Twelve years ago, I left my hometown of Ottawa to move to Montreal, the city I now call home. Moving away from friends and family allowed me to keep close ties to the city I grew up in and, moreover, to experience it as a weekend visitor would. I always look forward to the short train/car ride to Ottawa – you’re about 2 episodes of Mad Men away from a completely different pace of life and scenery. Those who have accompanied me on these weekend getaways have also commented on how charmed they are by Ottawa’s emerging art scene, bilingualism population, and lush public green spaces. Add to that loads of festivals, impressive landmarks and fantastic restaurants and you have yourself a pretty interesting weekend destination! So pack a weekend bag and come (re)discover Canada’s capital city.

Get the Google map here:



110 MURRAY STREET 
613-562-7244 

This popular restaurant was among the first in town to celebrate regional fare. It’s also one of the rare establishments in the very touristy market area that doesn’t outwardly cater to tourists. Chef Steve Mitton is known for his straightforward and uncomplicated food and is also responsible for the restaurant’s incredible charcuterie bar featuring locally and in-house produced boards of artisan meats, cheese and breads. Grab a nice glass of wine and enjoy your treats on their patio, one of the best in the city. 

246 Dalhousie Street &
1282 Unit B. Wellington St. West

When Régine and Katie opened the doors to their first Victoire boutique location in 2006, stylish Ottawa women let out a communal sigh of relief. The clothing store, which celebrates Canadian designers and vintage goods, offers a shopping experience unlike any other in the city. Not surprisingly, they soon opened a second location in the West End where they continue to surprise and inspire with their well-edited mix of ideas and trends. 

60, RUE BÉGIN, HULL
819 205·1110 

Geographically-speaking, Edgar isn’t exactly in Ottawa but I had to include it because it’s fast become one of my favorites.* I actually found out about this place through the blogosphere. The owner and chef, Marysol, is also a very talented artist whose work had been showcased at Victoire. She finally decided to pursue her passion for food and opened this tiny café, which proudly uses local produce and where everything is made from scratch. Don’t miss her delicious desserts and sandwiches! She changes it up frequently. 


* For those who live/have lived in Ottawa, Hull (now Gatineau) feels very much like an extension of the nation’s capital. It’s certainly worth the short walk across the bridge where fantastic restaurants and bars await (with a last call time that extends far beyond that of Ottawa bars…) 

380 Sussex Drive

Ottawa has some spectacular museums including, to name but a few, the National War Museum and the Museum of Nature. The National Art Gallery, however, has always been my favorite. As a child, I remember being in awe of the Moshe Safdie-designed structure and weekends spent there certainly helped develop my love of the arts. The gallery is home to the worlds most comprehensive collection of Canadian art including a fantastic contemporary art collection comprised of over 3,000 works. Don’t miss out on “Maman” by Louise Bourgeois, a 30-foot-tall bronze spider set outside on the Gallery’s plaza. 

SHAWARMA PALACE 
464 Rideau Street

An Ottawa guide would not be complete without a shout-out to one of the city’s many amazing Lebanese take-out joints. Although there are several terrific Lebanese counters in Montreal, Ottawa is still king of the shawarma as far I’m concerned. Therefore it’s fitting that the city’s most authentic and delicious Lebanese take-out place be called Shawarma Palace. Stock up on some mint gum and order the mixed platter with extra garlic sauce! 

RIDEAU HALL
1 Sussex Drive

I am always amazed that anyone can just walk up to the Governor General’s front door. In fact, you can walk all over his front lawn because the grounds of the GG’s house are open to the public! The lush green lawns surrounding the working residence are decorated with trees planted by visiting foreign dignitaries. You can stroll about and read the little plaques that explain which tree was planted by whom and why. You can also have a picnic out there or go for a run! 

1 Rideau Street

Located in the landmark Fairmont Château Laurier, Zoé’s is the perfect place to enjoy a fancy cocktail prepared the old fashioned way. Sink into one of their oversized club chairs and take in the ornate and elegant décor that characterizes this iconic hotel. It’s not unusual to see tuxedo-clad diplomats and politicians chatting in a corner after attending a gala on Parliament Hill right next door. 

430 Bank Street
613.231.8569 

This tiny restaurant offers a really unique dining experience in a cozy space reminiscent of the many pubs found throughout the city. The food, however, is the complete opposite of anything you’d find in a bar. Think oysters, lobster bisque, foie gras, and a variety of fresh fish. The knowledgeable staff will guide you through their impressive oyster bar and ever-changing seasonal desserts. 

119 Murray Street
613-789-7941 

A good brunch is a key part of any weekend getaway and Benny’s Bistro makes a great one! Their French toast and homemade lox are showstoppers and the perfect way to kick start a day of sight seeing. If you’re in a rush or in the mood for something lighter, visit the French Baker counter at the front and get some pastries and a latte to go. 

THE RIDEAU CANAL LOCKS 
Between Parliament Hill and the Fairmont Chateau Laurier 

This might be one of my favorite spots in the city. I’ve spent many evenings drinking beers by the waterfront, enjoying a picnic or chatting with girlfriends while watching the sun go down over the Museum of Civilizations. Take the stairs down to the locks and follow the bike path until you find a spot that suits your fancy. It also happens to be the ideal place to enjoy a plate of take-away ribs when the Rib Fest comes into town in June. 


]]>http://www.therake.co/en/visit/134/my-ottawa-by-marie-eveWed, 06 Jul 2011 11:19:58 EDTmebesthttp://www.therake.co/en/visit/134/my-ottawa-by-marie-eveChristina's Guide To The Big Apple [Updated!]Photo by Morgadu on Deviantart

[Updated, click here to view new content]

Manhattan is a million places in one. You can spend an afternoon on the Upper East Side, hitting up swank shops, doing the museum circuit, lunching amongst the ladies who, well, lunch and dreaming about what all those park-facing apartments look like on the inside. In that same day, you can find yourself trend spotting on the Lower East Side, trying to push past baby strollers on the Upper West, or watching fashion shoots in the streets of the Meatpacking District. When people ask me where I go when I’m down in the city, my answer is usually, everywhere and nowhere: I just walk and watch. That said, there are a few spots I will happily recommend.  


Get the Google map here:


The Ace Hotel
The Ace Hotel has created an ecosystem of awesomeness just north of the Flatiron district. It is a boutique hotel, yes, but so much more. The Breslin Bar is a high-end pub eatery (with chef April Bloomfield of Spotted Pig fame at the helm), next door are Strumptown Café, No 7 Sub Shop, The John Dory Oyster Bar, curiosity shop Project No. 8A and an Opening Ceremony outpost. I haven’t actually stayed at the hotel, so I can’t recommend the rooms, but no matter, this is a detour-worthy destination. What’s amazing is that all these spots rolled up into one are unique and well-defined in spite of being part of the same over-arching brand. Soon, it may become a certified district unto itself.

Le Pain Quotidien in Central Park
LPQ are ubiquitous in New York, but in a good way. Rare is it that a magical little brunch and lunch spot reproduces at such a furious rate without losing its charm. This location, just north of Sheep’s Meadow, is particularly enchanting as you can look out onto the park while you nibble on organic yummies.

ABC Home is ten huge floors of some of the most glorious and inspiring home décor items around. Prepare to spend some time inside much like you would in a museum. While the furniture, lighting and accessories range from expensive to ‘you have got to be freakin’ kidding me’ you will leave inspired…and hating your living room couch.

Eataly is the largest artisanal Italian food and wine market in the world. And it’s smack in the middle of Manhattan. Star chefs Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and Lidia Matticchio teamed up to create this maze of Italian delights and delicacies. The cheese section alone will get your heart racing. Fresh, local vegetables abound and cured meats appear at every turn. You can pick up your groceries, grab a quick bite, or sit and eat a full meal here. I was the first person through the doors at 10 am on a Tuesday morning, so I got to see, really see, every inch of the newly opened phenomenon but a fellow shopper told me that on a Saturday, it’s virtually impossible to navigate your way through the place. Regardless of when you go, go.

The Angelika Theatre (SOHO) 
I often stop in here when a SOHO shopping excursion proves to be too tempting or the weather too demoralizing. The Angelika opened in 1989 and features independent films only, often before they go out in wider release. One of the quirks of the place is that you can hear the subways cars traveling by underfoot, sometimes shaking the theatre...it’s hard to get any more New York than that. Movie-lovers from afar should check out their blog, it’s rife with exclusive content.

SOHO Nails 
My first ever NYC mani-pedi was at SOHO nails with a friend who had moved down to the city right after we graduated university. In Manhattan there is a nail salon on almost every block, but SOHO nails is a real locals’ haunt (and virtually impossible to find without explicit directions). OPI and Essie are on tap (which ladies, we know is THE prerequisite for our patronage) and the prices are unbeatable. Um, $18 for a top-notch pedi? You’re welcome. 




(Head up West Broadway just north of Prince, stay on the West side of the street…look for a tiny grey buzzer at 458)

Café Gitane (Nolita) 
I can’t remember the last time I went to New York and didn’t eat at Café Gitane. The people watching is unbeatable on Saturday mornings (models, photogs, artists etc…) and the food is tasty as hell. It’s the perfect spot to kick start your day shopping along Mott Street or wind down with a glass of wine and a nosh after poking around RRL next door, Sigerson Morrison shoes across the street or Poppy down the block.

The New Museum (The Bowery) 
The New Museum isn’t actually that new. In fact, it has been around since 1977, but the new building, completed in 2007, has undeniably breathed new life into the institution. Located along fabled Bowery St, it’s hard to miss. The magnificent HELL YES façade installation, there since 2007, has just been replaced by a 28-foot rose aptly name Rose II by Isa Genzken.

Balthazar (SOHO) 
Now, anyone who has been to the city knows that this French Brasserie is an institution. The food is great, the atmosphere even better. But what you may not know is that the benches outside provide one of the very best vantages to spot emerging fashion trends. I usually pop into their take-out boulangerie around 5pm and grab a beverage (fresh lemonade in the summer months, delish hot chocolate when the temperatures drop) and plunk myself down on one of the benches outside…and watch. It is there where you can map out next season’s must-haves.

Bar Boulud (Midtown West) 
Being from Montreal and completely spoiled in the food department (particularly the French food department…which I happen to think we do even better than the French, but I digress) I am a tough customer to please. BUT, famed chef Daniel Boulud’s midtown eatery  is to die. I love the mood. I love the communal counter. Most importantly, I love, love, love the food. Go for the charcuterie, it is a sublime sure-bet.

JCrew. Don’t sneer. You probably DON’T know what I’m about to tell you. (UES) 
Last winter, I was having brunch at Fred’s in Barney’s and got to chatting with a lovely, very friendly and rather fancy (read: socialite) older woman. She asked me what the hell I was doing at Barney’s. She told me I was insane to pay the prices they charge (this after she mentioned her ‘other’ home in Paris and private plane). She sent me uptown to Madison and 79th to JCrew’s tiny, gorgeous boutique called Ten Thirty Five. She said that’s where all the smart girls go. I now go regularly. And feel smart. The men’s shop is right across the street. Now, aren’t you glad you read this until the end?

The High Line (West Side) 
Late summer of 2009, I met friends on a scorching hot Sunday afternoon for drinks on a massive boat that was dredged up from Chesapeake Bay, known today as the Frying Pan. It was quite a scene. Remarkably, that wasn’t the most memorable part of the day. When we were heading out for more drinks (hey, I was on vacation) at the Spotted Pig in the West Village, the group suggested we take ‘The High Line’. I have gone back every visit since just to marvel and enjoy the above ground, once derelict rail line that has been converted into a public park. I am awestruck each time by how our era is learning that old infrastructure can be reconceived and turned into something extra-ordinary. It’s my magic place in New York and never ceases to inspire me. Read all about it here. 


The Spotted Pig (West Village) 
Best. Grilled. Cheese. Ever. 


Smyth Hotel (Tribeca) 
It looks great, the rooms are huge, and it even smells great. I freaking love this Tribeca hotel and when I find an affordable room here, I take it. 



The Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel (Midtown) 
Don’t you love that New York has so many versions of itself? Of course, for the clubbers out there, you should probably head down to the LES and dig around. But if what you are looking for is a little nostalgic New York, then do as I do, and go nurse a scotch at this landmark. Try to name all the movies you’ve seen the space in (hint: hooo ha!) and gaze out onto the Caleche-lined base of Central Park.

The Financial District 
This is a part of town too many skip over. While the faces of those working in this legendary district are decidedly more forlorn these days, you can’t help but be enchanted by the architecture, the history and the significance of this little patch of land on our huge planet. 

This is the best eyewear shop around. These guys freakin’ love frames. Even though their client list includes Kanye, Jay-Z, Rihanna and countless other celebrities, there is no snootiness when you walk in the door: they just want to find you-whomever you might be-the right pair of glasses. You’ll find all the best brands here (but none mass produced and thoughtless) on top of a mind-boggling vintage selection as well as some more obscure handmade European frames. There is something so utterly charming about folks who sincerely dig what they do. Prepare to spend a little time in the store, this isn’t just about the purchase, it’s about some great conversation and a little time travel through eyewear styles.  

N on Crosby Street (SOHO) 
A friend brought me here a few winters ago and I haven’t been back since, but I loved the coziness and total lack of pretense of the place. For some reason, I find SOHO completely uninspiring at night and this little spot is a great winter hideaway if you find yourself down there and in the market for quiet conversation and some wine and tapas. 

Hogs and Heifers (Meatpacking) 
This saloon has been around since 1992 and as the name suggests, this is not a high-end establishment. Today, H&H sticks out like a sore thumb in the now swank Meatpacking district. I was there ten years ago and one visit does the trick, this is a spot I would only recommend to 20-somethings who are not easily offended. It is loud, raucous and filthy. When you step inside you’ll notice hundreds of bras hanging behind the bar (including one belonging to Julia Roberts). The story here is that at Hogs and Heifers folks are encouraged to leap up on the bar and dance and women who have ventured on top of the bar are asked to leave their bra to commemorate the occasion. Ridiculous? Yes. Ridiculously fun? Yep. 


Saturdays NYC (SOHO) 
I stumbled upon this spot last summer and was completely enchanted by the space. The fact that it’s a surf shop in the middle of Manhattan is counter-intuitive to say the least. The front of the store is actually a coffee shop while in the back they sell customized surf boards, gorgeous books about, you guessed it, surfing and the whole place has a cool California vibe about it. 


The Whitney and the MOMA 
There are so many museums to choose from in New York that many people I’ve talked to say they just skip ‘em altogether. I love the Whitney and think that if you are in the city, it’s always worth a peek. I always see at least one thing that blows my mind and sticks with for the coming months. The MOMA building is stunning and if you haven’t been yet then, well, you’re crazy. I find the line-ups and crowds insufferable, so there has to be something pretty special going on there to get me through those doors.

Meatpacking district ‘mall’ 
Okay, while technically a mall, this block full of shops (all accessible from the street) is a shopper’s delight. New York fave Scoop occupies three different spaces and carries some of the most delicious brands around (Smythe Les Vestes, Haute Hippie, Phillip Lim). A hop, skip and jump away, is Paris darling Zadig & Voltaire and but a stone’s throw from there is Vince. Rest your weary feet and wallet at 5 Ninth a pretty 3-story townhouse converted into a restaurant or Pastis.

[UPDATED, July 2011] 

When I was last in New York, I decided to build myself an itinerary, something I never do when I visit. I feel like New York has given me so many happy moments that I owe it to the city to understand its past a little better. Here is a small sampling of some activities that will help you get bet better acquainted with the city. 

 
You can buy these audio files through iTunes and there are plenty of really interesting ones to choose from. I opted for New York author Paul Auster’s walk around ground zero. The tour touches lightly on the history of the district itself, delves into the construction of the World Trade Centre, and shares the legends and sounds that occupied the towers: from concerts, to interviews (Phillip Petit of Man on a Wire fame and the piano man from Windows on the World were two of my favourites), to recordings of the creeks the buildings made during high winds and phone messages left to loved ones from passengers aboard the planes that would ultimately take the Twin Towers down. The end of the walk brings you to a bench facing the Hudson River where New York’s diverse cultural landscape is contemplated and contextualized. It was both heartbreaking and enlightening. 


This museum/tour was a revelation. Located on Orchard Street in the heart of Lower East Side where most major immigrant influxes landed in the city, you get to explore an actual tenement building and learn of the families who lived there. I opted to follow the lives of the Moore Family who arrived in New York with countless other Irish Catholic families during the Great Hunger (or as we refer to it more commonly here, The Potato Famine). While in the apartment the Moores occupied in 1869 (that the museum painstakingly recreated using materials only available at the time they lived there), I learned of how their youngest daughter died in the very place we were standing due to the conditions and politics of the time. It felt like time travel and shed light on the sacrifices people make in search of a better life for their families. The tours cover the many immigrant groups who landed on the LES, what was for a period the most densely populated place on earth. 


While not much to look at, this legendary hotel is worth popping into if only to give a little context to a place where some of the most fascinating delinquents, artists and groundbreakers lived. I recommend doing a little reading up on the place before going (Legends of the Chelsea Hotel by resident Ed Hamilton is a great place to start). Be warned that once you start exploring the history of this ghost-filled hotel, it’s hard to stop. Take a listen to Chelsea Hotel #2, 


Leonard Cohen’s account of a sexual encounter with Janis Joplin in the hotel, explore the murder mystery around the brutal stabbing of Nancy Spungen (Sid Vicious’ girlfriend) in a room that no longer exists, or any of the other countless tales that emerge from a place that housed the likes of Patti Smith, William S. Burroughs, Charles Bukowski, Arthur Miller, Simone de Beauvoir and on and on…  


This spot is a cool fusion of gallery and bookshop. Printed Matter is a non-profit organization that was created in the 1970s and has moved around town a fair bit. Today’s Chelsea location houses thousands of pieces that you could spend an entire day perusing. To be clear, the books are not about art nor are they about artists; they are works of art unto themselves - some are rudimentary stapled Xerox-ed pamphlets while others are beautifully bound. Regardless, these types of specific and lasting grassroots organizations feel to me like they could only exist in New York. 


White Horse Tavern 
This bar on 11th Street has been around since the 1880s and has served copious amounts of booze to the likes of Bob Dylan, Norman Mailer, Hunter S. Thompson and Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. While today it looks like any old tavern, it’s worth stopping in for a pint if only to raise a glass to the poets and misfits of old bohemian New York.


]]>http://www.therake.co/en/visit/90/christinas-guide-to-the-big-apple-updatedTue, 05 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDTcbrownhttp://www.therake.co/en/visit/90/christinas-guide-to-the-big-apple-updatedA chat with Abdel Bounane of Amusement Magazine

Two weeks ago, the world's premier trade show for computer and video games, the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, closed its doors. This year's event offered a glimpse of how the industry is going to tackle the great challenges it faces due to recent gaming trends. Specifically, industry heads addressed how they plan on competing with the iPhones and Androids of this world who, thanks to their quick and consumer-friendly games, have taken a big piece of the gaming pie. They also shared some of the new technologies set to revolutionize the gaming landscape. 

Curious about the rapid growth and recent developments in the video game industry, we headed to Paris to meet Abdel Bounane, founder of Amusement Magazine, a high-end digital gaming publication. He introduces us to his magazine, one that is not yet well-known in North America, and shares some insights on the current issues facing the video game industry. He also takes the opportunity to show us around Paris' new digital art centre, la Gaïté Lyrique .

]]>http://www.therake.co/en/watch/133/a-chat-with-abdel-bounane-of-amusement-magazineTue, 21 Jun 2011 13:31:09 EDTbflorinhttp://www.therake.co/en/watch/133/a-chat-with-abdel-bounane-of-amusement-magazine