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Laundry

Buanderie du Parc Flat rate for washing, drying and folding: $6 per load. Also provides self-service machines. 3486 Parc, 844-4648

Buanderie Net-Net will wash, dry and fold your laundry (usually with a 24-hour turnaround) for a $2 service charge per load. After soap, bleach, Bounce and quarters, a full load will cost about $6. Provide your own soap, and the cost drops. A pick-up and delivery service is also available on a "casual" basis. 310 Duluth E., 844-8511

Lavoir St-Laurent provides the wash-and-dry service for a $1.50 service charge. 3632 St-Laurent, 845-9664

Lavorama has a pay-what-they-weigh rate: $0.70 per pound of clothes washed, dried, folded, and wrapped. 5872 Sherbrooke W., 489-7701

Pressage ABS They may only provide ironing services, but their work is reputably better than the dry cleaners. Rates vary by fabric and clothing item. 9333 St-Laurent, #100, 381-7597

Physical fitness facilities

In Montreal, it's never too early to start thinking about winter sports. In total, the city has 170 outdoor ice rinks, seven alpine skiing centres, 66.3 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, 13 tobogganing hills and seven snowshoeing courses. Ski lessons are provided by L'École de ski de Montréal. Lessons available in alpine, cross-country and snowboarding. Call 872-2237, ext. 651 (press 1) for more info on these courses or any of the city's winter sporting facilities. Additionally, Agrignon Park (10-km trail) offers cross-country skiing courses. 872-3816

Arenas Call 872-2237, ext. 651 (press 6) for the hours and days the arena closest to you is open. The rates for public skating are fixed, however: $2.75 for weekends, free through the week.

Indoor pools (Montreal has 30) offer swimming courses for all ages and levels, along with public swimming sessions and training facilities. Info: 872-2377, ext. 651 (press 5).

Cycling A generous autumn in Montreal will let you cycle into November. Of course, there are ambitious bikers who will go all year round, but they inevitably lose Montreal's cycling paths to the encroaching snow. Besides wonderful access along the Old Port and Lachine Canal, exclusive paths for cyclists and in-line skaters can take you all around the island, literally. A bike trail circumnavigates the island of Montreal, taking you by Dorval and Laval, from Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue to Rivière-des-Prairies. Depending on your level of fitness, you can bike it within a day. Call 872-2237, ext. 313 for more details. For a map call Vélo-Québec at 521-VELO (8356).

YMCA has many locations all around town for students on the move. Purchasing the all-access membership to the Y costs only $2 more than the $27 pass that's good only for the downtown location (1450 Stanley, 849-8393). All-access members benefit from a wider range of facilities­like squash and racquetball courts, badminton and basketball­ when they visit the Y of their choice. Call individual locations for equipment and facilities offered. 200 René-Lévesque E. (Complexe Guy­Favreau), 845-4277; 5550 du Parc, 271-9622; 4585 Sherbrooke W., 931-8046; 4335 Hampton, 486-7315

YWCA 1355 René-Lévesque W., 866-9941

Pet care

Animalerie Somerled A complete selection of pet food and accessories at reasonable prices, plus free delivery. 6570 Somerled, 481-0648

Berger Blanc is like a second SPCA in Montreal. Strays, adoption, etc. 9825 Henri-Bourassa E., Rivière-des-Prairies, 494-2002

Club K-9 NDG pet food supply, has everything for fussy pets, and they deliver. 6004 Sherbrooke W., 489-4004

Côte St-Luc Animal Hospital By appointment, but has a 24-hour emergency service as well. 5330 Patricia, 489-6845

Domesti-Serve Dog walking, pet care while on vacation and other home-related services. 426-7277

Housesitters Will look after your pets while you're away. 426-4215

J.E. Mondou Low prices for bulk cat and dog food. 90 JeanTalon E., 271-5503

Katsous Pet-care and food products available in various sizes. Free delivery in the neighbourhood. 160 Roy E., 848-0304

Médecin vétérinaire St-Louis 3928 St-Hubert, 282-1161

Mobile Veterinary Clinic Will make house calls. 389-1462

MUC Animals Laws and Licensing 872-3181

SPCA 24-hour emergency service and adoption. The largest selection of animals, shots included. Adoption service open from 11-8pm, 7 days a week, minimal costs, donations appreciated. 5215 Jean-Talon W., 735-2711

Vacation Watch Bonded pet care and plant watering while you're on vacation. 489-7777