Cedarbrae Blog

Immigrant Diversity Week: Our Strength, Our Celebration!

Immigrant Diversity Week (IDW) begins this Monday, April 29th with events across the east end right up to May 3.

These events, organized by the Toronto East Quadrant Local Immigration Partnership, include a number of different speakers, activities and sponsor organizations from around the city. The aim of this week is to highlight the many ways Toronto (and particularly the east end) is strengthened by our diverse immigrant communities: in cultural events, politics, business and more.

Begin the week with the kick-off ceremony right here at the Cedarbrae Branch on April 29 at 10 AM. Join speaker Nicholas Keung, Immigrant and Diversity news reporter for the Toronto Star, as we look at the importance of IDW and how we can all be participants. Children's activities will also be available, so be sure to drop by!

The following day, on Tuesday April 30 at 3 PM, we will have guest speakers from Centennial College's Centre for Entrepreneurship in the branch to discuss the benefits of self-employment. This program is designed for all those interested in starting a business and is a great venue to ask questions and find support. Please call Cedarbrae's settlement counsellor, Houri Sahba, to register and find out more: 647-338-6300.

To round off the week, we'll be having a brown-bag luncheon at 12:30 PM on Thursday, May 2 to bring together community service providers, newcomers and other interested participants.Bring a lunch, settle in and get more information about what is available to you in your community!

There are a number of other events going on at Scarborough library branches all week, so be sure to check out the calendar of events.

While you're between events, why not pick up a book to read? There are so many rich aspects of the immigrant experience. Many of these, including the struggle with new languages, understanding a new culture, and finding the balance between one's native customs and adopted ones, are often beautifully illustrated in fiction. Check out some great reads I read and loved!

 

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
Kimberley Chang, a young Chinese girl, and her mother face the struggles of sweat-shop squalor in Brooklyn as they build a life they can both be proud of. I read this book in a day -- it's a quick, emotional read that will leave you really feeling for Kim and the double-life she is forced to live.

Across a Hundred Mountains by Reyna Grande
Juana Garcia leaves her small Mexican town to track down her father, who left years before to find a better life in America. Her journey will lead her to Adelina Vasquez, who left California to find her lover in Mexico. These two women will find themselves connected in the most trying times of their lives.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave
When Little Bee, a teenage Nigerian girl, crosses paths with Sarah Summers, a British magazine editor on vacation, neither one expects to see the other again following their brief time together. But years later, their paths will meet again - and Sarah may find that in helping Little Bee, she is helping herself too.

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Gogol has more than just a strange name - he has a life built on balancing his family's traditions and finding his own identity. Through heartbreak, some comic relief, and unearthing a tragedy that has defined his parents' lives, he will come to define his own. This book also became a movie (it's worth a watch too!)

If you've read all these, maybe you can try some others:

Ten Thousand Lovers by Edeet Ravel

 

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar

The Pleasure Seekers by Tishani Doshi

 Have a title about the immigrant experience that you loved? Please share it in the comments! Have questions about Immigrant Diversity Week events? Call the branch or come see us!

 

From Four-Eyes to Fashion Forward

It started innocently enough: a fuzzy blackboard or two, a road sign that went unread, a friend I didn't recognize until I crossed the street. Later, I got headaches from squinting too hard and I found myself frustrated with trying to read that blurry print at the front of the classroom.

My first pair of eyeglasses were thrust upon me in the fifth grade, much to my dismay.
I mean, yes, they were pink, and had glitter at the corners,
but I had the Harry Potter look down before Harry Potter even existed.

Years later, I've come to terms with my limited vision. I've flirted briefly with contact lenses and anxiously researched laser eye surgery, but I always came back around to the humble and dependable specs.

So, imagine my surprise when I realized (a little late, I guess) that glasses are cool now. And they have been for a while. I think this only really dawned on me when I noticed someone wearing glasses without any actual lenses - as in, oversized plastic frames that I could poke my finger right through, into her eyeballs. I was flabbergasted: could it be true? Was this a 'thing' now? And more importantly: could I be quick enough to actually poke her in the eye as she walked by?

I thought back to my childhood when I was only one of the few kids in my class with glasses. It wasn't exactly a traumatic experience, but wearing glasses made you different, and it could easily serve as fuel for teasing.

I know Arthur feels me on this, while Heidi Heckelbeck figures glasses could and should totally be a fashion statement.

Turns out, being forced to wear glasses might not be the worst thing in the world. The British Pyschological Society has an article on kids' assumptions of people who wear glasses. Not surprisingly, most kids associate glasses with 'smart people', like scientists and doctors, although this is also paired with glasses-wearers as being less attractive. A 2008 Ohio State University study seems to mostly echo these thoughts, although they also add 'looks more honest' to kids' perceptions of their bespectacled peers. A lot of these assumptions follow us into adulthood. Even popular news outlets have reported that wearing a pair of glasses to a job interview could raise your chances of landing the position!

Smarts aside, I found this little blurb on an accessories shop's website, describing a pair of 'fashion frames' for the tween crowd: "You bring the attitude to this old school design. These retro glasses are super comfortable to wear and give you geek-chic style." I guess I shouldn't be too surprised: glasses have a pretty long history in the world of fashion.

 

Funky frames and eccentric eyewear have been popping up on runways for Spring 2013, ranging from the mostly wearable to the outright outrageous. Below are some frames from Miu Miu and Prada's Spring print campaign:

 

Now, with so many different shapes, styles and colours to choose from, picking the perfect pair can be a tricky feat, especially if you're getting glasses for the first time. There are lots of ways to play around with choosing the best frames for your face. You won't really know until you go in and actually try on a few pairs (or twenty...) but keeping a few guidelines in mind could help make sure you choose something functional, fitting, and even a little fabulous. For fun, you could even create a little cartoon version of yourself, complete with a selection of frames, using the I Made Face app on your Android or iOs device, like the one I made to the left.
 
Helping a little one with their first pair? Try some of these kids' books about the eyeglass experience:

       

Whether you actually need them, or simply want to play up your style, glasses can be a fun part of your look -- whatever that look is!

Taking the Throne

With a little less than two weeks until the season three premier of the hugely popular HBO Game of Thrones series, you probably won't be able to breathe without someone mentioning it.

 

If you're a fan of the show, but haven't quite gotten around to reading all of the books in the series, there are still some fun titles to look into to get you hyped up for the next season!

 

People throw Super Bowl parties and Oscars parties -- why not a party to celebrate the season premiere of this epic show? You might even want to feed your guests foods inspired from the series, like hearty baked apples from The North, elegant lemon cakes from King's Landing, and more. (I've actually had the lemon cakes; a colleague of mine made them after reading this book and, yes, they were awesome.)

Don't forget: many of these titles are also available in eBook format!

Still not quite sure this is for you? Catch up on the story as a graphic novel if you prefer, and read another blogger's take on the series and other works by the same author. If you think you'd like to take on the series, you can always step into your local branch and take a look around the paperback section for copies of A Game of Thrones (be sure to check in the Science Fiction/Fantasy area, if there is one).

Pretty soon, you'll be wishing for a direwolf of your own, pledging allegiance to a mighty house, and wondering what truly lies beyond the wall...

A New Look for eBooks!

If you're already familiar with the eBook collection at the Toronto Public Library, you may have noticed that we are expecting a new look soon.

This new design is expected to make your experience with eBooks easier to navigate and get you reading in just a few clicks.

One of the new features, OverDrive Read, gives you the option to read your checked out eBook directly in your browser.

Take a minute to review the new design and check to see if your device is compatible with OverDrive Read.

We're excited about this new look and hope it makes your eBook experience even bigger and better!

If you'd like to learn more about using eBooks at the library, be sure to drop in for an introduction class available at various branches throughout the city, including one here at Cedarbrae on Wednesday April 17 at 1:30 PM. Give us a call at 416-396-8850 to register your spot.

Schooled: Teachers & Diversity in Toronto

The Toronto District School Board - Canada's largest school board - has been in the news recently when a memo surfaced recommending that "the first round of TDSB interviews will be granted to teacher candidates that meet one or more of the following criteria in addition to being an outstanding teacher: Male, racial minority, French, Music, Aboriginal..."

The reasoning behind this criteria? The TDSB wants to better serve its communities by having role models that are more representative of the diversity of students in its schools.

The Globe and Mail reports "about 77 per cent of elementary teachers and 59 per cent of high-school teachers are female. Many experts blame a shortage of role models for the fact that boys and some minority groups lag behind girls on standardized tests and postsecondary achievement."

This isn't a new story - in fact, The Globe published this back in 2010, noting that "men have been the clear minority in primary teaching since the days of the one-room school house."

Interested in learning more? Read up on some titles about diversity, inclusion and teaching in Canada, available at the library.

Seeing the Rainbow: teachers talk about bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender, and two spirited realities (check out this article online too)

Teachers, students and pedagogy : selected readings and documents in the history of Canadian education

The challenges of student diversity in Canadian schools: essays on building a better future for exceptional children

The pursuit of division:  race, gender, and preferential hiring in Canada

     

Year of the Snake

Happy Chinese New Year!

The new lunar year began just about a week ago on February 10. According to Chinese astrology, this is the year of the snake - the black water snake, to be precise. A snake year occurs every twelve years, right after a dragon year.

If you were born in a previous snake year, you may be intelligent with a quick wit, with the ability to out-think others. Be careful though: being this sly might make you prone to bragging just a little too!

Unsurprisingly, many of the characteristics of those born in a snake year seem to be shared with the actual reptile so many cultures both fear and admire. Snakes are known to be great predators, with their colouring and patterned skin making them terrific at outsmarting unsuspecting prey.

Interested in more facts about snakes - and maybe some fun info about the Chinese horoscope that goes with it? Check out this article from National Geographic.

In Toronto, the new year was celebrated all over, with performances at Chinese cultural centres, as well as spots in the east like Woodside Square, the Scarborough YMCA, and Scarborough Town Centre. Here's a clip below featuring a group of students at the YMCA showing off their skills!

 

Want to learn more about Chinese astrology and what this new year could bring for you?

Love and Other Stuff.

Oh, love. What doesn't it have the power to do? It makes crazy things seem perfectly sane, the impossible easy to do, and the worst situations shine like bright opportunities.

But love ain't all it's cracked up to be, kids...

This Valentine's Day, try some of these reads to get you in the mood for love (or not...)

For teen readers, check out these takes on love -

 

For adult readers, try some of these stories of love and love gone wrong.

If you're feeling particularly lovey-dovey, you might want to pick up a read sure to tug on the heartstrings - aka any book by Nicholas Sparks aka Books About People Almost Kissing if some of the movie tie-in covers are any indication!

Have a happy Valentine's Day!

   

For Your Sweetheart (or just your sweet tooth!)

The best part about Valentine's Day really isn't the flowers, the teddy bears, or the heart-shaped decor...it's the desserts!

(Wait, what? Did you think I was gonna say 'love'? Sure... that too, I guess.)

Valentine's Day goodies tend to be on the sweet side, which suits me just fine. Here are some Valentine's Day themed desserts I'm hoping to try out this month, courtesy of the Food Network:

White Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Red Velvet Cheesecake

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

 

Red Velvet Cherry Cake Roll

For more ideas to satisfy your sweet tooth, try one of our latest dessert cookbooks; here's just a few to get you started:

Have a particularly delicious dessert idea planned? Share with us in the comments!

The Skin You're In

Has the winter weather lately been throwing you for a loop? You're not alone. The crazy wind, snow and extreme temperature drops have taken their toll on my skin most of all.

You may find the winter weather leads to a whole slew of skin issues with dryness being the most problematic. I used to spend a whole lot of time (not to mention money!) researching and trying out every skin moisturizer, lotion and whatnot on the market.

Here are some ideas for more natural and wallet-friendly options you might consider this winter. Many of these contain antioxidants which help fight free radicals (these can cause cancer, premature aging, etc). These also may be suitable for those with sensitive skin that can't handle too many chemicals and products. 

Honey
Skin-care experts and celebrities alike rave about the soothing healing properties of honey. It can be used alone or with other natural ingredients to create many at home remedies for your skin. Try out a simple honey-avocado mask to soften and brighten skin or just apply a thin layer of dark or clover honey to your face to help tighten and moisturize. Honey is also recommended to help lighten and heal acne scarring. 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
If you already have oily skin like me - but still suffer from dryness - it may seem completely against your instinct to go ahead and slather MORE oil on your face. Olive oil, however, isn't your average oil! I've recently replaced the moisturizing creams I would normally use with just regular old extra virgin olive oil (yes, the kind from the grocery store will do!) and it's been kind of amazing how effective it has been in maintaining moisture throughout the day, despite the really harsh weather.

You don't need a lot of either either: a thin layer all over or rubbed gently onto dry patches will usually do the trick. You may want to do this just at night though so you don't go around smelling too much of olive oil if the scent bothers you or those around you.

Coconut Oil
Like olive oil, coconut oil has long been considered a secret weapon in fighting dry skin (and hair, and nails, too!) although it may be relatively new to some. The women in my family have been combing coconut oil into their hair for years. In fact, my mom is visiting me now, and one of the first things she asked me is where I kept my oil! This prompted me to look into all the uses of coconut oil, even beyond hair care.

Look for extra virgin coconut oil that hasn't been bleached, artifically scented or hydrogenated if you're going to be using it on your skin. It can be rubbed in by itself or mixed with other ingredients to moisturize. It does feel very greasy on your skin at first, but it absorbs quickly and leaves a nice scent afterwards that will leave you feeling you belong on a tropical island somewhere - how's that for beating the winter blues?

Water
The most obvious solution is also the easiest! Hydrate your skin from the inside out by drinking plenty of water, particularly during the winter months. I try to aim for 2-3 litres of water a day, which is about two of those tall water bottles you can find at any grocery store. Invest in a large reusable water bottle if you can and be sure to keep it handy at your desk, in your car, wherever you are! It may not immediately soothe your dry skin, but it will help over time - and really, getting more water is going to help you feel healthier in so many ways!

For more natural and easy ways to save your skin, take a look at some of the books we offer!

 

 

 

Where to Get It: Urban Fiction

Are you looking for a gritty read? Something with a little urban flavour that is both sexy and dangerous?
If you haven't already, you may want to try out some urban fiction. Some of the covers may seem a little racy, but, hey, if you've already flipped through 50 Shades of Grey, I'm sure you can handle it...!

Here are some titles where women run the show:

  

And a few with men at centre stage:

  

While there are a number of urban fiction titles available for hold, there are still a lot of these books available pretty much only as paperback at the library. This means that you may have to try your luck at your local branch by browsing the paperback section by author's last name. If you happen to be in the Cedarbrae branch, drop by our second floor display by the elevator: we have an area dedicated to urban fiction and we include paperbacks that you may not otherwise find through a title search.

Would you rather get your fix on your iPad or Kobo? Don't forget the eBook titles you can check out too:

 

Want to know more about this growing genre? Check out dedicated websites like StreetFiction which includes new authors and titles for adults and teens.

If you are looking for urban fiction for younger readers, you may want to check out the Kimani Tru imprint or Bluford High series. As with other urban fiction titles, many of these can be picked up in the teen paperback browsing areas of your local branch.

Still looking for more urban fiction ideas? Check out previous book suggestions.