North York Central Library Blog

Boomers & Beyond Series - Estate Planning: Maximize Your Estate

Join us next Thursday, June 20, from 2:00 - 4:00pm as the Business Department hosts our final Boomers and Beyond Series program this year Estate Planning: Maximize Your Estate.

Garry R. Duncan, FCPA, FCA, CFP and author of "When I Die: Financial Planning
for Life and Death," will explore issues that should be considered when dealing
with an estate plan and suggest methods to maximize the beneficiaries' share of
the estate.

Call 416-395-5613 to register.

Below are some Canadian books which can help you with estate planning, if you're at North York Central Library you'll find these books up on the fourth floor in the Business Department.

 

                                                          

 

                                                         

When I die: financial planning for life and death. By: Garry R. Duncan. Call #: 346.71052 DUN

The 50 Biggest estate planning mistakes...and how to avoid them. By: Jean Blacklock & Sarah Kruger. Call #: 346.71052 BLA. (also available as an e-book)

The Canadian guide to will and estate planning: everything you need to know today to protect your wealth and your family tomorrow. By: Douglas A. Gray. Call #: 346.71052 GRA

Wills & Estate Planning for Canadians for Dummies. By: Margaret Hellen Kerr and JoAnn Kurtz. Call#: 346.71052 KER. (Also available as an e-book)

 

 

 

Sew Inspired...

Growing up, my mom would often take me along on her trips to the fabric store. We would find rows upon rows of fabric bundled on rolls and rectangular cardboard. My favorite were the ones with farm animals. I loved little cows and pigs. I remember wandering around as my mom picked out fabric. The place had a strange smell.

When we found what we wanted, we would take the bundle of fabric to the lady waiting at the long tables with the very sharp scissors. I was amazed that she only needed to cut a little piece of the fabric and then tear the rest by hand. It was amazing.

Sometimes my mom would stop by the counter where they had these large books. She would pick what she wanted and the lady would hand her a package that she retrieved from the big metal cabinet.

I never understood what were in these packages. It was tissue paper with weird lines. I once took out a couple of sheets but never managed to put them back in or folded it back properly. Not surprisingly, my mom was not very happy.

It seemed magical that my mom could turn the fabric we bought using the tissue paper things into clothes for me to wear. I never realized then, because I was too young, to appreciate the time and effort my mom took to make me my favorite clothes.

This memory has inspired me to make something for my daughter. Unfortunately, I don't know how to sew.

Luckily for me, there are many books at the library for beginners teaching the basics of sewing:

     

There are even books about the tissue paper things which are actually sewing patterns:

     

If you already know how to sew, there are books for you too:

     

If you're like me and want to sew clothes for your little one, the library's got books for that too:

     

I think we often forget little memories like these. But once it comes back, it feels like I am back there again in the weird smelling place with the bright fluorescent lights anticipating what beautiful things my mom was going to make next. And I hope to create lovely memories like these with my daughter one day.

Swinging into Spring

What a long, snowy winter we have had! Now that the last blast of winter is hopefully past us it is the perfect time to venture outside and enjoy the weather.  There is no better way to enjoy our city than to partake in some physical activity throughout our more than 1600 parks.  Whether running, cycling, rollerblading or just walking; spring is the perfect time to kick start your physical activity, make good on some long neglected New Year’s resolutions or just enjoy the outdoors. 

I heard on the news this week that the City of Toronto Golf Courses would be opening this month and that got me thinking about my secret desire to play.  I have to admit I am master at mini golf but have never ventured to the real thing.  I grew up with a father who loved to play and watch golf on TV and somehow the desire to master the sport must have started as a child.  I can’t help thinking that this season might be the perfect time to delve into the sport.  As a new mom it might be a good excuse  to have ‘alone’ time and enjoy some peace and quiet.

Toronto Public Library has a large collection of books on the subject including works on golf courses, golf tips and strategies and biographies of some of golf’s greatest.  Below is a small sampling to explore.  I think I should start with Golf for Dummies!  We also carry the magazine Golf Digest at a number of our branches.

Golf for Dummies, 4th Ed Gary McCord	The Great New Golf Courses of Canada John Gordon	1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die Jeff Barr
Beat Your Best Golf Score: Tips and On-Course Strategy from Top PGA Teaching Pros Tim Baker	Hank Haney's Essentials of the Swing Hank Haney	Playing Through: A Guide to the Unwritten Rules About Golf Peter Post
A Golfer's Life Arnold Palmer and James Dodson	Tiger: The Real Story Steve Helling	Mike Weir: The Road to the Masters Lorne Rubenstein

For further information Score Golf, the Voice of Canadian Golf, has produced a handy guide to Toronto and area Golf Courses. 

See you on the links!

Reveal the 8 Universal Truths about Your Money

 

 

 

Even though Money Matters Month is technically over here at North York Library we still have one more personal finance program to offer you 8 Universal Truths about Your Money: The Basics of Financial Planning

Tom Hamza, President of the non-profit Investor Education Fund (IEF) will discuss eight Universal Money Truths that apply to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Learn practical tips on budgeting, saving, borrowing, investing, and protecting your money from fraud.

FREE. Call 416-395-5613 to register.

Monday, March 27, 2013

6:30-8:00pm

Auditorium

There are a lot of great resources and tips on the IEF website for people in all financial stages of life. The IEF provides unbiased programs and tools to help consumers make better financial and investing decisions. Of course, you can always visit the North York Central Library's Business Department on the 4th floor and check out all of our personal finance, investment and economics books, DVDs, databases and newsletters. The staff at the reference desk are always happy to help you!

Leftover Chocolates?

Do you have leftover chocolates from Valentine's day? Don't know what to do with them? Why not make it into something even yummier?!

The following delicious goodies were taken from the chocolate cookbook Intensely  Chocolate.

Use some of your leftover dark milk chocolate (38 to 42% cacao content) to make milk chocolate-dulce de leche bars. The bars are made up of three layers. The crust is comprised of coconut and brown sugar. The filling is dulce de leche, which is caramel. And the glaze is made from the dark milk chocolate. This recipe can be found on page 147 of the book.

How about something to warm up those cold winter nights? Use bittersweet chocolate (66 to 72% cacao content) to make an intense hot chocolate. This is a thick and creamy beverage. The recipe can be found on page 198 of the book.

It doesn't hurt that recent research have shown that dark chocolate can be good for you. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have suggested that it can be a heart-healthy choice.

The North York Central's Science and Technology department has a wonderful collection of chocolate cookbooks and books about the health aspects of chocolate. Here are some titles that may interest you:

        

The library also has some ebooks with great recipes that you can access anywhere:

  

 

You can also find chocolate recipes from magazines from the library. For a list of cooking magazines, click here. For a list of cooking magazines that you can access online, click here.

So whether you have leftover chocolates or took advantage of the sales after Valentine's day, try some of the recipes to make a tasty treat even more delicious!

It's tax time! Let us help you Solve the Mysteries of Income Tax

The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.

-Albert Einstein.

Like it or not, it's that time of year again, tax time! As you can see even Albert Einstein, deemed one of the smartest men in history also had a hard time understanding taxes. Not to worry, the library is here to help. If you come visit us in the Business Department department up on the fourth floor, we have some free booklets prepared by Ontario's Certified General Accountants called Your Personal Tax Planning Guide. Every year we receive these booklets around January, just in time for you to start preparing your taxes. You can also view this free publication online as a PDF.

It seems as if every year there is something new which we have to learn and include in our taxes. One of the nice features of the free booklet I mentioned above is that it includes a section called Major 2012 Federal and Provincial Changes Affecting Individuals. One of the major changes this year is that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is no longer mailing income tax and benefit packages, we are all being encouraged to file online. However, this doesn't mean that you can't file your taxes on paper you can request a paper package, and it will still be accepted. You can also call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 (press * star key to speak with an agent).

At North York Central Library, we have our annual income tax clinic:

This is a FREE, community income tax program provided by Certified General Accountants, using software supplied by Canada Revenue Agency. It is available to single persons with incomes under $30,000 or families with an income of under $35,000. Qualified accountants will help individuals to fill out their 2012 Income Tax Returns. Interest income must be under $1000. Sessions are on a First come/First served basis.

Please note clinic dates & times:

Saturdays, March 2, March 9, April 6, April 20, & April 27 - Hours are 10:00am-5pm, last client taken at 4:15pm. Concourse level.

Thursdays, March 7, March 14, March 28, April 11 & 25 - Hours are 6:00pm-8:30pm, last client taken at 7:45pm. Concourse Level.

Please call 416-395-5614 after Jan. 28, 2013 if you need more information.

If you have mobility issues, you can contact Wheel-Trans Customer Service at 416-393-4111 to arrange to be picked up or you can even book a wheel trans trip online. 

There are other tax clinics available all across Ontario, the CRA has a great list of Volunteer Tax Preparation Clinics. Also, 211toronto.ca has a list of clinics available across the GTA. If you come up to the Business Department, our staff will be happy to assist you with questions you may have about your income tax, we have a great deal of resources to help you or we can direct you to other places which may help you.

Don't forget that there are always books available to help you prepare your taxes as well if you'd like to do your taxes on your own, here's a couple you can take a peek at:

 

                                                 

                                      

      

Gordon Pape, Canadian Personal Finance Expert will also be coming to North York Central Library next Monday evening to present his program Retirement's Harsh New Realities where he'll discuss important things every Canadian should know including information about minimizing your taxes and protecting your financial future. 

All the best with your taxes!

Body Image, Much?

Happy New Year! 

Congratulations!  It is 2013 and almost three weeks into the new year and time for some to put into effect their New Year's Resolution to lose those extra pounds from the good hearty winter feasts.  While others, as pictured below, look forward to gaining the added weight so needed during pregnancy.

 

So, what constitutes a healthy body image?  It depends on influences that relate to social and cultural values that could change over time.  The general basis for a healthy body image is as follows: a healthy diet, good exercise, enough rest, and a positive frame of mind.  With these basics covered, a healthy body image should be easy to maintain, right? 

Social and cultural influences can enhance or sabotage this self image. Athletes and beauty models in popular magazines, for instance, influence us on a regular basis.  As human nature would predict, there is always room for improvement.  The degree to which people are willing to go to seek self improvement may be debatable.

 

The beauty myth Vintage ed., with a new introd. by Naomi Wolf

 

The old cliche, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, provides little satisfaction when there are so many opportunities on the market to become more beautiful.  Naomi Wolf investigates the social perception of the beauty myth.  The author questions the current obsession to attain beauty and regards this obsession as demoralizing for women.  Naomi Wolf would support the healthy body image suggestions outlined above.  Elizabeth Brown in her March 22, 2009 article from The Christian Monitor provides an engaging review. 

 

The muscular ideal : psychological, social, and medical perspectives 1st ed. Edited by Guy Cafri and and Kevin J. Thompson

Men are not immune from this influence.  The current body image promoted in the exercise and fitness industry is the muscular physique. To develop this body ideal can be as simple as incorporating heavy weight resistance training with a high protein diet.  Other options include steroid use, cosmetic surgery, and muscle enhancement substances but may come with serious health risks.  Eatingdisordersreview.com reviewed this title in their March/April 2008 Volume 19, Number 2 edition .

 

 Feeling good about the way you look : a program for overcoming body image problems by Wilhelm, Sabine.

 

 

Despite the social and cultural pressures to attain the "ideal" body image, the best suggestion is to develop an awareness of positive self perception through education.  Using step-by-step guidelines, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) exercises, and overall motivational guidance, this self-help book has received many positive reviews on its success.  For more titles including detailed definitions on body image, click the little fella holding the mirror:   

This year, 2013, will be an exciting one and hope that whatever New Year's Resolution you follow, it will be a healthy, productive, and happy one.

Check your Stocks with Value Line, now available online anywhere!

Today as I was working extra hours at the Don Mills Library, a man asked me if he could see the Value Line Records and Ratings Reports. When I presented him with the large binder, he was disappointed to find that the latest print issue was from November. I asked him if he knew that the database was available online and he didn't. At both my home branch North York Central Library and the Toronto Reference Library the Value Line Research Centre Database has been available online for the past year. However, for the past few months the database has been available online, anywhere even the comfort of your own home as long as you have an active library card. 

Value Line has been around since the 1931 and was discovered by Arnold Berhnhard it is one of the most trusted and popular investment reports that the Toronto Public Library subscribes to. Value Line provides stock reports and covers most actively traded U.S. exchange-listed stocks, small and mid-cap stocks, mutual funds, options, convertibles and special situations.

Here's an example of one of the reports you would see from Value Line, this is the Boeing December 14, 2012:

You can also analyze specific industries (onlne not in print), historical stock tracking, analysts views and newsletters. It is very important to do your research it could be the difference between you making a great deal or losing it.  For more information on other great sources with company information to make you a savvy investor check out my colleague Teresa's blog Thinking of investing in an IPO? It pays to do your homework.

Value Line also has an excellent website, with a wealth of information including video commentary, new videos are added on monthly basis, check this one out it's about the investment outlook for the company KRAFT (KFT)

Remember, you can always stop by the business department at either North York Central Library or Toronto Reference Library to look at other great investment resources.

Get Started at the Library: MS Office Products

North York Central Library Staff offer a wide range of computer classes in the Learning Centre, all absolutely free. Once you have mastered our Web Basics classes, you're ready to create your own documents, spreadsheets and presentations! Consider taking one of the following primers on how to use Microsoft Office programs. If you are referring a friend to us, let them know that basic keyboarding and mouse skills are necessary for these classes!

Word Basics 1 (Upcoming Classes at North York Central)

An introduction to using Microsoft Word tools and functions. Create a new document and save it, change fonts and use spellcheck.

Word Basics 2 (Upcoming Classes at North York Central)

More editing and formatting exercises! Learn how to customize margins, make lists, copy and paste, and find document templates.

Excel Basics (Upcoming Classes at North York Central)

Using a simple table, format a worksheet and apply formulas to calculate sums and averages.

PowerPoint Basics (Upcoming Classes at North York Central)

Create and edit your first presentation! Work with slide layouts, images and transitions.
 
Interested in registering? Visit the Gateway Services information desk or call 416-395-5674. Don't be discouraged if the class you want is full - if you're in the area, we encourage you to drop in.  Spaces often open up at the last minute.

In addition  you can check the library catalogue for books on how to use Microsoft Office. 

Library computers also offer Microsoft Publisher, a desktop publishing program you can use to create things like brochures, cards or menus.  Here are some Microsoft Publisher books to get you started.

After you've completed all our classes (congrats!) take a look at our Computer and Library Learning Blog, especially this blog for additional resources.

-- Andrea

What are you doing with your bicycle this winter?

Store it, ride it, put it on an indoor trainer or spend some quality time with it learning basic maintenance and how to tune it up.

It‘s about that time of the year when you start thinking about putting away your bike and pulling out your skis .Or, if you’re fortunate enough, storing your summer bike and pulling out your winter bike and skis and snowshoes and skates etc... There are a few simple things you should do to your bike before it disappears behind the shovels, salt, slush and snow blowers.

Storing it

Keep pressure in the tires (pump them up once a month while in storage), try to get your bike off the ground but if you can’t rotate the tires a quarter of a turn every couple of weeks.

Lubricate your chain, lubricate your cables, armor all the tires and cover the bike with a sheet or bike bag if you can.

These simple steps will allow you to start riding right away once spring arrives again.

 

 

Training on it

Save the cost of a  gym membership by setting up an indoor trainer. Most are about the cost of two months at the gym and they can be stored in a closet during the warmer weather.

If you have a bike computer you can keep track of the kilometers you ride. See if you can do enough to get yourself across Canada or maybe just to Moosonee. There are many different types of trainers and lots of online workouts.

 

 

Learn to maintain it

There are lots of books on this topic.

Where to get tools and expertise:

Community Bicycle Network workshops

Evergreen Brickworks – bike works  closed for the season but a good one to keep in mind

 

Keep riding

Do it and do it often but do it safely. Here are some pointers for winter riding.

City of Toronto bike winter page

Everything you need to know about winter cycling from the Toronto Star

If Calgarians don’t know about winter cycling who does?

For inspiration there are lots of cycling magazines at the library. 

 

 Toronto also has some excellent cycling organizations.  

 

 

Safe riding!