North York Central Library Blog

Cookbook Awards Wrap-Up

Cookbook awards season just ended. Just like there is the Oscars' for film and the Grammy’s for music, cookbooks also have their own prestige award ceremonies. Although the tuxes and gowns may not be as grand and extravagant, cookbook authors were recognized and enjoyed the fruit of their labour for one night.

On February 22nd, the Gourmand Cookbook Awards was held in Paris with books from 171 countries competing in the award this year. Created in 1995 by Édouard Cointreau, the award recognizes those who “cook with words”. The following are some of the winners honoured that night:

Visit the Gourmand Cookbook Awards website for a full list of winners.

Subsequently, on April 9th, the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) held their awards ceremony. IACP’s Cookbook Award strives to promote quality and creativity in writing and publishing and to expand the awareness of culinary literature. The following are some of the winners:

Visit IACP’s website for a full list of winners.

Lastly, on May 3rd, the James Beard Foundation held their awards ceremony honouring cookbooks published in English in 2012. The following are some of the winners recognized that night:

Visit the James Beard Foundation's website for a full list of winners. You can also watch a re-broadcast of the awards here:

I hope you'll enjoy these award winning cookbooks!

The day we saved the world

There’s a song on Sarah Slean’s newest CD, Land and Sea, that’s been getting heavy rotation on the radio in my head. It begins, “This place was in horrible shape, and no one wanted to see…” When I first heard this line, I thought the song was about a home that was badly in need of repair. The next line is, "that's when hope rose up again, to shake us all from our sleep." By the time Slean urgently sings, “get up, get up, there's time, there's time,” as though she’s grabbing the listener by the and arm and pulling them to their feet, it's clear she’s not singing about a broken down house. She's singing about the earth, which is in horrible shape, according to many scientists. Global warming, species extinction, deforestation, pollution, shrinking biodiversity -- the list of threats to our home, the earth, goes on and depressingly on. I love the beautiful, seemingly impossible idea expressed in the title of Slean’s song, “The day we saved the world.” It makes me imagine a day when a critical mass of people suddenly care deeply enough about the earth to turn things around. If I were an artist I might do my part by writing a beautiful song. But, alas, I am a librarian, so I shall try to save the world through bibliography. Many people are planning home repairs and renovations this spring, so I’ve put together a list of titles about ecological homes. By the way, I realize Earth Day was last month, but if we’re going to save the world, every day should be Earth Day, don’t you think?

Ecoholic home: the greenest, cleanest and most energy-efficient information under one (Canadian) roof, Adria Vasil. "We spend so much time at home - why not make it a sustainable haven instead of a polluting, off-gassing cesspool? Our resident Ecoholic comes to the rescue again, offering reminders and tips on how to keep your castle (however humble) clean, energy-efficient and healthy".

150 best eco house ideas, Marta Serrats. "The perfect resource for designers, interior decorators, and architects, as well an inspirational sourcebook for all homeowners interested in creating warm and inviting homes that cause only a fraction of the environmental impact of those created using conventional building methods". available as an ebook

The complete guide to a green home : the good citizen's guide to Earth-friendly remodeling and home maintenance, Philip Schmidt. "Popular home remodeling projects and maintenance information from an approach that's 100% green."

Eco: an essential sourcebook for environmentally friendly design and decoration, Elizabeth Wilhide. "Eco proves that environmentally friendly architecture is no longer a minority interest but a practical way to lower fuel bills, reduce allergy-related illnesses, create less waste, and ensure a healthy world for our children to inherit."

Eco house book, Terence Conran. "Conran shows us that it is possible to convert our existing homes into greener, healthier places without starting from scratch.

Eco house : practical ideas for a greener, healthier dwelling, Sergi Costa Duran. "While not a definitive tome on all things green, this is a great starting point to the natural life."

The ecological house: sustainable architecture around the world, Marco Moro. "A virtual atlas of “architectural biodiversity,” this beautifully designed and gorgeously illustrated anthology of architecture's greenest gems documents the innovative creations of pioneers across the globe who build in harmony with the earth."

Energy free : homes for a small planet, Ann V. Edminster. "2011 International Book Awards Award-Winning Finalist in the "Environment: Green/Alternative Energy/Conservation."

Frank Lloyd Wright natural design : organic architecture --lessons for building green from an American orginal, Allan Hess. "This book explores Wright's lessons on how climate, sustainability, sunlight, modern technology, and passive environmental controls can become the inspiration for excellent design. It highlights a selection of Wright's buildings to show how he dealt with these issues beginning more than a century ago."

Green home improvement: 65 projects that will cut utility bills, protect your health, help the environment, Daniel Chiras. "The book's projects range from quick, easy, low- or no-cost tasks like insulating a water heater, sealing foundation cracks, or painting with insulating paint to bigger-ticket items such as installing a new energy-efficient heating system, windows, or green flooring."

Green remodeling : your start toward an eco-friendly home, John D. Wagner. "Learn about the tatest trends in eco-friendly building practices and products, or improve the quality of your life with a green remodeling project."

Off the grid homes : case studies for sustainable living, Lori Ryker. "Off the Grid Homes looks at six contemporary architectural projects that integrate alternative technologies for generating and conserving energy."

Links of interest:

If this topic interests you, you may also be interested in an excellent, related post called, Distract Me

An article about a Toronto inventor, Ralph Paloheimo, and his environmentally friendly house: Toronto man builds environmental dreamhouse. Toronto Star, May 10, 2013.

Here's a short movie of Ralph Paloheimo describing how his environmentally friendly house works:

Watch this incredible house being built -- it will appeal to anyone who has yearned for their own little hobbit house!

Embracing the Power of Exercise

Study after study shows that physical activity not only improves fitness; it's also important for mental and emotional well-being, particularly as we get older. It can reduce stress and improve mood and memory.

This spring the North York Central Library is partnering with the Toronto Council on Aging to present Boomers and Beyond: the Power of Positive Aging.

The first event in this series will be held on Wednesday May 8 at 2:00 pm in the Auditorium. Registered nurse and older adult fitness specialist Toni Johnston's workshop is entitled The Power of Physical Activity: live your best life. Learn about the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. Get tips about how to start, and stay with, an exercise routine. Toni Johnston will provide the encouragement, guidance and precautions you need to embark on a fitness program.

Becoming more physically active is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It allows you to live your best life.

The other events in this series are:

Navigating the Financial World on Monday May 13

and

Memory Preservation on Wednesday June 5

 

 

Discover resources to take your business to Asia

The Asia Pacific area has increasingly become the largest area of the world that Canada does business with.  The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, based on Statistics Canada data, reports that China continues to be one of Canada's biggest export and import partners.  China (including Hong Kong), Japan and South Korea -- accounted for 76% of Canada's total trade with Asia.

Many small business people visit us in the Business Department at North York Central Library looking for resources to help them expand their businesses into these markets. The library offers a number of business databases that can assist you in doing your research, as well as links to government websites, such as Industry Canada's portal for doing business abroad or the city of Toronto's business portal for exporting.  Most of the electronic resources can be accessed through the TPL website with a TPL library card.  Staff at the information desk can assist in learning how to access this information.

While at the library, why not check out a few recent books on the topic?

     

     

 

National Day of Mourning - Remembering lives lost or injured in the workplace

In 1991, the federal government officially started recognizing April 28 as the National Day of Mourning after passing a Mourning Day Act  on February 1, 1991. This important day commemorates workers who have been killed or injured in the workplace as well as reminding us all to be committed to preventing further deaths and injuries by improving health and safety in the workplace. 

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) In 2011, 919 workplace deaths were recorded in Canada and between 1993 to  2011 17, 061 people lost their lives due to work-related causes. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) 2.02 million people die each year world wide from work related diseases 321,000 from workplace accidents, which means that:

• Every 15 seconds someone dies from a work related accident or disease

The National day of Mourning also known as Workers' Memorial Day is now recognized by approximately 80 countries around the world including: Argentina, Belgium, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Gibralter Panama, Peru, United States and many other countries. Workers' Memorial day was actually created by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in 1984. The CUPE website has honoured a few of the CUPE workers who have lost their lives since the last National Day of Mourning in 2012:

• Sylvain Ferland, 49, was killed in an accident while driving a bus in Montreal, Quebec.
• Normand Gauthier, 53, a longshoreman was killed during loading operations on a Europe bound ship in Port of Matane, Quebec. He leaves behind a wife and 3 children .
• Claude Picard, 48, a linesman who worked for Hydro Quebecwas killed after falling 13 meters while working on a hydro pole Saint-Félix-de-Valois, Quebec. He leaves behind a wife and a daughter.
• Hubert Fortin, 67, was killed when he was struck by a roller coaster at La Ronde, a Montreal amusement park where he was working. 
• Tara Lynn Veri, was killed when her car was hit by a cement truck. She was from Simcoe, Ontario. 

In international news, there are far more fatalities, our standards and regulations for health and safety are quite high in North America.  Just this past week there was a factory that collapsed killing over 200 people, I was watching CBC news yesterday and they said they are still pulling out bodies from the rubble, for more information you can read this article. Below is a video from CBC about improving unsafe work conditions overseas.  

 

 

Tomorrow, April 28 businesses are being encouraged to recognize this day and to remember to make worker health and safety a priority. There will be special ceremonies all over the country and in Parliament Hill the Canadian flag will be held at half mast. At the Toronto Public Library 2 minutes of silence will be observed to remember worker's lives which have been lost. In the business department on the 4th floor at North York Central Library, one of the librarians has made a beautiful display to honor the National day of Mourning. You should go up and take a look - here's a sneak peek:

National Day of Mourning Display - Business Department

At North York Central Library the Law books are held in the Business Department, we also have a lot of legal directories and leaflets. If you are looking for books on occupational health and safety, worker rights, joint health and safety committees etc. you can find them up on the fourth floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asian Heritage Month Talk at NYCL: East Asian Fashion

 Saturday, May 18 at 2:00 p.m.

North York Central Library Auditorium

Please call 416-395-5639 to register

 Come and join us as Susan Fohr from the Textile Museum of Canada talks about 19th century East Asian fashion, robes, headdresses etc., from the museum's beautiful collection.  The focus of this program is on design, materials, techniques, function and symbolism.

Festival hat
Asia: East Asia, China, Hebei; Han people
Late 19th to early 20th century
Silk padded and stiffened with card and embroidered with metal and silk thread
17 cm x 11 cm
Gift of Fred Braida
T86.0603 Textile Museum of Canada

An orange silk tiger appears to be riding the top of this child’s hat with its paws clutching either side of the black earflaps. Wavy embroidered stitches suggest the tiger’s stripes, while fringes embellish its paws and belly, and the teeth in its open, grinning mouth are formed by a tiny curved row of pleated white silk.

 

   

You can visit the Textile Museum of Canada for free and discover its treasures with a Sun Life Financial Museum + Arts Pass.

Free Science Events in Toronto for May 2013

The Science and Technology Department of North York Central Library compiles a monthly calendar of free science and applied science events in Toronto. Applied science includes health, gardening, pets and food; all subjects found in the department's collection. Here is the May calendar.

This month's highlights include:

• May 3: Scientific Day, an annual event to showcase the best in biomedical engineering student research. The event is comprised of poster sessions, oral presentations and keynote speeches.

• May 8: Healthy Eating + Physical Activity = Cancer Prevention?, a discussion looking at the current information on cancer prevention, fitness and diet.

• May 10: Stem Cells: From Hype to Hope?, a lecture about stem cell research.

• May 11: Science Rendezvous, an annual science festival with various events across the city.

The Toronto Public Library also offers many free science and applied science events:

• Science & Technology
• Health & Wellness
• Computer & Library Training

Some highlights for this month are:

• May 11: Science Rendezvous, an annual science festival with various events at library branches.

• May 15: Geological Wonders of the Modern Ocean Floor, at Brentwood library.

• May 22: Blebs and Blobs in Space Rocks, at Danforth/Coxwell library.

 

North York Central Libary Book Club to discuss Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 will be discussed on Tuesday, April 30 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in Room 2 as part of Toronto Public Library's Keep Toronto Reading Festival.

The discussion will be led by a librarian from the Merril Collection, whose expertise is in science fiction and fantasy.

I listened to the audiobook read by Bradbury himself.  In an interview at the end of his reading, you'll discover that Bradbury wrote the novel in the early 1950's on a rental typewriter in the basement of UCLA's Lawrence Clark Powell library.  During his career he produced over 500 published works that included novels, short stories and screen plays.  Fahrenheit 451 became one of his best known novels. He died at the age of 91 on June 5, 2012.

Come and join the discussion of this very powerful novel.  There is still time to read the book, listen to the audio, or watch the DVD.

 

 

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!