Black Creek

Looking for a good laugh this April Fool's Day?

March 31, 2013 | Paula | Comments (0) Facebook Twitter More...


Bart simpson prince of pranksNothing says April Fool's like a great prank.  But pranks like humour depend on the audience. You can tell by the look on a person's face when you've hit or missed the mark.  I was telling some of my young colleagues (by now they're all young) about working on a weekly newspaper when one of my cronies stuffed a ball of burrs in my typewriter just to watch my reaction to the explosion. Hmm, times have changed.  But seeing someone duped - some things just never lose their joy.  That's what I don't get about facebook humour - you don't get to see the facial expression, but then I'm probably missing something "after my time." But that's another story.

 I decided to update my skills and share some sources with you.  Humour and pranks are appreciated not just today but any time so lets have a look:

    Bart Simpson Prince of Pranks                    Bestof stuntology

But why should we read about others when: "Now you can amuse and embarrass yourself live, by performing the silliest, stupidest, funniest pranks and parlor tricks right in the comfort of your own living room. Or better yet, at any fancy restaurant, cocktail party, classroom, or business meeting.       Best of Stuntology

 

 

Frank pranks Nation worth ranting If you don't want to do-it-yourself how about laughing at someone else's expense?

Politicians are always a favourite target and if you don't remember Frank magazine Rick Mercer may be more your style.

Franks Pranks

                                  A Nation Worth Ranting About

 

 It's not possible to talk about humour without women's humor and remembering the late, great Nora Ephron's:  I Feel Bad About My Neck   followed by I feel badI Remember Nothing 

  I remember nothing                           And the very alive Tina Fey's:  Bossypants

         Bossypants     

Which brings me back to the point of humour being such a subjective beast.  Hope I've hit something you can relate to or otherwise use to bring a smile to someone's face.

 

As someone once told me:  "If you're good for a  laugh, you're good for something." 

You've heard about "people learning from the mistakes of others" and then there are those of us who are the "others." If you want company check out   Three Bricks Shy of a Load culled from newscasts and newspapers from around the world by Peter Taylor who spent 40 years in publishing in Toronto.

Enjoy April 1 - leave them laughing.  Final suggestion:  The Mammoth Book of 10,000 Zingers.

Oh, and if you have a young person in your life:

Where do animals who've lost their tails shop for a new one?     (A retail store) 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Stories about Bad Men

September 12, 2012 | Diana R | Comments (1) Facebook Twitter More...

Black Donnellys: The Outrageous Tale of Canada's Deadliest Feud
by Nate Hendley

 

Edwin Alonzo Boyd The Life and Crimes of Canada's Mater Bank Robber
by Nate Hendley

 

Join author Nate Hendley, on Thursday, September 20, at 1:00 pm, for a fascinating presentation about infamous Canadian criminals throughout history, such as the notorious Donnelly family and the flamboyant Toronto bank robber, Edwin Alonzo Boyd.

 

 

  

 

 More books about these infamous Canadian bad men by different authors:

Donnelly's must Die           Edwin Alonzo Boyd The story of the notorious Boyd gang

In keeping with the theme of Good Stories about Bad Men, check out Downsview's library display on True Crime. True crime books chronicle the crime, but also dig deep into the criminal mind and uncover the bizarre and disturbing thoughts of serial killers.

Prepare to be engrossed in this unsavoury side of human nature!

From Serials Killers   

  Ripperology a study of the world's first serial killer and a literary phenomenon      Killer of Little Shepherds      Green River Running Red     

To Bizarre Murders

Zodiac unmasked the Idenity of America's most Elusive Serial Killer      World's most Bizarre Murders     Mammoth Book of Bizarre Crimes

To Mass Murders

Helter Skelter The True Story of the Manson Murders     Hunting Humans     Bloody Justice 

To Organized Crime

   Organized Crime   McMafia     Outlaws Inside the Violent World of Biker Gangs

To Great Criminal Mysteries

    True Crime Stories Stories that Shocked America     Crimes and the Rich and Famous     Marilyn's Last Words her Secret Tapes and Mysterious Death

Job Interview Workshop

August 31, 2012 | Diana R | Comments (0) Facebook Twitter More...

Are you the right person for the job? 

This workshop focuses on interview preparation and practical skills that will help you get that perfect job for you.  This workshop, presented by Humber College Community Employment Services, will guide you through the stages of an inteview and will help you with strategies to respond effectively to those "tough" questions.

Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 1:00 pm

If you have any questions, please call Downsview Library at 416-395-5720. 

Registration is not required for this workshop.

 Check out some of these books to help you prepare for the interview.

 Perfect interview    Interview1   Interview2 

Check out some of these ebooks to help you prepare for the interview.

Interview3               Interview 4    

Check out this DVD to help you prepare for the interview.       

                                            Interview 5





 

 

Downsview Book Club

August 30, 2012 | Paula | Comments (0) Facebook Twitter More...

 Join in the lively discussion of books old and new.  Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens.  Travel to the Yorkshire moors, Ceylon, Prince Edward County, inside a marriage and to the devastation of Coventry.  Click on the images below to read more details and reviews.  It's never too late to become part of the group.  Register at the main floor information desk.  Copies of upcoming books are available at the branch.        

 Sheltering sky  Tale of two  Charles dickens a life Becoming Jane Eyre

 September 5, 2012          September 19, 2012           October 3, 2012           October 17, 2012                

 

Cat's table  Map of glass  Must you go  Coventry

October 31, 2012              November 14, 2012          November 28, 2012          December 12, 2012   



        


Titanic Anniversary Produces Unsinkable Stories

April 13, 2012 | Diana R | Comments (0) Facebook Twitter More...

 

April 15, 2012,

marks the 100th anniversary

of the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

The luxury ship which sank on its maiden voyage from Southampton England to the United States was not the first or the last famous shipwrecks. The Titanic was also considered by many to be unsinkable.

Titanic sinks Titanic 101 things you though you knew about the Titanic RMS Titanic

Check out personal accounts of that and other famous shipwrecks.

Building the Titanic That fatal night Lost voices from the titanic How to survive the Titanic

Check out some books on other famous shipwrecks.

Shipwreck Titanic and other lost ships Atlantic great sea battles, heroic discoveries, titanic storms and a vast ocean of million stories

 

Shipwrecks monters and mysteries of the great lakes Resolute the epic search for the northwest passage and the discovery of the queen's ghost ship The wreck of the Edmund Fitgerald

Because of the tragedy, the Titanic became perhaps the best-known ship in the world, capturing the public imagination and inspiring popular books and movies.

Some 100 years after its sinking, the Titanic remains an enduring legend.




Have your say @ the Downsview Book Club

February 3, 2012 | Paula | Comments (0) Facebook Twitter More...

Winter-Spring 2012

The Downsview Book Club has a long tradition of meeting every two week to discuss a wide variety of books. This eager group of enquiring minds is always looking for new members to join them in lively discussion. If the list of the upcoming season's books appeals to you please register at the Information Desk on the Main Floor or call Downsview 416-395-5720. Start date is February 8, 2012.

This season's books: (Click on image to get linked to Toronto Public Library for descriptions)

      February  8                  February 22                    March  7                       March 21

  Champlain's dream   The maytrees  In a glass house The sheltering sky

     April  4                       April 18                         May  4                         May 16                                 

Gathering   Galore  Sanctuary line   Sunalso rises

Downsview Library is also hosting a Coffee & Conversation about Books on Thursday, May 3 for anyone interested in books about siblings: the good, the bad and the ugly. If you have titles to share or would like to hear about a few you may not have read please register!

For more information watch for the blog or call Paula at 416-395-5720.

Welcome to the York Woods District Libraries' blog. Our purpose is to provide information about Library programs and services, community news, and special events in the Black Creek, Downsview and Jane-Finch neighbourhoods. You are invited to be a part of our interactive space where you can post and respond to comments. Visit the blog often, or subscribe to the RSS feature for automatic updates. Follow the link for an explanation of RSS feeds and how to subscribe.