In the spirit of World Animal Day, I offer you some animal friendly books from the worlds of cooking, philosophy, science, photography, fiction and memoir. But first, a bit of history. The first World Animal Day took place in Berlin on March 24, 1925. It was organized by Heinrich Zimmermann, a German author and animal […]
I wish I could find the secret door in the back of my wardrobe that leads to another world. Winter is coming in this one. And it feels like the dark is rising. I need a fictional vacation destination. But to where? A holiday in the Shire would suit me, hiding in a cozy hobbit […]
This year Halloween falls on a Monday — the worst possible day! I don't know about you, but I'm in no condition to get up before the sun has risen the morning after Halloween, with the work week ahead giving me the evil eye. If you've celebrated Halloween right, you've pushed your body and psyche […]
The infamous pig trial will begin again on October 3. In an instance of synchronicity seemingly arranged by Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, World Animal Day is October 4. For those who haven’t been following the case, last summer Anita Krajnc stuck her arm through a vent in a truck stopped at […]
Please join us at North York Central Library on Thursday, September 29, for a talk on world renowned architect Frank Gehry. The talk begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be given by Larry Wayne Richards, Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto. Frank […]
Take a look at the lawns on the covers of these books: And these lawns, on the covers of organic lawn care books: I see a lawn like this and think, I bet I'd have to use a coaster in that house. And sit up very straight in an expensive white chair. Woe to the […]
How many hockey players does it take to make you feel dumb about Canadian art? If you said three, good guess. A recent poll showed that Canadians had no trouble coming up with the names of hockey players — 97 percent of those polled could name three or more. I came up with ten, and […]
North York Central Library is partnering with the TD Toronto Jazz Festival for a free preview show. The Chase Sanborn Trio will perform at the library on Tuesday, June 21 at 7:15 p.m. Before the performance, Chase and his fellow musicians will give a workshop on jazz fundamentals. It doesn't matter whether you're a jazz […]
Miss Understood by David ShankboneYou’re invited to Stilettos on the Move, a drag fashion show! Come celebrate Pride Week at North York Central Library on Tuesday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m. Flamboyant drag performers will turn the library stage into a catwalk as glamorous as any you'll see during Toronto Fashion Week. Watch Juice Boxx, Scarlet […]
Last year, in April, someone gave me a poem. It was left on my desk, front and centre, where I'd be sure to see it. No one confessed. It could have been anyone in the building — North York Central Library has six floors, so my suspect list is long. Will the poem fairy (as I've […]