At Home Alone Family Workshop

Greetings!
If you're sending your offspring to school today, you may be marveling at how time flies.
If your wee one is almost ready to spend time without you and unattended, the October 2nd At Home Alone Family Workshop: Five Easy Steps To Independence October 2nd might interest you.
It takes place from 6 to 8 pm at Palmerston Library and you have to register in advance.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Kazu Kibuishi Fans: Mark August 25th on Your Calendar!

Little Island Comics and the Palmerston Library branch are teaming up to host the launch of Amulet Book Six by graphic novel author and illustrator Kazu Kibuishi.
Here's the scoop:

"Kazu Kibuishi Launches Amulet Book Six: Talk and Painting Demonstration

Mon Aug 25, 20146:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.60 mins

Acclaimed graphic novel author and illustrator Kazu Kibuishi will visit Palmerston Branch to launch the new Book Six of the popular "Amulet" series. In partnership with Little Island Comics.

Space is limited. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Talk and Painting Demostration with Kazu Kibuishi
6-7pm @ Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston Ave.

Book Signing with Kazu Kibuishi
7.30 @ Little Island Comics, 742 Bathurst St.

Books will be available for purchase at both venues.

Join us as we welcome Kazu Kibuishi on Monday, August 25th for the launch of the long-awaited sixth volume of the Amulet series: Amulet Book Six: Escape from Lucien!

The evening's festivities begin at the Palmerston Branch of Toronto Public Library, where Kazu will give a talk about the Amulet books and demonstrate some of the painting techniques he uses to create the art for Amulet. Admission to the talk is free, and copies of the book will be available for sale on site. Please note that seating is limited, and admission to the talk is on a first-come-first-served basis.

Then, at 7:30, the celebration moves down the street to Little Island Comics, where Kazu will be autographing copies of the new book for fans. Please join us for either or both of these events!"

Cheers,
Vanessa

Summer Movie Night at Palmerston Library: Veronica Mars July 17th

DD just binge watched Veronica Mars. Frankly, I don't understand the TV series' appeal! But I don't think I'm in its target demographic, either.
For those of you who are fans of the TV show, you may want to mosey over to Palmerston Library Thurs. July 17th for a free screening of Veronica Mars -- the movie, that is.
Things kick off at 6 pm.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Robin Hood and The Dragon at Palmerston Library Saturday

For the younger set, Applefun Puppetry presents Robin Hood and The Dragon at the Palmerston Library this Saturday.
The January 25th show runs from 2 to 3 pm.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Board Game Frenzy at Palmerston Public Library Thursday

The Snakes and Lattes crew will be on hand at the Palmerston Library Aug. 15th for Board Game Frenzy.
The fun runs from 2 to 3:30 pm and is free of charge.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Catastrophic Conundrums in Earth History June 1st at Palmerston Library

Learn about what "the ages of rocks tell us about ancient mass extinctions. With Sandra Kamo, Geochronology Lab Manager, Earth Sciences, U of T. Part of the Our Planet in Focus series presented in partnership with the University of Toronto."
Catastrophic Conundrums is presented for free, in our neighbourhood at the Palmerston Library on June 1st from 7 pm to 8 pm.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Palmerston Community Asian Arts Fusion Festival Today

If you hear drumming at 11 this morning, you'll know that you're close to the Palmerston Community Asian Arts Fusion Festival.
The drumming procession begins at Bloor and Palmerston and ends at the Palmerston library, which will be the site for a jam-packed day featuring lots of music, tasty Indonesian snacks and art performances.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Palmerston Library Events

I must confess: I never go to the library these days. I buy or borrow the books that I  want to read and I read more periodicals than books.
But it strikes me that libraries are necessary, even though I don't use them. What about people who can't afford to buy books, especially if they're voracious readers? What about the other items that libraries lend, such as movies and CDs? Plus, many local branches provide Internet access for people who may not have it at home.
Also, people rarely discuss the sense of community that a local library can help to build. I took my wee ones to the Palmerston Branch for story time, or just to hang out in the kids' book section for awhile, prior to taking some books home to read. It was a local, lovely outing perfect for rainy and snowy days.
Local adults can gather there, too, and get to know their neighbours.
So, it's in that spirit that I will share with you that the Palmerston Library has some upcoming events that might interest you.
On May 7th, solo traveller Janice Waugh talks about her travel adventures and "inspiration for her book The Solo Traveler's Handbook."
Glad You're Not Here: The Joy of Travelling Alone runs from 7 to 9 pm.
Two days later, on May 9th, Ins Choi shares the story behind his award-winning play, Kim's Convenience.
That kicks off at 7 pm, as well.
Now get outside and enjoy the Spring sunshine! Showers are on their way.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Take Your Kids For An Art Spin

You can register your Kids For A Spin at the April 28th Art Garage at Palmerston Library. Sounds like fun.

Of course, that is if the libraries open and not closed due to strikes.

But at least you can probably walk there and not have to rely on TTC, or biking.
And for anyone's who's surprised that the city is falling apart under the bullying "leadership" of Rob Ford, all I can say is "Really?"

I've had a little pit of dread in my stomach that hasn't gone away since he was elected.

In fact, even though I've lived in Toronto all of my life, lately I've been thinking that there is a move in my future. Not soon, because of my current family situation, but one day.
I'd really like to live in a city that works well again.

Vanessa

Baby Time at Palmerston Library

My kids are teens now (barely), but I had them less than 14 months apart and there was a time, during the toddler years, that was a bit challenging.

One of the things that helped me to cope was going to Mom/baby groups.

I'm happy to see that Palmerston library is offering Baby Time beginning this Friday and running every Friday until March 11th. Parents bring their birth-to-18-month-old children from 10:30 to 11 am for "bouncing and tickling rhymes, songs and stories."

The library would like you to register by calling 416-393-768.

Cheers,

Vanessa

Family Literacy Day Puppet Show Saturday

I enjoy simple pleasures and few are better than reading stories with bath-damp toddlers. All of it is fabulous: the sweet-smelling little heads, the chubby hands helping you turn pages and their rapt attention as you read together.

And what better way to create a lifelong reader?

To celebrate Family Literacy Day, which was yesterday (oops!), the Palmerston Library is inviting families to a puppet show Saturday from 2 to 3 pm. The two shows are based on folk tales, The Umbrella Thief and The Monkey and the Crocodile.

Enjoy!
Vanessa

Christmas Carol Concerts

The chilly weather is helping me to deal with the yearly early onslaught of Christmas mania.

Personally, I don't get that tingly feeling until a) there's white stuff on the ground, preferably having fallen in big, fat fluffy flakes b) there's a live tree in my living room, c) there are hand-baked cookies in tins in my kitchen and d) I've listened to Nat King Cole sing The Christmas Song.
It's a given, of course, that I've shared all of the above with my family, including torturing their acoustic sensibilities by singing along to said Christmas Song.

Singing Christmas carols strikes me as one of the least co-opted of Christmas traditions, which must be why my favourite annual party is a caroling one and why I'm mournful that every year I have a conflict with the neighbourhood caroling tradition.

If you feel the same way, two upcoming events might interest you.

On Wed., Dec. 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., the Palmerston Public Library is hosting a free Jingle Bell Time: Christmas Sing-a-long.

And on Mon., Dec. 13th, Royal St. George's College is hosting a Neighbourhood Carol Service at Walmer Road Baptist Church. It begins at 7 pm and everyone is welcome.

Happy singing,

Vanessa

Hallowe'en stories at Palmerston Library Oct. 30th

Yesterday was a very Hallowe'en-y day: leaves on the ground, fog, a light drizzle. Spooky! Let's hope next Sunday's weather is similar.

At our house, it's the end of an era because my firstborn ghoul will not be shelling out this year.
For those of you with wee ones, you might want to take them to Palmerston Library this Saturday to hear some Hallowe'en stories.
Enjoy!
Vanessa

PS Get out and vote today! I don't care if it's raining, I don't care if you're tired and, if you don't, I don't want to hear one word out of your mouth about municipal politics until the next election. So there.

Movie Nights at Palmerston Library

One of our local libraries hosts a monthly movie night. Admission is free and Sherlock Holmes is screening from 6 to 8 pm on Thursday, June 17th at the Palmerston Branch on Palmerston, just north of Bloor. On July 20th, Avatar starts at 5:30 pm at the same branch.

Happy viewing!
Vanessa