Spring is just around the corner and thoughts of verdant green spaces, riotous blooms and luscious edibles are making themselves felt. Now is the time to plan your outside spaces whether acres or balcony size.

Try growing some simple annuals from seed – marigolds are easy and kids can help. Try some fresh herbs in a container which can be located close to the kitchen and food preparation. If bigger ideas are on your mind, plan out carefully what you need for building that new deck or patio space which will make your trip to the big box store all the easier and quicker.

Whatever your dream you can find books and magazines to help you realize it. Get started and before you know it you will be lounging in that special space you call yours!

Spring is fast approaching and homebuyers are out in full force. If you are thinking of selling let us help you with home staging and preparation. Also available is a DVD on buying and selling a home.
 

From humble 1987 beginnings as an animated short on the Tracy Ullman Show, The Simpsons have become a cultural juggernaut.  Broadcast as a half-hour animated comedy since late 1989, The Simpsons reached a milestone last year when it became the longest running American primetime entertainment series in history.  It has won dozens of awards, was named the best TV series of the 20th Century by Time Magazine, spawned a 2007 movie and became the cultural touchstone for a generation.

In The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History, author John Ortved takes us behind the scenes.  He outlines the creation of the show, the tensions between key players Matt Groening,  James L. Brooks and Sam Simon (and others), the story behind its unique animation, the series' ups and downs over the last twenty years and much more. 

For a pop culture look at "America's favourite non-prehistoric cartoon family," check out Planet Simpson: How A Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation by Canadian writer Chris Turner.

Library users at the temporary Brooklin Branch are now able to check out materials for themselves using an Express Check-Out machine.  The Express Check-Out is located across from the Circulation Desk and you can use it to check out all circulating materials - all you need is your library card!

The RFID system that makes the Self Checkout possible was first installed at the Central Library when it opened in May 2005.  This new Self Checkout is a terrific service improvement at the very busy temporary branch location.  The equipment will then be moved to its permanent home in the new Brooklin Community Centre and Library.