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BENEATH OUR FEET

Posted Thu, 11/12/2009 - 10:26pm by Karen Ostertag

We often look to speculative fiction to take us on journeys to distant galaxies, to transport us to far, fey kingdoms or realms of nightmare.  But there's a strange, lost land hiding much closer than we might suspect-- every day, in cities all around the world, humanity treads unthinkingly over it.  Those seemingly solid streets we drive on every day?  Hollow.  Buildings, sidewalks, even parks stretch over spacious caverns of air.  Although this sounds fantastical, I haven't even gotten to the "fiction" part yet-- read on! 

MILITARY INSIGNIA EXHIBIT

Posted Wed, 11/11/2009 - 3:56pm by Sally Pellegrini

Wednesday, November 11 is Veterans Day, a day to thank all our servicemen and servicewomen who have fought and defended our country so gallantly. Tuesday night at the library we heard Lee Woodruff speak about her husband, Bob’s injuries in Iraq as well as the many other brave service people who have been injured in the Middle East. One area resident has loaned the library a fascinating exhibit that has 250 U.S. military insignia from World War I and World War II. Stop in and view this colorful and interesting display of symbols, unique designs and inscriptions that serves to remind all of us of our military history.

What's Cooking?: Thanksgiving

Posted Wed, 11/04/2009 - 1:01pm by Dorothy Ng

The autumn holidays are here!  Halloween has passed and Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  It is a special time to gather with families and friends around the table.  With the blustery fall weather, there is nothing like the comforting aroma of a steamy pot of soup or stew braising on the stove, or meat and root vegetables roasting in the oven.  I can still remember my dad's pork & shrimp wonton dumplings in a hot clear broth and how it took the chill out from the cold.  Soups are great comfort foods.

Short term pain...long term gain

Posted Tue, 11/03/2009 - 5:07pm by Charles McMorran

New Steps at the New City Library If you have been to the library in recent weeks you know we are getting new front steps. The Library needed to close its front doors in order to complete this project in a timely manner.    Both doors are now open.   The steps will remain unavailable until the handrails are installed.  Please use the ramp and avoid spills by NOT walking through the flower bed. 

Also in laying new sidewalk, the drive through bookdrops were closed over the past weekend.  NO FINES WERE CHARGED on materials returned through Monday morning.  The library is sorry for the inconvenience and hopes you appreciate our beutiful new entrance.

HAUNTING ROMANCE

Posted Fri, 10/30/2009 - 6:22pm by Karen Ostertag

Looking for something to stir your spirits on a dark and chilly October night?  You might think that supernatural romances aren't your cup of tea, but ghosts can turn up in almost any type of romance-- from sweets to Gothics to hard-boiled romantic suspense.  As phantom lovers, spectral matchmakers, or the ultimate in unearthly villains, ghosts can add something a little out of the usual way.  If the idea of a haunting romance intrigues you, check out one of these titles!

Library Challenges

Posted Wed, 10/28/2009 - 12:00am by Charles McMorran

The library has met with several challenges lately that have hampered delivery of quality service.   On Saturday, October 25, during one of our more severe thunderstorms, the sump pump failed and staff were greeted the next morning with more than an inch of water in our lower level.  The only good news is that no materials were damaged. 

In a library environment it is critical that the water and moisture be addressed immediately.   The collection is the library’s most valuable asset.  Through having knowledgeable experienced staff, we were able to have a disaster recovery team onsite by Monday morning. 

Unfortunately, we needed to close the area, and the major part of the DVD collection, part of the non-fiction collection and our entire collection of science fiction, fantasy and horror are inaccessible.  It currently appears that the area will be opened up again on Monday or Tuesday.

What We Leave Behind

Posted Tue, 10/27/2009 - 1:22pm by Gail Seidenfrau

The circulation department checks in thousands of books every month.  One thing of which we are certain is finding something someone unintentionally left behind.  We returned lottery tickets (no winners), discarded used boarding passes and wondered if a recipe was a keeper.  Often we are able to return items to the rightful owner; money, bookmarks, bills, prescriptions or doctor's instructions.  If the item falls out of the book or there is nothing to identify the owner, it's added to our lost and found or the picture box on the circulation desk.  If only your pictures could talk we'd reunite Grandpa with his grandson, the graduate with prom pictures or the bridal party with the happy couple.  We keep pictures for a long time hoping someone will recognize a friend.  It has happened a few times, but it saddens us when pictures go unclaimed.  So check the pages before you return books, a picture is worth a thousand words but the ones you leave behind are silent. 

Nonfiction Chronicles: Marathon Sunday

Posted Mon, 10/26/2009 - 2:21pm by Marianne Silver

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

Think the New York City Marathon is a grueling test of endurance?  Well, to the Tarahumara Indians of the Copper Canyons of Mexico, it’s a walk in the park.  This reclusive tribe of super-runners can go hundreds of miles on desert terrain clad only in thin sandals after an all-night party drinking homemade tequila.   Author McDougall goes on a quest to discover the secrets to their peace-loving, cooperative, and very physical lifestyle by seeking out the mythical Caballo Blanco, an American ex-pat who earned their trust and serves as intermediary.  Using the Tarahumara as a backdrop, McDougall digresses into interesting topics such as the biomechanical superiority of barefoot running, reasons for the decline of U.S. distance running, and how evolutionary evidence points to the fact that the human body was, in fact, built for running.

Large Print: Cozy Up to a Good Mystery

Posted Wed, 10/21/2009 - 10:58am by Veronica Reynolds

October is a perfect month to read something spooky.  Do you like mysteries, but don’t like a lot of gore or violence? Cozy mysteries may be just right for you!  Jessica Fletcher, the heroine of the Murder, She Wrote series, leads off this list of recommendations, followed by other plucky woman detectives and even a cat!

A Little Yuletide Murder by Donald Bain
Santa’s been murdered! Actually, it’s farmer Rory Brent, who's played St. Nick at Cabot Cove's annual holiday event for years. Now Jessica has to track down the humbug that did it!

Mystery Monday

Posted Mon, 10/19/2009 - 3:36pm by Nancy Moskowitz

Prolific mystery author Stuart Kaminsky died last week at the age of 75.  While not a superstar of the publishing world, Mr. Kaminsky  (or rather Dr. Kaminsky, as he earned a Ph.D and was a film studies scholar) had a long and distinguished career.  Starting in 1977 and including this year, he wrote over 60 books.  The more astonishing fact is that he wrote not one, not two, but four different mystery series!  Some of you may have read his Chicago cop series featuring Abe Lieberman,  or his Russian Police Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov series.  Others may remember his Lew Foneseca, the depressive process server, or Toby Peters, the slightly seedy Hollywood P.I.  In 2006, Stuart Kaminsky was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America, the organization's highest honor. Mystery fans everywhere mourn the passing of this very talented writer.

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