Travel close to home

A few weeks ago I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge - thrilling, gorgeous, not too windy at 11 a.m. - altogether a fun thing to do. We drove to Crissy Field, but next time we plan to BART to the City, rent bikes and end up returning via ferry from Sausalito.

So - one of this month’s additions to the “It’s Easy Being Green” display is a selection of travel guides that feature the Bay Area - lots of possibilities for travel using public transportation or less than a tank of gas. This is the time to appreciate where we live! 

 

New Stuff for Teens: Check it out!

Thanks to a budget infusion for Teen audiovisual items, the Albany Library now carries a selection of Teen DVDs and books on CD. The audiobooks are classics like Crime and Punishment, and may help teens who have reading disabilities by supplementing school-assigned books with a different format (or may just help pass the time on a long drive to a vacation destination). The DVDs range from study aids (such as SAT preparation) to Teen classics to popular anime titles like Naruto. Let us know what you think about the new additions to our collection.

Books, books, books

This is the time of year when many of my favorite authors are coming out with new titles. Reading a book from a favorite author is like visiting with an old friend - comfortable and delicious, and usually an update to a good story. I was happy to again be in the wise presense of Mma Ramotswe in Miracle at Speedy Motors (McCall Smith). I loved the funny, sad characters in the latest lyrical novel by Alice Hoffman, The Third Angel.  San Franciso author, John Lescroat again features Dimas Hardy and takes a political bent to his legal mysteries in Betrayl.   I have great anticipation for the latest Elizabeth George, Careless in Red, featuring one of my favorites, Detective Thomas Lynley - sad, but back on a case. Detective Lynley is someone I want to catch up on.

Excellence and Language

This column appeared in the Journal on April 4, 2008. Past columns can be read at juliewinkelstein.com

“When the moon fully blocked the sun, the darkness seemed something between dusk and night…In that cindery pall, the facade of the moon cold and white, I could believe we were watching the end of the world.” From Dominic Smith’s “The Beautiful Miscellaneous”

 

          A recent bout of the flu gave me a chance to use my few waking hours to read and to rewatch one of my favorite DVDs. The combination of the two – and the emotional state I find myself in when I am ill – made me think about the feeling I get when I am experiencing excellence. I tried to come up with a description of that emotion and the closest I could come was truth.

Kirsten Piroth Art Exhibit

 

An exhibit of Joseph Cornell-style boxes created by Albany resident Kirsten Piroth is currently on view in the Albany Library display cases.  The exhibit will run through the end of May.

“Individuality” - the first box Piroth ever made - is included in the exhibit.

Enjoy the Heat While it Lasts!

It was downright balmy in Albany today, and the forecast says the weekend will be summery too.  What a great excuse to put off the spring cleaning (again) and get outdoors! The library can help you find a great destination, whether you’re looking for a lake to swim in, a campground to book, or a getaway to someplace beyond the heat wave.

For local recreation ideas, I recommend any books by Tom Stienstra or Ann Marie Brown.  Or browse through our past issues of Sunset for getaway suggestions or recipes for delicious outdoor dining.  Or–if you hate the heat–come to the library anyway: We’ve got air conditioning!

Free2 at the Library

This column appeared in the Journal on April 25, 2008. Past columns can be read at juliewinkelstein.com
“Indeed, the question is not whether libraries are relevant today. But whether they can keep pace with the increased demand for their services and materials. With your help, they can.” From WeAreFree2.org

Several weeks ago I attended a presentation on the about-to-be-unveiled Bay Area Library and Information System (BALIS), Silicon Valley Library System and Peninsula Library System marketing campaign for public libraries. Representatives from libraries around the Bay Area met together to hear from marketing specialists on such ideas as branding, key messages, logos, elevator pitches and color combinations. During the presentation, we were shown familiar and not-so-familiar logos and asked to identify them and the accompanying slogan. It was fascinating to see how many we could identify and recite. The one I remembered was the slogan for Apple, “Think different” – because I always wonder whether or not it’s ungrammatical.

Older Adults, it’s Your Library Too!

Did you know May is Older Americans Month? This year’s theme is Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities. At the Albany Library, we strive to do this for our older patrons year-round.  We host many programs of interest to older adults, including a brown bag discussion group, poetry workshops, book discussions, Internet classes and tutoring, and other special events throughout the year. Bring your grandchildren to our storytimes, sing-alongs, and summer events.  Whether you are a Baby Boomer or beyond, we welcome you at the library!

FREE2Vote

It’s Easy Being Green

Check out the new collection of green books at the Library. City of Albany Sustainability Committee member Miya Kitahara and Reference Librarian Richard Russo selected titles on environmental topics which were then purchased using funds from the Friends of the Albany Library. Books on display now include: Plan B 3.0 by Lester R. Brown and How Green is Your City by Warren Karlenzig. For more information, go to the website at www.greenalbany.org

Checking out a book or DVD or CD from the Library is always a good recycling idea!